Blue Heart Records artist: Willie J. Campbell - Be Cool - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Be Cool, from Willie J. Campbell and it's really strong. Opening with You Better Let Go, Sugar Ray Rayford is upfront on lead vocal, with Willie J. Campbell on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Kid Ramos on guitar and Jimi Bott on drums. Ramos lays out a really nice guitar solo on this somewhat funky track, nicely complimented by Condron Hampton on congas. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Stay Away, featuring Janiva Magness on lead vocal and Brian Templeton on backing vocal, as well as Anson Funderburgh showing exceptional finesse on guitar. Also appearing on this track are Mike Morgan and Shawn Pittman on guitars.  Excellent! Templeton has the mic on Drone with it's droning bass line and features the harmonica wizardry of Jason Ricci. There's hardly a track that Ricci contributes to that I don't think that he improves substantially so this is another of my favorites. another Texas style shuffle, Docksidin', lets Funderburgh stretch a bit on guitar and the guy can really play. Milgate on keys as well as Pittman and Morgan on guitars really add as well. Very cool. Shawn Pittman has the spotlight on Devil On My Shoulder with super lead vocals and acoustic guitar and excellent slide work by Morgan. Milgate's piano work on She's a Twister is a standout with Templeton on lead vocals and a flurry of guitar by Ramos. Very nice. The release concludes with two equally iridescent tracks. First up, Use As Needed featuring Templeton on lead vocal and Peter Green's instrumental, Albatross, both which showcase the beautiful guitar work of Ramos and include the piano of Pat McDougall. This really is a terrific release, top to bottom and I highly recommend this release of Willie J. Campbell's work (on bass on each track). Campbell died of ALS on December 19, 2022.

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Blue Heart Records artists: Arlen Roth and Jerry Jemmott - Super Soul Session! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Super Soul Session!, by Arlen Roth and Jerry Jemmott and its a cool updated, guitar super charged, soul package. Opening with soul favorite, I'm Just A Mortal Man, African vocalist, Mukamuri, is upfront on lead vocal with a super bass line by Jerry Jemmott and featuring some tasty riffs by "telecastermaster" Arlen Roth. On BB King's The Thrill Is Gone, Roth lays down sensuous guitar lead under the soulful vocal lead of Joe Louis Walker.  Not just a regular cover of King's classic, Roth remakes the sinuses of the song giving it new vitality. Aretha's Chain of Fools maintains all of it's soulful swagger but nobody could ever tough her vocals so Roth takes the melody on guitar giving it a thorough rework and Jemmott rocks the bottom. This will get you moving. Mukamuri on lead vocal gives Dobie Gray's Drift Away new legs with solid lead vocal over the thumping bass lines of Jemmott and  Chris Parker on drums, reinforced by Alex Salzman on keys, Tom Gage on rhythm guitar and Bruce Katz on organ. Memphis Soul Stew is a really cool track building from Jemmott on bass and vocal and building it up from there. Adding Parker on drums the the track starts to broaden and rhythm guitar by Gage adds texture. Katz joins next with full boat organ and background vocals. Things really start to get funky when the Uptown Horns drop in with Crispin Cioe on alto and bari sax, Arno Hecht on tenor sax, Larry Etkin on trumpet and Tony Gorruso punch it up and Roth lays in strong guitar soloing of his own. You're talking real funk here. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Roth on slide guitar working with Salzman and Katz on keys, Jemmott on bass and Parker on drums working over an elaborate rendition of America The Beautiful. Solid closer. 

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Forty Below Records artist: Joe Louis Walker - Weight Of The World - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Weight Of The World, by Joe Louis Walker, and it's a cool uncompromised blues release. Opening with title track, The Weight Of The World, Joe Louis Walker on lead vocal and guitar leads the way on this R&B soaked track. His funky approach and with Eric Corne and Gia Ciambotti on backing vocals gives it even a gospel like feel. His guitar work is great, surrounded by Scott Milici on organ and backed by John Medeiros Jr on drums, Eddie Jackson on bongos, and Geoff Murfitt on bass. Strong opener.  Soul track, Hello, It's The Blues, really has a rich approach with smooth backing vocals and Eric Gorfain on violins and tasty nylon string guitar work by Walker. Very nice. Blues rocker, Blue Mirror is my favorite track on the release with a strong feel of Chuch Berry or Keith Richards. Walker puts his own signature on it complimented by great riffs and great driving rhythm by Milici on piano, Murfitt on bass and Medeiros Jr on drums. Great! Wrapping the release is boogie, You Got Me Whipped, with a firm bass line by Murfitt and warm organ by Milici. I think Walker has held his best vocals for the last and really shines on this track and his guitar riffs are snappy and bluesy. Excellent closer. 

