Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Canadian Blues Giant Harpdog Brown Shares Video for "Reefer Lovin' Woman"to Celebrate Legal Pot in Canada

Canadian Blues Giant Harpdog Brown Shares Video for “Reefer Lovin’ Woman”

Released on October 17, the day pot was legalized in Canada

View/Share video for "Reefer Lovin' Woman" here

On October 17, Canadian blues singer/harmonica master Harpdog Brown celebrated the landmark occasion of Canada legalizing marijuana with the release of a new video for the track, “Reefer Lovin’ Woman”, from his forthcoming album (Spring 2019).

The song is not an invitation or advocating that people ingest pot – it is simply a song about a guy who falls in love with a woman who partakes. It can be considered a social commentary as well, with the final line “that's all right with me.”

For many, cannabis offers similar relief beyond the health benefits claimed by advocates of cannabis culture. “I wanted to write a fun song about one man’s acceptance of the fact that the one he fell in love with is an advocate of cannabis culture,” says Brown.

When asked about his thoughts on legalization, he compared it to the prohibition of alcohol back in the day. “I believe it's long overdue. Deeming marijuana usage a criminal activity is insane in my opinion. I believe the information that supports the health benefits of cannabis over pharmaceuticals. I also believe that creating legal distribution channels would benefit Canada and communities through the taxes gained. Eliminating the need of a black market is I think a good thing. Much like alcohol in the prohibition days, the people have spoken. Marijuana is already accepted in our culture. It’s time to take it out of the dark.”

Vancouver-based Harpdog Brown has long been called a Blues Evangelist, and that’s a very fitting moniker. "I speak the blues like it's the truth, and it is,” he says. "I do feel like I'm a servant of the people. A missionary if you will. Music can heal people if they pay attention to the messages in these songs.” Brown delivers those messages using the vintage sound whether it is with his lowdown classic blues band the Travelin’ Blues Show or with his new Uptown Blues Band.

Harpdog Brown is a gifted vocalist and an imaginative harmonica player who has earned a solid reputation as a real-deal purveyor of classic electric blues reminiscent of the old Chess Records and Sun Records of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s.

He has won three consecutive Maple Blues Awards for Harmonica Player of the Year (2014/2015/2016), the Fraser Valley Music Award, has three consecutive Western Canadian Music Awards Nominations, a Juno Nomination (Canada’s Grammy) and is the only Canadian to win the coveted Muddy Award. In 2016, he was nominated for 3 Maple Blues Awards (Harmonica Player, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year) for his latest release, Travelin’ With The Blues.

These days he’s been touring more and more as Harpdog Brown & the Uptown Blues Band - a vintage New Orleans Blues sound featuring slide trombone, keyboards, bass and drums and often a sax and clarinet. Still a vintage vibe, just a different vintage.

Harpdog Brown Online

www.HarpdogBrown.com

Facebook

https://facebook.com/HarpdogBrownLIVE

Hostel Records artist: Karen Lawrence and Blue By Nature - Best of Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Best of Live, by Karen Lawrence and Blue By Nature and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with shuffle track, It's All About You, lead vocalist Karen Lawrence shows raw power with strong support by Dan Potruch on drums, Charlie Diaz on bass, Rick Dufay on lead guitar and Fred Hostetler on second guitar. On soul track, Fun and Games, Lawrence really digs in with some of my favorite vocals on the release...oozing blues. With determined drumming and understated guitar work, Lawrence really has the floor to drive it home. Very nice. R&B track, I Had It All Wrong, has a super rhythm guitar roll which works nicely with Lawrence's vocal phrasing and Dufay's guitar solo is a great fit making this another top contender. Funky rocker, You Got Me Workin' has a strong pace and Dufay's slide work gives the track a Mick Taylor feel. Nice. Wrapping the release is shuffle blues rocker, I'll Get Along Alright with Lawrence showing total control and a tight cohesive band just laying in the pocket with positive accents from Potruch and Dufay. Solid closer.

