Saturday, August 31, 2024

#700 > Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival - 2024 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival - 2024

Clarksdale, Mississippi

August 8-10, 2024

 

By Phillip Smith; August 30, 2024

 

I was so happy to make it back down to Clarksdale, Mississippi again to partake in the festivities of The Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. This was my fourth visit down for this event, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to enjoy it with. Between the Iowans and the Oklahomans, there were nearly thirty of us. Usually, it’s hotter than hell this time of year in Mississippi, but the festival gods were smiling upon us all and gave us a break with clear skies and cool temperatures.

Before pulling into Clarksdale to check into my abode at the Shack Up Inn on Thursday, a detour was made to Helena, Arkansas to catch my friends Big Train and the Loco Motives play a live set at the Delta Cultural Center for the King Biscuit Time show hosted by Thomas Jacques. The studio was packed with friends who wanted to support the band and witness the broadcast. The band absolutely shined. Afterward we wrangled as many as we could to descend on the legendary Burger Shack to eat lunch and snag up some of that “Best Coke in Town”.  It wasn’t long before we landed at the Shack Up Inn’s Gin/Bar to celebrate our arrival to Mississippi by drinking copious amounts of Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Beer Nut Brown Ale. After wiping out the bar’s supply of pecan beer, we caravaned downtown to the Grits, Greens & BBQ welcome party. The food was excellent and the music by provided by Sean “Bad” Apple, Stan Street & the Hokum Cats, and Terry ‘Big T’ Williams made for a relaxing evening. The night was capped with a trip to Ground Zero Blues Club to catch the world-class keyboardist Lala Craig for a couple of sets. I’m always amazed when watching her perform.

Friday, before pushing off to see Big Train and the Loco Motives at Ground Zero, we stopped off at Stan Steet’s Hambone Gallery to catch a performance by Ray Cashman. Then, a visit to Sean ‘Bad’ Apple’s Blues Club was in order. I loved that I had an opportunity to catch him play in his fabulously curated blues wonderland. That evening we made it back to the main stage to see Heavy Suga & the Sweet Tones, David Dunavant, Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks, and Lucious Spiller. I was thrilled to make it to Red’s Juke Joint later that night. It was a rippin’ good time seeing Anthony ‘Big A’ Sherrod and The Allstars.

I always seem to meet some of the coolest folk on these trips. While trying to sort out a lodging issue, I ducked into Marty’s Barber Shop and met Bear Ryan and Ryan Robertson who were very kind and helpful. Bear, the owner and barber of the establishment, along with Ryan are a music duo who play music together. As Bear explained, they play “Country Mud Snake Bit Blues”. I didn’t get to catch them play this time around, but I found their songs online and found it to be rather captivating. I’m definitely going to try to catch one of their shows next time I am in Clarksdale.

Saturday, I stopped to hear 19th Street Red busking in front of Cat Head. I made a point to stop at his Studio 305 later in the day to hear him some more. I hit as many blues acts as I could that day, making sure to see Kenny Brown, Bill Abel, Libby Rae Watson, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Space Cowboy, Terry “Big T” Williams, Mark “Mule Man” Massey, and Anthony “Big A” Sherrod.     

Special thanks go out to the Patrick brothers: Kevin, Gaylon, and Kyle, who introduced me to Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. You are all great friends. This is a one-of-a-kind festival which started in 1988 which I highly recommend to every blues fan.

 

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* Photos by Phillip Smith


Big Train & the Loco Motives @ King Biscuit Time

Steve Kolbus & Walt Busby at Ground Zero Blues Club

Sean 'Bad' Apple

Stan Street & The Hokum Cats

Lala Craig @ Ground Zero w/ Mississippi Marshal

Lala Craig & Ground Zero w/ Kyle & Kevin Patrick

Ray Cashman @ Hambone

Ray Cashman @ Hambone

Sean 'Bad' Apple at Bad Apple Blues Club

Big Train & the Loco Motives @ Ground Zero

Big Train & the Loco Motives @ Ground Zero

Terry "Big T" Williams @ Ground Zero

Heather Crosse : Heavy Suga & The Sweet Tones

Heather Crosse: Heavy Suga & The Sweet Tones

Heather Crosse: Heavy Suga & The Sweet Tones


David Dunavant

David Dunavant

David Dunavant

Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks

Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks 
(Lala Craig)

Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks

Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks

Lucious Spiller

Lucious Spiller

Lucious Spiller
(Guitar Frenchie)

Lucious Spiller

Anthony 'Big A' Sherrod & Allstars @ Reds Juke Joint
(Heather Crosse)  

Anthony 'Big A' Sherrod & Allstars @ Reds Juke Joint

19th Steet Red @ Cat Head

19th Steet Red @ Cat Head

Kenny Brown

Kenny Brown

Bill Abel @ Ground Zero Blues Club

Bill Abel @ Ground Zero Blues Club

Bill Abel @ Ground Zero Blues Club

Libby Rae Watson

Libby Rae Watson
(Washboard Chaz)

Libby Rae Watson

Libby Rae Watson
(Rambling Steve Gardner and Bill Steber) 


Jimmy 'Duck' Holmes

Jimmy 'Duck' Holmes

Space Cowboy

Space Cowboy

19th Street Red @ Studio 305

Terry "Big T" Williams & The Family Band

Terry "Big T" Williams & The Family Band

Terry "Big T" Williams & The Family Band

Terry "Big T" Williams & The Family Band

Mark "Mule Man" Massey

Mark "Mule Man" Massey

Mark "Mule Man" Massey


Anthony "Big A" Sherrod

Anthony "Big A" Sherrod

Anthony "Big A" Sherrod
(Heather Crosse)

Anthony "Big A" Sherrod

Anthony "Big A" Sherrod





Previous PhillyCheeze blogs for Sunflower River Blues:

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Sunflower+River

 

 Websites of places mentioned:

Delta Cultural Center - www.arkansasheritage.com/delta-cultural-center/delta-cultural-center-home

Shack Up Innshackupinn.com

Ground Zero Blues Clubgroundzerobluesclub.com

Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Artwww.cathead.biz

Stan Street Hambone Gallery - https://stanstreet.com/gallery/

Bear @ Marty’s Barber Shop - https://www.bearthebarber.com/



Websites of artists mentioned:

Big Train & the Loco Motivesbigtrainsblues.com

Steve Kolbus and the Clarksdale Blues Reviewwww.stevekolbus.com

19th Street Red https://19thstreetred.com/

Bear Ryan - https://www.bearryanmusic.com/

 

Saturday, August 24, 2024

#699 : Tab Benoit - I Hear Thunder (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 



2024 – Whiskey Bayou Records
Release Date : Aug 30, 2024

By Phillip Smith;

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

It’s been a long thirteen years since Tab Benoit has released a new studio album. I Hear Thunder, the latest, is well worth the wait.  Benoit delivers ten striking new Telecaster Thinline-fueled tracks he co-wrote with guitarist Anders Osborne. They glisten like rays of sunlight reflecting off a Louisiana bayou. With Tab on vocals and guitar, he is joined by drummer Terence Higgins, bassist Corey Duplechin, Osborne on guitar. And guest George Porter Jr. (The Meters) who plays bass on two tracks.

Title-track “I Hear Thunder” is powered by a quick-setting, lush, swampy groove adorned with thick bass, a heavy pulse, and riveting guitar licks. I absolutely love it.  “The Ghost of Gatemouth Brown” follows next with an infectious beat and a fabulous tribute to the Grammy-winning Louisiana bluesman Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown (April 18, 1924 – September 10, 2005).  Benoit is picturesque with his lyrics as he transports the listener into the swamps and marshes of the delta with “Watching the Gaters Roll In”.  It’s a favorite indeed. When Porter joins in on “Little Queenie”, it makes for a damn fine dance-inducing jam. I can’t help but move my feet when this flows through the speakers. The album comes to its glorious end with “Bayou Man”, a bodacious track oozing with searing guitar licks covered in gator grease.

Tab Benoit’s I Hear Thunder excites me at every turn with his delectable guitar performances and powerful vocals. It truly is a fantastic album.  

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For more information about Tab Benoit, visit his website at https://www.tabbenoit.com/




Saturday, August 17, 2024

#698 : J.P. Soars - Brick By Brick (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)



2024 – Little Village
Release Date : Jun 30, 2024
 
By Phillip Smith;
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

J.P.  Soars has been sweeping me off my feet for over ten years. His magnificent slide work keeps pushing the envelope with every new album he releases. It was the 2013 release of a record called Easy Livin’ by blues super-group Southern Hospitality which first drew my attention to this fellow Arkansan. Formed with Damon Fowler and Victor Wainwright, that band is still active and is currently touring.

