This is one of those CDs that there just aren’t words to describe.
I like it would be a good start. I here the word eclectic used a lot these days, eclectic would be an understatement here. The first thing that came to my mind when hearing this disc the first time was "what’s next"? There are a lot of twists & turns from track to track. I ended up thinking about all the influences this music has and how they were all blended together at once.

It’s going to be hard to explain this music without you being able to hear it, but here I go……The title Phat Blues Music seems to fit. Yes the blues are here but blended with soul, jazz, funk and a touch of rap and / or hip-hop at times (I really don’t know which one is which anymore). I know this sounds a bit bizarre but it works well. There’s a bunch of good music on this disc, it’s just a bit different. There are a few "normal" blues tunes on this CD too. My favorite blues pics are Only One & Bluesman both are pretty straight forward blues tunes that sound great. There’s even a couple acoustic blues numbers, one is a short ditty called Gibbs Groove and the other is a real classic done in classic style, Rollin’ & Tumblin’ sounds great, just basic guitar and harp.

Kelly’s singing is super and the band thumps out some great grooves, it’s blues Baltimore style. This is the next generation of blues musicians who blend old and new. You will find some surprises hiding in the tracks on this CD, most are a pleasant surprise. There are several tracks where one track is a musical intro to the next. There’s also a couple of talking "skits" that turn out to be intros to the songs that follow. I really enjoy these types of intros, they keep it interesting. Overall I like the Phat Blues, lots of good grooves and music to tap your toes to. I only have one real complaint with one song. I really like the FBI song and the intro to it, I think it’s probably my favorite track. My complaint is…. I liked the way it started out, I just don’t like the way it finished (jazzy).

You can check out The Kelly Bell Band at www.phatblues.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

This disc is a good blend of blues & rock styles. Gary has put together some real good grooves, three are re-makes of classics and the other eight are originals. Gary’s range of styles is impressive, from hard rockin’ songs to acoustic blues. Gary’s playing is fine and his voice is well suited for the blues.

In the blues / rock category I would include Midnight Train a kickin song with a nice guitar groove. Stoned is actually more rock than blues. This song has a big dose of wah-wah and some fuzz, you could imagine this tune coming from the late 60s with ease. Like Your Kind is another mostly rock song, this one has a slow to medium speed hard driving grind, it’s an easy to like beat. Gary does some old style R&R on Hello Josephine, real classic stuff. Little Girl is one of my favorites, it’s hard to describe, not exactly blues or rock but this song has what I would call a rolling boogie beat. The beat just keeps rolling along, while there is a hint of acoustic slide guitar that keeps echoing, a real nice groove and a good sound.

Another track I can say is a favorite of mine is also the biggest surprise on this CD. After a few rockers I didn’t see this one coming. Going South is a great acoustic steel slide guitar tune. This is as sweet as it can get, just a man and his guitar. The playing is super, the style is classic and Gary’s singing is soulful. There’s a rocking cover of Shake Your Money Maker, the first notes have a thumping base line that brings to mind the band Foghat, we’re talking heavy duty bass. The song is done in a traditional way with a slight change of pace, I like it. Burning Down The Barn is a nice rockin instrumental that has both hard electric and some well placed acoustic licks.

If you like the low-low I mean real low down blues then you will like Big Legged Woman. A cover this ain’t, yes it’s the song you know but you’ve never heard it this way. Imagine Muddy doing the Hoochie Coochie man with fuzz tone, that’s as close as I can get. Gary’s version has a guitar grind that just won’t quit. There’s so much guitar I have a hard time picking out exactly how many of what kind are playing, (it doesn’t matter) it’s just fine stuff.

The final track is New Orleans. The title of this song is a perfect description of the style, it’s a slow soulful song that starts out with only piano and accompaniment, eventually some guitar and organ fall in place. Gary’s singing really fits this style, a nice ending to this disc.

Chris Puyear - moblues.org

This latest CD from Chump Change captures this band as most people know them, live in Mid Missouri. The Chump Change Band is an institution in the Mid-MO area, not only do they play fine blues on their own but have opened for many blues greats and played with many others too. I would say if you asked about anyone who has heard this band play they would tell you these guys are the real deal. Chump Change plays classic blues in classic style, they have the right sound and the feeling it takes to do the job right. My first thought when hearing this disc for the first time was the fine quality for a live recording. Typically live doesn’t always mean good, but this one sounds great, just like when I have seen this band live.

Here’s a few of my favorite tracks. Live At The Blue Note starts out with a good warm up instrumental, Hide Away, this classic number sounds as good as ever. The band plays I’ll Play The Blues For You like it was meant to be. You can only think of Albert King when you listen to it. The Slow Blues Medley is like an album of it’s own within this one. This medley is comprised of blues classics cranked out in classic blues style. Not only does the band do a fine job here but Babe’s guitar playing and huge voice make it a killer. Did I mention this one track is just under 15 minutes? That’s a medley!

Crosscut Saw & Down Home Blues are another pair of classic numbers on this disc that get done with style. Crosscut has that early Albert King on Stax sound, more of a quiet version than many bands do. Down Home Blues is done in a big way, nothing like a good dose of real sax and some piano to give a song a great sound. The band does a fast but smooth version of a favorite of mine, Last Two Dollars sounds as good as ever and has more fine sax and piano solos too. Another classic is Love And Happiness it just sounds great and has a nice jam that runs the last two minutes of the song, you gotta love that! There are some other songs on this CD too for a total of nine tracks adding up to 78 minutes overall. I haven’t covered all the songs here but all have that classic Chump Change sound. If you are already a fan of this band then this release is a must for your collection. If this review is your introduction to The Chump Change Band then this would be a good beginning for you.

You probably know James Solberg’s music, he has been out and about in the blues world for sometime. In the mid 70s he started touring and recording with Luther Allison and has played with many greats since. James has been nominated for a Grammy in the past and won the WC Handy best blues band award two years in a row. This release is the fifth album of his own by my count. All but two tracks on this disc were written by James. My only complaint with this album is "who is the band"? I can find no mention of who is playing with James on this CD, it would be nice to know.

This CD comes out of the gate hot and fast, the first track It’s Alright is a guitar smokin’ rocker. I can’t figure out if the lyrics were inserted between guitar solos or the solo is interspersed with lyrics but James is just wailing on his guitar the whole way through, yes plenty of guitar to satisfy here. Don’t take me wrong, the words fit in well and it all sounds great but wow, it leaves you out of breath, kinda one long super solo. The title track Real Time is one of my favorites here, it’s definitely the real deal just smooth blues at it’s best, it’s a good match of writing and playing styles. Let The Teardrops Fall is a easy going soulful song. This track is a real slow down from the previous ones, kind of a nice breather.

Second Hand Smoke seems to have a little bit everything in it, blues, rock, jazz, and a touch of funk. The title is a play on words, the song is about someone who talks too much and spreads hateful rumors. Although it’s not mainstream blues it’s a good tune that’s easy to like. James goes jazzy in a good way on I Like Lovin’ You. I like this track for a couple reasons, first it has a groove as smooth as butter and you have to like that, just easy to get into. Second it has some channel rotation in the solos, by this I mean the guitar flips from right to left in your speakers. I am using headphones and it’s too cool, I like effects like that. "I want a R&R lifestyle but here I am living the blues" is the theme of Champagne Dreams, a song that is no question rock & roll. I do like it, it is about the blues and is done in early R&R style, a fun tune it is.

I can only think of Albert King when I hear Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven. James does this classic with class, I hear James really playing it like Albert did and that is the way is should be. Fightin’ All ‘Round The World is no doubt a rocker with a killer grind to it, back to the deluxe stereo sound on this track, lead guitar in one channel and rhythm in the other. The underlying guitar is like a machine that won’t ever quit, it’s a sound that just goes and goes, it’s laid down thick & heavy. Another track with the effect treatment is Ever Seen A Rainbow, this is a slow groovin’ bluesy song with the rotation effect on the James’guitar. Every note he plays just floats around, back and forth, channel to channel. It all adds up to a dreamy, almost hypnotic sound.

Overall this is a super CD. If you are already a James Solberg fan or just like guitar driven blues or blues - rock then you should enjoy Real Time, it has plenty of guitar and good music to go around.

On - Bonel’ss #00305

Bumpity Bump is a fitting title for this CD, there is a definite piano sound all through the music of Jumping Juba, this does make it a bit different from the usual guitar blues that’s everywhere. All but two of the songs on this disc were written by Steve Hurl and Bruce Ward, this is why their music seems so different, it’s all fresh stuff. As fresh as it is, it seems to be easy to get into.

