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 CD Review  Book Review
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Page 2
of 2 of Reviews Section |
Every month Bad Dog Blues takes a look at the best new
blues releases and offers our opinions, criticism and general ramblings. We'll also take a
look at noteworthy reissues and blues related books. If you happen to disagree, fine, drop
us an e-mail and we'll file it appropriately. Now on to this months reviews:
"And we played it on the
sofa, and we played it side the wall
And we played it on the sofa, and we played it side the wall
But boys, my needles have got rusty, and it will not play at
all"
(Robert Johnson, Phonograph Blues)
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 Chicago
Blues: As Seen From The Inside By Raebum Flerlage (ECW)
In
the late fifties and early sixties the blues were flourishing in Chicago.
Clubs like Pepper’s, Sylvio’s, Theresa’s, the Sutherland, McKie’s
and countless other corner juke joints had music nightly for the pleasure
of the locals and the newly arriving southern transplants. Audio
recordings of these nightly gatherings are rare and even when they do
exist the recording equipment of the time gave a result that only hinted
at the power and excitement that was being generated. Thank God camera’s
were well enough developed as the same cannot be said from the visual
point of view as Raeburn Flerlage, a life long music man, has delivered an
exquisite book of photographs from the hey day of Chicago Blues.
Raeburn who got his professional start in photography by shooting an album
cover for Moe Asch’s Folkway Record label, with Memphis Slim being the
subject, lead to a lifetime career of capturing the feel and the power of
the blues through the lens of his camera. Raeburn was also a man who
delved deeply into the black neighborhoods and lifestyle of
African-Americans of Chicago in the 50’s and 60’s. An unusual event
considering Raeburn was white, but his deep appreciation for the community
and its music allowed Raeburn the opportunity to gather images that
reflect both the performers and its audience when most outside the black
community had no idea what or who the blues were all about.
The resulting pictures capture a mood and a spirit that is almost extinct.
A generation of musicians playing in predominately black, smoke
filled clubs to a predominately black audience. Artists like Howlin’
Wolf, Sunnyland Slim, Magic Sam, Jr. Wells and Otis Spann are all caught
on film in these situations.
Mr. Flerlage was also privy to many private shooting moments that are also
published in this collection. Blues performers such as Muddy Waters, John
Lee Hooker, Big Walter Horton and Little Brother Montgomery are shown in a
relaxed environment playing or chatting with friends.
Beside the club scene Raeburn also captured images from The Trianon
Ballroom a massive venue that specialized in the top-notch acts of the
era. You can sense the excitement in the atmosphere as pictures of Bobby
Blue” Bland, Junior Parker, Tommy Tucker, and Jackie Wilson exude the
feeling of crazy abandonment amongst those witnessing these musical
events.
The Chicago Blues contains countless black
and white photos of some of the major contributors to the blues music
history. Many of these photos have ended up as album or CD covers, a few
pages of the book are dedicated to these covers. All capture the spirit of
the moment. “Chicago Blues” is 90% photos with some text added by
Raeburn, but there is one line that captures the true essence of Chicago
Blues during these picture shoots. Raeburn astutely notes “In a black
club, when the performers sang we were all in it together. You had had the
experience, you had had the sorrow. You too had been conned and
double-crossed, taken for a ride, had money troubles, been disappointed in
love. You were part of the experience.” Ultimately the photos
represented in “Chicago Blues” reflect that sentiment.
(Dave Moskal)
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Little
Buster: Work Your Show (Fedora)
Harmonica
Slim: Cold Tacos And Warm Beer (Fedora)
Since it's inception a few years
back Fedora Records has amassed an excellent track record for putting
out some first rate blues from a slew of lesser known or forgotten
artists. With their latest releases by Little Buster and the Harmonica
Slim/Hosea Leavy collaboration Fedora continues to show why they're
one of the best and most consistent blues labels on the block.
