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Recorded Live From The Throckmorton Theatre
The Blues Broads
Delta Groove Music, Inc.
www.deltagroove
productions.com
CD 10 tracks, DVD 11 tracks
The Blues Broads represent more than two centuries of expertise as singers of blues, country, gospel, and rock. Collectively they have been referred to as a "super group" of roots music. Individually, Dorothy Morrison, Tracy Nelson, Annie Sampson, Deanna Bogart, and Angela Strehli have experienced successful careers in the music industry. Each one brings a unique vocal style to the group, bringing unsurpassed talent to the stage.
Dorothy Combs Morrison, a gospel music singer from Longview Texas, began sing-ing at the age of 13. She gained exposure as a singer in church events, bringing her talents center stage and gaining her notice in the San Francisco and Oakland Bay area. She joined the Edwin Hawkins Singers in the '60s and was lead vocalist on the Grammy Award winning, Hall of Fame hymn, "Oh Happy Day."
Annie Sampson developed her unique approach to music singing in a Bay area church and school choirs. After securing a role in the musical Hair at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco for a period of time, she joined the popular rock group Stoneground for a series of national and international tours.
Tracy Nelson grew up in Madison, Wisconsin where she sang folk music with The Fuller's Wood Singers and was lead singer in a band called The Fabulous Imitations. In 1964 Nelson recorded with harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite as a guest in her backup band. The album was recorded in Chicago where she met blues legends Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Otis Spann. She moved to San Francisco in 1966 where her band Mother Earth played the Fillmore Auditorium, along with the bands like The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix.
Angela Strehli from Lubbock, Texas first learned bass and harmonica before be-coming a vocalist in the '60s. In her final year in college, she formed the Fabulous Rockets with Lewis Cowdrey. After that she sang backup for James Polk and the Brothers and then worked with The Storm which was formed by Cowdrey and Jimmy Vaughan. By 1972, she was a member of Southern Feeling with W. C. Clark and Denny Freeman. Her recording career began in 1986 with Stranger Blues (EP), which launched Clifford Antone's record label. She has since been on six more albums.
On Recorded Live From The Throckmorton Theatre, The Blues Broads' new release, the members of the group complement each other extremely well on stage. The new release contains the show at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley, California, November 4, 2011 on CD and DVD. Included on the CD are all of the tunes that are on the DVD with the exception of "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" (Bob Dylan) performed by Annie Sampson on the DVD and complimented with a saxophone solo by Deanna Bogart. Sampson takes her powerful vocals to a whole different level on this number. The legendary singers take turns on center stage, while the other four provide backup vocals throughout the show. Tracy and Angela trade lead vocals on Tracy's tune "Livin' The Blues." Tracy takes the lead on her song "Walk Away" belting out the blues with her powerful, soulful vocals that only she can deliver, with Gary Vogensen providing lead guitar solos. The lead vocals change to Annie Sampson on "Bring Me Your Love." The incredible gospel voice of Dorothy Morrison will send you reeling on the Ike and Tina Turner tune "River Deep, Mountain High," The Spinners hit "Mighty Love," and her own number "Oh Happy Day." The fabulous Texas blues artist, Angela Strehli, is stellar on her classic blues tunes "Two Bit Texas Town" and "Blue Highway." Morrison, Nelson, Sampson, and Bogart share the vocals on the tune "It Won't Be Long." All five singers harmonize making "Jesus, I'll Never Forget" the highlight of the show.
This one unforgettable night with five of the best female singers brought together for one fabulous performance. It is a live concert that can truly be enjoyed for years to come.
Reviewed by Rick Davis
Keep the Fire Burning
Barbara Carr
Catfood Records
www.catfood-records.com
11 tracks/40:29
Not too long ago, Barbara Carr was a star on the southern soul/blues circuit with ribald hit records that left nothing to the imagination including “Footprints on the Ceiling” and “Bone Me Like You Own Me” for Ecko Records. After years of toiling in relative obscurity, and despite a contract with Chess Records, it had to be gratifying to finally catch the attention of the listening public. But in recent years, her career has slowed with this project only her second in the last five years.
