Bman's Blues Report

Friday, August 28, 2015

New Blind Pig releases out today!

NEW BLIND PIG RELEASES OUT TODAY!
Titles from Zac Harmon and the Andy T-Nick Nixon Band

Blind Pig Records has just released a pair of fine CDs from venerable blues acts:

ZAC HARMON
"RIGHT MAN RIGHT NOW"

Zac Harmon is an award-winning guitarist, organist, singer, and songwriter whose distinctive style combines the best of old-school soul-blues artists with modern lyrics and themes that bring the blues into a new century.

Right Man Right Now is contemporary music that proves just how alive and relevant the blues is today. Addressing issues straight from today’s headlines, Zac presents them in a fresh original style built on the best blues tradition. And he has some incredibly talented musicians helping him - guests include Bobby Rush, Lucky Peterson, Anson Funderburgh and Mike Finnegan.

After a very successful twenty-plus year career as a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles, where he worked with the likes of the O'Jays, the Whispers, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Black Uhuru, and Michael Jackson, Zac moved to Dallas to pursue his dream of becoming a top-flight touring blues artist

The album provides definitive proof that Zac Harmon is indeed the right man to firmly establish all that blues can and should be right now in the second decade of the new millennium.

CDs available at fine shops everywhere - support your local record store! CDs and downloads are also available from Amazon. And you can get downloads from this and other fine Blind Pig recordings at the Pig Pen page on iTunes.

Zac Harmon Upcoming Tour Dates

Aug. 29	Dallas, TX	Babbs Brothers BBQ
Sept. 10	Omaha, NE	The 21st Saloon
Sept. 11	Chicago, IL	Buddy Guy's Legends
Sept. 12	Grafton, WI	Paramount Blues Festival
Sept. 19	Denton, TX	Denton Blues Festival
Oct. 8	Helena, AR	King Biscuit Blues Festival
Oct. 18	Fredericksburg, TX	Blankets and Blues
Oct. 29	Sioux City, IA	Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Oct. 30	Topeka, KS	Uncle Bo's
Oct. 31	Topeka, KS	Uncle Bo's

ANDY T - NICK NIXON BAND
"NUMBERS MAN"

The Andy T-Nick Nixon Band displays musicianship at its highest. The blues has a history of great partnerships, and Numbers Man offers proof positive that Andy T and Nick Nixon belong in that select group.

Andy T’s jazz-tinged guitar style is influenced by T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Magic Sam, and Albert Collins among others, yet it remains his own. The velvet-voiced Nixon, part of Nashville’s thriving blues and R&B scene in the 60’s and 70’s, sings in a style that recalls Jimmy Witherspoon and Billy Eckstine. Even though he’s now in his 70’s, Nixon’s voice still has all the power and energy of a man half his age and it’s crystal clear that this man was born to sing the blues.

Combined with Andy T’s bold, vibrant tones and equally rooted guitar style, it makes for a uniquely satisfying brand of soulful blues. Numbers Man was produced by renowned Texas guitarist Anson Funderburgh, and features the great Kim Wilson’s harmonica on one of the tracks.

CDs available at fine shops everywhere - support your local record store! CDs and downloads are also available from Amazon. And you can get downloads from this and other fine Blind Pig recordings at the Pig Pen page on iTunes.

Andy T-Nick Nixon Band Upcoming Tour Dates

Aug. 30	Nashville, TN	Hard Rock
Sept. 17	Dothan, AL	Blues at the Clarion
Sept. 18	Marietta, GA	Darwin's
Sept. 19	Tallahassee, FL	Bradfordville Blues Club
Sept. 22	Nashville, TN	Nashville Music Series
Sept. 25	Champaign, IL	Blues Blast Music Awards
Oct. 10	Helena, AR	King Biscuit Blues Festival

Plano Road Publishing artist: Crooked Eye Tommy - Butterflies & Snakes - New release review

I just received the debut release, Butterflies & Snakes, from Crooked Eye Tommy and it's actually quite good! Opening with a cool blend of John Bonham style rhythm and early Lynyrd Skynyrd swagger, this track tells a crazy myth of Crooked Eye Tommy. West coast vocalist/guitar player/songwriter Tommy Marsh leads this band in what is undoubtedly his strongest effort. This is a cool track with nice slide work joined by Paddy Marsh on guitar as well as Glade Rasmussen on bass and Tony Cicero on drums. Very cool. Next out of the box is Come On In with a much richer Latin R&B feel sung by Paddy. This is a really hot track putting me in the theme track from the Wire (Cable TV show), Way Down In The Hole, written by Tom Waits. This is a really great song with euphoric guitar work throughout and super drum work by Cicero and joined by Jimmy Calire on sax and keys. Excellent! Jimmy Reed style track, I Stole The Blues, stays tight in the groove with rich vocals from Paddy and hot sax work from Calire. Funky jazz rocker, Time Will Tell, shows off some Allman Brothers style guitar lead with a twist of Larry Carlton/Denny Diaz flash for a poppy radio style track with a cool melody. Tide Pool is a really clean soul track featuring paddy on lead vocal with a rich melody and vocal harmonies. Solid keys carry the load and Marsh gets great guitar tone on his smokey solo making this another super radio track. Somebody's Got To Pay has a nice easy swing and casual guitar soloing. Calire isn't messing around when he steps up with his sax blowing the top off. Love Divine has a lot of 70's styling with and some really nice over the top guitar lines. With it's bright but funky beat and tight vocal package and twin guitar leads, it hits the line. Very nice! After The Burn is a hot, Latin influenced rock number that drives. Marsh plays a really crisp guitar solo on this track reinforcing what we all knew all along... he's damn good! Calire lays out another smooth key solo and Marsh is back again bolting the door closed with nicely articulated guitar phrases. Very nice! Texas style rocker, Mad And Disgusted, gets the joint rockin' with a driving beat and super piano work from Calire. Getting the Southern swagger going again, Calire really kills it on this one. Marsh's vocals really work well with this band and his brother's vocals, a deeper shade of blue is a great contrast. Soulful, Over And Over, has a real nice slower pace, digging for rich blues. Calire brings it on sax again and Marsh grinds out a super solo of his own. There is a female vocalist on this track singing background that is very reminiscent of the Dark Side Of the Moon. Very nice! The release is wrapped up with a pop country track, Southern Heart which could easily make a run on the country radio market.

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”

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Regina Royal Records artist: Diane Blue - Blues In My Soul - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Blues In My Soul, from Diane Blue and it's really good! Blue has teamed up with blues guitar superman, Ronnie Earl and it's a beautiful match. Opening with That's What They Call The Blues, a wicked loper, Blue throws out some ultra thick vocals and Earl unleashes the dog on his strat. Joined by Lorne Entress on drums, Dave Limina on keys and Jesse Williams on bass, this track is a killer. On Nina Simone's Do I Move You, Blue gets into a more introspective space with nice piano work from Limina and a really nice guitar solo from Bobby Gus. Bobby Womack's Nothing You Can Do has a gospel swing featuring yet another side of Blue's voice and backed by John Moriconi on trumpet and vocals, Scott Shetler on sax and soul style vocal backing by Toni Lynn Washington. Excellent Lil Green blues track, In The Dark is on of the absolute standout tracks on this release. Blue stands solid delivering a modern vocal rendition of this classic blues number, backed by Mr Earl. Limina adds just the right balance of piano and B3 over Gus' rhythm chords as Earl plays some of the most soulful lines you'd ever want to hear. Excellent! Another track made famous by Nina Simone, I Love Your Lovin' Ways gets a strong R&B flavor. This is a great switch up after such a soul searcher and Gus lays in some real tasty guitar riffs over the hot key work of Limina and great vocal blending of Washington. Someday Soon opens with a beautiful B3 intro by Limina and staying in the R&B vein, Blue's vocals, complimented nicely by Shetler on sax leads to a nice harmonica solo by Blue herself. Gus spanks the guitar with his beautiful articulation on this track giving it a definite blues kick. Excellent! Aretha Franklin's Soulville, has a real 60's sound with hot sax work from Shetler and trumpet highlights from Moriconi. Following a fun track another Franklin track, Today I Sing the Blues, an absolutely excellent rendition of the queens classic. Is Blue Franklin... no. She doesn't need to be. She is an excellent singer and does an excellent job on this track teamed up again with master guitar man Ronnie Earl. Masterful gospel style B3 from Limina adds just the right amount of tension and Earl drives this train right up to the edge. Excellent! Another track made popular by Nina Simone, Day and Night, gets a lighter pop touch with a driving bass line from Williams, and cool guitar riffs by Gus and harmonica from Blue woven throughout. I Can't Shake You is a solid soul track featuring warm, heartfelt vocals from Blue. Earl, controlled but ever on top, plays really nice guitar solos throughout the track as punctuating landmarks in a war sea of sound created by Limina on keys. More to a country 2 stepper Blue pulls out Man About Town, a track that could easily see cross radio play. JLL style piano work by Limina is off the hook with tight drum work from Entress. Driving bass lines by Williams and Blue's own harmonica work highlight the track, topped off by Gus' flashy rock styled guitar riffs. Ballad, Cry Daddy,is another track that could easily be radio bound. Rich B3 backing throughout and a nice guitar solo from Gus gives the track additional texture. Wrapping the release is a funky Koko Taylor track, Jump For Joy. Blue trades vocals with Washington on this horn saturated track and a cool bass solo from Williams is a nice intro to Limina's B3 interlude. Moriconi and Shetler add horn punch and Earl steps up with a smoker of a solo of his own. Solid conclusion to one of the best releases I've heard this year!

