Every week our staff of CD Reviewers bring you the best in Independent CD releases. Making a Scene is considered the number 1 resource for the independent musician and the fans that love them.
Benny Turner Journey Nola Blue Benny Turner and his older brother Freddie grew up in Gilmer, Texas where they were exposed to country blues and the music of T-Bone Walker. Once the family moved to Chicago’s West Side his brother began to make a name for himself as Freddie King. While Freddie became a guitar […]
Gov’t Mule Featuring John Scofield Sco-Mule Evil Teen Records In 1994 Gov’t Mule was formed as a side project by Allman Brothers Band members Warren Haynes, guitar; and Allen Woody, bass. Joining them was Matt Abts who had formerly played drums in The Dickey Betts Band. Gov’t Mule has ten studio albums and numerous live […]
JP Blues recently released a digital only live recording from a show at Darwin’s Burgers and Blues in Marietta, GA. JP is a favorte there and the crowd was thrilled to see him and his band. Reviewing an earlier show at Darwin’s, I wrote, It’s a cliche’ to speak of musicians making a guitar “sing” […]
Honey Island Swamp Band Cane Sugar Louisiana Red Hot Records When hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005 many residents found themselves stranded and unable to go home. Such was the case with Aaron Wilkinson (acoustic guitar, mandolin) and Chris Mule (electric guitar). Also in San Francisco at the time were evacuees Sam Price (bass) and […]
Tony Joe White “The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings” www.RealGoneMusic.com Tony Joe White’s late sixties signing to Monument Records took-off with a series of hits starting with “Polk Salad Annie.” The Real Gone label focuses on his subsequent early seventies output for this double disc compilation of the LP’s he made for Warner Brothers. Three albums […]
Linsey Alexander Come Back Baby Delmark Records Linsey Alexander was born in Holly Springs, Ms. on July 23rd, 1942. Alexander has lived in both Memphis, and in Chicago where he has been part of the North Side’s blues scene for the last two decades. Alexander’s debut recording 2004’s “Someone’s Cookin’ in My Kitchen” included a […]
Lead Belly The Smithsonian Folkways Collection Box Set Smithsonian Folkways Lead Belly, born Huddie Ledbetter in 1889, was incarcerated three times. The first time he was on a chain gang but escaped. In 1918 he was imprisoned because he killed a man in a fight over a woman. He was released in 1925 after writing […]
Chris Spedding Joyland Cleopatra Records Chris Spedding is a British guitarist who has been on the music scene some fifty years. In 1975 he scored big with the hit single “Motorbikin’”. He has worked with The Sex Pistols, Jack Bruce, John Cale, Paul McCartney, Robert Gordon, Roxy Music with Bryan Ferry, and King Mob with […]
Grateful Dead “Dick’s Picks Volume 13” Nassau Coliseum 5/6/81 www.RealGoneMusic.com This is only the second of the (than) thirteen Dick’s Picks series that Dick Latvala selected from the eighties. Latvala kept no secrets about his preferences for early seventies sets, and was quoted “the eighties are a challenge for anyone.” I concur with Latvala as […]
Dana Fuchs Songs From The Road Ruf Records Back in April of 2001, the off-broadway production of “Love Janis” opened at The Village Theater. Dana Fuchs was one of several singer/actresses who alternated in the role of Janis Joplin. The performance included many of Joplin’s more familiar songs including “Piece of My Heart”, “Me and […]
Igor Prado Band & Delta Groove All Stars Way Down South Delta Groove Records As a left handed youngster Brazilian Igor Prado taught himself the guitar. In 2007 (after recording three albums under the name The Prado Blues Band) Igor released his first album as The Igor Prado Band and called it “Upside Down”. He […]
Jeff Jensen has just released his 4th studio album, Morose Elephant, and it is a real treat. The project consists of seven original songs and four fantastic covers. My absolute favorite cut is Jensen’s duet with Victor Wainwright, “What’s the Matter With the Mill,” which is a traditional song. It is just bursting with joy […]
