Cathi's Reviews - 6/5/07
Hey y'all -- since I'm outta town this weekend, I've worked ahead a bit. Below find (first) my reviews of four new ones and then (secondly) four from Bob Kissel (who hasn't yet blogged, so I'm going to sneak him in anyway).Jano, Big Al (Janoulis) – “Some of my Best Friends Have the Blues”
(Hottrax) C
This is like a collection of garage recordings (with some exceptions). Some takes are live, some are from recording studios, but most are rough. “Big Al” (Janoulis) is the bass player on all the cuts – his walk down memory lane. Not recommended, even though he does back a couple of interesting artists.
LaSalle, Denise – “Mississippi Woman”—single cut (Eko) A
Single cut from her upcoming disc “Pay Before You Pump,” this is a great tune. Done in four different mixes...my favorite one (of course) is the Delta Blues Mix (#2). Can’t wait for the album.
Sheffield & Webb – “Real Time” (Hottrax) B
The Bill Sheffield/Liane Webb duo put out a CD of acoustic and rhythm blues and with this second one, venture into more of a hardrock blues. Kind of a combination of ZZ Top and Heart. Webb’s vocals are real shouters and Bill lays the hammer down on the electric guitar. Gotta say they really do it well, though it’s definitely what I call rock. They relentlessly stick to sweaty barroom dance tunes of medium-to-fast tempo, and pull them off well. Can’t decide if I gave ’em a “B” as blues-ers, or if they are an “A” in rock, suffering a blues reviewer. No tunes that great for morning mix.
Zinn, Rusty – “ReggaeBlue” (Bad Daddy) B+
Zinn, a very slick blues guitar player from Santa Cruz, CA (yet part of the S-Calif. blues posse with Jr. Watson, et al.), abandoned his career with Alligator records because he wanted to do a reggae disc. He does so here on his own label, and the combination of his really agile vocals over some fine reggae grooves is fascinating. So different from his former traditional blues style, but great. He pulls in a troupe of veterans to help him (F. Fullwood from “Soul Syndicate,” Angila Witherspoon, etc.) and launched a fine effort. All good for morning mix.
Bob Kissel's Lot:
Charels, Robert -- "Three Leg Dogs & Old Skool Cats" (TooCool Music) C
Despite Michael Hill's role as producer, not much here. Weak songs, uninspiring vocals, etc. Maybe play SL 3, 11, 12; Med 2 .
Manx, Harry & Kevin Breit - "In Good We Trust" (Stony Plain) B+
Nice mix of blues, acoustic guitar work, and swing. Would fit AM and PM mix shows.
Try SL 2, 7; Med: 1, 6; INSTRMTL: 4, 8, 10, 11.
Reddick, Paul - "Reddick's Revue" (Northern Blues Music) B+
Reddick, a Canadian, traces his blues/rock/folk influences with this set of mostly original tunes, supplemented with a few tasty covers. Try SL 4; MED 5, 7, 9, 13: UP 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 14.
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones -- "My Life,My Friends, My Music" (Severn Rec) A-
Nice set of mostly swing and blues, butthe CD could have benefited from a more diverse song list. Impeccable musicianship through and through! Play SL 2, 6, 9, 11, 15; MED 1, 5, 10, 13; ACSTC 8
posted by Cathi N @ 10:04:00 AM
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