By Marty Gunther
Red Hot ‘n Blues Reviews for October 2024
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Alligator Records ALCD5022
Shemekia Copeland hasn’t held anything back when it comes to social and political commentary in recent years. And she keeps the heat on high here. Dedicated to her late mom, Sandra Lynn Copeland, it packs a wallop as she focuses her powerful alto on women’s issues and more.
Produced by multi-instrumentalist Will Kimbrough, who was at the controls on her three most recent CDs, and recorded in Nashville, this one cooks from the jump with a diverse lineup that includes Jerry Douglas on dobro, DaShawn Hickman on steel and roots-rock guitarist Alejandro Escovedo, too.
Don’t miss “Blame It on Eve,” “Tough Mother,” “Only Miss You All the Time,” “Wine O’Clock,” “Is There Anybody Up There,” “Belle Sorciere,” “Tell It to the Devil,” “Tee Tot Payne,” “Down on Bended Knee” and “Heaven Help Us All.”
Sonny Gullage – Go Be Free
Blind Pig Records BPCD 5175
Based in New Orleans where he cut his teeth in the house band at B.B. King’s, vocalist/keyboard player Sonny Gullage will knock your sox off with this outstanding debut. A third-generation veteran of the Crescent City music scene, he delivers a soulful mix of blues and Big Easy R&B while demonstrating a deep social conscience and proving beyond a doubt that his time is now.
Like the late Mike Ledbetter, Sonny’s related to early blues and folk star Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, and he shares similar vocal abilities with Mike despite approaching the music from an entirely different direction. This all-original set was produced in Nashville by Tom Hambridge with a rock-solid lineup that includes a guest appearance from Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on one cut.
You’ll dig “Just Kiss Me Baby,” “Go Be Free,” “Things I Can’t Control,” “Worried About the Young,” “Blues All Over You,” “I’ve Been There,” “Stop the Stuff,” “Tattooed Wings,” “File It Under Blues” and “Home to You.”
Jubu Smith – Jubu
Little Village Foundation LVF 1067
One of the most in-demand guitarists in R&B, Jubu Smith has been churning out hits for others since age 19, when he joined childhood friends in Tony! Toni! Toné! and then worked and recorded with Whitney Houston, Frankie Beverly & Maze and other top names in the industry. Now in his 60s, he steps into the spotlight for the first time with this dazzling, deep-blue set.
It was produced by six-string wizard Charlie Hunter, who’s present on all cuts along with Maze’s Grammy-winning drummer, Calvin Napper. And blues-rock superstar Eric Gales sits in, too.
If you love contemporary, jazz-laced blues, you’ll love this one. Tune in to “Hamster Wheel,” “Jubu’s Poem,” “Kwik-Way Nostalgia,” “Organization’s Sake,” “EG Is Here,” “Extreme Pleasure,” “McLeansville Blues” and “Totally Convicted.”
Willie Buck and the Delmark All-Stars – Live at Buddy Guy’s Legends
Delmark Records ALCD5022
One of the last standard-bearers of old-school Chicago blues, vocalist Willie Buck has been a fixture in the Windy City music for the past 50 years. A blues shouter of the first order, he’s surrounded by blues royalty on this disc, his fourth on the Delmark imprint.
The deep roster includes guitarists Billy Flynn and Thaddeus Krolicki, keyboard player Johnny Iguana(who scores TV’s The Bear) harp player Scott Dirks, bassist Melvin Smith and drummer Willie “The Touch” Hayes, who passed shortly after this recording. The end result captures a sound that’s a comfortable blast from the past of the music that dominated the city in the ’60s and ’70s.
Choice cuts include “Jumping,” “Kansas City,” “Trying to Work Something Out,” “What Were We Talking About,” “Let’s See If We Can Come Together,” “Snow,” “Walking and Swimming” and “Hoochie Coochie Man.”
Misty Blues – I’m Too Old for Games: A Live Tribute to Odetta
Guitar One Records
Odetta was one of strongest voices and an important figure in the fight for Civil Rights; her plea for peace, acceptance and harmony remains as necessary today as it did in the ’60s. And there’s no one better to give her legacy a contemporary overhaul than alto treasure Gina Coleman and her band, Misty Blues.
A project that sat on the back burner for most of Misty’s 25 years, it’s a high-spirited set chockful of skintight arrangements that feature guitarist Seth Fleishmann, keyboard player Joel Nicholas, sax player Aaron Dean and a rhythm section that includes Gina’s multi-instrumentalist son Diego Mongue on bass.
Don’t miss “Jim Crow Blues,” “Weepin’ Willow Blues,” “Alabama Bound,” “Yonder Come the Blues,” “Homeless Blues,” “Jack O’Diamonds,” “Keep on Movin’ It,” “900 Miles” and “Freedom Trilogy.”