The first track Funny Farm is a good example of the easy to get into sound, it seems like a familiar song the first time I heard it. This opening track may not be the bluesiest tune on this CD but it sure is the most catchy, it has that stick in your head quality, you will probably be humming it for a few days after hearing it. Back Street Studio is something like a mix of the talking blues with a nice groove behind it. The story is about a back alley recording studio of the past, this track does have more of a guitar sound than most of this disc plus some harp work too. Bruce takes a trip down the piano road in a big way with Bruce’s Boogie, this instrumental has just what the title suggests, a ton of piano with a big dose of boogie. Chase The Dream is a well written song of life, I am unsure what to call the style, it’s a slow ballad of sorts. I say call it what you will, it tells the story well. Another song in this same hard to describe category is Rear View Mirror, it’s got some serious words about women and love.

The Sufferin’ Blues is a nice tune with a fun feel even though it is about suffering, it’s that classic "make you feel better" blues, definitely good dancing music. There is a good oldie in Explaining The Blues, an old Ma Rainey song, just classic old time blues with a new lease on life. The band starts rockin’ on Complications , this is one song with a heavy duty groove. Steve does a good job on slide guitar with this one, he plays a good sound that reminds me of Sonny Landreth, mix in the drums and all the rest and you have a thumping groove. Best Buy In Town, well…. The lyrics are less than serious, or should I say humorous, but the music is serious with acoustic guitar for a change, it’s a nice lighthearted ditty.

I may have said this before… If you are looking for something different than the usual "run of the mill" blues this may be you thang, especially if you like your blues with a lot of piano in it.

Check these guys out at www.stevehurl.com

On - SVR Records #10014

The title of Tim Gonzalez & Friends isn’t exactly the whole story here, it probably should be Tim and his really talented friends. This Cd has a super mix of musicians playing and singing with Tim and his harmonica. His harp playing is great and his friends are fine musicians too, many of the musicians were new to me with the exception of Mark Selby, Anthony Gomes and Johnny Neel. Whether big names or not everyone involved does a super job.

This disc starts out smokin’, the first track Murdered By Love takes off like a shot, a nice sound with plenty of harp, Johnny Neel sings this one, a real classic blues sound. Groove Thing is an instrumental that starts off bluesy, goes jazzy and then back again, a good easy to enjoy jam. Tim and friends take you down Hwy 49 to the Delta with Voodoo Moon, a modern delta style song written and sung by Anthony Gomes, it’s smooth and easy. Straight From The Heart (A Tribute To Danny) is a smokin fast jazzy instrumental with Tim leading the way on his harp, it’s the kind of song that leaves you breathless just hearing it and I am sure Tim got a good workout doing it. 

Larry Van Loon sings and plays some fine keyboards on Greyhound Driver, as always Tim’s harp is all over it too, it all works well. Greyhound Driver and Walkin Blues are two of my favorites on this CD. Ricky Godfrey sings and plays the Walkin Blues, yes it’s a good old song from the past but this group has given new life to it, it’s a real toe tapper (or more like a foot stomper), wow what a good beat and groove…. You will like it!

Can’t Hold Out is another fine song that sounds great, it actually could pass for a Johnny Lang number largely because of Danny Hamelin’s singing. Danny just has "that" sound and style and that’s great, between his voice, Tim’s harp and the rest of the band they make a great sound. There is Jazzy harmonica instrumental, For Mona’s Love is a smooth easy going song with Tim’s harp in the lead, it’s a nice break. This CD finishes up with a super tune, Mississippi Blues is an all acoustic number with Mark Selby on guitar and vocals and Tim on harp. This one is basic delta blues with a style that leaves you feeling like they are playing in the room with you, I like it, bet you will too.

Visit Tim Gonzalez at www.timgonzalez.com

The Rounders are something fresh on the blues scene. Their music is new but pays tribute to the old masters of the blues at the same time. This band hales from Oklahoma City and you can hear some western influence on some tracks on this CD, it’s a good blend and I like it. If you think about it, OKC is centrally located between several regional musical styles and these influences show up in this music. On this disc you will find classic blues mixed with C&W styles, jug band sounds, Memphis style, and even western swing, it works. All the songs on this release are originals with the exception of one oldie.

This CD starts off with I Loved Her (In A Country Kind Of Way) which is an appropriate title. This fun song has a definite country flavor with a twang, it’s an easy to enjoy tune and I like it. You get the acoustic treatment on I Ain’t Never Foolin’ Round No More it has a fun back porch feel to it with some kazoo and banjo, nice laid back music. Honeydripper Blues has some super guitar pickin, this song has several guitars including a dobro and stand up bass, all acoustic and real fine. This is one of those "new" songs with blues roots growing all through it, this could pass for an old classic but it’s not.

