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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Showing posts with label Cleopatra Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleopatra Records. Show all posts
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues For A King, from BB King's daughter, Shirley King and it's jam packed with blues and legends. Opening with Joe Louis Walker's All Of My Lovin' , King is up front on lead vocal backed by Walker on guitar and Jurgen Engler on guitar, bass and drums. Holding firm on a R&B setup, King sets a straight 60's styling radio track. With super guitar work by Elvin Bishop under King's bluesy vocals, I Did You Wrong has a cool shuffle beat and a tight bottom. An unexpected rock gem, Steve Winwood's Can't Find My Way Home features Martin Barre with some excellent guitar and is one of my favorites and also possibly King's best vocal effort on the release. Gallow Pole maintains it's folk roots but with a rock edge and underlying guitar work by Harvey Mandel with really is a strong compliment. A rework of a Jr Wells track features vocal and harp by Wells, adding guitar by Walker, bass by Engler and strong vocal leads by King. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Etta James' At last using the conventional arrangement and featuring Kings own vocals. With the addition of Steve Cropper on guitar, a solid closer.
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Comin' On, by Joe Louis Walker, and it's a great blend of Blues, Soul, R&B and Rock musical styles. Opening with Feed The Poor, a funky blues rocker, Walker joins with legendary Jorma Kaukonen on lead guitar who brings a ragged edge to this otherwise soulful track. With John Bradford on bass, Dorian Randolph on bass, Juma Sultan on percussion and Bruce Katz on organ this is a strong opener. Carla Cooke contributes lead vocal on Someday, Someway, a real nice soulful blues ballad. Her vocals, backed by Walker, on guitar and vocal, and with Lee Oskar on harmonica, Eric Finland on piano, Randolph on drums and John Bradford, this is definitely one of my favorites on the release. Keb' Mo on slide guitar and John Sebastian on harp join Walker on 12 string laying down a real nice shuffle, Old Time Used To Be. Backed by Katz on piano, Scott Petito on bass, Randolph on drums and Sultan on percussion this track has a great feel. I love the heavy bottom funk on Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man featuring Bradford on bass and Randolph on drums. Walker has the lead vocal on this one and does a great job with Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Rick Estrin on harp and Katz on organ. Nice and funky. Another soulful ballad, Awake Me, Shake Me, featuring Cooke and Walker on lead vocal has real power with Walker really digging in on guitar. Very nice. With a real James Brown "boogaloo" beat, Uptown In Harlem features solid drumming by Byron Case and Jellybean Johnson winding it out on lead guitar under Walkers lead vocal. Cool. Wrapping the release is 7&7 Is, an Arthur Lee track with an early rock feel, featuring Charlie Harper on lead vocal and Arlen Roth on lead guitar. Roth slows this hypnotic pace down with some of the nicest blues riffs on the release, making is a solid closer.
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Here To Make You Feel Good, from Arthur Adams and it's solid gold. Opening with Tear the House Down, a funky track with a definite dance feel, features Adams on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Ronnie Laws on sax, David Leach on percussion, Reggie McBride on bass, Hense Powell on keys, and James Gadson on drums. Smooth, Latin influenced R&B style track, Pretty Lady has a real nice melody and with Freddie Washington on bass. Adams gets his guitar "singing" with Santana like flair over the strong percussion of Gadson. Very nice. Adams puts in a particularly strong vocal effort on radio track, Forgive Me. The addition of Lee Thornberg and Lester Lovett on trumpet, as well as Bill Bergman on sax gives the track an overall warmer feel and Adams' jazzy guitar lead shines. My personal favorite on the release is excellent blues number, By Myself, with BB King styling. Adams is strong vocally and on guitar with Thornberg, Lovett and Bergman on horns making it feel like a fresh new friend. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a cool instrumental shuffle, Little Dab'll Do Ya, featuring Adams jamming over the heat with Gadson, Powell and Washington. Solid closer for a fun 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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Viva Las Vegas Live from Joe Louis Walker and it's really great! Opening with I'm Not Messing Around, a rolling blues rocker, Walker has lead vocal and guitar with the super Bruce Bears on piano, Lenny Bradford on bass Dorian Randolph on drums. Walkers guitar riffs are scorching and crisp and Bears' piano tight and precise. Excellent opener. Into low slung shuffle, Young Girls Blues, Walker's vocals are rich and Bears' piano work is grand. I have admired Bears' work for a long time and it's always super to hear him live where he can stretch a bit. Very nice. Ok...you want Walker. You want guitar and here it is! Sugar Mama, a slower blues number with extended guitar soloing. Walker has excellent chops and most of you already know and this track gives him the opportunity to let it all hang out... or should I say, he's more than 6 minute into the track before he starts to sing...think about that! Also showing excellent harmonica chops, and with strong piano reinforcement by Bears and the steady bottom by Bradford and Randolph, this is an absolute showstopper and it's just begun. There's a great low fret intro on Do You Love Me, a solid blues rocker with plenty of kick. Walker is showing clearly that he can do it all. With it's New Orleans kind of funk, Soldier For Jesus has a terrific feel and Walker is nicely backed vocally by Bears, Bradford and Randolph as his slide guitar playing is fat and rich. Excellent! You Don't Love Me Girl is a cool Latin jazz infused number and Bears gets a chance to really let the organ loose. Playing nicely off of Walkers guitar lead and the strong support of Bradford and Randolph, this is a really cool track. Cool boogie track, Too Drunk To Drive Drunk is another favorite with a great driving bottom and Walker's vocals riding high. Bears and Walker both got the chance to let loose and they are on fire. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Like It This Way with it's (fast) walking bass line and flaming hot guitar lead. Bears winds it up again and then as customary with many top performers bassist Bradford gets a chance to show his stuff. His solo is melodic and leads nicely into a drum showcase for Randolph. Walker returns and takes it home with his showcase style. No one could have left here without a smile on their face. Excellent show!
BTW... this is a DVD which includes as cd. I can't wait to get home and watch this show live on the real system!
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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm Still Here- Big Jay Sings The Blues from Big Jay McNeely and it's solid old school blues. Opening with shuffle track, You Never Miss The Water with Big Jay on lead vocal and sax. Yep... Big Jay got the blues. On blues standard, Baby Please Don't Go, Big Jay sets a super groove on vocal followed by honking sax and tight guitar riffs. I really like boogie track, Once I Had A Woman, with John Lee like form and style and slide in the back. I Love To Feel Free has a real nice swing to it with Big Jay on lead vocal. Ringing slide and prime lead guitar riffs really set this track off nicely and Big Jays sax is fat and solid. Wrapping the release is Still Got A Long Way To Go with a solid bass line and real nice slide and lead guitar work behind Jay's vocals. This is
an excellent closer for a real nice posthumous release of McNelly's work.
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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Blues Legend Junior Wells “Box of Blues”
6CD Set To Be Released By Cleopatra Blues
Includes vintage studio recordings from
1953 to 1979 of Wells' best loved tracks PLUS never before released live
material from 1983 to 1997!
Los Angeles
- Cleopatra Blues is releasing a gorgeous 6CD box set celebrating a true
blues legend, the “Sexy Bitch” himself, Junior Wells! The release includes
vintage studio recordings from 1953 to 1979 of Wells' best loved tracks such as
“Messin' With The Kid,” “She's A Sweet One,” “Little By Little” and more PLUS
never before released live material from 1983 to 1997!
Packaged in a
custom made, genuine wood cigar box with 48-page booklet of extensive liner
notes by music journalist Dave Thompson and rare photos plus a mini harmonica
that really works!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Honkin' & Jivin' At The Palomino, from Big Jay McNeely and it's hot! Kicking down the door on the opener, Palomino Hop, McNeely has flames coming from his horn, backed by Marty Rifkin on pedal steel, Steve von Gelder on fiddle, Dale Watson on guitar, Ronnie Mack on guitar, Keith Rosier on bass and Billy Block on drums. Excellent! On Don Gibson's, I Can't Stop Loving You, McNeely set out a soulful rendition not unlike Ray Charles own arrangement. Pretty Girls Everywhere has a cool, sixties twist, beach sound with fiddle work by Gelder, Steel by Rifkin and Big Jay on vocal and sax. Shuffle track, Honky Tonk has extended instrumental lead from McNeely and Gelder plus a great pounding return. Very cool. Bluesy, Young Girl Blues is set deep with the best vocals by McNeely, and balanced soloing throughout. Wrapping the release is Big Jay Shuffle, and excellent closer with Big Jay honkin' out with swift pace. A crisp steel solo by Rifkin, guitar solo's by Watson and Mack and Gelder's fiddle work add nicely but this is the Big Jay show and he's playing it to the max. Super.
Also included is a DVD of the show. Looking forward to seeing it at home!
