Jennifer Porter - Sun Come and Shine - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sun Come and Shine, from Jennifer Porter and it's a fine blend of pop, blues and R&B. Opening with title track, Sun Come and Shine, Porter shows a refined voice with easy presentation and soft clarity, backing herself on B3, and joined by Audrey Wheeler Downing, Layonne Holmes, and Kim Davis on backing vocals, Bernard Purdie on drums, Wilbur Bascombe on bass, Miho Nobuzane on piano, George Naha on guitars and Rob Paparozzi on harmonica. With a full King Curtis like sway, Satin Shoes is a real strong composition. Dan Boone's bass line leads the track nicely and Porter's voice seems to float above the instrumentation with Steve Jankowski on trumpet, Tom Timko on tenor sax  and Downing, Holmes and Davis on backing vocals. Very nice. Another R&B style track, You're So Easy To Be With, features some fine piano work by Porter to compliment he solid vocals. Boone's bass line, complimenting C.J. Chenier on accordion and punctuation by Jankowski on trumpet and Timko on sax gives the track a real New Orleans flavor. Ballad, Something On Your Mind, has a really nice balance between Christian McBride on bass, Timko on soprano sax and Porter's softly phrased vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is an easy country waltz like ballad, I'll Be Here, featuring Porter singing backing to her own lead in very nice fashion. With Buddy Savino on bass Nobuane on piano and featuring Cindy Cashdollar on pedal steel, this is a solid closer. 

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Charlie Barath - Just Me And My Friend (s) - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Me and My Friend (s) by Charlie Barath and it's quite good. Opening with a refined field holler, The Forgotten Man, It's just Barath on vocal and harmonica. I really like this track as an opener with it's entry to the blues and it's basic simplicity.  Breaking into a full blues rocker, Travelin' Woman gives Barath the opening to show his Chicago style harmonica skills, backed by Jimmy Adler on guitar, Mike Law on bass, Gordon Grottenthaler on drums and John Burgh on organ. Really nice. Another change in directions on Ohio, with it's back country (almost western) folk style. I really like this track with Barath leading on vocal and harmonica, adding Jeff Scheller on acoustic bass, Pete Freeman on dobro, Ray Bruckman on mandolin and fiddle. Excellent! Open the swinging doors and welcome in full honky tonk country and western, Little Turtle Nightlight. With Sam Stuckey joining on harmony vocal, Scheller on acoustic bass, Joey Pinchotti on drums, Freeman on pedal steel and Bruckman on fiddle, this is my favorite track on the release. Excellent! No Smoking is a contemporary blues romp with a real nice opportunity for Jimmy Alder to stretch a little on guitar and for Barath to show his traditional harmonica skills. Another really nice track. Much Better Now is a really cool country blues track putting me in mind of a Taj Mahal album for the way back using tuba as the primary rhythm instrument. With Roger Day on tuba and Barath on lead vocal and harmonica, very cool. Another unusual track with an early rag style is The Briar Hopper with Chris Sutton on guitar, Barath on harmonica and Day on tuba. It's not just quirky...it's really good. Another of my favorites on the release is High Ball and A Covered Dish. With curious lyrics, cool vocals and harp by Barath, Max Schang on guitar, Gerry Boorish on acoustic bass, Bert Lerini on drums, John Burgh on piano, this track is really solid. Another honky tonk style western track is She Drives Me to Drink. OK. I admit that I love this style music and it's great. Barath on vocal and harmonica, Sam Stuckey on guitar, Pinchotti n drums, Burgh on piano and Pete Freeman on pedal steel, I love it! Wrapping the release is simple acoustic blues, One Way Gal. Bill Weiner on vocal and acoustic guitar and Barath on harmonica wrap this very enjoyable release. Gotta say, very fine job! 

