Sunday, March 20, 2016

Janiva Magness - Live @ Riverside Casino 3/19/16


March 19, 2016 – Riverside, Iowa
By Phillip Smith; Mar 20, 2016


Saturday, March 19, as part of their annual Tribute to Blues Weekend, Riverside Casino hosted the fabulous Janiva Magness for an evening of soulful blues.  Magness, who has won seven Blues Music Awards, and grabbed twenty-five blues award nominations, pulled down the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award in 2009.  Newest member of the band, guitarist Garret Deloian is a fresh addition, and sounds fantastic alongside the seasoned ensemble of drummer Matt Tecu , bassist Gary Davenport, and guitarist extraordinaire Zach Zunis.

Magness started the evening off with the very soulful “I Won’t Cry” and “Walkin’ in the Sun”.  Zunis peeled off a fantastic guitar solo on the beautifully sung “Say You Will”.  Janiva has such a special talent that allows her to connect to her audience. This was very much prevalent in the heartfelt selection “Doorway”, about love in the form of forgiveness. 

The audience was blessed to be treated to a heaping serving of songs off her brand new album, Love Wins Again.  When pre-ordering this new album, fans can get an extra three songs available nowhere else, via download.  These three tracks were spectacular. The ominous and mojo-infused “Sin Perfume” gave Deloian a beautiful podium to get his mojo on.  “I Don’t Hurt Anymore”, with its retro Nashville vibe, was downright amazing, and “I Can’t Let You Go”, not only had a fantastic guitar solo from Zunis, but the accompaniment from Davenport and Laug in the rhythm section was absolutely stellar.  I loved the cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Long as I Can See the Light”.  Deloian killed it on guitar and Magness’ vocals were exquisite.


It was a fine night of music indeed.



All Photos by Phillip Smith



















Samantha Fish - Live @ Campbell Steele Gallery : 3/18/16


March 18, 2016 – Marion, Iowa
By Phillip Smith; Mar 20, 2016


Friday, March 18, Samantha Fish blessed the audience at Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion, Iowa with a captivating show featuring two terrific sets of music. One couldn’t ask for a better rhythm section to back her as bassist Chris Alexander and drummer Go-go Ray.  These musicians sound extraordinary together.   Fish quickly grabbed everyone’s attention with a rousing execution of “Wild Heart”, which was followed up by the killer song “Show Me”.  Highlighted by a stellar performance from Go-Go Ray, this one brought everyone to their feet. 

Fish effortlessly commanded the stage as she ripped through “Blame it on the Moon and crowd-favorite “Runaway” on oil-can guitar and slide.  Her gorgeous acoustic rendition of Charlie Patton’s blues classic “Jim Lee Blues” was outstanding and fresh.  Fish also broke out a sweet cover of Junior Kimbrough’s “I’m in Love With You”.  This one appears on her new album, Wild Heart

Fish returned alone to deliver the first two songs of the second set acoustically.  She played her most streamed song, “Let’s Have Some Fun”, along with a favorite of her father, Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis”.  Afterward, the band proceeded to tear through a smashing “Go to Hell”, a mesmerizing “I Put a Spell on You”, and a phenomenally ripping “Bitch on the Run”.  Before all was done, the band took the stage for an encore to end the evening with a fearless electric cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”, and it was great.  For this, I say “Bravo!”.  



All photos by Phillip Smith


Samantha Fish

Samantha Fish & Chris Alexander

Chris Alexander

Samantha Fish

Chris Alexander

Samantha Fish

Go-Go Ray

Samantha Fish & Chris Alexander

Go-Go Ray

Samantha Fish

Chris Alexander

Samantha Fish & Chris Alexander


Go-Go Ray

Samantha Fish


Sunday, March 13, 2016

Kelly Richey - Shakedown Soul


2016 – Sweet Lucy Records
By Phillip Smith; Mar 13, 2016


There’s a whole lot of shakin’ going on in Cincinnati rocker Kelly Richey’s latest and sixteenth album, Shakedown Soul.  This ten song collection of original no holds-barred rock and roll packs a hell of a mean punch.  Richey handles the guitar and mic, while Rikk Manning plays bass, and producer/mixer Tobe Donohue covers drums, synth, and sequencing.  Five of the ten songs were recorded earlier and feature additional musicians, drummer Robby Cosenza, keyboardist Lee Carroll, and bassist Blake Cox.

