Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Blues Woman , from Nora Jean Wallace and it's packed full of soul. Opening with shuffle, Martell , Nora Jean Wallace (formerly Bruso) means business with her thick rooted voice. Backed by Johnny Moeller on guitar, Steve Gomes on bass, Kevin Anker on organ, Steve Guyger on harmonica, Stanley Banks on keys and Robb Stupka on drums, this track is a strong opener. With a strong dash or R&B, I Can't Stop has a great feel a romping bass line and with David Earl on guitar. Victim is a bluesy ballad featuring Wallace's vocal up front with super soulful feel and some real nice guitar work by David Earl. I've Been Watching You is a real cool track with a funky kind of bas line. Wallace really works this track, making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is I Don't Have to Beg You to Love Me with it's lumbering bass line and floating Wallace's rich vocals is the lush guitar lead o...

Singer Nora Jean Wallace Deals Straight Chicago Blues on New Blueswoman CD Coming October 30 from Severn Records ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records announces an October 30 release date for Blueswoman , the new CD from Blues Music Award-nominated singer Nora Jean Wallace. The new album was produced by Severn label head David Earl (who also plays guitar on four tracks) and recorded at Severn Studios in Annapolis. Backing Wallace’s powerhouse vocals are Severn’s A-list team of musicians, including Johnny Moeller – guitars; Steve Gomes – bass; Kevin Anker – organ; Steve Guyger – harmonica; Stanley Banks – keyboards; and Robb Stupka – drums. Multi-Blues Music Award-winner Kim Wilson is a special guest on harmonica on one track. Nora Jean Wallace (formally Bruso) returns after 16 years since her 2004 BMA-nominated and critically-acclaimed release, Going Back to Mississippi . Blueswoman shows why Nora was born to sing the blues. A staple of the Chicago Blues scene, Nora Jean...

If I had to describe Nora Jean Wallace in one word, that would be an easy task: Nora Jean is all about love. When asked why she sings the blues, she used the word love three times … in two sentences! “I love to share the love God put in me … I love to express my story in [the] songs of my life.” And when asked why she recorded Good Blues, her new CD, there was that word again: “I put in my songs what is inside of me: love.” And while Nora Jean made it easy for me to sum her up in one word, I’m grateful that I get to use a few more of them here to share her fascinating life story with you. Once you walk the path she’s traveled in this world, you’ll know exactly where her blues come from, not to mention all that love. You could say that Nora Jean Wallace was born to sing the blues. The seventh child of a Mississippi sharecropper, she grew up in the Delta with her 15 brothers and sisters on the 11,000-acre Equen Plantation, located halfway between Clarksdale and Greenwood, the to...