Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brothers , from Towner Galaher Organ Group and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Brothers , Towner Galaher sets the rhythm with a funky snare, hi hat thing and Craig Handy on tenor sax builds the melody. With warm B3 by Jimmy Sanders, Marvin Horne on guitars and excellent bass contributions by Randy Monroe, this is a solid opener. The Diamond Chalice is one of my favorites on the release with it's easy pace and soulful melody by Handy. Sanders on Rhodes and thick B3 adds substantially to the depth of the track and Monroe's bass lines balanced with Galaher's tight drumming give the track a real substantial feel. Cahva Bite? weaves from a straight ahead groove and 4 time highlighted by cool percussion by Galaher. Ever present fluid lead lines by Handy and straight up soloing by Sanders and Horne make this another standout on the release. Wrapping the release is Seventh Heaven, a driving rocker with...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live , from Towner Galaher Organ Trio and I really like it. Opening with bluesy shuffle, One For McGriff has a great groove. Lonnie Gasperini lays down the bass line on organ with Galaher on drums and Marvin Horne leads the melody on guitar. Breaking loose is Gasperini on B3 and Galaher makes a real nice splash on drums for a solid opener. McDuff's Hot Barbecue with it's JB rhythm really is hot with a terrific exchange between Gasperini  and Horne. Excellent! Galaher opens Alligator Boogaloo with the funkiest of James Brown rhythms a drummer beats. With a solid bass line by Gasperini, Horne takes the first lead with smooth articulate guitar runs, leading to more warm B3 from Gasperini. Great groove. North Beach Blues has a terrific walking bass line driving Gasperini's B3 with a healthy solo. Quieting it down a bit, Horne takes a fleet fingered solo of his own making this one of my favorite tracks on the re...