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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!


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Showing posts with label Blues review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blues review. Show all posts

Thursday, May 14, 2026

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

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ernestine Blues, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's a big solid scoop of pure blues. Opening with Tony Coleman on vocal and guitar on How'd You Learn To Shake It Like That, Coleman has a great feel for Chicago style blues and Corritore is one of the best on harp on old Chicago style. Joined by Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass, and Anthony Geraci on piano, this is a solid opener. Pat Thomas is featured on vocal and guitar on Big Fat Mama with Corritore adding choice harp riffs. This is a particularly strong track with authentic delta styling and Hooker like meter with no exact number of beats in a measure. Pure! Tia Carroll has the mic on Sam Cooke's Ernestine. With solid R&B styling and warm backing vocals by Eboni McDonald, Diamond Porter and Yolanda Tharrington, Doug James on sax, Geraci on piano, Bob Margolin on guitar, Stroger on bass, and Wes Starr on drums, this is a solid soulful addition. Sleepy John Estes' Trouble No More is up next and Willie Buck does a great job on lead vocal abut it really is a nice showcase for Corritore on harmonica. Carla Denise fronts on Troubles On Your Mind with crystal clear vocals and Ben Levin adds super piano work and really soulful harmonica work by Corritore. Just a note, Corritore's harmonica work is forward in the mix throughout this release and it really is a much better balance. Very nice. Charles Wilson leads on Sorry I Had To Leave You Behind, with Kid Ramos and Johnny Main on guitars and Corritore on harmonica. Mike Turturro sits in on bass and Brian Fahey rounds out the band on drums. Oscar Wilson is on vocal on Jimmy Reed's, Down In Mississippi with Corritore on harmonica, Margolin, and Smith on guitars, Geraci on piano, Starr on drums, and Stroger on bass. Wrapping the release is Teeny Tucker on blues rocker, Shoes. With Corritore giving it greater depth on harmonica, and backed by Starr, Geraci, Billy Flynn, Stroger and Margolin, a solid closer. 


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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Ruf Records artist: Laura Chavez - My Voice - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, My Voice, by Laura Chavez, and it's a super blues rocker. Opening with a driving cover of CCR's Born On The Bayou, With Chavez grinding out the melody, Lea Worms playing over the top organ, Tomek Germann on bass and Explosive drumming by Marty Dodson, this is a powerful opener. Shot-Zee is a full on R&B track in the vein of Booker T ... a 70's rocker with heavy drums and bass, saturated organ and fiery guitars.  One of my favorite tracks on the release is sensitive blues, Wanderer. With Worms forming the melody on warm organ and Chavez literally screaming out a melodic interpretation on electric guitar with hints of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, this track is explosive. Excellent! Covering El Cascabel is a natural for Chavez who grew up in San Diego just minutes from the Mexican border, her father being a first generation Mexican American. El Cascabel is a Mariachi standard and Chavez picks up a nylon string guitar giving it a pure natural rhythm and surrounded by Works on organ, Antonio Econom on percussion, and solid bass line by Germann and Dodson on drums plays masterful lead on electric guitar. Very nice. Another stand out for me is surf flavored, Mamba Negra, with fat guitar rhythm and scorching, Latin flavored lead. Lush interpretation of the melody, surrounded by Econom on tom tom and organ, this track is terrific. Wrapping the release is La Llorona, a beautiful slow blues developed from a traditional Mexican song of the Weeping Woman. Chavez really knows how to knock a track out of the park and this rolls Peter Green and Roy Buchanan into one ball with quiet reverb saturated lead, volume swells, trem bends, fanning and all of the grace that one can milk from a melody. Beautiful closer. Highly recommended!


