Let's face it - the recession's not over until everybody gets a job, Christmas seems a bit lamer and more tightly stretched this year (Most shoppers report they'll spend 4% more...wait...make that 2% more than last year?), charitable donations are down, food banks are running out and sometimes it seems like the Fools epic anthem "Life Sucks and Then You Die" is coming true. This year, however, you the consumer have an option - you can support musicians who are willing to tell the true - the true talking bluesmen whose latest CDS would look great under the tree.
My two favorite tell it like it is cuts for 2010 are "Please Mr. President" by Guitar Shorty (Bare Knuckle, Alligator) and "Edge of the Ledge" by the Holmes Brothers (Feed My Soul, Alligator). Guitar Shorty is renowned for his sizzling, take no prisoners licks and this CD is loaded with penetrating riffs, but when he combines his spine straightening notes with lyrics like "I need a GOOD job - I need to support my wife and family- please Mr. President - lay some stimulus on ME!" you have no doubts about where he's coming from (Plus Shorty delivers on tunes like "True Lies", "Temporary Man" , "Neverland" and all the rest). The Holmes Brothers' have a gospel feel in their soothing, friendly harmonies (Title cut being the best example) and a definite sense of humor in songs like "Rounding Third", "You're The Kind of Trouble", and "Edge of the Ledge". The refrain reads like the Wall Street Journal headlines: " Standing on my head on the edge of the ledge...I lost my job, they even repossessed my bed - Standing on my head on the edge of the ledge." "Dark Cloud", the first cut is another topical look at where it's supposedly at today.
"Keep A Dollar in Your Pocket" was actually written and done originally by Roy Milton in Memphis, as the legendary BB King explains when he sits in on Elvin Bishop's version. The chorus explains that a dollar can be "your very best friend"
(The Blues Roll On, Delta Groove). Elvin assembled an impressive roster of musicians including Tommy Castro and George Thorogood, John Nemeth and James Cotton and it shows with the variety of styles and blues musicianship in each cut- definitely worth a listen even if I did recommend it last year as well. Cotton has his own CD out, "Giant", (Alligator) which is dedicated to the late great Koko Taylor and has some standout versions of blues classics - "How Blue Can You Get?"- "Sad Day" -"That's Alright"- among others, proving conclusively that James is a "giant" at the age of 75.
"Payday in America" is Smokin Joe Kubek and Bnois King's salute to the almighty dollar (Have Blues Will Travel, Alligator) but, instead of dwelling on the lack of jobs,money and incentive, the lyrics dwell on getting a motel room and partying until the grind starts all over again on Monday (Check out "Sleeping With One Eye Open", "My Guitar", "Have Blues Will Travel" and the usual collection of muscular Texas roadhouse blues). The Blood Brothers never fail to deliver.
Albert Collins probably delivers the best tunes about money or the lack thereof. His live version of "If Trouble Was Money (Then I'd Be a Millionaire)" on Albert Collins Deluxe (Alligator) is his signature combination of stinging finger picking and wry lyrics. My favorite is "Mastercard", Collins' tribute to the mall, the chorus consisting of the two words "Mastercard, BankAmericard" repeated over and over while Albert laments his wife's choice of earrings "made from real African wood" among other things, along with "When the Welfare Turns It's Back On You". Maybe one of the reasons Collins' songs have that authentic touch is that he worked construction most of his life until he could finally earn a living from doing gigs.
One thing's for sure: no matter what the economy does, you can always count on the blues if you want to know about hard times.
Don't forget to check out "Blues With A Feeling" Sundays 3-5PM on WQRI FM.
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