Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At 3rd and Lindsley from Hurricane Ruth and it's got real swagger. Opening with Roll Little Sister , Ruth shows "her take no prisoners" attack with her raw, energetic vocals, joined by Scott Holt on slide and Nick Nguyen guitars, Calvin Johnson on bass, Lewis Stephens on keys and drum master Tom Hambridge driving the train. Strong opener. Dirty Blues really has enough grime on it to be a Keith Richards deal. Ruth knows how to work it and Holt's slide work combined with Hambridge's drum work makes this a firm contender. Slow blues, Faith in Me takes Ruth out of her classic blues rocker stance and into a more soulful mode. Holt steps up with a solid guitar solo, with some real nice phrasing, joined by Stephens on piano. Cool track and obviously a crowd pleaser. Fenton Robinson's (Peppermint Harris) As the Years Go Passing By is up next and features Ruth teaming up with ex Wet Willie and Je...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Life , from Hurricane Ruth and it's a charging blues rocker. Opening with driving, Like Wildfire , Ruth La Master is upfront and on fire with her dominant vocal style, backed by Scot Holt on guitar, Calvin Johnson on bass, Bruce Katz on B3 and Tony Braunagel on drums. Good Life is a slower ballad with deep soulful roots. Katz's B3 work on this track adds real depth and I love Holt's guitar phrasing punctuating the track nicely. Kicking in the rock bottom, Ruth shows her rocking edge with some of her grittiest vocals on the release. My favorite track on the release, Late Night Red Wine has a super traditional rock beat with a solid melody. Holt steps up with a stinging guitar solo with a blues edge and Katz's organ work pulls it all together. Very cool. Wrapping the release is ballad, I've Got Your Back , with Ruth bringing on her sensitive soul vocals. Nicely balanced with Katz on piano and organ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't Ready For The Grave , from Hurricane Ruth , and it's powerful. Opening with Barrelhouse Joe's , a solid boogie, Hurricane Ruth on lead vocal is joined by Reese Wynans on piano, Tom Hambridge on drums, Michael Rhodes on bass, Pat Buchanan and Rob Mc Nelley or guitars. Taking it down, Far From The Cradle , has great blues bones with expressive vocals, excellent piano work by Wynans and super guitar work under the lead. Southern style blues rocker, Estilene , has a great beat and smoking guitar riffs.  A really hot drum riff by Hambridge and Rhodes bass lines really set the pace on Beekeeper . It's cool rhythmic flow makes this one of my favorites on the release. A funky bass/drum line set a super beat for Cheating Blues , a cool track with expressive vocal phrasing and a real nice guitar solo. Very cool. Shuffle track, Let Me Be The One has a cool pace, cool vocals and flashy guitar riffs giving it ...

I just received the newest release, Winds Of Change , from Hurricane Ruth LaMaster and its a powerhouse. Opening with boogie woogie track, I Feel Lucky , Hurricane Ruth takes charge on lead vocals backed by Brian Curtis on keys, Doug Wilcox on trombone, Mike Gilette on tenor sax, Sande Hackel on bari sax, Frank Huston on guitar, Gary Davis on bass and John Sluzalis on drums. Dick Garretson takes a nice trumpet solo and Curtis really hits the keys. Smokin! Willie Dixon's Built For Comfort is low slung and Ruth is laying it on thick. Huston sets down a greasy guitar solo and the horn section really riches up the mix. Ruth sells Percy Sledge's, When A Man Loves A Woman , as a simple soul ballad with plenty of feeling and the horn section adds punch. Wrapping the release is Delbert McClinton's Going Back To Louisiana with Dixie swing. Ruth really lays it out there on this one with nice guitar runs by Huston and splashes of horns throughout. Cool closer for a cool release....

Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists Blind Raccoon is delighted to announce the line-up for its showcases happening during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. On January 21, 22 and 23, from 11:30am to 5pm, artists from Norway, Canada, California, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, and New York, a smorgasbord of roots and blues talent, will grace the stage. We have two 2015 Blues Music Award nominees - Vaneese Thomas & Missy Andersen, one 2015 IBC participant – Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band, as well as several former IBC contestants performing over the three days. Net proceeds from the showcases will benefit The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund, which provides assistance to blues musicians and their families in times of great financial need due to medical emergencies. Emcees are Peter "Blewzzman” Lauro of Mary4Music.com on Wednesday, Brett Fleming, host of Soul Stew, WEVL /Memphis, o...

I just received the newest release, Born On The River , from Hurricane Ruth . A powerful vocalist, Ruth is backed but David Lumsden on guitar, Gary Davis on bass and Jim Engel on drums. Opening with title track, Born On The River , Lumsden creates a wah wah effect with guitar and Ruth sings with a lot of sting. Make Love To Me opens with a modified Elmore James by Lumsden and with Davis create a heavy bottom for Ruth's vocals. Lumsden throws out some fine guitar riffs and Engel holds tight on the bottom. A simple 12 bar this track hits it hard. Blues Rocker Slow Burn has a trace of Voodoo Chile making it instantly cool with a nice bass riff but with an almost metal grind. Lumsden does take a nice guitar ride on this track bringing it to the blues via rock styling. One of my favorite tracks on the release. Blues ballad The Walls is an interesting track with light traces of Robin Trower with sonic guitar work. Ruth's vocals have a different sensitivity making this the overal...

Hurricane Ruth has created their own brand of blues, they call it power blues. It can be described as raw, emotional, and dynamic. The "power" seeps into everything they do, from their original music to their live shows. The epitome of power blues is Hurricane Ruth herself. Ruth is a captivating performer, who will grab your attention from note one,and never let you go! Willie Dixon once told her "she was the only hurricane he could appreciate". Ruth is joined by David Lumsden (guitar), Gary Davis(bass), and Jim Engel (drums). These excellent musicians are the perfect complement to Ruth's vocals. Hurricane Ruth is a "power"ful blues experience that you won't soon forget! Like my Facebook Page, Post your video on my Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! Share your favorite posting and get more exposure for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”