5 febbraio 2001

Hank Shizzoe
(CrossCut ccd12002)

Hank Shizzoe has quickly establish himself as one of Europe’s most focused artist in the blues field. This album is strong confirmation and a collection of new songs bar one – Dimitri Tiomkin’s “High Noon” from the movie of the same name(1952) – of high quality. Bremen’s crosscut has produced an album of difficult comparison to anything else around. Compliments!

Otis Taylor
White African
(Northernbluesmusic co.)

Weird and absolutely interesting album from Otis Taylor, a strange mix of rural, post psychedelic, sixties, acoustic and dark blues styles all in one person. “White African”, Taylor’s second effort it is a unique cd in its own and deserves to be heard.
www.northernbluemusic.com

The Max Weinberg 7
(Miller & Kreisel/Universal)

Regular house band on the Conan O’Brian tv show the Max Weinberg 7 offers a delicious swing set collection. Led from Bruse Springsteen’s E Street band drummer, Max Weinberg, one of my favourite drummer of the last 25 years, with a big sound an a solid swing drive, the “7” are highly powered by the presence of the tireless Vivino bothers. Even if this collection won’t add nothing to the swing scene of the last few years, it is, in this writer’s humble opinion, much better than 85 % cent records by bands of the same scene. Please take note: this album will became collectable very soon!

Helander Co.
Fodder
(Rootman music)

Third all originals album by this Finland’s band led by guitar virtuoso lkka Helander. Influences by the best moment of sixties ‘ English British Blues and energy second to none are the secret weapon of this unit. Good luck guys and keep on the good job!

Leadfoot Rivet
Bluesmaniac
(Voodoo)

Alain Rivet is more than a bluesmaniac, he’s a musician who really gave something to the blues people in his own country, France ,and to those around Europe. He books bands from USA and share with them more than one miles! Alan has a personal taste which makes this collection of partly original songs unique with help from the great Amos Garrett to Tommy Castro, Larry Garnier and local heroes as Patrick Verbeke. “Bluesmaniac” is an album to look for even if has been published in 1998.
Contact : Dixiefrogs.pl@wannadoo.fr

John LittleJohn
Sweet Little Angel
(Blues Reference)

Blues Reference, a project under the direction of Jacques Perin, Jean Michael Proust & Jean Marc Fritz has reissued 12 titles from French’s prestigious “Black & Blues “ series of the seventies. We chose the John Little John mostly because he is one of the few unlucky not to benefit enough from the cd era. He’s, indeed, very good and this collection show the reason why. Recorded during the Chicago Blues Festiavl european tour in 1978 John is backed by “giants” as Lafayette Leake on piano and Fred Below on drums as well Alabama Pettis jr on second guitar and Nick Holt on bass. Little John is more than a mere part in the Chciago blues scene of that period ( seventies) but has a personal approach which moves from the sophisticated Californian styles of early fifties to more logical tribute to Elmore James.
If i would suggest an album in the 12 cd reissue series this is the one but getting the whole series is the real deal, believe me !

Jimmy Smith
Dot Com Blues
(Blue Thumb/ Universal)

The spirit of the blues in the feeling of jazz. This is what you’ll find in the latest Jimmy Smith ‘ s effort, more than 50 minutes of great hammond swinging by good ol’ Jimmy. Etta James, B.B. King, Dr. John. Taj Mahal , Keb Mo’, Phil Upchurch, Harvey Mason, Reggie Mc Bride and Russel Malone makes the party worth the price of admission. While other greats organ swinger as Brtother Jeck McDuff are departing from us( Jan.25th.2001) mr.Smith keeps on enjoining himself and his pals with some of the most memorable music in his fifty years long career. A complete different album from the previous one, “Angel eyes”, all ballads album, “Dot Com Blues”is great fun from the last one of the originals.

