Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This World , by Billy Thompson and I really like it. Opening with This World, a rolling rocker, Billy Thompson on lead vocal and slide is joined by Golder O'Neill on bass, Eric Selby on drums and Michael Leroy Peed on keys. A super opener with solid vocals and radio promising melody.  Like Rain is another strong track with a great, funky style rhythm. With Kirk Joseph on sousaphone (which is great), Eddie Christmas on drums, Lionel Batiste Jr. on drums, and Thompson on guitar and vocal. One of my favorite tracks on the release is For True with a real swampy, funky blues feel. Thompson's vocals are great and his slide guitar is reminiscent of Lowell George . O'Neill on bass, Selby laying down some terrific drums and and Peed on keys really propel this track. R&B track, Hope, Peace and Joy has a great feel with some of Thompson's best vocals on the track and warm keys work by Peed. Latin rhythm r...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BT , from Billy Thompson and it's terrific! Opening with Burn It Down , Bernadette , Billy is smoking right out of the can with an extremely funky rocker. leading the way on vocal and slide guitar, backed by Michael Leroy Peed on keys, Daryl Johnson on bass, Eric Selby on drums, DK Kelly on percussion and Xzantiny Grant on vocals, these guys are hot. On blues shuffle, Phoine , Billy is backed by a stacked deck with Mike Finnigan, James Hutchinson on bass and Anthony Braunagel on drums. Finnigan really winds out the keys giving Billy plenty of air to pound with screaming riffs. Very nice. Cool R&B number, Silent Warrior has a great feel with excellent guitar riffs pushing the intensity during the beef of the track. Thompson's vocals are soulful and spot on. Very nice. With it's slick R&B tempo, Mud Island Woman is infectious and with Thompson's stinging harp riffs, crisp guitar lead  and vocal l...

I just received the new release, Friend , from Billy Thompson and I think it's really super! Opening with Soldier of Misfortune , a funky rocker, Thompson demonstrates not only a cool singing voice but unique arranging talent and hot guitar riffs. Backed by Chris Dominicion keys, Gene Monroe on bass, Jonathan Greenburg on trumpet, Ian Charlton on sax, Tom Tierney on sax and Eric Selby on drums Thompson really lays out nice guitar riffs making this a really hot track. Garden has a contemporary Latin rhythm and Thompson really shosw a mastery of slide guitar and vocals and is also backed by Mr Bill Payne on keys. Interlude is a deep gripping blues ballad featuring some of the best vocal work that I have heard in weeks. Mike Finnegan adds warm organ to this track and Thompson skillfully adds nice guitar backing to his own vocals like a master trimming his bonsai. A really tasty guitar solo erupts but never out of character of a contained ballad. Masterfully beautiful! Farmer Kenny...