Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Best for Last , by Pete Thelen and it's a blend of tasty music. Opening with slow blues, You Make It Easy, Bennie Hughes sets the pace with his silky smooth voice, backed by Charlie Prazma and Mark Raddatz on guitar who lay down some really nice riffs, Mike Shellans on piano, Jim Massoth and Bennie Hughes on sax, Chico Chism on drums  and Mike King on bass. Strong opener. Annie Dekom takes the mic on Some Kind of Sign, a cool boogie woogie track. A solid piano groove by Shellans and a strong bass line by Paul Sowinski make the stage and John Reuter rips it up on slide guitar. Rena Haus gets her time at the mic and her vocals are strong. With it's open club feel, this track has a great groove. Thelen's vocals on Lost And Found , played nicely against Massoth on sax and Shellans on piano gives this track a smooth relaxing feel. M ove On is a cool track with droning like guitar work by Pat Macdonald under chant...

BLUES FOR A GREAT CAUSE: For the twentieth consecutive year, Phoenix singer-songwriter Pete Thelen (pictured) hosts a benefit concert at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix for the Paz de Cristo Outreach Center. Thelen's Blues Dinosaurs perform along with other special guests at the Sunday, January 15 event. Fore more information log onto www.rhythmroom.com . Iconic Rhythm Room Is Site Of 20th Anniversary Benefit For Paz de Cristo Outreach Center Hosted By Phoenix Singer-Songwriter Pete Thelen (PHOENIX) - Blues for a great cause take place on Sunday, January 15 at the iconic Rhythm Room in Phoenix , which is the site of the 20th Anniversary Benefit for the Paz de Cristo Outreach Center in Mesa. As he has done for the past twenty consecutive years, longtime Phoenix singer-songwriter Pete Thelen hosts the event and performs with his band, the Blues Dinosaurs . The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road. Doors 7 p.m. Show 7:30 p.m. $10. donation requested. Info: ...

I have just received the new release of "Travels To The Edge" by Pete Thelen. This is certainly not in the standard blues vein and stretches your imagination to define at all. That being said... I like it. One of the reasons that I get releases like this is because I have an open mind and don't want to hear new uncreative artists doing 100 year old songs not... changing a note or phrase. Pete Thelen has certainly put together something unique. Born in Chicago, Pete was raised in the lap of modern day blues music but went off to the army and saw the world. This had a profound influence on his perception of life. Working many years in a suit and tie after his return, Pete got reacquainted with the music business writing and producing music. Now Pete is on another journey and has invited us along. The music that I hear has the darkness of the Delta blues laid over the ethereal sounds of say King Crimson or Trey Gunn. Included is an 8 page booklet with lyrics and pictures. ...