Posts

Showing posts with the label New Zealand

This Week's Reader Favorite Post

Overton Music artist: Russ Green - Stone Cold - New Release Review

Image
 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stone Cold , from Russ Green , and it's a driving blues rocker. Opening with Lint Redux , you are immediately in the middle of a swampy blues with modern effects. With a firm foot stomp by Felix Pollard on drums and Vic Jackson on bass Russ Green on harmonica and vocals really has the earthy feel. Giles Corey on slide gives the track great grease and Green's harp work is strong. Excellent opener. 12 Feet of Water opens with a terrific harmonica aria before grinding into a super drum driven romp. With the feel that I can only describe as Hill Country , Green delivers such soulful vocals, comforted by Joe Monroe on keys, this track just grabs you. Green's harmonica is like a shuddering wind blowing through you with the thumping bass of Vic Jackson and Vince Agwada on guitar. Excellent! Easy going shuffle, Nobody Knows has a smooth, supple melody with backing acoustic guitar, minimal drum work and melodic ha...
CD submissions accepted! Guest writers always welcome!!

I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com

EZ Link to purchase the reviewed album

CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO GO TO PURCHASE CD/LP/Download !!!!

Slave To Your Mojo - Heart Attack Alley

Image
Hypno-Psychotic Blues Trash from Auckland, New Zealand. Members: Karl Steven - Harmonica and Stomp, Kristal G - Guitar, Caoimhe Macfehin - Vocals.   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’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Slave To Your Mojo - Heart Attack Alley

Image
Hypno-Psychotic Blues Trash from Auckland, New Zealand. Members: Karl Steven - Harmonica and Stomp, Kristal G - Guitar, Caoimhe Macfehin - Vocals.   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’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

I Put A Spell On You - Heart Attack Alley

Image
Hypno-Psychotic Blues Trash from Auckland City Karl Steven - Harmonica and Stomp, Kristal G - Guitar, Caoimhe Macfehin - Vocals   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’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Looking For Something - The Paul Garner Band

Image
The Paul Garner Band is an original, progressive, guitar/organ blues trio. They put out a gritty, funky sound to back Paul's intelligent and cliché-free original blues songs. Individually and collectively the band exhibit the highest standards of musicianship, and are one of the few groups on the scene today with the talent and vision to push the blues into new territory while maintaining a strong connection with the roots. The Paul Garner Band perform regularly at London venues, such as Ain't Nothin' But blues bar. The members are: Paul Garner: guitar and vocals Claudio Corona: keyboards Jason Ribeiro: drums Career highlights include: Opening for Jools Holland to a crowd of 2000+ at the Rhythm On The Thames event in London. National TV and Radio appearances in Australia and New Zealand and airplay on BBC Radio 2. Festival appearances in UK, France, Australia and New Zealand including main stage at the Blues At Bardies Festival (France) alongside Mat...

All Going Wrong - Darren Watson

Image
Darren Watson is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and guitarist in a wide range of blues styles. Darren Watson was born in Wanganui. His first musical experience was playing drums and trumpet but he soon moved on to guitar and was playing in bars and clubs throughout his years at Hutt Valley High School (1980–83). In 1985, he formed Chicago Smoke Shop with harmonica player Terry Casey and, although Casey left the band in 1987, the band went on to record two charting LPs and several radio hits. The group was also in big demand as a support act by international touring bands. Between 1987 and 1990, Smoke Shop (the 'Chicago' tag was eventually dropped) opened for NZ tours by Robert Cray (twice), Koko Taylor, George Thorogood, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Since leaving Smoke Shop Watson has recorded three successful albums: King Size (2002), which was nominated for Best Roots Album at the 2003 New Zealand Music Awards,[1] South Pacific Soul (2005) which received favourable review...

Finger Picking Street Blues - Andy Blue

Image
Andy is known as the traveling troubadour. His influences come from playing and learning from musicians all over the USA and Europe. His style is a fascinating mix of Blues, Spanish and Rock and he is as comfortable on an electric guitar as he is on the acoustic. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

I Put A Spell On You - Heart Attack Alley

Image
Cool blues band from New Zealand Karl Steven - Harp and Stomp... Kristal G. - Guitar... Caoimhe Macfehin - Vox and Tambo If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Terraplane Blues - Darren Watson

Image
No-one plays the blues like Darren Watson. Over the better part of three decades he has developed a style that, while touching on all of the greats who inspired him, is personal, powerful and identifiably his own. Watson gained national fame in the 80s as the young front-man and guitar-slinger for Smokeshop. The band made two albums, had several radio hits, opened for numerous international blues legends and toured tirelessly, earning Watson a place alongside the likes of Midge Marsden, Hammond Gamble and Rick Bryant as one of New Zealand's best blues interpreters. 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”

