WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio

Anderson, Pete – “Even Things Up” (VizzTone) A-

Guitar master (long tenure as Dwight Yoakam’s guitar player, and grammy award winning producer, this Michigan native busts out from time to time with his eclectic interests. Loves blues though and dives in when he can. This is billed as his return to get his blues ya-ya’s out. No matter what style he tries, he sure has interesting ideas of guitar work…always something new added…a guitarist primer of sorts. He’ll play some boogie, and throw in some country chords, a little space music…he’s all over the place and brings it on home in style. Bristles with styles. Check out the Booker T stuff on cut 2—interwoven with funk and a touch of rock. Then moves right into a Latin beat with a twang (#3). And later – some cool guitar and vocal acoustic numbers. Interesting. What a player--this guy just won’t be tagged.

Big Head Blues Club – “100 Years of Robert Johnson” (Ryko Records) B+

Movin’ up on legendary Robert Johnson’s 100 birthday, the group “Big Head Todd and the Monsters” put together a combo with assists by BB King, Hubert Sumlin, Honeyboy Edwards, Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster, Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm to present some of Johnson’s song with the accent on the originator’s depth of emotion—not just one more (of thousands) remake by a blues band. This tribute album will be supported by a national tour (“Blues at the Crossroads: The Robert Johnson Centennial Concerts”) with many of the session participants performing. Backup is minimal, both electric and acoustic, which allows for more expressive presentations (stated as their goal here). Big Head Todd vocalist Todd Park Mohr sings most tunes with wavery vocals reminiscent of Johnson.

Big Shanty – “Collection” (King Mojo Records) C

Electric fuzz with volume and a shout-talk, gravel-rough vocal over plain songs revved up with electricity. Probably great for a biker convention. Not recommended for WFHB.

Blackwell, Jody – “Come & Gone” (Trespass Music) C+

Singer songwriter with a Carole King sensibility. English teacher and folk-club performer at night, Blackwell melds melody and a sweet mid-range voice into this collection of pop-folk and mellow listening disc. Relaxing, but nothing really stands out.

Hunt, Kelley – “Gravity Loves You (88 Records) B

Shouter singer, piano player and songwriter Kelley Hunt spreads her music around, throwing her voice around with abandon, bringing a sense of excitement in her live performances (check out #2 with her vocal slides up and down). Her style is mostly gospel-tinged R & B as she accompanies herself on piano. Songs tend to have a bit too many pop-key changes and odd transitions to be natural-sounding to my ear, but she makes them work with those expressive vocal chops.

Midnight Shift – “Rhythm, Rockin’ Boogie” (Cabernet Records) C

Pennsylvania four-piece (Gtr/harp/badss and drums) that plays a nice change-up of beats and okay musicianship with okay vocals, but nothing that stands out in particular. Not recommended for WFHB.

Sugaray – “Blind Alley” (Independent) A-

Six-foot five, hefty Texan (Caron “Sugaray” Rayford) has a voice to reckon with. He steps off immediately with testifying…vocalizing a remembrance to his single mom, who died of cancer, raising her boys. This leads into a stellar vocal of Son House’s famous “Death Letter.” He really puts over that vocal, and uses minimal backup while letting the amazing voice put over the feel. Band pulls its weight just fine (even backup horns and lady backs for smooth-voice contrast). So nice to hear great vocals driving the bus. Growing up mostly raised by his grandmother, his roots are in gospel in soul, but a decade ago, he moved into singing blues in his hometown—San Diego. After achieving notoriety there he moved to L.A. where he’s become a regular on the blues scene—especially leading a regular weekly jam with his newly founded Sugaray and the CK All Stars where he is accounted as being quite an entertainer as well as vocalist. Two tunes by Al Kooper and one from the great Arthur Adams only make this disc better. I ‘spect we’ll be hearing more from this guy. This is a great start.

Taylor, Larry – “Blind Alley” (Taylor, Larry – “They Were in This House” (Wolf) B

Step-son of famed Chicago guitarist Eddie Taylor, Larry grew up around the masters of the urban Chicago blues…Wolf, Muddy, Jimmy Reed & Elmore James were often jammin’ there or pickin’ up on Larry’s mom’s good cookin’. Larry played drums whenever he could and as a teenager, went on the road with blues bands. At 21 he toured with Lurrie Bell and other “Youngsters” of the blues. Then he decided to front a band and get into singing as well. This is a CD released of his music, honed in 30 years of road work. Chicago pals (Eddie Taylor Jr., Johnny Moore, Eddie Shaw, Willie Kent, John Primer, and a pile of others jumped in to help. His singing is of medium quality, overshadowed by the kickin’ backing of so many great musicians.

Various – “Alligator Records 40^th Anniversary Collection” (Alligator) A-

Forty years of putting out good blues is indeed something to be proud of, and Bruce Iglauer trots out some of his more memorable stars with special hits. Good stuff throughout – largely urban Chicago, electric blues, but some of the best—both old and (more rock-n-roll new).

Wilkins, Rev. John – “You Can’t Hurry God” (Fat Possum Records) A

Son of blues & Gospel singer Robert Wilkins, John grew up in Tennessee and has ministered for years to people of Northern Mississippi and Memphis…just now putting out his first CD…on the subjects he most loves—the lord and gospel-blues. Laid back and soulful vocals over minimalist backup – these tunes speak loudly for all the feeling in them. Back porch gospel and boogie, then moving ballads with guitars sometimes out of tune, but who cares?!?. This is absolutely a golden album!

Williams, Jason D.– “Killer Instincts” (Rockabilly Records) B

Son of Hank and Marie Williams, Jason went big-time for Jerry Lee Lewis and took up piano, leaving home at age 16 to tour with Sleepy LaBeef. Took lessons from Memphis Slim and writes killer, comic, white trash songs. Kicks off CD with an original facing the “music” (“everyone wants me to be like Jerry Lee”). He describes his life as “cartoony” and he sure writes outrageous lyrics and lives on the eclectic of wild. Bet he’s a gas to see live. Throws in Todd Snider, Amy LeVere, and Bobby Bare Jr. in on background vocals…and song titles tell it all.

Davidson, Terry & The Gears – “Damnation Blues” (Blue Skunk Music) C

Flat-out rock with an occasional blues chord. Mostly tequila-drinking, Rolling-Stones smashin’ rock and roll. Probably a great dance band behind some serious shots…not, however, recommended for WFHB airplay.

May, Willie – “Blue Decade” (Willie May Music) C

Gruff-voiced singer backed by band with good players and James Cotton sits in on harp (#7). Nice lady singer who sometimes duets with Willie. Overall, though, the music isn’t very compelling. Can’t recommend it.

Popa Chubby – “The Essential Popa Chubby” (Blind Pig) B

Little Ted Horowitz has been knockin’ those rockin’ guitar stingers back again…this time he lays in a few less than blastin’ tunes in the mix, but sticks to his usual bad-attitude rock ‘n roll….with an occasional blues chord (I think it’s a “G”). Still good for the rockers and guitarists who want to get down—right NOW damnit. A little more of a dynamic selection of tunes than usual (check out #6 for instance). Adept guitar playing and lots of it (also as usual)…this time with back-up vocals and a little more philosophy in the lyrics. Though fans probably think if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…I think this is an improvement. Mostly rock though – t’ain’t blues.

Wolf, Todd – “Live” (American Home Entertainment) C

Live renditions of slam, distorto-guitar and head-bangin’ rock tunes…..Jim Dandy to the rescue…not recommended for WFHB.