Corte’ review…August 16, 2015…

CORTE’

SEASONED SOUL

SELF-RELEASED

THAT’S WHAT LOVE WILL MAKE YOU DO–I’M TORE DOWN–OH PRETTY WOMAN–ALL YOUR LOVE (I MISS LOVING)–UNCHAIN MY HEART–ANY OLE WAY–THAT’S THE WAY LOVE IS–I WANT TO LOVE YOU–LEAP OF FAITH–COLD SWEAT

For those of us who’ve always wanted to sing but fall in the Hopelessly Tone-Deaf category, it’s refreshing to hear from someone whose voice is his only instrument.  Such is the case with (Al) Corte’, who grew up singing in the church until his family realized he had a huge talent for R & B and blues.  He not only has vocal chops of the highest order, he goes a step further with the ten cuts that comprise “Seasoned Soul,” bringing us some of the most revered songs of our lifetime, drawing from Stax, Motown, and classic blues.

Corte’ starts the party with the strut of Little Milton’s, “That’s What Love Will Make You Do,” over Jerry Bone’s organ fills.  “Oh Pretty Woman” has a touch of ole Bobby Rush in Corte’s vocal, while “That’s The Way Love Is” has Jerry playing some sweet Allman-esque slide.

Corte’ works out on some fine material associated with Delbert, too.  “Leap Of Faith” has a gospel feel, augmented by backing vocals from Sarah Jo Roark.  And, “I Just Want To Love You” is one of Corte’s most vibrant vocals on the set, with the bittersweet subject matter of “how frail a man can be,” punctuated by Charlie Chalmers’ sax solo.  He closes on a 100,000-watt note, with a blistering read of the Godfather’s “Cold Sweat.”

We had three favorites, too.  Corte’s read of “Unchain My Heart” is another one with a great, “testifyin” feel, while Otis Redding’s chestnut, “Any Ole Way,” is presented in a light-hearted, playful tone.  And, the minor-key blues of Magic Sam Maghett’s “All Your Love (I Miss Loving), features another strong vocal performance and a fittingly-mournful harp from Jerry Bone.

Corte’s “Seasoned Soul”  was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs and no techno-gizmo enhancement–what you hear is what you get, and it sho’ nuff sounds good to us!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

The Ragpicker String Band review…August 14, 2015…

THE RAGPICKER STRING BAND

THE RAGPICKER STRING BAND

YELLOW DOG RECORDS  YDR 2242

HONEY BABE–MINOR BLUES–GOOGLE BLUES–BLUE MONK–CLEAN UP AT HOME–MOTEL TOWEL–BABY WHERE YOU BEEN–BLACK MATTIE–LONELY ONE IN THIS TOWN–BY YOUR SIDE–MILKCOW BLUES–TRIMMED AND BURNING–STREET DOCTOR BLUES–BRUNO’S DREAM

The Ragpicker String Band consist of three of the best string players on the planet, having garnered between them nine Blues Music Award nominations.  Yes, their self-titled album brings together that mandolin man, Rich Del Grosso, acclaimed fingerpicker Mary Flower on guitar and lap slide, and multi-instrumentalist Martin Grosswendt.

This is a vintage acoustic-blues-lover’s dream.  Over the course of fourteen tracks, these three giants breathe new life into songs by The Mississippi Sheikhs, Sleepy John Estes, Lil Johnson and others, mixed with their own originals written in the same styles.  Another sweet thing about this set aside from everyone’s string mastery is their tight vocal harmonies throughout.

Mary plays the forlorn lover to the hilt on “Minor Blues” and hee own “Baby Where You Been,” all punctuated by her fabulous fretwork.  All three show their prowess on a jazzy instrumental read of “Blue Monk,” and close the set with a pastoral, peaceful cut, another of Mary’s originals, “Bruno’s Dream,” with everyone meshing perfectly.

Rich Del Grosso is in fine form, too, both in his playing and that deep-from-the-soul baritone delivery.  He has a lot of fun with “Black Mattie,” the sly humor of his original “Street Doctor Blues,” giving “sweet dreams to lost souls,” and another original “love song” with a rhumba-esque beat, “you can count on me, baby, to be By Your Side.”  Martin’s no slouch, either, giving fine vocal reads on the playful “Clean Up At Home,” and the slyly-sexy “Milkcow Blues.”

We had two favorites, too.  Mary takes the lead vocal on the traditional “Trimmed And Burning,” giving it a strong gospel feel, urging us to “don’t stop praying, for this old world is almost done.”  And, Rich brings this vintage music into the social media age with one of the most humorous songs we’ve heard in quite some time.  “Google Blues” finds Rich on lead vocal hittin’ on a woman in a bar that has “free Wi-Fi,” and she “pulled up all my shady past when she Googled me!”

The Ragpicker String Band has brought fans an album that is a stringed and vocal tour-de-force.  These three outstanding musicians give these tunes a fresh coat of paint while staying true to their blues roots.  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Katy Guillen And The Girls review…August 10, 2015…

KATY GUILLEN AND THE GIRLS

KATY GUILLEN AND THE GIRLS

SELF-RELEASED

DON’T GET BITTER–OLD BEST FRIEND–WOKE UP IN SPAIN–STALLING ON DREAMS–GABRIELA–THINK TWICE–QUIVER–IF YOU WERE GONE–DON’T TURN YOUR BACK–THE RACE–EARTH ANGEL

Katy Guillen hails from Kansas City, and is part of that city’s vibrant blues scene which includes Concord artist Danielle Nicole and a host of others.  Katy has been a student of the guitar since she was a small child, and is fluent in blues guitar and flamenco.  Blues fans are gonna fall in love with her sterling debut, “Katy Guillen And The Girls.”  Katy is on guitar and vocals, with Claire Adams on bass and backing vocals, and Stephanie Williams on drums.

The eleven originals that comprise this set are predominantly riff-heavy blues-rockers, with a bit of an “edge” to all of them.  Claire’s backing vocals also add depth to these already-powerful songs.  Leading off is the uptempo tale of coping with the ups and downs of relationships, “get better, Don’t Get Bitter.”  This theme is revisited with the story of “working on a new love,” and is entitled “Woke Up In Spain.”

Katy’s passion for Hendrix is evident in the growling lead lines of “what makes your heart pound/what makes you Quiver.”  The set closes with another fine bit of alternative-blues, “Earth Angel.”

Straight blues are well-represented, too.  A stone slab of funky-grooved blues is Katy’s word to a no-good lover, “Don’t Turn Your Back on a good thing.”  And, “Think Twice” is a playful romp with a highly-danceable groove,

Our favorite was easy.  “Stalling On Dreams” begins as a poignant reminder of memories of a faded love, which morphs into a strutting, funked-up climax.

Tom Ruf, if you read this, here is your next candidate for the “Girls With Guitars” tour.  “Katy Guillen And The Girls” is a sparkling debut from a young lady who has what it takes to strike big in contemporary blues!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

 

 

Buddy Guy review…August 8, 2015…

BUDDY GUY

BORN TO PLAY GUITAR

RCA/SILVERTONE  88875-12037-2

BORN TO PLAY GUITAR–WEAR YOU OUT–BACK UP MAMA–TOO LATE–WHISKEY, BEER, AND WINE–KISS ME QUICK–CRYING OUT OF ONE EYE–(BABY) YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES–TURN ME WILD–CRAZY WORLD–SMARTER THAN I WAS–THICK LIKE MISSISSIPPI MUD–FLESH AND BONE (DEDICATED TO B. B. KING)–COME BACK MUDDY

Long-time fans of Buddy Guy are familiar with his “comeback” album of sorts, (even tho he never really went anywhere!), “Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues.”  A few years later, he revisited his roots and gave us all a cold drink of “Sweet Tea.”  You’ll find elements of both of those albums on his latest, “Born To Play Guitar,” on the RCA/Silvertone label.

There are some serious Tennessee connections, too.  Glenn Worf is on bass, Kevin McKendree and Reese Wynans are on keys, and Tom Hambridge is on drums, and doubles as producer.  Buddy kicks things off with the autobiographical title cut, reminding us all that “I got a reputation” and “I got blues runnin’ thru my veins!”  Billy Gibbons is the first special guest, as he and Buddy trade stories of ’54 Strats and “Seventy-something Eldorados.” because “I ain’t slowin’ down ’til I Wear You Out!”  Joss Stone joins Buddy for a playfully-sexy duet on the Brook Benton/Dinah Washington chestnut, “Baby, You Got What It Takes!”

Buddy revisits his days with Junior Wells as Kim Wilson blows some mean harp on the Little Walter classic, “Too Late,” and a cool shot of love on the run, “Kiss Me Quick.”  “Damn Right”-era contemporary blues are well-represented, too, with the wah-wah workout of “Turn Me Wild,” “Crazy World,” and the horn-heavy romp, “Thick Like Mississippi Mud.”

