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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
D.A. Foster's "The Real Thing" Releases Today
Labels:
Blind Raccoon,
D.A. Foster,
the real thing
Delta Groove Music artist: Igor Prado Band - Way Down South - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (February 17, 2015), Way Down South, from Igor Prado Band and Delta Groove All Stars and it's smokin! Opening with Ike Turner's, Matchbox, Sugaray Rayford leads the way on vocal and Prado really romps the guitar. A heavy slung blues, Prado throws stiff riffs and wild trem work making this a terrific opener! John Hunter's, Ride With Me Baby has an easy rock beat with deep blues roots. Kim Wilson has the lead on vocal and Prado shows his fleet fingered guitar work. Yuri Prado on drums and Rodrigo Mantovani on bass keep it tight. Muddy Water's She's Got It, featuring Mud Morganfield on lead vocal sounds like it's right out of 60's Chicago with Ivan Marcio on harp and Donny Nichilo doing a great Otis Spann. Morganfield, Marcio, Nichilo and Prado really do capture Muddy's band sound with a lot of authenticity. Very cool! Lowell Fulsom's Baby Won't You Jump With Me features Ari Borger on piano and Lynwood Slim on vocal with cool jazzy guitar work from Prado and Junior Watson and tight sax work from Denilson Martins. James Lane's, What Have I Done, has a smooth groove led by Mitch Kashmar on vocal and harp. Kashmar really takes a nice romp on his solo as does Ari Borger on piano and Prado shows again that he's got great guitar chops. Jr. Walker and the Allstars' Shake & Fingerpop keep all of the R&B groove of the original with super stinging guitar riffs and lead vocals from Prado, a super bass run by Mantovani. Raphael Wressnig does a super job on B3. On Elmore James' Talk To Me Baby, Rod Piazza takes the mic for lead vocal and harp. Honey Piazza joins in on piano with Prado on lead guitar super charging this track. Excellent! Jerry West's If You Ever Need Me, keeps the original feel of the 60's R&B lead by Kim Wilson on vocal and harp. Very Nice! Joe Tex's You Got What It Takes has a nice twist on the original with Prado and JJ Jackson sharing the vocal lead. Keeping the guitar work tame on this number, Prado's finesse on the fretboard isn't hindered with quiet but cool riffs. Sugaray Rayford's Big Mama Blues has the girth of a Muddy Waters track with Prado and Monster Mike Welch doing the guitar Muddy style. Rayford leading the vocal charge and Borger tickling the keys, this track is right off the Chicago stage. Sweet! Paul Gayten's R&B swing tune You Better Believe It, led by Lynwood Slim on vocal and chased by Borger on piano and Martins on sax make this one really hot number. Prado jumps up and stiff arms the crowd with a flaming guitar solo keeping with the pace of the release. On Jerry West's, Rooster Blues, Wallace Coleman takes the vocal and harp lead and gets right into the Chicago groove. Yuri Prado (drums) keeps this track on a tight leash and Borger lays down a great piano solo. Prado really lets it out on this track proving once again that he can hold his own with just about anyone on the blues circuit. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Omar Coleman's Trying To Do Right with Coleman on vocal and harp. Prado takes the acoustic guitar and shows how powerful the simple instrument can be in the right hands. This is a powerful acoustic track and a great conclusion to a terrific 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”
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”
Monday, January 26, 2015
Celebrating The Blues With Heartfelt Gospel Feeling
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VizzTone Label Group artist: Billy Walton Band - Wish For What You Want - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (1/27/15), Wish For What You Want, from the Billy Walton Band and it's a rocker. Opening with the title track, Wish For What You Want, lead vocalist and guitar player, Billy Walton sets a nice pace driven by William Paris with a great bass line. Walton and Paris sing nicely in tandum and Walton gets the guitar screaming over the top. A bit more rock than blues but strong bones. True Lovin Man has a bit more of a R&B flavored rock feel again with Walton leading the way on vocal. Mike Finnegan adds some solid key work and Paris blends nicely on backing vocal. With Eric Clapton like accuracy and backed by John D'Angelo on drums, Ian Gray on trombone, Steve Hyde on trumpet and Sean on Sax this is a solid radio player. Mountain is a solid rocker with a stiff bass drum line. Blistering guitar riffs and a driving bottom carry this track. Felix Cavaliere's Come On Up has a real Mitch Ryder feel but with a bluey guitar riff. Cool! Blues Comes A Knockin has a simple country pace with quiet percussion and vocals complimented by Walton on resonator slide guitar and Southside Johnny on harp. Forgive