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 CEPHAS AND WIGGINSSOMEBODY TOLD THE TRUTH Alligator ALCD 4888 SONGS: Stack and The Devil; Railbroad Bill; Last Fair Deal Gone Down; Sick Bed Blues; The Pimp In The Pink Suit; Burn Your Bridges; Darling Cora; Forgiveness; Bowling Green Strut; Darkness On the Delta; Reno Factory; Somebody Told the Truth On Me; Something Smells. Photo ctsy. Alligator Records John Cephas, guitarist and vocalist, and Phil Wiggins, harpist and vocalist, have been playing and recording together as an acoustic duo since 1976. They have been with the Alligator label since 1996, and this CD is their third one on this label. They have become key figures in the resurgence of interest in country blues. They mainly play in the ragtimey, Piedmont- style of blues from the Tidewater region of Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. They occasionally play delta blues, which is reflected by the songs of Skip James and Robert Johnson on this CD. They carry on in the spirit of Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, Blind Boy Fuller, Rev. Gary Davis, and Blind Blake. Of the thirteen tracks on this CD, Cephas wrote or co-wrote three songs while Wiggins wrote two. Each one wrote an instrumental, which gives a chance to really appreciate the talents of these two men. Cephas’ “Bowling Green Strut,” is named for his home town in Virgina. This song is a happy and energized song and features extensive guitar solos before Wiggins joins in with his harp playing. It is just the opposite in Wiggins’ scintillating tune, “Burn Your Bridges.” Wiggins blows long, exciting solos before Cephas joins him with the basic beat and some melody.  Many of the songs are simplistic, earthy, upbeat ballads. There are two live recordings on this CD, “Darkness On The Delta,” and “Reno Factory.” The first one emulates a supper club ‘soulful” song and the second has a monotonous rhythm pattern. Both fall short of an energized audience approach.The instruments are the main focus on this CD. Both players are listed as vocalists, and sometimes they sing harmoniously together. It is difficult to determine who is singing. In general, the vocals lack an emotional depth. The finger-picking, intricate guitar playing of Cephas adds a richness to the songs. Wiggins’ harp playing can add those train sounds or other dimensions to the CD. Cephas and Wiggins are masters of the Piedmont style of acoustic, country blues. They have added their contemporary input to these tunes. They have been ambassadors of this music across the states and around the world, and have added their own origininality, vitality, and even fun to this style of music. They are an unique duo worth hearing. Maria Bainer |
 ROBBEN FORD and the FORD BLUESBANDA Tribute to Paul Butterfield Blue Rock´It Records BRCD 134 (USA) Songs:1. Screamin', 2. One More Heartache, 3. Last Hopes Gone, 4. Good Morning Little School Girl, 5. No Amount Of Loving, 6. Mary Mary, 7. Work Song, 8. In My Own Dream, 9. Buddy's Advice, 10. All These Blues, 11. Tollin' Bells, 12. Everything's Gonna Be Alright Ein einmaliges Tribut an den großartigen Musiker Paul Butterfield wird hier von Robben Ford und der Ford Bluesband zelebriert. Mit unverhaltenem Schwung beginnt schon der erste Song und die darauffolgenden stehen um nichts nach. Das Harpspiel von Andy Just und Mark Ford ist der Kern der CD. Die gebotenen Gitarrenklänge eines Robben Ford und Volker Strifler bringen noch weitere Höhepunkte hinzu (z B.:Tollin´Bells, All These Blues oder Last Hopes Gone,.....). Paul Butterfield, einer der wenigen brillanten Mundharmonikaspieler animierte seinerzeit sehr viele weiße Musiker mit seinem unverfälschen und gefühlvollen Spiel, die Mundharmonika besser einzusetzen und mehr in den Mittelpunkt des Songs zu bringen - als Soloinstrument - war immer sein Tatendrang. Diese Produktion ist ein weiterer Meilenstein in der Bluesgeschichte des Blue Rock`It -Labels und zu hoffen bleibt, dass noch viele folgen werden. Danke, Patrick Ford. FS |
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 DEBORAH COLEMANSOUL BE IT! Blind Pig Records, BPCD 5079 SONGS: Brick; My Heart Bleeds Blue; Don’t Lie To Me; I’m a Woman; You’re With Me; I Believe; The Dream; Goodbye Misery. Photos ctsy Blind Pig Records Deborah Coleman has previously recorded four albums for the Blind Pig Label, and this CD is her first live recording for the label. She recorded this album at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, since the theater has a warm, true, “live” sound. For Deborah, live performances are “ nothing short of mesmerizing.” Her performances here are often back to her blues roots. She wrote five out of the eight songs on the album. She performs a variety of tunes mainly in the blues realm. “The Dream” is a slow, deliberate, moody blues, and her guitar echoes the gloom of the dream. Bo Diddley’s song, “I’m a Woman,” is slower than other versions, and the second longest track on the album. Her guitar solos are lenghthy and powerful.  Although “My Heart Bleeds Blue” isn’t exactly a blues tune, the message conveys a haunting sadness. She plays soulful guitar solos, and one can hear her guitar crying the melody. Her guitar is strong in the incessant boogie, “Don’t Lie To Me.” “I Believe” and “Brick” are more uptempo R&B songs. “You’re With Me” is more funky. The longest track is “Goodbye Misery” and is very reminiscent of an abstract Jimi Hendrix. Deborah’s vocals are deep and rich in all of the songs.This enhanced CD has a performance video on it. Deborah performs a little with her bass guitarist and then by herself. She demonstrates some of her guitar skills with a long solo. Deborah Coleman is a talented guitar player and vocalist. Live performances often energize the artist and this album is no exception. Deborah is on her way to becoming more known in the blues world. Maria Bainer |
 BILL PERRYCRAZY KIND OF LIFE Blind Pig Records BPCD 5078 SONGS: Trouble In The Shotgun; Crazy Kind of Life; Too Hot; Honey Pie; Take You Down; 500 Miles; Junkie; Can’t Buy My Love; Morning Spiritual; Girl’s Gone Crazy; No Expectations Bill Perry is a New Yorker with a parental heritage of half Afro-American and half American Indian who grew up in a home which emphasized blues and gospel music. He has been gigging in the music scene since he was a teenager. In this CD, the second one on the Blind Pig label, Bill has taken a stronger lead in the song writing, and wrote or co-wrote eight of the eleven tracks. It was hard to know what to expect when Bill called the album “modern traditional” blues. But no need to worry, there are many blues elements and a lack of rock influence. Bill plays a innovative, strong guitar throughout the album and sings contemporary lyrics in a sometimes gritty, yet tolerable, emotional style. Songs like “Trouble In The Shotgun” have an incessant boogie base. “Honey Pie” has a mellow B.B. King influence, while “ 500 Miles” is a solid get-on down blues in an Elmer James style. “Girl’s Gone Crazy” is an appealing uptempo shuffle. “Too Hot” is R&B. “Take You Down” and “Junkie” have a funk base. In the latter song, the wah wah of Bill’s guitar gives the the song an unique flair. Bill plays an expressive, melodic guitar in the beautiful instrumental, “Morning Spiritual.” The piece de resistance is “No Expectations” where the folk singer, Richie Havens, joins Bill and sings the vocals and plays a very melodic acoustic guitar in this soothing, lyrical Rolling Stones’ tune. This well-done album will keep you entertained with its variety of blues-based music played by the talented musician, Bill Perry. Check it out! Maria Bainer |
 SAVOY BROWNSTRANGE DREAMS Blind Pig Records BPCD 5082 SONGS: When It Rains; Can’t Take It With You; Meat Shaking Woman; Strange Dream; Keep On Rollin’; Shake It All Night; Pain of Love; (Hard Time) Believing In You; Memphis Last Night; Can’t Let You Go The Savoy Brown Band was one of the earliest British blues bands who helped launch British blues-rock movement that paved the way for such artists as Led Zeppelin back in the sixties. Lead guitarist and vocalist, Kim Simmonds, has always been at the helm of the band, while the other three members of the band have come and gone. The band has been operating from the States since 1979. Today, with his band of David Malachowski, rhythm guitar; Gerry Soirrentino, bass; and Dennis Cotton, drums, Simmonds comments that he has “been blessed with a band that has natural musical chemistry together.” This is the 30th album for the group, and the first one on the Blind Pig label. Even though the band has played rock music in the past, they have returned to their original blues roots and have been playing blues-rock and boogie music for over a decade. Simmonds wrote eight of the ten songs, co-wrote one song, and plays a beautiful cover version of Blind Boy Fuller’s “Meat Shaking Woman.” Simmonds has a mesmerizing Hawaiian guitar sound in this tune, which adds a special dimension to the slightly syncopated, uptempo rhythm and lyrics. In the solid, uplifting blues, “Keep On Rollin,’” Simmonds plays delicate, melodic guitar solos. In fact, all the guitar solos on the CD are in the upper octave range and therefore have their own unique, singing sounds. Listening to the guitar offsets the sometimes repetitive rhythm patterns. There is a sense of drama and mood in most of the songs. Simmonds has a deep, strong vocal approach which often builds up to a crescendo. The solidity of the band unifies the tunes. The spicy boogie, “Shake It All Night,” creates a hypnotic effect. When Simmonds sings the blues in “Can’t Let You Go,” you know he means it. Don’t let the cover of this album fool you. Savoy Brown is an exciting, unique band that still packs punches after all these years. Catch their live performance if they are in your area. Otherwise, enjoy this CD. Maria Bainer |
 SMOKIN’ JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING: ROADHOUSE RESEARCH, Blind Pig Records,BPCD 5080 SONGS: Healthy Mama; Tell Me Why; Cryin’ Shame; Got To Get Paid; Better Be Getting It On; Runnin’ Blind; The Blues Is Still With Me; Make It Right; I Need More; Standing In The Door Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King are a study in contrasts. Almost everything them is totally different except their mutual love of music. Even here there is a total contrast in style: Kubek has a blazing blues/rock style born from the guitar traditions of Texas. King has a pleasing and emotive vocal style and a light jazz -based guitar style rooted in Louisiana. These two have been traveling and performing steady for a little over eleven years. They have seven albums to their credit on the Bullseye Label. This CD is their first one for the Blind Pig Label. Even this CD seems double-sided. The first four tunes are as if they are warming up and the last six are when they play their blues hearts out. So start with track five if you really want to experience the true heart and depth of this unique duo.Kubek is very focused with his long, expressive, moving guitar solos, which often captivate one’s attention. King plays his guitar more in the background and concentrates on getting his vocals as emotional as possible. They blend together as a total force as they play their own imaginative arrangements. Not only did they write all ten tracks, but Kubek also got to produce the album. Their shades of blues easily vary from traditional, get-on -down blues to melodic, low-key blues, to their own original statements. Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King play their own musical creations with unique, heartfelt and powerful guitar playing and vocals. They are especially dynamic when they are bringing their own creative style to their blues roots.Check them out!!! Maria Bainer |
 JIMMY THACKERYGUITAR Blind Pig Records BPCD 5083 SONGS: Hang Up & Drive; Roy’s Bluz; Sinner Street; Jump for Jerry; Blues ‘Fore Dawn; Burford’s Bop; Apache; All About My Girl; Last Night; Jimmy’s “Rude Mood;” Edward’s Blues; Jimmy’s Detroit Boogie Jimmy Thackery shows off his guitar pyrotechnics on his varied musical journey with twelve instrumentals. He wrote seven of the tunes which are mainly from his previous albums. Three of the tracks are released for the first time on this CD. Thackery is at ease playing blues, rock, swing, jazz, and boogie music which is all represented on this album. His guitar playing is powerful and awesome throughout the CD. It is trippy to tune into his playing and hear his high-energy solos which are out in his own universe. Such exciting music definitely makes an impact. There is a musical mix on the CD which keeps one’s interest up. Three blues tunes are on the album. “Roy’s Bluz,” by Roy Buchanan, is the longest track. There is plenty of time to develop his boldly suggestive playing with these deep blues. The whimsical “Blues ‘Fore Dawn,” and the alluring “Edward’s Blues” are both written by Thackery. The rock songs are intense and hard-driving. “Buford’s Bop” and “Last Night” are on the jazzy side. “Apache” is in a catagory by itself and sounds like a dramatic western. It has a haunting, familiar theme song in it. The three previously unreleased tracks were all recorded at a club in 1994. “Jump For Jerry,” written by Thackery, features a guitar duet with guest artist, Duke Robillard. The hot boogies, “ Jimmy’s ‘Rude Mood’ and “Jimmy’s Detroit Boogie” are fast and dramatic and take one to new music levels. It is a treat to hear an entire album of instrumentals. It is no wonder that Jimmy Thackery is considered to be one of the premier guitar players on the blues scene today. He is highly talented, versatile and exciting to hear. The songs on this album prove that. This CD is a “must have” for serious instrumental guitar enthusiasts. Maria Bainer |
 NICK CURRAN & THE NITELIFESDOCTOR VELVET Blind Pig Records BPCD5081 SONGS: Doctor Velvet; Lonesome Whistle Blues; Shot Down; Drivin’ Me Crazy; Don’t Be Angry; Please Don’t Leave Me; Midnite Hour; One More Time; Can’t Stop Lovin’ You; She’s Gone; Beautiful Girl; Cold, Cold Heart; Stompin’ At The Fort Nick Curran is promoted as “ a 21st century hybrid of Little Richard and T-Bone Walker who skillfully reinterprets and reinvents classic R&B and jump blues.” Curran is in his early twenties. He has a musical background and was playing in a rockabilly band when he was eighteen. This album is primarily from the fifties musical era, and reflects retro-swing. Curran wrote six of the thirteen tracks. He has recorded two other albums, and this is his first debut with the Blind Pig label. Curran captures the sound of the fifties era in some of the thirteen songs on this CD. How much he “reinvents” these sounds is out of my musical league. I do know that his raw and unrefined version of the original, melodious “Cold, Cold Heart” does no justice to the original. Curran plays jump blues, blues, rock n’ roll, and R&B tunes on this album. His rough-edged vocals seem to be a main focus, but lack depth and emotion. He plays some pleasant guitar solos and rhythm parts, and often sounds more heartfelt than the vocals. His friend, Jimmie Vaughan plays an expressive second guitar on two of the tunes. Gary Primich blows a great harmonica on two of the numbers. Matt Farrell plays good, strong piano all the way through the album. There is musical diversity on the album. The two blues songs are very different. “Lonesome Whistle Blues” has depth and a sauntering approach. “She’s Gone,” one of Curran’s originals, is a slow, very heavy and sad song. Even the guitar sounds very sad. “Please Don’t Leave Me,” another of Curran’s creations, is very slow and drawn out and the longest track on the album and has a very bluesy feeling to it. The title track, “Dr. Velvet,” and his “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” are two examples of the jump blues. “Dr. Velvet” is a rollicking, complex jump blues with up-to-date lyrics. “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” is too bouncy to develop much soul and emotion. The more dramatic “ Shot Down” and the shallow version of “Don’tBe Angry” are examples of rock’ n’ roll songs. “Drivin’ Me Crazy” with its Latin dance beat and a haunting, minor key rhythm that the guitar picks up on, stands by itself. “Midnite Hour” and “Beautiful Girl” are more bouncy tunes. Nick Curran puts out some fifties -type songs, some of which sound good. It would be good if he could develop more emotion in his vocals, and play more soulful guitar solos. He is working his way toward his “hype,” but hasn’t arrived there yet. Although he is one of Jimmie Vaughan’s favorite up-and comers, he has a ways to go to be there all the way. But he has talent, and is worth keeping an eye on. Maria Bainer |
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