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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Mind's Eye Music artist: Vinnie Moore - Double Exposure - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Double Exposure, from Vinnie Moore and it's a solid rocker with blues roots. Opening with Vertical Horizon, guitar man, Vinnie Moore wastes no time getting things hopping with a lightly funky rocker and a very aggressive bass line by Pete Griffin. Richie Monica on drums really mixes it up and with lead vocals by Ed Terry, Moore just keeps his foot on the throttle. Super opener. Paid My Dues is another strong track with a heavy bottom by Monica and Griffin and scorching riffs by Moore. Keith Slack on vocal is a great match for this band making this one of my favorites on the release. Instrumental, Astro Man is a power hitter with choice use of wah wah pedal and hot fiery riffs by Moore over the relentless drive of Griffin and Monica. Another pure guitar instrumental, Breaking Through, features Moore on what may be a chorus pedal playing doubled or triples on the melody but breaking free  for strong single line lead work and rapid fire riffs. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Southern Highway with a trademark rhythm but with a definite "southern" style. With John Pessoni on drums, Michael Bean and Moore overdubbing his lead, this is a solid closer for a real enjoyable release. 


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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Roger Street Friedman - Love Hope Trust - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love Hope Trust, from Roger Street Friedman, and it's a solid slice of Americana. Opening with the title track, Love Hope Trust, singer songwriter Roger Street Friedman has the joint rocking with nicely blended vocals behind his own lead, Jim Toscano on drums, Larry Campbell on guitars, Jason Crosby on piano, Matthew Schneider on bass and Teresa Williams and Lucy Kaplansky on backing vocals. Vapor In The Air has a real nice Tex-Mex feel with strong vocal melody by Friedman and really cool contributions by Gil Goldstein on accordion,  and Campbell on fiddle, mandolin and guitars. Excellent. One track that really stands out is The Ghosts Of Sugarland delivered in true folk style. A story delivered about civil war living with Campbell on acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle, I really like this track. A warm Jackson Browne/James Taylor like, Multiply By Two, is a pure radio track with strong melodic bones. With warm steel work by Campbell and Williams and Kaplansky on backing vocals, this track is radio gold. Wrapping the release is Cut Your Losses, a potent track with a really nice melody, patient melody and with steel and mandolin backing under the acoustic guitar and vocal of Friedman is a perfect summary track to a really nice release. 


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Friday, February 17, 2023

Joplin Sweeney Music Company artist: Jim Witzel Trio & Quartet - Feelin' It - New release review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feelin' It, from Jim Witzel Trio & Quartet and it's really nice. Opening with title track, Feelin' It. Jim Witzel on guitar really has solid phrasing over a strong bottom provided by Jason Lewis on drums and Brian Ho on B3. Dann Zinn steps up on tenor sax with an aggressive solo followed by Ho laying out the B3 making this a dynamic opener. In 3/4 time, Beyond Beijing has great flow with Witzel and Zinn playing in tandem on the melody. Zinn breaks free first with an abstracted melodic solo line with Ho providing plenty of bottom and the crisp rhythm work of Lewis tying it all together. Witzel has a really clear guitar tone and his phrasing is classic. Witzel really dices Gershwin's I Love You, Porgy is excellent traditional jazz style. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the set is Cannonball Adderley's, The Old Country which is a true jazz standard. Nancy Wilson did a terrific job on this track and Ho and Witzel trade lead with adventurous wandering on their solos. This is really a strong track and an excellent closer for a really strong release. 


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Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Boptism Music artist: Rich Willey - Puttin' On The Ritz - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Puttin' On The Ritz, by Rich Willey. Opening with Poor Butterfly, a Latin fused track, Rich Willey on bass trumpet really leads the way, backed by Paul Mutzabaugh on piano, Larry Kohut on bass, and George Fludas on drums. Excellent opener. Frank Zappa's, Uncle Remus is a cool addition to this set, featuring Willey on trumpet. With clean articulation, he sails, backed by Mike Pinto on guitar, Larry Kohut on bass, Neal Wehman on drums and Paul Mutzabaugh on piano and B3. Really cool interpretation. Wrapping the release is Holy Trinity, is a lush instrumental with David Mann on soprano sax, Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Willey on bass trumpet, John Swana on EVI, and with Carey Dredman adding trumpet on the top. Solid closer for a different kind of release. 


