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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label Gulf Coast Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gulf Coast Records. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Gulf Coast Records artist: Popa Chubby - Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC, from Popa Chubby and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Neil Young's driving Motorcycle Mama, Chubby on lead vocal and guitar lays down a real cool rhythm reinforced by Michael Merritt on bass, Mike Dimeo on keys and Stefano Giudici on drums. With it's rock N' roll feel and rhythmatic approach on lead. this is a solid opener. On Hey Joe (you all know the track), PC keeps the original arrangement but of course puts his own signature on the guitar work. Using Hendrix like phrase reinforcement and with a tight rhythm by Giudici on drums, this is a strong concert track. After building to a frenzy, the track quiets under the improvised melody by Dimeo on keys, and closing under the firepower of PC. With a Latin feel and surf phrasing, 69 Dollars this track really got the  crowd moving. Another original, Grown Man Crying Blues is a lumbering track with a drone bass line and plenty of space. Dimeo and PC both get a sloid spot in the center front and both do really nice jobs making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. On Texas style, I Don't Want Nobody, PC really gets a nice lope going with just a little more tempo and great vocals. Dimoe gives up an aggressive organ solo followed by PC who doesn't moss a lick. Steel Horse Serenade is a charging instrumental with long, melodic, guitar and organ phrasing with traces of prog music. Very cool. Ballady take on on Jimmy Cox's Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out, gives Dimeo lost of space to stretch on organ and PC follows with a meaty guitar solo of his own, showing straight up blues riffs and metal plucking for a dynamic ending. Wrapping the release is a rocking cover of the Stones', Sympathy For The Devil. This is a great set that PC put together and really jamming on the closing track. 


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Monday, October 9, 2023

Gulf Coast Records artist: Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind - Behind The Veil - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Behind The Veil, from Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind, and as always it's a feast for the ears. Opening with Casco Bay with it's waltz tempo has a really cool swagger. Ricci on lead vocal and dynamic harmonica tone sets the pace with Kaitlin Dibble on backing vocal, Brent Johnson on guitar and backing vocal, Jack Joshua on bass and vocal and John Perkins on backing vocal makes this a really interesting opener. Switching to New Orleans R&B sound on 5-10-15, Dibble has the lead on vocal, a really strong harmonica solo by Ricci and Kid Andersen's guitar work really set this track apart. Very nice. Bobby Rush's Ain't She Fine is a great track with an aggressive, funky rock beat. I love the lead vocal lines and Johnson's guitar work in concert with Joshua on bass and Perkins on drums, all wrapped by Ricci on harp is terrific. Classic, St James Infirmary is a smart pick for this band giving Ricci a great showcase for his vocal style and excellent harp soloing and Johnson to spin a strong solo on guitar as well. Terrific, terrific track. Funky, Why Don't We Sleep On It, is another really strong track with some dialogue between Ricci and Dibble who trade lead vocal lines over a potent bass riff by Joshua. Joe Krown on B3 adds tension and Johnson's stinging guitar lead is perfect. Wrapping the release is Booker T's Hip Hug-Her with it's tight instrumental bottom courtesy of Krown, Perkins, and Johnson, melody on harp by Ricci.  Hot guitar work by Johnson and smoking harmonica work by Ricci take this track home with Krown on B3 making this an excellent closer for a truly excellent release. 

 


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Monday, September 25, 2023

Gulf Coast Records artist: Backtrack Blues Band - A Day By The Bay - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Day By The Bay, by Backtrack Blues Band, and its a solid live performance recorded at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival in 2022. Opening with Best Friend's Grave, Sonny Charles on lead vocal and harmonica is in the groove with excellent guitar work by Kid Royal, and supported by Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums, Stick Davis on bass, Wayne Sharp on B3 and strong backing vocals by LaTonya Oliver and Dana Merriwether. Solid opener. Dixie Grill is a cool boogie with a great rhythm. Charles, on lead vocal ramps up his harmonica with strong phrasing over the rhythm of Sharp on B3. Times Is Hard is my favorite track on the release featuring Royal on lead vocal. With it's slow, deep blues feel, both Charles and Royal get plenty of time to stretch. Sharp lays in a real nice B3 solo building more tension before Royal comes back with excellent guitar phrasing to sew things up. Wrapping the release is You'll Come Back Someday a cool Chicago style blues with a few strong harmonica runs by Charles. Sharpe on B3 kicks in a real nice set of his own before turning the floor over to Royal with his stinging attack, trading off with Charles. Solid closer for a real solid release. 



