Monthly Archives: November 2011

With Thanksgiving and other holidays here I thought we’d go back to the Office at Blues411 Worldwide headquarters, and give a listen to what’s we are spinning on the system. These have been all about the ladies of late, since they are toiling away putting out music for us all to enjoy I thought we need to say thanks to them.

Cassie Taylor: Blue (hypertension-music)

Cassie Taylor has been around the music scene since she was a child and it sounds like it has seeped into her being and that is good. The eldest daughter of American Blues man/Trance Blues pioneer Otis Taylor, one can only think of what her youth must have held for her.

Her latest release ‘Blue’ is a very well produced package of original songs that certainly have a Cassie stamp on them. Sultry voiced Ms. Taylor works her way around the coming of age in various ways.
In ‘Spoken For’ she sings of taunts and discrete dalliances that she finds herself engaged in. Obviously she stills finds titillating thrills and a certain pleasure/pain in the flirting, but in her heart she knows it is doomed to go any further. These words done in a sing-song manner over a funky hard and twanging electric guitar that belies the depth of the emotions that are bubbling up just under the skin of this woman-child. Are there second thoughts? Who knows, but it makes for a super song and feel.

“Bought Borrowed Stolen’ is a tender ballad where our heroine expresses the depth of the love that she feels. Pledging a lifetime of love and apparent servitude is quite unlike the Cassie we see on stage, defiant, self-confident and all powerful – this track shows an amazing depth to the emotional cauldron that exists just beneath her surface.

Equally adopt at piano or bass, Ms. Taylor offers a calm sea of music that disguises the tumultuous emotions that exist just under the surface. On ‘Waste of Time’ she navigates the last year of a failed relationship and sums it up with one of my favorite lines this year, ‘…you’re a beautiful waste of time’.

While on the surface this release may seem run of the mill and not especially ‘blues’ based, I think it serves us all well to look and listen hard to this music she offers. Her pedigree is undeniable, her talent unquestioned, and what she brings to the table is not necessarily the Blues but it is heart felt and to turn our back on it without giving it a listen would be a serious mistake.

http://www.cassietaylorband.com/

Sunday Wilde: What Man!?? Oh That Man !! (self-released)

OK I was drawn in by the title, plus any lady who bangs those 88′s is always worth a look-see. A funky opening number ‘THAT Man Drives Me Mad’ is a rolling statement of the problems with a man that is both wild and lovable. A very funky, earthy honky tonk number featuring Sundays’ exaggerated breathing and fun sound effects makes it a great table setter for whats to come.

We slow it down with ‘Sunday’s Midnight Blues’. Ms. Wilde goes sultry but with a certain cigarette stained vocal approach we hear of her predicament to an almost funereal piano stroll, accompanied by a minimal upright bass by Ronnie Haywood, and fine nylon stringed guitar work by David West, that creates a great mood piece thoughtfully presented.

A different track is ‘Manning Street Sweet Talker’ wherein the sweet talker is a sugar daddy to married women whom he seems to play at will and well to boot. That is up until they all rise up against him and advise him to pack his suitcase and trunk and get out while he still can. An interesting portrait of the power of women when they unite against a scoundrel (even though they all share him, but the race has been run and it’s time to go). No hard feelings, just get on out of here.

Ms. Wilde hails from the wilds of Northern Ontario, and seems to draw influences from the likes of Ruth Brown, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Tom Waits as well as calling upon the inner feelings of grief, sadness, joy and,of course love ! She presents herself as a tormented but joyful soul who is quite happy with where she is for it is her muse that must be cared for and nurtured.

This 11 track release of original songs by Ms. Wilde has a smooth jazz-tinged feel but with just enough of the wrong side of the track heritage to make for an enjoyable listen, that one should repeat as necessary.

http://www.sundaywilde.com/

Amy Hart: Congratulations (Painted Rock Records)

This release returns Ms. Hart to her ‘blues’ sensibilities. Having grown up in Chicago and opened for the likes of Junior Wells and Koko Taylor her roots are strong and they are shown off very well here.

Opening with the title track ‘Congratulations’ we have a nice shuffle that at once introduces Ms. Harts’ voice and song writing talents. Dealing with bottom of the barrel life situations termed as hitting the jackpot, and shooting the moon which leads to the road to redemption by getting the blues.

Another interesting topic is ‘Put Me Back’ a rhythmic prayer to the Lord to Put Me Back together right this time. Penned as an every woman “dilemma, she is scattered on the carpet, sprinkled on the floor and other domestic situations. Kids are screaming, dog has up and died, baby’s started drinkin’ and when he does he likes to fight”. This is done to with a steady beat, that has a rock-a-billy meets the blues edge to it. Another fine display of her songwriting abilities and feel for the subject.

‘Rich Ass Daddy’ is a rockin’ statement that states outright that she needs a big fat rich ass daddy to take care of her and the young buck broke-assed punks should let her be. It harkens to a phrase my daddy once told me before passing, ‘it’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich girl as it is with a poor girl, so choose wisely’. HAH ! A fun upbeat song that I can see becoming a theme of sorts for the women in the audiences as she tours.

This is a fine release of ten well-written with songs dressed up nicely and ready to be seen marching in the cotillion through the streets and clubs along Blues Street. Stop and give them a listen and get a feel for what goes on inside the heart and soul of Ms. Hart, and when you are through, offer her congratulations on a very tasty release.

http://www.amyhart.com/

Sandy Carroll: Just As I Am (Catfood Records)

Ms. Sandy Carroll is originally from McNairy County,Tennessee, (home of Buford Pusser) but considers Memphis her musical home. The wide variety of musical styles within this ten track release of original songs shows that sometimes adopted homes offer a richer, fuller experience than original ones.

Starting with ‘Blessed Be’ a joyous song of redemption that seems to compile all the energy, spirit and feeling that one generates when they are genuinely thankful for something. To help the listener along with that feel are the duo of Ms. Reba Russell and Ms. ‘Pie’ Hill who certainly deliver us to that hallowed doorstep.

Keeping the spirituality the same but with a New Orleans style feel we are exposed to a sweet and, and quite possibly cynical look at aging. ‘Help Mother Nature’ will rock your head to the beat and then slap at it with the lyrics that display the options available to women of a certain age (and younger) to help mother nature along.

Hard rockin’ blues based ‘HeartFixin’ Man’ is the eternal question. Is you or ain’t you the one? It also serves as a reminder that even in these times of cell phones, twelve hour work days and social media obsessions love can still fix the heart – ya just gotta give it a try.

“Waiting for The Storm’ is a more traditional three in the morning blues number is nicely crafted. Depicting that feeling that you get knowing that the storm is gonna hit the fan. Evan Leake does some fine understated but gritty guitar work on this number and along with the background vocalists creates a wonderful sound-scape that captures the tension of the hour.

A Goddess song with a funky groove is what Ms. Carroll gives us on ‘Messin’ With Me’. A flat out statement that leaves no doubt that what we have here is a full-grown woman who knows what it takes and has the power to deal it out.

With her husband, Grammy winning Jim Gaines, and a fine group of musicians Ms. Carroll has given us a well-rounded and soulful release, not overly produced and true to the title ‘Just As I Am’.

http://www.bessieblues.com/bio.html

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2011
photos: Courtesy of artists

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