Bernie Pearl

Take Your Time

Bee Bump Music

Bernie Pearl CD coverBernie Pearl is proof that a musician does not always have to rebuild their image with changing times. One of the finest purveyors of blues guitar, whether acoustic or electric, or even lap slide, as he performs for the first time on his latest disc, Take Your Time, Pearl is always at the top of his game. The title of the album says it all. Inspired by the message delivered by legendary Mississippi bluesman Fred McDowell, Pearl took it to heart realizing that things just come out better when taking one’s time. And the results are abundant with this collection of timeless favorite songs of his that he worked out until he felt they were just right.

Selections on the fourteen track disc include works by artists such as the aforementioned McDowell, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Big Maceo Merriwether, Big Boy Crudup, Robert Johnson, Eddie Boyd, John Brim, Mercy Dee Walton, Mance Lipscomb and big Joe Williams. Quite a diverse cast of songwriters to be sure. There are also a trio of self-penned numbers that reflect the impact of the time, such as the use of Kickstarter to fund his recordings or “10:00 am Blues” an improvisational piece from their first session for the album.

Recorded in Los Angeles with a trio of long-time collaborators, Mike Barry on bass, Albert Trepgnier Jr. on percussion and Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer on sax, the disc switches from solo, duo, trio and quarter formats and all are strongly worked behind Pearl’s exceptional guitar playing. Also on the disc for a trio of numbers is vocalist Barbara Morrison, who voice adds a raw and authentic flavor to the selections.

Well known songs like “Worried Life Blues,” “Jesus Is On the Mainline,” “Sloppy Drunk,” “Traveling Riverside Blues” and “One Room Country Shack” are all presented with amazing results. These old pieces are timeless, but in Pearl’s hands they come across modern and alive. But it is the lesser known numbers that really capture Pearl’s diverse mindset in delivering first rate, catchy blues. And perhaps the most interesting of them all is his take on the obscure instrumental of McDowell’s “Mississippi Raga” (originally titled “Como” by McDowell). The presentation on this number evokes a mystical Eastern feel behind Pearl’s nicely slow played slide guitar. The lap slide is utilized on John Brim’s “Tough Times” to full effect, showing he can handle this route quite capably. The song is enhanced by the sax playing of Hurricane Spencer and Morrison’s craftily delivered vocals. Pearl returns to one of his older originals to close the album, “This Old Fool” that he has refreshed this time out by making it a band piece rather than a solo.

Bernie Pearl has been performing on the West Coast for six decades and also somehow finds time to host a radio show and work as a promoter. A perfectionist in his music and a definite master on the guitar, Bernie Pearl continues to release fine recordings. And Take Your Time stands tall amongst his career work to date. Well worth taking your own time to give it a listen. Absolutely brilliant.

Total Time: 51:50

Worried Life Blues / Katie Mae / Kickstart / Rock Me Mama / Mama Don’t You Dog Me / Jesus Is On the Mainline / Mississippi Raga / One Room Country Shack / Sloppy Drunk / Tough Times / 10:00 am Blues / Traveling Riverside Blues / Third Degree / This Old Fool

Arthur Migliazza

Laying It Down
Bohemian Records

Arthur Migliazza CD coverI have always been enchanted by modern American piano playing, especially when it comes to stride, boogie and just upbeat paced players. Artists like Art Tatum, James P. Johnson, Little Brother Montgomery, James Booker, Thelonius Monk, Wynton Kelly, Otis Spann, Fats Waller, Jellyroll Morton . . . the list is endless. There are still many pianists out there today, though most just do not seem to receive the same type of recognition as their predecessors. The Pacific Northwest has produced or seen a number of great keyboard masters, including the likes of D.K.Stewart, David Vest, Steve Kerin and Janice Scroggins amongst them. Throw into that mix Seattle’s Arthur Migliazza.

Migliazza recently competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and found himself in the finals. His latest release, Laying It Down, is almost like a piano history lesson. He covers a wide range of classic piano styles with tasty runs and it is out of this world fantastic.

New Orleans R&B is captured with wild abandon when Migliazza takes on Fats Domino’s “I’m Ready” and Huey smith’s “Rockin’ Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu.” That city has historically been synonymous with piano players and he pays tribute to perhaps its best known artist Professor Longhair on the song “Professor Calling Me” as he combines his own arrangements intermixed with Longhair’s “Tipitina.” And it sounds great. He also tips his hat to Paul Barbaran, though not a piano player but a drummer, Barbaran wrote one of New Orleans’ finest Mardi Gras numbers with “Bourbon Street Parade. Migliazza throws a little Dixieland backing into the piece by adding banjo and fiddle to the mix. You can just picture the second line heading down the street.

You simply have to smile when listening to the combination of “Sing, Sing, Sing” done as a medley with “Bumble Boogie.” The former, a Louis Prima song, fits in perfectly with the early 60s track by the appropriately named B. Bumble & The Stingers. It just kicks up the fun, showcasing Migliazza’s love for all things on the 88s.

And you know that his education on modern piano is truly complete as he includes a couple tracks by one of the absolute best of all time, Albert Ammons. Migliazza does the master true justice with his interpretations of “Boogie Woogie Stomp” and “The Boogie Rocks.”

For anybody who just cannot get enough boogie in your lives, Arthur Migliazza answers your wishes. Incredible, this man knows his way around a set of keys. Get prepared to have your heart start racing trying to keep up with his fingers as he takes you on a trip up one side and back down the other. You know this is piano candy and you’re sitting in that candy shop taking it all in.

Total Time: 50:06

Overture / I’m Ready / Rockin’ Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu / Boogie Woogie Stomp / Love You Mama / Sing Sing Sing – Bumble Boogie / Bourbon Street Parade / Thank You Blues/ Honky Tonk Train Blues / Suitcase Blues / St Louis Blues / Professor Calling Me / The Boogie Rocks

Richard Ray Farrell

Shoe Shoppin’ Woman
Blue BeetRichard Ray Farrell CD cover

There are a number of musicians that have spent a lifetime playing their blues that seem to be overlooked by the mass market. Alas, that is the life of a musician after all. Not everybody is recognized for their contributions and it is the luck of the draw when somebody does break out on the big time. To me, Richard Ray Farrell is one that is sorely under recognized. With an armful of recordings that have garnered substantial critical acclaim and working alongside many highly renowned players, he just seems to be that one step from becoming one of those artists everybody knows and loves.

Based nowadays between Pennsylvania and Spain, Farrell spent a good many years busking the streets of Europe. He gained a bit of notoriety on that side of the Atlantic, working with a Spanish gypsy band and being a choice touring member of acts like Big Jack Johnson, Lazy Lester, RL Burnside, Louisiana Red and Frank Frost when those artists crossed the ocean. He also paired up with former Mothers of Invention drummer Jimmy Carl Black leading their own band. It does not matter what approach he takes in the blues, he continuously releases stellar material, whether it is a rocking direction as with Spanish guitar great Raimundo Amador on the album Camino de Sanlucar, or teaming with harp players like Steve Guyger or Marco Pandolfi. Acoustic, electric, slide guitar, harmonica, Farrell can handle them all and is an exceptional vocalist and songwriter as well.

His last recording, I Sing The Body Electric, found a good deal of airplay on radio stations across the United States and Europe. It was a nice mix of various blues feelings in both acoustic and electric formats. His latest, Shoe Shoppin’ Woman, also follows that direction and is yet another outstanding release.

The disc opens with the title track, telling the humorous tale of a man whose lady is a collector of shoes who goes overboard, having to have the right shoes for every occasion even if worn only once. She’s got more shoes than sense Farrell exclaims. And he doesn’t have the money to keep up with her habit.

There is a lot to enjoy on Shoe Shoppin’ Woman. Great guitar and harmonica interplay on “Just Like Sonny Liston.” A slow, burning blues on “Johnnie’s In Jail” with Farrell sizzling out guitar lines. The tale of long distance romances that just never work as he sings about being “Stuck In Philly” while his girl’s in Tennessee. Great instrumentals again showcasing his guitar playing on “Road Trippin’” and “Shake It!” and on “She’s My Girl” he just has to shout about her he is so happy and so much in love.

I have to note the great selections of the three cover tracks he includes on the album. The guitar phrasing on “Blue Shadows Falling” is piercing and tasteful. He tears it up on slide on Elmore James’ “Wild About You Baby.” But for me, it is the inclusion of Snooks Eaglin’s “If I Could” that really makes this a special album. Those Imperial years for Eaglin produced some of his best work, but sadly not too much of it is covered these days. Farrell is spot on with the song’s delivery, capturing that easy going New Orleans R&B feel that Eaglin mastered at that time.

