Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, Age Don't Mean A Thing , from Robert Finley and it's a powerful new soul release. Opening with high stepping Memphis groove, I Just Want To Tell You , Robert Finley wastes no time establishing that his talent far exceeds his professional experience. An extremely soulful vocalist, Finley traveled north to Memphis to work with members of the Bo-Keys. Players include a who’s who of the Memphis soul scene including drummer Howard Grimes (Al Green, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, OV Wright), Marc Franklin (Bobby “Blue” Bland), Jimbo Mathus (Elvis Costello), Al Gamble (St. Paul & The Broken Bones, the Hold Steady, Alex Chilton), Kirk Smothers (Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Guy), Reba Russell (U2, BB King), Harold Thomas (James Carr) and Daunielle Hill (Solomon Burke). With full soul backing vocals and Al Gamble's B3 rolling this is a great opener. On title track, Age Don't Mean A Thing , Finley really sings with gut wrenching authority. This track...

I just received the newest release (February 18, 2014), Daunielle , from Daunielle Hill and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Runaway Train , a full blown chuggin train with Andy Roman on sax, Mike Middleton on trumpet, Robert Claiborne on trombone and Nick Flood on bari sax. Early Grave is a cool R&B infused track with Johnny McGhee playing great punctual guitar riffs complimenting Hills vocals nicely. Damn Your Eyes has all the soul of the original and is well executed with Will McFarlane on guitar, the great Bob Trenchard on bass and Richy Puga keeping the drums tight. I Got A Voice has more of a pop feel with a driving bass line by Trenchard. McFarlane again steps up on guitar with some cool riffs on guitar. Biloxi has a Latin rhythm driven solid by Puga on drums. A happy go lucky island feel complimented by Ferguson on keys and accordion. Higher and Higher , the R&B standard is given new life here by a springy vocalist in Hill and backing vocals by Big Bab...