Matay Records artist: Dione Taylor - Spirits In The Water - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spirits In The Water, from Dione Taylor and it's a mix of pop, blues and rock. Opening with Water, a pop oriented track with blues roots, Dione Taylor on lead vocal and tambourine joined by Joel Schwartz on guitar, Lyle Molzan on drums, and Mark McIntyre on bass. With warm backing and a swaying rhythm, Down The Bloodline is a cool track and nicely complimented by Schwartz on banjo. Bluesy ballad, One More Shot is a real nice track that showcases Taylor's voice nicely. Cool dobro work by Schwartz adds another dimension and just the simplest of drum work by Molzan makes it one of my favorites on the release. Darkness is my choice for the radio track on this release with a solid melody, vocal layering and interesting guitar work sounding a bit like Fleetwood Mac. Wrapping the release is pop rocker, Running, with it's simple rhythm and solid melody. Taylor has put together a solid package with a broad variety of music.

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American Blues Artist Group: Dudley Taft - Cosmic Radio - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cosmic Radio, from Dudley Taft and it's reinforces Taft's reputation as a blues rocker with dark metallic overtones. Opening with title track, Cosmic Radio, Taft and company storm into the grooves with that trademark pounding rhythm and well blended vocals by Taft and Ashley Charme. High energy blues rocker, The Devil mixes traditional blues riffs and more modern metal style figures giving this track a hot rocking sound with Taft's fluid finger work and vocals. Backed by Kasey Williams on solid bass and Walfredo Reyes Jr. on drums this track hums. I like the modified funk bass line on One In A Billion with it's almost stroll tempo. The classic metal overtones in Taft's work always gives it a classic rock sound and the blues undertones gives it a fine complexity. Blues ballad, Relentless, features lead vocal by Taft's daughter, Ashley Charmae, and with it's radio craving melody and nicely crafted lead guitar solo, it's likely to be the top player choice. One of my favorites on the release is lumbering, All For One with it's heavy bottom and fused vocals and jagged, obtuse guitar soloing. A lighter footed approach on I'm A Believer uses vocal dynamics and snappy drum work propelling Taft's soaring guitar lead to real advantage. Wrapping the release is soft ballad, I Will Always Love You with almost the texture of Queen with smooth vocal lead and warm harmonies. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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Grooveyard Records artists: Head Honchos - Blues Alliance - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Alliance, from Head Honchos, and it's a rocking jam party. Opening with Stuck Between The Middle, Head Honchos had a heavier, rockier sound than on earlier releases with the addition of Mike Boyle on bass and Will Wyatt on drums. Rocco Calipari Sr. and Rocco Calipari Jr manage the guitar leads handily with sr on lead vocal as well. Mr. Bad keeps that driving rock beat and with head snapping drum work milks a scorching guitar tone from the axes. Adding in a little rhythmic funk on She Got That Thang, Sr's vocals add swagger on a southern rock flavored entry. Mark Landes adds keys on this track and guitar soloing it strong. Can't Be Satisfied is another track with a funky underpinning and a "Jimi" like attack on guitar gives it a turbo boost. Wyatt's drumming on Willie Dixon's Evil is intense and overall reminds me of a supercharged Warpigs attack with excellent "metal" fused guitar soloing. Driving boogie, Rock 'n Roll sets up a real nice platform for paired lead vocals by the Caliparis and after a flurry of solid riffs, breaks back into a cool blues jam. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a total acoustic blues rework of Al Green's I'm A Ram. With cool acoustic slide work , paired with simple acoustic guitar, light percussion and soulful vocals, a different take on an often covered track. Nice closer. 

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Kurt Allen - Whiskey, Women & Trouble - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Whiskey, Women & Trouble, from Kurt Allen and it's a solid rocker. Opening with Graveyard Blues, Allen wastes no time showing the grit in his voice and his guitar rumble. Backed by Lester Estelle Jr. on drums, Craig Kew on bass and Beaux Lux on keys, a super opener. Slick shuffle, Watch Your Step, has a a cool pace and tight horn unit made up of Pete Carrroll on trumpet and Trevor Turla on trombone giving Allen a broad stage to lead both vocally and on slide guitar and with solid work by Estelle and Kew. Slow blues, How Long has a nice melodic guitar lead, working nicely with Allen's vocal and horn compliment. With it's potent lead bass line and electrifying soloing, this is likely a crowd favorite for the release. Tom tom driven title track, Whiskey, Women and Trouble has an up tempo shuffle beat and plenty of blues riffs to go around. My favorite track on the release is bass driven, Funkalicious, with it's ultra funky sound. Great rhythm guitar and perfect horn work surround those raspy vocals. Excellent! With a Latin rhythm, Cry Mercy, moves nicely. Allen's vocals are solid and hi-sticking drum work really sets the track apart. Wrapping the release is rock n roller, Sweet T with it's driving rhythm guitar and keen piano work by Lux. Allen really winds it up on guitar under his lead vocal and gets the blood pumping. Solid closer. 

