Bman's Blues Report

ALBUM REVIEW Alan Arena - Cape Cod Girl Label: Independent Released: June 12, 2026 DR: TBD A lan Arena is an independent blues-rock singer and guitarist out of New England who has been doing his thing for decades. He first started turning heads back in 2007 with his solo debut, Where's the Rainbow, winning people over with his raw, soulful vocals and a relaxed, rootsy approach to traditional blues. Alan loves teaming up with top-tier players and friends in the studio to keep things fresh. His 2025 record, Deceived, produced alongside the late Grammy-winner Paul Nelson, even climbed its way to the top of the acoustic blues charts.  Add this Record to Your Collection Available on Digital ...

ALBUM REVIEW Donna Herula - Cold Feet Label: Independent Released: September 18, 2026 DR: TBD D onna Herula is a killer blues guitarist and singer out of Chicago who absolutely tears it up on the acoustic slide. She’s got a deep love for old-school Delta and country blues, taking cues from legends like Son House and Memphis Minnie, but she plays with a fresh, foot-stomping energy that’s completely her own. When she isn't touring or recording, she hangs out at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, teaching the next generation how to nail those classic fingerpicking styles.  Her albums have picked up tons of love and high praise in the roots scene, regular climbing up the blues charts for their great songwriting and slide work. Whether she’s playing a driving, high-energy groove or a stripped-back, emotional acoustic track, she knows exactly how to keep the old-school spirit alive without ever feeling stuck in the past...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Calm Before The Storm , by Bryan Beller and it's quite good. Bassist, Bryan Beller, additionally known for his work with The Aristocats has done some work with parts of his last solo release resulting in this release. Opening with Greasy Wheel , Bryan Beller on bass is joined by Rick Musallam on guitar who really knocks it out of the park with his rhythmic guitar exchange with Joe Travers on drums and Jeff Babko on Hammond. Relentless guitar lead on Cave Dweller , driven by Beller and Travers and a funky Hammond solo by Babko make this a really great opener. Lumbering drum rhythm by Toss Panos and a staggering bass line by Beller gives lead guitar player, Griff Peters a super field to plays a beautifully obtuse melody. An authoritative bass line by Beller really gives this track weight and Peter's, " Beck " like phrasing and distortion makes this a real standout. Excellent! Wrapping the release is...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keeping It In The Family , by Sir Rod & The Blues Doctors , dedicated to keeping alive the sounds and spirit of blues master Sterling "Mr. Satan" Magee. Magee was featured in the Netflix screened documentary, Satan & Adam, with Adam Gussow on harmonica. With Atlanta based "Sir Rod" Patterson, Magee's nephew, and Alan Gross on guitar, this trio released an album, Come Together in 2020 and are back now with this live release. Opening with Shake, Rattle and Roll , Gross sets a cool rock and roll guitar rhythm with solid harmonica work by Gussow and featuring Patterson on solid lead vocal. On Mack Rice's R&B mega hit, Mustang Sally , the guys get into a great groove with Patterson really showing his vocal prowess. James Brown's I Feel Good (I Got You) is up next with it's original arrangement. These guys do a real nice job of a track that was normally covered with full horns an...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation , from Dennis Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down , Dennis Johnson on lead vocal and guitar digs on on a traditional arrangement backed by Anton Fig on drums and with a steady bass line by Jonathan Stoyanoff and cool piano soloing by Bob Fridzema gets the party going. Talk To You is a great, driving rocker with a straight drum and bass line, super slide work by Johnson and aggressive keys. Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues is up next and with a great rhythm really gets rockin. Dennis' adds super slide riffs to this already updated track for a totally contemporary feel. Very cool. Ramblin is a cool boogie with a power bass line and call and response between Johnson on vocal and slide. With Elmore James based riffs, this track hits a real nice groove. Wrapping the release is Don't Owe You A Thing with a terrific driving drum line. Johnson on vocal and slide gu...