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February
2009
Colin
Linden From The Water
True North/Universal
“I will pull her from the water, forever to be mine” is the line that supplies the album’s title and that of the opening song. With acoustic & electric guitars, bass, two drummers and liberal use of the devices available in a recording studio, it’s a sound steeped in listening to country blues. It’s a sound Colin Linden has perfected over his last several albums, especially those with Paul Reddick. There is no requirement to use the 12 bar, AAB structure and dispensing with it has given Colin a great deal of freedom. “Built Right On The Ground” is the closest to traditional blues with some lines even borrowed from the tradition, but “From The Water” and “Smoke Em All” are excellent blues nonetheless. “Trouble Only Comes In 3s” was written with Richard Bell while he was in hospital and it’s good to report they both kept their sense of humour for this clever talking blues. “Between The Darkness And The Light Of Day” heads for Memphis, with Wayne Jackson and the Memphis Horns on board. “I Have Seen A Miracle” is a new gospel song. “Devilment” begins a sequence of three songs that are also on Paul Reddick’s SugarBird. This has become a regular feature of Colin’s work, allowing a song to be viewed from different angles. “Devilment” here is an early Chicago blues, with Reddick on harp. “It’s Later Than You Think” was arranged for big band on SugarBird, here it’s for guitars and what sounds like an enormous bass drum. “The Price You Pay” is an unusually rocking song but it has a great riff. A little more soul follows with “Sinking Down Slow” and a little more gospel with “The Heaven Me” but an important one – a poignant song to Richard on his deathbed. The late Richard Bell played on many sessions but was most closely associated with those helmed by Colin Linden. Richard & Colin played together for 18 years and on at least 100 albums. This CD is dedicated to Richard’s memory and is as fitting a tribute as you might expect. The concluding song once again is a solo acoustic song, “God Will Always Remember Your Prayers”. The release date for this wonderful album is February 3, but Colin has a date at the Glenn Gould Studio on March 16. You should keep it open too.
Scott
McCord & The Bona Fide Truth
Blues For Sunshine
Indie
I’ve had this CD for a while now but I thought I would take the opportunity of his stunning performance at the Blues Summit Showcases to draw your attention to it. McCord was the winner of our Talent Search this year and those who witnessed the showcase will know how much they’ve progressed from even that winning performance. This is an R&B Revue, with three horns and some excellent new songs. McCord is one of our most dynamic front men, dominating the show with his moves. His vocals are the strongest part of the package and with this outfit behind him he can stay in the spotlight, which he clearly enjoys. Co-leader Michael Johnston plays keyboards, Jason Mercer, bass (on the CD, it’s now Charlie James), Don Kerr, drums and Chris Miller, guitar. Todd Porter plays baritone saxophone and did the horn arrangements, Steve Dyte is on trumpet & flugelhorn and Christian Overton, trombone. “Trouble!” is the most straightforward blues here but “Let It Roll”, “Same Man I Was Before”, “Blues For Sunshine” and “As Tears Roll By” are all strong R&B/Soul songs that allow these players to strut their stuff. The Blues Summit was productive not just for Scott McCord, watch for upcoming albums by showcase artists Blackburn, Steve Strongman and Monkey Junk.
Paula
Shear So Talk To Me
Beatrice Street/Indie Pool
Many jazz vocalists these days like to work near adult contemporary territory, not so Paula Shear. She has a powerful, multi-octave instrument and she’s not afraid to use it. Although she can sound strident at times, her expert pitch control makes her a singer to watch. But that’s not all she is, she also wrote twelve of the fourteen songs here and produced the CD. This, of course, is a blues column so I’ll move right to “What You Don’t Know”, a self-penned masterpiece that is an urgent plea for someone to get out of a violent relationship before it’s too late. A multi-tracked chorus and her tremendous dynamic range make this a tour de force. Rob Piltch on electric guitar, Bernie Senensky on piano, Kieran Overs on bass and Mark McLean on drums provide all the support she needs. The overall effect is of an excerpt from a Greek tragedy and most certainly is not your average 12 bar fare. You’ll also like “So Talk To Me”, “C’mon ‘N Show Me You Care” and “The Part That You May Play”, all bluesy original ‘musical conversations’ combining jazz, soul & gospel in a way that points forward, something we most definitely could use more of. The other songs here are more Latin & jazz, there’s even a standard and they feature other players from the jazz community but Shear’s vocal prowess makes it an artistic whole. Go to www.paulashear.com for more info.
The
Village Blues Band Live @
The Wortley Roadhouse VBB
Although the Wortley Roadhouse is in London, at least two of the players are very well known here: Teddy Leonard was the longtime guitarist for Fathead, the Johnny Max Band, Pork Belly Futures and is also the guitarist with The Maple Blues Revue, Chris Murphy has always lived in London and is also in the Maple Blues Revue but he may be more familiar to you from his sax work with Jack de Keyzer. The rest are less well known to us here but are veterans of London’s thriving music scene. From the set list it seems a lot of dancing happens at the Wortley Roadhouse, from the funky opening instrumental, “Wortley Stomp” and onwards. The other saxophonist, Troy Neeb, contributed that one. Tim Tyler delivers a rousing vocal on Ike Turner’s “Matchbox”. There are four vocals by Teddy Leonard, one of which, “Jesus Is On The Mainline” is up next. I’ve not heard him sing before, he’s always been in bands that had singers and it’s a pleasant surprise indeed. Wynonie Harris’ “Buzzard Luck” is a showcase for trumpeter (& club owner) Marty Verweel, whose brother Rocky is a first call trumpeter here. Teddy does Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s “Hot Little Mama” just fine next and then Chris Murphy reprises his new “Bitchy Woman Blues”, released as a CD single last year. Ryan Spong is the bassist and his vocal feature is Johnny Taylor’s “If You Love Me Like You Say”. Professor Longhair’s “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” gets a fine horn-led work out and a vocal by Teddy. He keeps the vocal mic for B.B. King’s “Ask Me No Questions”. Spong takes it out with Edwin Starr’s “25 Miles”, no doubt leaving the dancers exhausted but happy. Ted Peacock is the hard working drummer, not mentioned until now because he didn’t get a vocal feature. For a band of such accomplished musicians, the fact almost all are good vocalists is unusual. They congregate at the Roadhouse every Sunday afternoon. The proceedings were beautifully captured by the renowned engineer Nick Blagona. For more information, contact Chris Murphy at speakeasy@execulink.com.
George
Olliver’s Gospel Soul Look
Up Indie
George Olliver has been an integral part of the Toronto scene for a long time. He first came to prominence as the lead singer for Mandala, leaving that band just before they found some degree of fame. Later, he was a part owner of the new Club Blue Note, on Pears Avenue. He has not recorded much, given his history, but recently he has put his musical talents at the service of his church, Carruthers Creek Associated Gospel, in Ajax. Look Up is an ambitious work and those familiar with his shows over the years will recognize his R&B stylings immediately. In fact, were it not for the subject matter, this would be seen as an R&B album. “Look Up” & the bluesy “Goin’ To A Place” are very good songs indeed and a very good version of “Oh Happy Day” also graces the disc. There’s a large cast of musicians involved, from several sessions it would seem, but Vito Rezza on drums, Jake Langley on guitar and Martin Aucoin on keyboards are names you would recognize. Olliver’s vocal powers are very much intact and he now tours with his 12 piece band Caught Away that will, he says, ‘remind people of the Soul Crusades of the past’. Go to www.georgeollivertheword.com.
Erin
McCallum Feel This
EM
A relatively new arrival on the scene, Erin McCallum and her band are getting lots of work around Southern Ontario. Feel This is their second CD and it’s a strong contemporary blues rock effort. The band is a trio behind the vocalist & harmonica player, with Trevor Mackenzie on guitars, Ronald Lombard on bass and Joe Pace on drums. Gregg Dechert adds keys to several songs. McCallum is also the songwriter and delivers her songs with a powerful, direct voice. “2 Steps Forward” is a fine choice for an opener and should have the same effect in the clubs, getting people to the dance floor.
“Feel This” is a highlight, a catchy, medium tempo ‘homage to the power of song’. It’s a capella opening and dynamics adding to the interest. “Justified” is also a highlight, with Mackenzie’s guitars creating a particularly good accompaniment to the vocal. Ms. McCallum might consider using Dechert more often, his piano on “2 Steps Forward” is most effective, as is his B3 on “Take Me Slow”.
If you see Erin McCallum’s name on a marquee near you, you should not hesitate to go in. By this evidence, you’ll have a very good evening. Her web site is www.erinmccallum.com and her CDs are at CDBaby.
Saffire-The
Uppity Blues Women Havin’
The Last Word Alligator/EMI
After some 25 years, Saffire is calling it quits. It has been 8 years since Ain’t Gonna Hush and other projects were taking up more & more time. But it’s not like them to go out with a whimper: this album is one of their best plus there will be a Farewell Tour and a retrospective documentary, Hot Flash. The CD gets under way with “Down To The River”, a lively ‘everything will be alright’ song that I think is meant for us as much as for them. It’s joyous, with all three singing their hearts out. The rest of the songs feature each in turn with the others accompanying and excellent songs they are. Gaye Adegbalola as usual is the most forthright in her characteristic way, with “Bald Headed Blues” making light of the side effects of chemotherapy and hilarious in “Silver Eagle”, the sequel to “Silver Beaver” on the last album. “Bald Headed Blues” introduces her slide guitar playing and it really shines on “Bald Eagle”. “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” shows her serious side, with some marvelous picking by all. Ann Rabson continues with her love of traditional piano blues, with “Kitchen Man” and giving her thesaurus a workout on “Since You Been Gone”. Andra Faye sings a delightful “Too Much Butt” that should be a hit on the tour and her “Walkin’ Home To You” will get everyone nodding in agreement with her tale of airport delays. “The Bad Times” may close the CD on a blue note but as Ann sings, ‘the bad times make the good times better’. As the press release says: ‘their music ranges from very serious to very seriously fun’. Ann continues to receive nominations and awards for her playing and her CDs, with three albums so far plus multiple guest appearances. Gaye has four solo CDs with Gaye Without Shame released just a couple of months ago. Andra performs with The Mighty Good Men, with whom she released a solo CD in 2005. I have a lot of fond memories of seeing Saffire here in town, going all the way back to that Harbourfront show in 1985 and I hope we are included in the Farewell Tour.
- John Valenteyn, jvalenteyn8724@rogers.com
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