Alvon
The Blues Grew Up
(AVJ2)

Consumed entertainer Alvon Johnson comes from the prominent south bay area blues scene and in this collection of 14 songs, 12 by Alvon himself, shows a high degree of personality in any field of the blues not only a good showmanship but a reasonable approach to the business side too. The album features Keb Mo’ on dobro on two songs(“The Blues Grew Up”, “Thank You”), Guitar Shorty( “Pretty Girl”) and Dave Matthews on keyboard. Arrangements are fine and the whole atmosphere is the one of a very polished product. Too much polished to be true !, in the humble opinion of the writer which makes ”The Bluew Grew Up”a middle of the road offer.
Alvon@aol.com

Lou & the Blues’s
Good time for the blues

Siena based blues band led by young axe swinger Lou Leonardi with some degree of experiences in U.S. The band is a tight unit even if not particular original in the sound and general feeling. Good taste by Lou and the guys in choosing somebody’s else songs is evident here and there and makes “good time for the blues” a good offer.
What the collection lacks is a step further in getting their own sound but the approach of a good production, and a sensitive producer, is a skill which has to be reached by a young band like Lou’s . “Good time for the blues” gives the idea of a young band looking for their own selves and the road is the right one, indeed. They can make it if they will keep on tryin’. Good lick.
www.louleonardi.it

3 gennaio 2001

R.L. BURNSIDE
Wish I was in Heaven Sittin' Down
Fat Possum 2000

The spirit of Fred McDowell and the style of J.L. Hooker resonate in this Burnside's album, probably his most controversial one. Critics regret the lack of Burnside's raw guitar work and the inclusion of three bonus tracks from other Fat Possum artists. "Wish I was in Heaven Sitting Down" is nonetheless an excellent and innovative album which could open the way to further musical orientations. For his music, imbibed of the obsessive atmosphere of the Mississippi Hills County and its tormented life, Burnside has surprisingly chosen a group of classy, jump-prone, musicians: Rick Holmstrom, Andy Kaulin, Jeff Turmes and Steve Mugalian among the others.
These musicians, who are distant from Burnside's previous experience with trash rock eponym Jon Spencer, and a number of guests enrich the musical value, indeed very high. Other peculiarities, uncommon for a blues record, are the extended use of loops and scratching. Two, maybe three songs do not match the challenge, but "Got Messed Up", "Wish I was in Heaven Sittin' Down", "See What My Buddy Done", "Bad Luck City" and the cover "Chain of Fools" are real gems. (Luca Lupoli)

JOE BONAMASSA
A New Day Yesterday
(Epic/550 music/Okeh)

Joe Bonamassa is a young guitar slinger with a in depth knowledge of the rock blues theasaurus of the early seventies. This album, produced by vet. Tom Dowd, a reassuring presence at the mixing board, is a collection of some of the most satisfyng guitar led cd heard in the last 12 month.
Joe turn his amp to ten and launch the powerful trio in great rendition of unforgotten classics as Jethro Tull’s “A New Day Yesterday”, opening song from their second album, “Stand Up”, a masterpiece of the late sixties british scene, Free’s “Walk in The Shadow”, Rory Gallagher’s “Cradle Rock “, Al Kooper’s “Nothing i wouldn’t do for a woman like you” backed with some rocking origibals one.
Gregg Allman join Joe on Warren Haynes’s “If Heartaches were nickels”. Joe Bonamassa. Remember that name, and watch out for him in the ABB’s entourage.

www.550music.com


VARIOUS ARTISTS
Stony Plain’s Christmas Blues
(Stony Plain)

Don’t confuse this collection of Xmas song for the usual album dedicated to the Winter’s festivities. Duke Robbillard, Billy Boy Arnold, Maria Muldaur, Roscoe Gordon, Sonny Rhodes, Long John Baldry, Jimmy Whiterspoon are some of the names who makes this collection a precious labour of love. Stony Plain has been very audacious to put themselves in the wild Xmas competiotion (even the blues market expects Xmas sales

www.stonyplainrecords.com


MISSISSIPPI HEAT
Handyman
(CrossCut)

