CD Reviews-June
2002
The
Five Blind Boys Of Alabama: Higher Ground - Real
World Records
"Higher Ground" is exactly what this new CD
fromthe Blind Boys reaches. It is incredible. The title
tune from Stevie Wonder is a gospel/pop gem, featuring
an allstar line-up, including the steel gospel guitar
of Robert Randolph (Sacred Steel, The Word). Also featured
are tunes associated with other artists such as Aretha
Franklin, Prince, Curtis Mayfield, Jimmy Cliff and others.
A sure 2nd Grammy for the Blind Boys after this year's
Grammy for "Spirit of the Century". Lead singers
Clarence Fountain and Jimmy Carter are the best lead
singers in gospel today. After 63 years of singing this
group has definitely hit higher ground. If you have
their Specialty, Savoy recordings, this one will compliment
and complete your Blind Boys collection. Other tracks
that move are the old Negro slave song "Wade In
The Water" and "Stand By Me". If you
have never enjoyed gospel quartet singing, try this
one and be amazed. The Blind Boys are booked solid thru
2002 and 2003 including NW dates in late Jan. &
early Feb. 2003. - Jim "Early" Byrd
Joe
Bonamassa: New Day Yesterday - Medalist Entertainment
I met Joe Bonamassa backstage prior to his opening for
Buddy Guy in Bellingham,WA in the spring of 2002. By all
reports he is still healthy, energetic, and opening for
' those big name' national acts that criss cross the country.
Joe is a nice guy, does a reasonable interview, polite,
and self assured. His music is high octane blues rock
[fans of Seattle's "Smokin Gun" may already
have this disc]. With Cream, Jeff Beck, & Eric Johnson
a few of Joe's mentors you quickly get an ear canal reading
on this young turk of a steel, string shredder. He travels
with a 3 piece band, and handles all the lead guitar and
vocal chores. "New Day Yesterday" burns hot
from the opening cut, "Cradle Rock" [R.Gallager],
"Walk in My Shadows" & "A New Day Yesterday"[I.
Anderson], A modest slow down with funk accents on cut
# 4 "I Know Where I Belong". A ballad of lost
love with "Miss You Hate You", is slow and word
smithed so you can tell quickly the young man [23 yrs.]
is to be listened to as years go by. "Color &
Shape" has hints of Led Zeppelin,
nice guitar work does not obscure the lyrics. Nice goin
Joe. "Trouble Waiting" is a salute to Albert
Collins both instrumentally and vocally-- thick with funk,
& sassy, self, deprecating lyrics. If you like nimble,
yet fat guitar licks, check out this disc, or catch him
opening for BB King at the Gorge on 8/4, or any number
of fine blues big names. He may be one
himself in the not too distant future. This disc is meant
to be played at 7 or higher. Enjoy! - Clancy Dunigan
2003