The Stories We Are Told By Heathcote Hill

The Stories We Are Told

Heathcote Hill

311 Music Label 2020

Review by David Bowling

 

Heathcote Hill has just released their new album, The Stories We Are Told. The band, fronted by songwriter/guitarist Tom Nelson and vocalist Megan Porcaro Herspring produces a smooth sound that fuses pop vocals and roots lyrics into a tasty mix.

The album contains songs about people and life; many of which are rooted in their  past experiences or people they have known, such as Nelson’s Aunt Mary Ellen, who became a Nun and teacher in a Catholic school. She is chronicled in “Elegy For Mary Ellen.”

The lead single, “All I Remember Is You,” is very representative of what is best about their approach. The music is catchy pop and the lyrics just slip by. Herspring’s vocal is effortless and is what sets the band apart from many of their contemporaries.

The Stories We Are Told is a modern day album of relevant pop music. It is an intelligent way to wile away some time during the pandemic.

Rating: ***1/2

One Of Those Days By Louisiana’s LeRoux

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One Of Those Days

Louisiana’s LeRoux

Gulf Coast Records

Review by David Bowling

 

When this CD crossed my desk, I immediately went to my record collection and there was the debut album by Leroux, where it has probably sat for four decades. They may have added Louisiana to their name and changed some of the members; but they continue to play a fusion of New Orleans blues and rock and roll.

One Of Those Days is their 8th studio release. Led by founding member and lead vocalist Jeff McCarty, along with long-time members and guitarists,  Jim Odom and Tony Haselden; the eight man group has issued a tasty mix of cover and original compositions.

Their laid back style fits their New Orleans roots. Whether ballads or up-tempo blues, songs such as “Nothing Left To Lose,” “The Song Goes On,” “Sauce Piquante,” and a re-imagining of their most famous song “New Orleans Ladies; they have a passion and a precision that keeps their music honest and interesting.

Louisiana’s Leroux has returned from a ten year hiatus with a fine comeback album. One Of These days continues their tradition of fine music – New Orleans style.

Rating: ***

Waitin’ For Payday By Sid Whelan

Waitin’ For Payday

Sid Whelan

Presio Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Sid Whelan continues to evolve as a songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. He learned his craft from the likes of Steve Earle, Woody Mann, and Howard Morgan. As a solo artist he began with the blues and then added horns to the mix, which gave some of the songs a funky feel. Now he includes a few African rhythms. The one constant, however, has been his guitar work, which always has a bluesy feel and provides a center for his music.

His newest album, Waitin’ For Payday, was released near the beginning of March. It consists of eight original songs. On board is his regular band, plus a small horn section. He also uses a number of guest vocalists.

Many times it is a slow song that can define a blues artist and especially a guitarist. “Midnight In The Country” is a classic of this style. The clarity and precision of his guitar work drives the song and makes room for his vocals. “Love Me Right” features vocalist Ariel Guidry, who provides a nice counter point to his guitar runs.

There has always been a connection between the blues and African rhythms. “Legba Ain’t No Devil” is his foray into incorporating some of these rhythms into his music. It provides a nice change from his regular approach.

Be it straight blues or some experimentation, he is sure to please any fan of the blues.

Rating: ***

 

Church House Blues By Crystal Shawanda

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Church House Blues

Crystal Shawanda

Truth 2020

Review by David Bowling

 

Crystal Shawanda is one of those artists where it all comes time to the voice. As a number of musicians are masters of their instruments (guitar, harmonica, sax, etc.), so Crystal Shawanda is a master of her vocal instrument. It is a powerful force that can growl or purr as the song calls for. Her voice is a formidable force and made for the blues.

While she began her career as a country singer; she has found a home in the blues. Her newest release, Church House Blues, helps her cement that career choice.

The second track, “Evil Memory,” is emblematic of her style and approach. Her voice just explodes without overwhelming the lyrics. It is a rare song where the vocalist gives an all out effort. “Bigger Than The Blues” is a little smoother. She co-wrote the song with guitarist Dewayne Strobel, whose subtle work presents a nice counter point.

The ten tracks cover slow blues “When It Comes To Love,” energetic blues/rock “Church House Blues,” and the pop leanings of “Hey Love.”

Church House Blues is an album that takes its place among the better blues release of the year. It is an album of excellent and unforgettable blues.

Rating: ***1/2

Traveling Man By Watermelon Slim

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Traveling Man

Watermelon Slim

Northern Blues 2020

Review by David Bowling

 

William P Homan’s III is a college graduate, Vietnam veteran, former farmer who grew watermelons (hence his nick name), and now a well-known and award winning bluesman. Traveling Man is his 12th album release since 2003.

The blues at its best is a personal and emotional journey. While studio albums can be brilliant, it is live albums that demonstrate the heart and soul of a blues artist.

Traveling Man is a two-disc release recorded in 2016 at the Blue Door in Oklahoma City and The Depot in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a combination of original and classic blues tunes centered around Watermelon Slim’s guitar, harmonica, and vocals. It all adds up to a definitive release in his long career.

He is a modern day connector to the blues of the Southern Delta. He can be both raw and smooth as a song calls for, but he is always authentic and engaged.

Traveling Man is one of the better blues albums of the year so far. It is well-worth a listen and is a release to be appreciated.

Rating: ****

Lighter Side Of The Blues By Val Starr & The Blues Rocket

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Lighter Side Of The Blues

Val Starr & The Blues Rocket

Sandwich Factory Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Val Starr travels a different path for her fifth album release than most blue men or blues women. She presents the blues in a positive and upbeat lyrical style.

Lighter Side Of The Blues is an album of solid music backed by her veteran band, The Blues Rockets. She has developed into a solid songwriter and the 12 original tracks combine melody and words into a creative mix. The one cover is a re-imagining of Luhrer Dixon’s “Big Boss Man,” complete with added new lyrics

Her songs meander in a number of directions and style but always remained centered in the blues. There is rock and roll, there are some slow ballads, there is a little soul, and of course some traditional blues. Through it all the lyrics translate her thoughts and emotions.

Val Starr may not completely re-invent the blues when but she does make it more pleasurable and in this case it is enough.

Rating: ***

Sleeper By Chickenbone Slim

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Sleeper

Chickenbone Slim

Review by David Bowling

 

What’s in a nickname? A number of blues artists have had colorful nicknames down through the years. Larry Teves doesn’t look like a chickenbone and I’m not sure he is slim, but the man can play the blues.

His third release, titled Sleeper, of all original material is another album of excellent and technically adept modern-day electric blues. Both an accomplished vocalist and guitarist; he has now passed the 1000 performance mark.

His songs all have a unique quality and each tells a story both verbally and instrumentally. Backed by a veteran band, he calls on a number of guest artists; Laura Chavez, Joey Harris, Jerry Rainey, to help present his message and music.

Tracks such as “Vampire Baby,” “My Bad Luck,” “Strange Things Happen,” and “Strolling With Chickenbone” run the gamut from sublime to explosive to smooth-flowing.

Sleeper continues Chickenbone Slim’s progression as one of modern day’s blues better artists. It is an album worth exploring.

Rating: ***

 

Blind Lemon Sessions By Mick Kolassa

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Blind Lemon Sessions

Mick Kolassa

Endless Blues Records 2020

Review by David Bowling

 

Mick Kolassa is a musician who moves in a number of directions but is always centered around the blues. I have been following his career for a decade or so and his albums are always unique creations. Each has a distinct personality and his latest release, Blind Lemon Sessions, is no exception.

The album began in Germany when Kolassa recorded some material for a compilation album to be issued by the Blind Lemon Record label. He eventually recorded enough material for a new album.

There are seven cover songs that present the essence of Mick Kolassa. The traditional “St James Infirmary” and classic “Ditty Wah Ditty” are short simple songs that have been around for decades and he manages to give them new life. The Beatles “Help” is changed from a frantic rock number to a slower bluesy appeal. It is a unique take on a well-known song.

His own material is more Americana than blues at times. He has consistently relied on humor and “Recycle Me” continues that tradition.

Very noticeable on this release is the use of multi- stringed instruments. Kolassa plays six and 12 string guitars, a baritone ukulele, and an odd type of banjo. Add in slide guitars, bass, violin, and another banjo by his supporting players and you have a layered effect that adds extra textures to his approach.

Blind Lemon Sessions is a fine release that fuses different styles into a unique blues sound. It is an album that focus’ on the subtleties of the blues and is well worth a listen or two.

Rating: ***1/2

 

A Month Of Sundays By Jim Roberts & The Resonants

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A Month Of Sundays

Jim Roberts & The Resonants

Review by David Bowling

 

Jim Roberts & The Resonants have returned with their third album release of contemporary blues. Roberts is an extraordinary electric guitarist, slide guitarist, and is one of the few artists to have added a cigar box guitar to his repertoire.

A Month Of Sundays is an album of varying tempos, which makes each track unique and keeps the album fresh.

Roberts uses his brass judiciously. The album opening “Skeeters” is driven by the horn section, while the sax and guitar combine on “I’m Walkin’ On” to create a pleasant fusion of blues and jazz.

Perhaps the best and certainly the most creative track “What Her Evil Do.” It is a trip back in time via the primitive sound of the acoustic cigar box guitar, which blends with the harmonica sounds of Joey Gomez. Also standing out is the slow blues tune “Make A Promise.”

In addition to his guitar and vocal duties, Roberts produces the album and wrote or co-wrote all 13 tracks, which puts him at the center of each song.

Through it all Roberts transitions effortlessly from one style to another making A Month Of Sundays not only a slide guitarists delight but also an album of excellent modern-day urban blues.

Rating: ***

Blues In A Bucket (CD) By The Forrest McDonald Band

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Blues In A Bucket

Forrest McDonald Band

World Talent Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Veteran songwriter and guitarist deluxe Forrest McDonald will release his 15th album early next month. He will turn 70 during 2020, and while this is retirement territory for many people, McDonald shows no sign of slowing down as Bucket Of Blues is one of the strongest albums of his career.

McDonald has always been an excellent songwriter and on his newest release, he wrote of co-wrote all 11 tracks. The songs range from thoughtful to explosive, which are helped by a horn section. Except for two songs where he assumes the lead, he turns over the vocal duties to Andrew Black and special guest Becky Wright.

“Blues In The Basement” is a slow blues tune powered by McDonald’s guitar and Black’s vocal. “Blue Morning Sun” is a poignant piece lamenting the loss of his brother to cancer.

“Boogie Me Till I Drop” is the album opener and a good party song that presents another part of McDonalds musical persona. Becky Wright’s lead vocal on “Powerhouse” brings a different perspective and textures to the album’s music. The brass section bring extra energy to “Windy City Blues,” “Go To The Light,” and “Going Back To Memphis.”

Throughout the album, McDonald demonstrates his mastery of the guitar that he has developed over a near half-century career.

Blues In A Bucket travels in a number of directions but is ultimately tied together by incisive lyrics and McDonald’s guitar licks. A good way to start your 70th year.

Rating: ***1/2