Cathi's Reviews 2-4-07
Blues, Billy – “Blues in My Room” (Billy Blues Rec.) C+I wanted it to be good…really I did. Mediocre clear-voiced singer doing kind of bland tunes and covers. Better on uptempo swing tunes, but still, no cigar. Not recommended.
Goldwasser, Frank – “Bluju” (Delta Groove) A-
Parisian guitarist who worked with Sonny Rhodes, then moved to San Francisco, and from there on in, worked clubs hard down the coast. Here he appears with Alex Schultz on guitar and Kirk Fletcher too. Music is based on traditional blues, but incorporates fink and swing, New Orleans flavor, etc. Nice change up in tunes…skilled. Vocals ok.
Mo-Tones, Johnny & the – “Get Gone” (Altenburgh Rec.) C+
Were it not for a couple of okay tunes, my advice on this one was to follow the advice of the title. In fact, I’d probably advice that anyway. Not recommended.
Original Delta Fireballs – “Come On With It-Live” (Bottle Cap) C-
Oh my. Bad harp, blown out whiskey vocals, bad covers, two-mic-recording in a toilet of a bar. Nightmare on blues street. Not recommended.
Overman, Mick & Maniacs – “Good Thing Happen” (OhCorina Music) C-
Sometimes Overman has hints of Jackson Browne in his vocals, but not for more than an instant. Otherwise vocals witness the effects of age on a voice, and the songwriting is campy. Record nearly saved by addition of really fine mandolin player Patrick O’Connor, but in the end – sinks. Not recommended.
Pettersen, Ed – “The New Punk Blues of” (Srrecords) C
Artist claims his music is “punk blues” but I would venture it has nothing to do with either. It’s an acoustic folk, singer-songwriter collection of straight down Unexciting Boulevard. Not recommended.
Redding, Lipbone – “Hop the Fence” (BePop Rec.) B
An eclectic record of a street performer who busked in New York, South America, India and California, developing a rhythmic solo repertoire that has flavors of interesting hypnotic beats that lend themselves well to street entertainment I think. Santana-ish. Most interesting is his uncanny (vocal) mimicking of a trombone which he uses to good effect in fleshing out his sound, backed minimally here by drummer and bassist.
Soweto Gospel Choir – “African Spirit” (Shanachie Entertainment) A+
This is an incredible collection of beautiful vocal work…arrangements are spectacular and a person could get religion just listening to the voices. Covers of a few, uniquely arranged, Dylan, Marley and Jimmy Cliff don’t hurt a bit. Less sparkling, in my opinion, was the Bono-live tune, but there’s nothing on this disc that isn’t just excellent. All good for morning mix. Bravo/a
Walker, Phillip – “Going Back Home” (Delta Groove) B+
Old timer Louisiana bluesman Phillip Walker, who’s spent years on the road, and finally got some notice when West Coast producer Bruce Bromberg helped him with a record in the early ‘70s. Promoted by Midwestern agent Tom Radai for years, Walker has been medium-successful and here is backed by the great West Coast Posse Rhythm section with stunning guitar by new blues star, Randy Zinn. Voice showing signs of aging, but still has great phrasing and delivery. Instrumentalization is, of course, great.
posted by Cathi N @ 1:47:00 PM
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