Swississippi Chris Harper - Four Aces And A Harp

"Swississippi" Chris Harper - Four Aces And A Harp
2010, Swississippi Records

"Swississippi" Chris Harper is set to have a big day on September 21, 2010. Not only is it the official launch date of his new record label, Swississippi Records, but it's also the release date of his album Four Aces And A Harp. Based in Chicago, the Swiss-born Harper immersed himself in the blues several years back, and dreamed of starting a label that would promote the blues with sound quality and recording techniques that preserve the gritty feel of old school blues records. Early returns suggest success, starting with Four Aces And A Harp, which features Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (Drums), Bob Stroger (bass) and Jimmy Burns and John Primer sharing duties on guitar and lead vocals. All of this sets the stage for Chris Harper's dynamic style of Harmonica play, which draws on influences such as Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson II.

Four Aces And A Harp opens with "Hand Me Down My Cane". Harper plays the harmonica like its part of his skin, but Jimmy Burns steals the show with a vocal that will bring the house down. "Down In The Bottom" is about as classic sound as you can get, embracing the more urban overtones of the Chicago sound with John Primer's generous baritone taking the mic. From here Harper and his Four Aces take listeners on a history of US popular music with diversions into R&B, jazz and Be-Bop, but always coming back to their blues roots. "Sloppy Drunk" is a great tune, showing the transitional phase between blues and R&B. "Next Time You See Me" is a kiss off song that's guaranteed to get your toes tapping. Harper is in top form on Harmonica here, and the rest of the band never loses a step around him.

"What's Wrong" is a classic interactive vocal tune in the fashion practiced by many over the years but perhaps perfected by Louis Prima and Sam Butera. Harper is a vital part of the musical wallpaper here, filling in to complete the sound without trying to make himself the center of the song. Harper shows he can be a lead, however, on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", which contains some of the most expressive harmonica playing you're likely to come across. Harper and his Aces give you the distinct feel of heartache it might take an Ark to escape on "Forty Days And Forty Nights", offering up a brilliant rendition of the classic. Never losing steam, Harper and the band settle into a steady pace for the rest of the album with songs such as "Evil Is Going On", "Long Distance Call", and the rollicking fun of "Digging My Potatoes" before closing with "Fattening Frogs For Snakes (It Took Me A Long Time)."

Chris Harper shows enough traditional blues sensibility to sit and play with the big boys of Chicago blues while retaining enough stylistic innovation to keep things fresh. The energy apparent on Four Aces And A Harp is not something you can fake; or buy. It comes from a love of the music, a mastery of the art, and a passion to keep the fire burning. In this both Swississippi Chris Harper and his fledgling label appear to succeed.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Chris Harper at http://www.chrisharper.info/.  Four Aces And A Harp drops September 21, 2010.  You can pre-order the CD from Amazon.com.  Expect wider availability in both traditional and digital formats after the release date.

Review: Michael Buble - Crazy Love

Michael Bublé - Crazy Love
2009, 143/Reprise Records

Michael Bublé is back with his latest, an album entitled Crazy Love. The multiple Grammy-winning Bublé turns introspective and autobiographical on Crazy Love, which features 11 standards/covers and two original tracks. Bublé has sold over 22 million albums around the world, and his 2005 release, It's Time, holds the records for the longest run on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Charts at two years (with 80 weeks at #1). Guests on Crazy Love include the acapella group Naturally 7, and Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. Production responsibilities were shared between David Foster, Bob Rock and Humberto Gatica.

Bublé opens with a darkly modern take of Cry Me A River. With a martial air, Bublé illuminates the song in bright new fashion while holding on to it's classic nature. All Of Me is done in more classic style with a touch of Vegas flair. Bublé does a good job with Georgia On My Mind, but I have been forever spoiled by the late, great Ray Charles on this song. Bublé's version is good but just doesn't stand up to the original. Bublé does much better with his cover of Van Morrison's Crazy Love. This is a classic song that mixes elements of Folk, Rock and Soul, and Bublé and his ensemble work magic here. Bublé opens up to a Broadway meets The Partridge Family style tune with the ebullient Haven't Met You Yet. This is a hopeless romantic's tune with a bouncy chorus you won't be able to get out of your head. Bublé is inspired here, and the arrangement as a whole plays to all of his strengths in a golden Pop moment.

