WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio

Alabama Mike – “Tailor Made Blues” (JukeHouse Records) B

Bay Area blues artist with pretty large gathering of old-timers backing his vocals. Enlists killer bassist Kadar Roy (of Jr. Watson fame), and bari saxophonist Mike Peloquin to name but two. Seems like another band put together to back an older black singer. Solid musicianship and okay vocals, though his soul and R&B selections bump it up a notch (#6, 8).

Ghost Town Blues Band – “Dust the Dust” (Inside Sounds) B-

Three piece road band—rhythm section and front man (Matt Isbell) who plays all other instruments and sings. A ZZ Top-like group groomed with fuzz guitar and scattergun harp. Probably fun live and dancin’…pretty average with some interesting guitar on some tunes (#5), overdone on fuzz, wah-wah and slam on others (#7).

Holmstrom, Rick/Juke Logan/Stephen Hodges – “Twist-o-Lettz” (Mocombo Rec.) B

Old pals and blues wizards Rick Holmstrom and Juke Logan get together to indulge their weird musical fantasies – Juke with his wild 50’s-low-ridin’-rocker stuff mixed up with Rick’s space gitar rocker-dreams, backed by Hodges on all manner of drums to record a live “fun” recording at an LA club. Not typical blues fare. When they flip into blues—strangely to Shy Guy Douglas’s “Let’s R & R”—the machinery jumps right into motion. Sounds like they’re having a wailin’ good time with that crazy Juke…on harp and vocals all over the place. Recorded with mics all over the room, the mix is a little rough, but it’s clear they’re playing to fill the dance floor.

Lemon, Cathy & Johnny Ace – “Lemonace” (VizzTone) B

Renowned California entertainer and bass player Johnny Ace (Johnny Nitro and the Door Slammers) meets Texas blues singer Cathy Lemon. Ace, apparently quite a showman on stage, played with Victoria Spivey, Hooker Otis Rush, Charlie Musselwhite and here serves as backup in duets with the lady singer—also does intros to songs. Lemon added several things he missed—belting chick vocals, lyrics, etc. All songs here are their originals, and guests include Tommy Castro, David Maxwell, Kid Andersen, Paul Oscher and Ron Thompson. That’s some serious firepower for someone who unsmilingly calls himself “Ace.”Heh. Duet vocals are from the Bonnie/Delaney Bramlett school and guest artists bristle with stinging licks. Lemon is the big surprise here with powerful and clear vocals worth noting…supple and expressive (#3, 11).

Macaroni, Tony & Friends – “I Got Skills, Pt. 1” (Tony Macaroni Records) A-

Single tune release featuring Robben Ford. Tony “Macaroni” Lufrano sings a slow blues with horn and chick-vocal backup – the whole nine yards with Robben Ford on guitar. Don’t know if this is attached to a coming CD or what…it’s nice in a slow, big production way, and of course Robben is wicked smooth as usual. Give it a A-…and a little hope for a full record soon.

Mack, Daddy Blue Band – “Bluesfinger” (Inside Sounds) B+

Daddy Mack is a self-taught guitarist – torturing the ceramic tiles in the bathroom and his wife for hours a day until he got the “hang” of it…eventually playing with the great Fieldstones in Memphis. Relatives of Fieldstone’s artisty Wilroy Sanders joined up and they were soon cutting records. This is the fourth for the group who quickly ecame popular. The music is simple, the vocals expressive and sticks right there in the genuine blues pocket. Inspired by Albert King, I also hear some BB in his guitar attack. Shines on the slow ones.

Musselwhite, Charlie – “The Well” (Alligator) B+

Charlie leans mostly on his prodigious harmonica skills for this blues offering. As always they are great. Hiis guitar playing is actually KILLER as well, but he doesn’t feature that much (here only on # 7 & #13). His vocals have always been the weakest part of his show, but he’s not too shabby, and of course has a crack band backing him up (Dave Gonzalez and Mavis Staples, etc.). Nice back seat blues.

Various – “This is the Blues, V4” (Eagle Records) B-

Selected cuts from three projects done by producer Pete Brown (“Rattlesnake Guitar, the Music of Peter Green,” “The Knights of the Blues Table,” and “From Clarksdale to Heaven”) with a variety of blues-rock performers. British blues heritage as collected by Pete Brown. Many tunes more rock-pop than blues. Interesting (British) view of blues.

Vaughan, Stevie Ray – “Can’t Stand the Weather” (Sony Records) A

Re-release of SRV’s great stuff, some unreleased or alternate takes. First disc holds studio recordings and the second features some of those same songs done live in August of 1984. Although SRV has a BUNDLE to answer for with the 2 gazillion guitar wannabes that followed in his wake, there’s no denying something super special went on when he played. His blistering guitar here, backed by the wicked-sharp Double Trouble, deserves to be titled classic. What can I say – he lived up to his own worship of Jimi Hendrix and the blues. Great rock blues. Second disc lets listener in on crowd enthusiasm as all cuts are live. Go get ‘im.