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Friday, August 25, 2023

Gulf Coast Records artist: Ole Lonesome - Tejas Motel - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tejas Motel, from Ole Lonesome and it's a cool, modern, interpretation of traditional blues with a grungy rock feel. Opening with Yvette, Zachary Feemster on vocal and guitar sets a solid foot in the mud with thick blues but with a modern, blues rock edge. With J. Wesley Hardin on bass, Gregory Mosley on keys, Jimmy Devers on drums and Greg Achord on guitar, I really like their stripped down guitar driven, but not overplayed approach. Gold Chevy has a cool, 60's vibe with it's heavy footed bottom by Devers and Hardin and power guitar riffs by Feemster and Achord pushing Feemster's vocal call, giving it pseudo Zep feel but in a fresh, grungy way. Another LZ influenced track, Momma's Worry will have you rocking out with a great bottom and excellent melody. Otis Rush influenced, Ain't No Good, is the most traditional blues track on the release and clearly shows Feemster's vocal work and fluid guitar blues runs.  Wrapping the release is title track, Tejas Motel with a Willie Dixon / Wang Dang Doodle feel. I like it's saunter and stroll with guitar and vocal. With glistening electric piano by Mosley and a perfect bass work by Hardin, Feemster stands back like a circus barker and paints a great image vocally. Excellent closer for a real tasty release. 


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Monday, July 10, 2023

Gulf Coast Records artist: Joanna Connor - Best of Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Best of Me, by Joanna Connor and it's wild. Opening with funky blues number, House Rules, Connor dons her notorious slide guitar, accompanying herself on lead vocal, also featuring Josh Smith on guitar, and backed by a serious horn section of Fernando Castillo on trumpet and flugelhorn, Carlos Sosa on sax and flute, Raul Vallejo on trombone, together the Grooveline horns, Shaun Gotti Calloway on bass, Jason Edwards on drums, and Curtis Moore Jr on organ. Super opener. Title track, Best of Me, is a smooth, soulful, ballad featuring really nice vocal by Conner and nicely articulated lead work making hits an ideal radio track. I Lost You is another slow blues with excellent vocal and guitar lead by Conner, complimented by Dan Souvigny on rhythm and keys. Blues driver, Mercury Blues, really gets rolling with Conner pushing on vocal and letting the slide fly, joined by David Abbruzzese on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Shine On with Gary Hoey joining on guitar and Jason Ricci joining on harmonica. With a really great beat, heavy riffs by Hoey, a driving bass line by Calloway and a tight drum bottom by Edwards, this is a solid closer to a real solid release. 


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Thursday, July 6, 2023

Gulf Coast Records artists: Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia - Blood Brothers - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blood Brothers, from Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia and it's pure blues music. Opening with Hey Sweet Mama, a romping blues rocker, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia share the mike for nicely blended lead vocals and Chuck Berry influenced guitar work makes this an excellent opener. With Zito and Castiglia on guitars, Douglas Byrkit on bass, Matthew Johnson on drums, Ephraim Lowell on drums and Lewis Stephens on keys this is a tight band. Over a classic blues vamp, Fool Never Learns is a driving rocker. Castiglia on lead vocal and Zito and Castiglia trading hot riffs, makes this a strong contender for radio airplay. My favorite track on the release is You're Gonna Burn with really strong, soulful lead vocal and excellent lead guitar work. Thumping tom tom work by Johnson compliments the track nicely and Stephens' keyboard work gives hit just the right edge. Jazzy, Hill Country Jam has a slinky rhythm and twin guitar lead which carry the melody in southern style. Stephens' organ work leads the segue into solo guitar leads by Castiglia and Zito. Very nice. Wrapping the release is One Step Ahead Of The Blues with it's laid back feel and handclap rhythm. This is a very cool release with plenty of guitar. 


