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Red Hot ‘n Blues
Reviews
January 2021
By Marty Gunther
Duke Robillard & Friends – Blues
Bash!
(Stony
Plain Records SPCD 1423)
Guitar
virtuoso Duke Robillard and cohorts deliver steady grooves and
over-the-top class in this impeccable album, a mix of new tunes and
timeless classics freshened with a modern touch. It completely free of
lyrical and instrumental hooks, but will have you dancing like they did
in the ‘50s.
Recorded
at Lakewest Studio in Rhode Island just prior to the COVID-19 shutdown,
Duke’s backed by his skintight regular unit augmented by two horn
sections, one of which is a reunion of first-generation members of
Roomful of Blues. Robillard shares vocals with New England favorites
Michelle “Evil Gal” Willson and Chris Cote, and Bay Area harp master
Mark Hummel sits in, too.
From the
opening cuts of “Do You Mean It,”
Blues Bash! rocks. Dial in the originals “No Time,” “Give Me All the
Love You Got!” and the extended instrumental “Just Chillin’” as well as
a few obscure, but deserving covers and material culled from the
songbooks of Dave Bartholomew, Al King and Roy Milton.
# # #
Dennis Jones – Soft Hard & Loud
(Blue
Rock Records)
Los
Angeles-based guitarist Dennis Jones has been touring the world since
winning the International Blues Challenge in 2004. Despite playing in a
power-trio format, he consistently delivers contemporary blues,
blues-rock, funk and more in a far broader spectrum that most bands that
size – something that’s done so seemingly effortlessly here that it’s
easy to overlook his talent.
A former
drummer influenced by guitar greats Jimmy Page, Billy F. Gibbons and
Jimi Hendrix, Jones is a fret master who uses intense driving rhythms,
rather than flash and slash, to drive his message home while backed by a
muscular rhythm section – bassist/keyboard player Cornelius Mims and
percussionist Raymond Johnson.
An
all-original set infused with echoes from the past, give a good listen
to the funky “Revolves Around You,” the sleek “I Love the Blues,” the
driving “Front Door Man,” the reggae flavored “I Hate Hate,” the blazing
“Gonna Be Alright,” the love song “I’m Not” and “Burn the Plantation
Down.”
# # #
Henry Gray & Bob Corritore – Henry
Gray & Bob Corritore Sessions Vol. 2: Cold Chills
(VizzTone/SWMAF
Records SWMAF17)
Here’s a
treasure for lovers of old-school Chicago blues: a pairing of Henry
Gray, one of the most important piano players ever, and Bob Corritore,
the Windy City-trained harp player who’s owned The Rhythm Room in
Phoenix, Ariz., for decades. It’s a loving tribute, too, because Henry
left us last February at age 95.
A
two-fisted talent with a strong voice, Gray grew up in Kenner, La., but
helped create the Chicago sound as an early member of Howlin’ Wolf’s
band. He also helped establish the Gulf Coast blues, too, working with
Slim Harpo, Whispering Smith and others. Corritore, meanwhile, is an
Arizona Blues Hall of Famer who’s enjoyed a stellar recording career,
primarily preferring to leave the limelight to others.
They’re
backed by about two dozen world-class talents from the Windy City and
West Coast – including Robert Lockwood Jr., Bob Margolin, Johnny Burgin,
Kirk Fletcher, Tail Dragger, Bob Stroger and Chico Chism – and breathe
new life into 15 standards with class and gusto.
# # #
Dianne Davidson – Perigon: Full
Circle
(Perigon
Music HWCD006)
A
Tennessee native who’s been a recording artist since the early ‘70s,
Dianne Davidson is a stylish, rich alto who delivers a set of tunes
packed with emotion on this one. She’s backed by collection of top
Nashville sessions players as well as Ruthie Foster and the Maasai
Tribal Choir.
