Monday, December 9, 2013
Metallica - Death Magnetic - From the Archives #7
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Saturday, December 7, 2013
Tony Spinner - Earth Music For Aliens
About
a week before first listening to Tony Spinner’s ninth solo release, Earth Music for Aliens, I had read about
the recordings of 100 songs from around the world, placed on Voyager back in
1977. It was to be heard and enjoyed by whomever
or whatever the Voyager makes its way to.
Rock and Blues were sparsely represented.
At least they included Chuck Berry’s “Johnny Be Good”, and Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground”. Both nice tracks, but my selfish thoughts were that they should have added more Rock and Blues music, something more akin to songs found on this new disc from Spinner. Judging from the title and cover art from the new disc, I think Spinner may have had the same idea.
At least they included Chuck Berry’s “Johnny Be Good”, and Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground”. Both nice tracks, but my selfish thoughts were that they should have added more Rock and Blues music, something more akin to songs found on this new disc from Spinner. Judging from the title and cover art from the new disc, I think Spinner may have had the same idea.
Returning
to the studio with bassist Michel Mulder and drummer Alex Steier, Spinner takes the listener on a journey down several paths. I like the way “Best Friend” and “Got What I
Wanted” can pump the listener up with its energetically charged, funk infused
blues and hot guitar licks and then later, chill us out to a relaxing listen to
“Free Now”, about letting go and forgiveness.
Spinner’s vocals are very nice and calming on this track.
There
seems to be a bit of Frank Zappa influence on “Let Her Go” because when I hear
the intro and the hook, I am instantly reminded of the late great musical
genius. This one gets weirdly fun and
playful.
Spinner
serves up some funky treats with “Hot Mess” and “Low Down Dirty Shame”. A funky rhythm along with Spinner’s teasing guitar
licks makes “Hot Mess” a favorite, while “Low Down Dirty Shame” is like a
bluesy Funkadelic song with its cool vocal harmonizing, rhythmic groove, and
Eddie Hazel-like guitar playing.
A
couple of rockabilly treats are worth noting as well. It’s a Living” revisits
the sounds of the Fifties rock and roll, and peppers it with a heaping dash of roadhouse
blues. And if that’s not enough, check out “Missy Talk”, a guitar centric
answer to Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Honey Don’t”.
This one has ‘Sun Records’ written all over it.
“Earth
Music for Aliens” is so easy to listen to, I recommend it to all Earthlings,
and those not of this world as well.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Flobots - Fight With Tools - From the Archives #6
I was captivated upon my
first listen of Fight With Tools by Flobots, Flobots, an alternative hip hop band hailing from Denver, are similar
in style to bands, Cake and 311. But
Flobots, flaunting a seemingly higher
IQ, are a bit more funky and a lot more political. Jamie Laurie, aka Jonny 5, the founder and
constant member of the band, chooses to write and rap about current events and
his political views rather than the topics usually covered by hip hop
artists.
Jesse Walker lays down some
really kick-ass bass lines to cuts, “Combat” and title track, “Fight With Tools”. Violist, Mackenzie Roberts along with
trumpeter, Joe Ferrone add a unique flair to this album, enriching the
musicality of tracks such as “Mayday”, one of my personal favorites of this
collection, and the in-your-face, world leader-challenging “Same Thing”. “Handlebars” standing out as the downloadable
favorite on iTunes, showcases Laurie’s skills as a writer/rapper. Different than the rest, “Never Had It” kicks off with a sultry beginning, and
resonates with a vibe of sixties pop.
But if you really want to take something catchy to the dance floor, take
a listen to “The Rhythm Method”. Flobots
all come together on this song like none other on Fight With Tools.
I found the song “Anne Braden”
very lyrically powerful and musically hypnotic.
Flobots take a stab against racism with this track, a tribute to a woman
who received honors for her contributions to civil liberties.
Each track is individually
unique, yet one can sense a common thread running through them all. The album is very well constructed, and I
have to say, I am impressed.
