Griff Hamlin and the Single Barrel Blues Band - I'll Drink To That - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'll Drink To That, by Griff Hamlin and the Single Barrel Blues Band and I really like it. Opening with Texas/R&B flavored, Almost Level with the Ground, Griff Hamlin and the Single Barrel Blues Band sounds like a solid blend of SRV and Robert Cray. Great guitar tone and that super soulful feel by lead vocalist and guitar lead, Hamlin is blended with a wealth of organ by Ty Bailie and the horn backing of Jonathan Bradley on trumpet, Eric Letta on sax, Kevin Hicks on trombone and Laura Hamlin on bari sax making a great fabric, anchored by Mark Smith on bass and Chris Atchley on drums. Hamlin not only has the fat, rich tone but the man can scream on guitar with fluid, meaningful soloing. Excellent opener. Boogie shuffle, Down and Out has a strong, driving beat and complimenting Hamlin's solid lead vocal is super piano work of Bailie and his own liquid guitar riffs and punchy horns. Radio style blues ballad, Someone, has a really strong melody and giving Bailie a nice opening for an organ solo, he steps up nicely and sets a great lead in for the dynamic phrasing of Hamlin on guitar. Clocking on at over 6 minutes, very nice. Louisiana Holiday has a great New Orleans drum beat and the horn section gets a nice chance to reinforce that. Hamlin's vocals work the track nicely and his guitar work is nothing short of terrific. With quick trumpet solo by Bradley and sax solo by Letta, this track is tight. With a hot SRV style guitar lope under the track, Don't Lie is off to a great start. Hamlin's vocals are consistently strong and his guitar work continues in powerful bursts. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a Bourbon and a Pistol with a cool Latin beat. With hot tom tom work by Atchlet, tight horn attack by Bradley, Letta, Hamlin and Hicks and the bright keys of Bailie, this track sets up nicely for Hamlin's vocal styling and relentless blues guitar attack. Excellent closer for a very strong release. 

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Gypsy Soul Records artist: Bywater Call - Self titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release by Bywater Call and it's very nice. Opening with thick, Derek Trucks like slide tone from Dave Barnes, Arizona is a soulful, funky pop rocker. Meghan Parnell has a smooth, soulful lead voice and backed by Samantha Martin, Stacie Tabb, Sherie Marshall and Chantal Williams, this is almost angelic.  A nice sax solo by Jullian Nalli, tight trumpet by Stephen Dyte, a firm hand on bass by Mike Meusel, nicely worked keys by Alan Zemaitis and rhythmic drumming by Bruce McCarthy, this is a super opener. A super rock guitar riff by Barnes sets Talking Backwards on a straight ahead groove and again Parnell has a firm hand on the lead. Punchy horns, a hot sax solo by Nalli and just the right tough of organ and piano by Zemaitis make this a solid rocker. R&B ballad, Nightmare is really a great track with a super melody and lead vocals by Parnell. Backing vocals by Carleigh Aikins and Chantal Williams over a light instrumental backing, a clean slide solo by Barnes and a firm bass line is a perfect balance for radio play.  One of my favorite tracks on the release is sweaty, Walk On By, with some extremely soulful vocals by Parnell. A bluesy edge and stiff, guitar lead gives Parnell the push she needs to go the extra mile on this one with a excellent vocal/instrumental tension. Wrapping the release is light, acoustic oriented, Swing Low and Parnell showing the bright pop vocals that will propel her career, over the keys of Zemaitis, firm bass of Meusel, tight drums of McCarthy and smooth backing vocals of Aikens and Williams. This is a smooth closer for a tasty release. 

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Endless Blues Records artist: Kern Pratt - Greenville, MS ... what about you? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Greenville, MS … What about you?, from Kern Pratt and it's a straight up blues rocker. Opening with Loving That Feeling, Kern Pratt is digging into that southern funky blues pot with a great New Orleans rhythm. leading the way on vocal and guitar, this track is moving with Chris Gill on slide, Bobby Walker on rhythm guitar and drums and Bob Dowell on bass and keys. Cool opener.  Slow blues track, Baby's Got Another Lover is a real nice track with Pratt singing lead and responding with smart guitar riffs of his own. With the addition of Shannon Goree on drums, this is one of my favorites on the release. In the vain of Jimmie Oden, Something's Gone Wrong has a really nice bottom courtesy of Dowdell and Pratt again gets a nice chance to stretch on guitar and Kris Jenson lays out a real nice sax solo. Bluesy ballad, Rita not only has nice instrumentation but a perfect radio melody. Sharing lead vocal spot with Denice Owen and backed by Marc Franklin on trumpet and James Evans on sax, this is a smooth track. Wrapping the release is funky, Chicken Heads, with Jeff Jensen on guitar, Bill Ruffino on bass and David Green on drums. This track has just the right raggedy edge funk and cool guitar interface between Pratt and Jenson that makes it one of my release favorites. 

