Bob Corritore & Friends - Spider in My Stew

Bob Corritore & Friends - Spider in My Stew - Vizztone/SWMAF Records

This album is yet another compilation from Bob Corritore with the veteran blues harmonica teamed with some of today's most outstanding blues artists for many wonderful traditional Chicago blues. Among those heard, with Corritore's harp backing, are Sugaray Rayford, Lurrie Bell, John Primer, Alabama Mike, Diunna Greenleaf, Francine Reed, Johnny Rawls, Oscar Wilson, Willie Buck, and Bill & Shy Perry. Bell, Primer, Rawls, and Bill Perry also contribute guitar. Other guitarists on this album include Bob Margolin, Junior Watson, Kid Ramos, L.A. Jones, Jimi 'Primetime' Smith, and Jimmy Rapp. Among the keyboard players are Fred Kaplan, Shea Marshall, Doc Holiday, and Bob Welsh. Bob Stroger, Adrian Marie, Kedar Roy, and Troy Sandow are among the bassists, while the drummers include Brian Fahey, Andrew Guterman, Marty Dodson, and June Core. Shea Marshall and Doug James are heard on saxophone.

With this contemporary group of blues all-stars, one should not be surprised with just how good some of these performances are, starting with Oscar Wilson's robust singing on a cover of Fenton Robinson's "Tennessee Woman." Sugaray Rayford's "Soul Food" is one of the few originals here. It sounds like a hot 50's Memphis shuffle as he exuberantly shouts about going to get Big Mama's Soul Food. Corritore's fat wet tone evokes Papa Lightfoot here while drummer Marty Dodson channels Fred Below. Alabama Mike transforms Chuck Willis' "Whatcha Gonna Do" into what it might have sounded if Jesse Fortune had recorded it in Chicago. Junior Watson is outstanding on guitar. Mike also updates Harmonica Slim's "Drop Anchor."

Koko Taylor sang the original rendition of Willie Dixon's "Don't Mess With The Messer." Diunna Greenleaf makes this song her own on a recording that evokes Willie Dixon's productions. Here Corritore playing more in a Sonny Boy Williamson II manner. Add Doug James' rousing baritone sax solo and one has a gem of a performance. Willie Dixon also wrote the title track, which Lurrie Bell pours his heart into with fervent singing and white-hot guitar while Corritore shines on chromatic harmonica. Johnny Rawls contributes a soulful B.B. King-styled "blues, "Sleeping With the Blue." 

With trebly guitar from Kid Ramos and Johnny Main, Francine Reed powerfully updates the Staples Singers "Why Am I Treated So Bad" and Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." Another standout selection is Willie Buck's channeling of Muddy Waters on "Soon Forgotten." Jimi 'Primetime' Smith's guitar, Fred Kaplan's piano, and Corritore's harp contribute to evoke the Chicago blues legend on this stellar cover. Everything on this album is wonderfully played, and again Bob Corritore has put together a collection of first-rate Chicago-styled blues with so many outstanding selections.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. Here is Bob Corritore and Sugaray Rayford.

Dave Keller You Get What You Give

Dave Keller
You Get What You Give
Tastee Tone Records

Singer-guitarist-songwriter Dave Keller has put together a special new recording dedicated to raising funds toward enhancing racial justice and equity. Keller, whose mix of soul and blues has earned him acclaim, fans, and friends, is joined by Trudy Lynn, Joe Louis Walker, Annika Chambers, Johnny Rawls, Annie Mack, Dawn Tyler Watson, Brother Bob White, Carly Harvey, Toussaint St. Negritude, Katie Henry, Chad Hollister and others who donated their time and talent for this recording. Even before release, raised over $2,000.00 from pre-orders with "all of which will go directly to groups working for racial justice and equity." The list of recipient groups includes the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Know Your Rights Camp, N'COBRA, and Jus' Blues Foundation.

Separate apart from the fundraising aspect of this album; the performances are stunning. This starts with the opening duet between Keller and Annika Chambers, "One More Tear." It is a superb Memphis soul styled song about two lovers who can't get over each other. The production, the playing, and the singing are exceptional. It sets the tone and standard for this album. More of the same is present in the duet with Carly Harvey, "The Thing We Do," as the two celebrate their love for each other. Another outstanding duet is the title track with Annie Mack with its country-soul flavor. There is an uplifting duet between Keller and Dawn Tyler Watson, "God Is Love/ Love Is Everything."

Among other inspired songs are "The Evil Men Do." This song has a topical lyric about this land be haunted with bodies handing on the tree and lying on the ground under a knee as Annika Chamber, Annie Mack, and Johnnie Rawls add their voices. Ira Friedman adds a stark piano backing, with Tom Palance adding a haunting trumpet solo. Friedman's spare piano also backs Keller's sober vocal on "The Spark." Brother Bob White sings and plays piano on the classic gospel number "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" with Keller adding responsive guitar.

There are other equally stirring performances. These include those with Joe Louis Walker and Katie Henry. Also, Keller's acoustic steel guitar and harmonica support Toussaint St.Negritude on the spoken blues "I'm Gonna Let It Shine," about standing on the banks of tomorrow and pressing for a brighter tomorrow. This number concludes a remarkable recording, one of the finest new recordings I have heard in 2020. "You Get What You Give" is not merely great music but raises money for a great cause.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here Dave performs "The Evil Men Do."

