VizzTone Label Group artist: Casey Hensley - Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, live, from Casey Hensley and it's smokin'. Opening with Big Mama Thornton's, Big Mama's Coming Home, Hensley grinds right into it with gritty vocals and a big presence. Backed by Evan Caleb Yearsley on drums, Johnny Viau on sax and Marcos C on bass this band is first class. I really want to point out that this release features Laura Chavez and I mean it features her. Chavez has always carries a big hammer but this first track has made me a big fan. Chavez really tears it up, reminding me of the style of one of my favorite contemporary players, Rockin' Johnny Burgin and that is a huge endorsement. On original track, Put Your Lovin' Where It Belongs, Hensley digs in her heals vocally with a lot of heft.  Again, Chavez is hot on her heels hot, tasty riffs. A slow grinder with teeth. Classic, You Can Have My Husband, has a cool shuffle feel and again, right with Hansley's front work is Chavez smoking the strings... think Funderburgh. Viau sits in with a fat solo of his own giving the track a wailing kick in the back.  Screamin' Jay Hawkins' I Put A Spell On You is always a welcome favorite and Hensley shares the spotlight with Viau with a cool sax solo. Made famous by Elvis, Hard Headed Woman is a real rocker with a hot solo by Viau and super rockabilly riffs by Chavez. Excellent! Willie Dixon's I Just Want To Make Love To You has a real nice swing to it with some of the best vocals on the track and a free wheelin' guitar solo by Chavez. Very cool. Excellent jump original, Hot! Hot! Hot! really gets you shit moving with a tight bottom by Yearsley and Marcos but it's Hensley's enthusiasm and flaming guitar riffs that makes this track cool! Excellent! Koko Taylor's Voodoo Woman has a real nice funk to it again showcasing Chavez's cookin' style. This track has a great groove and I gotta say I'm glad I'm giving you something this hot before the holiday! Wow! Johnny Guitar Watson's Too Tired has a real nice groove and again Chavez steps up with incredible style. Hensley pounds it out with pro quality and teamed with Viau on sax and with Chavez...oh yeah! Wrapping the release is another Big Mama track, Ball and Chain. Now I gotta tell you, it's hard to beat Big Mama's original and equally hard to compare with Janis' version of this track, but this is a great closer. Clocking over 9 minutes, Hensley gives it her all and Chavez through an extended solo her incredible patience to build intensity slowly until ultimate eruption...I mean goose bumps. Excellent closer for a super release.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Ilana Katz Katz - Subway Stories - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Subway Stories, by Ilana Katz Katz and it's a big slice of blues, jazz and Americana all rolled into one. Opening with Boogie track, Don't Forget, Ilana Katz Katz, vocals and fiddle, is joined by ex Canned Heat guitar player and producer, Barry Levenson, Mike Sandberg on drums and Hank Van Sickle on bass. On 12 bar blues number, Subway Blues, Sugar ray Norcia adds his special harp work to the tasty riffs of Levenson and Ilana for one of the more solid of the blues tracks on the release. Motherless Child gets a real soft handling and with it's warm guitar chords, intense blues guitar lines somber violin work and child like innocence on vocals shines as one of my favorite tracks on the release. With it's jazzy slant, Roosevelt Sykes' Ice Cream Freezer Blues features Anthony Geraci on piano and has some of the hottest guitar riffs (and bawdy lyrics) on the release. Super groove, Requiem, is a real nice instrumental jazzy duet featuring Levenson and Ilana over tight drums and bass. Very nice. Instrumental shuffle track, The Excuse, gives Levenson and Ilana a super opportunity to lay out fluid solos over a super blues riff. Wrapping the release is a strong jig (or reel) John Brown's Dream/Subway Light of Mine which along with having great tempo and a great closer is my favorite track on the release.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Jimmy Carpenter - Plays The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Plays The Blues, from Jimmy Carpenter, and it's cooking. Opening with Magic Sam's You Belong To Me, and it's puffing smoke like Jr Walker. Saxman/vocalist, Carpenter really steps out on this release with authentic R&B style sax with Mike Zito on guitar accented nicely by Tony Diteodoro on guitar, Matthew Johnson on drums, Bob Bridges on bass and Marc Adams on keys. Jimmy Plays The Blues is an excellent soulful blues in the style of T Bone Walker. Using Carpenter's sax as the lead instrument, wailing out the melody, this track is hot. Solid shuffle track, Blues With A Feeling features tight guitar riffs and nice piano work paving the way for singing sax solo work by Carpenter. Freddie King's Surf Monkey has that great 60's vibe with Zito playing against Carpenter on lead lines. Very cool. Otis Rush's All Your Love has great feel with nice tom tom work by Johnson and shimmery guitar work by Zito. This track features Carpenter's best vocals on the release as well as some real nice sax work of course. Wrapping the release is Jr Walker's Shotgun, an R&B classic. An extended sax solo by Carpenter is just the ticket to cap this super closer to a solid release.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Chris "Bad News" Barnes - Hokum Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hokum Blues, from Chris "Bad News" Barnes, and it's true to the old style 30's blues. Opening with Tampa Red's It Hurts Me Too, Barnes' vocals are solid with super slide work from Jimmy Vivino and Steve Guyer on harp, backed by Will Lee on bass, Shawn Pelton on drums and Bette Sussman on piano. Kicking it into swing mode and getting a little suggestive, Barnes struts Let Play With Your Poodle, featuring a real nice piano solo by Sussman and crisp guitar riffs by Vivino. Very nice. Prohibition style, I'm Gonna Get High, maintains a lot of the "prance" of the area and caller style vocals. Wild slide work on Bo Diddley rhythmed It's Tight Like That really gives this track a great presence. The Hokum Boys',You Can't Get Enough Of That Stuff, is one of my favorites on the release with cool vocal harmonies and easy going rhythm. With a Latin beat, Keep Your Mind On It has really nice percussion by Pelton and particularly nice guitar work by Vivino, topped off by cool piano twist by Sussman and a cool harp solo by Guyger. Another track with a pure 30's style, even a quasi megaphone sound, is Let Me Pat That Thing with it's suggestive yet funny lyrics. Another nice solo by Sussman on piano is topped off by cool trumpet work and a nice clarinet solo. A cool rocker by the Hokum Boys, Caught Him Doing It really has a nice rockabilly flair and strong solos by Vivino and Sussman. Closing with Tampa Red's Christmas and New Years, Barnes hits the spot on vocals and Vivino's slide work is thick and greasy. I cool closer for a nice retro style blues release.  

