Silvertone/RCA Records artist: Buddy Guy - The Blues Is Alive And Well - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Is Alive and Well, from Buddy Guy and it's strong. Opening with A Few Good Years, Buddy Guy pleads in song for continued good years to remain but his vocals are smooth and his guitar as vibrant as ever. Joined by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelley on guitar, Kevin McKendree on B3 and Willie Weeks on bass, this hits home. Shuffle track, Guilty As Charged shows a strong romp attitude and you can see that gold tooth glistening as Buddy shouts out guilty and fans his guitar wildly in one of his frantic guitar explosions. Very nice. Cognac, is a real nice 12 bar number featuring not one but two legendary guest guitar players, Keith Richards and Jeff Beck who along with Guy give this track real teeth. Richards' riffs are always standout and Beck's style is remarkable and an absolute signature. Excellent! Title track, The Blues Is Alive And Well is a great R&B fused track with Weeks' instinctual bass work leading the way. Guys' vocals are rich and pure and the backing by the Muscle Shoals Horns (Charles Rose on trombone, Steve Herrman on trumpet, Doug Moffet on tenor sax and Jim Hoke on bari sax really add depth to Guys personal guitar style. Very solid. Soul ballad, Blue No More features James Bay and Guy trading vocal and guitar lead. Smooth as silk and blue as can be, this track is a great radio track. Digging in the funk, Whiskey For Sale shows a side you don't often see but a great side it is. With McNelley on slide, Guy tearing up the lead and the McCrary Sisters on backing vocals this track may be one of my favorites on the release. Slow blues, You Did The Crime is classic Buddy Guy with terrific vocals and guitar, fat slide from McNelley and Mick Jagger on harp. With that rumbling bass line that I like to think as classic Buddy, Old Fashioned, is a great track with Guy conjuring up the notorious Buddy Guy guitar tone and riffs. The Muscle Shoals horns really pump up the volume and McKendree's B3 fills out the sound. Excellent! When My Day Comes is still another great track with Buddy on full throttle with expressive vocals and lead vocal and tight pointed drumming by Hambridge. Sonny Boy Williamson's Nine Below Zero sits solid in the Chicago sound with classic lines and riffs. Guy grew up in this stuff and knows just how to dress it right. His soloing is fresh, expressive and meaningful. Excellent! Boogie track, Ooh Daddy is a hard driver with Weeks leading the way and Buddy shows nothing but vitality with youthful yelps and pounding riffs. Super. Wrapping the release is End Of The Line and Milking Muther For Ya. Guy does it big time smooth band with horns honking and great guitar tone. Continuing his theme of nearing the end of his time, Guy shows no signs here to slowing or losing his fine talents as some of his predecessors have done. He ties into this last track his little ditty that he often sings in concert about the girl who tries to milk the bull. I've seen Buddy many times and he's always a great performer. My hopes are that he still has many more years to come. Excellent release!

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Dirty Cat Records artists: The Lucky Losers - Blind Spot - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blind Spot, from The Lucky Losers and it may be their best one yet. Opening with It's Never Too Early, a melodic two stepper featuring nicely blended vocals by Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz, backed by Ian Lamson on guitars, Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and Robi Bean on drums. Take The Long Road is a real cool track with an Al Green strut. Lemons' vocals are spot on, with Laura Chavez on lead guitar and Berkowitz harp contributions are notable. Alligator Baptism is a cool blues rocker with a pinch of Latin spice courtesy of D'mar on percussion and the addition of Kid Andersen on lead guitar, Jack Sanford on bari sax and Nancy Wright on sax. Another strong track, The River, this time country soul really nicely showcases Lemons' voice which sounds a lot like Susan Tedeschi. Lamson's slide work and harp work by Berkowitz add nicely to this really solid entry. With a cyclical bass line by Tarcy, Supernatural Blues has a great feel, with Lemons and Berkowitz laying down a solid duet and crisp guitar riffs by Lamson. Funky, Don't Take Too Much,lays heavy on a great bass line by Tarczy and D'Mar on drums. Nicely phrased vocals by Lemons and Berkowitz, funky organ work by Burns, and a particularly nice harp lead by Berkowitz makes it hard to sit still. Very nice. Channeling an Al Green vibe, Love Is Blind really sits nicely in the groove. Lemons has the lead on vocal and with nicely finessed harp work from Berkowitz, a cool neck pickup guitar solo with tight articulation by Kid Andersen and Beans solid drumming, this track is smooth. Wrapping the release is You Left It Behind, a light, piano framed shuffle with playful vocal exchanges by Lemons and Berkowitz. Tarczy and Bean set a compact bottom and Lamson's guitar runs are super. Very cool closer for a real nice release.


