Bman's Blues Report

               Label : Overton Music                                                               Released : September 25, 2026 Born into Memphis music royalty, singer, songwriter, and producer Vaneese Thomas carries forward one of the most celebrated legacies in Southern soul, blues, and R&B. As the daughter of the legendary Stax and Sun Records pioneer Rufus Thomas , and the younger sister of Memphis Queen Carla Thomas , she literally grew up on the vanguard of Black southern musical culture. However, over a career spanning more than four decades, she has carved out an extraordinary, versatile legacy entirely her own. A seven-time Blues Music Award nominee, Thomas has been a first-call vocalist for a staggering roster...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stories In Blue , from Vaneese Thomas , and it's an interesting blend of blues. R&B and country. Opening with Do Y'all a R&B track with a solid vocal melody by Thomas, Ross Pederson on drums, Paul Adamy on bass, and with potent key work by Dave Keyes and solid lead guitar work by Al Orlo. Wandering is a warm ballad with some of Thomas' best vocal work on the release. Andy Drelles on sax plays a really nice solo and Tim Quimette on trumpet and Walter Barrett on trombone add the brass. Bluesy, The Last Thing On My Mind , has a cool, shuffle feel with easy slide work by Orlo and a steady drum rhythm by Pederson. Very nice. Wrapping the release is End of The Road with  gospel styling. This is an excellent closer with Thomas joined by Emily Bendiger, Berneta Miles, Jason L. Terry and Darryl Tookes on lush interweaving vocals.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talent...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavy State Loving Blues , from Mississippi MacDonald and it's a R&B infused blues rocker. Opening with Howlin' Wolf a driving R&B track with Booker T like rhythm and Albert King style overlay on guitar by Mississippi who also leads on vocal this track is humping. Phil Dearing on guitars and keys, Elliot Boughen really romping the bass, and Texas Joe McRoury on drums holds the bottom tight. Another driving R&B flavored track, Blind Leading The Blind really shows just how soulful Mississippi's vocals are. Again Boughen's contribution on bass is vital and Vaneese Thomas on duet vocal is terrific. Mississippi's guitar work is stinging and keyboard horn work by Dearing really balances things out. Really nice. Heading South is dripping with funk with smoking hot guitar riffs by Mississippi and a strong vocal line that pays the bill. With irresistible rhythm, excellent guitar lead and great voc...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fight The Good Fight , from Vaneese Thomas , and it's a great mix of R&B and soul. Opening with powerful track, Raise The Alarm , with it's hi stepping Al green styling really gets this release amped up. Thomas has a great voice and plays keys with Wayne Warnecke on drums and bass, Al Orlo on guitars, Jon Cobert on organ, Marc Frankiln on trumpet, Kirk Smothers on bari sax,  Lannie McMillan on tenor sax, and with Emily Bindiger and Kati Mac, this track is a home run. My radio choice for the release is Same Blood Same Bone , a soulful track with excellent lead by Thomas and beautiful backing vocals by Lisa Fisher, a hot guitar solo by Orlo and punchy horns. Very nice. Ballad, Time to Go Home has a gospel richness... Thomas' vocal over Orlo on acoustic guitar and mandolin and the addition of Joe Mennonna on Accordion. Wrapping the release is soulful ballad, Lost In The Wilderness . A strong showcase for the ve...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down Yonder , from Vaneese Thomas and it's swampy, funky, soulful blues. Opening with Ebony Man , with it's thick funky blues sound, Thomas on lead vocal is backed by Shawn Pelton on drums, Conrad Korsh on bass Al Orlo on guitar and Tash Neal on dobro. Soul track, I Tried is one of my favorites with it's rich melody, powerful vocals and the addition of keys by Robbie Kondor, horn work by Lannie McMillam on tenor sax, Kirk Smothers on bari sax, Mark Franklin on trumpet and nicely articulated guitar lead by Orlo. Very nice. R&B track, Second Chance has a great radio vibe with nicely blended vocals and full horn backing. Another soulful blues track is Mama He Loves Me with a great melody and clean, tight guitar soloing and rich vocals. Funky, R&B number, Lies, has a great feel and a real strut punctuated by Will Lee on bass, Rick Kriska on bari sax Tim Ouimette on trumpet and Orlo's funky blues ...

I just received the newest release (September 16, 2016), The Long Journey Home , from Vaneese Thomas and it's soul is dripping. Opening with Sweet Talk Me , a soulful pop track, Vaneese Thomas plants her feet and delivers. With solid radio melody, tight guitar riffs by Al Orlo, Paul Mariconda on piano, Paul Adamy on bass and Joe Bonadio on drums and ultra rich back vocals by Lisa Fisher, Erin Pellnat and Sergio Cocchi I like this opener. Another favorite on the release is the R&B track, Mystified . Adamy sets up a nice bass line and Thomas' vocals are gripping. Bryan Davis on trumpet, and Ed Palermo on sax give the track a rich warmness and Orlo and Wayne Warnecke lay down some tasty guitar riffs. On The More Things Change , Adamy uses a single bass line to control the track, changing up for a nice vocal opening and Thomas' strong vocals saturate the track with stinging guitar riffs by Orlo. Prince of Fools has a really nice groove with tight vocals and a real swee...

Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists Blind Raccoon is delighted to announce the line-up for its showcases happening during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. On January 21, 22 and 23, from 11:30am to 5pm, artists from Norway, Canada, California, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, and New York, a smorgasbord of roots and blues talent, will grace the stage. We have two 2015 Blues Music Award nominees - Vaneese Thomas & Missy Andersen, one 2015 IBC participant – Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band, as well as several former IBC contestants performing over the three days. Net proceeds from the showcases will benefit The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund, which provides assistance to blues musicians and their families in times of great financial need due to medical emergencies. Emcees are Peter "Blewzzman” Lauro of Mary4Music.com on Wednesday, Brett Fleming, host of Soul Stew, WEVL /Memphis, o...

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), Blues For My Father , from Vaneese Thomas and it really hits the spot. Thomas, daughter of Mr. Rufus Thomas has put together 12 cool tracks opening with Southern Central Blues , a swinging soul number. Joined by Buddy Williams on drums, Will Lee on bass, Robbie Kondor on piano, Tash Neal on guitars and Wayne Warnecke on percussion its a bright opener. 10 X The Man You Are has a taste of Dixon's Wang Dang Doodle and a dash of Beatles really showing the strength of Thomas' pipes. Neal breaks loose with a slick guitar solo on this track adding just that dash of flash. Great track. On Wrong Turn , a duet with her sister, Carla Thomas, the girls present a light and airy R&B track that is likely to see good radio reception. Wrap Your Arms Around Me has a slinky, swampy feel with solid rhythms from Shawn Pelton and Neal on dobro. Thomas commands the spotlight with her distinct phrasing on this track and her voice is always sp...