The Betty Fox Band review…June 27, 2015….

THE BETTY FOX BAND

SLOW BURN

SELF-RELEASED

THINK ABOUT IT–SWEET MEMORIES–SLOW BURN–SOLID GROUND–PLEASE COME HOME–OUR LOVE–REMEMBER ME–TAKE A WALK WITH ME–LET THE LIGHT SHINE–BABY PLEASE–WHO’S HOLDIN’–GOODBYE–ANGEL FLYIN’ TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND

There must be something in the water or the sunshine down in Central Florida, because the Suncoast Blues Society has produced another winner for blues fans everywhere.  She is vocalist and composer extraordinaire Betty Fox, a finalist in the 2015 IBC’s.  She has an extensive gospel background, and a feel for classic soul deep down in her heart which translates well on her latest CD, “Slow Burn.”  For this set, she is joined by Kid Royal on guitar, Barry Williams on bass, Shawn Brown on keys, and Sam Farmer on drums.

Betty’s sassy, strutting style fits this material well, as the band originals are written with that vintage Stax/Hi sound in mind.  Leading off is “Think About It,” with Kid riffing on a James Brown-styled groove.  The chance discovery of an old photo brings back those “Sweet Memories of a love that was never mine,” while “Our Love” is a feel-good cut about making that love “a little stronger every day.”  “Baby Please” is a plaintive, soulful plea to a lover that has Betty reachng down into the literal depths of her soul to get her point across, while she closes the set accompanied only by her acoustic guitar on a somber “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground.”

“Solid Ground” and “Let The Light Shine,” with their messages of faith, hope, and redemption, recall Betty’s gospel days.  The playful, jazzy nature of “Please Come Home” and “Who’s Holdin,” complete with some snazzy scat-singing, show us her lighter side.  Thus, these four served as our favorites.

A fantastic singer with an excellent corps of backing musicians, “Slow Burn” from The Betty Fox Band sets her up for much future success!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.

Mitch Mann review…June 26, 2015…

MITCH MANN

BLACKWATER CREEK

CRAZY CHESTER RECORDS  CCR 001

GOING DOWN THE ROAD FEELING BAD–BABY DON’T FORGET–CROWS INTRO–CROWS–ST. LOUIS BLUES–MAKE THIS LAST MINUTE LAST–MORE THAN I COULD EVER SHOW–SOMETIMES A ROCK–BLACKWATER CREEK–DETOUR YOU–HOLD HER WHILE YOU GOT HER–TOM CLARK–IT’S TIME–GOOD THINGS

Modern-day acoustic bluesmen have to depend on their musicianship and storytelling to get their messages across, just like the old-school masters. Mitch Mann, of Fiddleworms and Yellowhammer fame, is up to that acoustical challenge, as his latest set, “Blackwater Creek,” will attest.  It’s seven originals and four covers that are enhanced not only by Mitch’s talents, but by several special guests sprinkled throughout.

The luminaries come out early–on the leadoff “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad,” Andreas Werner is on lead guitar as Mitch handles vocals and rhythm.  Backing harmony is provided by Russell Mefford and none other than Grateful Dead member and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame songstress, Donna Godchaux, who reappears as co-writer and vocalist on the set-closing reminder to us all to stay positive and hopeful, and always seek life’s “Good Things.”

There’s a jigger of Django in the gypsy-fied guitar lines of “Baby Don’t Forget,” while Mitch shows his country-blues roots on “Crows,” with harp from Jimmy Hall.  Mitch shows a softer side on the ballads that bolster the idea that love conquers all, “More Than I Could Ever Show,” and the poignant “Hold Her While You Got Her,” because “that come and go girl may never be here again.”

We had some favorites, too.  A very bluesy “leavin’ song” has Mitch singing “I’m searching for a better road so I can Detour You.”  Two “death ballads,” if you will,  (always popular down South!), round out our faves.  Music City icon Buzz Cason adds harmony on “It’s Time.”  and, the story of “Old Tom Clark” deals with the “Jesse James of Muscle Shoals,” a man with “a lust for gold” and “a heart as cold as the grave.”