Richard Ray Farrell has created yet another outstanding album with Shoe Shoppin’ Woman. If you have never given his music a listen before, pick it up. You just may be compelled to explore more of this superb bluesman.

Total Time: 40:41

Shoe Shoppin’ Woman / Stuck In Philly / Just Like Sonny Liston / Blue Shadows Falling / Road Trippin’ / If I Could / Wild About You Baby / Johnnie’s In Jail / Shake It! / Stir Crazy / She’s My Girl

John Primer & The Teardrops

You Can Make It If You Try!
Wolf RecordsJohn Primer CD cover

The good folks at Wolf Records have once again delved into their vaults and found a golden nugget. Recorded at various shows in Austria while playing as part of Magic Slim & The Teardrops in the 1990s, John Primer is in full swing on these numbers that were used to warm the audience up prior to bringing Magic Slim to the stage. The sound quality from these live recordings is amazing. And listening to these tracks will have you believing that the opening sets featuring Primer were perhaps just as awesome as what Magic Slim would deliver once he came on stage.

Primer has always been a true master on six strings. Working with Muddy Waters before taking on The Teardrops bandleader role, these recordings are pure Chicago blues at its absolute best. The take on Otis Rush’s “You Can Make It If You Try” will leave you with your jaw dropped by the sheer workout he gives his guitar. Multiple solos keep coming at you throughout the song. And Primer is pumping the audience to a frenzy. Save for one point of feedback (this is a live recording remember) you just cannot find a better example of how the blues are supposed to sound in a perfect world. Nine minutes of pure guitar bliss, and still this is not the only magical moment occurring on this eleven song disc. The songs are truly stretched out to give the added flavor, with the shortest piece here, a take on Albert King’s “Corinna” still logging in at 4:46 minutes. Robert Johnson’s “Love In Vain” is a prime example of how the band is capable of stretching a well-known number to nearly 7:00 minutes, making it sound unique and still maintaining the strength behind the song.

If you take the time to read the liner notes, you’ll discover what the band referred to as the “Straightforward Lump” style. While the rhythm section provides a lump da lump pace, Primer plays all four guitar parts: rhythm, bassline, picking lead and slide, all within the same song. It’s said that he became known as the “Four Man Guitar Show,” or as Sammy Lawhorn said to Junior Wells, “John plays all four parts on that guitar, man, he’s a ‘bad’ guitar player!” Bad obviously meaning out of this world.

All the tracks included on the recording are covers. But as with “Love In Vain” the band has made each of them their own personal property. Songs usually associated with those who penned them have been reborn behind Primer’s guitar approach. It does not matter who may be the song’s author, be it Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor, whoever, they’ve been reborn in these approaches. Especially those done in the “Lump” style, like “My Little Sister,” “Standing At The Crossroads,” “Big Fat Woman,” or “Don’t You Hear Me Crying For You.”

Of course, Primer was only a third of The Teardrops. The rhythm section that worked so many years with Magic Slim, with and without Primer, was one of the best. Nick Holt on bass and Earl Howell on drums teaming with Primer they delivered the blues at its finest and this album displays it in all its glory.

This one is for anybody who loves Chicago blues. It just can’t get too much better than this. Enough said.

Total Time: 73:53

Sweet Man / My Little Sister / You Can Make It If You Try / Big Fat Woman / Love In Vain / Don’t You Hear Me Crying For You / If I Could Hold You In My Arms / Standing At The Crossroads / Things I Used To Do / Corinna / Long Distance Call

Billy Branch and The Sons of The Blues

Blues Shock
Blind Pig

Billy Branch CD coverThe newest disc from Billy Branch, Blues Shock, is without a doubt a crowning achievement for one of Chicago’s premier blues artists. It had been a long fifteen year wait for fresh studio material for Branch to release under his own name, filling up that time working on other musicians’ recordings. But that wait has been magnificently cured by this outstanding disc of original numbers and a handful of exciting covers that stretch Branch’s range even farther than you’d expect. His well-known traditional style of harp work has moved into territories of full blown funk, jazz and soul that truly does compliment his stellar playing.

