Big Joe & The Dynaflows - You Can't Keep A Big Man Down

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:19
Size: 92.3 MB
Styles: Jump blues
Year: 2010
Art: Full

[3:09] 1. You Can't Keep A Big Man Down
[2:26] 2. Bad Case Of Love
[3:41] 3. Evangeline
[4:08] 4. Property Line
[2:24] 5. Whatcha Gonna Do
[4:22] 6. Someday
[3:37] 7. Confessin' The Blues
[2:40] 8. Face The Facts
[2:49] 9. Supercharger
[4:48] 10. Nothin' But Trouble
[3:25] 11. I'm To Blame
[2:44] 12. What The Hell Were You Thinkin'

The title track is somewhat autobiographical as Joe Maher returns to the recording studio after health problems have kept him sidelined since his previous album, also on the Severn label, nearly 11 years ago. But since Maher's chosen genre of jump blues and boogie-woogie isn't exactly contemporary or subject to trends, little other than some more gray hairs on the singer/drummer's head has changed on this long-awaited return. Its mix of rocking, predominantly upbeat, often humorous retro-blues/jazz-swing blues makes another quality entry into his catalog of like-minded releases that stretch back to his debut solo outing in 1990. Maher's in fine vocal form with a resemblance to Delbert McClinton on this set of a dozen tunes, half of which are originals. He digs deep into the catalogs of his influences, unearthing seldom-heard gems from Johnny Green ("Someday"), B.B. King ("Bad Case of Love"), Jimmy McCracklin, Jay McShann, and he even covers McClinton for a rollicking "What the Hell Were You Thinkin'." Keyboardist Kevin McKendree from McClinton's band further cements the connection. His work, along with guitarist Rob McNelley, is what drives this version of the Dynaflows, enhanced occasionally by the late Dennis Taylor's honking saxophone. As one of the few vocalist/drummers, he lays back on the latter but motors his way through the disc's only instrumental, the appropriately titled "Supercharger." A few ballads like his newly penned "Nothin' but Trouble" seem like oldies composed by one of the genre's standard bearers, Big Joe Turner'; a compliment to Maher's songwriting and arranging skills. His genial, blue collar persona helps propel the plainspoken "Face the Facts," a guitar riff-driven corker that's likely a crowd pleaser when played live. There are no surprises here, which is to be expected from a sound that dates back to the '40s, but Maher's exuberant, strutting personality and veteran top-shelf band keep the fire burning for 40 minutes of good-natured, party-time fun. ~Hal Horowitz

Updated with full covers by Bluestender
Originally posted on 31/Dec/2014

You Can't Keep A Big Man Down

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Big Joe Maher & The Dynaflows - Midnight Rambler

Source: Digital Lossless Copy
Size: 86.7 MB
Time: 37:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997/2018
Styles: Eletric Blues
Art: Front & Back

01. Route 66 (2:46)
02. Sweet Home Chicago (3:49)
03. Cross Road Blues (2:56)
04. Midnight Rambler (3:58)
05. Statesboro Blues (3:13)
06. Froggy Bottom (2:54)
07. Blue Monday Blues (3:31)
08. Let's Go Jumpin' (2:56)
09. Beehive Boogie (2:19)
10. Juice On The Loose (3:29)
11. Gangster Of Love (2:37)
12. Oye Como Va (2:54)

Joe Maher a/k/a "Big Joe" started out his music career in his Maryland high school jazz band "The Starliners.” Musician greats like Clark Terry, Urbie Green, Mudell Lowe & James Moody often sat in with the band as guest performers and they were an inspiration to him. His father listened to Louis Jordon and blues & jazz at home so this was an influence on his musical style as well. He started his own roots blues record collection during that time in the 60’s when most of his friends were just into the rock-n-roll.

After high school he went immediately on the road with his own jazz/blues trio. His mission then started to become an accomplished singer/drummer. Over time he shared the stage, opened up for or backed up music Legends: Willie Dixon, Johnny Adams, Floyd Dixon, Delbert McClinton, Johnnie Johnson, Mick Fleetwood, Jimmy McCracklin, Jimmy Rogers, Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bullmoose Jackson, James"Thunderbird" Davis, Nappy Brown, Jimmy T99 Nelson, Lazy Lester, Bobby Parker, Otis Rush & Earl King. Some often requested him when coming to town knowing he would know their material and be quite adept at covering it.

In the late 80's after managing and performing with the 9 piece swing band "The Uptown Rhythm Kings," and after a few years as drummer with the Tom Principato Band, Joe formed his own 5 piece jump blues group "Big Joe & The Dynaflows." In between touring and local performances with the Dynaflows, in the mid-90's Joe accepted the role as Music Coordinator for Mick Fleetwood's niteclub in Alexandria, VA "Fleetwoods." His knowledge of the local and national blues & jazz scene helped him land the position which had the nightclub consistently filled with top notch talent. In 1997, Big Joe and his band had the honor to perform at an Inauguration Ball for the 42nd President of the United States. in Washington, DC.

The Dynaflows release "I'm Still Swingin" on Severn Records, received the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA)"Best Blues Recording" in 1998. WAMA also voted Big Joe "Male Blues Vocalist of the Year" both in 2005 and 2009. Other Dynaflow releases include "All Night Long" and "You Can't Keep a Big Man Down" on the Severn label; "Layin' in the Alley" on New Orleans based Black Top Records, which received the (WAMA) "Best Blues Recording" in 1994;."Good Rockin'Daddy" on the Powerhouse label & "Cool Dynaflow" on a European label.

Midnight Rambler

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Big Joe Maher - Mojo

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:20
Size: 99.2 MB
Styles: Jump blues, Electric blues
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:56] 1. Got My Mojo Workin'
[4:25] 2. Who Will The Next Fool Be
[3:04] 3. Heartbreaker
[3:17] 4. In The Dark
[5:52] 5. Vodka On The Rocks
[2:50] 6. Hard Livin' Alone
[2:52] 7. When Did You Leave Heaven
[2:22] 8. Ponytail
[3:59] 9. Trouble In Mind
[4:07] 10. Wings 'n Things
[2:20] 11. I Dare You, Baby
[3:11] 12. Goodbye, Baby

Big Joe’s natural-born, laidback blues growl sounds less than two feet away. The band’s powerhouse Hammond organ groove shakes your floor. A foot behind Big Joe, the saxes reek of raunch, the electric guitar shreds the Fender speakers. Stereophile says, “Such a cool disc…equal parts barrel-house jump-band and smooth swing.” Blues star (and audiophile) Bob Margolin writes, “...a powerful performance recorded with stunning clarity and space. It’s a feast for the soul, and candy for the ears.”

Mojo mc
Mojo zippy

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