Doc’s Juke Joint

Alligator Records have been busy with two great new releases from the ladies of the blues. Marcia Ball has returned with her first studio release in four years entitled, “Peace Love & BBQ.” Marcia rattles the keys and lays down some great Gulf Coast blues that will keep you entertained, but also make you think. Highlights include: Watermelon Time, Married Life & My Heart and Soul. Dr. John, Wayne Toups & Terrance Simien all stop by to make Marcia’s latest a great return. Marcia, please don’t stay away so long next time.

With 30 years of performing and seven solo recordings under her belt, vocalist Janiva Magness is back with her first Alligator records release entitled “What Love Will Do.” I caught Janiva last year at the Chenango Blues Festival and she torn the place apart. Janiva really brings it on her new disc, which contains covers of tracks from Al Green, Ike Turner and Annie Lennox. Janiva Magness has been the winner of the 2007 & 2006 Blues Music Award for Contemporary Female Artist Of the Year. I think 2008’s award is also on the way to Ms. Magness. Run don’t walk is my recommendation on your trip to the local record store to find this one.

Are you ready for the return of Satan And Adam? I wish I was going to tell you that they have a new studio release out, but I’m not. The good news is they have a new release of a NYC street performance entitled, “Word on the Street: Harlem Recordings, 1989.” Sterling Magee and Adam Gussow, otherwise known at Satan And Adam have been out of the blues scene as a team for almost a decade. Magee (guitar, vocalist) and Gussow(harmonica) first met in Harlem in 1987. “Word On the Street” is the first live album and first new release for Satan And Adam in twelve years. The release is for download only and contains over two hours of music and interviews. The sound quality is not great, but the realness of a Maxwell Street feel and raw power of two fine blues musicians out weighs the crowd noises and muddy mix. Adam describes the new CD as, “A real look into the true sound that the duo had acquired before even stepping into a recording studio.” The release is available through ModernBluesHarmonica.com. Look for a few select reunion dates as Satan and Adam are going to be on the road promoting this release this summer. Look for a documentary out on these two soon, click here for a sample.

As I’ve mentioned on the air, my mail man has been busy. The new releases have been pouring in. When I see a new disc full of the same old Blues standards I am tempted to slip the disc to the bottom of my listening stack. I’m glad that I kept and open mind and tossed M.T. Leon’s self titled debut album into my discman. Back Door Man, Farther On Up the Road, I Smell Trouble, I’m A King Bee, I’ll Play The Blues For You, Love Her With a Feelin’, they are all here, but in a fresh style that is all Mr. Leon’s own. I really enjoyed this disc. An interesting cover on this CD was M.T.’s take on the Johnny Cash classic, “Folsom Prison Blues.” What’s wrong with the same old blues covers, nothing, when M. T. Leon is on top of them. M.T. Leon “M.T. Leon” on Armed & Dangerous Records features a great supporting cast, my favorite is Robert “Night-Hawk” Tooms on the B3 with some help from former Muddy Water’s bassist Mac Arnold. This is a great debut disc and I look forward to what the future holds for Mr. M.T. Leon.

Greg “Doc” Lefebre