Dvd in Blues Music

"The Anthology 1962-1998 [Bonus DVD] [Slipcase]" (10/26/2004) Blues King, B.B., Master ClassicsThis release includes a bonus DVD. Personnel: B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Sonny Boy Williamson (harmonica); Lloyd Glenn (piano); James Walker (bass guitar); Phineas Newborn, Jr. (drums). Master Classics' Blues Anthology is an outstanding unified retrospective capturing B.B. King's early forays into ballads, big-band arrangements, and modern electric Memphis blues. Disc one contains over a dozen tracks, mainly recorded between 1949 and 1960, highlighted by "From the Bottom" by Sonny Boy Williamson & His House Rockers from 1954 with B.B. on guitar and a late-'50s take of "Everyday I Have the Blues" featuring B.B. singing with the Count Basie Orchestra. Disc two contains the full-length Sing Sing Thanksgiving DVD, a documentary of B.B.'s 1972 Thanksgiving concert at the New York State Prison. Alongside burning performances of "How Blue Can You Get," "I Got Some Help (I Don't Really Need)," and "Guess Who?," the film contains commentary from the prisoners, performances by Joan Baez and her sister Mimi Fari?a, the Voices of East Harlem, and MC Jimmie "J.J." Walker, who, at the time, was the star of the TV show Good Times. While this package is highly recommended for collectors, it is essential for the novice who may only be aware of B.B.'s '90s albums: Deuces Wild, Blues on the Bayou Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan, or 2000's Riding With the King with Eric Clapton. While those discs all have their moments, this material is where the legend was made. ~ Al Campbell

"For the Chosen Who [Digipak]" (07/19/2005) Blues Piazza, Rod, Delta Groove ProductionsPersonnel: Rod Piazza (vocals, harmonica); Johnny Dyer (vocals); Kid Ramos, Phil Guy (guitar); Randy Chortkoff (harmonica); David Woodford (horns); Finis Tasby (bass guitar, background vocals); James Gadson (drums); Cynthia Manley, Amy Keys, Robbyn Kirmsee (background vocals).

"30 Years of Stony Plain" (05/16/2006) Rock & Pop Various Artists, Stony Plain (Canada)

"The Blues [St. Clair CD & DVD] [Digipak]" (04/13/2007) Blues Various Artists, St. ClairThis release includes a bonus DVD featuring BOARDING HOUSE BLUES.

"Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night 2002" (10/21/2004) Folk Anderson, Muriel, Muriel Anderson

"A Life in the Blues" (11/25/2003) Blues Brown, Charles Trio, Rounder SelectThis is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Includes a bonus DVD and 72-page booklet. Personnel: Charles Brown (vocals, piano); Danny Caron (guitar); Earl May (bass); Keith Copeland (drums). Recorded live at the Lone Star Roadhouse, New York, New York in 1990. Includes liner notes by Chip Deffaa. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. While more than a few notable blues artists enjoyed late-life comebacks after years of inactivity, Charles Brown was one of the few whose second run of success was arguably more satisfying than the salad days of his youth. Brown's work in the 1940s with Johnny Moore & His Three Blazers and the solo sessions that followed resulted in a number of truly classic sides, but when Brown began actively recording again in the late '80s, his skills as a pianist were as keen as ever (and he obviously relished the opportunity to flesh out his solos in ways he couldn't under the constraints of the 78-rpm recording format), and the patina of age added a greater resonance and gravity to his vocals, which still boasted the smooth fire of a snifter of fine brandy. In the spring of 1990, Brown's comeback was moving into full swing and he was about to record his superb All My Life album when he played an engagement at New York City's Lone Star Roadhouse. A Japanese television network had arranged to record one of Brown's sets for later broadcast, using an experimental high-definition video system coupled with a multi-track digital audio setup, and A Life in the Blues is a CD/DVD package that allows this material to be seen and heard in the United States for the first time. Brown and his group are in nothing less than exemplary form in this recording; Brown was always a master of smooth, jazz-influenced "supper club" blues, but for all his refinement this set finds him drawing a remarkable amount of emotional heat from these tunes, and his elegant but inventive piano work leaves no doubt he was a master of his instrument. Danny Caron, Brown's guitarist and musical director, is as always a great foil for Brown's musical ideas, and if the DVD shows him mugging just a shade too much during his solos, given how well he performs with Brown, this can surely be forgiven. And the rhythm section of Earl May and Keith Copeland are perfectly simpatico, knowing when to add color and when to simply lend body to the arrangements. The CD and DVD both feature Brown's ten-song set in its entirety, while the DVD also includes two rare "Soundies" (shot in 1945) of Brown performing as part of the Three Blazers with vocalist John Shadrack Horace, two excerpts from an extensive interview with Brown, a gallery of still photos, and a heroically researched Charles Brown discography. The icing on the cake is the thick accompanying booklet, stuffed with photos, a remembrance from Brown's friend and touring partner Bonnie Raitt, and a marvelously detailed biographical essay from Chip Deffaa. The title A Life in the Blues is just a bit of a cheat -- while it suggests a career overview, this could be more accurately described as "One Night in a Life in the Blues." But it was a fine, fine night indeed, and those who love Charles Brown's music (or want to introduce themselves to his work) will revel in this audiovisual tribute to a master returning to the stage at the peak of his form. ~ Mark Deming

