Ruf Records artist: Eddie 9V - Capricorn - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Capricorn, by Eddie 9V and it follows his earlier releases chocked full of excellent blues guitar work, soul, R&B and blues. Opening with Beg Borrow and Steal, this track reall has the sound of the soulful south and Muscle Shoals and Capricorn Studios where this release was recorded. With Eddie on lead vocal, drums, bass and guitar,  Chad Mason on keys, Noah Sills on sax, Cody Matlock on rhythm guitar,  and Dusty Mccook Guitars. Solid opener. Slow blues, Are We Through has a real soulful feel with excellent vocals by Eddie. This is certainly one of my favorite tracks on the release with the addition of Spencer Pope on organ and some really tasty guitar riffs by Eddie. Excellent! Another cool, R&B track, It's Going Down has great radio appeal with Hoah Sills on alto sax and Chad Mason on keys. Very nice. Surprise track, Bob Dylan's, Down Along the Cove brings back rich memories of one of my own blues mentors, Duane Allman and his session work on Johnny Jenkins Muscle Shoals release. This arrangement is sweet, Eddie's vocals are great and the slide work excellent with top notch piano work by Mason! Another excellent cover is Mary Don't You Weep with lead vocal by Khristie French with full vocal gospel backing. Rich. Wrapping the release is I'm Lonely, and its Al Green feel. Eddie's vocals are really nice and the punchy horn work of Daniel Wytanis and with Tony Erice on percussion makes this a strong closer. 

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Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Hi-Fi Drive By - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hi-Fi Drive By, by Jeremiah Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with rocking boogie, '68 Coupe Deville, with Johnson on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Allie Vogler, Emily Wallas and Mattie Schell on backing vocal and excellent piano by Victor Wainwright. Rounding out the mix is Joe Meyer on drums, Tom Maloney on guitar and piano, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and super sax by Frank Bauer. Excellent opener. With a super lope, Skippin' School, uses a solid mix of Meyer on drums and Niehaus IV on bass to set the pace. Strong vocal and lead guitars by Johnson makes this one of my favorite tracks which also features Kasimi Taylor on trumpet, Bauer on sax, Kevin O'Connor on bari sax and John Covelli and Dave Dickey on trombone. Very cool. Slinky blues, The Squeeze has a super bottom line by Niehaus IV giving Johnson a super bed to rip on guitar and he takes it. With full backing by Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, this is a hot track. With some Latin spice and the addition of Tony Antonelli on percussion, Hot Blooded Love adds a really nice additional dimension to the release with Johnson getting into a Spanish flavored guitar theme. With Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey at the rear and Niehaus IV on the bottom, this is another terrific track. Funky swamper, Quicksand is another of my favorite tracks on the release with an excellent percussion/drum/bass line and power horns courtesy of Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, setting up Johnson for the grand slam on slide. This track just gets in the groove and rides. Excellent! Easy closer, The Band, has a cool melody and a lightly funky rhythm lending itself nicely for radio play. With strings by Kevin Buckley and Johnson joined by Schell, Wallas and Vogler, and rolling into a super, Spanish flavored jam, this is a solid closer. 

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Ruf Records artist: Kenny Neal - Straight From the Heart - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Straight From the Heart, from Kenny Neal and I like it quite well. Opening with Blues Keep Chasing Me, Kenny Neal sets a great funky blues pace. With a solid bass line by Darnell Neal, Arnet Hayes on piano, Brandon Adams on B3,  fat sax work by Jason Parfait, trumpet accents by Ian Smith and tight rhythms by Michael Harris, this is a solid opener. Cool blues, I'll Play The Blues For You has great pace and Neal's lead vocal and guitar are really clean and soulful. Horn backing by Parfait and Smith really adds a lot of punch, and the keyboard work of Adams and Henry really work nicely with the snappy drum work of Morris. Very nice. Louise Ana shows that New Orleans slow blues feel. With the melody carried by Lee Allen on bass, addition of Rockin Dopsie Je on washboard and Big Nate Williams on accordion, this track really has the sound. With a great walking bass line by Darnell Neal, I've Got To Tell Somebody, is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Kenny's vocals are perfect and Hayes piano soloing and Neal's own lush phrasing, punched up by Parfait and Smith is great. Wrapping the release is straight up New Orleans street party, New Orleans with Parfait and Smith leading the way. Darnell keeps the bass pace and and snappy rhythms by Morris really keeps it tight. Hayes piano groove is great and Neal's vocals ride high on the mix. Excellent closer. 

