Blue Heart Records artist: Blues Called My Name - Anthony Geraci - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Called My Name, by Anthony Geraci and its strong. Opening with That Old Pine Box which features Sugar Ray Norcia on lead vocal. A quick moving tempo and poised vocals by Norcia as well as super guitar work by Charlie O'Neal, Geraci on keys, Paul Loranger on bass and Jeff Armstrong on drums and this is a super opener. Boston Stomp is a super piano boogie featuring Geraci at the keys and with a great walking bass line by Loranger and Armstrong on drums this track moves. Slow blues, Corner Of Heartache And Pain features Erika Van Pelt on lead vocal. Solid work between Van Pelt on vocal and Geraci on piano and organ creates a really ice dialog and Geraci's bluesy piano solo caps this track nicely. Blues superstar, Walter Trout sits in on lead guitar on Into The Night and his feel and tone is immediately apparent. With his melodic lead, and Geraic's piano/organ solo work, this soulful track is easily my favorite on the release. With New Orleans flavor on Wading In The Vermillion, Geraci masterfully gets the theme going, joined by Loranger, Armstrong and Anne Harris on violin. Very cool. Wrapping the release is rag piano track, Song For Planet Earth which has a grea melody and excellent execution by Geraci. This is a strong closer for a solid release. Terrific cover by the way.

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Jim Dan Dee - Real Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Real Blues, from Jim Dan Dee, and I really like it. Opening with Guitar Slim's The Things That I Used To Do, Jim Stefanuk on lead vocal and guitar is on attack. His vocals are strong and his riffs relentless. Backed by Shawn Royal on drums, Dwayne Lau on bass and Jason Sewerynek on sax, this is a fiery opener. On title track, Real Blues, the band uses a slow firm pace to create dynamics and Stefanuk plays lead arpeggiation and fluid lead runs over reverb saturated harmony. With David Gilmore like phrasing, this track is sure to be a fan favorite. Rock and roller, Two Shakes of a Lamb's Tail has a cool backbeat courtesy of Royal and Lau. Sewerynek really punctuates with his sax work and Stefanuk's vocals are cocky with stinging guitar riffs to back 'em up. Solid. I like the approach on T for Trouble with a heavy bottom and heavy guitars under the vocal. Sewerynex wails the blues on sax and Stefanuk grinds on guitar.  This is pure 70's blues rock. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Texas style boogie, Money Don't Work On The Devil and the band is in full tilt. Strong closer. 

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Dealer's Choice Records artist: Early Times & the High Rollers - Electric City - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Electric City, from Early Times & the High Rollers and it's a mix of pop, rock and soul. Opening with Aloha, Leilani, a radio track with a cool walking bass line by Conrad Korsch, and keys by Brian Mitchell. Early times handles the lead vocal and guitar and Anton Fig rounds out the crew. On slow boogie, Heartbreak Insurance, Korsch sets the pace on droning bass and Times vocals lay in nicely. High energy, Bonnie and Clyde is my pick from the release with a cool country rock blend, not unlike the band with great vocal work by Times, Eliza Neals and Colleen Messina. Albert King influenced, Dark Chocolate has some real nice blues guitar riffs and solid soul fused lead by Times. Very nice. Wrapping the release is funky instrumental, Succubus with fluid guitar lead and fat fat organ soloing and tight drum rhythms over a great bass line. Strong closer. 

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Blue Star Records artist: Mark Nomad - All One - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All One, by Mark Nomad and it's a cool, acoustic blues release. Opening with My Mind Gets To Wandering, Mark Nomad creates a modern delta style blues feel with his own clean vocals, and his rhythm/slide guitar accompaniment. Solid writing and melody, a strong opener. On Waitin' On You, gets more into a Jimmy Reed style with a simple guitar rhythm and vocal, teamed with his own harmonica work and a more contemporary sound. A stripped down take on Dizzy Miss Lizzy maintains it's early rock feel but with the addition of stylized vocals and hot slide work, the track takes on new life. I like Nomad's cover of Fred McDowell's You Got To Move with solid vocals and tasty slide. Wrapping the release is title track, All One, a smart, acoustic ballad. Predominantly a vocal track with light acoustic guitar backing, this is a solid closer for a cool release. 

