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another Primer original ‘Walked So Long' has a relaxed jazzy swing. However, we also get ‘My

Imagination’—the Sonny Boy Williamson II tune (with Bob in a key an octave higher that Sonny
Boy played it in?) and also Jimmy Reed’s ‘Let’s Get Together' both done in authentic fashion. To be
brutally honest there isn’t anything here that we haven’t heard before BUT I loved the way that
both these front men are committed to the ‘ensemble’ sound. They don't hog the limelight for
themselves and the band also play their part in backing them with pitch-perfect playing.

Graham Harrison

Rory Block Prove It On Me Stony Plain ASIN: B083XRSDCJ

This is the second installment of Rory’s ‘Power Women of the

Blues’ series, which spotlights the music of female performers
from the blues’ formative years, the first featured Bessie Smith
and this one includes songs by Memphis Minnie, Ma Rainey as
well as other less well-known singers. The album features Rory
and ‘The Rory Block Band’—which turns out to be Rory providing
additional vocals and percussion, double tracked by engineer Rob
Davis.

We start ‘He May Be Your Man' by Helen Humes (who replaced Billie Holiday with Count Basie in
1938) followed by Madlyn Davis' ‘It's Red Hot’—which works great with Rory's slide guitar. 'If
You’re a Viper' is apparently by Rosetta Howard but many will know the version by Fats Waller,
and the title track is a Ma Rainey song—which surprisingly works well with just Rory's guitar

despite having been recorded with a jazz band. 'I Shall Wear A Crown' by blind gospel singer
Arizona Dranes is one of the highlights here, a lovely gospel song with Rory's multi-tracked voice
providing the backing choir. Memphis Minnie’s ‘In My Girlish Days' is a perfect vehicle for her
guitar and vocals and I also liked the poignant version of Little Kimbrough's 'Wayward Girl'. As
often in her ‘mentor' series we also get one original song, in this case 'Eagles' which is a very
personal story, done in a blues/gospel style so that it fits in perfectly with the other songs. There
is a fair bit of variety here as Rory flits between blues, jazz and gospel and adds percussion and

extra vocals but I must admit I would have liked to have heard additional instruments and maybe a
jazz band. However, I note that there weren’t any songs by major figures like Big Mama Thornton,
Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Sippie Wallace so maybe we’ll get another installment?

Graham Harrison

The Proven Ones You Ain’t Done Gulf Coast Records ASIN:

B0858TYK83

This is the second album from this group of session musicians
consisting of Brian Templeton (vocals), Kid Ramos (guitar),
Anthony Geraci (keyboards), Willie J. Campbell (bass) and Jimi
Bott (drums). Over the years the guys have played with top line
blues acts including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Radio

Kings, The Mannish Boys, and Sugar Ray and the Bluetones and