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Ruf Records artist: Bernard Allison - Highs & Lows - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Highs & Lows from Bernard Allison and I really like it. Opening with So Excited, Bernard Allison is back with heat. This opening track is a potent blues rocker with Allison on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Dylan Saifer on bass, Steve Potts on rhythm guitar and Jose Ned James on drums. A romping rhythm and Allison on slide guitar gives this track real spunk. With a laid back, "Steely Dan" jazzy feel, Allison for sure set Strain on My Heart up as the radio track with it's solid melody, Toby Lee Marshall on B3 and Wurlitzer and a fat sax solo by Toby Lee Marshall. Colin James guests on My Way or the Highway, a cool shuffle, giving James and Allison a nice opportunity to trade riffs including Allison on an organ guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is I Gave It All with a funky bottom and soulful vocals by Allison. With the addition of Marshall on B3 and James on sax, Allison lays down some of his bluesiest riffs on the release. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Last Night with it's sax soaked R&B drive and stinging guitar riffs by Allison. This is a strong closer for a real solid release. 

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Ruf Records artist: Katie Henry - On My Way - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (January 28, 2022), One My Way, by Katie Henry and it's a cool helping of pop, rock and blues. Opening with title track, On My Way, Katie Henry on lead vocal, guitar and piano shows why her first release, High Road was nominated by Blues Blast and IBMA  and ended up on the 2021 Blues Caravan. With it's contemporary take on a delta riff, blended with a rock beat, this is a solid opener. Another track with a delta style riff, woven into a contemporary blues rocker is Bury You with Antar Goodwin on bass, Ben Rice on guitar, Kurt Thum on piano and organ, and Greg Wieczorek on drums. Rocker, Got Me Good has a driving beat and radio styling with vocals along the lines of Stevie Nicks without Nicks' signature warble. With warm organ backing by Thum, the definite pick for top pop track. Harmonica ace, Giles Robson sits in on Too Long, a bottom heavy blues rocker. His melodic lead along with Henry's vocal lead, woven with Thum's organ and Henry and Rice on guitar gives the track a balanced feel. Wrapping the release is western flavored, Catch Me If You Can with a great melody and nice slide work by Goodwin, over a piano and organ base and tight drumming by Wieczorek. Solid closer for Henry's second entry. 

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Ruf Records artist: Ghalia Volt - One Woman Band - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Woman Band, from Ghalia Volt and it's super. Opening with stripped down, Last Minute Packer,  Ghalia Volt has gone the way of a one woman band playing slide guitar and drums on this track backing her own bluesy vocals. The is a high energy strong opener. Espiritu Papago is another cool blues rocker with just a little more refinement with the addition of Dean Zucchero on bass. Tampa Red's It Hurt's Me Too is a strong classic included on the release with strong vocals and solid, traditional electric slide playing. Very nice. A little switch up on It Ain't Bad and a tight little rocker. With blues rock chords and a rockabilly turn around, Crissie Hynde like vocal and slap cymbals, this is really sweet. Letting it all hang out on Bad Apple, Volt turns up the amp on her slide and works the guitar nicely in concert with her lead vocal and foot drum. One of the longer tracks on the release and a open space for frenzied slide work. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Just One More Time, featuring Monster Mike Welch on guitar and Dean Zucchero on bass. A driving rocker, Volt pulls out the top candidate for radio track on the release. Its simple melody and term bend soloing by Welch makes it an excellent closer. 

