Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne
Jumpin' and Boppin'
Stony Plain
Blues and boogie woogie pianist and vocalist, Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne has a new recording, his tenth album, and third for Stony Plain, "Jumpin' and Boppin'." It is certainly another album that will enthrall fans of jump blues in the vein of Amos Milburn, Little Willie Littlefield, early Ray Charles, Johnnie Johnson and Fats Domino. Duke Robillard is a special guest and spices up a number of tracks here. Others supporting Wayne here include Russell Jackson on bass, Charlie Jacobson on guitar, Joey Dimarco on drums, Sherman Doucette on harmonica, and Dave Babcock on saxophone.
With the exception of "You Don't Know Me," best known from Ray Charles rendition (which Wayne covers) the songs are Wayne originals. Highlights include the rollicking Amos Milburn flavored "Jumpin' & Boppin' With Joy," the Johnnie Johnson flavored wry "Ciao, Ciao Baby," the rollicking "Look Out! There's a Train Coming," with hints of Fats Domino and MIlburn, the Ray Charles flavored topical blues "Bankrupted Blues," the late night blues of "Back To Square One," and the hot rock and roll of "Rock, Rock Little Girl," where he shouts out if you don't known how to rock, you don't know how to roll.
The rhythm section is terrific throughout, Robillard is superb where featured and Babcock's saxophone playing is spot on where adding punchy honking on "Blues Stew," or ripping out supportive rifts. Along with choice, idiomatic original songs and Wayne's two-fisted piano and solid singing, this release (produced by Wayne himself) will have listeners "Jumpin' and Boppin'" with joy.
I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the July-August 2016 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 267). Here is the Blues Boss performing.
Washington Phillips
Washington Phillips and His Manzarene Dreams
Atlanta GA: Dust-To-Digital
2016: 76 pages plus16 track CD
Atlanta-based Dust-To-Digital has another important Book-CD combination with "Washington Phillips and His Manzarene Dreams." As noted on its website, Dust-To-Digital's, inaugural release, 2003’s "Goodbye, Babylon," included two recordings by a mysterious gospel musician from Texas named Washington Phillips. Now, this book and CD by this unique singing evangelist who played a very unusual instrument provides much new information on this artist as well new masterings of all of his extant recordings from pristine copies.
Michael Corcoran has uncovered new information on Phillips, just like he did on another great Texas evangelist, Blind Willie Johnson. He was able to track down Phillips family history, including that his grandfather was a slave born in Kentucky and was in Texas during the Civil War. He uncovers the facts of Phillips death, refuting the story he died in an mental asylum (it was a cousin, also named Washington Phillips who died there), but rather died after falling down the stairs in a Texas state building in 1954. Corcoran also refutes the generally accepted idea he backed himself on the duceola, a rare kind of portable piano. Rather he cites a 1907 newspaper clipping that refers to what Phillips called the Manzarene. This may have been one or two zithers (which he was photographed with at one of his recording sessions) to which he may have employed a self-invented stringing along with a unique tuning.
Additionally, with interviews of persons who knew Phillips, Corcoran rounds out our knowledge of this evangelist and his life. There is also discussion of his recording sessions and a consideration of several artists who have been affected by the unique, almost ethereal, recordings he made. Compared to Blind Willie Johnson he lacks perhaps the overt, fiery passion, but when Phillips sings "Mother's Last Word To Her Son," "I Was Born To Preach The Gospel" or the two-part "Denomination Blues," there is a smoldering intensity to his singing along with his unique accompaniment resulting in these often mesmerizing performances. There also are lyric transcriptions included in this handsomely packaged and illustrated music reissue and book.
I purchased this from Dust-To-Digital and for more information on a book-CD package that would make a marvelous Christmas present, check out http://www.dust-digital.com/.
Here is Phillips from an earlier mastering of perhaps his most famous recording, "Denomination Blues, Part 1."
The Art of the Blues
by Bill Dahl; Art Consultant: Chris James
Chicago; University of Chicago Press
2016: 224 pages (including index)
"The Art of the Blues" is a coffee table sized volume subtitled "A Visual Treasury of Black Music's Golden Age." Released in time for the holidays in 2016, it is visually a marvelous collection of blues (and jazz) ephemera including old song-sheet covers, publicity photos, record company catalogs, 78 and 45 labels, music magazine covers, record album covers and concert photos. Interspersed are brief overviews on a variety of themes relating to the history of blues recordings, specific artists, photographers and record companies and more by long-time blues journalist and scholar Dahl. Dahl also captioned the hundreds of illustrations in this handsomely produced and printed volume. Guitarist Chris James assisted on the selection of the images.
It is not a perfect volume as there are some occasional, minor inaccuracies (unavoidable with the actual range of subjects that Dahl writes about) in the text (Jimmy Rushing was a member of the Blue Devils and recorded with them prior to joining Bennie Moten) and one wishes there was more consistent crediting to photographers or artists of the images included. At the same time, even I, who have been following this music (and reading about it) for decades, learned quite a bit such as about the Hook Brothers photographers (best known for the publicly known Robert Johnson images), along with the companies that made concert and tour posters that are highly prized collectors items today.
Dahl takes us from the days of minstrel shows and cakewalks to great rhythm and blues revues of the 50's and 60's and the three guitar Kings of the Blues. It is quite a wonderful text as well as visual treat. I purchased this and am quite pleased I did. This will be truly a wonderful gift for the blues and jazz lovers on your gift list.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Dick Oatts/Mats Holmquist New York Jazz Orchestra A Tribute To Herbie +1 Summit/Mama Records Dick Oatts/Mats Holmquist New York Jazz Orchestra is a band comprised of some of the finest New York players along with several distinguished Scandinavian players. Oatts is a lead player and artistic director of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra while Holmquist currently serves as Artistic Director for the JZ All Star Big Band in Shanghai. Holmquist suggested a big band tribute to Herbie Hancock and with John Mosca's expertise as contractor and lead trombone to bring together a formidable cast of musicians that include Walt Weiskopf on tenor saxophone, Frank Basile on Baritone saxophone, Joe Magnarelli on trumpet, and Adam Birnbaum on piano. Holmquist provided all the arrangements on this as well as contributed an original, "Stevie R," reflected in the "+1" in the recording's title, "A Tribute To Herbie +1." These are some impressive interpretations of some of Hancock's iconic compositions including "Cantaloupe Island," "Chameleon," "Dolphin Dance," "Maiden Voyage" and "Watermelon Man." Influenced by minimalist composer Steve Reich, Holmquist which he describes in his arrangement of Chameleon." "In :Chameleon," I use a technique inspired by Steve Reich's famous composition "Drumming," starting with one note, adding one more, and another one, etc., until the thread of notes becomes a whole musical phrase." On this number he changes tempos as well as recompose and reharmonizes the theme with tenor solos from Walt Weiskopf and Robert Nordmark standing out. Oatts on soprano sax and pianist Birnbaum are featured on "Dolphin Dance," while the uptempo "Eye of the Hurricane," has blistering trumpet from Joe Magnarelli, along with hot tenor sax from Weiskopf, soprano sax from Oatts and a drum solo from John Riley. Magnarelli is featured with on "Stevie R.," Holmquist's original which also illustrates his construction of complexity from simple elements, and again on the marvelous "Maiden Voyage" with more marvelous trumpet and soprano sax, while there is a playfulness in the reworking of "Watermelon Man" that showcases Weiskopf's tenor sax and Basile's baritone sax along with some terrific support from the rhythm section. Herbie Hancock's music has produced some of the most compelling performances of the past half century, particularly under his own name. The marvelous music on "A Tribute To Herbie +1," reflects the freshness that Hancock's music along with the marvelous Holmquist arrangements and superb playing of the Oatts/Holmquist Big Band.
