Cathi's Reviews 7-20-08
Back Door Slam – “Roll Away” (Blix Street Records) AI wasn’t expectin’ this…A CREAM-like band – adeptly pulled off. Lead singer has a great voice and clearly the guitarist is channeling a combo of Robben Ford, Robin Trower, Jeff Healy and a little SRV. Pretty exciting to hear some fresh guitar slingers in that genre that sound like more than a tray of silverware falling on the floor. Even more so that they write their own stuff. Davy Knowles is a force to be reckoned with – Songwriter, all guitars, mandolin, lap steel and backing vocals. And he’s in his early 20’s. Lookout--I think we’re going to hear a lot of this guy. If you liked SRV and electricity running up your arms this is your guy. Not really for morning mix – and not for afternoon either unless you want to get charged. Whoopass guitar work and playing all around from these UK youngsters..
Back Door Slam – Special EP (Blix Street Records) A
See above review….
Four more tunes on a short EP for promo's sake - more of the same good stuff.
Bell, Leroy – “A Change is Coming” (Martez Music ) B
Singer Songwriter with a smooth voice and a troubadour approach. Sensitive lyrics and acoustic voicings that move into aggressive drumming and power rhythm cords…puts his work on the fence between mellow and electric rock—starting mellow and jumping into big time beat. Interesting.. but not great for morning mix.
Donna Jean & The Tricksers – “The Morning Comes” (Ice Nine) D
Donna Jean covers the Grateful Dead and I’d personally be grateful if she didn’t. Not recommended.
Fowler, Rick – “Back On My Good Foot” (Jammates Records) C
Big time Geo Thorogood rock-blues hopes. Medium rocker vocals. Stomper rock blues. He’s got the guitar chops-briefly showcased in #3 before the cheesy Farfisa organ comes in. I made it to the fourth tune, but I already sold my white go-go boots and gave up drinkin’ Jack, so I couldn’t take it longer than that. Not recommended.
Neal, Kenny – “Let Life Flow” (Blind Pig) B+
One of the talented and musical Raful Neal family. Family members Kenny Jr. Darnell, and Frederick all play in support, as does Lucky Peterson on keyboards. Blind Pig artist Robin Rogers & Shelly Magee throw in a cool backup vocal thing on #11. Kenny puts in some great harp and guitar, vocals and a little bass on the tunes. Very cool musicianship and some rhythm change-ups to keep it interesting—nice horn section—smooth all over the disc. Neal’s a good singer; you almost don’t notice what a mellow/adept guitarist he is. He’s a complete package.
Payne, Jackie/Steve Edmonson – “Overnight Sensation” (Delta
Groove) B
Old timer Jackie Payne does more than justice to the blues vocals over Steve’s adept blues guitar. Rich and bluesy but sometimes a little too big band-ish for me. Never my favorite arrangements for blues. That’s just me. Good musicianship, just nothing that really moves me here.
Redding, Lipbone – “Party on the Fire Escape” (BePop Rec) A-
Excellent musicianship that keeps things lean – a standup bass, drums and LipBone on vocals, guitar and “Lipbone” – he does the lip kazoo in such a way it really sounds like a trombone. All three musicians are so adept, they can put over very cool urban tunes with mucho descriptive “furniture.” It’s amazing the sound this trio can put out – change ups in rhythm that gets you twitchin’ to dance along with maybe a cold one in hand. Surprising refreshing…from mellow to latin and back--and most songs laced with humor and clean vocals he sprinkles with growls and inflections that bring a smile. A Bronx Mississippian – heh. Most good for morning mix.
Rogers, Robin – “Treat Me Right” (Blind Pig) A-
North Carolina street singer with a penchant for the blues, Rogers got some real notice on her last album—aimed more toward blues. She then toured as an opener for Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray etc. She’s establishing herself as a blues chanteuse. She has a clear voice which sometimes seems like a blues—performer defect, but she uses it and a growing “shouter” talent to put blues over well (example # 11). Plays harp too. Songs like # 2 smack of some heavy Koko Taylor influence. The vocals on this disc are more pushy and assertive than her last – methinks she’s here to stay, and has already stepped out with husband Tony, to form a none-too-shabby songwriting partnership. Her “recovery” from a rocky/partying lifestyle for a “second chance” makes her all the more appreciative of what the blues can mean. You can hear that hard-won maturity in her voice. Band adds tight musicianship.
Ruffin, Marshall – “Rich Man’s Dime” (Jammates Records) B-
Twenty-three year old acoustic singer who sounds like he drank bad wine and woke in jail most of last month. Vocals raspy, and lazylike phrasing like Tom Waits though about 22 hangovers ago. This five-song EP is mostly acoustic with a little percussion backup. Strange ranger…you Tom Waits fans might give him a try – he’s a little too arty for me. Definitely not blues…must be Americana or singer-songwriter.
Satan & Adam – “Word on the Street: Harlem Recordings 1989”
(Modern Blues Harp.com) C
This is the first recording by this harp/guitar duo in a decade. They began as pickup street buskers who ran into each other…and so they remain--an old black man and a young white dude who loves the blues. Throughout any kind of attention they received, and recording too, they stuck with street singing and busking. This double disc set is made up of live street recordings, rough, raw gravelly vocals, and crowd talk and reaction--which Adam claims are where it really “lives.” The tunes are long (Big Boss Man is 15.53 minutes long!) because as long as they feel it, they keep going. Musicianship is way loose—Satan stomps that tambourine into overload and is pretty fond of overdrive guitar – which is interesting for a street guitarist, but this is street dawg stuff. Last number Satan gives a big speech to a radio announcer about the bible. Strange record. Not recommended or radio friendly..
Suter, Alexis P. Band – “Just Another Fool” (Hipbone) B+
Big mama blues, with expressive, sultry, then growly vocals. Band has steady vocal backup which really create a soul-revue feel to the music. Mostly originals, co written by Suter and backup singer Vicky Bell, and then some by band member combinations. Some are not necessarily keeper tunes, but then she throws that big barrel voice on ‘em with the real-thing phrasing and I call amen. I think better song choices would really make a difference for this band. Still, Suter delivers the big-mama vocals, and Vicki Bell, Linda Pino and Glenn Turner turn in fine call-and response backups. First soul-blues singer I’ve heard in a LONG time that delivers gut bucket stuff. Those slow ones (#3, 7) drip serious mojo…help me Lord! (Pass the bourbon). This a collaboration band and they really come through as one. Levon Helm is a big fan; he recorded their first release on his own label.
Thompson, Teddy – “A Piece of What You Need” (Verve) A-
Son of Richard and Linda Thompson, Teddy has inherited a rich warm voice and a penchant for the hook line. He writes good stuff, usually relationship-centric, and sometimes a little introspective, but compelling. This album gives a “Sgt Pepper” feel on some songs – using trumpets, etc., but rich backup vocals and his unique and melodic vocals really put over his hooky songs. Better with each listen. Don’t get behind the under the rug introspection (#10) that much, but wow…most of his stuff lives in your head longer than you thought it would. Most good for all mixes. # 2 – a great tune, is spoiled right at the get go with an emphatic “shit”, but mostly FCC clean. Recommended. I’m glad this kid is young – much more comin’…
posted by Cathi N @ 1:38:00 PM
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