Archive for the 'Reviews' Category

Here’s a round-up of some new material from our good friend Betsie Brown at Blind Raccoon in Memphis:

LITTLE JOE McLERRAN

“Believe I’ll Make A Change”

(Roots Blues Reborn: RBR06006)

From Tulsa, Oklahoma, comes singer and guitarist Little Joe McLerran – this, his fourth cd, is a very enjoyable collection of traditional and old-time blues, some in the Piedmont style – with him accompanied by a fine band throughout the 13 tracks on offer.

It’s all beautifully played and will appeal to all true blues lovers, with his pleasant, warm voice and nice guitar work the main appeal – the rest of the players being Dexter Payne (reeds and harmonica), Robbie Mack (bass and vocals), Ron McRorey (drums), Jack Wolfe (keyboards), and harmonica contributions from David Bernston and Jimmy Junior Markham.

Standouts are his own “Cocktails For Two”, with nice acoustic harmonica from Dexter Payne; a nice rolling “Blues Before Sunrise” from pre-war blues legend Leroy Carr, and nice slide work on the traditional “Jesus Make Up My Dyin’ Bed – with the featured harmonica this time from David Bernston.

Elsewhere Blind Willie McTell’s “B&O Blues” is really nice, with a rollicking slide workout on Elmore James classic, “Baby Please Set A Date”, and his own “Sargent Sunday” is a jazzy tune with a nice lazy feel.

Highly recommended for those who like their blues pure and from way back!

www.littlejoeblues.com

www.myspace.com/littlejoeblues

WILL TUCKER

“Stealin’ The Soul”

(Will Tucker Music)

“Stealin’ The Soul” is the debut release from 16 years old guitar prodigy Will Tucker, from Memphis, and a regular at BB King’s Blues Club since last May – indeed four of the tracks here are live recordings from the afore-mentioned club, the rest recorded at the famous Ardent Studios, with the crack band of Lester Snell (Hammond organ), David Smith (bass) and Steve Potts (drums).

For someone of a tender age I think it’s fair to report his vocals are still a ‘work in progress’, but his guitar chops are in fine order, as evident on the opening, and only original, “Your Sacrifice”, a funky tune underpinned by Snell’s fine organ work, and followed by a spirited romp through the Muddy Waters classic, “Walkin In The Park”, with some very fine uncredited harmonica work.

The covers are well chosen – from Willie Cobbs “You Don’t Love Me, given a nice arrangement here, to chestnuts such as “Stormy Monday” and “Born Under A Bad Sign”, which both give Tucker ample opportunity to stretch out. The live band – Joe Boogie (keyboards), Randy Middleton (bass) and Pete Mendillo (drums), rock out on the Elvis hit, “Burning Love” and Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode” – however the pick of the live tracks is Memphis Minnie’s “When The Levee Breaks, where all hit a really nice groove.

It’s good to see one so young carrying on the blues tradition, and considering it’s only four years since he picked up a guitar Will Tucker has made outstanding progress . . . a name to keep an eye on without doubt.

www.willtuckermusic.com

www.myspace.com/willtucker1

DAVID GERALD

“Hell And Back”

(David Gerald Enterprises)

Forty-something Detroit-based guitarist and singer David Gerald deals firmly in the soul-blues camp, playing guitar since aged 16 and influence by Prince, and later the music of the likes of Albert King, ZZ Hill, BB King and more. On “Hell And Back” he mixes studio recorded originals with some live blues standards – with the studio tracks recorded, mixed and produced by himself.

The live cuts were recorded at J. Dubs in Riverview, Michigan, and feature the band of Mike Ruppriecht (keyboards), Bob Bennett (bass) and Lou Eurns (drums) – firstly taking on Jerry Beach’s “I’ll Play The Blues For You” and then the timeless “The Thrill Is Gone”, both dominated by his soulful voice and fluid guitar licks.

