"BluzHarp"=Guide To The Best Of Blues Harmonica!

November,1999 CD Reviews by Steve"Big Daddy BluzHarp"Harvell bluzharp.cjb.net

Well,Happy "Post" Halloween everyone,and I have a special treat for all of you audiophile gouls,and that is a special record company called "Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs".They are makers of the most technologically advanced CD's in the world.Here is a describtion of what they are all about in their own words,this is on the back of one of their CD's.

THE ULTIMATE LISTENING EXPERIENCE!As the original limited edition 24-Karat gold audiophile CD,Ultradisc 2 remains unsurpassed,delivering music reproduction as close to the actual recording as possible.

ULTRADISC 2 is mastered directly from the original master tape.Consequently,it does not suffer the loss of musical information inherent in the standard practice of mastering from production copies.

Carefull attention is paid to each phase of production,beginning with our inspection of master tapes.Using our proprietary mastering technology,audio engineers take meticulous care to achieve the most accurate reproduction possible,regardless of the time or cost involved.We constantly update our mastering equipment,occasionally integrating breakthrough technology such as "THE GAIN SYSTEM" to ensure that our customers receive the finest audio products in the world.

Each disc is custom pressed using 24-karat gold,known for its superior reflective qualities and its resistance to oxidation.All liner notes,photos and artwork from the original LP are faithfully recreated.And because titles are licensed for a limited time,each ULTRADISC 2 is a bonifide collectible.For information and a free catalog call 1-800-423-5759 "Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab"www.mofi.com

The three CDs that I am going to tell you about by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs are,The Who-"Who's Next" and "Live At Leeds" as well as Johnny Winter's "Second Winter".

(A)The Who="Who's Next" Mobile Fidelity Sound Labswww.mofi.comMy favorite blues cds of all time are William Clarke's "Blowing Like Hell" and Sonny Boy Williamson's"Keep It To Ourselves",and thus,The Who's "Who's Next" is possibly my all time favorite rock release.

With the release of this classic,and what a pristene one it is,you can even tell the difference in the sound in a car stereo system,and mine is cheap.If you have not had the chance to hear this classic album in a while,do yourself a favor and experience this group again for the first time.The Who were true pioneers of music of their time,put yourself in a quite secluded place the first time you listen to this cd again so that you can bring your full powers of concentration together and it is amazing how much more of the music you can absorb than in the old days.I am still taken back by their musicianship and deep/meaningfull songwriting.Here are the tunes,Baba O'Riley-Bargain-Love Ain't For Keeping-My Wife-The Song Is Over-Getting In Tune-Going Mobile-Behind Blue Eyes-Won't Get Fooled Again-Pure And Easy(alt. version)-Baby Don't You Do It(alt. version)-Naked Eye-Water(alt. version)-Too Much of Anything-I Don't Even Know Myself and Behind Blue Eyes(alt. version).

I am 47 years old now,I notice that I am getting older along with the musicians that I listened to when I was a young man and at times it can be a bit too sobering.My son(14 years old) says that I am not cool,but at one time I was,we rocked as hard as anyone is humanly capable of and I still blow up a pretty good storm when I play my blues/rock amplified harmonica.So let your kid's and freinds say what they want about me and you a getting older and not being what we use to ,so what.Down inside we know that we are still who we were and that when we put on a cd like "Who's Next",we can still THROW DOWN!!!

(B)The Who "Live At Leeds"Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab !-800-423-5759 for information and a free catalog!"Live At Leeds" was going strong when I was sixteen,I would go down to the pool hall in Fuquay ,NC when school would let out for a game before I would go to work at my part time job pulling orders for Pope's Dime Stores.Whenever "Summertime Blues" would come on,it was like that song was written just for me.They were looking for answers to some of life's problems just like me,what a magical time that was for me and The Who."My Generation" and "Magic Bus" won over many new fans for The Who".Check out this classic line up of songs on this CD.

