VizzTone Label Group artist: Ben Levin - Carryout Or Delivery - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Carryout Or Delivery from Ben Levin and it's solid R&B and blues. Opening with You Know, a cool Chicago style  shuffle, Levin on piano and lead vocal nails it. Backed by Aron Levin on guitar, Chris Douglass on bass, and Oscar Bernal on drums, this is a hot opener. I really like Too Good For Me with it's electric piano sound and Levin's New Orleans styling. Very nice. With the phrasing of a key Elmore James track, Have You Lost Your Mind? has solid vocal delivery and with a strongly reinforced rhythm, super organ soloing. Instrumental, NOLA Night really captures the New Orleans sound with super piano and tight rhythms by Bernal. My Back Scratcher is a cool R&B track with a real Booker T feel reinforced by Levin on organ and tight rhythm from Douglass and Bernal. Papercut is another New Orleans R&B blues track with traditional, one note piano rhythm, single snare drumming and cool electric guitar touch from Aron Levin. Bill Nettles' Hadacol Bounce has a great boogie feel with New Orleans turnarounds and traditional vocal styling. A cool old track with new life. Wrapping the release is Floyd Dixon's Time Brings About A Change with it's soulful melody and featuring some of Levin's best vocals on the release, tightly cradled by the warm guitar lines of Aron Levin. Excellent closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Lloyd Jones - Tennessee Run - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tennessee Run, from Lloyd Jones and its a cool blend of blues, R&B, funk and pop giving it a bright, energetic feel. Opening with hard driving R&B track, You Got Me Good, Jones on lead vocal and guitar really has the place hopping. Backed by Kevin McKendree on keys, Steve Mackey on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Jim Hoke on sax, Quentin Ware on trumpet and Roy Agee on trombone this is a strong opener. Rock n roller, I Wish I Could Remember Loving You, has a great rhythm guitar pace with Jones paired with Teresa James on lead vocal and McKendree's piano work is outstanding. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky swamp track, Bayou Boys with McKendree on organ and cool horn interplay by Hoke, Ware, Agee and with Richard Metz on percussion. Very cool. Hoke lays in a really nice bari solo on another funky swamp track, That's All I Want which also features LaRhonda Steele on vocal. Dilly Dally has a Taj Mahal like, laid back bluesy island feel. With wah wah guitar and funky organ, it just makes you feel good. Wrapping the release is Chevrolet Angel, a funky, bluesy strut. I  like Jones' cocky vocal styling on this one with nice backing vocal by Etta Britt and Jackie Wilson and funky lead guitar by Jones, chased by the horn work of Hoke, Ware, and Agee. A fine closer for a fun release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Too Slim and the Taildraggers - The Remedy - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Remedy, from Too Slim and the Taildraggers, andI really like it! Opening with last Last Chance, a terrific blues rocker, Too Slim and the Taildraggers is up and running with the swagger of prime Stones or ZZ Top. With Tim Too Slim Langford on lead guitar and vocal, Jeff Shakeu Fowlkes on drums and vocal and Zach Kasik on bass, these guys are rockin! Devil's Hostage has a seductive droning bass line and Gibbons like vocals coaxing on the beautiful tone of Langford's guitar amp. John Lee Hooker style boogie, Keep The Party Rollin' has a super driving bottom, pushed along by the snap drumming of Fowlkes and the crafty harmonica work of Sheldon Ziro. Elmore James' Sunnyland Train is well dressed with exceptional slide work by Langford. Platinum Junkie is a strong funky blues number with classic Jason Ricci harmonica riffs. Wrapping the release is radio style track, Half A World Away, with it pleasing melody and straight ahead rock approach. This is a really strong release from Slim and I hope he keeps doing it.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Tony Holiday - Soul Service - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Service, from Tony Holiday, and is solid throughout.

