The Alex Dixon Band
"Rising From The
Bushes"
Dixon Landing Music
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, April
2009
This is the second project from Alex Dixon
and Dixon Landing Music that Mary4Music is proud to be involved
with. Between the quality of the music I'm hearing, the information on
future projects included in the attached press releases and the whole
concept that this company represents, I know there are going to be many
more.
Although it's difficult,
I'm going to suppress the urge to tell you all about this recording
company's mission and it's founder's biography. As exciting as
it is, I'll just advise you to go to www.dixonlandingmusic.com and read
for yourself just what it is that's got me so
pumped up. In the meantime, let me tell you about the
disc.
Besides a few
words from Grandpa Willie Dixon to open and close the disc, the players
on "Rising From The Bushes" have collectively
played with Willie, Koko, B B, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Ray Charles, Robert
Cray, Bettye LaVette, Eric Clapton, Steve Miller and Crosby, Stills &
Nash. Those stars are: Alex Dixon on Keyboards & Piano; James
Gadson and Alvino Bennet on Drums; Gerald Johnson on Bass & Vocals;
Alan "B B Chung King" Mirikitani on Guitar & Vocals; Marcy "Marcella
Detroit" and David Dills on Vocals; Michael Fell on Harmonica.
After Willie Dixon reminds
us that "Blues is the roots of all American music", the disc opens with
"Fantasy". This one's a great mix of blues styles. With the
rhythm guys in somewhat of a funky groove, it features serious, soulful
blues vocals from Marcy and scorching riffs of Chicago blues guitar from
Alan.
One of the hottest tracks
on the disc is a cover of one of grandpa's songs - "Down In The
Bottom". This one flat out smokes and everyone is totally jammin'
throughout. The discs best guitar, piano and rhythm work can all be
heard right here.
It's the bandleaders time
to shine on "My Suspicious Mind". From start to finish,
Alex's extraordinary piano work is highlighted. Of course, Alan gets
in some great guitar licks and does an absolutely superb job with the
vocals.
It's quite
interesting the way the vocal duties are passed around on this project.
What's even more interesting is how on each track, the designated vocalist
sings their heart out. On "Find A Way To Live", it's
Gerald's turn and he's obviously up for the task. If soulful vocals
light your fire, this one's gonna burn your house down. Great rhythm
and piano on this one as well.
With the conviction with
which he sings it, you can't help but believe him when David says
"Everything's Gonna Be Alright". This is a wonderfully uplifting
song, with great lyrics and an incredible vocal presentation. Alvino and
Michael, on drums and harp, are both quite sharp on this one as well.
Easily one of the discs best.
Other tracks on "Rising From The Bushes", which include eight Alex Dixon
originals, are:
"Lose Control", "Still In Love With You",
"Paint You A Picture", "Spoonful", and "These Are The Times"
.
The disc closes with Willie
once again offering his thoughts. This time he says "The blues are just
reaching it's peak and getting to where it should have been years ago". I
don't know exactly when those words were originally spoken, but in
this day and age if the blues ever does reach it's peak, just as Gramps
was, Alex Dixon is going to be a part of
it.
I already gave you the
website, but it warrants repeating - www.dixonlandingmusic.com. Check it
out. Make sure ya tell them you came to see what the Blewzzman's fussin'
'bout.
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues editor @ www.mary4Music.com