Blues Albums 2007
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Blues Albums 2007 |
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To be eligible albums must have been released in North America between 12/2006 to 12/2007. OR albums released in 2006 that peaked in 2007. 1.
This two-cd 28-track set is the kind of package fans should rejoice over. All new, studio material from a band in their prime. Disc one is 14 original tracks in the Tops' rollicking Chicago Blues penchant. Not a dud in the pack...Lots of energy on this record. On the loose limbed "Woman Don't Lie", the Tops play that rhythm like they're working for Stax and Albert King's out front. Vocally, though, Moss is more like Rory Gallagher. Whiskey voiced and dry...Disc 2...really just the same hard Chicago Blues with Moss playing acoustic guitar on most of the tracks. Nearly as good as the first half and that's saying plenty. They'll be talking about "Play It" well past tomorrow. 2.
How do you follow up a disc that was voted "Best Blues CD Of 2006"? Well, if you're Watermelon Slim & The Workers you do so with an album that's arguably superior. "The Wheel Man" is 14 songs deep of rusty, rollickin' & sawmill hollerin' Blues. 3.
The old cliché "too many cooks spoil the stew" may be often true but that's not the case with The Mannish Boys who are a revolving, expanding aggregation of some of the top Blues players of West Coast Blues. Eight different gentlemen take their turn at the mic on these fifteen cuts but it feels as if it was all recorded in one heckuva session. "Big Plans" is the second studio set from what is essentially the Delta Groove Productions house band with aces like Kirk "Eli" Fletcher, Finis Tasby, Kid Ramos, Leon Blue, Richard Innes, Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser and Tom Leavey making up the core...Smashzilla. Nobody does it better these days! 4.
Right from her first few notes I thought to myself big-voiced Julie Black was star material. After the first listen I was ready to place her in the upper echelon of Caucasian female blues singers, you know Janiva Magness, Susan Tedeschi, et al. Is It too soon? Has she paid her dues? It doesn't matter all I know is this is a dynamite record by a talented young lady. Twelve originals all written by Black. The gal even painted the darn album cover! 5.
Straight blues with a soulful feeling that is graced with a sympathetic mix and smart song selection. 12 covers but those most from the road less traveled... one of the best vocal takes of his career. Methinks it's his best LP overall and this has occurred in spite of two major heartbreaks for the man. Both his father and his child's mother Susan Greenberg have passed this year. With Carey Bell now gone perhaps the torch has finally been officially passed to the song and Lurrie mans up on "Let's talk About Love". 6.
Tad Robinson is simply one of the best singers in the business. An aching blue-eyed Soul tenor much too strong for generic 12-bar Blues fare (though he does such extremely well) and his latest...is yet another perfectly produced and arranged Soul/Blues disc from Severn Records...Robinson's last opus, "Did You Ever Wonder?", was our pick for Best Blues CD of 2004 and this new one is a delicious followup. With heavy support from Pride...the disc marinates in heavy bass, horns and B-3 glory... the sound of this record is so sublime... 7.
Again, LaVette's latest is hard to categorize with Rock, Soul, Blues, Folk all coming from her unforgettable voice. This is the acclaimed CD that her overrated "I've Got My Own Hell To Raise" wanted to be. 8. Gruff voiced Omar Kent Dykes (Omar & The Howlers) is sounding more like Wolfman Jack every year. That deep gravel-tone works well with Jimmy Reed templates backed by all all-star blues players and pickers Jimmie Vaughan, Lou Ann Barton, Delbert McClinton, James Cotton, Gary Primach, Kim Wilson and more. The title track is, however, Dyke's attempt to write a Jimmy Reed song and it's rather flawless and, interestingly, one of the most memorable cuts here...Dykes also provides a second original with "You Made Me Laugh" that, again, might as well be Reed's. Better than your typical tribute project by some length. 9.