“Fading” is quick to capture my attention with its funky rhythm and edgy INXS-like guitar riffs.  Richey can surely shred.  I like the trippy intro leading into “You Wanna Rock”.  Richey attacks this one head-on with heavy licks and her trademark powerful raspy vocals.  This is a track best served loud.  A really nice groove takes over on “Lies”.  This is the one that gets stuck my head.  “Just Like a River” is fantastic and has a Seventies pre-punk Lou Reed vibe to it.  Richey’s “I Want to Run” is another terrific track with a solid rock melody and stellar guitar. 

Richey scores huge with “Shakedown Soul”.  This is one big ball of rock and roll fun.   




  






Cécile Doo-Kingué - Anybody Listening Part 2 : Dialogues


2016 – Funky Joint
By Phillip Smith; Mar 13, 2016


Montreal guitarist and singer-songwriter CĂ©cile Doo-KinguĂ© having hooked me with last year’s Anybody Listening Part 1 : Monologues, has totally reeled me in with her latest release, Anybody Listening Part 2 : Dialogues.  Keeping her music on the edge of political and social awareness, Doo-KinguĂ© progresses from the raw and acoustic direction of Monologues by adding more production and electricity, and it sounds terrific.  Joining the six new tracks on this twelve track album, are five re-recorded versions of her most outstanding tracks from Monologues : “Anybody Listening”, “Little Bit”, “Six Letters”, “Animal Kingdom”, and “Bloodstained Vodka”.  These are tracks I was really drawn to in their original acoustic versions, but I love these new recordings even more.

Besides being such a prolific songwriter, Doo-KinguĂ© is quite the guitar master as well. It’s so fun to hear her let loose at the end of “Sunshine Lady”, which by the way features the lovely vocals of Milika Tirolien.  I dig the swampy slide which kick starts the upbeat bluesy gem “Riot & Revolution”. This song gets the blood pumping through the veins and the fists pumping in the air.  “Sweet Talkin’ Devil” is quite a sweet surprise too. Doo-KinguĂ© slays this magnificent southern-style rocker about temptation. For a fearless closer, Doo-KinguĂ© tears it up on her killer cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Manic Depression”. 

I have no idea what direction Doo-KinguĂ© will take us in on Anybody Listening Part 3, but I’m already on-board, and looking forward to it. 





For more info on Cécile Doo-Kingué, visit her website http://www.cdkmusik.com/

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Brothers Brown - Dusty Road


2016 – Funky Joint
By Phillip Smith; Mar 5, 2016


Listening to the debut album, Dusty Road, from Brothers Brown, puts a big smile on my face and makes me long for summertime, when outdoor concerts are in season.  Thankfully that time of year is just around the corner.  This bluesy, jam-friendly band is fronted by two gentlemen named Paul Brown: one, a double Grammy-winning producer/guitarist/singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, the other, a Grammy-nominated producer/keyboardist/songwriter from Nashville.  The other two members, bassist David Santos, and drummer Pete Young make for an outstanding rhythm section.  This is a really tight group of musicians.

When I first heard the song “Cup of Tea”, I couldn’t help but notice the Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic influence.  It’s pure southern boogie with tasty electric guitar licks and a rich organ accompaniment.  The driving beat and funky rhythm of “Hurricane” is such a rejoicing sound, it should have a label that reads, “Warning! Listening to this song could lead to the loss of shoes and uncontrollable urges to dance”.  Little Feat guitarist Paul Barrere guests on this track to lay down some delicious slide.  They score big on “The River” too.  This powerful song about revisiting the past is comfort music for the soul.  I love the slow soulful groove of “Love Sake”. It’s a perfect song for chilling, relaxing and swaying.