Rating = 4.0 / 5.0
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Bryce Janey - “Burning Flame”
Bryce Janey’s newest CD, Burning Flame has been the only disc in
my vehicle all week, and I haven’t had the urge to pop in a different disc yet. That’s just how good this album is. Chock full of Texas style blues, about
motorcycles, guitars, bootleggers, and lost love, with a little swamp thrown in;
this eleven track album features the Dan “DJ” Johnson on bass guitar, Eric
Douglas on drums, and Tommy T-Bone Giblin on the Hammond organ.
Janey brings us in with a
strong opener, “Chrome Horse”, a blues-ridden rocker, sure to be a favorite of
motorcyclists everywhere. When I hear
this one, I think of how great it would be to hear it on the FX television
show, Sons of Anarchy.
If you asked what songs
really jump out, I would certainly include, the Jimi Hendrix influenced “Can
You Feel It?” Johnson’s killer bass line
drives this one, while Janey lays down some smoking guitar licks. “Guitar Playing Fool” is one I really feel. Giblin’s Hammond shines through as Janey sings
about making a living playing music.
There are a couple of covers on
the album worth mentioning. The first is “Special Ryder Blues” by Skip James, which Janey has definitively
made his own. I love the bass line on this
one, and overall this is one of my favorite cuts on the whole album. The second cover, “The Stealer”, a Free cover originally recorded in 1970,
which has a new more eerie swampy personality.
Another nice selection from the swamp is “The Last Goodbye”, and this is
one I am instantly drawn to. Janey lets
loose and the guitar seems to play itself. I really like this one a lot.
Janey has set the bar up
another notch, one upping himself again.
Burning Flame is absolutely
enjoyable from start to finish. It is definitely
worth exploring.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Craig Erickson - Rare Tracks (Volume Two)
By Phillip Smith
Craig Erickson never ceases
to amaze me. Rare Tracks (Volume Two), the second installment of previously unreleased
nuggets from his secret stash, unleashes fourteen new pieces of ear-candy to be
happily enjoyed. With the exception of one track, all are originals. As well as writing, Erickson takes on the
responsibility of playing all the instruments, and belting out all the vocals
as well. Erickson gives us a full one hundred
percent.
Leading off with a short spacey
track just over a minute long in length, ‘Deep Blue Circles’ seems to be more
of an intro for the song following it, ‘Heavy Stuff’, about the necessity of having
to escape everyday life once in a while.
This track has a nice little funky rhythm slathered with a thick coating
of heavy fuzzy bass.
Few people can cover Jimi
Hendrix, make it their own, and make it sound good to boot. Erickson is one of those few. Not quite a cover, but rather an adaptation,
‘Purple Haze (The Trip)’ is the only track not completely written by Erickson. I love the subtle keyboard accompaniment on
this, and how it sets a soft jazzy stage from which to launch an amazing crescendo
of six-string energy.
The instrumental, ‘Make it Through’
is amazing and beautiful. I love how at ease and full of peace I am when
listening to it. Erickson’s expressiveness
shines through brightly. Erickson gets
funky on ‘Midnight Flight (Reprise)’, a very short track clocking in at just
over a minute and a half. The only thing
wrong with this track is that it is way too short.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Black Oak Arkansas “Back Thar N’ Over Yonder”
By Phillip Smith
Being a BOA fan, I’ve been
waiting for an album like this for a long time.
Back Thar N’ Over Yonder bestows
upon us five new Southern Rock tracks featuring reunited former members of the
band, jamming along side by side with the newer members. Returning to record alongside
Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, Rickie Lee “Ricochet” Reynolds Johnnie Bolin and George
Hughen are Pat “Dirty” Daugherty, and Jimmy “Soybean” Henderson. And as info-mercial extraordinaire, Ron
Popeil, would say, “wait… there’s more”.
There are also nine tracks of previously unreleased material from 1972
through 1974, a re-mastered version of the original version of “Jim Dandy”, and
a thirty page booklet of classic band photos, concert posters, and promotional
ads included to boot. One of my favorite
photos is from a concert poster showing the ‘Boss’, Bruce Springsteen opening
for Black Oak Arkansas at the KSU Student Center Ballroom. The ticket price was $4.00 in advance, and
$4.50 at the door.
