Vincent Yannucci - Eye Of The Storm

Watermelon Slim - Big Shoes To Fill
On - Southern Records # SRG-1001

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

Burton Gaar - Home Of The Blues

On Sound Venture Records # 10012

Home of The Blues is home to a lot of blues in varied styles.
Burton Gaar is one talented musician and song writer, all but one song on this CD was written by Burton & George Hollingshead. The list of musicians helping out with this project is much too long to list but I will say it sounds like they all did a super job. This is CD number four for Burton, I was introduced to his music with his 2000 release Mighty Long Road, that was a fine CD, as is this release.

Burton seems to be able to write and perform a wide variety of blues and it all sounds great. The songs on this Cd run the gambit from slow & soulful to more kicking styles. In the slower soulful category you have the title song Home Of The Blues, it’s a well done tune with a smooth sound that includes some nice organ work throughout. Hall Of Fame and Rainbow are both good soulful blues songs with a slower pace, they really show off Burton’s nice voice. Hole In My Heart has that smooth soulful voice with a little faster beat, it’s a southern soul sound, real smooth but with a beat fast enough to dance to, nice sax playing too. I can appreciate good soulful singing but my personal taste is something with more of a kick, something with a good beat. There are several toe tapers on this disc including Blow Wine Blow, it’s a good harp tune with plenty beat.

Repoman is another nice tune with a kicking sound, it’s a good dance number it has a nice sound with a good dose of horns. My Little Feel Good has just enough funk to shake your leg to, I really like the "chicken picken" organ playing, just enough without being too much. Another song with some kick to it is Stone Cold Blues it’s got a funky beat, it’s easy to listen to and has super horns for a nice sound.

Burton almost goes gospel with Wonderland, this is a song with a real church sound, it has a snapping snare, good gospel beat, guitar & organ…It rocks, but the lyrics aren’t churchy, just the music. My favorite song on this album was Mississippi Water, it’s got it all, great style and an unstoppable beat that makes your foot tap. I ask you, what more could you ask for? Overall this is a great CD, good songwriting and great playing by all the musicians with styles that will satisfy many tastes. Variety is a good thing J If you haven’t checked out Burton yet, this would be a good CD to start with.
You can visit Burton Gaar at www.burtongaar.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

Walter Trout and The Radicals - Relentless

On Ruf Records #Ruf 1083

The idea behind this latest release from Walter and the Radicals was to capture the band live and raw, this CD seems to fill that order well. You can really feel the power and energy as Walter and the band play, you can also hear the audience’s reaction, they like it and if you are a fan of powerhouse rock & blues, you gonna like it too. The setting for this recording is a live show in Amsterdam, quality wise you would never guess it was a live recording, it sounds great. All the songs on this release are fresh, no re-runs here. The band does a super job throughout this recording, Jimmy on Bass, Sammy on B3 & Joey on Drums. I will rarely mention Walters guitar work here because it will get redundant trying to find ways to say "wow", "stellar playing" or it’s "super stuff". It is what it is, great.

The first track on this CD, I’m Tired lights a fire right out of the hole, it has what I can only describe as a Texas sound, just a smooth but hard rocking guitar, backed up with a big sound and a great beat. The Life I Chose has a hard driving style that just won’t quit. To me, the lyrics of this song are a modern version of the old "I live the life I love & I love the life I live". Being on the road is hard, but this is his choice, it’s a love / hate relationship kinda thang. You get some great guitar and a big dose of B3 with Talk To Ya, it’s got a great kickin’ beat you just gotta love, it’s a real jammer. Speaking of B3s, the organ is all over Chatroom Girl, Sammy really lays down a foundation for this tune, nice solo too. This is a real modern song about a modern thing, "chatting", and all that goes along with it.

There are actually some slow tracks on this release too, you do need a breather once in a while. Cry If You Want To is an electric ballad, done well. There are two acoustic numbers, Jericho Road & Lonely Tonight, both are well done. Jericho Road is more like a modern FM alternative thang, the other is a ballad style with a raw "unplugged" sound. There are a couple of real bluesy tunes in this line up too. Work No More and My Heart Is True are no doubt the bluesiest songs here, both sound great. Work No More is the hot one and My Heart Is True has a much slower grind to it, and a nice B3 solo.

Helping Hand is more rock than most of the tracks, it has a "machine beat", it just pounds away like it has a life of it’s own, solos and whatever, it just keeps driving along. I hear some southern influence on Collingwood, a song with some really depressing lyrics, done in an upbeat style. I hear an echo of Skynyrd, or The Outlaws in the sound and style of this song. Walter goes sliding in Empty Eyes, it a nice change of pace (and sound) to here that slide running the strings and that classic sound coming out. You definitely hear a southern influence here too. The Best You Got has a start that will fool you, just a little fooling around, but then it kicks off and in the middle it goes a little jazzy, then it just jams. Mercy follows up with more rockin and jamming for a hot finish for this CD.

Overall this one cooks, this is not one of those put it on and dose off CDs, Walter & The Radicals rock. There are many kinds of blues in this world, and this is the smokin’ - rockin’ kind. If you are a fan of sounds like SRV and KWS then Walter’s CD Relentless should be right up your alley and down your street.

Visit Walter at www.rufrecords.de

Corey Stevens - Bring on the blues
On - Fuel 2000 # 302 061 312 2

There are several tunes on this CD that could be "crossover" songs for mainstream air play, these include Bittersweet, Black Pearls, Four Roses and Tenfold Trouble. All of these are good tunes ranging from the softer Bittersweet to a rocker like Tenfold Trouble, good songs with more of a rock edge that still could be called blues if that’s your thang. There is a lot here for varying tastes, if you are a fan of the "twang" of a dobro or like your guitar with a hard driven edge then Black Pearls has something for you. In short....... It’s acoustic-electric, smokin’ feedback, down home - delta, dobro-fest style blues, or something close to that.
Visit Eric Sardinas at www.ericsardinas.com

On Z - MAC Music

Given the fine sound of the music on this CD you wouldn’t guess it was a live recording, I just can’t imagine getting a more enjoyable sound out of a band in the studio. There are only a handful of live recordings that I really think sound great and this is one of them. Zac Harmon and his band have a good tight sound and I am sure after listening to this CD, seeing them in person would be quite the show.

