Complicated Mess (CD) By Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones

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Complicated Mess, Doug Deming

Complicated Mess

Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones

Ellersoul Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones have issued a new album titled Complicated Mess. Despite the title, the album is neither complicated nor a mess. It is an album of solid modern day blues.

Deming takes the simple approach fronting the bassist Andrew Gohman and drummer Marty Dodson, with gust appearances by Kim Wilson, Little Charlie Baty, Sax Gordon, and Bob Welch, who bring their harp, piano, and guitar talents to various tracks. The added musicians bring additional energy and depth to the basic trio.

Through the ten original tunes and three cover songs, Deming remains true to original blues traditions. As an artist, guitarist, and vocalist; he understands the blues and its heritage. “Sweet Poison,” “Need My Baby,” “Cookin’ At The Kitchen,” “Rat Killin,'” and the title track all pay tribute to the past, while maintaining enough modern elements to make them relevant and entertaining.

Two cover songs stand out. Sam Thread’s “You Rascal You” and Fats Domino’s I’m Walkin'” both undergo a modern metamorphosis.

Doug Deming is now two decades into his career. He has carved out a nice niche for himself as he continues to produce an excellent fusion of new and old blues. Complicated Mess is another fine step on his blues journey.

Rating: ***1/2

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Blue (CD) By Dale Bundy

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Dale Bundy

Blue

Dale Bundy

Elastic Penguin Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Dale Bundy is a veteran of the contemporary blues scene with close to 40 years experience. He has just released his debut solo album titled Blue comprised of five original songs and four covers.

Guitarist/singer Bundy is a blues everyman as he explores everything from comtemporary to the traditional blues of the Southern Delta. He plays and sings with a ligher touch than what one would expect and sets him apart from many of the other blues artists working today.

His lyrics fit the blues as they deal with life’s ebbs and flows. Add in such blues staples as “Big Legged Woman,” “The Thrill Is Gone,” and “Trouble In Mind” and you have an auspicious debut album.

Dale Bundy is one of those musicians who has spent decades perfecting his craft and has finally brought that experience into the studio. Blue is a solid first album.

Rating: ***

 

Blues To Go (CD) By Colin James

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Blues To Go

Colin James

Stony Plain 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Colin James is now in his early 50’s and has just released his 19th studio album. He is a blues traditionalist and his latest album reflects that inclination.

Blues To Go combines nine covers and two original composition. Blues legends Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Big Boy Crudup, and Robert Johnson provide the material and inspiration. James, however, takes the road less traveled as he stays away from their better known songs and delves a little deeper into their catalogues and legacies.

“One More Mile (Muddy Waters), “I Need Your Love So Bad” (Blind Willie Johnson), and ” and “Did Myself A Hole” (Crudup) are the highlights, along with a gritty version of Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean.”

James is always respectful of the material and their legacies. He never tries to over-extend or over-whelm the songs but sticks close to their original intent.

Colin James has a knack of introducing classic blues songs to the 21st century. Blues To Go is an apt name for his latest album.

Rating: ***1/2

Every Soul’s A Star (CD) By Dave Keller

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Dave Keller

Every Soul’s A Star

Dave Keller

Catfood Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

For music aficionado’s in the know, a new album by Dave Keller is a cause for celebration. Every Soul’s A Star is the veterans first release for Catfood Records, which brings a bonus, the labels house band The Rays.

Keller has produced ten new songs for the album and added the Aretha Franklin cover “Baby I Love You.”

While Keller may move in R&B and rock directions at times; he is at heart a blues musician. His lyrics chronicle life but from a mellow perspective. His guitar work is fiery and the Rays fill in the blanks and add layers to his music.

Whether smoldering or high energy; songs such as “Don, Let The Take Your Joy,” “You Bring The Sunshine,” “This Is Gonna Hurt,” and “Kiss Me Like You Miss Me” are now part of Keller’s body of work.

Keller has learned his craft well. Every Soul’s A Star is another fine release and is well worth a listen.

Rating: ***

Blues & Angels (CD) By Sandy Carroll

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Blues & Angels

Sandy Carroll

Catfood Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

A new album from veteran blues and roots artist, Sandy Carroll, is due October 19th. Her last release, Last Southern Belle, charted high on the Contemporary Country and Indie Charts. Blues & Angels is a return to a more traditional blues style.

While Carroll is known as a respected singer and keyboardist; it is her ability as a songwriter that forms the heart of her newest album.

She draws on an array of singers and backing musicians to support her latest creations. They give her music more depth and textures than have been present in the past.

The songs tell stories from a blues perspective. Tales of joy, sorrow, pain, and just living come together to form a strong release.

