New release, video from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt

NEW ALBUM, VIDEO FROM SINGING SENSATION SENA EHRHARDT “Sena Ehrhardt's voice cannot get any more powerful, range-defying, and throwback cool. Truly one of the most dynamic young voices any genre has seen in a long time. "  - Living Blues  Blind Pig Records has released the latest album from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt, entitled Live My Life (streets Sept. 2).  Produced by Grammy-winner David Z. (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov't Mule) it features Sena's all-new band lineup of hard-driving, top-flight musicians. Sena has emerged as one of the freshest and most engaging young voices on the blues scene today, recently opening concerts for the likes of B.B. King, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, and the late Johnny Winter.  Live My Life further confirms Sena’s ascendance to blues elite status. After serving as her band’s lead guitarist and songwriting collaborator through her first two releases, Sena’s father stepped aside earlier this year.  Now, with a new release, and a powerful new band behind her, Sena is looking forward to exciting opportunities on the horizon to wow audiences nationally and internationally as she continues to come into her own as a vocalist, songwriter and entertainer. “Working in the studio with producer David Z. at the helm was a dream come true. His catalog of work has been, in some ways, a soundtrack of my life – ranging from Prince to Jonny Lang. In the studio he brought inspired and emotional performances out of myself, my band and the guest musicians on my album. It was truly an honor to work with a creative and contemporary living legend in music. The carefully selected covers are songs that I have held dear to my heart for years, with my own spin on their classic stories and appeal. The process of writing the original compositions for this album, along with my guitarist, Cole Allen, was incredibly rewarding.” New Video Blind Pig has also released a new Sena Ehrhardt promotional video.  To watch the video of "Things You Shouldn't Need To Know," a track from the new release, please click HERE.

Blues Mountain Records artist: Big Harp George - Chromaticism - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Chromaticism, from Big Harp George and it's really super. Opening with traditional swing track, Smack Dab In The Middle, Big Harp George Bisharat leads the way with a really solid voice. Chris Burns does a really nice job on keys and Kent Bryson adds a really cool vibes solo adding a different flavor. On Crazy About You Baby, Raja Kawar revs up the drums and Little Charlie Baty joins on guitar. Bisharat is a natural band leader with a spot on vocal delivery and harmonica accompaniment. Original track, Left So Soon, is a real cooker, down deep in the blues and George milks the blues from his harp. Rusty Zinn steps up on guitar on this track really adding a nice shine to an already smokin track. Excellent! My Baby Is Now On My Mind is a cool shuffle again with Zinn on guitar. The chromatic guitar really shines on this track and Zinn kicks off a gallop with his prime solo on this track aided by Kawar. Title track, Chromaticism, is a strong driving instrumental boogie with hot harp riffs. Little Charlie is back on guitar and rides it hard. Another excellent track! Hard Way, given a Latin twist on the blues specifically by the bass lead by Kid Anderson and Kawar on drums. Again George shows just how colorful and diverse a chromatic harp can be. Cellphone Hater takes the pace back down giving Zinn space to grind out some really tasty guitar riffs. Michael Peloquin adds some really nice sax and Chris Burns is tight on keys. Little Charlie leads the way with some really flavorful riffs to open Strolling Down Bliss Street, a swinging boogie. George really gets some cool tone cranked up on this track and Baty takes a really sweet solo to wrap it up. Cocktail Hour is a laid back jazzier blues track with a looseness that gives the harmonica air. Backed along the melody by Bryson on vibes is a really cool effect and Baty lays down some really hot guitar riffs. Very nice! Bryson steps out with a cool vibes solo adding something you don't typically hear on a contemporary blues album. Very cool! Classic blues track Someday is done just beautifully. I have always loved this track and George lays in the groove and lets it happen. Burns alternating back and forth between piano and organ is a cool effect and Georges vocals are heartfelt. On original track, Hey Jaleh! George dabbles into Cajun territory with just a taste of spice on a traditional Chicago sound. Chromatic harp and Zinn on guitar is a really nice match on the break. Smokin! Wrapping the release is Drum Boogie which really cooks! Lead by Peloquin on sax, he really gets this track hopping! This iss a hot band and they don't hold anything back , letting it all out on this track. Baty lays down some really crisp riffs and Kawar is tight on the bottom. Excellent! This will definitely end up on my best of the year....watch for it!

  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”

August Is Sizzlin' And So Is The Blowin' Smoke R&B Revue at Harvelle's!