Heaven and Hell-I Can't Explain-Fortune Teller-Tattoo-Young Man Blues-Substitute-Happy Jack-I'm a Boy-A quick one While He Is Away-Amazing Journey/Sparks-Summertime Blues-Shakin' All Over-My Generation and Magic Bus.If you don't think these fellows could mix blues and rock,check out "Young Man Blues",a young man has nothing in the world these days.This music is still ringing true today,and thanx to Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab,the message is clearer now than the day the album was first released.These two CDs by The Who are a limited edition so they will be available for a limited time,get yours now and be forever young!

(C)Johnny Winter "Second Winter" Mobile Fidelity Sound Labswww.mofi.comTalk about a man that can play and sing with such conviction that it boggles the mind.Johnny Winter along with his bandmates Edgar Winter on piano/organ/harpischord/alto sax,"Uncle"John Turner on percussion and Tommy Shannon on bass.They play a darn good variety of tempo's and styles on this cd,from low down bluzy to good time Winter rocking jam tunes.My favorite tunes are Memory Pain(a good bluz tune,The Good Love(hard rock bluz)Slippin' and Sliddin'(a good fifties be bop rockabilly boogie tune,great sax solos)Miss Ann(some great singing,talk about belting out the way ya feel)Johnny B. Goode(they tear this song up and smoke it)Highway 61 Revisited(Great slide guitar,boogie-woogie bluz)I Love Everybody(This song tells it like it is,do me a favor and listen to this song intently and you will know why I appreciate Jonny's music so much).

Johnny Winter is a package deal,his talent is never ending and he is capable of playing and singing with such passion that few are capable of.I remember back in 1972 a listening to some of his early stuff,Johnny has always had one foot in the Bluz and the other one in Rock,I give this cd a (6) Harp Salute,it is a "Keeper"!
Johnny Sansone "Watermelon Patch" Bulleseye Blues and Jazz/distributed by Rounder Recordshttp://www.rounder.com Johnny Sansone blows up a couple of nasty hurricanes on that greasy/big toned harmonica of his.On the tune "Watermelon Patch" Johnny hits the boogie-woogie zone that is infectious,his vocals are commanding and when he blows that heavy amplified harp you get chill bumps that travel at Warp Nine.Johnny is an experienced musicain and his bandmates are Rick Oliver on slide/guitar,Dave Ranson on bass,Kennith Belvins on drums,John Cleary on piano/percussion,Joe Krown on B-3 organ,Joe Cabral and Derek Huston on sax,Duke Heiter on trumpet and Eric Lucero on rub board.

One thing that impresses me about Johnny's harmonica playing is how tastefull he is with his fills and solos,he does not overplay(the most important thing)but when it IS time he throws on down.He is good on both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas,for a chromatic lessen listen to the tune "Quagmire".This band reminds me of the Fabulous Thunderbirds,not so much the sound ,it is the confidence that eminates from them as they play,they are doing what God made them to do,express themselves thru their music for our listening pleaseure.You have everything from good time rockin' bluz-boogie-down to some good foot stomping cajun tunes.You have got to hear Johnny's harmonica playing on the tune "Pig's Feet and Tail Meat",it blew me away,it sounds just like where my mentor Willian Clarke left off,it scared me the way he plays harp like Willian,sounds like he was going on up to the next level with it.This cat can blow the covers off a harp,this song alone is worth fifty bucks.Johnny gives you different tones and styles from song to song with both his harmonica and vocals,this cd gets a (6) Harp Salute from Bluzharp,Top Drawer Stuff.The chromatic work on "Stink Bait" will leave your jaw a hanging,great greasy/sleasey/low down in the dirt digging harp playing,definitely from the dirt in the back forty!
John"Juke"Logan & Doug Macleod "Live As It Gets" Mocombo Records www.mocomborecords.comP.O. Box 4115,North Hollywood,Ca 91617 Phone# toll free 1(877)5-MOCOMBO This is the very best accoustic duo guitar/harmonica release that I have gotten this year so far.You have John"Juke"Logan on harp and Doug Macleod on guitar,all of the songs were written by either Doug or John,and well written they are.They are tells of wisdom,buggie-wuggie and of ill times and woe.There are many good things to point out about these two but the main one's are the facts they enjoy what they are doing and they are at the top of their art form.Doug is capable of manipulating many moods and emotions from his instrument,I was impressed with the touch and tone,at one moment his playing is soft and subtle,and the next a world of explosion takes you off to another zone.

And of course there is that harmonica blowing wildman John"Juke"Logan,I have been on this planet earth almost fifty years now and blow a fairly mean harp myself for forty years and I put my personal seal of approval and admiration on John.I like his delivery and punctuations with his rythmic solos,he has that hard to find FEELING,as John Lee Hooker Says about the Boogie,"It's In Him and It Has To Come Out,Let The Boy Boogie"!This is the Best Accoustic Blues Guitar/Harp cd that I have gotten all year,so thus I am bestowing early this year "Accoustic Blues CD of the Year",solid (5) Harp CD.Here is a list of the songs,Doola,Hustler,Tight White Pants,Chill On Cold,Protest Song,Grease In My Gravy,Nosey Neighbors,High Priced Woman,Love Engineer,The Chill,Cold Rain and Hey Bartenter.I guess that you can tell by the song titles this is not choir boy blues,these are true bluzmen singing some damned serious boogie and bluz,git it!
Lead Belly "Bridging Lead Belly" Rounder Records http://www.rounder.comWell now,what was lost is now found,here are 17 recently re-discovered tracks by Lead Belly.They were recorded at the BBC Studios in 1938 in New York City and in Salt Lake City in 1946.Leadbelly was born on January 20,1889 in Northern Louisianna and was the only child of John Wesley Ledbetter and Sally Pugh,whose mother was a Cherokee Indian.Lead Belly chose the music life over farming and was caught up in it's spell almost as soon as he started.Besides teaming up with Blind Lemon Jefferson,Lead Belly worked in the South outside of music as a wild horse breaker,cotton picker and a truck driver for Gulf Oil.He also served 13 years in three different prisons and sang himself free twice.Lead Belly Married Martha Promise in 1935,many credited her for helping to make his last 15 years his best untill his death in 1949 from Lou Grhrig's disease.

Here are the songs,Boil Weevil,I'm Goin' Mother,Go Down,Prison Holler,Baby-Take A Whiff On Me,Irene,Jail House Blues,Old Reilly,Ox Drivers Song 1,Ox Driver's Song 2,Julie Ann Johnson,Governor O.K. Allen,Frankie and Albert,St. Louis Blues,We're In The Same Boat Brother,Salt Lake City and Irene.This CD is a must have for any blues lover,this is a time capsule,a piece of lost history ready for our evaluation .
Johnny Nocturne Band with KIM NALLEY "Million Dollar Secret" Bullseye Blues & Jazz(Distributed by Rounder Recordshttp://www.rounder.comI instantly give this cd a (5) Harp Salute even after one listening.This is bluzy/funky/big band music that is a fusion from the past into the here and now.The band is absolutly smoking,John Firmin on sax & Clarinet and leader,Kim Nally vocals,Marty Wehner trombone,Bill Ortiz trumpet,Pete Sembler trumpet,Rob Sembler sax,Henry Salvia piano,Anthony Paule guitar,Alex Baum bass,Kent Bryson and Tommy kesecker vibes and percussion.This band is set in the Big Band Era style and I want to go record that this is one of the best that I have ever heard.The collection of musicians is perfect,God would have to work hard to make them any better in their field,the horns are so hot,at times you hear that fifties Be-Bop groove,some boogie and all between.

