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Blues CDs To Look For - by J. Blake
(New York, NY)
CDs have been pouring into the American Blues News offices and some of them definitely deserve an honorable mention.
Singer/guitarist Marshall Ruffin serves up a 5 track CD (and Independent Music Awards Nominee) on Jammates Records called MORNING GLORY. Ruffin’s promotional material accurately describes the album as "soulful blues meets stimulating grunge". Ruffin’s style may not appeal to blues purists, but he is taking the 'feel' of the blues and making it his own. With a thick and crunchy fuzz tone, slightly redundant grooves and sometimes experimental attack on guitar-leads, MORNING GLORY will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but fans craving something new and interesting, may find that this is exactly what they have been looking for…think a younger, more contemporary take on a Tom Waits-esque attitude.
The good people at Jammates Records are also responsible for BACK ON MY GOOD FOOT by Rick Fowler; a fun, riff-driven blues-rock album that embodies the term 'cliché' in the best way possible. With this 2008 studio effort, Fowler delivers a sensibility that is more akin to the blues-rock of the 80s and 90s than anything from the past decade. Poetically, he’s no Shakespeare, but his lyrics often project the type of fun over-the-top 'kitschiness' that made George Thorogood a star. Guitar-wise, Fowler has a great tone and the chops to back it up. BACK ON MY GOOD FOOT is not artistically pushing the envelope and contains nothing blues-rock fans haven’t heard before, but it appears to know exactly what it wants to be and unapologetically goes for it. You’ve got to respect that.On a more traditional front, Rick Taylor’s LUCKY ROOM (Volunteer Records) and Nasty Ned’s ROOTS 52 (American Showplace Music) each deliver a beautifully authentic take on both acoustic and electric blues.
With LUCKY ROOM, Rick Taylor shows off his musical prowess as he tackles a (somewhat) lesser known collection of blues covers with nothing more than his voice, his six strings, his harmonica and an unorthodox percussionist (Hensall "Washboard" Fats). LUCKY ROOM is a wonderfully executed album of stripped down blues that is sure to satisfy any fan that just can’t get enough of traditional blues formulas.
Nasty Ned’s 2010 studio effort is another album that exudes that "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it" attitude. ROOTS 52 is comprised of Chess-style originals and familiar Muddy Waters classics. Nasty Ned’s thick Muddy-esque voice lends itself to the material in a way that many contemporary blues artists should envy. His harmonica playing-style is simple, but effective and his band (most notably guitarist Michael Krizan) is exceptional. Lovers of 50s-style/shoutin’ blues are sure to be satisfied with ROOTS 52.If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy: Ten Foot Ploe Cats CD Review
Thanks and keep reading American Blues News!!!
NYC blues fans, make sure you check out Jack Bruce & Joey Molland live at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill on August 10th and John Mayall on the 13th!!!
Copyright © 2010 - J. Blake. All Rights Reserved