        

                                                

August Is Sizzlin & So Is The Blowin' Smoke Rhythm & Blues Revue

Returning To Harvelle's In Santa Monica on Saturday, August 30th

                         

Santa Monica's Hottest Monthly R&B/Blues/Soul Dance Party For 2 Decades!

   (Santa Monica, CA) - August is sizzlin' and so is the Blowin' Smoke Rhythm & Blues Revue, who on Saturday, August 30 return to Harvelle's in Santa Monica for their monthly R&B/Soul/Blues dance/musical blowout that nevers fails to entertain and always packs the club with people dancing up a storm! Showtime 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $10. Harvelle's is located at 1432 S. 4th St., in Santa Monica. Info: (310) 395-1976 or https://www.facebook.com/harvelles.

              

                  BLOWIN' SMOKE'S LARRY "FUZZY" KNIGHT IN THE NEWS

   Blowin' Smoke's band leader, Larry "Fuzzy" Knight, does in-depth interviews tracing his long career up to the present with both Professor Johnny P's Juke Joint: http://professorjohnnyp.blogspot.com/2014/06/larry-fuzzy-knight-bringing-music-from.html; and Making A Scene magazine: http://www.makingascene.org/an-interview-with-larry-fuzzy-knight/.

   Come and find out for yourself why the Blowin' Smoke Rhythm & Blues Revue were voted by MUSIC CONNECTION magazine as a "Hot 100 Live Artist for 2013" in their year-end issue, topping several thousand bands around the United States competing for the honor.
   

MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE RAVES ABOUT LARRY "FUZZY" KNIGHT'S BLOWIN' SMOKE RHYTHM AND BLUES REVUE

Music Connection reviewer Tim Reid Jr. writes, "(bandleader Fuzzy) Knight must know a thing or two about putting the right pieces in place to make a show, as he has done in this case. Even with a couple of subs in the horn section, the clear fact is that Knight is going to present true professionals whenever Blowin' Smoke takes the stand. Knight himself is a quality bass player and bluesy singer with an almost grittier Randy Newman kind of sound. The Fabulous Smokettes live up to their name - working the harmonies and each singer knowing how to take the spotlight when it hits. "Fuzzy" Knight reminds all of us in the modern technological era that real people with real instruments and real personalities playing music that hits the gut and forces the knees to bend...it makes one happy to be alive and in the community of other living people."

"Cross Soul Train with American Bandstand and you get a good idea

of what a Blowin' Smoke Rhythm & Blues Revue show is like!"  

   For nearly two decades, Blues/R&B/Soul group Blowin' Smoke has been one of the most in-demand, successful bands on the Southern California live music circuit. Front and center in Blowin' Smoke is its creator, bandleader/bassist/vocalist, Larry "Fuzzy" Knight - whose impressive musical resume' includes a decade-plus stint as bassist for one of the great SoCal bands to emerge from the psychedelic era of the Sixties, Spirit.  Knight has also recently launched a new band project, Sky King, featuring some top-name musicians, all the while keeping Blowin' Smoke going strong. 

  Here's Blowin' Smoke performing Aretha Franklin's "Something's Gold A Hold On Me" recently at Harvelle's. 

         https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4215955879633

                            www.blowinsmokeband.com

              https://www.facebook.com/blowinsmokeband

Beyond The Blues Horizon - CD Review (BMans Blues Report)

Larry "Fuzzy" Knight - Interview (Orange County Blues Society)

Blowin' Smoke - Live Show Review (Music Connection)

Last chance to catch HAMILTON LOOMIS & band!

TEXAS: This weekend is your last chance to catch Hamilton & Band before their Sept. Europe tour! All tour dates are at www.hamiltonloomis.com/schedule.html 8/28/14 Kemah, TX Jackie's Brickhouse 8pm 832-864-2459 8/29/14 Corpus Christi, TX Executive Surf Club 9pm 361-884-7873 8/30/14 Tomball, TX Main Street Crossing 8pm 281-290-0431 TICKETS Please forward this email to any of your friends/family in these cities!!

www.hamiltonloomis.com

Vote for the Blues Blast Music Awards!

