Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Birdland Records artist: The Birdland Big Band - Storybook: The Music of Mark Miller - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Storybook: The Music of Mark Miller, by The Birdland Big Band and it's rich. Opening with title track, Storybook, an orchestral piece, Chris Smith holds a tight rein on the beat on drums with Brandon Lee on flugelhorn, Kenny Archer on piano and Nathan Childers on alto sax, backed by Troy Roberts and Sam Dillon on tenor sax, Jason Marshall on bari sax, David DeJesus, Sam Dillon and Nathan Childers on flute, John Walsh on trumpet, Mark Miller, James Burton III, Ron Wilkins, Sara Jacovino on trombones, James Borowski on bass trombone, and Noriko Ueda on bass. Classic, Tenderly features Nicole Zuraitis on vocals and a rich tenor solo by Sam Dillon and a shining trumpet lead by Raul Agraz. With a solid Latin beat, Sail Away features a fluid lead line by Glenn Drewes on flugelhorn and David DeJesus on soprano sax. Zuraitis is back up fron again on Close Your Eyes over a solid bass line by Ueda. Kenny Ascher lays down a real cool piano lead with Smith on drums. A real treat it Borowski who solos on bass trombone with war sax enrichment. Very nice. Chick Corea's Spain gets full orchestration with trumpets, trombones and saxes carrying the melody. Brandon Lee really blows a nice trumpet solo and Nathan Childers follows with energetic soprano sax soloing as well. Wrapping the release is Nonsense with a real swing. Zuraitis on vocal carries the lead, trading with Ron Wilkins with a hot trombone solo. Solid closer.

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"

qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Mighty Ernie Records artist: Pete Mills - For The Record - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, For The Record, by Pete Mills and it swings. Opening with title track, For The Record, Pete Mills on Tenor sax, Jon Eshelman on B3, Tom Davis on guitar and Zach Compston on drums get things moving. Mills rips loose on tenor laying down fluid lead before handing to Davis on guitar who is smooth as silk. Eshelman on B3 is strong with a fat tone and kicks it robust style. Swinging opener. Bird Lives is really hot with Davis and Mills cooking the melody. Mills takes the first solo and it really is smoking, held down by Compston and fattened up by Eshelman and Davis' guitar solo it bright and exciting. Eshelman lets the B3 roll and working in tandem with Compston he rolls. Excellent track. Laid back, Z is for Zadie features Mills cruising on sax and Eshelman on B3 with a real warm solo by Davis on guitar. Another kicker, Step On It, really moves with Mills hitting it right out of the gate. His soloing is tasty and enticing followed by Davis who really knows how to dig in. With tight punctuation by Compston and Eshelman, another strong track. Wrapping the release is Baby Simon, a simple ballad with a strong melody. Mills frames out the track and Eshelman gets in a warm slot on B3. Davis really articulates nicely in the quiet with tender, yet crisp solo lines. Very nice closer.

