Deeper in the Well reviewed by David Stine

Deeper in the Well

Eric Bibb

Stony Plain Records

www.stonyplain.com

13 tracks/50:07 min.

Eric Bibb is not so much a bluesman as he is an American songster. His latest outing took him to Louisiana and this CD is steeped in a lazy, willow-in-the-water feel. Aiding Bibb are Cedric Watson on fiddle; Christine Balfa on Cajun triangle; Dirk Powell on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, accordion, and bass; and Danny DeVillier on percussion.

Bibb’s “Bayou Belle” with its fiddle and syncopated rhythm gets us in the mood for some dancing. Nothing complicated here in this tribute to a Southern Belle. Harrison Kennedy’s “Could Be You Could Be Me’ is more traditional blues with the topical theme of homelessness. One day it COULD be me or you, indeed. The mood takes a turn a little with the spiritual-meets-Cajun-beat “Dig A Little Deeper In The Well.” This song will have you singing a long – I guarantee it. “Money In Your Pocket” is another upbeat song, but is it tongue in cheek? The mysterious reversal of fortune, remains, alas, unsolved. The traditional “Boll Weevil” get a polishing through Bibb’s metal-bodied guitar and the harmonica from Grant Dermody. Maybe it’s the metal guitar, but there are shades of Son House in Bibb’s singing here. “Sinner Man,” too is treated to a loose Cajun intro including asides before it finally catches with its rhythmic bass/guitar/harmonica lines. This is a hypnotic piece and maybe my favorite on the disc. Well done. “In My Time” again returns to more tradition acoustic blues. Here too, we return to the theme of being on the top and the bottom of life. Simply called “Music,” cut eight pretty much capsulizes Eric Bibb’s approach to things. Call it what you like, he calls it all music. Interesting, them that he treats this as a fiddle tune. “If I feel it – that’s good enough for me” kind of says it all. “Moving Up” is another toe tapper with a political twist. “No Further” is a warning to a young lady about to go down the wrong road (drugs). Taj Mahal’s “Every Wind In The River,” is a nice choice for cut eleven. Thematically and arrangement-wise this cut appear where it should in the storyline of Deeper In The Well. These are not just a bunch of songs thrown on a CD. Bibb took his time in placing each track to help convey the feel and changing moods of this disc. “Sitting In A Hotel Room” seems to have just come alive in Bibb’s hotel room probably in one sitting. The last line: “Lord, I’m happy to be in this moment, being alive” says it all. The inclusion of the final cut, Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A Changin’” brings in the themes of water, change, forward movement and the need for action. At first I thought this cut didn’t belong, but upon revisiting the disc it seems a perfect conclusion. Done slower that other versions, the low-key banjo and weary vocals create a near perfect disc from Bibb. Maybe not a feel good disc, but an important disc in Bibb’s Americana.

Fans of Bibb’s take on the blues should buy this disc as well as those who like acoustic, Southern flavored, old-timey and Americana. This is a very pleasing, and thoughtful disc.

Reviewed by David Stine

Detoxing reviewed by David Stine

Detoxing

Pristine

Blues News Records

www.pristinemusic.com

9 tracks/54 min.

The last CD grab-to-review go around left me with this CD – nobody else wanted it. The fairy tale artwork and obvious "European" look put most of us off. Blues? Pristine? What the . . . ? BUT, I was pleasantly surprised by this disc. Although Pristine covers Greg Allman’s “Whipping Post,” this CD is a LONG way from the blues I usually listen to or review. Loaded into Itunes, the genre reads “Alternative.” I will call it “emo blues.” Pristine is Heidi Solheim, vocals, Espen Elverum Jakobsen, guitars, Anders Oskal, Hammond organ and Clavinova; Asmund Wilter Eriksson, bass; and Kim Karlsen, drums and percussion. This is not your grandfather’s blues, let me warn you. Solheim has pipes to spare, and Pristine’s blues get translated through a young Norwegian band’s sensibility. The vocals are forefront, sometimes only backed by one instrument. The result is hypnotic and new. The music sometimes is a whisper that swells and disappears only to return with a whole new approach.  Solheim’s vocals and Jakobsen’s guitar interplay to create a force to be reckoned with. It may or may not be blues, per se, but Pristine’s music IS forceful.

