Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, South Louisiana Blues , from Smoky Greenwell and it's solid. Opening with Animal Angels , a modern blues based rocker, features Smoky Greenwell on harp and lead vocals, Jack Kolb on guitar, David Hyde on bass, Joe Krown on B3 and Doug Belote on drums. With slippery slide work by Kolb and harp work by Greenwell, a cool opener. Canned Heat's Let's Work Together , maintains the community feel with Greenwell on lead vocal and harp adding Johnny Neel on piano and Lynn Drury and Dana Abbott on backing vocals. Boogie Twist is a hot smoker with Greenwell on harp and sax, Kolb throwing down on guitar, Neel on B3 and a super driving bottom by Belote and Hyde. Very cool. Lonesome Lonely Blues has a more moderate pace featuring nice piano work from Krown, warm sax work from Greenwell and clean guitar soloing by Kolb. Shuffle track, You Can't Take It With You , has a real nice Chicago groove and traditional blue style harp. Nice. Pick It Up ...

I just received the newest release, Live At The Old U.S. Min t by Smoky Greenwell's New Orleans Blues Jam and it's a great jam! Opening with swinging harp track, Smoke Alarm , Greenwell and his band, Pete Bradish on drums, David Hyde on bass and Jack Kolb get the joint rocking with a hot instrumental. Bringing the tempo down a bit, My Own Blues Club is a solid 12 bard number with great harp tones and steady guitar riffs. Henry Mancini classic, Peter Gunn , gives Greenwell to step up with his tenor sax and play lead lead lines. With great heart and solid technique, Greenwell, backed by the driving rhythm of Hyde on bass whips it out. Mark Pentone and Kolb lay down some stylized guitar riffs as well. Very cool! Swing blues track, Power of Now, plays nicely into the hands of Greenwell on harp and vocals. Joined by Brandish and Pentone on vocal this track has a great feel! Mark Pentone takes the lead on Jodie with solid vocals and fleet fingered guitar riffs. Greenwood of cour...