Johnny Rawls Where Have All the Soul Men Gone

Johnny Rawls
Where Have All the Soul Men Gone
Third Street Cigar Records

Johnny Rawls returns with his third recording for Third Street Cigar Records with another collection of soul-blues. Recorded in Denmark, Rawls wrote and produced this latest addition to his discography. Horns were added in Ohio. Those familiar with Rawls' prior recordings or performances will find nothing new here. It is merely another well-produced set of songs starting with the title selection, "Where Have All the Soul Men Gone." Rawls' latest song salutes some of the great soul and blues legends that shaped his music and whose legacy he carries on.

Rawls' pleading gospel-rooted soul vocals are set against crisp backing, including moaning horns that evoke the Hi records sound, as he sings about his women and what they mean to him. For example, in "Can't Leave It Alone," he sings about wanting to leave her alone. However, she has her hook in too deep, but also she has everything he needs. In addition to the medium tempo groovers like "Keep On Doing My Thing," Rawls contributes an original soul ballad, "Love, Love, Love," where he celebrates that no one can kiss or hold him as his woman does. 

There is a bit of soul philosophy on "Money" when Rawls preaches about folks needing money to fill up a car, buy new shoes, or buy one's woman a gift. Larry Gold adds a short guitar break to this selection while taking a more substantial solo on "Town Too Small." A gospel original, "Calling On Jesus," is the final selection on another first-rate Johnny Rawls recording.
 
I received my review copy from Third Street Cigar Records. Here is a performance by Johnny Rawls.

Johnny Rawls I Miss Otis Clay

Johnny Rawls
I Miss Otis Clay
Third Street Cigar Records

Soul-Blues singer and guitarist Johnny Rawls has a new release whose title track is a salute to his friend, the late Otis Clay. "I Miss Otis Clay" is Rawls' first album for Third Street Cigar Records after a long association with Catfood Records. He had a long association with Clay that included an album they did together in 2015, "Soul Brothers" on Catfood. The musicians backing Rawls are Larry 'Mr. Entertainment' Gold on guitar, Johnny 'Hi-Fi' Newmark on bass, Cadillac Dan Magers on keyboards, Scott Kretzer on drums, Ric Wolkins on trumpet, and Mark Lemle on sax.

The album opens with the insistent groove of "California Shaking Again," as he sings about part tying all night along. Rawls wrote all the songs here and sings with the same low-key, but the subtly urgent approach that has made him so popular. These are well-crafted original soul-blues numbers handsomely backed and performed. Then there is "Give a Toast to the Blues," where he notes that the blues make you feel good and then salutes blues greats like B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Albert King Etta James, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Junior Wells, and others. The horns add a nice punch to this number. The title track is a marvelous tribute where Rawls first talks about Otis Clay's background and then how good a singer he was as well as being Rawls' good friend. Magers is outstanding on keyboards (both piano and organ) here.

On "I Can't Let Nobody," and "Can't Read Your Mind," Rawls captures the groove and feel of the classic Hi Recordings by Clay and O.V. Wright in whose band he played. His vocal on the latter number stands out as he pleads for his woman to give a sign of what she wants from him. Then there is the dance floor pleaser, "Slow Roll It," where he tells his lady to squeeze and hold him close as she had all the movements. This CD closes with a beautiful performance of a poignant ballad, "The Wind."

Johnny Rawls produced this recording (Third Street Cigar's John Henry was executive producer). It reflects Rawls' considerable recording experience and his attention to getting the sound right. Rawls' recordings and performances have reached both the blues and southern soul audiences. The superb "I Miss Otis Clay" is another outstanding Johnny Raws recording that will also have this wide appeal.

I received a review copy from Third Street Guitar Records. Here is Johny singing "I Miss Otis Clay."

Johnny Rawls Waiting For The Rain

Johnny Rawls
Waiting For The Rain
Catfood Records

Another new Catfood release for the veteran soul-blues singer-songwriter-guitarist Johnny Rawls again backed by bassist Bob Trenchard and the Rays. This one is produced by Jim Gaines and is a mix of originals and interesting interpretations of some familiar songs sung with plenty of heart by Rawls set against the Rays' idiomatic backing that is rooted in the classic Memphis sound of Stax and Hi Records.

Rawls has a controlled style that is akin to the smoldering heat of a pit barbecue than steak over an open flame, though he can let loose when needed.. The title track is a strong original co-written with Trenchard and keyboardist Dan Ferguson as he sings about rain washing away guilt, sin and pain with a crisp guitar solo from Dennis McGhee set against punchy horns. It is followed by the Trenchard-James Armstrong penned "Las Vegas," is a wonderful performance with a backing horn riff reminiscent of "Turn On Your Love Light,"although I am not enamored the lyrics mixing playing games and religion. "Waiting For a Train" from Rawls and Trenchard is a nice low-key number with a jazzy tinge and followed by a wonderful rendition of Bobby Womack's celebratory "I'm in Love."

