Looking Back at 2020 Part 1

 

 

For my first post of 2021, I am looking back at a selection of outstanding recordings and books that I posted about this past year. I am selecting one item from each month. This is not a list of best recordings, but ones that I wish to highlight again, particularly since in some months I could have chosen others. I have linked the full blog post for each item.

I am doing the first half of 2020 today, and tomorrow will be the second half.

January 2020

Jimmy Johnson
Every Day Of Your Life
Delmark Records

 Released in late 2019 I wrote, 

" Going to the 2019 Chicago Blues Festival, one of the acts I was most anxious to see was Jimmy Johnson, who was celebrating his 90th birthday. I had not seen him since he played the Pocono Blues Festival in 2007, and his performance that night did not disappoint. Johnson's new CD does not disappoint, and it is striking how strong his vocals are as well as his guitar playing. 

…

Johnson still performs at a high level and is provided with excellent support here. Add in the terrific originals and covers, and the result is one of the best new blues albums of 2019."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/01/jimmy-johnson-every-day-of-your-life.html. 

February 2020

Jeff Rupert - George Garzone
The Ripple
Rupe Media

"The Ripple," the title of the new CD by tenor saxophonists Jeff Rupert and George Garzone, refers "to the far-reaching effect of Lester Young's voice in music." Rupert is the director of The Flying Horse Band out of the University of Central Florida's Jazz Program. Besides being a master of the tenor saxophone, Garzone is a revered educator, with noted students including Joshua Redman, Branford Marsalis, and Donny McCaslin. Besides being educators, they are both superior tenor saxophonists. Backing them is a first-rate rhythm section of Richard Drexler on piano, Jeremy Allen on bass, and Marty Morrell on drums, all of whom have a lengthy association with Rupert.

…

"Rupert and Garzone are superb saxophonists playing some marvelous songs and backed by a first-rate rhythm section. The result is this extraordinary recording."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/02/jeff-rupert-george-garzone-ripple.html.

March 2020

Sweet Bitter Blues: Washington DC's Homemade Blues
Phil Wiggins and Frank Matheis
2020: University of Mississippi Press: 286 pp

 "It is welcome that this long-awaited collaboration between bluesman Phil Wiggins and journalist Frank Matheis has finally arrived in print. Centered around Phil Wiggins' recollection of his life and his career as a blues artist, he and Matheis provide welcome documentation of the Washington D.C. acoustic blues scene and community over the past half-century or so. In addition to Phil Wiggins autobiography, they give an overview of the D.C. blues scene in the 1960s, of performers that have been and are part of the D.C. acoustic blues scene, Phil Wiggins' tips for harmonica players, and Barry Lee Person's interviews with John Cephas and Archie Edwards.

"The highest compliment I can make of this book, besides how much I enjoyed reading it, is that I learned so much about the D.C. acoustic blues scene. It is also handsomely illustrated. "Sweet Bitter Blues" is an invaluable addition to the literature about the blues."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/03/sweet-bitter-blues-washington-dcs.html.

April 2020: 

Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band
Live at Cory Weeds' Jazz Club
Cellar Live Records

" Not much to say, but this quintet captures the blues-drenched hard bop soul that characterized Adderley's great band. Indeed, things get off to a terrific start with "Exodus." The performances throughout are outstanding with the rendition of "Dat Here," with a superb Germanson solo being a specific highlight. Hayes and Douglas drive the hot grooves here while Herring and Pelt are characteristically exceptional. The closing notes of "Sack Of Woe" conclude a superb performance."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/04/louis-hayes-and-cannonball-adderley.html.

May 2020:

Lynne Arriale Trio
Chimes of Freedom
Challenge Records International

"For her 15th album, pianist Lynne Arriale has put together her reflections on freedom, cultural diversity, and her hope for refugee families to find a safe haven among the world's democratic nations. Arriale is joined on this recording by bassist and co-producer Jasper Somsen, and drummer, E. J. Strickland. Singer-songwriter K.J. Denhart adds vocals to two of the ten tunes, seven of which are Arriale originals.

…

"Lynne Arriale plays lyrically throughout with clarity, elegance, and grace while Somsen and Strickland complement her with their empathetic playing. The Lynne Arriale Trio's "Chimes of Freedom" is an excellent, stirring recording."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/05/lynne-arriale-trio-chimes-of-freedom.html. 

June 2020:

Vienna Carroll and the Folk
Harlem Field Recordings
Self-Produced

"The variety of her repertoire encompasses a wide range of folkloric connections from classic acoustic blues, spirituals, sea shanties, hollers and shouts, and work songs. The authority she brings is evident from "Strawberries and Cream," where she shouts like a street vendor selling berries and praising glory. Another selection is the lively spiritual with call and response of "You Better Mind," with Henrique Prince adding saw-toned violin. Another jubilant spiritual performance is "Let's Go Down to the River." 

 …

 "One of the most moving tracks is a lullaby and work song, "All the Pretty Little Horses." Vienna introduces it, noting that it came from a time when a slave mother would have to breast-feed a plantation owner's baby at the expense of her child. The string accompaniment adds to the somber mood of a stunning performance that stands out in a totally superb album."

 Here is the post link:https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/06/vienna-carroll-and-folk-harlem-field.html.