Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  To The Blues and Back Again , by Val Starr & the Blues Rockets , and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Been To The Blues & Back Again , Val Starr o lead vocal leads the way with Frankie Munz on harmonica playing over a shuffle rhythm by John Ellis on bass, Pamela Charlles on keys, Kirk Hooper on drums and featuring Timothy Brisson on lead guitar. Boogie track, If You Don't Blues It You'll Lose It , Starr really puts some swing in her vocals, with Brisson on lead guitar and solid bass work by Ellis and cool key work by Arthur. With a Latin flavor, Ask Me No Questions , really features the vocal work of Starr and Arthur on organ, and a sassy sax solo by Marty Deradoorian and Brisson on guitar. Stephen Kimball lays down some real tasty guitar riffs on The Blues That Moves Me , a soulful track that could get some real traction. R&B track Big City Blues , has a cool Booker T feel cou...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Healing Kind of Blues , from Val Starr & the Blues Rocket and it's a poppy mix of blues/rock tracks. Opening with Ridin' That Memphis High , Val Starr on vocal and rhythm guitar teams with Frankie Munz on harmonica up front, backed by John Ellis on bass, Paul Farman on drums and Tim Brisson on lead guitar. Mid paced ballad, Slow Blues Grinder gives Starr a nice chance to shine on vocal with the addition of Todd Morgan on organ and a solid lead guitar solo by Brisson. Shuffle track, Pretty Girl Blues , focuses on the dilemma faced by people as they age and the privilege's granted some based upon popularity. With a nice harmonica line by Munz and Debra Power on piano, a solid radio track. Wrapping the release is classic rock track, Get Over It with Starr on lead vocal and bold chords by Brisson and solid piano work by Power.   If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Always Turn The Blues On , by Val Starr & The Blues Rocket . Opening with shuffle track, High Time To Go , Val Starr, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist has the floor showing G&R vocal styling in true Axl flare with John Ellis on bass, Frankie Soul on lead guitar and Paul Farman on drums. Boogie track, Whether Blues , with it's droning bass line gives Daniel Castro a real nice chance to stretch out showing his blues chops on lead guitar.  A real cool shuffle track, You Better Stop has a super walking bass line and fluid guitar lead by Steve Wall. Bad Luck & The Blues has a real nice feel with some of Starr's best vocal work on the release, lower octave guitar work, nice piano work by Todd Morgan and complimentary harp by Tim Baron. Two stepper, The Baby Mama Song shows a twist of country highlighted by Starr's vocals and the key work of Morgan. Bye Bye has a real nice slinky feel and a light...