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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I just has the opportunity to review the most recent release, Look At What The Blues Has Done For Me!, from Arthur Adams and it's a soul saturated 2 disc release. Opening with You Pullin' My Leg, a cool blues shuffle Adams on lead vocal and guitar, James Gadson on on drums, Hense Powell on keys and Brian Simpson on bass. With a real nice lope, No Refunds is great track with a 50's feel. Fluid guitar lead and a solid bottom makes this on of the best new tunes on the release. One of my favorites, Low Down And Dirty has a BB King feel, showing some of Adams' best vocals and tight guitar riffs with added punch on sax by Bill Bergman and Lee Thornberg on trumpet. Very nice. Deep blues flows on Leftover From Yesterday, with soulful vocals, crisp lead guitar lines and warm blues rhythm. Nice. Closing disc one, is R&B track, Gorgeous, with it's smooth feel and solid vocals. Every disc needs to have a radio track and this is it.
Disc 2 is an introduction to Adams' work featuring selections from 4 studio releases from the 70's as well as a bonus single from the 80's. I Gotta Help My People is a real cool track that has sounds like Curtis Mayfield and Neil Young. With a powerhouse feel, instrumental Keep On Dancing, has a taste of Ike and Tina with a hard driving groove, a cool trumpet solo and horn punctuation. Beale Street has a super party feel with great bass lines and super vocal blending over a tight drum rhythm and cool horn work. A particular standout track on disc 2 has a great War sound with a funky bottom and female vocals charged by driving drums, trumpet and bluesy guitar work. Wrapping the release is You Got The Floor, a swirling dance track with thumping bass, dance drums and warmly blended vocals. This is a cool, bluesy soul release with a broad selection of cool tracks.
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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Iridium, from Leo Bud Welch and it's a solid, real deal blues rocker. Opening with original track, Praise His Name, Welch lays out a real nice hill country style blues track accompanied by his own guitar, drums and vocals. Excellent opener. On Muddy Water's Still A Fool, Welch conjures up the feel of the primitive blues with minimal effort. This is a great track and Welch compliments it nicely. Another of my favorites on the release is Rosco Gordon's shuffle, No More Doggin'. Welch sets a cool pace and delivers from the gut. Very nice. Always a favorite, Willie Dixon's My Babe is loose and bouncy. On Sweet Little Angel, Welch's vocal phrasing is all his own giving it an interesting texture and his cool guitar playing makes it a definite top track. I've always liked Don't Let The Devil Ride and Welch's cool rock style handling of this classic is classic in itself. On Sonny Boy Williamson's good Morning Little School Girl, Welch grabs the wave and rides. A cool interpretation of another of my favorites. Wrapping the release is Me And My Lord a traditional tune given the Mississippi country blues rockin' twist. This is a cool closer for a cool release. Looking forward to getting the DVD home and checking 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Real Deal Blues, from Reverend KM Williams and it's raw, enthusiastic and real. Opening with Baby, Please Come Home, Reverend KW Williams accompanies his solid vocals on a cigar box Diddley bow backed by drums. With it's 2 step rhythm, slide work and snappy pace, it's a cool opener. The Runaway Blues leans a little more toward a rock beat but with solid southern blues roots. Another track with clear rock influence is Ring In My Pocket. With just the right blend of rockin' rhythm and slide guitar, this is one of my favorites on the release. With a country western pace, Highway 666 is a cool track with sounds of the old west. Low slung, Shoulda Left This Town Blues, has a great feel with a cool bass line and multiple guitar lines. Very cool. Country rocker, Haunted House is another of my favorites with cool lyrics and tight guitar riffs over a snappy beat. Hi energy track, On My Way To Muskogee, has laser focus and unworldly slide sounds. Solid. Relaxed, country blues number, That's Why My Baby's Feelin' Blue, has a real nice melody as well as the most melodic guitar work on the release. An uptempo country blues, with heavy tom tom work, The Witch Queen Of New Orleans has a rockabilly swing. Working Man's Blues is a cool boogie with relentless slide work under William's solid vocals. The Funeral Blues has a familiar "Stray Cats" blues bar and a glassy guitar riffs. Very nice. Wrapping the release is acoustic track, Bad Boy Blues which is really terrific. With it's classic delta sound, this track could have been cut by Robert Pete Williams or John Lee Hooker. Super 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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blowin' Down The House, from Big Jay McNeeley and it'S quite cool. Opening with club style funky track, Love Will Never Fail, McNeely shows his trademark squeal and rich horn work that has made him stand out among horn players. On soul track, My Love Never Ended, McNeely hits a solid groove with one of the best tracks on the release and soulful sax honking. Very cool. I've Been Mistreated has a real aggressive sound like early James Brown, Ike Turner or Hendrix. With rockin' guitar work and fat sax work, this track is way cool. Hard driving, Party, really jams with fluid guitar riffs over a rumbling bass lines, Mcneely really gets the place screaming for an exceptional jammer. Swing track, Big Jay's Hop, is a bit more contained but no less rockin'. McNeely's trademark lead sax work is unmistakable and fat fat fat. Blow, Blow, Blow is really hopping with sax sax sax. Excellent! Willie The Cool Cat is a great swinger with super guitar and sax lead. Step back and let it fly! Nervous, Man, Nervous has a great swing as is chocked full of super lead sax as well as fat, fat bari sax. With multiple male voices "shouting" out the lyrics, this track really gets rocking. Wrapping the release is Get On Up & Let's Boogie, a fast paced rocker with super piano getting it rolling. Trumpet punctuation behind the lead vocals brings you up to the hot guitar soloing and then ultimately McNeely taking a hot flying solo carrying the release to the end. Excellent closer to a sweet taste of Big Jay McNeely.
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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The James Montgomery Blues Band, from James Montgomery and it's a cranking homage to Paul Butterfield. Opening with funky rocker, One More Heartache, Montgomery blows the doors open with his always powerful harp, backed by George McCann on guitar, David Hull on bass and Jeff Thompson on drums and punched up by the Uptown Horns including Crispin Cloe on sax, Larry Etkin on trumpet, Arno Hecht on sax and Bob Funk on trombone. Super opener. Nick Gravenites' Born In Chicago gets a bit more bounce that Nick's original and McCann sports a real nice guitar solo opening the way for Montgomery's harp solo. Very cool. Little Walter's Blues With A Feeling is solid and Montgomery's vocals are raw and gritty. I particularly like the tight guitar work by McCann on this track giving it a casual pace along with stinging riffs. Young Woman's Love just has that snap making it sit solid on your foot. McCann is featured on lead vocal and Montgomery really digs in with fat, well formed harp riffs making this one of my favorites on the release. Sure to be the release favorite, I Got A Mind To Give Up Living, features Jimmy Vivino on lead guitar and he really pours it on. Montgomery's harp work is relentless and his vocals soulful. Excellent! On Elmore James' Shake Your Moneymaker, McCann slips on the slide and the band is loosely tight like Hound Dog Taylor giving this track real life. Good Question is a jazz born R&B track that really sings. Grace Kelly sets up a real nice sax solo and Montgomery rides high on the rhythmic drum work of Thompson and a moving bass line by Hull. McCann cuts loose with a real nice solo of his own and the band circles back for a final refrain. Very cool. With it's walking bass line, One Plus One absolutely struts. Closing the release is Junior Parker's Mystery Train. Cooked in full JL Hooker, boogie style, Montgomery works the band into a real lather for this sensational 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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Blues Guitar Legend Kenny Neal Receives
Grammy Nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. “Bloodline”
Los Angeles -
Cleopatra Records would like to proudly congratulate Kenny Neal on his Grammy
Nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. for his “Bloodline” album
released through the Cleopatra Blues imprint.
Kenny Neal is an
acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and is widely renowned as a modern swamp-blues
master who also is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and a
multi-award winning talent. Born in 1957 in New Orleans and raised in Baton Rouge,
Neal began playing music at a very young age, learning the basics from his
father, singer and blues harmonica player, Raful Neal. Family friends like Lazy
Lester, Buddy Guy and Slim Harpo contributed to Kenny's early musical
education. At 13, he joined his father’s band and, four years later, he was
recruited and toured extensively as Buddy Guy’s bass player.
Through the
years, Neal has shared the stage or worked with a who’s-who list of blues and
R&B greats at one time or another, including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Muddy
Waters, Aaron Neville, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker. Since signing with
Alligator Records in 1988, Neal has released a series of consistently lauded
albums featuring his laid-back, Baton Rouge blues, with a modern spin on the Louisiana
sound he grew up with. The Chicago Tribune pegged Kenny as “one of a mere
handful of truly inventive young contemporary guitarists, Neal has something
fresh to say and the chops with which to say it,” while AllMusic said his
“gruff-before-their-time vocals retain their swamp sensibility, while assuming
a bright contemporary feel that tabs him as a leading contender for future
blues stardom.” Blues Revue agreed, calling Kenny “one of the brightest young
stars on the blues horizon, and a gifted artist.”
Neal has never
sounded better than he does on Bloodline, offering some of the most moving
songwriting and electric performances of his incredible career. In addition, no
less than 8 members of the Neal clan lend their musical talents to this unique
album, making it a true family affair and proving beyond doubt that the blues
is most definitely in Neal’s “Bloodline.”
