Blues CD Reviews 4-2-06
James, Etta – “AAA Sampler” (RCA) A+Etta is the only blues lady I would savor singing the phone book. Not that her musical picks on this sampler (a preview of an upcoming CD release) are not great songs. She does a cool version of Lennon’s “Imagine,” (#1), KILLS on James Brown’s “This is a Man’s World” (#2), and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” (#3) couldn’t be better unless Marvin came back and did it himself. The last one “Strung Out” is an emotive E-James slow one, kinda long, but very Etta. Can’t wait for the album.
H.W. Jones – “Kissing in 29 Days” (Northern Blues) B+
Canadian blues guitarist/vocalist, Jones did very well with his first solo album, Kim Wilson’s support and a cast of fine players didn’t hurt a bit. Jones’ second effort here boasts another great guest – David “Fathead” Newman (Ray Charles) and leans a lot more towards jazz and big-horn arrangements of the blues. (Newman is great, as usual.) The tunes are more arranged and somewhat on the fence here and there, but I can’t complain about the jazz or the solid blues, it just sounds a bit uneven this way. CD’s dedicated to his brother, who idolized him, but was killed in a car crash. Great musicians, but a bit unfocused.
Chicago Bob Nelson – “Flyin’ Too High” (95 North Records) A-
Those guys at 95 North are on a hot streak. They got together a sellar band and set a gritty blues guy in front on vocals and harp. Per Hanson and Michael “Mudcat” Ward are a rock-solid rhythm section who have definitely been around the block. “Monster” Mike Welch on guitar has a lock on the searing blues idiom—keeping the tension high without stepping on anyone’s toes or overdoing it (an art in itself), and Timo Arthur’s guitar additions were cool. Doug James—sax, rounded it out. A very nice disc. Nelson’s nothing to write home about but he pulls it off nicely and no wonder…what a band!
Bill Sheffield – “Journal on a Shelf” (American Roots Records) A
Are we lucky or what? Here’s a roots record that features acoustic blues and Americana stuff (skeletal, but cool backup). Very rootsy with interesting, original tunes, and backed up with nice vocals. Sheffield moans himself into some of the tunes (talks to himself at the countdown), and showcases some great featured artists – Paul Linden, Sean Costello (Susan Tedeschi), etc. A few (#7, 8) are semi-protest tunes. Classy all around, and good for all mixes. A very nice surprise.
posted by Cathi N @ 1:02:00 PM
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