MARK NAFTALIN’S BLUE MONDAY PARTY,
VOLUMES 1 & 2
Winner Label  222

Mark Naftalin’s popular Blue Monday Parties were the talk of the blues community. In his 237 shows from March, 1979 through September, 1983, he featured talented Bay Area musicians as well as those of international fame. His shows were entertaining as well as educational.

It is a treat to see some of these blues legends performing at the peak of their careers. Volume 1 opens with the passionate solo piano playing of Mark Naftalin. Mark had already become known in the blues world since he was the keyboardist for the Paul Butterfield Band from 1965 -1968. Next, Lowell Fulson is exciting and stimulating with his strong guitar playing and vocals.

His illustrious career spanned over fifty years and he even found time to write such famous songs as “Every Day I Have The Blues,” and “Reconsider Baby,” and many others. He performs two upbeat songs, then does a fiery duet with ex- Ikette, Ester Jones, and plays a vibrant “Guitar Shuffle” on this DVD. The “Poet Laureate of the Blues,” Percy Mayfield, does three soulful numbers, including his prayer for peace, “Please Send Me Someone To Love.”

The all-star band in Volume 1 features guitar virtuoso, Bobby Murray; tenor saxman, Dr. Wild  Willie Moore, one of Jimmy McCracklin’s Blues Blasters; pianist, Mark Naftalin; bassist, Henry Oden and drummer, Fred Casey.

Both volumes are a half hour each, and were filmed in July, 1981.

In Volume 2, Charlie Musselwhite blows a dynamite harp on two songs. The “King of the Boogie,” John Lee Hooker, sings and plays three numbers on his guitar. The band varies a little from Volume 1. Guitar greats Luther Tucker and Bobby Murray do some powerful playing; Mark Naftalin and Henry Oden continue on piano and bass; and Francis Clay, of Muddy Waters fame, and  Gary Silva alternate on drums.

This well-done DVD is well worth watching. Except for John Lee Hooker, not much else is available on other players on video. Seeing performances is a whole other dimension than just hearing them. This high- energy DVD could introduce some blues legends  or bring back pleasant memories of the good times at the Blue Monday Parties. In any case, it is a winner!!!
 Maria Bainer

DK IBOMEKA
Love Stories
In & Out Records IOR 77083-2
www.dkibomeka.com
www.inandout-records.com

Singer DK is the Canadian born son of Nigerian parents, with a silky-smooth, cool vocal style and a musical approach that occupies the territory where blues, jazz and soul meet. His own inventive lyrics (he helped to write half of the twelve tracks) are delivered in his rich, deep voice and he is accompanied by a small combo of equally talented musicians on guitars (electric and acoustic), keyboards, and a rhythm section including the gentler sound of acoustic bass.

Although much broader than a “simple” blues set, the blues is well-represented here. ‘If It’s Over’ is a gospel inflected bluesy ballad, Lennon/ McCartney’s ‘Oh! Darling’ evokes Charles Brown, ‘Found Around The Blues’ has particularly fine guitar work and is a little reminiscent of the sophisticated style of Percy Mayfield, whilst the closing ‘Sugar In My Bowl’ is the Bessie Smith number courtesy of Nina Simone. These are all pleasingly low-key, but the up-tempo blues shuffle - with almost rock and roll styled backing vocals - of ‘So Long (It’s Alright)’ is a fine change of pace and a chance to cut loose somewhat. There is no problem with that; it just showcases another facet of DK’s talent.

Like Ray Charles and the aforementioned Ms. Simone, who are both acknowledged inspirations, DK keeps one foot in the blues camp. And like those two artists, he is indeed a classy performer.
 Norman Darwen

Walter Trout
Title: Full Circle
Label: RUF ruf1117
For more in formation go to: www.waltertrout.com & www.rufrecords.de

This album is almost a mission statement in reverse; for after thirty five years or so of playing the blues Walter has laid down a blueprint for his undying passion and unique style for playing the blues; not deviating one jot throughout his career. One can only assume that during his five year hiatus from recording, a moment of remembrance and reflection spurred him into action to create a living rocking version of “this is your life”!
Declaring, to all and sundry the depth of his love of the music and the friends that he has found on the way.
His good luck in meeting great artists (and in time friends), even from the age of ten when he met living legends; “Duke” Ellington, Cat Anderson and Johnny Hodges.
These artists only confirmed his determination to play the blues. To his surprise, many years later he was actually playing alongside others that included the likes of; Finis Tansby, PeeWeeCrayton and Percy Mayfield. Over the years as Walter progressed along his learning curve he backed many other highly talented artists including; Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex
After stints with Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers Walter decided to form his own band, consequently the musical outpourings from this new band on the scene appeared to be a raucous, untidy amalgamation of hard rock, Hendrix and a tincture of the blues. Predictably, a number of the critics and purists hated it and not surprisingly, a vast mass of the normally undecided, loved it!
Now, here we have Walters’s thank-you to all his friends and peers from over the years. They have come together to play and celebrate a long and successful career, and a love of good music. On this album each of the invited artists has been asked to add their own unique style and influences to create a fun toe-tapping number.
To give the album a greater edge of fun and realism, all of the numbers have been recorded in one take; a “Warts’n’All,” situation you might say. The artists taking part in this emotional get together are; John Mayall, Jeff Healey, Eric Sardinas, Coco Montoya, Junior Watson, Guitar Shorty, James Harman, Bernard Allison, Finis Tansby, Deacon Jones and Joe Bonamassa. And of course Walter’s band The Free Radicals
This is not a retrospective of Walters’s career but a point of reflection, in his life; if you want to find a defining example of Walter’s work, or are a hesitating fan worried that Walter might have gone off the boil. Fear not for I can wholeheartedly recommend this album to you.
Well worth a listen!
 Brian Harman.

