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: 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.

Blues Historian Review: Willie Buck, The Life I Love

Another disc sent to me from my friends at Delmark, is the retro recording of Willie Buck.  Willie Buck and his band recorded the first part of the disc in 1982 at Sky Hero in Chicago, the last five songs were recorded live in 1984 at Robert's 500 Room in Chicago.  This is an interesting disc.  It fluctuates from a John Lee Hooker free form blues, to structured Chicago blues.  However, regardless if the band is changing the time, or the form from 12 bar, to 13, or 15 bar blues, Buck has an amazing voice that is a cross between Muddy, and Wolf.  It is an interesting combination of gutsy, raw, and melodic.  While I am not sure if it is the band, or Buck, who mixes things up with the changing counts, they still deliver a great if sometimes awkward punch.  The amazing John Primer is playing on the studio recording, and he is helped out by Louis Meyer.  It is interesting how Primer is on the right channel, while Meyer is on the left.  What is cool is you can pick out who is playing and both do a great job.  This is a cool disc and Willie Buck is still out there in Chicago playing the blues, so buy his disc, and check him out.

Blues Historian Review: The Hollywood Blue Flames, Deep In America

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Long time blues fans will know the legendary Hollywood Fats, guitar player extraordinaire from California that died way to young.  Fats band is still playing as The Hollywood Blue Flames and have a double CD out called Deep In America, with the first cd is a second disk called Larger Than Life Vol. 2. The Hollywood Blue Flames still have that good old jump blues vib going that blues purists around the US still love.  Nothing really new here, on Deep In America, but when you have a good thing why screw with it.  Perhaps the gem, and unfortunately the let down is the live disk Larger Than Life Vol. 2.  It is a gem because it perfectly captures the time.  It was an amazing time where blues started to make its big comeback from the disco hangover of the 70s. On this disc Fats, and the band cover some of the classic covers, like She's Dynamite, Hide Away, Kansas City, Lonesome, and many more. I love the second disc, and it would be my favorite, except you can barely hear Hollywood Fats, and he is the guy  I want to hear.  First, it is still an important historical CD recorded at three separate locations between 1979-1980. While track three is recorded by a hand held recorder, (I am assuming a cassette recorder back in 79)  The others sound like board tracks.  This is where you record off the sound system.  What is good about recording of the sound board, is that the vocals, keys, and drums are clear, but the guitar is usually buried.  The reason for this is that the stage volume of the guitar is so loud that the sound engineer will turn off the microphone to the guitar.  When that happens, which is darn near all the time, then the guitar gets buried in the mix, and unfortunately this gem of a disc suffers from Hollywood Fats guitar buried for most of the CD. Yet, I wouldn't let you deter you from this double CD.  It is a good collection of jump blues, a cool double cd of old and new, and a nice historical recording of one of the many golden ages of the blues.

Blues Historian Review: Kirk Fletcher, My Turn

I have seen the future of the blues and it is Kirk Fletcher!  I have always wanted to say that and I hope that it ends up on some future blurb for Kirk Fletcher.  However, being silly aside, I think I might be right.  If you have missed Freddie King, and Albert King, then Kirk is the guy you have been missing. Fletcher has the right idea, much like either Freddie or Albert he has plenty of cool instrumentals to go along with his vocals.  He seems to like to alternate tracks between vocal and instrumentals. Fletcher also has a great voice.  El Medio Stomp opens up the cd and it made me smile right from the start. The song is a good instrumental in the style of Stevie Ray, or Freddie King. From there on it is a great run of Texas blues to the end, when a Hendrix inspired song Continents End finished the CD off. Fletcher mentions the Hendrix influence in the liner notes of the cd, and you certainly can hear it, but it is the Texas influence that really comes across.

The nice thing about My Turn is that both the blues purists, and the causal listener will find this a great disc. The purists will appreciate Fletcher's strong catalog of blues songs, while the regular listener will hear what they think is Stevie Ray and Hendrix.  This is probably one of the better discs I have heard this year, and I must admit that for the first time in a long time I am starting to get excited about the future of blues.   Who knows if Fletcher will become the next big thing, but he does you heard it here first!


