Iris Music Group: Michael Packer - I Am The Blues - My Story Vol 3 - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Am The Blues - My Story Vol 3, from Michael Packer and it sums up the stories of his life in song. Fields of Sorrow, sung by Ed Jackson and Irving Louis Lattin has an island feel accompanied by Packer and Jack O'Hara. Yo Staten Island (The Violence Has Got To Stop) has a Booker T, Born Under A Bad Sign remix, stripped down to almost a work song. Packer's rugged voice with band members Guy Powell on drums, Ed Jackson and John Belton on bass is a definitive fell of hardships endured in captivity. Deep blues, Chicago, features Mike Wheeler on guitar, Roosevelt Purifoy on piano, Melvin Smith on bass and Willie Hayes on drums. Taped live at Buddy Guy's Legends, this track features some of the best vocals by Packer with a super guitar solo by Wheeler and super piano work by Purifoy. Wrapping the release is R&B track, Mr Packer and purifoy delivers with great Leon Russell feel. Packer died may of 2017 of liver cancer having lived a full life dedicated to the blues.

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I Am The Blues - Michael Packer - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, I Am The Blues, from Michael Packer and it looks at the blues from a number of different angles. This release is a mixture of dialogue and related tracks composing a musical book. Opening with a dialogue, Packer sets the stage for a New York, almost Lou Reed style approach at the blues. Uncle M is a simple country style blues with vocals and acoustic guitar. A sound of having been there along with the perfect vocal backing makes this a pretty cool track. Bad Time Jackson is more of a swing style electric track. Addition of percussion, violin and keys show a different side of Packer with a good sense of construction. I Can't Keep From Crying is one of my favorite tracks from the 70's. Packer does an updated version of this track extending the rhythm structure and giving it more of a street sound. I'm In Love has a funky night sound with a super bass line. The harp work on this track is really quite clean and the vocal harmonies are spot on. River Of Wine is an acoustic ballad again reinforcing Packer's overall competency as a songwriter. Possibly the best track on the release. Love Of A Woman is a rock style track with a pop style hook. Packer takes a few minutes to show his adept fret management skills and overall song smithing. Christmas On The Bowery is another really cool track with fluid sax lead work. This track has the ethereal qualities of some of Roland Kirks work and smoothness of B. Marsalis and that is quite an accomplishment. Doing Time At Rikers Island has a lot of the street sounds that I associate with Lou Reed and the NYC street scene. Interesting. This Train is performed in a very traditional country blues manner with acoustic guitar and vocal. Very Nice. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean has a humble blues feel with a easy rock touch. This is a nice interpretation of a classic blues track and a solid wrap for an interesting release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”