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VizzTone artist: Dani Wilde - Live at Brighton Road - New Release Review - CD/DVD

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at Brighton Road, from Dani Wilde, and with it's easy going acoustic set coupled with it's driving electric set, it's quite entertaining. Opening with Memphis Minnie's Bumble Bee, Wilde has lead acoustic guitar and vocal coupled with her brother brother Will on harmonica. This is a smooth contemporary adaptation of this classic track showing how clear Wilde's vocals really are and coupling her own tight guitar work with her brother's adept harp making for an excellent opener. Acoustic ballad, My Old Man is a bright, radio track with a nice melody and warm vocal blending with Kate Cameron and Faye Streek. Very nice. Mike Rutherford's The Living Years is a really nice arrangement of a large radio hit and with nicely blended backing vocals is a really strong contender for nicest of the acoustic set. I can certainly see why she wanted to get this set on disc. Very nice. Opening the electric part of the set is Deeper Than Black built over the classic Junior Wells vamp. Bass line by Victoria Smith sets the pace, Gregory Coulson stirs in the organ, Alan Taylor snaps up the drum kit, Will blows out the harp and Dani throws in a few stinging "Steve Cropper" riffs to give this track some green onion flavor. Very cool! Lieber and Stoller's Houndog gets a Latin mix and Wilde's vocals are nice. Her swinging blues playing works just right when the track gets into full swing with Smith rocking the bottom and Coulson rolling the piano. A cool boogie is Don't Quit Me Baby with some of Wilde's best vocals on the electric set, coupled with a great driving bass line, strong guitar work and ace soloing by Will. Wrapping the release is Refugee, a contemporary pop track with a solid melody. A super radio track with a clean guitar solo, a nice closer for a solid release.

Also included is a DVD with live studio performances and interview. Very nice!

