From the Arkansas Times. More info as it becomes available.
http://www.arktimes.com/RockCandy/archives/2012/05/06/rip-michael-burks
UPDATE
From Bob Corritore
RIPMichael Burks July 30, 1957 to May 6, 2012.Guitarist / VocalistMichael "Iron Man" Burks was well known for his fine contemporary blues records on the Alligator label and for his powerful live performances. Michael had a heart attack at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Georgia after returning from a European tour. He was 54. Michael was a hero at the King Biscuit Blues Festivalin Helena, Arkansas and had legions of fans across the globe. He was a kind, gentle soul offstage and a powerhouse on. He played a Gibson Flying V guitar much like that of his mentor,Albert King. His untimely passing has sent shock throughout the blues community. To seeMichael Burks website with CDs, photos, music and a complete bio, clickhere.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Illinois Blues Blast Blues News
Cover photo by Marilyn Stringer © 2012
MJStringerPhoto.com
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Past Issues
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In This Issue
We have the latest in Blues Society news from around the globe. Terry
Mullins has our feature interview with James "Super Chikan" Johnson. New
Florida resident Mark Thompson reviews the Bikini Fest. John Mitchell has
coverage of the Tampa Bay Blues Fest.
We have six music reviews for you! Sheila Skilling reviews a new CD from
Big Shoes: Walking and Talking the Blues (CD/DVD Set). Rainey Wetnight reviews a new release from
Paul Thorn. Greg “Bluesdog” Szalony reviews the new David Landon album.
Mark Thompson reviews a new release from Adam Gussow. Steve Jones
reviews the new Walter Trout CD. Gary Weeks reviews the new release
from Big Walker. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!!
Blues
Wanderings
Blues Blast
made it to a show by the River City Blues Society right here in our home
town of Pekin, IL featuring Johnny Rawls.
He has a new CD being released soon and he played some cuts for a large
crowd on a Friday night.
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Blues and Classic Rock guitar player seeking touring
band. I'm from the midwest and have played in my own local band for 6 or
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Blues Blast Magazine Seeks Summer Festival Reviewers
Blues
Blast Magazine is looking for a few good men (Or Women)! Over the 2012
summer season we are looking for folks who attend Blues Festivals and
take good photos for festival reviews. If you attend multiple Blues
Festivals or Blues shows and could volunteer to send us 500 to 1000 word
reviews and some good photos, please reply to
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Reviewers
are needed for the Southwest and Texas area, the Florida and Gulf area,
the Eastern coast area and also on the European, Asian and Australian
continents. A short sample of your writing, a sample photo and info on
your Blues background would be helpful. Please include your phone number
with the reply.
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Featured Blues Interview -
James "Super Chikan" Johnson
 If
you roll down the road behind the wheel of a Nissan these days, there’s
a pretty good chance that you have the company’s Canton, Mississippi
factory to thank for that.
And as far
as the factory calling Canton, Mississippi home?
There’s a
pretty good chance that James “Super Chikan” Johnson deserves kudos for
that.
“I went to
the World Expo Center in Aichi, Japan with (then Mississippi Gov.) Haley
Barbour. And when we got over there, they pronounced it - my name (Chikan)
- Chic-Kon, and Chic-Kon is bad in Japan,” the Clarksdale bluesman said.
“They said, ‘Mr. Johnson, we’ve got a big problem. Chic-Kon is bad in
Japan – we’re having classes with the kids on it now – and you’re Super
Chic-Kon. What should we do?’ Well, I took the “A” out and put in an
“E.” And when I did that, he (the Japanese dignitary) didn’t know what
to think. He said, ‘No one changes their name for nothing, but you will
change your name for me?’ And I said, ‘For you and for the kids.’ And he
looked at Haley Barbour and said, ‘I like Super Chicken.’ And Gov.
Barbour said, ‘You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to sign this
bill.’ And he signed that bill and the Nissan plant in Canton,
Mississippi is there because of me.”
(Editor’s
note: apparently in Japan, “Chikan” either means ‘stupid man’ or
something even less desirable than that.)
With
creative and imaginative album titles like Chikadelic (Bluestown
Records) and Shoot That Thang! (Rooster Blues) to his credit,
it's to no one’s surprise that Super Chikan is a master storyteller - he
continues on with the tale of his 'reward' for helping land the
state-of-the-art Nissan factory in the Madison County seat of Canton.
 “I
said, ‘Mr. Barbour, we done got us a brand new Nissan plant over here,
now when do I get me a new Nissan? He said, ‘Oh, don’t worry Chikan –
we’ll get you a Toyota!”
And so goes
another chapter in the always-eventful life of James “Super Chikan”
Johnson, one of Clarksdale’s leading exports when it comes to the blues.
But
Clarksdale has taken a huge hit over the past couple of years with the
loss of iconic figures like Big Jack Johnson (Super Chikan’s uncle),
Wesley Jefferson, Mr. Tater and Miss Sarah – to name just a few.
So, now
even more than ever, Super Chikan is dealing with the responsibility of
handling spokesperson duties for the Coahoma County town of roughly
21,000, a town that seemingly swells to three or four times that size
when it’s time for the Juke Joint or Sunflower Festivals.
“I’m trying
to fill a lot of shoes. I’m the last of the originals. Big Jack was
really popular and now I’m really popular,” he said. “Matter of fact,
I’m the Blues Ambassador for Clarksdale. My main job in that role is to
make sure that everybody (all the visitors to the city) is happy and
make sure that everybody gets all they can get out of Super Chikan.”
It wouldn’t
be an exaggeration at all to say that those visitors got all they could,
and probably more, out of Super Chikan at the just-completed ninth
annual Juke Joint Festival, an event that Clarksdale hosts and one that
has basically turned into the un-official kick-off to the blues'
festival season.
And
according to Chikan, this year’s shindig was crazier than ever.
 “Man,
there was a bunch of people there. Packed everywhere. Clubs springin’ up
all over the place … just crazy,” he said. “I headlined at Ground Zero
(Blues Club) and there was so many people inside and outside, just
waiting to get in. I didn’t think this thing would grow and be a major
festival, but it’s gotten to be a major thing, fast.”
The annals
of blues history have long been stuffed with monikers that have taken on
a life of their own.
From Howlin’
to Muddy to Big Eyes to Taildragger and beyond, the genre has surely not
been short on attention-grabbing names. And most of those names, when
their origins are revealed, make perfect sense.
Same with
Super Chikan.
