New Blues Review 3-17-2025
By Jack Roy
Ms. Jody – Cougar On The Prowl (Nola Blue Records)
Bio – “Ecko Records Recording artist Ms. Jody was born to the late Reverend Joe and Vivian Sims Pickens in Chicago, IL. She was raised in Bay Springs, Mississippi where she presently lives. – Ms. Jody started singing when she was just a little girl. In fact, there is never a time when she can say she doesn’t remember singing. Ms. Jody says that the gift of singing was just born in her and it is really a gift from God. – In 2006, at the suggestion of her friends Leo Johnson and William Day, Ms. Jody made a visit to Ecko Records in Memphis, TN where she was introduced to the staff. Shortly thereafter she joined the Ecko Records family and her first CD was released. The CD, entitled “You’re My Angel” has brought Ms. Jody immediate recognition from the radio station programmers and their listeners. Songs like “Ms. Jody”, “Sugar Daddy”, and “Get Drunk Party” are all receiving heavy airplay and are creating a buzz about this new singer with the sexy voice. Although her image is that of a sexy and streetwise woman, Ms. Jody insists she is really just a backwoods country girl who enjoys life and loves to feel good and to have fun. Whether the image people have of her is true or not, it is definitely true that audiences have found a lot to love about the songs and the sound of Ms. Jody.”
Review – Nothing better than the voice of Ms Jody. While not really in the Blues Category, the level of music is off the charts. Every song is arranged so skillfully and the music is excellent but I think a lot of the music is computer generated as the only listing on the CD liner notes if for a guitarist (Bobby Manuel and John Ward) and then track and sequencing, but still sounds pretty great. Some of the notables for me were “Cougar On The Prowl”, “Our Love Ain’t Going Nowhere” and “You Done Messed Up”. I think my favorite is “I need A Car Drivin’ Man″, listen here. I will give this a 7 on Blues Content and a 10 on Music Content.
Micki Free – Dreamcatcher (Nola Blue Records)
Bio – “GRAMMY® -award-winning musician Micki Free is a multi-talented guitarist, songwriter, performer, and producer – with a career that spans decades and includes collaborations with some of the most legendary figures in music. Born of mixed Cherokee/Comanche Native American and Irish descent, Micki’s unique cultural heritage has deeply influenced his sound and artistic journey. Micki’s musical career took off early when he was signed to management deals with Gene Simmons of KISS and Diana Ross. He quickly made his mark as a member of the iconic R&B group Shalamar, where he formed a lasting friendship with the legendary Prince. Free’s manner of dress and appearance during the early 1980’s was parodied in the Dave Chappelle Show sketch Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories: “Prince – Uncensored” (February 18, 2004), and retells a story about an infamous basketball game “The Shirts Against The Blouses”. In Micki’s solo career, he has performed and recorded with a diverse array of artists, including Carlos Santana, Janet Jackson, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Little Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Cheap Trick, Jean Beauvoir, Aerosmith, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, KISS, Billy Ray Cyrus, and many more. He is not only a gifted guitarist but also a master of the Native American flute, with five albums dedicated to the instrument. Micki has performed at renowned festivals and venues around the world, from intimate Blues clubs to the massive “Hard Rock Calling” Festival in Hyde Park, London – where he performed to an audience of over 100,000 fans. In 2023, Micki performed at the National Mall in Washington D.C. as an official Envoy for the World Culture Festival, where he led a 1,000+ guitar ensemble, debuting the single “We Are One” – a song he wrote, produced, and arranged specifically for the event. As an advocate for both the Native American community, as well as the arts community, Micki and his wife Heather founded “The Musical Beginning Foundation”, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to empowering underrepresented youth through the gift of music, and helping people to achieve their creative dreams. Micki Free’s work blends blues, rock, and Native American sounds into a powerful, distinctive voice. His work in the studio, on stage, and beyond reinforces a commitment to uplift and amplify Native voices in the industry. His ongoing legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and fans alike. ”
Review – Well there is guitar distortion and then there is Micki’s guitar distortion, way overboard to these ears. His voice is incredible and his musical arrangement of tunes is magical. His band is world class with Benny Rietveld on bass and Cindy Blackman Santana on drums. Also included is keyboardist Mark “Muggie Do” Leach, who plays both the Hammond organ and piano. Definitely put Micki’s Blues in the Rock Blues Category. Several tunes that stood out including “Night Crawler” and “Dream Catcher”. I think my favorite is “When The Devils At Your Door, with the perfect vocals of Ray Green″, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 9 on Music Content.
Karl Stroll & the Danger Zone – The Machines Are Taking Over (Nola Blue Records)
Bio – “For more than 20 years, The Danger Zone has been playing a unique mix of danceable roots rock & blues featuring the sounds of
Chicago, New Orleans, Memphis, Texas and DC, plus a collection of original songs being played on radio stations across the country. In 2010, The band has appeared on NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor” to an audience of 15 million listeners! The Danger Zone has released three albums, The Machines are Taking Over (2025), The Workhouse (2022) and Take A Ride (2011). In recent years, The Danger Zone has appeared at The Hamilton in Washington, DC, Jammin Java in Vienna, VA, The State Theatre and JV’s in Falls Church, VA, plus concerts in the county parks, festivals, swing dances, nice bars, dive bars and beyond. They have appeared at shows with Coco Montoya, Roomful of Blues, Sue Foley, Popa Chubby, Tom Principato, Anson Funderburgh & Mark Hummell, and others.”
Review – Karl is a living legend in the DC area, has won countless awards from the area and his band, the Danger Zone, is a blend of Blues and Early Rock n’ Roll. Every album is more sophisticated than the last and this newest CD is no exception. Great song writing and solid instrumentation makes this album so good. Karl’s band includes Karl Stoll – Guitar and Vocals, Brian Alpert on Drums, John Dickson on Harmonica, Glen Shoup on Bass with special guests David Gorozdos on Keys, Shep Williams on Keys and Joe Wells on Drums. Some of the stand out for me are “Deep Blue C”, a psychedelic journey with great guitar, “That’s All I know”, which starts off acoustic sound that is straight from the Delta, and “You’re The Kind Of Trouble”. All original tunes with some great witty lyrics. I think my favorite is “Struck By Lightning, here is a live version″, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 10 on Music Content.