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Artur Menezes - Keep Pushing - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep Pushing, from Artur Menezes and it's quite good. Opening with radio track, Now's The Time, Artur Menezes delivers a smooth R&B track with warm horn saturation, highlighted by melodic BB King like guitar riffs. Nice opener. Title track, Keep Pushing, has a real nice feel with fluid guitar runs by Menezes, a solid bottom by Daniel Aged on bass, Gary Novak on drums, Carey Frank on keys and solid horn work by Jamelle Adisa on trumpet and Dan Bosley on sax. Come With Me is a lumbering blues rocker that really gives Menezes a great floor for his vocals and with a thick underbelly, his vibrant guitar riffs are smoking hot. Excellent track. Slow blues number, Any Day, Anytime has strong blues bones along the lines of a Freddie King number. Menezes keeps coming on stronger and stronger with his soulful vocals and crisp guitar work. his phrasing is intuitive and inspired. Excellent! Funky, Should Have Never Left has a strong balance of bass, drums and horns, underlaid by organ by Frank and Menezes' guitar playing is nothing short of super. Jump blues number, Love 'n' Roll gives Menezes a great opportunity to show his best "Gatemouth" Brown styling and again, he is tops. With trumpet punctuation by Adisa, this track rocks. Shuffle track, Give My Money Back has great pace and flow. Menezes gets in a really nice groove on this one and just rides. Very nice. Slowing way down for a soulful jazz ballad, Can't Get You Out Of My Mind, Menezes conjures up the sound of 50's jazz club with smooth vocals, muted trumpet of Adisa and his own lush guitar chords, breaking into George Benson like runs. Very nice. Wrapping the release is 'Til The Day I Die, shifting gears one more time to a contemporary rocker. Moving midsong to a heavy bottomed rocker, reinforced by Aged and Novak, Menezes shows that he understands how far blues roots extends and really kicks it with flashy heavy riffs. Excellent closer!

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Jeff Jensen - Wisdom & Decay - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wisdom & Decay, from Jeff Jensen and it's flavorful. Opening with Little Milton's I'm Living Off The Love You Give, you get a strong sense of soul from Jensen's hometown of Memphis. With Jensen on guitar and vocal, this band is packed with sound featuring Bill Ruffino on bass, David Green on drums, Chris Stephenson on organ, and a powerful dose of horns from Kirk Smothers on sax and Marc Franklin on trumpet. 2000 Days has a sensitive Latin rhythm and James Cunningham on percussion. A nicely phrased guitar solo by Jensen gives this track a nice boost.  With a formula that made the Doobies popular, Jensen hits that smooth rhythmic groove, pumped up by horns, clean melodic guitar riffs and backed by Reba Russell on vocal. With a slinky Latin feel, Downtown, has a firm bass edge by Ruffino, muted trumpet and simmering guitar lead giving the track a fiery feel.  Bob Dylan's Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You takes a solid clue from early Jeff Beck material with Bobby Tench but with a strong remake, this track is really strong. Rich backing vocals and some of the best vocals I've heard from Jensen make this one of my favorite tracks on the release. His guitar soloing is inspired and the horn work soulful. Very nice. Wrapping the release is The Water Jam/Something In The Water Revised which takes a basic melody and with tight percussion, rich organ and vibrant Spanish flavored electric guitar and punches it up with horns. This is adventuresome and a solid track to wrap a cool release.

