#605 : Mem Mods - Vol. 1. (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Mem Mods

By Phillip Smith; April 7, 2023

Release Date : Feb. 24, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Longtime friends Steve Selvidge (Big Ass Truck), Paul Taylor and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), sons of Memphis music legends Sid Selvidge, Pat Taylor, and Jim Dickinson are now legends by their own right.  It took a pandemic to reconnect these three musicians who played together as kids in the 1970s to make this intoxicating new instrumental recording. With Selvidge on guitar, bass, Rhodes, and drum machine, Dickinson on bass and various keys, and Taylor on drums, percussion, various basses, synth pedals, and soundscapes, the trio drew inspiration from the music they loved growing up in Memphis.  They set the pin in the Bluff City as ground zero, exploded the sound into the outer dimensions, and created a dozen hypnotic, funky, space jams.

The album begins with the forward-driving beat and funktafied futuristic sounds of “Capricorn Catastrophe”.  This is a splendid slice of psychedelia topped off with horns.  Soaking in the warm groove of “Congressional Tadpole” is an absolute treat.  When I hear “Knotty Pine Kitchen”, I have visons of disco lights moving slowing across the ceiling and wall.  My brain totally expects to hear the soulful deep voice of Isaac Hayes kick in at some point.  I adore the funky Stax-flavored intro on “Midtown Miscommunication”.  It eventually wanders into Zappa-land.  Growing up in the Sixties and Seventies, one of my favorite toys was the ever-so-strange game of Cooties.  I never played the game; I just built the weird little creatures so my army men would have something to battle with.  “Cootie Party” may not be about that, but I like to pretend it is.  The Mem Mods trip concludes with “Horn Lake Hookup”.  If there is intelligent life out there, this is what they sent back after listening to the Memphis sounds in its heyday. 

I love the Mem Mods Vol 1., and hope there will be many more of these.  They are great!  

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TRACKLIST

 

01 Capricorn Catastrophe

02 Three On The Tree

03 Feather's On A House Cat

04 Congressional Tadpole

05 Harmolodica

06 Knotty Pine Kitchen

07 Midtown Miscommunication

08 Sonoma Smashup

09 Sparkle Skate

10 Cootie Party

11 Perseveration Blues

12 Horn Lake Hookup

#589 > GeminiiDragon - Equinox (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – Nepotism Recordings

Release Date: Feb 1, 2023

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 18, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Equinox, the follow-up album to GeminiiDragon’s earlier release this year Fighting Fire With Fire continues to rock out with music fortified with a heaping helping of funk, soul, and blues.  Lead vocalist Jessica Harper and guitarist Christian Simeon absolutely shine as writing partners on this ten-track recording of all original songs.  Harper and Simeon are joined by bassist Dougie V, drummer E Sass, and backing vocalist La La Thomas. 

A rocking beat and funky bassline build the way for “Sister Switchblade” to bash the front gates of the record open.  This song is a wonderful amalgam of Seventies rock and hot buttered soul.  It’s nicely wrapped in Harper’s fearless vocals and Simeon’s searing guitar licks.  “Ballad of Willie Mae & George”, the first single off the record, is a brilliant slice of southern blues-rock.  Harper and Thomas’s vocal chemistry shine as the infectious rhythm takes hold.  “Rusty Gun” is badass from start to finish.  The song’s dangerous, mean-streets personality is woven tightly into its power-rock riffs.  “Good Thang” is slathered in a funky rhythm served ala Bob Seger’s “Come to Poppa”, and it’s delightfully wonderful.     

GeminiiDragon continues to fascinate me with Equinox.  Their approach to music is fresh and invigorating.  They definitely have a unique style, and that’s a ‘good thang’.   

          

 

PhillyCheeze Review #551, GeminiiDragon – Fighting Fire with Fire           

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2022/04/phillycheezebluesblogspotcom-551.html

 

 

For more information about GeminiiDragon, or to order Equinox, visit their Bandcamp page: https://geminiidragonblues.bandcamp.com/album/equinox

#587 > Angela Strehli - Ace of Blues (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2022 – Antone’s Records

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 3, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Angela Strehli who helped found Antone’s, the legendary blues venue in Austin, Texas, recently released Ace of Blues, her first album in seventeen years.  Her voice is deep and buttery on this twelve-track recording as she pays tribute to those musicians who were an inspiration to her, such as O.V. Wright, Elmore James, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Little Milton and Otis Clay.  This CD also contains an interesting insert-booklet which contains photographs of those who graced the stage at Antone’s and notes about Stehli’s interactions with those artists.    

