Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 16, 2021), Resurrection , from Mike Zito, and it's a cool blues rocker with a lot of snap. Opening with JJ Cale's, I'll Make Love To You , Zito works this blues rocker with real radio appeal. His slide work and vocals are solid, backed by Zach Zito on vocal and guitar, Matthew Johnson on drums, Doug Byrkit on bass, Lewis Stephens on keys, Eric Demmer on sax and Fernando Castillo on trumpet. Lain back, country flavored, In My Blood is a real nice track with sparkling guitar riffs and solid lead vocal, backed nicely by Lisa Leuschner Andersen. A rework of Clapton's Presence of the Lord works nicely with this set and Zito's vocals work nicely with his Clapton like guitar riffs, expanded to his own, more wide open jamming style giving the track more bite. Very nice. Blues ballad, Damned If I Do , has strong radio appeal with Zito showing both soulful vocals and nicely phrased guitr phrasing. Very nic...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Resurrection , from Gaetano Letizia & The Underworld Blues Band and it's quite interesting. Opening with title track, Resurrection , Gaetano Letizia shows you right up front that you are in for something special. Gaetano, who plays guitar and sings, is joined by Larry Keller on bass, Steve Renko on drums, Bill Ransom on percussion, Bob Esterle on sax, Mike Fisher on trumpet, Tim Keehn on trombone and Robin Stratton on vocal. A dynamic guitar intro unfolds into a jazzy, laid back shuffle with Letizia twisting the blues on his guitar as only he can do. Very nice. Old Guitar Player has a really nice drum line compliments Renko and Keller's bass work sets the tempo. Letizia's vocals are straightforward and his guitar playing fleet and stylistic. Very nice! Latin infused, Hot and Cold Woman , really moves and with Mike Fisher popping up the top on trumpet. Letizia's vocals are crisp and his rhythm guitar ...

I just received a copy of the Resurrection , the newest release (available May 21, 2013) from Ross Neilsen and it's quite interesting. Neilsen has put together 10 original tracks traveling in many directions but remaining on a constant path. Opening with raw blues rocker, When My Trouble's Gone , Neilsen has a distinctively British sound on a well constructed track. Interesting processed guitar solos add interest to this cleverly written track. Walk On By opens with heavily over driven guitar and and a rockin boogie beat. Grinding away on the frets, Neilsen brings to mind earlier Texas guitar heroes. Nice track. Daddy Taught Me , a track putting me in mind of Wishbone Ash with it's guitar leads is more of an anthem blues rock track. Crossing over to more of a country pop sound with Ain't Like That , Neilsen puts out a track that is likely to be popular on the airwaves. Heartbreak Apart stays with the country path but a bit rockier and Jerry Garcia like melodic guitar ...