This newr, 10th anniversary edition, of Mississippi Heat’s fourth album is interesting for the 2 new songs added to the first edition,originally out in 1999 and considered one of the best album of that year. The band, a personal vision of Belgium’s-born-now-Chicago-resident harp player Pierre Lacoque. Mississippi Heat’s sound is solid and the original compositions are good. Pierre is particularly conving playing chromatic harp on the first of the two new song”Please, don’t cry” while the other new one, “Early morning blues” is an instrumental piece with a certain “british blues” feel.
I admit i’d love to see them playing in Italy. I hope it will be soon…

www.crosscut.de


THE JW-JONES BLUES BAND
Devribillatin’
(CrossCut)

This Young Canadian guitar player is really good. His band swings all through the album with a satysfing approach to the blues and Jw-Jones is himself a name to watch.
These guys , in their early twenties, are a breath of fresh air for the international contemporary blues scene and, even if the original compositions are nothing new to the modern Jump Blues scene, the idea of someone very young knowing the american swing language of the late forties-early fifties is a good new to all of us blues lovers!

www.crosscut.de


DAVE GOODMAN
Roadbook Rhymes
(CrossCut)

Canadian born songwriter now resident in Germany at his acoustic debut,Dave Goodman shows his capabilities and convinctions in this good collection of mainly original songs.”Redbook Rhymes” has the qualities of a songrwriter’s convincing album and the ones of a good acoustic blues album.It Is a perfect blend which gives the best results in songs as “Santa Fe “or ““.

www.crosscut.de


LONG JOHN BALDRY
Trio live
(Stony Plain)

One of the best entertainer of the Brish Blues’s first Wave, Long John Baldry is back on the scene with a acoustic live album. Recorded in Hamburg, Baldry, a regular in the Alexis Korner band, “Sound Inc.”, and founder of the legendary” Steampacket”(along Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger,Micky Waller and Vick Briggs) is able to reinvent himself even 40 years after his debut. This collection is a very good one, don’t miss it

www.stonyplainrecords.com


THE RENOVATORS
Bergers with Mayo
(Bergers Platters Hemberger inc.)

The Renovators are not new to Il Popolo del Blues and this is live efforts with nothing special to offer if not the competent sound of this rocking trio. A question: is Bob Mayo the same Bob Mayo of “Frampton Comes Alive”’s fame

www.renovators-music.com


DON GROLNICK GROUP
The London Concert
(Fuzzy Music)

I greatly miss Don Grolnick.He was a great talented piano player and his composition”Pools”, from his first solo album , “Hearts & Numbers” (HipPicket records, 1985) should be considered a modern standard. This cd recorded live in London one year before his untimely death is a gem.Backed by Peter Erskine,the Brecker Brothers, Don Alias,Marty Ehrlich, Robin Eubanks and Peter Washington swings with subtle grace.Sometimes i wonder why are the best one the firsts to leave us....

www.fuzzymusic.com


P.W. FENTON & THE SECOND WARD
Like Tears in The Rain
(Blueselle Music, private pressing)

P.W. Fenton is a competent blues lover and musician, his approach to the music is sincere and mature and i can feel he puts the best efforts in this recordings from some years ago(1997). There some out-of-focus moments in “Like Tears in The Rain” but i strongly support people like P.W. because they are the real ones who, better than many so called professionists, keep the blues flames alive.I hope mr. Fenton will publish more music soon.


KID RAMOS
West Coast House Party
(Evidence)

Here it is a real party album. You can play it 24 hours straight and you will see people around you smiling whole face.
I often play this album on my national Il Popolo del Blues radio show and the telephone keeps ringing for the whole time of my show with people asking me about Ramos.
I even use the instrumental pieces as background music during interviews and my long speechs live on the air.
Kid chose the best of the contemporary West Coast players(and more than them....) and put together a realy party in the studio and you can feel it was so much FUN. And FUN is a big part of this genre. It is hard to say if albums like this will be remembered in the history of blues but i must admit that history is not that much important when you are having FUN.
On the other hand, i can tell that these last years will be remembered for this higly energetic, positive, vibrant approach to the music. And this is a great thing which unifies black and white men/women in the name of the Blues

