Tracy Nelson - Life Don't Miss Nobody - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Life Don't Miss Nobody, by Tracy Nelson and it's really good. Opening with Strange Things Happening Every Day, Tracy Nelson on vocal really gets things moving. Kevin McKendree on piano knows how to play a boogie and backed by John Gardner on drums, Byron House on bass, Mike Henderson on electric guitar, this is a great opener. With a Spanish taste, title track, Life Don't Miss Nobody features Nelson on lead vocal and Wurlitzer, with Mike Dysinger on congas and Guiro, House on bass, Larry Chaney on 12 string guitar and Cuatro and Steve Conn on piano and with the tight horn work of Jack Warner on sax, Dominique Caster on trumpet, and Chase Carpenter on trombone. Very nice. Willie Nelson steps up on Honky Tonkin' sharing the lead vocals with Nelson. Mickey Raphael adds some tasty harmonica lead melody and I particularly like Mike Johnson's contribution on steel guitar. One of my favorites on the release. Terry Hanck joins on Gene McDaniels' Compared To What. With Tracy on lead vocal and Hanck on vocal and sax, this track is great. Gardner and House set the rhythm and Steve Conn on piano seeds a great solo by Hanck. Excellent track. Chuck Berry's Brown Eyed Handsome Man gets a cool, New Orleans twist with Nelson surrounded by Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, Dianne Davidson, Vickie Carrico, Larry Chaney and Reba Russell on complimentary vocals really giving the track a solid richness. Wrapping the release is Hard Times featuring Nelson alone on vocal and 12 string acoustic guitar. A pure traditional track, this is an excellent closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Blue Heart Records artist: Teresa James - With A Little Help From Her Friends - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, With A Little Help From Her Friends, from Teresa James and it's quite good. Everybody knows the Beatles songbook and many of their tracks have been covered but James has really done a nice job in reinterpreting this list of top tracks. Opening with Ticket To Ride, Teresa James shows all of the style that she's known for and with a Texas saunter and with a strong bottom by Terry Wilson on bass and Richard Millsap on drums, super keys by Kevin McKendree and excellent guitar riffs by Wilson. Don't Let Me Down was an excellent choice for this set. James' voice is made for it and McKendree on piano and organ really works nicely with Wilson on slide. Excellent. Oh Darlin' sets itself nicely as a blues ballad and pairing James' vocals with Yates McKendree on lead guitar really is stellar. Beautiful, You Won't See Me, is really an excellent choice with soulful vocals by James and just the right blend of keys and guitar, making this another standout track of all the outstanding tracks. McKendree takes a real nice key solo keeping this track mellow. Wrapping the release is Think For Yourself with a swaying bluesy feel. James' vocals are blended into a harmony really is sweet and has just the right feel. This is a strong closer for a thoroughly enjoyable release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Qualified Records artist: Yates McKendee - Buchanan Lane - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Buchanan Lane, from Yates McKendree on the indie Qualified Records label, and it moves. Opening with jazzy Out Crowd, Yates on piano sets a great stage, backed by his father Kevin McKendree and Big Joe Maher on drums and percussion. Excellent opener. On BB King's Ruby Lee, Yates moves over to guitar and lead vocal showing excellent versatility. With classic rhumba/blues styling, this track really swings. Backed by Kevin on piano, Steve Mackey on bass, Jim Hoke on sax, Andrew Carney on trumpet and Roland Barber on trombone, this track is tight. Original track, No Justice really digs in with Yates playing lead guitar, bass, drums and organ (and singing) joined by Kevin on piano. If you wonder if this kid has chops... listen to this track. Excellent! Earl King's funky R&B blues number, Always A Good Time gives Yates a chance to show even more style on vocal and guitar, with Kevin on Hammond B3, Greg Garner on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Jim Hoke on sax, Andrew Carney on trumpet and Roland Barber on trombone. Funky New Orleans track, Qualified surely tastes like Dr. John gumbo with Yates on vocal and guitar and Kevin on signature piano, Garner on bass, Blevins on drums, Hoke on sax, Carney on trumpet, Barber on trombone. With the the McCrary Sisters backing it all up, this track hums. Guitar Slim's It Hurt's To Love Someone, is explosive with Yates again showing another root in his playing skill. His vocals are pure and his riffs vibrant. Another excellent slower blues track is Tampa Red's Please Mr. Doctor. Yates not only sings soulfully but hammers the blues out of his guitar in grand fashion. Excellent! Wrapping the release is original composition, Voodoo, with a funky back beat. Featuring Kevin on Hammond and real nice guitar riffs by Yates, this is an excellent closer for a really excellent release.

