Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hold On To Love , by Shakura S'Aida and it's a soulful R&B release with style. Opening with title track, Hold On To Love , Shakura S'Aida on lead vocal really hits the groove, with terrific backing vocals and what sounds like (although not noted on the release) Derek Trucks on slide. Excellent opener. With the darkness of a southern spiritual, Clap Yo Hands And Moan , really is a great track. Rick vocal blending, a thumping foot drum and that haunting slide work makes this one of my favorites on the release. You're The One takes more of a no holds attack with full vocal backing and massive drum and guitar attack and a simplified dobro addition, presumed to be by Keb Mo. Funky rocker, Ain't Got Nothin' is a real mover with rich bottom, great lead vocals and flashy lead guitar work by Eric Gales. This track really is strong.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Comin' On, by Joe Louis Walker, and it's a great blend of Blues, Soul, R&B and Rock musical styles. Opening with Feed The Poor , a funky blues rocker, Walker joins with legendary Jorma Kaukonen on lead guitar who brings a ragged edge to this otherwise soulful track. With John Bradford on bass, Dorian Randolph on bass, Juma Sultan on percussion and Bruce Katz on organ this is a strong opener. Carla Cooke contributes lead vocal on Someday, Someway, a real nice soulful blues ballad. Her vocals, backed by Walker, on guitar and vocal, and with Lee Oskar on harmonica, Eric Finland on piano, Randolph on drums and John Bradford, this is definitely one of my favorites on the release. Keb' Mo on slide guitar and John Sebastian on harp join Walker on 12 string laying down a real nice shuffle, Old Time Used To Be . Backed by Katz on piano, Scott Petito on bass, Randolph on drums and Sultan on percussion thi...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Southbound I-95 , from JP Soars and it's really cool. Opening with Ain't No Dania Beach , there's a country flavor but still folky/rock along the lines of the Band...you know...just right. Joined by Travis Colby on organ, Paul DesLauries on ultra cool slide, Greg Morency on bass, and Sam Harrison on percussion, this is a stylin' opener. Swamp funky, Sure As Hell Ain't Foolin' Me , is a great track with a solid bass line and vocal delivery by Soars. His guitar playing is really nice as well, backed by Teresa James on vocals, Oscar Santiago on percussion and Scott Ankrom on trumpet, this is my favorite track on the release.  Title track, Southbound I-95 has great Dale/surf feel with dancing guitar work and a great rocking bass line by Jason Newstead. Excellent! Rock n Roller, The Grass Ain't Always Greener , will really get you moving with a tight piano solo by Colby and a ripping sax solo by ...

Welcome aboard to the world’s biggest 7 day blues party!   Yes friends, 7 days where you can’t tell the blues artists from the fans. Although everybody’s experience is different –and a blues cruise vacation is exactly what you make it– a good time is had by all… day after day! So I’m going to tell you about my experience on my 4 th LRBC a few weeks ago.    I try to get on board pretty early so I can learn the layout of the ship and how to get from concert venue to concert venue in the most efficient manner.   And by doing so you get to see and talk to some of the artists before any action really starts.   Right off the bat I ran into Cyril Neville who was as lost as my wife and I.   Later I saw Lucky Peterson on a lounge chair outside his stateroom while walking the Promenade Deck.   The first night they always have a BBQ on the pool deck at departure. This time it was Rick Estrin and the Nightcats hosting the BBQ. The best part being when Ki...

Lee Oskar (born March 24, 1948, Copenhagen, Denmark) is a Danish harmonica player, notable for his contributions to the sound of the rock-funk fusion group War, which he formed with Eric Burdon, his solo work, and as a harmonica manufacturer. He currently plays with Lowriderband , with Harold Brown , Howard Scott and B.B.Dickerson Born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1948, Oskar was six years old when a family friend gave him his first harmonica. "I came from an area where every kid on the block had a harmonica," he remembers. He grew up listening to Danish radio, enjoying all types of music and cites Ray Charles as the biggest influence from that period. When he was 17, Oskar decided that the United States was where a harmonica player should make his career, so he moved to New York at the age of 18 with little more than a harmonica in his pocket. With no money, Oskar played harmonica in the streets of New York. Eventually arriving in Los Angeles, California, via Toronto and San Fr...