Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, Feel These Blues , from Slam Allen and it's a hard driver. Opening with title track, Feel These Blues , Allen on guitar and lead guitar sets the pace. Joined by keyboard wiz John Ginty, Jeff Anderson on bass and Dan Fadel on drums, these guys show they mean business. Allen slashes with Albert King like bend phrasing and mean intent. Cool! All Because Of You has a really smart bluesy guitar intro sliding into a Otis Rush like tempo with cleverly styled guitar riffs. Ginty and Allen trade alternate drop in riffs as punctuation around Allen's lead vocals. Very nice! R&B styled, In September , lays easy ground work for a radio track with slick guitar work and also showcasing Allen's soulful vocals. The Blues Is Back showing definite influences of Mr BB King. Allen's vocal phrasing is spot on and his Albert King/ SRV guitar phrasing is hot! Baby Please Don't You Go is a boogie rock n roller. Flashing guitar chops over a Chuck ...

For over 20 years, Slam Allen has been entertaining audiences with his unique blend of soul and blues. Playing the famous Chitlin' Circuit as well as performing around the world, Allen's music and enthusiasm has been shared with thousands of people. For the past eight years he has played an important role, as the lead singer and guitarist, in the legendary James Cotton Band. "It's one of the highlights and privileges of my life to play with Cotton" says Allen, "He is one of the last living legends, and there's so much history there. Cotton was directly connected to Muddy Waters -- who was a major factor in the blues world as well as being one of my all time favorites. Playing with Cotton is such a great experience for me and there are things you can learn from him that you can't learn from any school. It's a great honor." Music is in Allen's blood -- he got his start from his father and uncles who were known as the Allen Brothers ...