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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com

Monday, July 6, 2020

Delmark Records artist: Johnny Burgin - No Border Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No Border Blues, from Johnny Burgin and I really like it. Opening with One Day You're Gonna Get Lucky, a straight Chicago blues shuffle featuring Iper Onishi on vocal and harp, Takagiman on drums, Hirinori "Zee" Yanaga on drums Yoshi Mizuno and of course Johnny Burgin on guitar. Excellent opener. Burgin takes the mic on Sunnyland with Yoshimi Hirata on bass, Lee Kanehira  on piano, Kaz Nogio on harp, Mizuno on guitar and Takagiman on drums. This is an excellent track with strong harp work and Burgins always super vocals. Piano Boogie, Pumpkin's Boogie is a great showcase for Lee Kanehira on vocal and piano and Burgin on guitar and with the addition of Ataka Suzuki on drums and Yanaga on bass. Burgin has the mic again on Rattlesnake joined by Mizuno on guitar, Onishi on harmonica, Takagiman on drums and Yanaga on bass. Burgin has the mic again on Old School Player, an easy shuffle with Onishi, Kanehira and Mizuno. Onishi's phrasing works really nicely with Burgin's own giving this track a particular continuity. Very nice. Burgin has such an ease with the way he sings that it's refreshing in blues music. Two Telephones features Minoru Maruyama on guitar with Stephen Daugherty on drums , Chris Matheos on bass and Burgin on lead vocal. A cool slower blues gives Maruyama a nice opportunity to show his stuff. Samurai Harp Attack features Onishi, Nogio and Kotez on a cool harp driven shuffle with Yanaga on bass and Takagiman on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is the Japanese version of Sweet Home Osaka (Chicago) with Burgin, Kanehira and Tanaka on vocal, Nogio and Onishi on harp, Kanehira on piano, Yanaga on bass and Suzuki on drums. It's cool to see a blend of cultures for a singular music. Johnny always puts together a great project and this one is no exception. Super job! 

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Friday, July 3, 2020

Jose Ramirez - Here I Come - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Here I Come, from Jose Ramirez, and it's a very cool, R&B flavored, contemporary blues release. Opening with title track, Here I Come, Jose Ramirez leads on vocal and guitar, backed by Jim Pugh on piano, Wes Starr on drums and Nate Rowe on bass. Showing his first solo, he's low slung and with plenty of Texas feel...think Jimmie Vaughan or Anson Funderburgh styling. Very nice. Slow blues, I Miss You Baby sounds like it's right out of the T Bone Walker songbook and with solid vocals by Ramirez and the backing of  Texas Horns (Mark ‘Kaz’ Kazanoff, John Mills and Al Gomez) this track is rich. Listen to Ramirez make that guitar sing... nice. Anson Funderburgh actually shows up on Gasoline and Matches and lays in some stinging riffs over the Horns, a funk bass line by Rowe. Very nice. Goodbye Letter is a real nice slower blues with some of Ramirez's best vocals on the release and excellent rolling piano work by Pugh. Sit back and let him stroke the strings... solid phrasing and great tone. Combining the guitar loping riff of SRV and the warm organ work of Pugh, Three Years has a real soothing blues feel and gives Funderburgh and Ramirez plenty of space to work. Very nice. Super soulful, As You Can See, is one of my absolute favorites on the release with strong lead vocals by Ramirez, and plenty of fat horn work. Ramirez holds back on his guitar until the tail of the track but it's a perfect short of heat at just the right moment. Excellent! Wrapping the release is strong shuffle, Stop Teasing Me, with cool organ work by Pugh under Ramirez's solid vocals. His lead guitar lines and the tight drum work is a perfect balance and with continued pressure from Pugh on his Hammond, this track is a stong closer for a really strong release. 

