Evolution-Roger Fisher-Ficom Records

Roger Fisher's new release Evolution opens with a musical chant as "Soul Revelation" segues into the Martian choir singing "Awaken". "Awaken" has a wonderful mix of conga-like percussion, wah-wah pedal, and a very jubilant choir. In fact, the entire cd is wonderfully eclectic: it contains tracks which feature a unique blend of sitar, percussion, cello, bass, and guitar. And the lyrics to songs such as "Pray for Love" and "The Bridge" invoke lyric poetry. Although it may not be a traditional Blues album, Evolution conveys a sort of "Blues for the planet" idea. By purchasing Evolution, you support the One Vision Project. A portion of all profits is also donated to the Human Tribe Foundation, which is a not-for-profit organization that gives money to charities that benefit the planet.
- Lisa Kay Deeter

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Little Axe: Hard Grind - Fat Possum

Little Axe may not be a household name, but the musician/performer/producer has been a well respected and significant artist for the past 30 years. His alias was Skip McDonald, a blues performer whose list of credits includes work on some of rap music's most influential records. McDonald, besides being a member of the Disco inspired Wood, Brass & Steal in the 70's and the heavy Industrial group Tackhead in the late 80's and early 90's, has been called upon by many artist such as Sinéad O'Connorr to The Sugar Hill Gang for his atypical approach to production. Other assignments include remixing material for the industrial band Nine Inch Nails and heavy metal group Megadeath. Skip "Little Axe" McDonalds's debut, The Wolf That House Built in 1994, would not only garner great reviews but would also lay the groundwork for Moby's Play release. Little Axe's follow-up, Slow Fuse, was equally as impressive as the visionary producer would again break ground. While Hard Grind will no doubt draw comparisons to Play, it was Skip McDonald who pioneered the fusion of Blues and Electronic music. Moreover, McDonald understands the Blues as he has actually played it. Even though Hard Grind - Little Axe's debut from Blues label, Fat Possum - barely deviates from the two previous records, the sophomore effort issued by legendary reggae producer and Mixmaster Adrian Sherwood, guitarist Skip McDonald, bassist Doug Wimbish, and drummer Keith LeBlanc, draws the listener in deeper as the voices of blues men telling stories and snippets of singers drifting in and out as if they were somehow channeled. The moody and slow moving cadence of the music on this CD is almost hypnotic. The seductive loops and ambient rhythms are enhanced by McDonald's understated and atmospheric guitar playing. The recording commences with a read of Blind Willie Johnson's "Dark Was the Night Cold Was the Ground," where the legendary blues pioneer speaks of the blues. On "All Night Party," the late Junior Kimbrough's voice is mixed with absent friends, preachers and black historians with harmonica fills provided by Alan Glen (who plays of 5 of the 11 tracks). The album takes pleasurable unexpected twists and turns as it takes the listener on a haunting and spiritual journey of blues history. Overall, this disc is mystical and lingering. The blend of synthetic and organic instrumentation is near perfection. If you "like" the blues influenced Play or "18" by Moby, you're going to "love" Little Axes Hard Grind.
- Tony Engelhart

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Robben Ford and the Ford Blues Band- A Tribute To Paul Butterfield-Blue Rock'it Records

It is no secret that the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and especially Michael Bloomfield's inventive approach to blues guitar, had a major impact on Robben Ford. So, it is not surprising that the Ford Blues Band would pay homage to the blues legend (who passed away in 1987 from a drug overdose).

The Ford Blues Band was formed in the late '60s with brothers Patrick and Robben Ford at the band's core. Originally named the Charles Ford Band (after their father) and including harmonica player Gary Smith, the band toured with Charlie Musselwhite. After leaving Musselwhite, bassist Stan Poplin and younger brother Mark Ford were recruited to form the Real Charles Ford Band. The band was known for its jazz explorations - often jamming for up to 30 minutes on a John Coltrane composition. However, blues was always the band's base. The group went on to record three studio albums between the years of 1972 and 1996 under this name and another six studio albums under the name The Ford Blues Band. At the same time, Robben was making a name for himself as a jazz/fusion/blues player in his own right.

