Stony Plain Records artist: The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1, from The Strongman Blues Remedy and it's chocked full of foot tapping blues. Opening with blues rocker, Hard Luck, leader Steve Strongman adds great slide riffs, bass and harmonica to his solid lead vocal efforts for a super radio track. Joined by Dave King on drums and Jesse O'Brien on keys this is a great opener. Dawn Tyler Watson has the mic on Fine Young Man, a solid radio track with country and blues roots. Slick slide work by Strongman and with O'Brien on keys and King on drums, another fine track. Slow blues, White Lightnin' is my favorite track on the release with Strongman's best vocals on the release and strong, soulful, fluid guitar lead, backed by Alec Fraser on bass. Excellent! Crystal Shawanda has the mic on Tell Me I'm Wrong and her vocals are sassy and powerful against the bluesy riffs of Strongman. Wrapping the release is Love Comin' In with it's poppy shuffle feel. Strongman is back up front on vocal and his guitar work is bluesy and slick. With grinding rhythm work and a driving bottom, this is a solid closer for a cool release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Mike Stevens - Breathe In The World, Breathe Out Music - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breathe In The World, Breathe Out Music, from Mike Stevens and it's a cool slice of contemporary blues/country influenced music. Opening with Like A Little Bird, harmonica master, Mike Stevens teams up with Polly Harris on lead vocal with a light reggae rhythm. Supporting are Jeff Getty on acoustic guitar, Kevin Breit on electric guitar, Art Kratchian on drums, and Jeff Bird on bass. Grumbling Old Man Grumbling Old Woman is a cool, jig featuring Stevens and Breit playing tandem melody/harmony lines over the tight rhythms of Getty and Kratchian. Very nice. Gordon Lightfoot's classic, The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald maintains it's easy approach but substitutes Breit and Stevens on melody giving the track a cool, folky feel. Bound by the solid acoustic playing of Getty and Kratchian, this is a strong entry. Jesse's Request is an interesting track with a really strong melody. With a lot of the characteristics of a western soundtrack, Stevens masterfully crafts the melody over the acoustic guitar base by Getty. Ida Red is another of my favorites on the release with the feel of genuine country (western) music. Stevens takes the lead on vocal and harmonica on this one with full backing vocals by Getty and Cory James Mitchell. Devil's Bride is tight boogie with the rhythm line set by Breit, Getty and Kratchian. I really like Stevens' vocal on this track and his harmonica work compliments the lead nicely and Breit's electric guitar lead rocks. Wrapping the release is Put Your Phone Down, a cool harmonica jam over the tight drums rhythm of Kratchian, joined by Andrew Collins on mandolin. This is an unconventional "blues" release, but a solid release with a lot of great harmonica work. Very nicely done. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - Mercy Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mercy Me, from Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters and it's strong. Opening with Muddy Waters' classic shuffle, Blow Wind Blow in Earl style and it's great. With Diane Blue handling the lead vocals nicely, Dave Limina on B3, Paul Kochanski on bass and Forrest Padgett on drums and Peter Ward sharing the guitar work with Earl, this is a solid opener. Slow blues, Blues For Duke Robillard, is prime Earl. I know that this may sound repetitive, but although Earl is an excellent player across the spectrum, his flow and chops on slow blues instrumentals are really tops in todays market. His feel, phrasing and tone is excellent and this track is an excellent example. With a slight uptick, Anthony Geraci's A Prayer For Tomorrow, is another great jam showing Earl not only with strong lead phrasing but gripping trem bends and lush chords under the beautiful key work of Geraci. Very nice. Another great shuffle, Dave's Groove, has just the right feel with Earl playing just behind the beat adding nice tension. Mario Perrett lets it fly on tenor sax giving the track a fat horn push along with Limina's B3 work. Excellent! Percy Mayfield's Please Send Me Someone To Love features Blue again on lead vocal and powerful horn work by Perrett on tenor and Mark Earley on bari sax adding a real soulful feel. The warm B3 tone by Limina and Padgett's light drum rhythm lends an excellent slate for Earl's clean, complimentary guitar soloing. Clocking in at over 10 minutes, a terrific track. Wrapping the release is Higher and Higher, further reinforcing the R&B influences throughout the release. Blue gets a great groove going, backed by Tess Ferraiolo on backing vocals and with the warm, gospel feel of  Limina on B3 and piano, excellent sax work by Perrett and Earley really sets the stage for Earl's highlighted guitar accents. Very nice closer for a strong release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: HOROJO Trio - Set The Record - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Set The Record, from HOROJO Trio and I really like it. Opening with rocker, Man of Steel, lead vocalist Jeff Rogers who also plays keys leads the way, with well known guitar slinger JW-Jones on guitar and Jaime Holmes doing a great job on drums really get it ramped up. R&B track, Set The Record Straight has a lightly funky rhythm and the real richness of Rogers vocals shine through. Jones, who lead the vocal charge on his own solo releases and Holmes do a terrific job blending backing vocals making this a tight vocal effort.  