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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
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
Showing posts with label Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Sunday, April 7, 2013
My Man - Billie Holiday

Labels:
Billie Holiday,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Friday, April 5, 2013
Limehouse Blues - Roy Smeck

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!
Labels:
Pennsylvania,
Roy Smeck
Sugar - Stanley Turrentine
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!
Labels:
Pennsylvania,
Pittsburgh,
Stanley Turrentine
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Vision From Heaven - Ronnie "Byrd" Foster - New Release Review

A former Pittsburgh resident myself, I had a chance to see Foster a number of times with Sweet Lightning and of course Roy Buchanan. This is a terrific tribute release. This recording opens with Gimme Gimme, a New Orleans style blues track. Foster has a solid blues rock party voice which is great to carry this style of track. His march drumming on this track and harp work by Mike Galloway, backed by sax man Charlie Dechant and piano man Billy Delk make this a perfect opener. Stop Draggin That Chain is a loping swing blues. Just a little bit of delay giving the track a great syncopation and his vocal blend with guitarist, Tim Kelliher is really cool and Galloway is back on harp for a cool run. Kelliher plays some really styling riffs on this track and keeps the groove going throughout. Vision Of Heaven has a strong R&B style taking more of a ballad stance and featuring quite a bit of nice sax work from Dechant. New Orleans Blues is a great slow blues track and Foster comes out sounding vocally like Gregg Allman. Stinging guitar riffs pepper this track and Galloway gets a great opportunity to show his harp chops. This is a great track! Foster takes another R&B track, Twistin The Knife, and shows that he can easily carry his weight as a lead vocalist on a featured track. Rattlesnake has a bit of country on the rock edge for a dance paced track. Blending slide guitar and harp work this is a track that would easily command radio play. Another R&B style track, Tony Joe White's Rainy Night In Georgia, shows how deeply Foster felt in his music and shows guitar work in the light jazzy chord mode. Finishing with Backporch Crying, a stripped down 12 bar number, Foster sings along with simple drum and acoustic guitar. Almost like the humble ending to a complex composition, This is really an enjoyable release and if you like blues and R&B you may want to give it a try...available on cdbaby.
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This track does not appear on the cd but is a good representation of the quality of work.
Labels:
Pennsylvania,
Pittsburgh,
Ronnie 'Byrd' Foster
Friday, March 29, 2013
Round Midnight - Michael Brecker

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Labels:
Michael Brecker,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Donald Duck Bailey

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Labels:
Donald Duck Bailey,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Friday, March 22, 2013
Blue Dot Records artists: Frank Bey with the Anthony Paule Band - You Don't Know Nothing - New release Review

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Labels:
Anthony Paule,
California,
Frank Bey,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia,
SAn Francisco
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Blues For Marian - Billy Butler

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Labels:
Billy Butler,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Sittin On Top Of The World - Ray Benson

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Labels:
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia,
Ray Benson
Friday, March 15, 2013
Full Force Music artist Sterling Koch - Let It Slide - New Release Review

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!
Labels:
Pennsylvania,
Sterling Koch
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Shirley Scott

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Labels:
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia,
Shirley Scott
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Lover Man - Sonny Stitt,Walter Bishop,Tommy Potter,Kenny Clarke.

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!
Labels:
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia,
Tommy Potter
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Magic Slim alive

