Keeping The Blues Alive Records artist: Joe Bonamassa - BB King's Blues Summit 100 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BB King's Blues Summit 100, by Joe Bonamassa and it's terrific! Opening with Paying The Cost To Be The Boss, Kingfish Ingram is featured on vocal and guitar and he really gets it done. With it's laid back BB King style and with the help of Joe Bonamassa on guitar, Lemar Carter on drums, Travis Carlton on bass, Jeff Babko on keys, Steve Patrick and Tyler Jaeger on trumpet, Marc Douthit and Jimmy Bowland on sax and Barry Green on trombone, this is a strong opener. Marcus King does an incredible job on vocal and guitar delivering Don't Answer The Door. (I've bought entire albums based on 1 track that doesn't stack up well against this track). King, Bonamassa and Josh Smith really work the guitar on this track and support from Carter, Carlton, Babko, Patrick, Jaeger, Douthit, Bowland and Green are icing on this very nice cake. Buddy Guy gets Sweet Little Angel and he digs in giving it pure Guy treatment. His vocals are soulful and his lead guitar work impeccable. Joined by Bonamassa, Smith and crew, this is a great addition to the set. Jimmie Vaughan steps up with a great cover of Watch Yourself. His vocals are super and his signature guitar work really show style coupled with Bonamassa, Smith and the addition of Calvin Turner on bass, Lemar Carter on drums, Reese Wynans on keys, Kaz Kazanoff on tenor, John Mills on bari and Al Gomez on trumpet. Jimmy Hall brings some of the finest pipes in the business to Sweet Sixteen, aired up with Larry Carlton on guitar, Bonamassa and Smith on guitars, Turner on bass, Carter on drums, Wynans on keys, Patrick on trumpet, Douthit and Bowland on sax, Green on trombone and Matt Jefferson on bass trombone. Very nice. Larkin Poe is a nice surprise on Don't You Want A Man Like Me with sumptuous vocals by Rebecca Lovell and hot slide by Megan Lovell and Babko on keys. Another great addition is George Benson on There Must Be A Better World Somewhere. Benson's vocals are terrific and Bonamassa is showcased on guitar with Douthit and Bowland on sax and Babko on piano. Very nice. Warren Haynes starts off disc 2 with How Blue Can You Get. His guitar phrasing is excellent and his tones rich nicely complimenting his strong vocals and Wynans on piano. Chris Cain's dynamic guitar riffs and vocal styling really pops on You Upset Me Baby, complimented by Banamassa and Smith on guitars. The powerful horn section including Patrick, Jaegar, Douthit, Bowland, Green and Jefferson really pump up the bottom. Robben Ford lends his extensive blues vocabulary to Ain't Nobody Home joined by Jade Macrae on vocal. Ford, crossing many genre's of music really plays exceptional riffs under the rich vocals of Macrae. Kim Wilson has lead vocals on It's My Own Fault. His soulful vocals, backed by the superb riffs of Bonamassa and Babko's piano riffs make this track stand out nicely. Danielle De Andrea's silky vocals are paired nicely with Bonamassa on guitar delivering excellent phrases, really capturing the essence of King. Excellent! Kirk Fletcher and Bonamassa on guitars wrap the release with Better Not Look Down joined by BJ Kemp and Kim Fleming on vocals. 

This is a terrific tribute release with exceptional players and an amazing 40 page book. This is a must have!

 


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Quarto Valley Records artist: Tom Hambridge - Down The Hatch - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down the Hatch, by Tom Hambridge, and it's a solid mix of blues, rock and soul. Opening with driving, Willie Dixon's Gone with it's train like rhythm. Tom Hambridge on lead vocal and drums leads the way with aggressive guitar rhythm by Rob McNelley, and pumping bass by Tommy MacDonald. Solid Opener. MacNelley sets the pace for shuffle, I Want You Bad with solid rhythm and stinging lead guitar. Hambridge adds a driving pace on drums and solid lead vocal. Hard Times is a cool track with a solid vocal melody by Hambridge and haunting guitar wails by MacNelley and heavy tom tom work by Hambridge. Very cool. My favorite track on the release is Believe These Blues with it's funky rhythm and soulful vocals by Hambridge and relentless guitar work by MacNelley. Additional texture by Jimmy Wallace adds depth to an already very cool track. Piano boogie, You Gotta Go Through St. Louis is another favorite with Kevin McKendree and Buddy Guy really having at it driven by Glenn Worf on bass and Hambridge on drums. Excellent! Clever little track, Start Drinking Early Day has a memorable melody and clever lyrics capped by laid back guitar riffs making it a likely radio and crowd favorite. Wrapping the release is I Wanna Know About You, an absolute radio track with a western flavor. Hambridge leads on vocal and drums supported by Bob Britt on guitar, MacDonald on bass and Noah Forbes on keys. Solid closer. 

