Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Back Pages , by Fred Hostetler and it raw and gritty. Opening with Hey Corporate Vandals , Fred Hostetler lays down a blues rocky kinda JJ Cale feel. Backed by Eric Troyer on keys this has a magnetic groove. Delta style , Taming The Wolf , weaves back and forth through different primitive blues concepts. This is an interesting track with nods to ole Howling Wolf himself. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Orphan Blues with just a taste of Morganfield under the gritty exterior. Raggedy slide work by Hostetler adds to the track nicely. A cover of Bill Withers ' Ain't No Sunshine is a bit more polished but what really stands out is the Hooker like timing, giving things their own time and space. I like it. Wrapping the release is solid ballad, You Found Me , featuring Hostetler on vocal and guitar with backing vocals and keys by Eric Troyer. Solid closer.    If you support live Blues ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fortuna Redux , from Fred Hostetler and it's a cool slide of the blues. Fortuna Redux was a form of the goddess Fortuna in the Roman Empire who oversaw a return, as from a long or perilous journey. Opening with Taming The Wolf 2 , Hostetler uses a modified Hill Country construction style with a droning guitar/bass tone driving the track with overlayed electric guitar riffs and a tight drum beat, and Howling Wolf like howls. Actually very cool. Solid melodic construction on Rain On My Window Pane 2 anchors an acoustic blues and vocals with electric slide guitar wailing in overlays and fine vocals by Hostetler. Very nice. Haunting ballad, Lady Luck Fortuna Redux is another solid composition with a strong melody. This track is distressed yet very likable with a nice mix of slide guitar and organ. Wrapping the release is driving blues rocker, I'm A New Man , which is so lively that it sounds celebratory. Good closer ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fred's Blue Chair Blues , from Fred Hostetler and it's a cool set of straight forward blues and ballads. Opening with Jimmy Reed's Bright Lights, Big City , Fred Hostetler lays down the simplest of blues tracks using only his voice and an acoustic guitar. Deep Deep Well is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Hostetler on acoustic slide showing some real clean riffs and super blues feel. Taming The Wolf is another cool track with some delta style picking. This isn't hot and fancy finger work but authentic and cool leading into a cool JLH style boogie. Wrapping the release is Salt Tears with it's country style acoustic guitar feel and vocal. This is a solid set of contemporary blues with honest roots. Very cool.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’...