TONY HOLIDAY
PORCH SESSIONS
VIZZTONE RECORDS VT-THPS01
PICK-POCKET FINGERS–THEY CALL ME JOHN PRIMER–WOMAN NAMED TROUBLE–BECKY ANN–THAT’S ALRIGHT–THREE-WAY PARTY–SPECIAL FRIEND–HIP TO IT (FREIGHT TRAIN’S LAST RIDE)–BLUES HIT BIG TOWN–TELL ME BABY–GOIN TO COURT–COIN OPERATED WOMAN–THIS TIME I’M GONE FOR GOOD
Tony Holiday is a premier harp man and vocalist hailing from Memphis, TN. He and his guitar-playing partner in crime, Landon Stone, recently embarked upon a unique project. They traveled around the country, teaming up with some of the nation’s most renowned players, making 21st Century versions of field recordings, literally on the porches of these great legends. Thus, the title of their latest set for Vizztone Records is “Porch Sessions,” and it is a tremendous undertaking with equally-impressive results!
James Harman leads off on vocals and harp, talkin’ ’bout that Bonifay Springs woman with “Pick-Pocket Fingers and a Buster Keaton smile,” featuring Kid Ramos on guitar. They come back a bit later for one of our favorites, the hot-button boogie of “Goin’ To Court,” where that “prosecutin’ attorney gave me the third degree!” John Primer lays down a Muddy groove on the loping, slide-fueled “Call Me John Primer,” this one with Bob Corritore on the harp. John Nemeth gives an all-too-short reprise of a song from one of his earliest albums, Little Walter’s “Blues Hit Big Town, Tennessee here I come!” Tony is on vocals on another of our favorites, this time the lovelorn tale of that “Three-Way Party–me, Jim Beam, and yo’ picture sittin’ on the table!” Our final favorite was one helluva lot of fun. The vibe is loose and informal with Aki Kumar on harp and vocal, along with harp from Charlie Musselwhite, and guitar from good friend Rockin’ Johnny Burgin for Jimmy Rogers’ iconic “That’s All Right!”
Tony Holiday’s “Porch Sessions” brings the field recording technique of Alan Lomax’ days squarely into today’s contemporary arena. It brings together some of the best players in the world to likely pass around some of that good Jim Beam and make this a set that is a must-hear! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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