Sterling Harrison
Sterling Harrison was a journeyman soul singer whose career demonstrated he had a lot more talent than luck -- after years of making good but unsuccessful records for labels big and small, he finally made an album that demonstrated the full range of his talent, but didn't live to see it released.
Harrison was born in Richmond, VA, in 1941, and began honing his musical talent with his siblings in a gospel group called the Harrison Family Four. While Harrison enjoyed singing in church, he developed a more powerful taste for rhythm & blues and began appearing at talent shows in Richmond; after winning one such contest, Harrison was approached by a talent scout from VIM Records, and traveled to New York City to cut his first single, I Do Believe (The Devil's Got a Spell on Me), which appeared in 1955. The record didn't sell, but it did launch Harrison's career on what was then known as the chitlin circuit, and after relocating to the East Coast he became a skilled live entertainer who shared stages with the likes of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Solomon Burke.
While Harrison scored a regional hit with a dance tune called The Wobble in 1962 and cut several sides for Smash and All Platinum, his career on the East Coast focused on live work more than recording, and in the mid-'70s he relocated to Los Angeles. The Holland-Dozier-Holland production team signed Harrison to Motown, and in 1979 he cut a would-be roller disco anthem for the label called Roll Her, Skate Her, but the deal ended after the single flopped, and a 1980 album for Atlantic fared no better. Harrison recorded a pair of albums for soul specialist labels in the 1990s, but his bread and butter were still in live performances, and he became a fixture on the south side of L.A., playing R&B clubs and soul food joints for audiences who still appreciated soul in the classic style.
South of the Snooty FoxIn 1999, Allen Larman, an artist manager and soul music maven, caught Harrison's act at an L.A. club and was strongly impressed; on his advice, comedy writer and music archivist Eddie Gorodetsky and Los Lobos saxman Steve Berlin checked out Harrison, and they agreed to help him cut a new album, featuring a set of songs that would show off his voice and superb backing band. Recording sessions for the album were completed in 2001, but shortly afterward Harrison was diagnosed with cancer, and the release of his album hung in limbo as he went through treatment. The disease claimed Harrison in 2005 with the album still on hold, but in the fall of 2007, the independent Hacktone Records label issued Harrison's final album under the title South of the Snooty Fox, receiving rave reviews from soul collectors and the music press.
Tracklist:
01. Ain't Nobody Home 02:42
02. Nickel And A Nail, A 04:15
03. Seven Days 01:56
04. Surprise, Surprise 03:28
05. There's A Rat Loose In My House 04:09
06. You Left The Water Running 03:36
07. House Where Nobody Lives, The 04:32
08. Don't You Mess With My Money 04:08
09. I'll Take Care Of You 07:50
10. I Believe In You (You Believe In Me) 04:54
11. Funny Life (Bonus Track) 02:32
Bryggerigangen Bluesband
BENT PATEY co-founded the Bryggerigangen Bluesband in 1978 and, in connection with the group's 20th anniversary, the LP Blått Brygg from 1979 re-released on CD at the Notodden Blues Festival in 1999. At the Blues Music Club, the album was voted the classic of the month , which led "Blått Brygg", despite his age, to become the third best-selling blues record in the country in 2000. Patey has contributed more than 30 recordings to other artists, but has also always had his own project, with songs own and varied sets. In the early 1980s he toured the country with? Pateys Pipe, along with keyboardist Brynjulf ??Blix, bassist Geir Holmsen and drummer Bjørn Jenssen. Later, a large number of other well-known musicians visited this band. Did the album come in 1983? Ocean Front Walk? and Patey was nominated for the Spellemann Award as Composer of the Year. 14 musicians were on this album, including singers Terry Mccullough, Sidsel Endresen and Lynni Treekrem. Two years later, did the album come? Bang 85? with, among others, Håkon Iversen: vocals, Blix: keyboards, Øivind Madsen: bass and Paolo Vinaccia: drums. In 1986, Patey moved to Venice Beach, on the outskirts of Los Angeles, and continued with "Pateys Pipe", with an American team. When did you return to Oslo seven years after your first solo album? Ocean Front Walk ?, did it start with the album? Seven Years? along with keyboardists Blix and Per Kolstad, bassist Øivind Madsen and drummer Rune Arnesen. BRYNJULF BLIX had his breakthrough as a keyboardist in Terje Rypdal's groups in the first half of the 1970s, and also played on Rypdal's second album, Odyssey, at ECM. Blix has also been involved in many different contexts and a number of Norwegian record releases known throughout the ages, and the artists he collaborated with include most of Knutsen and Ludvigsen to Jan Garbarek, via Moose Loose, Guttorm Guttormsen, Alex , Bjørn Christiansen, Susanne Fuhr and many