I would say western swing comes to mind when I hear On my Mind, it’s smooth as butter with an electric - acoustic blend. This is a case where simple is better, just a nice song that’s easy to get into. The band gets "muddy" on Ain’t That A Woman Blues, this is a classic harmonica based Muddy Waters style tune. This one song could pass for a good cover of a Muddy tune, but it’s all Rounders. Can I Be Your Man Tonight has some good B3 and that classic southern soul / Memphis style going for it, and that’s a good sound. This is just another example of the various influences on the music of this CD and it works well. I hear Chicago when I listen to The Way She Does It, this is a great song that definitely is Chicago style blues. My only complaint is this song is too short, it should go longer. The only non Rounders song on this disc is the old time classic Ain’t Gonna Study War No More, although this isn’t the bluesiest song in the line up, it does show the talent and versatility of this band.

How Can You Love Me When My Skin is Rough has a distinct North Mississippi groove to it, You can also find this song on the Underground Highway Vol 2 sampler from Southern Records. The rolling groove laid down on this track is great, it’s easy to like. The Rounder’s go to the delta on Odella, a classic delta style tune. This is another original song that one would assume is an old classic but is yet another Rounder original with real blues connections.

Check out the Rounders at www.the-rounders.com

This is my second review of Slim’s music, his last CD Big Shoes To Fill was an all electric work, this album is mostly acoustic with some minor accompaniment on some songs, most are just Slim all alone. The real treat for me was seeing Slim live the day I received this CD. I always knew that Slim was something fresh and different, his sound is like nothing else, but after seeing and feeling his acoustic set in person I was blown away.

Slim is not just some new deal, he’s the real deal, his songs are about real life trials, his playing is a raw classic style that takes you back to the early days of the blues, his voice is powerful, moving and full of soul. Money can buy a lot of lessons and equipment but it can’t buy soul, that’s inside a person and only a few can transmit real soul and feeling in music, Slim can do it.

I normally do song by song reviews but because there are 18 tracks on this one I will just do some. Only four songs on this disc are "covers", all four are classics done in Slim’s unique way, all the other songs on this work are written by Slim. He plays harmonica, steel acoustic and some electric guitar too, sometimes he also hollers a song without any accompaniment, a feat that few can pull off. It’s one thing to hear a holler on a record, it’s another thing to see it performed live, that takes talent and guts. There are two hollers on this CD, a part one and two at the start and end, I like it. Most of this album was recorded with two microphones, one on slim and the other on his guitar or harp, just the basics, the way it is meant to be, just like you would hear him live.

There’s a lot of "gut bucket blues" on this disc plus some other styles. I found The Last Blues to be one of my favorites, it’s "the dying blues" in a new form, I like the message and the delivery, it’s a case of old style classic blues style with new words. I don’t Care No More (the old Sonny Boy Williamson tune) is another example of that same old style but with talking lyrics and only harmonica for accompaniment. It’s just super stuff, Slim does a fine job and the recording method really does the job too. Another one of the "covers" is Smokestack Lightnin’, (I always liked this song) this version is about as raw of a version as I have ever heard, the sound is unique and definitely all Slim. Stud Poker is a super tune, well written and performed with that classic steel sound, I like lyrics like Stud poker took everything I had…… I ain’t gonna eat ‘til Wednesday cause the cards have run so bad, a song with a classic sound but it’s all new.

There are several classic old style blues songs on this release, Got My Will Made Out is a good example of one, Slim picks his steel guitar on this track, it’s a serious sound. Mean Streets has a unique sound, steel slide and spoons, it gives you a sound like you are there listening live, it’s a nice sounding tune with lyrics as serious as a heart attack. One song sticks out as more of a non serious maybe even humorous tune, Trashy Trashmen is a fun ditty done with electric slide, it’s simply about the trashmen at the dump, now that’s real world blues for ya.

I have always liked the sound of one man and his guitar alone but Slim really takes a person to a different place than most. I feel that Up Close And Personal is exactly that, this recording is a very good representation of the live Slim, if you give it a serious listen you can get it. The "it" is that you are hearing what’s inside of Slim and this CD does a god job of bringing it out.

Unlike many good writers and players who just play their music, you can feel Slim living what he has written, or should I say he has written what he lives, either way it sounds great.

Today you can hear people talking about some old bluesman that inspired them, someday I believe that some young musicians will discover Watermelon Slim and be inspired too. He’s just like those old guys except we and Slim are all here today, don’t wait til he’s gone, check him out now and then you can tell your grand kids how you were there with Slim when it was all happening.

You can visit Southern Records at www.southernrecords.com
or Slim at www.watermelonslim.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org