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Brad Stivers - Took You Long Enough - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Took You Long Enough, from Brad Stivers and it's terrific! Just barely in his mid twenties, Austin's Brad Stivers has really hit it deep on this one. Opening with rock n roller, 2000 miles, Brad Stivers steps up to the mic with his telecaster and just lets it fly. His vocals are clear and his playing clean. On Latin flavored, You're Just About To Lose Your Clown, Mark Wilson really rips on sax and the tight drum work of Nico Loophonte, coupled with Bobby Perkins on bass sets a hot plate for sizzling hot guitar riffs by Stivers. Put It Down is a super boogie with key changes and twangy guitar riffs. Smokin! Lightly funked title track, Took You Long Enough, makes it hard to stay in your seat. Funky rhythm guitar with tight drums, and Odie Hill on bass keeps this party rolling with crisp understated low octave guitar soloing. Emily Gimble is featured on country track, Here We Go Again, with Eric Fraygocki on bass, Gimble on piano and Bukka Allen on B3.  Malford Milligan takes front and center on popular blues track, Nickel and a Nail. Dripping soul this track really hits a nice groove with Bobby Perkins on bass and Allen's organ work is spot on with mature soloing by Stivers. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release, a Bartholomew/King composition is instrumental One Night With You showing the style and composure of Sean Costello or Danny Gatton. Very nice!  On Can't Wait, Stivers develops that classic Texas style guitar lope with just the right syncopation and feel. Another excellent soulful track is Save Me, with Stivers literally wailing out the blues. With controlled lower octave guitar, fan picking and tremolo this track is dramatic and solid. Wrapping the release is James Brown's classic, Cold Sweat. Now I gotta tell you I have a soft spot for James Brown but Cold Sweat is near the top. Stivers does it instrumental all the way ... excellent guitar melody with Perkens and Loophonte fanning the flames for this fiery hot close to a super release!

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Nick Schnebelen - Live In Kansas City - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Kansas City from Nick Schnebelen and it's electrifying! Opening with Fool, a super blues rocker, founding member of Trampled Under Foot, Nick Schnebelen affirms that he is a first rate vocalist and his riffs are fresh and crisp. Joined by Cliff Moore on bass and Adam Hagerman on drums, this band conjures visions of Edgar Winter's White Trash with it's raw, gritty temperament. Excellent opener. On Muddy Waters' Herbert Harper's Free Press News, Schnebelen cranks it up a few notches but maintains that New Orleans kind of funk with strong drive by Moore on bass. His guitar work is loose and free flowing with excellent phrasing and Hagerman lays out a cool drum solo as well. Very nice. You Call That Love has a really nice thumping bass line, solid vocals and extended guitar lead. What else could you ask from a contemporary blues track...really! Smoking slide work by Schnebelen and a Bo Diddley beat by Hagerman on Bad Woman Blues  gives it great teeth. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Johnny Winter's Mean Town Blues. This is a great track and Schnebelen really works the Winter slide style with the fluidity of a world class player. On boogie track, Jonny Cheat, the band really gets a JLH/ZZT groove. Schnebelen rides high with power riffs giving the crowd at Knuckleheads Saloon a real show. Wrapping the release is Conformity Blues, a really nice jazz instrumental bringing to mind Duane Allman's jams with the early Allmans. This track has a rock bottom bass/drum line and Schnebelen really takes the guitar to the wood shed giving it an exceptional workout. This is a terrific closer to a realty strong live release.

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Vizztone Label Group artists: Godboogie - Play Music & Dance - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Play Music & Dance from Godboogie and it's a funky party. Opening with a New Orleans/BoDiddley beat, Play Music & Dance, Jerome Godboo takes the lead on vocal, harp and accordion with Eric Schenkman on guitars, Shawn Kellerman on guitar and Gary Craig on drums. On shuffle track, Honey Badger, the band hits a nice groove with Schenkman taking a real nice ripper of a solo. Slowing it down with a nice lope, Wounded shows a broad range of vocal capabilities by Godboo and of course showcasing his harp work. Ripping loose with another flier of a solo is Schenkman giving the track a nice edge. Breaking down to a smoking funk, It's A Party is really a dancing groove with slashing guitar riffs. Stumble blues track, Kitty has a real cool beat and the edgy vocals of Godboo contrast nicely against the grinding guitar work of Schenkman. Very cool. Hitting right up the middle with slow blues ballad, Sign Of The Times, Godboo brings his soulful blues vocals and Schenkman throws down his best blues chops. Another soulful ballad, The Way to Heaven, is my favorite track on the release with a nice hook, really soulful harp work and a super melody. Soul track, Call On My Love, is another of my favorites with a great melody, lead vocal work and musical tension. Wrapping the release is Tigers, Horses, Kings & Queens, a cool blues rocker with solid vocals. Schenkman plays a fairly outrageous guitar solo on this track over a driving bass line by Kellerman and tight drums by Craig. A real nice closer for a cool release.

