Icons explore roots via new collections

A wide range of talented artists are truly in their element using their roots in carving out great new recordings available now.

Artist: John Mellencamp
Title: Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Woody Guthrie
Tell me more: In Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre singer-songwriter John Mellencamp provides a deeper look into his craft via a mix of stunning musical performances and spoken word. In the digital release I reviewed, there was both a full-length concert film featuring Mellencamp and his terrific band, as well as that same concert film featuring a voice over from the artist offering a wealth of insights about the beginning of his career, his ability to observe and put those observations into song, and thoughts about the world about him. The performances range from the blues-flavored "Lawless Times" and Americana-draped "Troubled Man" to rocking takes of "Rain on the Scarecrow" and "Pink Houses." The work of fiddler Miriam Sturm and accordion player Troye Kinnett in particular enhances the performances. But it is the narration that will appeal to those looking for a deeper glimpse into the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. "I've always been interested in other people," Mellencamp acknowledges early in the film. "And at the same time always found other people in my way." Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre is available on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD and via digital formats. Information: www.eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite
Title: No Mercy In This Land (Anti)
You might like if you enjoy: Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite
Tell me more: Five years after teaming up for their Grammy-winning masterwork Get Up! Ben Harper (vocals, slide guitar, piano) and Charlie Musselwhite (harmonica, vocals) have joined forces again (Get Up! was one of my favorite albums of 2013. View my review of the album here). No Mercy In This Land finds the dynamic duo once again demonstrating there is plenty of new territory to explore in the blues. This is an album that explores the genre's richest traditions even as the approach here has a contemporary energy and relevance that astounds. The fleet "Bad Habits" finds Harper even tapping into a seemingly authentic early 20th century poetry while conjuring up the blues: "When a man gives you his hat / He's living on borrowed time." Musselwhite's potent blues harmonica spices up the track, as well as the original material across the disc (just listen to "Movin' On" later). The fiery Chicago blues "The Bottle Wins Again," yearning ballad "When Love Is Not Enough" and country blues "Trust You To Dig My Grave" demonstrate the range of the duo's approach. Musselwhite takes over lead vocal duties on the descriptive Delta foray "No Mercy In This Land," a Harper-penned tale whose probing lyrics could have been penned in the 1860s or 1960s and sound just as timely in 2018. Information: BenHarper.com.

Artur Menezes performing in
Dana Point, CA on May 19, 2018.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Artist: Artur Menezes
Title: Keep Pushing (independent)
You might like if you enjoy: Gary Clark Jr., Tommy Castro, Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Tell me more: Armed with a powerful and soulful voice as well as top-tier talent on lead guitar, Brazil-born Artur Menezes shines across his new Josh Smith-produced album Keep Pushing. The 10 original songs are outstanding, and what's more Menezes is expert at mixing up a number of styles. For example on the heavy blues-rocker "Come With Me" his approach recalls a mix of vintage Bad Company and modern-day heroes Black Country Communion. He turns on a dime for the Texas blues of "Any Day, Anytime," here his voice equal parts Austin gale and Memphis soul. On the rockabilly-tinged "Love'n'Roll," he dips back into the sounds of the '50s for a spirited romp where his pleasing vocals and guitar work are positioned amidst horns. The lovely "Can't Get You Out Of My Mind" is a ballad that fuses jazz chords into the blues sound, while the spirit of Hendrix creeps into the psychedelic blues rocker "Til The Day I Die." "Pull It Through" simply thrills with its power and style. Sure, Menezes' guitar work is thrilling; but just listen because his expressive solos always come in the service of the songs themselves. Information: www.arturmenezes.com.

Artist: Gene D. Plumber
Title: All the Pretty Girls (Bar/None Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Willie Nelson, George Jones, Merle Haggard
Tell me more: There is a sense of bona fide fun while listening to Gene D. Plumber's All the Pretty Girls. Not many artists release a commercial debut album at age 72, but Plumber provides aspiring recording artists and roots music fans of all stripes a joyful listen thanks to a great collection mixing up his colorful originals and reworked covers that benefit from his style. Armed with a raspy but mellifluous voice, the lively spirit of the disc is bolstered by a far-flung mix of songs. The life-long Hoboken artist surprises on the absolutely tender original "A Breeze Blows Through the Palm Tree," an acoustic song that stirs via his vocal performance and Marc Jonson's subliminal organ. He mines similarly affecting emotional territory on a version of the George Jones hit "I Always Get Lucky with You." Uptempo standouts include his Cajun-flavored title track, the old time rock 'n' roll-styled "Let's Make a Deal - Marriage Proposal" and a New Orleans-flavored cover of the Chris Kenner & Allen Tousaint 1961 classic "I Like It Like That". Information: bar-none.com.

Artist: Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager
Title: Rough Cut (Alligator Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Little Walter, Kim Wilson
Tell me more: Lovers of traditional blues will love the new collaboration featuring award-winning vocalist and harmonica virtuoso Curtis Salgado and guitar great Alan Hager. On the duo's newly-released Rough Cut they explore the genre with a mix of potent originals and beloved covers. Among the great tracks on the set are the driving originals "So Near to Nowhere," "One Night Only" and warmhearted acoustic track "I Want My Dog to Live Longer (The Greatest Wish)." The two artists also take on a number of well-known classics, with the buoyant Muddy Waters standard "I Can't Be Satisfied" (featuring some sly slide work from Hager), biting Chicago blues nugget "Too Young to Die," a wonderfully vocals-anchored "Morning Train" and dance-minded take of Elmore James' "You Got to Move" among the essentials featured on the 13-track disc. Information: alligator.com.


Robert Kinsler