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Thursday, July 2, 2020

Cleopatra Records artist: Joe louis Walker - Blues Comin' On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Comin' On, by Joe Louis Walker, and it's a great blend of Blues, Soul, R&B and Rock musical styles. Opening with Feed The Poor, a funky blues rocker, Walker joins with legendary Jorma Kaukonen on lead guitar who brings a ragged edge to this otherwise soulful track. With John Bradford on bass, Dorian Randolph on bass, Juma Sultan on percussion and Bruce Katz on organ this is a strong opener. Carla Cooke contributes lead vocal on Someday, Someway, a real nice soulful blues ballad. Her vocals, backed by Walker, on guitar and vocal, and with Lee Oskar on harmonica, Eric Finland on piano, Randolph on drums and John Bradford, this is definitely one of my favorites on the release. Keb' Mo on slide guitar and John Sebastian on harp join Walker on 12 string laying down a real nice shuffle, Old Time Used To Be. Backed by Katz on piano, Scott Petito on bass, Randolph on drums and Sultan on percussion this track has a great feel. I love the heavy bottom funk on Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man featuring Bradford on bass and Randolph on drums. Walker has the lead vocal on this one and does a great job with Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Rick Estrin on harp and Katz on organ. Nice and funky. Another soulful ballad, Awake Me, Shake Me,  featuring Cooke and Walker on lead vocal has real power with Walker really digging in on guitar. Very nice. With a real James Brown "boogaloo" beat, Uptown In Harlem features solid drumming by Byron Case and Jellybean Johnson winding it out on lead guitar under Walkers lead vocal. Cool. Wrapping the release is 7&7 Is, an Arthur Lee track with an early rock feel, featuring Charlie Harper on lead vocal and Arlen Roth on lead guitar. Roth slows this hypnotic pace down with some of the nicest blues riffs on the release, making is a solid closer.


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Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Louisiana's LeRoux - One of Those Days - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One of Those Days, from Lousiana's LeRoux and it's a modern blues rocker with a lot of flavor. Opening with title track, One of Those Days, lead singer Jeff McCarty is as solid as they come on this radio rocker with Jim Odem on lead guitar and background vocals, Rod Roddy on piano, Nelson Blanchard on Hammond, Joey Decker on bass and background vocal, Randy Carpenter on drums and Mark Duthu on percussion. With a cool melody and late Allman Brothers guitar runs, this track fits like an old glove. No One's Gonna Love Me (Like The Way You Do), is another strong radio track with tightly woven instrumental backing for McCarty's lead vocal. The R&B style track with a country rock flavor shows a strong influence by the Doobies and and super backing vocals give it a great feel. New Orleans flavored, Lucy Anna has a great botton thanks to Roddy and Carpenter with really strong backing vocals supporting McCarty. Sauce Piquante is a funky cool instrumental with nice instrumental stretches by Roddy, Odem, Leon Medica on bass and with tight drum lines by Carpenter. Wrapping the release is ballad, New Orleans Ladies featuring the vocal prowess of McCarty, featuring Tab Benoit on solo guitar, Tim Courville on drums and background vocals by Keith Landry, Travis Thibodaux, Chapel Hart, Bobby Kimball and Bill Champlain. 

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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

VizzTone Label Group artist: Tony Holiday - Soul Service - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Service, from Tony Holiday, and is solid throughout.

Opening with Payin' Rent on a Broken Home, a strong blues rocker, Tony Holiday on lead vocal and harmonica sets a cool strutting pace, backed by Landon Stone on guitar, Max Kaplan on bass, Danny Banks on drums with Ori Naftaly on guitar and Victor Wainwright on keys. Low slung shuffle She knocks Me Out, has a great feel and Holiday's harmonica tone is full and a tasty work solo by Stone is poised and tight. A cool island feel spins Day Dates (Turn Into Night Dates). With simplified drum rhythms and airy guitar work Holiday crafts this track nicely and blends vocally with Kaplan, complimented by melodic harmonica. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Ol' Number Nine, a rumbling blues rocker with nicely paired vocals and a rumbling bass line by Kaplan. Holiday's vocals are strong and his harmonica work reinforces the "train" theme of the track. Solid closer for a real cool release. 

