#495 : Dexter Allen - Keep Moving On

 

2021 – Endless Blues Records

By Phillip Smith; April 10, 2021

 

Hailing from Crystal Springs, Mississippi and playing music since he was twelve, Dexter Allen is a man who definitely knows the blues.  Starting out playing bass in his parents’ gospel band, he moved on to lead guitarist for The Airtight Band, and then on to playing lead guitar for Grammy award winner Bobby Rush’s band.  Now with six solo albums already under his belt, Allen has just rolled out one more smashing record of sweet downhome blues.  It’s called Keep Moving On and its fabulous.  With Christopher Minter on drums and Joey Robinson on drums and keys, Allen holds the fort down on lead vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, and keys as well.    

In a tasty dose of funkdafied blues, Allen leads the record off with title-track “Keep Moving On”.  I love the positive message he hammers into his lyrics, reminding us to “Keep your head up high.   Keep reaching for the sky.”.  On “Love Talk”, Allen belts out a performance that is soaked in the essence of the late great B.B. King.  His vocals are suave and electric, as notes from his guitar seemingly hang in mid-air amidst the sweet lingering sound of organ.  “Blues Eyed Girl” is soulful and dreamy.  Its romantic lyrics and arrangement bring to mind the wonderful love songs recorded by the legendary Teddy Pendergrass.  He dives deep into the blues on “F.A.B.U.L.I.S.T. Woman” telling his story of a disenchanted romance with more of his soul-warming guitar and a delightful backing of horns.  It sounds so good.

Dexter Allen’s Keep Moving On is music for the soul.  When I listen to this record, I really feel like I’m hearing the blues.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.dexterallen.com

 

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#449 : Eric Hughes Band - Postcard from Beale Street

2020 – Endless Blues Records

By Phillip Smith; June 13, 2020

The first time I remember seeing Eric Hughes perform was in 2016 at Jerry Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar & Grill on Beale Street in Memphis.  Lawler’s was having a soft grand opening and Beale Street was busy with festival-goers waiting for Memphis in May to commence.  Since then, I have made a point to catch him play whenever I am in the Bluff City.  I can usually find him playing at Rum Boogie Café or outdoors over at Central BBQ – Midtown during Sunday lunch.  His performances are engaging and his original songs are spectacular.  Postcard from Beale Street, the sixth release from the Eric Hughes Band, packs ten wonderful original songs spanning a diverse assembly of musical styles rooted in Americana and The Blues.  With Eric on vocals, harmonica, and guitar, the rest of the band consists of his brother Walter Hughes on guitar and backing vocals, bassist Leo Goff, and drummer Brian Aylor.  Also appearing on the album is Rick Steff on keys, Marc Franklin on trumpet, Kirk Smothers on saxophone, and Mick Kolassa on tussolin, spoons, and backing exclamations.

Leading the album off is a scrappy blues song called “Ain’t Whipped Yet”.  Walter’s guitar absolutely sings while Steff keeps it swinging on keys.  Hughes’ nostalgic ode to liquor “Oh Booze!” is simply marvelous.  The arrangement of the horns interestingly assists in capturing the essence of music from the early 20^th century.  Walter breaks out some cool-as-hell Hendrix-like licks on “He’s Just an Alley Cat”.  This infectious blues-rocker is best heard at high volume.  I love “Follow Your Stupid Little Dreams”.  Not only is it a great mantra to live by, this delightful ditty keeps getting stuck in my head.    

The rhythm section is revved and topped with hot blasts of horns in “Fair Weather Friends”.  This rocking upbeat track ironically exposes those who bail on us when the party ends.  It’s Hughes’ storytelling songs like “Blackberry Patch” which define his artistry as a songwriter.  The imagery embedded in the song invokes memories of playing alone outdoors as a child.  I love the use of the resonator guitar on this one.  The song is indeed a favorite.

Eric Hughes has honed his craft by logging over 4,000 live performances on Memphis’ historical Beale Street.  That’s a feat in and of itself.  The music from Postcard from Beale Street is definitely reflective of that, and is a refreshing change of pace to listen to.                   

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : erichughesband.com

#431 : Sister Lucille - Alive

2019 – Endless Blues Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb. 8, 2020

Hot and seductive vocals from Kim Dill coupled with gobs of dynamic guitar from her husband Jamie Holdren fuel Alive, the debut album from Springfield, Missouri’s Sister Lucille.  They sound great together as their voices blend in southern-style harmony.   The other half of the band is comprised of a fantastic rhythm section featuring drummer Kevin Lyons, and bassist Eric Guinn.  Alive, produced by Holdren, and mixed by Grammy Award winner Jim Scott who produced Tedeschi Trucks’ Revelator album, makes for one hell of a bluesy listen.   

Holdren pours out a cool funky groove on “Won’t Give It” as the soulful keys from Chris Stephenson on a Hammond B, join with attacks of brass from saxophonist Peter Climie, trumpeter Jared Dover , and trombonist Andrew Earle.  It sounds great.  I love the swampy, delta blues style slide Holdren dishes out on “See My Baby”.  For a nice big helping of blues at its authentic best, “Respect Your Woman” features Eric Hughes, a Memphis blues artist who I hold high regard for, making a guest appearance on harmonica.  It’s always a delight to hear him play.  

I adore the Stax vibe hanging out in “Wanna Love You”.   Dill sings this infectious tune with sexy persuasion as Holdren absolutely rips it up on guitar.  The Stax vibe keeps trucking on as they cover “99 Pounds”, a song written by Don Bryant, and originally recorded by his wife Ann Peebles.  This one is a big-time favorite indeed and it’s songs like this which I fall head over heels for.  Etta James’ “W.O.M.A.N”, the other cover song on this record is a splendid showcase for Dill as she pours everything into her performance of this wonderful classic. 

Sister Lucille serves up a marvelous mix of blues, rock, and soul with Alive.  I certainly hope we hear more from them in the near future. 

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For more information about the artist, visit this website: www.sisterlucilleband.com