CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO GO TO PURCHASE!!!!
CD submissions accepted! Guest writers always welcome!!
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep Both Hands On The Wheel, by Babaux and the Peacemakers, and it's a solid mix of rural rock and blues. Opening with Steal Your Love, Babaux (Christian Basso) leads the way on vocals, joined by Eric Martinez on lead guitar, Mike Davidov on bass Ben Waligoske wailing on steel guitar and Jake Herman on drums. With a strong bottom and aggressive lead guitar work, this is a solid opener. Wildflower dials it back a few notches but with particularly cool vocals and resonator by Babaux and CR Gruver on B3, this track is a swampy rocker. Walk The Mile is another track that has just that right taste of Van Zant with plenty of southern swagger, gritty vocals and Martinez playing lead guitar over a warm bed of B3 and a meaty bottom. Title track, Keep Both Hands On The Wheel is a loose rocker with an effectively ragged vocal melody and B3/guitar carrying the load. Martinez plays a bluesy lead solo making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Something More To Give which would be my selection for top radio track. With a strong melody, nicely blended harmonies and just the right amount of tension. A strong closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Early Blues Sessions by Bob Corritore & Friends and it's solid Chicago style blues. Opening with I Want To Be The One features Little Milton on vocal and guitar, Chico Chism on drums, Bob Corritore on harmonica, Henry Gray on piano, and Johnny Rapp on guitar. A solid shuffle, shows Corritore, Rapp and Gray with some real nice riffs for a strong opener. Jimmy Rogers has the mic and some swinging riffs on She Loves Another Man with S.E. Willis on piano, Chism on drums, Bruce Lopez on bass. Chism has the mic on Five Long Years joined by Pinetop Perkins on piano and shows Rapp throwing down some excellent guitar lead. Lil Ed cranks up the slide on Hip Shakin' and his vocals really rock. Backed by Chism, Rapp, and Corritore, I really like this track. Tomcat Courtney has the mic on I Wonder really getting in the Chicago groove. Corritore's harp work is particularly cool on this track backed by Brian Fahey on drums, Patrick Rynn on bass, and Chris James on guitar. King Karl on vocal rams things up on Hear That Rumblin' with melodic harmonica work from Corritore and Rusty Zinn on guitar. Robert Lockwood Jr shines on Ramblin On My Mind with Henry Gray on piano, Mario Moreno on bass and Chism on drums. Wrapping the release is Lowell Fulson on West Texas Blues... a strong nearly a cappella blues, accompaning himself on guitar, with Corritore in tandem on harmonica. Excellent closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Farmhouse Blues, by Randy Lee Riviere and it's packed with rowdy, growlin, blues rock. Opening with Downtown, Randy Lee Riviere on lead vocal and guitar creates plenty of swagger with Doug Lancio on guitar, Michael Saint Leon on guitar, Mike Rojas on keys, Robert Kearns on bass and Tom Hambridge on drums. Super opener. Title track, Farmhand Blues has just a touch of country mixed in to this strong blues rocker. Riviere does great with the Lou Reed delivery and I really like the simplistic yet stinging guitar attack. Moonlightis another power rocker with a thumping drum anchor, cool slide work and overdriven guitar lead. It may not be ground breaking, but it's great solid music. Another cool track is December 1980 with it's droning bass line by Kearns and slap snare by Hambridge. With it's base blues structure and tight slide work, another notable track. On My Way Down is gritty and grimy with a crusty guitar vamp and clean guitar riffs under Riviere's roadworthy vocals. I mean...why not! Wrapping the release is Dovetail Joints with it's much mellower approach. Riviere's vocals and crafted and melodic vocals floating on a finely crafted bottom makes for a solid closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Is In The House, by Robbin Kapsalis and it's solid Chicago. Opening with title track, The Blues Is In The House, Giles Robson leads off with some classic harmonica and the deep rooted vocals on Robbin Kapsalis, backed by Francois Nicolleau and Nicolas Deshayes on guitar, Arnaud Gobin on bass, Cyril Durand on drums and featuring Joe Louis Walker on lead guitar. Solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Lead Me On with lush guitar work and soulful vocals by Kapsalis. Lonnie Chatmon's Sittin' On Top Of The World has always been a favorite and the fine guitar work of Nicolleau and Deshayes coupled with Robson on harmonica and Kapsalis on vocals makes this another great featured track on the