Hattiesburg Blues reviewed by Harmonica Joe

Hattiesburg Blues
Mississippi Heat
Delmark Records

www.delmark.com
13 tracks

Mississippi Heat's new CD, "Hattiesburg Blues," is another great Blues project from Pierre Lacocque! This collection of songs includes a Latin-Cuban blues influence, including Latin percussion. He has also added a gospel tune and the Chicago Horns to the project. With all of this, Pierre has created a great Blues CD.

Pierre is a very unique harmonica player. I use the term ‘player’ loosely, as he is a harmonica genius. His skills and heartfelt music are just outstanding. Pierre is also the song writer for most of the tunes and is the band leader. He has done an outstanding job with all of his chores. With the influences of Junior Wells and Walter Horton, Pierre has developed his own unique style and sound on the harmonica. His great tone and skill is just a treat to one's musical senses.

Inetta Visor is the lead singer for Mississippi. Simply put, Inetta is one great Blues singer. She always has great emotion in her singing. On the racy tune "Tiger Man", she belts out some super Blues lyrics that are truly heart felt. Ivetta also shows off her song writing ability on "Light From Within". This tune is a drag down love story type song. Inetta has done a great job with this one. Pierre is ever present with his outstanding harp playing. He also helped her write the music for this song.

The title track" Hattiesburg Blues" is a tango-like tune. The Latin influence is very present here. The addition of The Chicago Horns is a real plus on this song. This song is about his love for his Cuban born wife, Vickie, for her side of the family and his Latin God-Children. "Calypso In Blue" is a Latin based instrumental by Pierre Lococque. Pierre"s harp playing really stands out on this one. The addition of Ruben Alverez on Latin percussion is outstanding. Giles Corey’s guitar solos are also featured on "Calypso In Blue". This is another great tune!

Carl Weathersby has played guitar on all of Mississippi Heat's recording since 1998, except for "One Eye Open-Live At Rosa"s Lounge". Carl adds either his great solos or rhythm playing to every track on this CD. On "Hell And Back", Carl does a fine job on the vocals, too. Lurrie Bell joins the group on two tunes with both his vocals and guitar playing. "Chicago Is My Home" is a tune that fits Lurrie’s vocal and guitar style weller. Lurrie puts an edge on his guitar work that just makes it stand out. Pierre adds his high end harp playing to this track also.

I would say that Pierre Lacocque and Mississippi Heat have created anoth great hit with the release of "Hattieburgs Blues". One should by now get the feeling that I really enjoy this cd. That would be the least of it. I really do enjoy it and would recommend that it be added to your collection also.

The Original Eric Noden reviewed by Harmonica Joe

The Original Eric Noden
Eric Noden
Diving Duck Records
www.ericnoden.com
13 tracks

Eric Noden has just released his cd of all original tunes. "The Original Eric Noden" is a great mix of the 20-40's style of acoustic blues. Using the influences of Big Joe Williams, Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Willie McTell and Mississsippi JohnHurt (just to name a few), Eric has created a great music project true in their style. In my opinion, he has placed himself in the position to being an equal to them in musical prowess.

Eric's song writing ability has is insightful into his feelings on life. "Weep and Moan" is a minor keyed tune featuring Joe Filisko"s awesome harmonica playing. This tune is a real treat to listen to. Jimmy Sutton's bass playing adds a lot to this tune. "Weep and moan because you lost your happy home" just about sums up this song; it has some really meaningful lyrics. This is one of my favorite songs on the disc.

"Salt Rock Blues" is a tune about the tribulations of living in a cold weather environment. “Got salt in my shoes, salt in the streets and salt on my car" are lyrics that we can all relate to in our Mid-Western Winters. Joe Filisko's harmonic mastery is shown off again on this track and is a great addition.

Eric also has written two harmonica pieces for this project. He is also a very capable harmonica player and he does a fine job on these two tracks. "Turtle Creek" is a fox-chase rhythm tune played on a Auto-Valve harmonica. This harmonica being octave tuned gives the song an awesome sound. It actually sounds as if you are listening to more than one harmonica player. Great tune!

