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December 10, 2012

The Blues411 Annual ‘Jimi Awards’ 2012 Edition

This is the third edition of the Blues411 Annual Awards, somehow they seem to have taken on the name of ‘The Jimi’s“ which is fine with me. Yet whatever we call them, they serve as a vehicle to pay tribute to all the fine musicians and friends that have come into contact with Blues411 this past year. Remember only releases which have been received at our headquarters are eligible for an award, so if ya wanna get one of these babies then get your stuff to us for review.

This third year has seen many changes, new look for site, a 200+ fold of readers, fancy-schmanzy email campaign, regular appearances on Music On The Couch, festival and media partnerships, Tier1 Supporters and so on. It has been unbelieveable to me the growth and success of this venture, thank you all.

The Special Drink of 2012:
Two years we sat back and poured a straight Jameson, last year we were kicking back with a pitcher of The Gingerbread Housewrecker - this year we are imbibing with a classic cocktail ‘The Manhattan‘. This is mostly due to the fact that it was my departed brother Emil’s long standing favorite. We now raise a glass to him whenever we get together. . So here’s to you ‘old man’ rest well. For info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_(cocktail).

….and away we go (winners in Bold)!

Best Live Recording:
Colin Linden “Still Live”
Suzie Vinnick: “Live at Bluesville”
Sauce Boss: “LIVE at the Green Parrot”
Harper & The Midwest Kind: “LIVE at the Blues Museum”
Sybil Gage: “NOLA Calling”
there was something inside this recording that captured the soul of Harper and the band.

Acoustic Blues Album:
Steve Strongman: “Natural Fact”
Brandon Isaak: ”Ghost Town”
Rory Block: “I Belong To The Band: A Tribute to the Reverend Gary Davis ”
Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King: “Close To The Bone”
Eric Bibb: “Deeper In The Well”
an absolute stunning release featuring the voice of B’nois King and guitar work of Smokin’ Joe Kubek (who shares my birthday).

Best Soul, R&B Release:
Lady Bianca: “Servin’ Notice”
Dorothy Moore: “Blues Heart”
Johnny Rawls: “Soul Survivor”
John Lee Hooker, Jr.: “All Hooked Up”
Barbara Carr: “Keep The Fire Burning”
Mr. Hooker pulls no punches with this one and beats out some very, very excellent releases.

Best Roots Album:
Paul Thorn: “What The Hell Is Goin’ On?”
Little Joe McLerran: “Facebook Blues”
Peter Novelli: “Louisiana Blues & Roots”
Corey Lueck & Smoke Wagon Blues Band: “It Ain’t Easy”
Tas Cru: “Tired of Bluesmen Cryin’”
Davis Coen: “Hard Luck Cafe”
Davis is a modern day songwriter who covers all his bases with a wide brush and a vocal pallete that is unmistakable.

Best New Debut Release:
Sena Ehrhardt: “Leave The Lights On”
Ron Tanski: “Dragged You Down”
Royal Southern Brotherhood: “Royal Southern Brotherhood”
Tyler Mac: “Already Home”
Little G Weevil: “The Teaser”
Memphis Cradle: “Love, Lies, Burning”
Cassie Taylor: “Blue”
Solid and formidible start to what may be the next ‘super-group’ of the Blues. Lots of good first releases this year.

Female Vocalist:
Ruthie Foster: “Let It Burn”
Dorothy Moore: “Blues Heart”
Janiva Magness: “Stronger For It”
Cee Cee James: “Blood Red Blues”
Lawrence Lebo: “The Best of Don’t Call Her Larry”
All these ladies are deserving of the award, but Ms. Moore brought something just the other side of ‘spot on’ perfection in all her vocal treatments.

Male Vocalist:
Ian Siegal
Mike Finnigan (Phantom Blues Band)
Bnois King
Dion
Freddie Cunningham (Root Doctor)
Dion’s voice has not faltered at all since his younger days, in fact it has mellowed and grown along with his understanding of how to deliver a song.

Guitar Hero (Electric):
Debbie Davies
Jimmy Thackery
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Anders Osborne
Rick Holmstrom
Anthony Gomes
Ms. Davies and Mr. Thackery stand apart from these other worthy folks, I can see no arguement here. Each of these folks brings a new light to the guitar-hero phase of rockin’ blues.

