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Kenny "Blue" Ray:
Git It! Sonic Quality = 3 This CD can be purchased directly
from the artist at |
| What
do you do when you have two reviews on the same artist and you like one
CD far better than another? You state your preference and give an honest
review stating your opinions. Kenny's
"Git It" CD presents listeners with an assortment of
tunes ranging from slow blues to pure boogie. It is, to my senses, in
the older style of electric blues and features Kenny "Blue"
Ray on guitar. In essence, this CD is all about how to play blues on a
guitar without trying to emulate Stevie Ray or knock people over with
blazing speed riffs. That, in itself, is a refreshing change of pace.
This CD does not break new ground, but it does present players with a
library of blues licks played with taste. Kenny is an
understated player, perhaps a bit on the same page as Jimmy Vaughn.
After listening several times, my reaction was that this CD reminds me
of many of the older records in my collection......a guitarist who
chooses to express himself without a need to play 100 notes per second.
I'm not sure that I would recommend this CD to buy unless you have
already purchased the one below, which, in my opinion, is a much better
choice.
Reviewer: Brian Scherzer |
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Kenny "Blue" Ray:
Way Down In Memphis Sonic Quality = 3 This CD can be purchased directly
from the artist at
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| Kenny,
my man.........THIS is more like it! If my review of Mr.
Blue Ray's CD above this one seemed a bit reserved, it's because my
heart was won over by "Way Down In Memphis". It's a
totally different kind of recording. Kenny still plays his own style of
blues guitar, but there's much more mojo in this one! Perhaps it's the
fact that this CD has vocals and so much......MORE! There is nothing
like a Hammond B3 and some great harp and sax playing to make a mix
sound great. Kenny's playing is much more alive and toneful.....and this
CD has such a great supporting cast. I loved Charlie Chavez's vocals,
especially on "I'm Tore Up". Nancy Wright blows a mean sax on
several numbers. Kenny's guitar playing has a lot of feeling in it and,
once again, his style is not based upon speed but on making each note
say something to the listening audience. This CD is very highly
recommended for anyone wanting some great blues music that has its own
magic....It's been in my car's CD player for many miles!
Reviewer: Brian Scherzer |
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The Derek Trucks Band: Out
of The Madness Sonic Quality = 4 For CD samples or to purchase, click on the CDNOW Box:
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| Wow!!.......
My initial reaction to this CD speaks for itself. The Derek Trucks Band
may have just created one of those special albums that comes along only
every few years. Out of The Madness features the incredible
talent of Derek Trucks on guitar. Derek is the nephew of Allman Brothers
drummer, Butch Trucks, and the Allman Brothers influence does show
through at times in the most pleasant ways. Truly a talent, even at his
young age, Derek Trucks is a master on the slide guitar. He is joined on
this CD by Warren Haynes, ex-Allman Brothers guitarist and current main
man in Government Mule. These two players absolutely smoke! Add Jimmy
Herring and other guest musicians and you have a classic CD to be
treasured! The music covers a lot of territory and borders at times on
belonging to a genre of its own. There is no way to describe this album
in terms of doing justice to the humbucker-filled tunes. Rather than
try, I would simply advise you to give this one a listen for yourself.
It has moved to the top 5 of my blues collection and is, in my opinion,
a masterpiece!
Reviewer: Brian Scherzer |
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Doug MacLeod: Come
To Find Sonic Quality = 5 For CD samples or to purchase, click on the CDNOW Box:
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| Doug
MacLeod's Come To Find is one of
the finest blues recordings ever made in terms of both sonic quality and
sheer acoustic/vocal intensity. Doug has the soul of a true bluesman and
a voice to match. This acoustic album showcases his acoustic guitar
playing and gruff vocals, supported by standup bass and a minimal drum
set, along with a guest appearance by Charlie Musselwhite on harp. This
CD is widely known in audiophile circles for its superb engineering,
which creates the sense that "you are there" in the same space
with the musicians. This CD is a true pleasure to listen to. MacLeod's
lyrics are timeless and his playing is reminiscent of hot nights on a
front porch listening to a true bluesmaster. If you can live without
electric blues and, if you appreciate strong vocals and incredible sonic
quality, this is a "must have" CD.
Reviewer: Brian Scherzer |