The set starts off with a warm up instrumental called Yazoo City , it’s a great number with a slick guitar sound that gets you and the live crowd ready for more. Forty Days takes right off, Zac’s singing fits the music well and the guitar on this track has what I can only describe as a "BB" quality, he uses the guitar as an accent to the lyrics, it sounds good. If you are a fan of SRV’s Flooding Down in Texas you will like Stormin’ In Mississippi, it’s based on similar music with different lyrics, a hard driving guitar with a Mississippi twist…You gotta like it, the old mixed with the new.

Another tune with that killer Texas style guitar sound is Full Figured Woman, this song has a great guitar solo that echos SRV & Albert King, Zac does a super job on delivering the lyrics (well written and humorous at times), the band just tears up the place on this one. The Blues In You has a smooth jazzy feel, a nice slow down from the pace of the previous songs. This track lets the band show off a different side, there are various solos, all done well. Zac sings about one bad woman on I Got News For You, it’s a fine example of good sounding, low down, Chicago style blues. This song is about a woman who has a bad reputation of doing guys wrong (and he has news for her J ). The band goes Zeydeco style for Alberta . This is just another example of how versatile this band can be, from Texas to Cajun country, they can play different styles of music to please a crowd, variety is good. There is a number called Smile, it starts out soft & slow but finishes with Zac and the band "going to church", the crowd really picks up on this feeling and gets in on the act, it sounds like fun.

This CD finishes out with studio tracks of Forty Days & Stormin’ in Mississippi, both sound real good, but I think I still prefer the live tracks. With this album you get to hear a good mix of blues in various styles done by a real pro sounding band. Live at Babe & Ricky’s Inn is something Zac planned for some time, it’s one of those "dreams" that people have, I am glad Zac’s dream has come to reality. This CD was Zac’s debut, I bet it won’t be his last.

You can see Zac Harmon and the band at www.zacharmon.com

An additional note, in January 2004 Zac Harmon and his band won the International Blues Challenge held by the Blues Foundation in Memphis.
I was in attendance and wouldn't trade it for anything, don't miss a chance to see this rising star, wow what a show! 
See Zac on stage at The Hard Rock Cafe in Memphis during the semi-finals, the photo is on the classic pics page #3.

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On - Starsound # SR0003

This Cd is a best of album with tracks from several of Vincent’s previous releases, plus 5 never released songs. There are studio and live tracks in various styles, a blend of blues, jazz fusion, and general grooving boogie music. Vincent plays all kinds of drums, percussion and synthesizers, he gets help from various musicians on different tracks, most notably Gary Lee who plays guitar(s) and is given credit on all song arrangements with Vincent.

There are 13 tracks on this one, 6 are jazzy instrumentals and the others are blues or bluesy mixes in various forms. On The Road Again is a blues style tune that has a Delbert McClinton funky feel to it, it’s a good one to shake a leg to, it has a good bass bottom. Blues Got Control is just a good ol’ fashion blues tune, easy to listen to, good music, good singing, the whole band does a great job, Gary does some nice guitar work too. You get vocals by Jeannette Jones on Back To LA & Dog Eat Dog World, the first one has a good blues groove going on, the other has a funky jazz fusion sound with a real groove to it, yup it’s different.

Vincent almost goes country on Fantasy World, it’s a blues based song with a country fusion feel to it. I know that sounds strange (country fusion?) but that’s the best I can do to explain this one, it has a good beat and a little twang. (Jerry LaCroix..) Taught Me How To Boogie - Live starts out with a hip-hop style sound and a big beat, some nice harmonica then about half way through it turns into the blues, Gary throws down some nice bluesy guitar throughout. The boogie in the title does describe it best.

If you like blues and jazzy / fusion / funky / boogie sounds, then this CD may just be what you have been searching for, traditional blues it isn’t, interesting with more modern influences it is. Check out Vincent at www.vincentyannucci.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

The cover of this CD says it is a blend of neo-blues, neo-soul and neo-ballads. To my ears it sounds like a blend of real blues, soul and ballads. JusVon has a classic soulful voice, he’s smooth with just enough edge to make you really feel what he is singing. With a selection of 16 tracks this CD has a lot of variety to choose from.

There are several different styles on this album, there are songs with a classic early sound like Here Comes The Fool, You For Me and Me For You and Driveway Blues. All 3 of these tunes could pass for music from an earlier era, all have different styles but with a old style sound. My Little Lady is a smooth number, overall it’s style and sound reminds me of a cross between Little Milton and Bobby Bland and that’s a good blend. Fix It Man and Root Doctor have a definite risqué quality, these two songs have a very different sound but share the same idea. Fix It Man is my favorite of the two songs, it has a smooth sound and is real easy to listen to. Think is bluesy duet with Rachel Sanders, this one has a big sound, the horns and backing singers give it a big band feel. One song on this disc Keep It In The Family has unique sound, it’s similar in style to Robert Cray or Robert Ward, the music reminds of one, and the singing of the other, it’s a good blend and a good sound.

I Don’t Understand Me, Time To Move On and What Changed Your Mind are real soul style songs. JusVon has a good voice made for soul and these songs show it off. Slightly off the soul scale is Thank You (for the Angel in my life) while this is a real soulful song, it goes into hip-hop / rap territory for a sound that is a bit different, but smooth. There is a real nice version of the Isley Bros song She Ain’t Giving Up No Love, it’s not exactly the blues but it’s a great song, it’s real catchy and it’s one of my favorites on this CD. There is also a real funky & jazzy rendition of Do It Together, this is one of those "hard to stand still to songs" with a great bass bump, this would fill up a dance floor for sure.

If you like a good blend of blues and soul, then JusVon is your man. This CD has a good mix of tunes written by legends like Jimmy McCracklin, The Isley Brothers and others. The band is tight and many of the songs have a modern bass thump that you just have to like, it’s a nice blend of classic songs with modern sounds. You may not be familiar with JusVon’s music but he has been around awhile and has played and toured with many blues and soul greats, I think you will be hearing more about him, and I am sure you will hear more from him. Get more info at www.parlirec.com.

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On Greenback Hill Recording # GBH 0357

This band has a tight harp based sound that’s just right for the tunes they picked for this CD. There is a good variety of songs on this disc written by some great bluesmen like Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy and William Clarke, all are done well by the band. These guys are a Missouri band from the KC area, all have been playing a along time and their music sounds like it.

