Mississippi BarBQ By Zac Harmon

Tags

Catfood Records, Mississippi BarBQ, Zac Harmon

Mississippi BarBQ

Zac Harmon

Catfood Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

Guitarist/blues singer Zac Harmon invites you to a musical BarBQ, southern style. The menu is a healthy helping of modern day blues and superb guitar playing.

His new release, Mississippi BarBQ, will be released July 19. It is his most ambitious album to date as he surrounds himself with an array of backing musicians, who help him fill in the sound.

The Rays, led by bassist Bob Trenchard, are on of the best backing bands working today and they supplement the sound on seven of the eleven tracks.  Add in a four piece horn section and you have the makings of an excellent modern day blues album that builds on his vision of southern traditional blues.

Original tracks such as the title song, “Make A Dollar Out of Fifteen Cents,” “Honey Pleez,” and “Smoke And Mirrors” are fine examples of his sophisticated blues approach. Also included is a stunning cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knocking On Heavens Door.”

Zac Harmon’s approach to the blues continues to evolve as he experiments with new layers and textures. Misisisippi BarBQ is the latest chapter in his musical journey.

Rating: ***

Advertisements

Who Cares By David G Smith

Tags

David G Smith, Who Cares

Who Cares

David G Smith

Hey Dave Music 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

David G. Smith will release his new album, titled Who Cares, August 23rd. It is an album of 12 original tunes that feature his songwriting ability. The album took a very personal direction with the passing of his friend and producer Blue Miller.

Smith is basically a troubadour who fills in his sound with various incarnations of a backing band. The focus, however, is always on his lyrics and storytelling.

Smith’s stories run from the light to the gritty, but they always tell a story. His writing is simple and mostly serious as he touches on depression, southern border issues, and the critical album ending “Who Cares.

The highlight of the album is the gentle “Shine,” which is enhanced by guest co-vocalist Mary Gauthier.

David G. Smith has produced another album of cerebral music. Who Cares is an album that deserves some attention.

Rating ***

Revelation By Tullie Brae

Tags

Tullie Brae

Revelation

Tullie Brae

Endless Blues Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Tullie Brae has one of those just voices made for the blues.

Brae’s new album hits all the high points of a traditional blues album titled Revelation. The ten original tunes range from gentle ballads to hard edged rockers. Her lyrics tell stories of love, loss, relationships, violence, and redemption.

She accompanies herself on various keyboards, slide guitar, and cigar-box guitar, which I haven’t heard in quite a while. She also surrounds herself with and array of musicians, including a string section, which not only provides support but fills in the sound.

Despite the lyrics and her backing musicians, it all comes back to her voice. Revelation is a blues coming out party for a unique vocalist and blues artist.

Rating: ***

Get Here Quick By The Texas Horns

Tags

Get Here Quick, Texas Horns

Get Here Quick

The Texas Horns

Severn Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

If you are a horn section and want to release an album, you better have a lot of friends, which brings us to The Texas Horns.

Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff, John Miles, and Al Gomez are The Texas Horns. They have established a reputation as one of the best brass sections working today. They have now taken a leap of faith and stepped forward to release their own album titled Get Here Quick. They have also written all the tracks, which is unusual for a brass section.

They have assembled an array of musicians, including guitarists, bass players, keyboardists, vocalists, and drummers to front the band. This allows the trio to functions as both a classic backing brass section, and an improvisational unit.

Their sound cuts across styles. There is blues, especially when Ronnie Earl is the guitarist, Americana, some rock and roll, and jazz.

Get Here Quick is an album that can be appreciated track by track. Grab a copy and let the music flow.

Rating: ***1/2

Speakeasy By Paula Harris

Tags

Paula Harris, Speakeasy

Speakeasy

Paula Harris

Paula Harris Music 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Imagine a smoky lounge about a half-century ago. It is a basic band of piano, drums, and bass. As Paula Harris begins to sing, the crowd quiets.

Paula Harris is a composer and singer who has a connection with jazz and blues of a by-gone era. Whether her own compositions or choice covers; her soulful voice is perfect for old time jazz with some blues thrown in for good measure.

Her backing band of pianist Nate Ginsberg, bassist Rich Girard, and drummer Derrick Martin are veteran unit who lay down a basic sound that connects with her style well, plus they are adept at keeping.  her voice front and center.

The most inventive track is her re-imagining of Thelonious Monk’s “‘Round Midnight.” She is true to the music but composes new lyrics, plus adds trumpet player Bill Ortiz to give it an authentic feel. Add in Louis Jordan’s “Is You Or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” and jazzy original tunes “Soul-Sucking Man,” “Haunted,” and “You Don’t Look A Day Over Fabulous” and you have an album of excellent music.

Speakeasy is an album where the past and present day intersect. Grab your favorite beverage, turn the lights down low, and relax.