EvidenceMusic@aol.com


THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
Peakin’ at the Beacon
(Epic/550 Music)

This live album recorded in March 2000 during one of the 25th night at the New York ‘s Beacon Theatre will be remembered as Dicky Bett’s swan song. Allman Brothers band ‘s original member was sent away(litterally) after years of self abusing (Hey, but what about Gregg’s own?) just when the band was rocking better than ever. The rythmic section is at its best and derek trucks is fully part of the band’s sound.
Is a great live album if a sad one but you will not be left disappointed...

www.550music.com


JOHN HIATT
Crossing Muddy Waters
(Sanctuary)

Great album by one of the most conving songwriter of the last two decades. This collection of John’s newest 11 songs was conceived as a demo recording but at the end of a 2 day sessions the band and the artist hinself was so satisfied with the recorded material that decided to publish it.Recorded at at the end of April 2000 and published in September of the same year “Crossing Muddy Waters” has a full blues feeling and an acoustic approach. Is a great album with some great songs in it. Don’t miss it

www.sanctuarygroup.com

1 dicembre

Michael Bloomfield
Red, hot & Blues
(Universe / Akarma)

Poor Michael. Fully underrated at the time of his untimely death, February 15th, 1981, he is finally now receiving the respect he deserved in life.
Bloomfield – best remembered for being a pivotal part of the original Butterfield Blues band (he appeared in their first two album), for the Al Kooper collaboration on the Supersession albums series and the original and unique sound of his own band “The Electric Flag” - was a complex character, a volatile person and a real musicologist. He had and still has the great privilege of having virtually introduced the whole Chicago Blues Community to the white world (he was special consultant to Fillmore’s owner Bill Graham).
This album recorded in the seventies shows his many sides and the various influence he dealt with. As many great talented artists he easily moved from a genre to another oftenly leaving the audience wondering why but “Red, Hot & blues” remains undoubtedly a signifying testimonial to his musical personality.

www.akarmarecords.com

Medeski, Martin & Wood
The Dropper
(Blue Note)

New York City’s most loved Keeper of the Jazz Groove, Medeski, Martin & Wood is a trio in a class of its own. The new album, “The Dropper” it is an elaborated but fully accessible cd and it comes out few months after a great all acoustic live album (“Tonic”) the new album shows that accordingly to the famous last words “less is more” the music itself can only earn some of its inner quality.
Guests includes Sun Ra’s favourite Marshall Allen and the too much-in-demand Marc Ribot on guitar and the whole affair is moody spacey funk jazz thing sometimes in the shade of the “Get Up With It “Miles Davis. Forty somethings and ex baby boomers will love this album!

Liz@mmw.net

Gary Lucas
improve the shining hour
(knitting factory)

One of the most innovative guitar player of the last 20 years, Gary Lucas cut his bone on the last of the Great Don Van Vliet’s band at the beginning of the eighties.
In that decade eighties and in the nineties Gary was the right choice for artists as Nick Cave, David Johansen all through his collaboration with Jeff Buckley up to the most recent ones with Eric Mingus and DJ Spooky.
This album, a collection of rarè lumiere anticipates a new one on John Zorn’own label (www.Tzadik.com) out in December 2000 (Street of the lost Brothers) and is a nice sum of some of the most innovative & alternative using of the six string instruments in the contemporary music field.

www.knittingfactory.com

Mr. Downchild
Behind the sun
(Mascita Music)

Acoustic set by this English born, Ohio resident guitar player with great feeling and deep respect for the roots of blues. Good choices and intelligent selections makes this ”behind the sun” a nice effort to be heard. On Mascita music more music by Mr.Downchild himself.

Mascita music: p.o. boc 21344, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 U.S.A.