And now that brings us to Kim Nally,the lady singer,do me a favor and try not to look at the cover or inside picture of the CD before you play it and make a judgement on Kim's looks.Kim is the best Big Band/Jazz/Blues singer that I have ever had the pleasure to hear in my life.She has just the right texture,delivery,and can weave a story better than a professional story teller.And now,she is also one of the prettiest women that I have ever seen in my life,PERIOD!Now,you combine this with the talent that she and the band has,well you now have my Number (1)Swing/Big Band/Jazz CD of the Year,pick it up,you will not be sorry.
Duke Robillard & Harb Ellis "Conversations In Swing Guitar" Stoney Plain Records P.O. Box 861 Edmonton,AB Canada T5J 2L8 For a free catalog phone 780-468-8491 website www.stonyplainrecords e-mail sprecord@telusplanet.net This CD is so damned smooth it will slip thru your fingers,whoa!Herb Ellis was born in Texas in 1921 and has worked with Ella,cut records with Stuff Smith,Duke Ellington,Louis Armstrong and Billie Holliday,Ray Brown,Joe Pass,Charlie Byrd and Kessel.He has cut more than 30 albums so I think this man has the experience and credentials.

And now for Duke Robillard,he was the frontman for the Roomfull of Blues,stints with the Fabulous Thunderbirds,Robert Gordon and the Legendary Blues Band.Duke has played on hundreds of sessions for artists like Bob Dylan Ruth Brown,Johnny Adams,John Hammond,Kim Wilson and many more.

Lead guitars=Duke in the right channel and Herb in the left channel,Terry Holmes on accoustic rythm guitar,Marty Ballou on bass and Marty Richards on drums.This is one of the smoothiest recordings that I have ever heard in my life!This is a instrumental outing but the musicianship is so detailed that vocals are NOT needed when you have this magical combination of musicians and talent.The music is so easy to absorb and listen to,this is music that will put you in a better mood and elevate you to a softer existance realm,this is mellow Swing Guitar,not in your face and back to the wall.The picture of all the Gibson's on the cover will make your mouth water,this cd would make a great X-mas stocking stuffer,this is one of the best CD's that I have received all year,it has a lot of jazz flavor to go with the swing,so tastefull.A (5 1/2) Harp Salute CD.

Other CD's on Stonyplain by Duke are Stretchin' Out Live,Dukes Blues,with Jay McShann are Still Jumpin' The Blues and Hooties Jumpin' Blues.And with Jimmy Witherspoon Duke plays on Spoons Blues.
John"Juke"Logan "Juke Rythm"Mocombo Records www.mocomborecords.comP.O. Box 4115,North Hollywood,Ca 91617 Phone# toll free 1(877)5-MOCOMBO This is a ground breaking release,with a myrid of styles and rythms to entertain you.The first two songs ring back from the days of Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts,so laid back and cool.John has a way of singing that makes you want more,check out his tune,"I Don't Know What I Want",if your foot does not start to move you are DEAD!There is plenty of harmonica thru out on this cd and in different grooves from bluzy to swing.There is a cross over of everything from coffee house beatnik talk,to swing,bluz,jazz and anything that can be conceived in between.John's vocals are as good as his harp playing on this cd,I give this CD a (6) Harp Salute and I have never gone higher than (6 1/2)harps.This is a must have for you swing/bluz/jazz fans,this is a MUST-HAVE.

Here are the tunes Love Me Like That,Dancin' On The Edge Of The Razorblade,I don't Know What I Want,Life On The Center Divider,Comb The Streets,Da' Blues Hip Hop,What's It Gonna Bee?,Juke's Twist Palace,Lone Wolf,Don't Let Your Mouth Write A Check Your Butt Can't Cash,Twice Pipes,The Real Feel and Lonely Freedom.
Earwig Music "20th Anniversary Collection" www.earwigmusic.com In this two CD set you will find a very pleasing collection of the last twenty years at "Earwig Music".Here is a list of the artist and if you know the bluz well,then you get the fact that these musicians are the real deal!The Jelly Roll Kings,Floyd Jones,Jim Brewer,Big Jack Johnson,Frank Frost,Sunnyland Slim,Little Brother Montgomery,Louis Meyers,Jimmy Dawkins,David "Honeyboy"Edwards,"Mad Dog"Lester Davenport,John Primer,H-Bomb Ferguson,Aron Burton,Lovie Lee,Homesick James Williamson,Willie Anderson,Big Leon Brooks,Louisiana Red,Lil' Ed and Dave Weld,Johnny"Yard Dog"Jones,Liz Mandville Greeson,Willie Kent,Carey Bell,Bonnie Lee, and Johnny Drummer.

There is the perfect mix of all instruments being in the lead,from harmonica / guitar / organ,this is one of the best compilations CDs that I have gotten all year.This is the kind of blues that is from the "Old School" but is still kicking butt today.As a matter of a fact,I give this two CD set the honor of being my favorite #(1) Compilation CD of 1999!!
"Chicago Rythm & Blues Kings" Blind Pig Recordswww.blindpigrecords.comMy God does this Cd fill a void in my heart and soul,these fellows are as good as anything from the fifties/sixties or the nineties.Ernie Peniston has that Bobby "Blue" Bland kind of jazzy/bluzy feel.And it has overtones of that great Motown/Beach Music slant as well as the stupendous horn section,these cats blow up a hurricane on those horns,sounds like the next notch up from the horns that James Brown had,NUFF said!There are songs of romance that will put you in the move and just plain make me feel good.As most of you readers know I am mainly a Bluz listener,but it is so refreshing to branch out and kick up the jams in a different position,keep it interesting.

Here is a list of the tunes,Help Wanted,Love Is A Five Letter Word,Mo Too-Do-Loo,Poor Man's Blues,Creepin' In,Hide and Seek,Homecoming,Street Musician,Girlfriend-Woman-and Wife,Things That Make Me Mad and Wall Flower Boogie.

There are some great boogie-woogie tunes,jazzy ones as well as good dose of swing jump blues.As a matter of a fact this CD gets my #(1) Best Swing/Boogie/Bluz Cd of 1999!!!
Delgado Brothers "Let's Get Back""Mocombo Records www.mocomborecords.comP.O. Box 4115,North Hollywood,Ca 91617 Phone# toll free 1(877)5-MOCOMBO Every now and then you get a CD that when you start to listen to it and the band for the first time,you are at a loss of words as to how describe it best.This band, on the first cut, combines cajun,rock,blues and swing all in one and do a damned fine job of it.Do any of you remember the group called The Band,well they have that feel with the conviction of Blind Faith,I love this music.You have a good mixture of styles,from progressive rock/cajun,bluz to soul/rythm & blues.John"Juke"Logan plays harp on some tunes,putting the icing on the cake on this delicious CD.

I give this CD my #(1) Pick for "Most Progressive" Cd for 1999 for being so expressive and for melting so many different musical styles into one that is captivating.

Here is a list of the tunes,Come With Me Baby,Let's Get Back,Real Deal,If I don't Get Home,No Regrets,Finally Home,Mixed Signal,L.A. Ellie,Somethin' About My Baby,Blue Line,One For The Children,Struttin' Joey D aand Church Of El Monte.This Cd has that Santanna feel,you WILL be swept away as soon as you put this on your player.Have a great time with it!
Gaye Adegbalola "Bitter Sweet Blues" Alligator Records www.alligator.comI regret that I have never done a review of Gaye because she is so spellbounding in her singing style not to mention how well she plays harmonica and guitar.Her voice is not like some of the bluz shouters/belters,she has class and a delivery that is so important,not to mention she has a Mojo that few of us ever acheive to.Gaye sings about most things any bluz singer will cover,but some are from a woman's point of view and we damned well need it so bad.She expresses herself like Gaye,not a copy cat here,ya have got to check out the tune,"You Don't Have To Take It Like I Did".I give this Cd a (4) Harp Salute,a good solid Bluz Cd !
Blue Taxi "Ridin' Shotgun" Blue Taxi P.O. Box 163,Northfield,Ohio 44067 (330)528-0447 is The Blue Taxi Hotline.Check out these two websites they have set up.www.stkent.com/bluetaxi or www.gruppeb.com/bluetaxiOn the first cut you get that boogie/swing/shuffle feel and with that sweet voice of Thersa Capuano,well,along with Bill"Cap"Capuano on electric/accoustic guitars and vocals,Kurt England on bass guitar and Bob Capuano on drums you have a eye opening group here.This combo is tighter than a Texas Tick that has been on the same dog for two years.Please forgive that visual scene,but the group is fantastic.Bill is somewhere between Stevie Ray/Santanna,but about the time you think you have him pegged he will pull you into a rockabilly/swing/bluzy feel.

