Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Speed Of Life , by Dudley Taft and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Wanted Man , Dudley Taft, the great, great, grandnephew of US President William Howard Taft, hits the road running with a funk rhythmed rocker contributing strong melodic vocals, and guitar riffs, supported by Nick Owsianka on drums, Dave Marks on bass, keys and percussion, Bennett Holland on keys, and Ashley Charmae and Gina McCann on backing vocals. Forward rocker, Work It Out has a great driving rhythm and nicely harmonized vocals with potent guitar soloing by Taft. Pretty Little Thing has a cool, SRV like guitar riff to start it off and trademark Taft vocal harmonies electrify the track backed by real nice guitar work supported by Holland on keys. Very cool. Topaz Blue has a real nice swagger. Owsianka on drums really stands on it on this one and Holland's keys saturate the track giving Taft plenty of room to soar on guitar. Into T...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cosmic Radio , from Dudley Taft and it's reinforces Taft's reputation as a blues rocker with dark metallic overtones. Opening with title track, Cosmic Radio , Taft and company storm into the grooves with that trademark pounding rhythm and well blended vocals by Taft and Ashley Charme. High energy blues rocker, The Devil mixes traditional blues riffs and more modern metal style figures giving this track a hot rocking sound with Taft's fluid finger work and vocals. Backed by Kasey Williams on solid bass and Walfredo Reyes Jr. on drums this track hums. I like the modified funk bass line on One In A Billion with it's almost stroll tempo. The classic metal overtones in Taft's work always gives it a classic rock sound and the blues undertones gives it a fine complexity. Blues ballad, Relentless , features lead vocal by Taft's daughter, Ashley Charmae, and with it's radio craving melody and nicely cr...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Summer Rain , from Dudley Taft and it's a powerhouse. Opening with Flying On Love , a power blues rocker, Taft is back with a vengeance. Heavy overtones, distortion soaked guitar riffs, pounding drums and beefy bass is the ticket. Taft on lead vocal and guitar, is backed by Kasey Williams on bass, Jason Patterson on drums and Reese Wynans on organ. Title track, Summer Rain , is a strong rocker with a memorable melody, strong guitar riffs, nicely harmonized vocals and super drumming by Mike Taponga. I particularly like Edge Of Insane with it's simple vocal and guitar pairing and cool hook as well as some of the best vocals on the release. One of my favorites on the release is Live or Die with it's tone saturated guitar riffs and classic Robin Trower like, rock overtones. This is a track that players will dig into. Very cool. Another standout track is Don't Let It Fade with it's lumbering bop groove...

I just received the newest release (October 16, 2015), Skin and Bones , from Dudley Taft and it's a hot fusion of blues, country, rock, hip hop, metal, grunge and Dudley Taft! Opening with title track, Skin and Bones , Taft delivers vocals in almost a hip hop style but the guitars say country rock. Taft knows how to get his listeners attention when he grabs the strings and he does it. Lonesome Memphis Blues has a strut pushed along nicely by John Kessler on bass and Jason Patterson on drums. Warming organ work from Reese Wynans and soothing backing vocals from Rachael Williams gives this track balance and an slightly jazz feel but Taft's guitar tone says rock baby! Ain't Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now is a driving rocker with laser like focus. A simple pleasing melody and swift fingered blues guitar riffs make this an ideal radio track with a bleeped "F***off". Johnny Winter's Leland Mississippi Blues , keeps it's straight, Willie Dixon like blues romp. Th...

I just received the newest release (May 20, 2014), Screaming in the Wind , by Dudley Taft and he continues to explore new territory. Opening with Skip James' Hard Time Killing Floor Blues uses a basic blues backdrop and twists of rock and metal to forge his own sound. His subtle yet solid approach on this track baits you in until he springs the rock trap where he and his band of rockers, John Kessler (bass), Jason Patterson (drums), andn Reese Wyans(organ)lay it all out. Freddie King's Pack It Up is a cool rock track with a great beat and almost Steve Miller like vocals, Taft wailing away on his guitar solo's yet keeping the track contained for easy airplay. Tom Hambridge joins on the track playing drums and the Muscle Shoals horn section (Charlie Rose on trombone, Jim Horn on sax and Vinnie Seizeilski on trumpet) adds that over the top sound. Red Line has a lot of southern rock feel with a solid drum/bass bottom and even a Golden Earring kind of rumble with a Billy G...

Guitar Master Dudley Taft Is Screaming in the Wind on Latest CD, Coming May 20 from American Blues Artist Group New Album of Blues-Rock Produced by Grammy-Winner Tom Hambridge Features Special Guest Reese Wynans on Keyboards CINCINNATI, OH – Blues-rock guitarist Dudley Taft announces a May 20 release date for his new CD, Screaming in the Wind , on his American Blues Artist Group label. The new album was produced by Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge, best-known for his work with Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, George Thorogood and Johnny Winter, and recorded at The Switchyard and Rendering Plant in Nashville, as well as Taft’s new Muchmore Studio in Cincinnati. The new recording facility is part of the house and property Dudley recently purchased from legendary guitarist Peter Frampton.      The new CD features a dozen songs, most of which are originals penned by Dudley Taft, including several co-written with Tom Hambridge (who also plays drums on ...

I just received the newest release, Deep Deep Blue , from Dudley Taft . Opening with Dylan's Meet Me In The Morning, Taft put's his own modern twist on modern delta style blues. On The Waiting , Taft ups the tempo to a Golden Earring style with a slick driving rock track showing flashy guitar riffs by Taft. On God Forbid , heavier rock track with a bit of bite, sounding a little like Black Label Society. This is a cool track with a interesting guitar solo. On Lou Reed's Sally Can't Dance , has a real cool southern rock twist and tasty guitar riffs. Deep Deep Blue is a slow bluesy ballad that gives Taft a wide open highway to blow the dust off of the frets and he steps up and plays a beautiful melodic bluesy solo. Feeling Good Now is a light springy track with a bit of back beat. This is a track that should easily attract broad radio listening. Wishing Well opens with some clean finger picking developing into a street smart rock track with vocal harmonies and a twist...