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Hughes Taylor - Modern Nostalgia - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Modern Nostalgia, from Hughes Taylor and it's a cool flashback on blues interpretation over the past 50 years. Opening with bluesy rocker, Treat Me Right, lead vocalist and guitar player Hughes Taylor sounds like a well seasoned rocker. With tight bass and drum rhythm and his own rhythm guitar riffs, Hughes gets a cool groove and his KW Shepherd like slashing lead makes this opener a prime radio track. Easy paced, Dreamily blends contemporary rock music, with Dicky Betts guitar phrasing and Allman Brothers dual guitar leads to create a solid and familiar feel. Rocker, Highwayman, is one of my favorites on the release with a driving rhythm and ragtag slide work. Paired lead vocal and prime Savoy Brown like construction and Kim Simmonds style soloing makes this an ass kicker. Trouble is my favorite track on the release with a Blind Faith kind of intro and soulful vocals. I really do appreciate the Clapton like riffs bringing back the authority he once played with back in the 60's in a contemporary forum. Extended runs and solid well executed riffs really make this a no contest for best track. Wrapping the release is Excuses, a slower blues with heavy BB King fused guitar riffs. This is a great closer with Taylor taking King's notorious riffs out to the extreme not unlike Clapton or Bonamassa on their own efforts. Very nice. 

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Jimmy Carter - Blind Faith - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (September 20, 2021), Blind Faith, from Jimmy Carter (Co-Founding member of The Blind Boys of Alabama) and it takes pieces of a number of genres of music and blends them together nicely. Opening with After The Storm, Carter on lead vocal, is joined by Joey Williams with some nicely finessed gypsy style guitar, Ryan Joseph on violin, Steven Ray Ladson on bass and tidy drum rhythms by Chris Marshak. Solid opener. With a cool R&B feel, Dream On, has a snappy rhythm and super backing vocals. With a firm bass line. forward trombone solo by Freddie Lonzo, and piano backing by Max Leake, this is one of my favorites on the release. Charlie Musselwhite  lays in some nice harmonica work on Find Your Way Home with the addition of Joseph on violin, and a jazzy piano solo by Peter Levin. Wrapping the release is blues shuffle/gospel track, Why Me, with Musselwhite, on harmonica, Ron Pullman on guitar and powerful choral backing by the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. This is a solid first release by Carter and one with a lot of flavor.

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Tourbo Music Artist: Mala Oreen - Awake - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Awake, from Mala Oreen and it is really strong. Opening with Ragged Queen, a crystal clear composition of folk style music with Mala Oreen on lead vocal and guitar, and with sweet dobro slide by Fats Kaplin and Joshua Brit on mandolin my first impression is this music was not created in the US as the sound is so pure and beautiful. Oreen's voice is so authentic and untouched it makes you question how. Excellent!  Another track which takes best advantage of the purity of Oreen's voice is Soldier On, with acoustic guitar, minimal backing vocals by Garrison Starr and warm cello by Chelsea McGough. Title track, Awake is another beautifully pure composition with Oreen's vocal, poised with her own violin work and acoustic guitar by Donegan. Mosiac has just a little more American open country style but with a still "untouched" by the American music business feel. Wrapping the release is Untied, a really nice folk tune with classic styling. Oreen's vocals and pairing with acoustic guitar, backed by Kaplin on pedal steel, piano by Nelson Hubbard and her own violin work. This is a very nice track and an excellent closer for a very nice release. 

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Burton Avenue Music - David Finck - BASSic Instinct - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BASSic Instinct, by David Finck, and it's got a cool underlying Brazilian jazz feel. Opening with title track, BASSic Instinct, David Finck on bass is joined by Quinn Johnson on keys, Teo Lima on drums, Ryan Quigley on trumpet, Mike Davis on trombone and in includes strong solo work by Finck and Andy Snitzer on tenor sax. Excellent opener.  Dearly Beloved had a terrific salsa rhythm, with Finck soloing on bass and Snitzer again running a great solo lead on sax and strong contributions by Johnson on piano, Kevin Winard on drums and percussion, Davis with a wicked solo on trombone and Barry Danielian on trumpet. Very strong. Bateu, Levou/Who's Wrong or Right? features Teka Penteriche and Trist Curless on great lead vocal. This is a terrific track that should get hard radio play based on melody and vocal only and it also includes strong instrumental backing by Nelson Faria on guitar, Johnson on piano, Winard on drums Laura Conwesser on flute and including a nice bass solo by Finck. Soon It's Gonna Rain, is a very nice quieter piece with Finck bowing his bass as well as providing clean articulate bass lead working nicely with Johnson on piano, Bob Mann on guitar and Cliff Almond on drums. Meg Ruby sets the pace on piano lead on Tico Tico No Fuba' and with a strong bass solo by Finck, light guitar by Nelson Faria and Winard on percussion, very satisfying. Classic jazz piece, I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) gives Finck and Mann plenty of space to lead and solo over just the right amount of drums by Almond. Very nice. Wrapping the release is ballad, I Remember, featuring Melissa Errico on lead vocal, Finck on bass and Tedd Firth on piano. A classic jazz ballad for a really entertaining release. 

