Hambone’s Blues Party

 Top Spins for Summer 2010

 June-July-August

Jimmy Dawkins Presents

The Leric Story, Delmark

Legendary fast fingered guitarist Jimmy Dawkins started his own record label in the 1980s called Leric Records.  He cut a number of 45s with unrecorded (at the time) Chicago blues artists: Queen Sylvia Embry, Little Johnny Christian, Nora Jean Wallace, Vance Kelly and Big Mojo Elem among others.  The studio musicians included Willie Kent, Chico Banks and Johnny B. Moore.  This is a rare chance to hear a slice of Chicago blues that hasn’t been heard on record in decades.

Catherine Russell,

Inside this Heart of Mine, World Village

New York female song stylist Catherine Russell has sung backing vocals for everyone from David Bowie to Donald Fagen to Paul Simon.  Her father, Luis Russell was a pioneering composer and Louis Armstrong’s musical director.  She is a genuine throwback to the age where a vocalist could sing all styles of music: jazz, jump, blues, country, pop and soul.  On this new record, produced by Paul Kahn, she covers songs by Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Willie Dixon and Wynonie Harris.  She even has Howard Johnson on tuba for a couple of songs.  This is a real treat.

Rob Stone,

Back Around Here, Earwig

Harmonica player and vocalist Rob Stone has released his first record in seven years. Rob presents classic Chicago blues with high energy and nice mix of young and old bluesmen:  Sam Lay, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Willie Hayes, Aaron Moore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn and David Maxwell. The title track will rock you off your seat.  My faith in the future of the blues has been restored by albums like this.   

Chris James/Patrick Rynn

Gonna Boogie Anyway, Earwig

Chris sings and plays guitar, while Patrick plays bass.  They were original members of Rob Stone’s old band The C-Notes.  Now on their own, this release spotlights Chris’ fine fretwork and true blues vocals.  David Maxwell and Henry Gray play piano on a number of cuts.  This is a fine example of young bluesmen playing it straight.

Lee Ritenour

Lee Ritenour’s 6-String Theory, Concord Music Group

It’s been 50 years since Lee Ritenour began playing the guitar.  He has appeared on over 3,000 recording sessions and 40 albums.  On this new record, he is joined by six- string legends George Benson, B.B. King, Pat Martino, Johnny Lang, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray, Vince Gill and Taj Mahal for a wild ride of guitar crazy tunes.  Jazzy, bluesy and in-between, Lee and his guests bend a lot of strings and guitar nuts will love the liner notes which contain amazing details on the instruments used.  Joey DeFrancesco adds a greasy B-3 to a few numbers.  Lee and George Benson do a swingin’ version of “Moon River.” Lee also flexes his muscle with a powerful version of “Freeway Jam.”  If you like guitar players, you will love this CD.  It’s one of the best releases of 2010.

Chris Harper

Four Aces & A Harp, Swississippi Records

Harp player and singer Chris Harper, along with former Buddy Guy's Legends' soundboard man Dave Katzman started a new blues label out of Chicago called Swississippi Records.  All of the major bluesmen in town came out to support this new project.  The disc features Jimmy Burns, John Primer, Robert Stroger, Willie Smith, Marty Sammon and Felix Reyes. It’s a fantastic debut CD on a new record label.

Peaches Staten

Live at Legends, Swississippi Records.

Peaches Staten is a dynamic singer and entertainer who has been under-recorded in her career of nearly three decades.  This live performance, recorded on May 23, 2010, is the last live recording made at the original Buddy Guy's Legends. Peaches' soul and energy comes through on this recording and it makes the listener feel as if you are sitting in the front row. This album was recorded, mixed, pressed and released within three weeks, demonstrating that not a second should be lost in capturing Peaches' energetic performance.

Karen Carroll

Talk to the Hand, Delmark

Delmark has re-released blues diva Karen Carroll's popular, out-of-print CD from 1997, which  demonstrates her strong pipes and unique sense of style.  Backed by Sir Walter Scott, The Madhatter, and Vamp Samuels, Karen runs through a series of slow and mid-tempo blues.  Her song "Neked J Blues" is a nine-minute monologue that will make you laugh so hard that you will cry.  Willie Henderson leads the all-star horn section of Kenny Anderson, Hank Ford and Sonny Seals.

Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Joined at the Hip, Telarc Records

These two living legends of the blues met when Pinetop replaced Otis Spann in Muddy Waters’ band in 1969.  Pinetop still can tickle the 88's and Big Eyes plays harp and sings.  They are joined by Bob Stroger, John Primer and Kenny Smith.  This is a true lesson in classic Chicago blues.

Morry Sochat & The Special 20's

Eating Dirt, Galaxic Records

Morry Sochat mixes West Coast sophisticated swing with down-home Chicago Blues.  Morry is one fine harp player and superb vocalist.  This recording was produced by Jimmy Sutton and features guest appearances by Billy Flynn, Dave Herrero, Brother John and Marty Binder.  Mostly original material, this is a fine effort by some young turks of the blues.

Mississippi Heat

Let's Live It Up!, Delmark

Harp man Pierre Lacocque has once again assembled a top-notch band to form this year's version of Mississippi Heat.  Guests include guitarists Carl Weathersby and John Primer.  Christopher "Hambone" Cameron (no relation to me) plays a funky and greasy B-3.  One song, co-written and sung by Inetta Visor,  "Died From a Broken Heart" is a classic. 

Cee Cee James

Seriously Raw: Live at Sunbanks, FWG Records.

Cee Cee James is a female blues singer who sounds remarkably like Janis Joplin.  She definitely plays up the comparison by covering songs made famous by Janis.  Whether this turns out to be a blessing or a curse remains to be seen, but this lady can certainly belt out the blues.

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 Hambone’s Blues Party is broadcast from the back seat of Hambone’s Cadillac, parked on the corner of Jazz Avenue and Blues Boulevard. His radio show can be heard on WDCB 90.9FM and simulcast at www.wdcb.org every Thursday night from 10 pm to midnight CST. Hambone features the best of contemporary blues and classic R&B and soul.  He plays blues with some rhythm, blues with some jump and blues with some soul.

HAMBONE'S TOP SPINS ARCHIVE