WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio

Arnold, Billy Boy – “Sings SonnyBoy : John Lee Williamson” (Electro-Fi) A

The great Billy Boy Arnold covers John Lee Williamson’s tunes. His starstruck meeting with SBW turned him on to the blues for life. Here he teams with Chicago stalwarts and credentialed blues artists, Billy Flynn, Bob Stroger, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, and Mel Brown to do honor to his mentor. Billyboy’s harp is a little loose, but complements his expressive vocals straight out of the juke joint. Willie Smith and Bob Stroger are a rhythm section unmatched, and Flynn’s arsenal of blues styles on guitar never steps on anyone while adding all the tasty fills and solos in clean, traditional style to raise the hairs on your arms. Mel Brown polishes things off on piano, and the whole combo keeps the music low key with accent on dynamics, not on volume or taking star turns. VERY COOL!

Christian, Marty – “Bluesicana” (Sweet Man Rec.) B

Acoustic guitar pickin and a vocal backed by a rub board. Nice vocal expression with a good voice. Attacks guitar with muscular, percussive attack…then falls away into quiet picking on solos. Some of the songs begin to sound the same and then he comes out with a really soulful, slow rendition like “Sally Mae” that reminds us this is the blues we’re talkin’ about. Could probably do most of these on the morning mix.

Cohen Blues Trio – “Grant Street Dancehall” (Indie) B

A trio who opened for Junior Brown—the sound is mixed unevenly/ in the background – but with that caveat they lay down nice grooves, not necessarily all blues. Singer’s delivery is a little slurry—John Hammond channeling Bob Dylan, but this gives it a healthy cache. VERY interesting stuff…wish the recording was better—this is an compelling collection…me want to hear more.

Green, Al – “Lay It Down” (Blue Note Label Group) B+

Classic Al Green soul, complete with backup vocals and horns. The stuff he’s made as delicious and smooth as a cool drink on a hot day. Slow movin’, sinuous and easy rollin’—the Al Green soul beat that makes you rock back and forth on your heels – ever so easy. Anthony Hamilton gives some tunes a charge as do guests Corrinne Rae and John Legend. I’m not always so crazy about the big horns, massive chorus backup, and occasional sing-sony tunes, but gee…it’s AL GREEN. He’s some singer. He’s all good; all mixes.

Harper, Chris – “Blues is My Life” (Indie) C+

Though the players on this disc are very adept, I’m really not a fan of the super-arranged, paid-by-the-note-harp delivery in which this player specializes. Most tunes are originals, and many backed by super smooth lady vocals, but the overall effect for me was an overproduced work further cramped up with over-the-top harmonica gymnastics. He plays a lot of notes, but as James Harmon once said, “Too bad he doesn’t slow down enough to have a relationship with one of them.” Not my cuppa tea.

James, Samuel – “Songs Famed f' Sorrow & Joy” (Northern Blues) A

A young man adept at resonator and foot-stompin’ acoustic blues and ragtime guitar. These are few and far in between. Nice for all mixes and topped with a young-man-on-the-slide-to-the-devil voice—sometimes more story-talk-shoutin’ than singing, but lots of impact. Often changes tempo in the middle of the song. This is a one-man entertainment center. (Younger than 30--dang him--and opening for Johnny Winter’s tour.) I’m likin’ it. Reminds me of early Taj Mahal. All songs original; all songs done with solo guitar/banjo/resonator and vocal. Woof. Good for all mixes.

Jones, JW – “Bluelisted” (Northern Blues ) A-

A young Canadian blues artist first urged to record by Kim Wilson after doing a lot of sideman work, JW is hot stuff on guitar and a pretty good songwriter. We need more of those these days. On this disc, he assembles a killer posse of backup players – all front-man stars in their own right. Stepping up to solos and guitar trade-offs with the likes of Junior Watson and Charlie Baty takes some real cajones, and I guess he’s got ‘em. Doesn’t hurt a bit to have a rhythm section of Richard Innes on drums and Larry Taylor on drums. JW’s youthful voice puts a different twist on the blues, but the tunes are slicker’na banister.

Mannish Boys – “Lowdown Feeling” (Delta Groove) A

A blues gang-bang. Delta Groove’s home team. Finis Tasby, Bobby Jones, and Johnny Dyer offer masterful old-time vocals. Guitar monsters, like Kid Ramos, Kirk Fletcher, and Frank Goldwasser murderize the guitar chops; Richard Innes lays down the pocket on drums, and Ronnie Weber on bass. How can a person fail? Randy Chortkoff saves the harp chair for himself and the result of this lineup is predictably great. Not many for morning mix, but any other blues-time.

Smith, Byther – “Blues on the Moon” (Delmark) B+

Slow start on Chicago club veteran Byther Smith’s new disc, but his rough and road-worn blues sound is quickly apparent, moving into some deep blues. Byther’s a stead road dawg, who plays uncompromising blues and each song sets a tone until he’s floating atop the “feel” and jumps in with ragged vocals and lonesome moans that pull you under into the beat and lyrics lonesome enough to compel you to order another round. Recorded live, this disc waivers around like a sailor on leave, but though Byther seems like an old dude who has had it so hard he doesn’t wear socks, his sound is similarly rugged and direct. It’s hard to resist, and with the beat change-ups, it’s easy to forgive a little wandering when he gets you on the blues train. Love this guy…rough, but always raw, ready, and willing.