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Chantel McGregor - Bury'd Alive - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bury'd Alive from Chantel McGregor and it's a heavy power house blues rocker. Opening with lumbering, Take The Power, Chantel McGregor opens the show with a wall of sound starting with her power chords and solid vocals and backed by Colin Sutton on bass and Thom Gardner on drums. Opening the guitar barrage, McGregor wield her guitar like Thor's axe. Very heavy. Another track with a malicious attack is Caught Out with it's metalesque guitar riffs contrasted by McGregor's rock ready vocals. Sutton really works the bass with power surges and Gardner's drumming technique is tight and powerful. Very Strong. Eternal Dream is an elaborate production, using dynamic tension between the sweetness of McGregor's voice and light acoustic guitar to a heavy, fully loaded, searing, electric guitar with just the right distortion and blues rock riffs over a thumping bass line and drums. Very nice. I particularly like Lose Control for a radio track with it's tight melody and solid guitar riff. Inconsolable is my definite pick on the release for showpiece. Clocking in at over 12 minutes, McGregor sings and plays acoustic guitar over a super bass line by Sutton before starting to work a great blues riff. McGregor has the crowd in her pocket as she pulls out all the stops tearing this crowd a new one. This track is really impressive. Straight forward blues rocker, April is another great showcase for McGregor's guitar flair with a pretty nice long streaming guitar solo over and great bass line by Sutton and a great rhythm by Gardner. Wrapping the release is Freefalling,  a super guitar boogie rocker with contemporary metal like driving guitar riffs. I hear solid rock bands with strong female vocal leaders from time to time and occasionally a solid rhythm section paired with it, but it's a rare commodity to hear both paired with a guitar player who can open the throttle at any time and let loose the wrath of God. Very cool. 

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SSR Free Roll Records artist: Jack Mack & The Heart Attack - Live from Centennial Park, Atlanta 1996 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live From Centennial Park, Atlanta 1996 by Jack Mack & the Heart Attack and it's a great party. Opening with More Soul, a cool funky, organ infused track with punchy horns, Jack Mack is live! Hi stepping Breakin' Down The Wall, has solid lead vocals by TC Moses and Tim Scott who also plays bass, Andrew Kastner on guitar, Bill Bergman on tenor sax, John Paruolo on B3, Lester Lovitt on trumpet and Alvino Bennett on drums. Strong melody and vocal harmonies over a great bass line and a super rhythm guitar make this a great party track. Staples Singers' hit, I'll Take You There has a great groove and sets up nicely for the Heart Attack with it's fluid funky bass line, tight horn riffs and soulful vocals. Very cool. Another treat is one of my favorites, a cover of James Brown's Sex Machine. Let's face it, nobody's James Brown, but these guys do lay down a super groove for over 5 minutes, they do have super horns (check Bergman's sax solo) and Bennett's drum work is perfect. Bringing one of their top hits, the Heart Attack brings ultra funky, horn track, Livin' It Up which is a great lead into a super cover of Al Green's, Take Me To The River and then a TWELVE MINUTE, Sly and the Family Stone Medley including Sing A Simple Song, Stand, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), I Want to Take You Higher pumping out more energy and at a faster tempo as they roll . It's not every band that can pull this off but Jack Mack can! Excellent! Wrapping the release is I Walk Alone, a solid radio track with soulful vocals. This is a super release with a lot of energy. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: 11 Guys Quartet - Small Blues and Grooves

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Small Blues and Grooves from 11 Guys Quartet and it's very enjoyable. Opening with Freddie King styled, Road Trippin', Paul Lenart on guitar leads the way, sharing the front line with VizzTone President, Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica and backed by Chuck Purro on drums and Bill "Coach" Mather on bass. Solid opener.  Next up is high energy blues track, Jackrabbit, with hot riffs by Rosenblatt on harmonica. Lenart really pelts the guitar with his aggressive riffs, the group really giving it a good workout. Sleepless is a really nice slower blues with Rosenblatt blowing the harmony on harmonica. key accents by Lenart and firm bass work by Mather gives this track a solid footing on Purro's beat. I really like Speakeasy Serenade with stumble beat drumming by Purro and lower fret guitar melody by Lenart under the soulful harmonica wailing of Rosenblatt. Hey Daddyo is a real cool Bo Diddley infused jam with heavy tom tom work by Purro over a hard walking bass line by Mather. Lenart really works the guitar ala BD and Rosenblatt rides the wave. Very nice. Rhumba Boogie is another favorite with stylistic guitar lead, tight bass lines, a great rhythm and strong harmonica lead. Wrapping the release is Swamp Ride, an easy, greasy rocker. Melody by Rosenblatt on harmonica, and meaty drums are the name of this track and cool surf style guitar tones by Lenart close the loop. A really fast playing instrumental release. Very cool. 

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Shuttle Music artist: Jay Gordon's Blues Venom - Slide Rules - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Slide Rules, from Jay Gordon's Blues Venom and it is really hot. Opening with Dripping Blues, a smoky, 12 bar number, Gordon is right there on the end of the limb with his flame thrower on full. This guy plays guitar like we all love to drive, foot on the gas...wide open. His vocals are really in the style of Steve Marriott (a great thing) and his slide touch is firm and full. Backed by Sharon Butcher on bass and Tom Parham on drums this is a solid opener. Another super slide number, Pain, is a solid showcase for Gordon and his slide guitar. Think Rod Price (Foghat) or Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown) for tone and sound. This guy definitely has it. Kicking it into gear, Lost In Time is a great rocker with more super slide work by Gordon. I don't want to make this seem like a one man band because the rhythm section is really solid but Gordon really does light it up. Very cool. Flipping over to an electric boogie, Lucky 13 is another super hot track. Gordon has a great voice for this kind of electric blues rock and with his power trio going and his slide firing, this band is on fire. Another great blues rocker is VooDoo Boogie with it's rocking boogie beat. Butcher's driving bass line really drives this tank and Gordon's searing slide work just mows them down. Robert Johnson's Travelin Riverside Blues gives a look at Gordon on acoustic guitar and his finger work is quite strong, intermixed with acoustic slide. This is great! A more traditional slow blues, Pure Grain Alcohol, shows Gordon on another detour from full on slide work and features Gordon playing traditional electric lead in response to his own vocals. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Shorty Medlock's Train Train and Gordon does a great job of keeping that southern power blues feel of Blackfoot's release. Gordon has put together a great set here and if you love that fat screaming slide guitar sound, (and who doesn't)… check this out! 

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Ron Addison - Testify - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Testify, from Ron Addison and it's a super debut effort. Opening with title track, Testify, a rumbling blues rocker, vocalist Ron Addison shows real attitude, backed by Billy Crawford on lead guitar, Martin Addison on bass, Mike Stephenson on drums and with Charlotte Austin, Renee Mort and Lori Addison on backing vocals. Sax player, Mary Munsey plays a sultry intro on No Damn Good, a slow blues ballad. Ron shows that he's ready for the big times on lead vocal and DC Wolfe lays down some sweaty lead guitar work, making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Keep Loving Me is a solid rocker with a real Chuck Berry swagger. Wolfe's guitar riffs and the piano work of Don Eanes give Addison the power he needs. Nice job. Another bluesy ballad, Long Ago Another Time features Addison in a vocal duet with Samantha Grayson. This track has the most memorable melody on the release and again, some real nice melodic guitar lead by Crawford. Wrapping the release is a clever shuffle, Oyster Man, a more modern approach to an early blues concept. With Addison on lead vocal and Wolfe on lead guitar, this is a solid closer for Addison's first outing.

