Eclectic tastes sure to be satisfied via range of new titles

Click here to read my latest column featured in Desert Star Weekly. If you can't access the embedded article (which is featured on page 14 of the issue that will open), you can read a text version below.


Two contrasting releases from singer-guitarist Holly Golightly, as well as impressive returns from Herb Alpert and bluesman Joe Louis Walker are worth discovering.


Artist: Holly Golightly
Title: Slowtown Now! (Damaged Goods/Forced Exposure)
You might like if you enjoy: Wanda Jackson, Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs
Tell me more: Holly Golightly has been busy in 2015. Not only did she recently release a new album with her well-established Americana project Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs, the English artist has also released a new solo album that conjures up Cilla Black, Shirley Bassey and modern-day favorites She & Him with a sense of fun and purpose as evidenced by the tuneful sunshine pop of "Frozen In Time," the early-styled rocker "As You Go Down," and Baroque folk ballad "Forevermore." Information: damagedgoods.co.uk.

Artist: Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs
Title: Coulda Shoulda Woulda (Transdreamer/Megaforce)
You might like if you enjoy: Holly Golightly, X, The Knitters, Brown Bird
Tell me more: The latest collaboration from Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs (the duo of British singer-guitarist Holly Golightly and Texas-spawned multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Lawyer Dave), "Coulda Shoulda Woulda" is a dozen song set of spirited indie Americana. There is an authenticity to all of the songs here, with the duo blending blues, rock, country folk and roots rock with equal aplomb. From the straight-forward rocking blues of "Little Mule" to the more detailed acoustic Delta ballad "What He Does" and introspective Appalachia-laced vocal duet "Lonesome Grave," there is a warmth and honesty to everything here. Information: hollygolightly.com.

Artist: Herb Alpert
Title: Come Fly With Me (Herb Alpert Presents)
You might like if you enjoy: Herb Alpert, Vince Guaraldi Trio
Tell me more: The Zombies are not the only popular '60s hit makers to enjoy a full-on resurgence in recent years. Trumpeter Herb Alpert won a Grammy for his 2013 disc "Steppin' Out" and has just released the aptly-titled "Come Fly With Me," a disc that proves the 80-year-old artist is still able to deliver top-flight performances. Blending artful covers and melodic originals, all of the compositions retain the jazz meets Bossa Nova style that was a stamp of Alpert's '60s and '70s hits, although he often influses reggae rhythms into several of the pieces (including a version of Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" and his own "Walkin' Tall"); a jazzy and especially tender instrumental version of George Harrison's Beatles classic "Something" and yearning version of Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train" are among the other standouts on "Come Fly With Me." Information: HerbAlpert.com.

Artist: Joe Louis Walker
Title: Everybody Wants a Piece (Provogue)
You might like if you enjoy: Walter Trout, Buddy Guy, Tommy Castro
Tell me more: Blues Hall of Fame inductee Joe Louis Walker is in full form on the recently-issued “Everybody Wants a Piece.” A guitarist who isn’t afraid to tear into his electric guitar with the freewheeling approach of Buddy Guy and the late Jimi Hendrix, the Bay Area native shines as both singer and guitarist across the 11-track disc, including on the blues rocker “Do I Love Her,” soulful “Black & Blue” and “Witchcraft” (both showcasing Walker’s strong lead vocals) and Delta-minded standout “Gospel Blues.” The final track, “35 Years,” recalls the infectious spirit of Chicago blues greats Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. Information: mascotlabelgroup.com.

Album reviews: Cilla Black, Charlie Rich, Leslie West, Maia Sharp, Joe Louis Walker

Artists long recognized for their genre-defying careers are celebrated on a number of highly-recommended new single-disc releases.