Of the studio tracks, the opener, “My Guitar” is a soulful ode to his instrument of choice, with “How I Feel” a mid-tempo shuffle, with the title song, “Hell And Back”, telling of a family that has fallen on hard times, and again with a soulful feel and the best of his own songs.

He gives a nod to his guitar heroes on a closing brace of “Cold Shot” and “Red House”, laying his influences on the line, and included due to crowd response at his live shows, but for me a couple more original songs might have been the order of the day!

www.davidgerald.com

www.myspace.com/davidgerald

LEVEE TOWN

“Levee Town”

(self release: LT09004)

LT

Kansas City four-piece Levee Town tear it up on this fine release, 14 tracks of foot-on-the-pedal blues, often with a rockabilly and boogie feel, with the pace taken down at times. The band comprise of Brandon Hudspeth (guitar and vocals), Jimmie Meade (harmonica and vocals), Jan Faircloth (drums) and Jacque Garoutte (bas).

It’s nice to see a wholly original album, with most tunes penned by Hudspeth and Garoutte, and they blast into life on the rockabilly-flavoured “I’m Not Broke”, with Jimmy Meade’s big-toned harmonica excellent, as it is throughout. The swinging “Three Sides” follows, with Hudspeth’s nice guitar work and a nice, driving rhythm section. The slide and harmonica driven “You Mean” takes the pace down, but is straight up again for the rousing “Why Why Why”, a rocking shuffle, with a slight classic Fabulous Thunderbirds feel to it.

“Broken Jar” lopes along with a Jimmy Reed feel, with Jacque Garoutte’s funky “Rhythm Man” being an ode to all the bands constantly out on the road. The boogie of “Etta” positively bursts out the speakers, leading into the slow blues, and album highlight, “Heartless Is The Winter” . . . some fine slow blues guitar from Hudspeth and again most impressive harmonica from Jimmie Meade, as the band stretch out over 6:49.

“Hullabaloo” is a 50s-flavoured rocker and great fun, as is the roadhouse rocker, the band’s own “Rock Me Baby” . . . with the closing instrumental “Chicken Truck, being a funky tune with guest keyboards from Mike Sedovic . . . definitely a band to look out for!

www.leveetown.com

www.myspace.com/leveetown

GRAHAME RHODES

KING KING

Telford’s Warehouse, Chester: 27.02.10

In keeping with the high quality of Saturday night bands at Telford’s Warehouse, this was a superb first appearance from Glaswegian blues guitarist Alan Nimmo, with his four-piece, King King – a few older blues fans and the Telford’s regulars were treated to a rip-roaring 75 minute set.

Apart from Alan Nimmo on guitar and lead vocals, the band comprised of Lindsay Coulson (bass) and Bennett Holland (keyboards), with the much-travelled Wayne Proctor  (Aynsley Lister, Jon Amor and Ian Parker, to name but a few) depping on drums, for Craig Blundell.

The band was only formed last year, but already has had major acclaim for their blistering live shows, both on the festival and club circuit, and has a prestigious session on the Paul Jones Radio 2 blues show under their belt – Nimmo’s guitar work dominates the sound, with his great voice, but Holland’s funky keyboards give the music a slightly different edge, the Sheffield-based player having worked with Groove Armada and Richard Hawley.

They were straight out of the blocks with the driving “Six In The Morning”, and another track from their EP, the lovely mid-tempo “Heart Without A Soul”. A couple of longer, slower tracks may have been somewhat of a gamble on a Saturday night in a bar packed with non-blues fans, but they were carried off with aplomb – even getting audience participation on a take of John Hiatt’s “Feels Like Rain” – as Alan Nimmo admitted, ‘stolen’ from Buddy Guy’s arrangement; and the gorgeous Eric Clapton/Robert Cray song, “Old Love”.

Nimmo’s guitar work is something to behold, incorporating many shades of all the Kings – BB, Albert and Freddie, but embellished with his own style – all learnt as he said, from older brother, Stevie – his partner-in-crime in The Nimmo Brothers. A word too for the seasoned rhythm section – quite excellent and unfussy all night, and among our finest!

