2019 – Ghost Town Blues
Band
By Phillip Smith; Sep. 28, 2019
I’ve been anxiously awaiting this new album from Ghost Town Blues Band since first hearing about
it this past Spring. It was indeed worth
the wait. Shine, the band’s
fourth studio album, and fifth overall is downright spectacular. Soulfully packed in roots and blues, each of
the dozen original songs stand out in their own way. With singer/guitarist Matt Isbell as front-man, this Memphis-based band consists of guitarist
Taylor Orr, saxophonist/producer Kevin Houston, trombonist Suavo Jones, bassist
Matt Karner, drummer Andrew McNeill, with Cedric Taylor
on B3 and piano.
The feel-good energy of “Running Out of Time” delightfully
ushers the album in. I love the Allman Brothers vibe and the sweet sound of slide guitar. “Soda Pop” is a downright blast. Isbell fearlessly rips it up on cigar-box with some hard-driving
blues. The song is definitely one of my
favorites.
Although “Shine” and “Givin’ it All Away” were both
on GTBB’s live album, Backstage
Pass, I embrace the new studio recordings.
Guest vocalists Paul DesLauriers and
Annika Chambers both make an
appearance on title-track “Shine”. This
beautiful feel-good song always puts a smile on my face. “Givin’ it All Away”
is one bodacious jam. The jazz-soaked rhythm from McNeill and Karner set
the stage for a captivating performance from Suavo amid
the swirling sounds of guitar and B3. I
enjoy it immensely.
The funky groove of “Dirty” sinks its psychedelic claws
in deep as Orr tosses
out screaming cool-as-hell guitar licks. I dig the rap break injected into the song by Suavo too. It truly
gives the song an extra dimension. With
a chockful of emotion, Orr gives
a heart-felt delivery on “Carry Me Home”. It’s such a great song. Illana Katz Katz makes
a guest appearance on “Hey There Lucinda” with violin in hand. This absolutely lovely song delicately brings
the album to a close.
Shine is one of the best records
I’ve heard this year. I give it my
highest of recommendations.
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For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. www.ghosttownbluesband.com
2019 – Quarto Valley Records
By Phillip Smith; September 23,
2019
I’m happy to hear anything by the British blues-master
Kim Simmonds and his band Savoy Brown. Their
latest release City Night, is no exception. This is the fortieth album from them, and is
another smash hit record. With bassist Pat DeSalvo and drummer Garnet Grimm
holding down the rhythm section, Simmonds takes
charge as he does and delivers yet another round of stellar original straight-up,
nose-to-the-grind blues.
Simmonds’
searing guitar licks, joined with a fearless driving beat, kicks this treasure-trove
of blues-rock off with “Walking On Hot Stones”.
It is scorching and fantastic. I
love “Conjure Rhythm”, with its hypnotic hoodoo pulse. “Hang in Tough” is a rugged rocker of hard-hitting
blues which cuts to the bone. A
feel-good mood is set by title-track “City Night”, and fully enjoyed. It’s so great to hear Simmonds wail on guitar. Simmonds nicely closes the album
out with a heavy dose of blues in the fabulous “Ain’t Gonna Worry”.
It’s amazing how Savoy Brown
just keeps getting better and better with each release. City Night is as good as it gets. Blues fans are sure to enjoy this record.
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Other PhillyCheeze reviews of Savoy Brown
Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown - Goin’ to the Delta - https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2014/02/kim-simmonds-and-savoy-brown-goin-to.html
Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown - The Devil to Pay - https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2015/11/kim-simmonds-and-savoy-brown-devil-to.html
Kim Simmonds - Jazzin’ on the Blues - https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/09/kim-simmonds-jazzin-on-blues.html
Savoy Brown - Witchy Feelin’ - https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/09/savoy-brown-witchy-feelin.html
#346 : Savoy Brown - You Should Have Been There! - https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/08/346-savoy-brown-you-should-have-been.html
#356 : Savoy Brown w/ The Satterfield – Erickson
Project - Oct. 7, 2018 - https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/10/356-savoy-brown-w-satterfield-erickson.html
For more information about the artist, visit this
website: www.savoybrown.com
2019 – Whiskey Bayou
Records
By Phillip Smith; Sep. 14, 2019
Produced by Tab Benoit, Let
Go of the Reins delightfully highlights everything I like about the music
of J.P. Soars : smokin’ guitar licks,
hard-scrabble lyrics, and fearless vocals.
Soars, the Arkansas-based artist
who won 1st place at the 2009 International Blues
Challenge in Memphis and pulled down the Albert King Award
for best guitarist, rolls out his fifth solo studio album covered in
hard-driving blues. Soars steers the ship on vocals and guitars, with Chris Peet on bass guitar, Tab Benoit on
drums, and Tillis Verdin on
the Hammond B3.