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Reaction Records artist: Randy McAllister - Power Without Power - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Power Without Power, by Randy McAllister and I like it. Opening with Surprise!!!, a smooth shuffle with solid vocals and harmonica work by Randy McAllister and with some real nice slide work by Brandon Hudspeth making this a strong opener. (Somebody) Ease My Troublin' Mind is a terrific track in the vein of Sam Cooke and a terrific showcase for McAllister's soulful vocals. Fanned by the tight rhythm work of Hudspeth, this is my favorite track on the release. Envy's Embrace has the format of a country blues with a "train" rhythm by Hudspeth on acoustic guitar and with McAllister on harmonica working in close unison with Hudspeth on slide. Very nice. Not Everybody Leaves (Her Words) is a soulful ballad and another great showcase for McAllister's fine vocals. With the simplest of acoustic guitar rhythm and tasteful slide work by Hudspeth, this is another super track. Wrapping the release is Like Nothing Else, a strong radio style track with great soulful vocals. The ever present slide work of Hudspeth really adds warmth to this release giving it just the right spice. 

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JusteUneTrace artist: Jay & The Cooks - Dried Up Dreams - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dried Up Dreams, by Jay & The Cooks, and it's a cool release with blues, country, rock punk ... you name it. Opening with Alton McCarver, Jay Ryan on lead vocal and vocal sets a rugged, stripped down blues feel, with traces of Zappa and country and rock. With Stephane Missri on guitar, Paul Susen on fiddle, Christian Poidevin on harmonica, Marten Ingle on bass and Marty Vickers on drums, this is a great storyteller track and super opener. With reverb saturated guitar Chew The Cud is a driving country rocker with spoken lyrics and a great driving feel with a solid bass line. Dried Up Hearts has a cool country/cajun mix. Ryan's vocals a solid and clever and Susen's fiddle and Poidevin's harmonica, really spice up the action. Wrapping the release is driving rocker, Confederate Son which really has the bones of a country punk rocker. Ryan's vocal and guitar work great and Poidevin's harmonica give it a more bluesy edge and Susen's fiddle ties back it's country roots. This is a cool, off the wall release with plenty to like.

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Cliff Stevens - Better Days - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Better Days, from Cliff Stevens and it's it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Better Days, a solid rocker with a good SRV style swagger, features Cliff Stevens on lead guitar and vocal, Serge Dionne on bass, Eric Sauve on keys, and Sam Harrisson on drums. With a "southern rock" flavor, No Room Left has a nice ABB like feel ... I can almost hear Chuck Leavell on piano. With a strong radio melody and select guitar riffs, this is a strong radio contender. Another serious radio contender is Light Of An Angel with a pure pop ballad melody. Stevens does a nice job as vocal front man and paired with Kim Feeney on harmony and a melodic slide solo, pure radio gold. Bluesy ballad, I Love You Still, is my favorite track on the release with cool blues progressions and a strong melody. Stevens lets the music flow with some more aggressive soloing and fluid runs. Very nice. Blues shuffle, True Love has a great feel with nice piano work by Sauve, nice backing vocals by Feeney and a slashing guitar solo of his own. I Been Thinking About You is another solid blues entry in the vein of Guitar Slim. With his vocal call and guitar response, this is a real nice track with an extended guitar workout, boosted by the warm organ of Sauve and the harmonica work of Pat Loiselle. Very nice. Wrapping the release is finger picking Slim Picking featuring Stevens on acoustic guitar. This is generally laid back but artistically nice and a solid closer to a solid release. 