Colin James – Chasing the Sun
Stony Plain Records SPCD1499
One of the most decorated bluesmen north of the border, Vancouver-based guitarist Colin James always delivers albums that rock your world in a good way. But he outdoes himself on this disc, which was recorded in Nashville with backing from top talents from across the music spectrum.
It’s a deep-in-the-groove effort with great guests, including country treasure Lucinda Williams and harp colossus Charlie Musselwhite along with guitarist/co-producer Colin Linden, multi-instrumentalist Charley Drayton {Keith Richards, Miles Davis, Courtney Love) and bassist Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones) among others.
Give a listen to “Protection,” “I’m Still Alive,” “Devilment,” “How It Feels to Be Loved,” “Star Studded Sky,” “Too Far Gone,” “This Song Kills Hate,” “Come to Find Out” and “Open Your Mind.” delivers a positive message to bring this one to a close.
Guy Davis – The Legend of Sugarbelly
M.C. Records MC-0094
Guy Davis hit one out of the park in true songster fashion with Be Ready When I Call You a few years ago, earning a BMA nomination for traditional album of the year. And he follows it up in style as he delivers ten original tales in a style only he can while adding three first-generation numbers to boot.
The son of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee and a gifted actor/playwriter, too, Guy shines on six- and 12-string guitars, five- and six-string banjos and harp here with assists from Professor Louie on organ and Chris James on mandolin and banjo, too.
Mostly contemporary tunes with old-time appeal, you’ll enjoy “Sugarbelly,” “Kokomo Alley,” “Early in the Morning,” “In the Evening Time,” “Firefly,” “Long Gone Riley Brown,” “Come Gitchu Some” and “Don’t Know Where I’m Bound.”
Doug Duffey and BADD – Ain’t Goin’ Back
Fort Sumner Music LLC
Delivering a distinctive, hard-to-define brand of music that fuses swamp blues, bayou funk, soul and more, Doug Duffey and BADD get serious with their latest offering; they hit the right chord throughout as they pay tribute to their influences and deliver tunes dealing with failed romances and other troubles.
Based out of Monroe, La., and fronted by Duffey, a keyboard player/vocalist who’s been inducted into three different music halls of fame, BADD keeps the emotional tension on high with Dan Sumner on guitars, trumpet and bass, drummer Adam Ryland and bassist Ben Ford in the mix along with harp player Dave P. Moore and horns, too.
Top cuts include “Whirlpool,” “You Got What It Takes,” “The Wishing Game,” “Front Porch Blues,” “Get ’er Outa Yo Head,” “Turn It Around,” “No Mercy,” “Promised Land” and “Ain’t Goin’ Back.”
Lee Kanehira – The Chicago Blues Piano Trio!!
Waggy Murphy’s Records
A two-fisted powerhouse who’s a star in her native Japan as well as Chicago, pianist/vocalist Lee Kanehira is best known to American audiences through her work with the Cash Box Kings. And she’ll grab you from the jump with this set of traditional and original barrelhouse pleasers.
Lee works and records with several Windy City stars, including Johnny Burgin, Billy Flynn and Shoji Naito, and she’s made multiple appearances at the Chicago Blues Festival. Naito co-produced this CD, her first full release since 2017. It’s delivered in trio format with John W. Lauler on upright bass and Derek Henderson on drums.
“Midnight Boogie” rips and runs to open. And tune in to “Baby Don’t You Love Me No More,” “Boogie for Willie,” “How Come You Do Me Like You Do,” “Blues Don’t Like Nobody,” “Mother Earth,” “Four O’Clock Blues” and “You Sure Look Good to Me.”
Wendy and DB – Back Home
Tigerlily Music
One of the sweetest and most upbeat contemporary acoustic duos on the planet, Wendy Morgan and Darryl “DB” Boggs earned a Grammy nomination in the children’s category last year for Into the Little Blue House as they paid tribute to their Chicago roots. And they outdo themselves with this follow-up as they explore stylings from outside the Windy City.
Touching on everything from Hill Country and Texas blues and more, they co-produced this one with Grammy honoree Michael Freeman and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith. And they’re joined by Ruthie Foster, Sharde Thomas and her Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band, Billy Branch and Mike Wheeler.
A 15-track treat from beginning to end, you’ll love “Back Home,” “Come to Your Senses,” “Put Down the Phone,” “Moving Mountains,” “Butterflies Are Free/Muhammad Ali,” “Hemingway the Wonderdog,” “Move Them Bones,” “Friends” and “Be You/Walk to Your Own Beat.”