"Blackjack Was a Gambler" is a terrific easy rocking bit of storytelling about a back alley gambler and rambler while Rawls also ably puts his own stamp on Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released," and then does a nice cover of the Tyrone Davis hit "The Turning Point," and a driving rendition of Syl Johnson's "We Did It." The soulful ballad, "Stay With Me," provides a close to Rawls' latest soul-blues gem. Rawls may not break new ground on his latest release, and those familiar with Johnny Rawls will know what to expect on a predictably strong recording, while this serves as representative of his music for those new to his music.

I received my review copy from a publicist.  This review originally appeared in the November-December 2017 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 375). Here is Johnny Rawls from a 2017 Boise Blues Festival.

Rawls & Luckett Can’t Sleep At Night

Rawls & Luckett
Can’t Sleep At Night
Rooster Blues / Rounder

Johnny Rawls and L.C. Luckett are veterans of the chitlin’ circuit having formed the nucleus of deep soul singer O.V. Wright’s last band as well as backing Latimore, Lynn White, Willie Cobbs, Z.Z. Hill, and Little Johnny Taylor.

This is their debut album as leaders, and it offers a hearty mix of deep southern soul and blues with a dash of gospel. Material is mostly originals by the pair although two tracks are associated with Wright, I Don’t Do Windows and a medley of I’d Rather Be Blind/ Crippled and Crazy coupled with Ace of Spades. While Wright’s influence can be heard in the pleading urgency of several performances, including the title track and What Makes a Good Man Go Bad, the mood on others, like the soulful ballad Can We Talk It Over, owes as much to Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Sam and Dave.

Their blues generally are not as distinctive lyrically or instrumentally as their hard soul tunes, but the impassioned singing and playing makes If You Not Home By Tomorrow a particularly arresting track. The dance number Shake It, Shake It Baby (“let me see you pop,”) is a lightweight funky dance number that suggests a slightly uptempo Get Out Of My Life Woman. Most of their songs though are solid performances, capturing a range of moods and settings - from deep soul to the slight swamp/pop flavor of Soul to Soul.

Rawls and Luckett overdub on guitar, bass and keyboards with horns added to several tracks, and Arthneice ‘Gas Man’ Jones adds harp to Be Fair To People and If You’re Not Home Till Tomorrow. Certainly this album compares very favorably with most of the recent similar efforts from the Ichiban and Malaco labels, and it’s well worth more than a listen.

This review originally appeared in the March 1995 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 199). I received my review copy from the record company. This should still be available from various sources. 

Shemekia Copeland and Bobby Rush Headline Blues-Filled Catskill Weekend

(Shemekia Copeland)

“Bluzin’ in the Catskills” brings the blues to the Villa Roma Resort in Calicoon, NY, the weekend of March 24–26, 2017. This will be an all-inclusive weekend of great blues Shemekia Copeland and Bobby Rush Headline Blues-Filled Catskill Weekend Shemekia Copeland (photo by Ron Weinstock) performers including Shemekia Copeland, The Bobby Rush Revue, John Primer, Johnny Rawls, Teeny Tucker, Slam Allen, Alexis Suter & the Ministers of sound and much more. This blues land cruise is being produced by Michael Cloeren who has produced Blues Festivals in the Poconos for 25 years and produced other events including the Philadelphia Folk Festival for four years. 

(John Primer)

When Bluzin’ attendees arrive Friday, March 24, they will be greeted by keyboard wizard Dave Keyes. That night they will feature the music of The Slam Allen Band (Slam fronted as vocalist with James Cotton for many years and now exciting crowds everywhere with his music); The Teeny Tucker Band (the daughter of Tommy Tucker evokes blues women greats like Big Mama Thornton and Etta James); and The Bobby Rush Revue, with the Blues Hall of Famer who has been singing and performing for over 50 years. That Night concludes a blues jam hosted by Bobby Kyle and the Administers with Vanessa Collier, Mikey Junior and others. 

(Teeny Tucker)

There is a full day of music on Saturday, March 25 starting with a Centennial Celebration with Bobby Kyle and the Administers with Teeny Tucker, Mikey Junior and Vanessa Collier. It will be followed by John Primer & Steve Bell (Primer is one of the great straight Chicago Blues Guitarists and vocalists and Steve Bell is Carey Bell’s son); Johnny Rawls & Dave Keller (the great soul-blues singer and guitarist as well former member of OV Wright’s band is joined by strong Vermont-based soul-blues singer-guitarist) and followed by pianist Dave Keyes and Friends. Also happening Saturday Afternoon, Guy Davis will perform his one-man show, “The Adventures of Fishy Waters: In Bed With the Blues,” an acclaimed mix of storytelling and musical performance. 

(Johnny Rawls)

Saturday evening opens with Johnny Rawls & the Dave Keller Band, followed by a Tribute to Johnny Clyde Copeland with Bobby Kyle, Randy Lippincott, Joel Perry and Barry Harrison, all former members of the late Blues Legend’s Band. John Primer follows and Shemekia Copeland, a consistent Blues Award nominee and winner finishes up the main show. The late night jam that evening will feature the Dave Keyes Band with guests including Vanessa Collier and Mikey Junior. 

