No comments about Singin' the Blues.

1 comments about Trouble Blues.

1. Curtis Jones comes from a long line of Texas troubadours who
   plied their piano skills throughout the southwest during the 1930's. Unlike many Texan's who wound up laying down roots on the west coast, Curtis opted for Chicago and the windy city's bustling but competitive blues scene of the 1950's. "Trouble Blues", was recorded for the Prestige label in 1960 and finds Curtis surrounded mainly by N.Y.C. jazz session musicians with the exception of Johnny "Big Moose-Moose John" Walker a Chicago blues pianist who came east with Jones to lend his support on guitar for this session. I have read some negative reviews on this c.d. mainly becuase of the inclusion of organist Robert Banks who as one critic put it "almost ruins what is an otherwise an excellent album with his awful organ", but I feel this session works well. It's a great contrast hearing the down home piano stylings of Curtis layered with the jazzy organ fills of Banks, though there may be a time or two where Banks over enthusiasm gets the best of him it's certainly not enough to ruin what is a good, solid, straight ahead BLUES outing. Like most blues and jazz releases on the Prestige label, this disc clocks in at the standard 39:00 time total which is my only complaint, Prestige always maintained the highest musical standards {sound quality, preformance levels ect.} which is why I never hesitate to buy any of their releases, despite the time tease. Curtis Jones played a no frills blues piano and sang with a sincerity and conviction which would never be slick enough to make it in today's kinder and gentler blues market. Whether Jones was paired with a bunch of jazz cat's for a recording date on the east coast, playing gut bucket blues with a band on Chicago's south side or performing solo in Dallas's "Deep Ellum", there is one thing I can almost guarantee, when Curtis Jones sang and played his "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" it would be done on his terms and in his style, the Curtis Jones style, and nobody could change that.

1 comments about Don't Jive with Me.

1. This is the best darn blues cd ever!!! And nobody reviews it, what is wrng with everyone? Tampa Red recorded this classic Lp(now on cd), later in his career, but still in prime form.

1 comments about Rooster Blues Records: 1980-2000 Sampler.

1. Album sounds even better now that Lonnie's way cool headstone is erected - thanks fine folks (especially Mr. 'Butch' Ruth)!
   Blues music the way it was meant to be - buy it and give it a listen. John Weston says: "Blues is the only color you feel."
   Amen.

2 comments about Gettin' Up: Carey & Lurrie Bell Live at Buddy Guy's Legends, Rosa's, and Lurrie's Home.

1. Listening to and watching Carey Bell's vigorous vocals and harp playing on a new CD/DVD he share with his son Lurrie, "Gettin' Up Live" (Delmark), one will be astonished to learn that Carey had suffered a stroke, fell and broke a hip weeks before and yet still appeared at Rosa's a few days after leaving the hospital. This new recording/ video captures the two at Rosa's in July, 2006 and at Buddy Guy's Legend's in October 2006, along with some intimate performances at Lurrie's home the day after the Rosa's performance. With strong supporting musicians for the band sides and the empathy they demonstrate whenever they perform together, the Bells have produced both a strong CD and a delightful DVD. The CD has 4 performances from Rosa's, Legends, and Lurrie's home, while the DVD adds two performances from Rosa's. The band selections are excellent with Roosevelt Purifoy certainly adding solid keyboards in support and the bass drum duos of Bob Stroger & Brian `BJ' Jones or Joe Thomas & Kenny Smith keep things going. Scott Cable joins on guitar on Lurrie's vocal at Rosa's (a solid Baby Please Don't Go) and the Legends' performances. Carey is first heard on Junior Wells' What My Mama Told Me, which is appropriate because Bell's vocals evoke Wells. "Gettin' Up" is one of those funky blues Carey was effective at, while at Legends he does a couple of Little Walter numbers along with his "Low Down Dirty Shame." In addition to Bell's vocals and really solid harp, Lurrie is marvelous with his mercurial guitar playing recalling some of Jimmy Dawkins' equally fiery accompaniments on Carey's first album over 35 years. Lurrie has really emerged as one of the finest blues guitarists, especially as an accompanist with suggestions of Dawkins and the equally individualistic Hubert Sumlin. Despite the flash and sizzle of his playing, he never overshadows his father's performances, rather his embellishments and solos strengthen these marvelous performances. Carey handles three vocals at Lurrie's home in the more intimate setting including John Estes' "Broke and Hungry," and J.T. Brown's "Short Dress Woman," before Lurrie closes things out with a heartfelt traditional gospel number, "Stand By Me." The two songs on the DVD not on the CD are older Bell recordings although honestly are a tad bit weaker than those on the CD. The video on the DVD is simple and straightforward and all the more effective for its focus on Carey, Lurrie and their band. No claim that this is the best either has ever done, but this still is a first-rate disc of Chicago Blues that is highly recommended. Enjoy.
   This was written prior to Carey's death, and having enjoyed him on disc as well as live over forrty years, I will miss him as will all blues lovers. My four stars should be seen as a conservative rating as this the music and performances here are excellent and this is highly recommended. Carey was a wonderful musician who I enjoyed over the decades and saw play many times.



2. I have waited for this to come out, well worth the wait. This is the only other footage i have seen of him, other than the Willie Dixon dvd (I Am The Blues). This is also worth buying love that one to. Carey is in a wheel chair he had a stroke fell and broke his hip, this don't seem to affect his music. His vocals and harp playing are what we would expect from him (excellent). Lurrie has some great vocals also and his guitar playing is great they also have good old Bob Stroger on bass, love this man's steady bass line. Also the sound quality is great even dts surround. Delmark has great quality dvd's you will enjoy this one. It might be all we since he passed in may-07 at age 70.