Armed with his long-time band The Sons of the Blues, featuring drummer Moses Rutues Jr. and Nick Charles on bass who seemingly have worked with Branch since time began, with Sumito Ariyoshi on keys and newest member Dan Carelli offering smoldering guitar lines, the group has come to deliver the goods. And deliver them they have in a big way. Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns lay down their sound to perfection on tracks like “Blues Shock” “Sons Of The Blues” and the double-entendre “Baby Let Me Butter Your Corn.” And Annie Harris from Otis Taylor’s band sends some nice mood with her violin on the heart-felt “Going To See Miss Gerri One More Time,” along with Johnny Iguana’s work on the Hammond B3.

Branch strikes right on target with his takes on Little Walter’s “Crazy Mixed Up World,” the soulful Motown number “Function At The Junction” and a blazing take of John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom.” Ronnie Baker Brooks joins in on the fun on “Dog House,” where he and Branch discuss the troubles they’re in with their ladies: “She don’t even call me Billy no more, she just says bow wow,” or being fed Kibbles & Bits and Purina Dog Chow for dinner.

But with no doubt the highlight of Blues Shock is Branch’s tribute to Gerri Oliver, who owned the famed long closed Palm Tavern in Chicago. The song, “Going To See Miss Gerri One More Time,” tells the story of his friend from her journey during the Great Migration to Chicago and the people who frequented her establishment during its run. Located directly across the street from The Regal Theater, it saw many of the entertainment world’s most renowned artists like Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra drop in after their own shows were finished. Closed by the City of Chicago in 2001, it is obvious the impact that she had on Branch.

The disc closes with yet another inspiring track, the jazzy instrumental “Song For My Mother.” Though there are no lyrics, it speaks volumes for the love he held.

Blues Shock is one of the finest moments in Billy Branch’s career. Fifteen years may have passed by between recordings, but this one will stand the test of time for far longer than that.

Total Time: 51:50

Sons Of The Blues / Crazy Mixed Up World / Blues Shock / Dog House / Function At The Junction / Going To See Miss Gerri One More Time / Back Alley Cat / Boom Boom / Slow Moe / Baby Let Me Butter Your Corn / Song For My Mother

Karen Lovely

The Prohibition Blues
Self-Produced

Karen Lovely CD coverFor a number of months now, Karen Lovely has been presenting a series of performances that she call “Prohibition Blues.” It is her chance to perform the music of those blues women from the 1920s and 1930s who helped define the genre in the early years. They’re her musical heroes. Have any doubt, just look at the tattoo on Karen’s arm that depicts many of them.

These shows are truly a lot of fun. The performers and many of the fans will dress up in period attire, with prizes for the best dressed. Prohibition era cocktails are also specially served at the shows to help make the atmosphere more authentic. Many of her fans have fallen in love with these shows and have been asking for her to put out a recording to help them relive all the fun. So that is exactly what Karen has done with her latest, appropriately titled “The Prohibition Blues.”

Recorded over two shows at Portland’s premier jazz club, Jimmy Mak’s, Karen assembled a line-up of the city’s finest musicians to capture the feel. Alan Hager’s rhythmic guitar allows the musical flow to work at the right pace, accentuated by the piano runs by Dave Fleschner and the exquisite horns of Brad Ulrich’s clarinet, Joe McCarthy’s trumpet and Doug Bundy’s sax and clarinet. The rhythm section is emphasized perfectly by Tyler Smith on bass and Carlton Jackson on drums. This is a dream team of musicians to have on hand when wanting to bring across period music and they provide the exact mood to bring out Karen’s essence and love for these songs. All mixed and mastered by Alan Mirikitani, who was also responsible for Karen’s previous releases, at Dawghouse Studios in California.

The selections are from some of the most beloved artists of the times. Ranging from Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Victoria Spivey to Ida Cox and Billie Holiday and more. Classic numbers like “Yellow Dog Blues,” “Everybody Loves My Baby,” “Nobody Knows You,” “Keep Sittin’ On It” and “Gimme A Pigfoot” sit alongside others that may not be as well known. All of them enjoyable and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Mary Flower joins Karen on a couple numbers. Mary is one of the finest practitioners of acoustic guitar who can cover any era of music masterfully and she does just that on “Last Kind Words” and “Pick Poor Robin, with the two harmonizing vocally on the latter number.

Karen closes the album with a personal touch as she sings “Pennies From Heaven,” a song that she remembers as being her grandmother’s favorite and one that she would sing along with her. It also serves as a fitting final track for a recording full of sensational performances that have collected her Prohibition Blues shows for fans to be able to forever enjoy anytime they desire. For all lovers of early blues as presented by one of today’s top-shelf vocalists, Karen does it right.