The 2002 release of A Tribute To Paul Butterfield under the name Robben Ford and the Ford Blues Band marks Robben's twelfth record (prior to Blue Moon). With many guest musicians A Tribute. is a comprehensive and straight-ahead blues record with fat horn arrangements, smokin' guitar, and Butterfield-esque harp. In fact, parts of this collection sound so much like a Paul Butterfield record, it's almost eerie. Harmonica and vocal duties are split down the middle between Mark Ford and Andy Just. While on this recording band covers such Butterfield classics as "Screamin'", "Last Hope Is Gone", and "No Amount of Loving ", it is more than just a tribute-it is an acknowledgment of the late blues man's influence. In addition to covers of "One More Heartache" and Sonny Boy's "Good Morning Little School Girl", the Fords inject three originals.

The Ford Blues Band chose to record selections from the first seven Butterfield albums to demonstrate both the style and diversity of the blues pioneer. While the group stays fairly close to the original arrangements, there is some room for creative liberties, which give the tunes a distinct freshness. A great tribute record for a great Blues artist who helped brings blues to the masses.
-Tony Engelhart

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Various Artists: When The Sun Goes Down - Bluebird

When The Sun Goes Down is a comprehensive and equally impressive series which looks at the history of Blues. The four disc set takes you back to the rudimental origins of the music while giving you an in-depth look at how Blues shaped rock and roll as well as contemporary musical forms. While the majority of the artists on this compilation are somewhat obscure, for the most part, these were the musicians who shaped music as we now know it.

Volume One: Walk Right In sets the stage for the rest of the collection as it explores early blues styles such as, country jug blues, stripped down Delta and urban vaudeville acts. Highlight on this volume include: Robert Petways' 'Catfish Blues' which was later transformed by Muddy Waters to become 'Rolling Stone'. This would later not only inspire the magazine but the now legendary band. Big Joe Williams 'Baby Please Don't Go' is another example of how blues would influence artists in later years. Not only was this song recorded by countless blues artists but was interpreted by rockers such as Ted Nugent, AC/DC and Them. Leadbelly became legendary for his song, 'The Midnight Special' which was done by CCR in the early seventies and later appeared on two Van Morrison compilations.

Volume Two: The First Time I Met The Blues is the first original greatest hits of blues as it features early recording of some of the best known blues songs. Notable tracks on this set include: Blind Willie McTells' 'Statesboro Blues' which achieved legendary status as the Allman Brothers recorded it at Fillmore East in 1971. It was also reworked by the Youngblood's in 1967 as well as Pat Travers in 1997. Bonnie Raitts hero, the impeccable Sippy Wallace provocative song (for its time) 'I'm A Mighty Tight Woman' is another gem. Frank Stokes is somewhat unknown outside elite blues fans but his song 'Taint Nobody's Business If I Do' was later recorded by soul singer Lou Rawls.

Volume Three: That's Chicago's South Side presents the first generation of Blues stars. These artists' songs would become legendary in blues history. Tunes such as Pine Tops 'Everyday I Have The Blues' is the earliest documented recording of the B.B. King standard Another obscure singer, Richard M. Jones now classic 'Trouble In Mind', which was later done by such super stars as Lightin' Hopkins and Memphis Slim to 50's rocker Jerry Lee Lewis and soul diva Aretha Franklin. Sonny Boy Williamson is recognizable to all blues lovers and is featured with one his first recordings,' Good Morning School Girl' which was a favorite in the 1960's as done by the Yardbirds. Other covers include Ten Years After, Johnny Winter and a very young Rod Stewart.

Volume Four: That's All Right follows the transformation of blues to rock and roll. Possibly the song that set it into motion, Elvis Presley's 'That's All Right' as done by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. Lil Green recorded another song which found chart success for Peggy Lee called 'Why Don't You Do Me Right'. While the four volumes do have an under-produced, scratchy and antiquate sound, the songs are the important thing here, for they set the stage for generations to follow. Moreover; the anthology takes the listener on educational trip to a simpler time. Whether you're a blues expert or just interested in the history of this time honored music and its' impact, the When The Sun Goes Down series is an investment which you will treasure for years.

- Tony Engelhart

© 2003