Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Californian , by Brad "Guitar" Wilson and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Elmore James ' classic, It Hurts Me Too , Brad Wilson is back with his guitar blazing. Given a more rock approach Wilson on lead vocal and guitar plays ripping lead to accompany his nicely delivered vocal lead, accompanied by Chris Rhyne on keys, Toto Poznantek on drums, and Hal Cragin on bass, this is a solid opener. Driving rocker, Say You Wanna Dance is my selection for radio track for this release with a super melody and even guitar lead and solid drumming by Tony Braunagel . Heartbreaker is a strong rocker with a solid guitar vamp. I really like his overdriven tone on rhythm and the cleaner lead tone in contrast stands out nicely. Wilson's remake of Eddie Cochran 's Summertime Blues is cool with a lot of the spunk of the original. Adding in a bit of modern flare without going full " Blue Che...

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

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brad "Guitar" Wilson , by Brad Wilson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with The Ballad of John Lee , Brad Wilson on guitar and vocal sets a terrific "John Lee Hooker" like boogie backed by Brian Beal on bass and Adam Gust on drums. With the addition of harmonica, this is a smoking opener. Cesta Ayers' track, Someday After Awhile gives Wilson the opportunity to shine on vocal and his guitar playing shows great feel. Backed by Beal, Peter Wolf on drums and Frankie Vriens, this track really simmers. Otis Rush's I Can't Quit You Baby retains much of Rush's original arrangement and at over 8 minutes gives Wilson a chance to really shine on guitar. His phrasing is strong and his vibrato tight and stinging. Backed by Oscar Huguet on bass and Adam Gust on drums, this is a strong addition to the set. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Drivin' , with a contemporary radio feel. A...