Monday, December 15, 2025

Robbin Kapsalis - The Blues Is In The House - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Is In The House, by Robbin Kapsalis and it's solid Chicago. Opening with title track, The Blues Is In The House, Giles Robson leads off with some classic harmonica and the deep rooted vocals on Robbin Kapsalis, backed by Francois Nicolleau and Nicolas Deshayes on guitar, Arnaud Gobin on bass, Cyril Durand on drums and featuring Joe Louis Walker on lead guitar. Solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Lead Me On with lush guitar work and soulful vocals by Kapsalis. Lonnie Chatmon's Sittin' On Top Of The World has always been a favorite and the fine guitar work of Nicolleau and Deshayes coupled with Robson on harmonica and Kapsalis on vocals makes this another great featured track on the release. Screamin' Jay Hawkins' I Wanna Know has a solid R&B feel with Kapsalis working with Nicolleau and Deshayes on guitar. With some tight guitar riffs and snappy drum work by Durand, this track rocks. Wrapping the release is Gotta Hear The Blues with Arnaud Fradin on dobro and Robson on harmonica creating a funky rural blues backdrop for Kapsalis' vocals. This is a solid closer for a cool release.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Jay Hooks - Tequila & Bullets - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tequila & Bullets, from Jay Hooks and it's a potent blues rocker. Opening with hard driver, Evinrude Boat Motor, Jay Hooks leads the way with fiery rhythm guitar and rugged vocals. With Matt Johnson on drums, Brock Proctor on bass and Barry Seeland on keys, giving Hooks an aggressive bottom to jump on the gas with flaming lead guitar. Strong opener. Title track, Tequila & Bullets is built over an updated Morganfield base. A relentless guitar vamp, supported by bass, drums and keys leaves an open stage for soaring guitar soloing and tandem vocal/guitar lead for a really solid track. Very cool. Rocker, Left Me Cold, has a light, Latin rhythm by Procter and Johnson and Hooks sings a cool melody. Melodic guitar phrasing shows real style by Hooks on a firm Peter Green theme. Mind Full has a gritty, very early Texas blues band feel with a simple rhythm and a lot of guitar grind over, under and around, simple vocals by Hooks. This is what blues rock should sound like. Another tight track is I Was Wrong with a super rockfunky back beat and a great bass line by Procter and scorching guitar riffs by Hooks. Wrapping the release is slow blues ballad, Mexican Larry, with soulful vocals and a gripping extended guitar soloing by Hooks. Strong closer.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Mukthiland Records artist: Fred Hostetler - Blues Back Pages - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Back Pages, by Fred Hostetler and it raw and gritty. Opening with Hey Corporate Vandals, Fred Hostetler lays down a blues rocky kinda JJ Cale feel. Backed by Eric Troyer on keys this has a magnetic groove. Delta style, Taming The Wolf, weaves back and forth through different primitive blues concepts. This is an interesting track with nods to ole Howling Wolf himself. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Orphan Blues with just a taste of Morganfield under the gritty exterior. Raggedy slide work by Hostetler adds to the track nicely. A cover of Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine is a bit more polished but what really stands out is the Hooker like timing, giving things their own time and space. I like it. Wrapping the release is solid ballad, You Found Me, featuring Hostetler on vocal and guitar with backing vocals and keys by Eric Troyer. Solid closer.

Monday, December 8, 2025

MoMojo Records artist: The Lucky Losers - Arrival - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Arrival, from The Lucky Losers and it is their best release yet. Opening with funk infused, S-C-A-M, Cathy Lemons leads the way with solid vocals backed by the pumped up horn work of Doug James on tenor sax, Mike Rinta on trombone and John Halbieb on trumpet. With Phil Berkowitz on vocal, Chris Burns on keys, Simon Govan Smith on guitars, Edgar San Gabriel on bass, Jon Otis on drums, and Kid Andersen on keys, this is a high stepping intro. Lemons really digs in vocally on Pull On The Rope with some of her best vocals on the release. Smith grinds out a strong guitar intro and with Berkowitz on harmonica, Otis on drums, Gabriel on bass, Burns on keys and warm backing vocals, this is another strong track. Phil is up front on vocal and soulful harmonica on Sorry Brother. This track has a real slinky feel and Burn's key work coupled with the excellent percussion by Otis gives this track a dark, rich feel. Pig Iron Tough is funky blues with great backing vocals. Otis really shines on this track as does Andersen on keys and Berkowitz on harmonica and cool riffs by Andersen on guitar adds to the soul. Wrapping the release is laid back, country flavored, Ain't The Marrying Kind, featuring Lemons and Berkowitz trading vocals over Andersen on acoustic guitar and Berkowitz on harmonica. Solid closer for a real nice release.

Friday, December 5, 2025

Origin Records artist: Bobby Rozario - Healer - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Healer, by Bobby Rozario, and it's cool jazz rock with potent Latin influences. Opening with title track, Healer, Bobby Rozario opens with fluid guitar riffs underscored by Neil Nail Alexander on organ, James Genus on bass, Nathaniel Townsley on drums, and Jhair Sala on percussion and Rosario, Keith Fluitt, and Carlton Jumel Smith on vocals. Lively opener. On Supreme, they crank up the brass with inclusion of Joe Romano on trumpet and Jimmy Bosch on trombone with vocals in almost chant form reminiscent of a similar track by McLaughlin and Santana. Rozario's guitar work is electrifying and the rhythmic percussion work of Sala, Townsley and Rozario is hypnotic. Latin rocker, Spirits, has a solid bottom courtesy of Danny Kean on organ, bass by Aalics Bronson and Robby Ameen on drums. Tight guitar riffs by Rozario give this track a real jam. Wrapping the release is Seasons, a funky, Latin rocker showcasing Rozario on guitar and David Mann on sax. This is a real solid track and a cool closer.

