David "Honeyboy" Edwards & Jimmy Lee Robinson

  Jimmy Lee Robinson was born and raised in Chicago.  He is now leading a crusade to save Maxwell Street which is about to be destroyed!  For those of you unfamiliar, Maxwell Street is very historic due to its significance to many blues musicians.  Jimmy Lee has been playing the blues for over 40 years and is now in his in his late 60's.

 

David "Honeyboy" Edwards, who is now 83 years old, was a running buddy of Robert Johnson (who is considered the King of the Blues). Honeyboy is from the Mississippi Delta and has numerous recordings under his belt. He just recorded the first traditional blues DVD in history! Should be released in two months or so on the Analogue Productions label by the way. He has also hobo'ed on the trains with Johnny Shine, Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway and Tommy McClennon. The current edition of Living Blues magazine has an article about Honeyboy. Go check it out.

My feelings can't help but feel sad for those who missed the Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions concert on Saturday night.  Jimmy Lee Robinson opened it up with his down-home foot stompin' vocals and blues guitar playing.  Next up was Honeyboy's live concert at Hi-Fi '99.   100% pure blues ecstasy!  This man has a way of cryin' out the blues that is rarely ever heard today.  Honeyboy is truly a living legend!  His guitar playing is scarily good.  No matter what you do, get as many David "Honeyboy" Edwards recordings as possible!!!  Not just a recording to die for, a recording to kill for too!

 

After Jimmy Lee and Honeyboy was none other than Jimmy D. Lane (son of legendary bluesman Jimmy Rogers) with Eomot RaSun. Ra Sun blows the blues harp while Jimmy and the band jammed.  In the old days, RaSun blew the harp with John Emory on Maxwell Street.   This Saturday night concert is one which will be remembered by me for a lifetime!   Again, if you missed the concert, buy the music's records.

 

On Sunday were a few great groups performing such as Union whose recording is available on the Naim label (naimcd015).  This band plays a unique style of jazz/funk fusion featuring Brian Torff on bass, Lawrence Hobgood on piano and Paul Wertico on drums.  Quite an enjoyable concert with a unique improvisation styling all their own.  Good stuff here!  Of course i couldn't resist and got their CD (expect a review in one or more of the many 'zines i write for soon).

 

Another live concert was Patricia Barber which was sponsored by Vacuum Tube Logic.  If you're like me, you love cool jazz with syncopated beats in a mellow atmosphere.  This was it!  In fact her recent recording titled Modern Cool on the premonition Records label (PREM-741-2) is playing right now as i type this.  Forget some of those "feel good" lame GRP "cool jazz" muzak and listen to the real thing here.  Patricia Barber Modern Cool is a must have for the true cool jazz lover.

 

A new title on the Analogue Production label is Weepin' Willie At Last, On Time. This blues recording includes Weeping Willie, Mighty Sam McClain, and Susan Tedeschi. Willie is a Boston musician like Sam is.  The music was recorded at Blue Heavens Studio which is owned by Chad Kassem himself!   Willie is a great 70 year old blues guitarist who has never been recorded.   Forget beginner's luck, this guy is awesome!  Also new is Eomot RaSun who plays blues harp. The album title is Three Days Walkin'.  Both of the above titles are available on 100% analogue vinyl or CD.

 

Reference Recordings were featuring the Richard Strauss ein heldenleben with the Minnesota Orchestra.  It was written by Richard, about Richard.  Another new recording is Psalms by the Turtle Beach Chorale.  Timothy Seelig conducts this wonderful chorale group with 20th century musical compositions.  Old bible psalms set to newly composed music.

 

Meanwhile Classic Records, not one to sit on their laurels, has re-issued the Heifetz Tchaikowsky LSC-2129.   Also released is the Columbia CL 743 Frank Sinatra The Voice and also the killer two album box set (with incredibly well done 42 page booklet) The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 live 1966 (Royal Albert Hall Concert).

 

DCC has their new Frank Sinatra title too.  This time it is the live concert recording titled Sinatra '57 In Concert".  Available on CD now with vinyl to follow. The orchestra was conducted and arranged by Nelson Riddle according to the DCC representative. The ever popular audiophile favorite Joni Mitchell Blue is also available on CD now with vinyl to follow.  Lastly, Van Halen's self-titled first album is now available on both vinyl and CD! i have the Halen on vinyl and lemme tell ya, it kicks booty!!!!

 

Chesky Records own David Chesky gave a very informal press conference announcing a world first!  Specifically, the first 24-bit/96kHz DVD with full-motion video.  Actually two discs were released and are Chuck Mangione The Feeling's Back and Sara K. No Cover.  The Sara K. titles is a live concert recorded on location.  Good stuff here!  Not to worry Enjoy the Music readers, David has agreed to donate two of these new babies for a future contest.  Stay tuned!