Coming out guns blazing, BOA
hits us with “Plugged in and Wired”.
Bolin rolls us into the song with a catchy drum beat before the band
breaks out into this heavy rock anthem. This
one gets the adrenalin flowing.
Immediately following is, “Sweet Delta Water”, an ode to the mighty
Mississippi. With a much slower tempo, it takes a 180° turn from the preceding song. I find myself reminiscing about older,
simpler and more carefree times every time I hear it.
I love it when BOA gets a
little philosophical and cosmic. “15 Million Light Years Away” taps into that philosophical
well as Dandy ponders when, exactly, man will finally pull himself together. In this crazy world, ‘lunatics run the asylum
and animals run the zoo’. But when we do
all get ourselves together, he sings, ‘It may be tomorrow, it could be today,
or 15 million light years away.’ I’m
putting my money on 15 million light years away. I also have to say kudos on the Reynolds
penned track, “I Ain’t Poor”. This
country/rock boogie has a damn catchy rhythm and lyrics that make me
smile.
The nine previously unreleased
tracks are pure gold. Produced by the
legendary Tom Dowd, these were recorded with drummer Tommy Aldridge, guitarist
Harvey Jett, and the late great Stanley Knight.
My favorite dusted-off original, “Legal I.D” is cool little country jam,
complete with piano. Preaching the
message of checking gals’ ages before making any sort of advances, I can only
guess R. Kelly never heard this one. The Tommy Aldridge drum solo on the trippy
“Up Up Up”, is simply amazing. The studio
version of “Hot Rod” still smokes. Duel
guitars with Dandy’s raspy vocals which reach thresholds which would leave most
people mute, make this a ribald psychedelic treat.
Hearing BOA cover the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No)
Satisfaction”, shot chills up and down my spine. Dandy pours a train car full
of soul into his vocals on this one, and the band is tight as a tick. Turn up
the volume on this one to fully enjoy.
This album is a fascinating simultaneous
look into both the past and the present of Black Oak Arkansas. When listening to the album, it does not feel
like it is coming from two different sources in two different eras. The weaving together of the vaulted tracks with
the reunion tracks is, to say the least, organic and natural. I truly am
surprised the unreleased tracks never made it onto vinyl back in the day. They are superb and withstand the test of
time. And as far as the reunion material
goes, it too puts a big ole grin on my face when I listen to it.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Joecephus and the George Jonestown Massacre - Smothered and Covered -- From the Archives #5
By Phillip Smith (Originally published 2008 for FoundryMusic.com )
Ask, and ye shall
receive. Upon stumbling upon this bands’
Myspace page, my interest was piqued enough to add Smothered and Covered to my
Christmas wish list. Christmas morning
arrived and I found myself sitting in front of the tree opening a small package
containing that very same CD by Joecephus and the George Jonestown
Massacre. It made my day. I am definitely a sucker for the
non-mainstream. And also a sucker for a
title that also hints at one of the many ways one can get hash browns at one of
my favorite chain restaurants, Waffle House: smothered with onions and covered
with cheese.
Joecephus is Joe
Killingsworth and is the brains, vocalist, and jack-of-all trades person behind
this hellbilly/cowpunk crew. The songs
are way off-center and mostly about drinking.
The album kicks off with two energetic bluesy tracks, “Jerk You Off My Mind” , about a man in
prison who ended up there because he caught his wife messing around with
another dude, and “Honky Tonk Night Time Man”.
One in particular I really enjoyed was “Bloody Mary Morning”, which
boasted some mighty fine guitar playing.
Some of the other odd-ball,
yet enjoyable songs of Smothered and Covered are “Drink Like a Fish”,
and “Who’s Gonna Get us High?”. The
strangest, however, being a slowed-down version of AC/DC’s “Hells Bells”, which
was recorded as a duet, and made clever use of the violin. The song that almost got away, is an
unlisted track at end of the CD. This
being, a cover of Jerry Reed’s “Amos Moses”, the man whose daddy used him for
alligator bait and could eat his weight in groceries.