One of my favorite tracks on the release is Stay Crazy with it's soulful feel and terrific lead vocals. With it's radio melody and Jones tasty guitar riffs, this track is very nice. Another particularly strong track is The Night with has a terrific melody, strong lead vocal by Rogers who adds warm organ backing and includes a sweet guitar solo by Jones. Very nice. Contemporary blues rocker, Give and Take gives Jones a real chance to show his blues roots with excellent riffs highlighting the track. Holmes takes charge on "James Brown" like rhythm as Jones and Rogers trade vocal/guitar lead on Something You Should Know. This track really moves out and Jones slides right in with a crisp guitar solo that really capps the track and Holmes showboats a little himself adding real icing to this cake.  Real Deal begins as a high intensity rocker with HOROJO firing on high but slows to a really nice blues giving Jones a great opportunity to show his blues chops and that he does. Rogers is just what Jones needed to give him a wider audience with excellent pipes on this new release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: The Duke Robillard Band - They Called It Rhythm & Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, They Called It Rhythm & Blues, by The Duke Robillard Band,  and it's another stellar performance by the Duke and his crew. Opening with swing blues, Here I'm Is, Chris Cote on lead vocal really does a nice job with excellent fluid guitar lead by Robillard, and solid backing by Bruce Bears on keys, Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums and Doug James on sax. Fools Are Getting Scarcer, James really does a great job stepping out on bari and tenor sax solos over a hot R&B feel. Excellent! Kim Wilson takes the lead on Tell Me Why with his trademark vocals and solid harmonica work. Robillard's guitar lead is impeccable and the band is solid. John Hammond is up front on Homeless Blues with his delta based vocal and playing style. I really like Hammond and am glad to see him on this release. With distinctive drum work by Teixeira and piano by Bears, this track is one of my favorites. Freddy King's Someday After Awhile, is a real showcase for both Cote and Robillard with exceptional vocal lead and plenty of room for Duke to stretch. Very nice. Kim Wilson does a rework on Guitar Slim's Things I Used To Do, The Things I Forgot To Do,  and Wilson works it nicely. Duke's guitar soloing really captures the styling of Slim and the piano work of Bears is spot on, with reinforcement by James and Mark Earley on sax. Very cool. Wrapping the release is hot instrumental jam, Swingin' For Four Bills, featuring really nice front work by Duke, Sue Foley and Mike Flanigin.  This is a super track and great closer for Robillard on this newest release. 

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Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Blues From Chicago to Paris - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the release, Blues From Chicago to Paris, and it's a strong traditional blues release from Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne. Opening with piano boogie, Rock This House, Wayne really has the keys rolling with his terrific vocals and solid backing by Russell Jackson on second vocal and bass and Joey DiMarco on drums. Great opener. Slowing things down a bit, Willie Dixon's A New Way To Love is a scorcher with soulful vocals and really strong piano work by Wayne. Clocking in at over 7 minutes, this is a showcase tune. Memphis Slim's Messin' With the Blues is a real cool addition to the set with it's jazzy approach but solid blues core. Wayne, again is showcased on vocal but his piano work is really tops, both under the melody and in soloing conditions. Excellent! Up tempo, After While has a revival feel with Wayne and Jackson on vocal and Wayne's piano rolling. Another fun piano boogie, I Ain't Gonna Be No Monkey Man, really rolls along with great piano riffs and solid vocals by Wayne and Jackson. Wrapping the release is Slim's, Wish Me Well, another tight piano boogie. I like how Wayne has really tapped into the flow of these classics and blended them together on a contemporary recording. Very nice.  

