Grant Dermody "Lay Down My Burden"

Grant Dermody plays harmonica and sings. On "Lay Down My Burden," his third solo recording, he brings together a wonderful set of acoustic country blues songs and a great group of players. The mood is gentle, but the playing is top-notch on every song. It's a Sunday afternoon kind of set, and it is Sunday afternoon as I write this review. The talent of the guests here is mind-blowing, and includes John Cephas (his last song is a great cover of Skip James' "Hard Times Killing Floor Blues") Eric Bibb, Darick Campbell, Rich Del Grosso, Rich Hill, John Dee Holeman, Orville Johnson, Louisiana Red, Del Rey, and a host of others. The songs range widely as well, from Rev Gary Davis' "I'll Be Alright" to Steven Gomes & Ronnie Earl's "It's My Soul" to a very nice cover of "Amazing Grace" to Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More" (done a cappella in 4 part harmony) to Jimmy Reed's "You Don't Have To Go" and a Tibetan prayer "Vajra Guru Mantra" with a few traditional songs and three Grant Dermody originals. Louisiana Red sings and plays guitar on his original "Where Is My Friends?" There are a grand total of two songs here which feature drums--played quite well by Dale Fanning. Instead of the drums most of the time there are a few instruments, a few voices, and these great songs come to life. I think the best things here are a great spin on Dick Powell's "Waterbound" with Richie Stearns on banjo and Grant's harp and voice, and the traditional instrumental "David's Cow," with very fine violin by Scott Meyer, guitar by Forrest Gibson and Grant on harp. Both of those songs are as good as anything done by anybody I have heard this year. The cd is engineered by Garey Shelton and produced by Orville Johnson, who also plays dobro on "Amazing Grace" and "Vajra Guru Mantra" and mandolin on "Evening Train" and "First Light." Liner notes are by Phil Wiggins.

This is a terrific cd, full of humanity and dignity and art. Every time I play it I am reminded of the beauty of music played well.

You can buy it at http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/

Mitch Woods "Gumbo Blues"

Mitch Woods' latest, "Club Gumbo," is a tribute to Smiley Lewis and the pioneers of New Orleans R&B, but this is no nostalgia trip. Instead, this is a ready-made party in a jewel box. Every song is guaranteed to get your ass swinging. Mitch Woods is one of the very best boogie-woogie piano players on Earth, and he and the band tear through a slice of the great music from the Big Easy. The immortal Dave Bartholomew wrote most of these songs, and the great singers Smiley Lewis and Fats Domino sang them way back in the day--they must all be smiling to hear this cd. Woods is ably assisted in this tribute project by a great band--the talent on this set is shockingly good. Herb Hardesty on sax--he was Fats Dominos' tenor sax man for over 60 years. Amadee Castenell and Brian "Breeze" Cayolle on baritone and tenor sax--they play horn in Allen Toussaint's band. John Fohl on guitar--he is Dr. John's guitar player. Cornell Williams on bass--he plays with Jon Cleary. Eric Bolivar on drums--he's the drummer for Bonerama. Even a casual fan of New Orleans music will recognize these names--and these guys can ALL flat out play this music. From the first note things are PUMPING and the level never drops off.

I played this cd for my friend, a New Orleans native, and you should have seen the smile on his face. He said "Just like going home again--and cheaper than a bus ticket!" If you love the city of New Orleans, or New Orleans music, or that great 50s style Rhythm & Blues, this cd will make your ears and your heart happy. You need this cd in your collection.

You can buy this cd at http//www.mitchwoods.com

Two-fer Reviews: Chris James & Patrick Rynn "Gonna Boogie Anyhow" AND Rob Stone "Back Around Here"

Today we share the good news about two fine cds from a 3 man writing team that lays down the Chicago Blues in all its glory. Chris James & Patrick Rynn play guitar & bass respectively for the Rhythm Room All Stars in Phoenix. Rob Stone is a bandleader in Chicago. These three guys first got started together co-founding a band called the C-Notes in 1990. They continue to write together, and now James/Rynn and Stone have each released new cds on Earwig Records at about the same time. Both good cds, too, each built from many of the same elements. Both cds feature the James/Rynn/Stone writing team. Both cds have the James/Rynn duo on guitar and bass, and both cds feature Rob Stone and sometimes Bob Corritore on harmonica, David Maxwell and sometimes Henry Gray on piano, and the great Sam Lay and sometimes Edie Kobek on drums. On the James/Rynn disc Chris James handles the vocal chores. On his disc, Rob Stone sings and plays harmonica.

I really like these guys. They make good mostly up-tempo blues music with no pretense. I hope these partnerships continue to grow and develop. If these three guys could spend enough time together they could be the Chicago version of the Mannish Boys on the west coast--an all star ensemble with chops and taste and flair to spare. Highlights abound. On Rob Stone's disc, "I Need To Plant A Money Tree" has a real infectious groove, and "Lot To Love About You" is a wonderful harp workout with Aaron Moore on piano helping things move. On the James/Rynn disc the best songs are "Money Don't Like Me" (Parts 1 & 2) where the whole band swings and roars and everybody hits the mark. Another highlight is "Headed Out West," featuring only James & Rynn, on electric guitar and upright bass, showing another side of their massive talents.

