Cathi's CD Reviews 3-24-09
Cotton, Roger – “A Long Way Back” (Note Music) A-Ah, old timers know how don’t they? This is a jazz player backed by big horns (featuring our very own – yes!—Tim Riggins) dabbling in blues and rock. Nice harp player and good musicians. I’m not always crazy about big-horn backup, but they keep it under wraps so they don’t overpower the tunes. Vocals pretty good and definitely out front. Good players..Buddy Whittington is a new guitar wizard in England (works with John Mayall) and he bursts out in “No Time For You” with guns blazing on that solo. A disc of adeptly produced and executed blues and a few pop-rockish tunes with an expressive vocalist and jazz inflections (in other words…lots of side dishes). Cotton is foremost a keyboard/organ player—check out the moody, classical-like “A Day in New York”—very textured for about 3 mins. moving into a pop arrangement. 31 flavors on this disc.
Ealey,Theodis – “LIVE” (IFGAM Records) B+ risque
Mississippi blues player – one of 11 children, Theodis played with a few of them from time to time, but has carried his own rep as a lively blues entertainer as well as a player and a great blues singer. This disc was a recording of a live birthday party – and it gets blue in more ways than one. Even the ones that aren’t mentioned as “explicit” (# 7 & 8) are suggestive. This a live performance with a lot of catering to the audience. He’s suggestively descriptive (#2, 3) and goes from there. A fun party blues gig…not sure about radio.
Pitts, Joe – “Just a Matter of Time” (Kijam Records) B
Hailed as one of Arkansas’ best guitarists, Pitts steps right into the electrified Allman Brothers blues rock shoes from the git go. Songs mixed with his electric slide out front…vocal in back, letting listener know immediately this is a guitar player who sings not vice versa. Songwriting has heavy power chord arrangements throughout in the Southern Rock tradition which he handles well. Vocals a little shakey but this is the kinda music you listen to half in the bag so who cares. This here is an old Zep fan with funk tendencies. When he lays back on blues (#8) his guitar really sings. Morning Mix—not so much.
posted by Cathi N @ 2:33:00 PM
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