Bman's Blues Report

ACCLAIMED BLIND PIG ACTS AT THE KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL Two highly acclaimed blues acts with new releases out on Blind Pig Records - the Zac Harmon Band and the Andy T-Nick Nixon Band - will be performing at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, one of the most iconic and longest running blues festivals in the U.S. ZAC HARMON BAND  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8th  4:00pm - 5:10pm Zac is one of the blues’ strongest live performers, thrilling fans everywhere from Memphis to Mumbai.  BluesWax said, “Harmon’s stage show is like a Blues symphony where he segues from one song to the next without a moment’s hesitation, building a head of steam that is orgasmic. His hour on stage went by in an instant.” Jazz Now said, “His show affirmed all the ...

50 YEARS OF MISSISSIPPI BLUES LEGEND BOBBY RUSH — CULLED FROM MORE THAN 20 LABELS —  COMING ON FOUR DISCS FROM OMNIVORE RECORDINGS ON NOVEMBER 27, 2015 Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush box set contains nearly five hours of music with 32-page booklet, noted by Bill Dahl, with quotes from Mavis Staples, Keb’ Mo’, Elvin Bishop, Leon Huff, Al Bell and more. “Bobby Rush is among the most treasured blues singers of all time. Because when the blues saints go marching in, Bobby Rush will be in that number.” —Leon Huff Bobby Rush (Photo by James Patterson) LOS ANGELES, Calif. — When you’ve played with...

I just received the newest release, Rich In Love , from Colin Linden and it's very entertaining. Opening with Knob & Tube , an easy paced blues pop track featuring Linden on mandolin and vocal and backed by Amy Helm on vocal, the release is off to a good start. R&B slanted, I Need Water has a slick, Boz Scaggs style. Linden delivers nicely on this track with quiet but really interesting slide riffs, backed by John Dymond on bass, Gary Craig on drums and Tim Laur on organ. Very nice! Delia Come For Me is a strong ballad with Linden on vocal accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and overdubbing a really sweet slide guitar track. Solid writing and performance. Harp master, Charlie Musselwhite adds his signature harp styling on The Hurt , a bluesy ballad. Linden opens the electric slide up a bit on this track giving it a nice contrast and Reese Wynans dances on piano giving the track a certain sparkle. Everybody Ought To Be Loved is a soulful ballad and one that should ...

I just received the newest release, Howlin' , from Lara & The Bluz Dawgz and it's a mover. Opening with boogie woogie track, Uh Huh , Lara Germony leads on vocals on this piano fueled track. Gan Nadasdi knows his was around the keyboard, and a rich sax solo from Reggie Murray adds sass. Al Rowe rips a few blistering riffs on guitar and Gregg Germony on bass and Ray Gonzales are tight on bottom. Flat Line has a light funky beat with healthy guitar lead and a soulful sax solo. Lara is a well suited lead singer for this type of band with it's fluid leads and I particularly like Rowe and Murray's exchange fueled by G. Germony and Gonzales. I Wonder is a soulful ballad with a nice guitar intro by Rowe. This band really has a nice balance between sax and guitar soloing and Nadasdi adds just the right amount of keyboard. Another Boogie track, Wearin Me Out has a nice driving bass line giving Lara plenty of space to sing. Murray again shows his sax prowess and Rowe fl...