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Barry Levenson & Johnny Dyer
Things
You Do 
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The American Folk Blues
Festival 1962-1966 Vol. 1 (Hip-O) 
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966 Vol. 2 (Hip-O)
The release
of "The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966 Vol.
1. & 2" may be the crowning achievement in this
much heralded Year Of The Blues. While this footage
has been kicking around for years as poor grade bootlegs
and occasionally shown on European television, the quality
of these DVD's are stunning. The nearly three hours of
footage contains performances rarely seen in the past
40 years, featuring some of the greatest bluesman of all
time. Recorded live in a small TV studio in Germany, these
performances have been filmed with superb camera work
and pristine sound (remastered by famed producer/engineer
Eddie Kramer - The Beatles/The Rolling Stones/Jimi Hendrix).
Each DVD contains 18 complete performances and an excellent
booklet filled with rare photos and detailed notes by
Rob Bowman. In addition to the DVD's a companion CD with
16 audio highlights compiled from the two volumes is available.
The American
Folk Blues Festival (AFBF) was an annual event that featured
the cream of American blues musicians barnstorming their
way across Europe throughout the 60's. While audio recordings
of these performances have long been available the video
footage has never before been assembled. The impact of
these annual tours had a profound impact on those that
were in attendance. Future stars such as Mick Jagger,
Keith Richards, Jimmy Page any many others were in the
audience and were directly influenced by what they saw.
The rise of blues based bands like the The Rolling Stones,
Yardbirds and Animals can be directly attributed to the
AFBF. 40 years later the footage of that great event is
every bit as awe inspiring and will no doubt have a profound
effect on a whole new generation of blues fans.
Volume
1 contains performances by Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson,
John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, T-Bone Walker, Memphis
Slim, Otis Rush, Lonnie Johnson, Sippie Wallace, Eddie
Boyd, Walter Horton, Junior Wells, Big Joe Williams, Mississippi
Fred McDowell, Otis Spann and Earl Hooker. Half the performances
were filmed on a stage with background scenery while the
other half seems to be filmed in a concert hall. The vibrant
Chicago blues scene of the time is represented by magnificent
performances of Otis Rush playing with restrained intensity
on his classic "I Can't Quit You Baby" and Rush
also plays with Junior Wells on an impassioned "Hoodoo
Man Blues." Both men exude a super cool attitude
that's mesmerizing to watch. Chicago blues piano is represented
by Eddie Boyd featuring Buddy Guy on guitar running through
a rock solid version of Boyd's immortal "Five Long
Years" and Otis Spann who rocks the blues on "Spann's
Blues." Spann introduces his boss Muddy Waters as
the "man who brought the blues from the country to
the city" as Waters launches into an unusually low-down
version of "Got My Mojo Working." The older
generation is represented by an elegant and dapper Lonnie
Johnson who's guitar/vocals are simply dazzling on "Another
Night To Cry" and the big voiced Sippie Wallace with
Little Brother Montgomery on piano on the charming "Woman
Be Wise." One of the real standouts is Sonny Boy
Williamson who saunters on stage like a cool hipster with
a goatee and mischievous gleam in his eye. Sonny Boy delivers
a knockout version of "Nine Below Zero" backed
by Otis Spann on the ivories. Things wrap up with all
the performers taking vocal turns and then singing in
unison on a rousing "Bye Bye Blues." The DVD
also includes a bonus track of Earl Hooker as he fools
around unplugged backstage clowning around like Hank Williams
before stepping on stage to deliver a blistering set of
electric blues. Hard to believe he would be dead in four
months.
Volume
2 contains performances by Sonny Boy Williamson, Sunnyland
Slim, Willie Dixon, Lightnin' Hopkins, Victoria Spivey,
Memphis Slim, T-Bone Walker, Roosevelt Sykes, Matt "Guitar"
Murphy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Howlin' Wolf,
Big Mama Thornton and Magic Sam. This disc kicks off with
a pair of Sonny Boy performances from 1964 and as in the
previous volume he's mesmerizing to watch. "Bye Bye
Bird" is short solo piece as Sonny Boy coaxes some
amazing sounds from his small harmonica while "In
My Younger Days" features a full band including Sunnyland
Slim on piano and Hubert Sumlin laying down some great
licks. In fact Sumlin's guitar work is outstanding throughout
particularly on the three numbers he plays with his boss
Howlin' Wolf. Wolf's performances are the highlight of
this set and are some of the toughest, most intense blues
ever committed to film. Wolf looms larger than life, singing
with every fiber of his being on "Shake For Me",
"puts you way down in the woods" with the emotionally
wracked "I'll Be Back Someday", sounding like
the second coming of Charlie Patton before finishing up
with the equally intense "Love Me Darlin'."
