Mike Sponza review…July 9, 2016…

MIKE SPONZA

WITH IAN SIEGAL

FEAT. DANA GILLESPIE

ERGO SUM

EPOPS MUSIC

MODUS IN REBUS–CARPE DIEM–PENELOPE–THE THIN LINE (FEAT. DANA GILLESPIE)–SEE HOW THE MAN–POOR BOY–KISS ME–PRISONER OF JEALOUSY

Guitarist Mike Sponza is based in Italy, and he has been a part of some of the finest world-wide collaborations in the entire blues idiom.  One of those, the “Continental Shuffle,” brought together players from all over Europe to exchange ideas and write music.

His latest effort, tho, may be his most aggressively-ambitious one yet.  Entitled “Ergo Sum,” (Latin for “Therefore, I Am”), Mike uses his blues to make a bold statement that players such as Willie Dixon, Muddy, Dylan, and Robert Johnson were all “kindred spirits,” as it were, with the classical philosophers and poets such as Catullus, Horatius, and Juvenalis.  Add in the fact that the whole shootin’ match was recorded at Abbey Road, and, iconic British vocalist Dana Gillespie co-wrote and adds vocals on one cut, and this becomes a very special set, indeed.  Joining Mike, who’s on guitar and vocals, is Ian Siegal  on guitar and vocals, Mauro Tolot on bass,  Dean Ross on keys, and Moreno Buttinar on drums.

As you listen to these cuts, you get a good idea where Mike is going with this project.  He and Ian use their guitars to present expressive sonic palettes, and several cuts play out like five-minute morality plays.  A fine example is the leadoff “Modus In Rebus,” a lesson in greed and the evils of excesses.  A stomping, Hill-Country beat drives the tale of remembering that “life is too short, so, pour the wine,” entitled “Carpe Diem.”  A punchy horn section gives a jazzy feel to the story of those “senators and deputies” who’d “gladly sell your mother” to further their own agenda, “See How The Man.”

Dana Gillespie’s cut was our favorite.  The legendary singer bemoans the unpredictability of relationships in “The Thin Line between love and hate!”

Mike Sponza’s philosophy for “Ergo Sum” is that man will inherently never change.  He will always have love and loss, trials and tribulations, and, hopefully, redemption, and uses his blues to compare those same beliefs from the ancient writers.  Excellent musicianship and strong songs make this one a sweet listen!!   Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.

The Terry Hanck Band Live review…July 7, 2016….

THE TERRY HANCK BAND

FROM ROADHOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE LIVE!

VIZZTONE RECORDS  VT-TVR-406

GOOD GOOD ROCKIN’ GOIN’ ON–FLATFOOT SAM–JUNIOR’S WALK–WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN YOUR BABY LEAVES YOU–SMILIN’ THROUGH MY TEARS–I DON’T LOVE YOU NO MORE (I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU)–AIN’T THAT JUST LIKE A WOMAN–CAN I CHANGE MY MIND–OCTAVATE’N–LIVE TO LOVE–PEACE OF MIND–SLIP AWAY–CUPID MUST BE STUPID

He just won the Blues Award for Best Horn two months ago in Memphis, to go along with his numerous other accolades.  He spent ten years in Elvin Bishop’s band, and has led his own crew for nearly thirty years!  Of course, we are talkin’ ’bout none other than  sax legend Terry Hanck, who’s back with a scorching live set from the 2015 California State Fair, entitled “From Roadhouse To Your House–Live,”  on the Vizztone label.

Over these thirteen tracks, Terry mixes originals and covers, and his own vocals with impressive solo breaks throughout.  His backing crew includes Johnny “Cat” Soubrand on guitar, Tim Wagar on bass, Butch Cousins on drums, and very special guest Jimmy Pugh on the keys.  They don’t waste any time “pluggin’ into the socket just like Davy Crockett” on the leadoff original, “Good Good Rockin’ Goin’ On,” featuring a strong solo from everybody.  Terry and the fellows lay down some sweet soul music with most excellent takes on “Can I Change My Mind,” and Clarence Carter’s classic cheatin’ song, “Slip Away.”  Terry’s got that perfect vocal style that punctuates these two perfectly.  They work six minutes of pure jazzy bliss in the form of Dave Specter’s instrumental, “Octavate’n,” and close the set with a shot of Fifties-inspired jump-blues, “Cupid Must Be Stupid.”

We had two favorites, too—one original and one cover.  The original is Terry’s awesome tribute to Junior Walker, gettin’ everyone in tune with “Junior’s Walk,” a sho’ nuff old-school Motown rave-up!  And, an extended intro breaks down into a real barn-burner, the “historical ” tale of Eve, Lot’s wife, Delilah and others, “Ain’t That Just Like A Woman!”

Terry Hanck has been on the scene since the halcyon days of the Bay Area blues-rock beginnings, and continues to blow like Hell in today’s contemporary arena.  He’s at his best in front of a crowd, and “From Roadhouse To Your House–Live!” shows you what good sax is all about!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

 

 

Mick Kolassa review…July 2, 2016….

