New music

Marcia Ball, Presumed Innocent, Alligator Records

Marcia Ball, long a fixture on the blues scene, embodies the bayou funk of Louisiana and the blues tradition of Texas splendidly on her latest release. With nods toward the barrelhouse rhythms of Professor Longhair and Austin blues ‘n boogie, Ball contributes five originals that lean solidly toward the R&B side of her musical personality. Produced by Austin native Doyle Bramhall, Presumed Innocent features outstanding performances not only from Ball, but also Delbert McClinton, slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, guitarist Pat Boyack, bassist Roscoe Beck and Ball’s touring band. Great stuff. Available at all better record shops.

Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul, Epic Records

Patty Loveless, for years one of the most consistent mainstream country hit makers, has followed the lead of Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton by exploring the pure acoustic country music she grew up with as the daughter of a coal miner in rural Kentucky. According to the accompanying press information, Loveless and her husband, producer Emory Gordy, Jr., set out to recreate and combine the sounds of the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs. What they have done, is deliver one of the most heartfelt, emotionally wrenching country discs heard this year. Loveless’s aching vocals, mixed with authentic Appalachian harmonies and traditional acoustic instrumentation, will not pull at your heartstrings: They’ll tear them clean out after one listening. If you really love country music (I mean REAL country music, not that pop music crossover trash that comes out of Nashville), you will love Mountain Soul. It’s one of the year’s best releases.

Bobby Manriquez, Another Shade Of Blue(s), self-release

Bobby Manriquez paid his dues working the Washington, DC area for years, put in some time with Wilson Pickett and guitarist Nils Lofgren, took a break from the music world, and has returned with his first solo disc, a somewhat idiosyncratic but nonetheless musically satisfying affair that leans heavily in the blues/rock direction, with a touch of hip-hop, avant garde experimentation and Jeff Beck’s jazz/fusion influence sneaking into the picture. Manriquez played most of the instruments himself, but brought Lofgren in on keyboards. He has also interspersed snatches of live guitar solos in between tracks that give the disc a concept feel. Bobby Manriquez’s name was not familiar to me until recently, but I am very impressed with his songwriting, his vocals, and most of all, his always tasty, imaginative guitar playing. Highly recommended. Order your copy directly from Bobby, at PO Box 381, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Price is only $14 postpaid in the USA.

The King Brothers, Mo’ Heat, Hard Attack Records

Drummer Sam and guitarist Lee King, are bona fide relatives of the late, great Freddie King, and have been tearing up Los Angeles blues clubs for years. Their latest recording is a straightforward, guitar-dominated, no-frills, meat and potatoes collection of aggressive blues with a rock edge. It’s music that celebrates the relationship between men and women, both good and bad, spiritual and carnal, and does so in a very upbeat, positive manner. The King Brothers don’t fool around with their music. I like these guys. Order a copy by writing PO Box 9806, N. Hollywood, CA 91609-1806, or phone 818/761-6630.

Appearing Live: It’s summer concert time again, and to my delight, Little Feat will be appearing at Waterloo Village in Stanhope, NJ on Sunday, August 12. Opening the show will be Galactic, a hot, young funk band from New Orleans. A killer show if there ever was one. Tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 201/507-6797 or visiting ticketmaster.com. For more information visit www.waterloovillage.org. You’ll see me there dancing and singing along to “Dixie Chicken” and “Fat Man In The Bathtub.”