Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Golden Girl , from Trudy Lynn and I really like it. Opening with Tell Me and it's cool rhythm, Trudy Lynn really hits the road running lending no clues that she's reached that golden 75 mile marker. With the tasty guitar soloing of Yates McKendree, backing vocals of Teresa James, Brannen Temple on drums, Kevin McKendree on drums and Terry Wilson on bass this is a solid opener. Heavy footed If Your Phone Don't Ring , will have you slinking around in your seat and Lynn's vocals are really strong. Adding to the mix is Steve Krase on harmonica and real nice slide work by Yates. Boogie track, Trouble With Love is a grate addition featuring Anson Funderburgh on guitar, Krase on harmonica and strong low vocal backing by Wilson. Super. Funky, R&B style blues, Live With Yourself plays really well in Lynn's vocal wheelhouse and she drains every drop of soul out of this track. With horn backing by Darrell Le...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 30, 2019), Burn It Up , by Cheyenne James and she's a vocal powerhouse. Opening with classic blues track, Grits Ain't Groceries , James establishes a firm footing and pounds it out, backed by Rock Romano on bass, Dave Carter on guitar, Randy Wall on keys, and Jim Brady on drums. In Chicago, Muddy Waters style James rolls into Gypsy Mama with great energy and featuring Steve Krase on harp. I Didn't Know has a bit of two step country flavor with Krase on harp and with Eric Demmer on sax and Lamar Boulet on Trumpet and Flugelhorn. Wall's keyboard work stands tall on this track highlighting James' vocals. On Latin rhythmed track, Lay Me Down , Mark May adds some real nice guitar riffs, paired with Wall's piano work and Krase on harmonica making it one of my favorites on the release. Pouring on the soul, a cover of Ashford and Simpson's Let's Go Get Stoned has great presence. I thin...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Long Live Them Blues Vol. 1 , from Houston based duo, Dry Johnson and I really like it. Opening with lumbering blues rumbler, Daddy's Got A Cadillac , features favorites Annika Chambers and Mike Zito on vocals with Zito and Terry Dry on guitars and Matthew Robert Johnson on drums. Cool opener. On title track, Long Live Them Blues , Trudy Lynn's distinct lead vocals are coupled with Steve Krase on harp and Mighty Orq on guitar for a grinding groove. John Del Toro Richardson has the lead on guitar and vocal on Hit That Highway , a real nice blues shuffle. Two stepper, Drunk Girl With A Tambourine has kevin Snit Fitzpatrick on lead vocal and the Mighty Orq on guitar. This is really a strong track with kick. Juke Joint is a slick shuffle with a Bob Wills feel. Featuring Dry on lead vocal and Mighty Orq and James Wilhite on guitar this track is a great swinger. A track with a lot of texture is I Walk Alone featuri...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Waitin' , from Steve Krase Band and it's strong. Opening with Hank Williams' Settin' The Woods On Fire Steve Krase on lead vocal and harp gets this country flavored boogie rockin'. Backed by David Carter on guitar, and Tamara Williams on drums, a super opener. I Don't Mind has an up tempo "Bo Diddley" beat and with flaring tom tom work by Williams an excellent floor for some hot riffs by Krase. Kenan Ozdemir joins with lead guitar on Just Waitin' On My Brand New Baby , a cool Chicago style shuffle matching super harp and guitar leads behind solid vocals. Very nice. One of my favorites on the release is a Zydeco take on The Ballad of Jed Clampett . With Brian Jack on accordion, Mike Vee on rubboard and James Gilmer on percussion added to Krase's vocal and harp and the tight rhythms of Williams, this is super. Slow blues, Nobody Loves Me exhibits some of Krase's best v...

Singer Trudy Lynn Declares Blues Keep Knockin’ on Her New Connor Ray Music CD, Coming July 27 New Album Features Special Guests Steve Krase, Bob Lanza and Carolyn Wonderland HOUSTON, TX – Six-time Blues Music Award nominee Trudy Lynn will release her new CD, Blues Keep Knockin’ from Connor Ray Music on July 27.  Backing Trudy’s vocals on the new disc are m usicians Steve Krase – harmonica; David Carter – guitar; Terry Dry – bass; Matt Johnson – drums; Jim Brady – trumpet; and Dan Carpenter – sax; with special guests Bob Lanza and Carolyn Wonderland on guitar. Trudy was recently honored with three nominations for the Living Blues Magazine Awards, with voting currently underway at the magazine’s website: www.livingblues.com . “I want to thank all my blues fans new and old, or should I say ‘mature,’ for being with me through my journey with the blues, both near and far,” Trudy says in the album liner notes. “My name is Trudy Lynn and I sing t...