Bublé visits the 1950's for his rendition of All I Do Is Dream Of You. The collective spirit of Louis Prima and Bobby Darin shines down on this particular number in one of the brightest moments on Crazy Love. Bublé creates a moment of musical déjà vu with Hold On, a song so instantly familiar I was certain it was a cover. This is an incredible tune that could be a pop classic, sounding like something that might have been written by Elton John or Billy Joel. Bublé goes Honky-Tonk with a live jazz/rock cover of The Eagles' Heartache Tonight. This is a fun version that's a bit livelier even than the original and certain to inspire some dancing. You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You is done in classic Sinatra style and paves the way for Baby (You've Got What It Takes), featuring Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. This is the highlight of the album, as singing with Sharon Jones seems to bring out a more soulful side of Bublé.

Bublé's cover of Billy Vera & The Beaters' At This Moment is another bit of magic. Bublé sticks pretty close to the original here, and while his voice may be prettier he doesn't hope to match the sound and heart of Billy Vera. Nevertheless, Bublé's performance is dynamic in it's own fashion and serves the song very well. Accapela group Naturally 7 lends their vocal talents on Hoagie Carmichael's Stardust. The result is a rendition that sounds like a young Bobby Darin singing with The Mills Brothers. The vocal arrangement here, in particular of Naturally 7, helps to build a classic sound for one of the greatest compositions of the twentieth century. Bublé closes out with the Latin-styled Whatever It Takes, a song of love and devotion that's a bit cliché but sweet.

Michael Bublé does it again. Crazy Love is the sort of transitional album that will allow Bublé to keep his traditional fans while beginning to build more present among folks with slightly more modern tastes in music. Crazy Love is certain to continue Bublé's string of Gold and Platinum albums while earning him serious Grammy consideration. Crazy Love is the work of a consummate professional at the top of his game.

Rating: 4 Stats (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Michael Bublé at http://www.michaelbuble.com/ or www.myspace.com/michaelbuble. You can purchase Crazy Love as either a CD or download via Amazon.com.

Review: Squirrel Nut Zippers - Lost At Sea (Live)

Squirrel Nut Zippers - Lost At Sea
2009, Southern Broadcasting/MRI

When Brian Setzer covered Louis Prima's Jump Jive An' Wail back in the mid-1990's, he ignited a hunger for music from and inspired by the Swing era that opened the door to popular success for a lot of bands who might not have otherwise had the opportunity. One of those bands was the Squirrel Nut Zippers. While the Squirrel Nut Zippers aren't a swing band, per se, a number of their tunes do fit the category. Writing with a cinematic zeal, Squirrel Nut Zippers tell stories in song with whatever sound fits the storyline. Their esoteric approach has left critics scratching their heads for the appropriate descriptive language while beguiling and befuddling fans. The band took a break from public life in 2002, staying in exile until 2007 when the core of the band headed back out on the road. On October 27, 2009, the Squirrel Nut Zippers release a live album, Lost At Sea, documenting some of their biggest hits from over the years as well as giving a fine aural picture of where the band stands more than a decade after the light of celebrity first shone upon them.

Lost At Sea opens with the Swing/Funk of Memphis Exorcism, recalling the 1950's Jazz Era of the deep south. The instrumental runs about 2 1/2 minutes and sets the stage nicely for an even full of music and dancing. The crowd at Brooklyn, NY's Southpaw is clearly audible and very much into the show. You will be too. Good Enough For Grandad blows the roof off the joint on just the second song with a serious New Orleans flavor and Jimbo Mathus on vocals. It's a song about reverence for the past and reflects an "old-time" philosophy that still makes sense even in a post-modern world. Not too mention there's some pretty hot jazz going on here. It Ain't You displays the other vocal personality of Squirrel Nut Zippers. Katherine Whalen has a voice boiling over with sensuality while retaining a sound that is pure-1930's gin-joint jazz. The hot swing carries over into Prince Nez. The roof already blown off, the Zippers tear down the walls and stomp on the floor boards for good measure.

Up next is Put A Lid On It, a moderate radio hit for the band back in the mid-90's. Mathus and Whalen sing call and response with Whalen exuding a raw animal nature of an old-time film star like Jayne Mansfield. Danny Diamond is the story in song of a burlesque star who came to a less than desired end; the song shows The Zippers ability to create magic at a slower speed and is a great listen. Suits Are Picking Up The Bill has long been one of my favorite Zippers songs, and is presented here with an extended opening and a more refined than the original studio cut. The sound here is a mix of Dixieland and BeBop. The Zippers move through Happens All The Time and Bad Businessman on their way to Hell, one of their bigger radio hits. The dark and deranged swing here will hook you immediately if you don't already know the song. Jimbo Mathus takes over the mic with all of the swagger of an old-school band leader in an inspired performance.