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Grand Marquis Records artist: Grand Marquis - Brighter Days - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brighter Days, from Grand Marquis and it's a blues/jazz fusion party. Opening with Another Lover, lead vocalist Bryan Redmond has a R&B/world sound with a delivery like Van Morrison. With Chad Boydston on trumpet, Redmond on sax, Trevor Turla on trombone, Ryan Wurtz on guitar, ben Ruth on bass and Fritz Hutchison on drums, these guy have the sound like BST and ska. With a Latin rhythm, I'm On Fire, the band fuses that horn fusion sound with the hot sax work of Jr Walker. Very nice. New Orleans flavored, Night Shift has silky vocals and I love the sousaphone work of Ruth, highlighted by Boydston on trumpet, Redmond on sax and really cool trombone solo by Turla. It Don't Matter is a real nice, horn laden, blues track that highlights the nicely blended horn voices of the band. Excellent. Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers To Cross is transformed into a soulful, gospel like track with rich horn backing and clean guitar lead. very nice job. Wrapping the release is traditional, Down By The Riverside with full second line treatment. Ruth's lead on sousaphone and the light march snare drumming of Hutchison, kicked by bright trumpet work by Boydston, and solid trombone solo by Turla, swinging sax solos by Redmond and the full interwoven treatment with the band together makes for a terrific closer.

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James House And The Blues Cowboys - New Album Out On August 3

JAMES HOUSE

AND

THE BLUES COWBOYS

NEW ALBUM OUT AUGUST 3

“There is a vulnerable truth in James House’s songwriting that is very humbling for any writer to experience and that voice!!! That voice is pure emotion heartbreaking and soul lifting at the same time. I love you, James. Congrats on another great one!” – Beth Hart

The beautiful mind of House writes words and lines that will turn you inside out:

“Once there was this spider in my bed, I got caught up in her web, of love and lies” 

Nashville-based singer-songwriter James House set to release an album of Blues, Americana, and rock to his fans that have been begging him to do for a long time. His love of the Blues has always been an undercurrent tone to his tunes. The self-titled album will come out on August 3 to worldwide audiences, and this time, James is singing from his gut.

“Mama killed Daddy in self-defense

Never was one to sit on the fence” – “Jail House Blues”

Created by James in his studio, Cabin In The Woods located in a rural area of Nashville, he called on some hot shot musicians with great pedigrees to help: Todd Sharp (Rod Stewart, Hall & Oates), Mike Bradford (Uncle Kracker), Will Kimbrough and Kenny Greenberg (an A-list Nashville studio guitarist). He tapped into his vault of songs that fit the sound of the ever-evolving songwriter and pushed the record button, letting the magic happen organically.

Songs from this album are swinging, haunting and sometimes hopeful with House pulling out all the stops by using his creative influences like John Lee Hooker, William Faulkner and the wild violin strings of Eamon McGlouglin (The Greencards, John Paul White, and Ashley Monroe) to provide some fire. You can hear how his craft intersects with his art with songs like, “Long Way Down” that recall John Lee Hooker and “Well Ran Dry” - that asks the question, what if William Faulkner wrote a blues song?

Well, he’d write something like this:

I’m an empty soul

At the holy water bowl

Waiting on the rising tide – “Well Ran Dry”

House, a sought-after collaborator with Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Martina McBride and Dwight Yoakum has found himself in some of the best musical circles one could be in. James has a way with the art of story-telling while delivering it with a good cry, moan and groan.

Hounds of hell are barking

right outside my door

and every time I feed em

they come back for more – “Long Way Down”

House has recently been behind the scenes shaping the sound of modern Blues music with his sophisticated songwriting. As a singer, House’s voice has that rough soul ache that is his secret weapon as a writer and performer. As a guitar player, he lets his Fender do the talking as the riffs fly off his fingers providing a backdrop to his melodies.

