Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 6, 2021), Under Your Spell , by Tito Jackson and it blends modern funk, blues, pop and rock for his own style. Opening with Wheels Keep Turning, Jackson on lead vocal and guitar sets a pop pace joined by Michael Harris on drums, Michael K Jackson and Brandon Adams on keys, Darnell Neal on bass, Jason Parfait and Ian Smith on horns. I really like the horn work and slide guitar efforts by Jackson on this track. Heavy footed, Under Your Spell, has a great foot drum thump and with strong addition by Joe Bonamassa on guitar, Robert King on bass and sassy horn work by Parfait and Smith, this track has a great groove. R&B track, Big Leg Woman has a strong sax intro by Parfait, and gives Jackson a great chance to shine on lead vocal, features Kenny Neal on guitar with Jackson and keeps with the theme of ballsey horn throughout. My favorite track on the release is You're Gonna Push Me To Far with some really nicel...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Of A Kind , from Grady Champion , and it has variety. Opening with Bump and Grind , Grady Champion on lead vocal and harp along with Ken Smith on bass, Eddie Cotton on guitar and Carroll McLaughlin on keys set an early groove, not unlike a more polished Jesus Just Left Chicago. Nice opener. With a R&B feel, Heels and Hips floats along with a really cool bass line by Smith and nice backing vocals by Champion, Jewell Bass, Eddie Cotton and Lisa Palmer. Shuffle track, House Party , gets deeper in the groove with the addition of Kimble Funchess on trumpet, Jessie PrimerIII on sax, Sydney Ford II on bari, Robert Lamkin on trombone and champion's harp backed by nice vocals by Bass and Palmer. On Life Support , Champion really gets the band swinging on harp and some of his best vocals on the release. Myron Bennett's bass work is tight and vital giving this track just the right weight. Classic, Chicago style blu...

I just received the newest release, One At A Time , from Eddie Cotton and it's a great followup to his first release, Here I Come which was on my favorites list from last year! This release is off and running from the start with title track, One At A Time , a soulful blues track with Cotton on vocal and hot guitar riffs. James "Hotdog" Lewis , who passed away only a week ago today adds some real nice keyboard work on this release.With Myron Scott laying down a nice bass line and Samuel Scott Jr. on drums this track is moving, nicely complimented by Kimble Funchess on trumpet, Jessie Primer III on sax and Mike Weidick on trombone. Very nice! With it's super walking bass line by Bennett, Be Careful has a classic blues sound but with a definite R&B overtone. Cotton has a great voice and Carlos Russell adds harp giving it a cool contemporary feel. People keep commenting that we have to keep the blues alive. This is positive proof that all you got to d...

I just received the newest release, Bootleg Whiskey , from Grady Champion and it's an interesting blend of R&B, Blues, Soul and Gospel. Opening with Beg, Borrow, Steal ; Champion has his harp on point and Taylor Scott is hitting it hot on guitar. With a twist of country and rock, this blues number is fast paced and nicely crafted to feature Champion's skills on harp. Bootleg Whiskey has a definite R&B feel with warm backing vocals from Darrell Luster, Ray Braswell and William Purvis. Addition of horns by Kimble Funches on trumpet, Micah Brown on sax, and William Brown on Trombone add additional depth to a very cool track. Don't Waste My Time takes a definite turn to the blues featuring Champion laying down some nice vocals with strong horn support. Home Alone maintains that horn feel but with a funkier groove. David Hood plucks a nice bass line driving the track and Champion alternates between vocal lead and harp echo and solos with a smooth feel. Ten Dollars ...

I just received the newest release (January 21, 2014), Here I Come , from Eddie Cotton and it's a hot mix of Blues, Soul and R&B. Opening with the title track, Here I Come , Cotton wastes no time letting you know that he has a great voice and a strong understanding of blues guitar phrasing. This R&B infused blues track is really hot! A Woman's Love , is another strong entry with soulful blues vocals and stinging guitar riffs. Sam Brady adds warmth on this track with organ but it's the spot on vocals and gripping guitar riffs that makes this track tick. Samuel Scott Jr adds drums and Myron Bennett bass for this, one of my favorite tracks on the release. Pay To Play is a fast paced shuffle track with a lot of BB King feel. Cotton steps up again showing his guitar chops and he is really on it. Nice! Friend To The End is a soul style ballad, vocals handled with the craftsmanship of Curtis Mayfield. Really Nice! Get Your Own has a big time James Brown feel but with...

I just received the newest release, Tough Times Don't Last , from Grady Champion and it's his best to my taste that I've heard. The release opens with My Time Baby , a Chicago blues style track featuring Champion on harp and vocals and it's right on the spot. Next up is Missing You , a solid R&B track and I really like it. Featuring Caleb Armstrong on guitar, Marquis Champion on bass, Lil Cal Jackson on drums, Nathan Keck on guitars, Chris Gill on guitars, Granard McClendon on guitar, Larry Addison on piano, Kevin Culver on keys, Steve Wilkerson on keys, Amy Lott on clarinet, and Thomasine Anderson on backing vocals there is no lacking for musical talent. Broken Down Cadillac is a upbeat city blues/R&B track with over driven guitar work that really contributes to the overall sound and intensity. Glory Train has a bit of the delta blended into the city sound with a cranked down background and slaying harp attack over the vocal. This is a real nice effect. Thin...

On May 8th 2012 Grady Champion released a retrospective called Shanachie Days . The release showcases 17 Champion originals such as the harp driven I'm Smilin' Again , the bluesy Lady Luck with some scorching guitar riffs, the soul sounds of Love Is My Middle Name , the shuffle styling of Let Me Be and the stinging guitar riffs on rocker Stop Chasing Me . Nothing I Can Do takes the form of a blues standard with some Texas style guitar riffs and Champions solid vocals. You Got Some Explaining To Do takes the soul route again with full horn bottom. Very cool. Troubled Mind , another interesting track has a real swampy feel with a gumbo beat and haunting guitar sounds and harp chirping. Champion wraps up the set with stomping boogie My Rooster Is King . This is a CD that is bound to see great success. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

A fresh mixture of Blues, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Reggae and Rock this release is a pleasure to listen to, can get you movin and has some nice guitar and harmonica and guitar riffs to satisfy the instrumental desires in you. Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE Enjoy!