Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love, Peace & Chicken Grease, from Pontchartrain Shakers and it's refreshing. Opening with blues rocker, Sunshine , Amedee A5 Frederick sets the pace on guitar and lead vocal, and Earl Smith Jr. holds it tight with a tidy drum rhythm. Jojjo Wight on guitar and Red DeVecca on bass make this a compact yet effective opener. A strong cover of St. James Infirmary features A5 on lead guitar and some really tasty riffs. Michael Loupe on sax, wails soulfully over the patient bass and drum bottom of DeVecca and Smith Jr. Very nice. Ammdee Frederick IV is featured on guitar and vocal on acoustic, Lucy Mae , backed by DeVessa and Smith Jr. A cool understated boogie, this track rocks. You Amaze Me  is one of my favorites on the release with excellent, soulful vocals by A5 and melodic guitar soloing giving the track just a hint of fullness. Strong. Elizabeth Cotten's , Freight Train features Wight on vocal and guitar w...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release by Pontchartrain Shakers and it's a cool R&B/blues release. Opening with Time To Make A Change , this group is born in the groove. A5 Frederick on lead vocal and guitar and Jojjo Wright on vocal and guitar, joined by Luciano Leaes on piano, Red DeVecca and Earl Smith Jr really hit the spot. Excellent opener. Slow blues, I Need A Creole Woman , again features A5 on lead vocal and guitar with soulful piano work by Leaes. The guitar interplay between Wright and A5 really works nicely with snappy drum work by Smith. She Don't Know , is driven by a strong bass/guitar vamp and Leaes on organ. Again, powerful vocal by A5 and snappy drum work by Smith make this a strong contribution. Wrapping the release is We Need Love , a soulful track with rea radio potential with warm organ, a great back beat, compact guitar solo and strong melody. Solid closer.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents...