Anthony Geraci And The Boston Blues All-Stars

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Anthony Geraci CD cover

Anthony Geraci CD coverFifty Shades of Blue
Delta Groove     

If you’re a true blues lover and the name Anthony Geraci isn’t familiar to you, then just think of acts like Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters or Sugar Ray & The Bluetones. Geraci was an original member of both and provided the signature keyboard sound so important to each band.  He has also played with numerous legendary musicians such as BB King, Big Mama Thornton, Duke Robillard, Big Joe Turner, Hubert Sumlin, John Hammond, and countless others you’re going to recognize as well. And if those credentials aren’t enough to convince you, then listen to his latest release Fifty Shades Of Blue and all doubt will go right out the window.

Just take a look at the people working on the album with him and it’s quite obvious why they’re called the Boston Blues All Stars. This is an assortment of some of the very best blues musicians to be found in Boston, the Northeast, the East Coast, or anywhere else for that matter. This is an impresive line-up indeed, with people like Mike Welch on guitar, Mudcat Ward on bass, Darrell Nulisch on harmonica and vocals, and a handful of talented singers including Michell “Evil Gal” Willson and Toni Lynn Washington. In other words, there was no fooling around when they put together this cast. Can you say, “Wow?”

Fifty Shades Of Blue is an outstanding collection of songs, all written by Geraci. He sets a variation of moods through the album that are perfectly presented in each of their formats. I am consumed with the beauty of “Don’t Keep Me Waiting” with vocals from Norcia and Geraci laying down some of the finest soft piano work this side of the late Charles Brown. Norcia and Michelle Willson provide some laughs behind the kinkiness of the title track “Fifty Shades Of Blue,” and there is a country-like, or perhaps maybe a little Warren Zevon kind of delivery, on “Too Late For Coffee” (too late for coffee, too early for beer . . . ). Norcia and Geraci seem to pull from a Ray Charles influence on “Your Turn To Cry” and it comes across nicely, impacted even more by a harmonica solo from the former. On the instrumental “In The Quicksand, Again” Geraci trades driving piano matched to a tee with ferocity from Welch on guitar. The album closes with yet another instrumental, the lengthy six-plus-minute “Blues For David Maxwell.” It is a beautiful tribute to the late pianist and quite moving, again with the emotional keyboard work enhanced strongly by Welch’s tear-inducing string work and the rhythms of Ward and drummer Marty Richards. The song starts out quite bluesy and closes with jazz overtones. Outstanding, and the essential way to close this strong collection.

Fifty Shades Of Blue is an album that I’d suggest running out and picking up. It just may be one of the best blues recordings of the year. Can I smell Blues Music Awards with this one. I surely would not be surprised!

Total Time: 54:28

Everything I Do Is Wrong / Fifty Shades Of Blue / Sad But True / Heard That Tutwiler Whistle Blow / If You Want To Get To Heaven / The Blues Never Sleeps / Too Late For Coffee / Diamonds And Pearls / Cry A Million Tears / In The Quicksand, Again / Your Turn To Cry / Blues For David Maxwell

Pete Karnes Blues Band

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Pete Karnes Blues Band DVD coverBar Room Blues: Just Like The Old Days
Self Produced

For all of the long-time Portland blues lovers who remember the days of The White Eagle when it was one of the premier venues in the city, this is certainly going to be something that will bring back a lot of fond memories. Pete Karnes Blues Band was a house band at The White Eagle, filling the place with eager fans wanting to hear great tunes and to quench their thirst for adult beverages. After a lengthy departure from the city, Pete Karnes made a rare trip back to the club in September of 2014, bringing with him members of his current Florida-based band and reuniting with several of the key players from his original Portland band, and they mix well together. This DVD video release, Bar Room Blues: Just Like The Old Days, is the companion piece to the previous released CD under the same name. Most of the same tracks are available here, filmed by David Jack Jester using multiple cameras throughout the room. But what makes this indispensable for any fan of the Pete Karnes Blues Band is the interviews inserted through the disc with Karnes and band members recalling the times they experienced on the stage, the road, and the well-renowned artists that they worked with or brought into the city to showcase. He even offers examples of the harmonica style many of his old friends used.

Original band members Michael Mendenhall, Doug Smith, Richard Englund, and Johnny Moore are all on hand, telling their tales and performing. The set-list is standard blues classics popular from the era and still nowadays, plus a couple Karnes originals “How Did We Let It Go This Far” and his tribute to his late wife “Rayma’s Song.”

Owning both the CD and DVD is worth the extra expense. Not only with the visual quality and enjoyment of seeing the band onstage at The White Eagle, but as mentioned there are tracks only available on one format or the other, such as the inclusion on the DVD of a Jimmy Reed Medley and John Lee Hooker’s “Big Leg Boogie.” And speaking of Hooker, Karnes not only performed with him but also recorded with the late master. His style of boogie playing is a heavy influence on Karnes’ music as is all traditional classic blues, which you will never hear this band stray from.

Whether you were there for the old times or came out for this show, it is a great souvenir of blues memories recalling the greatness of Portland’s early club scene days and the people who ruled the stages at the time.

Total Time: 1;29:59

I’m Ready / Play With Your Poodle / Boogie All Night / Ain’t Nobody’s Business / Jimmy Reed Medley / Mama Talk To Your Daughter / Help Me / Rayma’s Song / Chicken Shack / Yonder Wall / How Did We Let It Go This Far / Big Leg Boogie / My Last Meal / Back Door Man

Andy Poxon

Must Be Crazy
EllerSoul Records

Andy Poxon CD coverMust Be Crazy is the third release by guitarist Andy Poxon. Today, the word “prodigy” is too commonly thrown around to describe young artists — but in Poxon’s case, it fits. This is a guitarist who’s been playing professionally since the age of nine. His first release at age 18, Red Roots, was produced by the always on-the-money supervision of Duke Robillard. And the Duke’s influence may have played a key role in Poxon’s development of the past few years. Like Duke’s own work, the young Poxon has the means and the know-how to work in a host of bluesy guitar approaches, and all of them are spot on!

Now twenty-one years old, it’s hard to believe that Poxon possesses the talents of such a seasoned songwriter at such a young age. All of the songs on Must Be Crazy have his hand behind the penmanship, with a handful co-written by Delbert McClinton keyboardist Kevin McKendree, who also co-produced the album.

Aside from McKendree, the sidemen on this disc are all top-shelf — Kenneth Blevins on drums, Steve Mackey on bass and Jim Hoke on sax. There’s even another youthful contribution to the track “Rebound” from nine-year-old Yates McKendree as he and his father help throw down a brilliant Booker T-like delivery.

Other fun numbers on this outstanding album include the New Orleans R&B styled “Don’t Tell Your Mama,” fun jump blues with “Next To You,” the jazzy, horn-drenched “I Want To Know” that sounds like it could have come directly from the Roomful of Blues songbook. “Too Late” also has a jazz touch with nice interplay between the soft guitar strumming and McKendree’s piano, and on the other end of the realm the opening title track sends out some gritty Elmore James’ fashioned slide guitar. Backing vocals from Chloe Kohanski and Nashville’s renowned The McCrary Sisters are all sensational, especially by the latter on “Give Me A Chance.”

There are players that truly show remarkable knowledge and skill at an early age with the blues. People like Mike Welch and Sean Costello come to mind as such who continually developed as their career progressed. Throw Andy Poxon into this mix. He is deep, soulful, and quite toneful. If he continues to grow as an artist at the rate he’s moving, we definitely have someone to watch closely. Guitar, vocals, songwriting, he’s got the full package here.

Total Time: 58:45

You Must Be Crazy / Living Alone / Next To You / Give Me The Chance / Cold Weather / Don’t Tell Your Mama / Harder Everyday / I Want To Know / Already Gone / Making A Fool / Don’t Tell Me What To Do / Too Late / Rebound

Mark “Muleman” Massey

One Step Ahead of the Blues
Icehouse Records

Mark Muleman Massey CD coverHere is another one of those discs that belongs in the category “why did it take so long to discover this one.” Mark “Muleman” Massey is a terrific songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. And he has quite a story behind him to say the least.

Here is a man who never thought of performing music until he was imprisoned at the infamous Parchman Farm in Mississippi. While there he met bluesman David Kimbrough, the son of Junior Kimbrough, who convinced Massey to take up guitar and play in the prison band. That certainly changed his whole life and developed enough of a reputation that his name now appears on the Mississippi Blues Trail marker outside the prison alongside other musicians who served time there, including Sonny Boy Williamson and Bukka White. After serving his time, Massey met Big Jack Johnson, who helped take his career up to yet another level.

Now twenty years later, Muleman Massey released an outstanding disc titled One Step Ahead Of The Blues and to put it quite bluntly, this is one soulful, bluesy disc filled to perfection with amazing vocals and a bevy of renowned musicians. How can you possibly go wrong when you include people like Bobby Rush, Willie Clayton, Eric Gales, Garry Burnside, Billy Earheart, Reba Russell, and Barbara Blue? This recording’s lineup reads like a who’s who of the best of the South. Add to the mix the production of one of the true masters in the business, Don Nix, who also shared a number of his own compositions next to Massey’s.

One Step Ahead Of The Blues is going to convince you right out of the gate. Starting the disc with the title song featuring sharp guitar, powerful horns and Massey’s voice all blending in a driving sound ready to draw you in. That’s followed with the first of many great soulful numbers included, “She’s Not Mine Anymore,” coming across with a delivery that can easily rival any of the finest Southern soul singers of the past several decades. That is repeated over and again on the disc, with numbers like “Waiting On The Help To Arrive,” “Silly Crazy” and “Addicted To You.” And Massey reminds you of how tremendous a guitarist he is also on tracks like “Blue Shoes”  and “In The Hole” that has a church-like feel compounded by the use of Hammond. There is plenty of humor behind the tune “She’s Hongry” with Bobby Rush on harmonica and sharing vocals as they tell you about the girl who eats so much that her legs are getting weaker, but her jaws are getting strong — great imagery and lyrics. The album closes with the beautiful and touching ballad “Sun Goes Down In Memphis.”

Mark “Muleman” Massey’s One Step Ahead Of The Blues is a nice reminder that there is a lot of discs out there that may have slipped by, but when you do discover them will make you believe you’ve found your lucky day. This one is a keeper for certain. Great soulful blues by an artist I will be watching out for now on.

Total Time: 42:31

One Step Ahead Of The Blues / She’s Not Mine Anymore / Plastic Flowers / In The Hole / Waiting On The Help To Arrive / Silly Crazy / Blind, Crippled And Crazy / Double Trouble / I Want To Sing / She’s Hongry / Addicted To You / Blues Shoes / Sun Going Down In Memphis

The Blues Cabaret

Where Love Begins
Fleschtone Records

The Blues Cabaret CD coverThe Blues Cabaret, the creation of Portland-based composer and pianist Dave Fleschner, is a broadway styled stage production that focuses on a main character who has found a new direction later in life than one would usually and focuses on the tribulations he encounters. Now a theater-like atmosphere may not seem like an angle that you would normally find the blues being set, but that’s exactly what happens here. Where Love Begins is a selection of songs that make up The Blues Cabaret production and it is filled with heartbreak, humor, and harmonizing vocals.

To bring the story to life, Fleschner has employed San Diego blues vocalist Earl Thomas, along with Billy Mixer and Jimmy Wilcox of The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. The blend of their voices together or individually move the story along nicely. The music behind them is well-crafted with a number of recognizable names such as guitarists Alan Hager, Dan Gildea and Vyasa Dodson, bassist Bill Athens, drummers Carlton Jackson and Russ Kleiner, percussionist Chuk Barber, and a small army of horn and string players. Over it all, Dave Fleschner’s piano brightly shines, providing the emotion structure behind the songs’ stories.

There are plenty of captivating highlights. There’s the down-home comfort of “Chicken Pot Pie” where the singer tells us that Portland may have its gourmet food carts and Memphis its barbecue that cannot be beat, but nothing compares to the country cooking of his youth. The humorous situation in “Goin’ To A Party” unbeknownst that it is a swingers party and as his partner goes home with his friend, he ends up with the friend’s wife who is about 300 pounds, maybe 400. Going to stick around and have a few more drinks before he’s ready to leave. Or how can it be possible in “Was This Love Written In The Stars” that this love is real if it feels like it was written on a bathroom wall? Lots of vocal power going on throughout the disc, but perhaps the strongest may be Thomas’ lead on “I Want To Love You,” a touching number where the character wants to be in love with the person he’s attracted to, but his life will not permit it at this time.

It is a definite different approach with the theatrical setting, but The Blues Cabaret with its vocal harmonies still holds onto blues themes throughout the lyrics and the performances both vocally and musically are on right on target. A very commendable, enjoyable and well-crafted production from the pen of Dave Fleschner.

Total Time: 55:33

Don’t Dig Too Deep / I Knew I Had The Blues / I Want To Love You / Interlude / Was This Love Written In The Stars / Goin’ To A Party / Chicken Pot Pie / I Believe In You And Me / Bottle Of Tolerance / Desert At Night / Thrill Of The Chase / That Night On The Rooftop / Thinkin’ ‘Bout You / Love’s A Merry Go Round

Walter Trout

Battle Scars
Provogue

Walter Trout CD coverNothing provokes a storyteller more than his own life experiences, and when you face imminent death on your doorstep numerous times, there is a lot of thoughts to be spoken. Walter Trout has done just that. Facing certain death several times over the previous year, Trout stood face to face with the grim reaper and withstood everything he had to endure — and came out still breathing. On his latest release, Battle Scars, Trout relates the pangs and woes that he was dealt with. It’s not all pretty as you can imagine, but here he is to tell us about it in a very emotional manner.

He still delivers that stinging guitar sound that you’d expect. He certainly has not lost any of that tasteful bite. On “Cold, Cold Ground” he slings out some vicious licks while telling about how the angels came calling for him, but he was not ready to go, just as he’s not ready for the “Cold, Cold Ground.” The only thing he pleads for is to “Please Take Me Home,” where he can feel the security of his family and not have to face another long night laying in a hospital bed because “Tomorrow Seems So Far Away.” Throughout the album he tells about how he may have made wrong choices in life, but in the song “Gonna Live Again” he states that he now has a new chance and he’s going to make improvements and live his life again.

Battle Scars is a brutally honest and brave release from a man who has endured the harshest of experiences. The lyrics can be painful and heartbreaking at times, but the content of the music is all Trout at his very best. Welcome back to a musician who seemed so lost to us such a short time ago.

Total Time: 58:09

Almost Gone / Omaha Prelude / Omaha / Tomorrow Seems So Far Away / Please Take Me Home / Playin’ Hideaway / Haunted By The Night / Fly Away / Move On / My Ship Came In / Cold, Cold Ground / Gonna Live Again

Billy Price & Otis Clay

This Time For Real
Bonedog Records / VizzTone

This is soul music the way it is supposed to sound. Billy Price and Otis Clay’s new CD This Time For Real has a very distinct Memphis sound to it, created by a guy from Pittsburgh and a legend living in Chicago. Clay was a major influence on Price’s career, and the two had only recently had the opportunity to meet, but when it was decided that they should do a recording together, give whoever thought of that idea the Kewpie Doll because it was pure genius.

Blues Hall of Fame inductee Otis Clay still proves that he is one of the greatest soul singers going. Last year he released a duet album with Johnny Rawls covering OV Wright songs that brought big time accolades and a Blues Music Award nomination. But stand back, this one with Clay collaborating with Billy Price just may outshine that previous album. No knock on Mr. Rawls mind you, but these two sound like they’ve been working alongside one another for an eternity in the heavenly soul choir. It’s just that good.

The title says it all: This Time For Real.

But how do you push two amazing singers to come across so naturally together? Well, one way to do so is to bring in an ace producer who just happens to be one of the best guitar players alive to take on the task: One Mr. Duke Robillard. Add into the mix some of the finest musicians to be found in the New England area, such as drummer Mark Teixiera, keyboardist Bruce Bears, bassist Brad Hallen, and horn players Mark Earley and Doug Woolverton. With that group you might think that anybody would sound good. But don’t be fooled, they’re just that extra amount of sprinkles on the ice cream. They might give it appeal, but the real flavor is with these two singers.

You have to love the song selections, too. Fantastic numbers originally done by greats like Little Milton (“Somebody’s Changing My Sweet Baby’s Mind”), Bobby Womack (“Broadway Walk”), Syl Johnson (“Going To The Shack”), Joe Tex (“I’ll Never Do You Wrong”), and The Spinners (“Love Don’t Love Nobody”). I’m infatuated by the takes on so many of these songs, this disc has become ever-present in my car as I always want to give it another spin.

Yes, soul music done right. By two vocalists that have produced an album that will prove to stand the test of time. This Time For Real — it really is!

Total Time: 49:10

Somebody’s Changing My Sweet Baby’s Mind / I’m Afraid Of Losing You / Going To The Shack / All Because Of Your Love / Love Don’t Love Nobody / I’ll Never Do You Wrong / Don’t Leave Me Starving For Your Love / Broadway Walk / Book Of Memories / Too Many Hands / Tears Of God / You Got Me Hummin’

Pete Karnes Blues Band

Bar Room Blues
Self-Produced

Sitting in the White Eagle Saloon on this early September night last year was like taking a step back into time; Pete Karnes was back in town. Back in the day, so many years ago, he ruled the blues world in Portland and was pretty much the house band for this nostalgic music venue. Here he was returning to the venue where he made a name for himself some thirty years later and sounding every bit as strong and bluesy as ever. Karnes of course falls into that mode that traditional blues stemming from places like Chicago and Texas are the authentic real deal. And of course when you’ve worked with and been friends with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Big Walter Horton, Willie Dixon, Robert Lockwood Jr, Charlie Musselwhite, and JB Hutto (to name but a few), who are we to argue?

Coming to Portland found him reuniting with several of his surviving band members from back in time, alongside his current Florida-based outfit. The song selections stemmed from old chestnuts that were regular staples in Karnes original repertoire with bits and pieces from his most current (and third) studio release under his the Pete Karnes Blues Band name, I’m Still Here. Most are well-known covers such as “I’m Ready,” “Little By Little” and “Mama Talk To Your Daughter.” There are also those fun covers not heard too often by current bands like “Play With Your Poodle” and “My Last Meal.” But he also takes on his original music with his song for his late wife “Rayma’s Song” and a little Latin fare with “South Of The Border” (think of Big Walter doing “La Cucaracha and you’ll have a good idea — in fact Karnes claims to have taught Walter that number).

Being at this show felt like a flashback. Karnes voice sounds and harmonica playing is as brilliant as ever and film man David Jack Jester had set the room up just right to capture the music nicely. It sounds so much like the old band once did that you can compare it with his last release Live At The White Eagle 1982 and it would be hard to pick one over the other, save for the better sound quality nowadays.

Yes, Pete Karnes still knows the blues and how to do it well. Bar Room Blues is testament to that.

Total Time: 77:40

I’m Ready / How Did We Let It Go This Far / Help Me / Rayma’s Song / Boogie All Night / Framed / Play With Your Poodle / Chicken Shack / Ain’t Nobody’s Business / All Your Love I Miss Lovin’ / Mama Talk To Your Daughter / South Of The Border / My Last Meal / Back Door Man / Little By Little

Tracey Fordice & The 8 Balls

Out Of The Blues
Self-Produced

Out Of The Blues, the new disc by Tracey Fordice & The 8 Balls, is an enjoyable little foray into a variety of blues directions that at once is rocking, countrified, and elegantly beautiful. The band has been on an upward tear the past year, including the release of this fine album along with participation in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, not to mention the marriage between the group’s front people, piano ace Tracey Fordice and guitarist Randy Yearout. Aside from the couple, longtime standout Portland-based drummer Johnnie Corrie and bassist Steven Mills round out the band. All four provide vocals.