Comfortable in folk, blues, rock and reggae, Dianne received a diverse
musical education that took her from Beale Street to Greenwich Village
and the West Coast. A popular backing vocalist, she worked with Linda
Ronstadt, Barry Manilow and B.B. King, among others.
Davidson
penned ten of the 12 cuts, all of which are lushly produced, deeply
introspective and blues-infused with occasional pop overtones. Among the
top takes are “Just Out of Reach,” “Subtle Touch” – a duet with Foster,
the cover tune “Over Africa” – backed by the Maasais, “True Believer,”
“The Island,” “Precious Boys” and “Missing You Tonight.”
# # #
Kevin Burt – Stone Crazy
(Gulf
Coast Records GCRX 9027)
After
toiling in the shadows in Iowa for better than 25 years, Kevin Burt
exploded onto the blues scene in 2018, winning three awards – including
top honors – at the IBCs, dazzling judges with his skill on guitar and
harp as well as a vocal range that rivals Aaron Neville or Bill Withers.
One listen to this and you’ll instantly understand why.
Kevin
penned ten of the 11 cuts, which were recorded in full-band setting by
Mike Zito at Marz Studios in Nederland, Texas. They’re a soulful
collection of modern blues with a traditional feel that are chockful of
personal insights about love and relationships that ring true no matter
your background.
Do
yourself a favor and give this toe-tapper a spin. The highlights come
fast and furious, including “I Ain’t Got No Problem with It,” “Purdy
Little Thing,” “Stone Crazy,” “You Get What You See,” “Something Special
About You,” “Should Have Never Left Me Alone” and the Withers cover,
“Better Off Dead.”
# # #
Miss Emily –
Live at the Isabel
(Self-produced CD)
A
honey-toned powerhouse who imbues everything she sings with emotion,
Miss Emily is the reigning Maple Blues Award winner as female vocalist
of the year. On this live recording, she blows the doors off of the
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in her adopted hometown of
Kingston, Ontario.
It’s a
58-minute set of blues, soul, jazz and gospel that was compiled from
multiple performances across a three-year period with backing from her
regular touring band and guest appearances from Gord Sinclair and Rob
Baker of The Tragically Hip as well as other top talent.
This disc
shines like a diamond with no dead spots. The highlights include
“Sometimes It’s Better to Lose,” “Who Is He,” a jazzy take on “The
Letter,” “Blue Is Still Blue,” “The Sell-Out,” “Beautiful You” and “Hold
Back the River.” Highly recommended.
# # #
Johnny Rawls – Where Have All the
Soul Men Gone
(Third
Street Cigar Records)
Soul-blues giant Johnny Rawls has always had a deep love and respect for
his elders – as evidenced by his most recent previous release, the
bittersweet pleaser I Miss Otis Clay. And – thank goodness – as a current standard
bearer for the music, the torch burns brightly in Johnny’s arms and
voice today.
A two
time Blues Music Award winner for soul-blues album of the year, Rawls
primarily recorded this one in Denmark aided by some of the top studio
players in Europe just prior to the coronavirus outbreak with additional
work performed at Bigfoot Studios in Waterville, Ohio, this past June.
An
all-original set that’s as comfortable as a well-worn pair of slippers,
the action opens with “Where Have All the Soulmen Gone,” a tribute to
Johnny’s forebears and friends. Other must-listens include the love
songs “Bottom to the Top” and “Can’t Leave It Alone” as well as “Keep on
Doing My Thing,” the ironic “Money,” “Time” and the gospel pleaser,
“Calling on Jesus.”
# # #
Shonn Hinton Band – Reloaded
(Quick
Fingerz Music)
Best
known as the longtime guitarist for Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Jill
Scott and Patti LaBelle, Milwaukee-based Shonn Hinton and his five-piece
band, Shotgun, deliver a contemporary mix of blues, rock, soul and funk
here that’ll keep you moving and grooving throughout.
All four
of Hinton’s bandmates grew up in the church and have deep gospel roots.
