Bman's Blues Report

ALBUM REVIEW Bywater Call - Broken Souvenirs Label: Bywater Call Records Released: July 29, 2026 DR: TBD B ywater Call is a powerhouse seven-piece crew out of Toronto that’s been tearing up the Southern soul and roots-rock scene since 2017. Fronted by Meghan Parnell’s raw, whiskey-and-honey vocals and Dave Barnes’ greasy slide guitar work, these guys embrace a super loose, jam-heavy vibe that makes every live show feel completely spontaneous. They’ve got this killer, free-flowing chemistry where gritty blues-rock, gospel keys, and jazz-funk horns just bleed together into a soulful Americana stew. They're basically road warriors, constantly touring the world and dropping acclaimed records like Shepherd and their latest jam, Broken Souvenirs. If you dig organic music that isn't over-rehearsed and actually has some room to breathe, this is your new favorite band. Giberson has worked with an impressive range of musicians a...

ALBUM REVIEW Cedar County Cobras - Sinners & Saints Label: Overton Music Released: September 4, 2026 DR: TBD C edar County Cobras are an Americana duo from Eastern Iowa known for mixing Delta blues, early country, folk, and rural Americana into a lively, distinctive sound. The band has been performing for over a decade, building a reputation for energetic live shows. Guitarist Tom Spielbauer and multi-instrumentalist April Dirks are at the heart of the group, bringing together guitar, banjo, mandolin, upright bass, and vocals to create their rich, handmade sound. Their latest release, "Sinner & Saints," continues to showcase their blend of rootsy storytelling and musical craftsmanship, offering both longtime fans and new listeners a fresh taste of their Americana style. Add this Record to Your Collection Available in CD and Digital. 🛒 Purchase at Amazon ...

Shirley Horn Born:  Washington D.C. May 1, 1934 – October 20, 2005 Genre Style:  Jazz, Blues Shirley Horn, who lived from 1934 to 2005, was an acclaimed American jazz singer and pianist celebrated for her smoky contralto voice and her masterful ability to perform exceptionally slow, intimate ballads while accompanying herself on the piano. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., she was a child prodigy who trained classically at Howard University before transitioning to jazz and forming her own trio at age twenty. She rose to national prominence in 1960 after legendary trumpeter Miles Davis discovered her debut album, Embers and Ashes, and adamantly insisted she open for him at New York’s Village Vanguard. Although she recorded with major producers like Quincy Jones, Horn famously chose to step back from heavy touring and industry pressures during the 1960s and 1970s to remain close to home and raise her daughter. She experienced a massive global career renaissance a...

Special Video The New Orleand Swamp Donkeys Traditional Jass Band The New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Traditional Jass Band is a wild, high-energy crew that has been keeping the rowdy spirit of early 1900s traditional jazz alive since bursting onto the scene in late 2012. Fronted by the incredible James Williams—whose powerhouse trumpet playing and gravelly, Louis Armstrong-style vocals command the room—this New Orleans outfit serves up a gritty, soulful mix of authentic early "jass," gut-bucket blues, and old-school vaudeville. They respect the city's legendary roots but strictly skip the stuffy museum treatment, bringing a party-first, dance-ready vibe to every single stage they stomp on. They completely broke the internet back in 2014 when their ridiculously catchy, brass-heavy cover of the Game of Thrones theme song went mega-viral. That viral spark launched them out of local French Quarter clubs and onto massive global stages, sending them o...

ALBUM REVIEW Clay Giberson - Moment's Notice Label: Origin Records Released: October 23, 2026 DR: TBD C lay Giberson is a jazz pianist and composer based in Portland, Oregon, with a style that blends thoughtful songwriting, adventurous improvisation, and a strong sense of melody. Growing up in Washington, with a piano teacher for a mother, music was part of his life from an early age. After studying jazz at the University of Miami and earning a master's degree in music technology in New York, he went on to develop his own voice as a performer, bandleader, and recording artist. Giberson has worked with an impressive range of musicians and explored everything from intimate solo piano to lively, modern jazz with his groups Upper Left Trio and Go By Train. His recordings reflect a curiosity about sound and a willingness to follow an idea wherever it leads, without losing sight of the melody. Now part of Portland's vibr...