I just had the opportunity to review Ike & Tina Turner, The Complete Pompeii Recordings 1968-1968 3 CD Set on Cleopatra Records and it's a wealth of 60's soul and R&B music. This is a boxed set with three original LP covers and 10 pages of cool liner notes. Disc 1, So Fine includes It Sho Ain't Me, a slow R&B number with terrific vocals and back up vocals by the Ikettes. Another favorite is I Better Get Ta Steppin', a funky James Brown style track. Other highlights are Shake Your Tail Feather with it's fast paced rhythm, R&B hit, So Fine, with rich backing vocals and a solid bass line by Ike and You're So Fine. On Disc 2, Title track Cussin' Cryin' & Carryin' On they wastes no time getting in the groove. With sounds of early James Brown, Tina really has started to mature a little starting to stretch a bit and showing traces of contemporary Tina Turner. Black Beauty is an interesting Jazz funk fusion. It's instrumental composition is characteristic of an emerging sound that has weathered well. Wrapping this disc is a new, funkier version of Better Get Ta Steppin' showing some of Tina's best vocals to date. Disc 3, ABlack Man's Soul, open is with Thinking Black, a horn driven instrumental with solid bass work by Ike. With it's light pop sound, Black's Alley, resembles Friends of Distinction. With it's driving drums and blazing horns, Funky Mule, has a lot of kick. On Philly Dog, there is an interesting play between Bari sax and trumpets. Wailing sax work takes the lead for a hip shaker. Wrapping the release of this fine set is spiritual based, Freedom Sound, with a balance of keys and horns. With it's cool bvalance of organ and piano, it's a fine closer for a cool vintage 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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I just received the newest release, Bloodline, from Kenny Neal and it has strong blues and R&B roots. Opening with country blues influenced, Ain't Gon Let The Blues Die with it's Elvin Bishop/country flavored gospel flavor. This track is off and running with Kenny Neal on slide guitar and lead vocals, Tom Hambridge on drums, Tommy Macdonald on bass and Syreeta, Tyrell, Jazzy, Brine', Kaydence Bates, Tahj Mosby and Darien Neal as well as the McCrary sisters. Title track, Bloodline, has a deep groove with a funky bottom and Kenny on lead vocal and harp. Cool loping Plain Old Common Sense is one of my favorite tracks on the release with great guitar work, supeer vocal phrasing, nice piano lines and strong horn backing from Quentin Ware on trumpet, Billy Huber on trombone, Tyler Summers on sax and Dana Robbins on sax. Very cool. On Willie Nelson's Funny How Time Slips Away, skillful piano work and crafty vocals give this track the weight of a serious R&B/country ballad. Coming out with horns blazing, Keep On Moving, has a funky R&B feel and the electric key work of Lucky Peterson is a perfect setting for strong soloing by Kenny. With tight horn work by Ware, Huber, Summers and Robbins. With it's BB King style phrasing, I Go By Feel, is a real cool track along the lines of The Thrill Is Gone with soulful vocals by Kenny and nice horn work by Ware, Huber, Summers and Robbins. Kenny takes a relaxing guitar solo that has really nice grip. R&B style, I'm So Happy, is really a super horn track with prime radio vocals by Kenny and crew. Blues Mobile is an uptempo shuffle with Kenny leading the way on harp. Kevin McKendree on piano and Ware, Huber, Summers and Robbins on horns give this track a bright feel and Kenny's vocals are super. With a much more acoustic feel, I Can't Wait, has Kenny way upfront on vocal and harp with Steve Dawson on Weissonborn, Bob Britt on guitar, John Lancaster on keys and Hambridge on percussion. Really digging in on an R&B feel, Real Friend, has a super Wilson Pickett kind of feel with Kenny on vocal, Ware, Huber, Summers and Robbins on horns. Ware takes a smooth trumpet solo followed by a soulful sax solo that really sits nicely. Neal's own guitar solo is tight and warm giving the track a cool Memphis feel. Wrapping the release is Thank You BB King, a track that could be right out of BB's song book with BB vocal and guitar phrasing styles. Kenny of course puts his own spin on the guitar work making and with Peterson on organ, this a super wrapper for a cool 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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I just received the newest release (July 8, 2016), A Night On The Sunset Strip, from Eric Gales, and it's really strong. Opening with Make It There, Gales and crew are FUNKY! Backed by Cesar Oviedo on bass who's emphasis is additive and percussive and Nicholas Hayes, who's drumming is crisp and direct this band is tight and spontaneous. Gales, of course, has the mic, playing a green/gold metallic Strat and his soloing is absolutely fluid. This man can throw down 50 note runs barely moving is gingers. Great opener. On modified boogie track, The Change In Me, Oviedo sets a solid boogie bass line but this track has some changes in mind. With effective use of rim shots and snappy jazz turns by Hayes and classy chords by Gales, this track is adventurous. Gales slowly builds dynamics using light bursts of fire but ultimately exploding into full out speed riffs, but not without returning to the jazzy chords and light touch to close. An interview with Gales is interjected between tracks and his honest and informative dialogue adds nicely to the film. Gales wife, Ladonna Gales and cousin, Tyrone Thomas Jr. join the band onstage with rich vocal work on jazz influenced rocker, Block The Sun. Gales vocals on this track really take it in an interesting direction with soulful, bluesy phrasing and the blend is really interesting. His guitar playing is inspired, fast and intense. Very nice. Heavily R&B influenced The Open Road, keeps the playing light and free with nicely blended vocals and a stern kick drum. Using synthetic processing at times, Gales shows his precise, expressive guitar riffs in a most understated manner. This man is have fun and not just blasting it in your face. Nicely done. Boogaloo style instrumental, Sea Of Bad Blood, takes some really interesting jazz turns with Gales playing a lot of rhythm guitar and adding lush jazz chords. Gales leaves the stage giving Oviedo and Hayes free rein to play a nicely progressive jam. Gales returns to the stage for a really lush wrap. Very nice. Instrumental, Swamp erupts a as a rockin jam with everybody at full overdrive. Hard driving and aggressive, this track rocks. Rejoining Gales are Ladonna and Tyrone as well as well as Dylan Wiggins on keys for modern neo soul track, 1019. With it's funky bottom and super key work, Gales and troupe really are visiting Johnny Guitar Watson territory. I really like this track with it's funky interplay between the bottom and Gales vocal and his blues rock guitar work. Excellent! Digging up country roots but with heavy blues and rock influence, Good For Sumthin' openings with a very traditional vamp. Developing this track with funky overtones and heavy bottom, this track has a great groove. Wrapping the release is Jagger/Richards track, Miss You. Raphael Saadiq joins on bass for this final number giving it just a bit more soul and jazz than the original. Gales takes pride in showing off some real nice chords abefore breaking into a real expressive speed blues solo. Strong conclusion to a super concert.
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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I just received the newest release, Big, Bad and Beautiful from Popa Chubby and it's a great blues rocker. This double live CD is packed with power, opening with Working Class Blues and a genuine Detroit style rocker. With Chubby on guitar and vocals, the band, featuring Dave Keyes on keys, Francesco Beccaro on bass and Andrea Beccaro on drums sets a nice pace. Throwing the funk down on Stoop Down Baby, Beccaro lays down a super bass groove and Chubby's rhythm is tight. Keys and Chubby both stretch it out on this track giving it real body. Very nice! On boogie track, One Leg At A Time, it's hard to sit still as the guys really crank it up. Keyes really rolls his solo on this track winding it up for Chubby who hits it solid down the middle himself with fluid jazzy blues riffs. Excellent! 69 Dollars has a Spanish rhythm with strong foundation by Francesco and Andrea. A smooth, adventurous organ solo by Keyes really hits the spot and Chubby flexes his muscle showing his versatility with stylized Spanbluesrock solos of his own. Very nice! On blues ballad, Same Old Blues, Chubby tells it melodically with fluid blues guitar riffs. Keyes takes a real nice organ solo and Chubby is back with sting. This is bound to be a big crowd favorite! Driving boogie, I Don't Want Nobody is excellent with Keyes on the backbeat and Chubby riffing away. Keyes and Chubby exchange the spotlight making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Sweat has a slinky 40's sound with Andrea dancing on the cymbals. Francesco plays a seductive bass line as Chubby tells the whole story. Keys and Chubby plays some real nice solo's on this track giving it just the right texture. Cool! Signed With Heartache is a bluesy track with thick slide work served up hot and heavy. Excellent! With bass a blazing, Rock Me Baby gets a Jimi style workout for a super twist. Wrapping disc one is Chubbfatha Medley, a cool surf like twist's on a few familiar themes. I like any excuse to surf out a track so I think it's a blast!
