Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bring It On Back To Me , from John Brenan and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Junkyard Blues , John Brennan on vocal, guitar and drums sets his own pace. With a touch of reverb Brennan has the guitar firmly under his fingers and a slide at ready. Singing and playing with real conviction, this is hard not to like. On Elmore James ' It Hurts Me Too , Brennan shows a good hand with the slide and his vocals are strong and steady. Very cool. JJ Cale 's, Call Me The Breeze gets a hybrid cover somewhere between Cale's own arrangement and that of Lynyrd Skynyrd . Hi vocal has more spunk than Cale's own but less than the swagger of Ronnie Van Zant and his guitar playing is more bluesy than Cale's but not as wound out as King/Collins and Rossington... still a lot of fun. Another great original, Ain't Gonna Cry For You No More is a strong blues rocker with a driving beat and sweet slide under ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Way Ride , from John Brennan, and it's a real nice set of blues rockers. Opening with Nothin' To Lose , John Brennan on vocal, slide and drums sets a solid blues foundation. With it's traditional sound and, electrified hollow body slide sound and solid vocals, Brennan shows a purity that I rarely hear on contemporary blues releases. On Elmore James', Shake Your Money Maker, I think the track sounds spontaneous along the lines of Hound Dog Taylor. A great cut and hot slide. On Robert Johnson's shuffle Ramblin' On My Mind , Brennan's vocals are highlighted with solid slide, balancing with acoustic rhythm guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Where'd You Stay last Night , a vibrant rocker with a late 50's/early 60's sound. Stripped down with basic guitar, drum and vocal, this track rocks. Slipping in with some real nice lead/slide guitar and a rockabilly feel, this is an excel...