Tiffany Pollack & Co. — “Bayou Liberty” (Nola Blue Records, July 16)

There’s a great old blues song with the title “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues.” I love that sentiment, but I’m not sure if it’s always true.

In fact, I think this latest album of all original songs from the very talented New Orleans songstress Tiffany Pollack shows a wild kind of blues streak with songs like “Spit On Your Grave,” “Sassy Bitch,” “Devil and the Darkness” (with Tiffany on slide guitar) and “Crawfish and Beer,” all appropriately sung in her swampy evil-gal blues voice.

Or maybe she did get the blues, but now she’s dishing them out to get rid of them? But I digress.

There are some ballsy blues in those songs, but there are also some more lyrical moments, including gentler tracks like “Colors” and “Hourglasses.”

“Mountain” has a plaintiff country feel, and “My Soul My Choice” is laced with some crisp horns for a shot of rhythm and blues.

Of course there’s more, as Pollack glides in and out of the dozen original tracks with stylish authenticity. There’s also a comfortable, down-home feel to the musical production. It feels both polished and spontaneous, a tribute to the direct-to-tape recording.

Talking about the real-deal feel of the music on the album, Pollack says: “We recorded everything on tape…like the legends of times gone by. There’s no pitch correction. Almost every single song, with the exception of one or two, is a complete live performance from beginning to end.” she says. “It was a very new and challenging recording experience because I had to be cool with some imperfection….”

That vintage style no doubt comes from album producer John Németh, one of my favorite people and performers, who also adds delicious harp on “Spit on Your Grave.” John is a big fan of getting his music real. And so is Electraphonic Studios in Memphis, where the album was recorded. The result is a pleasantly swampy clarity, if that’s not too much of a contradiction.

“I was asked to produce an album for Tiffany Pollack,” Németh says. “She’s a fantastic singer and songwriter from Louisiana …. She’s bonafide and so is her band, recording all these cuts live to tape.”

The band, not incidentally, provides a perfectly unobtrusive yet essential musical framework in harmony with Pollack’s shifting moods and styles. The members include Brandon Bunious, guitar; Stu Odom, bass,; Ian Pettillo, drums; Christopher Johnson, saxophone, and Eric Lewis, pedal steel.

“Bayou Liberty” is as easy to recommend as it is to listen to.

And by the way, “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues” is a great song. It was first recorded by  Ida Cox with Lovie Austin‘s Blues Serenaders in 1924. One of my favorite versions was at a Lyle Lovett Large Band concert, and Francine Reed pretty much raised the hair on the back of my neck with her electrifying take.

Here’s a video of the track “Crawfish and Beer”:

Tracklist:

1. Spit on Your Grave (feat. John Németh) (3:44)
2. Colors (3:31)
3. Crawfish and Beer (3:23)
4. Mountain (4:16)
5. My Soul My Choice (2:56)
6. Devil and the Darkness (3:56)
7. Sassy Bitch (3:52)
8. I’m Gonna Make You Love Me (2:42)
9. Hourglasses (4:34)
10. Baby Boys (4:05)
11. Livin’ for Me (4:22)
12. Do It Yourself (2:58)

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – “662” (Alligator Records, July 23)

This is just the second album by the “Kingfish,” Christone Ingram, but that’s okay; he just turned 22 earlier this year. It’s also okay because it’s full of great music — hard-driving blues wrapped in a polished production overflowing with personal lyrics, stinging guitar and Kingfish himself.

The album title, “662” is area code for six counties in northern Mississippi. As Kingfish explains: “The code started in 1999, which was the year I was born, so I definitely feel connected to that.”

And as he explains in the title track lyrics — “Sound oozin’ from the ground, and it cuts right through; you can only find it here in the 662.”

That sound also oozes from the fertile blues that Ingram creates here — only one of the 14 cuts does not list him as writer or co-writer. That means you’re getting a view of the blues filtered though Ingram’s personal experiences, as a Clarksdale native who grew up in the 662.

We also can’t ignore Ingram’s co-writer and album producer here — Tom Hambridge, the award-winning singer, songwriter and producer whose name seems to turn up every few minutes when great, rootsy, bluesy, Americana music is mentioned.

This album kicks of with the title track, a rocking ode to his birthplace, and rolls along into the “mighty, mighty river” of “She Calls Me Kingfish,” a blues ode to lost love, with a crackling guitar solo that Ingram rolls out with his usual relentless energy. Both are album standouts. “Another Life Goes By” and “You’re Already Gone” are almost painfully poignant and gentle. “That’s All It Takes” is as fine a piece of soulful blues as you’ll find in our post-real-honest-to-goodness-soul-music world. “Your Time Is Gonna Come” is a torchy blues with a sinuous guitar solo that not-quite-gently weeps for us all.

There are more songs, of course, eminently listenable, including the touching bonus track “Rock & Roll,” a tribute to his late mother, Princess Latrell Pride Ingram. “My mom passed, and it changed me;” he says. “I learned to look at life and accept it for what it is, and just be happy for what you have …. I’ve grown a lot as a musician, since that time—I’ve been learning a lot and trying to slowly seep into the jazz world, and even incorporate some of those elements in the blues world.” This album is a testament that musical growth.

In addition to his articulate guitar work, Ingram’s vocals are always on track. He has a deep, rich voice that adds depth and passion to all his songs. This is contemporary and rootsy music brought together in a blues framework that makes for powerful listening.

Here’s a video of the title track, “662”

Track list and credits

1. 662
(Tom Hambridge & Christone Ingram, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI)
2. She Calls Me Kingfish
(Tom Hambridge & Richard Fleming, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Richard Fleming Music, BMI)
3. Long Distance Woman
(Tom Hambridge & Christone Ingram, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI)
4. Another Life Goes By
(Tom Hambridge & Christone Ingram, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI)
5. Not Gonna Lie
(Tom Hambridge, Christone Ingram & Richard Fleming, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI/Richard Fleming Music, BMI)
6. Too Young To Remember
(Tom Hambridge, Christone Ingram & Richard Fleming, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI/Richard Fleming Music, BMI)
7. You’re Already Gone
(Tom Hambridge & Christone Ingram, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI)
8. My Bad
(Tom Hambridge, Christone Ingram & Richard Fleming, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI/Richard Fleming Music, BMI)
9. That’s All It Takes
(Tom Hambridge & Christone Ingram, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI)
10. I Got To See You
(Tom Hambridge, Christone Ingram & Richard Fleming, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI/Richard Fleming Music, BMI)
11. Your Time Is Gonna Come(Tom Hambridge & Christone Ingram, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI)
12. That’s What You Do
(Tom Hambridge & Christone Ingram, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI)
13. Something In The Dirt
(Tom Hambridge, Christone Ingram & Richard Fleming, Tom Hambridge Tunes, ASCAP/Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture, BMI/Richard Fleming Music, BMI)
14. Rock & Roll ^{(bonus track)}
(Christone Ingram, Ashley Ray & Sean McConnell, Christone Ingram for Sound Sculpture/BMG Platinum Songs obo Smashtwang Publ./Silent Desert Music admin. by Razor and Tie Publ. c/o Concord Music, BMI)

Rodd Bland — “Live on Beale Street: A Tribute to Bobby “Blue” Bland” (Nola Blue Records, July 16)

Let’s get right to it.

This is a terrific album. It’s a tribute to the legendary blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland by his son, Rodd Bland, a drummer from his father’s band, and other musicians who had taken their turns in Bland’s unit.

It’s full of great music — excellent song choices that aren’t just a greatest hits collection. There’s exceptional vocal work from keyboardist Chris Stephenson, Ashton Riker and Jerome Chism.

And the Members Only Band (MOB), a tower of soulful blues power with not a false note anywhere, with plenty of fine ones. Plus a crackling horn section that kicks ass and takes names — their names being: Marc Franklin and Scott Thompson, trumpet; Kirk Smothers, saxophone.

The swinging “Up And Down World” kicks off the six-song live album with Stephenson’s smooth, soulful voice in command. It’s laced with those effervescent horns, rhythmically driven by Bland’s pulsing beat.
Riker takes over the vocals on the classic “St. James Infirmary” with dirge-like horns adding to the mystery and darkness of this traditional jazz/blues story.
Stephenson resumes the vocals on the soulful “Sittin’ On A Poor Man’s Throne,” a funky treat.
Chism takes a sly vocal turn on “I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me),” wrapping himself in soaring horns. He keeps it up with the torchy blue “Soon As The Weather Breaks,” with a righteous guitar solo from Harold Smith. Then he wraps up the session with the funky blues “Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time.”

Each track on this excellent album is a master class in musicianship, vocal styling and sparkling arrangement. It’s soulful blues done with the soulful part fully intact. As the title says, it’s a live album, and it captures the feeling of a performance pushed along by happy fans. It’s also tough to accomplish this kind of quality production in a live setting, but it’s all here.

