A big weekend at Smoken Joe's BBQ - August 27th-29th

A BIG weekend at;

Smoken’ Joe’s BBQ and Blues

Peter Parcek Trio

Friday, August 27 at 9PM

 

Sara Thompson featuring Ron Levy

Saturday, August 28 at 9PM

Geoff Bartley w/ Special Guest

Sunday, August 29 at 7PM

351 Washington Street Brighton, MA 02135

617-254-5227 www.smokenjoesbbq.com

The Boston All Star Blues Revue - Londonderry NH - September 10th, 2010

Check out this UNBELIEVABLE show on September 10 at Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry NH at 8pm. The Boston All Star Blues Revue featuring Toni Lynn Washington, Monster Mike Welch, Brian Templeton, Lydia Warren, Bruce Bears & Mr. Nick with backing band The Dirty Tricks. Tickets are only $20 for this phenomenal show. Please come support these stellar Bluesicians and enjoy what will surely be a night to remember!

Blind Willy - Willing to Crawl - Peter Blewzzman Lauro

Blind Willy

"Willing To Crawl"

Spec Records

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2010

    Blind Willy consists of: Doug Jones on vocals, guitar and harmonica; James Cook on bass and background vocals; Derek Mixon on drums; Johnny Neel on keyboards; Joanna Cotton on background vocals; Chris West on saxophone; Adam Jones on trombone; and Dan Cohen on guitar (1 track).  The disc is an EP which contains five outstanding original tracks.

    Doug may be "Living The Blues" but, as he happily states on this opening track, he's "not going down without a puttin' up a fight - 'cause he fells like rockin' tonight".  Atta boy, Doug!  Right from the get go the band gets into one of those toe tappin', head bobbin' grooves - led by the rhythm work of James, Derek and Johnny - and they lock it right in.  That, combined with the amazingly harmonic vocals and background vocals sung by Doug and Joanna, make this one hell of a track.  While writing this paragraph, it's a close call as to what my fingers hit more - the keypad or the replay button.  Excellent stuff!

    In order to get his woman back, Doug's not only man enough to let her see his teardrops fall, but he's also "Willing To Crawl".  The emotions relayed through his powerfully yet passionate vocals, leave absolutely no question as to his sincerity.  With a steady, intense organ background and a strong drum rhythm behind him Doug's at discs best as he squeezes tears out of his guitar as well.  

    "My Little Feelgood" is a heck of a party song.  As a matter of fact, there's quite a party going on in the background.  This one's highlighted by wind - hot wind and lots of it - Doug blowin' it into the harp and Chris and Adam blowin' it into their horns.  Add some hand clapping, lots of laughing and several people singing background and you've got a real smoker goin' on.

    "Leave The Light On" is an absolutely exquisite and sensually sung ballad.  About two thirds into the track Doug hits some notes that sent chills through my body.  I know there are literally thousands of beautifully sung love songs out there, but this one's got to be one of the best.  My apologies to the rest of the guys in the band - I know you're there, but I'm lost in the vocals on this one. 

    I'm sure the guys worked up a "Sweat" while recording this one, because they all sound on top of their game.  James, Derek and Johnny are at it again - serving up some intense rhythm, Chris and Adam are blowin' fire outta their horns, and Doug..... oh he's just up to his usual singin' the hell out of the song.  

    Even though it's an EP, I believe I may have just listened to the front runner in the 2010 "Blewzzy Award" competition.  Short of offering a money back guarantee, I am promising you that there won't be one second of this disc you will not love.  Go - right now - to www.blindwilly.com and get one (being an EP, it's priced right).  And while you're there, tell Doug the Blewzzman says "WOW!" 

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples - "Live In Key West!"

Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples
"Live In Key West!"
Snailworx Productions
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2010


Prelude


It's a pleasure and an honor to have the opportunity to work with this posthumously released Pat Ramsey CD.  Besides being one of my favorite harmonica players and vocalists, Pat was also a very dear friend. It seemed like we bonded from the very first minute we introduced ourselves, at Alligator Alley, in Sunrise, FL.  That was ten years ago, and since then the club is gone and so is Pat. Although it saddens me that he won't be able to read these words, I'll always have a fond memory of Pat that will forever put a smile on my face. Following a Saturday night gig about 10 minutes from my house, I had Pat and the band over for a good old fashion Sunday afternoon Italian dinner, before they headed back to Tallahassee.  I swear, I never saw a bunch of skinny guys eat so much, and after we were done, Pat said it "was the best Italian food he's ever had." It's a compliment I'll never forget, especially since it came from the best harmonica player I ever heard.