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Dan Ashley - Out There - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Out There, by Dan Ashley and it's packed full of likely radio tracks. Opening with River City vocalist Dan Ashley sets the pace with a rock pace. With hints of John Cougar and straight up radio rockers, Ashley is joined by Bill Bentley on guitar, bass and keys, Mike Vanderhule on drums and Cornell CC Carter, Angela Ashley and Angeline Bentley on backing vocals they should appeal to the Boston fans. Lucky Stars in a solid ballad featuring Ashley's vocals with rich backing vocal tones and primarily keyboard accompaniment by Ben Flint and clean violin work by Deb Ashley. Title track, Out There, has a funkier beat and a punchy bottom. Rich blended backing vocals are the trademark of this band with low growling guitar lead by Bentley. Feel The Heat is a straight up rocker with a tight drum beat/rhythm guitar setting and a rumbling bass line. Wrapping the release is solid radio track, Now and Again. With it's memorable melody and acoustic guitar accompaniment Dan Ashley wraps up this hit potential release with a soft touch. 

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Cleopatra Records artist: Carmine Appice - Fernando Perdomo Project - Energy Overload - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Energy Overload, from Carmine Appice-Fernando Perdomo Project and it is packed with energy. Opening with Blown Speaker Boogie, the band leaves no room for misunderstanding...they are here to rock. With the firm bottom of Appice (ex Vanilla Fudge and Jeff Beck) on drums and accomplished guitarist, Fernando Perdomo on bass and guitar, this track is hopping. Perdomo plays solid blues rock riffs against his own aggressive bass riffs and fluid progressive rock guitar lead. Very cool. Title track, Energy Overload is a hot rocker with both partners on overdrive. Perdomo adds fluid keyboard work to this already powerful mix of bass and guitar paired with Appice on drums for a driving Steve Morse vibe. Rocket To The Sun is a progressive rocker with a dynamic drum bottom and driving guitar vamp. Great driving music! One track on this release really stands out for me and that's McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed. Taken at approximate original tempo, Perdomo plays melodic guitar lead and Appice's attention to detail on drums is perfect. Durga McBroom adds to the mix with angelic backing vocals. Very nice. On Starstream, Appice and Perdomo lay down a driving rhythm with carved out sections of obtuse time signatures giving the track a very interesting  forward sound. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Thunder with a heavy bottom and giving Perdomo a firm platform to lay down a clean guitar melody. This is a really cool release with plenty of drive, and dual guitar leads. 

