June 2012 Reviews

The A, B, C & D Of Boogie Woogie, , Live in Paris (Eagle).  Put together boogie piano aces Axel Zwingenberger and Ben Waters with  Charlie Watts on drums and Dave Green on bass in a Paris nightclub, let the tape roll, and this is what you get: a wonderful document proving that boogie woogie is alive and well.  It must have been great to be there, but it is also fun to share with listeners.  I’m playing a bunch of tracks:  Bonsoir Boogie! (1), Somebody Changed The Lock On My Door (4), Down The Road a Piece (11), and the slower but clever Evolution Blues (2). –NAD 6/12

Johnnie Bassett, I Can Make That Happen (Sky Dog).  The coolest man in the Blues returns with an album that combines his usual themes of love and lust with a couple of tracks for his home city of Detroit.  The title track (4) has all the elements that make Mr. Basset’s records great: clever lyrics, smooth guitar, solid backing and kicking horns.  But the standout tracks for me are Motor City Blues (10) and Proud to be from Detroit (1).  I’ll take these over a faux-noire car commercial any day.  – NAD 06/12

Lisa Biales, Just Like Honey (Big Song).  A strong voice with mostly-acoustic backing that gives this a bit of a hootenanny feel.  My picks are  Call the Fire Wagon (1),  Give it Up  (11)  and a duet with E.G. Kight on the Delmore Brothers’ Blues Stay Away from Me (12).  –NAD 05/12

Milton Hopkins & Jewel Brown, Milton Hopkins & Jewel Brown (Dialtone).  Old school guitar meets mature vocals to create a timeless sound.  Mr. Hopkins is a veteran guitarist whose credits include B.B. King, while Ms. Brown is a vocalist whose early career was spent singing for Louis Armstrong.  I’m enjoying the whole album, and on my Blues show I’m focused on the retro-jump of Daddy Daddy (3)and the upbeat R&B of Jerry (1), and I’m Shakin’ (8). – NAD 6/12

Juke Joint Jonny, Pure And Simple (Blues Leaf).  Elements of a number of pre WWII acoustic styles of blues and even jazz combine to create a bit of fun.  My picks are Come on Up (1) and Mama Lion (4).   Unlucky in Love (7) adds some soulful organ to the mix.  – NAD 06/12

Liz Mandeville, Clarksdale (Blue Kitty).  The journey to the heart of the Delta was a great way to energize this veteran singer and reconnect to the heart of the blues.  A strong voice, and songs which reflect a strong spirit.  My picks for the radio are a couple of the more upbeat tunes, Roadside Produce Stand (1) and  Sweet Potato Pie (8).  – NAD 06/12

Bill "Howl-N-Madd" Perry, The Clarksdale Sessions (Mississippi Delta Blues Records).  Mr. Perry has been a session guitarist at Chess and Jewel, performed with his big family band, and on his own as an authentic modern day Mississippi Delta Bluesman.  He’s got a great voice and is surrounded by a solid cast of musicians on this outing, and there is plenty of variety here to dispel any stereotypes about the delta.  My faves are Saturday Night (1), Delta Woman (5), a tribute to his wife, and Wanna Cook for You (10).  – NAD 6/12

Phantom Blues Band, Inside Out (Vizztone).  Top notch players  pooling their talents on some nicely chosen songs.  If ever there was a blues band you could dance all night to, this is it.  My picks are I Can’t Stand It  (1),  Change (8),  and Stone Survivor (13).  –NAD 05/12

Li'l Ronnie And The Grand Dukes, Gotta Strange Feeling (Ellersoul).  Retro blues with a strong flavor of 40’s and 50’s jump.  My picks are Buzz Me (7) and Bring Your Love Home (13). – NAD 6/12

Douglas Watson and his R& B Revue,  Broken Hearted Man (Indys). Old school bluesy soul, done beautifully.  Covers like Down Home Blues and Let’s Straighten it Out help to establish where they are coming from, and are really very good.  But my picks are Broken Hearted Man and Please Don’t Let Out Good Thing End. – NAD 6/12