Peter Green & The Splinter Group
An Evening with ... In Concert
Eagle Rock Ent. Ltd. EV-30045-9

In the glimmer of Peter Green’s eye, you can see that he approved the production of this DVD. In tour across the United Kingdom and Germany, The Splinter Group entertained the masses. The Splinter Group are the crown jewels of British blues; The crown should be bestowed upon Green. Venues packed with adoring fan were stimulated and mused. The disc contains an acoustic set and an electric set: Addendum consists an interview, an European tour film footage, a full discography, and a full video of the song of ‘Real World’. The acoustic set is substantially shorter than the electric, but makes it worthwhile with the two closer songs, the devilish ‘Hellhounds On My Trail’ and the stirring ‘Albatross’. Part of the set completes with a full acoustic band, and part he does solo. The audience is stone silent, as they cling on every note. The set is replete with a grand piano, acoustic bass, and double acostic guitar The drum set is simply a snare drum, the standard bass drum, and a double clap-cymbals set.
As the band electrifies, the congregation aggravates and then appeases. By the time they hear ‘The Red Rooster’, Green has them in the palm of his hand. Green and Nigel Watson pace the combo with their repertoire incorporating’The Stumble’, ‘Cool World’, ‘The Green Manalishi’. The encore numbers were Green’s own penned ‘Black Magic Woman’ and a rousing standard of ‘Look On Yonder Wall’.
At two full hours and then some (147 mins.), you are captured and rendered under their spell. Green and Watson are joined by Roger Cotton (keyboardist and third axeman; and rhythm section’s Peter Stroud (bass) and Larry Tolfree (drums). The dynamoes of blues-rock, Green and Watson, melded guitars. Green and Watson et. al. are, candidly, the best of white-boys blues. Mark A. Cole


Bobby Rush
Live at Ground Zero
Deep Rush Records DRDV-3001

Bobby Rush’s imbibes you in a party mood. This recorded show is at Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero club. Bobby wows with his singing, and then his diachronic and chromatic magic. The band has a guitarists, double keyboardists, drummer, bassist, and oh yeah ... the five dancing girls. This cd is on Bobby’s Deep Rush Records label: Rush is one of America’s treasures. Everybody should see a Bobby Rush concert before they die, you won’t be disappointed. Bobby Rush for President.
The magic in this set is that its two discs in one. The music cd is the normal, but the DVD enclosed is wrapped in honey. The ever-smiling Mr. Rush makes you feel gooood! The performance exudes and exorcises any bad spirits in your body. What a deal for any cd buyer, don’t forget it’s almosy X-mas. Mark A. Cole


Geno Parks
Live---On The Air
Eastlawn Records ELD-013

To rekindle a fire, Geno Parks has begun his career once more. A Detroit soul and R&B heartthrob during the 50’s and 60’s, Parks took a real job for thirty years in Altlanta, Georgia. Urged by Alberta Adams and producer R.J. Spangler, Geno came from retirement to sing. In the past, the warbler cut sides for Tamla, Motown, Miracle, Golden World, and Crazy Horse; and now Eastlawn Records. The tenor is touring and promises a stop at Blues Estafette in Holland. He explodes with doo-wop energy and swinging jump static. This EP needs more exposure. Mark A. Cole


Muddy Waters
Muddy ‘Mississippi’ Waters Live
Sony/Legacy EK-90621

This Sony/Legacy disc has blues history printed all over it. All noter lines are by blues historian Robert Gordan and Bob Margolin. The double cd begins with the Disc One; the original album. A ‘Medley:After Hours/Stormy Monday Blues’ commences the action. ‘She’s Nineteen Years Old’, a fave of Buddy Guy, ensues: and the superstious howl, the ’Howling Wolf’, is/was eerie. Muddy’s 1978 band was equipped with Pinetop Perkins on the piano, guitarist Bob Margolin, guitarist Luther ‘Guitar Jr.’ Johnson, Calvin ‘Fuzz’ Jones on bass, Jerry Portney on harp, and Willie ’Big Eyes’ Smith on the skins. The original Disc One was produced by Johnny Winter. Disc Two is definitely live and previously unissued. Disc Two featured Johnny Winter on the axe, Charles Calmese on the bass, Bob Margolin, Pinetop Perkins, Luther Johnson, and Willie Smith. Background vocals are by Perkins and Johnson. This cd illuminates an eleven minute dual solo by Muddy and Pinetop; and a five minute ‘Pinetop Boogie Woogie’. The closer/encore is his theme song ‘Got My Mojo Working’; appropriate! The post-war blues patriarch, Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) lives again! Mark A. Cole