If you would like a copy check it out at Amazon!

CD Provided by Electro Groove

Blues Historian Review: Nick Curran, Reform School Girls

Nick Curran's latest release Reform School Girl is a rollicking romp through the best of the late 50s and early 60s. Curran at times sounds like Little Richard, then Screaming Jay Hawkins, or a sly parody of the Shangri-la's Leader of the Pack. I also enjoyed the intentionally distorted vocals on some of the tracks. The original artists who were African American didn't have the soundmen, or the equipment to improve the sound, or the time since many recordings were essentially one take. So now many years later, Curran takes that sound and intentionally records it that way. In many ways it makes sense given Curran's punk sensibility. Curran is interested in the raw power of the music and what better way than to distort the vocal, much like Little Richard or Muddy Waters did 60 years ago. I like this disc for many reasons, but mostly I like how punk and blues can work well together. both are a visceral, in your face type of music. To paraphrase John Lennon, it is not "would you please have the foresight to throw me a life preserver, but HELP! Like Lennon, Curran belts out his songs, and the emotion come through.

As you might know Nick is battling cancer. I am not sure if he has insurance, because most musicians don't have the money to pay for great health care. There was a fund raiser a last month for him. However, I am sure if you buy this disc it would help, and while you are at it buy another for your friends, and help out a bluesman in need.

BTW, to keep you on teh up and up, I did receive this disc from Electro Grove Records.

Blues Historian Review: Boogie Woogie Kings

I can remember growing up as a 8 or 9 year old, and loving my old K-TEL Records. If you are old enough you know what I am talking about, the long play 33 rpm records that promised the "Original Hits, by the Original Stars!" I must have worn the groves out of 2 or 3 of those LPs before I finally started buying records myself.

So this Christmas I was pleasantly surprise to receive this great CD from my friends at Delmark Records. Certainly the new Delmark release Boogie Woogie Kings is one of those great discs that is full of amazing blues piano much in the spirit of those old K-TEL releases. Nothing but the stars and these guys rock. Some of the recordings are a little on the low fidelity side, and the piano is just a tad out of tune, but then that's what makes Barrel house, and Boogie Woogie sound so good. Also remarkable is that most of these sides were recorded back in 1939. In many ways these guys are the fore fathers of rock and roll! This disc also has solo, and multi dueling piano's! To buy this great CD Click HERE

Blues Historian Review: Arthur Adams: Stomp The Floor

Arthur Adams, Stomp The Floor, is a great CD of classic southern soul blues. This release from Delta Grove was sent to me a few weeks ago for review. Adams has all the soul of those classic Malco artists from the 80s who kept the blues alive. It's that awesome blend of soul and blues that is very popular in the south, and should be all over the nation. Adams also can play some great jazz guitar as well. Around The Sun, is one of those smooth jazz cuts that you wouldn't necessarily hear on a blues CD. Perhaps my favorite cut is You Can't Win For Loosing. A great classic song of living the blues. I am going through some health issues right now. I was driving some 45 miles to a specialist, and trust me when you are driving a long ways to the doctor time seems to slow down. Arthur Adams You Can't Win For Loosing, helped me a great deal, and as I am dealing with this stuff, I keep letting the song help me through the day. As Arthur Adams says, You Can't Win For Loosing, but you gotta keep trying! Those are words to live by.

This is the best CD that I have heard this year. So put this on your Christmas list, or give it as a gift!

Blues Historian Review: Mike Zito, Pearl River

Mike Zito is an amazing guitar player who can not only sing, but has an amazing voice suited for blues and soul. Then add a very tight band, great songs, with good arraignments. Add Reese Wynans on keyboards. Have Cyril Neville write you a great song and sing with you, add a few more great musicians, get them all in a studio and mix it perfectly and you have Zito's latest release Pearl River.

This Electro Groove release was sent to me recently in the mail, and I have enjoyed listening to it as I have crisscrossed the state of Iowa. Zito knows what he is doing on guitar, and he is blessed with a great soulful voice. this CD is pretty much what you would expect from a contemporary blues band. Solid tunes, well rehearsed, and expertly mixed presentation of blues and soul. Only once was I shocked, and that happened at the beginning of Shoe Blues. It started out great, and for some reason I thought he was covering Robert Johnson's Walking Blues. Zito sings about waking up and looking for his shoes, and then Susan Cowsill, repeats the next verse, and I am thinking Oh-no! Not a duet of a classic Robert Johnson song! However, had I been listening closely I would have noticed that the lyric is different, and by the third line, I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that it was not the classic Johnson song. Needless to say the song rocked.

If I have one problem with Pearl River, is that it is too perfect. The solo's are perfect, the band is tight, and the vocals don't waver. Perhaps it is the old school in me, but I really like the live feeling of blues. I like to hear a guitar player going out on a limb, or a vocalists straining to hit a note. I know that the old chess recordings were made quickly because the Chess brothers didn't have the equipment, or the time to perfect the sound, but my personal quirk is the live sound.

This is a buy, go out get it and listen to it!

Blues Historian Reviews

I saw something coming up though our friendly federal government in regards to promotions on the internet. As you know there are a lot of unfriendly blogs that are purely set up to promote products. They try to convince you that they are ordinary people who have stumbled on to these great products. They are easy to spot, I call them spam blogs. The only thing that the blogger writes about is how great this wonderful product is that they are using. So the feds are wanting people to be honest that they are getting free product and not paying for it, so their endorsement is honest.
I am not sure how that effects me, but just so you know. I do get CDs, and DVDs to review from different record companies, and promotion staffs. Those of you who have read my reviews know that I am honest. I love music, and I love the variety of CDs that come my way. However, from now on I will let you know if I bought the CD, or it was sent to me for review. Hopefully this will meet whatever requirements that are coming down the line from the government.

Blues Historian Review: Ana Popovic, Blind For Love

This is one of the hardest reviews that I have had to do at Blues Historian. Ana Popovic is a blues guitarist, and a damn good one, but her latest disc is not a blues disc. Blind For Love is an eclectic collection of rock, funk, soul, and melodic jazz. The last song on the disc, Blues For M is blues, but that is about it. Yet, her amazing guitar playing certainly is blues through and through.

I think I can understand the need for Ana to move into other genres of music. I have certainly felt that myself. Playing, living, dreaming, and eating the blues can get old. Sometimes you want to stretch out and play or create something else. I went through a Billy Joel stage myself. Go figure!

I am not sure what the blues fanatics are going to think about Blind For Love, but I am sure that Ana's legions of fans will be happy with this CD. After all, her guitar playing is first rate, and her sultry raspy vocals are nice. Her band is tight throughout the disc, and it is a nice mix of styles. I suppose the only real problem is finding a market for this CD. I have read a couple of scathing reviews from the blues sites. However, I can only imagine that a follow up live disc, or her next release will get the blues purists back.

Blues Historian Review: George Thorogood And The Destroyers, The Dirty Dozen

The classic blues rocker George Thorogood has a new CD out called The Dirty Dozen. The 12 songs are listed on the disc much like a classic LP. In fact the CD comes in a nice cardboard sleeve just like the old days!

If you are a Thorogood fan this disk will be a treasure. George blazes through the CD with his classic blues rock slide guitar. Nobody plays slide like Thorogood. He rips it up like the good old days plus the band does a great job keeping up with the old master. Thorogood's whiskey soaked vocals are still strong and mighty. The man hasn't skipped a beat since his early days in Delaware.

The disc is a nice combination of older and new songs. They are seamless, and there is no drop off in quality between the six new songs and the older fan favorites. Thorogood also covers some classic blues songs like, Howling For My Baby, Highway 49, Treat Her Right, Blue Highway, and Hello Little Girl. I have never been a big fan of covers, but in Thorogood's hands, and in his own style, it makes the songs his own.

This disc is for the Thorogood fan, and fans of loud rip roaring slide guitar. It is a good addition to your Thorogood collection.

