WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

Boyes, Fiona “Blues for Hard Times” (VizzTone)  B+

Blues fingerpickin whiz Boyes plays masterfully on old country blues, fingerpickin’ Piedmont styles and even a little barrelhouse blues, backed by some great guest players (Bob Margolin, Derek O’Brien, Jimi Bott, Kaz Kazanoff etc.). She is quite a guitar player and writes mostly originals.  Vocals are okay—a cross between smooth and growly, but she shines on that guitar.  Good for all mixes. 

Deivert, Bert – “Kid Man Blues” (Deivert Records) B+

Dievert, a Swedish musician, is a big lover of blues and mandolin—has pursued it for years, developing his own sense of feel.  This is a very interesting album recorded in Thailand, Sweden and in Mississippi. Dievert, who has worked with Eric Bibb, Sam Carr, and musicians around the world, delivers some very nice blues in a new combinations – which after all when deeply felt, is why blues never die. Musicianship is a curious meld of European (esp. vocals), Southern (grooves) and feel (urban Deivert).  Check out a completely new arrangement of the traditional “Come Back Baby.” Main instruments include mandolin, Indian tablas, harp, resonator guitar, etc., and moves from ensemble to solo with dedication.  Nice.

Ellison, Scott – “Walkin’ Through the Fire” (JSE Records) A-

Ellison worked back-up guitar with Gatemouth Brown for years and many more as band leader of his own group – in combinations of rock, funk, soul and Motown.  This, his ninth solo release, jumps right in with infectious beat and hooky groove. Whiskey and gravel vocals offer percussive phrasing to bolster beats and attitude yet couldn’t be called smooth…expressive anyway. Guitar work slick with Gatemouth’s influences—with searing solos that leak rock, rhythm and blues, and all originals that sport humor and an understanding of what sells. His goal is to have fun like Gatemouth. I think he’s havin’ it.

F&G Band Featuring Edlene Hart – “Grease Up Your Strut” (F&G Music)  C+

Able band with horns and lots of arrangement.  Mostly funky with breathy, vibrato singer.  Okay but no letter home to mom. Not really recommended for WFHB.

McGuire, Mike – “Beyond the Ark” (Independent) B-

Quiet singer/songwriter delivers relaxing acoustic set of Americana music. Storytelling on guitar, backed by mandolin, dobro, mandolin and fiddle, banjo and the light drums. Songs fairly same in tempo though full of visuals.

Parker, Rodney & 50 Peso Reward – “Live in the Living Room” (Smith Entertainmt)

Soft, introspective, same-ish songs with nasal vocals.  No crime, but probably better keep it in the livingroom.  Not recommended for WFHB.

Pearl, Bernie – “Right Side of the Blues” (Major Label Recordings)  B-

Live performances by solo/acoustic blues artist Pearl—who’s been a fan (and learned from) Mance Lipscomb and Lightnin Hopkins. Over 70 years old, he’s been after it a long time and plays authentic old-time solo guitar – backed minimally by bass and uses his own (adequate, but with feeling) vocals…to do some covers of his mentors (Hopkins, Son House, Muddy and Fred McDowell) in addition to his own originals. Nice to see an old-timer who has made this kind of music his life.  Mosly mid tempo acoustic music okay for all mixes.

Rigney, Tom & Flambeau – “Don’t Fight It” (Parhelion Records) A-

Violinist and blues lover Rigney, leads his tight band (featuring Danny Caron on guitar) through some cool blues tunes using his fiddle in the spot traditionally held for harp. He’s smooth, adept with all beats, and the band is tight as your t-shirt.  It’s cool to hear fiddle doing the blues so well. The disc is dedicated to Rigney’s long-time partner (recently deceased Joe Paquin) and to Vassar Clements—Rigney’s mentor. It would be easy for a player with Rigney’s chops to slide over into jazz if concentrations slips, but he keeps his music spare when the song calls for it, and works hand-in-glove with the masterful Caron – playing riffs back and forth with clean and pleasing effect…as often demonstrated in the disc’s many (7 of 13) instrumentals. He plays straight rock in the same manner/with focus/effectively. Even a little more arrangement than usual is added with good effect.  This is a man who knows what he’s doing.