"The Original Eric Noden" project is very enjoyable to listen to. It is a showcase of Eric's musical knowledge, guitar playing, harmonica playing plus his lyrical abilities. His love of the music is very apparent. Eric has included some fine blues artists on this CD; Joe Filisko, Jimmie Sutton and Andy Cohen make this one outstanding recording. Eric is keeping the blues alive for us all with his outstanding efforts.
I have only listened to this CD about twenty times now. It is one that I will keep on playing.

Thanks for a great recording, Eric!

What Love Will Do reviewed by Rich Gordon

What Love Will Do
Janiva Magness
Alligator Records
www.janivamagness.com
www.alligatorrecords.com
13 tracks

When it was announced that Janiva Magness signed with Alligator, I knew good things were coming. She is the winner of the 2006 and 2007 Blues Music Award for Best Contemporary Female Artist of the Year. Over the years, Janiva has been getting better and better. She has been experiencing, and she has been learning. All of this comes through on her new release of thirteen songs that deliver straight to your heart and soul. Take a blues base; add some old school R&B, plus a touch of gospel; simmer and heat, and season to perfection. That’s what this CD is all about. Included in the mix are songs from Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Annie Lennox, Little Milton, Dorothy Moore, Tina Turner, Candi Staton, and Bill Withers along with new material written especially for her. She makes every song her own. Her delivery serves these songs the best. You can tell that this music makes sense to her. It connects with her heart, and she shares those feelings and emotions with you. She’s not afraid to share. She’s not afraid to make that one to one connection with you.
Some of the standouts are “That’s What Love Will Make You Do,” “I Want a Love,” “One Heartache Too Late,” and “Sometimes You Got to Gamble.”
“You Sound Pretty Good” is an excellent comment on the music industry for someone who hits the road each year for over 200 shows.
The musicians are tight; the vocals are incredible; the production is right on the money. I have always been partial to women singing the blues and this is the reason why. This CD is not time wasted. It is 48 minutes and 10 seconds packed with songs about the facts of life. It is about being real and being alive.

The Essential Magic Slim reviewed by Mark Thompson

The Essential Magic Slim

Magic Slim & the Teardrops

Blind Pig Records

http://www.blindpigrecords.com/

15 tracks/61:28

Magic Slim & the Teardrops have been one of my favorite blues bands for over 25 years. For me, they have always represented everything that I like best about modern electric blues music. Their live performances set a standard that few other bands could live up to as they would settle into a deep groove and stay there all night long.

This collection is taken from the six recordings Magic Slim has done for the Blind Pig label, with every track having been previously released. There is a variety of backing musicians throughout the disc with the primary backing coming from brother Nick Holt on bass, Michael Dotson on second guitar and Allen Kirk on drums. All three men contribute backing vocals.
One listen to this disc will quickly demonstrate that it really doesn't matter who the band is - Slim has his own distinct sound that varies little based on the band members. The driving rhythms and tough vocals that come straight from the West side of Chicago have changed little over the years. On one highlight, "Goin' to Mississippi," Slim starts with the declaration "I'm ain't drunk but I'm drinking," before the band settles into a pile-driving beat with Slim's guitar spitting out wicked licks at every turn.

Other highlights include the a stark emotional performance on "Crazy Woman," a slow blues that brother Nick composed that highlights Slim's deep, booming vocal and a rollicking take on the Jimmy Reed classic "Down in Virginia" that features a vocal duet with the two brothers. The longest cut on the disc is "Please Don't Dog Me," another slower paced song that features plenty of biting guitar from Slim that punctuates this tale of betrayal.

This set contains many prime examples of why this hardworking band is a favorite of blues fans around the world. If you don't have much of Magic Slim in your cd collection, make sure you get a copy of this one. Better yet, buy it and then catch Slim & the Teardrops live while you still can.