Blues Historian Review: Albert King With Stevie Ray Vaughan, In Session

The legendary record company Stax, has a new release of Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stax has taken an old TV recording from 1983 taken the audio track and released it as a CD called Albert King With Stevie Ray Vaughan: In Session. King and Vaughan were recorded in Hamilton Ontario. It is an interesting historical recording. Being from TV, the audio has some problems especially with the balance between the two players at the beginning at the disk. in fact, Albert tells Stevie he can't hear him during the first song and tells him to turn it up!

True audiophiles Will probably not like this disk, but I like it because you get the chance to hear a couple of guys who really liked each other trade licks and play guitar. It is really obvious from this disk just how much Stevie picked up from Albert King. At one part during the session King even kids Stevie about him stealing his licks while recording guitar for David Bowie.

The other thing that make Stevie Ray so remarkable is the way he lets Albert run the show. Stevie lets King shine. Which is directly opposite of what happened to Albert King when he appeared with Gary Moore. Anyone who had the chance to see the Moore's video which also featured Albert Collins know that Moore blew the doors off both blues legends. Although Albert did give Moore some good advice about not playing so may notes:-)

Stevie understood the blues better than most guitarists. You pay your respects to those who came before you. It is always the older blues performers show. Stevie only sings Pride And Joy but it is a treat because again he lets King add his own cool rhythm guitar to the song, and then lets Albert rip on his own solo.

This disc is a cool treat you need to grab this one to hear two of the greats from the last century.

Buy it HERE at Amazon.

Blues Historian Review: The Isomniacs, At Least I Am not With You

I wonder if anyone told The Insomniacs, that it is not 1950, or perhaps they were caught in a time warp and amazingly showed up 50 years later. Either way, The Insomniacs certainly know how to rock circa 1950 style. These guys have a tight band that is the most authentic sounding retro band that I have heard. These guys are even more authentic than the Stray Cats back in the 80s. What is great about At Least I'm Not With You is that the band is not limited to 50s jump blues. They can play Chicago Blues almost note for note as the original HooDoo Man, or they can doowop with the best of them with their cover of Baby Don't Do It. If there is one knock on the band is that 6 of the 13 songs are covers. Most of the time I don't want to hear another band's version of someones elses song, but this group is so deeply drenched in the 50s, that I actually enjoyed hearing them tear it up.

Vyasa Dodson is a heck of a guitar player and singer. He is way too young to have been alive back when this music was created, but he certainly plays it like he lived it. The rest of the Insomniacs keep a great grove going, and they are very tight. I also like the recording quality. They kept it simple and the music is not overproduced, which gives the band an authentic 50s sound.

I like these guys because I am a kindred soul. I love music from the 50s. It is not a case of being nostalgic for the fifties, because first I wasn't around then, and second, it really wasn't Leave It To Beaver, suburbia, and white picket fences. There was way too much segregation, racism and conformity for my tastes, but the music was amazing. Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Country, Jazz, and Swing, all were competiting, combinding, and experimenting creating long lasting hybreds, like Rock and Roll, and Rockabilly.

The Insomniacs are from Portland, but are out on the road so keep an eye out for them. I guarantee a great time so get your face in the place Daddy O!

Blues Historian Review: Jason Ricci And New Blood, Done With the Devil

Jason Ricci has certainly paid his dues, and his new release Done With The Devil is one of the best blues CDs that I have had in my hands since starting Blues Historian. There is an old saying that to play the blues you have to live the blues. Ricci has certainly faced the blues head on in a political climate that until the election of Obama, didn't like different. (click here for more info.) This is one brave man. Yet, this is about not only the guts of a great performer, but also a CD of increadable blues. Ricci's last release Rocket Number Nine was eclectic, but great, Done With The Devil blows that away. The title song itself ties in the old legend of the devil and blues, but with a new twist. Ricci rejects the devil, and in my mind he is rejecting all of the dream weavers in the music business who try to stick forks in you. They are a sneaky bunch, and having delt with promoters, bar owners, blues societies, etc. my whole life, I was thinking they are a devilish lot:-)

Ricci is an amazing harp player. He just burns throughout the disc. Both he and the guitarist, Shawn Starski, just blow the doors off on this CD. This is the real deal folks. Smoke will come out of your speakers when you play this music! I now that there are going to be some purists who think that all harp players should sound like Little Walter, or the Chicago sound, but people like myself who were lucky enough to be around Kansas City in the mid to late 80s, know real harp,(check out Lee McBee, John Paul Drum, Mo Paul, and the late Provine "Little" Hatch) and they will recognize Ricci's enormous talent. Ricci is phenomenal on his harp. Furthermore he has the credentials to back it up. He played with Junior Kimbrough, and RL Burnside. That is the real deal folks.

