Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Brother No.1 , from The Reverend Shawn Amo s, and it's a strong mix of R&B, rock, soul and blues. Opening with funky rocker, Revelation , driven by Jerry "Wyzard" Seay on bass and Steve Ferrone on drums. With Rev on vocal and wailing harmonica, Dapo Torimiro on keys, and Doctor Roberts soaring on guitar, this is a super opener. I love the Al Green feel on Back To The Beginning and solid backing vocals by the McCrary Sisters and The Crimm Singers. Soulful, Circles , features The Revs vocals, great guitar accents by James Saez and backing vocals by Denise Carite, Torimiro and Seay. Wrapping the release is Things Will Be Fine , a great soul track featuring Amos and Carite on lead vocal, backed by Torimiro, Seay and the McCrary sisters. Excellent closer.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Cause Of It All , from The Reverend Shawn Amos and I think it's his best yet! Opening with Willie Dixon's Spoonful , Amos cuts it back to the bare necessities and I love his style. paired with guitarist, Chris "Doctor" Roberts, this is electrifying. Amos' vocals seem to scream out of the dark as do his harmonica riffs and the Doctor's fat toned guitar work is over the top. Excellent opener! Muddy Waters' Still A Fool is another excellent tract with the mostly clear (not distorted intentionally) vocals by Amos and warm throaty tones of the Doctor's guitar really carrying the word. Chester Burnett's Color And Kind leans more to super soulful vocals and warm, rich harmonica work by Amos. Powerful. A quiet rendition of Little Walter's, Can't Hold Out Much Longer, really works Amos on vocal and harmonica with no distortion and the Doctor on clean acoustic guitar. Very nice. W...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Sky , from The Reverend Shawn Amos and the Brotherhood and it's an airy mix of folk, rock , blues R&B... You name it. Opening with, Stranger Than Today , Amos on lead vocal and harp, backed by Brady Blade on drums, Christopher Thomas on bass, and Chris Roberts on guitar the feel is high plains and relaxed. On Counting Down The Days , the band gets a real interesting groove going with an odd guitar riff, and great backing vocals by Piper Amos, Sharlotte Gibson and Kenya Hathaway and featuring a really expressive harp solo by Amos. Very nice. Hold Back is a driving rocker with cool, Ike and Tina backing vocals. Really cool. Rolling shuffle, 27 Dollars is one of my favorites on the release is wild vocals, a super piano solo by Matt Hubbard and a tight rhythms by Blade. Wrapping the release is a cool New Orleans style track, Keep The Faith, Have Some Fun with Jamelle Adisa on trumpet, Marc Bolin on sousaphone...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kitchen Table Blues Vol. 1 , from The Reverend Shawn Amos and it's a cool relaxing treat. Opening with the Faces hit,  Ooh La La , Amos shows his genuine enjoyment of this classic 60's track with acoustic guitar, accordion, harmonica and banjo backing. Very nice. Amos gives Devo's, Whip It , a stripped down funky rework making it even cooler than the original. With vocal, harp, light snare drum and a bari sax, this track has texture. On The Sonics, Have Love Will Travel , Amos takes a garage tune and makes it bluesy with his vocal styling, crisp acoustic guitar riffs and soulful harp work. Wrapping the release is Tom Waits' song, Jesus Gonna Be Here , with only terrific vocal, tight snare drum rhythm and acoustic bass leading up to a smooth bluesy electric solo and an adventurous harp solo. Amos really works this track not only making it the best track on the release but also a super closer.   ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most release, The Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks It Down , by The Reverend Shawn Amos and it's cool. Opening with Moved , an ethereal blues track, Amos on vocal and harp, accompanied by Chris "Doctor" Roberts on guitar, and Sharlotte Gibson and Kenya Hathaway on vocal makes for an interesting opener. R&B track, Hold Hands , had a solid melody and a good beat with Hannah Dexter on bass, Peter Adams on keys, Mike Smirnoff on drums, James Saez and Doctor Roberts on guitars. David Bowie's The Jean Genie is much bluesier with harp and horns and vocals through the mic amp. Very cool. Freedom Suite is made up of three distinct sections, Uncle Tom's Prayer , Does My Life Matter and (We've Got To) Come Together ; a group of short concepts based on civil rights issues with notes from Dr Martin Luther King and Bukka White. Wrapping the release is Elvis Costello's (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Underst...

I just received the newest release (October 16, 2015), The Reverend Shawn Amos Loves You , from The Reverend Shawn Amos and it's funky blues time! Opening with gospel style track, Days of Depression , Amos, on lead vocal is joined by the Blind Boys of Alabama on an old school blues track with only primitive guitar and the sounds of their voices. Very nice! Brand New Man has a much more aggressive rock feel and Chris "Doctor" Roberts grunts out some pretty impressive guitar riffs. Driven by Brady Blade on drums, Lewis Smith on trumpet and Mindi Abair on sax, this track rocks! Slowing down with a little shuffle, Boogie , features Amos on harp and vocals joined by Missy Andersen. Brothers Keeper has a solid R&B feel and Amos lays in a nice blues line on harp. Roberts leads off You're Gonna Miss Me (When I Get Home), a funky track with a solid bottom provided by Chris Thomas. Roberts plays a nicely distorted guitar solo and Amos follows with a cool harp riff whi...

I just received the newest release, The Reverend Shawn Amos Tells It from The Reverend Shawn Amos and it's great! Opening with Hoodoo Man's Blues , The Rev is right on the vocal and harp. This arrangement is so tight it could be right from a Jr. Wells release. Chris Roberts plays lush guitar riffs behind the lead, Don Medina is right on the spot on drums and Ed Terrio holds down the bottom on bass. Very nice! (The Girl Is) Heavy has a bit of funk and cool B3 by Anthony Martinelli. I'm The Face has a strong 60's British feel with a twist of Slim Harpo. With strong tom tom beat and lead harp work this is a cool flash back. Elmore James' Something Inside Of Me is done in a very traditional style with cool vocals by The rev. This track really has iridescent guitar riffs giving it a cool shimmery feel and setting it apart from the balance of the release. Sonny Boy Williams' Good Morning Little School Girl is driven by Terrio and The Rev nails the vocals. Stro...