A rousing end to the set saw a rollicking “Mr. Highway Man”, and the band demanded back on to stage, for a funky romp through the legendary Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” – great stuff indeed, and another top Telford’s night!

GRAHAME RHODES

www.kingkingblues.com

www.myspace/kingkingblues

Flickr photo by adamrrhoades

COCO MONTOYA

“I Want It All Back”

(Ruf Records – RUF 1153)

The latest solo release from Californian guitarist, Coco Montoya, may come as a bit of a shock to those fans used to his blistering guitar playing – as this album, his first for Ruf Records, sees co-producers Keb’ Mo’ and Jeff Paris – concentrate more on his vocals, and very fine they are too – on a set of mainly radio-friendly soul-tinged tunes, with few straight blues tracks. But don’t panic – his upside-down, right handed Stratocaster is still featured prominently, but perhaps a bit more restrained, than previous albums.

The man from Santa Monica, California, who learnt guitar under the wing of the legendary ‘Master of the Telecaster’, Albert Collins, and was a member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers for ten years – during which time, for a period, he traded licks with Walter Trout – is accompanied on “I Want It All Back” by a crack core band, with Keb’ Mo’ on rhythm guitar and co-producer Jeff Paris on keyboards, with an absolute top-notch rhythm section in Reggie McBride (bass) and Steve Ferrone (drums).

The opening take on The Penguins “Hey Senorita” has a nice rolling feel, with some tasteful, fluid guitar lines and solos, with the title cut, “I Want It Back” following – a soulful tune, written by his friend, David Steen. The 60s’ soul tune, “Forever”, recorded by The Marvelettes, is a standout, with Montoya’s warm vocal and Jeff Paris’s keyboards a joy on this.

The best three tracks for me run in sequence – another really soulful tune in “The One Who Really Loves You”, a Smokey Robinson song that was recorded by Mary Wells back in 1962, another great vocal from Coco Montoya and a great guitar solo; followed by really the only straight blues here, the standard “Fannie Mae”, with the lusty harmonica and sparkling piano of Rod and Honey Piazza helping out, with some tough guitar from Montoya; the swampy funk of “Don’t Go Makin’ Plans – co-written with Little Feat guitarist Paul Barrere – is a treat, riding on the groove of Jeff Paris’s keyboards, and a little reminiscent of classic Average White Band.

Jackson Browne and Danny Kortchmar’s “Somebody Baby” is given a modern reading, with glorious vocals from Montoya and Keb’ Mo’, with some tasteful saxophone from Paulie Cerra and soaring, pure guitar from Montoya . . . a very nice way to end proceedings!

GRAHAME RHODES

www.cocomontoya.com

www.rufrecords.de

RHYTHM ZOO

“Hook, Line And Sinker”

(Five track live cd)

Track listing: 1. The Real Deal 2.Stormy Monday 3. Tore Down 4. Playing In The Dirt 5. Hook, Line And Sinker

From the Shropshire and Cheshire-based Rhythm Zoo, comes this five track live album recorded last September at The Ironworks venue in Oswestry – a snapshot of the band’s live show – featuring four covers and one band original.

The five-piece comprise of Andi Harrison (vocals), Steve Alden (guitar and harmonica), Dave Roberts (saxophone), Dave Wimore (bass) and Dermot Hall (drums) – with this release being a taster for an extended version that will comprise of ten tracks.

The opening “The Real Deal” is from the pen of soul/blues singer Jackie Payne, and is driven along by Dave Roberts saxophone, who also takes a fine solo on the timeless “Stormy Monday” – which features some nice guitar from Steven Alden and breathy vocal from Andi Harrison.

The Sonny Thompson classic, “Tore Down” – probably mostly associated with the late, great Freddie King – is dominated by Alden’s clean guitar lines; Robert Cray’s soulful “Playing In The Dirt” is the release’s other cover, and is nicely done with fine performances from all.

Rhythm Zoo aim to get more original songs into their live show, and the closer here, “Hook, Line And Sinker” is composed by Andi Harrison and Steve Alden, a sort of mid-paced rocker with some fiery guitar and saxophone fills that give it a 70s’ Rolling Stones feel.

GRAHAME RHODES

For further information on the band go to www.rhythm-zoo.com

MARTIN SIMPSON

Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead: 06.02.10

Having long been an admirer of his music, it was a pleasure to at last catch the very wonderful Martin Simpson in a live setting. This son of Scunthorpe, who has spent a long spell living in the USA, but is now back on these shores, is without doubt one of the most brilliant and talented acoustic guitar players we possess, and with a rich, folky voice, and a most appealing stage manner, with several lengthy stories and anecdotes to set the scene on the songs.

Over two hours at Pacific Road he entranced the audience with his superb guitar work – indeed, he has a tone and touch second to none – aided by quite magnificent sound, no mean achievement for a solo artiste in such a big room. In 2007 he released the critically acclaimed “Prodigal Son” album, winning best song at the Folk Awards for the touching ‘father and son’ song “Never Any Good” – his current release, “True Stories” has again reached the same high standards, and we were treated to a good selection from both releases.

Among his time in the USA were a three and a half year spell living in New Orleans, and he played a gorgeous version of Randy Newman’s timeless “Louisiana 1927” – a song about a great flood of that year, and very poignant after Hurricane Katrina; also the touching “An Englishman Abroad”, about an eccentric English actor named Henry, who lived by him in New Orleans. The traditional “Sir Patrick Spens”, which has scooped him an award in this year’s Folk Awards, was again, quite lovely.

One of the highlights of “True Stories” is the beautiful “One Day”, and as he explained it came about from a four line verse written by fellow guitar player Martin Taylor, after the tragic death of his son, Stewart. He asked Martin Simpson to finish it into a song. He based it on the gypsy tradition of burying a child with an acorn in each hand and the sight of twin oak trees – intensely moving indeed. The afore-mentioned “Never Any Good” evokes similar emotion, but this time on the relationship between himself and his late father – another song that pulls at the heart strings.

The blues and gospel feature in Simpson’s music, and he delivered a mesmerising “I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes”, from the pen of Blind Willie Johnson – with his thrilling slide guitar work. Traditional English folk music becomes invigorated in his hands, and he paid tribute to Northumbrian shepherd and musician Will Atkinson, with the song of the same name, and also the dance tune “Kielder Scottische”.

A brace of demanded encores saw “The Sheffield Apprentice” – a British folk tune that had made it’s way over the sea to the USA, and the evergreen “Stagolee”, both performed on electric banjo, on which he is adept as on guitar, to bring a quite marvellous evening to an end. I would wholeheartedly recommend Martin Simpson to anyone who has not seen him – his mastery of the guitar and fine voice are a treat to behold, and after over thirty years making music, his success is well overdue.

GRAHAME RHODES

http://www.martinsimpson.com/

Mark Thornley Band

True Blues

22 Jan 2010

Graham Woodhouse from True Blues in Earlstown, Newton le Willows sent in this report and pictures from the recent gig at the True Blues Club.

Earlestown Conservative Club
17/19, Earle St
Newton le Willows
WA12 9LW

Crossfire, our Resident Band, opened the evening’s entertainment at 8pm with a completely new set of original blues and covers; (their version of “Hoochie Coochie Man” is truly fantastic). The end of each track was met with roars of approval and they eventually left the stage to a standing ovation.
After a short interval the Mark Thornley Band took to the stage!
If you have never seen this band, seek them out, you will not be disappointed! Mark plays the “Blues” with a love and emotion beyond comprehension, he is simply unbelievable! (Steve & I will definitely be having them back and we will also make a point of seeing them elsewhere in the North West)!

For more pictures visit the bluesinthenorthwest.com photo archive over at Flickr.