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Red Hot ‘n Blues Reviews
July 2020
By Marty Gunther
John Primer & Bob Corritore – The
Gypsy Woman Told Me
(VizzTone Label Group
VT-SWMAF-14)
www.johnprimer.com
www.bobcorritore.com
John
Primer and Bob Corritore fit together like hand and glove when it comes
to old-school Chicago blues, building on the foundation laid down by
their forebears and imbuing it with nuances that update it for 21st
Century audiences while remaining faithful to its origin.
Friends
since the mid-‘70s, when John was playing guitar in the house band at
Theresa’s Lounge behind Junior Wells and Bob was just beginning to
stretch his wings as a harp player, this is their third album together
in addition to pairing for a portion of last year’s
Do the Hip-Shake Baby, a
multi-artist showcase issued under the name Bob Corritore & Friends.
Recorded
at Greaseland Studios in California and Tempest Recording in Arizona,
this disc mixes electric and laid-back acoustic arrangements, and the
highlights come hot and heavy throughout. But sure to tune into the
Primer originals “Little Bitty Woman” and “Walked So Long” as well as
several recrafted covers that are much, much more than copies of the
originals.
# # #
Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts –
Live and Kickin’ It!
(Infiniti Group Records
IGR200101)
www.leroysacredhearts.com
Based out of Cincinnati, where he’s been a fan favorite for decades,
horn player/vocalist Leroy Ellington fronts an eight-piece band with
backup singers to deliver a powerful set of blues-drenched R&B on this
disc, a strong follow-up to his well-received 2019 studio release,
Sanctified.
Captured
across two nights at The Madison Theatre in Covington, Ky., the band
explodes out of the box in a set that includes seven Ellington originals
and four interesting covers, and everything you’ll hear here is
advertised as coming “as is” just a few minor hiccups included. Take my
word though: You’ll have a hard time finding them.
For
big-band blues with a big-city feel, be sure to turn in to “Heaven Don’t
Want Me,” “My Father’s Son,” a take on John Mayer’s “Gravity,” “Somethin’
Funky Goin’ On,” “The Forecast Calls for Pain” and “Baptized in a
Bedpan.” You won’t be disappointed!
# # #
John Blues Boyd – What My Eyes
Have Seen…
(Gulf Coast Records)
www.johnbluesboyd.com
Possessing when Gulf Coast owner Guy Hale calls “the voice of God,” John
Blues Boyd is a rare, under-recorded talent who started life as a
Mississippi sharecropper and became a roofer in San Francisco before
turning to the blues for solace after the death of his wife of 49 years
a few years ago. He quickly established himself in 2017 with the release
of The Real Deal, a disc
produced by Little Village Foundation, the non-profit created to expose
under-recorded, under-appreciated talents to the world.
Like his
earlier CD, this one was recorded by Kid Andersen at Greaseland. It’s a
lengthy, deeply personal, all-original set of traditional blues that
provides an autobiographical snapshot of Boyd’s life, which includes
being run out of the Magnolia State because of political activism and
other themes that include love won and lost and labor on hot rooftops
and under the searing sun.
An
all-electric set backed by the usual cast of Greaseland all-stars,
Boyd’s rich baritone will envelop you throughout. Among the stand-out
tunes here are “In My Blood,” “What My Eyes Have Seen,” “A Beautiful
Woman (for Dona Mae),” “49 Years,” “Why Did You Take That Shot” and “Got
to Leave My Mark.”
# # #
Evelyn Rubio – Crossing Borders
(SeaSpeed Productions)
Houston-based Evelyn Rubio’s musical road is most interesting. She was a
child TV star in her native Mexico, traveled the world in musical
theater companies and returned home to become a rocker before moving to
America after falling in love with the blues. Most recently, she’s
served as the vocalist and sax player in former B.B. King bandleader
Calvin Owens’ 18-piece orchestra.
