New releases by Rico McFarland, Roomful of Blues, Lee Roy Parnell, Lloyd Jones, Super Chikan and Ronnie Wood

Rico McFarland, Tired Of Being Alone, Evidence Records

I said it three years ago: Rico McFarland is one BAD guitar player and singer who deserves his own album. After listening to his backup studio work with many other blues notables including Carl Weathersby, James Cotton, Boyz II Men, Otis Clay, Sugar Blue, Valerie Wellington and Mighty Joe Young, I was convinced it was time this talented musician got his own solo career off the ground. Well, here it is. Tired Of Being Alone is loaded with modern funk, brassy R&B and Chicago blues, like the killer “Bad Attitude,” “It Ain’t No Fun To Me” (with great harp by Sugar Blue), the title track and the rockin’ shuffle “Made Up My Mind.” Rico McFarland just might be the consummate contemporary blues guitarist and singer. Ten on a 10 scale. Evidence Records, 1100 E. Hector St., Suite 392, Conshohocken, PA 19428.

Roomful of Blues, Watch You When You Go, Bullseye Blues & Jazz Records

You just can’t kill Roomful of Blues. For more than 30 years, this Rhode Island-based blues band with the kickin’ horn section has withstood more personnel changes than any other musical organization this writer can recall. Gone is longtime drummer John Rossi, replaced by the able Chris Lemp. In fact, four members of Roomful left last year, but in typical fashion, all have been replaced, and Watch You When You Go is the happy result. Thankfully, singer Mac Odom is still in the fold, and his deep-throated vocals have never sounded better. Guitarist Chris Vachon still cranks out taut solos and strident chordal work. The horns, led by founder Rich Lataille, are cohesive, and the rhythm section cooks. Let’s not forget to mention the songs, definitely up to usual Roomful standards. Bullseye Blues & Jazz records, One Camp St., Cambridge, MA 02140.

Lloyd Jones, Small Potatoes, Burnside Records

Lloyd Jones has been a regional favorite in the Pacific Northwest for years, as well as one of the best blue-eyed soul singer/guitarists on the planet, and this is a re-release of one of his earlier albums. When listened to in comparison with Love Gotcha’, his most recent disc on Blind Pig Records, one realizes that Jones’ sound hasn’t changed much over the years. If anything, it’s gotten better with age, but that doesn’t diminish the music on Small Potatoes, a stimulating mixture of classic R&B, funk and blues styles and sounds. Recommended. Burnside Records, 3158 E. Burnside, Portland, OR 97214.

Lee Roy Parnell, Tell The Truth, Vanguard Records

Texan Lee Roy Parnell played the hideous Nashville starmaker game for a few years in the ‘90’s, scored some hits, but eventually withdrew from that despicable rat race, and is now recording for the lower key Vanguard Records, a label that has always valued artistry over the almighty dollar. This time, Parnell, with help from stalwarts like Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Bramlett, Keb’ Mo’ and the Mississippi Mass Choir, has delivered an album drenched with blues, gospel, rock ‘n roll, honky tonk country and R&B influences. Whereas Parnell’s mainstream country stuff bore resemblance to the music on Tell The Truth, it was slick and watered down. Tell The Truth allows Parnell, a standout slide guitarist and singer, free reign to create music of substance and lasting worth. It may not score him the large sales numbers, but I’ll guarantee it’s better for his soul. Available wherever CD’s are sold.

Super Chikan, Shoot That Thang, Rooster Blues Records

James “Super Chikan” Johnson is one of those eccentric blues characters who has been making music for years, doing things his own way and going about his business in a most original manner. To say this guy marches to a different drummer is an understatement. He makes his own guitars out of old gas cans, writes obtuse, free form lyrics that sometimes don’t adhere to any known form, and plays chord progressions that likewise stray from the limited I-IV-V 12-bar blues pattern that has dominated the genre for over a century. Chikan’s earlier work didn’t do much for me, but this new one contains solid playing and singing from all concerned, not to mention better material. E-mail Rooster Blues records for more information at Rooster232@aol.com.

Ronnie Wood, Live and Eclectic, Burning Airlines Records

I’ve have always been very fond of Ronnie Wood’s guitar playing, whether with The Birds (his earliest band), Rod Stewart’s early solo albums, The Faces or The Rolling Stones, not to mention his own solo albums. This live set, recorded in 1992 at New York’s Electric Lady Studios, reprises songs from his long career, including “Flying,” “Silicone Grown,” “Black Limousine,” “Stay With Me” and “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll.” The results? Wonderful! Woody’s band is tight and the performances crackle with excitement. Available as an import disc only. Burning Airline Records, c/o New Millennium Communications, PO Box 18079, London, EC2A.