Big Harp George Uptown Cool

Big Harp George
Uptown Cool
Blues Mountain Records

A follow-up to his outstanding debut, "Chromaticism," George Bisharat returns with a new dozen originals that reinforce the well-deserved praise the earlier release garnered. Here he is backed by an outstanding studio band that includes producer Chris Burns on keyboards, Kid Andersen on bass or guitars, and Little Charlie Baty on guitar, with well arranged horns throughout. He displays not only very strong harmonica playing horn like lines, but very appealing singing that is delivered honestly and in a straight-forward fashion.

There is plenty of wry humor, as well as perceptive social commentary such as the amusing "Internet Honey," which also has a choice trombone solo from Mike Rinta, sax solo from Michael Peloquin in addition to Kid Andersen's brief stinging guitar solo. Then there is more humor (and social commentary) in "Alternative Facts," where George notes, that while he thought truth matters, submits his alternative fact that he taught Little Walter everything he knew. "I Wanna Know" has a crisp latin rhythm groove, booting sax solo and Charlie Baty's Spanish-tinged acoustic solo prior to George's crisp, jazzy playing here. I could imagine Santana performing this song.

"In the First Place" is a crisp instrumental shuffle that displays his mastery without going all out as well as the wonderful backing throughout this track with their interplay with his harp lead and the nice relaxed tempo. "Cold Snap By The Bay," is a deep, slow you topical blues about living in this paradise but three died in San Jose due to a cold snap. Musically it evokes an Otis Spann recording "Look Like Twins," and Chris Burns plays wonderfully in a Spann-like fashion. It showcases how Big George updates classic Chicago blues settings while remaining true to his musical roots. The title track is a jazz-inflected instrumental, taking at a lazy, walking tempo with Burns on organ. Baty crafts a neat solo, before the leader's solo that I am sure the late Toots Thielemans would have enjoyed.

Simply stated this is another impressive recording that has a wonderful mix of grooves, wonderful playing, strong originals and heartfelt singing that should appeal to anyone with a love of real blues.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared originally in the July-August 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 379), although I made minor stylistic edits to that review. Here is a video for "Alternative Facts."

Bey Paule Band Not Goin' Away

 

The Bey Paule Band, a terrific soul-blues band featuring the vocals of Frank Bey and the guitar of Anthony Paule, return with "Not Goin' Away" (Blue Dot Records). The disc follows-up the terrific "Soul of the Blues." Like its predecessor, it mixes  choice originals with a few strong covers of lesser known material. In addition to Bey and Paule, the Band includes Tony Lufrano on keyboards; Paul Olguin on bass; Paul Revelli on drums; Mike Rinta on trombone; Tom Poole on trumpet and Nancy Wright on saxophone with guest appearances from Christoffer 'Kid' Andersen on guitar (and he co-produced, recorded and mixed this); and Jack Sanford on baritone sax with back-up singers added to half of the selections here.

Bey stands out as a singer (in my review of "Soul of the Blues" I compared him to Solomon Burke and Mighty Sam McClain) and he puts his stamp on everything here (except the instrumental "Noel's Haze") starting with the autobiographical opening "Black Bottom" where he sings about growing up in the Georgia sticks and now fronting a eight-piece band. Its slightly swampy feel is followed by the deep funk of "Kiss Me Like You Mean It," with some nifty guitar runs from Paule and greasy organ from Lufrano with punchy horns. Mike Rinta and Paule are responsible for the popping horn arrangements throughout. One track with punchy horns is the driving original from Bey, Paule and Christine Vitale, "Right In Front Of You," about a guy who understands the woman's problems but can't win her heart. It has strong playing from Lufrano on piano and Paule on guitar.

Vitale and Paule contribute "Next To My Heart" that comes off like a vintage seventies deep southern soul recorded at Muscle Shoals with an outstanding Bey vocal. "Nobody's Angel," another Vitale original, evokes some of Clarence Carter's recordings, with its storytelling and message and is wonderfully delivered by Bey and the band. The title track is a terrific rocker with a wonderful groove and Rinta delivering a superb trombone solo wonderfully framed by the other horns and the chicken fried organ. "Don't Ask Me How I Feel" is a blues performance that to these ears comes off as a cross of Al Kooper mixed with Donny Hathaway with perhaps the best horn arrangement here.

On "Not Goin' Away," the Bey Paule Band again provide listeners with a superb soul and blues recording. The album has a strong and varied program that is consistently well sung and performed. Certainly anyone who enjoyed "Soul of the Blues" will enjoy this, while fans of soul and blues who may not have heard them previously will find much to savor on this stunning recording.

A publicist sent me my review copy. While written for Jazz & Blues Report, I do not believe this review has been published. Here is a video of the Bey-Paule Band performing.