A very good trend continues with modern day producers and labels signing classic Soul & Blues singers to do a "cutting edge" album of gritty, rootsy Soul or Blues music...creating a defiant, soul shaking backdrop for Staples still emotive vocals... she's joined by the voices of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Community, who were called the SNCC Freedom Singers...The most personal track here is the autobiographical "My Own Eyes" in which Staples details her own family's tribulations through this dark chapter in American history. But it was one of hope and determination inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.- one that's been victorious though the battle continues in Staples' eyes due to the government's mishandling of Hurricane Katrina. May we never turn back. 10. Her rough, slightly weathered growl of a voice remains intact... This is no half-baked, mainstream-pleading "duets"-type disc aged superstars do lately, but instead a plain ole gritty set of Chicago Blues. The songs reek of Willie Dixon just like back in her famed Chess days...Taylor's in full tough-talkin' (ego castrating) gal mode on this record such as on "You Ain't Worth A Good Woman" with lyrics like "You ain't worth a good woman 'cuz you ain't nothing but a man!". 11. Shannon was never a 12-bar Blues simpleton but a literate and musically eclectic singer who used Blues as a base. There's enough Blues on this live set, but the Funk is indomitable...Lots of prime guitar noodling here, perhaps better than anything heard on his studio records..."No Religion" is another stunner with a passionate vocal...tightly-squeezed guitar licks. The guy can play as clean as anybody. Further Shannon staples like "Who Are They" and the recent "Phunkville" are here as well as a couple new additions to his canon. Most notably, the touching, soulful "All I Have", a song about losing everything in Hurricane Katrina. 12. Another superb collection of disparate covers and originals from the bruthas. You got to be impressed they can take an arena Rock anthem like Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" and transform it into a moving Gospel Soul ballad! In addition terrific originals like "Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart" & "Close The Door"... 13. Joe Cool is back with all killer no filler on this 14 track(!) set for the indomitable Delta Groove team. Now, for those of us who've seen Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers live we know that no studio record truly captures the "thrills" of one of their live gigs but "Thrillville" may be the closest they've come...the Rod/Honey co-writes "Get Wise", "Honey Bee", "It Can't Be True" and "Stranded" rank with their best. The Flyers still have that fat sound despite numerous personnel changes over the last decade. Of course Rod and his fast-fingered, blonde bombshell wife, Honey, remain the core. 14. Sometimes a singer's voice just stands out and forces you to listen Take one part Ray Charles, one part Bob Seger and one part Joe Cocker and you may have the vocal instrument of Denmark's Thorbjorn Risager...as auspicious a debut as one could hope for. A crunchy guitar riff introduces "Love Turned Cold", a John Lennon-esque rocker, with Risager bellowing from the back of his throat... Ten tracks without a dud in the bunch, "From The Heart" is sizzling with Soul. 15. I'm not one of those men who gets instantly turned on by a chick with a guitar. There's no doubt the sheer novelty or psycho-sexual subtext of a hard rockin' woman often absolves or prejudices her from an equitable rating against her male peers so let's pit her against the "big boys". That said Morvan is a flashy, fast-fingered picker that recalls Stevie Ray Vaughan to my ears. "Wiggle Room" is a cousin to SRV's "Scuttle Buttin'". I kid you not- testosterone-dripping Blues fans will riff off Morvan big time. Dig her solos on the slow Blueser "Keep On Believin'". Fitting is "Where Are The Girls With Guitars", a hit-worthy roadhouse stomper all those Country-Rock wannabe women wish they'd written. She says "You need a real live woman to play that guitar, yeah". 16. Because Bobby Rush is known as one of the hippest of funksters around the notion of an acoustic Blues record "unplugged"-style may not whet your appetite. But to ignore "Raw" would be your loss as it's just as charming as any Bobby Rush LP. Afterall Bobby can't help but be cool with his delivery and attitude and on "Raw" he relies on such rather than fat booty basslines and synth. 10 of the 13 cuts are Rush originals... with Bobby stompin' his foot, playing acoustic guitar and blowing his chromatic and diatonic harp harmonicas...keeping it real and "raw". A smart career move if you ask me and if you dig them early foot-stompin' John Lee Hooker records you'll really enjoy this. (a second pressing includes the bonus track "Bobby Rush For President") 17. Place another feather in the hat of Delta Groove Productions for helping Phillip Walker make one of his best, most consistent records of his career. Backed by ubiquitous session aces like Rusty Zinn, Jeff Thurmes, Richard Innes & Al Blake Walker rolls through a 13-song set of choice covers and three originals...Walker's first disc (not counting the 1992 live effort for House Of Blues) in nearly a decade. 18. Well, John Nemeth is a sangin' & playin' mofo to be reckoned with! After a solid but typical Junior Wells cover ("Blues Hit Big Town"), Nemeth floored me with that Soulful pinch to his voice on the bluesy R & B "Blue Broadway", a horn and organ based original. This song instantly places Nemeth in the small but elite group of white singers who can sing Soul with the best of them...The album doesn't stick to any particular style very long as the Texas stomp of the title cut is followed by the Van Morrison-like "My Future" and the Wilson Pickett nod, "She's Lookin' Good". The brightest spots are his six originals like the Sonny Boy-inspired "She Did Not Show" and the understated ballad "Up To No Good"... Nemeth had released two independent LPs prior to this Blind Pig debut and one can predict greatness soon. 19.