others. Blix still has, like the others in the band, roots in the blues, and was in the country early playing an organ inspired by Jimmy Smith. FRODE LARSEN was a vocalist, harmonica player, composer and driving force in Larsen's Last Chance for over ten years (CD in 1994 at Amigo). Vocalist and bassist at Chicago Bound since 1996 (CD 1998 Blue Mood / Amigo). He also collaborated with Eric Andersen (appears on several albums), Vidar Busk and Garasjebandet. Among several freelance assignments, many concerts include Good Time Charlie, as well as support from Johnny Dyer and Louisiana Red (Notodden Blues Festival 1996). OLAV GUSTAFSSON has been a professional drummer since 1967. For 10 years he lived in Berlin, and became a successful studio musician with over 150 LP recordings in the 1970s and 1980s. He returned to Norway again in 1985 and started out as a drummer with big names like Jonas Fjeld Band, Jørn Hoel etc. before blues and jazz take over. Here, among other things. Reidar Larsen, Vidar Busk, Dr. Bekken and Elmor James Tribute Band are mentioned. Internationals like Ike Turner, Homesick James, Roy Gaines, Tony Vega Band too. He is a regular drummer for Big Chief Jazzband, R&B Express and now for Patey's Pipe. Band members: Bent Patey - guitar, vocals Brynjulf ??Blix - keyboards Frode Larsen - bass, vocals Per Eriksen - drums
Tracklist:
01. No More Slumber 04:09
02. Sitter inne og ser ut 05:22
03. Big Boss Man 03:41
04. Renska 02:53
05. Freelance 02:12
06. John Wesley Hardin 03:24
07. Blueberry Hill 04:12
08. (Don't You) Slam that Door 02:40
09. Jeg er for lat 04:15
10. I'm Going Down to the River (to Drown Myself) 04:07
G.E. Smith & LeRoy Bell
GE Smith, known as Saturday Night Live bandleader, sideman to Dylan, Roger Waters, Jagger, Bowie, Hall & Oates and everyone far and between joins forces with LeRoy Bell who has shared the stage with Van Morrison, Ojays, The Wallflowers, Taj Majal, Huey Lewis, and vocalist for Carlos Santana. They have embarked on a powerhouse project coming from BMG this spring. Look out for first class stagemen who deliver stellar new songs penned by X Factor finalist LeRoy Bell. Both are highly regarded veterans of the music industry, and praised by all the critics. More to come.
Smith, an A list guitarist, was musical director and bandleader to some of the most highly watched events such as Dylans’ 30 Anniversary in MSG, Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction, numerous high profile corporate events The History of The Electric Guitar for the Smithsonian and has graced every stadium known in the world. LeRoy Bell makes a stunning contribution to this new duo with strong roots in songwriting. He has penned with the Ojays, Elton John and Temptations. He was a finalist on the X Factor embracing America with his soulful vocals and irresistible charm. Join Smith and Bell debuting "Stony Hill."
Tracklist:
01. Black Is The Color 03:09
02. You and Me 04:36
03. America 04:07
04. Take Cover 03:53
05. Art's Sick 02:47
06. How Does It Feel 04:14
07. Let The Sunshine In 05:51
08. Codine 04:33
09. Under These Skies 04:27
10. Change Is Coming Now 03:29
11. When I Close My Eyes 04:00
Kevin Purcell
This CD was recorded at the Crawdaddy Bayou in Wheeling Illinois, during May 2,000 and was recorded live without any overdubs. I am very pleased to say that this album has a great feel to it and works very well, giving the listener a feeling of being present at the live recording.
The album kicks off with the thrusting harp of Kevin Purcell driving the song "Boogie 'Til Midnight" along at a cracking pace until Kevin switches to vocal, then back to the driving harp. Bill LeClair provides some nice piano playing along the way and Dave Seffen on guitar also provides a good solo before a final crescendo at the end. Kevin Purcell also wrote 5 of the 10 songs on this album and comes across as a very good front man playing some great harp throughout. The Nightburners have plenty of guests stepping up to help on guitar duties, Jim Egan and Shaun Ferguson provide some great interplay on the romping "Rock With Me" written by Kim Wilson. Memphis Slim's "Everyday" sees both guitarists again sharing the honours, Bill LeClair also shines with his keyboard skills on this delightful song. "Crawdaddy Blues" starts with a powerful solo from Kevin on harp before mellowing out into a walking pace groove giving plenty of space for the band to open up. "Moving In For The Kill" has the Reverend G (Greg Simmons) and Pete Flynn on slide guitar joining the band for this very riffy powerful number. "Shakey Ground" also is a powerhouse track for the band and seems to be one of the highlights of watching the band live. The final song "Man U Crazy" is a showcase for Kevin's excellent harp playing which explodes on this final blow-out number which sees the band tearing up the place and is a fitting end to this powerful live recording by a classy band. As a live album this works very well and if your ever near the Crawdaddy Bayou club it would be worth while calling to see if Kevin & The Nightburners are tearing up the place.