release. Screamin' Jay Hawkins' I Wanna Know has a solid R&B feel with Kapsalis working with Nicolleau and Deshayes on guitar. With some tight guitar riffs and snappy drum work by Durand, this track rocks. Wrapping the release is Gotta Hear The Blues with Arnaud Fradin on dobro and Robson on harmonica creating a funky rural blues backdrop for Kapsalis' vocals. This is a solid closer for a cool release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tequila & Bullets, from Jay Hooks and it's a potent blues rocker. Opening with hard driver, Evinrude Boat Motor, Jay Hooks leads the way with fiery rhythm guitar and rugged vocals. With Matt Johnson on drums, Brock Proctor on bass and Barry Seeland on keys, giving Hooks an aggressive bottom to jump on the gas with flaming lead guitar. Strong opener. Title track, Tequila & Bullets is built over an updated Morganfield base. A relentless guitar vamp, supported by bass, drums and keys leaves an open stage for soaring guitar soloing and tandem vocal/guitar lead for a really solid track. Very cool. Rocker, Left Me Cold, has a light, Latin rhythm by Procter and Johnson and Hooks sings a cool melody. Melodic guitar phrasing shows real style by Hooks on a firm Peter Green theme. Mind Full has a gritty, very early Texas blues band feel with a simple rhythm and a lot of guitar grind over, under and around, simple vocals by Hooks. This is what blues rock should sound like. Another tight track is I Was Wrong with a super rockfunky back beat and a great bass line by Procter and scorching guitar riffs by Hooks. Wrapping the release is slow blues ballad, Mexican Larry, with soulful vocals and a gripping extended guitar soloing by Hooks. Strong closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Back Pages, by Fred Hostetler and it raw and gritty. Opening with Hey Corporate Vandals, Fred Hostetler lays down a blues rocky kinda JJ Cale feel. Backed by Eric Troyer on keys this has a magnetic groove. Delta style, Taming The Wolf, weaves back and forth through different primitive blues concepts. This is an interesting track with nods to ole Howling Wolf himself. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Orphan Blues with just a taste of Morganfield under the gritty exterior. Raggedy slide work by Hostetler adds to the track nicely. A cover of Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine is a bit more polished but what really stands out is the Hooker like timing, giving things their own time and space. I like it. Wrapping the release is solid ballad, You Found Me, featuring Hostetler on vocal and guitar with backing vocals and keys by Eric Troyer. Solid closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Arrival, from The Lucky Losers and it is their best release yet. Opening with funk infused, S-C-A-M, Cathy Lemons leads the way with solid vocals backed by the pumped up horn work of Doug James on tenor sax, Mike Rinta on trombone and John Halbieb on trumpet. With Phil Berkowitz on vocal, Chris Burns on keys, Simon Govan Smith on guitars, Edgar San Gabriel on bass, Jon Otis on drums, and Kid Andersen on keys, this is a high stepping intro. Lemons really digs in vocally on Pull On The Rope with some of her best vocals on the release. Smith grinds out a strong guitar intro and with Berkowitz on harmonica, Otis on drums, Gabriel on bass, Burns on keys and warm backing vocals, this is another strong track. Phil is up front on vocal and soulful harmonica on Sorry Brother. This track has a real slinky feel and Burn's key work coupled with the excellent percussion by Otis gives this track a dark, rich feel. Pig Iron Tough is funky blues with great backing vocals. Otis really shines on this track as does Andersen on keys and Berkowitz on harmonica and cool riffs by Andersen on guitar adds to the soul. Wrapping the release is laid back, country flavored, Ain't The Marrying Kind, featuring Lemons and Berkowitz trading vocals over Andersen on acoustic guitar and Berkowitz on harmonica. Solid closer for a real nice release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down the Hatch, by Tom Hambridge, and it's a solid mix of blues, rock and soul. Opening with driving, Willie Dixon's Gone with it's train like rhythm. Tom Hambridge on lead vocal and drums leads the way with aggressive guitar rhythm by Rob McNelley, and pumping bass by Tommy MacDonald. Solid Opener. MacNelley sets the pace for shuffle, I Want You Bad with solid rhythm and stinging lead guitar. Hambridge adds a driving pace on drums and solid lead vocal. Hard Times is a cool track with a solid vocal melody by Hambridge and haunting guitar wails by MacNelley and heavy tom tom work by Hambridge. Very cool. My favorite track on the release is Believe These Blues with it's funky rhythm and soulful vocals by Hambridge and relentless guitar work by MacNelley. Additional texture by Jimmy Wallace adds depth to an already very cool track. Piano boogie, You Gotta Go Through St. Louis is another favorite with Kevin McKendree and Buddy Guy really having at it driven by Glenn Worf on bass and Hambridge on drums. Excellent! Clever little track, Start Drinking Early Day has a memorable melody and clever lyrics capped by laid back guitar riffs making it a likely radio and crowd favorite. Wrapping the release is I Wanna Know About You, an absolute radio track with a western flavor. Hambridge leads on vocal and drums supported by Bob Britt on guitar, MacDonald on bass and Noah Forbes on keys. Solid closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Tide, from BB & The Bullets and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with rocker, Something In The Water,Brian Baker on lead guitar and vocal gets things going with with a solid mix of melody, rhythm and spunk. Stu Duncan on bass and vocal and Brad McMillan on drums and vocals makes for a solid opener. Bo Diddley's I Can Tell has a simple rock beat and a deep bass and drum anchor. With cool vocal blending and Baker rocking the vocals, backed by cool rhythm guitar and some real simple yet tasty lead guitar makes this track one of my favorites on the release. Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog gets a cool makeover with an excellent backbeat emphasized by snappy drumming by McMillan. Simple sixties styling, a cool bass line and prime vocals make this another standout on the release. The Beatles' I Want You retains much of the original feel with it's echoed vocals and bluesy guitar work yet stepped up a few notches in style by McMillan on drums. Stretched a little for a real nice guitar solo and tasty instrumentation gives this track a great kick. Letting good is the best original track on the release with a sophisticated melody and nice vocal harmonies. Blending solid rock bottom with soulful guitar and vocals gives this track real punch. Wrapping the release is Big Boot Running with a clever guitar riff and thumping kick drum. Leaning toward Nirvana just slightly the track has a real interesting feel and a clean guitar solo gives it tension making it a solid closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review a Terrific release by John Lee Hooker, Boom Boom recorded in 1989. John Lee Hooker has been on of my favorite blues guys since I was a kid so to have the good fortunate to review this release on vinyl is really special. The release explodes with Boom Boom right out of the gate featuring Hooker on guitar a vocal, Jimmie Vaughn on guitar, Richard Cousins on bass, Kevin Hayes on drums and Jim Pugh on keys. Unlike some of the more contemporary releases by Hooker, this band stays out of Hookers way with his eccentric timing and vocal style, Jimmie Vaughn fitting right in the slot under Hookers trademark vocals, Pugh adds just the right amount of organ and Hayes kicking the drums tight to make this track an exceptional opener. Hooker also plays a solo take on his classic I’m Bad Like Jesse James. This recording is not just clean but alive with plenty of air around Hooker with his vocals sounding immediate and present and his guitar seeming to fall behind him with just the right amount of environment to place him in my room. Excellent! Robert Cray joins Hooker on Same Old Blues Again with soulful guitar riffs. Richard Cousins on bass keeps his work steady and lively, stepping back giving Hooker plenty of room to work his vocal style and guitar riffs at his own pace. Stinging solo guitar work by Cray adds nicely to the track, augmented with warm organ by Pugh. Another solo effort is Sugar Mama with Hooker singing in essential Hooker style over his own, heavily worked guitar accompaniment. This is crisp and beautiful. Trick Bag (Shoppin’ For My Tombstone) features Hooker up front on vocal and his own scatter style playing joined by Mitch Woods on piano, Rich Kirch on guitar, Deacon Jones on organ, Jim Guyett on bass and Bowen Brown on drums. It’ so refreshing to hear the liveliness of Hooker on vinyl again with all of the spark of original recordings and the cleanliness of a modern recording. Side two starts off with Boogie At Russian Hill pumped up by Albert Collins on guitar, and Deacon Jones on organ. Hooker rides high on vocal and guitar joined by Mike Osborn and Rich Kirch on guitars, Jim Guyett on bass and Bowen Brown on drums…. Boogie! A strong addition on the release is Hittin’ The Bottle Again featuring Hooker on National Steel Guitar and vocal. In rural blues style, Hooker sings a folk tune outright with uncompromised National Steel