extra – yet more impressive guitar- EXTRA slingers in Central Texas. – DF

THE BANGLES Ladies and Gentle- men... The Bangles! A surf/punk instrumental CORNFLOWER BLUE hybrid by the pre-Bangles DAVID “HONEYBOY” EDWARDS DUKE ROBILLARD Invincible Bangs kicks off this compilation I’m Gonna Tell You Some- Full Circle This eclectic Canadian of demos, live recordings, and thin’ That I Know Robillard, recently mended band features Trevor May on odds and ends. Vicki Peterson CD/DVD package featuring the from rotator-cuff surgery, guitar, and his playing is as handles guitar – be it the Mississippi Delta bluesman live celebrates his recovery on well-rounded as the band. They country-flavored “Call On Me” in 2010 at L.A.’s G Spot backed 13 straight ahead, no-frills excel at roots rock and country: (the Bangs’ take and a slower by Jeff Dale and the South performances built around “Reason To Smile,” “Catherine,” Bangles demo) or Love’s power- Woodlawners plus Michael his raw voice and fluid solo- and “The Ballad Of Don Rich packed “7 And 7 Is” – and is Frank. Along with the music ing. His thick-toned playing And Buck Owens” are among featured on vocals and fuzztone comes Edwards’ storytelling, permeates the disc as he the highlights. Violinist Deanna on her own “Want You.” – DF reminiscing about Charlie Patton tears loose on originals, a new McDougall and vocalist Theresa and other Delta greats. – MD cover of Jimmy Lewis’ stomp- McInerney also shine. – JH ing “Last Night,” and, joined by , the jazzy “Shufflin’ and Scufflin’.” – RK

THE BO-KEYS Heartaches By the Number MACY GRAY SKILLET Bassist Scott Bomar formed Stripped Unleashed the Bo-Keys to pay tribute Macy Gray brings things Skillet pushes the contem- to the greats of Memphis down to the bare essentials GARY HOEY porary Christian music genre soul, on labels like Stax and with a four-piece combo Dust & Bones up a notch by blending alterna- Hi. But Southern soul and recording live around a single Hoey continues to mine his tive and symphonic metal. country are close cousins, as microphone in a former church, blues influences to release a Incorporating heavy production evidenced by Percy Sledge, seamlessly fusing rock and roll, hearty package of impeccable flourishes, singer/bassist John Joe Tex, Clarence Carter, and soul, and jazz. Guitarist Russell blues-rock. These 11 composi- Cooper’s brazen vocal style others. Joe Restivo handles Malone is a jazz cat, and his tions à la Robin Trower, ZZ Top, is riveting. Seth Morrison’s guitar duties on soul-dripping work here is alternately stylish, and Frank Marino burn white hot saturated distortion, chugging arrangements of songs by Hank beautiful, and moving. – RA with whiskey-voiced testoster- guitars, and melody are a key Williams, , Johnny one and authority. Snatches of asset. “Invincible” with its fight- Paycheck, and Ray Price. – DF traditional blues offset tone-per- song chorus and “Undefeated” fect guitar, while Lita Ford lends is prime modern rock. – OJ her pipes on the southern rock ballad “Coming Home.” – OJ

GUSTAVO ASSIS-BRASIL Chromatic Dialogues JOANNA CONNOR Here’s a welcome retreat from Six String Stories the plethora of guitar-centric TONY VEGA BAND The Queen of Blues-Rock’s rock and blues-based pablum. Black Magic Box viral video recorded at the Refreshingly delightful yet BETH LEE AND THE BREAKUPS Not completely a departure North Atlantic Blues Festival cerebral compositions evoke a Keep Your Mouth Shut for Vega, his latest takes a has returned Conner to the mixture of jazz, classical, prog, Austin-based Lee’s collection sideways step. His bands have spotlight. Her first record in 14 and rock. Odd time signatures, of originals includes always had one foot planted in years is filled with her signa- spirited melodic contours, and doses of blues and swing, with rock, the others in the blues. ture face-melting slide guitar, sophisticated arrangements a slight punk edge. Her sexy This one is pure blues. The impassioned singing, and blend with upper echelon rasp is complemented by Landis title comes from his latest relevant subject matter. This ensemble work. Assis-Brasil’s Armstrong’s tremolo on the title guitar, a 1947 Gibson ES-150, album mirrors her live shows impressive artistry stands cut, Adam Burchfield’s reverb on which he puts to good use. crammed with soul, virtuosity, upon the shoulders of fusion’s “Bad Elevator,” and Eric Hisaw’s Especially fun is a funky cover of blues, and eclecticism. – OJ greatest guitarists. – OJ double-stops on “Only A Dream” Lyle Lovett’s “Penguins.” – JH

January 2017 117 VINTAGE GUITAR