Danielle Miraglia Bright Shining Stars

Danielle Miraglia
Bright Shining Stars
VizzTone

Boston-based Danielle Miraglia has straddled musical genres from folk, Americana-roots, and blues as a solo artist and with her band the Glory Junkies. There have been comparisons made of her to Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams. This new album highlights the folk-blues aspect of her music. It is an entertaining mix of her attractively sung renditions of classic blues with her original originals that range from blues-rooted to folk-country. She is aided on her performances by the viola of Laurence Scudder, the guitar of Peter Parcek, and the harmonica of Richard Rosenblatt.

With a gentle foot stomp, her mesmerizing guitar riff, and Scudder's melancholic viola, a brief instrumental "Sounds Like Home" leads into her rendition of "See See Rider." She is a striking singer who provides a slight folk tinge with a clean as spring water voice. Scudder's doleful viola accentuates this. Miraglia mixes in choice originals like the topical "Pick Up the Gun," a protest against gun violence as she sings that another should pick up a gun to give her a reason to shoot. Then there is "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You `Go," with Parcek's stinging guitar has a feel of a Tracy Chapman styled blues. Her heartfelt singing matches her distinctive lyrics. Another similar original is "Meet Me In the Morning," with her strong guitar playing with Rosenblatt adding harmonica.

There is plenty of charm in her cover of Keb Mo's "You Can Love Yourself," with Parcek's use of sustain giving his backing a steel guitar flavor. Miraglia renders a reflective interpretation of Tampa Red's "When Things Go Wrong," although her version is based on Big Bill Broonzy's recording. She accompanies herself very effectively, displaying technique as well as restraint.

Other tracks include intriguing covers of songs by Janis Joplin and Robert Johnson. Danielle Miraglia has a melodious voice with considerable appeal, and with the backing provided, has produced a gem of roots music.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. Here Danieel performs "Sounds Like Home," and "See See Rider."

11 Guys Quartet Small Blues and Grooves

11 Guys Quartet
Small Blues and Grooves
VizzTone

The 11th Hour Band was an early 1980s band comprised of Paul Lenart on guitar, Bill 'Coach' Mather on bass, Chuck Purro on drums and Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica. In 1985 they released an album on the fledging Tone-Cool label, and then went on various pursuits, although still playing off and on together. In 2008 they got in the studio to record some instrumentals which now are issued for the first time.

There is nothing fancy or overly flashy relating to these tight, straight-forward blues instrumentals recorded without any pretense. There are lively grooves and allusions to some famous blues numbers such as "Road Trippin,'" which evokes "Hideaway," and the country-tinged "Jackrabbit," that hints at "Steel Guitar Rag." Both Rosenblatt's atmospheric harmonica playing and Lenart's mix of chords and sizzling single-note runs are provided solid functional support by Mather and Purro. There is the moody "Sleepless" with Rosenblatt's harp taking the lead which contrasts with the hard-rocking "East Cambridge Cannonball" where Rosenblatt takes the first solo with Lenart's biting guitar prominent towards the end.

With plenty of trebly guitar, Lenart's guitar lead is supported by Rosenblatt's vocalized harp playing on the appropriately named "Down and Dirty." "Hey Daddyo" sounds like a tribute to Bo Diddley with Lenart evoking the late legend's sound. "Midnight Streetcar," is a moody instrumental that showcases Rosenblatt's fine harmonica playing. With echoes of Slim Harpo's "Tip On In," the swamp-blues flavored "Swamp Ride" closes a very entertaining recording. I won't make any claim that this is a timeless, classic blues recording. Still, the 11 Guys Quartet has produced an all-instrumental blues album that is well-played and thoroughly engaging.

I received my review copy from VizzTone.

Paul Rishell Swear To Tell The Truth

Paul Rishell Swear To Tell The Truth
Tone Cool / Rounder

Boston area blues artist Paul Rishell works both in an acoustic as well as an electric band vein. Swear To Tell The Truth is his second Tone-Cool album, and like his earlier one features both sides of his blues persona, although the focus is mostly on his acoustic side. 

Guitarist Ronnie Earl and harmonica player Little Annie Raines help out, along with producer Richard Rosenblatt who adds harp to Bukka White’s Shake ‘Em On Down and Drinkin’ Water From a Hollow Log, where Rishell plays a Fred McDowell slide part on the Rolling and Tumbling theme. Rishell’s skill on guitar is quite notable, particularly when he handles East Coast blues as his version of Blind Boy Fuller’s Mamie is exquisite. 

If he can’t make one forget Howling Wolf with Somebody in My Home, Ronnie Earl’s striking electric guitar on Earl Hooker’s Swear To Tell the Truth is first rate. Perhaps the finest track is his rearrangement of Charlie Patton’s Some of These Days, which Rishell aptly describes as ‘wistful.’ His fingerpicking guitar is delightful, with Michigan River Blues showcasing his clean picking. 

A very well conceived and produced collection.

I likely received a review copy from Rounder Records. This review appeared in the September 1994 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 1994). Here from two decades later, Paul Rishell and Annie Raines perform "Some of These Days."

 

Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers' Love Whip Blues

The Delta Swing is a fine original as Harpe calls listeners out to go swinging from Cambridge to Memphis. It is played with a relaxed groove and features strong harmonica. The rendition of Willie Brown’s Future Blues exhibits the tight ensemble playing supporting Harpe’s vocal although some might find the tempo a bit fast here. Bob Margolin’s slide guitar enhances the fine reworking of Lucille Bogan's The M&O Blues. Good Luck Baby is an original with a bit of reggae flavor.

There is jaunty adaptation of an old William Moore recording, One Way Man, followed by a similarly buoyant rendition of Pick Poor Robin Clean. That was originally waxed by Virginia songster Luke Jordan. Gross adds a mandolin solo and Countryman taking a bass break here. After the call to the dance floor of Virtual Booty Blues, the Delta Swingers perform Charles River Delta Blues, a lovely rendition of William Brown’s Mississippi Blues. This William Brown (solely recorded by Alan Lomax) is a different individual than the Willie Brown of Future Blues who is best known for an association with Son House and Robert Johnson.

Erin Harpe & Jim Countryman performing at the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation

A solid rendition of John Prine’s Angel of Montgomery closes out this most enjoyable recording. Listening to Love Whip Blues, one appreciates why this group has been developing a large following around Boston. In fact, they won the Boston Blues Society’s Blues Battle and will be competing in Memphis at the 2015 International Blues Challenge. One certainly expects more will be heard from them.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. Here are they performing a lovely rendition of Charles River Delta Blues from that same performance. After that is a duet performance of that song by Erin and Jim Countryman at an Archie Edwards Blue Heritage Foundation concert.