“When I was
a kid and too small to go to the field, I used to take care of the
chickens. And they called me Chicken Boy,” he said. “And then I grew up
and got a job driving a taxi cab. Well, I had this red car and was
pretty swift and would pick people up just as soon as they called. So,
they started calling me Fast Red; I wasn’t Chicken Boy anymore. Then one
day, an old lady from the home place came by the cab stand and asked
them to send Chicken by to pick her up. The dispatcher said, “We don’t
got nobody that goes by the name Chicken. The lady said, ‘Yeah, he
drives that red car and he goes by the name Chicken.’ And then there was
another old lady in town that I’d been hauling around and she called the
cab stand and asked for ‘The super-fast chicken that comes and gets you
as soon as you call. He’s super-fast.’ Well, the dispatcher got things
messed up and called for Super Chicken on the radio. Well, nobody
answered. Then she called my car number and said, ‘Don’t you know your
name when you hear it?’ I said, ‘I know my name ain’t no Super Chicken.’
She said, ‘Well, from what I hear, it is now.’”
And so, as
nicknames tend to do most of the time, Super Chicken stuck with James
Johnson like an insect on flypaper.
 But
the name required just a bit of tweaking before it could be emblazoned
on an album cover.
“Every time
I would sit down to eat chicken, people would tease me. ‘That ain’t
right, a chicken eatin’ chicken. So I spelled it different,” he said. “I
spell it C-H-I-K-A-N and when they would say something about me eating
chicken, I would say the K is for Kannibal. So I can eat chicken.”
Super
Chikan’s live shows have always been something that has to be witnessed
in order to get the full Clarksdale, Mississippi experience. Years of
road work have turned Super Chikan – whether he’s playing as a solo act,
as part of a three-piece, or with The Fighting Cocks – into a
world-class bluesman.
But as
there always seems to be with Super Chikan, that’s just scratching the
surface. Because over the past decade or so, he’s also been hailed as a
visionary and talented folk artist, with his works displayed all across
the globe.
From
paintings, to sculptures and on to hand-made guitars and his
world-famous diddley-bows, Super Chikan’s reputation as an artist is
quickly catching up to his legend as a bluesman.
What led to
this creative streak?
“Well, it
came from being poor. We was poor - but happy. We really didn’t know we
was poor - but we was. We was recycling before we ever knew what
recycling was,” Super Chikan said. “And we wanted toys and stuff like
other kids had, but Momma couldn’t afford them, so we started making our
own toys. We made everything else, anyhow. So we made all our toys for
Christmas and everything.”
Chikan's
paintings really began to gather steam after one of his songs provided a
shot of inspiration to bring his subject matter to life - on the back of
an old and rusty 5-gallon military gas can that Chikan had turned into a
guitar. The first of many hand-crafted stringed instruments to come.
 “I
really didn't know much about painting at the time, but I had this song
I had wrote called “Down in the Delta” and I had always drew tractors
and trailers and cotton fields and stuff like that, so everything that
pertained to that song, I drew on that can,” said Chikan. “And my
paintings kind of took off from there.”
The
afore-mentioned Shoot That Thang! Is adorned with a sampling of
Chikan's handy work on the front and back covers.
But to many
of his fans, the real beauty of Super Chikan lies within the songs
contained on his discs.
Sure,
they're certainly blues songs, but they're not the mopey, woe-is-me
kind. Most of Chikan's songs contain a healthy dose of laughter to go
along with his unique take on all things in the modern world.
“I write
songs based on the life I've lived and the things that I've encountered
and experienced,” he said. “And some of the stuff is pretty sad and
pretty heart-broken, but those days are gone. I want people to know the
story (of what went on), but I want to put some humor into it so they
don't feel sorry for me.”
His
reverence for the manner in which he was raised takes center stage in
“Fred's Dollar Store,” which really hits home with anyone who has ever
shopped at the Memphis-based retail chain.
“You
wouldn't believe how many people relate to that song. People from all
different states have said they had the same situation,” Chikan said.
“But they're (his songs) all based on my life. Just about every song
I've ever heard a bluesman sing for my whole life is about a woman. And
a lot of them (songs) disrespect women and really blame woman for
problems that the man caused in the first place. I've been married to
the same woman for 42 years and any problem we’ve ever had, I've been
the cause of. So if I sing a song about a woman, it'll be putting her up
or complimenting her.”
 “Fred's
Dollar Store” took home a Blues Music Award for Song of the Year.
Equally
important to Super Chikan as his songs and artwork these days, is his
involvement with the Blues in the School program.
“Back last
fall, last September, I did a whole week of Blues in the School in
Canada – all the way from elementary school up to college. And I was the
talk of the whole place,” he said. “And while I was in Canada, I got a
call from Davenport, Iowa. They wanted to know if I would come there and
do a program. And I just recently got done with a week there, too.”
Add it all
up and what you have is a Delta bluesman who has just about seen and
done it all.
“I tell
you, I’ve done some stuff. I’ve toured the whole UK with Steven Siegel …
man, been there done that,” he said. “Played for prime ministers, I went
to Cognac, France had dinner with the U.S. and French ambassadors at the
embassy house … Isaac Hayes and I were the only ones invited to dinner …
then after that, I went to the Hennessy factory and made my own bottle
of Hennessy. I went to Africa and did such a good job of Blues in the
School there that I was invited to dinner at the ambassador’s house and
I serenaded him for dinner. This ole’ boy’s been around a little bit.
Sometimes I pinch myself because I know I’m dreaming - I’m just an old
boy from the farm, pickin’ cotton and everything and now look at where I
am – I just know I’m going to wake up and this shit won’t be true.
People ask me how I got here. I don’t know.”
The one
thing that James “Super Chikan” Johnson does know, is that without an
open heart, a positive attitude and a lot of hard work, he sure wouldn’t
be one of Clarksdale, Mississippi’s longest-running craftsmen of the
authentic Delta blues.
“Well, my
promise to myself back when everything I tried failed was, because I
didn’t fit in and couldn’t be like anyone else, I said, “God, give me
the health and strength just to see how far a poor boy can go just by
being himself,” he said. “That’s all I had to offer. No education or no
degrees or nothing like that. I just went for it, being me.”
