WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio

Bridge, the – “Blind Man’s Hill” (Hyena Records) 2008 B

New Orleans southern rock & funk– character songs with nice stories with music flavored with Dr. John and Band influences. Acoustic numbers really let solo vocal and guitar shine. Overall, plenty of great vocals and backup vocals—great fiddle and mandolin work, too, but somehow many of the tunes don’t stand up and grab me.

Conrad, Burt – “Home At Last” (Sea Bright Records) C

Shaky vocals and somewhat “Sting-Y” compositions rife with half-steps up and down, until the melody (such as it is) suffers. Very nice players – Bernard Purdy on drums (great), and some good saxophone work. Might be a good cocktail neighborhood bar album, but not really recommended.

Daniels, Chris & The Kings – “Stealin’ the Covers” (Moon Voyage Records) A-

A big brass-horn, 7-piece band that has covered some serious geography with the big-band rock sound. This is a collection of tunes featuring some heavy hitters (Bill Payne, Sonny Landreth, Sam Bush) guesting with the boys. Tower of Power-ish/Little Feat-ish with some blazing good musicians. Pretty slick, big band, rock/pop music.

Egan, David – “You Don’t Know Your Mind” (Out of the Past) B+

Piano player that plays some expressive blues as a soloist and leader of band…moves from boogie thru NY smooth/lite jazz with lady vocal (#3) and comes back to New Orleans piano funk. Piano blues (especially slow) is a rare animal these days. Egan pulls it off nicely, especially with such light emphasis on guitar support. He has some about equal measure “okay” tunes and some really fine examples too. Nice to hear some different blues piano.

Gross, Dave – “Crawlin’ the Walls” (Swingnation Records) A-

New young guitar slinger (23 – eek) who clearly has the feel of electric and swing blues. Quite a veteran of the electric blues scene, it’s evident he knows what he’s doing. There’s a little too much going on (many, many instruments, horns, etc.) on this disc for my money, but it scores with a big-band sound like Robillard, and jumps into swing blues like the Love Dogs with all those horns. Really good players. He’s a songwriter, producer and player…this kid’s goin’ places.

Katz, Bruce – “Live at the Firefly” (VizzTone) B+

A live album by the famous sideman (organist) and road sidemen for a variety of famous players. This is a cool collection of jazzy instrumental blues tunes—mostly originals. Guitar work by Chris Vitarello is tasty and emotive. Very nice listening music – good for all mixes.

Pisano, Rick – “Dawn of a Waking Man” (Brothers II Productions)

Growly voice over garage rock and an occasional slow one with shaky (kinda campy) voice. Nothing too interesting here. Even big chick backups can’t save this one…not recommended.

Sicilia, Gina – “Hey Sugar” (Swingnation Rec/VizzTone) B

Another youngster—23 years old, belting the blues on a record produced by contemporary Dave Gross (who plays guitar here), Dave Maxwell on Piano, and Dennis Gruenling on harp. Sicilia really belts ‘em. Even the slow ones come over like she’s pushing it. This gets a little tiring on the ear, but when it works, it really works (5) and she moves easily across the notes—reminds me of a early Ronstadt. Would like to hear her sing something whispery and soft – but hey I’m greedy.

Various – “The Future of the Blues” (Northern Blues) A-

Northern Blues is an up-and-coming Canadian blues label, and here offers a collection of its artists and some of their best stuff. A good blues collection. Artists range from uniquely original (Watermelon Slim) to young bluesmaster, JW Jones, and old time blues lover Samuel James. Smooth Bluesers “The Twisters” and award winning Paul Reddick also get in their licks as does Mem Shannon. Nice variety and a cheerful sample of the fact that the blues just keeps getting reinvented and renewed.

Walker, Toby – “Hand Picked” (Band in the Hand Rec.) C+

Acoustic Guitar – very nicely played. Singing rough and story songs akin to Catfish Keith. Several tunes suggestive…probably great live entertainment, but not compelling here. All songs sort of mid-tempo acoustic selections.