Blues & Gospel - Newsletter 148 - Kokomo Arnoldl -> Jimmy Reed + DVDS
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NEWSLETTER #14 8
Blues & Gospel
Kokomo Arnold ->
Jimmy Reed + DVDS
 

 

 

NEW DVDs

   

CLARENCE "GATEMOUTH" BROWN New West 8052 Live From Austin, Texas ● DVD $16.98
The great Texas singer, guitarist and fiddle player recorded live on Austin City Limits in February 1996. 10 tunes including Ain't That Dandy/ Honky-Tonk/ Bits And Pieces/ There You Are/ Things Ain't What They Used To Be

 
ALBERT COLLINS New West 8051 Live From Austin, Texas ● DVD $16.98
The "Master Of The Telecaster" with 10 tracks broadcast live in October, 1991 - Mr Collins, Mr. Collins/ Iceman/ Put The Shoe On The Other Foot/ Head Rag/ Frosty, etc.

 
REV. GARY DAVIS Vestapol 13111 The Video Collection ● DVD $23.98
Stefan Grossman has collected every piece of film footage that he could find of the great Rev. Gary Davis to compile for this remarkable tribute to a remarkable singer and guitarist. Featuring 31 performances - many of them appearing on DVD for the first time, it includes clips from a short film that played in theatres in the early 60s, a mid 60s appearance on Pete Seeger's "Rainbow Quest" TV show, footage from the Anthropology Department of the University Of Washington in 1969 filmed at the home of John Ullman, a concert from the same trip, two clips from the film "Black Roots" made by independent maverick filmmaker Lionel Rogosin in 1970 and very faint footage (with good sound) made at the wedding of John Gibbon (One of Davis's earliest New York students).

 
LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS Vestapol 13022 Rare Performances, 1960-1979 ● DVD $23.98
19 songs, 58 mins, black & white/ color, essential
Now on DVD. Although the great Texas country bluesman Lightnin' Hopkins was fairly prolific on record and in person, after he was "rediscovered" in 1959, his appearances on film and TV were few and far between, so this collection is particularly welcome. It opens with the earliest known footage shot by a German filmmaker in 1960 featuring Lightnin' in great form doing a song on the streets of Houston and in a bar. There are 5 performances from 1967 - three from University Of Washington and two from the Seattle Folklore Society including one of his wonderful topical songs Hurricane Beulah. There 8 songs from a 1970 TV show in Los Angeles - Lightnin' is relaxed and jokes with the audience in between some wonderful performances including the beautiful Shining Moon which Mark Humphrey describes in the enclosed booklet as being "one of Lightnin's most luminously poetic works" - yes indeed. Finally from 1979 we have an uptown version of Lightnin wearing a jacket with "LH" in sequins, playing a Stratocaster and accompanied by bass and drums. He even adds a wah-wah pedal on a couple of songs! Video comes with a 32 page booklet with a biography, discussion of the songs, tributes and some fine photos. A must! (FS)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Monterey Video 319452 Gospel ● DVD $17.98
DVD issue of 1982 film featuring live concert appearances by Rev. James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, Walter Hawkins & The Hawkins Family, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy and The Clark Sisters.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Shanachie DVD 6801 And This Is Free - The Life And Times Of Chicago's Lege ● DVD $27.90
DVD/ CD package. A remarkable tribute to Chicago's famed Maxwell Street market - a melting pot of cultures where all manner of goods were sold and entertainment was provided by street musicians, often some of Chicago's greatest blues musicians. Centerpice of the set is the 50 minute title documentary shot by Mike Shea in 1964. As well as being a fascinating look at the activities at the market itself it also includes street performances by a number of fine blues & gopsel musicians including Robert Nighthawks, James Brewer, Blind Arvella Gray and others. There is also a 30 minute documentary "Maxwell Street:A Living Memory" - a look at the area's early days through the eyes of Jewish merchants who worked in the market. There is also an animated show of period photos, a travelogue and found footage. The CD features 17 tracks ranging from the 20s through the 50s of artists who worked on Maxwell Street including J.B. Hutto, Baby face Leroy, Robert Nighthawk, Johnny Young, Daddy Stovepipe & Mississippi Sarah, John Lee Granderson, Boll Weevil, Papa Charlie Jackson and others. Finally, there is a 36 page booklet with articles from writers who spent time on Maxwell Street, vintage photos, anecodtes, etc.

