Little Village artist: Kyle Rowland - Not Holding Back! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Not Holding Back!, from Kyle Rowland and it's super. Opening with funky blues, Convict No. 1, Kyle Roland on lead vocal and harmonica shows real feel, with blues master Johnny Burgin and his trademark style giving the track real spunk. Jim Pugh on clavinet, Ronnie James Weber on bass, June Core on drums round out the band for a solid opener. Rick Estrin's  I'll Take You Back, is up next and I really like Rowland's vocal style. Burgin is front and center again on guitar and Kid Andersen on guitar adds nicely as well. Pugh on piano, Weber on bass and Core drums set the stage but it's Rowland's harmonica that really tells the story on this one. Excellent! Burgin opens blues rocker, You Got The Nerve Of A Brass Monkey, and Pugh on piano and Mr Anson Funderburgh adds real guitar flair on this track with Weber and Core rounding out the troops. Original track, Gamblin' Blues, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with excellent vocals and with Rowland accompanying himself on raggedy ass, JL Hooker style, guitar and harmonica...this is real blues! St. Louis Jimmy Oden's Complete This Order, is terrific with Burgin and Bob Welsh adding tight guitar work and Rowland really blows it out on harmonica adding to his strong vocals. Stockton Boulevard is a cool instrumental shuffle featuring Rowland on harmonica with some stellar riffs and Justin MacCarthy on guitar. With Andersen on B3, Randy Bermudes on bass, and Myles Silveira on drums. Another favorite on the release is Junior Parker's Backtracking with it's soulful pace. Rowland was made to sing this track and his harmonica wails. Trademark guitar fanning by Burgin and Welsh on piano really kicks up the fire. Wrapping the release is a remake of traditional, This Train, and Rowland really adds the rocking blues. His harmonica work is tight as is MacCarthy's guitar work and his vocals soulful and juicy. Excellent closer for a really terrific release. 

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Seismic Blues Music artist: Grant Lyle - And Now - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, And Now, from Grant Lyle, and it's bluesy, stylish and catchy. Opening with Won't Let You Go, Grant Lyle on vocal and guitar crafts a solid radio style with smooth vocals, active lead work and strong support from Scott Brammer on bass and Michael Sloski on drums. Another radio ready track, Lose It, has a slight country twist with super vocals and a mix of cool double stopped and bent lead work reinforced by Brammer on drums. Asylum features Roly Platt on harmonica and soulful vocals, give this track an interesting twist and Lyle's clean, straightforward guitar lead adds a gritty texture. Lyle's solid vocals are the key to title track, And Now with stylized guitar lead adorning the track nicely. Wrapping the release is Steve Winwood's classic rocker, Gimme Some Lovin' with Sloski really cranking up the drums, the addition of Rob Gusevs on keys, Jenna Harding and Pat Dickinson on backing vocals and real nice slide work by Lyle. Powerful closer. 

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Greg Nagy - Just A Little More Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just A Little More Time, by Greg Nagy and it's straight up R&B flavored blues. Opening with title track, Just A Little More Time, Greg Nagy on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace with a solid radio track. With a strong melody, and nicely crafted backing this track is very nice. Featuring Josh Ford on rhythm guitar, John Barron on bass, Todd Glass on drums, Jim Alfredson on keys, Keith Kaminski on sax and Charlie Miller on trumpet, this is a solid opener. Breaking Me (but making me a better man) really has that blues telling feel but with R&B underpinnings, the track sounds very fresh. A clean guitar solo by Nagy over warm organ by Alfredson cements the deal. Bobby Murray's soulful track, Love Letter, really works nicely in the set with it's warm vocals by Nagy and clever guitar work by Bobby Murray and with James Hughes on sax, Jimmy Smith on trumpet and Matt Martinez on trombone. Tony Joe White's classic, Rainy Night In Georgia, is a terrific track and a great selection for Nagy with his rich vocals, backed by Miller, Kaminski, Alfredson, Glass and Barron. Very nice. Wrapping the release is John Lee Hooker's, I'm In The Mood, with a tempered attack. Nagy on vocal and guitar keeps the pace understated and Alfredson stretches nicely on organ. Nagy plays a tasty guitar solo of his own with Donny Brown on drums and Rocco Popielarski on bass closing out the set.

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Big Jake Records artist: Paul Filipowicz - Breakwater - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breakwater, from Paul Filipowicz and it's consistently strong. Opening with Tuff Girl, a driving blues number, Paul Filipowicz on vocal and lead guitar always comes at you guns blazing. His vocals are raw and real and his guitar playing is authentic and explosive. Backed by Steven Dougherty on drums and E.G. McDaniel on bass, this is a potent opener. Title track,  Breakwater, has a lot of traits that I love about Mississippi Hill Country music with heavy drum beats by Dougherty, Jimmy Voegeli on organ and wailing, Buddy Guy like guitar wailing. Excellent! Another great track, Lefty Philips, is built around an old Sonny Boy Williamson riff with Martin Lang on harp. Filipowicz grinds out a great jam and with his trademark vibrato and backing from McDaniel and Dougherty. Ashes In The Wind has that great Hill Country drum rhythm emphasized by  Dougherty and grinding guitar lead with vocal by Filipowicz. You want that honest, bone shaking, guttural blues...here you go! On Magic Sam's That's Why I'm Crying, Maggie Aliotta is featured on lead vocal giving Filipowicz plenty of space to focus on his riffs. With Voegeli on organ, Dougherty on drums and McDaniel on bass, Filipowicz plays some of his most refined guitar lead on the release. Wrapping the release is Rollcage, a real rocking romper featuring Filipowicz one last chance to show what makes him so great. I can't say enough how much pleasure it gives me when I see another of this guy's cd's come through the door. Real, honest, authentic.... terrific!

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Delmark artist: Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band - Full Circle - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Full Circle, from Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band, and it's chocked full of funky soul music. Opening with Express Yourself, written and made huge by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band back in the 70's, Jimmy Burns steps up and delivers the funk. Backed by Chris Foreman on B3, Greg Rockingham on drums, Lee Rothenberg on guitar, and featuring Steve Eisen on bari and Tenor saxes this is a red hot smoking opener. Jazz track, Ain't That Funk For You, a super groove by Albert Grey really gets that hard bop feel going with Featuring Greg Jung on sax and Foreman on B3 backed by Rockingham on drums. Excellent! Jimmy Burns had a hit in 65 with Chuck Colbert's Give Her To Me and he traces his steps with a soulful rendition here with super sax work by Eisen, warm B3 backing by Foreman and solid vocal backing by Typhanie Monique. Soul classic, Since I Fell For You, penned by Buddy Johnson in the 40's and making a big splash by Lenny Welch in the 60's , gets the full treatment here featuring Bradfield and Jung on saxes and Foreman on B3. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Where Does That Leave Me?, a smooth, R&B track with Foreman on organ and featuring Burns on lead vocal. Rothenberg adds nice rhythm guitar and Rockingham on drums keeps it tight for a solid closer. Very cool release. 

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Delmark artist: Pierre Lacocque's Mississippi Heat - Don't Look Back - New Release Review