I really got a kick out of
this CD, and look forward to hearing more music by Joecephus and the George
Jonestown Massacre.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Shawn Holt and the Teardrops - Daddy Told Me
By Phillip Smith; Oct. 26, 2013
Shawn Holt, son of Morris
‘Magic Slim’ Holt, who passed away earlier this year, is now taking over the
reins as front man for the Teardrops. His
debut release, Daddy Told Me, a mix of originals and covers and is an
extraordinary tribute to his father. This album is pure blues and in my opinion
should be a contender for a coveted Handy Award. The Teardrops (guitarist Levi William,
bassist Chris Biedron, and drummer Brian ‘B.J.’ Jones), deliver the goods,
which I like to think of in this case, as a briefcase full of blues.
It was a pleasant surprise to
find that Holt enlisted legendary bluesman John Primer (who played with his
father for thirteen years) to handle lead vocals and guitar on a fantastic
cover of Bo Diddley’s “Before You Accuse Me”.
Primer also sticks around to play guitar on the funky “Buddy Buddy
Friend”, an original from Shawn about so-called friends who hang around when
times are good and you’re sharing the wealth, but disappear once the bankroll
dries up. I think we can all relate to that.
The title track, “Daddy Told
Me” is gritty and chalk-full of attitude.
I love the rapport between Holt and William, both on guitar, as it is a
huge part of what makes this song sound so cool. I really enjoyed the guitar on “Please Don’t
Dog Me” also, as it accentuates the slow blues beat laying behind it.
It was very surprising to me
at how little time it took for this album to enthrall me. Every song is a
winner, and the album itself, I highly recommend. Magic Slim would have been very proud.
---
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Valerie June - Pushin’ Against a Stone
2013 - Concord Records
By Phillip Smith ; Oct. 19, 2013
By Phillip Smith ; Oct. 19, 2013
I had never heard of Valerie June prior to her performance
on The Late Show with David Letterman. She performed “Workin’ Woman Blues”, her
first cut off her new album Pushin’
Against a Stone. She took the stage
with her acoustic guitar strapped around her shoulder and started singing about
how she had been working her whole life, and now is ready for a sugar
daddy. For those few minutes, as far as everything
else was concerned, time had been frozen. I was so infatuated with her voice, and
how it was a unique blend of soul and country.
The song was intoxicating. It
swept me off my feet so fast, I had to hit the internet, find her website, and
order her album. To make matters even
sweeter, I found it was available on vinyl.
June is not just a pretty
voice with a guitar. She is quite
talented in the writing department as well. She wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the
album, with one exception, “Trials Troubles and Tribulations”, a bluegrass gospel
song by Estil C. Ball. This stripped down acoustic song focuses on
her lovely vocals, leaving the drums behind.
Booker T. Jones
(Booker T. and the MG’s) makes an appearance to play organ on “Somebody To Love”
and “On My Way”. The former, a real
folky tune about needing somebody to love features Luca Kezdy on violin. The latter, another selection in the
country/folk category, also features Kezdy on violin. The rhythm reminds me a little bit of “Friend
of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead.
The album has a very cool ‘retro’
sound, as it swirls the sounds of Music City with that of Motown. Title track “Pushin’ Against a Stone”, with
its harmonized backing vocals brings to mind the music from Mary Wells. And for a bonus, we get to hear the psychedelic
guitar styling of guest guitarist, Jimbo
Mathus, who also appears on four other tracks. It’s no surprise then, he plays on my favorite
tracks on the album, “Wanna Be On Your Mind”
This is another song that is so captivating, it almost puts me in a
trance.
Valarie June is such a
talented new artist who has a refreshing new take on music, and I have no doubt
we will see a lot more from her. This
album easily falls into my top five favorite releases of the year.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
John Prine w/ Peter Case Paramount Theater Cedar Rapids, IA September 14, 2013
Paramount Theater
Cedar Rapids, IA
September 14, 2013
By Phillip Smith
It is such a great pleasure to once again hear live music in the beautifully restored Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids. John Prine, with opener Peter Case played to a capacity crowd last night, bringing a little piece of the Ryman to town.