BLUES FANS: VOTE FOR THE BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARDS! Voting for the 2014 Blues Blast Music Awards is now open to anyone who is a Blues Blast magazine subscriber. Subscriptions are FREE and an automatic part of the voting process on the website. Blind Pig artists and recordings are well represented on the ballot: "REMEMBERING LITTLE WALTER" Traditional Blues Album Unequaled live tribute to the harmonica icon from five of the finest harp players on the current blues scene - Billy Boy Arnold, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia, and James Harman.  The album was named winner of two major 2014 Blues Music Awards - "Best Traditional Album" "Album of the Year." It also received a 2014 Grammy nomination for "Best Blues Album." BILLY BRANCH   Song of the Year - "Going To See Miss Gerri One More Time" “Going To See Miss Gerri One More Time” is a moving song about a lost chapter in the cultural history of Chicago’s black population, the story of Gerri Oliver, long-time proprietor of the Palm Tavern in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, an area rich with African-American history that’s been called the ‘Harlem of the Midwest’  Much of that history unfolded in the legendary nightspot that Gerri presided over from 1956 until the city shut it down in 2001. In its heyday, the Palm Tavern was the hot spot for celebrities such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Quincy Jones, and Dinah Washington.  It was, in short, as the Chicago Tribune put it, “a landmark in Chicago history and American musical culture.” The song, written by Billy Branch, is the centerpiece of Blues Shock, the first studio CD from the three-time Grammy nominee with his band in fifteen years.  Living Blues said the composition is “nothing less than the story of the Great Migration itself, exemplified in the life trajectory of one remarkable woman…by any objective standard, both an eloquent piece of storytelling and an appropriate tribute.” Branch calls it simply “the best song I’ve ever written.” To watch a concept video of the song, please click HERE. DAMON FOWLER Sean Costello Rising Star Award Song of the Year - "Old Fools, Bar Stools, and Me" Damon Fowler has emerged as on the foremost practitioners of American roots music.  No Depression said, "A blend of sacred steel, backwater blues and howling, greasy swamp rock, Fowler's music is a primal, atavistic sound that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.  Hittin' the Note magazine called him "one soul-oozin', rock 'n' rollin', swamp stalkin' blue monster of a talent." "Old Fools, Bar Stools, and Me" is a track from his latest release, Sounds of Home, which was produced by swamp blues master Tab Benoit. To watch a live performance of this song, please click HERE. SHAWN HOLT AND THE TEARDROPS New Artist Debut Album - "Daddy Told Me" Shawn Holt is the son of the late legendary blues master, Magic Slim.  Fronting his old man's band, Shawn carries on Slim's unique sound and legacy with his debut recording, Daddy Told Me.  The album quickly rose to the #1 slot on the Living Blues radio chart and has been critically acclaimed.  Vintage Guitar said it is "hard to beat this strong debut."    The album won the prestigious 2014 Blues Music Award for "Best New Artist Debut."  The high energy, hard-driving sound of the Teardrops is still alive and well with Shawn.  The Chicago Blues Guide said that Shawn has "proved conclusively he has what it takes to maintain the family legacy." To vote for the Blues Blast Music Awards, please click HERE.

Soul Sound Records artist: Markey Blue - Hey Hey - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (September 16, 2014), Hey Hey, from Markey Blue and it has style. Opening with When Loves Comes Along reminding me a bit of a BB King track with more swing. I Can't Let You Go is a R&B style ballad with sweet guitar riffs from Latina and cool horn and keyboard backing. Something's Wrong again has a R&B feel with nice horn punctuation. A strong radio contender with a solid melody and a hook, this is a straight seller. Feeling Blue has a strong strut, cool backing vocals by Holly Steele, a stinging guitar solo from Latina and super horn work making it one of my favorites on the release. Flames has a real Billy Preston feel from the key style to the rhythmic beat. Latina again steps up with clean guitar riffs echoed against electric piano. Very cool. Play Me has a real nice groove and Markey's vocals are as clean as they come on this release. Another track that could garner a bit of airplay, features Jack Pearson on guitar. Another Lover really quiets down the pace and slips into a solid soul feel. Solid guitar work by Latina on this track adds a strong contrast against the overall mellow feel of the track pushing Markey into the next level. With You is another really nice track reminding me of earlier times with Jo Baker with Elvin Bishop. Nice backing vocals and guitar riffs cushioned by a bed of horns makes for another of the best tracks on the release. Ain't No Angel crosses over to rock with an easy sway. Nightclub styling and full orchestration with horns, organ, guitar, bass and drums gives it a powerful impact. By My Side is another strait forward radio track and could easily get strong radio play with it's catchy melody and easy beat. Wrapping the release is Baby I'm Cryin' has a R&B styling but strong blues roots along the lines of Robert Cray. A strong closer, it's one of the strongest vocal performances on the release with really warm backing vocals and clean guitar and organ additions.

