ZYX Music artist: Raphael Wressnig - Committed - New release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Committed, by Raphael Wressnig and it's romping good fun. Opening with Duffin' Around, Wressnig really works it on B3 paired with Enrico Crivellaro on guitar and the funky drumming of Hans-Jurgen Bart. Strong opener. Up tempo shuffle, Southern Fried Chicken is really hot with Wressnig setting the scene on B3 with Bart and Crivellaro tears it up on guitar making this one of my favorites on the release. Shrimp Daddy has a cool, boogaloo rhythm set by Wressnig and Bart. Wressnig really winds it out on B3 and Crivellaro's solo is understanded, yet extremely tasty. Lonnie Smith's Pilgrimage is really nicely covered by Wressnig with rich B3 tones and a tight bottom by Bart. Wrapping the release is traditional song, I Shall Not Be Moved with a really bluesy overtone. Wressnig lays down the melody and Crivellaro really digs in on guitar followed again by Wressnig. Excellent closer. 

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Strolling Bones Records artist: Garry Burnside - It's My Time Now - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It's My Time Now, from Garry Burnside, and it's a cool contemporary blues rocker. Opening with High, Garry Burnside (RL's son) sets up a real nice rhythm on guitar joined by Andrea Stanton with a fanning technique somewhat like SRV or KWS. Pinky Pulliam on bass holds the funk and Avery Dilworth on drums hits it stiff. This is a hot opener that bound to pick up your ears (if not your feet). Title track, It's My Time Now, features Stanton and Pulliam creating a lumbering theme and Burnside plays melodic lead guitar in harmony with his vocal. Fluid guitar soloing has real grit creating powerful contrast on this track. Very cool. Bad Luck City is certainly one of my favorite tracks on the release with a thunderous drum beat by Dilworth and soulful, melodic lead guitar by Burnside who creatively uses his overdrive and wah pedals for a thick creamy sound. I Been Looking has a real swampy feel with Burnside on vocal and guitar. Hill Country style single swat snare work by Dilworth gives the track a great anchor and loose guitar rhythm by Stanton and Burnside create a laid back sense. AGF Out is a strong blues rocker with a firm bottom and really nice blues rock lead by Burnside and a showy drum solo by Dilworth. Super. Wrapping the release is Garry's Night Out, has a Morganfield like feel but really swampy. Burnside on vocal and guitar creates a unique swampy Hill Country funk that will keep you wanting more. 

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Strolling Bones Records artist: Kent Burnside - Hill Country Blood - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hill Country Blood, from Kent Burnside, and it's a cool update on the traditional Hill Country sound. Opening with Daddy Told Me, a track deep in Hill Country richness, Kent Burnside on lead vocal and guitar creates a iridescent, soulful sound with traditional guitar riffs. Very cool opener. On Hooker's Crawling King Snake, Burnside turns it up a few notches with a driving bass line courtesy of Garry Burnside (R.L.'s son) Jake Best on drums, and Buddy Guy like vocals in contrast with his dynamic howling guitar style. Excellent! One of my favorite tracks on the release is I Heard with it's active bass line courtesy of Garry, nicely timed vocals and wound out, tone rich wailing guitar soloing. Rocker, Rob And Steal really gets into the Hill Country blues rock rhythm. With Kent on vocal and guitar and Best on drums this is a solid rocker. You Better Run is a super grinder with a heavy bottom and overdriven guitar. Kent's vocals are warm and searing blending nicely with his searing guitar tones. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad I Miss You featuring Kent on vocal and acoustic guitar and Pearson on harmonica. Solid closer to an exceptional release. 

