Livin’ With The Blues Again
Little Village Foundation

By Greg Johnson

When it comes to the world of acoustic guitarists, Mary Flower is a treasure who stands tall among her peers. Whether it is performing the blues, ragtime, folk, or Americana, there may be a number of players that can hold their own, but Mary is an exception. One of the very elite at the top of that field and she proves it time and time again with every one of her recordings. It doesn’t matter if she is performing solo or with any number of musicians; she is always the focal point to which we’re drawn.

Her latest recording, the first on the Little Village Foundation label, Livin’ With The Blues Again, takes us down all those paths. Fingerpicking and lap slide guitar, Mary always excels on both.  Traditional numbers, instrumentals  and original songs are offered and as with any of her previous releases there is nothing here that is not delivered in any manner other than precise and perfect.

Throughout the disc Mary is accompanied by some of Northern California’s best musicians, including Kid Andersen, Jim Pugh, Suzy Thompson, and Aki Kumar. True treats are those songs where the gospel group The Sons of the Soul Revivers back her vocally. Every single artist involved with this project enhances Mary delightfully.

Once again, Mary Flower has produced another recording that belongs in every guitar lover’s collection. Stunning and beautiful, Mary’s performances shine on every number.

Total Time: 34:42

Crooked Rag / Baby Where You Been / Refuge / When Gabriel Comes Blowin’ On His Horn / Barrelhouse / Livin’ With The Blues Again / River Of Joy / Left All Alone Again Blues / Meet Me In The Bottom / See See Rider / There’s A bright Side Somewhere / Waltz

Stuff You Gotta Watch
Dusty Dust Records

By Greg Johnson

James Clem has a unique delivery that is always exciting and fun whether fingerpicking or performing on slide guitar or ukulele. On his latest release, Stuff You Gotta Watch, he has collected a number of songs that he has loved and performed for many years, filled with that great guitar work melded with his laid-back, comforting vocal style. The fact that the album was mastered in analog makes it even seem more authentic sound-wise.

Half of the tracks find Clem performing as a solo artist, which is how you would normally find him in a club setting. On several he is joined by bass players Craig Snazelle or Ron Rogers, the latter also adding rhythm guitar at times. Mary Flower guests alongside Clem on three tracks, including a nice take on the 1920’s jug band number “Stealin’.” There are also some older recordings, including a live radio performance, with Jeff Masters on harmonica.

Always a musician that makes you feel good whether live or on recordings, James Clem proves it once again with an outstanding album here, and with more than an hour’s worth of material there is a lot to like.

Total Time: 64:17

I Still Miss Someone / Key to the Highway / Bright Lights Big City / Blue Drag /  Things ’bout Comin’ My Way / East Virginia Blues /  The Way You Do / Stealin’ / Kind Hearted Woman Blues / Georgia Rag / Baby Please Don’t Go / Mama Tain’t Long Fo’ Day / Can’t Be Satisfied / Blues in the Bottle / Mississippi Heavy Water Blues / Piccolo Rag / Talk to Me Baby / Stuff You Gotta Watch

Blues
Chess / UMC

Review by Greg Johnson

Celebrating what would have been the fiftieth anniversary of the start of his solo career, Blues, the latest release from the archives of Rory Gallagher is a treasure trove of amazing guitar work. A bona fide legend in Ireland and arguably one of the greatest blues rockers to ever strap a plank with strings over his shoulder, this is an essential addition to any followers of Rory Gallagher’s career and music. Released in three formats, as a single CD with 16 tracks, a two-LP package on blue vinyl with 15 numbers, or as a triple-disc CD package containing 36 selections including an interview at the end. Do yourself a favor and buy the three-disc set — you’re going to want all of these songs.

Though the numbers on the recordings are mostly familiar, the majority are basically new as they’re previously unreleased. They include Gallagher favorites and gems such as “A Million Miles Away,” “Bullfrog Blues,” “Pistol Slapper Blues,” “As The Crow Flies,” and so many more.  The three-disc collection is divided into three categories: Electric, Acoustic and Live. There are outtakes from his albums, collaborations with people like Chris Barber, Jack Bruce, Muddy Waters and Albert King, and rare radio broadcasts.

Rory Gallagher left this world way too young, but had already made his mark on the world of blues rock as one of the best guitarists of his time. This is a masterfully compiled collection that leaves us always to wonder just how much more he could’ve accomplished.

Total Time: 3:06:51

Don’t Start Me Talkin’ / Nothin’ But The Devil / Tore Down / Off The Handle / I Could’ve Had Religion / As The Crow Flies / A Million Miles Away / Should’ve Learnt My Lesson / Leaving Town Blues / Drop Down Baby / I’m Ready / Bullfrog Blues / Who’s That Coming / Should’ve Learnt My Lesson / Prison Blues / Secret Agent / Blow Wind Blow / Bankers Blues / Whole Lot Of People / Loanshark Blues / Pistol Slapper Blues / Can’t Be Satisfied / Want Ad Blues / Walkin’ Blues / When My Baby She Left Me / Nothin’ But The Devil / What In The World / Messin’ With The Kid / Tore Down / Garbage Man Blues / All Around Man / Born Under A Bad Sign / You Upset Me / Comin’ Home Baby / Rory Talking Blues

For Love & Money
Dog House Records

Review by Greg Johnson

Harpdog Brown takes us on an enjoyable romp that brings back thoughts of the nostalgic rhythm & blues tracks of the 50s and 60s. There is a lot of musical echoes here from New Orleans, Kansas City, and St Louis, and the album is exceptionally enhanced by the inclusion of horns and rolling piano tracks. Brown captures the mood perfectly with his steady-paced vocals and tasty harp licks that he drops in all the right places.

If you love the music of Fats Waller, Louis Jordan, or Roosevelt Sykes, this disc is right up your alley. Compositions from the likes of Amos Milburn and Wynonie Harris as well as his own originals presented spectacularly. Brown even pulls off sounding a bit like Tom Waits or Louis Armstrong at moments. Quite a departure from the traditional blues Brown has built his career on in the past, and it’s a very welcome addition to his catalog. Pure fun!

Total Time: 54:07

No Eyes for Me / Blue Light Boogie / The Comeback / Reefer Lovin’ Woman / A New Day Is Dawnin’ /  Vicious, Vicious Vodka / I’ll Make It up to You / One Step Forward / Stiff / For Love and Money / Buzzard Luck / Thinkin’ and Drinkin’ / Sasha’s Lullaby

Simple Case of the Blues
The Last Music Company

Rosie Flores has been making a name for herself for the past four decades, and a variety of musical genres assure that she resists being pigeonholed. Working over the years in both California and her native Texas she has run played country, rockabilly, and punk — all behind her exceptional guitar work and soulful vocals. But she has always had a special place in her heart for the blues. Her latest release, Simple Case Of The Blues, proves she knows it well.

Recorded in Nashville and Austin, with production from Kenny Vaughn, Dave Roe and Charlie Sexton, she pieced together a remarkable combination of musicians to compliment the music, including Cindy Cashdollar, Greg Izor, Mike Flanigin, T Jarrod Bonta, Greg Williams, and Jimmy Lester. The music comes from multiple directions, but Flores captures all with just the right approach. Three original numbers sit alongside compositions by the likes of Roy Brown, Dwight Yoakum, and Wilson Pickett. The slide guitar work on “Steve Winwood’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” is a pure delight. Great disc from a spot-on pure talent!

Total Time: 45:21

Love Don’t Love Nobody / Mercy fell Like Rain / I Want To Do More / Simple Case Of The Blues / Drive Drive Drive / Till The Well Runs Dry / If  There Was A Way / That’s What You Gotta Do / Enemy Hands / Teenage Rampage / If You Need Me / Can’t Find My Way Home / I’m Not Talking