Tracklist:
01. Boogie 'Til Midnight 05:06
02. Shakey Ground 07:41
03. Movin in for the Kill 04:36
04. Capital City 05:49
05. Bad Ax 04:11
06. Crawdaddy Blues 09:26
07. Yo' Mama 06:20
08. Rock With Me 05:50
09. Everyday 05:29
10. Man U Crazy 11:51
The Brothers
The Brothers consists of founding Allman Brothers Band (ABB) drummer Jaimoe as well as longtime ABB guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, bassist Oteil Burbridge and percussionist Marc Quinones, along with Widespread Panic drummer Duane Trucks and keyboardist Reese Wynans.
Former ABB keyboardist (and longtime touring member of the Rolling Stones) Chuck Leavell joined as a special guest for many of the jams he helped create with ABB.
The Allman Brothers Band played their first show on March 26, 1969 and went on to embark on a Hall Of Fame career, which came to a close with their final performance on October 28, 2014 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
About The Brothers
The Brothers are all the surviving members of the final ABB lineup: drummer Jaimoe, guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, bassist Oteil Burbridge and percussionist Marc Quinones.
Reese Wynans was a member of Second Coming, a band that pre-dated the formation of The Allman Brothers Band by just months and included Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe.
Duane Truck is Derek’s little brother, whose uncle was ABB co-founder Butch Trucks. Duane is currently a drummer for Widespread Panic.
Chuck Leavell was first heard by ABB fans on Gregg’s first solo album, Laid Back, and joined the Allmans full-time in 1973 through their first hiatus in 1976.
Tracklist:
CD 01
01 Don’t Want You No More 04:19
02 It’s Not My Cross To Bear 05:00
03 Statesboro Blues 04:52
04 Revival 04:13
05 Trouble No More 04:39
06 Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’ 06:38
07 Black Hearted Woman 11:03
08 Dreams 13:36
09 Hot’Lanta 06:29
10 Come And Go Blues 06:02
11 Soulshine 08:27
CD 02
01 Stand Back 05:03
02 Jessica 13:30
03 Mountain Jam 19:45
04 Blue Sky 10:14
05 Desdemona 12:40
06 Ain’t Wasting Time No More 09:48
CD 03
01 Every Hungry Woman 09:15
02 Melissa 05:52
03 In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed 15:44
04 No One to Run With 05:19
05 One Way Out 09:34
06 Midnight Rider (Encore) 04:17
07 Whipping Post (Encore) 16:56
The Allman Betts Band
The Allman Betts Band returns for its sophomore album, Bless Your Heart. The album features 13 tracks from the 7-piece band fronted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts. Bless Your Heart was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.
Bless Your Heart gets off to a strong start with “Pale Horse Rider,” which has a Western feel. Betts came up with the riff Devon Allman describes as “vertigo-inducing” while saying the story of the song “kind of wrote itself.” “Carolina Song” follows which has a strong Tom Petty influence. “Ashes of My Lovers” features Betts on lead vocals and is another Western feeling track.
If you’ve had the chance to see the Allman Betts Band perform live you’ll know this is a band that can jam. That’s shown on the 12 minute instrumental “Savannah’s Dream,” which allows everyone in the band to stretch their wings. “Magnolia Road” was the first single released from the album and has Allman and Betts trading off on lead vocals with Johnny Stachela’s slide guitar all over it.
Berry Oakley Jr. makes his vocal debut on an Allman Betts Band album with “The Doctor’s Daughter,” which he penned. The track begins with an atmospheric intro featuring John Ginty’s piano sprinkled with Stachela’s slide. The track includes some wonderful flamenco style guitar playing to ride it out.
On Bless Your Heart, The Allman Betts Band continues to do what they do best, deliver good ole’ fashioned blues-tinged southern rock. The 13 tracks take the listener on a ride and are filled with an abundance of textures.
Tracklist:
01. Pale Horse Rider 04:43
02. Carolina Song 05:47
03. King Crawler 04:04
04. Ashes of My Lovers 04:10
05. Savannah’s Dream 12:03
06. Airboats & Cocaine 04:20
07. Southern Rain 06:39
08. Rivers Run 03:57
09. Magnolia Road 05:17
10. Should We Ever Part 05:07
11. The Doctor’s Daughter 08:18
12. Much Obliged 03:17
13. Congratulations 03:14
Levi Platero Band
Levi Platero is from the Navajo Nation of the Southwest region of the United States. With his family band "The Plateros" they emerged on the music scene in 2004 as a blues rock power trio compared to the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Los Lonely Boys and ZZ Top. After a decade of touring the US with his family band, a one and half year run as a member of the Indigenous (Lakota blues band), Levi decided it was time to get back to his own music. He then recruited a new band, began touring, went into the studio and released a self titled EP featuring the single "Take Me Back" which went on to win the 2016 New Mexico Music Awards for Best Blues.
