New CDs from Eddie Campbell, Ana Popovic

I think it's time to catch up on some new CDs, some of which have been languishing too long at the BlueNotes World Headquarters. It's not entirely my fault -- festivals and other summertime duties have kept me busy.

The first one is from Chicago veteran Eddie C. Campbell, who, at 70, is another one of those Chicago bluesmen from the 1950s and '60s whose talents helped shape the classic funky blues of Chicago's West Side.

Campbell's album, "Tear This World Up" (Delmark), is a fine CD full of originals and excellent covers, especially of Campbell's one-time West Side running buddy, Magic Sam Maghett. He's also one of those bluesmen from the old school, the school where blue notes are precious and meant to be savored, not hurled wildly in all directions. So a combination of tight arrangements, well-crafted tunes and tough vocals make Campbell a pleasure to hear. Heres' a sample of one track, "Tie Your Time Up"

He's also one of those bluesmen who defected from the Chicago scene for a while, when he went to Europe in 1984 and stayed for about 10 years, recording in England, Holland and Germany. But he's back, and we're the better for it. Campbell has become a Chicago regular, and finds himself in demand on the world festival circuit. It's a tribute to the power of this great music, and a veteran performer.

Here's a video clip of Campbell at work:

Ana Popovic

Ana Popovic, the Belgrade-born singer-songwriter-guitarist who made her mark with a blues-rock style and Hendrix-intense licks, is shifting directions on her lastest CD, "Blind For Love" (Eclectogroove). That's not a bad thing, even though the album is more bluesy than blues, since it gives the very talented Popovic a chance to stretch into songwriting, singing and playing of a gentler nature. 

The work here is more lyrical, more thoughtful, almost-soft-rock-like -- but still not without its share of strong guitar, which is what she still does very well. There's even an acoustic-flavored number.

Everything here seems to be designed to take Ana in new directions, and that's okay. I wish I could tell you it's a great blues album, but it's not. But it's still a very good album by someone displaying a developing talent for teasing a pleasing lyric into a fine song.

Here's a sample of the kinder, gentler Popovic from the title track, "Blind for Love"