 

 

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Qualified Records artist: The Rock House All Stars - Let It Bleed Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let It Be Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville, by The Rock House All Stars and it's a cool cover of the Stones tenth US album. Opening with Gimme Shelter, Jimmy Hall (Ex Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, etc) is upfront on vocal joined by Bekka Bramlett and they do a terrific job. Kevin McKendree on guitar really does a nice job covering the guitar lead and Yates McKendree is tight on drums with John Heithaus on bass with added harmonica by Hall. Lee Roy Parnell adds some real country to Honky Tonk Women called Country Honk here. Not at all trying to replicate Jagger and with Rob McNelley on guitar and Luke Bulla on harmonica, this is a great track. Rick Huckaby is up front on Midnight Rambler joined by Stephen Hanner on harmonica and solid guitar work by Kevin and McNelley. Nalani Rothrock on lead vocal and James Pennebaker on steel adds a real nice contrast to the release on You Got The Silver and it's authentic R&B country feel. Wrapping the release is Wild Horses with Lilly Hiatt and Luke Bulla (also fiddle) up front in vocal duet. A track with real country roots and a great melody, Kevin and  McNelley on guitars and Pennebaker on steel reall make this a solid closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Matt Lomeo - When You Call - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, When You Call, from Matt Lomeo, and it's a lot of fun. Opening with One More 1&1, a soulful track with definite Al Green feel. Matt's vocals are excellent and his harmonica playing strong, backed by Billy Watts on guitar, Terry Wilson on bass, James Cruce on drums, Kevin McKendree on organ, Darrell Leonard on horns, and Teresa James on backing vocals. Great opener. Another great R&B high stepper, When You Call, has great presence with Terry Wilson adding a nice slide part as well as vocals, and organ accents by McKendree. Take The Boulevard has a real nice feel nicely displaying the versatility of Lomeo's vocals. His phrasing is first rate creating a juicy texture. Very nice. Took My Bar And Left Me has a cool walking bass line by Wilson and well blended vocals by James and Lomeo. With solid keyboard work by McKendree and horn work by Leonard, this track has solid radio potential. Wrapping the release is a second cut of When You Call with a great funky bass line by Wilson and guitar line by Watts. This is a cool release with a lot of soul. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

 For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Nola Blue Records artist: Trudy Lynn - Golden Girl - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Golden Girl, from Trudy Lynn and I really like it. Opening with Tell Me and it's cool rhythm, Trudy Lynn really hits the road running lending no clues that she's reached that golden 75 mile marker. With the tasty guitar soloing of Yates McKendree, backing vocals of Teresa James, Brannen Temple on drums, Kevin McKendree on drums and Terry Wilson on bass this is a solid opener. Heavy footed If Your Phone Don't Ring, will have you slinking around in your seat and Lynn's vocals are really strong. Adding to the mix is Steve Krase on harmonica and real nice slide work by Yates. Boogie track, Trouble With Love is a grate addition featuring Anson Funderburgh on guitar, Krase on harmonica and strong low vocal backing by Wilson. Super. Funky, R&B style blues, Live With Yourself plays really well in Lynn's vocal wheelhouse and she drains every drop of soul out of this track. With horn backing by Darrell Leonard and some really nice guitar work by Yates, this may be my favorite track on the release. Low slung, I Just Can't Say Goodbye is another terrific track with not only strong vocals by Lynn but great solo style by Funderburgh. Very nice. Wrapping the release is straight up blues ballad, Life Goes On with excellent guitar work by Funderburgh and particularly warm organ work by Kevin. This is a strong closer and my favorite Lynn release in years. A must check out! 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Blue Heart Records artist: Mike Guldin - Tumblin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  Tumblin', by Mike Guldin and it's a cool mix of blues boogie and country. Opening with title track, Tumblin', Mike Guldin on lead guitar, backed by Billy Ware on drums, CJ Clark on bass and with some great organ by Tim Hooper these guys are jammin. Taj Mahal's She Caught The Katy really sounds great with Guldin on lead vocal and guitar with Hooper on piano and organ, with a great bass line by Bill Sharrow and featuring some real nice slide by Bill Thatcher. Very nice. Two stepping, Raise a Ruckus is a cool country rocker and features James Pennebaker on slide guitar and Kevin McKendree on B3 and Tim Hooper on piano. Another country flavored rocker, You Just Can't Lose, has solid radio appeal with a stomping rhythm and a strong hook. With Guldin on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Sharrow on bass, Hooper on piano and Wear on drums, this is a strong track. Wrapping the release is Waterfall, a quiet instrumental featuring Guldin on acoustic guitar, Thatcher on acoustic guitar and Sharrow on bass. Solid closer for a cool release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Taste Good Music artist: Tim Gartland - Truth - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 18, 2022), Truth, from Tim Gartland and it's got distinct soul and blues roots. Opening with Don't Mess With My Heart, Gartland and his distinctive vocal and harmonica styling lead the way. Backed by Kevin McKendree on piano, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Steve Mackey on bass, Robert Frahm on guitar and Wendy Moten on backing vocal this is a solid opener. With it's easy percussion, The Thing About The Truth has a nice radio presence. Shuffle track, Outta Sight Outta Mind glides with super vocals by Gartland and perfect backing vocal Motan and slick guitar work by Frahm, all anchored by the hands of McKendree. Very nice. Wish I Could Go Back has a cool, easy blues feel with Ray Desilvis on slide guitar and backing vocals. With it's Louisiana rhythm and cool harmonica soloing, this may be my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is bouncy, blues rocker, Save Sammy Some,  giving Gartland and McKendree a nice opportunity to stretch out a little and includes a country fused blues guitar solo by Frahm. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Biglittle Records artist: Andy Peake - Mood Swings - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 20, 2021), Mood Swings, from Andy Peake and it's a mixed bag of  rock, blues, reggae and pop. Opening with radio style track, Make Peace With The Blues, Andy Peake, drummer, lead vocalist and songwriter makes his debut. With John Prestia providing shimmery guitars and James Pennebaker with a really hot guitar solo , Al Hill on keys, and Paul Ossola on bass Peake lays down a cool drum line. Two stepper, If the Blues Was Green is a cool, country flavored rocker with Kevin McKendree laying down some real nice piano work, Pennebaker with some tight twangy riffs and cool doubled vocals by Peake. My favorite track on the release is Bob Dylan's I Shall Be released with strong lead vocal shared with John Cowan, Phillip Wolfe providing really nice piano and organ, Will McFarlane and Prestia again with essential guitar riffs, Bob Marinelli on bass and of course Peake on drums. Light islander, Untangle The Line, features Prestia on guitar, Al Hill on keys and John Marcus on bass with it's memorable melody and soft vocals for the top radio track on the release. Wrapping the release is a New orleans shaped remake of Johnny B Goode. With Hill on piano, Prestia and Pennebaker on guitars, Ossola on bass and Peak on vocal and guitar, the track moves. A cool accordion solo and work on this track adds a nice seasoning but I think is uncredited. Cool closer for an interesting release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Lost Cause Records artist: Clint Morgan - Troublemaker - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 16, 2021), Troublemaker, from Clint Morgan and it's a lot of fun. Opening with Hangman Woman a cool country flavored rocker, Clint Morgan is on lead vocal with a casual Johnny Cash like approach. backed by Wendy Moten and the McCrary Sisters on vocal, Doug Lancio and John Del Toro Richardson on guitar, Kevin McKendree on piano, David Santos on bass, and Kenneth Blevins on drums, this is a hot opener. On traditional track, Go Down, Moses, Morgan's lead vocal, complimented nicely by Ann McCrary and Regina McCrary over a nicely orchestrated backing this track is very strong.  