CRUCIAL BLUES SERIES, number4-6, Alligator Records ALCD 117-119

The fourth through sixth CDs in this series have so many exciting moments in every CD that one could rave on for days. But brevity is hopefully important, since these three CDs are a continuing part of the great low budget price series - (In U.S. $7.98 per disc vs. at least double this price for a regular CD). All the songs have been released on albums, which are detailed in the liner notes. Each track was remastered, and the artists cover the entire span of Alligator’s 33-year history. For your information, Parts 1-3 in the series include: Crucial Guitar Blues; Crucial Harmonica Blues; and Critical Chicago Blues.


CRUCIAL SLIDE GUITAR BLUES
Alligator ALCD 117

SONGS: Johnny Winter: It’s My Life, Baby; Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials; Never Miss Your Water; A.C. Reed with Bonnie Raitt: She’s Fine; Luther Allison: Give Me Back My Wig; Elvin Bishop: I’m Gone; Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin: The Same Thing; Sonny Landreth: Taylor’s Rock; The Kinsey Report: When The Church Burned Down; Michael Hill’s Blues Mob: She’s Gone; Corey Harris: Jack O’Diamonds; Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers: The Sun Is Shining; Dave Hole: Out Of Here

Alligator has gone back into their vaults for many of these tunes. It is refreshing to reminisce over various artists. Several highlights of this album include: the piercing slide guitar of Johnny Winters; the fast-paced tribute to Hound Dog Taylor by Luther Allison; the boogie-flavored vocals and guitar of Michael Hill’s Blues Mob; the unlike his typical self, Hound Dog Taylor, and the exciting, dramatic, awesome king of the slide guitar, Dave Hole. But hang in there, the other seven tunes on this CD are also interesting to listen to.


CRUCIAL TEXAS BLUES
Alligator AlCD 118

SONGS: Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown: She Walks Right In; Johnny Copeland with Albert Collins: Lion’s Den; Long John Hunter: Both Ends of The Road; W.C. Clark: Midnight Hour Blues; Katie Webster with Lonnie Brooks: Those Lonely, Lonely Nights; Phillip Walker with Long John Hunter: Street Walkin’ Woman; Johnny Winter: Tin Pan Alley; Floyd Dixon: 450 Pound Woman; C.J.Chenier: Richest Man; Delbert McClinton: Standing On Shaky Ground; Marcia Ball: I’m Coming Down With The Blues; Albert Collins: Too Many Dirty Dishes

Again, most of these songs are fun to listen to get a broad flavor of Texas blues. Ones that made the top of the highlight list include: the full-bodied duet and dialogue of Katie Webster and Lonnie Brooks; the emotionally strong Johnny Winter; the soulful CJ Chenier; and the superb guitar solos of Albert Collins. The other eight artists on this album are also exciting to hear.


CRUCIAL LIVE BLUES
Alligator CD 119

SONGS: Lonnie Mack: Riding The Blinds; Albert Collins: Tired Man; Luther Allison: Cherry Red Wine; Koko Taylor: Going Back to Iuka; Elvin Bishop:My Dog; Little Charlie & The Nightcats: Eyes Like A Cat; Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women: Dump That Chump; Lonnie Brooks: Born With The Blues; James Cotton: Born in Chicago; Son Seals: Call My Job; Delbert McClinton: Going Back to Louisiana; Dave Hole: Short Fuse Blues; Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers: Dust My Broom

Live performances always seem to bring out the best of the musicians. This album is no exception, and seems to capture peak performances of many of the artists. Outstanding performaces include: Luther Allison: with his lengthy, powerful performance of “ Cherry Red Wine;” Koko Taylor’s depthful version of “Going to Iuka; Lonnie Brooks dynamic rendition of “Born With The Blues;” Hound Dog Taylor’s strong performance of “ Dust My Broom; “ and David Hole’s awesome, emotional version of “Short Fuse Blues.” The other eight artists also add fine renditions of their songs.

