NEWSLETTER #136
Blues & Gospel
Big Bill Broonzy
->
Charlie Musselwhite
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted all DVDs
offered are in NTSC format which means that they will not play on a
European DVD players unless you have a multiple format player. |
MANCE LIPSCOMB |
Vestapol 13011 |
In Concert |
● CD $22.98 |
The great Texas songster in a live performances recorded for
TV station KLRU in 1969. 16 songs including So Different Blues/ Going
Down Slow/ Alcohol Blues/ Silver City/ Key To The Highway/ Mama Don't Allow/
Baby, You Don't Have To Go/ Motherless Children and more. 58 minutes in
color.
|
OTIS RUSH |
Blues Express 4002 |
Live - Part One |
● CD $23.98 |
Color, approximately 60 minutes, highly recommended
Recorded
in December of 1999 at Broadway Studios in San Francisco before an
appreciative crowd, the left-handed guitar master is in potent form for a
half-dozen cuts - I Wonder Why/ All Your Love (I Miss Loving)/ It's My
Own Fault/ 717/ I Can't Quit You Baby/ I Got My Mojo Working. In his
mid-sixties at the time of the taping, Rush is brilliantly powerful backed
by a horn section and rhythm guitar, as well as bass, drums, and keyboard.
Rush's voice has lost none of its edge and his guitar playing retains the
forceful, ringing quality so immediately familiar. Although somewhat short
it is listed as volume one so we can hope there will be more. Bonus features
include an interview portion with talk of influences, working with Willie
Dixon, and information on a lengthy career peppered with shoddy deals,
shelved recordings, and chances that might have been. A bonus picture
gallery shows Otis flanked by high-profile rockers; Eric Clapton, Led
Zeppelin, and others, but there's a recurring theme as Rush talks of the
players. While each one seems to have offered to record the West Side icon,
there's a distinct sadness as he recounts the offers while seeing nothing
come of them. Otis Rush does have a fairly extensive recording history, but
it's unfortunate that bad luck and sour deals have followed him. All in all,
Otis Rush - Live is a highly worthwhile addition to shelves already starting
to bulge from the many fine releases in the recent past. Extensive liner
notes from Dick Shurman are finely crafted and informative. (CR)
|
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Hip-O 2714 |
Gunsmoke Blues |
● CD $14.98 |
Color, approximately 90 minutes, recommended
With the number
of blues DVD issues hitting the shelves recently, fans could almost
see the music in an upswing as we've been blessed with plenty of
previously-unreleased footage. Hip-O seems to be leading the current charge
and "Gunsmoke Blues" is another winner with Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe
Turner, George "Harmonica" Smith, and Muddy Waters. November of 1971 saw
Link Wyler and the film crew of the television series, Gunsmoke, heading
North to Oregon to aim cameras at blues icons instead of their usual work on
a popular western series. Backed by what appears to be Bacon Fat (minus Rod
Piazza), Thornton dishes out Early One Morning and her riveting
Ball And Chain before giving up the stage to George Smith who tears
through Juke and Leaving Chicago in potent form, and although
apologetic for his performance, his features blister. Turner is relatively
solid as he belts out Hide And Seek plus Shake Rattle And Roll
before the climax of Muddy's four songs with his own band. Mannish Boy/
Long Distance Call/ Hoochie Coochie Man and Got My Mojo Working
have been previously-released, but viewers should be pleased with the better
quality here. The main portion closes out with a finale and the bonus
footage includes further interview segments and additional material from
Thornton (Rock Me Baby/ Hound Dog) and Waters (She's Nineteen
Years Old/ Walking Through The Park), plus a few audio-only tracks. With
blues fanatics being the eternal optimist type, J.B. Hutto on stage during
the finale leaves hope that Hip-O has even more in the vaults. A worthwhile
addition to any blues collection. (CR)
|
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Hybrid DVD 20016 |
A Tribute To Muddy Waters - King Of The
Blues |
● CD $13.98 |
90 minutes, very good
Hosted by Billy Dee Williams, this
presentation consists of reworkings of a fair array of Muddy's songs by a
good cast of artists, although it does seem somewhat pale in comparison to
Muddy's own work. Those who graced the Kennedy Center stage in honor of
Muddy back in October of 1997 are impressive - Big Bill Morganfield, Koko
Taylor, Buddy Guy, Mem Shannon, Nick Gravenites, Charlie Musselwhite, Robert
Lockwood, and others, but tribute projects often tend to lose subtle nuances
in translation. The house band is led by the capable G.E. Smith, but there's
also a somewhat antiseptic quality to the backing, and why Bob Margolin (who
played with Muddy for years) is only on stage for a few songs is rather odd,
as he would seemingly have a better grasp on the more intricate points of
Muddy's music. A good number of the performances are potent while a few seem
slightly out-of-place; Peter Wolf, John Hiatt, and Phoebe Snow. The song
selection is some of the cream Muddy managed over his career; I'm Ready/
Hoochie Coochie Man/ She's 19 Years Old/ Long Distance Call, and more.
