Bman's Blues Report

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter D.K. Harrell , one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence , sounds like no one else on the scene today. With his stinging, single note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention grabbing original songs, the 27 year old Harrel - a major draw at blues festivals around the world is already in a league of his own.  🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM (Click the Track Number) ▶ Listen to Album Samples - Click the track number (Click to Expand) Add this Record to Your Collection Available in CD/Vinyl and Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. The Deep Dive Bursting into the release with a stinging guitar intro on A Little Taste , D.K. Harrell has a no holds barred approach with trem bends that will set you shaking. His vocals are...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standin' Pat , from The Lucky Losers w/ Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz and it's an interesting mix of rock, blues, funk and soul (and more). Opening with Pack Up The Bags , a rag fused pop track with a bluesy edge, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz harmonize on vocals and Berkowitz lays in some nice harmonica, backed by Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and Jon Otis on drums. Also featured are Kid Andersen on lead guitar, Mike Rinta on trombone, Michael Peloquin on tenor sax, and Brian Catania on trumpet. Swamp funky, Somewhere In The Middle has a terrific bottom courtesy of Tarczy and Otis and featuring Berkowitz on vocal and guitar is one of my favorite tracks on the release. A solid R&B track, Down In Memphis Town has the strong bones of a 60's radio hit. Lemons has the lead on another of my favorite tracks on the release with cool slide and organ work by Andersen. Soulful ballad, They Wrecked...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blind Spot , from The Lucky Losers and it may be their best one yet. Opening with It's Never Too Early , a melodic two stepper featuring nicely blended vocals by Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz, backed by Ian Lamson on guitars, Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and Robi Bean on drums. Take The Long Road is a real cool track with an Al Green strut. Lemons' vocals are spot on, with Laura Chavez on lead guitar and Berkowitz harp contributions are notable. Alligator Baptism is a cool blues rocker with a pinch of Latin spice courtesy of D'mar on percussion and the addition of Kid Andersen on lead guitar, Jack Sanford on bari sax and Nancy Wright on sax. Another strong track, The River , this time country soul really nicely showcases Lemons' voice which sounds a lot like Susan Tedeschi. Lamson's slide work and harp work by Berkowitz add nicely to this really solid entry. With a cyclical bass line...

The Lucky Losers Deal Winning CD, Blind Spot , on May 18 from Dirty Cat Records San Francisco’s Finest Male/Female Duet-Fronted Band Delivers the Goods with Soul and Style on Their Third Album SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Veteran blues vocalists Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz, aka The Lucky Losers, deliver a soulful ‘60s retro sound on their third CD, Blind Spot , coming May 18 on Dirty Cat Records, distributed through CD Baby. Watch a video about recording the new CD here: Recorded at award-winning Greaseland Studios (John Nemeth, Wee Willie Walker, Billy Price) in San Jose, California, Blind Spot continues The Lucky Losers’ long-standing relationship with acclaimed producer/engineer, Kid Andersen. Bringing back the lost art of the vocal duet, the album is solely comprised of original material created by Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz alongside their illustrious and multi-talented songwriting partner, Danny Caron (Charles Brown). Blind Sp...

I just received the newest release, A Winning Hand , from The Lucky Losers featuring Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz . Opening with Change In The Weather , a bluesy pop track, with just a touch of funk. Phil and Cathy share lead vocals and Michael Peloquin (sax), Tom Poole (trumpet) and Mike Rinta (trombone) add a nice horn section. Upbeat rocker, I Take What I Want , features a nice harp solo from Phil and drums with Robi Bean. Jimmy Rogers' What Have I Done , is up next with a cool easy swing beat. Cathy and Phil share lead vocals and Chris Burns carries the load on piano. Title track and southern rocker, A Winning Hand , features Steve Freund on lead guitar. This track has a familiar feel like a blend of (Sweet Home Alabama, Werewolf of London and Last Dance with Mary Jane). Suicide By Love has a primary bluesy jazz feel. Joe Kyle on upright bass and Jay Hansen on drums set the stage and Chris Burns lays down a nice sheet of piano. Lemons takes the lead on vocal and this may b...

I just received the most recent release (3.25.14), Black Crow ,from Cathy Lemons and it covers a lot of bases. Opening with upbeat R&B style track, I'm A Good Woman , written by Kim Wilson, Lemons flexes her laid back bluesy voice over solid bass from Paul Olguin and drums from Robbie Bean. O'Kanes penned, Ain't Gonna Do It has a much more country pop flavor showing lemons voice in it's most comfortable mode on the release. Title track, Black Crow , has a southern rock ballad sound, not unlike Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Boogie track, Hip Check Man , features some cool harp work from Stevie Gurr who also adds some spanky guitar riffs to this driving number. On slow blues ballad, You're In My Town Now , Lemons conjures up some really emotional feelings eliciting some excellent guitar work from Gurr and also a really super piano expression from Kevin Zuffi. This is my choice of best track on the release. Earl King's It All Went Down The Drain , has a re...