Hard to believe that we're over two months into the new year. Here's a few more new releases that are definitely worth any blues fan's time.....
Joe Bonamassa & Friends - B.B. King's Blues Summit 100 (KTBA Records): I've been seeing this release promoted on Facebook for the last few months, and I'll just say it's well worth the wait. Bonamassa has assembled the cream of the current blues crop for this massive two-disc, 32 track set. You have guest appearances from Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Marcus King, Michael McDonald, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Noah Hunt, Buddy Guy, Larry McCray, Shemekia Copeland, Myles Kennedy, Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan, Bobby Rush, Keb' Mo', George Benson, Gary Clark Jr., and so many others. Bonamassa and Josh Smith back these artists along with a stellar band that captures the essence of the King originals but adds just enough modern flavor. To be honest, this is one of the best tribute albums I've ever heard, an outstanding, powerful, and reverent set that I think would put a big smile on the King of the Blues' face.
Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials - Slideways (Alligator Records): I've been a fan of this band since the mid 80's, when I heard their wild track "Young Thing" on The New Bluebloods and then with their subsequent releases on Alligator. Lil' Ed and James "Pookie" Young have been in the band since it's formation in 1975, with guitarist Michael Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton joining in the late 80's, so that's almost thirty years (with a sabbatical in the mid 90's). On this, their tenth release, the band is joined on several tracks by Ben Levin, who plays piano and B3 on eight of the thirteen tracks. Most of the tracks are written or co-written by Lil' Ed and he hasn't lost an inch off his fast ball as far as his slide guitar mastery. While he's always done a fine job as far as singing, his vocals have seasoned out over the years, giving him a more soulful edge on these tracks. This is a typically fun set from Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, who never let blues fans down with their powerful, high-energy, genuine houserockin' music (just like Alligator advertises).
Charles Tiner - Good Soul: Chicago-based singer Tiner has a marvelous voice and he puts it to good use on this excellent set of blues and soul with a bit of gospel mixed in. He's also a wizard on the keyboards as well and has some great musical support behind him from a host of musicians. The album is a superb mix of blues, soul, a little gospel, and a little jazz. I have to admit that I didn't know a lot about Tiner prior to hearing this release - he has roots in the church, he writes fine songs, and he has a memorable voice. He also was a finalist in the 2022 I.B.C. and based on the sounds heard on Good Soul, we will be hearing a lot more from him in the future.
Davey Jones - Ball Cap Blues: I've got to give some props to a Mississippi guy whenever I can and this was another guy that I'd never heard of. Jones was born in Hattiesburg, MS and has been writing and performing music for over 30 years. Like many Mississippi artists of any race, his influences are blues, soul, gospel, rock, and country because that's what he heard on the radio when he was growing up (I know this from experience). Jones plays all the instruments on this album, he's a solid songwriter whose music touches on all of the styles mentioned above, and he's a fine vocalist. Blues fans should keep an eye out for Davey Jones and Ball Cap Blues....they won't be disappointed. Here's a promo video for the album from the man himself.
Looking back a few years (35 to be exact), let's look at Albert Collins' first album for Point Blank Records, Iceman. Collins had recorded for Alligator since 1978 and it had been five years since his last release, so I remember being excited to see new product from the Master of the Telecaster. This one features Collins backed by an all-star cast of musicians - Johnny B. Gayden, Soko Richardson, Debbie Davies, Teenie and Charles Hodges, and the Uptown Horns. For Collins, this was considered a step up to a major label - Point Blank was a subsidary of Virgin Records and they had signed several other blues artists during this time.....Larry McCray, Larry Garner, Lucky Peterson, Johnny Copeland, and many to follow. The songs are all originals and Collins provides his usual affable vocals and that icy guitar tone that shook me to my backbone the first time I ever heard it. Sadly, Collins was only able to release one more studio album of guest star-laden re-recordings of some of his classic tunes that was released just a few weeks before he passed away, but Iceman is a great set of tunes backed by an excellent band. If you missed it first time around, I highly recommend it.
