Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Blues Editor, Genevieve Williams FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Taj Mahal * New and Notable: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, B.B. King, Joe Louis Walker, Tab Benoit, and Shannon Curfman * Muddy's Rising Son: Big Bill Morganfield * Free Digital Downloads: Kenny Wayne Shepherd * Advance Orders: Lurrie Bell and Sunnyland Slim WORD FOR WORD ************* "I've always been searching for the American music that still has its connection with the African tradition. We've been gone from their midst for 500 years, and we've created our own music that has stood the test of time. Now we're relinking with one another." --Taj Mahal Read more of Amazon.com's article on Taj Mahal at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/3112 NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Live On" Kenny Wayne Shepherd http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001U03X/entertainmentsit When one gets stuck with the Stevie Ray mantle, the smart thing to do is hold one's course, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd does exactly that for his third album. If "Live On" doesn't exactly contain surprises, it's still a very solid piece of work, with lots of grinding guitar riffage and a rock-solid rhythm section. "Let the Good Times Roll" B.B. King http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001WROG/entertainmentsit It sounds like something a PR firm would dream up: the King of the Blues covers the King of Swing. But since King's always been a fan, B.B. King covering Louis Jordan songs was indubitably his own inspired notion. Still one of the tightest players in the business at 74 years of age, King puts a nice, fresh spin on some of Jordan's finest work, including "Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens," "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby," "Saturday Night Fish Fry," and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out." "Silvertone Blues" Joe Louis Walker http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001X56N/entertainmentsit Far too often, the label "contemporary blues" has come to mean watered-down. That's definitely not the case on Joe Louis Walker's latest, which updates older blues styles without robbing them of their power. The fact that Walker can handle the full-bore "Trouble on Wheels" and the following duet with James Cotton with equal ease is testament to his skill as a musician. "These Blues Are All Mine" Tab Benoit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001NTJ2/entertainmentsit A bit mellower than usual, Tab Benoit still serves up his blues with a healthy mix of Louisiana, leavening the more straightforward blues numbers with Cajun tunes like "Crawfishin'," "Jambalaya," and the frenetic closer "Bayou Boogie." Benoit eschews flash in favor of solid musicianship, an approach that has served him well in the past and continues to do so here. "Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions" Shannon Curfman http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001NTQZ/entertainmentsit Fargo, North Dakota, seems to have set up an export business in young guitarists--hot on the heels of Jonny Lang comes Shannon Curfman, who recorded this debut (originally an indie release, now reissued on Arista) when she was a mere 13 years old. Fortunately, Curfman's got talent and potential in equal measure; she's already drawn comparisons to Bonnie Raitt. While it's arguably a bit premature to be making such statements, there's no question that Curfman's got the spark. What she does with it will determine whether the high praise is warranted. MUDDY'S RISING SON ****************** Though he'd played guitar for years, even in a few bands, Big Bill Morganfield didn't consider it as a career until after the death of his legendary father, Muddy Waters, in 1983. A teacher and basketball coach, Morganfield always thought that if he'd be a star, it would be as an athlete, not as a musician. Amazon.com Blues editor Genevieve Williams talks with Morganfield about his musical background; the recording of his debut album, "Rising Son"; and how his father's death catalyzed his career. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/2562 FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD ******************************************** It can't be easy going through life being compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan. However, Kenny Wayne Shepherd seems to be bearing up pretty well, judging by his third album, "Live On," profiled above. Download "In 2 Deep" from the album in our Free Digital Downloads area. Blues We currently offer more than 100 free digital downloads from many major artists including Big Bill Morganfield, Indigenous, and Susan Tedeschi. Just click on the link below to visit this exciting section of our store. Blues ADVANCE ORDERS: WE GOT NEXT! **************************** "Blues Had a Baby" Lurrie Bell http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002SWRV/entertainmentsit A release from one of the brightest of Chicago's new generation. "Smile On My Face" Sunnyland Slim http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002SWRU/entertainmentsit Consummate Chicago piano, from Delmark Records. ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Blues Music section at Blues ******
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