Keep It To Yourself starts with those classic harp notes that sound so good that it will make you wonder if it is Sonny Boy Williamson or not, Scotty has this one nailed down, it sounds good. There is a nice jumping rendition of 29 Ways To My Baby’s Door, it sounds like it was meant to be with a little modernizing, it has a great sound with that stand up bass thumping
(just the way Willie would’ve had it). There are great rockin’ versions of Black Diamond, Don’t Boss Me and Fun To Visit, all are fun jumping and grooving tunes, they have good jamming solos with various instruments.

Scotty does a real good job with the William Clarke tunes, both on Greasy Gravy and Looking To The Future he has the right stuff to get the right sound and the rest of the band does great too. If The Phone Don’t Ring is a slow groover (7 min long) with a real smoky feel, it has some fine solos and an old time Chicago sound. The band does good on Mellow Down Easy and Good Time Charlie, both are classic songs done with style, they both have a good dose of harp towards the end for a nice finish.

There are 12 songs on this CD, and I think there is something for everyone here. This band does a fine job on all, there are 3 members who sing, the bassman plays both stand up and electric and this gives them a wide range of sounds and keeps it interesting. Eight of the songs are studio recorded, four are live cuts recorded at the 3^rd Street Pup in Lee’s Summit MO. There is little difference in the quality from studio to live, it all sounds great. I think the live cuts sound the best which is a good indicator that these guys put on a great live show.

If you like jump blues or "old school" style blues with a heavy harp sound then this one is for you. Give Scotty Boy’s Steady Rollin’ Band a spin.

Visit the band at www.steadyrollin.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

Alone & Drinking was my introduction to Alvin and the band, I plan to see them live in the near future and I think I am in for a treat. This band has a great big sound, it’s hard to believe it comes from only a five member band. These guys not only make a big sound but they turn it loose for some real jamming tunes, the longest track is just over 13 minutes long giving you a real ride.

This CD starts off with a James Brown number, Lickin’ Stick. This track gives you a good hint of what you are in for, Lickin’ Stick jams over 10 minutes, you get several good solos, real nice. The title track Alone & Drinkin’ was written by the bands sax man Frank Bauer, it’s a real cooker. This band does one of the few good covers of Hendrix’s Little Wing I have heard, they do it justice while inserting their own styles and sound. This version is a little more jazzy than any other I have ever heard, but it comes out sounding great. Bad Axe is one of the shorter songs on this CD but well worth your time, it’s a funky / jazzy tune that has a returning guitar lick that brakes the song out into solos again and again. Body & Fender Man has a real good bottom to it, good thumping bass, a good dancing tune.

The band goes jazzy on The World Is A Ghetto, this one is a 13 minute excursion into every kind of solo imaginable, with wide ranging styles of playing by the band, just set back and relax. Running Like A Dog stays in the jazz groove, this song was written by Alvin Jett, it’s a rocking one. One of my favorites is Bending Like A Willow Tree, I always think of Albert Collins when I hear this song, I liked his version, and this one is done in much the same way, but with a much faster tempo, better for shaking a leg. The band does a different thing with Knocking On Heaven’s Door, a reggae version. Just when you thought you couldn’t tap your foot to that song, now there is a version with a real beat. If You Love Me Like You Say is a real classic, they do a great job on this Little Johnny Taylor tune, another good number to get you up and dancing.

This is a real tight sounding band that puts out more than there share of sound, real hard hitting and jamming blues with a big sound. If you like your blues with that "big band" full sound, I think you will like Alvin Jett & The Hired Help, they are from the St. Louis area, but may be in your area sometime, so check them out. You can also check them out at www.thehiredhelp.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On Mighty Music #101

This CD is a new deal for an old pro. Sam McClain has been around and making music for along time. His first shot at success was in the 60s and for many years after that he didn’t have real big success but kept at it, he also had more than his share of bad times, but that is history now. In recent years Sam’s career has been going higher and higher. Sam has been with many labels over the years, but this release is all Sam’s. He started his own managing company since 1996, and this recording One More Bridge To Cross is the first release of his music on Mighty Music and I’m sure it feels real good to be in total control of his own music and destiny.

If you are not familiar with the Mighty Sam McClain , first I would say I find that hard to believe, but then I would say you have probably heard him, even if you didn’t know it. In my mind his voice and style can only be compared to Bobby "Blue" Bland, they are definitely different, but that’s as close as you can get. Sam has a big strong voice, with a smooth as butter sound, he is able to project his soulful style well. Sam’s music is centered around vocals for sure, that’s why you listen to him, for that voice, but his music is something too. This CD has a great band that can make a big sound backing Sam, and the arrangements let the band show their stuff too, it’s a good mix. Sam wrote nine of the thirteen songs on this CD.

Whether you like to hear singing in a slow and serious style with minimal music, or something with more of a kicking sound, this recording has it. Why Do We Have To Say Goodbye, Most Of All and Been There, Done That show that slow and serious style well, just smooth and full of soul, Sam has a special voice and these songs really put it out front. Witness (for love) has a nice groove, this one starts out quiet with a thumping bass and slowly builds up to a real kicking tune, then slowly fades back to that thumping bass, ending like it started, nice. What’s Your Name has a different than expected sound, it has a Santana style guitar with background singing. This song was written by Sam and really shows his talents, it’s new and fresh sounding. Sam goes funky on the title song One More Bridge To Cross & Are You Ready For Love, the band does several nice solos on both of these songs, just good tunes with a good beat. If It Wasn’t 4 Da Blues, Sweet Honey Bee & Thought I Heard You Say are all songs with a good kicking beat, these show that Sam is not only a great singer but he can rock too, I think these are my personal favorites, they have several good solos by the band. Speaking of solos there is some killer guitar work on The Other Man In the Band, a song about Sam’s music and the lord (the other man in the band). Sam did good on this one, it’s got great music and a message, I like the thought about this music is for everyone, everywhere.

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On Cyborg-Blue Recording

Billy Jones plays guitar and sings both blues and soul, his guitar work is super, and he sings with a lot of soul and feeling. This CD has 15 tracks with a mix of blues and soul, Billy does a great job with it all. I have watched a video of him on stage and I would say his live show is even better, a real good showman.

