Doc’s Juke Joint

Eric Lindell continues to find his groove.  Alligator Records has found a real talented artist that bridges the gap between the young jam band fans and the good old fans of New Orleans funk grooves.  Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist  Eric Lindell’s latest offering Gulf Coast Highway (Alligator Records) is just hitting the stores nationwide.  The new CD builds and grows throughout each track concluding with a fantastic New Orleans funky instrumental called “Raw Doggin’” featuring Chris Dejohn on drums and Marc Adams on the B3.   Other favorite tracks on Eric’s latest include: “It’s A Drag” featuring Sean Carey on harmonica.  “The Look” captures the old R&B days of NOLA that reminded me of the late Tommy Ridgley.   The Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson penned “I Can Get Off On You” has some great rolling piano licks provided by Marc Adams and solid New Orleans shuffling drum rolls by Chris Dejohn.  This song is about not needing drugs or alcohol to get high, just his woman’s love.  “Country Livin’” is another favorite, featuring New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore and a great solo on the baritone sax by Jimmy Carpenter.

“I’ll be Around” rounds out my favorite Lindell compostions on the new CD.  When you listen to this track just close your eyes and your there, where else – New Orleans.  Some other great covers also help make this new Eric Lindell CD really shine.  Eric does a great job with a funky version of the Buck Owens country classic “Cryin’ Time” and a real nice version of Delbert McClinton’s “Here Come the Blues Again.”  Here comes another great CD by Eric Lindell.  Eric’s third on Alligator Records isn’t my favorite yet but I’m guessing after one more listen and it will be.

The funk is back in the house. Walter “Wolfman” Washington is back with a hot new release entitled “Doin’ The Funky Thing” (Zoho Music). I’ve always been a bigger fan of Walter’s live shows over his studio releases. This new release really captures the live feel that Walter and his band the Roadmasters have on stage. The opening number “Shake Your Booty/Funky Thing Part 1″ is true New Orleans funk and boogie, where you just can’t sit down. There is no surprise that Walter would include a post Katrina song on his first studio release since the disaster. “I’m Back” is an honest uplifting groove that tells the story of returning to New Orleans, while looking to rebuild the once great musical hotbed. Dr. John grinds out on the Hammond B3 on “I’m Back.” Walter has certainly done his part by really never leaving New Orleans. It was well documented that Walter and a group of a few artist were the first to find some generators and plug in before the flood waters had even totally relented.

Like his live shows the “Wolfman” perfectly blends his guitar playing with the tight horn arrangements of James “Jimmy” Carpenter. Age has improved the soulful voice of Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and his guitar playing reminds us of the great heyday of the Crescent City’s R&B Kings that Walter once backed (Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas & Johnny Adams). “Just Like That” reminds us of those days and “Only You” reminds of the progression of R&B into the 70′s and beyond. Walter also shows us his other side with a straight ahead tune called “Wolf Jazz” that reminds us that NOLA was the birth place of Jazz. Shake your booty on down to the local record store or get on that internet thing and get this CD.

Greg “Doc” Lefebre