Delmark Records artist: Omar Coleman Band - Live At Rosa's Lounge - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Live At Rosa's Lounge, from Omar Coleman Band and it's quite good. Hot on the heels of his super 2015 release, Born & Raised , Coleman has put out a dynamic live release flexing his power.

Opening with Guy/Wells composition, Snatch It Back And Hold It, with some pure soul on vocal Omar leads the way over a great bass line from Dave Forte. Neal O'Hara takes a nice organ solo, with Marty Binder on drums and Omar wraps it up with harp. Cool opener. On Willie Dixon's, I'm Ready, OCB stays the course of Morganfield, adding a real nice piano solo by O'Hara. On funky, Born and Raised, Coleman gets a great James Brown feel going with wah wah and Preston style organ. His vocals are nicely crafted and delivered. This track has some really nice harp soloing as well and a hot guitar solo by Pete Galanis. Very cool. Rocker, Slow Down Baby, has solid drive and Chuch Berry like guitar riffs by Galanis and hot piano riffs from O'Hara. Sit Down Baby/Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone is ultra funky and Omar is running the show. A cool organ solo by O'Hara gives the track a hot side and Coleman's harp work wraps the track. Cool. Easy jazz swinger, Raspberry Wine, has old school roots and vocals but with tight bass lines by Ari Seder and drum work by Binder and a smooth organ solo by O'Hara has a great groove. High stepping, Lucky Man, gives Galanis a wide open range to rip the guitar and he steps up to the plate nicely. Omar's vocal/ harp exchange is relentless making this track one of my favorites on the release. Deep soul track, One Request, showcases Coleman's vocals nicely and Galanis steps in with a particularly nice blues solo capping off the track. Very nice! Rufus Thomas' Give Me The Green Light has a strong funk pushed nicely by the funky rhythm of Galanis, O'Hara and Seder. Seder's bass lines on this track are reall funky and Coleman really hits the groove. Wrapping the release is Willie Dixon's Two Headed Woman with a bit of country flavor. Galanis even throws down country guitar riffs before turning back to a more traditional Morganfield "Mojo" feel. Nice closer to a hot live 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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Delmark Records artist: Mike Wheeler Band - Turn Up!! - New Release Review

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 Myself, has a super swing and cool organ work by James. Light fingered guitar work by Wheeler compliments his vocals nicely. Really kicking up the R&B high stepping, the horns are pumped and ready on title track, Turn Up!!. On easy soul track, Nothing Lasts Forever, Wheeler guides the band with smooth vocals surrounded by warm backing vocals and nice guitar phrasing. Taking his guitar for a nice ride on this track, Wheeler continues to show his various expressive styles. With a New Orleans flair, I Can't Do That, has a super drum beat and a super cool piano solo. Wheeler steps up with really nicely crafted blues riffs giving the track a real bite. Nice! Living My Dream is a funky R&B rocker with really nice guitar work popped by the horn guys. Hot blues number, A Blind Man Can See, slows down the pace but cranks up the heat. Wheeler again demonstrates his soulful voice with only light keys, bass and drums. Excellent blues riffs roll off of his fretboard once he lets his guitar do his talking really smoking up the place. Very nice! Coming back to the funk, That's What Love Will Make You Do, is a tight, organ, drum, bass and rhythm guitar backing for Wheeler's vocals. Stepping up with fiery guitar riffs and Cole's drum work, this track is hot. Williams steps up with a smoker of a bass solo of his own making this a real standout track. Kicker, I'm Hooked, has a terrific rolling beat and Wheeler's vocals are so smooth at this pace. Organ backing and horn punch provides an excellent platform for Wheelers' stinging guitar riffs. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Sad State Of The World, with a real slinky blues feel and cool piano and organ tracks. Wheeler's vocals are top notch and Williams' bass lines are spot on. The guitar phrasing on this track is really sweet, reminding me a bit of Vernon Reid. With just a tough of gospel influence, this is a super closer for a solid 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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Delmark Records artist: Corey Dennison Band - Self Titled release - New Release Review

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 well. Each track on this release reinforces that this is for real. She's No Good swings back toward the country styling but with roots in Gimme Back My Wig of T for Texas. Country style picking and riding snare/hi hat define the track but the blues prevails. Very nice! Aw, Snap! really digs in with a nice bass groove. It is like James Brown playing with Albert King. I love this track. It's great! Don't Say You're Sorry conjures feelings of the impressions. You can see where this guy lives. Super vocals, blending and feel. Ok. You been waiting for that slow, screamer. Here it is... A Fool's Goodbye. Dennison plays stinging guitar riff after riff behind his lush vocals. Skilnik sets down a really nice bass line giving Dennison the floor to Albert King it up and King it up he does. It doesn't sound like Mr King himself...nor does it sound like SRV doing Mr King, but in the big picture... this is great. Dennison has King's spirit and with real nice rhythm guitar by Hundt, Dennison squeezes the neck till it squeals and his vocals are spot on. Excellent! Jasper's Hop is a cool instrumental with traces of the MG's. Understated guitar riffs with clean articulation makes this track sing. Shame On Me has a really nice groove... a bit of funky under the soulful blues. I can't say enough how much I like this guys voice. His voice has just the right amount of grit but smooth and his phrasing is perfect. With Skilnik riding a nice groove, Dennison lays out really smooth riffs. Excellent! On Strange Things Happenin', a driving James Brown style track, it's Baer's drumming that drives the train with Skilnik riding high but again Dennison shines on vocals and his guitar talks for itself. Chicago style blues number, Good Enuff, wraps the release with a great swagger. Dennison sits on the beat and wails on vocals. His guitar work is tight and precise. This is a very nice closer to an absolutely excellent 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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Delmark artist: Guy King - Truth - New release review

I just received the newest release, Truth, from Guy King and it's exciting! Opening with Ray Charles' The Same Thing That Can Make You Laugh (Can Make You Cry) and it's a roller coaster ride of light funky jazz with excellent vocal from Guy King who is a terrific guitar player throwing down Albert King like riffs and continuously punched by a dynamic horn section of Marques Carroll on trumpet, Christopher Neal on tenor sax, Brent Griffin Jr. on bari sax and carried on the shoulders of Amr Marcin Fahmy on keys, Jake Vinsel on bass and George Fludas on drums. King really digs in on guitar, making this track sing and Sarah Marie Young, Kiara Shakleford and Jihan Murray-Smith add nice backing vocals for a really powerful sound. Title track, Truth, takes a more mellow track with cool Latin rhythms. Raspy, neck gripping guitar soloing contrasting against light Brazilian jazz like backing vocals makes for a very enjoyable ride. Stepping more into a 50's club style on My Happiness, King shares the lead vocal with Young and with light drums and horn punctuation, this track should easily get a lot of airplay. Fluid jazzy guitar runs will make you sit back in your seat and smile as King just fingers along. Very nice! Johnny Guitar Watson's, It's About The Dollar Bill, retains 99% of JGW's original funky groove and with punchy horns and the sassy cross talk, hits the road running. King definitely has his own guitar style but the influence of JGW is definitely there and this track is a great addition to the mix. Slow blues number, A Day In The Life With The Blues, demonstrates very clearly that King is a super vocalist, delivering excellent phrases that rival his guitar riffs... and that really is saying something. Percy Mayfield's Cookin' In Style, with it's walking bass line has a definite strut. Fahmy takes a real nice Rhodes solo and Fludas' hi hat work is tight. Carroll steps up with a clean trumpet solo inviting King to take a long walk and he's doesn't balk at the invite. Blending rock and jazz styles with a blues factor makes for a real nice match with horn punctuation. Very cool! Steve Cropper's See Saw has a definite R&B feel with high stepping drive and BB King influenced guitar riffs and horns and backing vocals riding high. Ray Charles', Hey Now, has a great strut with the horns setting stage. King really does show his strength again on vocal with this "big band" style backing and giving his the chance to really rip his guitar solos out of a more mellow backing. Deep throaty guitar riffs really set them apart and the high runs at times make your necks hairs stand on end. Excellent! On classic jazz number, I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues, the band really plays swing time and King sets right back in the groove with a blues approach to a still jazz attack. This is really appealing taking it to the next level. Doc Pomus and Dr John penned, There Must Be A Better World Somewhere, has the real feel of Dr John and the vocal style is all King, but definitely BB King influenced. This is a really styling track with warm sax embrace. King delivers the goods again on this track and the release continues to build a solid continuity that is rarely found on any release. Shuffle track, King Thing, is built around a simple low fret riff with key dressing and simple drums. The horns start to pop in with punctual essence and King really just makes the guitar sing. This track is smoking! Really!! BB King's Bad Case Of Love has an almost Freddie King feel with it's twist rock beat. Griffin Jr. steps up with a really solid bari sax solo blowing the doors off and King returns to trade riffs, joined by Young, Shackleford and Murray-Smith giving this track a hot sixties blues sound. Percy Mayfield's, Something's Wrong, gets the straight soul treatment with almost SRV style guitar riffs providing excellent contrast to an otherwise somber track. Albert King's, If The Washing Don't Get You (The Rinsing Will), actually has fresh riffs with a lot more roundness than sting. There is still definitely Albert's influence, but it is certainly not a Albert redo. This is a solid blues track with great riffs. Wrapping the release is a pop soul track, One Hundred Ways with a light jazzy base. George Benson comes to mind when I try to describe the guitar style. This is a really solid release with only a few very minor weaknesses (which I can rarely say). Check this out of you can take a stroll on the jazzy side of blues. It's absolutely worth it!

 

  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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Delmark Records artist: Magic Sam Blues Band - Black Magic - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Black Magic, from Magic Sam Blues Band and it's nothing short of great! Magic Sam passed only days before the original release of Black Magic back in 1969 and this shows Sam with his allstar studded band and a few additional/alternate tracks. Opening with Roscoe Gordon's, I Just Want A little Bit, Sam leads the way on guitar and vocal for a snappy blues rocker. The great Eddie Shaw is right there blowing a great sax solo and Sam handles guitar with Mighty Joe Young. What Have I Done Wrong has a cool R&B underpinning supported by Lafayette Leake on piano, Mac Thompson on bass, and Odie Payne on drums. Willie Dixion's classic, Easy Baby has a super soul feel with strong horn work from Shaw. With it's Boogaloo style, Sam has this track hopping. Slick guitar work and rolling rhythm gives this track extra spark. Lowell Fulsom's, It's All Your Fault Baby has a great unique take showcasing Sam's vocal styling and tidy guitar riffs. Shaw's sax work gives the track depth and classic double stops and beautiful guitar runs make this one of my personal favorites on the release. Don Nix's Same Old Blues has a great swing and excellent solo's from both Sam and Eddie. Excellent! I really love Sam's take on You Don't Love Me Baby with a great tempo and spicy riffs from Shaw and Sam. Freddie King's San-Ho-Zay is a crisp rocker with Sam hittin the strings just right. You Better Stop is a really nice slow blues number with fluid "Magic Sam" riffs over Eddie Shaw tone and Leake piano riffs giving it just perfect balance on Payne's snappy drumming. Excellent! Otis Rush's Keep On Loving Me, Baby really gets up and goes. Sam leads the way with clean, simple guitar riffs, echoed by Shaw and grounded by Thompson and Payne. What Have I Done Wrong (alt)is tight with alternate vocal tracks. The alternate on I Just Want A Little Bit has some great sax work by Shaw so make certain you catch this! The alternate on Everything's Gonna Be Alright has a great feel and stinging guitar solo. Keep On Doing What Your Doing has a great Chicago feel with warm sax from Harris and cool guitar riffs from Sam, coupled with his soulful vocals...very nice! Blues For Odie Payne is a real hot one with Sam and Young each taking an excellent solo before letting Eddie off the chain for a super solo as well. Excellent! The alternate for Same Old Blues has a great groove and Sam is in it. Dig his guitar phrasing on this one! The alternate 2 on What Have I Done Wrong is a great R&B number with super vocals and close work between Shaw and Sam. Wrapping the release is the alternate to Keep On Loving Me, Baby with high energy and powerful vocals. Sam's guitar work is clean and concise speeding to a conclusion about to erupt. Excellent ending to an excellent release! Also included is an excellent 16 page booklet with some great photos and notes not published before.