His songs have been nominated for Grammys, Country Music Association Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and climbed their way to the top of the charts. Some songs have been game-changers for young 6-string slingers such as British Blues artist Joanne Shaw Taylor to the more developed voices of Beth Hart and Martina McBride. One can’t go wrong with a House song.

James might not be a household name, but his songs are. Throughout his years with his performance rights organization group, BMI, he has reached a 7 million and counting radio airplay spins to date for three of his songs:  “A Broken Wing” and “Ain't That Lonely Yet” are at 3 million radio airplay awards each and  “In A Week, Or Two”  is at 2 Million.  James has set his sights on changing the Blues music world, and he does it with style. House co/wrote eight songs on with Joe on (Bonamassa’s  Different Shades Of Blue  (reached: #8 Billboard Album Chart #1 Blues and Rock) and seven songs on Blues Of Desperation  (reached: #5  Billboard Album Chart  #1 Blues/Rock ).

Blues guitar hotshot Joe Bonamassa says this about his partner in crime: 

 “James House is one of the premier songwriting and musical talents in the world today. His ability to flourish in so many different genres is a testament to his lifelong dedication to his songwriting craft.  Plus, he is one helluva singer.  On a personal note, many of my career-defining songs have been written with James.  He is very good at taking my wacky ideas and turning them into real songs. “

-Joe Bonamassa

A native of Northern California and now a long-time resident of Nashville, James was raised on music from his families’ ranch in Oregon and the Sacramento Delta where he and friends would often head to Fillmore West in San Francisco to hear blues greats like Paul Butterfield and BB King. The talented songwriter moved to Los Angeles after high school graduation where he honed his craft working on film soundtracks, various studio sessions and playing around town where he ended up signing with first Warner/Curb and later Atlantic Records where he recorded with Steely Dan producer Gary Katz.

His live shows are filled with passion and grit, and for this album, he has handpicked some new talent. His touring line up will include two unique musicians from Lafayette, LA that he met during a songwriter’s event named, Smoov Ras and Roddie Romero:

"Roddie Romero is a Lafayette, LA guitar playing, singing legend and Smoove Ras is a drummer/ percussionist/ vocalist who people are just now discovering and also from Lafayette. They both have that innate sense of music and both are committed to their craft.  From the moment we got together to write and jam the harmonies were spot on, and it was like we'd been playing together for years.  They are The Blues Cowboys." – James House

James’ approach to songwriter has always stood alone as he chooses his words, notes, and chords carefully to construct a song and have it stand the test of time. From Music Row to Santa Monica Blvd and now eyeing Beale Street, James House has always had the Blues one way or another.

OFEH Records artist: Blind Lemon Pledge - Evangeline - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Evangeline, from Blind Lemon Pledge and it's an interesting slice of contemporary blues. Opening with, Buley's Farm, a modern interpretation of an original chain gang work song, BLP recaptures the spirit of the old Lomax recordings. Very cool. One of the most curious, and possibly my favorite track on the release is Brimstone Joe with it's 30's cadence and clever lyrics. Swing track, Jump The Willie has a light, bright feel, jazzy guitar accompaniment and light brushes and piano for kicks. Slick. Language Of Love has a cool, Latin rhythm and percussion and with BLP's vocals almost sounds like The Kinks "Apeman". Very interesting. Wrapping the release is title track, Evangeline, with cool slide and resonator tones over a bluesy ballad. A solid 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”