Soars begins
the album with a jumpin’ cover of J.B. LeNoir’s “Been
Down So Long”. The fresh new arrangement
absolutely cooks. I love the swampy
cover of the 1970 hit song “If You Wanna Get to Heaven”, by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Soars definitely
makes this one his own. I thoroughly
enjoy his beautiful performance of Django Reinhardt’s intoxicating
instrumental “Minor Blues” too.
A wonderful deep dark groove, preceded by an ominous
entrance, guides title-track “Let Go of the Reins” on its hypnotic path to a
psychedelic finish. Soars
cut loose on his spirited tribute to Freddie King called “Freddie King Thing”. It jams indeed. “Lonely Fire” with its delicate melody and Spanish
influence, is a song I simply adore.
I highly recommend Let Go of the Reins. It’s among the best albums I’ve heard this
year.
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For more information about the artist, visit this
website : jpsoars.com
2019 – Lucas Haneman
Express
By Phillip Smith; September 6, 2019
After reviewing the Lucas Haneman
Express’ 2016 album, Tearing Up the Rails, I knew
there was something special about this group. Their follow-up album, Catch the Westbound
definitely reassures me, there is indeed an air of magic about them. Nominated for a 2018 Maple
Blues Award, the band expertly delivers a variety of original roots/rock-based
songs built on enchanting melodies and finely crafted lyrics. Haneman takes
the helm on guitar and vocals, with Jeff Asselin on
drums, Megan Laurence
on vocals, and Martin Newman
on bass.
With Lucas
on lead vocals, “Lay it to the Line” wonderfully starts the album with a driving
western-flavored jam. The song seductively
draws right in, as I sink into its twangy goodness. “Cold Cold Front” is ominous, catchy as hell,
and hard to shake. Haneman sings this one with a suave finesse. The swampy blues of “Ms. McGrim” is right up
my alley. I love the slide guitar and Megan’s accompanying vocals. My favorite tune on the album, “Devil’s in my
Grave” is riveting and rides atop a driving rhythm. They splendidly bring the record to a close with
a sweet, heady, Zeppelin-esque ballad, “To Be Brave”. When Asselin
kicks it in on drums, I get a big smile on my face. This is such a cool song.
One more time, Lucas
Haneman Express has brought their ‘A’ game to the table and
delivered a wonderful recording. I very
much enjoyed listening to this one.
---
For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. www.lhexpress.ca
The Phillycheeze review for
Lucas Haneman Express – Tearing Up the Rails :
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/03/lucas-haneman-express-tearing-up-rails.html
2019 – Wild Heart Records
By Phillip Smith; Sep. 1, 2019
Covering artists such as Deanna Bogart,
and Billy Pierce the past few years have
made me aware of Charlie Wooton’s
work as a bassist. Serving as his
tribute to the great Jaco Pastorious, Blue
Basso incorporates jazz, funk, R&B, and blues into a tasty concoction of
music with a splash of New Orleans charm. Here, his work stands gracefully in the
spotlight getting the full attention it deserves. The album is a surely a wonderful, musical
treat. With Wooton
on bass, the band consists of Daniel Groover
on guitar, Jermal Watson
on drums, Keiko Komaki
on keys, and features the lovely Arséne DeLay
on vocals. Adding to the ‘cool’ factor,
appearances from Sonny Landreth, Anders Osborne, Doug Wimbish (Living Colour), Eric McFadden and Damon Fowler also
grace this record.
Wooton starts
off with a groovy instrumental called “Jaceaux”. Komaki
is an absolute monster on keys. Wimbish, whose work includes session work for Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, The Rolling Stones, and Depeche Mode sits
in on this track fortifying the song with an extra layer of funk. “Come On Come Over”, a splendid cover from Jaco’s
acclaimed 1976 self-titled album, is delightfully sung by DeLay. “Dime Note”
is fantastic. I dig the beat Watson throws down on this one as the wonderfully
calibrated lead guitar from Groover takes
over. Sonny Landreth breaks
out a healthy helping of his signature slide guitar on back-to-back songs, “Tell
Me a Story”, and “Front Porch”. It’s always
a pleasure to hear this man play. The
album closes out with a smooth funkified take on the Rolling Stones song, “Miss You”. This fabulous cut has been a ‘go-to’ song for
me this week.
I appreciate and respect what Wooton is doing with his music. The jams he builds are juicy and spectacular. Blue Basso is definitely an album worth
checking out.
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For more information about the artist, visit this
website : charliewooton.com