Mitch Woods - Jammin' On The High C's

Mitch Woods is a real solid conveyor of boogie woogie piano and jump blues and for over a decade has been running Mitch Woods Club 88 on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues cruises. It started simple enough when as an invited guest on the cruise, he noticed the ship had a piano bar that wasn't being used, so he simply started playing and people came by to listen and musicians came by to sit in. Soon the jams were lasting until daybreak and someone put up a sign saying Mitch Woods' Club 88 which became the Club 88 Piano Bar and Blues Lounge n the cruise with now 4 piano players on every cruise alternating shifts from early evening to until ?.

Woods had a variety of performances from the January 2015 cruise recorded and they have just been issued on Club 88 Records (distributed by VizzTone), "Jammin' On The High C's" which is subtitled "Live From Mitch Woods' Club 88 on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise." Its a fun recording with his boogie and jump piano joined on different selections by members of Roomful of Blues, Julia Magness, Billy Branch, Victor Wainwright, Papa Chubby, Coco Montoya, Lucky Peterson, Tommy Castro and Dwayne Dopsie.

Mostly the music is renditions of well known blues standards played in an ebullient fashion with Woods handling the old Smiley Lewis classic "Big Mamou" to open it up. Highlights are Lucky Peterson singing Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City," Billy Branch reprising Sonny Boy Williamson's "Eyesight to the Blind," Papa Chubby handling "Wee Wee Hours," and Dwayne Dopsie joining on a rocking "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On." One also gets entertained by Tommy Castro singing Little Richard's "Rip It Up," and a nice "Rock Me Baby" from Coco Montoya.

My major criticism is the lack of fuller personnel information (although I might imagine it would be pretty lengthy), and more seriously the lack of composer credits. These performances are entertaining and fun if not classic and the sense of good times comes though on this nicely put together recording which includes Woods reciting the history of Club 88. Certainly one of aspects of the Cruise that makes it a consistent sell-out.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. This review originally appeared in the September-October Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 362). Here Mitch previews this disc.

Some Choices For JazzFest's Second Weekend

Esperanza Spalding

I am not attending JazzFest this year, having opted for the French Quarter Festival. However looking at the schedule on nojazzfest.com, I have made some suggestions of acts that I recommend for the second weekend. I generally stay away from major label, national touring acts in this list.

Little Freddie King

On Thursday May 3, some blues worth catching in the Blues Tent include Kipori ‘Baby Wolf’ Wood; J’Monique’d and Little Freddie King. James Cotton closes the Blues Tent that day. I saw Mia Borders for the first time at the French Quarter Fest and was quite impressed that I bought a CD by her. She is on the Gentilly Stage where she will be followed by legendary bassist George Porter, Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners. The Congo Square Stage has The Stooges Brass Band followed by Henry Butler. Grammy® Award winner Esperanza Spalding:Radio Music Society closes that stage. On the Fais Do Do Stage one can here the Savoy Family Cajun Band, and Rosie Ledet are featured along with Ani DeFranco. The WWOZ Jazz tent features the marvelous Dutch pianist-composer Amina Figarova Septet along with Regina Carter while the Economy Hall Tent has the vivacious Banu Gibson and trumpeter Kid Chocolate. The iconic and influential Dirty Dozen Brass Band perform on the Acura Stage.

Germaine Bazzle

Some suggestions for Friday May 4 in the Blues Tent include a couple of Bourbon Street favorites, Bryan Lee and Big Al Carson. Others in the tent this day include Reggie Hall, Wanda Rouzan and Deacon John. I saw the latter two at the French Quarter Festival and loved Wanda’s survey of New Orleans music while Deacon John did not get into his blues thing till his set was nearly over. Be curious if he displays more of a blues focus in the tent. On the Gentilly Stage one can see local favoriteTheresa Andersson as well as the Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela et C.U.B.A.. New Orleans vocalists Phillip Manuel and Germaine Bazzle along with Terri Carrington Lynne’s Mosaic are in the WWOZ Jazz Tent, while in Economy Hall Tent the reliable Connie Jones opens things up. Closing this stage will be Wycliffe Gordon Quintet’s "Hello Pops: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong." A younger, traditionally oriented cajun band, Feufollet, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band and Lil Nathan & the Zydeco BigTimers will have the folks at the Fais Do Do Stage dancing. The legendary Mavis Staples is in the Gospel Tent.

