Electro-Fi Records artist: Mark Hummel - Harpbreaker - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Harpbreaker, from Mark Hummel and it's one of the best Chicago style blues records that I've heard in a long time. Opening with terrific harp boogie, Harpoventilatin', Mark Hummel wastse not a second showing why he's one of the top blues harp players in the world today. With strong pace, and great phrasing, Mark Hummel leads the way joined by Charles Wheal on guitar, Steve Wolf on bass, Marty Dodson on drums and Bob Welsh on keys. Jump track, Rotten Kid really is hot with Wheal laying out some terrific guitar riffs working nicely with Hummel's own featured playing. Excellent. With a super strut, Walkin' With Mr. Lee has just the right snap. Featuring Wes Starr on drums, RW Grigsby on bass, Charlie Baty and Anson Funderburgh on guitars, this track is terrific. Slow blues, Cristo Redentor has such a presence with it's soulful melody and smooth guitar phrasing by Kid Anderson. Excellent! Senor Blues has a beautiful Latin feel with a floating melody and features confident solos by Hummel, Chris Burns (keys) and Johnny bones (sax) backed by Rusty Zinn on guitar, Lech Wierzynski on trumpet, and Willie Panker on drums. Smooth shuffle, Glide On, features nice solos from Zinn, Burns and Hummel. Very nice. Harp boogie, Chuckaluck, is a great showcase for Hummel with Dave Eagle on washboard, Aaron Hammerman on piano and Billy Flynn on guitar. Sweet. Wrapping the release is classic blues number, See See Rider with Zinn on guitar and Hummel on harp, about as stripped down as a modern blues gets. Super closer for an excellent release.

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Whitney Shay - A Woman Rules The World - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Woman Rules The World, from Whitney Shay and it's lively. Opening with pop track, Ain't No Weak Woman, lead vocalist Whitney Shay is joined by Jim Pugh on piano, Kedar Roy on bass, Sax Gorgon Beadle on sax, and Alexander Pettersen on drums. Slinky Blues Down Home settles down into a nice groove with full sax and trumpet punctuation by Beadle and John Halbleib respectively. A solid sax solo by Beadle, harp work by Aki Kumar and piano and organ work by Pugh gives this track real oomph. With a rolling R&B feel, Love's Creeping Up On Me has great feel, with super vocals, stinging guitar riffs by Igor Prado and nicely blended vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the release is title track, A Woman Rules The World with super vocals by Shay and Lisa Leuschner Andersen, nice guitar phrasing by Andersen and an overall great soul feel. Freedom has a soulful strut with a great bass line, tight drums and powerful bari sax work by Beadle. With a funky bottom, Shay's best vocals shine on Get It When I Want It. A nicely woven instrumental backing of organ, slide guitar, organ, piano and drums, this track it hot! Soulful ballad, Empty Hand, is laden with rich organ and sax giving Shay a perfect stage to belt out the blues and Beadle get yet another chance to lay out a super sax solo. Wrapping the release is rocking R&B track, Get Down With It, with all of the enthusiasm of Little Richard, driven by Pettersen on drums and Pugh on piano. Beadle's sax soloing and some cool guitar work by Andersen put a bow on this one. Very cool. 

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Blues Mountain Records artist: Big Harp George - Uptown Cool.- New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (7/16/18), Uptown Cool, from Big Harp George, and it's tight. Opening with loping shuffle, Down To The Rite Aid, Big Harp George has it running from the first note with his great harp sound, singing duet with Loralee Christensen backed by Chris Burns on piano, Alexander Pettersen on drums, Kid Andersen on bass, Little Charlie Baty on guitar, Michael Peloquin on sax and Mike Rinta on trombone. Very nice. Alternative Facts has a laid back, sauntering feel with real cool harp soloing and great guitar backing by Kid Andersen. Latin fused track, I Wanna Know has strong rhythmic Santana like influences with D'mar on percussion and nice backing vocals by Christensen and warm sax tines by Peloquin, strong bass lines by Andersen and trademark harp soloing by George. On bluesy, Nobody's Listening, Little Charlie really lays in a articulate guitar solo and George some of his best vocals on the release.Standing In The Weather really has a saucy rhythm, augmented by sax work by Peloquin and Andersen chicken picks his way to a really tasty solo on guitar. Bulletproof is another track that nicely showcases the hot hand work of Andersen and George works the lead vocal and harp nicely. Another bluesy track, Cold Snap By The Bay, is one of my favorites on the release with wailing sax by Peloquin, a super piano solo by Burns and some of my favorite guitar sounds by Andersen. Standout instrumental, Uptown Cool, has a really jagged percussion rhythm. courtesy D'Mar with alternating solos by Baty, George and Burns. Very nice. Wrapping the release is easy swing track, Lord Make Me Chaste with gospel like backing by Christensen and Derick Hughes. Bringing on the New Orleans horn styling by Rinta and Peloquin and a taste of falling down the step drumming by Pettersen makes this a fine closer for a cool release.

