Music Matters  By Jerry Henry

"I find the greatest songs in the world come out of pain, and I don't like it! Here's what it does: It strips away all of your facade. It makes you so honest. It's cleansing." - Lionel Richie 

Every Tuesday night is college band night at Rhythm & Brews.

A must see show is coming to Zydeco in Birmingham, Chris Knight performing with Caddle, Friday, October 23.

You can get tickets on-line now for Chuck Leavell's performance at the Bama Theatre, November 20.

The music industry is stuck in a rut and it needs to make some radical changes if it wants to stop bleeding money, according to Forrester. The firm has several suggestions for how to overhaul music products and insists that they must be consumer-friendly, not business-oriented.

The music industry needs a “radical overhaul” to its products if it wants to revive sales, and that overhaul revolves around actually catering to consumer needs. That’s the argument in a new report from market research firm Forrester, which says that the music business needs to give up being obsessed with itself in favor of letting users create their own music experiences with ease. This goes far beyond offering mere albums for purchase—Forrester suggests users be allowed to completely customize and share their music in an extremely open, platform-agnostic manner.

First and foremost, the firm says consumers have the “right” to a unique music experience. This means that they should be able to completely customize what they’re looking at and listening to by having lyrics, on-demand live footage, photos, live chat with other fans, expandable music/video players, and more right at their fingertips. Imagine the recently introduced iTunes LP, but with much more content to choose from and fully customizable. (Music Industry Report)

Each time I receive a Corey Harris release means a new musical path for me to travel. His worldwide travels and his degree in anthropology translates into new discoveries with each of his offerings. Corey Harris' new release, Blu. Black (Telarc), is what I would call World Blues. Blu. Black has influences from the Mississippi Delta, Africa, the Caribbean, Southern gospel and reggae. This unique blend is very enjoyable and in my mind an extension to his Zion Crossroads (2007). True blues lovers will find his work to be creative and mind-expanding. Blu. Black is top shelf in all aspects.

 Samuel James is a storyteller that has a style reminiscent of Robert Johnson. All 12 of the tracks on For Rosa, Maeve and Noreen (NorthernBlues Music) are his originals and each tell a story. When I reviewed his last album, I was surprised that he had just turned 30 years old. His writing and music say different and after each listening to any of his work, his age returns to mind. This is one of those albums that you have to hear to understand. When you do listen, you automatically respect this young man's delivery and word craft.

Things About Comin' My Way-A tribute to the music of The Mississippi Sheiks (Black Hen Music) is a fantastic project to honor the early '30s super group.  The Sheiks blended blues, jazz, pop and country. I don't have the space to name all of the 17 great acts on this release but a few are: The North Mississippi Allstars, John Hammond, Bruce Cockburn, Oh Susanna, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Bill Frisell, Kelly Joe Phelps and Geoff Muldaur and the Texas Sheiks. If your music is Americana, roots or blues you have to have this album.

The Laurie Morvan Band is another fine example of the future of the blues being in very good hands. And what hands she's got, her six-string skills are spectacular. This young lady has talent, from songwriting, she wrote the album's twelve tracks, to being a masterful blues vocalist. She's hot, her music is hot, her band is hot. Her songs let you know she is ready to take on all comers in this male dominated industry.

Ben Prestage was raised in the swamps of south central Florida. So his own brand of Florida Swamp Blues comes naturally. Ben's release Live At Pineapple Willie's (CD Baby) is the perfect showcase for this one man band. That's right, he plays guitar and drums at the same time. Most of you know Pineapple Willie's is in Panama City Beach, Florida and many of you might have been there during March last year. I don't think any one that has seen him will consider him as a novelty act. Ben Prestage is the real deal!

Dave Keller's Play For Love (Tastee-Tone Records) is 13 original varied blues and soul tracks. Not only can this guy sing but his guitar work borders on being an all out slinger. Dave says, "Since my last record I've watched my two daughters begin their journeys through life, and have taken a hard look at my own. These are not songs that I sat down and tried to write. These are songs I needed to write." 

Darrell Nulisch's release Just For You (Severn Records) is a blend of blues and soul. Darrell toured with James Cotton until last year. His take on Slim Harpo's "Just For You" is truly unique. This is a live studio recording with plenty of professional sound including a horn section and current Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarist Johnny Moeller.

This last one, I put in the weird but fun category. Without A Face's release Worst Debut Album Ever (Redbird Records) is a group of cleverly written songs. It opens with a song about being a one man band. The rest is personal matters that this young man wants us to know about. Remember-able for sure.