Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Jonathon Long and it's an fun rocky ride. Opening with Bury Me , with definite rock and country roots, Long leads the way with cocky vocals and solid guitar, joined by Julian Civello on drums, Chris Roberts on bass, Phil Breen on keys and additional guitar work by Samantha Fish. Soul track, That's When I Knew , has a super melody and pairs Long with Fish on vocals for a real nice blend and Fish's sting guitar riffs really punctuate the track nicely.  The addition of Michael Harvey on fiddle on  Americana style track, The Light works really nicely. Very clean and fresh. Shit kicker, Natural Girl has plenty of swagger and a solid hook. With solid vocals, top loaded piano, a ripping guitar solo and tight drums, this is a cool track. With a definite twist, Pour Another Drink is a great track. Smokey lines, sassy vocals, great piano texture and a solid bottom makes this my favorite on the releas...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Belle Of The West , from Samantha Fish and it may be her best effort yet. Opening with American Dream you have an immediate sense that this isn't a typical Samantha Fish release. Produced by Luther Dickinson, this release is in a whole new strata. Laden with fife and drums by Sharde Thomas, and with Trina Raimey and Tikyra Jackson on drums, this track has a distinct Mississippi feel. Blood In The Water showcases Fish's lead vocal and harmonies with Amy LaVere who also plays bass. A swampy track with sparse but distinct guitar work and eerie violin work by Lillie Mae, this is a cool track. Cowtown has a distinct country sound with a certain blues flavor. Addition of Fender Rhodes by Jimbo Mathus gives a nice texture and Fish sounds more comfortable both vocally and with guitar work in this "new" style. I also really like the heaviness of the drums on this track which really punch it right. Very nice....

I just received the newest release, Honey For The Biscuit , from Tasha Taylor and it has a super groove. Daughter of Stax giant, Johnnie Taylor, Tasha has some big shoes to fill and this release shows that she's not following on anyone's coattails. Opening with Feel So Good , Tasha Taylor sets the pace with a a super R&B number featuring Taylor on really nicely phrased vocals, guitar and keys, backed by Nathan Watts on bass, Don Wyatt on Wurlitzer and piano, John Notto and Jon Taylor on guitars and tight horn phrasing by Jamelle Williams, Matthew Demerrit & Lamar Buillary on horns. Wedding Bells is a soulful track with some of my favorite vocals on the release. Painterly instrumental arrangements nicely frame the featured vocals of Taylor. Excellent! Family Tree has a much more laid back R&B feel and features nicely phrased guitar work by Keb Mo. Tom Hambridge penned Weatherman , has a cool funky bottom with a real nice drum beat and again, really nicely orches...

14TH ANNUAL BLUES FROM THE TOP FESTIVAL FEATURES SPECIAL  TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT REUNION, AND FINEST MUSIC LINEUP YET! Two Big Days - Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 At Winter Park, CO PRESENTED BY THE GRAND COUNTY BLUES SOCIETY; PORTION OF PROCEEDS BENEFIT BLUE STAR CONNECTION     (WINTER PARK, CO) - This year's 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festiva l features its finest music lineup yet, with a reunion by renowned Blues...

30th Annual Carolina Blues Festival, May 21, hosts Elvin Bishop   Greensboro, NC -  2015 Rock ‘n Roll and 2016 Blues Hall of Fame Inductee,  Elvin Bishop , will headline the 30th Annual Carolina Blues Festival in association with YES! Weekly, May 21 at Barber Park Amphitheater, 1500 Dans Road, Greensboro, NC. Additional performances from  Bob Margolin, Samantha Fish, Marquise Knox , along with  Dangerous Gentlemens, Blind Dog Gatewood , and young  Seth Williams , round out the day long blues festival ...