WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio

Blackman, Macy & The Mighty Fines – “Don’t You Just Know It” (Mamaru Rec.) B-

Old timer from the East Coast…studied music there in ‘70’s…took a side trip to New Orleans where he fell in love with their music and then ended up in California as a jazz teacher in Berkeley. Fond of old-time groups like the Drifters and Coasters, he was a road dawg for 15 years…befriending Dr. John and a bundle of others (including Keith Richards), and put together a side band to keep his favorite genres – New Orleans and 50’s R &B together. Good N.O. and jazz piano chops, backed by horns and fronted by Blackman’s not-so-great vocals, and peppered with some cool saxophone and jazz touches. A mix of old-time tunes and covers. Nice party band I expect.

Fowler, Damon – “Devil Got His Way” (Blind Pig) B

Twenty-five year old guitar slinger who definitely has the upper hand when it comes to making rock, slide and lap steel guitar do just what he wants them to do. He has an expressive voice, and can make things burn, yet retain a clear notion of musical/lyrical dynamics. In short, he knows when to shut up, and when to make it bleed. Though I am a little dubious about some of his song choices, I’m really likin’ his style and can only imagine how it’s gonna be as he matures.

Lauper, Cyndi – “Memphis Blues” (Mercer Street Records) A-

On a sampler CD (reviewed last August) Lauper introduced her collaborative effort at blues and this is the final 11-tune product. It’s tough singing gut-bucket blues with a clear rock voice, but Lauper pulls it off with the more-than-able assists of veteran musicians steeped in the genre. No flies on Cyndi, but it would be hard to mess up a collection of tunes backed by B.B. King, Charlie Musselwhite, Allen Toussaint, Jonny Lang, Amy LeVere and Ann Peebles. And mess it up she doesn’t. The authenticity of these players and her able backup band place this immoveably in the pocket. It is also interesting to hear a “pop/rock” (some folks refer to it as “Betty Boop sings blues) voice soaring over the top eyebrow raising, but in the final analysis…it kinda works.

Los Fabulocos – “Dos” (Delta Groove Records) B+

Kid Ramos is featured guitar player with this “Cali-Mex” musicical group formed in 2007 and now releasing their second CD. The musical blend of blues, zydeco, ‘50’s R & R, R&B, and traditional Mexican music puts them in a genre all their own. Rife with influences like Doug Sahm and southern two-steps this disc is bristling with Southwestern/Mexican flavor. Jesus Cuevas’ accordion skills are really something—never heard accordion play rock or kick those two-steps into high. Great musicians and a great example of a Americana music we often don’t hear. And of course Ramos’ guitar chops are killer. Grab a beer and let’s dance.

Mason, John-Alex – “Jook Joint Thunderclap – (Naked Jaybird Music) B-

Old-Time country blues is a specialized style of music that is being curiously mutated into something new-yet-old by the young folks comin’ up who admire it. One such is John-Alex Mason, a Colorado-born guitarist who grew up with a gospel background, got turned onto Johnny Winter, James Cotton and a raft of country blues masters. A European stint in the army found him busking solo electric blues, and now he comes together with Gerry Hundt—an up-and-coming electric harp player from Chicago, and some R.L. Burnsides grandkids (among others) to put forth his interesting renditions of new country blues…gone electric. His one-man band rig, backed with Hundt’s muscular harmonica plunges us into from the start, and then a variety of instruments and energies fill out the CD with an electric, front-porch party. It might come down from juke music, but it’s original, with a spoonful of almost everything else (Djembe, bolofone, mandolin, fiddle, electric cigar box—even rap). Interesting….what’ll they think of next?

Mo-Tones, Johnny & the – “Nothin’ to Lose” (Altenburgh Records) C

Wisconsin rock band that claim they play blues. They do pull off a couple of cool examples…a swingin’ jump tune and one serious shuffle, but mostly medium-appealing materials though musicianship is good. Not really recommended.

Price, Lara – “Everything” (Price Productions) C

Medium-like rock. Not terrible…not so good…not recommended.

