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 EUGENE ‘HIDEAWAY’ BRIDGES
Coming Home
Armadillo ARMD0021
www.bluearmadillo.com
Louisiana born singer/ guitarist Eugene has been a popular figure across Europe and beyond for a good few years now, his soulful vocals and straight blues playing deservedly ensuring him a dedicated following. This set, recorded largely in Austin, Texas, is an extremely satisfying blend of contemporary blues and southern styled soul, with many of the lyrics reflecting Eugene’s status as an international blues man - there are several references to catching planes to different parts of the world and even mentions of playing support to BB King at the Royal Albert Hall (and take a listen to the slow blues ‘I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me’ or the closing ‘I Woke Up This Morning’ to hear BB’s influence on the younger man’s vocal and guitar styles). All the songs are originals, ‘You’re The One’ bears traces of Sam Cooke’s inspiration and just slays me, the band cooks throughout, several guests add spice to the musical gumbo (labelmate Rocky Athas adds some very fine guitar work to a couple of tracks) and the result is highly recommended of course! Norman Darwen
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 Artist: Garry & the Complainers
Title: Turn the Page Back
Label: Demo 01
This is the third demo release from Garry Cogdell (please, will some enterprising label give this man a contract) but, it is the first with his new band; The Complainers, who are; Doctor Harmonica (Mark Kennealey), Johnny D (DiGiovanni); drums, & Jerry Kirk; bass, guest lead on “Mystery Train,” is Tommy Alderson. The four numbers on the disc are made up of two originals from Garry; “Turn Back the Page,” and “Jimmy Reed,” whilst the other two are standards; Tommy Johnsons‘ “Big Road Blues,” and Junior Parkers’ “Mystery Train,”
Now that Garry has expanded musically to a trio, a wider, more expansive sound is upon us; and as I always like to give subtle hints on style and delivery. I am of the opinion that The Complainers have combined the rich, dark chocolateley brown fifties sound, as delivered by Dave Edmunds Rockpile with the contemporary approach of the Blasters present day Americana. Garry’s languid, honeyed whisky, almost horizontal vocals take on a new urgency and vitality especially on an absolutely storming version of “Mystery Train,” all memories of Elvis’s version have been firmly put to one side. The writing, playing and performances of Garry and his Complainers just keep getting better and better. I just can’t wait for the debut album.
Surf the web for this!
To obtain this cd contact Garry at: thecog@8cs.com
Brian Harman. |
 Artist: Various Artists
Title: Big City Rhythm Vol. One
Label: Cee Pee Vee Records CPVCD1001
From the land of ice, snow, dynamite and original Volvos we have; against the expected grain, sweet rockin’ music, encompassing the sounds of; darkened avenues and alleyways to the bright neon lighted, sweaty, interiors of after hour’s clubs. The forties and fifties never sounded so good. Nine, of the quality twenty one numbers on offer here are original compositions; although you would (as I did) have to check the sleeve notes to find out which the standards were and which were the new numbers. The undeniable quality of the music and musicianship on this album ranges from the rich mellow Goree Carter inspired guitar work to the sleazy street lit saxophone sound, interplayed with the atmospherically haunting harmonica, underpinning the spot-on period vocals. This is not merely a trip down memory lane but a twenty first century approach and love for quality timeless music and if you dismiss this album, you do yourself and the music a disservice.
I certainly would like to be more acquainted with the earlier recordings of the artists performing on this album.
Essential listening!
To obtain more information go to: http://www.ceepeeveerecords.se or email blues@ceepeeveerecords.se
Brian Harman. |
 ELVIN BISHOP
GETTIN’ MY GROOVE BACK
Blind Pig BPCD5100
TRACKS: What The Hell Is Going On; I’ll Be Glad; Sweet Dreams; That’s My Thing; Blues Train; He’s A Dog; Got to Be New Orleans; Come On Blues; Party Til Cows Come Home
Elvin Bishop has more than a forty-year professional involvement with the blues. As you might know, he was one of the founding members of the legendary Paul Butterfield Band in the early sixties. He was a mainstay on the 60s San Francisco Filmore scene. This album is his first studio album in seven years, and his first one with Blind Pig Records. The album reflects Elvin’s casual blues style as well as his tasty guitar playing. Elvin can be humorous or spin a downhome story. Elvin wrote or co-wrote eight of the nine tunes. He sings lead vocals in seven tracks; plays rhythm guitar on all tracks; and plays lead guitar on five of the nine tracks. Many guest artists enhance this CD.
The first song, “What The Hell Is Going On,” is about the frustrating world conditions, played in a Hound Dog Taylor rhythm pattern. Elvin’s vocals here are rough-edged. The second song, “ I”ll Be Glad,” follows with the message of being glad when he gets his groove back again. This is one of the three lead vocals by Bobby Cochran. Track three, “Sweet Dreams” is an absolute gem. Elvin plays one of the most beautiful instrumental versions I have ever heard of this song. His slide guitar is sweet and singing and could almost melt one away.
