Bman's Blues Report

CHARLIE PARR Stream the new album, "Dog" premiering at Folk Alley's "Hear it First"  Featuring the blistering picking, offbeat characters and raw emotion that has made him a cult favorite Dog  set for release September 8; pre-order at iTunes and Amazon Parr announces fall tour dates including AmericanaFest    August 30, 2017:   Charlie Parr   is premiering his latest album, Dog , as a "Hear It First" selection at Folk Alley .  Dog , out on September 8 on Red House, features the blistering picking, offbeat characters and honest emotion that has made him a cult favorite. It's raw, even painful at times, as on the darkly humorous "Pleasant Valley," sung from the point of view of a hoarder and the title track, which examines the way we treat our fello...

Kim Wilson Gets Back to Basics on Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 CD, Coming October 20 from Severn Records ANNAPOLIS, MD – Legendary singer/harmonica master Kim Wilson has gone back to the basics and old school Chicago blues for his exciting new CD, Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 , coming October 20 from Severn Records. Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 was produced by Kim Wilson, with most tracks  recorded and mixed by Nathan James at Sacred Cat Studios, Oceanside, California; except tracks 4 and 15 recorded by Big Jon at Big Tone Recording Studios, Hayward, California. “I want to tell all of the real blues fans out there what a labor of love this project has been,” Wilson writes in the album’s liner notes. “I’ve been recording many, many tracks for a couple of years now and time has just flown by! A couple of the greatest musicians that ever lived, Richard Innes and Barrelhouse Chuck, have passed away during the process of making this CD. One of their dreams was to see this stuff c...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Black & Tan Ball , by Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons and it's strong. Opening with classic, Do You Call That A Buddy , Hunter on violin & Seamons on guitar along with Phil Wiggins create the sound of a fine wine with a really nice arrangement. Excellent! Georgian fiddler tune, Shangai Rooster really gets heels high in the air with harp, banjo and fiddle. Super jam. An exceptional hot jazz number, Struttin' With Some Barbeque , features Wiggins on harp trading lead with Hunter on violin with tight rhythm by Seamons on guitar. Very nice. Another super jazz number, Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me features solid vocals and excellent mandolin lead by Hunter and warm harmonica melodies by Wiggins. Guitar Rag is a great jam with Hunter on violin and Wiggins on harp again working with Seamons on guitar for an excellent track. Cool old blues track, Hard Time Blues holds tight and fast to original Lane Hardin ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hokum Blues , from Chris "Bad News" Barnes , and it's true to the old style 30's blues. Opening with Tampa Red's It Hurts Me Too , Barnes' vocals are solid with super slide work from Jimmy Vivino and Steve Guyer on harp, backed by Will Lee on bass, Shawn Pelton on drums and Bette Sussman on piano. Kicking it into swing mode and getting a little suggestive, Barnes struts Let Play With Your Poodle , featuring a real nice piano solo by Sussman and crisp guitar riffs by Vivino. Very nice. Prohibition style, I'm Gonna Get High , maintains a lot of the "prance" of the area and caller style vocals. Wild slide work on Bo Diddley rhythmed It's Tight Like That really gives this track a great presence. The Hokum Boys', You Can't Get Enough Of That Stuff, is one of my favorites on the release with cool vocal harmonies and easy going rhythm. With a Latin beat, Keep Your Mind On It...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Morning Midnight , from Scott Ellison and it's tasty! Opening with New Orleans flavored, Sanctified , Ellison is really hitting the road running. With Chris Campbell on lead vocal and Marcy Levy on backing vocal this band featuring Chuck Blackwell ripping up the drums, Gary Gilmore's funky bass line and hot guitar work by Ellison is smokin'. Soulful number, Gone For Good showcases Ellison on lead vocal and guitar with a strong radio presentation. Very nice. Reggae styling on Hope & Faith really sits down hard on Bob Marley's style. A really nice track with just the right groove features Jon Parris on bass, Danny Timms on B3 and terrific drum work by David Teegarden. One of my favorite tracks on the release is You Made A Mess (Outta Me) along the lines of Nickel and a Nail or Thrill Is Gone. With Jon Glazer on keys, Robbie Armstrong on drums, Jon Parris on bass and real nice lead vocal and gu...