Bonus footage is a strong 1968 performance of Got My Mojo Working
plus an audio CD now included with the DVD. Overall, "A Tribute To Muddy
Waters - King Of The Blues" has its musical high points and is worthwhile
considering the low suggested retail price, however, for a clearer picture
of Muddy's historic importance and influence, "I Can't Be Satisfied" on DVD
is a stronger choice. (CR)
|
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Vestapol 13095 |
Chicago Blues |
● CD $22.98 |
50 mins, color, highly recommended
Now on DVD. A 1970 movie
by English filmmaker Harley Cokliss featuring music by Chicago bluesmakers
and a look at the life and environment of African-Americans in the Chicago
out of which blues comes. Includes music by Muddy Waters, Johnnie Lewis
(wonderful country blues), Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Floyd Jones (a beautiful
acoustic version of his Stockyard Blues), and J.B. Hutto. Includes
interviews with most of the performers as well as political and community
figures in Chicago and some moving visuals of black life in Chicago.
Occasionally a little pompous and pretentious, it is, nevertheless an
interesting,entertaining and very rewarding documentary. (FS)
|
MUDDY WATERS |
Wellspring 73167 |
Can't Be Satisfied |
● CD $14.98 |
DVD, color and B&W, approximately 60 minutes, highly
recommended
Previously shown on PBS television, Robert Gordon, author of
Muddy's biography of the same name co-produced and co-directed this
compelling documentary of the man still regarded as the King of Chicago
Blues. With rare performance footage, interview segments, and remembrances
from such luminaries as Jimmie Lee Robinson, Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite,
Bonnie Raitt, and Keith Richards, among others (family and band members),
Muddy's life and majestic influence are captured in sometimes brutal
honesty. Whether looked at as a habitual womanizer, a baseball-loving couch
potato, or a master bluesman who took his earthshattering skills around the
world, Muddy comes into clear focus from beginning to end. If there is one
minor complaint to be lodged against something this finely crafted, it's
that none of the performances are shown full-length, but thankfully, there
are available DVDs that rectify that slight miscalculation. Now available in
Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, "Can't Be Satisfied" is a superb companion to
Gordon's well-researched tome, and the heartfelt approach so readily
apparent here, particularly the memories of Jimmie Lee Robinson, prove that
although Muddy was no saint, he was respected, loved, and looked up to by
many. (CR)
|
JIMMY WITHERSPOON |
Silverline 288137 |
The Blues, The Whole Blues & Nothin' But The
Blues |
● CD $17.98 |
12 tracks, recommended
DVD AUDIO Produced by Mike Vernon and recorded
in early 1992, this stands as one of Jimmy Witherspoon's more solid outings
from late in his career. Vocally strong (although you can hear the start of
his throat problems occasionally) and accompanied by a sympathetic band
(piano, guitar, drums, and horns), 'Spoon smoothly runs through a strong and
mixed set of straight-ahead blues, some jazz, and a bit of Southern Soul
delivering the goods on all cylinders. The 5.1 surround sound is exquisite
and definitely worth attention. Jimmy McCracklin's Would Man Be Satisfied
and Think, Chris Youlden's You Got A Hold Of My Heart/ Killing
Time, and You Ain't Foolin' Me, plus seven more make this a
highly worthwhile purchase. Mike Vernon's (screen viewable) liner notes are
highly informative, but one wonders why when a product like this is
reissued, the liner notes aren't updated to reflect more recent
developments, as in Jimmy's passing in 1997. (CR)
|
CLIFTON CHENIER |
Maison De Blues 982 246 |
Frenchin' The Boogie |
● CD $15.98 |
14 tracks, 43 min., recommended
Originally released in 1976,
this aptly titled album features Chenier's tight septet (including Lon Price
on sax, Paul Senegal on guitar, and now-famous Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural on
keyboardss) snuggling up to classic blues and R&B. Those unfamiliar with the
song Le Blues De La Vache A Lait might just recognize it in
translation as Milk Cow Blues. Shake Rattle And Roll/ Everyday I
Have The Blues/ I Got A Woman/ Let The Good Times Roll and others get
the zydeco treatment. Sometimes Chenier sings 'em in French (as he does on
Chuck Berry's Don't You Lie To Me), sometimes he adds French lyrics.