The songwriting on Out Of The Blues is well-devised, with the stories behind the songs easy to capture. Mills relates a tale of finding blues in New Orleans, the band’s adventure to Memphis, and they rock with a deep groove on “Danger Zone.” Tracey Fordice voice is exceptionally noted on a number of tracks alongside her over-the-top keyboards. It is exceptionally displayed on “Looking For The Rain,” a soft number written by Nashville’s George Marinelli. On “Rudi Went To Rehab (And I Went To Jail)” the tale of addiction comes across in a Tom Waits mode. ”My Man’s Junk (Is Another Girl’s Treasure)” is a quirky double entendre piece about a garage sale loving husband. Finally, a real keeper to check out on this album is the ballad “Death By Misadventure” based on Rolling Stones’ founding member Brian Jones that effectively uses titles of a number of Stones’ songs and played in a country blues approach reminiscent of their late Sixties / early Seventies material from Beggar’s Banquet or Exile On Main Street. The record is closed out by a Mardi Gras second line song, “Marching To My Freedom,” that includes a horn section and piano from Chris Baum.

Recorded at Drool’n Dogg Records and produced and mixed by Dave Alvey, Out Of The Blues is a highly enjoyable and strong album from Tracey Fordice & The 8 Balls. It clearly shows the number of paths that the band is capable of leading you down and the talent level of all the members. Nice work for certain!

Total Time: 52:08

Alone Too Long / (I Got The) Blues In New Orleans / Danger Zone / Givin’ It Up / Looking For The Rain / Mojo Bag / My Man’s Junk (Is Another Girl’s Treasure) / Death By Misadventure / Good Help / Left Us In Memphis / Rudi Went To Rehab (I Went To Jail) / Marching To My Freedom

King Louie & LaRhonda Steele

Rock Me Baby
Self-Produced

Version 2Organ master Louis Pain states on his website that he and LaRhonda Steele have performed with one another off and on over the years and that the combination has always been magic. Perhaps that should be spelled M-A-G-I-C in capital letters because that is exactly what this pair together puts out. From the first time that you listen to this “King Louie” and LaRhonda Steele collaboration disc Rock Me, there is a funky good soul moving throughout that it is going to make your toes curl in ecstasy. The blend of those electronic keys and LaRhonda’s soaring always sexy vocals captures a groove on these that draws you in deeper with every listen.

All tracks are covers of well-known numbers that take from various genres including blues like “Twenty Nine Ways,” or “Rock Me Baby,” to funky soul “It’s Your Thing,” to rock classics such as “Walking The Dog,” or “I Wish” to beautiful loungier numbers like “What A Difference A Day Makes.” The only song that many who have not seen LaRhonda perform that might come as a surprise is her outstanding take on Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” that she will usually dedicate to the memory of Janice Scroggins and Linda Hornbuckle. It is a stand-out performance as she points out all of the attributes that make up a phenomenal woman like herself, as she is joined with background vocals by her daughters Sarah and Lauren Steele. The other track that is sensational is her take on “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman.” Her voice is out there and can make your hair stand on end, hitting a nerve of delight in this amazing rendition.

Throughout the disc, Louis Pain drives the pace. So wonderful to hear the band led from behind the keys. It adds such a great direction that can bring us to dance or take us to church and all of it right out in the forefront blending with LaRhonda’s vocals to perfection.

Other musicians highlighted include Renato Caranto’s saxophone work that takes numbers up to another level; guitar handywork by Dave Iula and Doug Lewis; Brian Foxworth and Edwin Coleman III set the pace on drums; and James Mullen captures just the right enhancement on piano of “Phenomenal Woman.”

Whether you prefer jazz, soul, or blues, King Louie & LaRhonda Steele have you covered with Rock Me Baby. Not only is this a well-made recording, it will make you feel good just by pushing play. It’s certainly going to capture your ears in a very pleasing manner.

Total Time: 48:20

Twenty Nine Ways / It’s Your Thing / Rock Me Baby / Phenomenal Woman / I Love You More Today Than Yesterday / What A Difference A Day Makes / For You My Love / Walking The Dog / You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman / I Wish / Blue Moon