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Keeshea Pratt Band - Believe - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Believe, from Keeshea Pratt Band and I really like it! Opening with soul fused, Make It Good, Keeshea's vocals let you know that you are listening to something special. Pratt has a solid horn section of Misaki Nishidate on trumpet, Dan Carpenter on sax and James Williams III on trumpet and Brian Sowell on lead guitar, Shawn Allen on bass and Nick Fishman on drums. Cool opener. Kicking it open on Have A Good Time Y'all is a romping and rolling blues shuffle with slick guitar lead, a great bass line and smoking hot sax work.  In The Mood has a great bass line and Pratt is all over this track with rich vocals. WahWah guitar and funky rhythm makes this such a great track. It's Too Late is soulful and sassy. Pratt has such great phrasing and feel and the horns are spot on, accented by excellent piano and organ work. With a snappy New Orleans drum beat, Shake Off These Blues, the band rolls into a rocking R&B number with hot sax, trumpet and guitar solos giving this track real spank! Shuffle track, Easily Replaced gives Carpenter and Sowell the stage for some real nice riffs supporting Pratts vocal lead. Very nice. Check out Monkey See, Monkey Do and it's R&B roll. Pratt has great attitude, delivering the blues that way you really want it and a pumped up horn section really delivers with stinging support by Sowell on guitar. Excellent! Just when you think you've heard what it's all about, Pratt comes with more on title track, Believe and it's deep funk bass line. Her vocals adapt nicely to every string of the blues and she's in total control, with horns on high alert. Very very nice!  Wrapping the release is a live version of slow blues number, So Bad Blues clocking in at over 8 minutes. With Pratt sounding as if she is on a tower singing the gospel and Sowell balancing her on guitar over the excellent bass work of Allen, this is an excellent closer for an excellent release! You must check this out if you love the blues!

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Billy Price - Reckoning - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Reckoning, from Billy Price and it's quite good. Opening with soul fused blues number, 39 Steps, Billy Price has surrounded himself with a who's who of musicians including Kid Andersen on guitar, Alex Pettersen on drums, Jerry Jemmott on bass, and Jim Pugh on keys for a solid radio style start. Dreamer is a strong track with a really nice bass line by Jemmott, nice pinched soloing by Andersen, and excellent backing vocals by Lisa Leuschner Andersen and Rusty Zinn. Very cool. Title track, Reckoning, has a real nice feel and an almost Al Green vibe. Price's vocals are smooth and warm keyboard work by Pugh, clean trumpet lines by Konstantins Jemeljanovs, lead bass lines by Jemmott and slick riffs by Andersen make this one of my favorite tracks on the release.  Another of my picks for the release is One and One, with its super melody, some of Price's best vocals on the release and cool sax work by Johnny Bones. Funky soul number, Never Be Fooled Again, has a tight bass line from Jemmott and warm backing vocals by Andersen and Courtney Knott. With a laid back attack, Kid Andersen lays in some mighty tasty licks on guitar. Expert Witness stays in the funky stream with power horn work by Nancy Wright. Very nice! R&B track, Love Ballad could easily have been a strong radio player in the early seventies with it's rich vocals, melody and that tale tell sitar work by Andersen. Lisa's backing vocals on this track are particularly nice. Wrapping the release is Your Love Stays With Me with a country blues feel. Warm horn work, coupled with Prices own smooth vocals over Jemmott's bass line set this track apart and Bones sax solo is really sweet. Cool closer to a cool release.

