Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Got Started , from Jimmy Carpenter and it's a cool mix of blues, R&B and rock. Opening with title track, (Feels Like) I Just Got Started , Jimmy Carpenter sings soulful vocals and plays warm sax, joined by Dwayne, Walter and James Morgan on vocals, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Kid Andersen on guitar, Jim Pugh on keys and D'mar Martin on drums. Solid radio style opener. On Willie Dixon's My Babe , Carpenter plays a dynamic sax opener, backed by Mike Galisatus on trumpet, Jack Sanford on bari sax, and Endre Tarczy on piano and a flashy guitar solo by Kid. Hot sax work and a swinging drum/bass line is the trick on this one. Nice! Hot, honking sax track, Jimmy Shimmy is boosted by wild organ work by Pugh and flashy guitar styling by Bobby Vega. Smokin! Allen Toussaint's funky, Night People , has a great groove, anchored by Vega on bass and D'Mar on drums. Carpenter really gets it working with sassy sax ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lead Me Not Into Temptation (I Can Find It Myself) . by Wildcat O'Halloran Band and it's a strong blues party. Opening with Temptation , a solid, bass driven blues rocker, has a great beat and features Wildcat on lead guitar and vocal, Ottomatic Slim on harmonica, Jerry Jeff Siiru on bass, and Joe Fitzpatrick on drums. On Bo Diddley flavored, Good Thing I Never Got Famous has a strong drum rhythm by Fitzpartick and Wildcat on guitar and Slim both get loose with excellent solos. JL Hooker's My Own Fault gives Wildcat and Slim a real nice opportunity to lay down traditional blues. Wildcat wails the blues and his guitar riffs are raw and stinging and Slim's harmonica work is super. My favorite track on the release. Otis Rush's Homework has a bit of J Geils' spank with Slim ripping the lead vocal and Wildcat's real nice lead guitar and Slim working the Magic Dick lines. I always loved this track....

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Balancing Act , from Zachary Bartholomew , and it's adventurous and soothing. Opening with Crazy Socks , a cool bop track featuring Benny Benack III on trumpet and Zachary Bartholomew, this track really rolls with Marty Quinn on bass, and Rudolfo Zuniga  on drums. Crisp opener. David Fernandez on sax joins Bartholomew on Bring The Noise , with an aggressive piano lead and tight rhythm section by Quinn and Zuniga. Jagged time signatures add really nice texture to the track and a well composed solo by Benack on trumpet over a Latin concept really works nicely. The Long and Winding Road has a complex rhythm pairing Bartholomew with Fernandez on soprano sax. A strong sense of space and time and a nicely executed piano lead by Bartholomew make this a top track on the release. Wrapping the release is Midnight Nefarity with Fernandez on sax paired with Bartholomew on piano. Bartholomew's melodic piano improv is quietin...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kingdom , from Amanda Fish and I really like it! Opening with Mockingbird , a cool blues rocker, Amanda Fish on vocal and guitar gets this thing moving with solid vocals and a hot rhythm by Terry Midkiff on guitar and slide and Paul Niehaus IV on bass and guitar lays in a real nice guitar solo of his own joined by Billie Baumann on percussion, Glen James on drums and Mama Moo on backing vocals. Excellent opener. With a twist of R&B, The Hard Way is a cool radio track with a great melody and tight vocal harmonies between Fish and MM. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Country flavored, Broke Ass Blues with Dylan Farrell on guitar and Niehaus on bass. Really potent slide work by Midkiff and soulful vocals by Fish give this track just the right edge. Another favorite track is Work , featuring Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica. His riffs and tone play perfectly on this track really complimenting Fish's powerful...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Takes Odd Turns , by Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra , and it's energetic and fully equipped. Opening with Naught Won , with it's light Latin rhythm, the deck is fully loaded with Brianna Martinez on flute, Noam Niv on flute, Ana Nelson on clarinet, Garrett Fasig on sax, Kyle Brooks on sax, Chance Davis on tenor, Andrew Keitner on tenor, Joseph Trahan on bari, Clark Hunter on lead trumpet, Jack Kurtz on trumpet, Nick Recktenwald on trumpet, Sam Butler on trumpet, Andrew Danforth on lead trombone, Marcel Penzes on trombone, Leah Warman on trombone, Matt Acosta on bass trombone, Joel Tucker on guitars, Alex Wignall on piano, Brendan Keller-Tuberg on bass and Francis Bassett-Dilley on drums. Recktenwald lays out a really nice trumpet solo, followed by Davis on tenor sax, and great work bay Danforth wailing on trombone. Hot opener. Lucky 13 is a cool song with a dark melodic approach. With rich sax tones and tight trum...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Colorcrimes , by Eliza Neals , and it's high energy blues. Opening with Heal This Land , featuring Neals on vocal and Michael Puwal on guitar really generate a lot of energy based on original blues. Solid opener. Title track, Colorcrimes , is a strong, soulful track with nicely blended vocals by Neals and featuring Puwal on guitar, Doug Woern on bass, Mark Leach on B3, and Justin Headley on drums. Very nice. Shuffle, Candy Store , has a super feel and nicely showcases Neals vocals. With Puwal on guitar, Skeeto Valdez on drums, Paul Randolph on bass, John Galvin on B3, and Kymberli Wright on backing vocal, this track really hits the groove. Wrapping the release is Friday Night (All Day Long) , a blues rocker with a funky backbeat. With it's memorable melody and solid harmonies, this is the radio track for the release and a solid closer.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and...

  I was informed this morning by Curley's son that Curley has passed. I am very sorry to hear this. Here is another notice of Curley's passing from Patrice Villastrigo: Patrice Villastrigo o p s n o S t e d r g g t s a t f A d Y m 6 1 5 9 5 1 i 9   0 a h e   0 : 8 c i 1 a   M r y 9 a e 1 f 1 t 7 u t c 0 c u    ·  Sadness ensues at the passing of dear friend, Curley Mays A kind and integrous man, he always had a smile on his face I've known Curley over 30 years. Often, he'd join us, me, Spot Barnett and Tony Lara, as we performed around San Antonio. One never forgets a Curley Mays performance! What he could do with a guitar, simply amazing Curley made the world a better place When asked, he regaled us with stories of his fascinating musical history. A sense of pride shone on his face as he did so. An icon, he will be very much missed, by so many Many blessings and much love to Curley 's family Visitation: December 28 10 - 11 am Calgary Baptist Church Funera...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sun Prints , from Matt Booth and it's a stimulating sonic adventure. Opening with In Tongues , Peter Varnado on drums and Matt Booth on bass lay down a strong rhythmic theme, joined by Steve Lands on trumpet and Sam Taylor on tenor sax creating an ever building intensity, anchored by Oscar Rossignoli on piano. Strong opener. Ice Bear has a crisp, glistening feel with tight drum work by Varnado and a great bass line by Booth. Lands creates a really nice melodic theme on trumpet and Taylor sails on tenor sax. Very nice. You Came Along has a progressive drum, bass, piano anchor with a stimulating feel and Lands and Taylor exchange soloing on trumpet and sax making for on of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Happenstance , an intricate track with whirling piano, sax and trumpet and articulate drums and guitar. A fruitful closer.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Town We Painted Blue , by Christopher Lockett and it's a solid gumbo of folk, blues country and Americana. Opening with title track, A Town We Painted Blue , Christopher Lockett on vocal and rhythm guitar sings a folk tune with strong violin work by Scarlet Rivera and Kitten Kuroi on backing vocal. I really like the pedal steel work on Bob "Boo" Bernstein on Santa Ana Winds Are Good For Cryin' , a cool folk rocker with Fernando Persomo on drums behind Lockett and Kuroi on vocal. Death Ain't Nothin'/No Mercy is a cool blues structured track with a powerful guitar riff by Perdomo and terrific vocals by Lockett and Kuroi. I like Lamp Posts with it's Americana structure, spartan rhythm, pure vocals by Lockett and Kuroi and sweet violin work by Rivera. Lockett pulls out his blues harmonica on Down By The Riverslide , a cool harmonica jam backed by Perdomo on drums. Wrapping the release is anot...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Backstage Pass Live!!!, from Judy Sings The Blues and it's has great kick. Opening with Help Me , a blues rocker with plenty of swagger, Judy Mangini on lead vocal and percussion really takes control. Joined by Jan Zukowski on bass, Ray Lombardo on drums and featuring some potent guitar work by Lin Doughten and Brian Cunningham on sax, this is a tight opener. Rocking boogie, Guess I Was Wrong , has a firm droning bass line by Zukowski and a tight drum beat by Lombardo leaving a great platform for Mangini's vocals, and sweaty guitar soloing by Doughten and a soulful sax solo by Cunningham. Very nice. Soul track, Come Over Here really showcases Mangini's vocal style and the band with it's moving rhythm sets a terrific feel. Cunningham on sax sets the bluesy moody and Doughten rips a real nice guitar solo giving the track real teeth making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is blues ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Wanna Have Fun , from Mike Goudreau Band and it's a swinging blues release. Opening with Don't Wanna Go To Work , Mike Gougreau on lead vocal and guitar leads the way with Dany Roy on trumpet responding to his call, backed by Norman Lachapelle on bass, Richard Irwin on drums and Paul Shrofel on keys. A cool shuffle, this track gives Goudreau plenty of space to run the frets. Solid opener. With a nice lope, How Can I Change Your Mind , really hits the slot. Singing just behind the beat, Goudreau gives the track a real laid back feel and Shrofel on keys lay out a sweet solo of his own. Rockin blues, Big Black Dog , plays nicely with Goudreau putting out some of his best vocals and crisp guitar riffs over the funky rhythm of Shrofel on keys and Irwin on drums. With a light, easy pace, Happy Since You're Gone , is a jazzier piece with Goudreau crooning and nice muted trumpet and flute by Roy. Next up is Come H...