Harmonica Ace Steve Krase Expands His Blues Roots on New CD, Just Waitin’ , Coming June 15 from Connor Ray Music HOUSTON, TX – World-class harmonica player Steve Krase expands his blues music into new territory on his fourth CD, Just Waitin’ , coming June 15 on Connor Ray Music. Produced by Rock Romano (who also played bass and sang backing vocals), Just Waitin’ features Steve Krase (vocals and harmonica), backed by a solid cast of additional notables, including David Carter (guitars and backing vocals); Tamara Williams (drums, percussion and backing vocals); James Gilmer (percussion); Brian Jack (accordion); Mike Vee (rubboard); and Kenan Ozdemir (lead guitar). Steve Krase will celebrate the new album with a special CD pre-release show at Houston’s famed Big Easy Club on Friday, May 18th (5731 Kirby Dr., Houston), where he’ll be joined by several special guests including the legendary singer Trudy Lynn, plus James Gilmer on percussion and Brian Jack on accordion. ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Puppet Show , from Ally Venable and it's quite good. Opening with Devil's Son , a powerful blues rocker, Venable leads on guitar and vocal, backed by Elijah Owings on drums and Bobby Wallace on bass. Gary Hoey adds some voracious guitar riffs on this track giving it a smoking hot edge. Very nice. Steve Krase joins on traditional delta style, Blackwater Blues , with a stripped down opening and then opening up to a full tilt blues rocker showcasing some of Venable's best riffs on the release. One of my favorite tracks on the release is a cover of Taj Mahal's, He Caught The Katy , with it's super bass line and solid vocal and guitar work by Venable. Excellent! With the swagger of Lynyrd Skynyrd, title track, Puppet Show is a solid rocker with really nice guitar riffs by Venable and warm keys by Eric Steckel. Another of my favorites on the release is slow blues, Comfort In My Sorrows with it's big t...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Should've Seen It Coming , from Steve Krase and it has great swagger. Opening with Brand New Thang , I'm immediately struck by the stinging guitar work of Mark May backed by Rick Roman on bass, Richard Chokakian on drums and of course the fine vocal and harp work of Steve Krase. On Willie Dixon's  Latin influenced Crazy For My Baby , Krase sits in the groove with James Gilmer on percussion. Very nice. On slow blues number, Let The Four Winds Blow , David Carter lays down a nice guitar lead and Krase plays up the appeal today to zombies in Fat's Dominos classic track. Randy Wall takes a real nice piano solo on this one giving the track a nice sparkle. Title track, Should've Seen It Coming has a cool , voodoo kind of groove with a great bass line by Roman. Again Wall stretches his hands nicely on piano and Carter does some fine fret work, complimenting Krase on lead vocal and harp. With it's light...

Trudy Lynn and Steve Krase Set Euro Tour Dates in May and June HOUSTON, TX – Connor Ray Music artists Trudy Lynn and Steve Krase announce a series of European dates that will take the blues singer and harmonica player to Germany, France, Spain and Norway on a two-week tour during May and June. Lynn and Krase will perform at a combination of outdoor festivals, concert halls and showcase venues that will give blues fans a chance to hear the two artists up close and personal. They’ll be  performing songs from Lynn’s current CD, I’ll Sing the Blues for You , which helped garner her a Blues Music Award nomination for Best Traditional Blues Female Performer (aka the Koko Taylor Award) as well as  Krase’s new album, Should’ve Seen It Coming , which is set for release on April 21. Both artists make special guest appearances on each other’s new albums. "I’m looking forward to bringing my new music to all my fans over there,” exclaims Trudy Lynn about the upcoming show...

