Sun 27 Dec 2009
Best of 2009 Special – December 27, 2009
Posted by Doc under Program Notes, Reviews
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Doc’s Juke Joint – The Best CD’s of 2009 Countdown (Artist & CD title in bold print)
7pm Hour – Opening theme – Little Walter – Juke
Number 25 – Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescasters – Mary Lynn – Dynomite (Crosscut Records) www.memogonzalez.com and www.crosscut.de Vocalist Memo Gonzalez rips it up with a crack band that gets our Top 25 CD’s off to a great start.
Number 24 – Tommy Castro – Make It Back To Memphis – Hard Believer (Alligator.com) Guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro’s first release on Alligator, a vetern of the blues scene. CD features
Number 23 – Omar Kent Dykes – Can’t Judge Nobody – Big Town Playboy (Ruf Records.de) CD featuring Jimmie Vaughan, James Cotton, Lazy Lester, Lou Ann Barton, Gary Clark Jr., formerly know as Omar and the Howlers. Vocalist Omar Kent Dykes lays it down on some classics like the Ivory Joe Hunter classic, Since I Met You Baby & Eddie Taylor’s – Big Town Playboy.
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Number 22 – Davis Coen – Anna Ann – Magnolia Land (Soundview) daviscoen.com Vocalist/Guitarist Davis Coen release of tracks recorded in 2007 & 2008 with guest like Jimbo Mathus & Kenny Kimbrough.
Number 21 – David Maxwell & Louisiana Red – Barbara Jean – You Got To Move (Vizztone Records) www.vizztone.com & www.davidmaxwell.com & www.louisiana-red.com – Recorded in Aug. 2007 but released in 2009 featuring ;ianist David Maxwell and blues legend Louisiana Red on guitar and vocals. Great loose session of blues recorded in a stripped down raw format.
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Number 20 – Eugene Hideaway Bridges – Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day – Live In San Antonio (Blue Armadillo) www.bluearmadillo.com One Hour and 11 Minutes of great live blues and soul featuring Guitarist/Vocalist Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges.
Number 19 – Joe Louis Walker – Send You Back – Between A Rock And The Blues (Stony Plain Recordings) www.stonyplainrecords.com * This track features Sugar Ray Norcia on Harp. CD features Bruce Katz on piano and organ, also guest appearances by Kevin Eubanks and Duke Robillard. Joe Louis also tops my list of great Rochester performances during 2009 with his recent stop at the Water Street Music Hall.
Number 18 – RJ Spangler’s Blue Four – Piney Brown Blues – You Know I Can’t Refuse – The Bill Heid Sessions (Eastlawn Records) featuring Pianist/Vocalist Bill Heid, drummer RJ Spangler also the Producer, Johnie Bassett makes a guest appearance. Bill Heid originally from Pittsburgh, lived in Chicago for a number of years and recorded with Koko Taylor, Fenton Robinson and Roy Buchanan.
Number 17 – Bryan Lee – Three Can Play The Game (Earl King Song)- My Lady Don’t Love My Lady (Justin Time Records) www.justin-time.com Produced by Duke Robillard, featured New Orleans- Vocalist/Guitarist Bryan Lee with a great band: David Maxwell on piano, Buddy Guy, Duke Robillard & Kenny Wayne Shepherd guest star on guitar. Also featuring Sax Gordon (Gordon Beadle, sax).
Number 16 – Boo Boo Davis – Long Cryin’ Blues – Ain’t Gotta Dime (Black & Tan Records) www.crossroads.nl Featuring Blues Vocalist/harmonica player – Boo Boo Davis who mainly performs in Europe, Label owner and Guitarist Jan Mittendorp and drummer John Gerritse. More great stripped down, raw blues basically recorded live in the studio just off of tour with just vocals, guitar and drums.
Number 15 – Missy Andersen – Ace of Spades – Missy Andersen (Main Squeeze Records) Great blues/soul vocalist making her debut out of San Diego, CA. Missyandersen.com, fantastic CD featuring a nice cover of the Etta James classic – Tell Mama.