Ghost Of Stephen Foster is a darkly entertaining tune that seeks to right a wrong from the great composer. It's a zany trip into an unreal world for no reason at all, and the arrangement is amazing. Blue Angel finds Whalen at her best, laying down a vocal line full of hope and fear wrapped into one delicious song. The Zippers stand back from their usual bombast with a measured performance full of nuance and finesse. Do What comes forward for a 1950's Rock N Roll sound in a seven minute opus guaranteed to have you shaking booty and singing along for all you are worth. This is essentially the closing tune to the album, although there is a 49 second epilogue entitled Missing Link Parade tacked on to the end.

The Squirrel Nut Zippers have always sounded just a bit messy. Eschewing highly produced and refined musical grooming for an organic live sound has been heir style since they first broke on the popular music scene. Lost At Sea captures their live sound in its natural habitat - the stage. For a band that took five years off they haven't lost a step. Lost At Sea documents the Squirrel Nut Zippers of 2009 in highly complementary terms. Now all we can hope for is some new material in the not too distant future.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about the Squirrel Nut Zippers at http://www.snzippers.com/ or www.myspace.com/snzippers. Lost At Sea goes on sale October 27, 2009. Expect wide availability. But if you can’t wait, you can get the CD in advance of the release date through the band’s website. This opportunity has yet to start, but keep checking back to the Zipper’s website for more information.

Review: Brother Joscephus And The Love Revival Revolution Orchestra

Brother Joscephus And The Love Revival Revolution Orchestra - Self-Titled
2009, Righteous Enough Records

Today we get to hear the words of the secular gospel of Brother Joscephus And The Love Revival Revolution Orchestra, an 11-piece band from New York City who sounds like they just stepped off the steamer from New Orleans. Ray Charles Soul and R&B, southern Gospel and New Orleans Jazz all get thrown into the mix to create one of the most dynamic and enjoyable recordings to come out of the New York City scene in quite some time. Brother Joscephus And The Love Revival Orchestra was released in February of 2009 and has already made a splash in New York, but something this good can't be contained even in a city the size of New York. Brother Joscephus brings his message of universal love, harmony and peace wrapped up in some of the warmest feel good music you can find.

The CD opens with A Child Shall Lead, done in classic southern gospel style. It's an amazing listen and poignant regardless of your belief system. Like many of the songs on Brother Joscephus, A Child Shall Lead is written from the perspective of the downtrodden; the folks who know they can't live up to the standard of perfection but continue to try to be good and hope for one to come along to lead them all into the path of righteousness. The same ideal has transcended philosophical and religious thought in culture after culture, and there is a strong history of this resigned persistence in jazz in particular. Brother Joscephus captures this heavy dynamic perfectly in a song that is deep yet entertaining. Bon Temps Roulez is a New Orleans expression in French Creole meaning Let The Good Times Roll. The song is written in a jazz fueled style reminiscent of some of Randy Newman's best work and is a definite highlight.

Brother Joscephus channels the late, great Ray Charles on Can't Help Myself, getting the same sort of gritty soul and pop mix that Charles practically invented. O Moses and More Than I Need fit into the secular gospel model that Joscephus brings to this CD and to his live shows, whereas Bury Me In New Orleans hits the perfect blend of Rock, R&B and Jazz. It's hard to pick one or two highlights here, as everything on the disc is a great listen.

Brother Joscephus is a showman in the most classic sense. It would be easy to imagine seeing Brother Joscephus on the same stages as greats such as Louis Prima and Bobby Darin. Brother Joscephus And The Love Revival Revolution Orchestra is a must-listen, must own CD. While the style isn't original, there are so few people doing this sort of music these days that it will sound new and original, much like Brian Setzer reintroducing the world to Louis Prima and swing a decade ago. You don't want to miss this Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Brother Joscephus And The Love Revival Revolution Orchestra at www.myspace.com/brotherjoscephus or http://www.brotherjoscephus.com/. You can purchase a copy of Brother Joscephus And The Love Revival Revolution Orchestra at www.cdbaby.com/cd/brotherjoscephus.