The whole album rocks pretty much from beginning to end, with a few jazzy, eclectic numbers thrown in. He has a very touching and rocking salute to the late bluesman Craig Lawler, called Holler For Craig Lawler. (for more on his amazing life click HERE) His song Broken Toy whether autobiographical or not, is almost heart wrenching, because it talks about what it is like to be a misfit, and not fitting in. The very last song, Enlightenment, is an interesting idea. It is more reminiscent of his earlier CD. The only song that really has anything close to the punk blues label that some have thrown on him is I Turned Into A Martian. it certainly has some punk sensiblities in it, that it is quick, with funky background vocals, but then when he rips into his solo, it is all Charlie Musselwhite!

I know I say a lot of the CDs that I review are must haves, but this is one of those disks that people will treasure for a long time. It is time more people discover this kid, his harp playing, and his amazing band. Get out there and do your job and spread the word people!! Jason is the real deal!

Blues Historian Review: Erick Hovey, Recylced Souls, Blues Farm

Erick Hovey is not your typical farmer, nor is he your typical blues guitar player, yet if you met him on the street you would think you are meeting Joe Average. However, the 5th generation gentleman farmer from Badger is one of Iowa's best guitar slingers in the state. As typical with Erick, he doesn't do things like the rest of us. Instead of releasing one CD, he puts out two. Recycled Souls, and Blues Farm, are two great discs of blues, jazz, and blues rock. Both these discs are similar. You really can't put Erick into a box. In one track he sounds like Eric Clapton, then the next song he is David Gilmore, or chunking along like a train in a jump blues style. Hovey's guitar just soars through out this disk. It isn't that over the top, wish I was Stevie Ray Vaughn style of guitar, but the playing of a guy who knows what he is doing and making great music.


Furthermore, his writing style is incredibly eclectic.
Erick kind of takes words from out of the ether, and sometimes an almost zen like quality of word play. Then at other times it is just down and dirty blues.

Throughout the disk Erick is supported by Dan Lodden on bass, Jeff Forman on drums, and the breathy ethereal vocals of Heather Kelly of H And K. A few friends drop by to help Erick out, Andy Schinder plays bass on Sweet Fire Rain, from Recycled Soul. While harp maestro Andy Blumenthal blows on harp on Blues Farm. Then there is also some piano player I have never heard of named Tom Gary, that sort of plays piano and organ on a few tunes:-)

This is a great CD to pick up. I can't recommend one over the other, just buy BOTH!! CD Baby has both discs For Recycled Soul Click HERE, for Blues Farm Click HERE.

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: Elvin Bishop, The Blues Rolls On