The albums in this series offer a good chance to hear some of the finest Alligator recording artists over the years. The categories are well-chosen to represent Alligator recording artists in meaningful categories. At this bargain price, one can afford to buy the entire set for many hours of worthwile listening. Do check them out and add some fine dimensions to your CD library. Maria Bainer


KAREN TYER
ALL SHADES OF BLUE
Rocket Cat 105

SONGS: Starvation Box Blues; True Love; Hen House Boogie; All Shades of Blue; Tehachapi Bound; I’m Not Afraid; New Thing; Whatcha Gonna Do For Love; Sing Me Up An Angel; Lovin’ You; Crown Of Jewels; 3rd Avenue; Lemon’s Shoes

Karen Tyler hails from Austin, Texas. She moved to the Central California Coast in 1998. Although Karen had established herself as the most multitalented performer in the area, and had performed in various blues festivals and venues around the country, it was winning first place in the second Monterey Bay Blues Festival Battle Of The Bands, in November, 2002 , that really opened up more horizons for Karen.

Karen sings her songs with deep, mature vocals. She is equally comfortable with electric and acoustic guitars. Her several versions of Piedmont Style Blues - like “New Thing,” “Crown of Jewels,” and “Lemon’s Shoes” indicate her mastery of this acoustic style, which is more gentle and more rhythmically elastic that the Delta variety. These songs, and others, are enhanced with the lap steel guitar playing of her husband, Fred Murray, a regular in her band. Her R&B numbers, like “Starvation Box,” “Whatcha Gonna Do For Love,” her “Hen House Boogie” and her fast and jazzy, “Sing Me Up An Angel” show her prowess with an electric guitar. She also plays rhythm guitar and Mandolin on these numbers. Others play lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and drums in other numbers. She sings “All Shades of Blue,” the title track, and is the most soft and mellow in her vocals of “Lovin’ You.” All the lyrics to the songs are in the liner notes, which add another fine dimension to the performance. Karen wrote all the timeless classics on this CD.

This is a group of very listenable songs which express good, solid emotions. Karen’s vocals and guitar playing, plus the pleasant rhythms of the band and the extra bonus of her husband’s lap steel guitar playing, make this album a special package.
For more information, check out her website at: http://www.karentyler.com. Maria Bainer

SWEET DADDY COOL BREEZE
BACK FOR MORE
SDCB5555

SONGS: 1. Big Sea Of The Blues, 2. Come Love Me Shoes, 3. No More Tears, 4. Too High To Drive, 5. Blues Is Fun, 6. Doin What We Choose, 7. Let's Rock, 8. Frank G Rohan Blues, 9. Likin Stik, 10. NIN Ain't The Blues, 11. Lighten Up, 12. Boogie Time, 13. You Gonna Miss Me

Wally Greany, a.k.a. "Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze," released his fourth CD called "Back For More." His thirteen songs are packed full of high energy. The selection of music brings swinging boogies (1,4), very intensive and powerful city blues (2), exciting "slow" blues ballads (3,11,13), and also the good old rock 'n' roll (7).

Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze plays a very powerful harp with feeling, and blows a traditional sax which is very groovy. His vocals are also perfect. His guitarist, Marl Easton, is especially good with his slide playing. The bassman is Eddy Humber and the drummer is Barry Easton. Special guests are Joe Elliot, playing super keyboards, and Jim McNamara playing the drums on tracks 4, 11, and 12. These musicians bring a full background dimension to the CD and make many songs special.

This New York/ - based group was formed in 1990. They are often the openers for Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Koko Taylor, Matt Murphy, and many others.

Wally Greaney plans a 2004 tour of Europe. Blues fans of Germany, France, and Switzerland know him and his band from the past, and are looking forward to the upcoming gigs. The hope of a gig in Austria is still standing and waiting. The band for Europe is formed: Wally Greany, harp, sax, and vocals; Joe Fonda,
bass; Uwe Herr, gtr.; and Pete Perfido, drums.

This is a very powerful, professional blues band with an enormous feeing!!!! We are looking forward to seeing this very friendly and extraordinary band. This new CD of Wally Greaney, a.k.a. Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze, is very enjoyable and worth hearing many times.

Wally Greaney "Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze" präsentiert seine vierte CD mit dem Titel "Back For More" und seine dreizehn Songs sind tatsächlich vollgepumpt mit geballter Energie. Der musikalische Bogen spannt sich vom schwungvollen, swingenden Boogie (1,4) über intensiven, kräftigen City Blues (2) und spannenden, balladenartigen "Slow" Blues (3,11,13) aber auch der gute alte Rock´n`Roll (7) kommt nicht zu kurz.

"Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze" spielt eine kraft- und gefühlvolle Mundharmonika, Sax - sehr traditionell mit viel "Groove" und bestreitet in gekonntester Weise den Gesang. Neben ihm profiliert sich der Gitarrist Mark Easton, besonders mit seinem "Slide" Spiel. Am Bass hören wir Eddy Humber und am Schlagzeug Barry Easton. Weiters wirken mit, Joe Elliot an den Keyboards (super) und bei den Tracks 4,11 und 12 der Schlagzeuger Jim McNamara. Sie versorgen in gekonntester Weise den Background und viele Interpretationen werden dadurch zu besonderen "Highlights".

Mit dieser Formation, welche seit 1990 besteht, war die Band auch "Opener" für Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Koko Taylor, Matt Murphy und andere. Auch Legenden, wie Jaymoe von den Allman Brothers und John Kay von "Steppenwolf" zählen zu den besonderen Freunden der Gruppe. Im Mai dieses Jahres, soll von John Kay & Friends eine DVD herausgebracht werden.

Wally Greaney tourt auch heuer in Europa und Bluesfreunde aus Germany, France und Switzerland, welche ihn schon aus den vergangenen Jahren kennen, werden diese Konzerte auf keinen Fall missen wollen, da ihnen begeisterte Bluesnächte bevorstehen. Österreich, wie immer hinten nach - am Sektor Konzerte - bleibt nur zu hoffen, dass auch in unserem Land ein Konzerte stattfinden wird. "He Man", this is a very powerful professional Blues Band with a enormous feeling!!!
Die Band der Europa-Tour besteht aus: Wally Greaney; hca, sax, vcl, Joe Fonda; bs, Uwe Herr; gtr und Pete Perfido; dms.

Bis dorthin verbleibt nur die Empfehlung: eine sehr symphatische Band, mit einer ausgezeichneten CD bei der niemals lange Weile aufkommt. FS (Fotos ctsy Wally Greaney) Tip: http://clik.to/sweetdaddy


KENNY NEAL & BILLY BRANCH
DOUBLE TAKE
Alligator ALCD 4894

SONGS: (1) Going Down Slow; (2) The Son I Never Knew, (Take 2); (3) I Just Keep Loving Her; (4) My Babe; (5) Early One Morning; (6) Going To The Country; (7) Don’t Start Me To Talking; (8) Mannish Boy; (9) Billy & Kenny’s Stomp; (lO) Baby Bee; (11) Northern Man Blues; (12) The Son I Never Knew (Take 1)

Kenny Neal and Billy Branch have influenced the blues world since they were teenagers, some twenty to twenty-five years ago. Both have been successful and popular, and both have recorded with their own electric bands. So when the two of them decided to make an acoustic duet album in France, it was a rare treat. The album was made in 1998 and released under the French Isabel Records label. It was called: “Easy Meeting,” (Isabel 649801). Finally it is available in North American on the Alligator Label, and now called: “Double Take.”

This album has some fantastic harmonica blowing by Billy Branch and some equally as great guitar playing by Kenny Neal. The assumption is that since it is a duet album, each one plays their part throughout the album. It is mesmerizing to listen to the wonderful interplay between the guitar and harp !m No matter whether the rhythm pattern is slow, sad blues; bouncy, uptempo tunes; or tender blues, the harp and guitar are right there in perfect harmony.Neal does vocals on six tracks, Branch sings on four of the tunes, and both of them sing together on “Mannish Boy.” The two of them do an instrumental, “Billy And Kenny’s Stomp,” which they co-wrote. Neal wrote or co-wrote three other tunes, and Branch wrote one.

The album is rich in the selections, and hardly a bad apple can be found.Many of the tunes are their renditions of well-known cover songs. My only comment is that is hard to understand why any album needs two takes of the same song like this one has. Both Neal and Branch are highly talented and have made names for themselves. Neal is said to have “emerged as one of the few names on the short list of current blues greats.” He is muti-talented in terms of the number of instruments he plays, and also in the fact that he is songwriter, musician, and actor. Branch, six years older than Neal, received the “Living Blues Critics Award” in 1993 for “Most Outstanding Musician” in the harmonica category. In addition to his performances and recordings, he also teaches in the Blues In The Schools program.

The musical gems on this album are super, especially with an ear to the great harmonica and guitar duets. It is exciting to know that two blues greats, Neal and Branch, found time in their busy schedules to record this highly enjoyable album. Maria Bainer

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