Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It , by Breezy Rodio and it's solid fun. Opening with title track, If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It , Breezy Rodio on lead vocal and guitar first shows a Latin rhythm which moves to a cool shuffle. Backed by Ariyo Ariyoshi on piano, Dan tabion on organ, Light Palone on bass and Lorenzo Francocci on drums and nicely complimented by Constantine Alexander on trumpet, Ian Letts on tenor sax, Ian "The Chief" McGarrie on bari sax and Simone Nobile on harmonica. On A Woman Don't Care , Rodio digs in nicely with excellent blues vocals, punctuated by McGarrie and Alexander. His guitar phrasing, supported nicely by the piano of Ariyo gives the track a real cool feel. A real nice slower blues, Los Christianos , showcases Rodio's soulful vocal styling and solid blues guitar chops. Very nice. With it's 60's rock feel, instrumental, The Breeze has Rodio on solo g...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dos Hombres Wanted , from Rockin' Johnny and Quique Gomez and it's classic Chicago blues with a spin. Opening with Burgin original, Your Charm Won't Help You , old style with Johnny on lead vocal and his understated but wild guitar playing, Quique Gomez on classic harp, Eric Przygocki on bass, Stephen Dougherty on drums and Christian Dozler on piano. Excellent opener. A strong, slower blues Robert Jr Lockwood track, Funny But True , is up next and Gomez has the lead spot on vocal. Burgin plays out richer jazz style riffs and hands the floor to Gomez who really milks his harp for juice. Very nice. Burgin's Ain't No High Roller has a cool rock beat and Gomez rides high on the harp and with Dozzler on accordion and Burgin's steady hand on guitar this track hits a nice slot. Another classic Chicago style track, Everybody Loves My Baby is a great work out track for both Burgin and Gomez. Burgin has...

Bman: Hi Johnny, Haven’t seen you in a while. I'm really sorry that I missed your show in Phoenix. I was in Europe and just got back. One show I really wanted to see. How did it go? RJB: I had a great show in Phoenix. " Bob Corritore and " Dave Riley sat in.  I had a great bassist from Alburquerque, J.D. Sipe , and Brian Fahey from The Paladains on drums.  I hadn't played with him since a tour in Europe three or so years ago with Mud Morganfield and Taildragger . Bman: Wow. That must have been a great show! Damn. I really wanted to see you. Are you coming back again this year? RJB: I hope to be back in October. Bman: Great! I should be  good then. I don't think I have anything planned for October. Last I heard you were in Europe with Aki Kumar . I love Europe. How did the tour go? Where were you? RJB: I left for Europe on Halloween, and got back at Christmas.  The first two weeks of the tour were with Aki Kumar and o...