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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label BOB CORRITORE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BOB CORRITORE. Show all posts

Friday, May 10, 2019

VizzTone Label Group artist: Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tony Holiday's Porch Sessions and I really like it. Vocalist and harmonica player, Tony Holiday has put together a great release here with a who's who of the blues business. Opening with Pick-Pocket Fingers a cool shuffle track Holiday on lead vocal is joined by James Harman on harmonica, Kid Ramos on guitar, Landon Stone on guitar and Kid Andersen on bass, this is a cool opener. John Primer steps in on lead vocal and guitar on They Call Me John Primer with featured harp work by Bob Corritore and Holiday and Joel Meza Jr. on drums. I always love Primer's slide style and Corritore has beautiful tone. Very nice. An easy, funky track, A Woman Named Trouble, showcases John Nemeth and Jake Friel with Holiday on vocal and harmonica. This is a funky funky track with a great bass line by Anderson. Excellent! Mitch Kashmar and Ronnie Shellist join Holiday for Three Way Party and slower but soulful guitar and harmonica soloing gives this track a rich feel.  Guitar boogie, Goin' To Court features Harman and Ramos and it's hot. With a great rhythm guitar line by Stone, Harmon plays for style and Ramos smokes the frets. Very nice. On Coin Operated Woman, Holiday has the mic again and Chicago guitar man, Rockin' Johnny Burgin fans the frets. Holiday is front and center on harp and does a really nice job balancing his smooth vocals and lead harp and Burgin is restrained but his riffs are tight and aggressive. Wrapping the release is This Time I'm Gone For Good featuring the excellent vocals of William Kidd. Holiday's harmonica nicely surrounds the deep richness of Kidd with only a touch of Stone's precision guitar punctuation. Very nice closer for a strong release. 

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Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Rockin' Johnny Burgin at the Rhythm Room - March 9, 2019


We all see ordinary talent in shows around town but there are a few bands that will draw me out late at night every time they tour because of their artistry and Rockin' Johnny is definitely one. When I saw that he was playing the Rhythm Room, definitely the best place to see a band in Phoenix, I made it a date. The club was packed and I sat in the corner because I arrived just before the show started but I wouldn't miss it. Johnny came on stage carrying his classic Emperor and his classic tone. He did a short set, maybe 6 or 8 tracks and he didn't take a note to get on track. He was hitting on 12 cylinders from note one. I don't know if you've seen Johnny, but this is a guy who is all about style. He isn't Jeff Beck who wrote every trick in the books, nor Joe Bonamassa who plays every Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton riff. This is a pure Chicago blues guy who has been around the block and has assembled some absolutely terrific old style riffs that he applies at just the right time and in style. He's a serious player and an excellent singer. I don't think that he knows how good a singer he is having played lead guitar behind leaders like Tail Dragger but this guys vocals are strong and sometimes downright exceptional. But the really cool part about Johnny's playing is his style. Here's a guy who is standing up with a band of 3, carrying most of the weight himself, and then just blowing out a riff that curls your hair. We're not talking about blistering speed like a metal rocker. We're talking old school riffs that make you go...wow...that was a great riff and the man can go! But here's the great part... after he plays it, he seems to look around quietly and say to himself... I did it... and smile with accomplishment.  No pretense...pure love for his trade. The band took a short break and then club owner and world renown harp player Bob Corritore stepped up to the mic announcing that they had some surprises for the crowd. Due to a larger blues event, Blues Bash, that was happening in Phoenix this weekend, there were a number of performers on hand. A man with deep blues roots and quite a pedigree, Jimi "Prime Time" Smith was there and took the stage with Rockin' Johnny and Corritore. The crowd really loved Smith with is silky vocals and license plate guitar. He put on a really good show including walking the audience while playing and singing.


Johnny Main, guitar and lead vocals of the 44's set up (using Rockin' Johnny's guitar) and a really hot guitar player that I hadn't seen, Henry Carvahal (Rod Piazza Mighty Flyers among others) was on fire. This guy is a powerhouse and has great hands. matched with the balance of RJB's band these guys were electric.