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Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Unemployed Highly Annoyed - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unemployed Highly Annoyed from Jeremiah Johnson and it presents a fresh take on southern rock. Opening with Burn Down the Garden, Johnson on lead vocal and guitar leads the way with his tight knit crew, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and keys and Tony Antonelli on drums. Nicely crafted melody and some heavy tom tom work makes this track a solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is bluesy, Cherry Red Wine with it low slung feel and call and response interaction between Johnson's guitar soloing and the the key organ work by Niehaus on a strong bass line. Very nice. Title track, Unemployed Highly Annoyed has a funky rock beat and a thumping bass line. A strong rocker with plenty of space gives Johnson room to lay out some nice guitar solos. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is Different Plan For Me, with it's soulful lead guitar work and warm backing. Johnson sings sparingly but his jazzy approach on delivery and bluesy riffs makes this track a stand out. Wrapping the release is rocker, Rock N Roll For the Soul with flashy Chuck Berry flavored guitar riffs and boogie bass lines. Niehaus drives the bottom home and Johnson rocks it on. Strong closer.

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Ruf Records artist: Bette Smith - The Good The Bad And The Bette - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Good The Bad and The Bette, from Bette Smith and it's a cool rockin' R&B release. Opening with Fistful of Dollars, a funky rocker, Bette Smith really hits a groove, backed by Matt Patton on bass, Bronson Tew on drums, Eric Carlton on piano, Jimbo Mathus on organ and with Henry Westmoreland on horns. Very cool. Possibly my favorite track on the release is bluesy ballad, Whistle Stop, showing excellent vocal by Smith, and with strings by Jamison Hollister. Punchy rocker, I'm A Sinner, has a driving beat and a cool guitar riff underlying with strong but unflashy guitar lead and backing vocal by Hood, Patton, Tew and Schaefer Llana. Nice. With it's straightforward nature and nice melody, Song for a Friend is my choice for radio track. Dominants bass lines by Patton and tight drum work by Tew and solid backing vocals by Hood, Patton, Tew and Schaefer Llana give this track a certain cool feel. Wrapping the release is soulful, Don't Skip Out On Me, another strong ballad with Smith, acoustic guitar accompaniment and super atmospheric guitar work giving the track a strong feel and nice trumpet work by Westmoreland. Super closer. 

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Ruf Records artist: Victor Wainwright and The Train - Memphis Loud - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Memphis Loud, by Victor Wainwright & The Train and it's spicy. Opening with Mississippi, a cool party song with a kaleidoscope of musical tones including Wainwright on vocal and keys, Billy Dean on drums, Terrance Grayson on bass, Pat Harrington on guitar, Mark Earley on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, Dave Gross on percussion, Mikey Junior on vocal, Reba Russell on vocal, Stephen Dees on vocals, Patricia Ann Dees on vocals, Gracie Curran on vocals and Peanut Reed on vocals. Title track, Memphis Loud is a real locomotive with instrumental horsepower. With Wainwright really hitting the electric piano and Earley and Woolverton pushing the horns, this track has a massive opening. Smoothing into a Louisiana flavored, country tinged, track, Sing, Wainwright and Dave Gross really work the vocals. Quieting down to a real nice ballad, Disappear, Wainwright shows his strong vocal feel with a nicely crafted undercarriage of piano, drums and bass. With a slick guitar solo by Gross over the organ and piano work of Wainwright, this is a really nice track. Golden Rule is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's complex rhythm pattern, almost like a Frank Zappa basis with warm vocals by Wainwright and Harrington who also lays in a real nice unstructured guitar solo of his own. Certainly one of the most memorable tracks on the release is South End of a North Bound Mule with it's clever lyrics and it's swampy, funky rhythm. With great vocals, some real nice guitar riffs by Harrington and Greg Gumpel and the vocal work of Wainwright and Reba Russell, this is a great track. Another fun track is My Dog Riley with