Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In The Dark from Sparky Parker is it's an energy packed fireball. Opening with title track, I n The Dark , a solid radio rocker, lead singer and guitarist Sparky Parker shows his showmanship with solid vocals and use of wah wah on his rhythm work under the lead. With Kevin Berry on drums and Phillip Lock on bass, a cool opener. This Old Thing has great rhythm, super tone and stinging guitar riffs under solid melody making it another strong radio contender. Games has a classic blues guitar styling and Parker's vocals really shine on one of my favorites tracks on the release. Sleepy Town is blues but a newer, less formal styling, strong lead guitar and nicely blended vocals gives it a great unique appeal. Excellent! The rolling Stones' country rocker, Dead Flowers , is always a great track and this is no exception. Parker takes the pace up just a notch and with a tight rhythm and simple paired vocals gives...

West Texas Band The Iveys Prepares To Release Colors of Honey, Tour Dates Announced Family comes first for El Paso based roots/Americana quintet EL Paso, TX - The Iveys are gearing up for the release of their fifth studio album titled Colors Of Honey.  The band was formed initially by Arlen Ivey and sister Jessica Ivey Carr, and while that gave them a taste of performing and creating together, it wasn’t until bringing in three more members of their family — sister Jenna Ivey, brother Galen Ivey and brother-in-law Sammy Carr — that The Iveys felt truly complete. According to Arlen, “The music has a different kind of depth; the songwriting and the collaboration of Jenna and I together was something that was missing before. I’ll bring her a song that I think is good and, after adding her input, it improves the story and elevates the song. We have one track that is about following your dreams, knowing there will be tough times, but regardless of that,...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Tell Me , from Glen Clark , and it's a solid set of low key country fused R&B style tracks. Opening with title track, You Tell Me , Glen Clark leads the way on guitar and vocal, backed by John Bryant on drums and vocals, Jim Milan on bass and vocal and Sam Swank on guitar for a solid radio bound country style track. Cool opener. Kicking into real R&B flavor, Accept My Love pulls in Jim Foster on trumpet and Ron Jones on sax with a cool melody and nice electric keys by Clark. Walk On has a definite radio feel with a great melody and strong vocals, supported by Clark on keys, James Pennebaker on guitar and Pat Peterson and Benita Aterberry providing rich backing vocals. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks, When The Time Is Right , has a funky blues feel with stinging guitar riffs and a great beat. Wrapping the release is up tempo pop track, That's Where You Come In with Clark out front on vocal and o...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Have No Hold Over Me by Ten Second Pistol and it's quite interesting. opening with slow blues number, Hold My Hand with Benny Chang leading the way on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Davis Alexander on bass and Manny Ayala drums. Chang's guitar riffs are fluid and constant, making this a great opener. On soul track, Hold On , the band shifts gears a bit and Chang's emphasis is on soulful vocals and lush chords. His stinging lead guitar soloing is crisp and nicely adorned. Very nice. Slow blues number, Get To Steppin' is really nicely formed wailing vocals and well placed guitar accents. Ayala really tips the cart on drums giving the track just the right heaviness and machine gun guitar riffs by Chang give it a nice flair. Bluesy ballad, Like A Bird is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's haunting melody and warm, nicely executed guitar solos. Burn Baby Burn incorporates a reggae...

'BADASS BLUES' STRAIGHT OUT OF HOUSTON, TEXAS: LOVELACE BROTHERS RELEASE NEW SINGLE, GET READY TO TOUR THE U.S.    (Houston, TX) - Straight out of Southeast Texas, home of ZZ Top, the late, great Johnny Winter, and Janis Joplin, The Lovelace Brothers have released a smokin' new single, " Leaving ," (purchase the single at CD Baby, here ) and are readying a U.S. tour for the Summer of 2017, Billy Lovelace, the group's guitarist-vocalist and principal songwriter, has announced.   The Lovelace Brothers, who made thei...