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Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Gulf Coast Records artist: Monster Mike Welch - Nothing But Time - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nothing But Time, from Monster Mike Welch and it's flat out scorching! Opening with Walking To You Baby, Mike wastes absolutely no time kicking this release into overdrive. With solid vocals and high strung, blues guitar phrasing, Mike sails. Backed by Jerry Jemmott on bass, Bob Welch on piano, Kid Andersen on keys, Fabrice Bessouat on drums, Eric Spaulding on tenor sax, Jack Sanford on bari sax, and John Halblieb on trumpet, this track will part your hair. George Harrison's terrific track, I Me Mine gets a real nice cover by Mike and though he doesn't vary far from the original theme, it's a real nice track and Mike's interpretation, adding horns and blues guitar riffs takes it to the next level. Excellent shuffle, I Ain't Saying shows Mike's strong vocals and Texas style blues riffs setting up a great groove. With Andersen on bass, Spaulding on sax Bob on piano and Bessouat on drums, Mike kills it on guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, In Case You Care, with Jemmott back on bass, Mike Peloquin on sax, Dr Aaron Lington on bari, Halblieb on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, and Vicki Randle on percussion, this track is hot! Jump For Joy is really packed with energy and Mike is again swinging for the wall. Gotta say if he comes to Phoenix, I'm seeing the concert. Slow blues, Ten Years Ago is that one track when you just sit back in your chair nodding. Mike grabs this track by the scruff and shakes the stuffing out of it. His vocals are gripping and his guitar attack is relentless. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a modern take on Robert Johnson's Kind Hearted Woman Blues with Mike on electric guitar and vocal. His poise and prowess are obvious and his vocals are actually in line with Johnson's own falsetto. This is an excellent track to close a spectacular release. Out of the park


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Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Gulf Coast Records artist: Jimmy Carpenter - The Louisiana Record - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Louisiana Record, from Jimmy Carpenter and it's a heaping bowl of Louisiana blues. Opening with Smiley Lewis' I Hear You Knocking, made popular by Dave Edmunds in the 70's. This track with all the trimmings has a real NO R&B feel with Carpenter on vocal and sax, Mike Zito on guitar, Casandra Faulconer on bass, Wayne Maureau on drums and John Gros with excellent piano and organ work. Super start. Carpenter blows a solid intro on Something You Got and his vocals really work nicely with spot on piano work by Gros. Another track with great piano rolls is Travelin' Mood and Carpenter balances his vocal with sax lead and Zito's slide work really adds some nice grease. With a Latin drum rhythm, Cry To Me really shows Carpenter's lead vocal qualities and his sax soloing balanced with Zito's guitar articulation really works nicely. Earl King's Those Lonely Lonely Nights is another classic NO R&B tracks with soulful vocals by Carpenter and solid piano rhythm by Gros. His sax solo adds some real nice icing to the cake. Wrapping the release is Lee Allen's Rockin' At Cosimo's with a real second line rhythm by Maureau on drums. Carpenter takes it all the way with sax on lead melody and Zito, Faulconer and Gross for an excellent closer. 