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Stony Plain Records artist: Mike Stevens - Breathe In The World, Breathe Out Music - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breathe In The World, Breathe Out Music, from Mike Stevens and it's a cool slice of contemporary blues/country influenced music. Opening with Like A Little Bird, harmonica master, Mike Stevens teams up with Polly Harris on lead vocal with a light reggae rhythm. Supporting are Jeff Getty on acoustic guitar, Kevin Breit on electric guitar, Art Kratchian on drums, and Jeff Bird on bass. Grumbling Old Man Grumbling Old Woman is a cool, jig featuring Stevens and Breit playing tandem melody/harmony lines over the tight rhythms of Getty and Kratchian. Very nice. Gordon Lightfoot's classic, The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald maintains it's easy approach but substitutes Breit and Stevens on melody giving the track a cool, folky feel. Bound by the solid acoustic playing of Getty and Kratchian, this is a strong entry. Jesse's Request is an interesting track with a really strong melody. With a lot of the characteristics of a western soundtrack, Stevens masterfully crafts the melody over the acoustic guitar base by Getty. Ida Red is another of my favorites on the release with the feel of genuine country (western) music. Stevens takes the lead on vocal and harmonica on this one with full backing vocals by Getty and Cory James Mitchell. Devil's Bride is tight boogie with the rhythm line set by Breit, Getty and Kratchian. I really like Stevens' vocal on this track and his harmonica work compliments the lead nicely and Breit's electric guitar lead rocks. Wrapping the release is Put Your Phone Down, a cool harmonica jam over the tight drums rhythm of Kratchian, joined by Andrew Collins on mandolin. This is an unconventional "blues" release, but a solid release with a lot of great harmonica work. Very nicely done. 

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Gary Cain - Next Stop - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Next Stop, by Gary Cain and it's a barn burner. Opening with Billionaires In Space, Canadian born, one man show, Gary Cain is a contemporary blues rocker with a lot of oomph. With a driving beat, and distortion saturated guitar riffs, Cain shifts it into overdrive and lets it fly. With a funky guitar rhythm, Gatekeeper has a foot stompin dance rhythm. Using ZZ Top like lead guitar offsets to emphasize the turnarounds,  and a wide open guitar solo, this track is very cool. In the Frank Marino/Jimi Hendrix vein, Keep On Comin has a strong, overdriven guitar riff to play around and his vocals are rock spot on. Precision drum rhythms give Cain firm footing to lay out his guitar wares and paired with himself on guitar 2, this track works well. Laying way back, Gone begins with intimate vocals and focused  quick stinging guitar accents but growing in intensity as the track progresses. With heavy distortion and dark formations, the track shapes up to be a cool, interesting rocker. Wrapping the release is A Short Furious Goodbye, a guitar lead instrumental with clean Knopler/Gilmore style tone and SRV like ferocity. Backed by John Lee on B3, this is a cool closer and a solid demo of Cain's broad talents. 