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Dirty Cat Records artists: The Lucky Losers - Blind Spot - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blind Spot, from The Lucky Losers and it may be their best one yet. Opening with It's Never Too Early, a melodic two stepper featuring nicely blended vocals by Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz, backed by Ian Lamson on guitars, Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and Robi Bean on drums. Take The Long Road is a real cool track with an Al Green strut. Lemons' vocals are spot on, with Laura Chavez on lead guitar and Berkowitz harp contributions are notable. Alligator Baptism is a cool blues rocker with a pinch of Latin spice courtesy of D'mar on percussion and the addition of Kid Andersen on lead guitar, Jack Sanford on bari sax and Nancy Wright on sax. Another strong track, The River, this time country soul really nicely showcases Lemons' voice which sounds a lot like Susan Tedeschi. Lamson's slide work and harp work by Berkowitz add nicely to this really solid entry. With a cyclical bass line by Tarcy, Supernatural Blues has a great feel, with Lemons and Berkowitz laying down a solid duet and crisp guitar riffs by Lamson. Funky, Don't Take Too Much,lays heavy on a great bass line by Tarczy and D'Mar on drums. Nicely phrased vocals by Lemons and Berkowitz, funky organ work by Burns, and a particularly nice harp lead by Berkowitz makes it hard to sit still. Very nice. Channeling an Al Green vibe, Love Is Blind really sits nicely in the groove. Lemons has the lead on vocal and with nicely finessed harp work from Berkowitz, a cool neck pickup guitar solo with tight articulation by Kid Andersen and Beans solid drumming, this track is smooth. Wrapping the release is You Left It Behind, a light, piano framed shuffle with playful vocal exchanges by Lemons and Berkowitz. Tarczy and Bean set a compact bottom and Lamson's guitar runs are super. Very cool closer for a real nice release.


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Little Village Foundation artist: Howell Devine - Howl - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Howl, from Howell Devine and it's quite cool. Recorded at the acclaimed Greaseland Studios by Kid Andersen, this release has a great old style yet current vibe. Opening with Sonny Boy Williamson's The Key, Joshua Howell on vocal, guitar and harp melds nicely with Pete Devine on drums and Joe Kyle Jr. on bass. With it's lumbering pace, the track has deep blues roots. RL Burnside's Going Down South develops a rumble with solid bass lines and super vocals by Howell. Kickin it up a notch, Howell drives his guitar hard without breaking Burnside's basic monumental style. Very nice. Sookie Sookie has that great Booker T feel complimented by Kid Andersen on organ but this track is really a showcase for Howell's harp work. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is original composition, Sirenic Woman with raw slide playing and tom tom heavy drums and exaggerated bass lines by Kyle. Excellent! a traditional cover of Robert Johnson's Come Into My Kitchen will always be a welcome addition to a rough and ready blues release and HD does a real nice job on this one with clean, under exaggerated vocals and real nice slide work. Very nice. Showing broader influences, The Meter's Funky Miracle is a cool break away from the traditional style blues but tight never the less. Andersen, Howell, Devine and Kyle trade riffs like kids with a ball giving the track a real playful feel. Solid. Blind Blake's Rope Stretching Blues is another really nice primitive style cover with particularly sensitive snare work by Devine, complimenting particularly clean guitar and vocals by Howell. Wrapping the release is original composition, PM Blues with solid strong tension on a traditional, SBW style theme. With the addition of Danny Brown on tenor sax and Fil Lorenz on bari sax this is a great closer with a wide open road for Howell's harp work. Very nice.

