Cathi's Reviews -- 10/20/08
Arnold, Mac & Plate Full of Blues – “Backbone & Gristle” (PlantationProductions) B+
Mac Arnold is a South Carolina country boy who made his first instrument and was playing bass for James Brown at age 16. He worked with Muddy, JL Hooker and then was a producer for “Soul Train” in L.A. After a lifetime of road, he now lives in Carolina where he occasionally drives a rig, and most of the time grows a garden and cooks for “anyone who is hungry.” Thus his band “Plate full of Blues” who are all much younger and side-track Mac to gigs, always getting back in time for Mac to cook Sunday dinner. He’s takin’ it slow; they’re just talkin’ it, and together, it’s full of some great blues penned by Mac, a lot of his vocals, some of his bass playing, and even if the “kids” sometimes get carried away, he’s got the groove and they’re havin’ fun.
Brown, Ray, Jr. – “Friends and Family” (SRI Jazz Records) B+
Man oh Man…when your mom is Ella Fitzgerald, and your dad is famous jazz musician Ray Brown, something’s gotta give! Growing up amidst jazz “Royalty,” Ray always sang, then became a well known drummer and fell in love with song writing. Not particularly attached to jazz like his folks, he always loved country and R & B. Yet here, after a lifetime full of music, with that smooth singing voice, he duets with an amazing variety of great musicians/stars, old and new in some Verrrrrrrry smooth, cocktail hour jazz, with some twists into New Orleans funk to soul and back.
Burnside, Cedric & Lightnin’ Malcolm – “2 Man Wrecking Crew” (Delta Groove) B
Grandson of RL Burnside, and an experienced drummer, Cedric Burnside has worked with “Lightnin’ Malcom (also a session and well traveled blues-guitar player). Burnside blends some cool funk and hip-hop tones to his delivery of songs. The duo kicks booty in an raw and electric blues way – no holes barred, adding some steamin’ backup vocals by Bekka Bramlett and Etta Britt and even some harp by wunderkind, Jason Ricci. You gotta think a minute to realize is a duo for the most part. A Power electric blues duo that relies more on beat and and minimal guitar stunts than loud. Interesting new generation of the blues. Cedric sounds pretty at home on those vocals. Check out #3—old-time callin’ blues with the big chick backups, yet electric with it’s own new twist. Songwriting sounds amateurish, but they got the beat in their toolbox, and some adept (electric) guitar…and they be young – so all right.
Haddix, Travis “Moonchild” – “Daylight At Midnight” (Earwig) B
Son of a sharecropper by day, juke joint musician at night, Travis has been playing blues for a LONG LONG time, and is adept at playing guitar, and making a name for himself as a blues songwriter. Still he’s done the real life in between periods of gigs – worked at General Motors for 22 years and a military vet, his guitar playing reflects that maturity. He does all originals here and sings in a light kind of voice on this disc. He’s got a big band with horn backup…akin to his inspiration (BB). All in all it’s a blues bar sound, but doesn’t necessarily stand out and grab you. Many medium tempo tunes.
Keith, Catfish – “If I Could Holler” (Fish Tail Records) B+
A solo performer who specializes in acoustic, finger-pickin’ blues on a resonator guitar, most often a “stomp” board beneath his “Italian” loafers for a good beat. (He once told me they’re a requirement for a stompboard. A mischievious growly voice accompanies his absolutely stellar guitar playing. He’s a character who often refers to himself in the third person, describing “Mr. Catfish’s” technique and/or travels. He really sets a unique tone for his own brand of resonator, pickin’ blues. This is his 11th album, all on his own label, concocted all alone but for his number one fan and record label runner, wife Penny. Can’t say too much but good stuff for that guitar pickin’, though I find his “characterization” of himself a little disingenuous, but hey – I can’t play like that! Good for all mixes.
Mandeville, Liz – “Red Top” (Earwig) B
A Fourth disc on Earwig for Liz Mandeville (who used to hang “Greeson” on the back of her name until now). Sassy and raunchy, she plays guitar and delivers in a blues-shout style, with growls and aggressive phrasing. She writes all her tunes like a gal used to matchin’ shots until the early hours. Good for live rockin’ and jukin’. Eddie Shaw really adds on a couple of tunes with his sax…especially on the rocker (# 14).
Thackery, Jimmy & Drivers – “Inside Tracks” ( Telarc) B
Guitar flasher Jimmy Thackery has had it with guitar gym as his only calling card. He can still pull it out on demand, but has turned to songwriting tunes that mean something to him. His voice is getting aged and the tunes lean heavily into the country vein, but man when he fires up that guitar (no matter what the speed), it just sings. This is an interesting album from a guy who only recently confessed he thinks NRBQ are the “Beatles” of America.
posted by Cathi N @ 10:20:00 AM
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