Album Review: Cyril Neville, Brand New Blues

Artist: Cyril Neville
Title: Brand New Blues
Writer: Rick Galusha

Whether the Neville Brothers or the Marsalis’ are the first family of the New Orleans music community, both have a ready history of making fine music. And whether as solo artists, members of the Meters or recording together as, ‘The Neville Brothers,’ the Neville’s have , since 1954, made some highly listenable recordings including; ‘Fiyo on the Bayou,’ ‘Yellow Moon,’ and ‘Brothers Keeper.’
In the linear notes of his first solo album in eight years, Cyril Neville notes that Tab Benoit told him, “go blues” in 2005. While Cyril Neville’s album, ‘Brand New Blues’ may be his “blues record,” for me it is a more focused outing for the New Orleans native.

Often albums by the Neville Brothers include messages of social criticism. While the blues is usually personal, the outcry from New Orleans musicians over the 2005 flooding of New Orleans has been pervasive. On this record Neville delves elbow deep into the issue. In the linear notes writer John Sinclair tells readers that the flooding of New Orleans, “wasn’t really due to natural causes but was actually caused by the refusal of Congress to appropriate sufficient funding.” The actual finding, done in part by Louisiana State University, is, “Investigators criticized Congress for years of irregular funding and state and local authorities for failing to maintain the levees properly.” Sinclair goes on to say the flood was, “merely a trigger for institutional racism and civic ugliness.” You may agree or disagree where the blame lies; or the extent of who holds how much blame, however as a source for anguish and therefore material, the flood of New Orleans is a contemporary catastrophe and is now a part of America’s ‘disaster songs lexicon.’

So let’s talk about the music. This is not a “great” album in that it will not be widely embraced by the blues listener base. Instead it is a very strong record by a known American artist that aficionados of New Orleans and/or niche areas of blues and roots music will greatly enjoy. What Cyril shows us is a refraction of how the textures of blues music can be amalgamated into other genres and sounds. The sense and feel of this album is immediately familiar and, after hearing this recording, fans of the Neville Brothers will better recognize how Cyril contributes to the overall sound of his, ‘family groove.’

Like nearly any recording based in the poly-rhythms of New Orleans, it’s hard to keep your toes from tapping and your feet from dancing. ‘Cream Them Beans,’ is the equivalent of a Crescent City 12 bar jam as Neville talks over the track while the band rollicks.

Traditional blues radio programmers will want to focus on the album’s closing track, a cover of Bob Marley’s, ‘Slave Driver’ (where Marley’s album title, ‘catch a fire’ is coined.) This is a slow, highly textured track with a languid, slow burn. (Interestingly, Severn’s latest R n’ B singer Charles Wilson covers Marley’s ‘Is this Love’ on his latest release, “Troubled Child.”) Neville adds to Marley’s composition as he sings, “When I first saw what happen to New Orleans, my blood ran cold. My people’s freedom bought and sold,” in what develops into a quarter by quarter review of the current state of the 3rd Coast’s finest city…in its current form.

This is a good album; a credible showcase but it needs the listener’s full focus and an understanding that Neville is going to use his music as a vehicle for political advocating and, at times, I just want to hear music.

Album Review: Karen Lovely, Still the Rain

Artist: Karen Lovely
Title: Still the Rain

Perhaps it was her showcase in Memphis at the International Blues Competition last January…or maybe it the cool night breeze blowing in the car window that created the proper listening setting…but whatever it was Karen Lovely’s second album, ‘Still the Rain’ totally captured my ear. In a seemingly endless cycle of average blues CDs, Lovely’s new album is the brightest spot on the horizon and a good bet to make many’a Top Blues Album list this year.

Like many recording vocalists Lovely does not necessarily have the “perfect” voice however she is self-aware enough to choose selections that compliment her strengths and she pursues them with vigor. Lovely edges away from the well trodden “shouter” and the overused octave gospel slides: instead she mixes a speaking-singing style that is empowered by strong supporting instrumentation. And credit must be given to a band that underplays so tastefully to use space and serve the song. On the track ‘Other Plans’ Lovely presents the listener with a ‘simmering’ blues replete with a soft, lilting sax line played by Michael Vannice.

The unrushed tempo of the songs, the mile wide textures and intelligent, sensitive lyrics come together to present a near perfect independent blues release that belies the maturity of an artist releasing her second album. ‘Full Time Job’ is a solid blues song with a lush piano arrangement that for whatever reason reminds me of those (priceless) early Charlie Rich Sun Recordings. ‘Glad Your Gone’ opens with a B. B. King-like guitar intro that is at once comfortable yet fresh and new.

Lovely is fortunate to front the ‘Dawwg House Rhythm Section consisting of; Lee Spath, Drums; Richard Cousins, bass; Jim Pugh, Piano & B3 and Alan Mirikitani, guitar. The songs of Producer Dennis Walker and co-writer, co-producer Alan Mirikitani give Lovely the vehicles that separate this album from others.

‘Still the Rain’ is a magnificent album that burns ever so slowly embodying a perfect balance of showcase, songwriting, and professional musicianship. Imagine a subtle Diane Schuur fronting a mid-period Ray Charles in a very intimate, very dark night club setting. Radio programmers will find that the up tempo ‘Cold Man Cold’ is a nice entry to an album.

Album Review: The Poorboys

You can hear this music at; www.kiwrblues.podomatic.com

In every community there are bands of musicians that are too young to die and too committed to quit. Whether by passion or talent, over the decades the actors become proficient and move through musical genres to see which one fits best. In time these bands begin to write their own songs, transcend genre and create that blended sound that is uniquely their own. Given time to percolate, these faceless agents can create amazing albums: a monument to life spent in music. Trouble is, shifting through literal mountains of bad CDs, these records rare. Late in 2009 radio host Ally Lee recorded and began to spin a prime example of an exceptional regional release by ‘The Poorboys.’

A traditional five piece band who’s sound revolves around the Segar-like vocals and songwriting of Bob Davidson, the rich accenting keyboards of Nigel Stawart and the momentum setting drums of George Waters. Over the years this is a band that has learned the importance of using space (or not playing). Bass player Paul Mander and guitarist Graeme Kelly have an incredibly tasty presence; often by playing minimally. If taste can be measured, The Poorboys excel in good taste; knowing when to play as well as when to serve the song by not playing. It is a wisdom culled over years of playing.

There are two radio ready tracks on their self titled album. On the upbeat track, “She Moves Like Water,” Davidson sings of a free willed woman that, “moves like water, running around anything that keeps her from flowing her own way.” Using a full blown American accent, Davidson’s central character moves from human to a metaphor for time and aging as “she washes over me” and “rolls to the sea.” The songwriter’s use of water throughout the song ties together, on one level, the love of a woman and on another level a passion for an aging life.

The second radio track is “East of Paradise.” The song rolls out slowly behind a somber piano opening juxtaposed against paced drums. The band’s use of background cellos is a McCartney-like touch that creates depth behind the vocals yet cast a shadow on the intensely sorrowful lyric lines of broken love. At eight minutes, the extended piano break is set against the cellos emotive theme giving the listener a sense of panoramic movement. As a guitar takes over, it propels the song, building an energy that pushes to emotional climax. A delicate sense of songwriter that employs music to express emotions that words simply could not. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

This album of perfect length (nine tracks) is as close to being “great” as one could ever expect from the ocean of undiscovered, self-produced albums. In the end ‘The Poorboys’ are a regional band from Northeast England that will perform to adoring friends and family. The band will strike a memorable history that too few will imbibe but such loss is the making for Shakespearian Tales.

Album Review: Discpiles of Sound

Band: The Disciples of Sound

When the band Indigenous split up, Mato Nanji (guitar, vocals) kept the name and continues to tour under that moniker. While it took awhile longer, younger brother, Pte (paa-tay) or ‘Little Buffalo Man’ followed his muse and formed a much heavier sounding band, ‘Disciples of Sound’ (DOS). The band consists of Pte (listed as Buffalo on the liner notes), Ed Miles and Nate Boff. A three track EP of the Austin based band recently surfaced along with a developing presence on the social networking site, Facebook.

According to the legendary British deejay Ally Lee, “If you like Storyville you will adore this band.”

The early permutations of DOS image and sound can be heard and seen on the Indigenous ep ‘Long Way Home.’ This seven song EP was produced by family friend Jesse Davey (The Hoax, Davey Brothers). While the DOS ‘sound’ is removed from blues, it is blues based and akin to a chain-saw plodding Chris Duarte presence. The ep opens with an electric version of ‘Devils in My Head’ which features Pte and Mato’s sister Wanbdi on drums along with Jesse Davey on organ and guitars. The disc also features the tracks ‘All Red’ and an acoustic version of ‘Devils in My Head.’

This is a band that the majority of “blues” fans may warm to slowly. Employing a heavy bottom sound with howling vocals and that noted atonal Austin “thud,” the band is a clear departure from Pte’s previous national band. Receiving continual airplay on the British ‘Lionheart Radio,’ DOS clearly resonates with an industrial leaning audience that moves easily from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Metallica and, perhaps, it is the sonic flexibility that will prove to be DOS’ calling card to building a larger audience.

"The Poor Boys" viral campaign

We're music lovers, you and I.

It is what we do; share music and try to turn others onto the music we enjoy.

There is a song that has absolutley "smitten" my ear of late - and I'd like to share it with you...

Over the past year or so I've formed an online friendship with Mister Ally Lee - who hosts the 'Roots, Rock, Riot Show' at www.lionheartradio.com. Ally's program runs 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. CST. Lee's in-depth knowledge of music adds to a rather "wide" radio playlist - keeping the listener on their toes and ever open to this sound or that. It is the way innovative radio should be...unpredictable and fresh.

Ally also operates a recording studio in his hometown of Alnwick, Northumberland; on the north east coast of England. I was able to visit him this October and be on his show along with other 'Roots, Rock, Riot Show' luminaries including; Paul Shucksmith, Oil Slick Mick, Dave from Shipley and my very dear friend, David Wilson.

Anyway, recently Ally emailed me a track he has just finished, "She Moves Like Water" by a local band, 'The Poor Boys.' It is fantastic and a song I think deserves to be heard and shared. If you think of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (circa 1978) and you put JC Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) in front of THAT band...well you're getting pretty close.

I suppose it is no coincidence that one of JC Fogerty's songs, "Down on the Corner" refers to a street corner band, 'Willie and the Poor Boys.' (It is also of interest that former Rollin' Stones bass player Bill Wyman's post-Stones band is 'Willie and the Poor Boys.'

You can stream or download this song at www.kiwrblues.podomatic.com. If you like this song, or these archival recordings of the 'Pacific Street Blues and Americana' radio program, please share the link with your friends. If you enjoy "She Moves Like Water" as much as I do, please download the song and send it to your friends...it can be a real Cinderella story in the making if you let it.

Thanks and Season's Greetings across the globe.
Rick Galusha
Recepient: 'Keep the Blues Alive Award' public radio, '09.

Shocking FACTS about the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

November 2009

The Pine Ridge Reservation

In many ways South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation, home of the Lakota Sioux Tribe, is a saturated “fly trap” of well intended do-gooders. While researching life style statistics for this report I found volumes of websites, blogs, articles and postings by groups and individuals working to alleviate the extreme poverty and harsh living conditions of the 18,600+ people on the Pine Ridge.

While I have been unable to verify all of these figures (see attached sheet of verified figures), the Pine Ridge Reservation Is among, if not thee, poorest counties in the United States.

This area is afflicted with some of society’s most devastating problems including; poverty, alcoholism, diabetes, teen suicide and violence.

Here are some facts, many of which contradict each other, I have found on the internet;


1.) According to ‘Red Cloud Indian School’ (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Demographics, 2009);

• 80% of residents are unemployed (versus 10% of the rest of the country)
• 49% of the residents live below the Federal poverty level (61% under the age of 18),
• Per Capita income in Shannon County is $6,286,
• The Infant Mortality rate is 5X higher than the national average,
• Native American amputation rates due to diabetes is 3 to 4X higher than the national average
• Death rate due to diabetes is 3X higher than the national average
• Other than Haiti, Life Expectancy on the Pine Ridge is the lowest in the Western Hemisphere;
-Men 48 years,
-Women, 52 years


2.) According to the New York Times (Kilborn, 1992);
• The Pine Ridge covers 2 million acres (Larger than Connecticut),
• 63.1% of all residents live in poverty in 1989 (national average 14.2% in 1991)
• The interview was with Father Joseph Daniel Sheehan


3.) According to City-Data.com (Pine Ridge, South Dakota (the city), 2007);

Pine Ridge South Dakota % Difference
Median Household income $24,346 $43,424 56.07%
Median Age 19.7 35.6 55.34%
Est. per Capita Income $7,373 $22,252 33.13%
Est. median home value $27,379 $118,700 23.07%
Average household size 4.4 2.5 (people) 176.00%
Percentage family hholds 86.2% 67.0% 128.66%

Residents with income below the poverty level 2007
61.0% 13.2% 462.12%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level 2007
25.9% 5.8% 446.55%

For the population over the age of 25;
- High School or higher 62.1%
- Bachelors degree or higher 4.3%
- Grad. Or Prof. degree 1.2%
- Unemployed 35.5%


4.) According to ‘Native American Times’ (Schwartz, 2006);

• 58.7% of Grandparents on the Reservation are responsible for raising their own grandchildren,
• The median income varies between $2,600 and $3,500 per year,
• 97% of the population lives below the Federal poverty line,
• The unemployment rate “is said to be approximately 83-85% and can be higher during winter…”
• Teenage suicide rates on Pine Ridge Reservation are 150% higher than the U.S. national average for this age group,
• The infant mortality rate is the highest on this continent and is about 300% higher than the U.S. national average,
• The rate of diabetes on the Reservation is reported to be 800% higher than the U.S. national average,
• Reports indicate that 50% of adults on the Reservation over the age of 40 have diabetes,
• The tuberculosis rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is approximately 800% higher than the U.S. national average,
• Cervical cancer is 500% higher than the U.S. national average,
• “It is reported that at least 60% of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation are infested with Black Mold Stachybotrys.”
• The school drop-out rate is over 70%
• Teacher turnover (rate) is 800% that of the U.S. national average,
• “There is an estimated average of 17 people living in each family home( a home which may have two to three rooms).”
• 39% of homes on the Reservation have no electricity,
• There are no public libraries except one at the Oglala Lakota College (in an area the size of Connecticut),
• Alcoholism affects eight out of ten families on the Reservation,
• The death rate from alcohol-related problems on the Reservation is 300% higher than the remaining U.S. population,


5.) According to the United States government's Census Bureau, 2009
(www.quickfacts.census.gov)


South Shannon Reported
Nebraska U.S.A. Dakota County Pine Ridge
Education
2008 Bachelors Degrees 23.70% 24.40% 21.50% 12.10% 4.30%
2008 High School Diploma 86.60% 80.40% 84.60% 70.00% 62.10%
2008 Population Change 4.20% 8.00% 6.50% 9.40%
2000 Home Ownership 67.40% 66.30% 68.20% 48.60%
2000 Persons per Home 2.49 2.59 2.50 4.36
2008 Below Poverty 11.1 13.0 13.2 47.4 (below)
2008 Med. Hhold Income 47072 50740 43507 25964
2000 Med. Home Value 88000 119600 79600 25900 27397
1999 Per Capital Income 19613 21587 17652 6286 7373
2008 Retail Sls per Capita 11729 10615 12626 2347
2008 Building Permits 6346 905359 3884 0
2008 Population 1783432 304mill 804194 13637 28787
1990 Native Population 12410 1937391 50575 14295
1990 % Native Population 0.8% 7.3% 0.8% 92.2%
2008 Federal Dollars 13.9m 2.536b 8.7mil 139,986
2008 Fed Dollars per Cap. $7.84 $8.34 $10.92 $10.27
1995 Population % Veterns 11.0% 10.5%


Poverty Reports for Pine Ridge residents U.S. Census Report 2000

46.4% of households on Pine Ridge are in poverty.49% 1990)
39.4% of Sioux families lived in poverty; 44.4% of individuals
60.5% of households have no father figure in the home.
47.5% of the Pine Ridge above the age of 18 live in poverty.

Native Population U.S.A. taken in 1995
Native Population Shannon County taken in 2000 Approximate

Individual
Indian Health Services Budget 2007 (HIS) $4.2 Billion $13.92
Bureau Indian Affairs 2010 Budget 2007 (BIA) $22. Billion $73.07
"Reported" Annual Pine Ridge income from Casino per individual $0.15


Works Cited
Kilborn, P. T. (1992, September 20). Life at the Bottom - America's Poorest County / A Special Report; Sad Discinction for the Sioux: Homeland Is No.1 in Poverty. Retrieved 2009 October, from The New York Times : www.nytimes.com/1992/09/20/us/life-bottom-america-s-poorest-county-special-report

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Demographics. (2009, July ). Retrieved 2009 October, from Red Cloud School: www.redcloudschool.org

Pine Ridge, South Dakota (the city). (2007, July). Retrieved August 28, 2009, from City Data.com: www.city-data.com/city/Pine-Ridge-South-Dakota.html

Schwartz, S. M. (2006, November 3). Life, conditions, and hopes on the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Reservation of SD. Retrieved 2009 23, October , from Native American Times: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?vinst=PROD&fmt=3&startpage=-1&ver=1&vname=PQ...

United States Census Bureau. (2009). Retrieved September 2009, from quickfacts.census.gov: www.quickfacts.census.gov

This report compiled by Prof. Rick Galusha
Galusha can be contacted at rick.galusha@gmail.com

Listen to the Pacific Street Blues & Americana radio program on Sunday, December 6th for our 3rd annual 'Toys for the Pine Ridge' phone drive. Hear the show live, online at www.897theriver.com 9 a.m. - Noon CST. Join us as Lash LaRue's citywide effort to bring a smile and a ray of sunshine to a Native child's face. YOU really can make a difference!

Album Review Mark Knopfler 'Get Lucky'

Artist: Mark Knopfler
Title: Get Lucky

As the founder of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler found vast success and recognition with songs like, ‘Down to the Waterline’ and ‘Money for Nothing.’ Since reaching the pinnacle of economic success, much like Neil Young or even Bob Dylan, Knopfler has downshifted his career by going solo and putting out albums that lean heavily on roots and less on ‘rock n’ roll.’ While FM radio audiences may have felt slighted, music aficionados have been the beneficiary as Knopfler’s solo records have been consistently excellent.

Along with fellow Northumberland son, Sting, Mark Knopfler hails a part of his life from the Tyneside area of northeast England near Newcastle upon Tyne. Like his musical doppelganger, Knopfler goes back to the sound of his northern heritage using bagpipes, flute & whistle and accordion to create a soundscape enhanced by Celtic textures but anchored in post-1980’s folk music. Knopfler’s songs are panoramic with haunting tones that are fresh and familiar; telling stories of characters from his youth including meeting noted British race car driver Bobby Brown or memories of the United Kingdom’s ‘Remembrance Day’ along with “Angry Alfie, Bill and Ken.” It is interesting that both Knopfler and Sting draw upon the memories of the now long gone shipbuilding industry that once employed the working ‘Geordies’ and ‘Macums’ of the Tyneside area. As heard on Sting’s, ‘Soul Cages’ album and on Knopfler’s song, ‘So Far from Clyde’ (a reference to a water inlet in Scotland).

In recent year’s music’s “in crowd” crowed about Knopfler’s two duet albums with American songstress Emmylou Harris. While tasty the real gems of Knopfler’s body of work lie within his solo efforts rather than the albums by Dire Straits or Harris. For radio programmers, ‘You Can’t Beat the House’ is an easy entry into this album while ‘Piper to the End’ is a rich Celtic sound. The album’s title track is another accessible track to allow listeners a doorway into Knopfler’s rich musical expression. This is a true artist and therefore plan on it taking a few listens before the album begins to unfold for you. Knopfler is a master ballad writer and, as his work with Dire Straits has shown, a pretty good up-tempo songwriter too. Due to the niche nature of his work and the seemingly unique roots he brings together for the foundation of his songwriting, Knopfler is not for every listener but for those willing to invest the ear-time – his work will become among your favorite, ‘return to albums.’