My only complaint? There are only six songs. Play it twice. At least.

“Sittin’ on a Poor Man’s Throne”:

Tracklist:
1. Up And Down World
2. St. James Infirmary
3. Sittin’ On A Poor Man’s Throne
4. I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)
5. Soon As The Weather Breaks
6. Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time

Libation tip: This review was partially fueled by a Dragon’s Milk White beer aged in bourbon barrels. Smooth as soul and just as bold.

Adam Schultz — “Soulful Distancing” (Blue Heart Records, July 16)

It’s hard to know where to start praising this excellent, bluesy, soulful and smartly crafted album.

Probably with the major contributions of the artist whose name is on the cover — Adam Schultz, an 18-year-old guitar wizard and songwriter, who, collaborated with with Clarence Spady, Schultz’s mentor. Spady had released his own album, “Surrender,,” in May that featured Schultz on three tracks, “If Life Was a Book”, “Down Home Blues” and “Good Conversation,” written by Schultz.

But back to Schultz.

His smooth guitar work underpins this album — there are a variety of seasonings from jazz, rock, blues and soul to bring out the full flavor of the music.

A couple of blues chestnuts kick things off — “A Real Mother For Ya” by Johnny Watson, and Louis Jordan’s “Early in The Mornin’,”  both featuring Spady’s gritty vocals and some nifty sax. Schultz’s original “Good Conversation,” also on Spady’s “Surrender,” takes gentler tone and a funkier little beat, adding a vocal turn by Michael Angelo.

A chunky Little Walter tune, “Who (Who Told You),” follows, again with Spady’s bluesy pipes. Then there’s a smoky jazz-club-sounding track written by Schultz and Aviva Verbitsky, “Have Some Faith,” with Russian-born songstress Ekat Pereyra taking a sweet lyrical turn amid some cool guitar licks. And the closer is another classic, “44 Blues,” toughening up the guitar work a little behind more Spady vocals.

There’s a lot more great music here, but you get the idea. This is a fine album full of music that’s not content to sit in one genre or style all the way through, and that can be hard to pull off, but these talented folks and their crack studio musicians do just that. And don’t forget, Schultz is just 18 — with a depth and musicianship well beyond his years.

And just in case you’re interested, I wrote about Clarence Spady’s excellent “Surrender” a few months ago.

And here is some additional background on Schultz.

Here’s a video of “Good Conversation”:

Tracklist:

  1. A Real Mother For Ya  4:33
(Johnny Watson, Songs of Universal, Inc. o/b/o Vrijon Music — feat. Clarence Spady)
  2. Early in The Mornin’  4:55
(Louis Jordan, Cherio Corporation, Ocheri Publishing Corp. — feat. Clarence Spady)
  3. Good Conversation  5:03
(Adam Schultz, Bluescope Music — feat. Michael Angelo)
  4. Harlem Tonight  3:58
(Adam Schultz, Bluescope Music — feat. Michael Angelo)
  5. Who (Who Told You)  3:43
(Bernard Roth, Sunflower Music Inc. — feat. Clarence Spady )
  6. Have Some Faith  4:27
(Adam Schultz & Aviva Verbitsky, Bluescope Music — feat. Ekat Pereyra)
  7. Cure For The Blues  4:52
(Adam Schultz, Bluescope Music — feat. Michael Angelo)
  8. Toxic Medicine  4:17
(Adam Schultz, Bluescope Music — feat. Michael Angelo)
  9. Can I Change My Mind  4:14
(Barry Despenza and Carl Wolfolk, Warner-Tamerlane Pub Corp. — feat. Clarence Spady )
10. Cut You Loose  4:46
(Mel London, Bug Music o/b/o Lonmel Publishing, Inc. and Conrad Music — feat. Clarence Spady )
11. 44 Blues  5:08
(Roosevelt Sykes, BMG Bumblebee — feat. Clarence Spady)
 

​

Guy Davis – “Be Ready When I Call You” (M.C. Records, June 4)

It seems like Guy Davis has been around forever, playing music, writing music, telling stories, acting (he’s the son of noted actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis) and teaching. And that short list doesn’t do his many and varied musical and theatrical accomplishments justice.

With his latest album, Davis has combined almost all of his skillset into a set of songs with a lot of serious social commentary, some sly humor, a little emphasis on the devil’s music, plus a fine musicality. They’re all originals, except for his elegant cover of the classic “Spoonful.”

Social commentary is tricky. It can come in gentle, subtle forms or it can smack you in the forehead with its bluntness. Davis finds a powerful compromise on tracks like “God’s Gonna Make Things Over” (the Tulsa race massacre of 1921) and “Flint River Blues” (lead in the drinking water). In what at times feels like a throwback to ’60s folk and protest music, he adds songs about immigration, unemployment, and the Mideast.

And yes, there are a few more traditional songs besides “Spoonful.” A poignant “Got Your Letter in My Pocket” is a good example.

Although he is often a solo performer, Davis plays here with a regular quintet that includes Professor Louie (keyboards), Gary Burke (drums), John Platania (guitar), and Mark Murphy (bass and cello). Helping out are Jeff Haynes (percussion), Christopher James (guitar, banjo, mandolin) and David Bernz, Timothy Hill, and Casey Erdman (background vocals). 

In addition to being a finely crafted musical effort, “Be Ready When I Call You” is a very interesting, reflective album. Davis has chosen to tackle large societal issues

Live performance of the title track, “Be Ready When I call You”:

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Rob Stone – “Trio in Tokyo” (Blue Heart Records, May 21)

Rob Stone is a down-home-style Chicago blues harp player, with some West Coast swing flavor added since he relocated there. But his latest album is a swinging departure, featuring an acoustic trio of his harp and vocals, Elena Kato on piano and Hiroshi Eguchi on bass, on a creative selection of classic blues tunes, recorded in Tokyo.

The project, initially intended for release in Japan only, was inspired by the late Big Jay McNeely, wwith whom Stone had been working at the time..

The album has a relaxed vibe, something you might not expect from a fine blues set, but it works here, thanks to the intimacy of the connection between harp, piano and bass. Stone’s vocals and harp solo highlight tracks like a gently swinging “Got to Get You Off My Mind,” with sparkling piano highlights. “Come Back Baby” digs a little deeper into the blues, and “There is Something On Your Mind” and “What Am I Living For?” are soulful delights. The album wraps up with a sensitive reading of the old Lead Belly tune, “Goodnight Irene,” but there’s much more good stuff inside.

Give this a spin late at night with some smooth bourbon. They should go down well together.

Video of “Got to Get You Off My Mind”

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Gerald McClendon – “Let’s Have A Party” (Delta Roots Records, June 25)

If you’ve been sitting around waiting for some fine new soul music to come your way, your wait is over. By “new,” I mean new recordings, but old sensibilities. You know — that classic, old-school, full-flavored soul music. Think Otis Clay, Tyrone Davis, Johnny Taylor, and on and on.

If that’s your desire, then check out this new release by Chicago’s Gerald McClendon, whose velvet pipes have earned him the nickname, “The Soul Keeper.” It’s a follow to last year’s excellent “Can’t Nobody Stop Me Now.” And it’s no coincidence that those two excellent albums have been produced and all the songs written by the insanely talented Twist Turner. He’s also the drummer on both. But it all works because it’s piped through McClendon’s superior sound system.

From the opening bars of the first cut, “Keep On Keepin’ On,” with McClendon’s soulful pipework, through a sensuous sax break, you know you’re headed for a tasty dish of sweet soul music.

The next song, “If That Ain’t the Blues,” adds some soul blues to the mix, and quickly becomes my favorite of these 12 delicious songs. It’s one thing to be able to cover classic soul sounds with some precision, but to be able to faithfully reproduce the entire process and create this masterful album is a work of art.

“If That Ain’t The Blues,” from “Let’s Have A Party”:

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The Rev. Shawn Amos – “The Cause of it All” (Put Together Music, May 21)

The cause of it all, for the purpose of this terrific album, is some raw blues from a handful of the greats, taken apart and put back together in his own powerful way by harpman/vocalist Shawn Amos and guitarist Chris “Doctor” Roberts.

There are ten tracks, the first five with primitive electricity by Roberts’ guitar and the second five an acoustic effort — both making maximum use of Amos’ considerable harp skills. Some of the songs are classics, but a few are lesser-known blues gems that get a fresh look here. More than a fresh look, they get reincarnated into their primeval blues selves with wicked interpretations by this dynamic duo.

