Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (February 23, 2018), Step On It , from Big Shoes , and it's slick. Opening with Duplex Blues , lead vocalist and guitarist, Rick Huckaby leads this easy shuffle blending vocals with Will McFarlane on guitars, Tom Szell on bass, Mark T Jordan on keys and Kenne Cramer on guitar. Andy Peake adds drums and is joined on percussion by Bryan Brock. Light, funky, jazz rocker, There You Go , has a real nice rhythm and interwoven soloing by Huckaby, Cramer, McFarlane and Jordan. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Latin flavored, Don't You Do Me That Way with nicely stylized guitar lead, a solid piano solo from Jordan and snappy percussion rhythms. Excellent! A solid radio candidate is Ain't Nobody Loves You Like Me , with nicely blended vocals, punchy horn work and a smooth slide guitar solo by McFarlane. Pop rocker, Give It To Me Now is another strong radio track with a super melody and catchy rhythm. Wrappi...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Swing Set , from Eight O'Five Jive and it's a swinger. Opening with Make Mine A Double , lead vocalist Lee Shropshire has the house rockin with the strong support of Andy Scheinman on guitar, Patrick Mosser on sax, Bill Bois on bass and Duane Spencer on drums. With a more casual style, Lee gets full vocal backing by the band on Ragged and Andy twists in a stylistic solo leading to a rich solo by Patrick. Get Away is a real hot footer with smoking riffs by Andy and Patrick. Very cool. Backing off a bit, Put It Back, has a smooth Louis Jordan kind of feel with warm sax work under Lee's vocals. One More Glass Of Wine has a real nice jazz club pace with smart solo's by Andy and Patrick. Very nice. Another smoker, Ridu Green's My Mumblin' Baby is a great track with hot sax work by Patrick and again hot licks by Andy...possibly my favorite track on the release. Cool swinger, A Little Bit of Bourbon ...

                                   Story By Roger Stolle       Sad news in the blues world today. Mr. Robert "Wolfman" Belfour — RIP. Arguably the deepest of the surviving, old-school, Mississippi bluesmen was found deceased at his home in Memphis this morning by relatives. He had been suffering from various health issues (mainly diabetes and mobility related) for over a year but had recently been doing better. He had not performed since last June but was slated to play at Juke Joint Festival in April.       Mr. Belfour's family is in desperate need of money for funeral services. The Memphis Blues Society is trying to raise money to help the family with funeral costs. Those wishing to donate can do so through The Memphis Blues Society Benefit li...

    ROUNDER RECORDS COMPLETES MOVE  TO NASHVILLE Concord Music Group Acquires Treasured Children's Label Music For Little People,  Imprint Will Operate Under Rounder  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MARCH 6, 2014 - Rounder Records, a division of leading independent music company Concord Music Group, today announced the completion of the company's relocation from its longtime base of Boston, Massachusetts to its new home in Nashville, Tennessee.  The region's vibrant creative community and dynamic business environment offer Rounder an enormous opportunity to build on its legacy as one of America's most revered music labels.  Located in The Gulch, Nashville's popular shopping and entertainment district, Rounder's new headquarters (1209 Pine Street, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37203) is centered in the heart of the city's thriving metropolitan core. A major force in a bro...

Nashville-based Griese writes and perfoms original music that is packed with feel and heartfelt lyrics. Bill's smooth voice and laid-back approach often lead to comparisons to the great James Taylor. His acoustic-pop style is both familiar and fresh. Bill has two original CDs, "For This Day" and "Too Long Coming," and several singles available on iTunes -- including the father-daughter song "On Three" and his fun, new release "Taylor Swift's Ex!" In a major departure from his usual sound, Bill recently released a high-energy football song called "R U Ready," featuring a guest appearance by the rapper Heathen. Get/Hear Bill's original music...   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 favorite band!

  Guitarist Steve Dawson Is Ready to Shake the Rattlesnake Cage on New Black Hen Music CD Coming February 18, 2014 All-Instrumental Solo Disc Showcases a Master Guitar Player NASHVILLE, TN – Black Hen Music announces a February 18, 2014 release date for Rattlesnake Cage , the all-instrumental latest CD from master guitarist Steve Dawson. The album’s original 11 tracks showcase Dawson in a no-frills setting: just him, his guitars and a microphone to record all the beautiful tones emanating from his fingers. Rattlesnake Cage is the album that Steve Dawson’s growing numbers of fans have been waiting for and finally gives them the opportunity to hear Steve interact with his guitar in a way that has never been captured on record before. Until now, hearing the sweet melodies and deep soul of Steve playing solo guitar has been a treat reserved for live audiences in intimate settings.  These new simple and unadorned recordings hearken ba...

