New Releases -
August 2001
Carlos del Junco Up And At
`Em Big Reed BRRCD-3/Festival
Our wizard of the harmonica's eagerly-anticipated follow-up to Big Boy-some blues and other somewhat related stuff is an impressive one indeed. In Carlos del Junco's hands, the often-thought-of-as-lowly harp continues its trip into the unknown. Most of the songs feature Kevin Breit on his impressive collection of stringed things, Russ Boswell on bass and Jorn Anderson on drums with Dennis Keldie guesting and providing some atmospheric B3. Regular acoustic duo partner Mark Sepic is also on hand for two songs with Henry Heillig on bass and Al Cross on drums. There are three vocals among the eleven songs, with Carlos taking two of them and Jane Siberry doing the multi-tracked vocal on "How High The Moon", which sounds as though it started life as a Larry Adler tribute, but grew. One of Carlos' vocals is his first in Spanish, "Molienda Cafe" and points to the Latin tinge to the album, as fans of the Sepic/del Junco live shows have come to know. The other vocal is the most overt blues, "The Train Don't Stop Here", and even it's a Los Lobos song (from Kiko). The instrumental quartet of Carlos, Breit, Boswell & Anderson, though, is the heart of the album and it is cutting edge stuff - interactive music of the highest order. I find Kevin's playing is more focussed here than on his own Poverty Playlist albums or on Supergenerous, something I'm sure Carlos had a hand in along with veteran producer Joe Chiccarelli. As before, there is lots of technical information about keys and positions and there's lots more info at www.carlosdeljunco.com. To paraphrase the last album's sub-title, the music here is less related to blues than on that album but if you're interested in harmonica playing and adventure in music, this one's for you.
Dawn Tyler Watson
Project Ten Dollar Dress Preservation Records PRES-761
I've been waiting for this one since the Preservation Blues Review CD came out four years ago. Now Montreal-resident Ms. Watson's three songs there showed great promise and Ten Dollar Dress proves the adage that patience is a virtue. The Project now consists of Andy (Chuck) Dacoulis on electric guitars; Domenic Romanelli, basses and Sam Harrison, drums & percussion behind Watson. Peter Ranallo sits in on keys, Danny Ranallo plays the acoustic guitars and Craig Hodgson is the one man horn section. The opener, "Cigarette", invites immediate comparison to Molly Johnson's version of "One Hundred Cigarettes" although the overall direction may be more like the one Cassandra Wilson is taking in genre blending. "You Can't Be True" is a fine new slow blues by Watson who wrote or co-wrote almost all the songs here. The tender acoustic ballad "Hey Hey" supplies the album's title. Of the other songs here, "Shoot The Devil" is a new, improved version of an already good song; "Abused", with its police-arrival lead in, addresses the ambivalence around this major social issue and after a couple more ballads, Jimmy James provides the pyrotechnics for the jazzy Hendrix tribute "Purple Haze" to bring the album to a rousing close. A savvy mix of acoustic and electric sounds in support of strong performances and songs make this is a major addition to our blues discography and I hope you agree. Visit www.dawntylerwatson.com if you can't find it at the stores.
Big Mark and The Blues
Express Steak and Potatoes ML06012/Indie
The excellent horn section they brought along with them for the trip from Montreal to the Talent Search and to Harbourfront came on board during the recording of this album and so aren't there on every song. While their absence is noticed on those songs, it lends a nice variety to the program - indeed, Big Mark (Legault) might well have had to ask them to sit out! With the exception of a couple of overworked songs, this CD is ample evidence, should you need it, for their winning the Talent Search. The importance of the front man in a jump blues band or any band is impossible to exaggerate and Big Mark fills the bill (tee hee). Guitar man Mike Zablotsky shines throughout but especially on the nod to Earl Hooker and his wah wah pedal on the original "I'm Tired". The arrangements generally are top notch with Billy Boy Arnold's hit "I Ain't Got You" getting the prize here. "Caldonia", "Alimony Blues" and "Built For Comfort" fall into the overworked category but the latter was probably unavoidable given the theme of some of the other songs ("They Call Me Big Mark" etc.). The horn players are Frank Thiffault on sax and Dave Marchand, trumpet with Thiffault and Big Mark getting the credit for those inventive horn arrangements. Costa Zafiropoulos and Rob Marcheterre round out the lineup on bass and drums and Pat Loiselle guests on harp on three songs. Big Mark carries all in front of him with four original songs and an accomplished self-production on this well-done first album. Get yours at www.bigmarkblues.com and prepare his steak marinade & sauce (De Arbol pepper conveniently supplied!).
Bluemud Juke Jumpin' Blues DANOJJB001
Zablotsky & Zafiropoulos have this side project and recorded a CD live off the floor last December at a demo session that just got better. Tim Bolden is the vocalist/harpman in Bluemud and Ben Caissie fills the drum chair. There is minimal but effective miking and spontaneity replaces preparation in a program of standards that this foursome obviously enjoys playing. Bolden has not yet reached Big Mark's level as a singer but he will and there is more of Zablotsky's guitar mastery. Not essential perhaps but nice to have and there's a live firecracker in this CD case! Contact jukejumpblues@hotmail.com.
Dave Rotundo & The Blue
Canadians Blowin' For Broke Stone Pillar SPP001/Indie
Closer to home but also in the straight-ahead bar band blues vein comes this CD with the hearty endorsement of none other than Ronnie Hawkins. I think for many blues fans there are few greater pleasures than a well-played album dominated by heavily-amplified harp, gruff vocals, tasty guitar, piano, bass & drums, with the domination in that order! Well, folks, this one qualifies. Dave Rotundo's vocals might need a little bit of work but that will surely come, this is a first album. No problem with his harp playing, or Peter Schmidt's guitar or Julian Fauth's piano, Shane Scott's bass playing or drummer Walter Maclean. The all-original songs fit like comfortable slippers - nothing fancy or daring, not slavishly copied, just firmly in the Chicago tradition. "Bourbon St. Blues" by Rotundo and Scott has some nice lyrics, too.