Sandy Carroll has reached a point in her career where she knows who she is and how to put together an album of new music. Blues & Angels is another step forward in her blues journey through life.

Rating: ***

Pop-N-Downers (CD) By Hymn For Her

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Pop-N-Downers

Hymn For Her

H4H5 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

True Troubadours are a dying breed in the music world, but whether busking in Europe or traveling the highways of America in their trailer home, Hymn For Her, Lucy Tight and Wayne Waxing with their daughter in tow, have remained true to the travelling poet-musicians of the past.

Pop-N-Downers is the latest release by the duo. It may be their most ambitious album to date. They are a two-person band with a simple sound, but here their travel in a number of stylistic directions. While at heart, they produce music grounded in Americana, now their is a little Latin influences here and some bluegrass there.

The music also has some edge to it in places. “Shallow Graves” has a title that is self-explanatory, while “Fireflies” has a serious message hidden amid the sounds of  a gentle ballad.

Hymn For Her and their Airstream Trailer have a place in American music. They produce American music at its most elemental. Coming to a venue near you!

Rating: ***

Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters (CD) By Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters

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Ashleigh Flynn

Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters

Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters

Home Perm Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Ashleigh Flynn has been around for awhile, both in the studio and on the road. Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters are new and have just issued their self-titled debut album.

A debut album is always a leap of faith. It is announcement to the world of who you are musically, for better or worse. And so we come to rebirth of Ashleigh Flynn with her backing band the Riveters.

As a solo artist, Flynn was a troubadour type singer. The focus was just on her as she produced a peppy form of folk music. A backing band allows he to stretch out a bit and explore country and pop idioms and even add a little blues influence. The sound is fuller and more complete.

Her songs may never have a gritty reality but they do have a self-confidence and a positive approach, and in the music world, that is becoming all to rare. “This Love,” “The Sound Of Bells,” “You Will Remember,” and “High On A Mountain” are journey’s though the mind and soul of Ashleigh Flynn.

Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters is the beginning of a new journey. Their debut album is a good first step.

Rating: ***

149 Delta (CD) By Mick Kolassa And The Taylor Made Blues Band

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149 Delta

Mick Kolassa and The Taylor Made Blues Band

Endless Blues Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Mick Kolassa is like an old friend. He shows up at you door every year or so, drops off an album of new music, and then continues on his way until next time.

149 Delta is the latest stop in Kolassa’s musical journey. His last two releases concentrated on cover songs, including an album of acoustic Beatle songs, recorded from a blues perspective. Now he has returned to his own material as 9 of the 12 tracks are original compositions.

Songs such as “I Can’t Slow Down,” “US 12 To Highway 49,” “Alternative Road,” and “Whiskey In The Morning” are autobiographical, which is perfect for his brand of blues. Also included is a cover of the old rhythm & blues classic “I Don’t Need No Doctor.”

The Taylor Made Blues Band adds a new element to his music as a full backing band fills in the sound an gives it added textures and depths.

Mick Kolassa has issued another a blues masterpiece. 149 Delta is an album worth exploring.

Rating: ****

Where The Rain Falls (CD-EP) By Kimia Penton

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Where The Rain Falls

Kimia Penton

Kimia Q Productions 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Kimi Penton may be a songwriter and she may be a classically trained violinist, but it all comes down to her voice. She has a soprano voice that is a gift and it tends to be the focal point of her music.

She has now issued her second release; a six-song EP titled Where The Rain Falls. Unfortunately, it only provides a taste of her style and sound. Hopefully a full album in the same vein will follow that will further explore her talent.

Her new material is a little different than that of her debut album Lessons From Life And Love. Her music still has distinct folk leanings but she veers toward a pop and Americana sound at times. “First And Last Time,” “Stepping Stones.” and the title track are representative of her songwriting, singing, classical violin training.

In many ways the music of Kimia Penton is still a work in progress. The six songs that comprise Where The Rain Falls serves to whet the appetite as to what will follow.

Rating: ***

 

At King Electric (CD) By Ray Bonneville

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At King Electric

Ray Bonneville

Stonefly Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Ray Bonneville has carved out a nice blues niche for himself. He is a Texan who plays a no-nonsense brand of electric blues. He has returned with his ninth album titled At King Electric, which includes 11 original songs.

Bonneville draws on his life experiences to create the characters that inhabit his music. There stories are brought to life through his guitar, vocals, and harmonica with a minimalist rhythm section in support.

His gritty voice is made for  the blues and his instrumental ability enables him to produce an energetic and passionate sound.

Ray Bonneville has traveled from Vietnam to Europe to Alaska with a lot of stops in between at hundreds of bars and concert halls. At King Electric is his latest stop in his journey chronicled by the blues.

Rating: ***