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, You Greasy Devil , by Hardcore Sex and it's raw and real and I like it. Opening with Clarksdale , a modern stripped down blues, Bear Ryan wails the lyrics and plays drums and Brian Johnson has super saturated and distorted guitar, not dissimilar but not the same as early The Black Keys with heavy blues and punk edge. This is great! Sister has a soulful vocal line by Ryan and Johnson's slide work is fatter than fat with a catchy guitar vamp and showing a band that is just loose enough to give it a rag tag feel but tight enough to keep you glued. Down My Throat takes raw to the next level with overt sexual lyrics that give the raw bluesy feel even more edge. This duo takes the blues as close to punk as I've heard it and has super aural presence. Great guitar tone man! Excellent! Wrapping the release is Tiger Meat ,a led footed blues rocker with a really wide girth and erotic lyrics. This band knows how to hold i...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dos , from Richard Cagle & the Voodoo Choir and it's a cool rocker with bite! Opening with driving rocker, Treat Your Daddy Right , Richard Cagle on lead vocal is front and center with Dusty Hill like bass lines from Calvin Hall, stinging guitar riffs from Lee Martin, Randy Walls on keys and Kelley Wright on drums. Love Ya Need Ya has a soothing pace with super bass on bottom and guitar lead is subtle at time and rabid at time. Very cool. With a heavy John Lennon meets Billy Gibbons, meets Robin Trower, Slow Blues oozes out a heavy blues rock feel. Cagle's vocals approach those of Axl on this one but the overall feel of this track is very solid and given the super bottom and nicely appointed guitar work by Martin, this track is one of my favorites. Breaking down Humble Pie style, Messing With the Blues is a basic rocker with guts. Martin definitely shows that he can surf the fretboard and with anchoring by...

Acclaimed Houston Blues Singer Trudy Lynn Signs with Piedmont Talent for Booking Representation Trudy Lynn Just Nominated for a Blues Music Award in Traditional Blues Female Category HOUSTON, TX – Connor Ray Music artist Trudy Lynn, whose latest CD is drawing rave reviews and substantial radio airplay for I’ll Sing the Blues for You , has been signed by Piedmont Talent for booking representation. Trudy was also just announced as a nominee for the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) by the Blues Foundation in Memphis for the upcoming Blues Music Awards in May. “Piedmont Talent is honored to add Blues/Soul legend Trudy Lynn to our roster,” said Piedmont Talent CEO Jay Stollman in making the announcement. “Trudy’s profound talent and acclaimed musical history clearly define her as the ‘real deal’....a standout among the field of Blues vocalists, past and present. Simply put, Trudy Lynn sings the Blues as the Blues deserves to be sung....with heart, soul, p...

Connor Ray Music Set to Release New CD from Acclaimed Houston Blues Singer Trudy Lynn, I’ll Sing the Blues for You , on October 21 Trudy Lynn Will Celebrate New Album’s Release with a Special Show at Houston’s Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club on Saturday, October 22 HOUSTON, TX – Connor Ray Music announces an October 21 release date for I’ll Sing the Blues for You, the new CD from acclaimed Houston-based blues singer Trudy Lynn. I’ll Sing the Blues for You features 10 tracks dripping with blues, soul and R&B, and includes her unique takes on songs from Big Mama Thornton, Lowell Fulsom, Memphis Minnie and Johnny Copeland, among others, as well as the funky original, “Thru Chasin’ You,” destined to be a fan favorite. Backing Trudy on the new album are label president Steve Krase on harmonica, David Carter on guitar, Terry Dry on bass, Randy Wall on keyboards and Matt Johnson on drums.   Trudy Lynn will celebrate the new album with a special CD rele...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fresh Air , from Johnny Nicholas and it's got breadth. Opening with Moonlight Train , Nicholas keeps it light with his own vocal and harmonica backed by Scrappy Jud Newcomb on guitar and John Chipman on drums. An early blues sound drives this track with purity. Sleepy John Estes' Kid Man Blues is up next with a cool bop. Cindy Cashdollar makes an appearance with some cool slide and Newcomb adds in nice mandolin giving this track a whole new feel. With a Little Feat kind of funk, Blues Time , has a real nice groove. Backaing himself on guitar with Cashdollar on slide and super percussion and drums by John Chipman and Bruce Hughes this track has a real nice feel. Country flavored, Red Light , gets a real nice lap flavor from Cashdollar and with slick piano work, Steve Riley on button accordion and Newcomb's guitar, Nicholas' vocals are perfect. Sweet Katrina has a smoky Latin feel emphasized by precise pi...

Heralded Austin Musician Johnny Nicholas Brings a Breath of Fresh Air with New Blues/Roots CD Coming September 2 AUSTIN, TX – Acclaimed roots musician Johnny Nicholas has announced a September 2 release date for his new CD, Fresh Air , which showcases his multiple talents on various guitars and soulful vocals for an album surely to be one of the best musical revelations of the year. Watch the Johnny Nicholas video that includes musical excerpts from the Fresh Air album: Fresh Air was produced by Bruce Hughes and recorded at Arlyn Studios in Austin. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Scrappy Jud Newcomb (guitars, mandolin, mandocello), John Chipman (drums, percussion, vocals) and Bruce Hughes (bass, vocals, percussion), plus a guest list that includes Cindy Cashdollar (lap steel and additional guitars), the new CD creates a satisfying statement of true American roots music at its finest and most authentic. “ Fresh Air is a collection of ...