New Blues News – 3/16/2021
By Dave Rogers
New Blues News – 3/16/2021
Kat Danser – One Eye Open (Black Hen): “Kat Danser has spent most of her life trawling the backstreets of the blues and her sixth album ‘One Eye Open’ reflects the fruits of her explorations. From an old string band melody passed down from the twenties, to a lyric written the night before the Covid pandemic shut the world down, the past rides shotgun with the present on everything Kat Danser sings and plays. “One Eye Open’ enlarges upon her decades long conversation with the blues and is a testament to the enduring emotional power and relevance of the art form.“One Eye Open” continues Kat’s ongoing collaboration with veteran guitarist and producer Steve Dawson, and features an ensemble of North America’s finest roots musicians. The core band, comprised of Dawson (guitars), Gary Craig (drums) and Jeremy Holmes (bass) were not able to record in the same room together, virtually live off of the floor as is their preference, but – as a concession to the times we are living through – had to assemble the album remotely. Yet, even with Kat recording her vocals in Edmonton, and other musicians located around the continent while Dawson directed traffic from his studio in Nashville, the results are as organic, intuitive and in the moment as anything these veterans have ever recorded.” (http://www.katdanser.com/wp-content/uploads/KAT-DANSER-bio-2021.pdf) Click here to listen an introduction and samples.
Christopher Dean Band – Songs From French Street (Lost World Music): “Christopher Dean was born Aug 1973 and is a NJ native but resides in Palmerton PA as of 2017. He has been touring since 1997 full time as a traveling blues/soul musician…. cover(s) everything from Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Al Green, Kool and The Gang to BB King as well as originals.” Most of the songs on this disc are originals and he has guests Johnny Rawls, James White and Joe Mixon. Click here to listen to songs on this release.
Alan Evans – Let It Ride (Vintage League Music): “In the early part of the decade Alan Evans had been playing with his band Soulive and every other big name in music. In 2004 he had the notion to collaborate with some of his closest friends to put out his first solo album. Let It Ride was only released on CD in Japan, but now 17 years later Alan Evans’ 2005 album has been released to all on February 26, 2021 by Vintage League Music. The record features bonus tracks and a snippet of Alan live in Upstate New York from 2005 with some of the cast.
<a href=“https://nysmusic.com/2021/03/08/hearing-aide-alan-evans-let-it-ride/” The album features Alan locked in with bass player Aaron Bellamy for every track to hold down the bottom end.” <a href=”https://nysmusic.com/2021/03/08/hearing-aide-alan-evans-let-it-ride/”>Read more at NYS Music… </a>>Read more at NYS Music… </a>. I would strongly urge you to listen before you buy. “Let It Ride’ is really fine, but I regret to have to warn you that the remainder doesn’t offer much. Click here to listen to “Let It Ride”.
Anders Osborne – Orpheus and the Mermaids (5th Ward): I couldn’t find any messages on-line, but Osbourne certainly has a terrific set on offer. This release has great songs and guitar and since we can’t catch him in person this is the best offer available. What a solid set! A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here to listen to “Welcome To Earth” from this disc.
Shakin’ Woods – The Blues Proper Sessions, Vol. 2 (Shakin Woods): “Shakin’ Woods is an American band founded in 2019 in the Washington, DC metro area. The group began as an offshoot of Rich Russman’s debut solo CD, First In Line. Fellow founding member Paul Dudley, a veteran of the DC music scene, collaborated with Russman to craft a modern Blues project with the goal of writing, recording, and touring. Following a regular schedule of experimenting for several months with different ideas, the band added George Belton on bass and Austin Day on keyboards/guitar to complete the lineup. The group has recorded 12 songs, which will be released as 3 4-song EPs throughout 2020 and 2021. The music comprises 8 original songs and 4 versions of classic blues. Produced and tracked at Rich’s Bradshaw studios in Virginia, the band welcomed a great opportunity to hire industry giants Jack Douglas and Jay Messina for mixing and mastering. The engine of the group is driven by Paul’s steady, yet energetic beats, coupled with George’s swampy, soulful basslines. The guitars, provided by Rich and Austin, bring elements of Southern Rock and old-school Delta Blues. Day also takes on added duties with exceptional keyboard work. The members take turns at lead vocals, creating a nice mix of raw energy and haunting soul.” (https://shakinwoods.com/) Click here to listen to the songs on this disc – one original and covers of Robert Johnson;s “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom”, Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” and Peter Green’s “Long Grey Mare”. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