The next three songs are down to earth and folksy, where Elvin often narrates parts. “That’s My Thing” is a spirited song about his favorite things like “pluckin’ this rhythm and singing these blues,” and growing his own food. He is the engineer on the “Blues Train” that takes all on a swingin’ blues train. Guest, Henry Butler, shows off his fine piano solos. The song, “He’s A Dog,” has humorous tales of Kirby. Song 7, “Got To Be New Orleans has a funky beat . The “Come on Blues” is a deep, almost eerie blues. Then it is party time with “Party Til Cows Come Home.”
This CD is varied in its selections and in different rhythm patterns. No matter what, Elvin Bishop is an entertainer. It is good to have him back on the CD scene. Maria Bainer
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 SAM TAYLOR
Biggest Dream
Back Alley Records/ Walboomers Music WBB 001
www.bluzman.com
Sam ‘Bluzman’ Taylor has become a firm favourite on the European festival circuit over the last few years, which is hardly surprising given his more than half a century of experience providing songs for the likes of Freddie King, Son Seals, Esther Phillips, Maxine Brown, and Jimmy Witherspoon (among many others), acting as bandleader and guitarist for many groups from the Drifters and the Isley Brothers on down, and recording (since 1959) for numerous labels big and small.
For this set however, the eagle-eyed will have noticed that he has dropped the ‘Bluzman’ tag - it is not an oversight. Sam’s strong voice tackles 14 tracks on this set, six of them originals, five of them from previous albums and the remainder brand new recordings - and they are all gospel, or at the very least inspirational i.e. songs with a positive message, such as the old Carole King composition ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ (which I did expect Sam to turn into a gospel song pure and simple; he doesn’t, though the treatment itself is pure modern gospel). The treatments he gives these numbers vary from the relatively traditional to the downright funky to the almost country & western - and the band is equally eclectic and accomplished, Heather Hardy’s violin bringing to mind Sugarcane Harris (from his John Mayall ‘USA Union’ stint) in places.
I was certainly impressed - Sam handles the lot with confidence and ease, and this is rather a brave release. Certainly anyone familiar with Sam and his music will find much to enjoy here, though those who have not yet made the man’s acquaintance should perhaps search the man’s back catalogue a little before purchasing this set.
Norman Darwen
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 Artist: Howard Glazer & the EL 34’s
Title: Brown Paper Bag
Label: Random Chance RCD-23
Howard is a born and bred Detroit ‘Motorcity’ man, who after spending some time experiencing the delights of Chicago returned to Detroit and subsequently went on to tour successfully worldwide for six years as one half of a highly acclaimed duo, the other half being ‘Harmonica Shah,’ since then Howard has decided to become his own man after the ’musical differences’ between them caused a permanent split
Having formed the EL34’s with Bob Goodwin on bass and Charles Stuart on drums, Howard completes the trio with electric and acoustic guitars and of course his eloquently delivered, soft, slightly hoarse voice.
The band, I believe, have achieved the tricky (some might say the impossible) balance of merging rock with blues without losing sight (and sound) of the subtle nuances required of deftly played blues guitar.
All thirteen of the numbers are Howard and the band originals: the two longest numbers “Sad Situation,” lasting seven minutes and seven seconds and “The Dogs They Bark at Midnight,” which at nine minutes and nineteen seconds, seem to finish all too quickly as one is compulsively drawn and immersed into the mixture of hard biting riffs and delicate soul touching picking complemented with hair straightening slide guitar.
Special guest vocalists Maggie McCabe and Stephanie Johnson give fine support on “Going to Chicago,” “Don’t Love You No More,” and “Smokin’ and Drinkin’ “
There is a hint of a wilder side to this band with the (I presume) Hendrix influenced “Freedom,” which lasts a mere one minute and forty six seconds.
A very enjoyable album, I thoroughly recommend it! Brian Harman. |
 Artist: Warm Gun
Title: Invisible Man
Label: Buffalo Bounce BB RONE 01
Warm Gun is a duo consisting of Fred Ghidelli; guitar and Max Pieri; bass, maracas, spoons, stomp box and vocals, who, as far as I’m aware are from and currently reside in Italy. Once you have settled down to hear the uniqueness of blues sung in an Italian accent you can begin to appreciate just what Fred and Max have to offer; for with this selection of original compositions and truly historic standards;” Rains All Night,” “Spoonful,” and “Dimples.” Played in a medley (although to my ears they seem to be stand alone numbers) they stand side by side with their compositions without any lessening of quality. The overall sound from Fred’s guitar is one of a mixture of Ronnie Wood’s sizzling rough edged slide and the contrasting smooth mellowness of T-Bone Walker. Max’s contribution is wide and various for he presents us with the solid box beat of rockabilly emerging into, with what seems to be an upright bass; cool hip swinging Jazz inflected blues; finally flowering into heartfelt pleading.
A fascinating, Italian offering, worth a listen or two! Brian Harman. |
 DOUG JAY & The Blue Jays
Jackpot!
CrossCut ccd 11083
www.crosscut.de www.dougjay.com
Singer and harmonica ace Doug Jay was born in Florida and has worked on the Boston blues scene and established a firm reputation on the competitive California circuit before settling in Germany some years ago. Since then he has become a major figure on the European blues circuit and despite following his career with interest since the early nineties, I have yet to see anything less than a rave review about him or his music. This will maintain that tradition.
With sleeve notes from no less than Little Charlie & the Nite Cats frontman Rick Estrin, a man who certainly no a thing or two about good music, this is bound to be a winner all the way. Doug has a light and convincing vocal and his harp work avoids being flashy for its own sake - though there is never the slightest doubt that he can play, and he can range from the tough sound of the Windy City to the rolling approach of the Big Easy, from the humidity of the Louisiana swamp blues to the self-assuredness of the California swing-blues. The lyrics are always interesting, the melodies stick long after the CD has been returned to its jewel-box, and the backing is always first-rate, with guests of the calibre of saxman Gordon Beadle and pianist Christian Rannenberg, and I must make especial mention to Doug’s regular guitarist Christoph ‘Jimmy’ Reiter, who is in excellent form throughout.
Another winner for Crosscut, another winner for Doug Jay - both hit the jackpot here, and as Rick Estrin points out, so too does the listener. Recommended, of course! Norman Darwen
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 THE GERMANS
That’s Allright
Rudolphon RDP 150
www.MarcBreitfelder.com
Born out of the Kiel blues scene, which is lovingly documented by producer Marc Breitfelder in the lavish booklet accompanying this set, the GerMANs is a loose aggregation of musicians, consisting of Detlef Reimers on vocals and guitar, Marc himself (almost stealing the show with some outstanding playing in a variety of styles) on harmonica and Georg Schroeter on piano and vocals, Jan Mohr, Jack Cook or Daffy Deblitz on guitars, with an occasional rhythm section which includes double bass player Lars Vegas, and drummers Tom Ripphahn or Klaas Wendling (obviously not all at the same time).
The warm-voiced Detlef is the only constant player throughout and the approach, as one might expect, is wonderfully diverse, from a folksy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee inspired cover of John Mayall’s 1969 single ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ and an accomplished, achingly wistful blues rendering of Bob Dylan’s ‘Don’t Think Twice’ to a good old-fashioned rocking and rolling rendition of Big Boy Crudup’s ‘Mean Old Frisco’ and the Cajun flavoured rocker ‘Come On Down’. In between these two extremes are a lovely jug-band styled version of Jazz Gillum’s ‘Crazy About You’, a couple of ‘classic blues’ items, some raggy East Coast styled playing and tougher Mississippi inflected numbers. However, it is something of a jar to hear Detlef handling both the male and female roles on ‘Mama, If I Go Away’ by the vaudeville blues duo Butterbeans and Susie!
I enjoyed this hour long CD immensely, having previously heard of a couple of the protagonists but being (shamefully) totally ignorant of the rest. This set will certainly encourage me to investigate further. Norman Darwen
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 THE PHIFER MARSHALL BAND
Powerhouse Blues
(no label name or issue number)
www.phifermarshallband.com
The title may lead the average reader to expect a blues-rock set from this Richmond, Virginia based four-piece led by powerful female singer Mattie Phifer, who also plays guitar and also supplies some very meaty harmonica work occasionally,. This supposition wouldn’t be too far off the mark, but it does fall a little short as this is a band that knows the value of dynamics and light and shade. Guitarist Rick Marshall is as adept at the heavy rock influenced riffing of the lurching ‘Please Call Daddy’ as he is at the jazzy licks of his own ‘You Don’t Know What I Want’, whilst the rhythm section of Greg Willard on bass and Dave McNeer on drums is equally versatile. The final number ditches the blues in favour of a rock ballad, but for the rest, whilst there may not be anything earth-shattering, there is enough to demonstrate that here is a band worth watching and hearing (and probably dancing along to) - and I love the cool strut of ‘Mill Hill Midge’.
