|
Listen to the Music
You need real audio to
listen to these clips. Download it free by clicking on the icon.
|
|
Eric Bibb: Diamond Days
(Telarc) 
Singer/songwriter
Eric Bibb provides us with an excellent collection of
songs on his new CD, Diamond Days. Although one can
only draw instant references to better known artists
Taj Mahall and Keb Mo, Eric has had a career that has
spanned three decades and several countries. Digging
deeper you find the Greenwich Village folk references
where he grew up as son of theatre actor and television
personality Leon Bibb, nephew of jazzman John Lewis
and godchild of actor/activist Paul Robeson. A showbiz
kid who traveled to Europe at the young age of 19, Eric
was a rolling stone whose world travels are emphasized
in this very fine release.
The
album emphasizes acoustic guitar but there are some
embellishments that go beyond the folk and country blues
undertones. Songs like "Tall Cotton" and "Dr. Shine"
emphasize the former, "Diamond Days" and "Shine On"
emphasize the latter and leave the blues for well-crafted
pop songs. Arrangements are sophisticated, but not contrived,
like the ballad "So Glad", and the acoustic-rich "Heading
Home" that features some fine, sparse European-styled
harmonica.
The
songwriting is strong both musically and lyrically.
The themes of acceptance or lack thereof permeate many
of the songs that could be a result of Eric’s travels
and the loneliness and prejudice than can greet one
on the road. It is the blues after all, and everyone
song and situation can’t be uplifting. This is probably
personified most in the live track "In My Father’s House"
that has some unique energy reminiscent of Stevie Wonder.
"Forgiveness is Gold" is a lovely, lonely song that
begs us to forgive and keep the peace that’s a very
theological stance on seeking love and abandoning anger.
Eric’s tribute to the great southern bluesman of the
past century, "Still Livin’ On", will make many smile
with its uplifting reverence.
Produced
and musically supported by Glenn Scott, the musical
cast also includes Jenny Bonham on harmonica throughout
the tracks. Scott provides vocals, keyboards, percussion
and drums on several tracks. The album was recorded
and produced in the UK. The CD also includes a video
featuring Eric and the packaging is substantive including
lyrics for the songs.
The
more I listen to this CD, the more I find I like about
it. That’s a testament to the strength of the performances,
songwriting and arrangements. Even Eric’s take on Dylan’s
"Buckets of Rain" moves you right along. This man is
extraordinarily talented and this release crosses Eric
over to a higher plain as a performer and songwriter.
About the
author: Dave Glynn, frontman for the Empty Can Band
found at www.EmptyCanBand.com,
regularly writes reviews for BadDogBlues.com
and MNBlues.com.
|
Fruteland Jackson:
Tell Me What You Say (Electro-Fi)
Blues
troubadour Fruteland Jackson comes to us with an acoustic
presentation on "Tell Me What You Say", his latest
offering on Electro Fi Records. This album is a vehicle
for Fruteland’s strengths, which are Fruteland and
his instrument. His soothing vibrato, heartfelt lyrics,
definitive picking and strong presence come shining
through on each track. I was pleased to hear Fruteland
was back, true-to-form after a short hiatus to the
electric Blues with "Blues 2.0".
F ruteland’s
sparing use of additional instruments on this record
is very tasteful and often times poignant as in the
use of the cello and trumpet in "Blues Over Bagdad".
This song serves as a hymn and the lyrics present
the dichotomy of supporting our troops but protesting
the war at the same time. "Blues Over Bagdad" leads
into "I Won", a song co-written by Johnny Mae Dunson,
that contains some absolutely beautiful piano. The
theme is one often heard of the struggle between "me
and the devil had a tussle and I won".
Fruteland’s
supporting cast is just what’s needed on this album
with most of the tasty accents delivered by Chris
Whiteley on harmonica, trumpet and guitars. Julian
Fauth’s piano is absolutely wonderful (can I borrow
him for my next CD?). Bucky Berger provides just the
right amount of percussion and drums on the CD. Kevin
Fox provides cello on "Blues Over Bagdad". The album
was recorded in Toronto on September 11th and 12th
in 2006 and produced by Andrew Galloway and Alec Fraser.
"A
Gambler’s View" has a good introduction that leads
into a song about why folks gamble. "The IRS" discusses
Fruteland’s first-hand experiences with an audit (editor’s
comment: yeah, let’s go after Blues musicians ‘cause
Lord they just have oodles of money coming in). "You
Are My Sunshine", the Jimmy Davis song that got him
elected twice to governor of Louisiana is treated
very well by Fruteland and guest vocalist Diana Bratithwaite.