Classic Chicago-style Blues played with ferocity...mostly originals too plus a little Funk n' Soul spice here and there... 20. At age 78 Mr. Napoleon Brown Goodson Culp aka "Nappy Brown" remains one of our best living Blues singers. That versatile voice has always jumped easily from croon, to shout, to wail and that ain't not changed no way. In fact, I think it's improved with age...This Blind Pig Records debut, his first LP since his obscure 1997 New Moon disc "Who's Been Foolin' You", is a sterling addition to his legacy, featuring some of the finest Blues musicians working today...Speaking of vocals you must experience the Deep Soul he exudes on the ballad "Give Me Your Love"...Brown's put out some strong modern day records, such as Black Top's "Something Gonna Jump Out The Bushes" (1987) and Ichiban's "Apples & Lemons" (1990) (both inexplicably out-of-print), but this new disc will have the longest run. 21. A majority of original tunes makes this sophomore effort by Root Doctor preferred over their otherwise competent debut of last year...Ching-ga-lang guitar, icy B-3, and a funky rhythm grace the terrific "Blues Will Take Good Care Of You"- their best song so far and one I expect to get covered frequently in the near future... The Motor City Horns...put the icing on this cake...Cunningham gets to stretch out those vocal chords on the classic-styled soul ballad "Lucky One". Their second best song so far, this stirring performance lifts them to another level. W.C. Handy folks should take note... this is no average bar band 22. If you took this disc, placed it in a sealed container and buried it, a thousand years from now some ultra advanced civilization would find it and get a perfect portrait of what was "Chicago Blues". Of course they'd probably already know! 23. The tongue-in-cheek hillbilly title of this record deserves a star on it's own. Plus it's got producer Jon Tiven, guest turns by Steve Cropper, Wayne Jackson and Don Covay going for it. Casey is a gruff, soulful singer striking me as a better-voiced Tom Waits. That's right up Tiven's alley, having produced Wilson Pickett and currently Ellis Hooks. He and Casey co-wrote ten of the 14 tracks here and Tiven fans get what they want. 100% organic soul/blues. 24. One of the finer cuts on Mitchhart's last LP (the Southern Soul-heavy "I'm A Good Man") was the title track to this all Blues release. It's also the best track here, a swaggering horn-backed gem. Not far behind is the loose n' funky "I Can't Get Enough Of Your Lovin'", which borrows it's refrain from Steve Wonder's "Living For The City" (great female backups too). Real cool. He funks it up again on "Better Off Without You"...Feeling" should be your first on Mitchhart. Also include is twelve minutes of "Interactive" CD-Rom material. 25. 
Tommy Castro "Painkiller" (Blind Pig)
LISTEN
Eighth studio set from Castro continues his gritty Rock n' Soul in a bluesy way produced by John Porter whose credits include non-slouches like B.B. King, Buddy Guy & Santana. Punchy horns pepper the cuts that are mostly sold on Castro's excellent voice...what I like about Castro is his bent for blues-eyed Soul excursions ala Van Morrison found on numbers like "Big Sister's Radio" and "It's That Time Again"...Other guests include Angela Strehli, who helps make Freddie King's otherwise random "If You Believe (In What You Do)" a standout and Coco Montoya (on loan from Alligator) adds his crunchy guitar but it's Castro who's unstoppable at this stage in his career. "Painkiller" was his second straight disc to hit #2 on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart.