And Forget has a driving bass line and rowdy guitar riffs reminding me quite a bit of Jeff Healy's style. Solid pop styling and horn backing make this a super track for airplay. Change has a swampy feel and iridescent shimmery guitar sounds. Finnegan lays in just the right keys and D'Angelos latin rhythm is spot on. Worried Blues has the structure of a Robert Johnson song but is laid out more like Robert Palmer. A cool electric guitar solo on this track gives it a nice punch. Till Tomorrow, led off by a nice key intro by Finnegan walks the line between R&B and rock. I think this is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a well crafted melody and nicely blended musical lines. Willie Deville/Doc Pomus track, Just To Walk That Little Girl Home is an easy pop track with a Eagles flair. Walton has a nice voice and this track is all about his vocal blending with Paris. Saxman Joey Stann leads It Doesn't Matter from the first note. With the general influences of the likes of Elvis Costello, Bruce Springstein and 80's rock, this track should have broad appeal. Wrapping the release is Hudson County Star has a basic country feel with simple vocal harmonies and a simple pace. Kicking it into high is drummer D'Angelo followed by Walton on slide and super piano work by Finnegan. A full blown country blues rocker, this is a great track to conclude this 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”
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”
Friday, January 23, 2015
Eller Soul Records artist: Mike Henderson Band - If You Think It's Hot Here... - New Release Review
I just received the newest release, If You Think It's Hot Here..., from The Mike Henderson Band and it's quite good! Opening with I Wanna Know Why, a creeping blues number with some great Fender guitar tones. Michael Rhodes lays down a real serious bass lead and Henderson has a voice that is just right for this type of blues rock music. Kevin McKendree really hammers the piano and Henderson gets down serious with some tasty blues riffs making this a great opener. Send You Back To Georgia is a great rock and roller with a serious rocking beat (Pat O'Connor - drums) and McKendree really takes the opportunity to bring this baby to it's knees. Henderson whips out the slide and rides the lower fretboard with some deep grinding grooves. Excellent! On shuffle track, Houndog Taylor's It's Alright is a great 12 bar number with a serious lope. McKendree takes the first leg and Henderson the second on slide for a super romp in blues land. Title R&B style track, If You Think It's Hot Here, has a taste of Soul Serenade by McKendree on piano with a a nice B3 wrth on gospel. Chris and Morgane Stapleton add the cool vocal backing. Henderson takes a nice slide solo on the track and McKendree reall shines as well. Very nice. One of my picks for this release is Weepin' And Moanin'. With a smooth slower pace and "just right" key accents against Henderson's guitar riffs, this track is hot! Muddy Water's Mean Red Spider gets a funky under beat with a great pace set by O'Connor. Another tasty piano solo by McKendree and well paced phrasing by Henderson both vocally and on guitar makes this track shine. On Robert Johnson's If I Had Possession opens with Henderson on acoustic slide laying down some of the hottest riffs on the release. Slowly building the track gains a New Orleans strut with the aide or McKendree on piano and snappy drumming by O'Connor. Henderson steps back uyp but on electric guitar this time leading the track to a close. Very cool! Sonny Boy Williamson's Unseen Eye has a real nice bass line by Michael Rhodes and Henderson lays out some of the blusiest riffs on the release. I really like this track. The extended guitar work on this track really hits it! Blind Lemon Jefferson's Matchbox gets a Carl Perkins' or Ronnie Hawkins' feel but with Jerry Lee Lewis spin and Chuck Berry guitar riffs. Very cool! Melvin Jackson's Gamblin' Blues has a serious Texas feel. I particularly like Henderson's vocals on this track and O'Connor and Rhodes really drive the bottom. McKendree takes a cool barrelhouse piano solo and Henderson steps up with a fat solo of his own. Hot track! Wrapping the release is Rock House Blues, a slow, harp led blues (Henderson) with McKendree on piano. This is a really nice conclusion to a particularly 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”
Here's a taste of Henderson if you don't know his work:
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”
Here's a taste of Henderson if you don't know his work:
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Blind Pig Records artist:Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King - Fat Man's Shine Parlor - New release Review