Chapin Sisters – “Oh Hear the Wind Blow” (River Bottom Records) B+

This is a five-song opener for an album to be released in late August from two Californian sisters who on a lark took a boat ride with musician friends and recorded tunes they’d worked up as a vocal duo. Very breathy, enchanting singing – really inventive…leaving listener wanting more. Last tune in particular is the closest thing I’ve ever heard to Native American singing (from white counterparts). Very cool…all originals. Can’t wait for the August-end album. Good for morning mixes.

Cohn, Marc – “Listening Booth-1970” (Saguaro Records) B

A child in Ohio, Cohn spent a lot of time in the “listening booth” at the record store—a sadly missed location in many record stores today. Cohn spent following decades playing coffeehouse circuits, moving to LA and then to New York where he fronted a big horn band and served as a side- and studio-musician there. He made national news in a freak episode there when a carjacker shot him in the head. Recovered, Cohn picked up music once more, and here pays homage to the records he heard so long ago in the listening booth that birthed a musical passion that only grows with time. Very nice covers with a new twist. A good song works with many different arrangements and Cohn proves it here. His “Wild World” and “Tears of a Clown” really offer a different take on timeless standards. Liner notes feature complements from original artists. Good for all mixes.

Corritore, Bob and Friends – “Harmonica Blues” (Delta Groove) A

A dedicated blues DJ for years, Corritore played harp and went in with a silent partner to purchase the famed Phoenix “Rhythm Room”—one of the few blues clubs in the southwest that doggedly remained open through all economic climates. It gradually grew into a premier stop for blues artists and Corritore’s enthusiasm, radio support, and networking abilities soon had just about everyone playing the joint. Bob sat in often and as years passed became a good player in his own right. This disc bristles with guest artists like Koko Taylor, David Maxwell, Pinetop Perkins, Henry Gray, Eddy “Big Chief” Clearwater, Eddie Taylor Jr., Honeyboy Edwards, etc. all backed by Corritore on harp. Nice cross section of some great players and a good tableau for Corritore’s harmonica prowess.

Kashmar, Mitch & the Pontiax – “100 Miles to Go” (Delta Groove) B+

Kashmar, a talented harmonica player, first came to national attention when the fledgling label Delta Groove burst into action several years ago. But long before that he was a road dog with a band who wore out cars across southern California playing blues like they were on a mission. This disc is a reissue of a record they made under their band name, the “Pontiax.” One tune even features the late/great William Clarke in support. The Pontiax were fond of traditional blues with a gritty edge and you’ll find a lot of that on this disc…club worthy and yet ready to rock. Clarke’s influence on Kashmar is apparent in both his vocals (very like Clarke’s inflections and phrasing) and harp playing. Mature group/instrumentation that clearly reflects long experience and club work.

Madison Violet – “No Fool for Tryin’” (High Romance Records) B+

Female duo with very tight vocals over mountain-esque music. Folk music painted with an Appalachian brush and fluid harmonies. Minimally backed the vocals take the lead in each tune, artfully positions so that the sum is far greater than each part. Very nice. Good for all Mixes.

Stroger, Bob – “Bob Is Back in Town” (Airway Records) B

Bob Stroger occupies one of the premier seats as a bass player in Chicago blues—and well known for his snappy attire. Never too fancy with his fingerwork, he has been relied on for years as a sideman who will keep the sound right in the pocket. A recipient of many blues awards for his bass playing, he steps out here to front his own collection of Chicago players including Deitra Farr, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Kenny Smith, Steve Freund, etc. , and do the singing, something he rarely gets to do as a sideman. Nice low tones and laid-back phrasing and delivery akin to Slim Harpo.

Young, Zora – “Sunnyland” (Airway Records) B+

Chicago stalwart Zora Young and friends pay tribute to Albert Luandrew (Sunnyland Slim). Sunnyland was a legend on keyboards and an originator of the Post War Chicago Blues Sound—bringing a young guitarist (Muddy Waters) to a recording session at Aristocrat and changing the blues world as Chicago knew it. In later years he founded Airway Records and upon his death, his saxophone player, Sam Burckhardt (with Sunnyland’s widow’s permission) continued to keep the label alive. Here Hubert Sumlin, Sam, Steve Freund, Barrelhouse Chuck, and others who played many years with Sunnyland, back Zora on tunes they all did with him. Atop the traditional four piece, Burckhardt adds horn arrangements for a full sounding blues. Zora, a gospel artist for much of her career, has made a name for herself as a belter fronting many blues artists in the past few decades—a regular in Chicago.