Perhaps the slowdown is due to Carr now being in her seventh decade of life. But you would never guess that as you listen to her latest release. Right from the start, her husky voice digs into “Hanging On By a Thread”, making a plea for the return of her lover over a muscular, percolating rhythm. “Back Together Again” celebrates yous strut. Carr testifies to standing resolute on “I Got the Blues”, relating how she came to understand what the blues is all about.
The co-producer of this project, Johnny Rawls, has had some hits of his own. He joins Carr for a riveting duet on “Hold on to What You Got” as both singers slowly build the intensity without losing control. Catfood owner Bob Trenchard also helped with the production. Rawls and/or Trenchard had a hand in writing all but one track.
Musical accompaniment is supplied by the Rays, who backed the dynamic singer Kay Kay Greenwade before she suffered a stroke that lead to her passing early this year. The Rays are now the house band for Catfood productions and often hit the road to back Rawls on his tours. Trench-ard is on bass with Johnny McGhee on guitar, Dan Ferguson on keyboards, Richy Puga on drums & congas, Andy Roman on sax, Mike Middleton on trumpet and Robert Claiborne on trombone. These road-tested veterans know how to infuse the proper amount of zest into each arrangement.
“Come on Home” finds Carr once again left alone and pleading for forgiveness for past sins. It is one of the songs that benefit from the presence of the Iveys – Arlen, Jessica and Jillian – on backing vocals. Carr supplies some idea of what might have caused the break-up on “Moment of Weakness”. The standout track is “We Have the Key”, as Carr delivers a moving performance that digs deep into the emotional well in praise of the man she loves. The title track finds Carr in familiar territory, vouching for what she expects her man to provide when it comes to lovemaking in a more subdued fashion than her earlier material.
A couple of songs - “You Give Me the Blues” and “What You Gonna Do” - are more generic and too similar to stronger material on the disc. On the closing number, “Sweet Talkin' Snake”, Carr refuses the advances of a no-good man with some fine accompaniment from Ferguson on piano and back-up singers Monica Guitierrez and Candice Reyes.
All in all, a very solid effort from Barbara Carr. It is nice to have her back and kudos to Rawls and Trenchard for making sure that she had a sympathetic band and a solid batch of material. The lady can still sing, so be sure you give this one a listen.
Reviewed by Mark Thompson
Delta Bound
Mississippi Heat
Delmark Records
www.mississippiheat.net
14 tracks/61:33
Pierre Lacocque’s, Mis-sissippi Heat, has been playing the blues for twenty years now in an ever changing style of their own. Having produced ten CDs with a varied group of musicians this band has developed a powerful sound with much emotion included. There is truly a deep feeling for the blues in all of the bands recordings. “Delta Bound”, released by Delmark Records, is the latest creation from this awesome group.
As a harmonica player Pierre is a very creative, tone filled and powerful example of what one should be. He has learned the styles of the masters, Sonny Boy William-son, Little Walter and others and has created his own unique sound. He is truly one great harmonica player. He has also developed talent for writing strong blues tunes. Along with these talents he is capable of putting together the musicians needed to perform the blues as he sees them.
“Delta Bound” is filled with a great mix of 14 tunes written by Lacocque as well as 2 written or arranged by Inetta Visor. Joining Pierre and Inetta on this recording include drummer Kenny Smith, Billy Satterfield on guitar, Joseph Veloz on bass making up Mississippi Heat at the present time. Also in the mix for this outstanding recording, Pierre has brought us many guest per-formers. Deitra Farr brings her powerful blues vocals into the mix of things on three tunes. Other guest players include Billy Flynn and Carl Weathersby on guitar, Chubby Carrier with the accordion and “Hambone” Cameron with the piano and keyboard. Also included are other fine musicians adding their touch to the great sound of this blues CD.
“Delta Bound” opens with an upbeat tune, “Granny Mae”, which features Lacocque’s harmonica and Chris Cameron on key-board trading really strong licks along with Inetta Visor’s bluesy, throaty and raspy vocals. Billy Satterfield and Giles Corey provide us a rousing guitar line on this tune also. This opening tune presents a great example of Pierre’s harp playing and Mississippi Heat’s full, rich and unique sound. “New Orleans Man” takes us on a trip down South for tale from Inetta Visor about her man. This track features Chubby Carrier’s accordion which just creates a great feel to this upbeat song that is accented by a strong drum line from Andrew Thomas. This is the type of song that will drag many dancers to the dance floor.
A special treat on “Delta Bound’ is the re-turn of vocalist Deitra Farr to sing on three tracks. “Sweet Ol’ Blues” is a standout tune with Dietra sing a true blues song with her powerful vocals. This is quite a treat to listen to. Billy Flynn puts out his great sound on the guitar along with La-cocque’s harp playing. This is one blues filled song! “Lemon Twist”, an instrumental tune, showcases Lacocque’s mastery of the harmonica. He has such a great tonal and dynamic quality to his playing that your ears will just reach out to take the sound in. He is truly one of the best harp players out in the blues world today. Joseph Veloz adds a strong bass line to this track as Johnny Iguana fingers the key-board and Giles Corey also plays a swell guitar solo to round out the sound. This is really a listen to tune on “Delta Bound.”
Mississippi Heat is forever changing but always holds on to the unique blues sound they are known for. The players, in the band, become different but always keep a high standard of presenting the blues to the fans. We can give Pierre Lacocque credit for keeping this high level of perfection in all of Mississippi Heat’s recordings and performances. “Delta Bound, on Del-mark Records, is right on the mark!
Reviewed by Harmonica Joe Poluyanskis
Almost Always Never
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Ruf Records
www.joanneshaw-taylor.com
12 tracks
Joanne Shaw Taylor has just released “Almost Always Never” from Ruf Records. This is her 3rd CD which is quite an accomplishment for bring only 26 years old. Taylor, from England, has been playing guitar, singing, writing lyrics andperforming her music for well over 10 years now. She has received rave reviews in Brit-ain and also has won several awards for her music. In 2010 she won the best female vocalist award at the British Blues Awards and in 2011 she won best female vocalist and song writer for her song from “Diamonds In The Dirt” also at the British Blues Awards. Her main guitar influences are Albert Collins, Jimmie Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and BB King. The Hendrix effect is very noticeable in her music. Joanne has one of those voices that has all the elements present to sing the blues with feeling, realness and meaning. Over the years she has paid attention to the greats of the genre while developing her own style, lyrics and sound.
“Almost Always Never” is filled with 12 tracks with lyrics from Joanne. These hit on a di-verse range of subject matter but have been said before. Recorded in Austin Texas, Tay-lor enlisted the talents of Davis Garza on keyboards and mandolin, J.J. Johnson on drums and Billy White playing bass and slide guitar. Put this mix together with her guitar playing and voice and it is a very strong mix of musicians.
Opening the CD with “Soul Station” Joanne puts forth a strong example of her lyrics, raspy, sultry vocals and powerful ear grab-bing style of guitar licks and runs. By all standards Taylor is an awesome guitar player. J.J. Johnson pounds out a strong, noticeable drum line that takes this tune down the road. David Garza adds some catchy keyboards to the mix also. This tune, about pulling one’s self up and going on from your problems, is perhaps the most blues filled track on this CD.
With “Army Of One” we are taken into the world of the acoustic side of Joanne Shaw Taylor. It is a pleasant trip as she does play swell acoustic guitar here. A good addition to this track is Garza chirping along on the mandolin behind her. Her lyrics here take us on a trip that tells us we should keep on marching past our trials. She also states “Don’t mount the devil’s back if you’re not ready for the ride” These lyrics are pretty deep and open up your head.
“Almost Always Never” is a strong statement of the direction Joanne may go with her mu-sic. She is a powerful guitarist, vocalist and song writer. After listening to her 2 previous CDs and watching many You-tube videos of her doing blues tunes such as , “Blackest Day” and, Jimmie Hendrix’s “Magic Depres-sion” there is evidence that Taylor to be go-ing in a different direction. Although this CD is strong, powerful and well done it seems to lack the qualities of a deep rooted blues recording. It tends to be more of heavy rock or British rock blues recording. This can be left up to the fans of Joanne Shaw Taylor to decide.
Reviewed by Harmonica Joe
BamFest Volume II
Various Artists
Self Released
https://itunes.apple.com/
us/album/bamfest-volume-ii/id543625432
11 tracks
This BamFest album commemorates the second BamFest event in Wisconsin. Only available from itunes or CD Baby as a download, the proceeds from the album go to Gulf Relief efforts.