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Cypress Road Productions artist: Luca Kiella - Ready For You - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 22, 2021), Ready For You, from Luca Kiella and it's a happy go lucky pop release with plenty of energy. Opening with Till Tomorrow, with it's New Orleans rhythm. Kiella, who sings and plays keys is joined by Aaron Weistrop on guitar, Paul Hall on drums, William Baggett on bass, Michelle Hallman on backing vocals, Mark Mullins on trombone, Bobby Campo on trumpet and Brad Walker on tenor sax. R&B styling on Desperate Train to Nowhere shows a solid radio melody with nicely paired vocals and warm Wurlitzer backing. Funk peppered Ready for You has just the right spring to appeal to the adult radio audience. With it's memorable melody and vocal work, it's a solid entry. Another track with a cool New Orleans style rhythm is Wanna Love You Tonight. Kiella really has the piano roll down and Hall's drum rhythm really take control and Baggett's bass line is spot on. Wrapping the release is Is There Any Love Left For Me?, a beautiful ballad in the flavor of James Taylor or George Harrison. Nicely presented, vocal over piano and strings by Chuck Bontrager, this is a strong closer. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Jason Ricci and Joe Krown - City Country City - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 22, 2021), City Country City, by Jason Ricci and Joe Krown and it's really meaty. Opening with Jazz /Rock/Soul band, WAR, classic and title track, City Country City, Joe Krown plays a B3 soaked intro working into the lush melody played by Jason Ricci and snappy drum work by Doug Belote. Cool jam over a potent theme. Krown's blues shuffle, Down N' Dirty is a great jam based around a strong B3 framework by Krown giving him sufficient space to grow the concept and giving Ricci all of the room he needs to play his own style of harmonica which I think may be the best around right now. Guy is melodic, creative and emotional. Excellent! Ricci's New Orleans blues, Badger The Witness, give Ricci the opportunity to front on vocals and he does a great job. Krown's keyboard work is strong and Belote's drum work really killer. Joe Sample's funky jazz number, My Mama Told Me So, really works well for this trio with Krown and Ricci sharing the melody and with the steady hand of Belote tying it all together. Krown stretches a bit more on this one setting a really nice groove and Belote lets it all hang out there with a real nice drums solo. Very cool. Feel Good Funk is a Ricci original and plays perfectly into his style. With a tight drum beat and a funky underpinning, Ricci sings and blows his ass off. Excellent! Low slung shuffle, Down At The Juke, is an excellent track with old school blues/jazz feel. Ricci's vocals are spot on and Krown shows he knows his way around old school with a good long lead solo on B3. Ricci knows how to swing too with crisp riffs of his own complimenting this fine vocal effort. Stepping back and making a serious run at the blues, Charles Brown's Drifting Blues is up next with a rich intro and vocals by Ricci. Krown sets a warm organ floor for the scene and takes the first solo on B3. Ricci's vocals are particularly effective on this track in that he's almost wailing the blues in compliment with his excellent harp phrasing. Wrapping the release is Bobbie Gentry's pop classic, Ode To Billy Joe. Ricci and Krown transform this well know pop tune into an elongated jam with plenty of pyrotechnics. This is one of my favorite releases of the year. Get one!  

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Bird Song Records artist: Robbin Kapsalis & Vintage #18 - Soul Shaker - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 15, 2021), Soul Shaker, from Robbin Kapsalis & Vintage #18, and I really like it. Opening with Jr Wells' Shake It Baby, Kapsalis gets into a massive James Brown style groove with excellent vocals, hot guitar riffs by Bill Holter, Alex Kuldell on drums, Mark Chandler on bass and Ron Holloway on sax. Excellent opener.  With an aggressive walking bass line on Lost Souls, Vintage #18 really grooves. Holloway and Holter really work the solo space and Kapsalis' vocal is rich and fluid. Boogaloo is another track in the JB vein and Holloway and Holter again take nice stretches and Thomas Williams adds in some real nice trumpet. Blues shuffle, Living Large really carries a lot of weight with some of Holter's hottest guitar work on the release and Kapsalis showing strong vocals end to end. Excellent! An update on classic jazz track, Fever, is steamy. Kapsalis' vocals are deep and rich, excellent balance between Chandler and Kuldell and strong guitar lead by Holter makes this track another top contender.  Lil Ed's, The Cannonball has a terrific R&B feel and again Holter sails on lead guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is and extended version of  You Don't Deserve Me. I really like Kapsalis' voice with a deep richness that you don't find often. With the tracks' almost Rolling Stones kind of rock cockiness, and Holter's really nice guitar fluidity, this is a terrific closer. 

