Chicago blues piano player Sunnyland Slim was an innovative player, and a prolific recording artist as both a leader and a sideman throughout his professional life, which lasted for more than 50 years. His playing exemplified Chicago blues piano in its combination of percussive attack, rolling, cascading streams of notes, and syncopated rhythmic sophistication. His influence can be traced directly to both of Muddy Waters longtime sidemen Otis Span and Pinetop Perkins. Slim can be heard as a sideman on recordings from Muddy Waters to Chuck Berry, as well as many, many other blues luminaries. And as a singer, he had a big, rough-hewn voice.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Ana Popovic - 2007 - Still Making History [320]
US debut release from this Yugoslavian born singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso featuring an eclectic mix of rock funk, blues, jazz and world music.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Lightnin' Hopkins - 1960 - Country Blues [320]
Country Blues showcases Hopkins in his element, vividly coloring in the standards and originals with emotion, energy, longing, and wiry wit. Standards like the uptempo "See See Rider" and the slow bottomless "Backwater Blues" are made his own. As well, Country Blues is full of love--all the blue shades of love--the lost love in the moanful "Baby," the betrayal of love in the pondering "Hear My Black Dog Bark," and the love left behind (just in time) in the breathless "Long Gone." Those who came later to the life of the blues were deeply influenced by Lightnin'. The Tradition reissue of this album includes the original comprehensive liner notes by Producer Mack McCormick.
Shakey Jake Harris - 1960 - Mouth Harp Blues [256]
Jake Harris knew how to shake a pair of dice in order to roll a lucrative winner. He also realized early on that his nephew, guitarist Magic Sam, was a winner as a bluesman. Harris may have not been a technical wizard on his chosen instrument, but his vocals and harp style were proficient enough to result in a reasonably successful career (both with Sam and without).
Houston Stackhouse - 1967-76 - Big Road Blues [256]
The mentor of Delta slide virtuoso Robert Nighthawk, Houston Stackhouse never achieved the same commercial or artistic success as his famed pupil, and remained little known outside of his native Mississippi. Born in the small town of Wesson on September 28, 1910, he was a devotee of Tommy Johnson, whose songs he frequently covered; neither an especially gifted singer nor guitarist, he was quickly surpassed by the young Nighthawk, although the student repaid his debts by backing Stackhouse on a series of sessions cut during the mid- to late '60s. Outside of the rare European tour, Stackhouse was primarily confined to playing Delta border towns throughout the majority of his career; he died in Houston, Texas in 1980.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Mighty Joe Young With His South Side Band - 2003 - Chicago Blues [320]
Great album as Mighty Joe Young performs live in Chicago in 1972 with his crack South Side Band, which includes a bassist, drummer, pianist, and horn section. Young plays classic Chicago blues with a soul flavour. Great vocals and scorching guitar licks along with a terrific back up band make this a brilliant blues album. The album was originally released as part of Samuel Charters' Legacy of the Blues series on the Stockholm-based Sonet Records imprint. It was also released on Verve and Universal records, entitled "The Sonet Blues Story."
B.B. King - 2000 - The Best Of The Kent Singles 1958-71 [320]
UK compilation featuring the first ever CD release for these superb sides the blues legend recorded for the Kent imprint in the '50s and '60s. 25 tracks.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tiger City Jukes - 2001 - Sex, Money & Violence [192]
One of the finest blues bands in Norway, the Tiger City Jukes have established a reputation as one of the most sought after bands in the country. They are known for their joyous and swingin' music, their high energy and confident stage performance, and their elegant yet down home showmanship. A deep understanding of the blues is evident in their musical commitment, and thus giving the audience an extraordinary musical experience.