Total Time: 43:18

Any Kind Of Man / Fifteen Cents / Gimme A Pigfoot / Yellow Dog Blues / Gin House Blues / Last Kind Words / Pick Poor Robin / Prove It On Me / Everybody Loves My Baby / Nobody Knows You / Keep Sittin’ On It / Pennies From Heaven

Eden Brent

Jigsaw Heart
Yellow Dog Records

Eden Brent CD coverEden Brent returns with her first release since 2010’s highly acclaimed Ain’t Got No Troubles, and she fills fan cravings for the bluesy, boogie numbers she is best known for and even throws in a little rockabilly. But what really makes this new album Jigsaw Heart stand out is the slower intimate numbers that only she can deliver with her deep Southern crying vocals that pulls at your heart as she relates life’s deepest secrets.

Recorded in Nashville under the oversight of Colin Linden and using some of the city’s finest musicians, Eden has created a true epic collection that just may be the best of her career so far. Amongst the artists she brings to the table, Linden supplies outstanding guitar and a little mandolin on the Jimmy Phillips’ number “Panther Burn” (Phillips had also penned the track “Fried Chicken” on her Mississippi Number One album). Dan Dugmore throws down some nice pedal steel guitar and The McCrary Sisters are on hand to provide over the top backing vocals.

For those seeking that tear it up boogie piano that Eden does so well, you will enjoy the work-out on “”Everybody Already Knows” where she relates how living in a small town makes it tough to keep secrets, because word seems to spread quickly in such an environment. “Let’s Go Ahead And Fall In Love” offers a little honky tonk piano with a heavy dose of sexual double entendres and “Locomotive” brings out a Johnny Cash styled rockabilly pace.

Covering Joan Armatrading’s “Opportunity” is definitely a high point on Jigsaw Heart as it comes across haunting and street wise. Eden performs the number on a Wurlitzer organ with sensational backing from The McCrary Sisters

Which leads back to those slower paced numbers that make Jigsaw Heart the essential recording it is. The title track tells of broken hearts and how trying to piece life together is like a jigsaw puzzle that is missing several key pieces to complete it. “The Last Time” is the story of memories of a friend who has passed away and how thoughts will always return of that very last time spent together. On “Better This Way” she has come to the realization that a relationship has come to an end and it’s time to face that parting is the best route to take. Eden claims that this song is the only one that she has ever written that made her cry while writing it. “Valentine” was written by Colin Linden and Tom Hambridge. It’s a stripped down number that has Eden wearing her heart on her sleeve with tender accompaniment from Chris Carmichael on violin that is heart wrenching number that can bring tears while listening to it.

Jigsaw Heart is a beautifully, well-crafted recording full of emotion and Eden Brent has certainly outdone herself one more time. Masterful piano playing, impactful lyrics and vocalizing that may bring you to tears at times or smiling broadly at others. Another winning collection from Eden. She just keeps getting better every time out.

Total Time: 47:55

Better This Way / Everybody Already Knows / Jigsaw Heart / Opportunity / I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free / The Last Time / Panther Burn / Let’s Go Ahead And Fall In Love / Tendin’ To A Broken Heart / Locomotive / Get The Hell Out Of Dodge / Valentine

Duffy Bishop

Find Your Way Home
Lil’ Spinner Records

Duffy Bishop CD coverDuffy Bishop may open her long-awaited new release, Find Your Way Home, by telling you that she does not want to know about it, but you’re certainly going to want to know and hear about it, this sensational disc. It has been way too long since the last release, but what she delivers here is more than worth that wait. And if she tells us that there is nothing left to prove on “Get Up And Move,” don’t you believe that for a second. This lady and her band aren’t buried yet and they’ve got plenty to tell us here and you’re going to listen very closely. Well, it is Duffy Bishop after all, so you’re already aware that you’re about to have a good time. That much is a given. And Find Your Way Home is the band at their very best.

Duffy Bishop herself is a like a force of nature. She can come across at one moment like a gentle spring breeze, only to turn around the next like a category five hurricane. Her voice has been enrapturing us for many years. It’s something you just cannot get enough of. Her band mates Dean Mueller on bass, Kelly Dunn on drums and songwriting/guitar playing husband Chris Carlson are all at the top of their game blending with Duffy’s passion and energy. This is quite evident on tracks like “I Don’t Wanna Know About It” and “Fly,” as well as throughout the entire disc.

