Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Farmhouse Blues , by Randy Lee Riviere and it's packed with rowdy, growlin, blues rock. Opening with Downtown , Randy Lee Riviere on lead vocal and guitar creates plenty of swagger with Doug Lancio on guitar, Michael Saint Leon on guitar, Mike Rojas on keys, Robert Kearns on bass and Tom Hambridge on drums. Super opener. Title track, Farmhand Blues has just a touch of country mixed in to this strong blues rocker. Riviere does great with the Lou Reed delivery and I really like the simplistic yet stinging guitar attack. Moonlight is another power rocker with a thumping drum anchor, cool slide work and overdriven guitar lead.  It may not be ground breaking, but it's great solid music. Another cool track is December 1980 with it's droning bass line by Kearns and slap snare by Hambridge. With it's base blues structure and tight slide work, another notable track. On My Way Down is gritty and grimy with ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Concrete Blues , from Randy Lee Riviere , and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Mania , with a pop style theme, Randy Lee Riviere on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace. Joined by Kenny Greenberg and Bob Britt on guitars they create an interwoven melody, anchored by Stephen Mackey on bass and Tom Hambridge on drums. On Just Trying To Get Back Home , Hambridge used heavy tom tom to set the pace and Riviere's monochromatic vocals give the track a cool feel. His guitar styling on this track makes it my favorite with it's low slung bluesy feel. Stranger In My Head had an interesting British rock feel with jangly country style guitar riffs. Very cool. Dark tempered, Moccasin Lake is another cool track with a drum heavy bottom and crisp guitar riffs. Title track, Concrete Blues has a rocky rhythm with bluesy slide soloing and Mike Rojas adding some real nice piano work. Wrapping the release is rocker, Drive w...