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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 International. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Harpdog Brown - For Love & Money - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, For Love & Money, from Harpdog Brown and it's a 40's & 50's New Orleans flavored trip. Opening with swinging, No Eyes For Me with a hard driving bass line by Jeremy Holmes and stiff drum sticking by Robert Vail  Grant under the rowdy vocals of Brown and a full horn section featuring William Joseph Abbott on alto sax, Skye Lambourne on trombone and Jerry Cook on Bari and tenor sax. The Comeback has a cool, low slung feel with rich Hammond work by Dave Webb and a nice sax solo by Cook. Boogie track, Reefer Lovin' Woman opens with a great muted trombone intro by Lambourne over a boogie piano riff by Webb. Brown really digs in on vocals getting the band ramped up and with a lot of finesse, Abbott hits nice clarinet solo followed by another great trombone solo by Lambourne. Harpdog whips out his harp and lets it wail topping off this great boogie. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulful New Orleans style track, A New Day Is Dawning, with an excellent clarinet solo by Abbott and a grate overall New Orleans blues feel. Brandon Issak's I'll Make It Up To You has a great swing. This track may be the best highlight for Harpdog's vocals and again, Abbott's clarinet work is stellar. Wrapping the release is ballad, Sasha's Lullaby, highlighting Harpdog on vocal and lush horn work on the refrain. A real nice alto sax solo by Abbott and a crisp piano solo by Webb flesh out this strong closer. 

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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Ellis Mano Band - Here And Now - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Here and Now, from Ellis Mano Band and it's got swagger. Opening with blues rocker, Whiskey, Edis Mano on guitar, Severin Graf on bass and Nico Looser set a powerful bottom complimented by Kico Babic on Hammond setting a strong foundation for the strong vocals of Chris Ellis and backing vocals by Samina Afra and Sarah Huber. Very cool. Changing things  up, title track, Here and Now has a distinct R&B feel and Ellis lays it out there. Acoustically based, Goodbye My Love, is really a nice pop track with clean guitar soloing by Mano. My favorite track on the release is A Lifetime, with soulful vocals by Ellis and an explosive bluesy solo by Mano. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Jennine with it's New Orleans feel. With a distinct party feel, Dave Blaser adding slick trumpet and Ellis, Graf Looser, Mano and Weibel on backing vocals, a really nice closer. 

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Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Mister Goodfaith - Big Mistake - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Big Mistake, from Mister Goodfaith and it's a solid pop rocker rooted in the blues. Opening with Castaway, with it's cool melody and Nashville styling, Mister Goodfaith (aka physician Dr. Fabien Bonnefoy) shows a knowledge of songwriting and tight rhythms. With an emphasis on lead vocal and guitar solo turnarounds, Goodfaith keeps it light and tight. Break Up has a particularly cool hook with it's short guitar riff and harmonized refrain, simple by bluesy guitar soloing and tight drum work. I really like the loose, cavernous guitar tone on Wild Horses, compiled with it's sweet melody and single stroke drum rhythm. Never Again proves to be the strongest rocker with a driving guitar intro and radio ready melody. Goodfaith demonstrates over and over his ability to create interesting, well constructed tracks. Wrapping the release is title track, Big Mistake, another really nice track with a strong melody, tight guitar rhythms and clean drum work. A solid closer for a solid release. 

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Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Luca Burgalassi - On The Other Side Of The Water - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, On The Other Side Of The Water, from Luca Burgalassi and it's a cool, laid back fusion of blues, country, folk and jazz. Opening with title track On The Other Side Of The Water, Luca Burgalassi presents a soft, rich melodies and harmonies accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica, with Dave Hufstedler on bass, Gianni Apicella on drums and Valentina Sorberra on backing vocals. Soothing. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Blues In My Mind with a James Taylor like style. Trading electric guitar riffs with Franco Ceccanti gives the track an extra kick. Very nice. On Broken Heart Blues, a solid shuffle track, Burgalassi shares the mic with Resa Gibbs who adds real spice. Backing by Jackie Merritt on harmonica and Dave Hufstedler on bass gives the track texture. Easy flowing electric jazz number, Minor and Major Change has a real nice sway and understated but charged electric guitar soloing by Burgalassi and Ceccanti.Very nice. Wrapping the release is I've Got The Blues For Christmas, a clever pop track with a memorable melody, smooth instrumentation and featuring Fabrizio Poggi on harmonica. This is a smooth release with a lot of warm tracks. 

