To Behold reviewed by Steve Jones

To Behold

Monkey Junk

Stony Plain Records

http://monkeyjunkband.com

10 tracks/43 minutes

What would happen if you took the smooth funkiness of John Nemeth and mixed it with the raw, primal energy and sounds of Lightning Malcolm and Cedric Burnside?  Why, you would, of course, get Monkey Junk.

Three guys from Ottawa, the home of the Senators and a traditionally rabid hockey town.  They came together in 2008, produced a first CD in 2009 and now this new one from June 2011.  Monkey Junk is Steve Marriner (vocals, harmonica, keyboards, guitar), Tony D (lead guitar),  and Matt Sobb (drums).  Monkey Junk is hot. Screaming hot.  White hot.  I love these guys and the sound they have.  I am so glad to have finally discovered them and I want to hear more.

The CD opens to a driving beat that perhaps hearkens even as far back as to prehistoric times.  Driving, throbbing drum beats, big guitar sounds, scorching harp and poignant vocals; "Mother's Crying" grabs your lapels and says "Dammit- listen to me!" and you just have to, over and over again.  It is a call to arms and just great stuff.  They change up the tempo with Hank William's "You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave)", and, while slower, the swamp gets thicker and grabs you some more until you just can't get out.  And where else have you ever heard the word "peaved" used well in a song if at all?  Seminal stuff.  I love this song and it's tribal thumping, exceptional vocals and lyrics, hot guitar and harp; as Keith Jackson used to say, "Whoa, Nellie!"

Did I mention there is no bass player?  A little baritone guitar is thrown into the mix, giving a deep resonant sound to back things up, but like Hounddog Taylor no bass is needed.

Track 3 is funkier, darker, some what brooding, and just impressive.  "Right Now" is one of nine originals here. "Let Her Down" follows and if the last song was brooding then this one is downright depressing, yet one just gets caught up in  the emotion.  The feelings these guys express in their music are superb and sublime. In "With These Hands" they stay in the swamp but take things up into the world of the living.  A love song, done in a style that really reminded me of John Nemeth.  Classy vocals, packaged nicely and professionally with the band's outstanding backing work.  

"You Don't Know" is big, driving and rocking blues.  It builds and builds into a finale of cajun hot stuff. Then comes "While You Are Mine", a swampy ballad served up like it should come with cornbread on the side. They give us "Running In The Rain" next, another driving, throbbing tune.  It's sort of a mix of country, blues and maybe even a little Gospel sound served up with Spanish Moss dangling down the sides. "All About You" is a gritty, slow cut showing the band's "tender" side.  As if Marriner's vocals were not enough, the guitar and organ sell this one big time.  They finish up with "The Marrinator"; it begins as a stripped down, acoustic piece with raw harp, then it goes over to the electric side for a rousing run to the finish line.

I'm sold- these young guys are great. I want to see and hear them play live.  You do, too.  Trust me on this.  They are a great band who will be taking the blues world by storm!  Kudos to Stony Plain for promoting this great band and their hot blues sound!!! 

Just A Dream reviewed by Rick Davis

Just A Dream

Moreland & Arbuckle

Telarc Records

www.moreland-arbuckle.com

12 Tracks

If you have never seen or heard guitarist Aaron Moreland and harpist/vocalist Dustin Arbuckle, combined with superb drums of Brad Horner, you are missing one of the best young trios in the blues business today. Their music will have your heart pounding with the powerful hard-driving guitar of Moreland, the raw vocals and electrifying harp of Arbuckle, and the pulsating drum beat of Horner.

The Kansas blues group met at an open-mic jam in Wichita, Kansas, in 2001. Moreland, who had been influenced at an early age by groups like Led Zeppelin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Black Sabbath, Charley Patton, Motley Crue, finally decided on staying with traditional blues. Arbuckle, deeply in tune with the Mississippi Delta blues, was intrigued with harpists Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williams and guitarist Son House. Moreland joined Arbuckle’s blues rock band just a few months before the group dissolved, then the two started a quartet called the Kingsnakes, which Arbuckle describes as “electrified Mississippi blues mixed with a sludgy, jam-oriented rock thing.” This eclectic group could be best construed primarily as a soul, country, funk, jam rock, and blues group. Horner joined in 2003, left for a period of time, returning in 2006. By then Morland and Arbuckle had decided to continue to lay down tracks on their own. Moreland's signature guitar sound is created using conventional Telecaster, steel, and Les Paul guitars, but that early 1900 Delta bluesman sound comes from a hand-crafted four string cigar box guitar with one string feeding into a bass amp and the other three feeding into a guitar amp.

Their lastest CD Just A Dream, is a follow up to their last Telarc CD Flood which included the hard drivin' tune "Legend Of John Henry" along with 12 other blues treasures! Just A Dream, a CD Morland and Arbuckle spent a lot of time producing, opens with the two most powerful tunes "The Brown Bomber" and the highly charged "Purgatory." Moreland and Arbuckle have created a great distorted sound with a little slide guitar on both tunes. There is a high quality sinister video available on the internet of the tune "Purgatory." The title track "Just A Dream" give us just a hint of county blues with almost a southern rock style guitar with incredible harp and vocals from Arbuckle. "Travel Every Mile" offers a slow haunting sound with subdued background vocals once again showcasing both artists. They continue with a Tom Waits tune "Heartattack & Vine" a song they frequently do live. "Troll" moves into an almost psychedelic rock mode with a 60's sounding keyboard throughout. "Gypsy Violin" is a tune of silent thoughts blended with a 60's background. "Shadow Never Changes," with it's thought provoking lyrics, has a mystical underlying tone, combined again with subtle keyboards in the background, much like a Pink Floyd tune. "Good Love" brings back that early Delta sound by both Moreland and Arbuckle. Arbuckle starts "Who Will Be Next" rockin' on harp, a song sounding much more like a typical traditional blues number. "So Low" give you classic rock guitar sound typical of the 60's.  Moreland and Arbuckle conclude this collection with a contribution by Steve Cropper of Booker T. & the M.G.'s on "White Lightnin'," with Cropper providing guitar riffs throughout the song.

What a follow up to the last brilliant CD Flood ! Moreland sums it up by saying, “This is the best record of our careers…” I’m not sure listeners would survive anything better, but I’d bet they’d give it a go.

Reviewed by Rick Davis

In The Light reviewed by Bob Haendler

In The Light

Susan Wylde

Sun, Moon & Stars Entertainment

www.susanwylde.com

12 tracks/48 minutes

Susan Wylde has attracted much attention  in Canada where she is  a classically-trained conservatory graduate. This work is a pleasant mix of original songs and covers.  When  thinking of ways to describe this CD words  like “smooth”, “mellow”,”laid back” came to mind. Yes, there is a definite jazz atmosphere produced but still some very good blues. Susan’s song writing and piano are top-notch.  Her supporting cast  of remarkable musicians make each song a joy to listen to: Dave Morrow,Denis Keldie, Martin Aucoin- keyboards, Jack deKeyzer, Pete Schmidt- guitar, Alec Fraser- bass, Rick Donaldson- drums, percussion, Colleen Allen, Turner King- tenor sax, Dave Dunlop- trumpet, coronet, Jerome Godboo, Paul Reddick- harmonica, and Jasmine Bailey- backing vocals.  These all are mentioned because the  “band”  was flawless and are  a large contribution to the CD.

Tracks that stand out :

One Real Man  original shuffle

Love Me All Night Long original

Three Hours Past Midnight  Johnny”Guitar” Watson cover

In The Light original

Georgia On My Mind Hoagy Carmichael cover

The last two songs are covers of The Thrill Is Gone and At Last.  These songs done in Susan’s laid-back style left me thinking that the thrill was indeed gone.  There was nothing bad in the songs, but if you are going to cover a classic song give it your own twist or angle. She did not convince me with these selections. The CD would have been improved by dropping them.