We had three favorites, too.  Rob McNelley adds some sweet slide guitar to the sly tale of “havin’ a Back Up Mama, in case mama Number One ain’t around!”  Van Morrison’s duet with Buddy on a tribute to B. B. King is entitled “Flesh And Bones,” and takes on a spiritual tone as the fellows sing “we’ll all live on, in the sweet by and by.”  Backing harmonies are provided by the iconic McCrary Sisters, also.  Buddy closes the set with a plaintive request, “Come Back Muddy,” as he recounts the glory days of those two legends, singing “Lord knows, you can’t be replaced.”  Doyle Bramhall II adds twelve-string guitar, and Reese is on the ol’ upright piano.

Buddy put it best at the climax of the opening cut.  “When I’m gone, there’ll be a polka-dot guitar resting on my grave.”  Not only was he “Born To Play Guitar,” he promised Muddy he’d do his best to carry this bidness on!  Buddy, we love you, man, and thank you so much for a lifetime of great blues!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Mick Kolassa review…August 6, 2015…

MICK KOLASSA

GHOSTS OF THE RIVERSIDE HOTEL

SWINGSUIT RECORDS  MMK 022015

RAMBLIN MAN–GRAPES AND GREENS–ONE MEAT BALL–I ALWAYS MEANT TO LOVE YOU–TROUBLE–NOTHIN LEFT TO LOSE (ROBIN’S BLUES)–IF I AIN’T FISHIN–MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME–WHISKEY WOMAN–WALKIN (DEAD) BLUES–MAMA’S GOT A MOJO–DELTA TOWN

For Mick Kolassa’s latest album, “Ghosts Of The Riverside Hotel,” he blends his own original songs with some cleverly-done covers that all end up being quite an entertaining set of blues.  Along with Mick, who is on vocals and guitars, there is Jeff Jensen on lead guitar, Bill Ruffino on bass, Robinson Bridgeforth on drums, and Chris Stephenson on organ.  And, there is a veritable “Memphis Who’s Who” as guests, including Annika Chambers, Reba Russell, Victor Wainwright, Eric Hughes, and Brandon Santini.  Why, there’s even an appearance by that ole “Mensa Man,” Watermelon Slim.

Mick gets right down to bidness with a high lonesome vocal delivery on Luke The Drifter’s “Ramblin’ Man,” set over a marching drumbeat.  The Depression-era tale of a man with only fifteen cents to spare can only afford “One Meatball,” and the rhythm pattern is a reggae-fied delight!  Mick takes a clever look at the “Trouble” one can encounter in a bar, and morphs into the “only zombie on the planet playin’ the blues” in “Walkin’ (Dead) Blues.”  The set closes as Mick invites us all “down to the Crossroads” to that little “Delta Town” known as Clarksdale, MS.  You can stay at the Riverside Hotel,” where Miss Bessie (Smith) died!”  This one has Watermelon Slim on harp and dobro.

We had three favorites, too.  Mick strips the Three Dog Night classic, “Mama Told Me Not To Come,” down to its base elements, turning it into a blues rave-up, with harp from Brandon Santini.  We all know Muddy enjoyed the occasional “Champagne and Reefer,” and Eric Hughes’ slide guitar compliments Mick’s own potions for his pain, “Grapes And Greens,” with a side order of “Tennessee corn” for good measure!  And, it ain’t every day that your publicist gets name-checked in a song, but, Mick is wantin’ a little time with just his “fishin’ pole,” so he warns “Frank (Roszak), don’t be callin’ me with your funk.  If I Ain’t Fishin’, I’ll be sleepin’, and if I ain’t sleepin’, I’ll be drunk!!”

Mick Kolassa treats us all to a good mix of several styles of blues on “Ghosts Of The Riverside Hotel.”  And, as with his debut, all the proceeds from the sale of this album go to the Blues Foundation, and, specifically, the HART Fund and Generation Blues.  A philanthropic bluesman—what a cool combination!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.

 

Smith And Wesley review…August 3, 2015…

SMITH AND WESLEY

CHOICES AND CHANCES

GARAGE DOOR RECORDS  GDR 7212015

THIRTY PIECES–WHISKEY–BOTTLE’S HALF FULL–NEED SOMEBODY BAD–ROLL ON SMOOTHLY–SAVE ME–PROVE MY LOVE–YOU’RE THE ONE–I LOVE LOVING YOU–SWEET LIFE–COUNTRY DREAMS

Country music group Smith And Wesley hail from the Chattanooga, TN–Northern Georgia area, what we think of as “Tritt Country,” as ole Travis Tritt also hails from nearby Kennesaw, GA.  And, you can hear a lot of Tritt’s swagger in their debut album, “Choices And Chances.”  It’s eleven band originals that encompass Southern rock, contemporary and traditional country, and even a bit of blues.

