Bman's Blues Report

Austin harmonica player and songwriter Michael Rubin loves to subvert expectations. He pairs a serious musical pedigree—including playing in Broadway pits and backing up blues legends—with a droll, laugh-out-loud sense of humor. Think top-tier musicianship meets witty, relatable storytelling. On his latest album, 5 Minutes of Passion , Rubin lets his roaring chromatic harmonica take center stage, proving you can deliver serious chops without taking yourself too seriously.   🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM   The Deep Dive Opening with Dirty Words , a New Orleans rag style track features Michael Rubin on vocal with excellent instrumental backing by Guy Forsyth on banjo, Patrick Harwell on trumpet and trombone, Michael Archer on bass, Jason Corbiere on drums and Paulo Santos on sax and clarinet. Cool opener.  Big If is a dark, sweaty, old school night club rhumba with heavy accents by Archer and Corbiere, guitars by Josh Fulero , Cesar Crespo and Matt Smith  and ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'll Worry If I Wanna , from Michael Rubin and I really like it. Opening with Little Rabbit , a cool shuffle. With an intro that parrots the Bunny Hop, Michael Rubin on lead vocal and harmonica sets a cool stage. Rubin has a great combination with his full harmonica voice and his own voice adds to the texture. Mike Keller on slide really does a great job backed by Michael Archer on bass, Mark Hays on drums and Emily Gimble on keys. Great opener. Go Milk Your Own Cow is a clever track with a zydeco feel. Rubin's vocal and harmonica is front and center but super adds by Dr. Sick on fiddle and Keller on guitar really make this track shine. With a rumba beat, Can We Break Up Again , is a really cool track with cool lyrical twists. Hays' drums pave the way but it's Rubin's wacky vocals and harmonica riffs that set this track out. Very cool. Blues jam and title track, I'll Worry If I Wanna really has a ...