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Onion Boy Records artist: Bryan Beller - Calm Before The Storm - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Calm Before The Storm, by Bryan Beller and it's quite good. Bassist, Bryan Beller, additionally known for his work with The Aristocats has done some work with parts of his last solo release resulting in this release. Opening with Greasy Wheel, Bryan Beller on bass is joined by Rick Musallam on guitar who really knocks it out of the park with his rhythmic guitar exchange with Joe Travers on drums and Jeff Babko on Hammond. Relentless guitar lead on Cave Dweller, driven by Beller and Travers and a funky Hammond solo by Babko make this a really great opener. Lumbering drum rhythm by Toss Panos and a staggering bass line by Beller gives lead guitar player, Griff Peters a super field to plays a beautifully obtuse melody. An authoritative bass line by Beller really gives this track weight and Peter's, "Beck" like phrasing and distortion makes this a real standout. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a frantic, possibly Fripp influenced, Love Terror Adrenaline / Break Through with Mike Keneally playing intricate, melodic, structural guitar lead as well as flexible solo guitar stretching and contorting the sound over a tight drum rhythm of Marco Minnemann, Rick Musallam on rhythm guitar and aggressive bass lines by Beller who also adds piano, synth pads and percussion. Really strong closer.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Quarto Valley Records artist: Tom Hambridge - Down The Hatch - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down the Hatch, by Tom Hambridge, and it's a solid mix of blues, rock and soul. Opening with driving, Willie Dixon's Gone with it's train like rhythm. Tom Hambridge on lead vocal and drums leads the way with aggressive guitar rhythm by Rob McNelley, and pumping bass by Tommy MacDonald. Solid Opener. MacNelley sets the pace for shuffle, I Want You Bad with solid rhythm and stinging lead guitar. Hambridge adds a driving pace on drums and solid lead vocal. Hard Times is a cool track with a solid vocal melody by Hambridge and haunting guitar wails by MacNelley and heavy tom tom work by Hambridge. Very cool. My favorite track on the release is Believe These Blues with it's funky rhythm and soulful vocals by Hambridge and relentless guitar work by MacNelley. Additional texture by Jimmy Wallace adds depth to an already very cool track. Piano boogie, You Gotta Go Through St. Louis is another favorite with Kevin McKendree and Buddy Guy really having at it driven by Glenn Worf on bass and Hambridge on drums. Excellent! Clever little track, Start Drinking Early Day has a memorable melody and clever lyrics capped by laid back guitar riffs making it a likely radio and crowd favorite. Wrapping the release is I Wanna Know About You, an absolute radio track with a western flavor. Hambridge leads on vocal and drums supported by Bob Britt on guitar, MacDonald on bass and Noah Forbes on keys. Solid closer.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Guitar One Records artist: Misty Blues - Other Side Of Blue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Other Side of Blue, by Misty Blues and it's smoking. Opening with slow blues, I've Got Vices, Gina Coleman with her powerful vocals lead the way, joined by the blistering guitar work of Seth Fleischmann and power sax work of Aaron Dean, Diego Mongue on bass and David Vittone on keys and Rob Tatten on drums. Funky, Trust Ain't Given is a solid mover with snappy drum/guitar rhythm supporting Coleman on vocals. Vittone on organ really thickens up the funk and Tatten's stick work on drums really stiffens up the slam. Very cool. Dark, jazzy, Three Mississippi's, is one of the coolest tracks on the release pairing Coleman's vocals with the backing of Chantel McCullouch, Wendy Lipp, Kathy Ryan, Rebecca Mattson and Sean Bottoms on vocal and the warm guitar work of Fleischmann. Carry On This Way has a swaying blues feel giving Dean a great opportunity to show his sax chops and Coleman's vocal phrasing and depth gives the track a rich feel. Fleischmann enters the closer, I Ain't Buying with a tight, funky guitar riff joined by Bob Stannard on harmonica providing an excellent field for Coleman's vocal style. Mongue on bass and Tatten on drums hold the bottom tight and Dean's sax work is fat fat fat. Solid closer for a cool release.

Monday, December 1, 2025

Cleopatra Records artist: Humble Pie - Sunset Blvd 1969 - New Release Review - Purple Vinyl!!!

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sunset Blvd 1969, by Humble Pie and it’ gives a very cool insight into one of the most dynamic blues rockers of the era. Headlined by Peter Frampton, a well known guitar wiz and Steve Marriott, possibly the best blues rock vocalists of our time, this band was spectacular. This is a recording that I have never heard and recorded live at the Whiskey A Go-Go, this catches the band in all of it’ s rawness and very finely recorded on their first US tour.

Opening with the Yardbirds’ For Your Love, this track has a whole new feel. Jerry Shirley sets a cool bongo like rhythm and Peter Frampton plays Flamenco stylized acoustic guitar, backed by Marriott on acoustic rhythm guitar. Marriott, always soulful wails the lyrics, complimented by Frampton who plays lush acoustic lead throughout. This is a real cool track and not at all what you’d expect from the band who “Rocked the Fillmore” but it’s quite good. Next up is Johnny Kidds (Think the Who Live At Leeds) Shakin’ All Over. Greg Ridley really puts his fingerprints on this one laying down a distinctly Humble Pie bass line with Shirley keeping it tight. Frampton and Marriott both contribute a lot on vocals and Frampton shows some of his blues chops on guitar while Marriott plays in on harp and keys. Solid Pie. Really getting that Humble Pie Swagger” Shirley on bass leads the way on Ray Charles’ Hallelujah I Just Love Her So with Frampton trading lead vocal with Marriott. Wrapping the release is a exceptional spin on Dr John’s haunting, I Walk On Gilded Splinters. With a strong bass/ drum anchor, Frampton and Marriott explore blues riffs on guitar and Marriott’s exceptional vocals are displayed. Marriott blows his trademark harp style and Frampton on guitar works with Ridley and Shirley, building the anticipation. Breaking into a definite Felix Pappalardi / Corky Laing riff from the time, the band is driving hard. This is a great jam circling back to a heavy ending on the Night Tripper’s classic. Excellent addition to my Humble Pie set.

Monday, November 24, 2025

Teskey - White Wolf - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, White Wolf, from Teskey and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Under The Sun, Teskey hits hard with a potent guitar riff by Brandon Teskey who also leads the way on vocal and a stiff snare swat by Brandon Gaddy. Matt Baldwin on bass creates a driving urgency on bass and Peter Murphy adds melodic keyboard rounding out the track. Slow blues, Upside Down World, follows a basic 8 bar format with Teskey setting the melody on vocal and accompanying himself on guitar. A firm bottom by Gaddy and Baldwin gives him plenty of room to lay down contemporary guitar riffs falling back to the blues root. Lemon Tree is a cool acoustic track with Teskey laying down a basic blues bottom on acoustic guitar and singing and soloing over that showing fine dexterity. Shadow Side is a straight up rocker and my favorite track on the release. With a strong bottom and nicely blended vocals, this could be a good radio track. Wrapping the release is ballad, Make The World Sing, with a solid melody and powerful approach. Teskey on vocal is firmly backed by Murphy on vocal and keys and his own guitar accompaniment over the solid bottom by Gaddy and Baldwin make this a strong closer.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

OA2 Records artist: Randy Napoleon - Waking Music - The Music of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Waking Music: The Music of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon and it's solid, inspired and inventive. Opening with Super Moon, you immediately get a sense that this release is going to be a new excursion. Clock like rim shots and unexpected snare/cymbal shots by Quincy Davis, piano rhythm by Rick Roe and featuring Randy Napoleon and Jocelyn Gould on guitar creates a euphoric feel. Breaking to a real nice bop, led by Rodney Whitaker on bass, Napoleon lays down a low slung solo that really creates a groove. Gould picks up the baton and runs with it creating a nasty groove of her own. Whitaker takes center focus and he makes the groove fly. Circling back, Davis recreates the clock like timing and reggae slap. Very interesting. The Speckled Frog has a cool Latino bop feel with super drum and percussion by Davis and walking guitar texture by Napoleon and Ben Turner. Anthony Stanco sits in on trumpet shoveling a heap of bluesy tasty bop riffs on the fire. Napoleon takes the lead with really nicely stylized soloing, accented by Roe. Two Thoughts is really a nice break with classical/jazz construction featuring Roe on piano, Davis on drums and Napoleon weaving a lush fabric of guitar tones. Roe breaks into a strong groove and Davis is tight on his heels. Napoleon enters with plenty of swagger making it very difficult to keep yourself stationary. Very nice. The Singer really is high energy with excellent guitar work by Napoleon and Luke Sittard, expanded and reinforced by a dynamic Latin bottom by Roe, Michael J. Reed on drums and Langston Kitchen on bass. Smoking! Riverside Blossoms showcases the excellent chops of Michael Dease up front on trombone punctuated by the solid piano rhythm of Roe and Davis on drums. Napoleon shows his warm side with fluid guitar lead and a tight bass lead by Whitaker gives the track even more weight. Rich. Jo Jo Jo has a really contemplative intro with beautiful guitar illustration by Napoleon. This piece kicks into high gear lead by Napoleon, Sittard and Roe and Davis' splashy drum work is tops. Wrapping the release is Boom Boom with exuberant guitar solos by Chris Minami, Ben Turner, and Gould, a rich Tenor sax solo by Walter Blanding and topped off by hot drumming by Davis. What a closer.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Dixie Frog artist: BB & The Bullets - High Tide - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Tide, from BB & The Bullets and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with rocker, Something In The Water, Brian Baker on lead guitar and vocal gets things going with with a solid mix of melody, rhythm and spunk. Stu Duncan on bass and vocal and Brad McMillan on drums and vocals makes for a solid opener. Bo Diddley's I Can Tell has a simple rock beat and a deep bass and drum anchor. With cool vocal blending and Baker rocking the vocals, backed by cool rhythm guitar and some real simple yet tasty lead guitar makes this track one of my favorites on the release. Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog gets a cool makeover with an excellent backbeat emphasized by snappy drumming by McMillan. Simple sixties styling, a cool bass line and prime vocals make this another standout on the release. The Beatles' I Want You retains much of the original feel with it's echoed vocals and bluesy guitar work yet stepped up a few notches in style by McMillan on drums. Stretched a little for a real nice guitar solo and tasty instrumentation gives this track a great kick. Letting good is the best original track on the release with a sophisticated melody and nice vocal harmonies. Blending solid rock bottom with soulful guitar and vocals gives this track real punch. Wrapping the release is Big Boot Running with a clever guitar riff and thumping kick drum. Leaning toward Nirvana just slightly the track has a real interesting feel and a clean guitar solo gives it tension making it a solid closer.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Origin Records artist: Shawn Purcell - Oblivity - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Oblivity, by Shawn Purcell, and it's intensively satisfying. Opening with title track, Oblivity, Shawn Purcell on guitar and Walt Weiskopf on tenor sax chisel out a really cool melody supported by Chris Ziemba on piano, Jeff Reed on bass and Steve Fidyk on drums. Weiskopf really rips a great sax solo, tightly punctuated by Ziemba on piano, then surrendering the lead to Ziemba who really holds the line. Purcell picks up the groove on Guitar Synth sending it even further before returning to TDC for a climatic conclusion. Explosive opener. Verdigris with it's steady pace and sophisticated drum pattern provides fertile soil for double time guitar work by Purcell over the stable melodic base by Ziemba on piano. Weiskopf really soars on sax with full scale melodic assault before Ziemba takes the lead with calming yet vibrant piano lead, anchored by Reed and Fidyk. Very nice. Laid back, Lazy Reverie, is an easy shuffle featuring Purcell on Synth laying down the melody. Weiskopf really stirs the pot with a strong tenor solo, punctuated by Ziemba on piano. Purcell keeps things simple with a breezy Synth solo with Darden Purcell on voice and Ben Patterson on trombone adding warm texture as Ziemba stretches on piano. Nicely cool. Sunday Best has a strong melody and a real bluesy swing, adorned nicely by the sassy sax work of Weiskopf. Purcell steps in with some great eighth note runs and double stops creating excellent tension against the solid bottom created by Ziemba, Reed and Fidyk. Deep. Wrapping the release is Flow, a strong, anthem like track with Purcell and Weiskopf paired in tandem creating a forceful front. Taking it low, Ziemba on piano sets the base melody before Purcell comes on full force on Synth really tearing a hole in the atmosphere, followed by Weiskopf on sax creating a sense of the storm winding down over an excellent front of percussion by Fidyk, paring down even further to the basis by Ziemba who leads the ensemble to a solid close. Powerful closer. Beautiful cover by the way...