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Justin Saladino Band - Live - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live, from Justin Saladino Band and it's a cool rocker with plenty of radio potential. Opening with Take What You Need, Saladino on lead vocal and guitar, joined by Antoine Loiselle on guitars, David Osel-Afrifa on keys, Denis Paquin on drums, Gabriel Forget on bass, and Lucie Martel on vocal and percussion. Continuing with it's happy go lucky pace and beat, Honey has a great melody and some real nice guitar work. On Tom Petty's You Don't Know How It Feels, Saladino adds in a little slide and some heavy organ giving the track a more bluesy feel. On blues ballad, Peace With You, Saladino really works the vocals laying down the best track on the release. Nicely phrased lead guitar soloing and a quiet background really elevate this track. Very nice. Another favorite on the release is Purple Girl with overdriven guitars with traces of Jimi or Gary Clark Jr. Really a cool blues rocker. Wrapping the release is No Worries a springy rocker with heavy overtones. I like the Haynes like guitar accents to the vocal lead and tight rhythm section on this track. This is a cool closer for a solid release. 

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Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations - My Getaway - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Getaway, from Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations and it's a solid blues rocker.  Opening with Say My Name, Dustin Arbuckle, formerly of Moreland and Arbuckle, is upfront on harmonica and lead vocals, backed by Branden Hudspeth on guitars, Dr Mark Foley on bass, and Kendall Newby on drums. With a solid rhythm and the strong vocals that M&A was known for, this is a strong opener. With a familiar Muddy Waters like melody, ramped up tempo and Arbuckle's soulful vocals, Across The Desert is a great follow up. You Got To Go crosses further into the rock arena with R&B rhythm and soulful vocals. With a strong harp vamp and a cool guitar riff, Arbuckle's vocals ride high on top like Peter Wolf on JGB. Very cool. Darlin' Dear is a really nice radio track like Jackson Browne meets Marshall Tucker Band. Nicely blended vocals, and a strong melody are the key to this track. Another interesting track is When A Song Comes Along with just a bit more country and western flavor. It has just the right amount to make it cool and works well with Arbuckle's voice. Very nice. Wrapping the release is jazz influenced instrumental, Swingling featuring Arbuckle on lead harmonica over Hudspeth on guitar. Foley's walking bass line sets a great anchor and an eventual solo is tight. Hudspeth shows he knows a thing or two (at least) about jazz structure taking the track to another level. Excellent closer. 

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Phenix Fire Records artist: Vanessa Collier - Heart On The Line - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heart On The Line, from Vanessa Collier, and it's quite good. Opening with James Brown's, Super Bad Collier is off to a strong start morphing a quick tempo driver into a slow, funky instant hit. This track has it all with movement, great vocal, a great bottom, and saxy solo by Collier. Backed by Nick Stevens on drums, Scott Sutherland on bass, Laura Chavez on guitar, William Gorman on keys, Quinn Carson on Trombone, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, this track is hot! With a delta feel on Bloodhound, Chavez lays down a cool slide riff and Colliers vocals really take over. With CC Ellis on bass and Stevens on drums, this track has oomph. Randy Newman's You Can Leave Your Hat On gets a really nice rework with plenty of spunk. I really like the horn work on this one pushing it along and Chavez's guitar solo just just right in the groove. Excellent! Original track, Weep and Moan has a really great feel with a slower tempo, tasty guitar trem and solo work by Chavez and Carson, Woolverton and Colliers working the horns under death defying vocals. Very nice! Funky, Who's In Power really pours on the horn sauce with Colliers working up the band with choice vocal and sax work over a pumped bass line by Ellis. Hot! Wrapping the release is the most pop oriented track on the release, Heart On The Line, with Cornell Williams really working the bass line, punchy horn work by Carson and Woolverton and great vocal work, revival style by Colliers. Excellent closer for her best release yet.