No comments about The Blues Roots of the Rolling Stones.

No comments about Tasty Blues.

3 comments about Blues Masters, Vol. 6: Blues Originals.

1. Most of the numerous entries in Rhino's "Blues Masters" series are very good, and this one is no exception.
   
   This 1993 volume brings together 18 classic blues songs, all of which have been covered in one form or another by other blues, blues-rock or rock n' roll artists. Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man" is the basis for Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy", Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right" was covered by Elvis Presley (as you may know!), Led Zeppelin have covered (or just stolen) several of these songs (the Muddy Waters-single "You Need Love" became "Whole Lotta Love"), and the Allman Brothers Band did a great rendition of G.L. Crockett's excellent, underexposed "It's a Man Down There".
   
   There are some top-notch classics here, as well as a number of more obscure but equally enjoyable recordings which will look at home on any blues fan's shelf. Most Yardbirds fans are probably unaware that the prototype for their song "Lost Woman" was an obscure Snooky Pryor single, "Someone To Love Me". And the original version of "Got My Mojo Working" is here...not by Muddy Waters, though, but by little-known jump blues singer Ann Cole.
   
   A fine collection, mixing together famous standards and obscure gems with thorough liner notes. Longtime blues fans will have most of this music, of course, but more casual fans will find a lot of great stuff here.
   4 1/2 stars. Excellent.



2. (How they sounded in the original)



3. Hear the songs before they were covered by the stadium rockers. Led Zeppelin covered "Bring it on home", "You Need Love" and " I Can't Quit You Baby" Countless bands have done of a cover of Elmore James' "Madison Blues." And of course, the Rolling Stones did a cover of "Love in Vain" So, if you want hear what influenced famous rock rollers, this is the album for you.

No comments about Blues Legacy: Lost and Found Series, Vol. 2.

5 comments about Nice & Warm.

1. I think Tab Benoit is a musians musian.He plays his music with a passion.
   Johnny Lang thought so much of Nice and Warm he covered it on his first cd. Tabs music is the blues cajun style.I've seen him play live and he gives you more than your monies worth.This cd is one of his best and I have them all.



2. When I first got the album, I thought it was good. The vocals are pretty good for a white guy singing the blues. There are plenty of good white blues guitarists out there, but to really be able to sing the blues well is rare. Not great singing, but expressive, gruff, and with a nice feel.
   
   Now to the guitar playing: I played this for some friends of mine who, at the time, were deeply into playing electric blues themselves. They scoffed. I was wounded. I went back and listened again and again.
   
   10 years later, I've listened to enough blues to have, what I humbly think, is a relatively objective opinion.
   
   If you heard Tab play in a blues bar, it would be a good night. The guy can throw down some decent blues. I still feel that he sings pretty well. His guitar playing, though, is that of a good hobbyist. I've heard mechanics, dentists, and plumbers play as well or better. This isn't to put him down, but go to youtube and search Robben Ford or Larry McCray. Tab just isn't in the same league as seasoned and naturally talented blues guitar players. Larry McCray's live clips in particular will blow you away.
   
   Must we compare? Actually, yes. There must be some standard!
   
   He sounds like he's trying a little too hard, or its a tad sloppy, or the phrasing is off. Hard to explain, but I don't get that sense of awe hearing him play.
   
   Take it for what it is. I call it Blues Lite- not bad, but is it worth your hard earned clams?



3. This is a great blues album. His covers of three of my favorite blues classics "I'll Put A Spell on You", "Killing Floor" and "Drowning on Dry Land" are loving, soulful tributes...and great renditions in their own right. Benoit can wring a piercing cry from that guitar that makes your spine shudder and brings tears to your eyes.



4. A co-worker of mine made me a tape of 'nice and warm' as a parting gift. I didn't know who played it or the name of the tape. I only knew it was blues. After listening to it I was floored. I was thoroughly impressed. His guitar playing was rawest, raunchiest, sweetest, and most refreshing sound I had heard in ages. His licks make my skin crawl with goosebumps. My favorite line is (paraphrased) "I feel like I'm drowning in dry land... and that's a bad way of going down". If you like blues and even if you don't love the blues, you'll be glad you got your hands on this hot CD.



5. THIS ALBUM CONTAINS SOME OF THE CHUNKIEST, MEATIEST BLUES GUITAR COMMITTED TO DISC. AT TIMES THE LEAD BREAKS CAN BE OVERLY FRENETIC & EAR -DRUM DISTURBING BUT WHEN TAB RETURNS TO THE GUTS OF THE TUNE THEN ITS A GUITAR LOVERS FEAST. VOCALLY HE IS NOT EARTH SHATTERING BUT CERTAINLY MORE THAN ADEQUATE. AS A FIRM BELIEVER THAT SLOW BLUES ARE A NECESSARY EVIL I MERELY BIDE MY TIME THROUGH THE LESS UP TEMPO NUMBERS THIRSTING FOR THE START OF ONE OF A NUMBER OF BRILLIANT "KEEP STILL IF YOU DARE" BLUES BOOGIE SMORGASBORDS. THIS ALBUM LEAD ME TO PURCHASE ALL OTHER TAB BENOIT RELEASES.GET YOUR LISTENING FANGS INTO THIS AURAL DELIGHT AND I'M SURE YOU'LL FOLLOW SUIT. THE VERY BEST MOMENTS ON THIS ALBUM ARE WHAT MAKES MUSIC SUCH AN ADDICTION TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHEN AN ALIEN LANDS ON EARTH UTTERING "WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT MUSIC? " AN EARFULL OF THIS WILL SOON CONVINCE HIM HE SHOULD REMAIN ON THE PLANET FOR GOOD. PURCHASE NOW TO DO YOURSELF A MONUMENTAL FAVOUR.