 

Rating: ***1/2

Kind Of Blues By Adam Holt

Tags

Adam Holt, Kind Of Blues

Kind Of Blues

Adam Holt

Zenith Label 2019Review by David Bowling

 

It’s amazing what an old Ampex tape machine and a few guitars can produce.

The CD cover picture makes Adam Holt look like an old and grizzled bluesman, which in many ways is correct. However, it belies his soulful, and almost gentle voice.

His new album, Kind Of Blues, is a personal release, that moves outward from a blues foundation toward country, Americana, and some good old rock and roll. The nine original compositions trace his personal journeys through life, set to music. Separation, corporate America, equality, and ultimately faith. all combine together to form  relevant and well thought-out album of music.

Adam Holt has produced another sold album of music. Kind Of Blues is recommended for anyone who likes their music introspective and passionate, plus has a little bounce to it.

Rating: ***

Twist The Knife By The Forty Fours

Tags

Forty Fours

Twist The Knife

Forty Fours

Rip Cat 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Somethin old, something new, from the Forty Fours. It has been seven years since their last album, and in the mean time, vocalist/guitarist leader Johnny Main has assembled an entirely new lineup. Main and harmonica player Eric Von Herzen, bassist Kike Hightower, drummer Gary Ferguson, and guitarist Junior Watson have now released Twist Of Fate.

Their new album contains only one original song, “Cutting Deep,” written by Main. The other seven tracks are covers of songs by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Albert Collins.

Main leads his band through 33 minutes of energetic blues with rock and roll elements. There is a raw feel to many of the tracks but Main’s guitar work and Von Herzen’s harp center the music and provide enough sophisticated elements to keep it interesting.

The reconstituted Forty Fours have released an album that keeps the music simple and sometimes that is best. Twist Of Fate is a solid effort and well worth a listen.

Rating: ***

Ape Shifter II By Ape Shifter

Tags

Ape Shifter, Jeff Aug

Ape Shifter II

Ape Shifter

Brainstorm Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Ape Shifter is a basic, no nonsense instrumental hard rock band. Led by guitarist Jeff Aug; he is backed by the solid rhythm section of drummer Kurty Munch and bassist Florian Walter.

Aug was born in Washington D.C. and raided in Maryland but has lived in the Alps of Southern Germany for the past 20 years. He has fused American music sensibilities with European rock. What has emerged is an intense brand of rock and roll.

An instrumental band always has the added challenge of making their music interesting without words. Ape Shifter overcomes this issue by placing the focus on Aug’s guitar. He attacks songs such as “Mask Of The Ancient Warrior,” “American Eagle,” “Matilda,” and “Jiggy Jiggy Boom Boom” with a fierceness and lack of restraint.

Ape Shifter is a band that needs to be played loud to be appreciated. The album is also available on vinyl if you are so inclined.

Rating: ***

 

Esoebo VI By Esoebo

Tags

Chuck McDowell, Esoebo, Gail Burnett

Esoebo VI

Esoebo

Knot Reel Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Every once in awhile, its nice to try something a little bit different and the music of Esoebo (E-So-Bo) may fit the bill with their new album titled Esoebo VI.

Songwriter/acoustic guitarist/vocalist Chuck McDowell and cello player/harmony vocalist Gail Burnett formed Esoebo (Eclectic Selections of Everything but Opera) as a vehicle to bring McWilliams visions and some judicial covers to fruition.

Everything begins with McDowell’s songwriting ability. He is one of those artists who is able to layer his lyrics, giving the songs deeper meanings to be explored. He also provides the foundation with his vocals and acoustic guitar. Burnett fills in some of the blanks with her cello and backing vocals. Their backing band fills in around the edges.

The center of their style is rockfish folk and Americana. It is the added instrumentation that gives the music its different and creative nature. It is both simple and cerebral.

Esoebo is travelling a different musical journey. Their new album deserves to be explored, especially if you want something a little out of the ordinary.

Rating: ***

For Love & Money (CD) By Harpdog Brown

Tags

Harpdog Brown

For Love & Money

Harpdog Brown

Dog Hose Records 2019

Review by David Bowling

 

Harpdog Brown is a Canadian bluesman whose heart may be north of the USA border but his musical soul has drifted south toward New Orleans and the Southern Delta.

Brown’s new album, For Love & Money, merges southern swing with some elements of Louie Armstrong’s New Orleans Jazz and blues. It has a more developed sound than many of his past releases as he adds a horn section and tones down the guitars in favor of his harmonica and vocals.

Consisting of several original tunes and a well-selected group of covers, Brown takes the listener on a journey through some modern day blues, while remaining in touch with traditions from the past. Original songs, “Reefer Lovin’ Woman” and “Stiff” plus covers Blue Light Boogie,” “Buzzard Luck,” and “The Comeback” are all blasts of blues delight.

Harpdog Brown is now four decades into his career. For Love & Money is a well thought out and structured album that provides some interesting twists and turns within a blues setting. A good buy for any fan of the blues.

Rating: ***1/2