Heroes of the Blues
The Very Best of Ma Rainey
Shout! Factory Records DK-30252

The queen of burlesque blues was Gertrude “Ma” Rainey. Ma and “Pa” Rainey worked the minstrel show, jug bands, and carnivals: The 1920’s were hers. Then, the blues were a conglomerate of styles; a little jazz and ragtime, a little Appalachian, a little formal music, and the blues (originally, African beats and rhythms). Ma capitalized on uncertain times, the pre-Depression era, and the blues. Ma Rainey made people feel good! Her popular themes are found in her titles; ‘Bo Weevil Blues’, ‘Don’t Fish In My Sea’, ‘Grievin’ Hearted Blues’, and ‘Oh Papa’. The total entertainer; dancer, comedian, actress, and the singer of the blues. Mark A. Cole


Joe Louis Walker
Ridin’ High---Live
Hightone Records HCD-8162-2

Joe Louis Walker is ridin’ high; a inter-generational blues artist. He is too young to Muddy Waters generation, yet too old for Jonny Lang’s. Walker and Bruce Bromberg produced the disc. This cd has three unpublishes ballads; ‘Alligator’, Prove Your Love’, and ‘Personal Baby’. Angela Strehli belts a duet on ‘Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing’ , and Huey Lewis blows the harp on ‘Bit By Bit (Little By Little)’. The band is comprised of Walker (axe, slide axe, and vox), Carl Schumacher (piano, organ, and vocals), Henry Oden (bass), Paul Revelli (drums and vox), Tim Devine (alto & tenor sax, percussion, and vocals), and Jeff Lewis (trumpet, percussion, and vox). Walker is a devine songster and a dynamite six-stringer. Eleven songs and blue cries to moan and bedazzle you. This is a volume of the Heritage of the Blues series; put out by Hightone Records. Mark A. Cole


Earl King
Street Parade
Fuel 2000 Records 302-061-298-2

New Orlean’s Earl King was the king of funky blues. Born Earl Silas Johnson, King developed a friendship with Fats Domino. King debuted on Atlantic Records, Savoy Records, Specialty Records, Ace Records, and later Imperial Records and Black Top Records. This Fuel 2000 Records release is some of his songwriting, balladry, and guitar playin’. The band was consisted of organist Art Neville, bassist George Porter Jr., Joseph Modeliste on the drums, and King at the axe and vox. King was quoted as sayin’: “I’m gonna add my touch to it”. His staccotoed notes and his stabbing runs are unique. All eighteen verses are penned by Earl. Mark A. Cole


Robin O’Herin
Red, White, and The Blues
Self-produced

Massachusetts-based Robin O’Herin floats an acoustic blues, gospel, and country blues fervor. Her family supported Robin: And her religion supported her. Robin’s choice songs are ‘Precious Lord’, the traditional ‘Corrina,Corrina’, and Willie Moore’s ‘Old Country Rock’. Six are hers; ‘Hold On’, ‘Junkfood Junkie Blues’, ‘Brian’s Song’, ‘The Driving Song’, ‘Ever Hopeful’, and ‘Fly in Amber’. O’Herin plays Ovation, Tayor, and Resonator guitars. Her support is pianist Dave Carter, Terry Hall on the drums, Peter Schneider on the keys, and Darren Todd on the bass. Background vox include Vikki True and Autumn Clark. What an epiphany: With limited accompaniment O’Herin has made the blues primitive again. Mark A. Cole


Bubba and the Big Bad Blues
Bubba and the Big Bad Blues
Fullerton Gold Records 1001

Californian Christopher ‘Bubba’ Clerc leads the Big Bad Blues band. Bubba frequents clubs in Fullerton, Huntington Beach, and Long Beach, California. Bubba sports blues-rock: His axe is fulfilling and sustaining. The combo is Shawn Nourse on the skins, Mike Barry on bass, and Rick Solen at the keys. Clerc transcribed six tunes, including the titletune, ‘Black Clouds’, ‘’Gimme Some Beads’, and ‘Fat City’. He covered Elmore James’ Stranger Blues’, Leon Russell’s ‘Big Leg Woman’, and Big Bill Broonzy’s ‘It Hurts Me Too’ effectively. Look out to points east ... Bubba’s got your number! Mark A. Cole


Shane Dwight Blues Band
Come See Me
Self-produced SD2073

Shane Dwight hypnotizes an audience; you and me! His Les Paul and his enticing vocals take you to blues world. Shane mixes in a boogie, a country blues, and a little rock. A versatile player, Dwight puts his band through its paces. He pushes a full plate of thirteen songs. His former cd, Boogie King, had a mature attitude, as well. Shane heads the 5-piece:Greg Mooney at the harp, Chuck Fike thumpin’ at the bass, Jerome Kimsey pounding the drums, and Robby Z. on the rhythm axe. Tighter than a frog’s booty! Mark A. Cole


J Street Jumpers
Good For Stompin’
Severn Records CD-0023

The Jumpers are taking the nation by swing and jump. The 9-piece orchestra will wow ya and make ya dance! Vocalist Carmen Velarde fronts the band with a four-piece horn section. The J Street Jumpers ooze jump and swing, but caramel blues too. Jimmy Liggins’ Boogie Woogie King’, Count Basie’s ‘Blue and Sentimental’, and Brook Benton and Louis Jordan’s ‘Fire’ give you a sample of the shake, rock, roll heretofore. Their renditions of 30s through 50’s jazz and blues favorites are solid ready. Mark A. Cole

Tucker Martine and Wayne Horvitz
Mylab
Terminus Records 0301-2

Progressive drummer Tucker Martine and keyboardist Wayne Horvitz can throw a party! Martine and Horvitz assembled a clan of fourteen musicians and made grand music. Pop, country, bluegrass, and blues collide; it’s when Tucker and Wayne get along. Publicists call it “compelling mood music”; mixed instrumental rhythms. Horvitz and Martine experiments with flugelhorns, fiddles, horns, and even a ngoni. Mylab is billed as post-pop construction. Mark A. Cole


The Radiotones
Bound To Ride
Buzz Records BRS-102003

Scotland is renowned for the Radiotones. The Scots are playing plaid and have a few surprises. The Radiotones are Dave Arcari on the spendid National guitars and vocals, Don Mackinnon on the striking drums, Adrian Peterson on the heavy bass, and Jim Harcus on the busy harmonica. The country lonely feel dissolves into rockin’ blues: ‘Troubled Mind’ and ‘One More Heartbreak’ vs. ‘Bound To Ride’ and Close To The Edge’. The closer is ‘Hot Muscle Jazz’ ; where rules of demarcation begin to blurr. Euro-blues for certain! Mark A. Cole


Wallace Coleman
The Bad Weather Blues
Pinto Blues Music PBM-8534-2

Harpster Wallace Coleman is associated with Robert Lockwood Jr.. He has his own band too. His Cleveland-Akron travel logs are trading national logs, as well. Wallace and Jody Getz, his life partner, penned and performed nine tunes, and a couple more. The titletune ‘The Bad Weather Blues’, healing ‘Southern Comfort’, and Lockwood’s ‘Mean Red Spider’ are blues annointed and notable ballads. Chromatic and diatonic, Wallace plays both with princely splendor and modesty reserve. Check his www.wallacecoleman.com. Mark A. Cole


Michael Pickett
Solo
Sweetest Gal Music WTCD-003

Michael Pickett is a Canadian; he hails from Toronto, Ontario. Michael has played his harp for ever: He’s even adding the guitar. Pickett plays his Gibson six-string, Yanuziello resophonic, and his 1931 National Steel Duolian: and his Lee Oskar harps. Don’t forget his wonderful voice. Solo is exactly is says, alone and solitary. Michael rakes the traditional tunes with Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, and Bukka White, and others: Pickett composes seven of his own, too. His ‘Steady Rollin’ Man’ has interpretations as old as Johnson himself. But it’s fresh; just like ‘The ‘Hood’. He has a conscious as well. Mark A. Cole


Alison Krauss & Union Station
Live
Rounder Records 11661-0515-2

Alison Krauss and Union Station have progressed to the top of the bluegrasss world. Alison’s velvet vox and her vexin’ violin are impressive. Union Station is Dan Tyminski on the guitar and mandolin, Jerry Douglas on the dobro, Ron Block on the guitar and the banjo, Barry Bates on the bass, and Larry Atamanuik on the sticks. This double cd contains twenty-five compositions: The DVD contains a concert filmed at the Louisville Palace in Louisvville, Kentucky; the principals, on-the-road and behind-the-scene footages, discography, and video for ‘New Favorite’. Both the cd and the DVD are fine gifts. Mark A. Cole