 
 

NEW COMPACT DISCS

 
 
DIANA BRAITHWAITE & CHRIS WHITELEY Electro-Fi 3399 Morning Sun ● CD $15.98
13 tracks, 41 min., recommended
A set of originals that harken back to the 1930s recordings of Lonnie Johnson, Memphis Minnie, and various Bluebird artists is certainly a fine idea. And the multi-instrumentalist Whiteley has a facility with the guitar. What's missing is the emotion, the blood and sinew that is blues. Technically solid performances and decent songs, but nothing moving, nothing that makes you happy to be alive. The title track, last on the disc, comes pretty close, but it's too little too late. So what did Memphis Minnie and Lonnie Johnson have that these two don't? For lack of a better word, let's call it massive talent. (JC)

 
TOMCAT COURTNEY Blue Witch 105 Downsville Blues ● CD $15.98
12 tracks, highly recommended
A most welcome release. I had the privilege of record ing Thomas "Tomcat" Courtney back in the 70s when I ran my own Advent label. Since then he's been pretty much under the radar, performing regularly in clubs in San Diego and issuing a couple of self produced albums but finally gets national distribution with this new album recorded when he was almost 80 years old. Tomcat sounds pretty much as he did over 30 years ago with a truly powerful voice which is also capable of great subtlety and plays solid down home guitar. He was born and grew up in Texas and his blues is strongly rooted in the music he heard when he was growing up but without sounding archaic. He is accompanied here by a solid band including his long time guitarist Chris James, harmonica player Bob Corritore and sturdy bass and drums. His material is a mix of old favorites (Neet Me In The Botton/ Cryin' Won't Help/ Bottle It Up And Go), original songs based on traditional themes (Cook My Breakfast/ Wolf That Howls, etc) and a couple of semi autobiographical and topical pieces (Downsville Blues/ Disaster Blues and Railroad Avenue). A number of the tracks feature Tomcat just by James and his own guitar and these are among the highlights here. Fine unpretentious music. (FS)

 
REVEREND GARY DAVIS Document 32-20-14 Manchester Free Trade Hall, 1964 ● CD $15.98
Fine set of live performances by this great performer recorded live in England in 1964. Sound quality is not optimal but is listenable and Gary is in fine form on a selection of some of his most well known songs and tunes along with a couple of lesser known items. On The Sun Is Going Down he is joined by Sonny terry on harmonica and shows his own harmonica prowess on Coon Hunt. Also includes You Got To Move/ I'm A Soldier/ Sally Please Come Back To Me/ Cincinnati Flow Rag/ Maple Leaf Rag and others - 10 in all.

 
THE DEEP RIVER BOYS Acrobat ACMCD 4262 Let's Go ● CD $14.98
28 tracks, highly recommended
The Deep River Boys were a black vocal group formed in the mid 30s by baritone singer Harry Douglass. They recorded fairly extensively in the 40s and 50s doing both gospel and jivey pop material. In the 50s they toured extensively in Europe where they became very popular and recorded regularly. The notes to this collection by Opal Louis Nations are extensive but vague as to the date of these recordings here but I believe most of them are from the period 1946 through 1950. Highlights are six stunning acapella recorded for the obscure Pilotone label in 1945 or '46 including Get On Board Little Children/ Swing Low Sweet Chariot/ I'm Trampin' and others. On most of the other tracks they are accompanied by piano or rhythm section and tracks include Carmena Waltz Song/ I Am Bound For Sweet Canaan Land/ You Talk Too Much/ A Zoot Suit/ Cousin Jedidiah/ What Did He Say/ That's What You Need To Succeed/ Ain't Misbehavin', etc. Sound quality is generally excellent. (FS)

 
BULLMOOSE JACKSON Fabulous 2018 We Ain't Got Nothin' (But The The Blues), 1945-1953 ● CD $11.98
2 CDs, 49 tracks, 134 mins, highly recommended
A few Bull Moose Jackson collections have come out over the years, but I don't recall any of them being this comprehensive or have even half of the material gathered here. I suppose the main reason for the big difference is that all of the other compilations focus on only Bull Moose's rowdy and raunchy cuts and don't bother with the rest of his career; this comp does. All the hot infamous tracks like Big Ten Inch Record/ I Want A Bow-Legged Woman/ Nosey Joe, etc. are here and sounding great. You also get ole Bull Mouse adding hot sax onto records by Lucky Millinder (Someday/ Shorty's Gotta Go, and more) and Anisteen Allen (I Know How To Do It/ The Blues Done Got Me and More, More, More). There's some lush orchestral music as well as the swingin' jump blues that you expect. Extensive recording notes and a bit of back-story make up the booklet. This is the best Bull Mouse Jackson compilation out there by far. (JM)

 
FRUTELAND JACKSON Electro-Fi 3401 Tell Me What You Say ● CD $15.98
11 tracks, 53 min., highly recommended
Performing acoustic blues in the traditional Piedmont and Delta styles, Jackson writes deeply felt and moving original blues about subjects from the Iraq war to the I.R.S. to gambling to his grandfather. His It's All Good which brings to mind (mine at least) Casey Bill Weldon, is upbeat and positive, while Blues Over Bagdad is chilling. Songs such as The I.R.S., I Won and A Gambler's View show off a cleverness and self-awareness rare in modern blues. Accessible and pleasing. (JC)

 
ELMORE JAMES Charly SNAP 260 The Final Sessions - New York, 1963 ● CD $13.98
Two sessions from February, 1963 - 21 tracks plus a short conversation. Includes My Baby's Gone/ Look On Yonder Wall/ It Hurts Me Too/ Everyday I have The Blues/ Twelve Year Old Boy/ I Gotta Go Now/ Make My Dreams Come True/ Can't Stop Loving My Baby/ Elmore Jumps One/ Hand In Hand (Takes 1, 3 & 4)/ Find My Kind Of Woman and others. Includes eight page illustrated booklet with detailed notes by Dave Penny and discographical details.

 
CARLOS JOHNSON P-Vine 25050 Live At B.L.U.E.S. On Halsted ● CD $22.98
Japanese release only. Solid set of contemporary Chicago blues recorded at the B.L.U.E.S. club in Chicago in 2006. Singer/ guitarist Johnson is accompanied by a tight backup trio on some originals and old favorites. Nine songs in all including C.J's Swing/ I'll Play The Blues For You/ I'm Cold And I'm Wondering/ What's Goin On/ I Wonder Why, etc.

 
LOUIS JORDAN Rev-Ola 244 Rock Doc! ● CD $15.98
28 tracks, 75 mins, highly recommended
Sub-titled Louis Jordan on Mercury 1956-57, this basically marks the beginning of the end for Jordan commercially and the literal end to his classic Tympany Five backing band. With Rock 'N' Roll exploding all over the place, Louis Jordan was struggling to get the attention and dates that he certainly deserved, but was not getting. Mercury records themselves were not even interested in new material, but instead they wanted him to re-make all his classic Decca sides, which actually isn't nearly as lame an idea as it sounds. With advances in technology it made for a dynamic new sound, and with the advent and popularity of the full length LP record, it would be the first time you could get an entire collection of Jordan's great material, especially since much of his Decca work wasn't in print at that point. Also making for great new sessions were the cream of the New York session men used, so you get a new Caldonia etc, with Mickey Baker on guitar, Sam Taylor on Sax, and Quincy Jones as musical director! All together about half of this collection are fantastic re-workings of his old songs, then the rest are split up between new tracks at the time like Rock Doc!/ Big Bess/ The Jamf, and The Slop with covers Route 66/ Got My Mojo Working/ The Nearness of You, etc. So although not exactly in his prime, he's still down right incredible and it is a shame that he didn't get the attention deserved during this period. I am a huge Louis Jordan fan and this collection is essential for those like me and highly recommended for the rest! (JM)

