The Randy Oxford Band

It Feels Good
Figgleblall Records

 Randy Oxford Band CD coverEvery time I turn around it seems that Randy Oxford has a handful of new players in his band and the funny thing about it all is they keep sounding more impressive every time out. This new band features Randy on trombone of course, and the incredible Amy Jada is back on vocals, but stellar guitar players Randy Norris and Manuel Morais add their own unique blends, Richard Sabol is his animal self tearing up the drums, and they’ve enlisted the energetic Polly O’Keary, formerly of Too Slim & The Taildraggers, to fill in with the bass lines. Each of the guitarists, Jada and Polly are all accomplished songwriters, too.  Also appearing on the recording is percussionist L.A. Smith and bassist Farko Dusomov who have both played with the Oxford Band in the past. The individual musicians each have their own unique sound and this makes the Randy Oxford Band even more exciting as they can come at you in various directions and they’re all entertaining and top notch.

This blend of varying styles is showcased quite nicely in the latest CD from the band titled It Feels Good. Randy’s trombone is also at the forefront with the band and the album starts out with a quick run on his horn. But more than ever before this is an ensemble that can fill any of the others’ material and it works seemingly effortlessly. Morais, Norris, Amy and O’Keary each have written at least a couple tracks apiece on the disc, with the lone cover being Paul Simon’s “One Trick Pony.” Even that cover sounds like it was meant to be played by this group, they nail it precisely. Each of the numbers can be deemed highlights on It Feels Good, from Jada Amy’s steamy “Leave Me Alone,” Randy Norris’ burning and rocking piece “Run Over,  Polly O’Keary’s  fast-paced “How Come You’re Never Here (When I Come Home)” and the Spanish inflected guitar of Manuel Morais’ emotional “Your Love.” So many directions and all done so well.

It Feels Good is a crowning achievement by the Randy Oxford Band. With a line-up of some of the best players in the Northwest, this is a winning combination and the results are clear. It Feels Good is not only the title, it is a fitting title. That’s how this new music will come across and make you feel, too.

Total Time: 55:53

Trouble / Full Moon Rising / The Loudest Thing / When You’re Gone / One Trick Pony / Run Over / Leave Me Alone / Your Love / How Come You’re Never Here (When I Get Home) / I Believed

Micah Kesselring

Log Cabin Blues
Self Produced

 

Micah Kesselring CD coverMicah Kesselring started playing guitar when he was nine years old and decided that the blues was his music of choice at fourteen. Now at the ripe old age of twenty, he has firmly ensconced himself into the Ohio blues scene, and has made an impression on many across the  country with his performances. Kesselring has competed in the International Blues Challenge three times and made the semi-finals with each appearance. He will be returning once again in 2014. Other highlights of his young career have seen him share the stage with Otis Taylor at the 2009 Blues Music Awards and Keb’ Mo’ at Columbus’ Project Blues Review, touring Florida with the Sean Carney Band, performing as a featured youth act at Tacoma, Washington’s Gray Skies Blues Festival and as a repeat artist at the Centrum Blues Festival & Workshops.

Recently Kesselring has released his debut album, Log Cabin Blues. Recorded in his own home studio, he plays every instrument on the disc and penned seven of the ten tracks offered. As an acoustic artist, he finds himself influenced by many of the legendary figures of Piedmont and Delta blues, as well as many modern day players like Alvin Youngbood-Hart, Mary Flower, Phil Wiggins and Rich Del Grosso. The blues offers him an outlet to play music that is heartfelt and can cover any emotion he may be feeling. Unlike other young musicians who may play blues music at a young age that are drawn away as they age, Kesselring has found his niche and should be an artist that will carry on the tradition set forth by those elder influences.

Selections on Log Cabin Blues are all outstanding. Be they the covers of Charlie Patton like “Pony Blues,” Howlin’ Wolf on “Forty-Four” or Son House’s “Preachin’ The  Blues,” he places his own flavoring into each, making these well-covered numbers have new life. He is an accomplished songwriter already as displayed on tracks like the opening “Damned Soul Blues” or “Riverbend Blues.” He is also quite adept at multiple instruments and Americana readings. His song “Kit’s Tune” stems from the Appalachian music of his background in Southern Ohio and his work on the banjo on this track fits the region’s sound to a tee. “Mean Uptown Mama” has the Piedmont feel of John Cephas and the closing track “CGGB” is a blistering slide performance on cigar-box guitar. The title track “Log Cabin Blues” is reminiscent of songs like Robert Johnson’s “Red Hot” or Lil Johnson “Peanut Man.” Quite impressive with its good time feel and masterful playing.

Micah Kesselring is still young in years, but his musicianship belies a player many times older. This is an artist that should grasp the next generation of blues players and if that is in fact the case they’re in capable hands.

 

Total Time: 34:59

Damned Soul Blues / Preachin’ The Blues / Kit’s Tune / Liquor Man Blues / Riverbend Blues / Mean Uptown Mama / Forty-Four / Pony Blues / Log Cabin Blues / CBGB

 

Dave Keller

Soul Changes
Tastee Tone

Dave Keller CD coverFollowing up on his sensational 2011 release Where I‘m Coming From that garnered recognition with being named the Best Self-Produced CD of the year by The Blues Foundation, Dave Keller wasted no time in putting together another stellar recording with Soul Changes. Recorded in both Memphis and in Brooklyn, this disc places Keller amongst the top in the business when it comes to oh so perfect soulful singing.

     For his sessions in Memphis, he went to the best. Recorded at Royal Studios, whose output included all the greats from folk like Al Green, Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson and Otis Clay, he also teamed up with the studio’s legendary Hi Rhythm Section of Teenie Hodges on guitar, Leroy Hodges on bass, and Charles Hodges on organ, along with recruiting the great Bobby Manuel on guitar. The talent rubbed off in the right way for Keller as his original tracks here come across every bit as soulful and tasteful as those recorded by the masters back in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Special note for original songs like “17 Years” that describe the pain of a failed marriage, the tenderness of the ballad “One More Time,” the catchy chorus of “I Wish We’d Kissed” and The Royal Horns on “Searchin’ For A Sign” make it easy to imagine Al Green doing this song, but Keller is simply amazing on all these self-penned tracks.

      In Brooklyn, Keller employed the New York-based band The Revelations to provide his backing. The five numbers offered from these sessions are all covers of songs that are personal favorites of Keller’s. Numbers by The O’Jays, Otis Clay and Bobby Womack are included. And though they may be recognized numbers in their original incarnation, Keller takes them a step further marking them as his own. Take a song as well-known as Smokey Robinson’s composition for The Temptations, “Don’t Look Back,” it retains all of the original feel, but Keller’s presentation comes off just as strong in its own right. To take songs that are so well recognized and bringing yet new life to them is a masterful feat in itself. Keller does that kind of justice to all of these covers.

      In a year that saw brilliant releases in the soul-blues genre, Dave Keller has accomplished a spot right near the very top alongside Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls. Not only one of the finest soul recordings of the year, Soul Changes is one of the absolute best releases of any genre. Hands down a winner!

 

Total Time: 44:11

Searchin’ For A Sign / 17 Years / Old Man’s Lullabye / I Wish We’d Kissed / Lonely And I / One More Time / It’s Too Strong / Back In Love Again / Don’t Look Back / Heart On A String / Is It Over?

Charlie Musselwhite

Juke Joint Chapel
Henrietta Records

Charlie Musselwhite CD coverThe Juke Joint Chapel is located at the Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale, Mississippi and it is exactly the type of church that any blues aficionado would feel right at home partaking in its services. Especially when the sermon is being presented by blues harp legend Charlie Musselwhite. This live recording offers a dozen nuggets of Musselwhite’s repertoire, including all phases of his career. Backed by a stellar band that offers young guitar ace Matthew Stubbs, bassist Mike Phillips and June Core laying down his ever steady drum patterns. This grouping compliments Musselwhite with Stubbs delivering outright sensational guitar, but none of the players overshadow their leader. You know from beginning to end just who the star of this show is.

Juke Joint Chapel opens with a handful of cover tracks that all have been imprinted with that classic Musselwhite sound. His harmonica work and vocals are instantly recognized as he starts out with Eddie Taylor’s “Bad Boy,” and he even finds a way of throwing a little “CC Rider” into the opening harp run during the song. He follows with terrific covers by Shaky Jake, Tony Joe White, Billy Boy Arnold and Little Walter before breaking out with a run of five of his most loved originals. Autobiographical pieces like “Strange Land” and “Blues Overtook Me” are always welcome favorites during his shows. And the Brazilian flavored “Feel It In Your Heart” from the Rough News album showcases a nice diversion in this exciting set. “I’m Going Home” again is highlighted by Stubbs’ string work and it leads into the closing track “Christo Redentor.” Written by Duke Pearson “Christo Redentor” is perhaps Musselwhite’s signature song. The instrumental was featured on his first album released more than forty-five years ago and to this day is the one number everybody anticipates in his performances. There is no disappointing with this take of the song, the perfect way to end a brilliant show.

