Bman's Blues Report

My old pal Stilladog had a chance to listen to the new Jeff Beck DVD audio and his review follows. We have both been Beck fans for a long time so I was thrilled to see his review: The recordings take place at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan on April 9th of this year.   These Japanese recordings were the first to feature Beck’s new backing band of Jonathan Joseph (drums), Nicolas Meier (guitars) and Rhonda Smith (bass). The setlist includes some material from his new, as yet unreleased, studio album as well as material from nearly all of his previous releases. In contrast to Beck s previous videos done in small clubs, Live In Tokyo was filmed in a major concert arena and has a very different, more spacious feel.   Beck has released a number of live albums from Japan over the years and he obviously feels comfortable there. The set begins with a tune from his most recent EP, Yosogai, entitled Loaded .   It is a perfect warm up for the alternately beautiful...

I just received the newest release, Stepping Into Time , from Georgie Bonds and it's smooth. Opening with the classic St. James Infirmary , Georgie Bonds, singing a capella establishes himself immediately as a solid soulful vocalist. Joined on The Blacksmith , a Robert Johnson rooted blues track with cool rhythm and slide work from Neil Taylor as well as Kenny Githens on bass,Andy Haley on drums, Walter Runge on organ and with a gritty harp solo from Buddy Cleveland this is a real nice track. On swing jazz track, What More? , Bonds really takes the track for a ride and sax work from Dave Renz adds a heavy warmth. Harry Jacobson whips down a slick guitar solo as well. On New Orleans influenced Lord, Oh Lord Haley and Runge really set the tempo and Buddy Cleveland punctuates Bonds fine vocal work. Daily News is a bluesy ballad and Bonds is certainly up to the soulful task. Neil Taylor plays a well heeled guitar solo over the solid organ work of Runge and still regiment of Haley....

I just received a cool new DVD/CD which featured a documentary about a real music outlaw. This documentary by Robert Gordon and Paule Duane feature real live footage of a wild man with a wild past. Jerry McGill had recorded with Sam Phillips Sun Records in 1959 and been the road manager for Waylon Jennings under the name of Curtis Black. This is the story who lived the life of a real outlaw, serving prison time, swinging a gun around, robbing and thieving. I knew a man like this once in my life (but without the gun) and as stated by Robert Gordon, historian and film maker, someone who I may not have wanted in my house, but someone I was glad was in my life. This is not a dry, dusty, fluffy documentary with a lot of pretty scenery but the real time documentation of a 70 year old man who has not at all mellowed, full of most everything and ready to spring at the whisk of a mouse whisker. This is a documentary about music but this is really a healthy slice of life and one that will like...

Walter Trout and John Mayall have a long history of collaboration that dates back to the 1960s.  From Walter playing in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, through collaborations as recently as WT’s most recent album.  To celebrate their relationship, the duo present this double A-side split 7-inch.  This special edition Black Friday exclusive is limited to 1000 copies and features “Willie” by Walter Trout and “World Gone Crazy” from John Mayall. 

I just received the newest release, Blues People , from Eric Bibb and I think it's his best in quite some time! Opening with Silver Spoon , a primarily acoustic track rooted deeply in the delta but with hot contrasting electric blues riffs from Popa Chubby in the distance and bass and drums by Glen Scott. Excellent! Driftin' Door To Door has a bit more of the walking blues sound with nice picked and slide work from Bibb and Michael Jerome Browne. Very nice. God's Mojo is a quiet jazz framed blues track with nicely figured key work and light drums by Glen Scott. Bibbs vocals are particularly focused on this track. Turner Station has a more modern acoustic blues sound with Bibb and Browne on guitar. As the track builds more fullness appears with Scott on Hammond, backing vocals and electric keys as well as Neville Malcolm on bass. On Pink Dream Cadillac , Bibb paints a vivid story as Staffan Astner adds some tasty slide work. Guy Davis' Chocolate Man features Davis...

I just received the newest release, Cut Me Loose , from Magnus Berg and I really like it! Opening with title track, Cut Me Loose , Berg takes command on vocal and guitar showing a maturity beyond his age. Joined by Bjorn Tore "Daffy" Larsen on harp, Havard Sunde on drums and Roy Oscar Pettersen on bass. This is rock solid! On One Way To Please You , Berg slips into Chicago style and Daffy really hits the harp. Blues riffs with a twist of country, flash from the fretboard of Berg and these guys cook! Very nice! On Texas style loper, Drifting , Berg has commanding lead vocals and sets the rhythm riff and Daffy punctuates nicely on harp. Berg takes center stage again laying down a nice helping of Texas style blues rock guitar. Very cool! When You Leave Me is a understated blues in the style of SBW with well placed guitar tones and some of the best vocal work on the release. Berg plays some really nice slide work on this track with Kristian Koppang on keys making it one of my...

