WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio

Burke, Solomon & De Dijk – “Hold on Tight” (Verve-Forecast) B+

Solomon Burke, one of the most influential soul singers since forever, died last year, going out as many a musician might hope to--en route to a gig. These last few years he’d been stretching out in/with different musical styles/musicians (“Nashville” etc.) making just about every style of musical soulful. This one—largely rockin’-- is the result of a four-year association with Dutch rock and roll band—De Dijk. Co-writing most all tunes on this—De Dijk’s first album in English—Solomon Burke undauntedly fronts an 8-piece, European R & R band with aplomb, though for my money this band sometimes crowds the musical landscape. They’re good though. Burke’s daughter Cindy and granddaughter Sophia provide backups and he claims to here be “at last a full member of a band.” Only Solomon could make a soul tune out of “Text Me.” We’re sure gonna miss this guy.

Gray, Henry – “Lucky Man” (Blind Pig) A

Blind Pig is re-issuing some old blues recordings now and this one features New Orleans/Chicago blues pianist Henry Gray who became renowned in Chicago beginning with a 12-year stint as Howlin’ Wolf’s pianist and then went on to back up just about everyone there on recordings before dropping out of the scene for a couple of decades (when he worked as a roofer in Baton Rouge for 15 years (!).Yet, like many before him, he re-emerged to great acclaim later in his life. These sessions were recorded in the late ‘80’s and demonstrate Gray’s great rollin’ piano work and some wonderfully expressive vocals over GREAT blues. He’s got the creds, the abilities and only in the 90’s came to prominence as the star, not the sideman. A great player and bluesman…we miss him.

Rachell, Yank – “Blues Mandolin Man” (Blind Pig) A

This is a re-release of Yank’s 1986 recording (Random Chance) featuring Bloomington’s own Pete Roller, Lenny Marsh and harper Peter “Madcat” Ruth, along with Yank’s granddaughter Sheena on bass. Tight album from the old-time mandolin master who played with Sleepy John Estes (and Hammie Nixon) for 40 years, paired with Sonnyboy Williamson and moved from his native Brownsville (TN) to Indy in the ‘50s, where he died and was laid to rest. Arguably one of the best blues mandolin players on the planet . Roller provides beautifully supportive slide guitar work along with Madcat’s soulful harp and Sheena/Lenny’s solid rhythm section driving the bus. A great disc…and a wonderful man. Good for all mixes.

Sullivan, Quinn – “Cyclone” (Under the Radar) B+

Whiz kid Sullivan is the young guitarist who appeared on Ellen Degeneres at age 6 and wow’d Buddy Guy on stage at age 8—copying his guitar licks fearlessly and taking the crowd by storm. Championed by Buddy, Quinn was quickly launched (managed by Guy) and now at age 12 has already shared the stage with Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks and who knows who else. This disc features an original Buddy Guy tune and 11 of renowned songwriter and producer Tom Hambridge. This kid is taking the place by storm, though it’s strange listening to some ripping guitar and a wicked back-up band with a little boy’s voice fronting the storm. He’s already dangerous with that wicked guitar; when his voice changes, he’s gonna be lethal. This disc is a rocker with some alarming pop tunes.

Thackery, Jimmy and the Drivers – “Feel The Heat” (Indie/Telarc Distrib) B+

Guitar samurai Thackery, a Pittsburgh native, grew up in Washington, DC where he became known as the blistering guitarist for the Nighthawks, with whom he worked for 13 years and recorded over 20 albums. In 1987 he launched himself as a front-man with various power trios (Jimmy Thackery and the Assassins, Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers) and remains at the top of his game with muscular blues guitar work that takes no prisoners, makes no apologies and also nears the 20-album mark. A glutton for road-work, Thackery is recognized as one of the premiere blues-rock guitarists on the scene today. His vocals are adequate and his songwriting continues to progress (he writes 10 of the 12 tunes here) though I find these tunes a strange collection. It’s his guitar work that still soars and is his true gift.

Various – “The Best of Mustique Blues” (Wolf) B

Every January in Mustique (West Indies) Basil’s Bar (which boasts a stage surrounded on three sides by beach and water) hosts a blues festival for charity. It began with the love of the blues, and the hope to raise money to pay for children there to go to school. This disc is a collection of the best performers of the last 15 years—performing live. Produced by Dana Gillespie (blues fan/player) and the bar owner, Basil Charles, who for his charity work was subsequently awarded an O.B.E. by the Queen. Not bad for blues eh? And a bad collection of blues from a wide variety of players.