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Memphis International Records artist: Ann Peebles & the Hi Rhythm Section - Live In Memphis - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Memphis, from Ann Peebles & the Hi Rhythm Section and it's a cool, live, soul packed R&B release. Opening with If I Can't See You, Peebles on lead vocal sets the pace with her smooth delivery and backed by  David J Hudson and Tina Crawford on vocal, John Sangster on sax, Anthony Royal on trumpet, Dennis Bates on trombone, Leroy Hodges on bass, Charles Hodges on keys, Howard Grimes on drums and Thomas Bingham on guitar. Rolling into high stepper, Part Time Love, Peebles really has the groove moving. With a super bass line by Hodges and punchy trumpet by Royal, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. An excellent cover of I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home plays right into Peeble's wheelhouse. The horn work by Sangster, Royal and Bates really add balance to Peebles' lead. Wrapping the release is Peebles' bets know track, I Can't Stand The Rain, covered by many many blues and rock artists alike. Peebles of course has that natural feel vocally and particular backing by Royal and Hodges adds nicely to a strong closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Gina Sicilia - Unchange - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unchange, from Gina Sicilia and it's a nice blend of soul, R&B, gospel and blues. Opening with Healing Time with all of the richness of sweet soul music, Gina Sicilia on lead vocal sets a great table. Backed by Ann and Regina McCrary wou have the best vocal backing money can buy and Kevin McKendree on organ is a terrific addition as well to the basic band of Colin Linden on guitar, Johnny Dymond on bass and Bryan Owings on drums. Great opener. How Far Am I From Canaan is a light take on a full blown gospel track with Sicilia singing acapella over the electric guitar accompaniment and excellent vocal backing of Linden. This is an impressive showcase for Sicilia's vocal prowess and brilliant contemporary interpretation of a traditional style gospel tune. On Rev Gary Davis' classic track, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Linden really opens nicely with reverb saturated blues guitar riffs. Sicilia takes a more bluesy approach on this one with excellent results. Linden gets a chance to let his blues chops flow and with terrific results. Excellent track. Valentine is a real nice ballad with strong radio structure. The melody is well constructed and Linden's acoustic guitar accompaniment is a perfect foil to Sicilia on vocal. Very nice. Linden's, Don't Be Afraid To Be Wrong has the distinct, Gary Davis style rag feel that immediately perks my ears up. Sicilia's vocals float lightly on Linden's finger work making this one of my favorites. Wrapping the release is traditional ballad, There's A Bright Side Somewhere, and Sicilia handles it with great sensitivity and composure over the acoustic accompaniment and beautiful slide solo of Linden . This is a real nice closer for a strong release. 

   

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Little Village Foundation: The Phantom Blues Band - Blues For Breakfast - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues For Breakfast, by The Phantom Blues Band and it's a solid party. Originally formed as Taj Mahal's backing band, PBB began performing on their own and released their first release back in 2006. With a few changes in the lineup most significantly Les Lovitt replacing Darrell Leonard on trumpet and Jim Pugh replacing the nearly irreplaceable Mike Finnigan after his fight with cancer ending in 2021. This newest rendition of the band opens with a roaring  cover of I Take What I Want with Larry Fulcher on bass and lead vocals paired with Johnny Lee Schell on lead vocal and guitar. Backed by Tony Braunagel on drums, Joe Sublett on sax, Les Lovitt on trumpet and Jim Pugh on piano and organ this track has real juice. New Orleans flavored, She's Into Something has strong percussion by  Braunagel and the horn work of Joe Sublett and Les Lovitt really spices things up. Schell drops into a nice Texas style guitar solo really setting hit one off. Very nice. A reggae style rework of Curtis Mayfield's, Move On Up, is really cool with vocal by Ruthie Foster  and tight rhythm guitar by Tony Chin and the horn work of Subett and Lovett add nice authenticity. Very cool. Mike Finnigan leads the way on organ and vocal on OK, I Admit It with real swing. Punchy horns by Sublett and Lovitt and Finnigan's own organ work make this one of my favorites. Bonnie Raitt joins on laid back shuffle, Country Boy with her distinct vocal work. Very nice. Curtis Salgado adds lead vocal and distinctive solo harmonica on Laughin' and Clowin', a slow blues and one of my favorites on the release. On up tempo, I Know You Don't Love Me, Salgado has the lead vocal again and does a great job. Sublett, on sax lays in a solid solo making it hard to stop your foot stomping. Wrapping the release is boogie track, Stuff You Gotta Watch with a great driving bass line by Fulcher and stellar work by Pugh on piano. Power horn work by Sublett and Lovitt work great with Schell's lead vocal and Sublett finishes the release with a hot sax solo. Very nice. 

This recording is dedicated to the memory of Mike Finnigan. All proceeds from sales are being donated to the scholarship program at The Mike Finnigan School of Music in Salina, Kansas. 