Artist: Cilla Black
Title: The Hit Singles (Varese Vintage)

You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, Burt Bacharach, Shirley Bassey

Tell me more: A true icon in her native England, Cilla Black (who sadly passed away at age 72 in August 2015) enjoyed tremendous success as a singer, actress, and television host. Born in Liverpool, she was a close friend of the Beatles, and several of her first big hits were penned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. On the new retrospective The Hit Singles, Black's tremendous power to bring emotional heft and nuanced power are wonderfully displayed across 18 tracks that span from 1963 to 1971. In particular her interpretations of Lennon & McCartney and Burt Bacharach & Hal David compositions remain pop standards. Her timeless version of the Bacharach/David masterwork "Anyone Who Had A Heart" ultimately proved to be the biggest single sung by a female artist of the 1960s in England. Fans of the Fab Four will also want to hear "Love of the Loved," "It's For You" and ""Step Inside Love," three seldom-heard gems penned by Lennon & McCartney. Another note confirming the strength of the singles here; all were originally produced by Sir George Martin. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Buy 'The Hit Singles' here

Artist: Charlie Rich
Title: 25 All-Time Greatest Hits (Varese Vintage)

You might like if you enjoy: Elvis Presley, Roger Miller, Roy Orbison

Tell me more: The late Charlie Rich enjoyed a long and successful career as both a singer and songwriter, scoring top hits on the country and pop music charts in the 1960s and '70s. His 25 All-Time Greatest Hits assembles more than two dozen tracks Rich recorded for RCA and Epic Records on a single audio CD disc. With his expressive and smooth vocals, Rich was a master at singing country, pop, jazz, R&B and soul with complete mastery. Rich's wide-ranging spirit is showcased via the R&B flavored "Life's Little Ups and Downs," the lovely ballad "A Part of Your Life," the sweeping jazz foray "Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)," and his top country-pop hits "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl" (the latter a number 1 hit on both the pop and country music charts in 1973). Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Get '25 All-Time Greatest Hits' via this link

 

Artist: Leslie West
Title: Soundcheck (Provogue)

You might like if you enjoy: Bad Company, Mountain, Walter Trout, Peter Frampton

Tell me more: Hard rocking blues singer-guitarist Leslie West is back with Soundcheck, his first new album since 2013's Still Climbing. West's new disc finds the New York native visiting a number of sonic regions with aplomb. "Here for the Party" boasts an AC/DC approach with a decidedly crunchy riff-rock attack, Angus Young-worthy lead guitar work and party-styled lyrics. The two-fisted "Empty Promises / Nothin' Sacred" rocks with equal fervor. A rich Southern-fried take of Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason" gives West all kinds of chances to solo, while a wistful instrumental cover of Paul McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby" featuring bassist Rev Jones further expands the scope of the album.  "You Are My Sunshine" is tender with West's big baritone voice supported by his impressive work on slide and Peter Frampton's distinctive guitar playing for a textured tandem approach.   Information: mascotlabelgroup.com.

Buy 'Soundcheck' here

Artist: Maia Sharp

Title: The Dash Between The Dates (eOne Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Grace Potter, Vonda Shepard, Bonnie Raitt

Tell me more: A singer-songwriter of incredible depth, it's no wonder that the rest of the world seems to fade away when listening to Maia Sharp on her latest album The Dash Between The Dates. Confessional, intelligent and lush arrangements of original songs probing life's far-flung corners fill the 12-song disc. The soulful infectious lead-off track "Nothing But The Radio" is a romantically-charged tune adorned with a full horn section, the tender "Underneath" takes a introspective look at understanding one's self with thrilling beauty. Even the upbeat "You're Alive" is a full-fledged look at the complexities of relationships, and the joys and sacrifices of falling in love; the song boasts the great lyric "You only stop crying to cry some more." Information: eonemusic.com.

Get 'The Dash Between the Dates' today

Artist: Joe Louis Walker
Title: Everybody Wants a Piece (Provogue)
You might like if you enjoy: Walter Trout, Buddy Guy
Tell me more: Blues Hall of Fame inductee Joe Louis Walker is in full form on the recently-issued Everybody Wants a Piece. A guitarist who isn't afraid to tear into his instrument with the freewheeling approach of Buddy Guy and the late Jimi Hendrix, the Bay Area native shines as both singer and guitarist across the 11-track disc, including on the blues rocker "Do I Love Here," soulful "Black & Blue" and "Witchcraft" (both showcasing Walker's strong lead vocals) and Delta-minded standout "Gospel Blues." The final track, "35 Years," recalls the infectious spirit of Chicago blues greats Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. Information: mascotlabelgroup.com.

