Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Clarksdale, from Christopher Wyze & The Tellers and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with rocker, Three Hours From Memphis , Christopher Wyze leads the way on vocal, With Doug Banks on drums, Mark Yacavone on keys, Gerry Murphy on bass and John Boyle laying down some solid guitar riffs. Shuffle, Money Well Spent , features Wyze on vocal and with great piano backing and a Boyle working the frets nicely. Wyze pulls out his harmonica on Cotton Ain't King adding nice contrast to his lead vocals and Yacovone's keys really add depth. Good Friend Gone has the feel of Morganfield territory with straight up vocals and harmonica by Wyze and a solid guitar riff by Boyle. Leroy Carr's How Long Blues has a real nice feel along the lines of an old Clapton solo cut with a cool jam between Yacavone and Boyle. Wrapping the release is Jimmie Cox's Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, covered ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stuck In The Mud , by Christopher Wyze & The Tellers , and it's deep contemporary blues. Opening with blues rocker, Three Hours from Memphis , Christopher Wyze is up front on vocal and harmonica with Eric Deaton on guitar, Gerry Murphy on bass, Justin Holder on drums and Brad Kuhn on piano. This track has a solid melody and strong vocals by Wyze make it a radio contender. Folk blues track, Soul On The Road is a well constructed, story teller song with Wyze accompanied by Cary Hudson on acoustic guitar and slide. Wyze's vocals are clear and intriguing and Hudson's slide work nice placed and engaging. Money Spent Blues is a cool shuffle with strong lead vocals and Deaton on guitar and Kuhn on piano taking a nice spin. Blues rocker, Looking For My Baby is one of my favorite tracks on the release is a great melody, and strong bottom by Holder and Murphy. A standout solo by Brad Guin really hits the spot highl...