F

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Don't Look Back, from Pierre Lacocque's Mississippi Heat, and it's one of his best. Opening with You Ain't The Only One, Sheryl Youngblood really gets things going with powerful vocals, joined by Pierre Lacocque on harp, Giles Corey on lead guitar, Johnny Iguana on piano, John Kattke on keys, Brian Quinn on bass, Jason Edwards on drums, Marc Franklin on trumpet, Kirk Smothers on sax and Nanette Frank, Diane Madison and Mae Korn on backing vocals. Solid opener. On Chicago blues, Stepped Out Of Line, Inetta Vison and Daneshia Hamilton have the lead vocals and Lacocque really works the harp. Great piano work by Iguana, Corey on guitar, Kattke on keys, Big Mike Perez on bass, Edwards on drums, and Billy Flynn on guitar. This is a super entry. Youngblood is back up front on Can't Take It and with a great rumbling tempo and Fylnn and Corey ripping the lead guitar riffs Lacocque really get down on harp. Great track. Lacocque leads off shuffle, Champin' At The Bit  and Youngblood vocals are rich and full. Lacocque shares the spotlight with Iguana and Flynn sets a real nice guitar solo anchored by Kenny Beedy Eyes Smith. Corey steps up with some really tasty slide work on Shiverin' Blues with excellent soulful vocals by Danielle Nicole. Warm B3 underlayment by Kattke and really nice harp work by Lacocque makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Hot rhythm on I Ain't Evil really sets the track off nicely for Youngblood on lead vocal with snappy drums by Tony Alexander on percussion and sweet stylized guitar riffs by Corey , super B3 work by Kattke and Quinn on bass. Wrapping the release is rocker, Four Steel Walls featuring Omar Coleman on lead vocal and harp and stinging guitar lead by Flynn and Corey, Smothers on sax, Alexander on percussion, Perez on bass, Iguanna on piano, and Marc Franklin on trumpet. Hot closer. 

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Out of the Past Music artist: Steve Howell & Fats Kaplin - Know You From Old - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Know You From Old, by Steve Howell & Fats Kaplin and it's a great set of folk and blues tunes. Opening with Black Dog, a Kentucky Rag recorded by Bayless Rose features Steve Howell on vocal and guitar and Fats Kaplin on banjo. Excellent opener. Bugger Burns is a cool track recorded by John Lomax back in 1941. Howell on vocal and guitar with Kaplin on mandolin this is a very spry number. Blue Ridge Mountain Blues, made popular by Doc Watson fits this set nicely with Howell on vocal and guitar and honest fiddle harmony by Kaplin. Burl Ives' The Escape of Old John Webb about a jailbreak in 1730. A great story and some of Howell's vocals paired with Kaplin's fiddle makes for a great add. Shawneetown is a rich, folk track and Howell sings wide open with minimal guitar rhythm and excellent fiddle work by Kaplin. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a solid arrangement of Ellington's Mood Indigo. Handled with finesse and serenity,  Kaplin crafts the melody on fiddle as Howell supplements the melodic basics. This is a very nice closer for a solid release.  

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Robert Top Thomas - One Morning Soon - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Morning Soon, by Robert Top Thomas and it's the real deal. Opening with Hey Mattie, with it's rockin' blues styling. Robert Top Thomas on lead vocal and guitar is supported by Dan Walters on piano and bass, Stephen Kampa on harmonica, Billy Dean and on percussion. Cool opener. Gator Jig is a cool rag track with strong finger picking by Thomas and Dean on percussion. Traditional Sugarbabe is super with Thomas accompanying his honest vocals with swift guitar finger picking. One of my favorites.  Blind Willie McTell's Georgia Rag is another favorite with nicely executed finger picking and vibrant vocals by Thomas. Rev Gary Davis is always a favorite and Thomas' cover of his I Heard The Angels Singing is no exception. With some classic Davis riffs and soulful vocals, I really love this track. Katie McMahon's Take Me Back gets a bluesy cover and with deft finger work and solid vocals a cool addition. Wrapping the release is Mance Lipscomb's Texas Blues with super bass/drum reinforcement under Thomas' clean finger work and authentic singing style. This is a cool, contemporary blues release using original techniques sounding fresh and invigorating. 

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Little Village artist: Sean McDonald - Have Mercy! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Have Mercy!, from Sean "Mack" McDonald and it's terrific! Opening with Rudy Moore's, My Soul, Sean McDonald really turns out. With smooth vocal lead backed by The Morgan Brothers and Marcel Smith on backing vocals you immediately feel like you're in a club in the 50's. With D'Quantae Johnson on bass, Jim Pugh on piano, June Core on drums and featuring T-Bone Walker like lead guitar by McDonald, this track is rocking. Original McDonald track, Killing Me, is a terrific slow blues with excellent Ronnie Earl/Walker style blues runs that will curl your hair. His vocals are amazing and with  Pugh on organ, Eric Spaulding on tenor and Jack Sanford on bari. Wow!! Shuffleboard Swing is another hair raiser bringing to mind the great Clarence Gatemouth Brown. Hot jump track with excellent guitar lead and hot hot sax by Spaulding and sailing organ by Pugh. This guy is amazing! Rev Oris Mays spiritual, Don't Let The Devil Ride, is rich with excellent vocals by McDonald, The Morgan Brothers and Marcel Smith really showing a dimensionality that is rarely seen in blues artists with tasty guitar work that plays under the music. Excellent. Wrapping the release is Henry Glover's Let's Call It A Day, with it's deep R&B feel. McDonald belts out the lead vocal with deep soulful backing vocals by The Morgan Brothers and Lisa Leuschner Andersen and Pugh on piano. Soulful guitar lead by McDonald really digs in giving the track really strong traction. Strong closer for possibly the best thing I've heard this year.

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Lucky 13 Records artist: Duwayne Burnside - Red Rooster - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Red Rooster, by Duwayne Burnside and it's terrific! Opening with RL Burnside's, Nightmare, Duwayne Burnside combines his strong vocal power with raw, Buddy Guy like guitar attack over a tight drum rhythm. With North Mississippi styling, this track is off the hook. Somebody Done Stole My Girl is another strong track with a dirty groove and excellent timing. Burnside's vocals are perfect for this and the loose guitar riffs and tight drum rhythm drive it home. I love this shit! Jimbo Mathus' Talk Sweet To Me, gives Burnside and Luther Dickenson a soulful approach with understated guitar riffs and and overdriven guitar wailing amidst rugged vocal harmonies and clean piano backing. I mean, what's not to like. Wrapping the release is laid back, Mississippi Here I Come featuring Dickinson and Burnside in a super cool acoustic guitar jam. Strong closer for a really strong release. 

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VizzTone artist: Erin Harpe - Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me - A Tribute To Mississippi John Hurt, by Erin Harpe and it's a super tribute to Mississippi John Hurt featuring Jim Countryman. Opening with Candy Man, a classic John Hurt track, and Erin Harpe is enthusiastic about Hurt's music and guitar styling. A modified Piedmont styling requiring a great thumb, she asked Jim Countryman to join on acoustic bass to assist with the sound. With precise finger picking and unique vocal quality, this is solid blues. On title track, Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me, the track has a definite Jimmie Rogers feel and cool guitar vocal exchange. Richland Woman has a cool, laid back feel with understated guitar accompaniment and easy lead vocals. My favorite track on the release is Hurt's classic, Stagolee and Harpe hits the perfect stride with just the right blend of vocal and guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Jimmie Davis' track, You Are My Sunshine. Played with similar Hurt style picking style Harpe 