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Bluzpik artist: Joel Zoss - Florida Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Florida Blues, from Joel Zoss and it has a light airy feel. Opening with Have You Seen My Rider, an easy blues with a pop feel. Zoss, a fine vocalist, shows his fluid hand at the fretboard joined by Jeff Adkins on bass and Matt Calderin on drums. A track that is so radio friendly that I feel familiar with it already, Papers of Light, has a contagious melody and brilliant simplicity. Blues based Vodka and Red Bull actually reminds me of an old Jonathan Edwards track which carried a lot of popularity alone. Clever vocals and clean guitar picking showcase this track. Very nice. Sentimental ballad, The Riddle Song, is nicely constructed and performed. Another blues toned number, Street Vet Chant, has classic blues guitar riffs and solid vocals. Zoss shows a clear knowledge of musical styling and performance. Big Bill Broonzy's, Key To The Highway, has a fresh modern acoustic feel but with a classic blues arrangement. Nicely articulated guitar soloing by Jeff Harding stands out as well. Two Fish is a simple pop track with a solid melody. Albert's Song has a real nice blues guitar riff repeating throughout although the track maintains a modern pop styling. Very nice! A really slick version of Ledbelly's classic, Goodnight Irene, is a total surprise with it's original rock spin. Wrapping the release is Follow Me I'll Turn Your Money Green that feels so blue I'd swear it's a John Hurt track. Nice blues picking and simple arrangement with solid vocals make this a prime cut to close the release.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Blind Pig Records artist: Zac Harmon - Right Man Right now - New Release review

I just received the newest release (August 28, 2015) Right Man Right Now, from Zac Harmon and it's squeezing hot. Opening with Raising Hell, a R&B flavored blues track with strong blues guitar riffs from Anson Funderburgh and Lucky Peterson on organ, this is a great opener. Ball and Chain has a slinky feel with two ongoing guitar lines, one clean and one slide, over nice keyboard work, a thumping bass line and smooth vocals compliments of Harmon. This cool funky track has a really nice groove with a lot of small instrumental components that together make up a really cool track. High stepping Hump In Your Back features Bobby Rush on second vocal and harp and an ultra cool guitar line pumped along by Buthel on bass and tight drumming from Cedric Goodman. Harmon lays out a real nice guitar solo of his own on this track punched up by Les Kepics on trumpet and Chuck Phillips on sax. Very cool! Slow and easy, Texas style, Stand Your Ground is a terrific blues track really giving Harmon a chance to show off his best vocal traits. Peterson is back on organ setting up the swat and Harmon plays stinging riff after stinging riff with a nice nod to Albert King. Super! Title track, Right Man Right Now, has a nice bass groove and and ongoing tasty guitar riffs including one repetitive zinger that keeps you on your toes. This is a real slick track featuring Mike Finnigan on keys and Harmon carrying the load vocally. Feet Back On The Ground is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's soulful vocals and stylized guitar work. With it's solid melody, smooth instrumental backing and flavorful guitar work, this could easily carry the release on it's own merit. Excellent! Long Live The Blues has a certain swagger and slashing Albert like guitar riffs. Cedric Goodman finds the cowbell, a not enough used percussive accent giving the track extra bite. Finely blended harmonies on this track also give it a contemporary soul feel. Back Of The Yards is a really hot track with a poppy bass riff from Buthel and great blues riffs from Harmon. Mike Finnigan is back on organ here and Harmon leading the track on vocal just has a really nice feel. John Lee Hooker's I'm Bad Like Jesse James is up next featuring Chef Deni on harp and a spoken word story by Harmon over an easy Hooker guitar riff. Clocking in at over 7 minutes this track sets up to be a really heavy kicker and as it builds momentum it builds tension. Very nice! Funky, Ain't No Big Deal On You, features Mike Finnigan on keys and Harmon really singing in the groove and hitting the guitar riffs just right. Goodman and Buthel keep the bottom tight and this track cruises. Wrapping the release is Good Thing Found, a R&B styled blues number with a pop roll. This is another track that could easily find cross radio play with it's catchy melody, solid vocals and tight instrumentation. Jimmy Z on sax, Chuck Phillips on sax and Les Kepics on trumpet bring up the horns and Harmon just grooves on guitar....great closer!