Vickers, Brad & His Vestapolitans – “Travelin’ Fool” (ManHatTone) C

Ball, Marcia – “Roadside Attractions” (Alligator) B+

Marcia Ball chuckles at an old bluesman’s warning: “Women are too smart to stay long in music.” She’s been at it nearly 40 years…through many albums on the Rounder label and with Alligator since 2000. She’s a road dawg too…loves performing and although based in Austin, TX, she’s away more than home, playing that East-Texas-Blues-Meets-Louisiana-Swamp-Rock on her keyboard and double-daring everyone not to dance. On this fifth disc for Alligator she works with famed songwriter and producer (Nashville, TN) Gary Nicholson. Her vocals are a combination of singing and shouting—a bit wobbly on the slow ones and her trademark remains those rollin’ piano that also signifies there’s a party goin’ on.

Bartley, Geoff – “Put The Big Stone Down” (Indie) A

New England is a great place for acoustic music, and Cambridge has long been a supportive center for it. Bartley is a long-time veteran there, a songwriter/guitarist very well-known and appreciated for his old-style (pre WWII) finger-picking and skills with flat-picking and slide guitar. He’s been at it for decades, and regularly hosting the Tuesday open mic nights at Central Square’s Cantab Lounge, and working with Tom Paxton. His playing is a delight, moving smoothly through rag time, jazz and blues. So refreshing to hear all that style and maturity on guitar. Like a cool drink after a long, parched day. Gruff vocals reflect the years, but somehow enhance the whole. Several original songs…very good for all mixes.

Budd, Andy – “Ragtop Monterey” (Red Bush Records) C+

Singer Songwriter from Virginia, by way of Nashville, Budd pulls together a Nashville band to do his bluegrass/country style of tunes. Nice, and often comic lyrics tell decent stories in each song, with a back-up band that delivers a straight country and bluegrass bed for him to sing over. Nice, but nothing really stands out.

Chapin Sisters, The – “Two” (Lake Bottom Records) B

After a tantalizing 6-tune sampler whetted the appetite for these ladies tight-knit, ethereal vocals, they’ve dropped off one sister to motherhood, and made this disc as a duet. The tunes are very dark and seem to sink slowly under the weight with not enough change-up in style to have the impact the sampler had. Yet the two still have hauntingly beautiful voices and mesh and interweave through an abundance of slow and mournful melodies that tell tales of abandonment and loss, sometimes fading to drones. No dance music here! Songs for introspection and slow piano tinkling with heavy focus on their (admittedly) fine vocals.

Curtis, Stony – “Cosmic Connection” (Blues Bureau Intern’l)

Power trio…going for guitar electro-sizzle sainthood. Sonny can play…he pounds the songs together with plenty of notes leftover. Cosmic indeed…helps if you’ve smoked a big spliff and have the day off tomorrow. Not recommended.

Delta Generators – “Hard River to Row” (Delta Generators Music) B+

Grooveadelic four-piece from New England who swear they were dragged feet-first up the Mississippi, collecting rocks in their socks and that’s why they blast this very bluesy rock with Led Zep vocals. Ain’t afraid of fuzz guitar, but can live without it too (thank Gawd). Not sure they can live without slide guitar and a dirty-bottom rhythm section…even the slow ones growl. Cleaned up on blues awards in the NE and even tripped the lights fantastic at the Memphis Blues Fest. They’ve been takin’ vitamins, but have the skills to back it up. Mostly rock-blues with some very interesting songwriting palette-cleansers (#11) and quite a singer. Collected a lot of rocks – it was a hard river to row.

Etheridge, Riley, Jr – “Powder Keg” (Rock Ridge Music) B

Southern rock guitarist (now working from New York) runs through a selection of Southern blues-rock with a New York shine on them--big band backs with horns, and Mickey Rafael (Willie Nelson) on harp. Reminiscent of Little Feat catalog. Can also move through quieter vocal and minimal backup (#4) tunes—all with great players. but big band blues-rock are his forte with kinda plain vocals.

Gaines, Roy – “Tuxedo Blues” (Black Gold Records) A-

Brother to Little Richard’s saxophone player, Grady Gaines, Roy started out on piano emulating Nat King Cole, but moved to guitar as a teenager after being stunned by the playing of T-Bone Walker. He grew up playing clubs in his native Houston and was even dubbed “T-Bone Junior” for a time. He then relocated to Los Angeles and became a force to be reckoned with in Roy Milton’s band, followed by stint with Chuck Willis. Here he brings out six originals and some favorites from Quincy Jones, Nat King Cole, and others with his Orchestra. Once more we’re deailing with big band blues (a la B.B. King) with guitar that sails over the top and sweetly mature vocals. He’s gotten his guitar-tone DOWN baby! Nice record of big-band blues ‘n jazz..

Gilkyson, Eliza – “Roses at The End of Time” (Red House) B+

Singer songwriter Gilkyson gives us another collection of Americana story-telling. From a family of performers and songwriters, she’s woven her own trail of introspective and descriptive tunes, finding a home on the Red House label. John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky guest on the disc (produced by her son Cisco), filled with fairly dark prospects on the world and its politics, sorrows, and saving-graces…painted in poetic descriptions. A little humorous projection (#8) even.

Goldberg, Mark “Pocket” – “Off the Alleyway” (PocketGoldberg Prodns.)

Southern California bassist/vocalist Goldburg pulls together a number of South Cal studio musicians (Joe Sublett-horns, Terry Evans-vocals, etc.) and issues a listenable album with horns, some slide guitar and songwriting of the eclectic kind. Nevertheless, overall not recommended for WFHB.

Great Caesar’s Ghost – “What’s Done is Done” (Great Caesar’s Ghost) B

Southern rock cover band puts out a double CD of it’s greatest “hits” – culled over eight years of playng on the road. Lead vocalist Larry Schmid sings over a full band of musicians who have obviously honed their skills out there in the trenches. Band is good, reminiscent of the Allman Brothers (who indeed, they thank on the sleeve). Very nice musicianship though heavily influenced/rife with Almans, Dickey Betts, Jeff Beck, Stones…and three Schmid originals…all rock, even when lightly restrained. Covers are very like originals.

Grills, Steve – “After Hours—with Ernest Lane” (Toogaloo Records) B+

New England guitarist who, after being turned on to rock/blues via Chuck Berry, swiftly fell in love with the blues, befriending Robert Nighthawk Jr., and Albert Collins. He gathers some VERY cool sidemen here to back him on a collection of blues selected to pay tribute to his blues influences. Ernest Lane, pianist for Earl Hooker, Ike and Tina Turner, etc., holds the keyboard position here, and Steve Gomes, Bassist Extraordinaire (Darryl Nulisch, Severen Record house musician, etc.) create a pocket you can’t slip out of if you tried. They certainly give him a rock-steady foundation over which he plays some fine guitar. Joe Beard also provides guest vocals on #5. The grooves are very good, as is his fretwork. His vocals…not so much. Nevertheless, this is a tight band and none too shabby in the blues groove.

Hobson-Compact, Erin – “Fortune Cookie Philosophy” (Choking Chicken Rec.)

The young Erin Hobson leads her four-piece group comprised to three very veteran and skilled musicians with confident electric guitar playing and supple vocals. Songwriting is a combination of pop flavored with funk and professional arrangements…no doubt heavily influenced by multi-instrumentalists Steven Ross (here mainly playing bass), Ross Rice (a touring studio musician and guru on keyboards/synth), and drummer Gary Burke (Dylan, Graham Parker, Shania Twain, Joe Jackson). Hobson’s voice is almost childlike, non-assertive, but smooth. She caresses the lyrics that are nearly overwhelmed by the players’ musical prowess. I’m not much of a pop fan, but this disc is invitingly quirky and several tunes have a Paul Simon feel.

May, Willie – “Nights of Luna” (Black Rock Entertainment)

Player from “western” New York with rough voice and okay backup band with horns. No cigar.

Moss, Joe – “Drive Time: Live at Chan’s” (Joe Moss & His Brothers Records) B-

Massachusetts guitar player’s 8-tune disc on an independent label. Nice grooves along the rock-funk line with blues occasionally visiting. Super long intros (as much as a minute) of comping before vocals start on most tunes. Instrumentation pretty nice, but singing only adequate. Nice bar band, probably fun live.

Quiett, Terry – “Just My Luck” (Terry Quiett Music) B

Oh no…another power trio…comin’ in blastin. But wait…here’s a soulful acoustic number with resonator guitar. Then here’s one with jazzy touches. All band tunes bristling with muscular guitar attacks and Quiett’s in-your-face vocals…that still manage to sing, not yell. Songwriting reveals the man’s got a host of alien women encounters…but the music is an electric rocker’s delight….along the Robben Ford trail.

Randolph, Robert & The Family Band – “We Walk This Road” (Warner Bros) B+

Randolph learned pedal steel guitar from church. In church, it’s referred to as “sacred steel” guitar. Randolph added soul and funk as he learned and came to the attention of several people, eventually landing a gig working with the North Mississippi Allstars. Forming “The Family Band” with cousins, he began opening for Derek Trucks and others, then recording with Eric Clapton. On this release Ben Harper, Doyle Bramhall and others guest with T-Bone Burnett producing. “We Walk This Road” is a “celebration of African-American music over the past 100 years…with old-time (original recordings) leading the listener to new songs/versions by Randolph and guests. Funk, soul, gospel and rock. Vocals are quiet stars on this disc, and the combined work of T-Bone Burnett and Randolph make the tunes amazing, yet hard to classify. Innovative work.

Rodriguez, Carrie & Ben Kyle – “We Still Love Our Country” (Ninth St. Opus) A

Austin, TX native Rodriguez toured for years with Chip Taylor and then became very well known for her fiddle playing, singing and songwriting. She has been dabbling with different partners, and this one with Irishman Ben Kyle (Romantica) sure hits the spot. His mellow vocals are the perfect foil for her dazzling pure sound as they sing. The do a beautiful remake of the Townes Van Zandt “If I Needed You” – a song I thought might be too tired to survive yet it is revived ever sweetly here. These type of harmonies are so fine and so hard to find. WOW. They also do some wonderful Texas two step, country, and even a sweet version of Boudleaux Bryant’s Love Hurts. Wow. This CD is too short…more please.

Sweany, Patrick – “That Old Southern Drag” (Nine Mile Records) C

Rough-voiced rock with traces of southern soul, but not a lot of nuance…not recommended.

Waters, Ben – “Boogie 4 Stu: Tribute to Ian Stewart” (Eagle Records) A

A young fan of Ian Stewart set out to make a CD in tribute of his hero after studying him for years (even after Stewart’s death) and as he began, notice of his project came to the Rolling Stones and several others who knew him – all who asked to participate. The result of a year’s project lie on this disc. Waters really demonstrates a solid command of Stewart’s style with his own flourishes thrown in, and as always – the Stones jump it up about 10 notches. The whole disc not only sounds great, but it’s clearly a project of love. As Keith Richards told Waters…”There’s only two people I never heard a bad word about…Ian and Charlie Watts.” This is a beat.

Whiptails, The – “The Whiptails” (Basilhead Records) C+

This Texas trio plays eclectic country & rockabilly and are described as “Patsy Cline meets Elvis Costello.” I’m not sure that describes it. Lead singer/guitarist Jeanne Sinclair has a clear,-but-warbly voice laden with yodel and bassist Chris Cessac, and drummer Garrett T. Capps provide an underpinning to her careening,but breathy phrasing and unadorned guitar work, Strange, not terribly melodic.. I think I’d need a different kind of vitamins to call this good..eclectic certainly…good?

Bohler, Kaye – “Like a Flower” (Indie) B+

Lots of promo noise being made about Bohler, here backed by Robben Ford and Tommy Castro on guitars, horn and big vocal-backups behind a collection of blues-pop-rock tunes. Power vocals with lots of vibrato. Killer musicians put down a bed over which Bohler soars with plenty of vocal power. I’m not much into big band blues, but she can hold her own with what it takes to stay out in front of it. Castro and Ford sure put this disc in the pocket and nice vocal backups polish it nicely.

Handley, Randy – “You Don’t Know My Mind” (Way INTUIT) B+

Long ago, but not far away, Randy Handley was a prominent figure in Bloomington’s music scene. A wonderful songwriter and singer, he held together a band that kicked booty (with Kenny Aronoff doing some of the kicking). Went the way of the buffalo for beaucoup years, and here he is again on a CD produced by another local musician (lately of Nashville, TN), Mark Robinson. Handley’s songs have been featured on “platinum and grammy winning” albums. He checks in here with five originals (two co-written with Robinson), and one killer cover of a traditional tune—the title cut—which he puts over deliciously in both acoustic and electric-band fashion. With a voice wizened by time, he fills his tunes with vivid description, maturity, and the weary observation of Dylan/ Springsteen/Knopfler. The disc starts with slow songs, moves into medium rock and finishes with some righteous rockers – all bristling with thoughtful lyrics and a keen musicality. It felt good to hear Handley still delivers, even from the land of the buffalo.

Nelson, Tracy – “Victim of the Blues” (Delta Groove) B

Tracy Nelson has been around a lonnnnng time on the music scene. Born in California, but raised in Wisconsin, she began singing there in the early 60’s and recorded her first (blues) record while paling around with Charlie Musselwhite in Chicago. Then she moved to California and a wildly eclectic catalog of music, recording (and garnering fame akin to Janis Joplin) in country, soul, and pop, first by forming the famous “Mother Earth” California band in 1968, moving to Nashville, TN and then returning to California. In ’93, after recording on many labels, performing with just about everyone, and garnering beaucoup awards, she returned to blues/Rounder, and here (on her 26^th album) she delves into her formative blues influences. With gritty and fierce vocal style she puts it over “as well as a Norwegian White Girl can.” The disc is reflective of sixties rock-blues (Cocker/Russell/Ball) with big-mama belter out in front and multi-back-up lady singers (Angela Strehli/Marcia Ball guest.)