After another short break, Rockin' Johnny took the stage again with Corritore, and local blues legends, singer George Bowman, and guitar player Donnie Dean. This bands focus was primarily prime Chicago style blues providing a stable base for players who don't play together daily and Corritore's harp work was really strong. Bowman's vocals were solid and guitar exchanges between Dean and Burgin really cool. After maybe another 5 tracks, Burgin took the stage back to his basic 3 piece ensemble and closed out the night. He brought along a solid bodied Danelectro and in open tuning, played some really nice slide. Johnny really knows how to put on a show and with a sea of talent in the room, this was a really great show for what is a fairly small club. This was likely one of the best blues shows in Phoenix for 2019. If it sounds like I had fun, I rolled into bed around 2am. This band literally played till shutdown. Very very nice. Watch for a review of Corritore's upcoming release, Do The Hip-Shake Baby! in the next few weeks. 

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Friday, June 22, 2018

VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Don't Let The Devil Ride! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (releasing today), Don't Let The Devil Ride!, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's super. Opening with Willie Buck's shuffle track, Went Home This Morning, Bob Corritore on harp joins up with Willie Buck on lead vocal, Mojo Mark on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Brian Fahey on drums for a solid opener. On Little Walter's Tell Me Mama, Oscar Wilson is on lead vocal and Corritore lays out a real nice harp solo with Priimetime Smith on guitar, Henry Grey on piano and Johnny Rapp on guitar. Alabama Mike has the lead on Laundromat Blues and with really expressive lower octave work from Corritore, particularly nice soloing from Atkinson on guitar and strong piano work from Welch making this one of my favorites on the release. Corritore original, Fork In The Road, features Oscar Wilson on vocal, with Henry Grey on piano and Johnny Rapp on guitar with Corritore in in mostly a strong supportive role choosing cool riffs over long solos...his general trademark. Bob Welch's rockabilly guitar riffs on Lovey Dovey Lovey One set the stage and Corritore sails on harp. Another terrific track. Particularly strong vocals by Alabama Mike set title track, Don't let the Devil Ride! with complimentary guitar work by Danny Michel. Willie Mae features the vocal and guitar work of Bill "Howl-N-Madd" Perry and with it's Latin rhythm, it simmers. George Bowman has the lead on I Was A Fool with Chris James adding tasty texture on guitar. Wrapping the release is Thundering and Raining featuring Tail Dragger on lead vocal, Grey on piano and Bob Stroger on bass. Rockin' Johnny Burgin and Corritore balance guitar and harp nicely for a solid ending to a real cool release.



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Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Highjohn Records artist: Johnny Tucker - Seven Day Blues - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Seven Day Blues, from Johnny Tucker and I really like it. Opening with Talkin' About You Baby, Johnny Tucker has the rugged voice of a pure blues man. Backed by Big Jon Atkinson on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass, Scott Smart on guitar, and Malachi Johnson on drums, this is a solid opener. With the addition of Sandow on harp, Tired of Doing Nothing has super presence, really, imaging that I haven't experienced in my office location on many occasions thanks I believe to the expert engineering of Atkinson (in Mono). If you listen to this, you won't need to have someone tell you it's special. It's way apparent! On Why Do You Let Me Down So Hard, Tucker's vocals are super and Atkin's guitar work is downright outstanding. Excellent! Title track, Seven Day Blues, is funnkkyy! Again, Sandow's harp work over Atkinson's bass, working in concert with Tuckers vocals really make the groove. With a super strong feel, Come On Home With Me just struts. Hard picked guitar riffs by Atkinson and understated harp work by Bob Corritore highlight Tucker's vocals nicely. Kid Ramos adds a new guitar texture on Tell You All with Bob Welch on organ. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Gonna Give You One More Chance, has a great slower blues feel with grand vocals from Tucker. I continuously keep thinking to myself during this recording how perfectly centered Tucker's vocals are on my cheesy desktop player in the office. The imaging really is strong. Beautiful guitar phrasing by Atkinson and soulful yelps cheering him on by Tucker really sets this track apart. Cool shuffle, Do-Right Man features real nice slide work by Atkinson and harp backing by Sandow giving Tucker strong instrumental support for his rugged vocals. Another slower blues number, One Of These Days, shows incredibly expressive vocals by Tucker and Atkinson really knows how to milk his guitar to get the best from this track. This is really a super track and Atkinson's feel makes it so. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a gripping, You Can Leave My House, with incredible feel by Sandow on harp and Atkinson on guitar. Kick back and enjoy!  I see a number of old school blues records on my desk quarterly, but this is one that really stands out. Excellent job! ...watch the video...feel the heat!

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Monday, October 23, 2017

Rockin' Johnny Burgin @ The Rhythm Room In Phoenix - October 2017


I saw a great show at the Rhythm Room, the premiere blues club in Phoenix, last week and it was great. The Rhythm Room is a real Phoenix landmark that took over where the mason Jar left off. That's where I last saw Albert King. At the Rhythm Room I've seen a number of super shows and artists including Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa and Jimbo Mathus. I moved a while back and live outside of the city now. It makes it a lot tougher to see a mid week show, but when I heard that Rockin' Johnny was playing town, I knew I was going to be there. I've seen Johnny a number of times both on his own and with Tail Dragger.  I remember seeing him on film a number of years ago where he was playing backup player and just with a few riffs, he stood out and got my attention.


Now with a number of his own excellent releases under his belt, Rockin' Johnny puts on one hell of a show! He pulls from his most recent release Neoprene Fedora as well as a few other terrific releases including Greetings From Greaseland and Grim Reaper. Johnny is a great showman and at the Rhythm Room he plays 2 sets. Obviously what originally got my attention was Johnny's powerful if not often wild guitar riffs but Johnny is actually turning out to be a really good singer. Every time I see him I think, man this guy is really a good singer but I always remember those power riffs of his. Johnny isn't a Bonamassa or Clapton clone and he doesn't ape Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page or any of the other spectacular guitar players like most of his contemporaries. Johnny has his own style which is a mix of classic, underplayed riffs and his own style and blues, R&B, soul and rock. I don't take a lot of notes at a concert (hell, I'm there to drink beer and listen to a band just like you). Johnny hits the floor hard and pushes himself to gets things hopping fast. After only a few tracks, he really settles into a groove and it just keeps getting better and better throughout the show. I believe he played most every track from his Neoprene Fedora release (which is terrific by the way) and my recollection is that he played the title track near or at the end of the first set.



Excellent!  Club owner and renown blues harp player, Bob Corritore, joined Johnny on stage for a few hot Chicago blues numbers and Bob never fails to impress. He's a great harp player and extremely knowledgeable blues enthusiast, running a blues radio show on National Public Radio for many years.



Recalling the show, I'm certain that he played Guitar King, Won't Get Married Again, Give Me An Hour In Your Garden, Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear, and  Goodbye Chicago. there were a few tracks that were just over the top. From Greaseland I remember Cold Chills, She's A Hit and Homework as well as the highlight of the show for me, Johnny's take on The House Of The Rising Sun. Unfortunately the footage was unusable for reasons out of my control. Grim Reaper and I Did The Best I Could were among the best of the rest but the ultimate best groove is Smoke and Mirrors. I really think that this is one of the best grooves caught on a contemporary blues release in years.

 Off the floor, Johnny is a hell of a nice guy and just wants to put on a great show. Catch him in a smaller club while you can. It may not be next week, but this guy really has something special and you should get your share.

