Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release. A Time Like This , from The McKee Brothers , and it's bright and bouncy. Opening with How Can I Miss You Baby?, a cool swing blues with a taste of Lyle Lovett. With Denis McKee on lead vocal and guitar, Bobby West on keys, Bobby Watson on bass, Steve Stephens on drums, Lee Thornburg on trumpet, Doug Webb on sax and featuring Tim Douthit on harmonica, it's a cool opener. Soulful shuffle, It Is What It Is , has that easy swing feel that was so much a part of the Memphis sound. McKee, backed by Maxayn Lewis on vocal and with great work on keys by West really carries it nicely. With gospel overtones, Realize has a cool funky feel. The groove is really nice and strong lead work by McKee and backing vocals by Lewis, along with a little Latin spice and Thornburg and Webb's horn punctuation really makes this track one that stands out. With it's driving Fats Domino feel, Bluer Than You has that classic New Orleans ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lessons Learned , from Jim Gustin & Truth Jones and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with I'd Been Drinking , a romping party track with a boogie rhythm, Gustin and Jones share the mic and horns blazing behind them. Gustin does a nice job on guitar with Steve Alterman on piano, Scott Duncan on bass, Chuck Strong on drums and Lawrence Tamez on sax with Jim Scimonelli on sax and Lee Thornburg on trumpet. Cool opener. Duncan sets the pace on bass on The Truth and Gustin's gravelly voice is perfect for this one. Again, Gustin steps up with a nice guitar solo over the power organ work of Alterman. One of my favorites on the release is I Hate To See You Go with another great bass drone, anchor snare drum and clever double entendre vocals. Ripping guitar and sax solos dress this track out nicely giving it a turbo boost. Very cool. A crisp rocker, Rockslide , showcases Gustin's vocal with just the right...