Robert Ward & The Black Top All-Stars - Fear No Evil

Year: 1990
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:25
Size: 114,5 MB
Styles: Soul-blues, soul
Scans: Full

1. Your Love Is Amazing (4:17)
2. Born To Entertain (2:27)
3. Forgive Me Darling (3:01)
4. Your Love Is Real (3:01)
5. Something For Nothing (4:11)
6. Fear No Evil (3:06)
7. Trying My Best (Not To Never Do Wrong) (3:52)
8. Strictly Reserved For You (3:36)
9. So Tired Of Wandering (2:38)
10. Blessings (3:49)
11. Newborn Music (3:12)
12. K-Po-Kee (3:08)
13. Lord Have Mercy On Me (5:02)
14. Dry Spell (3:57)

One of the most amazing comeback stories of the modern blues era was ignited by this astonishing album. Robert Ward hadn't recorded as a leader in close to a quarter century, but his melismatic, almost mystical vocal quality and quirky, vibrato-enriched guitar sound utterly vital and electrifying as he revives some of his own obscure oldies ("Your Love Is Amazing," "Forgive Me Darling," "Strictly Reserved for You") and debuts a few new compositions for good measure. One of the classic blues/soul albums of the '90s. /Bill Dahl, AllMusic

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Robert Ward - Rhythm Of The People

Size: 116,9 MB
Time: 49:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1993
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. A Good Man (3:27)
02. The Real Deal (4:00)
03. Say What You Mean (4:21)
04. White Fox (4:23)
05. You Can't Stop My Lovin' Now (3:22)
06. Children Of The World (Don't Forget To Pray) (4:39)
07. All Proud Races (2:13)
08. I Do What I Want (3:08)
09. What A Friend We Have In Jesus (3:45)
10. Some Things (4:48)
11. Soap Opera Blues (3:36)
12. I Found A Love (3:58)
13. Twiggs County (4:14)

Universally hailed as the blues comeback artist of 1991 after enduring two decades of anonymity, guitarist Robert Ward is in an unenviable position: attempting to equal his prior masterpiece for Black Top, "Fear No Evil." Ward's long-awaited encore sometimes rises to the same stratospheric heights-his unique vibrato-soaked axe (powered by a quirky Magnatone amp) and gritty vocals soar on the brassy soul rockers "A Good Man" and "You Can't Stop My Lovin' Now," and "White Fox" sizzles instrumentally. "Some Things" is an impassioned ballad, while the deeply spiritual Ward and wife Roberta harmonize on a pair of heartfelt gospel numbers. But "All Proud Races" ludicrously tries to render James Brown's "I'm Black and I'm Proud" rhetoric politically correct, and a couple of alleged originals borrow too heavily from vintage R & B sources. Overall, the dreaded sophomore jinx has spared this unique bluesman, however. ~By Bill Dahl

Rhythm Of The People

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Robert Ward - New Role Soul

Size: 139,7 MB
Time: 60:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2000
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. Put Yourself In My Place ( 3:43)
02. New Role Soul ( 4:08)
03. Never Found A Girl ( 4:31)
04. I'm So Proud To Have You For My Love ( 5:18)
05. Peace Of Mind ( 4:39)
06. The Chicken Jerk ( 4:03)
07. Whatever I Receive (10:01)
08. Don't Make No Sense ( 3:05)
09. I Come To Save You ( 3:30)
10. Ark Of Safety ( 3:15)
11. Chittlins Con Carne ( 3:58)
12. I Ain't Drunk ( 5:54)
13. Somethin' Funky's Goin' On ( 4:34)

Robert Ward set an awfully high benchmark with his 1990 release Fear No Evil, a comeback album now considered a classic. New Role Soul is the work of a somewhat mellower man who remains an incredible musician at age 64. Propelled by the leader’s intricate guitar playing and animated vocals, this CD sounds better with each spin.

Ward has perfected one of the most original guitar sounds in the blues, thanks in part to his use of Magnatone amplifier. His singing is equally distinctive, though more of an acquired taste. There’s no question the man pours a lot of soul into his music.

