Sunday, September 28, 2014

319 Fest - Cedar Rapids, IA , Sep. 27, 2014




 

 

Chad Canfield
Cedar Rapids Zombie Prop Artist




Art-A-Holics




Evan Stock Band

Evan Stock Band

Evan Stock Band

Chad Canfield
Cedar Rapids Zombie Prop Artist

Chad Canfield
Cedar Rapids Zombie Prop Artist


Hartgrave Creations

20 Foot Forehead

20 Foot Forehead

Odd One Out

Odd One Out

Lee "Big Daddy" Kohl & The Wizards

Lee "Big Daddy" Kohl & The Wizards

Lee "Big Daddy" Kohl & The Wizards

Sharon Jackson Band

Sharon Jackson Band
In Case of Emergency


In Case of Emergency

Green Death

Flip the Kill Switch

Flip the Kill Switch

HeavyWeight

HeavyWeight

The Evan Stock Band

the effie afton

the effie afton

the effie afton

Leviathans

Courage at Sea

Courage at Sea

Tweazy West & J-Lube

Tweazy West & J-Lube

Das Thunderfoot

Das Thunderfoot

Das Thunderfoot

Das Thunderfoot

Cardboard Kingdoms


Hated to Heroes

Hated to Heroes

Cardboard Kingdoms

Friendly Fire : On

Friendly Fire : On


David the Goliath

David the Goliath

David the Goliath


Knubby

Knubby


* All Photos taken by Phillip Smith

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Devon Allman - Ragged & Dirty



2014 – Ruf Records
By Phillip Smith; Sep 27, 2014


They say you got to strike the iron when it’s hot.  I’m thinking that must be a part of Devon Allman’s philosophy.  Amid a super busy schedule of recording and touring, both on his own, and with Royal Southern Brotherhood, Allman was able to find time to record this bluesy southern-rock masterpiece called, Ragged & Dirty.  Bringing Grammy winner Tom Hambridge onboard to help write and produce, as well as drum, was a choice that seems to have paid off very well.

Kicking things off in a big way, Allman energetically delivers Texas style blues with “Half the Truth”.  I not only listen to this song, but I physically feel it  Soaking up the vibrations from Allman’s tasty guitar riffs riding atop a wall of sound from Marty Sammon on B-3 organ, instantly puts me in a great mood.  The hounds are released on “Blackjack HeartAttack”, another electrically-charged track.  Simply put, this is just a great song, with infectious hooks, and bodacious guitar licks.

Allman shows off his funky side in “Can’t Lose ‘em All”. This one seems to be perfectly fitted for lengthy jam sessions, and reminds me a little of the music of The Allman Brothers.  While on the subject of funky, it’d just be wrong to not mention “I’ll Be Around”, a smooth cover of the Spinners 1973 classic. Allman unveils his chops as a soul singer on this track showing he can go pretty much any direction he wishes, musically. 

“Midnight Lake Michigan”, clocking in at about nine and a half minutes, is an amazing instrumental.  This one is best played loud, without any outside disturbances, so as to catch every lovely and strategically played note.  Immediately following is, “10 Million Slaves”, a song reminding us about the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade, written and previously recorded by trace-blues king Otis Taylor.  Allman’s guitar sings beautifully as he stays true to the original spirit of the song.

Allman, taps into his southern rock roots with “Traveling” and “Times Have Changed”.  Vocals lowered and raspy, he reminds me tremendously of one my favorites, Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, of Black Oak Arkansas on these two tracks.

There’s something in every song that deserves to be heard.  Besides the well-crafted songwriting, and flawless performances, Ragged & Dirty has heart, soul, and a boatload of personality.  It’s sure to be a fan-favorite. 
  
         
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Sunday, September 21, 2014

Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang - Hale’s Pleasure Railway



2014 – Bafe’s Factory
By Phillip Smith; Sep 21, 2014


Hales’s Pleasure Railway, from the Finnish trio, Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang, is an interesting roots music album with a heavy jam band appeal.  Ville “Lefty” Leppänen, guitarist for Micke Bjorklof & BlueStrip, breaks out his lap and pedal steel guitars to join forces with drummer Tero Mikkonen, bassist JP Mönkkönen , and special guest organist/backing vocalist Jukka Haikonen for a stripped down, in-studio recording of eleven original “twangfully” terrific songs, most of which happen to be instrumentals.