Roomful of Blues – “Hook, Line & Sinker” (Alligator) A

The Legendary band keeps cookin’, currently with 8 members and stickin’ to their typical horn-laced, great guitar and vocalist, swingin’ blues. Members basically have to be complete experts at their instruments and with some real swingin’ corpuscles flooding their veins. Founded by Duke Robillard and Al Copley in 1967, more to-be-blues stars ran through their ranks than did the veterans of John Mayall’s band. But this is big-time swing and different kinds of chops are needed. Roomful turns out it’s usual class act here. In this incarnation vocalist Phil Pemberton dishes it out hot, guitarist Chris Vachou has a corner on fluid delivery; the horn section is tops and the rhythm section –dang it…they just cook. Mostly uptempo tunes.

Stubbs, Matthew – “Medford & Main” (Blue Bella Records) B

Power trio with Stubbs on guitar, often backed by horn section (Gordon Sax assists). Stubbs plays a variety of rock beats with horn section backup and a surprisingly pleasing mix of beats and feels. The horns fill a much needed support for his riffing and the backup of his bass & drummer. As a vocalist it may be harder for me to appreciate an entire album of originals/instrument-only music, though the players definitely know what they are going. It’s a Matthew Stubbs manifesto. He pulls characteristic sounds of Strats, Tele’s and Gibsons, but I think this disc will be most interesting to guitar warriors.

Blind Willy – “Willing to Crawl” (SPEC Records) B

Five-tune promo record featuring smooth-voiced male with big backup chick line-up. Nice backing band, heavy on the distorted, electric solo on some tunes…but overall pretty tasty. No information about artist on sleeve…music is promising. Hope to learn more.

Brom, Marti – “Not For Nothin’ (Ripsaw Records) A-

Midwestern (St. Louis) singer who loves Patsy Cline and rockabilly puts out a Cd that incorporates both (“If you’re gonna get gone…get a little goner.”). Very country and quite like Patsy, but she positions herself on the CD as a gun-totin’ moll. She’s campy (“Mascara Tears”) and doesn’t mind slingin’ her “H’s” in true Patsy style….a must for fans of that singer…and don’t forget those rockabilly touches (# 5). Wow.

Bonds, Gary U.S. – “Let Them Talk” (GLA Records) B+

Old ‘50’s and ‘60’s pop/rock singer Gary US Bonds has been determined to carry on his “party band” legacy over the years…and this offering is along those lines. Rockin’ lift-off with “Whine” and big horn/band backup and hangs in that vein for most of the record…nice power backup vocals by the ladies and support from his guitarist Mark Leimbach. Goin’ for the John Mellencamp/Bob Seger rockin’ dance title, and none-too-shabby an effort though rock songs (though well done) get to sounding alike. Still strong vocally and certainly backed by good musicians…a good rock effort.

Buster, Johney – “Don’t Drink and Drive” Single (Niki Records) B

Single reggae release from Jamaican hopeful. Nice enough but only one song.

Butler, Joe Blues – “Down on Beale Street” (Nikkie Records) C

Mississippian more into live entertainment…starts all the tunes talking to the audience. Vocals suggestive (“come get this $100—I got a job for you”) and mostly pandering to live-audience – good club entertainment I guess. Music not bad…not really recommended.

Dean, Christoper – “What I Need” (Lost World Music) C-

Band pursuing soul sound and R&B covers. Not bad, but not really air material. Not Recommended.

Duarte, Chris –Infinite Energy (Shrapnel Records) B+

Probably considered the current Stevie Ray Vaughan by many fans, Duarte really knows his way around, string-bending, wailing rock guitar. While he sure can nail some serious beats, he’s all over the solos a bit too much for my taste, but that’s me. God knows there are 10 millions string-benders who disagree. I can vouch for his abilities…they are vast. I am heartened that he lays down some cool grooves in between solos (smile). His vocals come down from screamata sometimes too. I’m a big Jimi fan and even dug SRV…so I love that string attitude and Duarte harnesses it just fine, but if you’re lookin’ for easy listening music this ain’t it. (There’s a reason his label is called “Shrapnel Records.”) By golly is this a good review for an aging hippie or what?

Easy Riders – “Long Way From Home” (CD Baby) C-

Rock blues tunes with lots of stops and arrangements which I’m not sure helps them. Musicians wandering in style till songs don’t really seem to achieve coherence for long. Not recommended…no offense.