Two Bones & A Pick - 1992 - Two Bones & A Pick [128]
Two Bones & A Pick was formed in 1992 in Boston,MA by guitarist and vocalist Dave Haley with his brother and bass player John Haley. Over the last 10 years Haley and his band TB&AP had performed regularly around the New England area and had established the band as a regional favorite. In that time the band had released four CD's which were highly regarded by New England music critics and blues fans alike. In November of 2002 band leader Dave Haley made the personal decision to move back to Southwestern Ohio to be closer to his family. Since that time he has been active on the Columbus and Dayton Ohio blues scene playing with various local blues artists and leading a new lineup of his band Two Bones & a Pick.
V.A. - 2004 - Detroit Blues - Blues From The Motor City (1938-1954) (4 CD'S) [320]
Though Detroit may never have had the instant blues recognition of a city like Chicago, it too experienced, housed, and influenced its fair share of important musicians, not the least of whom was Robert Johnson associate Calvin Frazier and, of course, John Lee Hooker. But Detroit Blues: Blues from the Motor City 1938-1954 does its best to show that the scene consisted of more than these two stars. Though the first two discs (of four!) are dedicated to Frazier and Sampson Pittman and then Hooker, respectively, the second two, and especially the last, explore the work of musicians like the prolific Baby Boy Warren, who never found much recognition beyond Hastings Street, Playboy Fuller (aka Louisiana Red), Big Maceo Merriweather, Sam Kelly, Eddie Burns, and even Joe Van Battle, a local entrepreneur and label owner, and a man who recorded a lot of the artists included here.
John Lee Hooker - 2002 - Live At Newport [320]
Although propulsive classics such as "Boogie Chillen" and "Dimples" had already established John Lee Hooker among the most electrifying artists within the blues community, his performances at the Newport Folk Festival in 1960 and '63 found him catering to the biases of a broader, younger (and whiter) audience: folk-revival fans who preferred acoustic to electric and country blues to the modern urban strain. Thus, the Detroit-based Hooker did his best to approximate the styles he'd left behind in his native Mississippi a couple of decades earlier.
John Norum - 2010 - Play Yard Blues [320]
2010 sees the birth of John’s long awaited new solo album “Play Yard Blues“. A fantastic collection of John Norum originals as well as some covers. The difference with previous solo is that “Play Yard Blues” shows a little different side of John. The trademark sound and riffings are definitely there but John also follows a more bluesy approach in several songs.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Interstate Blues - 2010 - Red Was The Sky [320]
If you like straight ahead 70's style hard rock with heavy drums, solid bass and screaming guitars then this is the band for you! 'Red Was The Sky' is their latest release.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Gordon Smith - 2008 - The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions [320]
Gordon Smith has never to my knowledge been mentioned even as an after thought when the greats of British Blues are discussed. A contemporary of Eric Burdon et al in the North East of England, his move to London In 1967 saw him develop into a bluesman of such quality that he recorded for Blue Horizon and rubbed shoulder with peers such as Peter Green. He was a Kevin Coyne sideman for many years. Here is a 2008 digitally remastered collection of recordings for the British Blues label Blue Horizon including 12 previously unreleased tracks.
Snooky Pryor & His Mississippi Wrecking Crew - 2002 - Same [128]
The late-career bloom of amplified harmonica pioneer Snooky Pryor continues in fine style as the irrepressible octogenarian leads a band of kindred spirits through a set of old-fashioned, soul-satisfying blues. Pryor sparkles in a setting where he is surrounded by his peers: pianist Pinetop Perkins, eight years his senior; veteran guitarist Mel Brown (Neck Bones & Caviar); and the classic rhythm section of drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and bassist Bob Stroger. Guest guitarist Jeff Healey spices things up on three tracks, but it is the well-seasoned blues bond of the band that carries the day. Pryor is still blowing strong, and his testifying tone, both on the harp and in his expressive vocals, is put to excellent use, especially on an extended take of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Decoration Day." Perkins, taking the vocal on a personalized version of "Pinetop's Grinder Man Blues" and scattering propulsive piano lines through every tune, is a perfect musical partner for Pryor. Combined with unsung guitar hero Brown and anchored by the redoubtable rhythm section, Pryor struts with his usual enthusiastic expertise.
