Bman's Blues Report: Blues review

Showing posts with label Blues review. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2024

Quarto Valley Records artist: Texas Scratch - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release from Texas Scratch and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Texas Trio, TS finds a great groove. Featuring Jim Suhler (Thorogood), Buddy Wittington (Mayall) and Vince Converse (Sunset Heights) on guitars, these guys know how to cut a groove. With the drums of Jeff Simon (Thorogood) and Nathaniel Peterson (Savoy Brown) and Kirk Yano (Miles Davis, Savoy Brown) on bass, this is a strong opener. Led footed, What The Devil Loves, really has a snarling guitar lead and excellent lead vocal. John Nitzinger's (Texas Jellyroll Blues) Louisiana Cock Fight makes a cool appearance here with blazing guitars and well blended vocals. Thumping drum work by Simon, this track is a solid addition. Do Right By You is a cool, somewhat funky track with rugged lead vocals and some real nice slide by Suhler. Wrapping the release is Showdown, a light jazzy, boogie with fluid guitar runs and driving rhythm guitar. Solid closer for an interesting release.

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Thursday, April 11, 2024

Little Village artist: JP Soars - Brick By Brick - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (June 30, 2024), Brick By Brick by JP Soars and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with title track, Brick By Brick, JP Soars on vocal and guitar, hits the road running with a potent melody and a great hook. Chris Peet on drums hits it hard and heavy under signature guitar riffs by Soars, joined by Raul Hernandez on percussion. Solid opener. Keep Good Company is a cool rocker with a a somewhat funky rhythm and radio feel, with Peet on drums and bass, Jeremy Staska on percussion, Bob Taylor on Hammond and Annika Chambers on backing vocals. Little Milton's, That's What Love Will Make You Do, has a cool back beat and Soars double on bass with a hot bass line under his excellent lead guitar work. Terry Hanck really adds some great sax work doubling down on this track. Wrapping the release is Baton Rouge meets Tex Mex on Down by The Water. Soars knows how to articulate it both on vocal and guitar and with the precise drumming of Peet, this is an 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”

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Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Ruf Records artist: Canned Heat - Finyl Vinyl - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Finyl Vinyl, from Canned Heat and it's really enjoyable. Opening with a rowdy rocking boogie, One Last Boogie, Canned Heat blows the roof off of this newest release. Featuring Jimmy Vivino on lead vocal and guitar Heat is packing with Dale Spalding ramping it up on harmonica, Fiti De La Parra on drums and Rick Reed on bass. Strong opener. Dave Alvin guests on Blind Owl singing lead and playing guitar. With it's droning bass line by Reed and tight drum line by De La Parra, this is a hot track. Wicked guitar soloing by Alvin and Vivino and solid harmonica by Spalding playing really take this track higher. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Tease Me with it's bluesy feel. Spalding has the mic and does a real nice job on vocal and harmonica. Spalding's up again on A Hot Ole Time but it's the fleet fingered work of Vivino that makes this track in my eyes. Very nice. Slow blues, When You're 69, features Vivino on lead guitar and vocal. This track really lets the guys get down and dirty mixing Vivino's slide and Spalding's harmonica. Hot! Wrapping the release is There Goes That Train, a New Orleans R&B style track with a relentless vamp and giving Spalding a great opportunity to play his blues. Solid closer.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Ruf Records artist: Bernard Allison - Luther's Blues - New release review - video

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent double release, Luther's Blues, from Bernard Allison and it's a driving blues rocker. Opening with fiery, Hang On, this track oozes blues with it's rocking rhythm section and blues based rock soloing. Excellent opener. With a funky, Johnny Guitar or WW Washington feel, Too Many Women really hangs it out there. with an excellent trombone solo and plucky bass work, this is one of my favorites on the release. Serious, is a bluesy ballad with solid vocals and strong, melodic, lead guitar work and warm backing vocals. Excellent! Opening disc 2 is rocking shuffle, Back Down South with it's excellent bottom. This track will definitely get your head bobbing while Bernard rips an excellent solo. Let's Try It Again is an excellent track with soulful vocals and tight drums and well placed piano work, accenting Allison's vocal. A potent sax solo electrifies the track which is an excellent soulful blues allowing Allison to stretch nicely on guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, Castle, featuring Allison on vocal, backed by acoustic guitar. This real is a super release with a lot of familiar, yet essential tracks.