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Vizztone Label Group artist: Adrianna Marie - Kingdom Of Swing - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kingdom of Swing, by Adrianna Marie and her roomful of all-stars, and it's tasty. Opening with Kingdom of Swing you are transported to the 40's with a great bottom by Kedar Roy on bass and Brian Fahey. The ROOM is FULL with the Roomful Horns and a terrific trumpet solo by Doug Woolverton and excellent solo by Carl Querfurth and of course super sax work by Doug James, Rich Lataille and Mark Earley. Wow! Marie belts away on Better Beware and the warmth of James, Lataille and Earley is super. With super sax solos on this one and the cool piano work of Al Copley and a really nicely styled guitar solo by Jones, this is another winner. Catch the ripping sax solo by James on Sidecar Mama teamed with Earley and Lataille and raw guitar work of Jones for a grand slam. Jones plays some particularly warm solo lead on Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo teamed with some of Marie's best vocals on the release making it a solid classic. Beautifully appointed sax and trumpet solos on this track, backed by the fullness of the Horns is superb.  With a solid bass line and horns blazing, 3 AM Blues struts in taking no prisoners. Another really rich sax solo, followed by nicely articulated guitar lead gives this track real zip. Duke Robillard sits on adding some really nice guitar lead and again, the best sax section on the planet is here with plenty of solo's including a robust solo from James. Memphis Boogie is a real rabid track with super solos from Querfurth, Lataille, Earley and Jones. On Chicago style track, Drive me Daddy, Bob Corritore joins in on harp and Woolverton's muted trumpet as Jones demonstrates some Muddy Water's like slide work. BB King's Jump With You Baby gets a serious guitar job from Junior Watson. With it's serious swing and heavy horn work, it's smoking with woven lines. The Blues are Brewing really gets a big band work over with stretched solos throughout. A particularly jazzy blues track, it stands out nicely. One Sweet Letter has a great strut emphasized by a tight solo by Woolverton. T-Bone Boogie is a wild ride with excellent guitar flash from Jones and great depth from James. Whew! Wrapping the release is Blues After Hours with gripping blues work by Jones. This is an excellent closer to an excellent release. If you love horns, you'll love this release!

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Nola Blue/Vizztone artist: Billy Price - Alive and Strange - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Alive and Strange, from Billy Price and it's quite entertaining. I was first introduced to Price as the lead vocalist in the Roy Buchanan band and it's good to see Price still out there mixing it up. Opening with R&B track, It's Ain't A Juke Joint Without The Blues, Price takes command on lead vocals backed by Steve Delach on guitar, David Ray Dodd on drums Tom Valentine on bass and Jim Britton on keys. Delach lays down some really hot riffs and the horns of Eric DeFade (tenor sax), Joe Herndon (trumpet) and Matt Ferrero (sax) really liven up the party. Steeling down with radio track, Lifestyles of the Poor and Unknown, Price hits a smooth groove with warm backing vocals by David Avery, DeWayne Chandler, Valentine and Britton.  Really nice soul track, This Time I'm Gone For Good really gives Price a chance to show just how much soul he's got and he's got it good. With a super sax solo from De Fede and a solitary bass line by Valentine, this is one of my favorites on the release. Percy Mayfield track, Nothing Stays The Same Forever, has super strong bones and the band really delivers, and a particular pat to DeFede for his hot sax work. James Brown track, Never Get Enough, has a great groove with a funky bass line, cool key work and that ever so funky rhythm guitar. Magic Sam's What Have I Done Wrong is a real high stepper giving Delach plenty of space to stretch on guitar and again Defede on sax. Very nice. With a big swing, Roy Milton's R.M. Blues is next and Dodd and Jason Hollar on bass set the stage. Joe Herndon really wails on trumpet followed by Dee Fede and Britton. Great track. Wrapping the release is Makin Plans with glistening electric piano work by Britton and George Benson like guitar tones from Delach. Herndon and Defede are joined by Bob Matchett on trombone for a strong radio ready close.




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VizzTone Records artist: Tim Gartland - If You Want A Good Woman - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If You Want A Good Woman, from Tim Gartland and it's quite good! Opening with shuffle track, What The Blues Look Like, Tim Gartland establishes a solid foundation as lead singer and harp man with strong slide work from Tom Brett and nice backing vocals by Wendy Moten. Kevin McKendree adds cool keys and Steve Mackey on bass and Lynn William on drums fill out the band. Latin salted R&B track, I Had It All, has a smooth feel and a nice showcase for Gartland on vocal and harp as well as Brett on slide. Bluesy ballad, I Come When You Call, has a real nice pace with nice solos by Tom West, McKendree, and Gartland on harp. I really like the shimmery guitar work of Brett on this track giving it an iridescence. Funky instrumental, Eight Ball, is a really cool jam with lead harp on the melody, nice bass work under the track and cool solo lines by West, Brett and McKendree. Another track with a funky rhythm, If That's What You Call Love, is one of my favorites with cool vocals by Gartland and Moten and super slide work by Brett over the keys of West and McKendree and tight harp work by Gartland. Very nice! Too Many Groceries is a bouncy little track with warm backing vocals by Molten and really tasty slide guitar work by Brett over a tight bass line by Mackey. With a Willie Dixon approach, Willie That's Who is a real cool track. Mackey sets the pace with a solid bass line and McKendree and West set down nice keys. William's drum work on this one is the coolest on the release and again I really like the slide work of Brett. Wrapping the release is Go West, a two step NO flavored track with lead harp and a rock guitar rhythm. Lighting up the slide again, Brett really hits it fueling a nice close by Gartland. Really nice closer for a really nice release.


