Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Porch Sessions Volume 2 , from Tony Holiday and it's a great Chicago style blues party. Opening with She's Tuff , Victor Wainwright and his rhythm section really get things rolling with Wainwright on vocal and piano and Holiday on harmonica. With plenty of attitude in presentation and this dynamic duo, this is a strong opener. Willie Buck has the mic on Honey Bee with Rusty Zinn on slide and Kim Wilson on harmonica. Zinn really conjurs Muddy's tone on guitar and Wilson's sound is fat and rich. Excellent! In more of a Delta styling on Recipe for Love Master , Bobby Rush on vocal and Vasti Jackson on guitar really make a great team serving up a heavy helping of blues. Very nice. Going to Court is a real hot number with James Harman on harmonica and Kid Ramos and Landon Stone laying down pure fire on guitar. Lurrie Bell teams up with harpmaster Mark Hummel on a shortened take on Everyday I Have The Blues bu...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Coldwater Sessions ,   from JD Taylor and I really like it. Opening with shuffle track, Got Me Where You Want Me , JD Taylor on lead vocal and harmonica teams up with Jon Hay on guitar for a super opener. Joined by Landon Stone on guitar, Matthew Wilson on bass Danny Banks on drums, Rev. Charles Hodges on B3 and Tierini Jackson and Tikyra Khamiir Jackson on backing vocal, strong start. R&B track, Nothing Left To Say is definitely one of my favorites with super vocals, the addition of Marc Franklin on trumpet, Art Edmaiston on sax,  and strong R&B guitar lines. Excellent! I think that Taylor's best vocal showcase is on At First Glance with the warm backing of Franklin and Edmaiston performing an excellent soul track, topped off with melodic blues harmonica. Really nice! Funky, If It Ain't Good , has a really cool driving bass line by Wilson and punchy horns by Franklin. John Holiday really a...