StratCat Willie & The Strays - On A Hot Tin Roof - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, On A Hot Tin Roof, by StratCat Willie & The Strays and it's a mixture of blues and rock/rockabilly. Hot Tin Roof is a rocker with a rockabilly flair. Led by StratCat Willie Hayes on vocal and guitar this track is moving with Neal Massa on keys, JOHN Wilson on bass, Dave Fiorini on drums, Rich Graiko on trumpet, JOsh Cohen on sax, and Mabel Welch and Sing Trece on backing vocals. Way Too Fast is a hot footed shuffle with cool vocals and strong solo's by Cohen, Graiko and Hayes. I like the swampy feel of Redneck Woman with it's Creedance kind of feel and cowbell and drums by Dave Fiorini, Massa on organ and lots of guitar flair by Hayes. Bluesy Cryin' is classic with Hayes on lead vocal, working with his guitar in call and response.  Mezcal is a cool Latin rocker instrumental featuring Hayes just jamming out the lead. With tight backing by Vinnie Burvee on bass and Dave Salace on drums, this is a cool track. Wrapping the release is Chuck Berry influenced Runnin' With The Strays. With it's driving rock rhythm, supported by Massa on piano this is a solid closer. 

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Origin Arts artist: Randy Napoleon - Puppets: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Puppets: The Music of Gregg Hill and it's cool and relaxing yet instrumentally stirring. Opening with Andy's Lament, vocalist Aubrey Johnson leads the way with easy Brazilian style scat. Randy Napoleon takes the lead and runs with a really solid Kenny Burrell style fluid lead improvisation and chord display. Bassist, Rodney Whitaker gets the second lead and lays in a really nice solo of his own before the circle back to Johnson, backed by Quincy Davis on drums. Very nice opener. Pianist, Rick Roe sets the stage on Lyrica, another track with a loose, Brazilian feel and featuring the vocal work of Lament and really showcasing the tight drumming of Davis. Napoleon's lyric lead style on guitar is likely the root of the track title with it's free flowing melody continued by Roe on piano.  Still Life of a Tuba is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's casual bop styling. Roe takes a really expressive solo giving the track real meat. Wrapping the release is Bossa style Wide River featuring Johnson and Napoleon on a light pop jazz track. With it's sweet melody and solid delivery, the certain radio track of the release and a solid closer.

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Bible and Tire Recording Company artist: the Dedicated Men of Zion - The Devil Don't Like It - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Devil Don't Like It, by the Dedicated Men of Zion and it's really strong. Opening with Lord Hold My Hand, I am immediately thinking this may be the best opening track on any new release I've heard this year. The Dedicated Men of Zion, Anthony Daniels, Antwan Daniels, Marcus Sugg and Dexter Williams really have this track chugging. Backed by Will Sexton on guitar, Matt Ross-Spang on guitar, Mark Edgar Stuart on bass and Al Gamble on organ, these guys are on fire. Rock My Soul is another terrific track with excellent soulful lead vocal and rich, deep background vocals. God's Got His Eyes on You is a strong revival style gospel track that is high in energy and full vocal blending. R&B track, I'm Going Home has a firm bass line setting the pace and strong lead vocal and blues guitar riffs by Sexton and warm organ work by Gamble gives this track pure radio appeal. Wrapping the release is soulful ballad, I'm A Soldier in God's Army. These vocals ooze emotion and the overall track is very powerful making it an excellent closer for a really good release.  

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Quarto Valley Records artists: Bonham - Bullick - self titled - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review Bonham-Bullick's self titled release and it's a smooth blend of pop, rock, soul, R&B and country. Opening with See You Again, a certain radio composition with a solid melody and featuring Deborah Bonham on lead vocal and Peter Bullick on guitars, Gerard Louis on keys, Ian Rowley on bass, and hard Newman on drums. On Albert King's, Can't You See What You're Doing To Me, Bonham gets into a cool groove and Bullick lets his blues rock chops fly. Delving deeper into the blues, Charles Brown's Trouble Blues is rich with ambiance and Bonham really works it. Bullick's guitar phrasing is poised and soulful. Very nice. I particularly like the arrangement on When This World Comes to an End, with it's suspenseful setup and then how it breaks into a more outright rocker. Reminds me of a favorite blues rock track Religion by Ten Years After. It Ain't Easy, that was made popular by David Bowie back in the 70's holds it's basic arrangement but sounds great after all of these years with strong vocals by Bonham and solid guitar riffs by Bullick. Wrapping the release is ballad, The Changeling with some of the best vocal on the release and strong atmospheric guitar work by Bullick. Solid closer. 

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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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