But what are you gonna do, these artistic types never do what they're
supposed to. Good thing too. This new CD features a bonus cut - a version of
Chuck Berry's I Want To Be Your Driver. (JC)
|
DETROIT JUNIOR |
DEmark 777 |
Blues On The Internet |
● CD $14.98 |
New recordings of this veteran singer and piano player
including several new compositions by Junior. He's backed by guitarists
Lurrie Bell, Maurice John Vaughn, Jimmy Dawkins, Willie Davis, bassist Bob
Stroger, drummer Kenny Smith and horn players Eric Schneider and Sonny Cohn.
This is an enhanced CD which when played in a computer features a video of
Junior performing Key To The Highway along with a short interview.
|
THE FOUR KNIGHTS |
Heritage HT CD 49 |
1945-1950 |
● CD $16.98 |
30 tracks, 72 mins, recommended
Fine collection of quartet
singing that started as The Southland Jubilee Quartet and were renamed The
Four Knights in 1945 by Cy Langois who was responsible for recording most of
the sides here for Lang Worth Radio Transcriptions. Like other groups of the
period the group switched between Jubilee style gospel and popular and jive
material. Includes acapella performances, performances with guitar
accompaniments and some with small groups plus one track with accompaniment
by the Andy Kirk Orchestra. Lots of old favorites - includes Gospel
Train/ Darktown Strutters Ball/ He Said He'd Calm The Ocean/ Does Jesus
Care?/ It's A Good Day/ When They Ring Dem Golden Bells For You And Me/
Georgia On My Mind/ Latch!/ Ain't Gwine To Study War No More/ Lead Me To
That Rock, etc. Excellent sound and eight page booklet with detailed
notes by Opal Louis Nations. (FS)
|
ROSCO GORDON |
Dualtone 1158 |
No Dark In America |
● CD $14.98 |
15 tracks, 60 minutes, recommended
While the warmly-written
liner notes offer a nice look at Rosco Gordon, the man, there's little
included in the way of explanation as to when this was recorded (sometime
between 1997 and his death in 2002), where it was recorded (8 studios and Rosco's home are listed without mention of dates), or what was over-dubbed.
The plethora of musicians (17 in all) offer fine support, and Gordon himself
is superb playing guitar on three cuts and solo piano on a few tracks, even
the out-of-tune You Look Bad When You're Naked. As advanced as he was
in age and with failing health in later years, he is distinctly powerful and
creative in what turns out to be some of his last recordings. The title
track and re-recorded version of That's What You Do To Me alone make
it worthwhile. The music, smile, and humor of this unheralded genius are
missed. (CR)
|
LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS |
Empire 450634 |
Blowin' The Fuses |
● CD $14.98 |
20 tracks, 78 minutes, excellent
Picking out worthwhile
recordings by Lightnin' is like shooting fish in a barrel - it's as easy as
looking through a variety of titles choosing one randomly - you'll find
off-the-cuff lyrics, brilliant guitar, and a voice which reminds you of an
old friend. This collection features mid-period Hopkins recorded between
1959 and 1965, and evenly balanced between solo and small-band tracks.