I received from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the September-October Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 368).
John Long Stand Your Ground Delta Groove Music It took John Long decades or so before this old school country blues musician recorded a full album, the 2006 Delta Groove release Lost & Found. I wrote a decade ago that it was "comprised of originals that sound like remakes of classic country blues recordings from the pre-World War 11 era. He sounds as if he has channeled Son House, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson and others." It reflected his being mentored by Homesick James Williamson among others along with his love for these older blues artists and recordings. It is appropriate he opens his new album with a small group rendition of Homesick James' "Please Set a Date," taken at a relaxed tempo with the type of restrained slide attack that contrasts with say Hound Dog Taylor. As good as it may be, it is followed by the stunning "Red Hawk," where he channels Johnny Shines and Robert Johnson in a stunning reworking of "Terraplane/Dynafow Blues" melody with his original lyrics. The following "Things Can't Be Down Always," has him adding harmonica for a solid one-man blues band performance while the title track is a peppy slide number with a message as Bill Stuve on bass and Washington Rucker on drums add adept backing, while he evokes Joe Hill Louis on "Welcome Mat," another one-man band performance. There seems to be several selections where Long may be reflecting about his own mortality. "No Flowers For Me," is a topical blues where he sings that he has been shaking, and asks folks to remember him, but don't spend money on flowers, but rather find a cure for that Parkinson's Disease. His slide, on the rendition of "I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole," conjures up Mississippi Fred McDowell. There is a reflective feel to his fresh interpretation of Blind Willie McTell's "Climbing High Mountains (Trying To Get Home)," and athevery moving "Precious Lord," with bass and drums backing that has an ambience of some of Sonny Boy Williamson's European recordings. The closing "Suitcase Stomp" is a brisk, brief one-man band number where Long sings about leaving St. Louis and just doing what he wants, doing the suitcase stomp. Ten years ago I said "Long comes off as a real contemporary master of acoustic blues." It has taken ten years for John Long to follow up that recording, and that evaluation still is appropriate. The wait was definitely worthwhile with this terrific recording. I received my review copy from Delta Groove. Here is a video of John in performance.
House Party At Big Jon's, a new Delta Groove release by Big Jon Atkinson & Bob Corritore is a rollicking traditional blues recording featuring the 26 year old Atkinson, who plays and sings with an authority of someone much older, and veteran harmonica master Bob Corritore, who was producing classic blues recordings before Atkinson entered this world. The two are supported by a variety of players including guitarist Danny Michel, bassist Troy Sandow, and drummers Malachi Johnson, Brian Fahey, and Marty Dodson. Recorded at Big Jon's home studio with vintage equipment, these originals and choice covers capture the sound of vintage recordings from Chess, Excello and Trumpet. Adding spice are guest appearances by Dave Riley, Willie Buck, Alabama Mike and Tomcat Courtney, providing their well seasoned voices. Thee are many pleasures to listen to here, from the swamp blues meets Sonny Boy Williamson ambience of Atkinson's opening "Goin' Back To Tennessee," and his own evocation of a classic Jay Miller recording on another original "It Wasn't Easy," followed by a rocking swamp blues penned by Miller, "She's My Crazy Little Baby," that almost sounds like an unissued Lonesome Sundown recording. Corrritore's "Here Comes My Baby," sounds like a Sonny Boy Williamson Chess recording although retro-traditional with Little Walter styled harp. Dave Riley's down-home rendition of Charles Johnson's gospel number "At the Meeting," is followed by a rearrangement of Lightnin' Hopkin's "Mojo Hand" with biting guitar from Atkinson and vocal from Alabama Mike. Tomcat Courtney follows with his own Muddy Waters' styled down-home blues "Mojo in My Bread." Atkinson's "Mad About It," is a Muddy Waters styled blues, musically reminiscent of "Tiger in My Tank," with hot slide guitar and some strong Corritore harp while the pair channel the Second Sonny Boy Williamson on "Empty Bedroom." Also nice is a cover of Slim Harpo's "I'm Gonna Miss You Like The Devil," followed by Willie Buck channeling Muddy Waters in his vocal on his "You Want Me To Trust You," and then Dave Riley is more in a Memphis meets Chicago mood on "Mississippi Plow." "El Centro," a harmonica feature set against a Tex-Mex groove, is followed by Willie Buck taking the vocal on a cover of Slim Harpo's "I'm a King Bee," with the band capturing that Baton Rouge groove. The recording closes with Alabama Mike channeling Muddy Waters singing Casey Bill Weldon's "Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door," as Big Jon evokes Muddy's slide style, and Big Jon letting us know "My Feelings Won't Be Hurt," taken a medium tempo and sung and played with the authority characteristic of the entire House Party at Big Jon's. It was indeed quite a party as they evoke the classic blues sounds of the fifties and the sixties with these excellent performances. I received a review copy from Delta Groove. While written several months ago, this review was just published in the November-December 2016 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 369), although I have made corrections to the version that appeared there. Here is a video of them in action.
The title of the new Stony Plain album by Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, "Maxwell Street," is a reference to the late pianist (and former broadcaster) David Maxwell, to whose memory this recording is dedicated. Earl's guitar is joined by his band of David Limina on keyboards, Jim Mouradian on bass, Lorne Entress on drums and Diane Blue on vocals with Nicholas Tabarias appearing as a guest on guitar. This recording is split between instrumentals and vocals and provides plenty of space for Earl's guitar, but also allows Limina to showcase his piano and organ chops.
Using the word chops to describe Ronnie Earl or Limina's keyboards is perhaps inappropriate as both as musicians whose instrumental mastery is tied to a keen musical intelligence. Earl especially is a player of nuance and subtlety, with his employment of small changes in pitch, as well as his use of space recalling such blues guitar legends such as Earl Hooker, Johnny Heartsman, Clarence Holliman and Mel Brown. Listening to the spiritual feeling of the opening original "Mother Angel," and his T-Bone Walker tribute "In Memory of T-Bone," as Limina's hauntingly beautiful tribute to Maxwell ""Elegy For a Bluesman, and Earl's own "Blues For David Maxwell,” makes this evident. One also must note the responsiveness of Limina and the excellence of the rhythm section throughout.
Diane Blue has developed into an outstanding, soulful singer first heard here on the Earl-Blue original "Kismet," with its spiritual message, followed by a lengthy rendition of Otis Rush's 'Double Trouble," on which Earl again revisits one of his musical inspirations with both Limina and Earl taking lengthy solos. There is a surprising, bluesy rendition of the Gladys Knight and the Pips hit "Imagination," a nice reading of "You Don't Know Me," owing more to Ray Charles than Eddy Arnold, before the album closes with a moving rendition of the classic Peppermint Harris tune (credited to Don Robey), "As the Years Go Passing By."
Ronnie Earl, in his brief notes, comments about how deep Dave Maxwell's playing was, and that observation is true about the music here. Earl extracts so much emotion with his sublime guitar playing which touches deep into the listener's heart, and the result is the superb"Maxwell Street."
I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the September-October 2016 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 368). Here is a video teaser for Maxwell Street.
Lou Caputo Not So Big Band
Uh Oh!
JazzCat 47 Records
Lou Caputo's Not So Big Band is a working big band that has 12 pieces, not the typical sixteen piece or larger variety. It has been together for over ten years playing various venues in New York City. Caputo is a multi-instrumentalist heard here on various saxophones and flute who has played in various show bands ranging from Motown to Harry Connick Jr, as well as Howard Johnson's 5 Bari Saxophone Group (Beartones), Warren Smith's Jazz Composer's Orchestra and the Ellington and Basie bands.
