New Blues News – 5/29/2015
By Dave Rogers
New Blues News – LIVE Blues on TJU’s Lambeth Live!
June 5 – Mississippi blues man Sherman Lee Dillon
June 12 – Johnny B & The Goodes (Johnny Bishop on harp, Matt Kelley on guitar, Steve Riggs on bass, and Drex Weaver on the drums)
June 19 – Red Rooster (early country blues)
“Lambeth Live” broadcasts from 8:00 – 9:00 on Friday evenings. Listen on 91.1 or wtju.net or come on down to Lambeth commons (the outer room of the home of WTJU) and catch it in person! Free admission!
New Blues Adds:
Kentucky Headhunters w/ Johnnie Johnson – Meet Me In Blues Land (Alligator): This issue releases a 2003 session the Headhunters cut with Johnson who is best known as the piano ace who backed up Chuck Berry. Johnson and the band first met in 1992 at a Grammy show and remained friendly until Johnnie’s death in 2005. The session was cut in one day and is seeing the light of day for the first time now. Indeed, Johnson’s playing is the great highlight of the disc and the instrumental “Fast Train” really is his showcase, requiring the Headhunters to do their most intense playing. They also include a version of Berry’s “Little Queenie”. The band includes Richard Young, Doug Phelps and Greg Martin on guitars and vocals, with bassist Anthony Kenney and drummer Fred Young holding down the bottom. The main styles are blues rock and shuffles and the band’s more familiar country rock. The quality of the material ranges from terrific to not so, but it is definitely worth seeking out the pearls on this disc. Guitarist Greg Martin recalls, “Johnny made us play like real men.” Click here for a sample.
Charlie Musselwhite – I Ain’t Lyin’… (Henrietta): Charlie Musselwhite (vox, harp) performing live in two sessions from 2014. His straightforward singing and playing seem unchanged since his earliest recordings in1967 and his backup (Matt Stubbs – guitar, June Core – drums, Steve Froberg – bass) is solid and direct. Don’t expect any frills other than Musselwhite’s harp solos. These are great blues from one of the few surviving “harmonicats” of the ’60’s and beyond. It’s deep in the cut, offering you a chance to experience some real, classic, second guard electric blues of the Chicago heyday. Check this disc out! Click here for a live performance. Note this performance is not on this disc.
The Nighthawks – Back Porch Party (EllerSoul): These aren’t the Nighthawks of old, though Mark Wenner (harp, vox) is still the leader. The rest of the crew is filled out by Paul Bell (g, vox), Johnny Castle (b, vox), and Mark Stutso (d, vox). The performance was recorded live before a studio audience in Richmond (no beer bottles being thrown at this session). It was undoubtedly nice to be in the audience and the acoustic approach goes well with the group and the set list – the latter being a combination of classics (Rock This House, Matchbox, Tiger In Your Tank, Rollin’ Stone), a few surprises (Walkin’ After Midnight, Down In The Hole), and two originals inked by Johnny Castle, one by Mark Wenner and one by The Nighthawks. The music swings. The vocals are most effective on the uptempo or talky songs and there are a couple of serious challenges for those of you who like everyone to sing on key. If you are a longtime fan, give it a listen. If you’re new to the Nighthawks, it’s not the best place to begin, but there are some nice moments. Click here for some live Nighthawks. Note this performance is not on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