When Strehli’s cover of O.V. Wright’s “Ace of Spades” hits my ears, it puts an enormous smile on my face.  It’s downright fantastic.  Muddy Waters’ “I Love the Life I Live” is perfectly seasoned with Mark Kazanoff on harmonica. “Mighty” Mike Schermer’s guitar performance on Otis Rush’s “Gambler’s Blues” is absolutely delectable.  The tones he pulls out of his instrument are brilliant.  I dig the horn accompaniment on this one too.  Howlin’ Wolf is one of my all-time favorites, and Strehli’s recording of “Howlin’ For My Darling” is a wonderful tribute.  Mike Emerson brilliantly brings it on keys as Strehli nails the wolf howls.  As soon as the opening notes of Otis Clay’s “Trying to Live My Life Without You” finds their way out of the speakers, I switch into ‘dance mode’.  Chockful of soul, this one is a definite favorite.  Bringing the album to a close is a song Strehli wrote about her friend the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan.   She befriended Stevie and his brother Jimmy in the earlier years of Antone’s, and her song “SRV“ is a lovely and heartfelt tribute.

Ace of Blues is as solid as a blues album can get.  I hope Angela Strehli doesn’t wait another seventeen years before recording another.                

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#570 > Skye Pollard - Masquerade (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – Skye Pollard

Release Date : 9/10/22

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 20, 2022

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Hailing from the Ozark mountains in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is Skye Pollard, an artist who I just recently became aware of.  His latest release, Masquerade is such a fine-crafted work, I took to it immediately.  With song-writing chops that equally match his musicianship, his masterful lyrics beautifully flow along a country-roots-rock stream.  With Pollard on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, his band consists of bassist David Gesualdo, drummer Derek Russell,and Dylan Hawf on fiddle and acoustic lead.

In “Life’s Highway”, Pollard reflects on the ups and downs of living as he sings “Wouldn’t have rainbows if ya didn’t have the rain.”.  This first song from the four-track EP captivates me with Pollard’s unique voice and his band’s tight-knit mountain-folk performance.  “Barely Getting’ By” is my absolute favorite track from this release.  Though not a blues song, this song is pure blues at its soul.  When I hear lyrics that say “Don’t ask me how I’m feelin, cause I don’t wanna have to lie.”, I hear words from someone who wears their heart on their sleeve.  Pollard keeps the music robust and the words insightful as he wraps up this EP with title-track “Masquerade”, an anthem for the freak nation.  It’s a brilliant song, both instrumentally and lyrically.

Skye Pollard delivers a bright and unique blend of folk, country, and rock with Masquerade.  I’m absolutely looking forward to his next release.  

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For more information about Skye Pollard, visit this website : https://www.skyepollard.com/

  

#501 : The Bogart Jones Band - Beneath the Scars

2021 – Bogart Jones Band

Release Date : March 21,2021

By Phillip Smith; May, 22, 2021

 

Hailing from the heartland of Illinois, in Canton, The Bogart Jones Band has managed to sweep me off my feet with their new album, Beneath the Scars.  This second full-length release for the six-piece band, is rich in melody and lyrically masterful.  Basking in that sweet-spot between funky jam bands and southern rock, their all-original music is a patchwork of rock, jazz, blues, country, and soul.  It fits in very well alongside that of The Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic.  The Bogart Jones Band is comprised of Wes Simmons (lead vocals and bass), Ryan Rose and Don Mabus (guitars and vocals), Tim Fiers (drums), Curt Caudill (keyboards and vocals), and Ty Bailey (percussion).