On a cover of Johnny Cash's Big River, Morgan nicely blends Cash's style with Ray Charles and the addition of Lancio's baritone guitar work and Jim Hoke on sax really hits the spot. One track that stands out as totally different is spoken word over a blues rocking rhythm, It's Rough Out Here with jamming guitar riffs, McKendree on piano and a tight drum bottom by Blevins. Very cool. Hoke and McKendree really jam it out on She takes My Money, a rockabilly style track with some really laid our rocking guitar riffs. Another track, Hurricane Harvey, with casual spoken words and echo like spoken vocal and McKendree on percussion but with acoustic slide by John Del Toro Richardson and nicely woven atmosphere is a swampy winner. Kinky Friedman adds guest vocal with Morgan and the McCrary sisters on comedic country blues, Somebody Put A Walmart On The Farm, with sparkeling piano work by McKendree and nice fiddle work by Jimmy Stewart. This isn't your typical top track but I think it has all of the components of a crowd favorite. Another crowd favorite likely is The Cover Of Living Blues, (a take on the Cover of Rolling Stone), with Bob Margolin on vocal and slide and solid backing warmth by The McCrary Sisters. Title track, The Troublemaker is a really interesting overview of traditional track, The Old Rugged Cross with Morgan on vocal and piano. This is a really interesting interpretation and a cool choice for closer with bluesy fiddle by stewart added. A bonus track is a different take on The Cover of Living Blues featuring Watermelon Slim on lead vocal and cool piano by Morgan and margolin on slide. Excellent closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

VizzTone Label Group artist: Lloyd Jones - Tennessee Run - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tennessee Run, from Lloyd Jones and its a cool blend of blues, R&B, funk and pop giving it a bright, energetic feel. Opening with hard driving R&B track, You Got Me Good, Jones on lead vocal and guitar really has the place hopping. Backed by Kevin McKendree on keys, Steve Mackey on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Jim Hoke on sax, Quentin Ware on trumpet and Roy Agee on trombone this is a strong opener. Rock n roller, I Wish I Could Remember Loving You, has a great rhythm guitar pace with Jones paired with Teresa James on lead vocal and McKendree's piano work is outstanding. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky swamp track, Bayou Boys with McKendree on organ and cool horn interplay by Hoke, Ware, Agee and with Richard Metz on percussion. Very cool. Hoke lays in a really nice bari solo on another funky swamp track, That's All I Want which also features LaRhonda Steele on vocal. Dilly Dally has a Taj Mahal like, laid back bluesy island feel. With wah wah guitar and funky organ, it just makes you feel good. Wrapping the release is Chevrolet Angel, a funky, bluesy strut. I  like Jones' cocky vocal styling on this one with nice backing vocal by Etta Britt and Jackie Wilson and funky lead guitar by Jones, chased by the horn work of Hoke, Ware, and Agee. A fine closer for a fun release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

Mark Newman - Empirical Truth -- New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Empirical Truth, from Mark Newman and it's a solid rocker. Opening with a cool, slide saturated boogie, Scapegoat, Mark Newman leads off on vocal with Craig Privett on bass, Shawn Murray on drums and Kevin McKendree on keys. Solid opener.  Mississippi Mile is a super rocker that could garner strong radio appeal with it,s straightforward melody and classic slide sound. A fast walking bass line by Privett and with it's slightly countrified beat, confirmed by Newman's finger picking guitar work and strong vocal harmony with Jacob Koch. Very nice. One of my favorites on the release is Sharin' The Blues with it's low slung attack and acoustic slide. Slightly jazzy, slightly funky, Everything You Know, is a real nice instrumental with paired lead guitars on melody. McKendree's keyboard anchors the tune so that Newman can slide tunefully and Murray's drumming is tight and strong. Very nice. Lowell George's Roll Um Easy is a nice surprise with an easy, Jackson Browne like approach. Newman's voice, blended perfectly with Naomi Margolin's over a simple picked resonator and slide. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Lycanthropy, a contemporary style rocker.  