I just received the newest release (February 3, 2015), Fat Man's Shine Parlor by Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King. This reunion release with Blind Pig is long overdue and really grooves. Opening with boogie track, Got My Heart Broken, King and Kubek keep it simple (like Hooker intended) with only Shiela Klinefelter on bass, Eric Smith on drums and Kim La Fleur on guitar taking it above a basic two man boogie. Very cool. On Cornbread, a quick paced boogie, King leads the way on vocal and Kubek rips some really tasty riffs trading with King and LaFleur. Diamond Eyes slows things down a bit to a basic blues rock ballad with a nice guitar bridge. Crash and Burn has a cool early rock beat and structure. Clean simple guitar solos and drum riffs carry this track. River Of Whiskey is built over a "Crossroads" like riff and each man steps up with his own guitar riff. Don't Want To Be Alone has an R&B sway and King always shows his best vocal work on tracks like this. Kubek lays out a real nice bluesy guitar solo making this one of the best tracks on the release. On Brown Bomba Mojo, Klinefelter and Smith lay down the basic riff giving King and Kubeck free space to cut it loose. With a bit of twin guitar lead this track hits solid. How Much also has a number of the characteristics of early rock music with hints of R&B. I particularly like the drum breaks which give the track some extra flair. Hot flashy guitar riffs spice up the track just right. One Girl By My Side is a blues rocker with just a taste of country. Cool guitar effects give it extra texture and soaring guitar solos mixed with King's solid vocals make this a track to hear. A standout track, Lone Star Lap Dance is a real cool shuffle with guitar riffs all around. Excellent! Done Got Caught gets down and dirty with a solid, slow blues. King shines on vocal and extended guitar solos make this a definite must hear. Returning to the basic rock beat for the closer, Headed For Ruin, King sets the stage and Kubek closes with tasty guitar riffs. Cool closer for 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”
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”
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Don't Be A Wallflower! Hit The DANCE! Floor With Sol Driven Train - CD Is Out On March 17
Don’t Be A Wallflower!
Hit The DANCE! Floor With Sol Driven Train
New CD Is Out On March 17
"With
the album DANCE! we have put on our boogie shoes. These songs are
intended to lift spirits and spread smiles. Push back the furniture,
crank up the volume, and move your body to the beat!" - SDT
Atlanta, GA – On March 17, Sol Driven Train will release their 12th album, DANCE!
on their own label, Sol Driven Train Records. This tasty collection of
songs was produced by the band and Jeff Hodges at Charleston Sound
studios. Hailing from the Southern port town of Charleston, SC, the band
prides itself as being charmingly eclectic. As the New Year opens up,
the Train keeps rolling with the release of DANCE!, a
hectic touring schedule across the US and Caribbean, and a spot on the
Atomic Music Group Showcase at The SXSW Festival on March 20th in
Austin, TX.
The
band celebrates a milestone this year for it’s been 15 years since SDT
was birthed. They have released 11 independent albums, including two
children’s, a live DVD, and an EP, all driven by their DIY ethos. They
have asked fans for funding, and those loyal Train riders have answered
back, once with their 2012 release Underdog and now with this year’s DANCE!.
They also love to give back to their community with many charitable
performances supporting local educational and environmental initiatives.
Over
the years of relentless touring, Sol Driven Train has played shows with
some of their musical heroes, like Bruce Hornsby, the late great Levon
Helm, and Tab Benoit. These opening slots have impressed the headliners
so much they were invited back on several extended tours. During these
shows, new fans have been won over by this infectious live band and the
joy that they transmit from stage.
Who is Sol Driven Train and why are they always smiling?
SDT
consists of Ward Buckheister on guitar, trombone, and vocals; Russell
Clarke on saxophones and vocals; Matt Thompson on bass and vocals; Ross
Bogan on keyboards and vocals; Wes Powers on drums; Joel Timmons on
guitar and vocals. The smiling part comes from the sheer joy of doing
what they love and making everyone around them happy. There is a
palpable sense of brotherhood, mutual support and a creative
independence that oozes into the crowds.
DANCE!
is one of those albums that will make everyone jump for joy.
Stylistically it bounces from reggae to jazz, from folk rock to jam band
styles, and the band navigates the winding road with a sonic
playfulness. Their vocal melodies and harmonies recall the genius of
Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, while their musicianship has a strong
resemblance to the bands of James Brown and Paul Simon. While the album
offers fun beats and witty lyrics, it also gives some insight into the
band members' personal lives.