Poignant songwriting, stellar performances, and a whole lot of heart and soul is what makes Dusty Road such a pleasurable listen.  I’ll surely be keeping my eyes out for Brothers Brown in concert now.     

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Ina Forsman - Ina Forsman


2016 – Ruf Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb 27, 2016


I absolutely love the retro R&B sounds on Ina Forsman’s debut self-titled album. This Finnish sensation brings a luscious and soulful presence to every song she sings.  Forsman’s influences begin when she was just seven years old and received her first Christina Aguilera album from her aunt.  Much like Aguilera, Forsman is not afraid to use the power in her voice. Her style reminds me of my all-time favorites, Amy Winehouse, Diana Ross, and Lana Del Rey.  

I can’t help but sway back and forth as Forsman sings the blues so sweetly in “Talk To Me”.  The harmonica accompaniment from Helge Tallqvist is downright terrific.  Constructed within a slightly ominous arena, “Devil May Dance Tonight” is one damn cool song too.  It’s a little bit twangy, and yet very suave.  The piano and brass-laced “Bubbly Kisses”, is tackled with a breathtaking sultry intensity. This track is magnificent.  Forsman concludes the album with a sweet and sexy cover of Nina Simone’s “I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl”, in which pianist Nick Connolly and Mark Kazanoff on saxophone, create a perfectly mellow and intimate atmosphere. This one is very nice indeed.

This dazzling album gets my highest accolades. It’s a superb listen from start to finish. 













Friday, February 26, 2016

The Blues Had a Baby - Louisville’s Tribute to Muddy Waters


2015 – Down in the Alley Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb 26, 2016


Modern blues compilation albums don’t get much better than The Blues Had a Baby.  This outstanding tribute to Muddy Waters is the brainchild of co-producers Mike Suttles and “Screamin” John Hawkins.  In Suttle’s own words, “The Muddy Water project is my attempt to keep the blues alive by introducing it to a wider group of music lovers”.  After enlisting a dozen of the finest musicians in Louisville, Kentucky, each was asked to record a song.

From Daniel “Buttermilk” Jackson’s blood-curling screams, to Bryce Gills’ smokin’ hot guitar and Brandon Roush’s outstanding harp playing, the Tunesmiths ripping cover of “Mannish Boy” is a fantastic listen.  With authenticity, Tyrone Cotton dishes out a splendid rendition of “Can’t Be Satisfied” on slide.  Laurie Jane and the 45’s create a swampy Credence Clearwater Revival atmosphere to “You Need Love”.  Laurie Jane Jessup’s vocals are sweet and sexy, while Cort Duggins tears it up on slide guitar. This is a favorite indeed.  Latin-Folk band Appalatin beautifully takes “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” to a whole new level.  Lead guitarist and vocalist Yani Vozos gives a captivating performance to say the least, and I definitely want to explore this band’s music further.  The Ass Haulers bring a briefcase full of lightning to their barn-burning cover of “Trouble No More”.  Steven Clark enters full beast mode vocally as Screamin’ John Hawkins masterfully shreds guitar and Rick Cain kills on harmonica.  This is the Blues baby, and I love it!