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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Wild Heart Records artist: Jonathon Long - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Jonathon Long and it's an fun rocky ride. Opening with Bury Me, with definite rock and country roots, Long leads the way with cocky vocals and solid guitar, joined by Julian Civello on drums, Chris Roberts on bass, Phil Breen on keys and additional guitar work by Samantha Fish. Soul track, That's When I Knew, has a super melody and pairs Long with Fish on vocals for a real nice blend and Fish's sting guitar riffs really punctuate the track nicely. The addition of Michael Harvey on fiddle on Americana style track, The Light works really nicely. Very clean and fresh. Shit kicker, Natural Girl has plenty of swagger and a solid hook. With solid vocals, top loaded piano, a ripping guitar solo and tight drums, this is a cool track. With a definite twist, Pour Another Drink is a great track. Smokey lines, sassy vocals, great piano texture and a solid bottom makes this my favorite on the release. R&B track, Where Love Went Wrong is a light poppy sound, a nice melody and warm jazzy guitar work by Long. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Pray For Me with a powerful lumbering sound and Long's best vocals on the release. An aggressive guitar attack, paced by Roberts and Civello give this southern style track just the right kick to cement the closer.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Kerry Kearney - Black Tea - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Tea, from Kerry Kearney and it's solid. Opening with blues rocker, Shakin' Like Jelly, Kerry Kearney on vocal and guitar leads this tight group with Mario Staiano on drums, Gerry Sorrentino on bass, David Bennett Cohen on keys, and Charlie Wolfe on harmonica. A driving blues vamp, nice guitar soloing and Chicago style blues harping tell the tell here. Cool opener. Light shuffle track, Long Tall Mama has a kind of JJ Cale feel with light, train like drums, easy vocals and super acoustic slide. Goin' To The Mardi Gras is again in the Cale vein with running snare lines and great slide work by Kearney. A particularly cool trombone solo by Victor Poretz gives this track a nice kick making it one of my favorites on the release. Creole Woman is a blues shuffle with guts. Kearney sets his stance and riffs freely, Clapton style. making this another real standout on the release. Wake Me, Shake Me, Bake Me has a cool southern funk and great piano work by Bennett driving Kearney into some of the most inspired guitar playing on the release. Girl From Memphis wraps the release in pure acoustic blues style. Kearney accompanies himself on acoustic guitar in the manner of Blind Boy Fuller. Tight and responsive drums by Staiano, bass by Sorrentino and harmonica by Wolfe help take it home. Nice closer.

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Monday, October 15, 2018

We Save Music artist: Scott Sharrard - Saving Grace - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, Saving Grace, from Scott Sharrard and I really like it. Opening with High Cost Of Loving You, a swamp funky rocker, Sharrard shows a really soulful voice and strong guitar riffs with tastes of SRV, Clapton and Duane. Howard Grimes on drums, Leroy Hodges on bass, Charles Hodges on B3, Eric Finland on Wurlitzer, Moses Patrou on percussion, Marc Franklin on trumpet, and Excellent sax work from Art Edmaiston on tenor and Kirk Smothers on bari, this track is smoking hot. Faith To Arise is a strong ballad with supple backing vocals by Susan Marshall, with Chad Gamble on drums and David Hood on bass. Very "Allman. Soulful title track, Saving Grace, really shows off Sharrard's vocal power and presents a solid radio track with a stinger of a guitar solo. Gregg Allman's last known original track, Everyting A Good Man Needs features Taj Mahal on lead vocal and solid slide work from Sharrard. Very nice. R&B style track, Angeline has a great swing with straight ahead guitar soloing and again, mighty soulful vocals. Another strong track with a soul style is She Can't Wait and I really like it. With nice trumpet by Franklin and just the right pace this track is nicely accented by clean, bluesy guitar riffs. very nice. Hi strut on Sweet Compromise has a perfect rhythm and the bari accent work of Smothers is excellent. Sharrard steps in again with a clean, swinging guitar solo making this one of the top tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Sentimental Fool, a track which really echoes the sounds of Taj Mahal with solid horn backing, excellent B3 and Wurlitzer work from Gamble and Finland and clean soloing from Sharrard is a solid closer.