I just received the newest release, Songs From The Road from Mike Zito & The Wheel and it's terrific! This like a number of other releases in this series is a 2 disc set and in this case, one a DVD and I'll tell you, I can't wait to get this thing home and watch it! I'll do a separate review of the CD here and a follow up for the DVD shortly. Opening with Don't Break A Leg , a real hot funky number is cooking. With Zito on vocal and guitar and hot sax lines from Jimmy Carpenter, a funky organ solo from Lewis Stephens, Scot Sutherland laying down a funky bass line and the tight rhythms of Rob Lee on drums, this is Zito at his best! Next up is Greyhound with an almost Keith Richards attitude but with a bit more country flavor. Carpenter rides high on sax with soul and clarity. A change up is a quiet remake of Prince's Little Red Corvette and again the supple vocal like sax leads of Carpenter. Another rocker with attitude is Rainbow Bridge . I really lik...

Canadian Roots Music Singer Robin Banks Creates a Modern Classic on New CD, Produced by Duke Robillard, Due November 25 Toronto, ON – Canadian roots music singer Robin Banks announces a November 25 release date for her self-released CD, Modern Classic , with distribution through CD Baby. Produced by acclaimed guitarist/producer Duke Robillard, who also adds his amazing guitar tones throughout the album, Modern Classic features a dozen all-original songs that showcase not only Robin’s sultry, soulful vocals, but also her strengths as a composer. Along with Robillard, she’s backed by an all-star band: Bruce Bears (keyboards), Mark Teixeira (drums), Brad Hallen (bass) and a horn section that includes Doug James (baritone sax), Doug Woolverton (trumpet) and Mark Early (sax) of the Roomful of Blues Horns.  Based in Toronto, Robin Banks has already amassed a lengthy career as a touring and recording artist in both her native Canada and all over the world. She’s...

I just received the newest release, Shine from Bernie Marsden and it is solid. Opening with Linin' Track , a classic work song, Marsden opens as a solo vocalist but is quickly joined by an explosion of blues rockin' including Mark Feltham on harp and particularly strong drums. Nice! Next up is Wedding Day and Marsden and some drone note finger picking on electric guitar. Very cool ! With a catchy melody and contemporary feel Marsden rips out a nice guitar solo icing the track. Walk Away has a real pop feel and bright keyboard work. Marsden lays down some of his solid guitar riffs making this arena rock track complete. Kinda Wish She Would is a ragged rocker with a lot of bite. With it's great drive, piano support and biting guitar riffs, it's likely my favorite track on the release. Ladyfriend has a distinctly British rhythm (think When The Levee Breaks) and a crying harp. What's not to like. Next up is Trouble featuring David Coverdale on lead vocal. This is...

I just received the newest release, Hurricane Unleashed , from Bobby "Hurricane" Spencer and he unleashes his hurricane of funky horn work on you. Opening with Gotta Get Back to Chicago , a blend of funk, jazz and blues, Spencer lets the juice flow on vocal and tenor sax. Andrea Balestra on guitar adds some funky rhythm and Mo Beeks rides under the track on keys. On You're All I Need , a slower R&B style track, Spencer has a more serious radio style in mind. Camarillo has a real nice swing blues feel (a la Kansas City Blues) and Spencer lays down some rich vocal leads. A real cool track Matias Alvear Fall on bass and Dario Benzoni on drums keep it tight. Lester Lands opens the track on guitar with a standard 12 blues riff. Dueling instrumentally with Spencer on sax this is a pretty cool jam. Lovers Hill is a R&B style pop track with warm vocal lead and backing by Kelly Chappue. Little Mama is a sassy strut with King Curtis like sax riffs. A very cool track. O...

I just received the newest release, 100% Pure , from Sauce Boss and it's one man blast! Opening with Zipper Bird , a rowdy blues rant with Bill "Sauce Boss" Wharton on vocal, percussion and fat groove saturated slide guitar riffs. Marquis De Swamp has a really cool melody with a swampy feel and sophisticated guitar work done in a somewhat primitive manner. The Boss is have a good time with this track but I like it's composition. Super! Gonna Be Alright is a Latin rhythm track with just a simple pop melody. Chains opens with some real fat electric resonator slide work. With guttural singing and voracious slide guitar work this is another real cool track. Delta 9 Blues is a deep blues track again with a strong dose of swamp. I particularly like Boss' vocal style and slide playing on this track. It raw and real. Excellent! Peckerwood has a bit of a country flavor. With it's quick pace and more percussive picked guitar work, this has a definite rural feel. ...

