Record Reviews

BIG CITY BLUES / HOWLIN` WOLF ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.19 POLSKIE RADIO 1871 (Barcode: 5907812248710) ~ USA ~ Blues Recorded: 1964 Released: 2015 This is the nineteenth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. This album is the first to feature Blues music rather than Jazz, but considering the proximity of these two genres and their historic and stylistic links this seems to be perfectly acceptable. It presents a live recording of a concert, which was a part of the seventh edition of the Jazz Jamboree Festival, which took place in 1964. The band, called Big City BluesFind albums by this artist (the City being of course Chicago, the cradle of electric Blues), which included legendary Blues figures such as bassist / vocalist Willie DixonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Hubert SumlinFind albums by this artist, pianist / vocalist Sunnyland SlimFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Albert LuandrewFind albums by this artist) and drummer James CliftonFind albums by this artist is joined by vocalist / guitarist / harmonica player Howlin` WolfFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Chester Arthur BarnettFind albums by this artist). Together the group represented some of the finest American electric Blues of the mid-1960s, which influenced the renaissance of the Blues movement, first in UK and later all over Europe. Dixon and Wolf were of course responsible for dozens of Blues standards, which are still a part of the repertoire used by Blues musicians today, fifty years later. The album presents thirteen tracks (plus a spoken intro), many of which are true Blues Classics, well known by countless recordings by Blues and Rock artists later on. Dixon, Wolf and Slim take turns in the vocal department and Sumlin delivers some superb guitar solos, which later will be copied by hordes of young guitarist the world over. Overall the performance is highly spirited and presents a wonderful authentic glimpse at the peak of the original electric Blues. Needless to say, many young Polish Blues musicians / enthusiasts have been deeply influenced by this concert, which shaped their future careers. The album suffers from some sonic quality problems, which obviously could not have been solved by the restoration process, but considering the historic importance of the music, all is forgiven. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Blues in Poland. Nevertheless this is an essential piece of Blues history which every Blues fan will surely consider an absolute must.

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ BLUE PLATE SPECIAL NOT ON LABEL 196 ~ CANADA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1996 Released: 1996 This is a live in the studio album by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded after an almost decade long pause following his previous solo album "ClaytonFind albums with this title". He is accompanied by a bunch of great players, including guitarists Larry DeBariFind albums by this artist and Andy AledortFind albums by this artist, organist Doug RileyFind albums by this artist, pianists Matt KingFind albums by this artist and Glenn McClellandFind albums by this artist, harmonica player Rob PaparozziFind albums by this artist, bassist Mike DuClosFind albums by this artist, drummer Jonathan PeretzFind albums by this artist, percussionist Mark QuinonesFind albums by this artist and a four player strong brass section. The album presents ten songs, for of which are originals by Clayton-Thomas and the rest are mostly Blues classics by Albert CollinsFind albums by this artist, Willie DixonFind albums by this artist, Albert KingFind albums by this artist and others. The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the first of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. The album is a wonderful opportunity for Clayton-Thomas to revisit his Blues roots, which he does singing brilliantly and with a great feeling. His idiosyncratic voice, charisma and love of music remain intact and for his many fans this album is strong as everything else he ever recorded. The accompanying musicians are all pros and the album offers superb soloing from start to finish, especially guitar and organ work. This is a classic Blues-Rock environment, which in the hands of capable musicians like these ones never fails to create the atmosphere the many fans of the genre enjoy! After being a great fan of Clayton-Thomas for over five decades, it is great to return to this album after not listening to it for over 20 years – it is as fresh as it sounded when I heard it for the first time!

Updated: 12/08/2020Posted: 08/08/2020

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JON LORD / HOOCHIE COOCHIE MEN ~ DANGER WHITE MEN DANCING EDEL 4029758846285 (Barcode: 4029758846285) ~ GERMANY ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 Known to the world as the founder of the seminal Rock / Prog group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist and later as a wonderful contemporary Classical Music activist, organist / composer / bandleader Jon LordFind albums by this artist is less known for his great love of the Blues idiom. This is the second album he recorded with the Australian Blues-Rock power trio The Hoochie Coochie MenFind albums by this artist, which comprises of bassist Bob DaisleyFind albums by this artist, guitarist Tim GazeFind albums by this artist and drummer Rob GrosserFind albums by this artist. Three guest vocalist: Ian GillanFind albums by this artist, Jeff DuffFind albums by this artist and Jimmy BarnesFind albums by this artist sing on two tracks each and the rest of the vocals is by Gaze. The album presents thirteen tracks, mostly composed or co-composed by the trio members (and Lord in one case), but a couple of classic Willie DixonFind albums by this artist songs are also included, as well as one Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist and one Don NixFind albums by this artist numbers. A bonus DVD adds a documentary and three tracks recorded live. The music is absolutely stunning from start to finish and for Blues-Rock enthusiasts is nothing short of heaven on earth. The trio plays superbly, Lord provides sublime organ and piano parts and the guest singers do their job perfectly, which combined with the excellent songs offers a brilliant listening experience. Of course music lovers familiar with Lord’s recording career are aware of the Blues influence in his music and way of playing from day, even before he joined The ArtwoodsFind albums by this artist, but somehow this direct connection with the Blues idiom had to wait until Lord’s career was nearing its end. Sadly, no more cooperation with the Australian trio was recorded before Lord’s passing in 2012, but the two albums they made together are absolute classics and are worth their weight in gold. Essential stuff!

Updated: 24/02/2021Posted: 24/02/2021

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOHNNY WINTER ~ JOHNNY WINTER COLUMBIA 511230 (Barcode: 5099751123026) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 1997 1st album (although Johnny WinterFind albums by this artist did record several albums on small labels before his ColumbiaFind albums on this label cotract, most impressive of which is the 1967 The Progressive Blues ExperimentFind albums with this title on Imperial, this is considered his first major release) by one of the best ever Blues guitarist, the Texan Johnny Winter. This was Winter’s first release on Columbia, which was to be his label for many years and where he was to achieve international acclaim as one of the great pioneers of the Blues / Rock electric revolution. The album presents Winter in a basic trio format, which works splendidly for him of course, considering the magnificent power he displays both as a guitarist and a vocalist. Additional musicians are featured on several tracks, including his brother Edgar WinterFind albums by this artist, who was later to join his group on keyboards, and some excellent horn players. The Blues legend Willie DixonFind albums by this artist plays bass on one track. The album includes a great mixture of Winter’s originals and classic Blues standards, all done with incredible vigor and potency, with heartbreaking guitar solos that are a steal. This album and its successor (Second WinterFind albums with this title) are some of the absolutely best White Blues albums ever recorded. A must for any Blues lover!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend