All Night Long
Severn Records CD-0009
Joe Maher has formulated a reactive, yet not retro, brand of R & B and swing blues. His upbringing on East Coast sounds, the rich R & B of the 50s & 60s, and the following, and then developing, rock 'n' roll sound made lasting impression on the young Big Joe. Having performed with the Dynaflows for combined decades, Maher is part of the incessantly pocketed groove they throw up. Big Joe, though, carries a profound and rightful musical confidence as the bandleader, drummer, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer on this effort.
At his side are Dynaflows Ivan Appelrouth on the guitar, John Cocuzzi on the piano and organ, and Steve Potter on the upright bass. Joe also has some of the finest saxophone players in the business gracing this effort; the veteran Joe Stanley the unstoppable Mark 'Kaz' Kazanoff, and Derek Huston. Also filling horn slots are John Jensen on trombone and Clyde Hunt blowing his trumpet. Background vocalists are Johnelle Gray, Earl Jones, and the Bar-B-Q Boys. Labelmate Benji Porecki provides his Hammond sound on two cuts also.
Kick it up with the opening rockin' shuffle and titletune "All Night Long". NHext with a little percussion and a New Orleans piano-led beat and you got Appelrouth's "Down In Louisiana". Get a doo-wopped harmonies on Joe's sterling rendition of Jimmy Witherspoon's "My Baby's Tops". Acrawlin' gospel blues harmony is heard on the organized "The Church Of Your Love", and "Maher's "You Were Always There". Joe has penned and co-written much of the material here, as do bandmates Appelrouth and Cocuni.
Flavors abound on this biscuit and with limited covers this disc is like breathing real oxygen; pure, clean, and unadulterated by contaminants. Joe's firm steerage and persistent throttle control keeps all in line and the executions coming off smoothly. There is quality composing, layered and intricate horn arrangements, and top-notch tenor vocals that strike a similar chord throughout this platter. Now, go and get yourself a taste of Big Joe's All Night Long action. Mark A. Cole
Severn Records, Inc.; P.O. Box 1450, Millersville,
MD 21108: Or, www.severnrecords.com
Say Baby Say
Cannonball Records CBD-29114
Alberta Adams has sung at the top of the Detroit blues scene for decades, she continues to tour and perform there, nationally and internationally. Her trusty, steady, and often comical vocal approach has no comparisons. Her liberating spirit will lift you from your seat, get your tired mind to thinkin, and your butt a' shakin'. She has indelibly left her mark on Detroit blues with her own brand of R & B that mixes deep blues, jump/swing tendencies, and jazzily spoken conversation with ya.
Alberta's lengthy Motown career has spanned six decades. She continues to work with the band of Johnnie Bassett, another Detroit fixture and ex-Fortune Records recording artist. Johnnie's jazzy, boppin', and swing stylings are the perfect fit to Alberta's big band voice. The ex-Count Basie songstress knows how to ply her voice as a lead instrument. Her captivating stage presence, though not visible here, is entirely audible throughout the disc .... Iaughing, joking, and offering pearls of wisdom during and between cuts.
Johnnie Bassett's big guitar sound sportingly adds the perfect complement to the lead vocals of Adams. He also sings a vocal duet with Alberta on the last tune "Nothing More To Say". Co-producers; drummer R.J. Spangler and keyboardist Bill Heid also support. Pat Prouty adds the acoustic bass, and Keith Kaminski lays out the tenor and baritone sax chores. Other horns include Dwight Adams on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Russ Miller on the alto saxophone. Guest musicians include Doug Deming on guitar, Brian Miller on harp, and George Heid adds his percussion.
Let Alberta tell ya like it is: about the good, the bad, and the ugly in life. From the no-good men, the beggars at every turn, or the longings and realities of relationships. This is no mere lecture about life, but more so the fodder of true blues. Let Alberta sing it to you, and it'll make you stop, look, and listen. The musicians put the cake in place, and Alberta puts on the frosting. Sweet and sassy as it comes! Mark A. Cole
Cannonball Records; 1660 Lake Drive West;
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Double Dealin'
Blue Thumb Records CD 314-549-4752
Lucky Peterson, son of bluesman James Peterson, has tailored a brilliant blues career of his own, gaining fans here and abroad. The New York state native, has returned to the US and is now living in Texas. His Buffalo upbringing brought him in contact with a flow of different bluesmen traveling through his father's club, The Governor's Inn. Playing at a tender age and studying academically, Lucky parlayed his experience into work beside Etta James and Otis Rush. He has put out four solo releases with Verve Records, and this is his second for Blue Thumb. He has also done
a gospel collaboration with soulstress Mavis Staples.
Lucky throws down the mean vocals, the tenacious Hammond B-3, and also drills out the lead guitar lines. He is helped by rhythm guitarist Johnny Lee Schell (Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal), along with the keyboards of New Orleans' Jon Cleary. In the engine room is Reggie McBride (Etta James) on the bass guitar, and Tony Braunagel on the skin set. The Texacali Horns, Joe Sublett and Darrell Leonard, add their element and Lucky's wife, Tamara Peterson adds her spiced background vocals as well.
The take on first listen gave a funky/soul blues identification. Listening deeply, there are shades of rock, but strong traditional blues formulas keep this effort strictly in that groove. While sounding very contemporary with some rocked, reggaed, and poppish beats; this is fundamentally heavy handed blues. Notes are bent and pulled, funky bass beats abound, and chosen material like Dr. John's "Doin' Bad, Feelinb Good" point to rock, funk and soul but be open to Lucky's synthesis.
Rockin' from the start, the titletune "Double Dealin' rockets from the box with strong tempo, but the set concludes with "4 Little Boys"a realistic blues ballad written by Lucky and his father. The whole set shows Lucky's forefront command of contemporary blues. His, and many other frontline personalities', avant guard attitude keeps the blues from becoming static. Another award contender for sure!
Mark A. Cole
Blue Thumb Records; Verve Music Group;/UMG
Inc.; 10 Universal Plaza, 4th floor;
Universal City, CA 91608: or, www.bluethumb.com:
or, www.umusic.com