Others in the Not So Big Band include percussionist Eddie Montalvo (Grammy nominee, Latin Grammy winner, Fania All-Stars), saxophonist Virginia Mayhew (Saxophone Journal Saxophonist of the Year), trumpeter John Eckart (performed with Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lee Konitz), legendary bassist and jazz author Bill Crow (performed with Gerry Mulligan and Phil Woods), Geoffrey Burke (performs with Harry Connick Jr.) and percussionist and vibraphonist Warren Smith who has performed with everyone from John Cage and Gil Evans to Barbra Streisand. I am most familiar with Smith's work and also guitarist Joel Perry who I met decades ago in Buffalo (and who also spent years playing second guitar behind legendary blues man, Johnny 'Clyde' Copeland).
This is a marvelous swinging modern big band recording with some terrific renditions of jazz staples from the pens of Joe Henderson, Leo Wright, Jack DeJohnette, Oliver Nelson, Bill Crow, Chick Corea Tadd Dameron, Dexter Gordon, Mary Lou Williams and others. The disc kicks off with a driving rendition of Henderson's "Black Nile," that Caputo takes the first solo with his robust baritone sax followed by Perry's fleet guitar against Geoffrey Burke's arrangement. Trombonist Jason Ingram contributed and arranged the Latin jazz original "Los Cielos De Ayer," with Caputo on soprano, with other solos from trumpeter Dave Smith and guitarist Perry. Don Elliot's composed title track was apparently a popular number by the Nutty Squirrels. The loping groove and sound of the reeds give it a somewhat cool flavor with Warren Smith taking the first solo on vibes, followed by Kohn Eckert's nice middle range trumpet, Caputo's brawny baritone and a short bass solo from Crow.
Leo Wright's "Midnight in Berlin," is a favorite selection with the late Chris White's arrangement and Caputo's outstanding alto (suggestive of John Handy) lending this a Mingus-like feel, with pianist Don Smith and Warren Smith adding solos. A Caribbean carnival feel marks the ebullient rendition of DeJohnette's "Festival" with Caputo's airy flute showcased along with the alto sax of Geoffrey Burke, drummer Mike Campenni before guitarist Perry's acoustic guitar leads to the close. Ryan Krewer's arrangement for "Stolen Moments" gives it a fresh sound as does Caputo's use of soprano and the performance also has Dale Turk's tuba solo. Chick Corea's "Guijara," is another latin flavored number with Caputo on flute (with trumpet like lines) followed by Perry's fiery electric guitar (evoking a jazzy Santana perhaps) and then some wonderful trombone from Ingram (set against Chris Rinaman's marvelous arrangement).
Bill Whited provided arrangements for the lovely rendition of Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now" (with marvelous ballad playing by Caputo on the baritone) and Dexter Gordon's "Fried Bananas." with Caputo on soprano, Dan Stein on piano and Virginia Mayhew on tenor sax. Virginia Mayhew arranged the closing performance, Mary Lou Williams' "Busy Busy Busy." Caputo is a superb player, and his Not So Big band is a sterling aggregation with a marvelous book, terrific arrangements as well as soloists and a marvelous rhythm section. The result is this excellent recording.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of this outstanding band.
Long Island's Toby Walker is among the most gifted acoustic blues and roots performers around today who has just released his latest album "Mileage." The title comes from the miles of traveling Walker has taken over the decades of his career illustrated from the stickers on his guitar case pictured on the cover. There is a nice mix of finger picking blues, some Doc Watson styled flat-picking and a Muddy Waters' cover ("She Moves Me") where his steel slide playing evoked the Black Ace.
Things get started with a delightful original co-written with Tom Griffith, "Seven-Dy Wonder," a humorous reworking of having a woman every day of the week theme with superb Piedmont styled guitar followed by a slightly rebranding of a classic Blind Lemon Jefferson recording, "See My Grave Is Swept Clean." "Jimmy Brown The Newsboy," is one of several numbers that have him in an old-timey/bluegrass/Irish folk mode reminiscent of Doc Watson, which similar wonderful picking on "Daly's Reel/Stoney Lonesome" and "Temperance Reel." Mookie Wilson's "My Baby Owns A Whiskey Store" is a delightful blues romp about having a new baby who takes care of Toby's needs since "he don't have to buy no more," set against a brisk, propulsive accompaniment.
Toby says he "can hardly get through without cracking up," when he performs Tim Wallace's "You Don't Really Care," and listening to this one wonders how many takes it took to record this delightful performance. It is followed by a classic honky-tonk styled country number, "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke." A brisk "Shortnin' Bread" is followed by a solo, acoustic rendition of Tiny Powell's recording' "My Time After A While." The original 45 was covered for Chess by Buddy Guy who copied Johnny Heartsman's guitar playing on Powell's original. Walker sounds vocally a bit like John Hammond here.
Other pleasures include another Walker-Griffith collaboration, "Shakin' Her Bacon," with amusing, slightly naughty lyrics with his strutting accompaniment, a lively interpretation of Fats Waller's "Lulu's Back In Town, the melancholy ballad "Delia," and the hokum fun of "You're Gonna Look Like A Monkey When You Get Old," where Walker's slide playing sounds like he is in a Western Swing group. It is an exhilarating close to an album of diverse and varied material that is superbly performed. This marvelous recording can be purchased from Toby directly, http://www.littletobywalker.com/my-new-cd.html, as well as better retailers.
I received my copy directly from Toby. This review was written for Jazz & Blues Report which I do not believe has run it it and I apologize for not posting this review earlier. Here is Toby in live performance.
Ronnie Baker Brooks is one of this year's headliners
September 16, 17 & 18, 2016, blues returns to the Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania for the Pennsylvania Blues Festival. Among the acts on the two stages at this year's Festival will be Ronnie Baker Brooks with special guest Eddie Clearwater, Zac Harmon, Ronnie Earl, Toronzo Cannon, The Delmark Chicago Blues Revue and Gaye Adegbalola & the Wild Rutz.
It was August 1 and 2 of 1992 when the Big Boulder Ski Resort hosted the very first Pocono Blues Festival with a lineup that consisted of Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, Kenny Neal, Big Jack Johnson & the Oilers, Willie Kent & the Gents with Bonnie Lee, Johnny “Clye” Copeland, Bobby Radcliffe, The Bob Margolin Blues Band, George “Mojo” Buford, The Clarence Spady Band, Queen Bee and the Blue Hornets, and the The Dukes of Destiny. I first attended the Pocono Blues Festival in 1994 for the third festival whose lineup included Johnny Clyde Copeland, Denise LaSalle, Carol Fran & Clarence Holliman, Larry McCray, Sugar Blue, Billy Boy Arnold with Bob Margolin, Long John Hunter, Honeyboy Edwards, Fruteland Jackson, Fenton Robinson and others.
For 19 years Big Boulder hosted what became known as the Blues Lover's Blues Festival. Most every significant blues act (many no longer with us) with the exception of B.B. King performed at the Festival including Buddy Guy, Luther Allison, Guitar Shorty, Lowell Fulson, Little Milton, Otis Rush, koko Taylor, Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, Shemekia Copeland, Ruth Brown, Smokey Wilson, Mavis Staples, Jerry McCain, Eddie Clearwater, Trudy Lynn, Robert Lockwood Jr, Phillip Walker, Bobby bland, Artie 'Blues Boy' White, Texas Johnnie Brown, Long John Hunter, Otis Clay, Irma Thomas, Marva Wright and many more.
