Lisa Biales review…March 5, 2014…

LISA BIALES

BELLE OF THE BLUES

BIG SONG MUSIC  BSM2-2013

BELLE OF THE BLUES–SAD SAD SUNDAY–BAD THINGS–MASK–GRAVEYARD DEAD BLUES–BABY WON’T YOU PLEASE COME HOME–IN MY GIRLISH DAYS–PEACH PICKIN’ MAMA–BLACK AND WHITE BLUES–TROUBLE–BAD GIRL

Lisa Biales has been writing and playing good blues for over two decades, and came into her own in a big way with the release in 2012 of “Just Like Honey,” produced by E. G. Kight.  Her latest set again was produced by E. G. and, this time, Paul Hornsby, at Paul’s Muscadine Studio in Macon, GA.  It is entitled “Belle Of The Blues,” and has Lisa wrapping her golden voice around eleven songs that simply drip that Southern goodness that only Lisa and E. G. could create.

Joining Lisa are E. G. on guitar and harmony vocals, Paul Hornsby on keys, Southern rock icon Tommy Talton on guitars, Randall Bramblett on B-3,  and Bill Stewart on drums.  They kick things off with the story of “The Belle Of The Blues,” who “likes champagne in a cup” and “looks real cool in her high-heeled shoes,” with country-blues harp from Paul Bergeson.  And, she rocks out on “the Devil’s scared to death of me,” because “I’m Trouble with a capital T!”

Lisa also has a penchant for singing melancholy songs.  She feels the emotions involved, and wants to empathize with those to whom she is singing.  Two excellent examples of this are  her poignant take of a lover who has to leave for the week each Sunday, leading to many a “Sad Sad Sunday.”  And, another minor-key ode to the lovelorn has Lisa hiding her broken heart behind a “full glass” and her “Mask.”

She’s a big fan of strong, independent women such as Bessie Smith and Ann Rabson, and gives a soulful read of “Black And White Blues” in honor of Bessie,  then closes the set with the blues-rock bite of a song written by Rabson, E. G., and Tom Horner, the anthemic “Bad Girl.”

We had two favorites, too.  Tommy’s dobro sets the tone for the tale of a “simple woman” who won’t take any abuse from any man, promising to make him “Graveyard Dead” if he tries to talk to her by hand!  And, Lisa and E. G. duet on a cool song from the Memphis Minnie catalog about coming-of-age, “In My Girlish Days.”

With her crystal-clear vocals, it is easy to see why Lisa Biales has been dubbed the “Belle Of The Blues.”  With excellent material and an A-list of backing players, this set is a “can’t miss!”  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow

Jim Suhler review…March 3, 2014…

JIM SUHLER

PANTHER BURN

UNDERWORLD RECORDS  UNDO  0023

PANTHER BURN–I DECLARE–ACROSS THE BRAZOS–LEAVE MY BLUES BEHIND–I SEE YOU–REMEMBER MAMA–TEXASSIPPI–SKY’S FULL OF CROWS–BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAY–DINOSAUR WINE–AMEN CORNER–ALL GOD’S CHILDREN GET THE BLUES SOMETIME–JUMP UP SISTER–WORLDWIDE HOODOO

Jim Suhler perhaps gained his widest notoriety alongside George Thorogood as a member of the vaunted Destroyers since 1999, altho, for hard-core fans, he and his band, Monkey Beat, have cranked out tough Texas blues since the mid-Nineties.  Their lates release, “Panther Burn,” consists of thirteen of Jim’s originals, and one perhaps unexpected cover.  His guitar prowess is on display throughout, and he successfully melds the Texas swing-influenced blues with the murky silt of the Delta to make this set quite a diverse one, indeed.

The ride starts with Jim’s slide dobro leads as he encourages his paramour to “leave your garter on the dash, ’cause we’re goin’ back to Panther Burn.”  “Across The Brazos” and “Texassippi” both utilize accordion to fortify their country-blues themes, while Tim Alexander’s organ over Jim’s lead in “Amen Corner” takes a neat turn into the gospel theme of “All God’s Children Get The Blues Sometimes,’ with guest vocals from Carolyn Wonderland and Ray Benson.

In 2002, Jim lost his daughter, Brittany, in a tragic auto accident, and the haunting “I See You” serves as a tribute to her memory.  The lyrics show his pain, as “I see you every place I go.’  This song segues’ into Jim’s ethereal instrumental read of “Remember Mama” from the classic film, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” a connection that perhaps only Jim and his memories could make.

We had two favorites, too.  Jim closes the set by dropping some serious blues-rock full of “bad bad juju” as he sends out a “Worldwide Hoodoo comin’ for you!”  And, he rocks out a smokin’ roadhouse boogie with “I Declare,” featuring  Kim Wilson on the harp, and Tim’s barrelhouse piano.

Jim Suhler continues to expand his musical boundaries with albums the caliber of “Panther Burn.”  His playing is exemplary, and his original songs shake you down to your soul!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.

Patti Parks review…February 28, 2014…

PATTI PARKS

CHEAT ‘N MAN

INDEPENDENT RELEASE

BABY DON’T YOU KNOW–HAPPY YOU’RE MINE–BACK OFF–IT AIN’T RIGHT–MAMA–CHEAT ‘N MAN–EVERYDAY–WHAT I HAD TO BE–WHATCHA GONNA DO

Patti Parks has won the Best Female Blues Vocalst from the Buffalo blues society in both 2012 and 2013, and it is very easy to see why.  She’s a dynamite package of talent and beauty, and has one of those voices that simply commands your attention.  She has just released her debut, “Cheat ‘N Man,” and these nine originals show not only the scope of her voice but her ability to handle different styles with ease.

Patti was always encouraged by her parents to explore her musical side, which started when she was a mere six years old, wandering off from a family event to sing and dance for a group of complete strangers at a wedding.  She has come a long way with her music, and this set is bound to get her noticed everywhere!

Patti is joined by a high-energy group of backing players, including a full horn section that gives these cuts a boost that dancers will love.  The party starts off with the jump of “Baby Don’t You Know,” and then she segues’ into a sultry-smooth, torchy cut, “Happy You’re Mine.”  Her autobiography plays out over the minor-key “What I Had To Do,” name-checking Ol’ Blue Eyes and Sammy Davis, Jr., as influences.  And, she turns in one of the album’s most powerful performances of a song that is a departure from the jump and blues of the rest of the set.  It is a touching tribute not only to her late “Mama,” but to all the moms everywhere.  She poignantly  describes her mother’s soothing words of encouragement throughout her life, especially, “don’t forget to pray” and “don’t be afraid.”

We had two other favorites, too, both in the bluesier vein.  She engages in a way-cool “discussion” with Charles Buffamonte’s guitar in the story of a man who just keeps on doing her wrong, “It Ain’t Right.”  And, the title cut bumps and grinds over Patti’s rowdy, partly spoken-word vocal as she flat out tells her “Cheat  ‘N Man” that  “I’m not gonna put up with you!”

Bold and brassy, sultry and sexy are just a few of the adjectives one can use to ddescribe Patti Parks’ explosive voice, and she’s teamed up with session cats that bring out all her best qualities.  “Cheat ‘N Man” is an excellent debut from a definite up-and-coming talent!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.