 

  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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Delmark artist: Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames - Slip Into A Dream - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Slip Into A Dream, from Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames and it's nothing short of outrageous! Opening with title track, Slip Into A Dream, Weld leads with solid vocals and confident guitar work. Backed by Monica Myhre on vocal, Dave Kaye on bass, Jeff Taylor on drums, Graham Guest on organ and Harry Yaseen on piano, this track is slinky and pendulous. Dave doesn't wait too long to unleash the dogs and his guitar work is off the hook. Simply terrific! Sweet Rockin' Soul is a rock n' roller with Yaseen driving the train. Weld and Myhre harmonize on this track but yes... he's hammering on the guitar again. Yaseen plays a cool piano solo illiciting a hot drum response from Taylor. Cool! Lookin' For A Man features Myhre on lead vocals and Weld slips on the slide. Joined by Bobby Rush on extended harp this shuffle track lets Dave get into full slide mode...right off the fret board. Very nice! Add a little funk and some horns and you get Take Me Back. Parris Fleming (trumpet), Rajiv Hamlin (tenor sax) and Bryant Smith (trombone) really give this track that JB punch. Weld really gets it would up on this one feeding the guitar all it can take. Excellent! Boogie track, May Be Right, May Be Wrong has a real nice groove with Greg McDaniel on bass. With it's Texas guitar swagger and Graham Guest on piano, this track rips! R&B based Sweet Love (Dulce Amor), has more mellow feel with Myhre on lead and tight trumpet accents by Kenny Anderson. Nicely stylized guitar work by Weld and a super sweet solo from Hank Ford gives this pop track some real traction. Rock n' roller, Louise, has a real grinding feel with Myhre on lead vocal and Weld slides in giving it real fire. Sax Gordon steps up with hot bari and tenor sax work making this a track to be reckoned with. Shifting back to a real Texas style driver, Weld takes the lead vocal back on Tremble and the track swings a bit bat. Sax Gordon's horn work is thick and meaty and Weld never shy's away from total destruction. His guitar work is wild and feverous making this a smoking hot track. Bringing things way down, slow blues, Walk On Down, lead by Myhre on lead vocal, gives Weld to build slowly. This shows a totally different side of his playing style but still riveting. Yaseen plays a really nice piano solo on this track and Kaye's bass work is tight. Drummer Jeff Taylor penned, Dorothy Mae, features Taylor on lead vocal and some of the snappiest drumming I've heard in a while. With full horn compliment by The Heard Horns this track gets funky. Hamlin sings on sax and Weld belts out another nice guitar solo. Weld breaks down the door on the intro to Too Bad, So Sad, a driving rocker. When he cuts loose he's an absolute beast held in check by Taylor and Kaye. Swinging rocker, 20% Alcohol finds Weld back on lead vocal. He's really winding up the slide and lets it rip. Rush in back with a sweet harp solo and with Kay's walking bass line, nicely balanced. Wrapping the release is a reprise of Slip Into A Dream. This track is a crusher and Weld really applies the pressure. A monster of a guitar player, it's good to see him let the dog off of the leash again. Excellent!

   

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”

 

Delmark Records artist: Jimmy Burns - it ain't right - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, it ain't right, from Jimmy Burns and it grooves! Opening with Big Money Problem, it's got Morganfield bounce and featuring Ariyo Ariyoshi on keys, Anthony Palmer on guitar, EG McDaniel on bass and Bryant T Parker on drums, Jimmy Burns is super on vocal and guitar for a tight opener. Burns really gets into his space on R&B vocal track, Will I Ever Find Somebody?. His vocals are warm and inviting with nice key work from Ariyo and joined by Roosevely Purifoy on organ, Chris Neal on tenor sax and Aaron Getsug on bari, this track has a great sound. Otis Rush's Snaggletooth Mule has a nice funky blues feel (Thrill Is Gone) and Burns shows great vocal prowess as he lays out some really nice guitar work over Purifoy and Ariyo on keys. Percy Mayfield's Long As You're Mine gets a full horn backing and a sixties Ray Charles R&B feel. Burns plays some pretty flashy guitar riffs and Ariyo hits the keys as well. Nice! Slinky 12 bar number, Hard Hearted Woman, has a super groove with a nice walking bass line from EG and rolling piano from Ariyo. Burns takes this shuffle for a nice walk on his guitar making it one of my favorites on the release. Another Percy Mayfield track, My Heart Is Hangin' Heavy lumbers with a funky bottom. It has a serious Albert King feel and Burns vocals are super. Burns stretches a bit on his guitar laying down a cool solo that works nicely with the groove. Crazy Crazy Crazy has a definite swing vibe featuring Getsug on honking bari sax. The vocal blending really work nicely in the delivery of an authentic period piece and Ariyo and Burns each lay in some really nice riffs. Jimmy Reed track, A String To Your Heart slows down the tempo and Burns is on harp. This is a real nice 12 bar number and Burns vocals have a bit more texture. Ariyo really shines on piano against what is otherwise a stripped down track. Boogie woogie track, Rock Awhile is really super with Gatemouth like guitar riffs. Burns really gets this band rolling and his vocals, coupled with Ariyo make for a fine track. Ben E King's Stand By Me gets a little Latin twist but retains it's soulful feel. A nice vocal track with clean guitar and keyboard adornment, this is a cool one. Surrounded has a showy R&B (almost Louis Jordan)feel with a chiding horn vamp. Parker's drum snap keeps things tight and Getsug and especially Marques Carroll on trumpet really punch up the track. Super blues, I Know You Hear Me Calling really grabs it by the short hairs and gives it a shake. Burn's vocals are rugged and soulful and Ariyo plays remarkable piano riffs. Burns steps up laying down some of his hottest blues riffs on the release cushioned by Purifoy on organ and Caroll, Neal and Getsug on horns. Excellent! Little Walter's It Ain't Right has that classic jump. Burns and Ariyo trade riffs throughout delivering on almost a gospel revival pace. Messin' With The Kid gets a real nice funky workover. This is one of my favorite tracks with it's heavy handed bottom, solid vocals and gripping guitar soloing. Excellent! The release is wrapped by Wade In The Water with all of the gospel that you'd ever anticipate in a modern blues influenced track. This is a super track to wrap the release featuring nice vocal harmonies and clean keyboard direction.