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VizzTone Label Group artist: Tas Cru - Simmered & Stewed - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Simmered & Stewed by Tas Cru and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with snappy revival rocker, Dat Maybe, Tas Cru is grooving his own tune on vocal and guitar with Ron Keck on percussion, Mike Lawrence on bass, Chip Lamson on piano and Guy Nirelli on organ. Boogie track, Grizzle N' Bone is up next with cool backing vocals by Mary Ann Casale and Andy Hearn on drums, Bob Purdy on bass, Jeremy Walz on guitar, and Nirelli on organ. Somber ballad, Time and Time is a real nice track with super bluesy guitar work from Cru and warm backing vocals by Casale and Alice "Honeybea" Ericksen. Excellent! R&B track, Road To My Obsession has a really cool rhythm along the lines of Tony Joe White. With harp work by Dick Earl Ericksen and stylistic guitar work by Cru, this may be my favorite track on the release. Cover My Love is a cool ramblin song with cool resonator work by Cru, nice harp work by Ericksen and tight piano work by David Liddy. I really like the feel of Woman Won't You Love Me, with cool slide by Cru and Ericksen's harp work, dressed nicely by Chip Lamson on piano and Cru's own melodic vocals. Blues rocker, Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin" has a great groove with Joe Goehle on piano, Andy Hearn on drums, Lamson on piano and Cru's own vocal and resonator work which may be his best on the release. Wrapping the release is Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher, which grows in tempo with slide guitar, keys, driving drums and warm backing vocals as Cru drives it on. This is a great closer for a solid release.



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VizzTone Label Group artist: Austin Young Band - Not So Simple - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Not So Simple, from the Austin Young Band and it's quite good. Opening with Take Me Away, the Austin Young Band establishes firm footing in the blues based rock world. Featuring Alex Goldberg on bass and Forrest Raup on drums Austin Young has the lead guitar and vocal role and handles it readily. With a solid bottom and especially crisp drums, Young's guitar work is fluid and inventive and his vocals nicely done. Barren Road Blues has roots in Hendrix with an edge of Living Colour. Well written and performed, I really like this. Funking it up a little bit and with the addition of horns, Something More, is a real mover. Young's guitar shows rich tone and his lines are clean and clear. Building steam and they roll this track hits hard. Title track, Not So Simple, is a bluesy ballad with a great melody. Destined to be one of the crowd favorites on this release, Young's vocals are gripping and his guitar lines bluesy and heartfelt. Very nice. Sets Me Free has a casual "Beast of Burden" feel and is likely the poppiest track on the release. Shuffle track, Heal My Heart, cranks up the horns, ramping up the bluesy swing features of the track. Young's guitar phrasing resembles Clapton quite a bit with concise compact concepts. Letting Go puts me in mind quite a bit of Golden Earring with it's driving rock bottom. Blended vocal harmonies are rich and warm and Raup's drum work is especially cool. Moving On has the smart feel of a well written Steely Dan track with smooth vocals and a bright jazzy tempo. Very nice. Mountains On Fire is a bluesy ballad with soulful vocals by Young. With considerable musical tension and emphatic drumming under cool bass lines, Young soars on his strat with stinging intensity. Free has a progressive edge with an irregular but contagious bass line. A solid rocker, this track really shows off Raup's drum work. Nice . Instrumental, Whirlwind has the bite of Mountain with a taste of Focus and Edgar Winter. Goldberg bass work on this track is particularly solid and Raup's drum work super. Young takes the track to another level with his guitar solo as the band amps up the pressure. Smokin! Wrapping the release is acoustic number, Angel Flying Home, a quiet, nicely written track with a memorable melody and lightly accompanied with melodic guitar soloing over the body. A nice conclusion to a really cool release.