  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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RCA/Silvertone Records artist: Buddy Guy - Ain't Done With The Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't Done With The Blues, by Buddy Guy coinciding with his 89th birthday and it's jammed with over an hour of blues and rock. Opening with Hooker Thing, Buddy lays down a classic John Lee Hooker acoustic guitar riff and sings Buddy style. This really captures the playful guitar finesse of Guy. Blues rocker, Been There Done That is a great opener with a kick ass beat and shows Buddy singing like he's a kid and with aggressive guitar riffs, joined by Chuck Leavell on B3. Rob McNelley on rhythm guitar, Kevin McKendree on piano and Tom Hambridge really hangs tight on the drums. I just saw Kingfish last week and he really knows how to put things right. He's featured on funky, Where U At with his funky blues guitar styling under Buddy's silky smooth vocals. The addition of horns on this track add nicely to the richness and Hambridge's drumming works great with McKendree on piano. Excellent! Buddy takes it down slow on Blues On Top and his beautiful vocals are paired with his raw guitar playing and McKendree on piano. Excellent! How Blues Is That is a great Chicago style blues with McKendree on piano nicely complimenting Buddy's vocal and hot riffs and rock slide hero...yup, Joe Walsh, sits in on slide giving it a great fat electric sound, anchored by McKendree. Buddy's not holding back. Buddy hooks up with Peter Frampton on blues rocker It Keeps Me Young. Buddy belts the blues and Frampton plays some straight up lead with McKendree on piano and his vocals are perfect, holding off his own guitar solo till the end for a hot ending. With a humping bass line, Upside Down has a real Wilson Pickett feel and Buddy belts it out and wails on guitar. Punchy horn backing gives the track more traction and Leavell, McKendree and Hambridge pull it all together. Very nice. Another acoustic blues is One From Lightnin', a short few bars of Lightnin riffs showing respect to Mr Hopkins... one of my all time favorite blues players. Whipping out a boogaloo beat, Earl King's Trick Bag is up next and Buddy is having a blast. Hambridge really plays up the drums and McKendree the piano, giving free way to Buddy to grab those spine tweaking guitar riffs that he's known for. Wrapping the release is a great cover of J.B. Lenoir's Talk To Your Daughter setting a great groove on acoustic guitar paired with McNelley on guitar and Hambridge on percussion. Strong closer. 

  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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Quarto Valley Records artist: Tom Hambridge - Blu Ja Vu - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blu Ja Vu, from Tom Hambridge, and it's potent set of blues rock tracks with plenty of gusto. Opening with Ain't It Just Like Love, Tom Hambridge joins up with Buddy Guy on vocal, (Hambridge on drums and Guy on guitar) with bass by Tommy MacDonald, Kevin McKendree on on keys and featuring an explosive guitar solo by Guy. Strong opener. Rob McNelley on lead guitar really gets things cranking on Wear You Out with a driving beat and solid vocals by Hambridge. Shuffle, Blues Don't Care, features Kingfish on guitar and vocal and this track has great style. Hi power Brother John Boogie features harmonica superman, James Cotton with Glenn Worf on bass, Chuck Leavell on keys, and of course Hambridge on drums. Excellent! Another great boogie, Get Out Of Town features McKendree on vicious keys and Hambridge on vocal. Very cool. Stripped down blues, Johnny Winter, features excellent slide work by McNelley, Hambridge on drums and vocal and MacDonald on bass. Wrapping the release is End Of The Line, a laid back boogie with Hambridge on vocal and drums, nicely dresses with relaxed guitar riffs by McNelley. This is a solid closer for a really enjoyable release. 

