Bman's Blues Report

NEW RELEASE FROM FAN FAVORITES THE CASH BOX KINGS! Blind Pig Records has announced an April 28th release date for Holding Court , the latest album from award-winning fan favorites The Cash Box Kings . On this release the band continues their mission of carrying on the spirit of the 1940's and 50's post-war Chicago blues sound as well as the Delta blues music of the 20's and 30's. But these illustrious torchbear­ers also add a bravado, energy and freshness to the mix that results in a distinctive musical expe­rience. The Cash Box Kings are fronted by Joe Nosek , who writes and arranges songs, sings, and channels the spirits of Little Walter and Slim Harpo on harmonica, and singer and songwriter Oscar Wilson, a 6’3”, 300 hundred pound Muddy Waters-type throwback to the heyday of the Chicago blues scene.  No less a blues authority than Charlie Musselwhite said, "The Cash Box Kings play with taste and feel and it was faith restori...

SPENCER DAVIS GROUP, CANDYE KANE, DWAYNE DOPSIE ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOO (FEATURING CYRIL NEVILLE AND DEVON ALLMAN) CANNED HEAT, LEO “BUD” WELCH, BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY GUITAR SHORTY, TERRANCE SIMIEN BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY HEADLINE 25th ANNUAL SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 23-24 Los Angeles area’s largest Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Roots music festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, features two stages, a Mardi Gras parade, crafts and dozens of food booths SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The 26th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival will rock once again at Memorial Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., in Simi Valley. The event features two full stages for each of its musical genres. Music will proceed non-stop each day from 12 noon until 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adul...

March 30, 2015 ROOTS MUSIC VISIONARY OTIS TAYLOR CREATES A TIMELESSS PSYCHEDELIC ALBUM AND DEBUTS HIS  TRANCE BLUES FESTIVAL LABEL Hey Joe Opus/Red Meat seamlessly blends hypnotic songs and instrumentals; features guests Warren Haynes, Langhorne Slim and String Cheese Incident’s Bill Nershi, out May 5 BOULDER, Colo. — Hey Joe Opus/Red Meat , the new album from visionary roots music songwriter and bandleader Otis Taylor , is a psychedelic masterpiece. Blending his uniquely poetic songwriting and the compelling musical approach that he calls “trance blues,” the recording — due on May 5, 2015 on Taylor’s new Trance Blues Festival label — cuts to the core of the human spirit with its mix of vocal and instrumental performances, letting its hypnotic sound as well as Taylor’s lyrics tell its story. The artist explains that his 14th album is “about decisions and their consequences. ...

I just received a copy of the newest release, I Got Blues For Ya , from Michael Falzarano and it's a riot. Opening with The Night King Curtis Died , a lumbering 12 bar number, features strong vocals, lead and rhythm guitar from Falzarano, bass by Chris Matheos on bass, Ray Grappone on drums and excellent slide work from Kane Daily who has a lot of the feel of slide master Rod Price. Title track, I Got Blues For Ya , is structured along the Bo Diddley beat with a swampy feel and guitar not unlike Peter Green. Klyph Black joins on bass and Christian Cassan joins on drums. Josh Colow takes the lead guitar on I Never Think About You , a bluesy ballad. Professor Louie adds a cool piano runs and Miss Marie gives the track a warm texture on backing vocals. Colow lays out a few really nice compact solos on this track and the Professor rides the B3 high. A hot riding boogie, Snake Box Boogie , has a super beat and Falzarano really grinds this one out with the Professor and Colow for one...

I just received the newest release, Mustang Blues , from John Earl Walker and it digs in deep. Opening with Hey Baby , a cool 12 bar jam with a Allstars flare. John Earl Walker has been playing his guitar for some time and he lays on it early showing he knows his way around. Joined by Peter Harris on bass, Frank Diorio on drums and Gene Cordew on keys, this track is a great opener! Solid down, The Devil Follows Me , sounds like it's straight from Chicago and Walker slings his guitar with comfort. His riffs roll off of his fingertips like water pushed along nicely by Cordew on piano. Title track, Mustang Blues , has a funky R&B feel along the lines of Mustang Sally or Poke Salad Annie. This is a cool track with Steve Ress adding some real nice slide guitar work on the mix. Funkify is a guitar led instrumental with a funky beat and extended guitar soloing. I'm Already Gone is a modern blues style take on a soul feel. It has the blues basis with strong bass by Harris and ...

I just received the newest release, Electric Field Holler , from Anthony Gomes and it's blistering! Opening with Turn It Up , Gomes sets high expectations with a solid cowbell which tells you right off where the track is going. Hot, stinging and rocking. A modern rocker with a blues root and clearly modern riffs permeate this track. Back Door Scratchin' sets down with a bit more southern rock feel and heavy kick drum bottom by Chad Cromwell. Theo Harden on bass and Cromwell set a heavy stage for Gomes who really throws up the pyrotechnics. Whiskey Train has a real cool swagger and I particularly like Gomes vocals on this track. Particularly bluesy guitar riffs make this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Blueschild is a lumbering heavy rocker with snappy blues guitar riffs. Nowhere Is Home has a simple rock rhythm and tight vocal harmonies with Vicki Hampton, Wendy Moten, Minnie Murphy and Kelly Wild. Cool keyboard effects add to the overall effectiveness of this ...

SPENCER DAVIS GROUP, CANDYE KANE, DWAYNE DOPSIE ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOO (FEATURING CYRIL NEVILLE AND DEVON ALLMAN) CANNED HEAT, LEO “BUD” WELCH, BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY GUITAR SHORTY, TERRANCE SIMIEN BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY HEADLINE 25th ANNUAL SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 23-24 Los Angeles area’s largest Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Roots music festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, features two stages, a Mardi Gras parade, crafts and dozens of food booths SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The 26th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival will rock once again at Memorial Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., in Simi Valley. The event features two full stages for each of its musical genres. Music will proceed non-stop each day from 12 noon until 7:30 p.m. Tickets ...