By: Michael Madavi

Artist: Sonny Landreth
Title: Voices of Americana
Label: Edsel
Genre: Blues
Release Date:
UPC: 5032698325856
Territory: World

Louisiana-based musician Sonny Landreth is one of the most talented slide-guitar players since Duane Allman. Raised in the south and heavily influenced by the blues and folk finger-picking techniques, Landreth developed an unusual playing style where he places his slide on the pinky while making chord fragments with the trailing fingers. The result is a highly unique and complex sound that lends itself perfectly to southern blues and twangy country material. Eric Clapton has said he is “probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced.” Landreth has performed and recorded along with Clapton, Jimmy Buffet, John Mayall, Bonnie Raitt, and Mark Knopfler, to name a few.

As part of the Demon Music Group’s Voices of Americana series, Voices of Americana: Sonny Landreth highlight’s his early playing, showcasing the work that would help to push forward what a guitar can do. This is a fantastic example of proficient slide guitar work and some good ol’ fashion American backcountry music. If you had an awesome grandpa who was from Mississippi and played guitar, this is what he would have busted out at family gatherings and whatnot. And if his guitar skills weren’t enough, Landreth’s voice tells of his southern upbringing better than his driver’s license. A must have for slide-guitar enthusiasts or anyone seeking out some genuinely and exclusively American music.

Bonus! Check out this great video of Landreth tearing up some electric slide at a gig. Watch his hands: not only is the slide technique awe-inspiring, but the way he uses his right hand to tap and slap on top of finger-picking is highly unusual and very cool.

The Alex Dixon Band
“My Suspicious Mind” (mp3)
from “Rising From The Bushes”
(Dixon Landing Music)
UPC: 798304034806
More On This Album

People always say the elderly are to be treasured and revered for their extensive world experience and knowledge; Alex Dixon definitely took this to heart, but who could blame him? His grandfather was Willie Dixon, the legendary songsmith behind a huge portion of the infamous Chicago-based blues label, Chess Records. Willie was responsible for timeless classics like “Little Red Rooster,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Back Door Man,” “Evil,” “Spoonful,” “Let Me Love You Baby,” and “You Need Love” (which was transformed into Zeppelin’s anthem “Whole Lotta Love” by Jimmy Page) to name just a few. His music was originally played by greats such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley then covered by later legends like Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and The Grateful Dead. Basically, if you like music played by an electric guitar, you’ve heard a Willie Dixon song.

But how exactly did his grandfather’s musical mastery transfer down to Alex Dixon? Fear not, for the only other Dixon to attempt musical composition and production picks up right where Willie left off. Alex’s skill as a pianist and writer shine on the album as he has created fantastic new numbers still solidly grounded in the fundamentals of blues, just like Willie. If he wasn’t a strong enough musician, his band would definitely pick up the slack. Studio drummer James Gadson has over 300 Gold Records to his credit. Vocalist Marcy Levy has had success singing along with Eric Clapton on his solo records. Gerald Johnson has played bass and recorded with Steve Miller, Greg Allman, and Crosby Stills and Nash. Alan Mirikitani serves as a powerful vocalist and guitar player worthy of such a high-quality band. The songs are soulful and genuine; this is the blues! Included are a couple of Willie’s numbers, such as Howlin Wolf’s “Down in the Bottom” and the legendary “Spoonful” which is skillfully belted by vocalist David Dills. Overall Alex does the Dixion name justice and contributes a worthy record into his family’s catalog. A great album for fans of his grandfather’s work.

Nick Moss & The Flip Tops
“Spare Ribs & Chopsticks” (mp3)
from “Live At Chan’s – Combo Platter No. 2″
(Blue Bella Records)
UPC: 800595101225
More On This Album

Chicago blues. Those two words conjure up the most powerful and evocative images in the entire history of American music. Think smoke-filled taverns on the South or West Side nearly ablaze with tremendous displays of electrified Delta beats. Chicago blues is now also synonymous with guitarist Nick Moss. Though the golden era of Chicago blues is long past with many of its key players deceased or retired, this young Chicagoan stands tallest in the current generation of blues performers that honor the letter and spirit of the great urban African-American music. A musician of consummate skill, Nick fully understands the debt he owes his predecessors and how important it is to carry on tradition in an honorable fashion. “I’m not trying to re-invent the wheel,” he says with characteristic modesty, “or trying to bring things into the new millennia. I’m just playing what was handed down to me and do it justice.” This is the authentic electric Chicago sound that you just don’t quite find anymore without paying the big bucks to see an old master in your local enormo-dome.

Recorded during a two-night stand in July, 2008, Nick Moss & the Flip Tops’ new release Live at Chan’s: Combo Platter No. 2 is the highly anticipated follow-up to the band’s 2006 album, Live At Chan’s (Vol. 1), also recorded live at the venerable haven of Chinese food and blues in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. This time, the band ups the ante by bringing in special guest, fellow Chicago blues stalwart, Lurrie Bell, named “Blues Artist of the Year” and “Most Outstanding Guitarist” in the 2008 Living Blues magazine awards. Moss & Bell team up for some massive blues guitar interplay that recalls a Saturday night on Chicago’s Southside, and the excitement and energy that these two guitarists bring to this set is palpable. Moss’s claim of maintaining the spirit and technique of classic electric blues holds true as this album becomes a fantastic addition to an aficionado’s live recording’s collection or anyone looking for that old-school, authentic sound.