The band derives its name from the singing Smith brothers, Scott on lead vocals and Todd on harp and harmony vocals.  Wesley was the name of their father, who recently passed away, and the band now uses his name in a fitting tribute.  This album is meant to be enjoyed in a “start to finish” fashion, as well.  The first half of the set is peppered with “choices,” most of which come with hefty consequences.  The leadoff cut is a Southern-rock-influenced tale of the fellows’ grandfather, who crossed a coal mine picket line “to keep his family fed,” and his so-called friends sold him out for that biblical “Thirty Pieces.”  One is not likely to find an answer to life’s problems by “swimmin’ in a Whiskey river,” but you know the price is steep if you try.  And, if you find the pain of loss too much to bear and you need something stronger than liquor, you might just “Need Somebody Bad tonight, because I just lost somebody good.”

The second half of the set deals with making more mature choices, finding true love, and eventual redemption.  “Prove My Love,” “I Love Loving You,” and “You’re The One” are excellent examples of the band’s softer side.

We had two favorites, too.  One of the “choices” songs is a stone traditional honky-tonker where you know there’s trouble comin’ when “The Bottle’s Half Full.”  And, Danny Shirley of Confederate Railroad fame guests on vocals as the fellows vow to keep “chasin’ those Country Dreams ’til the day I die,” just as Haggard, Jones, and a host of others before them did.

Smith And Wesley are as good or better than a lot of acts drawin’ a fat check down on Music Row.  Excellent musicianship, strong songs, and tight harmonies that only brothers could produce make “Choices And Chances” a set that begs to be heard.  And, if their July 28th show at Nashville’s City Winery was any indication, these guys are ready to bust out in a big way!  Best of luck, guys!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine review…August 1, 2015…

ANDRA FAYE AND SCOTT BALLANTINE

COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA

VIZZTONE  VT-AFSB-01

WALKIN HOME TO YOU–CRACKHEADED MAN–IT’S A NEW DAY–TAKE IT SLOW–BLUES FOR A CRAPPY DAY–TOO MUCH BUTT (FOR ONE PAIR OF JEANS)–ONE DREAM AT A TIME–COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA–STANDING IN THE NEED OF PRAYER–WORKIN MAMA IS GONE–FEELS LIKE RAIN–WHEN YOU GONNA STOP YOUR DRINKIN?–CLYDE

Andra Faye gained notoriety as a member of Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women, known for her brilliant blues mandolin and violin stylings.  Scott Ballantine made his mark as a guitarist who embraces all genres’, and plays them all exceedingly well.  For their second collaboration, entitled “Coulda Woulda Shoulda,”  for Vizztone, they combine their talents for eight originals and five covers that showcases not only their stringed and vocal abilities, but their strong songwriting as well.

Andra and Scott play all the instruments on this predominantly-acoustic set (save for a few cuts with Andra on amplified bass), and they kick things off with Andra’s fiddle paired with Scott’s guitar on the lively “Walkin’ Home To You.”  Scott adds duet vocals on the tale of “layin’ down your troubles” because “It’s A New Day!”  That feeling of redemption resurfaces a few cuts later with “One Dream At A Time,” and Andra goes into torch-song mode for a request for her lover to “turn on the stereo” and just “Take It Slow.”  Scott takes the lead vocal with Andra backing him at the chorus on the traditional gospel of “Standing In The Need Of Prayer.”

The set had plenty of light-hearted moments, too.  The title cut takes a humorous look at life’s chances and consequences, while Andra is asked “When You Gonna Quit Your Drinkin,” and her answer is simple—“when there’s a better way to get that good whiskey down!”

We had two favorites, too.  Scott’s shimmering guitar leads are reminiscent of a brewing storm on the John Hiatt classic, “Feels Like Rain.”  And, be it Valenti or Calvin Klein or whoever the designer might be, Andra just has “Too Much Butt (For One Pair Of Jeans)!”  This one is playful, flirty, and a heckuva lot of fun!

“Coulda Woulda Shoulda” brings together two great talents in the blues world—Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine.  Their music fits as easily as a hand in a glove, and this set’s vintage vibe makes it special, indeed!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.