Blues Historian: Tweed Funk, Love Is

Tweed Funk's latest release, Love Is,  is more than just funky goodness.  This is truly an eclectic collection of songs.  Yes, Tweed Funk can play funk, and they are damn good at it, but they can also do what I like to call a Memphis shuffle like no other.  They have a great southern soul sound that can only be found south of Kansas City and Memphis.  The band is very tight, and I can guarantee that they probably fill the dance floors wherever they play live, cause if they don't then the people in the bar are dead.  These guys grove like some of the best southern soul bands I have ever seen years ago in KC.  For the most part they do original music.  however their versions of Real Mother For Ya, and Sex machine rock. To buy their CD from the band directly Click HERE.

Blues Historian Review: Liz Mandeville, Clarksdale

There are times on this cd, aptly named Clarkdale, that you think you are listening to a live recording in a juke joint somewhere in Mississippi.  Loose arrangements, impressive energy, and lots of great guest artists. Liz Mandeville creates  a nice mellow vibe to these recordings.  I assume that Liz wrote all of the songs, since I couldn't find a songwriting credit on the CD.  She has an amazing catalog of songs on this release. This is perhaps the last recording that Willie Big Eyes Smith was ever on as he inspired and helped Liz with this project.  Also showing up on the CD was the legendary Eddie Shaw, and the the amazing Nick Moss.  This CD is available on Amazon and Itunes

Blues Historian Review: The 44s, Americana

The 44s from southern California has a new release called Americana.  The cd is produced and features Kid Ramos (who is no kid anymore:-)  I remember the first time I saw Kid Ramos playing with James Harmon, not sure if it was a full time gig, or if he was setting in, but the Kid was on fire.  In fact the 44s remind me of James Harmon from the bad old days. Tight band, playing a nice selection of songs, and styles, yet  sounding like themselves. Slow blues, shuffles, slide guitar, just about anything you want to hear.  All but two of the 13 songs are original.  The guitar playing is exceptional and seamless.  The harp playing by Tex Nakamra is exceptional.  Great collection of blues for any occasion. Their cd is available on both Amazon and Itunes.

Blues Historian Review: Li'L Ronnie and the Grand Dukes, Gotta Strange Feeling

Li'l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes are a classic harmonica blues band out of Virginia.  Ronnie is a great harp player who plays in the best tradition of Chicago bluesmen. However, their song selection is varied, so it is not the shuffle, shuffle, slowblues, that you find from a lot of contemporary harp bands in the Chicago style.  The majority of the songs are original material, which is always a positive thing.  Yet, they do perform a quality jump blues Buzz Me by Louis Jordan that any self respecting Kansas City jump blue band would love to have in their catalog of songs. Furthermore, their Bring Your Love Home, is an original jump blues that screams Kansas City, Texas Jump, or LA Swing take your pick. 

The CD is currently available on their website HERE. According to the website it will be available on Amazon and Itunes.  However, I couldn't find the latest release online yet.