Singer/songwriter Peter Case, opening his acoustic set with “Put Down that Gun”, quickly captured the the audience. I loved “Crooked Mile”, with its funky countrified rhythm and Case’s guitar picking. The song to remember from this set, however, was the soft and heartfelt love song, “Two Angels”. Before beginning this one, Case mentioned it had been picked up and used in an episode of HBO’s True Blood. He went on to say it was used on a scene where two shape-shifters were having sex on a pool table. He then humorously added that was just what he was thinking about when he wrote the song. Case certainly delivered and one couldn’t ask for a better person to open up for John Prine.
With guitarist Jason Wilber on one side and stand-up bassist Dave Jacques on the other, Prine was in rare form, and played through most of the songs from his first and self-titled album. Opening with a rowdy crowd-pleaser, “Spanish Pipedream”, Prine set the mood for the rest of the evening. Before I knew it, he was tearing through “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore”, another favorite.
I loved how everything quieted down throughout the “Humidity Built the Snowman” from Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings. This song seems to make me feel really self-aware, just thinking about the lyrics “Humidity built the snowman. Sunshine brought it down.”
Breaking up the heaviness from the previous songs, Prine broke out a fun little song co-written with Peter Case, called “Space Monkey”, about the exploits of a primate shot into space during the Cold War when the USSR and the USA were racing to get a man on the moon first. The monkey was forgotten about but finally made it back to earth, only to meet up with a couple of friends at a karaoke bar and talk about old times.
It was a treat to hear “Dear Abby”, and the heart wrenching “Sam Stone”. The biggest treat for me though, was when Jason Wilber picked up a mandolin, and began playing the intro to the classic, “Angel from Montgomery”. This is what it’s all about.
To bring things to a close, Prine brought Case out on stage , and together they performed a ripping rendition of “Paradise”. It was a great night for music.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Big B "More to Hate" -- From the Archives #4
By Phillip Smith
One rarely thinks of Vegas
when the topic of rap music arises. That
may be changing really soon. Big B, the Las Vegas rapper has released a very solid
album called More to Hate. Each
song seemed to have its own individual imprint, displaying a diversity of styles. The title track “More to Hate” emits that old
school nineties rap essence, and eases the listener in comfortably. “White Trash Life”, the single, could easily
be confused as a Mighty Mighty Bosstones song, with its ska beat, and gravelly
vocals. Being a Bosstones fan myself, I
enjoyed this track immensely. Danny
Diablo offers up assistance with the track, “Put’em Up”, a southern fried
selection which reminded me a bit of Kid Rock.
“Put’em up, get ‘em up, stick ’em up,
what? Your hands motherfucker! Your hands motherfucker!”, the hook, is
still moshing around the diameter of my brain.
Big B really connects with
the common person though songs “Counting Pennies”, “Pass the Jager”, and “Real
as they Come”. “Pass the Jager”,
featuring Dirtball, another ska influenced song, makes an excellent party
anthem.
The catchiest of the tracks
on More to Hate, may just be “Looky Looky”, layering the hook over a
beat that sounded like something the B-52’s could have cooked up. I also favored the track “On the Road”, which mixes one part drinking song, with
stories from the road, with a friendly nod to ICP and the Juggalos.
With the help of the Kottonmouth Kings, Big B has transformed
Men Without Hats’ one hit wonder into something sure to put a grin on Cheech
and Chong’s faces. In “We Can Smoke”,
Big B sings, “We can smoke if we want to…”
to the tune of “The Safety Dance”.
Tech N9ne is featured on the following track, “Million Miles”, a love
ballad about being away from home.
Don’t let the name fool you,
More to Hate will give you more to like.