John Boutté

Saturday May 5 suggestions start with Guitar Slim, Jr; Mac Arnold; and the Joe Krown, Wolfman Washington & Russell Batiste Trio in the Blues Tent. Incidentally Dr. John will guest with the Warren Haynes Band to close this stage this day. Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas are on the Acura Stage while Big Sam’s Funky Nation is on the Congo Square Stage. One of my favorite singers anywhere is John Boutté, and this is the day of his appearance in the WWOZ Jazz tent which will close with the genius of Herbie Hancock. Young Tuxedo Jazz Band; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Louis Jones will be in the Economy Hall Tent while the great lineup at the Fais Do Do Stage includes cajun veteran Belton Richard; Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys and Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. On the Jazz and Heritage Stage on can see the Original Pin Stripe Brass Band along with the New Birth Brass Band. Aaron Neville does his annual gospel performance in Gospel Tent.

Keith Frank

On the closing day, Sunday May 6, Kermit Ruffins and the Funky Meters are on the Gentilly Stage on which the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (likely with special guests) replace the disbanded Radiators to close the festival on this stage. Mem Shannon and Rebirth Brass band are on the Congo Square Stage while Orange Kellin and George French are in Economy Hall Tent which closes with Ruby Wilson’s tribute to Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. In the WWOZ Jazz tent, there will be a Living Tribute to Harold Battiste as Jazz ambassador (and legendary A&R man and teacher). Harold Battiste gets a heartfelt “thank you” from New Orleans jazz greats Jesse McBride, Ellis Marsalis and Germaine Bazzle. David Sanborn appears with organist Joey DeFrancesco. On the Fais Do Do Stage will be the Red Stick Ramblers, and Keith Frank. Asleep At The Wheel also is on this stage. On the Jazz and Heritage Stage will have Los Hombres Calientes feat. Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield along with a performance by Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias. In the Gospel tent will be the Boutté Family Sunday Praise with John, Lillian, Tricia, Lorna, Tanya, and Arséne. Tom McDermott and Friends will be on the Lagniappe Stage followed by Ed Volker, formerly of The Radiators. The main Acura Stage closes out, as is traditional, with The Neville Brothers.

There are my suggestions of musical performances that will undoubtedly include some performers outside of what you might normally see. I should mention, there are also fascinating interview-oral histories taking place throughout on the Allison Miner Stage. For those lucky enough to be there, I hope hope the weather cooperates and that you have a culinary as well well as musical feast at JazzFest


All photos copyright by Ron Weinstock

Amina Figarova

Some Outstanding 2010 Releases That Are Neither Blues Or Jazz

My final list of outstanding releases. These are recordings that don't fall with the rubric of blues and/or jazz.

Deke Dickerson Live at Duff’s Major Label/ Hep 400. A record for guitar freaks. “Plenty of country swing and twang with some jazz and blues accents added, like James Burton meets Duane Eddy with other genre hopping just like the backing band of the Modern Sounds whose approach may be rooted more in jazz and swing traditions, but provides a thoroughly compatible and sympathetic backing …”

Johnny Moeller BlooGaLoo (Severn). Presently guitarist with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Moeller “has been turning heads with his raw, soul-funk blues guitar playing that comes across as a wild blend of Freddie King, Jimmy Nolan, John Lee Hooker and Frankie Lee Sims. … Fans of raunchy blues guitar mixed with heavy doses of funk, and rock’n’roll will certainly find this latest effort by Johnny Moeller much to their taste.”

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers Up In Flames (self-produced). Accordion playing son of Rockin’ Dopsie, this is exciting zydeco in vein of the legendary Clifton Chenier. About the Zydeco Hellraisers I wrote, “Rhythmically they are tight and in addition to Dopsie’s accordion playing, saxophonist may be as good as sax player in an zydeco band I have heard since Blind John Hart was with Clifton Chenier and Rockin’ Dopsie.”

Ensemble Fatien Seguenon Presents Ensemble Fatien (Threadhead Records). I had the pleasure of seeing this marvelous african-jazz ensemble that includes Jason Marsalis on vibrophones, Margie Perez on vocals and Dr. Michael White on clarinet at the 2009 Jazz and Heritage Festival. This album captures the lively and enticing music of that performance.

Red Baraat Chaal Baby (Sinj Records). Led by Sunny Jain, Red Baraat is a brass band based in the music of the Indian subcontinent with a fresh take on the modern brass band.

Derek Trucks Band Roadsongs (Sony). The Derek Trucks is often labelled as a blues band which does not credit the originality of their music enough. As vocalist Mike Mattison states about the Trucks Band, “This was a multi-generational, multi-cultural, and above all, live band.” The music here ranges “from the bluesy “I’ll Find My Way,” and “Down in the Flood,” from Bob Dylan’s songbook; reggae with a gospel tinge on “Sailin’ On,” as a homage to John Coltrane on the Mongo Santamaria classic “Afro-Blues”…”

Great CD Celebrating Louisiana Blues and Zydeco Benefits Neuroscience Research and Treatment.

Louisiana is home to so much good music that has played a significant role in helping folks recover from some of the disasters, natural and man made, the state has suffered in recent years. One of the many great musicians from the state, Buddy Flett, had a near fatal bout with encephalitis that left him in a medically induced coma. When he awoke, he had lost the ability to walk, talk, and play the guitar but with the help of his family, both kin and the musical community, he was able to play guitar at his own benefit. His own struggle to get back to health inspired the formation of the Northern Louisiana Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Foundation to fund neuroscience research in Louisiana. And this cause led to a variety of performers contributing their talents to “Louisiana Swamp Stomp” (Honeybee Entertainment), whose proceeds will benefit the Foundation. 

Among the all star talent on “Louisiana Swamp Stomp” are such world-famous headliners as Buckwheat Zydeco, Percy Sledge and the Aces Band and guitar legend Sonny Landreth and the equally amazing, if less publicly known icons Henry Gray (who spent considerable time infusing Howlin Wolf’s band with his signature piano) and Lil Buck Sinegal (an integral part of Clifton Chenier’s and then Buckwheat Zydeco’s outstanding groups). Others on this include Carol Fran, herself a stroke victim a few years ago, Little Freddie King, Dwayne Dopsie, Buddy Flett himself, Larry Garner, and Charlene Howard with supporting musicians include Billy Flynn, Sean Carney, Jonn Richardson, and David Egan.

Little Freddie King with Lil' Buck Sinegal in back

Chicago harp player and singer, Omar Coleman, the only featured performer not from Louisiana, backed by Billy Flynn on guitar and Kenny Smith on drums, turns in a strong rendition of Slim Harpo’s “Scratch My Back,” catching that swamp blues flavor of the original, while he takes some melodic liberties on Lightnin’ Hopkins’ “Mojo Hand.” Pianist Henry Gray delivers two strong piano blues performances, the slow topical “Times Are Getting Hard” about too much taxes and ain’t got a job, while “How Can You Do It,” is a rocking shuffle. Lil Buck Sinegal provides a rocking take on “Don’t You Lie to Me. 

Carol Fran at 2008 New Orleans JazzFest

Carol Fran sings the blues in French on “Tou' Les Jours C'est Pas La Meme (Everyday Is Not The Same),” with some nice piano from David Egan, while her “I Needs To Be Be’d With,” has nice guitar from Mary Christian.Little Freddie King takes us down in the gutter with a superb, doomy swamp blues “Can’t Do Nothin’ Babe,” while Percy Sledge does a fine rendition of “First You Cry,” a terrific southern soul ballad Buddy Flett and David Egan wrote. “Swamp Stomp,” is a instrumental that features Sonny Landreth’s slide guitar, Lil Buck Sinegal’s guitar and Gerald St. Julien’s accordion although the playing gets a bit messy at times. “Traveling Man,” is a superb zydeco performance, in the vein of Clifton Chenier, from Dwayne Dopsie. 