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Tony O. - Blues O' Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues O' Blues, from Tony O. and it's solid old school electric blues. Opening with You Upset Me Baby, Tony O, who has played with a who's wo of blues greats including Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Rogers, Victoria Spivey, and James Cotton (to name a few) is upfront on vocal and guitar and his playing style, quite reminiscent of BB King keeps you bopping with super backing by The Uptown Horns. On rolling blues number, So Excited, Tony takes an extended intro and a driving bass line and great horn support to Tony's solid guitar lead. Very cool. One of my favorites on the release, My Love Strikes Like Lightning, has strong tempo, punchy horns and really tasty lead guitar phrasing. Jimmy Rogers', You're So Sweet, is up next and Tony leads with solid harmonica and vocal. Excellent piano and snappy drum and bass work give this track real zing. R&B style track, It's Just A Matter Of Time, is a real showcase for the tasteful guitar work of Tony with excellent sense of style. Very nice! Wrapping the release is fast boogie, Just Drive, with Tony playing both guitar and harmonica solos. This is a cool closer for a strong release.

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Delmark Records artist: Johnny Iquana's : Chicago Spectacular! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release from Johnny Iguana, Chicago Spectacular! and it's a cool mix of styles and packed with blues notables. Opening with Roosevelt Sykes' 44 Blues, featuring John Primer, Bob Margolin and Michael Caskey, Iguana does a great job on keys and Primer's lead vocals are super. On Willie Dixon's Down In The Bottom ,Primer has the mic again and with cool guitar lead and with Michael Caskey on drums another cool entry. Gil Scott- Heron's Lady Day and John Coltrane has a cool, laid back jazzy feel and features Phillip-Michael Scales on lead vocal and guitar. Iguana really rocks the piano on this one with simple rhythms by Caskey. Lil' Ed guests on Burning Fire with flaming lead guitar and vocal. Rolling piano work by Iguana and solid drum work by Kenny Smith makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Lil' Ed is back on Elmore James' Shake Your Moneymaker and Ed knows how to make that slide talk. Very cool. Sonny Boy Williamson's Stop Breakin' Down slides in nicely with Matthew Skoller on harmonica and lead vocal and Billy Flynn on lead guitar. Closing the release is Big Bill Broonzy's Hot Dog Mama with lead vocals by Billy Boy Arnold and lead guitar by Billy Flynn. Iguana did a really nice job putting htis set together and his piano work throughout is strong. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: John Nemeth - Stronger Than Strong - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stronger Than Strong, from John Nemeth and it's tasty. Opening with Chicago bluesy, Come On And Take It, with Nemeth on vocal and harmonica, Danny Banks on drums, Matthew Wilson on bass and Jon Hay on guitar. With it's tight rhythm and classic styling, it's a solid opener.  With darker overtones and Nemeth's soulful vocals, Sometimes is a strong player that is a great showcase for Nemeth's vocal strength and harmonica reinforcement. Throw Me In The Water is a great rocker with a rockin beat and a moving bass line by Wilson, potent vocals by Nemeth and some flashy guitar work by Hay on guitar. Very nice. I really like Chain Breaker with it's blues vamp driven by Wilson and plenty of room for Nemeth and Hay to cruise. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Work For Love with it's infectious bass line and Nemeth's soulful vocals. Adding a little bounce to a classic blues pattern, Nemeth crafts a real nice track here with extended harmonica soloing and a bit of hot guitar work by Hay. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Sweep The Shack, a hot paced R&B track with nicely harmonized vocals and bluesy, Texas style guitar riffs. This is a solid closer for another super release from Nemeth. 

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Valcour Records artist: Johnny Nicholas - Mistaken Identity - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mistaken Identity, by Johnny Nicholas and I really like it. With it's kooky lyrics, blues overtones and country western flavor, it's packing. Opening with, She Stole My Mojo, Johnny Nicholas on vocal, guitars, piano, and harmonica tells a wild tale with a loose riff, joined by Scrappy Jud Newcomb on guitars and vocals, John Chipman on drums, percussion and vocals and Chris Maresh on bass and vocals. This is a wacky track but a memorable one. Nice opener. With it's country strut, Mule and the Devil is a cool track with Newcomb on mandolin and the addition of Chris Stafford on organ. With a funky New Orleans feel, title track, Mistaken Identity is not only a clever story but has nicely blended backing vocals and cool Clavinet work by Eric Adcock. Tight Pants is a super rocker with a high octane rhythm. With it's rock n roll feel and free wheelin' vocals, it's hard not to bop. One of my favorite tracks on the release is She Didn't Think Of Me That Way with it's Tex-Mex feel and soulful guitar lead, featuring Max Baca on Bajo Sexto and Josh Baca on accordion. Excellent! Another cool rocker is Highway 190 with it's laid back rockabilly feel. Nicholas lays down a cool piano solo and some cool guitar riffs but it's his vocals that carry the tune. Very cool. Wrapping the release is River Runs Deep, a ballad that blends all of the music on the release into one. With solid vocals, a strong melody and warm organ under the melodic guitar lead, this is an excellent closer. 

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Reference Recordings artist: Doug MacLeod - Brand New Eyes - New Release Review

 

I just  had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brand New Eyes, from Doug MacLeod and it's super. This release on Reference Recordings, Fresh label captures MacLeod alone on acoustic guitar and resonator in a pristine setting. Opening with title track, Brand New Eyes, MacLeod uses his vocal and finger picking pace to stimulate the track and a foot tap to stabilize the pace. Easing into a John Lee Hooker like trance with resonator and a solid foot stomp, MacLeod really captures the feel of Delta Blues on Something Dark Is Walking. An obvious student of the old masters, this track is spot on. With a traditional rag style and strong finger picking, Zu-Zu Woman is a terrific track and one of my favorites on the release. With raw emotion, I Rolled A Nickel feels delta authentic with the jangle of the resonator and slide, foot stomp and wailing like vocal. Very nice. Story telling country blues, The Nature of the Man has a great tempo and solid vocals making it the most radio friendly track. Wrapping the release is Welcome In Your Home with it's contemporary, folk blues feel. MacLeod maintains a strong pace and his energy is vibrant.

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Blue Heart Records artist: Malaya Blue - Still - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Still, from Malaya Blue and it's a solid release with plenty of soul. Opening with title track, Still, UK singer/songwriter, Malaya Blue is joined by Nat Martin on guitar, Stevie Watts on keys, Mike Horne on drums and Eddie Masters on bass. Really nice vocal phrasing and a solid melody makes this a strong opener. With a funky beat and and some cool organ work, Down To The Bone has a great groove and Martin's guitar soloing is really tasty. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Why Is Peace So Hard with it's gospel overtones. Malaya really works this track and the organ work on Watts drives it home. Excellent! R&B track, You Kiss My Troubles Away has a great beat and with it's rhythmic vocal delivery, a solid radio presence. Another of my favorite tracks is jazzy R&B track, Settle Down Easy with a strong bass line from Masters and a solid vocal delivery by Malaya. Wrapping the release is rocker, Hot Love, with it's grinding guitar tones and driving rhythms. Blue has put together a solid release here. 

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Whitaker Blues Records artist: The Barrett Anderson Band - HypnoBoogie - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, HypnoBoogie, by The Barrett Anderson Band and it is a super live release. Anderson, who started his professional career at 15 backing Pinetop Perkins and Bob Margolin before joining Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters at 16. After a few years with Earl and another hand full with Monster Mike Welch, Barrett released his first solo release, All The Way Down in 2007 and another, The Long Fall in 2012. This latest release, HypnoBoogie, was recorded live at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood, Mass on February 1, of 2020. Opening with Bo Diddley's, Mona, this band shows you immediately that no one in the crowd is gonna remain seated. with tom tom's flaring courtesy of Doug MacLeod and thumping bass and harmony vocal by Jamie Hatch, Anderson gets things cranking on his guitar and with energetic lead vocal. On Magic Sam's, Lookin' Good, Anderson's driving guitar vamp, pushed by MacLeod and Hatch drives the energy even higher on this blues rocking instrumental. Whipping out the slide for Son House's classic, Grinnin' In Your Face, Charlie Mallet adds a fat round tone, supplemented nicely by hard working toms by Macleod and nicely blended vocals by Anderson and Emily Anderson. I like the wailing slide tone that Mallet lays down on Blind Faith, an ethereal instrumental with a lot of atmosphere. Springing back with Broken Down with the energy of a Hill Country Blues track, Anderson gets things ramping up working his own guitar nicely with Mallet and the driving snare and cymbal combination of MacLeod and adding in a cool bass solo by Hatch. Wrapping the release is a rowdy version of J Geils' own, House Party. Seems obvious, but this is a perfect track to wrap a live concert with it's driving rhythm, well known lyrics, and the super opportunity to rock out. very cool. 