Cut one, “Damned If I Do,” begins with Solheim’s vocals over a faint Hammnd organ which builds to a near scream, only to fade where restrained guitar/organ/drums/bass interlude take over. Let me mention that Pristine feels no constraints how long a song should be, well, portrayed. Yes, there’ a lot of EMOtion in Solheim’s singing and the band’s presentation, but for me it’s nice break from the samey samey stuff that comes in the little brown envelopes. “You Don’t Know,” funky guitar should make some American ears acknowledge that we do not, indeed, own the blues. Granted, Jakobsen had listened to Stevie Ray’s choppy rhythms and solos, but he adds his own flavor to his approach. I guess I’d call his playing “under the top.”

The thing I admire about Jakobsen and Solhelim is their ability to “hang out there” with very little, sometimes NO backing and do their thing. In a world where EVERYONE is watching this takes guts.  To my ear, they don’t always hit the note, but that’s OK. “Breaking Bad,” is another SRV-like tip of the hat. It is nicely executes and may sent some back to their SRV collections.  My little knit cap is off to Pristine for their stripped down version “Whipping Post,” which is just Solheim and Jakobsen. Brave or foolish, taking on this iconic Southern mainstay is an interesting call for this new band. To me, it a brave move. Things get a little heavier with “The Countdown.” There is some Deep Purple seeping out of this song, but the lyrics evoke the bluesy theme of Solheim’s taking her man to task. The big organ sound kicks off “Damage is Done.” Again, a little bit Deep Purple, meets Pristine in a short (barely 2 minutes) to hurt. “Last Day” is slow lament to the last day of a love affair which allows Jakobsen to lay down some fine Strat work that parlays into a nice interchange with Oskalo’s organ work with Solheim soaring over top. “Detoxing” is the longest song on the CD, clocking in at nearly 12 minutes and seems to owe a lot to latter day Led Zeppelin. One can imagine Robert Plant tacking the Eastern sentiments in its portrayal. The song builds into a sort of Apocalypse Now I’m-going-crazy-kill-kill-kill theme song only to return to Solheim’s ragged and emotive vocals to take us out. Are we, indeed, detoxed? Well it feels like we’ve been through something heavy. Pristine’s final cut, “The Blind” takes no prisoners.

All in all, Pristine is power and drama and emotion. To many, it’s heavy rock. Just the same, I’m glad this little insight into Norwegian “blues” ended up in my hands.

Reviewed by David Stine

Future Blues reviewed by Harmonica Joe Poluyanskis

Future Blues

Patrick Dodd Trio

Patrick Dodd Music (self-released)

www.patrickdoddtrio.com

7 tracks/29:43

Patrick Dodd, born and raised in Memphis, has been on the blues scene for many years. Having a good run with the Patrick Dodd Trio in the mid 90’s he left music to raise his family. Now, after ten years, he is back with a band to release his first CD, “Future Blues.” This recording features seven songs written by him. The band for the disc was only formed about a month before going into the studio to record. Dodd is a really talented guitarist with the ability to take time for the music to flow and have good phrasing in his solos. His vocals are of a gritty, gnarly type with maybe an Allman Brothers quality to them.  With the addition of Harry Peel on drums and Landon Moore on bass this band has a country, rocking blues sound to it. You can check their web-site for more band information.

“Evil Ways’ is one of the CD’s really true, grab your attention blues tunes. This track features some rock solid guitar playing from Dodd along with his bluesy vocals and lyrics. Also on this tune there is a really strong bass line, from Landon Moore, taking us down the blues highway. Everything on this song is held together with the solid drum beat of Harry Peel. To me this is a very outstanding addition to “Future Blues.’

“Restless Soul” is a well written gospel type blues song. It is very apparent this was written with deep emotion from Patrick Dodd. This was written for a friend that left this world way too early. All the vocals have a heartfelt and meaningful tone to them. The addition of the piano and the background singers is really a plus on “Restless Soul.” Patrick’s guitar solo has a sad, whining, tearful quality that really grabs the ear. I also really enjoy this tune.

At only about thirty minutes in length “Future Blues” lacks the time needed to really showcase the bands’ ability to show us all of the talent they have. It leaves me with the feeling that I want to hear more of the Patrick Dodd Trio! I enjoy the whole package presented to me, the band, the vocals, the lyrics, song choices and their approach to the “Future Blues.”