Photos by
Marilyn Stringer © 2012
MJStringerPhoto.com
Interviewer Terry Mullins is a journalist and former record store
owner whose personal taste in music is the sonic equivalent of Attention
Deficit Disorder. Works by the Bee Gees, Captain Beefheart, Black
Sabbath, Earth, Wind & Fire and Willie Nelson share equal space with
Muddy Waters, The Staples Singers and R.L. Burnside in his compact disc
collection. He's also been known to spend time hanging out on the street
corners of Clarksdale, Miss., eating copious amounts of barbecued
delicacies while listening to the wonderful sounds of the blues.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Live
Blues Review 1 of 2
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Bikini
Blues Bash
The first
annual Bikini Blues Bash was held on Saturday, April 28, on the glorious
beach of the city of Treasure Island, Florida. Sponsors included
Treasure Island Parks & Recreations Department, the Beach Beacon
newspaper, Suncoast Surf Shop and in association with the Suncoast Blues
Society.
The one day
fest featured six bands over ten hours with the multi-talented Lucky
Peterson as the headliner. Held right on the beach, attendees could hear
the music while basking in the bright sun and dipping their toes in the
warm ocean currents. Admission was free – parking on the beach was $10.
The fest
opened with the Paul Anthony Band laying down some high energy, rockin'
blues that got the party started in fine style.
 
Guitarist
Charlie Morris showed that he has a solid understanding of blues music.
Just as his band was settling into a nice groove. the sound system began
emitting other-worldly noises that brought their set to a halt. They
returned to the stage once the board was replaced and worked hard to
regain the attention of the audience.
Betty Fox
and the Dirty Bastards took command the minute they hit the stage. Fox
has a powerful voice and an intense performance style that works well
with guitarist Josh Nelms' skillful playing. Be on the lookout for this
Tampa band's upcoming CD.
Everything
changed when the Soul Searchers hit the stage, featuring a three piece
horn section and a skin-tight rhythm section. The band had a chance to
stretch out over several tunes before they brought the man-of-the-hour
to the spotlight..
Little Jake
Mitchell started out competing as a boy in local Tampa talent shows,
winning loaves of Wholesome Bread to help feed the rest of his family.
He treated the audience to an hour long masters class in old-school soul
music, with his dynamic rendition of “Don't Let the Green Grass Fool
You” being a highlight of the set.
 
Gene
“Sarasota Slim” Hardage was a very busy man. The festival was using his
sound system and he was running the sound board. Slim also had a part is
selecting several of the acts that were on the bill. When it was his
turn on stage, he showed his mastery of the blues idiom while moving
beyond the simple three chord structure, always featuring his tasteful
guitar playing. Drummer Pat Hatt was playing the second of three sets
for the day.
 
Sarasota
Slim and his band came right back in support of Lucky Peterson, who was
on fire from the start. Slim and Lucky had played together back in the
late 80's, right after Peterson left the Bobby “Blue” Bland Orchestra.
Now the two traded licks with Peterson's explosive fretwork bringing the
crowd to its feet. Just when you thought things could not get any more
heated, Peterson brought his wife, Tamara, to the stage and the two
engaged in a provocative duet. Another highlight was Tamara's
electrifying rendition of “Take Me to the River”.
 
How great
was the first Bikini Blues Bash? Things went so well that the city has
already declared that there will be a second annual fest in 2013!!
Congratulations to everyone involved for this wonderful party.
Photos by
Mark Thompson © 2012
Reviewer Mark Thompson retired to Florida after twelve
years as president of the Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL. He has been listening to music of all kinds for over
fifty years. Favorite musicians include Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters,
Little Walter, Magic Slim, Magic Sam, Charles Mingus and Count Basie.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
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Featured Blues Review 1 of 6
 Scissormen
– Big Shoes: Walking and Talking the Blues (CD/DVD Set)
CD:
Self-Produced / DVD: Mugshot Productions
CD – 15
Tracks; Total runtime: 66:35 minutes / DVD: 90 minutes
When a
blues legend passes on, we often say that they leave behind “some big
shoes to fill.” In this CD/DVD set, Big Shoes, the Scissormen, a
two-man juke joint band, take this idea a step further. In the title
track, Ted Drozdowski, a Mississippi Delta-style slide
guitarist/singer/songwriter, says he wants to “fill his own big shoes.”
That means keeping the blues alive is not just about performing classic
blues tunes. It’s also about taking the music into the future by
experimenting with original songs and unique styles. He playfully fixes
this image in the minds of viewers throughout the film by sporting his
flamboyantly-colored size 12 shoes.
In addition
to his musical experience, Drozdowski’s three decades as an acclaimed
music journalist made him the perfect person to collaborate with
documentary filmmaker, Robert Mugge, in creating this 90-minute film
that (to quote the DVD jacket) is “part road movie, part concert film,
part history lesson and part state-of-the-art genre report.” Joining
Drozdowski in this outing is original Scissormen drummer, R. L. (Rob)
Hulsman. (Matt Snow joined the group as drummer in late 2010.)
The film
follows the Scissormen on a midwestern tour, stopping in Redkey, IN,
Indianapolis and Cleveland. Plus, there’s a stop at the Rock & Roll Hall
of Fame Museum. (Don’t miss the amusing story in this segment about
Howlin’ Wolf’s suitcase.) The live concert footage was shot at the Key
Palace Theatre in Redkey, and there is an interesting conversation with
the proprietor, Charlie Noble. Noble has since passed on, and this
CD/DVD is dedicated to him. Noble built the Key Palace Theatre and kept
it running, largely with his own money. This was one of the things that
struck me most about this film…the fact that blues club owners and blues
musicians are not generally getting rich off the music. They are doing
this type of work because they enjoy it and are passionate about the
keeping the blues alive – a mission obviously shared by Drozdowski.
Big
Shoes is the Scissormen’s 5th CD, with much of it serving as homage
to Drozdowski’s musical influences, such as Jessie Mae Hemphill, R. L.
Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Drozdowski
mentions McDowell’s ability to tell a story in song, and this element is
clearly present in the Scissormen’s lyrics. Certainly, a journalistic
background also contributes to this story-telling ability. Another skill
the Scissormen have picked up from their blues predecessors is
showmanship. In any live performance, you’re likely to see them playing
the guitar and percussion with whatever objects are handy at the venue.
There are also shots of Drozdowski playing his guitar while it is held
by (or in front of) a nervous, but smiling, female fan.
