Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (June 18, 2021), The Last Shall Be First: The JCR Records Story, Vol. 2 and it's a great followup to last years release. Opening with Little Wooden Church , by The Silver Trumpets set a cool R&B pace with solid harmonies and cool guitar. The Calvary Nightengales with My Robe is one of my favorites with really rich lead lead vocal, solid backing vocals and cool electric guitar accompaniment. High energy, Stand By Me , by The Dixie Wondeers, jumps off of the record with super vocals and enthusiasm. Very cool. Another great track is Until My Days Are Gone by The Masonic Travelers with not only super vocals throughout but contagious energy. Excellent! Soulful, When I'm Gone , by The Dixie Harmonizers has great depth and richness. I like the basic approach of I'm A Changed Man , by The Dixiland Singers. With it's traditional call and response and solid singing, perfect. The Spiritual Harmonizers pump it up...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Last Shall Be First: The JCR Record Story, Volume 1 and it's powerful. Opening with The Calvary Nightingales performing Keep On Pushing this release is off to a terrific start. Using that basic southern soul platform with a strong front male lead vocalist, solid backing vocals, and rhythm guitar, this track will have you groovin. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Father, Guide Me , by The Pilgrimairs and it's rolling "James Brown" feel. Excellent! The Johnson Sisters has another great contribution in You Can't Hurry God with it's driving beat and thick powerful lead and full backing vocals over organ and drums. Just Over The Hill is another potent soul track from The Spiritual Harmonizers. Opening in 3/4 time the track is squeezed for every drop of soul. Then switching to 4/4, the track is rocking. Very cool. The Seven Souls deliver I Want To Move A Little Higher a great track...