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Monday, June 29, 2020

SeaSpeed Productions artist; Evelyn Rubio - Crossing Borders - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Crossing Borders, from Evelyn Rubio and it's a solid blues/R&B effort with with a lot of radio appeal. Opening with One More Last Time, a sassy R&B number with super lead vocals by Rubio and Lori Michelle on backing vocal. The band features David Grissom on guitar, Kirk Covington on drums, Zach Person on guitar, Red Young on keys and Larry Fulcher on bass. Very nice. Just Like A Drug is another track that screams for radio attention with it's Latin rhythm and complimentary guitar lead by Johnny Lee Schell and Rubuio on lead vocal sax. Mike Finnigan joins on keys, Jorge Orta Cro Cro on percussion and Tony Braunagel on drums making this a tight unit. He Did Me Wrong, But Did It Right, is a cool track with just the right amount of bluesy sway. Rubio shines on vocal and sax on one of my favorite tracks on the release. Rubio turns the jazz card with a real swinger, Cruel, where she works it like a pro on vocal with a definite tight sax edge and great organ work by Finnigan. Adding some funk to the mix on What A Way To Go gives this rocker just the right feel with Grissom on guitar and Covington on drums but not taking anything away from Rubio's strong vocals. Wrapping the release is a blues rework of Besame Mucho with really solid acoustic pinnings. With The mighty Orq on slide guitar, Sonny Boy Terry on harp, Fulcher on bass and stomp, Rubio belts out the bluesiest Spanish track you've likely every heard. Solid closer. 

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Friday, June 26, 2020

Red Parlor Records artist: Scott Ellison - Skyline Drive - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Skyline Drive, by Scott Ellison and I like it. Opening with Latin seasoned, blues rocker, I'm Missing You, Ellison on lead vocal and lead guitar is joined by Chris Campbell on backing vocals, Ron Getman on guitar, Jon Parris on bass, Robbie Armstrong on drums. With a solid melody, tight vocals and cool guitar lead, this is a strong opener. Title track, Skyline Drive is a cool shuffle with warm B3 under the cool vocal melody and with jazz influenced blues guitar. Very nice. Driving blues rocker, I'm All Wound Up is fueled by hot lead slide by Getman, the tight drumming of Chuck Reavis and Hank Charles on piano. It has great swagger making it one of my favorites on the release. These Blues Got A Hold On Me, has a slower more deliberate tempo with understated organ underpinnings and a real nice solo and Ellison takes time for a real nice guitar solo of his own. Very nice. Overwhelmed is a super blues rocker with real nice slide work by Getman and "Thorogood like" vocals by Ellison...  definitely another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Lonely In Love, an easy rocker with strong radio appeal. Ellison's vocals are solid with nice harmony by Campbell and focused guitar soloing over firm B3 backing. Solid closer. 

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Thursday, June 25, 2020

E-H Records artist: Eliza Neals - Black Crow Moan - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Crow Moan, from Eliza Neals and it's a tasty blues rock package. Opening with country flavored, Don't Judge The Blues, Neals on lead vocals teams up with Michael Puwal on slide guitar, and with light percussion by Brian Clune, getting the blood flowing. Bluesy, Why You Ooglin' Me really has a classic Joe Walsh slide feel and Neals slips into the pocket vocally with some of her best vocals on the release. Puwal's slide work is really nice and with the addition of keys by Neals, and with Clune on drums, cool rocker. Title track, Black Crow Moan is a bluesy ballad with solid vocals by Neal and a strong guest appearance by Joe Louis Walker on guitar and with Skeeto Valdez on drums and John Abraham on bass.  Big Mama Thornton's Ball and Chain is one of the definite highlights on the release with super vocals by Neals and featuring Derek St. Holmes who lays down some exciting riffs on guitar. With Jeff Fowlkes on drums and Jason Kott on bass, this track is tight. Wrapping the release is Neals original track, Hey, Take Your Pants Off, a strong rocker and a super closer with a straight up rock beat by Fowlkes and Holmes with a driving rock guitar lead. Super closer. 

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Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Guitarist Johnny A. to Perform A July 2nd Livestream Show From A Secret Music Venue!


Gibson Custom and Epiphone "Signature Artist" JOHNNY A. to Perform a July 2nd Livestream Show From Secret Music Venue

Boston, MA – Guitar virtuoso and Gibson/Epiphone Signature ArtistJohnny A. continues to push the musical envelope, just as he has done his entire career, and is excited to share a special live venue concert experience in conjunction with bandsintown.com and veeps.com for fans direct to their smart TV or device!.

Music = Freedom - And on July 2, 2020 Johnny A. invites you to celebrate with him and kick off Independence Day Weekend with his one man show.

