Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pay The Price , from Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers and it's a lot of fun. Opening with blues rocker, Hoodoo Train , bandleader, lead vocalist and lead guitar player sets the pace with solid vocals and a steady pace. backed by Jumper Tutu on drums, Doc Malone on harmonica and Manny Manuel on bass, this is a real nice opener. Stepping up to Chuck Berry like pace on Pearlene , Fuller gets the house rocking and with clean double stops this track is rolling. Very cool. On Mojo Hand , John Lee Hooker creeps into the mix with an endless boogie. This band does know how to boogie with rhythmic guitar work, excellent vocal phrasing and overlying harmonica by Malone. Rollin' and Tumblin' is a great track with a constant drum attack by Tutu and some mighty greasy slide by Fuller. Back to the driving rock n roll feel with I Will Not Let You Go with a solid bass line by Manuel and wailing harmonica by Malone. Fuller l...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Long Black Train , from Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers and it's a solid blues infused rockin romp. Opening with boogie, Burn Me Up , Ray Fuller on vocal and guitar leads the way with Myke Rock on bass, Darrell Jumper on drums, and Doc Malone on harp. This is an excellent opener with a lot of drive. Voodoo Mama is a modern day rocker with deep roots and contemporary links to CCR and ZZ Top. On hot rockin, Hip Shakin' Mama , Fuller kicks it up a few notches and with his slide blazing, has the essence of Hound Dog Taylor going. Very cool! Title track, Long Black Train , has a hard driving Chuck Berry flair and Fuller kicks it nice. Something' Shakin' is a solid 12 bar number with cool harp work by Malone. Fuller steps up big on this one with hot slide work in the flavor of Elmore James or Billy Gibbons. Very nice. Whiskey Drinkin' Woman has the strong foundation of Muddy and with it's Chicago se...

I just received the newest release (April 15, 2014) Live At Buddy Guy's Legends Chicago , from Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers and it rips! Opening with a hot cover of Elmore James' Wild About You Baby , Fuller wastes no time in whipping hot the hot slide action. Excellent! Next up is Rock N Roll Cowboy , a blues/boogie with a western twang. This track moves along really well and Fuller really knows how to deliver on guitar and vocals. Next up is John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom . Glen "Manny" Manuel on bass and Mark Ward on drums carry the bottom and Keith Blair rides the organ on this primarily vocal boogie. Richard Doc Malone fills in with some choice harp riffs and Fuller continues JLH's intention with guitar in pure boogie style. Love and Alcohol is a cool original slow blues track with great old style blues riffs throughout. JL Hooker and Johnny Winter are definitely present in spirit. This is a very expressive track with a lot of the feel of delta blues...

Ray Fuller's talent as a singer and guitarist has allowed him to share the stage with many blues giants including Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and so many more! In fact, MUDDY WATERS, after witnessing an opening act performance by Ray Fuller on slide guitar exclaimed for all to hear "That was some hot slide boy! I could smell the smoke backstage! JAMES COTTON, after witnessing a similar Bluesrocker performance shook Ray's hand and proclaimed "Finally I met somebody as wild and crazy as I am!" JOHN LEE HOOKER was so impressed with the band and their performance that he took the Bluesrockers and his own band out to dinner and picked up the tab! These opportunities to hang out and learn at the feet of the masters were not wasted on young Ray as he paid close attention to every pearl of wisdom and every nasty riff and blues lick generously shown to him as an eager student of the blues. Since ...