Traditional Delta Blues - Johnny Shines

Advantages: Great blues!
Disadvantages: None. Whatsoever.

...was surprised and amused to find out that the CD is filled with modern material, and was released in 1992! Some of the tracks are old blues standards from the pens of such legendary blues greats as John Lee Hooker and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, some are original pieces by Johnny himself. In fact, bizarre as it might seem, some of his own work sounds even more traditional than the works he covered. For example, Low Down Gal of Mine could easily have come from some rare recording session from the very early 1920s, only recently re-discovered in an old recording studio. (Yes, it really IS that good!) Johnny's other work, Leavin' Blues (complete with nicely understated blues slide guitar) is just about as good, too. His style can drift from Delta Blues to Chicago Blues via the slightly more countrified Texas Blues. The latter is unsurprising... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: May be the best contemporary white female blues singer and acoustic guitarist you'll ever hear.
Disadvantages: None

...sings it. But the bulk of the album is Block's stellar guitar work and passionate vocals. Robert Johnson’s "Walkin' Blues", Kind Hearted Man” and “Crossroads Blues” are arranged in authentic Delta Blues style, as is the irresistibly sexy Skip James tune “Devil Got My Man.” Proving that she can not only play the blues but write it, Block has included three truly authentic-sounding original numbers: "Since You've Been Gone," “Achin’ Heart,”and especially the sultry, pulse-quickening “Got to Have You Be My Man” (… “gonna make you sigh and moan.”). And she lets her guitar skill shine through in an arrangement of a thumb and forefinger-driven traditional instrumental number “Hilarity Rag”that brought back visions of Dave Van Ronk.(in terms of arrangement, not looks...duh!) I give a big high-five to “High Heeled Blues.” You can... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: You hear some legends of the Blues playing together.
Disadvantages: None

...My introduction to this album was when I saw these musicians playing it live at the Union Chapel a couple of years back, when Pinetop Perkins was 91. The rest of the Band comprised Bob Margolin, Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell, Tom "Mookie" Brill and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. The Tracks are: Brutal Hearted Woman by Johnny Shines. Sweet (Little) Black Angel by Robert Nighthawk. One Day Your Gonna Get Lucky by Carey Bell Harrington the harmomica player. I'll Take Care Of You by Brook Benton. Juke by Little Walter. Mean Old Chicago by Bob Margolin Lead Guitar and Vocals. Always On My Mind by Wille Smith the drummer. Easy To Love You by Carey Bell Harrington. Last Time by Jimmy Rogers. Maybe The Hippies Were Right by Bob Margolin. Country Boy by McKinley Morganfield. Crazy 'Bout You Baby by Bob... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful