CD Reviews -- Cathi 11-23-07
Brown, Clarence “Gatemouth” – “Bogaloosa Boogie Man” (Maison de Blues) A-Another great reissue by this label…this one recorded in 1975 with a collection of great country Cajun playing by Gatemouth – first on fiddle and then with some spectacular guitar licks. His songs always carry heavy “furniture” in the storyline, and his gruff voice calls it while the fiddle sizzles. Later tracks on the disc highlight some amazing guitar playing. Gatemouth lost everything but one guitar in Katrina and died shortly afterward in 2005 from illness and shock. A great entertainer.
Dion – “Son of Skip James” (Verve) A-
Still can’t get used to it, but he keeps slamming real blues into the pocket. Dion plays with a feel that is his own so his covers of well-worn standards always have a special something. Disc is mostly acoustic with light drum support and tasty vocal presentations. He really has a nerve to attempt this naked presentation of blues, but he pulls it off with no worries. I continue to be amazed. All good for morning mix but #9 which is a talk interlude.
Estes, Sleepy John – “On the Chicago Blues Scene” (Delmark) B+
Yeow…a bunch of great players—dare I say “master” get together and play more urban blues than perhaps Sleepy John was used to. There are nuggets of greatness throughout, though Jimmy Dawkins (unfortunately) steps all over most of the players with constant guitar noodling. But the rhythm section and harp, sense of tunes, etc., are really great. A keeper. Odie Payne on drums – oh my.
Fathead – “Building Full of Blues” (Electro-Fi) B
Big horn blues band. Band is good, but I’m not a big fan of horn blues bands. Nice song change-ups and some good sax accents. Vocals okay. Probably a better band live.
Memphis Slim – “Boogie Woogie” (Maison de Blues) A+
Boogie woogie pianists are tough to come by…they can spice any gig up. Memphis Slim was one of the greatest. This disc is a showcase of his styles…All instrumental which is a shame because he was also a great singer. But the change up in beats and style really emphasize his great skill, and that mercilessly inventive/steady left hand…also tough to come by in a player. A fine disc…esp. for piano lovers. All cuts good for morning mix.
Memphis Slim & Roosevelt Sykes – “Double-Barreled Piano” (Maison de Blues) A
Memphis Slim (Peter Chatman) and Roosevelt Sykes are masters of blues piano, with Memphis arguably one of the greatest boogie-woogie players ever. Slim idolized Sykes on Beale Street in Memphis and before long Sykes mentored him. This record is a rare treat of the two of them, alternately talking about old times and blues, etc., and playing some of their tunes. It’s a primer on how two piano players can play something as “loose” as blues, yet never step on each other’s playing. Really amazing. A great, great record by two masters of piano, and some great songwriters. A real treat. Pretty ok for morning mix on top of it. Record recorded in 1970—this is a reissue/collection.
Phantom Blues Band – “Footprints” (Delta Groove) B+
Old-timers who know their stuff come out with another great blues album. Off-and-on backup band for Taj Mahal, this band features some real road dawgs, like Joe Sublett, Mike Finnigan and Denny Freeman. The music is always great. Another big horn blues band, but they put some shuffles, slide, backbeat blues and fun into tunes to put it over nicely. Could probably benefit from a dynamic front person.
Various – “Maximum Mojo” (Electro-Fi) A
An eclectic label, Electro-Fi can be relied upon to put out interesting music and this is a 2-disc collection of some of their best. Little nuggets from a wide variety of players –Snooky Pryor, Sam Myers, Billy Boy Arnold…and all up through some newer folks like Harmonica Shah. Cool collection…recommended highly.
posted by Cathi N @ 11:18:00 AM
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