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Provogue Records artist: Supersonic Blues Machine - Voodoo Nation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Voodoo Nation, from Supersonic Blues Machine and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Money, SBM sets up a cool New Orleands flavored funk rocker with a solid drum line by Kenny Aronoff and featuring Kris Barras on lead vocal and guitar, Fabrizio Grossi on bass, Alex Alessandroni Jr on keys and perfect backing vocals by Francis Benitez and Andrea Grossi- Benitez. You and Me is a solid rocker that reminds me of Pink Floyd (and I actually don't know why). I think maybe it has the drive of Roger Waters' The Wall and the guitar attack by King Solomon Hicks  (doesn't sound like Gilmore), but the riffs are cut from the same cloth. Very cool. 8 Ball Lucy is one of my favorites with solid vocals, cool slide by Sonny Landreth and really cool reggae drum work by Aronoff. Title track, Voodoo Nation, has an interesting sound with really potent drum work by Aronoff, wark key addition by Alessandroni Jr. and again very effective vocal backing by Grossi-Benitez. Wrapping the release is radio track, All Our Love with it's catchy tune andlight country influence. With Charlie Starr on slide guitar paired with Barras on lead guitar and lead vocal, and strong piano work by Alessandroni, this is a strong closer. 

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Lunaria Records artist: Misty Blues - One Louder - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Louder, by Misty Blue and it's solid. Opening with gospel style blues, A Long Hard Way, Gina Coleman on lead vocal and guitar is joined by Seth Fleischman on guitar, Ben Kohn on keys, Rob Tatten on drums, Bill Patriquin on bass, Aaron Dean on sax, and Wendy Lipp, Rebecca Mattson and Kathy Ryan on backing vocals. Powerful opener. Super voice, Big Llou Johnson joins Coleman on lead vocals on How The Blues Feels. This is a potent track with an attack quite like Cream's version of the Mississippi Sheik's Sitting on Top Of The World with really nice guitar work by Fleischman, a great bass line by Diego Monque, heavy drum work by Tatten and solid harmonica addition by Bob Stannard. With New Orleans rhythm, Seal Of Fate really gets moving. Aaron Dean on sax, Chris Rand on bari sax, David Vittone on accordion and Tatten on drums carry the meat of the track and spice by Kohn on keys and Fleischmann on guitar add the hot spice. Very cool. Sassy blues number, I'm A Grinder, really digs in nicely wioth excellent solos by Patriquin on trumpet, Dean on sax, Fleischmann on guitar and Kohn on keys. Very nice. Wrapping the release is funky, Take A Long Ride with strong vocals by Coleman and absolutely wild solos by Joe Louis Walker on guitar and sax by Aaron Dean. Excellent closer. 

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GoldenVOice Audio Recordings artist: BIGLLOU Johnson - Bigman - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bigman, from BIGLLOU Johnson and it a solid R&B / blues set. Opening with Lightnin' Strike, an up tempo blues strut, BIGLLOU stylistically speaks the story, backed by Mark Early on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, Bill Overton on clarinet and Dwight Dukes, Terrence Grayson, Ellison Hall, Amanda Joyce, keith Sweat Monique Whittington and Monico Whittington on backing vocals. With a rumbling bass and crisp harmonica wailing by Russ Green, Chill On Cold has a great bluesy feel. Shucky Ducky (Quack Quack) has a tight Latin rhythm courtesy Ricky Nelson on drums and Kalyan Pathak on percussion and the addition of Anthony Dopsie on accordion adds a special texture. BIGLLOU had a terrific, deep voice and that timbre really comes through on this track. I Got The Fever is my favorite track on the release with it's slow, thick oozing blues. BIGLLOU really grinds out the deep vocal like nobody can and with nice piano and solid backing vocals. Wrapping the release is funky, Beezthatwaysometimes, with it's understated bass line and a tight exchange between the horn section, the backing vocals and a smoking drum rhythm, and just the right amount of organ. This is a terrific closer for a real nice release. 

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Dave Keller - You Get What You Give: Duets - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Get What You Give: Duets, from Dave Keller and it's a solid set of blues, R&B and soul. Opening with One More Tear, featuring Annika Chambers on vocal, Keller on lead vocal and guitar is backed by Ira Friedman on organ, Alex Budney on bass, Jay Gleason on drums, Mark Earley on sax, Mario Perrett on tenor sax and Tom Palance on trumpet. A potent R&B track and a super opener. Title track, You Get What You Give, pairs Keller with Annie Mack shows a lot of soul in this, radio track with it's strong, memorable melody. One of my favorite tracks on the release, The Evil That Men Do, features Keller trading lead with Trudy Lynn, Annika Chambers, Annie Mack and Johnny Rawls on what is definitely my favorite track on the release. It's composition is sophisticated and melodic and reminiscent of the best of early Elton John ballads. With Friedman on piano and Tom Palance on trumpet, this is a great track. Latin influenced, Your Kind Of Fool has a great rhythm and with Friedman on piano and organ and keller sharing the mic with Trudy Lynn, another top track. Another terrific ballad, The Spark, pairs Keller on vocal with Friedman on piano. Very nice. Gospel fueled, Precious Lord, Take My Hand, features Brother Bob White on vocal and piano, with Keller on guitar and Larry Gann on drums...powerful. Katie Henry's vocals on The Kiss I Want, along with Keller on vocal and guitar make this another top candidate for airplay. Wrapping the release is acoustic blues driven, I'm Gonna Let It Shine. Toussaint St. Negritude on lead vocal and Keller on National Steel guitar and harmonica give this release a strong closer. 

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Cleopatra Blues: Junior Wells - Blues Brothers - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Brothers by Junior Wells and featuring many contemporary blues players. Opening with low slung, Blues Hit Big Town, Colin James weighs in on lead guitar with Wells on Harp. Good Morning Little School Girl lines up Pat Travers on guitar and James Montgomery on harp. I really like Montgomery's work and his interweaving with Travers on this track is tight. One of Well's most loved classics, Messin' With the Kid gets a rework with Tyler Bryant on guitar and his open tone with just the right amount of reverb works really nicely. Baby, Scratch My Back features Albert Castiglia and I always like his style. He doesn't overplay but his notes all count. Very nice. Eric Gales is featured on Lovey Dovey, Lovey One and his confident attack on this shuffle really works nicely. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Snatch It Back And Hold It, featuring Joe Louis Walker. His guitar work is fluid and fleet with just the right bend. Wrapping the release is Hoodoo Man Blues again with Walker on guitar. Walker really is a great fit for this track with his soulful trem bends and tasty fills. This is a strong closer for a very cool release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Andy Watts - Supergroove - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Supergroove, from guitarist Andy Watts, Israel's Ambassador of the Blues and it's solid and features appearances by Joe Louis Walker and Eliza Neals. Opening with title track, Supergroove, Watts leads the instrumental on guitar, backed by Eyal Klein on keys, Ioram Linker on sax, Gregory Rivkin on trumpet, Llan Hillel on bass and Top Bollig on drums. Linker's solo on bari really sets the track apart, moving real air. Roy Young has the mic on Rick Estrin's shuffle, Living Hand To Mouth featuring Coastin Hank on harmonica and crisp guitar soloing by Watts. My favorite track on the release is slow burner, Burning Deep, featuring Joe Louis Walker on lead vocal and some real nice guitar work by Watts. Walker really digs in and Watts matches him step for step. Very nice. Young is back up front on funky, Pack It Up with it's contagious groove. Watts hangs nicely in the pocket accenting the track with punctual riffs. Very nice.  Eliza Neals is featured on lead vocals on Blues Of The Month Club and takes the wheel, pairing nicely with Watts' firey guitar soloing and snappy drum riffs of Bollig. Wrapping the release is Peter Green's Super Natural (The Supernatural), a cool laid back, Latin fused instrumental with lush guitar work and nice trumpet work by Rivkin and a wark key solo by Klein. Nice closer for a solid release. 

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Cleopatra Blues artist: Joe Louis Walker - Blues Comin' On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Comin' On from Joe Louis Walker and it's a fireplug. Opening with rocker, Feed The Poor, a funky blues rocker, Walker on lead vocal and Jorma on lead guitar, John Bradford on bass, Dorian Randolph on drums, Juma Sultan on percussion and Bruce Katz. This track is heavy. Super backing vocals by Bradford, and Randolph almost give it a Daryl Hall edge. Cool opener. R&B track, Someday, Someway is certainly one of my favorites on the release with Carla Cooke at the mic. Her vocals are terrific and with Walker on backing vocal and guitar and joined by Lee Oskar and his classic harp tone, Eric Finland on keys, Bradford on bass and Randolph on drums. Excellent! Easy shuffle, Old Time Used To Be has Walker on 12 string and vocal, with Joh Sebastian on harp and  Keb Mo on slide. Katz has a real nice piano solo on this one and adds an overall bright feel to the track. Swampy Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man has a real nice groove with Walker on super lead vocal and guitar with Rick Estrin on harp and Waddy Wachtel on lead guitar. Funky, Uptown to Harlem is a cool James Brown boogaloo style track  with Jellybean Johnson on lead guitar and Eric Finland on organ. Wrapping the release is Arthur Lee's rad rocker, 7&7 is with Arlen Roth on lead guitar. With full reverb and sixties style guitar lead over some ferocious drumming by Randolph, this is a solid closer for a totally enjoyable release.

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Cleopatra Blues artist: Shirley King - Blues For A King - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues For A King, from BB King's daughter, Shirley King and it's jam packed with blues and legends. Opening with Joe Louis Walker's All Of My Lovin' , King is up front on lead vocal backed by Walker on guitar and Jurgen Engler on guitar, bass and drums. Holding firm on a R&B setup, King sets a straight 60's styling radio track. With super guitar work by Elvin Bishop under King's bluesy vocals, I Did You Wrong has a cool shuffle beat and a tight bottom. An unexpected rock gem, Steve Winwood's Can't Find My Way Home features Martin Barre with some excellent guitar and is one of my favorites and also possibly King's best vocal effort on the release. Gallow Pole maintains it's folk roots but with a rock edge and underlying guitar work by Harvey Mandel with really is a strong compliment. A rework of a Jr Wells track features vocal and harp by Wells, adding guitar by Walker, bass by Engler and strong vocal leads by King. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Etta James' At last using the conventional arrangement and featuring Kings own vocals. With the addition of Steve Cropper on guitar, a solid closer. 

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Cleopatra Records artist: Joe louis Walker - Blues Comin' On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Comin' On, by Joe Louis Walker, and it's a great blend of Blues, Soul, R&B and Rock musical styles. Opening with Feed The Poor, a funky blues rocker, Walker joins with legendary Jorma Kaukonen on lead guitar who brings a ragged edge to this otherwise soulful track. With John Bradford on bass, Dorian Randolph on bass, Juma Sultan on percussion and Bruce Katz on organ this is a strong opener. Carla Cooke contributes lead vocal on Someday, Someway, a real nice soulful blues ballad. Her vocals, backed by Walker, on guitar and vocal, and with Lee Oskar on harmonica, Eric Finland on piano, Randolph on drums and John Bradford, this is definitely one of my favorites on the release. Keb' Mo on slide guitar and John Sebastian on harp join Walker on 12 string laying down a real nice shuffle, Old Time Used To Be. Backed by Katz on piano, Scott Petito on bass, Randolph on drums and Sultan on percussion this track has a great feel. I love the heavy bottom funk on Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man featuring Bradford on bass and Randolph on drums. Walker has the lead vocal on this one and does a great job with Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Rick Estrin on harp and Katz on organ. Nice and funky. Another soulful ballad, Awake Me, Shake Me,  featuring Cooke and Walker on lead vocal has real power with Walker really digging in on guitar. Very nice. With a real James Brown "boogaloo" beat, Uptown In Harlem features solid drumming by Byron Case and Jellybean Johnson winding it out on lead guitar under Walkers lead vocal. Cool. Wrapping the release is 7&7 Is, an Arthur Lee track with an early rock feel, featuring Charlie Harper on lead vocal and Arlen Roth on lead guitar. Roth slows this hypnotic pace down with some of the nicest blues riffs on the release, making is a solid closer.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Tyler Morris - Living In The Shadows - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Living In The Shadows, from Tyler Morris, and it's a cool blues rocker. On this, his second release, Morris plays lead guitar and sings with band mates Terry Dry on bass, Matthew Robert Johnson on drums and Lewis Stephens on B3 and Wurlitzer. Gary Moore's hard driving rocker, Movin' On, sees the band on full tilt with Morris throwing every rock based riff you can think at it. Quick fingered runs, and bends with just a bit of distortion to make it sound dirty gives this track it's sting. Joe Louis Walker and Mike Zito guest on vocals on Tony Joe White's Polk Salad Annie. Maintaining that original swamp rock feel this is a cool track with Morris working the slide nicely  over the steady drumming of Johnson. Bluesy ballad, Temptation, is Morris' best showcase of his vocal strength and Stephens' B3 enhances the tension giving Morris a nice platform to play melodic blues runs on guitar. Amanda Fish steps up to the mic on blues rocker, Better Than You adding some real nice R&B style vocal texture. Morris keeps a cool rhythm line and lays in double stop riffs adding just the right pepper to possibly my favorite track on the release. Boogie track, Why Is Love So Blue, has a great bottom end and the grinding guitar riffs of Morris gives it that Texas swagger. Original track, Young Man's Blues has a real nice bass drone with solid vocals by Morris and a strong guitar exchange between Morris and the stellar Ronnie Earl. Taken From Me is another of my favorite tracks on the release with it's lightly funked up rock beat that I associate with Mountain and early Leslie West. With a real nice drum beat by Johnson, straight up vocals and fat guitar accents by Morris, a nicely balanced track. Wrapping the release is a driving boogie, I'm On To You, with a thumping bass line and tight drums giving the track a meaty feel. Morris sets it up nicely and slams it home on this one with just the right amount of slash, making this an excellent closer. 

