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Showing posts with the label Ernie Watts

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💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Ronnie Baker Brooks - Blues In My DNA

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Ronnie Baker Brooks is a powerhouse Chicago blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who carries the torch of a legendary musical lineage. Born into blues royalty as the son of Hall of Famer Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie didn’t just inherit the music—he lived it. He cut his teeth learning directly from master icons like B.B. King, Albert Collins, and Willie Dixon. Today, the multiple Blues Music Award winner seamlessly blends authentic Chicago roots with a high-octane mix of rock, funk, and soul. “I’m blessed to have learned from the best,” Brooks says. “I’m carrying them within me.” 🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM ▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand) Add this Record to Your Collection Available on CD and in Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. < The Deep Dive The continuation of Chi...

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Brad Goode Quintet Featuring Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream - Live At North Street Cabaret

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First documented together on 2018's That's Right! , the musical relationship of virtuosic trumpeter Brad Goode and legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts goes back 8 years earlier when the two met on a stage together. Their vivid musical rapport immediately apparent, they've pursued yearly opportunities to tour ever since, each time exciting audiences with their high energy, tight-rope style improvisations within an ever-expanding collection of original compositions.  🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM (Click the Track Number) ▶ Listen to Album Samples - Click the track number (Click to Expand) Add this Record to Your Collection Available in Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. The Deep Dive Opening with aggressive original Goode track, Covid Nightmare , Brad Goode on trumpet and Er...

Origin Records artist: Marc Seales - People & Places - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, People & Places , from Marc Seales with Ernie Watts and it's tasty. Opening with Rue Cler , with it's suspensive bottom created by Marc Seales on piano and floating lead by Ernie Watts on tenor sax sets a yearning feeling, anchored by Bruce Lett on acoustic bass and Moyes Lucas Jr on drums. Prelude is a quiet piano piece, nicely illustrated by Seales alone. Sensitive and introspective. The Muddy Chicago Blues has a real nice sway to it. With Seales, Lett and Lucas setting the platform, Watts wails to meat and taters . With soulful phrasing and tight articulation Watts rides high, edged on by the clever piano punctuation of Seales. Taking over the lead on piano, Seales has the blues flowing like a second language with deft and fluidity. Lett gets his run as well with double timed bass riffs on an aiery form. Very cool. I particularly like The Gingi with it's light, creative rhythm pattern by Lucas wit...

Dawnserly Records artist: Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues - Different Voices - New Release review

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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (April 7, 2017), Different Voices from Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues and it's quite different. Corky Siegel, once member of the famed Siegel-Schwall Band, is back with an interesting concept. Orchestral blues. Opening with Missing Persons Blues - Op 25 forms around a traditional Chicago blues theme but featuring the strong sax work of Ernie Watts with Siegel on harp, Jamie Gorgojo on violin, Chihsuan Yang on violin, Dave Moss on viola, Jocelyn Butler Shoulders on cello and Frankie Donaldson on tabla.   One features lush harp work by Siegel and crystal clear vocals by Matthew Santos on vocal, this track having more of a euro, show sound. Time Will Tell Overature - Op. 25 features Sandeep Das on tabla balanced with Siegel and enriched by nicely orchestrated violin accompaniment. On pop track, Lay Down Sally, an Eric Clapton and Marcy Levy composition, Marcy levy takes the lead on vocal, maintaining it's po...