This CD starts off with Marry My Mother-in-law. Billy does a nice and slow (almost 8 min) version of this song, you get over 3 minutes of fine guitar and piano solos before the first word. His singing style, with a lot of feeling fits this song well. Doin’ Alright Again is an easy going song that has a real smooth groove, it’s like easy listening blues, nice and relaxing. Billy paves a new road on Ain’t Good Lookin’ , it’s like Howlin Wolf gone hip-hop. You get a howlin voice with a jumping beat, mixing the old with the new. Her Daddy’s Alligator Farm has a voodoo - bayou feel, it’s a real slow going tune with some fuzzy guitar sound that gives it a spooky edge. Be Your Man takes a turn with a country or Memphis style, it’s a different sound than the usual blues but it works well, easy to tap your feet to. You gotta like a song with a title like Barnyard Love, you might think with a title like that it would have a country flavor, but it’s got a big city, big sound, just old good blues. We go back to real serious blues on Don’t Answer The Door a BB style song, good singing and nice playing, sounds great.

These were the best blues tracks on this CD, the other tracks tend to have more of a soul flavor. There is also a nice cover of Let’s Straighten It Out, I have always liked that song and Billy’s version is as fine as the original. All the songs are well done, and I think with 15 tracks there is something for all. From what I have heard and seen I would say don’t miss a chance to catch Billy Jones in person when he is in your area.
You can visit Billy at his website

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

Dan Reading - Acoustic Soup

On Blues Island Productions # BIP00004

Although this CD is entitled Acoustic Soup you should know there is some electric mixed in, (just in case you are a purest). As the first track suggests, Dan is a blues man, but you will hear a lot more than blues here. This CD ranges from I’m A Blues Man to Wild Thing (remember Tone Loc?), to a real fine & smooth number Uncle. Dan seems to be influenced by many styles and they all come out in his music. From Blues to Funk, R&B, Jazz and even some newer "today" sounds . You get serious music with serious lyrics, but also some humorous lines on 12 Ounce Curls.

As always with Dan’s music you get some surprises as you listen. I think Dan may be the first to do an acoustic version of Tone Loc’s Wild Thing, I must say he did a great job with it. You normally wouldn’t think of funky and acoustic together but it works. Blues Man has a big sound, it’s got a real modern feel. This song has lyrics that echo old blues lines, yet it has music that is fresh. Uncle really impressed me, it’s not even "my kind of music" (blues), but I like it, it’s a great song with a smooth sound. Uncle should get some air play on FM commercial radio. The BB King Medley is a jazzy song with a nice sound, lots of good guitar work on this one, it’s a nice tribute to the king of the blues. You get a good example of Dan’s writing on Lonely Life, a song with real meaning and a message, well done lyrics with only guitar for accompaniment, real nice. There is also a second mix of Uncle, it’s the same fine song with a more basic and raw acoustic sound.

As always with Dan’s music, every track is a surprise. You will hear something unique and different with each track. Dan writes and plays well, he is also able to play songs written by others in his own style, and makes them his own. Board with the usual? Give Dan a spin.

You can visit Dan at www.danblues.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On Fullerton Gold - #1001

If you don’t live on the west coast you may not be familiar with Bubba and the Big Bad Blues, I think this CD may change that. Bubba’s inaugural CD is a real eye opener, or should I say, ear opener. Bubba and the band have all been around the music world for some time, each member has a long and impressive resume, in their current form Bubba’s band has been playing together for 10+ years. This band consists of Christopher "Bubba" Clerc on lead and vocals, Shawn Nourse drumming, Mike Berry thumping the bass and Rick Solem on keyboards, (both piano and B3). All of them do a real fine job, they sound great.

Bubba and the band’s style is a blend of many styles from many artists. You can hear the influence of others with out hearing a cover tune, you can get a feel for where this music comes from, and who it honors, but it sounds new and fresh. Listening to this CD I hear several tunes that remind me of the styles of Robert Cray, SRV, Freddy King and some rockers too. Half the songs on this CD were written by Bubba, one was written by Rick, they both did good a good job. The title track Big Bad Blues has a Texas blues /rock feel with a guitar rhythm that gets you going and ready for what follows.

I Got The Loving You Need has a nice groove and a fine guitar solo, just easy to listen to. Black Clouds has that old time smoky bar room sound, a real slow grooving song, you get guitar and piano playing off each other, real nice. My favorite is Down To The Ground, it’s a real thumping an rocking number about a woman "who can tear you right down to the ground". This song qualifies as a "power shuffle". It’s like a cross between SRV and ZZ Top, what a great sound! I like this one too, because it has some vintage blues lyrics injected in a new song, I like a good blast from the past.

You get a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras on Gimmie Some Beads. It’s really hard to believe this is a new song, it has that old time "Narlins" sound, real easy to listen to and hard to stay in your seat when you hear it. Fat City has modern blues lyrics for a modern world, it’s about hitting the big time and remembering your ex girl, and the fact that if she hadn’t left you, she could be there in "fat city" with you. Just Lucky I Guess (written by Rick) is a fine tune that has a sound like Robert Cray with a Latin twist, this one really gives the drummer and bass man a work out, great guitar and piano work too.

Bubba and the band also do some old classics, but in their own way. You get great versions of It Hurt’s Me Too, Big Leg Woman, Built For Comfort and Stranger Blues. All are done well. Built For Comfort was always a favorite of mine, and they do a real nice job with it. If you like raw blues with a distorted sound then Stranger Blues is for you, it rocks and rolls along, it seems as if it will never stop, like it can’t, it’s got a great groove.

This CD has a great blend of new and old sounds, all done in a classy blues style, If you like your blues with big bad flavor , Bubba and the Big Bad Blues should satisfy your hunger. I think this one has something for everyone.

Visit Bubba and the band at www.bubbablues.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

Early home recordings of Rev. Gary Davis -
If I Had My Way

Rev. Gary Davis always walked the line between the church and the blues. His blues had a heavy influence from old spirituals and gospel. This CD is definitely on the gospel side of the line. One reason sited for this being a gospel like session is that his wife was present, she was a very religious woman and apparently disliked Gary playing blues, ragtime or other "devil music". Although this recording leans towards the gospel side, you can hear the blues, you can hear how one influenced the other. Many of the songs definitely have blues guitar lines with spiritual style lyrics. Another reason this is a very important recording is that his wife, Annie Belle and another man, McKinley Peoples (a.k.a. Sweet Papa Stovepipe) sing with him. This also is believed to be the only recording of Kinny Peoples voice.