Memphis Slim - 1961 - Raining The Blues [160]
Shoved into the background by rock 'n' roll, Slim's career righted itself with a Carnegie Hall appearance in 1959, and soon he was ushered into the recording studio. Throughout this union of two Prestige/Bluesville albums, Just Blues and No Strain, the imposing singer and pianist gives valuable lessons on the thesis that commitment to working through sadness pays off in transcendence. On occasion slim gets a lift from either little-known harmonica player Harpie" Brown or a guitar-and-bass team.
Memphis Slim - 1961 - Alone With My Friends [320]
This album was recorded in London at the end of a European tour in which Memphis Slim performed these "blues roots" songs live. As such, it is an interesting exploration of the evolving piano styles during the blues migration from the Mississippi Delta to Sweet Home Chicago and a great resource for traditional piano blues licks.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Mystery Train - 2002 - Live At The North American Auto Show [320]
This is the third self-released Cd from Mystery Train. This one was broadcast live at the North American Auto Show in Detroit. The broadcast from January 11th 2002 has not been altered in any way. What you will hear is what the audience heard that day. Featuring Jim McCarty and Kenny Welk. A FINE CD!!!!!
Robert Johnson's Soul - 2010 - Robert Johnson's Soul [320]
Robert Johnson's Soul featuring up-and-coming guitar shredder Robert Johnson (yes that’s his real name) is the latest burning blues sensation turning rock fans on their heads at venues and festivals across Texas and beyond. The Austin, Texas trio’s debut CD Robert Johnson's Soul is a scorching blend of the classic rock greats of the 70’s (ala Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Stevie Ray & Robin Trower) turned up another notch to bring hard rocking blues to a new generation.
Magic Slim & The Teardrops - 2010 - Raising The Bar [320]
It's hard to believe that it was way back in 1990 when Magic Slim first hooked up with Blind Pig Records to record his legendary Gravel Road LP. Slim and his label are celebrating their twenty-year collaboration with the release of Raising The Bar, an outstanding collection of older and newer songs culled from Slim's vast repertoire. From R&B gems like "Breaking Up Somebody's Home" and Little Milton's "4:59 A.M." to Roosevelt Sykes' "Sunny Road Blues" and J.B. Lenoir's "Mama Talk To Your Daughter" to his own perennial crowd favorites, "Shame", "Do You Mean It" and "Treat Me The Way You Do", Slim once again proves that when it comes to complete mastery of the blues in all its aspects and truly genre defining power of performance, he has few if any equals on the scene today.
Lazy Lester - 1998 - All Over You [320]
The last time Lester released an album was 1988's Harp & Soul on Alligator, an uneven affair. This 1999 effort for Antone's is a vast improvement with producer Derek O'Brien providing linchpin guitar support and fronting a band that includes stellar contributions from Mike Buck on drums and Sarah Brown on bass. Although the intervening years have added a bit of rust to Lester's vocal chops, the added graininess just enhances the performances of old chestnuts like "Strange Things Happening," "If You Think I've Lost You," "Irene," "I'm a Lover, Not a Fighter," "I Need Money," and "The Sun Is Shining." The classic Excello is called on for most of the album but the big surprise comes with two solo performances by Lester, singing and playing guitar on Lightnin' Slim's "Nothing but the Devil" and Lonesome Sundown's "My Home Is a Prison." His most cohesive album since his first for Excello. Personnel: Lazy Lester (vocals, harmonica, guitar); Sue Foley, Derek O'Brien (guitar); Gene Taylor (piano);
Sarah Brown (bass); Mike Buck (drums).
Sarah Brown (bass); Mike Buck (drums).
Teegarden & Van Winkle - 1969 - But Anyhow, [VBR]
Drummer David Teegarden and organist Skip "VanWinkle" Knape brought a little Tulsa soul-jazz to the rock world in the late 1960s and early '70s, but unfortunately, save for the 1970 hit "God, Love and Rock & Roll," they didn't generate a whole lot of commercial success. Part of the problem was the world then just didn't know quite what to make of a rock act that didn't feature flashy electric guitar, which is a shame, because these guys worked from an interesting template. But, Anyhow,, the duo's second album, originally issued on LP in 1969, is probably their best, and at its finest moments it mixes rootsy rock with a soul-jazz center and the result is pretty intriguing. The real gem here is the opening track, "Annie Had a Baby," which sounds nothing so much as a long lost track by the Band, and it is Americana in the best sense.
Siggi Schwarz & The Rock Legends - 2005 - Woodstock [320]
Siggi Schwarz, well known German guitarist and producer, invited a couple of blues and rock musicians to work out a collection of fine songs that we all know from the Woodstock festival in August 1969. The result is an enjoyable series of great Woodstock tunes, played by skillful insider musicians. A must have for Schenker and Lukather fans.
Siggi Schwarz & The Electricguitar Legends - 2003 - Legends [VBR]
Siggi Schwarz, an established German rock and blues guitar player, runs a specialised guitar shop with worldwide reputation. By combining both aspects of willing (and being able) to play some hot licks and using his good contacts to his shop clients he created his very first Legend' recording in 2003, a wonderful album, consisting of 14 rock, soul, and blues standards, that might become a standard on his own for guitar fetishists. 'Electric Guitar Legends' is much more a band project rather than a Siggi Schwarz recording with various guest artists on selected titles. Most of the titles were performed with four guitarists simultaneously.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Black Country Communion - 2010 - Black Country Communion [320]
Black Country Communion is the brainchild of producer Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin). The band initially came to fruition when Shirley saw Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa join forces on stage in Los Angeles in November 2009 for an explosive performance at Guitar Center’s King of the Blues event. Shirley then recruited Bonham and Sherinian to complete the group. Named after the industrial area in Britain where both Hughes and Bonham were born and raised, BCC began rehearsing and recording tracks written by both Bonamassa and Hughes at Shangri¬La Studios with producer Kevin Shirley in early 2010. The result is a recording masterpiece with 12 tracks of superbly mixed rock n’ roll that includes enough bluesy grit to rip your ears off!
The Union - 2010 - The Union [VBR]
The Union is a new band formed by Luke Morley, formerly the guitarist for legendary UK rock band Thunder and ex Winterville vocalist/guitarist Peter Shoulder. Luke Morley was lead guitarist, chief songwriter and producer for Thunder from the band’s inception in 1989 until their split in 2009. Their farewell UK tour was the most successful in their twenty-year history and culminated in an emotional sold out show at Hammersmith Apollo. Thunder produced nine studio albums in their twenty years despite a two year hiatus between 1999 and 2001. Previously he was a member of 1980s group Terraplane. Luke released a solo album ‘El Gringo Retro’ in in 2001 and two albums (Moving Swiftly Along’ and ‘Mo’s Barbeque’) with Thunder singer Danny Bowes under the name Bowes & Morley. Peter Shoulder was the vocalist, songwriter and musical rudder of Winterville. He is one of only three British artists (the other two being Eric Clapton and Peter Green) to win a W.C. Handy Blues Foundation award, presented in Memphis in 2006 for co-writing the American Blues Song of the Year.
