Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release, Getaway , from Wendy DeWitt with Kirk Harwood and it swings. Opening with Sonoma County , Wendy DeWitt really gets the piano rolling and Kirk Harwood creates a New Orleans rhythm. Super horn backing from Mike Rinta (trombone), Tom Poole (trumpet) and Keith Crossan (tenor sax) really punches up the track. With an easy night club swing, the horn section opens up the floor for DeWitt on vocal and smooth piano. Crossan rips a nice sax solo capping the track. On bluesy ballad, Sometimes I Wonder , DeWitt really digs in on piano giving it a cool feel. Built To Last has super piano work over a cool blues line. Steve Freund adds some really tasty guitar work on this track giving it an additional dimension. Chuck Willis' Feel So Bad gets an easy swing with Freund laying in some tasty blues riff, paired with DeWitt's piano work and Steve Evans on bass for a nice overall sound. Big Joe Turner's 29 Ways has a light poppy funk and Freund plays ...

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...

I have just received a copy of Maria Muldaur 's newest release, ... First Came Memphis Minnie (available October 9, 2012). Muldaur has elnisted a virtual who's who of blues royalty including Rory Blck, Ruthie Foster, Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow, Koko Taylor, Del Rey, David Bromberg, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Roy Rogers, Steve James and Steve Freund . First up is Me And My Chauffeur Blues with Muldaur on vocals and Roy Rogers on guitar. This is a really nice cover and one of Minnie's gems. Bonnie Raitt and Freund do a great version of Ain't Nothin' In Ramblin' . On I'm Goin' Back Home , Muldair teams up with Alvin Youngblood Hart for a very classic sounding duet. (Certainly one of my favorites tracks on the release). I'm Sailin' featuring Muldaur on vocals with Del Rey and Steve James on guitars shows Muladur's voice at it's best. Rory Block takes the lead on When You Love Me both on vocals and guitars. Long As I Can See You Smile , agai...

Steve Freund (born July 20, 1952, Brooklyn, New York City, New York) is an American blues guitarist, singer, bandleader and record producer. Although Freund has toured throughout the United States (including stops in New York and Chicago), he is presently based in the San Francisco Bay Area where he is best-known His mother (who played classical piano) initially inspired Freund. In 1976, Freund moved to Chicago and began to play regularly with Sunnyland Slim, which then led to concerts playing alongside such notables as Hubert Sumlin, Big Walter Horton, Pinetop Perkins, Paul Butterfield, Luther Allison, Koko Taylor and Little Charlie & the Nightcats. He appeared at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 2005, the Chicago Blues Festival in 2007, and many other major festivals worldwide. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”