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”

Stony Plain Records artist: Joe Louis Walker - The Best Of The Stony Plain Years - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, The Best of the Stony Plain Years by Joe Louis Walker and it's killer. Opening with Eyes Like A Cat, a romping jump track, Walker shows why he is in such demand on guitar. A strong R&B style voice, Walker is joined by Bruce Katz on piano, Jesse Williams on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums, Doug James on sax and Carl Queforth on trombone. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Highview written by Duke Robillard, is a deep down boogie track with unearthly, hair raising guitar tones and a trace of the likes of Ghost Riders. Robillard also throws his hat in with some striking guitar riffs complimented by Joe Ross on bass, and Scott Aruda on trumpet. Excellent track! Shuffle track Hustlin' with a nod to Don Nix has a real nice lope. Again excellent guitar riffs sit you back in your seat with your head bopping and your foot stompin! Katz lays down some really nice piano work on this track as well. Great! Black Widow Spider has a R&B feel and Walker leads the way as much vocally as on guitar. I'm Tide is a flat out rocker with break out blues/rock guitar riffs. Traditional blues track, Sugar Mama demonstrates Walker's capability as a cool harp player as well as singer and stinging guitarist with some really screaming harp riffs. Katz takes a real nice piano break on this track as well and Robillard adds some really smooth phrasing rounding out the sound. A low slung shuffle, this track is really hot. Mike Finnigan's Slow Down GTO is a nice party track featuring grinding vocals from Walker and a nice organ solo from Finnigan. Linwood Taylor adds texture on guitar, Kevin Burton on keys, Henry Oden on bass, Jeff Minnieweather on drums, Keith Crossan on sax, Tom Poole on trumpet and especially nice slide work from Walker. Ain't That Cold features Johnny Winter on slide with his signature sound. An easy shuffle with a solid bottom, gives Winter plenty of room to show why he's been on top for such a long time. You're Gonna Make Me Cry, a soulful ballad features Curtis Salgado and Mike Finnegan on vocal duet. Finnegan also adds distinctive organ work on this track which really compliments the basic format of the song. Excellent! On Send You Back, an acoustic blues, Walker shows a different feel with his voice and guitar, much more in primitive form and really nicely complimented by Sugar Ray Norcia on harp. The only acoustic track on the release it more than holds it's own weight with this set of powerhouse tracks. Wrapping the release is Witness, a soul style track with a pop flare. The most radio friendly track on the release is mostly shows another facet of Walker's diverse palate. This is really an excellent compilation and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

  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”