Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Late Last Night - Elixir of Sara Martin , by Laurie Jane & The 45's and it has a vintage sound and some down right rockin'. Opening with title track, Late Last Night , the band tries to capture the spirit of Louisville's prohibition era's Sara Martin with contemporary twists and execution. Laurie Jane Duggins has the vocal lead with Cort Duggins on guitar and piano, Scott Dugdale on drums, Jason Embry on bass and Brian Hogg on sax. Blind Man Blues has a staid Basin Street pace showing cool trumpet work by Eric Snyder and guitar soloing by Screamin' John Hawkins. maintaining much of it's original patina, Strange Lovin' Blues is raw with cool slide and some of my favorite vocals on the release. Sugar Blues is a solid blues rocker with a strong vocal line and rocking guitar riffs. Very cool. Atlanta keeps much of the early blues house feel with the jangling piano and modest fidelity. Wrap...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Midnight Jubilee , from Laurie Jane and The 45's and it's a lot of fun. Opening with springy, country blues flavored, Wait So Long , featuring Laurie Jane Duggins on lead vocal and a greasy loose slide guitar work by Cort Duggins, solid bass by Jason Embry and rockabilly style drums by Scott Dugdale. Cool opener. Title track, Midnight Jubilee is a smooth, radio style ballad with sinewy lap steel work by Cort under some of Laurie Jane's best vocals on the release.  Howlin' Wolf's Howlin' For My Darlin' gets a rockabilly makeover and it has a great feel with swinging guitar riffs and a solid bass line. Down This Road has a cool, early 60's rock feel and Laurie Jane's lead work is tight, reinforced by snappy drum work by Dugdale. One of my favorites on the release, Couldn't Cry Alone , has a distinct old country ballad style and again gives Laurie Jane a real chance to shine. Very ...