Boston-Based Guitarist Peter Ward Sets October 20 Release Date for His New CD, Blues on My Shoulders , on Gandy Dancer Records Special Guests Include Ronnie Earl, Sugar Ray & the Bluetones and Sax Gordon Beadle BOSTON, MA – Guitarist Peter Ward announces an October 20 release date for his new CD, Blues on My Shoulders , on Gandy Dancer Records. Besides Ward on guitar and vocals, special guests on the new disc include multiple Blues Music Award-winning guitar legend Ronnie Earl, Sax Gordon Beadle on sax and the members of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones: Sugar Ray Norcia (vocals and harmonica), “Monster” Mike Welch (guitar), Anthony Geraci (piano), Michael “Mudcat” Ward (Peter’s brother – bass) and Neil Gouvin (drums).  “It pleases me to present Blues on My Shoulders , my first solo project,” Peter Ward says about the new album. “I wrote the words and music to 12 of the 13 songs. I grew up wearing out the vinyl records trying to understand how Robert Jr. Lockwo...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Little Thing , by Joshua Jacobson and it's got a laid back bluesy feel. Opening with Baby's Mama Really Don't Care, Jacobson on guitar and vocal sets the pace with cool rag style piano by Chris Flowers. Matt Walker on bass and Aaron Fowler on percussion round out the band. With a cool saunter, Codependent Kate , has a nice feel with Mookie Brill on harp, Clark Stern on piano and Pedro Arevelo on bass. Stern's piano work on Long Lonesome Day really stand out nicely and Jacobson's vocals are solid and spot on. Long time Allman Brothers lead guitar player, Dickey Betts, sits in on electric guitar on Pistol Packin' Papa adding his signature style. Damon Fowler steps up on acoustic slide guitar on Bipolar Mama and with Aaron Fowler's clever percussion work makes it one of my favorites on the release. Curley Weaver's Ticket Agent is a great track played by the book with the addition of...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Controlled Burn , from Paradise Kings and it's cool, tasteful rocker. Opening with '69 Chevy , Jeff Gring opens the pace with stylized rock n roll guitar riffs joined by George Lambert on drums, Michael Robertson on bass and Henry Garrett on lead vocals. Cool swingin' track. On shuffle track, I'd Sing The Blues If I Had 'Em , Garrett leads the way and Gring's riffs are crisp and playful. On Hooker influenced, Three Strikes , the band gets into a super R&B groove with a really nice guitar line. Definitely one of my favorites on the release. On Patience , a slower blues, it's the soulful vocals of Garrett, warm key lines of Chris Ulep and nice bluesy guitar soloing of Gring that makes this track really sail. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, Money Ain't My Friend , grinding into the blues straightaway. Rugged vocals by Garrett and solid drum contribution by Lambert really give this...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stay Above Water from Scottie Miller Band and it's a cool mix of blues, rock, R&B. Opening with shuffle track, Burned All My Bridges , Miller on lead vocal and keys is backed by Mark O'Day on drums, Patrick Allen on guitars and Dik Shopteau on bass. Keep This Thing Going has a funky feel with Larry McCabe on trombone, David Eiland on tenor sax, Scott Snyder on trumpet and John Croarkin on bari sax and special guest Ruthie Foster on vocal. Very nice. It Better Groove has a smooth R&B sound with great bottom by Croarkin. Slick piano and organ work by Miller and chicken style pickin' by Allen sets this track apart. Special ballad, Guardian Angel , has a real nice melody and features simple vocal and mandolin by Miller. One of my favorites on the release is Circles with a real nice funky groove. This track has a slow strut with popping bass, funky guitar, cool organ and nicely blended vocals. Very co...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All You Gotta Do , from The Nighthawks legendary blues & roots band and it's quite good. Opening with Jerry Reed's power rocker and title track, That's All You Gotta Do , the band is humming right from the start with Mark Wenner on harp, Paul Bell on guitar, Johnny Castle on bass and Mark Stutso on drums. Hot! On Willie Dixon's, Baby, I Want To Be Loved , the band really has the spirit of Dixon's blues and Wenner's riffs are crisp and smoky. On Randy Newman's Let's Burn Down The Cornfield the band explores the darkness of the blues with super slide work by Bell, nice harp by Wenner and super vocals over a well paced blues rocker. On Sonny Williamson's shuffle track, Ninety Nine , it's all Wenner who really does a nice job of working the harp. Excellent. On original soul track, Three Times A Fool , the band digs deeply into the groove with hot vocals and cool reverb soaked gui...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  I Am The Blues - My Story Vol 3 , from Michael Packer and it sums up the stories of his life in song. Fields of Sorrow , sung by Ed Jackson and Irving Louis Lattin has an island feel accompanied by Packer and Jack O'Hara. Yo Staten Island (The Violence Has Got To Stop) has a Booker T, Born Under A Bad Sign remix, stripped down to almost a work song. Packer's rugged voice with band members Guy Powell on drums, Ed Jackson and John Belton on bass is a definitive fell of hardships endured in captivity. Deep blues, Chicago , features Mike Wheeler on guitar, Roosevelt Purifoy on piano, Melvin Smith on bass and Willie Hayes on drums. Taped live at Buddy Guy's Legends, this track features some of the best vocals by Packer with a super guitar solo by Wheeler and super piano work by Purifoy. Wrapping the release is R&B track, Mr Packer and purifoy delivers with great Leon Russell feel. Packer died may of 2017 o...