Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Cause Of It All , from The Reverend Shawn Amos and I think it's his best yet! Opening with Willie Dixon's Spoonful , Amos cuts it back to the bare necessities and I love his style. paired with guitarist, Chris "Doctor" Roberts, this is electrifying. Amos' vocals seem to scream out of the dark as do his harmonica riffs and the Doctor's fat toned guitar work is over the top. Excellent opener! Muddy Waters' Still A Fool is another excellent tract with the mostly clear (not distorted intentionally) vocals by Amos and warm throaty tones of the Doctor's guitar really carrying the word. Chester Burnett's Color And Kind leans more to super soulful vocals and warm, rich harmonica work by Amos. Powerful. A quiet rendition of Little Walter's, Can't Hold Out Much Longer, really works Amos on vocal and harmonica with no distortion and the Doctor on clean acoustic guitar. Very nice. W...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Sky , from The Reverend Shawn Amos and the Brotherhood and it's an airy mix of folk, rock , blues R&B... You name it. Opening with, Stranger Than Today , Amos on lead vocal and harp, backed by Brady Blade on drums, Christopher Thomas on bass, and Chris Roberts on guitar the feel is high plains and relaxed. On Counting Down The Days , the band gets a real interesting groove going with an odd guitar riff, and great backing vocals by Piper Amos, Sharlotte Gibson and Kenya Hathaway and featuring a really expressive harp solo by Amos. Very nice. Hold Back is a driving rocker with cool, Ike and Tina backing vocals. Really cool. Rolling shuffle, 27 Dollars is one of my favorites on the release is wild vocals, a super piano solo by Matt Hubbard and a tight rhythms by Blade. Wrapping the release is a cool New Orleans style track, Keep The Faith, Have Some Fun with Jamelle Adisa on trumpet, Marc Bolin on sousaphone...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kitchen Table Blues Vol. 1 , from The Reverend Shawn Amos and it's a cool relaxing treat. Opening with the Faces hit,  Ooh La La , Amos shows his genuine enjoyment of this classic 60's track with acoustic guitar, accordion, harmonica and banjo backing. Very nice. Amos gives Devo's, Whip It , a stripped down funky rework making it even cooler than the original. With vocal, harp, light snare drum and a bari sax, this track has texture. On The Sonics, Have Love Will Travel , Amos takes a garage tune and makes it bluesy with his vocal styling, crisp acoustic guitar riffs and soulful harp work. Wrapping the release is Tom Waits' song, Jesus Gonna Be Here , with only terrific vocal, tight snare drum rhythm and acoustic bass leading up to a smooth bluesy electric solo and an adventurous harp solo. Amos really works this track not only making it the best track on the release but also a super closer.   ...