Da Goddess

You know, I put together quick reviews for the blues society. It seems a shame not to share my finds with you, too. I mean, if I like the CDs enough to play them over and over again, it seems like a no brainer to pass along the joy I get from the music. So, here are three quick reviews for your listening pleasure.

J.C. Smith Band — Defining Cool ~ Cozmik Records

Hailing from San Jose, J.C. Smith bursts onto the national scene with a big sound. He’s a man who can fill a room with his mere presence, but it doesn’t hurt that he’s a great vocalist and guitar player, too. This CD is a testament to the influences who’ve helped make him the rising star he is. Only three of the tunes are penned by him, but the covers he includes showcase his talent beautifully. The first few tunes feature a full horn section, deep voice, and a blend of Chicago gruffness with West Coast smoothness, but when he steps away from the horns, he still shines. The way he caresses each tune is what makes him stand out. On Defining Cool, you’ll find no shredding guitars, instead, you get an ably finessed Gibson that both wraps itself around Smith’s vocals and sings alongside him. J.C. Smith and his band are engaging, so plan on listening to this disc over and over again.

Bobby Jones – Comin’ Back Hard ~ Delta Groove Music

He was in Chicago back around the time Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters were The Kings of the Blues, and Bobby Jones made the most of this education, taking on the role of featured singer for the Aces, as well as for the Chicago Blues Union with Mike Bloomfield and others. It didn’t lead to fame and fortune for Jones, though, and he quietly stepped into the shadows and away from the blues. Not one to let his talent go to waste, Bobby Jones worked his voice with some fine Southern Soul singing, even making a bit of a name for himself with a couple of self-produced CDs in the 80s, and then again in the 90s with the song “Somebody Stole My Freak” (under the name Bobby Jonz). Luck smiled on Jones in 2007, when an old friend, Leon Blue, asked him to come along to a recording session for the Mannish Boys. At some point, Bobby was introduced as a singer and before long, he recorded a couple tracks. This was followed with a few more tunes on the Mannish Boys’ 2008 CD Lowdown Feelin’. Recognizing that there was something special happening, producer Randy Chortkoff worked with Jones to produce Coming Back Hard.

Recorded on tape, the sound is pure Chicago strut and swagger, with bit of West Coast sway. Jones does well by the material, too. He sings every song as if it’s his last song, with all his heart. Comin’ Back Hard is a defining moment in this man’s life. And as long as he doesn’t disappear again, I’d say he’s ready to hit it big. This album, recorded with the Mannish Boys band, give Bobby Jones a chance to rock, howl, and moan his way into the heart of any blues lover. Soulful and rich, Jones is in his element as the spotlight shines on him. Old school through and through, Coming Bark Hard is exactly the album you’ve been waiting for.

Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm – 2 Man Wrecking Crew ~ Delta Groove Music

If you haven’t heard of these two men already, don’t despair, they’re on their way up and they’ll be hard to miss. The unlikely duo are steeped in lessons learned at the feet of legends like R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Otha Turner, and many others playing that hill country blues. On the quality of songs and musicianship alone, this would be enough to ensure them a rightful place on a blues stage anywhere, but they don’t rely solely on their roots or a single influence to “get by”. No, they work in a little of everything and mix it all up like some sort of wild mash hopped up on late night sessions at a juke joint.

For a couple guys playing guitar and drums, one would think there’d be a lot of leftover spaces to fill musically. But get this, there’s plenty of music to fill out every space fully. It’s not just sound — it’s MUSIC. The good kind, too. Even when Jason Ricci adds his blues harp to the mix on three tunes, it’s as spare as anything Burnside or Malcolm offer up. That’s not a bad thing. It doesn’t matter who’s singing, playing guitar, or on drums (they switch off), the fact is, the simplicity of the band allows them to occupy more space, stuffing it chock full o’ ripe goodness that’s just waiting to be picked. All songs on 2 Man Wrecking Crew were crafted by either Burnside or Malcolm, with track #9 (“Stay Here in Your Arms”) owing its true roots to Junior Kimbrough’s “Meet Me in the City” (a grand blues tradition of creating new lyrics for a familiar tune). Kimbrough would be proud. Not every tune is old school hill country blues, though. Factor in some heavy late 60s/early 70s electric blues, a bit of hip-hop, and a dash of funk, and you get something that feels altogether familiar and fresh at the same time.

So how does this translate outside of the studio? Quite well. Having recently seen Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm performing live at the Phoenix Blues Blast, I can tell you this: everything you hear on this disc is the real deal and it only gets better in person. On top of that, they are unfailingly polite Southern gentlemen, making my recommendation of this CD an easy choice. Yes, this is currently my most-played CD, it’s that good.

And for those of you keeping score at home, you’ll remember Malcolm from my trip to Phoenix.