Radio Blues reviewed by Mark Thompson

Radio Blues

Steve Guyger

Severn Records

http://www.severnrecords.com/

14 tracks/53:05

Anyone who was at the Dennis Gruenling Tribute to Little Walter show at Big Cities last month got to experience Steve Guyger up close and personal. His tasty harp playing captured that old school sound of the best Chicago blues bands. But the real revelation were his outstanding vocals. Guyger has a deep, gritty tone that can convey every emotion from heartbreak to the ecstasy of love. His latest release serves up further proof that he is a masterful blues performer.

Guyger gets excellent support from a topnotch band that includes Johnny Moeller on guitar, Steve Gomes on bass, Robb Stupka on drums and Bill Heid on keyboards. These veterans bring plenty of life to the ten Guyger original tunes and the four covers selected for this release. Some of the performances sound so authentic that you will be checking the credits, convinced that the song is some little-known blues gem rescued from obscurity and not a recent Guyger composition. "Blues Won't Let Me Be" is one example of how deep into the tradition this band can get. Guyger wails away on the chromatic harp when he isn't belting out the tale of pain and misery. Equally fine is rhumba tinged beat on "School is Over," which finds Guyger caressing the lyrics with an appropriately subdued vocal. Then he lets out several loud, long blasts on his harp as if to signal just who is in charge.

"Afghan Rumble" is a harp instrumental dedicated to Steve's brother, who did a tour of duty in that Middle East country. Stupka lays down a jaunty beat while Guyger lets loose some train-like harp phrases before he blows tight phrases that dance around the rhythm. The opening track, "Lookie Here," is another song with that tough, classic sound that will never go out of style. It's followed by a track that could be Guyger's own personal tribute to Little Walter, "You're So Fine." Once again, the band cooks away with Moeller getting the chance to show his skill on guitar.

The Rudy Toombs song, " I'M Shakin'," receives an ominous-sounding vocal from Guyger that equals the Blasters version of this classic. Guyger captures the spirit of all of the fine swamp blues on the Excello label on "I Can See By Your Eyes," with Heid on organ to flesh out the arrangement. "Hey Little Baby" employs a hand-jive groove by Stupka, which is the only accompaniment Guyger needs to fashion another impressive mix of his quality singing and fine harp work. When the band finally tackles one of those lesser-known tracks from the pen of Muddy Waters, Guyger goes deep into the lyrics, his voice bending and breaking as he pleads for attention from the object of his affections. That the rest of the disc sounds as tight and in the pocket as this track is proof of the high standards Guyger was able to achieve.

Harmonica fans will be listening to this disc many times over. Guyger definitely has the tone, technique and skill that make him an equal to most of the best harp players you can think of. But if you listen closely, you will also discover Guyger is an awesome blues vocalist, singing with power and conviction throughout this recording. He may not be as well-known as some of his contemporaries. But after you spend some time with Radio Blues, you will be telling your friends and family about the talented Mr. Guyger. This one is highly recommended !!!

Deliveries After Dark reviewed by Mark Thomspon

Deliveries After Dark
Popa Chubby

Blind Pig Records

http://www.blindpigrecords.com/

13 tracks/67:51

The latest one from Popa Chubby is his ninth release for Blind Pig. Popa handles all of the and guitar parts as well as writing twelve of the songs on the disc. He is backed by Chris Reddan on bass, A.J. Pappas on bass and Dave Keyes on various keyboards. The focus throughout is on the leader with Keyes' contributions serving to fill out the arrangements.

The disc starts out in a rock & roll vein on the first four tracks. The opener, "Let the Music Set You Free," sports an engaging guitar line and Popa's intense vocal. His deep, powerful voice displays a surprising range and plenty of spirit. The next track updates the Mustang Sally tradition, recasting the soul anthem into a driving rocker. The title track describes the activities and illegal deals of some of the denizens of the night over a sledgehammer drumbeat. The lone cover finds Chubby turning "The Theme From the Godfather" into a modern-day surf instrumental classic. At this point, the disc makes an abrupt shift in emphasis to the blues. "Grown Man Crying Blues" is a stunning performance with Chubby lamenting about the pool-boy hanging around his house that doesn't have a pool. His guitar matches the emotional weight of his vocal, crying the blues with anger and despair. The intensity level gets dialed down on "You Can't Stop Love," which sports some nice slide guitar work. "2nd Avenue Shuffle" is a guitar showcase with Chubby serving up plenty of proof of his talent as a string-bender.

