Bman's Blues Report

Gina is more widely known as the lead singer, founder, songwriter, and cigarbox guitar show house of the 2019 International Blues Challenge finalist, Misty Blues . The band has been performing original and traditional blues with hints of jazz, soul, funk, and tent revival gospel since 1999. Gina/Misty Blues have recorded 16 albums with tracks featuring artists like Charles Neville , Eric Gales, Joe Louis Walker, Justin Johnson, and Kat Riggins. They have performed extensively throughout the Northeast and have toured the continental U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. Misty Blues has been nominated for a number of Independent Blues Music Awards , and they were bestowed the honor of being the 2021 CFAB Music Realm Entertainer of the Year. Their original music is regularly aired on SiriusXM Bluesville , and they have had broad international airplay, as evidenced by chart standings on the Roots Music Report . In 2024, they had the distinct honor of having a song they released used in a...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Satisfied- An Anthology , by Gaye Adegbalola and it's packed full of tracks from 9 of her solo projects. The Dirty Dozens is a strong piano boogie with great vocals by Gaye and excellent piano by Jeff Covert. One of my favorites on the release is Tippin' On The Down Low with plenty of swing. Rodney Barnes adds great personality on piano giving it a terrific vintage feel. I really like Gaye's vocal work on Prove It On Me Blues . Her ability to dig in and deliver is well demonstrated, backed by Barnes on piano. Simple acoustic blues, Blues For The Greens starts off with Gaye alone with guitar but explodes with full support of Covert on keys, bass, drums and slide guitar. Sensitive, Winona , is a quiet blues featuring Gaye on vocal and guitar and Phil Wiggins on harmonica.  Wrapping the release is Lift Every Voice and Sing , in duet with Resa Gibbs. A solid closer for a lifetime of music.    If ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Griot , from Gaye Adegbalola , previously of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women. Opening with Nothing's Changed , Gaye takes on her world challenges with song. Over a strong rhythmic Bo Diddley beat, Gaye delivers the word from her perspective, citing her observations of todays prejudice.  FMG is an African based track with a chant based upon the fight against female genital mutilation. (You're) Flint Water is a bluesy shuffle with slick slide work by Jeff Covert, organ by Keith Armstead,  and solid horn backing by Zack and David Smith on trumpet, Steve Patterson on sax and Dan Haverstock on trombone. Solid ballad, Gon' Be Alright , is my favorite track with smooth vocals, guitar and organ by Gaye and smooth guitar lead by Covert. Doc Pomus penned, (There Is Always) One More Time slides in nicely with warm vocals, a beautiful melody and acoustic guitar by John Freund and Gaye. Sorry, But … No Shame is a...

Gaye Todd was born and raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She graduated as valedictorian of the then-segregated Walker-Grant High School. She finished Boston University with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as a technical writer for TRW Systems, a biochemical researcher at Rockefeller University, and a bacteriologist at Harlem Hospital. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Media (with a concentration in photography) from Virginia State University. In the early '70s, she began her teaching career. She was an educator in the Fredericksburg City Public School system for 18 years, and honored as Virginia State Teacher of the Year in 1982. Throughout her teaching career, she directed Harambee 360º Experimental Theater. She was able to creatively use performance as a tool to assist black youth in gaining confidence as they struggled with identity issues during the spread of "integration." During her teaching career, Ms....

Gaye Adegbalola (born Gaye Todd, March 21, 1944, Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States) is an American blues singer and guitarist, teacher, lecturer, activist, and photographer. Gaye Todd was born and raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She graduated as valedictorian of the then-segregated Walker-Grant High School. She finished Boston University with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as a technical writer for TRW Systems, a biochemical researcher at Rockefeller University, and a bacteriologist at Harlem Hospital. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Media (with a concentration in photography) from Virginia State University. In the early '70s, she began her teaching career. She was an educator in the Fredericksburg City Public School system for 18 years, and honored as Virginia State Teacher of the Year in 1982. Throughout her teaching career, she directed Harambee 360º Experimental Theater. She was able to creatively use perf...