"Best Blues" of the last decade discussion...

[rickg]

Per the commentary in Pacific Street Blues this weekend, here's my list. No doubt there are glaring omissions; so name'em and let's talk a bit about it.

Best “blues” albums of the decade.

I figure I had better spend a bit of time talking this through least you think I’ve lost my marbles and cat’s eye shooter too.

Let’s face it, in ‘suburban blues’ is all about the guitar and other voters are make certain that B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the usual suspects get their appropriate nod. So rather than trying to pick the winners, I thought I would try to pick reasonably apropos acts that we’d spent time with on the show, that for the most part played the market and are, well, I think, good. (By the way, as an aside, when this list comes out, watch for it to be more of a memorial to some of the great names we’ve lost in the last 18 months than an actual reflection of great albums.)

Chris Cain has amazing textures. He comes from the Robben Ford camp but, to me, is a lot less flashy and prefers subtly nuisance.

Ike Turner uses a Memphis blues but more horns. Yeah, he’s a wife beater and probably in hell for it now, but this was nice memento to leave us with.

He’s Buddy Guy and since Stevie died Buddy’s carried the weight.

Sue Foley – Canada’s most decorated blues artist as well as charming, sexy AND friendly. Her latest albums have done a great job of incorporating blues, pop music melody lines and yet been artistically credible.

Susan Tedeschi – Boston’s home town gal gets a shot and makes it work.

Toni Price is Austin’s hidden gem and her albums are the best things coming out of a city that seems to use the “plop and thud, atonal groove” over all other sounds.

Harry Manx is our second Canadian. His melding of world music with the Blues shows us what can be done and he’s done it well. I don’t know if he can keep it up but it was exciting and fresh.

The Campbell Brothers are from a genre that Robert Randolph made better known. The Family Band is amazing but the Campbell’s have a roots flavor that I appreciate as well. Beside, Robert Randolph should do well without my vote although he has seemingly single-handedly brought the genre to the forefront.

KebMo is perhaps the best known of the contemporary “authentic” bluesmen which includes; Eric Bibb, Guy Davis and Chris Thomas King. Yeah, this was an obvious vote.

David Jacobs-Strain was a true diamond in the rough. This kid has absolutely no business in the business but there he is – the younger generation picking up the roots and making a new sound. You can keep your Jonny Lang’s, Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s and Monster Mike Welch; good players all. I just want something a bit more under the radar and not have to deal with the hype and adjectives.

Darrell Nulisch is a fellow with the perfect voice. There are others like Curtis Salgado but, for me, Nulisch has the voice.

Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters have really shown how to overcome diversity and still make quality music. To be that talented and yet restrained by mental illness of one sort or another has got to be the height of frustration. None-the-less, he puts out terrific albums and inspires others with some very tasty licks.

• Chris Cain / Hall of Shame / World Got the Blues Before Sunrise
• Ike Turner & the Kings of Rhythm / Here and Now / Tore Up
• Buddy Guy / Blues Singer / Live the Life I Love
• Sue Foley / New Used Car / When I Come Back to Ya
• Susan Tedeschi / Back to the River / People
• Toni Price / Midnight Pumpkins / Measure for Measure
• Harry Manx / Wise & Otherwise / Foxy Lady
• Campbell Brothers / Can You Feel It? / Native Praise
• KebMo’ / The Door / You Know It’s All Coming Back
• David Jacob-Strain / Ocean or a Teardrop / I’ll Take My Chances
• Darrell Nulisch / Going Back to Dallas / Feel Like Ramblin’
• Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters / Hope Radio / Eddie’s Gospel Groove

Who’s missing? The obvious artists like Joe Bonamassa, Indigenous (who’s last album is incredible) as well as the usual cast of all stars such as; Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Etta James, Johnny Winter… all talented and I am sure to be well represented when the list comes out.

[rickg]

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[tsedivy]

Here's two for ya, both playing can't miss shows at Murphy's in the very near future. Sorry for the copy/paste reviews....it's past my bedtime too.


Charlie Musselwhite – 'Rough Dried: Live At The Triple Door' (Henrietta Records)
Photo courtesy Charlie Musselwhite
Rough Dried: Live At The Triple Door is a rock solid live document, Charlie Musselwhite and crew masterfully mixing houserockin', scorched-earth tunes with slower, tear-jerkin' blues numbers to thrill the audience and keep them on the edge of their seat. If you've wondered what a Charlie Musselwhite show sounds like, this is as close as you're going to get to the real thing.

Eden Brent "Mississippi Number One" (Yellow Dog) LISTEN

There's plenty of top notch women Blues guitarists so a frontwoman singer/pianist is a road less traveled (not that this should matter). "Mississippi Number One" is an eclectic goulash of Mississippi styles with a heavy emphasis of Jazz...The title track honors the famous highway Mississippi 1, a mostly two lane road that cuts through Greenville. Brent romances it like it was "Highway 61",

[Clint Lawrence]

Rick,

I think "Songlines" by the Derek Trucks Band
is an exceptionally strong record. Not all blues,
but wonderful music. The new album "Already
Free" is good, but Songlines is great.

[rickg]

I agree - anything by Trucks is worth investigation I reckon.'

[Clint Lawrence]

A bit of topic, but i was just wondering....

Ever get a chance to catch Linda Hopkins?
That woman can SAAAANG!!!

Black Drawers is a classic.
She's also very fun, animated and funny on stage.
Much like Etta, but mo betta!

I'm not sure if she performs or records, or if she's
still alive.

What a performer!

[rickg]

Interesting.