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highway 90

It seems to be rare, at least to me to find guitar players who play with a balanced style of blues, jazz, and rock. Shane Theriot is one who does. When listening to “Punch” from the album”Highway 90″ Shose Records 2000, one is happily surprised by his command of jazz/blues stylings.

This is his debut album, apart from his regular gig as guitar player for the Neville Brothers band. Supported by a distinguished lineup of music veterans including: Art Neville-organ, “Mean” Willie Green-drums, Adam Nitti -bass, and last, but by no means least Tom Reynolds -piano.

What’s impressive about this tune is the interplay between Theriot and Reynolds as they play on top, around and through the basic groove established by the drums and bass. With splashes of harmonic vocals provided by Nick Daniels, Earl Smith and Shane, you’ll want to turn up the volume so no sublteties are missed.

Track listing:

1) It Ain’t My Fault
2) Pump
3) Thrashy
4) Highway 90
5) The Streat Beater
6) Punch
7) Shiho
1321 N. Las Palmos
9) Stampy
10) Bayou Chicken
11) Cabilo Breeze

Personnel:

Players:
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Shane Theriot
Keyboards, Piano, Clavinet Johnny Neel
Bass Victor Wooten, Paul Chapman, Adam Nitti, David Johnson
Drums “Mean” Willie Green, JD Blair, David Northrup
Organ, Voice Art Neville
Piano, Keys Tom Reynolds
Soprano Sax Jeffery Scot Wills
Fretless Bass Kim Stone
Piano Randy Hoexter
Vocals Nick Daniels, Earl Smith
Percussion Jim Roberts
Skank Guitar Eric Struthers

L.O.V.E.

Let me say at the outset “This Is My Time” by Terri Walker(aka Chanelle Gstettenbauer) from L.O.V.E. album Mercury Records 2005 is somewhat an aberration for me. I’m not usually impressed nor find any appeal from looped tracks.

The groove of this jam is a sped up version originally laid down by the eighties group Dynasty(Adventures in the Land of Music). They had some moderate success with the tune “I’ve Just Begun To Love You”

It was also sampled by Camp Lo and titled “This Is It”, neither of which was very appealing to me.

That said, Terri’s rendition is a definite jam. It’s an uptempo self affirmation ode on surmounting life’s obstacles. Most effective is her straightforward delivery and vocal clarity,which combined make the tune work.

Composing credits go to both she and Jos Jorgensen.

The track “Heart’s Desire” by Don Blackman 1982 Arista Records from the self titled album was one of those sleeper jams no one knew about at the time.

This jazzy funk track didn’t get a lot of airplay domestically, though evidently was a minor hit in Europe.

From the start the irresistable bass line groove by Barry Sonjohn grabs your attention. What’s also somewhat sophisticated for this type of tune is the scat sang chorus. Vocals are by whom is called “The Family Tradition”, along with Blackman singing lead and keyboards. Further examination of the personnel reveals a young Dennis Chambers on drums.

Blackman’s credentials include having played with the likes of Parliament/Funkadelic,Earth,Wind & Fire, Roy Ayers, and Lenny White etc. His keyboard facility is also well showcased on this jam.

Track listing:(lp)

A1 Yabba Dabba Doo 5:16
A2 Heart’s Desire 4:30
A3 Holding You, Loving You 4:10
A4 Deaf Hook-Up Connection 4:03
B1 You Ain’t Hip 3:01
B2 Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide 3:38
B3 Since You Been Away So Long 5:11
B4 Never Miss A Thing 3:50

Personnel: The Family Tradition

Don Blackman-piano,keyboards
Desire “Deezie” White-vocals
Sheri “Ayo” Snyder-vocals
Barry “Sonjohn” Johnson-bass
Steve “City” Horton-guitar
Eddie “EPM” Martinez-guitar
Dennis “Washington” Chambers-drums