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IDLA/Linus Entertainment artist: Michael Kaeshammer - Something New - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Something New, from Michael Kaeshammer, and recorded at historic Esplanade Studios in the heart of New Orleans' Treme district, it has a definite NO flair. Opening with Scenic Route, Kaeshammer blends a rockin pop melody with great New Orleans style and hot piano riffs for a super opener with twists and turns. Backed by George Porter Jr. on bass, and the hard work of Johnny Vidacovich on drums, this track is a super opener. Pushing the horn section (William Sperandei on trumpet, Chris Gale on sax, William Carn on trombone) forward on Do You Believe, featuring Curtis Salgado on vocal and Matt Perrine really belting out the sousaphone lines with authority over a really snappy drum rhythm. Very cool. I particularly like the vocal and piano exchange on She's Gone over Vidacovish's spot on drum work and guest Whurlitzer work by Chuck Leavell. A soulful track with great drums... very nice. Who Are You is another solid entry with a great mix of R&B and New Orleans jazz. Randy Bachman and Colin James guest with guitar on this track and his playing works nicely with Kaeshammer's mix of R&B, and jazz piano work. Very nice. Cyril Neville has the lead vocals on soulful ballad, Heaven and Earth and some of the richest vocals on the release, backed by sparkling piano by Kaeshammer. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Weimar, a solid instrumental piano ballad with flavors of multiple influences. Kaeshammer's key work is flawless and clean presenting a nice closer for a cool release. 

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16th Annual Blues From The Top Festival, Star-Studded Lineup

16TH ANNUAL BLUES FROM THE TOP FESTIVAL FEATURES STAR-STUDDED LINEUP, 2 DAYS OF BLUES BLISS IN WINTER PARK, COLORADO  Saturday, June 23 & Sunday, June 24 - Music Starts 11am Both Days 2018 Blues Music Awards Winners Southern Avenue (and) Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, North Mississippi All-Stars, Nick Moss Band w/ Dennis Gruenling, Vintage Trouble, Plus More

(WINTER PARK, CO) - If it’s Summertime in Colorado, that can only mean one thing for blues lovers in the know: The 16th Annual Blues from The Top Festival is right around the corner!    Taking place Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, Blues From The Top is jam-packed with great artists both days: Saturday, June 23 includes performances by, among others, guitar ace Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band; harp great (and 2018 Blues Music Awards "Traditional Blues Male Artist" and "Blues Song" winner), Rick Estrin And The Nightcats; 2018 BMA "Best Emerging Artist Album" winner, Memphis soul/blues band, Southern Avenue. On June 24, the North Mississippi All-Stars; popular L.A.-based guitar-powered R&B band, Vintage Trouble; and Nick Moss Band with harp virtuoso, Dennis Grueling. Hideaway Park, 78820 US Highway 40. Gates open 10am; music from 11am to 6pm (Saturday) and 11:00am to 6pm (Sunday). Currently, General Admission tickets are $35. (one day), $60. (2 days). V.I.P. Experience: $100.00 per day per person, $185. for two days. V.I.P. Seating features Stage Right starting at the Front Row; Daily Buffet; Private Bar with two Complimentary Drinks each day; free water and soft drinks; Shade Tents with tables and chairs; and Private Restrooms. Kids 12 and under, free (when accompanied by an adult). Tickets/info: www.BluesfromtheTop.org. Presented with pride by the Grand County Blues Society.   Expect some diversity of sounds at this year's Blues From The Top. "Until recently, Blues From The Top primarily has been straight-up blues music," explains Maria Chavez, President of the Blues from The Top Festival, in a recent Blues-E-News interview. "However, we realized that if we want the festival to grow and diversify and to also reach a younger audience, we needed to add more blues “roots” music into the mix – indie blues, blues rock, rock and soul. This includes bands such as Honey Island Swamp Band, North Mississippi All-Stars and Vintage Trouble that help break down what “blues” music is. Blues is the seed, creating roots and watching other musical forms grow from these musical blues roots, " adds Chavez. "We also are very prideful of our program Blue Star Connection which provides musical instruments for children with life threatening illness in over 57 hospitals nationally."                                        www.bluesfromthetop.org facebook.com/bluesfromthetop #BFTT #ElevateYourBlues There's no hotter band on the Festival circuit at the moment than Southern Avenue, who took home "Best Emerging Artist Album" at the 2018 BMA in Memphis earlier this month. They play Blues From the Top Saturday, June 23. L.A.-based musical powerhouse Vintage Trouble channel the vitality of their live show into a fresh and urgent take on guitar-powered rhythm & blues. They stage the stage Sunday, June 24 at Blues From The Top 16. 2018 Blues Music Awards "Traditional Blues Male Artist" and "Blues Song" winner), harp great Rick Estrin And The Nightcats, play BFTT on June 23.

