Curated in the depths of January by our passionate Senior Editor, Randall Parrish, our latest Vivascene blues playlist will warm even the coldest soul.
THE BAND ~ from the album NORTHERN LIGHTS-SOUTHERN CROSS
IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE
Rick Danko took the beautiful lead vocal on 1975’s “It Makes No Difference” on The Band’s Northern Lights – Southern Cross release. It’s a heartache country ballad filled to the brim with the profound loneliness that comes upon a breakup. The song was written by Robbie Robertson, the group’s primary songwriter.
“I thought about the song in terms of saying that time heals all wounds. Except in some cases, and this was one of those cases.” ~ Robbie Robertson
BETH HART & JOE BONAMASSA ~ from the album SEESAW
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW
“In 2013 Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa released their second collaboration of classic cover songs entitled Seesaw on the Provogue label. Both of these talented performers are perhaps best known for their forays into the blues, but this release finds them stretching the boundaries of their comfort zone in an album of covers genuinely eclectic in scope.
“The undisputed centerpiece of the album is the slow-burn of Al Kooper’s “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know.” The song first appeared on Blood, Sweat & Tears’ debut LP Child Is Father to the Man. Kooper had left his previous band, the Blues Project, in a dispute over adding horns to the group’s arrangements. That dispute led him to form B,S,&T, along with Blues Project guitarist Steve Katz and some other memorable members. But sadly, Kooper only stayed around for the 1st album and missed the band’s later commercial glory. The Seesaw version adheres closer to the brilliant cover version by the late, great guitarist Gary Moore. Moore had very few peers when it came to the mastery of a Les Paul guitar, but Joe Bonamassa may possibly be amongst the select company that indeed is. Many could argue that this song would be a good nominee for a Bonamassa lead vocal, but Beth Hart is simply incredible on her incendiary heart-felt bluesy gut-wrenching rendition.” ~ RP / Vivascene
SONNY LANDRETH ~ from the album BOUND BY THE BLUES
THE HIGH SIDE
“Sonny Landreth is probably the most underestimated musician on the planet, and also probably one of the most advanced.” ~ Eric Clapton
“The Mississippi-born, Louisiana-raised slide guitar guru offers up some leisurely country-blues on “The High Side.” Vivid lyrics abound with a tale of hard times on the road in the summer of ’72, maneuvering the Texas panhandle, breaking down in Wichita Falls, and having some bad dudes make off with his guitar and his vehicle equipped with a “modern” 8-track player. Sonny slippery-slides his resonator melodically along in trademark fashion while dancing the Tulsa time shuffle/stroll. ” ~ RP /Vivascene
ROBBEN FORD ~ from the album BRINGING IT BACK HOME
OH, VIRGINIA
“The lone Robben Ford original composition is titled “Oh, Virginia,” and it contains a blue-eyed soulful vocal that refreshes like a leisurely light summer breeze through the Magnolia trees. A soft and easy pretty ballad, this song features the emphasis on the vocals in the midst of the organ gently carrying the mellow smooth melody smoothly forward.
“Robben Ford’s contributions throughout his musical life have been nothing short of immense and ever expanding. Bringing It Back Home, upon first listen, may leave some casual fans of his imaginative blistering extended guitar solos wanting. However there is a unity of purpose in this record that is effusively revealed upon repeated concerted listenings. This realized harmonic consistency and the readily apparent love of the music by all involved make Bringing It Back Home a refreshingly rewarding album that stands apart and above most contemporary offerings available in today’s marketplace.” ~ RP / Vivascene
Song personnel:
Vocals, Guitar – Robben Ford
Organ – Larry Goldings
Bass – David Piltch
Drums – Harvey Mason
Trombone – Stephen Baxter
BOB WEIR ~ from the album ACE
LOOKS LIKE RAIN
“That was a Grateful Dead record, as far as I’m concerned. And I don’t do that material with my side groups. It was all me singing, all my songwriting. I started by using a couple of different musicians, and it just settled in to being a Grateful Dead record right quick.” ~ Bob Weir
Bob Weir’s first solo recording, Ace, in 1972 was essentially a Grateful Dead release with Weir in the lead role. A good majority of the tunes had already been in the Dead’s concert repertoire, or would be for a long time afterwards. One of these was the beautiful Weir/John Perry Barlow composition “Looks Like Rain.”
