Bman's Blues Report

                                                                                     HOORAY FOR HORNBUCKLE:   "VIRTUE & VICE" WINS 'BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD' AS VOTED BY DENVER'S MILE HIGH BLUES SOCIETY   (DENVER, CO) - "Virtue & Vice," the critically-acclaimed album by Denver-based group Hornbuckle , has won "Best Self-Produced CD" as voted on by the Mile High Blues Society in Denver, CO. "Virtue & Vice" will now qualify for the International competition judged by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. The winner will be announced...

HORNBUCKLE, "DENVER'S FIRST FAMILY OF THE BLUES" RETURNS HOME FOR 2-MONTH 'VIRTUE & VICE' TOUR    (DENVER, CO) - Hornbuckle , "Denver's First Family of the Blues" recently celebrating 20 years together as a band, have come home. The brothers - guitarist/vocalist Michael Hornbuckle and brother, bassist/vocalist Brian Hornbuckle - kick off a two-month 'Virtue & Vice' tour of their home state with a show on Friday, May 23 at Dickens Opera House in Longmont (complete itinerary below). Virtue & Vice is the title of their recently-released album to critic's acclaim. "Hornbuckle's sound is fresh and interesting...on Virtue & Vice these guys have managed to find a way to give the blues a mainstream, pop-driven sound, while at the same time staying true to their bluesy roots. The songs themselves are nothing short of excellent."                 ...

I just received the newest release, Virtue & Vice from Hornbuckle and it's an interesting, danceable, pop release with a solid mix and a bit of funk. Opening with Done Fooling Around , a slick sophisticated pop track with a really nice driving guitar vamp by Michael Hornbuckle and vocal harmonies with Briam Hornbucke. Alexander "Ace" Baker handles keys and excellent drumming from Lance Crane. Next up is Complicated , a reggae rhythm and a spoken rhythmic lead vocal. Very well written and again almost perfect guitar placement makes this funky reggae track very memorable. '59 Pontiac Hearse has a jazz/rock rhythm, again very lively and happy. A sprite guitar solo taking a wild turn in this track again is meticulously executed. Slave To The Benjamins has a new wave beat, somewhat like Blondie's Rapture. A nice bass intro from Brian and cool key work from Ace are prime on this track. Blue Note is a bluesy ballad with rich key work supporting strong vocals fr...