Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, A Different World , from Carmen Grillo and it's really sweet! Grillo is the guitar player from Sons Of Champlin and formerly with Tower of Power so you already have a feel for what may be in store. Opening with Come And Gone , a contemporary jazzy blues track Grillo shows his voice is a good match for his song writing and his tasty guitar riffs. Also featuring Mark Meadows (bass), Tony Braunagel (drums) Marc Hugenberger (keys), Mike Finnigan (B3), Greg Adams (trumpet), Lee Thomburg (trumpet and trombone) and Johnnie Bamont on sax this piece moves. JG Watson's classic Real Mother For Ya has that classic bottom thanks to Meadows and Brauagel but with the flair of Grillo looking at the guitar work through fresh eyes, he really sets this thing on fire. I Got The Sauce opens with Rocco Prestia laying down a real nice bass riff and Grillo isn't far behind creating a jazz rock fusion track with creative and nicely executed guitar lead. Rob...

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD ANNOUNCE SIGNATURE MUSIC & YOGA "SOULSHINE" SUMMER 2014 TOUR FEATURING SOJA, BRETT DENNEN & TREVOR HALL PLUS ROCK-STAR YOGA GURU RYAN LEIER 150,000 FANS, 30+ CITIES, 4 BANDS, 2 DJ'S, 1 INCREDIBLE YOGA JAM! SOULSHINE APPEARS AT OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRES NATIONWIDE JUNE 19 - AUGUST 2, 2014 San Francisco, CA -- Tuesday, April 29 -- Michael Franti & Spearhead announce today the launch of the first-ever music and yoga lifestyle tour, Soulshine , featuring special guest artists SOJA , Brett Dennen , Trevor Hall , and acclaimed yoga teachers such as Canada's Ryan Leier ; additional yoga instructors TBA. Bridging daytime and evening experiences including live music, yoga, sustainable living activities and DJ performances, Soulshine is one of the most anticipated all-ages summer tours hitting 30+ outdoor amphitheatres across the country starting on June 19, 2014 in Santa Barbara, CA at the Santa Barbara Bowl and continu...

BLACK HEN MUSIC SIGNS VANCOUVER-BASED SINGER COLLEEN RENNISON & WILL RELEASE HER DEBUT SOLO CD, SEE THE SKY ABOUT TO RAIN , ON JUNE 17 IN THE U.S & JUNE 3 IN CANADA NASHVILLE, TN – Black Hen Music announces the signing of Vancouver-based singer Colleen Rennison, and will release her debut solo CD, See the Sky About to Rain , on June 17 in the U.S. and June 3 in Canada. Recorded at the Hen House Studios in Vancouver and Nashville, See the Sky About to Rain was produced by Juno Award-winner Steve Dawson, who also adds his multi-talents on various instruments throughout the album. In addition to a core session group of Canadian and Nashville all-stars, Colleen’s debut also features such special guests as the renowned McCrary sisters on backing vocals, Jim Hoke on sax and bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien. See the Sky About to Rain showcases Colleen Rennison as a classic singer of songs, who brings new dimensions to a set list from the pages o...

I just received the newest release (April 29, 2014), Primitive Son , from Eli Cook and it's a rockin, snarling blues guitar release. Opening with War Horse , Cook and gang (Wade Warfield on drums and Rob Richmond on bass) crank up a Led Zep feel with a southern twist. It has a mesmerizing groove and cool guitar riffs. Revelator has a bit more pop to it adding Vinny Appice (drums), Jorgen Carlsson (bass and B3) and Steffen Presley and Greg Hampton on backing vocals. Sweet Thang has a slinky sound and features Tinsley Ellis on additional guitar. High In The Morning , a southern influenced track features Sonny Landreth on some slick slide work. Reese Wynans adds some Vocals remind me quite a bit of Black Label Society. Won't Be Long is a real nice little acoustic ballad featuring Cook on acoustic slide and vocal. Motor Queen steps out with real attitude... a club swingin blues rocker with Leslie West joining on guitar. This track has a lot of attitude and is one of my favorit...

I just received the newest release, Yard Sale , from Matthew Patrick . Patrick is a talented singer/songwriter/guitar player and his talents are reflected in this release. Opening with Fly , a reggae rhythm pop track with well orchestrated vocal harmonies between Patrick and Jillian Trawick. Patrick plays some slick guitar riffs over Don Hoffman on organ and Andrew Diamond on drums. Howl At The Moon has a blues rock and not only features some nice slide work from Patrick but also some cool harp riffs from Brian Veditz. The Fool I've Got To Be has a real country rock flavor cut from the Ramblin' Man cloth. One Ride has a cool Latin rhythm highlighting David Kasochi on bass and Diamond on drums. Patrick again opens up on slide and his style is really nice. A pretty cool track, this is probably my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is the traditional track, Midnight Special , done along the lines of John Fogherty with a little bit of a reggae twist. A cool re...

I just received the newest release (May 6, 2014), Jigsaw Heart , from Eden Brent . This new release has a definite weight toward country music but remaining all Eden. The opening track, Better This Way is a solid ballad illustrating clearly why Eden is regarded so highly for her vocal skills. A slow, easy waltz paced ballad, it's a nice opener. Everybody Already Knows busts out with honky tonk pride, Brent swinging on piano as she hammers out cool piano riffs. Title track, Jigsaw Heart , has a definite country feel again in ballad rather than easy pop style. There is a definite class to her songs separating them from today's pop country efforts by other artists. Dan Dugmore add a nice easy steel guitar counter to Brent's vocals. Very nice and air bound. Opportunity has a gospel/R&B feel and is one of my favorites on the release. Brent gets into a super groove and really delivers vocals nicely against her own rhythm piano. Drums by Gary Craig bass by John Dymond an...

Ironing Board Sam Returns to Jazzfest - with something special!   MM Staff Presents Sam with a Jazzfest Surprise! Tim and Corn, in their spare time, have been scouring the local craft stores, buying up all the rhinestones they could find, and working in secret on a special project. All so that Ironing Board Sam , when he plays at Jazzfest this weekend, could have a keyboard similar to one he played in the 1970s. As you can see in the video, this bedazzled instrument is mounted on an ironing board, and is held over Sam's shoulders with a special strap. The keyboard is battery powered, so Sam can take it anywhere! Even, as you know he likes to do, into the crowd. Ironing Board Sam Gets a New Keyboard If you're at Jazzfest this weekend, Sam will play on Saturday the 26th at 12:20pm in the Blue...