American Showplace Music artist: John Ginty - Bad News Travels Live - New Release Review

I just received a cool new 2 CD release, Bad News Travels from John Ginty and it's quite live, tight and entertaining. Opening with Switch, a walking bass line driven B3 extravaganza. Paul Kuzik sets the tempo and Ginty takes over where Booker T left off. With a double drums setup featuring Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics this is a tight track. Very nice! Arrivals is a funky jam with cool guitar lines by Mike Buckman and Ginty playing against his retort. Next up is Black Cat featuring Albert Castiglia. A slow blues groove, Ginty sets a really nice stage for Castiglia to take the lead on vocal and guitar. I've only ever seen Castiglia on Youtube (never live) and he is an exceptional player. I am looking forward to seeing him if he ever makes it to Phoenix. He doesn't over sing, his phrasing is inviting and his vocals are really nice. Ginty plays both piano and B3 solos taunting Castiglia into a really sweet and extremely fiery guitar solo. Excellent! On funk infused Elvis Presley, again Castiglia takes the lead on vocals with the feel of Boz Scaggs. I've reviewed a few of his releases and all favorable but watching him in person quickly elevates him to the list of people who I want to see in person soon! Castiglia's smokin' soloing played against Ginty's strong improvisational skills on keys makes this one terrific track. Up next is Peanut Butter, an easy shuffle featuring Todd Wolfe. Ginty's B3 work is exemplary and Wolfe grabs his tele just choking the life out of it. I've seen Wolfe in concert a few times and have always walked away smiling but Ginty coaxes a flame thrower out of Wolfe's bag of tricks. Excellent! I think that I mentioned that it was hard for me to fathom a blues band that was primarily built around a B3 player but Ginty is one guy who can really carry it off. He is no wallflower and really cooks the keys. On Rock Ridge, there is a cool phase shift during the B3 intro that messes with your head a little bit. Wolfe uses a coricidin bottle to get his slide tone before breaking into a cool jazz style jam with Kuzin walking the bass lead and Ginty and Wolfe stretching it out. Very nice! Next up is Seven and the Spirit, a bluesy rocker featuring Alexis P. Suter. Last year I reviewed Suter's terrific new release and it's a pleasure to see her join Ginty on stage with her guitar player, Jimmy Bennett. This is one of today's elite female blues singers with Jackie Scott and Karen Carroll in my opinion. Bennett lays into his Les Paul and Ginty adds substantially to the track with his well heeled organ work, along with the drumming of Fadel and Koribanics elevating the track to a full revival feel (Can't Turn You Loose).

Disc two opens with guitarist/vocalist Cris Jacobs and Castiglia, Suter and Ginty on stage for Damage Control, a funky rocker with more than a little taste of country. Jacobs knows his way around the telecaster and plays some blistering solos but also venturing into Jerry Garcia territory in style. Castiglia, playing his custom strat style guitar with rosewood fretboard and what look like some pretty expensive humbuckers. Sharing vocals on this track each player gets a chance to take his day in the spotlight making for a pretty cool jam. The Quirk opens with a cool B3 riff from Ginty, joined by Castiglia and Jacobs. Kuzik is solid on bass and Ginty gets a chance to stretch a bit. Jacobs takes the first guitar solo with a very round sound for a tele. Castiglia is up next mowing the fretboard's upper register. Ginty brings the tension back down with his laid back melody before driving off on his own solo. Off the Cuff is a keyboard feature track for Ginty with primarily drum and bass backing. The duo drumming actually brings me in mind of early Allmans with Trucks and Jainoe. Listening to it multiple times I actually think I hear a trace of Trouble No More hiding in there somewhere. Fadel and Koribanics take a pretty nice drum break showing the cleanliness and coordination of two guys who play a lot together. Ginty takes a free form solo without any backing. Creating a musical impressionistic painting as an abstracted graphic forms on the screen is a definite change. Sliding right in to the beautiful intro of Mirrors, Ginty and Jacobs trade riffs before opening into a funky rock track. Jacobs gets a Santana like tone out of his tele and plays sparingly as Ginty crafts the body of the track, taking extended times breathing very soulful solos from his tele. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Trinity featuring all of the guest artists along with Ginty and band. Again, a tent raising revival style track finds Ginty leading the way. Breaking into a smooth sway Castiglia is fist to take the floor followed closely by Jacobs. Shifting gears again to a bit of a pop feel, Ginty creates a theme line and Buckman gives his first solo. Jacobs isn't far behind with a hot blistering riff followed by Bennett on slide. Castiglia paces himself taking the longer of the solos with plenty of spark. Wolfe is also more patient but lays out a crisp solo as well. Cool conclusion to a really nice show.