Gary has a very special way of playing, although you hear varying degrees of his playing styles here, you will hear how different his playing is. You can’t compare him to others, but if you are unfamiliar with him, I would tell you his style falls somewhere in the neighborhood of Robert Johnson and Bill Broonzy, if you like their styles you will enjoy Gary’s style too, he’s very unique. The blind Reverend made a living playing on the streets, taking donations. He apparently developed his style of playing in order to be heard over the noise of the streets, and because he played un-accompanied. He played with thumb and finger picks and could play a melody, pick other notes and make bass runs up and down in an amazing way. A great example of this is He Stole Away, if you didn’t know who you were hearing, you might believe there were two or more guitar players, but it’s just Gary. A regular one man band.

For me, the guitar playing on this CD was the most amazing part. There are several tracks that I found to be truly exceptional. You Got to Move gets in some neat licks. On We Are The Father’s Children you get very light singing and soft but slick guitar work. Get Right Church has some hot and tricky pick’n going on, apparently he does some left hand only neck pick’n. You hear some interesting sounds on Marine Band an instrumental marching band style song, it’s really something different. Civil War Parade is a interesting ditty, it starts with reveille, and goes into marching sounds and even includes gun shots, all on a guitar ( please don’t try this at home J )

The Reverend’s voice is big and booming, a spiritual style shouting if you will. There are several good examples of his singing in this line up. You really get a feeling for his powerful voice on the title song If I Had My Way, which may be his most famous, but there are others too. Twelve Gates To The City has some nice vocal work too, and on The Uncloudy Day and Got My Traveling Shoes you get Gary singing second to Kinny’s voice in a real down home gospel style. It’s like going to church!

When John Cohen recorded these songs he was just recording someone who he thought had a nice sound, he never imagined that this tape would be an important part of history. Fortunately John saved this piece of tape for fifty years so we can listen to it, and music lovers of future generations too. This is a no frills recording, it’s as if you are setting in the room with the Reverend. Overall it is a very clear recording, originally done with a hand held microphone. There are three tracks in the middle that have some tape squeal that comes and goes, and a few microphone bumps, but for a fifty year old recording, that’s not bad. I am glad that SFW decided to release all 18 tracks and not cut out the noisy ones, some of those tracks were never again recorded.

SFW did a real nice job with this CD, you get rare music with a well done 25 page booklet that contains a lot of information about this recording and about the Reverends life, it also has some nice photos. If you are unfamiliar with Reverend Gary this would be a good starting point. If you are an old fan, this would be a great addition to your collection, this being some of his earliest recordings, plus the fact that much of this CD contains the only recordings of some songs. It’s a sweet taste of history.

Visit SFW at www.folkways.si.edu/bluz-art.htm

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On Big Black Hand

Elam’s CD, Braid My Hair is an interesting mix of influences and styles, he plays slide guitar in various forms from down home style steel acoustic to fuzzy and rocking electric, he also sings & plays well, doing both with a lot of soul. Elam has some great help on this one too, Casey Lutton on guitar, Steve Johnson & Cedric Burnside on drums, Michael Thorn & Gary Burnside on Bass, Zach Reynolds on Harp and Ronnie Godfrey on keyboards. Yes, those two Burnsides are related to each other, and RL Burnside, Cedric is a grandson and Gary is a son. All in this band are seasoned musicians, and have played with many greats. This Cd has a sound that is raw and fresh, it’s what you would expect to hear if you heard this band live, this was the intent of Elam, and I would say he succeeded.

The title song Braid My Hair cranks right up and takes off with an Elmore James style slide, then slips in some heavy harp. This one has taste of Chicago in it, jumps right out and grabs you, it gets this CD off to a great start. Crying Shame is a blend of styles, for me it lands somewhere between down home blues and British blues, it has "that" sound that reminds me of early British blues with a down south flavor. Both this track and Miss Maureen have that quality, it would remind you of The North Mississippi Allstars, and with both Burnsides involved that is no suprise. Elam describes this sound as a "hill country groove", that works for me. Only Game In Town is a fun and rocking piano tune with Elam doing vocals that echo Chuck Berry, or if you remember Bob Seager doing "Get of Denver", it’s the style of song where it seems that there are almost too many words for the song, but they all fit in.

Sugar Cane slows way down from the last track. It’s a smoothie with background singers echoing Elam’s lyrics. Just simple backing music, with nice piano work and it let’s you hear the singers do their stuff. Devil Got Religion is a very basic, raw acoustic song. As the title suggests it’s got a churchy feel to it. Just guitar and harp, maybe a few foot stomps too, real nice and well done. You just don’t get to hear this kind of "unplugged blues" too often, I really like it. Terraplane Blues , yes Robert Johnson’s song, is a real jumping tune with a hoe-down feel, it’s a super harp song. It’s not the song done the way you remember, but a twist on it, with a more modern sound. The harp really blows and blows on this song, nice guitar too. Three Legged Dog , what can you say? Great concept for a blues song, missing a leg? That’s real blues. This track starts out as if it’s going to be a quiet one, but don’t be fooled. After the initial slow and haunting start, this song jams with both Burnsides in on this tune. It’s back to that hill country groove again, what can you say, but wow, a blistering pace, well done. Bob Zarecor Blues is about Elam’s grandpa who spent a lot of time milking cows. This is a acoustic number that seems a bit strange at first, hard to say exactly why, just odd sound. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. All you get is acoustic guitar, bass, light drum and vocals, it’s a neat song, nice words, simple is good.

The last three tracks are different versions of previous songs. There are acoustic versions of Miss Maureen and Three Legged Dog and a longer stretched version of Sugar Cane. I like the added versions here, can’t have too much of that down home, back porch stuff J . Elam wrote all but two of the songs on Braid My Hair and co-produced the CD too. Looks like he did a good job, it all went together well. This is another young blues artist who is doing music in his own style, and not trying to be someone else he isn’t. If you like your blues acoustic or slide, or are a fan of that hill country groove, you will like this one. Visit Elam at www.bigblackhand.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

Mississippi Heat is an interesting band, over the years it has changed and changed some more. Maybe I should point out that the band members have changed, not the quality of the music. There is not enough room here to discuss all the history of this band, so I will stick to this CD. Footprints On The Ceiling has the Mississippi Heat band with guest appearances by Billy Boy Arnold, Carl Weathersby & Peter "Madcat" Ruth. Every song on this one has a different mix of players and singers, this makes for a interesting surprise with each track. This band does great job playing Chicago style blues with old time style, while at the same time doing new music. The band is tight, and Pierre blows a great harp.