The Festival winds down on Sunday, March 26 with Shemekia Copeland talking about her music and career during the brunch. Dave Keyes will be playing solo piano later and the powerhouse vocalist Alexis Suter & The Ministers of Sound will be performing in the afternoon. Those still at the resort that evening can see the Chris Bergson Band with special guest Ellis Hooks. 

(Alexis Suter)

The all-inclusive packages include Friday dinner, three meals on Saturday and Sunday Brunch, on-site lodging, meet and greet, a movie screening and more. The Villa Roma has an indoor pool, fitness center, Bowling Alley and more. The package does not include adult beverages. Deposits to get the lowest rate must be received by December 5 with the balance due by January 23, 2017. For more information, visit http://www.michaelcloerenproductions.com/, click on the Festivals pull down menu and click on the Bluzin’ in the Catskills button. 

Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls Are Soul Brothers

Otis Clay guested on Johnny Rawls’ last recording, the highly praised “Remembering OV.” Now the two have collaborated for a new Catfood Records release “Soul Brothers.” The veteran blues and soul singers are backed by bassist Bob Trenchard and The Rays on a program of classic soul covers and originals. The production and the backing throughout is first-rate.

Certainly a recording with plenty of charms, it is not consistently up to the level one might imagine from the pairing of the two. Clay does not sound quite as vigorous here as elsewhere. Perhaps the covers of Delaney & Bonnie’s “Only You Know and I Know” and the recently departed Jimmy Ruffins’ “What Becomes of the Broken Heart” don’t come up to the originals, although in fairness on the former number I expected more in the vein of Sam & Dave (“You Don’t Know Like I Know”), which as a duo they don’t equal. Better is the straight cover of Tyrone Davis’ smash, “Turn Back The Hands of Time.” I emphasize these are good performances, simply not extraordinary.

 Rawls (often with Trenchard) continues to be one of the more interesting songwriters today as the bluesy “Voodoo Queen” and the deep soul original “Living on Borrowed Time,” the latter number sounding like vintage OV Wright. “Road Dog” is a collaboration with Trenchard and Clay as he and Rawls sing (with ounchy backing) about playing in Memphis, getting a few hours of sleep and then on to New Orleans. Also included is Rawls gospel original “Hallelujah Lord.”

“Soul Brothers” is a solid collection of southern soul and blues performances even if it does not capture Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls at their very best.

I received my copy from a publicist. Here Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls are seen performing Tyrone Davis’ smash, “Turn Back The Hands of Time."

Johnny Rawls Remembers O.V. Wright

It has been a number of years since the legendary O.V. Wright passed on. Johnny Rawls was Wright’s music director and guitarist in the 1970s and kept the band together after his mentor passed in 1980 for over a decade. Since establishing his own career as a performer and a producer, Rawls has emerged as one of the few acts able to bridge the southern soul blues and traditional blues worlds with his mix of soulful originals and has on occasion recorded some of Wight’s classic deep soul classics. 

It was the urging of Bill Wax, then the blues program director at XM-Sirius Satellite Radio, that has led to a tribute album, Remembering O.V. on Catfood Records with his interpretations of some of the core of Wright’s recorded legacy. On this, Rawls is backed by The Rays, the Texas horn-filled R&B band led by Bob Trenchard that has been part of Rawls most recent recordings. As a bonus, three of these selections also have the presence of another Wright colleague and one of the great deep soul singers of the past couple decades, Otis Clay.

While heavily influenced by Wright, Rawls’ performances of these songs avoid being copies. Rawls and Clay both have similar church roots to Wright, but each has developed their own personal and identifiable approach. This is manifested in the passionate interpretations of Wright classics as Into Something (I Can't Shake Loose), Precious Precious, Blind, Crippled, Crazy, Nickel and A Nail, Eight Men, Four Women, and Ace of Spades. Rawls sings strongly and authority on these Wright classics. He exhibits perhaps a bit more heat in his vocals than he usually exhibits and the backing provided by The Rays is strong throughout. A backing vocal trio, The Iveys also is effectively employed. Clay makes his presence felt on the three songs he is heard on.

The album closes with a Rawls’ original Blaze of Glory in which Rawls and Clay both sing about Wright’s continuing influence and while he is gone they are going to continue in his path until they too are gone. Remembering O.V. is a first-rate salute to one of the great soul music icons that stands on its own. Incidentally, Poor Boy is the fourth track while Nickel and A Nail is the fifth track. The album cover transposes their order.

I received my review copy from the record company or a publicist. Here is a video of Johnny singing O.V. Wright's "You're Gonna Make Me Cry," which is not performed on this CD.

Some Hot Jazz and Blues Festivals

We are in the middle of the Festival season and there are any number of festivals of interest for Blues and Jazz lovers upcoming. As this issue gets circulated the annual Portland Waterfront Blues Festival and Mississippi Valley Blues Festival will have likely wrapped up as will the major Jazz Festivals in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal in Canada. This is a very selective list of festivals that include two I will be attending. First, three blues festivals, and then three jazz festivals.

