Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hard Workin' Man , from Andrew Alli and it's a solid slice of blues. Opening with title track, Hard Workin' Man , a great blues number sounds like it's right out of the Elmore James songbook. Andrew Alli, who covers vocals and harmonica shows all of the raw edge of old school blues. Backed by Jon Atkinson on guitar, Carl Sonny Leyland on piano, Danny Michael on guitar and Devin Neal on drums, this is a super opener. AA Boogie is a real foot stomper and gives Alli a great platform to blow his harp. Excellent! With a Latin rhythm, Going Down South is a cool blues number with what sounds like Alli singing through his harp mic, answered with his harp. Cool slide work by Atkinson gives the track a warmup and Alli joins back with raw harp tones. Very nice. Walter Horton's, Walter's Sun is a great instrumental with fleet fingered guitar work and particularly nice harp riffs. 30 Long Years is a really...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Chops Are Rolling! from Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind and it's really great! I really like Ricci's work and every time I get the chance to review one of his releases I remember why I do this. There is always something great coming around the bend! Opening with Break In The Rain , a drum heavy rocker with cool slide work and easy vocals Ricci is off to a super start his fluid harmonica styling...uniquely his. Backed by John Lisi on guitar and vocal, Andy Kurz on vocal and bass, John Perkins on drums and Kaitlin Dibble on vocal, the band is hot. On Don't Badger The Witnes s, Ricci's vocals are haunting and Lisi's guitar work outrageous. Excellent! F_ck The Falcons (Who Dat Nation) is presented in two forms on this release and this is the non edited version. I bit blunt maybe but in good spirit and in New Orleans style...this track is terrific! On Barbara Lynn's classic, If You Should Lose Me , ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, World Full of Trouble , by Big Al and the Heavyweights and it's a lot of fun. Opening with title track, World Full of Trouble , Lance Younger on lead vocal hits it hard with Destin Thibodeaux on hot harp and crisp guitar riffs from Bob Margolin. Tight drumming by Big Al and bass by Dean Galatas keep a tight groove under the rumbling keys of Wayne Lohr making for a solid opener. With a funky bass line by Galatas and a real R&B sax line by Lance Ellis, Fool For You has a nice groove. Wath, BB King like guitar phrasing by Younger on Testify, over gospel like backing vocals by Donna Slater and Cathy Pace give younger great traction for top radio track on the release. Very nice. Country funk on Big Old Rusty Car really works nicely with Billy Preston like  organ by Lohr, and hot sassy sax work by Ellis. Very cool. Conjuring the bluesy soul of Blood Sweat and Tears, Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right , has a swaying ...

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...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pacing the Floor by Blue & Lonesome duo (Li'l Ronnie & Gordon Harrower) and it's solid. Opening with Honeyboy Edwards' Drop Down Mama , Ronnie Owens on vocal, foot drum and harp and Gordon Harrower on vocal and guitar digging deep in fertile delta roots. Wine Headed Woman is a rumbling boogie with a driving guitar rhythm and strong harp chants. Very nice. On Muddy Waters' Mean Red Spider , Harrower's vocals are inspired and his guitar work spot on providing perfect balance for Owen's harp riffs. Original track, Too Fast For Conditions is a cool blues rocker with rich slide work by Harrower on resonator guitar and featuring Owens on harp. Super nice. Another original and title track, Pacing the Floor is a traditional boogie, stripped down with a solid guitar line and vocal by Harrower and harp soloing by Owens. This band really does create the magic of  Sonny and Brownie, Cephas and Wi...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Approved By Snakes , by Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind and it's quite good. Opening with My True Love Is A Dope Whore , a salty, stinky, slinky, funky track with tight instrumentals and intelligent, sassy vocals (think Jim Morrison meets Frank Zappa or Klaus Doldinger's Passport meets Peter Wolf). Andy Kurz lays down a sweaty bass line and Ricci blows great harp over frantic guitars by John Lisi and Sam Hotchkiss and solid drums by Adam Baumol....what an opener! With a more "contemporary", maybe Chili Peppers influenced, Something Just Arrived , the band is a bit more contained but by no means tame. This band is rocking but and taking names. Bluesy and theatrical, Broken Toy , follows a more conventional road but Ricci's vocals warp the senses and his harp playing is sensational, paired squarely with wild guitar. Very cool. Kurz sets up a really nice bass line to open Eddie Harris' Listen Here ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Full Circle , from Rev. Billy C. Wirtz and it's a blast. Opening with a Rock n Roller, Too Old , Wirtz takes the lead on piano and vocal with great flair. Joined by Mark Wenner on smoking harp, Mark Stutso on drums, Johnny Castle on bass, and with Paul Bell ripping some hot riffs, this is a great opener. On Smokie, Part 2 , a swinging boogie, Wirtz and Bob Driver on guitar lays down some really nice instrumental lines. One Point Five is a clever track about not being number one in someone's life but the alternatives that aren't all bad. With it's country flavor and some cool country riffs, this is funny. With it's stripped down piano accompaniment, Mama Was A Deadhead , Wirtz tells a clever story of the live of Dead fan's children. Another rock n roller, Rockin' Up To Gloryland has a great feel with a tight bottom and cool lead soloing by Bell and Wenner. With it's somber, ballad pace, ...

