Guitarist Enrico Crivellaro isn't exactly a household name but give him a little time and this talented axeman should be well known among blues fans. You couldn't ask for a better debut than "Key To My Kingdom" a knockout record that surrounds Crivellaro with a great cast that really delivers the goods.

  Label owner Andrew Galloway calls Crivellaro "the best young guitarist I have heard in the past year" that "doesn't hail from Chicago or Memphis." Crivellaro is an import from Italy which shouldn't be all that surprising as the the blues has spread from the states to become truly international. He's paid his dues in James Harman's band (always a good place to find top quality talent) and worked with the Royal Crown Revue winning the Swing Guitarist of the Year Award. "Key To My Kingdom" proves that Crivellaro is more than ready to step out on his own.

 In a way "Key To My Kingdom" is similar to a record we reviewed last month by another outstanding young guitarist, Kirk Fletcher. Both are well schooled in in a multitude of styles, have a strong sense of tradition and display impeccable taste and tone. Crivellaro lays down some blistering, chunky guitar work but also displays a strong jazz influence. Crivellaro, like Fletcher, leaves the singing to others including a couple by James Harman with the rest sung by Finis Tasby who appeared on Fletcher's record. Also like Fletcher's outing this one showcases some stellar ensemble playing including fine piano and B-3 from Bruce Katz and sax man Jeff Turmes who also did the excellent horn arrangements. While most of the tunes are covers they are numbers that most folks probably haven't heard before. Among the originals are a fine pair from the pen of James Harman who's world weary drawl sounds as good as ever on the shuffling "Drinkin' Cheap Champagne (From A Dixie Cup)" with fat, stinging guitar from Crivellaro and "Help Me Flip Another Flop" with an insinuating semi-R&B groove. Finis Tasby is a flat out great blues singer who deserves more recognition and sounds great on his six tunes particularly a pair by brilliant lyricist Percy Mayfield on the low-down vamp of "You're In For A Big Surprise" featuring a heap of fiery guitar work and the shuffling "Stand By." Tasby is equally good on B.B. King's soulful "Key To My Kingdom" (one of the few B.B. tunes I haven't heard covered before) as Crivellaro uncorks some uncanny B.B. styled licks and the after hours feel of "Rain Is A Bringdown" an old Ruth Brown number. Crivellaro shows off a jazzy side on instrumentals like "Black Jack" and "Train To Venice" which owe a big debt to the soul-jazz sound of the 60's and Crivellaro obviously listened long and hard to those great Blue Note albums that came out during that period.

 "Key To My Kingdom" is hands down one of the year's best debuts and heralds a major blues talent. Another winner for the Electro-Fi label which has been putting out some terrific records in the last few years.

-Check out these related links:
Electro-Fi Website

(Jeff Harris)

 80 years old when he recorded this electrifying live set, Snooky Pryor hasn't lost a step on this commanding set of deep, gritty and always soulful blues. "Mojo Ramble" is only the latest in recent years in what has been a remarkable run of recordings by this ageless blues wonder.

 Snooky Pryor always seems to be in the shadow of harmonica giants Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter but his contributions to blues harmonica shouldn't be overlooked. He was among the earliest to amplify the harmonica - he's long claimed he was the first harpist to run his sound through a public address system around Chicago. His groundbreaking early records from the 40's and 50's bear testament to his abilities waxing great sides like "Telephone Blues", "Boogy Fool", "Raisin' Sand" and particularly "Snooky and Moody's Boogie" from 1948 which note for note is the model for Little Walter's famous "Juke" recorded in 1952. "When I made that number, Snooky explains, "Little Walter was still in Louisiana trying to chase his dog to the cemetery." After being off the scene for many years Snooky reemerged in the late 80's cutting fine records for Blind Pig and most recently for Electro-Fi.

 "Mojo Ramble" was recorded live in Ontario in 2001 backed by guitarist Mel Brown and his band the Homewreckers. Brown has appeared on Snooky's two previous Electro-Fi outings as well as putting out out a pair of strong records himself on the label. "Mojo Ramble" finds Snooky in rocking good form on this scorching, tough as nails set blowing some fierce, melodic harmonica and displaying an energy that would blow most of the younger harp players off the stage. His vocals are every bit the equal as he alternately hollers the blues with abandon and sings with soulful conviction. The hard rocking band features the big stinging tone of Mel Brown and the rollicking piano of John Lee who set down a mighty groove as Snooky kicks into lengthy blues romps (every song is over six minutes) like the stomping "Dirty Rat", the shuffling nine minute epic "Come On Down To My House" and the good time "Let Your Hair Down, Woman". Snooky slows it down on the soul drenched "Shake My Hand", a moving reworking of Tampa Red's classic "It Hurts Me Too" and the moody "Headed South." Throughout everyone gets plenty of room to cut loose as Snooky pushes the band on with frequent interjections like "look here John", "you got to work with it" and "allright Mel help me a little bit." They sound like they're having a ball and the mood is infectious.

 Snooky Pryor seems to defy logic, sounding more commanding with each new release and his nuanced harmonica work should be required listening for every up and coming harp player. "Mojo Ramble" is is a ferociously tough outing, a must for Snooky fans and makes a perfect introduction for those who've yet to be initiated.

-Check out these related links:
Snooky Pryor & His Mississippi Wrecking Crew CD Review
Electro-Fi Website

(Jeff Harris)

 Now celebrating their 75th anniversary, The Dixie Hummingbirds have outlasted just about all of the great gospel groups and certainly rank as one of the mightiest of all the gospel quartets. On "Diamond Jubilation" the Hummingbirds prove there's plenty of fire left on this glorious set of vintage gospel assisted by a stellar cast of secular friends.

 The Dixie Hummingbirds are universally hailed as the greatest off all the gospel quartets enjoying amazing longevity and popularity. The Hummingbirds trace their history back to the late '20s and in 1938 were joined by teenaged baritone Ira Tucker (the group's only original member still left) making their recorded debut a year later on Decca. They enjoyed enormous popularity through the 40's cutting sides for Apollo, Gotham, Hob and in the 50's for Peacock enjoying huge success cutting classics like "Let's Go Out to the Programs," "Christian's Testimonial," "Christian Automobile" and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I See." In the late 60's they receded from the mainstream, playing mostly for churches but in 1973 they rose again to national fame backing Paul Simon on his pop smash "Loves Me Like a Rock." By 1984 Ira Tucker was the sole remaining member and has kept the spirit alive with new recruits.

 "Diamond Jubilation" proves that the joyous sound of The Hummingbirds lives on featuring the still powerful baritone of lead singer Ira Tucker plus longtime member William Bright. On this beautifully produced record The Hummingbirds are in peak form on program of traditional and contemporary songs infusing everything with a deep, joyous sincerity. Make no mistake this is a strictly gospel program with The Hummingbirds vocals front and center but secular guests such as former Band members Levon Helm and Garth Hudson, Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, violin), Tony Garnier, George Recile and Dr. John (two cuts) add a distinctly rootsy feel to The Hummingbirds rocking sound. The Hummingbirds manage to stir something deep inside you as in the rollicking opener "God's Radar" featuring Garth Hudson's good time accordion playing, the country tinged "Someday", the storming "When I Go Away" and the rocking "I've Been Born Again." There's nothing less then inspired here including the soulful "He Watches Over Me", Bob Dylan's moving "City of Gold" and wonderful traditional tunes like the the stomping "Nobody's Fault" sung by William Bright backed just by Campbell's fine resonator guitar with percussion provided by handclaps and foots stomps and "Rasslin' Jacob" with some wonderful close harmony singing.

 The Dixie Hummingbirds still retain the power and joy to move audiences way down deep and the evidence can be found on the stirring "Diamond Jubilation". Let's hope The Dixie Hummingbirds will be around for many anniversaries to come.

-Check out these related gospel reviews:
The Five Blind Boy of Alabama
Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan

(Jeff Harris)