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Ryan Lee Crosby - At The Blue Front - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, At The Blue Front, from Ryan Lee Crosby, and it's an interesting mix of pure stripped down American blues and African blues. Opening with Going Away, Ryan Lee Crosby on vocal and 12 string lays down a solid blues, backed by Grant Smith on percussion, and Jay Scheffler on harmonica. I've Been Worried maintains an American, earthy, primitive sound but with distinct, African guitar styling not unlike Ali Farka Toure'. This is a cool, interesting track with American meter and a solid melody. Catfish, features Jimmy "Duck' Holmes joining Crosby on vocal and guitar with a Mali flavored take on the traditional blues. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Tell Me features Holmes on lead vocal and guitar with Crosby on guitar with cool percussion and Calabash by Smith. This is an interesting blues fusion release. Where musicologist and guitar player extraordinaire, Ry Cooder did a really strong work with Farka Toure' it leaned heavy into authenticity to Mali music. This release maintains a purity to American blues interpretation with influences in Mali. Farka Toure's guitar styling giving it a sound of it's own. Very cool.  

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JCP Records artist: Jeff Chaz - Apartment 14 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Apartment 14, from Jeff Chaz, and it's got a cool groove. Opening with instrumental title track, Apartment 14, laying down a simple rock beat rhythm guitar, bass, and drums with an infectious guitar melody and solo by Chaz. Solid opener. Serial Killer has a light taste of Latin rhythm under a rocking horn overtone featuring Chaz on lead vocal and guitar and AJ Pittman on horns. Wrapping the release is The Brownsville Crawl with a super guitar vamp and and creative use of reverb. I really like this track...a strong closer. 

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Lost World Music artist: The Christopher Dean Band - Steppin Out - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Steppin Out, by The Christopher Dean Band, and it's a cool mix of blues, rock, soul and pop. Opening with Crying Sam Collins' My Road is Rough and Rocky, Christopher Dean on vocal and guitar sets a rockin pace with Carl Snyder on piano, Rob Fraser on bass and Dave Hollinsworth on drums. Cool slide work holds the track in the blues for a cool opener. Pop track, Here With Me, has solid radio potential with a strong melody and vocals. T-Bone Walker's That Old Feeling Is Gone has a cool shuffle feel with nice, boogie piano by Snyder and Walker style guitar riffs by Dean. Curtis Mayfield's I'm The One Who Loves You features an easy guitar accompaniment and a Latin rhythm. With plenty of falsetto vocals and backing vocals by Steve Lombardelli a solid entry to the lineup. Wrapping the release is Hound Dog Taylor's boogie, She's Gone with Dean on vocal and wicked guitar, Snyder on piano and Lombardelli on horns driving it home with the solid base of Holingsworth on drums. Strong closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Long Tall Deb & Colin John - Light It Up - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Light It Up, from Long Tall Deb & Colin John and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Light It Up, Long Tall Deb on lead vocals leads the way with rockbluesy guitar riffs by Colin John supported by Chris Butler on bass and Jason Edwards on drums. Lesson In The Ground is a lumbering rocker with a thumping bass line, with guitar harmonics and nicely interwoven backing vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Hear Them Moan with some of Deb's sweetest vocals on the release and really nice lap steel by John. Excellent! Black Light Wolf has great swagger with a heavy bass/drum bottom and super low register guitar work. Deb's vocals are strong and John's guitar work attention grabbing. Wrapping the release is Crooks Thieves and Liars, an interesting ballad with a country feel. Debs vocals are strong and I really love John's attack on lap steel. This is a cool closer for a real nice release. 

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Exulans DMD artist: The Bluesmasters Featuring Cassie Taylor - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from The Bluesmasters, and it's rich with gospel, soul and blues. Opening with Downward Road, Cassie Taylor fills the air with soulful vocal backed by Larea Edwards, and Chrissy Grant. With the thumping bass line of  Kassidy Kent, and Sally Van Meter on lap steel, this is a strong opener. Slow paced, Sit Down Servant really gives Taylor to sing the blues and with Edwards and Grant on on backing vocals, Van Meter on Lap steel and Christian Teele on drums, another solid entry. With plenty of gospel wealth and sway, You're Gonna Make Me Cry, Taylor leads the way and Eric Moon on keys fleshes out the instrumentation and Teele amps up the bottom. I Wonder Why is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's droning bass line by Tim Tucker and Teele on drums. The interplay between Taylor, Grant and Edwards is lush and Doug Lynn's harmonica adds a great accent. Wrapping the release is a cool cover of Chain Of Fools featuring Taylor on vocal and with soulful backing vocals by Taylor, Grant and Edwards. 

