The Pipe & the Pen: Remembering our Original Instructions by Larry Running Turtle Salazar & Pamela Two Spirits Reader “We are spirits having a human experience. Reawaken to the knowledge that everything around us is sacred.” Larry Running Turtle and Pamela Two Spirits will take you on the Native American spiritual path known as the Red Road in their new book “The Pipe & the Pen”. Their visions in the dream, spiritual, and waking world led them to weave original instructions from Native Americans, Buddhist, Christian philosophy, and other teachings -along with personal anecdotes- to help the reader realize that they are not alone on this journey.
– Hacksaw Records Ron Hacker has been a fixture of the bay area blues scene for nearly forty years for his tenth album simply titled “Live in San Francisco he and his trio The Hacksaws and caught doing what they do best, laying down some serious deep delta blues grooves, and slide guitar perfection. The ten song set was recorded at the fame Biscuits and Blues club on one magic night in November of 2011. Hacker begins solo on the Sleepy John Estes classic “Ax Sweet Mama,” and proudly declares “I never saw no whiskey, but the blues made me sloppy drunk,” and then offers a master class on slide guitar playing, setting the tone for the joyous night ahead. Hacker is joined by the astute rhythm section of Steve Ehrmann on bass and drummer Ronnie Smith who play just what is need to push the songs along never stepping on the thematic lines Hacker weaves into each song. The trio covers the gamut of styles from two beat stomps, shuffles and upbeat boogie, on classic cover such as “Baby Please Don’t Go, Statesboro Blues and Death Letter from Son House. Hacker throws in a couple of his own compositions including a charming tale about his son “My Bad Boy,” and the wild ways of his first wife on the jumpin’ “Two Timin’ Woman.” All the tracks feature not only Hacker’s mastery of the slide guitar but his easy narrative vocal style that draws the listener into the authenticity of his blues and soul story telling. After explaining how he got permission from the man himself Hacker closes the show with a frenzied nine minute version of John Lee Hooker’s “House Rent Blues,” leaving nothing but sawdust and echoes in his wake. Serious blues fans need to add this one to their collection. www.ronhacker.com
I found “The Pipe and The Pen” to be a calming and mind-opening read that has a permanent place in my bookshelf. 100% of the proceeds of the sale of this book go to the Ishka Monument to be built on Ennis Joslin. 216 pages; $16.99 (paperback). Available online at www.tatepublishing.com and www.staip.webs.com as well as all STAIP sponsored events. Tamma Hicks
Birth of Bertha, Bertha (4/5 stars) Bertha, a South Texas standout, has released their debut album Birth of Bertha. With only 8 songs, the album doesn’t disappoint. Creating an album with a corresponding sound throughout, Bertha does a skillful job of transitioning from one song to the next, as opposed to a collection of songs thrown on a CD. Birth of Bertha carries a strong blues/rock guitar sound throughout the album, and has the vocals to match the intensity of the instrumental. The tenacious guitar, brawny drums, and high-energy vocals add up to outstanding live show as well. The artwork for the CD cover is a nice change and reminds me of Janis Joplin’s Cheap Thrills album and the band Cream. Great art work choice; it fits Bertha. Track 1: “That Woman” The Cd kicks you in the face with the first notes of “That Woman” a cool funky riff opens a 7:38 song with 3 transitions. The first in at 1:50 very cool with nice duo leads reminiscent of a kiss grove, very good vocal. Funkifide Jam Rock! Track 2: 3:17 “And Then She Spoke” I loved it, reminds me of Savoy Brown, funky blues groove, again nicely laid down groove with interlaced layers of lead and very cool drums! Track 3: 4:42 “Celestial Child” Blues, great rhythm section with frosting covered leads! Track 6: 3:49 “All In The Hips” The crowd will be singing along with this. Track 8: 6:50 “Noody Blues” Roadhouse Rock!
~Rick J Bowen www.nodepression.com/profile/RickJBowen; twitter.com/RickJBowen; www.facebook.com/ stacyjonesband; www.stacyjonesband.com
www.facebook.com/bertha.bandtx; bertha.bandcamp.com/ Dustin Saulle STEAM Reviews
WWW.STEAMMAGAZINE.NET MAY 2013 STEAM MAGAZINE 26