Cordova Bay Records artist: David Vest - Self-titled - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest self-titled release from David Vest and it's a rock and roller. Opening with Some Old Lonesome Day, David Vest, who handles piano and lead vocals is backed by Billy Hicks on drums, Ryan Tandy on bass and Tom Bowler and Peter Dammann on guitar. Genevieve kicks into a R&B style with a cool bass and drum rhythm and New Orleans style piano rolls by Vest and tasty guitar work by Bowler and Dammann. Boogie track, Party In The Room Next Door, kicks it up a few more notches giving Vest the open road to really rock out on piano. Following suit is a strong rockabilly style guitar solo making this one of the best tracks on the release. Elvis Presley's Leak In This Old Building really captures that R&B rockin style with gospel style piano. Traditional track, Gotta Travel On gets a Latin jazz remix with lead piano by Vest improvising the melody with tight drum riffs by Hicks giving it a New Orleans flavor. Very cool. Renoviction Man digs right into the old style John Lee Hooker styling with loose vocal phrasing, excellent piano riffs and old style blues guitar riffs. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Lomax, a somber ballad highlighting Vest on piano and vocal. This is an interesting release with a broad variety of sounds.

  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”

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Farmers Road Blues Band & Janice Harrington - Move On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Move On, from Farmers Road Blues Band & Janice Harrington and it's got great spirit. Opening with James Cotton's I Ain't Doin Too Bad featuring Dirk Theege on slide and Janice Harrington on lead vocal and with Randolf Muhl on drums, Ralf Gehrt on keys, and Jens Bornhoft-Juhl. Dinah Washington's shuffle track, Salty Papa Blues has a great feel and a swinging sax solos from Helke Dorn and Olaf Barkow as well as a tight trumpet solo from Melf Uwe Holmer. Work Your Magic has real swagger with some of Harrington's best vocals and juicy sax work from Dorn and Barkow. Gehrt lays in some real nice piano strides, Holmer's trumpet phrasing is real nice  and Theege's guitar soloing is solid. Very nice. With a bouncy bass line and a jazzy guitar lead, Blues Rockin' has a cool groove. Moritz Kruit on guitar has a BB King approach to his soloing with fits nicely with the track, Gehrt's organ is tight and Barkow's sax sounds great. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Trouble with slick guitar work by Theege and strong vocals by Harrington. Very nice. Keep On Rockin' has a driving beat and a Booker T bottom with super frenzied guitar riffs from Theege. On R&B track, A Special Girl, Theege has the lead on vocal and it has a real nice snappy bottom courtesy of Muhl and gritty guitar work added to the warm horn work of Dorn Barkow and Holmer make this a special track. Harrington's Double Dynamite is a great shuffle with her power packed vocals and warm horn backing. Theege is tight on the beat with his guitar riffs and Dorn's sax work is solid. Wrapping the release is Robert Johnson's Sweet Home Chicago with a stripped down feel, featuring Jessy Martens, Harrington, Muhl and Theege on vocal and Kruit on guitar for a home style closer. Very nice.

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Eddy Clearwater has passed - My thoughts are with his family and friends

BLUES LEGEND EDDY CLEARWATER: JANUARY 10, 1935 - JUNE 1, 2018

Grammy-nominated Chicago blues legend Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater died of heart failure on Friday, June 1, in his hometown of Skokie, Illinois. He was 83.

