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Recent R&B/Soul/Blues discs of merit--an ongoing series
#1
Johnny Rawls monster old-skool blues/soul singer in the tradition of the '60's greats. So much more than just a voice.: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-ra...0000246173 << They strangely don't cover him much past '02, but he keeps on doing it. He guested on a Otis Clay record then Mr. Clay returned the favor on a tribute to the late O.V.Wright.
JR by himself: a mashup of a perf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9iKIZUkbTc << great perf w/good def--go full-screen Totally pro even with this bunch of stiffs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN29c4qUec8 << great with a horn line...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x8ZUanM0Hc <<...Then add in some terrif BU singers (front line in their own place).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81G5P83SiT8

With Otis Clay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se7BVBaquJw << find me deeper, more soul-wrenching soul today...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDAVsvrTwOM << this, folks, is how you build a song's performance...Hands-down winner... Coulda ended the vid a bit better, but how about that killer drummer? My man! rimshots to die for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW7PC5M3sb0 << another'n from the same gig

Catch up to all this good stuff (and a whole lot more) at : http://www.catfoodrecords.com/

Mr. Ron Weinstock's blog has a nice write-up on Mr. Rawls disc, My Turn to Win from '99: http://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2012/02/...o-win.html << His YT link is broken--see above for perfs.
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
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#2
Didn't mean to go back-to-back with soul/blues singers --it just happened that way. Bobby Rush "...good timing soul-slinging persona..." indeed. Put him on the player, and if you really got stones, invite him to your next party. 2013's Down in Louisiana had some uncharacteristic stripped-down grooves but, Hey!, it's all good!, and he got back in the swing in 2014. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bobby-rus...iscography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q_pdutDQPs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTYVwdMXmos << this is a classic "chitlin circuit" performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcPNPdkeHAA << one fun song here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMig4X2vt3M << my man blows a little harp too...
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
Reply
#3
James Cotton When I was a young buck, learning to appreciate the Blues, Mr. Cotton was just breaking out nationally/internationally. I've slowed down but he hasn't. He doesn't sing much anymore but that harp is as fiery and expressive as ever. The relevant quote from AMG: " Insatiable showman, blues singer and ace harp-man kept his high-energy act alive for over half a century" His newest is 2013's Cotton Mouth Man. Here's his discog--not all winners maybe but always with fire: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-cot...iscography Most/all from that disc + hey, how about some history?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgjGnUJ74...OKPLYsay8d << big kudos to the uploader Juventino Romero--sorry about the ads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTDpsOY2dX4 << from when he could still sing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBAqb_jyn0 << not a novelty item--I project brilliance for this prodigy...but it shows Mr. Cotton's stage-generosity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDxHlFwTp1Y << a break-out song. BTW, from a 3-LP set that got me all fired up on Chicago Blues--worth your while to pick up--Vanguard picked the best of the best and let them play out. Magnificent!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCwtdvwVzho << here's why he doesn't sing 20 years on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_BPqRHgHR4 << "fiery" ain't everything--front -porch/down in the alley was natural turf too
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
Reply
#4
Al Basile The heavy-hitters, the front-line guys, the "names" ain't everybody--Here's the excellent singer from Roomful of Blues steppin' out...kinda. It's a Duke Robillard "do" all the way and that's a good thing.A 2-CD, 27 track set called At Home Next Door. Mr. Basile has 10 issues in the last dozen years and those covered by AMG (shameful are the omissions though) are all well-praised and praised well.* Here's the discog for the intrigued: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/al-basile...iscography An accomplished songwriter, cornettist, poet, dramatist--Here's more on that: http://albasile.com/ And now to shake and finger-pop, and OW get moved:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvSYGQeoAzI << from that newest...I think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmcREf8_0sM << small group--all manner of tasteful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U36smAIw13k << T'ain't fair I tell ya--all that talent AND devilish handsome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91aP1KCVajk << '05 disc Down on Providence Plantation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZyo3RF1b5c << Every player here is a leader of their own band--that's respect, folks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjQo1aH8Lew << swatches from the album

* Not the same thing--one means praise-worthy; the other means well-done (and sometimes lengthy) in the praising. English is so maddeningly complex and hard-to-learn natively because these kind of fine distinctions, using the same words, can be drawn. Not looking to baffle or confuse or elevate my ego--aiming for exactitude, with, OK, admittedly, a side order of cute.
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
Reply
#5
Hadden Sayers Not hip to this guy previously...and shame on me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN9lTA7PZpA << so real, so right. Miss Ruthie Foster does not suffer mutts--what a blending of voices. Somebody in our audience will be dancing by the end...with another or solo chair-dancing--it's all good...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIJNU_-VXmw << I've known a few and this ol' boy's got it right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2jCe20p22Q << a radio studio perf--nice interview beforehand. A real guy doing what he loves with skill and intelligence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlY8EOXAR3c << co-equal for the best version...from a huge fan of the 1st version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riVMY2P6fwI << 20 minutes in a TV appearance in Ohio, promoting his latest disc, a soul outing called Rolling Soul. Reviewers calling it "Memphis soul" got it right. Nice insights into himself. This guy hasn't really even started yet--bookmark his name.

