Cathi's CD Reviews 4-4-2010
Dermody, Grant – “Lay Down My Burden” (Independent) A-This disc does not fit into a category. It’s a journey of styles, bluegrass, country and blues in traditional styles but with that indefinable something “new” added by the arrangements and excellent harmonica work of Grant Dermody. Made during three years when four people central to his life died one-by-one, “it could’ve been a dirge,” Grant said, but instead it is an array of sparely presented, but completely in the pocket music. It’s a banquet (says liner notes writer Phil Wiggins—a harp player himself) of traditional country blues, gospel, magical harmonica duets with the likes of Joe Filisko and Mark Graham, blues with old-time masters like John Cephas, John Dee Holeman and Louisiana Red, an acapella Stephen Foster song, and even a Buddist prayer/mantra, backed by harmonica and dobro. Produced by good friend and master musician Orville Johnson, it really is something special…the kind of thing maybe not the most popular in today’s market, but excellent in arrangement, instrumentation and presentation.
Fletcher, Kirk – “My Turn” (Electrogroove Records) A-
This young guitarist caught the wave of blues lover early and with his sense of traditional blues, hot licks and taste, soon secured a space as guitarist for the Fab T-Birds, and as lead player for Charlie Musselwhite. His creds were impeccable, and he was soon a steady member of the studio-posse for Delta Groove Records on the West Coast. However, when he got time to breathe, he began to re-explore some of the other stuff he loved comin’ up and together with Larry Carlton’s son Travis, went into the studio to try a collection of these interests. This disc reflects that collection. A little bit of many different things, it’ll be interesting to see if he settles into any single thing. He’s got a great feel on that guitar and pushes the groove in every one. For the first time he sings on a few numbers…looks to be an ever blossoming talent.
Grace, Jack – “Drinking Songs for Lovers” (Radia Records) B
Very cool musicianship on a record made for alcoholics with a sense of humor and sheer dedication to being soused. Song titles give a great picture of their content—mariachi music and love songs to Jack Daniels, broken hopes and trashcan adventures. In fact, John Sebastian gets into the spirit on one cut and I believe he was the one that said the song titles alone ought to get Jack G into rehab. This band is probably a great bar band. Eclectic (and nicely played) songs with rough vocals and a heavy dash of hopelessness casually tossed in. Not for morning mix I’ll warrant.
Mannish Boys – “Shake for Me” (Delta Groove) A
The Mannish Boys are a group with a few core-, but many changing members, mostly picked by Delta Groove CEO and harp player, Randy Chortkoff. This label, sister to “Electrogroove” which houses his blues rock players, concentrates on traditional blues, using both old and new musicians dedicated to that genre. Old-time singers like Finis Tasby, Bobby Jones, Johnny Dyer and Arthur Adams put in deeply rich and mature vocal touches on most tunes, backed by guitar flamers like Kid Ramos, Kirk Fletcher, and Frank Goldwasser; harpists like Rod Piazza and Lynwood slim, and backed by killer rhythm sections featuring Fred Kaplan on piano, Willie Campbell on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. It would be hard to go wrong with this lineup. If they commit any sin, it’s having too much of a good thing in every tune. Still, there is much here to delight and celebrate in the real blues feel. Covers really do cover the waterfront…Bo Diddley, Lowell Fulson, Little Walter, Ray Charles, Wolf…you name it. Nice to hear traditional gut-bucket blues so well represented.
Rhythm Angels – “Girls Like Us” (High Horse Records) A-
Two talented ladies from the wide prairies and canyons of Colorado and Montana meet at the Bluebird in Nashville, TN while taking a shot at songwriter dreams. Spontaneously they back each other vocally and the place explodes. That happy accident brought together a beautiful thing as the ladies find big audience success wherever they tour. Both acoustic guitarists they gather some great musicians on this record, recorded in Nashville and produced by Wyatt Easterling and present a really solid, enjoyable listen, with plainly amazing vocals—whether singing lead of backup. Interesting as well as delicious – good for all mixes. Good songwriting too – dang it.
South Memphis String Band – “Home Sweet Home” (Merless Records) A
Three Mississippi musicians pretty well known in their own right (Luther Dickinson-North Mississippi All Stars and the Black Crowes; Alvin Youngblood Hart—eclectic player of blues and rock; and Jimbo Mathus—Squirrel Nut Zippers) come together to play old-timey, jug-band and string blues. This is really a marvel of a record. They call this a pre-blues era roots sound” and I guess that’s an adept description. What is great is how they meld banjo, mandolin, guitar and dobro into this uniquely new-old presentation. I love it. Hope it gets the popular acclaim it deserves. Most tunes good for all mixes.
Traveling Mabels, the – “Traveling Mabels” (Traveling Mabels Rec.) B+
Three Canadian lasses gather very talented musical friends and put out a first album, ripe with tight and beautiful harmonies, excellent musical arrangement and a sense of humor in songs reflecting their lives and experiences. “Smolder Blues,” for instants comically laments maturity forcing the singer to smolder, not burn. Many other tunes are about relationships and “Alberta Blue” is a tantalizing love song to their native Canada. Very easy on the ears, and good for all mixes. I’d call it Americana but these gals is Canadian!
Woodleg Odd – “One Step Ahead” (Woodleg Music Norway) A-
Norwegian band (named after the drummers’ wooden leg) has always packed a tasty blue-rock punch with quirky, yet urban-groove. On this, their fifth release, they’ve picked up a booty-kickin’ vocalist – Adam Douglas (formerly with Watermelon Slim, the Groove Hogs—who adds yet a whole new dimension to their smooth blues-rock delivery. He’s hollars, pulls it back into melody and still manages supple and expressive phrasing--all too rare in the shouters. This time around Woodleg Odd adds horn back-ups too to give the band more punch. Classy guitarist and arrangements that never step on each other – refreshing. Not great for morning mixes, but sure nice for the blues –rock-with-class section.
posted by Cathi N @ 11:15:00 AM
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