Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, Set Me Free , from Angela Lewis Brown and it's quite cool! Opening with Blues Blues Lovin' , a funky pop rocker, ALB shows her clear vocal style accompanied by Chris Carter on drums, Ashley Hurst and Dunbar Delmar on harp and with some tight guitar riffs from Alisdair Pickering on guitar. Set Me Free has a distinctive American soul feel with Carter and Pickering developing the rock component on guitars and Zenny Lee on backing vocal. Easy paced ballad, Summer Nights is nearly accapella with ALB and Lee harmonizng nicely with only the basic of guitar and drum as support. Very nice! I'm Feeling Good About Me is a prominent radio style track with all of the finesse and polish required of it. A strong melody, clear vocals and a good hook mike this a prime pick. Hopeless is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a soulful melody and really strong vocals. It has a nice groove and a solid bass with an easy stated guitar line. Very...

I just received the newest release, Set Me Free , from Steve Freund and Gloria Hardiman and it's quite entertaining. Earlier released on Razor Records in 1983 (LP) this release is now available on CD with a few unissued tracks. Opening with R&B style You Got Me (Where You Want Me) Hardiman shows her command of the genre and Freund plays some hot riffs really getting the release off to a good start. On Jimmy Rogers track, That's All Right , Hardiman brings it down a bit and shows some rich blues feeling. Freund is always standing ready with a loaded fretboard making most anything that he touches come to life. Accompanied by Sunnyland Slim on this track it's good to hear the master at work. Bob Stroger on bass and Fred Grady on drums keep it simple while Freund plays a frenzied guitar solo sitting you back in your chair. Jammin' With Sam , a hot swinging instrumental track features a great lead melody by Sam Burckhardt on tenor sax and again solo work from Sunnylan...