Karen Lovely

Ten Miles Of Bad Road
Self-Produced

Karen Lovely CD coverIf she hasn’t already proven herself as one of the premier vocalists in today’s contemporary blues scene, give a listen to Karen Lovely’s new release Ten Miles Of Bad Road and you will need no further convincing. This recording showcases her powerful voice backed by a dynamic cast of some of the very best studio musicians to be found on the planet. And now, after nearly two years of production with Grammy Award winning producer Tony Braunagel, she has released an album that is more than worth the wait, with strong songwriting and performances throughout.

The songs presented on Ten Miles Of Bad Road are superbly crafted, showing such emotion in each of their delivery. It doesn’t matter if it’s a jumping number or one that touches the heart, you can clearly feel the mood behind Karen’s thoughts. She has taken a major role in the creation of the songs, with her signature behind the works on nine of the thirteen tracks. She found help and inspiration from friends like Dave Fleschner and Curtis Salgado at home, further taken to their heights by the guidance of Braunagel, Johnny Lee Schell and guitarist/songwriter Alan Mirikitani who sadly passed away before seeing the end of the project.

The cast behind Karen and the music on the disc is unbelievably stellar. The core band consists of guitarist Johnny Lee Schell, bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson, keyboardist Jim Pugh  and drummer Braunagel. Each of these musicians have deep backgrounds playing with the absolute best in the industry, far too many people to mention for each. Other notable artists include Alan Mirikitani, Kim Wilson, Vyasa Dodson and Reggie McBride. It is a dream line-up and they brought exactly what Karen was looking for to the table.

I am in love with all of the songs on the album, but for me it is always Karen’s heartfelt, slow blues and ballads that grab me right off the cuff. It took little effort to make me want to hear “I Want To Love You,” “I’m Over Goodbye,” “Cross The Water” and “Always Love You.” These type of songs show off the beauty of Karen’s voice. And if those numbers weren’t enough, the more quick-paced pieces like “Company Graveyard,” “Ignorance,” and “Frank The Spank” all seal the fact that Karen is the true package of today’s exemplary entertainer.

Ten Miles Of Bad Road again proves that Karen Lovely is that blues force to reckon with. How to describe the overall satisfaction behind this disc? One word. WOW! More than worth the long wait.

Total Time: 50:31

Low Road / Company Graveyard / A Better Place / Ignorance / Cross The Water / Ten Miles Of Bad Road / I Want To Love You / You Stole My Heart / Always Love You / Blues Valentine / Save Me / I’m Over Goodbye / Frank The Spank

Joe Bonamassa

Muddy Wolf At Red Rocks
J&R Adventures

Joe Bonamassa takes a nice little side trip into his blues influences and teaches his audience members, who may not be in tune with blues history, a nice lesson on two of the all time greats. Recorded at Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheater, Bonamassa pays tribute to Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf quite nicely in this two-CD set.

Covering tracks from the pair of Chicago blues legends, most are well known selections such as the often covered “I Can’t Be Satisfied,” “Killing Floor” and “Evil.” But there are some nice gems that don’t get a lot of coverage too, such as “Real Love” Or “Hidden Charms.” All of the songs are carried through by Bonamassa’s singing guitar, both fingered and slide, as he also trades licks with Kirk Fletcher on some tasty renditions (take note of “All Night Boogie”). Along from Fletcher, the band for these performances is outstanding, including the likes of Reese Wynans on keys, Anton Fig on drums and Mike Henderson on harp.

The last portion of disc two breaks away from the Howlin’ Wolf songs featured and delves into Bonamassa’s own material as an encore, opening with Jimi Hendrix’ “Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)” and offering recent numbers like “The Ballad Of John Henry” and “Love Ain’t A Love Song.” Perhaps the highlight of the encore is capped by an incendiary nine-and-a-half minute take on “Sloe Gin.”

Muddy Wolf At Red Rocks is a nice rockin’ approach to the blues greats and for those fans of Bonamassa it may be a good introduction to the elder Chicago blues masters If they’re not aware of them. The concert is also available on DVD and Blu-Ray. With well over two hours in length, this is a concert recording that fans should find easy to come back to again and again.