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Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Jay Kipps Band - How To Polish Your Longhorns - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, How To Polish Your Longhorns, from Jay Kipps Band and it's a cool blend of different style of music with a mutual theme of good stuff. Opening with Colt 45, a great western style instrumental track in the vein of Rawhide with a bit of Dick Dale mixed in. Chard Burford leads the charge with solid finger work and backing by Jay Kipps, Chris Lubker on bass and Cory Bruyea on drums. Low slung, funky blues, Rotten Apple Blues has deep rooted guitar riffs by Burford and Kipps, and Kipps own harp and vocals give it real texture. Big Old Engine is a cool, country style blues (think upbeat Grateful Dead) with slick guitar riffs, an aggressive bass line and smoking harp supporting Kipps masterful vocals. Very nice. Another twist is Sinister with it's tight pop rock style. If you know The Eagles of Death Metal, that's the format and Kipps really executes well. Gonzo (Live) is one of my favorite tracks on the release with adventurous abstract delivery. This track has spoken vocal lead and a great bass/guitar/drum unified dialog like a sort of Gunn/Crimson/Belew assembly. Excellent! Another live track, JJ Cales' Call Me The Breeze uses the pace of Skynyrd but with a more easy handed delivery like Cale's original.  Kipps vocal and harp attack over Burford's guitar riffs  is authoritative and confident.  Wrapping the release is surf (Dale) style track, Surffarie with bass and guitar lead and Dalesque runs. This is a cool closer to a totally enjoyable release. 

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Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Gail Gunnis & The Dirty Roosters - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Gail Gunnis & The Dirty Roosters and it is a mix of classic blues artists with the bands cool personal arrangements. Opening with Freddie King's I Love You More Everyday, Gail Gunnis leads the way on vocal, backed by Fabio Parovel on guitar, Paul Kidd on sax, Chris Rooney on bass and Duncan McBain on drums. Solomon Burke's Cry To Me is up next with a great R&B feel. Pat Carey steps up with a rich sax solo and McBain's tight drums give the track just the right snap. Ann Peebles' I Can't Stand The Rain is one of my favorite tracks on the release with some of Gunnis' best vocals and a thumping bass line by Rooney. Another cool sax solo by Carey sets the track off nicely. Hot R&B track,  I Know, is a great track to pull out of the hopper with a super beat. again Carey is featured on sax and again, nice job. Since I Fell For You, another classic soul track written by Buddy Johnson, is one of the nicest showcases for Gunnis with smooth vocal lines and rich sax echo by Kidd and clean guitar soloing by Parovel. Wrapping the release is Jimmy Reed's My Bitter Seed with light electric rhythm and Robert Davis on harmonica. Real nice closer for a solid release. 

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https://www.facebook.com/DirtyRoosters/videos/441021792774675

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Spona artist: Tomislav Goluban - Chicago Rambler - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Chicago Rambler, from Tomislav Goluban and it's quite entertaining. Opening with barn burner, Pigeon Swing, Croatian harp player, Goluban, blows the doors off. If there's any question if the blues is alive and living in Croatia, there shouldn't be now. Excellent jam with Eric Noden on guitar, E.G. McDaniel on bass, and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums. Bag Full Of Troubles is a cool shuffle track with Goluban on lead vocal and joined by Filisko on harp. Catching a Latin trade wind, Jerry Ricks On My Mind is a really cool track. I like it's unconventional melody and both Goluban and slide player Noden step up with interesting solos. Surf rocker, Home Made Honey, has a really cool beat and Noden's guitar riffs nicely accent Beedy Eyes' tight drum riffs leading into Goluban's ending solo. BoDiddley tom tom beat on Do The Right Thing really makes for a great showcase for Smith. Alternate take on Jerry Hicks On My Mind is really cool with it's country acoustic piedmont styling. Great tune. Searchin' For My Baby is a cool, rag time style track with super vocals and harp by Goluban. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, I'll Got To My Cottage, with a solid swagger, full harp and Goluban singing in Croatian (Isel Budem v Kleticu). A fitting way to conclude a Croatian take on the blues.



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Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Buena Vista Social Club's Omara Portuondo announces last-ever world tour, comes to North America this spring/summer


LEGENDARY CUBAN SINGER
OMARA PORTUONDO RETURNS TO NORTH AMERICA ON HER LAST-EVER WORLD TOUR

“LAST KISS” TOUR REACHES LOS ANGELES,
NEW YORK, CHICAGO, WASHINGTON DC
AND MORE


photo credit Johann Sauty

Omara Portuondo, legendary Cuban diva and original member of the famed Buena Vista Social Club™, comes to North America this spring/summer for the final time as part of her worldwide “Last Kiss” farewell tour. Highlights of the tour’s North American portion include performances at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles, Sony Hall in New York, the Barns at Wolf Trap in Washington, D.C. and the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. See below for a list of dates.