Badass Bass:
Todd Edmunds: Otis Taylor Band
Larry Fulcher: Phantom Blues Band
Joseph Veloz: Mississippi Heat
Lisa Mann: Lisa Mann Band
Mark Bumgarner: Jimmy Thackery Band
This cat can flat out play any style, pace or pattern, a true badass bassist.

Radiating Them 88′s Piano Player:
David Maxwell: “Blues In Other Colors”
Scottie Miller: “Rise Up”
Lee Pons: “Togged To The Bricks”
Joe Fingers: “Tales of Love and Coffee”
Ron Tanski: “Dragged You Down”
Some new, some familiar here, but Mr. Miller showed me much with his versatility and prowess and takes this one home.

Harmonica Player:
Dennis Gruenling
Pierre LaCocque
Sugar Blue
Marco Pandolfi
(Peter) Harper
Mr. Blue still is the most original harp player anywhere on this earth.

Drum Thumper Award:
Eric Selby: Billy Thompson Band
Drum Counselor (Go-Go Ray): Samantha Fish Band
Justin Headley: Sauce Boss/Fatty Waters Band
Larry Thompson: Otis Taylor Band
D’Mar: Paula Harris Band, Chris Gill
His work with Samantha Fish adds such power and feel to her music that he is the rock-solid foundation that all else is built upon.

Instrumentalist Other:
(Peter) Harper: Didgeridoo
Anne Harris: Violin
Phil Parlapiano: Accordian
Harry Manx: Mohan Veena
Chris DiFrancesco: Saxaphone
Ms. Harris has revitalized the violin in blues music restoring it to a place of prominence.

Coolest Release Title:
JR Clark: “Icicles On My Ceiling”
Mighty Sam McClain: “Too Much Jesus (And Not Enough Whiskey)”
Kerry Kearney: “Ghosts of Psychedelta”
Paula Harris: “Turning On The Naughty”
RJ Knapp & Honey Robin: “Don’t Blame The Dynamite…If You Can’t Light The Fuse”
Some great titles here, but gotta go with Mr. McClain’s.

Best Traditional Release:
Liz Mandeville: “Clarksdale”
Guy Davis: “The Adventures of Fishy Waters: In Bed With The Blues”
Mississippi Heat: “Delta Time”
Tim ‘Too Slim’ Langford: “Broken Halo”
Brad Vickers & The Vestapolitans: “Dallas Blues”
A recreation of an old timey songs- done with the perfect feel and sense of timing that deserves the award.

International Release of the Year:
Hans Theessink & Terry Evans: “Delta Time”
Philipp Fankhauser: “Try My Love”
The 24th Street Wailers: “Unshakable”
Ian Siegal: “Candy Store Kid”
Marco Pandolfi: “Close The Bottle When You’re Done”
This was an amazing year for International releases, if I could, I would put them all up for an awards. No shame in not winning but Mr. Frankhauser gets this award for his stunning release.

Song of The Year:
“Turn Off Your TV”: Walter Trout
“Running From The Devil”: Zac Harmon
“Hard Pressed (Wha Da Fuzz?)”: Ian Siegal
“Hard Times”: John Lee Hooker, Jr.
“I Won’t Cry”: Janiva Magness
“Coming Down With The Blues”: Dorothy Moore
“Mind of A Junkie”: Anders Osborne
This sing-song track whose simple structure and catchy beat hides a deep rooted problem, wins in a very tough category.

Album of the Year:
Otis Taylor: “Contraband”
Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps: “Come On Home”
Lady Bianca: “Servin’ Notice”
Anders Osborne: “Black Eye Galaxy”
Zac Harmon: “Music Is Medicine”
John Lee Hooker, Jr. “All Hooked Up”
Overall Mr. Taylor (and band)’s work on this release sets him atop the pinnacle of his career.

22^st Century Distribution Channel Award:
Bea B & The Axxemann: “Born With The Blues”
Franc Robert: “Why Do I Never Win”
Beth McKee: “Next To Nowhere”
- spice packet included in press kit wins it!
Lawrence Lebo: “Don’t Call Her Larry”
Gaye Adegblola: “Blues In All Colors”
Some great new ideas out there, but Ms. McKee wins it with the spice packet and instructions for a god time.