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Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Gulf Coast Records artist: Bennett Matteo Band - Shake The Roots - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Shake The Roots, by Bennett Matteo Band and it's a funky, blues rocker. Opening with Doesn't Really Matter, a funky rocker, Jade Bennett on lead vocal is in charge. With Gino Matteo and Kid Andersen on guitar they are heavily armed and with Michael Burnham on funky bass, Carson Ford on drums, Jim Pugh and Kid Andersen on keys, Nic Clark on harmonica, Dmar on drums and with Lisa Leuschner, The Sons of the Soul Revivers and Kid Andersen on backing vocals, this is a great opener. Up tempo pop rocker, You're Nothing is a great showcase for Bennett,  Burnham really gets the bottom moving and Matteo's guitar solo is a ripper. Soulful, Paid & Broke is one of my favorites on the release with Bennett digging in deep vocally. With Pugh and Andersen on piano and organ, and perfectly placed guitar accents, this track has that warm Muscle Shoals feel. With it's drone bass line by Burnham and response vocals to Bennett's lead vocal, this track has a lot of grit. Instrumental tension under the vocals really plays nicely on this spiritually blues inspired track and a physical scream accenting the guitar soloing really hits hard. Very cool. Another soul inspired blues, Table For Two is a solid opportunity for Bennett to show her vocal chops. This really is a great demo and with strong vocal backing, hot bass lines by Burnham and excellent drumming by Dmar, the pressure is really mounting. Wrapping the release is pop fused When I Close My Eyes, with a definite radio melody and tight rhythm. Nic Clark on harmonica adds some solid riffs and the keyboard work keeps the pop feel anchored. 


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Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Gulf Coast Records artist: Albert Castiglia - I Got Love - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Got Love, from Albert Castiglia and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with title track, I Got Love, Castiglia is upfront with solid vocals and his aggressive guitar style, backed by Justine Tompkins on bass, Lewis Stephens on keys and with power drumming from Ephraim Lowell. Sanctuary seems a natural for the radio track with it's memorable melody and restrained feel. Castiglia's vocals are real nice and his guitar riffs just right. Double Down is a really cool blues rocker with a James Brown beat and some really tasty guitar riffs. Whew! Pulling out the slide on shuffle, Long Haul Daddy, Castiglia really rips it. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the release and one that will leave you wanting more. Funky, Depression Blues will make you sweat with it's aggressive bass line and bottom and full out soloing by Castiglia. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Take My Name Out Of Your Mouth sounding like the echo that happened before the event. With it's slower pace, poise and solid vocals, Castiglia sets up the winding guitar solo nicely and spikes it. This is a real solid release with hot guitar throughout. 



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Monday, March 21, 2022

Gulf Coast Records artist: Mike Zito - Blues For The Southside - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues for the Southside, from Mike Zito and it's really strong! Recorded live at the Old Rock House in St Louis, MO. this band is cranking. Opening with Mississippi Nights, Mike Zito is up front on lead vocal and guitar. Mike has great a super grinding tone and his slide work is great. Backed by Matthew Johnson on drums, Lewis Stephens on piano, Doug Byrkit on bass, this band is smoking. Larry Davis' Texas Flood really gives Zito a chance to put his foot to the floor and he doesn't hesitate a bit. His vocals are firm and his guitar work inspired and scorching! Hell On Me is a great, rolling blues with a solid walking bass line from Byrkit opening up a super land for Zito to wind it up and he's on it. Building a lot tension with his vocals and nice use of a chorus pedal, Zito sets it up nicely. Stephens' organ work adds a lot of lather setting the lob up for a slam by Zito to close. Very nice. Opening side two of this concert is Highway Mama, and adding Tony Campanella on guitar. I really like this track... a perfect example of blues rock at it's best along the lines of Frank Marino's Mahogany Rush. Excellent! Hendrix's Voodoo Chile finds Eric Gales on stage with Zito and a real shootout. This is a 12 minute duel and lots of smoke. Very nice! On Life Is Hard Zito really take his time and works his solo. His chops are excellent and clocking in at over eight and a half minute, it really makes you sad that you  missed this show in person. Wow! Wrapping the release is Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode. With nothing left on the table, this is an excellent closer keeping the energy up and Zito keeps the riffs flying. This is a really strong closer for a really potent double live concert. 


