You might have wondered whether Candye Kane still had the material, and the ooomph, to add an 8th CD to her repertoire, especially after she, her fans, and friends were thunderstruck by pancreatic cancer a year and a half ago.  Candye's last cut on "Superhero" prophesizes "I'm Gonna Be Just Fine."  Outside of that there are 11--count 'em--E L E V E N Shag, Bop, and jitterbug tunes here.  Notable among them is her duet, "I Like 'Em Stacked Like That" with Mitch Kashmar....and several more you would do well to check out with somebody HOT on the dance floor.

       Before his death, Ike Turner had achieved a previously unknown international status as a wife-beater.  Fortunately, he's even better with the R&B beat he launched in 1950 with Jackie Brenston on "Rocket 88."  Ike's beat and style have been a mainstay in the Shag world since evidenced by the extraordinarily rapid rise of "I Don't Want Nobody" in recent months.  His last CD of 2006 includes lots of other fun, especially "Tease Me."

       Elmore James Jr. (his 'Daddy Gave Him the Blues') hit the dance floors, Beach Music Top 40, and Roadhouse Blues & Boogie Top 40 with a jump style CD loaded with tunes.  "Don' Get Mad," ""See See Rider," and "Tore Down" are some, but not all, of the best.  Didn't hurt that he was backed by some of the finest West Coast players with authentic boogie cells running through their veins.

       Rich Nash and Greg Cagle bring decades of dedication and experience to their first project together.  Not only do they perform their own material, I'm reminded of Hall and Oates every time I listen to them, at several levels: composition, style, production, and performance.  Listen and you'll see they have command of several genre.  We will be hearing more from them with a new CD in 2010 -- meanwhile this one has the legs to run another marathon or two.

       DO NOT LISTEN if you have a weak heart!  Reverend Bubba D. Liverance is a Whiteville, NC soul singer whose voice will rip up the inside of your chest without trying.  Not only that, he and Sam Hankins with the Cornhole Prophets, write some compelling stories.  "If You Can't Shag" was their first release, an anthem of pride about the Carolinas and Shag that was like putting Ajax in an open wound for many, little too strong for some--yummo, as Rachel Ray would say.  "Mo' Better" was their second release, with the Rev. unveiling his sentimental side.  But it was a SETUP, cause "That's What You Do," currently burning up the Top 40, will take your legs away and bring the tears to your eyes--unless you have NEVER loved someone.

       Frankly, the second CD by the Calabash Blues and Boogie Band has been an immense embarrassment to many artists.  First of all, it clearly demonstrates that the first CD was not an 'accident.'  These guys know where to find the most meat on the bone, and don't mind gettin' greasy to get to it.  Doug Rorer and the fellas from Eden, NC and Danville, VA make it absolutely clear that there's a difference between 'singing a Blues song' and being able to reach deep down into the Blues well and bring up a bucket of Authentic, I-Ain't-Playin'-Mutherfuyer!, Jump Blues with the chops to match on every instrument they fire up.

       Beware.  Frankie McNeill has a long and deep history in Carolina Beach music.  In the 60s there was a rarely a time when he wasn't playing a gig.  Even then, after they finished, they went to the black Cadillac Club in North Charleston to play some more after hours.  Frankie is the kind of guy who'll put a sweet lemon meringue on top of a barbecued pork rib -- it's unique, stimulating, Surprising, and satisfying in unexpected ways.  I'm sayin' this to point out that this man's talent comes across as understated.  He's almost British in his restraint -- never quite showing all experience he has to draw upon.  I'm glad to see him writing, singing, and performing again.  And I bet that once the five or six tunes here that are catching the ears of DJs and fans alike, have played out, there will be a lot more in-your-face Frankie McNeill chops on the next and the next CDs.

