Download - Downbeat

BLUESby Frank-John HadleyChicago StoriesNick Moss & The Flip Tops: LiveAt Chan’s, Vol. 2 (Blue Bella 1012;79:10) AAA 1 / 2 Whereas muchChicago blues today seems fit fora mausoleum, guitarist Moss’ takeon the music sounds as fresh asthe moment when it was recordedonstage in mid-2008. He’s reachedhis maturity, supplying a toughmindedprecision and inventivenessto the utilitarian guitar licksrequired for his originals and oldstandbys like “Five Long Years”and “I’m Ready.” As a singer,Moss has improved by leaps andbounds. Guest guitarist Lurrie Bellalso knows how to communicate emotionswith ease, his 12-bar bona fides establishedin the 1980s.Ordering info: bluebellarecords.comShirley Johnson: Blues Attack (Delmark798; 63:45) AAA In a perfect world,Johnson would be headlining blues festivalsall over. Formerly employed byBuster Benton, Johnny Christian andEddie Lusk, on her own since the early’90s, this Chicagoan exudes a wise selfcontainmentwhether singing MauriceJohn Vaughn’s shuffle “You’re Reckless”or taking a soul direction on the RayCharles classic “Unchain My Heart.” Shebrings formidable interpretative honestyto a salty slow blues about cheating shepenned with Vaughn, “You Shouldn’tHave Been There.” Trumpeter KennyAnderson’s horn arrangements increasethe appeal of five tunes.Ordering info: delmark.comBilly Boy Arnold/John Primer/BillyBranch/Lurrie Bell: Chicago Blues—ALiving History (Raisin’ Music 1003;34:48/40:09) AA 1 /2 Four midlifers—harpplayers Arnold and Branch and guitaristsPrimer and Bell—lead the charge on a 21-song program that traces the music fromits up-from-the-Delta urban beginnings in1940 (the Sonny Boy Williamson I-identified“My Little Machine”) on to the ’90s(Buddy Guy’s “Damn Right, I’ve Got TheBlues”). The ensemble performances aregenerally vibrant and satisfying, thoughvocals can tax your patience.Ordering info: raisinmusic.comAnd This Is Free—The Life And Times OfChicago’s Legendary Maxwell Street(Shanachie 6801; 100:00 DVD/58:56 CD)AAA 1 /2 The DVD part of this multi-packcaptures all the fascinating hustle andNick Moss:supple maturitybustle of the West Side street marketplacein the mid-’60s. Foremost in quality is thetitular Mike Shea-directed documentary,filmed on 16 Sundays, with several bluesand gospel performers featured. Alsoimpressive: Shuli Eshel’s shorter film,Maxwell Street: A Living Memory—TheJewish Experience in Chicago. The modestlyenjoyable CD comes packed with 17studio-made tracks from guitarist BlindArvella Gray (minus two left-hand fingers)and other local bluesmen.Ordering info: shanachie.comZora Young: Sunnyland (Airway 4765;56:57) AAA Long deserving of widerrecognition, Young brings a jittery, caffeinatededge to her singing that deepensthe tension present in songs she wrote orgot from guitarist Hubert Sumlin, saxophonist-producerSam Burckhardt or theSunnyland Slim songbook. She’s absenton three songs and quick to yield tosoloists on a few more—but that’s permittedbecause this is a democratic tribute tothe late great pianist with the aforementionedand other pals of Slim together inthe Windy City studio.Ordering info: airwayrecords.comMuddy Waters: Live At Chicagofest(Shout! Factory DVD 11304; 55:22) AAAOnstage in 1981, Waters displays the distinguishingfeatures of a blues titan—startwith complete control of a rich languageof inflections and perfect constructions onthe three basic chords. Mojo Buford onharp and the rest of the pick-up bandaddress the emotionalism of “MannishBoy” and 11 more favorites with fondregard. Rail-thin Johnny Winter joinssingers Mighty Joe Young and Larry “BigTwist” Nolan as guests.DBOrdering info: shoutfactory.comKATE MOSSFreddie HubbardWithout A Song: Live In Europe 1969BLUE NOTE 97093AAA 1 /2By the time Freddie Hubbard made thisEuropean tour, he’d already scaled the heightsof modern jazz. Though he was drifting as arecording artist, Hubbard was well establishedas a leading trumpeter and a celebrated sideman-turned-bandleader.Here, he chose to showcase his talents witha lean, talented quartet. Pianist Roland Hannaprovides apt counterpoint to Hubbard’sbrawny, lyrical styling, and driving drummerLouis Hayes is properly anchored by bassistRon Carter. The first two tunes were representativeof what Hubbard was working on at thetime, as “Without A Song” and “The ThingsWe Did Last Summer” both appeared on TheHub Of Hubbard in 1970.Still, the heart of this collection findsHubbard looking back at his roots and leadingthe way with chops intact. Averaging 10 minutesin length, these performances allow theplayers to solo extensively. Hayes stretchesout nicely on “A Night In Tunisia” and Hannatakes plenty of spotlight time, but it’sHubbard who makes the sparks fly on RedGarland’s “Blues By Five,” demanding comparisonto Miles Davis.“Body And Soul” is another highlight, asHubbard takes the classic and makes it hisown—far more than when he first recordedthe ballad in 1963. “Space Track” is the titlenumber from another 1970 Hubbard LP, andthis arrangement again improves on the studioversion. Closing with a vintage piece from hisown repertoire, Hubbard puts the bandthrough its paces on an abbreviated version of“Hub-Tones,” which only leaves us wantingmore.—Mitch MyersWithout A Song: Live In Europe 1969: Without A Song; TheThings We Did Last Summer; A Night In Tunisia; Blues By Five;Body And Soul; Space Track; Hub-Tones. (69:39)Personnel: Freddie Hubbard; trumpet; Roland Hanna; piano;Louis Hayes; drums; Ron Carter; drums.»Ordering info: bluenote.com54 DOWNBEAT August 2009