Old-school
fans of the band will enjoy Joel’s contributions like “Coconut Tree”
and “Greyhound Station,” written on a sailboat during an epic
around-the-world trip in 2003-2004. “Gravity” and “Everest” are songs
of Ward’s that were written during the band’s 2008 Lighthouse sessions
and while these songs weren’t included in that album, they are
incredibly personal. Multi-instrumentalist Ward has celebrated five
years of sobriety, and his clarity combined with the musical maturity of
the current lineup has given new life to these live show standards.
“Crazy Dancer,” “Lobstamandaughta,” and “Big Easy Walk” are danceable
tunes reflecting Joel’s gratitude to the people and places that they
have visited over the course of 15 years. The album closes with a
stripped down a Capella number, “Altitude,” where all six members sing
and play body percussion in a doo-wop style love song. You can hear the
warm breeze in their harmonizing voices.
The
front cover gives it all away with Russell Clarke looking like John
Travolta in Saturday Night Fever in that iconic pose. Everybody knows
what that means. Will you dance the mashed potato? The rumba? The tango?
Or just do the monkey?
The
band’s touring schedule is being handled by booking agent Logan Bosemer
of Atomic Music Group in Nashville, TN. The band’s radio campaign is
being promoted by Brad Paul of Brad Paul Media located outside of
Boston, MA. SDT is active on the following social media platforms –
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram and you can access them and
more by going to their website: www.soldriventrain.com
INTINERARY
2/5 Isis Music Hall Asheville, NC
2/6 Gottrocks Greenville, SC
2/7 New Brookland Tavern Columbia, SC
2/12 Local 506 Chapel Hill, SC
2/13 Ziggy’s Winston-Salem, NC
2/14 Holston River Brewing Co. Bristol, TN
2/15 The Purple Fiddle Thomas, WV
2/15 The Purple Fiddle Thomas, WV
2/16 Hill Country Live Washington, DC
3/12 Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta, GA
Labels:
Dance,
Sol Driven Train
Nola Blue artist: Benny Turner - Journey - New Release Review
I just received the newest release, Journey, from Benny Turner and it has a fine groove. Opening with Breakin' News, a shuffle track with a nice Taj Mahal kind of feel and gospel like backing vocals, it's a great track. Marc Stone on steel guitar, Keiko Komaki on piano and horn work by Jason Mingledorff (sax) and Barney Floyd (trumpet) set this track off. Funky blues Don't You Ride My Mule has a really cool feel with not only nice vocals from Turner but a solid key work from Josh Paxton, super horn work from Mingledorff and Mark Leuron on trumpet and Harp work from Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes. Very nice! R&B ballad How I Wish has a soft sway and cool rhythm from Marc Stone on guitar. Deanna Bernard and Ellen Smith add warm backing vocals and Mingledorff and Floyd cool horn backing. Another R&B style blues track, I Wanna Make It Right, has just a super groove. Bernard and Smith again adding just the right vocal backing and Komaki adding some really tight keyboard. My Mother's Blues has a bit more of a picking blues feel with Turner on guitar and kazoo. Tom Worrell ecohes Turners riff on piano for a really clever instrumental. I Wanna Give It to You Baby is a solid 12 bar blues number featuring a harp intro by Patrick Williams and additional harp work from Barnes. Jeffrey "Jellybean" Alexander doesn't do anything flashy but his steady beat adds significantly to the overall track. Worn Out Woman has a real nice R&B bass groove by Turner to carry his super vocals. Derwin Big D Perkins adds a nice guitar riff throughout this track cushioned nicely by Komaki on keys. Possibly my favorite track on the release. My Uncle's Blues (Fannie Mae) has a straight up 12 bar blues rhythm featuring Turner on guitar and lead vocal. Tom Worrell and Komaki share keyboard responsibilities and Williams does a real nice job on harp. A slower blues, Voodoo Lady has a dark bass lead complimented by Marc Stone on guitar. Turner paces himself on vocal cushioned by Komaki on piano and organ. Wrapping the release is What's Wrong with the World Today which has a real taste of New Orleans. I really love the vocal harmonies of Bernard, Smith and Barnes. A high stepping rhythm that develops between Turner, Komaki and Alexander is really cool. Very nice conclusion to a very enjoyable 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”
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”
Labels:
Benny Turner,
Journey,
Nola Blue Inc.,
Review
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Connor Ray Music Label Announces CEO
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Labels:
Conner Ray Music,
John Abbey,
Steve Krase,
Trudy Lynn
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