  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”

 

Hokahey Records artist: Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - After The Flood - New Release Review

I just received the most recent release, After The Flood, from Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip and it rocks. Opening with House For The Blues, a blues rocker, Vocalist Bjorklof and guitarist Lefty Leppanen set a strong pace backed by Teemu Vuorela on drums, Seppo Nuolikoski on bass and Timo Ruiko-Jukela on percussion. On Jack The Black Hat, the band takes a more expansive journey with heavier vocals, distorted guitars and free wheelin guitar work. Cool! Water From Your Shoe is a solid R&B style pop track with a taste of New Orleans featuring super cool piano work from Brian Coogan. Woogie Or Die is an interesting boogie track with a cool bass line. Soaring slide guitar work from Lefty give this track a sharp edge and Bjorklof's vocals with his edgy harp playing adds to the edge. Understanding opens with a slip sliding guitar part and a Latin influenced drum part. Having the flavor of a traditional western theme song with a twist, and backing vocals by Michaela Harrison and Alexis Marceaux, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. King Alcohol is a melancholy track with bluesy overtones and subtle instrumental accompaniment, especially tasty guitar riffs. Sometimes is a boogie with a different kind of walking of bass line. A cool rocker, Bjorklof does some of his best vocal work here, complimented by Coogan on Hammond, and a solid rocker is the result. Gumbo Mama has a nice funky march beat and spirited vocals with punctuated vocal backing. Lefty lays on the wah wah adding a cool guitar texture and a little smoke to the funk. Really nice! Jezebel has a cocky strut and Bjorklof really hits it square on vocals on this track. Lefty grinds out some of the best guitar work on the release on this track. Very nice! Ramblified falls back to a delta style with rudimentary raw vocals and primitive National Steel guitar riffs. Cool! After The Flood is a smooth Latin influenced rocker with a lot of polish. Percussion by Ruiko-Jukela, nice guitar riffs by lefty and warm vocal backing by Harrison and Marceaux. A solid radio track with a solid melody. Wrapping the release is Open Up Open, a bluesy ballad with an ethereal guitar vamp in the background. Nicely blended backing vocals add substantially to the overall effect of this track but overall, Lefty really shines on this track making it his best showcase.

  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”

 

Hokahey Records artists: Micke & Lefty Featuring Chef - Up The Wall - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Up The Wall, by Micke & Lefty (Featuring Chef). Opening with acoustic ballad, You Better Me, Micke Björklöf on vocals, drums&percussion, harmonica, guitar, Lefty Leppänen on vocals, acoustic- and national steel guitar and Chef on vocals and bass sing in incredibly sweet harmony. I'm A Guitar Man is an acoustic track featuring alternating vocal leads and hard driving Texas style boogie. Lead resonator guitar soloing by Lefty is quick and clean. Up The Wall has a simple country blues feel with cool guitar and harp riffs under vocal lead by Micke, and clean bass and drums. Clean Up opens with a cool slide riff and had a early sixties rockabilly feel. Slick slide work throughout and clever vocal backing make this one of toe coolest tracks yet. Come Here Pretty Baby again showcases cool vocal harmonies and clever guitar finger work. Ultimate All Around Man has a bit of a Cajun feel with a light march beat from Micke. With it's light springy feel and Lefty's cool resonator work and lead vocals make this a radio likely favorite. Good Friend has the feel of a contemporary "old style" country blues. Nice acoustic 12 string by lefty and harp work by Micke highlight this track. Busy really has a fast paced rhythm with train like rhythm and slick country infused blues guitar riffs. Very nice! Attention again rubs up against the rockabilly fence with rim shots and vocal harmonies. Nicely coordinated guitar and harp lead gives this track additional spunk. You Know has a really nice bass opening by Chef. With a general feel of St James Infirmary, this is a cool dramatic track with nice vocal harmonies, a willowy harp solo from Micke and spatial pedal steel work from Lefty. Good Ol' Train has a real country flavor with soft country vocals and featuring a really sweet guitar solo from Lefty. Pablo Grolin also adds a cool organ part throughout. Tony Joe White's Poke Salad Annie gets a more Latin feel but maintaining an acoustic sympathy and slide guitar overdrive. Nice take on a classic track. Wrapping the track is Don't Take It So Hard, a melodic ballad. Again strong vocal harmonies highlighted by Lefty on guitar, banjo and mandolin define this track. A full bluegrass breakdown provides a fitting close 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”