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Thursday, February 9, 2023

Griffin Woodard Group - Completion - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Completion, from Griffin Woodard Group who blends solid jazz and pop vocals for a real nice release. Opening with Little Angel, Georgia Heers is featured on vocal, with a really nice bed of piano by Abe Gold, Miles Gilbert on bass, Hugh Kline on drums and of course the deep sound of Griffin Woodard on bass clarinet. With really nice piano phrasing by Gold and a strong solo by Woodard, this is a strong opener. Miles Gilbert is front and center on Bass Interlude featuring his playing alone and I personally find it terrific. Alchemy is a really cool improvisation by Woodard on bass clarinet, backed only by Kline on drums... quite provocative. With an aggressive tempo, Route 1 features Coleman Rose on tenor sax in tandem with Woodard on bass clarinet creating a great mix. With an aggressive bass line by Gilbert and solid phrasing by Gold on piano this track rips. Deneen Jones has the mic on Kyrie, an uplifting ballad featuring a really nice blend of vocals with Heers, over a nice field of piano and featuring soprano sax lead by Rose. With captivating drum work by Kline, this is another hot track. Wrapping the release is title track, Completion, it's captivating melody being articulated by Woodard on bass clarinet, joined in relay by Rose on soprano sax and with only the framework of bottom by Gold on piano and drum adornment, this track slowly builds. Gilbert gets another turn up front on bass creating a real nice tension and the track continues to build on the reentry by Woodard and Rose. The track grows in intensity and dynamics as it nears it's completion. Very nice close. 


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Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Cleopatra Records artist: Andy McCoy - Jukebox Junkie - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jukebox Junkie, by Finnish rocker Andy McCoy and it's a solid rocker with a twist. Opening with I'm Gonna Roll, a great power rocker with a driving beat, McCoy is up front on guitar with Sammy Aaltonen, Matthew Janaitis and Tommi Piipponen on vocal, Christian Wentzel on drums and Matthew Janaitis on bass.  Hot Night In Texas gas a great thumping bottom with Jamie Hembree and Niki Westerback on vocal and Jouni Kari on keys giving McCoy a great platform to show his guitar aero acrobatics. Very cool. Climax Blues Band's I Couldn't Get It Right, gets a minor redo with Janaitis on vocals and Roni Star on percussion, Kari on keys and overlayed guitar soloing by McCoy. 60's surf styling comes to play on Funnel of Love featuring Sofia Zida on vocal and space age keyboard work by Kari and some otherworldly guitar from McCoy. Wrapping the release is UKSubs' Countdown with a cool rock bottom by Janaitis and Robert Valeno, heavy vocals by Piipponen and obtuse key/guitar work by Kari and McCoy. This is an interesting release with solid rock footings. 


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Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Blue Heart Records artists: The Texas Horns - Everybody let's Roll - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everybody Let's Roll, from The Texas Horns, and I really like it! Opening with title track, Everybody Let's Roll, The Texas Horns (Kaz Kazanoff on tenor sax, Al Gomez on trumpet, and John Mills on bari sax) come out steaming with Carolyn Wonderland on lead vocal, Mike Keller on rhythm guitar, Sean Giddings on keys, Chris Marsh on bass, and Tom Brechtlein on drums and featuring Anson Funderburgh with some real nice guitar lead. Solid opener. Piano boogie, I Ain't Mad With You, led by Matt Hubbard really rocks with excellent solos from Kaz and Johnny Moeller and a fat fat bottom by Mills. Excellent! A really interesting (bluesy) rework of The Beatles, I Want You (She's So Heavy), has great horn blending with Gomez taking the lead on trumpet. With it's jazzy drum hitch by Brannen Temple, a cool organ solo by Sean Geddings and a blast of blues by Moeller on guitar, this is a punchy track.  Soulful, Prisoner In Paradise, features Guy Forsyth on lead vocal and is the certain radio track with brassy backing and a real nice trumpet solo by Gomez and a warm sax solo by Kaz. Wrapping the release is JB Lenoir's J.B.s Rock with hot drumming by Jason Corbiere and sassy sax work by Kaz. Flanigin rolls in some warm organ tones and Jimmie Vaughan  lays down some trademark guitar riffs making this a great closer. 


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Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Outside In Music artists: Barry Coates, Jimmy Haslip, Jerry Kalaf - New Dreams - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, New Dreams, from Barry Coates, Jimmy Haslip, Jerry Kalaf and the title seems quite appropriate. Opening with Towner, Kalaf on drums, forms a tight, stabling, drum reference as Haslip creates a chord like structure over which Coates plays soaring solo lines. Very nice. On Faith, Kalaf uses brushes on the snare head and cymbal to give structure, firmed by Haslip's bass lead and adorned by the articulated melody by Coates. Before is a playful track with Coates on synth, super improvisational bass lead by Haslip and a direct snappy drum line by Kalaf. My favorite track on the release is Sacred with a percussive rhythm by Coates freeing Haslip to play lead on bass and giving the space to Kalal to improvise on drums. Wrapping the release is Retrograde giving Kalaf the lead with explosive percussion over the synth guitar work of Coates. With atmospheric work by Coates, Kalaf really works the heads, leading to rudimental bass lines and painterly solo work by Haslip on bass. This is a really interesting set of music but not one that you're likely to dance to. Enjoy. 


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Friday, December 2, 2022

Blue Bamboo Music artist: Chris Cortez - Live at Blue Bamboo - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at Blue Bamboo from Chris Cortez and it's quite good. Opening with The Visit, Chris Cortez leads the way with his cool, fluid lead work on guitar. Bob Thornton on piano takes the second lead with vibrant phrasing over the tight bass lines of Doug Mathews and Jeff Sipe on drums. This is a strong  opener with a potent upbeat melody. Arlington Park has a cool Latin feel with the addition of Joel Rosenblatt on drums, Ron Jenkins on bass, Jeff Rupert on sax and John DePaola on trumpet. Both Rupert and DePaola add really solid lead work making this a standout track. Very nice. Different Strokes is a cool bop tune with really nice muted trumpet work by DePaola, accented by Thornton. Both Thornton and Cortez stretch on melodic solos and Rosenblatt shows his stuff as well, making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Funky, Aarrgh, really hits a nice groove with Cortez grinding in with some more aggressive over driven guitar lead. Rupert really sails on sax lines and super sub melody by DePaola. Excellent! Wrapping the release is the subtle, A Remark You Made, with it's quiet melody, and Cortez alone on guitar, showing all of the tones of his jazz electric guitar, played with a mix of finger articulation and lush chords. Very nice closer for a strong release. 


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Thursday, December 1, 2022

Madfish Music artist: Jeff Cotton - The Fantasy of Reality - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Fantasy of Reality, by Jeff Cotton and it's curiously cool. Opening with Does It Work For You, an abstract progressive rocker, this track has the feel of a Fripp/ Belew composition. With spoken lyrics on echo, a straightforward drum rhythm and assorted overlaid guitar riffs and themes, this track is really interesting. A more classically oriented, Ivy, shows Cotton's depth as a composer and acoustic guitar artist. With a solid central melody, I really like this track. Quirky, Elvirus, is really a modern take on traditional blues, with a contemporary theme... vocal backed by acoustic slide. On The Thread is an eccentric take on an instrumental surf theme. I like quirky but not kitschy and this track slides in nicely. With a driving drum line, interwoven electric guitar riffs, Indian influences and slide guitar, this track really is cool. Heavy, is another delta style blues instrumental, even mimicking the surface noise found on old 78rpm records. Although much of the vocal delivery is tongue in cheek, the slide work is right on. Hear The Word is a thematic blues/ rock track with a jazz overtone, changing themes and "Jack Bruce" like vocals.  Wrapping the release is Clean In Nature's Stream with it's folk like rhythm guitar and vocals. The surprise is Cotton's relentless electric attack which permeates the theme making for a rich completion. 