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Rae Gordon Band - Wrong Kind of Love - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wrong Kind Of Love, by Rae Gordon Band and it's solid. Opening with hi stepper, Comin' Back For More, Rae Gordon is in high gear immediately with her sassy vocals and high powered horn section of Allen Kalik on trumpet, Scott Franklin on sax and the power rhythm section of Pat McDougall on keys, Kivett Bednar on guitar, Ed Pierce on drums and Joseph Conrad on bass. Bednar peels away with a ripping trill and laid out guitar solo before a funky conclusion. Great opener. Soulful ballad, How You Gonna is a certain radio track and super showcase for Gordon's vocals. Nicely harmonized vocals with Bednar and McDougall, with warm organ work by McDougall and trumpet highlights by Kalik make for a tidy package. My favorite track on the release is Sea Of Blue, a slower blues track with an inviting organ leader. Bednar and McDougall maintaining a calm sea under the tempest of Gordon's vocals creates nice tension for the storm that is to come. Bednar plays a real nice guitar solo on this one that gives the track the perfect amount of stress to be released by the return of Gordon's vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is R&B track, Get Right With The World, and one last chance for Gordon to kick it into high gear. This is a high energy band with Gordon on the throttle nd she uses it liberally. With a thumping bass, stiff snare rhythm and horns blazing, Gordon takes it home. Solid closer. 

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Popa Chubby - It's A Mighty Hard Road - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It's A Mighty Hard Road, from Popa Chubby and I hear a real maturing off styles with Chubby that I haven't heard before. Opening with, The Flavor Is In The Fat, a meaty shuffle with certain radio and crowd appeal. Backed by Dave Keyes on piano and organ, Steve Holley on drums, Brett Bass on bass and with a memorable melody and a singable chorus, Chubby is off to a great start. Two stepper title track, It's a Mighty Hard Road, is a blend of rock and blues and could also be a strong radio track. With it's simple melodic format and solid melody and a gritty guitar solo, this song hits home. R&B track, The Best Is Yet To Come is one of my favorites on the release with warm vocals and harmonies. Reinforcing the melody with a clean guitar solo gives this track even more radio traction. I'm The Beast From The East is a great blues rocker with plenty of swagger and featuring Don Castagno on drums. Anther of my favorites on the release is Gordito with it's light Latin flavored instrumental melody, carried by as delicate a solo guitar hand as you've heard from Chubby. Very nice. Straight up rocker, More Time Making Love, again has the radio formula. A solid melody, firm vocals and a great beat make this a certain crowd pleaser. Boogie rocker, Why You Wanna Bite My Bones has a strong walking bass line and Chubby leads the way on vocals, echoed by stiff guitar lead. On Leon Russell's I'd Rather Be Blind Chubby winds the band up, Leon style, and gets the lays down a solid rocker with a blues overtone. I really like Chubby's vocal work on this track where he just lets it all hang out. Very cool. Wrapping the release is a slightly grittier take on Prince's Kiss. The basic arrangement is true to the original but with a funky bass line, a straight up harmonica line, no falsetto vocals and less twitchiness, the track is a solid rocker to close a solid release. 

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Jeff Chaz - No Paint - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No Paint, from Jeff Chaz and it's raw and exciting. Opening with Turn Back The Hands of Time, a smooth, R&B style track with some of Chaz's best vocals on the release. Backed by Augie Joachim on bass and Rick Jones on drums, this track is a radio ready track with definite airplay potential. Slow blues, The Stars Are Out, is one of my favorites on the release with Chaz pulling out the stops on his guitar riffs. Fluid runs, volume swells give this track a nice boost. Another slow blues track, Lowdown, Dirty Blues is another strong track with solid blues phrasing. Chaz's gritty voice was made for tracks like this and his willingness to really work the fretboard adds adventure to his presentation. Very cool. Blues rocker, Life Is Like Coffee has a great driving bottom and Chaz makes the best of his opening to rip some nice solos. Another nice slower blues with a cool walking bass line is She's The Sweetest Thing with stinging guitar riffs by Chaz. His use of the lower fretboard and pinched harmonics on this track makes you sweat. Wrapping the release is instrumental, Deet Deet, Deet, a quick shuffle/boogie and Chaz is free to jam away. I really like his freedom to just play what he feels and let it all hang out. Nice job. 