 

Flaming Cheese Records artist: The Jordan Patterson Band - The Back On Track Recording Project - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, The Back On Track Recording Project, from The Jordan Patterson Band and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with hard driving blues rocker, Play My Song, features solid vocals from Patterson and a tight rocking unit behind him. Darryl Romphf (guitar), Shawn Kellerman (guitar), Darius McKinley (bass) and Benjamin Rollo (drums) provide a really powerful backing for Patterson's vocal and harmonica work. Don't Take Me Down is a rolling rocker and the more I listen to this band the more I appreciate the tight drumming of Rollo. He is not only on top of it, he's all over it. Excellent! With a driving ZZ Top kind of feel but with more polish (and might I say a lot more interesting than their pop stuff) this band hits the road running hard. If You'd Help Me Please gets down in the mud with a solid blues number showing hot guitar riffs and slide. With traces of Foghat and a bit of grit, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Patterson shows muich more clearly on this track that he has strong roots in the blues and his harp work is really nice. Wrapping the release is Heartbreaker, another grinding blues rock track with a cool bass riff by McKinley. Guitar attack on this track really gives it a lot of grunt and Pattersons vocals are spotless. With a taste of ZZ Top, a dose of Paul Rogers, strong writing and 5 excellent musicians, this really is a great start. An excellent conclusion to a very solid 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”

 

Minnie The Moocher - The Fabulous Booze Brothers Show Band and Revue

Ted (Bundy) and Andy (Shack) have been talking about doing a Blues Brothers tribute for the past 20 years or so. Finally, one night over a couple of beers they decided to move forward with the project. They called their old "bandmates" from previous projects: Brian Solomon, David Schroeder (Schro) and Kurt Fleckenstein (Jorge) who were instantly on board and excited. After two years of changes in the horn section due to folks moving for jobs or leaving for Afghanistan (and thankfully returning home safe and sound), the Booze Brothers are happy to present Brian Dahm, Jeremy Ketter, Marty Herchko, Greg Sloan and Dan Rusnak as the horn line up for this project. The band rounded it out and added Rich Risnear on keys in February of 2014. Our love of the music the Blues Brothers band has produced (or reproduced) has brought us together. We hope you share our love for this timeless music and enjoy our shows as much as we enjoy performing for you. EVERYBODY GET RIPPED!!!!!!  

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”

 

Cuts Music Group artist: Woody Russell - Delicious Days - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Delicious Days, from Woody Russell and it's quite good! Opening with Light Like That I think how smooth this guy is. With a Todd Rundgren like voice and Philly style of music, this is very strong. Russell, who plays guitar and sings, is joined by Bryce Powell (keys), Brady Muckelroy (bass), Chris Hausler (drums), Jose Ruiz (harmonica) and Dez Desormeaux (sax). In The Open has a looser less Philly but still soulful feel with an open rhythm. Hausler leads the way with crisp drumming and Ruiz adds a nice harp solo but this is all about the silky style of Russell as a vocalist. Just Playing Along has a really nice groove (think Low Down)and Russell knows how to work it. With it's light jazzy feel and Russell's vocals all you need are some spanking guitar riffs and they are here too! Powell lays in a sparkling electric piano solo giving the track even more interest and Dez hits the note on sax. Very nice! Genuine Good has a more composed feel with layered vocals and an irregular rhythm pattern. Near Miss has a distinctive jazzy pop feel but with a super vocal track. I genuinely like Russell's vocal sound and attack. It is not my standard fare but nothing is. With just a touch of funk and tight instrumentals this is a nice addition to the release. Steady On puts me more in thought of recent Steely Dan with warm vocal backing giving it real depth. Muckelroy drives the bass on this track and really hot drums from Hausler make this track even more interesting. Enough Is As Good As A Feast is a bit more solemn and beautifully composed. I want to fall back to Rundgren as an example because I personally believe that he composed some of the most haunting melodies of our generation. This track has that plus a certain sophistication of Mark/Almond. A real nice sax solo from Dez ices this track. Excellent! At The Very Least is a simple pop ballad with particularly nice guitar synth and sax components... but this is really all about the composition and the voice. Very nice! Next Move has a cool light feel with that funky, moody edge. Ruiz adds nicely with his harmonica work and tight rhythm is particularly effective. You Should See It From Here has so much pop potential that I could see it as a television theme song. Bursts of guitar intensity breaks a primarily vocal melody. Wrapping the release is title track, Delicious Days. A serious ballad with smooth vocals, dabs of piano and sax texture and light percussion make this a very nice finish to a very cool 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”

 

Tim Gartland - Million Stars - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (September 9, 2014), Million Stars, from Tim Gartland. Having more of an R&B attack on the blues, Gartland, joined by Tom West (Keys), Chris Rival (guitars), Paul Justice (bass) and Forrest Padgett (drums) present a very smooth soulful set. Opening with Let Me Keep The Dog is a well balanced track showcasing Gartland on harp and vocals, his voice being somewhat stark and interesting. Off Of My Mind is an upbeat track sounding a bit like a Billy Preston track (rhythmically). Again, Gartland has a real nice voice for the style of music and organ work by West supports the body quite well. Gartland's vocals have been compared to Jimi and on Mess Me Up, the phrasing and timbre do sound similar. A cool track with airy guitar riffs this track has a nice texture and a nice bridge featuring West and Rival on solos. When The Next Wind Blows has a funky rhythm and a cool bass line by Justice. Talking about universal appeal, this would be the track. Gartland lays down a nice harp solo and West plays a nice piano sounding quite like Randall Bramblett in style. I Should Have Cared Less is one of my favorites tracks on the release with a rich spiritual feel. Accentuated by nice organ and piano work from West, this track just has that something special. Two Rights Make A Wrong is built along the lines of a Curtis Mayfield composition with strong but neutral organ work. Rival plays some very clean jazzy style guitar riffs making this track stand out even more. Better The Foot Slip has a bit of modern southern funk rock. Again, vocal phrasing makes you think briefly of Jimi but the warmth of the organ keeps you in line. Another of my favorites, this track gets a really nice groove. Gartland plays some Johnathan Edwards like harp work, keeping it easy but cool. Title track, Million Stars, resembles Let It Bleed and how could that be bad. With a taste of New Orleans and a taste of country another fun track. Tippin' Time is built around a really nice bass riff by Justice but with nice lead harp work from Gartland. Again Rival steps up with clean guitar riffs and Padgett holds it tight as West pushes you back with powerful organ work. Nice instrumental. Shine Your Loving Light is a solid ballad with clean accompaniment by West on keys. Simple harp riffs and driving clean bass runs add to this simple radio style track. I Can Add had a distinctive Willie Dixon feel and of course solid bass work. The bluesiest track on the release makes way for Gartland to really dig in on the blues harp. West skillfully weaves a nice piano pattern throughout the track as well a a clean solo. Slide guitar from Rival also gives it some grit. Wrapping the release is Shake It Nina, boogie track with a healthy helping of harp and a does of organ over the driving beat of Justice and Padgett.

 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”

 

Main Squeeze Records artist - Missy Andersen - In The Moment - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, In The Moment, from Missy Andersen and it scratches a lot of itches. Opening with Rent Party is a cool blues swing track with a touch of jazz. Heine Andersen lays out a nice guitar solo and Sue Palmer is tight on piano. Horn work from Robbie Smith (trumpet), Gerrard Nolan (tenor sax) and Bob Mathes (Bari sax) give it a bit of a club feel. Whole Lotta Nuthin' has a New Orleans feel with marching style drums from Marty Dodson and Ben Moore lays down some nice B3 work. Heine cooks the frets on this track with some hot jazzy riffs. On Latin styled Night Stalker Andersen again plays into a 40's - 50's sophistication. She really has a strong voice and has strong support from vocalists Sonja Mack and Karen Trapane. R&B track More Than Enough has a really strong presence and Andersen's vocals are top notch. Light instrumental accompaniment of light drums and B3 and punctuation but the horn section makes this one of my release favorites. Better Or Worse has a bit of a Chicago blues style featuring James Harman on harp and Nathan James on guitar. On No Regrets, roots in gospel can be heard cemented in Andersen's vocal styling and the warm B3 key work from Moore. Very nice! Same Things Make You Laugh Will Make You Cry is a R&B style number with great delivery from Andersen. Soild rhythm work, B3 backing and horns give this a true feeling of the age of R&B. Reach Out is an easy going blues number with a real twist of gospel. I really like Anderson's feel on this track and the backing vocals of Mack and Trapane as well as the nice walking bass line of Michael McKinnon and stirring guitar solo by Heine Andersen make this one of the most memorable tracks on the release. Ladies Shoes is a real down and dirty blues number with Andersen digging in deep. I really like the contributions of Heine Andersen on guitar on this track which are inspired. Funky rhythms on Hey Now! highlighting the percussion work of Christopher Hoffee and Moore on B3 nicely compliment Andersen's vocal work. Wrapping the track is I've Been Walkin' gets a nice "revival" feel going but with a bit of twang. Nice vocal call and response between Andersen and Mack/Trapane and strong support from Sue Palmer on piano and Marty Dodson make this a real uplifting end to a cool 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”

 

Baja Blues Festival

Howard and the White Boys CD Release Parties at Rosa's Lounge, Buddy Guy's Legends

"Chicago's Hardest-Working Blues Band " for over two decades is Howard and the White Boys, pictured here outside Rosa's Lounge in Chicago, where they recorded their new album, the aptly-titled "Rosa's Lounge". They'll celebrate the new album with two big Chicago-based CD Release Parties - one at Rosa's Lounge on Friday, August 22; the other at Buddy Guy's Legends on Saturday, August 30. www.howardandthewhiteboys.net

HOWARD AND THE WHITE BOYS CELEBRATE THEIR NEW ALBUM "ROSA'S LOUNGE" WITH TWO BIG CD RELEASE PARTIES - FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 AT ROSA'S LOUNGE; AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 30@BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS     (CHICAGO, IL) -  Howard And the White Boys celebrate their long-awaited new album "Rosa's Lounge" with two big Chicago-based CD Release Parties: Friday, August 22 at Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Ave. (9 p.m.; $10. in advance, $12. at the door; 773-342-0452 or http://www.rosaslounge.com for info.); and Saturday, August 30 at  Buddy Guy's Legends, 700 S. Wabash Ave. (11 p.m.; $20.; 312-427-1190 or http://buddyguy.com/ for info.).     "Rosa's Lounge"         NEW HOWARD AND THE WHITE BOYS ALBUM OUT THIS MONTH!      Rosa's Lounge, the new album from Chicago blues veterans Howard & The White Boys, is named after the legendary Chicago club where the band's new CD was recorded. Captured live on one of those magical nights where the crowd and band feed off of each other's exuberance and energy, the recording reveals a group at the top of its game and offers insight into why many consider Howard & The White Boys one of the best live contemporary blues acts of the past two decades.    Chicago, a city steeped in blues history, is where the band have honed their chops since their inception in 1988. Howard & the White Boys have established a reputation as one of the city’s favorite attractions and regular appearances at Buddy Guy’s Legends have afforded them an opportunity to display their wares before locals and out-of-towners who come to Legends to hear the best the city has to offer in blues entertainment. Indeed, Buddy Guy has been their unofficial mentor and his support for the band has been instrumental in exposing them to a wider audience. He has taken them on several major Midwestern tours as his opening act, and has often jumped onstage to jam with them when they appear at Legends. He also gave them the ultimate endorsement by making a rare guest appearance on their third release The Big $core. He plays some scorching guitar and sings a duet with Howard on a remake of the Sam & Dave classic “I Thank You." Guy  told the L.A. Times, "These guys deserve whatever they get and more. And I tell these guys, 'If you ain't gonna do it, you know I will, so don't let me down now.' And they haven't!"    Howard & the White Boys formed in 1988 and began jamming together just for fun, but their fast-growing popularity soon convinced them they could make a career of it. After only a few months, they got their first big break by opening for B.B. King. Their reputation grew in Chicago and they began performing with the biggest names in blues: Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Albert King, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Luther Allison, Bo Diddley, and Chuck Berry. Between 1994 and 1997, the group made two highly acclaimed recordings, Strung Out On The Blues and Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?, for Los Angeles-based Mighty Tiger Records. They began traveling extensively across the United States and their growing popularity captured the attention of Philadelphia-based Evidence Records. The Big $core was the first of three successful discs released by Evidence, and the band wasted no time in promoting it via the first of many trips to European countries such as Belgium, France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and England. Riding the ever-growing wave of popularity both at home and abroad, the group then released a well-received live CD for Evidence entitled Live At Chord On Blues. In 2007, Evidence released the critically-acclaimed Made in Chicago which showcased the group's versatility and encompassed the funk, R & B, and rock styles that have become Howard & the White Boys trademarks.   Rosa's Lounge bears witness to the power of the group when they perform live, and also lends credence to the Chicago Sun-Times' recent statement, "You can't see this high-energy, good time band at a club without leaving with a smile on your face." The band is now focusing on touring to support the new CD and working on material for their next one.                            www.howardandthewhiteboys.net https://www.facebook.com/pages/Howard-And-The-White-Boys/