Number 14 – Cyril Neville – Shake Your Gumbo – Brand New Blues (MC Records) www.mc-records.com Real nice release from vocalist Cyril Neville of the famous New Orleans music family – the Neville Brothers. Featuring Art Neville on Organ, Tab Benoit, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone and Waylon Thibodeaux. Produced and featuring Brian J on most instruments, vocals and writing credit.
Number 13 – Eric Lindell – Country Livin’ – Gulf Coast Highway (Alligator Records) www.alligator.com Former New Orleans resident now living in Nashville, with one of his strongest releases yet. Eric Lindell on guitar and vocals and writting credit on most songs. Eric does a very interesting version of the Buck Owens classic – Crying Time.
Number 12 – John Nemeth – My Troubled Mind – Love Me Tonight (Blind Pig Records) Soul singer John Nemeth returns with a great new CD on Blind Pig Records and also was one of 2009′s best performances with his visit to the Dinosaur BBQ. www.blindpigrecords.com
Number 11 – Big Pete Pearson – Mastermind – Finger In Your Eye (Blue Witch Records) Vetern Vocalist & Blues song writter; Big Pete Pearson featuring the Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn and Brian Fahey). Also featuring guests: Pinetop Perkins, Duke Robillard, Henry Gray, Billy Flynn, Eddie Taylor, Jr. and Doug James.
Number 10 – Memphis Gold – Can’t Get Enough - Gator Gon’ Bitechu! (Stackhouse Recording Company) www.bluesoterica.com www.memphisgoldprod.net Memphis Gold (Chet Chandler) is making one heck of a comeback as he is now recovering from a near fatal accident. He now resides in Washington, D.C. where he played the Presidential inaugeral ball in 2009. Vocalist/guitarist Memphis Gold also hit the cover of Living Blues Magazine in the Feb. 09 edition.
Number 9 – Rick Estrin and the Nightcats – Back From The Dead – Twisted (Alligator Records) www.alligator.com Vocalist/harp players Rick Estrin steps into the role of now having his name on the marquee as guitarist Little Charlie Baty went into retirement. A blues vetern of over 30 years Rick Estrin and his new verision of the Nightcats featuring guitarist Kid Andersen, also had one of the best Blues performances of 2009 with their performance in Geneva, NY.
Number 8 - Ray Bailey – Did You (Bailey composition)- Resurrection (Tonedef) www.raybaileyblues.com Recorded Live June 2009 at Babe’s & Ricky’s Inn, Los Angeles, CA. Guitarist/Vocalist Ray Bailey lets it be known that he is back and better than ever. 11 tracks of great live blues and some real guitar solos that beg the question, “Where has this guy been? And when is he coming to my town?”
Number 7 – Bobby Jones – Two Headed Woman – Comin’ Back Hard (Delta Groove) www.deltagroovemusic.com Vocalist Bobby Jones featuring the Mannish Boys, recorded during the Mannish Boys sessions that gave us one of the best of 2008.
Number 6 – Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens – What Is This – What Have You Done My Brother? (Daptone Records) From the same Brooklyn, NY record label that brings us Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, the gospel sounds of Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens envoke the memories of the gospel great Dorothy Love Coates with a great modern collection of straight forward gospel gems. Cliff Driver, Musical director and organist needs to be commended for his fine performance and arrangements here. When in NYC look Naomi up, she does perform there. www.daptonerecords.com
Number 5 – John Primer – Keep On Lovin’ The Blues – All Original (Blues House Productions) www.blueshouseproductions.com Guitarist/vocalist and Chicago Blues mainstay John Primer returns with a fantastic pure blues release of all originals on his own label in 2009. It’s number 5 what more can I say. Great blues here from the former Magic Slim sideman.
Number 4 – Linsey Alexander – I’m In Love With A Woman – My Days Are So Long (Hoochieman Music) www.linseyalexander.com Vocalist/Guitarist Linsey Alexander turns in a great independent release of solid blues and funk. The liner notes mention that Linsey has been playing the blues for over 30 years. Featuring Chico Banks on guitar, Carlor Shower on guitar, Janet Kramer on drums and Andre Howard on bass guitar. Linsey was definitely one of the great surprises and favorites of 2009.
Number 3 – Shirley Johnson – My Baby Played Me For A Fool – Blues Attack (Delmark Records) www.delmark.com Blues vocalist Shirley Johnson returns on Delmark records with a collection of blues and soul that will knock your socks off. 14 tracks of getting it done sounds of pure Chicago blues will make a nice edition to your collection. Look no further.
Number 2 – Various Artists - Night Watchman Blues (1941 William Broonzy) & Hoodoo Man Blues (1965 Junior Wells)- Chicago Blues A Living History (Raisin Music) www.raisinmusic.com Featuring: Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch and Lurrie Bell. Wow a collection of some of the best blues songs ever recorded, remade by some of the best blues performers on todays scene. Every track is a gem and the treatments of these songs are real special. The collection contains two CDs and there isn’t a bad one in the bunch. The collection starts back in 1940 with John Lee Williamson’s “My Little Machine” and works its way through the Chicago Blues vaults to 1991 and Buddy Guy’s “Damn Right, I’ve Got The Blues.”
Number 1 – Louisiana Red & Little Victor’s Juke Joint- Too Poor To Die – Back To The Black Bayou (Bluestown Records/Ruf Records) Yes, I have a soft spot for the older guys, but they are they blues. Vocalist/Guitarist/Songwriter – Louisiana Red makes his 2nd appearance on my top 25 CDs of the year with his own release from early in 2009. Produced by Little Victor who also plays guitar and harmonica on this 12 track release. Guests include: Kim Wilson, Dave Maxwell and Bob Corritore. Like the liner notes say, I guess why this CD is so good, it sounds like it was recorded 40/50 years ago. Classic new blues from a living blues legend, enjoy!.
Top Reissues or Releases of Older Never Before Released Material
Muddy Waters – Forty Days And Forty Night – Authorized Bootleg/Live/Filmore Auditorium-San Francisco, CA Nov. 1966 -(Chess/Geffen/Universal)
Mark Hummel’s Chicago Blues Party – Red Light (Featuring Eddie Taylor) – Mark Hummel’s Chicago Blues Party (Recorded Live! 1980-1992 – Mountain Top Records) www.westcoastblues.com Disc features Harmonica player Mark Hummel backing Chicago Blues Legends: Eddie Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Waters and Luther Tucker
Mark Hummel – Jump With You Baby – Odds & Ends (Rockinitis Records) www.markhummel.com Vocalist and Harmonica player Mark Hummel collection of tracks recorded throughout his career. Guests include: Sue Foley, Paris Slim, Charles Brown, Ron Thompson and Kid Anderson.
Sean Costello – Take Me Back – Sean’s Blues (Landslide Records) www.landsliderecords.com Collection of music from the late guitarist/vocalist that died way to young. Live tracks and studio outtakes.
Phil Guy – Good Thing - It’s A Real Mutha (JSP Records) Phil Guy on vocals/guitar (Buddy Guy’s brother) Great CD on rock solid blues recorded back in 1985 & 1986.
Rev. Gary Davis – You Got To Move – Live At Gerde’s Folk City (Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop) Blues legend and Preacher Rev. Gary Davis recorded live by Stefan Grossman in February 1962 in New York City at Gerde’s Folk City. 3 CD Set of Essential Blues History.
B.B. King – How Blue Can You Get – The Rolling Stones “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out 40th Anniversary Boxset (ABKCO Records) New unreleased live material from B.B. King, The Rolling Stones and Ike and Tina Turner. Man)
Thanks for listening!!! Doc
Samuel James – Cryin’ Blind – For Rosa, Maeve and Noreen (Northernblues)
Harrison Kennedy – Them 90′s Blues – One Dog Barkin’ (Electro-Fi Records) (former member of the 1970′s Detroit Super Soul Group – The Chairmen of the Board)
Sandy Mack – Get Right – STill Going Strong (Blues Leaf Records)
Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues – Cackalacky Twang – Country Man (Vizztone) Produced by Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin
Zora Young – I’m Movin’ On (Live) – The French Connection (Delmark Records)