Evelyn
plays blues, rock, jazz and country here in a package produced by
bassist Larry Fulcher and backed by his partners in Legendary Blues
Band/Taj Mahal Band and former Etta James guitarist John Sklair, Austin
superstar David Grissom and others. The first dozen cuts are delivered
in perfect English, the final three in her native Spanish.
A
melismatic alto who delivers searing horn flourishes, Rubio’s headed for
stardom. Be sure to tune in to “One More Last Time,” “Just Like a Drug,”
“He Did Me Wrong But He Did Me Right,” “When You Say You’re Sorry,”
“Border Town” and “What a Way to Go.”
# # #
Bessie Jones – Get in Union
(Alan Lomax Archives/Association for Cultural Equality)
http://www.culturalequity.org/alan-lomax/friends/jones-0
Here’s a
treat for anyone with a love for pre-War blues! Bessie Jones was a
powerhouse vocalist who was living on the St. Simons Island in Georgia
when famed ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax first recorded her. One of the
most popular performers on the folk circuit in the ‘60s and ‘70s, she
and Lomax worked closely for decades to present and promote black folk
music across the U.S.
All of
the material here was captured when Bessie was a member of the Georgia
Sea Island Singers between 1959 and 1966, and tapes were so well
digitally remastered that you can almost feel Jones’ breath as she
delivers a collection of blues, gospel and folk in various solo and
small-group settings.
Available
as a download from Bandcamp.com, this collection breathes new life into
sounds of a bygone era. The hits here are too numerous to mention, but
include classic tunes from the American songbook as well as dozens of
little surprises. Strongly recommended.
# # #
Sonny Landreth – Blacktop Run
(Provogue/Mascot Label Group)
Veteran
Louisiana slide guitar master Sonny Landreth fires on all cylinders in
this follow-up to his Grammy-nominated
Recorded Live in Lafayette,
reuniting with producer RS Field and delivering a collection of music
that ranges from searing electric instrumentals to tender acoustic
ballads.
A gifted
storyteller who loves to experiment with new sounds, Landreth’s aided
here by keyboard player/tunesmith Steve Conn. Sonny opens the CD on
resonator with the title cut, “Blacktop Road,” a fingerpicked treasure
that hints of Eastern mysticism before the funk kicks in from the
opening bars of “Lover Dance With Me” before flowing like the
Mississippi throughout.
Other
pleasers include the Hill Country-flavored “Mule,” “Beyond Borders,” a
Conn tune originally intended for Carlos Santana, “The Wilds of Wonder,”
“Many Worlds” and “Something Grand.” Don’t be surprised if this one’s up
for another Grammy come next awards season.
# # #
Dom Flemons -- Prospect Hill: The
American Songster Omnibus
(Omnivore Recordings)
Multi-instrumentalist Dom Flemons, known as “The American Songster,” has
been a busy man since splitting from the Carolina Chocolate Drops in
2014. A consistent award nominee in both blues and folk music, he’s a
dynamic acoustic artist who’s at his best throughout this two-CD, 44-cut
set.
Released
in conjunction with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American
History as part of its Legacy Recordings series, this one includes the
bulk of two of previous releases,, which are supplemented by 12 brand
new instrumental cuts to round out the work. He’s joined here by a
revolving lineup that includes Grammy-winning musician/actor Guy Davis
and others.
If you’re
a fan of old-time blues and folk, this one’s for you. Some of the prime
cuts include “’Til the Seas Run Dry,” “But They Got It Fixed Right On,”
“Have I Stayed Away Too Long,” “Big Head Joe’s March” “Grotto Beat” and
“Hot Chicken.” Fair warning: Several of the entries double as vocal and
instrumental takes, but they’re so rich in textural differences that you
probably won’t even notice.
# # #
Charlie Bedford – Good to Go
(Blue Heart Records BHR002)
A native
of Melbourne, Australia, guitarist/vocalist Charlie Bedford has been
making a name for himself in Memphis since 2017 with three appearances
at the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase. At age 19, he’s an
old man in a young body. This CD was charting in the top five in Aussie
charts and climbing when this mini-review was being written.
The next
generation of the blues, Bedford started playing in clubs at age 12, and
was in three top bands before launching his solo career. His debut CD --
9,500 Miles from Memphis – charted well, too, featuring original
tunes that belie his tender years.
That’s
apparent from the opener of this one, “Money Junkie,” which describes a
lady addicted to cash. Other must listens include the whimsical love
song “Honey,” “Enemy,” the soulful “Just a Little Longer,” the
psychedelic “Telephone” and “Steady Driver Man,” which comes with a Bo
Diddley beat.
# # #
Grant Dermody – My Dony
(Thunder River Recordings)
Harmonica
master Grant Dermody possesses a playing style that has a timeless,
laid-back feel, something that’s apparent from the first notes of this
CD, his second teaming with Grammy-winning
multi-instrumentalist/producer Dirk Powell. Originally conceived as an
acoustic effort, it’s an eclectic production steeped with a Chicago
feel.
A Seattle
native who primarily specializes in Delta and Piedmont blues, Dermody
serves up a winner here with guest appearances by former Chocolate Drop
Rhiannon Giddens, Birds of Chicago vocalist Allison Russell, Amythyst
Kiah and Creole accordion master Corey Ledet.
The
grooves deepen beginning with the title cut, which opens. Other pleasers
include “One Step at a Time,” “It Hurts to Be in Love,” “Too Late to
Change Your Mind,” “Corner Strut,” “Come on Sunshine” and “Hometown
Blues.” A treasure for folks who like their harp unadorned with overblow
and electronic alterations.
# # #
Jose Ramirez – Here I Come
(Self-produced CD)
Despite
being a native of Costa Rica, 32-year-old Jose Ramirez is well on his
way to becoming a major star in the U.S., and this exceptional debut
album – which was produced by Anson Funderburgh and features
Grammy-winning keyboard player Jim Pugh, the Texas Horns and a skintight
veteran rhythm section in the lineup – is certain to propel him into the
stratosphere.
Based out
of the Tampa Bay area in Florida, he took second place in this year’s
International Blues Challenge as a representative of the D.C. Blues
Society. With influences that include Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Ray
Charles and others, he’s a vocalist and guitarist of the first order who
mixes contemporary blues and soul throughout this set.
The
opener, “Here I Come,” announces his arrival and pays tribute to his
personal blues heroes before reinventing T-Bone Walker’s “I Miss You
Baby.” There’s a lot to like on this one, including “Gasoline and
Matches,” which features Funderburgh, “One Woman Man,” “Goodbye Letter”
and “Waiting for Your Call.” This one smokes!
# # #
Hudspeth & Taylor – Folie a Deux
(Self-produced CD)
Here’s a
treat! The great majority of acoustic bluesmen do little more than
deliver time capsules from the past, but not Brandon Hudspeth and
Jaisson Taylor. Brandon’s highly percussive guitar stylings match
perfectly with Jaisson’s expressive baritone vocals and percussion
throughout.
The duo
teamed up in 2015 after spending the previous 15 years working
separately in Kansas City, where they’re based. Even today, Brandon
tours with Levee Town and Dustin Arbuckle, while Jaisson fronts his own
quartet. Together, they mix Chicago and Piedmont stylings here with
ragtime and a little jazz, too. Their sound is hypnotic. Hence the album
title Folie a Deux, a French
term for a group hallucination or shared psychosis.
The high
points run hot and heavy through this set. Be sure to check out “Big Fat
Hairy Lie,” the original rag “Candy Man,” “Silly Billy,” which comes
complete with jazz references, the cautionary “Low Down Dealer Man” and
the toe-tapping “When You Comin’ Home.”
# # #
Backtrack Blues Band –
Your Baby Has Left (VizzTone
Label Group VT-BTB07)
One of
the longest running bands in Florida, the Backtrack Blues Band teams
with producer Tom Hambridge for this one, and produce a winning
combination that blends traditional Chicago blues with Texas, swamp and
Sunshine State funk, too.
The
five-piece unit is led by vocalist/harp player Sonny Charles and
guitarist Kid Royal and a roster that includes former Amazing Rhythm
Aces bassist Stick Davis. Recorded in St. Petersburg and Alabama, the
disc features contributions from perennial Blues Music Award keyboard
nominee Bruce Katz as well as the Muscle Shoals Horns: Vinnie Ciesielski
(trumpet) and Brad Guin (sax).
This of
eight originals and one cover here are deep-in-the-pocket throughout.
Give a good listen to “Best Friend’s Grave (Joy, Joy, Joy),” a pleasant,
loping blues with gospel overtones that’s much more upbeat than the
title, as well as the stop-time “Your Baby Has Left,” the percussive
shuffle “Killin’ Time,” the boogie “She Might Get Mad” and the slow
blues ballad “Times Is Hard.”
# # #
Billy Price – Dog Eat Dog
(Gulf Coast Records)
www.billyprice.com
Here’s
one you might have missed. Billy Price has been a mainstay on the
soul-blues circuit since serving as vocalist for guitar god Roy Buchanan
in the ‘70s. A frequent Blues Music Award nominee, he and Otis Clay took
top honors in 2016 for This Time
For Real, and Billy missed out on two more trophies this past May –
including album of the year.
A fixture
in Pittsburgh for decades, Price is now based out of Baltimore, but
recorded this one at Greaseland aided by a lineup that includes the
legendary Jerry Jermott (B.B. King and Aretha Franklin) on bass and
former Rick Estrin & the Nightcats percussionist Alex Pettersen as well
as a host of other talents.
Billy’s
got one of the sweetest tenor voices in the business, and there’s
absolutely nothing on this album that you won’t love. Some of my
favorites include “Working on Your Chain Gang,” “Lose My Number,” “Dog
Eat Dog,” “Toxicity,” “Same Old Heartaches” and “You Gotta Leave.”
# # #
Duffy Bishop –
I’m Gonna Do What I Want!
(‘Lil Spinner Records)
Sultry,
smoky-voiced blues belter Duffy Bishop is a living legend in the Pacific
Northwest, where she’s been inducted in the halls of fame for the
Washington Blues Society, the Cascade Blues Association and the state
music hall in Oregon, too. She shows why on this pleasing CD, which
delivers modern tunes with classical appeal.
A
professional entertainer since age 16, Duffy’s been releasing albums
since the early ‘80s, has toured the Far East as a member of Big Brother
and the Holding Company. In her spare time, she’s also an award-winning
costume designer. She and her guitarist husband, Chris Carlson, are
veteran road dogs who penned four of the nine tunes in this set.
Be sure
to give a good listen to “I’m Gonna Do What I Want” – which includes not
eating lima beans, “69 Years Old – a tribute to a young-at-heart lover,
“Must Be My Fault,” tasty covers of “You Don’t Own Me” and “My Road Is
Not Wide” and “Whistle Callin’.”
# # #
Peter Karp – Magnificent Heart
(Rose Cottage Records)
Master
songwriter Peter Karp penned all 13 tunes on this one, and they shine
like diamonds as they blend gritty visions of the street with sweet love
songs and more – all of which provide deep insight into the world
swirling around us.
A New
Jersey native who began his career in the underground music scene in New
York City, Karp subsequently enjoyed a lengthy partnership with Canadian
songbird Sue Foley and has worked and recorded with former Rolling Stone
Mick Taylor. This one features guest appearances by harp players Kim
Wilson and Jason Ricci as well as John Ginty on keys.
If you’re
a fan of inventive tunesmiths, you’ll love this CD. Among highlights are
“Sitting on the Edge of the World,” the haunting song of lost love, “The
Letter,” “She Breaks Her Own Heart,” “Scared,” a ballad based on words
by Peter’s late wife, poet Mary Lou Bonney Karp, and the whimsical
“Chainsaw.”
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