Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Memphis , from Amy Black and it's old school. Opening with It's Hard To Love An Angry Man , Black shows her serious nature backed by Al Gamble on Hammond, Leroy Flick Hodges on bass, George Sluppick on drums, and really nice guitar work by Joe Restivo. Mark Franklin on trumpet, Kirk Smothers on tenor sax, Art Edmaiston on bari sax really adds to the warmth and Reba Russell, Daunielle Hill and Black contribute super backing vocals. Out for a rumble on The Blackest Cloud Edmaiston's sax work really sets the track off and the horn section really adds punch. Ballad, Without You is a full taste of the reason this release is called Memphis (from my perspective) with upfront female vocals and solid horns. One of top radio tracks on the release, If I Could Reach Out (and Help Somebody) is a super smooth with R&B bones and strings (Jessie Munson on violin, Yennifer Correia on violin, Jennifer Puckett on viola ...

THE BLUES FOUNDATION KICKS OFF ITS   33RD INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE   WITH A FREE CONCERT ON JANUARY 31 The IBC’S International Showcase will feature   top blues acts from around the world  performing at Memphis’ historic Clayborn Temple MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The blues will be coming home to Memphis on January 31st when   The Blues Foundation   hosts its   33rd annual International Blues Challenge . At this blues summit, musicians from around the globe will battle it out for cash, prizes, and bookings in the Challenge’s half-dozen categories.     Before the much-anticipated competition begins, however, musicians, blues professionals and fans will first come together for the traditional kick-off concert, the   International Showcase . Taking place at the historic   Clayborn Temple   on   January 31,   2017 , beginning at 5 p.m., this opening night event features pe...

ACCLAIMED GUITAR PRODIGY RAY GOREN PERFORMS AT ROOTS & BLUES SHOWCASE IN MEMPHIS DURING IBC WEEK Thurs, Feb. 2 - PURPLE HAZE NIGHT CLUB  - Set Time Approx. 4:00 PM   "Teen Phenom"    -   Pasadena Weekly " Ray Goren is fast becoming the young hot guitar picker to watch in the blues world and beyond " -   San Francisco Chronicle   (Memphis, TN) - Acclaimed SoCal-based guitar prodigy   Ray Goren performs at the Roots & Blues Showcase taking  place at   Purple Haze Night Club   during   2017 International Blues Challenge Week , on Thursday, February 2. Set time: Approximately 4:00 pm. 140 Lt George W. Lee Ave. Info:   (901) 577-1139   or   http://www. purplehazenightclub.com /.    "No one rattles the place like Ray Goren, from the Los Angeles area. He plays electric guitar — and sings — with a fluency, ease and dept...

THE BLUES FOUNDATION 2016 BLUES HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AND  37TH BLUES MUSIC AWARDS SET FOR MAY 4 AND 5   Best in blues recording, songwriting, and performance to be celebrated at the Memphis' Cook Convention Center.   All six living Hall of Fame inductees will be in attendance MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Thursday , May 5, 2016 , the Blues Foundation will present its annual Blues Music Awards at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee...