Tas Cru CD has a lot of "grizzle n' bone"

Here's another CD that BlueNotes is  playing catchup on -- "grizzle n' bone" from Tas Cru (Crustee Tees Records). Cru might be known to local blues fans -- he took part in last year's International Blues Challenge sponsored by the Blues Society of Western Pa.

Cru is a singer-songwriter in a kind of rootsy blues tradition, with authentically gruff vocals and a nice touch on the slide guitar ("Woman Won't You Love Me?" is a fine example).

Most of the songs are originals, and Cru has a nice story-telling touch going here, with just the right vocal sound that makes it all hang together.

The music has a lazy, easy-going feel to it, and even the tougher sides ("Money Talks") don't grind too hard. But that's a good thing. It makes all this music go down easy.

The unaccompanied "Come to Testify" is a sweet, gritty little song that has only churchlike hand-clapping behind Cru's vocal, testifying how he's a "fool for the blues." Another languid bit of pickin' and singin' follows in "All Good."

That doesn't mean everything here sounds alike. The tracks are set up to keep the mood varied and styles changing. A sweet ballad, "Let's Just Pretend" is followed by a rootsy, organ-flavored ode to his baby's "Brand New Shoes."

It's a nice album. Cru has built a regional rep in the Northeast (he's based in Albany, N.Y., after years working out of Quebec), but has wandered into the South as well. He could get some national exposure out f this fine CD, and it would be well-deserved.

Here's a sample of one of my favorite tracks, "Woman Won't You Love Me?"

Passing of a great blueswoman

If you haven't taken time yet to look back at Koko Taylor's legendary career, and her blues legacy, plase take a few minutes and do that. You'll find a couple of links in my post below, and a whole lot more available with an easy web search. She devoted her life to creating music that we've enjoyed for over 50 years. Give her back a few minutes worth of fond memories. Put one of her CDs on the player while you do. A nice bourbon might help, too.