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”

 

American Showplace Music artist: Bruce Katz Band - Homecoming - New release review

I just received the newest release, Homecoming, from Bruce Katz Band. Opening with title track instrumental, Homecoming, Katz and band mates Ralph Rosen (drums) and Chris Vitarello (guitar) ride an easy opening jam. Nice lap steel work from Jimmy Bennett mixed with the multiple key textures from Katz make this a great opener. Up next is King of Decatur, a funky New Orleans style track with Randy Ciarlante on drums and lead vocals. Katz shows his mastery of the style on electric keys and Bennett and Vitarello show their swampy chops. Santa Fe Blues features John Hammond on lead vocal and Katz really tickles the keys with a bright approach to a classic style period blues track. On shuffle track, No Brainer, the band really gets into a nice groove. Vitarello lays out some really swinging guitar riffs and Katz handles the B3 like it's a part of him. Excellent! Amelia opens with Katz on electric piano and Peter Bennett on bass and Rosen on drums finding a jazz overlay on a New Orleans sound. Wild About You features Jimmy Bennett on vocal and slide on this Elmore James like track. This is a great blues groove with super piano work from Katz. The Czar has a cool, laid back swing featuring open organ work from Katz, a guitar rumble from Bennett and Randy Ciarlante on drums. Nice! Blues Before Sunrise features John Hammond on vocal and guitar and some of the best piano work on the release by Katz. I really love this piano style with great blues feel. Time Flies and a cool jazz instrumental with excellent exchange between the musicians, Katz, Vitarello and Rosen. Smokin! The Sky's The Limit is a lagging shuffle with a great feel. Vitarello holds down the vocal lead nicely as he and Katz trade swinging riffs. On fusion track, Just An Expression, Katz, Vitarello and Rosen really take you for a ride not only with a great rhythm but excellent musicianship. Very cool! Won't Last Till Tuesday is a slower paced bluesy fusion track with complex rhythms. possibly one of my favorite tracks on the release, Katz takes the first solo leg laying down a leading path. Vitarello picks up the baton and carries it high with well articulated guitar riffs of his own punched by Ciarlante on drums. Wrapping the release is It's A Bad Time, in 3/4 time and featuring Bennett on guitar and lead vocal. Katz on B3 and Rosen on drums round out the track making an interesting com=nclusion to a pretty cool release.

  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”

 

American Showplace Music artist: John Ginty - Bad News Travels DVD - New Release Review