Opening with Payin' Rent on a Broken Home, a strong blues rocker, Tony Holiday on lead vocal and harmonica sets a cool strutting pace, backed by Landon Stone on guitar, Max Kaplan on bass, Danny Banks on drums with Ori Naftaly on guitar and Victor Wainwright on keys. Low slung shuffle She knocks Me Out, has a great feel and Holiday's harmonica tone is full and a tasty work solo by Stone is poised and tight. A cool island feel spins Day Dates (Turn Into Night Dates). With simplified drum rhythms and airy guitar work Holiday crafts this track nicely and blends vocally with Kaplan, complimented by melodic harmonica. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Ol' Number Nine, a rumbling blues rocker with nicely paired vocals and a rumbling bass line by Kaplan. Holiday's vocals are strong and his harmonica work reinforces the "train" theme of the track. Solid closer for a real cool release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Tyler Morris - Living In The Shadows - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Living In The Shadows, from Tyler Morris, and it's a cool blues rocker. On this, his second release, Morris plays lead guitar and sings with band mates Terry Dry on bass, Matthew Robert Johnson on drums and Lewis Stephens on B3 and Wurlitzer. Gary Moore's hard driving rocker, Movin' On, sees the band on full tilt with Morris throwing every rock based riff you can think at it. Quick fingered runs, and bends with just a bit of distortion to make it sound dirty gives this track it's sting. Joe Louis Walker and Mike Zito guest on vocals on Tony Joe White's Polk Salad Annie. Maintaining that original swamp rock feel this is a cool track with Morris working the slide nicely  over the steady drumming of Johnson. Bluesy ballad, Temptation, is Morris' best showcase of his vocal strength and Stephens' B3 enhances the tension giving Morris a nice platform to play melodic blues runs on guitar. Amanda Fish steps up to the mic on blues rocker, Better Than You adding some real nice R&B style vocal texture. Morris keeps a cool rhythm line and lays in double stop riffs adding just the right pepper to possibly my favorite track on the release. Boogie track, Why Is Love So Blue, has a great bottom end and the grinding guitar riffs of Morris gives it that Texas swagger. Original track, Young Man's Blues has a real nice bass drone with solid vocals by Morris and a strong guitar exchange between Morris and the stellar Ronnie Earl. Taken From Me is another of my favorite tracks on the release with it's lightly funked up rock beat that I associate with Mountain and early Leslie West. With a real nice drum beat by Johnson, straight up vocals and fat guitar accents by Morris, a nicely balanced track. Wrapping the release is a driving boogie, I'm On To You, with a thumping bass line and tight drums giving the track a meaty feel. Morris sets it up nicely and slams it home on this one with just the right amount of slash, making this an excellent closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artists: John Primer & Bob Corritore - The Gypsy Woman Told Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, The Gypsy Woman Told Me, by John Primer & Bob Corritore and it's a great dose of contemporary Chicago style blues. Opening with Keep A-Driving, Primer on vocal and guitar really does a nice job of setting the stage with Corritore supporting nicely and with solid piano work by Bob Welch, Kedar Roy on bass and June Core on drums. With a bit of boogie built in, Knockin' On Your Door, with Primer again leading on vocal gives Corritore a nice chance to spread a bit with great harp tones and Primer's guitar work is tight and well phrased. Lil Son Jackson's Gambling Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with quick paced acoustic guitar and fleet fingered lead by Primer and a fatter harp part by Corritore. Primer's own, Little Bitty Woman falls right from the Muddy Waters tree with a bouncy, Chicago blues pace, riding harp and Waters like slide work by Primer. Very cool. Slow blues, Walking The back Street Crying is one Primer and Corritore can both sink their teeth into with super vocal and instrumentals throughout. Sonny Boy's My Imagination gives Corritore a nice time in the spotlight and his harp is A1. Primer's vocals are of course spot on but this track is here for Bob to shine and he really does a nice job. Another favorite is Left Me With A Broken Heart featuring Billy Flynn on guitar, Ben Levin on piano, Mike Hightower on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Corritore's harp work is particularly expressive and I always like Flynn's guitar styling. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Ain't Gonna Be No Cuttin' Loose with a driving shuffle pace and featuring a real nice solo by Corritore. Flynn again works the guitar nicely working with Corritore to a powerful ending. Solid release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Casey Hensley - Good As Gone - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good As Gone, from Casey Hensley and there's some powerful good music on there. Opening with driving blues rocker and title track, Good As Gone and Casey Hensley wastes no time in showing what she's got. A powerful lead singer along the lines of Ann Wilson, Hensley cuts loose over a potent rhythm section of Laura Chavez on guitar, Marcos C. on bass and Evan Caleb Yearsley on drums. On You Should Be Lucky, Chavez steps up in the mix with that rich guitar tone that she's known for playing some blistering riffs balancing Hensley's strong vocals. With a shift to swing style and the beat on 2, Be My Baby (What Do You Say?) is a comfortable style for Hensley with perfect clarity and Chavez of course plays tight and right. Blues ballad, Love Will Break Your Heart is the best showcase for Hensley's vocals on the release with a smooth backing vocals, horn work by Jonny Viau and Steven Ebner and of course tasty guitar soloing by Chavez. Another solid blues ballad, Don't Want It to Stop finds Hensley pushing hard with gutsy vocals and Chavez does another beautiful job of squeezing the blues from her guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is jump track, All In, with Hensley and Chavez both showing giving it a great run. This is a super closer for a strong release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Backtrack Blues Band - Your Baby Has Left - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Your Baby Has Left, from Backtrack Blues Band and it's a solid, straight up blueser. Opening with Best Friend's Grave (Joy, Joy, Joy) Sonny Charles on lead vocal and harmonica steps off this shuffle, with Kid Royal on lead guitar, Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums, Stick Davis on bass, Bruce Katz on organ and piano and with backing vocals by Latonya Oliver and Dana Merriwether. Title track, Your Baby Has Left is a great boogie with super harp work by Charles and stinging guitar accents by Royal. With it's low slung lope, Natural Born Lover features Royal on lead vocal and nicely styled guitar riffs and cool piano work by Katz freeing up Charles to lay a little heavier into the harp. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is up tempo shuffle, You'll Come Back Someday. I particularly like Charles lead vocal on this track and his harp work, punched up by Vinnie Ciesielski on trumpet and Brad Guin on sax and Royal's guitar work is always  particularly cool. Wrapping the release is slow blues number, Times Is Hard with a great guitar intro and lead vocals by Royal. With nicely interwoven, short solo riffs by Guin, Katz and Charles and a more extended guitar solo by Royal, this is an excellent closer for a solid release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Phanton Blues Band - Still Cookin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Still Cookin', from Phantom Blues Band, and it's terrific! Opening with a classic R&B track by Wilson Pickett, Don't Fight It (Feel It), this band knows it's strengths and plays into it. With Mike Finnigan (keys), Larry Fulcher (bass) and Johnny Lee Schell (guitars) on lead vocals, this band lays out one of my R&F favorites with strong horn work by Joe Sublett (sax) and Les Lovitt (trumpet) and great rhythm  and Tony Braunagel on drums. What a lineup! Slipping into a New Orleans funk on Wingin' My Way Johnny takes the lead on a strongly Little Feat influenced track (dedicated to Paul Barrere) with solid slide work and a tight horn line. Slow blues, Blues How They Linger, features Finnigan on lead vocal and piano, with light backing. A strong, somber track keeps it low till about half way through when Sublett cuts loose with a real nice sax solo, punctuated by Lovitts trumpet work. Very nice! Reggae track, Shine On, has a great island beat with Lenny Castro joining on percussion and Fulcher and Finnigan on lead vocal. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Latin flavored, Tequila Con Yerba, an excellent, primarily instrumental that makes you squirm in your seat...think Buena Vista. Finnigan, Sublett and Lovitt each get a spot to solo and use them well. Very nice! Shuffle track, I'm Just Your Fool, has a great sway and nicely blended vocals by Johnny with Mike give the track a warm feel. Another strong sax solo by Sublett cements the track and Schell lays in a nice run of his own. Very nice. Wrapping the release is I Was Blind, a quiet ballad featuring Schell on lead vocal, backed by Finnigan. Schell lays in some warm slide work and Finnegan some nice organ work, under the basic melody giving the track a full bottom. This is a solid closer for a really cool release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: 11 Guys Quartet - Small Blues and Grooves

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Small Blues and Grooves from 11 Guys Quartet and it's very enjoyable. Opening with Freddie King styled, Road Trippin', Paul Lenart on guitar leads the way, sharing the front line with VizzTone President, Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica and backed by Chuck Purro on drums and Bill "Coach" Mather on bass. Solid opener.  Next up is high energy blues track, Jackrabbit, with hot riffs by Rosenblatt on harmonica. Lenart really pelts the guitar with his aggressive riffs, the group really giving it a good workout. Sleepless is a really nice slower blues with Rosenblatt blowing the harmony on harmonica. key accents by Lenart and firm bass work by Mather gives this track a solid footing on Purro's beat. I really like Speakeasy Serenade with stumble beat drumming by Purro and lower fret guitar melody by Lenart under the soulful harmonica wailing of Rosenblatt. Hey Daddyo is a real cool Bo Diddley infused jam with heavy tom tom work by Purro over a hard walking bass line by Mather. Lenart really works the guitar ala BD and Rosenblatt rides the wave. Very nice. Rhumba Boogie is another favorite with stylistic guitar lead, tight bass lines, a great rhythm and strong harmonica lead. Wrapping the release is Swamp Ride, an easy, greasy rocker. Melody by Rosenblatt on harmonica, and meaty drums are the name of this track and cool surf style guitar tones by Lenart close the loop. A really fast playing instrumental release. Very cool. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Margolin - This Guitar and Tonight - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Guitar and Tonight, from Bob Margolin and it's an acoustic blend of folk and acoustic blues. Opening with delta style title track, This Guitar and Tonight, Margolin, who handles lead vocal and guitar in tandem with Jimmy Vivino on acoustic guitar lays it out like he was Skip James or Robert Johnson, pure and simple. The guitar playing is tight and vocals wailing. Solid opener. Margolin gets his Muddy on with Waters like slide work on Over Time. Margolin spent years in Muddy's band and plays his own soulful take on the classic slide style. Dancer's Boogie is a lively track with hot jazz style guitar riffs and Margolin's best vocals on the release. Harp master, Bob Corritore joins Margolin on Blues Lover, a romping shuffle. One of my favorites on the release is country style story blues, I Can't Take Those Blues Away. Margolin delivers the story over a solid guitar vamp. With a more contemporary sound, Predator, is more of political commentary on the presidency over a guitar vamp. This is a different type of release for Margolin with a definite acoustic flair. 