Mitch Mann offers up a very eclectic set of roots and blues with “Blackwater Creek.”  His excellent troubadour-ish stylings along with the stellar cast of backing players make this a set you won’t want to miss!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Rick Vito review…June 24, 2015….

RICK VITO

MOJO ON MY SIDE

DELTA GROOVE RECORDS  DGPCD 168

MOJO ON MY SIDE–EASY BABY–PRETTY WOMEN–MY HOUSE–MISSY BROWN–LIFE WAS JUST A STRUGGLE–FEMME FATALE–WHO WERE YOU THINKING OF–HOUSE PARTY–LET A WOMAN BE A WOMAN–SHE’S GOT IT ALL–HELP ME LORD–YOU CAN RUN–RIVER OF BLUES

Guitarist Rick Vito spent four years as a member of Fleetwood Mac, from 1987-1991, during their “Tango In The Night” period.  He’s played on over a hundred recordings for other people, perhaps best-known for his brilliant solo on Bob Seger’s “Like A Rock.” He’s also recorded several solo projects, including our favorite from 1998, “Pink And Black,” containing a searing version of “I Wouldn’t Lay My Guitar Down.”

His latest release is on the Delta Groove label, entitled “Mojo On My Side,” with eleven originals and three covers that let his immeasurable slide guitar talents run wild.  You can almost feel the spirits of giants such as Son House and Fred McDowell rising from the Delta mists as Rick’s slide wails to put a spell on a lover, knowing he’s got that good “Mojo On My Side.”  Mojo Johnson’s percussion casts another swampy spell on the story of “Missy Brown,” she who “walks like a cool breeze!”  Jim Hoke’s sax adds to the soulful strut of Rick’s cover of “doing the best I can,”  “Life Was Just A Struggle.”  Rick gets that sinking feeling with a lover that “something just ain’t right” in “Who Were You Thinking Of last night?,” as his slide seems to be seeking the answer on its own.  “House Party” recalls his “Pink And Black” days, with rockin’ slide a la Theodore Roosevelt “Hound Dog” Taylor, while “Let A Woman Be A Woman” is a stone shot of horn-struttin” funk.  “You Can Run but you can’t hide” is the message from a lover bound and determined to keep a hold on Rick.  The handclap percussion and almost-sanctified slide give this one a cool gospel vibe.

We had three favorites, too.  The West Side rules as Rick lays down that unmistakable riff of Magic Sam Maghett’s “Easy Baby,” with the help of Jim Hoke’s sax.  “Pretty Women on my mind” has Rick rockin’ his slide for all it’s worth in this tale of “blondes, brunettes, and redheads, too!”  On a serious note, Rick’s acoustic original, “Help Me Lord,” is a poignant plea with guitar as pure as the Delta soil from whence it originated.

Rick Vito is a consummate slide player, and his passion for the blues is as deep as it is wide.  If that ain’t enough, he’s got some good “Mojo On My Side” to bring it all home!!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Diane Durrett review…June 23, 2015…

DIANE DURRETT

SOUL SUGA AND DIANE DURRETT

BLOOMING TUNES MUSIC

SHOW UP SEXY–BUTTER’S IN THE SKILLET–ALL IS WELL–BE SOMEBODY’S ANGEL–PUSH THE PUSH BACK–LET GO AND LET GROOVE–SASSY LARUE–WOO HOO–I KNOW YOUR NOTHINGS–BRIGHT SIDE–LET IT BE

Diane Durrett is one of those rare female singers that you’ll always remember as soon as you hear her for the first time.  She has just released her seventh set, on Blooming Tunes music, and entitled “Soul Suga.”  There are eleven cuts herein, which show a sexy, sultry, danceable side coupled with a softer, more vulnerable Diane, all of which is enhanced by her incredible pipes.  She has beaucoups of friends, too, most of whom contributed to this set in some way, including Yonrico Scott, Charlie Wooton, Randall Bramblett, and Tinsley Ellis, to name just a few.