A solid, Todd Rundgren like composition, its a great radio track and a strong closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Cherry Bomb Records artist: Seth James - Good Life - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Life, from Seth James and it's quite good. Not since the early inception of Little Feat have I heard anything quite this strong in this vein. Opening with Brother, a funky, swampy blues number, James on lead vocal and guitar has heavy backing by Bob Britt and his sweet Lowell George like slide style, Kevin McKendree on keys, Lynn Williams on drums and excellent backing vocals by Windy Moten. A solid compliment of horn work by Jim Hoke on sax, Roy Agee on trombone and Vinnie Ciesielski on trumpet. Excellent opener. Continuing is that funky blues vein, title track, Good Life, has a strong woven instrumental feel with thick slide work by Britt. James' vocals are solid and tuneful Very cool. Yates McKendree steps up with a real nice guitar solo and some of James' best vocals on the release on easy R&B ballad, From Way Behind.  Radio track, I'm Coming Home is dripping with soul with excellent lead vocals by James and backing by Moten. Very very nice. Funky rocker, Medicine Man has a super gritty guitar lead and tight rhythm with cool vocal work by James and Kevin McKendree. Greasy! Wrapping the release is acoustic blues number, I Am The Storm, featuring James alone on guitar and vocal. Very blues rootsy and with strong vocals, James closes out an exceptional set. Extremely nice!Oh...and the cd cover is excellent too!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Hot Shot Records artist: Delbert McClinton and Self-Made Men + Dana - Tall, Dark & Handsome - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release. Tall, Dark & Handsome from Delbert McClinton and Self-Made Men + Dana and it's pretty interesting. Opening with foot stompin shuffle, Mr. Smith McClinton really has a groove going. With great sax work by Jim Hoke and trumpet by Dana Robbins, this track is hot. Backing vocals by Vicki Hampton, Wendy Moten and Robert Bailey and a super band including Joe Maher on drums, Glenn Worf on bass, Bob Britt on guitar, Kevin McKendree on piano and B3, Jim Hoke on bari and tenor sax, and Quentin Ware on trumpet, Dana Robbins on tenor sax and Roy Agee on trombone, this band is super. On light swing track, No Chicken On The Bone, McClinton's vocals are well primed and Stuart Duncan shines on violin. Again excellent backing vocals by Hampton, Moten and Bailey enrich the track and Britt on acoustic guitar and mandolin nicely compliment McKendree's piano work. Very nice. With a jazzy undertow, Lulu has a loose, small club feel. A real nice solo by Britt punctuates this track with it's overall swing. Loudmouth is a cool, BB King like blues shuffle. Yates McKendree, Britt and Kevin McKendree lay down some tasty guitar riffs and Kevin's piano work is strong. New Orleans flavored, A Fool Like Me, has rich gumbo, with great stumble drumming by Maher and piano by McKendree. Delaney McClinton vocal paring with Delbert is really fine and the addition of Hoke on clarinet and Bari sax, Ware on trumpet, and Agee on trombone makes this track one of my favorites. Temporarily Insane is another favorite on the track with stripped down backing on McClinton's stark vocals sounding mostly like acoustic guitar but including Mellotron, drums and bass. Excellent! Wrapping the release is A Poem, a quirky track with rugged vocals by McClinton over minimal guitar by Britt and piano by McKendree. Strong closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

VizzTone Label Group artist: Rick Vito - Soulshaker - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soulshaker, from Rick Vito and  it's really cool. Opening with low slung Texas style blues number, She's Just Too Fine, Vito is hitting on every cylinder right out of the gate. His vocals are strong and his slide work great. Backed by Rick Reed on drums, this is a great opener. I Do Believe has a snappy, revival pace with drums on the 2 and 4. Vito's slide work is contagious with excellent tone and vibrato. Doggin' Around is a cool instrumental ballad with lead slide guitar and Kevin McKendree on organ. This is one of absolute favorites on the track with a smooth style and trademark slide. Very nice. Two stepper, Dancin' Little Sister has a great beat blending early rock and roll with boogie guitar. How can you not love this! Another instrumental ballad, Soul Shadow, features strong drums rhythms by Charlies "Mojo" Johnson playing in beautiful sympathy to Vito's excellent slide playing. Wrapping the release is an excellent remake of Sam Cooke's, A Change Is Going To Come. Vito is known as an excellent slide player and this release not only confirms it again, it shouts it. If you like sensuous and soulful slide guitar … and who doesn't... your going to love this release. Excellent! (Did I say excellent?)