Born Edward Harrington on January 10, 1935 in Macon, Mississippi, Clearwater (as he came to be known) was internationally lauded for his blues-rocking guitar playing, his original songs and his flamboyant showmanship. He was inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in 2016, and also won two Blues Music Awards including Contemporary Male Blues Artist Of The Year in 2001.

Clearwater was equally comfortable playing the deepest, most intense blues or his own brand of rocking, good-time party music – a style he called “rock-a-blues,” mixing blues, rock, rockabilly, country and gospel. Between his slashing guitar work and his room-filling vocals, Clearwater was among the very finest practitioners of the West Side style of Chicago blues. DownBeat called him “a forceful six-stringer...He lays down gritty West Side shuffles and belly-grinding slow blues that highlight his raw chops, soulful vocals, and earthy, humorous lyrics." Blues Revue said he played “joyous rave-ups. He testifies with stunning soul fervor and powerful guitar. He is one of the blues’ finest songwriters.”

Clearwater's musical talent became clear early on. From his Mississippi birthplace, He and his family moved to Birmingham, AL in 1948 when he was 13. With music from blues to gospel to country & western surrounding him from an early age, Clearwater taught himself to play guitar (left-handed and upside down), and began performing with various gospel groups, including the legendary Five Blind Boys of Alabama. After moving to Chicago in 1950, he stayed with an uncle and took a job as a dishwasher, saving as much as he could from his $37 a week salary. His first music jobs were with gospel groups playing in local churches. Through his uncle’s contacts, Clearwater met many of Chicago’s blues stars. He fell deeper under the spell of the blues, and befriended Magic Sam, who would become one of Clearwater’s closest friends and teachers.

By 1953, as Guitar Eddy, he was making a strong name for himself, working the South and West Side bars regularly. After hearing Chuck Berry in 1957, Clearwater added a rock and roll element to his already searing blues style, creating a unique signature sound. He recorded his first single, Hill Billy Blues, for his uncle’s Atomic H label in 1958 under the name Clear Waters (his manager at the time, drummer Jump Jackson, came up with the name as a play on Muddy Waters). The name Clear Waters morphed into Eddy Clearwater. He worked the Chicago club circuit steadily throughout the 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s. He found huge success in the 1970s among the city's college crowd, who responded to his individual brand of blues, his rock and roll spirit and his high energy stage show.

Clearwater's first full-length LP, 1980’s The Chief, was the initial release on Chicago’s Rooster Blues label, launching him onto the national and international blues scene. Over the decades he recorded over 15 solo albums and never stopped touring, with fans from Chicago to Japan to Poland. His 2003 album on Bullseye Blues, Rock ‘N’ Roll City, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. He released West Side Strut on Alligator in 2008 to both international popular and critical acclaim. His most recent CD was the self-released Soul Funky in 2014.

Clearwater is survived by his wife, Renee Greenman Harrington Clearwater, children Heather Greenman, Alyssa Jacquelyn, David Knopf, Randy Greenman, Jason Harrington and Edgar Harrington and grandchildren Gabriella Knopf and Graham Knopf.

Services will be held on Tuesday, June 5 at 11:00am at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077.

Ruf Records artist: Mike Zito - First Class Life - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, First Class Life, by Mike Zito and I really like it. This is an excellent follow-up to Zito's 2017 release, Make Blues Not War that I reviewed last year and I think that he's on a great run! Opening with Mississippi Nights, a country blues flavored rocker, Zito leads on guitar and vocals, backed by Lewis Stephens on keys, Matthew Johnson on drums and Terry Dry on bass. Winding his slide out he really gets it cranking. What an opener! Title track, First Class Life not only has great style and feel, it has a real story and excellent slide work making it one of the top tracks on the release (and a super radio track to boot). Slower blues ballad, The World We Live In, has a strong melody and Zito's vocals are spot on. His guitar work, in response to his lead vocal is nicely punctuated. With the country funk of a Dickey Betts composition, Mama Don't Like No Wah Wah, has a real moving groove with Zito, joined by Bernard Allison hitting the ground running on blues riffs with tight support from Johnson. Old Black Graveyard is nicely phrased with a dark underbelly and fat, razor like slide slashes on guitar. Excellent! Back Problems has the looseness of Elvin Bishop with the drive of David Bowie and the humor and greasy sound of Mike Zito. Very nice. Slow blues, Damn Shame, has just the right tempo, giving Zito the opportunity to let the dog way out and his guitar phrasing is excellent! With tight reinforcement by Stephens, Johnson and Dry, this track is super. Wrapping the release is shuffle track Trying To Make A Living with a driving beat, hot piano riffs and country flavored, stinging guitar solos. You have probably gathered by now that I think quite highly of this release and look forward to seeing Zito in the near future.