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Monday, May 11, 2026

The Wildcat O'Halloran Band - Welcome To Sunderland - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Welcome To Sunderland, from The Wildcat O'Halloran Band and Wildcat is back rocking and ripping on guitar. Opening with Welcome Wagon, Wildcat on vocal and guitar leads the way with Jopey Fitzpatrick on drums, Angelo Mursey on bass and Paul Provost on keys. Johnny Winter's Check Her Mama has a cool Latin rhythm and Wildcat has those pickups fattened up with rich tone for his blistering riffs joined by Ottomatic Slim on harp. Big Maceo's Worried Life Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a deep blues feel and soulful vocal and guitar work by Wildcat. Provost's electric keys tell the story nicely and Wildcat digs in with some really nice riffs of his own. Dan Penn's blues rocker, Blues Of The Month Club, has a great feel with it's lightly funky rhythm, Provost's piano work and Wildcat's saturated blues riffs. Wilson Pickett's, Don't Knock My Love, keeps it's R&B feel Wildcat reinforcing the rhythm with his stylized guitar work and backing vocals by Wildcat's daughter, Sarah O'Halloran. St. Louis Jimmy Oden's Goin' Down Slow is an absolute blues classic and Wildcat takes it for a fine walk. Telling the story and singing the blues, Wildcat really works his fretboard over on this 10+ minute romp. Wrapping the release is Albert King's (Booker T Jones penned), Born Under A Bad Sign, wrangled by Wildcat, fusing that driving R&B undertone with a rock rhythm. Solid closer for a solid release. 


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Thursday, May 7, 2026

Cleopatra Records artist: Cactus - Temple of Blues II - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Temple of Blues II, from Cactus and it's strong blues rock...old school! Opening with Back Door Man Pt 1&2, Eric Gales leads the way on vocal and guitr with Artie Dillon on rhythm guitar, Billy Sheehan on bass and featuring the driving drum work of Carmine Appice. Super. Pat Travers is featured on lead and slide guitar on Moanin' At Midnight with Ed Terry on vocal, Dillon on rhythm guitar, Jim Caputo on bass and Appice on organ and drums. Travers style really give the track a great bluesy feel, really grinding in. Very cool. Ron Bumblefoot Thal on guitar leads the way on Tokin Chokin', a fun, country pop rocker with edge. Terry handles vocals and with plenty of splash cymbals by Appice, and Johnny Rod on bass, Bumblefoot really sails on slide. Tail Dragger has a Brit blues rock feel with Terry on vocal and Rockin Jake on harp. Appice's driving drum line with Rudy Sarzo on bass, gives guitarist Alex Skolnick a cool rocking rhythm to jam on. Willie Dixon's Spoonful features Ted Nugent on guitars with Terry on vocal. Bob Daisley on bass and Appice on drums really give the track an assault feel and I really like it. Wrapping the release is Feel So Good with a heavier rock feel. It features Rob Caudill on vocals, Tommy Thayer, Artie Dillon and Britt Lightning on guitars, Sheehan on bass, Marty Paoletta on keys and of course Appice on drums. A solid closer for a cool blues rocking release. 


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Monday, May 4, 2026

Get Hip Recordings artist: Billy Price - Random Madness - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Random Madness, from Billy Price and it's a solid blues /R&B release. Opening with up tempo, I Was A Fool, Billy Price leads the way on vocals, backed by Tom Valentine on bass, Steve Delach on guitar, Jim Britton on keys, Dave Dodd on drums, Delana Flowers, Willa Katy Cotten, and Carmen Miller on backing vocals and with some super sax work by Eric Spaulding. Hungry Ghost has a Donald Fagen feel with nice trumpet by Joe Herndon, and a cool Latin based beat by Dodd. A clean guitar solo by Delach adds a a really nice touch to a cool radio ready track. Bluesy, Rent Free, has a great feel, with subtle keys by Britton, Tony Braunagel on drums, showcasing Price's strong vocals, and a a really nice trumpet and trombone solos by Herndon and Reggie Watkins on trombone. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Dirty Knee Revelation, with warm sax backing by Spaulding. Price really digs deep on vocals and with glistening keys by Britton and soulful guitar soloing by Ian Arthurs. Wrapping the release is title track, Random Madness with soulful vocals by Price and warm horn backing by Spaulding, Sean Jones on trumpet (who also blows a real nice solo), Watkins on trombone, solid guitar work by Delach and warm backing vocals. This is a very pleasurable release with plenty of soul. 


