Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Between Somewhere and Goodbye by Doug MacLeod , and it's that cool, MacLeod blues rock thing. I've been reviewing Doug's releases for over 10 years and I find him like JJ Cale in that his music is cool, clever and somewhat definable... and that's good. Opening with Memphis In Your Soul , MacLeod sets off with a lightly funky, track with soulful vocals, an easy guitar riff, and with Paul Ossola on bass, Lynn Williams on drums and Cindy Walker , Marie Lewey and Carla Russell on backing vocals. MacLeod lays in one of his understated, single string guitar solos making for  perfect opener. Keep On Walking On is a straight up shuffle with really light instrumental backing almost dominated by a single snare/tambourine snap and MacLeod's vocals, backed by Lewey, Russell and Walker and another traditionally simple yet interesting guitar solo. Very solid melody and performance. I Ain't No Stranger ha...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wooden Music , from Mick Kolassa and it's chocked full of of blues talent. Opening with shuffle, Educated By The Blues , Mick Kolassa on vocal and guitar lays down a cool melody, with Doug MacLeod and Jeff Jensen on guitar, Carl Casperson on bass, Tom Lonardo on drums, Rick Steff on piano and featuring Eric Hughes on harmonica. Up-tempo, If I Told You , has a swampy rhythm with Jensen on guitar, Casperson on bass, Lonardo on drums and Vince Johnson on harmonica. Very nice. Over My Shoulder is a cool little tune with a saunter. With solid vocals by Kolassa and tight guitar melody by Jensen, this track has a great feel. Wrapping the release is country flavored, Gas Station Sushi , with Kolassa on vocal, kazoo and guitar, with straight up slide from Jensen and Lonardo on drums. This is a cool closer for a characteristic Kolassa release.   If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to lea...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rhythm Blues & Boogie by Dave Keyes and it's name says it all. Opening with Memphis flavored R&B on Shake Shake Shake on piano and lead vocal backed by Bernard Purdie on drums, Jeff Anderson on bass, and the power of Chris Eminizer on sax and Tim Quimette on trumpet. Solid opener. Another big swinger, Blues and Boogie has a little New Orleans spice and Keyes piano work shines again with power horns by Eminizer and Quimette and a real nice guitar solo by Early Times. Takin it to the street New Orleans style, Ain't Doing That No More has a great drum beat by Purdie and Eminizer and Quimette punch up the back. John Putnam on slide guitar really nails it and of course Keyes vocal and piano lead is terrific. Not Fighting Anymore is spiced up even more with a Latin beat by Pagano on drums and percussion adds backing vocals, with firm horn backing by Quimette and Eminizer and strong lead vocal by Keyes. David ...

  I just  had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brand New Eyes , from Doug MacLeod and it's super. This release on Reference Recordings, Fresh label captures MacLeod alone on acoustic guitar and resonator in a pristine setting. Opening with title track,  Brand New Eyes , MacLeod uses his vocal and finger picking pace to stimulate the track and a foot tap to stabilize the pace. Easing into a John Lee Hooker like trance with resonator and a solid foot stomp, MacLeod really captures the feel of Delta Blues on Something Dark Is Walking . An obvious student of the old masters, this track is spot on. With a traditional rag style and strong finger picking, Zu-Zu Woman is a terrific track and one of my favorites on the release. With raw emotion, I Rolled A Nickel feels delta authentic with the jangle of the resonator and slide, foot stomp and wailing like vocal. Very nice. Story telling country blues, The Nature of the Man has a great tempo and solid vocals ma...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Break The Chain , from Doug MacLeod and it's a cool, textural documentary of contemporary observations. Opening with boogie rocker, Goin' Down To The Roadhouse , Doug gets into a real nice groove with slide on resonator joined by Denny Croy on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. On Lonesome Feeling, Doug really gives his National steel body a rough workout. His wailing and slide work nicely together creating a feeling of solitude and emptiness. Very nice. Another stand out track is One For Tampa Red featuring a solid walking bass line by Croy and Doug sliding out the melody on his National "O". Boogie track, Who's Driving This Bus is another stand out track with a great driving rhythm and clever lyrics. A very nice track, Church Street Serenade has a really sweet melody and strong guitar articulation. One of my favorites. Wrapping the release is title track, Break The Chain , a simple stripped down roc...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Europe , from Doug Macleod and it's a quiet, up close and personal concert with a super performer. Opening with acoustic boogie, I Want You , Macleod hammers on his resonator and belts out the blues. If you don't know Macloud, this is it man. On Black Magic , we hear more of a modern delta style with acoustic slide. More dramatic, Ain't The Blues Evil , has a modern feel but dark delta roots. With understated vocals and Muddy Waters like guitar riffs, this is one of my favorites on the release. The New Panama Ltd. is a cool folk blues track with great train guitar action and over 14 minutes of spoken story lines. Very cool. Home Cookin' is a really cool blues rumble along the lines of Sweet Home Chicago. With Macleod's witty delivery and gritty guitar work, this is a crowd favorite. Cold Rain is a real nice blues number with traditional resonator blues riffs. Macleod's slide playing and...

I just received the newest release (March 10, 2015), Exactly Like This , from Doug MacLeod and it's quite good. Opening with piano boogie, Rock It Til The Cows Come Home , MacLeod on guitar and vocal is joined by Mike Thompson on piano, Jimi Bott on drums and Denny Croy on bass. This track has an acoustic basis but it really does rock. With a solid piano groove and acoustic guitar instrumentation MacLeod's vocals push the track. Too Many Misses For Me has more of a jazzy feel and an acoustic guitar lead. A strong track with nice articulation. Find Your Right Mind has more of a quiet Johnson ballad (Come Into My Kitchen) style but with a more urban twist. MacLeod plays the slide resonator sweetly on this track. Ain't It Rough? has a rag feel but is really more of a story telling track with rhythmic accompaniment. Vaneta , a cool guitar boogie is lead by MacLeod on acoustic guitar and with a real nice blues Hooker like guitar riff. The spirit of John lee lingers in this ...

   May 29–June 1 17 bands, 4 big days, $50 Fri/Sat Combo Tickets* — Best Value!   Get your tickets now! The Western Maryland Blues Fest roars into its 19th big year in Hagerstown, MD! Come celebrate with four jam-packed, jumpin’ days filled with music from national, regional & local performers! These are just some of the great artists you’ll hear throughout the festival… Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters Legendary blues guitarist Ronnie Earl brings his celebrated band back to Hagerstown for a special show. Having played alongside such greats as B. B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, and Otis Rush, Ronnie’s guitar speaks with an authoritative blues voice that only a veteran player can summon! Ian Siegal & Band Be part of one of the first American audiences to hear this multiple British Blues Awards winner! Ian’s May 31 Hagerstown p...