I just received a cool new DVD from John Ginty, The Showplace Sessions Live. This is a live video session of Bad News Travels and it's quite live, tight and entertaining. Opening with Switch, a walking bass line driven B3 extravaganza. Paul Kuzik sets the tempo and Ginty takes over where Booker T left off. With a double drums setup featuring Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics this is a tight track. Very nice! Arrivals is a funky jam with cool guitar lines by Mike Buckman and Ginty playing against his retort. Next up is Black Cat featuring Albert Castiglia. A slow blues groove, Ginty sets a really nice stage for Castiglia to take the lead on vocal and guitar. I've only ever seen Castiglia on Youtube (never live) and he is an exceptional player. I am looking forward to seeing him if he ever makes it to Phoenix. He doesn't over sing, his phrasing is inviting and his vocals are really nice. Ginty plays both piano and B3 solos taunting Castiglia into a really sweet and extremely fiery guitar solo. Excellent! On funk infused Elvis Presley, again Castiglia takes the lead on vocals with the feel of Boz Scaggs. I've reviewed a few of his releases and all favorable but watching him in person quickly elevates him to the list of people who I want to see in person soon! Castiglia's smokin' soloing played against Ginty's strong improvisational skills on keys makes this one terrific track. Up next is Peanut Butter, an easy shuffle featuring Todd Wolfe. Ginty's B3 work is exemplary and Wolfe grabs his tele just choking the life out of it. I've seen Wolfe in concert a few times and have always walked away smiling but Ginty coaxes a flame thrower out of Wolfe's bag of tricks. Excellent! I think that I mentioned that it was hard for me to fathom a blues band that was primarily built around a B3 player but Ginty is one guy who can really carry it off. He is no wallflower and really cooks the keys. On Rock Ridge, there is a cool phase shift during the B3 intro that messes with your head a little bit. Wolfe uses a coricidin bottle to get his slide tone before breaking into a cool jazz style jam with Kuzin walking the bass lead and Ginty and Wolfe stretching it out. Very nice! Next up is Seven and the Spirit, a bluesy rocker featuring Alexis P. Suter. I just reviewed Suter's terrific new release and it's a pleasure to see her join Ginty on stage with her guitar player, Jimmy Bennett. This is one of today's elite female blues singers with Jackie Scott and Karen Carroll in my opinion. Bennett lays into his Les Paul and Ginty adds substantially to the track with his well heeled organ work, along with the drumming of Fadel and Koribanics elevating the track to a full revival feel (Can't Turn You Loose). Guitarist/vocalist Cris Jacobs and Castiglia join Suter and Ginty on stage for Damage Control, a funky rocker with more than a little taste of country. Jacobs knows his way around the telecaster and plays some blistering solos but also venturing into Jerry Garcia territory in style. Castiglia, playing his custom strat style guitar with rosewood fretboard and what look like some pretty expensive humbuckers. Sharing vocals on this track each player gets a chance to take his day in the spotlight making for a pretty cool jam. The Quirk opens with a cool B3 riff from Ginty, joined by Castiglia and Jacobs. Kuzik is solid on bass and Ginty gets a chance to stretch a bit. Jacobs takes the first guitar solo with a very round sound for a tele. Castiglia is up next mowing the fretboard's upper register. Ginty brings the tension back down with his laid back melody before driving off on his own solo. Off the Cuff is a keyboard feature track for Ginty with primarily drum and bass backing. The duo drumming actually brings me in mind of early Allmans with Trucks and Jainoe. Listening to it multiple times I actually think I hear a trace of Trouble No More hiding in there somewhere. Fadel and Koribanics take a pretty nice drum break showing the cleanliness and coordination of two guys who play a lot together. Ginty takes a free form solo without any backing. Creating a musical impressionistic painting as an abstracted graphic forms on the screen is a definite change. Sliding right in to the beautiful intro of Mirrors, Ginty and Jacobs trade riffs before opening into a funky rock track. Jacobs gets a Santana like tone out of his tele and plays sparingly as Ginty crafts the body of the track, taking extended times breathing very soulful solos from his tele. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Trinity featuring all of the guest artists along with Ginty and band. Again, a tent raising revival style track finds Ginty leading the way. Breaking into a smooth sway Castiglia is fist to take the floor followed closely by Jacobs. Shifting gears again to a bit of a pop feel, Ginty creates a theme line and Buckman gives his first solo. Jacobs isn't far behind with a hot blistering riff followed by Bennett on slide. Castiglia paces himself taking the longer of the solos with plenty of spark. Wolfe is also more patient but lays out a crisp solo as well. Cool conclusion to a really nice show.