The first track takes right off, Goin’ Home is a classic sounding number with vocals by Inetta Visor, she has a whopping good voice that would remind you of Etta James, she sings about going back to the country. The whole tune works great, good vocals, nice solos. Jean’s Jive is a fine instrumental harp tune, Pierre plays the harmonica on this one in such a way that it sounds more like a horn than a harp (my wife liked it, but kept saying "that’s a harmonica??"). It’s not the usual harp with many blended notes, more like playing separate notes. I can only compare Pierre’s playing in this way to maybe a trumpet player, it’s like nothing else I have heard. The entire rhythm on Jean’s Jive is something new to most, it’s unique. She’s Got Everything jumps into a different groove, more guitar, nice harp. I believe Chris Winters is doing the vocals, the song is about his wife.

We get back to the country with What Kind Of Man Is That? This track has a down home sound, it’s a story about a man who treats his woman like he owns her, it’s a well written song with a message. Billy Boy both sings and plays on this one, you also get dual acoustic guitars for a real nice sound. That Ain’t Love comes out of the gate with Pierre on harp opening up this tune, then Inetta’s vocals come in for a real classy sound, you get nice horn work here too. Blues For George Baze is a tribute to George, he was a longtime member of the Jr Wells band, and more recently a member of Mississippi Heat. This is a hard blow’n harp song deluxe, it is a fine song, in memory of a fine man. You get a good dose of Carl Weathersby on Caribbean Sunshine, Carl does both vocals and guitar solo work here, he does a great job playing this song written about Pierre’s Cuban born wife. Caribbean Sunshine is a fun and easy flowing song, it was a good match for Carl’s style.

Heartbroken starts with a slow harmonica groove that continues throughout the song, Inetta comes in with the vocals, you also get a nice bit of guitar work late in this one, it all ads up for a nice laid back feel. This is a song written about the passing of Lawrence "Sonny" Wimberly. If you are a fan of harp playing you will really enjoy Madcat Hop, you get dueling harmonicas all the way through this song with Pierre and Peter "Madcat" Ruth blow’n away, plus a nice slide solo too. You get a country / cowboy feel on this one, kind of a train harmonica sound. With both harp players playing off of each other, and with each other, you get quit a sound. Hobo Blues gives you Carl Weathersby on vocals again, this is a smooth ballad with a 50s kind of feel. Pierre plays some light harmonica, the band plays a real easy going line. Carl sings and plays guitar again on Still Havin’ A Ball, he does a slick solo, and some fine singing. Pierre, the rest of the band, and the background singers do a great job too, a real nice arrangement.

Billy Boy comes back to sing on Gonna Leave and Let Her Be, a song with his vocals out front and only light instruments that build as the song progresses. This is a song about a man who has made up his mind to leave his woman. What Else Can I Do starts with a quiet haunting harp line that echoes on through the song, Inetta sings, then the harp comes alive. This is a very slow number, with nice work from all on organ, guitars & drums too. The title track Footprints On The Ceiling picks up the tempo, Inetta belts out the lyrics on this song, which is the only cover tune on this CD, it makes for a nice finish.

I have mentioned a lot about vocals and harp but the whole band is tight and really does a great job. This CD comes with more than the usual pamphlet, it has a 20 page book that tells you everything about the band, their thoughts, and the who, what & where on the writing and recording of this project, but no lyrics. I think this one is a keeper, it’s easy on the ears. Mississippi Heat’s Footprints has a fresh sound with an injection of classic styles to make it an enjoyable listen. Check them out at www.mississippiheat.net

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On Sugar Hill Records - #SUG-CD-3964

If you are unfamiliar with Sonny Landreth, you have missed a lot of fine guitar work & song writing over his career. Not only has Sonny done his own solo work as far back as the early eighties, he has worked with many great artists in the music world. Sonny spent some of his early years with the

King of Zedeco, the great Clifton Chenier. A sampling of artists he has collaborated with since, include Junior Wells, John Hiatt, Mark Knopfler, John Mayall, Marshall Crenshaw, Beausoleil, and even Dolly Parton.

There’s one thing about Sonny’s sound & style, it is like no other. You can compare many an artist’s sound to another, but that Louisiana inspired smooth sliding guitar sound belongs to only one. Sonny has a sound that is equally as easy to recognize, as it is hard to describe. Some of my favorite tracks on other artist’s CDs, are tracks with Sonny playing on them.

The Road We’re On is the latest release for Sonny Landreth, this one is a return to the blues, his way. My first impression was a good one, the CD (disc) looks like a 45 rpm record, I liked it, just for the nostalgia factor.

The opening track True Blue is about one person feeling hurt, because someone else hurts. It has a slow and quiet start, it fires up with a National steel, then shifts up a gear, to an electric sound. Hell at Home is a song about a daughter leaving her man to move back to pop’s house. This track has a different twist, the guitar and vocals both have an old time sound, I really love to hear good acoustic style, steel slide, nothing else like it. All About You just cranks off with a killer beat…. a real heavy beat. Sonny describes this as a power shuffle, I can’t think of a better description. It would be a good tune to dance to, it is one of those beats with a slide guitar sound that you just don’t want to end. A World Away blends Sonny’s vocals & guitar. His singing is with the guitar, it’s as if they are doing the same notes at once, not the usual sing then play. This one has a real "dreamy" sound to it, as a matter of fact the song is about a girl who seems to be A World Away, as if she is dreaming all the time. The music and the lyrics go together well.