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Stony Plain Records artist: Colin James - Open Road - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Open Road, from Colin James and I really like it. On James' landmark 20th release, James covers some classic blues tracks and adds some of his own. Opening with Tony Joe White's As the Crow Flies, James cranks out a real driving boogie with stinging lead guitar, backed by Geoff Hicks on drums, Norm Fisher on bass and Simon Kendall on keys. Strong.  Albert King's Can't You See What You're Doing To Me, is up next and with Chris Caddell on rhythm, Steve Hilliam on sax, this is another potent track with excellent phrasing by James. Magic Sam's That's Why I'm Crying fits in perfectly with it's slower pace, giving James a chance to stretch a bit with soulful vocals and nicely crafted solo lead. Excellent! James original, When I Leave This House, has a country rocking honky tonkin feel that will get you moving. James really plays guitar to this one with a nice flair and the addition of Jesse O'Brien adds real sauce. Very cool! Otis Rush's It Takes Time, a long time favorite on the blues rock scene, gets a moderate workover and James it right there with his guitar to add the spark. Fisher really lays heavy on the bass which is great and the addition of harmonica by Steve Marriner and bari sax by Jerry Cook, cooks the track. Another original James track, There's A Fire, really brings the pace down but turns up the heat. James' vocals are really strong and his lead guitar work is smoking. This is definitely one of my favorites on the release and likely to be a fan favorite in concert. A really cool take on Bob Dylan's It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry brings to mind Leon's redo of this track back in the 70's. I don't think anyone's come close since but this is a real nice deal. The rhythm is loose and slinging and with James on slide, and some hot sax work by Hilliam, a great track. Wrapping the release is Eddie Floyd's classic,  I Love You More Than Words Can Say, again really parlaying the strength of James' soulful vocals and includes a brief but potent dash of guitar edge. This is a fine release and one I really enjoy listening to.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Sue Foley - Pinky's Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 22, 2021), Pinky's Blues, from Sue Foley and I think it's her best yet! Opening with title track, Pinky's Blues, Foley digs in on guitar, establishing that this is a going to be a blues guitar release right up front. Her riffs are stinging and relentless. Angela Strehli's blues strut, Two Bit Texas Town has a great aggressive, Willie Dixon feel featuring Foley on vocal and with vicious SRV like riffs,  Jon Penner on bass, and Chris Layton on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Southern Men and it's story telling format. Foley not only does a great job on vocal  but with bends and a lot of vibrato, really whammy's this track. Excellent! Another Strehli penned track, Say It's Not So really works nicely with rich vocals and double stopped rhythm work by Foley. Here soloing throughout is really nicely phrased and emotional. Excellent! Clarence Gatemouth Brown's Okie Dokie Stomp is killer with all of the zest in Gate's original. Folley is really rocking the house here and you better bet I'm rocking! Robert Nighthawk's Someday is another terrific cover of a Chicago style blues. Foley's vocals are really solid but her guitar stretching is fresh and gripping. Tell me you aren't stomping your heel. Wrapping the release is Willie Dixon's When The Cat's Gone The Mice Play. Foley sells this one to the max with sweet vocals and fleet fingered riffs. One of the best traditional style electric blues releases that I have heard this year end to end. Excellent! 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Maria Muldaur with Tuba Skinny - Let's Get Happy Together - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let's Get Happy Together, from Maria Muldaur and Tuba Skinny and it's captures the sound of the 20's and 30's. Opening with I Like You Best of All, Muldaur on vocal and Shaye Cohn on wild cornet, Todd Burdick on the anchor ... tuba, Barnabus Jones on super trombone, Jason Lawrence on 6 string banjo, Craig Flory with a great clarinet solo, Greg Sherman on guitar, Max Bien Kahn on guitar and Rubin Rupuzzi on washboard. I really like the clarinet / cornet play off each other. It sets the stage nicely and Jones is a strong trombone player so his work with Muldaur's vocals are classic. Taking the pace down quite a bit on Delta Bound, Flory and Jones again really work the track and Burdick's tuba work is terrific under Muldaur's vocals. I Go For That has great pace