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Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Brother John - Johnny Never & John Colgan-Davis - Black Crow - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Crow, from Brother John (Johnny Never & John Colgan-Davis) and it's thick acoustic blues. Opening with Bread and Salt, Johnny Never leads the way on vocal and slide with Holly Hoffman, Shannon Roberts and Monica Moran on backing vocals and John Colgan-Davis on harmonica. Deep rooted blues and a solid opener. Svelte Man Blues is a great rag style blues. Never on guitar and Colgan-Davis get a great cadence going with Never on vocal. Very nice. Charlie Patton's Dirt Road is particularly cool featuring Colgan-Davis really working the harmonica over Never's vocals. Wandering Eye Blues is one of my favorites on the release with slick slide work by Never and with choppy harmonica work by Colgan-Davis. Very cool. Old Man Mose has a real nice guitar stroll feel to it, reinforced by Jimmy Pritchard on bass and and Hoffman and Moran on backing vocals. Colgan-Davis' harmonica work is particularly soulful under the vocal prowess of Never. Whiskey Glass is a somber ballad that really showcases Never's vocals with strong harmonica work by Colgan-Davis. Wrapping the release is boogie, Cook It To The Bone, with it's driving rhythm. With Never on guitar and vocal, Colgan-Davis on harmonica, Chicago Carl Snyder on piano and Mark Shewchuk on percussion, this is a solid closer for a solid release. 


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Monday, April 20, 2026

New Sun Music artist: Crystal Shawanda - Sing Pretty Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sing Pretty Blues, by Crystal Shawanda and it's powerful music. Opening with heavy bottomed, Preachin' Blues, Crystal Shawanda leads the way with potent vocal lead, supported by Dave Roe on bass, Nioshi Jackson on drums and Stephan Hanner on harmonica and featuring Dewayne Strobel on guitars. Excellent opener. Bluesy ballad, Would You Know Love, really has a super radio/R&B feel, featuring Crystal on vocal and warm backing vocals by Sarina Joi Crowe and Ping Rose and horns by Chris West. Strobel lays in some real nice melodic guitar work giving the track cool contrast with Peter Keys on keys. Very nice. Title track, Sing Pretty Blues has a classic blues format with Hanner and Strobel on guitar working with Crystal on the lead and Jonathan Nixon on bass and Jackson on drums. Waitin' For My Lover To Call has a funky pop feel with warm B3 support by Keys and Ping Rose and Strobel on guitars. Crystal's vocals really works nicely on the entire set giving it super continuity. Deep blue rocker, Honey Bee is one of my favorites on the release with it's bass/guitar/organ riff. Crystal really works this one and with Hanner joining on harp and Strobel's slide guitar work gives the track a solid kick. Wrapping the release is rich, acoustic blues, Dirty, featuring Crystal on vocal with Strobel on slide resonator guitar giving the track a tangy balance. I really like this track...a great closer for a real satisfying release. 


