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 Altered
Five Blues Band continues to be one of my
favorite blues groups, especially among those
that I've never had the opportunity to see and
hear in person. This Milwaukee-based ensemble
has just issued another killer album in
Hammer & Chisel (Blind Pig Records).
Like
their previous releases, this one features the
powerful, roof-shattering vocals of Jeff Taylor,
backed by his usual band of Jeff Schroedl
(guitar), Mark Solveson (bass), Steve Huebler
(keyboards), and Alan Arber (drums). Special
guests include Jason Ricci blowing his blues
harp on three cuts and horn players Max Abrams
and Julio Diaz showing up on the opener.
That
first number, "I Got It Good," starts the album
off strong, an up-tempo driving blues with a
steady beat as Taylor sings about how well life
is going for him. He then comes out with
demanding vocals on a slow blues, "Dare Me To Do
It," as he suggests to that woman what she needs
from him. Ricci plays strong harmonica
throughout.
The
up-tempo blues, "Who Can You Trust," has Taylor
providing words of caution about the people
around us, with Schroedl plugging in effective
guitar fills. The slow, plodding blues, "Lotta
Love Left In Me," takes it late into the night
with pleading vocals from Taylor as he issues
regular reminders that he's got a lot of love
left but just needs to find the one who's right.
Very tasteful guitar from Schroedl and a killer
piano solo from Huebler make this one even more
palatable.
The
title cut follows, an up-tempo blues rocker with
Taylor elaborating how he uses the hammer and
chisel to break all of the rules. Just as
face-paced is "Can't Shake It," with Taylor
recounting lifelong memories that won't go away,
such as the time he fell through the ice at the
age of 10 and another when the house caught
fire. Another fine piano solo from Huebler.
The
very topical "Headline Blues" is a mid-tempo
tune about the persistent bad news that hits us
every day, with the song ending with snippets of
actual news headlines. Taylor really pumps the
power and emotion into his voice on the slower
blues, "Hell or High Water," as he tells that
woman what he'll do to be by her side. Schroedl
lays down a stinging guitar solo.
The
mid-tempo blues, "My Love Ain't a Lie," has
Taylor reinforcing his affection for that woman,
and then he must be talking about a different
person on the funky "Crazy One," as he wants a
break from that woman who's full of daily drama.
Huebler shines again on piano here.
Wrapping up another excellent Altered Five blues
collection is the gentle and inspirational "The
Will Of Man," which opens with spiritual humming
before turning into a beautiful song that uses
Taylor's strong voice to great effect. A
pewerful ending to inspire us to all get past
the troubles of the world.
I
love every album I've heard from Altered Five
Blues Band, and Hammer & Chisel is no
exception. Perhaps someday I'll get to see them
live, but until then I'll settle for their deep
discography of very fine blues albums.
--- Bill Mitchell
 Charlie
Barath is a Pittsburgh native but, like
many, he fell under the sway of the blues after
buying his first harmonica, a Hohner Marine Band
model). Over the past decades, he has developed
a sound that encompasses blues, roots, and
Americana, and has worked as a performer and
educator.
Now
retired after working as a carpenter, Barath is
fully devoted to the music, with his latest
album being recently released Issaquena
Getaway, a 14-track set recorded in
Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Barath co-produced with Gary Vincent and penned
12 of the songs, with musical support from
guitarists Johnny Burgin and Andrew Sherer,
keyboardist Mark Yacovone, bassist Mike Law, and
backing vocalist Shari Richards on one track.
“I
Gets Around,” the opening track, is a
freewheeling shuffle with fretwork from Burgin
complementing Barath's harmonica. “The Weekend
Song” is a swinging workout with Barath backed
by guitarist Sherer and keyboardist Yacovone,
and “Waitin' For The Queen” has a swampy, Slim
Harpo feel, thanks to Burgin's shimmering guitar
as Barath relates the blues to a game of cards.
The
lively Latin-flavored instrumental, “Cuban
Getaway,” was written by Ike Turner and Joe
Josea, and features Burgin and Sherer on guitar
trading solos with Barath's harmonica. The Windy
City shuffle, “I Might Fall In Love,” opens with
Law's walking bass, Burgin playing rhythm, and
Sherer handling the fills. “The Best Thing You
Can Do” is a jaunty swing blues, with Yacovone
driving the tune on piano and Sherer handling
lead guitar.
