Photos by Phillip Smith
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Reviews and Articles for Blues Revue Magazine 2011- 2013 .
by Phillip Smith
Paul Thorn - What The Hell is Goin' On?
http://bluesrevue.com/2013/04/paul-thorn-what-the-hell-is-goin-on-4-19-13/#
Craig Erickson - Galactic Roadhouse
http://bluesrevue.com/2013/04/craig-erickson-galactic-roadhouse-4-05-13/#
Josh Smith - Don't Give Up On Me
http://bluesrevue.com/2013/03/josh-smith-dont-give-up-on-me-3-08-13/#
Betty Fox Band - Too Far Gone
http://bluesrevue.com/2013/02/betty-fox-band-too-far-gone-2-22-13/#
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Concert 1/26/13 Review
http://bluesrevue.com/2013/02/blues-beat-kenny-wayne-shepherd-show-review-2-01-13#
Kenny Wayne Shepherd photos from Concert 1/26/13 Riverside, IA
http://bluesrevue.com/2013/02/the-photo-page-kenny-wayne-shepherd-live-2-01-13/#
David Hidalgo / Mato Nanji / Luther Dickinson – 3 Skulls and the Truth
http://bluesrevue.com/2013/01/david-hidalgo-mato-nanji-luther-dickinson-3-skulls-and-the-truth-1-04-13/#
The Mokats - Crossover Blues
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/12/the-mokats-crossover-blues-12-21-12/#
Hamilton Loomis - Live at the Hub, DVD
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/11/hamilton-loomis-band-live-at-the-hub-dvd-11-16-12/#
Simon McBride - Crossing the Line
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/11/simon-mcbride-crossing-the-line-11-09-12/#
Bob Dylan - Tempest
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/11/bob-dylan-tempest-11-02-12/#
Colin Linden - Still Live
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/09/colin-linden-still-live-9-28-12/#
Killing Floor - Rock 'n' Roll Gone Mad
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/09/killing-floor-rock-n-roll-gone-mad-9-14-12/#
Chris Watson Band - Pleasure and Pain
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/08/chris-watson-band-pleasure-and-pain-8-17-12/#
Darren Jay & the Delta Souls - Drink My Wine
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/08/darren-jay-the-delta-souls-drink-my-wine-8-10-12/#
Johnny Rawls - Soul Survivor
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/06/johnny-rawls-soul-survivor-6-22-12/#
Debbie Bond - Hearts Are Wild
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/06/debbie-bond-hearts-are-wild-6-15-12/#
Eddie C Campbell - Spider Eating Preacher
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/05/eddie-c-campbell-spider-eating-preacher-5-25-12/#
Riverside Casino Blues Weekend Review
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/04/blues-beat-blues-weekend-at-riverside-casino-4-20-12/#
Riverside Casino Blues Weekend Photos:
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/04/the-photo-page-riverside-casinos-blues-weekend-4-20-12/#
Stacy Jones Band = No Need To Spell it Out
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/04/stacy-jones-band-no-need-to-spell-it-out-4-20-12/#
Mighty Sam McClain & Knut Reiersrud - One Drop is Plenty
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/04/mighty-sam-mcclain-knut-reiersrud-one-drop-is-plenty-4-13-12/#
Tony Spinner - Down Home Mojo
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/03/tony-spinner-down-home-mojo-3-23-12/#
Roy Trevino - self titled
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/03/roy-trevino-roy-trevino-3-16-12/#
Bryce Janey - Game of Life
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/02/bryce-janey-game-of-life-2-17-12/#
Mike Zito - Greyhound
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/01/mike-zito-greyhound-1-20-12/
Mississippi Fever - Self Titled
http://bluesrevue.com/2012/01/mississippi-fever-mississippi-fever-1-6-12/#
Jay Gordon's Blues Venom - No Cure
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/12/jay-gordons-blues-venom-no-cure-12-30-11/#
Coyote Kings - Move
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/12/coyote-kings-move-12-16-11/
Marco De Sade Band - Take No Prisoners
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/12/marco-de-sade-band-take-no-prisoners-12-16-11/#
BillyLee Janey - No Saints Ringin' the Bells
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/11/billylee-janey-no-saints-ringin-the-bells-11-04-11/#
David Bromberg - Use Me,
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/07/david-bromberg-use-me-7-8-11/
Levee Town - Pages of Paperwork ,
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/07/levee-town-pages-of-paperwork-7-22-11/
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - Peyton on Patton,
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/07/the-reverend-peytons-big-damn-band-peyton-on-patton-7-29-11/
Levon Helm - Ramble at the Ryman ,
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/09/levon-helm-ramble-at-the-ryman-9-2-11/
Trampled Under Foot - Wrong Side of the Blues,
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/06/trampled-under-foot-wrong-side-of-the-blues-6-10-11/#
Dr. Duke Tumatoe - I Just Want To Be Rich
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/04/dr-duke-tumatoe-i-just-want-to-be-rich-4-22-11/#
Bryce Janey - Blues in My Soul
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/01/bryce-janey-blues-in-my-soul/#
Colin Gilmore - Goodnight Lane
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/01/colin-gilmore-goodnight-lane/#
John Lee Hooker Jr., - Live in Istanbul Turkey
http://bluesrevue.com/2011/01/john-lee-hooker-jr-live-in-istanbul-turkey/#
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The Delta Saints - Death Letter Jubilee
Furiously fabulous and dankly
dark, The Delta Saints deliver possibly the most powerful rocking Blues album
of the year with Death Letter Jubilee. Led by vocalist Ben Ringel and guitarist
Dylan Fitch, The Saints hit every song full on, pouring their heart and soul
into every note, coating a nougaty center of Blues with a premium blend of rock
topped with a heaping helping of harmonica.
I never really thought about
what Led Zeppelin would sound like if they had been from the South, but once I
heard “Sing to Me”, I am pretty sure I now know. Ringel and Fitch transform themselves into
alternate versions of Plant and Page as we heard in “The Battle of Evermore”,
from the album, Led Zeppelin IV. This
track is absolutely outstanding.
Ringel, like Steven Tyler,
has a voice that is raspy and powerful.
It sounds really good alongside Greg Hommert’s harmonica in
“Chicago”. I love this track. It’s so full of soul and spirit. Speaking of spirit, one doesn’t have to be
religious to be overcome with it when one listens to title track, “Death Letter
Jubilee”. This one has all the
toe-tapping, hand-clapping fun of a bible-belt tent revival, minus all of the
judgment. Bring your own spiders and
snakes.
With spurts of controlled
frenzy, delivered with an increasingly fast tempo, they rip through “Devils
Creek”, as if adrenalin is flowing freely through their veins. Bassist David Supica keeps a nice groovy
bass-line going in this forewarning ditty.
This thirteen track album
definitely deserves a listen. It’s
fantastic.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Coyote Kings w/Mush - Nasty Habits & Dirty Little Secrets
By Phillip Smith
From the Pacific Northwest,
in Walla Walla, Washington, Robin Barrett and company deliver another bounty of
Blues with Nasty Habits and Dirty Little
Secrets, the Coyote Kings follow-up
album to Move. Writer and lead guitarist, Barrett, is joined
by vocalist Michelle 'Mush' Morgan, bassist Kit Kulhmann, drummer Emilo Cabrales and
keyboardist Doug Scarborough to create another saucy album of earthy electric Blues
composed of eleven new original tracks.
With Mush on mic., the crew
breaks out with a fun jam on title-track, “Nasty Habits & Dirty Little
Secrets”. Barrett throws down a catchy
funk-infused riff that has a way of burrowing itself in one’s head like a Ceti
eel from Star Trek II Wrath of Khan. I
could almost hear the band having fun recording it.
“Baby’s Gone”, a stand-out favorite
is a melancholy lament about lost love and contemplations of suicide while
holding on to a desire to live. This heartbreaking song features fantastic
guitar licks, and vocals from Mush so sad and lovely, it left me a little on
the heavy side with emotion.
Another slow tempo contender
for best song is “Afternoon Sun”.
Barrett handles the lead vocals on this one and handles it quite
well. I enjoy the mellow space it
creates very much. The combining
elements of piano, vocal harmonies and lyrics remind me a lot of Phish, one of
my favorite bands. This one plain and
simple, puts a smile on my face.
A perfect song to chill out
to, ‘Walking in the Fog’, is one of the best new instrumentals I have heard
this year. Hands-down fantastic, Barrett
plays it soft and slow, in the way one would actually walk in a fog. I would love to hear an entire album of instrumentals
of him playing guitar like he does on this one.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Cash Box Kings - Black Toppin’
By Phillip Smith
Black Toppin’
by Chicago bluesters, The Cash Box Kings
will have listeners waxing nostalgic in no time. Their sixth release continues the tradition
of infusing their music with the spirit and sound of the Forties and Fifties. Producer/front man, Joe Nosek on harmonica,
alternates lead vocals with Oscar Wilson while Joel Paterson conquers the lead
guitar and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith masters the drums.