  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”

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Rip Cat records artist: John Clifton - Nightlife - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nightlife, from John Clifton and it's solid gold blues. Opening with Charlie Musselwhite's Strange Land, John Clifton on lead vocal, harp and guitar, joined by Scott Abeyta on guitar, Matt Moulton on bass, John Shafer on drums and Brian Szopinski on piano set a solid old style groove. Lee Moses' excellent soul number, Sad About It is up next and Clifton's really plays it to the hilt. The band really sits on this one making it one of my favorites on the release. Little Walter's Long As I Have You is another top track with excellent vocals, super harp and excellent guitar soloing by Abeyta. Very nice. Cool original track, Swamp Dump has a smooth Latin blues feel with a nice tandem harp/guitar melody and easy rhythm. Jump track, How About That is an excellent instrumental with a driving bass line fluid lead guitar work along the lines of Gatemouth Brown and hot harp work leading the way. Very cool. Blues rocker, No Better Time Than Now, has a cool funky bass line and stylistic harp work that propels this track nicely. Wrapping the release is Every Now And Again, a slower blues but not without a sweet guitar solo to top off a really strong 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”

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Willie Jackson - Chosen by the Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Chosen by the Blues, from Willie Jackson and it's solid. Opening with Just An Old Dog, Willie Jackson sings the blues, old style joined by Dillon Young on lead guitar, Jon Willis on bass, (Paxton Eugene on drums and Ace Andersson on harp. On slow blues, Big Boned Woman, Jackson really delivers on vocals and also gives Young a chance to show his stuff as well. His articulate lead work, coupled with the harp work of Andersson makes this track one of my favorites on the release. Sleeping On The Job is a real cool, real time blues track with contemporary a theme but with old style roots, rich vocals and slid harp. Wrapping the release is up-tempo shuffle, Diggin' My Shovel with some strong innuendo. A lively guitar solo, and a firm bass line, this is a super closer with catchy lyrics that will certainly leave a memorable smile on many listeners faces.

  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”

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Landslide Records artist: Webb Wilder & The Beatnecks - Powerful Stuff! - New Relese review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Powerful Stuff!, from Webb Wilder & The Beatnecks and it's a high energy rocker. Opening with Make That Move, Wilder on lead vocal and guitar sets a quick pace and euphoric guitar mood. Backed by Jimmy Lester on drums, Donny Roberts on guitars and Kelley Looney on bass, this is a cool opener. Lost In the Shuffle is a cool "shuffling rocker" with a solid melody and with greasy guitar riffs has just the right edge to make a great radio track. My favorite on the release, I'm Wild About You Baby, is a tense rocker with a rockabilly beat and real nice slide work by Wilder. Super. Another high energy rocker, Nutbush City Limits features a great driving beat and stinging guitar riffs, pushed by Blakely on bass and Lester on drums. Revenooer Man is a great rock and roller with a country twist. No missing the chance to get a few country style riffs and keeping the Blaster style vocals, this track is quite cool. Wrapping the release is Little Richard's Lucille, with a strong driving guitar rhythms and understated drums by Lester. Wilder really gets his guitar flailing with wild bends and spontaneous. A great rocker and a super 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”

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