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New Blues News – 8/11/2020

Dave Fields – Force Of Will (Self-produced): “NY Blues Hall of Famer and Fodera Guitar artist Dave Fields 6th and latest album Force of Will is ferocious mix of blues rock and beyond that stretches the boundaries. Force of Will will take you on a musical journey in a way that only Dave Fields can take you. Dave and his Fodera guitar will light your senses on fire. Force of Will, like all of Dave’s album’s, is a dynamic excursion of love, fun, joy and life which will please the blues-rock lover and beyond.” (http://www.davefields.com/bio/) Click here to listen to “Force Of Will” from this disc.

Anders Osborne – Spacedust & Ocean Views (Back On Dumaine): Released in 2016, Anders Osbourne offers songs relating to life itself – thoughts about life and doubts and longing. Osborne sinks into a comfy, bittersweet and introspective vibe. Opening track “Pontchartrain” with barely there heartbeat-like tom-toms, a laid back circular guitar figure and Osborne repeating “I am a burning man” with wistful resignation, sets the stage for the remaining 11 selections. They follow a similar formula albeit with different, often beautifully layered instrumentation that includes subtle horns, reeds, keyboards and on the exquisite ballad “Cape Cod,” an overdubbed string quartet which makes the song arguably Osborne’s most sensitive and lovely composition. Clearly Osborne is in reflective mode, even when the pace picks up in the low boil funk of “Wind” and the swampy crawl of “Move Back to Mississippi,”  the disc’s toughest and most gospel inspired moment. He laments for a lover, now in heaven with a bluesy guitar break on the heartbreaking and emotional “Can You Still Hear Me?” made even more sensitive by strings that delicately swell at the song’s end. On the self-explanatory “Burning Up Slowly” we feel his angst trying to understand the flow of life set against sparse guitar, bass drum backing that along with his yearning voice is all the song needs to get its message across. (https://americansongwriter.com/anders-osborne-spacedust-and-ocean-views/?nab=0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fduckduckgo.com%2F) Various emotions shared to a blues based style with backing top Louisiana session pros such as drummer Johnny Vidacovich, Ivan Neville and Brady Blade are credited, among others. This release is engaging and infectious! Click here to listen to the opening song.

Anders Osborne – Flower Box (Back On Dumaine): “Between the potency of his richly detailed songwriting, his intensely emotional, soulful vocals and his piercing, expert guitar work, New Orleans’ Anders Osborne is a true musical treasure. He is among the most original and visionary musicians writing and performing today. Guitar Player calls him “the poet laureate of Louisiana’s fertile roots music scene.” New Orleans’ Gambit Weekly has honored Osborne as the Entertainer Of The Year. OffBeat named him the Crescent City’s Best Guitarist for the third year in a row, and the Best Songwriter for the second straight year. Osborne also won Song Of The Year for his composition, Louisiana Gold…. I love the way this record comes out stout and determined right out the gate, a four-piece rock & roll band making beautiful and conquering noise,” says Osborne.  “The producer, Mark Howard, has a way of making you play in the moment and being confident.  His sounds and engineering style is that of classic records, with his own special sauce of ‘haunting’ on top of it.  The musicians on here are undoubtedly some of my absolute favorites in the world, both as players and as people. Their contributions are invaluable.  Scott Metzger, Brady Blade, Carl Dufrene, Chad Cromwell, Marc Broussard, David LaBruyere, Rob McNelley & Justin Tocket. Bad boys!  I’ve been wanting to make this record for several years and I am stoked it’s finally here.” (https://www.andersosborne.com/about)  In addition to Osborne (vocal, guitar) the musicians are Carl Deufrene Jr. (Bass and Vocals), Brady L. Brade Jr. and Chad Cromwell (Drums, Percussion), Marc Broussard (Vocals), Scott Metzger (Guitar), David Labruyere (Bass), Justin Tocket (Vocals) and Rob McNelley (Guitar). Click here to listen to the songs on “Flower Box”.

The Mystix – Can’t Change It (Self-produced): “The Mystix are recognized for their unique interpretation of Americana reaching back to the blues and gospel music of the ’20s, as well as their inspired original compositions. Over the years, they have garnered many loyal and enthusiastic fans throughout the world. The band was formed in 2002 by acclaimed R&B vocalist/songwriter Jo Lily (former lead singer Sam Deluxe, of the iconic New England group Duke and the Drivers) and consummate jazz guitarist Bobby B Keyes (well-known L.A. session guitarist and writer). Over the years, The Mystix has been a revolving group of the top Boston studio and touring musicians, including such talents as Marty Richards (Gary Burton, Peter Wolf), Jerry Portnoy (Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton) and Jesse Williams (Duke Robillard, North Mississippi All-Stars). Their newest album Can’t Change It, produced by legendary drummer Marco Giovino (Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Nora Jones) brings a fresh, new sound to their crafted and polished approach, keeping true to the mission of bringing Americana, deep soul, country blues, and originals as only The Mystix can interpret them. Can’t Change It features twin lead guitars of Bobby B Keyes and Duke Levine, coupled with the unique vocals of Jo Lily. The rhythm section features Marco Giovino on drums and Marty Ballou on stand up bass, as well as an outstanding lineup of guest appearances, including the North Mississippi All-Stars, the legendary Charlie McCoy, famous British pedal steel player B.J. Cole (“Rocket Man”), and keyboardist extraordinaire Tom West.” (https://themystix.com/bio/) Click here to listen to samples of this release on the first three titles listed.

Savoy Brown – Ain’t Done Yet (Quarto Valley): “There are 10 brand new songs on the album all written by Kim…. Two of the songs are electric acoustic, there’s a boogie (of course) and a beautiful guitar instrumental. Plus all the energy and character that makes Savoy Brown music so original. Garnet plays some wonderful percussion on top of his drum patterns and Pat displays, yet again, that he is one of the best bassists in blues rock today.” (https://www.savoybrown.com/2020/04/30/aint-done-yet-new-album/) Kim Simmonds formed Savoy Brown fifty-five years ago and he and rhythm sectioners Pat DeSalvo (bass) and Garnet Grimm (drums) take a shuffling electro ride on the highway feeling fine and so comfortable. Mellow and fine. Click here to listen to samples of a couple of songs on this disc.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop