Barbara Russell Swing With Me Golden Blues (2015)

Otis Spann - The Hard Way: The August 23, 1960 New York Studio Masters (2015) {2CD Set, Soul Jam Records 600852}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 696 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 318 Mb
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© 1960, 2015 Chess / Soul Jam Records | 60085
Blues / Chicago Blues / Piano Blues / Acoustic Blues

The legendary Otis Spann gained renown as Muddy Waters’ pianist throughout the latter musician’s classic period of electric Chicago blues. Spann was also influential as a member of the Chess label’s house-band, which backed a roster of blues giants and big selling artists. However, Spann’s importance extended beyond his work as a sideman. He showed off his brilliance as a blues vocalist on a series of splendid recordings in a well-lived (though not extensive) solo career.

Third studio album by the British singer/songwriter. Debuting at #7 in the UK Albums Chart, the album features songs made famous by the American jazz singer Billie Holiday. Songs on the album include 'Get Happy', 'That Ole Devil Called Love', 'Summertime' and 'Stormy Weather'.

Barry is blues royalty; a true legend among blues drummers and connoisseurs. Thus, his name "the Baron of the Blues," as musicians often introduce him, is a perfect fit with his real name, Baron. Barry's playing personifies the quintessential blues-based drummer: a deep pocket, tight groove and supportive agility. Barry spent years touring with Shemekia Copeland on a myriad of domestic and international tours. Before that, he toured for years with her father, the legendary Johnny Copeland.

The Country Side Of Harmonica Sam - Open Letter To The Blues (2015) {El Toro Records ETCD6068}
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© 2015 El Toro Records / ETCD 6068
Country / Honky Tonk / Hillbilly / Rockabilly

It’s rather ironic that a lot of the current European artists are outdoing their American counterparts when it comes to reproducing a sincere country sound. A fine example of this transition is The Country Side of Harmonica Sam and their current album ‘Open Letter To The Blues’, because it doesn’t come much more authentic than this when replicating country music from the late 50s and early 60s. With the countries of origin for this new long player stemming from Sweden, this latest guise for Harmonica Sam (real name Samuel Andersson) is one that fits splendidly as the honky tonk sound of the aforementioned periods in history is resuscitated and delivered inch perfectly as if it never went away!

When producer Chris Albertson brought Lonnie Johnson and guitarist Elmer Snowden into a studio for this album on April 9, 1960, both musicians hadn't recorded in a number of years. Indeed, Snowden hadn't seen the inside of a studio in 26 years, but you'd never know it by the fleet-fingered work he employs on the opening "Lester Leaps In," where he rips off one hot chorus after another. Johnson plays a dark-toned electric while Snowden plays acoustic, with Wendell Marshall rounding things out on bass. Given Johnson's reputation as a closet jazzer, it's remarkable that he merely comps rhythm behind Snowden's leads on "C-Jam Blues" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street." Johnson handles all the vocals, turning in an especially strong turn on the second take of "Stormy Weather." Lots of studio chatter make this disc of previously unissued material a real joy to listen to, a loose and relaxed session with loads of great playing and singing to recommend it.

Golden Moments covers Jill Scott's 2000-2007 studio recordings for Hidden Beach. The label, launched in 2000 with Who Is Jill Scott?, was celebrating its 15th anniversary when this anthology was released. Meanwhile, Scott was still going strong, between the second and third singles from the follow-up to her 2011 album, Light of the Sun. The compilers here could have gone the easy route and simply sequenced these songs in chronological order. Golden Moments instead takes the shape of a smartly paced overview that jumps from album to album and shifts from mood to mood.

Nothern Europe bands have all something in common : They kick some serious asses. Could it be Stoner with Truckfighters, Doom with Monolord, Retro Rock with Graveyard, they just get it…