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Skronky Tonk , from Little Charlie and Organ Grinder Swing and it's massive! Little Charlie Baty has teamed up with Lorenzo Farrell on Hammond and J. Hansen on drums to put together a really swinging blues/jazz release. Opening with title track, Skronky Tonk , Little Charlie takes a departure from the blues of the Nightcats with this groove swing track instrumental showcasing Little Charlie at his best. Charlie plays long flowing nicely formed guitar phrases stacked up nicely with Farrell on Hammond. Excellent! Morgan Lewis' How High The Moon really made popular in recent times by Les Paul is really ripped by Little Charlie who cranks it up and lets it fly. Another excellent Hammond solo by Farrell and these guys deliver. Latin influenced, Receita de Samba shows yet another side of Baty with sensitive yet quickly articulate playing. Hansen is tight on drums and Farrell's organ work is clean. Gypsy jazz favorite,...

EllerSoul Records - New Release: Blues for Big Walter This is a record that I’ve wanted to make for some time now. Big Walter Horton has been a major influence on all of the great blues harmonica players of my generation and beyond. We wanted to do our part in spreading the blues genius of Big Walter Horton. This is a non-profit project with proceeds going to the Blues Foundation and HART Fund. We know they will put the money to excellent use. Artists involved donated music for the cause. We’re very excited about the record and are so grateful for the stellar lineup. We'd also like to thank all the musicians, labels, studio'...

I just received the newest release, Must Be Crazy , from Andy Poxon and it's terrific. I had reviewed Poxon's earlier releases, most recently Red Roots. and I can tell you without question the kid is getting better by leaps and bounds! Opening with the title track, You Must Be Crazy , Poxon is smoking right out of the gate. With a hell of a swagger and killing the Elmore James riff, this track is super. Poxon, who plays lead guitar and takes lead on vocal, is joined by keyboard ace, Kevin McKendree and the connection is golden. Poxon sounds really relaxed but plays with fiery intensity. I've heard comparisons drawn to Johnny Lang but I'd say shoot higher...say Sean Costello! Kenneth Blevins on drums, Steve Mackey on bass and Jim Hoke on sax makes this one powerful opener. Living Alone is a mid paced boogie woogie track featuring a more vocal feel and McKendree showing his fine piano flair. Kicker jump track, Next To You , really moves and Poxon pulls out some reall...

I just received the newest release, Ding Dong Daddy , from John Cocuzzi and it's a mix of swing, boogie woogie, blues, ballads and big band giving it quite a bit of flavor. Opening with piano boogie instrumental, Swanee River Boogie , Cocuzzi shows that he's serious about his boogie woogie. Rattling the keyboard Joe has the place hopping. Next up is Reconsider Baby with nice guitar work from Kevin McKendree complimented by Paul Keller on bass, Frank Cocuzzi and of course John on piano and vocal. Very nice! Ding Dong Daddy features hot solos from Dan Levinson on clarinet, John on vibes and Jerry Krahn on guitar. Slow swing blues, That's Alright , shows John's capability as a serious blues piano player as well who really has the track swinging low. An excellent bass solo from Paul Keller is a real nice touch. Just Call Me has a real nice New Orleans, Dr. John funky kind of feel. Quiet jazzy instrumental ballad, Come Sunday, shows John's sensitivity on vibes, co...

