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MARK PUCCI MEDIA
THE GIFT-A Tribute to Ian Tyson/various: Certainly a legend on Canadian music, Tyson never has really gotten the proper respect he’s deserved stateside. Since absorbing himself into his cowboy roots 20 years ago with his series of cowboy culture records, the author of some of the most enduring 60’s folk music has pretty much created a genre unto itself. Tyson certainly gets the respect on this well made tribute as fellow travelers, acolytes, side kicks and others drop by to doff the cap to some fo his more enduring work. Anyone that’s a real Tyson fan is sure to complain about one of their faves being left off, especially since his greatest works really do go that deep, but once you get past that, there’s really nothing to quibble about on board here. Simply a knock proof collection that gives a true legend his due. Check it out.
1322 (Stony Plain)
NICK MOSS & the Flip Tops/Play it Til Tomorrow: Quite frankly, who’d have ever thought this white boy from the Chicago suburbs would soak up the post war Chicago blues as well as he did? From a slew of personal bests, Moss and company check in with a twofer that showcases their well known electric side and gives insight on the second disc to their unplugged side. Not content to sit still on past glories, no matter how recent, Moss has solidified his chops to the point that he’s ready to take on tomorrow and his new music reflects it. With a slick tip of the hat, he rounds up the son of Jimmy Reed’s ace sidekick to slide in and you can see how a lot of stuff really does run in bloodlines. A throughly kick ass set that never fails to deliver the blues goods.
1008 (Blue Bella)
GERRY HUNDT/Since Way Back: I guess you don’t have to be Steve Goodman to be a disciple of Carl Martin. A busman’s holiday for a member of the Flip Tops, Hundt revs up the blues mandolin with his band and label mates for one of those off beat great times that shows he’s thinking very creatively in expanding a musical vocabulary that will put his at the top of a heap. With a uniqueness that goes beyond novelty, Hundt is really onto something contemporary blues fans can grab hold of.
1009 (Blue Bella)
KILBORN ALLEY BLUES BAND/Tear Chicago Down: Contemporary urban blues fans are going to get a ping just from picking this one up as it looks and feels like something Paul Butterfield would have recorded for Paul Rothschild if the two knew each other when Rothschild was still at Prestige. Already getting notice by being nominated for best new artist, the crew delivers hot and heavy with a set that puts them in direct lineage of Muddy Waters and Butterfield. Hot and heavy stuff that just smokes, contemporary urban blues fans will simply love it.
1010 (Blue Bella)
BILL LUPKIN/Hard Pill to Swallow: A long time in getting his due, Lupkin came from the wilds of Indiana in the 60’s to hang out in Chicago blues bars where his drive was recognized by greats like Howlin Wolf, T Bone Walker and the essential artists of the times who let him have his head. With road and time tested chops at the fore, this vet of the whole shebang just keeps blowing hotter and hotter now that he’s working under his own name. His second set of originals is on the money throughout and he is well deserving of being labeled a blues harp master.
1011 (Blue Bella)
Volume 30/Number 343
October 9, 2007
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
(c)2007 Midwest Record
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