Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Mutual Admiration Society , from Sterling Ball, John Ferraro and Jim Cox and it's got a cool vibe. Opening with Jesse Winchester's Payday Song, an instrumental featuring Ball on guitar and bass, Ferraro on drums and Cox on clavinet. a simple rock shuffle, a cool opener. The In Crowd , is jazzed up instrumental version of  Billy Page's 60's hit and features Steve Morse giving it his country flavored jazz lead. Nice. Sonny Boy Williamson's Checkin' Up On My Baby has up tempo beat and is the stripped down 3 some featuring snappy riffs from Ball and organ by Cox. Ball's driving bass line is king on Big Joe William's Baby Please Don't Go and Steve Lukather does a real nice job with modern blurred guitar work to compliment the rock style take. Roy Head's Treat Her Right has a detuned (less HP) feel with it's swinging shuffle. Cox is featured on piano and organ and Ball lays i...

STEVE VAI’S THIRD VAI ACADEMY GUITAR CAMP  TO TAKE PLACE JANUARY 2-6, 2017 IN CARMEL, CA PASSION & WARFARE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 180 GRAM VINYL NOW AVAILABLE NORTH AMERICAN PASSION & WARFARE 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR CONTINUES LOS ANGELES — Steve Vai’s third annual Vai Academy Guitar Camp — Vai Academy 3.0:  “Passion and Technique” — will be taking place in Carmel, CA at the Asilomar Conference Grounds from January 2-6, 2017.  Along with a star-studded lineup of special guests including Al Di Meola, Zakk Wylde, Carlos Alomar and others, Vai will stage the event for players and music lovers of all ages, levels, interests, and tastes. The four-day gathering offers once-in-a-lifetime activities such as jamming with Steve Vai and his band, as well as activities and workshops for master players, beginners, and enthusiastic fans alike.  For more information, including a variety of registration options, visit www.vaiacademy.com .  Registe...