Guitar strumming. A cool, rare look at raw Hooker. Bottle Up And Go is another of my favorites on the release with Hooker driving the boogie. With the backing of master John Hammond on authentic harmonica and guitar, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Scott Matthews on drums this track is a gem. Hooker teams up with the great Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica for Thought I Heard. Hookers soulful vocals and rudimentary guitar riffs are paired nicely with the urgent sounds of Musselwhite making this another of the most essential tracks on the release. Excellent! Wrapping the release is I Ain’t Gonna Suffer No More with Hooker leading the way on slow blues, his vocals impeccable and his guitar riffs captured in their full regalia, backed by Osborne and Kirch on guitars, Guyett on bass, Brown on drums and Jones on organ. It really is a pleasure to hear solid recordings of Hooker without all of the modernized attempts to make him pop and fall into a rigid, unnatural playing coupled with the liveliness of vinyl. Definitely super release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Memphis Sun, from Jon Hines and I really like it. Opening with title track, Memphis Sun, Jon Hines lays down a solid boogie featuring Cameron Palmer on drums, George Wolf on bass and Hines himself singing lead, playing harmonica and some knockdown electric slide with overdriven fat tone. Excellent opener. Slow easy blues, Until The Wheels, has a cool, easy feel with Jon singing lead and playing rhythm guitar. Taking a melodic solo on guitar and with with just the right texture added by Wolf on bass, this a a real nice track. Shuffle, Pitter Patter, is anchored by Wolf on bass and Palmer on drums as Hines plays a loose rhythm on guitar and takes lead on vocal. The track has a springy feel and Hines finger work ties it all together nicely. Wrapping the release is Working Man with a lumbering, rhythmic, almost Hill Country swagger courtesy Wolf and Palmer. Kevin Fletcher really gets the harmonica howling giving Hines a great platform for his vocal and guitar assault. A squawking guitar riff and real nice slide work make this track an excellent closer for a real solid release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Last Nite at the Bluebird Live, from Mike Henderson and it's a super live recording. Opening with Weepin' and Moanin', Mike Henderson wastes no time diggin' in deep on his guitar, squeezing the blues out of the neck. With Kevin McKendree playing impeccable rhythm on piano, Steve Mackey on bass and Pat O'Connor on drums Henderson sings the blues bringing to mind the vocals of Johnny Winter. Excellent opener. JB Hutto's Too Much Alcohol is up next and Henderson slips on his slide and puts it to work. This is a tasty shuffle with great vocals and with Henderson and McKendree both really rolling. Smoking! Mercy Dee Walton's One Room Country Shackis a strong, slow blues, giving Henderson to show his soulful vocals. McKendree plays some great piano lead. Henderson slide in with authority showing excellent blues style slide work giving this track real grit. Big Walter Horton's Have A Good Time is another solid addition with Henderson on harmonica and vocal. His tone is fat and gutsy and McKendree really delivers on piano with top rate drum and bass work by O'Connor and Mackey. Wrapping the release is Hound Dog Taylor's Gimme Back My Wig with a real rocking feel. Henderson kicks out the stops on vocal and guitar, not following Taylor's style and McKendree is really jamming on piano giving this track the feel of a Chuck Berry/Little Richard style roots rocker. Excellent closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Right On Time, from John Christopher Morgan and it's a solid blend of rock, blues, county and pop. Opening with rocker, Vidalia, John Christopher Morgan leads the way with solid vocals and drums, and Albert Lee sits in with he country flavored guitar lead and full backing vocals by Jamie Wood, Viva Vinson and Marcella Detroit. With a strong "Bo Diddley" beat by Morgan, Trouble Is My Business is a cool track adding flavor to the set. San Buenaventurahas a cool, surf/spaghetti western feel. Zach Zunis is featured on guitar dripping with reverb, with the tasty drumming of Morgan. Very cool. Shuffle, Black Bag Blues, features RJ Mischo on harp and some real nice guitar lead by Franck Goldwasser with Morgan holding it tight on drums. Excellent guitar phrasing is the ticket on The Jeweler's Daughter with soulful vocals and featuring Martin Nutty Brown Gagnon on piano. Very nice. Goldwasser leads the way on jump track, Jumpin' With Leon. Excellent guitar phrasing and feel, rockin' piano by Gagnon and solid horn backing makes