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Thursday, April 16, 2026

MoMojo Records artist: Billy Thompson - This World - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This World, by Billy Thompson and I really like it. Opening with This World, a rolling rocker, Billy Thompson on lead vocal and slide is joined by Golder O'Neill on bass, Eric Selby on drums and Michael Leroy Peed on keys. A super opener with solid vocals and radio promising melody.  Like Rain is another strong track with a great, funky style rhythm. With Kirk Joseph on sousaphone (which is great), Eddie Christmas on drums, Lionel Batiste Jr. on drums, and Thompson on guitar and vocal. One of my favorite tracks on the release is For True with a real swampy, funky blues feel. Thompson's vocals are great and his slide guitar is reminiscent of Lowell George. O'Neill on bass, Selby laying down some terrific drums and and Peed on keys really propel this track. R&B track, Hope, Peace and Joy has a great feel with some of Thompson's best vocals on the track and warm keys work by Peed. Latin rhythm really works nicely on Dinosaur Eggs featuring Doug Belote on drums, Michael Skinkus on congas, and O'Neill on bass supporting Thompson on vocal, harmonica and hot guitar riffs and nice slide. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Of The Angels is a straight up rocker with a lot of characteristics of a Knopler tune. Clever guitar riffs and strong vocals by Thompson, Belote rapping out solid riffs n drums, Luciano Leaes on B3, Tom Worrell on keys, Skinkus on congas and backing vocals by Aduago Ejekwu, Evan Miller, Erin Finnigan, Lami Argueta and Zoe Resendez make for a cool closer. Very nice. 


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Monday, April 13, 2026

Nola Blue Records artist: Duke Robillard - Blast Off! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blast Off!, from Duke Robillard and it's really swinging! Opening with Floyd Dixon's, When I Get Lucky, Chris Cote is up front on vocal with Duke Robillard on lead guitar, Bruce Bears on piano, Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums and Doug James and Mark Earley on wailing sax. Strong opener.  Robillard original, Feel My Cares has a deeper, BB King feel with stinging guitar work by Duke and again featuring Cote on lead vocal. Bears on organ adds a real nice warmth and James and Earley on sax really fatten the track up nicely. AM Brunner's Play Boy Hop is a terrific sax led instrumental with James really making it wail and Duke's guitar phrasing is dynamic and urgent. Very cool. Guitar Slim's Stand By Me really swings with Cote on lead vocal and Earley and James on horns. James takes command on bari sax really kicking up the dirt and Duke rips a classic solo of his own making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Percy Sledge's Warm and Tender Love (penned by Bobby Robinson) is a super showcase for Cote on vocal and features easy keys by Bears and compact but meaty solos by James, Earley and Robillard. Wrapping the release is Tampa Red's, Look A There Look A There with a great swing tempo. Wailing sax solos by Earley and James really capitalize on the bluesy feel and Cote's vocals, backed by Duke make this a strong closer. 


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Friday, April 10, 2026

Davey Jones - Ball Cap Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ball Cap Blues, by Davey Jones and it's solid contemporary blues. Opening with shuffle, Banks Of The Blues, Davey Jones on lead vocal and guitar sets a nice groove, backed by piano, organ and drums. Cool opener. Easy blues rocker, Walking Easy, definitely has radio airplay characteristics with it's memorable melody and easy beat. Rocker, Mis Memphis Blues has a fine tempo with super vocals by Jones who also grinds in on "JJ Cale" like guitar with organ and drum backing. Real nice. Six Feet In The Ground is my favorite track on the release with a Don Nix feel. Driving piano rhythm and solid guitar work under Jones vocals gives this track a solid kick. Wrapping the release is rockin roller, Woman I Love with Jones grinding out a rocking guitar riff. With super vocals, drums and organ/piano following, this is a super closer. 


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Monday, April 6, 2026

Waywire artist: Ed Alstrom - This Idea Of Humanity - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Idea Of Humanity, from Ed Alstrom and it has blues and gospel influences. Opening with Put You First, Ed Alstrom shows his R&B influences with a Ray Charles feel. Playing piano, organ and singing, backed by Suzuki Andes on drums, Ula Hedwig on vocals, this track swings. Funky, Humans, features Alstrom on lead vocal and keys. Hedwig on backing vocals and Andes on drum give the track a cool texture. Soulful, Understanding, really is a nice showcase for Alstrom's soul shouting style and R&B piano. One of my favorites on the release. Another R&B style track, Go Ahead, has a great feel and Alstrom's vocals, backed by piano and melodica and Andes on drums keeps it light. Straight down the middle, The Way Back, is pure blues with Jimmy Vivino on guitar and Alstrom on vocal and piano. Vivino really digs in on slide giving this track real grit. Very nice. Wrapping the release is jazzy, Worry, with a super bottom by Don Guinta on drums, and Meredith Greenberg on djembe and contributing ethereal vocals to Alstrom's driving melody dominated by his own vocal and keyboard tapestry. Solid closer. 


