Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wanderlust , from Justin Howl and it shows a unique blend of country, blues, rock and folk. Opening with Interstate 55 , Justin Howl wastes no time in getting things going. With his fleet fingered guitar vamp and his harmonica answer, Howl takes command vocally with the presence of a seasoned veteran. Sweet Babe is 3/4 time will have you stompin' your foot in concert with Howl's firm guitar rhythm and his harmonica riffs perfectly frame his story telling vocals. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is I Must Confess with it's driving rhythm and Dylan like vocal delivery. His detailed harmonica playing is a great accent to this track. Title track, Wanderlust, has a lot of zest with traces of country and modern composers such as Frank Black. This track moves like the wind and feels like a cool breeze in your hair. With quick paced guitar accompaniment and howling harmonica, this has a strong melod...

I just received the newest release, Turn Up!! , from the Mike Wheeler Band , and it cranks! Opening with high energy R&B style blues number, Sweet Girl , Wheeler leads the way with his silky vocals on call and his guitar on response. Brian James on organ lays out a real nice solo and Wheeler follows with a energetic solo, backed by Larry Williams on bass, Cleo Cole on drums and great horn work by Kenny Anderson on trumpet and Hank Ford on sax. Another modern fusion of R&B and blues follows on You Won't Do Right , showing that Wheeler's vocals are every bit as solid as his guitar work. Funky, Yeah! , has a real nice feel with James' keyboard work and a lot of punch from the horns. Wheeler takes a real nice ride on his strat with just a minimal amount of wah on his sound. Very cool! Heavy bottomed, Brand New Cadillac , is one of my favorites on the release with a lot of rhythmic swagger and powerful blues rock guitar riffs. Excellent! Shuffle track, Talking To Myse...

I just received the self titled release, Corey Dennis Band and it's way cool! Opening with Getcha' Pull! , Dennison, who has an incredible voice and also manages lead guitar is joined by Gerry Hundt on guitar and organ, Nik Skilnik on bass and Joel Baer on drums. This opening track has a little bit of rural country flavor with an easy picking rhythm but his vocals are truly off the hook! On Tugboat Blues the track oozes Chicago with a hint of Mud and a Hint of Elmo. I like Dennison's open guitar styling with a cool understated strut. Excellent! The Deacon is a high stepper with a funky underbelly. Just listen to this guy sing. Firm guitar riffs and a driving bass and drum lines carry Dennison proudly on it's shoulders. Room To Breathe is a laid back R&B style track that is bound to hit the airwaves (and encourage lots of couples to the dance floor). Very cool! City Lights also has a funky R&B carriage and Dennison not only sings the blues, he picks it we...

Chicago-Based Blues and Roots Singer/Guitarist  Christian Collin Embraces the Spirit of the Blues on New CD, Coming July 10 on C-Train Records CHICAGO, IL – Christian Collin announces a July 10 release date for Spirit of the Blues , the new CD from the Chicago-based singer, guitarist and songwriter devoted to blues and American roots music. Produced by Christian Collin and Grammy Award-winning engineer Brian Leach and recorded at Joyride Studio in Chicago,  Spirit of the Blues pays homage to his blues heroes while leaving a musical mark all his own. On the album’s dozen all-original songs, Christian is backed by his longtime road band featuring Alex Evans on bass and Chris Morrow on drums. He is joined by notable guest musicians Billy Branch and Mathew Skoller on harmonica; and Johnny Iguana on piano and organ.  Rounding out the package is Pete Galanis from Howard and the White Boys on slide guitar, Jen Williams on background vocals and Rodney Brown and...

Chicago’s Southern Blues and R&B singer, Theo Huff was raised by his Mississippi mother and grandmother. Both women gave him high principles and values that he holds today. At an early age his mother encourage him to sing at church. Theo Huff at an early age had the pleasure to perform on the same stage with the likes of Koko Taylor, Bobby Rush, Harold Melvin,s Blue notes, Gene Chandler, Willie Clayton, Denise Lasalle, Albertina Walker, Garland Green, Darius Brook, and Ms. Millie Jackson. When he became a member of the Black Ensemble Theater, musical director, Jimmy Tillman took Huff under his wing. This experience enhanced his energetic personality in showing strong emotions that captivate his audience. He only recently begun to hone a proper nightclub act. He received nominations for most promising Actor, and best featured Actor for “That Sensuous Seductive. His blend of traditional and the contemporary is the cause of his success performance at The Liri Blues Festival in Ita...