Title track, ‘Black Toppin’’
a catchy little ditty about forbidden love and sneaking around is a pleasurable
treat. Written and sung by Wilson, this
one sounds steeped in old school Blues. Also
dunked in the old school Blues tank, is their spot-on cover of Willie Dixon’s
‘Too Late’, (originally recorded by Little Walter), and the traditional,
‘Walking Blues’. Both of these sung by
Wilson as well. He has a great voice for
the Blues, and it delivers authenticity to the songs.
Barrelhouse Chuck, 2013
nominee for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award, makes an appearance on four
tracks. Of those, the spotlight really
shines on him in ‘Money, Marbles, and
Chalk’ and one quickly finds out why he was nominated. Bundling Barrelhouse Chuck on organ, with
Nosek on harp, gives ‘My Tinai’ a cool retry Sixties Doors sound.
When the band gets going on
songs like Lou Reed’s ‘Run Run Run’,
one can feel the energy pulsating through the speakers. I might have to go out on a limb and say I
like this version better. The band is so
tight and the Paterson squeezes every note out of his guitar with
precision. This is my favorite track on
the album.
For those fans of the classic
Blues, this one comes highly recommended.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Southern Hospitality - Easy Livin’
By Phillip Smith
Grab some iced tea and meet me on the front porch, ‘cause we’re gonna relax and listen to Southern Hospitality’s new CD, Easy Livin’. With its origins stemming from an impromptu jam session following a blues festival in Florida back in 2011, Southern Hospitality is comprised of guitarist JP Soars, lap steel guitar master, Damon Fowler, and keyboardist Victor Wainwright. Easy Livin’ is undeniably a Southern blues concoction, which is comforting and somewhat intoxicating. The guys all contribute their song writing skills to the making of the album. Both, the opener, “Southern Livin’”, and the closer, ”’Sky is What I Breathe” is credited to all three. “Southern Livin’” is such a cool song, and like Southern living goes, it takes its time and is in no hurry to get anywhere. And I absolutely love “Sky is What I Breathe”. It’s such a beautiful song about remembering our connection with nature and our responsibility to keep it sacred.
If one is going to dedicate
an album to southern hospitality, you have to have at least one song about
drinking. “Kind Lies & Whiskey” is that song. Written by Fowler, this country boogie draws
a bright spotlight of attention to his keyboard skills. While we have the menu out, you have to order
up the ‘Fried Neck Bones and Home Fries”.
The guitar on this Latin instrumental written by Willie BoBo is so very
reminiscent of Carlos Santana. Can I
order an album of instrumentals from Soars and Fowler for desert?
The album as a whole is quite good and at times outstanding.
---
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Bluesmore Music Festival - Cedar Rapids, IA Aug.3, 2013
By Phillip Smith
Aug 3, 2013
* all photos by Phillip Smith
This year was yet another great year for music at annual Bluesmore Blues festival in Cedar Rapids. Opening up the main stage was the LCBS All-Stars, featuring Craig Erickson, Ron DeWitte, BillyLee Janey, Bryce Janey, Dan Johnson, Dennis 'Daddy-O' McMurrin, Skeeter Lewis, Tom 'T-Bone' Giblin, and Danny Ketelson and Eric Douglas. Seeing this much local talent on the stage at one time was a definite treat. Following the LCBS All-Stars was the Scott Holt Band, which was followed by the headlining act of Lucky Peterson featuring Tamara Peterson. These are just a handful of photos I was able to snap while taking a break or two from selling shirts at the merchandise tent.
* all photos by Phillip Smith
Craig Erickson, Ron DeWitte, and BillyLee Janey |
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Craig Chaquico “ Fire Red Moon ”
By Phillip Smith
Craig Chaquico, whose name is
now more synonymous with jazz guitar and new age music, has decided to veer off
his current path and venture down the blues highway for a while on his latest
album, Fire Red Moon. The album is very guitar-centric, and
pleasing to listen to. Mixing elements
of his earlier rocking days with Jefferson Starship, with his new age styling,
he’s producing some interesting music. The band is composed of lead singer Rolf
Hartley, drummer Wade Olson, bass player Jim Reitzel and keyboardist Bill
Slais.