After releasing their debut album,
Long Live Shotgun, five years ago, they were working different
projects until COVID-19 brought them together again. For blues lovers,
it’s a blessing because this follow-up is as slick as ice and hot as
hell.
Guaranteed to appeal to fans across the broad spectrum of both blues and
contemporary soul, you’ll enjoy “I Don’t Play,” “Still in Love with
You,” “Inferno Love,” “I Need You,” “Above All,” “Reloaded,” “Turn It
Up,” “We Will Survive,” “Your Way Back Home” and “Death of Me.” A
surprising treasure!
# # #
Dave Keller – You Get What You
Give
(Tastee
Tone TT-3045)
Possessing one of the best soul-blues voices in the business and a deep
social conscience, too, Vermont-based Dave Keller spent most of the
shutdown by teaming in duet with 13 other vocalists to produce this
album, all of the money from which is targeted for non-profits
supporting racial justice.
A
multiple BMA nominee, Keller penned all but two of the songs here and
donated them to the cause – as did all of the mix of superstar and
deserving, but unknown talent who contributed to this project. The
roster includes Annika Chambers-DesLauriers, Trudy Lynn, Johnny Rawls,
Annie Mack, Canadian songbird Dawn Tyler Watson, Joe Louis Walker and
several others.
Some of
the highlights include “One More Tear,” “God Is Love/Love Is
Everything,” “Land of the Lonely,” “Scratchin’ at Your Door,” “You Get
What You Give,” “Your Kind of Fool,” “The Kiss I Want” and a stellar
cover of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
# # #
Jack de Keyzer – Tribute
(Blue
Star Records)
Born in
Britain, but the top blues guitarist in Canada for decades, Jack de
Keyser delivers a tip of the hat to the progenitors of blues-rock with
this release. But don’t be fooled. He’s no copycat. He penned all 13 of
the soulful cuts, which feature fiery and perfectly modulated fretwork
throughout.
This is
the 12th album for de Keyser, a two-time Juno Award winner – Canada’s
equivalent to the Grammys – and a winner of the International
Songwriting Competition. In addition, he enjoys a side career as a
session musician who’s worked with Etta James, John Hammond, Bo Diddley
and others.
With
elements of reggae, funk, Latin and Memphis R&B, this is much more than
a blues-rock album. Some of the must-listens here include “Are You
Ready,” “Let’s Do It,” “That’s How We Make Love,” “Coming Up,”
“Supernatural,” “Shake What Your Mama Gave You” and “Forever.”
# # #
AJ Crawdaddy – Steppin’ Out
(The Cave
Records)
West
Coast guitar slinger Angelo J. Rossi, aka AJ Crawdaddy, was a member of
the chart-topping rock band, Pablo Cruise, and worked with Graham Nash
before walking away from the stage in the ‘80s. This is his third
release since re-emerging in 2015, and one listen will have you
wondering why he ever walked away. It’s a razor-sharp collection of
modern blues.
Produced
by Kid Andersen at Greaseland Studios, AJ handles vocals on four of the
11 cuts, leaving the others to keyboard player Baxter Robertson, harp
player Jimmy Dewrance as well as Marcel Smith (Mighty Clouds of Joy) and
John Blues Boyd. The musical lineup includes Kid, harp great Quique
Gomez and more Bay Area talent, too.
You’ll
enjoy “Big Hurt” featuring Smith, “Steppin’ Out,” a tasty take on “My
Back Scratcher,” “Don’t Think About It,” “Need Another Favor,” “Ten Long
Years,” “Mean Man” and “Rain of Tears.” There’s an awful lot to like
here!
# # #
Peter Veteska & Blues Train –
Grass Ain’t Greener on the Other Side
(Self-produced CD)
www.peterveteskabluestrain.com
Peter
Veteska has been heating up the night in the New York tri-state area for
the past decade as Peter V and Blues Train, but he rebrands himself and
fronts a new lineup as he moves closer to the blues root here. His
previous efforts leaned toward big-city R&B and jazz, too.
The
fourth release for the New York Blues Hall of Famer, he’s joined here by
keyboard player Jeff Levine (Joe Cocker, Clarence Clemons), harp player
Mikey Junior and two regional favorites, guitarist Roger Girke and
vocalist Jen Barnes for a set that ranges from Chicago to contemporary
blues, blues-rock and a little jam band music, too.
The Windy
City comes through loud and clear on the opener, “Am I Wrong Pretty
Baby.” Other pleasers include a stellar duet with Barnes on “Baby,
You’ve Got What It Takes,” the stinging “Running Like a Dog,” the rocker
“Thinking and Drinking,” “Heartbreaker,” and Willie Cobbs’ “You Don’t
Love Me.”
# # #
Lloyd Jones – Tennessee Run
(VizzTone
Label Group VT-LL-010)
One of
the most soulful guitarists ever to come out of the Pacific Northwest,
Lloyd Jones teams with Nashville talent for this tour de force, an
all-original set that delivers a pleasant, intense mix of swamp-infused
blues and New Orleans funk.
This one
was recorded by Grammy nominee/keyboard player Kevin McKendree at The
Road House in Franklin, Tenn., with a horn section that includes Jim
Hoke (tenor sax), Quentin Ware (trumpet) and Roy Agee (trombone) as well
as several of Music City’s most prominent session players. Delbert
McClinton and Teresa James also make guest appearances.
The feel
of the Big Easy flows throughout. Top cuts include the blue-eyed soul
number “You Got Me Good,” “I Wish I Could Remember Loving You” featuring
James, the funky “Where’s My Phone,” the swinging “Turn Me Loose,”
“That’s All I Want,” “Chicken Bones,” “Every Time We Meet” and “Dilly
Dally.”
# # #
Erin Harpe – Meet Me in the Middle
(VizzTone
Label Group/Juicy Juju Records)
www.erinharpe.com
The 2019
blues artist of the year in New England and five-time BMA nominee, Erin
Harpe is a sensational fingerpicking guitarist with a sweet voice who
delivers a breezy, interesting set of country blues and roots – four
originals and refreshingly updated first-generation blues covers – here
backed solely by bassist husband Jim Countryman.
Based in
Boston, where she also fronts the four-piece Delta Swingers and has a
background that includes neo-Afro pop, Erin’s an in-demand educator who
switches between acoustic slide, six- and 12-string guitars, kazoo and
foot percussion while Jim holds down the bottom on bass ukulele and adds
backing vocals.
You’ll be
rocking along with “All Night Long,” “Hard Luck Woman,” “Meet Me in the
Middle,” a great take on “Rollin’ and Tumblin’,” “Pick Poor Robin
Clean,” “What’s the Matter with the Well” and “One Fine Day.”
# # #
Bobby Parker – Soul of the Blues
(Rhythm
and Blues Records RANDB060)
www.rhythmandbluesrecords.co.uk
Based out
of Washington, D.C., for most of his career, guitarist and songwriter
Bobby Parker was one of the most charismatic vocalists of his generation
and a major influence to Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana.
But Parker left us at age 76 in 2013 having missed out on the attention
he genuinely deserved.
This
150-minute, two-CD set is his first-ever compilation, focusing on his
early work with Otis Williams & the Charms, Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams
and Bo Diddley and his solo career through the ‘60s, when he recorded
his best-known song, “Watch Your Step,” a tune that charted on both
sides of the Atlantic.
Give this
a listen and you’ll be wondering why Parker only produced two CDs in his
lifetime despite laying down riffs that the Beatles used to open “I Feel
Fine” and Led Zeppelin borrowed for “Moby Dick.” The highlights here are
six previously unreleased songs from a radio broadcast that will have
you yearning for more.
###
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