Ms. Vicki’s In Town

The Vicki Stevens Band

Self-Produced

The Vicki Stevens Band originated out of Albany, Oregon a few years back from the weekly Calapooia blues jams hosted by harmonica man Froggy Hyland. The musicians are all stellar and come together to create such a party atmosphere that is displayed with the finest quality on their new CD, Ms. Vicki’s In Town. Along with Froggy on harp and slide guitar, Dennis Monroe tears it up with his guitar mastery, exceptional rhythm from Jim Badalich on bass and Ron Rocci on drums, all complimenting Vicki Stevens’ powerful vocals that can harken blues greats like Big Mama Thornton and Shemekia Copeland. It’s high energy, down in the alley and just plain good times when this band works together.

Engineered by Dennis Carter at Falcon Studios in Portland, the song writing emphasizes Stevens’ voice to a tee and the band is in prime form. Monroe knows how to make his guitar talk to your emotions as exemplified on his own penned number “Crazy ‘Bout My Baby”and the very haunting song of abuse “More Blues Please.” Froggy Hyland wrote the majority of the tracks here, proving he has the wit and wisdom to lay down quality lyrics to tell first-class blues tales. His harmonica work on tunes like “Good Lovin’ Tonight” and “Tell Me The Truth” are grinding and driving the impact pace behind the insurgence of the musical flow. Ms. Vicki also blows a nice bit of harmonica on the recording herself.

Ms. Vicki’s In Town is a call out to all blues fans in the Northwest and beyond. Watch out for this group because you’re in for a thrill ride that is going to expand your musical pleasure senses to the extreme. Do not miss out on this party on a disc. As the opening track declares, it’s “sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet!”

Total Time: 54:44

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet / Ms. Vicki’s In Town / Crazy ‘Bout My Baby / Sweet Thang / Big Room / More Blues Please / Good Lovin’ Tonight / Last Call / Kiss And A Hug / Tell Me The Truth / Bonus Track

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Might I Suggest

The Satin Chaps

Self-Produced

Okay, before anybody jumps on me and says that this is not really a blues album, lighten up. I hear a lot of influences from the likes of Booker T & The MGs or The Bar-Kays behind Portland’s The Satin Chaps on this debut release, Might I Suggest. And to me, that funky soulful Memphis sound with a bit of a hint of the classic Northwest garage bands certainly can be considered blues in its own right. And if you don’t think so, you have to admit you enjoy it for its dancability and groove.

Of course, The Satin Chaps are also not made up of your normal blues musicians either. Fronted by the trio of drummer Luke Strahota of The High Violets, keyboardist Peter Dean of Fast Computers and bassist Eric Hedford of The Dandy Warhols, The Satin Chaps present an old ‘60s instrumental soul approach to modern dance numbers. Rounding out the group are Colin Sheridan on guitar, Jon Clark on sax, Kyle Haverly on trombone and Pat Norris on trumpet. All of the ten tracks on the disc are original compositions by the band.

It’s funky. It’s soulful. It has a ton of groove. And it’s just plain fun. Give Might I Suggest a listen; these infectious instrumentals will definitely make you feel good

Total Time: 34:56

Catch On Quick / Wet Leather / Jump Shout Shake / Dry Rub / Cry Baby / Funky Matador / Lil’ Sweater / Cruiser / Hot Chocolate / Pigtail Park

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Longtime Friends In The Blues

Tail Dragger & Bob Corritore

Delta Groove Records

If you’re a true-blooded fan of authentic Chicago blues, this new release by Tail Dragger and Bob Corritore is right up your alley. Especially if it’s a dark, gritty to the bone alley that you can only find in inner city streets that a blues soundtrack would be most appropriately fitting. This is that soundtrack. With greasy vocals supplied by Tail Dragger that harkens back to your favorite Chicago singers like Howlin’ Wolf or Muddy Waters, they’re frightening and just oozing full of a lifetime of hardships that makes them so real. Backed by his longtime friend (as the title refers) harmonica master Bob Corritore, who may live nowadays in Phoenix, but has never lost that feel for the Windy City’s sound, this is one of the finest Chicago blues recordings to hit the market in years. And since this is a Delta Groove CD, you know that the label has thrown together a fine mesh of sidemen to compliment them every step of the way. And what sidemen! You just would be hard-pressed to find any finer than Kirk Fletcher and Chris James on guitar, Patrick Rynn on bass, Brian Fahey on drums and special guest Henry Gray throwing down fantastic keys and vocals on one track.

Tail Dragger is credited with penning all but one song on this disc, under his given name James Yancey Jones. They all follow common themes you’ve heard hundreds of times in the blues, but finding somebody who makes that raw sound come so naturally is rather rare in this day and age and is very welcome. Not that Tail Dragger has not been around for some time, as he has a nice collection of recordings on his resume. The only song not written by Tail Dragger is УSugar Mama,Ф the Sonny boy Williamson classic covered by so many artists.

Bob Corritore has certainly been in the limelight over the past few years, with Blues Music Awards nominations for his work with guitarist Dave Riley and taking home the award last year for his historical compilation of recordings from his Phoenix club The Rhythm Room where he plays alongside stellar blues greats over the years titled Harmonica Blues. Corritore is simply one of the finest harp players on the scene today that needs to have more attention thrown his way.

