Bman's Blues Report

BILLY BRANCH ON COVER OF LATEST LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE  New "Blues Shock" Video Released Veteran Chicago bluesman Billy Branch is featured on the cover of the current Living Blues magazine, with the subheading, "Back In The Groove."  Inside, writer David Whiteis says that Blues Shock , the new release from Billy and the Sons of Blues, is "a proclamation that a unit featuring one of the blues' most creative and hard-working harmonica aces is back in the groove."   The eight page feature article also mentions Branch's musical debt to his mentors and role models, his "longstanding dedication to honoring roots and heritage,"  his lifelong commitment to Blues in The Schools, and his prolific recording career as the A-list studio harmonica player for Chicago blues. Living Blues feature Branch, who started his career working with blues icon Willie Dixon and was mentored by men such as Big Walter Horton, Junior Well...

I just received the newest release, Blues Shock , from Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues and it's a real butt kicker. Opening with Sons of Blues , a blues/R&B/funk mixture, Branch has a modern sound with solid vocals and harp work. With horns blazing (The Chicago Horns featuring Bill McFarland on trombone, Hank Ford on sax and Kenny Anderson on trumpet) this track is made to get you on your feet. On Willie Dixon's Chicago boogie, Crazy Mixed Up World , Branch lays down some real nice harp riffs and Sumito Ariyoshi is tight on piano. Blues Shock is a blend of temtations and Charlie Daniels. Country soul? This would be the most practical radio track so far with a catchy melody and slide riffs from Dan Carelli. Branch gets loose on harp and Ariyoshi is chasing. Dog House is a cool slinky blues track. Both Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks take the opportunity to lay down some great riffs on this track. Very nice. Function At The Junction has a strong R&B flavor and bac...