A driving riff and funky beat roll out the red carpet for the riveting coming of age song “Tainted Youth” to get the album going.  I love the big sound, the hot guitar licks, and the wave of hold-steady chords off the organ.  Maintaining the high level of energy which they began with, they keep pushing forward in a huge Allman Brothers’ take-no-prisoner way on “The Word” in which the message is love.  A slow intoxicating groove, and Simmons’ deep slightly raspy vocals puts “Someone to Love” at the top of the list of favorites.  “Dear John” a touching, melancholy, and beautifully melodic farewell letter is another standout performance.  The pace is a fast and funky one on “It’ll Do” with Candill invoking a fascinating Zappa-esque energy into his solo.  The album closes in a full-fledged country-funk fashion on “Life’s a Bitch” filled with a ferocious beat, searing electric guitars, hot bassline, and barrelhouse piano.  It’s bodacious and sounds great.

I’m definitely keeping my eyes peeled for upcoming releases from The Bogart Jones Band.  These guys are terrific!          

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For more information about the artist, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thebogartjonesband

 

 

Take a listen to the album on Bandcamp,

#497 : The Reverend Shawn Amos - The Cause of it All

 

2021 – Put Together Music

Release Date : May 21, 2021

By Phillip Smith; April 24, 2021

The Cause of it All, the fourth studio album from The Reverend Shawn Amos, is the eighth release overall for Amos.  Taking advantage of time in quarantine, Amos teamed up with guitarist Chris “Doctor” Roberts, of Amos’ full band, The Brotherhood to record an album of classic blues songs in a raw, stripped-down fashion.  Amos’ magnetic vocals and wailing harp are the perfect match for the deliciously swampy guitar playing from Roberts.  As a duo, the chemistry between the two makes for a superb album of blues.

The album starts off with an intoxicating cover of “Spoonful”, the Willie Dixon classic made famous by Howlin’ Wolf.  It’s delivered with a matter-of-factness that sends chills down my spine.  With The Reverend belting out fearless vocals and harmonica notes that seemingly hover above the song in mid-air, The Doctor hammers out flesh-ripping guitar licks.  It’s absolutely wonderful.  They fabulously follow up with a killer blues-rocker off The Red Devils 1992 debut album King King called “Goin’ to the Church”.  It’s a fitting tribute to frontman Lester Butler who wrote the song and sadly passed away from a drug overdose in 1998 at the age of thirty-eight.  Impassioned with heavy emotion, The Reverend delivers another cut-to-the-bone gem in Howlin’ Wolf’s “Color and Kind”.  Intimate and charming, their acoustic performances of “Baby Please Don’t Go” and “Hoochie Coochie Man” put a gleaming smile on my face.

This is one of the best blues albums I’ve heard this year.  The Cause of it All has everything it needs to be a contender for Best Traditional Blues Album.                          

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

 

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

#484 : Shakin' Woods - The Blues Groove Sessions #1

2020 – Shakin’ Woods

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 30, 2021

Hailing from the Washington DC metro area, Shakin’ Woods, is a blues-rock band drenched in funk and southern-soul.  This talented quartet was formed in 2019 and is comprised of singer/guitarist Rich Russman, keyboardist/guitarist Austin Day, bassist George Belton and drummer Paul Dudley.  The Blues Groove Sessions #1, a four-track EP, is the first of several EPs planned to be released by the band this year, with the next released titled The Blues Proper Sessions #2.

I love the funky bass groove running through ‘Like a Superman”, it tracks wonderfully with the disco-friendly pulse Dudley creates.  Russman delivers the goods with the finesse of Steely Dan, incorporating smooth vocals, and a standout guitar performance.  “The Place to Be” leaves me with a big grin on my face as the friendly Phish-like groove creeps over to a psychedelic Hendrix-influenced bridge, and then back again.  Then while on the subject of Phish, they fantastically cover Trey Anastasio’s “Cayman Review”.  The EP ends on a beautiful and melancholy note as Russman sings of intertwined souls in “Still Alive”.  I can feel the emotion pouring out of his guitar in lush and bountiful waves.

The Blues Groove Sessions #1 is absolutely marvelous.  I can’t wait to hear the follow-up EPs.

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

 

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

#481 : Tony Spinner - Love is the Answer

2020 – Grooveyard Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 09, 2021

After nearly eight years since releasing his last album Earth Music for Aliens, Northeast Arkansas blues-rocker/guitarist extraordinaire Tony Spinner is back with a fabulous new record Love is the Answer.  Spinner joins bassist Michel Mulder and drummer Alex Steier once again in the studio for this project which spans a dozen original tracks. Recording took place at three locations: The Farm in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Lil’ Heaven Studios in Arnhem, Netherlands and Chill Hill Studio in Italy.

