Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Roasted , from Hughes Taylor and it's super blues rocker. Opening with jazzy rocker, Moondance Baby , Hughes Taylor on lead vocal and guitar sets a definite bar for the band including Ben Alford on bass, Nich Gannon on drums,  Zach Wilson on keys and Emily Lynn on backing vocals. Until It Hits is a laid back track showcasing both the warm vocals and southern rock guitar influences on his playing. Paired with Evie Somogye on backing vocals, Taylors playing is clean and Wilson's keyboard work really filling the bill. From The Other Side really has some great guitar tone with with a riff that could be right out of the grooves of Cream. Taylor's vocals are forward and his guitar playing aggressive working well with Gannon on drums. Beautiful Stranger has a funky rhythm and great guitar tone with nicely phrased vocals and heavy organ work by Wilson. Alford and Gannon really work the bottom on this track making it ...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Modern Nostalgia , from Hughes Taylor and it's a cool flashback on blues interpretation over the past 50 years. Opening with bluesy rocker, Treat Me Right , lead vocalist and guitar player Hughes Taylor sounds like a well seasoned rocker. With tight bass and drum rhythm and his own rhythm guitar riffs, Hughes gets a cool groove and his KW Shepherd like slashing lead makes this opener a prime radio track. Easy paced, Dreamily blends contemporary rock music, with Dicky Betts guitar phrasing and Allman Brothers dual guitar leads to create a solid and familiar feel. Rocker, Highwayman , is one of my favorites on the release with a driving rhythm and ragtag slide work. Paired lead vocal and prime Savoy Brown like construction and Kim Simmonds style soloing makes this an ass kicker. Trouble is my favorite track on the release with a Blind Faith kind of intro and soulful vocals. I really do appreciate the Clapton like riff...