The album kicks off with “Get Your Blues On” and Larry McCray’s infectious guitar style and vocals are a fantastic way to start off this sampler. The funky twang of his guitar and soulful voice are well represented here. “I Know the Reason” features Birddog and Friends. The song features a driving groove and beautiful harp over blows that are just fantastic. Chris Duarte is next and he sets the place en fuego with his “Let’s Have a Party.” The beat is 100 mph and the guitar is aflame in a whirlwind of fire and rocking blues.
Eric Sardinas and Big Motor follow and the track chosen for this live album here is “Worried Blues.” Instead of a huge electric sound we are served up a dobro slide piece with Sardinas growling out the lyrics. He then transitions into the song’s bridge which is in an electrical storm of sound. But then he returns to acoustic and it is just impressive stuff. The evening crowd is quiet behind him, obviously impressed by his per-formance. “Holdin’ Ground” is next. I’ve joked that Bobby Messano is the best guitar player no one has heard of. This guitar star gives it up in this huge guitar piece where Messano demonstrates his craft as few can, the title track from his 2003 album. Beautiful stuff! Wayne Baker Brooks is offered up with “Sooner Or Later,” a great original from his Mystery album. It is a driving, hot tune where Baker shows what he has learned from his musical family.
Sonny Landreth plays “Blue Tarp Blues,” a song about Hurricane Katrina, and “Back to Bayou Teche,” the 125-mile waterway that was an original path of the Mississippi River. The former is a social and political state-ment, the latter a love song asking his chere to pass by the Bayou Teche. Landreth is at his best in these songs, showing off his six string prowess where he can be dark and ominous or light and frivolous. Robben Ford is next in “Lateral Climb” where he shows off his guitar and restraint. This is great show-case of Ford with plenty of air between his notes and superb tone.
Closing things out on the album Is Jeremy Spencer. “Bitter Lemon” is a down tempo piece where this former “Fleetwood Mac” star picks out a soulful sound with individual notes fluttering about like a butterfly. He and the pianist trade off from time to time, tinkling and trickling off notes and riffs together. He and the album close with “Psychic Waste,” another great slide piece where he and the harp player trade off solos nicely.
Great stuff, highly recommended whether you were there or not–this is a great album for a great cause!
Reviewed by Steve Jones
Crossing The Line
Simon McBride
Nugene Records
http://www.simonmcbride.net
11 Tracks
Keeping in good com-pany with his Irish blues predecessors Rory Galla-gher and Gary Moore, the new kid on the block, Simon McBride, seems to be taking the European blues-rock scene by storm. Simon hales from Belfast, Northern Ireland, the hometown of the late great Gary Moore, where he started playing at the young age of 10. Completely self-taught, he entered and won Guitarist Magazine’s Young Guitarist of The Year competition performed at Wembley Conference Centre. Shortly after turning 16, he toured with the Belfast-based pioneering metal band Sweet Savage. In 1998, McBride changed his style, joining with fellow Irish-man Andrew Strong. The contrasting change to soul, R&B, and some pop allowed him to gain experience to align with blues and rock artists in developing his solo career. He established himself as a sensational blues-based guitarist releasing his debut album, Rich Man Falling on Nugene Records in 2008. By the time the follow-up CD, Since Then (Nugene Records), was released in 2010, he was opening in the UK and Ireland for Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, and Joe Satriani. After touring the UK in 2011, McBride's third CD, Nine Lives (Nugene Records), was released with nine in-concert and four acoustic tracks. After the release, Guitarist Magazine was convincing with the statement "Compelling evidence that McBride is now among the best players in Blues-rock anywhere in the world."
His newest release on Nugene Records Crossing The Line is a testament to his abil-ity as a singer, guitarist, and song writer. All but two of the tunes are original, opening with the original "Lead Us Away," echoing his thundering vocals and his blazing guitar. His raspy vocals and superb, fiery guitar licks lend themselves well to the David Clay-ton-Thomas classic "Go Down Gamblin'." He takes a slower more deliberate approach as he delivers the tune "No Room To Breath" with Mia Simone backing him on vocals, Paul Hamilton on drums, and Carl Harvey on bass. His guitar solos on this tune, "One More Try," and "Starve This Fever" are both haunting and precise much like Gary Moore's approach to blues. "Don't Be A Fool" is a hard drivin', rockin' masterpiece. "Alcatraz" introduces a powerful horn section driven by Davy Howell on saxaphone and Linley Hamilton on trumpet showcasing Simon's explosive guitar solos. In contrast, "A Rock And a Storm" is an acoustic ballad similar in style to a David Crosby and Gra-ham Nash tune. "Heartbreaker" and "Down To The Wire (Revisited)" capture both Simon's speed and control as a guitar player as well as his riveting vocals. "Home To Me" is the other cover song showcasing both the vocals and guitar of this talented young Bel-fast star.
Simon Mcbride represents the next genera-tion of superstars emerging in blues world today. His name will appear at some point in time on a list of legendary bluesmen.
Reviewed by Rick Davis
Close To The Bone
Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
Delta Groove Music, Inc.
http://www.smokinjoe-kubek.com
14 Tracks
Smokin' Joe Kubek hails from Irving, Texas and Bnois King from Monroe, Louisiana. Smokin' Joe played with the original Texas Cannonball, Freddie King as a teen before fronting his own band. Developing a lightning guitar style, earned him the nickname "Smokin' Joe." His style has been compared to the same aggressive guitar styles of Ste-vie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Winter. In the '70s and '80s he backed names like Al "TNT" Braggs and Little Joe Blue just to name a few.
Bnois King was influenced by an earlier gen-eration of legendary blues artists with a smoother guitar style like T-Bone Walker and B.B. King. He was captivated with the jazz and soul sound prevalent in the '50s and '60s. With Bnois fronting his own band in the '80s, they met backstage at another show, joined together and the rest is history. With Bnois providing the jazz and soul guitar style guitar along with the deep roots vocals and Joe contributing the high energy guitar style, they have formed the perfect team for over twenty years.
Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King fans are in for a pleasant surprise with their latest re-lease Close To The Bone. It is a 14 track, unplugged treasure chest of all acoustic tunes. Since this is an entirely different direc-tion for both artists, is an absolute must for all blues fans to hear. Along with this dy-namic duo, is a list of guests including fellow Delta Groove artists Big Pete, Lynwood Slim, Bob Corritore, Shawn Pittman, and Kirk Fletcher, keyboard man Fred Kaplan, former Red Devils guitarist Paul Size, Randy Chortkoff on harmonica, Willie J. Campbell on bass, Jeff Scott Fleenor on a suitcase foot drum, and Jimi Bott on drums.
The CD opens with "Poor Boy Blues" a tune by the duo that could be paralleled to the guitar styles of Rodrigo y Gabriela. "Can't Let Go" engages all three guests guitar play-ers Kirk Fletcher, Shawn Pittman and Paul Size. "My Best Friend" is one of the smooth-est ballads on the CD. "Keep Her Around," with its driving beat, blends the expertise of the three guest harmonica players, Randy Chortkoff, Bob Corritore, and Pieter "Big Pete" van der Pluijm, as well as Willie J Campbell on bass, and Jimi Bott, completing the rhythm section. "Yankin' My Chain" has guitar solos similar to tunes done by Eric Clapton's live '92 release "Unplugged."
"Drowning In Red Ink" with Fred Kaplan on piano, is reminiscent of the tune "Key To The Highway" co-written by Big Bill Broonzy. "My Hats Off To You" has a superb blend of acoustic solos with King's vocals being a perfect match. "No Good Could Come Of This" moves with lively guitar solos teamed with the duo of Chortoff and Corritore on harmonica. Bnois King makes his political statement on the slow blues tune "Ordinary Man." With a Spanish guitar style from Kubek, King warns of a failed marriage looming near in his lyrics on the tune "She Got Rid Of Me." "Jump The Moon" takes you down highway 61 going from one blues fest to another. The slow Delta blues tune "Mama's Bad Luck Child" takes you home with the with the roots blues guitar solos from Smokin' Joe and lazy harmonica of Lynwood Slim. King and Kubek capture the essence of spectacular acoustic guitar work with the final tune "Baby You're The One" as it fades in the end.
This legendary blues duo has accomplished a milestone by completing this project in splendid fashion. Close To The Bone is a totally different type of release for these two veteran bluesmen. We can only imagine what could be next.
Reviewed by Rick Davis