After 19 Festivals, the owners of Big Boulder decided for a change in the off-season activities and the Festival, rechristened the Pennsylvania Blues Festival moved to Blue Mountain Ski Area for 4 years and presented such performers as Otis Clay, Shemekia Copeland, Lil' Ed&The Blues Imperials, Magic Slim &The Teardrops, Kenny Neal, Bettye LaVette, Brooks Family Dynasty, Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues with Lurrie Bell, Demetria Taylor & Carlos Johnson, Joe Louis Walker, Teeny Tucker, Otis Taylor, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Corey Harris, Bobby Rush, Ruthie Foster, Sista Monica, John Primer, Alexis P Suter, Guy Davis, Eddie & Vaan Shaw, James Cotton, Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, Barbara Carr, Jarekus Singleton and many more. Then in 2015 the Festival moved to Split Rock with a line-up that included Shemekia Copeland, Lil' Ed &The Blues Imperials, Walter "Wolfman" Washington & the Roadmasters, John Nemeth, Victor Wainwright & the Wild Roots, Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, Selwyn Birchwood, Vaneese Thomas, and Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers.
Mikey Junior Revue helps the Festival Get Underway. Here he is seen from 2015 Festival
This is an impressive history of performers that will be celebrated by this year's event. Friday night's line-up in the Split Rock Galleria Governor's Ballroom features the Mikey Junior Revue starring the marvelous harmonica player and his band and a number of blues performers from the Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Northern Delaware region. It should be quite an enjoyable early evening event for blues enthusiasts.
On Saturday the Festival gets into full swing. At 11;00 AM in the Galleria Governor's Ballroom, Ronnie Earl will offer a guitar master class (separate charge will apply). At 1;00PM, Slam Allen opens the Main Stage with his highly entertaining set. The guitarist and vocalist fronted James Cotton's band for a number of years and on his own puts on a superb live show. Reviewing his album "Feel These Blues" I wrote "There is nothing fancy about Slam Allen with his rocking, B.B. King influenced guitar and his strong vocals. His vocals strike me as his greatest strength although he is no slouch as a guitarist." Up next on the main stage is Zac Harmon. Harmon, a former winner of the International Blues Challenge, certainly has established himself on the blues circuit, becoming a favorite attraction, especially on the Festival circuit, with his hot guitar, varied repertoire and gospel-soul rooted vocals.
Zac Harmon always puts on a great show
Pianist Anthony Geraci may be best known for being with Sugar Ray & the BluetOnes, but last year he put together a wonderful album with the Boston Blues All Stars and they follow Zac Harmon on the main stage. Reviewing his Delta Groove release "50 Shades of Blue" I wrote "Anthony Geraci is a first-rate blues songwriter and a terrific keyboard player." I expect his live revue will certainly be as entertaining as that terrific recording. Geraci is followed by Kenny Neal who will bring us his his own very personal style, rooted in the swamp blues of his father Raful and the likes of Slim Harpo. A threat on guitar, lap steel and vocals, Kenny Neal always delivers strong deep blues.
Closing the Main Stage on Saturday will be the high energy blues of Ronnie Bake Brooks who will have a full horn section and also special guest, Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Eddie 'The Chief' Clearwater. Son of blues legend Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie helps keep the family blues tradition alive and replaces the originally scheduled Buckwheat Zydeco who has health issues.
Guy Davis will be a highlight in Saturday's tent stage performers
In the Tent Stage will be performances by the marvelous singer-guitarist Guy Davis along with Canada's Blackburn Brothers who will be joined for one set by Harrison Kennedy. Slam Allen will also perform a set in the Text Stage. After the main festival acts conclude, there will be performances by Beareather Reddy and Zac Harmon in a special showcase at the Resort.
Gaye Adegbalola & the Wild Rutz perform at the Blues Brunch
Sunday, September 18 opens with a blues brunch that features music from Gaye Adegbalola & the Wild Rutz. Gaye, a founding member of Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, founded this vocal quartet (with occasional guitar and percussion accompaniment) that is focused on their marvelous vocals and harmonies. There debut VizzTone album "Is It Still Good to Ya?" only hints at how wonderful this group is.
After the brunch folks can head to the Main Stage for the spectacular sacred steel of The Campbell Brothers who present the opening Sunday afternoon gospel blues set. They are followed by the Andy T Nick Nixon Band bring the solid guitar playing of Andy T and the strong vocals of Nick Nixon. About this Nashville based band, and their debut recording on Delta Groove, "Drink Drank Drunk," I wrote "Andy T impresses with his fluidity, tone and taste while Nixon brings pretty of heart and soul to his nuanced vocals." I am looking forward to finally hearing this band.
Alligator artist Toronzo Cannon plays today's Chicago Blues
Chicago takes over the main stage next with Toronzo Cannon whose Alligator album, "The Chicago Way" is getting much well-deserved praise. Cannon, who is a bus driver in Chicago, brings together his life experiences and what he observes to his powerful songs. After two terrific albums on Delmark, he signed with Alligator and about "The Chicago Way" I wrote, "As a songwriter, as well as a singer-guitarist, Toronzo Cannon brings grit and passion. His playing is varied ranging from blues-rock to jazzy flavored while his singing is robust resulting in the mostly compelling performances here. "The Chicago Way" is one of most striking recent new blues releases."
Following Cannon will be the Delmark Chicago Revue featuring The Mike Wheeler Band with Jimmy Burns & Peaches Staten. Wheeler is a wonderful singer-guitarist who brings in a deep dish of soul and funk to his blues. A veteran of Big James Montgomery and the Chicago Playboys, his 2013 Delmark debut "Self Made Man" was quite impressive and indicated a very distinctive talent. Appearing with Wheeler is the marvelous singer-guitarist Jimmy Burns who also mixes rhythm and blues with his Chicago (and delta) blues roots. Vocalist Staten is a tough vocalist with influences from Koko Taylor, Mavis Staples and Etta James amongst others. She had a wonderful album on the short-lived Swississippi Records label that Mike Wheeler played on.
Ronnie Earl closes Sunday's Main Festival Stage
The Main Stage closes with Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters.Earl's career included stints in Sugar Ray & the Blue Notes, then replacing Duke Robillard in Roomful of Blues before his own solo career leading the Broadcasters. Among the most accomplished guitarists, Earl is not simply known as a virtuoso, but a player of impeccable taste, tone, nuance and imagination. Recently listening to some of the legendary Earl Hooker's club recordings, Earl was one of the few contemporary guitarists who evokes Hooker's style without copying or imitating. His most recent recording was a tribute to Otis Rush and Magic Sam, and his sterling playing on it similarly calls to mine their originals while coming out as all Ronnie Earl.
The Tent stage opens with Harrison Kennedy for the first of his two sets. Kennedy a former member of The chairman of the Board is a compelling singer and astute songwriter. Also performing with be singer saxophonist Vanessa Collier who this writer has heard great things about along with additional sets from The Campbell Brothers and the Andy T Nick Nixon Band.
Michael Cloeren, who puts together the Festival, has certainly does it again with this sterling line-up. For more information on the Pennsylvania Blues Festival including videos of the performers, ticket and lodging information, visit http://www.pennsylvaniabluesfestival.com.
It should be noted that six weeks after the Pennsylvania Blues Festival, Split Rock will host the first Pennsylvania Music Festival. Also produced by Michael Cloeren, this festival brings a variety of performers from assorted musical genres including blues, roots rock, bluegrass and the like. Notable performers of interest to blues fans includes the zydeco of CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band, the riveting singing of Alexis Suter, and the blues-rock of Devon Allman and the Royal Southern Brotherhood. Other performers include the country roots rock of Girls, Gun and Glory, and roots-rock songwriter Paul Thorn. For more information on the Pennsylvania Music Festival visit http://www.pamusicfestival.com.