New Role Soul contains nine original songs — including three by Ward’s wife Roberta and six by the guitarist himself – as well as four covers. The lyrics convey a sort of mystical optimism, while the music is funky, earthy and pleasingly unconventional.

The tracks "Put Yourself In My Place," "Never Found A Girl" and "Don’t Make No Sense" revisit Ward’s R&B background. (After helping to found the band that eventually became the Ohio Players, Ward was lead guitarist with the seminal soul band the Falcons, and later a session guitarist for Motown Records.) Two of the aforementioned cuts feature a fine four-piece horn section.

Two instrumental tracks — the funky original "Chicken Jerk" and Kenny Burrell’s "Chittlins Con Carne" — present Ward’s guitar prowess in dissimilar formats. The former track shows off that exquisite watery tone Ward displayed so effectively on Fear No Evil. The lengthy slow-blues "Whichever I Receive" flows along like liquid gold. It’s marked by some expressive exchanges between Ward and organ player Kevin McKendree, who also impresses on other cuts. The transcendently soulful "Peace of Mind," and "I Come to Save You" convey a sense of spirituality without too much sermonizing.

Robert Ward is the rare blues guitarist who has developed a truly original style, and New Role Soul is one of his best recordings. ~by Ed Kopp

New Role Soul

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Various Artists - Three Shades Of The Blues

Year: 1995
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:28
Size: 120,4 MB
Styles: Blues, R&B, soul
Scans: Full

1. Eddie Kirkland - Train Done Gone (2:22)
2. Eddie Kirkland - You Know I Love You (2:43)
3. Eddie Kirkland - Blood On Your Hands (3:34)
4. Eddie Kirkland - Love You Til The Day I Die (2:42)
5. Eddie Kirkland w. The Falcons - So Pretty Baby (2:15)
6. Eddie Kirkland w. The Falcons - I Tried (2:17)
7. Eddie Kirkland w. The Falcons - I'm So Tired (Oh Baby Please) (2:23)
8. Eddie Kirkland - Back Bone (2:42)
9. Mr. Bo - Live My Life All Over (2:07)
10. Mr. Bo - Until The Day I Die (2:32)
11. Mr. Bo - Hard Times Once More (2:41)
12. Mr. Bo - The Train (2:23)
13. Ohio Untouchables - She's My Heart's Desire (Unreleased Version) (2:44)
14. Ohio Untouchables - Your Love Is Real (2:41)
15. Ohio Untouchables - I'm Tired (2:35)
16. Ohio Untouchables - Forgive Me Darling (3:10)
17. Ohio Untouchables - What To Do (2:09)
18. Robert Ward & Ohio Untouchables - Up Town (2:18)
19. Ohio Untouchables - She's My Heart's Desire (2:45)
20. Robert Ward & Ohio Untouchables - Hot Stuff (2:16)

Eddie Kirkland:
Kirkland, known as the "Gypsy of the Blues" for his rigorous touring schedules, played and toured with John Lee Hooker from 1949 to 1962. After his period of working in tandem with Hooker he pursued a successful solo career, recording for RPM Records, Fortune Records, Volt Records, and King Records, sometimes under the stage name Eddie Kirk. Kirkland continued to tour, write and record albums until his death in February 2011.

Mr Bo:
Detroit bluesman Louis Collins, known professionally as Mr. Bo. Born in Indianola, Mississippi in 1932, Collins, like his brother, the bandleader Mac Collins became a stalwart of the Detroit blues scene during the barren days of the 1960s and dissapointingly he made few appearances on record, save for a handful of rare 45s. Collins left Mississippi in 1946, first moving to Chicago, then to Baldwin, Michigan in 1951, before settling in Detroit. Once in Detroit he played gigs with John Lee Hooker, Eddie Burns, Little Sonny Willis and Boogie Woogie Red, however he did not make it onto wax until 1959 when he signed with Johnnie Mae Mathews Northern label cutting I'm Leaving This Town/Times Hard, supported by his brother Mac on bass.