super New Orleans style piano and horns and of course great horn and vocal backing. Wrapping the release is soulful ballad, Reconcile which, with the rich vocal styling of Wainwright and a strong guitar solo by Gumpel is a super closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Ruf Records artist: Ryan Perry - High Risk, Low Reward - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Risk, Low Reward from Ryan Perry and he has put together a solid blues rock release. Opening with Ain't Afraid to Eat Alone, a straight up rocker with R&B overtones, Perry's strong vocals and fluid guitar lead is perfect for this band. Backed by Roger Inniss on bass, Lucy Piper on drums and Jeffrey Staten & Stephanie Bechtold on backing vocals, this is a super opener. Maintaining the strong melody and rhythm consistent throughout the release, Pride continues to showcase Perry's vocal strength, addition of backing vocals by Staten, this track has strong radio appeal and soulful guitar lead reinforcing the melody. Title track, High Risk, Low Return has a real cool droning guitar sound that I associate with Mississippi blues and with it's simple structure and rich vocals makes this one of my release favorites. Oh No has a slower pondering pace with a suspenseful feel. The surprise track on the release is Willie Dixon's Evil is Going On. A real power rock take on this track has a great groove. With synchronized drums, bass and guitar the house is rocking. Perry unleashes the dog on this one and his playing is wild and distorted in pure blues rock fashion. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Hard Times, another hill country flavored blues number with a droning note guitar style. Really putting it on is layered distorted guitar, heavy tom tom and a solid bass line. This is a really cool closer for a strong release. 

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Ruf Records artist: Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado - Come On In - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Come On In, from Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado and I really like it. Opening with title track, Come On In, Thorbjorn blends many musical styles and comes up with a tasty blend with a great interweave of guitar (Risager and Joachim Svensmark), keys (Emil Balsgaard), sax (Casper Wagner and Hans Nybo), trumpet and trombone (Peter W Kehl), bass (Soren Bojgaard) and drums (Martin Seidelin). Very cool. Breezy, Nobody But The Moon, has an easy, radio touch and a solid melody. I really like Risager's voice, with a strong, deep timbre reminiscent of Richie Havens. Sin City, with it's stomp rhythm has a real nice slide guitar accent over the basic guitar rhythm and excellent vocals by Risager. Always with well crafted instrumentation, Risager's music is terrific. Breaking into a wide open shuffle, Over The Hill is a great blues track. Risager really steps up vocally with horns blazing behind him and responding guitar riffs as punctuation. A honking sax solo by Wagner sets up nicely and the band plays full tilt closing it out. The richness of Risager's vocals are really showcased on On And On, a well played ballad with suspenseful guitar and keys carrying the accompaniment. Excellent! Wrapping the release is acoustic blues, I'll Be Gone with Risager singing over a light acoustic finger picked blues vamp. Adding in some real nice acoustic slide, this is a solid closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Ruf Records artist: Mike Zito & Friends - Rock 'N' Roll - A Tribute to Chuck Berry - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rock 'N' Roll - A Tribute to Chuck Berry, by Mike Zito and this disc is loaded. Opening with St. Louis Blues and Charlie Berry II, Mike Zito handles guitar and lead vocals, backed by Matthew Johnson on drums, Terry Dry bass and Lewis Stephens on keys. Joanna Conner joins on Rock and Roll Music and there is just no match for that dynamo on slide guitar. Powerhouse player, Walter Trout steps in on Johnny B Goode, a long time favorite of blues and rock players alike. Trout's fluid, high intensity attack is well suited for this classic. Very nice. On Wee Wee Hours, master showman, Joe Bonamassa is featured and he lays out a full tour of the fretboard hitting about every fret on every string, making it seem totally effortless and with great feel. Clocking in at almost 5 and a half minutes, Bonamassa gives you the grand tour. Smoking. Robben Ford takes more of a country flavored approach to You Never Can Tell, contrasting nicely with earlier gun slingers. His poise and music sensibility adds nicely to the overall mix. Simplicity is the word on Luther Dickinson's approach on Too Much Monkey Business. A great rocker with vocal duet and straight up Berry riffs, this track is great. Shared lead vocal with Ally Venable gives School Days a unique perspective and holding tight to the rhythm as Venable and Zito jam is just a bit different. I like Kirk Fletcher's understated guitar work on Brown Eyed Handsome Man, tight and flavorful with soul. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Chuck Berry's classic ditty, My Ding A Ling that is tackled by Kid Andersen who tackles it with all seriousness. Vocals are playful but solid and guitar work full of stylized bens. Super closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Ruf Records artist: Michael Lee - Self titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release by Michael Lee and it's terrific! Opening with Heart of Stone, a rumbling blues rocker, guitarist/lead vocalist, Michael Lee sets a great pace. With a strong swagger, anchored by Scott Lee on bass, Colin Campbell on B3 and Blaine Crews, Michael has it going here, backed by Preston Lewis on sax, and Evan Templeton and Jordan Carr on trumpet. Super opener. On soulful ballad, Don't Leave Me, Lee really gets the chance to show how great a vocalist he is with warm backing and Charley Wiles' blues guitar riffs topping it off. very nice. My absolutely favorite track on the track is deep drenched soul track, This Is with great vocal phrasing and harmonies and electrifying guitar work by Lee. I really like this release, but this track alone could carry a release. Excellent! Can't Kick You is a super radio track with a strong story line and a definite radio (shuffle) beat. Lee's rework of BB King's trademark song maintains a lot of the original soul of the original track, but adding a rock bass line and his own signature vocal and guitar style. Very nice. Another soulful ballad, Here I Am really showcases Lee's vocals again with strong horn support from Templeton and Carr. Another candidate for radio track and favorite track on the release. Having may favorites is a strong indication of an evenly strong release. Wrapping the release is bass driven rocker, Go Your Own Way starting out slow and deliberate and then double timing it with rock guitar riffs before bringing it back down a really hammering it on guitar. This is a really cool closer for a really strong release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Ruf Records artist: Big Daddy Wilson - Deep In My Soul - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Deep In My Soul, from Big Daddy Wilson, and it's a solid mix of R&B and blues. Opening with I Know, a super R&B track Big Daddy Wilson (Blount) sounds off with a warm soulful voice, backed by Laura Chavez on guitar, Dave Smith on bass and Steve Potts on drums and the super horn backing of Brad Guin on sax, Ken Waters on trumpet and Trinicia Butler and Kimberlie Helton on backing vocals. Funky, Tripping On You has solid commercial potential with a super melody, a hot bass line, crisp guitar soloing by Chavez and tight backing vocals by Butler and Helton. Another smooth R&B track, Hold On To Our Love, is really nice with warm lead and backing vocal, shimmery lead guitar and cool organ work by Rick Steff. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky soul track, Deep In My Soul with an excellent beat, a super groove, organ ride, great horn punch by Guin and Waters and edgy guitar work by Chavez. Excellent! Crazy World is a great blues track with sway. Wilson shows some of his best vocal work on this track and Chavez working overtime over the sweet bass lines of Smith really make this track hum. Redhead Stepchild has a smoky, lumbering feel with a deep bass line and solid vocals. Chavez's guitar lines are particularly hot and funky against a deep dark background. Very nice. Wrapping the release is spiritual number, Couldn't Keep it To Myself featuring Wilson, almost acapella backed by Mitch Mann, Brad Guin, and Ken Waters on great vocal harmonies and Will McFarlane on guitar. Excellent closer for a really nice release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Ruf Records artist: The BB King Blues Band - The Soul Of The King - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Soul of the King, from The BB King Blues Band and the title hits the nail on the head. Opening with Irene Irene, Russell Jackson has the mic