Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sing Pretty Blues , by Crystal Shawanda and it's powerful music. Opening with heavy bottomed, Preachin' Blues , Crystal Shawanda leads the way with potent vocal lead, supported by Dave Roe on bass, Nioshi Jackson on drums and Stephan Hanner on harmonica and featuring Dewayne Strobel on guitars. Excellent opener. Bluesy ballad, Would You Know Love , really has a super radio/R&B feel, featuring Crystal on vocal and warm backing vocals by Sarina Joi Crowe and Ping Rose and horns by Chris West. Strobel lays in some real nice melodic guitar work giving the track cool contrast with Peter Keys on keys. Very nice. Title track, Sing Pretty Blues has a classic blues format with Hanner and Strobel on guitar working with Crystal on the lead and Jonathan Nixon on bass and Jackson on drums. Waitin' For My Lover To Call has a funky pop feel with warm B3 support by Keys and Ping Rose and Strobel on guitars. Crystal...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Midnight Blues , from Crystal Shawanda , and it's a strong R&B flavored blues release. Opening with title track, Midnight Blues , Crystal Shawanda brings her soulful vocal style to a radio oriented track with a solid melody, with Dave Roe on bass, Dwayne Strobel on guitar, and Peter Keys and Jesse O'Brian on keys and Pete Abbot on drums. Rumpshaker is a soulful track with a strong bass line by Roe and nice harmonica contributions by Steve Marriner. Why Do I Love You is a really super ballad with strong vocal harmonies by Angela Hurt, Zhaawande Strobel Nd Dewayne Strobel. Hold Me has a R&B rhythm and really has a great groove. Shawanda's vocals are powerful and backing vocals are just right with strong piano and drum support by Keys and Becket. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Walk With The Moon , with a sweet melody and ballad formation. With glistening keyboard work, rich guitar chords and a melodi...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1 , from The Strongman Blues Remedy and it's chocked full of foot tapping blues. Opening with blues rocker, Hard Luck , leader Steve Strongman adds great slide riffs, bass and harmonica to his solid lead vocal efforts for a super radio track. Joined by Dave King on drums and Jesse O'Brien on keys this is a great opener. Dawn Tyler Watson has the mic on Fine Young Man , a solid radio track with country and blues roots. Slick slide work by Strongman and with O'Brien on keys and King on drums, another fine track. Slow blues, White Lightnin' is my favorite track on the release with Strongman's best vocals on the release and strong, soulful, fluid guitar lead, backed by Alec Fraser on bass. Excellent! Crystal Shawanda has the mic on Tell Me I'm Wrong and her vocals are sassy and powerful against the bluesy riffs of Strongman. Wrapping the release is Love Comin' I...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Church House Blues , from Crystal Shawanda and it's an interesting mix of pop, R&B and blues. Opening with title track, Church House Blues , Crystal Shawanda is upfront with her powerhouse voice with Louis Winfield on drums, Dave Roe on bass, Dewayne Strobel on guitar, Peter Keyes on keys, Dana Robbins and Miqui Guittierez on sax. Bluesy ballad, Evil Memory has a really nice feel with melodic guitar soloing and strong vocals by Shawanda. Blues rocker, Rather Be Alone has a real nice sway, emphasized by precisely placed guitar accents and warm organ. Hey Love has an early 60's rock rhythm and possibly the strongest track on the release with warm vocal backing by the McCrary Sisters, Angela Hurt, KG Green, and Quisha Wint. Bigger Than The Blues is definitely the radio track on the release with it's strong melody, solid vocal lead and concise guitar solo making it the ideal track. Wrapping the release ...

Sue Foley, Crystal Shawanda, Jenie Thai, Harry Manx & Steve Marriner, Earle & Coffin to perform at Maple Blues Awards Raoul Bhaneja hosts Koerner Hall National Blues Gala February 4 Montreal’s Guy Bélanger to host lobby afterparty "Winner’s Circle Jam” (Toronto) – The Toronto Blues Society has announced the performers who will grace the stage at Koerner Hall in Toronto for the 22nd annual Maple Blues Awards gala and concert, to be held on Monday, February 4th, 2019. Heating up the cold February night will be performances from some the of the hottest Canadian blues artists including, Steve Marriner of MonkeyJunk with Harry Manx , guitarist/singer-songwriter Sue Foley , who is nominated in six categories, Jenie Thai , who is nominated for Piano/Keyboard P...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, VooDoo Woman , from Crystal Shawanda and it's off the hook. Opening with Willie Dixon's Wang Dang Doodle and Shawanda wastes absolutely no time showing that she means business. With a powerful voice and the greasy slide work of DeWayne Strobel, backed by Stephen Hanner on harp, Dave Roe on bass and Louis Winfield on drums, this track is powerful! Title track, Koko Taylor's VooDoo Woman has a rock edge with crafty harp riffs and a tight bottom. Again, Strobel's slide work had a strong influence on the overall sound supporting Shawanda's powerful vocals. One of my favorites on the release is Big Mama's Hound Dog with a snappy rock edge. Shawanda handles the shift in tempo like an old pro with sure dynamics and Strobel's rock riffs are clean and distinct. A definite high point on the release is Shawanda's cover of Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind . He voice really lends itself to t...

Singer Crystal Shawanda Chases Dreams and Trades Country for Blues on New VooDoo Woman CD, Coming September 21 from True North Records Her New Gritty, Soul-Drenched Release Available Via Download Now TORONTO, ON – True North Records announces a September 21 release date for singer Crystal Shawanda’s new CD, VooDoo Woman. The new album is already available via download at these platforms:     iTunes Labelstore Spotify Sometimes, even the most instinctive singers need a little time to find their true voice. Just ask Crystal Shawanda. The celebrated Canadian-born, Nashville-based songwriter and musician has built a decade-long career on her hugely emotive performances, scoring a major label deal, chart hits, critical acclaim, marquee tours and a fervent fan following along the way. She was even the subject of a reality show, “Crystal: Living the Dream” on the CMT television network. Yet it has taken Shawanda until studio album number five...