He's been recording for 20 years: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hadden-sa...0000653796
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
Reply
#6
Hey Jazzbo!!! Which should I listen to first?? That's quite a line of links you've got there!!!
I love blues...have sung them often..
so I'll plod through your links one at a time...
Thanks...I guess...(all this listening takes time).
Cogito, ergo sum...
Reply
#7
Bellini48 Wrote:Hey Jazzbo!!! Which should I listen to first?? That's quite a line of links you've got there!!!
I love blues...have sung them often..
so I'll plod through your links one at a time...
Thanks...I guess...(all this listening takes time).

Bellini48--I appreciate your taking me and my selections seriously. May I recommend dipping into the songs for 5-10 seconds each--that should give you enough to decide if you want to come back to an artist or song. Don't make it a duty--that will make it grim and will soon turn you off. I also have a similar Thread on women. Do stay tuned.
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
Reply
#8
I love this guy!!!! Guitar looks familiar,,,good straight ahead blues !!!!

"If you ever get to see even a few minutes of his show, (Rawls) will hook you for life."
--Dallas/Fort Worth Blues Page



jazzboCR Wrote:Johnny Rawls monster old-skool blues/soul singer in the tradition of the '60's greats. So much more than just a voice.: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-ra...0000246173 << They strangely don't cover him much past '02, but he keeps on doing it. He guested on a Otis Clay record then Mr. Clay returned the favor on a tribute to the late O.V.Wright.
JR by himself: a mashup of a perf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9iKIZUkbTc << great perf w/good def--go full-screen Totally pro even with this bunch of stiffs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN29c4qUec8 << great with a horn line...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x8ZUanM0Hc <<...Then add in some terrif BU singers (front line in their own place).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81G5P83SiT8

With Otis Clay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se7BVBaquJw << find me deeper, more soul-wrenching soul today...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDAVsvrTwOM << this, folks, is how you build a song's performance...Hands-down winner... Coulda ended the vid a bit better, but how about that killer drummer? My man! rimshots to die for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW7PC5M3sb0 << another'n from the same gig

Catch up to all this good stuff (and a whole lot more) at : http://www.catfoodrecords.com/
 The ultimate connection is between a performer and its' audience!
Reply
#9
Bluesabilly meets rockabilly. Always raucous, always in control. The Cash Box Kings. The CD they feature (there's 1 newer): http://www.cashboxkings.com/bio No kids in this bunch; seasoned but not tired players. Now if you're ready for that old feelin' from Black Toppin'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpE5ZeYT-S4 << Chicago Blues got a staunch fan in Greece I see. Alert MAG2NYC and Bellini48, please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeS4eD8ew...EfOBp-atly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZo_t9jh4...EfOBp-atly << Their style is deceptively simple,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux4vkf5l3...ly&index=6 <<...stripped-down even, as befits the music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ltQzg4m3...ly&index=7 << .... but darn hard to replicate authentically
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
Reply
#10
When 4 masters of the craft get together and blend egos, there's a high expectation it's gonna be great. And so it is with the Four Jacks. McKendree, Funderburgh, Big Joe Maher and Steve Mackey should be familiar names--each has had 20-30 year careers of dead-solid music. Their first album, on a label dedicated to keeping that old spirit alive--take a look at their roster: http://www.ellersoulrecords.com/ Anyway on Deal with It, these guys have both instros and vocal tunes to wonderful effect. Here are some:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxq59gAYLcE << instro title song sets the table
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IY0AMDNOB8 << serious string-bending here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbfrVyZAhyQ << par-tay, dudes and dudettes. Kevin McKendree stretching out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgIGd97TEk

Not on the CD--a Blues Society perf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFLLKKEKjdA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vfenKbqEqs << 2 different guys sitting in on keys and bass/vocals

BTW, these guys are not to be confused with these: http://www.last.fm/music/The+Four+Jacks/...+Ann/+wiki << the most popular singing group in Denmark in the 50's-60's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TabaiVqKEMo
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
Reply


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