January usually represents a slow return to normal for record labels, who throw out a few obscure CD releases to try and gauge the feeling of the record-buying public. It's only slightly different for blues labels, who are less prone to be affected by mainstream trends and release new albums when they are able. As such, this month is a mix of blues contemporary superstars like Derek Trucks and the North Mississippi Allstars along with albums from some up-and-coming blues artists, a smattering of archival material, and a couple of reissues. Here are the blues you'll be singing in January….
1. Albert Collins – 'Cold Tremors' (Blues Boulevard)
Photo courtesy Price Garbber
Blues guitarist Albert Collins was wicked cool onstage, the prototypical blues guitarslinger. Best as I can tell, this two-disc set features portions of two different live sets: a 1972 performance from the El Mocambo in Toronto and a 1969 performance from the Fillmore in San Francisco, where he opened for the Allman Brothers. Both sets have been released previously, and often bootlegged, but they remain elusive for the fervent Collins fan, so grab this one while you can! (Release date: 01/13/09)
2. Big Shanty – 'Sold Out…' (King Mojo Records)
Photo courtesy King Mojo Records
Blues guitarist Big Shanty will kick off the new year with his rockin' third collection of songs, Sold Out…, which is certain to turn blues purists on their collective heads. Shanty effortlessly blends Delta-inspired blues with 21st century sounds to create something entirely unique, interesting, and entertaining. Helping the big one this time out are friends like Atlanta rock legend Col. Bruce Hampton, and guitarists Liz Melendez and Spencer Kirkpatrick, an original member of the Southern rock cult band Hydra. (Release date: 01/06/09)
3. Black Cat Bone – 'Taylormade' (Music Maniac)
Photo courtesy Price Grabber
The blues are universal, and Black Cat Bone has been bringing electrifying blues-rock music to German audiences for almost two decades. Fronted by guitarist Hans-Joerg Mueller, the band has worked with blues legends like Champion Jack Dupree and Luther Allison and has released better than a half-dozen albums. Produced by former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor and originally released overseas in 2005, this will be the first time that Taylormade (geddit?) has been available to American audiences. (Release date: 01/27/09)
4. Box Of Frogs – 'Box Of Frogs/Strange Land' (Renaissance Records)
Photo courtesy Renaissance Records
Another welcome "twofer" reissue of these classic two albums from the oft-overlooked blues-rock band formed by former Yardbirds members Chris Dreja, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jim McCarty. The band's self-titled 1984 debut features a guest appearance from another Yardbird, guitarist Jeff Beck, while 1986's Strange Land includes six-string contributions from ex-'bird Jimmy Page, as well as cameos by Graham Parker and Steve Hackett, among others. Irish blues-rock guitar whirlwind Rory Gallagher upstages the guests on both albums. A "must have" set for fans of British blues-rock. (Release date: 01/13/09)
5. Damon Fowler – 'Sugar Shack' (Blind Pig Records)
Photo courtesy Blind Pig Records
After a trio of self-produced and critically-acclaimed albums, Florida blues guitarist Damon Fowler and band make their national debut with their first disc for Blind Pig, Sugar Shack. Initial response to the album says that the Pig has another bona fide winner on their hands, as Fowler and crew shake, rattle, and roll their way through songs with reckless abandon. The album promises plenty of swaggering, houserockin' blues with a swampy vibe and Southern rock spirit. (Release date: 01/27/09)
6. Derek Trucks Band – 'Already Free' (Sony Music)
Photo courtesy Price Grabber
Derek Trucks is one of the most exciting guitarists in the blues, incorporating a wealth of disparate influences in the creation of an entirely unique and individualistic sound. Already Free offers up an inspired cover of Bob Dylan's "Down In The Flood," but otherwise the album concentrates on original material from Trucks. The album also includes guest appearances by Susan Tedeschi and Doyle Bramhall II. (Release date: 01/13/09)
7. John Nemeth – 'Love Me Tonight' (Blind Pig Records)
Photo courtesy Blind Pig Records
Blues harpist John Nemeth made a splash with his 2007 Blind Pig Records debut Magic Touch, forging a sound that is equal parts classic soul and vintage Chicago blues. Love Me Tonight is Nemeth's much-anticipated follow-up, and the label assures us that the album is tougher, edgier, and even bluesier than before as Nemeth mixes up his sound with R&B verve, a funky groove, and a rockin' beat. Friend and frequent musical collaborator Elvin Bishop drops by to light up a couple of tracks with his flamethrower guitarwork. (Release date: 01/27/09)
8. North Mississippi Allstars – 'Do It Like We Used To Do' (Songs of the South)
Photo courtesy Price Grabber
This is the one that Allstars fans have been eagerly awaiting – Do It Like We Used To Do is a two-CD, one-DVD compilation that documents the North Mississippi Allstars live experience. A retrospective that looks back at the band's dynamic live performances from 1996 through 2008, the two audio discs feature a whopping 27 tracks. The additional DVD includes both interviews with the band and live footage, as well as other "behind the scenes" stuff beloved by fans. (Release date: 01/20/09)
9. Rob Tognoni – 'Ironyard Revisited' (Blues Boulevard)
Photo courtesy Price Grabber
Although not very well-known stateside, Australian Rob Tognoni is an incendiary blues-rock guitarist whose distinctive sound has often been called a cross between AC/DC and B.B. King…and after listening to songs like "Shoot, Hoot, Electrocute" and "Devil Outta Me," methinks said description meets the mark. Thanks to Blues Boulevard, Ironyard Revisited will be Tognoni's first album (out of seven) to receive North American distribution. My fellow fans of a guitar-driven, blues-rock sound chiseled out of cold granite will want to check this one out! (Release date: 01/13/09)
10. Tommy McCoy with Double Trouble – 'Triple Trouble' (Blues Boulevard)
Photo courtesy Price Grabber
Blues guitarist Tommy McCoy is a veteran of the growing Florida blues scene, the talented musician pursuing a sound that leans more towards the swinging, jazzy side of the blues equation. McCoy is accompanied on most of Triple Trouble, his fourth studio album, by Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon, Stevie Ray Vaughan's acclaimed rhythm section. McCoy's fluid finger-picking sounds more like Jimmie Vaughan than Stevie Ray, though, displaying a confident grace that is capably supported with elegance by Double Trouble. (Release date: 01/13/09