Saturday, February 20, 2016

Rocky Athas - The Essential Rocky Athas Volume II


2015 – Cherryburst Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb 20, 2016



Rocky Athas delivers another ten terrific tracks in the second installment of his Essential series.  Volume II was well worth the wait indeed.  Heavy-laden with killer Texas-style blues riffs, “You Move Me” kicks this album off with a jamming, soulful groove.  Immediately following, Athas then crushes it on “Bluesville”, a beautifully performed heartbreaker.  Hope is the foundation of “Miracle”, a silky smooth R&B love song, delicately played with tasty hot guitar licks.  The funky bass line and trance-friendly beat in “On the Move” create the perfect atmosphere for Athas to let loose on his ’74 Stratocaster.  I could listen to this instrumental all day long.  And for a song that really makes an impression, “Survival” gets right to the core, as Athas paints a hellish picture of war, in Warren Zevon-esque bravado.  The monster cover of Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” , however, is the cherry on top of the album.  I love this track right down to the glorious cow-bell intro.  This song is played loud and often.  The Essential Rocky Athas Volume II is a delectable album tailor-made for the blues enthusiast.     



For more information about Rocky Athas, visit his website, http://www.rockyathas.com/

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Mr. Rick - Sings About God + Booze


2015 – SOCAN
By Phillip Smith; Feb 13, 2016


Mr. Rick (aka Rick Zolkower) cleverly walks the line between sin and salvation in his latest release, Mr. Rick Sings About God + Booze.  This album presents a wonderful and nostalgic slice of Americana in thirteen delightful tracks.  Following in the footsteps of many of the earlier Grand Ole Opry performers, Mr. Rick can dole out a traditional gospel song as convincingly as he can sing out a hell-bent on self-destruction ditty.  His style of playing guitar is a pleasure to hear as well.

Each song can pretty much be categorized as either a ‘God’ song, or a ‘Booze’ song, and it’s so much fun to listen to them as they intertwine.  The transition from “It’s the Bottle Talking”, an ode to over-indulgence, effortlessly segues into a swinging cover of Blind Willie Johnson’s 1930 gospel song, “You’ll Need Somebody on Your Bond” about making ones way into heaven.  I can’t help but sing along to “I’ll Fly Away”, supposedly the most recorded gospel song of all time and Sister Rosetta Tharp’s bluesy classic “Two Little Fishes”. 

For an upbeat take on Eric Von Shmidt’s “Champagne Don’t Hurt Me”, Mr. Rick is joined by Drew Jurecka on fiddle, making this one such a big pleasure to hear.  Another favorite, Jerrey Irby’s “Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin”, has an uncanny knack for diggin’ right into my brain, only to become hopelessly stuck in my head. For the record, this is one I don’t mind bouncing around my skull.  


Who knew music about God and booze would be such a fantastic pairing?  Like sweet and salty, it just works, and it works splendidly.  Give this album a listen, and let Mr. Rick take you out on Saturday night and bring you to church the next day.   

Berdon Kirksaether & the Twang Bar Kings - The Voodoo Sessions


2015 – Roller Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb 13, 2016


The Voodoo Sessions - Live at Down Under from Norwegians Berdon Kirksaether & the Twang Bar Kings is a heady and psychedelic explosion of high-energy, guitar-centric blues-rock.  The four tracks on this EP shell out nearly twenty minutes of musical genius.  The music is indeed magnificent.  This furious foursome is composed of three founding members of CIA (guitarist/vocalist Berdon Kirksaether, drummer Roy Hanssen, and bassist Stein Tumert), along with guitarist/vocalist Erik Gabrielsen.   

“Mama Roll Over” is quick to sweep me off my feet with Kirksaether’s greasy blues riffs and powerful vocals. I love the cool unsettling beat Hanssen sets the mood with on “Some Kind of Voodoo”.  This ominous track conjures up images of a midnight stroll through backwoods Louisiana swampland.  The opening licks of “Mad House” are my cue to crank the volume up a notch.  The band plays this Robin Trower cover wonderfully and unbridled. Hanssen and Tumert keep “When the Moon is on the Rise” on track with a cool bass and drum rhythm while Kirksaether breaks out the gonzo with calculated guitar licks. His voice, laying somewhere in the zone between Bono and Jim Morrison, sounds great on this song.        