and excellent instrumental weaving that is so important in this period music as well as all Dixieland music. Very nice. One of Muldaur's showpiece vocals on the release is Big City Blues, originally performed by 30's star Annette Henshaw. Wrapping the release is Road of Stone, a special track to Muldaur who says it was recorded by Sweet Pea Spivey, sister of Victoria Spivey who discovered her. With trumpet lead and cool clarinet wailing, cornet and trombone soloing, this is a perfect closer for a cool release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artists: New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers - Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Volume 1, from New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers and it's great stuff. Opening with Blues, Why You Worry Me features Charlie Musselwhite on lead vocal  and harmonica. A strong Chicago style shuffle, also includes Alvin Youngblood Hart and Jimbo Mathus on guitars, Jim Dickinson on piano, Luther Dickinson on guitars, mandolin, Cody Dickinson on drums, Chris Chew on bass and Paul Taylor on tub bass. Super opener. Charlie Patton's Pony Blues is a super follow up with it's Hill Country styling and Hart on lead vocal. It's no secret that Mathus is one of my favorite contemporary musicians with his quirky style and super grooves (not to mention his solid country sound). Night Time features Mathus on lead vocal and one of his infectious, funky grooves, driven by Chews' bass line and strong harmonica work from Musselwhite. Very cool. One of those cool party rags, Come On Down To My House, features the late Jim Dickinson on piano and lead vocal, joined by a really comfortable weaving of the entire group on vocal and acoustic instruments. Super country blues stew. Mathus is back at the mic on Shake It and Break It, a cool rag with the classic rag styling of random instrumental blending, stagger drumming and high riding harmonica by Musselwhite. Wrapping the release is the Mississippi Sheiks' Stop and Listen Blues featuring Dickinson on mandolin, Mathus on guitar and Hart on guitar and lead vocal. This is a strong closer for a really cool release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - Rise Up - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rise Up, from Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters and it's smokin! Opening with a simple, acoustic guitar cover of traditional I Shall Not Be Moved, gives you no clues that Earl is about to open a can of Whoop on us. Shuffle, Higher Love, with a solid intro by Earl and Dave Kimina on B3 gives the stage over to super blues vocalist, Diane Blue and she fits like a glove. Settling down into a super groove laid out by Kimina on B3, Forrest Padgett on drums, Paul Kochanski on bass and Peter Ward on guitar, Earl really steps up with some of his beautiful blues phrasing. Fenton Robinson's R&B track, You Don't Know What Love Is is a super platform for Blue and Earl. Blue's vocals are perfectly suited for this style of music and her feel and sense of timing are super. Blues For Lucky Peterson is the first of a number of slow blues tracks where Earl really stretches it out. Busting out at over 10 minutes, you get enough powerful, guitar emotion on this one track to warrant the cost of admission, and there's more to come. Excellent! One of my favorite tracks on the release is Lil Green's, In The Dark which not only brings out the best in Blues' soulful vocal style, but also plays nicely to Earls own guitar strength. Very nice. Soulful gospel track, Lord Protect My Child, is really strong with powerful vocals by Blue that sometimes remind me of the Queen of Soul and excellent B3 work by Limina, reinforcing that gospel flavor. Very nice. Talking To Mr. Bromberg is another excellent slow blues giving Earl an excellent opportunity to show that extraordinary guitar phrasing that he is known for. The tension is thick. Blues For J is an excellent shuffle that gives Limina a nice bit of time center stage. Wrapping the release is Navajo Blues, the last of the slow blues instrumentals on the release. Earl continues to put out terrific releases with deep blue guitar emotion. Excellent. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Go, Just Do It! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Go, Just Do It!, from Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, and he covers the gamut from R&B to Rap. Opening with title track, Just Do It, a funky, R&B blues number with Dawn "Tyler" Watson singing along with Wayne on lead vocal, and with Russell Jackson on super bass, pumped by Jerry Cook on sax, Vince Mai on trumpet, Yuji Ihara on guitar, Joey DiMarco on drums and of course Wayne on keys. Solid Opener. Percy Mayfield's, You're In For A Big Surprise features Diane Schuur on lead vocal with Wayne and is my favorite track on the release with it's smooth, bluesy feel and strong vocals and super sax work by Cook. Very nice. Shuffle, Motor Mouth Woman is another favorite on the release with a moving beat, swinging vocals, nice piano work from Wayne and solid horns. JJ Cale's, Call Me The Breeze, maintains a bit of Cale's original rural feel but with just the right dose of soul, cool piano work by Wayne and a nice dash of blues courtesy Tank Doucette on harp. With it's "band" feel, Bumpin' Down The Highway is a great instrumental with strong lead sax work by Cook, soulful trumpet work by Mai and swinging piano work by Wayne. Excellent! Wrapping the release is another solid driver, Let The Rock Roll with Wayne right up front on piano. This is an excellent showcase of his piano styling and a solid closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - Prove It On Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Prove It On Me, by Rory Block and it's pretty tasty. Opening with Helen Humes' He May Be Your Man, Rory Block uses her laid back bluesy style with some of her best vocals in years, matched by her always concise guitar riffs. Excellent opener. Stuff Smith's If You're a Viper is a great tune, paying tribute to Rosetta Howard. Block's vocals are altered into a cool, more vintage feel and with light percussion and great slide, all played by Block. Very nice. Ma Rainey's Prove It On Me is the title track and shines brightly with full, thick vocals and sweet slide work. Blocks really hits her stride on this release, with a clean contemporary recording of excellent old classics. Memphis Minnie's In My Girlish Days is among my favorites on the release with rich vocal styling and Block's well known slide techniques, backed by her own angelic harmonies. Merline Johnson's Milk Man Blues (Yas Yas Girl) is my favorite track on the release with it's perfect poised pace, Block's extra work on vocal delivery which is extremely convincing for the time period and always excellent slide work. Wrapping the release is Elvie Thomas' Motherless Child, a strong closer with deep vocal character and clean slide soloing. This is a strong acoustic release. Check it out!  

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Sass Jordan - Rebel Moon Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rebel Moon Blues, from Sass Jordan and it's got a raw edge. Opening with a funky take on Sleepy John Estes' Leaving Trunk, Sass Jordan shows just how special her vocals can be with Steve Mariner on harp adding great punctuation. Backed by the Champagne Hookers, Chris Caddell on guitars, Jimmy Reid on guitars, Derrick Brady on bass and Cassius Pereira on drums, this is a great opener. Smokin. On Keb Mo's Am I Wrong, Jordan works it hard with Caddell on slide acoustic guitar, kick drums and basic handclaps percussion. Simple and solid. JB Hutto's Too Much Alcohol gets a strong remake with Caddell on slide dobro. Keeping the track in it's raw "acoustic" format and accentuating the raw marriage between Jordan's vocals and the sound of Caddell's resonator guitar makes for great blues. Wrapping the release is Gary Moore's blues ballad, Still Got The Blues. Jordan backs off of the throttle just a little and allows the natural smoothness of her vocals float on the back of Moore's melodic guitar lead, played here by Caddell. This is a cool release showing the strong vocal talents of Jordan.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters - Beyond The Blue Door - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beyond The Blue Door, from Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, and it's really strong. Opening with Brand New Me, a Jerry Butler track, the bands starts off in a solid slot with vocal dynamo, Diane Blue up front backed by Dave Limina on piano and B3, Ronnie Earl on guitar, Forrest Padgett on drums and Paul Kochanski on bass with Mario Perrett on tenor sax, and Scott Shetler on bari sax . Slipping into a cool shuffle, Baby How Long,  Kim Wilson is up front on lead vocal and harmonica. A real Chicago style blues gives Wilson and Earl a nice opportunity to exchange solos with Anthony Geraci on piano and Peter Ward on guitar. Very nice. Henry Glover's tune made popular by Ray Charles, Drown In My Own Tears gives Earl the stage to do exactly what everyone expects of Earl, to play those long soulful runs that have been such a trademark of his sound. Exchanging phrasing with Greg Piccolo on sax, this track is really hot. An interesting twist on a Ronnie Earl album is an acoustic take on Bob Dylan's, It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry . This is a great track that I have a special fondness for and it's earlier remake by