Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Skyline Drive , by Scott Ellison and I like it. Opening with Latin seasoned, blues rocker, I'm Missing You , Ellison on lead vocal and lead guitar is joined by Chris Campbell on backing vocals, Ron Getman on guitar, Jon Parris on bass, Robbie Armstrong on drums. With a solid melody, tight vocals and cool guitar lead, this is a strong opener. Title track, Skyline Drive is a cool shuffle with warm B3 under the cool vocal melody and with jazz influenced blues guitar. Very nice. Driving blues rocker, I'm All Wound Up is fueled by hot lead slide by Getman, the tight drumming of Chuck Reavis and Hank Charles on piano. It has great swagger making it one of my favorites on the release. These Blues Got A Hold On Me , has a slower more deliberate tempo with understated organ underpinnings and a real nice solo and Ellison takes time for a real nice guitar solo of his own. Very nice. Overwhelmed is a super blues rocker w...

Shane Dwight Returns With NO ONE LOVES ME BETTER OUT APRIL 5 ON RED PARLOR RECORDS USA Today called him an “ace songwriter” Shane nails life to the wall like a WANTED sign out in the wild west. Critically acclaimed blues maverick, Shane Dwight, will pull you into his house by the ear after the first chord of  No One Loves Me Better  out on Red Parlor Records out on April 5, 2019. This esteemed independent label has long been a champion of music’s best songwriters, and Dwight is no exception. This new collection of songs is some of his most personal yet – gut-wrenching, and heartbreaking to date. The story of a man finding love, committing a crime, and wanting redemption runs deep in Shane’s songs. From the heartwarming “No One Loves Me Better” to the dark “Bullets & Gasoline” to the sassy “Sucker,” Shane nails life to the wall like a WANTED sign out in the wild west. Shane’s songwriting has evolved so far that he may be untouchable...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Morning Midnight , from Scott Ellison and it's tasty! Opening with New Orleans flavored, Sanctified , Ellison is really hitting the road running. With Chris Campbell on lead vocal and Marcy Levy on backing vocal this band featuring Chuck Blackwell ripping up the drums, Gary Gilmore's funky bass line and hot guitar work by Ellison is smokin'. Soulful number, Gone For Good showcases Ellison on lead vocal and guitar with a strong radio presentation. Very nice. Reggae styling on Hope & Faith really sits down hard on Bob Marley's style. A really nice track with just the right groove features Jon Parris on bass, Danny Timms on B3 and terrific drum work by David Teegarden. One of my favorite tracks on the release is You Made A Mess (Outta Me) along the lines of Nickel and a Nail or Thrill Is Gone. With Jon Glazer on keys, Robbie Armstrong on drums, Jon Parris on bass and real nice lead vocal and gu...

Ali Handal Is Fearless With New Album That’s What She Said Out on 9/8 on Red Parlor Records If you like Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, and Kasey Musgraves, you will love Ali Handal. Her sass and up-front attitude is refreshing, insightful and beautiful. Her guitar prowess is playful and technically flawless. The phrase That’s What She Said, has been used in our culture for a while but not really put into a musical connotation like this. Ali takes her natural ability to converse and connect while being poetic and authentic. Songs cover the gamut of love, life, cats and surviving cancer… with a sly-grin on her face, she makes the listener fidget in their seat. She plays off her guitar licks; her rhythms are like a pair of black boots with spurs. While cancer isn’t a laughable situation to be in,  sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Moved early on by wise and resilient women, singer/songwriter Ali Handal wore out Carole King’s Tapestry album....

I just received the newest release, Elevator Man , from Scott Ellison and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Holler For Help, an upbeat British invasion style track, Ellison leads on vocal and slide guitar joined by Charles Tuberville on bass. Arlene has that great SB Williamson drive reinforced by a solid bass line. Jimmy Markham lays down a real nice harp line followed by Ellison on guitar. Very nice! Slow and gritty, Behind That Smile , features nicely phrased guitar lines and warm backing vocals by Charles Tuberville and Marcy Levy making it one of the sweetest tracks on the release. Fishsticks and Jelly has a cool pace with foot stomp rhythm and real nice acoustic slide work. Title track, Elevator Man , has a bit of contemporary funk with a super slinky guitar solo. This track really moves and I really like Ellison's lead vocals as well as Levy's backing vocals on this track. Shuffle track, Jesus Loves Me (Baby Why Don't You) , shows Ellison's stinging...