MICK KOLASSA

TAYLOR MADE BLUES

SWING SUIT RECORDS  MMK 032016

BABY FACED LOUISE–TAYLOR MADE BLUES–PRISON SONG–I’M GETTING LATE–IN THE DAY–WITH FRIENDS LIKE MINE–LUNGS–KEEP A GOIN–LEFT TOO SOON–CAN’T GET NEXT TO YOU–MY HURRY DONE BROKE–RAUL WAS MY FRIEND

In a relatively short period of time, Mick Kolassa has become one of our favorite artists in contemporary blues.  Not ashamed of his age or his laid-back lifestyle, he’s got that innate knack to put a bluesman’s perspective on things we might take for granted in everyday life.  His latest set, for Swing Suit Records, is titled “Taylor Made Blues,” an allusion to his home in Taylor, MS.  And, just about everybody who is anybody in the circle of Memphis blues players is along for this ride.

Mick is on vocals and acoustic guitar, with Jeff Jensen on electric and acoustic guitars, Bill Ruffino on bass, James Cunningham on drums,  and Chris Stephenson on keys.  Stellar special guests abound, including Colin John, Long Tall Deb Landolt, Eric Hughes, Reba Russell, Vic Wainwright, Castro Coleman and Tullie Brae.

Mick is right at home with country blues, electric blues, funk, and even gospel on these twelve cuts.  He starts off with the down-home stomp of “my woman, Baby Faced Louise,” with Beale Street alumni Eric Hughes on the harp.  That slowed-down lifestyle is the theme of the title cut, where Mick knows, “my ramblin’ days are over!”  He revisits this theme a little later on the humorous “My Hurry Done Broke,” where, no matter how fast people want him to go, he’s “movin’ at my own pace!”

“Left Too Soon” and “Raul Was My Friend” deal with the pain of loss, and hearkens back to something ol’ Mr. Johnson once said–“If you got a good friend, you’d best give him all your spare time.”

We had three favorites, too.  “I’m Gettin’ Late” is another touch of humor reminding us that “I started out good, but now I ain’t that great!”  It has mighty fine piano from Victor Wainwright.  “In The Day” is a topical cut that is Mick at his funkiest.  It deals with folks that long for the “good old days,” but, as Frank alludes to the “four dead in Ohio” at Kent State University in April of 1970, those days weren’t really all that different from today.  And, Mick adds music to Frank Stanton’s timeless poem, “Keep A Goin,” and turns it into a Sunday-morning footstomper with a vocal solo from Long Tall Deb Landolt, and Colin John all over the Resonator slide guitar.

Ever the philanthropist, Mick’s “HART” is in the right place, too–100% of the proceeds from “Taylor Made Blues” is earmarked to be split between the Blues Foundation’s HART Fund and Generation Blues.  Just another of the many reasons to love Mick Kolassa!!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.

Tribute To Louis Armstrong review, July 1, 2016…

THE SACKVILLE ALL-STARS

TRIBUTE TO LOUIS ARMSTRONG

SACKVILLE CD  2-3042

SONG OF THE ISLANDS–YOU RASCAL YOU–SAVE IT PRETTY MAMA–ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET–WILLIE THE WEEPER–I GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES–A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON–BIG BUTTER AND EGG MAN–PENNIES FROM HEAVEN–KEEPIN’ OUT OF MISCHIEF NOW–SWEETHEARTS ON PARADE

The Sackville All-Stars Christmas album was one of our highlights from the winter of 2014.  As such, we couldn’t wait to give a listen to their “Tribute To Louis Armstrong,” for which we humbly thank Kevin Johnson and the good folks at Delmark for providing us a review copy.  These sessions came from 1988, and The All-Stars chose some material that was a bit more obscure from Satchmo, and draws from virtually every period of his storied career, with perhaps the earliest being his original “Big Butter And Egg Man,” from the Hot Five era.

The coolest and most unique thing about these sessions is that there is nary a trumpet to be heard!  Nope–everything is arranged for the sax stylings of Jim Galloway, with Ralph Sutton on piano, Milt Hinton on bass, and Gus Johnson on drums.  These players were literally “household names” in the jazz world for many years with their own or other groups, and their versatility on these samples from Armstrong’s vast canon is superb.

Johnson’s speedy drumming drives the jumpin’ jive of “I’ll be glad when you’re dead, You Rascal You,” and again on the double-time tempo of the set-closing “Sweethearts On Parade,” with Jim’s sax leading the charge!  “Save It Pretty Mama” and “Keepin’ Out Of Mischief Now” both follow a similar pattern.  On each one, Ralph kicks off with his signature stride piano licks before giving way to Jim’s sax to finish out the melody.

We had two favorites, too, each among some of Satchmo’s best-known works.  “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” begins with just sax and bass for a verse, before everyone joins the party.  “Pennies From Heaven” is beautifully done here, played in a slowed tempo.

Louis Armstrong was a world-wide ambassador for jazz with a vast catalogue.  The Sackville All-Stars tribute to this icon pulls from all aspects of his career, and these great players make this one quite an enjoyable listen!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.