Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Behind The Sun , from Grant Dermody and it's a solid dose of pure Chicago Blues with a Louisiana flavor. Opening with Muddy Waters' Trouble No More , Grant Dermody on lead vocal and harmonica shows real feel, backed by Dirk Powell on drums, and Lee Allen Zeno on bass. Rick Estrin penned, Don't Boss Me , really gives Dermody a great space to jam trading lead on harmonica and vocal with Powell on guitar. Excellent track. Lost John is a cool old track giving Dermody a chance to just blow out his harmonica. Very cool. Tell Me is a strong Chicago blues with Corey Ledet on accordion adding to the atmosphere. Dermody takes a great romp on this one making this one of my favorites on the release. Kim Wilson's Learn To Treat Me Right , has a springy, up tempo feel with Dermody leading the way on vocal and harmonica. Powell takes a real nice piano stretch on this track back to back with a guitar solo and Dermody clos...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Dony , from Grant Dermody, and it's real, old school southern blues. Opening with title track, My Dony , Grant Dermody on lead vocal and harmonica shows real grit with the richness of hill country blues. Dirk Powell, who plays lead guitar and also worked as the engineer on the release, makes ever guitar note count with a solid backing band of Jamie Dick on drums and Jason Sypher on bass. With more of an urban feel, One Step At A Time , still has a raw purity but sounding more Chicago with fat harp work by Dermody and the addition of Corey Ledet on accordion.  Very cool. On slower, Springtime Blues , not only are Dermody's vocals point on but Powell's lead guitar work plays nicely against the strong harmonica lines of Dermody. Very nice. Corner Strut is definitely a contemporary piece with a heavy bass line and bouncy drum rhythm. Dermody's vocals seem to skip across the music like a stone and his har...