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Andy Watts - Blues On Fire - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues On Fire, from Andy Watts and it's a cool, contemporary blues rocker. Opening with a blues strut, Full Throttle, Andy Watts on lead guitar is joined by Eyal Klein on keys, Elad Gellart on sax, Gregory Rivkin on trumpet, Tom Mochaich on bass and Avi Barak on drums. With a fat bari solo by Gellart and a stinging guitar solo by Watts, a cool instrumental opener. Joe Louis Walker joins on title track, Blues On Fire providing soulful vocal lead and Watts sails along nicely on guitar with well articulated guitar phrasing. Very nice. A real nice cover/interpretation of Steve Ray Vaughn's Riviera Paradise floats along with great fire and spirit provided by Watts guitar riffs. With the addition of Rivkin on trumpet giving it just a bit of a jazzy feel, and a bright, clear piano interlude, this is a strong track. Roy Young is featured on lead vocal on JJ Cale's I Got The Same Old Blues with a distinct R&B feel and stinging guitar riffs by Watts and the addition of nice guitar work by Ronnie Peterson and great B3 funkiness by Klein. My favorite track on the release is Junkies, Monkeys & Donkeys featuring Danny Shoshan on lead vocal. A funky track with a great bass line by Amos Springer, this track has great presence and with horn backing by Gellert and Klein's key work, Watts walks through with the poise of a superstar playing just the right number of notes to give the track a great punch. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Who Knows, a heavy footed instrumental with Illan Hillel on bass, Moshe Yankovsky on drums, Niv Hovav on keys giving Rivkin and Watts a great platform to jam. Solid closer. 

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Cleopatra Records artist: Joe Louis Walker - Viva Las Vegas Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Viva Las Vegas Live from Joe Louis Walker and it's really great! Opening with I'm Not Messing Around, a rolling blues rocker, Walker has lead vocal and guitar with the super Bruce Bears on piano, Lenny Bradford on bass Dorian Randolph on drums. Walkers guitar riffs are scorching and crisp and Bears' piano tight and precise. Excellent opener. Into low slung shuffle, Young Girls Blues,  Walker's vocals are rich and Bears' piano work is grand. I have admired Bears' work for a long time and it's always super to hear him live where he can stretch a bit. Very nice. Ok...you want Walker. You want guitar and here it is! Sugar Mama, a slower blues number with extended guitar soloing. Walker has excellent chops and most of you already know and this track gives him the opportunity to let it all hang out... or should I say, he's more than 6 minute into the track before he starts to sing...think about that! Also showing excellent harmonica chops, and with strong piano reinforcement by Bears and the steady bottom by Bradford and Randolph, this is an absolute showstopper and it's just begun. There's a great low fret intro on Do You Love Me, a solid blues rocker with plenty of kick. Walker is showing clearly that he can do it all.  With it's New Orleans kind of funk, Soldier For Jesus has a terrific feel and Walker is nicely backed vocally by Bears, Bradford and Randolph as his slide guitar playing is fat and rich. Excellent! You Don't Love Me Girl is a cool Latin jazz infused number and Bears gets a chance to really let the organ loose. Playing nicely off of Walkers guitar lead and the strong support of Bradford and Randolph, this is a really cool track. Cool boogie track, Too Drunk To Drive Drunk is another favorite with a great driving bottom and Walker's vocals riding high. Bears and Walker both got the chance to let loose and they are on fire. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Like It This Way with it's (fast) walking bass line and flaming hot guitar lead. Bears winds it up again and then as customary with many top performers bassist Bradford gets a chance to show his stuff. His solo is melodic and leads nicely into a drum showcase for Randolph. Walker returns and takes it home with his showcase style. No one could have left here without a smile on their face. Excellent show!

BTW... this is a DVD which includes as cd. I can't wait to get home and watch this show live on the real system!

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Ruf Records artist: The BB King Blues Band - The Soul Of The King - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Soul of the King, from The BB King Blues Band and the title hits the nail on the head. Opening with Irene Irene, Russell Jackson has the mic and Kenny Wayne Shepherd plays scorching hot guitar riffs making this an excellent opener. The hear of the band is James Boogaloo Bolden on trumpet, Eric Demmer on lead sax, Jackson on bass, Walter King on sax, Herman Jackson on drums, Darrell Lavigne on keys, Lamar Boulet on trumpet, Wilburt Crosby on guitar, Brandon Jackson on drums, and Raymond Harris on trombone. Kenny Neal is up next on Sweet Little Angel covering both lead guitar and vocal. His playing is more mellow but no less soulful as he gets a good grip on the track in BB King style. Diunna Greenleaf's supreme vocal styling is There Must Be A Better World Somewhere and Demmer literally blows the doors off with his sensational sax soloing. Excellent! Solid soul on She's The One with Demmer on lead vocal and sax. The man is hot and his sax screams... check it out! Funky, Taking Care of Business has Jackson back on lead vocal backed by Bolden and Richardson. Crosby and Demmer trade rich solos giving this track real tension over the punchy horn work. Very nice. Regal Blues (A Tribute To The King) features Joe Louis Walker on lead vocal and guitar. With a solid shuffle rhythm Walker gets the band rockin' … you can almost see BB King's softly clenched fist clapping into his extended open palm. Bolden has the lead on Pocket Full Of Money, with a nice groove. Jackson's bass line sets the tone and Lamar Boulet blows a great trumpet solo. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Michael Lee on lead guitar and vocal on BB King's classic, The Thrill Is Gone. A soulful but bouncier track than typical of King, an excellent closer for a solid release. 

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Watermelon Slim - Church of the Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Church of the Blues, from Watermelon Slim and it's great! From the time Slim opens on St. Peter's Ledger, this release is hot. Leading on slide and vocal and backed by John Allouise on bass, Brian Wells on drums and Bob Margolin on guitar, this is a super opener. On Muddy Waters' Gypsy Woman, Slim really takes the harp for a trip with hair curling squeals and vibrant Waters style slide work. Excellent!  Funky, New Orleans flavored Post Modern Blues has a great rhythm with Nick Schnebelen on slide, Matt Blagg on trumpet, Kevin Webb on trombone and Chris Hicks on sax. Very cool. Joe Louis Walker lends a soulful hand on electric guitar with gripping punch on Mni Wiconi . The Water Song with a light funk, R&B style horn backing and solid vocals. Really nice. One of my favorite on the release is That Ole 1-4-5 with it's traditional styling, strong vocals and with Ike Lamb and Slim sharing the excellent guitar lead. Mississippi Fred McDowell's 61 Highway Blues is another favorite with a real hill country style. This track really has a great groove. Wrapping the release is Too Much Alcohol with a strong taste of Johnny Winter. Slim's guitar style is different but the vibrancy is there. With Albert Castiglia on guitar and Slim leading the way, this is an excellent track. This is a really great set of tracks making one of the most enjoyable releases that I have listened to in a while. Check it out. 

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