Cathi's CD Reviews 2-21-2010
Beachboys – “Summer Love Songs” (Capitol) B+I think the Beach Boys will not be allowed to die, if Capitol Records has anything to say about it. This is a remastered disc of old favorite Beachboy love songs. It’s nice for the old hippies like me to take a walk down surfin’ lane, but who know what today’s youngsters will think about it. A nice retrospective, although it left me hankering for “Little Deuce Coupe.” Nice for morning mix too. Oldies.
Bibb, Eric – “Booker’s Guitar” (Telarc) A
While in Europe on tour troubadour and soulful guitarist/singer/songwriter Eric Bibb met a man who offered to let him play the resonator guitar used by Booker White. Thrilled, Bibb played the guitar used by one of his main musical inspirations. Inspired, he immediately sat down to play and write. Bringing songs and inspiration home with him (though he had to leave the guitar), he teamed up with Grant Dermody, harmonica player extraordinaire from Seattle, and together, they completed this disc, dedicated to Bibb’s inspiration, calling it “Booker’s Guitar.” All songs are wonderfully crafted and suitable for all mixes. I’m delighted to hear such soulful renditions of both traditional and new favorites. Dermody’s harp work perfectly complements and fills when they are needed, and Bibb’s always-warm vocals and excellent guitar make this a fine tribute. Highly recommended.
Kansas City Blues Band – “Danger Zone” (Serenity Hill Records) B
Thirty-five years into playing, old friends get together to play a few old favorite blues songs (a genre not too frequently used in their separate 35-year-musical-travels). As a result you’ve got some serviceable playing, singing just on the other side of “been-there-done-that-and-lost-the-teeshirt”). This is what you get when some clown secretly tapes a basement get together (ironic label name). They’re playing nice, but without the hormones. Okay, but don’t let B.B. King retire yet.
Mischo, R.J. – “Knowledge You Can’t Get In College” (Greasland Rec.) B+
Ten CDs in, Mischo still demonstrates some good vocals and harp work that relies a bit too much on distortion for my taste, but he knows his way around. He pulls in some great assists here from Rusty Zinn on killer guitar, Kid Anderson on the solos Zinn doesn’t cover, Kedar Roy (infamously good stand up blues bass player) and other usual suspects, to deliver a pretty good disc. Mischo has the creds, but never quite seemed to cut through to the top shelf of blues harp and band-leading fame. Made a big name for himself in Minneapolis and then moved to the West Coast where he’s perculating along, but never really boilin’ over. Nice beat change-ups, some spots of greatness.
Moreland & Arbuckle – “Flood” (Telarc) C
One guy into the blues; one guy into electric rock and distortion, one guy poundin’ hard on drums, and these three turn a “power trio” into some pretty bashy, unintelligible rock blues. They bill themselves as very popular as a road-trio, but I’m not feelin’ the love. Not recommended.
Schmit, Timothy B. – “Expando” (UMG Recordings) B-
There are very few folks who can fill out a harmony vocal stack like Timmy Schmit (bass player for the Eagles), but as a lead singer/songwriter he is less adept. He writes pop-rock type tunes that are not bad, but not that noteworthy. As he himself describes in “Sacramento” he “isn’t particularly funky” but leans toward a breathy and melancholy vocal delivery. He does best work as part of a group of singers, as in # 2, where he joins with Graham Nash (among others) to sing great backup. His “Secular Praise” tune is possibly the best on the disc where he is backed up by the Blind Boys of Mississippi. In fact he’s gathered a roster of big names to help on this disc (Jim Keltner, Vandyke Parks, Keb Mo, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, etc.). The result is a Sunday afternoon kind of listening experience. Love that voice, but can’t highly recommend this one.
Tucker, Will – “Stealin’ the Soul” (Will Tucker Music) B-
Sixteen-year-old Blues guitarist—musically very adept, but weaned on SRV and Jimi Hendrix. Lots of wah-wah, baby vocals…big-ass potential on that guitar. Does some SERIOUSLY tired covers. Oh what 20 years is gonna do to those thin, but adept vocals! Plays regularly at BB’s in Memphis, but I think it’s because of guitar prototechnics, not blues soul. I have high hopes for this youngster, but this CD is more of a starter kit…Jeez he does Elvis too!
posted by Cathi N @ 9:27:00 AM
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