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Monday, November 21, 2022

Steve Knight - Persistence - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Persistence, from Steve Knight and it's a strong, guitar led instrumental release. Opening with Suspects,  inventive, Steve Knight on guitar sets the framework for a solid melody, backed by Justin Peterson on bass and Jeff Stitley on drums. With solid phrasing, unobtrusive bass and considerable high work by Stitley, this is a nice opener. Funky, Real Type Thing had a real nice bass line by Peterson and a tight rhythm by Stitley giving Knight a wide open roadway to jam. With some aggressive lead by Peterson and Knight, this is one of my favorites on the release. A cover of Tom Petty's Mary Jane's Last Dance, gets reworked pretty hard. With it's bopping rock rhythm and with a loose outline of the melody by Knight, Peterson take a cool bass solo. The melody having been stated and with Peterson and Stitley to hold the pace, Knight breaks loos with some improve of his own. Interesting workout.  In steady bop fashion, Workshop opens with a melodic framework and again opening a gateway for Peterson to lay out the first solo interlude, followed by Knight with a real nice stream of his own. This is a cool jam with plenty of flow. Wrapping the release is Sharps Disposal (Alternate Take) with a light jazz/rock feel. Knight really works it on this one with plenty of exchange with Stitley. Solid closer. 


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Thursday, November 10, 2022

Dennis Johnson - Revelation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation, by Dennis Johnson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down, Johnson on slide and vocal, adds a little bounce to the track for a straight up rocker. With Anton Fig on drums, Jonathan Stoyanoff on bass, Bob Fridzema on piano, this is a cool opener. On title track, Revelation, Johnson plays a fluid soulful melody on slide, backed by Stoyanoff and Fig with the warm B3 work by Fridzema as a solid cushion. Very nice. On Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues, Dennis Johnson gets a bit of rockabilly beat on rhythm, tightened up by Fig and with a combination of his vocal and slide emphasis, this track is a driving rocker. Big Joe Williams' Baby, Please Don't Go is up next with just a bit of backbeat allowing Johnson to really work the track over with his slide. This is definitely one of my favorite covers of this track in recent years. On another Robert Johnson track, Ramblin' on My Mind, Dennis brings the tempo up to a steady rocker but maintains it's primitive nature with tight backing by Fig and Stoyanoff and adds some incredibly clear slide work really making it stand out nicely. Wrapping the release is Gary Clark Jr.'s Don't Owe You A Thing with a Hill Country flavor, driven by the snare work of Fig giving Johnson plenty of head space to sing with just a little echo and plenty of drive on the slide. This is my favorite track on the release and an excellent closer. 


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Monday, November 7, 2022

Blue Canoe Records artist: Rafael Greco - Signs of Life (Dice Que Vive) - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dice Que Vive (Signs of Life) from Rafael Greco, and it's quite interesting. Opening with Erase Una Vez, saxophonist, composer, singer and keyboard/percussionist, Raphael Greco breaks out with the first track of his debut release. With electrifying rhythms and keyboard structure under a vocal melody, this track is really hot. Joined by Luisito Quintero on congas, timbales, bongos, and percussion, Robert Quintero on Cumaco, Rodner Padilla on bass and Santiago Bosch keys, this track is super. I really like the contrast of the jagged rhythms with the straightforward melody on African Boy. Greco on keys partners with L Quintero timbales, congos and bongos, Robert Quintero on Shekere and bongos, Padilla on bass, the extraordinary Steve Khan on acoustic and electric guitar, Humberto Casanova on drums and Guillermo Carrasco on backing vocals. Really strong. Una Illusion is a synthesis of modern concepts and primitive sounds. Pairing Greco with Luisito this is a standout track in style, simplicity and cohesion. Wrapping the release is Cinco Miniaturas Para Piano Solo is an abstract exploration of the piano by Amaldo Pizzolante, joined by Pimpi Santistevan on whistle, Greco on sax, and Juanma Trujillo on electric guitar. This is an adventurous yet very rewarding release.



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Friday, November 4, 2022

Andros Records artist: Andy Adamson Quintet - A Coincidence of Cats - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Coincidence of Cats, by Andy Adamson Quintet and it's a slick mix of jazz and fusion. Opening with title track, A Coincidence of Cats, Adamson on piano and Jonathan Taylor on drums really set the pace. With an aggressive yet poised attack they are joined by Ross Huff on trumpet, Dan Bennett on sax, and Brennan Andes on bass. Huff and Bennett both work the solo quite nicely and with a strong drum pace, wrap the track.  Lament opens with a lush piano intro by Adamson and only the slightest brush of snare, cymbal and bass. With it's unconventional melody yet regular pace, it really creates a contrast between sound and nothing like black to night. Andes solos on bass which I really like. His work is beautifully clean and direct with a definite path to lead back to Adamson. Morning Star is my favorite track on the release with it's Hancock like approach to presentation. With a super bass vamp by Andes and reinforcement by Adamson, Huff creates a really haunting lead line on trumpet, further expanded by Adamson. Bennett steps up with really inciteful sax lead of his own punctuated by Taylor's excellent sense of rhythm. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Triplet is an improvisational piece worked around each player adding their own piece, primarily in the form of musical triplets of different emphasis. This is a really interesting concept and works very nicely for a solid closer for an enjoyable release. BTW, this isn't a pop album. The shortest track clocks in at over 6 and a half minutes. 


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Tuesday, November 1, 2022

MoonJune Records artist: Clint Bahr - Puzzlebox - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Puzzlebox, from Clint Bahr and it's an interesting progressive adventure. Opening with Tabula Rasa, Clint Bahr on tambura is joined by David Jackson on flute and Dan Parkington on sitar. A somewhat freeform piece, it sets the table for a wild adventure. Rocker, New Design, features Bahr on bass, vocal, acoustic guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Baglama Raz, wood flute and percussion with Mike Hough on drums and cymbals and Jeff Schiller on bari sax, tenor sax and clarinet and quite reminds me of Adrienne Belew in style. Fall From Grace is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a definite Robert Fripp / Mahavishnu influenced structure. Adding Colin Carter on vocal, Billy Ficca on drums and cymbals, and Dan Parkington on violin this track is really cool. Kicking The Wasps Nests is a great driving rocker adding Peter Banks on solo guitar, Ficca on drums and Jack Schiller on sax... just enough structure to make it powerful and just loose enough to make it fun. Wrapping the release is Tabula Rasa 2 with Bahr on tambura and Moog, Cross on violins and viola and Parkington on sitar. As the release opens, so it ends with an Eastern influenced composition with only the basics of structure. 


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Monday, October 24, 2022

Xanthan - Succubus Swing - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Succubus Swing, by Xanthan and it's a experimental rock band with many threads of influence. Opening with (Hey You) Hybyc, Xanthan shows heavy musical overtones with power guitar work by Max Miller and precise drum riffs by Boz Miller with Corin Gatwood on bass and vocal. I like the progressive nature of the guitar lead on Colliskeions 23. With it's Fripp like construction and rock like attack, this may be my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is In Killeen with a driving drum rhythm, riding guitar stream and a guitar rhythm that really works well with the thumping bass work of Gatwood. This track mixes darkness with brightness making it's own way. A cool closer. 


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Friday, October 14, 2022

Blue Heart Records artist: Miss Bix - Bring It - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bring It, by Miss Bix, and it's a cool blend of blues, rock, pop and soul. Opening with Ain't No Such Thing, Leslie Letven Bixler (Miss Bix) fronts the band on lead vocal, backed by Frank Goldwasser on guitar and Ralph Carter on bass, drums and guitar. A soul fused number with nicely blended vocals, a nice opener. On country flavored Trail of Tears, Goldwasser's slide guitar work really gives the track a southern blues rock feel, with Carter on resonator and Bix's vocals are soulful and lively. The Girl You Adore is one of my favorites on the release with a strong melody and really nice vocals by Bix. With Goldwasser on 12 string, John Thomas on Wurlitzer and Carter on bass, this track really has meat. Funky, Red Walls pairs Bix with Keeshea Pratt on vocal making for a really strong sound. Goldwasser on guitar, Tom Canning on B3, Bill Bixler on sax and Carter on guitar, bass and drums gives this track a strong chance for radio track of the release. New Orleans flavored, Daddy Why, puts Bix aside Tiffany Pollack as a great vocal duo. With Bill on sax, Thomas on piano and Carter on guitar bass and drums, this track has a great feel. Wrapping the release is acoustic blues, Movin' On, featuring Bix on vocal and acoustic guitar alone. This is a solid closer for a really enjoyable release. 


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