At the end of the day this is an easy listening blues CD that I really did enjoy. Drop it in your  player, pour a glass of wine and relax.

Reviewed by Bob Haendler

Crazy Sun reviewed by Rick Davis

Crazy Sun

JT Coldfire

Entertainment One Music

www.jtcoldfire.com

13 Tracks

Another Texas guitar slinger has hit the blues scene. JT Coldfire, not really new to the blues world, has been playing professionally for over 15 years across the United States and Europe. Born in Corpus Christi in 1980, Coldfire became a blues fan at an early age. He has gained the reputation in the blues world of being one of the most dedicated musicians in Austin. JT has been known to play three shows a night, never repeating the same song in a nine hour stretch. His experience as a singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer has gained him recognition as one of the standouts of the new blues generation. He has been compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King but has really developed a style all his own.

His previous CD title was Coldblooded released in 2010. JT has since released his most recent CD titled Crazy Sun, a superb collection of his riveting vocals combined with lightning and acoustic guitar styles. The CD also reflects a wide range of different blues tunes from acoustic style "Pistol Lead," "Lower The Ladder," "Mr. Jones," and "Sweet Little Isa" to the jazz piano style tune "She's Crazy." His versatile guitar style and songwriting changes with "White Collar Street Life" blending well with Banzai LARocca on harp. The title track "Crazy Sun," and the tune "I Won't Never Go" shows Coldfire's ability to tear up the fretboard much like the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. He includes the hard drivin' Texas style shuffle "No Time For Sleepin" midway through the CD. "Johnny's Gone," "Hangin' Tree", and "Lee Malone" best express JT's incredible versatility as an both an accomplished singer and guitar player. He even includes the honky-tonk blues number "Bad Day" to add a little more variety to a captivating collection of blues.

Crazy Sun is one of those blues albums you simply can't stop playing. No two songs sound the same. You owe it to yourself to put JT Coldfire in your blues collection!

Reviewed by Rick Davis

An Old Rock on a Roll reviewed by Mark Thompson

An Old Rock on a Roll

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne

Stony Plain Records

www.kennyblues-boss.com

www.stonyplain-records.com

13 tracks/53:59

The title of this disc alludes to the age of the “Blues Boss”, but you'll have a hard time believing that Kenny Wayne is 67 years old after you hear this outstanding recording. Playing with the energy and enthusiasm of a younger man, Wayne romps through a bakers-dozen of original tunes that showcase his strength as a songwriter and his boogie style of piano playing. He has an engaging style of singing that conjures up memories of Charles Brown and Amos Milburn.

His backing band is lead by ace guitarist Duke Robillard, who also produced the project. The rest of the musicians are drawn primarily from the alumni list of Roomful of Blues – Mark Teixeira on drums, Doug James on baritone sax, Sax Gordon Beadle on tenor sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, Carl Querfurth on trombone and Brad Halle on bass. In addition to piano, Wayne adds some organ on several cuts.

The jaunty rhythm on “Searching For My Baby” makes it an easy choice for the opening track with Robillard's guitar offering strong support for Wayne's spirited piano solo. With the horns and organ filling in the space behind him, Wayne describes his attempts to deal with life's travails on “Fantasy Meets Reality”. Robillard's guitar dominates the arrangement on “Devil Woman”, his penetrating licks contrasting nicely with Wayne's laid-back vocal. “Wild Turkey 101 Proof” is a good-natured drinking tune with Wayne and Robillard sharing the solo space.

Other highlights include the title cut, with Wayne offering a summary of his view of life and career - and “Don't Pretend”, a slow blues that gives Wayne ample space to show off his tremendous skills on piano. The relentless drive of “Heaven, Send Me An Angel” underscores the songwriter's plea for relief from an alcohol-fueled rage over the miseries of this world. “Bring Back the Love”is a ballad with the horns cushioning the leader's tender vocal. The band harks back to the days of house rent parties on “Rocking Boogie Party”, with Wayne laying down plenty of dazzling piano runs.

The band slips into a gospel vein on the instrumental closing number, “Give Thanks”. Wayne pounds away on the piano and adds swirling chords on the organ while Robillard picks out more tasty licks.

It is a fitting close, showing the depth of Wayne's musical experiences. There are some who have lamented the future of blues piano due to the recent passing of Pinetop Perkins. Not to worry – the tradition is safe in the capable hands of the Blues Boss. This one is a contender for best Blues recording of the year and should not be missed.

Reviewed by Mark Thompson

Lit Up reviewed by Harmonica Joe

Lit Up

Victor Wainwright & the Wildroots

WildRoot Records

www.wildrootr-ecords.com

14 tracks/ 53:17

Victor Wainwright & the WildRoots new CD, “Lit Up”, is a great follow up to their debut release “Beale Street to the Bayou”. This recording was produced and arranged by Stephen Dee. Dees along with Wainwright wrote the tunes on “Lit Up”. Greg Gumpel and Weston Bradigan each co-wrote a song also. Both Dees and Wainwright are diverse song writers. This project is a swell mix of blues, blues rock, Cajun boogie and some swing feel.

Victor Wainwright plays powerhouse blues on his boogie piano throughout “Lit Up”. His vocal range is big, powerful and raspy with a true blues sound and feeling. He can also bring it down for the slow blues. Stephen Dees takes on the roll of a fine bassist as well as being an acoustic guitar player. Joining Victor and Stephen forming the WildRoots are an awesome list of musicians. There is really a lot to listen to in “Lit Up’. Greg Gumpel brings on the electric as well as the resonator guitar to the mix. Billy Dean drives the drum line; Patricia Dees is on saxophone along with Ray Guiser who also adds his feel with the clarinet.

This fine band also adds a swell list of guest musicians to “Lit Up”. The list here includes Charlie DeChant on sax and clarinet, Chris Stephenson on the Hammond B3 organ, Bob Dionne adds the trombone and also Ken Titmus is brings his trumpet to the mix. Another powerful addition to this recording is Mark “Muddyharp” Hodgson. Mark’s harp playing seems to not just play the same thing that most harp players do. This is a special treat for us harmonica fans. As you see from this line up of musicians there is going to be a lot going on in this CD.

“Coin Operated Women” is a catchy, fun song that showcases Wainwright’s barrelhouse piano style. This is what a boogie piano should sound like. This is some hard charging piano. Added to the mix are really good sax background and solos with some really good blues lyrics. “I’ve got a coin operated women – I drop in my coin – She won’t be satisfied till she takes everything I got”. This is the blues, a fact of life.

Victor brings the mood down a bunch with “Pile of Blues”. “Maybe I could change what I do and give up the booze” kind of tells us the tale of this track. Victor’s raspy vocals stand out here. Mark “Muddyharp” Hodgson’s very tasteful harmonica is outstanding in this song. Add Greg Gumpel’s resonator guitar and this song truly is a “Pile of Blues”.

Lit Up” from Victor Wainwright & the WildRoots is one of those recordings that I could go on and on about with nothing bad to say. There are 14 tracks of blues that will leave you wanting to hear it again. Check this group out and enjoy. This is a keeper!

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe

The Late Show reviewed by Bob Haendler

The Late Show

Barry Levenson

Rip Cat Records

www.barryleven-son.com

15 tracks/1 hr 17 min

If you love blues guitar (and I do ), this CD is a must have. What a terrific platform for showcasing Barry Levenson’s  immense talent. With 10 of the 15 tracks being instrumentals one would think that your ears would grow tired from being assaulted by wailing guitar. Definitely not the case here. Levenson  plays with the clarity and simplicity of knowing what notes “not to play”. Add in guest vocals  like Finis Tasby, Mary Williams and Johnny Dyer and they have created a joy  to hear. We get good old West Side Chicago blues as well as  tunes that will bring Stevie Ray’s Riviera Paradise to mind. Barry’s love affair with his Fender guitars has seduced me into falling in love with his playing.

This CD is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Bob Haendler