November usually represents the end-of-the-year for new album releases from major labels, and blues music labels are no different. Although the pickings are mighty slim this month, it's a case of quality over quantity as the release schedule is tilted seriously in favor of reissues over new releases (especially from Wounded Bird, who are REAL busy this month). Here are the blues you'll be singing in November….
1. Canned Heat – The Boogie House Tapes, Vol. 3 (Ruf Records)
Photo courtesy Ruf Records
The third and last collection of rare, obscure, and hard-to-find archival material culled from the vaults of this venerable, albeit underrated, blues-rock outfit. Canned Heat's The Boogie House Tapes, Vol. 3 is a two-disc set that includes a mix of previously unreleased live and studio recordings and it features guest appearances from blues and R&B giants like John Lee Hooker, Curtis Mayfield, Sunnyland Slim, and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. (Release date: 11/18/08)
2. Howlin' Wolf – Rockin' The Blues: Live In Germany 1964 (Acrobat Music)
Photo courtesy Acrobat Records
Rockin' the Blues: Live In Germany 1964 is a document of a previously-unreleased Howlin' Wolf performance that showcases the larger-than-life bluesman at the top of his game. Wolf is backed by a veritable all-star blues band that featured guitarist Hubert Sumlin, bassist Willie Dixon, pianist Sunnyland Slim, and drummer Clifton James, the crew running through a set of classic Chicago blues tunes. Want more information? Check out our original CD preview. (Release date: 11/11/08)
3. Jimmy "Duck" Holmes – Gonna Get Old Someday (Fat Possum Records)
Photo courtesy Fat Possum Records
Jimmy "Duck" Holmes is one of the few remaining practitioners of what is known as the "Bentonia" style of the blues. Said to be created by Mississippi bluesman Henry Stuckey in the early-1920s, the often-misunderstood Bentonia style is based on an open E-Minor guitar tuning that Stuckey subsequently passed along to the legendary Skip James, as well as to obscure blues artist Jack Owens, who in turn taught it to Holmes. Gonna Get Old Someday is Holmes' third album release, and his first for the esteemed Fat Possum Records label by the three-time Living Blues Award winner. (Release date: 11/11/08)
4. King Curtis – Instant Groove (Wounded Bird Records)
Photo courtesy Wounded Bird Records
"King" Curtis Ousley was, perhaps, the last great R&B saxophonist, earning his bones as a sought-after NYC session player, lending his talents to a wide range of R&B, rock, and blues artists through the 1950s and '60s, including the Coasters, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, and Freddie King. Instant Groove, originally released in 1969, is one of the saxman's best-loved albums, mixing select cuts from his1950s-era solo work with his later, mid-60s material. Another reason to look into this reissue of the classic album: a young session guitarslinger named Duane Allman plays on four tracks. (Release date: 11/11/08)
5. Leadbelly – The Definitive Leadbelly (Snapper Music)
Photo courtesy Snapper Music
Let's face the facts, shall we? There are more stinkin' Leadbelly compilation albums than you could shake a bundle of sticks at, and most of 'em fall short of what we'd all like them to be. The Definitive Leadbelly is a three-disc, 75-track budget-priced box that includes some of the folk-blues legend's best early-era blues, spirituals, work songs, and folk ballads. With songs like "Midnight Special," "Goodnight Irene," "John Henry," and "Death Letter Blues," there's not much more that you could ask for in a Huddie Ledbetter collection. (Release date: 11/11/08)
6. Memphis Slim – Legend Of The Blues, Vol. 1 (Wounded Bird Records)
Photo courtesy Wounded Bird Records
There have been few piano-pounders that knocked out the blues on the 88 keys better than John "Memphis Slim" Chatman. Memphis Slim moved from the Bluff City to Chicago in the 1930s, hooking up with and backing the legendary Big Bill Broonzy before venturing out on his own during the '40s. The prolific bluesman moved to Paris in the early-1960s, enjoying a lengthy and successful career until his death in 1988. Originally released in 1967, this first Legend Of The Blues album is a fine example of Slim's unique and energetic piano style, the reissue lovingly remastered from the original tapes. (Release date: 11/11/08)
7. Mitch Kashmar – Live At Labatt (Delta Groove Music)
Photo courtesy Delta Groove Music
Documenting Kashmar's red-hot performance at the 9th Annual Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival, Live At Labatt features the talented blues harpist and backing band roaring through a set that includes songs from Kashmar's first two critically-acclaimed Delta Groove releases. Blues music is always best experienced live, and this album will be the next best thing to witnessing Kashmar's dynamic on-stage performance in person. (Release date: 11/18/08)
8. Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee – Folk Songs Of (Wounded Bird Records)
Photo courtesy Wounded Bird Records
During the late-1950s, the folk-blues duo of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee were riding high on the Big Apple folk circuit, hanging out with folks like Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie. The 1958 release of Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee cemented the pair's reputation with a stellar collection of Piedmont style country-blues. This long overdue reissue was remastered from the original tapes, and restores the gorgeous period cover artwork. (Release date: 11/11/08)
9. ZZ Top – Live From Texas (Eagle Records)
Photo courtesy Eagle Records
ZZ Top's Live From Texas is the CD soundtrack to the band's first-ever concert DVD (released earlier this year). The 15-song collection captures a powerful band playing in front of an enthusiastic home-state crowd. Live From Texas includes some of ZZ Top's biggest hits, songs like "Legs," "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Gimme All Your Lovin'," as well several songs from the band's early, blues-oriented catalog, including "Just Got Paid," "Blue Jean Blues," "Tush," and "La Grange." Check out our CD preview for further details. (Release date: 11/04/08)
