JOE LOUIS WALKER,
LIVE AT ‘ON BROADWAY’
Blues Express BEI 4001

SONGS: Your Lyin’ Eyes; Runnin’ From The Devil; In God’s Hands; Rainy Nights; Repay My Love; Mile-Hi Club; Bluesifyn’; Yveline OTHER: Exclusive Interviews; Photos From Joe Louis Walker’s Personal Collection With Commentary; Comments About the Songs Performed; Blues Express Trailer

I am always amazed at technology. With DVDs, there are a variety of audio and visual possibilities. Joe Louis Walker starts out with eight songs recorded live at Broadway Studios in San Francisco, California in 1999. It is a treat to hear and see him play some of his original tunes.The first three songs are acoustic with just Joe singing and playing his guitar. Then Joe joins his band for the remaining numbers. He plays with expression and depth, particularly when he plays the slide in some of the tunes. Joe discusses some of his songs, and gives a brief background of how his blues career evolved into world wide fame.

He shares nine photos from his personal collection, and talks about each one. Two of the photos are family ones, while the others are Joe with well-known bluesmen, including Stevie Ray Vaughan and one of Joe’s best friends, Buddy Guy. This DVD adds some in-depth insights about Joe Louis Walker. It is worth having in your collection. For further information, contact www.bluesexpress.com. Maria Bainer


OTIS RUSH LIVE,
PART 1
Blues Express, BEI 4002

CONTENTS: Songs: I Wonder Why; All Your Love (I Miss Loving); It’s My Own Fault; 717; I Can’t Quit You Baby; I Got My Mojo Working; Special Features: Exclusive Interviews; Photo Gallery with Otis Rush Commentary; About the Songs, Feature by Otis; Blues Express Trailer

All of these impressive songs were recorded live in December, 1999 at the Broadway Studios in San Francisco, California. Otis brought his entire band out from Chicago, and some Tower of Power horns joined in. Several of the six songs are mainly instrumental, so Otis’ mesmerizing guitar playing stands out loud and clear. His powerful and melodic left-handed guitar playing is sometimes so intense that it pierces like a laser beam. His vocals are soulful and focused. Otis wrote five of the six songs. He teams up with former Bay Area guitarist, Bobby Murray, to do a rousing version of “I Got My Mojo Working.” Otis discusses some of his songs in an interview. The video photography, with the help of eight cameras, is excellent and has some great close-up shots too.

Otis gives a realistic, unpretentious interview as he discusses some of the moments of his forty-year musical career. He comments that when he plays from the heart, he plays what he likes to hear. Otis shares and discusses twelve of the photos that his wife, Masuki, has taken over the years. One picture is of Otis and Willie Dixon at the Chicago Blues Festival, and another is Otis with Stevie Ray Vaughan. Otis comments that he wrote the “Double Trouble” song which Stevie named his band after. Chicago-writer, Dick Shurman, wrote some excellent, in-depth liner notes for this DVD. This DVD showcases the renowned Otis Rush in an excellent, intimate way. It would be a special privilege to have this DVD of such an illustrious bluesman in your library. For more details, contact: www.bluesexpress.com. Maria Bainer

Eric Clapton & Friends
Live 1986
Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd. EE-19021

Eric Clapton has a DVD that kicks, this concert clips under an hour with Eric. The quartet was Phil Collins, Nathan East, and Greg Phillinganes, and Clapton. ‘Crossroads’ started the set, with the ghost Robert Johnson smiling from who knows where. ‘White Room’ is a Cream classic, with Collins keeping time. Clapton ushers in a funky tune, ‘Run’, and ’Miss You’, a mid-career song, has a snap in the tempo. A victorious ballad is ‘Holy Mother’, and ‘Tearin’ Us Apart’ is another bottom heavy rhapsody, too. Collins does a splendid ‘In The Air Tonight’, replete with a very tight drum solo. ‘Layla’ has a upbeat beat and has become a blues and r&r ideal. The closing song, ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’, is another Cream fave. The 1986 audience loved the gig. Current DVD audiences will love it. Again; More, more, more! Mark A. Cole




The Holmes Brothers
Simple Truths
Alligator Records ALCD-4893

The Holmes Brothers band has made its sophorical debut. The band sticks up its guns with more intense harmonizing and more independent projects. Wendell Holmes (guitar), Sherman Holmes (bass), and Popsy Dixon spell the band. Assorted musicians support the mix; Chris Bruce, David Piltch, Patrick Warren, and Greg Leisz. Thirteen slabs grease this disc: The first two songs, ’Run Myself Out Of Town’ and ‘Shine’, are the work of the trio. ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’ and ‘You Won’t Be Livin’ Here Anymore’ bemoan the guys: Wendell sings his ‘Opportunity To Cry’ and Sherman joins him on ‘I’m So Lonely’. Popsy joins them on seven other ballads.The Holmes Brothers have become one of the blues’ best acts. You’ll see yourself! Mark A. Cole


Robert Cray
Phone Booth
Hightone Records HCD-8164

Cray is one of the greatest R & B singers and players the world knows. Essentially a best hits album, Phone Booth dates to 1983 and 1985. Robert used two bands during this period of his career; sharing the rhythm section. The title song, ‘Don’t Touch Me’, Porch Light’, ‘The Last Time’, Bad Influence’, Playin’ In The Dirt’, ‘Change of Heart,Change Of Mind’, Got To Make A Comeback’, ‘The Grinder’, ‘Where Do I Go From Here’, ‘Payin’ For It Now’, and ‘I’ve Slipped Her Mind’ are the roster. Robert packs venues and it’s his old songs that are in vogue. This Hightone release will be tremendously popular. Mark A. Cole


Natalie Macmaster
In My Hands
Rounder Records 11661-7025-2

Fiddler master Natalie Macmaster has gathered a crew. With the special thanks of Alison Krauss. Macmaster leads with a traditional song and she melds a six-part medley. ‘Gramma’ touches acoustically with a duet set-up. ‘Get Me Through December’ starts to slow down.‘The Farewell’, ‘MoxhamCastle’, Mom’s Jig’, and ‘Flora Macmaster’ shine with excellence. World music, move over; Classical vs. Bluegrass. Natalie fuses the two styles. Mark A. Cole


Omar & The Howlers
Boogie Man
Ruf Records RUF-1093

Sometimes Omar Dykes and his Howlers cast a New Orleans flavor where they light, tho’ they’re from Austin,Texas. Omar hosts a bevy of guitarists on different songs; Papa Mali Westbourne, Chris Duarte, and Jon Dee Graham. Double Trouble; Chris Layton (drums) and Tommy Shannon (bass) lend a hand on a couple, too. Shannon powers most of the bottom on this cd. Guest vocalist Alejandro Escovedo does his bit, as well. Other sessionists include George Rains, George Reiff, and James Fenner. Omar’s unique voice has the handle on the others though; take ‘White Crosses’ and ‘Shakin’’. Omar and the Howlers have a killer album here. Mark A. Cole

.............................................................page - 03 -