Bman's Blues Report

I just received the most recent release, Dear John , from Kalo and it's quite interesting. Opening with title track, Dear John , Israeli born, Bat-Or Kalo leads this blues rock power band with solid driving guitar riffs and her own vocals. Backed by Mack McKinney on bass and Erin Nelson on drums these guys mean business. Treat Me Bad has a light funky beat, joined by John Knudson on keys. With a catchy melody and even balance, this is a cool radio track. March To The Light has a lighter European folk sound with Knudson on Banjo and with light acoustic accompaniment backing Kalo's vocals. Marie is an easy paced radio ballad with a sweet melody. Heartbreak is a rich sensuous pop track with a soothing melody. Kalo's guitar soloing is quite slick and tasty. Boogie track, Oh Father , has a real nice bottom with Nelson and McKinney leading the way. Todd Clark joins on harp and Kalo drives the vocal harmonies and ultimately frenzied guitar soloing. Very cool. Down, Down...

Bator Kalo was born in Haifa, Israel where she was surrounded by music and art from a young age. Kalo played electric and acoustic guitar in several bands in her hometown, composing and writing lyrics. She furthered her studies of Classical and Jazz Music at the School of Art in Oklahoma City. Based in NYC and traveling back and forth from Israel, Kalo released her first EP, ‘Flesh and Bones,’ recorded in Israel, working alongside Dave Fields at FMI, produced with Yuval Segal and musicians, Eran Mitelman, Bentsi Gafni, Shlomo Deshet and others. The album gained attention throughout Israel, as well as NYC, where the single, ‘Standing,’ was used in the New York play, ‘Miss Kim’ which made its debut at the International Fringe Festival in 2010. Kalo has toured as a trio and with other bands as lead guitarist, performing in NYC, Albany, Boston and Oklahoma. She is currently working on her new album inspired by Country, Blues and Rock and Roll that will be released by Mission 66 Records...