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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!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Babylon Is Falling, from Delta Moon and it's really good. Opening with dark, swampy, Long Way To Go, Tom Gray on slide guitar works his magic with complimentary vocals by himself and Mark Johnson (also on guitar), Franher Joseph on bass and Marlon Patton on drums. Excellent opener. Patterson sets an excited pace on title track, Babylon Is Falling, a smoky blues track with Gray on lead vocal, guitar and keys. His slide work is smooth and gritty lending the track a beefy, New Orleans feel. Two stepping, Might Take A Lifetime has a solid rock beat and loose, guitar riffs giving the track a JJ Cale feel. RL Burnside's Skinny Woman retains RL's energy but with a slightly different arrangement, has a somewhat more contemporary feel. Very cool. Traditional blues, Nobody's Fault But Mine gets a funky, swampy remake. Nice electric piano work, woven with cool guitar riffs, a solid bass line and tight drums gives this track new life. Wrapping the release is Christmas Time In New Orleans with a straight forward rhythm and easy acoustic slide couples with quietly wailing electric lap steel giving the track a cool eeriness. This is a really solid release and one you should definitely check 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, Cabbagetown, by Delta Moon and they have a rocking sound with blues influences. Opening with Rock and Roll Girl, Tom Gray on vocal and lap steel, Mark Johnson on vocal and lap steel create a signature sound backed by Franher Joseph on vocal and bass, and Marlon Patton on drums. With a swampy feel, Just Lucky I Guess features Steven Stills like vocals and swift resonator guitar soloing. Kicking it up a few, Coolest Fools has a country rock/pop feel with a cool hook. Tandem slide work maintains a country rockin' feel throughout and nicely blended vocals give this track additional appeal. Refugees stands alone for me as the absolute best track on the release. With it's solid one bass line, slide work and spoken lead vocal, this track just rides the super groove. Excellent! A modern take on Son House's Death Letter is totally fresh and unique. Very cool with a thumping bass and cool harp work from Jon Liebman. Title track, Cabbagetown is a cool call and response acoustic blues instrumental featuring instrumental retort between Gray on resonator and harp and Johnson on guitar. Wrapping the release is a powerful blues rocker, Sing Together, with flavors of CCR and Stills. With rich backing vocals by Kyshona Armstrong and slick slide work, this is a super closer for a really 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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“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
I just received the newest release (May 5, 2015), Low Down, from Delta Moon and it's a warm mix of blues rock, country and radio play. Opening with Wrong Side Of Town, a blues rocker with Tom Gray on lead vocal and Mark Johnson playing bottleneck on a Rickenbacker spanish-electro guitar. A catchy melody and a JJ Cale like feel, this track should easily catch airplay. On New Orleans rhythm track, Afterglow, again has nice slide work with nice drum work from Marion Patton and bass work from Franher Joseph. Mark Johnson and Gray trade guitar riffs giving the track texture. Nothing You Can Tell A Fool has Muddy Waters like slide work from Johnson. Heavy tom tom work from Patton and backing vocals from Francine Reed, Johnson and Joseph nicely compliment the shimmery slide work throughout. Mean Streak has a solid radio theme and a slight funk on the bottom. Both lead and slide riffs on this track add nicely to the composition. Two stepper, Lowdown, a Tom Waits track, is my favorite track of the first half of the release with free wheelin' slide work from Johnson. Bob Dylan's, Down In The Flood, has a really cool feel with a underlying slide rhythm track. Johnson plays some of his nice slide riffs on this track and Francine Reeds vocals are a really nice addition. Cool rhythm is what it's all about on Open All Night. A rich drum rhythm with a really nice slide part and topped by Gray on harp makes this another of my favorite tracks on the release. Rock driver Shark In The Dark has super potential as a radio player with it's catchy melody, slide riffs and perfectly clicked vocals, set off by a clever drum part. Skip James' Hard Time Killing Floor Blues takes a more acoustic feel with Johnson on resonator and Gray laying down an eerie pedal steel slide. Cool track. Easy rocker, Matfly, is another track with strong airplay potential with Anna Kramer backing Gray on vocal and real slick slide work contrasted against a rock drum beat. Jelly Roll is an uptempo blues rocker with solid roots on the early blues. This track is my pick for the best track on the release with great slide work, a perfect groove and nicely blended vocals. Wrapping the release is Jacky Ray with a funky groove. Joseph lays down a cool bass line balanced against Gray on vocal and organ. Johnson has a saturated tone on guitar and slide giving the track an extra warm feeling. Nice conclusion to an overall 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”
Delta Moon’s music is a strong mix of personalities and sounds. A chance meeting in an Atlanta, GA music store brought the two founders, Tom Gray and Mark Johnson, together. Tom tried to sell Mark a Dobro out of the back of his van. Tom remembers the girl with Mark whispering, “Let’s get out of here.” Mark didn’t buy the guitar, but the two exchanged phone numbers and soon were playing together regularly in coffee shops and barbecue joints around Atlanta. Mark came up with the name Delta Moon after a pilgrimage to Muddy Waters’ cabin near Clarksdale, Mississippi.
After adding a rock-solid rhythm section, Delta Moon started playing nightclubs and festivals around South, quickly gathering a wall-full of local “best” awards, including winning the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2003. With much attention from the IBC Award, Delta Moon widened its travels to include the US, Canada, and Europe. In 2007 bassist Franher Joseph joined Delta Moon followed later by drummer Marlon Patton, completing the line up that remains today. The band’s work ethic of constant recording and touring continues into 2012 and beyond with tours scheduled for Germany, Italy, U.K., Benelux, Scandinavia, Canada, U.S. and more. Like my Facebook Page, Post your video on my Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! Share your favorite posting and get more exposure for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