Levi is a great example of a guitar player with a gift of guitar playing intuition of much more experienced player. Levi’s quiet nature is unleashed in a style that mixes a spectrum of Texas Blues, vintage rock, to modern guitar heroes such as Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. With a captivating live show he ranges from flurries of guitar acrobatics all the way down to soulful expressiveness. Levi is a guitarist and talent to be reckoned with and will continue to shine in the Blues/Rock genre. Currently Levi Platero and his band are gearing up for a 2017 National Tour to promote the New EP and a second full length album to be released in the spring of 2017.
"Wow!!! a great example of a guitar player with a gift who has the guitar playing intuition of much a experienced player. His quiet nature is unleashed in a style that mixes Texas Blues, vintage rock, to modern guitar heroes such as Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. His live shows captivate with flurries of guitar acrobatics all the way down to soulful expressiveness. He is a player to be reckoned with as his experience grows" (J Howell, Studio Recording Engineer)
Levi Platero is a gifted guitarist, singer songwriter from Albuquerque, NM. He first came on the music scene in 2004 at a small music fest in Northern AZ. In 2005 he performed at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, NM as the lead guitarist. He was only 12 years old. He came out on stage that night and amazed the packed crowd. Levi slid across the stage with power chords with screaming blues notes as his father handled the bass guitar and the vocals and his older cousin kept the beat on the drums. This first major performance brought the young guitarist into the main scene of the music industry. Afterwards the crowd welcomed the family band with great gratitude as they screamed “Levi, Levi, Levi”. Little did they know that this was only the beginning of a journey that would take them from a small New Mexico community to the main National music stages across the country, even to make a stop and perform at the 2009 U.S Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC.
Today Levi continues to perform with his band, they are considered one of the most exciting and gifted musicians to watch and hear. Their style is filled with Texas blues and covering classic rock. Their own music had garnered them a 2009 from their "Hang On" full album and 2015 New Mexico Music Awards for Best Blues from their "Take Me Back" EP and numerous nominations at other music industry events & festival. Their first music video “Forever I'm With You” was nominated for best video at the AIFF in 2010 in San Francisco, CA, and won best music video at the 2010 Dream Keeper Film Festival in Alberta Canada. They have toured the U.S as The Plateros, and as part of Indigenous. They have opened and shared the stage with War, Los Lonely Boys, Los Lobos, Johnny Lang, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Eric Gales, just to name a few. They also took part in the NMR Tour across the U.S in selected cites at Hard Rock Cafes.
Tracklist:
01. Promise Land 03:26
02. Dirt Road Blues 05:14
03. My Name 05:23
04. Good Man 04:27
05. Work Hours 06:33
06. Border Town 03:49
07. Coconino County 04:50
08. Vanity 05:16
09. Gypsy 03:51
10. The Journey 04:36
11. Warrior 07:47
12. Memories (The Front Porch Sessions) 04:38
13. Good Man (The Front Porch Sessions) 04:42
Peter V Blues Train
Peter V Blues Train picks up where they left off earlier in the year, pulling out of the station with a back beat to deliver another tasty blend of modern blues, jazz and funk with Running Out Of Time, the third release in their catalog since their debut at the International Blues Challenge a few years ago.
Already tabbed to represent the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation as its representative to compete in the best self-produced CD category at next year’s IBCs, the band features Peter Veteska on guitar and vocals backed by several of the finest musicians in the New York metropolitan area.
The four-piece unit includes Aron Louis Gornish on keyboards and a rhythm section composed of Alex D’Agnese on drums and Sean Graverson on bass. They’re aided by a pair of music heavyweights: Jeff Levine, the keyboard player who led Joe Cocker’s band and worked with Hall & Oates and The Chambers Brothers, and sax player Danny Walsh, who’s worked with Gregg Allman, Aerosmith and several jazz superstars. They’re augmented by Tom Adams (piano), Coo Moe Jhee (bass), Eddie Jackson (congas and vocals), Gary Neuwirth (harmonica) and Kelley Dewkett (vocals) for one cut each.
Dedicated to the memory of the late Michael Packer, founder of the regional Blues Hall Of Fame network and an early booster, this album was captured at Joseph DeMaio’s Shore Fire Recording Studio in Long Branch, N.J., and features seven originals and four carefully reconstructed covers.
Levine and Walsh provide the brief intro to “Stay On Track,” a funky tune that puts a new spin about the need to stay on track despite all of the roadblocks that crop up in your path. Instead of two steps forward and one step back, this one finds Veteska’s strong, crisp vocals delivering lyrics that have you taking three forward and four back — but never losing sight of his goal.
A cover of Richard Ray Farrell’s “Cherry On The Cream” swings from the jump as it sings praises of a lady who always knows how to treat the singer right before the music takes a turn toward jazz with the horn-driven “Buzzed Busted & Blue.” It quickly evolves into a slow blues that deals with the aftermath of a woman taking her own train and leaving him behind.
Peter and the boys leaves Levine at the station for the remainder of the disc, but continue to pick up speed. First up, Big Maceo Merriweather’s 1941 classic, “Worried Life Blues,” gets a contemporary slow-blues treatment. Then the searing original blues-rocker “Running Out Of Time” delivers a complaint about a former lover who now only pisses the singer off. Veteska’s burning guitar work drives the anger home.
The band gets jazzy, funky and instrumental with Peter and Danny exchanging solos as the mood changes dramatically for “Time To Collect” before a steady-walking, modern take on Doc Pomus’ familiar “Youngblood,” a 1957 hit for The Coasters co-written by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. Then the mood turns jazzy and acoustic for “Time For Me To Go,” the realization that it’s time to pack up and move on because the relationship is over.
Another slow-blues burner, “Freedom,” features Veteska on the fretboard and serves as a follow-up to the tune that comes before as it questions the value of finally being free to miss a lady he still has feelings for. Dewket sweetly handles the vocals and Neuwirth makes his sole appearance for a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Me Like A Man” before “Lay Down My Friend,” a tip of the hat to Packer, brings the album to a close, aided by Jackson, a longtime member of Michael’s band.
Available in select record stores in the New York metropolitan area or direct from the artist’s website (address above) Running Out Of Time may be a little difficult to obtain, but it’s worth the effort if your tastes run to contemporary big-city blues.
Credits:
Tom Adams - Piano
Alex D'agnese - Drums
Kelley Dewket - Vocals
Aron Louis Gornish - Keyboards
Sean Graverson - Bass
Eddie Jackson - Congas, Vocals
Coo Moe Jhee - Bass
Jeff Levine - Hammond B3, Piano
Gary Neuwirth - Harp
Peter V - Guitar, Vocals
Danny Walsh - Saxophone
Tracklist:
01. Stay on Track 04:50
02. Cherry on the Cream 05:10
03. Buzzed Busted and Blue 04:46
04. Worried Life Blues 05:26
05. Running out of Time 04:28
06. Time to Collect 04:04
07. Youngblood 04:02
08. Time for Me to Go 03:20
09. Freedom 04:35
10. Love Me Like a Man 03:58
11. Lay Down My Friend 04:57
Johnny Lennartsson Group
A Blues Rock Band from Donsö who play their own material.
Influences. Gary Moore, Mike Landau, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Robben Ford, Steve Lukather & more.
Tracklist:
01. Rock 'n' Roll Train 05:38
02. Bring the Light 04:00
03. I Will Come Back 05:53
04. Mug 05:09
05. Don't Do It 06:10
06. What Is Best for You 04:31
07. Can't You See 06:09
08. Talk to Me 07:02
09. The King 05:51
BluesMix
BluesMix play a blend of funky, soulful blues, mixed with tinges of jazz. Their sound is fresh and yet deeply connected to a classic blues feel. Their new album London Nights was produced by Joe Leach (Blues Band, Jamie Cullum, Geno Washington, Ian Shaw). BBC Radio says "Great! Nice feel!". The Guardian newspaper describes them as "Excellent!".
Tracklist:
01. Smokestack Lightning 04:00
02. Long Way From Home 03:21
03. This Old Fool 03:23
04. Why Did You Have To Go? 05:41
05. Real Life 03:26
06. On My Mind 04:43
07. Never Make A Move Too Soon 03:37
08. London Nights 03:47
09. Let It Roll 03:33
10. No Remedy 03:43
11. Friends 04:10
12. Let The Good Times Roll 02:57
Amos Milburn
Boogie piano master Amos Milburn was born in Houston, and he died there a short 52 years later. In between, he pounded out some of the most hellacious boogies of the postwar era, usually recording in Los Angeles for Aladdin Records and specializing in good-natured upbeat romps about booze and its effects (both positive and negative) that proved massive hits during the immediate pre-rock era.
The self-taught 88s ace made a name for himself as "the He-Man Martha Raye" around Houston before joining the Navy and seeing overseas battle action in World War II. When he came out of the service, Milburn played in various Lone Star niteries before meeting the woman whose efforts would catapult him to stardom.
Persistent manager Lola Anne Cullum reportedly barged into Aladdin boss Eddie Mesner's hospital room, toting a portable disc machine with Milburn's demo all cued up. The gambit worked -- Milburn signed with Aladdin in 1946. His first date included a thundering "Down the Road Apiece" that presaged the imminent rise of rock & roll. But Milburn was capable of subtler charms too, crooning mellow blues ballads in a Charles Brown-influenced style (the two would later become close friends, playing together frequently).
The first of Milburn's 19 Top Ten R&B smashes came in 1948 with his party classic "Chicken Shack Boogie," which paced the charts and anointed his band with a worthy name (the Aladdin Chickenshackers, natch). A velvet-smooth "Bewildered" displayed the cool after-hours side of Milburn's persona as it streaked up the charts later that year, but it was rollicking horn-driven material such as "Roomin' House Boogie" and "Sax Shack Boogie" that Milburn was renowned for. Milburn's rumbling 88s influenced a variety of famous artists, notably Fats Domino.
With the ascent of "Bad, Bad Whiskey" to the peak of the charts in 1950, Milburn embarked on a string of similarly boozy smashes: "Thinking and Drinking," "Let Me Go Home Whiskey," "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" (an inebriating round John Lee Hooker apparently enjoyed!), and "Good Good Whiskey" (his last hit in 1954). Alcoholism later brought the pianist down hard, giving these numbers a grimly ironic twist in retrospect. Milburn's national profile rated a series of appearances on the Willie Bryant-hosted mid-'50s TV program Showtime at the Apollo (where he gave out with a blistering "Down the Road Apiece").
Aladdin stuck with Milburn long after the hits ceased, dispatching him to New Orleans in 1956 to record with the vaunted studio crew at Cosimo's. There he recut "Chicken Shack Boogie" in a manner so torrid that it's impossible to believe it didn't hit (tenor saxist Lee Allen and drummer Charles "Hungry" Williams blast with atomic power as Milburn happily grunts along with his pounding boogie piano solo). In 1957, he left Aladdin for good.
Milburn contributed a fine offering to the R&B Yuletide canon in 1960 with his swinging "Christmas (Comes but Once a Year)" for King. Berry Gordy gave him a comeback forum in 1962, issuing an album on Motown predominated by remakes of his old hits that doesn't deserve its extreme rarity today (even Little Stevie Wonder pitched in on harp for the sessions).
Nothing could jump start the pianist's fading career by then, though. His health deteriorated to the point where a string of strokes limited his mobility and his left leg was eventually amputated. Not too long after, one of the greatest pioneers in the history of R&B was dead.
Credits:
Amos Milburn - Piano
Don Wilkerson - Tenor Sax
Clifford Smith - Tenor Sax
Wiilie Simpson Jr. - Baritone Sax
Johnny Brown - Guitar
Harper Cosby - Bass
Calvin Vaughn - Drums
Tracklist:
01. Let Me Go Home, Whiskey
02. Three Times A Fool
03. Boo Hoo
04. Empty Arms Blues
05. Operation Blues
06. Every Day Of The Week
07. Put Something In My Hand
08. Darling How Long
09. What Can I Do
10. I Need Someone
11. I Love You Anyway
12. Baby, Baby All The Time
De Bloes Broers
Album recorded live by the Dutch band De Bloes Broers. Great electric blues.
Tracklist:
01. Backstroke 05:08
02. After All 03:59
03. Phone Booth 02:40
04. Holderdebolder 07:48
05. Bericht Voor De Macho 03:55
06. I Know What You're Thinkin' 03:50
07. It's My Soul 03:03
08. I Want To Shout About It 03:37
09. Soms Zit 't Tegen, Soms Zit 't Mee 05:05
10. Zwiep, Zwaai & Zwier 02:54
11. Drumkit 04:36
12. Big Boss Man 03:31
13. I Wish You Could See Me Now 04:08
14. Someday, Someway 03:45
15. Am I Losing You 06:56
U.P. Wilson
Fort Worth-based guitarist, singer and songwriter U.P. Wilson plays a startlingly refreshing style of deep Southern soul-blues that is gospel inflected and rural, yet urban. His very rhythmic guitar playing is showcased on three albums for JSP Records, and it appears that after years of being known as a regional performer around Texas, Wilson is ready to take his show on the road. Wilson has recorded three albums for the London-based JSP Records -- Boogie Boy: Return of the Texas Tornado in 1994, This Is U.P. Wilson (1995), and Whirlwind, a 1996 release. Wilson also has two early-'90s recordings for the small Texas labels Red Lightnin' and Double Trouble.
Raised in West Dallas, Wilson learned his craft in the rough and tumble beer joints around the South and West Sides of the city, taking his cues from the likes of ZuZu Bollin, Cat Man Fleming, Frankie Lee Sims, Mercy Baby and Nappy "Chin" Evans. Wilson moved from Dallas to Fort Worth and formed a band called the Boogie Chillun with drummer and vocalist Robert Ealey. Later, he worked with Cornell Dupree before Dupree left to become a favorite session guitarist.
On My WayBy the late 1970s, Wilson and Ealey were frequenting a Fort Worth club called the New Bluebird, where they were attracting ever-growing legions of true Texas blues fans. Wilson began recording locally in 1987 and touring again around Texas. Since the mid-'90s release of his JSP albums, Wilson and his band have toured regionally around the South, pleasing audiences with his inventiveness, clever songwriting, great arrangements and sheer originality. He returned in 1999 with On My Way.