On the road, Portuondo will be joined by a traditional piano/bass/drums/percussion lineup consisting of acclaimed GRAMMY Award nominated pianist Roberto Fonseca, Andres Coayo on percussion, Ruly Herrera on drums and bassist Yandy Martinez.

Portuondo’s last-ever worldwide tour comes on the heels of her most recent album, last year’s Omara Siempre, and a series of high-profile performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, at the Kennedy Center and more. “Her voice remains lithe and powerful,” notes the Los Angeles Times, adding that “the audience erupted in an ovation equal parts appreciation and astonishment.” NPR’s “Alt.Latino” adds that Portuondo “brought gasps of delight, then rapturous applause, just by walking out on the stage.”

Portuondo began her career by joining her sister Haydee as a dancer at Havana’s famed Tropicana Club in 1950. In 1953 the pair changed their focus to their singing careers, finding success with Cuban vocal group Cuarteto d’Aida. In 1996 Portuondo was featured on Ry Cooder’s critically acclaimed album Buena Vista Social Club, as well as in the accompanying Wim Wenders film of the same name, and remains the only original Buena Vista Social Club vocalist still performing with the group. In 2004 she became the first Cuban artist to be named an International Ambassador by the International Red Cross.

OMARA PORTUONDO LIVE

April 19                                 Los Angeles, CA                                                         Regent Theater
April 20                                    Berkeley, CA                                                        Freight & Salvage
April 23                                     Vienna, VA                                                       Barns at Wolf Trap
April 24                                     Vienna, VA                                                       Barns at Wolf Trap
April 26                                  New York, NY                                                                    Sony Hall
April 28                                Poughkeepsie, NY                                  Bardavon 1869 Opera House
May 1                                        Chicago, IL                                  Old Town School of Folk Music
May 2                                     Milwaukee, WI                                                             Pabst Theatre
May 4                                       St. Paul, MN                                                 Ordway Music Theatre
June 26                                     Toronto, ON                                                                 Koerner Hall
June 27                                     Montreal, QC                  Maisonneuve Theatre de la Place des Arts

Friday, February 15, 2019

Ruf Records artist: Ina Forsman - Been Meaning To Tell You - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Been Meaning To Tell You, from Ina Forsman and it's really strong. Opening with power ballad Be My Home, Forsman presents her vulnerable sounding vocal style over organ and piano by Red Young and gospel like backing vocals by Mark Kazanoff and Alice Spencer. Very nice. On Get Mine, blending hip hop vocal delivery and funky wah wah guitar by the notorious Laura Chavez, joined by Brannen Temple on guitar and Chris Maresh on bass really kicks this release into gear. Stepping high on Genius, Forsman moves further into a R&B groove with an excellent bass line and the Texas Horns (Mark Kazanoff - sax,  John Mills bari sax, Al Gomez - trumpet, Randy Zimmerman - trombone) with yet more sassy guitar style by Chavez. An interesting track, Why You Gotta be That Way has strong lines in neo soul with flavors of one my favorites, Eryka Badu. The band glistens on piano and tight bass and drum lines makes this fusion track one of my favorites. Blues ballad, Miss Mistreated really showcases Forsman's voice and it's rich strength with solid emotion. Also playing right into Chavez's had, Laura grabs the track by the short hairs accenting Forsman's vocal emotion with excellent guitar punctuation. Latin flavored Every Single Beat gets a strong latin rhythm going and you start to wonder if Forsman can do about anything. The Texas Horns are jolly on the spot with just that right tough of punch and Temple's drums and percussion is perfect. Wrapping the release is Sunny showing Forsman alone, acapella and powerful. Nice closer. Who wouldn't be proud of this release. 

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Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Marshall & The Fro Take ‘Live at The Backroom’ On Tour












Marshall & The Fro Take ‘Live at The Backroom’ on the Road



Whether with his classic outfit ‘The Fro’, or in various other guises, Byron Shire local Marshall Okell has become one of the most enduring faces of the blues and roots festival scene in Australia, and for good reason. With an incredible work ethic and commitment to live performance, and with four excellent studio albums in his wake, Marshall has been called upon to get the party started at most bluesy festival for the past 10 or so years.
For someone so rooted in the live touring circuit it may come as a surprise that Marshall has waited for album number five to release a live recording. Recorded in iconic Byron Bay venue The Great Northern Hotel to a frothing crowd of devotees, new album ‘Live at The Backroom’ traces Okell’s story from the opening track of his 2007 debut album ‘Marshall & The Fro’, through to brand spanker ‘Taxi’.
The ‘Marshall and The Fro name has been relaunched for this release with Luke ‘Fergo’ Fergusson, Nick Lemmits, and Ben Cox supplying world class vibes on this collection of crowd favourites.
‘Live at The Backroom’ is available where all good music is sold, their launch tour takes in hot spots on the east coast this autumn.