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Ilya Portnov - Strong Brew - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strong Brew, from Ilya Portnov and it's quite good. Opening with shuffle track, Sunny Afternoon Blues, Ilya Portnov leads on melody on harmonica, joined by Kid Anderson on bass, Chris Burns on keys, Ben Andrews on violin and June Core on drums. Cool key work and sinuous violin work give this track an earthy feel. Surfin' the Baltic Sea is a real cool surf track with a definite twist. Dynamic harp work and a great melody, spanked along by snappy drums and a smoky organ solo and a super guitar add by Andersen makes this a real killer. Dance of a Lonely Doll is a particularly cool track featuring Portnov on chromatic harp and it's old world charm makes it one of my favorites on the release. Andersen's bass work and classic handling of piano riffs really emphasize the beauty of the track. Very nice. Rev. Gary Davis' Cincinnati Flow Rag is a cool and loosely flowing acoustic track with slappy drum work giving it real charm. Bouncy harp work by Portnov works really nicely with the rhythm and Rob Vye adds nice guitar work. Another really strong track, In A Town Garden, transports you to eastern Europe and a quieter time. Portnov masterfully plays his harp and Core's drums work is excellent. Burns works in a really nice organ solo and Andersen really captures the spirit on a nicely stylistic solo of his own. Terrific. Chicago style blues, Behind The Wall really gets a groove going with Robby Yamilov on bass, and Portnov really digs in showing a solid feel for the blues. Very nice. Title track, Strong Brew, has blues roots but with a Euro/jazz undertone. Harmony by Portnov is complex and expressive, giving way to the round tones of Burns on organ and the fluid jazz runs of Kid Andersen. Excellent! 1928 has a definitive tango style rhythm and with it's rich melody and Portnov's beautiful harmonica work, complimented by Andrews' violin styling makes for another solid entry. Wrapping the release with a Bo Diddley beat on Till The Early Morning, Portnov creates a cool, train like tone and Andersen's shimmery guitar work, and bouncy piano contributions by Burns and drumming by  Core and percussion my Vye make this a solid closer. I really like this release, not only for it's musicianship and execution but for it's unique melodic beauty. Very nice job. 

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Howlin' At Greaseland - Various Artists - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Howlin' At Greaseland, from Kid Andersen's Greaseland Studios and it's strong. This all-star tribute release to Howlin' Wolf features many of today's greatest blues players. Opening with Meet Me In The Bottom, Alabama Mike is upfront on lead vocal backed by Rick Estrin on harp, Alex Pettersen on drums, Bobby Yamalov on bass, Kid Andersen on guitar and slide and Lorenzo Farrell on piano paving a wide path. On Smokestack Ligntnin', John Blues Boyd has the mic, joined by Rockin' Johnny Burgin and Kid Andersen, Joe Kyle Jr. on bass, Estrin on harp, D'Mar on drums and Jim Pugh on piano. Very nice. Howlin' For My Darling features Terry Hanck on sax and vocals, backed by Johnny Cat Soubrand on guitar, Andersen on bass, Pettersen on drums and Pugh on piano. Both Hanck and Soubrand stretch a bit instrumentally adding nicely to the tight groove.  Tail Dragger is upfront on I'm Leaving You and Aki Kumar's harp work stands out nicely, with a crisp guitar solo by Burgin, backed by Vance Ehlers on bass and June Core on drums. Henry Gray is on top on Worried Life Blues, one of my favorites on this release. His vocals and piano work are very real backed by Patrick Rynn on bass, Chris James on guitar. Shuffle track, Riding In The Moonlight, features Boyd on lead vocal, Andersen and Rockin' Johnny on guitars and Estrin on harp. This is a super track giving each featured artist space to take a whack. Very nice. Lee Donald belts out Forty Four with Andersen on piano, Soubrand on guitar, Kumar on standout harp, Phillips on bass and Core on drums. Another of my favorites on the release is Don't Trust No Woman with Tail Dragger on vocal Burgin on guitar and Kumar on harp. Gritty and tasty. Gray and Andersen play a simple duet on Little Red Rooster which is quite powerful with Gray's gripping vocals and piano styling. Wrapping the release is Spoonful with Boyd on vocal with stinging guitar riffs by Burgin and Andersen. This is a solid release of Burnett originals, performed in authentic style. Very cool.

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Chickenbone Slim and the Biscuits - The Big Beat - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Big Beat, from Chickenbone Slim and the Biscuits, and it's quite good. Opening with title track, The Big Beat, Chickenbone Slim is up front on vocal and guitar joined by Big Jon Atkinson on guitar and harp, Scot Smart on bass and Marty Dodson on drums. With that Tony Joe White feel, Long Way Down has a top notch groove. Loose guitar soloing really sets this track off making it one of my favorites on the release.  Long Legged Sweet Thing with it's unusual time signature on a solid blues base, bluesy harp and excellent drumming by Dodson, is like a strange combination of Steppenwolf and the Doors. Excellent! Chicago style blues number, Do You Like It has a really great groove and Slim's vocals are right in the pocket. Atkinson's harp work giving this track timeless appeal. Slow blues number, Me And Johnny Lee has solid vocals, with super harp riffs a nicely stylized guitar solo. With a funky bass bottom, Man Down is another of my favorites with just the right combination of snappy drum riffs and a tight guitar rhythm. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, Break Me Off A Piece with a really nice feel. Simple guitar rhythm, solid vocals and nice harp work are the ticket here making this a real nice closer for a solid 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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West Tone Records artist: Rockin' Johnny Burgin - Neoprene Fedora - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Neoprene Fedora, from Rockin' Johnny Burgin and it's spectacular! I've had the pleasure to review a few Rockin' Johnny releases and also to see him in person and I gotta say, there aren't too many players out there right now that I'd rather see. (Check here to see my recent interview with RJB). He is inventive, his guitar work is clean and distinctive, his vocals are cool and he's music is a lot of fun.

Opening with the title track, Neoprene Fedora, Burgin hits the strip running with a 50's style blues surfer with great great vibrato, and cool phrasing. The Latin beat and the shimmery guitar soloing is out of sight and Nancy Wright's sax work is hot and heavy. Excellent! Joining Burgin are Kid Andersen on guitar, Bob Welsh on guitar, June Core on drums and Chris Matheos on bass. On Guitar King Burgin swings back into his Chicago roots and I really like his vocals. Aki Kumar is back on harp and we know what he can do. Burgin's guitar soloing sets the groove and together with Kumar on harp and Stephen Dougherty on drums...this track hits hard. On Won't Get Married Again, Burgin blends a Bloomfield like vocal delivery with an off beat gait. Playing harp himself and with an odd scatter guitar style, this is a track to hear. Unusually cool. With a slower lope, Give Me An Hour In Your Garden, Burgin delivers solid, expressive vocals with Albert King like sting on guitar. Vance Ehkers bass work on this track helps to set off Burgin's masterful guitar riffs giving this track a memorable sting. Steve Willis opens Kinda Wild Woman, a R&B track, with accordion flair and Billy Wilson's rubbing board work adds to the natural texture.  On Please Tell Me, Burgin's vocals are solid and his slide playing very slick but catch Wright blowing the roof off on this one (on sax). With real Cajun feel, Burgin and Willis create the environment and Welsh adds a nice piano riff giving the track even more texture. Another cool blues swinger, (Let Me Be) Your Teddy Bear has a cool BB King like feel with Rockin' Johnny at his most relaxed, just letting it flow over Ehler's bass line. Very nice. Ultra funky blues track, Smoke and Mirrors even has wah wah pedal. I mean...it's funky. Get ready to dance. Burgin steps into new territory on this one and he's channeling Buddy Guy. With Alabama Mike on backing vocals and Kumar on harp, this track is FUNKY! Alabama Mike takes the mic on I Did the Best I Could and Burgin digs in on guitar with Albert King like attack. This guy can really do it all and continues to show that with every note... I mean this guy has feel...excellent! Another Chicago style blues, Self Made Man, features Kumar on lead vocal and Burgin sits back and just stings the strings. You don't have to listen hard to hear this guy. He sticks it in your ear for you. Buddy Guy has to smile listening to this guy!  On shuffle track, You Gotta Work Fast, Burgin is back up front on vocal. With a great walking bass line from Ehlers and Kumar on harp, Burgin steps high with powerful, solid riffs, which seems to pull his vocals even more into the groove. I Ain't Gonna Be A Working Man No More has super Morganfield feel and Burgin reinforces this on guitar (think Rollin' and Tumblin') and playing is straight and simple, this track just moves. Another funky track, My Life's Enough For Me, has a great bass line compliments of Ehler's and nasty, nasty guitar lead. Burgin's vocals really emphasize his work and I'm glad he continues to develop his own voice. Check how he absolutely slays the guitar solo on this one. Ouch...man that's great! Wrapping the release is slow, Willie Dixon like track, Goodbye Chicago with excellent John Lee Hooker like vocal phrasing and Howlin' Wolf like aesthetic by Burgin. Nancy Wright is so excellent every time I hear her and her playing on this track is no exception. The choice to feature her on this release was brilliant. Burgin pays tribute to all the blues kings as he loosely riffs on guitar with Kumar on harp.  This is really is the path of the contemporary blues. I hope that the young players are listening. This is it! Truly amazing 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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Dog House Records artist: Harpdog Brown - Travelin" With The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Travelin' With The Blues, by Harpdog Brown and I really like it. Opening with Better Days, a rolling blues number, Harpdog is upfront on vocal and his signature harp work with Jordie Edmonds on guitar, Pat Darcus on bass, Carl Sonny Leyland on piano, Jimmy Morello on drums and featuring Kid Andersen with some hot guitar riffs. On Otis Spann's Must Have Been The Devil, Brown settles down nicely into the Chicago style on vocal and strong harp with Edmonds and Little Victor laying down some real tasty guitar. On Latin flavored, Moose On The Loose, Brown and Charlie Musselwhite play off of each other on harp. With Mike Thorne on cowbell, and solid guitar riffs by Edmonds, this track rocks. Boogie Woogie track, For Better or Worse, features Andersen laying out some really nice rocking riffs with a nice twang. Excellent! Slowing it down a bit on What's Your Real Name, Brown tells it Bishop style, but subbing harp for Red Dog. Rusty Zinn lays in some really nice rhythm and under the vocal lead work giving this track cool texture. Anther Chicago style track, Home Is Where The Harp Is swings right into the groove with solid vocals and crisp harp work from Brown. Tight track. Muddy Waters track, Hard Days Blues has great character and Brown's vocals and harp work are spot on. Wrapping the release is Hayward Boogie, a cool instrumental with Brown and Edmonds just jamming out. Very cool closing to a solid release.