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Friday, October 12, 2018

Nola Blue Records artist: Frank Bey - Back In Business - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back In Business, from Frank Bey and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Back In Business, Bey establishes firm footing with a confident shuffle. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelly on guitars, Marty Sammon on piano and Tommy MacDonald on bass this is a strong opener. Moving to a funky James brown feel, Gun Toting Preacher has a great bottom with Adam Nitti on bass and features great trumpet punctuation by Julio and sax by Max Abrams. Nitti's bass lines on Cookie Jar really sets the mood and Bey knows how to work it. The horns really kick it into high gear on this one and McNelly's guitar solo is tops. R&B track, Where You Been So Long has a real nice strut and Bey's vocals shine like on no other track on the release. With solid piano and super horns, this may be my favorite. Another track that had super radio appeal is Give It To Get It with it's high strut. Wendy Molten's vocals coupled with Bey are really nice and McNelly's guitar soloing is strong and throaty. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Yesterday's Dream, an obvious pick for best track on the release. With a hot opening guitar solo by McNelly and soulful vocals, surrounded by warm keys by Marty Sammon and a solid bottom this track is smoking. bey turns up the heat and McNelly responds with more heat. Excellent closer.

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Thursday, October 11, 2018

Rip Cat Records artist: Alastair Greene - Live from the 805 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live from the 805, from Alastair Greene and it's a real rocker (and a double live rocker to boot)! Opening with blues rocker, The Sweetest Honey, Alastair Greene uses classic rock riffs to propel his band into orbit. Backed by Jim Rankin on bass and Austin Beede on drums, these guys are really rocking with excellent guitar soloing by Greene. On boogie track, Big Bad Wolf, Greene's strat has a classic grind and his vocal paired with Rankin are very cool with a ZZ Top edge. With plenty of swagger and excellent guitar blues bends, 3 Bullets has a great feel. This track is made for Greene's guitar style, really bringing out his tight yet raw attack. Very cool. With a Bo Diddley riff and super fat slide guitar Greene gets a great groove going on Say What You Want. His slide finesse is nicely coupled with his solid vocals and the bands tight bottom. Another track with a cool feel is Love So Strong. Setting a firm footing for the track the band pulls it way back and Greene solos with very light backing. Fiery slide work is the ticket on blues fused Down To Memphis. With just a touch of country in Greene's vocals and a pounding beat by Rankin and Beede, this is a great track. Wrapping disc 1 is jazzy instrumental, Lucky 13. Greene really sets the torch on this one with hot fluid riffs. Excellent closer for disc one. Shuffle track, Back Where I Belong, has a great feel and again Greene really lights it up. Excellent! With a George Thorogood kind of feel, a lumbering bass line and grinding guitar riffs, Green send off the last Train Around The Sun. Using that droning bass line to full advantage, Greene steps up and hits the grand slam with soaring guitar solos and grinding vamps. Very nice. Another track that I really like is Rain Stomp with it's Led Zep like feel and vicious slide riffs. Big Boss Man gets a more modern bounce rhythm and reverb on the rhythm guitar but with straight ahead guitar ripping on the lead. Very cool. . Wrapping disc 2 and the concert is Walking In Circles with it's driving pace and rock solid bottom. With rabid slide guitar and the cohesive feel of the band, this is a terrific closer for a really strong release.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Mosher St. Records artist: Midnight Johnny Morana - Long Road Home - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Long Road Home, from Midnight Johnny Morana and it's got a nice flow. Opening with Texas style shuffle track, Your New Occupation, Midnight Johnny hits the road running with solid vocals and a loping guitar feel. Backed by Steve Zoyes on keys, John Grillo on drums and Sergio Caizzo on bass, this is a real cool opener. One of my all time favorite JJ Cale tracks, Crazy Mama, gets a cool cover with a slight upward adjustment in speed. Johnny's vocals are a bit more country in styling and with the addition of Zoyes piano work and nicely laid in guitar soloing, this track works nicely. Title track, Long Road Home is based on a rework of Rolling and Tumblin giving Johnny the opportunity to dust off his slide and throw some fire, backed by Arlene Coutee on vocal. With a Latin beat and real flair, Tired of Foolin' Around is a really cool track showing off some real nice piano riffs and some fat fat slide. Very nice. With an blues /jazz fusion feel, All The Blues features a super sax solo by Stan Waldman and some round jazz guitar riffs from Midnight Johnny. Very nice. Digging into the blues with Motels, Whiskey and Me, Midnight Johnny shows off not only his nest vocals but also his hottest guitar riffs making this one of my release favorites. Instrumental track, Baby Batter is really just a crusin jam but it gives Johnny a great platform to lay out some nice soloing. Very nice. Big Bill Broonzy's Key To The Highway is an exceptional, old style blues track with clean vocals and finger picked guitar soloing. Excellent. Wrapping the release is an acoustic version of Long Road Home and it has a really nice feel. With ethereal slide work and a strong melody, it puts me in mind of Rod Stewart's Mandolin Winds. Excellent closer.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Luther Allison Box Set to be Released November 17th

