Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Do Right, Say Right , from Mississippi MacDonald and  I really like it. Opening with easy shuffle, I Was Wrong , Mississippi MacDonald is firing on all cylinders with a great soulful voice and fat, BB King like guitar phrasing, joined by Phil Dearing on keys, Elliot Boughen on bass and Mark Johnson-Brown on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, It Can't Hurt Me with it's Albert King influenced guitar riffs and MacDonalds solid vocals. Organ and horn accents throughout buy Dearing really punch up the track and aggressive bass lead by Boughen adds real bottom. Check out the tasty guitar lead on Drinker's Blues . MacDonals's fat bends and double stop accents really sets this track with strong backing vocals by Lucy Dearing. Slow Blues, If You Want A Good Cup Of Coffee is another of my favorite tracks on the release. MacDonald has a really solid voice, no taking away from that but wh...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Game of Faith , from Auburn and it's quite interesting. Opening with Game of Faith , a cool jazzy pop track with really strong vocals by Liz Lenten and clean, stylized guitar work by Thomm Jutz really make this one of my favorites on the release. Backed by Mark Fain on bass, Lynn Williams on drums and Britt Savage on backing vocals, a real nice opener. Lightly salted funky track, I Don't Love Him has a great feel and just the right amount of lead guitar. A purposeful melody and lush chords make this track an outstanding radio prospect. I really like the delicate balance between Lenten's almost fragile vocal  and the saturated tone of the electric guitar on It's Not Love . Very interesting contrast. Another track that keeps me listening is Spoke In The Wheel and Lenten's almost Toya Wilson like vocal delivery, against the glistening chords of Jutz. Wrapping the release is sensitive ballad, His Arms ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild , from Joanne Shaw Taylor and it's a cool guitar fused blues release. Opening with Dyin' To Know , Taylor leads with a driving rhythm and crisp but understated lead guitar behind her solid vocals and backed by Greg Morrow on drums, Rob McNelly on guitar, Michael Rhodes on bass and Steve Nathan on keys. Ready To Roll has real swagger and Taylor's voice really shines. Backing vocals by Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins and Jade MacRae give the track fullness leading up to so real nice guitar slashes by Taylor. Very cool. Get You Back is a solid country rocker in the style of the Outlaws with nicely blended backing vocals and tight guitar riffs. I really like the bent guitar chords on the opening of ballad, Wild Is The Wind . Rhodes' bass line gives the track a richer contrast to Taylor's already enticing chords and strong vocals. Very nice. Rocker, Wanna Be My Lover has the drive of the Allman...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cuba Neils , from Dirk Digglers Blues Review and it's a real kicker. Opening with Nuthin' Too Untoward , a super rocker with attitude, Darroll Wheatley has the lead on vocal and bass, backed by Mark Sweetmore on guitar, Paul Reece on keys and Aaron Gent on drums. Stinging rock riffs, usually associated with the southeastern US really give this track a hot edge. Keep Yo' Momma Down the Line has a nasty blues feel with a raw punky edge and slide guitar. I like it! Shuffle track, If You Don't Wanna Dance , maintains that edge with sounds not unlike Carl Perkins ...wound tight. Black Cat Blue s settles down into a pure blues slot with Sweetmore's slide following Wheatley's vocal lead. Breaking down with a bit of funk (and some funky sax by Chris Dyer) It Ain't Fair has a real nice groove. Think "Use Me" with attitude. Very cool.  With a smokey, jazzy atmosphere, Steamroller Blues mix...

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Take Me High , from Laurence Jones and it's really hot! Opening with funky rocker, Got No Place To Go , Laurence Jones handles lead vocal and guitar nicely. With fluid guitar riffs and a super bass line by Roger Inniss this track really moves. Bob Fridzema plays a pretty handy keyboard and Phil Wilson's drum riffs are tight and demanding. Excellent! On Something's Changed , Jones blends a funky beat with a Reggae line coming up with a really terrific rocker. His guitar riffs are melodic and really nicely phrased. This is some hot shit! With a big bat swinging like a pendulum, Jones and Wilson set a basic pattern with really hot bass lines under the top by Inniss. With radio styling, this track has it's share of blues fueled guitar soloing but with modern, rock styling and snappy drum riffs. Over a basic Hendrix (All Along The Watchtower) theme, I Will is s solid ballad punched up by the Hammond work of Frid...