Elvin Bishop's new CD The Blues Rolls On, is just another great example of why Elvin Bishop gets it. When most artists are blowing their own horn, Elvin is bringing much needed attention to a wide range of great blues artists. Bishop's career has been one that has helped a number of musicians and once again he does it on The Blues Rolls On.
Bishop's new CD features features 12 tracks that feature Elvin with help of his friends. Only his song Oklahoma, is him alone. This disc is very much an all-star event and Bishop does a great job holding this diverse group of blues players together. The title track opens the CD, and features Bishop, with Warren Haynes on guitar, and Kim Wilson on Harp. It is a rocking tune that features a lot of the names of players past and present who have kept the blues alive. John Nemeth and Angela Strehil sings the classic Night Time Is the Right Time. Nemeth is one of the new and upcoming singers who has created quite the stir down at Blues On Grand in Des Moines. Younder's Wall has a really great guitar break where Elvin, Tommy Castro, and Ronnie Baker Brooks, trade off guitar licks! It is a cool and much too short part of the song. Brooks in my mind was the best of the three, but it is probably because I love those classic Chicago blues licks. (also wanted to make a quick note that Scott Sutherland plays bass on the track, and he is a former Iowan:-) Struttin' My Stuff, is a great tune featuring Elvin on vocal and guitar, with the help of guitarists, Derek trucks, Warren Haynes, Johnny V Vernazza, and Mike Schermer. The next song Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket, features the guitar work of BB King, and a short interview between BB, and Elvin. The song is an old Roy Milton tune, and is the topic of the brief conversation before the disc. BB only plays guitar on the track, but is his usual "king of the blues" although at the end of the song he reminds Elvin that he has never called himself the king of the blues:-) John Nemeth returns to sing Who's The Fool, while the zydeco Black Gal, features R.C Carrier and Andre Thierry. Oklahoma is all Elvin and is the story of his career in the blues and features verses about his days in Chicago, and playing with southern rock bands. Come On In This House, is a cool song that features the young Homemade Jamz Band. They are a bunch of kids from Mississippi who can play the blues as good as anyone four times their age!:-) Nemeth returns again to sing I Found Out, which also features the harp work of James Cotton! Send you Back To Georgia features George Thorogood, and was recorded live at the Voodoo Lounge in Kansas City. The final song Honest I Do is an instrumental with Nemeth on harmonica and Bishop on Lead Guitar.
This is a great disc, and Bishop showcases a lot of great talent. If you have any money laying around with this bad economy then do yourself a favor and buy this disc!

Blogcritic Review: Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Pay Me No MInd

Blogcritic has a review of the new release by the Homemade Jamz Blues Band. The band is pretty cool it is made up of kids! To read the review click HERE. To see there webpage Click HERE.

Blues Historian Review: Mike Zito, Today

I have had this disc for awhile, and I had a good chance to listen to it, but unfortunately with all the chaos going on around here I hadn't had the time to write a good review. However, with the waters receding and the job situation cleared up I have some time to get some work done! Mike Zito's Today is a nice summer time blues CD, that you will love to take with you when you are cruising around town, or taking in some rays at the beach. Zito is a good guitarist with a voice built for soul music. In fact, he has an amazing voice, not one of those typical American Idol/Star Search over worked vocal gymnastics type voice, but a classic soul voice, like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, or Wilson Pickett.

The disc starts with Love Like This, which is pretty much a classic contemporary blues tune. Superman is more soulful, and has a nice backing electric piano going on in the background. Holding Out For Love, is a cool jazzy soul tune. The next song I have to admit is not one of my favorites. It is a remake of Prince's classic Little Red Corvette, but the record company is pushing this song as a single. I think those of us old enough to remember the original recording of Little Red Corvette, miss the original's energy. Zito slows it way down to ballad tempo, and to my ears it needs a little more gas.

Zito returns with an interesting ode to being green in Universe. This song has a slow clean type Hendrix grove going on. Blinded seems to pick up the tempo and has sort of a Santana type grove going on, which is very cool. Slow It Down, is a nice slow blues that shows off Zito's guitar chops, while Today returns to groovy soul music. No Big City is a funky blues tune with some great guitar work, while Deep Down In Love is very much like a slow grooving Stevie Ray funk blues. Dirty Blues is another Stevie Ray/Buddy Guy grove. It starts out very much like a minor keyed Mary Had A little Lamb, especially the chorus is very similar to that classic blues tune. That is not to say that they are the same song. Blues groves can be similar, but the way you make it your own is what changes it, and Dirty Blues is its own song. Hollywood is a really rocking tune, and Zito really smokes on the guitar. Time To Go Home is a nice choice for the closing song. It starts slow and simple and builds all the way to the end, then finishes with just Zito on the acoustic guitar.

This is really a nice disc to travel with. It keeps a nice moderate tempo through out, and has some nice pleasant soulful, and blues tunes. This is certainly a disc to buy and use as your summer soundtrack so get your copy now.

To check out his website and to buy the disc Click HERE.