and Kenny Wayne Shepherd plays scorching hot guitar riffs making this an excellent opener. The hear of the band is James Boogaloo Bolden on trumpet, Eric Demmer on lead sax, Jackson on bass, Walter King on sax, Herman Jackson on drums, Darrell Lavigne on keys, Lamar Boulet on trumpet, Wilburt Crosby on guitar, Brandon Jackson on drums, and Raymond Harris on trombone. Kenny Neal is up next on Sweet Little Angel covering both lead guitar and vocal. His playing is more mellow but no less soulful as he gets a good grip on the track in BB King style. Diunna Greenleaf's supreme vocal styling is There Must Be A Better World Somewhere and Demmer literally blows the doors off with his sensational sax soloing. Excellent! Solid soul on She's The One with Demmer on lead vocal and sax. The man is hot and his sax screams... check it out! Funky, Taking Care of Business has Jackson back on lead vocal backed by Bolden and Richardson. Crosby and Demmer trade rich solos giving this track real tension over the punchy horn work. Very nice. Regal Blues (A Tribute To The King) features Joe Louis Walker on lead vocal and guitar. With a solid shuffle rhythm Walker gets the band rockin' … you can almost see BB King's softly clenched fist clapping into his extended open palm. Bolden has the lead on Pocket Full Of Money, with a nice groove. Jackson's bass line sets the tone and Lamar Boulet blows a great trumpet solo. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Michael Lee on lead guitar and vocal on BB King's classic, The Thrill Is Gone. A soulful but bouncier track than typical of King, an excellent closer for a solid release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Ruf Records artist: Ally Venable - Texas Honey - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Texas Honey, from Ally Venable and it's a fine blend of power pop and blues. Opening with rocker, Nowhere To Hide, Venable is on top with super vocals and fresh guitar riffs over a solid bass line by Bobby Wallace and the tight rhythm of Elijah Owings. Great opener. Title track, Texas Honey shows real grit with fat guitar tones and Gibbons like snarl. Excellent track. Blind To Bad Love has dark overtones, deep backing vocals and cool backing guitar work by Mike Zito. Come And Take It is a heavier track with real teeth. Eric Gales adds vocal and real snarling guitar riffs giving the band more intensity and more balance. Very cool. You knew it was going to happen... a young female guitar slinger taking on SRV. Love Struck Baby has lots of snap and Venable's guitar riffs aren't SRV but it's still hot and fun. Another track with vicious guitar riffs is White Flag. Venable turns up the grit up to Z (for ZZ Top) and really gets greasy. This track has a lot of flavor with heavy drums, a lumbering bottom and ripping guitars...very cool! Wrapping the release is another gritty blues rocker, Careless Love, with a thumping bass line and tight drum riffs. Venable's vocals are solid and her country flavored rock riffs are tasty and wet. Nice closer for a really cool release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Ruf Records artist: Katarina Pejak - Roads That Cross - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Roads That Cross, from Katarina Pejak and I really like it. Opening with surf rocker, Nature Of My Blues, Pejak is upfront on lead vocal and keys, with axe master Laura Chavez on guitar, Lonnie Trevino Jr. on bass, Damien Llanes on drums. Excellent opener. Modern jazz, blues track, Sex Kills has a cool, understated, almost reggae rhythm with solid lead vocals and nice piano work by Pejak. Southern soul oozes out of Pejak on Old Pain, a really nice track with real radio potential. Soft heat on organ gives the track an even warmer feeling yet. very nice. Country rocker, Chasing Summer has real sting with Chavez giving the track a coarse guitar edge and nice piano soloing by Pejak. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Latin flavored She's Coming After You. Llanes light had on drums really gives the track air, Chaves' guitar work is classic and Pejak's vocals are terrific. Excellent! Another radio track with a solid melody and really nice vocal harmonies is title track, Roads That Cross. Chavez lays low on guitar but her work are essential. Wrapping the release is The Harder You Kick, an easy ballad featuring Pejak on lead vocal and electric keys. A solid melody and clean execution makes this a strong closer for a really nice release.

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