Tag Archives: blues

Dayna Kurtz: Secret Canon Vol. 2

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Dayna Kurtz’ new album, Secret Canon Vol. 2, is a thing of beauty. The followup to last year’s Secret Canon 1, Secret Canon Vol. 2 is a collection of rare blues and jazz covers from the 1940-60s with a few originals in the same vein. Dayna calls the album her “New Orleans record.” It’s bluesy, it’s bold and so very, very classic.

I was shocked to discover that the opener “I Look Good in Bad” is a Dayna Kurtz original. The song structure, lyrics and instrumentation seem so classic it could easily be a Bessie Smith cover. It’s one of many songs on the album that showcase the rich and robust range of Dayna’s voice. M.C. Records was kind enough to allow me to share the song, which you can stream below.

Dayna also delivers a stunningly beautiful and emotive rendering of the vintage soul ballad “Reconsider Me” — originally recorded by Johnny Adams, but probably best known as a 1970s country hit by Narvel Felt. You can stream that song at MC Records.

Other highlights include “One More Kiss,” “Same Time, Same Place,” “All I Ask is Your Love” and “I’ll Be a Liar.”

I love, love, love this album. Fiercely, immensely, wholeheartedly. It reminds me of the first time I heard Dayna’s magnificent voice at Mountain Stage in 2002 (sadly my Muruch review of that concert was lost in the great archive disaster of 2005). I had never heard of Dayna before that concert, which I attended to see Natalie Merchant. Dayna walked out onto the stage, sat down in a wooden chair, and tuned her guitar for a few minutes without saying a word. Then she opened her mouth to sing “Love Gets in the Way” (from Postcards from Downtown) and her extraordinary, soaring voice commanded the attention of every single audience member. Like the classic songs she chose to cover on Secret Canon Vol. 2, Dayna’s voice just gets better with age.

Pre-Order @ Amazon

SoundCloud stream uploaded w/ permission of M.C. Records

Dayna Kurtz Official Site

Eric Bibb & Habib Koite: Brothers in Bamako

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American singer-guitarist Eric Bibb and West African singer-guitarist Habib Koité have joined forces for the new album, Brothers in Bamako. The two first met and became friends a decade ago when Putumayo Records invited both musicians to play on Mali to Memphis and they’ve finally gotten around to recording together. More than a simple duet album, Brothers in Bamako is a true collaboration. In addition to singing and playing together, Bibb and Koité co-wrote most of the songs to marry their respective folk-blues and world music styles. Brothers in Bamako will be released on Novemeber 6th.

I’ve been a fan of both artists for so long, I may have been a little too excited to hear their substantial talents unite. I was very disappointed with the two lackluster opening tracks, “On My Way to Bamako” and “L.A.” Perhaps the problem was that Bibb and Koité were divided for those introductory songs. The tracks co-written by and co-starring both artists are much more interesting.

Things greatly improve on their first proper collaboration, “Touma Ni Kelen/Needed Time.” As I’d hoped, Bibb’s gospel-influenced, bluesy folk style and Koité’s fusion of traditional and modern Malian rhythms complement each other perfectly.

The stand out tracks are the multi-instrumental duet “Tombouctou,” a revamped “With My Maker I Am One” (originally featured on Bibb’s Booker’s Guitar album), Koité’s haunting “Foro Bana” (from his Ma Ya album) and a beautifully subtle rendition of Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind.”

Other highlights include “We Don’t Care,” the pretty instrumental “Nani Le” and the banjo-driven “Khafolé.”

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Eric Bibb Official Site
Habib Koité Official Site

Shemekia Copeland: 33 1/3

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Blues singer Shemekia Copeland will return on September 25th with 33 1/3. With a guest appearance by legendary guitarist Buddy Guy and covers of songs originally recorded by Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke and Lucinda Williams, the album has both a classic and contemporary blues sound. Shemekia’s voice is so strong she could sing anything, but the blues is definitely her forte.

“Lemon Pie” is a fantastic start. Electric guitar seers the edges of the blues-rock melody as Shemekia wails about the poor man’s (and the struggling middle class’) plight.

A slowed down, blues revamp of Lucinda Williams’ “Can’t Let Go” follows. It’s a solid cover, but pales in comparison to Lucinda’s original. Of course, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is such a classic album, it’s difficult for any artist to match.

Buddy Guy lends his exquisite guitar to the battered woman’s escape anthem “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Tattoo.” I had the privilege of seeing Buddy and Shemekia perform at Mountain Stage a few years ago and it was one of the best concerts of my life. The song is the perfect pairing of these two colossal talents.

“A Woman” is a sultry blues ballad and “I’ll Sing the Blues” rumbles and sways beneath Shemekia’s substantial howl.

The latter half of the album is pleasant but nothing really stands out until the finale. Shemekia’s fierce voice drops to a pretty hush on a simple but very lovely cover of Dylan’s “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight.”

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SoundCloud Streams uploaded by Concord Music

Shemekia Copeland Official Site

Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls

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Flipping past The Late Show With David Letterman one night, I was astonished and astounded to see/hear what seemed to be a howling classic blues diva fronting a wild and rowdy Southern rock band. It was the incomparable Brittany Howard and her band Alabama Shakes performing “Hold On,” the awesome, wailing blues-rock opener from their debut album, Boys & Girls.

The fuzzy studio recording doesn’t quite capture Brittany’s rafter-scraping, earth-quaking bellow on “Hold On,” but is otherwise just as good as the live version.

I really hate to say anything negative about the album, because the band itself is undeniably, brilliantly talented. Sadly, though, the muffled production continues to plague the rest of the album. Even the uptempo numbers are prevented from achieving the full potential of their bombast, and the problem seems to be the sound quality of the recording rather than the arrangements or the band’s instrumentation.

As proven by their live performance on Letterman, Alabama Shakes are definitely capable of churning rumbling rock with funky soul and Delta blues in a sort of Heartless Bastards meets Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears concoction. So hopefully they’ll considering making their sophomore release a live album to show what they’re really made of.

That being said, Boys & Girls is still a solid album and the good songs are truly good – particularly “Hold On,” “Rise to the Sun, “You Ain’t Alone” and “Heartbreaker.”

Alabama Shakes is sure to be a fireworks display of sound live, so check out their tour dates.

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Alabama Shakes Official Site

Joan Osborne: Bring It On Home

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Joan Osborne will return on March 27th with her seventh studio recording, Bring It On Home. A collection of classic blues covers, the album features songs originally made famous by Allen Toussaint (who appears on the album), Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Otis Redding and Al Green among many others. Though she is probably best known for the pop hit “One of Us” from her studio debut Relish, Joan’s gritty voice has always been better suited to the blues – from her live NYC blues bar Early Recordings to her cover of “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” on the Rosetta Tharpe tribute, Shout, Sister, Shout!. Bring It On Home finally gives Joan the opportunity to fully immerse herself in the blues and it’s a wild and very enjoyable ride.

The opener, “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” is an uptempo, brass-embellished jazz number that was originally recorded by Ray Charles. It’s definitely a fun start for this excellent album, but I personally prefer bluesier tracks like the magnificent title track.

The Sonny Boy Williamson song “Bring It On Home” is pure, sultry, vintage blues and a perfect showcase for Joan’s fierce pipes.

Her gorgeous voice is also well matched with the seductive soul ballad covers of “I Want to Be Loved” (originally by Muddy Waters) and Otis Redding’s “Champagne and Wine.”

Allen Toussaint plays piano on Joan’s peppy and delightful cover of his song, “Shoorah! Shoorah!”

The standout track is the sexy, rumbling freight train of blues-rock “Shake Your Hips,” which was apparently the result of an impromptu in-studio performance.

That fact – along with my own experiences seeing Joan Osborne in concert in the past – seems to confirm my suspicion that these songs will be spectacular live. So I suggest West Virginians catch Joan Osborne at Mountain Stage in Morgantown on April 15th.

Joan Osborne – Shake Your Hips (mp3)*

*mp3 hosted by Saguaro Road Records & posted w/ permission of artist’s PR rep

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Joan Osborne

Joan Osborne Official Site

Mark Schottinger: Free Album Download

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Brendan shares his thoughts on The Parking Lot Movie‘s singer-songwriter Mark Schottinger below. I want to add that Mark’s music reminds me a bit of Old Crow Medicine Show, so I suggest OCMS fans check out the free album download at the end of Brendan’s review…

One aspect of The Parking Lot Movie I particularly enjoyed was the music of Mark Schottinger. According to the film’s website, he’s persuing a law career which seems a shame considering his musical talent.

Mark’s album, Homemade Music, was generously made available as a free download at Bandcamp, and to my ear it’s pure American music, almost Dylanesque.

The opening track “Black and White” could be a folk anthem with lyrics like…”Sitting downtown watching the crowds roll by on that same sad street I thought I’d left behind.“

The entreating cry of “Stain” follows…”Feeling bad feels kinda good when I’m with you.“

“Putting Up a Fight” introduces a harmonica to the proceedings… “I’m staring deep into my soul, you know I don’t have the hope I once had.“

On he goes, looking into his soul with a bluesy brashness. The album culminates with “No Such Thing As Love,” a plaintive lament driven by a steel guitar.

This is foot-tappin’, head-noddin’, angsty blues-folk at its best.

Hugh Laurie: Free Mp3!

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Hugh Laurie will release his debut album, Let Them Talk, via Warner Brothers Records on May 9th in the UK (the US release has yet to be announced). The album finds the House star and former Band from TV singer covering classic blues songs, such as “St. James Infirmary” and “John Henry.” Irma Thomas and Dr. John provide guest vocals, while legendary producer Allen Toussaint contributes to the various horn arrangements. You can download a free, legal mp3 of “Guess I’m a Fool” by submitting your email in the widget below…

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Pre-order Album @ Amazon

Pre-order Album @ Amazon.co.uk

Hugh Laurie Official Music Site

Soundtrack: Water for Elephants

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I have not seen the new film, Water for Elephants, which is based on Sara Gruen’s novel. However, I have greatly enjoyed listening to the movie’s soundtrack. The original score by composer James Newton Howard is a lovely collection of instrumentals both serene and dramatic. The rest of the album features Depression-era jazz and blues, the centerpiece of which is Bessie Smith’s guttural rendering of “I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl.”

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Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears: Scandalous

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How I adore a band who avoids the dreaded sophomore slump! Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears are back with a successful follow-up to the loud, bawdy blend of retro soul and garage rock of Tell ‘Em What Your Names Is. Set for release by Lost Highway Records on March 15th, Scandalous gives these brilliant musicians some new opportunities to show off their substantial skills.

“Livin’ In the Jungle” opens the album with the band’s signature “garage soul” sound, but “I’m Gonna Leave You” digs down into a classic blues style. This seeming homage to blues greats like Robert Johnson is even more apparent later in the bare bones “Messin.”

“Booty City” is as funky, fun and danceable as you’d expect. It’s “Black Snake,” however, that really kicks up the bass, the brass and the tempo. It’s more of everything, with some astounding guitar work toward the end.

The hilarious “Mustang Ranch” throws a little Western tap into the soul-rock mix, but this ain’t no country song. Joe’s wry talking blues narration drives this bizarre and comedic tale of the band’s visit to the titular Nevada brothel.

The standout track “You Been Lyin’” is the best, most exciting collaboration any album ever had. The quaking duet with “Dallas gospel funk band” The Relatives sounds like The Staples Singers and George Clinton jamming with The Darkness.

“Ballad of Jimmy Tanks” rumbles with retro brass and funk guitar. Joe’s garbled vocals sound more like Reverend Peyton and The Honeybears make almost as much noise as the Rev’s Big Damn Band. Despite their vastly different genres of choice, I’d love to hear the two high energy bands play together.

Don’t let the title fool you, “Jesus Took My Hand” is no hymn. The finale is much more Jimi Hendrix than gospel.

Overall, the songs on Scandalous aren’t quite as catchy and addictive as those on their debut, but the artistic quality of the songwriting and instrumentation may be even better this time around.

I was not granted permission to share an mp3, but you can hear samples at the links below.

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Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears Official Site

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears MySpace

John Mellencamp: No Better Than This

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John Mellencamp’s new album No Better Than This will be released August 17th on Rounder Records. Mellencamp wrote the album’s thirteen tracks in just thirteen days. Teaming up once again with producer T Bone Burnett (who also produced 2009′s brilliant Life Death Love and Freedom), Mellencamp used only one microphone and other vintage equipment to record the new songs at various historic Southern locations – including legendary Sun Studios. The result is an organic, lo-fi blend of blues, folk, country and rock.

“The West End” is the standout track with Mellencamp growling over a mix of simmering blues guitar and country clang.

“Right Behind Me” is another favorite with its swaggering Tin Pan Alley fiddle and strum.

And “A Graceful Fall” is a classic country barroom number worthy of ole Bad Blake – no surprise since producer T Bone Burnett also wrote the music for Crazy Heart.

If your perception of John Mellencamp’s music has been shaped by his commercial hits in the past, you need to hear the 21st century Mellencamp – particularly if you’re a fan of T Bone Burnett’s. Life Death Love and Freedom and No Better Than This are by far John Mellencamp’s finest albums.

Buy @ Amazon (only $9.99 on CD)

John (not yet available)

John Mellencamp Official Site