Russell Jackson, born in Memphis TN, 1954. Toured with the B.B. King Orchestra six and a half years. I played in some of the most prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall,The Grand Ole Oprey, Smithsonian Institute. I also played the Moscow Theatre in the USSR in 1979. During the years in the BB King Orchestra, I had a chance to play with some of the music industries' greats. Everybody sat in, toured, and played with him. After BB King's band, I went to school to study music. LA was the place to go, so I went to Dick Grove School of Music and received an Associate Degree in Music. While living in Vancouver I joined forces with Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne, and recorded a Juno award winning CD.   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 favorite band!

Guitarist Sean Chambers Steps Outside the Box to Record with First-Time Producer Reese Wynans on Upcoming The Rock House Sessions , Due October 15 New Album Recorded in Nashville Using an All-Star Cast of Musicians and Songwriters Extensive National Touring Planned to Support New Disc NASHVILLE, TN – When Tampa Bay Area-based guitarist Sean Chambers began planning for his next album release, he decided to do things differently than he had on previous albums and looked northward to Nashville with its amazing studios, musicians and songwriting talent. The result will be released on October 15 when Sean’s new album, The Rock House Sessions , comes out on Blue Heat Records. The Rock House Sessions features a number of firsts: it’s the first album he’s recorded as Sean Chambers rather than the Sean Chambers Band; producing for the first time is legendary keyboard player Reese Wynans (best-known for his long tenure as a member of Stevie Ray Vaug...

Dave Prater (May 9, 1937 – April 9, 1988) was an American Southern Soul and Rhythm & Blues (R&B) singer who was the deeper, baritone and second tenor vocalist of the soul vocal duo Sam & Dave from 1961 until his death in 1988. Dave Prater is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1992), the Grammy Hall of Fame (1999, for the song "Soul Man"), the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame (1997), and was a Grammy Award-winning (1967) and multi-Gold Record award-winning recording artist. Sam & Dave were the most successful and critically acclaimed duo in soul music history, according to Rolling Stone magazine, and brought the sounds of the black gospel church to pop music with their string of call-and-response hit records. Primarily recorded at Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1965 through 1968, these songs included "Soul Man", "Hold On, I'm Coming", "I Thank You", and other Southern soul classics. ...

I just received the new release, Waiting On Daylight from Bart Walker and it's really strong! Walker, a new artist with Ruf has put together a package of great material that really nicely displays his skills and a performer. Opening with It's All Good , Walker wastes no time getting on the slide. This track reminds me a lot in rhythm to Stealin' Watermelons, a great Elvin Bishop track with a bit of funk and a bit of country in the rock. Walker is a modern slide player with southern influences sounding a lot more like Derek Trucks than Elmore James but really playing with his own guitar voice. Cool track. Black Clouds opens with a swampy bass riff by Dave Smith and then followed by grinding guitar riffs along the lines of Mule.Steve Potts has a good had with the drums and this blues rocker sets a firm footing. Walker is certainly no stranger to the guitar ripping gret guitar riffs throughout the track and his voice is well suited for the band. Took It Like A Man is a rock...

Calvin Newborn (born April 27, 1933, Whiteville, Tennessee, United States) is an American jazz guitarist. He is the brother of pianist Phineas Newborn Jr. (1931–89), with whom he recorded between 1953 and 1958. They also formed an R&B band, with their father Phineas Newborn Sr. on drums and Tuff Green on bass. The group also included Willie Mitchell and Ben Branch. The group was the house band in West Memphis, Arkansas, from 1947 until 1951 at the Plantation Inn Club. The group recorded as B. B. King's band on his first recordings in 1949, and also the Sun Records sessions in 1950. On the 1950 recording of "B. B.'s Boogie", recorded at the Sun Studios, it was Newborn playing the lead guitar. Newborn also gave guitars lessons to Howlin' Wolf and is credited as being a big influence on Elvis Presley, who frequented the Plantation Inn Club twice a week to watch Newborn. "Elvis got swiveling his hips and wiggling his legs from me," said Newborn. Presle...

I just received the new release, This Time Another Year , from Brandon Santini and it's a cooker! Opening with Got Good Lovin' , harpist Santini wastes no time taking a shot at contemporary harp champs like Magic Dick. A hot blues rocker, Santini has a cool voice and can really get the harp flaming. Bill Ruffino on bass and James Cunningham on drums hold down the bottom and Jeff Jensen flys through with some slick riffs of his own on guitar. This Time Another Year , along the lines of Help Me, is a great track with roots deep in the blues with really great harp tone. Santini holds the band back to a simmer as he builds the pressure vocally and then drop in on harp for the swat. Really masterful. Jensen coaxes some nice riffs from the strings and Santini has the control of Jim Morrison just waiting to unleash the dogs. What You Doing To Me , is a great New Orleans tempo track on chromatic harp. Santini has a real great sensitivity for when and how to reel in the track. Interesti...

Willie Mabon (October 24, 1925 – April 19, 1985) was an American R&B singer, songwriter and pianist. Born Willie James Mabon, and brought up in Hollywood, Memphis, Tennessee, he had become known as a singer and pianist by the time he moved to Chicago in 1942. He formed a group, the Blues Rockers, and in 1949 began recording for the Aristocrat label, and then Chess. His style contrasted with many Chess artistes – it was cool and jazzy, emphasising piano and saxophone rather than guitar and harmonica. His biggest success came in 1952 when his debut solo release, "I Don't Know", topped the Billboard R&B chart for eight weeks. He picked it up from the older boogie-woogie pianist, Cripple Clarence Lofton. It was one of the most popular releases of its era, becoming Chess's biggest hit in the period before Chuck Berry's and Bo Diddley's success. It also became one of the first R&B hit records to be covered by a leading white artist, Tennessee Ernie Ford...

John Williams Born : April 16, 1905 in Germantown, Tennessee. Died : February 5, 1982 in Memphis, Tennessee. American barrelhouse style pianist who played only in the Memphis area and made his recording debut as late as 1969. 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”

William C. "Buster" Bailey (July 19, 1902 – April 12, 1967) was a jazz musician specializing in the clarinet, but also well versed on saxophone. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Bailey was one of the most respected session players of his era.   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 favorite band!

Nashville-Based Singer-Songwriter Rian Greene Set to Debut His New CD, Drown the Miller , June 4 on Post Oak Records Latest Album Produced by Brian Harrison and Features Nashville All-Star Backing Musicians NASHVILLE, TN – Singer-songwriter Rian Greene announces a June 4 release date for his new album, Drown the Miller , on Post Oak Records, which showcases his keen eye for a lyric and rootsy Americana take on country music. Produced by Brian Harrison (Shelby Lynne) and recorded primarily at The Rendering Plant in Nashville, Drown the Miller features Rian Greene’s unique blend of Americana music and traditional country sounds backed by a cadre of Nashville all-stars with pedigrees from work with such stars as Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings and Buddy Miller. The recording sessions feature Bryan Owings on drums, Phil Senseny on bass, John Jackson on guitar, Phil Madeira on keyboards, Robby Turner on steel guitar and Tom Littlefield on harmony v...

One of East Tennesse's Premiere Blues Guitarist, joined by Jay Corder on Saxaphone and Rex Boggs on Vocals and Guitar. 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 favorite band!

Born 1906 in Columbia, TN Died 1985 in Memphis, TN Aliases Baby Ma Rainey Lille Mae Hardison 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 favorite band!

King Pleasure (March 24, 1922 - March 21, 1981) was a jazz vocalist and an early master of vocalese, where a singer sings words to a famous instrumental solo. Born as Clarence Beeks in Oakdale, Tennessee, he moved to New York City in the mid-1940s and became a fan of bebop music. King Pleasure first achieved popularity by singing the Eddie Jefferson vocalese classic "Moody's Mood for Love," based on a James Moody saxophone solo to "I'm in the Mood for Love" in 1949. Pleasure's recording in 1952 is considered a jazz classic. The female vocalist is Blossom Dearie. He and Betty Carter also recorded a famous vocalese version of "Red Top," a jazz classic penned by Kansas Citian Ben Kynard and recorded by Gene Ammons and others. Other notable recordings include a presciently elegiac version of "Parker's Mood", the year before Charlie Parker died in 1955, and Pleasure's take on Ammons's "Hittin' the Jug", retitled ...

Lovie Lee (March 17, 1909 – May 23, 1997) was an American electric blues pianist and singer. He is best known for his work accompanying Muddy Waters, although he did record a solo album in 1992. He was the 'adoptive stepfather' of fellow bluesman, Carey Bell, and thus 'grandfather' to Lurrie Bell. He was born Edward Lee Watson in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. Lee grew up in Meridian, Mississippi, and was self taught on the piano, utilising his skills in various churches, and playing at rodeos and vaudeville. He had already acquired his nickname, 'Lovie', from a doting aunt. He found part time employment playing with the Swinging Cats in the early 1950s. The outfit included Carey Bell, who Lee took under his 'fatherly' protection, and they jointly relocated to Chicago, Illinois in September 1956. Lee worked during the day in a woodworking factory, and for many years played in the evening in numerous Chicago blues nightclubs, including Porter'...