   

  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”

 

Delmark Records artist: Junior Wells - Southside Blues Jam - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Southside Blues Jam, by Junior Wells and it's great! This is another in a series of reissues from Delmark with in this case 6 additional tracks. This release was recorded in December '69-January '70 at Theresa's Blues Bar and one could only have wished to be at one of these shows! Opening with Sonny Boy Williamson's Stop Breaking Down, Spann hits the first key and Wells unleashes that monster voice. It's really great to hear this band featuring the kings of Chicago blues (Wells, Guy, Myers, Spann, Earnest Johnson and Fred Bellow). Wells has such control and composure with Spann who is one of my personal favorites. Excellent! I Could Have Had Religion is up next and Spann is right there! This track comes and goes so quickly but Spann in crystal clear and Wells has the blues in the palm of his hand. Willie Dixon's Just Make Love To Me (I Just Wanna Make Love To You) is right down in the groove and Spann is stellar. Wells really digs down and Buddy is heard scampering over the vocals with his guitar riffs. Spann steps out with a great intro on one of my favorites, Lend Me Your Love. Wells' vocals are focused and direct and Otis really kicks it on an extended solo. Guy plays some of his notorious riffs, rough and raw. An almost perfect track. On Morganfield's Long Distance Call, Wells pulls out the harp and quietly coaxes riffs from Spann and Guy. Excellent! On Williamson's In My Younger Days, Wells plays a cool intro and Spann keeps a solid piano base under Wells' vocals. Of course a perfect track for Wells to blow it out, that he does and a full out romp starts with Louis Myers adding really nice guitar riffs to the mix. Guy takes the mic on Trouble Don't Last and consequently adds more of his own distinctive guitar riffs in echo to his own vocals. It is a such a great thing to hear Guy and Spann together with Guy singing and Wells on harp. Guy takes a bit more of an extended solo on this track as well. Excellent! The next 7 tracks weren't a part of the original release and are a terrific bonus here. It's Too Late Brother cooks with Wells riding high on vocal and terrific harp work. Myers is just perfect on guitar on this track with an almost jazz attack and Spann plays low on the keyboard creating a super dynamic. At over 6 minutes, this is a cool jam. Warmin' Up is a cool little clip of Spann and Guy jamming. At only about a minute long, a well worthy addition with hot riffs! Love My Baby has a strong Morganfield feel and Guy cuts loose nicely on this track. Spann's signature is ever present and these are not just extras...these tracks are great! An alternate take on I Could Have Had Religion is up next and Wells really sings over the top. At over 7 minutes this turns into a super jam with Wells vocal improv, Spann, Guy, Below and Johnson. Morganfield's Rock Me is up next and Wells sets a really nice groove. Spann's signature is so pure and evident that you wonder how anyone ever listened to Chicago blues without him. Wells rips loose on his harp against a fairly quiet background creating a super dynamic. Got To Play The Blues is a seven plus minute track with a funky blues feel. Myers holds down the guitar spot on this track and Spann and Wells trade riffs. This is an excellent release of materials for both enthusiasts and seasoned listeners. There is also included a 16 page liner notes and super photos from Bob Koester. Also of note is that this is the final studio recording of Spann.

  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”

 

Delmark Records artist: Linsey Alexander - Come Back Baby - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Come Back Baby, from Linsey Alexander and it is full of grooving R&B Blues flavor! Opening with Little Bit Of Soap, a BB King style track with Bill McFarland (trombone), Chris Neal (tenor sax) and Ryan Nyther (trumpet), Alexander takes the lead on vocal as well as guitar shared with Breezy Rodio. High stepper Booze and Blues is driven by a nice bass line from Greg McDaniel and Roosevelt Purifoy weighs in with a sweet organ solo. Slow blues number, I Got A Woman, finds Alexander at his best with powerful vocals and searing guitar solos. Pooky Styx plays a nice simple contrast on drums as Alexander wails on. Very Nice! Come Back Baby is solid soul and Alexander is surrounded by horns. A very cool radio track with a nice melody and light airy guitar work. Harmonica wiz, Billy Branch, joins on Call My Wife, a classic Chicago style track. Branch's featured work on this track as well as simple, soulful guitar riffs from Alexander makes it one of my favorites from the release. Led off my a cool feel and solid snap of Styx, Things Done Changed is another of my favorites on the release. A head bobbing beat and solid horn work behind Alexander complimented by a nice electric piano solo from Purifoy and Alexander make this another track that stands head and shoulders above. Easy swing track Can't Drink, Can't Sleep, Can't Eat again features the masterful work of Branch on harp. Alexander takes an easy but effective ride on the fretboard for a little punch. Quick paced R&B track, Booty Call, is pure and simple with pop hooks and Alexander leading the way with relentless guitar lead. Too Old To Be A New Fool is another slow blues track with nicely articulated guitar work. Alexander really hits his stride on vocals on this track and again joined by Branch, this track instrumentally is tops. Very nice! Snowing In Chicago is a smooth R&B track with steamy guitar work complimenting Alexander's cool vocals. Another radio track for sure. Willie Dixon's I Can't Quit You Baby, is not a direct copy of Dixon (or Rush/Led Zep for that matter) so I find it a bit more interesting as an interpretation. Alexander does the track justice, singing in a much more rich blues styling playing guitar call and response to his own vocals. Purifoy's keyboard work on this track is particularly effective at keeping it tight. Alexander's guitar solo on this track is also one of his richer interpretations on this release. Funky Feeling is...well funky. With a R&B strut and cool horn work adding accents, this is a cool track. Chris Neal steps up with a really nice tenor solo and of course Alexander smokes the fretboard as well. Easy blues loper, Goin' Out Walkin', wraps the track. A bright keyboard solo from Purifoy and a relaxed guitar solo from Alexander take this release 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”

 