Grand Marquis – “Hold On To Me” (Grand Marquis Music) A-

Music melded in the jazz/blues cauldron of St. Louis, this disc features the vocals and leading personality of Bryan Redmond and a band that teeters on the edge of jazz/Dixieland—altering tunes long known for being blues into some kind of big-band jazz…back-beat shuffles notwithstanding. Forties nightclub music for jump dancers and stiletto cigarettes. Blues-driven-jazz is how they bill themselves and that fits nicely…mostly uptempo stuff …interestingly different—lots of horns, guitar and swing vocals.

Hay, Claude – “Deep Fried Satisfied” (Claude Hay Records) A-

Austrailian player who wasn’t going to let the lack of fellow musicians stand in the way of his love of playing and electric blues…he just got good at playing slide, got a double necked guitar to do it twice as much; learned bass, drums, and computer looping, convinced a couple of girlfriends to do backups, and wham! He cooks up some serious blues-influenced sizzling music. Fancies fast & funky with a real genius for beat. His first album got him world-wide touring gigs, and introduced him to world FOOD. So he wrote a bundle of new blues-based rock songs on pizza love, and dang…put out disc #2. Light touch on that guitar picking and compelling beats. You can tell he has been woodshedding alone (check out his vocals that mimic his fast slide work on #2), but mo better for music. Really nice slide work and songwriting…original and cool…wait till he tastes my apple pancakes!

Hendrickson, Ernie – “Walking with Angels” (Ernie Hendrickson Music) A-

I have to say I want to hear anything Bo Ramsey (guitarist for Greg Brown/Pieta Brown) produces and that fact, coupled with the unshaven, grass-between-the-teeth look of this Iowan artist made me predisposed to fall in love. So I decided to be extra critical. Heh. Hendrickson jumped right in with his mellow-throated voice, interwoven with Ramsey’s guitar-painted touches, Kevin McKendree’s adept piano/vocals, and the pedal steel/vocals of Brian WIlkie and my resistance was immediately shakey. Hendrickson’s songwriting is simple with country folk touches. Strong vocals make his statements powerful. Thoughtful songs unabashedly delivered with the wild tenderness of the young. Eeek I’m in love…no fair, Ramsey.

Kinds, James – “Love You From The Top” (Delmark) B

Old time Mississippi blues man who covered the south as a gospel singer, moved to Chicago in the 50’s and worked steadily as a construction worker while hitting nightspots and rent parties to play his beloved blues nights and weekends. Kinds claims he worked more house parties and less blues clubs so didn’t find fame as did many of his contemporaries. He was shy of the club life as two different relatives were murdered via bars/night life. He moved to L.A. for awhile pursuing the blues (got snookered financially by Ike Turner in darker days); then settled in Iowa to be near his family. He’s experiencing a resurgence of love for his style/vocals and blues. On this disk, Eddie Shaw guests on sax. Kind’s famous vocals are in a range similar to Syl Johnson’s, and a little age-shaky, but he’s got the Chicago feel he has cultivated all these years. Lots of medium shuffles.

McNally, Shannon – “Coldwater” (Two Dog Media) B+

Southern gal with a voice that sounds at once nearly drunk and sultry, yet in the pocket. She’s described as a cross between EmmyLou Harris and Gillian Welch, which is a curiously adept description if you add a slurry delivery. Her vocals sail above a swampy blues backup band that plays back-seat rhythms with a twist of Dylan and Lucinda Williams. Weird huh? Yep., but hey the kind of different I can get into. This calls for a drink. Instrumentalists don’t overpower her – play tastefully and sometimes out of tune. How can you NOT dig this bunch?

National Debonaires – “Words are Like Bullets” (Blue Edge Records) B-

Kansas City band’s second disc featuring Dave “Elmo” Bailey on vocals, Patrick Recob (Gary Primich Band), and a variety of old bluesrs of the bowling shirt variety (lookout). Guests include Lee McBee on Harp, Mike Clark on sax. Decent Texas influenced, Midwestern blues. Mature gruff vocals and good instrumentation but just doesn’t grab me. Favor the slow ones with harp—got more feel to ‘em.

