Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the  most recent release, Shine , from The Liam Ward Band , and it's a cool, harmonica led blues band. Opening with cool shuffle, I Got Lucky , featuring Liam Ward on lead vocal and harmonica. Zach Bartlett on bass, Malcolm Thorne on guitar and a few cool riffs and with Joe Harris on drums, this is a super opener. On title track, Shine , Ward really digs in on harmonica with rich tone and Bartlett and Harris rip the Bo Diddley beat. Reinforced by Thorne on guitar and slide this is a killer track. Boogie track, Pack Your Sense Of Humor has a great driving feel, courtesy of Thorne, reinforced by Bartlett and Ward rides the wave on vocals. He kicks it in gear on harmonica and then brings it down to a slow boil where Thorne lays in some tasty riffs. On Latin flavored, Do What You Do the groove gets infectious with strong lead by Thorne and Ward teamed with Helen Hart and Bryony-Rose Ward on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is harmonica f...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Shine , from Ghost Town Blues Band and it's a funky, bluesy, rock mix. Opening with rocker, Running Out Of Time , Matt Isbell on lead vocal and slide guitar sets up a radio ready track, backed by Taylor Orr on guitar and vocal, Kevin Houston on sax and vocal, Suavo Jones on trombone, trumpet and vocal, Matt Kramer on bass and vocal, Andrew Mc Neill on drums and vocals and Cedric Taylor on B3, piano and vocal. Title track, Shine , is a horn saturated soul flavored rocker with excellent drum accent and super guitar riffs.  My favorite track on the release is slinky, soul track, Lyin' To Yourself   with Isbell's strongest vocals on the release, warm B3 reinforcement and solid horn work by Jones. I particularly like Isbell's guitar lead on this track giving it a southern sparkle. Another of my favorites is High Again with it's straight forward melody, funky rhythm and "Allman signature twin lead...

I just received the newest release, Shine from Bernie Marsden and it is solid. Opening with Linin' Track , a classic work song, Marsden opens as a solo vocalist but is quickly joined by an explosion of blues rockin' including Mark Feltham on harp and particularly strong drums. Nice! Next up is Wedding Day and Marsden and some drone note finger picking on electric guitar. Very cool ! With a catchy melody and contemporary feel Marsden rips out a nice guitar solo icing the track. Walk Away has a real pop feel and bright keyboard work. Marsden lays down some of his solid guitar riffs making this arena rock track complete. Kinda Wish She Would is a ragged rocker with a lot of bite. With it's great drive, piano support and biting guitar riffs, it's likely my favorite track on the release. Ladyfriend has a distinctly British rhythm (think When The Levee Breaks) and a crying harp. What's not to like. Next up is Trouble featuring David Coverdale on lead vocal. This is...

BERNIE MARSDEN AND MASCOT LABEL GROUP'S PROVOGUE RECORDS ANNOUNCE SEPTEMBER 30 RELEASE DATE FOR SHINE GuitarWorld.com Premieres Lyric Video For "Linin' Track" Today Screen Here: http://www.guitarworld.com/bernie-marsden-premieres-linin-track-lyric-video-exclusive New York, NY --- Bernie Marsden and Mascot Label Group's Provogue Records have announced a September 30 release date for SHINE .  Marsden has been a prolific artist since the early 1970s, contributing performances to approximately one hundred albums.  He has enjoyed a successful long-running solo career, alongside being a key member of ensembles that include Whitesnake, UFO, Wild Turkey, Babe Ruth, Paice Ashton & Lord, Cozy Powell’s Hammer, Alaska, M3 and others.  An album trailer can be screened here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbLX4jnO2rs .  Additionally, GuitarWorld.com has premiered the lyric video for "Linin' Track" today which can be screened here: ...