RUF RECORDS TO RELEASE SET ON NOVEMBER 17^TH

The box set celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the passing of blues legend Luther Allison will take the blues world by storm upon its release on November 17^th. The pressing has been limited to 1500 CD sets, and contains the essential albums recorded by Luther during his Motown years. To compliment this massive array of music is an 88-page coffee table book written by Art Tipaldi featuring Luther’s inspiring story, comments from his friends and associates and many rare and private photos. In addition, the box is chock full of video footage. Included are performances from 1997 (Live in Paradise and Zoo Bar), 1991 ( A concert in Germany with Luther playing alongside his son Bernard), 1987 (a show from East Berlin.) The 1996 performance at the W.C. Handy Awards packs the power and excitement of Luther’s typical 3-hour shows into a riveting and relentless 15-minute blues set. This particular performance was the climax of his astonishing career. Luther stole the show by performing and taking home five awards, including Blues Entertainer of the Year.

Luther Allison is a genuine blues hero with an incomparable expanse of energy and love for his music and the people who love it.

The box includes 7 CD’s & 4 DVD’s

Montreux (1976)

Let’s Try it Again – Live ’89 (1989)

Hand Me Down My Moonshine (1992)

Bad Love (1994)

Blue Streak (1995)

Reckless (1997)

Life is a Bitch (1984)

DVD’s

Im Konzert – Live in East Berlin (1987)

Ohne Filter (1991) with Bernard Allison

Live in Paradise (1997)

Just Memories including Zoo Bar, Lincoln NE (1997), WC Handy Awards, Memphis TN (1997) + Bonus Material (Bad Love video clip, Luther interview and tribute.)

Blue Elan Records artist: Gina Sicilia - Heard The Lie - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heard The Lie, from Gina Sicilia and it's a solid R&B release. Opening with title track, Heard the Lie, Sicilia blends pop, country and blues to come up with a solid radio track featuring backing by Herman Matthews on drums, Davey Faragher on bass, Arlan Oscar on keys and Josh Smith and Dave Darling on guitars. How Many Times is a strong soul track showcasing Sicilia's vocals as well as the top notch writing of Darling and smooth backing vocals of Bernie Barlow, Brie Darling, D'Andree Galipeau, Conner Pasich, Connie Cham and Kirk Pasich. Bad Company's Ready For Love is next with a bit more polish than the original with deep rich vocals by Sicilia, a light Latin beat and a nice key solo by Oscar. Janey Street's Angels Watching, is a really nice track with a perfect balance of melody and vocals. Another track with a dash of country is Sugar with just another example of Sicilia's flexibility. With Doug Livingston on dobro, this track is smooth as silk. A thicker Lating influence throws Light Me Up into pure dance mode with tight drum work by Matthews and nice keyboard accents by Oscar. Wrapping the release is Growing Dim, a soulful ballad with a simple rim shot and reverb infused guitar. This is a solid closer for a solid release.