Longtime Friends In The Blues is a must own for Chicago blues fans. As stated, you just will not find anything more authentic or raw than this out there today. Incredibly appealing and just down right sensational. It just doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to traditional blues.

Total Time: 53:59

I’m Worried / Sugar Mama / Birthday Blues / She’s Worryin’ Me / Cold Outdoors / So Ezee / Through With You / Done Got Old / Boogie Woogie Ball / Please Mr. Jailer

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Puddletown Blues, Vol. 2 Now Available

The long-awaited follow-up to the Muddy Award and Portland Music Award nominated Puddletown Blues, Vol. 1 is now ready and you’ll be able to pick up a copy starting at the May membership meeting. Puddletown Blues, Vol. 2 contains sixteen tracks of material by many of your favorite Oregon blues musicians, most available nowhere else.

Puddletown Blues, Vol. 2 features the following artists: Albert Reda, Ben Rice Band, Franck Goldwasser & Jim Miller, Franco & The Stingers, Jeff Minnick with The Terry Robb Band, Jerry Zybach, Jim Wallace & Rick Welter, Karen Lovely, Kinzel & Hyde, Lloyd Jones, Mary Flower, Michael Osborn & The Drivers, Rae Gordon Band, Steve Kerin, The Brothers Todd, and The Sultans of Slide.

Puddletown Blues, Vol. 1 & Puddletown Blues, Vol. 2 are $15 each. Or, buy them as a set for $25 only through the CBA merchandise booths at meetings and events. Sorry, to obtain the discounted price, you must purchase one copy of each disc; multiple copies of one title will retain the $15 each charge.

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Seventh Hour

JW-Jones

Solid Blues

One of the most exceptional young blues musicians on the scene today, JW-Jones continues to impress me with each and every new disc he puts out. As a guitarist, he ranks amongst the best with his simplicity, never over played style and he has a voice that is smooth that matches his playing remarkably. Perhaps what I am most thrilled with about Jones is that he can lay down all those familiar sounding riffs when he wants, but he takes his own music in a direction not always sought by most blues performers. Why sound like anybody else going routes others have already traveled? He mixes the traditional with a classic rock tone in a route that maybe the late Sean Costello was leaning toward or as seen by Nick Curran without such a heavy stinging sharpness. It is a soothing and pleasing range he pulls from, but can still push it to the edge when appropriate.

Past recordings by JW-Jones have featured guest musicians to enhance their appeal. People like Junior Watson, Hubert Sumlin and Kim Wilson. But he does not need anybody to take away focus from his talents. For the most part it is solely his own band that lays down all the grooves on Seventh Hour. With his own guitar being the center of it all. As it should be. Every track here sounds fresh and just as the band will sound if they were playing on a stage in front of you. Why shouldn’t it, it was recorded in JW’s own living room by sharp Canadian studio wizard Steve Dawson. Plus all but two songs are originals (Little Milton’s “I’m Tryin’” and Roy Orbison’s “So Long I’m Gone”). The band delivers the goods as well, with precise rhythm laid out by drummer Jeff Asselin and Marc Decho on both upright and electric basses, and pounding up the keys is Jesse Whiteley.

At times JW-Jones come across with a rockabilly feel, a little country, some rock, but it is all first class blues all the way. With his abilities being challenged and surpassed with every recording, JW-Jones should draw us all into his world and happily so. There is a very bright future in store for this Canadian bluesman and he has barely touched on what he will bring to the table. Watch out, this guy is going to shake up the blues world and Seventh Hour is going to help pave that way.

Total Time: 36:43

Ain’t Gonna Beg / Let It Go / In A Song / You Got Caught / All Over Again / Heartbreaker / Do For You / I’m Tryin’ / What Is Real / So Long I’m Gone

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Soul Shot

Curtis Salgado

Alligator Records

I don’t know how he does it, but Curtis Salgado has done what I thought would be impossible. He has created a new album that just very well may have outshined his last release, the Blues Music Award nominated Clean Getaway. The Alligator debut of the soulful blues singer, Soul Shot, is without doubt a masterpiece. There is no lull to be found anywhere on the disc. It all flows so smoothly, much like Curtis’ voice, and touches so many bases that encompass a history of blues and soul music.

Curtis pays heed to his forebears who without question played a huge impact on his own musical approach. Song selections include material from people like Otis Redding, Bobby Womack, Johnny “Guitar” Watson and even George Clinton, all presented with such power that Curtis does not just do the originals justice, but turns them inside out so that they’re his very own from here on out. It takes a mighty voice and artistic strength to complete such a feat, but Curtis has done so brilliantly here. And the extraordinary takes on the cover numbers do not deter from the four original songs Curtis also wrote for Soul Shot. There is a steady blend between the old and the new that meshes to perfection. No matter what approach he takes on any number, it always comes out drenched with soulful goodness, be it the bounciness behind Bobby Womack’s “What You Gonna Do?” or the harmonica solo he inserts into Parliament’s “Getting To Know You.” And speaking of harmonica, there is a lot to be enjoyed from “She Didn’t Cut Me Loose” and the funky “He Played His Harmonica,” both originals by Curtis that use simple harp lines that speak enormously.

Soul Shot was co-produced by Curtis along with guitarist Marlon McClain and drummer Tony Braunagel (who also was the master behind the production of the Clean Getaway album). The core outfit throughout the recording is supplied by Braunagel, guitarist Johnny Lee Schell, bass player Larry Fulcher and organ legend Mike Finnegan, all members of The Phantom Blues Band, with Jim Pugh handling piano.

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The Cost Of Love

Suzanne & The Blues Church

Gorgeous Tone Music

This is a very adept debut from Suzanne & The Blues Church, featuring vocalist/guitarist Suzanne Thomas. Born of mixed heritage in Seoul, Korea, she was abandoned as a child and lived in an orphanage until she was adopted by an American family at the age of five. Growing up in Los Angeles, she was exposed to music at an early age, first learning to play organ from the great Jimmy Smith when she was just six years old. From there she developed a greater liking for the guitar with influences coming from Jimi Hendrix, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Prince and Sister Rosetta Tharp amongst others. Her first claim to notoriety came playing with the Grammy Award winning band A Taste Of Honey, but it was the blues that she clearly loved the most.

The Cost Of Love showcases Suzanne Thomas’ ability at guitar and songwriting very nicely. She penned seven of the eight original numbers and gives outstanding takes on the covers of Buddy Guy’s “Damn Right (I Got The Blues)” and Otis Rush’s “All My Love (I Miss Lovin’).” Both covers feature harmonica by Jimmy Z who worked for years with Etta James. The slow blues “Set Me Free” is a definite highlight on this disc, as is the title track “The Cost Of Love.” They both display her excellence as a vocalist although in two completely different approaches, the first quite emotional and the other rather gritty. The guitar work is superb on both. “Poor Man’s Dream” also stands out with its brisk guitar and rollicking organ work. “Dusty 6 String Box” is a spoken word narrative relating a tale of the blues with an instrumental backing and “Musta Been Gone 2 Long” has been recorded to sound like a scratchy old LP.

Aside from Jimmy Z, Suzanne has brought together a remarkable cast in her band. Most notable would have to be guitarist Ray Bailey, the renowned Los Angeles bluesman who has worked with the likes of Lowell Fulson, Phillip Walker and Smokey Wilson. Also on board are organ masters Deacon Jones, Bruce Edwards, Tyree and Rev. Charles Jones, guitarist B.R. Millon, Jerry Jones-Haskins on drums, and Frank W. Garrett and Patrice on bass.

The Cost Of Love is a terrific initial release from Suzanne Thomas and one that should be a harbinger for good things to come in the future for this talented young blues artist. Songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, she is the full package.

Total Time: 45:27

Cheatin’ On Me / The Cost Of Love / All Your Love (I Miss Lovin’) / Pay Day Loan / Musta Been Gone 2 Long / Damn Right (I Got The Blues) / Dusty 6 String Box / Poor Man’s Dream / Set Me Free / Mr. Bailey

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Let It Burn

Ruthie Foster

Blue Corn Music

Ruthie Foster is an exceptional musician with a voice of pure gold. Her singing is filled with passion and can lift your spirits or have you crying along with her pain. Exactly what you want from a vocalist. Somebody that can bring out in their expressions the feelings that everybody shares in their daily lives.

On her latest recording, Let It Burn, Ruthie went into Piety Street Recording in New Orleans, bringing along a dream band that includes notable Crescent City mainstays like George Porter, Jr. and Russell Batiste. She also features special guests William Bell and The Blind Boys Of Alabama. The selections roll along as if they were written to be matched with one another. Besides incredible original songwriting, she also presents stellar covers of well-known tracks like Los Lobos’ “This Time,” the Johnny Cash chestnut “Ring Of Fire” (written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) that has been done in a soft jazzier lounge feel that works brilliantly, David Crosby’s “Long Time Gone” with a punchy organ and The Blind Boys backing, Robbie Robertson’s “It Makes No Difference” that maintains the emotion first felt by The Band’s rendition, and Pete Seeger’s folk classic “If I Had A Hammer” with a funky bass line and James River on a sultry sax behind it. Her duet with William Bell on his trademark number “You Don’t Miss Your Water” upholds the song’s true soulful feel to perfection. The Blind Boys Of Alabama are also included on her own originals “Welcome Home,” “Lord Remember Me” where they take you to church and also the traditional Leadbelly number “The Titanic.”

You can never go wrong with any release that Ruthie Foster offers. No exception here. It is a joy to your ears and another winner for certain. Her vocals are at their prime and the progression from one song into the next are spot on. You’re going to want to make sure that Let It Burn is added to your regular playlist where it is going to find a permanent home without doubt.

Total Time: 59:41

Welcome Home / Set Fire To The Rain / This Time / You Don’t Miss Your Water / Everlasting Light / Lord Remember Me / Ring Of Fire / Aim For The Heart / It Makes No Difference / Long Time Gone / Don’t Want To Know / If I Had A Hammer / The Titanic

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