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Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Gulf Coast Records artist: Jason Ricci and Joe Krown - City Country City - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 22, 2021), City Country City, by Jason Ricci and Joe Krown and it's really meaty. Opening with Jazz /Rock/Soul band, WAR, classic and title track, City Country City, Joe Krown plays a B3 soaked intro working into the lush melody played by Jason Ricci and snappy drum work by Doug Belote. Cool jam over a potent theme. Krown's blues shuffle, Down N' Dirty is a great jam based around a strong B3 framework by Krown giving him sufficient space to grow the concept and giving Ricci all of the room he needs to play his own style of harmonica which I think may be the best around right now. Guy is melodic, creative and emotional. Excellent! Ricci's New Orleans blues, Badger The Witness, give Ricci the opportunity to front on vocals and he does a great job. Krown's keyboard work is strong and Belote's drum work really killer. Joe Sample's funky jazz number, My Mama Told Me So, really works well for this trio with Krown and Ricci sharing the melody and with the steady hand of Belote tying it all together. Krown stretches a bit more on this one setting a really nice groove and Belote lets it all hang out there with a real nice drums solo. Very cool. Feel Good Funk is a Ricci original and plays perfectly into his style. With a tight drum beat and a funky underpinning, Ricci sings and blows his ass off. Excellent! Low slung shuffle, Down At The Juke, is an excellent track with old school blues/jazz feel. Ricci's vocals are spot on and Krown shows he knows his way around old school with a good long lead solo on B3. Ricci knows how to swing too with crisp riffs of his own complimenting this fine vocal effort. Stepping back and making a serious run at the blues, Charles Brown's Drifting Blues is up next with a rich intro and vocals by Ricci. Krown sets a warm organ floor for the scene and takes the first solo on B3. Ricci's vocals are particularly effective on this track in that he's almost wailing the blues in compliment with his excellent harp phrasing. Wrapping the release is Bobbie Gentry's pop classic, Ode To Billy Joe. Ricci and Krown transform this well know pop tune into an elongated jam with plenty of pyrotechnics. This is one of my favorite releases of the year. Get one!  


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Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Gulf Coast Records/Hillside Global artist: Tito Jackson - Under Your Spell - New Release Review

 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 nicely stylized guitar "JG Watson" like work by KT Thomas. Very cool. George Benson is a standout on lead guitar on Rock Me Baby, a smooth, R&B take on BB King's classic track. Also featured are James "Boogaloo" Bolden on trumpet, Russell B Jackson on bass, Eric Demmer on sax, Wilber Crosby on lead guitar, lamar Boulet on trumpet, Darrell Lavigne on keys, Brandon Jackson on drums, and with Claudette King on lead vocal, Michael Lee and Tito Jackson on lead vocal and guitar. Wrapping the release is smooth soul track, I Got Caught (Loving In A Dream) with warm vocal harmionies and featurning Tito on guitar, Harris on drums, Brandon Adams on organ, synth bass and piano, Tyree Neal on guitar, and with pootent horn accents by Parfait and Smith. Solid closer. 



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Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Gulf Coast Records artist: Dave Kalz - Relish - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Relish, from Dave Kalz, and it's a strong retro blues rocker. Opening with Mexico with it's drum heavy rhythm, hits the road running right from the start with Kalz on guitar and vocal, Greg Hulub on bass, Lewis Stephens on organ and Kevin McDonald on drums. Kalz of course brings experience from being a founder of Honeytribe with Devon Allman, as well as other high profile groups. On title track, Relish, with it's British blues influences, Kalz stretches a little on guitar with it's continuous guitar runs. Very cool. Werewolf Blues is one of my favorites with it's sauntering shuffle beat and realy cool electric and slide guitar riffs from Kalz and Mike Zito. Stone Cold Stuck is a hot rocker with laid out rock n roll riffs and a driving bottom. Texas style blues rocker, Route 666 not only has a great rock form but excellent guitar riffs and tone and traces of RBG. Surf rocker, She's Got A Hemi is a lot of fun and everyone knows I'm a sucker for surf tunes so there you have it... move over Dick Dale. Another track with a really solid bottom and strong blues roots is I Can't Quit Ya Baby with it's. With it's slow and suspenceful rhythm guitar work and blistering guitar riffs it reminds me of early Savoy Brown. Very cool! Wrapping the release is shuffle track, Playing The Blues With My Friends, a cool jam with Kalz working blues riffs with Mike Zito and Tony Campanella. Solid closer.
 
