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💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Leigh Pilzer - Keep Holding On

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Get ready to groove with Dr. Leigh Pilzer , the Washington, D.C. baritone sax powerhouse who proves that jazz is meant to be a living, breathing party, not a dusty museum piece. Described as a pure force of nature with a gruff, punchy, and assertive sound, Leigh brings a heavy dose of soulful grit to the stage. She has traded licks with the legendary Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and even arranged horns for local legends like Chuck Brown and Eva Cassidy , and now she is bringing that deep, soulful swagger front and center with her vibrant new album, Keep Holding On. This record is a masterclass in pure, undeniable groove, packed with plenty of attitude, low-end bark, and raw energy that blues fans will instantly appreciate. Keep Holding On strikes the perfect balance between paying respect to the jazz heritage and absolutely cutting loose, making it an essential, high-energy addition to your playlist.   🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM   Keep Holding On by Leigh ...

Big Song Music artist: Lisa Biales - At Christmas - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, At Christmas , from Lisa Biales , and it's a solid mix of blues, pop and holiday sounds. Opening with title track, At Christmas , Lisa Biales leads the way on vocal with Tony Braunagel on drums, Jeff Paris on keys, Johnny Lee Schell on guitar, David J. Carpenter on bass, Jerry Vivino on sax, Maxayn Lewis on backing vocal, Mark Pender on trumpet and hot trombone work by Garrett Smith creating a cool second line feel. Shuffle, That's What I Like About Christmas , opens with a slick guitar intro by Schell. A snappy bottom by Braunagel, great vocals by Biales, swinging keys by Paris and a solid sax solo by Joe Sublett makes this a likely radio track. Mary's Little Baby Boy is my favorite track on the release with a distinct rock feel. Biales holds the reins tight and Braunagel's drum snap paired with Carpenter's bass line gives the track a Stones sound with high tension Hammond work by Paris and really cool...

Big Song Music artist: Lisa Biales - The Beat of My Heart - New Release Review

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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Beat of My Heart , from Lisa Biales and it's rich. Opening with Mabel Scott track, Disgusted , Biales is swinging right from the start backed by Jim Pugh on piano, Larry Taylor on bass and Tony Braunagel on drums. Darrell Leonard adds solid trumpet work and Joe Subjett really gets the sax working with some hot solo lines. Volt (Stax) record, What A Man , a hot R&B track by Linda Lyndell is up next with just a bit of polish a little more funk in the bottom, cool lead guitar work by Johnny lee Schell and cool backing vocals by Maxayn Lewis and Kudisan Kai. Allen Toussaint's I Don't Wanna Hear It has that primal R&B spirit with Tom Peterson on bari sax lead, Joe Sublett on sax and Darrell Leonard on trumpet. Nina Simone's Be My Husband has a swampy feel boosted by Pugh's Hammond work, cool Kay guitar riffs by Schell and top reinforcements by Braunagel. Meemphis Slim's Messin' Around...

Big Song Music artist: Lisa Biales - Belle of the Blues - New Release review

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Opening with and easy going blues number, title track Belle of the Blues , Lisa Biales shows why she is know for her clear voice, well complimented by Pat Bergeson on harp and Paul Hornsby on piano. Tommy Talton plays nice acoustic guitar riffs as a compliment but this song is really ready for airplay. Sad Sad Sunday is a slow blues ballad featuring Biales at her best on lead vocals and Tommy Talton on dobro. Bad Things has a "Summertime" feel with a light acoustic guitar backing. Adding instrumentation as it builds, Randall Bramblett adds organ, Ken Wynn guitar, Bill Stewart drums, Tommy Vickery bass and EG Kight backing vocals. Very nice. Mask , a primary 40's style blues ballad shows Biales in the heart of her style. Hornsby plays a "key" role in the backing on this track and Biales leads with very solid vocals. Graveyard Dead Blues has a cool dobro lead by Talton and EG Kight backs him nicely on acoustic. Biales is consistent with her vocals, strong and...