A very straight-ahead Blues "Sittin on My Front Porch"
co-written by Dr. Rabbit, Fruteland’s resonance on
this song provides a therapeutic remedy to all ailments.
Fruteland
is a humble, tireless performer, who does a tremendous
job of educating (countless Blues in the Schools programs),
both intentional and subtle. Fruteland portrays himself
exactly as he is: a human being with fears, wants,
concerns, loves, losses and bright moments. Everyone
can relate to "Birthday Blues", the second from the
last cut on the record, especially we Blues fans as
we’re aging just as fast as the ancient performers
we so love. Fortunately Fruteland’s fairly young and
can provide us with many more great albums like "Tell
Me What You Say" to come. I’ll tell you what I say,
go out and get this fine record from Electro Fi Records.
About
the author: Dave Glynn, frontman for the Empty Can
Band found at www.EmptyCanBand.com,
regularly writes reviews for BadDogBlues.com
and MNBlues.com.
|
Koko Taylor: Old School
(Alligator)
After
prolonged health issues it looked like Koko Taylor
might be down for the count. After a seven-year absence
it's abundantly clear on "Old School" that
the Queen is back, sounding as tough and commanding
as ever.
Taylor's
blues have nothing do with subtlety following in a
long line of blues belters like Big Maybelle, Big
Mama Thornton and one time label mate Etta James.
Taylor's been a fixture on the Chicago scene for some
four decades, cutting her first single back in 1963
for USA before making her way to Chess the following
year. She hit big with Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang
Doodle," which sold over a million copies and
hit number four on the R&B charts. None of her
follow-ups sold as well but she became a hugely in
demand live performer. Chess eventually went under
in 1975 and Taylor signed with the fledgling Alligator
label where she's remained ever since. Taylor's stint
at Alligator has been incredibly productive, not only
raising her popularity to even greater heights, but
also winning her a couple of Grammies and more W.C.
Handy Awards than any other female performer in history.
In the 90's she recorded less frequently, taking a
seven-year hiatus after 1993's "Force of Nature",
returning in 2000 with "Royal Blue" before
above-mentioned health problems derailed her for another
seven years.
You
could call "Old School" a comeback if you
want but it sure doesn't sound like one as Taylor
plows through the new record with abandon showing
absolutely no signs of rust. If you want proof just
listen to the opening seconds of "Piece Of Man"
as she delivers her trademark growl unaccompanied
before the band kicks in the with some rocking Chicago
blues featuring some impressive blowing from Billy
Branch. Taylor's tough vocals find a perfect counterpoint
in an equally tough band which includes notables like
Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin and Kaz Kazanoff. There's
nothing particularly new here just rock solid Chicago
blues played raw and tough featuring a number of Taylor
originals and sturdy classics. Recent Alligator albums
often have been overly slick production-wise which
makes this gritty, decidedly unpolished affair all
the more refreshing. Taylor romps with glee through
hard hitting fare like Little Son Joe's "Black
Rat" propelled by Margolin's slippery slide work,
the strutting "You Ain't Worth A Good Woman",
the shuffling stomp of "Bad Rooster" and
a powerhouse cover of Willie Dixon's "Don’t Go
No Further." Taylor slows it down on the ominous
"Bad Avenue" a distant cousin of "Tin
Pan Alley" and a slinky version of Magic Sam's
classic "All Your Love." Taylor works with
three different bands, all good, with special hats
off to Bob Margolin, pianist Kenny Hampton and Billy
Branch who sounds particularly inspired.
At
71 Koko Taylor has nothing left to prove but she's
clearly not ready to hand over the crown and shows
all those youngsters who's still the boss on the aptly
titled "Old School." Long live the Queen!
|
Fillmore Slim: The
Legend Of Fillmore Slim
(Mountain Top)
A
large part of the allure of blues is the myths and
stories surrounding the great characters; from the
larger then life stories that swirled around Robert
Johnson after his death to the tall tales and entertaining
lies Sonny Boy Williamson II created during his lifetime.
Fillmore Slim is certainly a larger then life character,
a legendary pimp and bluesmen, he's fashioned an intriguing
persona on his records. He also happens to be a fine
old school bluesman as he proves on the aptly titled
"The Legend of Fillmore Slim."
Known
more for his role in the 1999 documentary film "American
Pimp" than for his blues singing and guitar playing,
he was a bluesman well before his celebrated pimp
days. Born and raised in New Orleans, Sims headed
out to the Bay Area where he dated Etta James in the
early '50's. After a tour of the South with Little
Willie John and Joe Tex, he cut his first record "You've
Got the Nerve of a Brass Monkey" for Dooto which
led to other recordings under a variety of names such
as Charles Sims, Ron Silva, Slim & the Twilites,
and Tailbone Slim. After a five-year stint in federal
penitentiaries Slim has devoted himself to the blues
releasing several strong recordings such as "Born
to Sing the Blues", a pair for the Fedora label
and most recently 2006's "The Game" for
Mountain Top.
Like
his previous records, "The Legend of Fillmore
Slim", is firmly rooted in the blues sound of
the 50's and 60's with obvious influences drawn from
T-Bone Walker, Albert King and Elmore James with a
decidedly ragged but right feel to this set of raw
boned blues. Slim's says it all on the nostalgic "Blues
From The Heart": "I'm a guitar player/I
play the blues from the heart/And I thanks goes to
all these people for giving me my blues start/Thank
Yo Mr. T-Bone Walker/...Thank you Mr. Johnny "Guitar"
Watson/...And Mr. B.B. King you're the greatest/...And
my favorite Albert King..." and goes on to mention
Freddie King, Joe Tex, Albert Collins and several
others. This is the record's most impassioned number
filled with heartfelt singing as he and Joe Louis
Walker emulate the guitar styles of Slim's idols.
Slim gets strong support from old friend Rick Estrin
of Little Charlie & The Nightcats fame, Joe Louis
Walker on two cuts, Frank Goldwasser and Jim Pugh
on organ/piano. Slim is an evocative songwriter as
he proves on the low-down "Trapped By The Devil"
and the hard driving shuffle of the title cut. There's
plenty of strong numbers including the funky R&B
of "Love For The Third Time", the down in
the alley "Jack You Up" and the slashing
Elmore James slide on the rocking "Tired of My
Old lady" again featuring the talents of Joe
Louis Walker.
Fillmore
Slim's fame will be forever link to his pimp days
but in recent years he's proved himself a more than
credible old school bluesman issuing several very
entertaining records. "The Legend of Fillmore
Slim" is certainly a good place to check him
out and also boasts some lively recollections from
Rick Estrin who met Slim back when he was an impressionable
teenager and shares some great stories in the notes.
|
Kilburn Alley Blues
Band (Blue Bella)
Every
once in a while a Chicago Blues band comes along and
when you hear them you say, "That’s it!" They
have just the right sound and just the right feel to
place you virtually in a corner tavern full of cigarette
smoke and stale beer smell. The Kilborn Alley Blues
Band takes you right into that back end bar with their
Hubert Sumlin (Josh Stimmel) guitar licks, Mick Jagger-style
vocals (the Bluesy, good Jagger from Andrew Duncanson)
and back alley, cavernous Blues sound, equipped with
haunting harmonica from Jose Asselin and tin pan alley
percussion from Ed O’Hara. Their self-titled debut on
Blue Bella Records – www.bluebellarecords.com
- is a strong introduction to this group.
Not
only do they have the sound down, but the songwriting
is solid gold. This is evident in the first cut "[I
Wanna Be] Your Next Baby’s Daddy" that provides
a humorous twist on hitting on the opposite sex. Each
cut on the record is nicely arranged with a mixture
of fast and slow tunes. "Thousand Miles" is
an excellent slow Blues number that produces a lonely
picture painted with a crying harp solo. There’s a nice
Sam and Dave feel to "Got Dues to Pay". "Home
to My Baby" is a jump number that’ll get you boppin’
on the dance floor.
"The
Breakaway" has the drama one would expect in a
crescendo of an evening out with the Blues as the lead
singer declares he "can’t go on living" and
you believe him. A little organ is added to "Blues
Boy From Illinois" a Chicago Blues walk down number
that has a nice guitar lick throughout. "I Like
to Live" has an Otis Redding feel.
The
overall sound is spontaneous and sounds like it was
recorded live to 2 track – but in a good way. I personally
like bands that sound live in the studio and don’t have
that heavily produced, choppy feel with a thousand overdubs.
The guitar is distinctive, clean and tubular, the harp
is just right for Blues - distant and scary. There’s
nothing particularly unusual about these guys, they
just have that magic chemistry that thrusts them above
about a hundred other Blues bar bands.
Blue
Bella Records is gaining some steam with the leadership
of Nick and Kate Moss. They should be very proud of
offering this selection in the Blue Bella catalog. Make
sure you add this one to your own collection – you won’t
be disappointed.
(Dave Glynn)
About the
author: Dave Glynn is the front man for the Empty Can
Band found on the Web at www.emptycanband.com.
Dave writes reviews for MNBlues.com and Baddogblues.com.
|
|
|
|
