The Ragpicker String Band

I am familiar with the marvelous mandolinist Rich DelGrosso, and Guitarist Mary Flower, but not with multi-instrumentalist Martin Grosswendt. Together they constitute The Ragpicker String Band whose eponymously titled debut disk is on Yellow Dog Records. Mixing in some classic songs from the likes of Mississippi Sheiks, Sleepy John Estes and Blind Willie Johnson with originals from Flower and Delgrosso, they bring considerable instrumental skill and vocals to songs of social satire and simply plain mischievous fun resulting in an album that at times evokes classic string bands and at other times a scaled down and slightly toned down version of R. Crumb's Cheap Suit Serenaders.

There is the lovely "Honey Babe" that opens this along with a wonderful rendition of The Sheiks "Lonely One In This Town," to go with the whimsical play on words of Flowers "Minor Blues" and  DelGrosso's  hilarious "Google Blues" about a man who thinks he's getting lucky except for the lady googling his shady past. It is extremely difficult to restrain oneself from loud laughter listening to this. There are plenty of instrumental joys to be heard aswell inlcuding Grosswendt's slide steel guitar of his fiddle on ""Lonely One In This Town," and Delgrosso's playing the "44 Blues" motif on the mandolin on his "Black Mattie."

A nice, and unexpected, string trio rendition of "Blue Monk" adds to the musical variety here. The Ragpicker's String Band score with some marvelous music and plenty of fun listening.

I received my review copy from Yellow Dog Records. Here is a video of Rich and Mary performing "Google Blues."

Selected DC Area Blues For the Month of April

Otis Taylor will be at Blues Alley

Back when I edited the DC Blues Society’s newsletter, I highlighted what I thought were especially interesting shows. In that spirit, here are a few blues highlights for April.

April 3 - Otis Taylor at Blues Alley. Otis is touring in support of his latest Telarc album “My World Is Gone,” where he has a special guest, Native American guitarist Mato Nanji. This is of Taylor’s most moving recordings with deceptively simple, stark and understated performances of his songs that convey the tragic times Native Americans have endured better and the presence of Mato Nanji on this tour is especially welcome. 

April 3 Carolina Chocolate Drops at the Birchmere. The Carolina Chocolate Drops have led the revival of tradition African-American String Band music with an eclectic and delightful repertoire and are making a welcome return to the area.

April 6 Grant Dermody & Rich DelGrosso, perform at a House Concert at the Glassie/Littell House in Bethesda. Grant Dermody is one of the really fine harmonica players out there. Rich DelGrosso is among the few blues players who focus on the blues mandolin, but his talents go way beyond that. Rich and his late wife Maureen played a fantastic concert for the DC Blues Society back in 1990 with the legendary Howard Armstrong where they were joined by Cephas and Wiggins at the end. Email Jeff Glassie at jeffglassie@ gmail.com if interested in attending.

Deanna Bogart will be wailing as part of the
Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue at
the State Theatre. Photo © Ron Weinstock

April 17 Lloyd Jones at the Archie Edwards Blues Barbershop. Portland, Oregon based singer-guitarist has earned a reputation for his funk-drenched urban blues style but is a very gifted songwriter will be making an appearance performing solo at this mid-week show at the Archie Edwards Blues Foundation’s Barbershop. For those who want a preview, check out his excellent 2011 album, “Highway Bound” on Underworld Records.

April 19 The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue at The State Theatre. The popular 

The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue featuring Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, Deanna Bogart, Magic Dick, and Ronnie Baker Brooks makes another appearance at The State Theatre. This popular revue led by Tommy Castro, is an offshoot of the revue which has become a popular feature of the Legendary Rhythm and Blues cruises.

April 20 - Janiva Magness at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club. Janiva is a marvelous vocalist who brings a clarity as well as plenty of heart to his blues, most currently displayed by her Alligator recordings. On this tour she is supported by a band that includes a superb keyboard player Jim Alfredson.

April 21 - Gary Nicholson at JV’s. Nicholson is amongst the best roots songwriters in Nashville. he is probably best known for his work for Delbert McClinton, but his name is increasingly found in songwriting credits on many new blues and roots releases. He will be on a tour with a band Scott Ramminger is putting together when he performs at the Falls Church venue. 

April 27- Hadden Sayers at Hill Country Barbecue. Hadden Sayers has a knack with words, his vocals ring true and his wonderful guitar playing is complemented by his fine band. He is touring in support of his exceptional new album Rolling Soul. 

DelGrosso and Richardson Pair For Solid Blues CD

I have known of Rich DelGrosso as one of the more significant acoustic blues performers and teachers. With his late wife Maureen, I remember he performed at a DC Blues Society fund-raiser some two decades ago, later ending their performance with Howard Armstrong and Cephas and Wiggins jamming. Since then he has established himself as one of the contemporary masters of the blues mandolin. I have known Jonn Del Toro Richardson more recently through his wonder playing with the terrific Houston singer, Diunna Greenleaf. The two have paired on a new recording, “Time Slips On By” (Grove House).

With a solid rhythm section and the Texas Horns, this is a disc that showcases the two in a diverse program. DelGrosso opens with a gruff, gravelly vocal on the opening “ Baby Do Right, with his mandolin matched by Richardson’s strong guitar. The title track showcases Richardson, whose singing can suggest a member of Los Lobos. With the Texas Horns adding to the mood, Richardson takes a crackling solo. “Mandolin Man” is an ebullient Chicago blues shuffle with Sonny Boy Terry’s harmonica added. DelGrosso’s lyric celebrates here early blues mandolin players Charlie McCoy, Yank Rachell and Johnny Young. Nick Connolly pushes things along with driving piano. Richardson’s “Katalin,” with Joel Guzman adding accordion, slows things down on appealing celebration of the sweetest girl he knows.

On “Shotgun Blues,” inspired by the music of Yank Rachell, DelGrosso evokes Elvin Bishop. Here, Richardson’s sharp electric guitar is followed by some of DelGrosso’s nifty mandolin. “Hard To Live For” is the lengthiest performance here, opening with mandolin setting the atmosphere on a slow blues with a real strong vocal on a fine lyric. Richardson’s “Where’s Laura,” is an instrumental opening with Richardson’s use of an echoey treble and DelGrosso and trumpeter Al Gomez take concise solos.

“Summertime Is Here,” celebrating barbecue and seeing old friends, has Lopez again on accordion, and is another number conjuring up Los Lobos, with DelGrosso’s mandolin adding the right touch. “I Wish I Heard,” has the tenor sax of Kaz Kazanoff in the spotlight with a strong solo as well as his responses to DelGrosso’s vocal. DelGrosso’s “She Is Sweet,” is a rollicking shuffle that suggests “Dust My Broom” with Sonny Boy Terry back on harp and Richardson strong, while “Good Rocking Johnny” is an easy rocking instrumental with nicely picked mandolin before Richardson displays a touch of chicken scratch tone is his choruses.

As one would expect from these two, the musicianship is exemplary. They are thoughtful yet passionate players and display a certain flair for crafting songs and delivering them and I was surprised by the singing was on most of this. Time Slips On By is a solid result of the partnership of DelGrosso and Del Toro Richardson, which one might hope would include some touring.

A review copy of this was provided by a publicist for the recording.