Two winning discs--snap 'em up at Earwig Records. You'll be glad when these discs land in your mailbox.

My Top Ten "Desert Island Discs"

I wrote this for Facebook this afternoon, and after I thought about it for a while thought I should post it here as well. These discs cover a wider spectrum of music than I usually discuss here--they aren't blues (well, the Sean Costello and Cee Cee James discs are blues) but this has been my personal Top Ten for a while now. Each is highly recommended.

Bob Dylan -- "Blood On The Tracks." Can it possibly be that I've spent 35 years with this record? Its music and words are just part of the substance of my life, they're in my blood like holy wine--to quote Joni Mitchell. I might have chosen five other Bob Dylan records, but this one will stand in for all the rest.

Emmylou Harris -- "Pieces of the Sky." It came out the same year as Blood on The Tracks, and over the years I have found so much in these two records that if I pick one, I better pick them both. l could have chosen only the single "Boulder to Birmingham" and that would be enough, but Emmylou's voice and the quality of her work over the length of this record--and her career--mean so much to me. One of my heros.

Uncle Tupelo -- "Anyodyne." First time I heard this it opened up the top of my head and rearranged the way I heard music.
Sometimes I listen for the faster Neil Young-ish songs, sometimes for the slower Gram Parson-ish ones, but I can never turn it off until I've heard the whole record. These guys and the Clash were just the top of the top for me, for a long time, and I still listen to them over and over.

The Clash -- "London Calling." To me it has always been scary how great this is. An amazing album, with a deep connection all the way back to Woodie Guthrie. Folk music for the 80s. You hardly ever find music this real, and almost never find music this deep.

James Brown -- "20 All Time Greatest Hits!" I'd pick this only for "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag," but I guess I need the whole record. If I'm on a desert island I've got to have some dance music. JB brought the joy--I miss him and Otis Redding nearly as much as I miss my own mother.

Otis Redding -- "Live in London and Paris." I've got to include some Stax/Volt. Booker T & the MGs and the Mar-Keys provide the music, Otis sings the enthusiasm and the love. Those lucky people in Europe got to hear some of the very best music made during my lifetime. They're another disc of Otis out there called "Live at the Whiskey" which is pretty good too.

Sean Costello -- "We Can Get Together." Has to be one of my desert discs, because I don't know how I got along without it before 2008. Sean could do it all--great guitarist, great singer, great writer. I was just beginning to look forward to the next twenty years of his musical journey when Sean died 3 months after this record came out. What a great send off.

Cee Cee James -- "Seriously Raw." This is a great live disc by a great singer. Cee Cee lays it all on the line, and she makes you believe every word. And she's backed by one of the best blues band around right now--Chris Leighton, Dan Mohler, Rob Andrews, Jason Childs. Heir to the throne that Janis Joplin used to occupy.

Sam Baker -- "Cotton." Sam Baker did something nobody else has ever done--the first time I listened to this record I wept at the beauty of it. I list this one to stand in for all the great singer-songwriters like Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zant, Robert Earl Keen, but Sam Baker doesn't have to take a back seat to any of them. My son Chris tipped me off to this one.

And last but not least: CSNY -- "Deja Vu." I've been listening to this one forever, and I've never grown tired of it.

If I added one more and could make it Top 11, I would choose the Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore East.

Albert Castiglia "Keepin On"

Albert Castiglia is a great guitarist and singer, but that's not the best thing about this new cd "Keepin On," out August 10 on Blues Leaf Records. The best thing is that Albert keeps getting better. I listened to Castiglia's work from "Burn" (2002) to "A Stone's Throw" (2006) to "These Are The Days" (2008) and now this new cd "Keepin On" (2010) and the growth is remarkable. Albert's guitar playing is hotter, better, cleaner and his singing stronger, more emotive than ever before. Albert and his band, bassist AJ Kelly and drummer Bob Amsel, kick things off with the Sir Mack Rice-penned "Cadillac Assembly Line." Check out the first time Albert did this song, on "Burn" and compare that take with this one. Albert did a good job of covering Albert King on the 2002 cd, and this time out he completely knocks it out of the park. Next Castiglia does a great job on a Bob Dylan song, this time with "Till I Fell In Love With You," a talent that he has used to good effect previously with "Catfish." Next up are a pair of originals, "Mojo 305," an instrumental which showcases the talents of this three-piece band, and "Keep On Keeping On," which features a great Credence Clearwater Revival-style guitar melody broken up by one of Albert's finest solos yet. That is followed by a cover of T-Bone Walker's "My Baby Is Now On My Mind," which in less than 4 minutes amply illustrates the genius of both T-Bone and Albert's guitar work, which is followed by a cover of Peter Green's "Could Not Ask for More," with guests Bill "Mighty" Quinn on piano and an uncredited Sandy Mack on harmonica.

Then comes a wonderful break--Albert on acoustic guitar with Toby Walker on dobro for "Sweet Southern Angel," a Castiglia original, followed by a standout cover of Robert Nighthawk's classic "Murderin' Blues." This is the direction I'd love to see Albert explore further--I already know he is one of the very top electric guitar players out there, but his guitar touch and his fine sense of dynamics, along with his remarkable voice, have both improved so much since 2002 that I think he could do a GREAT acoustic cd. Maybe someday?

The rest of the disc includes a John Lee Hooker cover "Goin' Upstairs," with Quinn on the Hammond B3, and concludes with two more Castiglia originals, "Gettin By" and "Closing Time," which each turn the heat up again with some great electric guitar work. These two songs are not just coda to all that has gone on before--they illustrate how Albert Castiglia is clearly on top of his game. He closes things down with 12 minutes of great guitar work on these 2 songs, 12 minutes of music that CUT everything that Eric Clapton, for example, has done over the past 4-5 years. It reminds me of the way Stevie Ray Vaughan would just spin out these great melodies and riffs like it was easy for him. Albert is terrific and this is a great cd.

Les Copeland "Don't Let The Devil In"

Les Copeland is a fine guitarist and an underrated vocalist. He hails from Canada, but the blues he bring to life on this disc really are universal. This album is Copeland's first release on Earwig. According to the label, it "showcases Les’ fine finger picking, melodic sensibility and chordal finesse, and his wry and ironic lyrical observations about everyday people." Copeland shows a talent for all kinds of songs here--sometimes he's doing Chicago blues, sometimes jazz, sometimes old-style country, and sometimes folk music, but always the music and vocals are clear and strong and honest. All the songs but one are Copeland originals. On several songs Copeland's slide guitar playing reminds me of Ry Cooder--especially on "Ry Cooder" and "Riding The Sky Train." And on "Ginseng Girl" and "Wet Paper Bag" Copeland shows that he has listened to Barney Kessel, spinning out gorgeous jazz melodies. On "I'm The Little One" he even sings a children's song, and on the next song "Everyday People" Copeland takes a very nice folkish turn. His singing voice reminds me of Jimmie Rodgers, especially on "What's Your Name," "Long Lost Love," and "Distant Train." All these comparisons are high praise.

Helping Copeland here are guest Hall of Fame bluesman David 'Honeyboy' Edwards on second guitar on two songs, "Anna Lee" and "How's That Drummer." And Honeyboy's manager, Michael Frank, contributes harmonica on three songs, "What's Your Name," "Silently," and the title track.

Les Copeland has made an interesting and quite good disc. You can buy it at Earwig Music. Http://www.earwigmusic.com

Grady Champion "Back In Mississippi Live at 930 Blues Cafe"

These men won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2010 so you know they play with fire and power. This show was recorded on 07-07-07 at the 930 Blues Club in Jackson Mississippi, and it captures a great time. Grady Champion and the Grady Champion Revue featuring Eddie Cotton Jr, as a band, are made of Mr. Champion on vocals and harp and Mr. Cotton on guitar, Calvin Wilson on keyboards, Marquis Champion on bass, and Frank White on drums. They have played together long enough to do things right. Things start off with the doubleheader blast of Willie Dixon and Jimmy Reed, with "I'm Ready" and "Baby What You Want Me To Do/Bright Lights" the way shows probably kicked off in hundreds of blues clubs back in the 50s and 60s. These classics are expertly done, and after that warm up the band brings out three Grady Champion compositions, "You Got Some Explaining To Do" "1-800-Blu-Love" and "Policeman Blues." Grady testifies, he tells the truth in each song; and then, as the audience is catching their breath, the Revue launches into a long and glorious cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Spoonful" and you think the show must be wrapping up. But the best is still yet to come! Led by a slow and terrific organ and guitar intro, the band digs into "Lonesome Bed Blues" where everybody gets a chance to shine, especially Eddie Cotton Jr. His guitar work here alone is worth the price of the cd. The rest of the show is all 100% top notch blues, mixing Grady Champion's original songs with the BB King classic "Why I Sing The Blues," which is where you get to hear Grady's great harp work. During "Wine and Women," co-written by Grady and Eddie Cotton Jr., Calvin Wilson plays a great solo on piano. Every song is fully realized... This cd is a great teaching opportunity too. Anybody who says "I don't like the blues, they're all sad songs" needs to hear this. It will lift your spirits! You can dance to it! And for all you blues DJ's out there, there's a good blues Christmas song here too--"Blues On Christmas."

Just yesterday (July 12) Grady Champion won the Jackson Music Award as "Local Blues Artist of the Year." Lucky people of Jackson.

You can buy this disc at http://www.gradychampion.com