Kenny Wayne Shephard fans may
recognize the voice on the opening track, ‘Lie to Me’, featuring special guest
singer Noah Hunt. His voice, deep and
smooth, fits the song very well. ‘Bad
Woman’, another of the seven original songs, is outstanding. Rolf Hartley’s vocals show a huge range on
this one, and if a dude can channel Janis Joplin, he just may have done that
for this song. Also enjoyed is title
track ‘Fire Red Moon’, a blues instrumental to ‘zone out’ to and appreciate.
‘Born Under a Bad Sign’, a
total re-imagineering of the original, seems more like a ‘Muzak’ or ‘Weather
channel’ version than a blues song. It’s
all instrumental, and sounds almost as if it was created specifically to be
used for background music. That’s not
the case on every song though, thank goodness.
Chaquico raises the roof on Muddy Waters’ ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’. It
rocks as it should.
The album closes out with a
bang, covering Robert Johnson’s ‘Crossroads’. Opening with a little taste of
slide guitar on top of some rattlesnake and wind sound effects, it breaks out and runs like Willie Brown ‘til
the end. This one is definitely my
favorite cut. Chaquico throws his new
age approaches to the side and plays this one specifically for the blues fans.
Hartley shines on vocals as well. I hope
Chaquico follows the blues path for a little while longer. It seems to fit him well.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Magic Slim & the Teardrops “ Bad Boy ”
By Phillip Smith
Morris Holt, aka Magic Slim, who passed away last February at
seventy six years old, still had it going on.
His voice was still going strong, and he sounded great. Bad Boy,
his newest release with the Teardrops (guitarist Jon McDonald, bassist Andre
Howard, and drummer BJ Jones) is completely saturated in the blues. I’d expect nothing less. Bad Boy
consists of a few covers, some older originals, and some newer originals.
Slim brings everything to the
table on Roy Brown’s ‘Hard Luck Blues’. From the emotional beginning when he sings,
‘well rocks is my pillow, and the cold ground is my bed.’, to the sorrowful
ending where he’s sings “I’m gonna find my mother’s grave, fall on the
tombstone and die”. Slims playing is
outstanding and his Gibson sounds great, as he carefully places each note
played.
I love the Eddie Taylor cover,
and title track, ‘Bad Boy’. This one is
the ultimate homage to us boys your parents warned you about. The original version was really slow, while
Magic Slims version is faster and a little more upbeat. Hands down, I like Magic Slims version
better. I also like their cover of
Denise LaSalle’s ‘Someone Else is Steppin’ In’.
This song is just so rich and hearty.
Although I admit, if I had to make a choice between the original or
Slims version, I’d have to throw my vote to Denise LaSalle. Her version is a bit sassier. Also covered is Albert King’s ‘Matchbox
Blues’. To compare Magic’s with Albert’s
would be comparing apples to oranges, but the song itself is extraordinary and Magic
Slims version is very nice.
Original
tracks to make note of are ‘Older Women’, a song, Ben Franklin would probably
enjoy, and ‘Country Joyride’, with a little smidgeon of rockabilly influence. There really aren’t any “throw away”
songs. Bad Boy is solid blues from start to finish.
---
Labels:
Bad Boy,
BJ Jones,
Blues,
Jon McDonald,
Magic Slim,
Morris Holt,
Music Review,
Phillip Smith,
PhillyCheeze,
Teardrops
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Peter Karp\Sue Foley - Beyond the Crossroads
Maybe it’s just me, but the
newest release, Beyond the Crossroads
by Peter Karp and Sue Foley gets more interesting with each subsequent listen. A common thread runs through each song, tying
them all together in a neat little musical present for the listener. This thread is the personal relationship
between the artists themselves. A follow
up to their prior album, He Said, She
Said, based on their back-and-forth emails and long distance calls, these songs
delve a bit further into their hearts and souls, revealing a refreshing
positivity.
The harmonies on this album
are very nice. Sue Foley has a sultry
and slightly raspy voice that can really belt out some lyrics when she needs
to. To hear what I am talking about,
check out the song “Analyze’n Blues”.
What really puts the icing on the cake for this track is Karp throwing
down with his National Steel ResoRocket slide. This one ranks high on the ‘cool
meter’. I love this song.
