South Bay artist: Jack's Waterfall - American Roots Project - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, American Roots Project, from Jack's Waterfall and it's a cool mix of blues, rock, New Orleans, Latin and R&B music. Opening with New Orleans R&B influenced, Louise, Jack Licitra on vocal and piano has that traditional rolling piano style, with Trifon Dmitrov on bass and Mark Carpentieri on second line flavored drums. My Baby's Gone A Long Time has a contemporary vocal feel with just the right amount of funk by Dmitrov. Warmed by the organ addition and timed by the piano work of Licitra, this track has strong radio potential. Jack's Rag is a great little piano workout with a vintage feel. Another top track on the release is bluesy, West Texas Ghost Story, with it's strong melody, tight drum work and solid vocals. I've Been Listening really commands your attention with a strong melody, gospel like piano structure and nice vocals by Licitra. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Like An Eagle with it's blend of country and revival styles. 

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Green Bullet Records artist: The Jake Leg Jug Band - Live At Audley Theatre - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At Audley Theatre by The Jake Leg Jug Band and it's jammed full of hokum and rag style tunes. Opening with I Can't Dance (I've Got Ants In My Pants) featuring Jack Tasker on banjo and lead vocal, teamed with Duncan Wilcox on bass, Neil Hulse on guitar, Liam Ward on jug, Bryony Rose on washboard and backing vocal, and Alex Clarke on sax. On suggestive track, I Had To Give Up Gym, features Ward on vocal and harmonica with a light approach to the subject and with cool guitar soloing by Neil and sax by Alex. Slower paced, Fogyism features Bryony on lead vocal, bluesy harmonica work by Liam and cool clarinet answer by Alex. Cool, folksy Easy Ridin' Mama is a good closer for disc one with the band singing background vocals, cool harmonica by Liam over Jack on banjo and overlying sax by Alex. Opening disc 2 is Caught Us Doing It another suggestive track with just the right amount of jazz. A swinging sax solo by Alex over Jacks' mandolin work and a slick guitar solo by Neil makes this a great opener. One of my favorite tracks is My Pencil Won't Write No More that I know from old Muddy Waters tapes but this is likely a more authentic track. With a warm clarinet harmony by Alex and blended vocals, a very cool track. Classic, St James Infirmary opens with Duncan on bass just giving an outline of the track. This is a really nice arrangement with Alex on clarinet soaring over the track and bluesy additions by Liam on harmonica. Very nice. A sultry lead vocal offering by Bryony on  Sugar In My Bowl may be my favorite cover of this classic track with just the right amount of clarinet and sax by Alex. Wrapping the release is a rowdy cover of He's In The Jailhouse Now. With everyone in perfect synch with just the right amount of New Orleans style jamming, this is a solid closer. 

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Chuck Wright - Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky, from Chuck Wright and it's quite interesting. Opening with instrumental, The Weight of Silence, bassist Chuck Wright (ex Alice Cooper, Slash, Greg Allman, Quiet Riot) has a cool release on his hands. Featuring Allen Hinds with some soaring guitar lead, and backed by Luis Villegas on acoustic guitar, Ed Roth on B3, Tim Janssens on keys, Tom Hatziemanouel on electric guitar, and Scott Breadman on percussion, this is a super opener. Army of Me is a great track with an infectious bass line by Wright, reminiscent of  lines by Rhonda Smith and Tal Wilkenfeld of Jeff Beck fame. This driving bass line and the slap drumming by Griffin by set a perfect stage for vocalist, Whitney Tai, backed by Hatziemanouel, Walter Ino on Rhodes piano and Tim Janssens on synth. Excellent! Funk rocker, It Never Fails really has a great sound with a stiff drum line by Pat Torpey coupled with Wrights bass work and the screaming guitar work of Scotti Hill. Filling the band is Jeff Scott Soto on lead vocal, Eric Martin on backing vocal, Lanny Cordola on guitars, Jude Gold on lead guitar fills, Dave Schulz on clavinet and B3, Allen Moreno on lap steel and Dale Edward Chung on percussion. Farewell Horizon is a cool instrumental with lead melody by Toshi Yanagi on guitar, backed by Wright on acoustic guitar and bass, Jimmy Keegan on drums, Claudio Pesavento on moog, Koi Anuta on violin, Katja Rieckermann on bari sax and Griffin on percussion. Wrapping the release is a reprise of The Weight of Silence with an interesting arrangement featuring Wright on bass, keys and guitar, Derek Sherinian on mellotron, moog and Theremin, Ben Woods on flamenco guitar, Walter Ino on acoustic guitar and Griffin on percussion. This is a very cool release with a lot of instrumental teeth. Very nice. 

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Juke Joint Jonny & The Kindred Spirits - Just Folkin Around - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Folkin Around, by Juke Joint Jonny & The Kindred Spirits and it's a cool update on traditional blues. Opening with Muddy Waters' I Can't Be Satisfied, Jonny on vocal and National Steel Guitar, is joined by Steve Rusin on harmonica, Ben Bernstein on bass and Mike Stevens on percussion. Solid traditional style opener. Dylan's Tomorrow Was A Long Time is presented as a cool acoustic finger picker with Jonny accompanying his own vocal on guitar. On John Mooney's Dirty Rat, Jonny really kicks up the pace with slide on the national, rapid fire lyrics and tight backing by Rusin, Dave Peterson on bass and Stevens on percussion. Crafted by John Rizzo and Steve Rusin, Terre Haut Blues is one of my favorites with great fingerpicking and vocal by Jonny. Another of my favorites on the release is Taj Mahal's classic, Fishin' Blues. Jonny's voice is just perfect for this track and his picking technique works great! Closing the release is Leo Kottke's acoustic masterpiece, Sailor's Grave On The Prairie which is covered very nicely by Jonny. His patience on timing and slide techniques on his National Steel is solid and controlled. Very nice closer. 

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Thirty Tigers artist: Delbert McClinton - Outdated Emotion - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Outdated Emotion, from Delbert McClinton and it's a assemblage of the songs that influenced him the most. Opening with traditional folk track updated and made popular by Lloyd Price, Stagger Lee, McClinton uses mostly Price's arrangement and with a vocal intro by Robert Bailey, the likes of Yates McKendree on drums, Kevin McKendree on piano, Jim  Hoke on sax, and with vocal backing by Wendy Moten and Vicki Hampton this track is a solid opener. Jimmy Reed's The Sun is Shining and it's classic shuffle beat provides a great slot for McClinton vocally joined by Yates, Kevin and includes McClinton on harmonica. Little Richard's Long Tall Sally really gets up and goes with McClinton really feeling the lyrics, Yates on bass and drums, Kevin on piano and featuring Hoke on sax. Great track. One of favorite tracks on the release is Ray Charles' I Want A Little Girl and McClinton singing sweet soul with Kevin on piano and Yates on bass. Excellent! McClinton original, Connecticut Blues has a cool shuffle beat and a cool Mose Allison feel with Yates on drums and bass and Kevin on piano. Very nice. Hank Williams' Move It On Over throws a bit of country into the mix and McClinton on vocal is joined by Chris Scruggs on steel guitar, Mark Winchester on bass, Jimmy Stewart on flat top guitar, Wes L'Anglois on arch top, and Stuart Duncan on fiddle. Another McClinton shuffle, Sweet Talkin' Man has a great feel and McClinton really digs in vocally. Kevin plays piano, guitar, bass and drums on this track and it's really got feel. Wrapping the release is one final McClinton composition, Call Me A Cab, the one track that is an art piece that most every recent McClinton release seems to have and always catches my attention. Great closer. 

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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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