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe

The Go reviewed by Harmonica Joe Poluyanskis

The Go

Hunter Wolfe & ARE

Self-released

www.hunterwolfe.com

13 tracks/43:14

Hunter Wolfe & Are have just released their self produce CD “The Go.” Hunter is a 19 year old slide guitarist, vocalist and song writer. Joining him to form this dynamic duo is his 15 year old sister, ARE. She is a very solid drummer as well as a song writer for this project. “The Go” is filled with 13 well written meaningful tunes by Hunter and ARE. They create a rocking type blues feel without glitz and glitter and do tend to drift away from the blues genre as we know it.

Hunter has been a performer twice at the International Blues Challenge Showcase and also a Blues Foundation Generation Blues recipient. He has also been on stage with Honeyboy Edwards as well as doing a 10 day tour in London England. ARE, at her young age, has also shared the stage with several other groups as well as co-writing this CD. Both Hunter and ARE are very accomplished musical artist. These tunes contain some deep dark lyrics from such young writers. These lyrics take your mind to a place that makes you pay attention to them .This is not a bad way to go.  Check these two out on their web-site.

“Your Death (is killing me)” is a well written up tempo that showcases Hunters slide guitar style. He does some really fine guitar playing on this track. ARE’s steady drum beat is ever present though out the entire song. Adding Cassie Taylor on bass was a good plus here also. The lyrics are very strong here. “Yes I love you, but your death is killing me” seems to take us to a dark desperate place. This tune, to me, is the best blues tune on the CD. Cassie Taylor joins Hunter on “Letter” in a really good vocal duet, as well as putting her bass playing into the mix. This combination has a good bluesy quality with plenty of Hunter’s guitar soloing and a swell vocal mix. This is a good tune.

Hunter Wolfe and Are have done a fine job of writing the tunes, playing on the recording and producing their first CD, “The Go.” As a blues recording, it is what it is. As they say, “they are playing the Blues a little outside the lines.” Yes, the genre of the blues has been stretched on this recording but it is still good to listen to. This is the road they choose to take. I do hope that Hunter Wolfe & ARE release a full blown blues recording someday.

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe.

Revolution Rhapsody aka Uprising Music reviewed by Harmonica Joe

Revolution Rhapsody aka Uprising Music

Bushmaster- Gary D. Brown

Self-released

www.bushmaster-blues.com

16 tracks/ 58:05

“Revolution Rhapsody aka: Uprising Music” is the fourth CD to be released by the Bushmaster band. This band has a very solid blues base while throwing in some funkiness and rock sound to it. The leader and composer of the band is the very talented guitarist Gary D. Brown. All sixteen tunes on this recording were penned by Brown. He takes a bold approach of hitting on just about every political and social issue facing us in this country. One does not have to agree with all of his thoughts as he uses his lyrics and musical skills to get us to listen and think about things. Gary likes to play festivals to share his music, thoughts and emotions.

For this recording project Brown is joined by a big list of talented players and singer on different songs. This group is too numerous to give them all the credit that they deserve at this time. More info is available at the www.bushmasterblues.com web-site.

“War On The Poor” is a very current song about recent political events in the great state of Wisconsin. We all know this story, destroy the unions, take from the working class etc. As Gary states’ “there is war on the poor, war on the middle class and if we don’t fight the power all the rest of us are thru.” This is told as it is by Gary, things in this country need to be changed. “War On The Poor” is a solid blues based tune showing of Brown’s guitar soloing, a solid band behind him and a welcome addition of Rodger Edsall blowing some fine harp for us.

The Bushmaster CD, “Revolution Rhapsody aka: Uprising Music” gives us sixteen well written songs performed by a fine mix of talented musicians and vocalist all led by an awesome leader Gary D. Brown. Having songs such as “Arizona Shame On You”, “Phony People” and “40 Acres And A Mule” makes you realize where this recording will take us. With Gary D. Brown leading the way on guitar, vocals and lyrics this is a recording to be listened to and to think about.

Reviewed by Harmonica Joe

Joy reviewed by Steve Jones

Joy

Root Doctor featuring Freddie Cunningham

Self-Released

www.rootdoctor

band.com

10tracks

It’s been three years since we have seen a new CD from the Root Doctor.  A new band (Vocalist Freddy Cunningham and bassist James Williams remain, but the rest of the band is new) but the sound is a hot and electric as ever, telling  us the music scene in Lansing Michigan is deep and talented.

