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Sunday, March 15

Cathi's CD Reviews 3-15-09

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Fleetwood, Mick – “Blues Again” (529 Records) A-

British blues – it was always electric and rockin’ and Fleetwood was in on the roots of that movement. In early Fleetwood Mac Peter Green electrified this sound for a whole new wave of contenders. After all the pop years, he now brings in old friend (and hot guitar slinger) Rick Vito to help the cream of that sound rise to the top once again. Nice on the ears after years of slammin’ bashers. He can rock it in the pocket without too many notes or too many instruments—another lesson in spare but efficient. And atop this – it’s live and nicely mixed. Cool.

Lindell, Eric – “Gulf Coast Highway” (Alligator) B+

Alligator’s new wonderkid, Eric Lindell sings a lot like Van Morrison and it’s nice to hear someone with some great vocal phrasing and soulful expression. He’s also a good songwriter who is getting heavily influenced by the New Orleans beat and sound (his new adopted home). Most of these tunes are heavily backed by horns and arrangements. I wonder how some of them would be even more soulful without all that instrumental “cover” competing for listener attention. But I’m hanging in there for the long haul—it’ll be interesting to see where this great singer takes his music. He’s be a knock out as a soul singer. None too shabby as it is.

Schmidt, Danny – “Instead the Forest Rose To Sing” (Red House) B+

Newly signed and touted by Red House Records, Schmidt is a fanciful writer with some great “furniture” in his story-songs…typical for Red House Artists. Easy songs to carry your fancy aloft to melodious and spare guitar work backed some fiddle and harmony. Very nice for most mixes – most tunes of medium and slow tempo.

Walker, Seth – “Leap of Faith” (Hyena Records) A

Walker has really inspired Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson (two VERY great Nashville songwriters and performers) with his singing and writing abilities. Most tunes on this disc are written by Seth in partnership with Gary Nicholson. His vocal delivery is really rich and with this professional backup band, he really kicks booty. He does particularly with the midtempo, catchy beats that allow him to nurse infectious beats, but his voice really lets go on some of the slower ones. He can do the Sinatra-esque stuff in front of an orchestra (I Got a Song), but then lay back on a good beat (Memory Pain), that are always Nicholson specials. He’s got a little Jimmy Vaughan on those blues vocals, but a wider range overall. He does a little something of every beat here and they all got groove. Cool future for this guy and our ears.

posted by Cathi N @ 6:05:00 PM   0 comments

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Sunday, March 1

Cathi's CD Reviews 3-1-09

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Deena – “Somewhere in Blue” (Verbena Music) B+

Childlike vocals over somewhat disjointed songwriting. A little Blondie…then some country touches squeezed in between New York rock…I’m so confused! Ramblin’Dave “with your beautiful wife and your blueberry wife—why’re yu messin’ with me?” Followed by real country strains and lyrics that claim the moon’s “sunning itself in the cosmic wave?” Then back to New York with Science Fiction’s “Feel my telepathy…magnetic poetry” rock attack. New wave-country? You’ll have to figure this one out – I’m too old…even though I can’t help but be a little charmed in my confusion.

Ernie & The Automatics – “Low Expectations” (Open E Records) B

Six-piece old-time rockers kick out the jams a la Boston. They’ve been around the block and know how to kick it. A rock-screamer vocal adorns most tunes with some Eagles-sustain on guitar. Muscular drums and power cords backed by some horn touches. All playes adept--Chicago goes Eagles. Completely …rock (even # 7 which goes for a blues feel). Not suitable for morning mix…head-bangers delight.

Falzarano, Michael – “We Are All One ” (Woodstock Records) A-

Hot Tuna/Riders of the Purple Sage veteran Falzarano assembles friends (which include Jorma Kaukonen, Garth Hudson, and Vassar Clements among others) to put out his third solo disc of mostly originals. He’s definitely at home doing the medium tempo New Orleans grooves, mixin’ in some Band-like kickers, and some straight ahead rockers, with Vassar Clements accents in some strange places. Very cool collection of eclectic rock & groove with an amazing collection of amazing musicians (26!).

Fowler, Damon – “Sugar Shack” (Blind Pig) C

A straight ahead rock ‘n roller and road dawg. Nothing stands out. Not really recommended.
Some nice electric slide in places.

Freeworld – From the Bluff” (SwirlDisc) B

A big band from memphis picking up the horns, southern jam tradition. Got t’funk when they need it and trade off vocalists – some soulful, some funky . There’s even a little psychedelic running on here…all good instrumentalists…but the “melting pot” of sound doesn’t seem to come together for me. A little too 70’s horn band for my druthers.

Hall, Ricky Gene & The Goods – “Bam” (Yard Dawg Rec.) B+

Ohio-based trio with a bluesy approach to R&B/Rock based tunes. They do a couple Delbert McClinton numbers--their musical base seems akin to his. Players are older and definitely done their time. Lead singer plays guitar without all the electronic bells and whistles (only fingers – wow). Bass and drums keep the pocket solid throughout and the beat change-ups make this disc very listenable. Not that good for morning mix, but great for all other mixes.

Hart, Kate – “Alone Again With Friends” (Indie) B

Detroit singer backed by old time bluesers “Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones”. Lots of credentials for her live performances and a big blues beltin’ voice. This disc, filled mostly with original tunes, is studded with her world-weary vocal delivery that brings up a vision of her slouchin’ in a chair chain-smokin’ God-knows-what. She doesn’t mind laid-back phrasing on the slow ones which emphasizes her vocal confidence and conjures up a little Billy Holiday. Throws in some Bo Diddley that hints of legendary stage show (showwomanship doesn’t always translate in this recording). She’s got fingers in many pies, including a makeup and clothing line and some film work. Renaissance woman…she’s leakin’ talent…it remains to be seen what the forte will actually be.

Hundred Year Flood – “Poison” (Frogville Planet Records) C+

Quartet with two good female singers add the rate vocal balance that really puts over even pedestrian songs. A song here hints of Mamas & Papas; another of Buddy & Julie Miller rockin’ it; and of reminds me of Mamas & Papas, but all tunes (produced by Andy Kravitz) are definitely rock-based…not necessarily melodic, but interesting.
I can dance to it, but I wouldn’t necessarily give it a “76.” Not really recommended.

McDonald, Beth – “Home” (Classic Avenue Records) B

Nightclub chanteuse doing jazz-tinged ballad stuff for the cocktail crowd. Nice enough voice, but this road has been well…WELL traveled. Seems like a nicely crafted soft jazz record for happy hour. Not bad, but not particularly recommended. Most songs okay for all mixes if you feel like a martini.

Mumbles, The – “The Mumbles” (Mumbles) 2008 B+

Two members of a band were the only ones to show on a gig, proved they could cut it alone, thank you very much. An innovative duo of piano-voice and drums added a lady on guitar-voice and put over an edgy but cool sound of their own—Rickie Lee Jones’ nephews run amok. This EP is a testament to how sparseness can really deliver-great jazzy feel and catchy imagination. One or two songs feature some horn touches with guest brass, but overall is amazingly groovable.

Piper, Anni – “Two’s Company” (Blues Leaf Records) B-

Austrailian, bass playin’ singer fronting a band with an okay, smokey voice. Nice to listen to her vocal tones. Music is sometimes groove-worthy, but mostly kind of pedestrian blues of the rock-tinged kind. Okay – no cigar. Bet this lady gets a lotta guys to carry her amp though.

Pitts, Joe – “Just a Matter of Time” (Kijam Records) B for gtr; C for overall disc.

Guitarist noted for slide playing and his guitar work is certainly nice. Lots of guitar players are getting the hang of it, but what they do with that skill is the interesting part. Pitts has clearly found a smooth guitar tone and style, but his musical choices don’t necessarily stand out to me, and his voice is only adequate (no crime, but no cigar).
Not really recommended.

Studebaker John—“Waiting on the Sun” (Avanti Rec) B

Studebaker John (John Grimaldi) is a Santana fan and you hear a lot of that kind of guitar playing amidst the blues beds on which he rests his music. Okay songwriting…organ comping beneath his guitar antics….(guitar clearly his skill although he throws in an arsenal of instruments on overdub – harp, percussion, synth). He grandstands on harp—paid by the note no doubt. Though musicianship is adept and some of the songs invite dancing, I can’t say it really moves me one way or another. Not good for morning mix.

Wright, Rusty – “Playin’ With Fire” (Sadson Music) B

Lotsa references to “fire” all over the cover, promo and label of this disc. Hard not to know it means here is another guitar player Steve Ray Vaughan is gonna have to answer for. Disc kicks off with real evidence of same. Double vocals (male/female) are a different overlay to the incendiary guitar work that picks right up where SRV left off. Lots of sustain, southern rock and SRV. Interesting Hammond B-3 support work. Whole disc summed up with Change in the Weather’s “I’m gonna crash & burn and never learn, but what a ride.” Headbangin’ special.

posted by Cathi N @ 5:51:00 PM   1 comments

1 Comments:

At Mon Mar 02, 07:33:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

uhh, the quote you mentioned from the Rusty Wright Band CD is from the song "What A Ride" not "Change in the Weather". ...might be a good idea to listen to these discs for more than the first 30 seconds before writing your summary. You really missed a lot of good stuff. too bad.

 

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