The"Just Me...And My Guitars: Stay-dium at Home Edition" streamed LIVE from the stage of a SECRET MUSIC VENUE - complete with full lighting and sound production!   Watch and chat with fans from around the world via JohnnyA.veeps.com as Johnny seamlessly weaves technological innovations into his musical performance, mesmerizing the audience with intricate riffs, lush textures, and an incredible tone sensibility.

Fans will take a trip down the British Songbook of the 60s and beyond as Johnny A. highlights some of eras greatest songs including hits by The Beatles, The Hollies, Blind Faith and more!  All from your computer, smart TV or internet-enabled phone.

Tickets are just $20 (plus a small ticketing fee). 
Ticket plus merchandise packages are available. 
Please note that your ticket is good for 46 hours so if you can't make the 8pm show time, you have 46 hours to enjoy the show.

SHOWTIME: Thursday July 2, 8PM ET
Get Tickets Here: bit.ly/JohnnyAOfficial

While Johnny's Spring "Just Me...And My Guitars: A Celebration of the British Songbook of the 60's" Tour has been postponed due to the pandemic however he has been keeping himself busy performing Facebook livestream shows from his home. Every weekday morning at 10am EST. you can find him playing whatever songs strike his fancy, or are requested, talking about guitars and gear and sharing stories from his long career.
https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyA.Official/

Shred The Evidence Records artist: The Walk-A-Bout - 20/20 - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 20/20 from The Walk-A-Bout and it's cool and jazzy. Opening with Victory Parade, a solid pop rocker with tight drums by Drew Bertran and nicely harmonized vocals by Darren Sullivan and Dave Christian who also plays electric guitar. Kevin Anderson on acoustic guitar plays a strong part with a good part of the body  of the instrumentation being his guitar work and Keenan Zach on bass. Date Nut Porridge has a real nice New Orleans funk, emphasized by Bertran and Zach and a super vocal melody by Christian and Sullivan who also plays harmonica and warm Hammond work by Mark Rechler. Very nice. Timeless is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a Latin influenced beat and potent rhythmic percussion by Bertran and strong vocal harmonies by Sullivan and Christian. Very nice. Hero, possibly the top radio track on the release has a strong melody and vocals that could be right from a 70's Spirit release. Christian unleashes his electric guitar on this one and creates a nice flurry. This band has a sound and it's good. Trash Talkin' is a power rocker with grinding guitar tones and great drum riffs. Even Zach lays in a little bass solo rounding out a super rocker. Wrapping the release is Taking It West a melodic ballad with strong vocal harmonies. The track actually reminds me of a Joe Walsh composition. The vocals are tight and smooth and the instrumentation is compact and smart. Solid closer for a solid release. 

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Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Ben Hemming - The Devil Beside Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Devil Beside Me, by Ben Hemming and it's a unusual, yet interesting take on the blues. Opening with Dead Man Blues, a dark, lumbering blues rocker with contemporary influences, Ben Hemming on vocal and guitar shows the colors of metal rock joined by James Hosking on bass and Luigi Rampino on drums. Droning guitar riffs swirl on Inside as a heavy footed Rampino drives this train. Me And The Leper has a lot of movement with a highly active bass line, solid lead vocals and slide guitar with highly effective string  to hand contact on overmiked acoustic guitar. Very cool. One of my favorites on the release is One Eyed King with a driving rock beat and grinding slide guitar work by Hemming. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is The Sea, with a quiet, acoustic guitar backing under Hemming 's vocals. The electric guitar melody is what hooks me on this track with it's haunting sound. Very nice.  The title track, The Devil Beside Me, wraps the track  with a blues basis and dark tones. This is an interesting look at the blues from a different angle. 