Blues Book of the Year:
When I Left Home: Buddy Guy w/David ritz
Blues Highway Blues: Eyre Price
The Language of The Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu: Debra Devi
The Beautiful Music All Around Us – Field recordings and the Amercian Experience: Stephen Wade
Mr. Price has given us a thriller full of blues, rock and roll and music history complete with rapscallions, thugs, and bad people too!

Outstanding Fan/Supporter of Blues411:
Martin Goettsch
Billy Thompson
Vinny Marini
Pete Enright
Marcia Goodwin Adams
Host of ‘Music On The Couch’ Mr. Marini is live every Monday with Musicians You Should Know, and has found time to feature Blues411 every first Monday of the month.

There were so many great releases and songs this year I am thrilled to have had them in my life. Thanks to Mark Pucci, Frank Roszak, Betsie Brown, Doug Deutsch and all the artists who took the time to feed me the goods so that I may share with all of you.Thank you to my readers and supporters (as well as artists) who make this worth the effort. So until next time, this edition of “The Jimi’s” is signing off, see ya in cyber-space.

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2012
Where Blues Thrives

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Filed under Blues, Blues411, Bluescruise, Contest, Entertainment, Music, Opinion, Performance Review, Rock & Roll

Tagged as American Roots Music, Anders Osborne, Anne Harris, Anthony Gomes, Bea B & The Axxmann, Beth McKee, Betsie Brown, Bill Wax, BJ Knapp, BJ Knapp & Honey Robin, Blind Raccoon, Blues, Blues Music Awards, Blues411, Bnois King, Brad Vickers & Vestapolitans, Brandon Isaak, Cassie Taylor, Cee Cee James, Chefjimi, Chicago, Chris DiFrancesco, Colin Linden, Corey Lueck, David Maxwell, Davis Coen, Debbie Davies, Dennis Gruenling, Dion, Dion Dimucci, Dorothy Moore, Drum Counselor, Entertainment, Eric Bibb, Eric Bolivar, Eric Selby, Franc Robert, Freddie Cunningham, Gaye Adegbalola, Guy Davis, Hans Theessink, Harper, Harry Manx, Honey Robin, Ian Siegal, IBC's, Janiva Magness, Jimmy Thackery, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Joe Fingas, John Lee Hooker jr., Johnny Rawls, Joseph Veloz, JR Clark, JR Clark Band, Justin Headley, Kenny Kearney, Lady Bianca, Larry Fulcher, Larry Thompson, Lawrence Lebo, Lee Pons, Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Leslie K. Joseph, Lisa Mann, Little G Weevil, Little Joe McLerran, Liz Mandeville, Marco Pandolfi, Mark Bumgarner, Mark Pucci Media, Memphis, Memphis Cradle, Mighty Sam McClain, Mike Finnigan, Mississippi Heat, Otis Taylor, Paul Thorn, Paula Harris, Peter Novelli, Phil Partipiano, Philipp Fankhauser, Pierre Lacocque, Rick Holmstrom, Rochester, Rock & Roll, Roger Nabor, Ron Tanski, Rory Block, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Ruthie Foster, Sauce Boss, Scottie Miller, Sena Erhardt, Smokin Joe Kubek, Steve Strongman, Sugar Blue, Suzie Vinnick, Sybil Gage, Tas Cru, Teresa James, The 24th Street Wailers, The Blues Foundation, Todd Edmunds, Tony Colter, Too Slim Langford, Tyler Mac, VizzTone Records, Walter Trout, XM 70 Bluesville, Zac Harmon

March 28, 2012

Office Music: What’s Playing In the Blues411 Workspace These Days

No, it’s not all work and no play here in the world headquarters of Blues411, we try to keep a blusifying attitude and to help with that modus operandi we put the iPod on random and it cranks out the tunes that keep us movin’ & bluesin’ while we work for y’all.

These releases have been set into the favorites play list and hope some of ya’s check them out and add them to your collection too. Remember ‘Office Music’ is just a quick look at what’s playing and not an in-depth review but should certainly peek your interest and maybe you can check them out in a really significant way.

Vasti Jackson: Stimulus Man
http://www.vastijackson.com/

This cat is a throw down blues boogie man, always entertaining live and this record captures that feel inside a studio setting. Opening with “Blues Booty” this track sets the stage for a good ol’ time. This feel continues thru the release featuring “Stimulus Man” a very smart twist on the old theme of double entrandre’ set in a fabulous current theme. Not just a one-trick pony, Vasti can melt your heart with such slow tempo blues burners such as “I’ll Dry Your Tears” and “No Pay Day” which captures the current work and economic situation. High and wide is his style and you will not be disappointed in his body of work.
Vasti always has his hand on the pulse of real music for real people and you should check this cat out.

