Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, Things Have Changed , from Jumpin' Jack Strobel . Opening with Mother Earth , a Memphis Slim track, Strobel takes a very earthy approach, exhibiting extreme dexterity and creativity on the keyboard. Listening to this track it's hard to believe that it is the same track as performed by Gov't Mule. Backing vocals by Layonne Holmes, Ricky Laurie Collins and Big Joe Fitzpatrick add a particularly warm richness. Next up is Dylan's Things Have Changed with a jazzy Latin beat. I particularly like the low fretboard guitar work on this track. On Get On The Right Track Baby , Strobel gets a good polished delivery of a Texas swing track. Andy Riedel plays some tasty swing guitar riffs adding some sparkle to this swinging track. Strobel again steps up with dazzling key work and Steve Brown (drums) and Mike Lamps (bass) are tight on the bottom. On I Don't Want To Know , Strobel keeps the driving swing going with dominate piano riffs and stir...

I just received the new release (to be released April 9, 2013), Split Second , from Nicole Hart and Anni Piper and it's quite good! The release opens with a vocal duet rhumba, Can't Let You Go . This track has a good beat and you can dance to it... I mean John Ginty plays a cool organ part on an otherwise primarily radio oriented track. Up next is Clap Your Hands , along the lines of Ray Charles' What I Say. Ron Rauso plays a hot guitar riff on this track and Ginty takes a nice piano and organ solo as well, all driven by the hot shot drumming of Sim Cain. Ain't Nobody Watchin' slows the train down a bit and Sandy Mack steps up on harp. Piper sings nice lead on this track with heavy support from her bass. The Classic rockabilly track, Dream Baby , is covered here very nicely by the duo. Rauso and Ginty take turns throwing a riff into the mix on this track. On You Can't Make Somebody Love You , rich vocal treatment and a swampy spiritual arrangement make this a...