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Monday, June 22, 2020

Harvey Dalton Arnold - Stories To Live Up To - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stories To Live Up To, from Harvey Dalton Arnold and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Stay Here With Me, a cool, R&B style rocker with a swampy overtone. Arnold leads on vocal and guitar with Zev Katz on bass, Charley Drayton on drums, Rob Arthur on keys and Zak Alister on rhythm guitar. Strong opener. What's On Your Mind has a rubbery slide guitar vamp and snappy drum rhythm by Drayton and some of Arnold's best vocals on the release. Very cool. Soulful, Poor Boy is a real nice radio track with a great melody, warm keys by Alister, solid guitar work and an intoxicating feel. Rock n roller, Lone Outlaw, has a great rock beat and just the right swagger with driving drum work and smart guitar and piano making it another favorite on the release. Wrapping the release is a new take on Catfish Blues with super top end drum work, raw guitar slide and a great bottom. Super closer for a solid release. 

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Thursday, June 18, 2020

Misty Blues - Weed 'Em & Reap - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Weed 'Em & Reap by Misty Blues and it's a cool mix of R&B and jazz/blues. Opening with No More To Give, Gina Coleman on lead vocals sings from deep in her soul and accompanying herself on cigar box guitar, with Benny Kohn on keys, Bill Patriquin on trumpet, Aaron Dean on sax, Rob Tatten on drums and Seth Fleishmann, Diego Mongue on bass and Wes Buckley on guitars.  I Ain't No Giving Tree has a great New Orleans flavor with a fat sax solo by Dean and a clean, rhythmic guitar solo by Fleischmann. Blues rumble, Don't Send Me Home has a cool. Willie Dixon kind of feel with Dean's sax anchoring the bottom. A cool key solo by Kohn and a grinding solo by Fleischmann add real texture to Coleman's vocals. Swing My Blues is another track with a cool. New Orleans like rhythm. I think this track showcases Coleman's vocals better than most of the tracks and with solid solos by Fleischmann, Kohn and Dean, this is my favorite track on the release. Bluesy ballad, Hold Me Tight, has a lot of grit and with mellow piano soloing by Kohn contrasting with the dark sound of Coleman's voice is a great pairing. Wrapping the release is Treat Me Like I Want, a R&B track with a great beat and sassy sax work by Dean. A throaty guitar solo by Fleischmann and strong vocals by Coleman make this a super closer. 

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Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Socan Music artist: Frederico Luiu - Walkin' The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Walkin' The Blues, from Frederico Luiu and it's pretty tasty. Opening with blues shuffle, You Don't Love Me, Luiu, who handles lead vocal and guitar shows pure style on guitar with Simone Scanu on bass, Mauro Cau on drums, Alberto Gurrisi on Hammond, and filled out with a horn section of Anthony Brancati on Tenor sax,  Alison Young on Bari and alto sax and Alexis Baro on trumpet. With it's catchy chorus, a solid radio track. Funky Bee is a strong, horn infused, blues track with a strong funky rhythm by Scanu and Bau and red hot riffs by Luiu. On slow blues, What You've Done To Me, Luiu is featured on lead vocal showing real emotion with heavy bari support by Young and nice backing vocals by Roberta Michele Quilico leading to clean, BB style guitar phrasing by Luiu. Very nice. Driving shuffle track, She's Gone with Matt Schofield sitting in with some really healthy guitar riffs adds real spice to an already spicy mix. With Baro, Young and Brancati hitting, this is a super track. My favorite track on the release is Otto with Luiu playing a fast shuffle over driving bass lines and a strong Hammond contribution by Gurrisi. Excellent! Wrapping the release is instrumental, Like A Woman giving Luiu a real opportunity to show his Chickin' Pickin' guitar riffs. Cool closer for a cool release. 

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Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Rusty Ends & Hillbilly Hoodoo - The Last of the Boogiemen - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Last of the Boogiemen, by Rusty Ends & the Boogiemen and it's got a cool style all it's own. Blending old style 50's rock, blues, punk, R&B and country these guys come up with a sound that's familiar but different and vibrant. Opening with rockin' Cheap Wine, Rusty Ends on guitar and vocal shows solid style and flair on guitar with Uncle Dave Zimheld on backing vocal and bass, Gene Wickliffe on drums and Gary Falk on tenor sax. Super opener. Pulling riffs from the 80's and Mississippi Hill country sensibility, Ends raps on Hillbilly Hoodoo over a swampy blues like rhythm. Not a rap fan but this track has just the right funk. Slowing down to a soothing blues number with jazz style chords, Ends croons the blues on I Forgot To Say I Love You. Really kicking out the stops, Rockabilly Boogie # 1003 is a simple, Chuck Berry style rocker with plenty of flair. Stiletto Heels and Fishnet Hose is another track with tension created by Ends with only a few simple chords and his unsettling vocal style. With blues overtones and guitar chords played against simple yet interesting guitar soloing, and some of Ends' best vocals,  We Love Our Way Through The Blues is my pick on the release. Wrapping the release is cool shuffle, Sinner's Strut, a cool guitar instrumental along the lines of Freddie King but with less structured riffs and looser concepts. This is a cool release and one to check out. 

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Monday, June 15, 2020

Out of the Past Music artists: Steve Howell, Dan Sumner & Jason Weinheimer - Long Ago - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Long Ago, from Steve Howell, Dan Sumner & Jason Weinheimer and the title aptly describes the musical journey. Opening with 20's song, Singin' The Blues, Howell on lead vocal and guitar, backed by bassist Jason Weinheimer and with the addition on lush jazz chords and runs by Dan Sumner sets the stage for this easy paced release. Jobim's Dindi has a real nice arrangement with Howell and Sumner playing guitar runs over a Bossa Nova backing. Very nice. Johnny Mercer's ballad, I Thought About You, gets a finger picked overlay by Howell giving it a bit of a country styling but the warm chords of Sumner maintains the jazz richness under Howell's understated vocals. Another jazz standard with  Bossa beat is I'll Remember April and the beauty of the melody is enhanced by the poise of Howell, Weinheimer and Sumner on this instrumental remake. Horace Silver's Song For My Father is another jazz track with a Latin rhythm and Howell's singing of the track pulls your attention more to the lyrics and away from the melody, for me giving it more personal meaning. A very nice track with especially nice guitar work. Wrapping the release is Dave Frishberg's pop track, Z's and the band's lighthearted cover. 

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Thursday, June 11, 2020

EllerSoul Records artist: The Nighthawks - Tryin' To Get To You - New Release Review

I Just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tryin' To Get To You, from The Nighthawks and it's energy packed. Opening with Come Love, the Nighthawks have a new lead guitar player, Dan Hovey who also covers lead vocals. With Mark Wenner on lead vocal and harmonica, Mark Stutso on drums and lead vocal and Paul Pisciotta on bass and vocal, these guys can harmonize. I Know Your Wig Is Gone has a real nice shuffle pace with lead vocal by Hovey and giving both Wenner and Hovey a nice opportunity to show their skills. Very nice. Rain Down tears is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it dark easy pace and solid vocals by the crew. The guys vocal blending is strong and Wenner and Hovey each take fluid solos adding to the tension. Very nice. Chairman of the Board is a cool blues rocker with a drone bass line (we all love them) and alternating guitar and harmonica soloing and some of my favorite lead vocals on the release by Stutso . Wrapping the release is The Cheap Stuff, a clever little blues number with cool lyrics by Hovey over acoustic guitar and harmonica with only basic drum and bass. This is a solid release with a little bit of something for everyone. 

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Wednesday, June 10, 2020

True North Records artist: Crystal Shawanda - Church House Blues - New Release Review`

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Church House Blues, from Crystal Shawanda and it's an interesting mix of pop, R&B and blues. Opening with title track, Church House Blues, Crystal Shawanda is upfront with her powerhouse voice with Louis Winfield on drums, Dave Roe on bass, Dewayne Strobel on guitar, Peter Keyes on keys, Dana Robbins and Miqui Guittierez on sax. Bluesy ballad, Evil Memory has a really nice feel with melodic guitar soloing and strong vocals by Shawanda. Blues rocker, Rather Be Alone has a real nice sway, emphasized by precisely placed guitar accents and warm organ. Hey Love has an early 60's rock rhythm and possibly the strongest track on the release with warm vocal backing by the McCrary Sisters, Angela Hurt, KG Green, and Quisha Wint. Bigger Than The Blues is definitely the radio track on the release with it's strong melody, solid vocal lead and concise guitar solo making it the ideal track. Wrapping the release is country blues flavored, New Orleans Is Sinking with an electric guitar vamp and wailing harmonica by Stephen Hanner under the chant like wailing of Shawanda. This is a cool closer for solid release. 

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