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Overton Music artist: Mike Bourne Band - Kansas City O'clock - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kansas City O'clock, by Mike Bourne Band, and it's a swift kick in the pants. Opening with Can't Be Anybody But Myself, Mike Bourne is and original on vocal accompanying himself on guitar and backed by Bryan Herrman on drums, Jim Beisman on the hot piano, Patrick Recob on bass and featuring sweet sax work by Dougan Smith on tenor. Excellent opener. Loping boogie, Too Old To Be Young, has a great feel, with Bourne on vocal and tight off beat drumming by Kerry Denton. Mister B.T. adds in the top trumpet and Dan Star on sax is on spot. Bourne's guitar soloing is original and cool and Bob Paige on piano holds tight. Title track, Kansas City O'clock is a cool rock and roller featuring Smith on sax, Beisman on piano, Nick Hmeljak on trumpet, Greg Clinkingbeard on bass and Bourne doing what he does on lead vocal and guitar. Absolutely cool. Three Blind Mice is a wicked little blues with a cool rocking beat. Bourne is having a blast, backed by Herrman on drums, Beisman on piano Recob on bass, and honking sax by Smith. Dive Bar Romance has a 30's blues overtone with Bourne setting the pace with cool guitar under his lead vocal carried by Recon on bass and Herrman on drums. Beisman lays out a real nice piano solo and Hmeljak on trumpet adds super brass complimented by Bourne's jagged guitar styling. Swampy, Truth Dressed Up Like A Lie, had a great groove, with Beisman on piano, Smith adding warm sax soloing, Recob on bass, and Herrman on drums. Wrapping the release is People Not Politics, an easy shuffle with a message. Stephen Dougherty on drums hods down the bottom and my man Johnny Burgin adds some real guitar style to the track with Bourne's vocals and Beisman's bluesy piano work, all backed by Maria Bounds, Stephanie Howle, Stephanie Robertson and Hayley Raxafsky on backing vocals. This is a really cool release and one that's certainly like anything else you've heard this week. 

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Jacktown USA - Various artists - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review Jacktown USA, a companion cd that is released along with a new book by the same title, looking at the Mississippi blues and southern soul artists and the state's prolific history of Grammy awards and nominations as released by Republic Books. Opening with Hold Up by Jacktown Sons the cd is off to a soulful pop start. With it's radio styling, upbeat rhythm and nicely blended vocals, a solid hit. Eddie Cotton is up next on Delivered By The Blues, a solid blend of blues, soul and funk. Cotton's vocals are really great and with rich organ backing over a thick bass and drum line and funky harmonica. Very cool. Easy shuffle, Juke Joint Love by Stevie J Blues has great balance with clean lead blues guitar styling, hot piano riffs and great vocals by Steve. Zac Harmon puts up my favorite track on the release, I Still Got The Blues. A super slinky blues number with strong guitar riffs, a funky bass line and super vocals, this track is really strong. Wrapping the release is another lively shuffle, Girl You Got It Going On, by Rashad the Blues Kid featuring a full vocal line, electric guitar and horn exchange and organ backing under melodic harmonica lead. Solid closer. 

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APM Records artist: Mississippi MacDonald - Slim Pickin' - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Slim Pickin', from Mississippi MacDonald and it's strong. Opening with Trouble Doing The Right Thing, Mississippi MacDonald shows his ability to deliver in a big way with just a mic and an acoustic guitar. His soulful voice and R&B guitar styling is backed by Brent Cundall on bass and Phil Dearing on percussion. Super opener. My Bad Attitude, another track with a firm R&B feel, gives Mac a great stage for his gritty yet soulful vocals and acoustic guitar backing and light snare work is just the right touch. An interesting take on Blind Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues is fresh with none of the trademark feeling that Taj Mahal or Duane Allman put on the track, propelling it into rock fame. With a more original Piedmont fingerpicking style, this is a terrific addition. St. Louis Jimmy Oden's Going Down Slow really is cool with a slow, easy roll and acoustic style backing. Dearing contributes a real clean, stylized acoustic guitar solo over only the simplest of drum work reviving yet another classic. Sister Rosetta Tharpe's gospel blues, Strange Things Happening Everyday has a smooth almost rocking feel maintaining the gospel feel but highlighting Mac's essential vocal and featuring a cool guitar acoustic solo by Dearing. Keb Mo's You Can Love Yourself is a super closer with Mac's vocals riding on his tight Piedmont style guitar picking. This is a very entertaining release and one that goes way beyond acoustic blues.

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Guitar One Records artist: Babaux and the Peacemakers - Keep Both Hands On The Wheel - New Release Review

 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. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Early Blues Sessions - New Release Review

 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. 

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