Spinner introduces the opening track “Same as it Ever Was” in a spaghetti-western fashion. Then with a blast of mind-blowing guitar shredding, switches into full-on funk. It sounds great!  His infectious groovy funk continues on with “Dizzy”, with Spinner waxing nostalgic in an attempt to escape the insanity of the world.  I love his jazz-guitar ode to little green men in “U.F.O.”.  It’s so fun to hear him play this one.  With title-track “Love is the Answer”, Spinner sings a message of peace and love, making for a beautiful ballad.  The slide blues that pours from “True Love” is absolutely great.  Laden with a plethora of aural treats, instrumental “Chun-Key” puts a gigantic smile on my face.  Boasting seven and a half minutes of southern funk, “Big River” is another favorite.  This composite of Allman and Marley is out of this world, and surprises me at every turn.  Spinner truly out does himself on this track.

This is the third Tony Spinner album I’ve reviewed over the years, and he never ceases to amaze me. Love is the Answer is a gem indeed and I highly recommend this record.   

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

 

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

#475 : Hamilton Loomis - This Season

 

2020 – Ham-Bone Records

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 5, 2020

Hamilton Loomis’ 2012 DVD Live at the Hub was the first and one of the few DVDs I have ever reviewed.  This was for Blues Revue Magazine’s online zine called Blues Wax. I remember being so impressed with his music.  Then in 2018, I reviewed his Basics album.  Again, his music made a big impression.  With This Season, his ninth release, Loomis fulfills his dream of doing a Christmas album, and I’m enjoying it tremendously.  Joining Loomis in the studio for the making of this ten-track holiday album is bassist Mike Meade and drummer Brannon McLeod.

Loomis brings five original songs to the table on this album, each with a fresh bluesy imprint.  Loomis sings of faith, hope, and healing as he opens with the title track “This Season”.  As a native of Galveston, Texas, Loomis certainly has a different perspective when it comes to Christmas time.  “Another South TX Christmas” is a boat-load of fun served in a Texas blues fashion.  There’s a cool and hip vibe to Loomis and the music he creates.  Capturing that character of him so brilliantly is the song “Underneath the Tree” with its swinging rhythm.

I love the mellow, relaxed funk he splashes on the blues-soaked “Lay Around and Love”.  With piano and harmonica accompaniment, this cover of Lari White’s 1993 single is one of my favorites.  He poignantly ends the record with an absolutely beautiful performance of “Oh Holy Night”. 

Hamilton Loomis brings contemporary Christmas albums to a new level.  It’s a record I can listen to anytime.   

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

 

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

#471 : Sonny Green - Found! One Soul Singer

2020 – Little Village Foundation

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 14, 2020

Sonny Green, a 77-year old soul singer based in the Los Angeles area, has been performing for over forty years.  He recorded eight 45’s in the Sixties and Seventies, however his latest recording Found! One Soul Singer is his first full length album, and it’s fantastic.  Recorded and produced by Kid Andersen, at his famed Greaseland Studios, the record features Andersen on guitar, Jim Pugh on B3, Chris Burns on piano, Endre Tarczy on bass, Ronnie Smith and D’mar on drums, Mariachi Mestizo on violin, and a stellar horn section comprised of Sax Gordon, Terry Hanck, Aaron Lington, Jeff Lewis, and Mike Rinta,  

As soon as the horns kick in, and Sonny’s smokey vocals roll out on “I’m So Tired”, I am all-in.  It’s certainly a rare treat to find music that stands out like this these days.  “If Walls Could Talk” is full of life and enriched with a funky rhythm and big band sound.  Andersen sweetens the song with his stylish guitar licks.  Sonny’s performance of Willie Nelson’s “Are You Sure” is dripping with pure emotion.  Settled in the blues and seasoned with funk, “Cupid Must Be Stupid” is fun and delightful.  Tarczy’s baseline is absolutely groovy, and I love Rinta’s trombone accompaniment.  I also dig the Seventies funky disco-vibe on “Back For a Taste of Your Love”.  Sonny’s vocal prowess shines as he peppers the song with high-pitched growls.  For bonus points, Alabama Mike makes a guest vocal appearance on “Trouble” to join Sonny in a slow, soul-blues duet.  Written by Alabama Mike, this is the first time the song had been recorded.  The blues absolutely pours out of Andersen’s guitar, and it sounds great.   