An elegant T-bone Walker, who appears in the first volume
with Shakey Jake, is another standout. His jazzy, mellow
electric guitar work sounds timeless on "Don't Throw
Your Love On Me So Strong." Matt "Guitar"
Murphy steps out front from Memphis Slim's band to deliver
the technically dazzling "Murphy's Boogie" that
shows a huge T-Bone influence. Lonnie Johnson makes a
return appearance this time with an old partner from the
20's, Victoria Spivey. She looks like she's having a ball
as she delivers a spectacular version of her 1926 classic
"Black Snake Blues." The DVD also includes two
incredible bonus tracks by Magic Sam from 1969 as he delivers
some searing Chicago blues including his classic "All
Your Love." This footage comes from the same show
as Earl Hooker's in the first volume, Sam is even playing
Hooker's guitar, and like Hooker he would be dead shortly
after this performance (he died of a heart attack at age
32).
This is
a landmark release and nowhere else will you find blues
performances of this magnitude all in one place. These
two volumes are essential to any blues library and come
with the highest possible recommendation. Look for Volume
3 to be released in the Spring.
-Check out
these related links:
Reelin'
In The Years Website (includes
excerpts from the DVD's and rare photos)
Hip-O
Records Website
(Jeff Harris)
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Lil Joe Washington:
Houston Guitar Blues
(Dialtone) 
Listening
to Lil Joe Washington's brand of gutbucket blues is
like being teleported back in time to a low-down Houston
juke joint circa the 50's. Washington unleashes a wickedly
stinging guitar attack and an utter soulfulness that
marks "Houston Guitar Blues" as one one of
the best records I've heard in some time.
Washington
was born in Houston's Third Ward, home of blues giants
such as Lightnin Hopkins, Johnny Copeland and Albert
Collins. Washington's music is steeped in the urban
Texas sound those bluesman pioneered. Unlike those well
known bluesman Washington seems to have always hovered
on the periphery of the Texas blues scene. He played
drums in a band led by Albert Collins when he was in
his teens, fell under the spell of local bluesman Joe
Hughes where he earned the moniker Little Joe and honed
his sound in the Houston clubs. In the early 60's he
cut a handful of singles for Donna and Federal. The
years soon after saw him fall into substance abuse and
by the mid-1990s he was essentially homeless. Washington
has made an upswing in recent years and hopefully with
this new record more good things will head his way.
If
it wasn't for the fact that this record sounds a little
too clean you could easily mistake this for a vintage
50's recording. In fact if you look on the cover you'll
notice it was recorded in glorious Monophonic
sound! Washington unleashes a torrent of chunky, stinging
guitar that embodies the tough urban blues ethic of
Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland and the like with a
soulfulness rooted in classic 50's and 60's R&B.
His weathered, soulful voice is a perfect match as he
sings loosely structured songs that seem more interested
in creating a certain sound than in a straight narrative.
Washington lets it all hang out particularly on the
torrid six minute "Unfinished Business," as
the lyrics fall away and Washington lets his guitar
do the talking as he scats along. Washington croons
with soulful conviction on the "Last Tear",
romps through the shuffling "Take My Hand"
with blistering guitar work, blazes through the instrumental
"5 Spot" and wraps up with searing blues numbers
in "How Long" and "Bye Bye." Washington's
stinging fretwork is utterly unpredictable,
an almost stream-of-consciousness quality that sounds
like it wells up from somewhere deep below.
The
small Austin based Dialtone label has been issuing excellent
records for the past couple of years and have outdone
themselves with this one. "Houston
Guitar Blues" is a tour-de-force of tough, soulful
urban blues showcasing a voice that sounds like nobody
else.
-Check
out these related links:
Dialtone
Records
(Jeff Harris)
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Floyd Lee: Ain't Doin'
Nothin' Wrong (Amogla)
One
of last year's most remarkable debuts came from
70 year old Floyd Lee whose "Mean Blues"
was one of the year's best. Lee may have taken his
sweet time making his debut but wasted little time
with his sophomore outing. The good news is that
it's every bit as tough as the first one.
Only
recently has Lee taken center stage with his blues
after spending most of his time on the periphery
of the blues world. Lee was born in Mississippi,
recalls sneaking out of the house to hear his father
play clubs in Memphis with Guitar Slim, worked with
Wilson Pickett for a spell and most intriguingly
worked with Jimmy Reed (supposedly contributing
rhythm guitar to the classic "Honest I Do"
when Eddie Taylor was absent). More recently he's
spent over thirty years as a hotel doorman in New
York while playing the blues in NYC clubs at night.
Fortunately someone had the foresight to record
Lee and his exceptional band and "Ain't Doing
Nothing Wrong" is an impressive follow-up to
to his much praised debut.