Labels:
Big B,
Danny Diablo,
Kottonmouth Kings,
More to Hate,
Music Review,
Phillip Smith,
PhillyCheeze,
Rap
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
John Lee Hooker Jr. “ Live in Istanbul Turkey” -- From the Archives #3
Many times live CDs take the
low road as studio recordings take the high road, in regards to quality and
sound. Recorded live at the Efes Pilsen
Blues Festival, in Istanbul, Live in Istanbul Turkey, by John Lee Hooker
Jr. definitely takes the high road and
proves a live CD can be as much rewarding, if not more, than its studio
recorded counterpart.
Backed by a large entourage
of musicians, which include a fantastic horn section, John Lee Hooker, Jr.
offers up eleven original songs, and a couple of covers. Those being, “Boom Boom“ and “Maudie”, originally recorded by his father, the late
John Lee Hooker. Along side Hooker, on
guitar, is Jeff Horan. He plays with a
certain precision sure to make Hooker Sr. proud.
“Suspicious”, references
mobile phones, McDonalds, and smoking crack as it deals with the paranoia
associated with a cheating significant other.
It is cleverly written and a pleasure to listen to. It’s hard to be paranoid without being
easily irritated as well. Hooker seems
to be eaten up with bitterness, as he denounces the economy, bank foreclosures,
and false friends, in another favorite original, “Fed Up”.
Hooker turns his frown upside
down next, as he breaks out the funk on “Funky Funk”. If this one sounds a bit familiar, it’s because
he incorporates the chorus and other pieces from Rufus Thomas’s “Walking The
Dog”. It’s a fun song. Paying homage to his father‘s classic, “Boogie
Chillen”, Hooker Jr. serves up a tasty dish with “Doin’ The Boogie”. It lasts almost eleven minutes in length,
and showcases a solo performance by each
musician on stage before turning into a tremendous jam session.
It’s easy to mentally place
oneself on location, in Istanbul, at
this concert, while listening to this disc.
The music is so enjoyable one could not help but want to have been
there. The enthusiasm on stage is
electrical. This is the magic that gives
Live in Istanbul Turkey its appeal.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
The Bastard Fairies “Memento Mori” -- From the Archives #2
By Phillip Smith
Memento Mori is a Latin
phrase which translates as ‘Remember you are mortal’. This CD by the Bastard Fairies helps us do
just that. Lead singer Yellow Thunder
Woman, with her lovely and delicate
voice begins the first track, “The Greatest Love Song“ with these words: ‘All I need is a catheter and lobotomy..’. Beautiful, yet disturbing, this is not the
usual opening of love songs, and I have to give kudos to anyone who can work
that line into one.
Guitarist Robin Davey has
managed to create a variety of musical backgrounds for Memento Mori. “A Venomous Tale” has hints of a reggae beat,
while “Whatever” sounds like an old western cantina song, with it’s
instrumentation of piano, and banjo.
The second track, a very
clever and sweet song, “Apple Pie“, just asks us all to get along. An almost perfect segue takes us to another
melancholy song, “Habitual Inmate“.
Memento Mori reinforces its
namesake with, “We’re all going to Hell”. If you’ve ever done anything that would send
your soul to hell, it’s probably listed in this song. I am well aware of a beer frame in bowling,
but never have I ever heard of a beer break in the middle of a song as this
song has.
A couple of the weaker
selections include “Moribund” and “Everyone
has a Secret”. . One of the most annoying things about Memento
Mori was the overuse of the ‘I’m singing from the bottom of a well, and using a
megaphone’ effect. On some tracks that
might work well, but it is really overkill when done on every song.
The title track, “Memento
Mori”, reminding us to eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may be dead, is
my second favorite song of this collection.
It’s very melodic, and Yellow Thunder Woman lets us hear her voice the
way it should be, unfiltered.
All in all, The Bastard
Fairies have produced a nice collection of songs, well written, yet still a
little rough around the edges.
* originally published for Foundrymusic.com in 2007
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Goon Moon “Licker’s Last Leg” -- From the Archives #1
By Phillip Smith
Jeordi White (aka Twiggy
Ramirez of Marilyn Manson) and Chris
Goss (Masters of Reality) have collaborated once again to produce their first
full length CD together as Goon Moon.