26. Though the Blue Voodoo is primarily considered a Blues band the track that jumped up the highest is a gorgeous acoustic Rock ballad called "Reason Why". Lead guitarist Rick Delgardo's affected vocal, the Beatlesque bridge and a seamless melody make this the song Soul Asylum needed before fading into memory. Serious crossover potential here...Of the more Bluesy numbers you have the Swampy "Black Moon", steamrollin' "Monday Morning Blues"..This four-piece (with much accompaniment) was nominated for Best New Artist in 2003 at the Toronto Maple Blues Awards..but these guys are really an adventurous, melodic Rock band and that's the market I'd exploit. 27. Strongman has the talent- a powerful voice along with noticeable guitar and harp chops...nine originals (out of eleven tracks). "Hard Headed Lover", a start n' stop slide guitar bit of Led Zeppelin-like swagger is an exceptional recording. Lots of backbone and a great vocal. ..deliver more blooze n' boogie but what impressed me is his stylistic range. 28. Kane is a heckuva singer! Yes she's an A-lister in the Blues world -no longer known for her x-rated past (though it helps fill up my review) but instead for her records and bawdy performances... Feathered" is a duets album, albeit not with a co-vocalists but with a different guitarist on each track. Popa Chubby, Sue Foley, Dave Alvin, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson, Ana Popovic, producer Bob Margolin and others 29. ... good ol' vintage 12-bar Blues by a singer with a classic Blues voice...Besides the earnest performances the studio sound achieved is warm and authentic like it was 1947 T-Bone Walker. Like butter for Blues purists. 30. Eclectic Blues (acoustic and electric, city and country blues with elements of soul, funk, and hip hop)...collaboration of John Bigham and Christopher Thomas who have worked with an impressive array of acts, including Miles Davis, Betty Carter, Eminem, Henry Butler, Everlast, Fishbone, Joshua Redman and the Brian Blade Fellowship. SPECIAL MENTION (France-only release- not eligible but one of the best if not THE best CD of the year)
Willie Dixon may have claimed it first but these days Mighty Mo Rodgers is the Blues. Perhaps nobody digs as deep into the art form to elucidate what it means for Black Americans and all humanity in general...Rodgers has wrapped his message within tightly packed arrangements full of that "holy howl" and sledgehammer Rhythm & Blues. Forget KRS-One this is truly "edutainment"...It's to Mo's credit that he doesn't sacrifice song structure for seriousness. The disc is as tuneful as any "party Blues" album. That muscular, rhythmic Soul Blues sound- almost hypnotically tribal- graces "Death Of The Middle Class" and "Gangs Guns And Testosterone". ...This is what "contemporary" Blues is suppose to be about. "Redneck Blues" is uncompromising, defiant, and Southern American to the core. Mo helps each and every one of us be 'afrocentric" if only for an hour. One could never "get" the Blues without such an experience. A triumph.
*** in no particular order
To be eligible albums must have been released 12/2006 to 12/2007. OR albums released in 2006 that peaked in 2007. |
Nick Moss & The Flip Tops "Play It 'Til Tomorrow" (Blue Bella)
Watermelon Slim & The Workers "The Wheel Man" (Northern Blues)
The Mannish Boys "Big Plans" (Delta Groove Music)
Julie
Black "Call Me Angel For The Blues" (BOYA)
Lurrie Bell "Let's Talk About Love" (Aria B.G.) 
Tad Robinson "New Point Of View" (Severn)
Bettye LaVette "Scene Of The Crime" (Anti)
Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan "On The Jimmy Reed Highway" (Ruf)
Mavis Staples "We'll Never Turn Back" (Anti)
Koko Taylor "Old School" (Alligator) 
Mem Shannon "Live- A Night At Tipitina's" (Northern Blues)
The Holmes Brothers "State Of Grace" (Alligator)
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet" (Delta Groove Music)
Thorbjorn Risager "From The Heart" (Gateway Music) 
Laurie Morvan Band "Cures What Ails Ya" (Screaming Lizard)
Bobby Rush "Raw" (Deep Rush) 
Phillip Walker "Going Back Home" (Delta Groove Music)
John Nemeth "Magic Touch" (Blind Pig)
The Kilborn Alley Blues Band "Tear Chicago Down" (Blue Bella)
Nappy Brown "Long Time Coming" (Blind Pig)
Root Doctor "Change Our Ways" (Big O) 
Carey & Lurrie Bell "Gettin' Up: Live" (Delmark)
Mason Casey "Sofa King Badass" (Northern Blues)
Stacy Mitchhart "Gotta Get The Feelin' Back Again" (Dr Sam)
The BlueVoodoo "Back To The Shack" (Voodoohead)
Steve Strongman "Honey" (Fallen Sky)
Candy Kane "Guitar'd And Feathered" (Ruf) 
Harold Cagler "Shadows Are Blue" (Kon-Kord)
The Soul Of John Black "The Good Girl Blues" (Yellow Dog)
Mighty Mo Rodgers "Redneck Blues" (Dixiefrog)