Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  I Am The Blues - My Story Vol 3 , from Michael Packer and it sums up the stories of his life in song. Fields of Sorrow , sung by Ed Jackson and Irving Louis Lattin has an island feel accompanied by Packer and Jack O'Hara. Yo Staten Island (The Violence Has Got To Stop) has a Booker T, Born Under A Bad Sign remix, stripped down to almost a work song. Packer's rugged voice with band members Guy Powell on drums, Ed Jackson and John Belton on bass is a definitive fell of hardships endured in captivity. Deep blues, Chicago , features Mike Wheeler on guitar, Roosevelt Purifoy on piano, Melvin Smith on bass and Willie Hayes on drums. Taped live at Buddy Guy's Legends, this track features some of the best vocals by Packer with a super guitar solo by Wheeler and super piano work by Purifoy. Wrapping the release is R&B track, Mr Packer and purifoy delivers with great Leon Russell feel. Packer died may of 2017 o...

I just received the newest release, I Am The Blues , from Michael Packer and it looks at the blues from a number of different angles. This release is a mixture of dialogue and related tracks composing a musical book. Opening with a dialogue, Packer sets the stage for a New York, almost Lou Reed style approach at the blues. Uncle M is a simple country style blues with vocals and acoustic guitar. A sound of having been there along with the perfect vocal backing makes this a pretty cool track. Bad Time Jackson is more of a swing style electric track. Addition of percussion, violin and keys show a different side of Packer with a good sense of construction. I Can't Keep From Crying is one of my favorite tracks from the 70's. Packer does an updated version of this track extending the rhythm structure and giving it more of a street sound. I'm In Love has a funky night sound with a super bass line. The harp work on this track is really quite clean and the vocal harmonies ar...