As
mentioned above, most of the songs included in Big Shoes are
heavy on storyline, and Drozdowski effectively uses his slide to
accentuate the considerable emotions they convey. The 3rd cut, Mattie
Sweet Mattie is about a woman in jail for stabbing someone, and the
singer who wishes he could help her in some way. My favorite song, and
perhaps the moodiest of the entire CD, is the 5th cut, “Tupelo,” about a
1938 flood. This one adds an echo to help create an eerie, almost
desperate feel, while the lyrics tell you this flood was God’s revenge
on the people of Tupelo.
This CD
makes a valuable supplement to the DVD. In terms of choosing this CD for
pure listening pleasure, however, I felt the slide playing lacked a bit
in variety – although it’s entirely possible that someone well-versed in
Mississippi Delta-style slide might notice more stylistic variation than
I did. Either way, my advice would be to watch the DVD before playing
the CD, so that you will have a mental picture to accompany and enhance
your understanding of the music.
In the
lyrics of the title track “Big Shoes,” Drozdowski objects to keeping the
blues alive by simply repeating the classics: “There’s ten-thousand
different bands trying to play the same damn song.” With this in mind,
the Scissormen use Big Shoes not only to pay tribute to the past, but
also to showcase their own original style. As Drozdowski sings, “The
blues ain’t dipped in amber. Gotta fill my own big shoes.” It’s his
mission - a noble one – and Big Shoes invites you to share in it.
Reviewer Sheila Skilling is a self-professed “blues fan by marriage,”
who was hooked by her husband’s musical preferences, but reeled in by
the live performances of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and others. She
lives in the Minneapolis area.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 2 of 6
 Paul
Thorn - What the Hell is Goin On?
Perpetual Obscurity Records
Styles:
Americana, Roots Rock, Blues Rock
“Imitation
is the most sincere form of flattery.” So says the old adage, and it’s
been proven by countless blues rock artists ever since the genre began.
Without “covers,” for example, Eric Clapton probably wouldn’t have
brought Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” to international fame.
Mississippi’s Paul Thorn may be revered for his songwriting skills, but
in this follow-up to 2010’s “Pimps and Preachers,” Thorn pays tribute to
some favorite songs of his that were originally performed by others. He
and his touring band of 15 years (guitarist Bill Hinds, keyboard player
Michael Graham, bassist Ralph Friedrichsen and drummer Jeffrey Perkins)
“cover” a complete range of Americana and roots-rockers, from Buddy
Miller and Ray Wylie Hubbard to Foy Vance and Wild Bill Emerson.
Every tune
is a surprise, and here are three of twelve that are especially zesty:
Track 2: “Snake Farm”--First written and performed by Ray Wylie Hubbard, this is a grungy ballad about a reptile-loving beauty named Ramona, who “…kind of look like Tempest Storm!” Why does she work among these hissing creatures? “Nothing to do in the winter,” she quips, “and then some kid gets bit at the snake farm!” Whether blues fans like it or not, the chorus of this song will slither into their heads! Paul Thorn’s “nasty” guitar growls and snarls with a junkyard atmosphere.
Track 9:
“Bull Mountain Bridge”--This is Wild Bill Emerson’s haunting tale of
Stone Fox Dan, a cannabis dealer marked for death by the cuckolded Bull
Mountain Hawk. Only a hardened thug could be so chillingly nonchalant
about planning a murder: “Go take him on down below the Bull Mountain
Bridge. ... Break his arms and throw him in the river! If anybody asks,
just tell them he committed suicide….” It’s hard to tell whether the
best thing about this song is its harsh lyrics, Delbert McClinton guest
vocals, infectious choir-backed chorus – Les Hillbillies des Pirates:
Delaney McClinton, Kevin Welch, Danny Flowers, Etta Britt & Bob Britt,
or Thorn’s fiery electric, Southern rock guitar licks!
Track 11:
“She’s Got a Crush on Me”--Beginning with a slow, church-inspired organ,
Donnie Fritts’ and Billy Lawson’s “Crush” is a poignant character
portrait of a T-shirt factory worker who “goes to the Church of Christ,
chain-smokes Camel Lights, and she’s got a crush on me….” Listeners
can’t discern whether the narrator is interested in her, but he’s
certainly proud that he has an admirer. The words of this ode could be
the basis for a great novel!
“I wanted
to take a break from myself,” reveals Paul Thorn when speaking of this
album, “do something different, and just have fun.” He has accomplished
everything he set out to do, and once they finish listening to its last
song, blues fans won’t wonder “What the Hell is Going On?”. They’ll
realize this CD’s purpose is for a great songwriter to give his
true-artist, storytelling peers their proper due. If you were raised on
rock and roll, you can not help but dig this music!
Reviewer Rainey Wetnight is a 32 year old female Blues fan. She
brings the perspective of a younger blues fan to reviews. A child of
1980s music, she was strongly influenced by her father’s blues music
collection.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 3 of 6
 David
Landon - I Like It Too Much
Whip Records
Time-58:41
This latest CD by the San Francisco Bay Area based guitarist, singer and
songwriter could of just of easily been called The Guitar And Hammond
Organ Sessions. There are many other things to recommend it, but the
guitar work of David, along with the Hammond skills of Tony Stead and
Melvin Seals are one of the shining highlights. David Landon achieved
regional success in at the clubs and festivals of Paris, France, before
returning to the states in hopes of attaining greater success. Lenny
Williams, Kenny Neal, Melvin Seals and Earl Thomas are among the many
notable musicians he has produced, performed or collaborated with over
the years. As well as the top-of-the-line rhythm section, he has also
enlisted a fine horn section. If that isn’t enough, he also wrote,
produced, arranged and mastered the record.
The band starts off with a high energy Texas blues shuffle instrumental
“Bone Up!”, featuring the leader’s arsenal of guitar chops and a
blistering organ solo by Tony Stead. Two more instrumentals are included
to once again feature the skills of this talented ensemble. Next up the
funky “Maureen” suffers from vocals that are a bit too “white bread”,
but that is remedied elsewhere throughout the CD. “I Can’t Slow Down”
shows the perfect interaction of guitar, vocals, organ, horns and rhythm
section. Alvon Johnson shares vocal and guitar duties on the feel good
“That’s What Friends Are For”. David squeezes every bit of emotion of
his solos on “Our Last Goodbye” by measuring every note and knowing when
to show restraint. He does much the same on the slow, smoldering blues
of “I’m So Tired”. Over indulging in life’s pleasures is the subject of
the title track, and point is driven home by an all-out instrumental
attack.
