Little Village artist: Alabama Mike - Stuff I've Been Through - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stuff I've Been Through, by Alabama Mike and I really like it's funky blues sound. Opening with title track, Stuff I've Been Through, Alabama Mike's lush vocals lead the way, joined by Kid Andersen and Rusty Zinn on guitars, Jim Pugh on keys, Jerry Jemmott on bass, D'Mar on drums and with great horn work by Bernard Anderson on sax, Mike Rinta on trombone, Doug Rowan on sax and Jeff Lewis on trumpet. Great opener. Another track with a great groove is King Cock, with a great back beat by D'Mar, and Jemmott on bass and featuring Anson Funderburgh on guitar with some real tasty riffs. Mike not only has lead vocals but adds harmonica and the horn section is back with a lot of heat. Excellent. A cool, R&B style track, Damage Control, features a different rhythm section of Bobby Young on guitar, Lorenzo Hawkins on Keys, AJ Joyce on bass and Ronnie Smith on drums. This is a cool track and it really does showcase Mike's vocals nicely. Shuffle track, Mississippi (Live) really gets a fine groove featuring Rick Estrin on hot harmonica and Mike on vocal. Pugh on keys sets a real nice pace, with the Kid on guitar, backed by Endre Tarczy on bass, D'Mar on drums and super backing vocals by Vicki Randle and Lisa Leuschner Andersen. My favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is a warm, gospel infused, God Is With You (Live), with super organ work by Pugh and Mike really digging in on vocal. With Jemmott on bass, D'Mar on drums, Andersen on guitars and Randle and Andersen on backing vocals, this is an excellent closer for a very enjoyable release. 

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Blues Mountain Records artist: Big Harp George - Cut My Spirit Loose - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cut My Spirit Loose, by Big Harp George, and it's cooking! Opening with boogie track, It's Tuesday, George is firing on all cylinders. With Kid Andersen laying down signature guitar riffs and backed by Doug Rowan on bari sax, Michael Peloquin on sax and Mike Rinta on trombone the house is rocking. George on harmonica and lead vocals and joined by Chris Burns on keys, June Core on drums, Joe Kyle Jr. on bass and with Lisa Leuschner Andersen, James Dwayne and Walter Morgan on backing vocals, this is a great opener. With a real nice New Orleans beat, Bustin' Out is a strong instrumental led by George on harmonica, Jeff Lewis on trumpet Peloquin on sax, Rowan on bari and Rinta on tuba. This is punchy. Tight drum work by Core and bass by Kyle, and a sassy sax solo by Peloquin and a great trombone solo by Rinta makes this my favorite on the release. Jump Abu Lula! is another great track with George really harping out. D'Mar sets a great drum rhythm and Dwayne and Morgan's backing vocals really add spice. Slow blues, Behind The Eight Ball is another strong track with excellent lead vocals by George. Rhythmic piano by Burns and excellent guitar work by Andersen set the stage for a real healthy harmonica solo by George. Very nice. Take A Knee is another favorite with delta style guitar work by Andersen and rich backing vocals by Dwayne and Morgan behind the featured work of George. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Captain Jack, a warm ballad with George on lead vocal with  mostly piano and bass backing. This is really a strong release and one I recommend for blues lovers. 

  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”

