SONGS FROM THE ROAD Mitch Ryder (Ruf Records) ****
With more than 30 albums to his name over more than 5 decades, Mitch Ryder’s credentials as a rock & roll legend are assured. As with many of their other artists the German blues label Ruf gifts us with some live Ryder in their ongoing series Songs From The Road. Captured live at Berlin’s Frannz Club this combines Mitch’s classic stuff with songs from his latest studio album from what was surely a joyous and unforgettable night.
I have several of this label’s Songs From The Road records, Layla Zoe and Jeff Healey among them, and this one from Mitch Ryder is near the top. At 81 he is still in fine voice, smooth and soulful one minute and feral the next. It says something of Ryder that songs from 2024’sWith Love sit so comfortably with older, more classic numbers; that kind of artistic consistency is rare and I’m certain his fans are well pleased. Not sure who is in his band but he’s got the right guys as the grooves and melodies they are laying down fit him like a pair of favorite jeans.
One of the things I dig about Songs From The Road is that it was well recorded in a club as opposed to a bigger place like a hockey rink. This disc is all about the music- the songs, the band’s playing and most of all Mitch’s voice. No roaring audience to compete with here or bellowing at the crowd to clap, stomp or yell louder. This album is about capturing raw energy and emotion informed by a long and productive career. Hits from early in his career like Devil With A Blue Dress, Jenny Take A Ride and CC Rider are not included but I’ve always been an album cuts kind of guy anyway. SFTR is 13 tracks long and I wish there were more, but like the press info says, “Mitch Ryder is not just a part of rock history—he is rock history.” This, kids, is the good stuff.
https://wordpress.rufrecords.de/en/out-now-mitch-ryder-songs-from-the-road-2/
HOT TRACKS: Ain’t Nobody White, Soul Kitchen, War
SLIDEMASTER Rick Vito (Momojo Records) *****
For slide guitar freaks Christmas has come early this year. Rock Vito’s new compilation Slidemaster combines a couple of new tracks with the best of his previously released instrumentals, all remixed and remastered for this album. You’re gonna love it.
For me as a blues fan, well executed slide guitar has a similar emotional impact as a well bent note, and Rick Vito is an acknowledged slide master. Bonnie Raitt, BB King’s favorite slide guitarist, calls Rick’s playing “as cool and sharp as a Cadillac fin.” He was, of course, a member of Fleetwood Mac from 87-91 when Lindsay Buckingham was on the outs and it was Vito that played that tasty solo on Bob Seger’s Like A Rock, one of the songs I’d like played at my memorial service. Rick’s playing is expressive, lyrical and impactful, like a great blues singer who knows how to get to you. Jazz More says “Vito’s licks and solos go down like a tasty cocktail mixed by one of the greats in the field. They exude atmosphere, warmth, deep musicality and do not require any gimmicks.” Makes you want to listen, doesn’t it?
Vito’s solo career began in 1992 with King Of Hearts but no doubt you may be more familiar with his playing on records by other artists; Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, John Fogerty, Christine McVie, Little Richard, Leon Russell, Boz Scaggs, Maria Muldaur, John Prine and Bob Seger just to name a few. He’s been an A-list side man for many years, but Slidemaster gives us a generous taste of what he sounds like when left to his own devices. This disc is almost like a heartfelt prayer, particularly on slower numbers like his quietly spectacular take on Peter Green’s Albatross from the early days of Fleetwood Mac.
Slidemaster is perfect company on a Saturday night when you decide to stay home to watch the rain, and think and feel. Its charms are not to be underestimated.
https://rickvito.bandcamp.com/album/slidemaster
HOT TRACKS: Albatross, The Supernatural, Vegas Jump
TEMPLE OF THE BLUES II Cactus (Cleopatra Records) *****
Calling this high octane blues/ rock may be the understatement of the year. Temple Of The Blues II follows 2024’s all-star blues jam with a host of heavy hitters, a one-two punch the likes of which we’ve never heard before. Powered by legendary rock drummer Carmine Appice this thing grooves, grinds and throws fireworks at every turn… it’s a beautiful thing.
The original Cactus grew out of Appice’s past experiences with Vanilla Fudge and Beck, Bogart & Appice, who debuted in 1970 as well as playing the Isle Of Wight Festival, Jimi Hendrix’s last gig, but that’s the past. For me the best rock & roll has always been blues-based, and on Temple II Cactus (Appice & friends you could call them) and these guys really bring the thunder. They take on legendary blues numbers like Spoonful, Back Door Man and 300 Pounds Of Joy and turn them into turbo-charged, muscular numbers that also manage to respect the original form.
Temple Of The Blues II is definitely blues-centric hard rock as that title indicates, and the list of guest artists is mind boggling; Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth), Ty Tabor & Dug Pinnick (King’s X), Ted Nugent, Steve Morse, Joe Lynn Turner, Bob Daisley- the list goes on. It’s all driven by Appice’s drumming, playing as deftly and swinging as hard as he always has, even at the age of 79. Alongside guys like his friend John Bonham Carmine is one of the most influential drummers in rock history and this stuff is driving, it’s a muscle car of a record- like the soundtrack to a great road trip.
I think it was Muddy Waters who said “the blues had a baby and they named it rock & roll”, and Temple Of The Blues II is a snot-nosed kid who will drink your booze and steal your smokes when you’re not looking. This is great rock & roll.
https://cleorecs.com/products/cactus-temple-of-blues-ii-all-stars-cd
HOT TRACKS: Back Door Man (with Eric Gales & Billy Sheehan), Down At the Bottom (with Dug Pinnick), Purple Haze (with Melanie)