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Taste Good Music artist: Tim Gartland - Satisfied - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Satisfied, from Tim Gartland, and its well balanced and cool. Opening with blues rocker, Drinking For Two, Tim Gartland's vocals are casual but authentic and the spanking drum work of Jack Bruno really hits the spot. Wendy Moten's backing vocals give the track a nice additional dimension and solid piano work by Kevin Mc Kendree, slide work by Tom Britt, Steve Mackey on bass and Gartland's own harp work make this a real nice opener. There is something about the vocal delivery on Don't Make More Trouble that almost makes you think it's asking for trouble with it's cool arrogance. I mean I really like it and lead guitar soloing by Robert Frahm it strong. One of my favorite tracks on the release is honky tonker, Can't Paint A Prettier Picture, with a great rolling rhythm, firm piano by Tom West. Excellent! The vocal interplay between Gartland and Ray Disilvis, the guitar discord by Frahm, the drum spank by Bruno and Gartland make this another contender for top track. Reggae flavored Why Does The Room Begin to Sway? has great darkness and depth. Gartland's unadorned vocals, surrounded by the lush backing vocals of Moten and Frahm's guitar accents really set this track apart. Wrapping the release is easy swinging shuffle, Don't Judge Me. Gartland is a master of cool with his laid back vocal delivery. McKendree's organ work lathers it up, Gartland's harp work adds the mustard and slick guitar riffs from Frahm knocks it down. This is a cool, unpretentious release with a lot of swagger.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 


 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Stony Plain Records artist: Colin Linden & Luther Dickinson - Amour - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Amour, from Colin Linden & Luther Dickinson with the Tennessee Valentines and it's not only musically cool but a lot of fun. Opening with traditional instrumental, Careless Love, Linden on electric dobro and Dickinson on electric guitar, and only a minimal amount of percussion, a beautiful sound emerges with the thickness of a Mississippi swamp and the depth of morning fog. Excellent! On Jesse Stone's Don't Let Go, Rachael Davis and Ruby Amanfu join on vocal giving this popular track real spunk. Jimmy Reed's Honest I Do features Davis again on vocals, has a super blues swagger and reverb saturated guitar. Very cool. I really like the Sam Palladio lead/ Rachael Davis harmony on Ralph Mooney's Crazy Arms and Linden and Dickinson' guitar mix over Dominic Davis on bass, Bryan Owings on drums and Kevin McKendree on piano is pure gold. Billy Swan original, Lover Please, features Swan on lead vocal coupled with Davis making for a super country rocker with nice accordion work by Fats Kaplin. Ruby Amanfu takes center stage on Chuck Willis' What Am I Living For giving it a powerful rework. Luther and Colin add authentic country riffs and a tight structure over McKendree's organ work. Wrapping the release is  I Forgot To Remember To Forget featuring Jonathan Jackson on lead vocal and Luther and Colin playing ethereal electric guitar parts floating to the end of the release. Very nice.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE