New Blues News – 2/21/2017
By Dave Rogers
New Blues News – 2/21/2017
John Ginty featuring Aster Pheonyx – Rockers (American Showplace Music): John Ginty (composer, organ, piano, melodica, percussion) has a new disc and continues to stretch his blues rock mixture with some jazzy touches and new lead singer / guitarist, Aster Pheonyx. She has a purr and a growl that match Ginty’s slightly off the road tastes. The rest of the band includes Justine Gardner (bass), Maurice “mOe” Watson (drums, backing vocals), Mike Beckman, Jimmy Bennett and Josh Gannett (guitar) and Paul Gredts (backing vocals). Paul Kuzik plays bass on one song and Ginty’s keyboard work is so very fine! It’s hard to imagine he’ll stay in the shadows very much longer. The title says it all: this is a band of rockers with a jazzy, rockin’ and soulful flame. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.
Lazy Eye – Pocket The Black (Self-produced): This is an Australian trio in live performance, featuring Evan Whetter (vocals, organ, harmonica), Erica Graf (guitar, backing vocals) and Mario Marino (drums, backing vocals). Their style is basic and laid back, emphasizing the basics or fundamentals rather than flash. They are a loose-tight club style unit who describe themselves as a bluesy Booker T & MGs and it is obvious that they are fans. They also shift sounds nicely when Whetter switches from organ to harmonica while Graf shifts to a much bluesier guitar style that’s not so mellow. Click here and scroll down to listen to the songs on this disc.
Big Bill Morganfield – Bloodstains On The Wall (Black Shuck): Big Bill Morganfield has stretched himself out on this release. The style coverage includes some great jumps, as well as an old style Chicago sound that would make his papa proud. Morganfield wrote four of the dozen songs here and outside of a couple of Willie Dixon originals, the remainder of the non-originals are outside of the overly familiar ranks and add additional variety. The disc is generally upbeat and even fun. The main backing band includes John Clifton (harp, guitar, backing vocal), Bill Clifton (guitar), Grant Clifton (bass) and Brian Bischel (drums) with special guest Bartek Szopinski (piano, organ). Super special guests sit in here and there and include Colin Linden, Eddie Taylor Jr, Chuck Cotton and Bob Margolin (guitars); Augie Meyers (piano), Jim Horn (sax), Tom “Mookie” Brill (bass), and Doc Malone and Steve Guyger (harp). This is fine disc. Fans of Chicago blues MUST check this out! Click here to listen to one of Morganfield’s original songs on this disc.
Eliza Neals – 10,000 Feet Below (Self-produced): Detroit’s Eliza Neals is a powerhouse singer who can shatter windows but who also has a more melodic side. She has been compared to Beth Hart for her vocal power and Janis Joplin for her emotion. She also wrote or co-wrote all but one song on this release. There is a heavy dose of rock on this disc with a dash of blues. The backing includes a shifting set of musicians: Howard Glazer, Paul Nelson, and Billy Davis (alternating guitars); Sketto Valdez, Demarcus Sumter, Brian Clune, Robin Nizri and John Medeiros (drums); and Paul Randolph, Lenny Bradford, Mike Griot and John Abraham (bass); while Neals plays piano, B-3, Rhodes and tambourine. This appears to be her fifth release. Click here for a live version of a song on this disc.
Quinn Sullivan – Midnight Highway (Provogue): Seventeen year old singer / guitarist Quinn Sullivan has got some serious guitar chops and a strong voice. His style is blues rock in a fashion that seems mostly rooted in 70s rock when dazzling guitar styles were most prominent. He was coached and showcased by Buddy Guy at some concerts and now is supported by drummer / producer Tom Hambridge, who plays on this disc along with Michael Rhodes and Tommy MacDonald (bass), Reese Wynans and Tony Harrell (keys), and Rob McNeeley and Bob Britt (guitars). Sullivan does a terrific job of singing a somewhat re-arranged “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and there is a full-on guitar slinger exposition that closes the disc. If you follow this style, he’s definitely for you! Even if you don’t, Sullivan has chops! Click here to listen to the opening track.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
