Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review Watch Me , the most recent release from Nina Massara and it's strong. Opening with title track, Watch Me , you are instantly drawn in to a New Orleans bounce, compliments Colin Brooks, Jens Runge and Malsgaard on guitar, Chris Moresh on bass, John Chipman on drums, Hans Nybo on sax, Peter Marott on trumpet, Morton Wittrock on keys and the vocal work of Nina Massara, Colin Brooks and Jens Runge. Another solid entry, Big Easy , has a real nice groove and slick, fat slide adding that special spice. With relentless beat, Impossible To Resist , is a guitar tapestry with super groove and fat slide riffs. Massara's sound blends Jack Johnson with Macy Gray. Excellent track! Wrapping the release is the saucy, Full Grown Woman , with cool muted trumpet , snappy New Orleans style drums, focused vocals and clean piano riffs. This is a cool release with a pop edge. Very nice.   If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents an...

I just received the new release, Mama Soul , from Janet Ryan and it's a mover! Janet has a powerful voice and her band is really terrific. Opening with He Burned That Bridge which features some great piano by Chuck Mabrey and crisp slide guitar work by Jerry Sartain backed by Steve Howard on trumpet, Terry Vieregge on bass and Lavell Jones on drums. A laid back jazzy tune, What I Like Best , shows some of the best facets of Ryan's voice. Mabrey takes a nice organ solo nicely balancing the track. On Tired Of Talking , Jeff Robbins (bari sax), Mike Sizer (tenor sax) and Howard on trumpet really fill out the bottom. Ray Chaput plays some funky guitar riffs on this track and Sizer takes a nice walk on his horn. Chaput takes a Santanaesque guitar intro on Mr Misery , a polished radio ballad. This is a bluesy track that really gives Chaput a nice stage to play some of the most blistering riffs on the disc. What Was I Thinking is a very solid ballad that should easily slip into rad...

CSP Records Signs Massachusetts-Based Singer Janet Ryan and Will Release Her New CD, Mama Soul , on April 16 DALLAS, TX – Texas-based CSP Records has announced the signing of soul/blues singer Janet Ryan and will release her label debut CD, Mama Soul , on April 16. Ryan will kick off her tour in support of the new album with a special show on April 18 at Theodore’s Booze, Blues and BBQ in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mama Soul showcases Janet Ryan’s powerfully soulful voice on a “baker’s dozen” 13 tracks of mostly original material, along with her unique take on the Sippie Wallace blues chestnut, “Women Be Wise.” The majority of the new CD was recorded at Audio Dallas Recording Studio in Garland, Texas, and produced by Jimmy Rogers and Paul Osborn; with two songs recorded at The Tone Zone in Holyoke, Massachusetts and produced by Ryan. The sessions feature Ryan supported by her long-time backing group, The Straight Up Band, as well as by members of the for...