Driftin' Slim - 1967 - Somebody Hoo-Doo'd The Hoo-Doo Man [256]
Elmon Mickle was one of the most unique blues players around. His country blues is a throwback to plantation era and his sound is pure Arkansas, although he grew up in Southern California. This Milestone re-issue shows that there's a lot of energy, art and fun in being a one-man band. Elmon recorded in California under different names, such as "Model T Slim," Harmonica Harry," and on these cuts from the mid-60's, "Driftin' Slim." More importantly, he played harmonica, bass drum, guitar and hi-hat cymbals all together and on 10 of these 15 cuts, he's the band. All by himself. He keeps time, strums the rhythm chords and blows a mean harp on "Jack O'Diamonds," and there are influences of John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson on "Till I Got Sixteen." When he's backed by Jack Wall on guitar, Ike Parker on bass, and Guy Jones on drums, Driftin' Slim's right at home with a full band, too. Check out Driftin' Slim. He's more than a one man band; he's a slice of country blues that's pretty tasty.
Cephas & Wiggins - 1992 - Flip, Flop & Fly [320]
Similar to the songsters of the '20s and '30s, Cephas and Wiggins are able to move easily between ragtime, blues, jazz and Piedmont-style folk music. Flip, Flop & Fly, the title track being the old Joe Turner hit, treads ground on all the above genres and styles. In particular "Darkness On the Delta" and "Banks of the River" showcase the emotional depth capable in Cephas' voice, and the original composition "The Backbiter" is modern acoustic blues at its best.
Cephas & Wiggins - 1989 - Guitar Man [320]
Cephas is even more wondrous here than on the Washingtonian's earlier album. Through voice and guitar he commandingly brings the songs of Blind Blake, Furry Lewis, and Blind Boy Fuller into the present. Wiggins turns in a winning, work- manly performance. Their music is sunshine flashing off wet mountain foliage at the break of dawn.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
James Cotton - 2010 - Giant [128]
Giant, Cotton's first album in six years, was recorded by producer Stuart Sullivan in Austin, Texas with a band that included guitarists/vocalists Slam Allen and Tom Holland, bassist Noel Neal, and drummer Kenny Neal, Jr. The album celebrates Cotton's 66 years in the business (since he was nine years old), and will remind listeners of both Cotton's power and his skill with the harmonica, Giant promising to serve up plenty of the raging blues harp that has become Cotton's trademark over 28 previous albums.
ONE MORE GIFT FROM JEFF!! TYYYY!!
ONE MORE GIFT FROM JEFF!! TYYYY!!
BB Chung King & The Buddaheads - 1994 - Crawlin' Moon [128]
OK folks, the missing album is finally here. ALL THE CREDITS TO JEFF FOR THIS AWESOME GIFT !!! Thank you for ever!!!
Tom Sanders & The Hornets - 1997 - Ain't Done Yet [128]
Tom Sanders & The Hornets, now together since 1989, is very similar in style to fellow New Englanders Roomful Of Blues. Ain't Done Yet is an excellent debut release of a dozen original songs, highlighted by the red hot harmonica-led tune "Routine Blues." Special guests include Allman Brothers drummer Jaimoe and pianist Little Anthony Geraci.
Mighty Sam McClain - 1986 - Live In Japan [320]
A sophisticated bluesman in the tradition of Bobby "Blue" Bland or Joe Williams, Mighty Sam McClain had not recorded in some 13 years when he cut a demo of song called "Pray" in 1984. The demo attracted the attention of a Japanese promoter, who subsequently coordinated the Japanese tour from which this live album, recorded in Tokyo, is culled.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Jeff Terra - 2000 - Groovin' In The Galaxy [256]
Rhode Island native Jeff Terra (1961-1990) was best known for holding down lead guitar chores in the band D.D and The Road Kings.
Big Time Sarah, Zora Young & Bonnie Lee - 1982 - Blues With The Girls [256]
15 tracks recorded live at Anagramme Studio, Paris, in February 1982. Vocals on tracks 1-5 by Zora Young; vocals on tracks 6-9 by Bonnie Lee; vocals on tracks 10-14 by Big Time Sarah. All three share vocals on the final track, along with the songwriter, Hubert Sumlin, who also plays guitar.