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Monday, October 8, 2018

Hadden Sayers - Dopamine Machine - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dopamine Machine, from Hadden Sayers and it's strong. Opening with power rocker, Unsatisfied, Hadden Sayers on lead guitar and vocals, shows a take no prisoners attitude, backed by Greg Morrow and Rusty McFarland on bass. Fat, grinding guitar riffs and a driving bottom give this track real impact. With a pop edge but a raw delivery, I Feel Love has one of those "I know this track" feelings. With that slapping cowbell and raw energy, it continues a terrific rocking attack. With a cool Texas like swagger and double stopped and slide soloing guitar work, Hit The Road, would certainly get the RBF Gibbons seal of approval. The first ballad style track, Blood Red Coupe DeVille, is actually really terrific. I can see it as a sneak radio track with strong appeal to music heads as well as pop audience. Another pop rocker, Good Good Girl has a light beat and with falsetto singing, this track reminds me a bit of the Eagle of Death Metal, a super pop rock trio. Sayers winds his guitar out a bit here on a short string with great contrast but keeps it a contained pop rocker. With a heavy hammer, Peppermint Patty is another hot pop rocker with a tight riff, distorted vocals and a great bottom. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Backbreaker, a hard driving rocker, with lead drums and a rolling guitar riff. Sayers' vocals are consistently solid throughout the release with power to spare. One of the best rockers I've heard in quite some time.

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Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Soulful Singer/Saxophonist Vanessa Collier on 'Honey Up' Tour, Performs at Sportmen's Tavern

SOULFUL BLUES SINGER/SAXOPHONIST VANESSA COLLIER EMBARKS ON 'HONEY UP' TOUR IN SUPPORT OF NEW ALBUM

Performs Locally: SPORTSMEN'S TAVERN - Wednesday, October 11

"If you haven't yet hooked onto the Vanessa Collier bandwagon, do so now because this young woman's a rising star. Ms. Collier is a true triple threat --- an accomplished sax player, a very fine soulful singer with some roots in gospel, and a prolific songwriter. If that's not enough, she also plays a little guitar." BLUES BYTES

“There’s a young lady [Vanessa Collier] came onstage with me, I forget where I was, but she’s playing an alto saxophone, and man, she was amazing.” – Buddy Guy

(Buffalo, NY) - Soulful blues singer/saxophonist Vanessa Collier, embarks on her 'Honey Up' U.S. Tour, in support of her acclaimed new album of the same name, with a local performance at Sportsmen's Tavern, 326 Amherst St., Wednesday, October 11. Showtime: 7pm. Tickets: $15. Info: (716) 874-7734 or visit http://sportsmensbuffalo.com/.

About...Vanessa Collier and "Honey Up"

If you haven’t been fortunate enough to meet Vanessa Collier and witness one of her head-turning, fiery, and passionate performances, you should definitely make sure you do. As a master musician and multi-instrumentalist, Vanessa weaves funk, soul, rock, and blues into every powerful performance and she is downright impressive. With soulful vocals, searing saxophone, and witty songwriting, Vanessa is blazing a trail, racking up an arsenal of honors, and has already singled herself out as an artist of distinction and one we would all do well to watch.

It’s not simply the accolades she has accumulated so far, although they’ve been many -- three Blues Music Award Nominations (BMAs) for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year (2018) and Horn Player of the Year (2018 and 2017), a Blues Blast Award nomination, the Jamming-est Pro Award bestowed by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, First Place for lyrics in the International Songwriting Competition, Best of 2014 Blues Breaker on Dan Aykroyd’s BluesMobile -- it’s the fact that she has accumulated all these honors even while her career is still in its infancy. A 2013 graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she’s toured nationally and internationally, released two critically acclaimed albums (2014’s Heart, Soul & Saxophone and 2017’s Meeting My Shadow), and will release her highly anticipated self-produced third album, Honey Up, in July 2018.

These days, Collier spends much of her time on the road, performing at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. Her talents have taken her to the Blues Music Awards Show where, in the words of the Blues Foundation, Vanessa “blew the doors off the Blues Music Awards!”; Ottawa Blues Festival, where she earned two front page newspaper photos and rave reviews after her foot stomping debut there; twice on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, where she earned the Jamming-est Pro Award and was a featured artist with Tommy Castro’s Blues Review; Briggs Farm Festival, where she was the “most popular Briggs Farm act in 2017” (Elmore Magazine), and the list continues. In 2017, Vanessa was also a featured artist in three major tours across Europe as part of Ruf’s 2017 Blues Caravan.

Collier says she’s happy performing on stages across the world, hoping that she can make a difference with fans and followers along the way. “I am driven to do this because I find it a total form of expression and connection,” she explains. “I love connecting with an audience and feeling their energy and I hope to inspire people to follow their dreams and passions, to find what brings them joy, and then to pursue it doggedly.”