Ladies, would you like to dance?  Then, don your highest stilettos and those slinky fishnet hose, you know, cut kinda low at the top and high at the bottom, so you’ll be sure to “Show Up Sexy,” because, as Diane will tell you, “you still got that fire way down below!”  When a woman really needs some “attention,” fellows be ready, and “don’t walk away when The Butter’s In The Skillet!”  This one’s set over a cool, midtempo, horn-driven, funk-filled groove.

Diane shows her compassionate side on several ballads, too.  Dealing with the pain of the loss of a loved one is laid bare in “All Is Well,” and she encourages us all to “Be Somebody’s Angel,” and spread some love, because “it don’t take wings to lift somebody’s spirits!”  The set closes with Randall’s piano and sax leading the way as Diane seeks comfort for us all in the words to “Let it Be.”

We had two favorites, too.  A righteous, Mardi Gras party groove drives the story of “Sassy Larue,” a great singer “right up there with Billie Holliday.”  And, you just gotta love the sexy, sly, double-entendres’ of “I got a little Woo Hoo in my hoo hoo,” which is well-lubed by the guitar stylings of guest Tinsley Ellis.

A member of the Atlanta Chapter of NARAS, the Grammy folks obviously know a good ‘un when they hear her.  You will, too, after you get a little taste of “Soul Suga” from Diane Durrett!   until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Mississippi Fever review…June 19, 2015…

MISSISSIPPI FEVER

300 MILES TO MEMPHIS

SELF-RELEASED

I FEEL LIKE SUPERMAN–TRAVELING RIVERSIDE BLUES–STEAL AWAY YOUR LOVE–DOWNTOWN TRAIN–‘TIL THE SUNRISE–BLACK DRESS–OUT ALL NIGHT–300 MILES TO MEMPHIS–THE DEVIL’S GOT YOU NOW–JESUS JUST LEFT CHICAGO

Being the guitarist in a blues power trio is a tough gig.  He has to have the chops to vary things night after night to keep things “fresh” and “real,” to quote the popular vernacular.  Mississippi Fever, outta St. Louis, has a stomp-down good ‘un at the helm in Brent Barker, along with bassist Ted May and his brother Tom on drums.  They have just released “300 Miles From Memphis,” a blistering set of eight originals and two covers that give Brent and the fellows room to lay down a hot groove.

You gotta love that wah-wah-infused guitar that leads off Brent’s Saturday-night-and-I’m-ready-to-rock anthem, “I Feel Like Superman, partyin’ from the bottom to the top!”  “Steal Away Your Love” has Brent lookin’ for a “partner in crime” to “break and enter your heart,” with piano from Rick Steff.  Brent gets his swagger on with the chunka-chunka strut of “I’m your Downtown Train,” and busts out the wah-wah again for a session from “the love doctor,” with a lady wearin’ that hot-lookin’ “Black Dress.”

Brandon Santini’s harp drives the freight-train beat of the title cut, referring to the distance between Memphis and St. Louis, and the fellows close the set with a buzzsaw cover of “Jesus Just Left Chicago.”

We had two favorites, too.  A lover who’s long gone is the subject of “Out All Night,” and Brent’s slow-burnin’ lead lines on this one make you feel his pain.  And, at the opposite end of the spectrum is Brent kicking off “Traveling Riverside Blues” with sweet acoustic work before blasting off into the stratosphere and singing ’bout those “women in Vicksburg, clean on up to Tennessee!”

