Blues Historian Review: Tail Dragger Live At Rooster's Lounge

I received this from the good folks at Delmark last Christmas, and I have enjoyed watching this disc.  Tail Dragger is one of those old time blues musicians that the Wall Street Journal doesn't know about when they say the blues is dead.  Tail Dragger mesmerizes the crowd with his down home Chicago blues.  I love the way he plays with the crowd, and the magic in this guys eyes as he works the ladies.  Tail Dragger may have snow on the mountain top but there is a fire down below! (Wolf??  Muddy?? one of them sang it:-)  Tail Dragger has an equally amazing guest,the legendary Jimmy Dawkins (another bluesman that the Wall Street Journal should listen to)  Tail Draggers band includes, Rockin Johnny, Kevin Shanahan, Martin Lang, Rob Lorenz and Todd Fackler.  These guys are great, they know the drill, they follow along, and take their leads, just like a great band should.  If you want to see why the blues is still alive and well in Chicago, no thanks to the Wall Street Journal, then buy this DVD!

Blues Historian Review: Taylor Hicks, Whomp At The Warfield

I received this DVD from some fine folks at one of Taylor Hicks fan clubs. I suppose a review is not really necessary since his fans will love the DVD no matter what I say. However, I can safely say for those of you who haven't listened to this guy yet, that this DVD is for you. Taylor Hicks is the real deal. I have said this many times, but it is true the man can sing the blues, soul, R&B and rock and roll. Whomp At The Warfield is mostly a soul filled romp recorded live at The Warfield in San Francisco back in 2007. The band in incredibly tight and Hicks has both the band and the fans pumped up from start to finish.

I must admit I am fascinated with Hicksmania. Perhaps in a differnet time and place before the music business imploded from its own excess he would have been the next incarnation of Elvis, but today in a music scene that is so large, over played, and mega corrupt, Hicks seems to fly beneath the radar. It is both fortunate and unfortunate. In one sense his fan base is tremendous and very faithful. In many ways he and his fans remind me of the relationship between Tom Jones and his fans. Jones never got his due, was regarded as a pop singer, and his legendary fans have followed him forever. Both Jones, and Hicks can sing anything, blues, soul, R&B, Pop, Country, and folk. However, the blues purist would not think about either one as a blues performer, but when I hear them sing I think otherwise.

The other thing that strikes me when I watch the video is that Taylor reminds me a lot of the good qualities of Elvis. It is more than the accent, because both have the Mississippi drawl, but it is their obvious love of the music, and culture of African Americans. Also Taylor doesn't have all the trappings that came with Elvis's fame. Perhaps in the long run it is a good thing that the music industry doesn't control artists like in the old days because that's what ruined Elvis.

This is a great DVD. lots of energy, and great music. Buy it today you can't go wrong.

Blues Historian Review: Hot Buttered Blues

OK, you didn't think I actually sat through this garbage to see the real bluesman Louisianna Guitar Red did ya! Oh! The things I do for you people. This is an old movie from 1995 that I found at a video store and I just had to buy it. Certainly this movie will not go down as one of the greats. It is terrible even by adult film standards, and that is very, very low! Thank goodness, Red is blind, and couldn't see what was going on, in fact, I doubt he even knew it was a porn film! Our hero shows up in the beginning of the film singing the blues on a street corner, supposedly in the 1960s. He gets harassed by the police and leaves. Then he shows up later in the film to play a few songs. Red is the real deal although I believe he is now deceased. His real name was Cardell Boyette. Also, Red only sings and plays guitar. During his set people have there clothes on!

The movie is very forgettable and Ron Jeremy makes yet another appearance in an adult flick so I think you can just imagine how bad it is. There is also another band in what I can only describe as what a bunch of porn actors, trying to act as the stereotypical bluesmen on a normal day. Needless to say in all my years of performing (as a bluesman:-) I have never, ever, not even on my best day, ever had that kind of luck! (Ok, the story is we get into music to meet chicks, but hey guys here is the dirty little secret. IT DON"T WORK!!)

God bless ya, Louisanna Red. I hope that you had a great time, and made a lot of money.