I just received the newest release, Bad Attitude , from Johnny Drummer and it's really good. Opening with funky R&B style Is It Love Or Is It Lust , with James Brown style and nice horn backing from Rodney "Hotrod" Brown on sax and Kenny Anderson on trumpet. On Chicago style blues track, Drummer has a familiar story with Another Rooster Is Pecking My Hen . A clever lyric and warm horn basics make this a cool track. Drummer takes a nice harp solo on this track and Anthony Palmer is right in there with some slick riffs on guitar. Bit Her In The Butt has a real cool funky feel along the lines of JG Watson. Title track Bad Attitude is a cool shuffle track leading off with Palmer laying down an easy stroll. Drummer has a nice delivery on vocal and Palmer keeps the riffs coming making this a real natural track. Make You Happy has a R&B feel in the most traditional sense. Authentic era horns bring up the rear and although Drummer doesn't have Al Green's voic...

I just received the newest release (October 15, 2013), Aint No More Love In This House , from Lou Pride and it's solid soul. This,the final recording from Pride was just recorded prior to his death in June of 2012. Opening with the title track, Ain't No More Love In This House , Pride establishes that he he was a force to be reckoned with. This is a richly vocal backed track featuring Christal Rheams, Paige Martin and Daryl Duff and horns by Kenny Rittenhouse (trumpet and flugelhorn), Liesl Whitaker (trumpet and flugelhorn), Morgan Price (Sax) and Reginald Cyntje (trombone). On I Didn't Take Your Woman , Pride gets a solid groove going vocally and Benjie Porecki on keys along with the horn section provide a smokey backdrop for the lead work and crisp guitar work of Johnny Moeller. Steve Gomes lays down a very cool bass line keeping this track rolling tight. Speaking the intro to Take It Slow , Pride walks you into his smooth soul groove and envelopes you with the warmth ...

I just received the newest release, Might Just Get Lucky , from Deb Ryder and it's smokin'! Opening with Get A Grip , Kirk Fletcher pulls out some super riffs and Ryder shows her incredibly rich pipes. Larry David steps up on harp blowing a cool 8 and Ryder keeps a firm "Grip" on this track, shuffle style. On Blue Collar Blues , Ryder takes us on a swingin' ride and Albert Lee adds his own guitar wizardry to the mix. Brad Swanson on drums and Paul Kenedy on bass round out the mix. Greasy shuffle, Really Gone is a real hot potato with sassy vocal work from Ryder and great guitar response from Fletcher. Stan Behrens takes the harp on this track and a nice job he does. Fletcher shows why he is a wildly requested session man playing some really cool solo work on this track. Somber ballad, Might Just Get Lucky , takes an easy pace reflecting the jazzy side of the blues. Ryder has the opportunity to show the more reflective side of her work and this track is very st...

  Harmony Bar & Grill in Madison Presents: HOWARD AND THE WHITE BOYS One Show Only - Saturday, October 26      (MADISON, WI) - The Harmony Bar & Grill  presents "Chicago's Hardest-Working Blues Band," Howard and the White Boys,  for one show only, Saturday, October 26. 9:45 p.m. $8. Located at 2201 Atwood Ave., Madison. Info: (608) 249-3333 or log onto www.harmonybarandgrill.com .   The longtime Chicago blues band recently recorded their long-awaited new album (and follow-up to the critically-acclaimed " Made In Chicago" ) at Rosas' Lounge in  Chicago, scheduled for a late-2013 release date. Read more about it here: http://www.examiner.com/article/howard-and-the-white-boys-recording-live-cd-at-rosa-s-lounge-chicago?CID=examiner_alerts_article.   The veteran blues quartet continue to perform through out the U.S., bringing audiences to their feet and out onto the dance floor - much as they ...

LZ Love is a vocalist, percussionist and songwriter; Born in Chicago, back to Louisiana at age 3, then raised in Berkeley California. As so many great American singers have, LZ began singing gospel in a southern church…at age five. Having sung and toured with a long list of icons including Mary Wells, Joan Armatrading, Billy Preston (the 5th Beatle), Parliament Funkadelic, Luther Vandross and Stephen Marley, her credentials are impressive. A favorite of Tommy Castro and Michael Franti, her voice appears on their releases, as does theirs on her CD. LZ Love’s s solo career began in 1995 when her song Lift Me Up reached number two on the European dance charts. Mainly known for her back-up vocals and co lead vocals, LZ has had the pleasure to record with many great artists. LZ made a name for herself with releases in the UK of her dance singles from 1999 to 2005. When residing in London, LZ’s dance-music career was interrupted by the severe illness of her mother. After caring for her dy...

            "Chicago's Hardest-Working Blues Band...For Over Two Decades!"                               Lotta Blues-za, Indeed!:   Howard & The White Boys Performing At Lotta Blues-za Festival              Friday, August 16 - at LaPorte County Fairgrounds      (LaPorte, IN ) - The Dog Days of Summer are upon us, but the music is still rockin' full-steam with "Chicago's Hardest-Working Blues Band," Howard and the White Boys, set to perform locally at the Lotta Blues-za Festival , LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 W. State Rd. 2, LaPorte, Friday, August 16. 6 pm-1 am. $10. advance, $15. day of show. Info: (219) 229-0775 or http://www.lottabluesza.com/intro.cfm. Also appearing is popula...

I just received a copy of Live At The Hermosa Saloon by Phil Gates and it's really tasty! Opening with Addicted to The Blues , Gates hauls out a basic shuffle with a nice swing. Supple vocals and sassy guitar riffs define this track. On Messin' With The Kid , Gates stays close to the original arrangement and a nice organ solo by Morris Beeks opens the door for some hot rippin guitar work. Ron Battle leads Away I Go with a funky bass line. Vocal harmonies define this track which has a bit of a pop line but doesn't limit the instrumental interludes on keys and guitar. Keith Williams keeps the beat tight on drums throughout. Gates takes Allman like free flowing guitar solo's complimenting the track nicely. You Used Me Up is a cool R&B style track along the lines of You Hurt Me Too. Again , Beeks steps up with a full organ solo and the barn door flies open letting the slide out. Absolutely rippin slide solo's really trigger this track and are like molasses for ...

Maurice John Vaughn (born May 10, 1952) is an American blues musician from Chicago, Illinois. He is a guitarist, saxophonist, keyboardist and singer. Vaughn began playing professionally in 1968 as a saxophonist in Chicago R&B groups. He recorded with The Chosen Few in 1976, and played and recorded with Phil Guy, went on tour in Canada in 1979. He played as a sideman with Luther Allison, Son Seals, Junior Wells, Valerie Wellington, and A.C. Reed. His debut solo record was 1984's Generic Blues Album, released in plain white packaging on his own Reecy Records record label; Alligator Records reissued it in 1987. In the 1990s, Vaughn played with Detroit Junior, but spent much of his time working in A&R for Appaloosa Records, and produced albums by Shirley Johnson, Zoom, Maxine Carr, B.J. Emery, and Velvet McNair. Vaughn and his band backed up Detroit Junior on the latter's two releases on Blue Suit Records, "Turn Up The Heat" and "Take Out The Time." ...

Richard "Rip Lee" Pryor is the son of the legendary Snooky Pryor. He was born in Chicago in 1958. At a very young age he started playing his dad's discarded harmonicas, mimicking his dad's records. Rip played guitar in several local soul bands while in high school. In 1994 he started playing guitar with his dad netting a CD recording "Mind Your Own Business" and a Japan tour. Rip formed several blues bands in the Carbondale area singing and blowing harmonica. He recorded a CD in 1998, "Pitch a Boogie Woogie" then Rip eventually got into doing a solo act playing guitar and harmonica. With the hassle of music and a day job he got out of the music business in 2000. After retiring from his day job and a bout with bone marrow cancer in 2010, Rip is back and very strong. Rip has been working steady with his One Man Blues Show and has taken two South American tours and scheduling a tour for Europe in 2013.   If you support live Blues acts, up and co...

I just received the new release, A Sunshine State Of Mind , from  The Soul of John Black and it's really enjoyable. John A. Bigham, playing most of the parts as singer, songwriter and instrumentalist really delivers a nice package here. Opening with Magic Woman a rock/R&B style track, JB provides a solid package with a catchy hook and snappy beat. Echoing his voice with layers of backing vocals and lead guitar melody, this is a track that easily find it's way to the airwaves. Beautiful Day is a great soul track with a certain Al Green feel... excellent! East LA Lady has an uptempo club beat but not venturing far from the soul thread established by Marvin Gaye. Higher Power is another soul ballad again with an Al Green style structure. No real question where influences come from here. My thoughts, listen to masters to make masterful music. Johnny Bear (Give It To Me) , is another high energy dance track with R&B rhythms. I know that I make references to legendary ...

I just received a copy of the new release, Blues In My Soul , by Lurrie Bell and it certainly lives up to my high expectations. Bell is one of those guys that continuously puts out great music! Opening with T-Bone Walker's Hey Hey Baby , a really strutting blues track bringing to mind Albert Collins and Gatemouth Brown, Bell plays some sting riffs backed by Marques Carroll on trumpet, Chris Neal and Mark Hiebert on sax and strong key work from Roosevelt Purifoy. Blues In My Soul is a great slow blues track allowing Bell the opportunity to bare his soul, both vocally and on the fretboard.... excellent! On Bill Broonzy's I Feel So Good , Matt Skoller adds really cool harp riffs leading the way for Bell to swing. She's A Good "Un has a real smooth groove and Bells syncopation on his solo on this track is particularly effective. On 'Bout The Break Of Day , Bell really digs in on the intro making you sweat just listening. This is a great track featuring Bell but al...

I just received the new release, Double Dare from Frank Bang & The Secret Stash . Bash, an ex Buddy Guy band member delivers his 5th release and it's quite unpredictable and interesting. Opening with the title track, Double Dare , Bang has the joint rockin. Having traces of Rory Gallagher and Jimi Hendrix, Bang plays some wicked slide. Burnin' Up The Wind is a cool modern blues rock track with traces of Willie Dixon. Russ Green plays some drifting blues riffs on harp and Bang sings the blues complimented by nice slide work. Next up is Lose Control demonstrates a unconventional approach to the blues such as that shown by Chris Duarte or Eric Gales. Bang has a sound all his own with hot horn interludes from Greg Ward and interesting guitar work.. God Fearin' Man is a great blues rocker with a crisp drum rhythm by Bobby Spelbring and continuing a strong set of driving blues rock tracks. Wonder Woman has a more solitary sound featuring excellent vocals and resonator sl...

  The Planetary Blues Band   Announce The Release Of Their New Album, "Once Upon A Time In The South Loop" Perform Live: Buddy Guy's Legends - Wednesday, May 15   (CD Release Party)       (Chicago, IL) -  Rising blues-rock ensemble The Planetary Blues Band , celebrate the release of their new album, Once Upon A Time In The South Loop ," with a CD Release Party at Buddy Guys Legends , 700 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Wednesday, May 15. 9:30 p.m. $10. Info: (312) 427-1190 or log onto https://www.facebook.com/events/440327829379607/?ref=ts fref=ts . The band considers Legends their 'home-away-from-home' - gigging at the famed blues venue regularly the last few years to large crowds.      Other upcoming show dates: CD Release Party at The Franklin House in Valparaiso (Friday, June 7); Buddy Guy's Legends (Friday, June 28); Leroy's Hot Stuff in Porter (Friday, August 9).  ...