Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Southern Son , from Jeff Fetterman , and it's a cool blues rocker with some really hot guitar. Opening with I Don't Want To , Fetterman on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Kid Andersen on guitar, Ralph Retinger III on bass, John McGuire on drums, Kid Andersen on B3 and keys, John Halbleib on trumpet, Ric Feliciano on trombone and Doug Rowan on sax, this is a solid opener with a number of time changes. Living With the Blues is a strong, slow blues number with super vocals and explosive guitar soloing by Fetterman. Feels Like Rain is a straight up rocker with a southern flair almost like Outlaws or Skynyrd but without the tell tale signature riffs. Pretty cool actually. Blues For Charlie is my favorite track on the release with it's melancholy melody, easy pace, glistening chords and clean lead guitar not unlike the approach that SRV took with Riviera Paradise. Very nice! Another interesting track on the r...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 9 Miles To Nowhere , by Jeff Fetterman , and it's quite good! Opening with funky blues rocker, Somebody Get Me A Doctor , Fetterman on lead guitar and vocals sets a great stage. With a nice groove and solid vocals, backed by Eric Brewer on guitars, Ralph Reitnger III on bass, John McGuire on drums and Judy Kessler on vocal and percussion, this band is rocking. Nice round tone opens Something Just Ain't Right and the stomping woodblock snap is pure magic. Brand New Day has a tight, thumping bottom and a real good blues rock feel. Fetterman's sense for dynamics is nice with compressed neck pickup picking balanced with open bridge soloing. Goodbye John Brown has a snappy drum riff that really delivers for me and Fetterman's slide works nicely with his rugged vocals. The smoothest track on the release is Broken Hearted , T-Bone Walker progression, just set up for perfectly for lead guitar soloing. A real nic...

I just received the newest release, Bottle Full Of Blues , from Jeff Fetterman Band and it's quite good! Opening with Paradise , influences of Jimi Hendrix and Texas blues guitarists are readily apparent. Strong driving guitar riffs by Fetterman on the intro develop into a cool funky groove with John McGuire on drums, Ralph Reitinger III on bass and Anthony Brown on keys. This track has a lot of fluidity and Fetterman is definitely comfortable leading this groove. Very nice! On Out Of Time a Bo Diddley beat is twisted with a Texas blues funk. I particularly like the bass growl of Reitinger. Brown steps up with a blanketing keyboard solo and a nice opening for Fetterman to lay out his guitar chops and Judy Kessler, Amy Shallenberger and Bea Antonelli sing precise backing vocals. Southbound has a driving blues rock beat with riding harp work from Otis James. Strongly blended lead and backing vocals as well as a strong melody make this on the the prime radio style tracks on the r...