Jim Suhler -- "Panther Burn"

Let's skip over the fact that this was released last February. I need to say how terrific it is, and I need for you to hear how terrific it is. I have loved Jim Suhler's work for over 15 years now--in fact, two cds he made, one with Alan Haynes, "Live At Blue Cat Blues," (2000) and the solo acoustic "Dirt Road," (2002) are among my all time favorites. 

And this new cd is as good as anything he has released over the twenty-plus years he has been making Texas music.

The band this time out includes Carlton Powell and Buddy Momed on bass, Beau Chadwell, Kevin Schermerhorn and Jimmy Morgan on drums, Tim Alexander on piano, organ and accordian, and Shawn Phares on organ, Jim Elmore on guitar, Kim Wilson on harmonica, and Carolyn Wonderland and Ray Benson on vocals, along with Suhler on guitar and vocals. There are thirteen original songs and one cover, "Remember Mama" from To Kill A Mockingbird.

My favorite song here is the wonderful gospel "Amen Corner," which segues into "All God's Children Get The Blues Sometimes." Great organ work by Tim Alexander and great acoustic slide guitar by Mr Suhler. Carolyn Wonderland and Ray Benson add some great vocals.

Jim Suhler is a great singer, songwriter and guitarist. Give "Panther Burn" a listen, and you'll be hooked. You can buy this cd at http://www.jimsuhler.com

Finis Tasby & Kid Andersen -- "Snap! Your Fingers"

I have fallen in love over the years with some things in the blues--BB King's guitar intro on "Three O'Clock Blues," the great Boz Scaggs/Duane Allman & The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section "Loan Me A Dime," T Bone Walker's "Call It Stormy Monday," JJ Cale's languorous guitar on "Crazy Mama," Sean Costello's cover of Bob Dylan's "Simple Twist Of Fate," a few others. But one of the things I fell in love with wasn't as well known as those others, and it wasn't even on his own album. Back early in 2006 I listened to Kirk Fletcher's cd "Shades Of Blue" (2004, Delta Groove). That was the very first time I had heard Kim Wilson or Janiva Magness or Finis Tasby sing, and I fell in love with Finis Tasby's voice. He sang "The River's Invitation" with Kirk Fletcher on guitar, Ronnie James Weber on bass and Richard Big Foot Innes on drums and I was hooked. Hooked!

Finis started out in Dallas Texas in 1962 with a band called The Thunderbirds, playing bass and singing behind ZZ Hill. In 1973 Finis left Dallas and moved to Los Angeles, where he played and recorded with the Finis Tasby band and had some success until his chance came--his debut release was "People Don't Care" (1995, Shanachie Records). Following that, Finis released "Jump Children!" (1998, Evidence) and "What My Blues Are All About" (2005, Electro Fi). Since about 2004 Finis has been one of the vocalists for The Mannish Boys, many of whom played on that great Kirk Fletcher cd "Shades Of Blue." 

This is what it says about Finis on the BlueBeat Music.com site about this new cd "Snap! Your Fingers." (BlueBeatMusic):

Finis Tasby has been a fixture on the Southern California blues scene for over 4 decades.  Originally from Dallas Texas, Finis first made his mark on the Bihari Brothers BIG TOWN label in the 70's and has continued recording for labels as diverse as ACE- EVIDENCE- ELECTRO-FI & DELTA GROOVE.  As the lead singer of the MANNISH BOYS, Finis has added his authentic soulful singing to their many fine releases over the past few years.....This set is reminiscent of  early 70's radio blues with hit's originally recorded by the likes of BB KING- ZZ HILL & BOBBY BLAND.  Kid Andersen's production is clear and crisp with just the right touch of sweetness for Finis' gritty style........

The band on this new cd include Finis on vocals, Kid Andersen on guitar, Kedar Roy on bass, June Core on drums.  There are also a passel of guests, like Elvin Bishop on guitar, Lisa Leu Andersen (who adds a great vocal on "Ghetto Woman,") Lorenzo Farrell on organ, Bob Welsh on piano, organ and guitar, Sid Morris on organ, Scott T Miller on rhythm guitar, Butch Cousins on drums, Derrick Martin on percussion and a crack horn section of Jack Sanford on tenor/bari sax, Terry Hanck on tenor sax, and Ed Early on trombone.

I probably need to say that after this cd was recorded, in December 2013, Finis Tasby suffered a massive stroke. Since then he has been paralyzed on his left side, and he is residing at a long term care facility in California. Buying this new cd not only gets you some great blues music by one of the best vocalists around and a band of all-stars, but it provides Finis with an income when he could really use a hand. I hope everybody who reads this review will buy at least one cd. I paid for my review copy myself. 

Finis Tasby, the Original Mannish Boy and award winning vocalist suffered a massive stroke Dec 6, 2012 and remains paralyzed on his left side.
He is currently in a long-term care facility in Santa Ana, Calif.

- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/blues-legend-finis-tasby-needs-a-lil-help-from-his-friends-/154297#sthash.WcvRezCu.dpuf

Finis Tasby, the Original Mannish Boy and award winning vocalist suffered a massive stroke Dec 6, 2012 and remains paralyzed on his left side.
He is currently in a long-term care facility in Santa Ana, Calif.

- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/blues-legend-finis-tasby-needs-a-lil-help-from-his-friends-/154297#sthash.WcvRezCu.dpuf

Finis Tasby, the Original Mannish Boy and award winning vocalist suffered a massive stroke Dec 6, 2012 and remains paralyzed on his left side.
He is currently in a long-term care facility in Santa Ana, Calif.

- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/blues-legend-finis-tasby-needs-a-lil-help-from-his-friends-/154297#sthash.WcvRezCu.dpufFinis Tasby had a massive stroke--and since then he is unable to perform. The new cd is terrific, and buying it gives one of the great blues singers over the past 40 years an income when he really needs a hand up. 

You can buy this cd at http://http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/

Bernie Pearl -- "Take Your Time"

If you love the great blues and folk music from the early 60s through the early 70s, go to you tube and search for "Live at Ash Grove Los Angeles." You can hear music by Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Lightnin' Hopkins, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Albert Collins, and Big Mama Thornton. Well, when all those great musicians were playing at the Ash Grove, Bernie Pearl was there too. Bernie's brother Ed ran the Ash Grove from 1958 to 1973, and many of the musicians that played there also taught Bernie as they passed through.

Bernie Pearl is one of my favorite guitar players. When Bernie plays and/or sings, he is not a retro player--he uses everything he has learned along the way to the service of the songs. Bernie has been releasing his own cds at least as far back as 2002, and his newest cd, "Take Your Time," (Bee Bump Music, 2013) is a complete blues' lover's delight. "Take Your Time" is nominated by the Blues Blast Music Awards for "Best Acoustic Album." Featuring Bernie on guitars and vocals along with long-time bassist Mike Berry, this disc also features the extraordinary Barbara Morrison on vocals and Albert Trepagnier Jr on percussion and Bobby "Hurricane" Spencer on tenor sax.

Everything is clear from the first song, "Worried Life Blues." Great finger picking by Bernie, his warm and relaxed vocal this time in a duet with Barbara. Albert adds just the right amount of percussion and Mike's bass is clean. There's no star turn, no rushing, no note out of place--what you hear are professional musicians presenting a great song. You feel like you're right there in the room with them.

And that's the way it rolls for all of the 14 songs. Excellent, just excellent. After you hear it all once I'm sure you'll listen to it again. This cd is dedicated to the memory of Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson. 

You can buy this cd, and all of Bernie's cds, at http://www.cdbaby.com/