Although the publicity hand-out refers to his music as blues-rock, I
find it sticking closer to straight ahead blues, the occasional wah-wah
solo notwithstanding. The guitar solos are variations are tradition
styles as applied to a modern take on the blues. And that Hammond organ
goodness is all over this record. Not just as backing...these guys can
rip off some dangerous runs. The overall sound is tight and
professional, without sounding slick. No revelations here, but a
pleasing display by musicians that know the ins-and-outs of the blues.
Reviewer Greg “Bluesdog” Szalony hails from the New Jersey Delta.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 4 of 6
 Adam
Gussow - Southbound
11 tracks/42:48
In the extensive notes that accompany this release, Adam Gussow details
his life since he left New York City ten years ago to begin life in as
an English professor at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Gussow
had spent fifteen years in partnership with Sterling Magee, better known
as Satan & Adam. The duo released three critically acclaimed recordings
that were based on material they worked up on their regular gig on a
Harlem street corner.
Now working as a one man music-maker, Gussow handles all of the
harmonica and vocal parts, plays rhythm guitar on six tracks, lead
guitar on the opening cut and adds percussion nine songs. Backing
musicians include Jerry Jemmott, Dave Woolworth and Benjamin Earl on
bass with Bill Perry Jr. on keyboards and Jeremy Clement on drums. Bryan
Ward plays rhythm guitar on four tunes and bass on another as well as
engineering the sessions in addition to co-producing the project with
Gussow. The liner notes also include the key of the harp used on each
cut
Gussow is a competent singer, putting out plenty of effort but lacking a
distinctive voice. On the title track, Gussow's enthusiasm carries the
day on the Dickey Betts classic. He has some fun with “Old McDonald in
Mississippi”, an adult update of the childrens song that stemmed from a
conversation Gussow heard about indecent exposure, sheep and a nativity
scene. But his singing on “I'm Tore Down” fails to match the drive in
the instrumental accompaniment. And his attempts at modulation on “C.C.
Rider” really detract from an otherwise strong performance.
But no one will be buying this disc to hear Gussow sing. When he starts
playing his harp, the world instantly becomes a better place. On the
previously mentioned track, Gussow cuts loose with a long improvised
passage that energizes the track. “Home to Mississippi” is a repetitive
number featuring the leader's musings about life on the road, powered by
his horn-like riffs on the harp. Gussow comments that Jimmy Reed's “You
Don't Have to Go” was a favorite in the early stages of his career and
he utilizes a James Cotton riff on his version.
All of the instrumental tracks are gems, starting with the “Sanford and
Son Theme”, composed by Quincy Jones. With Perry Jr. on electric
keyboards and his own forceful percussive beat behind him, Gussow turns
the familiar theme inside and out several times in joyful celebration.
Jemmott's booming bass kicks off the next piece with Ward and Gussow on
guitar. You have never heard a version of Hugh Masakela's hit “Grazing
in the Grasss” like this one. Gussow turns up the heat and lays down
some magnificent improvisational lines that will get many listeners up
on their feet to dance along. Another unusual selection is Chis Botti's
contemporary jazz tune, “Why Not”, with Gussow on rhythm guitar and
shaker while Jemmott's deep tones on bass establish the groove. Gussow
plays from the third position and again blows some stirring licks that
take this one to a darker spot than the original did. Rick Braun's
“Green Tomatoes” is transformed into an all-out Mississippi hill-country
stomp with Gussow again using the harp like a horn to call his listeners
back to where the blues began.
The disc closes with an all-too brief version of “Alley Cat” with a
humorous explanation in the notes about the tune's place in Gussow's
life story. There are a lot of very good harp blues harp players making
the rounds these days but I haven't heard many that could capture my
attention like Adam Gussow does on this recording. With minimal backing
on most songs, his high energy approach and creative playing make this
one a must-hear disc for harp players and anyone else who enjoys a fresh
approach to blues music.
Reviewer Mark Thompson retired after twelve
years as president of the Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL. and
moved to Florida. He has been listening to music of all kinds for over
fifty years. Favorite musicians include Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters,
Little Walter, Magic Slim, Magic Sam, Charles Mingus and Count Basie.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
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Live
Blues Review 2 of 2
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Tampa Bay Blues
Festival - April 13-15 2012
Friday -
The honor of opening the 2012 festival fell to Alexis P. Suter from New
York and her strong, deep voice showed her gospel roots, particularly on
a superb version of Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”.
Johnny Rawls started by asking if anyone had heard of him and if the
crowd had not before this show they would certainly remember his set,
full of catchy tunes, great guitar playing and lots of contact with the
audience, especially “the Ladeez”, as Johnny gave us a full batch of
original soul blues material.
The Delta Groove Harp Blast brought three harp players to the show, Al
Blake from the original Hollywood Fats Band, rising star Big Pete from
Holland and Mitch Kashmar from California, all backed superbly by the
core of the Mannish Boys; Jimi Bott on drums, Willie J Campbell on bass,
Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser and Kid Ramos on guitars – what a band!
 
 
 
Roomful Of Blues is a 44 year old Rhode Island tradition and the current
band gave a terrific performance, fronted energetically by vocalist Phil
Pemberton and featuring their superb horn section of Doug Woolverton on
trumpet, Mark Earley on tenor and baritone sax and original member Rich
Lataille on alto and tenor. That set just flew by as we got swinging
blues from Chicago, Texas and the West Coast as well as heading down to
New Orleans!
It was a tough act to follow for headliners Los Lonely Boys and their
very loud, rocky approach was not for the blues purists but seemed to
draw in a large crowd to the festival.
Saturday started early as the organizers had not five but six acts to
present, starting with South Florida’s Albert Castiglia who used every
minute of the short time he had to make a vivid impression with his
stellar guitar playing and telepathic interplay with his band. (Albert
also appeared at the after hours festival show in a downtown theatre and
offered another, completely different set to delight his many fans, most
of whom were sporting his distinctive T shirt which explains how to
pronounce his name!)
New England singer Toni Lynn Washington gave an elegant and polished
performance with her band which featured on this occasion ex-Roomful
saxophonist Doug James and current Duke Robillard keyboard player Bruce
Bears.
The Mannish Boys then returned, this time with leader and coordinator
Randy Chortkoff on harp and fronted by two outstanding vocalists: Finis
Tasby was one of the original MB singers and though he was obliged to
sit down for much of the performance his voice was still excellent; new
boy Sugaray Rayford preceded Finis and gave a really high energy example
of the blues front man, again appraising the ladies in the crowd and
leaping around to exhort his band members to ever greater feats of
musicianship.
