Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Monumental - The Songs of Tommy Dougherty , by Paul Dougherty and it's a cool retrospective. Opening with ballad, Stars Above , Paul Dougherty, son of Tommy Dougherty has taken the task to redo a number of Tommy's songs, playing all instruments and singing. Blues rocker, Little Damn Dog , is up next with solid keys, raw guitar and solid vocals. With a light almost reggae feel, Fat Lady has a soothing feel and a cool "sax" solo adding to Paul's keyboard accompaniment and vocals. Another solid ballad, Cowgirl Song has a particularly nice melody with the addition of Paul Hilton on steel guitar. Roses For My Lady is another strong composition with Paul handling a full orchestral backing on keys. Wrapping the release is Mexico Beaches , another ballad with solid commercial appeal. Paul has done a nice job resurrecting his fathers music and reintroducing it to a new audience.   If you suppo...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spankin' Hank , from Paul Dougherty and it's interesting. Dougherty, born in Houston is now living in Munich and reinterpreting Hank Williams tracks opening with My Sweet Love Ain't Around . A casual swing with cool guitar riffs, a cool opener. On Move It On Over, Dougherty adds a Bo Diddley beat, organ and with his lower octave vocals, gives the track a whole new feel. Slide guitar with what sounds like Hawaiian tuning really gives it a cool vibe. Tear In My Beer has a simple country rocker beqat with snappy drums and vocal harmonies. I like it. Another track that really stands out is Low and Lonely with it's lope and again Hawaiian sounding lap guitar. Very cool. Bluesy track, Lonesome Whistle , maintains a bit of it's country flavor but with the addition of casual military style drumming and harp. With a more straight forward rock style, Rockin' Chair Money has a cool groove.  Wrapping the...