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Regina Royale Records artist: Ilana Katz Katz - In My Mind - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In My Mind, by Ilana Katz Katz and it's an interesting, pop/blues release. Opening with title track, In My Mind, Katz on lead vocal and fiddle sets contemporary pop stage, backed by Johnny Burgin on guitar, Stephen Dougherty on drums and Chris Matheos on bass. Burgin leads off on shuffle, Woman, Play the Blues with traditional delta style riffs. Katz's shows a certain juxtaposition with her contemporary vocal styling and her bluegrass approach on fiddle in this setting. Very interesting. Burgin opens Shuffle/boogie, Won't Pass Me By with a classic Walker style intro, and Katz's simple vocal/fiddle styling. Very cool. On Well, Well Blues Burgin steps up with some of his signature licks. Katz's vocals are some of the best on the release making this my choice for best on the release. Hangman's Reel is another of my favorites with a total venture from the blues to traditional bluegrass. Katz covers the melody on fiddle accompanied only by Porchboard and Matt Isbell on tambourine. Wrapping the release is country soaked ballad, If, with it's solid melody, pure vocal by Katz accompanied by her own fiddle playing and rudimentary percussion. Very nice. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Chris BadNews Barnes - BadNews Rising - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BadNews Rising, by Chris BadNews Barnes and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with You Wanna Rock? You Gotta Learn The Blues, Barnes has a good start. In the footsteps of Joe Walsh's Rocky Mtn Way, this track has a great droning bass line  Tommy MacDonald and sweet slide work by Pat Buchanan as well as tight drum work by Tom Hambridge and keys by Kevin McKendree. On piano boogie, My Baby Be Cray Cray Cray, Barnes really delivers vocally and McKendree's piano work is strong. Rachael and Sarah Hambridge add solid backing vocals and Max Abrams on sax and Steve Patrick on trumpet enrich the mix. The Creamy Caramel Cafe opens with a seductive harmonica lead by Buchanan, continuing with suggestive lyrics by Barnes over a subdued funk rhythm. A great rhythm and clever lyrics give this track just the right fuel to deliver. ZZ Top like boogie, Kettle Black is probably my favorite track on the release with a driving bottom (Hambridge and MacDonald) and with a real nice guitar solo by Buchanan. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, I Like Cleavage. With the physicality of a Bob Seeger rocker and suggestive language, this is bound to be a crowd favorite. A cool sax solo by Abrams and slide by Buchanan, this is a strong closer. 

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Little Village artists: Memphissippi Sounds - Welcome To The Land - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (November 15, 2021), Welcome To The Land, from Memphissippi Sounds and it's quite cool. Opening with Who's Gonna Ride, Damion Pearson on vocal, harmonica and guitar and Cam Kimbrough on vocal, drums and guitar set a solid Mississippi hill Country groove. Not hard to draw a direct line from Cam to his grandfather Junior Kimbrough. The duo's exuberance is exciting and dynamic. Groove With Me really is a potent track with a relentless guitar vamp, drum stomp and wailing vocal. Excellent. Crossroads is a cool blend between Hill Country style and contemporary funk. With a stiff foot drum, snare beat, harmonica, vocals and guitar riffs, this is a loose jam. High & Low is really anchored tightly by the drum beat of Kimbrough. With it's steady guitar lead and complimentary harmonica wail, this track is anchored to the Mississippi soil. Wrapping the release is Look Out For The Wolf, a solid boogie with a stiff foot drum and guitar line, topped off with harmonica and vocal. This is a cool release and if you love the Hill Country sound...you'll love this. 

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Miss Lady Blues - Moe Betta Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Moe Betta Blues, from Miss Lady Blues and it blends blues, soul, R&B and funk for a solid sound. Opening with Back It Up With That Lip, Dexter Allen lays down a droning bass line, for the strong lead vocal of MLB, with Joey Robinson on drums and organ. Solid opener. Hi stepping, She Ain't Me has a real moving bottom with cool electric lead by Allen and contributions by Robinson on drums and keys. Addicted is a smooth soul track with warm backing vocals by Allen. This is a strong radio track with a smooth melody and perfect balance. Another R&B track, Loving You will also play strong to the radio audience with super vocals and a great feel. Wrapping the release is Can't Be Love with a muted arpeggiated guitar line and hot lead guitar work under the melody giving the track a real smoldering feel. Excellent closer. 

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Karma Chief Records artist: GA-20 - Does Hound Dog Taylor - Try it... You Might Like It!New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Does Hound Dog Taylor: Try It... You Might Like It!, by GA - 20 and it's off the hook! First I have to say that I am thrilled to have a vinyl copy of this release and that in itself is a pleasure. I routinely do my reviews at my office using a computer and complimentary speakers and in this case, being able to review on my home system and in my dedicated listening room. I am also going to describe the packaging because that is also a real treat. My personal collection of blues records has at times exceeded 5000 lp's and this is one of the nicest covers both graphically with a photo of Hound Dog Taylor's hand in red on a bright yellow cover and a cover that is built of heavier reinforced cardstock than I remember on any of my records going back to the 50's and 60's... beautiful! The vinyl is heavy duty and as quiet as you could imagine. 

