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BLUES: TOP 10 OF 1999

Editor, Genevieve Williams

It's a common refrain that the blues are dead. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The blues saw a strong year in 1999, with powerful, nationwide performances by Indigenous, the release of a long-overdue B.B. King live album, stunning debuts from Big Bill Morganfield and Gaye Adegbalola, and strong showings from seasoned veterans such as Bob Margolin and Joe Louis Walker. As one might expect, picking 10 albums out of the dozens of great blues releases this year was difficult--but we did it anyway. Without further ado, here they are:


1. "Homemade"
Cephas & Wiggins
Guitarist John Cephas and harmonica player Phil Wiggins belong together--their musical partnership has endured so long that it's hard to imagine either one solo. "Homemade" is a typically strong effort, firmly rooted in the Piedmont tradition while exploring avenues as varied as Delta and gospel. This music is both evocative and relaxing, a testament to the power of acoustic music. Read more

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2. "Silvertone Blues"
Joe Louis Walker
To call Joe Louis Walker a contemporary bluesman is accurate, but it doesn't quite relay the whole story. Walker has a habit of reinventing himself with every album; on "Silvertone Blues," he heads down Memory Lane stylistically while remaining thoroughly modern in his approach. It makes for some interesting moments, particularly as Walker changes gears from performing solo to jamming with a full band. Guests on this recording include James Cotton and Alvin Youngblood Hart, both innovators in their own right. Read more

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3. "Hold Me to It"
Bob Margolin
The Blind Pig Records debut from one of Muddy Waters's former sidemen is chock full of all of the good stuff one would expect from the Steady Rollin' man--rawer than Margolin's previous solo albums, it's also more powerful. The title track is by turns humorous and sensual, while songs like "Slam 'Em Down" and "Stick Out Your Can" belong on the ultimate party soundtrack. Then there's the deep-down darkness of "No Consolation" and the wail of "Mean Old Chicago." However, the cover of Dylan's "Not Dark Yet" stands out as a highlight, full of all of the bittersweet feeling of the original. Read more

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4. "Can You Live Without"
Guy Forsyth
This album is insidious--no other word for it. Listen to it one day, and the following week you'll find yourself humming one of the songs under your breath. Austin-based singer-songwriter Guy Forsyth blends blues, folk, rock, and a variety of other influences into a mix that is beyond appealing--it's addictive. "Calico Girl" and "Tattle Tale" have busy, foot-stomping guitar work, but Forsyth's equally adept at the thought-provoking ballad, as "Leave Me Alone" and the title track prove. This is the ideal road-trip album; it's even got a road-trip song, "Children of Jack." Read more

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5. "Moving to the Country"
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines
Great country blues with a Piedmont stomp: that's the hallmark of Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, who share instrumental and vocal duties on "Moving to the Country," their latest collaboration. With Rishell on guitar and Raines on harmonica, plus an ultratight set of backing musicians, classics like "Sweet Jivin' Mama" and "Keep Your Hands off Her" never sounded so good. The duo has been nominated for several blues awards, and it's no wonder. Read more

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6. "Live in Japan"
B.B. King
Initially recorded in 1971, this live album is finally seeing the light of day in the U.S. It went previously unreleased because at the time, the seminal album "Live in Cook County Jail" had just charted. That means it's been close to 30 years since these songs went to tape, but it's been worth the wait. "Live in Japan" might even be the better of the two live albums. Either way, it's got some unique things on it, including the only live take of King performing "Hummingbird," plus some great jams not to be heard anywhere else. There are, of course, classic songs as well, including "The Thrill is Gone," "Every Day I Have the Blues," and "Sweet Sixteen." Read more

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7. "Shine Eyed Mister Zen"
Kelly Joe Phelps
The guitar playing of Kelly Joe Phelps is like a great, flowing river--sometimes rough, sometimes serene, but always headed determinedly somewhere. In fact, the album as a whole evokes an afternoon by a riverside, with its appealing, contemplative blend of country blues and folk. Phelps, who has mastered the difficult trick of making the complex sound simple, does a wonderful job here, whether playing his own songs or others' (check out his cover of Leadbelly's "Goodnight Irene"). Read more

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8. "Bitter Sweet Blues"
Gaye Adegbalola
There's attitude to spare on "Bitter Sweet Blues," as befits the solo debut from one of the self-described uppity women of Saffire. In addition to attitude, Gaye Adegbalola's got wit, wisdom, talent, and skill to spare--and it shows. There's no chaff on "Bitter Sweet Blues," just plenty of good music sprinkled liberally with humor ("Big Ovaries, Baby," "The Dog Was Here First") and rage ("Nothing's Changed," "Jail House Blues"). Lest anyone get the wrong idea in listening to Adegbalola tackle the weighty subjects of racism, domestic violence, incest, and sexism, let it be said that she never lapses into polemic, nor does she fail to balance this with optimism and strength: "Only One Truth" is the voice of experience and "Let Go, Let God" is uplifting no matter what your faith. "Bitter Sweet Blues" is the strongest blues debut of the year. Read more

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9. "Rising Son"
Big Bill Morganfield
It's easy to guess the source of this album's title; Morganfield is the son of Muddy Waters, who certainly needs no introduction. Morganfield, who picked up a guitar and started playing old-style Chicago blues as a way of reconnecting with his late father, occasionally sounds so much like Waters, it's eerie. But Morganfield has his own style, with an earth-rumbling voice and the technique to breathe new life into some of Waters's lesser-known songs, as well as presenting his own. "Rising Son" is a strong debut that indicates much potential. Read more

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10. "Live at Airport Grocery"
Willie Foster
Harmonica player Willie Foster is one of those bluesmen who by rights should be better known. This album, recorded live at the sort of out-of-the-way place outsiders rarely stumble upon, contains Delta blues in its purest form. Foster explores the possibilities of the harmonica as an expressive instrument and leaves no stone unturned. The result is a marvel, one that every blues fan should hear. Read more

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