Bryce 2011

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Bryce 2011

Bryce's Favourites for 2011

	HOWLIN’ WOLF - SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING (4CD) 97 prime tracks from his first decade of recording, many from the famous Sun Studios in Memphis, prior to his relocation to Chicago and Chess Records. The pristine sound crackles and explodes from the speakers. Some of the absolute best Blues music of the 50’s is in this collection. With only 5,000 available worldwide, you won’t need to think too long about this release. Essential.
	CHARLES LLOYD & MARIA FARANTOURI - ATHENS CONCERT (2CD) A musical collaboration between legendary Greek Contralto Fantouri and forward thinking U.S. Saxophonist Lloyd. The perform a repertoire that includes ancient as well as traditional Greek song as well as some contemporary songs. Supplemented by some Greek musicians, this fairly gentle recording is one of ECM’s finest releases of 2011.
	WYNTON MARSALIS & ERIC CLAPTON - PLAY THE BLUES Recorded over 2 nights at The Lincoln Centre, New York to sold out audiences. They perform a repertoire steeped in the Blues, but played mainly in the style of King Oliver’s New Orleans Jazz Band. This is one of the surprise releases of 2011, due to the superb playing and good time feel from the bandstand. It is also available on DVD.
	SCOTT HAMILTON & ROSSANO SPORTIELLO - MIDNIGHT AT NOLA”S PENTHOUSE This CD swings, the 2 consumate musicians deliver a selection of standards as well as lesser known tunes, and their interpretation is exemplary. Blowing hard or swinging gently, it all seems effortless in this duo’s first recording, and it definitely deserves a follow up effort. File under one to impress my friends with.
	VARIOUS - GOSPEL ALIVE (3CD) Live recordings made in many diverse locations such as Stadiums, Storefront Churches, Tents etc, all demonstrating the wide variety and exciting styles of Afro American Gospel. The selection includes international stars like Mahalia Jackson and Rosetta Tharpe as well as the lesser known. Most of the material has been unavailable for decades or never available commercially. 3 plus hours of hot Gospel music guaranteed to have you jumping. Truly great live Gospel recordings.
	VARIOUS - THIS MAY BE MY LAST TIME SINGING (3CD) Another terrific collection of extremely rare Gospel recordings, put out by Tompkins Square Records. A follow up to FIRE IN MY BONES from 2009, this time concentrating on rare 45rpm releases. Some of these are self released, others available only to congregation members. A wide variety of styles from Fiery Sanctified Soul, Slow Burning Moaners to Righteously Ragged acappela Hymns. A fabulous collection of otherworldly African American Gospel music. You will have to search hard to find a better Gospel re-issue this year.
	VARIOUS - FAME STUDIOS STORY (3CD) A truly inspiring follow up to Kent’s 2008 release TAKE ME TO THE RIVER. Every bit as good, it contains hit’s, should have been hit’s and previously unreleased tracks. The big names of Southern Soul Music from the best Studio where the famous Muscle Shoals sound eminated. A fantastic release that sits nicely with the Penn/Oldham compilation SWEET INSPIRATION.
	VARIOUS - THE BOBBY ROBINSON STORY (4CD) Bobby Robinson was a Record Label & Record Shop owner, amongst his many music related activities. He recorded many of the stars of the New York Blues & R’n’B scene, this set concentrates on the 50’s. Champion Jack Dupree, Wilbert Harrison, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Tarheel Slim & Elmore James, just some of the talent included in this box set, a fitting tribute to Robinson who died in January 2011.
	VARIOUS - SWEET INSPIRATION A great Southern Soul release from Ace Records, concentrating on 2 of the genre’s most succesful songwriters, Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham. There are Hits of course, but it is the lesser known versions of familiar songs that gives this collection a special edge, Arthur Alexander’s version of a song associated with the Box Tops is one example. Nice cpmpanion to FAME STUDIOS STORY.
	VARIOUS - HOW MANY ROADS Black America Sings Bob Dylan. The subtitle says it all, predominately Afro American Soul & R’n’B singers, some household names, others not so familiar. Dylan’s lyrics fare well, remember Dylan wrote Social Conscience songs, and if any group of people in America in the 60s & 70s were impacted by Social Issues they were. Which is possibly why Dylan’s songs work wonderfully well in this context.