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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

Monday, May 10, 2021

Maremil Music artist: Alex Lopez - Rising Up - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rising Up, from Alex Lopez and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Light It Up, a blues based rocker with a tight bottom Alex Lopez on guitar and vocal leads a tight ship of Kenny Hoye on keys, Steve Roberts on bass, and Kana Leimbach on drums. Title track, Rising Up, is a funky rocker with beefy organ work by Hoye and solid backing vocals by Latonya Oliver and Dana Merriwether giving  Lopez room for a cool solo of his own. Blues ballad, Not This Time is my favorite on the release with a memorable melody, solid instrumentation and inspired guitar work by Lopez. Very nice. Even Up The Score is a cool track built around the basic feel of Albert King's Born Under A Bad Sign... hard to go wrong with that bass figure. Wrapping the release is the radio track from the release, Smile with it's catchy melody and radio ready vocals. melodic guitar soloing and droning bass lines are the key to this solid entry.



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Friday, May 7, 2021

The Halley DeVestern Band - Live - Money Ain't Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Money Ain't Time Live by The Halley DeVestern Band and it's a bluesy rock live show. Opening with Aretha's Chain Of Fools, Devestern sticks pretty close to Franklin's original arrangement with Thomas Heinig on bass, Steve Jabas on guitar, Dave Patterson on guitar and Rich Kulsar of drums. Shifting from soul to R&B/ blues and Joplin's Try, Devestern shows great attitude and style. Not travelling far from the original arrangement but interjecting a little Ten Years After DeVestern pumps up the track. Very cool. On original and title track, Money Ain't Time, the band gets real traction showing the texture of DeVestern's vocals and some real nice blues guitar riffs. Very nice. Bluesy ballad, American Pain is another strong track and one of my favorites on the release. With it's nice melody and rugged approach, it just hits the slot. Very nice. Everybody's favorite slow blues jam, T Bone Walker's Stormy Monday is up next but DeVestern wanders from the melody (although the melodic instrumental structure is intact). This variation on the theme adds a bit more interest and a good part of 4 minutes of guitar improvisation makes this another contender for favorite on the release. Wrapping the release is Mighty Love with African/Island influenced rhythms and a light poppy, Police style approach. The snappy rhythm of Kulsar drives this track as it winds into a whimsical conclusion. 


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Thursday, May 6, 2021

Little Village artist: Tia Carroll - You Gotta Have It - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Gotta Have It, from Tia Carroll, and I really like it. Opening with Neo soul track, Ain't Nobody Worryin' Tia Carroll really has this release humming from the start. With guitar phenom, Charlie Hunter handling bass and guitar (at the same time) D'Mar on drums, Jim Pugh on organ and Carroll on lead vocal with James Walter and Dwayne Morgan on backing vocals, this track is hot. Carroll's vocals are so soulful on Even When I'm Not Alone, it makes you sweat. With Pugh's organ work, Kid Andersen on guitars, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Paul Revelli on drums, a strong track. With real blues swagger, Mama Told Me plays into the power of Carroll's voice with Andersen laying in some stinging guitar riffs over the power horns work of Mike Runta on trombone, Rob Sudduth on tenor sax, and Aaron Lington on bari sax. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Why Am I Treated So Bad with it's dark soulful sound. With a daunting bass line by Ehrmann and the power horns of Rinta, Sudduth, Lington and Lewis, supporting Carroll's strong vocals and a cool key solo by Pugh, this is a terrific closer for a terrific release.
 
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Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Booga Music artist: Patti Parks - Whole Nother World - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (May 28, 2021), Whole Nother World, from Patti Parks,  and it's a mix of blues, soul, funk and gospel. Opening with shuffle, I'm Trouble, Patti Parks sets a swing pace on lead vocal with Kenny Neal on lead guitar, Carlton Ross on rhythm guitar, Arlando O'Connor on bass, Fredrick Neal on keys, Michael Harris on drums Brandon Adams on organ, Guy Nirelli on organ and with some hot sax from Jason Parfait. On slower blues, More Than You'll Ever Know showcases Neal's soulful guitar lead working nicely with warm organ overtones by Adams surrounding some of Parks' best vocals on the release. A softer yet effective take on James Brown's It's A Man's Man's Man's World, Parks delivers on vocals, with strong support from Neal, O'Connor, and Harris. Neal shares the mic on straight up blues track, Baby Bee playing harmonica and guitar with little other backing. Pure blues... very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulful gospel influenced Don't Play Me Cheap with Adams on organ and Parfait on sax. Wrapping the release is No Means No with a funky, high strutting attitude and cool guitar riffs by Neal, backed by Adams, Nirelli, O'Conner and Harris. Solid closer. 


