This is the follow-up album to Kurt Crandall’s TRUE STORY (2004) and although it’s been an over-long wait, I’m certainly glad it’s here. Kurt has been incredibly active over the intervening years and he has become even tighter and more focussed than before. He describes what he plays as “Chicago Blues/ West Coast Swing/ Kansas City Jump”. The predecessor to this set demonstrated an attractive sense of pointed humour combined with a stylish cool, and the opener, a fine rendition of Lucky Millinder’s (probably) Cab Calloway inspired ‘Shorty’s Got To Go’ shows that these qualities are present again. ‘Speak Up’, a Crandall original, is another number in this jive-y style, band vocals behind Kurt’s lead, some jazzy harp and excellent piano. Sandwiched between these two is a fine rendition of Snooky Pryor’s ‘Boogy Fool’, a wonderful example of early Chicago harmonica blues, which contrasts strongly with the title track, a smoochy, wee wee hours duet with the sultry Myra Taylor, straight out of the late forties.
Things continue in this eclectic groove, moving from straight-ahead small combo jazz (try ‘Gourmet Ice’) to vintage - and rather risqué - rock and roll (‘Annie’) to deep Chicago club blues with ‘Late Night Rendezvous’ and some California swing-blues. Some indication of the care and attention to detail that has gone into this set can be gauged by the fact that, excellent though Kurt’s band is, for the three covers of vintage Chicago material – ‘Boogy Fool’, an outstanding cover of Sonny Boy Williamson’s ‘Dissatisfied’ and a remake of Willie Dixon’s ‘Spider In My Stew’ (best known by Buster Benton) – he has enlisted the help of drummer Kenny Smith, just about the best around for this style. It proves Kurt wants things just right – and that’s what he gets.
Debut Album - True Story
Chicago Blues, West Coast Swing, Kansas City Jump these are just a few of the styles that you will hear on Kurt Crandalls new CD, True Story. Searching for the sound of the blues masters before him, Kurt dismissed newfangled technology and the digital wizardry of computers and instead recorded live in the studio to analog tape. The result is a disc that is contemporary in its themes but old school in its sounds and attitude. In addition to 8 cleverly crafted originals, Kurt pays homage to harmonica genius Little Walter, songwriter Smiley Lewis and the first Sonny Boy Williamson.
With witty lyrics that evoke Rick Estrin's songwriting and harmonica playing that is eerily close to the late, great William Clarke, Kurt Crandall has joined the current crop of young harmonica players to be reckoned with on todays blues scene. In support of Kurts fine songwriting, singing and harmonica playing are Kansas Citys finest blues musicians Jaisson Taylor on drums (formerly with Little Hatch, Joe Louis Walker, Bill Witherscurrent drummer for Lee McBee, Karl Angerer on guitar and Ralph Ybarra on bass (also plays with Lee McBee, Mike Sedovic along with Pete Kanaras (the former guitar player for the legendary Nighthawks. A particular highlight of the album is the fretwork of Pete Kanaras and Karl Angerer. Pete provides inventive rhythm playing and fills while Karl supplies many tasteful solos. Be sure to pick up this breakout disc by one of the blues most exciting new artists.
Greetings Kurt... Hey man "Big Walter Shuffle is Way Cool!!! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for including me among your friends, and if you have the time, I would sincerely appreciate you listening to my tunes and sharing your thoughts. Hope to see you at the Jewish Mother! All the best to you, Bobby Snard... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪
You need to check out the new Victoria "Blowbox" Harp amp! I was instrumental in designing and getting into their line of top shelf amps. Go to youtube and search me "James Reeser" and there are a couple of recent vids featuring it.
It is a 45 watt 2X8 amp. It looks like a tweed head but yes it has 2 8" speakers in it. No one can believe such a fat rich tone comes from a little amp. It is versatile... light weight... It can be plugged into any speaker cab as it has 2, 4 and 8 ohm output taps. It also has a switch that makes it either a stock 59 Bassman if that is your tone (also for guitar if desired) or flip the switch for the harp special circuits and rich fat harp tone! And yes has plenty of power as a stand alone to keep up with just about any band.
Shit! I did not know!!!! Happy Bday man! My parents picked me up today and guess who was the harp player in the cd player, yes Mr Crandall, the band sounds tight and your guitar player rocks!! Hope to play together again sometime soon.
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