John Primer will be laying down some real blues with no filler at the Pennsylvania and
Riverfront Blues Festival. Photo is from the 2005 Pocono Blues Festival. © Ron Weinstock

The 3rd Pennsylvania Blues Festival takes place at the Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Palmerton Pennsylvania, from Friday evening July 26. through Sunday July 28. Friday evening will feature the Lehigh Valley Blues Showcase with performers including Bev Conklin and Georgie Fame. There is a buffet available in addition to the music.  Saturday July 27’s line-up has performances by John Primer, Bonerama, Sista Monica, Guy Davis, Robert Randolph presents the Slide Brothers featuring Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell, Darick Campbell and Aubrey Ghent; and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.  OnSunday July 28, the lineup includes Alexis P Suter with both a gospel and a blues show; Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang; Johnny Rawls; Electro-Fi Canadian Blues Showcase with Harrison Kennedy, Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whitley; Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, Ruthie Foster, and Bobby Rush (performing acoustic and full show sets). For more information (including directions and tickets) check out Blue Mountain’s website, http://www.skibluemt.com/seasonal-activities/pa-blues-festival/. I will be there.

James Cotton will be at the Riverfront Blues Festival
Photo from 2007 Western Maryland Blues Festival. © Ron Weinstock

The Riverfront Blues Festival takes place at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington Delaware August 2 to August 4. The  lineup on August 2 includes John Primer, Moreland and Arbuckle, Lil Ronnie & the Grand Dukes and The James Cotton Band. On Saturday August 3 the performers include Eden Brent, Jimmy D. Lane, Eric Lindell and the Sunliners featuring Anson Funderburgh; and Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers Reunion Band. The lineup for Sunday August 4 includes The Lee Boys, Mac Arnold and Plate Full O’ Blues; and Elvin Bishop. For information on tickets and other matters visit http://riverfrontbluesfestde.com.

The Heritage Music Blues Festival takes place in Wheeling WV on August 9 to August 11. Blues highlights of Friday August 9 include Lionel Young and the Golden State-Lone Star Blues Revue featuring Anson Funderburgh, Little Charlie Baty, & Mark Hummel. Performers on Saturday, August 10 include Little G Weevil (IBC solo winner), Joe Louis Walker and Dr John. Sunday highlights include IBC band winner Selwyn Birchwood, Harrison Kennedy and Ruthie Foster. For more information, check out http://heritagemusicfest.com.

Gregory Porter will be at the Newport, Chicago and Detroit Jazz Festivals.
My photo of him is from the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

The legendary Newport Jazz Festival returns to the Rhode Island community Friday August 2 through Sunday August 4. Highlight of this year’s festival maybe the Wayne Shorter 80th Birthday Celebration and Chick Corea will be leading an All Star new band. It opens Friday night, August 2, Natalie Cole and the Bill Charlap Trio with Special Guest Freddie Cole.

Espernaza Spalding (seen at 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival) is at Newport this summer.
Photo © Ron Weinstock

The line-up on Saturday, August 3 includes Wayne Shorter's 80th Birthday Celebration: Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci & Brian Blade plus special guest Herbie Hancock; Esperanza Spalding's Radio Music Society, Michel Camilo Sextet; Terence Blanchard Quintet; Robert Glasper Experiment; Gregory Porter; Bill Charlap Trio with special guests Bob Wilber & Anat Cohen; Edmar Castañeda with special guest Andrea Tierra; Lew Tabackin Quartet with Randy Brecker, Peter Washington & Lewis Nash; Ray Anderson Pocket Brass Band and more. 

The great Eddie Palmieri will be at the Newport Jazz Festival
He is pictured at the 2007 Duke Ellington (now DC) Jazz Festival. Photo © Ron Weinstock

The line-up on Sunday, August 4 includes Chick Corea & The Vigil with Christian McBride, Tim Garland, Marcus Gilmore, & Charles Altura; Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra; Dizzy Gillespie™ Big Band under the direction of Paquito D'Rivera; Joshua Redman Quartet; Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band; Steve Coleman Projects: Five Elements, Talea Ensemble and Duo with David Bryant; Jim Hall with Scott Colley, Lewis Nash and special guest Julian Lage; Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Jon Batiste & Stay Human  and more.

For more information on the Newport Jazz Festival (including travel pacakges through radio station WBGO), visit http://www.newportjazzfest.org.

Christian McBride leads his quartet at the
Chicago Jazz Festival. Photo from 2008
Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.
Photo © Ron Weinstock

Chicago and Detroit both host major Jazz Festivals over Labor Day Weekend. I will be attending the Chicago Jazz Festival that starts Thursday August 29 and runs through Sunday September 1. The Detroit Jazz Festival starts Friday August 30 and runs through labor Day, September 2.

There is quite of range of music at the Chicago Jazz Festival from the trad jazz of Fat babies to the cutting edge sounds of Hamid Drake (who is the Festival’s Artist In Residence), Fast Citizens and Jack DeJohnette who will lead all star special band that with Muhal Richard Abrams, Roscoe Mitchell and Henry Threagill. The Chicago Jazz Festival is a free festival.

While the bulk of the Chicago Jazz Festival takes place at Millennium Park, on Thursday, August 29 performances take place at several locations including the Chicago Cultural Center at, 78 E. Washington with performers including Fat Babies, and the Harrison Bankhead Sextet. At Roosevelt University’s Ganz Hall at 430 S. Michigan Ave.there will be a 5:00PM performance of Hamid Drake’s Chicago Trio with Ernest Dawkins and Harrison Bankhead. That evening at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) is Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz -Jack DeJohnette: Special Legends Edition Chicago featuring, Muhal Richard Abrams, Larry Gray, Roscoe Mitchell and Henry Threadgill. 

Evan Christopher (see at d.b.a's in New Orleans) will bring his marvelous clarinet to the Chicago
Jazz Festival. Photo © Ron Weinstock

Starting Friday, August 30 performances are at Millennium Park. In the afternoon one can see bassist’s Christopher McBride’s Quartet;  the Ben Paterson Organ Quartet; the Mike Smith Quartet, and Hamid Drake with Michael Zerang, Eigen Aoki and Tsukasa drummers directed by Tatsu Aoki. Highlights of the evening performances Wadada Leo Smith’s Ten Freedom Summers, performed by WLS’s Golden Quartet and Pacifica Red Coral with video artist Jesse Gilbert; and Charles Lloyd and Friends featuring Bill Frisell.

On Saturday August 31, afternoon performers include Hamid Drake Quartet with Kidd Jordan, William Parker and Cooper-Moore; Ernie Krivda Quartet; Nick Mazzarella Trio and the Erin McDougald Quartet. Evening performances feature Stafford James String and Percussion Ensemble featuring M’BOOM; Gregory Porter; Rudresh Mahanthappa’s GAMAK and Jason Moran: Fats Waller Dance Party. 

Sunday, September 1 afternoon performers include Fast Citizens;  Evan Christopher; and Fareed Haque and Tony Monaco; The evening performers include the legendary Jimmy Heath Quartet with Jeb Patton; Hamid Drake & Bindu: Reggaeology; Robert Glasper Trio; and Donald Harrison and The Congo Square Nation with special guest Willie Pickens.

For more information visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_jazz_festival.html.

Danilo Pérez is the Artist-in-Residence at this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival. This is also a free festival The Detroit Jazz Festival occupies two million square feet of downtown Detroit – from Hart Plaza on the riverfront, three blocks north to beautiful Campus Martius Park. There are two stages on the North end and three stages at Hart Plaza, plus a Jazz Talk Tent. While a free festival, the Festival offers VIP passes for donations.

The Cookers will be among the acts performing at the Detroit Jazz Festival

The Festival line-up includes performances by Danilo Pérez including his Panama Suite and other works for a large orchestra; David Murray Big Band with Macy Gray; Ahmad Jamal; Joshua Redman with Strings; Shelia Jordan with Strings featuring the Alan Broadbent Trio; Charles Lloyd Quartet with Bill Frisell; McCoy Tyner Trio with special guest Savion Glover; Saxophone Summit – Joe Lovano, David Liebman, Ravi Coltrane; Gregory Porter; Bill Frisell – Lennon Project; Eddie Daniels and Roger Kellaway, with Celo-Duke at the Roadside; Geri Allen and the Detroit Homecoming Band; Danilo Pérez and Geri Allen Acoustic Piano Duo; Jon Faddis, Jesse Davis & the Bill Charlap Trio; Tribute to Detroit’s Pepper Adams – Gary Smulyan, Howard Johnson, Frank Basile; Lee Konitz Quartet; Freddie Cole; The Cookers featuring Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Cecil McBee, Billy Hart, David Weiss; and more. 

The day to day schedule had not been posted when I prepared this overview. For more information on the Detroit jazz Festival, visit http://www.detroitjazzfest.com/schedule.html.

September brings the annual Monterey Jazz Festival which your editor and publisher highlights and early October brings the annual king Biscuit Blues Festival which I hope to highlight in the next issue.

Barbara Carr Keeps the Fire Burning

The veteran soul-blues vocalist Barbara Carr has a new release on Catfood Records, Keep The Fire Burning. This was recorded in Texas and produced by Johnny Rawls and Bob Trenchard with backing by The Rays, Trenchard’s fine studio band. Carr has for the past 15 or so years been recording primarily for Echo whose recordings on occasion had a mechanical backing, although that did not dampen her strong singing.

This new album with backing by The Rays has a more spontaneous feel throughout, although there is a sameness to the backing compared to other recent Catfood releases indicating the label has a definite studio sound. The opening Hanging On a Thread, displays this and the song is one that could have easily be sung by Rawls. A similar flavor characterizes Come On Home, Barbara still does not believe her man has left and pleads for him to return home. The performance also suffers from the use of synthesized horns. I should emphasize that there is nothing wrong with these performances other than they sound like Rawls’ recent Catfood albums and her vocals are more understated here than on the Echo recordings I have heard.

Barbara Carr at 2010 Pocono Blues Festival. Photo © Ron Weinstock

I Got The Blues has Carr singing about her background and being raised in St. Louis where she heard Albert King and Little Milton growing up. Therefore, when she sings the blues, she knows what she is talking about. The title track is a nice southern soul advice that delivered in an easy, natural fashion. Moment of Weakness is a strong lyric by Trenchard about replacing the man she never should have left as she sings that in a moment of weakness she threw their love away. The mood contrasts with the tone of “Back Together Again,” which celebrates two lovers getting back together after many years.

