Sonny RHODES - Blue Diamond 1999

Sonny RHODES - Blue Diamond 1999

Blues

This CD has a lot of soul and a spicy bite to it. For contemporary blues I don't think it can get much better than this. Each song stands its own, which is somewhat rare in modern blues albums (in my opinion). Not only that, but each song is distict from the next (unlike some clone blues songs). Sonny Rhodes is almost addictive, especially the funky texas blues tracks of which there are a few.
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This very unique lap steel player of the blues stretches out on this Canadian roots label's release. Those who have seen him will never forget his shows, where he goes out of his way to entertain an audience. From his bright red suit to his bejeweled turban, and the legendary smile that is absolutely radiant, to the good humor he displays on stage, add his prowess on his lap steel, and he is every bit the entertainer. This same warm and embracing energy is captured on this disc and given as a bonus to the listener. The lap steel is far more common in country music, but it is an instrument that he has adapted to the blues and he finds it gives him the musical expressions and tones he was looking for. He was born in Texas and the blues that he heard growing up, as played by T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, and Chuck Willis can still be heard in his music. This combined with his strong and imaginative songwriting -- he wrote or co-wrote ten of the songs on this disc -- and his expressive voice make for a very worthy disc, plus as a bonus there is an in-depth interview at the tail end of the disc. Take special note of the expression and intensity displayed in "Blues Walk." This man, born Clarence Edward Smith, has come a far piece of ground from his roots, yet his appreciation and hard work -- he is on the road 250 days a year -- has honed his sound to sheer enjoyment. He is a true diplomat of the blues.
By Bob Gottlieb, All Music Guide.
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Sonny Rhodes- (Vocals, Electric Guitar, Dobro, Lap Steel);
Ace Moreland- (Acoustic & Electric Guitars);
Bob Greenlee- (Acoustic Guitar, Bass);
Warren King- (Guitar);
Mark Hodgson, Anthony "Pack Rat" Thompson- (Harmonica);
Rick "Hurricane" Johnson- (Tenor & Baritone Saxophones);
Noble "Thin Man" Watts- (Tenor Saxophone);
Bobby Pickwood- (Trumpet);
Doug Bare- (Keyboards);
Ronnie "Byrd" Foster, Theo Brown, Jim Payne- (Drums);
Jimitre Smith, Yvonne Saddler- (Background Vocals).
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01. Meet Me At The 10th Street Inn Sonny Rhodes 3:19 $0.99 
02. Shame On You Sonny Rhodes 4:36 $0.99 
03. Blues Is My Religion Sonny Rhodes 3:12 $0.99 
04. Blue Diamond Sonny Rhodes 4:27 $0.99 
05. Back Where You Come From Sonny Rhodes 3:56 $0.99 
06. Rainy Day Sonny Rhodes 4:11 $0.99 
07. What You're Looking For Sonny Rhodes 3:54 $0.99 
08. Beside Myself Sonny Rhodes 4:23 $0.99 
09. Too Much Trouble Sonny Rhodes 2:14 $0.99 
10. Love From A Stone Sonny Rhodes 3:27 $0.99 
11. Blues Walk Sonny Rhodes 3:58 $0.99 
12. Blues Man's Prayer Sonny Rhodes 1:55 $0.99 
13. Life's Rainbow Sonny Rhodes 6:15 $0.99 
14. Interview Rhodes, Petersen 20:13
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