this a top take away on the set. Wrapping the release is country rocker, Right On Time, with it's solid radio melody and beat. With a tasty country style lead guitar break and blended vocals, this is a solid closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep On Pushing, by Kirk Fletcher and it's rich. Opening with It's Love Baby, Kirk Fletcher leads off this new release with super vocals and excellent phrasing. JD Simo on guitar, Jason Smay on drums and Ron Eoff on bass round out the band for an excellent opener. Big Boy Crudup's I'm Gonna Dig Myself A Hole's got super Chicago styling with Fletcher on lead vocal and fleet fingered lead guitar that will have your head bobbing big time (if not your foot stomping). Percy Mayfield's classic, Lost Love, which really folds nicely into this set. With heartfelt guitar lead, this track will likely have you closing your eyes and nodding your head. Very very nice. Original shuffle, Keep On Pushing has a real Freddie King feel. Fletcher's fleshy vocals adds real emotion to the track and his guitar a woody crispness over the the solid bass lines of Eoff. Super. Bernard Anders' Here In The Dark is a great track and further developed from T Bone Walker's take on it. I really love Fletcher's had and this track is a perfect demonstration of exactly why. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Blues For Robert Nighthawk, an excellent sometimes forgotten player. Featuring Simo on slide and Fletcher on six string electric, This is an excellent closer for a really outstanding release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep Living Til I Die, from Monster Mike Welch and it's terrific. I see Mike's clips on Facebook and I have really been looking forward to this and it was worth it... believe me! Opening with title track, Keep Living Til I Die, Welch is really hitting hard with super vocals and stinging guitar riffs. Brad Hellen on bass lays down a solid line, pumped up by Brooks Milgate on keys and heavy drum riffs by Fabrice Bessouat on drums. Excellent opener. On Love Me Baby with it's N.O. style rhythm reinforced by Milgate on piano and Hallen on bass Welch really drives this thing. I mean Welch is choking the crap out of the neck, ringing out every drop on blues and Bessouat anchors the track like lead. Wow! Resurrecting Aretha's, Good To Me As I Am To You as an instrumental, Welch has the lead on guitar and his guitar is just oozing soul. Rich organ and piano by Milgate gives the track serious gospel overtones. Sit back and enjoy. You'll soon get the feeling that Welch never lets up. On Rick Estrin's, I Finally Hit The Bottom, has a great R&B feel and Welch's vocals are stylin'. Let him step up with that guitar swagger that will part you hair. You know what I'm talking about. Lieber and Stroller's rockin', Some Other Guy, is bound to get your feet movin, with a strong piano rhythm and solo. Welch slashes in with a lower octave attack and driving phrasing with Ray Davies like vocal attack. Wrapping the release is Mudcat Ward's deep, Burial Season. This is absolutely Welch's best vocal effort with haunting vocal phrasing and "vocal like" guitar phrasing. I really love this release... possibly my favorite of the year.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Write It Down, from Jackson and the Janks, and it's bluesy N.O. garage rock at it's best. Opening with laid back, rhythm rocker, The Kick, Jackson Lynch on lead vocal and guitar sets a loose feel backed by Sam Doores setting a tight bottom on drums and brilliant bass sax adds by Craig Flory. Cool opener. Windowsill is a real cool R&B track which drips in soul thanks to Flory's sax work and top notch vocals by Lynch, adding just the right amount of juice on slide. Very cool. Bo Diddley rhythm is alive on I Don't Give Any, with a firm bottom thanks to Doores and Flory. Lynch makes great use of echo to slightly distort his primal vocals and his guitar work is rudimental and tight. One of my favorites on the release is instrumental, Riding On A Smile, featuring Lynch using a guitar with plenty of jangle and an amp with plenty of reverb. A simple melody presented and enhanced only by some essential percussive hits and tinks by Doores. Swing track, Let's Leave Here, could be right off a Bob Wills release with super vocals and terrific lap steel work by Matt Bell. Flory's bass sax is a strong addition on this track giving it a different dimension and plenty of release. Wrapping the release is Do What You Want To Do has the bones of a 50's-60's operatic ballad in the vein of Roy Orbison. With deep sax by Flory, drums by Doores and Lynch on vocal and guitar, this closer makes a statement.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening