Blues CD Reviews - 4/25/06
Haddix, Travis “Moonchild” – “Mud Cakes” (Wann-Sonn Rec.) DNot recommended. Less than average blues—loud and distorted.
Holmes, Jimmy “Duck” – “Back to Bentonia” (Broke & Hungry Rec.) A
We’re runnin’ out of authentic traditional blues players, but one good thing about that is fans hungering for them dig up obscure players and let them shine, when they once were unknown. Jimmy “Duck” Holmes is one such. A juke joint owner, Holmes was a student of Jack Owens and a fan of Skip James. On this disc he covers them in stripped down, raw and painfully honest performances – some tunes in his juke with Bud Spires (harp player for Owens), and another in a nearby Clarksdale studio with famed drummer Sam Carr on backup. All songs but 1, 5, 9 & 11 written by Holmes, and all are fine works.
Marchman, Houston – “Key to the Highway” (Indie) B-
The 8th disc from this self-proclaimed, un-ambitious performer. Very nice vocals, and harmonies are particularly interesting. Songwriting runs gamut from medium interesting to good, and the band isn’t bad, but the songs begin to sound the same after a few numbers. One or two standouts: the Lyle Lovitt-like “Gorilla Pit”—a comedic song about getting sprayed by a zoo inhabitant; the great harmonies on “Radio Flyer” etc. All tunes are morning mixworthy.
Staton, Candi – “His Hands” (Honest Jons Records) B
A popular gospel singer of the ’70s, Staton carved out a name for herself. She possesses an incredible gospel voice which she puts to use here on an odd (to me) collection of country and soul. Her phrasing and delivery, however, remain solidly gospel, which gives the tunes an interesting twist. The whole disc bristles with “he done me wrong” songs, but whatever. Her cover of Merle Haggard’s “You Don’t Have Far to Go” is truly an original approach. “Cry to Me” is kewl. I was bewildered by her song choices, but man oh man, the girl can sing.
Sweany, Patrick (Band) – “Cmon, C’mere” (Nine Mile Records) C-
As much as I wanted to like this record...what with the nice sounding voice and the occasional calypso beat, it quickly went downhill with poor sound quality and annoying presentation. Not recommended.
posted by Cathi N @ 11:24:00 AM
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