Delmark Records artist: Dave Specter - Message in Blue - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Message in Blue, from Dave Specter and it's hot! Opening with instrumental, New West Side Stroll, Specter comes out with the strings blazing. A cooking jazz influenced swing blues also featuring Brother John Kattke on organ and backed by Harlan Terson on bass and Marty Binder on drums this is smoking! On R&B track, Got To Find A Way, Otis Clay takes the center spot light backed by Theresa Davis and Diane Madison on vocal and Kenny Anderson (trumpet), Bill McFarlland (trombone), Hank Ford (tenor sax)and Willie Henderson (bari sax). This Time I'm Gone For Good has a nice slow tempo and a great lead bass line. Clay again takes the mic but this time with a deeper bluesy approach. Specter lays out some really tasty riffs on this track making it one of the best on the release. Title track, Message In Blue, is a nice blend of blues and soul. Specter maintains the spotlight with clean melodic guitar solos. Very nice! On swinging Chicago Style, Kattke takes the vocal lead accompanying himself on keys. The horns are back and punctuating all the way with Binder keeping the drums tight. Specter plays a really nicely phrased guitar solo and Kattke also rolls out a nice piano solo as well. On classic R&B track I Found A Love, Clay is back with his best vocals on the release. Specter chases Clay's vocals on guitar in almost Hound Dog Taylor style. Very cool! Funkified Outta Space has a real authentic Billy Preston kind of organ style and Specter "sings" the lead on guitar. Playing lower neck solos against upper fretboard riffs is particularly effective. Kattke lays down a really gritty organ solo taunting Specter on. Nice groove. Same Old Blues has gospel piano phrasing and really sets a nice table for Kattke to sing really super lead vocal. Specter takes full advantage of this inviting rhythm squeezing out some of the tastiest riffs on cd this year. The Stinger has a latin feel with the addition of Victor Garcia on percussion. Another jazzy showcase for Specter on guitar and Kattke on keys these guys just keep pushing up the heat. Jefferson Stomp has a much more primitive feel with light percussion and piano work. Specter dances lightly on the strings and Bob Corritore joins on harp. As the track gets cranking, Specter don's his slide and cooks up some rich lead riffs. Corritore steps up as well and shows his chops. Very nice! Watchdog has Kattke back on lead vocal with a strong Chicago feel. Specter kicks it up a notch on this track with some really well placed riffs. Kattke is back on organ and commands the spotlight. Very cool! The Spectifyin' Samba gets further out on that jazz limb but maintaining a blue feel. John "Boom" Brumbach offers up a really nice tenor solo on this track opening the floor for Specter to show his jazzier chops. Garcia again joins on percussion helping to deliver that Latin feel. Kattke is always super on keys and the Rhodes is really rich. Wrapping the release is Opus De Swamp, has a really swampy feel with heavy drums (Travis T. Bernard) and bass (Jim Tuillo) coaxed along by Corritore on harp. Specter tops the track with lightly sprinkled country blues riffs. This is a really cool release with a lot happening. Check 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”

 

Delmark Records artist: Steve Freund / Gloria Hardiman - Set Me Free - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Set Me Free, from Steve Freund and Gloria Hardiman and it's quite entertaining. Earlier released on Razor Records in 1983 (LP) this release is now available on CD with a few unissued tracks. Opening with R&B style You Got Me (Where You Want Me) Hardiman shows her command of the genre and Freund plays some hot riffs really getting the release off to a good start. On Jimmy Rogers track, That's All Right, Hardiman brings it down a bit and shows some rich blues feeling. Freund is always standing ready with a loaded fretboard making most anything that he touches come to life. Accompanied by Sunnyland Slim on this track it's good to hear the master at work. Bob Stroger on bass and Fred Grady on drums keep it simple while Freund plays a frenzied guitar solo sitting you back in your chair. Jammin' With Sam, a hot swinging instrumental track features a great lead melody by Sam Burckhardt on tenor sax and again solo work from Sunnyland and Freund. Ike Turner's The Way You Love Me, gives Hardiman a great opportunity to showcase her vocal style and Freund rips a nice solo lead. Harlan Terson sits in on bass on this track and Eddie Turner handles the drums. Ken Saydak lays down a really nice spiritual style piano line on King Curtis' Let Me Down Easy, giving Hardiman the opportunity to perform some of the best vocal work on the release. Freund isn't far from the mark when she takes a breath and crisp guitar riffs flow like water. On Aretha Franklin's Dr Feelgood, both Hardiman and Freund hit a nice groove, Freund really getting some smoking riffs off. On Guitar Slim's, Well I Done Got Over It, Hardiman really belts out the lead and Freund is always ready to throw some fuel on the fire with the guitar. New Orleans Hop Scop Blues is a swinging boogie like track with a nice guitar intro by Freund. Saydak really kicks it on piano on this track and of course Freund's contributions and certainly noteworthy. Things That I Used To Do, another Guitar Slim number is hot as a poker with Freund smoking the strings. Freund also takes the lead on vocals with a pretty nice vocal impression of Slim. Sunnyland Slim is back on piano and his personal styling, especially on this track is spot on. Possibly the best track on the release. Cleanhead Vinson's Kidney Stew Blues, a hot swinging blues instrumental is up next with great work from Burckhardt on tenor sax, Saydak on piano and Freund on guitar. Excellent! Otis Rush's Homework, never before released maintains the 60's rock beat and features Ron Sorin on harp and excellent vocal backing by Diane Holmes, Gail Washington and Gloria Hardiman. Freund punches the track with quick jabs and Gary Heller adds guitar work as well. Brook Benton's free wheeling, Kiddio, another never before released track has super piano presence from Saydak and Sorin is back on harmonica making this a great inclusion. Shoppin' And Snackin' features Saydak on vocal and piano as well as Bob Levis on guitar for a cool swinging piano blues. Wrapping the track is a boogie instrumental version of Swanee River Boogie. Saydak really hammers it out for a great conclusion of a very 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”

 

Delmark artist: Giles Corey - Stoned Soul - New release review

I just received the newest release, Stoned Soul from Giles Corey and it's a blast. Opening with funky blues rocker, Oh, Mademoiselle; Corey establishes his ground on vocal, paired nicely with Marty Sammon on keys, the driving bass lines of Joewaun Scott and straight up drumming of Rick King. Stepping up with both hot riffs and slide guitar Corey shows he means business. On Morning Train the track has a lighter bluegrass/jazz feel with intro by Pat Otto on mandola. Corey splays the guitar on this track laying it wide open. Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You has a R&B/gospel feel and backing singers Diane Madison, Mae Koen and Nanette Frank help to showcase some of the best vocals on the release. Breaking into a full foot stomping tent raising frenzy Corey gives his fretboard a workout. Very nice. Time Flies When You're Drunk is an easy going shuffle track featuring Otto again on mandola and smart piano work from Sammon. Pork & Beans doesn't mess around coming out blowing flames. Maintaining a funky guitar rhythm and tight drum pattern, the band cooks up a real pressure cooker here. A rip roaring guitar solo isolates the quiet funk from the intensity that this track delivers. Gary Clark Jr.s' Bright Lights gets a slight rework on this cut but retains the intensity of Clark's own performance. Sammon plays some sparkling Rhodes piano work on this track and Corey does not hold back when he opens it up on guitar. Super! Rita, a funky rocker, has a fat slide part that echoes the melody and eventually takes center stage. Nice. Right On! has an easy jazz intro but a bluesy melody ... a radio style track with solid structure. Again, strong backing from Koen, Madison and Frank play a key role in the execution of the track. Laid back, It's All Been Said Before puts you in mind of Van Morrison or Jerry Garcia. Otto again stepping up on mandola adds to that "country" feel ... this tracks floats on air. Watch Myself Go Crazy gets the R&B groove with a glisten of pop jazz. Rhodes piano work from Sammon and light crisp drum work from King keeps it simple for Corey who delivers a Steely Dan like guitar work over poetic lyrics. That Girl Is Bad takes the high road with a grinding slide rhythm filler and Mitch Mitchell like drum work. A tight rocker, this this track does take a breath for a keyboard solo but drives on hard throughout. Nice! Home Is On My Mind is a rolling rural ballad with a contrasting slide against triplet guitar riff. Nice touch. Every Time I See Your Face is an easy shuffle with a Randy Newman feel. Stylistic piano work on this track and nicely compliments the vocals of Corey and as a wrap to the track as also to the release, Corey lets the slide out and the band turns it up a few notches. Nice conclusion to a very entertaining 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”

 

Delmark Records Artist: John and Sylvia Embry - Troubles - New release review

I just received the new release, Troubles, from John and Sylvia Embry and it's great! Some of the tracks included were originally released on Razor Records over 20 years ago but none ever released on CD and 5 tracks are previously unreleased altogether. Opening with Wonder Why, a a great slice of Chicago with Sylvia on vocal and bass and Johnny Guitar Embry on guitar. Slyvia has one of thise stellar voices and John knows how to get your attention on guitar. Backing the Embrys are Iceman Robinson on rhythm guitar and Dino Alverez on drums. Title track Troubles is a great track with John stepping up on the intro with chilling riffs and Sylvia really belting out on this slower blues number. John continues riff as the track goes on making you wonder why he isn't a household name. Excellent. On Brook Benton's Lie To Me, the Embrys lay down a cool shuffle bed and Sylvia uses her superior vocal skills to hold the track in the palm of her hand. John stretches out on guitar, not wasting any notes but telling a great story. On Elmore James style I'm Hurtin' Sylvia delivers big time on vocal with a mix between James Brown like soul and pure blues. John steps up with super nice slide riffs making this another track to watch. On I Found Love/Rainbow, the R&B really come out and the Embrys milk this track for everything it's got. Superb! On Jimmy Reed's Going To New York, Sylvia takes the strong lead on vocal with backing by John. Mustang Sally is up next with Woody Williams on drums and lead vocal. Sylvia and Woody do a cool trade off on the chorus and John steps up with a hot guitar riff adding to the mix. The first of the unreleased tracks, Gonna Find My Baby is a great track. Digging deep in the blues Sylvia shines on vocals and John compliments her nicely on guitar both in compliment and in solo. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Early Time Blues has an Elmore James kind of feel and John is active under the vocals on guitar. Sylvia sings super lead and John steps it up considerably on his solo. Another super track! Razor Sharp is a boogie instrumental featuring John and Sylvia just jamming away. With that Freddie King rhythmic feel, John uses his own voice on guitar to tell the tale. Smokin! Roosevelt Sykes track Keep Your Hands Off Her has that strong Chicago sound and Again Woody and Sylvia trade vocal leads. Blues This Morning, a cool shuffle track gives Sylvia a good platform to show her stuff and John plays a stinging guitar solo to satisfy guitar twits like me. After Work is a really strong slow blues instrumental. Ollie Moore (drums) and Robert "Dancin" Perkins (bass) support John on a solid guitar workout. On BB King's Worry Worry, Iceman Robinson steps up on vocal and lead guitar. This is a really cool track both exhibiting strong feeling and some pretty cool guitar effects. Another of my favorite tracks on the release. Short instrumental 62nd Street Luau is a quirky little blues number and John plays some interesting guitar soloing with effects, not unlike some earlier work by Chuck Berry. Very nice. Freddie King's I Love The Woman is up next and John Embry takes the mic for lead vocals doing quite a nice job. His guitar playing is not flashy but inspired and interesting. Johnny's Bounce is a terrific little instrumental not unlike Gatemouth in style.

This is a terrific way to wrap up one of the best blues releases that I have had the pleasure to review this year.

 Happy New Year!!

  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”

Delmark Artist: Magic Sam - Live At The Avant Garde - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Live At the Avant Garde, from Magic Sam and it's terrific! This is a rare recording from 1968 and we are fortunate to have this turn up and become available. Opening with Freddie King's San-Ho-Zay, Sam is really cutting the groove. A master of phrasing and with clear tone this track is bright and alive. Don't Want No Woman is a cool up paced shuffle track with Sam on vocal with his classic guitar retort followed by Big Mojo Elem on bass and Bob Richey on drums. Capturing Sam at his best this is a great track. BB King's I Need You So Bad is classic with a mixture of Sam, King and Walker riffs shows the diversity of his style. On Junior Parker's Feelin' Good, Sam takes the boogie to a new level. This is an excellent track and you can just feel the electricity in the club. In Lowell Fulson's It's All Your Fault Baby, Sam milks the blues out of a great blues track with nice tremolo effects. You Belong To Me is a blues/R&B track with a lot of chug a lug. Get up and dance... you got to! Bad Luck Blues is one of the best tracks on the release with just the right amount of tempo and guts. Sam's vocals are inspired and his playing spot on. Jr Wells' Come On In This House is a classic soul track and just perfect for Sam's vocal/guitar attack. Real nice guitar phrasing make the solo on this track one of the more memorable of those on this release. Really nice! Next up is Dixon's Hoochie Coochie Man. Sam does a real nice cover of the track with cool guitar riffs throughout. On Muddy Water's Still A Fool, Sam maintains much of Morganfield's original arrangement but of course the addition of Sam's slick guitar work making it a cool change up. That's All I Need is another R&B style track and a great track in it's own right. Sam has a special touch with his own tracks and his own groove. On Otis Rush's All Your Love, Sam does a super job of capturing the feel of Rush yet adding his own flair. His shimmery guitar solo's on this track are spine chilling. On Jimmy Rogers' That's All Right, Sam lays down some of the best vocals on the release. This warm paced track has great drum riffs from Richey and Sam rips into the guitar with double stops that are really hot. On Lookin' Good, Sam takes the pace up to boogie level again and lays down some really chipper guitar riffs which would have been great to experience in person. Really super that it has been captured in audio form for us to enjoy. On Jimmy McCracklin's, Everynight Everyday, Sam has the perfect tempo to fan the flames of this scorching hot blues number. Sam captures the real essence of deep blues on this track tempting you to just lay back in your chair and close your eyes. Excellent! On BB King's Hully Gully Twist, Sam takes it home with a kick. A light hearted instrumental with a springy beat and bopping guitar riffs, Sam leaves you wanting more! This release is a must!!