O’Dell, Chrissie – “If I Had A Dime” (DimeTime Productions)

Power shouter fronts an okay band…picks some nice beats for dance tunes, yet vocalist relies too much on power shouting…things begin to sound the same quickly. Not recommended.

O’Leary, Chris – “Mr. Used to Be” (VizzTone) B+

Former frontman for Levon Helm’s band, O’Leary puts forth some powerful yet smooth vocals to match his tasty harp work, and a blues set that has everything from retro blues to New Orleans and Rockabilly. Guests Bob Margolin, Bruce Katz add to the groove of his New York (very cool) sidemen. Very sophisticated blues…the kind that sounds easy, does hard. Band smokes and knows when to shut up (praise the Lord). Nice grown up blues and New Orleans shakin’.

Pitts, Joe – “Ten Shades of Blue” (Kijam Records) B

This disc is an expression of Pitt’s admiration for his major influences in blues – the Page/Clapton/Peter Green contingent, morphing into appreciation for the Allman Bros and then finally to their southern inspirations—Elmore James/Son House/Robert Johnson/Muddy. He dismisses calling it a cover CD –it’s a tribute (damnmit). Instrumentation is basic four-piece with some harp and slide guitar--more southern rock-blues with sustain guitar than gut-bucket blues. Guitarist influences heard in electric guitar solos. Nice club/road group—somebody’s got to do that roadwork (smile).

Powers, Luke – “Hwy 100” (Phoebe Clair Publishing) B-

“Somewhere between Ray Stevens and Capt. Beefheart” is how Powers describes his oddball songwriting style. It’s hard to doubt that with songs about wind-up toys ,the first bluesman to sell his soul to the devil, or a ballad about a bullet impregnating a civil war belle. Guess as a Nashville songwriter, he got tired of “she left me” tunes. His wry, shaky vocal delivery only seems to enhance the strange subject matter, and of course every imaginable backup musician wanted in on this song menagerie. Country touches on a McMurtry-like songwriting extravaganza.

Retro Deluxe – “Watermelon Tea” (Rinkled Rooster) B

Rockabilly and blues wedded in a groove that demands dancin’… gritty slow tunes, others sultry or fierce by turns…unevenly recorded, gritty vocals by singer Bobby Joe Owens (who pens songs and manages under the name Robert J. Thompson). Jimbo Mathus plays drums and produces this disc…Fierce, muscular attacks on those instruments, and no fear when it comes to holding a super slow beat…then there are those occasional silky chick backups or George Thorogood turns, alternating with all-out rock. Gut bucket, sometimes campy, but all-trash-can stuff. What a bar band…I vote yes.

Studebaker John’s Maxwell St. Kings – “That’ The Way You Do” (Delmark) B+

Studebaker John (Grimaldi) has been a Chicago stalwart for years and built a reputation with his band, the Hawks, in small clubs across the big shoulders city as an entertainer…loud slide guitar and revved up stage show. This didn’t always translate well onto recordings. He’s since pared down his players and settled on the interesting trio of two guitars (Studebaker plays guitar & harp and sings) and drums (who needs a freakin’ bass player anyway…I ask ya). Drummer Steve Cushing has also made the Chicago rounds yet is best known for his DJ prowess on his famous “Blues Before Sunrise!” show. Guitarist Rick Kreher is another Chicago sideman who was Muddy’s last guitar player. While John ‘s vocals are plain they hold things down, and the cool result of this pared-down band is a much greater concentration on the spare-direct feel of the blues. When he does throw down on slide, it’s got punch but my ears don’t bleed…big improvement to his recording style. In fact, I’m thinking of firing my bass player.

Whiteley, Ken – “Another Day’s Journey” (Borealis Records) B

Canadian folk-and-roots musician Whiteley teams up with a variety of musicians for a collection of folk and blues. Guy Davis figures prominently here on guitar, harp and backup vocals. Maria Muldaur steps in for a jug-band sound, and some of the Campbell family add to sacred gospel numbers. Record sounds like a modern hootenanny effort. Great musicians doing a sing-a-long you’d likely hear on Garrison Keillor and live radio. Has won award for TV soundtracks…this seems like that – popular music with touches of folk and blues.