Friday, April 5, 2024

Quarto Valley Records: Heavenly Cream - An Acoustic Tribute To Cream - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavenly Cream - An Acoustic Tribute To Cream and it's a solid cover of much of Cream's catalog by top name artists. Opening with I Feel Free, Deborah Bonham, John's sister has the lead vocals, backed by Bernie Marsden on guitar, Malcolm Bruce (Jack's son) on piano, Neil Murray on bass and Frank Tontoh on drums. Solid opener. Theme For An Imaginary Western, written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown is fronted by Brown on vocal and backed by Clem Clemson (Humble Pie) and Malcolm Bruce on guitars, John Donaldson on piano, Mo Foster on piano, and Cheryl Alleyne on drums. This is a great track and always one of my favorites with Jacks vocals and played by Leslie West of Mountain. Ginger Baker penned, Sweet Wine, is a standout with Baker on drums Nathan James on vocal, Marsden on guitar, Mo Nazam on guitar, Bruce on bass, Pee Wee Ellis on sax, Henry Lowther on trumpet, and Abass Dodoo on percussion. Take It Back, another Bruce/Brown composition is prime with the illustrious Maggie Bell on lead vocal. Her vocals are as sweet as they were in the 60's and a perfect fit for this track with Marsden and Tony Remy on guitars, Bruce on piano, Winston Blissett on bass and Tontoh on drums. One of the classic blues tracks covered by Cream was Howlin Wolf's Sitting On Top Of The World. Here we have a dynamic duo with Bell teamed with Bobby Rush who also plays harmonica, supported by Marsden and Remy on guitars, Bruce on piano, Blissett on bass and Tontoh on drums. Wrapping the release is Born Under A Bad Sign featuring Paul Rogers on vocal. Marsden and Nazam on guitars, Bruce on bass and Moreno Buttinar on drums. This is an interesting release with a solid assemblage of talent.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Flatiron Recordings artist: Leo Lyons and Hundred Seventy Split - Movin' On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Movin' On, by Leo Lyons Hundred Seventy Split and it's a super blues rocker. Lyons, best known as the bass anchor for legendary Ten Years After band with Alvin Lee. Opening with Walking in the Devil's Shoes, a straight up rocker with blues overtones, Lyons is joined by Joe Gooch on lead guitar and vocal, who stepped up when Lee left TYA in the early 2000's, and Damon Sawyer on drums. Cool shuffle, It's So Easy To Slide really has a great feel with Gooch's vocals floating on the the tight action of Lyons and Sawyer, adding his own crisp guitar riffs between vocals phrases. Excellent! Mad Bad and Dangerous really brings to mind Alvin Lee's Ten Years After with it's high energy, driving bottom and vocals, and rowdy, non stop guitar riffs. Really potent. Easy flowing shuffle, Meet Me at the Bottom, has a really nice feel with the deep feel of Lyons with his walking bass line and Gooch with fluid guitar lead. Very nice. Wrapping the release is romping, Time To Kill, with a driving bass line by Lyons and aggressive rock drum line by Sawyer. Gooch really suits this style band perfectly with his solid vocal presence and relentless guitar lead. I really enjoyed this release.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Rick Vito - Cadillac Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cadillac Man, from Rick Vito, and it very cool. Opening with Love Crazy Baby, a solid shuffle Rick Vito on lead vocal and guitar takes command of the track, backed by Mojo Johnson on drums, and Jim Hoke on sax. Blues rocker, Little Sheba has a cool mix of blues, rock and ethnic overtones, with Steve Marriner on harmonica working nicely together with Vito on guitar and vocal. A tight drum line by Jackson and Vito on bass makes this an ideal radio track. Slow blues, Crying at Midnight, is a real nice track with a super melody showcasing Vito's vocals as well and his Fleetwood Mac guitar influence. Very nice. Chicago style blues, Barbeque'n Baby had a great feel with Vito on slide guitar and vocal. This is a pretty hopping track and surely a favorite. Instrumental. Just Another Day is one of my favorites on the release featuring the lead slide work of Vito, backed by Hoke on sax, Jackson on drums, and Kevin MacKendree on B3. Very nice. Another track with wide radio appeal is You Can't Stop a Guitar (from Playing the Blues). With a romping beat led by Lynn Williams on drums, Vito again lets the slide loose. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Sliding Into Blue with Vito playing melody on slide. This is a really nice track and a strong closer for a solid release.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Cali Bee Music artist: Brad "Guitar" Wilson - Buckle Up - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Buckle Up, from Brad "Guitar" Wilson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with rock n roller, Lucille, with it's Chuck Berry overtones, driven by the bass lines of Hal Cragin on bass, Adam Gust on drums, Chris Rhyne on piano and Wilson on lead vocal and lead guitar. Solid opener. Boogie rockin, Hoodoo Party, really has a great feel and Wilson gets a chance to walk his guitar up and down the fretboard with plenty of rocking style. Very cool. Title track, Buckle Up, really has a bit of Lynyrd Skynyrd swagger. With backing vocal by Su Isaac and Galen Keith and cool rhythm guitar riffs putting you in mind of Keith Richards, this is a cool radio track. Cast Your Shade is a cool, blues rocker with a strong bottom. Wilson's vocals nicely compliment the strong guitar phrasing and excellent drum rhythm on this track. A guitar ballad, Sky Full Of Rain should really attract crowd appeal with a strong melody, lead vocal and longer, well formed guitar phrases and expressions along the lines of Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa or David Gilmore. Wrapping the release is Hit It, with a contemporary rock feel. With synthesized horns, organ and jazzy guitar, Wilson, jams over a very danceable closer.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

FOG Blues & Brass Band - Twelve Bar Prescription - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Twelve Bar Prescription, from FOG Blues & Brass Band and it's a full blown brass blues rocker. Opening with title track, Twelve Bar Prescription, a bass driven rocker featuring Al Hosack on bass, and Hilliard Walter on lead vocal this track is moving. With a ripping guitar solo by Tim Palser, Dan Jancar on tenor and bari sax and powerful support by Domenic DiNino on drums, Bobby Becker on keys, and Joe Dublanski on alto sax, this is a punchy opener. Funky, Seven Year Itch, really has a great feel with hot vocals by Walter and a great mix between sax and keys and another smoky guitar solo by Palser. R&B flavored, Hey Lucy, has a great JB boogaloo rhythm. Walter really works the vocals and Dublanski and Jancar kick it hard on sax. Wrapping the release is rocker, Who's Gonna Suffer with high energy drumming by DiNiro and a great mix on sax and keys. A great bass line by Hosack anchors the track tight and Dublinski and Jancar really fire the track up. Excellent closer.

Monday, March 18, 2024

The Diva Jazz Orchestra - "30" Live at Dizzy's - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, "30" Live At Dizzy's, from the Diva Jazz Orchestra and it's a big splash of big band. Opening with Bernstein's Something's Coming, the band is lead by drummer Sherrie Maricle with grand support from Liesl Whitaker on trumpet, Jami Dauber on trumpet, Kellin Hanas on trumpet and Barbara Laronga on trumpet. Jennifer Krupa on trombone, Sara Jacovino on trombone, Leslie Havens on bass trombone, Noriko Ueda on bass, Tomoko Ohno on piano and featuring Erica von Kleist on alto sax and Kellin Hanas on trumpet. Powerful opener. Sue Giles is featured upfront on vocal on Here's To Life with a light Latin rhythm and warm horn backing. On a swinging take on Memphis Slim's Every Day I Have The Blues, Giles is again upfront on lead vocal with warm sax under the bottom and trumpets on top, this track has a great bass driven bottom. Schella Gonzales really wails on alto sax giving this track a real kick. One of the top jam tracks on the release is up tempo, Three Sisters and a Cousin with ripping solos by von Kleist, Gonzalez, Dreyer, Jade Elliott and Leigh Pilzer on sax. Nice! Wrapping the release is Charlie Christian's high speed, Airmail Special, featuring solos by von Kleist on sax, Hanas on trumpet, Ueda on bass and Maricle on drums. Excellent closer.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Whiskey Bayou Records artist: Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos - Cheat The Devil - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cheat The Devil, from Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Sweet Little Devil, a funky rocker with biting lead/slide guitar work by Anthony Rosano and cowbell laden drum work by Kyle McCormick, how could you go wrong. Jake Fultz on bass really does a solid job of driving this train and I gotta say, Rosano's lead vocals sound quite a bit like one of my favorite lead voices in rock, James Dewar of Robin Trower fame and together this is a great sound. Fat, distorted guitar tone permeates the opening of slow blues, What Kind of Fool, and with deep bass and tight drum work, Rosano really works the lead vocal on this track. Dropping out all of the overdriven guitar saturation, Rosano develops a beautiful melodic guitar line. Very nice. Funky blues rocker, Jonesboro Road, really is a cool track with McCormick and Fultz laying down a great groove and Rosano singing and playing lead in call and response in a style used quite often by Warren Haynes. Great track. On Rosalita, Rosano again shows how great a lead vocalist he really is, with rich lead vocals and playing Spanish flavored, melodic lead guitar giving the track just the slightest taste without changing the overall flavor of the set. Very nice. Wrapping the set is a cool rocking interpretation of Slim Harpo's King Bee. With an aggressive bass/drum line and a rock funky feel, Rosano works the lead vocal/lead guitar leaving a wanting for more. Very solid closer.