Mike Zito Resurrection

Mike Zito
Resurrection
Gulf Coast Records

About his new album "Resurrection," Mike Zito states that it "is an album of feelings, emotions, and is very personal. The title track is how I once almost lost my love, but it came back stronger than ever. I have had this song in me for years, but it only makes sense now to share it with the world. After the year we have had on planet Earth, I believe we all need a rebirth. This rebirth has given me an opportunity to be who I want to be musically and artistically." Joining Zito on this album are some musicians who've played with him for the last several years, including Matthew Johnson – drums; Doug Byrkit - bass guitar; Lewis Stephens – piano, organ; Zach Zito - acoustic guitar; and Lisa Andersen - backing vocals. Eric Demmer is on saxophone, and Fernando Castillo on trumpet where heard.

While often described as a blues-rocker, there is more rock than blues on this album to these ears. This comment is simply descriptive. Zito sings with vitality and can shred with the best of him. More importantly, he does write good songs and performs with heart and heat. There is a Tom Petty flavor on the opening cover of J.J. Cale's "I'll Make Love To You." In addition to his saw-toned slide guitar, Demmer rips off an intense bit of hot honking tenor sax. There is much more rock energy elsewhere on this recording, such as "Don't Bring Me Down."

Other tracks include a hard rock cover of Blind Faith's "Presence of the Lord." Zito may not be Stevie Winwood, but he acquits himself well with his vocal while adding searing guitar. "When It Rains" is a bluesy number with a relentless rhythm and atmospheric horns. I am not fond of the head rock arrangement of Howlin' Wolf's "Evil." Zito's vocal strikes this listener as overwrought here, although Stephens' organ is noteworthy. Not everything is hard rock or blues-rock. "In My Blood" has a low-key, restrained backing to complement Zito's understated singing.

About the title track, Zito says, "The title track is how I once almost lost my love, but it came back stronger than ever." It is a powerful track with solid lyrics and passionate singing. It closes an album that will have considerable appeal to those who like their music rocking.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is the title track.

Kevin Burt - Stone Crazy

Kevin Burt - Stone Crazy - Gulf Coast Records

About Kevin Burt's prior album "Heartland & Soul" (Little Village Foundation), I observed, "Listening to Kevin Burt, one is reminded of Ted Hawkins, a similar acoustic singer-songwriter who had deep rhythm and blues roots. Whereas Hawkins displayed a strong Sam Cooke influence, Burt evokes Bill Withers with perhaps a dash of Al Jarreau. Withers is one of Burt's cited vocal influences along with Aaron Neville, Bobby Bland, Luther Vandross, and Marvin Gaye." "Stone Crazy," Burt's new release, is on Mike Zito's Gold Coast Records, and this observation still holds true.

While the press release for this recording lists ten songs, my download included eleven. Burt wrote all but the cover of Bill Withers' "Better Off Dead." Backing Burts, vocals, harmonica, and guitar are producer Mike Zito on guitars, Doug Byrkit on bass guitar, Matthew Johnson on drums, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. 

There is a nice mix of tunes and themes ranging from the down-home harmonica and funky groove of the opening "I Ain't No Problem With It" to the easy shuffle blues, "You Get What You See," with Carpenter adding his sax to some nice guitar. "Purdy Little Thang" has an insistent, simple groove, while the title song is an island breeze soulful love song. "Same Old Thing" is a choice blues about her loving someone else, while another soul ballad, "Something Special About You," has him singing about he wants to make someone his lover. There is also a solid rendition of Bill Withers' powerful "Better Off Dead," about a person whose addictions lead to his marriage breaking up and the line "she's better off without me, and I am better off dead now that she is gone." 

"Stone Crazy" seems certain to expand Kevin Burt's fan base. A mix of strong material, first-rate playing, and exceptional soulful singing make this another choice release from him.

I received a download to review from a publicist. This review has appeared in the May-June 2021 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 396). Here Kevin Burt performs "Stone Crazy."

A Gulf Coast Christmas

Various Artists
A Gulf Coast Christmas
Gulf Coast Records

Mike Zito is one of the forces behind Gulf Coast Records, which has quickly established itself with a number of releases of blues, blues-rock, and roots. This new recording is a collection of Holiday Season covers and originals but the label's growing group of artists. The album has songs by Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, Kat Riggins, The Proven Ones, Mark May, John' Blues' Boyd with Lisa and Kid Andersen, Diana Rein, Kevin Burt, LeRoux, Jimmy Carpenter, Billy Price, Sayer and Joyce, Thomas Atlas, Odds Lane, and Tony Campanella.

Like many blues and roots holiday music collections, this collection's songs have secular themes instead of carols and hymns' renditions. This collection also provides an overview of the artists on the label. Folks may find some of the performances more compelling than others. Overall, I was impressed by the performances' quality, with a few exceptional ones in the mix. Sure there will be some performances that don't catch your ear, but overall this is a highly entertaining compilation.

Songs range from the blues-rock of Mike Zito's "All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues," to Tony Campanella's soulful reworking of Albert King's recording, "Santa Claus Wants Some Loving." Albert Castiglia stands out with his high energy fretwork on "Somebody Stole My Chris," while Kevin Burt lays down some down-home grit for "Please Mr. Santa Claus." Billy Price lays down some terrific blue-eyed soul on "Christmas Comes But Once A Year," while John Blues Boyd duets with Lisa Andersen on "Merry Christmas Baby," as Kid Andersen plays some sterling guitar. Another duet of note is between Mark May and Miss Molly on "Blue Christmas."

Mike Zito channels Chuck Berry on a frenetic "Run Rudolph Run" that closes the 16 performances that is full of bluesy holiday cheer.

Incidentally the download I received from a publicist to review only contained the music. I did not receive information on the personnel or other recording information. Here is the full track-listing: 

1. All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues - Mike Zito
2. Somebody Stole My Christmas - Albert Castiglia
3. Please Mr. Santa Claus - Kevin Burt
4. Christmas Comes But Once A Year - Billy Price
5. Blue Christmas - The Proven Ones
6. Back Door Santa - Jimmy Carpenter
7. It Ain’t Christmas - Kat Riggins
8. Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin - Tony Campanella
9. Merry Christmas Baby - John Blues Boyd / Lisa Andersen / Kid Andersen
10. Ring The Bells - Diana Rein
11. The Bluest Christmas - Mark May / Miss Molly
12. Who Da Baby Daddy? - LeRoux
13. Christmas Is Cancelled - Thomas Atlas
14. Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Odds Lane
15. Please Come Home For Christmas - Sayer and Joyce
16. Run Rudolph Run - Mike Zito

Here is a video for Mike Zito's "All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues."

Jimmy Carpenter Soul Doctor

Jimmy Carpenter
Soul Doctor
Gulf Coast Records

About Jimmy Carpenter's last album, "Plays the Blues" (VizzTone), I wrote that "Carpenter plays plenty of rousing, raspy saxophone in a Junior Walker-King Curtis--Boots Randolph vein throughout and, if not a great singer, is likable with an unforced delivery… ." Carpenter has a lengthy career in the blues and roots-rock scene, including stints with Jimmy Thackery, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington, and most recently with Mike Zito. Presently residing in Las Vegas, Carpenter leads his own band and plays with numerous others. He also is the Musical Director for the Big Blues Bender and leader of the Bender Brass, The Bender's house band. This new release is on Golf Coast records, a label Zito co-founded.

On this recording, Jimmy has assembled a first-class studio group. In addition to Carpenter on saxophone and vocals, there is Cameron Tyler (drums/percussion/background vocals), Jason Langley (bass), Trevor Johnson (guitar), Chris Tofield (guitar/background vocals), Red Young (keys), Carrie Stowers (background vocals), and Queen Aries (background vocals). Guesting on this album are guitarist Nick Schnebelen, The Bender Brass (Doug Woolverton (trumpet), Mark Earley (baritone sax)), Al Ek (harmonica), and Mike Zito (guitar).