Blues Harmonica Ace Steve Krase Sets April 21 Release Date for New CD, Should’ve Seen It Coming , on Connor Ray Music HOUSTON, TEXAS – Blues harmonica ace Steve Krase announces an April 21 release date for his latest album on Connor Ray Music, Should’ve Seen It Coming , which includes special guest appearances from label mates Trudy Lynn, Mark May and Bob Lanza. Krase will celebrate with several Houston CD release shows, including Friday, March 24 at The Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club ( www.thebigeasyblues.com ) and Saturday, March 25 at Martini’s Blu Café ( www.martiniblu1.com ). Steve will also perform at the “Houston Has Hart” show on Sunday, March 26 (4-8 PM), at Rockefeller’s, a benefit for the Blues Foundation’s Hart Fund that provides health services and more for blues musicians nationwide. Several other Houston area blues artists will perform as well, along with special guests and a silent auction. Steve Krase is well-known as the harmonica player behin...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'll Sing The Blues For You , from Trudy Lynn and she doesn't miss a beat. Opening with rockin' blues shuffle, Alright Baby , Lynn is joined by Steve Krase on harp, David Carter on guitar, Terry Dry on bass, Randy Wall on keys, and Matt Johnson on drums. A cool jam, Lynn leads the way and Krase is really jammin'. On Lowell Fulsom's Black Night , Carter steps up with a cool guitar solo, nicely framing Lynn's featured vocals. With a cool bass line by Dry, Thru Chasin' You , has a funky bottom and cool instrumentation. Shuffle, Honky Tonk Song , has a real nice groove with lead harp work by Krase and tight key work by Wall. Memphis Minnie's World Of Trouble is up next and the definite standout track on the release. Lynn's vocals are deep and sultry bathed in blues. Ramblin' Blues is a easy driving blues along the lines of Key to The Highway. Lynn lays it out there capped nicely by K...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time To Let Go , from the Bob Lanza Blues Band and it's rockin'. Opening with boogie woogie track, Mind Your Own Business , Lanza leads the way on vocal and guitar but not without heavy support from Randy Wall on piano, The Cranberry Lake Horns and Vin Mott on drums. Excellent! On title track, Time To Let Go , Lanza leads an easy, jazzy track with light fingered guitar riffs and a bluesy twist. With supple vocals and cool horn backing this track is just right. Snappy drumming by Mott on When The Sun Comes Up gives it a cool spring and snappy bottom for super guitar riffs by Lanza. Slower blues number, Your Turn To Cry , sets a nice groove with Lanza punctuating his vocal with stinging guitar riffs. Very cool! Rush'n The Blues is a low slung blues instrumental and Lanza pulls out the stops. Riding along on a nice B3 air by Wall this track is one of my favorites on the release. Chicago style track, Follow Y...

I just received the newest release (May 20, 2016), Blues Heaven , from Mark May and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Boom Boom , comes out kicking and with his guitar screaming. With a cool bass riff by Tim Keefe and a stiff snare drum rhythm, this track is off and running. May handles lead guitar and vocal duties. With it's soaring guitar lead and backing horn work by Ted "Teddy Boom" Basinger on trombone, John "Johnny B" Bonham on trumpet and Joe "Smokin' Joe" Reasoner on sax, this track is a hot opener. Sassy blues number, Money , sets up really nicely with solid bass line, supporting horns and and tight drums giving May space to lay out some really grinding guitar solo lines. Very nice! Two stepper, She's A Keeper , has country rock styling blended with a Louisiana flavor. Greg Martin slips in with some real nice slide work warming up the track. Title track, Blues Heaven is a simple ballad with a sweet melody. Matt Mees has t...

I just received the most recent release, Everything Comes With A Price , from Trudy Lynn and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with blues swinger, I'm Gonna Latch On , Lynn immediately establishes why she has been nominated for the BMA Koko Taylor award for female vocalist in 2015 and 2016. Harp man Steve Krase hits the harp square on adding cool riffs and The Mighty Org lays down some really nice guitar riffs as well. Slinky blues number, Fat Daddy , has a great groove and super harp riff, backed by Randy Wall on keys, Paul Lil Buck Senegal on lead guitar and Terry Dry on bass. Lynn has a great swagger on Everything Comes With A Price and Krase is right there to match her on harp. Wall's keys add nicely on this track in particular and Lil Buck sets a great groove of his own on guitar. Very nice! Wall plays a most excellent solo on Yesterday I Was Lonely , a slow blues number and Lynn digs deepp for some of her most heartfelt vocals on the release. Super! My Alley Boogie ,...

Bob Lanza, Steve Krase Team at Blues Bash Joe Hirsh Productions Presents Centenary Blues Bash Teaming Again: Bob Lanza, Steve Krase The folks at Joe Hirsh Productions have out done themselves again as the 6th annual Blues Bash rolls around this coming weekend. This year's event includes two blues stars that have witnessed phenomenal growth in 2014 and their individual successes continue to follow them as they move along into 2015.  Bob Lanza is the New Jersey hometown bluesman and blues rocker Steve Krase is traveling to Hackettstown from his home base of Houston, Texas to join Bob on stage.  Steve Krase commented, "Man, playing with Bob and his band gets me really fired up, these guys are real pros and they deliver the blues.  I guarantee you the place will be smokin..." There is a complete entertainment bill booked by Joe Hirsh Pro...

Photo: John Abbey, Trudy Lynn Connor Ray Music Label Announces New CEO Music industry veteran John Abbey takes the helm January 2015 Houston, Texas based Connor Ray Music announced today that John Abbey will assume control of the day to day operations as General Manager and CEO. Connor Ray Music was originally founded in 1995. Steve Krase, Founder and President of Connor Ray Music, had this to say about the announcement,   “John Abbey is one of the most well-known personalities in this business and brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the company. We are excited about the future of Connor Ray Music with John at the helm!” John Abbey commented, "I found everyone within Connor Ray and those around Connor Ray to be on the same page. Everyone wants to accomplish the same goals and the unity is amazing.  We will be keeping our eyes open for artists that are of t...