Mary Bridget Davies: Wanna Feel Somethin’
http://marybridgetdavies.com/

Hottdamn, the title track – “Wanna Feel Somethin’ – is about as funky as you wanna get. Often when some artists try to do ‘funk’ they come up just short of the real deal. Ms. Davies and the band certainly hit the mark here, and it usually disrupts the work pattern when its cranking on the system. Ms. Davies has many influences musically and vocally but what she puts down is totally herself, and that is a good thing.
Tripping into the soul sound of the 70′s but with a solid repositioning into the current soul revival scene we get “Real Thing”. A nice twist on the Eagles hit, “Take It To The Limit” shows us the gospel side of the song and Ms. Davies’ vocal abilities.
You might not know this lady’s name or music but I can assure you that if ya check this out – you won’t forget her.

Earl & Them: Special Blend
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earl-and-Them/105174386205258

Earl Cate heads up this band along with some help from Jimmy Thackery on the release. These cats are nothing short of scorching tail-shakin’ music makers.
With the opening notes from a funky wah-wah treatment “Puttin’ Out Fires” sets the stage for some serious groove tunes that keep coming through the entire release. “Loved By You” is a throw back visit to wailing wall of Soul, with a nice laid back style that might just give ya a crick in yer neck from the bobbing and weaving you will be doing.
They choose their covers with a keen eye to their abilities and their talent for interpretative skills. Case in point the Neville Brothers classic, “Yellow Moon”, “The Shape I’m In” and one of my favorite Band tunes “Ophelia”.
Not a barn burner, heavy guitar styled release that you might associate with a Jimmy Thackery appearance but a soulful, tasty bit of southern soul & swamp boogie from down in Arkansas, check it out.

Beth McKee: Next To Nowhere
http://www.bethmckee.com/

American Roots Music at it’s best, to hell with genres and classifications, Ms. McKee comes straight out of the chute and wins us over with the Cajun spiced title track “Next To Nowhere”. Accordion ablaze and just a touch of good ol’ guitar pickin’ makes this a super introductory song to her music.
With vocal influences ranging from Tracy Nelson, Janiva Magness, and Lou Ann Barton, Ms. McKee knows how to utilize her voice and tonal quality in a wide variety of song styles. “Shoulda Kept On Walkin’” is a nice horn aided funky step up song that speaks of inner focus and how sometimes we wished we woulda kept on walkin’, like we never been there huh ?
“Same Dog’s Tail” is a sweet visit to that Cajun/Louisiana land of wit and proverbs that are so aptly spoken, or in this case sung. Words to remember for sure. A strong release of original songs Ms. McKee certainly captures our ear and deserves a serious listening session with us all.

Suzanne & The Blues Church: The Cost Of Love
http://theblueschurch.com/

WHOA – check this lady out. With the opening track “Cheatin’ On Me” she had me hooked. I had no idea who was spinning on the iPod but when I heard the hook and the lyrics, I headed straight over there to see who it was.
Suzanne has the street cred to play anything she wants to. Check out her story at her website to see what I’m putting out here. “Pay Day Loan” speaks of the eternal problem of those who inhabit the ever growing fringe of society who need to engage in these usury loans to make ends meet but that road always seems to lead back to the line. As she says ‘\”I still got my guitar” oh yeh, you surely do and she plays it with such feel and style that you will plead her not to sell it.
“Mr. Bailey” is an homage to her mentor, Mr.Ray Bailey, who has had his own share of Blues in his lifetime. Evoking aural images of Robert Johnson and crossroads she tells the story of her quest to learn to play like Mr. Bailey.
With her roots in the church, her vocals based in the Bettye LeVette, Etta James styled voicing, and guitar hearkening to Ernie Isley, Prince, with a good measure of Rosetta Tharpe, Suzanne will please almost anyone with a soul and ear for the Blues.

So that’s what getting ‘air’ play here at Blues411, it’s always very rewarding to just let the music play, we often find stuff that we would not have otherwise. So check out these artists, and maybe step outside your comfort zone and see what you can find.

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