 The extras include an impromptu interview with Ginty as he sets up his B3 and Leslie. This is primarily an opportunity to meet John the man and his dedication to his own craft. Another feature is an interview with producer/director Ben Elliott. A walk around the control room shows the super analog equipment present in Showplace studio. Some of the history of the studio and equipment and it's significance to the sound is really cool. Additional footage shows the live room where the musicians sit. An explanation of how the acoustics are controlled and different acoustic effects as well as isolation rooms are featured.  

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”

 

American Showcase Music artist: The Alexis P Suter Band - Love The Way You Roll - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (August 12, 2014), Love The Way You Roll, from The Alexis P Suter Band and it's literally off the hook! I have to admit I have not had the pleasure earlier but my pal Stilladog had recommended I check this band out and he sure was right! Opening with Nuthin' In The World, a cocky blues rocker with a lot of strut, Suter introduces you to her unique vocal style and it's terrific. Backed by Vicki Bell on vocal, Ray Grappone on drums and Peter Bennett on bass this is a cool rocker with stinging guitar work from Jimmy Bennett. 25 Years has a real swagger and Suter again just blows you back in your chair with her voice. Bennett rips it up pretty good on guitar and Grappone holds tight on drums. Anything is a beautiful soul track and a brilliant showcase for Suter's vocal style. Excellent key man John Ginty adds rich B3 overtones to this track and Bennett's guitar tones are rich and "Super" like. Excellent! Big Mama is a strong Texas style boogie with driving guitar rhythms and lead. Bennett whips out the slide on this one and smoke flies! Slide fans...here it is! Cool track. Title track, Love The Way You Roll, has a swampy Bo Diddley feel with lead NO drum march feel. Again Bennett steps up with his slide and grinds it out, even blending in a little Morganfield tribute. Raw and Bluesy! Gonna' Love You has a real somber, slinky feel with the Bennetts on bass and guitar setting the pace. Suter has a rich, relentless voice and this track is really hot! A great groove with contemporary styling and hot guitar riffs... how can you miss? Excellent... possibly my favorite track on the release. Waiting takes a step back with an easy approach and a rhythm that is reminiscent of Bill Withers' Use Me. This track has great style and a embracing feel. Ginty on electric piano and B3 adds a nice middle adding to the spotlight on Suters' exceptional voice. On Big Mama's You Don't Move Me No More, a Latin percussion keeps the track on the low down but Jimmy Bennett lays down a really slick jazz guitar solo for a cool bridge. This track is really nicely done and a light feel breaking up the intensity of most of the release. It Ain't Over has a R&B feel and with vocal duet with Vicki Bell this is a hot radio track. Hang On opens with a cool bass riff from Peter Bennett. Falling into the background, the track builds on the cool funk and again Suter and Bell pair up on vocals with a real bouncer. This is one of those tracks that is bound to move you round in your seat. A loose guitar solo from Jimmy Bennett on the track and strong bass riffs from Peter Bennett stand out on this track. Another solid ballad, Them Days, finds Suter holding back on the amplitude of her vocals allowing a different texture emerge. Accompanied mostly by Ginty and complimented by a clean solo from Jimmy Bennett, this is another track that could find universal airplay. The release concludes with a really hot cover of Slim Harpo's Shake Your Hips. Suter was born to sing this track and Bennett is pushing her all the way with cool grinding guitar riffs. Vocal compliments by Bell and minimal bass and drums make this track a particularly effective boogie. Excellent!

If you haven't concluded from the review, I really like this release and recommended it for anyone who this even sounds remotely interesting to! All I want to know is "When is she coming to town!" 

  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”

 