"Live In Key West!" was recorded from Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples in Key West, FL shows during 2004. The band consisted of Pat Ramsey on vocals and harmonica, Dave Renson - Pat's band mate for over ten years - on guitar and Dobro,  Duane Waider on drums and John Wentzien on bass.


The sincerity in his voice, and the feeling he puts into his words, leads you to believe he really needs it when he says "Somebody Loan Me A Dime".   The first eight minutes of this eleven minute soulful ballad is all Pat - singing and blowing his heart out as he did so well. Of course, on a track this long you couldn't keep Dave quiet the whole time.   Some excellent crying guitar licks add to the melancholy mood.


Just saying the name of this track pretty much tells the whole story - "Whammer Jammer". Those two words should be listed in the dictionary with a description that states: "One hell of an ass kicking, all out free for all instrumental jam led by fierce and frantic harmonica playing." Did I make my point? I'm betting even Magic Dick and J. Geils would love this version.


One of the two original tracks on the disc, this one penned by Dave, is "Got Love If You Want It".   Coincidence or not, some of the discs best guitar work can be heard right here. Fueled by a hot rhythm, led by Duane on the drums, Dave tears it up on this one.


One of my favorite styles of harmonica playing is the type that Jimmy Reed made famous - that high pitched, sharp, piercing sound. On the cover of his "Honest I Do", Pat nails the sound. The smooth sound coming out of Dave's guitar and the mellow rhythm being produced by Duane and John, on drums and bass, make this a classic for a slow dance.


At the opening of "Dead Shrimp Blues" there's a three minute harmonica intro that could have been a song in itself. Then there are several vocal breaks where the band, at discs best, just locks into a groove that would have had me saying "lock the door and throw away the key" if I was in the room.  Great rhythm, great guitar leads, and great vocals make this the best version of this song I've ever heard.


Other tracks on "Live In Key West!" include: "Dog House Blues", "Jammin' In The Jungle", "Stingin' Stang", "Highway 49/Highway 61 Revisited" and "Last Night".


This is the part of the review where I always advise the reader to visit the artists' website - to purchase a disc, and to send my regards to the artist as well. Well, you can get the disc at www.snailworx.com, but the regards part won't be necessary.  My friend Pat already knows I'm thinking of him.


Epilogue


It's always been my opinion that Pat Ramsey was one of the artists that the blues community so wrongfully overlooked. How or why he never achieved the recognition he so deserved still baffles me.  Maybe his time is yet to come - here are some words from someone who believes that as well......


"The overall musicianship of the band was outstanding and Pat's vocals sounded like the real thing. I was very impressed by the dynamics, performances and song combinations of Pat Ramsey & The Blues Disciples. My label has just submitted this CD for Grammy consideration for Best Contemporary Blues Album."


Michael Lewis
Snailworx Productions


Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Review of JJ Grey & MOFRO - Georgia Warhorse

JJ Grey & MOFRO

Georgia Warhorse

Alligator Records (B003TTZSY2)

Release date : August 24th, 2010

Review by Georgetown Fats

If the legendary Bruce Iglauer thinks enough of a group or an artist to sign them to his label, then the artist or group is worth my time to give a few spins.  For Iglauer to have formed Alligator Records just to record Hound Dog Taylor, and then to make Alligator Records a home to such legendary artists as Koko Taylor or Charlie Musselwhite or up and comers Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials then his opinion and label holds a great deal of weight in my music purchasing decisions.  After a few spins of “Georgia Warhorse”, clearly I am missing something.

For those who have lived under the same rock I have recently, JJ Grey & MOFRO  are a  seven piece soul/funk/R&B/Blues/southern rock band from Jacksonville Florida.  Have been the latest ‘it’ band for “Blues Review” or people cover musicians on the blues jam circuit looking to do something a little different during their sets, I had expected a great deal when I finally had a chance to be exposed to their original recordings.  Having learned this was their 2nd release on the legendary Alligator Records label, I have to give Mr. Iglauer a pass for signing this radio friendly/pedestrian act.