Credits:
Chris Brewer - Bass
Doug Zabel - Bass
Phil Friend - Bass
Steven Meek - Drums
James Hinkle - Guitar
Tone Sommer - Guitar
U.P. Wilson - Guitar, Vocals
Bill Eden - Saxophone
Larry Shelton - Trumpet
Kenny Traylor - Vocals - (tracks: 06)
Robert Ealey - Vocals - (tracks: 02 )
Johnny Mack - Vocals, Washboard
Tracklist:
01. Take It Easy 05:42
02. Lonely Guy 04:53
03. Walkin' 05:49
04. Satch Wig 05:13
05. Don't Give Me That 02:49
06. The Good the Bad the Blues 04:01
07. Bad Luck Woman 04:14
08. Fat City 04:07
09. Jazzy P. 02:46
10. Last Time 03:12
Tab Benoit
Benoit throws a bit of a curveball by adding country music to his always fun mix of blues, R&B, funk, rock, and Louisiana music. He even plays the pedal steel!
But fans needn’t worry, as there’s also plenty of the stuff you’ve come to expect, starting with the funk-blues opener, “Pack It Up,” tailor-made to get the joint hoppin’ with Tab’s staccato bursts. “Why Are People Like That” is one of those boogies where you can’t help but tap along, right into the fine solo. The very fun “Can’t Do One More Two-Step” may, in fact, have you doing another two-step. Benoit’s double-stops and bends and pinched notes are distinctive, and as much fun as the lyric.
The country element surfaces on the title cut, which has a great mix of fiddle and pedal steel and a great country vocal that displays more of Benoit’s seemingly endless talent. The soulful country of “I Heard That Lonesome Whistle” is helped by a backup vocal from Jim Lauderdale. Benoit’s chordal work is beautiful.
There are other guests here, too. Billy Joe Shaver sings on a fine cover of “Comin’ On Strong.” Speaking of remakes, while we may not need another version of “Bring It On Home to Me,” when it’s as soulful and heartfelt as this version, it’s hard to argue. Remember the band Leroux? Well, here they back up Benoit on most of the record, and it’s a perfect complement.
It’s fun to watch players grow, and Benoit simply wants to play great music and on occasion step out of his “normal” role. Here’s to more of that in the future.
Tracklist:
01. Pack It Up 03:53
02. Bring It On Home To Me 05:13
03. Brother To The Blues 04:04
04. Why Are People Like That? 03:01
05. I'm On Your Side 02:44
06. I Heard That Lonesome Whistle 04:26
07. If You Love Me Like You Say 05:49
08. Comin' On Strong 03:26
09. So High 04:56
10. Grace's Song 04:01
11. Moon Coming Over The Hill 03:11
12. Somehow 05:56
13. Can't Do One More Two-Step 04:22
Howell Wallace
Blues rock from Texas and made with great quality.
Tracklist:
01. Never Say Never 04:06
02. Long Way to Go 03:24
03. Leave Me Alone 02:39
04. Rollin' and Tumblin' 02:31
05. You're the Reason Why 03:28
06. I Thought I was Dreaming 04:40
07. Love That Woman 02:26
08. I Hate Long Goodbyes 03:16
09. Barnyard Boogie 02:13
10. Where Did You Sleep Last Night? 03:42
Dave Moretti Blues Revue
Some days, when it’s gray and rainy outside, nothing is better than pouring two fingers of your favorite “tea” and settling down to some slow, sad blues. On those days, you had better not slip Bluesjob into the CD player, because it’ll have you out of your chair and snapping your fingers before you know what hit you.
The Dave Moretti Blues Review comes to us from across the pond, from a county more well known for olive oil and aqueducts than swinging blues and fierce harmonica playing. Hailing from Turin, Italy, the Blues Review is a four piece high-energy band that features Moretti on vocals and harp.
At first listen, I wasn’t sure what to make of this CD. The sound is a mix of jump blues, swing and just flat out old-school power blues played energetically. But there’s something in there that isn’t quite familiar... a musical approach that feels a little alien. When Moretti starts singing, I’m hit once again with the other worldly nature of this CD - reminding me of the first few minutes of listening to a Shakespeare play, when I know the language in English, but I haven’t quite got the ear for it yet.
A few songs in and this changed for me. My ears became used to Moretti’s deep, throaty and ever-so-off-kilter vocals, and the tone and texture of the music started to reveal itself to me. At the end of the CD, the first thing I did was hit play one more time to get deeper into the music.
The tracks are high energy blues infused with a jump and swing spirit, but sans the horns you’d expect. The arrangements are stripped down and raw and showcase a band that has honed their playing on European club and festival circuit. Moretti plays harp with a sharp treble presence and also sings. Moretti also penned six of the disc’s songs (the others are from such greats as Percy Mayfield and Ray Charles).
What struck me about this effort was the fact that the lean, mean tracks all share a unifying swing mentality, but Moretti and the boys know how to pull back, how to strip a song even more bare for a solo or bridge and every single song has some unique hook that just pulls you in and compels you to listen deeper. More than once, Moretti on harp and Damir Nefat on guitar get in such harmonic sync that that transition from one’s solo to the other is almost imperceptible.