Found! One Soul Singer is a fabulous recording.  I’m so glad Little Village Foundation helped bring this album to fruition. 

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Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

 

#470 : The Boxmasters - Light Rays

2020 – KeenTone Records

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 7, 2020

It’s always a delight to hear new music from The Boxmasters.  With Light Rays, the tenth release from J.D. Andrew and Bud Thornton, the band delivers a dozen fabulous brand-new songs.  Each of them, written and performed with a deep appreciation for the early years of rock and roll. 

Beginning as a song from Bud to his daughter, “Breath Easy” is a lovely and poppy, feel-good anthem dedicated to parenthood.  It is a great song to open with and segues quite nicely into “Satellite Guy”, which I absolutely adore.  “Satellite Guy” has a sort of REM meets Big Star vibe, filled with infectious guitar riffs.  The captivating beat sounds great with a fabulous dose of organ on the side.  Doused with the delectable twang of Andrew’s guitar, “Thirteen Days” becomes this heart-racing ballad about a looming deadline for love.  It’s such a terrific song.

There’s a definite air of ominousity about title-track “Light Rays”.  Innocently beginning with this stellar line, “Please keep the Beatles album that I gave you.  Just like me some night it might save you.”, this wonderfully dark crooner song, soon takes a delusional stalkery-like direction.  It’s one of my favorites.  “Drag” catches my attention quickly too, with its Blondie-esque intro.  It perfectly captures the inner feelings that surface when I’m around strangers in a formal setting.  I’m happy to meet them, but I’m also so very happy to leave.  Resurrecting the long-lost art of misfortunate love songs, Andrew and Bud bring us “Downey Girl”.  This tragic tale of a love lost in a helicopter crash, where lawnmower blades and ceiling fans spark haunted memories, is based on an actual event which happened in 1968.

Reminiscent of the variety of rock songs one would hear on AM radio in the Sixties, this record is a testament of the Boxmasters love for early rock.  Light Rays is such a splendid album, it truly shines. 

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

 

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

#469 : Muddy Manninen - River Flows

 

2020 – Presence Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 31, 2020

It has been almost three years since former Wishbone Ash guitarist Muddy Manninen released his debut solo album, Long Player.  That was an outstanding recording.  His follow-up album River Flows is another quite impressive piece of work.  Self-produced, this ten-track album features Melanie Denard, Gregg Sutton, Kev Moore, Richard Johnson, and special guest Simon Kirke (Free/Bad Company) on drums.

“Make Believe” ushers the album in with a fabulous dose of rock and roll.  Denard’s melodic lead vocals, and Manninen’s infectious riffs, pull me in for the long-haul.  The cherry on top, is listening to Muddy’s solo.  He’s such a skilled guitarist, and it’s a joy to hear him play.  Waking a fine line between blues and southern rock, Muddy breaks out a tasty dose of greasy lap-steel slide on “Hey You”, with Kev Moore singing.  Moore also appears on “Daytona Beach”, which has a jazzy Steely Dan vibe.  And that’s a very good thing.  I love the funky instrumental “The Wedge”.  The synths accompaniment from Tomi Malm gives it a warm texture.  Preceding the beautiful instrumental close on title track “River Flows”, Muddy poignantly brings us a poetic ode to time, with “The River”, with Denard on vocals.  Her voice is absolutely divine.

River Flows captures the essence of Seventies album-rock, and it sounds so great. 

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

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

 

#467 : John Nemeth - Stronger Than Strong

 

2020 – Nola Blue

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 17, 2020

Stronger Than Strong, the tenth album from Memphis-based bluesman John Nemeth, totally captivates me with its soulful songs, funky grooves, and buttery beats.  Recorded at Electraphonic Recording Studios in Memphis, this feel-good album features Nemeth with his road band, The Blue Dreamers, which consists of guitarist Jon Hay, drummer Danny Banks, and bassist Matt Wilson.   

