Heather Knox – El Dorado (Shut Eye Records/HKAM0022008)

As you might know…. I am running a blues radio station. But in my opinion it’s more of a blues and roots radio station. Why? Well because in some cases the (contemporary) releases are not that different from each other. There are some occasions where I don’t know where to draw the line between blues/roots/country/rock/singer-songwriter or let’s say “Americana”.

Yep, that’s it! America!!!
In other cases I just fall in love with an album. Because of it’s “greatness”, finesse maybe….? Hard to tell. Okay, come to the point man!!!!!!!!!!

“El Dorado” from Heather Knox is an album I fell in love with the first time I heard it. Miss Knox (later I will call her Heather) has a great, powerful voice. She has excellent control over her voice, sometimes she REALLY rocks but her voice becomes fragile, breakable when it comes to the beautiful ballads on “El Dorado”.

“Back Again” (the first track) rocks your socks of. This is where Heather combines her skills in singing in a “Rocky” way, with lots of “feel” in it. Great country licks of her guitarists makes this a masterpiece. The title track of the album, leans (again)  strong to country music, the tune makes me feel happy in a way… the ideal road song! And wow, that guitar solo again…
“The Drinking Song” tells the story almost like you’ve been there. I think we’ve all been there at some point.. The next track “Slow Burn” fits perfectly after this. I can listen to this over and over again. While listening I ask myself…. Has Heather ever sung blues???? It’s hard to describe the way she sounds in this song. It touches me emotionally!!! It does!!! Wonderful song! I think I am falling in love again. “Broken” is an example how fragile Heather can sound, very intimate. Very good song writing,  great production. Listen to the details in this song. The “Rock Chick” returns at “Lessons Learned”, this is an example how a good rock song should sound. Great dynamics. She really is: “In Gear”!!
Want some Old School Country? Sure, no problem: “Sugar Pop” is here to serve you. The intro of “Wasted” is marvellous, again Heather Knox uses her voice as a unique instrument. Her band is incredible good, at every track of “El Dorado”. Please excuse me here… but I am looking for words how to describe “Gone”: it’s an intimate song, “small” in the best way you can imagine. Like Heather is standing next to you. The last track on the album “Where You Place The Blame” reminds me of the great bands of the past like the Outlaws.

The range and the power of Heather Knox’ voice is incredible, she has total control over her voice, knows how to “dose” it. She is backed up by a band with a huge amount of talent!
All the songs on the album are written by Heather Knox (on two songs co-written by Thu-Ha Nguyen and one by Cathy Corbin).
She did a great, great job, and so did her band, and not to forget the people who produced this wonderful album.
Now.. I am no talent scout or whatsoever, but if I was a club owner, I wouldn’t have to think twice to book her. And if I where you? Well, I would buy the album!!!!!! What are ya friggin’waitin’for!! Go to: www.heatherknox.com and order it!!!!!

Two weeks ago, four (!) new releases from ..Northern Blues Music.. fell at my doormat!! Now that’s a treat!!....

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The third "Future Of The Blues" Sampler (NBM0300)  with 15 tracks of N.B. artists (with a former unissued song from Watermelon Slim).....

As you might know... I just love Sampler CD's. I only use them for my FM/Am radio shows, but they come in very handy all the time.....

If you don't have the money to buy a "Full Album" from a particular artists this is the next best thing.....

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As I said: Watermelon Slim and The Workers are featured on the sample. But listening to the album: "No Paid Holidays" (NBM 0047)  is a treat!....

Slim and his band prove why they are an Award winning band. The album kicks off with "Blues For Howard", with the typical voice of Watermelon Slim and his fantastic Slide Guitar playing.....

Very powerful. This entire album is truly a genuine blues album, in music and in lyrics. One of my favourites is "Call My Job", an up-tempo "drinking song".....

"You're The One I Need" could be called a more "sophisticated" blues song. “Bubba’s Blues” takes you back to the raw blues…. Reminds me of the “Burnside sound”… don’t ask me why.. ! Sounds great! Don’t you be fooled with the rawness of Slims’ voice, it might be raw, whiskey soaked, but this guy can SING !! Just listen to “And When I Die” and “This Traveling Life”, very intimate blues songs, steeped in the tradition of the Delta Blues.....

Singing about the “ordinary” (I’ve Got A Toothache) makes this album even better….hey, we’ve all been there !!!!!!....

Listening to this album over and over again makes me think Watermelon Slim had a very, very old soul. I don’t know how he pulls it off sounding like an old cotton picker in the twenties on the back porch… in fact it doesn’t matter… he did it, and he does it. Slim and the Workers did a great job on this album!!....