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Pierce Dipner - Goin' Back - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the first full length release, Goin' Back, from Pierce Dipner, and it's a solid blues entry. Opening with Fool's Gold, with it's classic blues vamp, Pierce Dipner on vocal and guitar leads the way. Backed by Arnold Stagger on bass, Blaise Lanzetta on drums and Joe Munroe on keys, were off to a strong start. Empty Bed Blues has a strong Elmore James feel with his familiar slide riff but Dipner's vocal and instrumentation is all his. On slow blues, Tore Us Apart, Dipner's guitar lead is cradled nicely in the warm keyboard work of Munroe. His vocals are solid and his solo lines are original and set the tone nicely, punched up by Stagger and Lanzetta. On Sean Costello's No Half Steppin', Dipner delivers on vocals with a more R&B feel, dressed nicely by Rick Matt on sax, JD Chaisson on trumpet and Reggie Watkins on trombone. Great radio track. Another R&B style track, Won't You Come Home has a real nice swagger. I particularly like Dipner's vocals on this track. With the thematic vamp by Dipner on guitar, he overdubs a real nice lead solo and really digs in, fired by the organ work of Munroe. Very nice.  Wrapping the release is Justin Townes Earle's Memphis In The Rain. Dipner really feels this style vocally and with horn work by Matt, Chaisson and Watkins and a cool solo of his own, this is a solid closer for a solid new release. 

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EW Music artist: Emma Wilson - Wish Her Well - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wish Her Well, from Emma Wilson and it's a tight blend of blues, rock, soul and pop. Opening with title track,  Wish Her Well, a cool, stripped down blues track, Emma Wilson shows her cool, aloof, singing  style that works nicely with Mat Hector on drums. Contemporary soul infused pop track, Little Love Bite has a cool melody and nicely blended instrumentation by Hector on drums, Mark Neary on bass and keys, Adam Chetwood on guitars making it s solid radio track. Blossom Like Snow is an interesting blend of blues, soul and pop with a really nice melody and light instrumentation with a firm drum rhythm and rhythm guitar supporting the strong vocal of Wilson. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slightly funky She Isn't You. Wilson's vocals, and a strong bass line by Neary gives this track a lot of wind in it's sails. Very cool. Driving rocker, Not Paying really stretches with a potent vocal delivery and a pumped drum rhythm and the addition of Alessandro Brunetta on harmonica. Another soulful track, Back On The Road showcases Wilson's vocal warmth and with the addition of some southern soul style guitar riffs by Chetwood puts me in mind of the Muscle Shoals sound. Wrapping the release is Then I'm Gone, a soulful pop track with a heavy kick drum and Neary on bass and keys, supporting Wilson's vocals. This is a cool release with a little bit of everything. 

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Provogue artist: Robin Trower - No More Worlds To Conquer - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No More Worlds To Conquer, from Robin Trower and I like it! Opening with Ball of Fire, Trower on guitar (and bass), joined by Richard Watts on vocal and Chris Taggart on drums set a solid foundation. Maintaining a trace of early Trower styling, this music sounds fresh and new with rock roots and blues influence. Trower's riffs show power that I rarely see in contemporary rock or blues and his runs are fluid and firm. Very cool. Title track, No More Worlds To Conquer, has rhythmic roots in that early Trower/Hendrix dialog but the track is all original. I like how Trower takes a basic concept and with only a trace of history makes a new and completely independent new track which has excellent strength. With only a bass line and drums to guide to concept, Trower crafts the new melody and solo line on guitar, giving Watts the pathway for the vocals. Excellent! Birdsong is one of my favorite tracks on the release with what I'd call very Troweresque phrasing. Watts vocals really work nicely in the slot and Trower's soulful guitar lead is nicely executed spelling out the blues in Trower's own language. Very nice! Wither On The Vine is another really strong track delivered in more of a ballad style but of course in a Trower manner. Watts really is an ideal singer for Trower's band with just the right feel and Trower's guitar phrasing on this track works so nicely that it could easily carry the release alone. The most flamboyant track on the release is The Razor's Edge with a slow, strutting rhythm and searing guitar lead. Trading call and response with Watts and with the firm bottom by Taggart, this is an excellent rocker. Wrapping the release is I Will Always Be Your Shelter, a quiet ballad for Trower but a cool showcase for Watts and an opportunity for Trower to play solo guitarist instead of lead guitarist. A nicely composed and executed track, a solid closer. 