Hold On To What You Got is a nice duet between Carr and Rawls having a message that a good woman/man is hard to find, so hold on to what you got. More synthesized horns are heard on Rawls southern soul original. You Give Me The Blues, as Barbara’s man gives her the ‘low down dirty blues.” Keep The Fire Burning contrasts with the more extroverted vocals that characterized her Echo recordings. Those recordings were also a bit bawdier as well. In any event, this new release by Barbara Carr is welcome and hopefully will expose a new audience to this singer who really should be better known.

I received my review copy from a publicist for the label. Here is Barbara doing one of her Echo recordings, Bone Me Like You Own Me.

Johnny Rawls is a Soul Survivor

Catfood Records/Deep South Soul has a new release by the veteran soul and blues performer, Johnny Rawls, Soul Survivor. The album is aptly titled given that Rawls has been laying down his own brand of blues and soul since his days backing the legendary O.V. Wright and later as part of Rawls and Luckett who issued a most memorable release fro Rooster Blues.

Rawls has recorded and produced for a variety of labels including JSP and most recently Catfood/Deep South Soul, of which Soul Survivor is his most recent effort. On this new recording he is again joined by co-producer Bob Trenchard and the solid Texas studio band with the exception of the last track which was recorded in Montana. Together with Trenchard, Rawls has come up with nine originals along with a cover of O.V. Wright’s Eight Men, Four Women.

The opening title track, penned by Trenchard and keyboardist player Dan Furguson, has a nice lyric of Rawls traveling the highways playing his old school blues and soul with his crack band. He is the last of his breed to set one free on his one night stand singing about O. V. Wright and Johnny Taylor may be gone but he is going to keep their flame alive.

Hands Me Downs is a nice medium grooving about singing about tired about getting all these hand me downs whether his first guitar, used shoes, or his first wife, and he contributes a nicely shaped guitar break. He does a solid job of covering Eight Men, Four Women, even if he can’t quite vocally match Wright (I mean, who can). King of Hearts picks up the tempo with a driving groove and brassy horns, while Long Way From Home is a soulful ballad where Johnny sings about missing his woman and can’t wait until he is home with her.

Other songs include Drowning, a heartfelt lament about searching for his baby and drowning in a river of tears. Don’t Need a Gun To Steal, is a bit of cynical social commentary about politicians being paid off and there is a crook in every town. J.R.’s Groove is a funky instrumental that allows everyone the stretch out. The closing Yes has a touch of country flavor in the accompaniment (in part provided by Michael Kakuk’s dobro and lonesome sounding harmonica) behind Rawls’ strong singing.

Anyone familiar with Rawls recent recordings will know what to expect with the clean and crisp backing, idiomatic horn playing and Rawls committed vocals. Soul Survivor is another substantial recording by Rawls on Catfood/Deep South Soul.

I received my review copy from a publicist for the release which is scheduled to be issued on June 19. Here is a clip of Johnny Rawls in performance.

Johnny Rawl's Time To Win

The English JSP label continues to issue a number of important albums by under recorded artists and has discovered many others. At the same time it has repackaged some of its earlier albums that had gone out of print. Among its latest albums is a new Johnny Rawls release, My Turn to Win.

Having worked with his idol O.V. Wright, Rawls became known to blues fans from an excellent soul-blues album he did with LC Luckett for Rooster Blues. More recently, he has found a home at JSP for whom he also has produced albums by Lonnie Shields, Chris Beard and Deitra Farr. My Turn to Win provides more of his unique blend of Memphis soul (in the vein of the classic Hi Records sound) mixed with some Chicago shuffles.

There is a relaxed quality about both his vocals and his guitar playing that gives his music an appealing, understated quality whether singing about how glad he is about his woman on I Been Lookin'. It does not hurt that he writes good lyrics about people and relationships as opposed to “my baby mistreated me” type of songs. Nicely recorded and crisply played, it is another solid addition to Rawls' discography.

This review was written in 1999, most likely for the DC Blues Society’s newsletter which I edited at the time. I may have received review copies from JSP. JSP reissues its back catalog from time to time (and this was reissued in 2005). This is available as a digital download and used copies may be relatively easy to find. Amazon has this available as a cd-r and as a digital download. 


Here is a video of recent Johnny Rawls in performance.

Kay Kay and The Rays Produced Strong and Timely Blues

Catfood Records has just issued The Best of Kay Kay and the Rays, a compilation of the three albums the label issued from the big-voiced and big hearted Kay Kay Greenwade and The Rays. Health issues have shortened the career of this powerful vocalist while The Rays can be heard on recent Catfood Recordings by Johnny Rawls with whom they sometimes perform live.

The Rays formed in Odessa Texas and their material was a funky mix of soul and blues with original songs marked by social commentary (as well as commentary on the relations between the sexes). The exhibit strong playing with Kay Kay belting out the vocals. Long Star Justice is an indictment of that state’s judicial and penal system which as Johnny Rawls notes in his spoken intro has more folks in prison than anywhere in the world and where so many are executed, all being poor. as Kay Kay shouts out justice is the best money can buy and where they spend more money on prisons than on social purposes. More topicality is heard in Enron Field where she tells us about going to see a game but not forgetting to talk about the country club justice afforded to white collar criminals like those involved with Enron. Then there’s Texas Justice - Billy’s Story, of a young man who is convicted of murder even though he acted in self-defense, only afforded a legal aid attorney fresh out of Law School.

There are her songs about relationships including not wanting No Mama’s Boys and Hey Big Boy, about one whose tales and approaches she ain’t buying. As she sings, don’t trust no man who has taken his wedding ring off. Of course she can give the others side of relationships as on Big, Bad Girl, a gold digger she warns men to stay away from. Then there is a change in mood with a lovely soul ballad, Don’t Have To Tell Me, and a terrific duet with Johnny Rawls on Rawls’ Hold On To What You Got.

The Rays match her intensity with solid support, although the arrangements at times sound generic. The playing on the duet with Rawls is exceptional. Saxophonist Andy Roman is exceptional on several songs and Johnny Rawls and Junior Jones add guitar on several selections. This writer remembers how impressed was when he purchased “Texas Justice” one of the three albums anthologized here and certainly this collection shows how formidable Kay Kay and the Rays were. Recommended.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is some Kay Kay & The Rays from you tube. 

Jackie Johnson Is A Memphis Jewel

An old school rhythm and blue vocalist that has long been regarded as a local treasure in Memphis, Jackie Johnson may be little known in North America but has established herself in Europe on visits there. She sings on Huey Lewis' recent Soulsville and toured with him. Years ago backed up Shirley Brown and Barbara Carr. Church rooted, she has a new recording Memphis Jewel on Catfood Record that is produced by Jim Gaines with a band that includes Catfish Records owner, Bob Trenchard on bass and other members of The Rays.

Included are covers of songs such as the Gladys Knight classic, It Should Have Been Me, and Smokey Robinson's classic The Tears of a Clown that shows how expressive a vocalist she is. Her sound suggests New Orleans Queen Irma Thomas, and she is a similarly able to lay into a lyric as well as subtly deliver it. The band gets into a hot second line groove on Abner Burnett's Brightside, with hot Lance Keltner slide guitar that suggests Little Feat. Here, her vocal that soars over the backing with lively piano, and the afore-mentioned slide guitar.

Will You Be Mine, penned with her husband is a lovely soulful ballad and is followed by a solid cover of Betty Wrights big hit Clean Up Woman. It is another high point along with Love You Still, a bluesy duet with Johnny Rawls. Trenchard's Wash Your Hands, provides a contrasting mood to the duet with Rawls, as she sings about whether she can redeem herself from an affair she had. Wonderfully sung, with full backing and a marvelous arrangement, this track is typical of this release with solid material, strong backing and a singer who is thoughtful yet so soulful. Jackie Johnson is indeed a Memphis Jewel.


I received my review copy from a publicist for the release.

Johnny Rawls Still Has the Soul and Blues

Johnny Rawls initially emerged as part of Rawls & Luckett who first had an album over a quarter-century ago for Rooster blues. A Mississippi native, Rawls previously had been O.V. Wight’s band director and the band backed other soul and blues acts like Little Johnny Taylor after the legendary Wright passed away. Subsequently Rawls emerged as a solo act with several albums on JSP (as well as produced several albums for that label) before hooking up with Catfood Records.

Rawls has a new release on Catfood, Memphis Still Got Soul, that should continue to embellish his reputation as a strong soul and blues performer. Included are eleven songs, ten of which are originals from Rawls and/or co-producer Bob Trenchard and from two sessions. One session of from Texas and other from Montana (on which Johnny plays guitar), but both with live musicians. Trenchard and Rawls contributed the title track with its echoes of Elvis leaving the building, but Beale Street is still happening even if we lost some of the great ones and Memphis still has soul. The band captures the right groove, Andy Roman takes a strong tenor sax solo and Rawls nails the vocal.

The title track is followed up by a cover of the O.V. Wright classic Blind, Crippled and Crazy, whose lyric Rawls tears into with solid backing on a solid cover. Get What You Need, is a groover that should get folk on the dance floor while Take You For a Ride, is a driving piece of stone southern soul as Johnny tells his lady they will dance slow in the dark. Stop the Rain is a soulful lament as he pleads to stop the rain that is falling from his eyes, while Johnny McGhee’s guitar helps propel the funky Burning Bridges, about a gentleman one can’t trust and Mr. Guitar, where Johnny talks about not being a big superstar who has never won a Handy or a Grammy but all he needs is his guitar, with which he adds the fills here and takes the track out with a fade. Blues Woman, has a medium tempo rock-steady rhythm where Johnny strongly sings about wanting a woman he can relate to, not one that is into fancy champagne.

Those familiar with Rawls will not be disappointed. There are strong soulful songs that are terrifically played. The emphasis is on Rawls vocals, so those expecting lots of lengthy guitar solos will be disappointed. This is a solid follow-up to his other recent recordings and I would expect it to be as warmly received on the Southern soul circuit as well as blues fans who enjoy strong contemporary soul recordings.


I received a review copy from a publicist handling this release.