Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release. A Time Like This , from The McKee Brothers , and it's bright and bouncy. Opening with How Can I Miss You Baby?, a cool swing blues with a taste of Lyle Lovett. With Denis McKee on lead vocal and guitar, Bobby West on keys, Bobby Watson on bass, Steve Stephens on drums, Lee Thornburg on trumpet, Doug Webb on sax and featuring Tim Douthit on harmonica, it's a cool opener. Soulful shuffle, It Is What It Is , has that easy swing feel that was so much a part of the Memphis sound. McKee, backed by Maxayn Lewis on vocal and with great work on keys by West really carries it nicely. With gospel overtones, Realize has a cool funky feel. The groove is really nice and strong lead work by McKee and backing vocals by Lewis, along with a little Latin spice and Thornburg and Webb's horn punctuation really makes this track one that stands out. With it's driving Fats Domino feel, Bluer Than You has that classic New Orleans ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Moon Over Montgomery , by The McKee Brothers and it's flavorful. Opening with Pig Feet , a jazzy track with cool backing vocals, Jeff Robinson on lead vocals, backed by Denis McKee on guitar, Hammond and vocal, Bobby West on keys, Ralph McKee on lap steel, Bobby Watson on bass and particularly Jerome Edmonson on classic drums. Andy Wilson adds a really nice chromatic harp, Bob Schultz on bari sax and Andy Georges  on acoustic guitar are complimented by Maxayn Lewis, Melissa McKee, Dennis Lockett on vocals. Funky, I Feel Like Dynamite , has a cool James Brown feel with tastes of the Temptations, Tower of Power and Dave Mason. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release, You Know How I Lie , has some of the best vocals, both lead and lush backing on the release, smart lead guitar runs by Laith Al-Saadi, trumpet and trombone by Lee Thornburg and tenor and bari sax by Doug Webb. Very nice. With an orchestral qua...

I just received the newest release, Enjoy It While You Can , from The McKee Brothers and I love it. Opening with One Of Us Gots Ta Go , a jazzy blues track in the style of WW Washington, this track is hot! Featuring Bob Schultz on lead vocal and Kirk Fletcher on lead guitar this track swings. Denis McKee on guitar, Bobby West on piano, Jim Alfredson on Hammond, Duncan McMilan on Wurlitzer, Ralph McKee on bass and Jerome Edmonson on drums is a solid unit but throw Lee Thornburg on trumpet, Doug Webb on sax and Sophia on backing vocal and you have pure power! Funky, Change , has a slinky feel and a cool bass line by Bobby Watson. Schultz's vocals are super and Fletcher trading off with the horn section and really nice accent vocals by Melissa McKee make this a really sweet track. A real screamer, A Little Bit Of Soul features Larry McCray on lead vocals and guitar. I really like Larry's vocals and his guitar work is crisp. The horn section is tight and a driving bass line ...