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Little G. Weevil - If I May - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If I May, from Little G. Weevil, and it's another in a line of solid releases from him. Opening with cool, blues rocker Yoga Girl (Hold Me Close) in the style of Willie Dixon, Little G onlead guitar and vocal has total control. With K.C. Brown on tight blues harp, Mr. Jambalaya on piano, Csaba Pengo on bass and Tom Kiss on drums, this is a strong opener. Wandering blues rocker, One Last Time really puts me in mind of early Savoy Brown and the great Kim Simmonds. With excellent musical tension, powerful vocal, thumping drumming by Kiss and excellent guitar lead by Little G., I love this track. Doctor Hay is a cool piano shuffle featuring Jambalaya on piano working hard with Pengo on bass under Little G's vocal. Nicely phrased guitar work by Little G gives the track a springy texture and a rakish grit. Very nice. Chicago style blues, Tingalingaling (Everybody's Qualified) really gets the band rolling with full house vocals, excellent harp work by Brown, rolling piano by Jambalaya and a firm bottom by Pengo and Kiss. Slow blues, We Don't Learn Much, features some real nice lead work by Little G. and potent vocals over the piano lead of Jambalaya. Written along the lines of a Broonzy tune, this track gives Little G. a chance to throw down some really stinging riffs to compliment his soulful vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, I Know Many Ways To Prove My Love. With thunderous drums by Kiss and and wailing guitar work by Little G., this is a strong closer for a strong release.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Live In 1967 Vol. 3 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In 1967 Vol. 3. from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and it's terrific. Over the years I've embellished upon how much the British blues had on me personally and my personal taste in music. I's remarkable that these early tapes have come to light, featuring Green, Fleetwood, McVie and Mayall in their raw glory. It would have been a rare find when recorded and it's a real treat today. Opening with Brand New Start, Mayall on vocal, harmonica and organ is the leading force, with solid bottom by Fleetwood on drums, and the driving bass line of McVie but of course it's Mayall's harmonica and vocal, punched into oblivion by the sensitive hands of Green that make these cuts so vital. Listen to Green just rip away on Tear In My Eyes, a slow blues justcrafted excellently for Green's phrasing and style. He doesn't waste a phrase, making every impulse count, framed by Fleetwood. Brilliant! There's no question that the fidelity on some of this old tape is marginal, without it, these excellent examples of this band's work, which is not very plentiful would be all but lost. On Your Funeral And My Trial, it's all Mayall with some of his best harmonica and vocal on the release. Freddie King's Stumble is of course a real standout for Green with one fiery riff after another. This band truly was amazing. Wrapping the release is a strong cover of Otis Rush's Double Trouble, which translates to dark blues. Rush had an incredible ability to create more intensity per note than most any blues player in his time. Mayall not only had a nose for the best blues music happening anywhere in the world, but the ability to find and attract the best talent to join his quest, putting together the best functioning bands to spread the blues worldwide ... bar none, and to do over and again. Congratulations John on an excellent set and thanks to Forty Below for putting it together.