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Monster Mike Welch - Nothing But Time - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nothing But Time, from Monster Mike Welch and it's flat out scorching! Opening with Walking To You Baby, Mike wastes absolutely no time kicking this release into overdrive. With solid vocals and high strung, blues guitar phrasing, Mike sails. Backed by Jerry Jemmott on bass, Bob Welch on piano, Kid Andersen on keys, Fabrice Bessouat on drums, Eric Spaulding on tenor sax, Jack Sanford on bari sax, and John Halblieb on trumpet, this track will part your hair. George Harrison's terrific track, I Me Mine gets a real nice cover by Mike and though he doesn't vary far from the original theme, it's a real nice track and Mike's interpretation, adding horns and blues guitar riffs takes it to the next level. Excellent shuffle, I Ain't Saying shows Mike's strong vocals and Texas style blues riffs setting up a great groove. With Andersen on bass, Spaulding on sax Bob on piano and Bessouat on drums, Mike kills it on guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, In Case You Care, with Jemmott back on bass, Mike Peloquin on sax, Dr Aaron Lington on bari, Halblieb on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, and Vicki Randle on percussion, this track is hot! Jump For Joy is really packed with energy and Mike is again swinging for the wall. Gotta say if he comes to Phoenix, I'm seeing the concert. Slow blues, Ten Years Ago is that one track when you just sit back in your chair nodding. Mike grabs this track by the scruff and shakes the stuffing out of it. His vocals are gripping and his guitar attack is relentless. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a modern take on Robert Johnson's Kind Hearted Woman Blues with Mike on electric guitar and vocal. His poise and prowess are obvious and his vocals are actually in line with Johnson's own falsetto. This is an excellent track to close a spectacular release. Out of the park

  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”

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NOLA Blues Records artist: John Nemeth - May Be The Last Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, May Be The Last Time, from John Nemeth and it's really cool. Opening with traditional The Last Time and John Nemeth putting a strong gospel/R&B spin on it. With excellent lead vocal by Nemeth, Elvin Bishop on guitar, Kid Andersen on bass, Bob Welsh on guitar, Willy Jordan on drums and excellent vocal backing by Alabama Mike, Jordan, Andersen and Welsh, this is a terrific opener. With Elvin Bishop on this release it's great to see a resurrection of one of his great tracks, Rockbottom, from the Jo Baker era and featuring Nemeth on harmonica and lead vocal. Bishop steps up with his signature playing style and this release is two and 0. Very nice. Bishop gets the mic on his classic, Stealing Watermelons and with his fat guitar sound coupled with Andersen on guitar and Welsh on baritone guitar, this track is FUNKY. Wilson Pickett's, I Found A Love, works so nicely in this set with both Nemeth and Bishop favoring old soul music. Nemeth's vocals and Bishop's classic slide work really gives this track rocket fuel. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Bishop's I'll Be Glad with his clamped down squawking guitar over a solid bass line by Andersen, soulful vocals by Nemeth and excellent backing vocals by Mike, Jordan, Andersen and Welsh. This release has 11 great tracks (all eleven are great) and leaves you wanting more. This is one of those easy recommendation releases. Just buy it!

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VizzTone Label Group artist: The Lucky Losers - Standin' Pat - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standin' Pat, from The Lucky Losers w/ Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz and it's an interesting mix of rock, blues, funk and soul (and more). Opening with Pack Up The Bags, a rag fused pop track with a bluesy edge, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz harmonize on vocals and Berkowitz lays in some nice harmonica, backed by Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and Jon Otis on drums. Also featured are Kid Andersen on lead guitar, Mike Rinta on trombone, Michael Peloquin on tenor sax, and Brian Catania on trumpet. Swamp funky, Somewhere In The Middle has a terrific bottom courtesy of Tarczy and Otis and featuring Berkowitz on vocal and guitar is one of my favorite tracks on the release. A solid R&B track, Down In Memphis Town has the strong bones of a 60's radio hit. Lemons has the lead on another of my favorite tracks on the release with cool slide and organ work by Andersen. Soulful ballad, They Wrecked My Town features Lemons on lead vocal over Burns on piano and a real firm bass line by Tarczy. A melodic harmonica solo by Berkowitz and strong lead guitar by Andersen really adds another dimension making this a solid radio track. Wrapping the release is title track, Standin' Pat, another R&B based track with Berkowitz leading the way on vocal and real nice sax lead by Terry Hanck making it 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”