After listening to this EP a multitude of times, I am so ready to hear a full-length studio album.  In the meantime, I still have these four songs.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Sean Pinchin - Monkey Brain


2016 – FACTOR
By Phillip Smith; Feb 6, 2016


In 2014, Sean Pinchin’s release Rustbucket got him nominated for New Artist of the Year at the Maple Blues AwardsMonkey Brain, his latest album, recorded and co-written by Juno Award-winning producer Rob Szabo, is sure to grab him another nomination.  Joined by bassist Mark McIntyre, and drummer/percussionist Adam Warner, Pinchin delivers eight delicious tracks of uniquely blended rock and blues via catchy hooks and interesting riffs.

Pinchin breaks out some really groovy slide guitar celebrating the inner-primate lurking within, on title track anthem “Monkey Brain”.  “I Can’t Stand It” has an uncanny way of really digging into the subconscious.  The infectious grooves running through this one is reminiscent of Billy Squier’s early music.  Things get bluesy and nicely swampy in “Charity Case”.  Pinchin then takes a slight turn toward country-blues as he masterfully performs “Monster”, a rustic and rootsy delight. The album closes out strongly with “Get Burned”, a melodic track with a vibrant pulse.     


Monkey Brain is a fun listen from start to finish, making it a sure-fire hit.   

Sonny Knight and the Lakers live @ Campbell Steele Gallery 2/5/16


By Phillip Smith; Feb 6, 2016


It doesn’t get much better than witnessing a live performance of Sonny Knight and the Lakers.  This seven piece ensemble, from Minneapolis, doled out four astonishing sets of hot rhythm and blues at the Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion, Iowa.  The Lakers warmed up the audience with an instrumental set before Sonny took the stage and broke out the funk with “Caveman”.  There was so much energy flowing through the musicians, it was electric, to say the least.  Eric Foss, the drummer and co-founder of the band was on fire, giving a stellar performance on “Boogaloo”.  I couldn’t help but think of the late great Otis Redding when Sonny soulfully sang “When You’re Gone”.  This was a beautiful performance indeed.  I loved their cover of the Beatles’ “Day Tripper”. It was so full of life.  Other stand-out songs included “Juicy Lucy”, “Sugarman”, and “Sock A Poo Poo”, each of which put a big smile on my face as well.  I am totally on-board with Sonny Knight and the Lakers, and anxiously await the next time they swing by this neck of the woods.


* All Photos by Phillip Smith
















Saturday, January 30, 2016

Balkun Brothers - Balkun Brothers


2015 – Dixiefrog Records
By Phillip Smith; Jan 30, 2016


The new self-titled album from the multi-award winning Balkun Brothers is simply put, electric, incredible and rocking.  Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, The Balkun Brothers consists of guitarist/vocalist Steve Balkun, and his younger brother, drummer/vocalist Nick Balkun.  Balkun Brothers contains a dozen ripping white-hot blues-rock songs produced by one of my favorite blues guitarists, the amazing Popa Chubby.   

From the get-go, the Balkun Brothers hit the ground running full speed with “Been Drivin’”, serving hard-nosed blues with a heart-racing delivery. This song gets the adrenalin flowing like the Mississippi.  They keep that energy going in “I Know What Ya’ Did”, and “She Got it All”, both full of catchy riffs and swampy slide guitar.  I get totally swept away in “Control Yourself”, and love the Zeppelin-esque vibe present in “Cold Heart”.  The only cover song on the album, Johnny Winter’s “Mean Town Blues” is a sheer delight.  Steve keeps it rolling on guitar as Nick keeps it tumbling with a cool hypnotic beat.  The album closes with the sweetly performed, acoustic selection “Rainy Day Front Porch Blues”.  Background audio of passing cars on a wet street add a nice touch of authenticity.          
   
This fantastic album from the Balkun Brothers is brilliantly penned and has everything going for it.  It is destined to be one of this year’s favorites.  