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  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”

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Tuesday, March 31, 2026

MoMojo Records artist: Rick Vito - Slidemaster - New Release Review



 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (April 3, 2026), Slidemaster, from Rick Vito and it's great! Opening with Vegas Jump, things are immediately rolling on a Lonnie Chatmon thing with Rick Reed driving on drums, Charlie Harrison on bass and clean and wide slide by Rick Vito. Strong opener. I love the droning bass line on The Danger Zone by Vito who overlays soulful picking/slide reinforced by Charlie Johnson on drums. Very nicely done. Peter Green's, Albatross is a nice addition to the set with warm chords, picked melody and authentic, "Green like" slide work. A real surprise on the release is a beautiful cover of Sam Cooke's, A Change Is Gonna Come. The phrasing is delicate and the tones pure. Excellent! Another Peter Green composition, The Supernatural, has an eastern feel with a Latin beat by Lynn Williams on drums. Vito's slide work seems to just hang in the ether as he tastefully articulates the melody. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a beautiful cover of Malotte's, The Lord's Prayer. With only the quietest of under work by Kevin McKendree on organ, Vito really nails it. Masterful!


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Thursday, March 26, 2026

Ruf Records artist: Matthew Curry - One For The Ride - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One For The Ride, from Matthew Curry and it's a solid rocker with a lot of flavor. Opening with high energy, Rum Stumblin', Matthew Curry is back with great vocals and stinging guitars. With Francis Valentine on drums, Tim Brickner on bass, Mark Masefield on keys, Marc Russo on sax, Mike Olmos on trumpet and Mika Rinta on trombone this track has the intensity of Steve Gaines' tracks penned with Skynyrd and all of the commercial polish of Glenn Frey. Top opener. Laid back, Dancing In The Kitchen, is a real nice track with what I consider the kind of writing sure to get Curry real attention as a song writer, I love his articulate guitar work on the track and his vocal are perfect, with the added backing of Rob Archer on B3. I can definitely see other artists covering this track. Very nice. Another favorite track on the release is rock funky, Ballad Of Jesse Ed Davis. It's good to see acknowledgement of this unsung guitar slinger who I enjoyed seeing with the Shelter People and I listened to with everyone from Clapton and Taj Mahal to Bob Dylan. A wicked slide player, this is a strong tribute encouraging Curry to cut loose on slide as well. Excellent! Don't Be A Stranger has that JJ Cale, Oklahoma style guitar picking and swamp funky bottom by Brickner and Valentino with great vocal and slide by Curry, complimented by Mark Masefield on keys. Attacking the Van Zant sound straight on, Curry covers Whiskey Rock A Roller, a great southern rocker adding horns by Russo, Olmos and Rinta but holding to the soulful vocals and guitar snarl. Nice job. Wrapping the release is mostly acoustic entry, The Rambling Kind, a warm ballad with a screaming electric solo and fitting track to wind down an excellent release. 


