Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Complicated Mess , from Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones and it's really strong. Opening with title track, Complicated Mes s, guitar man and vocalist, Doug Deming sets the table for a blues feast. His vocals are solid as always and using machine gun and trem bend, his riffs are hot! Joining are Andrew Gohman on bass and Marty Dodson on drums. Super opener. Kim Wilson's harp work adds great depth and Demings riffs are rich and jazzy on Sweet Poison , a cool bluesy ballad. Sam Theard's classic, You Rascal You , has great wings with Little Charlie Baty on guitar, joining Deming with clever lyrics and an extremely active rhythm section. Excellent! Shuffle, Need My Baby has a great lope and Madison Slim's harp work is strong giving the track a nice edge. My favorite track on the release is slow blues, Deep Blue Sea , with soulful vocal by Deming and smoldering guitar riffs, playing against Bon Welsh's pi...

Doug Deming Brings His Complicated Mess To Fans On October 19, 2018 “a stone killer... devastating in every way” - Tom Hyslop " Deming is a ferocious guitarist, fiery but clean, with a crisp, clear tone reminiscent of Charlie Christian's style ." - BLUES MUSIC MAGAZINE EllerSoul Records is proud to release the new album from guitarist Doug Deming called Complicated Mess , out on October 19, 2018. Along with his road band and some great guests, this album is Deming’s most courageous effort to date, combining traditional blues, jazz, swing, soul and R&B. Delivered in style with ten original Deming tunes along with three familiar covers of Fats Domino, Sam Theard, and the late great Lazy Lester. Complicated Mess is sure to set music fans on fire. “EllerSoul Records is excited to be working with Doug on his new recording . It is something we've talked about for some time, and the timing finally worked out for us. Doug is just the type o...

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Ready of Not , from Dennis Gruenling and it's a barn burner. Opening with hig energy blues rocker, Knockin' My Knees , Gruenling joins forces with Doug Demingon guitar, Andrew Gohman on bass and Michael Bran on drums for a blend of blues, rock n' roll and New Orleans jazz for a great opener. Bram's strait snare work along with Dave Keyes on liano really stand out on this track. On Missing Person , Slim Harpo's influence is strong with a super boogie reinforced by rim shots and Gruenling's harp work is hot. Another track with a New Orleans feel, Ready Or Not to me gets that classic R&B sound and Deming steps out with a real nice guitar solo. Simmer Down has a classic rock tom tom riff that sets the pace and Gruenling's harp work has a great vocal like quality. Very nice! Little Sugar is a pure rock n' roller with early roots. Deming takes center stage on this one with country flavored roc...

NEWS FROM THE VIZZTONE LABEL GROUP The first-round Grammy Awards Ballots are out! First-round ballots have gone out to members of the Recording Academy, to determine who the final GRAMMY Award nominees will be.  This year VizzTone is proud to have thirteen artists represented on the official entry list!  Our congratulations to: MICHAEL BRAM • DOUG DEMING & THE JEWEL TONES • DENNIS GRUENLING CANDYE KANE (FEAT. LAURA CHAVEZ) • LONG TALL DEB • JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND ANN RABSON w/ BOB MARGOLIN • DAVE RILEY & BOB CORRITORE RUFF KUTT BLUES BAND • GINA SICILIA • LITTLE G WEEVIL MITCH WOODS • AUSTIN YOUNG & NO DIFFERENCE                                          ...

I just received the newest release, What's it Gonna Take , from Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones . Doug is joined by Dennis Gruenling on harmonica, Andrew Gohman on bass and Devin Neel on drums and vocals. The release opens with the title track, What's It Gonna Take , a simple early rock blues track with tasty harp and guitar riffs. Think Hard has the lope of a classic Chicago blues track with a harp chaser. One Good Reason again revisits the early days of blues rock or rockabilly. Neel and Deming sing a little harmony and Greunling plays some nice harp. Deming plays some classic guitar riffs keeping the bop going. Poison Ivy moves the heavy rhythm guitar to the upbeat and creates the signature decade sound. Greunling plays what sounds like a chromatic harp and swings it quite well. An Eye For An Eye really slows the tempo and digs in to Muddy Waters territory for a solid city blues track. Greunling echoes Demings voice on harp and Deming keeps the rhythm guitar quiet un...