The complete track list is worth noting: “Spoonful” (Willie Dixon), “Goin’ To The Church” (Lester Butler), “Still A Fool” (Muddy Waters), “Color And Kind” (Howlin’ Wolf), “Serves Me Right To Suffer” (John Lee Hooker), “I’m Ready” (Willie Dixon), “Baby Please Don’t Go” (Traditional), “Can’t Hold Out Much Longer” (Little Walter), “Hoochie Coochie Man” (Muddy Waters), “Little Anna Mae” (Muddy Waters).

Amos’ background is as fascinating as it is multi-faceted (read a fine interview here) He is an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. And he is the son of chocolate chip cookie founder Wally “Famous” Amos.  

You’ve probably heard most of these songs a million times, but never quite like this. Treat yourself to a listen. Or several.

Here’s the track “I’m Ready”:

Here’s a very interesting article about the effect that Marion Walter Jacobs — Little Walter — had on the blues with his recording of “Juke.”

And here’s the music:

Blues Blast Magazine is ready for you to vote for the best in blues. Starting July 5.

The magazine is offering its 14th year of awards in twelve blues categories, with final selection done by popular vote. They select the nominees using a group of blues music industry professionals, including music critics, journalists, festival promoters, music venue managers, producers and musicians.

Then you have from July 5 to Aug. 6 to vote on the mag’s website. Voting is free and open to anyone, but you can only vote once. If you’re not a subscriber, you are automatically signed up to receive the free online mag when you vote.

Here are the 2021 nominees:

Contemporary Blues Album

• Selwyn Birchwood – Living In A Burning House
• Joyann Parker – Out of the Dark
• Clarence Spady – Surrender
• Chris Cain – Raisin’ Cain
• John Németh – Stronger Than Strong
• Shemekia Copeland – Uncivil War

Traditional Blues Album

• Kim Wilson – Take Me Back
• Anthony Geraci – Daydreams In Blue
• Nora Jean Wallace – Blues Woman
• Bobby Rush – Rawer Than Raw
• Bob Corritore – Bob Corritore & Friends: Spider in My Stew
• Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite – 100 Years Of Blues

Soul Blues Album

• Bette Smith – The Good The Bad and The Bette
• Tia Carroll – You Gotta Have It
• Sonny Green – Found! One Soul Singer
• Kevin Burt – Stone Crazy
• Curtis Salgado – Damage Control
• Dave Keller – You Get What You Give

Rock Blues Album

• Gary Moore – How Blue Can You Get
• Jeremiah Johnson – Unemployed Highly Annoyed
• Walter Trout – Ordinary Madness
• Alastair Greene – The New World Blues
• Peter Parcek – Mississippi Suitcase
• The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Dance Songs For Hard Times

Acoustic Blues Album

• Donna Herula – Bang at the Door
• Catfish Keith – Blues at Midnight
• EG Kight – The Trio Sessions
• Dustin Arbuckle & Matt Woods
• Erin Harpe – Meet Me In
  The Middle
• Rob Stone featuring Elena Kato and Hiroshi Eguchi – Trio in Tokyo

Live Blues Album

• Little G Weevil – Live Acoustic Session
• Lady A – Lady A Live in New Orleans
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Straight To You: Live
• Blues Caravan 2020
• George Benson – Weekend In London
• The Halley DeVestern Band – Money Ain’t Time

Historical Or Vintage Recording

• Fiona Boyes – Blues in My Heart
• Franck Goldwasser – Going Back To Paris
• Henry Gray and Bob Corritore – Cold Chills
• Kid Ramos & Bob Corritore – Phoenix Blues Sessions
• Little Richard – Southern Child
• New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers -Volume 1

New Artist Debut Album

• Big Mike Aguirre feat. The Blu City All Stars – Mississippi Stew
• Veronica Lewis – You Ain’t Unlucky
• Sir Rod & the Blues Doctors – Come Together
• Skylar Rogers – Firebreather
• West Side Joe & The Men of Soul – Keep On Climbin’
• Harvey Brindell – Pennies On The Dollar

Blues Band

• Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
• Anthony Geraci & The Boston Blues Allstars
• John Németh & The Blue Dreamers
• Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
• Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
• The WildRoots

Male Blues Artist

• John Németh
• Chris Cain
• Bobby Rush
• Curtis Salgado
• Selwyn Birchwood
• Dave Keller

Female Blues Artist

• Nora Jean Wallace
• Shaun Murphy
• Shemekia Copeland
• Fiona Boyes
• Lisa Mann
• EG Kight

Sean Costello Rising Star Award

• Crystal Thomas
• EDDIE 9V
• Veronica Lewis
• Kevin Burt
• Ben Levin
• Ghalia Volt