DEANNA BOGART FEATURED PERFORMER AT SIRIUSXM's' FIRST BLUESVILLE FESTIVAL Broadcast This Weekend   Blind Pig recording artist Deanna Bogart was one of the featured performers at the first ever Bluesville Festival, held at the SiriusXM Radio studios in Washington, D.C. (where Deanna's pictured).  Also on the bill were Buddy Guy, Tommy Castro, Shemekia Copeland, Eden Brent, Victor Wainwright, and Quinn Sullivan. The unique event was taped in front of a live audience (including veterans from Walter Reed Army Hospital) on Veteran's Day, October 11th and will be broadcast on the satellite radio's "B.B. King's Bluesville" channel tonight, Friday (6pm EST and repeated at midnight), Saturday (12 noon EST), and Sunday (6am EST). Bogart's most recent release, Just A Wish Away... , has earned high praise: " Deanna Bogart has become one of the greatest musicians and songwriters working in America today. It is not jus...

Be healed, be loved and come groove with Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers New Release, Living By The Minute , out on January 13, 2015 It’s a TKO, a musical turnabout but more so; a funky, soulful masterpiece waiting to punch out the lights Atlanta, GA - Silver Street Records Recording artist, Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers get into the groove with their forthcoming CD, Living By The Minute a mix of soul, jazz and blues, set to be released on January 13, 2015. This album was produced by Josh Hoyer and engineered by Ben Brodin at ARC Studios in Omaha, NE. The band set up live to record and within a few days, they pounded out songs sounding fresh, spontaneous and vibrant. This vibrancy comes from Josh’s songs about love, loss, social awareness and that there is hope for all of us. He wants to empower and leave the listener craving for more. His travels around the country in a van back in his early 20’s with his dog, educated him in the world, fo...

I just received the newest release, Homecoming , from Bruce Katz Band . Opening with title track instrumental, Homecoming , Katz and band mates Ralph Rosen (drums) and Chris Vitarello (guitar) ride an easy opening jam. Nice lap steel work from Jimmy Bennett mixed with the multiple key textures from Katz make this a great opener. Up next is King of Decatur , a funky New Orleans style track with Randy Ciarlante on drums and lead vocals. Katz shows his mastery of the style on electric keys and Bennett and Vitarello show their swampy chops. Santa Fe Blues features John Hammond on lead vocal and Katz really tickles the keys with a bright approach to a classic style period blues track. On shuffle track, No Brainer , the band really gets into a nice groove. Vitarello lays out some really swinging guitar riffs and Katz handles the B3 like it's a part of him. Excellent! Amelia opens with Katz on electric piano and Peter Bennett on bass and Rosen on drums finding a jazz overlay on a New ...

I just received the newest release, Current State Of Blue from No Refund Band and it's quite good. Opening with Buy The Blues , a cool loper, Ricky Jackson is back with serious thick vocals backed by a hot horn section of Jim Brady on trumpet, Anthony Terry on sax, Paul English on trumpet, Kelly Dean on alto sax and Warren Sneed on tenor sax. His own lead guitar work spanks and I particularly like the bass work of Rik Robertson. Smooth swinger and title track, Current State Of Blue , is laid back with cool nice piano work from Randy Wall and again cool trumpet accents from English and Brady as well as a nice sax solo from Terry. On high stepping St. Louis Bound , Travis Doyle joins on B3 and Tyson Sheth on drums. Soul ballad Favorite Fool has a real nice melody and should easily grab broad airplay. Latin influenced, Love Unmade , nicely features Brady and Terry to accent the flavor and blending vocals of Jackson, Robertson, Brady and Terry as well as a crisp Spanish style guit...

Lazer Lloyd, Israel's King of Blues Rock, comes to the Southland for a series of shows beginning on Monday, November 17 at UCLA and culminating with a show at The Mint in Los Angeles on Monday, November 24. More below and also at www.lazerlloyd.com . LAZER LLOYD, ISRAEL'S KING OF BLUES ROCK,  COMES TO THE SOUTHLAND FOR SERIES OF SHOWS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 17 Performs Locally: The Mint In Los Angeles- Monday, November 24      (LOS ANGELES, CA) - Lazer Lloyd , Israel's "King of Blues Rock," brings his fresh sound, new songs, and deep roots to the Southland for some select solo shows and trio performances with all-star backing.    Lazer Lloyd performs locally at The Mint , 6010 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, Monday, November 24. Showtime is 9:45 p.m. Tickets $8. in advance, $10. at the door. Info: (323) 954-9400 or http://themintla.com/ . ...