Broke and Hungry Records

Broke and Hungry Records
	Artist Title: Label: Format: Price:	Odell Harris Searching for Odell Harris Broke and Hungry Records CD $13
Odell Harris plays rocking blues in the classic rowdy and loose-limbed north Mississippi tradition. He was known to most non-locals as an unrecorded rumor until this CD was cut in one night-'til-dawn session that must've been quite a time. Those who appreciate the classic, mid-'90s Fat Possum releases by folks such as T-Model Ford and RL Burnside will likely feel very comfortable in the company of Mr. Harris. New, lower price on Broke & Hungry titles.
	Artist Title: Label: Format: Price:	Jimmy "Duck" Holmes Back to Bentonia Broke and Hungry Records CD $13
Bentonia, Mississippi, is a small town of several hundred residents that has been home to celebrated bluesmen such as Skip James and Jack Owens who specialized in a haunting, high and lonesome blues technique. Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, owner and operator of Bentonia's famous Blue Front Cafe juke joint, was an avid student of Owens's and his approach owes a good deal to his mentor. Indeed, several cuts here feature the Owens' frequent collaborator, Bud Spires, on harmonica. There are also a couple tracks that are more rocking than one might expect from a Bentonian which feature the legendary Sam Carr on drums. These tunes are a bit less sure-footed than his other excursions, but also hint at Holmes' broader range of influences. Special kudos to the Broke and Hungry label for recording musicians who have mostly only existed in the realm of hearsay for us non-Mississippians. New, lower price on Broke & Hungry titles.
	Artist Title: Label: Format: Price:	Various Artists M for Mississippi: A Road Trip through the Birthplace of the Blues Broke and Hungry Records / Cat Head / Mudpuppy DVD $18
“M for Mississippi” is a wonderful new DVD that provides brief, evocative portraits of some of the current blues singers in Mississippi. The overall impression is of musicians who do this for love (especially since, as a number of the artists point out, if you’re doing it in the hopes of making money, you won’t bother doing it for too long). Cadillac John, his hands quivering, implores his baby to give it all to him. RL Boyce in his element, holds court at a house party. Pat Thomas goes from his extremely energetic descriptions of his visual art to a mellow delivery of his blues. Jimmy “Duck” Holmes at the juke that’s been in his family for decades. The biggest news to me is 80-ish year-old LC Ulmer, who has a lovely, light delivery and comes across as quite the sweetheart. “This timely road movie will explore the thriving underbelly of a dying American art form in the land where it began – Mississippi. Planned as a weeklong journey through the birthplace of the blues, M for Mississippi seeks to capture the proverbial ‘real deal’ in its home where it is most comfortable and authentic – the jukes, the front yards, the cotton fields. More than just a collection of concert performances, the film will collect the sounds, the images and the feel of both the performers and their native landscape – an environment essential to their livelihoods and inseparable from their art.”
	Artist Title: Label: Format: Price:	Various Artists M for Mississippi: A Road Trip through the Birthplace of the Blues Broke and Hungry Records / Cat Head / Mudpuppy CD $13
Soundtrack to the DVD, this features 50 Miles friend RL Boyce getting about as free as free can be, the sweet touch of LC Ulmer, Robert “Bilbo” Walker’s heartfelt take on “Bring It On Home,” T-Model Ford and his grandson Stud kicking it out, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes advising us to slow down (I’m trying, Duck!), and plenty more. Some come very obviously out of a particular tradition (Wesley Jefferson reworking “Smokestack Lightning,” Terry “Harmonica” Bean’s slightly more frantic take on a John Lee Hooker / Doctor Ross boogie, etc.) while others are more idiosyncratic. Track listing: Big George Brock and the Houserockers – M for Mississippi The Wesley Jefferson Blues Band – The Wolves are Howling RL Boyce and Lightnin’ Malcolm – Ain’t It Alright Terry “Harmonica” Bean – I’m a Bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Slow Down, Slow Down The Mississippi Marvel and Lightnin’ Malcolm – Black Mattie’s Face T-Model Ford and Stud – Hip Shakin’ Woman Cadillac John Nolden and Bill Abel – Give It All to Me, Baby Pat Thomas – The Woman I Love The Robert “Bilbo” Walker Band – Bring It On Home LC Ulmer – Rosalee