Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back On The Road To You , from Freedy Johnston and it's a well written and performed set of great tunes. Opening with Back On The Road To You , Freedy Johnston quickly demonstrates why he gets such critical praise. With strong vocal harmonies and a super melody, Johnston is joined by Dusty Wakeman on bass, Doug Pettibone with really nice lead and steel guitar riffs, and Sasha Smith on keys. Aimee Mann joins Johnston on Darlin' , one of my favorites on the release with it's lush melody and lightly played steel guitar by Pettibone. Shimmering keys by Smith create an iridescence on the track. Susan Cowsill joins Johnston on pop rocker, The Power of Love with a total radio melody and concise attack. Pettibone adds in some real nice guitar flavor giving it just the right blend. Wrapping the release is The Really Miss Ya Blues with it's definite radio friendly melody. Perfect vocal harmony puts you in mind of ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fish Outta Water by Karen Lovely and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Fish Outta Water , Karen Lovely is joined by Rick Holmstrom on guitar, Taras Prodaniuk on bass and Matt Tecu on drums. On Willie Dixon style, Twist My Fate , Lovely shows substantial vocal girth with Sasha Smith on piano and Eric Corne. Very nice. With a Country Western flair, Waking Up The Dead has a cool retro sound that I really like, with Doug Pettibone on guitar, Alan Mark Lightner on percussion, and David Rahlicke on cornet. Big Black Cadillac is a strong radio contender with a Country rock twist. Lovely's vocals are strong and i particularly like Holmstrom's guitar work. Hades' Bride is another strong track with a great melody and a Western ballad style. Lovely's voice works nicely in this flavor and clean guitar work by Al Bonhomme, warm cello tones from Richard Dodd and really nice violin lines by Eric Gorfai...