|
|
2 November 2011
|
Tab Benoit
|
November CD Report
End is nearing for the Blues Year 2011. Holidays are coming, too, so maybe
you would like to consider filling the Christmas stockings with some of these...
Tab Benoit: Medicine (Telarc)
The Louisiana wildman packed his bags, guitars and Anders Osborne and made a
trip down to the bayou. Collaboration with Osborne turns out a major success;
songwriting is first-class, musicianship near perfect. The stomp is irresistible and
the groove beyond compare. You just have to love Michael Doucet's violin on a
couple of songs. But why did they make him sing, too... Winner: the title track
Marcia Ball: Roadside Attractions (Alligator)
One of the true masters of the piano. Marcia's unbelievable piano chops take
center stage here, whereas melodies are somewhat unspectacular. The lyrics –
all songs are Ball/Gary Nicholson originals by the way – discuss twists and turns
of the 40-year career. In addition to the piano virtuoso, Steve Mackey (bass) and
Colin Linden (guitar) get to show off a little. Nice touches of boogie woogie, soul
and rock & roll. Winner: Sugar Boogie
Rod Piazza & The All Mighty Flyers: Almighty Dollar (Delta Groove)
Top-notch musical artistry just never gets old. That's what Rod Piazza's work is
and always has been all about. Once again some fine West Coast Blues is heard.
The title track conveys business frustrations in relatable fashion. Harp number
"Con-Vo-Looted" is the other Piazza original on the album. Some nice bass from
ex-Bluesbreaker Hank van Sickle. Winner: the title track
Grana Louise: Gettin' Kinda Rough! (Delmark)
"Gettin' Kinda Rough!" doesn't refer only to the tornado that you see on the
cover of Grana Louise's latest CD. Lyrics are racy to say the least; "Wet Match" is
an assessment of some poor fella's abilities between the sheets, and "Big Dick,
M'isipi" probably doesn't need further explanations. Although the lyrics seem to
attract main attention, there's some pretty decent blues playing going on. Mainly
thanks to Tom Holland on guitar. Winner: Big Dick, M'isipi
Grady Champion: Dreamin' (Gsm Music Group)
Grady Champion has the pipes, knows his way around a harmonica and is
something of a showman, too. So why does he have to try so hard? The music is
good and so are the words, but Grady's over-energetic performance pretty much
cancels it all. But if you listen very close, you can enjoy some pleasantly intense
moments. Winner: Laugh, Smile, Cry Sometimes
Also check out full reviews on the new albums by D'Mar & Gill, Bhakta Paul and
Dirty Trainload.
New Albums from Finland
Sleepwellers: New Tricks for Old Bricks
The fourth installment of Dr Feelgood -spirited "pub rock" by the band from the
historical city of Porvoo. This time Sleepwellers have somewhat broadened their
horizons by adding a shot of southern rock and some country on the side. Self-
produced (and paid) with a little help from Hannu Leiden of Helsinki's Seawolf
Studios. Winner: A remake of their own "Mother or a Daughter"
Jake's Blues Band: Studio Live 2011
Finland's premier blues rock (or "rock blues", whatever you want to call it)
ensemble decided to go to the studio and just roll tape. The idea was to catch
their well-known live power in all its fury. Well, the idea did the trick, and the
album was included on the BellyUp4Blues playlist. The trio are brothers Jake
(guitar, vocals, pictured middle) and Juha Yrola (drums, left) accompanied by Timo
Salo on the bass. Winner: Messin' with the Kid
.
|
|
|
Honey B & T-Bones: Walking Witness
These people have been around for some time. While waiting for the trio's, given
extra power by Ethiopian-born percussionist Mamba Assefa here, 30th
Anniversary, we get to hear some pretty weird stuff. There's a little hip hop here
and some dub there -- hey, and some bluesy tunes, too! HBTB's creativity and
bottomless imagination are such things that keep the wheels of culture rolling.
Winner: "We've Been Forced to Postpone the Hunting Season", with lyrics by
Paleface
Ninni Poijarvi & Mika Kuokkanen: Powderburn
If you can sing and play Americana this well, no one's going to ask to see your
passport. Poijarvi and Kuokkanen, a couple as a matter of fact, traveled to
Woodstock's Levon Helm Studios and cut these ten marvelous tracks. Mind you,
not all tracks are actually American (there's some Free and Richard Thompson),
but neither are the musicians, save from some input from Amy Helm, Byron Isaacs
and Justin Guip. A thing of absolute beauty. Winner: CD's sole original
"Powderburn" by Kuokkanen and Terry McArthur
Black River Bluesman & Bad Mood Hudson: Double Headed Trouble
Look out, because here they come: Jukka "Black River Bluesman" Juhola (guitar,
vocals) and Antti "Bad Mood Hudson" Huttunen (drums, backing vocals), a pair of
maverick musicians with diabolic intensions. Finnish flag-bearers of what some
call alternative blues. Juhola's cigar box guitars, which he acquired on his recent
trip to the American deep south, are a revelation. Bass notes growl satanically
low; forget the horn-signing heavy metal sissies, these guys are messin' with the
devil for real. Winner: Chicken in the Watch
REVIEWS BY LARISSA RAUDAS, KAKE KIIRIKKI & PASI TUOMINEN
|
Contact: admin (a) blueswebzine.com
© 2006 - 2011 Blues-Finland.com / BluesWebzine.com
.
|
|