Now for my personal favorite, Gone Pecan. If you like any kind of music, you’ve gotta love this one. This is a real jumping & rocking tune with a real Cajun - Zydeco twist. It’s a slidefest, Sonny style, a few words, a few slides, then repeat, I like it. You can categorize this as whatever kind of music you think it is, but the bottom line is, it’s just a good catchy tune. Natural World is just that, a song about the world and environment. Don’t let the title fool you, it has a nice rocking groove, you won’t doze off on this one, you might even get up and dance some. The Promise Land is a song about a girl who wants to leave "the promise land", that’s the name of the trailer park she lives in. Neat idea for a song title, nice twist with the whole concept and the play on words. Fallin’ For You is exactly what you would guess, it’s about falling for a girl. What you wouldn’t guess, it was written with, BB King in mind, Sonny decided not to wait for BB to do it and just did it himself. I can see (and hear) how BB would sound doing it, I would like to see that happen sometime. Ol’ Lady Luck is a slow going tune about not having luck on your side. This one is not a slide guitar song, just good old fashioned guitar playing, with a down home Louisiana flavor…. If you ask me.

Back to the Slidefest with Gemini Blues , a song about a girl who can’t make up here mind. She’s on, she’s off, she likes him, she hates him, another novel idea for a song, with the "twin" title and the story fitting together so well. This one has a Cajun shuffle feel, it’s a rocker too. The Road We’re On is a true driving song, it could make you step down on the pedal and get ticket. This is a speedy song with a message, and a fast beat that just doesn’t slow down. The last track on this CD is Juke Box Mama. This song was a last minute addition to this album, it’s a very basic "down home" kind of ditty. National steel with foot stomping for a beat, with a little drum and not much else, just basic raw blues to finish this one out.

Overall I like it, the more I hear it, the more I like it. This is blues, but Sonny Landreth style, it’s not your usual and customary blues. If you like your blues to be different, and with that "South of I-10" sound , you will like The Road We’re On. See about Sonny at Sugar Hill Records

Chris Puyear moblues.org

On IFGAM Records - IFGAM#209

Theodis Ealey is a super good bluesman, his music and style borders on soul at times, but bluesy soul it is, or is that soulful blues? Either way, as Theodis would say "it’s a real good thang!" The First track on this CD is a real killer. All My Baby Left Me Was A Note, My Guitar And A Cookie Jar It’s a smooth tune, the title tells all, it doesn’t get any more blue than your woman leaving and taking it all with her. Theodis is a good guitar player, the licks on this track are different, the entire beat of the song is….different, not like any other I can recall, I like it, different is good. The local blues DJs like it too, it’s just a super tune.

Reconsider Baby is an oldie , I have heard it many times, by many others. This version runs the same lines as usual, but is definitely unique. You get the old familiar, with a new sound, a real slow groove. Baby, You Got What It Takes is a honky tonk sounding duet with Francine Reed. If you like serious piano pounding tunes, this is one for you. Both this one, and the title track It’s A Real Good Thang could almost pass for Delbert McClinton songs, both in style and sound. It’s A Real Good Thang is a real solid blues tune, with a solid piano line throughout. Almost sounds like Texas, even though it’s from Georga.

You’ve Got To Hurt Before You Heal is a duet with Chick Willis, it’s a slow gospel style song, has a real churchy sound to it, nice. This one really focuses on the vocals, both Theodis & Chick do a great job. If You leave Me, I’m going Wit’Cha 2002 has a smooth urban soul sound to it. Theodis had a previous CD titled If You leave Me, I’m going Wit’Cha. Going by memory only, I believe this CDs version is different than the older one. Either way it is a nice song. I always liked the cover of the older version, Theodis setting on the tailgate of a packed up station wagon with guitar in hand. It just looked like the blues. I Want You is real solid blues, it would be a good dancing tune, has a classic sound, got that nice piano line all through it.

There is a great version of Ain’t No Sunshine on this CD, that old Bill Withers song. I always liked Bill’s song, not exactly blues, but nice. Theodis does a very good job of doing this one in the style it was meant to be, while making it his own. He does an acoustic sounding lick on this song, I am unsure if real acoustic or some sort of effect, either way, it’s smooth and nice. You And I Together is another soul / soulful style song. It goes at a slow pace, a real belly rubbin’ tune. Theo’s Groove is a guitar smoothie. Not a word, just instrumental guitar based stuff here. This one really shows off Theo’s fine guitar work, it has a nice sound, he plays well, in a style that is hard to compare to.

This Cd has a bonus track of All My Baby Left Me.... in a cut down version for air play too. Plus this is an enhanced CD with a video track, so you can see Theodis play while you listen! Overall this is a winner, Theodis can play and sing in varying styles and sounds, all of which sound good.

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

On Riatsala Mucic # RM001

This one was a surprise for me, a pleasant surprise, or maybe even an exciting one. I really never had heard any Alastair before, why I don’t know. You would think someone with this much talent would be a household name, but that’s the music world, sucky acts on tv, blocking your view of the good ones, sad but true. Anyway….On with the review.

If you like your blues with a hard driving edge, or maybe what you could call jamming blues, Alastair is your man. There are several, very different styles on this CD ranging from nice and slow to blistering fast. You get some Wah-Wah, distortion, but acoustic too. The majority are hard guitar driven songs, all but two were written by Alastair. I talk about guitar work a lot here, I must say the vocals are well done too. The band behind Alastair deserves a lot of credit too, I would think just keeping up would be something, but they really do a great job.

The first track is Ramblin’ Mind, yes Muddy Waters wrote it, and without listening to the lyrics close, you would never guess. I like it, It rocks, but easy listening Muddy Waters it ain’t. Get My Wings is 3:13 minute blistering fast song, if anybody else recorded it would probably be a 5 or 6 minute song, I am betting the drummer really loves this one, I am out of breath just hearing it. The title track A Little Wiser starts out nice and quiet, but don’t let it fool you, it leaps off into what I can only compare to a Jeff Healey sliding jam, its almost a hypnotic groove, a southern rock feel. Chico is a super well done acoustic ditty, less than 2 minutes long. I have to assume it is named after Alastair’s Grandfather.

The Other Side Of The World is a real slow down from the usual here, this one could fit in on an alternative or adult FM station, lots of good guitar, just a little more "newer, today" style & sound. Off The Edge has a no starting up, no slowing down quality, it just starts abruptly, and stops the same, bam it’s done. It’s a good jam, hard drums, with a repeating /rolling guitar riff that just won’t quit, when this song is over you can still hear it in your head, that’s a good thing! The Long Way Home is a smooth slow one, with acoustic guitar, National Steel, banjo and mandolin, nice stuff. Shows a lot of talent.

Love Too Strong, yes Albert King’s song, is the most unbelievable guitar jamming, string bending thing I have heard in along time. It’s a killer, YES it’s that good! This one starts off like just good blues but builds slowly to a point where you just can’t believe what you are hearing, it’s too wild, super fast, well done licks. Albert King and SRV would be impressed, and honored. This one song alone is worth the price.

I Know You Love Me has a swampy, backwoods sound, harmonica and distorted vocals, different but good. It’s a real slow down, and you need that after the last one. Sing Me The Song has a real cool repeating riff, reminds me of a Jimmy Page / Zeppelin type lick, it goes away then it’s back. It just sticks in your head, you will want more when it’s over, and just when you think it’s over, it isn’t. I like it. 3 Bullets revs up the pace for a finale. This is another one with a heavy repeating line, this time the bassman is really thumping while Alastair joins in, then jumps out for more licks, then in again. This track really would remind you of Kenny Wayne Shepard stuff.

Overall…. If I had to pick one artist that this Cd would remind you of, it would be Kenny Wayne Shepard. If you are a KWS fan you should buy this one, many of the songs run along the same road a his music, bluesy, rocking, jamming lines. Alastair is different, and does a lot of different styles, but it does bring Kenny to mind, maybe even the Black Crows on one track too.

I hear bits and pieces of all kinds of music in this one, that’s good too, lots of influences, make lots of music, with a little something for all. Again, down home delta blues it ain’t, hard hitting, jamming, even rocking blues it is.

Learn more at www.agsongs.com

On Mo Muscle Records

It’s hard for me to put my finger on exactly what to call this CD.
Reality is…. it’s good. Good what?, you ask. Real good would be a start.

Terry’s style is….well, a lot of styles, you can’t call it one thing. Sure it’s blues, but with the influence of, New Orleans, early rock & roll, R&B, southern soul, jazz and a lot of experience from the road too. Terry may not be a household name in your neighborhood, but you have probably heard him playing sax on a tune you know or he has played with someone you know. He was on the road with Elvin Bishop for 10 years, he has been in this biz for more than 30 years.

I Keep On Holdin’ On has a wide range of music, the title track has a real smooth Memphis style soul sound. Cryin’ Fool is a slow ballad with Terry singing out front. Is it True is a jazzy slow groover, Itchy Twichy is a jazzy jumper with an old time big band sound. I Don’t Love You No more, Hard as You Can and Where’s My Baby have that early R&B / Rock & Roll sound, and that’s a good sound. You Could Have Let Me Go & Whatcha Gonna Do are the real deal …serious blues. One Horse town has that "good time partying" Junior Walker feel. Flatfoot Sam will take you back to the 50s, with that Fats Domino sound. There is one live track on this one too, Travelin’ Mood, it’s a "Narlins" style tune, it was recorded live at the 2000 Monterey Blues Festival.

Terry has that powerhouse ability like a Junior Walker, he doesn’t just play his sax, he leads and drives much of his music, he also wrote a half dozen of the songs on this CD. There are also some very talented people backing him up on this Cd . Terry is not just a sax player, his vocals are well done, smooth with just enough rough edge to fit into the blues. Sometimes his singing and style reminds me of Delbert McClinton, especially on She Ain’t Coming Back, just good soulful style.

Terry spends alot of his time on the West Coast, I hope he will come visit the Midwest soon. You can visit him at www.terryhanck.net If you enjoy good sax, you will like this one.

On Hot Rod Music

Most CD titles don’t really relate to the music on them -- some do. This CD title is an exception. "Jack of All Trades" is an understatement! When a musician can sing, play guitar, harmonica and keyboards (not ok, but great), and compose 10 of the 12 songs to boot, "Jack of all trades" is totally appropriate. You never know what to expect in a new CD, but this one was a pleasant surprise.

Not only does Nelsen sing and play well, he can do it in a lot of different styles. This CD has a number of good blues tunes in various styles, a nice jumping version of an RC Cola and a Moonpie, some jazzy-funky stuff on Tell The Truth, a bit of Louisiana slide style on I’m Here To Stay, even a little smooth gospel-like sound on God Bless This Child. Nice guitar work & a haunting harmonica on Too Bad. A little bit of everything for every kind of blues fan.

You’ll like the whole CD. If you are a harp fan you will really enjoy In Walks G & El Harpo with multiple harps. It’s definitely not Low-Cal or Lite Harp, you’ll get your harmonica appetite quenched, plus a lot more. Nelsen is good with all the instruments and the lyrics. It’s hard to say which he is best at, because it all goes together well.

Can’t forget the rest of the band on this one, Andrew Shreve on drums, John Duzik is the bassman, Tom Adcock blowing the sax. Guest artists include Kaz Kazanov on sax, Johnny Moeller guitar, Marc Nelipovich drums, Gary Primich on harp and Guy Forsyth on that smooth slide guitar.

It all sounds great, they all work together to make great blues.

You can visit Nelsen at www.nelsenadelard.com

On Cousin Moe Music

This CD is something different, so I barely know where to start. School For Fools is a CD by many artists performing the music of Jeff Alexander, with vocals by Larry Thurston. The music is played by, well…. about everybody who is anybody in blues. The band behind this consists of 18 different musicians who have all paid their dues, some names you may know right off, some not, but this band is a class act.

Larry Thurston has been around for awhile, he was the singer for Matt "Guitar" Murphy’s band in the 80s. Although he retired in ’94, Larry came out for this CD; Levon Helm (of The Band) on drums; Johnnie Johnson on the 88s on a couple of tracks; Keith Doder (Jimmy Rogers band) on harmonica; Gus Thornton ( played with Albert King & SRV) is the bassman; Arthur Neilson (Shemekia Copeland Band) plays lead on a couple of tracks. The list just goes on and on -- lots of solid musicians doing what they do best.

A lot of artists make new music that sounds new. Too many make their music so new that they seem to forget what it is supposed to be, but Jeff has accomplished something outstanding -- the combination of seasoned musicians and Jeff’s "new music" was a good match -- "new" music that sounds familiar. You don’t have to listen to it a dozen times to get the feel, this CD hits you right the first time out..

You can find out more at www.cousinmoemusic.com

Chris Puyear….moblues.org