This preview of the Festival appeared originally in the July-August 2016 Jazz & Blues Report. There are more videos of the performers and a more detailed preview of the Festival on the Festival's website which is linked above. One month from the date of this post, the Festival will be in full swing.
Currently a professor at Berklee School of Music, Argentine-born bassist Fernando Huergo brings the tango as well as the folkloric music (including the chacerera 6/8 folkloric rhythm) of his native land together with the American Jazz he also grew up listening to his seventh recording and label debut for Zoho. As quoted in Bill Milkowski's liner notes, "I’m from Argentina, I love the music from there, is in my blood. I love Astor Piazzolla and I love folklore music, but I also love Duke, Monk, Mingus and Benny Golson and all the jazz greats. So I tried to combine those things and create something hopefully interesting.”
With his electric bass and group of Yulia Musayelyan on flute, Rick DiMuzio on tenor sax, Leo Genovese on piano and Fender Rhodes and Franco Pinna on drums, Huergo provides 8 originals and four interpretations from Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Mongo Santamaria and Billy Strayhorn. "Hashtag" is a diverse program of swinging grooves and moods wonderfully played with the leader's bass anchoring the music. The Argentinian rhythms provide accents underpinning the performances here starting with the opening title track with Genovese's Fender Rhodes and Pinna's touch and rhythms provide a base for Huergo's scintillating solo followed by DiMuzio's robust tenor. Throughout, the blending of sax and Musayelyan's flute lends a delightful flavor. Genovese (who I first was exposed to as part of Jack DeJohnette's Quartet with Joe Lovano and Esperanza Spalding), also dazzles here.
The twelve song program mixes the leader's wonderful originals with interpretations of some classic and less familiar compositions including a fresh rendition of Monk's "Evidence" which opens as a duet with Pinna before the horns state the theme with clipped phrasing followed by some stunning piano from Genovese. Huergo's ballad "Cerca (To Fran and Clara)" opens with statement of the theme from the horns with a lovely flute solo from Musayelyan and Pinna is employing brushes. "Troesma" has more lovely voicings, as well as incorporating tango rhythms from the horns on the head with the flute sounding more probing and insistent here (and there is nice counterpoint exchanges on the main theme between her and DuMuzio here) while Genovese dazzles with his technique and imagination. Wayne Shorter's lovely "Infant Eyes" showcases the leader's virtuosity on the electric bass (Jaco Pastorius is obviously a major influence on him) as well as his arranging skills, while again the quintet freshly interprets Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue."
The album includes tributes to Weather Report ("Weather") and Astor Piazzolla ("Astor") and closes with a choice performance of Billy Strayhorn's "U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group)." It is easy to recommend "Hashtag" with its mix of strong and varied compositions, scintillating arrangements, strong solos and marvelous ensemble playing.
I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the July-August Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 367). Here is a video of Fernando Huergo performing.
The Annual Tinner Hill Blues Festival returns to the City of Falls, Church Virginia starting on Friday June 10 and running through June 12. Presented by The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, the weekend has programs for hard core blues lovers as well as families and folks looking for a terrific time.
The Festivities include a juried Art Show, "The Blues In Paris," at Art and Frame of Falls Church at 205 W. Jefferson St. From 5 to 8 PM, there is a free kickoff reception at Applebee's located at 127 E Broad St. Appearing at theh erecption will be one of the DC area's favorite blues artists, Memphis Gold. At 8:00PM there is the fabulous ticketed show, Blues & Soul Divas with Mable John, Trudy Lynn, and Gaye Adegbalola with the Wild Rūtz at the State Theatre (Doors open at 7:00PM). I have already previewed this show, http://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2016/05/tinner-hill-blues-salutes-blues-divas.html. Several Falls Church clubs are also presenting blues that evening.
Saturday, June 11 opens with some free blues music being presented at the weekly Falls Church Farmer's Market. Also taking place on Saturday Morning will be a workshop "History of Women in Blues" that will be presented by Gaye Adegbalola at 10:30 AM in the Falls Church Community Center. 11:30AM at the Mary Stiles Library there will be a participatory book reading and sing along with "Emily Sings"and at 11:30AM there will be a Mini-Film Festival at the Community Center including “John Jackson: a Blues Treasure”, Award winning documentary on the life and music of John Jackson, and "E. B. Henderson" by film maker Bob Burnett, a ten minute film on how Dr. E.B. Henderson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Cherry Hill Park itself hosts a day of Blues, Brew & BBQ. Gates open at noon and the program starts at 1:00PM with the opening performers being the Mike Terpak Blues Explosion. Their website describes itself, "Based out of Washington, DC, the band explodes with virtuoso guitar work by Bill Kotapish, hard driving rhythm by drummer Brian Alpert and bassist Jerry Stewart, and dynamic organ and vocals by Mike Terpak. All are veterans of popular local, regional and national bands, like Jimmy Thackery and the Assassins, Tom Principato Band, Bob Margolin, However, and The Hitmen." Here is a sample of their music.
Next Musical act with be Carly Harvey and Kiss & Ride. Carly Havey is a terrific jazz-infused, blues and soul vocalist. Her band Kiss & Ride is is a high energy blues ensemble lead by Carly Harvey. They strive to extend blues to younger audiences to bridge the age gap between blues aficionados.It performs a combination of originals, blues standards, and cool bluesy arrangements of current popular music.
Charlie Sayles & the Blues Disciples featuring Tony Fazio follows with a set spotlighting the distinctive blues harmonica and vocals of Charlie Sayles. Since being discovered playing on the streets of Manhattan decades ago, Sayles has taken his blues from off teh street into clubs and festivals around the world, and his current Blues Disciples include guitarist Tony Fazio, providing simple, solid support for Sayles very personal songs and Mississippi saxophone explorations by Sayles.
Once a mid-teen guitar sensation, Andy Poxon has won the praises of the likes of Duke Robillard and Mark Wenner as he has matured and grown as a singer and guitarist. Of his most recent recording, "Must Be Crazy" I observed that his "continual growth and maturity as a guitarist and a singer is established right away. here is someone who has listened to vintage B.B. King, Pee Wee Crayton, Tiny Grimes, T-Bone Walker and the like and brings a lot of heart and personality to his vocals …" He is a terrific performer whose star is definitely on the ascenscion.
About 50 years ago among the first blues albums I purchased were John Lee Hooker's Live at "The Cafe Au Go-Go"and Otis Spann's "The Blues Is Where It's At." The backing band on both was the Muddy Waters Blues band, and the bassist at the time was one Mac Arnold. After spending some in time in Chicago, Arnold moved to the West Coast where he continued his musical career. After retiring from show business to be an organic farmer, Mac is back with his own band and a "plate full" of music, building a new foundation in blues, soul and funk.His band consists Austin Brashier on guitar and vocals, Max Hightower on keyboards, harmonica, guitar, bass, and vocals, Tez Sherard on drums and vocals, and Mac Arnold on vocals, bass and Gas Can Guitars, and have been touring clubs and Festivals with his own brand of music. Writing about his 2010 release Backbones & Gristle I observed "Arnold has an appealing baritone with a natural delivery, and he gets solid support … [and the album was] full of intriguing originals (mostly by Arnold), heartfelt singing and songs, and first-rate musicianship."
Closing the musical performances this afternoon is the sensational Victor Wainwright & the WildRoots. Wainwright is a multiple Blues Music Award winner, having been chosen piano player of the year in 2013 and 2014 and more recently the Entertainer of the Year and Blues Band of the Year in 2016. A Savannah, Georgia native, his mix of boogie woogie, country honk and blues piano makes for some rollicking music and with his band he is an exciting live performer in addition to a strong singer.
