Butt-Kickin’ Gospel & Blues
& Caught Live

Various Artists, The Gospel According To Austin, Vols. 1 & 2, KGSR Radio, Austin, TX

KGSR radio in Austin recently put together these modern gospel CD’s to raise money for worthy local causes, and the results are well worth hearing. Volume One contains a myriad of artists, including the Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers, Billy Joe and Eddie Shaver, Guy Forsyth and Larry Gatlin. The music is exactly what it purports to be: butt-kickin’ gospel music. Volume Two features vocalist Malford Milligan, touring with Double Trouble. The music is spectacular in its depth of soul and feeling. This is no contemporary Christian music either; just old-time, earthshaking gospel classics.

Order yours by calling 512/261-6322.

Mahalia Jackson, In Concert, & Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting, Columbia Legacy

Mahalia Jackson remains the queen of gospel music years after her death, and here, she’s featured both live and in the studio with a stellar lineup of well-known jazz musicians backing her. The results are transcendent affirmations of the Christian spirit as seen through the eyes of this phenomenally talented woman.

In simpler terms, Mahalia and her musicians get down and spread the good word in classic Negro Spiritual style. Both volumes highly recommended, available at all better record stores.

Johnny Drummer, Unleaded Blues, Earwig Records

Johnny Drummer, maybe the sharpest dressed man on the south side of Chicago, is back with his second effort on Earwig Records. Drummer (born Thessex Johns) possesses one of the smoothest, most supple voices in the blues idiom. He and his well-rehearsed band groove their way through 13 originals and one cover, delivering some of the most righteous sounds around. If some of today’s blues seems a little too raw and ragged for your tastes, Johnny Drummer might float your boat.

John Littlejohn, Slidin’ Home, Arhoolie Records

John Littlejohn was an unsung Chicago blues guitarist who never managed to score a large audience. That fact doesn’t diminish his worth, as this mixed bag of 1968 recordings proves. Although some of it sounds dated and the recorded quality leaves a little to be desired, Littlejohn’s passionate vocals and stinging guitar work is still relevant. Littlejohn left this mortal coil in February 1994, without attaining the success he desired.

Caught Live: The Pocono Blues Festival was marred by bad weather and internal business troubles this year that nearly forced cancellation at the last minute. Festival organizer and promoter Michael Cloeren put on his superhero outfit and managed to put together a commendable lineup at the 11th hour, including Sherman Robertson, D.C. Bellamy, Zora Young, ‘Keb ‘Mo, Little Milton and Bernard Allison, all of whom were well received by the dedicated crowd, who braved drenching rain showers on Saturday, August 4 and unbearable heat and humidity on Sunday, August 5. On a less positive note, it appeared that attendance was down from previous years. Hopefully this is not a sign of things to come for the festival, always one of the best of its type on the East coast. I also noted a disturbing lack of blues society and blues publication support this year. More on next year’s Pocono Blues Festival...next year!