Swampy cowboy-western “Open Field” is thick with steel guitar.  Taking a curious twist midway, Leppänen mysteriously captures the essence of the Grateful Dead with a very-Jerry Garcia inspired journey on lead guitar.  Afterward, the listener is dropped off into a funky little danceable track called “Bayou” which has a fun and infectiously swampy Louisiana-flavored groove.  Perfectly fitted to be on anyone’s tiki party playlist is “Secret Sunset”.  This Hawaiian themed track puts a smile on my face every time it’s heard. 

Leppänen creates an aura of hipness in the ultra-cool, “Bad Alley”, with haunting guitar riffs, like those of Jim Heath of Reverend Horton Heat. I absolutely love this style of playing.  Slowing things down a bit is “Red”, steeped in a tasty brew of jazz, and sweetened with the resin of Pink Floyd’s very early years. “Dark C”, a monster of a song, rocks out like Primus with a heavy bass line, industrial beats, and funky grooves. 

I really like the way Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang, surrounded in the spirit of early country & western music, brings with it, the delightful art of the jam.  That, along with a few contemporary influences, makes Hale’s Pleasure Railway a vibrant enjoyable listen from start to finish. 

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

David Bromberg - Use Me : From the Archives #15




2011 Appleseed Records

By Phillip Smith;  July 16, 2011 originally for  BluesRevue.com

David Bromberg, the legendary singer/songwriter/instrumentalist brings it again, this time with a little help from his friends.  With each track sporting a special guest, the idea for Use Me initiated from an invitation from John Hiatt to mess around in his Nashville studio.  From that point on, Bromberg called up a variety of musically talented friends, and asked them each to assist in one way or another in recording a song with him.  The results of this chain of events culminate into a wondrous potpourri of music. 

Bromberg kick-starts the sequence of songs with “Tongue”, a fun bluesy treat featuring Levon Helm on drums, and a tight rhythm section.   A second  track featuring Helm,  “Bring it With You When You Come” is a little more rusty and country-fried, reminding me a bit of Helm’s earlier recordings with The Band.

Keb’ Mo’ lends his talent as producer/guitarist on slow-paced  “Diggin’ in the Deep Blue Sea”, a timely response to the BP Oil Spill of 2010.   Well written and thought out, this one brings attention to the dangers of off-shore drilling, as Bromberg sings “Now the fish can’t swim.  You know the birds can’t fly.  We keep right on pumping ’cause demand is high.”.

“Blue is Falling”, recorded with Tim O’Brien on mandolin and backing vocals is a favorite.  Stuart Duncan on fiddle, accentuates the song as Bromberg seems to channel  Roy Orbison during the chorus.  Another country ditty, “Lookout Mountain Girl”, has Bromberg enlisting the talent of Vince Gill (electric guitar, mandolin, backing vocals).  A track quite danceable and suitable for a Saturday night hoedown in Tennessee.

A pair of other favorites are “Old Neighborhood” and “Use Me”.  “Old Neighborhood”, a track recorded with, and produced by Widespread Panic, is a playful and funky track, with lots of hot guitar licks and soulful keyboards.  Title track, “Use Me”, the grand finale of  the album was produced by Phil and Joe Nicolo, aka The Butcher Bros.  Jim Miades contributes the bass line which adds the somewhat hypnotic groove which makes this one so enjoyable. 

The list of contributors is as impressive as the album itself.  The remaining artists include Dr. John, Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, and of course John Hiatt.  Use Me is a nice album to listen to on a rainy Sunday afternoon, or any other time for that matter.
 



Sunday, September 14, 2014

Chris Duarte Group - Concert Photos : Parlor City Pub (Cedar Rapids, IA 9/14/14)



John McKnight, Chris Duarte, Dustin Sargent
Chris Duarte
Dustin Sargent
John McKnight
Dustin Sargent, Chris Duarte
Dustin Sargent

Chris Duarte

Chris Duarte

Dustin Sargent

Chris Duarte, Dustin Sargent

Chris Duarte

Chris Duarte, Dustin Sargent

Dustin Sargent
Chris Duarte


All Photos by Phillip Smith 2014 (c)

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Sena Ehrhardt - Live My Life


2014 – Blind Pig Records
By Phillip Smith; Sep. 13, 2014

Live My Life, the third studio release from Minnesota native, Sena Ehrhardt, is a true gem of an album.  Ehrhardt is backed by a tight new group of musicians fronted by guitarist/songwriter Cole Allen.  To top things off, the legendary David Z returned to his old Minnesotan stomping grounds, being called in to produce and mix.    

