THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 27, 1994 TAG: 9408270045
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music Reviews
SOURCE: BY CRAIG A. SHAPIRO, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
J. J. CALE goes wherever his idiosyncratic ear takes him. On ``Closer to You'' (Virgin), he indulges in shuffles and stomps, Delta blues and unadorned rock.
His Dust Bowl vocals accent the wry insight of ``Sho-Biz Blues.'' He drives ``Borrowed Time'' with the kind of urgency he brought to ``After Midnight.'' Cale's got a band on these tracks, but ``Closer to You'' is closer to real when he scales it down. He creates voodoo blues with a guitar and synth on ``Devil's Nurse,'' and adds percussion to give ``Slower Baby'' its jazzy feel.
The effect is like listening to him put down demos. All that's missing is a sign: Artist at Work.
What 11-year-old Nathan Cavaleri lacks in consistency, he makes up in potential. His debut ``Nathan'' (Epic) shows why he has generated such a buzz. The Australian guitarist muscles up like an old master on the opening instrumental, ``Lou's Blues.'' He shows a fine ear for soul on ``Back to the Blues'' and a cover of ``If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right),'' where he's joined by Was (Not Was) vocalist Sweet Pea Atkinson.
Elsewhere, he's poorly served by overblown production, and on ``Workin' on It'' and ``Summertime Blues,'' overbearing vocals by Andrew Strong of the Commitments. But none of that takes away from Cavaleri. He's clearly no novelty act, and he's got lots of time to get better.
Figure this one: Kevin Moore was born and raised in L.A., but ``Keb' Mo' '' (OKeh/Epic), his excellent debut, sounds as if it was dipped in the Delta. The sound is stripped down, leaving the focus on his husky vocals and acoustic guitar. Moore wrote 11 of the 13 tracks (the others are Robert Johnson covers), and on each shows a knack for making familiar themes sound fresh. QUICK CUTS
Terry Evans, ``Blues for Thought'' (Pointblank/Charisma). Sometime boss Ry Cooder provides the backup, but it's Evans' show. The vocalist touches all bases from Memphis to Mississippi to Chicago. He's a sharp writer, too.
Frankie Lee, ``Going Back Home'' (Blind Pig). More vocal gymnastics. Lee, equally adept with uptown soul and Kansas City shouts, has the same appeal as Arthur Alexander, Paul Kelly and Roland Stone.
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, ``Jumping From 6 to 6'' (Hightone). Slap this swing thing on, roll up the rug, then jump back.
Willie and the Poor Boys, ``Tear It Up-Live'' (Blind Pig). In Sweden, of all places, Billy Wyman, Gary Brooker and Co. run through a set of rockabilly and rock standards. Andy Fairweather-Low gives ``Mystery Train'' a ride.
Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, ``Trouble Man'' (Blind Pig). No surprises here. The former Nighthawk, with his veteran rhythm section keeping pace, just tears it up.
The Uptown Horns, ``The Uptown Horns Revue'' (The Collector's Pipeline). The veteran hornmen finally step out, and are joined by the late Albert Collins, Bernard Fowler and, on ``Trust Me,'' Peter Wolf and Keith Richards. Play it loud.
Studebaker John and the Hawks, ``Too Tough'' (Blind Pig). The guitarist-harp man grew up in Chicago on Chicago blues. He's been a Windy City fixture since.
COMING UP: The lineup is inked for next month's Elizabeth River Blues Festival. British blues vet John Mayall headlines; he'll be joined by Duke Robillard, John Hammond and Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, all of whom put Hampton Roads on their itineraries. Locally, the set list includes H.M. Johnson, Deborah Coleman, the R&B Allstars, Beale Street and the Blues Cats.
No word yet on how the festival breaks down, but this is certain: It's Sept. 10 from noon to 10 p.m. It's the 10th year. It's free. Call 456-1675.
The Big Joe and the Dynaflows concert tonight at the Virginia Beach Jewish Mother has been canceled. Gibb Droll is in Wednesday. Coming in September: Bad Luck Blues Band (Friday), Young Gun (7), the Rhythm Kings (14), Little Dave and the Blues Imperials (16-17), Stingrays (24), The Heaters (30). ILLUSTRATION: ALLIGATOR RECORDS photo
Lil' Ed and the Blues' Imperials will appear at the elizabeth River
Blues Festival. Locally, the set list includes H.M. Johnson, Deborah
Coleman, the R&R Allstars, Beale Street and the Blues Cats.
SILVERTONE RECORDS photo
British blues vet John Mayall is the headliner at the September
festival.
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