Karp and Foley playfully
dance around several different genres while keeping the album as a whole really
bluesy. Take the song, “At the Same
Time”, for example. As Karp and Foley alternate
vocals with Karp on slide, a fantastic horn section provided by the Swingadelic
Horns spice up this slow-tempo Louisiana creole flavored duet. It’s Beale Street meeting Bourbon Street. For those who appreciate bluegrass, and have a
very short attention span, check out the very fast paced instrumental, ‘Plank
Spank’. Although it clocks in at just
less than two minutes in length, Karp and Foley play their hearts out and have
now earned a spot on my list of performers I want to catch live in concert.
Rating 8 out of 10
Labels:
Beyond the Crossroads,
Blues,
music,
Peter Karp,
Phillip Smith,
PhillyCheeze,
review,
Sue Foley
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Beth Hart – Joe Bonamassa - Don’t Explain.
By Phillip Smith
Don’t Explain is
what being a music junkie is all about. This is a collection of ten soulfully
retro-fitted songs featuring covers from Ray Charles, Billy Holiday, Etta James
and Aretha Franklin to name just a few. I
listen to a lot of music each year, and find many treasures, even so, I have to
say this collaboration from Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa surpasses most of
those. I love the way Beth Hart sings
with pure emotion while Bonamassa subtly backs her on guitar.
Sexy and sultry, Hart plays
the part of fallen angel on the first couple of tracks, as she covers Ray
Charles’ “Sinners Prayers” and Tom Waits’ “Chocolate Jesus”. Bonamassa brings a bit of spaghetti western
guitar to the table on ‘Chocolate Jesus’, creating an ominous environment,
contrasting Hart’s softly sung vocals and piano. I really like this one.
The Holy Grail song on this
album is ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, originally by Etta James. The performance is unmistakably
phenomenal. With a string section in the
background, Hart sings with believability and conviction. Bonamassa takes over the bridge and picks out
the melody only the way Bonamassa could.
Another Etta cover, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me”, is also a lot of
fun. Although it’s got a gospel flavor
to it, I doubt anyone would ever hear this one played in church.
Fans of Bonamassa will dig the Bill Wither’s cover
of “For My Friends”. The riff is hard and fuzzy, and not hippie
friendly, like the original. I have to
give this album two thumbs up. One for
Beth Hart, and one for Joe Bonamassa.
Labels:
Beth Hart,
Blues,
Don't Explain,
Joe Bonamassa,
Music Review,
Phillip Smith,
PhillyCheeze
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Irish District Music and Arts Festival, Cedar Rapids, June 22, 2013
Saturday, June 22, folks from around the area descended upon the Irish District neighborhood in Cedar Rapids, to enjoy live music, local food, and celebrate community pride.
The event kicked off on the main stage with The Ron DeWitte All Stars featuring Tom Giblin, Bryce Janey, Dan Johnson and Jon Wilson. Following them was Tallgrass, a three piece band from Iowa City. The Family Groove Company closed the night.
The Central Shores stage featured The Significance of Simon, and closed with a spectacular performance from Craig Erickson and Friends.
Proceeds from the event will be used to support the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy Guitar Program.
The event kicked off on the main stage with The Ron DeWitte All Stars featuring Tom Giblin, Bryce Janey, Dan Johnson and Jon Wilson. Following them was Tallgrass, a three piece band from Iowa City. The Family Groove Company closed the night.
The Central Shores stage featured The Significance of Simon, and closed with a spectacular performance from Craig Erickson and Friends.
Proceeds from the event will be used to support the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy Guitar Program.
Ron Dewitte All Stars - Ron Dewitte, Dan Johnson, Bryce Janey |
Dan Johnson and Bryce Janey |
Ron DeWitte |
Austin Morford and Matt Skinner from Tallgrass |
Adam Morford from TallGrass |
TallGrass |
Craig Erickson |
Craig Erickson |
Contino – Back Porch Dogma
By Phillip Smith
Contino may just be one of
the coolest bands sporting an accordion to hit the scene. Led by Pete Contino, son of legendary
accordionist, Dick Contino who gave us ‘Lady of Spain’ and ‘Beer Barrel Polka’,
this quintet intertwines Blues, Zydeco, Jazz and Americana music to produce an
album full of spirited songs, rich juicy melodies, and solid vocals.