Acoustic Blues - Dave Murphy

Image
There will hardly be a musician in New Zealand who has not heard of Dave Murphy. He is legendary for all the right reasons. He draws his inspiration from experience; traveling through the USA, gigging in Chicago, sitting at the feet of blues masters, chatting to whoever will listen about blues music and buying so many cowboy boots that they hardly fit into his suitcase. Dave's paid his blues dues in 100's of venues, singing and playing with passion and consummate skill to whoever's there. Nowadays, Dave plays as many solo gigs as he does band gigs with the Red Dog Saloon Band. 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”

Shake Your Moneymaker - Riverhead Slide

Image
Steve Wigglesworth (Wigz) Founder member of Riverhead Slide, Steve is lead singer and a guitarist with a penchant for slide (bottleneck) styles. Greatly influenced by British blues artists of the late 60s (Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, John Mayall etc.) along with black American bluesmen such as Robert Johnson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker and Hambone Willie Newburn. Murray Finer Solid bassman Murray has been with Riverhead Slide since the very early days replacing original member John Downes on bass Gael Ludlow Gael started performing as vocalist with Riverhead Slide in 2006, making her debut at the Mission Bay Streetfest. Nigel Major UK born Nigel Major is a self-taught guitarist who learned his skills by watching working bands at local gigs. He formed his first rock and roll band at the age of 14, gigging at local pubs. Mike Jensen Mike started his musical career with classical piano lessons at age 6. His early training also included pipe organ, trumpet, guitar, violin and flute, an...

So Many Roads - Mike Garner

Image
Mike Garner is a musician living and working in Aotearoa - New Zealand. He grew up listening to and playing blues in England and moved to New Zealand in 1988. Mike has played in New Zealand, England, Australia, Italy and Germany. His latest CD was released in June 2011. He toured New Caledonia in August 2007, The Cook Islands in 2008 and at the Himalayan Blues Festival, Kathmandu in 2009. He also opened for the Motown stars Four Tops, The Miracles, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, and Jimmy Barnes in front of a 50,000 crowd at Mission Estate in Feb 2010! 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”

Low Down Dog - The Flaming Mudcats

Image
The Flaming Mudcats are a band that swings, shuffles and gets low-down in their devotion to the sounds of the Blues, R&B and Rock 'n’ Roll. Anyone who argues that good blues is getting hard to find has never heard of these guys... chances are you couldn't find a tighter goodtime band. This four piece band swings, playing great grooves fused with burning harp and smoking guitar; this is no-frills party music. A firm favourite in Auckland’s Blues scene, this band is well versed on what it takes to please a crowd exhibiting levels of professionalism and musicianship that makes it easy to become a dedicated fan. It’s plain to see right away that these guys love the music they make together. Not surprisingly, their loyal fan base continues to grow every month as a result. 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”

BABY, I'LL PLAY - The Thomas Oliver Band

Image
Initially a 3-piece, The Thomas Oliver Band grew into it’s current form following the release of ‘Every Penny’ thanks to the lifelong friendships crafted while the five boys studied at the New Zealand School of Music. It is the fresh instrumentation of the 5-piece, including lap-slide guitar, double bass and baritone saxophone, which creates The Thomas Oliver Band's distinctive sound. The new album is “more organic, earthier and rich”, says Oliver, “and the step from 3-piece to 5-piece has completely opened up our sound, and allowed a lot more creative expression for us, and particularly for me as the writer.” The Thomas Oliver Band have created a staunch following through their live performances. It was their stage show which saw them selected by the New Zealand Campus Arts Network as the Emerging Artist of the year to complete a full national tour in 2009. They have gone on to play at some of Aotearoa's renowned festivals and joined the bill with our country's top acts. 2...

Heavy Rain - Darcy Perry Band

Image
Darcy Perry is one of New Zealand's most loved and respected blues artists. He is also a songwriter, producer and band leader. An entertainer with a deep understanding of the blues, he’s shared the stage with some of the world’s best and it shows, both in his rich guitar tone and electrifying stage presence. Darcy Perry is renowned for his live shows, performing with passion, intensity and a ferocious band. A strong song writer, his compositions and albums have garnered righteous acclaim from critics and roots music fans alike. 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”

Live Jam - Brendan Power with Bleu Rascals

Image
Brendan Power is a New Zealander who has developed a considerable reputation for his concert and recording work featuring the harmonica. Equally at ease on both the earthy Blues Harp as well as the sophisticated Chromatic Harmonica, he employs his own custom tunings to breathe fresh life into an often typecast instrument - especially in his original compositions, which feature on several of the instrumental CDs he has released to date. Since arriving to live in London in 1992, Brendan's innovative approach has earned him some notable achievements in a variety of musical fields. He has recorded with classical guitarist John Williams and flautist James Galway, and in the popular music world has played on tracks by Paul Young, Shirley Bassey, Mary Black, the French orchestral composer Paul Mauriat, Van Morrison, and Sting; he has also guested with Sting's band in several TV appearances. However, it is in the Irish/Celtic music scene that Brendan has become best known; he is of Ir...