CD Review Archives - Page 19 of 23 - Cascade Blues Association Archive

Sugaray Rayford

Dangerous
Delta Groove

Sugaray Rayford is a modern day blues shouter with a voice so strong it is hard to take your attention away when he sings. Like many people, I had my first exposure to Sugaray at the 2006 International Blues Challenge. As part of the second place winners Aunt Kizzy’s Boys from San Diego, Rayford took total command of the stage at the New Daisy Theater, gliding and dancing his way back and forth as he enchanted the audience with his fierce vocals and energy. He is a mighty presence indeed. Since that appearance, his career has been on an upward spiral. He joined the Delta Groove family as a member of The Mannish Boys, taking on the vocal role when their leader Finis Tasby took ill. He also did a stint as one of the lead characters in the play Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues when it did its run in Portland a year ago. Now, Delta Groove has given Rayford the chance to create his own Read more

Shawn Holt And The Teardrops

CD Review

Daddy Told Me
Blind Pig Records

With the passing of Morris Holt, better known to the world as Magic Slim, it left a huge void in the Chicago blues scene. These are big shoes to fill, but it appears that his son Shawn Holt is open and willing to take the challenge of pursuing his father’s legacy. Scott is an exceptional guitarist and vocalist who crafted his skills while working with his father and he has taken on the role of his daddy by leading his former Blues Music Award winning band The Teardrops, releasing their first disc under his leadership on Blind Pig Records titled Daddy Told Me. This recording definitely continues that great Chicago feel Read more

Roseland Hunters

CD Review

Roseland Hunters
Self Produced

Funky delicious! That about sums up the base of the Roseland Hunters. This hot band was the concept of guitarist and vocalist Michael Quinby who at one time was part of Joe Louis Walker’s touring band. He has amassed a phenomenal group of musicians to explore his vision of New Orleans inspired tunes blended with his feel for the blues. If you’re a fan of bands like The Meters, The Neville Brothers or Royal Southern Brotherhood, then the Roseland Hunters are going to be right up your alley.

Mr. Sipp – The Mississippi Blues Child

CD Review

It’s My Guitar
Self Produced

While running a stage at the International Blues Challenge for so many years, I have come across some acts that have really impressed me. This last year was no exception, with perhaps my absolute favorite being a 36-year-old guitarist from Vicksburg, Mississippi named Castro Coleman who plays under the moniker Mr. Sipp. Coleman has a long history playing in the gospel scene, having been a part of over 50 recordings. But he has always felt that the blues was where his heart was at. And listening to his debut album, It’s My Guitar, you know that heart was definitely in the right direction. This disc is sure to strike at anybody who has a liking for traditional electric Delta blues. Think of BB King or Little Milton and you’re in the right neighborhood.

The first thing you’ll notice is what a sensational guitarist Mr. Sipp is. Did I mention BB King? Listen to a song like “If Loving You Is Crazy” and you might find that same feeling you get from King’s “The Thrill Is Gone.” Or perhaps going to “Miss Jones;” now that opening guitar melody just screams BB. Guitar playing throughout the album is Read more

Larry Dupio

CD Review

Lightning
OIPUD Music

Hawaii may not be the first place one thinks of when it comes to blues music. But it is the home of Larry Dupio, long considered one of the island’s premier guitarists, and his passion is with the blues. For more than thirty years Larry has been performing and teaching guitar, including a spell living in Portland where he led his own band and also teamed up with Shel Bailey heading the group The Big Package. Lightning is his second release under his own name and it is filled with awe-inspiring guitar playing and displays an overview of the deversity of his guitar creativity, be it blues or other avenues.

Tevis Hodge Jr.

CD Review

Blues And Rags
Junior Records

Tevis Hodge Jr. has certainly had a busy summer. Besides winning the Cascade Blues Association’s Journey to Memphis competition as a solo entry, he has also crafted this outstanding five-song EP. Titled Blues And Rags, this is completely original material that shows his deep understanding of early blues forms and sounds. The guitar work on this solo effort is impeccable. Nice clean sound and tone with spot-on phrasing. The fact that he can sound like the musicians of the 1920-40s Delta and Piedmont is uncanny. In fact, the second number on this album, “Ain’t No Tellin’,” comes across as a long-lost Mississippi John Hurt piece; though I am pretty sure that Hurt would’ve never thought of the phrase about his good girl busting a cap in you. Hodge’s charcoal-infused vocals fit the numbers precisely and add an even more in-depth feel for artists from those by-gone years. Good blues is timeless. These tracks sit well alongside masters like Son House or Rev. Gary Davis.

I find myself listening to the CD endlessly. As soon as the five songs finish I just keep it rolling over and over again and discovering more appreciation for such exceptional creativity. I once called Tevis Hodge Jr. on stage a young man with an old blues soul. These selections bear witness to that. He has said that he is working on more material for a future full-length album; that has me in heavy anticipation waiting to see what he will do next. Definitely an artist I will keep a close eye on and I suggest you do the same. Start off now and pick up this incredible debut recording. If you’re a fan of acoustic and early blues, it will fit your listening ear perfectly.

Total Time: 19:27

Sweet Road Blues / Ain’t No Tellin’ / Jelly Bean Rootwork / Bozehovia Rag / That Girl

Johnny Rawls

CD Review

Remembering O.V.
Catfood Records

Lovers of classic soul music have definite reason to jump up and shout. Without doubt, OV Wright was one of the true icons of the musical genre, and now we are blessed with a new recording from one of the modern masters paying tribute to his mentor. Johnny Rawls has one of those voices that can emote passion and deep feelings with natural ease and grace. Like Wright, this guy could probably sit down at a Waffle House and read the menu out loud and make it sound like the most soulful tune you’ve ever heard. Wait. Did I say one of the masters? There are actually two, as Rawls is joined on three numbers by Blues Hall of Fame inductee Otis Clay which is pure ecstasy for all.

The Claudettes

CD Review

Infernal Piano Plot . . . Hatched!
Yellow Dog Records

The idea of a piano-drums duet may bring up visions of Otis Spann and SP Leary working together, but in the case of The Claudettes you may be surprised by the diversity of their musical direction. More so in the likes of the late New Orleans piano-man James Booker, they can wander off to approaches that may begin with a blues theme, but can instantly cut into a classical or jazzy instrumentation that offers something entirely different than first expected. Something that has been referred to as “a fanatical fusion of blues and soul-jazz, like Ray Charles on a punk kick.” Whatever you may want to label it as, the thirteen instrumental selections on this debut Read more

Home Is Where The Music Is: A Celebration Of Miss Lavelle White

CD Review

Various Artists
Home Girls Records

Miss Lavelle White is a Texas icon. She first recorded in the late 1950s for Don Robey’s Duke and Peacock labels scoring on a string of hit singles and writing songs for others, such as the classic “Lead Me On” for Bobby Bland, yet did not record a full album of her own until 1994 at the age of 65. She has influenced numerous artists, both while living in Chicago and her current home in Austin, where she held a long-time residency at Antone’s.

Like many musicians as they start to age, White found herself in assistance in order to keep a home of her own. That is where HOME stepped in. An organization started by a group of female musicians and entertainers in the Austin area aimed at providing housing and assistance to musicians in need. An all-star concert was put together for White at Antone’s, held on October 1, 2012,bringing together some of the very finest that Texas has to offer. Coming to her aid in performance were people like WC Clark, Sarah Brown, Guy Forsythe, Marcia Read more

Hager/Fleschner Duo

CD Review

Live From The Vault
Self Produced

This is an engaging live recording by two of Portland’s most talented musicians, keyboardist Dave Fleschner and guitar master Alan Hager. Both have extensive backgrounds in the local and national blues scene, but pairing the two together was simply a stroke of genius. Recorded at The Vault at O’Connor’s in Portland’s Multnomah Village neighborhood, the duet strolls through eleven numbers covering a wide variety of music history and they place their own unique touch on each.

Dave Fleschner’s piano work shows exceptional range, whether it’s a stride, New Orleans boogie or a Otis Spann-styled Chicago number, he can do it all with precision and flair. He Read more