Based on the seven originals, Carpenter has become quite a songwriter. The album opens with the title track with a striking lyric, "Who says the book of love was written in one night/ Who filled it up with empty pages said what's wrong and right/ So many have wagered on the lottery of life/ They opened up their hearts just to be cut down like a knife." Carpenter impresses with his singing here and elsewhere on this album. On this song, he takes a couple of tough rackety yak sax solos. Nick Schnebelen's guests on this track, although these ears founded his playing a tad busy. That is one of two songs that Carpenter wrote with Guy Hale, the other co-founder of Gulf Coast Records. The other song, "Wrong Turn," has Jimmy on guitar with Trevor Johnson playing some blues-rock slide guitar and Al Ek adding some sax-sounding harmonica. Carpenter's vocal sounds distorted and maybe his least appealing singing here. Much better is the relaxed rock and roll shuffle blues "Wild Streak." In addition to some persuasive singing, catch lyrics, Red Young contributes some rollicking honky-tonk piano while Mike Zito adds a searing slide guitar solo.

The autobiographical lyrics of "Love It So Much" is set to a second-line groove as Carpenter celebrates the musician's life on the road, while the Bender Horns add their punch. The finest blues performance is his cover of Little Willie John's "Need Your Love So Bad," with Carpenter's passionate singing and his band's outstanding support. It also may have his best tenor sax solo on the album. An instrumental rendition of The Clovers' "One Mint Julep" also spotlights his tenor sax, although more in a King Curtis-Junior Walker vein. Red Young adds some greasy organ here. Another instrumental is "LoFi Roulette," with Chris Tofield adding searing guitar to Carpenter's gutbucket sax.

A soulful rendition of Eddie Hinton's "Yeah Man" closes this album. Jimmy Carpenter has matured into an expressive, passionate singer and songwriter, and he has produced a very satisfying blues and roots recording.

I received my review download from a publicist. Here Jimmy performs the title track.

Jimmy Carpenter Plays the Blues

Jimmy Carpenter
Plays the Blues
VizzTone

Veteran saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter is currently part of blues rocker Mike Zito's band, though he previously has lengthy stints with Jimmy Thackery and Walter 'Wolfman' Washington. Zito produced this and adds his guitar and vocals to Carpenter's tenor saxophone, bassist Bob Bridges, Matthew Johnson's drums, and Marc Adams keyboards with a variety of guests including guitarists Tony Diteodoro, Tinsley Ellis, Anders Osborne and Jonn Del Toro Richardson and keyboardists Lewis Stephens and Dave Keyes.

The ten songs heard include two originals and eight covers starting with Magic Sam's "You Belong to Me," and ending with a rousing Junior Walker's "Shotgun." Carpenter plays plenty of rousing, raspy saxophone in a Junior Walker-King Curtis--Boots Randolph vein throughout and, if not a great singer, is like-able with an unforced delivery as on the hot Little Walter shuffle "Too Late." The longest selection is "Jimmy Plays the Blues," a nice blues instrumental with plenty of space for his roadhouse saxophone. The other original is a piece of old-fashioned rock and roll, "Kid in My Head," with rollicking piano from Stephens in support of the leader's yakety-yak sax playing.

Jonn Del Toro Richardson adds some nice guitar support on the cover of "Blues With a Feeling," which has a booting sax solo as well, while Tinsley Ellis joins in for a musical dialogue with with Carpenter on a rendition of Freddie King's "Surf Monkey," and Anders Osborne contributes to an instrumental interpretation of Sam Cooke's "Change Is Gonna Come," which arguably has Carpenter's finest playing with a more attack employing a broader tonal range. Up next is a rousing rendition of King Curtis' "Preach," and then Otis Rush's "All Your Love (I Miss Lovin').' with fine guitar from Zito and another booting sax solo.

A straight cover of "Shotgun" closes this straight-forward, well played recording that entertains even if it breaks no new ground.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. This review originally appeared in the November-December 2017  Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 375). Here is Jimmy Carpenter playing "Shot Gun."

