Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Proper Years , from Bill Kirchen and it's strong. I'm certain that most readers know Bill but if not, he was the guitar fingers of Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. That being known, you can expect that deep throaty telecaster guitar sound and rich country roots. Opening with Hammer of the Honky-Tonk  Gods , a swangin' country rocker with Kirchen on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Nick Lowe on bass, Geraint Watkins on bass, Austin de Lone on keys, Robert Trehorne on drums, Danny Levin on fiddle and Cindy Cashdoller and David Berzansky on steel guitar. Great opener. Working Man is a cool, country flavored track with solid 2 stepping beat. With great lead vocal and a really great bass background vocal among the others, this track is a standout. Remake of 60's pop hit, Devil In A Blue Dress , has a real bluesy feel with solid backing vocals by Sarah Carroll. Trish Anderson and Suzannah Espie. ...

The Last Music Company has released Dr. John's tribute to Louis Armstrong, Ske-Dat-De-Dat , on vinyl on June 5, 2020. I had the opportunity to review this newest release and it's a lot of fun. Opening with What A Wonderful World , Dr John joins up with Nicholas Payton on trumpet and the Blind Boys of Alabama for a Mac stylized version of this Armstrong classic. Payton floats on the melodic rhythm and Mac's vocals are tops. Bonnie Raitt joins on I've Got The World On A String and an easy swing. Both Mac and Raitt seem very comfortable with excellent lead vocals, bluesy guitar riffs, clarinet and full horn backing. Very nice. In traditional Mac/New Orleans Jazz style, Gut Bucket Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release, again featuring Payton on trumpet and with strong horn backing and some really tasty drumming. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child features Anthony Hamilton on lead vocal with smooth soulful backing and solid horn work. The McCrary Si...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Please Come Home , from Jimmie Vaughan and it's solid. Opening with Lloyd Price's R&B track, Baby, Please Come Home Vaughan has the mic and joined by George Rains on drums, Ronnie James on bass, Billy Pitman on rhythm guitar, Doug James on bari sax, Greg Piccolo on tenor sax, this band is rockin. On Lefty Frizzell's shuffle No One To Talk To (But The Blues) , Vaughan's vocals are stellar and his guitar playing low slung and meaningful. Chuck Willis' What's Your Name? has a real great tempo and the steady drumming by Rains sets the tempo and James' sax work is fat and meaty. Very nice. Low slung, It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day) has a real nice off beat pace and Vaughan's guitar lead answers the response nicely and his soloing with James' bari work is really nice. Fats Domino's So Glad has a great feel with hot sax work by James and Piccolo and I really like Vaughans unu...