Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (September 3, 2021), Holler If You Hear Me , from Altered Five Blues Band, and it's a strong contemporary blues release. Opening with blues rocker and title track, Holler If You Hear Me , Jeff Taylor is authoratative at the mic, backed by Jeff Schroedl on guitar, Mark Solverson on bass, Raymond Tevich on keys and Alan Arber on drums plus some cool harmonica work by Jason Ricci. Great opener. Ricci and Schroedl really hit the road running on If You Go Away (She Might Come Back) , and with a modern take on Chicago style blues, Taylor sets a grat pace. With a great blend of instrumentation and a tight drum rhythm by Arber, this track rocks. Slow blues, Holding on With One Hand, is one of my favorites on the release with excellent guitar lead, and powerful vocal from Taylor. The addition of Ricci on this release I think is a master stroke because everything that he plays on gains substantially from his feel. Another solid ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ten Thousand Watts , from Altered Five Blues Band and it's a scorcher. Opening with hard driving boogie, Right On, Right On , Jeff Taylor's gritty vocals lead the way over the thumping bass line of Mark Solveson and solid drum work of Alan Arber. Steve Cohen screams on harp and Jeff Schroedl on guitar really makes you want to put this on your main system and crank it up...Excellent! With an Albert King like swagger, Schroedl leads off on title track, Ten Thousand Watts and with an already powerful bottom cranks off an a head slapping lead solo keeping Taylor company right up front. Wow! Balance between Raymond Tevich on keys and Schroedl's rhythm guitar give Taylor a strong platform to continue the onslaught on Great Minds Drink Alike ... a rowdy shuffle. Keep it coming boys! Dollars & Demon s is a super dark blues number with super vocal phrasing and excellent guitar tone. Schroedl really pulls out the...

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...