 

Jimmy Carpenter Walk Away

Jimmy Carpenter
Walk Away
Threadhead Cultural Foundation/ VizzTone

Saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter is perhaps best known as a member of Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington’s Roadmasters as well as playing with blues-rocker Mike Zito. He has recently issued a CD “Walk Away,” co-produced with Chris Finney with a core band of guitarist John Fohl: keyboards from John Gros; bass from Casandra Falconer and drums by Wayne Maureau. Carpenter handles vocals, saxophones and rhythm guitar with a variety guest appearances including vocalist Reba Russell, guitarists Anson Funderburgh and Mike Zito and trumpeter Anthony Gambrell (Carpenter’s band-mate in the Roadmasters).

Carpenter, known for his robust saxophone, shows himself to be quite an affable singer on the 13 originals here starting with the easy rocking “Can’t Let Go” that features some fiery Funderburgh guitar along with some grease on the Hammond B-3 from Gros. The crisp ensemble playing and the brassy horn arrangements are typical of the production throughout with plenty of punch. The title track has a southern swamp-rock feel with a strong R&B accent with Fohl’s guitar accenting the vocal before Carpenter takes one of several full-toned solos on his recording. “When You’re Ready” is a driving rocker with nice interplay between guitarists Fohl and Zito, along with Zito’s scorching guitar solo.

“She’s Not You” opens with some commanding saxophone before a soulfully sung lament about this woman telling him he seems distant while he still can’t get over his ex on a number that is evocative of Bruce Springsteen. Another song suggesting Springsteen is the jaunty “Crazy ‘Bout You.” “Seventh Street Shuffle” is a greasy instrumental taken at a walking tempo while “C King Blues” is a feature for his sax with a loping tempo. The subject of “More Than Meets The Eye” causes heads to turn although her looks hide what is inside her. This has a Memphis funk backing with a similar feel to the blues-soul of “Hard To Be Cool.”

After the garage-rock flavored “On the Outside,” (where Carpenter is looking in), “Walk Away” closes with “Fellow Traveller” a duet with Reba Russell. Fohl’s judicious use of tremolo and Maureau’s stick work contribute to the wistful atmosphere here along with a nice sax solo. There is plenty of music to enjoy here as Carpenter shows in this recording that integrates his blues, country, soul, and pop influences, he is far more than a road house saxophonist.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. This review originally appeared in the January-February 2015 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 358). Somehow I forgot to post it before, so I am belatedly posting in now. Tomorrow I will be posting my review of Jimmy's most recent recording, "Plays The Blues." Here Jimmy Carpenter doing an in-store performance in New Orleans at the Louisiana Music Factory with a band including John Fohl and John Gros.

Cyril Neville's Not So Magic Honey

Cyril Neville's new recording Magic Honey (Ruf Records) under his own name is one that will certainly appeal to many with its mix of New Orleans grooves, funk and blues-rock. His first album for Ruf has him backed by Cranston Clements on guitar, "Mean" Willie Green on drums, Carl Dufrene on bass, Norman Caesar on keyboards with Cyril on percussion as well as singing. Making appearances here on selected tracks are Allen Toussaint and Dr. John on keyboards, and guitarists Mike Zito (a fellow member of the Royal Southern Brotherhood), David Z (who produced this) and Walter Trout, with backing vocals from his wife Gaynielle and son Onari. 

For these ears, this release is a mixed bag. The title track certainly opens this music on a strong note with its tough, strutting groove and a terrific vocal about his queen bee who drips her honey on him with some fine, uncredited harmonica in the backing. Its followed by a terrific piece of New Orleans funk on Dr. John's Swamp Funk, (on which Dr, John is on organ and Allen Toussaint on piano) that could have been from three decades ago. However the following track, "Something's Got a Hold On Me, is a heavy handed blues-rock performance that perhaps is tightly played but the backing (including David Z's guitar solo) will sound to many as way over-the-top. The latin-flavored Another Man (co-penned with his wife) is an appealing song that will evoke Santana's bluesier recordings including Clements spicy guitar. 

