KIWR PSB - What's On Serial April 12, 2005

[BluesNews]

What's On @ PS Blues 05122005Tuesday, April 12, 2005
What’s on at Pacific Street Blues?

Time. Time is of the essence. There never seems to be enough time!
Here’s a snapshot of some of the albums you’ll hear this week on PS Blues.

Artist: David Jacobs-Strain
Title: Ocean or a Teardrop
Rating: Excellent

This is the best “blues” title I’ve heard in some time. It took multiple listens for Jacob-Strain’s album to unfold but when it did, IT DID. DJS takes a fresh approach to modern blues in that he plays an acoustic guitar and prefers texture to ‘twang-bar’ doodling. He is also comfortable branching beyond the ‘purist’ restrictions allowing the songs to take him where they may. His guitar playing, with an emphasis on slide, is amazing. The songwriting is refreshing and the actual recording is sharp and clear.

Artist: Tinsley Ellis
Title: The Hard Way
Rating: Very Good

Tinsely Ellis is an artist that has played the markets several times. Clearly he’s a road warrior. Historically I have found his previous albums uninteresting and yet his live show ganders plenty of praise. So it was a pleasant surprise when his latest album exhibited beautiful melodies, appropriate blistering guitar work, and strong vocal lines. This is a fine album by a strong live performer. Very enjoyable!

Artist: Nora Jean Bruso
Title: Going Back to Mississippi
Rating: Good

Bruso’s debut album has all the blistering female vocals of a true Chicago shouter ala’ Shemekia Copeland or Etta James’ latter career work. Bruso hit’s all the appropriate blues bar genres on her album with a stellar slow cooking performance on the 7th track, ‘Don’t You Remember?’ Bruso is coming to town for the Blues Society of Omaha’s debut Blues Crusie (www.omahablues.com) and if her album is any indication, it’s going to be a rockin’ good time!

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