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Blind Fiction - Overlook - New release review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Overlook, from Blind Fiction and it's a cool, blues based rocker. Opening with Better Man, an upbeat, country flavored rocker with a contemporary beat, Tim Wright on lead guitar and vocal, Eric Madunic on bass, keys and backing vocals and Nick Lang on drums set a good pace. Joined by Eric Schoor on sax and Andrew Riehle on trumpet, a solid opener. I really like rocker, Deal With You Later with it's harmonized lead vocals, fanned blues chords and romping bass line. Wright gets loose on this one showing his excellent chops. Mean Old Jack maintains a rock stance but with firm blues footing, and slick slide guitar by Wright. With broad radio styling, Waiting On A Tragedy, utilizes harmony vocals, a strong guitar riff and nice additional keyboard work by Joe Howard, to create the perfect hit combination. Closing the release is You Never Know, with it's basic R&B feel but with a cool hitch rhythm giving it a more contemporary feel. I really like Wright's vocal on this one and his guitar work is understated but very effective. The addition of Schoor's sax solo, Jamie Breiwick's trumpet solo and Tim Preuss on bass gives this track a cool jazz edge. Very nice closer. 

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Cleopatra Blues artist: Kirk Fletcher - My Blues Pathway - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Blues Pathway, from Kirk Fletcher and it's great. Opening with blues rocker, Ain't No Cure For The Downhearted, Kirk Fletcher opens his newest release with a smooth rolling track. Joined by Travis Carlton on bass, Lemar Carter on drums, Jeff Babko on keys, Joe Sublett on sax and Mark Pender on trumpet, Fletchers vocals are crisp and his guitar riffs fluid. Ballad, Love Is More Than A Word, gives Fletcher a nice chance to play and sing in the soul vein. Reinforced on organ by Babko, and with nice horn work, this is a real nice track also giving Fletcher to scream a bit on guitar. Very nice! In the vein of A Thrill Is Gone, funky, Struggle For Grace is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Fletcher's vocals are perfect and his guitar work fluid and gripping. Switching gear into a rolling blues with a organ vamp by Babko and really strong soloing by Fletcher, this is a great change up. Slow blues, Heart So Heavy is another favorite on the release with well phrased lead lines and excellent vocals. Sublett and Trumpet really add nice punctuation but it's Fletcher's attack and BB King like phrasing on the guitar that gives this track drive. Instrumental, D Is For Denny is a cool shuffle with a slick low, mid fretboard melody. This track is almost like a Freddie King design but not exactly. Fletcher takes you for a nice ride with tight drums by David Kida and solid horn support by Sublett and Pender. Wrapping the release is delta style blues, Life Gave Me A Dirty Deal, featuring Fletcher on acoustic guitar and lead vocal and  Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and joined by Josh Smith on National Resephonic Guitar. With solid bones and tight, authentic feel, this is a nice closer for a really strong release. 

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Peter Parcek - Mississippi Suitcase - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mississippi Suitcase, from Peter Parcek and it may be his best yet. Opening with The World Is Upside Down, Peter Parcek opens his grittiest and rockinist release, with a driving rhythm and blazing guitar. With a rock modified blues track, Parcek has lead vocal and guitar, backed by Tim Carman on drums, Tom West on keys, and Marc Hickox on bass. Really solid.  With it's march style snare drum rhythm, Everybody Oughta Make A Change has a cool, relaxed blues feel. Parcek's vocals and lead guitar seem to float over the tight drum pattern giving the track a different kind of feel. Very nice. Bob Dylan's, Beyond Here Lies Nothing, has an interesting, easy Latin feel, reminding me of early Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac Blues band with nice slide work and phrasing by Parcek. Followed by The Supernatural, a strong Peter Green composition, Parcek really works the fretboard over with a strong guitar lead composition. Excellent! Mississippi Suitcase, (Slight Return) is a super blues rocker with formidable guitar riffs, a cool organ solo by West, a strong bass line and snappy drums. Parcek's vocals are meaty and the track has guts. Very nice. Slower blues shuffle, Until My Love Come Down, has a real nice pace with soulful organ work by West and with a nice guitar guitar exchange between Parcek and Ted Drozdowski. She Likes To Boogie Real Slow has a cool loping rhythm and Parcek and West trade riffs making the track a real head bobber. Wrapping the release is an interesting instrumental, A Head Full of Ghosts, which I really like. With Carman on drums, primarily on tom toms, a nice stream of keys by West, Hickox on bass and beautifully articulated lead guitar by Parcek, the release leaves you wanting more. Very nice. 

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