Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Great Women in Blues , by Lisa Mann's Northwestern All-Stars , and it's powerful. Opening with traditional spiritual numbers, Wade In The Water /Swing Low Sweet Chariot really demonstrating the richness of Odabi's voice...wow. Rolling into rocking blues, I Sing The Blues , Odabi holds the crowd in her hands supported by the potent backing of Mann on bass, Jimi Bott on drums, Louis Pain on organ, and flaming guitar work by Ben Rice and Jason Thomas. Very cool. Pops Staples' Why Am I Treated So Bad has a lightly funky arrangement with rich harmonies by Odabi and Mann and crushing double stops against cool lead by Rice and Thomas really gives this track a potent signature. One of my favorites. Rudy Toombs' R&B hit, 5-10-15 Hours is smooth as silk with Odabi swinging the lead and Mann, Rice and Thomas setting the groove. Tasty blues riffs by Thomas and a tight bottom by Bott give this track great t...

THE BLUES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 38TH BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES   Awards ceremony to be held May 11, 2017 in Memphis MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Blues Foundation is pleased to announce the nominations for its annual Blues Music Awards , which the international organization will present on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee . Universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded blues musicians, The Blues Music Awards upholds its rich cultural tradition by honoring the past year’s superior achievements in blues performance, songwriting, and recording. This annual ceremony represents the premier event for blues professionals, musicians, and fans around the globe.   Sugar Ray Norcia , individually, ...