The Mermen
The amazing california health and happiness show

A great band to watch out!
Let’s face it:this is not a blues album, but is simply a great one and one of the most evocative in the last 12 months.
Those who are personally in touch with the reviewer knows the everyday’s need of good music on a 360° and this album is absolutely welcomed on Il Popolo del Blues review pages.
Imagine Jimi Hendrix meets Santo & Johnny on a mindblowing acid surf backing tracks.
The Mermen are the invention of guitar wizard Jim Thomas, an human being with a vision.
The band, from the San Francisco area, has a clear debt with the local psychedelic movement of the sixties but the sound of The Mermen is absolutely Y2K.
The Mermen is an album to have in eveerybody’s spersonal collection.
The Mermen remember that name.

www.themermen.com

Geoff Muldaur
Password
(hightone)

Another great album from the Cambridge, Massachusetts born guitar player made famous in the sixties for his unique contribution to the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, a real “original” band .Geoff recorded his first solo album in 1963 and this is the perfect sequitur to the great 1998’s”The secret Handshake” (see my personal “Best of 1998 “...)
Geoff has his personal idea of what “roots” music might sound alike and mixes different state of mind for creating another special collection of popular songs. With guests as big as Fritz Richmond, Richard Greene, John Sebstian, Greg leisz,Dave Alvin, Van Dyke Parks, Mike Finnigan, David Lindley, Roswell Rudd, Stephen Bruton, Bob Neuwirth and the Mc Garrigle sisters this cd is a joy of traditionals and originals tunes and it will be hard to separate the firsts from the latters. Peter Guralnick in his linear notes defines Geoff’s music as “exploratory and heartfelt”.
In other words: perfect and simple.

www.hightonerecords.com

R.L. Burnside
Wish i was in heaven sitting down
(Epitaph/Fat possum)

Produced by L.A. based Andy Kaulkin “wish i was in heaven sitting down “(Great title!) is not the usual R.L. Burnside cup of tea. Kaulkin remodels old blues traditional songs and R.L. ‘s originals on a new basis and the results is a great album with a soul contemporary side and a modern approach.
This the album that will keep Moby busy for a couple of weeks tryin’ to understand which is the real key to the whole project but i can easily anticipate him: just called it The Blues!

www.fatpossum.com

Jimmy Rushing
Everyday i have the blues
(Impulse /universal)

Two albums on one cd offer for a welcomed reissue of long forgotten little gems by the late great Jimmy Rushing, singer in the Count Basie orchestra of the fiftiesand more.Both albums originally on Bluesway label (6005 and 6017) the first (Everyday i have the blues, 1967) is arranged by Oliver Nelson and has full geared up orchestra sound while the second (Livin The Blues,1968)has a more loose feeling.
Jimmy enjoys hinself as in the old days and everything is fine.The musicians enjoys his singing and the audience is happy. What else do you want from Jimmy?

www.impulserecords.com


Jimmy Smith
Root down
(Verve / Universal)

Great lve set by the Hammond ‘s maestro recorded live in Hollywood in 1972 and made famous to youngers’ generation for the title track become a Besties boys’s favourite sample and trademark of quality. Smith, here with Crusaders’s Wilton Felder and local guitar hero Arthur Adams explores his soul side (Let’s Stay Together) but mostly reminds us his capability to elevate and levitate the groove in any kind of songs he approachs.

www.verve.com

Roxy Perry
New York Blues Queen
(BluePerry Hill rec.)

Il Popolo del Blues welcoms Roxy Perry, better known as The New Yoek Blues Queen but from now on licensed from The Italian BluesPeople to proclaim herself ”La Regina Blues di New York”,being Herself, and part of Her band, more than half italian !
Roxy has a convincing voice, flexible enough to sing different blues styles while the whole band sounds tight and fully of energy . The New York Blues queen sounds as a female Bobby “Blue” Bland.
Mrs Perry has a vast knowledge of the lexicon of blues and the “ feel good factor” makes this effort a considerable one

members.aol.com/roxyperry1

MEM SHANNON
Spend some time with me
Shanachie 9013

A former taxi driver in his native New Orleans, Shannon gates away from the musical heritage of his city to develop a sophisticated funky-blues album. A stinging guitar player, Shannon has a warm baritone voice committed to the social aspects of American society. Miseries and emotions permeate great songs like "Pray for the Children", a sort of continuation of the song "Charity" included in his previous "Second Blues Album". Shannon also has happy, relaxed moments like "Spend Some Time with Me" in which many listeners may remember their best moments. Purists may be skeptical, but Shannon indeed offers an original approach to the Blues idiom.
(Luca Lupoli)

