J.J. Jackson scored a massive hit in 1966 with his recording of the dance floor favorite But It’s Alright.  Now 50 years later this unlikely pairing of Jackson and the talented Prado Brothers band brings a whole new sound to the classic soul singer.  A combination of Otis Redding style vocals and Johnny “Guitar” Watson guitar styling combine to make a scorching collection of hard blues and soul.  Covers of Percy Mayfield, Joe Tex and Jimmy McCracklin are given the Prado treatment with wonderful horn charts and Igor's amazing guitar tone. Guests include longtime “Pradonians” vocalist Tia Carroll as well as sax men Denilson Martins and Sax Gordon. - C.L.

This swinging aggregation features the tenor and vocals of Gus Speenos as well as veterans Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and drummer Cecil Brooks III.  With a knack to always play the right thing at the right time, this jazzy blues set has outstanding musicianship and unforced vocals. Covers of Lee Allen, Jesse Powell, Preston Love and Todd Rhodes show the depth of understanding of this fine group. If you like the uptown sounds of Dave Clarke and Sax Gordon, this CD will satisfy. - C.L.

This fourteen song offering cuts more or less down the middle of some well crafted originals and some interesting covers. Fans of Lindell will not be disappointed in this intelligently conceived strongly executed offering. Fans of blues guitar won’t be disappointed in the inclusion of longtime Lindell sideman Anson Funderburgh. The Louisiana native offers up a terrific number penned by one of the great songwriters in American music history, the recently departed Merle Haggard. We can’t resist putting Lindell’s version of Hag’s Here in Frisco on our JUKEBOX from time to time. – D.M. 

Back in 2014 I heard a brand new CD by a veteran musician who was releasing his debut CD under his own name. I knew him, as he has made appearances on couple of Otis Grand CDs. He goes by the moniker Big Harp George. That album entitled Chromaticism caught my ear and I wrote an entire album review which you can find in the archive section of this site. His 2016 sophomore release, entitled Wash My Horse in Champagne is even better. It features thirteen original tunes filled with humor, irony and some age old themes given a fresh perspective. Big Harp George is actually George Bisharet, whom I call Dr. Harp.  I figure surely this guy must have a PhD in something. He again made his way to Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studios and used some of the same Bay Area heavyweights including guitarist Charlie Baty, bassist Kedar Roy and others who helped make Chromaticism such a hit. Wash My Horse in Champagne is infused with some jazz flavoring and utilizes some pages out of the same chromatic cookbook that William Clarke, George “Harmonica” Smith and especially Paul Delay used so effectively. This is some tasty stuff that I recommend sampling with a Napa Valley Chardonnay. - D.M.

 

This studio recording was done in 1992 and features fine support from The Crowns who never overplay or overpower the leader. Recorded in the Midwest at New Moon Studios, the set is a sturdy chunk of the Windy City lump de lump that features the mysterious Tom Mahon on piano. Producer Paul Barry is a solid traditional harp player and Big Smokey is a wonderful vocalist and guitarist. Also included are three studio recordings by vocalist Bobby Johnson who came originally from Greenwood Mississippi, but made Minneapolis his home for decades. This CD is a wonderful spring surprise courtesy of Paul Barry. We hope to hear more from this talent in the future. - C.L.

“The Paladins have a new album...the Paladins have new album!” It should be shouted from the highest church steeple in every village. This constitutes the first new full lenghth CD by the trio since their live 2007 release, Power Shake. That double live album, which was also released as a DVD, was recorded on June 27, 2004, in the Netherlands. That’s the good news. The bad news is Slippin in Ernesto’s is just another live album. The good news is, it's The Paladins and “LIVE” is their milieu. They trot out the old war horses and bring some newer and lesser known material to this, their third live album. This 2016 release is on Lux Records. It is available in a double vinyl package with bonus tracks as well as in the popular Compact Disc format. The Paladins continue to play with tremendous verve and energy. After all these years Dave Gonzales, Thomas Yearsly and Brian Fahey still excite. - D.M.

It has been said that the blues is the aquifer which feeds all the tributaries of American music. By presenting blues music in a straight, naturalistic way, John Long demonstrates this concept with crystalline clarity. Elements of gospel, country, folk balladry and even sounds reminiscent of the singing cowboy traditions of the west come shining through his music. The irony is by not making concessions towards the marketplace of mediocrity and by simply standing his ground, John Long has created music that has something for just about anybody. Wonderful contributions to this album are bassist Big Bill Stuve, pianist Fred Kaplan and master of the brushes Washington Rucker. Note: This album is given a full review here in the May edition of BLUES JUNCTION. It is scheduled to be released on May 20th.  - D.M.

This release scheduled for a May 20th street date might appear to be the big coming out party for young Jon Atkinson. It is actually Atkinson’s third CD under his own name. This outstanding release comes on the heels of 2015’s Back Down South and 2014’s Boogie With You Baby, both on the Bluebeat Music label. This album features features guest vocalists, Alabama Mike, Willie Buck, Dave Riley and Tomcat Courtney on seven of the album’s sixteen tracks. Party at Big Jon’s is an old school, modern masterpiece which will sit side by side with all of those “desert island discs” that are so universally cherished. House Party at Big Jon’s will be an indispensible addition to any blues library. Note: This album is given a full review here in the May edition of BLUES JUNCTION. - D.M.

This super group is comprised of veteran Californians Mark Hummel on harp and vocals along with guitarist Little Charlie Baty of the Nightcats renown. They are teamed up with legendary Texas guitarist Anson Funderburgh and a couple of his Rockets, long time sidekick Wes Starr on drums and R.W. Grisby on bass. This Texafornia ensemble has been on the road now going on three years or so and the tight ensemble sound that they have honed night after night shines through on this recording. - D.M.

This CD represents the collaboration of preeminent Bay Area blues musicians Rusty Zinn, Chris Cain and Jim Pugh to help Nathan Harrison Beyer, a young boy born with an undiagnosed genetic condition.  For the past three years, Nathan has needed a great deal of complex medical care, the expenses of which have driven his family to near bankruptcy.  ALL of the proceeds from the sale of this CD go to Nathan's parents and will be used to offset Nathan’s medical costs. The music is a mix of greasy B-3 grooves, distorted guitar riffs and vocals on a couple tracks by Rusty Zinn.  Recorded at Fantasy Studios, it has a warm natural sound and features many of the finest blues players in the Bay Area from leader J. Beyer to June Core and Kedar Roy. Covers of Sam Cooke, Floyd Cramer, Bill Doggett and Tiny Grimes are highlights. David Mac wrote a full album review of this very special project here in the May edition of BLUES JUNCTION.  - C.L.

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