Nonesuch Records is releasing a benefit album of newly recorded songs featuring artists from the New Orleans music community – across a wide variety of styles – to document the depth, richness and profound musicality of that unique city. Funds from the sale of the record, titled Our New Orleans, will be donated to Habitat For Humanity to aid those affected by the recent Hurricane Katrina disaster. A number of New Orleans’ best known musicians have been asked to record songs that are integral to their lives and that express their feelings about the city and the recent events there. Sessions began in New York on September 20, with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Wild Magnolias recording at Clinton Studios. Later the same day and on September 21, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band recorded at New York’s Avatar Studios. Further sessions in October included Dr. John, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Randy Newman, among others. (Track 12 is missing, sorry)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Duke Robillard - 2009 - Stomp! The Blues Tonight [320]
Robillard's Stomp! The Blues Tonight follows the acclaimed 2008 release A Swingin Session With, a collection of golden-era jazz brought up to speed with a contemporary edge. With Stomp! The Blues Tonight, Robillard has attempted to recreate the authentic sound and energy of 1940s and '50s-era rhythm and blues, the kind of swingin' soul-blues music practiced by singers and guitarists like Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Roy Milton, Lowell Fulson, Pee Wee Crayton and others. To help achieve his goals, Robillard some of his former Roomful of Blues mates: saxophonists Doug James and Rich Lataille and cornet player Al Basile.
Guitar Shorty - 2010 - Bare Knuckle [320]
Legendary axeman Guitar Shorty is more popular now than at any time in his storied 50-year career. One of the best-known names in blues, his last album, 2007's We The People, won the Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year. Bare Knuckle is another heavy dose of Guitar Shorty blues. An explosive guitarist and a dynamite blues showman, Guitar Shorty still performs over 100 dates per year at clubs and festivals across the U.S.
Jason & The Scorchers - 2010 - Halcyon Times [192]
2010 album from the veteran Roots rockers. Halcyon Times is no 'return to their roots'. It is instead a creative leap forward, showing the band at its peak, not on some sort of self-absorbed nostalgia trip. It's hard to pick a standout track on the record - they are all that strong. Hodges' guitar work has never been better, full of style and inspired originality, while Ringenberg rocks like he is still 18, leaping off the edge of the world, laughing while doing it. Snibb and Collins supply that elusive, magic rock 'n' roll groove, full of energy but grounded in confident unhurried power. However, like all classic Rock records, Halcyon Times has more than enough moments of sublime grace to balance out the hormones. Fourteen songs deep, covering a staggering range of emotions and style, the album shows Jason & The Scorchers not only celebrating 30 years of creating music, but still expanding that creative envelope, still in command of their legacy.
Chris Bergson Band - 2007 - Fall Changes [192]
Recorded at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock NY, the new CD from the Chris Bergson Band draws on the rich legacy of American Roots music highlighting Bergson's honest storytelling, soulful vocals and the first class musicianship of a true working band.
Sergio Duarte & Entidade Joe - 2001 - Sergio Duarte & Entidade Joe [192]
You don't need to speak Portuguese to understand the music on Brazilian bluesman Sérgio Duarte. His harmonica will translate. The album alternates between bluesy party tunes and break your heart burners. Duarte's a first-rate blues harmonica player.
Powder Blues - 2001 - Swingin' The Blues [256]
Since the late 70s, Canada's Powder Blues Band has been vibrantly incorporating swing, blues, rock, and R&B into a sound they proudly call their own. They have endlessly toured Canada, the United States and overseas, sharing a music that forces people to smile and dance. The band has won both Juno and Handy Awards. Unlike their past 10 releases that featured a variety of rhythms, this CD is composed entirely of big band style tunes. Three originals are included amongst the 11 hoppin' and a boppin' and swingin' tracks.
Warren Haynes - 2004 - Live At Bonnaroo [320]
One of the hardest-working men in show business, Warren Haynes spent the years preceding Live At Bonnaroo juggling gigs with the Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends, Gov't Mule, and the Allman Brothers Band. In 2004, Haynes went on the road as a member of the Dead, also pulling double-duty as an opening act with nothing but his guitar to accompany him. These 16 songs offer a sampling of those solo sets and a fascinating cross-section of material, reflecting the kind of impressive versatility that's allowed Haynes to move between the worlds of rock, blues, and country. The combination of his gruff yet soulful vocalizing and nimble finger-picking results in moving covers of Grateful Dead classics ("To Lay Me Down," "Stella Blue") mixed in among tunes originally written for Gov't Mule ("Fallen Down") and earlier solo work ("I'll Be the One"). The most pleasant surprises, however, are this guitar hero's credible stabs at Radiohead ("Lucky") and U2 ("One"), two groups not normally associated with the jam-band scene. A duet with South African vocalist Vusi Mahlasela on the uplifting "Soulshine" is the perfect closer for this exemplary live recording.
