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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, October 30, 2025

John Christopher Morgan - Right On Time - New Release Review

 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 Buenaventura has 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. 


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Tuesday, October 28, 2025

VizzTone Label Group artist: Kirk Fletcher - Keep On Pushing - New Release Review


 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. 


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Monday, October 27, 2025

Monster Mike Welch - Keep Living Til I Die - New Release Review

 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.


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Thursday, October 23, 2025

Jalopy Records artist: Jackson and the Janks - Write It Down - New Release Review

 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. 


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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Momojo Records artist: Dave Keyes - Two Trains - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (10.24.25), Two Trains, from Dave Keyes and it's loaded. Opening with shuffle, Blues Ain't Looking for You, Dave Keyes on vocal and piano set the pace, backed by Bernard Purdie on drums, Jeff Anderson on bass, Rob Paparozzi on harmonica and featuring John Putnam with some wicked slide and Alexis P. Sutter and Vicki Bell on backing vocals. Title track, Two Trains has a swampy rhythm with Keyes on piano and lead vocal,  Paparozzi on harmonica, and solid backing vocals by Suter, Bell and Frank Pagano. Slow blues, A Long Way From Right Right Now features some of Keyes best vocals and sweet harmonica work by Paparozzi. Keyes really shines on instrumental, Boogie For Patty, with excellent piano phrasing and rhythm. Another favorite on the release is Worried in Mind Blues featuring Woody Mann on guitar and vocal with Keyes on piano and vocal. A simple, laid back acoustic blues with great feel. Wrapping the release is ballad, Rest In Peace, featuring Keyes on lead vocal and piano. Solid closer for a solid release.  


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Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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

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


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Monday, October 13, 2025

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

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


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Thursday, October 9, 2025

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

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


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Monday, October 6, 2025

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

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


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Thursday, September 25, 2025

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

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


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  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, September 23, 2025

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

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


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Thursday, September 18, 2025

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

 


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


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  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, September 16, 2025

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

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


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  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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Monday, September 15, 2025

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

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


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Thursday, September 11, 2025

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

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


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  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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Monday, September 8, 2025

Alan Arena - Deceived - New Release Review

 


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



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  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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Thursday, September 4, 2025

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

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



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  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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