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Interview with the dynamic Rockin’ Johnny Burgin

Bman: Hi Johnny, Haven’t seen you in a while. I'm really sorry that I missed your show in Phoenix. I was in Europe and just got back. One show I really wanted to see. How did it go?

RJB: I had a great show in Phoenix. "Bob Corritore and " Dave Riley sat in.  I had a great bassist from Alburquerque, J.D. Sipe, and Brian Fahey from The Paladains on drums.  I hadn't played with him since a tour in Europe three or so years ago with Mud Morganfield and Taildragger.

Bman: Wow. That must have been a great show! Damn. I really wanted to see you. Are you coming back again this year?

RJB: I hope to be back in October.

Bman: Great! I should be  good then. I don't think I have anything planned for October. Last I heard you were in Europe with Aki Kumar . I love Europe. How did the tour go? Where were you?

RJB: I left for Europe on Halloween, and got back at Christmas.  The first two weeks of the tour were with Aki Kumar and our West Coast Meets Chicago project.  We hit Sweden (w/ Trickbag ), the Netherlands, and the Bay Car Blues Festival in France and some FR club dates.  Then Aki went home, and I went to Finland, Italy and Spain.   

Bman:  So you’ve been back on US soil for a while. What have you been up to? Still touring or in the studio?

RJB: In January, I was in the Bay area the whole time.  I played New Year's Eve with Nick Gravenites and long time Elvin Bishop drummer Gary Silva on drums. That was fun.  In January, I cut material for a new Rockin Johnny Burgin CD, Neoprene Fedora .
 

It'll be out by March 15.  I had Nancy Wright on it, Vance Ehlers, June Core (the rhythm section on Greaseland), not to mention 3 zydeco songs I wrote with Billy Williams on rub board and Steve Willis (plays w Elvin) on accordion.  Kid Andersen and Bob Welsh played guitars and pianos, and Aki was on it as well.  He did two songs on vocal, and Alabama Mike did two songs I wrote.  Out of 16 tunes, I did three covers, a Johnny Littlejohn song, an LV Banks song, and a Little Joe Blue Song.  And Aki did a song by Willie Williams, which makes 12 originals-- that's a record.

Bman: Outstanding! I love the stuff that comes out of Greaseland and that lineup is top notch. I'm looking forward to see what you came up with. I also heard that you caught up with Quique Gomez in Spain. Outstanding! I'm really looking forward to hearing it.

RJB: Quique is a good friend, I've worked with him in Spain and America many, many times.  When Aki went home I caught up with him. I cut a cd's worth of stuff with Quique  in Toledo.  It'll come out in the summer. I'm glad we finally did a cd together. 