Still Going Down Today, that Mike Zito co-wrote with Neville, is one of several topical lyrics on this and followed by a cover of Paul Butterfield and Henry Glover's You Can Run But You Can't Hide. The blues-rock backing perhaps contributed to neither performance standing out to these ears. I found the rendition of Warren Haynes Invisible catching my attention with Neville singing about acting as if he was invisible to those around him because of race or class. Blues Is The Truth is an original blues about what the blues is and sometimes the down home blues can heal the pain. There is some intense singing although the backing would have benefited from more nuanced guitar.

Walter Trout co-wrote Running Water, with a relaxed, funky groove and a very clever lyric, with Trout providing the effective guitar pyrotechnics on a short guitar break as well as responding to Neville's vocals during the song's coda. Otis Rush's original recording of Working Man was originally done as a Stax oriented R&B performance on Rush's Cotillion album that Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites produced. Neville's vocal fronts a heavy metal blues-rock jam. The closing Slow Motion, is an infectious with its steady rocking reggae groove and the more supple backing.

As the comments above suggest, this listener found "Magic Honey" to be a mixed bag of performances with first-rate tracks mixed in with others that did not stand out (and a couple tracks were forgettable). I recognize that there are fans of album rock and blues-rock who will differ with that opinion, and may you enjoy this. 

I received this from a publicist. A few years ago, I was quite a bit more positive regarding Cyril's Brand New Blues on M.C. Records. I note that it is a Blues Music Award nominee for Contemporary Blues Album.  From this recording, here is Cyril doing Working Man.

Royal Southern Brotherhood Get Rocking Hard

Royal Southern Brotherhood (RSB) is a 'supergroup' comprised of Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Mike Zito, Charlie Wooten and Yontico Scott. It has been booked and played at a variety of music (including blues) festivals and as I write this its eponymously titled Ruf Records debut is high on the Billboard Blues charts although to these ears this is a rock record, with very little blues on it. However one classifies RSB does not go to the quality of the music and the music on this is excellent.

The hard-hitting New Horizon musically evokes the Rolling Stones’ rendition of Harlem Shuffle as Cyril takes the lead vocal about a new day dawning and at the crossroads where one chooses peace over politics with some hard rocking guitar with nice interplaying between Zito and Allman. It is followed by the Santana-like groove of Fired Up!, a celebration about a woman who can make Cyril feel higher than low. Devon Allman takes the lead on his wistful Left My Heart in Memphis, with his vocal and the band exhibiting a fine sense of musical dynamics.

The lyric to Moonlight Over the Mississippi by Zito and Neville incorporates some blues songs and lyrics. I presume that it is Zito taking the marvelous and soulful vocal and there is some strong guitar playing. Fire on the Mountain incorporates a lazy island groove while Ways About You is a terrific bluesy Zito performance of a break-up song as his woman was singing about freedom sing their love was first cast with some nicely shaped blues-rock guitar (and again exhibiting some terrific interplay between Zito and Allman. Allman and Neville collaborated on Got to Keep Rockin’, a driving hard rock number, while Hurt My Heart has an Allman Brothers feel and a lyric about homelessness, rich people in their mansion and how things hurts his heart. Neville’s Sweet Jelly Donut, is a straight blues with an amusing lyric that allows Cyril to talk about taking her to some of his favorite New Orleans haunts while the band gets into a rocking groove.

A hot instrumental Brotherhood closes this impressive hard rocking recording. This is a terrific contemporary band that brings together a wide range of musical influences together including blues, southern rock, soul country and more. With three vocalists who leave strong impressions on the listeners, two fine guitarists and a solid rhythm section, they have produced a debut album that will make people take notice. The eponymous debut by Royal Southern Brotherhood is not a blues album anymore than it is a ragtime album. This does not change the fact that it is a terrific recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video for the song New Horizon.