Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Tip Of The Hat To Fats , by Mitch Woods and it's terrific. (Live from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2018) Opening with boogie track, Solid Gold Cadillac , Mitch Woods is slammin right out of the gate. With his smooth vocals and hot piano riffs, Mitch it rockin'. Backed by Amandee Castenell on tenor sax, Brian Cayolle on tenor sax, Roger Lewis on bari sax, John Fohl on guitar and Terence Higgins on drums, this track great. Down Boy Down is another excellent track with smoking riffs by Fohl and Castenell. Woods shows his New Orleans chops on Mojo Mambo and Fohl isn't shy to lay down dome riffs of his own. Flavorful! Rolling into a Fats Domino set, Woods pulls up Blue Monday featuring real nice tenor and bari sax solos setting the pace. Walking To New Orleans is another nice showcase for the horn section with Woods leading and fanning the flames. Getting the piano rolling boogie style, Woods...

I have just received a copy of the new Mitch Woods CD/DVD combo pack, Blues Beyond Borders - Live In Istanbul and it's terrific! This is recorded live at the Rfes Blues festival and documents not only the performance but the tour itself. It shows beautiful shots of the Turkey scenery and shares their culture... "The Blues Is Everywhere". The DVD opens with Solid Gold Cadillac , a solid piano boogie. Mitch is a great singer and entertainer as well as piano player. Down Boy Down is a hot jumper and Mitch gets the band hopping! Amadee Castenell plays some awesome sax solos on this track and it's obvious the band is having a great time! Next Up is Mojo Mambo , a popular New Orleans party track. Mitch flows easily between piano styles and this track would make you believe he was born right there in the Bayou. Boogie Woogie Bar-B-Q , another jump style boogie is up next and Mitch is turning on the heat. The man is animated and it's hard not to smile watching his pe...

Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88s have been the torchbearers of a great American blues musical heritage, not for two years but two decades. Taking their inspiration from the great jump n' boogie outfits of the late 40s and early 50s, they breathe fresh life into the music that gave birth to rock n' roll. Woods styled his group after the jumpin' n' jivin', shoutin' n' honkin', pumpin' n' poundin' bands of Louis Jordan, Wynonie Harris, Joe and Jimmy Liggins, Amos Milburn, and Roy Milton. Adding a healthy dose of New Orleans rhythm and blues, piledrivin' piano, and some of his own contemporary playful lyrics, Woods and His Rocket 88s forge their own brand of music they call "rock-a-boogie." . Like my Facebook Page, Post your video on my Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! Share your favorite posting and get more exposure for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”