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Little Village Foundation artist: Mighty Mike Schermer - Just Gettin' Good - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Gettin' Good, by Mighty Mike Schermer, and I really like it. Opening with title track, Just Gettin' Good, this release is off to a hot start. With Mighty Mike and Ms. Kimmy Pickens on lead vocal and the stinging guitar work of Mike out front, this track struts. With the fat bari sax work of Aaron Lington, and joined by Dmar on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Eric Spaulding on tenor, Jeff Lewis on trumpet and Mike Rinta on trombone, this track is smokin'. On slow, soulful This Is Where My Love Is, Schermer sings a solid ballad and keeps the instrumentation to a minimum with Paul Revelli on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Austin DeLone on organ.  On island track, The Hungry Dog, Schermer gets a calypso rhythm and the guys really get into the swing. June Core on drums, Kid Andersen on bass and vocal, Chris Burns on piano, Kimmy on percussion and Wally Pickins on vocal, this track is a lot of fun. Funky blues, Tired of Travellin', is one of my favorite tracks on the release. With Mike throwing down some great riffs, with Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Andersen on rhythm guitar and heavy horns by Jack Sanford on sax and John Halbleib on trumpet. Super. Another blues track with a funky bottom is Cook Up A Little Love. With Kimmy and Mike trading off lead vocal, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on keys and D'mar on drums this track and Mikes grip on the guitar, another cool track. Rocker, Kimmy Kimmy Gimmee Gimmee has a early rocking feel with a lot of spunk. Wrapping the release is ska track, It's Not Me, It's You. With Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Austin DeLone on organ, Andersen on acoustic guitar, John Nemeth on vocal, Uncle Bernie on sax, Mike Kobin on trumpet and James Cody Arnholt on trombone, and with Mike taking a stylized guitar solo this is a fun party closer. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Bennett Matteo Band - Shake The Roots - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Shake The Roots, by Bennett Matteo Band and it's a funky, blues rocker. Opening with Doesn't Really Matter, a funky rocker, Jade Bennett on lead vocal is in charge. With Gino Matteo and Kid Andersen on guitar they are heavily armed and with Michael Burnham on funky bass, Carson Ford on drums, Jim Pugh and Kid Andersen on keys, Nic Clark on harmonica, Dmar on drums and with Lisa Leuschner, The Sons of the Soul Revivers and Kid Andersen on backing vocals, this is a great opener. Up tempo pop rocker, You're Nothing is a great showcase for Bennett,  Burnham really gets the bottom moving and Matteo's guitar solo is a ripper. Soulful, Paid & Broke is one of my favorites on the release with Bennett digging in deep vocally. With Pugh and Andersen on piano and organ, and perfectly placed guitar accents, this track has that warm Muscle Shoals feel. With it's drone bass line by Burnham and response vocals to Bennett's lead vocal, this track has a lot of grit. Instrumental tension under the vocals really plays nicely on this spiritually blues inspired track and a physical scream accenting the guitar soloing really hits hard. Very cool. Another soul inspired blues, Table For Two is a solid opportunity for Bennett to show her vocal chops. This really is a great demo and with strong vocal backing, hot bass lines by Burnham and excellent drumming by Dmar, the pressure is really mounting. Wrapping the release is pop fused When I Close My Eyes, with a definite radio melody and tight rhythm. Nic Clark on harmonica adds some solid riffs and the keyboard work keeps the pop feel anchored. 

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