Good Times/ Goin' To Dallas/ Fugitive Blues/ Goin' Back Home/ Keep Movin'
On/ Don't Wake Me/Mojo Hand/ Little Wail/ Shaggy Dog find Lightnin' with
bass and drums, with two cuts featuring trombone. Gonna Pull A Party/
Baby/ Backwater Blues/ Trouble In Mind/ That Gamblin' Life/ Get Off My Toe/
In The Evening/ 75 Highway/ Short Haired Woman/ Santa Fe find Hopkins
alone, although Baby has Luke "Long Gone" Miles helping out. Solid and
entertaining. (CR)
|
IVORY JOE HUNTER |
Collectables 2881 |
The King Sides, Volume 1 |
● CD $15.98 |
25 tracks recorded for King between 1947 and 1949 including
a number of R&B hits.
|
J.B. HUTTO |
Delmark 778 |
Stompin' At Mother Blues |
● CD $14.98 |
This CD features 12 tracks recorded live at Mother Blues
Club in Chicago in 1966 and all except for one track are previously
unissued. In addition there are three unissued songs and several alternate
takes of tracks from the 1972 session that produced his "Slidewinder" LP.
|
ETTA JAMES |
RCA 60644 |
Blues To The Bone |
● CD $17.98 |
12 tracks, 48 minutes, excellent
Although Etta's voice has
lost quite a bit of the power it was once capable of, this new disc serves
well in showing she can still cut through a band and make worthwhile
recordings. This one's a bonus for blues lovers with storming versions of
Hush Hush/ Lil' Red Rooster/ Smokestack Lightning/ You Shook Me/ Driving
Wheel, and a rippling Don't Start Me To Talkin' that sounds just
as good with her as it did when Sonny Boy Williamson II cut it in 1955.
Dust My Broom/ The Sky Is Crying/ That's Alright/ Crawlin' Kingsnake,
and Honey Don't Tear My Clothes are also potent, but the opener,
Got My Mojo Working isn't the romper it should be. Bobby Murray's guitar
and John "Juke" Logan's harp are wonderfully supportive throughout. (CR)
|
LONNIE JOHNSON |
Proper BOX 81 |
The Original Guitar Wizard |
● CD $24.98 |
Fantastic retrospective of the recordings of
this brilliant and influential musician. Four CD set with 95 tracks
featuring some of his best sides recorded between 1928 and 1952. In addition
to recordings under his own name it includes accompaniments to Victoria
Spivey, Texas Alexander and Clara Smith, duets with Eddie Lang and tracks as
a member of Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five, Duke Ellington's Orchestra and
Blind Willie Dunn's Gin Bottle Four (with King Oliver, J.C. Johnson, Eddie
Lang & Hoagy Carmichael!). Includes 44 page illustrated booklet with notes
by Joop Visser and complete discographical details.
LONNIE JOHNSON: 6/88 Glide/ Another Woman Booked Out And Bound To Go/
Backwater Blues/ Beautiful But Dumb/ Bedbug Blues, Pt.2/ Blue Guitars/ Blue
Room Blues/ Blues Stay Away From Me/ Broken Levee Blues/ Bulldog Moan/ Can't
Sleep Any More/ Careless Love/ Crowing Rooster Blues/ Crowing Rooster Blues/
Deep Blue Sea Blues/ Deep Sea Blues/ Don't Wear It Out/ Falling Rain Blues/
Four Hands Are Better Than Two/ Garter Snake Blues/ Get Yourself Together/
Got The Blues For Murder Only/ Guitar Blues/ Have To Change Keys To Play
These Blues/ He's A Jelly-roll Baker/ Hot Fingers/ Hotter Than That/ I Done
Told You/ I Got The Best Jelly Roll In Town, Pts 1 & 2/ I Have To Do My
Time/ I Just Can't Stand These Blues/ I'm Guilty/ I'm Just Dumb/ I'm Not
Rough/ I'm Nuts About That Gal/ I'm So Tired Of Living All Alone/ In Love
Again/ It Feels So Good, Pts 1 & 2/ It Was All In Vain/ Jersey Belle Blues/
Jet Black Blues/ Johnson's Trio Stomp/ Just Another Day/ Keep What You Got/
Lazy Woman Blues/ Let All Married Women Alone/ Life Saver Blues/ Little
Rocking Chair/ Long Black Train/ Love Is The Answer/ Me And My Crazy Self/
Mean Old Bedbug Blues/ Misty Mornin'/ Mr. Johnson's Blues/ No More Troubles
Now/ No More Women Blues/ Nothing But Trouble/ Playing Around/ Playing With
The Strings/ Racketeers Blues/ Roaming Rambler Blues/ Savoy Blues/ She's
Making Whoopee In Hell Tonight/ Sleepy Water Blues/ Southbound Water/ St.
Louis Cyclone Blues/ Stay Out Of Walnut Street Alley/ Steady Grind/ Steppin'
On The Blues/ Stompin' Em Along Now/ Sundown Blues/ Sweet Potato Blues/
Swing Out Rhythm/ That's Love/ The Dirty Dozen/ The Loveless Blues/ The New
Fallin' Rain Blues/ The Victim Of Love/ To Do This You Got To Know How/
Tomorrow Night/ Toothache Blues, Pts 1 & 2/ Trouble Ain't Nothing But The
Blues/ Two Tone Stomp/ Uncle Ned, Don't Use Your Head/ Watch Shorty/ What A
Real Woman/ When You Feel Low Down/ Why Should I Cry/ Why Women Go Wrong/
Woke Up With The Blues In My Fingers/ Working Man's Blues/ You Can't Buy
Love/ You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now Pts 1 & 2/ You Only Want Me When
You're Lonely/ You're Getting Old On Your Job
|
BETTY HALL JONES |
Blue Moon 6045 |
The Complete Recordings, 1947-1954 |
● CD $14.98 |
22 tracks by this excellent Los Angeles based singer, stand
up piano player and occasional. She is featured in the company of top West
Coast musicians like Gene Phillips, Maxwell Davis, Bumps Myers, Tiny Webb,
jake Porter and others. A fine mix of blues, ballads and up tempo rocking
numbers.
|
JO ANN KELLY |
Blues Matters! 20041 |
Blues & Gospel - Rare & Unreleased
Recordings |
● CD $21.98 |
16 tracks, 59 mins, highly recommended
It's always a
pleasure to get more rare and unissued sides from THE best British blues
singer. It opens with four solo tracks recorded in Tony McPhees bedroom on a
portable recorder in 1967 and originally issued on a limited edition E.P.
Sound quality is a bit dodgy but Jo Ann is in fine form playing six and
twelve string guitar on a selection of four fine sides including a
particularly nice version of Robert Johnson's Milk Cow Blues. There
are four fine sides from '68 including a great version of Son House's
Walkin' Blues with fine slide work by Jo Ann and Howling Wolf's Just
Like I Treat You with very effective piano work from Bob Hall. From 1970
is a lovely unissued solo performance of Sugar Babe (Ain't Got No Lovin'
Now). There are four fine tracks from a live concert in 1977 with
American guitarist Stefan Grossman including two where they are joined by
guitarist Sammy Mitchell and the disc ends with two tracks from a 1984 live
show with a largish group including a hot version of the Brenda Lee hit
Sweet Nuthins. 12 page booklet includes interesting notes by Peter Moody
plus rare photos including one taken at Bungies Club in London which is
where I first saw Jo Ann in the 60s and was blown away by her utterly
convincing renditions of Memphis Minnie songs and helped turn me into a
confirmed blues addict for life! (FS)
|
B.B. KING |
Ace CDCHM 1034 |
More B.B. King |
● CD $13.98 |
The seventh volume in Ace's ongoing mid-priced series based
on B.B.'s original Crown LPs with bonus tracks. This one reissues Crown 5230
originally released in 1961 - a mixture of up tempo R&B, blues ballads and
instrumentals - mostly drawn from Kent singles from around this time.
