Vera Taylor: You Better Be Careful (Wolf)
Robert Lowery: Rainin' Down Blues (Wolf)

  Wolf Records has been doing an exemplary job documenting the Chicago blues scene since it's inception in the early 80's. In addition Wolf has put out some fine collections of classic and contemporary country blues. Wolf's newest offerings focus on their strengths with a fine Chicago blues outing featuring Vera Taylor and a stellar country blues record from California based bluesman Robert Lowery.

 Singer Vera Taylor was the wife of legendary guitarist Eddie Taylor a major player on the Chicago scene from the 50's (he was Jimmy Reed's guitarist from 1953-67) until his death in 1985. Eddie never received the recognition he deserved during his lifetime and Vera Taylor's talent may have similarly gone unrecognized if not for this fine CD. You Better Be Careful represents Vera Taylor's entire recorded output containing nine cuts from an August 1999 session (Vera died November 1, 1999), one with her son Edward from his 1998 Wolf debut and two tracks from Eddie Taylor's last session in 1983-84.

 The music is pure old school Chicago blues with Vera's earthy, down-home vocals backed by an all-star band featuring Edward Taylor and Johnny B. Moore on guitars, Eddie Shaw on saxophone, Ken Barker on piano and Willie Kent on bass. The results ignite sparks all over the place including the bouncy "Aint Gonna Cry", the mid-tempo "You Better Be Careful" spotlighting some great slide guitar and the after hours feel of "No Answer On The Telephone." Despite being his last session Eddie Taylor lays down some smoldering guitar on "I Found Out" and the romping "I Have The Blues."

  Robert Lowery is a country bluesman of the highest order. Born in Arkansas 1932, Lowery began playing in the 50's inspired by a number of local guitarists who never recorded. Like many bluesman of his generation he was also influenced by records particularly those of Lightnin' Hopkins and Robert Johnson whose styles still echo in Lowery's playing. Lowery's first full length record didn't come until 1989 followed by a couple of other solid records including one for the Wolf label last year. Rainin' Down Blues ranks as one of his best and stands as a reminder of the power of traditional blues.

 The production places Lowery's guitar right up front and his rhythmically complex playing sounds crystal clear. Lowery's powerful vocal delivery adds emotional weight to a set that focuses primarily on original material. Among the many highlights include the wonderful title cut with great harp by longtime partner Virgil Thrasher (he plays on nearly half the cuts), "Put your Hand in Mine", Sleepy John Estes' "Someday Baby" and "Rock Me Baby" which owes more than a passing nod to Robert Johnson. With so few first and second generation bluesman left it's heartening to hear some like Robert Lowery who remains at the peak of his powers.

 Wolf records can be consistently counted on for the type of real deal blues that's heard less and less frequently these days. Take a chance on either of these fine records and you won't be dissapointed.

(Jeff Harris)

Roscoe Gordon: Memphis Tennessee (Stony Plain)

 Talk about overdue comebacks! The one and only Rosco Gordon is back from a ten year absence from the studio. Memphis Tennessee finds the 66 year old in great form with his inimitable style still intact. With help from Duke Robillard and his band, Rosco romps through a wonderful set that rekindles the magic of his early Memphis days.

 Rosco's story is deeply entwined in the musical history of Memphis. Rosco's career was off and running after winning an amateur contest at the age of 16 which led to a weekly radio show on the influential WDIA radio station. Wanting to make records of his own it was only natural that he gravitated to the fledgling Sun studios whose motto was: "We Record Anything-Anywhere-Anytime." Rosco hit big in 1951 with "Booted" which hit number one the R&B charts followed by "No More Doggin" reaching number three. Rosco continued cutting successful records for Sun, RPM, Duke/Peacock and later for Vee-Jay where he again hit big with "Just A Little Bit." Rosco was married in the 60's and ultimately focused less on musical activities and more on his growing family. With the death of his wife and retirement from his day job Rosco is is focusing his energies on music again and the results are a joy to listen to.

 Memphis Tennessee finds Rosco with the same high energy style that made his early records so memorable. You couldn't ask for a better backing band with Duke Robillard handling guitar chores and Roomful Of Blues members Matt McCabe on piano and wailing sax work fro Doug James and Sax Gordon. Rosco tackles some of his old classics like "No More Doggin'", "Just A little Bit" and "Let's Get High" and the band captures Rosco's trademark shuffle sound perfectly. Other highlights include the bouncy "Bad Dream", "It Takes A Lot Of Lovin'" and the low-down "Jelly Jelly." The record closes with an thorough and informative 17 minute interview with Rosco by producer Holger Petersen. Included are a fine set of liner notes that neatly outlines Rosco's career.

 Fans of romping, horn driven R&B and blues will have a blast listening to Memphis Tennessee- maybe almost as much fun as Rosco seems to be having himself. Almost certain to be a lock for comeback of the year.

(Jeff Harris)

Blind Lemon Jefferson: The Best Of (Yazoo)
Blind Blake: The Best Of (Yazoo)

 The Yazoo label has long been the premire record company for reissues of vintage country blues. From the dawn of the blues recording era Yazoo brings us two incredible collections consisting of some the finest blues ever preserved for posterity. Both sets have been digitally remastered from the original 78's and the music has never sounded better.

 These current "best of" CD's have actually been issued by Yazoo before in previous incarnations. Originally both were issued more with tracks as double LP sets (this may be dating myself but yes I have the original LP's) and then released on compact disc with a few cuts left of due to time constraints. With these new reissues Yazoo has gone back to the drawing board remastering these anew from the original 78's making the sound much superior to previous releases. While the sound may still be rough in spots the music always manages to shine through.

 Blind Lemon Jefferson is certainly one of the main figures of country blues and while his name is well known I suspect his music is not. Jefferson was a tremendously popular bluesman in the 20's (he supposedly died in 1929) who's success almost single-handedly opened the door for male blues artists, a genre dominated at the time by woman singers. Lemon's artistry, despite the poor fidelity of the records, leap from the grooves of these old 78's particularly his powerful vocals which will no doubt startle new listeners. Lemon's guitar is equally disarming spraying blues licks all over the place with little regard for timing especially on masterpieces like 1927's "Matchbox Blues" and "Hot Dogs", "Long Lonesome Blues" from 1926 and slide playing on "Jack O' Diamond Blues." Most of Lemon's best known tunes can be found including classics like "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean", "One Dime Blues" plus some interesting material including a pair of gospel numbers (originally issued under the pseudonym Deacon L.J. Bates) as well as topical material like "Wartime Blues" and the chilling "'Lectric Chair Blues." Fans and completists may wonder at the exclusion of such well known gems as "That Black Snake Moan', Shucking Sugar" or "Stocking Feet Blues" but these are small complaints in what is otherwise an excellent 23 track collection.

 Little is known about Blind Blake who recorded some 79 issued titles for Paramount between 1926-32 and then completely disappeared. What is known about Blind Blake is that he was without a doubt one of the greatest guitar pickers the blues has ever seen particularly on rags and instrumentals where his skill is unmatched. Instrumentals like "Southern Rag", "Sea Board Stomp", "West Coast Blues" and especially "Blind Arthur's Breakdown" show off remarkable speed and jaw dropping technical mastery that put Blake in a league of his own. Blake was also a fine relaxed singer and is heard to good effect on more traditional blues like the poignant "Georgia Bound", "Chump Man Blues", "Doggin' Me Mamma Blues" accompanied by an unidentified musician playing either woodblocks or vibes and "Panther Squall Blues" featuring a fine unknown harmonica player. Like the Blind Lemon disc song selection and sequencing are excellent although curiously one of Blake's most famous songs, "Police Dog Blues", is missing

 In addition to the remastered sound Yazoo has provided excellent notes for both sets making these collections the perfect introduction for these two timeless artists.