Magic Slim
As of 9:50 tonight (Wednesday, February
20, 2013) Magic Slim is still breathing. We will post otherwise when
that time comes. Thank you.
Magic Slim Hospitalized
For Immediate Release - Per Marty Salzman Management - Magic Slim
Magic Slim remains hospitalized in Pennsylvania under treatment for bleeding ulcers complicated by pre-existing issues with his kidneys, his lungs, his weight, and his heart. Although seriously ill, he has been stable for the past three days, his kidneys have improved, the bleeding has stopped and his heart rate has improved. He still has a long road ahead of him, but things are moving in the right direction. We thank everybody for their kind words and prayers and ask that you keep Magic Slim in your prayers.
Linda Cunningham
Public Relations - Magic Slim
Magic Slim remains hospitalized in Pennsylvania under treatment for bleeding ulcers complicated by pre-existing issues with his kidneys, his lungs, his weight, and his heart. Although seriously ill, he has been stable for the past three days, his kidneys have improved, the bleeding has stopped and his heart rate has improved. He still has a long road ahead of him, but things are moving in the right direction. We thank everybody for their kind words and prayers and ask that you keep Magic Slim in your prayers.
Linda Cunningham
Public Relations - Magic Slim
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!
Labels:
dead / alive,
Magic Slim,
Pennsylvania
Monday, February 18, 2013
IF I COULD SEE MY BABY- LITTLE CAESAR
Blues/R&B vocalist/actor. Born in Pittsburgh and migrating to California in 1949, Harry Caesar scored an R&B hit in 1952 for Los Angeles entrepreneur John Dolphin's Recorded in Hollywood label with the violent "Goodbye Baby." He was also involved in the L.A. doo wop scene. Caesar has worked more recently as an actor in movies and TV. ~ Bill Dahl, Rovi
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 favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Labels:
Little Caesar,
Pennsylvania,
Pittsburgh
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Honky Tonk - Bill Doggett

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!
Labels:
Bill Doggett,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Addicted - Gina Sicilia, Debbie Davies
Young Philadelphia songstress Gina Sicilia exploded onto the scene in 2007,
as her debut CD, ALLOW ME TO CONFESS, was met with joyous acclaim by fans and
critics alike.
She was heralded as a distinctive new voice in the Blues, as well as an
insightful songwriter and interpreter of neglected classics in the Rhythm & Blues
canon.
In 2008 she was nominated for “Best New Artist Debut” at the Blues
Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee, just as her sophomore release HEY SUGAR
proved her also to be a legitimate contender in the worlds of Classic Country and
Americana.
With her new 2011 release, Can't Control Myself, Gina broadens her stylistic
palette, infusing even more Soul and Americana into her bedrock influences of Blues
and R&B. This CD features seven new Gina Sicilia compositions, as well as three
choice covers borrowed from Bobby Bland, Stevie Wonder, and Ike & Tina Turner.
Gina’s singing and songwriting continue to break new ground, showing remarkable
depth, power, and seemingly unstoppable growth. Can't Control Myself was
produced and engineered by Gina’s label mate, the insanely talented Dave Gross,
who also played every instrumental track on the record
except for trumpet, sax, and one lap-steel track.
Now 25 years old, the genre-defying Gina Sicilia continues to smash
pigeonholes into kindling and redefine the boundaries of soulful music.
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!
Labels:
Debbie Davies,
Gina Sicilia,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Thursday, January 24, 2013
James Sweeting, Joe Caruso and Chris Smith
Bassist James Sweeting III – Bassist Born in Philadelphia in 1959 James was exposed to the great music scene of that City in the sixties and early seventies. Influenced by the music of the “Sound of Philadelphia” and the great bassist that were coming out of that city such as Stanley Clark, Christian McBride, Percy Heath, Jimmy Garrison and countless others, James initially sought to join his friends corner doo wap singing group but was persuaded to take up playing the instrument that most closely matched his vocal range, the bass, at the age of twelve. He studied at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia and played in several local bands during his teenage years, in 1977 he took a break from music to go to college and then law school eventually becoming a successful attorney in the Central Florida area. After a twenty-five year hiatus James once again picked up the bass in 2002. He began playing for several local churches and developed into the principal bassist for the W.N. Mckinney Gospel Choir, his bass playing is featured on their 2007 release Testament, which is available at Target and on CD Baby as well as other outlets. James has enjoyed a resurgent musical career playing with such luminaries such as Bernie Lee, Dave LaRue, Larry Carlton, Bill White, Ray Lasome, Billy Hall, Sissy Peoples and many other artists. His faith has sustained him in his music and he gives glory to the Creator who has provided him with the opportunity to share the gift of music.
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!
Labels:
Chris Smith,
James Sweeting,
Joe Caruso,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Friday, January 18, 2013
Worried Blues - Gladys Bentley
Gladys Bentley (August 12, 1907 – January 18, 1960) was an American blues singer during the Harlem Renaissance.
Bentley was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of American George L. Bentley and his wife, a Trinidadian, Mary Mote. She appeared at Harry Hansberry's "Clam House" on 133rd Street, one of New York City's most notorious gay speakeasies, in the 1920s, and headlined in the early thirties at Harlem's Ubangi Club, where she was backed up by a chorus line of drag queens. She dressed in men's clothes (including a signature tuxedo and top hat), played piano, and sang her own raunchy lyrics to popular tunes of the day in a deep, growling voice while flirting outrageously with women in the audience.
On the decline of the Harlem speakeasies with the repeal of Prohibition, she relocated to southern California, where she was billed as "America's Greatest Sepia Piano Player", and the "Brown Bomber of Sophisticated Songs". She was frequently harassed for wearing men's clothing. She claimed that she had married a white woman in Atlantic City.
Bentley was openly lesbian during her early career, but during the McCarthy Era, she started wearing dresses, married a man (who later denied that they ever married), and studied to be a minister, claiming to have been "cured" by taking female hormones. She died, aged 52, from pneumonia in 1960.
Fictional characters based on Bentley appeared in Carl Van Vechten's Parties, Clement Woods's Deep River, and Blair Niles's Strange Brother. She recorded for the OKeh, Victor, Excelsior, and Flame labels.
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!
Labels:
Gladys Bentley,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
"Meeting Tonight/This Little Light"- Clara Ward Singers
Clara Ward (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973) was an American gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers.
A gifted singer and arranger, Ward took the lead-switching style used by male gospel quartets to new heights, leaving room for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to step forward in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" (which she wrote; one of the most famous songs in the Black gospel repertoire), and "Packin' Up".
Clara Ward's mother, Gertrude Ward (1901–1981), founded the Ward Singers in 1931 as a family group, then called variously The Consecrated Gospel Singers or The Ward Trio, consisting of herself, her youngest daughter Clara, and her elder daughter Willa.
Clara Ward made her first solo recording in 1940 and continued accompanying the Ward Gospel Trio.
The Ward Singers began touring nationally in 1943, after making a memorable appearance at the National Baptist Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that year. Henrietta Waddy joined the group in 1947 after Willa Ward retired; she added a rougher alto and the enthusiastic stage manners taken from her South Carolina church background. The group's performance style, such as the mimed packing of suitcases as part of the song "Packin' Up", may have been condemned by some purists as "clowning" but was wildly popular with their audiences.
The addition of Marion Williams, who came out of the Pentecostal tradition growing up in Miami, Florida, brought even more to the group. A powerful singer with a preternaturally broad range, she was able to reach the highest registers of the soprano range without losing either purity or volume, and could also swoop down to growling low notes in the style of a country preacher. Williams' singing helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948.
In 1949 the Ward Singers toured from Philadelphia to California in their new Cadillac, appeared on TV in Hollywood, and recorded for the Miltone Record Company of Los Angeles. The Miltone recordings were purchased in a multi-artist package by Gotham Record Company, which had moved to Philadelphia. Gotham's Irv Ballen recorded some new Ward material, including "Surely God Is Able", and some of the Ward Singers' Gotham recordings were transferred to Savoy Record Company in Newark, New Jersey to settle a contract dispute. When Savoy began contracting with the Ward Singers for new recordings in the 1950s, they were mostly recorded and engineered in Bergen County, New Jersey by Rudy Van Gelder.
In 1950, Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers of Philadelphia made their first appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on a gospel program titled Negro Music Festival, produced by gospel music pioneer Joe Bostic, sharing the stage with Mahalia Jackson and appearing there at Carnegie Hall on Bostic's program again in 1952.
Over the years, Gertrude Ward created a booking agency for gospel acts, sponsored tours under the name "The Ward Gospel Cavalcade", established a publishing house for gospel music, and even wrote a book for churches on how to promote gospel programs. Gertrude also created and managed a second group, "The Clara Ward Specials", to accompany the Ward Singers. Although as musical director of the Ward franchise Clara was willing to share the spotlight with her talented co-singers, she and her mother were tightfisted about sharing the group's financial rewards with other members. According to Willa Ward's biography of Clara Ward, with the exception of Gertrude and Clara, Willa and other members of the group were grossly underpaid. In addition, their meager earnings were further reduced because Gertrude and Clara provided their housing and charged them for it. Accordingly, stars such as Marion Williams and Frances Steadman not only had to accept second billing and lesser pay for their work, but pay their employers rent out of their earnings.
Williams left the group in 1958 when her demand for a raise and reimbursement for hotel expenses was rejected; she was followed shortly thereafter by the rest of the group—Henrietta Waddy, Esther Ford, Frances Steadman and Kitty Parham—who formed a new group, "The Stars of Faith". Their departure marked the end of the glory days for the Ward Singers, who later alienated much of their churchgoing audience by performing in Las Vegas, nightclubs, and other secular venues in the 1960s.[citation needed] By this time the late Queen of Gospel Dr. Albertina Walker had formed her group The Caravans in 1952, following the advice of her mentor the great Mahalia Jackson, and the spotlit had transitioned to them as they blazed the gospel trail.
In 1963 Clara Ward was the second gospel singer to sing gospel songs on Broadway in Langston Hughes' play Tambourines To Glory. She was also the musical director for this play. The first being her former group members, which were known as the Stars of Faith, which starred Langston Hughes in the first Gospel stage play and first play that featured an all black cast to be produced on Broadway, The Black Nativity.
While performing at the Castaways Lounge in Miami Beach, Florida, in the 1960s, Clara collapsed and was rushed to the hospital and told if she recovered she would never sing or walk again. Gertrude Ward telephoned Mother Dabney, a spiritual healer in Philadelphia, PA, and Clara miraculously was restored to health. Details were reported in the Gospel News Journal published by Marvin Bunton. Clara later recounted this experience in a church service at the Wayside Chapel in Sydney, Australia. This testimony was released on an LP issued on the WARD label along with Clara singing "The Lord's Prayer" and a few other Ward musical selections.
During the group's heyday, however, it was both widely popular and highly influential, emphasizing glamor—traveling in over-sized Cadillacs, preferring sequined gowns for choir robes, and wearing wigs and jewelry that more conservative churchgoing women considered too worldly—while bringing Gertrude Ward's shrewd entrepreneurial sense to the gospel music business at large. Though Gertrude was a savvy negotiator, her understanding of the value of music copyrights was limited. According to Willa Ward, Gertrude was misled into believing that the songwriting royalties from Clara's compositions would be minimal and accordingly sold them. In her book Willa said the music ended up under the control of Herman Lubinsky, founder of Savoy Records (who was known for his unscrupulous exploitation of recording artists), and became owned by Planemar Music Company.
Clara Ward was the first gospel singer to sing with a 100-piece symphony orchestra in the 1960s. They recorded an album together on the Verve label, V-5019, The Heart, The Faith, The Soul of Clara Ward, and the Ward Singers performed their music live in Philadelphia with the symphony and the Golden Voices Ensemble.
Though Clara Ward did not regularly sing secular music as a soloist or with her groups, she did sing backup for pop artists with her sister Willa's background group, most notably on Dee Dee Sharp's smash hit, 'Mashed Potato Time", which reached #1 on Billboard's pop chart in 1962. In 1969 she recorded an album for Capitol Records, Soul and Inspiration, which consisted of pop songs from Broadway plays, Hollywood movies and the Jimmy Radcliffe song of hope "If You Wanna Change The World". This album was later reissued on the Capitol's budget Pickwick label minus one song. In the same year she recorded an album in Copenhagen, Denmark on the Philips label, Walk A Mile In My Shoes, which included the pop title song, other pop songs (such as "California Dreaming") and a few gospel songs. She also recorded an album for MGM/Verve, Hang Your Tears Out To Dry, which included country and Western, blues/folk, pop and an arrangement of the Beatles' hit song, "Help". Her 1972 album Uplifting on United Artists, produced by Nikolas Venet and Sam Alexander, included her stunning interpretation of Bill Wither's pop hit "Lean On Me" and a rearrangement of the Soul Stirrer's 1950's recording of "Thank You, Jesus". Also in 1972 Ward, because she was under exclusive contract to United Artists at this time, provided vocals for a Canned Heat's album The New Age, on the ballad "Lookin' For My Rainbow"; it was released on that album and as a single 45 rpm record.
In 1968 Clara Ward and her singers toured Vietnam at the request of the U.S. State Department and the U.S.O. It was a very popular war-time tour supported by recorded radio broadcasts of the Ward Singers on U.S. Armed Forces Radio. The Ward Singers narrowly missed death when their hotel in Vietnam was bombed and several guests died. However, Clara was never afraid because she knew she was bringing some momentary joy, consolation, and a religious message to soldiers, many of whom would not return home alive, and they showed their appreciation and enthusiasm for her style of gospel music. When asked during a TV interview what was her favorite concert, Clara responded that these tours in Vietnam during the war were her favorite. She was invited back to Vietnam by U.S.O. in 1969 for several more months. These war-time tours were filmed and all the Ward Singers were given special certificates of recognition by the U.S. Army. The U.S.O did not pay a salary to entertainers, but after these tours the Ward Singers went to Japan each year for commercial concerts and released LPs in Japan to coincide with these tours.
Clara Ward co-starred in the Hollywood movie A Time to Sing, starring Hank Williams, Jr., Shelley Fabares, Ed Begley, and D'Urville Martin. She was cast as a waitress in a Nashville, Tennessee cafeteria who inspires a young singer, played by Hank Williams, Jr., to pursue his dream of becoming a Country & Western recording artist. There are also several scenes of the Clara Ward Singers performing gospel songs. This movie was released by MGM in 1968 and Clara's picture appears on lobby cards and other movie advertisements. Other movie appearances include Its Your Thing starring the Isley Brothers, and Spree, also known as Night Time in Las Vegas.
The late 1960s and early 1970s were an extremely busy and successful time for the Clara Ward Singers. The summer months usually found them at the Golden Horseshoe Club in Disneyland in Anaheim, California or touring colleges across the United States. They also toured in Australia, Japan, Europe, Indonesia, and Thailand. They had a one-day TV special in London, England. They were in demand on American TV shows constantly and appeared on The Mike Douglas Show over a dozen times. They appeared on Oral Roberts' Country Roads TV special and an album soundtrack was issued of this show. Clara still found time to sing at her mother's church, the Miracle Temple of Faith for All People in Los Angeles. and at Victory Baptist Church. Her mother, Gertrude Ward, also had a popular religious radio program in the Los Angeles market.
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!
Labels:
Clara Ward,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Train Train - Danny Overbea
b. 3 January 1926, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, d. 11 May 1994, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Guitarist and singer Overbea, who came out of the Chicago R&B scene, was one of the earliest pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll. He began his musical career in 1946 and first recorded in 1950 as a vocalist on an Eddie Chamblee track. Overbea joined Chess Records in 1952, producing his best-known songs, ‘Train Train Train’ (number 7 R&B) and ‘40 Cups Of Coffee’, the following year. Both were essentially rock ‘n’ roll songs before the concept of ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ had even emerged. In the pop market, ‘Train Train Train’ was covered by Buddy Morrow and ‘40 Cups Of Coffee’ by Ella Mae Morse. By 1955, when rock ‘n’ roll was making its breakthrough on the pop charts, Bill Haley And His Comets recorded ‘40 Cups Of Coffee’, which, even though it did not chart, proved to be one of their better efforts. Famed disc jockey Alan Freed featured Overbea many times in his early rock ‘n’ roll revues in Ohio and New York; his acrobatic back-bend to the floor while playing the guitar behind his head was always a highlight of the shows. Overbea was also a talented ballad singer (in the mode of Billy Eckstine), having most success with ‘You’re Mine’ (also recorded by the Flamingos) and ‘A Toast To Lovers’. Overbea made his last records in 1959 and retired from the music business in 1976.
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 favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Labels:
Danny Overbea,
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
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