|
TAJ MAHAL |
Silverline 284579 |
Live At Ronnie Scott's |
● CD $19.98 |
9 tracks, recommended
DVD AUDIO Recorded at the famed Ronnie Scott's
Club in London of 1988, Taj Mahal is in strong form backed by a small band
including Wayne Henderson's keyboards, as well as a rhythm section of bass,
drums, and percussion. Big Blues finds Mahal sounding eerily like
Howlin' Wolf (as he does a lot of the time), and he tears through Stagger
Lee/ Mailbox Blues, Robert Johnson's Come On In My Kitchen, Blind
Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues, and four others. The 5.1 surround
sound is exceptional and the double-sided CD/DVD includes a video
performance of Statesboro Blues plus a video interview, and computer
extras that should fully satisfy anyone purchasing this newly packaged
musical super set. (CR)
|
THE MANNISH BOYS |
Delta Groove 100 |
That Represent Man |
● CD $15.98 |
17 tracks, 62 minutes, essential
It's this sort of recording
that manages to keep the blues flame burning brightly for those who see our
music suffering through a current low period. It's doubtful that a better
hand-picked band could be chosen seeing as this one has Finis Tasby's
vocals, the twin guitars of Kirk Fletcher and Frank Goldwasser, Leon Blue's
piano, and a rhythm section of Ronnie James Weber and June Core. Add to that
appearances by Paul Oscher, Roy Gaines, Johnny Dyer, Mickey Champion, and
Randy Chortkoff and you've got the makings of an incredible hour-long blues
extravaganza. Blues And Trouble/ You're Sweet/ I'm A Lover Not A Fighter/
Come On Rock Little Girl/ Temperature/ Partin' Time/ You Been Goofin'/ I
Feel So Bad and nine more make this a late entry for one of 2004's high
points. (CR)
|
MEMPHIS MINNIE |
JSP JSPCD 7741 |
Queen Of The Delta Blues, Volume 2 :
1937-1953 |
● CD $28.98 |
5 CDs, 121 tracks, essential
Memphis Minnie Volume 1 (JSP
7716 - $28.98) was one of the best reissues of 2004, and this second set,
covering the rest of the great singer guitarist's career, provides plenty
more to enjoy. Compared to corresponding reissues on Wolf, JSP have
restricted the sometimes numerous alternate takes of Minnie's later
recordings, which makes the set a good deal easier to listen to. A less
understandable omission is the exclusion of four songs she recorded for
Chess in 1952 (they were reissued on Wolf WBCD -010). Sides where Minnie is
supporting husband Ernest Lawlars (Little Son Joe) are included. The first
disc picks up the story in 1937, by which time Minnie was recording with
small groups which included talented pianist Blind John Davis. With titles
like Keep On Sailing/ Keep On Eating and Keep On Walking,
there is something of a production line feel to these early sides (although
the first is a droll reworking of Bumble Bee Slim's Sail On, Sail On
Blues), but they are lifted out of the ordinary by Minnie's fine singing
and forceful personality, and nice touches like Charlie McCoy's mandolin.
The next four sessions which make up disc two are among the high points of
Minnie's career. Tracks like Nothing In Rambling/ Ma Rainey/ In My
Girlish Days and of course Me and My Chauffeur Blues are rightly
regarded as classics, but the overall standard is superb. Call The Fire
Wagon is a delightful echo of her early guitar style, while the
evocative Lonesome Shack Blues highlights Minnie's gift for
projecting a fantasy - in this case having a shack to escape to from an
abusive relationship. Disc three, which opens with Minnie's last pre war
session, starts promisingly with I'm Not A Bad Girl, and includes
Looking The World Over, a song she reputedly sung to win one of her
famous blues contests against Big Bill.
The rest of this disc and the first
session on disc four though represent a difficult transitional period. After
a three year break from recording Minnie was trying to update her sound but
the results were disappointing, with some mediocre material, an unbalanced
sound on some sessions and Minnie's voice (a shade heavier and sounding
almost like her husband's) straining against electric guitars or being worn
out by repeated takes. Thankfully by her last 1946 session she is singing
and playing much better, and new songs like Daybreak Blues from the
following year represent an emphatic return to form. The final disc may give
a flavour of Minnie's nightclub act, a mixture of popular songs and blues.
The popular songs are not really suited to her style or personality, but the
Chicago style blues are often very good, even if Sweet Man and
Kidman Blues look back to Bumble Bee and Mr.Tango from
1930. World Of Trouble is also Minnie in top form, only the
overcooked Night Watchman Blues jarring a little. The set ends with
Little Son Joe, whose best moment was Black Rat Swing, trying to
sound like Robert Nighthawk: a sign of the times. Minnie's last two private
recordings from 1959 have never been found. Sound quality is generally very
good with only a handful of tracks having any appreciable noise and even
here listening is always comfortable. Compared to previous reissues sound is
as good as on compilations from Columbia, Indigo and Charly, and the noisier
tracks are better presented than on Blues Document. Neal Slaven again
delivers some nicely judged and informative notes, having space to discuss
the music as well as providing biography. Although Volume 2 is a little more
uneven than its predecessor, it still contains a lot of wonderful, timeless
performances. Listen to Volume 1 as well and you just might suspect that in
her time Memphis Minnie made more outstanding records than any other blues
singer. (DPR)
|
MEMPHIS SLIM |
Collectables 2892 |
Messin' Around With The Blues - The Very
Best |
● CD $15.98 |
Fine collection of 27 sides recorded in Chicago for Hy-Tone
and Miracle between 1946 and 1948 including all his early R&B hits -
Messin' Around/ Frisco Bay/ Blue And Lonesome/ Help Me Some and Angel
Child. Fine vocals and piano from Slim with superb Chicago sidemen like
Alex Atkins, Ernest Cotton, Big Crawford and others. Great music with decent
sound though for a more comprehensive look at his 40s recordings you should
check out the three volumes on Blues Collection (158 032, 159 862 and 160
142 - $11.98 each) which features all his 40s recordings in chronological
order.
|
MEMPHIS SLIM
& ROOSEVELT SYKES |
Maison De Blues 982 242 |
Double-Barreled Boogie |
● CD $15.98 |
12 tracks plus conversation, 54 mins, highly recommended
What a delight! Two old friends and giants of blues piano sitting in a studio
in Paris reminiscing about old times in the South and Chicago and playing
some wonderful piano duets - some with vocals by Slim and some by Sykes as
well as a couple of driving instrumentals. The music is wonderful - the two
work really well together on a a selection of mostly their own tunes as well
as St. Louis Jimmy's Going Down Slow and the conversation is full of
wit and humor and some of the information might prove useful fodder to blues
historians. This was originally issued on Barclay in 1970 and seems to have
disappeared very quickly. This CD has a bonus track and includes notes by
original producer Philippe Rault as well as transcriptions of the songs and
conversations. A treasure! (FS)
|
MEMPHIS SLIM &
BUDDY GUY |
Maison De Blues 982 274-3 |
Southside Reunion |
● CD $15.98 |
10 tracks, 46 mins, highly recommended
Reissue of 1971
Barclay album with two bonus cuts. An excellent set of Chicago blues
featuring singer/ pianist Memphis Slim accompanied by a solid band fronted
by Buddy Guy with A.C. Reed appearaing on tenor sax on some cuts and Junior
Wells providing some fine harp fills on others. The songs are mostly Slim
originals along with a couple of blues standards and Buddy joins in on
vocals on a couple of tracks as well as providing some tough guitar work.
(FS)
|
MEMPHIS SLIM &
CANNED HEAT |
Maison De Blues 982 274 |
Memphis Heat |
● CD $15.98 |
Reissue of 1974 Barclay album where Slim is joined by Canned
Heat and The Memphis Horns on songs like When I Were Young/ Black Cat
Cross My Trail/ Down That Big Road/ Mother Earth/ Five Long Years and
more. This reissue includes a bonus unissued tune and a previously unissued
alternate take of Five Long Years.
|
CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE |
Alligator 5612 |
Deluxe Edition |
● CD $15.98 |
14 tracks, 62 minutes, excellent
With a recording and
performance itinerary dating back forty years, Charlie Musselwhite's name
and reputation are ranked very highly, and while some contemporaries from
his era have long been gone, he remains focused and stands as an elder
statesman. Compiled from three titles in the Alligator catalog, as well as
featuring two previously unissued tracks; Lotsa Poppa and a somewhat
ragged-but-right Newport News Blues from Musselwhite's personal
collection (with Will Shade), Memphis Charlie gets formidable support from
the Blind Boys Of Alabama, Junior Watson, Larry Taylor, and Steven Hodges,
among others. Mean Ole Frisco/ Blues Got Me Again/ Mama Long Legs/ If I
Should Have Bad Luck/ When It Rains It Pours, plus nine more. Solid and
enjoyable. (CR)
|
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