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Monday, May 3, 2021

Treated and Released Records artist: Reverend Freakchild - Supramundane Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Supramundane Blues, from Reverend Freakchild and he lays down some really nice, old school, delta style blues here. Opening with Son House's Preachin' The Blues, Freakchild has a great feel on vocal and slide acoustic guitar. Excellent opener. Blending country swing and gospel on Crying Holy, Freakchild really gets things hopping with backing from Chris Parker on drums, Matt Rae on lead guitar. Righteous! Romping boogie, Personal Jesus, has super drive with Hugh Pool on harmonica and bass, Parker on drums and Freakchild on vocal. Strong! Contemporary boogie, Factors Of Awakening features Kevin Griffin on lead vocal, guitar and bass. ZZ Tops' Jesus Just Left Chicago gets a total redo with a folksy approach but with with soulful vocals, and harmonica backing. Hot Tuna's version of Good Shepherd is up next with Mark Karan on lead guitar, Malcolm Oliver on bass and Steve Sirokin on keys. Rev Gary Davis' It's Gonna Be Alright gets a more contemporary feel with a lively tempo, light snare drums and  harmonica taking form more from Pete Seeger than Davis. Cool release. 


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Friday, April 30, 2021

Endless Blues Records artist: Dexter Allen - Keep Moving On - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep Moving On, from Dexter Allen and it's a solid mix of soul, R&B and blues. Opening with title track, Keep Moving On, Dexter Allen sets up a high stepper on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Christopher Minter on drums and Joey Robinson on keys. Solid opener. Shuffle Blues Eyed Girl has a a cool swing and fluid lead guitar under Allen's vocal. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slow blues track, F.A.B.U.L.I.S.T. Woman with it's BB King like call and response style guitar riffs and some of Allen's best vocal on the release. Lightly funky, If I Ain't Got You is a real cool track giving you a strong urge to get up and move. Very cool. Soul track, Can't Live Without You, is another of my favorites on the release with gospel like bones and great vocals by Allen. Wrapping the release is R&B influenced blues track, My Cup Of Tea, with a rolling beat and strong vocal lead by Allen. 


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Thursday, April 29, 2021

Montrose Records artist: Rich Chorne' - Mas - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mas, from Rich Chorne' and it's a solid blues release. Opening with breezy shuffle, I Just Can't Stop Loving You featuring Kathy Lyon on lead vocal, Rich Chorne' on lead guitar is joined by Erik Unsworth on bass, Ricky Malichi on drums and Bud Hewett on keys. Boogie track, Where's the Love, features Rich Cagle and Julia Cozby on vocal and with it's aggressive bass line gives Chorne' a nice opening to show his stuff on lead guitar. Very nice. Boogie Woogie Fever again features Lyon on lead vocal, backed by Cozby and Cagle on backing vocal, Hewett's flashy key board work  and the up tempo pace make this one of the best tracks on the release. Shuffle, I Gotta Get Home, features Chorne' on lead vocal and gives everyone a chance to show their stuff. With it's light melody and jam format, another release favorite. I like the Latin flavor of Down In The Quarter with snappy drum work by Malichi and with Davis on lead vocal gives Chorne' a nice opportunity to play some more stylistics guitar work. Very nice. Wrapping the release is slow blues, I Can't Find My Way, with  Don McMasters on harmonica and Cagle on lead vocal. Chorne' plays some real nice blues runs over the tense keyboard support of Hewett and Unsworth's firm hand at bass really anchors the track. 


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Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Thy Dirty Deuce - Bruised - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bruised, from Thy Dirty Deuce, and it's an updated blues rock release. Opening with Call It  What You Will, Thy Dirty Deuce shows a distinct southern rock sting with Rob Atwood on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Jamey Clark on drums, Gregory Roteik on bass, David Passow on harmonica and Matt Ostlund on sax. Title track, Bruise, is a salty blues rocker with a cool bass riff and Jim Morrison like vocal delivery by Atwood. I really like the addition of Jeff Hamilton on lap steel on this track giving it a more aggressive sound. Lean Black Cadillac has a heavier sound with metal characteristics but almost Zappa like construction and still a bluey edge. Very cool. Another blues based track with a metal edge is One Crazy Summer with it's grinding guitar work and heavy overtone but soulful harmonica wailing by Passow. Very cool. One track stands out to me with strong radio appeal and that's You Might. With it's bluesy feel and soulful vocals by Atwood, this track has a cool melody, easy feel and fluid guitar lead. Very nice. Wrapping the release is country flavored, Kick-Ass Love Song which will likely have strong crowd appeal with it's clever lyrics. Ostlund steps up with a healthy sax solo on this one and the blended vocals give it a rich sound for the closer. 


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Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Mukthiland Records artist: Fred Hostetler - Fred's Blue Chair Blues - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fred's Blue Chair Blues, from Fred Hostetler and it's a cool set of straight forward blues and ballads. Opening with Jimmy Reed's Bright Lights, Big City, Fred Hostetler lays down the simplest of blues tracks using only his voice and an acoustic guitar. Deep Deep Well is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Hostetler on acoustic slide showing some real clean riffs and super blues feel. Taming The Wolf is another cool track with some delta style picking. This isn't hot and fancy finger work but authentic and cool leading into a cool JLH style boogie. Wrapping the release is Salt Tears with it's country style acoustic guitar feel and vocal. This is a solid set of contemporary blues with honest roots. Very cool. 


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Monday, April 26, 2021

Ain't Skeert Tunes artist: Jimmie Bratcher - I'm Hungry - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm Hungry, from Jimmie Bratcher and it's a cool mix of swampy rock and blues. Opening with I Love Her Name, a cool boogie rocker, Bratcher is joined by Craig Kew on bass, Joe Selle on drums, and John Selle on keys. Bratcher has an aggressive guitar style and attacks his solo with real grunt. Cool opener. With a laid back easy pace, Mama Won't Fry No Chicken, has a real comfortable gait with Aaron Mayfield on B3 and Terry Hancock on drums turning up the heat for a cool relaxed guitar solo by Bratcher. Rocker, Where You Gonna Stop, is low slung and with solid vocals and stinging guitar work by Bratcher, this track is one of my favorites on the release. Eric Stark's keys under Bratcher's lead guitar and tight stick work by Hancock may this a hot instrumental. With a New Orleans rhythm, Green Bananas is loose with super horn work over the fun vocals on Bratcher. Soul classic, Grit's Ain't Groceries gets a total rework with a low slung Texas shuffle feel and with some heavy guitar work by Bratcher, my favorite vocals on the release. Very cool. Wrapping the release is instrumental rocker, Happy, with some jazz/rock style jam lead from Bratcher. A cool B3 solo by Mayfield and a heavy bass line by Kew and great intensity by Hancock take it home. Solid closer. 


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Friday, April 23, 2021

Blueheart Records artist: Tomislav Goluban - Express Connection - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Express Connection, from Tomislav Goluban and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with title track, Express Connection, eastern European harmonica player, Tomislav Goluban flexes his muscle on this hard driving blues rocker with Jeff Jensen on guitar, David Green on drums, Rick Steff on keys and Bill Ruffino on bass. A solid ballad, Pale Blue Eyes has a real nice melody featuring Goluban on lead vocal and cool reverb soaked guitar by Jensen and Mark Johnson on slide and Kelly Zirbes on backing vocal. Blues shuffle, Extra Boom really sits nicely in the groove and Goluban works the Chicago styling nicely on harmonica. Steff lays in a cool electronic keyboard solo and Jensen follows with some cool riffs of his own. Blues rocker, No Future In Your Past, has great pace and features Kirk Smothers on sax, Marc Franklin on trumpet and Zibes on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is Beast Walk with a cool organ melody by Steff with horn backing by Smothers and Franklin and alternating guitar intervals by Jensen and Johnson as well as some high riding harmonica work by Goluban. This is a cool release with an eastern look at the blues. Cool.


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Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Gramofono Sound Label artist: Will Porter - Tick Tock Tick - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tick Tock Tick, from Will Porter and it's a cool slice of music. Opening with title track, Tick Tock Tick, a Dr John track features the Dr with his Will Porter with his soulful lead vocal, backed by Thaddeus Richard on keys, Todd Duke on guitars, Brian Brian Quezergue on bass and and Bunchy Johnson on drums. My favorite track on the release is original Why Do We get Blue? which is a stellar showcase for Porter's voice and backing vocals by The Womack Brothers and with a tasty baritone guitar solo Jimmy Haslip. Ike turner's funky, I'm Blue, is really pumped up with super horn work by Mic Gilette and Johnnie Bamont. Solid blues, I Can Do Bad By Myself is another favorite with deep roots, featuring sreat soulful vocal by Porter, warm keys by Richard, powerful horns by Gilette and Bamont and strong guitar soloing by Leo Nocentelli. Very nice. Smooth jazz ballad, Don't Go To Strangers has the strings and the warmth but the baritone guitar solo by Haslip gives the track real traction. Wrapping the release is Everything's Gonna Be Alright, a strong radio candidate with R&B bones and featuring lead vocal by Porter and The Womack Brothers providing essential backing vocals with a potent bass line by Quezergue and tight rhythms by Doug Belote. 


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Monday, April 12, 2021

Lost World Music artist: Christopher Dean Band - Songs From French Street - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Songs From French Street by the Christopher Dean Band and it's a cool rock/R&B release. Opening with Can I Get It, Dean is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, backed by song writer. Johnny Rawls on vocal and guitar, Rob Fraiser on bass, Dave Hollingsworth on drums, June Thomas on organ, Carl Snyder on piano and Steve Lombardelli on horns. Cool opener. On You Walked Away, Dean rolls into a bluesy rock format and possibly the radio track on the release. With it's up beat drum rhythm and Latin/blues fused guitar lead, this track is strong. Keep On Lovin' Me is really a blues rocker with a SRV flavor but with an R&B overtone. It's ramped up drums and power horn backing make it one of the top tracks on the release. Another favorite is soulful track, Walls, with it's Curtis Mayfield like feel. Dean works this track nicely with just the right blend of vocal and lead guitar. Beautiful. Add in a bit of funk and Send Her To Me, is another real radio target. Blended vocal work and a solid bass line by Hollinsworth gives this track a great feel. Curtis Mayfield penned, My Country retains a lot of the Mayfield flavor and with punchy horn backing by Joe Mixon and S Lombardelli, another strong track. Muddy Water's Gypsy Woman maintains it's shuffle pace but with a much more modern approach, the track is solid with basic, modified Morganfield guitar riffs and even Otis Span like piano work by Chicago Carl. Wrapping the release is Memphis Minnie's Nothing In Ramblin a solid take on this old standard with solid solos by Dean and Carl.

This is a cool release with a lot of super music.


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Friday, April 9, 2021

Nerus Records artist: The Hitman Blues Band - Not My Circus, Not My Monkey - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Not My Circus, Not My Monkey, from the Hitman Blues Band and it's definitely got some cool angles. Opening with title track, Not My Circus, Russell "Hitman" Russell is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Kevin Bents on keys, Mike Porter on bass and backing vocals, Guy La Fountaine on drums, Mikey Vitale on alto sax, John Kelly on tenor sax, Eric Altarac on trumpet, Nick Clifford on bari sax, and Joanna Alexander on backing vocals. A clever radio style track with full horn backing, this track shows some real nice slide guitar work by Hitman as well.  Buy That Man A Drink has a great Rhumba rhythm and Altarac's trumpet work stands out nicely. Blind Willie Johnson gets a modern, blues rock rework with cool electric piano and guitar soloing giving it nice punch. A funky rework on John The Revelator works a balance of drums and horns with strong backing vocals making this one of Hitman's best vocal efforts. Hot solos by Mike Katzman on organ and guitar solo by Hitman definitely embellish my favorite track on the release. Up tempo, Walk With You, is another radio track from this release with it's memorable melody and tightly blended instrumentation including a strong bari solo by Clifford. Soulful, Everybody But Me has the bones of a 50's ballad with upfront vocals by Hitman, piano rhythm by Bents, a nicely articulated jazz style guitar solo by Hitman and solid horn backing. Wrapping the release is Go Down Fighting with a serious Texas style guitar lope and heavy handed drum work gives Hitman a grate opportunity to show his contemporary blues chops concluding this release. 