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Little Village artist: Silent Partners - Changing Times - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Changing Times, from Silent Partners, and it's a huge heaping of soul and blues. Opening with Ain't No Right Way To Do Wrong, a deep soulful blues track, Silent Partners get straight to the groove. With a rich bass line by Russell Jackson, tight drums by Tony Coleman and strong supportive guitar lead by Jonathan Ellison, this is a powerful opener. Backed by Don Daily on violin, this track has great radio appeal.  Another strong radio track is, Road To Love with excellent lead vocals and backing vocals by Lisa Lueschner Andersen and featuring cool solo guitar work by Kid Andersen. Very nice. Funky, Never Make Your Move Too Soon, has a real nice feel that will get your butt right out your chair. With BB King style "talking" guitar riffs, by Ellison, and well placed organ placement by Jim Pugh over a romping bass line by Jackson, this track is moving. I love the sweet, soulful vocal lead on Teasing Woman,  backed by the plucky bass/guitar rhythm. Ellison's guitar lead really hits the spot making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Beale Street Shuffle with a laid back, shuffle feel on an old Robert Johnson concept. This band knows how to make a groove and sit in it and most anything Kid Andersen touches sounds like gold so we have a winner here. 

  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”

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Sweetspot Records artist: Al Basile - Through With Cool - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (9/19/2022), Through With Cool, by Al Basile and it may be my favorite yet. Opening with Keep On Living, with a cool Latin beat by Mark Teixeira on drums and Brad Hallen on bass we're off to a great start. Basile who sings and plays cornet really rides the slot and just seems to hit it perfectly with Bruce Bears on keys and Kid Andersen provides some real nice guitar effects, all backed by Doug James on sax and Doc Chanonhouse on trumpet. Super opener. On blues swinger, I'm Waiting has a real nice feel with Chanonhouse on trumpet, punctuating Basile's vocal lead and Andersen's guitar style is terrific as always. Basile lays in a cool muted cornet solo giving the track an overall jazz approach giving it yet one more dimension. Very nice. Uh Huh is a cool strut with punchy horn work over the basic rhythm section supporting Basile's vocal. Basile lays in a cool cornet solo which is real nice but when Andersen steps up on guitar, I gotta say, his style really is cool and relentless. Very nice. Another cool blues number is Turnabout Is Fair Play and Basile knows how to set the table with strong vocals. Andersen is right on spot with some scorching guitar riffs again making me sit up and take notice but Basile is back on cornet letting you know who wrote the show. Very cool. We Lie On Your Grave is a really nice track with a sumptuous melody, emphasized by the effortless cornet solo on Basile and Andersen again really plays scorching riffs under the melody. Wrapping the release is title track, Through With Cool, with it's conventional blues vamp played in understated fashion by Andersen to the lead vocal by Basile. This is a simple, straightforward closer for a real nice 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”

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Little Village Foundation artist: Mighty Mike Schermer - Just Gettin' Good - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Gettin' Good, by Mighty Mike Schermer, and I really like it. Opening with title track, Just Gettin' Good, this release is off to a hot start. With Mighty Mike and Ms. Kimmy Pickens on lead vocal and the stinging guitar work of Mike out front, this track struts. With the fat bari sax work of Aaron Lington, and joined by Dmar on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Eric Spaulding on tenor, Jeff Lewis on trumpet and Mike Rinta on trombone, this track is smokin'. On slow, soulful This Is Where My Love Is, Schermer sings a solid ballad and keeps the instrumentation to a minimum with Paul Revelli on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Austin DeLone on organ.  On island track, The Hungry Dog, Schermer gets a calypso rhythm and the guys really get into the swing. June Core on drums, Kid Andersen on bass and vocal, Chris Burns on piano, Kimmy on percussion and Wally Pickins on vocal, this track is a lot of fun. Funky blues, Tired of Travellin', is one of my favorite tracks on the release. With Mike throwing down some great riffs, with Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Andersen on rhythm guitar and heavy horns by Jack Sanford on sax and John Halbleib on trumpet. Super. Another blues track with a funky bottom is Cook Up A Little Love. With Kimmy and Mike trading off lead vocal, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on keys and D'mar on drums this track and Mikes grip on the guitar, another cool track. Rocker, Kimmy Kimmy Gimmee Gimmee has a early rocking feel with a lot of spunk. Wrapping the release is ska track, It's Not Me, It's You. With Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Austin DeLone on organ, Andersen on acoustic guitar, John Nemeth on vocal, Uncle Bernie on sax, Mike Kobin on trumpet and James Cody Arnholt on trombone, and with Mike taking a stylized guitar solo this is a fun party 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”