Opening with She's Gone, Pat Faherty on lead vocal and madly overdriven slide guitar is in total charge. Imaging is really strong and his tone is fat to the edge of breakup. A primal boogie with Matthew Stubbs on guitar and The Carman on drums, you know immediately from the opening note that you are listening to something special. I will continue to review the balance of the release, but you should know by now...you need this record! Another boogie, Let's Get Funky, is so primal pairing simple guitar lead with single snap snare work  and Faherty's vocal coaxing ... building to a slide frenzy. Excellent! Slow blues, Sitting At Home Alone, ventures into Elmore James territory with solid lead vocal work and perfect call and response with lead/slide guitar and a deep throated guitar playing "rhythm". I feel pretty confident in saying it's unlikely you've heard anything like this in years. Rocker, Phillips Goes Bananas, has a simple surf rhythm and with Stubbs taking the rhythm guitar keeping the blues bars, Faherty plays lead relentlessly. Very cool. Wrapping side one with one more boogie, It's Alright has terrific pace and strong lead vocal. Faherty literally doing a romp on slide on this one, a strong closer for side one. 

Side two opens with one of Taylor's trademark tracks, Give Me Back My Wig with all of the enthusiasm of the original. Faherty's hand for slide guitar is strong and convincing and I love Carman's enthusiastic drum work. With particularly deep, rich tone Faherty really knows how to deliver on It Hurts Me Too. His vocals are outstanding and the band, although stripped back, carry this track perfectly. See Me In The Evening is another great boogie with heavy lower octave notes. Just the rhythm guitar alone gets you nicely in the groove and when Faherty cuts loose with his slide, it slashes. Very nice. Sadie has a real nice alternate blue beat driven by Carman and Faherty's slide work is raw and exciting under his laid back vocals. If this doesn't get you moving... you're dead. Wrapping the release is high paced Hawaiian Boogie, and instrumental with all out slide. This is an excellent closer for an excellent release. If you only buy one blues record this year... this should be it. I think the best I've heard personally.

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Archie Brown & the Young Bucks - Diddley Bow - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release October 15, 2021, Diddley Bow, from Archie Brown & the Young Bucks, formed in Newcastle in 1975. This release was written and produced in lockdown with a tight sound, despite not being in the same town. Opening with TexMex style, You Just Don't Know, Patrick Rafferty on accordion adds just the right sound to lead the vocals by Kevin McKay and Guitarist Tony Wadsworth. Backed by Chris Ringer on bass and Steve Dolder on drums, this is a cool opener. Straight up rocker, Ballad, Venus in the East is a solid radio contender with a strong melody and classical piano and vocal backing. Blue Bird. with it's Latin jazz rhythm and smooth approach could have broad appeal. Solid underlying guitar lead by Wadsworth and warm backing vocals carry the track and an interesting trumpet solo by ex-Chart Commando's Steve Nash highlight the track. Wrapping the release is Mummy's Boy, a simple ballad with a strong melody and clever yet basic instrumentation. This release is outside of what I typically hear at my desk but it is interesting. 

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Provogue Records artist: Davy Knowles - What Happens Next - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Happens Next, from Davy Knowles and it's an interesting mix of electric blues, rock and acoustic folk. Opening with rocker, Light of the Moon, Davy Knowles on lead vocal and guitar leads the way for this radio style track. Backed by Tod Bowers on bass, Andrew Toombs on keys, and Jeremy Cunningham on drums, this track has an 80's retro feel. Ballad, Roll Me, is a nice showcase for Knowles soulful vocal style and reverb saturated lower octave guitar lead adds a cool suspense over the Toombs work on keyboards. Blues soaked, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, has a solid melody, a cool guitar vamp, plenty of reverb and some of Knowles' tastiest guitar work on the release. Another choice radio track, River, has a memorable melody and soulful vocals. A bluesy guitar solo by Knowles adds a nice dash of spice but doesn't get too far outside of the basic track framework. Wrapping the release is a very nice acoustic folk track, If I Ever Meet My Maker, showing real finesse by Knowles on guitar and my overall favorite track on the release. Solid closer. 

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