New Blues Albums – March 3, 2018
I haven’t posted here in a long, long while, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been seeking out and listening to new music. I just have been writing at ekkarn.com instead. However, it may be time to start this blog up again.
With that being said let’s jump right back into some blues. A few days ago I was reviewing the recent releases as well as the Roots Music Reports Charts and came away with four albums to put into my music rotation. All four are musicians whose music I have listened to and enjoyed previously.
I discovered the music of two of the artists Peter Karp and Laurie Morvan since I started blogging.in 2010. Tinsley Ellis‘ music made it’s way into my library in the late 90s and early 00s.
Finally, I have been listening to the music of the “Father of the British Blues” since 1970. I knew John was over 80 but I was amazed that he is now 85! And He sounds and plays great on Three for the Road his latest release.
So the playlist is composed of four tracks from each of the following albums:
Three for the Road – John Mayall
Through the years John Mayall’s bands have had an outstanding guitars among its members. Early guitarists for his bands included : Eric Clapton , Peter Green and Mick Taylor. Coco Montoya, Walter Trout and Rocky Athas are among the more recent guitarists. However on Three for the Road Mayall’s Band is a trio featuring Greg Rzab on bass and drummer Jay Davenport.
After the first listen, I really like this album. Mayall provides some solid vocals along with some great keyboard and harp work.Rzab and Davenport are solid as well. Check it out!
Rating B+
Blue Flame – Peter Karp
I have not listened to a lot of the music of Peter Karp. His live recording titled The Arson’s Match was in my rotation for a short while a few years back. I think I listened to one of the albums Peter recorded with Sue Foley a few years back.
I really have liked what I have heard on Blue Flame so far. This one may be in my rotation a while.
From Perer’s website biography….
….. Blues Blast Magazine described him simply as “One of the most well-respected songwriters in America.” Or that AllMusic.com noted, “Karp is his own man, an artist who blends roots music styles into something that transcends blues, country, R&B and swamp, John Prine’s wordplay, Joe Ely’s rocking instincts, Billy Joe Shaver’s fatalistic outlook.”
….Blue Flame. spotlights Karp’s incendiary guitar work, his keyboard prowess, his expressive harp playing and a rough hewn vocal style that gives each of the album’s 13 songs an indelible presence right from the get-go.
Rating: A-
Winning Hand -Tinsley Ellis
Speaking of incendiary guitar work….that’s just what I have loved about the music of Tinsley Ellis through the years.
From Alligator Records: Winning Hand….
… the punch of a heavyweight champion as Tinsley reclaims his place with the giants of blues-rock guitar. From searing licks to psychedelic riffing, Tinsley and his axe are front and center on a riveting collection of heart-pounding rockers, raucous R&B and devastating blues.
“Fiery controlled intensity…soulful, gritty, hard-edged blues rock” —Living Blues
Rating: A
Gravity – Laurie Morvan
This may be my favorite of the four albums. Everything works for me one this album. Great vocals, songwriting and guitar. You can read more here at ekkarn.com.
From Midwest Record..
Morvan…nows what she’s doing and what it’s all about. From Mike Finnigan’s smoking B3 choogle to Morvan’s searing to-the-point vocals and lyrics, this is a rousing, fist pumping good that’s as life affirming as electro blues can be. This white girl might have the blues, but she ain’t got nothing to be blue about. Another killer set from one of the genre’s leading lights. More
Rating: A+
Here’s a playlist with three tracks from each of the four albums…..
