Cathi's CD Reviews 4-4-09
Flowers, Mary – “Bridges” (Yellow Dog Rec.) B+After 20 years in Colorado acoustic blues-stellar fingerpicker,Mary Flowers moved to Portland and found herself immersed in an eclectic musical scene, both acoustic and electric. Here she dabbles with some of Portland’s premier musical figures. She plays such great acoustic guitar and writes nice rags, against which her vocals really don’t stand up well (sigh), but there’s some wonderful playing, backed on many tunes by her son on bass and peppered with a variety of unusual arrangements on everything from banjo to tuba. Many of this disc’s songs are reflective of her move and travels. Beautifully backed by talented musicians. Truly a wonderful player…instrumentals are hard to match. All songs good for mix…
Johnson, Shirley – “Blues Attack” (Delmark) B
Shirley Johnson has been working the clubs in Chicago since 1983. She’s a regular in the clubs and is here backed by some of her regular Chicago players. Johnson doesn’t like to travel, but holds a steady blues line in the blues city. From the same vocal school as Koko Taylor, Johnson doesn’t stand out that much but holds her own as a blue-city representative and specializes in mid-tempo club blues – most suitable for morning mix.
McGee, Pat – “These Days (The Virginia Sessions)” (Rock Ridge Records) C+
Rock band with accents on heavy harmonies that don’t hurt a bit over pop-laced originals. This is a mostly opening, cruise-workin’ road band. Seven years on a “big” label, now working for an independent and pushing the AAA format a la Dave Matthews, but songs sound he same-ish to me.
Shelton, Big Joe – “Black Prairie Blues” (4 Alt 5 Records) A-
Sounds like a house party..live wirin’ behind Big Joe’s straight-ahead harp, and rough-edge vocals. Big assist from Lynrd Skynard bass & guitarist – Ean Evans. Kicks the energy up a notch and drummer falls under the spell too. This is an electrified get on your feet dance record. Raw-edged blues rock. Also a nice guest spot by Willie King on # 8. Can’t decide if it’s more blues or rock, but for sure this is a juke rockin’ bunch.
Smith, J.C. Band – “Defining Cool” (Cozmik Records) B
Big Band blues with horns, led by “Johnny Cozmik,” a blues caller who does a daytime DJ thing on KKUP FM radio. He’s a shouter as a vocalist, perfectly serviceable, but I suspect this group goes over as a big band with a flashy dressin’ front-man (the only time I’ve ever seen thanks on an album cover given to a clothing store—and press talkin’ that aspect up so big). Calling himself “Mr. Fabulous” and his album “Defining Cool,” methinks he protests his prowess a bit over-much, but hey – whatever gets you through the gig. Don’t think he’s got much on Duke Robillard or B.B. though.
St. John, Mark – “Big Man Talks” (Little Eva Peron Records) C-
I thought this was a joke. I think this guy is a Shaggs brother or something. Eeek. Not recommended.
Too Slim & The Taildraggers – “Free Your Mind” (Underworld Rec) C
Rock with a slammin’ drummer even on the slow ones. Most are medium tempo rock with some sustain lead and kind of a talk vocal. Power chords over not much in the way of song construction. Nice lady backups from time to time. #4 & #6 sport “bitch” and “hell” in the lyrics. Last tune has nice lady vocal.
posted by Cathi N @ 7:46:00 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I have listened to Too Slim and the Taildraggers Free Your Mind.. Did we listen to the same CD? I never heard "Bitch" in the lyrics and Been Through Hell is not really sporting a profanity? Song Construction sounds really solid to me. I think this is a fantastic CD.
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