Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - The record companies, ripped and kicked and slammed by the public, labor under an unfair burden of charges. One, of course, contends that since a compact disc costs pennies to produce, the public shouldn't have to expend upwards of $18 at their friendly Wal-Mart.

Okay, for the most part I don't deal with the big companies. But those companies must get a return on their investments to make it possible to take chances on unknown talent who might make it to popularity some day. And the companies that send me CDs are manned by brave souls who work on the slimmest of edges, where selling another 100 copies of a new disc could spell the difference between a pricey steakhouse and the drive-thru window at McDonald's.

When people complain to me about prices and the difficulty in finding releases at the corner record emporium, I just smile and explain how tough it can be for producers working at the edge. These people are outdoing themselves to bring new (and often fantastic) talent to the attention of music fans. I especially those point this out to those buyers who wonder whether to spend the necessary cash for a CD by an unknown entity.

That said, let's move on to this week's array of dazzling delights.

Blues Man

Robert Cray has stayed on the blues scene for at least two decades, doggedly producing albums that demonstrate the best to be heard from this music category. While I'm not a rabid fan of Cray's work, I admit that he does outstanding work on guitar and his voice handles the job well. His latest CD, "Time Will Tell" (Sanctuary Records), moves forward by a couple of large strides over what Cray has been producing the past few years. Cray's voice has never been his strongpoint, but here he has finally attained a rougher edge, always helpful in doing lyrics concentrated in the blues category. The 10 tracks are quite evenly performed, so there's nothing to complain about. It's good to hear Cray reach a stage of maturity that bodes well for the future.

Funk Meets Jazz

My love for funk goes back to the very beginnings of this informal but infectious genre of modern music. Now if you add just a generous helping of jazz and the soul-stirring tenor saxophone of Javon Jackson, the result is an album that should spend a lot of time on your turntable over the next few months.

"Easy Does It" (Palmetto Records) should make Jackson the next big thing. The album will demand hours of playing time, yet this funky group of musicians won't wear out their welcome by next Saturday night. Jackson, who had five releases on Blue Note Records, seems on the verge of becoming a national music idol. His work on tenor avoids the honk school and the tone he achieves can be quite fetching. The session includes the wonderful Dr. Lonnie Smith making the funkiest sound on earth on the magnificent Hammond B3 organ. Lenny White, who paid dues as a fusion performer, hunches over the drum kit.

A Little More Blues

The blues comes in the door in many guises, some everyone enjoys, others involving only to the long initiated. A broad audience will seek out "Partners in the Blues" (Burnside Records). Working together as easily as bread and butter, superb singer Jackie Payne and guitarist Steve Edmonson have assembled one of the best blues releases of the year. Payne has one of those old-fashioned voices sounding like two many glasses of a sizzling liquor have made their way down the singer's experienced throat. Edmonson isn't one of those show-off types, but works his way into your confidence by playing with complete confidence.

Bennett & Evans, Circa 1975

Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco many years ago, but his voice has weathered the years well.

"The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album" (Fantasy Records) was done in 1975 and Bennett doesn't sound much different in 2003. He's an amazing singer and he's a nice fellow as well. Evans, a jazz pianist who died much too soon," adapts nicely and never attempts to wrest the spotlight from Bennett. Some critics call this album the best ever done by either performer."

It's spectacular and will make you realize why Tony Bennett has been a smashing success over more than four decades. It doesn't get any better than this.

Sonny Stitt Shines

When it comes to masters of the tenor and alto saxophones, I don't think anyone can exceed the special talents of the late Sonny Stitt. The first time I heard him on a record was enough for me to know that this dazzling musician would achieve a special place in the annals of blues and jazz.

However, he was accused of recording too much, and occasionally showed poor judgment in what he chose to record. He eventually damaged his career. But in this new reissue, "Goin' Down Slow" (Prestige Records), Stitt was in good voice, blowing with ferocity when needed and sounding superbly beautiful. In this 1972 album, Stitt receives excellent support from such as George Duvivier, Hampton Hawes, Hank Jones, Thad Jones, and Idris Muhammad, among others.

Soul Guys

One of the most beloved (and justly so) soul groups was Booker T. and the MGs. ÝThese guys were simply smashing, my friends. You could not avoid bopping along to the rhythms as these five guys played magic. Anyone who was alive and listening to this band in the '60s will want to hurry down to the record emporium and lay out a few bucks for "Stax Instrumentals" (which includes instrumentals by the Mar-Kays, and "Soul Men," the latter containing 20 previously unreleased winners. The heart of the quintet was pianist Booker T. Jones, while special guitar licks were the guitar rhythms of the invincible Steve Cropper. If you enjoy memory time, these albums will make you smile all night long.

Bob Powers always is interested in hearing from record distributors who deal in jazz, rock, folk, and anything that's good. For instructions on getting your album reviewed, contact him at oldbob@localnet.com.

---

+++ The PREVIOUS POWERSSOUND +++ THE NEXT POWERSSOUND +++

---

---

MY GLASS HOUSE |THE PREVIOUS EVENT |COMING ATTRACTIONS |THE WRITERS/GUIDELINES |

---

© 2003, GENERATOR 21. E-mail your comments. Send your kudos, brickbats and suggestions to Our Editor.