LOOKING BACK AT 2004's
BEST BLUES AND ROOTS MUSIC
Published in the Asbury Park Press January 1, 2005
By RICHARD SKELLY, CORRESPONDENT
Thank God for independent record labels.
Were it not for them, some of the best blues releases of 2004 would not have seen the light of day, much less the inside of your CD players. Yes, Columbia Legacy, a major label, reissued Johnny Winter's early-'70s blues/rock classic "Second Winter" on two full-length CDs, as opposed to the original three-sided double album (with bonus tracks recorded in England), but the reality is many of the best releases of 2004 were on small, independent record companies.
Now, with the power of the Internet, record sales by independent companies may be creeping up again. Any of these albums will satisfy the blues and roots-music lover in your life. If you can't find them in the record store, all of these labels have Web sites.
1. Dan Treanor and Frankie Lee, "African Wind" (Northern Blues Music): This acoustic blues album will surprise fans of soul-blues vocalist Frankie Lee who are more accustomed to hearing him with an electric band and a horn section. Treanor plays a wide variety of African instruments, while Lee, now in his early 60s, sings much the same way as he did in the 1980s.
2. Dave Alvin "Ashgrove" (Yep Roc Records): Alvin, best known for his work with the roots-rock group The Blasters, has pursued a solo career since the mid-1990s. He's written some great songs here, including "The Man in the Bed" (about his father's death from Parkinson's disease) and the title track (about a fabled L.A. nightclub).
3. Martha Reeves, "Home to You" (True Life Entertainment): Perhaps vocalist Reeves has grown tired of waiting for the Vandellas to be ready to hit the road again in 1960s-style revue shows, which are back in fashion. Whatever her motives, her recent blues album is a solid effort.
4. Gary U.S. Bonds, "Back in 20" (M.C. Records): Given that he's such a nice guy and such a talented singer, songwriter and golfer, it's a crime that Bonds had not released a new studio record in 20 years. While fans likely won't have to wait two more decades for another album, this one is superb. Bonds is paired with Dickey Betts, Phoebe Snow, Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen, but his take on Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams to Remember" is worth the album price alone.
5. Guitar Shorty, "Watch Your Back" (Alligator Records): Want to know who influenced Jimi Hendrix? He mentioned the late, great Albert Collins in many interviews, but Hendrix also mentioned David Kearney, a.k.a. Guitar Shorty, who married his stepsister Marsha. When Hendrix was in the Army in 1961-62, he would leave his base to catch Shorty's performances in clubs around Seattle. Thankfully, Shorty still is with us and just as energetic as ever. ADVERTISEMENT
6. Guy Davis, "Legacy" (Red House Records): Davis offers interesting observations on rap music on the first track, "Uncle Tom's Dead," and is accompanied by his son, a rap music fan. But the elder Davis also tackles more traditional songs, such as "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms," in a bluesy way. "Legacy" is another great release from this multifaceted singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor and playwright.
7. Nora Jean Brusso, "Going Back to Mississippi" (Severn Records): Brusso is a relative newcomer on the blues festival circuit. As a songwriter, she's a breath of fresh air, with songs like "Telling Me What to Do" and "Miss Mae's Juke Joint." As a singer, she continues in the tradition of Ruth Brown, Denise LaSalle and other great shouting blues women.
8. Omar & the Howlers, "Boogie Man" (Ruf Records): Guitarist/singer/songwriter Omar Dykes touches on many themes and styles on this record. Its title track is an ode to the late John Lee Hooker. A fiery guitarist and powerful singer, Dykes still hits the road hard with his trio, playing more than 200 dates a year from his home base in Austin, Texas.
9. Barbara Lynn, "Blues and Soul Situation" (Dialtone Records): As a guitarist and singer, Barbara Lynn was ahead of her time in Houston clubs during the early '60s. Trained as a piano player, she switched to guitar after hearing Elvis Presley. Her songs have been recorded by Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones. She retains a powerful stage presence and leads a great band around Texas and Louisiana.
10. Mavis Staples, "Have a Little Faith" (Alligator Records): Staples, long the powerhouse vocalist with The Staple Singers, offers a finely crafted debut for Alligator Records. Standout tracks include the title track, "There's a Devil on the Loose" and her take on the traditional "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."
11. Bonerama, "Live From New York" (www.bonearama.net): Imagine a band with five trombonists doing the Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Crosstown Traffic," The Allman Brothers Band's "Whipping Post" or Black Sabbath's "War Pigs." Led by New Brunswick-born trombonist, arranger and composer Mark Mullins, these guys are injecting new life into the jam-band circuit, with Mullins' clever original songs alongside the aforementioned covers.
12. Stringbean and the Stalkers, "Live @ Ragin' Cajun" (Blues Leaf Records): Local guitarist, singer and harmonica player Kenny "Stringbean" Sorensen should be considered a national act, based on the strength of this well-recorded live record. He's accompanied here by guitarist Sonny Kenn and the usual band that plays with him Sunday nights at the Ragin' Cajun in Belmar. Kudos to New Jersey-based producers Joe Morabia and Jack Kreisberg of Blues Leaf Records.
