Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jubu , by Jubu Smith and it's a super blend of soul, funk, jazz and blues. Opening with super funky, Hamster Wheel, Jubu Smith on lead guitar pairs with guitar master Charlie Hunter on his hybrid guitar and tight drum work by Calvin Napper on drums. Spinning the top on guitar and with Hunter really working a hot bass line, this is an energetic opener. Kwik-Way Nostalgia is a cool, laid back track with Hunter working the rhythm from the bottom and Smith and Napper playing it straight with it's easy melody and clean, bluesy, articulation. Organizations Sake has a great funky bottom with Napper and Hunter really spanking it along. Smith takes a WW Washington blues (or JG Watson if you prefer) approach with poised phrasing giving the track real spark. EG Is Here is a really cool merger between funk and soul giving it a funky turn on BB King. Hunter and Smith, joined by Eric Gales, really craft a great track here wit...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, When The Levee Breaks , from Candice Ivory , and it's a updated rework of the music of Memphis Minnie. Opening with Me And My Chauffeur , Candice Ivory has a different kind of voice that I typically hear in contemporary blues singers but with plenty of sass. Joined by guitar/bass wizard, Charlie Hunter, Da Shawn Hickman on pedal steel and George Sluppick on drums this is a cool opener. I really like the application of African style percussion by Brevan Hampden and Atibe Rorie on You Can't Rule Me continuing throughout the track with Kickman on steel and Sluppick, all supporting to focused vocal of Ivory. When You Love Me has a more traditional feel with Hunter on finger picked guitar and Ivory just singing from the heart. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funk soaked World Of Trouble . Not only does Hunter and Hickman really get this thing going and potent percussion backing but Ivory digs dee...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everybody's Buddy , by Nic Clark and it's strong. Opening with lazy shuffle, Laughing At The Rain , Nic Clark shows a warm voice, backing himself on dobro and accompanying himself on harmonica. Joined by Charlie Hunter on guitar and bass and George Sluppick on drums, this track has definite air potential. With an R&B feel, It'll Be Alright sounds like it's out of Sam Cooke's songbook. Harmonica, nicely phrased, warm vocal lead, Hunter's bass line and Sluppick with rimshots makes this a really nice track. Showing Jimmy Reed style on Don't Count Yourself Out , Clark's vocal and harmonica really solidify as the most focused up tempo blues track on the release with Hunter and Sluppick just adding the bottom for Clark's work. Very nice. My favorite track on the release, How I Met The Blues really is a showcase for Clark's vocal and harmonica work with some beautiful guitar chords by ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Gotta Have It , from Tia Carroll , and I really like it. Opening with Neo soul track, Ain't Nobody Worryin' Tia Carroll really has this release humming from the start. With guitar phenom, Charlie Hunter handling bass and guitar (at the same time) D'Mar on drums, Jim Pugh on organ and Carroll on lead vocal with James Walter and Dwayne Morgan on backing vocals, this track is hot. Carroll's vocals are so soulful on Even When I'm Not Alone , it makes you sweat. With Pugh's organ work, Kid Andersen on guitars, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Paul Revelli on drums, a strong track. With real blues swagger, Mama Told Me plays into the power of Carroll's voice with Andersen laying in some stinging guitar riffs over the power horns work of Mike Runta on trombone, Rob Sudduth on tenor sax, and Aaron Lington on bari sax. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Why Am I Treated So Bad with it's dark soulful soun...

UPCOMING TOUR DATES It's that time of year again and Charlie is BACK in the Bay Area! Accompanied by Scott Amendola on drums, the duo will be hitting spots all over the Bay Area, including a very special seated show at The Independent. Don't miss opener Bhi Bhiman who will kick off the night in Petaluma, Sac, SF, SLO, and Santa Barbara! For more details and to purchase tickets, please see below. CHARLIE HUNTER SOLO 'PUBLIC DOMAIN' Not since Solo Eight-String Guitar a decade ago has Charlie made a recording of just him and his guitar. This time, he's down to 7-strings and is performing songs that are all public domain. The songs were all hand-picked by Charlie's grandfather! "I was into doing a solo record for some time and just hit on the public domain idea. I figured I'd ask someone who actually remembered the tunes from his youth: My grandfather, Sidney Greenman. He was born in 1911 (yep, he's 99). ...

Think you've seen it all...note that there isn't a bass player...this guy is doing it all. First coming to prominence in the early 1990s, Hunter has recorded 17 albums. Hunter plays custom-made seven and eight-string guitars, on which he simultaneously plays basslines, rhythm guitar, and solos. Critic Sean Westergaard describes Hunter's guitar technique as "mind-boggling ... he's an agile improviser with an ear for great tone, and always has excellent players alongside him in order to make great music, not to show off." Shown here is a custom "Charlie Hunter" model by Novax Guitars. Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE