Delta Groove Music artists: Big Jon Atkinson & Bob Corritore - House Party at Big Jon's - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, House Party at Big Jon's, from Big Jon Atkinson & Bob Corritore and it's a huge side of Chicago blues. Opening with Goin' Back To Tennessee, Big Jon Atkinson is on lead vocal and guitar with Bob Corritore accenting his vocal. Nicely stylized, almost John Mayall/British Blues feel, these guys have a great opener joined by Danny Michael on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. On shuffle track, Here Comes My Baby, Big Jon and Corritore step up the instrumental a bit with a real nice line of instrumental soloing and Malachi Johnson on drums adds a fine snap to the track. Taking the tempo down a bit, It Wasn't Easy, gives Corritore a bit more breathing space and his warm chops fill nicely. Jon has a great singing style which resonates "old style blues" throughout the release and his guitar work on this track is understated but effective. Stepping up with She's My Crazy Little Baby, Jon really delivers on vocal. This is a real cool track and Corritore takes a real nice harp solo working nicely with Jon's lead. On At The Meeting, long time friend of Corritore, Dave Riley, takes the lead on vocal and guitar. With it's laid back feel and cradled by Corritore's harp work, this track has a bluesy, spiritual feel. Mojo Hand is a nicely paced shuffle with cool rim shot drive by Johnson. I really like Alabama Mike's vocal lead on this track and Big Jon's vocals paired with Corritore's harp work on this track make it one of my favorites on the release. Tomcat Courtney has lead vocal and guitar on Mojo In My Bread, and his vocals are rich and refreshing. With it's easy pace and Corritore harp interplay with Courtney, this track is really nice. Mad About It springs to life with a blast and Big Jon is back on lead vocal. The quality of these recordings is really cool with a minimum of processing giving them a real authentic feel. Slide work by Jon and bass work by Sandow really gives the track an edge. Empty Bedroom has a bit of a R&B feel and with Elmore James like swing, this track is another of my favorites. I'm Gonna Miss You Like The Devil has a real super feel with Corritore taking a straightforward harp lead and tight rhythm by Brian Fahey. Willie Buck takes the lead on You Want Me To Trust You, and I love his phrasing. Jon takes a real nice walk on the fretboard on this track and Corritore's harp work adds great punctuation. Riley is back on lead vocal on Mississippi Plow, a track with a healthy Muddy Waters feel. Corritore steps up with a harp solo followed by on by Jon. Very nice. Latin influence on El Centro sets it apart from the rest of the release with it being a clean instrumental. Jon guitar work is cool and Fahey's drums have a 60's beach party feel. Very nice. On shuffle track, I'm A King Bee, Willie Buck is back on lead vocal and he's perfect for the job. With just the right amount of swing, this is another of my favorites on the release. A tight bottom and Corritore's harp work compliment Jon's guitar lead perfectly. Alabama Mike is back on lead vocal for and emotional, Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door. His vocals are exceptional and paired with Jon's guitar work, make this another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is My Feelings Won't Be Hurt with a stiff swat from Johnson and some of Jon's best vocals on the release. Corritore takes a real nice solo on this track and Jon's guitar work is tight and cool. This release isn't flashy but it is cool and real blues. Enjoy!

  

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

Delmark artist: Willie Buck - Cell Phone Man- New Release Reviews

I just received the newest release, Cell Phone Man, by Willie Buck. This release sounds really fresh but it fits like an old glove. This new release is a mixture of new tracks written by Buck and some old classics written by Muddy Waters among others. The release opens with Doin' Good And Bad At The Same Time, a contemporary Chicago style blues track. Buck is backed by Rockin' Johnny Burgin (lead guitar), Rick Kreher (rhythm guitar), John Sefner (bass), Steve Bass (drums), Barrelhouse Chuck (piano) and harp men Bharath Rajakumar and Martin Lang. Darling I Miss You So, the classic Ted Taylor track is right on the spot with crisp riffs by Burgin. Muddy Waters' Strange Woman has a beautifully slow pace which provides plenty of space for Bucks' gritty blues voice, Rajakumar's soulful harp work and tasty guitar tweaks from Burgin. Each featured artist takes a turn showing their stuff, you find yourself just closing your eyes and letting it in. Excellent! Cell Phone Man, another traditional Morganfield Chicago style track sound as if it could have been performed by Waters himself. The authentic feel of the execution is fresh. Another Waters song, Two Trains Running is given a very stripped down,just vocal and acoustic guitar, traditional run and is also executed very well. It has the life of original delta blues. Goin' Down Main Street is a romping blues and features Barrelhouse Chuck on piano and Rajakumar again on harp. It's also great to hear tight little guitar riffs from Burgin on this track. Morganfield's Streamline Woman, gets a very solid cover again sounding very fresh and keeping you wanting more. I love the slide sound on this track. This band just has the sound of having played in the best blues club in Chicago for a long time. Tried To Work Something Out With You is a real sweet track following suit with the balance of the recording but in this case featuring Lang on harp. I Want To Talk To My Baby is another standout on the release again with a very stripped down feel. The track is electrified but kept at a very minimal really highlighting the blues men at their best. Blow Wind Blow closes the release with a smooth rendition of one of Muddy's most popular tracks. This release has a great delivery and is a pleasure to kick back and listen to. There are times throughout this 17 track release that I reach for my guitar because it sucks you in. Great job!

  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 favorite band!

I'm Going Out Walkin' - Willie Buck

Willie Buck was born in 1937 in the small town of Houston, Mississippi. When he was a boy, Willie spent most of his tme working at a local paper mill making $5 during the day and honing his voice by evening. He began his craft singing in the most popular form of the day, "Rock & Roll." Inspite his vigor for the newly developing artform, his passions began to lean more to the more traditional sound of the delta... Blues and it didn't take him long to develop his sound. While still in "Da South," Willie performed on what became known as the "Chittlin Circuit" bouncin' between Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, North & South Carolina, Tennesee and Texas. Shortly after developing his reputation, Willie did like a lot of Southerners during that time by migrating to Chicago in 1954. Once here, he truly immersed himself in the Chicago Blues scene. He became a real force in the "Maxwell Street" blues scene which boasts od the raw blues talent that it has produced. It was also here that he made his first recording titled "The Disco Blues". This also marked the beginning of his overseas travel to Canada, Mexico, France and Amsterdam. Willie was recently inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame among many of his fellow performers here in Chicago in the summer of 2004. Soon after, he released his latest CD, "I Wanna Be Loved" in early 2005. As the blues scene has declined here in the states, Willie has seen a resurgence... more like a movement in blues overseas. His music is profoundly affecting young and old alike in Europe. "I'm glad to see the newfound appreciation of my music in Europe. I'll be heading back there real soon!" he said. His sound is one that only gets better with age. He's hoping you grow to appreciate the blues too...
Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! -  ”LIKE”