THE BLUES REMIND ME Kelly’s Lot (independent) ****
A powerful, grooving new album here from Kelly’s Lot. The Blues Remind Me, their 17th album, is wonderfully recorded and produced, boasting a set of original songs with real heart that, with Kelly Zirbe’s expressive voice, get under your skin in the nicest way.
The magic starts with Kelly’s throaty, dynamic pipes and perfect vibrato but the other musicians involved but chief among them is guitarist/producer Perry Robertson, who also mixed the record. Lively horn charts, economical guitar and a supple rhythm section let the music breathe, ebb and flow as it should. Sax solos from Paulie Cerra are also a treat, and a welcome change from the wailin’ guitar solos that usually dominate this kind of music- not that there’s anything wrong with that of course.
While The Blues Remind Me is a predominantly blues record, this talented posse dips their collective toe into jazz on numbers like Man In The Moon, almost a cocktail jazz number that would sound at home in any given after hours club or café noir. It should come as no surprise then that Kelly’s Lot has played festivals all over and placed songs on TV shows and in movies like Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This is a band you need to hear.
HOT TRACKS: Man In The Moon, Gotta Sing The Blues, Tell Me The Truth
TRUE BELIEVER Mark Hummel (independent) *****
Some believe excellence in primitive music is cultural, you have to be born to it but Mark Hummel proves that is not the case. True Believer, his latest, hits like a combination of Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin’ Wolf. If you dig authentic blues, it doesn’t get better than this.
Most of the songs on True Believer are Hummel originals that offer pungent commentary on the cold impersonality of the current human condition, in the album opener High Time For The Devil powered by Mark’s overdriven harp work. Well-chosen covers include Otis Rush’s Double Trouble and Elvin Bishop’s What The Hell as well as BB King’s Broken Heart.
This hat-wearing bespectacled white guy has the blues in his bones…. You can hear that in his voice and feel it in his blistering harp playing. The thing that stuns me about True Believer is it could have come out any time in the last 50 years and felt completely at home as he works his ass off to help keep the blues alive. When guys like me yammer on about the ‘authentic blues experience’, we’re talking about records like this. Produced by Mark Hummel and Kid Anderson, they really got it right on this one.
HOT TRACKS: High Time For The Devil, Double Trouble, Shufflin’ Day
STORIES Levee Town (independent) ****
Ten records and twenty years in, Levee Town still comes up with the goods. Stories is a perfect balance of Jeff Healey-style blues with Chuck Berry rock & roll. Pulling influences from Freddie King, Peter Green and Dave Edmunds plus The Allmans, this gets its hooks into you real quick.
Stories rolls out with the confidence of a band that’s played together for a couple of decades. “When I think of all the changes that have gone on in the twenty years we’ve been together, it’s gotten to a place where there’s never a shortage of stories to tell” says singer/ guitarist Brandon Hudspeth. “Everything just seems to flow naturally, we don’t have to force things or dig in to make a song work; I guess we’re lucky in that respect.”
Blues-based Stories has a ‘jaunty’ vibe as LT manages to redefine the boundaries of blues/rock while respecting its traditions at the same time. Of the influences listed in the first paragraph, I’m really feeling The Allman Brothers Band here the most. The group is Hudspeth on guitar and vocals, Jacque Garoutte on bass and vocals, plus Adam Hagerman on drums, and that intuitive interplay is a stone cold groove. This is a real toe tapper.
HOT TRACKS: The Healthy Woman, Harley Lou, Here I Lay My Head
PERSON OF INTEREST Billy Price (Little Village) ****+
If you like your blues mixed in with some blue-eyed soul, Billy Price is your guy. Person Of Interest with its funky blues attack will get your attention right away as that smooth voice and the masterful musicianship on display grooves on endlessly.
Over his lengthy career Price has released 20 albums and Person Of Interest, with an all-star band (too many to mention) and Grammy winning producer/ drummer Tony Braunagel at the helm, is surely a highlight. If you’re already a fan then you know Billy sang lead with the late, great Roy Buchanan in the 70’s. There are 13 tracks here, and the song Change Your Mind is a tribute to Roy, features some heart-stopping guitar work from Joe Bonamassa.
Person Of Interest, produced by Braunagel, was recorded in just 3 days with roughly half of the songs written by Billy Price and Jim Britton, the others with help from talented friends. This is a disc that sounds great and feels great as I found it pretty easy to just sort of melt into. The horns add some real funky kick to the upbeat numbers and when they downshift for a track like Mercy it’s like a soul hug. POI is worth your attention.
HOT TRACKS: Inside That Box, Mercy, Person Of Interest
ROOTS & SHOOTS VOL.2 Jim Peterik & World Stage (Frontiers) ****
Roots & Shoots Vol.2 is some well executed 80’s style rock and, as with Vol.1, includes an impressive list of guests like Mike Reno. Rich and well produced, R&S Vol.2 is excellent.
World Stage began with the idea that the musical collaboration of great artists and friends could be truly special, with the near-legendary debut being released in Y2K followed by a string of records. Of Vol.2 Peterik says “As I review this list of songs and incredible artists who participated, I feel such gratitude- the combination of established classic rock stars and brilliant rising stars. I wrote or co-wrote all these songs inspired by the unique musical gifts of each.”
It feels like R&S Vol.2 is caught in a time warp, recalling the days when melody, talent and passion drove music instead of technology. This comes across like Journey meets Jefferson Starship with a likeable mix of rockers and epic ballads. Jim Peterik is the author of songs like Eye Of The Tiger and Hold On Loosely so he knows his stuff.
Roots & Shoots Vol.2 is maybe too slick for some but as a guy that enjoys a well written and crafted record, this sits quite well with me.
https://www.facebook.com/officialjimpeterik
HOT TRACKS: American Dreamer (with Dave Mikulskis), Your Own Hero (with Mike Reno), Been To The Mountain (with Jason Scheff)
UNIVERSE CALLS Paralydium (Frontiers) *****
This Swedish progressive metal powerhouse has just issued a forceful call to arms. Universe Calls, a potent mix of hard hitting riffs, grooves and atmospherics, takes you someplace else.
The intent behind Universe Calls is best exemplified in the first single Sands Of Time. According to guitarist John Berg, “(it) takes you on a journey through vast deserts where a man rises to power, destined to dominate the world, setting the tone for the album and hinting at what’s to come.” You think Greek or Italian opera is high drama? Throw this bad boy on your sound system and then get back to me.
There’s a real cinematic quality to these tracks; “Lyrically the album focuses on characters navigating their destinies through conquests, restoration and exploration” the band says. “They face the challenges of time, striving to shape a hopeful future. Themes of time, destiny and the pursuit of truth and hope highlight their resilience and determination.” I’m usually resistant to progressive rock as with jazz but there’s something about the themes and musicianship here that I connect with. Universe Calls is a big step forward, so be on the lookout for Paralydium.
https://www.facebook.com/paralydium
HOT TRACKS: Sands Of Time, The Arcane Exploration Pt. I & II, Caught In A Dream