Bob Weir provided an achingly gorgeous vocal, one of his finest ever, accompanied by the melancholy weeping steel guitar of Jerry Garcia on a song that would remain a Dead concert staple, and a favorite of mine.
Guitar, Vocal – Bob Weir
Pedal Steel Guitar – Jerry Garcia
Piano – Keith Godchaux
Bass – Phil Lesh
Drums – Bill Kreutzmann
Harmony Vocals – Donna Godchaux
String Arrangement – Ed Bogus
But I’ll still sing you love songs, written in the letters of your name / The rain is gonna come, oh it surely looks like rain
KING SOLOMON HICKS ~ from the album HARLEM
421 S. MAIN STREET
“Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you…” ~ Riley B. King
I’ve always been a sucker for a good instrumental song to provide a nice break in an album’s flow.
“King” Solomon Hicks is a guitar player who possesses great musical taste to match his formidable skills. He has a huge tone that is exceedingly pleasing to these ole ears of mine. This one is from his tremendous Harlem album.
WALTER TROUT ~ from the album ALIVE IN AMSTERDAM
I’M BACK
Anyone who has witnessed the power and glory of a Walter Trout performance knows that the gentleman gives his best each and every time he and his skilled band takes the stage. Myself, I witnessed one memorably show about a decade ago that stands out because it was at a late changed venue with only 200 people crammed in like sardines. Trout still was sweating bullets as he bounded around while string bending like a willow tree in a windstorm on his axe.
It is quite fitting that Walter Trout’s 2016 release, ALIVE In Amsterdam, was recorded in the capital city of Holland. The show was on November 28, 2015, and the venue was the Royal Theatre Carré. Walter Trout has always been loved by European Blues fans. Most likely stemming from his years of service in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers; and the crowd at this show adored him!
Also fitting is that Walter C. Trout included a song on the live release penned by his late friend and fellow guitar god Luther Allison. The song selected was “I’m Back,” and it’s a high-energy romp by Trout and his great band.
Guitar, Vocals – Walter Trout
Hammond B3 Organ – Sammy Avila
Bass – Johnny Griparic
Drums – Michael Leasure
Guitar – Jon Trout
Guitar – Andrew Elt
EDGAR WINTER ~ from the album BROTHER JOHNNY
LONE STAR BLUES
Brother Johnny consists of 16 songs from Johnny’s half century career, and one Edgar original. Each song features Edgar playing keyboards, guitar and/or singing with guest artists from a cross section of the rock and pop pantheon.
The Edgar Winter original is titled Lone Star Blues, culled from Edgar’s recollections of growing up in Texas (The Lone Star State). Keb’ Mo’ accompanies Edgar’s vocal with some sweet guitar.
Personnel – Lone Star Blues
Lead Vocal – Edgar Winter
Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Keb’ Mo’
Drums – Gregg Bissonette
“I don’t think this album would be complete without at least one, heartfelt, personal tribute from me to my brother – in the form of a song.” ~ Edgar Winter writes in Brother Johnny’s liner notes.
PAUL FILIPOWICZ ~ from the album UNFILTERED
BRAND NEW HAT
“Magic Sam (Samuel Gene Maghett) was my biggest influence. His soul, his grace, and his fire. But, his finger picked phrasing triggered me. I thought, I play this one lick; so, I started covering most of his songs. That was over four decades ago.” ~ Paul Filipowicz
“An original song by Paul Filipowicz that contains that beloved Magic Sam flavor is called “Brand New Hat.” Magic Sam played in the guitar style favored in the Chicago West-side clubs along with his contemporaries Buddy Guy and Otis Rush. That style involved plenty of energy and fretboard fireworks. Paul supplies both here in abundance.
Unfiltered is the tenth solo release for Chicago Blues Hall of Fame member Paul Filipowicz, who has skills that are finely honed through years of stage and studio experience. Paul Filipowicz was born in Chicago at the perfect time to fall in love with the blues. Filipowicz became drawn to learning guitar at about the age of seven, and was self-educated on the instrument utilizing a finger picking style of play in lieu of a plectrum (guitar pick).