Blues Historian Review: Shirley Johnson, Blues Attack, and Various Artists: It Ain't over

Delmark records has a couple of great releases out now that all blues lovers need to grab. The first is Shirley Johnson and Blues Attack. Blues Attack, is a great disc that follows the spirit of Chicago blues, but also slips in some nice soul music for variety. Johnson is a great vocalists, and is just one of many great unsung blues performers that are keeping the blues alive and well. The band keeps a great grove throughout the disc. They also keep that rough and tumble live spirit going as well. Many times a studio recording can sound stiff and lack life, but Johnson's band does a great job of keeping it real. Luke Pytel does a great job on lead guitar. He is not super showy, but has great tone. I take tone over fast every time. If there is one problem with the disc, it is the cover tunes, Unchain My Heart, and 634-5789. Personally I like those songs, and play them myself, but they are best played for an audience. there is no doubt in my mind that when Shirley and the band start up those two songs that the dance floor fills up and everyone, band included has a great time. However, it is very hard to translate that kind of live energy on disc. Yet, don't let that keep you from buying this disk. The rest of the CD makes up for it with some great music from the heart.




Various artists: It Ain't Over.

Just when you thought the 55th anniversary of Delmark records was over, here comes two more presents for all of their fans. On March 7th 2008, at Buddy Guy's Legends they had a 55th anniversary party for Delmark. Somebody was pretty smart and had not only the audio recorder going, but the video camera as well! All I can say is wow from Zora Young's Til The Fat Lady Sings, to Tail Dragger's My Woman Is Gone, is 11 great live blues recordings one after another. Joining Zora Young, and Tail Dragger, is legend Jimmy Johnson, Aaron Moore, the late Little Arthur Duncan, the amazing Lurrie Bell, blues and soul singer Shirley Johnson, and the great Chicago Bluesman Eddie Shaw. However, if listening to great music is not enough, then check out the DVD of the show. Delmark continues their movement towards DVD, with this new release. I unfortunately did not get a chance to see the DVD since I just got the CD, but I am certain from the clip below, and from past DVD's that I have received from Delmark that this is going to be a great show. Furthermore anything that has one of the last performances of the much loved Chicago blues icon Little Arthur Duncan is worth the price of the DVD all by itself.

The nice thing about Delmark releases (or at least the ones I have listened to in the last 2 years) is that they always keep that live spirit in their cds. Too many times a recording can sound canned, and boring, but Delmark does a great job of keeping it loose, and keepin dem blues alive.

Blues Historian Review: Byther Smith, Blues On The Moon

Before I received this disc, I had no clue who Byther Smith was. Now that I have it I am glad to have found him! Byther Smith, and his new DVD Blues On The Moon, released by Delmark Records, is a true gem of in your face Chicago blues done old school. This is down in the gutter blues. No false pretension, no phony screaming rock guitar, no star search vocals, but true blues from deep in the heart of Byther Smith.

Byther Smith is one of many examples of why the blues is still alive. Smith is a wry 75 year old bluesman who much like my hero the late Jimmy "The Midnite Cowboy" Pryor only gets better with age. The show was recorded at the Natural Rhythm Social Club, located on 59th and Damen in the southside of Chicago. The club is certainly a classic! Although well lit for the video, I can imagine what it really must be like when the regular bands are playing. Not a dive in any sense, but a real working blues bar. The kind of place you play at and if you play the blues good the crowd will love you, and Byther knows what he is doing. According to the notes in the booklet Smith was a cousin of JB Lenoir, and Lenoir started him playing the guitar! Smith has been around but hasn't received the same kind of notice that other blues performers from Chicago and that is a shame. However, given the large number of players in Chicago it is probably pretty easy to get lost in the shuffle(pun intended:-)

I could give a blow by blow account of the disk with detailed descriptions of each song, but that wouldn't be giving justice to this great DVD. The band is loose, and sometimes the beat gets dropped,the beginnings of some songs are off at times, but that is the beauty of it. Unlike the polished never make a mistake, play the song the same way even the solo that many contemporary blues bands do, Blyther Smith does it the old fashioned way. Everything happens when it happens, and the music breaths! Solos come from the heart and the band shows it great loving respect to this Chicago bluesman.

This is a must buy! Go to the Delmark website and buy this DVD NOW!!! Trust me you won't be disappointed. This is the blues that needs to be remembered. Do your part by buying this disc, and while you are at it. Thank Delmark Records, and the great Bob Koester for keeping the blues alive!

To order this great DVD, or the CD of the show visit the Delmark website HERE. To check out his offical webpage Click HERE.

The only upcoming show I found of his is at the Joliet Blues fest on July 29th.

