Bman's Blues Report

LESLIE WEST PRESENTS DEAN MISSISSIPPI QUEEN GUITAR TO LONG-TIME FAN AND MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER PAUL ALLEN WEST TO RELEASE SOUNDCHECK ON NOVEMBER 20 Album Features West Joined By Jack Bruce, Brian May, Peter Frampton, Bonnie Bramlett, Max Middleton And Others EPK: New York, NY -- On Thursday evening at BB Kings in New York City, Leslie West welcomed long-time fan and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.  Pictured below are West and Allen, shortly after the guitarist presented one of his signature model guitars to the historical figure.  On November 20, Leslie West will release Soundcheck via Provogue / Mascot Label Group, his latest studio recording which features appearances from Jack Bruce, Brian May, Peter Frampton, Bonnie Bramlett, Max Middleton and others. West will celebrate his 70th birthday on October 22. www.lesliewestofficial.com www.facebook.com/lesliewestmountain

I just received the newest release (November 20, 2015), Soundcheck , from Leslie West , and it has a new flavor and hot riffs from the guitar ace. West's 16th release opens with Left By The Roadside To Die , a classic rocker augmented by David Biglin on synthesizer. West is really looking at multiple textures adding acoustic slide guitar, and powerful electric guitar riffs to his own rugged vocals making this a great opener. Tracy Chapman's Give Me One Reason gets a power rock rewrite with the vocals kept on the lower side and the guitar doing a nice response to his vocal call. Here For The Party is a straight ahead rocker with West leading the charge vocally. His classic distorted guitar tone and driving bottom makes this a great rocker. A real interesting minor key version of traditional ballad, You Are My Sunshine , with only basic keyboard setup and featuring Peter Frampton trading solos with West on slide. Very nice! AC/DC tribute, Empty Promises/Nothin' Sacred fe...