Shaun Murphy Loretta Vision Wall Records Shaun Murphy became a full time member of Little Feat in 1993. In 2009, after sixteen years with them, and after appearing on 16 Little Feat albums, Murphy made the brave decision to leave. She decided to concentrate on her passion for the Blues. This is Murphy’s sixth album […]
– www.RaphaelWressnig.com The young Wressnig’s previous recording “Soul Gift” was successful, and if you enjoyed that disc you should definitely appreciate his latest “Soul Gumbo.” Veteran players (many from around The Big Easy) are featured: Walter “Wolfman” Washington, George Porter Jr., Larry Garner, Stanton Moore, with longtime Crescent City pianist Jon Cleary. Added to the […]
Live At BB King’s Blues Club, NYC Robert Gordon & Chris Spedding Elvis Birthday Celebration 1/7/2009 A re-print by Richard Ludmerer Actually Elvis’s birthday is 1/8 but it was celebrated last night at BB King’s Blues Club. Featured was the rockabilly great Robert Gordon. An ex-member of the New York band The Tuff Darts he […]
Allan Harris Black Bar Jukebox Love Productions Records Allan Harris is a Brooklyn born Harlem based vocalist, guitarist, bandleader and composer. He has ten recordings in his own name. Harris has been compared to Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole. He has played Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center and the 2012 London Olympics. […]
Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King Fat Man’s Shine Parlor Blind Pig Records This band is one of few that are built around a two guitar attack; however Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King may be opposites in their individual approaches to the guitar. Kubek played rhythm guitar in Freddie King’s band until his death, […]
Tinsley Ellis Tough Love Heartfixer Music Tinsley Ellis was born in Atlanta and discovered the guitar at a young age. While listening to The Yardbirds, The Animals, Cream and The Rolling Stones, he soon discovered B.B. King, Albert King and Freddie King. Ellis’ first band the Alley Cats also included Preston Hubbard who later played […]
Vaneese Thomas Blues For My Father Segue Records Vaneese Thomas is as close to Blues royalty as you can get. Thomas grew up in Memphis the daughter of Rufus Thomas, a rhythm and blues singer, whose career spanned a half century. Rufus Thomas recorded for both Sun Records and Stax Records; his 1963 hit “Walking […]
John Tropea “Gotcha Rhythm Right Here” STP Records www.JohnTropea.com If you are not already familiar with his name, you’ve probably heard John Tropea’s guitar on famous recordings by Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Paul Simon, Laura Nyro, Van Morrison, Phoebe Snow, Lyle Lovett, James Brown, David Ruffin, Chaka Kahn, Roberta Flack, Donny […]
Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes Three Bells Rounder Records Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas, and Rob Ickes are the three premier resophonic guitar or Dobro players of our time. These tracks were recorded between May and September of 2012. Mike Auldridge was a founding member of The Seldom Scene. He formed the Seldom Scene in […]
Brad Absher & Swamp Royale Lucky Dog Montrose Records Brad Absher is from Lake Charles, Louisiana but now makes Houston his home. Absher has released five previous albums the most recent being 2010’s “Big Shugga”. He calls his band “Swamp Royale” because he was influenced by the Louisiana music he heard when he was growing […]
Grateful Dead “Dick’s Picks Vol. 14” Boston Music Hall 11/30 & 12/2/1973 (4 CD’s) www.RealGoneMusic.com The deceased Grateful Dead tape archivist Dick Latvala selected the concerts for the Dick’s Picks series, “Dick’s Picks 14” is culled from their three-night run (only two nights are offered here) at the intimate Boston Music Hall, Latvala presents edited […]
Rory Block Hard Luck Child: A Tribute to Skip James Stony Plain Records Rory Block’s picture hangs in the entrance to the offices of the Martin Guitar Co. They have a Martin OM-40 Signature Edition guitar named after her. Block is one of our greatest exponents of Country blues guitar. This is her fifth recording in her […]
Tas Cru You Keep The Money Crustee Tees Records Tas Cru now lives in Chaumont, N.Y. His first album “Biscuit” was released in 2006. Cru states his unusual stage name was bestowed on him “by a Quebecois fan”. In 2008 he followed up with “gravi-Tas”. His other recordings are 2009’s “Grizzle n’ Bone”, 2010’s “Jus’ Desserts”, […]