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Vizztone Label Group artist: Chris "Bad News" Barnes - Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live, from Chris "Bad News" Barnes it's  a full blown boogie rocker. Opening with Back In A Cadillac, Barnes leads with his vocal power, joined by Gary Hoey on lead guitar, Steve Guyger onharp and backed by Sandy MacDonald on piano, AJ Pappas on bass, Matt Scurfield on drums, Mark Earley on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet and Gracie Curran on backing vocal. Little Walter's Boom Boom, Out Go The Lights gets a faster rockier pace and a strong harmonica solo by Guyger, nice sax solo by Earley, wicked guitar work by Hoey and full trumpet work by Woolverton give the track real oomph. Gravelly vocals by Barnes on a lumbering version of Morganfield's Hoochie Coochie Man is real nice with a humping bass line by Pappas and greasy solos by both Hoey and Guyger give the track a real grind. With it's Bo Diddley beat, It's Tight Like That, has Curran echoing Barnes lead vocals and wicked slide by Hoey sounds great over the tight horn accent. A Latin beat on Keep Your Mind On It, gives Hoey a great opportunity to show off his Spanish guitar techniques and cues up real nice Cuban style piano playing by MacDonald. Wrapping the release is Steve Cropper's R&B track, Raise Your Hand, with a healthy does of horns. Solid closer.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Paul DesLauriers Band - Bounce - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bounce, from the Paul DesLauiers Band and it's a cool rock release with deep roots in the blues. Opening with It's All on You, a swaggering track featuring DesLauiers on lead guitar and vocal with Alec McElcheran on bass and Sam Harrisson on drums. This is a really nice opener with DesLauriers' slide playing having the fat resonance of Jimmy Page. Very nice. On Take Me To The Brink, DesLauriers revs it up with a "Train Train" like rhythm and hot hot chicken pickin style. Excellent! With a rocking funky beat, Driving Me Insane has a great back beat and strong melody. I think that anyone who likes the basic sound of Led Zep would really like this. With a bit more Hendrix like bite but remaining blues based, Picked a Bad Day is a strong rocker featuring the guitar work of DesLauriers and JP Soars. Hi intensity shuffle, Feeling All Kinds of Good, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with strong rhythm drive from Harrisson and quick fingered rock riffs by DesLauriers. Very cool. Wrapping the release is slow blues ballad, Waiting on You with it's strong melody and clocking in over 10 and a half minutes gives DesLauriers a great opportunity to push the band  to flaming hot with excellent contemporary blues riffs, snappy drumming from Harrisson and McElcheran's firm hand at bass. Excellent closer.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Annika Chambers - Kiss My Sass - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kiss My Sass, from Annika Chambers, and it's a great mix of blues, soul and R&B tracks. Opening with rolling shuffle, Let The Sass Out, Chambers leads a powerful force with Corey Stoot and The Mighty Org on guitars, Greg Brown Jr. on drums, Larry Fulcher on bass and Anthony Terry on sax with Nicola Polar on backing vocals. Great opener. That's What You Made Me is a real nice R&B track with a heavy kick drum by Brannon McLeod and a great bass line by Fulcher. Chambers really gets in the groove on this one and glistening key work by Randy Wall and Polar's backing vocals ice the cake. Very nice. What's Your Thing is a really nice soulful track featuring Chambers with Ruthie Foster. With just the right amount of soul and steel guitar by the Mighty Org this is a really nice song.  Brand New Day is one of my favorites on the release with wailing slide in the background and a solid droning bass line really highlighting Chambers' vocal work. Blues rocker, World of Hurt is a real high stepper with hard reinforcement by Fulcher's bass and Anthony Terry on sax and featuring nice guitar work by Paul Ramirez. Another of my favorites is soul track, Stay with Stephanie York Blue on Hammond and Randy Wall on piano really giving the track a powerful dose of gospel. Very nice. Wrapping the release is I Feel The Same,  acoustic duet with Paul DesLauriers on vocal and slide guitar with Sam Harrisson on percussion.