Stony Plain Records artist: Long John Baldry - The Best Of The Stony Plain Years

I just received the newest release, The Best of the Stony Plain Years from Long John Baldry and found it somewhat refreshing. I haven't heard Baldry in quite some time, his having passed in 2005 and my primary exposure being the album It Aint Easy released possibly 40 or more years ago. The release opens with Good Morning Blues, with classic Baldry vocals, John Lee Sanders on piano, Butch Coulter with some tasty harp riffs and nice bass lines from Norm Fraser. On old standard, I'm Shakin', Baldry adds a special dynamic to the vocal track coaxed along by Al Webster on tom tom and Johnny Ferreira on sax. Papa John King also adds a nice guitar solo on this track as well. Easy Street is laid down in New Orleans shuffle form with light bouncy piano by Webster and Baldry hits a nice groove on vocal as Babcock and Ferreira lay down some nice sax work. Traditional track Midnight Special has a special feel with John Lee Sanders on tuba and cool backing vocals from Kathi McDonald. Tom Colclough hits the note on clarinet accenting the new orleans feel of Chris Nordquist on drums. A little different take on Gallows Pole than the Led Zep fans may be accustomed to with a bit of a western flavor and cool violin by Jesse Zubot. Straight up blues track Midnight Hour Blues has King on simple acoustic lead guitar with Baldry laying down a smooth vocal track. Webster does a really nice job of punching up the track on piano and Rusty Reed does a really nice job on harp. On Hooker's Dimples, A stripped down feel with Baldry on vocal, King on guitar, Coulter on harp and Lent on bass is one of my favorite tracks on the release. On Insane Asylum, Baldry shares vocal lead with Kathi McDonald and Bill Runge drives the rhythm on bass. Midnight In New Orleans has a NO jazz feel with Amos Garrett and Gaye Delorme on guitars and sweet backing vocals by McDonals. Teddy Borowiecki leads the way on piano and Daryl Bennett blows a nice sax as well. Black Girl keeps a fairly traditional feel and again the strong vocals by McDonald and Baldry are particularly potent on this track. King adds some tasty acustic guitar riffs adding an iridescence overall. The release is wrapped by a live track, Time's Gettin' Tougher Than Tough with Jimmy Witherspoon and the Duke Robillard Band. A real swinger, Witherspoon and Baldry share lead vocals and Marty Ballou leads the way on bass. Robillard adds some really punchy guitar riffs and Sax Gordon Beadle really hits the note on sax. Super conclusion to a very cool release. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”