Tommy Talton – Until After Then (Hittin’ the Note Records) Album Review by Scott B. Bomar Six decades in, it’s clear that guitarist and songwriter Tommy Talton is still making music for the sheer joy of it. Until After Then, his fourth album for Hittin’ the Note Records, is a breezy romp through Talton’s wide-ranging […]
Earls of Leicester Rounder Records My love for bluegrass began with Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys. Flatt’s voice, so laidback and clear, was the greatest American voice. He gave me an appreciation for a Bluegrass tenor and led me to discover other bluegrass and country music singers. As a youngster Scruggs’ […]
Through The Streets of the City New Orleans Brass Bands Smithsonian Folkways Recordings This is the newest album from Smithsonian Folkways’ African-American Legacy series. Included is a 34 page booklet authored by Dr. Michael White. He is a jazz music historian but also a clarinetist, composer, bandleader, producer and educator. He has six albums under his […]
Michelle Willson Fortune Cookie Live at Sculler’s Jazz Club EvilGal Music Michelle “Evil Gal” Willson had four great albums on the Bullseye Blues Record label distributed by Rounder Records. In 1994 she released “Evil Gal Blues”. Her “Evil Gal” nickname comes from her appreciation for Dinah Washington and she included songs from Washington and her […]
Three New Releases from Hendrik Meurkens German born Hendrik Muerkens now lives in upstate New York. Originally a vibraphonist in the tradition of Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson Meurkens was inspired by the sound of Toots Thieleman’s harmonica. Today the self taught Meurkens is considered the most important jazz harmonica player since Thielemans. Meurkens was […]
Annika Chambers & The Houston All-Stars Making My Mark Montrose Records Annika Chambers a.k.a. U.S. Army Sergeant Annika Chambers served eight years in Iraq and Kosovo. Since she returned to the states this Houston native has been living her dream. This is her debut album. Producers Larry Fulcher and Richard Cagle have assembled an impressive […]
Georgie Bonds Stepping Into Time 8th Train Records Georgie Bonds grew up in the Germantown section of Philadephia. Bonds liked Rhythm and Blues but he loved horses even more and he dreamed of being a cowboy. He purchased his first horse in 1975 when he was 21 years old. Unfortunately a year later he got […]
Cyrille Aimee It’s A Good Day Mack Avenue Records This is the major label debut of jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimee. Vocally Aimee is a bit like Madeleine Peyroux but Aimee’s music is rooted in the gypsy guitar of Django Reinhardt. She also has affection for Brazilian guitar, and thus an understanding of bossa nova and […]
Phil Bowler & Pocket Jungle Phil Bowler & Pocket Jungle Zoho Music Phil Bowler is a Grammy winning bassist and sideman who played in the bands of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Horace Silver, Hilton Ruiz, and Wynton Marsalis, among many others. Twenty years ago Bowler also had his own jazz ensemble called “Pocket Jungle”. Now they […]
“Picture Me Broken” released their first CD in 2009, and since have steadily gained a following in the indie rock scene. Their latest EP release, Mannequins, is nothing less than extraordinary. This new offering from the band covers a wide range of emotional ground. From the delicate lyrics of “Beautiful Disguise”, to the rocking “Torture” and “Mannequins”, the band supplies the […]
Cowboy “5’ll Getcha Ten” www.RealGoneMusic.com I actually saw Cowboy opening for (I don’t recall the band, but it wasn’t the Allman Brothers,) at the Fillmore East, but they were a captivating laidback country-rock band that immediately captured my attention. Cowboy is frequently remembered for their associations with the The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton […]
Robin Banks Modern Classic RB Music Robin Banks sometimes calls herself Miss Robin Banks to differentiate her from famous males with the same name. Banks hails from Canada just east of Detroit. She released her first album “Permanent Record” in 1997 and that year won Canada’s Maple Blues Award for “Best New Artist of The […]