Total Time: 127:44

“WE Went Down To The Mississippi Delta . . . “ / Muddy Waters Talking / Tiger In Your Tank / I Can’t Be Satisfied / You Shook Me / Stuff You Gotta Watch / Double Trouble / Real Love / My Home Is On The Delta / All Aboard / Howlin’ Wolf Talking / How Many More Years / Shake For Me / Hidden Charms / Spoonful / Killing Floor / Evil (Is Going On) / All Night Boogie (All Night Long) / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) / Oh Beautiful! / Love Ain’t A Love Song / Sloe Gin / The Ballad Of John Henry / Mississippi Heartbeat (Opening Title) / Muddy Wolf (Credits)

The Ragpicker String Band

The Ragpicker String Band
Yellow Dog Records

Ragpickers Dtring Band CD coverThe Ragpicker String Band is Americana roots at its highest caliber. You certainly cannot argue that statement when you consider the members are all individually recognized as part of the elite class of such players: Martin Grosswendt, Mary Flower and Rich DelGrosso. Each member takes their own turn at vocals and each plays a variety of instruments.

Most of the music is classical blues and ragtime pieces by songwriters such as Sleepy John Estes (three tracks), The Mississippi Shieks, Lil Johnson, Walter Vincson, even jazz master Thelonius Monk. Flower and DelGrosso both penned a couple numbers each.

The three artists all blend to perfection. If you like acoustic music this is certainly a winning formula. Great takes prevail throughout the disc, take your pick. Some of my own personal favorites may be “Honey Babe,” “Black Mattie,” “Lonely One In This Town”and the outstanding take on “Trimmed And Burning.” And of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the humorous take of DelGrosso on Rich Lyons song “Google Blues” explaining how nobody is safe from having their life on the line of the information highway.

The Ragpicker String Band is one of those so-called super groups of musicians, this time in a very pleasing acoustic showcase. You may not see another recording of the three together again, and you may only be able to catch them at special concerts or workshops, so it is well worth the effort to run out and pick up a copy of this disc. Well done and quite enjoyable!

Total Time: 57:16

Honey Babe / Minor Blues / Google Blues / Blue Monk / Clean Up At Home / Motel Towel / Baby Where You Been / Black Mattie / Lonely One In This Town / By Your Side / Milk Cow Blues / Trimmed And Burning / Street Doctor Blues / Bruno’s Dream

Mr. Sipp

The Mississippi Blues Child
Malaco

Mr Sipp CD coverCastro Coleman, better known to the world as Mr. Sipp, opens his sophomore release with the autobiographical song “TMBC,” or more simply when spelled out completely “The Mississippi Blues Child.” He explains how he rose from a lengthy and successful career in the field of gospel, while always having the hankering to perform the blues, though his peers at the time told him that was sinful, the devil’s music. He went to Memphis and won the International Blues Challenge making him a phenom quite quickly.

One thing that Mr Sipp does not tell you in the song that he related to me while interviewing him for the book Blues On Beale Street, Memoirs Of The International Blues Challenge, was that prior to participating in the IBC the first time, he only had three original blues songs in his repertoire and had to create another on the spur of the moment when he reached the finals. Witnessing him perform and knowing this fact makes your jaw drop at the talent level displayed.

Mr Sipp has an extreme knack for song writing and has the ability where he often reaches into his pocket to pull out guitar riffs that can rival masters like BB King or Little Milton very naturally. The numbers can make you want to move your feet and shake your butt as in “Sipp Slide.” And there are times he can pull you into a soft heartfelt slow blues with biting guitar like “Say The Word” where he questions whether his girl truly cares for him or not. Then there is pure Mississippi soul with “What Is Love,” and since this disc is being released on Malaco, a label renowned for carrying a number of the finest soul singers ever to emerge from the South, it is right at home and is smooth with a capital S. That soul continues deeply with “Tonight” while “Hold It In The Road” takes on more of a bouncy direction while still holding onto the Southern soul mannerism. For pure fun, check out “Jump The Broom,” where he wants his girl to marry him and the song is just filled with tasty slide work from guitarist Chris Gill. This is an exceptional selection in an album filled to the brim with great work.

As Mr Sipp will tell you himself when something is right, he has “knocked a hole in it!” Oh yeah, he certainly has with The Mississippi Blues Child. If you haven’t caught onto Mr Sipp yet, what is your delay? Pick this one up and join in on the fun. Knock a hole in it!!

Total Time: 65:35

TMBC / Jump The Broom / In The Fire / Hole In My Heart / Say The Word / Sipp Slide / Nobody’s Bisness / Jackpot / What Is Love / V.I.P. / Tonight / Hold It In The Road / Be Careful / Too Much Water

Kevin Selfe

Buy My Soul Back
VizzTone

Kevin Selfe has followed up his highly successful album Long Walk Home with a recording just as strong if not more so. He showcases his knack for writing clever and catchy songs, sensational and tasty guitar work and his strong vocals to help him deliver the best package of music possible.

Kevin Selfe CD coverBuy My Soul Back finds Selfe on a new label, VizzTone, and he’s stepping right back in pace where he left off. It’s all original material with the exception of a very worthy cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire.” Kevin takes that song and completely makes it his own. Are we sure that Bruce didn’t write this for Kevin? And you just know that these new songs will become classic Kevin Selfe songs that we’ll be calling for at his shows.

You know that a song really works to perfection that as soon as hear the chords the lyrics come immediately to mind. They fit naturally and that is something that Kevin Selfe is an undisputed master at accomplishing. The guitar lines opening the disc on “Picking Empty Pockets” does exactly that. That guitar pattern burns itself into your brain and you instantly start singing the lyrics. That same thing happens over and over again throughout the album. I listen to the chords of numbers like “Digging My Own Grave,” “All Partied Out” and “Keep Pushing Or Die Trying” and the words also just start flowing right out of my own mouth.

And another thing about Kevin, he has a wealth of friends that he can call upon at any time and they’ll step up for him. They aren’t a bunch of slouches either. These guys are amonst the best in the business in the Northwest and anywhere else for that matter. It’s like a cast of who’s who in Portland when you can bring in Lisa Mann, Mitch Kashmar, Peter Moss, Joe McCarthy, Chris Mercer, Brad Ulrich, Steve Kerin and Don Shultz. Or for that matter having Jimi Bott and Allen Markel as your regular unit. Then throw in nationally recognized artists from outside the Northwest such as Willie J Campbell on bass, Gene Taylor on piano, James Pace on organ and even Sugaray Rayford taking the lead vocals on one song (“Bluesman Without The Blues”).

Kevin’s songwriting strikes it rich not only with his lyrics, but the guitar playing also is above expectation, which says a lot as he is already considered one of the best players in the city. His acoustic work for example on his autobiographical “Virginia Farm” is superb. But then again, so is everything about this amazing release.

Kevin Selfe has delivered another sensational recording. Buy My Soul Back is sure to be amongst the best of list for many people at the end of the year. And it is deserving of such honors!

Total Time: 58:17

Picking Empty Pockets / Fixed It Til It’s Broke / Buy My Soul Back / Digging My Own Grave / All Partied Out / Keep Pushing Or Die Trying / Bluesman Without The Blues / I’m On Fire / Don’t Tear Me Down / Double Dipping / Virginia Farm / Pig Pickin’ / Staring Up At The Bottom

Buddy Guy

Born To Play Guitar
RCA

Buddy Guy CD coverIt shouldn’t be any surprise considering the past few albums that Buddy Guy has released. Born To Play Guitar is … ho-hum, here we go again …. another masterfully created disc of fiery guitar, autobiographical songs and a handful of guests enhancing an already exceptional album. In fact, Buddy Guy just may be getting even better as he gets older.

Of the fourteen tracks included, Guy penned only four. Most are written/co-written by longtime associate Tom Hambridge who also plays drums and produced the album. He pays tribute to two blues giants with “Come Back Muddy” in recognition to his former mentor and boss Muddy Waters, and “Flesh & Bone” serving up his own bow to the late BB King. The latter he is joined on vocals by Van Morrison. Other guests on the recording include ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons on “Wear You Out,” vocalist Joss Stone on “(Baby) You Got What It Takes,” and harmonica man Kim Wilson laying down riffs on a pair of numbers “Too Late” and “Kiss Me Quick.”

Opening the album with the title track, “Born To Play Guitar,” songwriter Hambridge covers Guy’s journey from his Louisiana upbringing to his present glory as one of the world’s most appreciated guitarists. On “Crying Out Of One Eye” he may lay down some of the finest Chicago blues going. He hits it right on target. There’s always a bit of indiscretion in the blues at times and Guy shows a little infidelity as sings about his “Back Up Mama” whom he sees when his regular mama is not around. He also touches on vices like cigarettes and dice but he states that you can fix anything with “Whiskey, Beer & Wine,” something that he was taught by Howlin’ Wolf that it can make you kind of ignorant at times. Would you like a little taste of this medication, the song is definitely jammed packed with tearing guitar runs, as can be found throughout the album.

This is a very aptly titled recording by Buddy Guy, because without doubt he was most certainly Born To Play Guitar. And when it comes to the blues, perhaps nobody today does it better.

Total Time: 59:31

Born To Play Guitar / Wear You Out / Back Up Mama / Too Late / Whiskey, Beer & Wine / Kiss Me Quick / Crying Out Of One Eye / (Baby) You Got What It Takes / Turn Me Wild / Crazy World / Smarter Than I Was / Thick Like Mississippi Mud / Flesh & Bone / Come Back Muddy

Shaun Murphy

Loretta
Vision Wall Records

Shaun Murphy CD coverSure, Shaun Murphy has worked with greats like Bob Seger and Eric Clapton, as well as her long-time stint as vocalist with Little Feat. But it is her solo recordings that have really placed her as an artist of note with her perfectly executed take on the blues. Loretta is her sixth solo disc and she shines brightly throughout. With emotional interludes that range from heartbreak to warnings, Murphy holds no punches and draws you within her lyrics to live the tales alongside her.

With an all-star cast of many of Nashville’s finest sidemen, that range from guitarists including former Allman Brothers Band’s Jack Pearson, Foghat’s Jimi Fiano and Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band’s Rob McNelly, to session drummer George Lilly and keyboard master Larry Van Loon, Murphy has a capable cast of artists that enhance her vocals to a tee.

Mostly the song selections are her own originals with a few choice covers like “I Pity The Fool,” “How Strong Is A Woman” and “Big Train Stops At Memphis.” There is plenty to find attractive about the tracks included. Highlighted material have to showcase numbers like “Kiss Me Like Whiskey” where she wants to savor your taste on her tongue like a fine whiskey; the foreboding of “Loretta” who as a married woman has a wandering eye that will be the demise of either herself or her husband if he should find out; there’s also her own cheating partner in “Should Be Hard To Love You” but it seems no matter how much he does her wrong, she always lets him return to her; and yet on “Go Away” maybe she has found the strength to just let him know that he’s no longer needed or welcome.

The only thing that I find alarming about Shaun Murphy’s latest recording is that I didn’t pick it up earlier. Released last spring I kick myself for not letting this fine album reach my player sooner. No fault of Murphy’s, because she has been consistently outstanding on all of her solo releases. And Loretta just may be the best to come from her to date. Great playing, great singing and great song selection. Okay, let’s just say overall this is a “great” disc!

Total Time: 47:09

Don’t Lie To Me / I Pity The Fool / Kiss Me Like Whiskey / Loretta / Strange Life / Hard Working Man / Big Train Stops At Memphis / Should Be Hard To Love You / Careful They Say / Go Away / 24 Hours From Memphis / How Strong Is A Woman

Ben Rice Trio

Live @ The Purple Fox Loft
Self-Produced

Here is the album I have been waiting for from Ben Rice for some time. Yes, it is a live recording, but it is also a reflection on his career and the growth of a performer. Having watched Ben since he was in his early teens, this is definitely a showcase of an emerging artist who, if any destiny is at play, should be breaking out big time nationally/internationally. Two straight years as a finalist in the International Blues Challenge doesn’t hurt anything either.

Live @ The Purple Fox Loft is a demonstration of how deep Ben Rice’s talents actually reach. Not only does he give forth splendid renditions of timeless blues classics, his songwriting achieves a level all its own. His singing is also top notch with phrasing that comes across clearly and strong, no matter how loud or quiet he brings it. And don’t get me started on his guitar work. He is simply one of the best guitarists in the region, whether it’s on his electric, his steel-bodied National, or his cigar-box. He is a master of each, and they’re all displayed throughout this live performance.

The song selections are a cross collection of his career to date. Songs like “I Got Loaded” or “Can’t Be Satisfied” are covers that have long been in his repertoire. And his original numbers are emotional and personal at times and always memorable, whether it’s his well-known take of “Ida Mae” that he has recorded a few times now, talking about “Fishing” trips with his father, absolute friendship on “Turn My Back On You,” or the beauty of “You’re Gonna Go Away,” they are all over the top presented in this live setting. Plus, how can you overlook his version of “Key To The Highway,” with its introduction blended with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”? This is the one song everybody wants to hear at his shows. It is unique and original in its approach and I was told firsthand that it brought two judges to tears at the International Blues Challenge. I take this as fact because the person telling me was one of those two judges.

The flow of the performance is spot-on as each song flows freely to the next. And Ben is backed by a dynamic rhythm section with drummer Mark Banner and bassist Calen Uhlig. Both have their own highlights in the show. Banner’s perhaps during his percussive trade-off with Ben on the washboard cigar-box on “Can’t Be Satisfied.” And Uhlig (who I have personally thought of as one of the most under-recognized musicians in Portland) bringing on the funkiness of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” in the instrumental break on “I Saw The Devil.” This is a strong outfit and that will always make for a successful performance.

Live @ The Purple Fox Loft clearly stands right out front for me when it comes to exceptional live recordings. Ben Rice is no longer the shy kid talking in front of a microphone who can lay everything out when he plays and sings. This is a maturing musician and one who is destined to make his mark in the blues world. This live recording is testimony to that!

