Holly Hyatt - Wild Heart - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild Heart, from Holly Hyatt and it's a solid R&B release. Opening with Wild Heart, a smooth hi stepper with a great melody and inviting lead vocal by Hyatt. Backed by Brandon Smith on keys, Clinton Swanson on horns, Jon Burden on guitars, Billy Mendoza on backing vocals and Steve Wilson on drums, this is a super opener. Laying down a funky groove on bass, Hyatt not only writes all of her own material but sings lead (and backing vocals) on most of her tracks. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soul track, Gravity with it's excellent bass line and lush vocals by Hyatt. This track stands head and shoulders above the balance of the release for me but it just hits a sweet spot. Excellent. Rainbows has a more contemporary pop feel with a strong melody and acoustic guitar and key backing over a less prominent bass line. Wrapping the release is With You Now, another more straight forward radio track a memorable melody and flowing electric piano and backing vocals carrying Hyatt's strong lead vocals. This is really a super release with rich vocal lead throughout. 

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Auburn - Game Of Faith - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Game of Faith, from Auburn and it's quite interesting. Opening with Game of Faith, a cool jazzy pop track with really strong vocals by Liz Lenten and clean, stylized guitar work by Thomm Jutz really make this one of my favorites on the release. Backed by Mark Fain on bass, Lynn Williams on drums and Britt Savage on backing vocals, a real nice opener. Lightly salted funky track, I Don't Love Him has a great feel and just the right amount of lead guitar. A purposeful melody and lush chords make this track an outstanding radio prospect. I really like the delicate balance between Lenten's almost fragile vocal  and the saturated tone of the electric guitar on It's Not Love. Very interesting contrast. Another track that keeps me listening is Spoke In The Wheel and Lenten's almost Toya Wilson like vocal delivery, against the glistening chords of Jutz. Wrapping the release is sensitive ballad, His Arms and Lenten's vocals balanced lightly on the acoustic guitar work of Jutz. I wouldn't say this is a traditional blues release by any means, but it is a really interesting release.

Thanks

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Lucas Haneman Express - Catch The Westbound - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Catch The Westbound, by Lucas Haneman Express and it has strong commercial potential. Opening with Lay It To The Line, Lucas Haneman Express shows a country rock opener with solid vocals and guitar lead by Haneman, drums by Jeff Asselin, backing vocals by Megan Laurence and Martin Newman on bass. Megan has the lead on soulful ballad, Wicked Ride, with a great melody, solid guitar work by Haneman and overall strong radio appeal. Blues rocker, Devil's In My Grave, has a great rock beat and well blended vocals. Again, solid radio appeal a well written music. My favorite track on the release is blues rocker, Night Takes The Chances (For GD). It's slighty funky bottom and, tight guitar work and particularly cool lead vocals push this one to the top. Wrapping the release is cool, Piedmont style blues track, To Be Brave, with nicely articulated acoustic guitar picking and some of Haneman's best vocals on the release. With added percussion backing and backing vocals, this is a super closer for a real nice release.

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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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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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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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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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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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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

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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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

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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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. www.marshallokell.com JB HiFi | iTunes |YouTube 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

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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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