Today the temperature in Music City was a robust 92 degrees, but that ain’t nothin’ compared tyo the heat laid down in “300 Miles To Memphis” from Mississippi Fever!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

 

Henry Gray and Bob Corritore review…June 17, 2015…

THE HENRY GRAY AND BOB CORRITORE SESSIONS

VOL. 1–BLUES WON’T LET ME TAKE MY REST

DELTA GROOVE MUSIC  DGPCD 169

LET’S GET HIGH–BLUES WON’T LET ME TAKE MY REST–I’M IN LOVE AGAIN–RAMBLIN’ ON MY MIND–WORRIED LIFE BLUES–THEY RAIDED THAT JOINT–RIDE WITH YOUR DADDY TONIGHT–TROUBLE BLUES–I’M GONNA MISS YOU–THAT AIN’T RIGHT–CAN’T AFFORD TO DO IT–BOOGIE WOOGIE BALL–HONEY DON’T LET ME GO–SHE DON’T MOVE ME NO MORE

Pianist Henry Gray may be best-known for his work with Howlin’ Wolf from 1956-1968.  After that, he backed the likes of Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, and Little Walter, among many others.  He has been working with Arizona-based harp man Bob Corritore since 1996, and, over those nineteen years, comprising some twelve recording sessions, they have a virtual treasure trove of recordings from which to draw.  One of those sessions occurred on January 25, 2015, Henry’s 90th birthday.  Just released on the Delta Groove label is “Vol. 1–Blues Won’t Let me Take My Rest,” featuring fourteen cuts, all but four previously unissued.

Henry takes the vocal on ten cuts, and a literal “who’s who” in contemporary blues guest star and round out the set.  Throughout, Henry and Bob let their immense talents drive this music, each seemingly knowing where the other is going without missing a beat.

The party starts with Willie Smith on drums and backing vocals as Henry and Bob urge everyone to “Let’s Get High,” while Nappy Brown adds his suave style on “Trouble Blues.”  Henry rocks the boogie on “They Raided That Joint,” and both these cuts feature the mighty Kid Ramos on guitar.

Bob’s usual duet partner, Dave Riley, adds vocals on “Ride With Your Daddy Tonight,” while John Brim adds guitar and vocals on “That Ain’t Right.”  Robert “Jr.” Lockwood takes the vocal turn on the Robert Johnson classic,  “Ramblin’ On My Mind.”

Picking favorites was nearly impossible, but two cuts stood out for us.  Henry has the vocal on a sweet read of “Can’t Afford To Do It,” with guitar from Big Jon Atkinson.  And, the ol’ Tail Dragger himself name-checks all the backing players from Henry on down in the raucous party anthem, “Boogie Woogie Ball.”

Henry Gray and Bob Corritore are national treasures, and their music is respected by everyone in the blues community.  Hopefully, we won’t have long to wait before volume two of “Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest!”  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Omar Coleman review…June 16, 2015…

OMAR COLEMAN

BORN AND RAISED

DELMARK RECORDS  DE 840

TRYIN’ TO DO RIGHT–MAN LIKE ME–SIT DOWN BABY–I WAS A FOOL–WISHING WELL–SLOW DOWN BABY–LUCKY MAN–I DON’T WANT NO TROUBLE–YOU GOT A HOLD ON ME–BORN AND RAISED–ONE REQUEST–TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT–I KNOW YOU BEEN CHEATING–RASPBERRY WINE

The excitement level at Delmark’s Riverside Studios was at fever pitch earlier this year as they recorded the Delmark debut of a young rising star on the Chicago scene, harpman and vocalist Omar Coleman.  Omar was West-Side “Born And Raised” (and proud of it!) in 1973, and that’s what he titled this album.  He captures the good-time spirits of several Windy City greats with these fine fourteen originals, too.