Licker’s Last Leg uses a variety of musical styles to walk the listener
through the album. Apple Pie, the
first cut, almost scared me away from the CD with what I can only equate as the
musical equivalence of running fingernails down a chalk board. Eventually the annoyance stopped and the song
unfolded, nicely I might add. Although
there is a lot of Goth rock influences in Apple Pie, the rest of the CD seems to be a mix of
classic rock peppered with a dab of industrial. Tip Toe could easily have been
mistaken for a Devo song, with its mechanical beat and quirky lyrics. My Machine is another nice
track, it‘s a little faster than some of
the other songs, and uses several tempos and synthesized vocals at times, emitting an Eighties Techno/Metal
flavor. My favorite track though is An
Autumn That Came Too Soon. It has a
simple beat but it is very hypnotizing, with its tranquil repetitiveness and
smooth-as-silk vocals. Individually
these are all nice songs, but they don’t all necessarily all gel together as
well as I would have expected. What I
considered the strangest and most experimental track, The Golden Ball, stretches
to almost 10 minutes in length, and is composed of eight mini songs. The last and least track, Built in a
Bottle, could have been left off entirely and I would not have minded. It was too slow and whispery to follow the
eleven songs it followed.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Otis Taylor - “My World is Gone”
by Phillip Smith
After a Jimi Hendrix tribute
concert, Taylor and friend, Mato Nanji, were backstage discussing the history
of the Native American. Within that
discussion, Mato, member of the Nakota Nation, uttered the statement, “My World
is Gone”. At that point they both
realized what they needed to write about: the trials and tribulations of the
Native American as it tries to retain the remaining bits of its culture. That is what this album is all about. Running the usual gambit of topics, My World is Gone touches on drinking, racism,
lost love, and murder. Just over half of
the tracks, feature special guest, Mato Nanji, front man for the band
Indigenous and member of 3 Skulls and the Truth, on lead guitar. Mato is quickly becoming one my favorite
guitarists to listen to.
Otis has an interesting way
of taking the blues and serving it up in his own very unique style, oftentimes
transporting the listener into a trance-like state, with steady background
beats and rhythms. From the first and
title track, “My World is Gone”, one of the collaborations with Mato, I am
totally on-board with the musical journey which awaits. In this one, Anne Harris adds a nice little
folky presence with an ever-so-soft fiddle accompaniment. In “Lost My Horse”, Tayor and Mato sing about
alcoholism and the dire consequences that were the direct result. In this song, a man whose father was a runaway
slave and whose mother was a Navajo woman, loses his horse, his most important
possession, due to drinking. Soon after,
he realizes it is only a matter of time before he loses his mind. The history lesson continues in “Sand Creek
Massacre Mourning”, recounting the despicable atrocities of the 1864 attack by
Colonel John Chivington along with 700 of his troops on a village of friendly Cheyenne
and Arapaho encamped in southeastern Colorado Territory. The song has a certain
military cadence to it; the kind one would hear preceding an execution. Taylor’s banjo picking combined with and Ron
Miles cornet playing, gives this a little The
Good, The Bad, and the Ugly touch.
I love the infectiousness of
“Huckleberry Blues”, as Taylor keeps a constant rhythm on banjo behind some
really nice jazzy cornet playing by Ron Miles. Taylors strong and soulful
vocals remind a bit of Isaac Hayes. Other favorites include “Gangster and Iztatoz
Chauffeur”, and “Green Apples”. Both
heavily doused in the washtub of trance blues, have such an instant likeability.
I liked this album from the
first listen, and the pleasure I get from it increases with each subsequent
listen.
Labels:
Blues,
Mato Nanji,
My World is Gone,
Otis Taylor,
Phillip Smith,
PhillyCheeze,
review,
Ron Miles
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Photos from NewBo Arts Fest, Cedar Rapids, IA - Sep 1 , 2013
Photos by Phillip Smith
SIGNALS
CRAIG ERICKSON and NATALIE BROWN
LIVE BROADCAST
REVIVAL
SOUTHEAST SIDE EFFECT
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.
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