Disc 2 opens with a 10 minute plus Rock On Bluesman, a super rock anthem with plenty of guts. Rock n roller, Take Me Back To Amsterdam stirs the crowd with Elmore James style riffs and pure rocking energy. I Was Lookin' Back has a super New Orleans funk. With driving guitar riffs and super keys, the Beccaro's keep this track tight. Very nice! Robert Johnson's Love In Vain played with a nod to the Stones is really slick with a tight blues feel and screaming slide work. Excellent! This leads into a Rolling Stones pair... Brown Sugar and Wild Horses. The band is tight and solid. Caffeine and Nicotine is hot as a fire cracker with rockabilly flair. Keyes gets the piano rolling hard and Chubby is relentless wit Gatemouth and Dale like feel. Excellent! The Finger Bangin' Boogie has great style and a solid bass line. Chubby is poppin the slide again on this one and with his relentless vocals makes this one of my favorites on the release. Peoples Blues is very strong. Chubby just lays it out on this one over a nice slow walk on bass by Francesco. Clocking in at over 9 minutes it still seems over to quick. Excellent! Another chance for Chubby to slide fat and free is Noise Making Love Machine. With a hard driving rock beat by Francesco and Andrea, this track rocks! Wrapping the release is a remake of the classic Over The Rainbow. Chubby does a little Beethoven on volume swells as an intro to the now prolific track. He takes a different route to the end rather than mimicking Mr Jeff Beck, gives it a 50's rock sway but throws plenty of guitar pyrotechnics at the track giving it a genuine new life and along with Keyes' Rhodes work, making it a perfect conclusion for a super live recording.
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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I just received the newest release, I'll Be Home For Christmas from Kenny Neal and it has a bit of blues mixed into it's traditional and modern Christmas. Opening with upbeat 12 bar number, Christmas Comes But Once A Year, Neal takes the lead on vocal and harp with Vestie Jackson on guitar, Darnell Neal on piano, Frederick Neal on keys and Bryan Morris on drums. With a slower pace classic Christmas ballad, Silver Bells gets a R&B, Ray Charles flavor. Neal does a real nice job on lead vocals and guitar backed by Darnell, Fredrick and Bryan. Next up is a rolling version of Winter Wonderland featuring Syreeta Neal on lead vocal, Kenny on harp and guitar, and Kenny Neal Jr on bass and drums. Very nice! Syreeta does a real nice job on Merry Little Christmas backed by Joel Joseph on piano. On Please Come Home For Christmas, Kenny is back up front on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Fredrick on piano, Bryan on drums and Vestie and Darnell on guitars. Kenny's guitar solo on this track is particularly clean and soulful. Very nice! I'll Be Home For Christmas gets a real homey makeover as I would picture Al Green doing. Neal, on lead vocal, guitar and harp, really hits to groove on this one, backed by Fredrick on piano, Darnell on bass and Bryan on drums. Definitely one of my personal favorites. Merry Christmas Baby#2 is a funky shuffle with a hot bass line thanks to Darnell. Fredrick rattles the piano with hot rhythm and Kenny covers lead vocals and plays some really fine guitar riffs making this one of the bluesiest tracks on the release (think funky BB King). Lazy blues track, Lonesome Christmas, has a cool bass line and Taj Mahal kind of delivery by Neal. Fredrick's piano work is tight and Bryan's drumming precise. Merry Christmas Baby #1 has a really nice T-Bone Walker kind of feel with expressive blues guitar riffs from Kenny. One of my favorite tracks on the release, you get so caught up in the bluesy feel, you forget you're listening to a Christmas track. On the traditional, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Syreeta is back on lead vocal, backed by Joel Joseph on keys. This is a very nice arrangement and should replace some of the moldy versions that are played year after year. Wrapping the release is a rocking blues version of Silent Night. Syreeta is back at the mic on lead vocal and Kenny lays in some relaxing guitar riffs cushioned by Joseph on keys. A real nice conclusion to a solid contemporary seasonal 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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I just received a cool 2 cd release, A Double Dose Of Blues from Cleopatra Records and it boasts a who's who of blues and guitar giants. Opening the first disc (From Clarksdale To Heaven - Remembering John lee Hooker) is blues giant John Lee Hookers daughter and blues star, Zakiya Hooker on I Want To Hug You, supported is a stately manner by Johnnie Johnson on piano, Bobby Murray on guitar, Tony Cook on synth guitar, David Daniel on bass, Marlon Gren on drums and Victor Puebla on percussion. This shuffle track is really nicely balanced between the power of Hooker's vocals and Johnnie Johnson's key