Kaye Bohler - Handle The Curves - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Handle the Curves, by Kaye Bohler and it has has a definite soul attitude. Opening with Diggin on My Man, a horn laden, R&B strut with a cool chicken fried guitar solo from Pete Anderson. The Way I Do Business is a bit smoother but still showing strong hor backing from the likes of Lee Thornburg (trumpet and trombone) and Ron Dzibuka (sax) as well as some nice piano work from Michael Murphy. Bubble Gum has a real Al Green style arrangement and by nature will be one of my favorite tracks. Drums by Jeff Sorenson and John Paul as well as the key work of Murphy strongly support Bohler's powerhouse voice. Title track, Handle The Curves is a slow soulful ballad with strong blues overtones. Solid B3 work on this track along with Bohler's vocals make this a leading contender for airplay choice. Backbone has a lot of attitude with a funky strut and great horns and a cool guitar break. Party Time is a fast paced swing type number with tight horn punctuation. Never overplayed Anderson steps up the guitar and hits it hard. Back in the Al Green groove, Slayed is another of my favorites. Dzibula lays down a real nice sax solo and the horns nicely compliment Murphy's key work throughout. It's The Blues takes a straight walk down the blues road. With a loose melody over a standard rhythm this track is easy to follow. Family Is Found has a little bit of rock blended into it's basic R&B feel. Carried on the shoulders of Murphy, Thronburg and Dzibula this track has a really clean sax solo to compliment Bohler's vocals. Wrapping the release is Don't Take My Hope Away, a spiritual/soul style track. It showcases Bohler's vocals as well as any track on the release and a nice conclusion to this release. I particularly like Murphy's keyboard work on this track.

  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”

 

Pro Sho Bidness artist: Jeff Dale and the South Woodlawners - Good Music - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Good Music, by Jeff Dale and the South Woodlawners and it's got the blues. Opening with Town Line Road, is a hard driving blues rocker featuring Tim Austin on drums, Orlando Wright on bass and Jeff Stone on harp with Dale on guitar and vocal. Naked Woman In My Bed has a cool R&B feel with Glen Doll leading the way on harp. Jim Jedeiken adds key sax work with Charlie Love on guitar, Mark Mack on drums, Andre "Big Perm" McCottry on bass and Derek Phillips on keys. On title track, Good Music, Dale lays down a cool shuffle feel. Chef Denis Depoitre adds some real nice harp work and Charlie Love joins again on vocal and guitar. Andre Howard sets a strong bass line and Mark Mack keeps the bottom tight on drums. Letter From The Birmingham Jail is a cool track with a lot of commercial potential. With it's catchy melody and tight rhythm it's certain to garner attention. One of my favorites is Final Destination. A somber ballad along the lines of The House Of The Rising Sun, Dale's vocals are spot on and cello work from Dane Little gives it a unique feel. She Love Me has a Chicago blues rock feel with key harp work from Jeff Stone. Tim Austin really sets the tempo and shifts on this track and a cool guitar riff from Dale keep this in the groove. Wagon Wheel is a cool low slung blues with a great feel. Stepping out on guitar, Dale really takes the bull by the horns and rips it. Very nice! Cold Wind is another deeper slow blues, this time featuring Doll on harp. Rich guitar overtones and a smart crisp solo sets this track apart with a feel of the House of the Rising Sun or St James Infirmary. Very cool! Black And White is a cool track with a cool groove. Snatch it Back comes to mind but with a different return. Again Doll is on top with harp and Austin on drums. Orlando Wright handles a solid bass line and Dale's vocals are tops. Rock and roll blues...very cool. The Devil I Know is one of the coolest tracks on the release. I like the groove and the overall pace of the track is just right. Dale and Love on guitar and Doll on harp really deliver on this track. Murder has a 50's soundtrack kind of feel (like Fever). Marilyn Schram plays an unusual oboe solo on the track, possibly the only oboe solo I've ever heard on a blues release. Walking bass line from Howard and tightly packed drums keep this track on par with Dale's vocal delivery. Wrapping the release is an extremely cool, My Brain Took The Whole Night Off. A swing blues track, Dale tells the tale and mack really plays the drums on this one. An exception sax solo from Jedeiken really caps this track as an excellent closer.  

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”