Bman's Blues Report

Rarely do I find an album which deserves more praise than Cold Coal Town . Boone County, West Virginia native, Scott Holstein should be proud to hang his name on one of the best CDs that I heard during 2013. This is a collection of extremely crafted Bluegrass Country songs. Vocals are distinctive and pleasing sung with the elocution/diction of Randy Travis meets the low tones of Waylon Jennings, George Jones and Merle Haggard. Make no mistake- this is Bluegrass, not Blues. The Spell , is a finger picker’s delight and sets the pace for this release. The ringing of banjo, courtesy of Scott Vestal and mandolin fills by Aaron Ramsey compliment the song over foundation of the other instruments. Fiddle touches from the fingers of Tim Crouch sweeten the mix. Great stuff. Walls of Stone , written by Randy Kohrs is a personal favorite. Again the mandolin and artful Dobro work by Kohrs work well with the banjo solo from Scott Vestal. The biting and forlorn lyrics of a prisoner of walls and m...

I just received the newest release, Coventus, The Eye Of The Heart , from Norine Braun . The opening track, Lightning Strikes Twice displays an nterplay between smooth guitar, keyboard and wonderfully comforting and well trained voice elicit memories and best relaxing elements of “It’s a Beautiful Day”, Brian Auger with restrained hints of Santana and touches of techno-digital drumming courtesy of Adam Popowitz result in a what I’d call background for the perfect love affair. On How Would We Know , a reggae beat mixed with an almost Smooth Jazz guitar foundation provide foundation for Braun’s voice and fun lyrics. Playful change-up in the pace makes this tune more fun than cruising in a convertible on an ideal first day of Spring. Dizzy is a pleasant up-tempo tune. What strikes me is that Ms. Braun’s voice is a comforting treat to the ear. This listener was naturally relaxed yet not bored while listening to this set of songs. Just as the listener can pigeon-hole the genre of thi...

The cuts on Marina Rocks' latest release ‘The Comeback Kid’ are a wonderful mix of passionate, emphatically energetic vocals and skillful musicianship. Marina’s vocals remind me of the throatiness of Kim Carnes/Melissa Etheridge and the brass-in-pocket of a Lucinda Williams. This CD is one that continues to improve as it marches through the cuts. It would be easy for the first time listener to initially pigeon-hole this as a Country release-but would be mistaken to do so. Some reviewers in the music industry bemoan the demise of ‘real Country.’ This may be a release which is helping to redefine and save it. Fans of the Blues are encouraged to put their ears on and accept a rare treat. Do not expect a cliché’ rehash of Chicago, Texas or West Coast Blues. This is an opportunity to hear a refreshing difference. The first single ‘Stuck in the Mud’ is now playing in 13 Countries; Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, England, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark...

The latest release from Les Dud ek, Delta Breeze, starts off in total Chaos , a funky tune with Jeff Beck-like riffs and vague references to the artists’ perception of our current world. This tune is a tight instrumental of great fret dancing and percussion backing that ends with a bang. Title cut Delta Breeze brings out more of Dudek’s more familiar style and vocals. Lyrics add a positive element to this song adding the intended ‘breeziness’ to the more aggressive guitar attack beneath the words. Fast paced and well received. Les allows himself space to stretch out a bit in extended solo work which is very welcomed to my ears. High on the Water introduces more of his Southern Rock, Allman Brothers style sounding like a happy cocktail of key, tempo and Country picking reminiscent of Dickey Betts and the steely slide of David Lindley with a shot of vocals borrowed from early Jackson Browne. The good time party pacing makes for a fun tune with full rests thrown in which effec...

An extra full house was the scene recently at the Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ USA when blues legends and veteran road pros Nick Moss and Jimmie Vaughan delivered killer sets of tasty Blues. Chicago based Nick Moss and Michael Ledbetter (guitar and vocals), were joined by Bob Corritore (harmonica and vocals) and drummer Patrick Seals for a full hour of house rocking ‘Chicago style’ tunes. Just two weeks into a seven week Western USA tour this group was jumping. According to road tour manager, Javik Smith (son of Willie “Big-Eyes” Smith ) the core band will work the West for five additional weeks, take a short rest and then head out to the Eastern leg of the USA as the summer progresses. Moss showed his decades of experience through the fret board runs, fills, comps and seamless blending with guest harmonica player Bob Corritore and members of his regular band. Great support came from Michael Ledbetter on rhythm guitar and vocals who has been with Moss for the past two years. Class...

Congra tulations to Nashville-based guitarist/songwriter, Mark Robinson for a truly entertaining, engaging and very well produced release. “Have Axe – Will Groove” provides a collection of songs which will please any listener. I was continually surprised as toward the variety of styles and hidden gems within this set. Entertaining, engaging are words that could easily summarize this CD. You will have to look elsewhere if you are expecting a boring one-trick pony. Drive Real Fast kicks off the album with a lively, raw and rowdy boogie road song stylistically hinting of Watermelon Slim. Robinson mentions that the song came to him quickly and intends to capture “the distinctively American longing for freedom and escape.” The lyrics paint a rebellious scene of chucking it all, tossing the cellphone (and I imagine the responsibilities and hassles associated with it) out the window of the car window and hitting the highway. Mark notes that this is the attitudinal blueprint for the a...