Well... Well... Well
M.C. Records MC-0042
These recordings date back to 1986-1993, when R.L. Burnside was touring with friend and musical collaborator, Jon Morris. A harp player and guitar man, Morris toured extensively through the period both in the US and abroad. Here presented are performances from the Queen Street Playhouse in Charleston, South Carolina; at the Het Paard Theatre in The Hague, Holland; Jon's home in Gieterveen, Holland; in a Ninth Ward, New Orleans home; and a couple tunes from performances in Athens, Greece.
There is some acoustic solo stuff from R.L., some work with Morris and Curtis Salgado, and the rest with the trio: Calvin Jackson on drums, R.L., and Morris. This work shows the consistent nod to heavy syncopation, deep and dark rhythnns, and storytelling-bad-life blues. Aiways ready to throw in the discordant phrasing, elusive chording, or an observant ad-lib, R. L. is the epitome of raw, north Mississippi rural blues. There is sometimes a foreboding and spirit to R.L.'s raucous blues recipe.
The disc opens with a short one minute interview before launching into a sparse and strident version of Howlin' Wolf's "How Many More Years". Other covers are Muddy's "Can't Be Satisfied", Little Walter's "Last Night", Willie Dixon's "My Babe", Lightnin' Hopkins' "Mojo Hand", and Jimmy Rogers' "Goin' Away Baby". Done Burnside's way, each of these becomes his own, more primal and exciting mix. Eighteen tunes grace this platter, and twelve of them are his works and arrangements.
R.L. has become extremely popular over the last few years, and that engaging presence on the market continues to cross borders and generations. The bonus here is the additional musicianship and i nterwoven harmonies of R. L. and Jon Morris. Like a lifelong performing partner, Morris fills the holes in R.L.'s voids. This biscuit is another must-have for the R.L. Iegions, candy for north Mississippi blues freaks, and down right real blues for anyone wanting an introduction to the real thing! Mark A. Cole
M.C. Records; P.O. Box 1788; Huntington Station, NY 11746: or, www.mc-records.com
& Jimmy Thackery
That's It
Blue Rock'lt Records BRCD 132
David Raitt handles most of the vocal chores here with his refreshingly soulpacked mannerisms. Thackery provides all the guitar and also takes lead vocals on one cut. Background vocalists include Bonnie Raitt on two cuts, along with Mz. Dee on one. The rhythm section of bassist DeWayne Pate and drummer Ron Beck keep the mixes chuggin'. David Mathews is heard on the keys and the horns belong to saxist John Saunders and Mic Gillette on trumpet and trombone.
Beginning with an elegant version of "I'd Rather Be Blind, Crippled, And Crazy", you will hear the soulful vocal character of David Raitt. Of course, the extraordinary six string work of Thackery banks each tune with a wealth of exquisite phrasings and beautiful notation. Following with Thackery's "Tell Me" the tempo romps into a groovin' rock blues number with a killer rhythm. The engine room powers through the thirteen song set with positive and explosive foundations. Raitt's rockin' shuffle "Same Thing" has funk lined guitar action, and it leads comfortably into their heavy rendition of Wolf's "How Many More Years".
With a few other well-known covers like Otis Rush's "It Takes Time", Roosevelt Sykes' "Driving Wheel", and the Rice standard "Cheaper To Keep Her", Raitt and Thackery show a common bond playing together. With reworking of their own material, both men also respond similarly and accordingly. The profile of talent on this disc is reflective of the raw energy and musical integrity found on this biscuit. This is definitely award material! These are nothin' short of solid blues with an allegiance to West Coast structure and the sweet soul sound of Memphis. Mark A. Cole
Blue Rock'lt Records; P.O. Box 383; Redwood Valley, CA 95470: or, www.bluerockit.com
Stroke It
Ecko Records #ECD-1030
St. Louis, Missouri is home to Barbara Carr. This sensational and soul-styled singer has gotten together with Memphis' Ecko Records for her fourth release on the label. The out-spoken woman's advocate sings songs of love, sex, and life; and she speaks to man and woman with her Iyrical conversation.
Carr's soul-packed R & B flavoring is part voice, part stage presence confidence, and part the writing of Raymond Moore and John Ward. Barbara knows how to sing these tracks with the passion and fire she lays into her live show. A sultry, sensual, and sexy force flows from her performance; whether audible or visible! Like the opening "Good With Your Hips" or the closer "Give A Woman What She Wants"; you know you're not at the high school prom.
Barbara's exquisite vocal profile is jacked up by the rhythm tracks and guitar action of John Ward. He also produces the effort. The hornplayers are Jim Spake and Scott Thompson, and the background vocalists are: William Brown, Bertram Brown, E. Nelson, and Quinn Golden. This is Carr's baby however, as she stretches her vocal cords on ten songs that fit her like a glove. Outspoken, laudy, bawdy, and throwing around all the right weight, Carr should have another hoppin' hit.
This disc is in the tradition of Memphis/Motown soulful blues and R & B. While rhythms are simple and percussive; Ward lays out some emphatic harmonies atop them. Carr doesn't disappoint ... get on her progressive soul train! You'il never want to get off! Mark A. Cole
Ecko Records; 5242 Helene Cove; Memphis, TN 38117: or, www.eckorecords.com
