Category Archives: CD Reviews

May 1, 2013

Wednesday’s One: James Cotton: Cotton Mouth Man (Alligator Records)

James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man

These days it is common for artists to play on one and other’s releases, it provides a great opportunity for artistic cooperation and it allows an artist to share the spotlight with others whom he respects and admires.

With that being said check out this release which features the likes of Chuck Leavell, Gregg Allman, Ruthie Foster, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo, Colin Linden, Delbert McClinton and more – that in itself is worth the price of admission then add the production and ferocious drumming (and excellent songwriting) of Tom Hambridge and you got an all-start concert right here on your iPod, iPad, computer et al. But this is not just an all-star gathering, we also get to hear James work with his excellent road band which consists of Tom Holland, Jerry Porter, Noel Neal and aforementioned Darrell Nullisch.

Straight from the first track this release drives right to the soul of the blues and the man who’s name is on the release. ‘Cotton Mouth Man’ starts with a rocking rhythm and goes for the throat with Darrell Nullisch singing lead to some stunning harp attack by the master himself. A deep biographical tune, we get the tour of Mr. Cotton’s trail to today. As (one of the many) guest guitarist Joe Bonamassa sets fire to the fretboard with his own identifiable style and the harp work by Mr. Cotton is both a lesson on how to play and how to REALLY play!

Back to the disc, Mr. Allman offers up some throw back vocals on ‘Midnight Train’ as former Allman Brother keyboardist extraordinaire Chuck Leavell rolls those eighty-eights with a verve and finesse that serves up a solid groove – and when Mr. cotton blows that railroad train styled harp we are at once transported to riding the rails and understanding it’s relationship to the blues harp through out history.

Slowing it down to feature Mr. Keb Mo on vocals we get served a big dish of ‘Mississippi Mud’. There is an understated excellence to Keb’s vocal presentations that might seem so easy to come by but upon listening reveals that if it were this easy then many more would be copping to that fact. The pairing of Mr. Mo and Mr. Cotton provides us with some fine enjoyment as the roll on into the heat and pace of the deep south Blues.

There is not a soft track on this release, and while it is tempting to cover each and every track (because they are all worth the spotlight) I will just hi-light just one more that seems to me a special track. ‘Bonnie Blue’ is the name of the cotton plantation where James was born. Featuring Mr. Colin Linden playing deep soulful resonator guitar while Mr. Cotton steps up to the microphone to sing his own personal thoughts on his birthplace. Think about what this means and says folks, step away from the keyboard and cell phones – listen and ingest what Mr. cottons is singing about and his his own personal path. It is a wonderful and very personal song and it’s reaches straight to your soul.

Thank you Bruce Iglauer, for this release and for providing Mr. Cotton with a world wide network by which his music can be heard. This release is a perfect portrait of an amazing artist and his life’s work and toil. BTW this release hits the streets on May 7, 2013, be the first to grab it and play it loud and proud!

Visit Mr. Cotton’s web home at http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com/ or stop by Alligator records at http://www.alligator.com/ good times are guaranteed.

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2013
Where Blues Thrives
Photos: Courtesy of artists

Share on Facebook

CD Reviews: Ladies Play The Blues III

It’s always good to step aside from the clamor of the masculine mystique in the blues and visit with the ladies. So here is my latest visit to the ‘soft side’ (ha-ha) of the Blues featuring three wonderfully talented artists who surely will make you sit up and take notice of their ample talents.

Lisa Biales: Singing In My Soul

Lisa Biales: Singing In My Soul (Big Song Music)

One of the most quoted idioms in the Blues world is “if you are going to cover a song, make it your own’. Easily said, not so easy to do.

With this release Ms. Lisa Biales (Be-Alice) gives a lesson on how to do it and do it right. One of my all time favorite songs is the Mississippi John Hurt ditty ‘Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me’. With this version Ms. Biales captures a different aide of the tune and make it flighty and more fun than should be allowed. With a voice that rings clear and spot on she adds a not-so-subtle touch of joy that uplifts us in the moment of and carries us right thru to the end.

With a old school rock & roll approach Lisa once again lifts us to the rafters, with her version of Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s ‘Strange Things Happening Every Day’. There seems to be a connection back to Ms. Tharpe’s version, with it’s rockin’ gospel treatment, but done in a style that fits Lisa and the Paris Blues Band (yes, they are from Paris, France).

A superb take on the classic doo-wop song ‘I Only Have Eyes for You’ allows Ms. Biales to work her ability to sing ballads as well as her more uplifting songs. This works especially well in terms of the arranging and artistry that the bands imparts keeping it on the down low and you can just smell the smoke and taste the extra dry martini’s in the shadow laden club (or studio).

From the doo-wop to the ‘do-how’ we get treated to “You Got To Know How’. Originally penned by the amazing Sippie Wallace, Ms. Biales keeps the historic time period of this track in tact with rolling piano by Cincinnati’s favorite Ricky Nye (who also produced this release) and a down ‘n’ dirty treatment from the Paris Blue Band, dang I swear I hear a tuba on this track, that’s how cool the treatment is.

There is one original tune from Ms. Biales, ‘Magic Garden’ is a tasty walk thru this magic garden of hers that seems to be chock-filled with earthy delights and eternal renewal for everything that resides inside it. It is also worth noting that this track fits in so well with the overall feel and texture of the release, not an easy task to do.

There seems to be a natural fit with Ms. Biales and her band that transposes to the release. I can just see them sitting in the recording room/studio over one mic and sharing, laughing, and making historic music to share with us all.

Ms. Biales can be found at www.lisabiales.com

Lisa Cee: My Turn

Lisa Cee: My Turn (Rip Cat Records)

OK no I am not stuck on ladies named Lisa, tho if I were it would be a good thing when you consider the ample talent these two same named gals have.

Ms. Cee comes out swinging for the fences with her treatment of ‘What Good Am I’. This is a somewhat obscure soul/R&B tune from way back in the 60′s, updated and still funky as it wants to be but rockin’ hard thru the deep rooted soul.

With that barn burner still smoldering we get treated to another form of fire, the slow burning kind. ‘Lost You’ is both a personal statement but also a universal look at the confrontation of pain and loss of a dear friend. Not always easy to express for ourselves but even that more difficult to create something that resonates with everyone who has had to deal with these realities. Some wonderful guitar work only accentuates the deep felt hollowness that one feels in their soul, bravo on this excellent track.

A more familiar riff and subject matter is ‘Good Bye Baby’. With a west coast twist on a Texas shuffle we get a solid, straight ahead hard edged testament to saying good by of another type. Scott Abeyta provides some scorching slide guitar work (as well as mastering and mixing of this release) as we hear the declaration and commitment that it’s over and done with adios mi amigo!

We jump the R&B soul train once again to visit the Staples Singers classic ‘I’ll Take You There’. Well crafted and groove laden with the aptly named Max Bangwell on bongos and some excellent acoustic guitar work by BR Millon gives this familiar, almost revered track new life. Ms. Cee’s vocals are deep and feeling without overstepping the parameters of what she is doing.

The release closes with ‘Already Free’. A stripped down track featuring acoustic guitar, vocals with some added strings to fill it in, it is a touching display of songwriting depth which is an excellent choice to close the album.

Ms. Cee is a fan fav out on the left coast with the blues and roots fans and this release should move her into wider area of recognition. Check this lady out at www.lisacee.com .

Long Tall Deb: Raise Your Hands

Long Tall Deb: Raise Your Hands (Vizztone)

No, not another artist named Lisa, I am opting for Deb, as in Long Tall Deb. Now this is some powerful blues that is as gritty as it is real. Ms. Landolt enlisted a who’s who of artists on this release and the final product is one that you will play till your CD player burns out.

Right out of the box we get posed the musical question, ‘What Would A Good Woman Do’ strutting, fun and featuring Roomful of Blues vocalist Phil Pemberton on vocals we are put on notice that this is going to be a straight ahead force of nature release that is strong and long on talent (as in Deb).

Changing it up from funky stepping to country rail riding we hear ‘Train To Tucson’. A musical story of the travels out to Arizona complete with stinging guitar by Colin John, accentuated by the thump-a-thump drumming of Jan Roll creates a aural travelogue that Amtrak would be good to adapt.

‘The Last Time’ showcases Ms. Landolt’s ability to express the deep soul-fullness contained within her vocal prowess. Presenting a stark and dark reality that exists for many folks in their work-a-day desperate lives, we hear the stated resolve to make that change and break the cycle of longing and uselessness only to hear the alarm clock go off and resume the gerbil like life style on the ever familiar tread mill of a life unfulfilled.

The choice of covers is ever important when pairing them with such strong originals as we have here. The selection of Ian Moore’s ‘Muddy Jesus’ is a well thought out addition. Featuring such luminaries as Chris Peet, Damon Fowler, Chuck Riley, JP Soars and Victor Wainwright – otherwise known as Southern Hospitality – this is as good of a cover of this tune as you will get. With a solid strut to it, and the excellent work by the band creates a wonderful backdrop for Ms. Deb’s vocals.

‘Finally Forgot Your Name’ features the amazing horn section from Roomful of Blues. Mark Earley, Rich Lataille & Doug Woolverton provide syncopated rhythms and fills to elevate this track to another level. The epiphany of finally forgetting the name of an unfaithful lover is treated with a soul gospel view that we can all testify to. The moment of clarity and release is both satisfying and still painful, but once it is realized the healing begins. I love the ending trumpet work by Mr. Woolverton, as it bring to musical recognition the whole emotional enchilada in just a few notes.

Once again I must cite the amazing list of other artists who contributed their time on this release. If I left ya out it is only cause my editor says it ran too long, but Jimmy Thackery, Bart Walker. Matt O’Ree, Reese Wynans, Shaun Booker, Big Llou Sean Carney and more have added their exemplar talents to creating this fine collection of music.

Like your blues powerful, with a soul and gospel feel check out Long Tall Deb at www.longtalldeb.com

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

Share on Facebook

Wednesday’s One: Little Bit A Blues Live at B.B. King’s Bluesville (Soul Stew Records)

Little Bit A Blues

The premier release from promising new label, Soul Stew Records, features the ample talents of Warner Williams & Jay Summerour with Eric Selby. Recorded live at the studio at B.B. King’s Bluesville in November of 2012, this release is a sparkling, effervescent chronicle of these fine players ability to bring us Piedmont style of blues straight from the provenience.

Absolutely one of my all time favorites is ‘Hey bartender, There’s A Big Bug in My Beer’. With Mr. Williams giving us vocals that are treated with just enough refinement ad authenticity to make the whole tale believable, and Mr. Summerour’s timely harp work makes this a great example of fun music for all to enjoy.

We are treated to a non-hackneyed version of the Robert Brown tune, ‘I’ve Got a Woman’, yes, that Ray Charles classic. Done with a fresh, laid back style with Mr. Summerour providing wonderful harp fills and Eric Selby showing all drummer s what brushes are for, it is a superb arrangement that shows what true artists can do with almost iconic tunes if they try.

Now in this day and age the whole thought of ‘Good Morning Little Schoolgirl’ sends people running for the doors as if it is an audition for the Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’. But this version has an innocence that belies the supposed pedophiliac intentions of the original song. We hear Mr. Williams sweetly sing about how him and his chauffeur are determined to drive around town to find one, and telling her momma and poppa that he is a schoolboy too. It is funny how our enlightened society views this tune and how it has practically exorcised it from the current music scene. This version is much truer to the original Sonny Boy version than any of the others we have heard, dig it!

The final track is their ‘Little Bit A Blues Theme’ which showcases the excellent harp gymnastics of Mr. Summerour – to hear him play out is well worth the time spent getting to this track.

There are sixteen tunes here, each of them a gem of equal worth. To hear these artists work together and bring us some of the finest back porch music today is both rewarding and satisfying. The quality of the recording session and reproduction is flawless. Each note that Jay draws on the harp is clear and true to life, much like the gritty, down to earth vocals of Warner. Combine those elements with Warner’s canorous finger styled picking and Eric’s deeply grooved work on the drums makes this a very good candidate for an award this coming year.

Check them out as a band https://www.facebook.com/LittleBitABlues and/or http://www.littlebitablues.com/ on the web.
Soul Stew Records can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/SoulStewRecords

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

Share on Facebook