Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Voices , from The Cold Stares , and it's a cool straight up rocker. Opening with Nothing But The Blues , Chris Tapp on lead vocal and guitar, Brian Mullins on drums and Bryce Klueh on bass blow the doors open with an explosive sound. With a driving bottom and flaring guitars, this is a potent opener.  Lights Out has a funky, rocky beat along the lines of James Gang's Funk 49. With a cool balance of guitar/bass/drum rhythm and vocal work, this track is cool with strong lead guitar riffs in the ether. Sinnerman has an interesting rhythm that grows on you. With a solid drum/bass rhythm and Tapp's vocals, leading up to a strong guitar explosion, this is a cool track. Wrapping the release is acoustic ballad, The Ghost , featuring Tapp on vocal and acoustic guitar and only a hint of bass. A solid composition, this is a cool closer for a cool release.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming B...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavy Shoes , from The Cold Stares , and it's a solid hard rocker. Opening with heavy bottomed, Heavy Shoes , and it's as solid a rocker as you'll hear. With it's crisp drum snap by Brian Mullins and growly guitar line and vocal by Chris Tapp it's a solid opener. 40 Dead Men kicks up the pace but the dark, heavy vibe is ever present and cool. It's hard to believe that all of this sound is coming from 2 guys. Hard Times is another solid track with a strong guitar vamp and heavy drums. Strange Light is a more Zep like rocker with a great lead drum focus. Tapp's guitar isn't really flashy, staying primarily on the lower frets but this is some powerful stuff. He breaks loose on lead guitar but again, not running up the fretboard to deliver his lead. Very cool. Prosecution Blues is heavy and lumbering but right down the middle of the blues highway. Delivery is still fat and driven... a really n...