 
James Cotton then demonstrated why he is called “Superharp” with Darrell
Nulisch supplying the vocals and Tom Holland from Chicago on guitar.
Stealing the show was ten-year old Josh King from James’ harp school who
played and sang with James before the huge festival audience without any
nerves before embracing his mentor and leaving to massive applause.
 
Tower Of Power arrived with their horn heavy R n’ B sound, bringing
“Bump City” all the way from Oakland to the Bay area. The crowd loved
their powerful sound and larger-than-life front-man Larry Braggs . One
highlight of their set was a funky tribute to James Brown.
Jimmie Vaughan And The Tilt A’ Whirl band closed the show. With a twin
saxophone attack of Doug James and Greg Piccolo (both ex-Roomful) to
augment the band and Lou Ann Barton joining in on vocals we were treated
to a great set of material largely drawn from his impressive pair of
recent albums of ‘Blues, Ballads And Favorites’.
 
Sunday saw the first appearance at this festival of Eugene “Hideaway”
Bridges, a man who sings like Sam Cooke, plays like BB King and writes
almost all his own material – what a talent! He has played a lot in
Europe but is still relatively unknown in the US, but with performances
like this and BMA nominations his star is definitely on the rise.
Jimmy Thackery is a strong crowd favorite at festivals and he gave a
solid performance, blending instrumentals with crowd pleasers like “Cool
Guitars”. Normally Jimmy plays in a three piece format but on this
occasion he was joined by Bruce Katz on keys whose B3 and boogie piano
also added significantly to the set.
Recent IBC winners Trampled Under Foot are developing into a major
talent and the three siblings turned in one of the outstanding
performances of the weekend, with Nick Schebelen’s excellent guitar
playing vying for top billing with sister Danielle’s fabulous vocals
which ran the gamut from straight blues to jump style and beyond,
including versions of songs made famous by Gladys Knight and Billie
Holliday. Older brother Kris kept the beat throughout on the drums.
Another hard act to follow!
 
Old school soul shouter Charles Bradley certainly had style, letting his
Extraordinaires start with two instrumentals before appearing in a
silver suit that recalled Al Green. A further costume change saw him don
an open fronted red jacket with his initials embroidered on it! Bradley
quickly showed why he is referred to as the “Screaming Eagle of Soul”
To close a fantastic weekend came Delbert McClinton with an all star
band: Bruce Katz on keys, Tom Hambridge on drums and Gary Nicholson on
guitar, plus a very good sax and trumpet duo whose names I did not
catch, unfortunately.
 
Delbert was relaxed and gave us a greatest hits selection including
crowd favorites “Every Time I Roll The Dice” and “Giving It Up For Your
Love”. What a set to end a great weekend in wonderful Florida sunshine!
Photos by John Mitchell © 2012
Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues
enthusiast based in the UK. He also travels to the States most years to
see live blues music. His first US trip this year was the Tampa Bay
Blues Fest. Mark Thompson assisted with this article.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
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Blues Society News
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Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release
about your
not-for-profit event with
the subject line "Blues Society News" to:
Maximum of 175 words in a Text or MS Word document
format.
Crossroads Blues
Society - Rockford, IL
Two hot June shows coming up in Rockford!!! Walter Trout is
appearing at the Adriatic at 327 W.Jefferson St in Rockford, IL on
Tuesday, June 5th at 8 PM. Advanced tickets are only $15, with
admission $20 atthe door. Tickets are available at the club, online
at
http://crossroadsbluessociety.blogspot.com/. Get tickets early
as this may sell out!
Bryan Lee appears at Mary's Place at 602 N Madison St in Rockford,
IL on Wednesday June 13th. Admission is $10; advanced tickets get
reserved seating. Tickets at Mary's place or through Crossroads
Blues Society. Call 779-537-4006 or email
sub_insignia@yahoo.com
for more info on either show.
The Blues Kids Foundation - Chicago, IL
The Blues Kids Foundation presents Fernando Jones’ Annual Blues
Camp. This fun-filled experience awards scholarships to over 120
Blues Kids (ages 12 to 18), affording them a “priceless” fun-filled
experience. They will learn and perform America’s root music in a
fully funded, weeklong program with like minded others under the
tutelage of national and international instructors.Blues Camp is in
residence at: Columbia College Chicago, Huston-Tillotson University
(Austin, TX) and the Fender Center (Corona, CA). This series is
designed for America’s youth and educators. To be a sponsor
call us at 312-369-3229.
AUDITION DATES & CITIES
Saturday, April 21, 2012 10am - noon, Columbia College Music Center, 1014 S, Michigan Chicago, IL Saturday, May 12, 2012 10am - noon, The Fender Center, Corona, CA Saturday, May 26 Time TBA at Maria Maria's, Austin, TX CAMP DATES & CITIES July 15 - 21 / Columbia College, Chicago, IL June 17 - 23 / Fender Center, Corona, CA June 13 - 16 / Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX
The Ventura
County Blues Society - Ventura County, CA
The Ventura County (Calif) Blues Society has tapped bluesman Tommy
Marsh and Bad Dog to host their weekly "BluesJam" series at The
Tavern in Ventura, launching Wednesday, May 2 and happening every
Wednesday thereafter. The Ventura County Blues Society's Sunday
Blues Matinee Concert Series kicks off Sunday, July 8 with Chris
Cain, Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog, and Kelly's Lot, at the High Street
Arts Center, in Moorpark, Calif. Info:
http://www.venturacountybluessociety.org/.
Prairie Crossroads
Blues Society – Champaign-Urbana, IL
Prairie Crossroads Blues Society shows: Friday, May 4, 1st Friday Blues, Gerome Durham, 8
pm studio visit to WEFT 90.1FM during the Blues Live show, 10pm,
performance at Memphis on Main, Champaign; Friday, June 1, 1st
Friday Blues, Tee Dee Young, WEFT and Memphis on Main, Champaign.
For more info:
http://prairiecrossroadsblues.org.
The West Virginia Blues
Society - Charleston, W.V.
The Charlie West Blues Festival is a FREE event, held on May 18,19 &
20, 2012 on the beautiful banks of the Kanawha River in Charleston,
WVa .A tribute to our military, an opportunity to show patriotism
and loving support for our troops and their families. The Charlie
West Blues Fest is produced by the West Virginia Blues Society.
