Ryan Lee Crosby - At The Blue Front - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, At The Blue Front, from Ryan Lee Crosby, and it's an interesting mix of pure stripped down American blues and African blues. Opening with Going Away, Ryan Lee Crosby on vocal and 12 string lays down a solid blues, backed by Grant Smith on percussion, and Jay Scheffler on harmonica. I've Been Worried maintains an American, earthy, primitive sound but with distinct, African guitar styling not unlike Ali Farka Toure'. This is a cool, interesting track with American meter and a solid melody. Catfish, features Jimmy "Duck' Holmes joining Crosby on vocal and guitar with a Mali flavored take on the traditional blues. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Tell Me features Holmes on lead vocal and guitar with Crosby on guitar with cool percussion and Calabash by Smith. This is an interesting blues fusion release. Where musicologist and guitar player extraordinaire, Ry Cooder did a really strong work with Farka Toure' it leaned heavy into authenticity to Mali music. This release maintains a purity to American blues interpretation with influences in Mali. Farka Toure's guitar styling giving it a sound of it's own. Very cool.  

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Easy Eye Sound artist: Jimmy "Duck" Holmes - Cypress Grove - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cypress Grove, from Jimmy "Duck" Holmes and it's a excellent slice or real delta blues. Opening with Skip James' Hard Times, Holmes is right there, front and center playing guitar and singing the blues just like God planned it. I mean it doesn't come much fresher than this. Get it while you can! Title track, another Skip James composition, Cypress Grove, has great feel and pace with Holmes joined by Eric Deaton on bass and Sam Bacco on drums and percussion. Don't be expecting a trap set... were talking basic...  Very nice! Muddy Waters' Rock Me has a super grinding bass line and with the addition of Marcus King on guitar and Dan Auerbach on lush slide, has strong texture. Another James track, Devil Got My Woman, is a super showcase for Holmes vocal styling and guitar work. I mean this track hurts it's so good. Excellent! All Night Long is really a short jam track which features so haunting slide work by Auerbach. Very cool. Jessie Mae Brooks' Train Train is a great track with a hill country sound. Pure vocal over just the basic of rhythm guitar and percussion, and then the addition of ghostly guitar work by Auerbach that really sets the track off. This is a track that shows a master working nicely with a master, not changing his style or "jazzing it up" like was so poorly completed with Hooker. It may have gotten him popularity, but it wasn't good. Wrapping the release is original track, Two Women, with it's simple, soulful wailing. Holmes is a treasure and fortunately, Auerbach has captured him in nature and put this perfect cd out. Super job!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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