Norman Darwen
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 Rockin’ Janitor
Zydeco Experience Live
Label: ORF CD 357
Born in Vienna, Austria in 1972, accordionist Jan ‘Rockin’ Janitor’ Eckerl, the son of jazz and blues saxman Franz Eckerl, is steeped in the musical traditions of Louisiana, having discovered the music of Clifton Chenier at the age of 12 and gone on to play in America with the likes of Beau Jocque, Chubby Carrier, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Steve Riley, Johnnie Allan and perhaps most significantly, C J Chenier. This set, recorded and released by Radio Osterreich (Austria), shows that he learned his lessons well.
Unusually, this is a totally instrumental set, with support only from Philipp Bruna on frottoir (rub-board) and Erich Dirnwober on triangle; that is just fine, as Jan is a true virtuoso on his instrument, endlessly inventive and more than proficient in both the dirty, bass heavy sound of low-down bluesy zydeco (try ‘Do The Bass’) and the lighter, white Cajun inflections of, for example, ‘Junior Martin Two Step’, whilst he also exhibit a fondness for uptempo boogie which translates well to his chosen instrument. Nor is he afraid to look beyond the idiom, with ‘Zydeco Bounce’ neatly incorporating what seem to be elements of dub reggae, and ‘Blue Alice’ nigh on unclassifiable - but then Jan wraps things up with an effortlessly traditional ‘Jolie Blon’ - and of course I should also mention that nine of the dozen tracks are Eckerl originals.
To sum up then, an intriguing and exciting release that lovers of zydeco accordion should make a real effort to track down. Norman Darwen
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 Artist: Last Fair Deal
Title: Another Lucid Moment
Label: R.U.M. Records LZ 20044
This is the second album from Last Fair Deal and from the first song onwards it is evident that this band knows exactly what it is about, twenty first century nostalgia; for all of us over 45’s and no bad thing it is either.
L. F. D. is a German band who have taken a selection of songs from artists such as Robert Johnson, Roscoe Gordon and Don Van Vliet {Captain Beefheart} combined them with original compositions and created a slow burning deftly played inventively twisting turning harmonica led piece, almost rustic in its feeling,. The mellow wafting of the harmonica glides across this smooth canvas that the resonating double bass provides; allowing the guitar to paint gentle almost pastoral audio pictures with which to delight the listener.
L.F.D. are Jorg Schnieder; vocals, guitar Thomas Hanke; harmonica, Franz Schwarznau; double bass and Peter Krutsch; drums.
Together they may well show a particular fondness for the late sixties approach to the blues, but when the manner in which they present it to us is so inventively interpreted it can only reawaken our interest in music we have left on our record shelves for too long.
Well worth a listen or two.
Brian Harman.
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 Artist: Aaron Alnight
Title: Devil in Disguise
Label: Alnight Music 9583
Aaron Alnight is a young Texan musician who is part of a collection of blues musicians who can be found on the mytexasmusic.com site and this is the latest offering from Aaron, it is mainly a solo album performed with electric and bass guitars. On the only number, not written by Aaron “Reminds me of Lovin’ You,” further accompaniment is provided by Rene Lawrence on guitar and David Mills on viola. Whilst I have no complaints about Aarons’ musical skill; his strikingly effective playing ranges from smooth mellow tones to rich bass dexterity, his Jazz influenced forays which appear throughout the album combine very well with his chocolatey tinged vocals.
Unfortunately his somewhat suggestive and juvenile lyrical approach to his subject matter on numbers such as “Jailbait Jump,” “Red Riding Hood ,” and “Wicked Woman,” leaves one with the impression that Aaron is a very naughty boy alone at home with too much time on his hands who doesn’t get out very much and possesses an extremely vivid imagination.
Assuming Aaron can broaden his outlook on his subject matter he could produce an album everybody can enjoy; not just those with headphones and a nightlight.
Brian Harman.
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ODYSSEY BLUES BAND
Look What We Done
 Oddiscs 1005
www.odysseyblues.co.uk
Track listing:
1. Me and my woman (3:38)
2. Sick and tired (2:42)
3. Hard times (2:37)
4. Learn to treat me right (2:49)
5. Look whatcha done (2:53)
This is a five track CD from a long standing London based outfit with a deservedly growing reputation - and a nicely varied set it is too, ranging from Chicago to New Orleans, a blues ballad to a hint of the funk but with the blues always firmly at the core. Well-played it is too, though given the collective experience of the band, this may come as no surprise. Singer and harpman (some nice Little Walter stylings) Dave Dix, the excellent guitarist Alan Vincent, bassist and leader Pete Duke, and Japanese drummer Mimi Hajime Ueoka have between them worked with the likes of such esteemed figures of the British blues scene as Bob Brunning’s Deluxe Blues Band, Shakey Vick, singer Mississippi John L. Watson, the Pretty Things, Otis Grand, Brian Knight and Big Joe Louis. That list should give some idea of their capabilities, and this CD is well worth checking out.
Norman Darwen
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