Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hot Mess, from Michele D'Amour & The Love Dealers and it's a rocking blues release. Opening with title track, Hot Mess , D'Amour sets the theme on lead vocal, with Richard Newman on lead guitar throwing down a great riff based around one of my favorite Stones tracks. With Patrick McDanel on bass, Carl Martin on drums and strong sax work by Noel Barnes, this is a strong opener. Funky, Devil In The Dark , has a cool, light attack with Newman laying down a funky rhythm line and adding plenty of wah wah juicing up the feel. A nice break out sax solo by Barnes really adds nicely to the mix. Bluesy ballad, Helping Hand is the obvious radio track with it's lush melody, solid sax solo and warm organ work by Philip Woo. With just a touch of surf, Cold Red Sun has cool vocals but it's Newman's guiar work that makes it for me. With cool articulation and solid phrasing, this is a nice track. Wrapping the...

I just received a copy of the newest release, Hot Mess , from Pam Taylor Band and it's sure to appeal to listeners of the modern style blues. Opening with Smile Again , Taylor establishes herself as a worthy entrant into the rockin' blues arena with solid writing, an appealing voice and a super band. This track, written over a basic Morganfield style base, showcases Taylor's voice as well as hot guitar riffs and Mike Taylor on smokin' sax lead. The title track, Hot Mess , has the heat of SRV on Mary Had a Little Lamb but with all original guitar riffs and a solid sax rippin' on the bridge. It's So Easy takes a quiet jazzy approach to the blues and again finds Mike T. with particularly hot sax on the intro. Continuous unusual guitar riffs catch my ear but of course it's the vocals of Taylor that maintain the spotlight. Whatcha Doin has the swinging strut of the stray cats but with less edge and more sex. The guitar solo on this track has some cool bends a...