Lee's
blues have a timeless quality with a classic Mississippi
via Chicago sound as Lee growls out his gritty tales
with absolute authority. Lee is backed by his tight
working band including superb guitar from Joel Poluck
who also wrote the bulk of the songs, the rock solid
rhythm section of bassist Brad Vickers and drummer
Mike Fox plus fine B-3 work from from George Papageorge.
In addition Lee proves himself a good harmonica
player and very good guitarist, something that wasn't
featured on his first record. While the bulk of
these tunes are originals the vibe is mainly tough
Chicago blues circa the 50's particularly on the
rocking "Ridin' On Empty" featuring some
raw slide work, the romping "Tell Me, Baby"
with Lee taking the guitar chores, the funky "Am
I Tough Enough?" and the moody "Nowhere
Is Where I Belong." Among the covers are a
heartfelt version of Jimmy Reed's "Tie A String"
and a raucous "Shake Your Moneymaker"
sounding like it owes something to the late Hound
Dog Taylor.
"Ain't
Doing Nothing Wrong" is a tough, no frills
blues record with Lee and the boys stomping out
the blues with gritty conviction. Like last year's
fine outing this one is undoubtedly one of the year's
best. It just goes to show that it's never too late
to make your mark in the blues world as Lee has
amply proved with two back to back killer records.
-Check
out these related links:
Mean
Blues Review
Amogla
Records Website
(Jeff
Harris)
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Deacon John: Jump Blues
(Image Entertainment)
Last
month we reviewed the soundtrack for the film "Deacon
John's Jump Blues" and this time we look at the concert
DVD filmed at the Orpheum Theater in 2002. The 60 minute
concert is a joyous tribute to swinging New Orleans music
harking back to the glory days of Big Easy R&B and blues.
Deacon basks in the adulation of his peers and fans and
returns the love by delivering a stunning, heartfelt tribute
to the music of his beloved city.
Deacon
has been gigging around the Big Easy over 40 years (since
he was 15). As a in demand session musician his guitar work
has graced just about every noteworthy New Orleans R&B
session of the 60's including Ernie K-Doe’s "Mother
In Law", Aaron Neville’s "Tell It Like It Is",
Lee Dorsey's "Workin' in a Coal Mine" and Irma
Thomas' "Ruler of My Heart" among many others.
As this wonderful and tribute shows, Deacon is a major talent
in his own right and more than deserves center stage. Teamed
with a gloriously swinging big band, a cast of ace New Orleans
musicians and beautifully shot and recorded, the resulting
DVD concert is a joy to behold and is a tour-de-force of
jumping vintage New Orleans R&B.
Deacon
takes the stage fronting a huge big band conducted and arranged
by Wardell Quezergue. The immaculately dressed Deacon John
makes a great front man as he dances, clowns with the band
members and above all sings magnificently with a voice that
leaps into a falsetto, sounding alternatively like Little
Richard and Johnny Adams. The repertoire is jump blues circa
50's and 60's in the tradition of New Orleans legends like
Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew and Smiley Lewis. The concert
kicks off with a rousing "Big Chief" with Henry
Butler rocking the 88's before Deacon takes over. Deacon
sets the tone with the swinging "Jumpin' The Blues"
as he hops across the stage, delivers a soaring version
of "Nobody Wants You When Your Down and Out" with
Davell Crawford on piano, duets with a sassy Teedy Boutè
on "Let The Good Times Roll" and runs through
a Dave Bartholomew medley as Bartholomew himself is spotlighted
in the audience. Dr. John is featured on piano as Deacon
runs through classics like "I Didn't Want To Do It"
with killer tenor from Amadee Castenell (a real standout
throughout) and the full tilt swing of "Going Back
To New Orleans." Dr. John pays tribute to Professor
Longhair on the solo "Tipitina" and "No Buts
No Maybes" as Longhair's family stands up to rousing
applause. Other highlights include the Zion Harmonizers
on the uplifting acapella of "Jesus Is On The Mainline"
and also back Deacon on the beautiful "Any Day."
As the credits roll we see Deacon outside playing a wonderful
unplugged version of "Stagger Lee."
"Deacon
John's Jump Blues" is a absolute must see for fans
of New Orleans music. This finely crafted DVD pays homage
to a man who played a huge role in making that music so
special and turns a much deserved spotlight on man who's
usually made his contributions from the back row.
-Check out
these related links:
Deacon
John's Jump Blues Website
Deacon
John Interview
(Jeff Harris)
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Bobby Rush: Undercover Lover
(Deep Rush)
Bobby
Rush is one of the most outrageous and flamboyant performers
on the the scene, having perfected his show stopping antics
after years of performing on the chitlin' circuit. His
studio records, however, have been a bit uneven. The good
news is that "Undercover Lover", the first on
his own label, is one of his best and finds Rush in sizzling
form.