After the music ends at Cherry Hill Park, there will be a blues crawl at various Falls Church venues. Performes for the Blues Crawl include JC & Lava Lamps at Ireland's 4 Provinces; Tom Yoder at Clare & Don's Beach Shack; Southbound Steele (Rick Steele & Charles Solomon) at Argia's along with mini pop up concerts at surprise locations in the City of Falls Church.
Sunday June 12, there will be an Old Fashioned Blues Gospel Concert & Picnic. Bring a blanket, lawn chair and picnic. There will be Free tea and lemonade. It will feature the NENO Project, plus outstanding church choirs, others tba.It takes place from 2 to 5 PM at the Tinner Hill Historic Site & Park, 108 Tinner Hill St. in Falls Church.
The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation in part celebrates the civil rights heritage of the first rural NAACP chapter. For more information on the Festival visit http://tinnerhill.org/blues-festival.
Jonn Del Toro Richardson is likely best known as guitarist with the terrific singer, Diunna Greenleaf. He also collaborated with Rich DelGrosso for a warmly received recording. "Tengo Blues" is a solid new self-produced recording by him that is distributed by VizzTone. This was recorded in Austin and produced by Jonn and Anson Funderburgh, who also plays on three selections. The band backing Jonn includes Nick Connolly on keyboards, Nathan Rowe on bass, Wes Starr on drums and the Texas Horns with Kaz Kazanoff. The leader wrote all 13 songs, with Gary Vincent and Anson Funderburgh each contributing to two songs.
Ax expected from both Del Toro Richardson's playing and the band assembled here, one has some nicely played songs that cover a variety of musical textures and flavors. He comes across as quite an appealing vocalist. A good singer, Del Toro Richardson sings honestly and with heart while laying down plenty of strong guitar. There is an almost Koko Taylor groove for "I'm Her Man," which is a celebration of his guitar as he sings he can make her laugh, cry, moan and sigh. "Love If You Want It," is not the Slim Harpo number but an original that is built on a lazy Jimmy Reed shuffle groove. "Triple Lindig" is a jazzy instrumental (very nice guitar) with Connolly on organ and horns adding to the flavor of this performance and followed by the Tex-Mex flavor of "The Moment" with the Texas Horns adding a mariachi feel along with some superb trumpet.
A Memphis funk groove is present on "Can't Run From Love," with a catchy lyric that "you don't find love, love finds you." "Get Me Back To Texas," one of the songs which Anson Funderburgh is present has a groove that evokes Hound Dog Taylor. "This I Know" is a swamp pop ballad the performance of which sounds like a Gulf Coast adaptation of a Charles Brown number and has a nicely played and paced guitar solo, while "Tell Me Pretty Baby" is updated T-Bone Walker styled jump blues with terrific guitars from both and "Wild Ride" is bluesy rock and roll with Connolly's rollicking piano coming off like Johnnie Johnson.
The title track, "Tengo Blues" is a splendid organ-guitar instrumental with a latin groove that displays Del Toro Richardson's inventive, fiery playing as Rowe and Starr provide a crisp groove with a touch of a latin accent. With solid production and marvelous Performances, "Tengo Blues" is a fine showcase for Jonn Del Toro Richardson's considerable talent.
I received my copy from the record company. This review originally appeared in the March-April 2016 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 365) on page 16 (you can download the issue at jazz-blues.com), although I have made a few stylistic changes from that review. Here is Jonn Jonn Del Toro Richardson in performance, and if this doesn't knock you out, I do not know what will.
The Tinner Hill Blues Festival returns to Falls Church on the weekend of June 10 through 12 with a exciting program of Blues and Gospel. Among the artists to be presented is a Friday evening show at The State Theatre with the legendary Mabel John, a full day of blues on Saturday at Cherry Hill Park with former Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker sideman Mac Arnold and keyboard wizard Victor Wainright. On Sunday there will be an Old Fashioned Blues Gospel Concert and Picnic at the Tinner Hill Historic Site.
This entry focuses on Friday night's State Theatre Concert-A Salute To
Blues Divas which in addition to Mabel John, also will present Trudy
Lynn and Gaye Adegbalola and the Wild Rutz. The show starts at 8:00PM with Doors opening at 7:00 PM.
Mabel John was for many years the lead singer with the Raylettes
who supported Ray Charles. She was the brother of Little Willie John and
was one of the first act to have a recording on the Motown subsidiary,
Tamla label. After several years with the Raylettes, she was signed to
Stax where she recorded her hit "Your Good Thing Is About To End," and other songs like "Able Mabel," and "You're Taking Up Another Man's Place."
After another stint with the Raylettes, she retired from secular music
although in recent years she has established herself as an actress and
still appears at Festivals (including the Smithsonian's Folklife
Festival in 2011 and the 2015 Ponderosa Stomp) where she still wows
audiences. It is a real coup for the Tinner Hill Blues Festival to
present this musical legend.
Houston's Trudy Lynn is a big-voiced blues and soul vocalist whose career bgan in groups and clubs in Houston. In the 1960's she sang with guitarist Albert Collins and then later, Clarence Green. Her recording career began in 1989 with the Ichiban label. Her album "Trudy Sings the Blues" had riveting renditions of "Ball & Chain" and "Come To Mama." After Ichiban folded she recorded " U Don't Know What Time It Is" for Ruf Records which had Lucky Peterson's keyboards and Bernard Allison's guitar. In more recent years she was associated with the late Calvin Owens orchestra, appearing on his recordings and his Orchestra backed her for the Blues Music Award Soul-Blues Nominee "I'm Still Here." Her most recent recording is the terrific "Royal Oaks Blues Cafe" from 2014. About that recording I wrote, "The closing Whip it To A Jelly further displays how nuanced a singer Lynn is as she brings out humor and wit of Clara Smith’s lyrics, Many blue singers today would come across as emotive or heavy-handed singing this. Her ability to convincingly deliver so many shades of blues makes 'Royal Oaks Blues Café' such a terrific recording."
Many will know Gaye Adegbalola from the trio, Saffire- the Uppity Blues Women, which she was such an integral part of for several decades. With the demise of Saffire, Gaye has formed a unique vocal group, Gaye Adegbalola & the Wild Rūtz whose first recording "Is It Still Good to Ya?," has been nominated for a Blues Music Award for acoustic blues album. Her website describes the music as "In this world of screaming electrified instrumental acrobatics and digital perfectionism, this CD delights in returning to our RUTZ! It celebrates the Creator's primary instruments: THE VOICE and THE BEATS. 4 unique voices combine with percussion and occasional guitar to add a previously unrecorded dimension to the blues. All 14 songs are Gaye's originals." Along the powerful blues and soul of Trudy Lynn and Mabel John, this will make the State Theatre on June 10, a night with the Blues Divas you will not want to miss.
For more information, including ticket information, visit tinnerhill.org.
The remarkable jazz harmonica wizard, Hendrik Meurkens, may be best known for his magic in the realm of Brazilian jazz, but on his latest release, "Harmonicus Rex," his focus is on straight ahead jazz. On this session he is joined by the legendary Jimmy Cobb on drums, along with bassist Marco Panascia and pianist Dado Moroni. Joe Magnarelli on trumpet and Anders Bostrom on alto flute are each heard on four of the eleven tracks (one on which they both are heard). The program on this release are five originals as well as six interpretations of standards.