Here are the tunes Checking Out,Something's Going On,It's Time To Go,Gypsy Lights,While My Guitar Gently Weeps,She's Cold Like The Winter,Tonight,Three In Heaven,Someday Soon,Bait On A Hook,Little Mariah,Down That Road, and Blues Avenue.This band will carry you thru many moods and stories that will entertain you to no end,this band is as much raw talent and energy more than just being another slick expensive groomed band."Blue Taxi" is so different that I can see a big following in thier future because they are so expressive and futuristic in the jamming style that is exchanged between the band members.

"Blue Taxi" gets a (5 1/2) Harp Salute from Big Daddy BluzHarp!If you have been in a rut lately with your listening pleasures,then try Blue Taxi and get it in gear! There are a couple of slow bluz tunes that will will lay the hair back on your head.You also have Todd Slabaugh on mandolin,Jeff Marold on harmonica and Robert Carothers on sax.
Liz Mandville Greeson "Ready To Cheat"www.earwigmusic.comIf you have never heard of Liz,well it is your loss I promise ya.Her voice has just the right pitch,she has a velvety smooth feel,it is reassuring/alluring but carries a warning too because she is sure of herself.Liz has surrounded herself with the best of musicians on this effort.Liz plays guitar and lead vocals,Dave jefferson on drums,Dave Kay on bass,Phil Baron & Allen Batts on piano and organ,Mike Gibb-Chris Winter-Michael Dotson-Charles Crane are on guitars,Ron Sorin on Harmonica,Bill McFarland on trombone,Willie Henderson on sax, and Phil Perkins and Paul Howard on trumpets.

Liz is the type of singer that is accepted by both male and female listeners but I for one am impressed with the maturity/confidence/and feeling that she expresses her feelings with.Check out these tunes she puts on ya,Just Getting Ready To Cheat,Great Big Man,Those Kissers,Friendly Strangers(This song kicks butt with her vocals and some kick ass harp),Walking On Eggshells,Reefer Woman,Belly Rubbin,Quit Doggin,How Could I Not Love You,He Left It In His Other Pants,Jim Beam,Chi-Town and Goin' Home.From the title of the tunes you know this is not a mama's boy Cd,this woman knows what she wants,what she has got and what to do with it!

I give this Cd a (6) HARP SALUTE and my #(1) Female Singer Bluz/Boogie/Swing Cd of 1999.This Cd is Top/Shelf Material,as good as it gets!
Forrest McDonald "Spirit of the Blues" World Talent Records 350 Jon-Jeff Drive,Lilburn,Ga 30047 phone#(770)931-8116 http://members.aol.com/rockmez/index.htmlThis CD(Spirit of the Blues) can be purchased at www.amazon.comThis is the kind of band to die for to see in person,three of the five band members are like me,they have been on this earth long enough to be damned good at something,and they can play and sing the blues in the same vein as Muddy and John Lee.Sorry about this,but I am a dude,Diane Dutra can sing and play bass as good as anyone that I have heard and is sooooo pretty!.Here are the band members,Forrest McDonald on guitar and vocals,Raymond Victor on Keyboard and lead vocals,Diane Dutra on bass and vocals,Chuck"Cap"Capdeville on drums and vocals and Dave Parnell on sax and vocals.