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One More Round , from John Pagano Band and it's a funky rocker. Opening with Bottoms Up , John Pagano Band (formerly JP Blues) hits the ground running with contemporary vocal styling, slide guitar and snappy drums. With a reggae beat, Ain't Mine is a cool track with tension and a lot of polish.  With a lumbering rock sense Pagano shows a bit more smoke on guitar backed by Shiloh Bloodworth on drums and Tony Hossri on bass. With a contemporary pop edge, rocker Ain't Gonna Lose You has a springy beat and radio rated vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the release, 99 Problems is a straight up rocker with solid guitar riuffs rooted in the blues. A heavy foot by Bloodworth and heavy reinforcement by Hossri gives the track just the right oomph.  Wrapping the release is driving rocker, Catch That Train . With a heavy bottom, slashing guitar work and powerful drum attack, these guys mean business. This is a def...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Irish , by Shannon McNally and it's quite good. Opening with You Made Me Feel For You , McNally on lead vocal delivers the blues with a country flair backed by Jerry Roe on drums, Michael Rhodes on bass, Micah Hulscher on keys and Audley Freed and Colin Linden on guitars. A solid opener. Stevie Wonder's I Ain't Gonna Stand For It with a country twist is nicely enhanced by closely matched backing vocals  featuring Wendy Moten and Rodney Crowell and the steel guitr riffs of Jim Hoke. Original track, I Went To The Well , is rooted in the blues with a note of Elmore James and reinforced by Lex Price on bass. Another self penned track, Roll Away The Stone has a rock feel and wailing sax by Jim Hoke. J.J. Cale's Low Rider has a soothing touch, enhanced nicely by McNally's smokey voice.  Chapman/Crowell ballad, Isn't That Love , is really a nice track and McNally delivers the goods. On Muddy Wa...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In Concert: Road Songs & Stories , from Roy Book Binder and it's very entertaining. Opening with St. Pete Blues Book shows his super story telling skills and well as his strong influence by Rev. Gary Davis. Excellent opener. Rag, Black Dog Blues , is a strong track with a faster tempo, originally recorded by Bayless Rose in the 20's. Sounds fresh as the day it was written. New Age Woman Blues is a funny little track with a good story and quick riffs. Rev. Gary Davis' Candyman is next and Book not only does a real nice job on it but also elaborates on his history with Davis. Another great track is Can't Do That No More . Book tells of all of the stuff you have to do without as you get older.The theme has been covered many times but Book does a particularly entertaining run at it. Blind Boy Fuller's Rag Mama is a perfect track for this set with Books vocal and picking style. Excellent. Travis-...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Charmed & Dangerous , from Altered Five Blues Band and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Charmed & Dangerous , a funky blues track, powerhouse lead singer, Jeff Taylor is off to  great start. Lead guitarist, Jeff Schroedl is on top with a modern day Albert King style flair joined by Mark Solveson on bass, Tom Hambridge on drums and Raymond Tevich on keys these guys pack a powerful punch.   and Hambridge as always sets great pace. An excellent opener. On shuffle track, Mint Condition , Trevich sets a great sound on organ and Schroedl's Texas style blues riffs are spot on. With a nod from Howlin' Wolf, On My List To Quit absolutely struts. Taylor is on top of his game with solid vocals and Schroedl's riffs are crisp. Out of the gate like "Mad Dogs", Gonna Lose My Lady is a strong blues rocker. One of my favorite tracks on the release Cookin' In Your Kitchen, gives Schroedl a...

Multi-Blues Music Award Nominee Al Basile Makes a Loud Statement on New CD, Quiet Money , Coming September 15 from Sweetspot Records RUMFORD, RI – Sweetspot Records announces a September 15 release date for Quiet Money , the new CD from multiple Blues Music Award nominee Al Basile. Quiet Money was produced by Duke Robillard, recorded by Jack Gauthier at Lakewest Recording Studio in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, and features a baker’s-dozen 13 songs, all penned by Al Basile. It’s been 44 years since Al Basile joined Rhode Island’s legendary jump blues band Roomful of Blues as its first trumpet player, and while his last few solo releases have moved closer musically to the styles Roomful played in: jump blues, urban and Texas blues, swing, and classic R&B, Quiet Money draws directly from that template. Its songs were inspired musically by Buddy Johnson, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy McCracklin, Saunders King, Charlie Rich, and even the Coasters and the Pilgrim Travel...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Devil Don't Care , from Antry and it's full set of diverse melodic music. Opening with title track Devil Don't Care , a smooth shuffle track featuring Steve Antry on lead vocal, harmonica and guitar, Greg Morrow on drums, Michael Rhodes on bass and Rob McNelly and Pat Buchanan and Brent Mason on guitars.   Always With Me is as smooth and mellow a pop track gets. With warmly blended vocals and easy backing, this track has radio all over it. Leon Russell's dynamic, Prince of Peace gets a stylistic remake with a bit more bite on the vocals and some crisp guitar attack displacing the hammering piano work of Russell. Shaun Murphy's soulful vocals really add nicely maintaining the rowdy feel of Russell's original recording. Antry shows over and again the he has a really warm voice capable of doing most anything he wants, demonstrated nicely on the somber ballad, Borrowed Angels . Anthony Gomes sits i...