Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Young Man's Blues , by Frankie Boy & The Blues Express and it's strong. Opening with Guitar Jr , a cool jam with a funky, James Brown "Boogaloo" feel. Frankie Boy Blues takes the lead on guitar and vocal with Mickey Maguire on bass, Mike Morgan on guitar and Harrison Foti on drums. Young Man's Blues is a cool, laid back blues with a low slung guitar vamp. Mike Morgan plays a melodic guitar solo with Frankie on vocal and a stiff drum swat by Foti. Very nice. Luther Johnson's Talkin' About Soul is a energetic hi stepper with JB energy. Funky rhythm guitar, a rumbling bass line and a stiff drum swat gives Frankie plenty of room to groove. Lots of fun. Slow blues, Something About You really showcases Frankie's feel for the blues and excellent guitar phrasing. Cheatham's Chicago classic, Black Drawers On , really rolls. With excellent guitar work by Morgan this is one of my favorites...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Be Cool , from Willie J. Campbell and it's really strong. Opening with You Better Let Go , Sugar Ray Rayford is upfront on lead vocal, with Willie J. Campbell on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Kid Ramos on guitar and Jimi Bott on drums. Ramos lays out a really nice guitar solo on this somewhat funky track, nicely complimented by Condron Hampton on congas. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Stay Away , featuring Janiva Magness on lead vocal and Brian Templeton on backing vocal, as well as Anson Funderburgh showing exceptional finesse on guitar. Also appearing on this track are Mike Morgan and Shawn Pittman on guitars.  Excellent! Templeton has the mic on Drone with it's droning bass line and features the harmonica wizardry of Jason Ricci. There's hardly a track that Ricci contributes to that I don't think that he improves substantially so this is another of my favorites. another Texas styl...