Cathi's Blues Reviews
Hello again...now for some catchup on my blue reviewing:1. Keith B. Brown "Delta Soul" (Juna/Raisin Music) - A
Wow...an interpretive African American youngster who can really make the old masters sing. An acoustic player who is making a big name for himself (starred in “The Soul of a Man” by Martin Scorsese), Brown does Skip James like I’ve seldom heard, and delights in covering Fred McDowell, Robert Johnson, and his soulful mentor – Son House. He adds his own flavor to it without taking it from the traditional, and adds here, some of his own tunes that have a modern twist, but still seem authentically blue. This guy’s going somewhere.
2. Elvin Bishop "Getting My Groove Back" (Blind Pig) B+
From his early days with the Paul Butterfield Blues band in Chicago, through years in California playing the Filmore with Hendrix, Clapton and the usual suspects, Elvin Bishop has been dead-level committed to the blues. Though his rock licks and guitar pyrotechniques nearly overwhelm his material at times and his voice is marginal, he has a wonderful prowess and cool ability to switch grooves and pull them off. Not bad.
3. Magic Slim "Anything Can Happen" (Blind Pig) B+
Magic Slim performs live, with accompanying production challenges, but pulls off his great guitar work just the same. Guitar tone is a little sharp and Magic is not real picky about tuning sometimes, but the quality of the feel and playing is really all there – from the guy who learned a lot from Magic Sam. Nice collection.
4. Maria Muldaur - "Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul" (Stony Plain) A-
Old time blues divas are tough to cover. They were indicative of a time period when blues torch vocals were expressive in ways unappreciated by today’s more beat-oriented audiences. That’s what makes this release by Maria Muldaur (who lately seems to be trying an album of just about every imaginable style) a brave effort. She wisely picked some amazing back up artists familiar and in love with the genre – Taj Mahal, Steve James, and Seattle guitarist (also a great fan of Memphis Minnie—five of whom’s songs are covered here) Del Rey.A really nice collection of old time blues by the ladies...well done, if often underrated by today’s standards.
5. Fabulous Thunderbirds -- "Painted On" (Tone Cool) A-
More new players in the Fab T-Birds—this time West Coast Guitar wonder, Kirk Fletcher, and Nick Curran (it took two greats to replace Jimmy Vaughan). These young bloods kick up the T-Bird sound in both tempo and aggression…more rock than blues, and a real good feel. Old-timer Gene Taylor still kicks you-know-what on keys and Jimi Bott has always been a slugger of a drummer. The CD packs a punch, no doubt—and no recess on this one.
I may have missed some in this transition, but I THINK I got the hang of this thingy now..we'll see!
Cathi
posted by Cathi N @ 10:40:00 AM
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