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Little Village artist: Diunna Greenleaf - I Ain't Playin' New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Ain't Playin' (May 20, 2022), from Diunna Greenleaf and it's chocked full of R&B, blues and soul. Opening with Koko Taylor's Never Trust A Man, Diunna Greenleaf on lead vocal slips into a funky blues, Albert King style, With Jerry Jemmott on bass, Jim Pugh on keys, Kid Andersen on guitar and Dmar Martin on drums with Mike Rinta on trombone, Aaron Lington on sax and Jeff Lewis on trumpet. Power opener. In Big James Montgomery's If It Wasn't For The Blues, Greenleaf really shows powerful phrasing and excellent command for that funky blues that we all love so much. With a great bass line by Andersen, Lington on flute, Rinta on trombone and Lewis on trumpet, and Igor prado on lead guitar, this is a really strong track. Original shuffle, Sunny Day Friends has a loose feel and Greenleaf really slides into the pocket. Jemmott's bass line is terrific, Andersen's guitar lead is strong and  Pugh adds some real nice piano as well. A darker, deeper track, Long John Hunter's I Don't Care is one of my favorite tracks on the release with superb guitar soloing by Andersen and warm sax additions by Eric Spaulding and Sax gordon. Really nice. Joe Medwick's, Damned If I Do, R&B track really gest a blues workout by Greenleaf and her vocal richness and again Andersen just smokes the guitar with strong horn backing by Rinta, Lington and Lewis. Gospel track,  I Know I've Been Changed, is another powerful demo for Greenleaf's voice with Alabama mike on additional lead vocal and Nic Clark on guitar. Very nice. Johnny Copeland's Let Me Cry is another terrific track with stellar guitar intro by Andersen, excellent piano contributions by Pugh and some of Greenleaf's best vocals on the release, wrapped in the horn work of Spaulding. This is excellent! Wrapping the release is upbeat R&B style track, Deitra Farr's My Turn, My Time with a driving funky bottom by Dmar, Jemmott and Vicki Randle (percussion) and and the addition of Lisa Leuschner Andersen on backing vocals. Solid closer for a terrific 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”

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Chickenbone Slim - Serve It To Me Hot - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Serve It to Me Hot, from Chickenbone Slim and I really like it. Opening with title track, Serve It to Me Hot, Slim and the crew are hitting it hard. This band sound like they're ready for a rumble with the low slung power attack of slinger Laura Chavez on lead guitar and Slim on guitar and lead vocal. Marty Dodson on drums and Andrew Crane round out the band making this crew ready for just about anything. Great opener. On up tempo boogie, Wild Eyed Woman, the band cranks like they're backing HD Taylor or Slim Harpo. This may be my favorite track on the release with a great driving beat and Chavez's relentless guitar attack. Excellent! Harp wizard, Aki Kumar joins the crew on Top of the Clouds, with a solid Texas style. Chavez steps out nicely on guitar and Slim's vocals are nicely complimented by Kid Andersen and Lisa Andersen. Funky, Laying In The Weeds, is a real cool track with a solid exchange between Slim's vocal and Chavez's guitar lead. With funky rhythm by Slim and Dodson and a cool keyboard overlay by Kid Andersen, this is a really cool track. I Will Stand For You is an interesting bluesy rock/country track bringing to mind some of the terrific work of the Band. With it's slinky approach and guitar accent throughout the melody, this track is really nice. Vocal blending by Andersen and Slim and some real nice riffs by Chavez and Andersen make this a strong contender for top track. Wrapping the release is solid blues rocker, Hook Me Up with a pronounced rock and roll guitar lead and plenty of attitude (and cowbell). You want attitude on guitar, Chavez is just the person to deliver it and here she is. Her wicked chops come to the surface here and give this track an excellent slap in the back. This is a really cool release and one you should 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”

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Blue Heart Records artist: Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions Volume 2 - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Porch Sessions Volume 2, from Tony Holiday and it's a great Chicago style blues party. Opening with She's Tuff, Victor Wainwright and his rhythm section really get things rolling with Wainwright on vocal and piano and Holiday on harmonica. With plenty of attitude in presentation and this dynamic duo, this is a strong opener. Willie Buck has the mic on Honey Bee with Rusty Zinn on slide and Kim Wilson on harmonica. Zinn really conjurs Muddy's tone on guitar and Wilson's sound is fat and rich. Excellent! In more of a Delta styling on Recipe for Love Master, Bobby Rush on vocal and Vasti Jackson on guitar really make a great team serving up a heavy helping of blues. Very nice. Going to Court is a real hot number with James Harman on harmonica and Kid Ramos and Landon Stone laying down pure fire on guitar. Lurrie Bell teams up with harpmaster Mark Hummel on a shortened take on Everyday I Have The Blues but not without playing some blistering riffs. Ace guitar man Johnny Burgin and Holiday play Bad Bad Girl with Kid Andersen on bass. With it's 2 step rhythm, this track is a nice change up. Rae Gordon adds a lot of spice on lead vocals on shuffle,  Find Me When The Sun Goes Down complimented by Holiday on harmonica and backed by her own band. Ben Rice does a real nice job on That's How I Learned with his ultrasoulful vocals and deft acoustic steel resonator accompaniment. Very nice. Mark Hummel & Dennis Gruenling do a great duet on Cake Walk a terrific harmonica shuffle. One of my favorites on the release. JD Taylor on harmonica and vocal and his son Alex do a really nice on Family Tree with harmonica/ guitar backing of a great blues vocal. I particularly like the way Alex plucks his guitar accents. Excellent! Wrapping the release is the lush gospel fused Peace Will Come by Memphis based Southern Avenue. To say that this release is packed with goodies would be an understatement. Very strong 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”

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Sweetspot Records artist: Al Basile - B's Testimony - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, B's Testimony, from Al Basile and it's a real cool mix of blues and jazz. Opening with Lucky Man, a lightly funky, New Orleans flavored track with loose drum rhythm by Mark Teixeira, Brad Hallen on bass and Bruce Bears on piano. Adding in a bit of rock to the blues on If All It Took Was Wishing, Basile on cornet works with Doug James and Doc Chanonhouse to get just the right sound. Funky blues, I'm Bad That Way features some real tasty guitar work from Kid Andersen under some of Basile's best vocals on the release as well as a real nice laid back cornet solo that flows perfectly. Horn backing by James and Chanonhouse give it just the right amount of soul. Andersen steps up early on Up Close And Personal Best with some real hot riffs and follows with some absolute stinging solo guitar lead and Basile's muted cornet soloing lays in the slot making this one of my favorites on the release. Shuffle, I Oughta Be Your Monkey, is a lot of fun with just Basile front and center on cornet and lead vocal and a cool interface between Andersen's fine guitar work and the horns of James and Chanonhouse. Very nice. Another tight guitar solo by Andersen highlights It's Your Pain. Kid blends chickin pickin styling with bluesy approach, Basile's own laid back cornet solo laid in and the rich organ work of Bears tying it all together.  On Through Thick and Thin Andersen really gets loose on guitar and if you've never heard that, it's an absolute joy. The guy really can play and he's really inventive. He swings from riff to riff with wreckless abandon and blows the top off of this one. Excellent! Built around a similar musical theme as "A Thrill Is Gone" Would I Do That To You?, is a great R&B shaped blues number. Basile leads on vocal with horn response by James and Chanonhouse. This track is a real sweet showcase of his cornet work and again resolves with Andersen just slaying the guitar. His bends, mixed with his (what sounds like) whammy vibrato is off the hook. Soft horn backing by James and Chanonhouse really add warmth for a strong finish. Wrapping the release is He Said, She Said, a low slung blues number with a real nice piano display by Bears and solid vocals by Basile leading to another hot guitar solo by Andersen. Basile closes the show with a poised cornet solo line. Really 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”

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Couldn't find a video for the release but here's one anyway with Al and Kid:

 

Little Village artist: Tia Carroll - You Gotta Have It - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Gotta Have It, from Tia Carroll, and I really like it. Opening with Neo soul track, Ain't Nobody Worryin' Tia Carroll really has this release humming from the start. With guitar phenom, Charlie Hunter handling bass and guitar (at the same time) D'Mar on drums, Jim Pugh on organ and Carroll on lead vocal with James Walter and Dwayne Morgan on backing vocals, this track is hot. Carroll's vocals are so soulful on Even When I'm Not Alone, it makes you sweat. With Pugh's organ work, Kid Andersen on guitars, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Paul Revelli on drums, a strong track. With real blues swagger, Mama Told Me plays into the power of Carroll's voice with Andersen laying in some stinging guitar riffs over the power horns work of Mike Runta on trombone, Rob Sudduth on tenor sax, and Aaron Lington on bari sax. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Why Am I Treated So Bad with it's dark soulful sound. With a daunting bass line by Ehrmann and the power horns of Rinta, Sudduth, Lington and Lewis, supporting Carroll's strong vocals and a cool key solo by Pugh, this is a terrific closer for a terrific 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”

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Blues Mountain Records artist: Big Harp George - Living In The City - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Living In The City, from Big Harp George, and it's a solid mix or blues and rock. Opening with Build Myself an App, a rock track with a retro beat features Big Harp George on lead vocal and harp, Chris Burns on keys, Doug Rowan on bari sax, Joe Kyle on bass, June Core on drums, Kid Andersen on guitar and the Sons of the Soul Revivers (James Dwayne and Walter Morgan) on backing vocals. Heading Out to Itaipu has a cool, light Latin feel with excellent percussion by D'Mar, Little Charlie Baty on guitar, Carlos Reyes on Paraguayan harp and violin, Kid Andersen on bass, and really nicely crafted harmonica lead by George. Laid back blues, Bayside Bounce, has a cool, shuffle beat with Ben Torres on bari sax, Andersen on bass, and featuring Baty with some really tasty guitar riffs under George's harmonica lead. Blues shuffle, First Class Muck Up is my favorite track on the release with it's boogie beat and heavy sax bottom by Ben Torres. George lays down some really cool, fluid harmonica lead and Baty's guitar work is hot. Very nice. Pusher in a White Purse is another favorite with a slinky feel, some of George's best vocals on the release, warm backing vocals by Sons of Soul Revivers and a soulful guitar solo by Andersen. Wrapping the release is Meet Me at the Fence with an eastern zither intro by Firas Zreik, Loay Dahbour on Arabic percussion, Amal Markus on vocal, Joe Kyle on bass and Loralee Christiansen on backing vocal with George pulling it all together into a blues, rock middle eastern fusion. 

  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”