PAUL DELAY BAND
Nice and Strong
Evidence 26091-2

Harp-player Paul deLay, arguably the best talent from the Portland Blues scene, was delayed for Blues stardom because of an inconvenient forty-one month sentence for drug-trafficking. However, once his dues were paid to American Justice, he returned to his status of extraordinary musician and songwriter. Tracks like "Love on the Roll" and "Nice and Strong" in this album, "Merry Way", "The Other One", "Why can't you love me" and "Oat Bran" from the album "The Other One" and finally "What Went Wrong" from the album "Ocean of Tears" will become Blues classics in a few years. This is a sure bet. Through his great work on diatonics, deLay produces a soul-wrenching, crossover Blues tinged with an European, almost Parisian, flavor. As he also gathers a bunch of hard to single-out first rate musicians, in spite of the delay, Paul appears to be bound for glory and eventual success. He deserves it.
(Luca Lupoli)

WILLIAM CLARKE
Tip of the Top
King Ace Music 1063

A Belgian journalist recently defined William Clarke as part of the white
Blues Harp players whereas, presumably, Musselwhite would be God, Piazza Jesus Christ and Clarke the Holy Spirit. Although Belgian theories might look helter skelter, the late Clarke remains one of the brightest examples of real blues men surrounded by a flock of extraordinary musicians: guitar aces Junior Watson, Hollywood Fats, Kid Ramos (another Trinity?), Joel Foy and more recently Alex Schultz, Fred Kaplan on piano, just to mention a few.
I bought Tip of the Top on vinyl many years ago and I instantly loved Clarke no-gimmicks fat playing, inspired by George "Harmonica" Smith, the "twin brother" of Little Walter. That's the way in which Blues Harp should be: massive yet tender, sweaty growls digging your soul like sea waves against the sand. Watson's rhythm and lead work in "Drinkin' Beer" and Hollywood Fats in "Party Party" could left you breathless. A vintage Musselwhite in "Charlie's Blues" and George Smith dueling with Clarke in "Chromatic Jump" are equally pure joy for your ears. The remaining stuff, including some bonus tracks, is of the same quality. Consequently, I would suggest you buy this CD with no hesitation.(Luca Lupoli)

4 novembre

BUGSY MC CARROLL
BarBar-Ella, The Beatnik Music File
(Hula Music, www.hulamusic.com)

Spy music has having a big comeback lately since lounge music conquered the world with its mixture of elevator muzak and true inventions.
Busy Mc Carroll has been...well, busy lately putting together a concept album which show great dedication and a focused sense of purpose. The idea is not new but its the first time i hear something like that coming from New Mexico and, what the hell !!!, the whole things sounds supercool...!
Would the compositions been less underwritten and the production more sumptuous the cd should have sound like F.B.I; insted its only the local Sheriff singing dept.
A sequel is absolutely necessary. (E.D.P.)


J.T. LARITSEN & THE BUCKSHOT HUNTER
My Kind Of Blues
(BMG Norway 7431694832)
Norway is not exactly the place to live for some hot Zydeco band and i would have never imagined that the best european band playing that style would come from such a cold great place but i must admitted that i had the same feeling when i heard Italys Chicken Mambo playing that same kind of blues and remaining astonished.
J.T.Lauritsen is great and his band has a fantastic sense of swing absolutely necessary for playing this stuff and the originals ones are conceived with a certain handcraft. (E.D.P.)

Website: www.buchshouthunters.com

HELLS COBRA BLUES BAND
In The Name Of Love
(ST 2000)

Peppo OBlues Di Lucca, Hells Cobra Blues Bands leader, is a great guitar player from downsouth Italy.
His birth place, Pomigliano dArco, near Napoli, is, for those talented like him, not the perfect place to live.But no matter when or where Peppo will be noticed someday. He is a great guitar player outshining many italian local heroes on slide licks and tricks, a soulful singer and a funky boogie man.
Please write him a long letter or e mail messages encouraging him to go ahead and tell him you read it first on Il Popolo del Blues. Watch out for him !

Contact: 0039 081 80330033
Website: www.ilcovo.it/hellscobra


WILLIAM CLARKE
Tip of The Top
(KingAce KACD1063)

1987s rare sought after album, only 1000 copies originally pressed,Wiliam Clarkes Tip Of The Top,which in its newest re edtion contains 4 previously unissued tracks, shows this West Coast harmonica master at his best.
Junior Watson, Hollywood Fats, Ronnie Earl, GeorgeHarmonica Smith and Charlie Musselwhite joined Clarke for this great album of contemporary blues songs. Clarke was an innovator and we all blues fans strongly miss him. This collection fills only a small part of a hole and will be welcomed all over the world. Reissue of the year. (E.D.P


FAIRPORT CONVENTION
At2/The Boot
Woodworm Records WR4CD034.

The latest Fairport Convention album is a live recording at the Cropredy Festivals on 1982 & 1983. These 4 Cds represents the union point between the Fairportss old style and the new one. A lots of musicians were
on stage on that occasions: from the actual Fairporters Simon Nicol & David Pegg (producer of this cds), to old mates Dave Swarbrick, Dave Mattacks, Dan Ar Braz, Jerry Donhanue, Richard Thompson and many more, including Trevor Lucas. A plenty of songs, tradinionals & originals (two of them wrote by Sandy Denny) with many Fairport classics.
(Michele Manzotti)


DEBRA KNOX
The Color of True

Ten original songs by this bay area resident singer, composer, accomplished guitar playing.
The album is in the tradition of the best female composers of the last 20 years(Chrissie Hynde, Aime Mann,Susanna Hoffs).”The Color of True” is a fine blend of hooked pop songs with a strong rythmic sense and beautiful caring of harmonies. This genre needs an appropriate producer and a super A & R staff to find a place on the pop market. Being Debra from San Francisco i think she might find what she’s looking for a record deal easily than many others.(E.D.P)


THE FAT CITY BAND
Fat Chance

New album by this fine band from Arlington, MA. The Fat City band seems to enjoy themself all trough the whole cd and the atmosphere is positive.13 original songs show the musicianship of the whole group. A party band with no frills and a real attitude.
If you are around their place go watch for them! (E.D.P.)


MARC MILLER
Bring it with you when you come

Great voice, Marc and a real folk blues attitude as the old folks home!
This self produced cd-r show a strong effort who sings what he likes most. A collection of blues,rags,irriverances and irrelevances and some originals by Marc himself. Il Popolo del Blues hopes him all the best.
Keep on trying Marc! (E.D.P.)


UNIVERSAL BLUES BAND
Get on the blues train

Here a band with a mission- to see people of all backsgrounds come together trough music.
Universal Blues Band members are Asian, Singaporean and Malaysia born but from the you would not believe until you don’t read on their press release.
Based both in Australia and Singapore (the cd is recorded in Perth), the band has just come back from Australia most prestigious blues & roots festival, Blues at Bridgetown where not only was introduced as the first Asian band but where Universal Blues Band screened their own 15 minutes long documentary called “Universal Blues” based on a semi biographical story by band leader Danny Long.
“Get on the blues train” pans several styles from rock &roll to swing to slow blues to gospel and it is conceived as a 17-track train trough the history of the blues.
Il Popolo del Blues welcomes and salutes Universal Blues Band and hope them all the best.
This is a great band, they sound absolutely excellent.(E.D.P.)
Get their album from www.ublues.com


