Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Raise Your Hands , by Scott Weis Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Motherless Child , Scott Weis on slide guitar and lead vocal really gets a great groove going. With a heavy kick drum and snare Roger Voss reinforces the beat and Robert Kopec on bass is joined by Cindy Mizelle on vocal creating a really strong opener. Blues rocker, Judgement Day , opens with a cool rimshot riff and Weiss powers a Gibbons style guitar riff giving this track plenty of fuel. Weis lays in a really  nice solo over a rowdy bass line by Kopec and Voss powers up the drums. Very cool. A strong cover of Cocker's arrangement of With A Little Help From My Friends really is a nice surprise. Weis' vocals are strong, with backing by Sarah Smith,  John Ginty adds real tension on keys and his Weis' guitar solo phrasing works nicely. Funky rocker, Bitch Please , has just a touch of Jagger in styling with it's rumbling ba...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dirt Woman Blues , from Grainne Duffy , and it's a healthy helping of blues, rock, soul, country and pop. Opening with blues rocker, Well Well Well , Ireland born, Grainne Duffy shows plenty of swagger on vocals, backed by Marc Ford on guitar and vocal, Paul Sherry on guitars, Elijah Ford on bass and JJ Johnson on drums. Upfront lead guitar by Marc Ford gives the track bite and along with Elijah's bass work and Johnson's tight drumming makes this a strong opener. Soul soaked, Running Back To You really is a showcase for Duffy with emotional vocal work, highlighted by a crisp guitar solo by Ford. Another soulful ballad, Hold On To You , is really strong with a memorable melody, strong vocals and plenty of feel, not unlike the music coming out of Muscle Shoals in the 70's. Very nice. Yes I Am turns up the heat on rock with a great bottom and driving guitar under strong vocals by Duffy. Wrapping the release i...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sunday Morning Sessions , by Jimmy Bennett and it's a solid set of acoustic country style blues. Opening with Easter Morning Melody, Jimmy Bennett, shows solid command of the Piedmont picking style and delivers this jaunty tune. Nice opener. Getting out the slide on his dobro, Bennett shows fluid technique and feel on Snow Sliding . Delbert McClinton's casual blues rocker, New York City features Bennett on vocal and guitar and John Ginty on keys. With a good melody, fluid guitar runs and some of Bennett's best vocals on the track this is a strong radio track. Playing Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire in up tempo fashion, Bennet gives it a different feel and is certain to draw crowd attention at shows. Wrapping the release is Serenade For New Orleans with a somber melody and Bennett accompanying himself on dobro. This is a solid release and one that his that right spot.    If you support live Blues acts,...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 9, 2021), That's What I'm Talkin About , from Sean Chambers and I really like it. Chambers put together this release as a tribute to Hubert Sumlin who he played with  for over 4 years, in fact the title of the release is due to it being a phrase that Hubert used frequently. Opening with blues rocker, Hubert Sumlin's Chunky , a funky instrumental, features Chambers on lead guitr, Bruce Katz on B3, Andrei Koribanics on drums and Antar Goodwin on bass.  With strong blues rock guitar lead and solid phrasing, this is a super instrumental opener. Howling Wolf's Rockin' Daddy gets a really hnice Wolf like vocal lead and Chambers' guitar lead is nothing short of electrifying. On St' Loius Jimmy Oden's Goin' Down Slow , Chambers works the space with excellent phrasing and his attack has fire that I've rarely heard from contemporary blues players except SRV. Excellent! On Willie Dixon...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Is Real, from Trevor B. Power and it's a cool blend of blues, folk, rock and country. Opening with World Gone Madd , an upbeat blues rocker, Power on guitar vocal and guitar leads the way, backed by Anthony Krizan on drums, bass and guitar, Danielle Illario and Matt Migliorino on background vocal, John Ginty on B3 and Will Wilde on harmonica. Solid ballad, I'm Still In, has a strong melody and lead vocal by Power and with warm organ and tasty guitar accompaniment looking like the best radio track on the release. Easier Way has a conventional blues shuffle framework and cool slide work and harmonica accents by Power. Life Is Good is a straight up rocker with a forward drum beat and Chuck Berry bones. Rob Clores' addition of piano on this track really balances nicely with the lead guitar work by Power. Another ballad, I'm A Fool , has a quiet tempo and the feel of a gritty country western track with ad...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild and Free (Live) , from Albert Castiglia and it's a powerful blues rocker. Opening with Big Dog , Castiglia opens the doors and lets the dog off the leash right from the start. This is one guy that I haven't seen in concert that I'd really like to see and he is smoking! Castiglia on lead vocal and lead guitar, is backed by Justine Tompkins on bass, Ephrain Lowell on drums, Lewis Stephens on B3 and piano. One thing that I was really conscious about on Hoodoo on Me is the terrific guitar tome that Castiglia is getting on his rhythm part. Powered by his guitar and Stephens on B3, this track keeps the heavy drive going. With a firm bass line by Tompkins and fluid guitar lead, this track is another killer. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Get Your Ass In the Van and features some terrific slide work from Castiglia. Cool piano work by Stephens and solid vocals make this a hard track not to love. ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Chicken Grease, from Biscuit Miller and the Mix and it's a cool mix of blues, funk and soul. Opening with Here Kitty Kitty , a cool R&B track with a potent bass line by Miller who also has the lead on vocal, backed by Doctor Love on drums, Bobby B Wilson on guitar and Alex "Southside" Smith on guitar and John Ginty riding high on B3 and electric piano. Super opener. Lap steel master, Marcus Randolph sits in on 609 , adding his special sauce. A driving rocker with an firm bass line, this track keeps the heat on with great vocals, and tight work from Ginty, Wilson and Smith. Title track, Chicken Grease , is so funky you can smell it. Miller really works the bass and his vocal phrasing is perfect. With a cool interplay between Wilson, Smith and Randolph, this track is hot! R&B track, Watching You is smooth as silk with warm vocals by Miller and just the right bottom and nice backing vocals by Love, ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Road , from Katie Henry and it's an interesting release with cool ballads and hot rockers. Opening with country style rocker, Nowhere Fast , Katie Henry opens her debut release on lead vocal and keys. With a bluesy slide to her vocal style, John Ginty on organ, Antar Goodwin on bass, Moe Watson on drums and with a hot picking by Jonathan Fritz on guitar. this is a solid opener.  Chapels has a southern gospel flavor on a pop track with rich vocals and trademark Marcus Randolph on pedal steel guitar. Bluesy ballad, Carry You , has a terrific melody and feel. Henry's vocals are soothing with particularly precise drum work by Watson and supple guitar soloing by Fritz. Very nice. Funky R&B track, Someday , has a solid back beat from Watson and featuring Anthony Krizan with some real nice slide work under the solid vocal structure of Henry. Wrapping the release is Takes A Lot with springy Billy Preston funk...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 25, 2018), Someday Baby , by Billy Hector and it's really good. Opening with funky blues fused Wizard of Babylon , Billy Hector on vocal and guitar really has it going. With van Romaine on drums, Wilbo Wright on bass, David Nunez on keys and Steve Jankowski on horns this is a great spunk funky opener. Title track, Someday Baby continues the funky blues groove and Hector's grinding guitar riffs give his music it's unique personality. Wondering already if you'll like this... you like Albert King...you like Johnny Guitar... you like Frank Marino.... you'll love this. OK, now we're kicking out all the stops with a new Orleans style over the top funky blues, Butt Naked and Funk . If there was ever a party track that gets you up off your old ass...this is it! Using a talk box, and terrific horn punctuation by Jankowski, Tom LaBella on sax and John Martin on bari, and backed by Rich Monica on dr...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rockers , by John Ginty featuring vocalist Aster Pheonyx and it has a whole different dimension. Opening with powerhouse, The Shark , Ginty melds his notorious Hammond sound with Justine Gardner on outrageous funky bass and Maurice "mOe" Watson on drums for my favorite track on the release right out of the chute. Excellent! Rocker, Lucky 13 is up next and with Paul Kuzik's driving bass and Watson's drum work, lead vocalist, Aster Pheonyx takes command with Grace Slick like style. Ginty's key work, is aggressively complimented by the guitar work of Mike Buckman and Jimmy Bennett. With an easy pace and solid melody, Target On The Ground , is a tidy radio track with bluesy vocals and a light funk in the bottom. Ginty cranks up the heat on Hammond giving the track a bit more heft. Mr. Blues is a lumbering blues rocker with a cool lead riff by Ginty that drives the track, reinforced by Gardner's b...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dust To Gold from Cris Jacobs and it's quite good. Opening with The Devil or Jesse James , a rugged radio track, Cris Jacobs on guitar and vocal is joined by Todd Herrington on bass, Dusty Ray Simmons on percussion and John Ginty on keys. With a mellow sway, Kind Woman has a real nice groove. Jacobs vocas are smooth and his dobro playing soft and warm. Halleluja Hustler has a sweet melody and with nicely blended vocals, rolling piano by Ginty and swirling guitars by Jacobs, very nice. Jack The Whistle and The Hammer is a snappy, soft rocker with a touch of Buckingham Nicks. Jacobs springs across the fretboard with a tight little guitar solo giving the track just a bit more dressing, backed by Ginty. Very nice. One of the richest tracks on the release, Cold Carolina , has the warmth of the summer sun and the space of high country with Jonathan Sloane on slide. Bone Digger has a real cool funky groove with Jacobs ...

I just received the newest release, Long Road Back, from the Todd Wolfe Band and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with Poison , Wolfe picks up where he left off on his 2013 release, Miles To Go with a solid funky rock track and a cool hook. With his own fever pitched guitar work and backed by Roger Voss on drums, excellent key man, John Ginty on Hammond and Justine Gardner on bass this is a cool opener. On Mercy , Wolfe and Ginty blend instrumentally and backing vocals by Gardner and Voss warm up the mix. Blind Joe Reynolds track, Outside Woman Blues , made popular by the Cream during the British invasion makes an appearance on this track with quite a similar arrangement. I actually love this track so having Wolfe do a cover of it pleases me just fine. His vocals and guitar work are clean and the band is tight. Never Walk Alone has a real nice feel with a primary rhythmic theme under the vocal melody as well as hot guitar riffs and warm Hammond backing. Peace Unto You is an aco...

I just received the newest release, No Filter , from John Ginty and it's super! I had earlier reviewed John's super debut "Bad News Travels" and I like this one even better! Opening Fredo with a very sumptuous guitar organ duo of Ginty and Lou Pallo, this track kicks into a cool strut driven by Ginty on B3, Paul Kuzik on bass and Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics on drums and percussion. Very nice! Ball Of Fire features Cris Jacobs warm vocals on a cool bed of keyboards and Latin rhythms and Spanish guitar riffs by Jacobs and Mike Buckman. An easy jazz break takes the track on a cloud like ride and Ginty heats up the keys nicely. This is an excellent radio track with broad appeal. My favorite track on the release, Old Shoes , features none other than the fabulous Alexis P. Suter. Taking a modern blues stance on an old style rhythm, this track really digs in and Suter has the perfect voice for the job. Ginty on piano, Kuzik on bass, Jimmy Bennett on guitar and onl...

I just received the newest release, Feel These Blues , from Slam Allen and it's a hard driver. Opening with title track, Feel These Blues , Allen on guitar and lead guitar sets the pace. Joined by keyboard wiz John Ginty, Jeff Anderson on bass and Dan Fadel on drums, these guys show they mean business. Allen slashes with Albert King like bend phrasing and mean intent. Cool! All Because Of You has a really smart bluesy guitar intro sliding into a Otis Rush like tempo with cleverly styled guitar riffs. Ginty and Allen trade alternate drop in riffs as punctuation around Allen's lead vocals. Very nice! R&B styled, In September , lays easy ground work for a radio track with slick guitar work and also showcasing Allen's soulful vocals. The Blues Is Back showing definite influences of Mr BB King. Allen's vocal phrasing is spot on and his Albert King/ SRV guitar phrasing is hot! Baby Please Don't You Go is a boogie rock n roller. Flashing guitar chops over a Chuck ...