work. Jack Bruce and Gary Moore team up on I'm In The Mood backed by Gary Husband. Gary Moore really lays out a nice solo on this track with Bruce thumping away behind him. Very nice! Vince Converse leads I'm Bad Like Jesse James on guitar and vocal, backed by Leo Lyons and Ric Lee from Ten Years After. Converse really rips some hot riffs under the track , the band basically keeping the skeletal framework as set up by Hooker. The spectacular, Jeff Beck leads Will The Circle Be Unbroken with singers, Siggi Josiah and Earl Green/Kingdom Choir. Beck's signature guitar work is unmistakable and outstanding. Gary Brooker (keys/vocals) and Andy Fairweather-Low (guitars) team up on Baby Lee with a Latin beat by Henry Spinetti. Very cool! T.S. McPhee (guitar and vocal) and Dick Heckstall-Smith (sax) do a super broke down Ground Hog Blues. Mick Taylor on lead vocal and slide teams up with Max Middleton (Jeff Beck Group) for a swinging version of This Is Hip. Always loved Taylor's slide playing! Super. The Peter Green Splinter Group does an authentic style Crawlin' King Snake. With Green on acoustic guitar, and harp, Nigel Watson on open tuned acoustic, Roger Cotton on rhythm guitar and pete Stroud on bass this is deep! Mr Clem Clemson (Humble Pie) teams up with Tony McPhee and Heckstall Smith for a great boogie, I'm Leaving making Hooker proud. Brooker on vocal and piano and Fairweather-Low are back on Little Wheel and each plays solo's that are nicely suited for modern interpretations of Hooker boogie. Gregg's Egg does a modern/pop funky version of The Business featuring Suzanne Sterling on lead guitar and Futoshi Morroka on lead guitar. Jeff Beck is back on Hobo Blues and again with his signature tone. Earl Green on lead vocal actually captures Hooker pretty well. Excellent! Jack Bruce and Gary Moore are back on Serves You Right To Suffer. Bruce with Gary Husband on drums keeps the bottom anchored and Moore sings up a soulful lead vocal accented by crisp guitar riffs. Booker T on organ and Randy California (Spirit)join up with the Hook hinself on lead guitar and vocal to Red House. Cool!
Disc 2 (Knights of The Blues Table) opens with Send For Me with Jack Bruce on lead vocal, bass and harp with Clemson on guitar and Heckstall Smith on sax. This is a rocker and a great opener. Georgie Fame lays down a cool jazz If You Live. Very nice! Duffy Power on acoustic guitar and coval, backed by Heckstall - Smith on sax and Alex Keen on bass lays down the most basic of modern acoustic blues. Very nice. Chris Jagger takes lead vocal and guitar on Racketeer's Blues, backed by Charlie Hart on bass, Ed Beane on guitar, Malcolm Mortimore on drums and Mick Jagger on harp. Interesting! Peter Brown steps up on lead vocal on Rocks In My Bed. Heckstall-Smith (of Coliseum) sets down some real nice sax lines on this and throughout the release. Miller Anderson, known for vocals on many bands including Savoy Brown, Keef Hartley and Chicken Shack does and excellent job on Don't Let Me be Misunderstood. Maggie Bell (Stone The Crows) teams up with Big Jim Sullivan for Blind Man. Sullivan shows his excellent guitar strength throughout this track and Bells vocals are solid as ever! On Robert Johnson's Travelling Riverside BluesPeter Green and Nigel Watson harmonize and play traditional acoustic guitar riffs. Very nice! Tony McPhee is on acoustic guitar and vocal on Drop Down Mama. This is a real nice modern interpretation of Sleepy John's original. I've always loved this track, I've Got News For You. This arrangement is slow and really bluesy featuring Clemson on vocal and guitar. Didn't know Clem could sing but he sure can. With Mark Feltham on harp and Ronnie Leahy on piano this track is really hot. Sonny Boy Williamson's Nine Below Zero features Dennis Greaves on vocal and guitar and Billy on harp. Nice blues rocker. The Pretty Things lay down Judgement Day with Phil May on Vocal, Dick Taylor on guitar, John Povey on harp, Skip Alan on drums and Wally Allen on Bass. Very Yardbirds like! Paul Jones and Otis Grand do Play On Little Girl/TBone Shuffle. Jones on lead vocal and harp, Grand on guitar, Mike Hobart on sax, Steve Wren on piano, Chico Lopez on bass and Junior Delmas on drums make this a super modern blues rocker! Mick Clarke (vocal and guitar) and Lou Martin (piano) do a very simple but effective cover of James Cotton's One More Mile To Go, one of my favorite tracks on the release... clean and tight! Mick Taylor and Max Middleton team up on Willie Dixon's You Shook Me. Both Middleton and Taylor shine on this number with sweet extended solos. Tom Killner delivers Midnight Call, a solid rocker featuring his own lead vocal and guitar backed by Nigel Killner and Jake Ashton. Wrapping the release is Eli Cook's Sweet Thangfeaturing Tinsley Ellis. A lumbering bluesy number, this is a real nice track to conclude a super batch of blues and blues rock.
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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