Artist: Betty Harris (www.evidencemusic.com)
Album: “Intuition” (Evidence)

Following a hiatus that has lasted for more than three decades, dynamic soul singer Betty Harris is back. The 16 tunes on her first release since the late ’60s shows that Harris — who worked and recorded with Big Maybelle, Allen Toussaint, Lee Dorsey, Otis Redding and James Carr — still has pipes and attitude to spare.

The opening, “Is it Hot in Here,” is a swaggering and rocking R&B track that at its best moments sounds like Etta James fronting the Stones. While the songs (mostly written by producer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Tiven and the bassist, his wife Sally) fall mostly on the rock side of soul, which is not necessarily Harris’ strongest suit, she aggressively grabs hold of each tune, determined to make it her own.

“Since You Brought Your Sweet Love,” a soulful duet with Freddie Scott, stands out, as does the bluesy, minor-keyed rocker “Who’s Takin’ Care of Me” and the slide guitar-driven “Time to Fly” (co-written by Bonnie Bramlett). “Need” sounds ready-made for a duet with Bonnie Raitt but it’s the closer, “Happiness is Mine,” co-written by Harris, that clearly sums up the attitude of someone who, after decades, is reveling in once again doing what she loves.

— By Michael Lipton

Artist: Voodoo Katz (www.voodookatz.com)
Album: “Glimpse” (self-produced)
LISTEN: Hear the first track off the CD

The second release from Charleston’s Voodoo Katz successfully delivers the warm, rhythmic grooves that have made the band a staple on the Charleston club scene. However, this time around, the tunes — with influences ranging from funk and R&B to pop and world beat — are more focused, sounding less like individual contributions and more like the work of a band.

The title track moves from syncopated, rock-infused verses to a free and easy chorus that underscores the band’s positive vibe. In particular, the soaring spirit of Derick Kirk, who, at 28, lost his battle with cancer in July, is ever present. Throughout, the interplay between Mark Davis’ clear vocals and Kirk’s melodic sax lines are pleasantly reminiscent of the catchy, ska-pop of the English Beat. (more…)

Artist: Patterson Barrett (www.pattersonbarrett.com)
CD: “I Must Be Dreaming” (So’ Fish)

Don’t be put off by the awful cover (a small winged Barrett hovering around his own head in the clouds) or the erratic production. There’s something about this CD that comes through loud and clear: Barrett’s earnest and charming songs and playing to match. His voice is so “real” and guileless it’s sometimes off-putting — at times, almost a bit amateurish — but it’s also what makes him so convincing.

Beginning with “Take The Stage” which combines the laid-back, no-nonsense rock ’n’ roll of Little Feat and Los Lobos (and a killer guitar solo by guest Buddy Miller), the songs are simple and to the point. Influenced by Southern California country rock, you can hear strains of The Eagles (“Back In My Heart” and “Sleeping”), Neil Young (“She Won’t Be Getting Any Sleep Tonight”) and Jackson Browne (“I Don’t Want To Dream About You Anymore”). Elsewhere, he puts on a singer/songwriter hat with the gentle, acoustic-based “Concrete & Steel” (with harmony vocals by Julie Miller) and “I’ve Been Loving You For Such a Long Time.” The disc closes with a song that reunites Patterson with his high school sweetheart, Deborah Holland of Animal Logic.

While there’s a thread of honesty and soulfulness that runs through “I Must Be Dreaming” both in the songs and performances (check out the rocking “Leap of Faith”), Barrett’s anything but a newcomer. The Austin-based multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, steel, accordion) is a member of Partners in Crime (with Buddy and Julie Miller), has backed up Nanci Griffith, Al Kooper and Chuck Berry. Trust me, this one will grow on you.

— By Michael Lipton

Artist: Bob Thompson (www.colortones.com)
Album: “More Joy to the World” (Colortones)

Nine years after the release of the first set of holiday tunes culled from Bob Thompson’s annual “Joy to the World” production, Charleston’s beloved pianist has issued a second installment. And the opener, a beautiful, extended take on the traditional “March of the Magi,” proves the he’s got plenty of great material in the hopper.

Featuring his “new” band (drummer Tim Courts, bassist John Inghram, guitarist Ryan Kennedy and saxophonist Doug Payne) the tune begins with a drum cadence that leads into the minor-keyed melody and a full bevy of solos. Pay particular attention to Kennedy’s solo — a fluid and melodic ride that evidences how his playing continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

In addition to jazzy takes on “O Tannenbaum” and “The First Noel,” Thompson’s own “The Sleigh Bell Song” is another standout with Doug Payne providing the circular melody on his Ewi, and the solo section switching gears to 7/4 time. After Thompson’s solo “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” the disc ends with the sole pair of vocal tracks. Recorded in 2000, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” is the oldest track and features bassist extraordinaire Dwayne Dolphin along with one of Thompson’s rare vocal performances — a spoken rendition of the poem over a simmering, funky groove. Blues belter Toni Lynn Washington, Thompson’s 2002 guest vocalist, joins forces with The Appalachian Children’s Chorus to close out the disc with a mellow version of “Silent Night.”

– By Michael Lipton

Local musician and writer Michael Lipton is joining the New Sounds blog. His short reviews will focus on albums by regional artists and artists appearing in the area.

Artist: The Staple Singers (www.concordmusicgroup.com)
Album: “The 25th Day of December” (Riverside)

Out of print for a ridiculous 45 years, the Staple Singers’ Christmas collection should be in rotation with holiday perennials by Esquivel, the Beach Boys, James Brown and NRBQ. Steeped in gospel, the Staples’ trademark sound also evokes the early days of the ’60s civil rights movement when the tack was nonviolence. And, indeed, Pops Staple has one of the most angelic voices ever recorded. Together with progeny Mavis, Yvonne and Pervis, they made up one of the finest (and grooviest) vocal combos ever.

“The Last Month of the Year” opens with an old-style, gospel call-and-response. The groove — built on Pops’ signature guitar sound, Maceo Woods’ churchy organ and drummer Al Duncan’s propelling beat on brushes — is damn near irresistible. Ditto with “The Savior is Born.” Elsewhere, they transform the normally upbeat “Go Tell It On the Mountain” into a mournful, minor-keyed lament while “Joy to the World” would be right at home in a country church (white or black).

But this collection isn’t about the usual Christmas fare (except perhaps the deep, tremoloed version of “Silent Night”). It’s songs like “No Room at the Inn” and the swaying soul of “There Was a Star” that capture the real essence of the holidays. On second thought, no matter what holiday it is, Pops’ “Holy Unto the Lord” will make you thankful you’re alive.

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Artist: Pam Tillis (www.pamtillis.com)
Album: “Just in Time for Christmas” (Stellar Cat)

At another end of the Christmas spectrum is country singer Pam Tillis’ first holiday release. That Tillis, a fine singer who has sold more than 6 million records, felt the need to start her own label to escape Nashville’s fickle confines is a statement in itself. However, her “Just in Time for Christmas” is not the work of an upstart but a classic singer who appreciates tradition and has mixed old and new with great care.

With nary a pretension, she takes on classics like “Have Yourself a Merry Lil’ Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock” (part of a medley recorded with her father Mel), Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” with ease. Meanwhile, as she says in her liner notes, she hopes that new songs like “Beautiful Night” and “Seasons” will “fall as easy on the ear as soft, morning snow.” And they do, partially because of the musicianship (notably Bob Patin’s Floyd Cramer-styled piano and Tommy White’s steel work) and the tunes — but mostly because great voices are never out of style.

— By Michael Lipton