R.L. Burnside
Burnside On Burnside
(Fat Possum Records FP 80349)
by Stephen T. Davidson
"Burnside on Burnside," is the CD we've long been waiting for from R.L. and his band. Characteristic of their consistent live shows, the set list is good, the music is great, and the sound quality is excellent. You can hear the crowd in the background between songs but they are way back in the mix and never overbearing. The music stands out loud and clear and the musician's different arrangements are distinct and easy to separate. Kenny and Cedric follow R.L.'s lead and the experience they have in playing with him over the years is indisputable. Kenny steps out on occasion to really let loose on his slide guitar but otherwise compliments R.L.'s guitar playing with educated subtlety, accentuating R.L's unique guitar phrasing with sparse punctuation and filler when not carrying the load. "Burnside on Burnside" exemplifies the embodiment of R.L. Burnside and his band, the way they ought to be heard, "live."

Fat Possum Records, P.O. Box 1923, Oxford, MS. 38655
Web: www.fatpossum.com

Various Artists
Dealin' With the Devil, Songs of Robert Johnson
(Cannonball Records CBD 29117)
by Stephen T. Davidson
Cannonball Records, "Dealin' With the Devil, Songs of Robert Johnson," is a worthy addition to the mix of Johnson material. The respect and admiration for Robert is evident as these twelve artists craft their own pieces out of these classic standards. Their individual tastes and diverse backgrounds influence the final outcome of these songs, constructing an interesting compilation of RJ's link with modern day artists.

Cannonball Records, 1660 Lake Drive West, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Phone: 952.361.6302, Fax: 952.361.6936
Website: www.cannonballrecords.com

Various Artists
Down the Dirt Road, The Songs of Charley Patton
(Telarc CD-83535)
by Stephen T. Davidson
The impact of Charley Patton's musical genius on the blues is unquestioned. His diversified repertoire, rough powerful voice, driving rhythms, snapping bass lines, slide guitar, and raucous performances are legendary. The indelible mark he left on the musical landscape in his exemplary role as one of the first blues "stars" is still reverberating throughout modern music. "Down the Dirt Road, The Songs of Charley Patton," is an excellent introduction to the music of the legendary Mississippi Delta bluesman. The sound quality is first rate, the performances are outstanding, the vocals are great, and the song selection is good. Simply put, this is terrific stuff.

Telarc International Corporation, 23307 Commerce Park RD, Cleveland OH 44122
Website: www.telarc.com

John Kay
Heretics & Privateers
(Cannonball Records CBD 29119)
by Stephen T. Davidson
"Heretics & Privateers" is an anthem that speaks to the mass of disenfranchised Americans who would rather step away from the treadmill of cookie cutter conformity and explore life on their own terms. Weaving a tapestry of rock, blues, and folk, John Kay is a lyricist with the uncanny ability to formulate his personal revelations into clear and evocative statements. Thematic throughout the CD, his reflections about our society are as caustic in their sarcasm and bitter truth as they are ironic and sadly humorous in their realism. His razor wit cuts big government and the huge corporate machine down to size and strips bare their greedy motives, bulldozer mentality and continuous commercial brainwashing. John's voice is strong and powerful, the edge in his voice is perfect for the love, angst, insight, and chastisement he delivers. A meaningful and powerful statement, "Heretics and Privateers" is a forceful social commentary too strong to be ignored.

Cannonball Records 1660 Lake Drive West, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Phone: 952.361.6302 Fax: 952.361.6936
Web: www.cannonballrecords.com http://steppenwolf.com

Johnny Moeller
Johnny's Blues Aggregation
(Dallas Blues Society Records DBS 8905)
by Stephen T. Davidson
"Johnny's Blues Aggregation" is a highly entertaining CD. The fine group of artists backing Johnny displays excellent blues musicianship and their camaraderie is obvious as the fun they had in the studio is captured by the recording and remains intact throughout the CD. The lowdown, thick, guttural tone and hot, biting phraseology of Johnny's guitar work borders other genres at times but the songs are not suffering from the overblown, finger-exercise guitar style that pervades many "blues" CD's in the prevalent blues-rock crossover market. What we end up with is a mix of classic blues atmosphere fired by hard charging, evasive, funky riffs honed with a touch of laid back swamp blues mixed up with a dirty boogie woogie background here, and a gutturalized shuffle there. All in all, a fine example of the artistry and production of those involved with the "Dallas Blues Society."

Dallas Blues Society Records, P.O. Box 190406, Dallas, Texas 75219
Web address: www.dallasbluessociety.com

Johnny Shines
Too Wet To Plow
(Labor Records - LAB 7003-2)
by Stephen T. Davidson
Johnny Shines, "Too Wet to Plow," is a fine collection of acoustic blues re-released by Labor Records to fill out Johnny's catalog of available electric blues. Although he is capably accompanied by Louisiana Red and Sugar Blue on several of the songs, his solo recordings are the definite highlights of the CD. His authoritative voice and dexterous guitar playing bring you back to the old school Delta blues. His voice, a mirror to his soul, is compelling and filled with emotion. His guitar lays down the foundation of his music; with it, he answers his expressive declarations and accentuates the drama created by his lyrics, re-establishing a mesmerizing scenario of the master bluesman and his blues.

Labor Records, Box 1601 Canal Street Station New York, N.Y. 10013-0879
Telephone: 718-833-4430, Fax: 718-833-7165
E-mail: LaborRec@aol.com

Otis Taylor
White African
(NorthernBlues Music Inc. NBM0002)
by Stephen T. Davidson
Otis Taylor's "White African" is a compelling and historically significant CD that should be held up as an example of what a blues recording can be. While much of the subject matter deals with distressing situations, the truth needs to be discussed, and never forgotten. On this tour de force, Otis delivers his message into another realm of thought provoking Blues. This is not a CD for the superficial or blues-lite fan. His intense and often true tales are so vivid and dark they will paint themselves onto your subconscious and infiltrate your dreams.

NorthernBlues Music Inc. 67 Mowat Ave. Suite 233 Toronto ON M6K 3E3 Canada
Phone: 866.540.0003 Fax: 416.536.1494
E-mail: info@northernblues.com
Web: www.northernblues.com

Peg Leg Sam, featuring Louisiana Red
Early In The Morning
(Labor LAB 7009-2)
by Stephen T. Davidson
The coda of a long lifetime of travel, "Early In The Morning" is a prime example of the type of music one might have encountered at a traveling medicine show. Containing a variety of music from piedmont blues to gospel, delta blues to western, the versatile Peg plays it all. The sound quality is great and the mix is good. Red plays the consummate sideman and allows Peg to take the reins and entertain us the old fashioned way. His performance may not be quite as energetic as earlier recordings but his individual personality still shines brightly and this CD is very enjoyable.

Labor Records, Box 1601 Canal Street Station New York, N.Y. 10013-0879
Telephone: 718-833-4430, Fax: 718-833-7165
E-mail: LaborRec@aol.com
Distributed by: Qualiton www.Qualiton.com

Various Artists
Sweet Emotion: Songs of Aerosmith - Blues on Fire
(Heavy Hip Mama Music HHM-4321-2)
by Stephen T. Davidson
Made for blues-rock lovers looking for rock with a blues soul, "Sweet Emotion; Songs of Aerosmith" will satisfy your earnest craving for blistering sass. Rejuvenating oft-played anthems into a personal statement can be a difficult task but the blues veterans gathered together for this, the first in the "Blues On Fire" series are quite capable of doing justice to both themselves AND Aerosmith. They maintain their individuality, create new arrangements, and successfully refrain from butchering any of the songs. Paying homage to a great straight up rock and roll band allows them the opportunity to really crank it up and burn in a different light. Filled with scorching slide guitar throughout, anyone interested in rock-blues and the slide guitar could spend a long time with this CD. The vocalists are superb and wisely chose not to try and mimic Tyler. They sing the songs their own way, with their own timing, many of them slowing the songs down to create more of a blues-drag which provides additional room to infuse a piece of their soul into the music. Recommended listening for both fans of Aerosmith and blues-rock.

"Sweet Emotion: Songs of Aerosmith," was produced by Ira Antelis and Jeff Jacobs. Executive producers: Devon Devick and Kevin Devick.

Heavy Hip Mama Music Company, 673 Robinwood, CT Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630.933.9126, Fax: 630.933.9128
E-mail: info@heavyhipmama.com
Website: www.heavyhipmama.com

Sunny Fournier
My Kind of Blues
(Sunny Fournier)
by Louise Peacock
This is a real swinging blues CD, with some great playing and some great tunes. All original material. Makes your toes start tapping right away

The CD is available from Record On Wheels, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada or from P.O. Box # 632 station B, Sudbury, On. P3E 4P8, Canada $20.00 CDN + $3.00 shipping.
For more information send email to: bluesun09@sympatico.ca

John Prosser
The Beggar
(Hard Traveller Music Publishing)
by Louise Peacock
Blind street musician John Prosser knows a thing or two about the blues! All the songs are original and the album was recorded live, featuring John, his guitar and his harp. It's not polished, but it's sincere and it sounds good.

Order CD from www.CDBaby.com
Email: info@virtualstreetcorner.com
Website http://www.virtualstreetcorner.com

Britt Craig
Freedom Wine
(Hard Traveller Music Publishing)
by Louise Peacock
Comprised of all original material, this simple accoustic album is a very pleasant listen. Britt has an Arlo Guthrie feel to his singing, and his melodious guitar-playing supports his excellent, bluesy compositions. Britt is a bit of a philospher and his lyrics are often quite to the point.

Order CD from www.CDBaby.com
Email: info@virtualstreetcorner.com
website http://www.virtualstreetcorner.com

Grant Lyle and Brotherhood
It's Worth It
(ONYXCanada)
by Louise Peacock
This is a great mixed blues album. These guys provide a wide variety of material and styles and good playing. The way they treat the four cover tunes on the CD is very respectful and nicely done. The production on the album is flawless.

Order CD from CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/lyle2

Johnny V
If my Daddy Could See Me Now
(Festival Records, BYT71391)
by Louise Peacock
I have to include this album for the second year in a row. It continues to be one of my favorites. Pure blues CD from beginning to end, great singings and playing. Canadian bluesman Johnny V shows off his excellent songwriting skills and his killer slide techniques.

Order CD from Festival Music, 1351 Grant Ave. Vancouver, B.C. Canada V5L 2X7
Tel: 1-800-633-8282

Matt Kimbrell
Matt Kimbrell
(MB.CB Records)
by Louise Peacock
Though not a blues CD, this album will probably appeal to people enjoying diverse, melodic and interesting music. I find Matt's songs interesting and his lyrics good. I like the emphasis on percussion. I enjoy playing the album in amongst my blues and jazz CD's.

Order CD : MB.CB Records 1-205-822-8793
2404 Hawkbury Lane, Birmingham, Al. 35226-1617
Website: http://www.its-good.com

Pete Thelen
More Blues Today, Volume II
(Productions, BT9002)
by Louise Peacock
This Traditional and Progressive Blues album is a really good listen. The material is original, with lyrics by Pete Thelen, and arrangements done by various collaborators. The recording features many different musicians each of whom lends a special talent to their particular song.

Order CD from Eastside Records, Tempe, Arizona. For more information send email to bluesd@goodnet.come
Write to BT Productions, 3415 S McClintock, #111-844, Tempe, Az 85282

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