The Ohio Untouchables:
Formed in 1959, the Ohio Untouchables were a Detroit-based backing band for The Falcons (Wilson Pickett), and Benny McCain. They recorded "Love Is Amazing" in 1963. In 1964, they moved to New York as the house band for Compass Records, Inc. and in 1968, they have changed their name as the Ohio Players. Robert Ward (vocals and guitar), Marshall Jones (bass), Ralph Middlebrook (alto saxophone), Clarence G. Satchell (tenor saxophone and flute) and Cornelius Johnson (drums).

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Shirley Johnson - Killer Diller

Year: 2002
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:53
Size: 148,5 MB
Styles: Blues, Chicago blues
Scans: Full

1. Not For The Love Of You (3:08)
2. Killer Diller (3:29)
3. Your Turn To Cry (4:54)
4. Somebody Have Mercy (5:10)
5. As The Years Go Passing By (5:47)
6. No Deposit, No Return (4:23)
7. Hard-Lovin' Mama (3:31)
8. The Blues Is All I've Got (4:58)
9. Little Wing (3:30)
10. For You My Love (4:58)
11. Love Abuse (7:06)
12. It Hurts Me Too (4:16)
13. Missed The Best Chance (4:35)
14. Saved (4:03)

Shirley Johnson is an outstanding vocalist who finds herself in the vanguard of a remarkable revival of the Chicago female blues singer. For many years she has been an able ambassador, here and abroad, representing both the blues and gospel traditions. Shirley has a passionate, strong voice that can deliver a chugging Chicago blues shuffle with uncommon conviction, and infuse a slow ballad with the reassuring power of her own personal experience. Shirley Johnson is an entirely modern blues singer with ample talent, heart and class. Killer Diller is Shirley's American debut CD.

With Robert Ward, John Primer, Johnny B. Moore, Maurice John Vaughn.

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Various - Blues Guitar Spotlight

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 69:20
Size: 158.7 MB
Styles: Various styles
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[2:32] 1. Alex Schultz With The Mighty Flyers - Jam Up
[3:21] 2. Snooks Eaglin - Traveling Mood
[3:32] 3. Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets - Ways Of Man
[2:55] 4. Anson Funderburgh And Joe Hughes - I Don't Want Your Money
[3:01] 5. Robert Ward - Forgive Me Darling
[2:35] 6. Hubert Sumlin - Healing Feeling
[7:55] 7. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - That's When My Soul Comes Down
[3:56] 8. Mike Morgan & The Crawl - You Ain't Like You Used To Be
[4:47] 9. Earl King - Time For The Sun To Rise
[2:15] 10. Bobby Radcliff - The Stinger
[3:05] 11. Mike Morgan & The Crawl - Frankie's Blues
[3:50] 12. Snooks Eaglin - Don't Take It So Hard
[2:21] 13. Alex Schultz & The Mighty Flyers - Nook-N-Kranny
[3:02] 14. Texas Heat - Won't Throw It All Away
[3:53] 15. Clarence Hollimon - Blues For Carol
[5:02] 16. Bobby Radcliff - Hard Road To Travel
[4:33] 17. The James Harman Band - I Declare
[2:40] 18. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - Gonna Wait For My Chance
[3:56] 19. Robert Ward - Dry Spell

Fans of blues guitar playing should be happy with the lineup of artists on this compilation. Among the many contributors are Ronnie Earl, Hubert Sumlin, Earl King, Bobby Radcliff, Robert Ward, Anson Funderburgh, Clarence Hollimon, and Snooks Eaglin. It's a good opportunity to get a taste of where blues guitar playing has been and the direction it's headed toward in the near future. This release includes two previously unissued performances featuring Alex Schultz with Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers. Includes previously unreleased tracks. Performers include: Hubert Sumlin, Rod Piazza, Snooks Eaglin, Earl King, Clarence Hollimon, Robert Ward, Anson Funderburgh, Ronnie Earl, Bobby Radcliff, Alex Schultz, Joel Foy, Mike Morgan, Jon Moeller.

Blues Guitar Spotlight

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