Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lighter Side of the Blues , from Val Starr & The Blues Rocket and it's a cool mix of 40's style pop and blues. Opening with Say Goodbye to The Blues , Val Starr leads on vocals and with solid vocal harmonies and super sax work from Danny Sandoval and Saxaphone Zot. Slow blues, All or Nuthin' Man is a nice showcase for Starr on vocal with rich, soulful phrasing and with cool harmonica work by Frankie Munz and the lead guitar work of Timothy Brisson. Snappy, 24 Hour Blues is a certain radio track with a strong bass line by John Ellis and a tight drum rhythm by Paul Farman under my favorite vocals on the release. Classic, Big Boss Man gets a minor rework giving Munz the opportunity to lay out some cool harp riffs and calling up a strong piano solo by Todd Morgan. Wrapping the release is The Blues Doesn't Pick or Choose with a tight bottom, solid duet vocals by Starr, strong harmionica soloing by Mun...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Always Turn The Blues On , by Val Starr & The Blues Rocket . Opening with shuffle track, High Time To Go , Val Starr, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist has the floor showing G&R vocal styling in true Axl flare with John Ellis on bass, Frankie Soul on lead guitar and Paul Farman on drums. Boogie track, Whether Blues , with it's droning bass line gives Daniel Castro a real nice chance to stretch out showing his blues chops on lead guitar.  A real cool shuffle track, You Better Stop has a super walking bass line and fluid guitar lead by Steve Wall. Bad Luck & The Blues has a real nice feel with some of Starr's best vocal work on the release, lower octave guitar work, nice piano work by Todd Morgan and complimentary harp by Tim Baron. Two stepper, The Baby Mama Song shows a twist of country highlighted by Starr's vocals and the key work of Morgan. Bye Bye has a real nice slinky feel and a light...