Bman's Blues Report

I received some very sad news this week. My blues friend and dynamic singer Karen Carroll has passed. Karen had been working in Europe for quite some time and we became friends.  In 2014 Karen became ill and moved back to Atlanta to recuperate. I spoke with her a few times and she was making progress but unfortunately on March 9th after years of trouble with her health in the hospital she went peacefully. This week I spoke with Ronnie Templin, her manager/promoter, who had a very special relationship with Karen. "The most special thing I can think of is how selfless she was and how music moved her in a way that moved other people into a place of fun and all in a spiritual way. I appreciate that she was a dear friend of mine who I called my sister and she was my best friend in the world and I miss her much "  Karen was nominated for a German Grammy for singing Vicksburg Blues that her mother, Jean Carroll, started in the family with Little Brother Montgomery. She pla...

Karen Carroll (born January 30, 1958, Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American Chicago blues singer. She was born to parents Mack Carroll and Alberta Simmons Carroll (stage name: Jeanne Carroll). Her godparents were the jazz guitarist George Freeman and blues vocalist Bonnie Lee. Carroll started singing in church at the age of six. Her first appearance was on stage playing guitar with her mother's band at age 14. Early in her career she worked with Katie Webster and Albert King. She recorded her first song with Carey Bell on his album, Son of a Gun in 1983. Carroll went on to tour with Eddie Lusk in Canada, after recording his album Professor Strut in 1989. She went on to play at some big Chicago blues clubs. In 1995, Carroll worked on an album with five other female blues artists called Women of Blue Chicago, and it is still being played on the radio today. She was offered her own recording contract by Delmark Records in 1995, subsequently making the album Had My Fun. This...

I just got a copy of Karen Carroll's latest release, Live in Coburg, Germany and it's a beaut! The release is made up of 11 tracks which were recorded live by Karen with her band, Fever de Soul, at the Irish Pub in Coburg, Germany in 2008. This is a really great set of blues tracks and it captures the richness of Karen in concert. The track list consists of: I Aint Got Nothin But The Blues Steppin In Part Time Lover Next Time You See Me Play The Blues For Me I Need Money Breakin Up Somebodys Home Dont You Lie To Me Do Your Thang Are You Ready Killin Floor Along with Karen's deep lush voice, this is a very tight band. They have the chance to open up and play in strong support with some beautiful instrumental work throughout. I particularly like the bass players style but all of the instrumentation is great. It's hard to believe that such a solid set could have been buried for such a long time. I'm glad that they have released it. Enjoy! Write on our Facebook Wall o...

Karen recorded a live show in Coburg, Germany in 2008 and fortunately for us she has decided to release it! I expect to have a review copy within days...stay tuned... It is made up of 11 tracks of blues standards. From what I've heard it's some of her best work on the standards. She was really on it this night. The club is no longer open but it was at the "Irish Pub". I have a few free downloads for you below so help yourself and take a taste! "Do Your Thang" https://www.createspace.com/ Preview/1093884 "I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues" https://www.createspace.com/ Preview/1093886 "Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" https://www.createspace.com/ Preview/1093887 Bman Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! -  Here

I have just received a preview of the to be released recording by Karen Carroll called " Karen Carroll's Blues Mix". This recording is totally different from what I have heard in the past from Karen but I really like it. Karen has a very dark and mysterious voice and she uses it very productively. This recording ventures in many directions including Blues, Neo Soul,Hip Hop, Funk,Gospel, maybe even rap... good rap. The recording is primarily Karen's stunning voice with blended harmonies, acoustic guitar and harmonica, electric keys and drum. Ok, so you want to know what it may remind you of... a really great singer with the wonderful textural harmonies reminiscent of D'Angelo, Stevie Wonder on harmonica, Snoopy (Doggy Dog)dropping by for some gin and a very confident singer just out making great music. She worked with young American artist, Michael Booze of "Boozefam," in Europe to develop the new hip-hop tracks. I'm not a huge urban Hip Hop fan but ...

Karen Carroll, singer, songwriter, musician was born in Chicago Illinois. She started with singing in church at six. She learned to play the guitar from the real master Robert Allen, and learned vocal from master Nate Griffin. She played on stage with performers like Lonnie Brooks, Albert King, and the Freeman Bros. It goes without saying that all along her career she's been supported by her mother Jeanne, with whom she had her first professional gig. Since then she's played with numerous famous musicians, among them Katie Webster and Lurrie Bell. Apart from singing gospel since her childhood she is known as an authentic performer of the American Deep Blues On the summer of 2008. Karen was invited to perform on the Chicago Blues Festival by B.B. King. After Chicago, Karen turned back Europe, to make a tour with Mississippi Grave Diggers and provocate a stormy applause from all the audience. “Like” Bman’s Facebook page (available in over 50 languages). I use Facebook to spread...