There is a reason why Charlie Musselwhite has been one of the most favored blues artists for more than four decades. It is because his music is consistently over the top without being overstated and his concerts are always riveting. That is depicted rightfully so with Juke Joint Chapel. For anybody who is a fan of Musselwhite, harmonica or traditional blues, this is what you’re looking for.

 

Total Time: 70:31

Bad Boy / Roll Your Money Maker / As The Crow Flies / Gone Too Long / It Ain’t Right / Strange Land / Blues Overtook Me / River Hip Mama / Blues Why Do You Worry Me? / Feel It In Your Heart / I’m Going Home / Christo Redentor

Little G Weevil

Moving
VizzTone

Little G Weevil CD coverHaving originally come to the United States from Budapest, Hungary, one really would not believe that Gabor Szucs could possibly possess the knowledge and skills to play truly authentic sounding blues. But that notion would clearly be a fallacy.  Szucs, better known as Little G Weevil, proved exactly that by taking the title in the solo/duo competition at the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Little G Weevil was your typical young guitarist fond of rock music when his brother brought home an album by John Lee Hooker. And that mystical sound that he heard on that disc enchanted him, telling him that this was the music he was destined to pursue. Pursue it he did, making the move to the United States and the home of the blues in Memphis where he worked as a dishwasher in the clubs on Beale Street and busked in his Read more

Voo Davis

Vicious Things
Butter & Bacon Records

Voo Davis CD coverThis is one of those discs that continues to impress me more with each listen. Brian “Voo” Davis was born and spent his early years in Alabama, then moved with his family to Chicago when he was young. Living in Chicago brought him exposure to many of the most renowned blues players of our time including touring with the late Eddie King’s band, but he still feels a little draw to his Southern roots. Regardless, neither of these locales come across as dominating his musical interests and definitely do not pigeon-hole his own creations. He is his own person with his own individual sound. And it really is a diverse range that he follows. It can come across with a flair of blues, jazz, country or rock. Really any direction he likes and he does them all with amazing results.

Vicious Things is Voo Davis’ second release. He had a vision to go old school with this Read more

The Story Of Piano Blues: From The Country To The City

Various Artists
Wolf Records

The Story of Piano Blues CD coverOh, what I wouldn’t give to have the opportunity to go through the recorded archives of some of the record labels offering blues music. Take the German label Wolf Records for example. They consistently come up with releases of some very obscure or lost recordings of both well-known and overlooked musicians, including some never heard before tracks or out-of-print albums that deserve to be heard once again. They have covered artists like Magic Slim, John Primer, Detroit Junior and many others over the years and sometimes put out compilations that are flat out superb. Their latest release is one of those compilations, gathering ten blues pianists offering solo and groupings in both live and Read more

Pete Anderson

Birds Above Guitarland
Little Dog Records

Pete Anderson CD coverPete Anderson is one of those guitarists with a tone that most players would die for. Never overstated playing, using just the right amount to address each song he presents. With a career deeply implanted with a twanging rock background, his music never really does stray too far away from his love for the blues. He has had his share of helping others, bringing artists like Lucinda Williams and Rosei Flores to the forefront and a long partnership performing with Dwight Yoakum, something that has crossed his work over several genres Read more

Tommy Hogan

Howl Like The Wind
Self Produced

Tommy Hogan CD cover

As outstanding as Tommy Hogan’s debut recording was, this sophomore release, Howl Like The Wind, raises the bar a few feet higher. Listening to Hogan’s guitar playing you can tell that he is well versed in the music of those legendary artists who inspired him. There are sharp glimpses of Freddie and Albert King and a heavy dose of John Lee Hooker, and he takes us from Texas to the West Coast, but all the while he lays it out in his own voice.

Alongside Tommy Hogan’s exceptional guitar work, vocals and harmonica playing, he is joined by a more than formidable rhythm section of Scott Van Dusen on drums and Rob Read more

The Rides

The Rides CD coverCan’t Get Enough
429 Records

In a time that it seems that so-called “super groups” are emerging somewhat frequently, The Rides are one that mixes a couple of the originators of the concept with a young guitarist who is certainly accustomed to working with legendary musicians. Stephen Stills and Barry Goldberg are icons of the 1960s rock scene and were participants in arguably Read more