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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Gravely James - From Steve's Shed - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From Steve's Shed, by Gravely James and it's an upbeat folk blues release. Opening with 103, James shows a lot of energy on vocal and acoustic guitar with foot stomps and spoon like percussion featuring Gravely James (Chris Madronich) on vocal and guitar. Well structured ballad, Atlantis on My Lips has a radio friendly melody and a quiet approach making it my selection for radio play. With it's driving guitar rhythm and excited vocals, Farewell Anita is likely to be a strong crowd favorite in live performances with a memorable melody, hootin' and hollerin'. Shoot 'em Down has the classic lines of a traditional folk song with a super melody and straight forward accompaniment. With it's winsome whistling, Cold Stone Heart is a peppy little track with snappy guitar riffs and some of James' best vocals on the release. Wrapping the release is Beers with Joe Lapinski, a vibrant and energetic track with a cool contrast between the vocal and guitar. Cool closer for a cool release. 



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Tuesday, April 6, 2021

VizzTone Label Group artist: AJ Fullerton - The Forgiver and the Runaway - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Forgiver and the Runaway, from AJ Fullerton and it's a solid blues rocker with a rural feel. Opening with Remind Me Who I Am Again, AJ Fullerton on lead vocal and guitar exudes confidence with Anna Ruddick on bass, Glenn Milchem on drums, and strong key work by Jesse O'Brien as well as warm vocal backing by Chantal Hendricks and the Marrinaires. Very nice. Slippin' Away is a cool, contemporary shuffle with a super melody and great lead vocals. A smooth balance between the solo guitar work and the piano lead really works nicely. Rocker, Say You'll Stay is one of my favorites on the release with  harmonica work by Paul Reddick and vibrant guitar lead by Fullerton and Steve Marriner. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is Never Was with a distinct C Berry rhythm pattern that makes you feel the beat. An excellent solo of excellent pedal steel work by Aaron Goldstein contrasts really nicely with soft backing vocals work great with Fullerton's lead vocal. With a bit of influence of the laid back country rock of JJ Cale, Homesick is likely the top radio track on the release, with a solid melody and again, super steel acoustic guitar work by Fullerton. Wrapping the release is Hook's In The Water with a laid back country blues styling. With hints to Taj Mahal or other like contemporary blues artists, this is a solid closer. 


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Monday, April 5, 2021

Blues Mountain Records artist: Big Harp George - Living In The City - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Living In The City, from Big Harp George, and it's a solid mix or blues and rock. Opening with Build Myself an App, a rock track with a retro beat features Big Harp George on lead vocal and harp, Chris Burns on keys, Doug Rowan on bari sax, Joe Kyle on bass, June Core on drums, Kid Andersen on guitar and the Sons of the Soul Revivers (James Dwayne and Walter Morgan) on backing vocals. Heading Out to Itaipu has a cool, light Latin feel with excellent percussion by D'Mar, Little Charlie Baty on guitar, Carlos Reyes on Paraguayan harp and violin, Kid Andersen on bass, and really nicely crafted harmonica lead by George. Laid back blues, Bayside Bounce, has a cool, shuffle beat with Ben Torres on bari sax, Andersen on bass, and featuring Baty with some really tasty guitar riffs under George's harmonica lead. Blues shuffle, First Class Muck Up is my favorite track on the release with it's boogie beat and heavy sax bottom by Ben Torres. George lays down some really cool, fluid harmonica lead and Baty's guitar work is hot. Very nice. Pusher in a White Purse is another favorite with a slinky feel, some of George's best vocals on the release, warm backing vocals by Sons of Soul Revivers and a soulful guitar solo by Andersen. Wrapping the release is Meet Me at the Fence with an eastern zither intro by Firas Zreik, Loay Dahbour on Arabic percussion, Amal Markus on vocal, Joe Kyle on bass and Loralee Christiansen on backing vocal with George pulling it all together into a blues, rock middle eastern fusion. 


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