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VizzTone Label Group - Willie Buck & Bob Corritore - OH YEAH! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, OH Yeah!, from Willie Buck & Bob Corritore and it's rich Chicago infused blues. Opening with title track, Oh Yeah, Bob Corritore and Willie Buck have a hot one here. Buck on lead vocal really has the stuff on vocal and Corritore really knows how to conjure the Chicago mojo on harmonica. Featuring Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar, Billy Flynn on guitar, Ben Levin on piano, Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums, this is a super opener. On William Crawford's That Ain't Enough, Buck's vocals are particularly gritty and Bob Margolin really digs in with Muddy Waters style slide. Playing with Waters for 7 years, Margolin plays this like it's second nature. Corritore's style on harmonica is perfect on this traffic. Corritore has the mic on Went Home This Morning and he wails. Mojo Mark Cihlar and Jon Atkinson join on guitar lays out some terrific riffs and Troy Sandow on bass and Brian Fahey on drums  round out the band making this one of my favorites on the release. Morganfield's Baby Please Don't Go follows original arrangement and Buck is really in the groove. This track is always a easy sell and Corritore and Buck sail high. Wrapping the release is Let Me Find Out Your Name with Levin on piano, and featuring Billy Flynn on guitar. A slow deep groove gives Buck plenty of space for his vocals to breathe and Flynn's tone is terrific. Corritore closes out the track with some lower octave blowing really giving it guts. Strong closer.

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Missouri Morning Records artist: Johnnie Johnson - I'm Just Johnnie - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm Just Johnnie, by Johnnie Johnson and it's cooking. Opening with title track, I'm Just Johnnie, Johnnie Johnson on piano and vocal leads the way with terrific style. Tony T lays in some blistering slide work on guitar, backed by the heavy horn section of Jm Manley and Ray Vollmar while Kenny Rice on drums and Gus Thornton on bass round out the band. Excellent opener. On I Get Weary, Max Baker plays a heartfelt blues intro and solo on guitar and Charles Glenn sings a silky smooth lead. Johnson plays a hot, well articulated solo on piano and with Paul Willett on organ, Dickie Steltenpohl on bass, and Andy O'Connor on on drums, this is a strong track. Powerhouse horns by  Doc Simpson, Tom O'Brien and Ray McAnallen open Let The Good Times Roll with Kenny Rice on lead vocals. Bonnie Raitt really shines on slide guitar followed by Johnson's signature piano style. Excellent. Three Handed Woman gets a real nice swing going with Johnson really rocking the piano and singing and featuring Tony T on guitar laying down some potent riffs on guitar. Instrumental, Blues In G, features Johnson front and center on piano and again rich piano styling by  Tom Maloney. Trading solo's this is a great track. Another great boogie is Johnnie Johnson Blues with Johnson on lead vocal and piano, Johnny Rivers on guitar, Thornton on bass and Rice on drums. Johnnie just has a flair that shines beyond the music. Wrapping the release is piano shuffle, Long Gone, with Johnson leading the way on piano. Maloney stands on it with a real nice guitar solo and some tight double stops giving the track and greasy feel, even more accentuating Johnson's clean delivery, backed by Thornton on bass and Rice on drums. Very nice. The two disc set also includes a second disc on interviews with Johnson and Radio Hall of Fame and SiriusXM DJ Pat St.John discussing Johnnie's career in one of the last interviews before his passing on April 12 2005. 

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Alan Arena - Deceived - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Deceived, by Alan Arena, and it's a solid easy rocker. Opening with Raised On Radio, a laid back shuffle with harmonized vocals by Alan Arena and Jamie Brown, Paul Nelson and Arena on guitars, Brad Hallen on bass, Marty Richards on drums, Brooks Milgate on organ and Stephen Clements on percussion. Title track, Deceived, is a tasty track with a stylized Latin rhythm. There is some real nice shapely guitar instrumentation on this track and with  addition of Milton Smith on strings and the warm backing vocals by Allyssa Jones, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Lightly funky, Devil In The Bottle, has a real cool feel with excellent harmonized lead vocal, perfectly crafted keys by Milgate and tasty guitar work by Arena. Memphis Slim's slinky shuffle, Mother Earth is really cool with solid vocals by Arena and Jerry Portnoy adding signature riffs on harmonica. Very nice. Wrapping the release is an instrumental cover of title track, Deceived. The melody is played by Sax Gordon Beadle and the track really takes live with the lively rhythms of Clements, Milgate and Richards. Solid closer. 

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Select - O - Hits artist: Emma Wilson - A Spoonful Of Willie Dixon - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Spoonful of Willie Dixon, by Emma Wilson and it drips with blues. Opening with Spoonful, Emma Wilson on vocal belts out the lead with solid accompaniment by Ian Leese on bass and Mark Barrett on drums. Bennett Holland plays vital piano lead and organ and Nik Svarc plays hot lead guitar making this a strong opener. Dixon's dynamic track, I Can't Quit You Baby made popular by Otis Rush and Led Zeppelin gets a total rework with more of a shuffle feel. Wilson really grinds out the lyrics and Svarc creates some real nice guitar phrasing over the warm organ work of Holland. With a bit of a kick in tempo, Wang Dang Doodle rolls off Svarc's guitar, anchored by Barrett and Leese. Holland on piano sets the accents and Wilson rolls out the vocals in power fashion. Wrapping the release is a solid take on It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace). Wilson digs in making this ballad her own with only light backing. Dressed with lush piano work by Holland, a real nice closer. 

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Cali Bee Music artist: Brad "Guitar" Wilson - The Californian - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Californian, by Brad "Guitar" Wilson and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Elmore James' classic, It Hurts Me Too, Brad Wilson is back with his guitar blazing. Given a more rock approach Wilson on lead vocal and guitar plays ripping lead to accompany his nicely delivered vocal lead, accompanied by Chris Rhyne on keys, Toto Poznantek on drums, and Hal Cragin on bass, this is a solid opener. Driving rocker, Say You Wanna Dance is my selection for radio track for this release with a super melody and even guitar lead and solid drumming by Tony Braunagel. Heartbreaker is a strong rocker with a solid guitar vamp. I really like his overdriven tone on rhythm and the cleaner lead tone in contrast stands out nicely. Wilson's remake of Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues is cool with a lot of the spunk of the original. Adding in a bit of modern flare without going full "Blue Cheer" is a cool thought. Arthur Adams' Love and Peace is a really great sone, laid back and smooth like the Jazz Crusaders and Wilson shows a totally different side with sensitive guitar instrumentals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Willie Dixon's Groaning The Blues and it's a strong closer. Wilson's vocals are really showcased nicely and he lays down some of his best guitar work for this release. 

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Brody Buster - Redemption - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Redemption, from Brody Buster and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Can You Hear Me, Brody Buster leads the way on vocal and lead guitar with plenty of swagger. Jackie Myers on organ and Terry Dry on bass work with powerhouse Ian Pond on drums and Buster on Harmonica adds real punch. Deadwood Shuffle adds real spunk to the set with a lively rhythm, Myers on organ, Danielle Nicole on backing vocals and Buster on harmonica really lays it out there. A Latin rhythm on Wish These Blues Would Stop, driven by Pond on drums, features Buster on lead vocal and playing some great swinging guitar/harmonica lead work. Very nice. The Color Blue is a solid ballad featuring the pure vocals of Buster, Jacque Garqutte on vocal, bass and rhythm guitar and Myers on piano. I particularly like This Time I Got The Blues with some of the best vocals on the release, carried by Myers on piano and organ and nicely complimented by Buster's own guitar and harmonica playing. Wrapping the release is rocker, The Wants, with a great driving rhythm and hot harmonica and guitar riffs by Buster. Rocking closer. 

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M.C. Records artist: Rory Block - Heavy On The Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavy On The Blues, from Rory Block and it's a hip, blues rocker. Opening with Tommy Tucker's High Heel Sneakers, Rory Block sets a great pace on acoustic guitar and excellent slide supporting her own vocals on this rocking track. Buddy Guy's funky, What Kind Of Woman Is This is very soulful with Block squeezing the vocals and sharing guitar lead/slide with Jimmy Vivino. Right in the slot. Spiritual, Hold To His Hand is one of the strongest tracks on the release with Block overlaying her own voice over her own voice choir style for a very nice outcome. Charley Patton's Down The Dirt Road Blues has a real earthy feel with Block grinding out the blues vocally and deft finger style accompaniment on acoustic guitar. Memphis Minnie's Me And My Chauffeur is a great track with Block's notable acoustic guitar accompaniment and warm slide styling. Her vocals on this track are particularly effective. Wrapping the release is Buddy Guy's ballad, Stay Around A Little Longer. A sensitive track with heartfelt vocals and nicely phrased guitar soloing, this is a solid closer. 

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Delmark Records artist: Dave Specter - Live at Space - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at Space, by Dave Specter and it's terrific! Opening with Rumba & Tonic, a hot, Latin flavored guitar lead instrumental with sassy drumming by Marty Binder, warm bass work by Rodrigo Mantovani and Brother John Kattke on keys. I love it when Dave does this. Very nice. Otis Rush's Homework is up next and Specter vocals are in the slot. With smokey organ work by Kattke, a great bass line by Mantovani and tight snare snaps by Binder as a foundation, Specter uses his natural flair on guitar to play this classic like a real boss. A slow blues take on  Blues From The Inside is really tasty with vocal harmonies by Specter and Kattke. Specter uses nice pinch harmonics and slide phrasing to spell out a memorable guitar solo. Chicago style boogie, Chicago Style features Kattke on vocal and guitar grinding out the blues. With a walking bass line by Mantovani, piano punctuation and a stiff snare slap by Binder giving Specter the foundation, he rocks the blues on guitar. Very nice. Lone Star Cowboys song, Deep Elem Blues, has really been covered a lot but mostly by the Dead. This somewhat funky cover takes it to a higher place with excellent piano soloing by Kattke and Mantovani's bass like really digs it in. Sonny Boy Williamson's Bluebird Blues is one of the more old school blues tracks on the release with Specter really working the lead vocal with gripping guitar response. With a sensitive guitar solo paired with Kattke on piano, Specter really milks the for the essence of the blues. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Magic Sam's  high energy shuffle, Ridin' High giving Specter and Kattke the opportunity to work the guitar and organ as opposing teammates. Specter really shines when he's playing these fluid shuffles and Kattke gets the place steamy with his full organ attack. I think this is a terrific choice to close the set. 

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Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals - Good Crook - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Crook, from Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals, and it's a raw blues rocker. Opening with title track, Good Crook, Chris Vincent on vocal and guitar links up with Johnny Vidacovich on drums and Dean Zucchero on bass opening a pure, rocking set. With just a rattle of guitar, drubbing bass and snapping snare, this is cool. Come Clean has a sweeter melody with jangly guitar rhythm giving it an almost Keith Richards sound. Overdriven tone and looseness gives the track a real gutsy feel. Nice. High energy, Screwdriver Keys is Vincent driving hard n guitar, with monotone vocals. His guitar soloing is unique and ear catching making this one of my favorites on the release. What Johnny Said is a solitude ballad with some of the most melodic guitar playing on the release. Vincent's vocals and lyrics are particularly effective and his sliding and percussive guitar attack is super. Wrapping the release is Catherine The Great, a real solid track with progressive melodic structure and providing a more cohesive melody for Vincent's ragged vocals. His expression on slide gives the track just enough to make it the most commercially accessible track on the release. Solid closer. 

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