Barbara Blue

Fish In Dirty H2O
Big Blue Records

 

The reigning Queen of Beale Street returns with an over the top new recording, Fish In Dirty H2O, that finds her vocals solid and powerful as she stretches through thirteen, mostly original numbers. Recording for the album began in the summer of 2017 as she went into the studio with the assistance of famed producer and engineer master Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana

Fish In Dirty H2O is filled sensational musical gems all highlighted by Blue’s voice. Opening the recording she lets us know that “My Heart Belongs To The Blues,” and she is quite convincing in informing you that she has tried loving you, but there’s no room as the blues have captured her heart. “Dr. Jesus” is a rousing gospel-inflected peace and if you follow his prescription you don’t need no co-pay, all you need to do is pray. On the title track she is joined by Memphis’ Al Kapone on second vocals and he gives a little rap midway through the number.

Her cover of Eric Hughes “Meet Me In Memphis” is a spot on postcard for the city and just may be a number that could’ve been written with Blue directly in mind. When you think of Beale Street and the artists that call the street home she is definitely one of the first that comes to mind and along with the barbecue along the Mississippi River meeting her in performance is something that should be first at hand.

Another thing that is unmistaken about Barbara Blue, she doesn’t just know the blues, she knows her way around soul as well and she handles it with expert precision. Just give a listen to tracks such as “Walk Away” or “Slow Burn.” And speaking of the blues still, the disc closes with a magnificent take of Robert Johnson’s “Come On In My Kitchen,” and the guitar work of Will McFarlane is dripping with deep in the Delta flavors.

Blue has brought together a bevy of top-tiered musicians for this album. Aside from Will McFarlane on guitar the house band for the disc also includes Dave Smith on bass, Lester Snell on keys and one of the world’s best on drums Bernard “Pretty” Purdie. Guests also include the likes of Johnny Lee Schell, Michael Tols and Scott Sharrard on guitars, Mark Narmore on keys and Rick Steff on B3, plus a full horn section and multiple background vocalists pushing everything to the edge and beyond.

Fish In Dirty H2O is a crowning achievement for Beale Street’s undisputed Queen. It just may be the best release of her career to date. Start to finish, this one is pure magic.

Total Time: 1:02:14

My Heart Belongs To The Blues / Johnny Lee / Accidental Theft / Dr. Jesus / Meet Me In Memphis / Fish In Dirty H2O / Walk Away / BBQ Man / Wild Women / Gravy Train / That’s Working For Me / Slow Burn / Come On In My Kitchen

Sister Mercy

Diamonds
Self Produced

When Portland’s Sister Mercy released their first album, Heads Over Heels, in 2014, little did they realize just how much impact that they would create on the local music scene; even stretching across the Pacific Northwest all the way to Memphis, TN. The band created a word of mouth that continues to grow. From that first CD release party at the Star Theater to two trips to the International Blues Challenge where they reached the semi-finals both times. During their time, they have also seen band changes, but they’ve lost not bit of excitement and creativity.

The band obviously revolves around the presence of vocalist April Brown. With a larger than life voice and commanding stage mannerism that is immediately drawn to her, the rest of the band complement and enhance her with a perfect mesh. Both instrumentally and vocally. Founding band members Debby and Roger Espinor are still with April, on keys and drums respectfully as well as backing vocals. New to the band are bassist John Webb and guitarist Scott Garcia who also takes on lead/backing vocals and commands the stage pretty well on his own, too.

Sister Mercy have now released their sophomore disc, hitting just in time for an over the top performance at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Great new blues and R&B packed with passion and spot on harmonizing. Many of the tracks are well known numbers from their shows the past couple years, including their terrific cover of the Etta James classic with Brown’s deliberate mesmerizing scatting of “Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!!!” Other songs the band has been bringing to perfection over the past year or so include originals like “Lay Down With Me,” “Treat Me Like A Lady,” “Poison” and “Beale Street.” Most of the songs are band originals, with Roger, Debby and April’s sister Kelsey Brown doing the majority of the penning.

Diamonds is definitely an album of note. There is nary a track included that doesn’t make you want to pay closer attention and jump up and dance! And believe me, they work just as effectively on disc as they do on stage!

Total Time: 45:59

Diamond Doris / Travelin’ Shoes / Lay Down with Me / Poison / River of Tears / Tell Mama / Beale Street / Baby, I’m No Fool / Treat Me Like a Lady / Stop Knocking

Tom Gilberts

Grit
Polymerase Records

Tom Gilberts contacted me online and told me that Terry Robb had suggested that I should hear his new album, Grit. Well if Terry is going to recommend something then of course my ears are going to perk up. And I have to say, thank you Terry for moving Tom into my direction.

This mostly instrumental album is a masterpiece of guitar playing. It is a fine example of how so much can be said without words and it is something that truly gifted players are capable of doing. Think of artists like Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, Robben Ford, or Terry Robb for that matter. That was what came immediately to mind when first listening. Tom Gilberts has that easy paced, perfectly pitched timbre to his sound and tone that is hypnotic and a pleasure to hear. A nice little jazzy flow that can also bring about touches of funkiness (“Grit”), a tint of country (“Slow It Down”) and down in the alley gritty blues (“Pawn Ticket Blues”). This is a musician who can cover it all and do it with depth and craft. All but two tracks are instrumentals, with the two vocals very engaging and visual with their lyrics and performance.

Grit is a very tasteful recording with all original material written by Gilberts, who also recorded, mixed, engineered and produced everything save for the drum tracks which were handled by Dennis Carter at Falcon Studios. Performing with Gilberts doing the guitar and bass parts, are Doug Knoyle and Brian Foxworth on drums, and Wade Kirtley on Hammond B3 on a number of tracks that accompany Gilberts playing bringing it to yet another level of excellence.

Grit is a hidden treasure that needs to be discovered. A truly amazing piece of art.

Total Time: 40:24

Grit / Driving Song / Pawn Ticket Blues / Whimsy / Bar Fly / Hot Mess / Candle Flicker / Torque / The Grouch / Slow It Down / Walking a Thin Line (Between Love and Fear)

Damon Fowler

The Whiskey Bayou Session

Damon Fowler’s new release, The Whiskey Bayou Session, is a nifty little album that spotlights his diverse musical approach and terrific musicianship. Fowler and his musical accomplices, bassist Todd Edmunds and drummer Justin Headley, cook up a scrumptious stew of blues inspired music flavored with a pinch of country here, a dash of R&B there, and it comes with a couple of soul and gospel side dishes. All one needs is some sour mash to wash it down and it’ll make for some tasty listening.

Fowler’s a veteran of Butch Truck’s Freight Train Band and is currently enjoying a stint with Dickey Betts’ band Great Southern, and while that southern blues-rock heritage is the bedrock upon which Fowler erects his music, the album never becomes simply another collection of riffs we’ve heard before. Fowler and his mates maintain a fresh ap-proach to the music and offer enough variety to keep things interesting.

Fowler recorded this album at Tab Benoit’s Whiskey Bayou studios, and Benoit produced, mixed, and mastered the recording. The production is impeccable, and Benoit also plays exquisite acoustic guitar to Fowler’s haunting slide work on the disk’s best tune, the pathos-filled “Candy” about a mother holding a family together — “Momma can have all the candy that she wants.” No matter the genre, this is what all first-rate blues songs share: authentic, emotionally-potent storytelling fused to elegant and superb musicianship. Candy” is far from the only gem here though. Eight of the tunes are original com-positions from Fowler working with either Benoit or Ed Wright, and there are two covers: Johnny Nash’s “Hold Me Tight,” and Little’s Walter’s “Up The Line.” The former left me a bit cold, but the latter boasts some of Fowler’s incendiary Telecaster pyrotechnics (that would make Albert Collins smile) combined with Edmunds and Headley’s fluid rhythms and steady punch — it’s a party just waiting for a tee time.

Overall this is a terrific album that’s grounded in tradition but unafraid to take chances. Highly Recommended.

Total Time: 44:56
It Came out of Nowhere / Fairweather Friend / Hold Me Tight / Up the Line / Ain’t Gonna Rock with You No More / Just a Closer Walk with Thee / Pour Me / Holiday /Running out of Time / Candy / Florida Baby

Ben Rice

Ben Rice - Wish The World Away

Wish The World Away
Self Produced

Ben Rice - Wish The World AwayIs it possible for Ben Rice to get any better than he already is? Watching him from his early teens he continues to stun me with how much he seemingly improves with each and every performance I see him at. And his skill levels have shown steady growth with his recordings, too.

Wish The World Away is his seventh release and there was no fooling around with this disc. Recorded and mixed at Jimi Bott’s Roseleaf Studios with a plethora of top of the heap musicians, including the likes of Mitch Kashmar, Paul Brainard, Dave Fleschner, Dave Melyan and Jimi Bott himself. Ben himself explores a variety of guitars, just as he usually does on stage. From electric to steel-bodied, resonator to cigar box, Ben handles them all well with a great amount of talent.

The songs themselves are all originals with the exception of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.” He tends to use Wonder’s material to showcase his band on stage, as he did with his previous release, Live at The Purple Fox Loft, where they broke into “I Wish” delivering a funky taste of soloing.

There are an exceptional amount of Ben alone with his guitar, perhaps backed by subtle percussion at times, but these moments give a close insight to just how diverse and adept at the instrument in many formats he can command. His stinging guitar on “The Dirt Road Home” opens the album and places you right by his side as he glides across his strings. Perhaps a true highlight on the recording is “If You Ever Change Your Mind” where Ben wanted to take on a tune in the manner of the Rev. Gary Davis. This in itself is quite a stunning undertaking as Davis was one of the most elaborate and concise guitarists of any generation. But Ben has captured Davis’ mood to a tee. Add in the playful lilting harmonica of Mitch Kashmar accompanying Ben on the song and it’s almost like a throwback to the golden days of country blues.

He revisits his tune “Don’t Worry Mama,” that first appeared as an electric number on the Pour Me Some Whiskey album in 2011 (and also the Cascade Blues Association’s Puddletown Blues Vol 2). For this take it was suggested by his brother to take it down really slow. Thisk of Ben’s take on Big Bill Broonzy’s “Key To The Highway” and you’ll understand the pace. And it works perfectly. Without doubt the right way to close out a sensational album with a track that’ll make your eyes misty.

Wish The World Away is Ben Rice at his utmost best . . . today, because as I said he keeps getting better and better and the world is starting to take notice. As they should. Another of the year’s best lies right here with this one. Get it now!

Total Time: 59:01

Dirt Road Home / Peace Will Overcome / Retreat / Mojo Hand / Wish The World Away / The One That Got Away / Hardtimes / If You Ever Change Your Mind / Higherground / Run Around / Oh Lord / Get There / Don’t Worry Mama

Michael Osborn

Michael Osborn - Hangin' On.

Hangin’ On
Checkerboard Records

Michael Osborn - Hangin' On.Michael Osborn is certainly no stranger to the blues world. His guitar playing is impeccable. Not so hard to believe when you grow up with friends like the Ford Brothers (Robben, Mark, and Patrick), work with stellar musicians such as Sista Monica and Bill Rhoades . . . oh, and then there’s that thirteen year gig working as band leader and guitarist with John Lee Hooker. He has also appeared on stage and recording with people Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, Albert Collins, James Cotton, and a list that is quite endless of world-renowned artists. Yes there is that background, but what it really comes down to is that Michael Osborn can flat out play a very fluid guitar with a mighty tone. There is something there that just catches your ear and stands out from the first note of every song he plays. Top that off with some brilliant songwriting and you have the full package. No question about it.

Hangin’ On is Osborn’s eighth recording released under his own name and the fifth on his own label, Checkerboard Records. And to these ears, though I have found no fault with any of his previous discs, just may the finest material he has ever laid down in any studio setting. The flow is delivered perfectly in the order of the tracks. From the burning, stinging guitar note opening on the title track, you follow him through rocking blues numbers, to slow churning guitar pieces, to love numbers, and an instrumental, all are ear candy that makes you want to revisit them again and again.

Michael Osborn wrote all the numbers, with a couple of collaborations from Karen Lovely and another from former Portlander, current resident of Nashville Tom Szell. The people involved with the recording are all noted Portland artists that register like a who’s who of the local blues scene. Osborn carries all of the guitar duties as he should, and provides some terrific vocals six tunes and bass on a couple more.

Karen Lovely, who co-wrote two pieces takes on the vocals with remarkable excellence that are definite highlights of the album, especially with the lovely (pun not intended) “Say I Do” which will forever be used in wedding ceremonies due to its tenderness, meaningnessful and beautiful performance.

Mitch Kashmar is sensational with his lead vocals on “Hey Baby,” coming across like the number was written with him directly in mind, and he tears into some pretty mean sounding harmonica work on both this and the closing number “Between A Tear And A Good Time.”

Osborn’s band The Drivers are represented on “When I Listen To The Blues,” with KG Jackson working the bass and Dave Mathis blowing harp while they trade lead vocals with Osborn. John Moore, also a longtime member of The Drivers plays drums on all tracks, except “Between A Tear And A good Time.”.

And looking at the cast members on the disc as a whole, how can anything go wrong when you have Dave Fleschner on keys, Don Campbell on bass, Dave Melyan on drums, Gregg Williams on percussion and the amazing horn workings of Joe McCarthy, Brad Ulrich and Chris Mercer. As I said, this is the elite team of Portland musicians.

Michael Osborn is without doubt the center of it all. His guitar playing drives this album. Listen to the instrumental “Mint Gin” and there is proof right there that his years of playing with the best was no fluke. In fact, it was all of those other people who were playing with one of the best. Michael Osborn has never stood so tall and in control of his craft. Hangin’ On is an album that is memorable and will stand the test of time. Beautifully done, blues at its best.

Total Time: 43:03

Hangin’ On / It’s Your Move / Fallin’ For You / Hey Baby / When The Blues Comes Around / Doctor Please / Say I Do / When I Listen To The Blues / Mint Gin / Between A tear And A Good Time

The Proven Ones

The Proven Ones - Wild Again

Wild Again
Roseleaf Records

The Proven Ones - Wild AgainThe Proven Ones are the new blues super group. Super Group? Now that is definitely an understatement. This cast of music greatness has no less than 40 individual Blues Music Award nominations between them (not to mention another 18 as members of The Mannish Boys) and are some of the most established artists of their generation.

The band consists of guitarist Kid Ramos, drummer Jimi Bott, keyboard ace Anthony Geraci, bassist Willie J Campbell, and vocalist Brian Templeton. You just know looking at that line-up that anything they work together on will be phenomenal. And their debut disc Wild Again is every bit of that. These guys have played together often, but in the past they stated that the music they played at their shows was dictated to them in advance, right down to who solo’d when. Now they are their own bosses and doing things exactly as they want, which in turn means more enjoyment for themselves and that is in effect more vibrant for their audience. Everybody has fun!

Recorded at Jimi Bott’s Roseleaf Recording Studio in Portland, the collection of songs are favorites of the band that include pieces written by the likes of Clarence Carter, Peter Green, Dave Bartholomew, The Beatles and a terrific extended 11-&-1/2-minute cover of Fenton Robinson’s classic “Loan Me A Dime.” Originals by Geraci (“Why Baby Why”) and Jimi Bott (“Cheap Thrills”) help make up the remaining selections alongside group collaborations that like everything else included just right at the listener.  Horn arrangements for the disc were put together by Joe McCarthy who plays trumpet and is joined by some of Portland’s elite in The Indigo Horns that also includes Renato Caranto, Robert Crowell, and Chris Mercer on saxophones. Each musician on the recording takes things to an extra level, with plenty of improvisation and soloing in abundance.

Super groups are often put together in various genres, but when they click right it is a dream to hear. Wild Again from The Proven ones is one that clicks from start to finish. Yes, these guys have proven themselves time and time again, and don’t expect anything less from them now or in the future. This album is truly a treat.

Total Time: 53:00

Cheap Thrills / City Dump / Don’t Leave Me This Way / If You Be My Baby / Why Baby Why / Road Of Love / Right Track Now / Wild Again / Loan Me A Dime / Don’t Let Me Down – Proven Fugue In E Major

Dana Fuchs

Dana Fuchs

Love Lives On
Get Along Records

Dana FuchsDana Fuchs’ Love Lives On is her initial album on her own label, Get Along Records. This is the blues with a hand heavily in soulful rock and a bit of Americana. The power of her voice is in full force with the backing of a talented band and the soul tinge of these mostly self-penned selections shine through magnificently. There is a lot of personal reflection in Fuchs’ music, baring testimony to her emotions about those demons she has fought following the loss of family members and the overcoming of that pain with the birth of her child.

The title track, “Love Lives On,” is an understanding that no matter what happens, life will continue. It is a theme brought up again and again on the album, “Battle Lines” and “Same Sunlight” while the covers of Otis Redding’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” is a self-admission that some things are brought about by yourself. The Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire” is handled acoustically, closing out the disc with her own impassioned take that offers a still even deeper feeling from within her own heart.

Recorded in Memphis under the production of Kevin Houston (North Mississippi All Stars, The Bo-Keys, Ian Siegal), the band includes long-time Stax Records drummer Steve Potts and Hi Records alum Reverend Charles Hodges on organ. Rounding out the group are guitarist Jon Diamond (who also co-wrote a number of the selections with Fuchs), bass player Jack Daley, Felix Hernandez on congas, Glenn Patscha on keys, Mark Franklin and Kirk Smothers on horns, and Eric Lewis handling pedal steel for a number. Dynamic backing vocals are courtesy of Susan Marshall and Reba Russell

Love Lives On is a splendid recording that gives witness to Fuchs in the most soul-baring offering of her career to date. It shows that from the pain of near defeat one can rise again to the top. It is a new beginning for her and a step forward that shows her importance in voice and lyric that has something to say and should be heard.

Total Time: 40:36

Backstreet Baby / Nobody’s Fault but Mine / Callin’ Angels / Sittin’ On / Love Lives On / Sad Solution /  Faithful Sinner / Sedative / Ready to Rise / Fight My Way / Battle Lines / Same Sunlight / Ring of Fire

Beth Hart

Beth Hart - Front And Center Live From New York

Front And Center Live From New York
Provogue

Beth Hart - Front And Center Live From New YorkFront and Center is a live performance television series on Public Broadcasting that features some of the top artists of the day. Recently Beth Hart recorded an episode for the show at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club and it has been released as a combination live CD and DVD. Witnessing Hart on stage is something special and being able to see and hear in this type is setting is always going to be high entertainment value. She knows how to command a stage and to mesmerize an audience to the point where there is a feeling of participation directly between her and the crowd, no matter what the size of the room.

Performance talent is only one aspect of Beth Hart. She possesses vocal skills that can reach various levels filled with passion. Her song writing is complex and often personal dealing with life’s hardships thrown at her. Whether playing softly behind a piano or working the mic while moving about the stage, it is easy to see why she has been nominated for multiple Grammys and Blues Music Awards.

The show touches on music from throughout her career, but mostly focuses on a lot on the tracks from her two most recent albums, Fire On The Floor and Better Than Home, including stand-out numbers like “Jazz Man,” “Fat Man,” “Let’s Get Together,” “St Teresa” and “Tell Her You belong To Me.” The mood bouncing between upbeat, emotional and closing with the soft delivery of “No Place Like Home.”

The band behind Hart is magnificent, Jon Nichols on guitar, Bob Marinelli on bass, and Bill Ransom on drums. They fill her music with life and energy. For the song’s encore, “Can’t Let Go,” Hart is joined by slide master Sonny Landreth, a great way to close a superb performance. But then again, for those who have seen Beth Hart, all of her performances are superb. Front And Center Live From New York is a welcome addition to her music catalog. If you’re not a fan of Beth Hart now, witnessing and hearing her on stage will surely make you one quickly.

Total Time: 1:12:16

Let’s Get Together / Baddest Blues / Jazz Man / Delicious Surprise / Broken And Ugly / St Teresa / Isolation / Tell Her You Belong To Me / Fat Man / Love Gangster / Leave The Light On / As Long As I Have A Song / Can’t Let Go / For My Friends / No Place Like Home

J.T. Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters

J.T. Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters

Blue Eyed Soul Volume 1
Hunters Records

J.T. Lauritsen & The Buckshot HuntersIf you want to listen to a true-dyed soulful recording, take a look at JT Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters’ Blue Eyed Soul Volume 1. If you’re unfamiliar with Lauritsen, this album is his eighth recording for his own Hunters Records label since 1995 and he plays terrific accordion, Hammond B-3 and harmonica as well as vocalizing such soulful lyrics. And did I mention that he and the band are from Norway?

For a European artist you may be surprised at just how well he brings across not only soul, but down in the alley blues, zydeco, and Tex-Mex, all sung in a second language for him, English. Everything comes across authentic, because he has been plying this trade for many years and has appeared and headlined at festivals around the world, including competing in the International Blues Challenge, making the semi-finals. He is more than comfortable and perfectly at home delivering the blues.

Aside from Lauritsen, the rest of the band features guitar players Ian Frederick Johannessen and Arnfinn Torrisen, Jon Grimsby on bass and Morten Nordskaug on drums and percussion. The compositions of the original songs are clever and catchy, with note to “You Better Believe,” “Stay With Me All Of The Time” and “Back Pain Shuffle.” The band covers a handful of songs including Toussaint McCall’s “Nothing Takes The Place Of You” and Danish bluesman Mike Andersen’s “Anything I Can Do.”

Lauritsen has spent some time in the United States and has made friends with numerous artists. He is joined by several on the album, including Dave Fields and Mike Zito on guitars, and Deanna Bogart and Jimmy Carpenter blowing saxophones. Both Fields “Anything I Can Do” and Zito’s “Sweet On Me” are covered with each playing and singing back-up vocals to Lauritsen.

JT Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters are one of Scandinavia’s premier blues bands. They’re just as terrific on stage as they are on album. If you’re unfamiliar with blues music from this part of the world, this is a great kick-off spot. You’re going to be surprised at what you may have been missing.

Total Time: 39:15

Anything I Can Do  / Back Pain Shuffle / Stay With Me All The Time / Nothing Takes The Place Of You /You Got Me Down / Please Help Me Now / You Better Believe / Lovers Holiday / Be My Girl / Sweet On Me