Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, 20 Years Anniversary , from Ruf Records . This is a hot release of music from 1994 to present showing the breadth of Ruf artists talent. Opening is one of my personal Rolling Stones classics, Bitch featuring Samantha Fish, Cassie Taylor and Dani Wilde from the Girls With Guitars release. Hot! Up next is Bliss Avenue , the title track from Bliss Avenue, by Dana Fuchs. Fuchs has a throaty voice with a lot of grit on this track which has a lot of the suspense of Screaming Jay Hawkins. I had the fortune to review her Songs From The Road release recently and she really puts on a show! Make sure that you catch the smoking guitar solo on this track! Joanne Shaw Taylor is up next with Can't Keep Living Like This from Diamonds In The Dirt. Showing her guitar prowess, Taylor demonstrates clearly that she isn't just a skirt and a voice. Fish is back on Down In The Swamp from her Runaway release. With it's driving "swampy" guitar vamp F...

I have been listening to the newest release, Try Me , by Meena . The recording contains 9 original tracks as well as a few classics and Meena is backed by Dave Smith on bass, Steve Potts on drums, Rick Steff on keys, and Chris Fillmore on guitar. First up is the title track, James Brown's classic Try Me . Meena is backed on vocals by Vickie Atkins, Sandy Carroll and Amyee Bragg who give it a genuine soul flavor. Guest artist Joanne Shaw Taylor plays a beautiful melodic solo staying in character with the tune. Send Me A Doctor is a rock track with Eric Sardinas contributing some cool slide guitar flare. Put Your Hands Out Of My Pocket is a solid soul fused blues track showing Meena's vocal range and giving Chris Fillmore a chance to play some pretty tasty guitar riffs. This Song Is For You would work nicely on the airwaves with a classic hook and memorable tune. Again Fillmore plays some tasty guitar riffs topping up an already strong entry. Meena belts out an enriched versio...