Recent Reviews, January 2012

Mac Arnold and Plate Full of Blues, Blues Revival: Live at the Grey Eagle (Vizztone). This veteran of the Muddy Waters band is turning 70, but has never sounded better.  With his hand-picked band and guests Kim Wilson, Bob Margolin, and the late Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, they serve up real deal blues that does justice to both Chicago and his current home of South Carolina.  I’m playing just about every cut, but my favorites are Gitty Up (1), Drivin’ Wheel (4),  and Ghetto Blue  (5). –NAD 01/12

Big Clayton, Boogie Woogie Man (High Tone).  Fine boogie piano, from a guy who is comfortable with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, or with a gospel choir, or just playing solo boogie woogie.  My picks (all in the boogie woogie vein) are Tickling the Ivories, Walking the Landing and The 9 to 5 bounce. – NAD 01/12

Debbie Bond, Hearts Are Wild (Blues Root).  With a voice that’s almost too sweet for the blues, Ms. Bond provides a fresh sound while sticking to a pretty traditional backing.  The songs are mostly originals.  My picks are the title track (2), and Rick’s Boogie (7), which has a nice trombone solo. – NAD 01/12

Levee Town,  Pages of Paperwork (Levee Town).  Sounds like a bunch of young guys messing around and having fun with rock n’ roll and the blues.  I like the opening/title cut Paperwork (1), which is pretty clever, and I'm Gonna Leave (9) which is pretty straightforward, but the vocals-through-a-fuzzbox sound is pretty cool. –NAD 01/12

Sean Costello, At His Best – Live (Landslide).  Mr. Costello’s tragic death surely robbed us of a blues talent who had accomplished much, and had the promise to accomplish much more.  This live set, recorded in the US and France, reminds folks like me who never saw him in person that his talents were just as evident on stage as in the studio.  His talent on guitar is best expressed on the instrumental cuts, San-Ho-Zay B (2),  Hiucklebuck (12) As a vocalist, he had an intense, almost desperate quality, which worked especially well on the soulful cuts like  Can I Change My Mind (8) and Reconsider Baby (10).  –NAD 01/12

Joe Louis Walker, Hellfire (Alligator). Mr. Walker is a hard core blues man who loves to make his guitar scream.  This CD is features hig production values and high energy from start to finish.  My picks are I Won’t Do That  (2), and Black Girls (9), celebrating and featuring some fine back up singers.  I also like his cover of one of my favorite country songs, Merle Haggard’s Movin’ On  (11). – NAD 01/12

Various Artists, The Blues: An Evolution (Electro Glide).  There is a great, but very sporadic, tradition of blues anthologies highlighting a selection of unsigned artists.  It is great to see Electro-Glide taking this up and presenting four bands on this CD.    Some of it is too blues-rock for my taste, but my picks are Brandon Santini’s lively You Ruined Poor Me (4) and Danny And The Devils’ funny Mama’s Boy (9), which has a nice organ and guitar conversation at the beginning.  –NAD 01/12