Meurkens' "Mundell's Mood" is a bright, swinging number that opens this with the leader and Magnarelli stating the theme before the trumpeter takes the first solo before Meurkens takes the first of his solos on his chromatic harmonica with his melodic invention and horn like phrasing (if not tone) at the fore before a break from Moroni with Magnarelli and the leader trading fours prior to the coda. Its the beginning of a delightful, and wide-ranging, recording with the rhythm section exemplary throughout. The groove of Meurkens' "Slidin'" has Meurkens sounding a bit more wistful at first before he solos vigorously followed by Bostrom's lovely flute.
Moroni rumbles a bit to set the mood for a lovely quartet rendition of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way." Then there is a lovely, bluesy original ballad performance, "Afternoon" with Magnarelli on flugelhorn contributing to the mood that Meurkens' engenders here. Both Magnarelli and Bostrom are present for the lively rendition of Milt Jackson's blues, "SKJ," while Meurkens' fluidity, melodic playing and invention is showcased on the Rodgers-Hart classic "Falling in Love With Love," with Moroni and Panascia also showcased. "A Summer in San Francisco" is a lovely, lazy original that features Bostrom while Magnarelli adds his bright tone to a relaxed, rendition of Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring."
The album closes with marvelous quartet performances of the standards "Darn That Dream" and "What's New." And one cannot emphasize how exceptional the rhythm section is throughout nearly one hour of delightful, straight-ahead jazz on "Harmonicus Rex."
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here Meurkens is heard performing "Up Jumped Swing" with Cobb and Moroni by Ray Drummond on bass.
The eponymously titled Electro-Fi album by the Golden State Lone Star Blues Revue brings together singer and harmonica player Mark Hummel with guitarists Little Charlie Baty and Anson Funderburgh, R.W. Grisby on bass and Wes Starr on drums. They are friends although only some have played together prior to this revue. They are joined by Jim Pugh on keyboards, along with saxophonists Eric Spaulding and Jack Sanford for this recording that Chris "Kid" Andersen recorded at his Greaseland Studios.
Its a terrific set of all blues with any lumpy or rocky filler that contains a mix of interpretations of lesser known blues gems along with originals penned by Hummel. Hummel has been and remains a real good vocalist and here this starts with the opening rendition of Gatemouth Brown's "Midnight Hour." In addition to Hummerl's vocal there is plenty of slashing guitar by Baty and Funderburgh, both of whom delight with their contrasting styles. Hummel plays harp on Billy Boy Arnold's "Here's My Picture," followed by Hummel's original shuffle "Prove It To Me" with some greasy fafisa sounding organ and terrific guitar (I suspect from Charlie Baty). Hummel's moody "Cool to Be Your Fool," with backing from just piano and rhythm, borrows the "Sittin' on Top of the World" melody.
Lowell Fulson's "Check Yourself" takes listeners into a jump blues vein with Hummel taking a harp solo followed by some blistering playing (likely from Funderburgh). Baty trades fours with Hummel's harp in the relaxed rendition of Mose Allison's "Stop This World," with Pugh terrific again. An older Jimmy McCracklin tune "Take a Chance," takes us uptown on a rocking number that sounds like it would have if Junior Parker had done it. "Walking With Mr. Lee" is a terrific feature for Hummel's harp, while the Grisby penned "Detroit Blues," is a nice lazy Jimmy Reed-style shuffle. Among the other selections is a solid cover of J.B. Hutto's "Dim Lights" if Hummel can't match the fervor of Hutto, it still has terrific slide guitar.
This is a terrific revue and reports of their shows seems consistent with the music here. The performances are marvelously performed and backed by an excellent rhythm section. Fans of real deal blues are in for a treat with this gem.
I received my copy from a publicist. Here is a recent performance by them.
It was at the Montreal Jazz Festival that I first discovered the Israeli-born, Chicago blues guitarist and vocalist Guy King and was first struck by King's sophisticated and jazz-inflected blues. I believe it was the following summer when I was in Chicago for business when Dick Shurman recommended catching him at Andy's Jazz Club where he was leading his jazz organ combo on a set that was musically different, but equally satisfying. When word came out that Shurman was producing an album by King for Delmark, I was delighted, and the recently issued CD, "Truth," fulfills expectations.
Writer (and songwriter) David Ritz, in the liner notes, credits Buddy Guy for telling him about King This led to Ritz catching him a number of times and becoming impressed by King's vocals (Ritz notes the influence of Ray Charles and Percy Mayfield) and guitar playing (influences include Wes Montgomery, Albert King, B.B. King, Albert Collins, and Johnny Guitar Watson) lending to King developing his own personal approach to blues and jazz. His blues on this CD has a jazzy, swinging flavor, yet retaining plenty of of grit and funk. King is backed by a sextet and produces strong renditions of songs associated with Charles, B.B. King and others along with three originals co-written with Ritz, and a fresh original instrumental.
The Ray Charles flavor is more felt in the arrangements of several songs and some of King's vocal phrasing as opposed to trying to capture Charles' gospel inflected sound. This can be heard on the opening rendition of Charles' "The Same Thing That Can Make You Laugh (Can Make You Cry)." Here King's fervent singing is complemented by some Albert King-styled fretwork with brassy horn riffs accenting his driving solo. The title track is one of the King-Ritz collaborations with an urbane, jazzy flavor matching some smoldering singing.
The King-Ritz song, "My Happiness," is a delightful vocal duet with Sarah Marie Young, and King channeling B.B. King in a manner that also evokes the late gentleman of the blues, Johnnie Bassett. It is followed by a cover of the late Johnny 'Guitar' Watson's "It's About The Dollar Bill," that captures the funky spirit of the Gangster of Love's original, both in the rendition and King's guitar playing here. The last King-Ritz collaboration, "A Day In A Life With The Blues," is a late night blues with outstanding contributions from Christopher Neal on tenor sax and Marques Carroll on trumpet.
Also nice are covers of B.B. King's 'Bad Case of Love," and the Doc Pomus-Dr. John penned "There Must Be A Better World Somewhere." Guy King captures much of the humor inherent in Percy Mayfield's "Cookin' in Style," with Amr Marcin Fahmy on Fender Rhodes and Carroll on trumpet spotlighted while ably crooning on "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues." This latter number spotlights his fleet jazz-inflected playing here (debts to Wes and Grant Green amongst others). "King Thing" is a strong guitar feature set against a relaxed groove. Among the other delights is a cover of Albert King's recording, "If The Washing Didn't Get You (The Rinsing Will)," as King's vocal captures the lyric's ironic humor while King's guitar pays homage to Albert King.
If there was one quibble, it might be King's versatility has him heard in several different styles as opposed to there being a specific Guy King style (such as one heard from Ray Charles or Albert King). Some will not find that an issue and, in any event, this is an excellent recording.
I received my review copy from Delmark. Here Guy King performs "If The Washing Didn't Get You (The Rinsing Will)."
"Wheel of Time" is veteran saxophonist Ernie Watt's latest release on Watts' Flying Dolphin Records label. On this he is backed by his European Quartet consisting of pianist Christof Saenger, bassist Rudi Engel and drummer Heinrich Koebberling. This band has been together for 15 years and each members has contributed to the originals here along with four new ones from Watts. The title track is a dedication to the late Charlie Haden with whom Watts played in Haden's Quartet West for 30 years. Also included is an interpretation of Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge."
The Quartet is a terrific band su[p[orting the veteran saxophonist whose career spans from the sixties until today. Watts continues to display a vibrant, expressive sound and dynamic attack although I find his vibrato on the opening "Letter From Home," somewhat harsh which detracts from my enjoyment of the track despite his invention and the energy his playing displays. More satisfying is his energetic rendition of "Inner Urge," while "Andi's Blues" is a nifty blue performance with bassist Engel and pianist Saenger both taking solid solos. Watts' own high energy blues playing is followed by Koebberling nimbly using his brushes.
"L'Agua Azul" is a terrific Brazilian jazz performance on which Watts displays a softer side while the aptly titled "Velocity" is a torrid workout that is influenced by "Giant Steps." It further showcases the leader's virtuosity. The title track opens with Engel's bass, then becoming a lovely duet with Watts before the full quartet enters. Saenger and Koebberling exercise restraint in their accompaniment and Saenger'ss solo is a marvelous example of taste and restraint, before Engel eloquently takes out this moving performance.
Ernie Watts continues to be a formidable saxophonist who brings considerable passion and invention to his music. His European Quartet does a superb job in accompanying him and making their own statements on a fine recording.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here us a performance by The Ernie Watts Quartet.
While M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio, has issued their fourth recording, "The Flood," which was produced by Cathy Fink and wonderfully recorded by Jim Robeson with appearances by Cathy Fink, Phil Wiggins, David Jackson, Ralph Gordon and others. M.S.G. consists of Jackie Merritt (vocals, harmonica, uke bass, soprano uke and guitar); Miles Spicer (vocals and guitar); and Resa Gibbs (vocals, washboard,cigar box strumstick, bike horn and bells). Jackie Merritt did the marvelous graphic design and cover art.
I have known Miles for years as a member of the D.C. Blues Society, and Jackie and Resa as M.S.G. started performing after meeting at the late Archie Edwards' Barbershop. I have had the pleasure of attending their concerts and house parties and have observed how wonderful performers they are. On this latest release they revisit songs they have recorded before, such as Resa's riveting rendition of John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery," along with new songs, some from the pens of Miles and his collaborator David Bird, and dome from Jackie Merritt.
The title track from Miles and Bird is a driving trio number followed by Jackie's original "Money Makes You Crazy." Her vocal here is supported by harmonies from Resa and Miles as well as the trio's hand jive. Resa sings wonderfull on a fresh acoustic reworking of Fats Domino's "Going to the River." It is followed by a stunning rendition of Son House's "Grinnin' In Your Face." Backed by just her strumstick, she does not sing with the fervency of House's rendition, but her deliberate, well-paced rendition perhaps lead to the lyrics hitting deeper. Contrast this superb interpretation this to Tom Waits awful mimicry of House's "John the Revelator" on a recent Blind Willie Johnson tribute album.
Miles sings a lively updating of the late Archie Edwards' "I'm Down Today," about the sun going to sun shine on my back door some day;" while there a string-band, washboard feel on Jackie Merritt's "Front Porch Blues," a song remembering older and simpler days. Resa has a stunning a cappella vocal on the lament, "New Familiar," that Jackie Merritt wrote. There are also wonderful traditional performances of gospel numbers, "I'll Fly Away," and "Glory, Glory Hallelujah." Phil Wiggins adds his harmonica to that of Jackie on the latter number and also on a hauntingly beautiful harmonica duet rendition of "Amazing Grace," that leads into "Glory, Glory Hallelujah."
Frank Matheis' on the back cover describes the music of M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio as "a lovely amalgam of folk-roots-spirituals-blues." While their prior recordings have been excellent, I believe that "The Flood," with superb vocals and marvelous backing, is their finest recording.
I received my review copy from the group. Here is a rendition of "Angel From Montgomery."
Pittsburgh based Jimmy Adler is a triple-threat as a songwriter, singer and guitarist as evident on his new recording "Grease Alley." Adler traveled California California to record with Kid Andersen at Andersen's Greaseland Studio and was joined but a band that includes Andersen on bass, former Robert Lockwood drummer Junior Core, keyboard wizard Jim Pugh and saxophonist Eric Spaulding with Chris Cain guesting on two of the 13 selections.
"The opening "Say It Like Magic Sam," musically derives from "T-Bone Shuffle." Here, Jimmy sings that he's a guitar man who tries to "tell it like T-Bone, say it like Magic Sam," and contributes some solid T-Bone Walker styled fretwork. It is set against a solid shuffle groove played at a nice, relaxed tempo. The title track is an appealing rocker with a second-line groove on which Pugh adding organ grease. On this, Adler sings about going down to grease alley to get his groove on. "Drank Too Much," an easy rocking lament of overindulgence, has Adler playing slide and evoking Johnny Littlejohn and Homesick James. Adler plays some Muddy Waters-flavored slide on the rollicking closing "Hoodoo Highway."
"No Pain" opens with Albert King sounding guitar with Chris Cain sharing the vocal on a lyric about the older he gets, the less one knows. "Cornbread and Lima Beans" is a jazzy flavored Albert Collins-type groove with Pugh's Hammond contrasting with Adler's slashing guitar while "Love Was Worth These Blues," has a late night groove with more jazz-tinged guitar and an appealing restrained vocal. Also of note is the reflective and soulful, "What I've Done."
"Grease Alley" is a wonderfully entertaining recording. Jimmy Adler is quite an engaging singer, and a very inventive guitarist/ Kid Andersen and the studio band has provide solid support and grooves that makes for memorable blues.
I received my review copy from Jimmy. Here Jimmy plays
Resonance Records, which last year issued a live Freddie Hubbard recording for the first time, has just issued an important historical recording by the great guitarist, Wes Montgomey, “Echoes of Indiana Avenue.” In a handsomely hard digipac package, Resonance has acquired the rights to the nine performances issued on this that date from 1957-1958 and include four studio performances and five live performances. Michael Cuscuna, among the contributors to the booklet with background on these recordings, Wes and the Indianapolis Jazz scene of the time, suggests these may have been originally recorded in order to help Wes secure a record deal with Pacific Jazz, although it was in 1959 when cannonball Adderly saw Wes and recommended him to Riverside Records that his place as a major jazz guitarist and innovator would be established.
Musically one can hear the elements of his music including his touch, mix of single notes and chords, the use of octaves and his indelible swing. We can contrast his delicate playing on “Darn That Dream” with driving, hard bop playing on “Straight No Chaser,’ with brother Buddy on the piano. Mixing his fluidity with a fertile musical imagination this live performance exhibits the same qualities that would dazzle in a couple years hence with his Riverside releases.
Shorty Rogers’ “Diablo’s Dance,” is a lively, latin-tinged number which starts in a light, swinging fashion until about 1:30 into the performance when Wes takes off, with a piano solo from Melvin Rhyne which is not as dazzling as Montgomery is. Rhyne is heard on organ on the moody “Round Midnight,” with Monk spare, evocative playing delving into one of Monk’s most haunting melodies. On Horace Silver’s “Nica’s Dream,” the performance starts politely enough with a light swing with Montgomery displaying restraint even in his solo.
The last four numbers are live performances with a group including pianist Earl Van Riper, and exhibit a tad bot more presence by Montgomery than the studio recordings. “Take The A Train” has lively solos from both. It is followed by a lovely “Misty” as well as a terrific “Body & Soul” where Montgomery’s technique and nuanced playing is outstanding. The final performance is a stunning, atmospheric improvisation, “After Hours Blues,” with Montgomery providing hard chords (in the vein of T-Bone Walker) to accent the opening late night blues piano solo from Van Riper. On his own solo one hears a blend of string bending, chords and single note runs as the audience responses delighted laughter, whoops and encouragement. It unfortunately fades out but one can imagine him playing another ten minutes in this vein without repeating his ideas.
The sound and packaging is first-rate and if not essential Wes Montgomery, this is certainly an important release that lovers of jazz guitar and Wes Montgomery will want. I do not recall if I received a review copy or purchased this. This review is from several years past and I do not recall if it was published. Resonance has subsequently issued a double CD package of even earlier recordings of Wes "In the Beginning."
Posts