TOUR DATES:

Thurs 14 FEB
Pistol Pete’s, Geelong, VIC
8:00pm
Free Entry

Fri 15 FEB
The Catfish, Fitzroy, VIC
With special guests White Lightning
8:00pm
$15 – tickets at door

Sat 23 FEB
The Royal Mail, Goodna, QLD
4:00pm
Free entry

Fri 29 MAR
The Hawkesbury Hotel, Windsor, NSW
8:00pm

Fri 12 APR
The Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga, NSW
8:00pm
Free entry

Sun 14 APR
The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour, NSW
4:00pm
Free entry

Sat 20 & Sun 21 APR
The Harrington Hotel, Harrington, NSW
Free entry

Sat 27 APR
The Railway Friendly Bar, Byron Bay, NSW
7:00pm
Free entry

Thurs 2 May
Frankie’s Pizza by The Slice, Sydney, NSW
9:00pm
Free entry

Sun 5 May
Tattersalls Hotel, Goulburn, NSW
3:00pm
Free entry













Thursday, January 17, 2019

Phoenix Records artist: Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin - Murder Creek - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Murder Creek, from Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin (cool name by the way) and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with 70's Brit style blues style rocker, This Old Dawg, featuring Murray Kinsley on lead guitar and vocal, Rod Williams on harp, Leigh-Anne Stanton on bass, Tom Bona on drums, Sonny Del Rio on horns & Jesse O'Brien on keys this band is standing on solid footing. Latin rhythms permeate Dance The Blues with cool, floating harp work by Williams working nicely with flowing guitar lead by Kinsley. Very nice. Electrifying slide work opens heavy bottomed, Trouble Coming, a cool, deep rocker with solid vocals and loose guitar and harp work. Interesting. Traditional blues styling on So Long, Too Soon, makes it the likely candidate for top track with soulful vocals and Kinsley's bluesiest guitar soloing on the release. Very nice. Bass driving rocker and title track, Murder Creek has a great bottom just begging for guitar and harp soloing. Wrapping the release is Freedom, a solid rocker with vocal work with Kinsley and Mary Jane Russell. Stanton really works the bass line and Williams' harp work adds to the tension as it builds to Kinsley's guitar soloing, taking the track home. Nice closer. 

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Monday, January 14, 2019

Canadian Blues & Roots Artist Michael Jerome Browne Announces New Album and Tour Dates


Canadian Blues & Roots Artist
Michael Jerome Browne Announces New Album and Tour Dates



That's Where It's At! to be released on Borealis Records February 8, 2019






 

Michael Jerome Browne is a three-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner (Traditional Singer, 2015; Solo Artist, 2012 & 2008), Maple Blues Award winner (with 32 nominations since 1999), Kerrville (Texas) New Folk Finalist, four-time Juno Award Nominee in both the Roots/Traditional and Blues categories. He is a multi-instrumentalist, a songwriter, and a living encyclopedia of American Roots music.

That’s Where It’s At! is Michael Jerome Browne’s latest collection, focusing on soul music through the lens of a traditional blues player. Recorded largely live off the floor in Sherbrooke and Montréal (Québec) and Hamilton (Ontario), Michael’s fingerstyle guitar and warm, unaffected vocals are front and centre, accompanied only by John McColgan’s funky drumming on five songs.

That’s Where It’s At! is the new album on Borealis Records, available February 8, 2019. This album focuses on the connection between blues and soul, the stripped-down accompaniment consisting only of Michael’s guitar, with drummer John McColgan on five tracks. Vocal guests include Harrison Kennedy, Roxanne Potvin and Eric Bibb. Five originals are mixed in with songs from Sam Cooke, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder, as well as two spirituals from way back- the roots of gospel and soul.

To celebrate and share this outstanding new recording, Michael Jerome Browne will be on tour throughout Canada in the coming months, starting with industry showcases at both Blues Summit Nine in Toronto and Folk Alliance International in Montreal.

