Cathi's Reviews 6/8/09
Earl, Ronnie – “Living in the Light” (Stony Plain) AGuitar wizard Ronnie Earl wrangles yet another album of great playing…sometimes with guest vocalists (Kim Wilson, Dave Keller, and even a big choir on cut 5) but mostly just doing what he loves best – long instrumentals. This is a guitar player’s album—long arrangements of guitar drenched tunes, well played. It’s hard to beat Earl’s tone and assists by Kim Wilson seem to be more acoustic and old-front porch country blues than the urban kind with which he is usually associated. Earl’s contemplative interpretation and expression of the blues continues to set him a cut above the majority. An all around good record…good for most mixes.
Kane, Candye – “Superhero” (Delta Groove) A-
Candye Kane came through a terrifying bout of pancreatic cancer, almost against her own belief and certainly to the doubt of thousands. She describes her amazing adventure in this latest CD—a CD she never thought she’s ever be able to do. It sports a few songs penned with attitude about surviving and the usual cluster of Candye’s general sassy attitude. Ten of 15 are originals, and I confidently say she’s back into her stride—clean vocals, with a bit more sober tones on some of the song, but attitude breaks out intermittently just the same. I’m glad she made it.
Piazza, Rod & Flyers – “Soul Monster” (Delta Groove) B
On his four-thousandth and tenth album, Rod still pulls out all the stops and does great blues, using the talented Miss Honey and some great players to back him up. Bill Stuve is not with the group for the first time practically since its inception which feels strange, esp. since Miss Honey is playing bass on the piano. Nice feel, though Rod still drives me crazy with that distorto harp sound he uses too frequently (what can I say – I like clear tones). Henry Carvajal pulls off some stellar guitar work. Whole album though doesn’t break any new ground and is one of Rod’s more medium efforts.
Robillard, Duke – “Stomp the Blues Tonight” (Stony Plain) A-
Whooeee…old T-Bone Walker guitar player types – they just get better with age! Duke has been driving that big horn blues band sound for years, overlaying it with the smoothest arsenal of guitar styles imaginable. He runs to swing and jazz, but when he settles into the pocket (#2), it just doesn’t get better. On this disc he again demonstrates his faultless guitar attack—so laid back it makes me a little drunk. However, when he lays the lady vocal over the top, maybe it’s me, but it kinda dulls the impression. Great players…duke needs John Hammond back as lead vocalist.
Various – “All Star Blues Revue – Live at Ground Zero, Vol. 1” (Delta Groove) B-
Delta Groove label head Randy Chortkoff puts together a 2-disc showcase of the label’s artists as thrown toether (Live) around the country at various music awards ceremonies. Both discs feature the label’s roster with their main groups, but often personnel switches off to back one another. Potpourri Delta Groove. It is chock full of great players, but the live intros and talking, etc,. make it uneven. Probably great live. Not all that great for morning mix.
Various – “All Star Blues Revue – Live at Ground Zero, Vol. 2” (Delta Groove) B-
2nd disc of a 2-disc set of Delta Groove/Randy Chortkoff’s live artists’ showcase from his label. This one too has a lot of intros and commentary in it, but it’s live. Jackie Payne & the Mannish Boys pull of this discs best tunes…but this collection, like Volume 1 is pretty uneven…most tunes not recommended for morning mixes.
posted by Cathi N @ 9:21:00 AM
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