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Friday, July 2, 2021

Gulf Coast Records artist: Mike Zito - Resurrection - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 16, 2021), Resurrection, from Mike Zito, and it's a cool blues rocker with a lot of snap. Opening with JJ Cale's, I'll Make Love To You, Zito works this blues rocker with real radio appeal. His slide work and vocals are solid, backed by Zach Zito on vocal and guitar, Matthew Johnson on drums, Doug Byrkit on bass, Lewis Stephens on keys, Eric Demmer on sax and Fernando Castillo on trumpet. Lain back, country flavored, In My Blood is a real nice track with sparkling guitar riffs and solid lead vocal, backed nicely by Lisa Leuschner Andersen. A rework of Clapton's Presence of the Lord works nicely with this set and Zito's vocals work nicely with his Clapton like guitar riffs, expanded to his own, more wide open jamming style giving the track more bite. Very nice. Blues ballad, Damned If I Do, has strong radio appeal with Zito showing both soulful vocals and nicely phrased guitr phrasing. Very nice.  Running Man has a country two step feel but Zito steps up with some real nice guitar riffs giving this track a real kick. Another track with some solid guitar work is Willie Dixon's Evil, with an understated funky beat. Possibly my favorite track on the realease, shows creative interpretation with a super bass line and real zip on lead guitar. Wrapping the release is title track, Resurrection, with it's anthem like construction, R&B roots and Zito's lead vocal, nicely balanced with his melodic lead guitar soloing, this is a super closer. 


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Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Gulf Coast Records artist: Kevin Burt - Stone Crazy - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stone Crazy, by Kevin Burt and it's a cool contemporary blues rocker with a pop edge. Opening with I Ain't Got No Problem With It, a free and easy rocker, Burt on lead vocal, guitar and harmonica is joined by Mike Zito on guitar, Doug Byrkit on bass, Matthew Johnson on drums, Lewis Stephens on keys and Jimmy Carpenter on sax. Purdy Lil Thing has a cool, swampy feel and Burt's deep, smooth vocals are excellent! Johnson's drum touch is terrific and guitar accents by Zito have just the right touch. R&B based, title track, Stone Crazy, has a laid back feel and Burt's vocals float nicely on a lush melody. You Get What You See is a smooth fusion between a blues shuffle and a Booker T jam. With it's driving guitar vamp and Carpenter's sax work, this is a cool track. With it's funky groove, Better Off Dead is one to be reckoned with. Burt lays in the pocket with the confidence of Bill Withers on the most likely radio track on the release. Wrapping the release is Got To Make A Change, an interesting ballad with wailing electric slide under Burt's soulful vocals. 


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Thursday, August 27, 2020

Gulf Coast Records artist: Mark May Band - Deep Dark Demon - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Deep Dark Demon, by Mark May Band and it's solid. Opening with Harvey's Dirty Side, a dark blues rocker with a bumping bass (Darrell Lacy), steady drum (Brandon Jackson) and wide open guitar by May and Billy Wells and Barry Seelan on B3. Cool opener. Back has a strong Latin influence with Al Pagliuso on percussion and Jackson on drums and excellent stylized guitar lead by May under nicely blended vocal by May and Wells. Excellent! With a New Orleans beat and paired lead slide, this is a real cool track. Solo slide work by May is strong and warm leading nicely into a nice piano roll by Seelan. Certain radio track, Something Good, has a strong melody and warm vocals over a simple R&B style ballad format. A nicely crafted slide solo by May anchors this track like Bishop's trademark slide solo in Fooled Around and Fell In Love giving it staying power. Wrapping the release is Invisible Man, another R&B style track with a great beat, melody and solid vocals. Limited use of a guitar talk box and jazz style lead guitar soloing makes this track a solid closer. 

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