(Jeff Harris)

Johnny Adams: There Is Always One More Time (Rounder)
Roomful Of Blues: The Blues'll Make You Happy Too (Rounder)
A Portrait Of Champion Jack Dupree (Rounder)
Boozoo Chavis: Johnnie Billy Goat (Rounder)

 With these four releases Rounder launches their Rounder Heritage series, a thirty record project featuring compilations of essential artists who previously recorded for Rounder over the course of the company's thirty year career. Each compilation has been lovingly compiled with extensive liner notes, bonus tracks and remastered sound.

 There Is Always One More Time collects the recordings Johnny Adams made during his fruitful 15 year stint at Rounder from 1984 until his untimely death in 1998. Adams was blessed with an extraordinary soulful, soaring voice that could send chills down your spine. Teamed up with producer Scott Billington, Adams covered a wide variety of styles including blues, jazz, R&B, pop and straight soul. On the bluesy side of things is check out the wonderful Percy Mayfield penned "Walking On A Tightrope", "One foot In The Blues" or "I Don't Know" a duet with Ruth Brown. Adams tackles a couple soul classics with "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" and "Body and Fender Man" with a good dose of funk. Adams is particularly effective on smoky ballads with favorites going to understated gems like "Even Now" and "There Is Always One More Time." Johnny always had first class bands including such New Orleans luminaries as Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Dr. John, Alvin "Red" Tyler and guest vocalists like Aaron Neville and Harry Conick Jr..

 The Blues'll Make You Happy Too compiles 14 tracks from various Roomful of Blues albums released over the past twenty years. The emphasis is on cuts from the 90's but also includes tracks from from as far back as 1980. While there have been line up changes the overall sound remains the same- a solid dose of swinging, horn propelled blues, soul and R&B. Of the older material "Loan A Helping Hand" from 1980 is a tough jump blues number with Ronnie Earl's stinging guitar front and center, "That's my Life" from 1986 is a storming blues romp and "Shake Rattle And Roll" from 1980 was recorded live featuring the great Big Joe Turner rocking the house. Other highlights include the slinky "The Comeback" and Sugar Ray Norcia's soulful vocals fronting the swinging "Standing At The Crossroads" and the pure retro jump of "You Know It."

 Portrait Of Champion Jack Dupree is drawn from three albums Dupree recorded for Rounder Records near the end of his life, when he was in his late seventies and early eighties. It's been a while since I first heard these records I have to say I forgot how good they were. Dupree was still a strong vocalist, formidable barrelhouse piano player and insightful songwriter. Dupree touches on some serious subjects and seems to be keenly aware that death is near especially on songs like "Give Me Flowers While I'm Livin'" and "You Can Make It." He looks back on the past on the gently rolling "Hometown New Orleans" and "They Gave Me Away" an autobiographical account of a tragic upbringing. Despite some somber overtones Dupree has a lot of fun on tunes like the improvisational sounding "Skit Skat" and stomping party songs like "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee" and "When I'm Drinkin'."

 Johnnie Billy Goat compiles 23 tracks from his Boozoo's stint at Rounder including three previously unreleased live cuts. Boozoo Chavis was one of the pioneers of Zydeco and his 1954 single, "Paper In My Shoe", was the first Zydeco hit. Distrustful of the music industry, Chavis retired until 80's when he launched a comeback first with the Maison De Soul label and most recently for Rounder. There's no gimmicks in Boozoo's music just vintage zydeco with Boozoo and the band creating an incredible groove that just doesn't quit. Bozoo's pulsing accordion pumps along hypnotically as the band locks into a bluesy groove on sure fire dance numbers like "Dance All Night", "Boozoo, That's Who" and "I Went To The Dance." It's not surprising that Boozoo is at his best on the live cuts like his classic "Paper in My Shoe", the blazing "Motor Dude Special" and the previously unreleased "41 Days." Make sure to put your dancing shoes on, this is one hell of a party record.

 If these first four releases are any indication this is going to be one killer series. Save your money now, there's still 26 compilations to go!

(Jeff Harris)