Blues Blast Magazine Album Review: Jericho Road Show – Times Ain't Like they Used to Be

Hello!

This CD review was originally published in the August 20, 2015 edition of Blues Blast Magazine. Be sure to check out the rest of the magazine at www.bluesblastmagazine.com

Jericho Road Show – Times Ain’t Like They Used to Be

Hoo-Doo Records

http://bluzzz2u.wix.com/acoustic-house-party

12 tracks / 41:18

There is plenty of soulful Americana music to be found in Mississippi, and the Jericho Road Show delivers their own take on this unique sound with plenty of gusto in their new CD, Times Ain’t Like They Used to Be. This collection of twelve classic and original tunes is a marvelous sampler of Southern folk and blues that is delivered by some of the best in the business.

The Jericho Road Show is sort of a roots and blues super group that was founded by Rambling Steve Gardiner. He grew up near Pocahontas, Mississippi, but has called Tokyo his home since 1980, and he has been charged by the US State Department to spread the good news of American music in Japanese schools and universities. Steve produced this album and the other core members of the crew are Libby Rae Watson (of the Liberaetors and a 2015 IBC finalist), Wes Lee (of Blue Roux), and Bill Steber (of the Jake Leg Stompers and Hoodoo Men). There is more than enough experience to be found here as they are all seasoned professionals, and they have put out over 20 CDs between them. A few of their friends joined in on this recording too, as you will see in a bit.

There are a lot of shared roles on this disc, with each member taking turns on lead vocals and guitars. First up, we get to hear Steve Gardner on vocals with the traditional tune, “What’s the Matter with the Mill.” This song is a great example of what you are going to hear throughout the album: it has a live feel, but a crystal clear sound with excellent mixing and production values. Gardner’s vocals are throaty, the backing vocals are enthusiastic, and there is sweet guitar picking and nice harp work on this folk blues tune. Making it just a bit more fun, the bottom end is held down by some cool tuba playing from Brandon Armstrong.

After a slightly more complex take on Robert Johnson’s “Stones in my Passway,” the band launches into a toe-tapping rendition of Bo Carter’s “Whiskey Blues,” this time with Libby Rae Watson up front. Her pleasing alto vocals are delivered perfectly with nice interplay from Gardner’s harmonica. Guest artists include Nick Vitter on bass drum and Chaz Leary with his washboard, which is just perfect for this song: “I got the washboard, you got the tub, gonna stick them together, gotta rub, rub, rub!”

There are only a few originals to be found on this disc. One is “Gray Sky Blues” from Wes Lee and the other is “Shake it Loose” by Bill Steber, who also provided the soulful lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica for this track. Though this song is one of the newest ones on Times Ain’t Like They Used to Be, it fits in well with the rest of the vintage material, and it is very well written. Libby Rae chips in with spot-in vocal harmonies and Leary again provides the percussion with his washboard.

After around 40 minutes of pure fun, Wes Lee ends the set with one last traditional, “You Got to Move,” which is chock-full of his marvelous resonator guitar playing and his Clapton-esque vocals. This song is the essence of Southern blues with its bare-bones instrumentation of Delta guitar, vocals, hand percussion, and bass drum. A nice twist is the fresh gospel call and response at the end with the other members of the Jericho Road Show.

If you like acoustic roots, blues, and folk music, then you will love what the Jericho Road Show put together for Times Ain’t Like They Used to Be. It has a fun and informal vibe, but still delivers first-rate musicianship, and it would certainly be a worthwhile addition to your collection. Plus, now is the time to see their live show as the band is touring the United States this summer. So, catch them while you can – they make their homes all over the place, and who knows when they will be able to get together again!

Kern Pratt – Broken Chains | Album Review

Kern Pratt – Broken Chains

Gigtime Records

www.kernpratt.com

13 tracks / 44:42

Kern Pratt has got to be one of the hardest working singers and guitarists in the blues business right now. The Mississippi Delta native has a pretty heavy gig schedule within the Magnolia State, and he plays festivals like a madman, having hit most of the ones within driving distance, and he even plays at the Mississippi Picnic each year in Central Park. This is in addition to having a history of opening up for blues heroes such as Elvin Bishop, BB King, Dr. John, Bo Diddley, Johnny Winter, Delbert McClinton, Eddie Cotton, Bernard Jenkins, Dorothy Moore, Bobby Rush, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Some of these folks are no longer with us, and what a great honor it must me to have shared the stage with them!

Broken Chains is Kern Pratt’s new album, and he wisely chose to fill the studio with first-rate talent to back him up. The core crew includes Denise Owen on some of the lead vocals, David Hyde on bass, Nelson Blanchard and drums and keys, and Sam Brady behind the Hammond B-3. There is also a killer horn section of Lacy Blackledge, Rob Henderson, Pete Verbots, and Chris Bellleau.

This 40 minute CD (or download, if you are an iTunes person) has twelve tracks with five Pratt-penned originals and some well chosen covers. The album is bookended by a pair of cool resonator guitar Delta-style instrumentals (“Delta Mourn’” and “Broken Chains”) courtesy of guest artist and roots music master, Wes Lee. These songs help to set the mood and remind the listener where Kern is coming from.

The originals are all good, but there are a couple of standouts that should be mentioned. “Greenville Mississippi Blues” checks all of the boxes with well-placed horns, special guest Eden Brent on the piano, and some excellent slide guitar work as Pratt howls out the vocals. And “Cotton Pickin’” is a upbeat electric blues instrumental with tight integration of horns into the guitar leads. The only thing wrong with this song is that it should have been twice as long – three minutes is just not enough.

The covers are a cool bunch too, and reflect Kern’s love for all of the blues sub-genres, spanning more than half a century. The oldest of the bunch is the Mel London 1940 blues standard, “It Hurts Me Too,” which was covered by Elmore James and Junior Wells. This take on it is just vocals and acoustic guitar, with some tasty harp work courtesy of Luc Borms. Moving forward to 1969, there is “Soulshake,” which was originally recorded by Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson. Denise and Kern share the lead vocals on this one, which shares the bouncy feel of the original, but with the benefit of way better musicians and recording practices. But, the standout of the covers is Albert Collins’ “Lights are On, But Nobody’s Home” from his Grammy-nominated Cold Snap album (Alligator Records). Pratt tears the strings off his guitar and sings the lyrics with true feeling.

Kern Pratt did a great job with Broken Chains, and he should be proud of the work he and his friends did in the studio to bring each of the songs alive with their slick blend of blues, soul, and rock. So, head over to his website and give It a listen, and while you are at it check out his gig schedule. If you are anywhere around Mississippi before the end of the year you have to get out and see his live show!