Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mississippi Bound , from Ivor S.K. and it's quite cool. Opening with Ska flavored title track, Mississippi Bound , Ivor on lead vocal and guitar (as well as bass and hand claps), starts the release off with a bang. On I Don't Roll , he brings the pace to a slower acoustic blues feel but with contemporary radio formatting. Talkin' Shit Again is a cool country style blues with excellent mic placement making his acoustic guitar glisten. Very nice. A definite radio shot is Sex Drugs & Cigarettes with it's title, catchy melody and strong presentation. I really like Ivor's addition of electric guitar soloing over the top giving it a definite kick. Instrumental, Down The Road has a real nice country blues gait with acoustic guitar lead and rhythm. Wrapping the release is Dead Pig with a solid blues rock flavor. With a great rhythm, nice acoustic slide, simple percussive beat and strong vocals, this is a...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Montserrat, from Ivor S.K. and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with title track, Montserrat , Ivor picks up where he left off on EP Delta Pines. A cool boogie, features Ivor backing his own vocals on guitar, bass and drums. Showing a tight sense of rhythm and stylistic guitar chops this is a very nice opener. Ain't No Cross is a contemporary ballad with a strong root in the blues. Ivor's vocals are solid and his melodic style is super. I Been Had is a cool island rhythm track which a solid guitar refrain. Snappy percussion and haunting guitar soloing makes this a really cool track. It's raining is a super sultry ballad with an intoxicating melody and nicely appointed guitar work. With a funky rhythm contrasted against minimal instrumentation, Take Me Back To New Orleans has a great feel. Indianola is a cool, modern, acoustic instrumental blues showing precision execution on guitar. Very nice. Wrapping...

I just received the newest release, Delta Pines , from Ivor S.K. (Ivor Simpson-Kennedy) and its relaxing and quite tasty. Opening with Help Poor Me , Ivor accompanies his own unique with acoustic guitar. A modern, simple blues style track, Ivor has a clean guitar style and a slightly gravelly voice. Cool! Missus Green has a cool country blues style and may be my favorite track on the release. With light foot tap for percussion, this track has it all with a great melody and perfectly complimented guitar soloing. Pelican is a sweet instrumental with a perfect blend of picked and slide guitar melody lines. Very nice! A modern blues, I Like The Way is smooth and clear with Ivor's vocals and guitar blending perfectly. Wrapping the release is title track, Delta Pines , with Ivor's gravelly voice over a tight guitar riff and steady foot tap. Clean and seductive slide work brings an additional dimension and Ivor's acoustic solo is tight and precise. A very nice closer to th...