I just received a cool new 2 CD release, Bad News Travels from John Ginty and it's quite live, tight and entertaining. Opening with Switch , a walking bass line driven B3 extravaganza. Paul Kuzik sets the tempo and Ginty takes over where Booker T left off. With a double drums setup featuring Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics this is a tight track. Very nice! Arrivals is a funky jam with cool guitar lines by Mike Buckman and Ginty playing against his retort. Next up is Black Cat featuring Albert Castiglia. A slow blues groove, Ginty sets a really nice stage for Castiglia to take the lead on vocal and guitar. I've only ever seen Castiglia on Youtube (never live) and he is an exceptional player. I am looking forward to seeing him if he ever makes it to Phoenix. He doesn't over sing, his phrasing is inviting and his vocals are really nice. Ginty plays both piano and B3 solos taunting Castiglia into a really sweet and extremely fiery guitar solo. Excellent! On fu...

I just received a cool new DVD from John Ginty , The Showplace Sessions Live . This is a live video session of Bad News Travels and it's quite live, tight and entertaining. Opening with Switch , a walking bass line driven B3 extravaganza. Paul Kuzik sets the tempo and Ginty takes over where Booker T left off. With a double drums setup featuring Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics this is a tight track. Very nice! Arrivals is a funky jam with cool guitar lines by Mike Buckman and Ginty playing against his retort. Next up is Black Cat featuring Albert Castiglia. A slow blues groove, Ginty sets a really nice stage for Castiglia to take the lead on vocal and guitar. I've only ever seen Castiglia on Youtube (never live) and he is an exceptional player. I am looking forward to seeing him if he ever makes it to Phoenix. He doesn't over sing, his phrasing is inviting and his vocals are really nice. Ginty plays both piano and B3 solos taunting Castiglia into a really sweet and ext...

ORGANIST EXTRAORDINAIRE JOHN GINTY,  FRESH OFF DIXIE CHICK'S 'LONG TIME GONE' TOUR LAUNCHES HIS "BAD NEWS TRAVELS" TOUR Headlining 8X10 Club in Baltimore - Friday, May 16     (BALTIMORE, MD) - Organist extraordinaire John Ginty launches his "Bad News Travels" Tour with a headlining performance at the 8X10 Club , 10 East Cross St., Friday, May 16 . 9 p.m. Show. Tickets $12. (advance), $16. (door). Purchase advance tickets at http://www.missiontix.com/events/product/25058/john-ginty-band----cara-kelly-amp-the-tell-tale . Info: ( 410) 625-2000 or  http://www.the8x10.com/index_content.html .     Ginty's recent album release Bad New Travels (American Showplace Music) has received critical acclaim and has charted highly on Roots Music Report, among others. John has toured and recorded with artists such as J...

A Morristown, New Jersey native, organist John Ginty has toured and recorded with artists such as Jewel, Citizen Cope, Santana, Dixie Chicks, Matthew Sweet, Court Yard Hounds, Bad Religion, and he was an original member of Robert Randolph and the Family Band, a band in which he received two Grammy Nominations, as well as a Gospel Music Award for Urban Album of the year in 2003. That same year, John appeared on the Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy Award winner Higher Ground. His discography spans over a decade and a half, and demonstrates his eclectic influences and unique sounds on the keys. "John steps out into the spotlight for his 2013 release “Bad News Travels”, on the American Showplace label. Produced by Ben Elliott (Keith Richards, Eric Clapton) the record is rooted in the blues, and showcases John’s abilities on the Hammond B-3 organ." “Bad News Travels” also features some stellar guest performances by such notables as Martie Maguire from the Dixie Chicks and ...

I just received the new release, Bad News Travels , from John Ginty and it's really quite good. It's unusual that I find a release that is actually built around an organ player (James Brown and Lucky Peterson) but here's one. Opening with The Quirk , Ginty starts this instrumental track with a B3 vamp and slowly piece by piece the band joins in. Dan Fadel on drums, Paul Kuzik on bass and then out pops an outrageous guitar player.... Albert Castiglia. Playing a blues rock fusion, this track rips! (Listen to those drums!) On Black Cat , Ginty slows everything down and Castiglia takes the mic for some really nice vocals. Ginty plays really soulful B3 keys against really tasty blues riffs by Castiglia. Peanut Butter , another instrumental, has a great hook driven by Ginty on keys and Todd Wolfe steps in playing great response to Ginty's call on guitar. This is some really intense guitar work and I credit Ginty not only for assembling this great crew of musicians and bu...