THE GOOD FELLAS
Salute
(Yeob 004)

Italy finest and most wanted Swing band in the fine tradition accordingly Renato Carosone, Fred Buscaglione, Marino Marino, Armandino and many others unsung heroes of the late fifties.
The Good Fellas is the real thing here in Italy and they usually back up Ray Gelato everytime he tours Italy, they are the longest swing band around and they are second to none.
Great musician and showamanship, versatily, sense of humour, fine choicing of songs, a perfect mix of originals and non originals, “Salute” is the perfect swing postacrds from Italy.
Hey mr.Lucky Luciano, continua così !(E.D.P.)

Contact: www.goodfellasitaly.com


JUKE JOINT
Saturday night balls

Here it is an acoustic band from the beautiful town of Naples, downsouth of Italy, trying to revitalize the sounds and the real spirit of the acoustic blues. This is a 6 track demo showing how new blues band are looking for new directions in the acoustic field of the blues music.

To know more about them and have obtain a copy of the demo write to jukejoint@tiol.it


VARIOUS ARTISTS
Dealin’ With The Devil – songs of Robert Johnson
(Cannonball)
Everything has been said about Robert Johnson and today’s artists are still willing to emulate him. At firsts a thought come clear to my mind: it’s quite impossible to write good songs as the one we all learned from him and it’s easier for today’s bluesmen to play them rather than writing and playing unuseful new tracks.
In this cd the “old school” (Dave Van Ronk, Pinetop Perkins, Eddie Kirkland) shines bright over the rest and makes this album an intelligent efforts for creating a brand new audience to good ol’ Robert in the new millennium .(E.D.P.)


ROSIE FLORES
Dance Hall Dreams
(Rounder)

Texas-born and California-resident Rosie Flores has been The Real Revelation at the latest San Francisco Blues Festival (28th edition, 23th, 24th Sept., 2000). She is the “Queen of the Honky Tonk “, no doubt about it !, as Tom Mazzolini introduced her on that stage and this album is even something more showing her country heart at full.
Rosie swings and sings with an uncommon emotion.
The album, based on 10 composition of her own out of 11, collects the influences of her playing since the late seventies up to today.
Grown up in a country punk band on trough her work with California country producer Pete Anderson, lately Rosie Flores gained success in Europe with Wanda Jackson and won a place as guitarist in the extraordinaire Western swing band Asleep at The Wheel.
This is her second solo album on Rounder and it is the one not to be missed. You won’t be disappointed.
At this stage of her career I really look forward a live album sooner or later because what i saw on stage is difficult to be described or captured in a studio. (E.D.P.)


BIG SANDY & HIS FLY
Rite Boys: High Tide
(Hightone Records)

7th album from the South Bay HillyBilly and Western Swing Cats led by Big Sandy. Roots music at its best and a cd with no frills as the previous six by this underrated band which keeps high the Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys’s tradition.
Big Sandy is no meant to change the music world but to keep the flame of the good’ ol’ Western Swing Music alive. And it is not an easy task for today’s world. (E.D.P.)


WILLIE NELSON
Milk Cow Blues
(Island)

This album on paper might sound as a cash-in but Willie Nelson has always had a blues side and this album proves how great this man is at his blues side. From his own originals, “Crazy”, “Funny How Times Slips Away” to blues classics as “The Thrill is Gone” this album is more blues than the average efforts of great part of the actual worldwide Blues Population. More than a curios cd “Milkcow Blues” is a satisfying album. (E.D.P.)


RUSTY ZINN
The Chill
(Alligator)

Third album by this talented California born guitar player.
This album is “Stomping” playing at its best accordingly to the latest swing sensation which crossed U.S., generating a small new sensation but no big sales.
Rusty Zinn plays no second fiddle to anybody and the album is a satisfying one.
The world run too fast for having some time left at good music. Lucky those who care about it with love and affection. (E.D.P)