Rush
followed a well worn blues route, traveling from the south
to Chicago in the 50's. He emerged on the West Side blues
circuit of the 1960s, fronting bands which included such
notable guitarists as Luther Allison and Freddie King.
As Rush developed his own style, with an emphasis on risqué
material, he focused his energies on the chitlin circuit
which offered a more receptive audience. Rush scored hits
in the 70's with "Chicken Heads," on Galaxy
and later hit with "Bow-Legged Woman" for Jewel.
Rush has cut numerous records since for a variety of labels
including La Jam, Ronn, Urgent and Waldoxy. 2003 may be
a pivotal year for Rush as he's the subject of a documentary
titled "The Road To Memphis," a film in the
PBS series Martin Scorsese’s "The Blues", has
a live DVD/CD soundtrack coming out and the above mentioned
new studio effort.
"I’m
as excited as I’ve ever been in my entire life, and in
50 years of performing," says Rush in a recent press
release. "...It’s like Bobby Rush is 20 years old
again!." That excitement is palpable on "Undercover
Lover" as Rush sounds completely energized sounding
better than ever as he delivers his trademark blend of
chitlin' circuit soul, blues and funk. All the elements
are in place as Rush is in fine voice, backed by a good
band and runs through some great new material. With a
sly "is he gone yet?", Rush launches into the
super funky "Undercover Lover" blowing some
greasy harmonica to boot, "That Thang" is another
cocky, funk workout while the pulsing, soul drenched "Party
Down" is a perfect party anthem. The stripped down
"Tough Titty" opens with some low-down harmonica
as Rush philosophically relates a tale of his woman doing
him wrong while on "Dirty Dog" it's Rush who's
caught stepping out. The high energy "Play With Your
Poodle" is classic Rush at his R-rated best and a
nice update of this blues classic. Rush plays quite a
bit of harmonica on this record and closes things out
with the after hours harmonica instrumental "Blowin'
In The Wind" which is very effective.
After
catching a great live Rush show recently, listening to
this stellar new record and with the upcoming projects
we may be in for a full blown, and well deserved Bobby
Rush renascence. In the meantime pick up this fine record
and by all means catch him live if you can.
(Jeff Harris)
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Barry Levenson & Johnny
Dyer: Hard Times Won (Storyville)
"Hard
Times Won" teams up immaculate guitarist Barry
Levenson with hard blowing harpman and singer Johnny
Dyer for one of the year's toughest ensemble outings.
Making
his home on the West Coast, Levenson has played with
a who's who of California blues giants including Pee
Wee Crayton, Big mama Thornton, William Clarke, Percy
Mayfield and many others. He also does A&R and producing
chores for the famed Storyville label. Like Levenson,
Johnny Dyer is a transplanted Los Angles bluesman by-way-of
Mississippi who's put down strong records for Blind
Pig, Black Top and previously worked with hotshot guitarist
Rick Holmstrom. Levenson and Dyer make a mighty team
as the duo lay down a deep, hard driving groove on this
collection of all original material.
Levenson
is a stunning guitarist with an uncanny sense of taste
and amazing tone who never overplays. Levenson has learned
his lessons well displaying the intensity of a young
Buddy Guy while other times drawing from B.B. King,
T-Bone Walker and even jazz guitarists Grant Green and
Charlie Christian. By contrast Dyer's big, raw tone
and hard blowing summon up the ghosts of Walter Horton
and Little Walter with a touch of laid back West Coast
coolness. The contrast between the two works remarkably
well backed by a tight band that produces some great
ensemble playing. There's plenty of variety on the disc
from tough Chicago styled blues on hard luck tales like
"Hard Times Won", the shuffling "Chasing
The Money" to the Muddy Waters vamp of "9
O'Clock Blues" featuring some uncannily Muddy like
slide from Levenson. Levenson's guitar wails and moans
passionately on the instrumental "Inhumanity Blues"
a tribute to 9/11 and displays incredible technique
on "The Graveyard Shift" an instrumental tribute
to Otis Rush. Other highlights include the laid back
T-Bone inspired "I Ain't Going Back", the
organ/guitar driven instrumental "Blues For Never
Slim" and the jazzy closer "Slip Me Some Green
Jack."
As Phil
Wight says in the liner notes, "Levenson has the
four T's: tone, technique, taste and toughness."
All of which are on display here and the contrast between
the more traditional Dyer makes this album a real treat.
This one shouldn't be missed.
-Check
out these related links:
Barry
Levenson Website
Storyville
Website
(Jeff Harris)
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