Street Date: April 22, 2008
DAVE SPECTER
Live In Chicago
(Delmark DVD 1794 / CD DE 794)
Blues guitarist Dave Specter is never prone to grandstanding. He communicates an inherent sense of style and form, subtlety and swing, keeping his magnetic needle always fixed on a steady, unalterable course. Recorded live at Buddy Guy's Legends and Rosa's Blues Lounge, Live In Chicago features special guests Jimmy Johnson, Tad Robinson and Sharon Lewis. The CD contains four instrumentals and two songs by each of the guest vocalists, while the DVD has three vocals by each. DVD also contains Specter commentary special feature. Boss Funk, What Love Did To Me, What's Your Angle, Feel So Bad, Out On The Road, In Too Deep, Angel and more...
MISSISSIPPI HEAT
Hattiesburg Blues
(Delmark DE 795)
Pierre Lacocque has led Mississippi Heat since its inception in 1991. The harmonica player has always surrounded himself with the cream of the crop of Chicago blues players. Lurrie Bell, who appeared on Heat's 2005 One Eye Open (DVD 1783, CD DE 783), is back again for two songs as is lead vocalist Inetta Visor. Guitarist Carl Weathersby plays throughout and sings on “Hell and Back". The Chicago Horns and latin percussionist Ruben Alvarez also add some very nice touches to this varied disc. Contains twelve songs many of which are new original compositions.
JASON AJEMIAN
The Art Of Dying
(Delmark DE 581)
What makes this group so important is the relationship that exists between its members. Bassist Jason Ajemian (Chicago Underground Trio, Lay All Over It, Born Heller) saxophonist Tim Haldeman, and drummer Nori Tanaka are regulars on the Chicago improv scene. Joined here by vibist Jason Adasiewicz (Loose Assembly, Exploding Star Orchestra, Aat), trumpeter Jaimie Branch, and guitarist Matt Schneider, this prolific, expansive, and inventive group becomes a sonic family. The interplay between the players is ceaseless in reawakening the heart of what is jazz today. Like a conversation among old friends, its intimacy is palpable, warm, friendly and at ease.
WALLY ROSE
Whippin' The Keys
(Delmark DE 248)
Pianist Wally Rose was the original piano player in Lu Watters Yerba Buena Jazz Band, the band that started the Traditional Jazz revival of the 1940s and '50s. Rose also played with Bob Scobey in 1950-51, Turk Murphy in 1952-54 and spent many years as soloist in San Francisco. In 1953 Rose recorded two influential solo LPs: Ragtime Classics and Ragtime Piano Masterpieces. Rose remained active throughout the '70s and '80s. Whippin' The Keys was recorded at two sessions; 1968 and 1971. The twenty ragtime selections were originally issued on two Blackbird LPs (Rose on Piano, Blackbird 12007 and Whippin' The Keys, Blackbird 12010). They are reissued here for the first time.
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