The Blues Blogger

“I am truly blessed by all the incredible opportunities I have had.” My life has been filled with amazing adventures; I can’t wait to see what happens next!” ~ Shakura S’Aida

My wife and I packed our bags. After the crazy year we’ve had so far we decided to run away. Well, at least for the day anyway… So we took a car ride in the country and visited some old stomping grounds where we used to camp and do some hiking.

Of course, when you’re taking a car ride in the country, tunes are a must!

It was several weeks ago while writing an article on the late Luther Allison’s recent commemorative CD/DVD Songs From The Road, that I happened to come across an artist called Shakura S’Aida. (pronounced Shack-oora Sigh-ee-da) Wow, was I ever impressed! The last performer I was unacquainted with that knocked me out like this was Joanne Shaw Taylor; coincidentally also signed with Ruf Records. That was almost one year ago during a similar drive.

As I plugged my MP3 player into the car stereo and hit play, I just knew my wife was going to be impressed when she got a taste of some Brown Sugar.

BROWN SUGAR

The funky vibe of Mr. Right sets the tone and is followed by the enticing groove Walk Out the Door. The contagious beat of Gonna Tell My Baby is very slick, and just when you thought it couldn’t get sweeter, the song Break Your Heart maintains Brown Sugar’s smoldering atmosphere.

My wife’s immediate reaction was, “She’s wonderful, sounds a lot like Etta James and Tina Turner.” Good ear, considering those are two of S’Aida influences.

Shakura S’Aida latest album was produced by Jim Gaines, the same mastermind who also worked on Shaw Taylor’s White Sugar. Gaines credentials include work with artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, Steve Miller, Luther Allison and Lonnie Brooks just to name a few. Between the excellent writing, flawless production and extraordinary talent, it’s no wonder we were hooked.

Guitarist Donna Grantis collaborates with Shakura on eleven of the twelve cuts and provides alluring guitar chops throughout. There’s no doubt at all that there’s some great chemistry happening here.

SHAKURA S’AIDA

is a versatile Canadian blues/jazz, R&B and soul artist. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, but would move to Switzerland when she was eight years old. In the late seventies S’Aida’s family settled in Toronto. She began performing at a young age and after several gigs became lead singer in a thirteen piece world music band called Kaleefah; which would lead to a Juno nomination. She also worked as a backing vocalist for Rita MacNeil and Patti Labelle, as well as with jazz musicians such as Jimmy Smith and Ruth Brown.

S’Aida’s resume includes musical stage roles in productions such as “Ain’t Misbehavin” and “Momma, I Want to Sing.” She has performed in some of the most distinguished stages in the jazz world including the Apollo Theatre. Shakura was nominated four times as the Maple Blues “Female Vocalist of the Year” in addition to Entertainer of the Year in 2008.

She was also a second runner-up at the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis where she competed against more than 160 bands from more than 20 different countries. It was at this event where Thomas Ruf and S’Aida met. Filling in for Candye Kane on Ruf’s Blues Caravan Tour 2008, Shakura was offered a record deal and Brown Sugar was the result…

MORE BROWN SUGAR

If you were ever thinking of a way to help with the crisis in Haiti, then the heart-rending fifth track “Angels on High” is available for download for only $1.00 by clicking here. Proceeds from each download go towards the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund Free The Children. In partnership with Partners In Health, Free The Children is working towards providing long term health care, education and relief to children affected by this terrible disaster.

One of my favorite tunes on the album is the upbeat Chasing the Sun. Cranking the volume for this one, the bright positive vibe had me playing this tune several times over. Between the bouncy and swinging Missing the Good and the Bad and the funky Sweet Spot, the car ride turned into one blues filled soulful trip. The last few tracks continue the albums’ tasteful pace and the Outskirts of Memphis is a solid blues groove that closes our delightful ride.

The uplifting and positive energy created on Brown Sugar acted as the soundtrack to our brief getaway. And even though we only pretended to run away, at that moment the music from this album made us forge ahead; allowing us to take our minds off some of the challenges that come along with everyday life.

One Week Later

I haven’t been able to stop playing this album. Even though it’s now a week after our drive, I continue to be impressed with what I hear. Shakura S’Aida is awesome and judging from this latest release, there’s no doubt she has a promising future ahead. I cannot recommend this one enough. Already released in Europe, Brown Sugar makes its debut April 13, 2010 in the U.S. and Canada. Do yourself a favor and put this album on your list.