“Georgia Warhorse” opens with “Diyo Dayo”.  Guitarist Daryl Hance’s abrasively thin guitar tone does nothing to distract from JJ Grey’s overly processed vocals.  By the time the rest of the band kicks in with the song, I am already uninterested.  From the opening track, Grey may be a multi-instrumentalist by being credited with work on piano, acoustic and electric guitar in addition to harmonica in addition to his vocals.  He should focus on his vocals first.

The opening of “King Hummingbird” features JJ Grey’s acoustic guitar work accompanying his vocals.  While Grey may show some soul in his vocal work during “King Hummingbird”, his brand of soul is derivative.  Other advertised soul artists have delivered a lot more convincing performance with a lot more originality.  

“Hottest Spot in Hell”, the sole hotspot on “Georgia Warhorse” Grey’s overly processed vocals and guitarist Daryl Hance’s abrasively thin guitar tone may be back, but due to the subject matter it fits.  In one of the few rockers on “Georgia Warhorse” it is bound to be released as a single, delivered to bait many into random purchases.  

Ultimately I expect JJ Grey & MOFRO to earn considerable airplay with this radio friendly release.  The mix of radio-friendly soul/blues is bound to sell a considerable volume of units helping assure Alligator Records can continue to bankroll more original artists.  So they serve a purpose.  Just allow me to go out on a limb, and predict JJ Grey & MOFRO tunes to one-day reach overplayed/over-covered contemporary blues status.

Charlie Musselwhite - The Well - Alligator Records

Charlie Musselwhite 

The Well Alligator Records (B003TYOABO) 

Release Date – 8/24/10 

Review by Georgetown Fats   

Scheduled to be released on August 24th, 2010 back with Alligator Records since 1993, Charlie Musselwhite’s latest offering “The Well” puts the legendary Alligator Record label back with “The Ace of Harps”.  Reunited and it sounds so damn good.  “The Well” contains thirteen tracks of autobiographical material covering early days in Mississippi, complimented by succinct liner note for each track. 

Opening with the mid-tempo shuffle “Rambler’s Blues”, testifies to his love of the open road.  As Musselwhite attests in the liner notes, this song reflects some of his earliest desires and passions to roam the world over.  Musselwhite’s effortless and mellow vocal style continue his matter-of-fact delivery detail how he “rolls in with the dust, and out with the wind”. 

Musselwhite treats the listening to a geography lesson, delta style, on ‘Where Highway 61 Runs”.  Part updated rendition of the Musselwhite classic “The Blues Overtook Me” part aural Mississippi Delta Tourism brochure, Musselwhite proves that though he his home base may be in San Francisco his heart and soul will always be in Delta. 

With the help of his long-time friend Mavis Staples, Musselwhite’s offers a heart-wrenching piece on missed opportunities and guilt after the loss of his mother.  Having lost his mother to a murder in Memphis, Musselwhite obviously carries considerable pain from the incident and has the skills of offer this cathartic piece.  Though Staple’s vocal melody is restrained to match Musselwhite’s delivery her soulful gospel voice shines throughout. 

Though Musselwhite does carry himself southern gentleman way, there was a time earlier in his life when personal demons allowed him to run afoul of the law.  This time in particular, Musselwhite details being sentenced due to a cop who had lied about his case.  Having only been introduced to Charlie Musselwhite in his southern senior years it is another poignant piece on the emotional scars inflicted over his hard living phase of life. 

Approaching his 67th year, though Musselwhite has carved out a secondary career as an in-demand session player and harmonica clinician, with the release of “The Well” Musselwhite proves he still has many more stories to tell and stops on the road.

James Superharp Cotton LIVE at Fitchburg State University

Living blues legend James “Superharp” Cotton, a Grammy-winning member of the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, comes to Fitchburg State University in his 66^th year in the entertainment business. Cotton performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Weston Auditorium on the Fitchburg State campus as part of the CenterStage at Fitchburg State University arts and culture series.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $10 for students.

Born in Mississippi in 1935, Cotton’s earliest memories include his mother playing chicken and train sounds on her harmonica. He learned to play on a 15-cent harmonica and by age 9 was playing with Sonny Boy Williamson. Soon he was playing with the legendary Howlin’ Wolf and was recording on Sun Records by the time he was 15 years old. And he was just 19 when Muddy Waters came to him in need of a harp player.

Cotton’s performance at Fitchburg State is co-sponsored by Worcester Magazine.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/cultural/.