Larry Garner’s strong blues “It’s Killing Me,” has a melodic flavor akin to “As the Years Go Passing By,” with terrific organ from Buckwheat Zydeco and a typically fine Garner lyric and vocal. His “Ms. Boss,” with some rollicking piano as Larry sings about bringing breakfast to his baby in bed, and she know show to love Larry, so that’s why Larry calls his Ms. Boss. One performer I was totally unfamiliar before this recording is Charlene Howard who really belts out a slow soul-blues “Send Me Someone To Love.” Flett himself sings and plays guitar on Livin’ Ain’t Easy,” with nice slide guitar as Flett sings fervently with the same never say die attitude that enabled to recover from his serious health issues.

“Louisiana Swamp Stomp” contains a number of first-rate performances and is never less than entertaining. Special kudos to the producers, Paul McCarthy, MD, and Kenny “Beady Eyes” Smith for making this happen and for having this benefit such a worthy cause as the Northern Louisiana Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Foundation whose website is www.brainhelp.org and from which you can purchase this CD.

I received a review copy from a publicity firm for this release.

Dwayne Dopsie's Hellraising Zydeco

One of the sons of the late Rocking Dopsie (Alton Rubin), Dwayne ‘Dopsie’ Rubin is one of several sons that followed their legendary father into zydeco music and has in the years since his father’s passing has established himself as one of zydeco’s relative young guns. This writer had the pleasure of seeing him at a Blues Festival some years ago in Maryland and was impressed then. He has continued to grow and stylistically his brand of zydeco strikes this listener as more in the vein of Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco and Nathan Williams with his heavy rocking blues and R&B styled sound in contrast to the music of the late Beau Jocque or Boozoo Chavis with more focus on vamping on a chord or two, although numbers like “Better Go Get It” on his new Sounds of New Orleans release “Up in Flames,” show he and his band hit a groove and really rock it hard.

Ben Sandmel, in his liner notes, compares Dopsie’s singing to Howlin’ Wolf as well as Beau Jocque. there is a raspiness in his voice that evokes their vocal styles, but Dopsie is a striking singer on his own. His band consists of Alex McDonald on rubboard; Shelton Sonnier; Dion Pierre on bass on bass; Calvin Sam on drums; and Carl Landry on saxophone and with Dopsie’s strong accordion and vocals, they kick butt. Rhythmically they are tight and in addition to Dopsie’s accordion playing, saxophonist may be as good as sax player in an zydeco band I have heard since Blind John Hart was with Clifton Chenier and Rockin’ Dopsie.

“Up in Flames” has a wonderfully diverse set of tunes starting with the opening “I’m Gonna Walk,” with its hint of “Don’t Mess With My Tu Tu.” It is followed by another hard rocking number, “Feel So Good,” whose melody is similar to the classic R&B number “You Can’t Sit Down.” On “I’m a Fool For You,” the band comes off like the Red Hot Louisiana Band on a blues that conjures up classic Clifton Chenier from three decades ago. This is simply great stuff and continues with the hot “Don’t Listen,” taken at an fiery tempo, yet the band is so tight and the performances don’t become frenzied and uncontrolled. “Back in the Woods,” is a more traditionally oriented zydeco number akin to Clifton doing “Zydeco De Pas Sale” with just his brother and drummer.

These recordings certainly make this writer wish he would have the opportunity to see Dwayne Dopsie again. I will miss him at jazzFest this year (he plays the first weekend, then will be in Europe the next weekend). This is available from his website http://www.dwaynedopsie.com. He has some CDs available on cdbaby.com, but this one is not available. It should be available from the Louisiana Music Factory. Dwayen Dopsie has a regular French Quarter gig and you can check his performance schedule on his website.

For those (including the FTC) who care about such things, i purchased this recording.