Leon Russell, featuring Dave Bromberg on acoustic guitar and lead vocal balanced with Earl on electric guitar. Two great masters playing separate interpretations together making one very nice interpretation. Another favorite and certainly one of the best showcases for Blue is A Soul That's Been Abused with it's somber feel and that of course brings out the best in Earl. If you've followed his work, you know when a track goes in excess of 9 minutes, you're in for some rich guitar soloing and it's right here. Perrett, Shetler and Piccolo add sax work making this a terrific track. The TBone Stomp is another trademark style track for Earl with his articulate and sometimes lagging off beat playing and a rock solid bottom by Michael Rush on bass. Want another slow, blues ballad. When Blue and Earl are in... I'm in. Peace of Mind is a real nice track with Blue's rich vocal playing off of Earl's response. This is a terrific track. With a serious lope, Bringing Light (To A Dark Time) has such a great feel. Blue's vocals are spot on and Earl sounds like he's a tiger waiting to pounce during his lead filler. With warm sax backing by Perrett and Shetler and Limina pushing, this is another excellent track. Wrapping the release is slow blues number, Blues for Charlottesville. With a firm bass line by Kochanski and Limina on Hammond, Earl is free to just play and he does play. This is an excellent closer for a really excellent release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Stony Plain Records artist: Ear Worms - Duke Robillard Band - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ear Worms, from Duke Robillard Band it's quite good. Opening with rock n' roller, Don't Bother Trying To Steal Her Love, Dave Howard is up front on vocal with Bruce Bears on piano, Mark Teuxeira on drums and Marty Ballou on bass. Robillard shows his stuff with do real nice low octave tones and country twanging riffs. Chris Cote has lead vocal on Living With The Animals, a smooth bluesy ballad with stinging guitar riffs by Robillard. Beautiful phrasing and tone give this track an extra boost. Traditional pop tune, Careless Love gets some spice with an up bound swing beat and done totally instrumental with solid lead by Robillard and cool Hammond work by Bears. Very nice. Klem Kilmen is on lead vocal on Chuck Berry's Dear Dad, a fiery rocker with slick bluesy bends and tight riffs by Robillard and a cool piano solo by Bears. Allen Toussaint's funky, Yes We Can has some real nice edgy telecaster riffs, wah wah, almost sounding like the late great Roy Buchanan. This may be my favorite track on the release with just a low key bottom rumble and Bears on vocal. Very nice. Teixeira leads the way on the Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon. With it's swaying New Orleans sound, reverby guitar tones and boppy organ, this is another top track. Wrapping the release is classic R&B hit, You Belong To Me with nicely stylized, clean, round lead on guitar rather than vocal. Resting nicely in the warmth of Bears' organ work, and with a rich solo of his own, this is a solid closer for a real nice release.


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Stony Plain Records artist: Manx Marriner Mainline - Hell Bound for Heaven - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Hell Bound for Heaven by Manx Marriner Mainline and it's solid. Opening with Nothing, a cool blues shuffle, Harry Manx has the lead on vocal and banjo with Steve Marriner on harmonica and electric guitar and timed by Moe Duella on drums. This is a real nice opener showcasing some real nice riffs by Marriner on both harp and guitar. Title track, Hell Bound for Heaven, has a darker delta style feel but with a more contemporary Paul Rogers spin. Manx injecting the eccentric sound of the Mohan Veena adds mystery and even more with slide. Marriner's lead vocal and harp is solid. Rattlesnake is a easy rocking two step blues with Marriner on Baritone guitar, harp, drums and vocal and Manx on slide, backed by Clayton Doley on Hammond. This track has really nice changes in addition to a solid melody. With it's Latin beat and some of Pops Staples' original gospel structure, Wish I Had Answered is one of my favorites on the release. All of the vocals on the track are rich and Doley's Hammond work stands out nicely against Mariner's baritone guitar growl. Mariner makes Rev Gary Davis' Death Don't Have No Mercy his own vocally and using Davis' preferred 12 string backing but Manx's slide work really adds a nice texture. Wrapping the release is a strong ballad, Rise and Fall In Love with Manx on vocal, Marriner on electric guitar and Jim Bowskill on viola and violin.  A warm closer for a nice release. 

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