For me, the blues is a genre that continues to surprise. I love the historical lineage of the genre and have great respect for those performers who stay true to the myriad of forms we’ve come to know. That being said, I love being taken for a ride that I never expected. I wasn’t prepared for hornless jump blues, stripped down and played fast and hard and sung with a throaty Italian accent.
To be honest, it took me a few listens to break through, but what the Dave Moretti Blues Revue delivers in Bluesjob is a delightful treat that left me grinning and my toes tapping.
Credits:
Dave Moretti - Vocals, Harmonica
Damir Nefat - Guitar
Emanuele Pavone - Bass
Alessio Sanfilippo - Drums
Tracklist:
01. Jump Tha Blues 04:17
02. Baby You're Rich 03:03
03. One Way Ticket 03:40
04. Hallelujah I Love Her So 03:25
05. Love On The Phone 05:51
06. Beauty Queen 02:40
07. Who's That Girl 03:40
08. Rockhouse 04:39
09. No Man's Land 01:57
10. Up The Line 05:05
Carie & The Soulshakers
New Orleans flavored, soulful, americana blues with funk-addled tendencies. This West Coast blues, rock and roll band brings audiences to their feet, raises voices, stimulates spirits, rocks worlds and moves hearts. Carie and the SoulShakers is comprised of veterans from the professional front lines of the blues, soul, funk, jazz and rock trenches. Their line-up brings depth and variety to arrangements that shake the soul and stir the heart. They perform familiar funk, sultry soul and down-home rockin' rhythms that will move your core and rearrange your molecules! Come align yourself with Carie and the SoulShakers. Vinny Johnson plays with versatility and generosity; Steven Glaze, bass man and sound engineer, mines the precious depths of the SoulShakers’ sound; Jan Hagge, key-man extraordinaire brings a effervescent tone that is irresistible;; and keeping the whole thing glued together is the sweet power of drums driven by David Ellison. These guys have played everywhere with everyone - all.
Credits:
Carie Anne - Vocals
Vinny Johnson – Guitar, Vocals
Jan Hagge – Keyboards
Steven Glaze – Bass
David Ellison – Drums
Tracklist:
01. Muddy Said 05:54
02. Talk To Me 04:14
03. Just Stay 05:21
04. Hey Hey Baby 05:10
Little Sonny
Aaron 'Little Sonny' Willis (born 1932) is an American bluesman, accordion player, singer and songwriter. Sonny Boy Williamson II was his early mentor and inspiration. However, Little Sonny has stated that his mother gave him his nickname. He has released eight albums, including three for a subsidiary of Stax Records. His 1973 release, Hard Goin 'Up, reached the Top 50 on the US Billboard R&B chart. Sonny's music has been called everything from blues to jazz, and some listeners discover gospel and rock influences. He loves to listen and learn from all types of music. “I'm working on my own ideas,” Sonny says. “Not what the other person has done. Many other blues musicians say that I play rock music because it's up-tempo and it's a different style. They've never done it before. have not heard and refuse to say that this is the blues. "
Credits:
Little Sonny - Vocals, Harmonica
Anthony G. Willis - Bass
Aaron Willis Jr. - Guitar
Butch Lomax - Drums
Don Whyte - Keyboards
Tracklist:
01. Sonny Side Up 05:43
02. Positive Mind 04:34
03. I Got To Find My Baby 04:32
04. Let Me Love You 06:07
05. Ready Set Go 04:53
06. The Best Of The Best 05:49
07. I'm With You All The Way 04:19
08. Tough Times Never Last 04:56
09. The Next Dance With You 04:45
Backhouse James' Blues Band
In 1968, a Medway blues band decided to record their own LP of authentic 'pure' blues,much in the style of Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, and released it themselves. They could only afford to have the bare minimum manufactured, so just thirty copies were pressed. The band did all the artwork for the sleeve & labels themselves, with the sleeves being printed locally & the labels appearing to be hand drawn onto plain white blanks! One copy of this album now resides in John Peel's archive, another is here.
One of the rarest albums in the world & coveted almost since its release way back in mid 1968. Recorded in the front room of 31 Roberts Road in Rainham, Kent in glorious mono, the band run through fourteen blues tracks. Most of the tracks are staples of the period but the set also includes a few self penned numbers.To keep the 'feel' of the tracks, some were recorded 'live' in front of an invited audience at the local Aurora Hotel.
Credits:
Bob Mullet - Guitar, Vocals
John Taylor - Drums
Tim (Juke) Harris - Harmonica, Vocals
Barry Bailey - Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar, Vocals
Spot - Piano
Tracklist:
01. Coming Home 02:40
02. Can’t Raise The Dead 02:29
03. The Train Is Coming 03:53
04. No Title Blues 02:35
05. Evil Goin’ On 02:29
06. Save Her Doctor 03:11
07. Cold Heart 03:14
08. On The Ball 04:49
09. Rock Me 03:28
10. Dust My Broom 03:00
11. Help Me 03:55
12. Pickin Blues 02:47
13. Hat For The Blues 02:40
14. Bored Choir Blues 02:07
