Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lessons Learned , from Jim Gustin & Truth Jones and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with I'd Been Drinking , a romping party track with a boogie rhythm, Gustin and Jones share the mic and horns blazing behind them. Gustin does a nice job on guitar with Steve Alterman on piano, Scott Duncan on bass, Chuck Strong on drums and Lawrence Tamez on sax with Jim Scimonelli on sax and Lee Thornburg on trumpet. Cool opener. Duncan sets the pace on bass on The Truth and Gustin's gravelly voice is perfect for this one. Again, Gustin steps up with a nice guitar solo over the power organ work of Alterman. One of my favorites on the release is I Hate To See You Go with another great bass drone, anchor snare drum and clever double entendre vocals. Ripping guitar and sax solos dress this track out nicely giving it a turbo boost. Very cool. A crisp rocker, Rockslide , showcases Gustin's vocal with just the right...

I just received the debut release, Can't Shed a Tear , from Jim Gustin and Truth Jones . Opening with I Gotta Sing , a blend between Don Nix style track and David Clayton Thomas vocals this is a pretty cool opener. There's a pretty rippin guitar solo on this track and also prominent key work. Title track, Can't Shed A Tear , is a soulful rocker with solid vocals and just enough guitar solo to give the track a bit of edge. No Faith In Forever is a slinky number with a cool bass line, find Gustin trading vocal leads with Jeri Goldenhar and boosted by nice sax work by Jim Scimonetti. If God Made Something Better is a light springy almost Steely Dan type track with heavier vocals. Beauty for Ashes has a bit of a southern blues rock sound, say Marshall Tucker/Grinderswitch but with a twist of Black Label Society. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Why, Why, Why is a straight up rock track with tight vocal harmonies and Keith Richards like rhythm riffs. Goldenhar ta...