“Brass Monkey” is the amusing story of a
cold-blooded lover that features Yacovone on
organ and Burgin on guitar. “Just Wanna Walk
With You” is a lighthearted tale of physical
attraction, with both guitarists backing up
Barath's harp work.
“That Wasn't Me” is a cool shuffle that finds
Barath addressing a few possibly false
accusations, and the breezy “Renee” finds him
lamenting one that got away.
“Can
I Have This Dance” is a shuffle with a bit of a
New Orleans rhythm, and “I'm Gonna Let You” is a
moody urban blues with Yacovone playing organ
and Burgin providing crisp lead guitar along
with Barath's harp.
The
instrumental “Sugar” was written by jazz tenor
master Stanley Turrentine, here an excellent
extended jam with Barath's harp subbing for the
sax, plus lead guitar from Sherer and piano from
Yacovone.
The
closing track, “Honey I Got No Money,” is a warm
blues that declares that there are things that
matter more than money. Richards backs Barath's
vocals, and he and Burgin deliver on harp and
guitar, respectively.
Issaquena Getaway is a superb set of
harmonica-based blues that touches on a variety
of styles. Charlie Barath is an excellent
harmonica player and vocalist, and his
songwriting is top notch. The musical support is
about as good as one could ask for on this
outstanding release.
--- Graham Clarke
 Crystal
Shawanda got her start singing country music
and enjoyed some success, but she eventually
made her way to the blues and has enjoyed
well-deserved success with her last few blues
albums.
Her
latest, Sing Pretty Blues (New Sun
Records), was released last year, but it
certainly doesn't deserve to slip through the
cracks. The Canadian vocalist turns in a
marvelous set of tunes, backed by a host of
musicians, including her husband Dewayne Strobel,
who produced the album and played guitar on all
the tracks.
Opening with an inspired cover of Son House's
“Preachin' Blues,” Shawanda's fiery vocal is
backed by Stephan Hanner and Strobel's slide
guitar. The sassy “Stop Funkin' Me Around
follows, adding a bit of funk to the blues with
B3 from Peter Keys.
“Would You Know Love” is a soul/country-tinged
ballad straight out of Muscle Shoals. “I Gave Up
Everything For You, 'Cept The Blues” is a
rocking shuffle, with Keys on piano and Hanner
on harp.
The
title track really showcases the power of
Shawanda's vocals as she declares she “don't
sing pretty,” but it sounds mighty nice to this
blues fan. “Don't Let Me Be Lonely” is a strong
ballad that would be a snug fit in the soul or
country genre.
The
easygoing “If That's All It Takes” leans more
toward the country side of the aisle, while
“Waitin' For My Lover To Call” is soulful and
funky, with a guest shot from Ping Rose on
guitar.
Shawanda delivers a marvelous cover of the Black
Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne ballad “Changes (For
Snowflake),” dedicating the song to a friend who
tragically passed away. The album's final cover
is a sizzling, sultry take on Tom Petty's “Honey
Bee,” and “Too Far To Turn Around” is a
well-worn southern rocker about life on the
road.
Shawanda closes the album with “Dirty (For JC),”
an acoustic track featuring her heartfelt vocal
sympathetically backed by Strobel on guitar.
An
album as good as Sing Pretty Blues
doesn't deserve to slip through the cracks (it
was originally released last April). Crystal
Shawanda continues to amaze with her wonderful
vocals. It was a great thing for blues fans when
she began focusing on the blues and, hopefully,
that will continue to be the case for a long
time to come.
--- Graham Clarke
 The
Pontchartrain Shakers' self-titled debut
release was one of my favorite albums of 2024.
Even though it's early in the year, I have a
feeling that their follow-up release, Love,
Peace & Chicken Grease (Southland Records)
will be a favorite as well.
Like
it's predecessor, this release is a tasty mix of
Louisiana blues and soul with a dash of the
Mississippi blues. The album was recorded live
in the studio with only minor overdubs, and most
songs were recorded in one take.