Artist: Lynwood Slim
Title: Last Call
Label: Delta Groove DGPCD108
For more information go to: www.deltagrooveproductions.com

Delta Groove is a label which is slowly but surely gaining a veritable feast of talented artists on its’ books; but, I digress, let’s concentrate on Mr Slim.
At the age of fifteen in Southern California Richard Duran a.k.a. Lynwood Slim played the trumpet, but after hearing the music of such high calibre bluesmen as Little Walter and Jimmy Reed he changed to the Harmonica. In his formative years Mr Slim spent a good deal of time living and working in Minneapolis and Chicago. After a revival of interest in the blues on the west coast during the nineties he subsequently returned to Southern California.
Although this is by no means the only album from Mr. Slim in a long career of playing and touring, it is though, his debut for DG and my, my, my what an album it really is; bringing to everyone the fruits of his talents from the many years of experience gained by working over the years with the likes of; Lenoard”Baby Doo “Caston, “Big” Walter Horton, and Charlie Musselwhite..
Under the tutorship of artists like these; Mr Slim mastered not only the “ Little Harp “ but also the complexities required of the more challenging chromatic harp. His reputation and skills were further honed by touring with artists such as; James Cotton, Bo Diddley and Roy Buchanan.
The varied and indubitable talents of Mr Slim have enabled him to create a mixture of sophisticated covers and self penned originals. The twelve numbers; which consist of; sublime lilting blues, combined with a tincture of jump’n’jive, which in turn greets a slow moving wave of cool, cool, mellow jazz and swing, that just effortlessly wash over you, completely refreshing the senses!
Numbers such as; Joe Williams “Well, Alright ok you win!” “Me myself and I,” and “Duke Ellington’s Nothin’ but the Blues,” sit splendidly together with; “All Night Long” and “Wee Baby Blues.” All happily rubbing shoulders together; these numbers are only the tip of a very welcome, musically invigorating and fast melting iceberg.
Mr. Slim who takes on the duties of; Vocals, harmonica, flute and bongos; is assisted by; Kid Ramos, Kirk Fletcher, Armondo Cortez, Jeff Ross, Gonzalo Bergara, guitar; Kate Moss, rhythm guitar; Rich Delgrosso, mandolin; Carl Sonny Leland, Harunobu Tsuhida, piano; John Bazz, Tyler Pederson and Nick Moss, bass; Richard Innes, James Gadson, Ron Felton and Greg Campbell, drums; Ron Dziubla, horns and piano.
This is a “slippers off! Glide across the living room, smoothie! “
Well worth a listen!
 Brian Harman.

Artist: Al “Coffee” McDaniel
Title: A Shoe is a Shoe
Label: CPA Records 6781510015
For more information go to: www.almcdaniel.com, www.cparecords.com, www.ashoeisashoe.com

Although there are only seventeen numbers on this double album from Al “coffee” McDaniel they are conveniently divided for our listening pleasure onto two cds’. The first cd contains seven richly rockin’ blues and r’n’b numbers; consisting of a smooth blend of the resonating baritone voice of Al which he gives a suitably barbed edge for these numbers, combined with a guitar sound that has an insistent, fluid style; reminiscent of Joe Louis Walker at his most lyrical.
The second cd is an altogether different piece; the deep, rich, melted chocolate baritone voice of Al is paired with a succulently juicy sounding late night saxophone. This gives the whole set a very “Barry White” sleepily smoochy, cool, laid back Jazz-tinged feel.
I don’t know if living in the Tampa Bay area, Florida contributes to the smooth romantically inspiring feel of this cd but it certainly makes me wonder?
Assisting Al, who plays guitars & lead vocals on this album, are; Jeremy Carter, saxophone; Kevin Wilder & Allon Sams, keyboards; Reginald Dockens, guitars; Dale Horton, Jeff ”big hands” Williams, Ruben Drake & Art Jones, bass; Randol Walton, Frank “third” Richardson, drums;
The only number that is at odds with all the other numbers is a very personal tribute from Al to all past and present serving U.S soldiers’ a fine tribute but perhaps the number should have been placed on the first cd?
Another highly commendable action has been taken with this cd; a donation of one American dollar will be given to the Breast Cancer Foundation for every copy sold.
A very worthy cause and a more than worthy album!
FAB!
 Brian Harman.