Eddy Clearwater - 1981 - Two Times Nine [256]
Recorded originally for Clearwater's own Cleartone label and later leased to Ron Bartolucci's Baron imprint, these late-'70s sides were potent indicators of his maturing blues style. These weren't homemade sessions; all-star sidemen include drummer Casey Jones, guitarist Jimmy Johnson, and saxist Abb Locke. The title cut is a blistering Chuck Berry-styled rocker, "Came Up the Hard Way" displays a firm grasp of the West Side sound, and "A Little Bit of Blues, A Little Bit of Rock & Roll" utilizes a funky groove to foot-stomping advantage.
Monday, September 13, 2010
B.B. & The Screaming Buddah Heads - 1993 - Are You Satisfied [320]
Buddaheads' first release. Actually is their album 'Blues Had A Baby'' plus 1 song(Fire & Gasoline).
Ducks Can Groove - 2009 - Different Frogs, Different Times [320]
Different Frogs, Different Times features nine cosmic Hendrix-inspired power trio jams. Ducks Can Groove is a cool, Hendrix-inspired instrumental power trio from Sweden featuring authentic, retro-'70s, cosmic, blues-based, Hendrix-ian heavy guitar jams that dig deep on the killer six string groove. Guitarist Stefan Edfeldt is, of course, a dedicated fan, playing the same models of guitar as Hendrix, through electrical equipment of the right vintage. No compromises! No shortcuts! This is a psychedelic throwback into Jimi's lush tonal world!
Mudpie Bluesband - 2003 - Mudpie Bluesband [192]
Mudpie Bluesband, four dedicated musicians from Angermanland, Sweden, join forces to create their own special breed of the blues. With influences like Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King, and with 999+ gigs in the rear view mirror, these guys can guarantee you a toe-tappin', houserockin' evening, packed with a mix of blues classics and their own hard-hitting material.
Junior Parker - 2006 - You Don't Have To Be Black To Love The Blues [VBR]
Junior Parker was an extraordinary blues singer and harmonica player who laid down some superb material over the course of a twenty year career (1952-1971) before his life was cut short just prior to his fortieth birthday. It’s inexplicable, then, why he has such a low profile among blues aficionados. He hit the charts a fair bit through the 1960?s for Duke, retained a strong following among the black club audience but failed to break through to a wider audience. As such he was virtually ignored by the new white blues audience of the 1960?s. If Parker is mentioned at all these days it’s usually in association with his 1953 number “Mystery Train” which was picked up by Elvis. Parker died in November 1971 during an operation for a brain tumor. Before he passed he sailed into the 1970?s in promising fashion cutting a pair of terrific albums; You Don’t Have To Be Black To Love The Blues circa 1970/1971 for Groove Merchant and I Tell Stories Sad And True for United Artists which was released in 1972.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Dynamic Hepnotics - 1985 - Take You Higher [320]
The Dynamic Hepnotics were a successful Australian soul/blues/funk band during the 1980s. They had major success with their chart topping song Soul Kind Of Feeling in 1984 and 1985, followed up by Gotta Be Wrong (Way To Love) later that year. Frontman "Continental" Robert Susz went on to form the band The Mighty Reapers after the split of The Dynamic Hepnotics in 1988. Susz still performs today in the group Continental Blues Party. Robert Susz and members of The Dynamic Hepnotics came together in 1998 to perform at the Mushroom 25 Live concert, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records.
Robin Trower - 1974 - The Tower Of Philadelphia [320]
Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, November 21, 1974. Excellent stereo soundboard remastered by Pink Robert. Extraordinary performance of the best Robin Trower line-upRobin Trower - guitar, Jim Dewar - bass & vocals, Conrad Isadore - drums.
Hubert Sumlin with James Cotton & Little Mike and The Tornadoes [320]
The veteran guitarist sounds more confident and expressive vocally here than on any other of his contemporary recordings. Backing by harpist James Cotton, along with Little Mike & the Tornadoes, is nicely understated, affording Sumlin just enough drive without drowning his easygoing vocals out.
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