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Tuesday, December 16

Cathi's Reviews -- 12/16/08

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Los Lonely Boys – “Christmas Spirit” (Epic) A+
Those fabulous Latino harmonies and tight musicianship to give a “gift to everyone” of Christmas wishes. So interesting and cool to see how a group like this can adapt their style to something like Christmas music. This is a great record despite the limitations of Christmas music. You’ve got some Chuck Berry rockin’…some boogie woogie and very cool and imaginative instrumentation…and oh those harmonies. Christmas music doesn’t HAVE to hurt!

Various – “Jazz & Blues Christmas” (Putumayo) A

Oooweee, why wasn’t Christmas music this swingin’ when I was young. A great bunch of R & B/jazzers put together great musicianship on some famous standards and some they just made up! Great for all mixes.

posted by Cathi N @ 5:16:00 PM   1 comments

1 Comments:

At Tue Dec 16, 08:15:00 PM, Blogger Nan said...

Cathi -

Loved your review of the Garza Brother's "Christmas Spirit" CD. The best one out this year. And boy oh boy can they make music!!!

Nan up in Vermont

 

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Monday, December 15

Cathi's Reviews--12-15-08

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Estes, Sleepy John – “On 80 Highway-With Hammie Nixon” (Delmark) B+
Acoustic blue master Sleepy John Estes and his regular harp man, Hammie Nixon appear here in a 1974 performance. Estes has inspired hundreds of blues players and Nixon was his largely unsung expert on harmonica. Players in the know understand his tremendous influence on harmonica players who followed…his expert ability to back a guitarist/singer, yet not step on his parts…a fantastic support player. These two often worked with Hoosier great, Yank Rachel (on mandolin) and were troubadour who brought music up and down 80 highway and beyond. Wavery vocals on great topical songs and front-porch music of an era long gone. Good for all mixes.

Evans, John – “Lucky 13” (Smith Music) B+
 Labeled a country-Americana player, Evans is Elvis Costello, and maybe, uh…a cowboy Jr. Brown. Too tight suit, bow tie, deep voice and album cover consisting of a busty girl cartoonette with tattooed boob. I think there should be a special category…honky tonkin’ cartunes. He can be smooth…deep voice, comedy lyrics, very adept musicianship nearly obscured by funny songwriting, and skewed brain cells. Interesting at worst, lots of fun at best.

Howell, Steve – “My Mind Gets to Ramblin” (Out of the Past Music) B+
 Wonderful country acoustic guitar blues playing with a wonderful feel. It was so good, I worried the vocals might compromise it, but was pleasantly surprised. Minimal backup instrumentation though sometimes mix uneven. Guitar and “feel” of the old acoustic country blues are the stars here. Very nice to hear that music played with such finesse. Main vocal plain but not offensive, and sometimes assisted by sweet backups, and as I said—the guitar work is really good. Nice stuff for morning mix.

Rishell, Paul & Annie Raines – “A Night in Woodstock” (Mojo Rodeo) A
Acoustic blues Duo Rishell and Raines pull out their country blues live in Woodstock. Joined in a gig at the last minute by friends John Sebastian and Bruce Katz and a film crew (filming on the subject of old “jug music”) Annie and Paul put forth their usual great acoustic show, polished up with some great double harp, keys, Paul’s great guitar and vocal work, topped with Annie’s vibrant harmonica work throughout and an occasional original and lady vocal! Very nice for all mixes—a sterling live recording. It’s hard to put this stuff out live, but Annie and Paul always do. One of the best resonator guitar performances I’ve ever heard was Paul’s cover of Johnny Winter’s “Dallas,” but naturally right at the end Paul says “so much Shit in Dallas” and ruins it for radio play – FIE! Paul is almost a curmudgeon insisting on honoring traditional paying and he’s sure got the chops for it. And Annie has a delicate, appropriate support style that matches him perfectly. Fine stuff.

Various – “Fifty Five Years of Blues” (Delmark) A
Bob Koester sure has a lifetime of wonderful music in his Delmark catalog and I doubt blues and jazz lovers will ever be able to fully thank him for all the work he did to build and support music. Yet I suspect he had some fun along the way (!), and this is a short sampling of some of his great Delmark blues stars through the years. Some are Chicago stalwarts who never much liked to travel; others died too soon—many only recently; and some became world reknowned. This is a nice selection from that esteemed label—mostly tunes that were some of the artists’ best releases. A very nice cross section of Chicago blues—mostly good for all mixes.

posted by Cathi N @ 4:09:00 PM   0 comments

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