“On Unfiltered Filipowicz masterfully rides herd on all of the guitars and vocals for the group. The band boasts a boss rhythm consisting of Chris Sandoval on drums and “Tricky” Rick Smith on bass guitar. Benjamin “Benny” Rickun nicely furnishes all of the vital blues harp contributions. The tight horn section consists of Tom Sobel on tenor and baritone sax and, on scattered occasions, Jack Naus on trumpet. This talented lineup of musicians brings years of playing experience to the table.” ~ RP / Vivascene
BOB SEGER ~ from the album BEAUTIFUL LOSER
JODY GIRL
“Certain songs are almost like folk songs, which I love. I love folk music, and if you listen to Live Bullet, there’s “Jody Girl,” which is almost a folk song and I’ve always loved folk music.” ~ Bob Seger
“[Glenn] Frey came to my house, when the Eagles had like three hit records and they’d just released ‘On the Border.’ He came and heard my Beautiful Loser stuff. If he hadn’t come, seriously, I probably would have put out another record like Seven, basically all rock & roll, with maybe one ballad. But, Frey liked it. He said ‘Go with it, man. Do something diverse.’ And ever since then, I been doing it.” ~ Bob Seger
“Jody Girl,” from Bob Seger’s 1975 release Beautiful Loser, is a touching ballad that is often overlooked, except by his long-time fans. The evident theme regards a woman looking back wistfully to younger days when she felt a freedom from life’s obligations.
Produced by Edward “Punch” Andrews, the song has a sparse arrangement with Seger’s tender heartfelt vocal only accompanied by his acoustic guitar and piano, along with Robyn Robins adding coloring brushes of Mellotron.
The version of “Jody Girl,” from Beautiful Loser would be released as the B-Side of the single “Main Street” from Seger’s Night Moves.
“Jody girl, Jody girl, spend your time today
Watching clocks, spin the hours away”
WALTER TROUT ~ from the album WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
AIN’T GOIN’ BACK
Walter Trout’s great 2017 release, We’re All In This Together, contained a slew of guest guitarists including Robben Ford, John Mayall, Joe Bonamassa, Sonny Landreth, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Warren Haynes and Mike Zito. Every song on the album is an awesome aural treat.
Slide guitar master Sonny Landreth is the special guest that appears on the Walter Trout penned song, “Ain’t Goin’ Back.” A prominent Southern Rock vibe rules as Trout’s backing band with the fabulous rhythm section of bassist Johnny Griparic and drummer Michael Leasure kick like agitated mules, while Sammy Avila rocks the Hammond organ keeping step.
The two guitar greats share the vocals on this foot-stomper, and the pairing of the guitars are devinely executed with Landreth’s slide shining like the mid-day sun in the spotlight. Great song!
Ain’t Goin’ Back
Electric Guitar, Vocals – Walter Trout
Vocals, Slide Guitar – Sonny Landreth
Hammond Organ – Sammy Avila
Bass – Johnny Griparic
Drums – Michael Leasure
SONNY LANDRETH ~ from the album BOUND BY THE BLUES
SIMCOE STREET
“As the title of Sonny Landreth’s 2015 album would suggest, he is bound tightly by The Blues and has always been inspired by the music of the Mississippi Delta bluesmen. Landreth has long been heralded as one of the authentic masters of the bottleneck slide guitar, as well as technically adept in all manner of guitar play. On Bound By The Blues he reverts back to a bare-boned blues trio approach and the outcome is both powerful and earnest. David Ranson on bass guitar and Brian Brignac on drums have been Sonny’s usual musical running mates for more than a dozen years, and both provide background vocals in addition to their tuneful world-class instrumental contributions.
“The album closes with a well-crafted upbeat instrumental entitled “Simcoe Street.” Landreth plays his heart out, giving a display of his marvelous guitar dexterity. Simcoe is the name of the street in Lafayette, Louisiana where the album was recorded and co-produced by Sonny with Tony Daigle. The production, as well as the mastering, of Bound By The Blues is notable.” ~ RP / Vivascene