Get 'Everybody Wants A Piece' here



Robert Kinsler

Celebration of Walter Trout set for June 10 in New York

It's terrific news that a donor was found and Walter Trout is on the mend. A well-timed and much-deserved celebration of the acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist is planned for early next month. Make sure to get his new album, 'The Blues Came Callin' " when it's released on June 10 (in the U.S.) or June 2 (if you live in the U.K.)...

MASCOT LABEL GROUP AND IRIDIUM ANNOUNCE EVENING IN

CELEBRATION OF WALTER TROUT ON JUNE 10TH

Documentary The Blues Came Callin' - The Walter Trout Story Will Be Premiered

Followed by Performances from Special Guests Joe Louis Walker, Jon Paris and

Jim Weider Joining House Band Assembled By Elmore's Arnie Goodman

Featuring Rocky Athas, Scott Holt, and Jeff Simon

 

TROUT UNDERGOES SURGERY FOR LIVER TRANSPLANT MAY 26

 

New York --- Legendary New York venue Iridium in association with Mascot Label Group have announced a special evening planned to celebrate Walter Trout on June 10, 2014.  Trout's THE BLUES CAME CALLIN' will be released that morning by Provogue / Mascot Label Group.  The accompanying documentary The Blues Came Callin' - THE WALTER TROUT STORY will be premiered at the venue, followed by performances of Trout repertoire by esteemed, special guests Joe Louis Walker, Jon Paris and Jim Weider joining a house band assembled by Elmore's Arnie Goodman featuring Rocky Athas (John Mayall), Scott Holt (Buddy Guy) and original member of George Thorogood and The Destroyers Jeff Simon.  There are two sittings planned for 8:00PM and 10:30PM, with a door charge of $25.00.  Tickets can be purchased here: http://theiridium.com/events/2296/walter-trout/

 

For this special evening, Rocky Athas, Scott Holt and Jeff Simon all are appearing to support Trout as he recuperates at the Nebraska Medical Center following a long-awaited liver transplant.  On May 26, the donor came through, and Trout is now recuperating from surgery.  Scott Holt shares, "I've respected and admired Walter's playing since his days with John Mayall.  He's an incredible, fiery guitarist, a great entertainer and a tremendous talent."  Jan Paris offers, "Walter Trout's heartfelt tribute to the late-great Luther Allison is just one example of Trout's musical virtuosity.  Wishing Walter a fast and full recovery, so he can get back to doing what he does so well, play The Blues."  Rocky Athas adds, "Not just a great musician...but a man of real character"  The emcee for the evening will be Brian Cadey, a veteran radio correspondent with a rich history in the Blues from tenures at CBS Radio and BMP's House of Blues Radio.

 

Walter Trout's THE BLUES CAME CALLIN' captured Trout looking back at an almost 50-year commitment to playing and singing the blues.  The album was recorded throughout 2013, and the songs reflect Walter's thoughts about mortality and his renewed appreciation for being alive.  Amongst the twelve new songs, ten are originals.  One is written by John Mayall for the occasion, and the other is a J.B. Lenoir cover. Trout searches his soul on this album and lays it bare allowing the celebration of his career to be infused with new appreciation for life.  THE BLUES CAME CALLIN'  was produced by Walter Trout and Eric Corne.  An EPK can be screened here (with an embedded link provided below): http://youtu.be/btiS6ijncMk.

 

The upcoming official biography Rescued From Reality - The Life and Times of Walter Trout is co-written with British music journalist, Henry Yates.  The manuscript will be released simultaneously with the new album. The book features previously untold stories, and is packed with rare photographs from the musician's personal archive. It documents an initially blissful childhood, shattered by divorce, abuse, and violence.  As the story unfolds, it leads us through Walter’s life of heartache, poverty, living on the street and being “the only white guy” struggling in famous blues bands in LA in the late 1970’s.  Walter reflects on his time in the 1980’s when nobody cared to hear the blues, to being “discovered” and having long-time gigs as a hard-playing and hard-drinking and drugging globetrotting sideman with Canned Heat and John Mayall.  The book chronicles how Walter eventually became drug-free, broke out on his own and embarked on a solo career in 1989.

 

Trout recently offered, "To play my music for people has become even more important to me.  When I think about looking out into the crowds of people and connecting with everyone on a soul level, and sharing the experience of music with them, this is what keeps me fighting to get back: My family and my music is my lifeline.  These days, it means more to me than ever before."

 

www.waltertrout.com

http://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/

EPK: http://youtu.be/btiS6ijncMk

A Celebration of Blues and Soul: The 1989 Presidential Inaugural Concert coming to DVD on May 6

This just landed in my inbox, just in time to share with all of you. Blues and soul lovers can rejoice with the re-discovery and upcoming release of this seminal event on DVD. Thank you Shout! Factory...

Historic Concert Featuring Never Before Seen Performances

by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon

Carla Thomas and more

                            Available on DVD May 6, 2014 from Shout! Factory

On January 21, 1989, the evening following the Presidential Inauguration, some of the biggest names in classic rhythm and blues, soul and blues performed at a Presidential Inaugural Concert. This celebration featured artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Bo Diddley, Dr. John, Sam Moore, Billy Preston, Albert Collins, Percy Sledge, Chuck Jackson, Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Joe Louis Walker, Ronnie Wood, Jimmie Vaughan, Steve Cropper , Donald “Duck” Dunn and Cash McCall. Although a video and 24-track audio recording were made of this historic concert, the tapes were considered lost until their rediscovery nearly 20 years later.

On May 6^th, 2014, Shout! Factory will release A Celebration of Blues and Soul: The 1989 Presidential Inaugural Concert, a two hour concert DVD of performances from this remarkable event. In addition to an extra hour of previously unseen concert footage not included in the March 2014 PBS broadcast, the DVD also includes an essay by music historian Peter Guralnick, comprehensive liner notes by noted former Washington Post music writer Richard Harrington and an extensive photo gallery of never before seen photos from the event, making this celebration a must-own for blues and soul fans everywhere. Fans can pre-order their copy of the DVD by visiting ShoutFactory.com.

Featuring nearly 25 minutes of dazzling Stevie Ray Vaughan performances including “Texas Flood”, "Superstition" and "Scuttle Buttin’;” “Love Struck Baby” with guest artist Jimmie Vaughan and “Frosty” featuring  Blues Hall of Fame legend Albert Collins and guest artist Jimmie Vaughan, A Celebration of Blues and Soul also includes Dr. John's performance of “Right Place, Wrong Time,” Bo Diddley doing “Bo Diddley,” “ I’m a Man” and “Hey Bo Diddley ” with special guest artist Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, Percy Sledge singing his enduring hit “When a Man Loves A Woman,” Chuck Jackson performing  his hits “Any Day Now” and “I Don’t Want to Cry;”  Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon’s historic duet  of “Wang Dang Doodle,” which also features Chess Records' legendary guitarist Cash McCall and keyboard player Lafayette Leake, together  with Ronnie Wood,  Willie Dixon's performance of “Hoochie Coochie Man,”  with guest artists Albert Collins,  Joe Louis Walker and Delbert McClinton,  Joe Louis Walker’s performance of “747” and Delbert McClinton’s renditions of his classics  “Just A Little Bit,”  “Standing On Shaky Ground,” “Maybe Someday Baby” and “B-Movie Boxcar Blues,” with guest artists Albert Collins and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Steve Cropper.

A Celebration of Blues and Soul also pays special tribute to the legendary artists who recorded for Memphis’ Stax Records, with Sam Moore’s performance of “Soul Man,” Eddie Floyd’s performance of “Knock on Wood,” William Bell's performance of "Born Under A Bad Sign" and a stirring duet by Carla Thomas and Billy Preston of “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby.” These performances also feature guest artists Steve Cropper and  Donald “Duck” Dunn from the Stax group Booker T. and the M.G.’s and  guitarist Michael Toles who was part of the second incarnation of Stax’s funk band The Bar-Kays.    

A Celebration of Blues and Soul was professionally recorded with seven cameras and a separate 24-track audio recording. When these original recordings were relocated six years ago, the original video was restored, re-mastered, color-corrected, and converted to HD, and the audio was remixed to a 6-channel, 5.1 format by the legendary audio engineer Ed Greene, who has won more than 20 Emmy® Awards for sound mixing and engineering, for programs such as American Idol, the Grammy Awards^® and the Academy Awards^®.

A Celebration Of Blues & Soul: The 1989 Inaugural Concert Set List

·         Any Day Now – Chuck Jackson

·         I Don’t Want To Cry – Chuck Jackson

·         When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge

·         Right Place, Wrong Time – Dr. John

·         747 – Joe Louis Walker

·         Hoochie Coochie Man – Willie Dixon with Albert Collins, Delbert McClinton, Joe Louis Walker

·         Wang Dang Doodle – Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon with Cash McCall, Lafayette Leake and Ronnie Wood

·         Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley

·         I’m A Man – Bo Diddley

·         Hey Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley with Ronnie Wood

·         Born Under A Bad Sign – William Bell with Ronnie Wood

·         B-A-B-Y – Carla Thomas 

·         When Something Is Wrong With My Baby – Carla Thomas and Billy Preston

·         Knock On Wood – Eddie Floyd

·         Soul Man – Sam Moore

·         Just A Little Bit – Delbert McClinton

·         Standing On Shaky Ground – Delbert McClinton

·         Maybe Someday – Delbert McClinton

·         B-Movie Boxcar Blues – Delbert McClinton

·         Frosty – Albert Collins ,  Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Jimmie Vaughan

·         Texas Flood – Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Jimmie Vaughan

·         Love Struck Baby – Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Jimmie Vaughan

·         Superstition – Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

·         Scuttle Buttin’ – Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD and Blu-Ray™ offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials in lavish packages crammed with extras.  Shout’s audio division boasts GRAMMY^®-nominated box sets, Broadway cast albums, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations.  In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast digital distribution network which delivers video and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America .  Shout! Factory also owns and operates Timeless Media Group, Biograph Records, Majordomo Records, HighTone Records and Video Time Machine. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention.  Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica , California . For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com

March welcomes myriad of musical riches via three new releases

England's groundbreaking alternative rock band Elbow, singer-songwriter John Oates and blues great Joe Louis Walker shine bright and push their legacies forward on their latest releases. 

Artist: Elbow

Title: The Take Off and Landing of Everything (Concord Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, U2

Tell me more: Lush and textured arrangements, flawless musicianship and palpable emotion are just the icing on the cake across Elbow's The Take Off and Landing of Everything, which is anchored by 10 songs that boast the musical depth and scope of the quintet's previous discs. Highlights on the epic LP include the introspective "This Blue World" and emotive "My Sad Captains." And leave to a band out of Manchester, England to craft one of the greatest songs ever penned about the Big Apple; "New York Morning" captures the energy, feel and power of the East Coast metropolis with grace and force. The Take Off and Landing of Everything will be released in the U.S. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Information: elbow.co.uk.
Purchase The Take Off and Landing of Everything now

Artist: Joe Louis Walker

Title: Hornet's Nest (Alligator Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Michael Bloomfield, Freddie King, Albert King

Tell me more: Whether performing ferocious guitar-anchored blues-rock ("Stick a Fork In Me"), intense ballads ("As The Sun Goes Down") or singing energetic Memphis-styled soul ("All I Wanted to Do"), singer-songwriter-guitarist Joe Louis Walker shines bright on his latest album Hornet's Nest. At 64, Walker is still in top form, with his rich vocals and virtuoso lead guitar prowess a duel wonder. Not content to immerse his guitar playing in cliches, Walker's fret work recalls greats such as Michael Bloomfield and Jimi Hendrix. Information: joelouiswalker.com.
Get Hornet's Nest here

Artist: John Oates

Title: Good Road To Follow (PS Records / Elektra Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Vince Gill, OneRepublic, Hall & Oates

Tell me more:  Certainly not content to rest of his accomplishments with Hall & Oates (the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo played before a sold-out crowd of 3,500 fans at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio on March 7), John Oates is set to release his latest solo project Good Road To Follow on March 18. The ambitious three-CD set finds Oates exploring everything from modern R&B and hip house (including the lead single "Stone Cold Love"performed with OneRepublic front man Ryan Tedder) to folk ("Close," penned with Americana legend Jim Lauderdale), ballads ("Lose It In Louisiana") and soul-tinged country-blues ("Don't Cross Me Wrong," written by Vince Gill and Oates). Information: johnoates.com.

Purchase Good Road to Follow on CD

Robert Kinsler