Louisiana Red & Little Victor's Juke Joint - Back To The Black Bayou [2009]

 

"Raw" is an overused and sometimes misapplied term of admiration, especially in the realm of the blues, where it is all too often used as a euphemism for "incompetent and off-key." In the case of Louisiana Red's Back to the Black Bayou, however, it's the only apt descriptor, and it's fully justified as a term of praise: his sound is ragged-edged and fiery, though its center is utterly solid and his delivery is unfailingly powerful.

Having lived in Germany since the early '80s, he went to neighboring Norway to record this album with producer and guitarist Little Victor, and even if the program leans heavily toward old and familiar material ("Ride on Red," "Too Poor to Die," "I Come from Louisiana"), he gives every track an almost shocking immediacy and energy; the subtle rhythmic shifts and adjustments on "Alabama Train" are handled with both grace and authority, "Roamin' Stranger" is given a powerfully grinding rendition, and the traditional gospel song "Don't Miss That Train" provides a nicely shuffling changeup in both lyrical theme and rhythm. But he is perhaps at his most impressive on "Sweet Leg Girl," a slow blues that shows just how much an expatriate bluesman with 60 years of experience can still do.

  • Louisiana Red (vocals, guitar); 
  • Little Victor (guitar, harmonica); 
  • Robert Alexander Pettersen (drums); 
  • William "Bill" Troiani (upright bass).

Guest musicians: Kim Wilson, Bob Corritore, Jostein Forsberg (harmonica); Dave Maxwell, Reidar Larsen (piano); The Hawk (guitar); Peter Lundell (percussion).

1. I'm Louisiana Red (3:20)
2. Alabama Train (3:32)
3. Crime In Motion (2:51)
4. Ride On Red, Ride On (3:27)
5. Sweet Leg Girl (4:13)
6. The Black Bayou (4:10)
7. Too Poor To Die (3:08)
8. Don't Miss That Train (2:17)
9. You Done Quit Me (4:18)
10. I Came From Louisiana (2:43)
11. Roamin' Stranger (2:48)
12. The Zanzibar (2:12)



John Sebastian - Faithful Virtue: The Reprise Recordings (3 CD, 2001)

 

 

Rhino Handmade only issued 3,000 copies of this 3-CD box set.


As a bonus, disc-3 includes Sebastian's entire Woodstock performance. So you not only get "Rainbows All Over Your Blues" and "I Had a Dream" (which were included on the original Woodstock soundtrack), but you also get "How Have You Been" (from his--at the time--yet unreleased solo debut) and "Darlin' Be Home Soon" and "Younger Generation."

An additional bonus on disc-3 is six previously unreleased songs recorded in mono from an October 4, 1969, performance at Winterland in San Francisco. These live solo recordings include "Sitting on Top of the World," "Magical Connection," "You're a Big Boy Now," "I Found a Dream" (written by blues musician Lonnie Johnson, NOT the similarly titled "I Had a Dream," which Sebastian wrote for his solo debut), "Daydream" and "Younger Girl." All six of these are terrific performances--especially the bluegrass standard "Sittin' on Top of the World," where Sebastian does some fancy picking--a song he says he learned from Doc Watson.

VA- Before the Blues - The Early American Black Music Scene Vol. 1- 3 (FLAC)

  

A fascinating and highly entertaining exploration f the early roots of black music in America. This pioneering project depicts the rich American musical scene that existed throughout the 1800s with classic performances of ragtime, old modal songs, breakdowns, ballads, religious music and more. Featured here are great performances by many of the most legendary names in American music history, and this project follows the evolution of blues from its early modal precursors and early fundamentalist religious music.

Rainbow - Ritchie Serenades Germany [10 CD, 1996]


Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow 

The Stranger in Us All 1995-97 tour


Germany Jul 26, 30, Aug 1, 2, 3, 1996 

Jimi Hendrix - Studio Sessions Vol.1 & 2 [6 + 6 CD, 2008]



Limited edition. Only 2000 numbered sets distributed worldwide.