S.E. Willis Turtle Dove Bounce/Live at the Poor House Mr. Suchensuch Records S.E. Willis aka Steve is the veteran piano player in The Elvin Bishop Band. During a two year period when Willis was ill he worked in his home studio recording his versions of some classic piano blues. He also contributes four original compositions. […]
Trigger Hippy Trigger Hippy Rounder Records Steve Gorman, the drummer who co-founded The Black Crowes twenty-five years ago, has started this new band. Gorman has enlisted some impressive talent. Singer Joan Osborne has seven of her own recordings to her credit including her triple platinum 1995 debut “Relish”. Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Jackie Greene performed with […]
Grateful Dead: “Dave’s Picks Volume 12,” 3 CD’s, Hamilton, NY (discs 1 & 2) Toronto, Canada (disc 3.) www.Dead.net – www.Rhino.com This twelfth edition is taken from the band’s performances at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on November 4th, 1977 plus a third disc of (bonus) material recorded two days prior in Toronto, Ontario. Only […]
Lucinda Williams Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone Highway 20 Records Lake Charles, La. native Lucinda Williams recorded her first album in 1978, but it wasn’t until ten years later that she began to be noticed. In 1988 she released her self titled album “Lucinda Williams” containing her song “Passionate Kisses”. In 1992 that […]
Lisa Biales Belle of The Blues Big Song Music Lisa Biales hails from Ohio where she first honed her skills. In 1991 while still at Ohio University she released her first recording. Her first full length album was 1999’s “Music Box” re-issued in 2007. In 2011 Biales had a small acting role in Francis Ford […]
Chris Bergson Band Live at Jazz Standard 2 Shirts Records Chris Bergson was born in New York but spent his formative years in Somerville, Ma. He returned to Manhattan in 1995 and began his career as a sideman for Jazz singers, including Annie Ross and Norah Jones. He embraced the blues but added his own […]
Candye Kane and Sue Palmer “One Night in Belgium” Motel Swing Music Sue Palmer is San Diego’s Queen of Boogie Woogie piano. Palmer was previously a member of The Candye Kane Band when they were still called the “Swingin’ Armadillos” and she appears on four of Candye Kane’s albums including “Diva La Grande” and 1998’s […]
Hot Rize When I’m Free Ten in Hand Records Hot Rize, originally from Colorado, released their first self titled album in 1979 on the Flying Fish Record label. The band released six studio albums and disbanded in 1990 but not before being named the first “Entertainers of The Year” by the then newly formed International […]
Candi Staton Life Happens Beracah Records In 2013 Magnolia Home Entertainment released “Muscle Shoals” a documentary about Rick Hall’s Fame studios where the Muscle Shoals sound was born. Featured in that DVD was Candi Staton. Staton, who sang gospel as a teenager, had her solo career launched as a Southern soul singer. In 1970 she […]
Eric Bibb’s latest CD, Blues People, is an extraordinary musical documentary. Certainly, it sounds marvelous with Bibb’s usual mix of country blues, folk, soul and gospel. But it goes far beyond that as Bibb delves into the history of African-Americans from the end of slavery to the present day, with a strong focus on the […]
By Rhetta Akamatsuy Many people, when they think of Christmas music, think of the same traditional, well-loved but well-worn songs we hear year after year. Other lucky people think of The Christmas Jug Band. The Christmas Jug Band has included many musicians over the years. This collection lists 23 in the credits. Seventeen of the […]
Tommy Talton Until After Then Hittin’ The Note Records Tommy Talton is from Orlando, Florida. He picked up the guitar at the age of eight and by the time he was sixteen he was in a local band. In 1969 Talton and Scott Boyer formed the Jacksonville based “Cowboy”. Duanne Allman recommended them to Capricorn […]
A 2014 Musical Grab Bag of Jazz, Blues and Rocking Christmas Holiday Stocking Stuffers: Marilyn Scott “Get Christmas Started!” Prana Entertainment www.MarilynScott.com Scott digs deep for several well performed and way-back Christmas covers. For example not one but two Leon Russell Christmas covers that were actually released as A and B sides on a seven-inch […]