       The Uppity Blues Women are ladies who have been havin' FUN for over twenty years.  "Havin' the Last Word" is their last CD and tour as Saffire, although all three have hinted strongly that they will be pursuing other musical projects separately--good news, these gals are way too talented to 'retire.'  I asked Ann Rabson (on the right) one time why there was a song about 'pissing' on each of the first three albums, "Ooh, that's just something Gaye (in the middle) is into right now.  I first saw these ladies live when the great Bill Griffin reopened the Castaways on the weekends in the late 80s, when their "Middle-Aged Boogie Blues" was a monster hit.  Ann Rabson used to tour with Reverend Billy C. Wirtz from time to time and can easily carry an evening's entertainment all by herself.  "Too Much Butt" has already dominated the Beach Music Top 40 charts--been then 'too much butt' seems to dominate wherever you find it--and as Saffire says, "there's really no such thing as 'too much' butt.

       Judging by the picture on the front cover, Sam and Dave Spiegel have been playing the 'Dance Your Pants Off' game a lot longer than this CD has been playing.  David is the president of the Tampa Bay Beach Boppers and is becoming irresistable force in the world of fast dancing; he writes and performs fearlessly and he just can't stop, matter of fact he's not trying to stop.  We're fortunate not only for David's commitment to Shaggin' and Boppin', he pulls in some fine players to go along with several original songs he's penned.  Tommy McCoy is a blues guitarist with 6 or 7 popular CDs and tours all over Europe.  And Liz Pennock is a Boogie Dominatrix when she sets her strong fingers to the 88s--no wonder she was inducted into the Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame last year.  Two things you can COUNT ON with David Spiegel.  He's authentic and fearless.  He'll get smaltzy or over-the-top enthusiastic at the drop of a hat.  He wanted to record a CD for years, he did it....and he has loads more he's planning.  By the way, "Dance Your Pants Off" is already a popular Florida line dance, don't be surprised if Fall S.O.S. is the launching pad for it farther north.  David and Sam with be there.

The Dance Your Pants Off Line Dance video !!

       I sometimes think Tommy Black sees himself as Rick Strickland does--more of a songwriter than a singer, then I see the size of Tommy's ego and remember, No, they're not the same at all.  (You knew I wouldn't be able to resist a dig like that, Tommy!)  To tell the truth, Tommy's ego (i.e. self-confidence) is well-grounded and has never bothered me at all, from his very first "Sweet Harmonica Man" years ago.  He's a GOOD writer and a GOOD singer, and he keeps evolving.  When his single release "Shadow Shaggin'" had only been out five or six days, I was asked to play it at a festival in Roanoke, VA--they'd heard about it and liked it before I heard anyone in the Carolinas mention it.  "Shadow Shaggin'" is a tribute to a few we remember who were pioneers in the Carolinas' official State dance.  Tommy did them and himself proud.  As if that weren't enough, he brought out the best of Christina Cooper, a lady with a future in this and perhaps other musical genre, on their duet, "Can't Get Enough."  And thank God! Tommy released "Matter of Time"--a song I'd put up against the best of Johnny Mathis or Julio Iglesias, both of whom have enjoyed some lush, romantic Beach hits in the past.

 Bulletin!  Authentic Soul Singer! 

       Danny Brooks and the Rockin' Revelator's epitomize the journey of the Seeker who entered the dark forest to view the Grail without the Shroud, defeated his demons in battle, and returned triumphant with Live At the Palais Royale, soaked in Blues, Sweat, and Tears.  As much as you loved Danny before, prepare to open an even bigger space in your heart.  Danny put new solos, horns, and depth to his 2005, self-penned "Other Side of the Clouds" for this release.  That's just the beginning.  Danny Brooks lays down some a-u-t-o-b-l-u-e-s-o-g-r-a-p-h-y in his "Carolina,' a story that tells it all, except for who the band was that inspired him on the 2nd floor of a Fayetteville, NC hardware store in 1965.  44 years later he is still riffing to the notes that nailed him that day.  Danny also wrote "Hold Your Head Up," "Hold On," and "Homestead Boogie" -- still more AUTHENTIC gospel tinged jumpin' blues delivered by someone who has obviously been there, rather than found these feelings in a postcard collection.   But the journey doesn't end there, the Rockin' Revelators leap into Blind Willie Johnson's "Somebody On Your Bond" with an unforgettable familiarity that won't soon pass.   Wail on, Danny.

Contact Information

For questions, contributions, or alliances with the Endless Summer Network, or if you just want to send postcards, here are the pertinent connections:

Telephone

843-602-4475

Postal address

POB 422, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597

Electronic mail

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