Duffy brings along a lot of friends into the mix, too. Old bandmates like Dave Jette, Keith Lowe and Henry Cooper whose slide guitar is slippery cool on the cover of Max Schwennsen’s “Back Out On The Run.” Mary Flower joins in on two numbers, with high note given to her lap slide playing on the swampy, spooky “Black Mangrove.” Dave Fleschner on keys, Carlton Jackson on drums and Jim Wallace on harp all deliver dynamite parts and the horn section of Joe McCarthy, Brad Ulrich and Chris Mercer blow out the desired groove every time.

There are a lot of special moments to be found on the album. In “Growing Old” Duffy tells us that “growing old is killing me, no matter how hard I try, things will never be where they used to be.” “Monkey Pants” starts with a classic soulful opening, then jumps into a fun, humorous piece that’ll have you singing along. Little George Seuref’s “Fingerlickin’” has long been a staple of Duffy’s live performances and a crowd favorite. The song has become a signature piece for her, filled with sexy powerful passion guaranteed to lighten up an audience every time. “Find Your Way Home” has that New Orleans flavor that continually builds its pace and it’s the perfect track to close out the recording. It is an essential Duffy Bishop that encompasses everything there is to like about her and the band.

Thank you Lord for helping Duffy Bishop find her way home back into the studio. Now let’s all throw on our monkey pants, turn up the volume and kick Find Your Way Home onto our players because the party is happening now! Yahoo!!

Total Time: 47:26

I Don’t Wanna Know About It / Get Up And Move / Growing Old / Monkey Pants / Black Mangrove / Fingerlickin’ / Back Out On The Run / It Tears Me Up / Fly / Find Your Way Home

Jarekus Singleton

Refuse To Lose
Alligator Records

Jarekus Singleton CD coverAs a venue coordinator at the International Blues Challenge I am quite fortunate to see and meet some of the finest musicians that many people have not heard of yet. There are some amazing artists that do not make the finals; it’s simply the tastes of the judges they face on any given night. One of my favorite acts over the past few years has been Jarekus Singleton. He has been scheduled in my room three times and he continues to blow me away more and more with each performance. I know I am not alone when it comes to liking Jarekus. Word tends to roll down Beale Street about acts that stand out and the rooms fill for those receiving the best word of mouth. That has certainly been the case for Jarekus Singleton as every night seems to draw larger crowds to see this young man perform.

Obviously I am not the only one sharing this perception regarding Jarekus. Though he may have not reached the finals, he plucked perhaps the ripest berry of them all when it comes to capturing the right ear amongst the industry people on hand looking for new talent. That ear belonged to Bruce Iglauer, the head honcho at Alligator Records, who was drawn by the overall skills that Jarekus displayed. An outstanding guitarist with exceptional stage presence and a knack for writing deeply touching songs of experience and life’s ups and downs.

The title of Jarekus Singleton’s debut album for Alligator is Refuse To Lose. That title alone says a lot about this young man from Mississippi. His original hopes were to play basketball for a living. A star player at the University of Southern Mississippi, he suffered an injury that cruelly dashed those dreams. But he found the blues and it was a new outlet where he found a release for the pain and hardships of life. He has cried so many tears and suffered through the years, there are so many things he doesn’t understand, but he still refuses to lose. The lyrics of the song are delivered with intense guitar that sears to the soul.

The music can be hard rocking blues or deeply funky. It all has highly danceable rhythms, with strong backbeat from bass and drums and dynamic organ. But it’s the lyrics that truly say a lot. They’re sharp-witted and often biting to the bone. Bad relationships come across in the slow blues “Crime Scene,” not the type you see on TV and the victim is me. In another slow track he lets us know that he’s assured of going to Heaven, because his baby’s already took him through “Hell.” The descriptions used in this song are quite clever, his life was standing still and his heart was hard as a knuckle, or he calls his baby Stevie Ray Vaughan because she’s double trouble. In “High Minded” he stretches out on guitar as he tells you that a turtle can’t move if his neck ain’t out of his shell and this is not “Training Day” and my name ain’t Denzel. It’s the story of a self-possessed girlfriend who wants it all, but does not want to sacrifice anything. She wants to take a trip to someplace she’s never been, and Jarekus tells her how about to the kitchen then.

The pace slows down with a more simple stepping guitar with chunky harmonica on “Blame Game,” that just may be the finest track on this album of winning numbers. It is a light feeling piece, running around the theme of having burnt all his bridges, he just can’t win with anybody – his boss is a jerk because he got made when he fell asleep on the job; he asks if he can move in with a friend and he had the nerve to ask for rent; his girl loaned him some money and expects him to pay it back – well, you get the picture.

Jarekus Singleton has made his mark in the South and is now ready to let everybody elsewhere know just who he is. With a fine album like Refuse To Lose filled with exceptional guitar and all original crafty lyrics, there’s a lot to like. He should be set in the direction for quick recognition. I foresee a new blues star on the horizon. Check him out.

Total Time: 53:03

Refuse To Lose / Purposely / Gonna Let Go / Crime Scene / Keep Pushin’ / Suspicion / Hell / Hero / High Minded / Sorry / Blame Game / Come Wit’ Me

Bonepickers

Strollin’
Self-Produced

Bonepickers CD coverWhen it comes down to the greatest innovators of the electric guitar, T-Bone Walker stands high amongst the most influential guitar players of all time. Breaking out of Texas and becoming one of the crafters of the West Coast jump sound out of Los Angeles, his impact is felt within just about every modern player of our times, from Chuck Berry to Jimi Hendrix to BB King, the methods of Walker touched them all.

In recognition of Walker’s influence a group of musicians in Portland, Oregon gathered together to pay tribute with a show to focus on his music. The T-Bone Walker Tribute concert was highly successful and spawned a handful of encore performances, all of them sold-out events. Fans began requesting that a recording of this beloved music be released performed by this extraordinary group of musicians.

The band is made up of stellar artists all. Guitarists Franck Goldwasser (The Mannish Boys), Chris Carlson (Duffy Bishop Band), Vyasa Dodson (The Insomniacs, Curtis Salgado Band) and Jim Wallace showcase the sound of Walker to perfection. With horn players Chris Mercer (John Mayall, Paul deLay, too many more to name), Brad Ulrich and Joe McCarthy adding that punch that makes the music jump, keyboardist Steve Kerin, and the rhythm section of John Mazzocco (John Lee Hooker, Paul deLay, Curtis Salgado.) and drummer Reinhardt Melz, the music comes alive capturing the exact mood that made Walker so popular.This is music done from the heart of each of these incredible artists and it comes across just so. It is a tribute to a musician that changed modern music filled with feeling and energy. But they could not simply call themselves The T-Bone Walker Tribute Band, that doesn’t really put any personalization to the project. Thus the new name Bonepickers, as in T-Bone (I’m sure that did not have to be pointed out).

The album, Strollin’, is packed full of some of the best known material T-Bone Walker is recognized for. Not all inclusive mind you, Walker’s catalog is large enough that there can easily be multiple recordings offered by the Bonepickers for some time to come. Each of the four guitarists take on favorite Walker tracks stretching themselves out on captivating guitar solos combined with sharp vocalization. This is an album that is masterfully done on each and every number, so choose for yourself which song is to be called a highlight recording. But many of those recognizable numbers are here: “Party Girl,” “Evening,” “Strollin’ (With Bones),” “Alimony Blues” and “2 Bones (And A Pick)” are just a handful. I have to say that I am really happy that they did not select the obvious pieces that have been done by so many artists over and over again, like “Stormy Monday,” “T-Bone Shuffle” or “Mean Old World.” Don’t get me wrong, I love those just as much. But Walker had a large repertoire of songs and all of them equally as great. And I’m hoping on the next release that they look to include some like “Street Walkin’ Woman,” “Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong” and “The Hustle.” Walker was so prolific, you just have to love it all.

If anybody is unfamiliar with the work of T-Bone Walker (I know, how can that be possible?), this is a great place to introduce yourself to his mastery. It’ll get you wanting to hear more. Not only T-Bone Walker, but the Bonepickers, too. Heavily anticipating to see what will come next from this outstanding cast of musicians.

Total Time: 36:07

Tell Me The Reason / Blue Mood / Party Girl / Evening / Strollin’ / I Get So Weary / Inspiration Blues / Life Is Too Short / Alimony Blues / Get These Blues Off Me / 2 Bones