Upcoming Tour Dates


Feb. 1 - 4 - Blues Summit Nine, Toronto, ON

Feb. 13 - 17 - Folk Alliance International, Montreal, QC

Feb. 21 - Mississippi Queen Foods, Hamilton, ON
(w/special guest Harrison Kennedy)

Feb. 22 - Hugh’s Room Live, Toronto, ON
(w/special guest Harrison Kennedy, Michelle Josef on drums)

Feb. 23 - Greenbank Folk Society, Greenbank, ON

March 9 - La Vitrola, Montréal QC
(w/John McColgan, drums)

March 13 - Irene’s Pub, Ottawa, ON
(w/special guest Harrison Kennedy, John McColgan on drums)

May 3 - Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver, BC
(w/Tim Williams, Cecile Doo-Kingue, Paul Pigat)

May 4 - House Concert, White Rock, BC

May 5 - 11- Hornby Island Blues Workshop

May 12 - Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan, BC

May 13 - Ground Zero Acoustic Lounge, Parksville, BC















Friday, January 11, 2019

Planned Obsolescencee Recording & Novelty artist: Rich Hope - I'm All Yours - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm All Yours, from Rich Hope and it's quite interesting. Opening with It Comes Alive which reminds me of the Chambers Brothers, Rich Hope on vocal and guitar shows real rock drive backed by Adrian Mack on drums and vocals, Erik PH Nielsen on bass and vocals and Matt Kelly on keys. This track is a real throw back and a good one. Creepstone is a cool driving rocker with snappy drum work and a solid bass line. Hope has a cool guitar hand which lays down glistening riffs without the pyrotechnics. Very refreshing. La Iguana is a slower darker track with a wailing vocal, great bass line, rumbling organ and grinding guitar. This is really cool. 5 Cents A Dance is a solid rocker with an English feel from say the 60's (Manfred Mann/Kinks/ with a edgy punky feel). Excellent! Juke Boy Bonner's Runnin Shoes is up next with a definite edgy, rocky feel. I really like Hope's approach on this traditional blues number. Excellent rework with riding keys and driving rhythm. Wrapping the release is Heartbreaker, a laid back blues rocker with some stylized guitar riffs and Hope's loose, effective vocal style. I wasn't familiar with Hope prior to this review, but I really like his approach.


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Friday, January 4, 2019

Jim Dan Dee - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Jim Dan Dee and I like it quite well. Opening with rocker, Save My Soul I can't not draw comparisons to Roger Waters with it's bottom driven rhythm, raucous vocal delivery by James Stefanuk and female backing vocals by Jules Cordosa, with drums by Shawn Royal and sax by Jason Sewerynek. Although I really don't think that this band sounds like Pink Floyd, a lot of the things that I like about it have a similar construction. Payday has powerful keyboard work by Jesse Karwat and solid guitar soloing by Stefanuk. Very nice! I love the soulful vocal lead on Just Cuz which just oozes richness and just the right about of backing vocal with deep sax work by Sewerynek and clean guitar solo lines by Stefanuk. Excellent! With it's John Lee Hooker romp, When You Move Like That There, is my favorite on the release with it's heavy handed drum and bass lines and all out feel. Excellent! Who doesn't love fat, distorted slide guitar and that's what you get on Killer with it's heavy tension. R&B track, Stand By My Woman is a solid radio track with a memorable melody and sultry sax lines by Sewerynek and and strong vocals by Stefanuk. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Walkin Shoes with a heavy bottom and coolly distorted guitar lead.  Again, backing vocals by Cordosa and fluid finger work by Stefanuk play strongly in this power closer. Very nice. 

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Monday, November 12, 2018

Stony Plain Records artist: Colin James - Miles To Go - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Miles To Go, from Colin James and it's really good! Opening with Muddy Water's, One More Mile, Colin James puts a funky spin on it and it is a contemporary as they come. With Geoff Hicks on drums, Steve Pelletier on bass, Simon Kendall on Hammond, Chris Caddell on rhythm guitar and Steve mariner on harp, this track is a super opener. Another Waters track, Still A Fool maintains the basic Waters outline but with a solid bass line and fiery guitar riffs, another super addition. Very nice. Big Boy Crudup's Dig Myself a Hole has a super Little Feat, swampy funky feel with real nice slide by James and perfect backing vocals by The Sojourners. James original. I Will Remain, is really solid with a real nice drum track, glistening rhythm guitar, a soulful melody and excellent blues guitar lines bringing to mind BB King or Robert Cray. Excellent! Jessie Mae Robinson's Black Night is my favorite on the release with James' best vocals on the release. His guitar riffs are inspired and Chris Gestrin's piano work is crisp. Wrapping the release is an acoustic take on One More Mile with James on acoustic guitar and vocal with Coleen Rennison on backing vocal. This is a really nice closer for a very nice release.

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