Just like the radio show "All Blues" this Top 10 list weaves in and around the blues. There's also some soul music here, some rock, and some great new music from some blues veterans.
1) IRMA THOMAS, "AFTER THE RAIN", Rounder
The lyrics on this cd describing Post-Katrina New Orleans are painfully real, but joy bursts forth throughout in Irma Thomas' voice and in Sonny Landreth's slide guitar. A beautiful album filled with emotional moments and musical fever. The ballad "In The Middle Of It All" and the rocker "Stone Survivor" tell some of her moving story.
2) JANIVA MAGNESS, "DO I MOVE YOU", Northern Blues
She won this year's Blues Award for Contemporary Female Vocalist, and has one of the most authentic and passionate voices in the blues. Mostly original songs range from the fiery "I'm Just a Prisoner" to the show-stopping ballad "You Were Never Mine".
3) IAN SIEGAL, "MEAT & POTATOES", Nugene
An English singer who sounds like Howlin' Wolf? Ian Siegal tears through this album with an intensity rare in any music genre. His original songs go from the cheerful blues "Sugar Rush" to the downright terrifying "Revelator", where his gravelly voice seems to conjure demons.
4) DEREK TRUCKS BAND, "SONGLINES", Columbia
While not technically a blues band-they play jazz, world, and what might be called "jam-band" music--Derek Trucks has deep blues roots in lineage and sound. He's the nephew of Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks, and grew up playing greasy southern blues. It shows on songs like "Crow Jane" and "Chevrolet" and in his searing slide guitar work throughout.
5) JAMES HUNTER, "PEOPLE GONNA TALK", Rounder
Blue-eyed soul music from this young British singer owes equally to Van Morrison and Buddy Holly. While the music seems rooted in the 50's, the end result sounds at home in 2006. Short catchy songs and crisp arrangements help make this a winner. Favorite track "Kick it Around".
6) ERIC GALES, "CRYSTAL VISION", Blues Bureau
The hardest rocking cd on this year's list, Eric Gales' guitar screams the blues ala Jimi Hendrix on the ballad "Freedom From My Demons", but he also pumps out ultra-tight rhythm chops on tunes like "Trouble". Taste, restraint, passion and great guitar abound.
7) DR. JOHN, "MERCERNARY", Blue Note
What a surprise this turned out to be! These re-made Johnny Mercer songs sound great with Dr. John's inimitable New Orleans musical gumbo. While many of them are barely recognizable, it's a lot of fun to hear the Dr. re-invent standards like "Blues in the Night" and "I'm an Old Cowhand". You can still dance to the classics.
8) CANDI STATON, "HIS HANDS", Astralwerks/EMI
11 songs of unabashed southern soul music from a veteran gospel singer. Candi Staton's songs of love and redemption sound like real stories-apparently many of them are. The album is full of relaxed, funky and slightly retro soul grooves.
9) BOB DYLAN, "MODERN TIMES", Columbia
Inscrutable Zen Blues master Bob Dylan lets fly on a couple of venerable blues numbers on this cd, notably "Rollin' & Tumblin'" and "Someday Baby", changing all the verse lyrics in the process. Some purists may scoff, but it's Bob Dylan-you have to listen to the words closely to really get it.
10) JJ CALE & ERIC CLAPTON, "THE ROAD TO ESCONDIDO", Reprise
The first full-length cd from these grizzled veterans sounds natural and inviting. Clapton had his first hits with Cale's "After Midnight" and "Cocaine", so you know their musical sensibilities are compatible. Cale wrote most of these songs, sticking to his comfort zone of bluesy-country-rock. Highlights include a protest song, "When This War is Over" and the country-flavored "Dead End Road".
BEST COMPILATION CD - ALLIGATOR RECORDS 35 X 35, Alligator
A delightful excuse for a cd! This 2-disc romp through history picks one song for each year of Alligator Records' 35 year existence, starting with Hound Dog Taylor in 1971 and winding up in 2006 with Mavis Staples. In between, great selections from Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, Marcia Ball, and many more.
BEST RE-ISSUE CD - NINA SIMONE SINGS THE BLUES, RCA/Legacy
This 1967 release is the most raw and honest record Nina Simone ever made. Recorded with a live blues band, Nina plays piano and tears her way through material that is sensual and dark. This is the real thing, should make your hair stand on end with it's passion and intensity. Starts with a jaw-dropping performance of "Do I Move You?", and has some of her classic material like "Put a Little Sugar in My Bowl" and "My Man's Gone Now" from Porgy & Bess.
| |
|