I just received the newest release, Back Porch Party , from The Nighthawks and I really like it. Recorded live at Montrose Studio in Richmond Virginia, this release keeps the volume nice and easy but the enthusiasm is high. Opening with Rock This House , Mark Wenner has got the harp cooking and, Wenner, Paul Bell (guitar), Johnny Castle (bass) and Mark Stutso (drums) harmonize nicely on vocals. Bell tosses in his own jazz filled riffs on guitar for a nice topper. Hot start! On W alkin' After Midnight , The Nighthawks get a easy pace, Wenner taking center stage on vocal and harp. Down In The Hole has a Latin rhythm with Bell emphasizing the tempo. The band breaks into a smooth shuffle and Wenner carries a nice harp solo throughout. Ike Turner's Matchbox is up next with a R&B swing. I really like Wenner's harp solo on this track which almost takes off. Bell gets a cool swing going on guitar as well with some dynamic chords. Super! Willie Dixon's Tiger In Your Tan...

I just received the newest release, If You Think It's Hot Here.. ., from The Mike Henderson Band and it's quite good! Opening with I Wanna Know Why , a creeping blues number with some great Fender guitar tones. Michael Rhodes lays down a real serious bass lead and Henderson has a voice that is just right for this type of blues rock music. Kevin McKendree really hammers the piano and Henderson gets down serious with some tasty blues riffs making this a great opener. Send You Back To Georgia is a great rock and roller with a serious rocking beat (Pat O'Connor - drums) and McKendree really takes the opportunity to bring this baby to it's knees. Henderson whips out the slide and rides the lower fretboard with some deep grinding grooves. Excellent! On shuffle track, Houndog Taylor's It's Alright is a great 12 bar number with a serious lope. McKendree takes the first leg and Henderson the second on slide for a super romp in blues land. Title R&B style track, ...

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), 444 , from the Nighthawks and it's a lot of fun. Opening with the Du Droppers' Walk That Walk , the Nighthawks are really swinging with really nicely blended vocal harmonies and super harp work from Mark Wenner. On Livin' the Blues , a traditional 12 bar with a casual lope to it, vocal harmonies are again a key part of the track. Wenner again lays down some nice harp riffs joined by Paul Bell on vocal and guitar, Johnny Castle on bass and vocal and Mark Stutso on drums and vocal. Title track 444 A.M. is a real rocker with flaming guitar riffs from Bell pulling out some really cool rockin solos. You're gone has a twist of country and a radio style arrangement. Honky Tonk Queen continues along with a country flavor and an even stronger radio presence. Got A Lot of Livin' has strong Rockabilly roots with cooking bass work by Castle and crisp riffs from Bell. Authentic roots style vocals punctuate the track. Cr...

The Nighthawks Are Back with a New CD, 444 , on a New Label, EllerSoul Records, Coming June 17 In their Fifth Decade, America’s Seminal American Roots Music Band Remains Vibrant & a Must-See Live Performance Group WASHINGTON, DC – America’s favorite roots music band, The Nighthawks, announce a June 17 release date for their latest album, 444 , on EllerSoul Records, their label debut. Produced by the band and recorded at Montrose Studio in Richmond, Virginia, 444 is jam-packed with 13 tracks of blues, soul, rock ‘n’ roll and roadhouse country music – all given the trademark Nighthawks combination of talent, passion, energy and showmanship that has made the Blues Music Award winners a truly one-of-a-kind live listening experience, conveniently packaged on disc and ready to take home to enjoy. Now in their fifth decade of recording and live performing, the 21 st century Nighthawks are a tight, cohesive unit – the kind that comes only from years a...

I just received the newest release, unfinished business , from Li'l Ronnie & the BlueBeats . Opening with Bring Your Fine Self Home , an easy swing blues track featuring Claudia Carawan on lead vocals, and the sure hand of Ericson Holt on keys. Li'l Ronnie has a strong harp overtone and also adds vocal harmonies. On Too Fast For Conditions , Stu Grimes sets a steady beat on drums and Li'l Ronnie rides high on harp. Jim Wark steps up with some cool guitar riffs and Carawan adds some nice sax work as well. R&B styled track Get Tough seems to best suit Carawan's vocal style backed by Almeta Ingram-Miller and Cheryl M. Beaver and Mike Moore hits some cool bass lines on this track. I Feel A Heartache Coming On , a solid ballad, blues style, is an easy hit for the group with Carawan carrying the bulk of the load with terrific backing from Almeta and Cheryl. Wark takes a tasty guitar solo backed by Holt on piano. Jump Jive, Then You Wail sticks very close to the ori...