Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hangin' at the DeVille Lounge , from Rusty Wright Band , and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with House of Spirits , Rusty Wright is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Laurie LaCrosse-Wright on guitar, Billy Agner on bass and Vail Hayes on drums. This slow, bluesy ballad with it's dark overtones is a solid opener for what's to come. Wright lays don't soulful lead under his vocal work with Agner. Blending a traditional blues form with a heavier rock style, Devil Man Blues has a heavy bottom and distorted vocals. I really like this approach and Wright shows cool chops blending the two forms together nicely. No Man Is An Island is a pure blues ballad with strong vocals by Wright and rich vocal blending with Laurie and Billy. Melodic lead by Wright is bound to make this a solid radio player. Very nice. Another solid blues track, Trouble's Always Knockin' with excellent lead vocal and gu...

I just received the newest release, Wonder Man , from the Rusty Wright Band and these guys know how to rock! Opening with title track, Wonder Man , RWB sets a pop rock pace with a catchy tune and a solid rhythm. Wright, backed by Laurie LaCross-Wright on guitar and vocal, Dennis Bellinger on bass and vocal, Robert John Manzitti on keys and Marc Friedman on drums. Ain't That The Blues slows the pace a bit but maintaining a solid blues rock feel. Wright has a good voice to lead this band and his guitar riffs are fresh and fluid. Manzitti leads the way on Black Hat Boogie , a rolling boogie with a driving bottom. Blended vocals coupled with the styling puts me in mind of a polished Molly Hatchett. Rusty pulls out the slide and shows his clean sliding style. Smooth blues rocker with a jazz flare, You Know I Know ,  shows the versatility of the band. Nicely articulated guitar soloing and meaty organ riffs give this track a nice kick. Straight up rocker, Love's Gonna Treat You Ri...