Posts tagged Phil Smith

Levon Helm – Ramble at the Ryman

Levon Helm

Ramble at the Ryman

Released May 17, 2011 on Vanguard Records

He’s over seventy years old now, and still nothing quite gets in the way of Levon Helm‘s tenacious desire to make music. Arguably one of the two most notable people to ever call such a little place like Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, home. The other being the legendary Robert Lockwood, Jr. Ramble at the Ryman, the newest release from Helm, is a live album. Capturing the essence of the old time medicine shows, he shares the stage with big name talent like Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, and Billy Bob Thornton to name a few. With Helm handling vocals, drums, and the mandolin, Larry Campbell on guitar, and (Little) Sammy Davis on harmonica, it’s quite an impressive arcade of musicians.

Six of the fifteen tracks are oldies but goodies written by one of Helm’s original band mates from the Band, Robbie Robertson. Kicking off the show, is a lively version of “Ophelia”. It’s such a great song, and sets the mood for swingin’ good time. Wrapping up the album, we get to hear a fabulous rendition of “The Weight”, recorded with special guest vocalist, John Hiatt. And in between, fabulous performances of “Evangeline”, recorded with Sheryl Crow, “Rag Mama Rag”, and “The Shape I’m In”.

Harmonica aficionados should really enjoy the back to back tracks, “Fannie Mae” and “Baby Scratch My Back”. Davis owns the stage with his riveting harp playing. It’s just great to listen to. Other great listens include the chilling ballad, “A Train Robbery”. Helm sings his heart out on this one. Rounding out the rest of the album, is a very nice cover of Chuck Berry’s “Back to Memphis”.

This event is also available on DVD, which I plan to picking up sometime soon, because I love the CD so much.

Phil Smith

Posted in CD Pick of the Month - Tagged Levon Helm

Bluespaper June 2011

2nd Annual Irish District Music and Arts Festival
Rev Rants: Bluesmore
Gary Gibson plays Blues in the Schools at Four Oaks Bridge
The Pumpers! Who are they?
Phil Smith reviews Retro Deluxe’s “Watermelon Tea”

Posted in Bluespaper - Tagged Blues in the Schools, Bluesmore, Retro Deluxe, Rev Rants

Retro Deluxe – “Watermelon Tea”

Retro Deluxe

Watermelon Tea

Rinkled Rooster

Retro Deluxe, one of the newer blues bands on the scene, is staking out its territory on the playground with the release of their second CD, Watermelon Tea. Boasting sixteen tracks, all originals, written by manager Bob Thompson, Watermelon Tea, like its namesake, is quite a refreshing treat. Founded by lead vocalist Bobby Joe Owens, and produced by Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers, South Memphis String Band), Retro Deluxe has a way of capturing that classic blues-boogie sound of the fifties and sixties.
It is impossible to miss the influence of the iconic Memphis Sun Studio greats on this album. Owens’ voice is surprising similar to that of Elvis Presley, and at times will transition the listener to a simpler time and place. Guitarist Zack Sweeney adds a touch of Led Zeppelin to Owen‘s Elvis-like vocals on ‘I’ve Got One Woman’. This favorite of mine is only a reggae beat away from Dread Zeppelin. Billy Earheart, a wild man on the piano, slaps those keys around like Jerry Lee Lewis on ‘What in the Devil Did I do Last Night’. With a sound similar to Lewis’s ‘Great Balls of Fire’, this track lyrically more of a follow-up to ’Tennessee Saturday Night’.
And for that simple and soulful sweet electric blues, ‘The Mother Nature Song’ hits the spot. One listen, and I caught myself reminiscing about soaking up some live delta blues music on Beale Street in Memphis.
Watermelon Tea is an enjoyable listen. I look forward to hearing what comes next for this band.

Phil Smith

Posted in CD Pick of the Month - Tagged Retro Deluxe

Bluespaper May 2011

Get down in the Irish District! 2nd Annual Irish District Music & Arts Festival
Rev Rants: New lcbs site coming
Lacy Gibson 1936- 2011
LCBS donates to KCCK fund drive
Phil Smith reviews Marcia Ball’s “Roadside Attractions”
Campbell-Steele Gallery hosts the Blue Band
South Skunk SOS Answered
Charlie Morgan Winter Bash

Posted in Bluespaper - Tagged Blue Band, Bluespaper, Charlie Morgan, Lacy Gibson, Marcia Ball, Rev Rants, South Skunk

Bryce Janey – “Down Home Blues”

Bryce Janey - Down Home Blues

Bryce Janey

Down Home Blues

20113rd Avenue Music

The newest release from Bryce Janey is called Down Home Blues. It is all acoustic, rootsy, and it’s terrific. Playing a Gibson LG-1 acoustic guitar and a Kay stand-up bass, Janey is the sole performer on this album, and he shines. The album is exactly what the title implies, down home blues. The first song that really knocked my socks off is “Dust Off the Bottle”. What a great song. It’s very well written, very relatable, and catchy. When certain events happen in our lives, the ones that bring us down and make us sad, there is something or someone we turn to in order to start the healing process. In the case of this song, the healing begins with the bottle. “Down Home Blues”, the title track, is another impressive favorite. Immensely raw and gritty, this one was written in the style of the early blue masters Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Janey plays the slide like nobody’s business. A couple of previously recorded Janey songs pop up on this collection, albeit this time recorded acoustically. They are “Gamblin’ Mans Blues”, from Practice What You Preach and the ballad, ”Heal the Night”, from Heal the Night. Down Home Blues is comprised of mostly original compositions, but there are some “cover” treats for us as well. I always enjoy slide guitar when it’s well done, and the slide playing on Willie Dixon’s “Little Red Rooster” is fabulous. If you been looking for a new acoustic blues album to listen to, Down Home Blues is strongly recommended.

Phil Smith

Posted in CD Pick of the Month - Tagged Bryce Janey

Bluespaper February 2011

Rev Rants: 2011 Chili Challenge
KUNI/KHKE Blues Blowout
2011 Blues and Buffett Chili Challenge
Phil Smith reviews Eddie Turner’s “Miracles & Demons”
Jeff Taylor and the local all-stars at Parlor City
The Mike & Rob Show at Gilligan’s

Posted in Bluespaper - Tagged Bluespaper, Chili Challenge, Eddie Turner, Jeff Taylor, KUNI, Mike & Rob, Rev Rants

Eddie Turner – “Miracles and Demons”

Eddie Turner - Miracles and Demons Eddie Turner

Miracles & Demons

Northern Blues – Released July 13, 2010

Miracles and Demons, the third solo release from Eddie (Devilboy) Turner is a pure unadulterated bluesy treat, but it‘s not what one would call a traditional blues album. Strong rhythmic beats, smoky vocals, heady and psychedelic lyrics, fantastic guitar playing and a great backup band are all attributes which make this CD quite pleasurable. Miracles and Demons starts off with “Booty Bumpin’”, a high energy blues rock selection and escorts the listener through the remainder of the thirteen track labyrinth of sound and emotions.

‘Say’, kick-started with a slow countrified slide guitar, evolves into a funky jam about the pain that goes along with a sudden breakup. Turner sings, ‘Why don‘t you say? Why don’t you say? My tears are falling .. My tears are falling from the sky’. This is definitely a favorite.

Lightening up the mood a bit with “Monkey See, Monkey Do”, Turner shows off his fun side. Then, just when one thinks they know the direction in which the musical vehicle they are riding is heading, Turner takes a hard left and pulls the listener into a jazzy nightclub for “In the Morning”. This is the perfect companion piece to Van Morrison’s “Moondance”.

Title tracks “Miracles and Demons” and “Miracles and Demons (part 2) are the closure points of each half of the album. The former, clocking in at just a bit over two minutes, is the thinner half and is a bit more raw. The later, more echoic, sports heavier guitar and more production effect.

I have got so much enjoyment from listening to Miracles and Demons, Eddie Turner has now been added to my list of favorite artists.

eddiedevilboy.com.

Phil Smith

Posted in CD Pick of the Month - Tagged Eddie Turner

Posts tagged Phil Smith

Levon Helm – Ramble at the Ryman

Bluespaper June 2011

Retro Deluxe – “Watermelon Tea”

Bluespaper May 2011

Bryce Janey – “Down Home Blues”

Bluespaper February 2011

Eddie Turner – “Miracles and Demons”

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