Bman: Weren’t you also in session with Mike Mettalia?

RJB: Yes, I've known Mike since the Smoke Daddy days in the 90s.  He wanted to do some sessions with Little Jerry Jones, Mary Lane, and Milwaukee Slim (and me!) so I acted as a liaison.  We've done some nice shows together over the years.  He's really keeping the blues alive in my book! 

Bman:  I really need to check that out! What else have you got cooking as if that isn’t enough?

RJB: Right now I'm doing a three month tour that started in San Jose, then went to Phoenix, Alburquerque, Dallas, it's going to  Houston, Clarksdale, Springfield, Chicago, Minneapolis, Toronto, France, Russia, then flying back to Chicago and driving back to SF doing gigs in NE and Utah.   Doing a session with Jeremy Johnson in Minneapolis in March, he's a great engineer (he did RJ Mischo's latest cd) drummer and guitarist.  I've always wanted to record with him.
Also doing a session on this trip with Sugar Brown (Ken Kawashima) in Toronto.  We're old college buddies and started out together with Taildragger.  He's a great player and songwriter.  

Bman: Yeah, I like Sugar Brown's work. Lot of talent there.

RJB: I am doing a tour in Sweden in May with Aki and Trickbag.  I'm doing the 10th anniversary Blues Fest after party at Reggie's with special guests TBA in Chicago in June.  Also I'm playing the Bluesfest with Mary Lane.  Playing King Biscuit with Taildragger in October  and I'll be touring a lot to promote Neoprene Fedora , as well and my release wtih Quique when it comes out.

Bman: Man. You are a busy guy. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Now I got to get some CD's and sit back and enjoy!

RJB: Thanks a lot Bman

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Nancy Wright - Playdate! - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Playdate!, from Nancy Wright and it's smokin! Opening with funky, Why You Wanna Do It, Wee Willie Walker takes the lead on vocal and Nancy Wright really sails on sax. Joe Kyle Jr. sets the pace on bass with some heavy lines and J. Hansen's drum work is tight. Excellent opener! On Willie Dixon's I Got What It Takes, Kyle again sets a strong bass line and Tommy Castro brings a real nice guitar solo. This track is in the groove and Wright delivers a great sound on sax backed by Tom Poole on trumpet and Faris Jarrah on trombone.Yes He Do is a great swinger with Victor Wainwright really taking control on piano. Wright takes it higher and the two hit it out of the park. Super. Eddie Shaw's Blues For The Westside is an absolute screamer with Wright really digging in. Chris Burns' piano work on this track really stands out and Joe Louis Walker stands tall with soulful guitar riffs fluidly added throughout as well as featured in solo form. Really tasty! R&B track, Been Waiting That Long features Frank Bey on lead vocals and with it's swampy beat martin Winstad adds cool percussion to an already gritty track. Wright really squeezes the horn on this one getting it to squeal. The thoughts of Jr Walker come around as Trampled blows from Wright's horn with Kid Andersen echoing the guitar retort and Jim Pugh showing his stuff on organ. Very cool. Satisfied has a distinct revival/gospel sound with the Plymouth Church of Jazz and Justice Choir bringing up the chorus. Wright sails on sax backed by Chauncey Roberts on tambourine and handclaps. Another track with deep funk, Warranty, features Terrie Odabi on lead vocals. This track is so well crafted it is likely to get strong airplay across a number of stations. Andersen sets in some real nice guitar riffs and Wright crafts a hot sax solo giving the track real heat. New Orleans flavored, Cherry Wine, has super cool drum work and Lisa Leuschner-Andersen brings cool backing vocals. Wright down right swings it when she comes in for her solo taking it to the house. Instrumental, There Is Something On Your Mind, is a great blues track with Wright really winding up her sax and Mr Elvin Bishop answering with Red Dog on slide. This track has Bishops name written all over it and Wright really knows how to stack these cards. Excellent! Mike Schermer takes the lead on guitar on the swinging, Back Room Rock. Burns and Kyle really get the track cranking and Wright seals the deal with fat sax work on this one. Wrapping the release is laid back, Soul Blue, with Wright and Chris Cain setting the stage. Cain's guitar work cuts like a hot knife, searing through the horns and keyboard work giving the track a relaxed but crisp sound. Burns takes a real nice piano solo leading up to Wright tying everything up tight with her final chorus. This is an excellent release with plenty of blues for everyone. Check it out!



