Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, Must Be Crazy , from Andy Poxon and it's terrific. I had reviewed Poxon's earlier releases, most recently Red Roots. and I can tell you without question the kid is getting better by leaps and bounds! Opening with the title track, You Must Be Crazy , Poxon is smoking right out of the gate. With a hell of a swagger and killing the Elmore James riff, this track is super. Poxon, who plays lead guitar and takes lead on vocal, is joined by keyboard ace, Kevin McKendree and the connection is golden. Poxon sounds really relaxed but plays with fiery intensity. I've heard comparisons drawn to Johnny Lang but I'd say shoot higher...say Sean Costello! Kenneth Blevins on drums, Steve Mackey on bass and Jim Hoke on sax makes this one powerful opener. Living Alone is a mid paced boogie woogie track featuring a more vocal feel and McKendree showing his fine piano flair. Kicker jump track, Next To You , really moves and Poxon pulls out some reall...

I just received a copy of Tomorrow , the newest release by Andy Poxon . This is a much more mature release than his earlier release, Red Roots, which came out on Eller Soul records last year. This release, produced by Duke Robillard, opens with Too Bad , a R&B style blues track blending really nice vocal harmonies, horns and flashy Texas style blues riffs. You Lied has a strong melody line and with the Rich Lataille and Mark Earley on sax backing, Poxon is really starting to sound like a young Jimmy Hall in musical style. A tasty guitar player he takes a short guitar break but sticks to the business of what is basically a strong radio track. College Boy brings a rock n roll piano boogie lead by the great Bruce Bear and bringing all of the spirit of JL Lewis. Don't Come Home really starts to solidify Poxon as a vocalist with experience, the great sax arrangement behind the track really warming up the bottom and with an beautifully tasty guitar solo in the middle makes this a...

A CrawSticker or "craw sticker" is something that stays with you -- sticks in your craw. We also like to think this music will stick in your craw (in a good way). The name is also a vague nod to some of the New Orleans influence you'll hear (along with a stew pot full of other stuff from Chicago Blues, to Stax/Motown R&B, to Soul Jazz, to Nashville Twang). Finally, it's a pet phrase around the Ramminger house. For example, Clare might randomly bring up the Valentine's Day that Scott forgot 20 years ago -- or the time 15 years ago he got busy hooking up the stereo and forgot to watch their infant son, who subsequently rolled down the stairs into the basement (no lasting damage). We call something with that kind of staying power a CrawSticker. Here's hoping our music has the same sort of staying power. But beyond that, this name was available the day we needed a name. Try this. Think of a cool band name and Google it. Likely as not, you'll discover...

I just received a copy of Andy Poxon's recording Red Roots. Clever title for a kid playing blues roots music with a large red "natural". The recording is comprised of 13 original tunes with a number of different flavors. There are tastes of Boogie, Funk, Country, Soul, Pop, and a good dose of Blues. Being from Maryland, Andy likely gets exposed to everything as it is a melding pot of music in that musical hub. Andy is actually a pretty good singer in the style of young Jimmy Hall and shows real potential as a guitar slinger. The recording overall is a great first effort and I'm anxious to see how he does as he matures. His playing shows real depth in melodic understanding and I feel that once given the opportunity to explore a bit more, he could be a real powerhouse. There were a few standout tracks on the recording, Hottest Thing in Town , a Boogie played on guitar a 'la Gatemouth Brown, No Love a funkier tune sung over a blues base and Is There Anything I Can ...