The
band remains mostly intact from their debut,
with Amadee “A5” Frederick (guitar/vocals),
Jojjo Wight (vocals/guitar), Red DeVecca (bass),
and Earl Smith, Jr. (drums),. They are joined
once again by A5's father, Amadee “The Creole
Blues Man” Frederick (guitar/vocals) and welcome
Wight's parents Jamie Wight (cornet) and Heidi
Wight (trombone), along with Michael Loupe (alto
saxophone).
A5
and Wight co-wrote three tunes of the ten,
penning two with Justine Rydezeski, and one with
“The Creole Blues Man.”
The
opening track is the buoyant “Sunshine,” an
easygoing rocker about the joys of being with
family. “Don't Ask Me How I'm Doing” is a
splendid, soulful blues ballad with a powerful
vocal from A5 and fine contributions from the
Wights and Loupe.
There's also a wonderful instrumental cover of
“St. James Infirmary,” allowing both guitarists
ample space to strut their stuff, backed by
their rock solid rhythm section. The elder
Frederick joins his son for an acoustic number,
“Lucy Mae,” that is marvelous, before A5 turns
in another another heartfelt soul burner, “You
Amaze Me,” a lovely tune that couples should be
using for a wedding song.
“Going to Kentucky” is an interesting story/song
about a trip to Mammoth Cave with a few twists
and turns, and “Christmas in New Orleans”
describes that time during the holidays when the
tourists leave for a spell and the locals get
the town to themselves.
Wight sings on Elizabeth Cotton's “Freight
Train,” a gentle Piedmont blues that's a great
fit for her plaintive vocal and nimble fretwork
(though you can tell she's smiling at someone
emulating a train whistle as the song
concludes).
The
last two tracks are favorites of the band's live
show. William Bell's “You Don't Miss Your Water”
gives listeners another opportunity to hear A5's
soulful vocals, and R.L. Burnside's “Jumper On
The Line” brings the album to a raucous, Hill
Country-flavored close.
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease is not only the
name of the Pontchartrain Shakers' album, it's
also the phrase that the band uses to conclude
their gigs. Their sophomore release is a superb
set of music that celebrates the music of
Louisiana and the closeness of family. Blues
fans need this set in their collection.
--- Graham Clarke
 Brother
John consists of the duo Johnny Never and
John Colgan- Davis. Never is a songwriter and
fingerstyle and slide guitarist specializing in
Delta and Piedmont blues and Colgan-Davis is a
veteran harmonica player who's played and
recorded with Bonnie Raitt. Both are based in
Philadelphia, Never for over two two decades and
Colgan-Davis since the 1970s.
Their new album, Black Crow, is a
wondrous acoustic blues soundtrack with 13
songs, 12 written by Never, plus a cover of
Never's favorite Charley Patton tune.
Brother John usually works as a duo, but they
occasionally include guest musicians, and that's
the case on Black Crow, with Chicago Carl
Snyder (piano), Jimmy Pritchard (acoustic bass),
Mark Shewchuck (percussion), Alan Lewine (bass),
and Holly Hoffman, Shannon Roberts, and Monica
Moran appearing on selected tracks.
The
somber, desperate “Bread and Salt” opens the
disc with Never's forlorn vocals and slide
guitar backed by Colgan-Davis' harp and Hoffman,
Roberts, and Moran, who provide gospel-flavored
backing vocals.
“New
Sovereigns Blues” serves as a modern-day social
commentary blues similar to the style in the
'20s and '30s, and the lighthearted “Svelte Man
Blues” is an autobiographical country blues with
Never on resonator.
The
haunting title track features Never delivering
an anguished vocal which describes dealing with
the death of a loved one. Charley Patton's “Dirt
Road Blues” follows, one of Never's favorite
tunes by the Delta blues master, and he and
Colgan-Davis effectively capture the mood of the
original.
“Wandering Eye Blues” moves into Piedmont blues
territory, as Never laments his inability to be
faithful to a good woman and avoid temptation."
No Place Like Home” is a gentle love song, with
Never again on resonator, and “That Thing You
Did Last Night” is a slow blues that takes a
look at how easily men can be led astray.
The
folk blues “Old Man Mose” is a sad tale of a man
turned out by his woman with no options. The
salacious “Sexy Baby Blues” is about the
“trials” of having a beautiful mate, and the
slow burner “Whiskey Glass” has a Latin feel
with Never's Spanish guitar backed by Colgan-Davis'
understated harp.
“Five Miles” is an energetic track describing
the trip back and forth while walking to the
job, with Never's vocal painting a vivid picture
of weariness. The closer, the playful “Cook It
To The Bone,” is a sensual blues about a woman
Never once fell in love with, featuring Snyder
on piano.
It's
easy to see these songs being played by blues
artists of the '20s and '30s with their
sometimes playful, sometimes pointed lyrical
content and Brother John's guitar and harp work.
With those qualities, it's safe to say that fans
of acoustic country blues will enjoy Black
Crow.
--- Graham Clarke
 Singer/songwriter/guitarist
Matthew Curry started playing guitar at
age four, performing live at eight, and leading
his own band at 11. His music combines blues
with rock, southern rock and country. He has
toured with The Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller
Band, Peter Frampton, Journey, and Don Felder.
His
latest release on Ruf Records, One For The
Ride, is a powerful, high-energy set with
ten songs, nine originals written by Curry.
“Rum
Stumblin'” opens the disc, a high-powered,
driving blues rocker that gets the party started
right with plenty of edgy guitar work from
Curry. “Born Behind The Wheel” is a tough
southern rocker about the inevitable life on the
road and “Barely Livin'” is a gentler, more
country-flavored blues with a nice vocal from
Curry that's on the country side
“Dancing In The Kitchen” is a soulful acoustic
number about a simple night at home with his
loved one, while “Ballad Of Jesse Ed Davis” is a
tribute to the legendary guitarist who played
with Taj Mahal, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton
among others. This one features soaring guitar
work from Curry, who on the following cut
provides a sensitive vocal on the tender ballad,
“Don't Be A Stranger.”
“Rather Float A River” is a cool track that
mixes funk, southern rock, and soul, and the
cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's “Whiskey Rock &
Roller” is an excellent tribute to one of
Curry's biggest influences.
“Brand New Day” is an easygoing country tune
with accordion, banjo, and slide guitar about
making a new start. The closer, 'The Rambling
Kind,” starts acoustic but moves to full
electric and back to acoustic as Curry ponders
life on the road once again.
One For The Ride is a fine showcase for
Matthew Curry's talents as a singer, guitarist,
and songwriter. This is a well-crafted,
well-rounded album that will appeal to blues,
blues rock, and roots music fans.
--- Graham Clarke
 Hubert
Sumlin was not only a legendary guitarist
but also a great storyteller. Back in 2006, he
spent some time with VizzTone Records' Richard
Rosenblatt and they worked on the song, “No
Panties On The Bus.” It was based on one of
Sumlin's stories about his former boss Howlin'
Wolf returning home from the road and having to
deal with his jealous wife and her
double-barreled shotgun.
There are two versions of the song, one with
Hubert telling the story in between the lyrics
and one without the story. It's a great tune on
it's own, but I recommend the version with
Sumlin's narration for the full hilarious
effect.
He's
backed on this entertaining track by Rosenblatt
on harmonica, Paul Lenart on guitar, Bill Mather
on bass, Larry Luddecke on piano, and Billy
Conway on drums. I'm glad Rosenblatt decided to
release this after 20 years.
--- Graham Clarke
 Looking
for that perfect track for your summertime
playlist? Well, Stevie J Blues' latest
single, “KickBack” (PKMG), is just the tune to
plug in, whether you're sitting at the beach,
the fish fry, or at the BBQ, or....well.... just
kicking back with friends.
It's
a funky mix of blues and R&B with a rhythm that
just gets down in your bones and makes you move,
and Stevie J Blues adds some soaring fretwork in
the background that Ernie Isley would be proud
of.
“KickBack” is a fun track that will make the
upcoming months even more enjoyable.
--- Graham Clarke
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