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pop and rock - take a listen to the extended version of the title track, with its lengthy guitar
solo. There is also a radio edit and it would indeed be good to hear this on the radio. Evan
Nicole Bell — I can say with some certainty that you’ll be hearing her name more often…
Norman Darwen
(www.evannicolebell.com)
Tokyo Tramps—Fearless Heart—Vagabond Entertainment
This is certainly an interesting release, the ninth from this
Boston, Massachusetts-based outfit . The first few numbers
introduce the listener to songs reminiscent of The Rolling Stones,
Creedence Clearwater Revival, a slice of psychedelia-inflected
R’n’B, and a poppy blues number with some west side Chicago
influences.
Quite a potent mix then, and this kind of rootsy eclecticism
continues throughout the set, though a track like ‘Open The Door’
has elements of late 60s rock. All the more surprising then —
though the band name gives it away — that Tokyo Tramps are
based around Japanese born singer and guitarist Satoru Nakagawa and female bass player and
singer Yukiko Fujii. Josh Dixon occupies the drum seat, and producer Jim Weider adds some
slide and acoustic guitar — he has worked with The Band and Levon Helm.
‘Can’t Find My Way Home’ has a fine early 60s R’n’B flavour, and ‘Loneliness Is A Social Disease’
has elements of classic rock and roll, before the last couple of numbers tend more towards
modern rock. No problem - they have already established their blues and roots credentials by
then. Overall, this is a very enjoyable release.
Norman Darwen
(www.tokyotramps.com)
Lady J Huston—Groove Me Baby—Earwig Music—Unisun
Productions CDEWR-4980
Joyce Huston (her surname is pronounced Houston) gained the
title of “Lady J” whilst attending (Deans List) Howard University,
as a Music Theory/Composition major. Her interest in music and
performing began as child, watching and learning from her
mother Loyce (Pickens) Huston, a highly acclaimed songstress
amongst St. Louis for Gospel, Jazz & Blues.
One of her first performances to gain significant attention was
when she became the vocalist for Johnnie Johnson (who was
ascribed the title “Father of Rock 'n Roll piano”), who was also
Chuck Berry's original pianist and in honour of whom, the song "Johnny B. Goode" was written.
Her career continued to improve and after hearing a young Lady J play trumpet, trumpeter
David Hines took her under his wing. In 1981, his tutelage led directly to her joining, at the age
of eighteen, Albert “Blues Boy” King’s band, playing lead trumpet: She was the only female
member of the band. Over time she became not only his Music Director, but was also, the