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Dirty Cat Records artists: The Lucky Losers - In Any Town - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, In Any Town, from The Lucky Losers and it's a cool blend of pop, country and blues. Opening with So High, a blend of country funk and pop, Vocalists Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz harmonize over the rhythmic work of Marvin Greene on guitar, Chris Burns on keys, Tim Wagar on bass and Robi Bean on drums. Kid Andersen rips a cool lead guitar solo to close track one with Berkowitz on harp. Cool. It Ain't Enough features Lemons on lead vocal and it's a slinky, swampy soul track. Possibly my favorite track on the release, it has warm backing vocals and Andersen lays down some real nice Rhodes lines. Excellent! On classic track Jackson, made popular by Johnny Cash, finds Cathy and Phil exchanging lead vocals making it a solid radio player with a nice harp solo by Phil. Another Lemons penned number, Don't Let 'Em See Ya Cry, is a solid blues ballad with sensual horn work from Michael Peloquin on tenor and bari sax, Mike Rose on trumpet and Mike Rinta on trombone. Greene's featured guitar solo on this track is real nice as is Phil's harp solo and Peloquins sax work. Excellent! Blind Man In The Dark has a distinct Mickey Thomas R&B style. Terry Hanck steps up with a nice sax solo surrounded by warm horn work by Rose and Rinta as well as really nice keyboard work by Burns. I Can't Change Ya is a peppy 2 stepper featuring Lemons on lead vocal. Frank Goldwasser rips some really super slide guitar riffs setting this track out really nicely. Funky, Still Enough Time To Cry, has a real nice groove with particularly nice bass work by Wagar bringing to mind the cool work of Sly Stone. Great groove with excellent piano lead by Burns. Berkowitz uses his harp nicely giving the track bit of edge. Ballad title track, In Any Town, is really a showcase for Lemons on vocal with nicely woven harp and keyboard work over a subtle rhythm. Wrapping the release is Small Town Talk, a smooth pop track featuring Lemons and Berkowitz on harmony backed by a rich horn section of Peloquin, Rose and Rinta, Andersen on bass, D'Mar on drums and nice keywork by Burns. A particularly nice trombone solo by Rinta closes the 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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Travis Green - A Little Too Late - New release review

I just received the newest release (July 8, 2016), A Little Too Late,from Travis Green and it's quite good. Opening with title track, A Little Too Late, Travis Green on super lead vocals, shows country two step style, with Kid Andersen on guitar, Randy Bermudes on bass, Jason Hansen on drums, and nice key work from Jim Pugh. Cowboy styling on Please Don't Cry has a lot of polish with Lisa Leuschner Andersen on harmony. This is a real nice track that should hit the radio. Everybody Knows crosses over more to a rock sound, still influenced by country flavor. With the line "Everybody Knows That You're A Bitch A Heart" it is an auto hook that will certainly be a crowd favorite. Solid bass work from Bermudes and sassy sax work from Nancy Wright give this track a solid kick. Blues based ballad, The Only Love, has really nice organ work by Pugh giving it a great feel. Kid Andersen lays in some real nice bluesy country guitar riffs for good measure. Very cool. Keep You Off My Mind has a really strong rockin blues beat with a driving bass line. Green takes his vocals to a new level sounding every bit like a 50's country star and Andersen's guitar work is clean and classy. Damage Done is a solid country rock/pop track with memorable lead vocals and with sweet backup vocals from Lisa and Courtney Knott. Andersen's steel playing sets this track off giving it that extra bite. Caroline is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a rockin' boogie beat. Wright's hot sax work, with Pugh's key work and Lisa and Courtney on backup make this a top track. Excellent! Road Runs Cold is another well written track and Green sings within a swampy ambiance. Hansen really creates the spell with his tom tom work and Kid A. lays in shimmery guitar riffs that glisten off of his solid soloing. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Don't Forget, a track with a cool country funk and a touch of gospel. This is a great closer with Green's super vocal phrasing, Pugh's organ work, nice guitar riffs from Kid and Hansen's drum work. Nice 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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