Cathi's Reviews - 11/26/06
Brown, Piney – “One of These Days” (Bonedog Records) B+A really tight blues band (with horns and arrangements) backs up an old black dude. But this old black dude (84 years old) just happens to be the guy who wrote solid gold blues standards in the ‘’50s like “Just a Little Bit,” “Kokomo” and such. Wavery vocals (I hope I’m still in there at 84), but classy tunes, and great band.
Frost, Jackie, Ensemble – “Cold Lonely Blues” (Courthouse Rec.) B
Although the title says “Blues” in it – it’s a lie. This is some pretty cool lady singer americana music. Nothing to set your hair on fire, but some good morning mix stuff. Players are old-timers (banjo, mandolin, fiddle, etc.) with good chops and lady singer has a clean voice.
Harris, Odell – “Missing” (Broke & Hungry Records) C
Four whiskeys and an all-nighter in a seedy bar where a six-string blurs into 12, with the men too drunk to concentrate on hustling any women still up into bed. That’s literally what you’ve got on this disc. Odell seems to be the lost Robert Johnson only drunker and the backup duo weave doggedly along behind him. It’s actually pretty good, but very l - o - o - s - e musically. Kinda cool, but not really.
Hazamat Modine – “Bahamut” (Barbes Records) A-
Now we’re talkin’! I don’t even know WHAT to call this group, except they are excitingly different. With two harmonica players (!) and all manner of eclectic instruments (tuba, claviola), they try on an amazing amalgam of musical hats. They are clearly good at what they do which is surfing the waves of everything they’ve ever heard. Definitely what I would call avant guarde WORLD music coming right out of New York City. Cuts 3-9 will blow off your socks.
Imperial Crowns – “Hymn Book” (Triple J) C
I was already for some good gospel, but this one turned out to be a real stretched out psychedelic rock disc with not much to show for all that acid. Not recommended.
Issacs, Dave – “Old King Crow” (Shadow Box Records) C
They must have had a two-for-one sale at the recording studio. Not recommended.
JD & the Straight Shot – “Nothing to Hide” (JD Records) D
Keep the day job. Not recommended.
Mariana, Marguerite – “Wild Women Never Get The Blues” (Powerlight Media) C
Lounge-y vocals, velveeta arrangements. Not recommended.
Mark, Paul – “Trick Fiction” (Radiation Records) C
Unremarkable vocals over a George Thorogood wanna-be band. Bad Creedence steal; not so good Elvis cover, not really recommended.
Powers, Michael – “Prodigal Son” (Baryon Records) B+
This is a pretty good disc if you like the power rock blues. He puts a little electricity behind everything, including a rave up of Freddy King’s “Goin’ Down” to kick out the jams. He’s got funk, distorto guitar, a little Led Zep in the mix, and then just when you’re ready to drink about six more beers, throws in an interesting acoustic slow tune. He also occasional plays like he’s paid by the note, but hey, it’s power rock.
Simien, Terrance – “Across the Parish Line” (AIM) B+
Terrance Simien rocks on accordion and seems to follow several interesting veins/beats on this disc…melding Zydeco and African beats, hip hop and Willie Nelson. A spicy bunch of song styles put into his own particular gumbo. Joined by Marcia Ball, David Hidalgo, and featuring some old recorded pieces of him with Paul Simon and Rick Danko. Interesting, and also…very danceable.
Various – “Ecko Records Sampler 2006” (Ecko) B-
Soulful tunes along the R & B line, but every song is suggestive and dare we say it – about sex. Guess it would be good for the overnights, but not so good on the Sunday gospel hour – devil’s music ’n all.
Wright, Rusty – “Ain’t No Good Life” (Sadson Music) B-
This Michigan band is billed as a cross between Bonnie Raitt, the Allmans, and ZZ Top. Rusty’s wife sings with the band, Rusty plays a serious Allman style guitar and some of the tunes have some ZZ distorto rock thrown in, but I’d say this was a middle-of-the-road rock/pop band more than blues. There’s some guitar grand-standing, but nothing really new here.
posted by Cathi N @ 6:26:00 PM
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