This years lineup includes Kenny Wayne Shepherd, on Saturday,
brought to you by Charleston CVB, Ruthie Foster, Rod Piazza and the
Mighty Flyers, Johnny Rawls, Fiona Boyes, Slim Fatz,Jill West & The
Blues Attack,Six Kinds of Crazy,Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos,
Mahajibee,Dennis McClung Blues Band,Ms. Freddye,The Carpenter
Ants,Diddly Squatt, Lascivious Deacons and the Shaune Booker Band.
Our second stage will feature the best in local and regional music
for your enjoyment. After Jams to be held at the Sound Factory on
Friday and Saturday. Music starts at 6 o'clock on Friday and runs to
11 pm. Saturday will be noon to 11 pm and Sunday is 1 pm to 9 pm.
More details can be found at,
www.charliewestbluesfest.com For more info contact Jack L. Rice,
West Virginia Blues Society, 304-389-1439,
Bkravenhawk@hotmail.com
or visit
www.wvbluessociety.org
The Diamond State Blues
Society - Middletown , Delaware
The 1st St. Georges Blues Fest sponsored by The Diamond State Blues
Society is Saturday, June 16th, 2012, Noon to 8pm rain or shine, on
the grounds of The Commodore Center, 1701 N. DuPont Hwy., St.
Georges, Delaware. Featured are Garry Cogdell & the Complainers;
lower case blues with special guest Johnny Neel; Dave Fields,
Brandon Santini & his Band; J.P. Soars & the Red Hots; and
headlining is The Bernard Allison Group. Details and links to
tickets at
www.DiamondStateBlues.com.
Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents its annual Fundraiser on
Saturday May 12 at Martinis on the Rock (4619 - 34th Street, Rock
Island, just south of Blackhawk Road). Admission is $20, which will get
you in the door, a ticket for door prizes and a trip through the buffet
line. A silent auction, begins at 6:00 p.m., with the music starting at
7:00 p.m. Proceeds benefit the 2012 Blues Festival.
Music will be provided by three bands who have won the Iowa Blues
Challenge, the Steady Rollin’ Blues Band, The Candymakers, and The
Mercury Brothers will each take the stage in Martinis’ brand new outdoor
music pavilion, situated in back with a stunning view of the scenic Rock
River. After the three sets, the MVBS will host a jam session. The
non-profit Mississippi Valley Blues Society depends heavily on
fundraisers such as this to keep our musical standards as high, and our
Festival admission prices ridiculously low, as they’ve been in the past.
The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
in Davenport, Iowa is June 29th & 30th, and July1st. Scheduled
performers include Mathew Curry and The Fury, Earnest ‘’Guitar’’ Roy,
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Liz Mandeville and Donna Herula, Kenny Neal
and Super Chikan Johnson on June 29th, Terry Quiett, Bryce Janey, Ray
Fuller and the Blues Rockers, Doug MacLeod, Preston Shannon, Ernest
Dawkins Quartet, Guitar Shorty, Moreland and Arbuckle, Coco Montoya and
Kelley Hunt on June 30th. Lady Bianca, Paul Geremia, Johnny Rawls,
Trampled Under Foot and the Brooks Family Blues Dynasty featuring Lonnie
Brooks, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Wayne Baker Brooks, plus Bobby Rush with
“The Double Rush Revue” on Sunday July 1st.
http://www.mvbs.org
River City Blues Society
- Pekin, IL
River City Blues Society presents: Bringing The Blues To You with
the following shows at Goodfellas 1414 N. 8th St, Pekin, Illinois
- Matt Hill, Tuesday May 9th
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Matthew Curry & the Fury, Friday May 25th 7:30
pm – 11:00 pm. Admission for these shows is $5.00 non-members
$3.00 members. A special show featuring the 2011 International Blues
Challenge winner Lionel Young Band with opening act The Governor is
Friday, June 22 From 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Admission: $5.00 For more info visit:
www.rivercityblues.com
or call 309-648-8510
Illinois Central Blues Club -
Springfield, IL
The Illinois Central Blues Club presents "Blue Monday" every Monday
night for the last 25 years - BLUE MONDAY SHOWS - Held at the Alamo
115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:00pm $3
cover. May 7 – Studebaker John & the Hawks, May 14 – Diddley Squat, May 21
– Rev. Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Alterboys, May 28 – Lionel Young
Band, Jun 4 – Big Jeff Chapman Blues Band , Jun 11 – Deb Callahan,
Jun 18 – Sugar Ray & The Bluetones Jun 25 – TBA. Other ICBC
sponsored events at the K of C Hall, Casey’s Pub, 2200 Meadowbrook
Rd., Springfield, IL from 7:30pm - Midnight - May 12 – Eddie Turner
Band, , - Jun 30 – Matt Hill . icbluesclub.org
The Friends Of The Blues - Watseka, IL
Friends of the Blues present 2012 shows:
Tues, May 8, Kilborn Alley, 7 pm, Bradley Bour. Sportsmen’s Club www.kilbornalley.com Thur, May 17, Reverend Raven & C.S.A.B., 7 pm, Kankakee Valley Boat Club Tues, June 19, Sugar Ray Norcia & Bluetones, 7 pm, Kankakee Valley Boat Club Tues, June 26, Tom Holland & Shuffle Kings, 7 pm, Bradley Bourbonnais Sportsmen’s Club July – Sugarcane Collins - details TBA July - Dave Riley – details TBA Tues, July 24, Laurie Morvan Band, 7 pm, Bradley Bourbonnais Sportsmen’s Club Wed, August 22, Smokin’ Joe Kubek w/ Bnois King, 7 pm, Kankakee Valley Boat Club Thur, Sept 6, Ivas John Band, 7 pm, venue TBA Tues, Sept 18, Smilin’ Bobby, 7 pm, venue TBA Thursday, Oct 18, Morry Sochat & The Special 20s, 7 pm, TBA
Rosedale Crossroads Blues Society - Rosedale, MS
Rosedale Crossroads Blues Society presents The Crossroads Blues and
Heritage Festival, Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the River Resort at
Highway 1 South in historic Rosedale, MS featuring Bill Abel,
Cadillac John, Big Joe Shelton, DSU Ol’ Skool Revue and other area
artists.
Gates open at 12:00 noon, music starts at 1:00 Admission $5 –
adults, $1 – children under 12 Bring your own ice chest – $10 No
beer sold – No glass – No pets, please Parking $5
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Featured Blues Review 5 of 6
 Walter
Trout - Blues For The Modern Daze
15
tracks
Walter
Trout has been an icon in the blues and rock worlds for his fierce
guitar play and stratospheric performances. Some of his recordings have
leaned heavily toward the rock side of things, but this album is deeply
entrenched in his love for the blues and contains fifteen exceptional,
brand-new songs, all of which were written by Trout. This is an
outstanding effort top to bottom: great music, lyrics and performances.
I think this is one of Trout’s best overall efforts- from first listen
to the many subsequent ones I found myself just wanting to hear these
songs again and again.
The album
starts off with a great cut with a driving beat- “Saw My Mama Cryin”.
Walter gives us a traditional AAB blues tune with a long, straight ahead
chorus telling a story of his mother and her perseverance. Midway he
transitions into a wicked guitar solo that is a great compliment to an
outstanding opening cut, setting the table (so to speak) for many more
outstanding tunes.
Walter does
some social commentary and shows some displeasure with things going on,
his blues for the modern “daze”. Lonely” is a slow blues that comments
how lonely people must be because they are “staring at their computers
and yelling in their phones”, an apt commentary on the facelessness of
many peoples’ lives today. Pollution and the environment are the focus
of “The Sky Is Fallin’ Down”, another hot cut with another mean guitar
solo. “Recovery” is a soulful ballad with vocals, guitar and B3 just
laying feelings and emotions out there. In “Turn Off Your TV” Trout
tells his listeners to avoid being marketed to by turning off their
idiot boxes so you can think for yourself.
“Lifestyle
of the Rich and Famous” bemoans the previous life of the rich and famous
turning into a life of living as the poor and unknown. “Puppet Master”
is a 45 second spoken poem on how the puppet master wants control and
casts off uncooperative puppets because millions more are waiting in the
wings. Trout immediately blasts off into “Money Rules the World” after
this, a high strung journey into the ionosphere that nicely ties in
thematically to the poem before it. The title track starts off
acoustically and then blasts off into a large scale electric assault.
Walter obviously feels strongly about many issues of the day and
expresses himself with great emotion and feeling in his songs here. Hot,
hot stuff with a message to boot.
Cuts like
“Blues For My Baby” that are mostly instrumental offer some great stuff,
too; the piano playing back and forth with Trout’s guitar is pretty nice
and his guitar “solo” goes on and on for the big ax aficionados. He
closes the set with “Pray for Rain”, all acoustic with perhaps more
commentary on climate change as crops are dying due to the lack of rain
and the poor farmer who can’t deal with things. Emotional stuff.
Space and
time limit comment on every track but suffice it to say that this is a
great set of songs from start to finish. The guitar solos are immense
yet they, too, make statements. This is my favorite album of Trout’s in
many years- great song writing, poignant statements and superlative
performances. Certainly this is one of the best albums of 2012. Trout’s
fans will eat this up and those new to Trout will see the master at the
top of his craft. Most highly recommended!!!
Reviewer
Steve
Jones is president of the
Crossroads Blues
Society and is a long standing blues lover. He is a retired Navy
commander who served his entire career in nuclear submarines. In
addition to working in his civilian career since 1996, he writes for and
publishes the bi-monthly newsletter for Crossroads, chairs their music
festival and work with their Blues In The Schools program. He resides in
Byron, IL.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
|
Featured Blues Review 6 of
6
 Big
Walker – Root Walking
Time: 46:04
Derrick Big Walker may not be the most prominent name featured in blues
circles throughout the world. It still doesn’t stop him from winning
endorsements from the likes of Blues Revue, Living Blues and Alligator
label honcho Bruce Iglauer.
Having played with Luther Tucker, Big Mama Thornton, Mike Bloomfield and
many others has been his bread and butter and these ingredients are the
key factors in making the Root Walking CD a listenable piece of
recording.
Setting old American poems from two centuries ago to music isn’t a
formula most musicians follow. It’s a challenge that’s hard to pull off
yet Walker can do it modernizing the material to today’s present
standards.
Saxophone and harmonica are Walker’s playing cards. You can tell the man
probably loves the harp as his instrument of choice as it’s the
centerpiece for the majority of the songs. Nothing wrong with that as
this cd bears the imprint of Chicago Delta styled blues made fashionable
by Muddy Waters and resurrected by apostles Paul Butterfield and Mike
Bloomfield.
Walker’s sandpaper vocals are far from being technically perfect. Their
gruffness is still suited to the material. Although this piece of work
was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden it’s instantly forgettable as you
would swear these tracks were laid down in some studio located in
Chicago, Tennessee or New Orleans. The hoodoo strut of “Papa Guede” is
the perfect precursor to the tent revival evil chanted “Devils Cloth”
that cloaks itself in its darkness proudly.
Previously speaking of Muddy Waters, nowhere is that presence more felt
than in opening cut “It’s Hard” which lopes along lazily until second
track “Raise A Ruckus” raises the roof with Walker’s harp leading the
cavalry into a lowland fling party after the battle. Even when a bit of
a breather comes like in “Run Night Run,” the background vocals are the
cushion for Walker to spray harmonica notes over to carry the number
along an ominous edge. It’s a contrast to the uplifting cowpoke sounding
“The Hypocrite Blues” that ends like a flash of light before you begin
to appreciate its Western Plains atmosphere.
And in case for some listeners when things are getting a bit complacent,
than “Can’t Take No Train” will pick up the slack though it’s a rewrite
of the obscure chestnut “Mystery Train” made popular back in the day by
Elvis Presley. Not that it will matter to fans needing a fix of that
boogie fever so they can feel the effect of being in an old blues bar in
Chicago with the time machine dials set somewhere in the 1950s.
After Credence Clearwater Revival covered “Midnight Special” it seemed
very likely this song would fade into the ether. With the escalating
interest in blues, artists have dug this song out of obscurity and have
put their own personal stamp on it. Joining the ranks, Walker’s
sandpaper vocals do the song justice and although it may not capture the
energy level that CCR created, the tune fits in well with the others as
Walker’s harp playing once again carries the song across its joyous
waters.
Ending track “Slave” contemplates the hardships of the Afro-American.
It’s a strange way to end an album. Then again maybe it’s not. In his
press release reads the quote “Afro-American poems from 17-1800 and his
own original songs.” If Derrick Walker wants to take on the role of
blues historian, he certainly has earned that right. No harm could come
of a musician educating the listener and taking them on a journey to
where the heritage of roots music began.
Reviewer
Gary Weeks is a contributing writer.
He resides in Marietta, GA.
For other reviews and interviews on our website
CLICK HERE
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