I just received the newest release, Kicking Up The Dust , from Walklate & Fuschi and it's solid Chicago style blues. Mat Walklate and Paolo Fuschi play old style blues through old style equipment capturing a unique quality now mostly lost to modern recording techniques. On opener, Ain't No Big Deal On You , W&F bring a train style rhythm with rich vocals, rhythm guitar and charging harp soloing throughout. Excellent start. Going Sown Slow has a cool Latin beat courtesy of Fuschi on guitar with Walklate leading the way on lead vocal and harp. With fine instinctual harp playing and solid vocals, Walklate carries the lead and Fuschi's blues riffs surface for a fine solo of his own on this track. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release, As Long As I Have You , shows Walklate's most expressive vocals and super harp work. With a soulful melody and a more sophisticated guitar approach, this track is super. Shuffle track, Nothing But Love , has strong...

I just received the newest release, Hard Road , from Tom Killner and it's quite good. Opening with Dallas Green's, Coming Home , a stompin' blues rocker, featuring Tom Killner om lead vocal. Nigel Killner on bass, Jake Ashrom on bass and Jesse Courts on backing vocal. I really like this track with it's Delaney & Bonnie sensuousness and southern rock swagger. Ain't No Rest For The Wicked is a stiff poke in the face of American bands trying to do real southern rock. I mean, this band does really nicely what hasn't been done since RVZ died in the fatal crash of 1977. Very cool! Showtune, Feeling Good , made popular by Nina Simone, is a temperamental track with a nice blues edge, accented by Killner's vocal and guitar style. Extended lead soloing is certainly nicely executed and rhythm guitar has great tone. Excellent! Seether track, Fake It maintains it's pop rocky feel but with tasty guitar interpretation. Red Arnall song, Cocaine Blues gets an ...

The Mekons Announce Rare, Full-Band Tour And, additional screenings for the documentary film Revenge of The Mekons -- “The Mekons are the most revolutionary group in the history of rock ‘n’ roll” – legendary rock critic Lester Bangs ­ -- Celebrated British musical miscreants The Mekons ( https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/mekons ) announced they will tour select U.S. cities in July as a full band. The group will make stops in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and more during the two-plus-weeks stretch. The genre-defying collective Mekons emerged from the 1977 British punk scene, and progressed from socialist art students with no musical skills to prolific, raucous progeny of Hank Williams. Theirs is an improbable history: a surprising and influential embrace of folk and country music, with occasional forays into the art world. The current lineup has remained intact since the mid ‘80s marked by defining releases The M...

Jack Bruce, the bassist for legendary rock supergroup Cream, has died. He was 71. Bruce's family announced his death via Facebook and the musician's official website . "It is with great sadness that we, Jack's family, announce the passing of our beloved Jack: husband, father, granddad and all-round legend," the statement said. "The world of music will be a poorer place without him, but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts." See also: 45 Essential Classic Rock Anthems Post by Jack Bruce . The Scottish-born singer died Saturday "at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family," publicist Claire Singers confirmed. No further details were provided, but the Press Association reported that Bruce died of liver disease. Bruce is best known as a member of the 1960s British band, Cream, performing alongside members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker . Formed in 1966, Cream went on to sell 35 million albums in just two years, ...

After playing over 40 shows across 7 countries through the past couple of months, Ben and the band now have a few weeks off. Next show is with the full 6 piece line-up playing at the prestigious ‘Suwalki Festival’ in Poland on Friday 11th July. Gig dates throughout the UK are now confirmed in October, and Ben Poole will also be “Special Guest” of Matt Schofield on his November UK Tour. European tour being planned for February/March 2015, If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

I just received the newest release (July 1, 2014), The Blues Is Personal , from Nigel Egg . This is going to be a fairly different review that you are typically used to sweeing from me because it is quite frankly different than much of what I review. First I want to comment on the record art. The cover, which is presented here is very artsy,attention grabbing and thought provoking. A photo of Egg on the reverse shows Egg as a colorful fun loving guy. Opening with Back To The Blues the track Egg (vocal, harp and guitar) is joined by Bob Exstrand on guitar, Tom Lewis on bass, Greg Schutte on drums, Tony Balluff on clarinet, Steve Sandberg on trombone, Zack Lozier on trumpet, David Stenshoel on violin and Dale Peterson on piano. An easy going track is nicely complimented by a full accompaniment of Dixieland style instrumentation. On the Blues Is Personal , there is a light guitar solo which compliments an other wise simple pop track. On Imagining You Naked , a simple pleasant track is...