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Get Down 4 Real: Step Step Steppin', from Darren Barrett and it's really strong. Opening with The Get Down 4 Real , Youngehae Jeong, Paul Reinhold, Clara Moser on bass and Julian Miltenberger set an evil groove, with Warren Pettey and Santiego Bosch on keys setting the stage for Darren Barrett on trumpet to set a great melodic groove on trumpet. Quite exciting. Barrett leads the way on Flow Against the Flow with a loose but structured trumpet melody with obtuse yet perfect key strokes and electronic overflow on a tight drums rhythm. Excellent! My favorite track on the release is funky, DSYWJ funky organ and keys over an intense rolling drum/bass groove. Barrett with muted trumpet really coaxes an understated melody giving this track a Headhunters feel. Wrapping the release is We Out No Doubt a laid back groove with a excellent drum line and recurring melodic theme by Barrett. I really like this release. Ch...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Europe , from the Scott Weis Band and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Raise Your Hands , a solid rocker, Scott Weis on lead vocal and guitar really gets the show going. With Robert Kopec on bass and vocal and Roger Voss on drums, this is a great sound. On ZZ Top's Just Got Paid/Jesus Just Left Chicago , Weis on vocal and lead guitar gets that Gibbons grit and cruises into his well known shuffle. This is a great concert track and nicely developed. Pride and Soul is a strong track opening with stripped down guitar, vocal and tambourine. Growing as it develops, this track is a potent blues rocker. With a driving bass line by Kopec and tight drums by Voss, this is one of my favorites on the release. Sam and Dave's deep soul track, Something is Wrong With My Baby , is really developed nicely here with well blended vocal harmonies and an extended guitar solo by Weis. Funky, Bitch Please , brea...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sundown Rising , from Denise La Grassa and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Sundown Rising , Denise La Grassa onlead vocal and organ leads the way with a tight rhythm by Mike Gee on drums, and Steven C. Manns on bass and John Kregor on guitars and featuring Pierre Lacocque on harmonica. Solid opener. On Big Bill Broonzy's Key To The Highway , La Grassa gives the track a twist with a funky bottom, adding Stephen Ryan on guitar some real nice harmonica work by Lacocque. Charging rocker, Vision Of Good Rule Makers features some real nice guitar work by Ryan and La Grassa on vocal and organ and backing by the Nunn Sisters.  My favorite track on the release is funky, Sweet Talk , with bluesy vocals by La Grassa, flashy guitar riffs by Ryan and strong bottom by Gee and Manns. Wrapping the release is easy shuffle, Loving For Love's Sake anchored by by Gee's tight drum work.    If ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Happy Little Accidents , by Dominic Quarto and it's an energetic blues rocker. Opening with Wanna Good Time , Dominic Quarto is on lead vocal joined by Rip Carson on bass and excellent rockabilly guitar riffs and Jeff Taylor holding the rhythm in line on drums. Strong opener. In the slot, La Verne , has real swagger with Quarto on lead vocal, Bob Gothar and Carson on guitars, Taylor on drums, Jorgen Carlsson on bass and Tyler Nickeas, Daniel Fritts , Richard McGowen and Chris Edwards on backing vocals. With thunderous drums by Kenny Aronoff and a firm hand by Carlsson, Ely May rumbles. Quarto on vocal and Pettibone on guitar and harmonica, gives this track a definite 50's feel. With a country and western twist, Outlaw really has a great feel. With strong vocals by Quarto, Pettibone and Carson on guitars, and Taylor on drums, this is one of my favorites on the release. Closing the set is easy paced, country flavor...