Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Babylon Is Falling , from Delta Moon and it's really good. Opening with dark, swampy, Long Way To Go , Tom Gray on slide guitar works his magic with complimentary vocals by himself and Mark Johnson (also on guitar), Franher Joseph on bass and Marlon Patton on drums. Excellent opener. Patterson sets an excited pace on title track, Babylon Is Falling , a smoky blues track with Gray on lead vocal, guitar and keys. His slide work is smooth and gritty lending the track a beefy, New Orleans feel. Two stepping, Might Take A Lifetime has a solid rock beat and loose, guitar riffs giving the track a JJ Cale feel. RL Burnside's Skinny Woman retains RL's energy but with a slightly different arrangement, has a somewhat more contemporary feel. Very cool. Traditional blues, Nobody's Fault But Mine gets a funky, swampy remake. Nice electric piano work, woven with cool guitar riffs, a solid bass line and tight drums g...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cabbagetown , by Delta Moon and they have a rocking sound with blues influences. Opening with Rock and Roll Girl , Tom Gray on vocal and lap steel, Mark Johnson on vocal and lap steel create a signature sound backed by Franher Joseph on vocal and bass, and Marlon Patton on drums. With a swampy feel, Just Lucky I Guess features Steven Stills like vocals and swift resonator guitar soloing. Kicking it up a few, Coolest Fools has a country rock/pop feel with a cool hook. Tandem slide work maintains a country rockin' feel throughout and nicely blended vocals give this track additional appeal.  Refugees stands alone for me as the absolute best track on the release. With it's solid one bass line, slide work and spoken lead vocal, this track just rides the super groove. Excellent!  A modern take on Son House's Death Letter is totally fresh and unique. Very cool with a thumping bass and cool harp work...

I just received the newest release (May 5, 2015), Low Down , from Delta Moon and it's a warm mix of blues rock, country and radio play. Opening with Wrong Side Of Town , a blues rocker with Tom Gray on lead vocal and Mark Johnson playing bottleneck on a Rickenbacker spanish-electro guitar. A catchy melody and a JJ Cale like feel, this track should easily catch airplay. On New Orleans rhythm track, Afterglow , again has nice slide work with nice drum work from Marion Patton and bass work from Franher Joseph. Mark Johnson and Gray trade guitar riffs giving the track texture. Nothing You Can Tell A Fool has Muddy Waters like slide work from Johnson. Heavy tom tom work from Patton and backing vocals from Francine Reed, Johnson and Joseph nicely compliment the shimmery slide work throughout. Mean Streak has a solid radio theme and a slight funk on the bottom. Both lead and slide riffs on this track add nicely to the composition. Two stepper, Lowdown , a Tom Waits track, is my favor...