Monday, August 24, 2015

Bobbie (Mercy) Oliver, The Texas Blues King - Sleeping With The Dogs - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Sleeping With The Dogs, from Bobbie (Mercy) Oliver and its quite interesting! Opening with smoking harmonica track, Juke Joint, Oliver leads the way complimented by David White on bass, Andre on drums and with some hot lead guitar work by Melvin "Melo" Hinchen. Next up is Highway 61 and some fine vocals from Oliver. I really like Oliver's "feel" on harp and White walks it on bass also adding cool organ backing and Andre's drums are tight. Hinchen lays in a nice guitar solo without taking over the show. White really lays out a nice bass lead on I'm Leaving You getting you moving. Oliver maintains a solid balance between vocals and harp. On blues rocker On The Bottom, White really lays down a cool bass line leading to melodic harp soloing by Oliver. Switching gears a bit into more of a country/gospel feel with I Love The Lord, Oliver leads on vocal complimented nicely by White on organ. R&B style takes the focus on One Woman Man, with a taste of Al Green and a touch of Rufus Thomas. Guitar Man Nate rips a spine chilling guitar solo on this track setting it apart even more. Title track, Sleeping With The Dogs has a funky blues feel with a nice groove from White on bass. Oliver has a simple but effective harp style that just sits right with you. I Want To Talk To You has a James Brown chug but a rock beat giving it an unusually cool feel. Simple guitar riffs and compact harp riffs gives this track its groove. Wrapping the release is She's My Baby, a tight little rocker with a blues flavor. Oliver's gravelly vocals, sparing harp riffs and concise guitar riffs make this a perfect ending for a cool release.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Arlo Guthrie Celebrates 50th Anniversary of "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" w/ North American Tour!

Arlo Guthrie Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of
The Event That Inspired The Iconic Song
"Alice's Restaurant Massacree"

North American Tour
September 25, 2015 - May 5, 2016

"A great reminder of just how effective a bit of absurdity can be when it comes to combating serious issues." -Rolling Stone

"A quintessential Guthrie composition in the way it turns a true story into an amusing folk tale." -New York Times

"The strength of 'Alice's Restaurant' is its feel of truth -- and how it speaks that truth to power." -Washington Post

"If there's one Turkey Day custom in our city that people actually enjoy, it's the airing of the classic 1967 Arlo Guthrie yarn 'Alice's Restaurant Massacree'." -Philadelphia Weekly

Washington, MA -- Thursday, August 20, 2015 -- Legendary folk music icon Arlo Guthrie continues his epic journey across North America this September 2015 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the event that inspired his seminal song, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree". A musical monologue running more than 18 minutes, "Alice's Restaurant" has become a Thanksgiving holiday anthem to families around the world and it all originates from Guthrie's experience on Thanksgiving in 1965. Kicking off the tour in Nashville, TN (City Winery: Sept. 25 - 27, 2015), Guthrie will perform his most prominent work in its entirety each night on the tour, as well as selections from various full-length studio albums he's released since his debut, Alice's Restaurant (1967).

Guthrie tours in more than 60 markets over the next eight months, and commemorates the actual 50th Anniversary with his annual headlining performance at New York City's Carnegie Hall (November 28, 2015). On the October and November 2015 shows, Arlo's daughter Sarah Lee Guthrie -- a singer-songwriter with a lauded career in her own right -- will open each concert. Please see all confirmed shows listed below and on risingsonrecords.com.

Folk songs enduring many decades of change only become classics when storylines remain just as relevant today as they were when originally composed. "Alice's Restaurant" is of this ilk; it's now weaved into the fabric of American society. Fans have embraced "Alice's Restaurant" as part of their annual Thanksgiving tradition, but also view it as one of the more pronounced "anti-stupid" rally songs. Every year, Arlo receives handfuls of letters from Vietnam vets and soldiers currently at war expressing their heartfelt connection to the song. Today, times are eerily similar to the mid-60's, with unpopular wars being fought far away from home, and soldiers finding ways to cope. Music is often the best medicine to soothe the soul. However listeners interpret the quintessential tune, we can be rest assured that people of all different walks of life come together singing that famous chorus, "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant...".

"I didn't think I was gonna live long enough to have to learn 'Alice's Restaurant' again," Arlo Guthrie says with a smile. "It was a quirky kinda thing to begin with. Nobody writes an 18-minute monologue expecting fame and fortune. The initial success of the song really took me by surprise more than anyone else. The fact that I have contended with it for five decades either by having to learn it again or by not doing it, has been an interesting balancing act. I'm surely looking forward to it being a centerpiece of my repertoire for the 50th anniversary tour."

"Alice's Restaurant's" hilarious account of actual events that precluded Arlo Guthrie from military service (1966) became a platinum selling record (1967) and full-length motion picture (1969) at the outset of his renowned career. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the lengthiest hit single in music history, Arlo once again performs it live. Due to its length, Arlo has only added the complete "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" to his touring menu on the 10-year anniversaries.

For the last five decades, Arlo has carried on the Guthrie family legacy of sharing timeless stories and unforgettable classics to audiences far and wide. "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour" brings together an ensemble of fine musicians never to grace the stage together at one time. Arlo's deft band includes Terry Hall (drums), Bobby Sweet (guitar, vocals), Darren Todd (bass), and his son, Abe Guthrie (keyboards). Each show is curated with an awe-inspiring light show created specifically for this tour by 44 Designs, Inc., along with previously unseen images from the Guthrie archives. More than 75,000 photos have recently been digitized, and selections will be projected during the evening.

For the dedicated lovers of "Alice's Restaurant", they'll be happy to know the Old Trinity Church is still around. Arlo bought it over 20 years ago and renamed it "The Guthrie Center at the Old Trinity Church". He runs his non-profit foundation from the building, and it's his hope that it'll continue to be of service to the local community.

On "Alice's Restaurant" becoming such a cultural phenomenon, Arlo says, "Well, I've always loved good stories. And I've loved telling tall tales. Why people enjoy it is beyond me. I haven't sung 'Alice' for years and people still keep coming to the gigs. 'Alice' has taken on a life of its own and become attached to Thanksgiving. If I had to guess though, maybe because it's a story about a little guy against a big world."

Don't miss Arlo Guthrie as he tours in a city near you, performing one of America's greatest musical treasures! Below is a list of the announced tour dates, and additional shows will be added. Stay up to date on risingsonrecords.com

Arlo Guthrie Presents "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour":

Sept. 25 - 27, 2015 -- Nashville, TN -- The City Winery
Sept. 29, 2015 -- Gettysburg, PA -- The Majestic Theater
Oct. 1, 2015 -- Erie, PA -- The Warner Theatre
Oct. 2, 2015 -- Greensburg, PA -- The Palace Theatre
Oct. 3, 2015 -- Lorain, OH -- Lorain Palace Theater
Oct. 6, 2015 -- Rutland, VT -- The Paramount
Oct. 7, 2015 -- Burlington, VT -- Flynn Center
Oct. 9, 2015 -- Boston, MA -- Berklee Performance Center
Oct. 10, 2015 -- Keene, NH -- The Colonial Theatre
Oct. 11, 2015 -- Pittsfield, MA -- The Colonial Theatre
Oct. 14, 2015 -- Middletown, OH -- Dave Finkelman Aud.
Oct. 15, 2015 -- Newark, OH -- The Midland Theatre
Oct. 16, 2015 -- Springfield, OH -- Clark State PAC
Oct. 18, 2015 -- Overland Park, KS -- Johnson County CC
Oct. 21, 2015 -- Madison, WI -- The Union Theatre
Oct. 23, 2015 -- Milwaukee, WI -- The Pabst Theater
Oct. 24, 2015 -- Red Wing, MN -- The Sheldon Theatre
Oct. 25, 2015 -- St. Paul, MN -- The O'Shaunessey Theater
Oct. 29, 2015 -- Eau Claire, WI -- The State Theater
Oct. 30, 2015 -- St. Cloud, MN -- The Paramount
Nov. 3, 2015 -- Iowa City, IA -- Englert Theater
Nov. 4, 2015 -- Des Moines, IA -- Hoyt Sherman Place
Nov. 8, 2015 -- Chicago, IL -- The Harris Theater
Nov. 9, 2015 -- Ann Arbor, MI -- Michigan Theater
Nov. 11, 2015 -- Ithaca, NY -- The State Theatre
Nov. 13, 2015 -- New Bedford, MA -- The Zeiterion
Nov. 14, 2015 -- Tarrytown, NY -- Tarrytown Music Hall
Nov. 15, 2015 -- Patchogue, NY -- The Patchogue Theatre
Nov. 17, 2015 -- Easton, MD -- The Avalon Theatre
Nov. 19, 2015 -- Wilmington, DE -- Grand Opera House
Nov. 20, 2015 -- Princeton, NJ -- The McCarter Theatre
Nov. 21, 2015 -- Glenside, PA -- The Keswick Theatre
Nov. 28, 2015 -- New York, NY -- Carnegie Hall
Nov. 29, 2015 -- Newark, NJ -- NJ Performing Arts Center
Jan. 16, 2016 -- Coral Springs, FL -- Coral Springs Center
Jan. 17, 2016 -- Miami, FL -- South Miami-Dade Co. Arts
Jan. 19, 2016 -- Ft. Myers, FL -- Barbara Mann Hall
Jan. 20, 2016 -- Clearwater, FL -- The Capitol Theatre
Jan. 22, 2016 -- Stuart, FL -- The Lyric Theatre
Jan. 23, 2016 -- Orlando, FL -- The Plaza Live
Jan. 24, 2016 -- Melbourne, FL -- The King Center
Jan. 26, 2016 -- Charleston, SC -- Charleston Music Hall
Jan. 27, 2016 -- Newberry, SC -- Newberry Opera House
Jan. 28, 2016 -- Durham, NC -- The Carolina Theatre
Jan. 30 & 31, 2016 -- Richmond, VA -- Modlin Center
Feb. 3, 2016 -- Bethesda, MD -- Strathmore Hall
Feb. 5 & 6, 2016 -- Alexandria, VA -- The Birchmere
Feb. 8 & 9, 2016 -- Rocky Mount, VA -- Harvester
Feb. 12, 2016 -- Lawrence, KS -- Liberty Hall
Feb. 13, 2016 -- Wichita, KS -- The Orpheum
Feb. 14, 2016 -- Tulsa, OK -- The Brady Theatre
Feb. 16, 2016 -- St. Louis, MO -- Touhill Arts Center
Feb. 18, 2016 -- Fort Worth, TX -- Bass Performance Hall
Feb. 21, 2016 -- Austin, TX -- The Long Center
Feb. 24, 2016 -- Columbia, MO -- The Missouri Theatre
Feb. 25, 2016 -- Louisville, KY -- Kentucky Center
Feb. 27, 2016 -- Biloxi, MS -- IP Casino
April 1, 2016 -- Mesa, AZ -- Mesa Performing Arts Center
April 7, 2016 -- Santa Barbara, CA -- The Lobero Theatre
April 9, 2016 -- Palo Alto, CA -- The Bing Concert Hall
April 10, 2016 -- Chico, CA -- Laxon Auditorium
April 14, 2016 -- Portland, OR -- Revolution Hall
April 15, 2016 -- Olympia, WA -- Washington Center
April 16, 2016 -- Seattle, WA -- The Moore Theatre
April 21, 2016 -- Vancouver, BC, Canada -- Chan Centre
April 23, 2016 -- Spokane, WA -- The Fox Theater
May 5, 2016 -- Washington, MA -- The Guthrie Center