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VizzTone artists: Katy Guillen & The Girls - Heavy Days - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review Heavy Days, the latest release from Katy Guillen & The Girls and I really like it. Opening with Driving To Wake Up, Katy Guillen & The Girls let you know right up front that they mean business. Guillen on lead vocal and guitar is joined by Claire Adams on bass and vocal and Stephanie Williams on drums producing an authoritative rock sound with edge. Guillen's vocals may be similar to Chrissie Hynde with healthy attitude but with more clarity and blending with the vocals of Adams, a new fresh sound. A stripped down 3 piece sound is all you need and these ladies show that big time. Guillen is also no wall flower when it comes to guitar attitude laying it out there pretty nicely. Heavy Days has an essential blues rock sound and raw energy but with just the right amount of melodic backing harmony to pull you in. These girls are putting on the heat and Williams kicks ass on drums... and that adds real weight as they swing from sweet vocals to heavy axe wielding. Absolutely excellent! Waking Up From You shows a more pop side with really smoothly crafted melody and instrumentation. This track could see solid radio play across genres with J. Santiago like guitar work. Don't Need Anyone is a solid rocker with straight forward beat and aggressive guitar soloing. Very nice. The Load has really nice bass lines by Adams under rhythm and vocals by Guillen. With it's more indie sound, it still has solid rock framework and excellent drum work leading to some less structured guitar work. Very interesting. Humbucker is a real nice blues rocker with standout lead vocals and a solid guitar riff. I am really blown away by how tight this band is and how powerful the rhythm section is. Really solid! Ballad, Cold Was The Night, is a brilliant showcase of Guillen's voice with traces of Amy Winehouse ... I mean seriously? This girl can really sing and her guitar playing is powerful... the entire band is. Mike "Shinetop" Sedovic adds some really nice key work on this track making this already super track even fatter. I mean, check out the rich guitar soloing on this one... think torment...think Big Brother. Excellent! Hot rocker, Can't Live Here Anymore, has a definite power pop feel with plenty of kick and solid rock. Big Joe Williams' Baby Please Don't Go has a sultry edge that I've never heard on any of the previous covers. Guillen really knows how to bring it and Guillen's original guitar vamp is perfect to frame her vocals. Raw and explosive this track is hot! This is a perfect example of how the blues continues to be vibrant in contemporary rock music. Love it! Wrapping the release is Pulling Up From The Grooves, a really sweet track, again based solidly on the strength of Guillen's beautiful voice and very complimentary backing by Adams. Adams' bass work, with light guitar rhythm, Ryan Heinlein's contributions on trombone and the ever sensitive drum work by Williams makes this an extremely memorable closer for a fine release. A definite keeper!



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TVR/VizzTone Label Group artist: Terry Hanck - From Roadhouse To Your House - Live - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, From Roadhouse To Your House, from Terry Hanck Band and it's outrageous! Opening with Good Rockin' Goin' On, this live release is smoking right out of the block. Everyone knows that Hanck is a great sax player but he's constantly pushing it on this release and I think everyone will be mighty pleased! Hanck lays out squealing sax work over Jimmy Pugh's organ work with Johnny "Cat" Soubrand on guitar, Butch Cousins on drums and Tim Wagar on bass. With Wagar setting a super groove, Hanck takes the lead on vocal, Pugh hits a cool organ solo followed by Soubrand on guitar and Hanck coming back to push it over the top. Excellent opener! Cousins sets the tempo on boogie woogie track, Flatfoot Sam. Hanck has the place rockin' and Pugh plays the boogie like a real pro. Chuck Berry like riffs fly from Soubrand's fretboard and Hanck rips it up on sax. Smokin! Next is a tribute to R&B sax man Jr. Walker, with Junior's Walk 2016. This track really oozes Road Runner and with Pugh covering the organ, Hanck really sets you back in your seat with classic Walker style riffs. Very nice! Chuck Willis' slinky track, Whatcha Gonna Do When Your Baby Leaves You, hits a real nice stride with clean guitar soloing and nice piano work by Pugh. Fifties R&B style track, Smilin' Through My Tears, provides a cool backdrop for some of Hanck's best vocals with excellent guitar work under the melody. Hanck plays a particularly soulful sax solo on this number and Soubrand's guitar work is gripping. Very nice! H B Barnum's, I Don't Love You No More, has a real New Orleans flavor reinforced by the piano work of Pugh and Hanck again grabs the track by the short hairs and shakes it every time he touches his sax. Very cool! Louis Jordan's Ain't That Just Like A Woman is an absolutely perfect track for this band and Hanck really wails it on sax. A super driving bass line from Wagar and Commander Cody tempo gives this track the heat. Excellent guitar work from Soubrand and hot sax work from Hanck really makes this one sail! Classic R&B track, Can I Change My Mind, written by A J Masters, maintains it's light jazzy feel and fleet fingered riffs by Soubrand and Wagar compliment soulful sax lines by Hanck. Excellent! Dave Spector's Octavate'n features rich guitar lead by Soubrand with a healthy dose of organ by Pugh. Hanck's sax work is aggressive and well phrased making this track one of my favorites on the release. Low slung blues track, Peace Of Mind, really gives Soubrand to shine on his blues runs. Soulful sax lines from Hanck close this one out. Super! Wrapping the release is a quick paced Chicago style blues number, Cupid Must Be Stupid. Hanck and Soubrand lead a 6 minute jam making this an ideal closer for a really hot concert. Anyone who walked away from this concert disappointed, passed out.



