Those who left us in 2000
and new music in review

The year 2000 was not without its losses in the music world. Here’s a rundown of those who left us, in no particular order.

Doris Kenner-Jackson, original singer with The Shirelles; Si Zetner, hit-making easy-listening bandleader; Lonesome Dave Peverett, lead singer/guitarist with Savoy Brown and Foghat; Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, crazed rhythm & blues legend who scored a hit with “I Put A Spell On You;” Gus Johnson, well-respected jazz drummer best known for his work with Count Basie; Dennis Danell, guitarist with rock group Social Distortion; Ian Dury, oddball English singer who scored a couple of hits in the late 70’s days of new wave; Tito Puente, the king of Latin music and drumming, a bandleader for over 50 years; Joe Dan Petty, former bassist with Grinderswitch and roadie with The Allman Brothers Band; Jonah Jones, jazz trumpeter; Joe Puma, jazz guitarist; Adolph Hofner, legendary western swing bandleader from Texas, second only to Bob Wills; Tex Beneke, tenor sax/vocalist/bandleader best known for his work with Glenn Miller; Clarence Holliman, blues guitarist extraordinaire; Diamond Teeth Mary (Mary McClain), one of the last of the classic female blues singers; Johnny Taylor, soul singer and hitmaker; Ervin Charles, Port Arthur, Texas blues guitarist; Cub Koda, guitarist/journalist/record collector known for his work with Brownsville Station, The Houserockers and others; Allen Woody, bassist with Government Mule and The Allman Brothers Band; Jack Nitzsche, Academy Award-winning Hollywood arranger/producer/songwriter; Stanley Turrentine, ground-breaking jazz saxophone player; Ben Orr, bassist with The Cars; Frankie Crocker, probably the best known black R&B disc jockey in the world; Rob Buck, guitarist with 10,000 Maniacs; Nick Massi, original member of The Four Seasons; Milt Hinton, famed jazz bassist; Kristy McColl, English folk/rock singer/songwriter; and Roebuck “Pops” Staples, patriarch, guitarist and leader of The Staples Singers, who started in gospel and crossed over to score upbeat, funky, secular hits like “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself.”

Texas Son, Bare Hand Blues Guitar, self-release

Texas Son is a smokin’ blues guitarist from upstate New York, and this is his second CD release. Despite it’s decidedly spartan, low-budget packaging (the cover and credits appear to be photocopies), Bare Hand Blues Guitar contains first-rate tunes and some of the most fiery licks played on a Fender Telecaster guitar heard in ages. The Tele is one of the hardest guitars in the world to master, and Texas Son accomplishes great things playing sans a pick. And he’s an accomplished singer to boot. Contained are nine solid originals and one Albert Collins classic, “Love Me Like You Say.” Order your copy by writing Texas Son, PO Box 182, Groveland, NY 14462, or visit www.texasonblues.com.

Alastair Moock, Bad Moock Rising, Bad Moock Rising Records

Alastair Moock (interesting name, huh?) is a Somerville, Massachusetts-based folkie with a strong allegiance to Woody Guthrie (he closes with Guthrie’s “Pretty Boy Floyd”). Moock’s original material is confessional, cynical, occasionally wistful, and even obscene, vis a vis the hilarious “Here’s A Latte And My Middle Finger,” which contains lyrics unprintable in this newspaper. Definitely not your average James Taylor-like folk fluff. Interesting and entertaining music. Order your copy from Bad Moock Rising Records, PO Box 441307, Somerville, MA 02144-0011.

Scott Ellison, One Step From The Blues, JSE Records

Scott Ellison, a blues guitarist/vocalist from Oklahoma, has begun to build a sizeable following and stir up media interest with his four CD releases. Ellison, who looks more like an English butler than a bluesman, plays blazing, rock-influenced guitar. He’s at his best when not trying to imitate Stevie Ray Vaughan (Ellison’s only pitfall, really) and should avoid the SRV-isms, which are highly evident on the title track. Otherwise, Ellison has delivered a stylistically diverse collection of songs that succeeds on all counts. JSE Records, 913 South New Haven, Tulsa, OK 74112.

The Carpenter Ants, Picnic With The Lord, Alpo Records

The Carpenter Ants’ Picnic With The Lord just might be the best CD this writer has heard all year. This roots rock group with R&B and swampy blues leanings hails from West Virginia, and sports a rotating personnel depending upon each project. Picnic With The Lord is The Carpenter Ants’ foray into traditional gospel music, spotlighting the vocals of Charlie Tee and the Hammond B-3 organ of Winston Walls, plus Michael Lipton’s funky guitar stylings. Tracks like “Where We Gonna Go From Here,” “John The Revelator,” Leadbelly’s “Take This Hammer,” “Go Where I Send Thee” (which features guitarist Bill Kirchen), and “He’s An On Time God” all simmer or ignite, with righteous and oftentimes downright sanctified energy. As the liner notes explain, the band members are not “saved” in the fundamentalist Christian sense, but chose gospel because it “drives musicians and audiences to such soaring levels of passion.” No argument from this writer. This is great music from a criminally unknown American band that should be heard by a much larger audience. I’ve occasionally uttered this command before, but here goes again: If you buy only a few CD’s every year, The Carpenter Ants’ Picnic With The Lord should be one of them. Trust me on this one. You don’t want to miss this incredible music. Call 304/342-4412, or email ants@grafwv.com.

Various Artists, And This Is Maxwell Street, Rooster Blues Records

These are historically important street recordings from the early 60’s, the soundtrack of the documentary film And This Is Free, the frank and honest story of Chicago’s rundown Maxwell Street open-air marketplace (formerly known among locals as “Jewtown”), where blues musicians played on the streets for years, usually just for tips. Remember the scene in the first Blues Brothers movie where John Lee Hooker is playing in the ‘hood? That was Maxwell Street, most of which is now owned by the University of Illinois, that has threatened to bulldoze the area for development. Featured artists include Robert Nighthawk, Carey Bell, Little Arthur, Arvella Gray, Big John Wrencher, the gospel shouting of Carrie Robinson, et. al. The music is rough, ragged, totally authentic, generally poorly recorded and totally magic. Check it out. If you like blues as dirty and raw as it gets, look no farther. Web: www.roosterblues.com.