American Showplace artist: John Ginty - Bad News Travels - New Release Review

I just received the new release, Bad News Travels, from John Ginty and it's really quite good. It's unusual that I find a release that is actually built around an organ player (James Brown and Lucky Peterson) but here's one. Opening with The Quirk, Ginty starts this instrumental track with a B3 vamp and slowly piece by piece the band joins in. Dan Fadel on drums, Paul Kuzik on bass and then out pops an outrageous guitar player.... Albert Castiglia. Playing a blues rock fusion, this track rips! (Listen to those drums!) On Black Cat, Ginty slows everything down and Castiglia takes the mic for some really nice vocals. Ginty plays really soulful B3 keys against really tasty blues riffs by Castiglia. Peanut Butter, another instrumental, has a great hook driven by Ginty on keys and Todd Wolfe steps in playing great response to Ginty's call on guitar. This is some really intense guitar work and I credit Ginty not only for assembling this great crew of musicians and building the tracks, but also for bringing out the best in all of these musicians. On a more pop oriented track, Seven & The Spirit, Alecia Chakour takes the lead on vocals and Neal Casal sits in on guitar. This is definitely the airplay track of the release and it should do quite well. Chakour has a great voice for this style track and Casal plays a super melodic, well articulated guitar solo to top off the track. Next Up is Mirrors, a high steppin instrumental featuring Warren Haynes on guitar with a solid overdriven guitar tone with an attack more like Santana than I have heard from him. The track takes a bit of a Latin turn as Ginty solos on B3 and Fadel and Kuzik absolutely jam. Really nice. Switch really features Ginty on keys more than any other track and it's a driver. With tom tom work pushing the bottom, Ginty really gets the most out of his 3 piece band on this cool jazz instrumental. On Damage Control, Ginty gets a bit more of the New Orleans beat going and Castiglia is back on vocal and guitar. A hot country blues like guitar solo erupts and Cris Jacobs joins on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. Rock Ridge features Martie Maguire on fiddle starting with a bit of a folk/mountain sound but then breaking into a full blown jazz rock track, not unlike early Dregs stuff. This is a really cool track showing yet more versatility from Ginty and crew. Castiglia joins again for the funky Elvis Presley. With clever lyrics and and great vocals, Castiglia leads the way on this track, laying down a really sweet solo with a lot of feel. Ginty unloads some heavy sounds on this track and the bottom is solid and consistent. This is a cool track and should meet a totally different audience than the standard radio play group... this could be the big one! Just the right amount of hook and heft. Trinity is a full blown foot stomper featuring Cris Jacobs on guitar. Breaking midwave it takes on a gospel like swing and is a super closer. This is a really super release and one that could appeal to a very wide audience with loads of guitar, great writing great beats and of course cool keys.

  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”

This track is not from the release but does show the texture of Ginty's music.

American Showplace Music atrist: Todd Wolfe Band - Miles To Go - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Miles To Go, from Todd Wolfe Band and it's a straight forward blues rocker. Opening with Nuthin' But You, Wolfe puts up a solid rocker that should head straight to the airwaves and fly high. With a solid hook and flashy guitar work it has what it needs. Sunnyvale takes a step back to a simpler sound with a stripped down bass (Justine Gardner) and drum Roger Voss) part and acoustic guitar and vocal by Wolfe. Locket Full Of Dreams opens with a cool guitar riff with reverb developing to a pretty cool track with vocals by Wolfe, Gardner and Voss. Steve Guyger also adds a nice harmonica texture on this track as well. Howlin' Wolf's Forty Four is up next. The band does a real nice rendition of this including great slide guitar work, military style drumming (adding to the drama) and great vocals. Day To Day is another open road rocker with Chuck Berry like riffs and Eric Clapton like vocals. This is another track that could easily hit the airwaves hard. it has all of the tricks including a good driving beat, grinding guitar riffs and snappy drumming. John Ginty adds some nice organ work on this track as well. I Stand Alone is a basic acoustic ballad with clean finger picking and subtle backing vocals. Stay With Me Baby is a slower blues rocker with a cool swaying groove. The vocal backing on this track is particularly cool and Wolfe plays scorching lead guitar riffs over the basic rhythm setup. Come What May comes out with a bit of a surprise with a distinct Reggae bottom and searing guitar lead work. This instrumental track is really nice break and possibly my favorite track on the release. George Harrison's The Inner Light closes the release opening with Wolfe playing eastern sounding lead guitar work and with changing time signature and what sounds to be Leslie sound effects. This is a cool blues rock release that should please existing TWB fans and is sure to win him a number of new ones!  

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”