 
MARIE KNIGHT M.C. Records 58 Let Us Get Together - A Tribute To Reverend Gary Davis ● CD $15.98
12 tracks, 41 min., highly recommended
After the album's producer, Mark Carpentieri, found Marie Knight and heard her sing, he was so impressed that he wanted to cut a whole album with her. His choice of Reverend Gary Davis material turns out to have been inspired, but for her part, Knight hadn't even heard of Davis. Their musical worlds revolved around the same Son, but their orbits were far from identical. Davis played in a country blues, ragtime-influenced Piedmont style, and Knight was a city singer used to touring with Sister Rosetta Tharpe and recording with top-flight jazz musicians. This satisfying tribute is as much about Knight as Davis, and while advanced in years--she's been touring since 1939!--no aplogies or excuses need be made for her voice, which is still a rich, round instrument, if not as full of sheer power as in its prime. Guitarist and arranger Larry Campbell holds the project together with sure-fingered renditions of a dozen Davis tunes, avoiding the mistake of absolute imitation, while never straying from the true spirit of the music. He throws in some mighty impressive violin and mandolin too. On two tracks, Catherine Russell adds the urgency of her voice, and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds contributes some blues harp on Twelve Gates To The City and Death Don't Have No Mercy. Says here that the bonus Knight interview video track will play on most computers. (JC)

 
LITTLE MILTON Shout 41 If Walls Could Talk ● CD $18.98
17 tracks, essential
Reissue of Chess 3012 from 1969 with six bonus tracks. Gene Barge puts together a blazing horn led band with Donny Hathaway on piano on several cuts to back Milton on a superb collection of soul and blues including the big hit title song along with other hits like Let's Get Together/ Poor Man's Song and Baby I Love You and some great covers like Things I Used To Do/ Kansas City and Blues Get Off My Shoulder. Bonus cuts includes his hit and one of his trademark songs Grits Ain't Groceries, stunning covers of The Dark End Of The Street and I (Who Have Nothing) and more. This is Milton at the peak of his powers with great songs, magnificent singing, a killer band and a few flashes of Milton's dynamite guitar work. Includes 12 page booklet with extensive notes, label shots and photos. Soul-blues doesn't get much better than this. (FS)

 
LITTLE BROTHER MONTGOMERY Southland 39 Little Brother Montgomery ● CD $13.98
13 tracks, 59 min, recommended
Having begun professional recording in 1929, blues piano master Eurreal "Little Brother" Montgomery enjoyed a long and prolific career. He laid down these tracks in London in 1972, when he was 66 years old and in spite of a stroke he suffered in the late 60s his singing and playing are still strong. He does a few of his old classics like Crescent City Blues and No Special Rider, more recent compositions like Elementary Blues and Little Brother's Little Boogie and his take on jazz tunes like King Oliver's Muleface, Louis Armstrong's Someday You'll be Sorry and a medley of Duke Ellington tunes. Most of t he tracks are instrumental. Between tunes Little Brother reminisces about his life and music. A most worthwhile collection. (FS)

 
DARRELL NULISCH Severn 041 Goin' Back To Dallas ● CD $15.98
11 tracks, 41 min., recommended
Soulful singer and distinguished harmonica player Nulisch set out to capture that "live gig" feel on this (studio live) set of half covers, half originals, and he generally succeeds. Occasionally, the energy level is lower than it needs to be, even while the playing is uniformly excellent. Nulisch sounds best riding his own compositions. He sounds looser and more at ease on Feel Like Ramblin' than he does on Sonny Boy Williamson's She's My Baby. But he sounds pretty good all the time. This release is more bare-boned and blues-based than much of his previous work, and his harp work plays a larger role. Another solid outing from a fine singer. (JC)

 
KING OLIVER Frog DGF 68 Blues Singers & Hot Bands On OKeh ● CD $17.98
22 tracks, 67 mins, highly recommended
Fabulous collection of 20s blues and jazz featuring the brilliant and influential New Orleans cornetist Joe "King" Oliver recorded between 1924 and 1929. There is an outstanding selection of vocalists here including the superb vaudeville duo Butterbeans and Susie accompanied by Oliver and Clarence Williams on piano - a duo who accompany several of the singers here. There are three tracks by the brilliant Texas singer Sippie Wallace including the fascinating Devil Dance Blues - on these the piano role is taken by Sippie's brother Hersal Thomas. Other vocalists include Elizabeth Johnson (a fine cover of Bessie Smith's Empty bed Blues), Hazel Smith, Victoria Spivey (three tracks with Clarence Williams Blue 5) and, surprisingly, country bluesman Texas Alexander with Oliver and Williams joined by guitarist Eddie Lang. The instrumental tracks include sides by the lively Clarence Williams Washboard Five, Clarence Williams Orchestra, Clarence Williams & His Novelty Four (two tracks including one with Eddie Lang on violin) and Blind Willie Dunn's Gin Bottle Four (featuring the glorious duet guitar work of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson). Stellar music from beginning to end, superbly remastered by Ted kendall and with extensive notes by John Capes. (FS)

 
PROFESSOR LONGHAIR JSP 8811 The London Concert ● CD $15.98
14 tracks, 45 mins, highly recommended
Previously available as JSP 805 and now repackaged in a handsome digipack format. Fess was in great form at this March, 1978 concert accompanied only by his conga player Alfred Roberts giving his great piano playing a lot of opportunity to shine. The material is mostly Longhair favorites like Mess Around/ Whole Lot Of Loving/ Baldhead/ Big Chief/ Everyday I Have The Blues/ Rockin' Pneumonia/ P.L. Boogie. Sound quality is good. (FS)

 
ALTON REDD Blue Moon 6057 The Blues Singing Drummers, Vol. 1 ● CD $16.98
28 tracks, 77 mins, highly recommended
Superb collection of West Coast urban blues featuring the outstanding singer and drummer Alton Redd. Originally from New Orleans, Redd settled in Los Angeles in the early 1920s and started performing in the late 20s but didn't record until 1945 when he made his first recordings for the Black & White label - these recordings along with a 1946 session for Bel-Tone were with his own group The Low Down Blues Band which included musicians like Harold Morrow, Snooky Young and Maxwell Davis. On these sides Alton sings a fine selection of blues with traditional themes in an warm expressive style that is a little reminiscent of Jimmy Rushing. His next sessions date from 1947 and find him as vocalist with Poison Gardner & His All Stars and King Porter's Orchestra which feature basically the same line up with the Poison Gardner session featuring Gardner on piano. These are larger groups than his first sessions and include trumpeter Jake "King" Porter and three saxes. Redd's vocals here have a grittier quality than his earlier sides and the lyrics, usually by Porter, are more contemporary in flavor. His final two sessions are from 1949 and were issued under the name of Big Red Alton and he is featured with a different but excellent group of musicians on a selection of original compositions. Thus ends the recording career of this obscure but exceptional vocalist. Sound quality is superb and there are detailed notes and full discographical details. (FS)

 
JIMMY REED Shout Factory 10638 Best Of The Vee-Jay Years ● CD $13.98
18 tracks, highly recommended
Shout Factory is doing some fine reissues from the Vee-Jay records catalog. Here we have Blues legend Jimmy Reed's classic material re-issued again in an attractive package with solid notes and fine sound. If you don't have a "best of" by him, one is essential in any proper roots collection and this one meets all of the requirements. (JM)
JIMMY REED: Ain't That Lovin' You Baby/ Baby What You Want Me To Do/ Big Boss Man/ Bright Lights Big City/ Can't Stand To See You Go/ Going To New York/ High And Lonesome/ Honest I Do/ Honey, Where You Going?/ Hush-Hush/ I Ain't Got You/ I'm Gonna Get My Baby/ Little Rain/ Oh John/ Shame Shame Shame/ Take Out Some Insurance/ You Don't Have To Go/ You've Got Me Dizzy

 

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