This is the kind of CD that not only grabs your attention when you first put it on but it instantly works it's way into the fabric of your SOUL.This band is smoking,in today's world of wanna-bees,this is the REAL-DEAL.The lead guitar is so tastefull and oozzing with power and tone,the sax man is blowing his head off,and the vocals are what really holds this class act together.Raymond has that naturally aged type of voice,some singers try to force and over act when they sing,but this man can sing his ass off,and I CAN tell that this man has got the blues for real,good golly Miss Molly I love this CD!!

I give this CD a (6 1/2) HARP SALUTE,my highest rating and it will be in my favorite CDs of 1999 that I will be composing in Decmeber.Forrest has 3 previous CDs and has recorded and backed Bob Seger and Steve Perry.Raymond has played with John Lee Hooker,Bobby Blue Bland,Mike Bloomfield,Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite.This CD comes highly recommened from ol' Big Daddy BluzHarp,mmmmmmm good stuff!!!
Junior Wells "Better Off With The Blues"="Come On In This House"="Live At Buddy Guy's Legends" Telarc Recordswww.telarc.comAll three of these releases showcase Junior Wells just fine,all three are keepers,I have noticed that in his later years he was not playing the harp as much as back in the fifties.When I interviewed Junior back in the early nineties a friend called me and asked me if I asked him about his health condition.I said no because it was none of my business,there are some places that I respect when I talk and interview people.If he had brought it up I would have pursued it further.These 3 releases show him at the peak of his singing abilities,when my lungs and circulation start to fail me I will find other ways of expressing myself and I feel that is what Junior did.

I was talking with one of my buddies in Hawaii a few years back after Junior did a gig there and he noted that he was singing and going more in that direction and hardly playing harmonica,HE needed to hire a harm-man to play for him.Now,please do not get the wrong impression about where I am leading you,as a matter of a fact these 3 CDs need your attention more than ever,they show a bluzman evolving in a different direction and at first I was abit let down that Junior was playing the harmonica less but he had also found a road that was letting him express himself just as much.I think that if you are a regular reader of my reviews you know that I am doing more and more non harmonica reviews,hell yes,I am growing and evolving too as a writer and musician,so let's all grow and see what lays over the horizon,let's follow Junior on these 3 CDs and get into his blues.

I will never forget how friendly he was to me when I went to his motel room to interview him,he acted like I was a long lost friend,what a class act he was and is in my memory.If you will notice his singing style deserves as much attention as his harp playing ever demanded,I feel like he is on the same line as Bobby"Blue"Bland and James Brown.All three of these CDs deserve to be in your Christmas stockings,in your CD player and in turn in your head.Recommended listening.
Andy Cohen "Oh Glory,How Happy I Am" (The sacred songs of Rev. Gary Davis)Riverlark Music P.O. Box 40081,Memphis,Tn 38174 Phone# (800)366-5275 This is such a nice change from my usual Sunday mornings at my keyboard doing reviews.Andy is a fine vocalists and geetar picker and this is about as close to church as I get.If you like your much intimate and accoustic,this CD will more than fill the void.You have eighteen songs,Oh Glory How Happy I am,Twelve Gates To The City,Samson and Delilah,I am The Light of This World,I'll Be Alright Someday,Pure Religion,Goin' To Sit Down On The Banks of The River,I'm Glad That I am In That Number,God's Gonna Seperate,Children Of Zion,Crucifixion,You Got To Move,Get Right To Church,I Belong To The Band,Tryin' To Get To Heaven In Due Time,A Little More Faith,I Will Do My Last Singing In This Land and Oh Glory How Happy I am.

I found this to be a very refreshing musical change for me,this music goes down so easy and it makes you think as you listen.Seems like most music these days numbs you as it washes over ya,but this style is easy to absorb and retain.Andy is such an accomplished picker,it is so beautifull.If you are into accoustic picking and especially the piedmont style,you will find this CD by Andy Cohen a solid (5) HARP CD and should be on your Christmas list.

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