Paul Gabriel Man of Many Blues

Paul Gabriel
Man of Many Blues
Smoke Ring Records

"Man of Many Blues" is the latest CD from New England based guitarist-singer Paul Gabriel. Duke Robillard, who also plays on this recording, produced it. Gabriels performs 13 originals and is backed by an all-star cast of musicians, including Duke Robillard (acoustic archtop guitar, electric guitar); Scott Spray (a veteran of both Edgar and Johnny Winter bands), long-time Gabriel friend and band member Frank Davis and Paul Opalach (bass); Mark Teixeira (drums); Sugar Ray Norcia (harmonica); Bruce Bears (piano and Hammond organ); Lonnie Gasperini (Hammond organ); Howard Eldridge (vocals); Christine Ohlman (backing vocals); Mark Earley (tenor and baritone sax); and Doug James (baritone sax). This is the second album by Gabriel that Robillard has produced and it is dedicated to Gabriel's friend Georgia Louis, a 1960s Gospel and Blues singer.

The recording has a varied program of blues, blues-infused rhythm and blues and pop. Gabriel, to these ears, strength is his vocals. He sings naturally with a relaxed sense of timing that this listener finds appealing. He has written several memorable, adult songs that are handsomely played with some strong solos, but the performances are vocal focused. There is a celebration of music on the opening track, a New Orleans blues "I Feel Good." On the pop-flavored "Cold Cold Cold" with Mark Earley's tenor sax adds flavor to a song that has hints of the music of Steely Dan, and Hall and Oates. Sugar Ray Norcia adds his harmonica to the folk-blues lament, "I'll Be That Way Sometime." There is a Johnny 'Guitar' Watson funk flavor to "No Finance No Romance" on which Howard Eldridge shares the vocal.

"Blues For Georgia," dedicated to Georgia Louis, is a jazzy R&B instrumental displaying Gabriel's thoughtful, non-flashy guitar playing. There is the world-weary humor of "Second Story Man," as he traipses all across town with a woman who can't find her key when she gets home. Both Gabriel and Robillard have concise solos on this. Musically "Man of Many Blues" evokes some of Johnny Adams' Rounder recordings. It has a lyric about a person who took some abuse in his life but never took shortcuts with some biting jazz-inflected blues guitar. "Face Full of Frown" is a lively jump blues shuffle with a driving guitar solo. Dear John Letter" closes this CD in an album rock vein with some searing guitar.

 I do have one complaint, and that is the text on the album cover is very difficult to read. The red type on the dark brown background does not help the legibility of text. About the music, I enjoyed it very much. I might not call this is the best thing since sliced toast with orange marmalade, but Paul Gabriel brings sophistication and a deep blues feeling to these well-recorded, well-performed and delightful musical performances.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the September-October 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 386), although I made minor stylistic changes. Here he performs "Blues For Georgia."

Johnny Winter Seen and Heard Live From Japan

Johnny Winter has probably been performing for fifty years and its been nearly 45 years since his signing with Columbia. In the ensuing years he has recorded and toured extensively. It was not until April of 2011 though that he appeared in Japan with is current band of Paul Nelson on guitar, Scott Spray on bass and Vito Liuzzi on drums. A performance at the Zepp Tokyo Musical Hall was captured and now MVD Visual has issued Live From Japan, capturing one night’s performance of the blues and rock legend.

Being seated throughout his performance does not affect the fire of Winter’s performances which is heavily tilted towards blues on this evening which opens with some sizzling blues-rock before his trio before he comes on for a rendition of Hideaway. The video is quite well done although the tone of Johnny’s guitar seems a bit distorted. There are also a couple of interview segments interspersed in this hour and a half concert video.

While I would not say Winter has been my favorite blues vocalist, I have grown to appreciate his singing and immediately recognizable musical approach and admire the wide range of songs that he tears into on including Frankie Lee Sim’s She Likes To Boogie Real Low, Lazy Lester’s Sugar Coated Love, and Sonny Boy Williamson I’s Good Morning Little School Girl. An interview remembrance of Muddy Waters’ is followed by a rousing Got My Mojo Working, and the rock and roll side of Winter is displayed on Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Goode, and Larry Williams’ Bony Maronie. 

Other highlights include Winter's cover of Ray Charles' Blackjack, as well as reprising Winter's Alligator recording of Don’t Take Advantage of Me that morphs into his interpretation of the Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter. Guitarist Nelson takes a solo on It’s All Over Now, originally recorded by the Valentinos and covered by the Stones. After a short break, Winter and band return with Johnny now playing his Firebird guitar and slide for a rollicking medley of Elmore James’ Dust My Broom and Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61. It closes a well produced concert video and Live From Japan, will certainly be of interest to fans of Johnny Winter and the blues.

I received a review copy from MVD Entertainment. From a 2012 performance, here is Johnny Winer performing Blackjack.