Solomon Burke ‎– Soul Alive!

Hey everybody, and happy new year!

It's been a while since I have posted, so hopefully this offering will make due.  Rounder reissued and remastered this show in 2002, and released a 2CD set.  Unfortunately, this is the original single CD, but that doesn't mean that it's not amazing.  I have ripped it in FLAC and included all the scans in hi-rez.  Enjoy!!

For pure soul testifying, no one compares to Solomon Burke. He earned his title -- "King of Soul" -- by bringing the gospel fervor of the Southern preacher to his performances, and no recording proves his command over an audience quite like Soul Alive! Recorded in 1983 in Washington, D.C., the set proves Burke had lost little from his '60s heyday; he works through nearly all of his hits, spurring on the concert-goers as though they were the ones performing instead of him -- in fact, some of the women are heard screaming so often they should've been credited. Burke shines most when leading the faithful through "I Can't Stop Loving You," pausing for a lengthy monologue before reprising the song and leading into a devastating finish. Elsewhere he works through deeply felt country-blues-gospel fusions like "I Almost Lost My Mind," "Take Me (Just as I Am)," "He'll Have to Go," and "Down in the Valley." - John Bush / AMG

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Rounder Records ‎– CD 11521

1988

Recorded at the Phoenix 1 Club, Washington DC, 1981. Solomon Burke is accompanied by the "Realtones".

Bass – Dave Conrad
Drums – Bobby Kent
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Keyboards – Gabriel Rotello
Saxophone [Baritone] – Crispin Cioe
Saxophone [Tenor] – Arno Hecht
Trumpet – "Hollywood“ Paul Littoral
Vocals – Solomon Burke

Robert Jr. Lockwood & Johnny Shines - Hangin' On

Another vinyl rip in flac (sorry, but I haven't had time to do an mp3 copy yet) that I recently did for Unkie Cliff - there are several more on tap.

"Two of the principal keepers of the Robert Johnson flame joined forces for a Rounder LP that's stunning in its non-conformity to what purists might like to hear from the two veterans. Jazz and swing influences invest much of the LP, the pair sharing vocal and guitar duties." AMG

I guess that is why it only got 3 stars...I'd give it at least 4; very enjoyable stuff, even some wonderfully funky moments! Oddly enough, it received a 1980 Handy award in the traditional blues category even though it has little that could be called that. I'm also somewhat baffled that Rounder has never re-released it. This is a not the rip that circulated a few years back - I think mine is cleaner.

Tuts Washington - New Orleans Piano Professor

A man whom both James Booker and Professor Longhair counted as a mentor and an influence should be enough resume' here. Oddly enough he managed to outlive both of them. Aside from a few stray singles as a sideman this was a man who was rarely recorded; only three times that I know of, he did not trust record men and chose to ply his craft as an old fashioned 'piano professor' who played daily to make his way.

"Isidore "Tuts" Washington (January 24, 1907 – August 5, 1984) was an American Louisiana blues pianist, who exemplified the New Orleans rhythm and blues style, also made famous by musicians such as Professor Longhair.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Washington taught himself piano at age 10, and studied with New Orleans jazz pianist Joseph Louis "Red" Cayou. In the 1920s and 1930s, he was a leading player for New Orleans dance and Dixieland bands. His unique style of play blended elements of ragtime, jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie.

After World War II, Washington joined the band of singer/guitarist Smiley Lewis; they released several well-known songs on Imperial Records including "Tee-Nah-Nah," "The Bells Are Ringing" and "Dirty People." He then moved to St. Louis to play with Tab Smith. He returned to New Orleans in the 1960s, continuing to appear at restaurants in the French Quarter, clubs such as Tipitina's, and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. For years he had a regular gig playing piano at a bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel. Although he avoided recording for most of his career, he released the solo piano album New Orleans Piano Professor on Rounder Records in 1983.

Tuts Washington died on August 5, 1984, after suffering a heart attack while performing at the World's Fair in New Orleans. In 1998, Night Train International Records released a live recording by Washington, Live at Tipitina's '78."  wiki

Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown - One More Mile

Here's a solid album from Gatemouth, reminiscent of his Black and Blue days.  For fans of the man, it's essential listening - fans of the blues will probably want to have a listen but it's overall not his best work.  For anyone looking to get into this blues legend, begin with KC's Peacock sessions.

Ripped from mint vinyl at 24/44.1 wav, and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

Rounder Records 2034
1982