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps - Rose-Colored Glasses Vol. 2 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Rose-Colored Glasses Vol. 2, by Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, and it's got a great feel. Opening with blue rocker, I'd Do It For You, James on piano and lead vocal, enlists Brannen Temple on drums, Terry Wilson on bass, backing vocals, B3, Rhythm guitar, and Billy Watts on lead guitar. Solid opener. Easy, laid back, pop ballad, That's What I'm Talking About has terrific radio appeal with it's smooth melody and James really nice vocals. Slinky, Ain't Nothing For Certain, is another track with strong radio appeal with James really doing a nice job deliveing the melody and Matt Lomeo featuring counterpoint on harmonica. Wrapping the release is Second Chance with a tight rock delivery. James on lead vocal always hits it square on and with backing by Braunagel on drums, bass, guitar, Wilson on backing vocal, Kevin McKendree on piano and Bennett Salvay on B3, this is an upbeat closer.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Quarto Valley Records artist: Tom Hambridge - Blu Ja Vu - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blu Ja Vu, from Tom Hambridge, and it's potent set of blues rock tracks with plenty of gusto. Opening with Ain't It Just Like Love, Tom Hambridge joins up with Buddy Guy on vocal, (Hambridge on drums and Guy on guitar) with bass by Tommy MacDonald, Kevin McKendree on on keys and featuring an explosive guitar solo by Guy. Strong opener. Rob McNelley on lead guitar really gets things cranking on Wear You Out with a driving beat and solid vocals by Hambridge. Shuffle, Blues Don't Care, features Kingfish on guitar and vocal and this track has great style. Hi power Brother John Boogie features harmonica superman, James Cotton with Glenn Worf on bass, Chuck Leavell on keys, and of course Hambridge on drums. Excellent! Another great boogie, Get Out Of Town features McKendree on vicious keys and Hambridge on vocal. Very cool. Stripped down blues, Johnny Winter, features excellent slide work by McNelley, Hambridge on drums and vocal and MacDonald on bass. Wrapping the release is End Of The Line, a laid back boogie with Hambridge on vocal and drums, nicely dresses with relaxed guitar riffs by McNelley. This is a solid closer for a really enjoyable release.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Yako Records artist: Chris Yakopcic - Live At The Hidden Gem - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Hidden Gem, from Chris Yakopcic and it's a solid set of Delta and Piedmont style blues. Opening with original composition, Gotta Get Goodbye Somehow, singer/songwriter and guitar player, Chris Yakopcic opens his set. With contemporary folk blues styling, Yakopcic has firm guitar footing and a strong vocal approach. On one of Robert Johnson's better known compositions, Traveling Riverside Blues, Yakopcic shows a lot of feel with percussive guitar attack and wailing vocal. Very nice. Another Johnson composition, Kind Hearted Woman, has a much smoother approach with a more romantic sound and precise guitar accompaniment. Original composition, Sounds of the Highway, has a Blake feel with a certain contemporary edge. Fine guitar work and vocals make this the likely top track on the release. Wrapping the release is a rousing cover of Johnson's Preachin' Blues with Yakopcic working his national steel bodied guitar over real good with deft finger picking and slippery slide work. Solid closer for a solid release.

Bman's Blues Report

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