Peter Green Splinter Group - 2003 - Reaching The Cold 100 [320]
Second album that Peter Green Splinter Group has recorded for Eagle follows on from 2001's 'Time Traders'. Initial copies will include 4 bonus tracks featuring studio versions of four live favorites, 'Black Magic Woman', 'It Takes Time', 'Green Manalishi', & 'Albatross'.
Nick Curran & The Lowlifes - 2010 - Reform School Girl [192]
After performing a solo show in November, 2008, Nick was inspired to form the rock 'n' roll roots band, The Lowlifes. Reform School Girl is a culmination of Curran's multitude of talents: a throwback to his roots, only amped up to the limit. ''I've written more songs on Reform School Girl than on any other records. I wanted it to have no filler - only good stuff. All my influences are there, from old blues like Lazy Lester and T-Bone Walker to girl groups like the Ronettes and the Shangri-Las, to Guns N Roses.'' The album also features a couple of appearances by some of Nick's close personal friends including a duet on the song Flyin' Blind, co-written with Blasters' frontman Phil Alvin, as well as harmonica ace Jason Ricci on Reel Rock Party. Catch Nick Curran as he shakes, rattles and rolls a head-spinning combination of genres and tunes into a cool, irresistible cocktail that is rough and ready for action.
Eric Street Band - 2009 - The Journey [320]
The album has an authentic Blues theme, based on life experiences gained through growing up and living in the UK. Each song is based on the issues/experiences that really affect us all. The guys feel that this more of a roots album than a main stream one.
Bob Brozman - 1981 - Blue Hula Stomp [320]
There's little doubt that Bob Brozman's a virtuoso on all plucked string instruments, but his specialty is the National Resophonic guitar, and he can make that do anything, as he shows on this collection, which, like much of his work, has a decidedly Hawaiian lilt. The bulk of the material on Blue Hula Stomp dates from the 1920s and '30s, rejigged in his own idiosyncratic style, whether it's the unusual, bluesy "Do You Call That a Buddy?" or the lightning fast hula, "Hano Hano Hanalei." He's not just someone who can play with remarkable speed and precision, as he does on "Chili Blues," but also with moving expression, as on the 1916 "hesitation" waltz, "Paauau Waltz," a tune that demands a lot of the player, but which Brozman pulls off with moving panache. Perhaps the most unusual, however, is "Ukulele Spaghetti," played on a National ukulele, the kind of piece to make every guitarist -- and uke player -- pick his or her jaw up off the floor in complete awe. And when he really takes off on the title track, it becomes explosive, as Brozman handles wooden and National Hawaiian guitars, rhythm and duet guitars, wooden ukulele, saxophones, and a vocal. A work of genuine joy and complete genius.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Flavio Guimaraes - 2009 - The Blues Follows Me [224]
Flávio Guimarães is a harmonica player, singer and Brazilian Blues pioneer. During a career that has spanned two decades, he has released 17 CDs - seven solo albums and ten as part of Brazil's premier Blues-Rock band "Blues EtÃlicos". He is THE harmonica reference in Brazil, not only due to his pioneering work with the blues diatonic harmonica, but also due to his consistently evolving playing and the passing on of harmonica information. He has teached a whole generation of harmonica players in Rio de Janeiro, where he lives, comencing the blues harp movement in Brazil. He has opened for B.B. King and Robert Cray. He has performed on stage with Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite, Sugar Blue, Mark Ford, Mark Hummell, Walter Wolfman Washington and others. Flávio's most recent release is the CD "The Blues Follows Me."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Johnny Dunn & The Dare Ya Blues Band - 2001 - Room To Move [256]
Bassist and songwriter Johnny Dunn heads up The Dare Ya Blues Band, who have released an EP-length CD entitled Room To Move. Dunn, who also plays some guitar on the album, leaves the fiery blues leads in the capable hands of Kane Daily. Daily offers his take on blues-box solos, lending snaky slide leads and overdriven, blues-drenched-but-edgy runs to the material. Highlights include the memorable title track, the Allman Brothers flavored instrumentals "Outerbanks" and "Dreams" and the aggressive "Life On The Chin". A likeable blues album which hopes to introduce Dunn and company to a wider audience.
JW-Jones Blues Band - 2004 - My Kind Of Evil [256]
JW-Jones stretches out a bit on his third album, bringing a horn section into the mix to fill out the sound, and give it the feel of '50s-era R&B. But at the same time there's a slightly ragged feel to everything, and Jones' guitar playing, while bluesy, has as much rock about it as anything else.
Nick Curran & The Nitelifes - 2004 - Player! [256]
Nick Curran's career has been on a meteoric rise since the release of his Blind Pig Records debut, Doctor Velvet, winner of the 2004 W.C. Handy Award for "Best New Artist Debut". He's an original new talent who has captured a golden musical moment in time and made it his own. On Player! Nick returns with another superb package of skillfully blended vintage R&B, outrageous jump blues, and down-and-dirty garage rock. With the sophistication of T-Bone Walker and the abandon of Little Richard, Curran infuses each track with urgency and exuberance. Special guests include Fabulous Thunderbird Kim Wilson and The Providence Horns.
JW-Jones Blues Band - 2002 - Bogart's Bounce [256]
(Full Covers)
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
R. Crumb & The Cheap Suit Serenaders - 1993 - Singing In The Bathtub [VBR]
In the late '70s the Cheap Suit Serenaders--fronted by comix legend Robert Crumb but also featuring fellow old-time music artistes Robert Armstrong, Bob Brozman, Al Dodge, Tom Marion, and Terry Zwigoff (who would later produce a whole film on Crumb)--were the only group around who would even think about still producing 78s. After all, that's where all their favorite music came from. Those platters are now highly collectible, but their albums live on, reissued on CD. Singing in the Bathtub collects some of their best work--humorous originals such as "Suits Crybaby Blues" and plenty of covers of tunes from obscure 78s. Their playing is flawless (you probably haven't heard the steel guitar, banjo mandolin, or musical saw played with such virtuosity as here), the tunes are mostly fun and spirited, and the music styles are varied. In the hands of the Cheap Suits, old-time music is alive and well.
(Full Covers)
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Snowy White & The White Flames - 2005 - The Way It Is Live [320]
Blues guitarist Snowy White and the band take a trip to the capital of Lithuania in this 2004 concert performance captured live at The Galaxy in Vilnius. What follows is an evening of music that includes a mix of original songs and classic covers, including such original White tunes as "What I'm Searching For", "This Time of My Life", and "Working Blues" as well as covers of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" and Peter Green's "I Loved Another Woman".
Scissormen - 2008 - Luck In A Hurry [320]
Scissormen is a two man group based in Nashville--Ted Drozdowski on slide guitar and vocals, Rob Hulsman on drums. "Luck in a Hurry" is their best cd yet. Ted is a great slide guitar player coming from the R L Burnside tradition, and Hulsman is a really good drummer. This time out they bring forth nine originals and two covers of live in the studio, high-energy blues.
Rob Orlemans & Half Past Midnight - 2009 - Into The Spirit [VBR]
Blues-rock power trio Rob Orlemans & Half Past Midnight has inspired enthusiasm and loyalty among fans around the world through their explosive live performances and exceptional musicianship. The band is a frequent headliner at Blues festivals throughout Europe, and has earned a growing audience for their live performances in the USA, Europe and at home in The Netherlands.
Bryce Janey - 2007 - Live At JM O'Malleys [VBR]
On Live at J.M. O'Malley's, aspiring through slow blues, funk tunes, and rockers. Janey's no nonsense vocal style is effective, beating fake attitude and strings: his playing has a lot of personality to go along with Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan building blocks. Top track: the shuffle "Workin' Fool," which balances B.B. King-esque fretwork with a super organ solo from T-Bone Giblin.
Anders Osborne - 2007 - Coming Down [VBR]
New Orleans singer-songwriters find it difficult to avoid writing about the tragedies--personal, political, philosophical--of Hurricane Katrina and Anders Osborne weighs in with his version on his first release since that fateful storm. It's a laidback, stripped-down, primarily unplugged set that finds the musician channeling the spirit of early Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, and Van Morrison to stirring effect. Recorded in both the Crescent City and Nashville, the easygoing, soulful, bluesy-jazzy folk feels like a breezy spring day, even when Osborne is singing about "Summertime in New Orleans." Much of the writing reflects the musician's happiness at his place in life, after tough years where he has "survived more than I should," as he relates in "Lucky One.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Kenny 'Blue' Ray - 1996 - Pull The Strings [160]
When it comes to hard-hitting blues guitar, Kenny Blue Ray is the real deal. Every once in a while someone comes along who pleasantly reminds one that there is some uncharted talent ready to explode on the blues scene, and this is the moment for Ray! A Bay Area resident, Ray is considered one of the top guitarists around; certainly one of the most prolific performers on the West Coast, if not the country. He performed in London, England from 1969-'72. He has had over a dozen solo albums released, all of which have received strong reviews - and there have been over 65 reviews of his CDs! (Tracks 12-13 are missing)
Automatic Slim - 2004 - What Did I Do Wrong [320]
Veteran of the Baltimore and Washington music scene who plays house rockin’ blues mixed with roots rock and Tex-Mex. Slim has played at numerous festivals such as the Baltimore Blues Festival, Artscape, Frederick Blues Festival, and Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival. He has opened shows for Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Big Jack Johnson, Bobby Blue Bland, Bo Diddley and others.
Gil Scott-Heron - 1988 - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [VBR]
This is a unique and forward-thinking collection from the Godfather of Hip-Hop, Gil Scott-Heron. This record, produced by the jazz great Bob Thiele, is provocative, melodic, and urgent at the same time. Many of the tracks are nice, jazzy, hopeful jaunts ("When You Are Who You Are," "I Think I'll Call It Morning"). Many are ahead-of-their-time hip-hop joints (the title track, "Whitey on the Moon," "Brother"). Yet the most powerful tracks are the mournful ballads ("Did You Hear What They Said?," "Home Is Where The Hatred Is"). The entire album evokes all of the joys, pains and petitions of the black community. The work of Common, Mos Def, The Roots and Public Enemy, among others, contain clear echoes of Gil Scott-Heron's impressive work on this record.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Cracker Blues - 2009 - Entre O Mexico E O Inferno [VBR]
The Cracker Blues Band was born in 2000 in Sao Paulo, Brazil deeply influeced by the Texas Blues, Southern Rock and Country and mostly by the acoustic Delta Blues style. In the beginning used to play classics but now includes it's own compositions in Portuguese.
Holmes Brothers - 2010 - Feed My Soul [192]
Beloved roots trio The Holmes Brothers have garnered critical raves, media appearances and devoted fans for their infectious blend of American roots music and rapturous harmonizing. Feed My Soul is the deepest album of their career, a joyous, triumphant celebration of love, family and faith sparked by Wendell Holmes' recent victory over cancer.
Dirty Dave Osti - 2010 - Voodoo Guitar [320]
Way-kool debut studio disc by this bad-ass, killer blues/rock axeripper from Los Angeles featuring 10 tracks of hard-assed, get-down, nasty, rough & ready, blues-based heavy guitar power trio riffage that will rock your low-down blues and kick your ass into the next county. An essential Grooveyard-approved slice of fierce and powerful blues-based heavy guitar rock. Dirty Dave Osti is a bonafide blues/rock guitar hero who can rip it hard with the best of them. The man gets down to serious six string business and rocks the blues with wild abandon as the Dirty One cuts loose and goes for the throat nailing down each muscular riff with sheer force and relentless groove.
The Lizards - 2006 - Against All Odds [320]
The Lizards CD Against All Odds, which promises to be the bands best yet, began life in the group's private studio, aptly christened Electric Randyland, in mid-2005. Along with Rondinelli and DiMeo, The Lizard's bassist Randy Pratt and guitarist Patrick Klein painstakingly wrote and recorded 10 new songs, many of which are destined to become rock classics, as well as regulars in the band's live repertoire.
Steve Gornall - 1997 - Steppin' Out [320]
This is Steve's 2nd CD. It features Robert Cray's drummer and keyboard player (Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Pugh, respectively). Steve's long-time bass player and fellow Michiganian, Don Bassey, keeps the groove heavy so Steve can lay down some incredible blues-guitar licks on his 1956 Fender Strat! There's some nice slide work on here as well! There are 10 originals and 2 covers on this recording. Steve was Joe Cocker's lead-guitar player for the House of Blues' 1996 Barnburner Tour.
Skyla Burrell - 2008 - Tough Luck [VBR]
In 2008 the Skyla Burrell Band signed with Blues Boys & Divas Talent and toured extensively in the South and South-East as well as up and down the East Coast. In July the band released their fourth CD of all original blues "Tough Luck" The Skyla Burrell Band also had the opportunity to play several Blues Festivals in 2008 including The State Street Blues Stroll, The Riverfront Blues Festival and The Frederick Blues Fest. Future plans on tap for the band include a live CD/DVD and expanding their touring radius to include the West Coast.
Ray Bailey - 2009 - Resurrection [192]
Resurrection marks a major comeback for Los Angeles blues guitar virtuoso Ray Bailey. In the 1990's Ray was heralded as the future face of the blues, but his personal life took a turn for the worse and Bailey put his career on hold. Ray now returns with Producer/bassist Kevin 'Brandino' Brandon and Producer Jonathan Hodges to show the world that he has not lost a step, but rather gained a life. Eleven superb cuts including six original compositions make up this dynamic release.
Steve Gornall & The Blue Collar Blues Band - 1993 - Same [256]
Steve Gornall's first album.The Blue Collar Blues Band is just the band to compliment Steve's playing. Drummer Vinnie Scalabrino started with Blue Collars four years ago. Vinni'es influences include Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Bassist Tim Garrick is another solid veteran. Experienced in 60's and 70's rock and R&B, he bridges the gap between pushing a groove or settling into a traditional Blues shuffle. The final piece in the puzzle is a co-conspirator, a soloist who creates with the same level of intesity as Steve. Harmonica virtuoso Kenny Welk, arguably Detroit's finest harp player, has been cutting his chops for 19 years on the Detroit Blues circuit. Kenny's early influences include Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Charlie Musselwhite. Add his '52 Fender Deluxe Amp and his Green Bullet microphone to Steve's 50's Fender Stratocaster and awe-struck crowds roar with approval as Steve and Kenny push one another to greater highlights. Steve's playing stands proudly within Motor City Blues Tradition and richly deserves the documenting of this record.
Skyla Burrell Blues Band - 2003 - Standing In The Rain [192]
The Skyla Burrell Blues Band is a full time, hard working traveling blues band. The band averages 200+ shows a year. With co-founder Mark Tomlinson on lead guitar and Skyla Burrell on vocals and lead guitar, the band's live show consists of all original high energy electric blues. Standing In the Rain is their debut album.
Michael Burks - 1999 - From The Inside Out [VBR]
This is the debut release of young Arkansas based blues man Michael Burks. The band that is featured on the CD consists of Burks on vocals and guitar backed by Stuart Baer on Hammond organ and piano, Lance Womack on drums and Vernon Allgood on bass. Burks covers a lot of ground on this CD, including several up-tempo shuffles, some slow blues and even throws in a few soul tunes as well. Special mention should be given to the fact that Burks wrote all of the material that appears on this album. There is not a weak song on this album and it is well produced for an independent recording.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
T-Model Ford - 2010 - The Ladies Man [VBR]
On January 12, 2010 Alive Naturalsound Records released The Ladies Man, the 7th album from Delta bluesman T-Model Ford. Recorded live during one afternoon session at the Planet Paul Recording Studio in Wichita, Kansas the album features Ford and his acoustic guitar bangin' away on song after song as a group of younger backing musicians attempt to keep up. For the blues purists among our readers, the raw energy of The Ladies Man was created with no overdubs, minimal mixing, and a little Jack Daniels from the flask that 'T' is known to carry with him everywhere!
Murali Coryell - 2009 - Sugar Lips [256]
With his James Taylor meets Marvin Gaye type vocals and Jimi Hendrix meets Eric Clapton like guitar playing, Murali continues to expand contemporary blues with 12 new songs recorded in Nashville and produced by Tom Hambridge.
Craig Erickson - 2010 - New Earth Blues [VBR]
"New Earth Blues", the awesome ninth solo disc by this amazing, gifted blues/rock axemaster from Iowa, features 13 tracks (67 minutes) of outstanding, remarkably deep, dynamic, soul-powered, retro-70s, bluesy heavy guitar grooves that truly deliver on a world-class level. An impressive six-string display of exceptional blues-based power trio riffage with a strong message about the world around us. Craig Erickson is an incredible, underated guitarist who's musical talents are right up there with the best of them. Erickson has created his own trademark style/vibe and voice on the guitar with all the right influences & inspirations as he speaks volumes through his instrument.
Nick Moss & The Flip Tops - 2007 - Play It 'til Tomorrow [320]
Play It 'Til Tomorrow is Nick Moss' most ambitious recording project yet: two jam-packed discs spotlighting the entire width and breadth of his band's sonic attack. Longtime fans will immediately recognize the stinging electric blues sound that characterizes the first CD, but on disc two Nick introduces an 'unplugged' side that he's never before tapped in the studio. The uncommon versatility of the Flip Tops-ex-Legendary Blues Band keyboardist Willie Oshawny (who switches over to bass for four cuts and second guitar on another), harpist and fretsman extraordinaire Gerry Hundt, and veteran drummer Bob Carter - plays a huge role in the collection's extraordinary variety. Inherently grasping the value of playing as a rock-solid unit, the Flip Tops cook up steady-surging grooves while Nick's slashing guitar solos make every note count and every phrase resonate with authority. Adding to the mix are special guests Eddie Taylor Jr. and Barrelhouse Chuck.
Dennis Gruenling & Jump Time - 2001 - That's Right [192]
"That's Right!" is not only a great harmonica album, it's as good a recording as any to emerge in the recent Jump Blues revival. Gruenling doesn't merely add horns to Rockabilly like Brian Setzer, he proves that he is a real student of the Jump Blues style. His arrangements are the equal of anything that Louis Prima and Louis Jordan did in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Dennis effortlessly blends mis masterful harmonica playing in with the rest of the band and comes up with a smooth mix that sounds completely smooth. The addition of singer Gina Fox on this album is worth the price of the CD itself. She is no mere chick singer. She knows 1940's styled singing and is an absolute joy to listen to.
Piano Red aka Dr. Feelgood - 1993 - The Doctor's In! (4CD'S) [192]
For pure enjoyment, for simple rockin' good music, nothing can match Willie Perryman aka Piano Red a.k.a. Doctor Feelgood. He played his piano like a jackhammer and belted out his songs. He was unlike anyone else on the planet. Here are his RCA/Groove recordings from the '50s, including Rockin' With Red (She Sure Can Rock Me), Right String But The Wrong YoYo, She Walks Right In, Decatur Street Boogie, and Woo-Eee. Then we have the ultra-rare Chess and Jax sessions, and the highly prized '60s OKeh sides that include the original versions of Doctor Feelgood and Mister Moonlight.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Blindside Blues Band - 2010 - Raised On Rock [VBR]
Fronted by Mike "Rock Machine" Onesko, the seasoned guitar rocker always delivers the riffage that matters and "Raised on Rock" is definitely no exception as the Man digs in deep and nails down his best/strongest disc to date. Onesko is a true Guitar Hero who knows what time of day it is when it comes down to awesome beyond belief riffage that will rock your face off. BBB also features the bad-ass, killer bluesy axerippin' talents of Scotty J. Johnson on second guitar who nails down fantastic, get-down, wah wah-induced, six string "mojo" throughout the amazing new Blindside Blues Band disc. Scotty J. plays his ass off with an abundance of serious, get-down, lead guitar action that is right up there with the best players in the world. Last but not least, Blindside Blues Band features the hard-hitting, hi-energy, powerful "groove machine" in the form of Emery Ceo on Drums and Kier Staeheli on Bass. Both excellent, stand-out players and "good musical brothers" who lock in and nail down the monstrous BBB groove.
Duster Bennett - 1968 - Smiling Like I'm Happy [320]
One of the unsung heroes of British blues, this one-man band was a fine harmonica player and singer, a decent guitarist, and a soulful enough singer to make one overlook his distinctly unbluesy high voice. The opening "Worried Mind" -- just Duster on harp, guitar, voice, high-hat and kick drum -- is a marvelously sloppy shuffle romp that holds its own with the Fabulous Thunderbirds' work ten years hence. On other tracks Bennett is backed by three-fourths of the original Fleetwood Mac, who provide simple, effective support without stealing any limelight; solos are kept to a minimum. Originals "My Lucky Day" (with chromatic harmonica) and "Jumping at Shadows" (which Mac would later cover) are absolutely outstanding, and Duster does justice to Magic Sam's "My Love Is Your Love."
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