Harmonica Slim and Hosea Leavy are veterans of the West Fresno,
California scene having played with such heavyweights such as T-Bone
Walker, Lowell Fulson and K.C. Douglas to name just a few. Their
collaboration on this recording is a first although they play together
often in their native Fresno. What you get on Cold Tacos & Warm
Beer is a set of loose, raw and no nonsense blues best summed up
by Slim himself: "It's just me, Hosea and a few friends walking
those back bottom blues." Slim tackles harp and vocal duties
while Hosea handles the guitar chores on a mix of originals and
covers. Of the covers take a listen to the propulsive "Catfish
Blues" and a tough version of "Cummins Prison Farm"
(originally recorded by Hosea's brother Calvin) with a spoken
monologue about his brother's troubles which found him spending time
in that prison. Included are some solid originals including Slim reminiscing
about his musical friend on "K.C. Douglas Was A Fine Man",
the rocking "She Wants To Boogie" and the gutbucket blues of
"Hey Boss."
Anyone lucky enough to stumble across Little Buster's 1995 debut album
for Bullseye Blues might have been asking themselves,
"Where's this guy been all this time?" It's a good question
considering Buster's undeniable vocal prowess. Little Buster's career
began in the 60's with a few scattered singles that didn't exactly
burn up the charts. For the last three decades he's been based in the
NY area and amazingly this is only his second full length release. Work
Your Show puts Buster's gritty, soulful vocals in the forefront on
a set of well chosen covers. Backed by his tight band The Soul
Brothers and some fine understated guitar by Buster himself this
collection of covers sounds totally fresh. Highlights go to the steady
grooving "Jealous Love" which opens the disc, the
straight blues of "Got A Mind To Travel" with some tasty
guitar work and the upbeat "I Love To See you Smile."
On
their latest releases Fedora shows their diversity putting out two
very different blues recordings but as usual the music is first rate
all the way. Whether you dig the raw blues of Hosea Leavy &
Harmonica Slim or the polished soulful blues of Little Buster both
records are sure fire winners.
(Jeff Harris)
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Eddie
C. Campbell: Hopes & Dreams (Rooster)
After a lengthy stay in Europe and large
gaps between recording dates it seems Eddie C. Campbell is finally on
a roll. 1999 saw the release of his Gonna Be Alright which
happened to be one of the year's best. Hopes And Dreams is a
solid follow up and should garner Campbell the higher profile he
deserves.
Campbell followed the familiar
route traveling from Mississippi to the bright lights of Chicago. He
quickly fell in with West side hotshots like Luther Allison, and
Magic Sam honing a potent guitar attack that's still very much in
evidence today. After paying his dues as a sideman he finally made his
belated debut in 1977 with the classic King Of The Jungle album
on Rooster. After a number of other noteworthy releases on various
labels Campbell has come full circle on the newly rejuvenated Rooster
label.
Campbell's blues are deeply rooted
in the Chicago West Side-styled guitar style and his stinging guitar
is heard to good effect on the mid-tempo opener "Did I Hurt
You", the horn laden "Spend" and the instrumental
"Cougar." Campbell also has an introspective side resulting
in some Jimmy Reed style shuffles and exceptional songwriting. For
proof take a listen to the loping "Hopes And Dreams" with
some very personal lyrics or the equally insightful "Lost
Soul" with Billy Boy Arnold laying down sympathetic harp work.
Billy Boy also turns up on the wonderful "Those Were The
Days" with just the two of them talking about old times to
minimal backing. The other special guest is pianist Ernest Lane,
ex-Robert Nighthawk and Ike Turner band member, who plays wonderfully
on the five tunes he plays on.
All in all it's good to see Eddie
C. Campbell on a roll these days. Fans of Chicago blues with a
thoughtful bent will find much to enjoy on Eddie's latest.
[Check out a review of Eddie
C. Campbell's previous CD.]
(Jeff Harris)
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|  Chris
Ardoin & Double Clutchin': Best Kept Secret (Rounder)
There's
always a fear when elder musicians die that there will be no one
to continue the tradition. Luckily in blues there's numerous talented
youngster taking up the cause. The same can be said about zydeco and
Chris Ardoin and his band Double Clutchin' are one of the music's
leading lights.
Chris
Ardoin is a third generation zydeco musician following in the
traditions established by his father, French Zydeco Band frontman
Lawrence "Black" Ardoin; his grandfather, Cajun "la
la" legend Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin; and his distant
cousin, Creole virtuoso Amadé Ardoin. Unlike the rest of his musical
family Chris is anything but traditional spicing his zydeco with
seasonings of funk and rock n' roll which is exactly what you'll find
on this hard charging new record. Taking
a cue from the late great Beau Jocque, Ardoin plays vibrant high
octane music with a decidedly contemporary bent. Switching between
accordion and guitar duties, Ardoin leads Double Clutchin' through a
mix of modern influences with traditional Louisiana Cajun music.