"Anthology [Digipak]" (07/13/2004) Blues King, B.B., MCA Records (USA)Personnel includes: B.B. King (vocals, guitar, piano); Albert Collins, Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); Bobby "Blue" Bland (vocals); Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack (guitar, keyboards); Jesse Ed Davis, Joe Walsh, Cornell Dupree, Irving Ashby, Dean Parks (guitar); Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); Red Holloway, David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Johnny Board, Bobby Forte, David Sanborn, Howard Johnson, Melvin Jackson, Walker King (saxophone); Snooky Young, Waymon Reed (trumpet); The Memphis Horns (horns); Paul Harris (piano, organ, keyboards); Leon Russell, Lloyd Glenn (piano); Duke Jethro (organ); Klaus Voorman, Val Patillo,Leo Lauchie, Wilber Bascomb, Richard Cousins (bass); Ringo Starr, Jim Gordon, Sonny Freeman, Jim Keltner, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums). U2: Bono (vocals); The Edge (guitar, keyboards); Adam Clayton (bass); Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums). Producers include: B.B. King, Dave Crawford, Dennis Walker, Esmond Edwards, Johnny Pate. Compilation producer: Andy McKaie. Recorded between September 1962 and 1998. Includes liner notes by Mark Humphrey. Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (Universal Mastering Studios-West, North Hollywood, California). Personnel: B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Albert Collins, Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); U2 (various instruments); Hank Crawford (saxophone); Leon Russell (piano); Carole King (electric piano); Dr. John (keyboards); Ringo Starr (drums); Bobby "Blue" Bland. Liner Note Author: Mark Humphrey. MCA's double-disc set Anthology is a bit of a blessing, actually, a welcome entry to B.B. King's extensive catalog, since the last half of his career has not been anthologized often (it was most notably on the box set The King of Blues). Once King's career entered the '70s, he never lost his way, but his recordings became uneven. The situation didn't improve in the '80s or '90s, either -- he was always reliable, but the records could either be too slick or uninspired or just solid journeyman efforts. Anthology does a terrific job of consolidating the years between 1963 and 1998, his time at ABC and MCA, respectively. Smartly, the compilers lean heavily on the '60s and early-'70s material, with only a handful of tracks from 1980-1998. There are certainly some terrific tracks missing, but by concentrating on his great recordings of the mid-'60s, plus the work that just followed it, they wind up with not just a very enjoyable compilation, but one that's a testament to B.B.'s talents as a guitarist, vocalist, stylist, and showman. This, in conjunction with a compilation of early Flair recordings and Live at the Regal, provide a better history of the great bluesman's career than his box set. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

"Genius Loves Company" (12/21/2004) Blues Charles, Ray, EMI Music DistributionAudio Mixer: Al Schmitt. Liner Note Authors: David R. Legry; John Burk. Though Ray Charles, one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, was never in need of vocal assistance, he was no stranger to duets either (one of his finest records is a duet album with Betty Carter). For as much of a musical giant as he was, Brother Ray knew how to share the spotlight, as evidenced by GENIUS LOVES COMPANY, his final project before his 2004 passing. In keeping with the eclectic nature of Charles's artistry, he partners with a wide assortment of performers here. Charles is joined by Elton John on a soulful exploration of the latter's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," and sidles up next to Willie Nelson for a haunting version of the Frank Sinatra hit "It Was a Very Good Year," made all the more poignant in retrospect by its posthumous nature. Of course, it's not all bittersweet melancholy; Charles teams with Van Morrison for a jubilant soul/gospel reading of Van's MOONDANCE tune "Crazy Love," and the duet with James Taylor on the upbeat "Sweet Potato Pie" is probably the sassiest, perkiest thing in which Taylor's ever been involved. GENIUS LOVES COMPANY is a swan song that fittingly finds the titular genius surrounded by friends from varied musical worlds, all of whom he's touched with his rare gift.