Blue Bella Records artist: Hank Mowery - Excuses Plenty - New release review

I just received the newest release, Excuses Plenty, from Hank Mowery and it's a cool mix of rural country, R&B/soul and blues. Opening with Anna Lee, a country rocker featuring Mowery on harp ad vocal, Troy Amaro on guitar, Chris Corey on piano, Patrick Recob on bass and Theo Ndawillie II on drums. I Don't Want to Know is a nice R&B ballad with strong radio appeal. Jimmie Stagger and Claude Nine add some real nice guitar work to this track but in a melodic contained envelope. Title track, Excuses Plenty, has a country 2 step feel but a euphoric harp wail that really gives the track a special feel. Troy Amaro adds some nice guitar work on this track as well. Country rocker, Walk With Me has a strong pop influence. Mowery's vocals are really super and Mike Morgan adds some hot guitar riffs to Mowery's own lead harp line. Straight up Chicago blues number, One And Only, has a real nice vocal duet with Recob and Morgan is really fluid on guitar backed by Pete Curry on drums and Larry Taylor on bass. Little Bit Of Rhythm has a light touch and a lot of swing with Corey and Amaro playing a really nice instrumental duet. Early 60's style rocker, Cry For Me, has a surf feel but without the tremolo shimmer. Clavoline work by Corey add a , backing vocals by Matt Mason and vocals give it a country twist. Bluesy ballad, Would You Still Love Me On A Rainy Day, features serious vocals by Mowery and some ultra tasty harp work by harp maestro, Dennis Gruenling. This is some serious dramatic harp work and joined by Doug Deming on guitar this is my pick of the release. Hot blues stomper, Telephone Is Ringing, also features Deming and Gruenling with Danny Banks on drums, Andrew Gohman on bass. This is a hot track really stoking the fire before the close. Mowery's vocals on this track are super and the track really hits! Wrapping the release is Skip James' I'm So Glad, an acoustic number with Piedmont style picking by Amaro. Excellent conclusion to a versatile release.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Dennis Herrera Blues Band - Livin' Life Not Worryin' - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Livin' Life Not Worryin' from the Dennis Herrera Blues Band and it's terrific! Opening with All This Fun's for Free, a cool blues rocker featuring Igor Prado. Herrera brings a great band featuring Rich Wenzel who really plays out the piano on this track. Prado throws down some hot rockin riffs on guitar and Herrara's vocals are just right. Denis Depoitre steps on the gas with his harp playing topping off this real nice opener. Can't Get Enough is a stinging rocker with Alan Maggini with great tone on guitar and Wenzel laying down some great organ riffs. Loping, Damn Uncle Sam opens with Depoitre on harp and a cool Lee Campbell drum riff. Herrera has just the right vocal style for this track and Maggini cuts it up pretty nice on guitar. Hank Van Sickle's bass lines are spot on, with Wenzel giving the track a great rhythm. Uptempo blues, Chicago style, Love You Good, has a cool vintage feel with distorted vocals and super harp riffs from Depoitre. Bill Bates steps up on guitar on this one with some cool slide riffs and leaves the track with some precise thrillers. Title track, Livin' Life Not Worryin' features Prado on guitar and he kills it. Depoitre hits the harp just right with great tone. This is a really hot track and one of my favorites on the release. Slim Baby Slim is a rock n roller featuring Lynwood Slim and Jeffrey Paul Ross on guitars and Slim also takes the lead vocal role. Wenzel takes a lead piano solo and the house is rockin! Depoitre grabs tight and blows a great few lines. Excellent! Mean Ole Texas Shuffle features the one and only Anson Funderburgh. Depoitre takes a real nice long harp solo supported nicely by Wenzel, Van Sickle and Campbell. Herrera guides the track nicely on vocal and Funderburghs are stylistic and precise. Very nice! Funky track, Sun Is Shining, has a great waddling pace. This is one of those tracks that just gets your head bobbing. With Dan McCann on bass and Depoitre on harp, this track hits hard. Wenzel's organ work on the track, punctuated by Maggini's guitar work make this a standout track. Lynwood Slim, Maggini and Jeffrey Paul Ross are back on guitar on Talkin' At My Back Door and fat sliding gives this track a trace of Elmore. Slims vocals and Wenzel's piano work dress this track nicely and Depoitre's harp work brings it home. Blues rocker, Something I Read, features a real nice blues rock guitar rhythm and a casual vocal delivery by Herrera. Depoitre sets a nice foundation on harp and Herrera lays out some really nice guitar riffs of his own. Rock n Roller, This Ain't Nothin' New has Funderburgh back and again he hits it square on with his trademark riffing. Wenzel takes a nice keyboard solo of his own, pushed along by Campbell and Van Sickle. Depoitre wraps the track in exchange with Funderburgh making this a solid rocker. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a hot boogie called Hooker Heat. A very characteristic Hooker style track features hot riffs from Depoitre, Maggini and Tommy Castro coaxed along by Herrera. This is an excellent closer for a really hot release!