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Vizztone Label Group artist: Dennis Gruenling - Ready Or Not - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Ready of Not, from Dennis Gruenling and it's a barn burner. Opening with hig energy blues rocker, Knockin' My Knees, Gruenling joins forces with Doug Demingon guitar, Andrew Gohman on bass and Michael Bran on drums for a blend of blues, rock n' roll and New Orleans jazz for a great opener. Bram's strait snare work along with Dave Keyes on liano really stand out on this track. On Missing Person, Slim Harpo's influence is strong with a super boogie reinforced by rim shots and Gruenling's harp work is hot. Another track with a New Orleans feel, Ready Or Not to me gets that classic R&B sound and Deming steps out with a real nice guitar solo. Simmer Down has a classic rock tom tom riff that sets the pace and Gruenling's harp work has a great vocal like quality. Very nice! Little Sugar is a pure rock n' roller with early roots. Deming takes center stage on this one with country flavored rock riffs. A solid rocker, one of the best tracks on the release. Swinging blues rocker, If You Wanna Rock, has a great groove and Gruenling delivers on vocal and his harp work really hits the target with backing vocals by Dave Gross and Michael Bram. Gruenling really lays out some great blues harp on Ready To Burn with basic blues rhythm under his vocals. Very nice! Instrumental, Rockin' With The Rev is a really hot track (can you hear me Stilladog) with Gruenling really cooking it. This is a great track and the band is hot and tight! Another rocker, Open The Door, this time with a Chuck Berry flavor, gets down and gritty with solid riffs from Deming and Keyes as well as a nice solo from Gruenling. Sizzling blues/jazz number, Think Twice, is smoking hot with Gruenling riffing out on harp followed by vocal lead. Deming plays a really nice stylized solo of his own followed by an extended solo by Gruenling. Excellent! Give Me Back My Heart has a real retro blues feel with Gruenling on lead vocal and with male backing vocals, hand clap percussion and stylized guitar soloing, topped off by Gruenling. Wrapping the release is Count Chromatic of course featuring Gruenling up front of chromatic harp but with really nice guitar riffs by Deming. This is a great track and a great 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’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Vizztone Label Group artists: Nick Schnebelen Band - Live At Knuckleheads Vol 1. - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Live at Knuckleheads Vol 1  from Nick Schnebelen Band and I really enjoyed it. Opening fleet fingered rocker, I'm Goin', this band is on fire. Nick Schnebelen, founding family member of Trampled Under Foot, has lead vocals and guitars and he's ripping. Joined by Heather Newman on guitar and vocal, Joe Voye on drums and Cliff Moore on bass, this is a great opener! Newman takes the lead on Willie James, with a little more of a country flare, the band is taking this crowd by storm. Schnebelen's riffs are hot and explosive. Cover of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy, featuring Newman on lead vocal maintains it's original pop format but with a snarling guitar solo backing Newman's solid vocals. Slow ballad, Desperate Heart, again features Newman on lead vocal and gives Schnebelen a terrific opening to really kick out the stops on his blues riffs. Clocking in at over 5 minutes and with a touch of old San Francisco, this track is a screamer! With a taste of Son House, Break Of Day, takes on a modern day blues rock format. Schnebelen is back on lead vocal and sticks it on his guitar riffs. Tight backing by Voye, Newman and Moore makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Bad Disposition is a modern rocker with blues roots. Elongated guitar riffs and a very strong bass and drum combo give this band some of the best characteristics of Cream. With Muddy Waters like slide work and a stomping pace, Tailgate Swing, featuring Newman on lead vocal has strong underpinning. Willie Dixon's Spoonful has nice interplay vocally between Schnebelen and Newman with super drumming, again putting me in mind of Cream. Very nice. Classic Santo and Johnny track, Sleep Walk, is covered very nicely by Schnebelen on slide. Resurrected by Jeff Beck a number of years ago, this track has become a modern classic and great that it has. Nicely done. Dolly's, Jolene, is up next and Newman covers it nicely with a country inflection in her voice. Schnebelen shows his skills at Knopler style riffs blending nicely with the modern country style. Wrapping the release is driving rocker, New Orleans, by 60's rocker, Eddie Hodges. This track is burning hi octane with Schnebelen on slide and vocal and the band leaving nothing but dust. Great closer to a highly energetic release.