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Warren Storm - Taking the World, by Storm - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Taking the World, by Storm from Warren "Storm" Schexnider and I like it. Opening with John Fogerty's Long As I Can See The Light and featuring Fogerty on vocal with Storm, the original arrangement is pretty much intact with Eric Adcock on piano, Roddie Romero on guitar, Chris French on bass, Gary Usie on drums and featuring a nice sax solo by Derek Huston. On Earl King's Lonely Nights, you get the real feel of syrupy swampy blues with solid vocals by Storm and a real nice guitar solo by Romero and piano solo by Adcock. Very nice.  Bobby Charles' Tennessee Blues has the real flavor of traditional country and western music. With Richard Comeaux on pedal steel, the addition of Beau Thomas on fiddle and the conventional piano treatment by Adcock makes this one of my favorites. Another traditional country track, Merle Haggard's My House Of Memories has great poise and Storm digs in on vocal with beautiful piano ornamentation by Adcock. Wrapping the release is Raining In My Heart with some of Storm's best vocals on the release. A traditional Louisiana sound sends this release off in a cool way. 

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Out of the Past Music artist: Katy Hobgood Ray featuring Dave Ray - I Dream of Water - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Dream of Water, from Katy Hobgood Ray featuring Dave Ray and it's a interesting set of blues and country blended tracks. Opening with Lollie Bottoms, a simple, pop country style track singer songwriter, Katy Hobgood Ray conjures up the feeling of the early days of country rock and the likes of Bobbie Gentry and her story telling songs. Supported by Chuck Dodson on piano, Dave Hoffpauir on drums, Jason Weinheimer on bass and Greg Spradlin on guitars a solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Washed Away with it's strong, gospel style melody and warm vocal backing by Dave Ray, and Vikki McGee and the addition of nicely complimenting guitar work by Spradlin and the key organ and piano work of Dodson. With a Latin beat, House Divided features Dave Ray on lead vocal, blended nicely with Katy and clean piano lines by Dodson. Very nice. My favorite vocals by Katy on the release are in the lead of Dirty Water with it's spiritual feel and complimented by choir like backing vocals, organ and piano. Shuffle track, That Really Matters has a real nice feel with Dave upfront blending with Katy on vocal and bouncy piano work by Dodson. Wrapping the release is light pop track, Kings, Queens and Jesters with a sweet melody... vocal and piano with only a light bottom. A very nice closer for a solid release. 

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Rebekah Meldrum - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Rebekah Meldrum and it's tasty. Opening with Set Your Soul Free, Rebekah Meldrum has one of those voices that just grabs you. With plenty of grit and soul, she leads the way backed by Paul Holdman on slide, David Murray on bass, Kevin Kouts on drums and tad Robinson on harmonica. Solid opener. Far Away is a super radio track with a great melody, strong vocals from Meldrum and nicely complimentary harmonica work from Patrick Long. On smooth shuffle, Gypsy, Holdman takes a real nice solo creating a nice tension with Meldrum on vocal. Very nice. Wrapping the release is I'm Here, a bluesy ballad with gospel overtone. Meldrum has a real strong voice and the warm chords of Meldrum really accentuate her gritty smoothness. PJ Yinger on trumpet and Richard Dole on trombone give this track a nice sendoff. An additional bonus on this track is the addition of Robinson on second vocal. I think he's terrific. Super closer.

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The Betty Fox Band - Peace In Pieces - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the new release, Peace in Pieces, from the Betty Fox Band and it's hot. Opening with rocker, Green Light, The Betty Fox Band shows soulful radio style. With full organ enrichment by Clayton Ivey and super backing vocals by Cindy Walker, Marie Levy and Fox, a solid opener. Marie is a really strong soul track with a beautiful melody and full horns by Brad Guin on sax, Ken Watters on trumpet over the vocal choir giving the track a rich gospel feel. A real nice guitar solo by Josh Nelms sets off the track but this one is a great showcase for the vocal strength of Fox. Excellent! Let Go Or Be Dragged is another really powerful track with a great rhythm line by Barry Williams on bass and Chris Peet on drums. One of the other promos that I saw compared Fox to Hart or James but I hear the style purity of Winehouse. This girl has real sass in her tone that I rarely hear. Another tight guitar solo by Nelms adds real spice. R&B style track, Sweet Goodnight further shows the depth of Fox's vocal richness with her band supporting her all the way with just the right amount of adornment. Spooner Oldham adds just the right glisten on keys and shimmering chords by Nelms nicely surround Fox's power. Very nice. Staying in the R&B stream but with the addition of tension, Magnificent Hallucination is a really cool. laid back tune where it seems that Fox just lays back and lets the track come to her. It's something that I've enjoyed Eryka Badu do at her best and Fox definitely has it. With strong Latin rhythms, Fox seems to be riding the flow, with her witchy seductive sound. Rhythmic tom toms by Peet and piano rhythms create a smooth bed for smooth guitar lead. Excellent! Rolling into shuffle track, Rising Strong, Fox gets more into a 50's jazz swing she's really cooking. The band is at full tilt and Nelms shows his chops with punchy horns behind. Very nice. Wrapping the release is gospel flavored,  'Til the Storm Passes By. Fox maintains a contemporary attack but Ivey's potent piano and organ work conveys the message and cements this final track. Love the cover by the way!

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Delmark Records artist: Dave Specter - Blues From The Inside Out - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues From The Inside Out, from Dave Specter, and it's got great style. Opening with title track, Blues From The Inside Out, Dave Spector leads on guitar and vocal with Brother John Kattke on keys, Harlan Lee Terson on bass, and Marty Binder on drums. Adding in the horns on Ponchatoula Way, Specter put up a blues rocker with a splash of New Orleans. Mars Williams on sax, Jon Janowiak on trombone and Ron Haynes on trumpet give the track fullness and Spector's innovative blues riffs and the solid piano work of Kattke are really nice.  Hot Tuna leader, Jorma Kaukonen joins on Sanctifunkious, a real sweaty blues funk right out of the streets of NO. A cool instrumental with essential drums by Binder and percussion by Ruben Alverez, and nice key work by Kattke, a great groove. Latin influenced, Minor Shout has a super beat and with tight percussion, clean lead guitar and fluid organ runs, it could easily be from an early Santana release. Very nice. Boogie track, The Blues Ain't Nothin' has a terrific walking bass line, punched along by Haynes, Williams and Janowiak giving Jorma and Specter a wide open field to jam. Slick. My favorite track on the release, Opposites Attract, has a contagious, swamp rhythm, super piano work by Kattke and some of Specter's best soloing on the release. A little change up and a bit of R&B gives you Soul Drop with a straight snare beat, full organ and rich guitar lead with light chicken on the side. Wrapping the release is String Chillin' a smooth instrumental featuring Specter setting up a basic melody, jazz style but without too much sauce and Kattke on piano. As the track warms in, Specter's guitar ventures into improvisation. Think more Buchanan or Gatton than Wes Montgomery. This is a real nice track and a solid closer for a real nice release. 

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Delmark Records artist: Breezy Rodio - If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It, by Breezy Rodio and it's solid fun. Opening with title track, If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It, Breezy Rodio on lead vocal and guitar first shows a Latin rhythm which moves to a cool shuffle. Backed by Ariyo Ariyoshi on piano, Dan tabion on organ, Light Palone on bass and Lorenzo Francocci on drums and nicely complimented by Constantine Alexander on trumpet, Ian Letts on tenor sax, Ian "The Chief" McGarrie on bari sax and Simone Nobile on harmonica. On A Woman Don't Care, Rodio digs in nicely with excellent blues vocals, punctuated by McGarrie and Alexander. His guitar phrasing, supported nicely by the piano of Ariyo gives the track a real cool feel. A real nice slower blues, Los Christianos, showcases Rodio's soulful vocal styling and solid blues guitar chops. Very nice. With it's 60's rock feel, instrumental, The Breeze has Rodio on solo guitar with Watusi like rhythm and a dash of Freddie King. Very cool. The rolling bass line on Pick Up Blues has great tempo and Gomez's harmonica lead behind Rodio is really nice. Clean guitar soloing and strong vocals are the secret on this one. Returning to the slow blues on Dear Blues, Rodio shows a real appreciation for many of the blues guitar greatsBB King with smart phrasing with excellent feel. Albert Collins like, stinging riffs, T Bone Walkers beautiful runs and Earl Hooker/Albert King are also nicely executed. Excellent! Wrapping the release is soulful shuffle, Another Day, with Marvin Little on bass. With it's R&B roots, this is a strong closer with Rodio's vocals up front and a real nice opportunity to show his chops one more time.

This is a real nice release with plenty of guitar to satisfy your appetite. 

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