Highlights go to a pair of covers including The Temptations
"Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and believe it or not a
great version of Sheryl Crow's "If It Makes You Happy." Also
worth mentioning are the funky "What You Got Down There?",
the soulful "Lyin' Cryin' And Tryin'" and the more
traditional "Chris's Trail Ride." At
a mere 19 years old Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin' are good news
for zydeco keeping the music alive and fresh for a whole new
generation to discover. (Jeff Harris) | |
 Kipori
Woods: Big Black Cadillac (Louisiana Red Hot Records)
Kipori Woods, known as
"Baby Wolf", is a young Louisiana bluesman who's future
looks bright. Blessed with a fiery guitar style and a soulful voice
Woods plays the kind of exuberant blues that could garner him some big
time attention..
For Kipori Woods the music
obviously runs in his blood. He was raised by his grandfather Lloyd
Lambert, the legendary New Orleans bass player who worked with the
likes of Ray Charles, Little Richard, Danny Barker and Doc Cheatham.
Wood's first record was well received and he has won OffBeat
Magazine's Best New Blues Artist the past two years running. Big
Black Cadillac should only enhance this young bluesman's growing
reputation.
On Big Black Cadillac
Woods' searing, flamboyant guitar licks are front and center but never
fall into the trap of excess. Woods' has a few other things going for
him including the fact that he's a fine vocalist and a very good
songwriter judging from a number of excellent tunes he penned on his
new release. For proof of his songwriting abilities check out the
autobiographical "The Day I Started Playing The Blues" a
powerful slow burner, the shuffle groove and positive message of
"Only Believe" and "Baby, Let Your Family Know"
with some soulful axe work. Wood's lets loose on the sizzling title
cut and especially the romping "They Call Me The Baby Wolf"
with some outrageous guitar pyrotechnics. Woods' is assisted by an is ultra
tight band featuring some strong Hammond B-3 work from David Tarantolo.
There's certainly no shortage of
promising young bluesman and there's no doubt Kipori Woods is at the
front of the pack. Take my advice you'll be hearing much more from the
"Baby Wolf!" (Jeff Harris) | |  Jerry
Ricks: Many
Miles Of Blues (Rooster)
Many Miles Of Blues is a
superb follow to Ricks' acclaimed Deep In The Well
which came out in 1997. Ricks plays acoustic blues with a deep
reverence to the past masters many who he played with and
called friends.
Ricks
learned his music from booking acts at Philadelphia's famed
Second Fret coffeehouse from 1960 to 1966. He learned first
hand from men like Mississippi John Hurt, Mance Lipscomb,
Sleepy John Estes, Skip James, Furry Lewis, Bukka White, and
many others. As on his highly regarded Deep
In The Well Ricks runs through a selection of eclectic
covers and top notch originals.
Many Miles Of Blues
is an apt title for a man who's traveled this country
extensively playing with numerous country blues legends. The
title is also a state of mind for a man who speaks eloquently
about traditional blues and who has a deep respect and
understanding about the music. Many Miles Of Blues
finds Ricks alone on acoustic guitar and the music is
beautifully crafted. Ricks summons up the
ghosts of blues past on fine renditions of Furry Lewis'
"I Will Turn Your Money Green", the good time blues
of Big Bill's "Hey Hey" and lesser known pieces such
as Barefoot Bill's "One More Time" and Georgia
Boyd's "I'm Sorry." Ricks' originals have that
timeless feel of classic country blues such as the chugging
"Missouri River Blues" with some fine finger
picking, "Many Miles Of Blues" which seems to neatly
encapsulate his philosophy on the blues and the driving
"Country Farm" with some hard hitting lyrics that
may be the album's finest moment.
Ricks may
play acoustic blues and sing some of the old songs but don't
mistake this for a trip down memory lane. Ricks has a knack
for distilling the music through his own style and also shows
us that this "old" music has still not lost the
power to teach us a thing or two.
(Jeff Harris) |
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