1 comments about Ain't It Nice.

1. This was the first Willie Kent album I ever bought and I have never stopped buying them since. I think he is one of the best blues singers around today and he holds up the tradition of the Chicago blues band. Once you hear his voice you are hooked on the music. This set was his first for Delmark and features a tight band that includes harp player Lester Davenport and a fine selection of songs. The songs may be somewhat generic, but that's the blues and it's the feeling that counts. The best songs are the slow blues where Kent's pleading vocals really shine, especially on "One More Mile". The band shows its versatility with the jazzy "Feel's So Good", and singer Bonnie Lee guests on "I'm Good".
   CD's like this prove that the classic style of Chicago blues is still alive. Kent had recorded many more cd's that continue this tradition today.

No comments about Blues Is All Right.

No comments about Snooky Pryor.

No comments about Blues Hangover.

1 comments about Don't Mess With the Bluesmen.

1. There are very few blues guitar heroes coming out of Chicago anymore, or so I was thinking till I saw Carlos Johnson play with Otis Rush and Derek Trucks in Tokyo May 2004. Johnson has the flair, showmanship and skills of greats like fellow left-hander Otis Rush himself, though I felt more in the presence of a player the likes of Luther Allison, Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy or B.B. King in his love for the audience, his instrument and the music. Carlos Johnson, like Billy Branch, his co-hort on this album, is obviously a man who deserves more recording contracts and big tours. Buy a few more copies of this CD for your friends and get the word out so the record companies pay attention! Chicago bars are great places to see live music, but national treasures like these musicians have got to be shared with all the people. Why do all the good guys have to spend most of their time gigging in Europe and Japan, and making CDs in Europe and Japan, when they play most of their best stuff all thier lives in Chicago? Bring the love home! Hello, Blind Pig, Telarc, are you listening? For more collaborative work you can listen to Carlos Johnson on Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues releases, starting with "Where's My Money?"

No comments about My Way or the Highway.

No comments about The Story of Black & Blue 1976-1988, Vol. 2.

2 comments about Billie Jean Blues.

1. I ALSO FOUND THIS TO HAVE A LITTLE HISS TO IT. BUT NOT THAT BAD THIS IS WELL WORTH OWNING GREAT GUITAR AND VOCALS. ALSO GOOD SONG SELECTION,PLEASE DON'T LET THE OTHER REVIEW STOP YOU FROM BUYING THIS, YOU WOULD ONLY MISS OUT ON THESE GREAT TUNES. I TO WISH THE SOUND WAS PERFECT I'M JUST GLAD TO HERE THESE TUNES. I HAVE HEARD WAY WORSE.



2. I saw Guitar Shorty in Chicago and he blew me away. I was even more excited to find out that most of this album was recorded live. But as this was an older recording, it's not as professional sounding as "Roll Over Baby" for instance "Hey Joe" starts IN THE MIDDLE of the song (again the version on Roll Over Baby is much better). On a brighter side, Whole Lot of Loving and Papa's Got a Brand New Bag are good. If you want to hear LOTS of guitar jamming check out Shorty's Theme(s). He is a fantastic guitar player with lots of energy. There is just a lot of "hiss" on this recording, but the playing is great.

1 comments about Scrapper Blackwell, Vol. 3 (1959-1960).

1. Guitarist Scrapper Blackwell was, with his partner Leroy Carr, one of the most popular blues performers of the early 1930s. However, with the death of Carr, Blackwell's career faltered, and he lived quietly in Indianapolis until white blues enthusiasts located him in the late 1950s. The result was a handful of recordings, mainly on obscure labels, before he was murdered in 1962.

   Tracks 1 - 12 are previously unissued performances drawn from a concert Blackwell gave in September 1959, featuring him solo, singing, playing the piano and accompanying singer Brooks Berry. Tracks 13 - 22 are the re-issuing of the long unavailable "Blues Before Sunrise" album on the British "77" label.

   Both sessions find Blackwell in fine form. His guitar style is a complex one, swinging but blues drenched, and combining strong chordal work and single string runs. Perhaps more striking still is his vocal work: a gentle voice, slightly hoarse and immensely weary, combining beautifully with strongly poetic and original lyrics.

   Most of the songs are original blues, but "Down & Out" is given a poignant reading, while "Little Boy Blue" is a delightfully playful rendition of the nursery rhyme. Brooks Berry is eminently forgettable, but does not detract from a fine CD.

   Recommended for all lovers of acoustic guitar blues.

2 comments about Second Nature.

1. This early 90's recording of Carey and Lurrie Bell in Scandinavia has finally seen the light of day, and it's long overdue.
   
   The Bells lock right in with each other on a number of tunes, including "Stop Running Around," "Keys to the Highway" and "Five Long Years." On the latter, Carey makes sure people know Eddie Boyd wrote this one, giving props to an old friend and underrated musician.
   
   Lurrie has had his personal difficulties in the past, and some have said you'd think he didn't know what he was doing with a guitar some nights. This time, he's right on it, with some excellent acoustic work and Carey's harp wizardry.
   
   The arrangements are simple and sparse, but that's how it all began. This is an excellent bit of their history.



2. It's warm. It's raw. It's no-frills. Just straight blues with a chaser of father/ son love.