Various Artists
Wild About That Thing; Ladies Sing The Blues
Delmark Records DX-913

The short history of Chicago’s blueswomen is contained herein: The twelve women are slicing Chi-Town history. Big Time Sarah (Sarah Streeter) zones in on her ‘Long Tall Daddy’, and Katherine Davis gets ‘Wild About That Thing’. ‘Confessin’ The Blues’ is what Karen Carroll is doin’, while Blu Lu Barker barks that you ‘Don’t You Feel My Leg’.
Bonnie Lee headlines Willie Davis on the axe, Willie Kent on the bass, and Billy Branch on the harp. What a line-up! Edith Wilson brags ‘He May Be Your Man’, and Dinah Washington has the ‘Rich Man’s Blues’. Grana Louise relates that ‘You Were A Good Wagon’, too.
Shirley Johnson argues for ‘Not For The Love Of You’, and ‘I Love My Lovin’ Lover’ by Betty Roche. Or you can argue, ‘Brain Damage’, like Zora Young. Mary Johnson closes the cd with a couple of traditional songs; the ol’ Midwestern religiousness.
Since the 1920’s and before, Chicago blueswomen have enticed the audiences. Look, here’s the proof. Mark A. Cole


Heroes of the Blues
The Very Best of Skip James
Shout Factory Records DK-30245

Nehemiah ‘Skip’ James was a victim of the The Great Depression and a re-discovery of the Newport Folk Festival of 1964. James cross-tuned his guitar and stirred up a fuss. Nehemiah nearly patented his axe style, and he was a brilliant pianist, as well. Skip perfected the droning overtone that is heard in Mississippi blues. Born in Mississippi, next to Arkansas, and Memphis; James recorded for Paramount Records. The eighteen sides waxed for Paramount remain his legacy. Classic rock owes Skip James a great deal! Mark A. Cole


Various Artists
South Side Chicago Blues
Delmark Records DX-912

It’s a remarkable cd before you: South Side blues are capitalized. Leading off is Junior Wells with his band (Buddy Guy, Louis Myers, Otis Spann, etc.), and Byther Smith and his gang. J.B. Hutto plays ‘Slidewinder’, and pianist Sunnyland Slim keeps a ‘Smile On My Face’. Robert Jr. Lockwood fronts The Aces; Dave Myers (bass), Louis Myers (guitar), and Fred Below (drums). Lockwood does deservedly his ‘Can’t Stand The Pain’. Little Walter, a compadre of Lockwood, was playing in Muddy Waters band. ’Just Keep Lovin’ Her’ was Little Walter Jacobs’ advice. Lurrie Bell takes a B.B. King song to new limits too. Big Time Sarah, with guitarist Rico McFarland, warns that the ‘Train I Ride’ could be dangerous. Another two Chicago-ites, Carey Bell and Jimmy Rogers, are ‘Walking In The Park’ and professing ‘I’m In Love’ respectively. South Side blues are it! Generational blues: Father Carey Bell to the genius Lurrie Bell, to friends and roommates Little Walter Jacobs and Robert Jr. Lockwood. Delmark Records (Bob Koester and staff) march up front in Chi-Town blues. Mark A. Cole


Tracy Nelson
Live From Cell Block D
Memphis International Records DOT-02

This was recorded at West Tennessee Detention Center in Mason, Tennessee just before Christmas in 2002. Tracy has a captive audience. The band chimes in with the horn section; Scott Thompson (trumpet) and Jim Spake (clarinet and saxes).The rhythm section is comprised of Brian Fullen (drums) and Toni Sehulster (bass). Background vocals soften the scene; Vickie Carrico and Fullen. Charlie Wood adds a piano and Sam Stafford (guitar) tops the ensemble. Tracy Nelson works the vox, and she plays the piano for three cuts. Tracy mixes hers compositions and others: Lyle Lovett’s ‘God Will’, Delbert McClinton’s ‘I Need All The Help I Can Get’, Big Bill Broonzy’s ‘Feel So Good’, and ‘Mother Earth’ by Memphis Slim (Peter Chapman). Nelson delivers a vocal sermon to her chargees: Clearly, the spectators enjoyed the show. The liner notes are by Willie Nelson. The warbler delivers her songs and sweet and dire times. Mark A. Cole