Saturday, January 23, 2016

Crooked Eye Tommy - Butterflies & Snakes


2015 – Plano Road Publishing

By Phillip Smith; Jan 23, 2016

Crooked Eye Tommy, a newer blues band making the scene in Southern California has been turning heads since representing the Santa Barbara Blues Society at the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee and making it to the semifinals.  The band consists of guitarist/vocalist Tommy Marsh, his brother, guitarist/vocalist Paddy Marsh, bass player Glade Rasmussen, drummer Tony Cicero, and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Calire.  Their debut album, Butterflies & Snakes is a hot mix of roadhouse blues featuring eleven original tracks.

“Time Will Tell” is soulful blues with stellar guitar riffs and tasty B-3 accompaniment from Calire.  This leads into another favorite, “Tide Pool”, an outstanding track I could listen to all day.  It’s mellow and floaty essence feels so good to the ears.  The funk is let loose on “Love Divine”, as they tear it up on guitar and vox.  This one sounds really good.  Love ballad “Over and Over” is beautifully performed.  Calire breaks out the heat on saxophone and when background singer Becca Fuchs steps to the mic, it gets even hotter.           


Crooked Eye Tommy delivers a solid album of blues with a dabble of this and that thrown in for good measure.  In addition to the really interesting music on Butterflies & Snakes, the cover art by Mike Lemos stands out as a definitely favorite as well.     



Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang - Stat(u)e of Mind


2015 – Bafe’s Factory
By Phillip Smith; Jan 23, 2016


Stat(u)e of Mind , Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang’s fourteen track follow-up to their Hales Pleasure Railway album, sports even more innovative instrumentals than its predecessor.  I love the way their music takes a step off the beaten path to dissipate the boundary between Bluegrass and Jazz.  This innovative trio from Helsinki, Finland consists of guitarist Ville “Lefty” Leppänen (Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip), drummer Tero Mikkonen, and bassist JP Mönkkönen.  In September 2015, the band recorded Stat(u)e of Mind at Firebrand Recording Studio in St. Louis, Missouri, after accepting an invitation to perform at the 2015 International Steel Guitar Convention.

Mikkonen beautifully performs the opening song, “Gateway”, on ukulele.  Clocking in at just a smidge over a minute in length, this Hawaiian flavored appetizer makes for a lovely intro for the rest of the album.  Leppänen breaks out some fantastic swampy guitar licks on “Aloha Garage”.  This is one of my absolute favorites.  “Route 68” has a cool jazzy character.  Mikkonen and Mönkkönen keep the rhythm hip as Leppänen lets loose with an outstanding avant-garde performance.  Leppänen sets a melancholy mood for the lovely “Almost Too Beautiful” before taking me by surprise with “Duel”.  Without words, this instrumental is still able to tell a story.  The listener is marched in to this Latin infused masterpiece with a flurry of spaghetti-western/surf guitar.  The song takes an unexpected and marvelous turn the moment the horns pop.  This is such a killer track.  I like to think of the closing song, “Sergio” as a fantastic tribute and homage to legendary film director Sergio Leone and the man who scored the lion’s share of his films, composer Ennio Morricone.  The Morricone influence certainly shows.

It's really fresh to hear a band like Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang share their unique brand of music and captivating compositions.  Stat(u)e of Mind is abundantly full of character and a delightful listen.   





Sunday, January 17, 2016

Karen Lovely - Ten Miles of Bad Road


2015 – Kokako
By Phillip Smith; Jan 16, 2016


Ten Miles of Bad Road , the fourth album from Portlander Karen Lovely, boasts thirteen magnificently performed original songsHer extraordinary vocals are beautiful and lush as she delivers the blues in her own unique style.  For this recording, Lovely is backed by a five-star list of LA studio musicians, of which include guitarists Johnny Lee Schell and Alan Mirikitani, pianist/organist Jim Pugh, bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson, and drummer Tony Braunagel.

I absolutely love “Company Graveyard” with its ominous bassline and anti-establishment lyrics.  Lovely’s commanding vocals ring out with power and clarity, which make me immediately think of the Pretender’s Chrissie Hynde.  “Better Place” is another big favorite.  Schell plays this one nice and swampy.  “I Want to Love You” is such a beautiful love song.  Lovely’s angelic vocals softly flow as Pugh eloquently backs her up on piano.  I really like the rootsy vibe to Lovely’s performance on “Low Road”.  Mirikitani, guitar in hand, serves up a bit of Texas-style blues on this song while Pugh stirs a little funk into the mix with his B3.     


One listen to Ten Miles of Bad Road, is all it takes to conclude that Karen Lovely is way ahead of the curve when it comes to vocal artistry and songwriting.  This album is definitely one that should be heard.       


     

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Chris O’Leary - Gonna Die Tryin’


2015 – American Showplace Music
By Phillip Smith; Jan 16, 2016

Gonna Die Tryin’, the fourth album from singer/song-writer/blues harpist extraordinaire, Chris O’Leary digs its claws in deep and pulls the listener right in.  O’Leary delivers eleven tracks of original smokin’ hot blues with the help of his band, guitarist Chris Vitarello, tenor saxophonist Andy Stahl, baritone saxophonist Chris Difrancesco, bassist Matt Raymond, and drummer Jay Devlin.

One of the things I admire about O’Leary is the fact that he seems to puts as much thought into his lyrics as he does his music.  When his music takes that slight turn to the dark side, and he just lets loose on that voice of his, I’m immediately reminded of music fave, Tom Waits.  I love Vitarello’s tangy blues riffs and Bruce Katz’s barrelhouse piano on the lead track, “Can’t Help Yourself”.  O’Leary’s badass gravelly vocals and stellar harp playing lead the way on title track “Gonna Die Tryin’”, a killer track with a hell of a lot of soul.  Vitarello’s suave and tasty guitar licks are greeted by Katz’s groovy keyboard finesse on this one.  I dig the horns and funky rhythm on “Hook Line and Sinker”.  This tune seemingly pays homage to that sweet Memphis soul music which came out of Stax Records in the Sixties. The track is very nice indeed.     


I’m pretty much knocked out by this album.  It’s surely one of my favorite releases this year.   





Saturday, January 9, 2016

Heather Crosse - Groovin’ at the Crosse Roads


Heather Crosse   

Groovin’ at the Crosse Roads

2015 – Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan 9, 2016 

There’s always been some damn good music pouring out of the Mississippi Delta, and the spigot is far from being turned off.  Caught in that wave of music is Heather Crosse‘s magnificently bodacious rocking blues band, Heavy Suga’ & the Sweetones.  Formed in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 2007, Crosse moved the band to Clarksdale, Mississippi in 2008.  Groovin’ at the Crosse Roads is eleven tracks of boogie-laced blues produced by non-other than multi-Grammy Award winner Jim Gaines.  With Crosse taking on lead vox and bass in the band, she is joined by guitarist Dan Smith, drummer Lee Williams, and Mark Yacovone on piano/keys.    

Crosse hooks me quick with her sultry performance of “My Man Called Me”.  Smith’s guitar licks and Yacovone’s piano prowess solidifies this intoxicating mix of swing and electric blues. I love their funky cover of Clarence “Blowfly” Reid’s 1974 sexy B-side “Rockin’ Chair”.  Slathered in a laid-back Seventies vibe, this wonderful throwback conjures up visions of big collars and flare jeans.  Crosse adds just the right amount of rasp as she takes on Big Mama Thornton’s powerful classic “You Don’t Move Me No More”.  Not only does Crosse nail the vocals, but Yacovone’s piano performance shines brightly, reminding me a bit of the “Killer”, Jerry Lee Lewis.  This one is fun indeed.              

Simply put, Groovin’ at the Crosse Roads is a delightful listen.  

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