Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Amour , from Colin Linden & Luther Dickinson with the Tennessee Valentines and it's not only musically cool but a lot of fun. Opening with traditional instrumental, Careless Love , Linden on electric dobro and Dickinson on electric guitar, and only a minimal amount of percussion, a beautiful sound emerges with the thickness of a Mississippi swamp and the depth of morning fog. Excellent! On Jesse Stone's Don't Let Go , Rachael Davis and Ruby Amanfu join on vocal giving this popular track real spunk. Jimmy Reed's Honest I Do features Davis again on vocals, has a super blues swagger and reverb saturated guitar. Very cool. I really like the Sam Palladio lead/ Rachael Davis harmony on Ralph Mooney's Crazy Arms and Linden and Dickinson' guitar mix over Dominic Davis on bass, Bryan Owings on drums and Kevin McKendree on piano is pure gold. Billy Swan original, Lover Please , features Swan on lead ...

I just received the newest release, Beale Street Saturday Night , from Omnivore Recordings and it is raw and pure. Opening with Walkin' Down Beale Street by Sid Selvidge , the listener hears a blend of soul, jazz, blues and gospel with piano, slide guitar and horns. Fred Ford is up next with Hernando Horn , an exceptional old style blues track featuring exceptionally rich sax work. Grandma Dixie Davis , accompanied by piano is freewheelin and loose. No...this isn't Joe Bonamassa. Sleepy John Estes hits the ground running with Big Fat Mama/Liquor Store . Taking a breather in the track to tell the stories. Prince Gabe has a much more polished vocal presentation and again with story telling dialog. Furry Lewis is easily distinguished on Furry's Blues . A classic with Furry accompanying himself on guitar. Teenie Hodges lays down Rock Me Baby , raw and uncompromised. A more primitive version of the track by Alex with whistling and hammer claps like an old work song is ex...