Ehrhardt reminds us how great the range is on her voice, as she lets loose on “Stakes Have Gone Up”, an energetic opener, blending contemporary country with blues.  Special guest, Smokin’ Joe Kubek breaks out the slide guitar on “Things You Shouldn’t Need to Know”.  I really like this track.  It reminds me of the early Jefferson Airplane years, with its sexy and sultry vocals riding atop lush bluesy guitar riffs and a splash of psychedelia.  Cole rocks out with intensity, as he throws down the gauntlet with heavy licks and head-banging riffs, ripping it up on “Did You Ever Love Me At All”. This one is blues rock at its best.    

Digging deep, Ehrhardt blows the dust off the old Leon Russell penned classic, “Help Me Through the Day”, recorded by Freddy King.  Modified slightly to switch the point of reference from male to female, this track is performed with perfection.  With Jimi “Primetime” Smith joining in on rhythm guitar and Bruce McCabe on piano, this sounds so good, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Being the amazing singer she is, Ehrhardt has once more outdone herself.  Based on this album, I’d be very surprised if she wasn’t nominated for Contemporary Blues Female Artist for the 2015 Blues Music Awards.     

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Sunken Monkey - Party Scars


2014 – Bumface Records
By Phillip Smith; Sep 6, 2014


The four members of Sunken Monkey, a punk rock band from Burnley, Lancashire that’s been together in one format or another since the mid noughties, are known only as, Spindle (guitar and vocals), Rob (guitar), Adam (bass) and Hendy (drums).  These guys happen to have a knack for making extremely catchy poppy punk songs and Party Scars, their sophomore album, is thirteen tracks of headbangin’ fun.

“After All” breaks out of the gate, in beast-mode, rocking full blast with tasty guitar riffs and vocals reminiscent of Joe Strummer. I love the blending voices of the dual guitars in the fast-paced “Don’t Dodge a Game of Dares”.  This frenzied track is one of my favorites.  Kudos as well to “More Beer Than Blood” a testosterone fueled party anthem laden with unforgettable metal riffs fit for Viking warriors.

Another strong contender is “Pissing in the Wind”.  Starting off with a quirky intro, this breakup song turns into a full metal assault led by Hendy as he furiously bashes the hell out of his drums. Spindle and Rob, teaming up on guitars, add a smidge of thrash to keep it heavy without it being over-bearing. I really like this one.

The music from Sunken Monkey quickly brings to mind bands from the eighties and nineties such as  Blink 182, NOFX, and the Ataris.  When it comes to power pop punk, Party Scars is a quite solid album from start to finish. It’s a pleasing little treat which nicely hits the spot.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence


2014 – Interscope Records
By Phillip Smith; Aug. 30, 2014

Lana Del Rey’s latest album, Ultraviolence, is one my favorite releases of the year.  Primed with beautifully haunting melodies and angelic vocals, this thirteen track recording is destined to be a timeless classic. 

“Cruel World” kicks this musical journey off, with ghostly echo-filled guitar licks and poetic psycho-dramatic lyrics.  Del Rey, like Pink Floyd, is a master when it comes to dropping radically unsettling lyrics into calming, yet sometimes psychedelic musical settings.

Title track, “Ultraviolence”, disturbingly and insightfully reveals the inner thoughts of one trapped in a tumultuous codependent relationship. The song plays out like a James Bond film theme, with hypnotic vocals lightly accented with ultra-smooth synthesizer music.  I love Del Rey’s playful vocals on “Shades of Cool”, a high ranking song on my list of favorites.  Blake Stranathan lets loose a ripping guitar solo that blows through a wall of chaotic sound.  Then as the dust settles, the listener is gently tucked away into a calming bed of Del Rey’s lulling voice. 

The more I listen to Ultraviolence, the more I want to listen to it.  This album, and Lana Del Rey’s voice is almost as addictive as the underlying subject matter she sings about.    

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - After the Flood


2013 – Hokahey! Records
By Phillip Smith; Aug. 23, 2014



Whether tackling the blues Texas style, in a Mississippi swamp, or with a taste of funk, Finnish band, Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip plays with excellence.  Singer/rhythm guitarist/harmonicist Bjorklof is backed by lead guitarist Lefty Leppänen, bassist Seppo Nuolikoski, drummer Teemu Vuorela, and organist/pianist Brian Coogan.  After the Flood is a splendid recording of twelve original songs which are immersed in blues and roots music.

