Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Peanuts , from Sauce Boss , and I think it's his best yet. Taken from the original score for the Jimmy Carter film, Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President, this release opens with Let the Big Dog Eat , a romping rocker with a heavy bass line by Majic John Jones and rowdy vocals by Boss, backed by Pat Ramsey on harmonica, Lucky Peterson on organ, and Shannon Kori on drums. Zipper Bird is a cool blues rocker with Boss winding it out nicely on slide guitar. Very cool. Slinky, Alligator , is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a funky back beat and with Ramsey answering Boss's wailing vocal call on harmonica over a strong bass line. Very cool. Outlaw Blues is a raw, blues specifically working Boss' slide work and holler vocals over a driving drum beat. Gotta love this. Out In The Night is a strong rock jam that I would associate with Joe Walsh's style. It has pure blues rock bones and elevated guitar...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blind Boy Billy , from Sauce Boss and it's a different recipe from earlier releases with David Davidson featured on strings. A companion to just released memoir entitled The Life and Times of Blind Boy Billy not only tells Wharton's story but includes a songbook and a cookbook. Opening with the title track, Blind Boy Willie , Sauce Boss (Bill Wharton) leads the way on vocal, guitar and one man band, accompanied by Davidson, Joe Murphy on sousaphone, Dennis Holt on snare and Jamie Paul and Jason Eskridge on backing vocals. A bluegrass flavored track, Davidson winds it up Charlie Daniels style. On Jimmy Buffett's I Will Play For Gumbo , Sauce Boss on lead guitar, one man band and guitar parties over cool sousaphone work by Murphy. Foot stompin' blues rocker, Little Driver , is raw and gutsy with cool slide and primitive rhythm. Otis Redding's, Dock Of the Bay , is polished and soulful with acoustic/sli...

I just received the newest release, 100% Pure , from Sauce Boss and it's one man blast! Opening with Zipper Bird , a rowdy blues rant with Bill "Sauce Boss" Wharton on vocal, percussion and fat groove saturated slide guitar riffs. Marquis De Swamp has a really cool melody with a swampy feel and sophisticated guitar work done in a somewhat primitive manner. The Boss is have a good time with this track but I like it's composition. Super! Gonna Be Alright is a Latin rhythm track with just a simple pop melody. Chains opens with some real fat electric resonator slide work. With guttural singing and voracious slide guitar work this is another real cool track. Delta 9 Blues is a deep blues track again with a strong dose of swamp. I particularly like Boss' vocal style and slide playing on this track. It raw and real. Excellent! Peckerwood has a bit of a country flavor. With it's quick pace and more percussive picked guitar work, this has a definite rural feel. ...

I just got the new release called Live At The Green Parrot by the Sauce Boss .This cd is a 4 wheel drive party. Killer Tone opens the recording with a song that sounds like a cross between the Beatles and ZZ Top (heavy on ZZ). It's a gritty, grindy sliding good time. Smugglers Cove , loosely based on Rollin' and Tumblin', is another great track and Sauce Boss keeps his resonator and slide hot. Gumbo Recipe is a narrative song that has a jazzy base and Elvin Bishop style delivery. It's a blast. This album just reeks of party! Lonesome Rider cranks up the heat and keeps the gritty slide going over an updated blues base. Sauce Boss is a really cool guitar player and he doesn't hold back. Chicken In The Gumbo is modeled after a James Brown tune, stinky funk. I mean wha wha guitar and funky bass...just waiting for the cape... get down(get on up)! What Was I Thinking is another stripped down blues rocker with great slide work. I mean, if you like grindy slide tone....