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Monday, March 23, 2026

Charlie Barath - Issaquena Getaway - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Issaquena Getaway, from Charlie Barath and it's a lot of fun. Opening with cool strut,  I Gets Around, Charlie Barath on vocal and harmonica leads the way with the confident riffs of Andrew Sherer on guitar and Johnny Burgin on with solid lead guitar, Mark Yacovine on piano, Mike Law on bass and Danny Banks on drums. Cool opener. Slinky, Waitin' For The Queen, featuring a cool story by Barath a signature guitar solo by Burgin and soulful harmonica solo by Barath. Cool interlude. Shuffle, I Might Fall In Love, has a real nice lazy lope with an harmonica and guitar trades. A cool radio track with an easy melody, just perfect for kicking back. I really like Brass Monkey with Banks riding the up beat on drums, Yacavone on organ, and a jangly loose guitar solo by Burgin. On low slung, That Wasn't Me, Barath digs in on vocals and Burgin's guitar work is understated but it scratches the itch and a soulful duet between Barath and Burgin works really nicely. Latin flavored, Can I Have This Dance really has a great rhythm by Law and Banks and Barath really works the vocals on this one. Yacovone's piano work dances and Barath's harmonica is peerfect. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky, I'm Gonna Let You with perfect interweaving of Burgin, Sherer, Yacovone on organ, Law and Banks and the soulful vocals on Barath. Strong. Sugar is a real nice shuffle featuring Barath on chromatic harmonica. With a great melody, Yacavone on electric piano,  jazzy guitar work by Sherer, this is a super change of pace. Wrapping the release is Honey I Got No Money featuring Shari Richards on lead vocal. Burgin torches up some real nice phrasing on guitar, followed by Barath on harmonica. A cool, updated rag style, This is a tight closer. 


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Friday, March 20, 2026

James JB Barnes - My Mississippi Roots - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Mississippi Roots, by James "JB" Barnes and it's a solid set of blues, rock and soul. Opening with blues rocker, Get Up & Go Blues, Steven Braxton on lead vocals sets the pace with thumping bass by JB Barnes, Anthony Krizan on screaming guitar and drums, Jarred Barnes on keys. A driving ricker this is a solid opener.  Brown Eyed Blues Man features Krizan on lead vocal and Steely Dan like guitars. A shuffle style laid back track has strong radio appeal with Barnes on bass and backing vocals, Carmine Diorio on drums, Will Wilde on harp, and Chip Degaard on on keys. Hot footed blues number, The JB Shuffle features Wilde, leading the way on harp and Krizan on guitars. With JB winding in out on bass with Barnes on keys, a smoking solo by Krizan and Dave Moore on drums, this is a ripping track. A bluesy take on Hall and Oates', Sara Smile, featuring excellent vocals by Braxton and excellent vocal backing by Krizan, and JB. Add in Joey Stan on horns, JB on bass and Diorio on drums and soulful, overdriven guitar work by Krizan and this is a real showpiece. Another solid cover is the Stones', Wild Horses also featuring Braxton's silky vocals and lush backing vocals by Oria Aspen, Krizan and JB. Very nice. A super add is Jeff Beck's, Brush With The Blues featuring Krizan on guitar, JB on bass and Diorio on drums. Wrapping the release is R&B track, Stand Up, featuring Kevin Goings and Karen Braxton on lead vocals, Krizan on guitars, Barnes on keys, Stan on horns, Diorio on drums and JB on lead and backing vocals. Solid closer. 


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Thursday, March 19, 2026

James Buddy Rogers - Covered In Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Covered In Blues, by James Buddy Rogers and it's straight forward solid blues. Opening with Bad Boy, James Buddy Rogers lays down a solid 8 bar track with confident vocals and and full strat tone through his own BTone hand crafted pickups. His style has cool swagger and occasional delayed attack adding texture, joined by Kevin Belzner on drums and Bill Price on bass. Solid opener. On I Lied, a potent lope, reinforced by Belzner on drums on the upbeat and stinging guitar riffs by Rogers make this one of my favorites on the release. A cover of Nix's Goin' Down, is a cool change up with it's bluesy edge but a solid rocker. Using a driving "Jeff Beck" approach Price anchors the bottom and Rogers' works between the SVR and the Beck attack with his own blues stew to kick out a real nice track. Another cover is Taj Mahal's She Caught The Katy with a nice laid back feel but featuring a rockier blues approach than the low slung island feel of Mahal. Rogers smooth vocals paired with his comfortable guitar attack gives the track real grip. Wrapping the release is Keb Mo's, Dirty, Low Down & Bad with a rocking guitar rhythm and includes a Texas style guitar solo showing Rogers' tasty riffs. Solid closer. 


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 “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