The selection was harder to make than any of the years special shows (Muddy's centenary, JFK blues and so on) but we tried to represent as many different flavours as possible, Jimmy 'Duck' Holmes comes from another time but his poignant playing is no less effective for it. Gene Pittman has also had more than one trip around the block: he has a reputation for energetic live gigs and his time in the studio had been limited: his recent project on Dialtone has attracted fine reviews and features in both Living Blues and Blues & Rhythm magazines. Top and tailing the show, two other artists deserving of far wider recognition, Larry Lamkin and Smilin' Bobby - their next outings are eagerly anticipated.
Toronzo Cannon plays a beautiful powder blue Flying-V and I've been enjoying his terrific album "john the Conquer Root" in the car. He modestly claims to be just a bus-driver who plays a bit of blues - there's a lot to be proud of here. His disc is out on Delmark who barely paused during its 60th anniversary to anchor the Chicago Blues scene during its resurgence. Lurrie Bell is there too and the album is another good'un - both men are in the running for the STAR BLUES award announced in two weeks time. Johnny Rawls is also on the list, he is the by-word for sheer quality in playing, singing, writing and production. For a couple of tracks Otis Clay joins him in a tribute to OV Wright.
2013 started off with Bobby Rush's stripped back album "Down In Louisiana" and we subsequently got two examples of wizardry that seems to appear when Bob Corritore is around, first with John Primer and then a third coupling with Dave Riley. Bob is the incumbent Artist of the Year, the decision won;t be so clear cut this time. Billy Boy Arnold is front and centre for a pair of tribute projects (one for Walter Davis and one for Little Walter). Charlie Musselwhite didn't make the show yesterday as I've not heard either his new live recording at the Juke Joint Chapel or the one he did with Ben Harper. (The two songs on the Walter Davis were magnificent however). The most famous harp player currently working is arguably James Cotton: the voice is gone through health worries but that harp fire is undiminished; he left the singing to Darrell Nulisch for "Birds Nest on the Ground". That song was part of Muddy Waters' set and we had track from his son Big Bill Morganfield showing the apple don't fall far from the tree.
Delta Groove has had another good year with SugarRay Rayford stepping out of the shadows of the Mannish Boys to shine and Smokin' Joe's team with Bnois King never fails to please. Guy Davis is an engaging live performer and his two-hander with Italian harpman Fabrio Poggi is a good natured sparring contest. Mike Sanchez is another with a long pedigree and a proven track record of live energy and celebration of blues, boogie and rock'n'roll. His book "Big Town Playboy" is just about ready and it is sure to tell a fascinating tale. When we get more details, you'll hear it first on Britain's Other Blues Show. That's the one with the white tee shirt done live every Sunday night at 10pm (GMT). Until we can convene round your place again take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you
| track.title | track.artistsort | index | album.title | album.artistsort | label |
| Losing My Soul | Larry Lampkin | 5 | When I Get Home | Larry Lampkin | Kaint Kwit |
| Pretty Fine Mama | Sugaray Rayford | 6 | Dangerous | Sugaray Rayford | Delta Groove |
| Rock This House | Bobby Rush | 8 | Down In Louisiana | Bobby Rush | DEEP Rush |
| Two Jobs With a Paper Route | Travis Haddix | 9 | Ring On Her Finder, Rope Around My Neck | Travis Haddix | Benevolent Blues |
| Shame | Toronzo Cannon | 6 | John The Conquer Root | Toronzo Cannon | DELMARK |
| Satisfied | Guy Davis (Featuring Fabrizio Poggi) | 9 | Juba Dance | Guy Davis (Featuring Fabrizio Poggi) | Dixiefrog |
| Living With the Blues | Hans Theessink | 8 | Wishing Well | Hans Theessink | BLUE GROOVE |
| You Up Set My Mindt | Birdlegg | 7 | Birdlegg | Birdlegg | DIALTONE |
| Done Got Tired of Tryin' | Jimmy "Duck" Holmes | 4 | Ain't It Lonesome | Jimmy "Duck" Holmes | |
| Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind on Jesus) | Mavis Staples | 9 | One True Vine | Mavis Staples | Anti |
| man or mouse | John Primer & Bob Corritore | 9 | Knockin' Around These Blues | John Primer & Bob Corritore | Delta Groove Productions |
| My Word Is My Bond | Holmes Brothers, The | 9 | Brotherhood | Holmes Brothers, The | Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc. |
| don't let my baby ride | johnny rawls | 7 | remembering o. v. | johnny rawls | cat food |
| Up the Line | sugar ray norcia | 9 | Remembering Little Walter | Various Artists | Blind Pig |
| I Ain't Greasin' | Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King | 9 | Road Dog's Life | Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King | Delta Groove |
| Losing Hand | Chuck Leavell | 5 | Back To The Woods | Chuck Leavell | CDBaby |
| The Dozens According to Mr. Davis | Christian Rannenberg | 11 | The Walter Davis Project | Various Artists | Electro-Fi |
| Wear Your Black Dress | Mike Sanchez And His BandImelda May | 14 | Almost Grown | Mike Sanchez And His BandImelda May | DOOPIN |
| Look What You Done | Big Bill Morganfield | 1 | Blues With A Mood | Big Bill Morganfield | 101 Distribution |
| Bird Nest on the Ground | James Cotton | 10 | Cotton Mouth Man | James Cotton | Alligator |
| Go Ahead And Blame Me | Dave Riley And Bob Corritore | 9 | Hush Your Fuss! | Dave Riley And Bob Corritore | Vizztone |
| i play for keeps | smilin' bobby | 1 | big legged woman | smilin' bobby | wolf |
| I Just Keep Loving Her | Lurrie Bell | 9 | Blues In My Soul | Lurrie Bell | DELMARK |
No comments:
Post a Comment