Ramblin' Mind
Blind Pig Records BPCD-5068
I suppose that most people assumed that Big Bill Morganfield, even with his heritage as Muddy Waters' son, was gonna have a hard time topping his last critically acclaimed release, Rising Son . Many might also say that he has hit that watershed mark and gone ahead with this effort, Ramblins Mind . What a tough comparison for both are equally fulfilling when you wanna just hear some good contemporary blues. Though the son has built upon the legacy and styles of the father, he is in every right his own bluesman steeped in tradition.
With a high powered crew of blues friends, Big Bill has crafted a full set of fourteen songs that invariably keeps ya cruisin' from one cut to the next! Bill's richly baritone voice and guitar action is held aloft by lotsa help in the studio. Guitarists include Bob Margolin, Billy Flynn, and Taj Mahal, who also helps with the vocals on two cuts. Harmonica players include Billy Branch, Paul Oscher, and Bill Lupkin. Piano men are Pinetop Perkins or Mr. B (Mark Braun). In rhythm support are bassists Robert Stroeger or Nick Moss, and drummers Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith or his son, Kenny Smith.
Teresa Davis and Robin Robinson finish the mix by giving us the background vocal harmonies.
Bill has shown another side of his talent in writing nine of the tunes herein, and throws down mean versions of Jimmy Rogers' "Trace Of you" and Oscher's "Dirty Dealin' Mama". With powerful rockin' rhythms., Morganfield has crafted a grand set of very much Chicago blues popularized by tremendous vocals and interacting lead changes between guitars, pianos, and harps. The two cuts done with Taj are also killer. The first, "Strong Man Holler, also features Billy Branch on harp for a deep grueling blues story by writer Henry Fredericks. The second, "You're Gonna Miss Me", also with Taj and Billy is a magnificent end to a power set of blues.
This is a biscuit with everything working right. There is not a bad cut here, and with a crew of Muddy alumni that is seldom found together, this disc will be in line for all the awards. Big Bill Morganfield has found his groove, carving a niche with respect to his father, but one that is very individually his own. Can't wait to see what comes next from this musically ramblins mind!
Mark A. Cole
Blind Pig Records; P.O. Box 2344, San Francisco, CA 94126: or, www.blindpigrecords.com
Paris Burning: Live at the
Chesterfield Cafe
Blue Wave Records CD-140
Try to imagine New York blues, yeah the urban kind pushing a little bop, funk, and soul attitude, and you have Blue Heat & Lembo. They are Mark Nanni, bandleader, keyboardist, and background vocals; Frank Grace on guitar, Stephen Winston on bass; and drummer Garnet Grimm. Greg Spencer produces the effort!
Opening with the Ronnie Earl instrumental "Kathy's Theme", Blue Heat shows its stuff with a splendid piano solo and lines from Nanni. With her introduction, Lembo comes out blazin' with "What Passes For Love" before sliding into a slow five-minute version of Jimmy McCrackin's "Think". The powerful timbre and resonance of Kim's vocals keeps her in a strong singer mode belting tunes with heavy demands on the voice. Lembo however, never shirks and throws the vocals with as much passion as possible.
Material combining West Coast, boogie, and rockin' covers from James Harman & Kid Ramos, Jimmy Reed, Tony Z (Zamagni), Lester Butler, and others, including her original "Find The Truth", makes a tantalizing set of tunes that sports clean axe from Grace, excellent keyboards, shakin' rhythms, and Lembo on top! Kim's voice capitalizes on vibrato, a gargantuous growl, and a sultry nature sandwiched between. Another songstress that you will not forget, Lembo has the goods to deliver.
Mark A. Cole
Blue Wave Records; 3221 Perryville Rd.; Baldwinsville, NY 13207: or, www.bluewaverecords.com
PRESUMED INNOCENT
Alligator ALCD4879
SONGS:
Scene of the Crime/ You Make It Hard/ Count
the Days/ Let The Tears Roll Down/ Louella/
Fly On The Wall/ Coming Down With The
Blues/ Shake a Leg/ Somebody to Love/
She´s So Innocent/ You Make Me Happy
Texas-based Marcia Ball has been enter-
taining audiences with her strong, soulful
singing and rollicking piano playing for
almost thirty years. She has recorded
numerous albums, and this CD is her first for
the Alligator label. The thirteen songs,
including five she wrote or co-wrote, include
some blues, R&B, rock and roll, and soulful
ballads. She is considered an American roots
music artist. She is backed by her own road
band, and special guests, Delbert McClinton,
Sonny Landreth, and Casper Rawls, and
other performers.
Her powerful, emotional vocals predominate
most of the album. She is particularly soulful
in “Let The Tears Roll Down,” and “I Have
The Right To Know.” The bluesy “I´m Coming
Down With The Blues,” has a catchy title and
is dramatic. The fast-paced “Somebody To
Love,” is a very danceable shuffle.
Occasionally her piano playing becomes
more intense and fancy, especially in
“Louella,” and the bouncy rock ´n´roll tune,
“Shake A Leg.” More emphasis on the piano
would have enhanced the album. Some of
the other songs are more mundane and
don´t capture her high energy live
performances.
The packaging of the CD is that attractive, pre
ferable smooth paper type that neatly folds
into a tight package. There is a pull-out
booklet that lists the composers, players, and
all the words for each song. Plus there are
some black and white photos of some of the
performers.
Marcia Ball shows off her excellent vocals and
piano playing and her ability to play a variety
of tunes on this CD. Check it out!
MARIA BAINER