So how do you feel? Did you enjoy any of the clips featured in this post? I’d love to hear your feedback on this one. Please leave your comments below. And if you enjoyed this article, share it with those you think will feel the same. It’s guaranteed to make them smile…

If you’re looking for latest concert info and any further information on Shakura S’Aida; you can find it by going to her website by clicking here.

The Blues Blogger

Tags: Blues News, Jazz, New Releases, Reviews, Soul, blues by The Blues Blogger
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“Leave your ego, play the music, love the people.”
~Luther Allison

Even though we expect it at some point, it’s still never easy to say goodbye to those we love. Especially when that person plays such an important part in your life… The recent passing of a close family member has been sad, but if they ever thought I was being gloomy, I’d get my ass kicked… Not wanting to chance it, I decided to feature an artist, whose impeccable grace, creativity and spirit made it impossible to be glum.

After a two week writing absence, I stepped on the treadmill in my home gym and cued up Luther Allison’s Songs From The Road. The positive wave of musical energy that surges from this new release from Ruf Records is truly awesome! Listening to this during my routine workout, I kept thinking how thankful we should be for all the big-hearted souls who left us with such an enduring impression…

Luther Allison

was born August 17th 1939 in Widener, Arkansas. The fourteenth of fifteen children, Luther’s family migrated to Chicago in 1951. Getting a taste for the blues when he was 10, Allison was now taking in the sounds of artists like Muddy Waters and Sonny Boy Williamson. Luther went to school with Waters’ son and would sometimes stop by Muddy’s house to watch him rehearse. His big break came in 1957 when Waters invited him onto the stage.

Dropping out of school in 1957 he formed a band called The Rolling Stones, but was unhappy with the name. Now known as The Four Jivers, they played all over the West Side of Chicago. In no time Allison was jamming with greats like Magic Sam, Otis Rush, and Freddie King.

Allison recorded his first two songs as a solo act on the classic Delmark anthology Sweet Home Chicago. Afterward he got a headlining gig in 1969 at the prominent Ann Arbor Blues Festival which seriously raised his profile. Allison then released his debut album on Delmark Records called Love Me Mama.

As interest in the blues started to fade in the early seventies, Allison would find acceptance with European audiences and eventually settled down in Paris in 1977. While the crowds in Europe were gaining, his presence in the American music scene started to decline…

Thomas Ruf and friend of Luther’s left school in the eighties to become his promoter, and the label Ruf Records would eventually form. Luther was signed and would launch a major comeback in association with Alligator Records. Bruce Iglauer founder of Alligator convinced Allison to return to the States in 1994 and the album Soul Fixin’ Man was recorded and released. The record went on to win several WC Handy Awards (now known as The Blues Music Awards) further revitalizing Allison’s career.

Songs From The Road

The CD/DVD will be available in North America on February 9th, 2010. Filmed by The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation just four days before Luther Allison was diagnosed with terminal cancer, it features some extraordinary moments captured at The Montreal Jazz Festival on July 4, 1997. This represents Luther’s last live recorded performance.

(As a side note: One week later aware of his condition, Allison would give one last rousing performance when he took to the stage on July 10th,1997 in Madison Wisconsin and knocked everybody’s socks off.)

Stirring numbers like his 1996 Song of The Year “Cherry Red Wine” and “There Comes a Time”, “Serious”, “Will It Ever Change”, and the outstanding tune ”Living In The House of the Blues,” are just a few of the eleven tracks on the album… The DVD version of Songs From The Road show was edited into 56 minutes to fit a one hour television segment, and showcases seven of Allison’s most vibrant tunes from the CD.

Whether its Luther’s sizzling slide or blazing lead solos, he had a gift for engaging an audience and taking them along on his musical journey. Luther Allison’s courageous story and his amazing music presented on Songs From The Road is without a doubt medicine for the soul.

Whether your familiar with Luther’s incredible career or just discovering his essence for the first time, if you love the blues then Songs From The Road is a must own… For more detailed artist information and discography you can go to Luther Allison’s website by clicking here. And if you want to hear the Allison spirit flow through his son Bernard, you can go to Bernard Allison’s site by clicking here…

Now as my workout and post comes to a close, I’d like to turn it over to you… Are you familiar with Luther Allison? If you are, have you ever witnessed him in concert before? What are your impressions of this soulful blues legend? Your comments are welcome as usual…

The Blues Blogger

Tags: Blues News, Blues Reflections, New Releases, Reflections, Reviews, Soul, The Seventies, blues by The Blues Blogger
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“The truth, according to this remarkable album, is that Ruthie Foster is one of America’s finest soul-blues artists… a full-on blast of soul and blues… The combination of a talented band, powerful songs, and Foster’s roaring gospel-inspired vocals leaves Truth with no weak spots among its dozen tracks. If this one doesn’t elevate Foster to the next level of popularity, it’s impossible to imagine what will.”
~Blues Revue

Last Sunday Afternoon

When you love music as much as I do, working on a weekly blog certainly has its limitations. There’s so much amazing music (past and present) that I enjoy listening to, I only wish I had time to generate more posts. Last spring one of those releases I heard but never got the opportunity to write about was Ruthie Foster’s album The Truth According to Ruthie Foster. Her energetic spirit and vocal prowess is absolutely wonderful. So when I heard the news of Foster’s Grammy nomination alongside performers such as Susan Tedeschi, Mavis Staples, Robert Cray and Derek Trucks for Best Contemporary Blues Album at this year’s upcoming awards, my interest in this extremely talented artist was rejuvenated.

Since it was unusually warm this past weekend, the atmosphere and good timing gave me an idea to do something that was long overdue…

I walked upstairs and went into the living room. My golden retriever Lucille was curled up basking in a spot on the carpet where the early afternoon sun shined brightly. Noticing I was staring, she nonchalantly glanced up at me with a tranquil gaze as if to say, ”Please tell me today is the day?”

With such a hectic schedule as of late, Lucille hasn’t been getting the exercise she’s used to, and I was determined to make it up to her. With an animated smile, she briskly headed for the front door as I displayed the leash that I was hiding behind my back… With my MP3 player in hand, Foster’s upbeat funky tune “Stone Love,” started to play as Lucille and I began our invigorating walk down the sun drenched avenue.

 

 Stone Love (Clip) [0:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

 

 Hangin On (Clip) [0:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Ruthie Foster

is originally from Gause, Texas. Raised in a household with gospel roots, she was also exposed to a lot of jazz and blues. Foster always knew music was in her blood, even before her first appearance as a 14 year old soloist in her uncle’s choir. Moving to Waco Texas to attend McClennan Community College, she mixed music classes and audio engineering with visits to clubs at night. In her early teens Foster led a blues band in biker bars and other various settings from Dallas to San Antonio. In the late eighties Foster join the Navy and worked with an ensemble called Pride, where she traveled around at recruitment drives playing funk hits.

Foster moved to New York in 1990 and immersed herself in the folk scene and eventually landed a deal with Atlantic Records. But the label didn’t share her vision of what kind of artist she should be. Family obligations would bring her back to Texas, where she re-connected with her roots and put together a string of new material that would get her work both in a band setting and as a solo artist.

“It didn’t matter to me what genre it was,” she remembers. “I just took it all in as great music – music that moved me.”

In 1997 Foster released the album Full Circle before teaming up with Blue Corn Music, and then released Crossover in 1999, Runaway Soul in 2002, Stages (featuring a series of live tracks) in 2004, Heal Yourself in 2006 and The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster in 2008.

The Truth According to Ruthie Foster

Recorded in Memphis at Ardent Studios with the assistance from players such as guitarist Robben Ford, (The Yellowjackets, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell) well known Memphis keyboardist Jim Dickinson (the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin), organist Charles Hodges (Al Green, Ann Peebles) and the Memphis Horns. This latest release is Ruthie Foster’s most catchy and successful work to date. And with a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album, the truth has never looked brighter.

Later Sunday Night

Most of the tunes featured on this album are influenced by early soul, gospel, funk and R&B. And as I look back with Lucille now contently snoring next to me, it seemed like the stress of everyday life were washed away at least for that moment during our afternoon jaunt… Ruthie Foster’s perspective on music is something that many of my readers have heard me say time and time again. In Ruthie’s words, “Music is a healer. It’s energy. And it goes into everything…”

If you are unfamiliar with Ruthie Foster then I can’t recommend this awesome album enough. It may just end up making your day. It sure did for me and my faithful hound… For more information and concert dates you can go to Ruthie Foster’s website by clicking here.

What do you think? Is Ruthie going to bring home the award on January 31st? Your comments are welcome.

The Blues Blogger

Tags: Blues News, Reviews, Soul, The Grammys, blues by The Blues Blogger
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