Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mas , from Rich Chorne' and it's a solid blues release. Opening with breezy shuffle, I Just Can't Stop Loving You featuring Kathy Lyon on lead vocal, Rich Chorne' on lead guitar is joined by Erik Unsworth on bass, Ricky Malichi on drums and Bud Hewett on keys. Boogie track, Where's the Love , features Rich Cagle and Julia Cozby on vocal and with it's aggressive bass line gives Chorne' a nice opening to show his stuff on lead guitar. Very nice. Boogie Woogie Fever again features Lyon on lead vocal, backed by Cozby and Cagle on backing vocal, Hewett's flashy key board work  and the up tempo pace make this one of the best tracks on the release. Shuffle, I Gotta Get Home , features Chorne' on lead vocal and gives everyone a chance to show their stuff. With it's light melody and jam format, another release favorite. I like the Latin flavor of Down In The Quarter with snappy drum work by...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Faith In The Blues , from Sam Barlow and it's solid. Opening with scorcher, Sittin' In The Jailhouse , lead vocalist and guitar player, Sam Barlow wields his guitar sounding like the second coming of Johnny Winter on slide. Joined by Erwin Solback on piano, Joseph Seltzer on drums and Anthony Movsesian on bass, this is a terrific opener. Breaker Box Blues is a really strong track with an excellent melody, vocal and a power punch by Barlow on guitar. His riffs are tight, ripping and emotional. In addition, Barlow plays a mean harmonica on this track, backed by Izzy Aguirre on keys in addition to Seltzer and  Movesesian. Excellent! Anika Chambers works her magic on vocal with Barlow on Willie Dixon's My Babe , nicely complimented by cool organ solo by Aguirre. Funky, Get Off Me , really gets a workout by Seltzer and Movesesian (who lays in a hot bass solo) with rhythm guitar, vocal and harmonica by Barlow. He cu...

Blues Rock Release Scores Three Finalist Nods At Annual Music Awards Event Winners to be announced May 21st Ruidoso NM (April 24th) - The New Mexico Music Awards recently announced that the 2016 fall release by Montrose Records "DOS" featuring Richard Cagle and the Voodoo Cho...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dos , from Richard Cagle & the Voodoo Choir and it's a cool rocker with bite! Opening with driving rocker, Treat Your Daddy Right , Richard Cagle on lead vocal is front and center with Dusty Hill like bass lines from Calvin Hall, stinging guitar riffs from Lee Martin, Randy Walls on keys and Kelley Wright on drums. Love Ya Need Ya has a soothing pace with super bass on bottom and guitar lead is subtle at time and rabid at time. Very cool. With a heavy John Lennon meets Billy Gibbons, meets Robin Trower, Slow Blues oozes out a heavy blues rock feel. Cagle's vocals approach those of Axl on this one but the overall feel of this track is very solid and given the super bottom and nicely appointed guitar work by Martin, this track is one of my favorites. Breaking down Humble Pie style, Messing With the Blues is a basic rocker with guts. Martin definitely shows that he can surf the fretboard and with anchoring by...

Montrose Records Presents "A Concert in the Badlands" New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment.  Interesting history for sure. However, more so the region is absolutely breathtaking.  Take for example the Village of Ruidoso, a small community nestled in the Sacramento Mountains.  While the local attractions include a world class horse track, ski slopes, and two casinos the backdrop of the mountains and all of the family owned craft stores and specialty restaurants help make this quaint village a place to return to over and over again.  In fact, the Cagle family (Montrose Records – Houston) liked the region so much that they built a beautiful log cabin home there with a ...

I just received the newest release, Lucky Dog (January 13, 2015), fro Brad Absher and it has a nice sound. Opening with Woman Who Loves Me , a clean rocker with a 60's beat, features Absher on vocal and guitar, Larry Felcher on bass, Barry Seelen on hammond, Mike Patton on drums and Nicoya Prolar on backing vocal. A steady rocking beat and easy Raitt style slide works highlight this pop melody. R&B styling on I Need A Drink really features a nice bass line by Fulcher and nice bari sax work by Anthony Terry and Tenor sax work from Andy Saad. Bill Withers was really one of the unsung songwriters of his time and his Same Love is up next really nicely complimenting the vocal strength of Absher. Prolar adds nice warmth on backing vocals and Kyle Turner rides nicely on tenor sax. Another R&B style track, I Can't Wait , not only has nicely blended vocals but a nice key solo from Seeelen and cool guitar riffs from Absher. Miss Your Water has an almost gospel like feel w...

Montrose Records Signs Gulf Coast Bluesman Brad Absher & Will Release His Label Debut CD, Lucky Dog , on January 13 HOUSTON, TEXAS – Montrose Records announces the signing of blues singer/guitarist Brad Absher and an upcoming January 13 release date for his label debut CD, Lucky Dog . The new album was recorded at Montrose Records Studio in Houston and produced by label head Richard Cagle and acclaimed bassist Larry Fulcher (Taj Mahal), who also adds his trademark bass lines throughout the disc. The rest of the musicians involved in the recording are primarily members of Absher’s solid touring band, rightly dubbed “Swamp Royale” for the earthy, soulful sounds they create around Brad’s masterful guitar work and vocals.   B rad Absher’s Gulf Coast sound recipe includes equal amounts of blues, soul, and gospel, stirred up just right into a magical gumbo that goes down easy and has a spicy kick to it, recalling the best of Memphis and Muscle S...

I just received the newest release, Making My Mark , by Annika Chambers & The Houston All-Stars and it's got a lot of strengths. Opening with Move , Chambers does just that. A funky soul track. finds Chambers with a smooth but edgy voice leading the way with Nicoya Polar, Sheree Howard and Dominique Fulcher. I particularly like the understated but super guitar work from Corey Stoot on this track. A catchy number this could easily get a lot of airplay in multiple venues. Barnyard Blues is a uptown shuffle with cool bass lines from Larry Fulcher and great horn work from Anthony Terry on sax. David carter and Brad Absher handle the guitar work on this track. Jealous Kind is a straight up ballad with a honkin sweet sax solo by Terry. Lick 'er is a strong funk catchy track with super key work by Barry Seelen and saucy vocals by Chambers and Polar overall. Very hot! Tony Braunagel lays down some nice drum work and Terry again hot on sax. Trust Me has Houston swagger with ...

Montrose Records Signs Blues/Soul Singer Annika Chambers & Will Release Her Debut Album, Making My Mark, on January 14, 2014 . HOUSTON, TX – Montrose Records announces the signing of Houston-based blues/soul singer Annika Chambers and will release her debut album, Making My Mark , on January 14, 2014. Making My Mark will be available through CDBaby at iTunes and Amazon, as well as at the label’s website. On the new CD, Annika (pronounced “Ann-NEE-Ka”), is backed by an aggregation dubbed “The Houston All-Stars,” well-named because it boasts the talents of many Grammy winners and nominees. Heading that list is bassist Larry Fulcher, who co-produced Making My Mark along with Montrose Records owner/engineer Richard Cagle. Fulcher is a two-time Grammy winner for his work with Taj Mahal on the albums “Shoutin’ in Key” and “Senor Blues,” and has appeared on 10 of Taj’s albums. He’s also a regular member of the acclaimed Phantom Blues Band and has...