Blues Historian Review: Dave Spector, Live In Chicago

Delmark records has yet another great DVD in what is a series of live club shows of blues artists in Chicago. The latest is Dave Specter: Live In Chicago. Since I have been having one of those crazy summers, I haven't had the time to watch this, but in the last week I got the opportunity to watch it twice, and I was glad I did. Dave Specter is a great guitarist who's band backs up three different artists at Buddy Guy's Legends, and the legendary Rosa's Blues Lounge. The Dvd starts out with Dave and the band doing the instrumental Boss Funk/ Riverside Ride. The band is tight and Specter has the tone of a master. Then What Love Did To Me, How I Got To Memphis, and What's Your Angle feature the vocals and harmonica playing of Tad Robinson. I like Robinson's vocals and his harp playing fit the band like a glove. The band then plays the instrumental Texas Top, before the legendary Jimmy Johnson closes out the set at Buddy Guy's legend with Out On The Road, Feel So Bad, and You Don't Love Me. Johnson still has the magic, and the band really makes him look great. The show then moves to Rosa's and starts with Specter and the band playing The Hollywood Park Shuffle, and Is What It Is. The Sharon Lewis comes on and smokes on her set of In Too Deep, Every Goodbye Ain't Gone, and Angel.

I really enjoyed this DVD, Specter has a tight band and I like how he makes he guests sound great. Backing up different artists is one of the great pleasures of being a bluesman. In fact, I believe that is what really set apart blues performers from other artists. In all my years of playing I have seen younger players backing up older performers, and making them look good, and if an elder blues player walks in the door, he is always welcome to come on stage. There is this respect and love of older players that is unlike any other type of music. In other forms of music the players are so concerned about their own careers, and fans, that they have no time for the elders of their music. Dave understands the blues and what is going on when he plays with other players, and in my book this disc is a treasure.

To buy the DVD Click HERE.

For the CD of the same show Click HERE.

Upcoming Reviews And I AM NOT SPAM!!!!

Just received in the good old fashioned snail mail a couple of cool items to review. First from Delmark records is a DVD Dave Specter Live In Chicago. The DVD also features Jimmy Johnson, Tad Robinson, and Sharon Lewis. I also received a CD from Miles High Productions of Mike Zito's new disc Today. Both discs look pretty cool so hopefully I can get to them this weekend and have a review for you by next week.

Finally, for some reason the bots that patrol blogger think that my blog is a spam blog. I have no clue why these clueless programs have picked on me, but it makes posting a real pain in the neck. They have these series of letters that many of you have no doubt run across, that you need to type in to post your post, but these are hard to read. It usually takes me three attempts before I can finally post. It is very frustrating. So I am a bit angry at the whole process and hopefully blogger will get a real person to look at my blog and lift the lock. AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Blogcritic Review: Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, and Autour Du Blue

A new DVD is out that features American blues performers Larry Carlton and Robben Ford, with a French all star blues band, Autour Du Blues. To check out the Blog Critic review Click HERE. The only real complaint I have here, is once again the old argument that Europe loves the blues and America ignores it. Certainly it is a dry market right now for blues, but it is ebb and flow. It certainly is ebb and flow in Europe as well. The blues has never gone away here, and I am sure the blues is going to have a banner year this summer.

Blogcritic: DVD Review, Marvin Gaye: Greatest Hits Live

A great buy, and a great review from Blogcritic, about the new DVD release of Marvin Gaye: Greatest Hits Live. It comes from concert footage from 1976 probably at the hight of Marvin Gaye's popularity before fading until his brief comeback in the early 80s with Sexual Healing. To check out the review Click HERE.

DVD Review: Kenny Wayne Shepherd

The Daily News from Hailfax, Nova Scotia Canada, has a great review of Kenny Wayne Shepherd's DVD Ten Days Out. In 2004 Shepherd, Stevie Ray's old rhythm section (Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon) and Jerry Harrison on keyboards, traveled around the south playing with old blues performers and documenting the process. I think that I might have posted a video from the DVD a couple of moths ago. Check it out here, and read the review HERE.

Blog Critic Review: North Mississippi All Stars

A new band to me, but obviously a band that has been around for awhile. They have a couple of releases and have played with many of the RL Burnside family, including the legendary RL himself. Blog Critic has a review of their New DVD Keep On Marching which was released yesterday June 26th 2007. It sounds like a fun disc. If you happen to see it you should pick it up to see some interesting Mississippi hill country blues.