  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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RCA Records artist: Buddy Guy - The Blues Don't Lie - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, The Blues Don't Lie, from Buddy Guy and it's full of fire. Opening with I Let My Guitar Do The Talking, Guy shows all of the energy of his youth with terrific vocals and screaming guitar lead. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Reese Wynans on B3, Michael Rhodes on bass, Rob McNelley on electric guitr and Max Abrams and Steve Patrick on horns, this is a terrific opener. Slow blues classic, The World Needs Love really falls into Guy's prime wheelhouse with excellent vocals and his trademark sound on lead guitar. Joined by Hambridge on drums, Glen Worf on bass, Kevin McKendree on piano and McNelley on backing guitar, this track screams. Follow The Money pairs Guy with James Taylor, on lead vocal, Guy on acoustic guitars with Hambridge on drums, Wynans on Wurlitzer, Michael Rhodes on bass and McNelley on electric guitar. With it's JJ Cale approach to the blues, this is a nice juxtaposition for the release. Driving rocker, Well Enough Alone has real sting like Cream's rework of Robert Johnson's Crossroads. Guy grabs it and flys. Very hot. Romping blues, House Party has great feel with Guy paired with Wendy Moten on lead vocal. McNelley sets a great groove on guitar and Guy steps up with a real nice solo. Excellent! Another slow blues, Rabbit Blood, plays nicely into Guys vocal butter and features great guitar piano interplay with Guy and McKendree. Another solid addition. Wrapping the release is I'm A King Bee with Guy taking it way down on vocal and acoustic guitar alone. His vocals just get more smooth as he gets older and his acoustic playing is clear and ringing. This may be Buddy's best release in years. Excellent closer for an excellent release. 

  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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Silvertone/RCA Records artist: Buddy Guy - The Blues Is Alive And Well - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Is Alive and Well, from Buddy Guy and it's strong. Opening with A Few Good Years, Buddy Guy pleads in song for continued good years to remain but his vocals are smooth and his guitar as vibrant as ever. Joined by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelley on guitar, Kevin McKendree on B3 and Willie Weeks on bass, this hits home. Shuffle track, Guilty As Charged shows a strong romp attitude and you can see that gold tooth glistening as Buddy shouts out guilty and fans his guitar wildly in one of his frantic guitar explosions. Very nice. Cognac, is a real nice 12 bar number featuring not one but two legendary guest guitar players, Keith Richards and Jeff Beck who along with Guy give this track real teeth. Richards' riffs are always standout and Beck's style is remarkable and an absolute signature. Excellent! Title track, The Blues Is Alive And Well is a great R&B fused track with Weeks' instinctual bass work leading the way. Guys' vocals are rich and pure and the backing by the Muscle Shoals Horns (Charles Rose on trombone, Steve Herrman on trumpet, Doug Moffet on tenor sax and Jim Hoke on bari sax really add depth to Guys personal guitar style. Very solid. Soul ballad, Blue No More features James Bay and Guy trading vocal and guitar lead. Smooth as silk and blue as can be, this track is a great radio track. Digging in the funk, Whiskey For Sale shows a side you don't often see but a great side it is. With McNelley on slide, Guy tearing up the lead and the McCrary Sisters on backing vocals this track may be one of my favorites on the release. Slow blues, You Did The Crime is classic Buddy Guy with terrific vocals and guitar, fat slide from McNelley and Mick Jagger on harp. With that rumbling bass line that I like to think as classic Buddy, Old Fashioned, is a great track with Guy conjuring up the notorious Buddy Guy guitar tone and riffs. The Muscle Shoals horns really pump up the volume and McKendree's B3 fills out the sound. Excellent! When My Day Comes is still another great track with Buddy on full throttle with expressive vocals and lead vocal and tight pointed drumming by Hambridge. Sonny Boy Williamson's Nine Below Zero sits solid in the Chicago sound with classic lines and riffs. Guy grew up in this stuff and knows just how to dress it right. His soloing is fresh, expressive and meaningful. Excellent! Boogie track, Ooh Daddy is a hard driver with Weeks leading the way and Buddy shows nothing but vitality with youthful yelps and pounding riffs. Super. Wrapping the release is End Of The Line and Milking Muther For Ya. Guy does it big time smooth band with horns honking and great guitar tone. Continuing his theme of nearing the end of his time, Guy shows no signs here to slowing or losing his fine talents as some of his predecessors have done. He ties into this last track his little ditty that he often sings in concert about the girl who tries to milk the bull. I've seen Buddy many times and he's always a great performer. My hopes are that he still has many more years to come. Excellent release!

  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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A Tribute To Les Paul: Live From Universal Studios Hollywood coming 9/8

A Tribute To Les Paul: Live From Universal Studios Hollywood coming to DVD on September 8th A live concert tribute to the "godfather of the electric guitar" Les Paul,  featuring the world's best guitarists.

With a legendary career as a hit-making musician, solid-body electric guitar trailblazer, and an inventor of unprecedented recording techniques, he has impacted and influenced the many facets of the music industry like none other. Filmed live at what was then the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on February 8, 2006, A Tribute To Les Paul: Live From Universal Studios Hollywood gives viewers a front row seat for an unforgettable night of powerhouse performances, as some of music's biggest names come together to honor the ultimate icon. The night is headlined by show-stopping numbers from an all-star slate of Paul disciples, that includes Slash and Edgar Winter teaming up on the Stevie Wonder staple "Superstition;" Toto axeman Steve Lukather's rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing;" and Joe Perry and Buddy Guy closing the night with a soulful blues set. Other highlights include spirited performances by Joe Satriani, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Neal Schon, and more. As part of the night's festivities, A Tribute To Les Paul: Live From Universal Studios Hollywood also features rare commentary taken from several of Paul's final interviews recorded at New York's landmark Iridium Jazz Club, as well as at Paul's home in Mahwah, New Jersey. The special event was held to raise funds and awareness for the South Central charity A Place Called Home, designed to give at-risk youth a safe and secure environment they can thrive in. The program is produced by Icon Television Music, Inc., HD Net (now AXSTV), and In Touch Entertainment and distributed by MVD Entertainment Group. The award-winning production team includes Charles Carlini ("Les Paul's 90th Birthday Concert at Carnegie Hall"), Bob Cutarella ("Les Paul & Friends"), Howard Lipp ("Les Paul 90th Birthday Concert at Gibson Amphitheater"), and Glenn Aveni ("Les Paul Chasing Sound"). Michael Braunstein, Executive Director of the Les Paul Foundation stated, "It is without a doubt that Les Paul is the 'Father of Modern Music' and that musicians from every corner of the globe and in every genre of the music industry stand upon his shoulders. He was an inventor, an award-winning musician, an innovator and most importantly a very special man I also had the privilege of calling my friend. The artists and producers who have made this tribute program possible give us every reason to remember that Les Paul was a man who influenced our music industry profoundly. I am thrilled that viewers everywhere will have the chance to witness his greatest through the performances and storytelling of this wonderful program." To pre-order the DVD go HERE. # # # C L I N T   W E I L E R Director of Publicity, Marketing, & Merch Development MVD Entertainment Group 610.665.2012           Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Shop

Buddy Guy's "Born To Play Guitar" Nominated For Two Grammy's

We are delighted to announce that Buddy Guy's "Born To Play Guitar" is nominated for two Grammy's - "Best American Roots Performance" and "Best Blues Album" - in the 58th Annual GRAMMY awards. The complete nomination slate is at http://www.grammy.com/nominees.

Buddy Guy to Headline the Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival Sept. 12 & 13

The 39th Annual Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival returns to Johnson’s Beach & Resort in Guerneville, CA on September 12 & 13, 2015. Two great festivals over one weekend – voted Best Music Festival in Sonoma Country by the readers of the North Bay Bohemian. Join us for a weekend of incredible music, dancing, wine tasting and loads of fun! Headlining the Blues Day on Sunday, September 13th will be the legendary award winning Blues icon, Buddy Guy, alongside friends Taj Mahal Trio, Jackie Greene and more! Music fans can purchase Single Day & Weekend Passes to the festival and enjoy 2 stages of jazz, blues and roots music over 2 days at Johnson’s Beach – a beautiful venue surrounded by California Redwoods. The festival also features a Wine Garden with tastings from local wineries, a variety of craft & merchandise vendors plus an eclectic food court. Tickets are available through www.russianriverfestivals.tix.com or by calling the Box Office at (707) 869-1595.

Silvertone/RCA Records artist: Buddy Guy - Born To Play Guitar - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Born To Play The Blues, from Buddy Guy and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Born To Play Guitar, Guy starts at his roots with a primitive blues track with basic blues picking supplemented by Rob McNelley on resonator and Guy on strat and super blues vocals. Terrific start! Wear You Out is a great boogie featuring Billy Gibbons trading vocals and guitar riffs with Guy. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelley on guitar, Kevin McKendree on Clav and Glenn Worf on bass this track rocks! Classic styling on Back Up Mama features McNelley on slide and Guy on strat trading riffs. Buddy is just such an exceptional performer and his vocals are tight. His calling card frenzied guitar riffs kick this track in the back side giving it that extra punch and McKendree's piano is tight. Kim Wilson joins Guy on swing track, Too Late. His harp riffs blend nicely with Guy's vocals. Whiskey, Beer & Wine has a great groove driven by Doyle Bramhall II, McNelley, Hambridge and Michael Rhodes (on bass). Reese Wynans lays in some real nice B3 and Clav and Guy switches off to an uncharacteristic ES335 for a rounder tone blending nicely with his vocals. Shuffle track, Kiss Me Quick, shows some of Guy's best vocals on the release and his guitar tone from the 335 have a real nice roundness. Kim Wilson adds some hot harp riffs and McKendree's piano work is hot! Crying Out Of One Eye is a cool track with a trace riff from Otis Rush. With an overall R&B feel, this track has a clever concept in title. It reminds me of something that I supposedly said to my parents when I was a kid "I'm laughing on the outside but crying on the inside" as I was taking my punishment for a bad deed. Guys uses the one eye crying for the foolishness of someone who really doesn't hurt. I really like it. With it's almost BB King like guitar riffs and backed by the Muscle Shoals Horns this track packs a punch. On classic R&B track, Baby You Got What It Takes, Guy is joined by Joss Stone and her vocals are clear and sweet as honey. I'm not a big "star collaboration" guy, but Stone has joined another of my favorites, Jeff Beck, on his performances and in both cases she has shown not to be just a calling card on a piece of paper but a real cool singer who can hold her own with the real heavyweights. Turn Me Wild has a real nice strut with Guy nicely punctuating his own vocals on guitar and Billy Cox driving the groove on bass. Some of the slickest guitar work on the release is on this track with Guy taking his strat for a nice walk. Crazy World is an easy soulful ballad with Reese Wynans holding the course with B3 and Guy just singing his guts out. Short meaningful guitar work by Guy is smooth and articulate with a lot of grip. Smarter Than I Was has a vibrant rhythm part by Hambridge, and a cool underlying guitar part by Rob McNelley... and crisp guitar bursts from Guy set this track on fire. Excellent! The big R&B hammer is dropped with Thick Like Mississippi Mud. "Good Whiskey and Women"... shoot...you got me already! Guy gets into one of his classic grooves (Think Damn Right I've Got The Blues) and there's no holding him back. Guy works up a real guitar frenzy on this track literally blowing the lid off! McKendree on piano, Worf on bass and the Muscle Shoals Horns prod him along and he responds with flames! Easy going ballad, Flesh & Bone, in concert with Van Morrison is a nice ballad of both men's style. Trading lead vocal spots, this is probably (after Thick) the most radio likely track on the release. Thick because of it's power and F&B because of it's natural tenderness and melodic sensibilities. Wrapping the release is Come Back Muddy, a stripped down blues number featuring Wymans on upright piano, Bramhall II on 12 string, Michael Rhodes on electric bass and Guy on acoustic guitar and vocal. Classic blues chords and lines give it a primitive feel but it's "modern Guy" getting into a real nice acoustic groove with tight guitar solo's. The release is opened in easy style and closed in easy style. This is a really nice release from Guy and one with a lot of heart. Check it out!

   

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”