The CD opens with “Dark Eyes”, with a throbbing, urban beat.  While Cunningham’s fronting of the band is always a great thing to listen to, the new harp player Dave Machette really adds a lot of depth of sound to this cut and the next one.  He’s only on two tracks and I wish he was on more!  “Don’t Worry No More” is a slower cut, but offers a rich texture of traditional blues sounds, and the organ work by Mike Skory completely sells this one (as does the horn by Chad Bement).  Guitar by Bill Malone is steady here and throughout.  “Time Zone”, “Joy” and “Heavenly Faces” are throwbacks to bygone times and could easily be hot Motown Record cuts.

“Detroit City” is a special tune.  Slow, almost church-like, it really is a beautiful and tight song with nice the lead and backing vocals.  “Use This Love” has some cool barrelhouse piano and guitar riffs that impressed.  “Live for Yourself” is another jazzy and slower cut, with a nice piano line and some distorted, fuzzy guitar solo.  Cunningham is a stalwart singer, making every cut special, and the lyrics bemoan life’s situation aptly. 

The final cut is “Last Call”, but it really isn’t the final one as there is an extra “hidden” track that really is not so hidden.  “Last Call” gives us some nice pedal action on the guitar that just stings.  It would be a good closer, but the “It’s Cold Outside (And You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere)”  cut really serves to end the CD.  It’s old time honky tonk with a spooning duet by Cunningham and Jen Sygit. Bob Gardner deftly brushes the drums and cymbals as the duo trade off singing with rolling piano solos.

I really enjoyed this band.  The new Root Doctor offers great music like the earlier incarcerations of the band did.  Freddie Cunningham is a superb singer and a constant, but this new set of musicians are really great together, too.  Highly recommended!!!

Evening reviewed by Rick Davis

Evening

Sugar Ray and The Bluetones

Severn Records

www.sugarrayandthe bluetones.com

12 Tracks

In 1977, blues harp man Ray Norcia was working as Sugar Ray & the Blues Stompers in Rhode Island at the same time Ronnie Earl had replaced Ron Levy in the John Nicholas band, The Rhythm Rockers, featuring Kaz Kazanoff (tenor sax and harp), Sarah Brown (Fender bass) and Terry Bingham (drums). When John Nicholas and drummer Fran Christina left for Texas to join Asleep At the Wheel, Ronnie Earl decided to form the band the Hound Dogs, with Mark Cedrone (harp and vocals), Michael "Mudcat" Ward and Brother Charles Robinson on drums. Ronnie and "Mudcat" later searched for other musicians that would give them a different blues sound. They team up with Neil Gouvin a seasoned blues drummer from southern New England, giving them the sought after sound they were looking for, creating the new band addition to their existing band The Dueces. Following the suggestion of Gouvin to add a lead singer/harp player, Sugar Ray Norcia joined the group. After signing Little Anthony Geraci on piano, they changed their name to Sugar Ray & the Bluetones. Many personnel changes continued over the years leading up to the current lineup of "Monster" Mike Welch on guitar, Neil Gouvin on drums, Michael "Mudcat" Ward on bass, Anthony Geraci on piano, and lead singer/harp player Sugar Ray Norcia. 

Their latest CD, Evening, once again showcases the superb harp work and vocals of Sugar Ray. He states "I've always considered my voice to be my main instrument," But I truly love playing harmonica, and the fact that I could only play one or two harp tunes when I was with Roomful was one of the things that led me to move on." The CD is their 5th album for Severn Records. Their last release in 2007 was My Life, My Friend, My Music which created a full jump blues sound and using a horn section. This release, Evening, is a basic Chicago blues sound including only the band members. The CD opens with the Johnny Young tune "I’m having a Ball." Other covers include Willie Dixon’s "You Know My Love" recorded by Otis Rush and the title track "Evening" which had been recorded earlier by T-Bone Walker. He shares center stage throughout the entire CD with Welch spotlighted on explosive guitar solos and Geraci adding his masterful keyboard solos. The remaining 9 tracks are written by Norcia, Welch, and Ward. The CD is composed of a variety of blues including the slow blues tunes "Hard To Get Along With You," "(That's Not Yet) One Of My Blues," "XO" and "Dear John." Sugar Ray also includes two very creative songs offering good advice with "Too Many Rules and Regulations" and incorporating the use of a Native American flute on "Dancing Bear." "I Came Down With The Blues" and "I'm Certain That I'm Hurting" will rock you from your head to your toes.

Evening is a blues masterpiece and a definite addition to a blues fan's library! Listening to this latest CD from Sugar Ray and The Bluestones is time well spent.

Reviewed by Rick Davis