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Reviews

The Review Chick

PREFACE: The Review Chick, while having grown up on every kind of music there is, wishes to express her reviews are all personal and written according to what she "feels" and "hears" from the music laid down on the track. Now, depending on how you think the review should have gone, you have to remember I'm a chick - it may be a "cloudy" day, I may have eaten greasy food at lunch, I may have just had a bad gig with the band...regardless, like the Bible: "What's written, is written." In other words - no retractions, no apologies (except where noted) and please no criticisms to The Commander for my reviews - he cannot be held accountable for my likes, dislikes and preferences. No matter what - ALWAYS PLAY IT LOUD NEIGHBOR! R.C.

The Michael Wilson Group

A Minneapolis based band, The Michael Wilson Group, and their CD "The Blues in Black & White", has all the character needed to capture the spirit, soul, and emphasis of standard blues music. Michael Wilson’s got a voice that just sounds like he was born to sing the blues and a guitar style that is the perfect sound, inventive and screamin'. In addition, band members John Beach, Charles Hayes, Tom Allison, Greg Haugesaug, and Merlin Brunkow "compliment" each other and prove to all the group is high performance blues act. The CD includes tacks "Bye Bye Baby”, “I Can’t Help Myself “, “Live at the Five “ and “Modern Day Blues” that say to the world Michael Wilson’s got those blues and you can tell he's feelin it!! A Must have for all Blue Lovers.

The Commander The Blue Zone

The Blues Notions - This Is It!

If there's a CD I could listen to over and over...This Is It! With some really smooth blues and great vocals, this band really gels for this listener. As a former Kansas City gal, I regret I never had the opportunity to hear this band while living in Kansas City - hopefully next visit I'll get the chance! While I like the rawness of Tom Baker's voice, it's when he plays the harmonica that it's a real killer. I think what I like best about this group is all the members are fantastic musicians in their own right (Karl Angerer on guitar, David Creighton on keyboards, Tim Osburn on drums), but together they are simply awesome - true, they get by with a little help from their friends Lee McBee, Paul Hartfield, Joe Miquelon and Carl Bender, but as noted, I could listen to this CD over and over again and find something new and enjoyable every time! No matter how you Divvy Up, this band is solid! R.C.

Larry Yates & the Blues Monsters - Red Hot Hat

This is one fine band - they are So Good. All of the arrangements are great, but the vocals and musicianship of these guys can't be beat. Larry Yates plays one mean harp and he sings as good as the day is long. Barry Slayton is slick on the guitar, Thomas Barnes adds a great bass line, Michael Overhauser rounds it out nicely on the drums and Chuck Dunn knocks me out especially on the song Been There and Done It. While they use some help from Byron Peterson, Ron Starr, Michael Whitwell and Joe Mulherin, I'd say compliments go to Tom Gordon for engineering one great CD... this is a band I'd love to hear again and again, and would love even more to hear these guys live. Makes me wanna go out and buy me a Red Hot Hat! R.C.

Johnny and the Headhunters - Truckin' the Blues

The first track on this CD - Bad Luck just seems like such an ironic choice, ‘cause listening to Johnny Ticktin, I think musically, he should have anything but bad luck - one fun, talented and cool dude to me who can sing and play the guitar with the best of them. With some excellent help from fellow musicians Jeff Lodson, Michael Maye, Clark Matthews, Pete Ragusa, Tex Luigi, Chris Watling and Joe Stanley on saxes (very nice guys!), Brian McGregor and Bruce Ewan, Ticktin apparently had no choice but to turn out a great CD - first-rate musicians always make for something special! For the most part I'd say this CD pretty much is summed up in the title Easy Baby - Easy to listen to, easy to feel pretty danged sexy over - oh wait, that makes me easy baby! Okay, I LIKED it!!!! You just keep on truckin' Up The Line Johnny - ‘cause you got it baby! R.C.

B-Team Blues Band - Cadillac Cruise

The B-Team Blues Band consisting of musicians Anthony and Eddie Elmore, Doug Graham and Terry Johnson end up surprising you with some interestingand unusual stuff on this cruise through some blues that are laid down well and laid back. While I enjoyed the cut of the traditional Wild About My Lovin', I have to admit (also with apologies to Russell Smith), that Necrophilia was probably my favorite because of the clever (although warped) lyrics that this particular obsession will provide What can I say...I like clever, witty and warped senses of humor. To clearly explain the B-Team's sense of humor is this sentence on their CD sleeve: "The B-Team Blues Band paid their dues but forgot to get a receipt." I love that line - but guys, you should always get a receipt - you HAVE paid your dues! R.C.

Lucius and Lamar Parr - Yoakum Texas Blues

This 1996 release gives you what Texas is known for - a BIG dose of good old blues. With all of the songs written and arranged by Lucius Parr, it's amazing to me that I didn't find a "weak" song on this CD. With Lamar Parr singing those blues, Lucius playing them with great feeling and getting assistance from Les Paul Rogue, Tommy Washington, Mark "Mello" Mose, Rick "Boo Boo" Bogan, Michael Lyon, Jerry Donato, Wes Marshall, Jessie "The Great" McGuire, Bob Corritore and Chris Gough, it's no wonder they live up to the label "Do It Right Music". These guys do Do It Right and do it a lot, so The Thang To Do is get this CD! R.C.

Lucius Parr - We Got A Problem

This 1999 release by Lucius Parr says anything but "We Got A Problem". From start to finish this CD is really great - smooth, funky and fresh, this is another CD I could listen to over and over again. Like the Yoakum Texas Blues CD, I can't find a single weak song in this collection, but it's also a bit more diverse than the Yoakum CD as well. Using all of the solid musicians from the Yoakum CD, we get a chance to hear some new ones: Jackie Tutt, James Tobin and Richard Charles Cason. The music is fresh, yet it still has so much integrity at its core to give you true blues, funk and even some gospel on the tune Jesus Come Around Here. You caught this reviewer unaware Lucius - You Put A Spell On Me! - keep weaving that magic! R.C.

Keith Doder & The Blue City Band - Blue to Bright

Keith Doder can really play one heckuva harp - truly gutsy, bold and "bad."Like the title of the CD, Blue to Bright is probably my favorite cut on the CD - followed closely by Blues Is My Religion with some great vocals by drummer David Tims and great guitar work by guest lead guitarist Jeff Breihan. The Blue City Band: David Tims, bassist Alan White and guitarist Darryn Helton do a phenomenal job backing Doder to make this one very nice serving of blues. With the enlistment of Bob Lohr on piano for River's Invitation, and the assistance of some other very fine musicians (Pierre Lacocque - lead harp on Damn the Dealer, Bob Row, Brian Casserly, John Wolf, Tom McDermott and Vince Sala), this is an easy toe-tapping, enjoyable musical experience that all music lovers can appreciate. R.C.

Lynn Ann Hyde & Stu Kinzel - Hubcap Hula

This CD has ended up surprising me. I begrudgingly listened the first time. Maybe it's the typical thinking that a woman does not play harp - but Lynn Ann Hyde is here to prove otherwise. I think what I found I liked best about this CD is its simplicity and straightforwardness. Lynn Ann not only plays harp well, she has a captivating voice with an edge and style that just kind of makes you take it all in...it's unique and interesting. Stu Kinzel sings Wishin Away with such ease you just want to lay back and go fishin or something - I'm transported somewhere different each time I listen to it. But it's Kinzel's guitar and dobro work, along with the voice and harp of Hyde that make this a team hard to beat. From their cover of the great tune by Jimmy Reed Ain't That Lovin You, to an original You Hear, I'm Talkin - not only do I hear you talkin, I hear you playing with some real style and panache. With some help from William McClain, Pat Counts and Fred Garner, this is a CD that merits attention and appreciation. R.C.

Patrick Hazell - Blue Blood

Now here's a dose of true blue blues for ya - blues vocals, blues harp and that total blues feel all the way around. After listening to this CD, I feel like I've had a total immersion into a Blues Pool -- I'm completely drenched man!! I'm actually turning blue! From Movin' Time to Avenue Called The Blues, Time Goes By So Quickly and then some - but I guarantee, if you like the blues and especially blues harp - you'll want to experience this CD up close and personal. While it's obvious Hazell can manage the whole thing with his talents at piano, harp and vocals, he does get some assistance from C-boy James and Chris McCurdy on drums and percussion. For a heavy dose of blues, get yourself a transfusion of some Blue Blood. R.C.

Greg Koch - Defenestrator

I told myself when I started to think about doing reviews for The Commander, that I didn't want to compare sounds of the artists on CD to sounds we've all heard before - that I didn't want to reduce "new" artists to something already heard...you know, "been there, done that". While I can't say who Koch reminds me of stylistically, I will say no matter what - I LOVE IT! All in all, this CD has got so much going for it, it's hard to start with the compliments. It's bluesy, yes. It's funky, definitely. It's jazzy, uh-huh. It's polished, hip and totally cool. Koch on guitar and vocals cannot get out of my head - truly fabulous! Steve Cohen on harp is awesome and Tom "Damn" Good on bass (I'll say so to that) and John Calarco on drums make this one tight group worthy of lots of listening and tons of praise. The trading back and forth of talents on NashVegas by Koch and Cohen is extraordinarily great. With some solid blues work on Chief's Blues, and some really great playing throughout, Defenestrator is a CD I won't be throwing out the window any time soon! You've got The Grip Greg - and so much more!! R.C.

Michael "Hawkeye" Herman - Blues Alive!

Around these here parts, especially on the music scene - "Hawkeye" Herman is as well-known as the Mississippi River. This is one guy who delivers a really good tale - but plays one really great guitar, which is obvious on his own opening song The Great River Road. The dynamics of this CD alone make this a most provocative listen - Hawkeye really knows how to bring you into the song, giving some thoughts more emphasis, just as he does with his guitar. Maybe it being a live recording also adds so much, regarding the storytelling aspect of Hawkeye's music - the best track to explain this is his song Rocket To Chicago, you hear the train throughout the song through the guitar, but it's still a fantastic story by itself. When it comes to some great straightforward blues - Man or Mouse, (you be da man Hawkeye), or I've Got The World On A String, (you do Hawkeye) - this CD won't disappoint you! Like the Mississippi Hawkeye, keep on rollin'!!! R.C.

Oysters Rockefeller

Lil' Bit Crazy and a little intense - I like it that way! Reggie Britton and Harry Nino give us really good down-home blues on this CD with covers of That's Life and Just a Little Bit, (one of my favorites) and some great original tunes like Every Now an' Then and Mind Your Own Business. Getting some help from Eric "B.B." Tinsley on bass, Frank Parker on trumpet, Brian Moore on alto sax and Pat Bowe on guitar (Bowe is also credited with Production), Oysters Rockefeller lays down one smooth CD from start to finish. While I like oysters with Tabasco on cheese and crackers, I think I could take Oysters Rockefeller anyway you serve it up. R.C.

D.C. & Co. - Somethin's Happenin'

Somethin's Happenin' has got lots happenin' on it - from some Santana-like funk on Every Time to some good old blues on Cross Roads and Don't Talk To Me. Worth noting is the horn section of Shawn Mckenna and Bill Gingrick on trombone, Todd Fulginiti and Eric Ensminger on trumpet and Jerry Laboranti on sax, and the lead guitar of Marshall Jones...really good stuff!!! With a bunch of great musicians to work with (too many to mention by name), Dave Costarella has been able to have his music come alive and blossom like Flowers - although I noticed CD's don't fit very well in a vase. Like D.C. says: "Live Music for Live People" - it would definitely be a party to hear this band live!! R.C.

PWB - Phyllis Wethington Band - Let Loose

Round & Round, up and down, in and out - Phyllis will just Let Loose, and get under your skin. With some great backup by musicians Ellis Kell, Nate Nicholson, Gary Wethington and Mark Johnson (all sharing writing credits with Wethington) - PWB is a band worth giving a good listen to. Donna Wilkerson assisting on vocals for He's Mine, Larry Davison on harmonica and Neal Smith on sax, are worthy of mention here too - along with Rick Stoneking on piano & B3 for Round & Round and Blue's For Janis. Another couple of cuts off the CD that held my attention were Don't Call Me Blondie, and in particular, That's Not Fair. On That's Not Fair, we really get a chance to hear Phyllis Wethington let go and let loose - truly a voice to be reckoned with. Even In The Shadows, I could hear a few tunes from this CD over and over. You Go Girl!!! R.C.

J. Dustin Sommers - Big River Blues

This collection of tunes is more along the lines of country blues - a more basic sound than the typical blues, and truly a simple - straightforward approach with Sommers doing both guitar and vocals (and some harp) alone. Particular favorites on the CD, both written by Sommers, are First Things First (dedicated to Duane Allman - which can serve as a clue to style), and Sunset On Big River. This set of songs let you know Sommers really likes where he is, both geographically and philosophically - and like the Big River - You Got To Move. R.C.

Steve Cohen - Duo Personality

Steve Cohen is a real joy to listen to. Great voice, great harp and considerable talent all the way around. With some help from Peter Roller (on guitar, as well as song-writing), and special guests Jim Liban & Paul Black - Cohen's effort here is really admirable and enjoyable. With songs on the CD like Blue Fog written by Roller, Homeless Blues by Cohen and Soon Gone (also by Roller, with Cohen playing acoustic guitar with Roller's lead on it), the time is soon gone and it's time to play the CD again! The whole CD is great, but I have to admit, my favorites are those mentioned above which are all original tunes - which also says a lot about Cohen and Roller's talents, as far as songwriting goes. Really great stuff guys with plenty of personality! R.C.

Bobby Mack - Highway Man

If I were challenged to name five Texas Blues Musicians that have made and impression on me Bobby Mack would be on my list. I don't know what had happened when this cd was recorded but I do know that it was something special. This album is definitely worth buying. The first cut “Palace of the King” let’s you know that the King is playing and you can’t help but be drawn into the Palace to listen to some great guitar work. “Highway Man” another favorite of mine tells me I want Bobby to take the highway to my town so I can see this guy in person. Not only a great guitar player and vocalist, but excellent song writer as well. It’s just a “Matter of Time” before Bobby Mack will be know all over this country as one of the premiere blues acts.