Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Steppin Out , by The Christopher Dean Band , and it's a cool mix of blues, rock, soul and pop. Opening with Crying Sam Collins ' My Road is Rough and Rocky , Christopher Dean on vocal and guitar sets a rockin pace with Carl Snyder on piano, Rob Fraser on bass and Dave Hollinsworth on drums. Cool slide work holds the track in the blues for a cool opener. Pop track, Here With Me , has solid radio potential with a strong melody and vocals. T-Bone Walker 's That Old Feeling Is Gone has a cool shuffle feel with nice, boogie piano by Snyder and Walker style guitar riffs by Dean. Curtis Mayfield 's I'm The One Who Loves You features an easy guitar accompaniment and a Latin rhythm. With plenty of falsetto vocals and backing vocals by Steve Lombardelli a solid entry to the lineup. Wrapping the release is Hound Dog Taylor 's boogie, She's Gone with Dean on vocal and wicked guitar, Snyder on piano and Lo...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Songs From French Street by the Christopher Dean Band and it's a cool rock/R&B release. Opening with Can I Get It , Dean is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, backed by song writer. Johnny Rawls on vocal and guitar, Rob Fraiser on bass, Dave Hollingsworth on drums, June Thomas on organ, Carl Snyder on piano and Steve Lombardelli on horns. Cool opener. On You Walked Away , Dean rolls into a bluesy rock format and possibly the radio track on the release. With it's up beat drum rhythm and Latin/blues fused guitar lead, this track is strong. Keep On Lovin' Me is really a blues rocker with a SRV flavor but with an R&B overtone. It's ramped up drums and power horn backing make it one of the top tracks on the release. Another favorite is soulful track, Walls , with it's Curtis Mayfield like feel. Dean works this track nicely with just the right blend of vocal and lead guitar. Beautiful. Add in a bit o...