  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’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Jonn Del Toro Richardson - Tengo Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Tengo Blues, from Jonn Del Toro Richardson and it's great! Opening with Behind The Curtain, a high stepping R&B style track with the Texas Horns blazing you know that you're in for something special. Richardson sings behind the beat which I really like and his sense for blues phrasing is very strong. Like Willie Dixon's Wang Dang Doodle, I'm Her Man has a super groove reinforced by the tight bass lines of Nathan Rowe and drums by Wes Starr. I really like Richardson's guitar expressions with trem bends and frequent short guitar riffs as accents. Excellent! Texas shuffle, Love If You Want It has a real grinding lope, and shows a nice interplay between Nick Connoly on piano and Richardson on guitar. Triple Lindig is an excellent instrumental shuffle with an easy jazz overtone but with great blues lines. Richardson leads the way with solid riffs, followed by Connoly on organ and Kaz on sax. Excellent! The Moment is a terrific Lantin salsa inspired piece with Al Gomez hitting the trumpet hard giving it a lot of authenticity. This track has spicy percussion and a lot of life. Excellent! Can't Run From Love has a radio sense with the instrumentation peeled back featuring Richardson on lead vocal. Punched up by the Horns, and with lively drums by Starr, and featuring a cool bluesy guitar solo by Richardson this track has pure radio power. Get Me Back To Texas has a real country 2 step rhythm and simple solid foundation. Richardson is joined on this track by super guitar man Anson Funderburgh who adds his clean style and articulation. Soul ballad, This I Know, features really nice vocal work from Richardson and along with nicely enveloping organ work, melodic blues soloing by Richardson making this one of the top candidates for blues guitar lovers on the release. Excellent! Tall Pretty Baby is an super shuffle that is bound to make you jump in your seat and joined again by Funderburgh and backed by The Horns makes this one of my favorites on the release. Here She Comes, another richly R&B style track on blues. Feeling a lot like Mary Had A Little Lamb or Mustang Sally, Richardson picks his spots carefully for poker hot accuracy. Wild Ride is a country fused blues track with a driving bass line and hot piano by Connoly. With non stop guitar riffs and driving rhythm...it is a Wild Ride! Funky blues, Tell Me Do You Love Me, is a great track with hot horn underpinnings. Gomez's trumpet work and Starr's drum work are particularly evident in the overall feel developed under the stylized guitar riffs by Richardson. Very nice! Wrapping the release is title track, Tengo Blues, a really hot Latin style track with Spanish influenced guitar riffs, jazz riffs and and really tight percussion cushioned on a bed of organ. This is an excellent closer for an excellent release. I do suggest that you check it out...now!!

 

  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’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Steady Rollin' Records artist: Bob Margolin - My Road - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (1/8/16), My Road, from Bob Margolin and it's quite interesting. Opening with My Own Life, a rough and tumble blues romp with the feel of Elvin Bishop, Bob leads on guitar and vocal with Tad Walters on harp and Chuck Cotton on drums. Ballad More and More features clean, country style picking by Margolin and nice ringing chords. I Shall Prevail has a Willie Dixon feel with powerful vocals and guitar accents by Margolin and drums by Cotton. Goodnight has the simple beauty of a primitive delta blues but with Margolin's mellow vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Understanding Heart, has a Latin punch by Cotton and cool slide effects by Margolin. Very cool! Sean Costello's Low Life Blues has a solid Chicago sound with Tad adding nicely on harp. Margolin's guitar work on this track stands out nicely making this another track that really cooks. Nappy Brown's Bye Bye Baby opens with cool vocal harmonies by Margolin, Cotton and Walters. With a 50's style vocal interplay and Tad's harp work, this track has it's own sound. Rockin' blues track, Young And Old Blues has a great beat and my favorite vocal lead on the release. Margolin lays in a nice Boogie woogie guitar rhythm and tight guitar dressing giving this track top notch rating. Cowboy style ballad, Ask Me No Questions, has a really nice feel in 3/4 time with little more than a vocal harmony, harp and light guitar work. Very nice! Tex Rubinowitz penned, Feelin' Right Tonight, has a real cool rock blues feel and Walters blows hot harp riffs. Margolin trades out some really stylized guitar riffs getting the track down tight. Very cool! Devil's Daughter has a swampy feel with slide guitar and solid bass by Margolin. Another of my picks from this release features Margolin hitting some really sweet guitar riffs making the track the releases most memorable. Wrapping the release is stripped down, Terry Abrahamson penned Heaven Mississippi. With it's straight ahead delta rhythm and simple guitar riffs, this is a fine closer for Margolin's latest release.

   

  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’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”