Soars’ latest album, Brick by Brick is an astonishing record, jam-packed with phenomenal music. With Soars on vocals, guitars, dobro, banjo, bass, lap steel, two string cigar box guitar, merlin stick dulcimer, and jaw harp, he is joined by Chris Peet on drums and bass, Raul D Hernandez on percussion, Jeremy Staska on percussion, Bob Taylor on Hammond B3, Paul DesLauriers and Annika Chambers on backing vocals, Anne Harris on fiddle, and Rockin’ Jack Jacobs on harp, and Terry Hanck on tenor saxophone.

From the beginning, I’m swallowed up by the lush blues-rock groove on title-track “Brick By Brick”. It grabs on tightly and keeps its clutches sunk in until the end. I absolutely love it. A funky guitar riff, swirling B3, and a slathering of soul gives “Keep Good Company” the Muscle Shoals treatment for a southern-rock, feel-good time. “In the Moment” is absolutely gorgeous. Soars’ delicate performance makes this a beautiful instrumental. I always appreciate hearing J.P. break out that back-woods swampy slide, and when he does on “The Good Lord Will Provide” it sounds so damn good. The racing pulse on “Things Ain’t Working Out” makes for an exciting listen while Soars rips it up on this bodacious jamboree.

J.P. Soars’ Brick by Brick receives my highest of recommendations. I encourage everyone to give this a listen.

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For more information about J.P. Soars, visit the website at https://jpsoars.com

 

For more PhillyCheeze reviews featuring JP Soars, visit https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=J.P.+Soars

 

 

  

Saturday, August 3, 2024

#697 : Craig Erickson - Dream Tracks (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2024 – Craig Erickson

Release Date : Aug. 9, 2024

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 3, 2024

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I am always excited to hear new music from world-class guitarist Craig Erickson. His songs are charged with positivity and defined by no boundaries. When asked about the inspiration for this record, Erickson stated “Music sometimes can be the soundtrack of dreams....and sometimes hearing music inspires dreams. Having written many instrumentals through the years, I've always wanted to share more of those concepts and melodies with listeners. Like many fans of 70s music, I was exposed to fusion, jazz rock pioneers like Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, John McLaughlin, Weather Report, Chick Corea and funky crossover artists like Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour and many more.”

With his brand-new release Dream Tracks, Erickson takes the listener on a VIP tour down a wondrous ten-track path of jazz-laden, prog-rock instrumental originals. Produced, arranged, recorded, and mixed by Gerard Estella, Dream Tracks teams Erickson up with Estella on keyboards, Jim Coates on additional guitars, Lincoln Ginsberg on bass guitar, and Dave Nanke on drums/percussion.

The journey begins with “Northern Drive”, a song textured with a musicscape which ignites the sense of excitement and curiosity associated with setting off for adventure. “Night Ride” rightfully follows next. It surfs a pulsing funky wave as Erickson creates an air of mystery around each corner. Things get even funkier on the Tommy Bolin/Jeff Beck-inspired “Heart Strut” as Nanke’s ferocious beat and Ginsberg’ s thunderous bass set the stage for a soaring jam with. I absolutely love this track. “Dancing River” is as beautiful and elegant as the song-title implies. Inspired by a long-ago family vacation to Loveland, Colorado “Loveland” reflects Erickon’s memories of fishing and camping out under the stars with infectious riffs, and waves of tranquility. It is indeed a gorgeous song. As if channeled from the ethers, “Tomorrow’s Promise” is a warm and peaceful track with a guitar performance which seems to ascend skyward. Erickson describes it as “Another dreamy wonder song about remembering the past loved ones and the hope of meeting again in a future infinite heavenly place.”. It’s an amazing listen. Dream Tracks concludes its musical journey with “Above the Clouds”. I can’t help but think a little bit of the music genius of Ennio Morricone as my mind opens up to this cosmic, symphonic selection.

Craig Erickson’s Dream Tracks has a brilliant way of locking the listener in for a gob smacking, musically-intoxicating listening experience.  It garners my highest of recommendations.           

 

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For more information about Craig Erickson, visit the website at https://www.craigericksonsskytrain.com/

 

For more PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Craig Erickson, visit https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Craig+Erickson

Thursday, July 25, 2024

#696 : Chris BadNews Barnes - BadNews Travels Fast (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)



2024 – Gulf Coast Records

 By Phillip Smith; July 25, 2024

 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

BadNews Travels Fast, the latest album from Nashville-based bluesman Chris BadNews Barnes drew my attention quite quickly. His fearless approach to the blues makes for a splendid outlet for his witty lyrics. Produced by multi-Grammy-winning Tom Hambridge, this eleven-track record of all originals features Barnes on lead vocals with Hambridge on drums/percussion/backing vocals, Kenny Greenberg on guitars, Tommy MacDonald on bass, Mike Rojas on keyboards, Max Abrams on saxophone, Steve Patrick on trumpet, and Tabitha Fair on backing vocals.  This release also features guests Jimmy Hall, Sugaray Rayford, and Walter Trout.

Hall steps in with harp in hand as Barnes and his band release a ferocious blast of blues on “Badnews Travels Fast”. I love the high-energy and tight musicianship packed into this barn-burner. To keep the fire burning, the legendary Walter Trout lends his guitar mastery to “True Blue” for an amazing listen. Fair’s vocals add a beautiful and soulful touch. This is truly an outstanding song. It brings a smile to my face to hear Sugaray Rayford on “You Right Baby”. It’s fun one indeed. Greenberg and Rojas fabulously keep the blues flowing as Barnes’ sharp wit turns its focus to the boudoir in “Skin to Skin”. Bounties on heads and unshakable outlaws are subjects of Barnes’ intriguing spaghetti-western landscape for “Ambushed by the Blues”.  It’s absolutely brilliant. An unexpected trunk of funk is busted open for “Do the Houdini”. I dig the touch of Stax lurking behind the keys and bassline. It makes for a playful, infectious groove that pulls me right along as I enjoy the musical ride.

Chris BadNews Barnes’ BadNews Travels Fast is a refreshing record of blues which has a way of brightening the mood in a most enjoyable way.    

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For more information about Chris BadNews Barnes, visit the website at https://www.chrisbarnesnyc.com/

 

  

Saturday, July 20, 2024

#695 : Johnny Burgin - Ramblin' From Coast to Coast (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Straight Shooter Records

By Phillip Smith; July 20, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Johnny Burgin continues to produce blues music in its purest form with his latest album Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast. Nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2023 for Traditional Blues Male Artist, Burgin’s guitar performances share top-billing with his song writing, elevating him to a level of high-regard. Recorded in assorted studios across the nation in Dallas, Cincinnati, Memphis, and Rochester, New York, then mixed at Greaseland Studios in San Jose, California by Kid Andersen, the album’s title Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast rightly fits. The record features a dozen solid-as-hell blues tracks and brings to the table as many special guests including John Blues Boyd, Rae Gordon, Ben Levin, Hanna PK, Jad Tariq, Jon Hay, and Dylan Bishop.

 Burgin ignites the album with title-track “Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast”. This cookin’ track includes Tariq on guitar and is backed by a rocking rhythm section featuring drummer Danny Banks, bassist Jon Hay, and pianist Christian Dozzler. Following immediately afterward is “Getting’ My Blues On”. I absolutely adore this. Burgin takes the song to the moon and back with his cosmic, note-bending delivery and soulful vocals. The backing vocals from Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Marina Crouse, and Jill Dineen are the icing on the cake and construct a sort of Hendrix-meets-Motown vibe. The flow continues strong with the classic Chicago Blues sound of “I Need Something Sweet”. Burgin’s lyrical mastery sets this up to be a timeless classic. The extremely talented Hanna PK accompanies Burgin on “Fresno Woman”. With Burgin breaking out the slide, I love hearing them trading guitar and piano licks back and forth. It sounds great. A juicy blast of harp from Burgin launches “I’m Playing Straight” as Little Village recording artist John Blues Boyd lends his suave vocals. The converging sound of guitars, piano, and harmonica creates a Mississippi juke joint experience for the listener. In a classic blues fashion, Burgin’s message to listen to one’s gut and refrain from second-guessing is the subject of “I Was Right the First Time”.  Accompanied by Levin on piano, this song swings with finesse.

 Ramblin’ From Coast To Coast is a high-caliber traditional blues album which all blues fans should give a listen to. It’s genuine, and it’s fantastic.  

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For more information about Johnny Burgin, visit the website at https://johnnyburgin.com


Catch up on previous PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Johnny Burgin through this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=johnny+burgin


This album available on Bandcamp