WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio

Bonamassa, Joe – “Dust Bowl” (J&R Adventures) A

Guitar wunderkund Bonnamassa puts out his 12^th CD – with pumped up versions of some of his older tunes, and collaborations with John Hiatt, Vince Gill and Glenn Hughes. Each successive CD testifies to his growing prowess with guitar protechniques and high volume vocals. Seemingly effortlessly, he manages to push both to the outer edges of control, then draw them back—keeping excitement high. He does his mentor—SRV—proud. Bonamassa clearly loves his work and that passion is communicated to the listener. He ain’t afraid to bring it down acoustically too – every CD just gets smoother and better. He’s got the goods…and though he’s always classed as blues, I’d say he leans more toward rock, but who cares? Gill and Hiatt kick booty on their trademark “Tennessee Plates!”

Grana’ Louise – “Getting’ Kinda Rough! (Delmark) B

Midwestern belter, Grana’ Louise is relatively new to the blues scene, but taking it by storm. She’s entertaining live, which though it doesn’t always translate well to CD, garners fans wherever she goes. She’s got a full-throated voice and doesn’t care what genre her songs come from as long as they “speak.” This is her second CD and behind the first one she won the Chicago Blues Challenge and completed several European tours. Arriving in Chicago in ’98, Grana’ “inherited” Big Time Sarah’s band and their solid blues backing has suited her well as she stepped immediately into her role as a new female belter…Chicago singers whose numbers have sadly diminished in recent years. Her beginning songwriting efforts are crowd pleasers, though not necessarily too delicate (“Lead Foot Mama”; “Big Dick, MS”).

Rich, Richie & Chi-Town Blues Band – “From the Streets” (Chi-town Music) B+

Big-man, husky-voiced Chicagoian Rich (“Richie Rich”) Ryan steps out to sing vocals in front of Chicago musician stalwarts (Billy Flynn-gtr/mandolin/harp, Barrelhouse Chuck-piano, and Kenny Smith-drums, etc.). It would be hard to go wrong with that back up bunch…who pull off a change-up of nice blues throughout this CD. Rich’s gravelly voice gives the music a certain gin-soaked feel, and all tunes are his originals, but I’m not sure it stands up to the talents of the back-up miusicians. Billy does some of his rare and beautiful blues mandolin (#2), Smith keeps the beat absolutely solid, and Barrelhouse Chuck lipsticks up the solos somethin’ fierce. Sounds like it was a fun project.

Schmidt, Danny – “Man of Many Moons” (Red House) B+

Missouri-born, Austin-based singer-songwriter, Schmidt is indeed of “many moons.” After a short musical, commune-living, and recording career, Schmidt moved to Austin where upon being diagnosed with cancer, he wrote/recorded a CD to pay medical bills. It was highly successful (as was his cancer treatment) and long-story-short, he’s now signed to “Red House” and delivers this—his second—CD to major acclaim. His songwriting is imagery laden and rich, and his soft, minimal-instrumentation is the perfect setting for it. With largely just vocals and fingerstyle guitar, the CD also offers Ray Bonneville guesting on harp, and an array of vocal backups by friends. Nice listening..mostly midtempo tunes…good for all mixes.

Sicilia, Gina – “Can’t Control Myself” (VizzTone) B+

Young singer from Philadelphia who at 26 has sprung onto the music scene with ferocious publicity and on this – her third CD – garners the musical support of the “insanely talented” Dave Gross (who plays all instruments on this record but trumpet, sax and one lap-steel track). Gross’s reputation as a gritty blues artist/major talent is renowned, and he sure sets Sicilia’s liquid-but-weighty vocals off well. With supple voice in the neighborhood of Susan Tedeschi and a touch of Raitt, she tackles seven originals and three notable covers here. Sicilia garnered awards straight out of the box, and has stepped from straight blues to some country, a little Americana and on this disc…more soul and R & B. She’s certainly established a solid base for just about any direction she targets. She’s good lookin’ too – damn it.