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Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Vizztone Label Group artist: Adrianna Marie - Kingdom Of Swing - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kingdom of Swing, by Adrianna Marie and her roomful of all-stars, and it's tasty. Opening with Kingdom of Swing you are transported to the 40's with a great bottom by Kedar Roy on bass and Brian Fahey. The ROOM is FULL with the Roomful Horns and a terrific trumpet solo by Doug Woolverton and excellent solo by Carl Querfurth and of course super sax work by Doug James, Rich Lataille and Mark Earley. Wow! Marie belts away on Better Beware and the warmth of James, Lataille and Earley is super. With super sax solos on this one and the cool piano work of Al Copley and a really nicely styled guitar solo by Jones, this is another winner. Catch the ripping sax solo by James on Sidecar Mama teamed with Earley and Lataille and raw guitar work of Jones for a grand slam. Jones plays some particularly warm solo lead on Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo teamed with some of Marie's best vocals on the release making it a solid classic. Beautifully appointed sax and trumpet solos on this track, backed by the fullness of the Horns is superb.  With a solid bass line and horns blazing, 3 AM Blues struts in taking no prisoners. Another really rich sax solo, followed by nicely articulated guitar lead gives this track real zip. Duke Robillard sits on adding some really nice guitar lead and again, the best sax section on the planet is here with plenty of solo's including a robust solo from James. Memphis Boogie is a real rabid track with super solos from Querfurth, Lataille, Earley and Jones. On Chicago style track, Drive me Daddy, Bob Corritore joins in on harp and Woolverton's muted trumpet as Jones demonstrates some Muddy Water's like slide work. BB King's Jump With You Baby gets a serious guitar job from Junior Watson. With it's serious swing and heavy horn work, it's smoking with woven lines. The Blues are Brewing really gets a big band work over with stretched solos throughout. A particularly jazzy blues track, it stands out nicely. One Sweet Letter has a great strut emphasized by a tight solo by Woolverton. T-Bone Boogie is a wild ride with excellent guitar flash from Jones and great depth from James. Whew! Wrapping the release is Blues After Hours with gripping blues work by Jones. This is an excellent closer to an excellent release. If you love horns, you'll love this release!



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Sunday, February 12, 2017

Interview with the dynamic Rockin’ Johnny Burgin

Bman: Hi Johnny, Haven’t seen you in a while. I'm really sorry that I missed your show in Phoenix. I was in Europe and just got back. One show I really wanted to see. How did it go?


RJB: I had a great show in Phoenix. "Bob Corritore and " Dave Riley sat in.  I had a great bassist from Alburquerque, J.D. Sipe, and Brian Fahey from The Paladains on drums.  I hadn't played with him since a tour in Europe three or so years ago with Mud Morganfield and Taildragger.

Bman: Wow. That must have been a great show! Damn. I really wanted to see you. Are you coming back again this year?

RJB: I hope to be back in October.

Bman: Great! I should be  good then. I don't think I have anything planned for October. Last I heard you were in Europe with Aki Kumar . I love Europe. How did the tour go? Where were you?

RJB: I left for Europe on Halloween, and got back at Christmas.  The first two weeks of the tour were with Aki Kumar and our West Coast Meets Chicago project.  We hit Sweden (w/ Trickbag ), the Netherlands, and the Bay Car Blues Festival in France and some FR club dates.  Then Aki went home, and I went to Finland, Italy and Spain.   

Bman:  So you’ve been back on US soil for a while. What have you been up to? Still touring or in the studio?

RJB: In January, I was in the Bay area the whole time.  I played New Year's Eve with Nick Gravenites and long time Elvin Bishop drummer Gary Silva on drums. That was fun.  In January, I cut material for a new Rockin Johnny Burgin CD, Neoprene Fedora .
 


It'll be out by March 15.  I had Nancy Wright on it, Vance Ehlers, June Core (the rhythm section on Greaseland), not to mention 3 zydeco songs I wrote with Billy Williams on rub board and Steve Willis (plays w Elvin) on accordion.  Kid Andersen and Bob Welsh played guitars and pianos, and Aki was on it as well.  He did two songs on vocal, and Alabama Mike did two songs I wrote.  Out of 16 tunes, I did three covers, a Johnny Littlejohn song, an LV Banks song, and a Little Joe Blue Song.  And Aki did a song by Willie Williams, which makes 12 originals-- that's a record.






Bman: Outstanding! I love the stuff that comes out of Greaseland and that lineup is top notch. I'm looking forward to see what you came up with. I also heard that you caught up with Quique Gomez in Spain. Outstanding! I'm really looking forward to hearing it.

RJB: Quique is a good friend, I've worked with him in Spain and America many, many times.  When Aki went home I caught up with him. I cut a cd's worth of stuff with Quique  in Toledo.  It'll come out in the summer. I'm glad we finally did a cd together. 

Bman: Weren’t you also in session with Mike Mettalia?

RJB: Yes, I've known Mike since the Smoke Daddy days in the 90s.  He wanted to do some sessions with Little Jerry Jones, Mary Lane, and Milwaukee Slim (and me!) so I acted as a liaison.  We've done some nice shows together over the years.  He's really keeping the blues alive in my book! 

Bman:  I really need to check that out! What else have you got cooking as if that isn’t enough?

RJB: Right now I'm doing a three month tour that started in San Jose, then went to Phoenix, Alburquerque, Dallas, it's going to  Houston, Clarksdale, Springfield, Chicago, Minneapolis, Toronto, France, Russia, then flying back to Chicago and driving back to SF doing gigs in NE and Utah.   Doing a session with Jeremy Johnson in Minneapolis in March, he's a great engineer (he did RJ Mischo's latest cd) drummer and guitarist.  I've always wanted to record with him.
Also doing a session on this trip with Sugar Brown (Ken Kawashima) in Toronto.  We're old college buddies and started out together with Taildragger He's a great player and songwriter.  

Bman: Yeah, I like Sugar Brown's work. Lot of talent there.

RJB: I am doing a tour in Sweden in May with Aki and Trickbag.  I'm doing the 10th anniversary Blues Fest after party at Reggie's with special guests TBA in Chicago in June.  Also I'm playing the Bluesfest with Mary Lane.  Playing King Biscuit with Taildragger in October  and I'll be touring a lot to promote Neoprene Fedora , as well and my release wtih Quique when it comes out.

Bman: Man. You are a busy guy. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Now I got to get some CD's and sit back and enjoy!

RJB: Thanks a lot Bman


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Friday, October 21, 2016

Mitch Kashmar "West Coast Toast"





Mitch Kashmar "West Coast Toast"

Featuring: Junior Watson, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, and Marty Dodson

West Coast Toast heralds the arrival of Mitch Kashmar's long-awaited third studio album from Delta Groove. Although fans had the live recording Live at Labatt (2008) and a CD reissue of his early '80s era LP 100 Miles to Go (2010) to tide them over, it's been ten years since his last full studio effort, Wake Up & Worry (2006). This time out, Mitch pays tribute to his legacy, tipping his musical hat to the unique sounds of West Coast blues with a program of well-chosen covers mixed in with his own original compositions, all filtered through his own individualistic approach to the blues, and distilled down into the essence of what the blues is today. Together with the stellar backing musicianship of Junior Watson (guitar), Fred Kaplan (piano), Bill Stuve (bass) and Marty Dodson (drums), Mitch Kashmar ably proves that the golden era of West Coast blues harmonica isn’t behind us – it’s still happening right now!

"Few blues singers, songwriters, & harmonica blowers performing today can top Mitch Kashmar." - Living Blues Magazine

"Kashmar has harmonica chops to spare and possesses an unsurpassed vocal prowess." - BLUES JUNCTION Productions

“Mitch Kashmar is my absolute favorite blues harp player of his generation, and one of my favorites period! He's also a first-class vocalist - his singing really knocks me out.” - William Clarke

"You're playing and singing are superb!" - Charlie Musselwhite



MITCH KASHMAR - FALL 2016 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:
10/18/16: München, Germany - Alfonso's Live-Music Club
10/19/16: Chur, Switzerland - Calanda Restaurant
10/20/16: Rimsting, Germany - Blues Club Chiemgau
10/21/16: Sargans, Switzerland - Jazzclub
10/22/16: Luzern, Switzerland - Tschuppi's Wonderbar
10/24/16: Müllheim, Germany - Pur Pur "Blues Monday"
10/25/16: Emmendingen, Germany - Culture Mill Mehlsack
10/26/16: Kandern, Germany - ChaBah
10/27/16: Fürth, Germany - Kofferfabrik
10/30/16: Berlin, Germany - Hans Rosenthal House
10/30/16: Potsdam, Germany - Schiffsrestaurant John Barnett
11/01/16: Bremen, Germany - Meisenfrei Blues Club
11/02/16: Hannover, Germany - Marlene Bar & Bühne
11/04/16: København, Denmark - Mojo Blues Bar
11/05/16: Frederikshavn, Denmark - Frederikshavn Bluesfestival-Blues.dk


RECENT RELEASES FROM DELTA GROOVE
JOHN LONG
"STAND YOUR GROUND"

Featuring: Fred Kaplan, Bill Stuve and Washington Rucker

"Long doesn't sample the old country blues; he inhabits it." - All Music Guide

"John Long is a NATIONAL TREASURE." 
- Al Blake / Hollywood Blue Flames

“If you wanted to make an argument for reincarnation, John is it.” – Zach Zunis

BIG JON ATKINSON
& BOB CORRITORE
“House Party at Big Jon's”


Featuring: Willie Buck, Alabama Mike,Dave Riley, Tomcat Courtney & more!

“Nobody gets it done better than Bob Corritore.” – No Depression

"Nobody gets it done better than Bob Corritore.” – No Depression





Monday, October 3, 2016

Bejeb Music artist: Deb Ryder - Grit Grease & Tears - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Grit Grease & Tears from Deb Ryder and it's quite good. Opening with Ain't Gonna Be Easy, a smooth driving jazz track, Ryder steps up big time on lead vocals backed by Tony Braunagel on drums, Ric Ryder on bass and the great Mike Finnegan on Hammond. Johnny Lee Schell is wicked on guitar with some really hot riffs and the horn section, Joe Sublett on sax and Darrell Leonard on trumpet really top it off. Get A Little Steam Up is a cool high stepper with Ryder sharing lead vocals with Sugarray Rayford. This track has a great groove and Kirk Fletcher and Johnny Lee Schell sharing guitar lead. Very nice. Boogie rocker, Blink Of An Eye, features some real nice slide work by Schell and heavy drum riffs by Braunagel. Title track, Grit Grease & Tears is a lumbering soul rocker with especially warm harp work by Bob Corritore and a simple, solid drum work from Braunagel. R&B track, Sweet Mary Anne, is a solid radio track with warm backing vocals by Schell, Ryder, Leslie Smith and Finnigan. Sublett and Leonard give the track just the right touch of horns paired with Finnigan's keyboard to balance Ryder's vocal lead. Fletcher and Schell set a nice platform on blues number, Lord Knows I Do, with T-Bone Walker style and Finnigan's mastery nicely highlights Ryder's vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the release. With a bit of JG Watson like style, Panic Mode gets the funk on. Fletcher blasts a rel nice solo with Finnigan, Leonard and Sublett juicing it up and solid male backing vocals by Finnigan. Little Feat style sets the pace for Just Her Nature. Kenny Gradney's bass work and Braunagel's drum work really anchor this one. Albert Lee's shows real finesse on guitar and Ryder's vocals are super. Very nice. New Mechanic (Patrick's Blues) has a real hard boogie bass line courtesy Ric and Pieter Van Der Pluijm works it with Finnigan, Schell and Fletcher to set a great blues stage in this solid boogie. Prisoner of War is another hot boogie ... like a hot update of Hip Shake or ZZ Top's La Grange. Yes, this thing smokes with Van Der Pluijm on harp, Braunagel on drums, Ric on bass, Finnigan on keys and Schell on guitar. Excellent! Wrapping the release is easy paced Chicago style blues number, Right Side Of The Grass. With it's super walking bass line by Ric, tight drums by Braunagel, energetic organ work by Finnigan, and Deb's grinding vocals, with a dash of harp by Corritore and a few hot riffs by Schell and Fletcher, this track is a great closer for a really nice release.

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  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”

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