Omar’s always been a big fan of Bobby Rush, Junior Wells, and Al Green, and he touches on the styles of these legends throughout.  Check out the minor-key, remorse-filled, “I Was A Fool to let you run out on me,” with Mike Wheeler on guitar, and the poignant ballad, “One Request,” to sample the Al Green connection.  You gotta love his tributes to that “folk-funk” strut of Bobby Rush, too, with cuts like the danceable “Sit Down Baby,” and “I Don’t Want No Trouble.”  Labelmate Toronzo Cannon adds guitar on the Hill-Country groove of “Man Like Me” and again on Omar’s ode to a lover, “You Got A Hold On Me.”

We had two favorites, too.  We loved that killer rhumba beat on “I Know You Been Cheating,” with Neal O’Hara on piano and Dave Herrero on guitar.  And, “Slow Down Baby” rocks with a steady roll, with Dave’s Berry-licious licks riding  over Omar’s wailin’ harp!

The folks at Delmark know a good thing when they hear it, and Omar Coleman, with “Born And Raised,” is poised to make his mark on the contemporary blues scene!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

The Lucky Losers review…June 13, 2015…

THE LUCKY LOSERS

FEATURING CATHY LEMONS AND PHIL BERKOWITZ

A WINNING HAND

WEST TONE RECORDS  WTR  1504

CHANGE IN THE WEATHER–I TAKE WHAT I WANT–WHAT HAVE I DONE–A WINNING HAND–SUICIDE BY LOVE–WHAT WAS IT YOU WANTED–WHAT IS SUCCESS–LONG HARD ROAD–BABY YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES–CRY NO MORE–DETROIT CITY MAN–DON’T YOU LOSE IT

Texas-born Cathy Lemons has been a fixture on the Bay Area blues scene for some twenty-five years, performing with the likes of Tommy Castro and John Lee Hooker, with three albums to her credit.  Phil Berkowitz is another great San Fran-based harpman and vocalist, and he and Cathy have combined their considerable talents, naming themselves The Lucky Losers, and releasing “A Winning Hand” on West Tone Records.

This set combines originals from both players and some rarely-heard covers to make for a cool exercise in classic blues, New Orleans funk, and R & B, with a little bitta jazz.  The festivities kick off with the horn section leading the way in a shot of Stax-styled soul, “Change In The Weather.”  This cut reminds us to stay positive and “get back in the rat race” and “live for one more day.”  Ben Rice adds slide guitar on the N’Awlins groove of Alan Toussaint’s “What Is Success,” with that funky piano courtesy of Chris Burns.

Cathy and Phil get in some fine duets, too.  Phil sets the “tone,” literally, on the big ol’ chromatic harp as he and Cathy romp thru Sam and Dave’s “I Take What I Want.”  The mood turns downright playful as they cover the Brook Benton and Dinah Washington chestnut, “Baby, You Got What It Takes!”

Steve Freund adds guitar on Cathy’s original title track, and it has a Neil Young vibe throughout.  Cathy and Phil close the set on another note of perserverance, “Don’t You Lose It.”

We had two favorites, too.  Brush-stroked drums and Cathy’s smoky, sultry vocal on “Suicide By Love” deals with the consequences of life’s excesses, be it “suicide by drink, suicide by drugs, suicide by gamblin’ or suicide by love!”  And, the story of a no-good “Detroit City Man” has that “endless boogie” drive of another famous Detroit native, John Lee Hooker.  Both these cuts feature outstanding guitar from the set’s producer, Kid Andersen.

No matter what may be your taste in blues, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz, as The Lucky Losers, have laid down “A Winning Hand” that make us all the lucky winners!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow

Jim Singleton review…June 11, 2015…

JIM SINGLETON

8 O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON

SELF-RELEASED

RATTLESNAKE SHAKE–NOTHING TO DO WITH LOVE–DON’T TAKE–WHAT’S GOING ON–HERE I GO AGAIN–DON’T OWE YOU A THING–HEART WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN–PLACE IN MY HEART–WICKED GAME–A MILLION MILES AWAY

Jim Singleton always called the South his home—Dumas, AR, to be exact–but, growing up, he was drawn to the sounds of the British Invasion bluesmen.  While making a documentary about Clarksdale, MS, and its deep connection to the blues, he enlisted his friend and British guitar hero, Bernie Marsden, to make an album that pays tribute to music icons from both sides of  “the Pond.”