Total Time: 1:17:02

Shake A Hand / Ida Mae / Can’t Be Satisfied / Turn My Back On You / Fishing / I Saw The Devil / Somewhere Over The Rainbow / Key To The Highway / In The Doghouse / You’re Gonna Go Away / Fallen Angel / I Got Loaded

John Primer and Friends

Muddy Waters 100
Raisin’ Music Records

John Primer and Friends CD coverWow! Is this really John Primer singing these songs? He sounds so close to Muddy Waters that it’s haunting. Take a number of classic Muddy Water’s songs, add a few obscure tunes from his career, spanning from the late 1940s up to the late 1970s, throw in some stellar musicians, and you have the perfect tribute to an American icon in the blues world — Muddy Waters 100. The songs may not all come across as Muddy first recorded them. There is a bit of modernization on a few, but this works and the feel for the love of Muddy Waters comes across from everybody involved.

And the people involved? You have some of the best from Chicago, where Muddy made his mark. People like Primer himself, Johnny Iguana, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, Billy Flynn, and Billy Branch. You have one of Muddy’s most recognized sidemen in guitarist Bob Margolin, harmonica player James Cotton, and Muddy’s friend and collaborator Johnny Winter (in what may be one of his last recordings). And then there are the youngbloods of today’s blues, such as keb’ Mo’, Shemekia Copeland, Derek Trucks, and Gary Clark Jr. This is no cast to shake a stick at. They’ve got their mojo workin’ and they may have even fixed that mill that done broke down.

This is an official tribute to Muddy Waters in recognition of what would’ve been his 100th year of life. It is beautifully packaged with a hardshell book case, outstanding photography, and an essay from Water’s Grammy Award winning biographer, Robert Gordon. The music is contemporary, but it’s all Muddy Waters. This is one collection to check out. Muddy Waters legacy will continue to live on when handled by musicians who love the music and love the man. You have that here.

Total Time: 53:32

Got My Mojo Workin’ / Still A Fool / I Be’s Troubled / I’m Ready / Mannish Boy / Rosalie / Why Don’t You Live So God Can Use You / Good News / Troubled No More / She Moves Me / Can’t Get No Grindin’ / 40 Days And 40 Nights / Last Time I Fool Around With You / I Feel So Good / Feel Like Going Home

James Clem

Road’s Gettin’ Muddy
Self Produced

James Clem CD coverLast April, James Clem released a sensational recording of ukulele songs, Sugar Moon, that was outright fun and definitely a keeper for any lover of old time standards and blues from the first part of the previous century. Well, at the same time he was laying down those ukulele numbers, he was also pulling out his guitar every now and then. During those same sessions at Nettleingham Audio, Clem used the same core trio of himself, Ken West on mandolin and Craig Snazelle on bass, along with a multitude of good friends Mary Flower, Don Campbell, Ron Rogers, Fred Ingram, Jeff Masters, Darka Dusty, and Robert Burgeni, to provided us with yet another exceptional release with Road’s Gettin’ Muddy.

Once again recording live in the studio on analog tape, Clem covers a number of old-time blues from greats like KC Douglas, Sonny Boy Williamson, Rev. Robert Wilkins, Frank Stokes, and Little Walter for example, but he also takes on folk and country artists like Leadbelly and The Carter Family. While Clem gives us many familiar numbers, such as “Mercury Blues,” “Nobody’s Business,” and “TV Mama,” he also offers a little run of twanging surf guitar on his own original “Shadow Orbit.” There’s plenty to like on this disc, especially the duets with Mary Flower on the aforementioned Carter Family’s “My Dixie Darling” and the trade-off between the two on Lonnie Johnson’s “You Had Too Much.”

James Clem is not only an amazingly under-recognized guitarist and ukulele player, he is also a superb vocalist that carries these tracks on Road’s Gettin’ Muddy brilliantly with his rich sound. Paired with Ken West’s backup vocals (and mandolin work) the numbers are memorable and keep you coming back for repeated listens. Did I say repeated? In my own opinion, both Sugar Moon and Road’s Gettin’ Muddy are two of the finest releases by any artist in the Northwest this year. Northwest? I would put them up against anyone anywhere. They’re that good.

Total Time: 49:04

That’s No Way To Get Along / My Little Machine / My Dixie Darling / TV Mama / Mercury Blues / How Long / Jack Of Diamonds / Milwaukee Blues / You Had Too Much / Shadow Orbit / It Ain’t Right / Hello Stranger / Bye Bye Baby Blues / On A Monday / Nobody’s Business