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Gracie Curran - Come Undone - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Come Undone, from Gracie Curran and it's meaty. Opening with title track, Come Undone, Gracie Curran is back with her newest release and a lot of soul. This is old school styling with Damon Fowler on guitar, Matt Walker on guitar and bass, Justin Headley on drums, Pat Harrington on drums, Victor Wainwright on keys, Doug Woolverton on trumpet and Mark Earley on sax really delivers the goods. Curran's vocal phrasing and style, with a touch of reggae is just right for an excellent opener! High energy swing track, Stay Up!, shows Curran is not only happy digging in deep but very light on her feet. Fowler's fleet fingered guitar work is nicely backed by Jeremy Powell on keys and New Orleans style horn work by Woolverton and Earley give this track extra zip. On shuffle track, Sweet Sativa, Fowler pulls out the slide giving the track a down home feel and playing off backing vocals, Curran has this track right where she wants it. Very nice. If Mama Ain't Happy is a snappy piano boogie with a great bass line by Walker and featuring Wainwright on piano and great vocals by Curran. Excellent! Wrapping the release is easy paced country blues rocker, Chasing Sunset with understated slide work and Curran's powerful vocal right up front. This track has a strong melody with subdued but tight instrumental backing. Very nice closer for a solid release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Ben Levin - Before Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Before Me, by Ben Levin and it's really cool. Opening with Big Bill Broonzy's I Feel So Good, Ben Levin shows how it should be done as a leader on piano and lead vocals. With perfect dynamics and a great team featuring strong lead guitar work by Bon Margolin, and Bob Corritore on harmonica, this track is tight. Backing this star front line is Aron Levin on guitar, Chris Douglas on bass and Oscar Bonal on drums. Super opener. On Freddie King's instrumental, This Morning, Margolin and Corritore lay down really nice solos complimenting Levin's own solo and the tight drum work by Bernal. Excellent! On Confessin' The Blues, Levin shows some of his best vocals on the release. His style is crisp and his style is smooth. Corritore just lays back in the seat on his solo and his tone is excellent. Margolin's guitar solo is smooth and has great feel. Title track, Before Me has really nice New Orleans style blues lines and again super vocals over a Fats Domino kind of feel. Aron Levin's guitar touch on this track is particularly fine. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slow blues, So Soon, giving Ben a great opportunity to really dig in on piano. His vocals are really nice with real style. Excellent! James Cotton's Lightnin' is up next with Corritore taking the lead. His tone and feel are perfect and get Margolin revved up to one of his loosest and most enjoyable solos on the release. Ben finishes it off in concert with Corritore and Margolin. Very nice. Wrapping the release is an instrumental jam, Open Late, cooked up by Levin, Corritore and Margolin. Levin's piano style is so thick in blues you have a hard time believing that he isn't from 40's or 50's Chicago. Setting the framework for Margolin and Corritore, this is a real nice smoky closer for a solid release.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Terry Hanck - I Still Get Excited - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Still Get Excited, by Terry Hanck and it's jam packed with sax infused blues. Opening with a rumble, title track, I Still Get Excited has a real nice boogie feel with excellent piano work buy Jim Pugh and cool guitar work by Johnny Cat Soubrand, with backing vocals by Whitney Shea and Lisa Leuschner Andersen, bass by Kid Andersen and drums by Butch Cousins. On Smooth Tyrone, Hanck leads on vocal and soulful sax with really nicely styled guitar work by Soubrand and again really nice piano work by Pugh. On Early In The Morning I particularly like Hanck's vocals and Chris Cain adds really strong lead guitar. I like Andersen's bass attack on this track and the backing vocals by Lisa are really nice. Pugh's B3 work on this track adds that additional dimension and June Core's drumming sets up a solid opening for Hanck to solo. Very nice.  Harmonica great, Rick Estrin joins in on Come On Back playing tag with Hanck on sax. With a cool shuffle feel and a slick guitar solo by Soubrand, this is one of my favorites on the release. Slow instrumental, Rosita (No Wall Can Hold Our Love) is a really nice showcase for Hanck on his sax with warm undertones by Pugh on B3. Howlin' Wolf's Howlin' For My Darlin' maintains it's original arrangement and spunk. Soubrand's stinging guitar work are nicely highlighted on this track of course sharing the spotlight with Hanck on sax. Very cool. Tracy Nelson joins Hanck on lead vocal on Spring with Tim Wagner on bass, Butch Cousins on drums and a soulful sax solo by Hanck. Super. Wrapping the release is Feel So Bad with a lot of spring in the rhythm. A Stax feel really gets the blood flowing on sax and Hanck really knows how to play it. Soubrand plays some of his flashiest solos on this one and Hanck's vocals work really nicely with this style. Solid closer for a real cool release. 

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