Cathi's CD Reviews 2-8-09
Burton, Charles (Blues Band) – “Everybody’s Talkin’” (CB Blues Band) CRockin guitar slingerr with a bunch of fine hot licks, straight-line vocals that barely carry it, and a garage duo (bass and drums) backup. More rock than blues. The Guitar is clearly the meat and potatoes here…a road band.
Copeland, Shemekia – “Never Going Back” (Telarc) 2009 B
Bursting onto the Chicago blues scene shortly after the death of her famous (blues artist) dad Johnny Copeland, Shemekia wiped up the floor on first work with the Alligator label, but it was soon apparent she was discontent to settle in the blues niche – instead sticking in a little R&B tinged rock. This disc is the first she’s had out in awhile and on a new label—Telarc—and with a new posse to give her even more of a rock-popular sound (and a lot of their originals with instrumentations/arrangements). She’s still got the chops…it’ll be interesting to see how folding in her idea of different, socially conscious material will serve her. Interesting covers—Buddy and Julie Miller’s “Dirty Water,” and Joni Mitchell’s “Black Crow” (really stretchin’ her vocal ideas). She’s feelin’ around for her natural groove…not sure she’s located it yet.
Kent, Luther – “The Bobby Bland Songbook” (Vetter Communications Corp) B
Here’s a Crescent City guy who nurtured a life-long true love of Bobby Blue Bland, went through decades of his own career, earning all kinds of awards, and eventually revisits his love of BBBland with a host of hand-picked New Orleans musicians to back him up. Lots of horns and big arrangements behind his hearty and expressive vocals. He’s definitely taken big pages from Bland’s style, but interestingly enough, his own confidence and experience clearly keeps him using his own voice to try to honor his idol. Not really my thing, but not too shabby…it takes some serious mojo to sing this kind of stuff.
Lightnin’ Red – “The Groovemaster” (LR Productions) C+
A growling electric slide guitar approach to rock blues. Probably a good dancin’ and drinkin band with the organ giving it a different twist. A party band I’d venture to say, along the Allman’s Brothers line. Lightnin’ Red has an okay voice, and occasionally piles on some nice lady backup vocals, but overall, not that exciting. Not bad, but not really recommended.
Moreland & Arbuckle – “1861” (Northern Blues) C
Raw is a word that continues to come up in this group’s press. Unshaven is another word that appears a lot. It’s a trio of guys who play electric blues with a lot of distortion – on harp as well. A garage kind of blues from Kansas. Nothing harmful, but nothing really outstanding to me. I would call this a C grade blues and hope they have a lot of fun in the clubs. Not really recommended.
Morrison, Van – “Keep it Simple” (Exile Productions) A-
A mellow return to Van’s old gruff ballads and introspections. Sometimes a tinge of country and a little blues the melodies are overlaid with the haphazard soul that leaks out whenever Morrison opens his mouth. Still keeping it simple, but every once in awhile he hits it square on the head (#4) and knocks it out of the park. Interesting addition of things like banjo and mandolin on a few tunes. He sticks with the emotive slow ones that allow him to stretch. This is the voice of a guy who’s been there and back and leaning back under the shade tree. Good for all mixes.
Nemeth, John – “Love Me Tonight” (Blind Pig) B+
It’s always exciting when a young person jumps onto the scene with great natural vocals. Nemeth electrified the LA posse with his first blues disc.. Delta Groove stars backed him and he did serious wailing. This disc is him taking off on his own material-wise (though still carrying some heavyweight player-favorites like excellent Jr. Watson bassist-Kedar Roy). His songs are a little pop-worthy an occasional rock/blues edge. You can hear the potential he carries as a singer and he’s already a hot harp player, but I think he’s got some hijinx to work off before he settles down to songwriting that displays his talents to their potential. (He’s got some roadhouses to conquer.) That said…he’s got it going on in songs like “Fuel for Your Fire,” and the slow ones where he leaves from for his voice to get expressive and soulful. He nails it on #10 and #11.
posted by Cathi N @ 12:53:00 PM
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