Dylan Wickens Project Shuffle This DWP002/Indie
This second CD adds Flip Townson on tenor sax to the Project with Dylan Wickens, guitar & vocals; John Bouvette, drums and Brent Kehoe, bass. This relatively new band has been building a loyal following with their regular Tuesdays at The Black Swan over the last year or so as well as their other gigs and this CD should help take them to the next level. All but two of the eight songs are originals and it seems the CD is programmed as a set, building to a fine finish with the pedal-to-the-metal "Sitting On A Swing". On the way there, "Red Dress On", "Test Drive Blues", "All Your Love (I Miss Lovin')" and "Enough" have plenty of Wickens' guitar with Townson's sax providing some pleasing contrast. Catch them at the Swan or go to www.dwproject.tv for their complete listings.
Ike Turner Here And Now IKON IKOCD8850/KOCH
There's been perhaps more industry buzz about this one than has been seen for a long time but for once it's justified. Part of the staying power of the buzz is that few couples have had their marital history so publicly exposed and while Tina's side is known around the world, Ike's side of it(that he is guilty of violence but that Tina is equally so-"She gave as good as she got") has been mostly ignored. The result is that Ike has become universally reviled. Whatever your thoughts are on this issue, two things are not to be argued about - Ike's importance in the history of the blues and the strength of this comeback album. As a young talent scout, Ike spotted Howling Wolf; his band, under singer Jackie Brenston's name, had what many consider to be the first rock `n' roll record, "Rocket 88"; his own singles, especially the instrumentals (recently collected under that title on British ACE CDCHD 782) should be in every guitarist's repertoire; his guitar is featured on Otis Rush's "Double Trouble", one of the greatest blues singles of all time; and on and on. The long portion of his career with Tina is of less blues interest, The Hunter & Outta Season notwithstanding. His solo LP, Blues Roots(1972), and several `70's LP's under his band's name, The Family Vibes, form the starting point for Here And Now. There are new songs here and new versions of old songs as he strives to remind new generations of his achievements. "Tore Up" was recorded by Ike Turner's The Kings Of Rhythm with Billy Gayles on vocals in 1956, "Rocket 88" is here, "Ike's Theme" is a new instrumental that serves to remind everyone of his signature use of the whammy bar on his guitar (it should be named after him!) and "Catfish Blues" is a new collection of traditional lyrics. Those of you who've heard Blues Roots will remember that understated low growl he uses for vocals when he has to sing and he uses it to great effect on "You Can't Winnum' All" and "Gave You What You Wanted". While he does look back, he has astutely clothed the album in a very modern sound - this is not oldies time. His trademark horn sound is here and in concert he uses a ten-piece band to re-create the songs. Little Milton guests on two and Ike plays guitar and piano throughout.
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Beyond The Source Tone Cool TCD 1181/Universal
There seems little point in tampering with what got them here and they don't. What they have done is come up with a fine program of new songs. On a couple of them, Honey Piazza plays organ, a horn section adds colour to "In A Wrong World" and there seems to have been a conscious decision to do without the solo features - the band plays on all the songs with the exception of "Miss Bee-Havin'" which will take its rightful place, no doubt, as Honey's concert highlight. Special notice goes to the opener, "Who Knows What's Goin' On"; the marital banter between Rod and Honey on "If It Is" and the rocker "Shakin' Hands With The Blues". Check out www.themightyflyers.com\ or www.rodpiazza.com for more info and get this album - you'll avoid the rush later when everyone discovers how good this band is.
Various Artists The Blues Foundation Presents The W.C. Handy Nominees Music Blitz MBZ 30011/KOCH
Following the practice of The Grammys, The Blues Foundation has assembled a CD of this year's Handy awards nominees. The various blues labels have provided songs from nominated albums. The result is a mighty fine blues sampler with a couple of bonuses for those of us who have large collections: Taj Mahal's "Honey Bee" in a previously unavailable studio version and a live performance from Atlanta's recently re-discovered Beverly "Guitar" Watkins of her marvellous slow "Red Mama Blues" (that's her guitar). The other songs may be otherwise available but Johnny Bassett, Calvin Jackson, Eddie Clearwater, Anson Funderburgh & Sam Myers, Son Seals, Big Jack Johnson and Shemekia Copeland in one place? Get it.
Out of space again! I hope to get to some of these CD's and those leftover from last month next time.
Margo Margo Peerless PRLSCD 62000
Walter Trout Go The
Distance RUF 1067
Ernest Ranglin Gotcha!
Telarc 83533/Universal
Anders Osborne Ash Wednesday
Blues Shanachie SH5744/KOCH
Billie Branch, Lurrie Bell & The Sons Of
Blues Chicago's Young Blues Generation Evidence ECD-26114
Rico McFarland Tired Of Being
Alone Evidence ECD-26113
Phil Upchurch Tell The Truth!
Evidence ECD-22222
Big Time Sarah A Million Of
You Delmark DE-750/Festival
The Ken Saydak Band Love Without
Trust Delmark DE-751/Festival
Jesse Thomas Blues Is A Feeling
Delmark DD-749/Festival
Steve Freund I'll Be Your
Mule Delmark DE-752/Festival
C.J. Chenier Step It Up!
Alligator ALCD 4882/Warner Music of Canada
Various Artists Sittin' In With The Greats-The Chicago Blues Play-Along
CD Sittin' In With The Greats
- John Valenteyn, jvalenteyn8724@home.com
Toronto Blues Society Copyright _ 2001