I’ll have a blue…
blue, blue, blue Christmas

Lisa Bourne, Bluehipnotik, JSP Records.

JSP Records is a British label that signs many American blues artists who have difficulty landing a record deal in their own country… and thank goodness for that, as evidenced by the debut disc from New Orleans-bred singer Lisa Bourne. Bourne grew up in a musical household and absorbed the rich heritage of the Crescent City, citing influences as diverse as Billie Holiday, Abby Lincoln, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones. As a child, she played flute and clarinet and participated in high school marching band and Mardi Gras parades. An extremely exciting and forthright vocalist, Bourne shines on this disc, backed by some of England’s finest blues session players who practically set every tune on fire. Bourne isn’t afraid to get intimate and sensuous either, exposing a tender yet tough side of her personality. Her phrasing and timing on ballads is simply devastating, so if you’re looking for some outstanding female blues, look no further. JSP Records are widely available as import discs.

Reggie Wayne Morris, Blues Binge, Round Robin Records.

Blues guitarist/vocalist Reggie Wayne Morris is a favorite on the club and concert circuit in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area. On his latest disc, he presents a varied set of modern and traditional-sounding electric blues, and manages to avoid a lot of stock hard rock clichés that drag down many contemporary blues recordings. Morris, like so many other modern blues guitarists, plays a Fender Stratocaster, yet somehow also manages to  steer clear of many of the over-used tones peculiar to that guitar. Up-tempo and medium shuffles predominate, but Morris also exhibits a leaning toward vintage R&B and even throws in a few jazzy licks here and there as well. The material is equally memorable, making Blues Binge another must-hear blues guitar extravaganza. www.reggiewaynemorris.com. Round Robin Records, PO Box 3307, Silver Spring, MD 20918.

Theodis Ealey, It’s A Real Good Thang, IFGAM Records.

Georgian Theodis Ealey is another outstanding African/American blues guitarist, influenced by rock, R&B and traditional blues stylings and unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, espousing tales of good love, bad love, loss and loneliness. A lot of people have a misconception that blues music is sad stuff. Nothing could be further from the truth and Theodis Ealey’s happy, jumping shuffles like “I Want You” and “Baby You’ve Got What It Takes” drive that fact straight home. Ealey’s vocals and guitar playing are superior throughout, making It’s A Real Good Thang a standout. www.theodisealey.com. IFGAM Records, PO Box 831507, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Various Artists, Honkers & Bar Walkers, Vol. 3, Delmark Records.

This third in a series of Delmark discs spotlights swinging saxophone instrumentals recorded during that nether-period in the 50s when swing was fading and R&B was emerging. Hence, there’s a lot of jazzy, jumping shuffles, mixed with the occasional lowdown blues, a Latin touch here and there, and some kicking boogie-woogie sounds. Artists include Eddie Chamblee, T.J. Fowler, Sax Mallard, Wild Bill Moore, Floyd Taylor and Swinging Sax Kari, none of whom ever became, shall we say, household names. In any event, some of it sounds a little dated, but for the most part, these saxophone tunes hold up pretty well, even as little more than a reminder of the waning days of jazz as America’s popular music of choice. www.delmark.com. 4121 N. Rockwell, Chicago, IL 60618.