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Little Village Foundation artist: Ron Thompson - From The Patio, Live at Poor House Bistro, Volume 1, New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From The Patio, Live at Poor House Bistro, Volume 1, from Ron Thompson and it's a strong, raw performance. Opening with Willie Dixon's Meet Me In The Bottom, Ron Thompson on vocal and guitar gets a running start with his grinding tempo with Scotty Griffin on drums, Dave Chavez on bass, Sid Morris on piano and Jim Pugh on organ. His solid groove and unpolished but excellent blues vocals are spot on. On Lightning Hopkins' Bring Me My Shotgun, Thompson shows just how close to the "real blues" his work is with excellent vocals, slide work and minimal bass and drums. Excellent! Bob Geddins' Tin Pan Alley, made popular to most by SRV gets a real nice workout by Thompson with not only really soulful vocals and solid piano work by Morris but with some real nice electric guitar work by Thompson. Very nice. Guitar Slim's Done Got Over It is another potent track with Jim Pugh on organ solo and rockabilly style blues guitar riffs by Thompson. On Lowell Fulson's Sinner's Prayer, Thompson runs out a real nice slide solo working very nicely with Pugh's organ work. Very cool. Doctor Brown features Kid Andersen and Thompson on slide and we all know the Kid can play. With Elmore James style riffs under Thompson's vocals, this track is great! Wrapping the release is Thompson original, When You Walk That Walk with strong Hound Dog Taylor influence and Andersen again playing some wicked wicked guitar. This is really a strong release and highly recommended. 

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Jeff Fetterman - Southern Son - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Southern Son, from Jeff Fetterman, and it's a cool blues rocker with some really hot guitar. Opening with I Don't Want To, Fetterman on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Kid Andersen on guitar, Ralph Retinger III on bass, John McGuire on drums, Kid Andersen on B3 and keys, John Halbleib on trumpet, Ric Feliciano on trombone and Doug Rowan on sax, this is a solid opener with a number of time changes. Living With the Blues is a strong, slow blues number with super vocals and explosive guitar soloing by Fetterman. Feels Like Rain is a straight up rocker with a southern flair almost like Outlaws or Skynyrd but without the tell tale signature riffs. Pretty cool actually. Blues For Charlie is my favorite track on the release with it's melancholy melody, easy pace, glistening chords and clean lead guitar not unlike the approach that SRV took with Riviera Paradise. Very nice! Another interesting track on the release is Jimi's All Along The Watchtower with hot, fiery guitar riffs and driving drum rhythm. The release is capped with a few bonus tracks. The first one is called Voodoo Funk with a super funky bass line by Reitinger, B3 by Andersen and scorching guitar jams by Fetterman. The second is Southside Blues, a real nice slow blues, led off by Andersen on B3. The is a strong soulful track, along the lines of the Allman's interpretation of T Bone Walker's Stormy Monday and Fetterman lets it all hang out here with blistering guitar work. Excellent closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artists: John Primer & Bob Corritore - The Gypsy Woman Told Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, The Gypsy Woman Told Me, by John Primer & Bob Corritore and it's a great dose of contemporary Chicago style blues. Opening with Keep A-Driving, Primer on vocal and guitar really does a nice job of setting the stage with Corritore supporting nicely and with solid piano work by Bob Welch, Kedar Roy on bass and June Core on drums. With a bit of boogie built in, Knockin' On Your Door, with Primer again leading on vocal gives Corritore a nice chance to spread a bit with great harp tones and Primer's guitar work is tight and well phrased. Lil Son Jackson's Gambling Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with quick paced acoustic guitar and fleet fingered lead by Primer and a fatter harp part by Corritore. Primer's own, Little Bitty Woman falls right from the Muddy Waters tree with a bouncy, Chicago blues pace, riding harp and Waters like slide work by Primer. Very cool. Slow blues, Walking The back Street Crying is one Primer and Corritore can both sink their teeth into with super vocal and instrumentals throughout. Sonny Boy's My Imagination gives Corritore a nice time in the spotlight and his harp is A1. Primer's vocals are of course spot on but this track is here for Bob to shine and he really does a nice job. Another favorite is Left Me With A Broken Heart featuring Billy Flynn on guitar, Ben Levin on piano, Mike Hightower on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Corritore's harp work is particularly expressive and I always like Flynn's guitar styling. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Ain't Gonna Be No Cuttin' Loose with a driving shuffle pace and featuring a real nice solo by Corritore. Flynn again works the guitar nicely working with Corritore to a powerful ending. Solid release. 

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