Even with accordion in hand,
their cover of Lim Liban’s ‘I Don’t Want to Know’ is straight up blues. Al Ek wails away on the harp, providing near
perfect accompaniment to Contino’s vocals on this one about letting go of the
past. Speaking of Contino’s vocals,
they really stand out on their cover of Willie Love’s ‘V-8 Ford’. Ek belts out some great harmonica again, and Billie
Truitt has a nice little solo on keyboards to boot.
They break out the Cajun
seasonings on ‘Zydeco Train’, and ‘Monkey’.
‘Zydeco Train’ makes me want to throw some crawfish in a big ol’ pot,
boil ‘em up, and invite some friends over for a crawfish boil. While Contino and Truitt take on the heaviest
load, you can’t deny that upright bass providing that big steady beat. What a cool sound. ‘Monkey’ a song about infatuation, has a more
chilled vibe to it. It’s slower and
relaxed and will have you rooting for the man and the object of his desire to
make a connection.
Falling into neither the
Blues nor Zydeco category, “Three Cool Cats” originally recorded by the
Coasters and covered by the Beatles as well in 1962, is hip and beat. It has a way of creeping into the
subconscious mind.
I’m very impressed with this
album. It held my interest, sounded
really good, and is good for replay-ability.
Labels:
Back Porch Dogma,
Blues,
Contino,
music,
Phillip Smith,
PhillyCheeze,
review
Monday, June 17, 2013
Big James and the Chicago Playboys The Big Payback
The Big Payback, recorded live
at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club at the Le Meridien Hotel in Paris France, is
spirited and electric. The jazz club
experience is definitely captured well on this album. With Big James pounding out the vocals, and
guitarist Mike "Money" Wheeler knocking out a steady stream of
awesome guitar licks, the horn section, made up of Big James Montgomery
(trombone) and Charles
"Richard" Pryor (trumpet/flugelhorn) provides the icing on the cake. It just doesn't get much better than this.
Influences of James Brown and
George Clinton, two of my favorites, are infused into the title track, 'The Big
Payback'', originally by James Brown.
Big James breaks out the funk and for the duration of the song, hosts
the spirit of the hardest working man in show biz. This is one of my favorite tracks. It's funky, got a nice groove to it, and has
these really cool P-funk style spoken
background vocals. While on the topic
of the godfather of funk, we are also treated to a Funkadelic cover, 'I'll
Stay'. This is a really nice cover, the
vocals are toned down and smoothed out to set the somber mood of the song,
Pryor gives a powerfully cool trumpet solo on this one.
A couple of interesting
covers make the cut. 'Trying to Live My
Life Without You' , written by Eugene Williams , but recorded by both Otis Clay
and Bob Seger, is a big pleaser. To my
surprise, at the end, we get a cover of
Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water' to highlight Wheelers axe welding skills,
and to introduce the band. It's kind of
weird to hear 'Smoke on the Water' played with a band such as the Chicago
Playboys. It's a nice change of pace, to
hear a different take on this song, which differs immensely from the
over-played Deep Purple version as well as the football stadium version.
The next time I am in
Chicago, I am definitely going to see if Big James and the Chicago Playboys are
playing anywhere.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Tommy Castro presents The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue Live
By Phillip Smith
If one thing can be said
about Tommy Castro, it’s that he knows how to put on a show. So well in fact that he is the honorary
captain of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruises. This album features some of the highlights from
The Revue’s recent live performances.
The Revue consists of Tommy Castro, his band, complete with horn
section, and a number of musical guests.
Magic is in the air as Castro
totally reinvents Bob Dylan’s ‘Gotta Serve Somebody’. Possibly one of the hottest tracks on the
whole album, it’s as if Stevie Wonder himself took the song, baptized it in a
lake of funk, and handed it back.
Rick Estrin, who has recently
taken over for Little Charlie as front man for the Nightcats, dishes out some
smoking’ harp licks on ‘My Next Ex-Wife’.
Estrin, not the only Nightcat in on this one, is joined on this one by
his guitarist Chris ‘Kid’ Anderson, who adds some pretty hot licks to the song
as well.
If I were to continue name
dropping, I might ask what Michael Burks, Joe Louis Walker, Trampled Under Foot, and Janiva Magness all
have in common. The answer would be that
they all contribute smoking hot numbers on this album as well.
This CD is definitely a jewel
for those who dig their compilation albums.
Because Castro’s band is backing each track, the listener gets a really
good mix of music, but with a common thread providing a fluid connection. Of course, this one comes highly
recommended.
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