Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Muddy Gurdy , by a French trio of musicians, Tia Gouttebel (guitar and vocal), Gilles Chabenat (Hurdy Gurdy) and Marc Glomeau (percussion). Joining up with Cedric Burnside (acoustic guitar and vocal), Sharde Thomas (fife and vocal), Cameron Kimbrough (guitar and vocal) and Pat Thomas (guitar and vocal), they made terrific North Mississippi Hill Country Blues. Opening with RL Burnside's, Goin' Down South the group conjurs the feeling of Mali and Ali Farke Tour. Very nice. Another Burnside track, See My Jumper Hanging On The Line maintains a really rural feel with gritty guitar work and earthy vocals.  Muddy Water's Rollin' and Tumblin' is tom tom heavy with acoustic slide and authentic vocals. Otha Turner's Station Blues really keeps in line with Turner's roots with ancient slide sounds and snare drum accompaniment behind Tia's vocals and Sharde's fife. Very nice. With a more modern...

I just received the newest release, Blues & Ballads (A Folksinger's Songbook: Volume I & II) by Luther Dickinson and it is a pure delight! Opening with Othar Turner's Hurry Up Sunrise , Dickinson teams up with Turner's granddaughter, Sharde' Thomas for a country blues pop track with really nice slide and a tight rhythm. Excellent opener! Up Over Yonder features JJ Grey on vocal and greasy slide work from Jason Isbell which adds real grit. Dickinson's own guitar work, bass by Amy LaVere and Thomas on drums round out this super track. Bang Bang Lulu is a really cool track with a New Orleans feel. Dickinson's own piano and slide work, along with fiddle by Lillie Mae Rische, and Paul Taylor on tub bass gives this track an excellent vibe. Super! Moonshine is an easy paced folk ballad with light, straight up acoustic picking and Dickinson on lead vocal. His slide work on this track again slides giving it a warm homey feel. Jackson is a well constructe...