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02/25/22
POPA CHUBBY/Emotional Gangster: A cat that would be a one trick pony on paper continues to roll his career forward with gale force. Blues rocking and tearing up the turf in places he shouldn't even venture, this is the kind of fearless stuff that made your grand parents such music fans back in the day. With no need to be bogged down by rules, this is the stuff that keeps you partying all night long. Sizzling.
(Dixie Frog 8831)
SCOTT MARTIN/Corner of the World: With bluegrass flavorings these days, this back porch gem with kudos from Ed Berghoff (that's for you hard core musos) delivers a set that would have knocked Dan Fogelberg off his perch back in the day if Martin hadn't done a Bocephus imitation that side tracked his career. Tasteful and tasty, this heartfelt folkie set is a real ear opener that's sure to enchant you over and over again.
KATE KLIM/Something Green: There was a time in the 70s Carole Sager and her friends were pioneering divorcee pop. It never quite took off. Klim moves the vibe to East Nashville, writing and recording this in real time with her divorce, sets it to an energetic Juice Newton vibe in a genre so many have tried and not gotten the gold ring they were trading in their gold rings for. An emotionally resilient set that checks any mush mouth stuff at the door, any one with a few bruises on their heart can get into this. One of those records that will shine brightly in the underground forever.
JEFFERSON ROSS/Southern Currency: If you miss Nanci's blue highway honesty, Thomm Jutz is producing here and the raw nerves that hold the South together are sung about with the kind of honesty and intensity that might be an anathema to commercial radio but really resonates with people seeking out a real listening experience. Wow, just wow! Tennessee Williams couldn't have cut to the core like this. This set needs to be enshrined in some southern music hall of fame. Easily a nu folk classic.
SATURN QUARTET/Synchronicities: You duck into a restaurant to get out of the rain. There's a jazz combo playing the corner. You soon find them more interesting than the food, taking your drink and moseying down to the rail by the piano to get closer to it. Damn! What's the special sauce? What's the something extra? What the what?? That's exactly how this record makes you feel. Where did it come from and why is it so good? These cats should be at the top of every list.
KIM NALLEY BAND/I Want a Little Boy: You had me at ‘with Houston Person'.
Then you added ‘with special guest Maria Muldaur". Then you reminded me that it's all held together by a swinging, sassy blues singer with eclectic enough taste to include "Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" amidst the sure fire classics. She's certainly the poster girl for any after hours soiree we'd go to. Smoking.
DAGGERBOARD/& the Skipper: We dig how Wide Hive can be a home of unbridled creativity but we also dig it they have room to give Henry Franklin a platform for some straight ahead left of center stuff as well. With a vibe reminiscent of the direction commercial jazz was taking in the early 70s when the labels wanted to support Miles' space explorations (but not any more than they really had to), this is a fine representation of music that gets made because it has to. Solid!
(Wide Hive 366)
JOSH NELSON-BOB BOWMAN COLLECTIVE/Tomorrow is Not Promised: I like to remind people that ‘contacts' is just how a loser says ‘friends'. This collection of cats have known each other forever, picking up some strays like Nelson and Koonse along the way. Playing with precision and telepathy, this is smoking stuff that's really a show without feeling like a show. Overflowing with respect and trust (are those concepts still around?), whether taking a spotlight turn or coming together as an ensemble, every note here is from the heart. This set proves that all of you that hated your piano teacher made the right move by quitting and letting the real players step to the front.
TRUDY LYNN/Golden Girl: Her 1966 pic has her looking like an Etta James wannabe and I'll bet there could have been one helluva cutting contest at the Macombo if the stars were aligned right. Records like this prove that things only sound dated if they were half assed to begin with. She might be pushing 75, but this blues belter makes it sound like you're stepping in a fifth ward blues club---way back in the day. Loaded with power and passion, everything missing from today's music is bottled up here and ready to be poured. Party on!
(Nola Blue 18)
BUBBA & THE BIG BAD BLUES/Drifting: Take a white boy with the blues and mix him up with a load of first call talent running around in the grooves and you get a heady brew that'll knock you off your stool. Incredibly big, bold brassy blues rock, Bubba found the key all those English bands were looking for in the late 60s that kept them journeymen that couldn't afford to destroy hotel rooms. A boogie certified party on a platter that rocks the joint all night long.
(Fullerton Gold)
Volume 46
February 25, 2022
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL. 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
Copyright 2022 Midwest Record
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