Then we get a look at the anger that exists in Popa's world. "I'll Piss on Your Grave" serves as a warning to a musical rival. Chubby leaves no doubt as to who will come out on top over a grinding rhythm punctuated by searing guitar lines. The upbeat arrangement on "Money Isn't Everything [It's the Only Thing]" serves as a stark contrast to the cynical message found in the song lyrics. And "You Never Loved Me" promises to exact vengeance without pity or remorse on a former lover. Chubby is able to create a chilling level of realism on this performance as his vocal spews out his hatred. The closing track finds Popa on acoustic guitar, lamenting the price of a musical career on "Oh Rock And Roll You Heartless Bitch."
One track that missed the mark was the reggae dub take on "Woman in My Bed." The track's style is a dramatic departure from the rest of the disc. It is not a bad performance but the cut doesn't have the emotional weight found in the rest of the disc.

Much of Chubby's past work has been a bit too over-the-top for my tastes. His new release finds him much more focused with a strong batch of tunes and solid support from his band. Some listeners might be put off by the aggressive nature of some of the lyrics. But Popa Chubby tells it like it is in his world without any apologies. His tales reflect some of the dark realities of life - and his guitar work serves as a musical counterpoint to emotions laid bare for all to see. Not for the faint-hearted but definitely worth a close listen.

Stronger Every Day reviewed by Mark Thompson

Stronger Every Day
Mike Morgan and The Crawl
Severn Records

http://www.severnrecords.com14/

tracks/67:34

It's been four years since Mike Morgan's last release on Severn. His latest finds him utilizing a number of musicians and vocalists on a batch of original tunes and one cover, a surprisingly brief version of "Okie Dokie Stomp" that comes to end just as things are heating up. Morgan's guests include Randy McAllister and former bandmate Lee McBee on lead vocals.

The disc opens with a tough, Texas-style groove on "All Night Long" that loses some impact because of Morgan's vocal. His thin voice lacks the heft and range needed to handle a tune like this. The next track, "Where's the Love," features a pleading vocal from McAllister that quickly show that his skills far exceed Morgan's ability. Stefano Intelisano provides some fine accompaniment on the organ.

McAllister's gritty voice is featured on four other tracks that travel down the soulful side of the street. The title track steadily builds the intensity level with Morgan providing an outstanding guitar part. Even better are the performances on "When I Get Back Home," a superb ballad featuring a simmering vocal from McAllister with help from Benita Burns. Morgan has always been a solid guitarist, seldom straying into the land of excess. He may not have awe-inspiring technique or speed but his guitar work gets to the emotional center of most tracks, as he does on this cut.

McBee was around for the classic recordings Morgan made on the defunct Blacktop label. It's great to hear the two of them working together once again. Lee has a higher pitched voice that always seemed to be the perfect fit with Morgan's guitar. Mike certainly sounds inspired on "Sweet Angel," his guitar spitting out hot licks in contrast to McBee's laid-back vocal. "I Cried for My Baby" is nothing special as a song but McBee takes a tougher tone, Morgan once again lays down some sparkling guitar parts and Intelisano's organ work creates a great foundation, creating another highlight performance. "Time" closes the disc with McBee wailing away over a boogie guitar riff from Morgan.

After hearing these two singers, it was hard to get excited about Morgan's vocals on three other tracks. "The Birthday Song" rates as throwaway filler material. The best of the three is "How Much More Time," a lighter tune that is a better fit for Morgan's limited vocal range. If McAllister and McBee had handled all of the vocals, this would have been a stronger package. Still, there is plenty to like here with several standout cuts that are worth repeated listening. Welcome back. Mike Morgan !!