Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fantasizing About Being Black , by Otis Taylor and it is his most interesting, innovative and creative release to date. Opening with Twelve String Mile , Taylor is joined by Jerry Douglas on lap guitar, Larry Thompson on drums, Todd Edmunds and Ron Miles on cornet to create a fusion of Mali blues and jazz. This is a really cool woven tapestry of sounds and colors that has a familiarity yet a uniqueness. Another track with free fusion feel, Walk On Water has a driving folk groove but a loose jazziness creating mystery. Very cool. With a mystical overtone, Hands On Your Stomach is a driving rocker with vocal phrasing like John Lee Hooker. Brandon Niederauer creates a terrific electric wall in balance with Taylor's unsettling vocals. With a really cool groove, Jump Jelly Belly tells the tale of General Jack Watson and his cargo load. Just wild. Flat out in your face blues, Tripping On This , features Taylor on elect...

ROOTS MUSIC VISIONARY OTIS TAYLOR CREATES A TIMELESSS PSYCHEDELIC ALBUM AND DEBUTS HIS  TRANCE BLUES FESTIVAL LABEL Hey Joe Opus/Red Meat seamlessly blends hypnotic songs and instrumentals; features guests Warren Haynes, Langhorne Slim and String Cheese Incident’s Bill Nershi, out May 5 BOULDER, Colo. — Hey Joe Opus/Red Meat , the new album from visionary roots music songwriter and bandleader Otis Taylor , is a psychedelic masterpiece. Blending his uniquely poetic songwriting and the compelling musical approach that he calls “trance blues,” the recording — due on May 5, 2015 on Taylor’s new Trance Blues Festival label — cuts to the core of the human spirit with its mix of vocal and instrumental performances, letting its hypnotic sound as well as Taylor’s lyrics tell its story. The artist explains that his 14th album is “about decisions and their consequences. It’s about how ...

March 30, 2015 ROOTS MUSIC VISIONARY OTIS TAYLOR CREATES A TIMELESSS PSYCHEDELIC ALBUM AND DEBUTS HIS  TRANCE BLUES FESTIVAL LABEL Hey Joe Opus/Red Meat seamlessly blends hypnotic songs and instrumentals; features guests Warren Haynes, Langhorne Slim and String Cheese Incident’s Bill Nershi, out May 5 BOULDER, Colo. — Hey Joe Opus/Red Meat , the new album from visionary roots music songwriter and bandleader Otis Taylor , is a psychedelic masterpiece. Blending his uniquely poetic songwriting and the compelling musical approach that he calls “trance blues,” the recording — due on May 5, 2015 on Taylor’s new Trance Blues Festival label — cuts to the core of the human spirit with its mix of vocal and instrumental performances, letting its hypnotic sound as well as Taylor’s lyrics tell its story. The artist explains that his 14th album is “about decisions and their consequences. ...

I just received the newest release, Blind & Blues Bound , from Dr. Izzy Band and it's got spunk. Opening with Matches Don't Burn Memories , featuring Dr. Izzy on vocals and James Cotton ripping some great harp riffs over a solid 60's style guitar rocker. Sounding at times like Nugent or Marino, Robert Morrison cranks on the guitar. Soul Dance has a sultry feel of an 18th century ballad as articulated by the Brits in the 60's. A cool retro style track with violin and a crisp guitar solo. Been Long Time Comin' is built around a standard blues riff but with arpeggios. The Dr. has a clean vocal attack and Morrison over tracks his guitar solo's nicely creating an interesting weave. Earth Bound has a bit more sting with searing electric guitar work. A heavy bottom on this track gives it a Mountain like feel but Morrison's guitar work is succinct and different from Wests. Old Black Crow features Otis Taylor with a more modern but country R&B feel. Int...

BEHOLD THE BENDER! September 25–29, 2014. Riviera Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada. The Inaugural Big Blues Bender is no ordinary music festival! Featuring a Grammy winning line-up of music superstars, including the legendary B.B. King, this event is also a com...

I just received a copy of the newest recording, My World Is Gone , by Otis Taylor . This recording will hit the streets on February 12, 2013. This is one of the most unisual contemporary releases that I have heard in a long time. The release opens with the title track, My World Is Gone , which was developed after discussions with Mato Nanji (Indigenous) backstage at the Jimi Hendrix tribute concert in reference to his Native American Nakota Nation and the simplicity of his comment. Nanji plays some really sweet acoustic lead guitar on this track. Huckleberry Blues is a really cool track with Taylor on b anjo and Ron Miles on coronet. This track has a dance beat and a loose jazz feel. I can't tell you why...I just like it. Sand Creek Massacre Mourning has a strong feel of back country music with Taylor on banjo and interesting guitar effects by Nanji. The Wind Comes In has a real feel of John Lee Hooker from his prime time with a Mali twist. This is really a cool track. Taylor ...

VISIONARY SONGWRITER OTIS TAYLOR RETURNS WITH HIS POWERFUL AND UNIQUE BLEND OF ROOTS MUSIC AND NARRATIVE POETRY My World Is Gone explores the struggles of Native Americans with contributions from Indigenous frontman/guitar virtuoso Mato Nanji BOULDER, Colo. — Roots music visionary Otis Taylor ’s 13th album, My World Is Gone , set for release February 12, 2013 on Telarc , a division of Concord Music Group , is a lightning bolt of musical creativity and social commentary. Its songs crackle with poetic intelligence and a unique, adventurous sound that balances the modern world with echoes of ancient Africa, Appalachia and more. To call Taylor a cutting edge artist is an understatement. Although his music is based in the blues and folk realm, his meticulously crafted recordings crash the barriers of jazz, rock, funk, Americana and myriad other genres to create a hybrid that Taylor labels “trance blues.” And that signature style serves as a backbone for hi...