Johnny Ray Jones – Mystic Chiefs
Moondogg Records MDGR 10077
A veteran Southern California vocalist who learned his craft at the feet of Sam “Bluzman” Taylor and worked with Big Joe Turner, Phillip Walker, Coco Montoya and others, Johnny Ray Jones simply cooks old-school here. The band he fronts includes several national talents, as he delivers a set with West Coast flair.
Mixed and mastered by Johnny Lee Schell at his Ultratone Studios in L.A., the roster includes Junior Watson and Schell on guitars, harp player Tex Nakamura (The 44s) and keyboard wizard Carl Sonny Leyland with bassist John Bazz (The Blasters) and percussionists Stephen Hodges and J.R. Lozano driving the beat.
“Automatic” pulls out of the garage in style. And be sure to tune in to “Trying to Get Back on My Feet,” “Devil Woman,” “Shake Your Hips,” “I Wish You Would,” “No Fightin’,” “Sugar Sweet,” “My Younger Days” and “I’ll Be Around.”
Zac Harmon – Floreada’s Boy
Catfood Records CFR-034
A self-described “old country boy,” Jackson, Miss.-based Zac Harmon remains one of the smoothest, sweetest vocalists and guitarists in the business. And the Farish Street legend shines on this disc – his first in five years, delivering 12 originals that capture the essence of his hometown while honoring his mom with a tip of the cap in the title, too.
Zac’s backed by The Drive – keyboard player Corey Lacy, Nate “The Bass” Robinson, drummer Gino “LockJohnson” Iglehart and Kingston “Guitarboy” Livingston -- with guest appearances from the Texas Horns and others, producing one fine, slick recording.
Grab your honey and dance along to “Babe and Ricky’s Inn,” “Fake News,” “Glass Ceiling,” “That’s the Way I Feel About Cha,” “Sugarman,” “Big Dog Blues,” “Never Have a Better Night,” “I’ll Never Forget” and “Stop the Killing.”
Jake Shimabukuro & Mick Fleetwood – Blues Experience
Forty Below Records FBR 042
Here’s an interesting pairing: Jake Shimabukuro was the 2023 International ukulele player of the year in addition to being a former member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. He teams here with Fleetwood Mac founder/drummer Mick Fleetwood to deliver something different -- a serving of the sweetest, most imaginative instrumental blues you’ll hear this year.
Michael Grande and Mark Johnston hold down keys with Jackson Waldhoff on bass. And guitar wizard Sonny Landreth sits in on the opening cut, too.
Mellow and more, give a listen to “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers,” “Rollin’ N Tumblin’,” “Need Your Love So Bad,” “Kula Blues,” “Whiter Shade of Pale,” “Still Got the Blues,” “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Songbird.”
Skip James – Today!
Craft Recordings CR00744
A blues superstar thanks to his 78s on the Paramount label in the ’30s, Nehemiah “Skip” James disappeared into obscurity until being “rediscovered” by John Fahey and Bill Barth in the early ’60s and regained his crown. An emotive, distinctive high tenor, he gets to live again thanks to the reissue of this original Vanguard recording, which was lovingly remastered by Craft and is now available on 180-gram vinyl.
A follow-up to his modern debut on the Blues at Newport compilation, this studio set captures Skip in a hauntingly warm, solo set except for the appearance of bassist Russ Savakus on one track, and the disc includes the original liner notes.
Essential listening and a stellar trip to the past, give a listen to “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues,” “Crow Jane,” “Washington D.C. Hospital Center Blues,” “Drunken Spree,” “Cherryball,” “How Long,” “Cypress Grove,” “Look Down the Road,” “My Gal” and “I’m So Glad.”
McKinley James – Working Class Blues
Archive Records
Guitarist McKinley James hits a high note with this stellar debut effort. Backed solely by the rock-steady percussion provided by his father, Jason Smay of Los Straitjackets fame, McKinley delivers an all-original, steady-rocking, soul-infused set. It’ll grab you from the opener with a feel that’s larger than any two-man effort should.
McKinley possesses a rich, emotive tenor and plays a vintage ’54 Fender Stratocaster, while producing a contemporary sound that’s firmly rooted in the past. Based out of Nashville, the father and son duo laid down these tracks at The Red Lodge, their home studio.
A young man who deserves your ear, dial in to “Movin’,” “Always on My Mind,” “Just a Little Bit,” “Crazy Over You,” “Leadin’ Me On,” “Stay with You,” “Say Goodbye,” “Wait and See” and “Till It’s Gone.”
About the Author: The blues came calling for Marty Gunther in the 1960s, when he witnessed Muddy Waters, Mississippi John Hurt, B.B. King and Howlin' Wolf perform at the Newport festivals in his native Rhode Island. A longtime Chicagoan who's now based out of Mason, OH, he's a professional journalist and harp player who studied under Sugar Blue before co-founding the Nucklebusters, a band that's filled clubs in south Florida since the '80s.
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