Nemeth and The Blue Dreamers kick things off in a delicious and greasy fashion with “Come and Take It”.  I love this kind of dirty blues.  “Fountain of a Man”, immersed in that wonderful Saturday night juke joint spirit, immediately follows.  With a terrific driving beat from Banks, searing guitar from Hay, and a harmonica performance from Nemeth that cuts to the bone, this song makes me smile from ear to ear.  Starting from its opening twang-filled notes, I am all-in on “Throw Me in the Water”.  Nemeth’s delivery reminds me so much of the great John Fogerty as he belts this one out with all the qualities of a timeless classic.  Nemeth’s “Bars” is performed as pure southern soul.  His keen observations and wit take on the various kinds of bars, whether found on windows, or found on street corners.  His cover of Junior Parker’s “Sometimes” is pert-near hypnotic.  I could soak in this groove all day long.  Then for a funky finish, the record closes up shop in a wonderful Memphis-style shindig with “Sweep the Shack”.  It’s an incredible party song with a huge Stax influence.  

Stronger than Strong is definitely an album to take note of.  It is brilliant from beginning to end.            

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

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

 

#459 : Bette Smith - The Good The Bad The Bette

 

2020 – Ruf Records

Release Date : Sep. 25, 2020

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 23, 2020

 

Three years have passed since Bette Smith released her debut album Jetliner.  The Good The Bad The Bette, her follow-up album, is an exquisite explosion of gritty, soulful, and funky music.  Recorded at Dial Back Sound in Water Valley, Mississippi, the record was produced by Matt Patton (Drive-By Truckers), and Bronson Tew.  With Patton on bass guitar, and Tew on drums, Smith enlists a small army of guitarists comprised of Luther Dickinson, Jimbo Mathus, Craig Pratt, Jody Nelson, Bronson Tew, Matt Patton, Curtis J. Brewer, and John Mcleod.   

A bodacious cover of Lonnie Sheilds’ “Fistful of Dollars” struts in with a glamourous, spaghetti-western disco fashion.  The rhythm is downright funky and sophisticatedly accompanied with strings and horns.  “Whistle Stop”, an original from Smith is extremely bluesy and soulful.  Based on a dream she had shortly before her mother passed, this is a song commemorating her last goodbye.  Featuring Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers ), “I’m a Sinner” invokes the sounds of sixties surf rock and absolutely cooks.  Smith’s vocals are fearless and from the gut, reminiscent of power-house soul singers Aretha Franklin, and Sharon Jones.  Luther Dickinson makes a guest appearance to pour some sweet southern soul into “Signs and Wonders”, setting the stage for an uplifting cosmic spiritual.  Smith serves up a big bowl of Muscle Shoals-style southern rock, with a delightful cover of The Dexateens’ “Pine Belt Blues”.  The band is tight as hell, and Smith’s vocals are rich and superb.  More Muscle Shoals-inspired music follows with a fabulous cover of the late, great Eddie Hinton’s “Everybody Needs Love”, featuring Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers.     

The Good The Bad The Bette is beautiful and flawless.  Don’t let this record pass you by.

             

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

#434 : Bai Kamara Jr. & The Voodoo Sniffers - Salone

2020 – Moosicus Records

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 29, 2020

It didn’t take but one listen to Salone, the latest release from Bai Kamara Jr., to turn me into an instant fan.  This was my first exposure to Kamara and his music, and to put it bluntly, his songs have swept me off my feet.  Born the son of a former Sierra Leonne ambassador, Kamara who grew up in the UK and moved to Brussels where he has lived for over twenty-five years.  For Salone, his sixth album, he embraces his African heritage with fifteen fantastic all-original, self-produced songs rooted in blues, jazz, and funk. 

Kamara, with his six-string acoustic guitar, reminds me a lot of the current delta blues players.  His songs are intriguing and poignant.  He begins with “Can’t Wait Here Too Long”.  The song is highly infectious.  Kamara’s vocals are suave as he sings of empowerment on “Lady Boss”, a cool and funky blues track.  One of Kamara’s songs which have burrowed deep into my brain is “Black Widow”.  Spider-like percussive sounds are at the forefront of this deep-blues track which I utterly adore.  “Don’t Worry About Me” is an absolutely stunning song of overcoming hardships.  It reminds me a lot of the music of another favorite, Sixto Diaz Rodriguez.

Salone is a downright fascinating piece of work which deserves to be heard, and Bai Kamara Jr., with his brilliant songs, has definitely won me over.       

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