“House For the Blues” energetically gets things started.  Bjorklof sings about tearing down a shaky old barn and building in its place, a house for playing music.  Leppänen tears it up with great guitar licks reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s. Then, Bjorkloff tops it off with some howling harmonica.  The ‘wow-factor’ on this track is high.

I love the swampy tones created on “Jack the Black Hat” and “Ramblified”.  Killer slide guitar and superbly haunting backing vocals give the song about Mojo-man Jack the Black Hat an aura of coolness.  Then there’s “Ramblified”: a timeless and outstandingly written treasure.  This one screams traditional country blues.

There’s a funky side to the album too.  “Water From Your Shoe”, breaks out the funk midway through, following a borderline gospel beginning fitting for the church scene from the film, The Blues Brothers.  “Gumbo Mama” is a fun track as well.  Lefty lays down a funky groove while Bjorklof rolls out vocals a la Anthony Kiedis of The Red Hot Chili Peppers on the chorus. 

Industrial percussion and the dark boozy lyrics of “King Alcohol” bring to mind one my favorites, Tom Waits. This one is an unexpected treat.  “Woogie or Die”, takes a walk on the dark-side as well.  A cool revved up intro and ominous unsettling chords set the mood for this heart-racing song about being forced ‘Sopranos style’ to play music for a private after-hours party.  

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill blues band.  The songs these guys have to offer are forged from top-notch and original writing, and performed with an excellence in musicianship.  Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.    


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Leroy Miller - Temple


2013 – TML Records
By Phillip Smith; Aug. 16, 2014


I’m not really sure how Leroy Miller’s five song EP, Temple slipped by me last year, but I am so glad it recently caught my attention.  It is downright phenomenal.  Miller masterfully wrote, sang, and played all the instruments on this album, much like Prince did on his first albums.  Temple is lush guitar-centric blues at its best akin to that of George Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughan

Miller kicks the album off with “Integrity”, a high-energy track reflecting his preference of maintaining principles and being alone, over being someone else’s stepping stone.  “One Woman One Man”, is blues infused with a lot of soul. The keys give this a little Booker T Jones flavoring while his guitar riffs remind me of fellow MGs guitarist Steve Cropper

When “Going Back Home” starts out, I want to reach over to the dial and turn it up a notch.  Exceptional guitar playing and a traditional blues melody give this track an instant familiarity.  Miller enthusiastically lays down more terrific guitar licks on another fantastic track, “Dead Man Walking”.  Soaked heavily in Texas blues, this western-themed melody is sung from the perspective of one whose cards have been stacked against them since birth. 

Temple is as solid as an EP can get.  Every track shines with splendid performances.  I just wish there were more to hear.

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Saturday, August 9, 2014

Sam Morrow - Ephemeral


2014 – Forty Below Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 9, 2014


Ephemeral, the debut album from singer/songwriter Sam Morrow is anything but ephemeral.  Before I had finished listening to the first of ten songs, “War”, I knew this album was something special.  Singing country-flavored roots songs with a sharp edge of truth, Morrow’s voice reminds me a bit of Eddie Vedder’s.  Morrow delves deep into his own experiences, revisiting the often unpleasant obstacles life blindly tosses around like little grenades.              

Setting the tone for the rest of the album, “War”, invites the listener into Morrow’s melancholy world with despairing lyrics about a husband and father who looks to the bottle for happiness.  Morrow shows great range as a vocalist and writer in the heart wrenchingly beautiful song, “Old Soul”, about the hurt of lost love, and the self-destructive thoughts which go along with it.  “Run” seems to pick up where “Old Soul” leaves off, leaving thoughts of self-destruction behind and replacing them with feelings of anger and declarations of love.  I’m really drawn to its haunting melody, fortified with a cool drum cadence and symphonic strings.  In a Tom Waits fashion, Morrow reexamines the broken relationship with booze, after two years of sobriety, in “December”, a song of reconstruction, remembering and longing.  This softly played guitar and violin tune tugs on my heart strings.

Ephemeral is such a beautifully constructed album of brutal honesty, I can’t get enough of it.  Morrow shines as a writer and performer, and I highly recommend this album.