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“Pay Me No Mind” ( NBM0048) from The Homemade Jamz ..Blues Band.. is their debut album. An 11 song album with 10 songs penned by father Renaud Perry and a ..John Lee Hooker.. song. The entire album was recorded in their home studio in Tupelo Ms. There’s no doubt that this band is already a “Hit”, regarding their performances in major blues clubs in the U.S. and festivals in Europe. These youngsters prove that you don’t have to be 70 or 80 years old to play the blues. But to me there’s a big difference…. The sound of the band is nice and VERY promising. But I don’t think that they are “there yet”. Ryan, Kyle and Taya Perry are good musicians with a lot of potential. Especially Ryan is great on the guitar his dad built for him. I might be wrong and very off track: In my opinion this is a promising ..blues band.., but they cannot fulfil that promise right now. Give them a couple of years and more experience and I am sure I will be convinced by the talent of The Homemade Jamz Blues Band. Nevertheless I have to tip my hat to the kids, their father and to ....Fred Litwin.. for.. the effort and the guts they have of making the album instead of waiting!....

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“Steady Movin’” (NBM0051) from ..Carlos Del Junco.. was a real surprise to me. Carlos’ sound is incredible and in no way predictable. Of course he will take his inspiration from the great harp players of the past (and today) but he manages to give it his own feel. From “Diddle It” (first track) to “Doodle It” (last track). “Dull Blade” is overwhelming and could be used by Tarantino in one of his upcoming movies. John Dickie does a great job in singing “Mashed Potatoes Canada” singing as a true soul singer. “Movin’ Down The River Rhine” (by Sonny Boy Williamson) is a masterpiece and played perfect!!! The way Del Junco plays “Amazing Grace” is .. well….. Amazing!!!....

Throughout the entire album Kevin Breit proves he is a wizard with every stringed instrument. “Bailey’s Bounce” is one of my favourites on this album, this track once again shows the skills of Carlos Del Junco.....

Maybe “Steady Movin’” is not “your average blues album”, but it is truly wonderful, some songs almost majestic.....

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All albums (except for the sampler) are entirely featured on Triple R Blues Radio’s on line play list.....

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J.W. Jones - BlueListed ( CrossCut Records)

J.W. (J-Dub) is not only a real fine person, he is one hell of a musician.
Starting of as a drummer he turned to the guitar... My opinion: a real smart thing to do!
A couple of his Heroes are contrubuting to "BlueListed": "Little" Charlie Baty, Junior Watson, Richard Innes and Gene Taylor.
Candadian based Jones has managed to make an outstanding album. All the songs on the album are a pleasure to listen to.
Of course the band has to get the credits too!!! But Mr. Jones is the Key-Figure in BlueListed.
The entire recording was done at his Living Room in Ottawa... I guess that was a blast!!
For me it\\'s hard to mention a favourite track.., but if I really have to.... "Out Of Service Blues" the nr. 11 track. Maybe because
it has an "Old Time Blues Feeling". Played with a lot of respect to the early blues musicians.

All in all this is an album a blues fan has to have in his CD cabinet... or even better in his or her cD player.
Check it out at the website!!!

Chris James & Patrick Rynn - Stop And Think About It (Earwig)

I can’t tell you how long I have waited for this album of these two guys… Really !!
The first time I talked to them was during the (former) Dutch Blues Estafette in Utrecht. At the time they were working with the legendary Jody Williams: making his come-back album a success !!!
The second time was also with Mr. Williams, this time promoting the album: “You Left Me In The Dark”.
Chris, Patrick and Drummer Willie “The Hand” Hayes provided a solid base for Jody Williams to “do his thing”.
At that time I wished I had some music from these two guys… Man they were so great on stage!! Not only musically, no, you could tell by looking and listening that they had fun making music, in a very professional way.
Well now…. At last the album “Stop and Think About It” arrived (Thank you Betsie and Frank  ).
The first thing that surprised on the album is the voice of Chris James, this guy can sing !!! Of course he is a guitar wizard! Chris is really a very talented guitar player but not the one that keeps on throwing notes on you.. he knows what he is doing, not too much, playing with finesse. Patrick Rynn, The Gentle Giant on Bass is just great in what he does: laying down a strict foundation of bass but also in a very relaxed way.
The album turns out to be an all star album with people like: Bob Corritore (!!!) on harmonica on 5 tracks, the legendary Sam Lay playing drums on 5 tracks and of course Willie Hayes on one song on drums.
All in all 13 other musicians participated in this great blues album, because that is what it is; a BLUES album. With 5 self penned songs, and 7 covers of legendary blues players like: Elmore James, Jay McShann, Bo Diddley and Snooky Pryor.

The first song on the album “You’re Gone” is already BULLSEYE ! West Coast meets Chicago, great rhythm, Bob Corritore blowing his brains out… what a song.
James and Rynn succeed perfectly in covering a blues classic: “Early One Morning” (Elmore James). With lots of respect to the writer, but playing in their own style. Chris’ slide guitar playing is superb. “Mister Coffee” is one of the self penned songs, and yes it “hits the spot”.
Carla Brownlee, Eddie Kobek and Julien Brunetaud are doing a great job on “Confessin’ The Blues” led by Patrick and Chris. “I’d Like To Write A Letter” is again a real blues song, heartrending beautiful. “Hawaiian Boogie” is the party song on the album. David Maxwell, Jeff Stone, Sam Lay and Bob Corritore join Chris and Patrick on the title song of the album: “Stop and Think About It”. The classic “Mona” is played with the real jungle beat from Willie Hayes, great!! It has a real vintage sound to it… maybe because of the guitar sound… I don’t know. After that it’s again an Elmore James song: “Got To Move”, wow…. No words…. !
The “Snooky” Pryor song, “Someone To Love Me” is (I.M.H.O.) the only flaw on the album, why? I don’t know… it seems not really in place some how. Right after that great slide guitar on “Relaxin’ At The Clarendon”, with Johnny Viau and Allen Ortiz on the tenor sax and again Julien Brunetaud on the piano. This is an instrumental masterpiece. And shows the craftsmanship of the individual musicians. The last song on the album is also an Elmore James cover “My Kind Of Woman”, I can play this song over and over again.

I am so happy with this album! Playing it makes me happy! Chris James and Patrick Rynn have succeeded in making a wonderful blues album. Buy it !!!!!!!!!!
More info on: www.thebluefour.com & www.earwigmusic.com & www.blindraccoon.com
The entire album can be heard on Triple R Blues Radio: www.triplerblues.com

LowDown Feelin\\\\' - The Mannish Boys (Delta Groove Productions)

In issue nr. 195 of "Living Blues" Magazine Lee Hildebrand descibes The Mannish Boys as a: "sort of Blues Supergroup". Well: I could not agree more!!
The boys have already proven this on their earlier releases "That Represant Man (2004)", "Live and In Demand (2005)" and on "Big Plans (2007)". Their "Big Plans" have become realilty with the "LowDown Feeling" Album !
The great "voices" lead the band into heavenly sounds: Finis Tasby, Johnny Dyer and "new-comer" Bobby Jones.
The 17 track album kicks off with a wonderful intro on acoustic guitar from th incredible Kid Ramos as on the Parker/Robey song "These Kind of Blues". A lot of albunms would collaps under the great pressure of such a great opening song. But Randy Chortkoff, Paris Slim, Kirk "Eli" Fletcher, Kid Ramos, Ronnie James Weber, Tom Leavey, Richard Innes and special guests: Little Sammy Davis, Fred Scribner, Jr. Watson, Lynwood Slim (Man, he is good!!!), Al Blake, Dave Woodford, Cynthia Manley and Jessica Williams know how to GET and KEEP attention from the listener. This album is a joy from the first second to the last!

Randy Chortkoff is the RingMaster behind this supergroup, he manages to keep a great balance in the album. The variety of songs are perfect.
It might be easy just to say that everybody can make an album with these artists... but in my humble opinion it;s a hell of a job to handle about 18 thorougbread horses in front of a Californian Stage Coach.

The first time I have heard this new album was rigt after their gig in Ospel, The Netherlands at the prestigious Moulin Blues Festival...... A couple of months have passed... Dont\\\\\'t tell anybody but I have made an extra copy for my car... I just cannot stop listening to it.
From a five star rating this album gets SIX !!

Nothing negative??? Oh Yeah !!!!! Why only 17 tracks??

Tinsley Ellis - Moment Of Truth ( Alligator Records)

The release sheet of this album says that one of the influences of Tinsley Ellis is "Cream" (amongst others), while listening to the first song on the album: "Say To Much", there\\\\\'s no doubt about it:  Cream all over!
But with the hand of Tinsley Ellis, he is not copying music, No! He gets (or got) his inspiration from a lot of bands of that era.
Ellis is an ace of a songwriter and he is able to prove that in 10 of the 12 songs on the "Moment Of Truth" album. The sound of his Gibson Les Paul is striking: lots of sustain. His voice is raw and powerful.
It\\\\\'s not only up tempo Blues Rock on the album: "You\\\\\'re Gonna Thank Me"