Cathi's CD Reviews 3-14-2010
Blake Jr, John – “Motherless Child” (ARC) B-Jazz violinist Blake has moved back and forth between jazz and R & B throughout his interesting but not-too-predictable career. Here he joins with the Howard University Jazz Choir—“Afro Blue” and special guests Mulgrew Miller and Evelyn Simpson-Curenton to remake old African American Spirituals in a jazz bed. Strange and often discordant. I am not fond of it (though I admire some of the vocals), but I am as adept reviewing jazz as I am balancing a red hot pan on my big toe.
Bonamass a, Joe – “Black Rock” (J&R Adventures) B+
Another Stevie Ray Vaughan victim, Joe has made a big name as a rock guitarist who mostly sees blues when he eats his burger off a Muddy Waters’ disc. That doesn’t mean he ain’t a genuwine rock star. And okay—sometimes I hear a blues chord in there (especially when BB King joins him on #8). This record was made in Greece and it IS interesting to hear him overlay some interesting pipe/lute music over some of his stuff. I don’t know exactly where this cat’s going with his music, but I’m pretty sure it’s not in my neighborhood. But then…I’m old.
Gerald, David – “Hell & Back” (Indie) C
Okay… voice, okay guitar, doesn’t make me mad, but chills—nada. I guess that makes him an okay, very calm blues player that I don’t recommend.
Guitar Shorty – “Bare Knuckle” (Alligator) B
Shorty – (David Kearney) has been around a long time since his early days in Houston, and is best known for playing blistering guitar while simultaneously doing summersaults and God-knows-what on-stage. This disc is his tenth and loaded with great playing over some energy that’s hard to beat. Shorty’s guitar lipstick has its own character and he smears it all over everything.
King, Jason – “Blue Skies & Black Shoes” (Blind Raccoon/Hip-Rox Music) C+
Philippino (by way of Reno, NV) guitarist with promising guitar licks that particularly shine when he breathes out and plays the slow, soulful stuff instead of the over-the-top licks by the number. Tends to overplay and vocals are immature sounding. Not recommended, though I hope hard that he turns to acoustic music.
Manzik, Billy – “AllTogetherNow” (Indie)
Ontario troubadour with an unsteady voice boosted by some solid female backup vocals. He seems stuck between being a singer-songwriter and a rocker…never really settling in any one camp, and the mixture is odd. At times he has an interesting story-telling approach that would forgive a lot of oddity, and then he bashes it with a big beat. Not recommended I’m afraid.
Morvan, Laurie – “Fire It Up” (Screaming Lizard Records) B+
Lady guitarist’s first self-produced CD – gathering acclaim. Her picking is very adept , dipped in country but definitely on the rock side of the blues. Vocals so-so, but she carries it with songwriting, guitar, energy and nice backup vocals. An electrical engineering student with a pilot’s license and a full college ride on a volleyball scholarship (!). She graduated, took an LA aerospace job, and then dumped the whole ride to become a road dawg, playing southern/blues-rock. She fell under the Stevie Ray Vaughan wheels, revolutionized her guitar playing and started writing and putting out her own records. Got written up by Guitar Player magazine and now has won a Blues Foundation “Best Self-Produced” album award. Look out. Great playing, and backed with some nice harmony touches. Sure is nice to hear a girl-flash-guitarist.
Sauce Boss – “Hot ‘n Heavy” (Burning Disc Inc.) B
The eleventh Cd for this Foridian, electric slide player, which means he’s either rich, connected, or got something going on. I was surprised to find out it might be door number three. Sizzling slide guitar and lowdown beats punctuated by some trashcan/shout-y vocals and a food fetish. Party time. Leans on the rock side of blues and the lowdown side of Geo. Thorogood, but twitches those drunk-dancin’ shoes. (His last CD cover featured him in Chef uniform—and there are plentiful odes to grub--check out his short “okra lust”--#4 or briefer “give it up for hot sauce” #9.) Not a masterpiece but fun.
Thomas, Mickey – “The Bluesmasters” (Blind Raccoon)
Rock singer goes for the blues. Rod Stewart screamata approach. No thanks.
posted by Cathi N @ 5:06:00 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Thanks for review of Sauce Boss" "Hot n Heavy" CD. I can assure you that he is not rich by any means. This CD is not yet fully paid for. But we have a good little following and finance our CDs through sales. Bill "Sauce Boss" Wharton is a very prolific songwriter who wants to share his music with the world. Thanks for helping with that.
Best wishes,
Ruthie Wharton (Bill's wife)
http://sauceboss.com
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