NOVEMBER 2014 UK TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST BERNIE MARSDEN PLANET ROCK 48-HOUR TICKET PRE-SALE WEDNESDAY 4th JUNE TICKETS ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT 9am ON FRIDAY 6th JUNE NEW STUDIO ALBUM "THE DIRTY TRUTH" RELEASED 22nd SEPTEMBER British blues rock guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor returns to UK shores with a Nationwide UK Tour in November 2014 , which follows hot on the heels of her fourth new studio album, "The Dirty Truth" , which is currently being recorded in Memphis. Tickets for Joanne’s UK tour goes on sale as an exclusive 48-hour ticket pre-sale on Planet Rock radio from Wednesday 4th June .  Fans will be able to pre-order tickets 48 hours before they go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday 6th June. Go to www.planetrock.com for further ticket pre-sale information. All tickets are priced £17.50 , except London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire ( £20 ).  VIP tickets are £50 a...

Birmingham Rock & Blues guitarist    “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here  

I just received the newest release (March 24, 2014), Hard Rain , from Barb Jungr . Though not bluesy in the traditional sense, Jungr puts her own spin on some of the most loved music by singer / songwriters Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Joined by musicians Gary Hammond, Neville Malcolm, Steve Watts, Clive Bell and Richard Olatunde Baker, Junger puts together a very serious vocal effort in the style of say Judy Collins (for Americans not familiar with her work). Up first is Blowin In The Wind which is very solemn with only flute like sounds under her vocals. Everybody Knows gets a jazzy swing feel with light percussion and piano. Who By Fire is a quiet ballad with piano. Hard Rain is juiced up but with jazz ballad roots. I can compare it to Leon Russell's take on the same track but that wouldn't be fair to either artist. But it is more similar than to Dylan's original. Actually very theatrical. First We Take Manhattan has a Joni Mitchell jazz kind of feel. I'm not ...

Forty Below Records Signs the Legendary Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall, and Will Release His First New Studio Album in Five Years, A Special Life , on May 13 Latest CD, Which Features Special Guest C. J. Chenier, Is One of John Mayall’s Finest and Most Personal Albums to Date LOS ANGELES, CA – Forty Below Records announces the signing of the legendary “Godfather of British Blues,” John Mayall, and a May 13 release date for his first studio album in five years, A Special Life , distributed by Sony/RED. The new album was recorded in November, 2013, at Entourage Studios in North Hollywood and was produced by Mayall, with co-production, engineering and mixing by Eric Corne. A Special Life also boasts original cover art and design created by John Mayall. The aptly-titled A Special Life serves as further testament to John Mayall’s boundless talent, vitality and ever-dynamic personality. Along with his accomplished band, he goes back to his roots ...

In an exclusive interview with the Musical Times, local blues singer, composer and harmonica player, Simon ‘Honeyboy’ Hickling, talks about the three years when legendary Small Faces & Humble Pie genius, Steve Marriott, worked with his midland’s blues band, the DTs. Three years that preceded Marriott’s untimely death by fire. The DTs, comprising of myself, Simon 'Honeyboy' Hickling on harmonica and vocals, Craig Ring on bass, Steve Walwyn on guitar and Chas Chaplin on drums, had been gigging semi-professionally for the last half of the 70s. In the 80s we went professional and gigged all over England. Consequently we found ourselves on the same bill as Steve Marriott and the Packet of Three on a number of occasions. Down on his luck Steve had come back to England from the States and was down on his luck. In America, after the collapse of Humble Pie - which had been even bigger after Frampton had left - with about four or five big albums over there - Marriott's s...

New British Blues/Rock Power Trio. Formed when Tim Chapple (Bass) and Alan Ibbotson (Drums) formerly of 'Devils Creek' joined forces with Keith Howe (Guitar and Vox) well known for his work with his previous Band Blue on Black. Rockin' The Blues.   “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE  

Foghat is a British rock band that had their peak success in the 1970s. Their style can be described as "blues-rock" or boogie-rock, dominated by electric and electric slide guitar. The band has achieved 8 gold records, one platinum and one double platinum record. The band had far more success in the United States than home in Britain. Rod Price on guitar/slide guitar joined after he left the Black Cat Bones in December 1970. The new lineup was named "Foghat" (a nonsense word from a childhood game played by Peverett and his brother) in January 1971. Their 1972 album, Foghat was produced by Dave Edmunds and had a cover of Willie Dixon's "I Just Want to Make Love to You", which received much airplay, especially on FM stations. The band's second self-titled album was also known as Rock and Roll for its cover photo of a rock and a bread roll, and it went gold. Energized came out in 1974, followed by Rock and Roll Outlaws and Fool for the City in 1975...