The result is “8 O’Clock In The afternoon,” seven covers and three originals that put the emphasis squarely on the blues, and, more importantly, the “Clarksdale connection” in blues history as it relates to the UK bluesmen.

Listeners, draw your own conclusions regarding the nature of the subject matter of the leadoff “Rattlesnake Shake,” written by Peter Green,  but don’t miss out on the powerhouse guitar licks Jim lays down.  He veers into a stomping, Hill-Country vibe with the freight-train chug of Gary Clark, Jr.’s “Don’t Owe You A Thing,” while his echo-soaked take on Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” fits in perfectly.

There is some fine balladry, also.  Gary Vincent’s “Don’t Take your love away from me” is spiced up by well-placed dollops of accordion from Mark Yacavone.  And, Charlie Musselwhite adds a mournful harp on the minor-key read of Bernie’s tale of one man’s undying love for a woman, “I’ll always have a Place In My Heart for you.”

Our favorite was easy.  Done up in the tradition of Fleetwood Mac’s  “Oh Well” is “What’s Going On,” written by Rory Gallagher, with its staccato, stop-and-go rhythm and vocal pattern that gives way to a barrage of fretwork fireworks.

Jim Singleton, with “8 O’Clock In The Afternoon,” effectively connects the dots of blues history from the Delta to the UK.  This one should not be missed!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Lazer Lloyd review…June 8, 2015…

LAZER LLOYD

LAZER LLOYD

LOTS OF LOVE RECORDS  LO 77001

BURNING THUNDER–SUFFERING–ROCKIN IN THE HOLY LAND–NEVER GIVE UP– OUT OF TIME–BROKEN DREAMS–SET MY SOUL FREE–SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY–MOROCCAN WOMAN–LOVE YOURSELF–TIME TO LOVE–WHOLE HEART

Lazer Lloyd has been dubbed Israel’s “King Of The Blues,” and rightfully so.  Originally working with Atlantic Records fresh out of college, he played a New York gig with Shlomo Carlebach, “The Singing Rabbi,” who invited him to come to Israel, and the rest is blues history.  In a land where the blues is an exotic treat, Lazer has built quite a following.  Powerful and intense guitar work, strong vocals, and now, taking his writing to another level, he has just released “Lazer Lloyd,” on Lots Of Love Records.

Lazer takes the listener on a sonic journey that touches on several variations of the blues, and he is always tweaking his vintage equipment, searching for just the perfect tone and sound.  And, positive messages are at the heart of all his songs.  The set leads off with the pounding drive of “Burning Thunder.”  From Adam and Eve down thru Robert Johnson at the Crossroads and beyond, man’s soul has been in a constant struggle with sin and salvation, and this cut addresses that battle.  “Suffering” touches on the life of a road-tested bluesman, but, Lazer reminds us of his lifelong mantra in the wistful “Never Give Up.”  The grungy power chords of “Out Of Time” and “Set My Soul Free” pay homage to his Hendrix influences, while at the other end of the spectrum, his take on “Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay” is done acoustically, with Lazer’s lead lines taking the place of that iconic whistled refrain.

“Love Yourself” was originally written with the religious terrorists in mind.  Over a churning riff, Lazer reminds those that kill that they are killing a little bit of themselves with each senseless murder.

Our favorite was easy.  Lazer blows a mean harp on the Canned Heat-styled boogie of “Rockin’ In The Holy Land,” describing how “a crazy old Jew” ended up playin’ blues in the Middle East.

Lazer Lloyd’s songs on this album will strike a deep chord with those of us who want to try and make this world a better place to live.  The lyrics come straight from his soul, and his playing has never sounded more fierce!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.