  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”

 

Delmark artist: Toronzo Cannon - John The Conquer Root - New Release Review

I just received a copy of the new release, John The Conquer Root by Toronzo Cannon and it's powerful. Opening with The title track, John The Conquer Root, this release is balls to the wall! With a percussion bottom (Brian "BJ" Jones) worthy of Bonzo himself, this track is heavy and laden with hot guitar riffs and gripping vocals from Cannon. Excellent. I've Been Doing Fine has more of a Chicago blues style with organ by Roosevelt Purifoy and bass from Dave Forte. Cold World is a much more contemporary R&B style number with horns from Kenny Anderson (trumpet), Norman Palm (trombone), Dudley Owens (sax), Jerry Di Muzio (sax) and backing vocals by Kay Reed, Theresa Davis and Vanessa Holmes. Cannon takes the opportunity to lay out some tasty riffs but this some is all about the groove. Gentle Reminder is a rock blues track with a stiff driving funk belly. Cannon uses great vocal phrasing on this track and answers his call with Texas style stinging guitar riffs. Very cool. If You're Woman Enough To Leave Me is a funky blues track with Cannon laying down really solid guitar riffs to accompany his spot on singing. A Latin beat on drums by Jones and sweet harp work from Omar Coleman make Shame a real strong contender for the radio track on the release. On relaxed, soul style blues track, You Made Me This Way, Cannon really shines on vocals and Purifoy adds bright key work. Been Better To You opens big with horns and a New Orleans style funk. Singing guitar punctuations and rich horn work saturate this track and Cannon knows how to work it. On Big Ray Bop, a swing track, Coleman plays some of the nicest harp work on the release. Cannons vocal is more Ray Charles in nature and Purifoy steps up the piano work laying down some real fine riffs on this track. Sweet, Sweet, Sweet is a slide guitar butt rippin with Joanna Connor and Lawrence Gladney adding guitars. Finishing up with Root To The Fruit... She's Mine (Reprise) returns to the wall of music in the title track and flat out guitar/ drum massacre. I can't say enough how much I especially enjoy these two particular tracks. Excellent ending to a very solid 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”

 

Delmark Records artist: Lurrie Bell - Blues In My Soul - New Release Review

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 also with a lot of warth on the bottom from Purifoy. Melvin Smith on bass and Willie Hayes on drums keep the bottom effectively tight giving Bell all the room to bend well articulated solos. His vocals on this track are among the best on this release. Going Away Baby, along the lines of Rollin' and Tumblin' just smells like Chicago. Bell keeps it light on guitar and Skoller rides along nicely on harp. On 24 Hour Blues, a nice loping blues number Bell again has particularly strong vocals and his riffs are slick. Purifoy on piano adds brightness nicely complimenting the track. My Little Machine is a super tight slow blues track with crisp guitar riffs ... taste the heat! Big Walter's I Just Keep Loving Her is a jump blues giving Skoller and Bell each a chance to shine and they use the opportunity very nicely. Another T-Bone Walker track, T-Bone Blues Special starts with a really traditional Walker riff, then into a swing track with nice harp work from Skoller. Eddie Boyd's Just The Blues is a particularly strong cut, possibly my favorite track on the release with a nice balance between Bells vocals, Purifoy on piano and really soulful guitar work by Bell. Southside To Riverside turns up the funk a la Albert King and Bell riff off backed strongly by the horn section. Purifoy plays a cool organ solo on this track but it's really all about playing the funk against the blues ... nicely done. One of my all time favorites, Otis Spann's Blues Never Die is up last to wrap up the set. Skoller and Bell both hit super accents to Bells vocals delivering a very nice rendition of this smokin track. Both soloists do super jobs on this track making it a fitting completion to a very strong blues set.

 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”

 

Delmark Records artist: Studebaker John's Maxwell Street Kings - Kingsville Jukin' - New Release Review

I just received a copy of the new release, Kingsvile Jukin' by Studebaker John & the Maxwell Street Kings and it's a raw blues butt whoopin good time! Opening with Mississippi To Chicago with all of the vigor and crispness of Hound Dog Taylor! On When They Played The Real Blues, John plays in traditional Chicago style along with great harmonica. Shake It Down Now is a real cool track with contemporary sound but keeping it's primitive roots. Over driven guitar and vocals give it a definite raw texture. The Rest Is Up To You is a cool boogie pushed along by Steve Cushing on drums and Bob Halaj on bass. Grinding guitar riffs are teams with super harp riffs making this one of the best tracks on the release. On I Am The Houserocker, John has a real greasy groove and his slide playing is right out of Elmore land. John's voice is also particularly cool on this track. Howlin' In The Moonlight blends the droning sound of a primitive delta track with Howlin' Wolf like vocals making for a very satisfying track. Think cool and primitive. Ride Again takes a lesson from Morganfield with a smokin' Chicago blues track with a lot of mojo, but with a modern twist and primitive distorted overall sound. Really nice! The title track, Kingsville Jukin' is a hot little harp track with light cymbals and rhythm guitar... cool! Wicked Soul has a rough and ready texture with delta style vocal delivery and rhythm guitar that really hits home. John has a wicked way with the slide and I really like it! Shake Some For Me is another great track that Hound Dog Taylor would be proud to own. John has really captured the spirit of the primitive Chicago sound and has captured it here on this recording. Right Tonight is a cool driving boogie opening the door for a riding guitar rhythm and nice harp work. John knows how to place the notes where they need to be and not to clutter the music too much with frivolous details. Ending the release is a great slider, Bad Gasoline. A foot stompin' stripped down guitar, vocal and amp on full distortion is just the ticket and the slide playing is just super. If you like the primitive sound that Hound Dog Taylor is know for and you like Chicago Blues... If you like one man band sounds.... you'll love this recording. Nice....real nice!!!

  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”

 

Jimmy Dawkins dead?

I have seen references on Facebook that Delmark Records has announced the passing of Jimmy Dawkins. I have found no such verification anywhere. I will keep you posted as I do find further information. We hope that Jimmy is fine. James Henry "Jimmy" Dawkins (born October 24, 1936, Tchula, Mississippi, United States) is an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist and singer. He is generally considered a part of the "West Side Sound" of Chicago blues. He moved to Chicago in 1955. He worked in a box factory, and started to play local blues clubs, gaining a reputation as a session musician. In 1969, thanks to the efforts of his friend Magic Sam, he released his first album Fast Fingers on Delmark Records, winning the "Grand Prix du Disque" from the Hot Club de France. In 1971 Delmark released his second album All For Business with singer, Andrew "Big Voice" Odom, and the guitarist, Otis Rush. Dawkins also toured in the late 1970s backed up by James Solberg (of Luther Allison and The Nighthawks fame) on guitar and Jon Preizler (The Lamont Cranston Band, The Drifters), a Seattle based Hammond B-3 player known for his soulful jazz influenced style. Other musicians that toured with Jimmy Dawkins in the late 1970s were Jimi Schutte (drummer), Sylvester Boines (bass), Rich Kirch and Billy Flynn (guitars). With this combination of musicians Dawkins also toured Europe. Dawkins began to tour in Europe and Japan and recorded more albums in the United States and Europe. Dawkins also contributed a column to the blues magazine Living Blues. In the 1980s he released few recordings, but began his own record label, Leric Records, and was more interested in promoting other artists, including Taildragger, Queen Sylvia Embry, Little Johnny Christian and Nora Jean Wallace. Bman

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Delmark Records artist: Arthur Big Boy Crudup - Sunny Road - New Release review

I just received the latest release, Sunny Road, by Arthur Big Boy Crudup and it's a smash! This is an unreleased studio release from 1969 and what a gem. This is real blues at it's finest, opening with title track, Sunny Road, a stripped down no frills blues track and Crudup on vocal and guitar sounding just like you'd want a real bluesman to sound and Willie Big Eye's Smith on drums. On Please Don't Leave Me With The Blues, Mike Thompson joins on guitar and Mark Thompson on bass. Crudup holds the spotlight but is backed by Jimmy Dawkins and the complement of Dawkins guitar riffs with Crudup's vocal timbre with his phrasing is killer. Trying To Take Me For A Ride has the sound that real rock came from. This is nicely composed without adornment but just showing the man and his band. On She Gives Me A Thrill, Dawkins takes another distinctive guitar solo and creates cool guitar filler throughout this track but really it's Crudup's delivery that really makes this track. His delivery is impeccable. Mistake I Made In LA is a really cool track with a bit of a lope to it. Crudup starts off with the real cool guitar sound of his guitar through a Leslie giving it a real shimmery organ like quality. Crudup's vocals are real and life like making all the difference in the world when listening to his delivery. This is really something that you need to experience. Not something that I can explain to you. Again, having his own sense of time is a great feature of his delivery as with John Lee Hooker in his early work. The One That I Love is a great slow blues track and possibly one of my favorite tracks on the release. This is a very uniform release in that every track is great and it all flows well but each track has it's own character. I Have Called China is another slower track and this time featuring Dawkins again on guitar. Crudup captures all of the essence of the original delta style but delivers it in a more modern full band style, just shy (not in talent but in polish) of where Morganfield went. This is a brilliant new discovery for blues enthusiasts. I'm Leavin' Town really shows the roughness with which the execution of the track has been managed but in my own listening, I believe it adds to the warmth of the release compared to a perfect production recording of today. Finishing up with All I Got Is Gone, this is one of the best new (old) releases that I have heard. I have a real soft spot for more primitive style blues and this is just lightly buffed....not polished  and very strong. This will definitely be on Bman's Best Releases of the year!!  

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”

This track is not from the release.

 

Delmark artist: Willie Buck - Cell Phone Man- New Release Reviews

I just received the newest release, Cell Phone Man, by Willie Buck. This release sounds really fresh but it fits like an old glove. This new release is a mixture of new tracks written by Buck and some old classics written by Muddy Waters among others. The release opens with Doin' Good And Bad At The Same Time, a contemporary Chicago style blues track. Buck is backed by Rockin' Johnny Burgin (lead guitar), Rick Kreher (rhythm guitar), John Sefner (bass), Steve Bass (drums), Barrelhouse Chuck (piano) and harp men Bharath Rajakumar and Martin Lang. Darling I Miss You So, the classic Ted Taylor track is right on the spot with crisp riffs by Burgin. Muddy Waters' Strange Woman has a beautifully slow pace which provides plenty of space for Bucks' gritty blues voice, Rajakumar's soulful harp work and tasty guitar tweaks from Burgin. Each featured artist takes a turn showing their stuff, you find yourself just closing your eyes and letting it in. Excellent! Cell Phone Man, another traditional Morganfield Chicago style track sound as if it could have been performed by Waters himself. The authentic feel of the execution is fresh. Another Waters song, Two Trains Running is given a very stripped down,just vocal and acoustic guitar, traditional run and is also executed very well. It has the life of original delta blues. Goin' Down Main Street is a romping blues and features Barrelhouse Chuck on piano and Rajakumar again on harp. It's also great to hear tight little guitar riffs from Burgin on this track. Morganfield's Streamline Woman, gets a very solid cover again sounding very fresh and keeping you wanting more. I love the slide sound on this track. This band just has the sound of having played in the best blues club in Chicago for a long time. Tried To Work Something Out With You is a real sweet track following suit with the balance of the recording but in this case featuring Lang on harp. I Want To Talk To My Baby is another standout on the release again with a very stripped down feel. The track is electrified but kept at a very minimal really highlighting the blues men at their best. Blow Wind Blow closes the release with a smooth rendition of one of Muddy's most popular tracks. This release has a great delivery and is a pleasure to kick back and listen to. There are times throughout this 17 track release that I reach for my guitar because it sucks you in. Great job!

  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 favorite band!