Forty Below Records artist: Tony Holiday - Motel Mississippi - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Motel Mississippi, from Tony Holiday and it's quite good. Opening with Rob & Steal, a contemporary take on the sound of thumping drums and floating guitar riffs that I associate with Hill Country music. Tony Holiday on vocal, A J Fullerton on guitar, Dave Gross on guitar, Aubrey McCrady  on guitar, Victor Wainwright on keys, Terrance Grayson on bass, and Lee Williams Jr. on drums, this is an excellent opener. With a classic Willie Dixon bass line by Grayson, and a modern mix, Trouble is really a cool track. Holiday's vocals are strong and harmonica by Jake Friel, wild keyboard soloing by Wainwright and eccentric guitar riffs really add a lot spice to this track. Very nice. Asie Payton's Nobody But You has a great southern R&B feel (think Polk Salad Annie) with smooth vocals and choppy guitar riffs contrasting with windblown slide guitar. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Yazoo River with it's Lousiana rhythm. Holiday and Friel mix it up on harmonica with a solid bass line by Grayson making this a solid closer for a strong release. 

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Blue View Music artist: Eric Heideman - Third Degree Gravity - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Third Degree Gravity, by Eric Heideman and it shows strong songwriting and execution. Opening with I Didn't Do It, a rocking boogie, Eric Heideman on lead vocal and guitar gets the track moving with Victor Wainwright on vocal and and keys, Michael Bram on drums and Matt Raymond on bass. Solid rocking opener. With Latin beat, You're Pushing Me, is snare heavy with Bram setting the pace and excellent vocal by Heideman and cool guitar riffs by JW - Jones. Howlin' Wind has a real nice melody and solid acoustic slide work by Heideman giving the track an eerie bluesy feel. My favorite track on the release is Say You Mean It Baby with a bluesy framework and strong vocals by Heideman, over the powerful piano work of Wainwright and articulate guitar phrasing by Heideman. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Turn Out Fine, a radio oriented ballad with a sweet melody. Accompanied by slide resonator and Dave Gross on organ and percussion, this is a solid closer. 

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WildRoots Records artist Dyer Davis - Dog Bites Back - New release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dog Bites Back, from Dyer Davis and I just gotta say, anyone who opens an album with a first class cover of a Jeff Beck rocker gets a free pass in my book and hearing Let Me Love You blowing out of my speakers with raw vocals and electrofired guitar riffs is great. Backed by Billy Dean on drums, Victor Wainwright on piano, Stephen Dees on bass, this track is excellent! Cryin' Shame has a bit of a R&B feel but is strong rock blues with clean guitar riffs and strong vocals by Davis. With David Weatherspoon on drums , Jacob Barone on bass, Billy Chapin on rhythm guitar and excellent trumpet punctuation and accents by Joe Young, Davis squeezes out for fine blues on buitar. Very nice. I really like the R&B feel of Lifting Up My Soul which makes a nice radio track. It's melody is strong and with melodic lead guitar and powerful horn work by Mark Earley and Patricia Ann Dees, this is strong. Title track, Dog Bites Back really has a nice bluesy rock groove and a strong guitar hook. Davis' lead vocals are really great and his command of the style of rock really is commendable. Great track. Wrapping the release is AKA which is consistant with the release and overall great writing. I really like Davis' vocals and his understated overall guitar attack is really nice. He can step on the gas at any time and pull the horses. The band is solid, tight and well presented. Looking forward to hearing more of this.

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Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Hi-Fi Drive By - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hi-Fi Drive By, by Jeremiah Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with rocking boogie, '68 Coupe Deville, with Johnson on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Allie Vogler, Emily Wallas and Mattie Schell on backing vocal and excellent piano by Victor Wainwright. Rounding out the mix is Joe Meyer on drums, Tom Maloney on guitar and piano, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and super sax by Frank Bauer. Excellent opener. With a super lope, Skippin' School, uses a solid mix of Meyer on drums and Niehaus IV on bass to set the pace. Strong vocal and lead guitars by Johnson makes this one of my favorite tracks which also features Kasimi Taylor on trumpet, Bauer on sax, Kevin O'Connor on bari sax and John Covelli and Dave Dickey on trombone. Very cool. Slinky blues, The Squeeze has a super bottom line by Niehaus IV giving Johnson a super bed to rip on guitar and he takes it. With full backing by Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, this is a hot track. With some Latin spice and the addition of Tony Antonelli on percussion, Hot Blooded Love adds a really nice additional dimension to the release with Johnson getting into a Spanish flavored guitar theme. With Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey at the rear and Niehaus IV on the bottom, this is another terrific track. Funky swamper, Quicksand is another of my favorite tracks on the release with an excellent percussion/drum/bass line and power horns courtesy of Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, setting up Johnson for the grand slam on slide. This track just gets in the groove and rides. Excellent! Easy closer, The Band, has a cool melody and a lightly funky rhythm lending itself nicely for radio play. With strings by Kevin Buckley and Johnson joined by Schell, Wallas and Vogler, and rolling into a super, Spanish flavored jam, this is a solid closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: J-Rad Cooley - Yard Sale - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Yard Sale, by J-Rad Cooley and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Livin' Downtown, J-Rad Cooley leads on piano, harmonica and vocal. Joined by Victor Wainwright on piano, Aubrey McCrady on guitar, Josh Karrick on bass and Shake E. Folkes on drums, this is a simple pop rocker. Bluesy, Now She's A Drifter has a real warm feeling with strong vocals by Cooley and great piano backing by Wainwright. Lightly funky All Night Mama has a nice strut, and a regal backbeat with real nice piano and drum work. Wrapping the release is my favorite track on the release, Til Hate Is Gone, a swampy ballad with a lot of soul. This is a nice showcase for Cooley on vocal and songwriter, and his own harmonica playing adds a nice contrast over the keyboard/drum combo, tasty guitar riffs and backing vocals. This is an excellent closer for this release, sounding like it's from Muscle Shoals studio. 

   

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WildRoots Records artists: The WildRoots - WildRoots Sessions Volume 2 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, WildRoots Sessions Volume 2, from The WildRoots and it's a lot of fun. Opening with bluesy I.O.U., Patricia Ann Dees and Victor Wainwright on lead vocal, we got a swampy New Orleans style funk, charged by Eddie Zyne on drums and Stephen Dees on bass. With a perfect harmonica vamp by Stephen Kampa and including Charlie DeChant on sax, Todd Sharp on guitar, David Kent on keys and Alberto Cruz on congas, this is a solid opener. Reba Russell and Patricia Ann Dees harmonize nicely on lead vocal on Long Way To Go over cool, acoustic and slide guitar by Greg Gumpel, Stephen Dees on bass and percussion and real nice harmonica riffs by Kampa. Very nice. Shuffle track, The Bad Seed really rocks with Bryan Bassett on lead guitar and Dyer David on second lead and lead vocal. backed by Lucky Peterson on Hammond, S Dees on bass, Top Thomas on rhythm and Scott Corwin, this is one of my favorites on the release. Bryan Bassett steps up on lead guitar on The Threads of Time, a slower paced blues featuring Mark Hodgson on lead vocals. Peterson's piano and organ work on this track create a real tension and fat bass by Dees and Scott Corwin really anchor this piece giving Bassett an open floor for dynamic guitar soloing. Very nice. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is WildRoot Boogie with a driving bass line by Dees and terrific piano work by Wainwright. Anchored by Billy Dean on drums and with Hodgson on harmonica and PA Dees on sax. This track is hot. Bluesy ballad, I Say Amen, gives Patricia Ann Dees the mic and it's a real nice showcase for her vocals. The basic composition has a lot of the feel of an early Steve Winwood ballad and with S Dees on acoustic guitar and bass, Andrews on dobro, Alberto Cruz on congas and Juan Perez, a really nice track. Closing the release is another more acoustic piece, Ready When The Day Is Done,  with Brianna Harris on lead vocal, surrounded by Stephen, Patricia Ann, Beth McKee, Wainwright, and Nick Black on warm, gospel like backing vocals over light accompaniment by Stephen on guitar, Perez on percussion, Joshua Harris on acoustic guitar and Kampa on harmonica. Excellent closer. 

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GoldenVOice Audio Recordings artist: BIGLLOU Johnson - Bigman - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bigman, from BIGLLOU Johnson and it a solid R&B / blues set. Opening with Lightnin' Strike, an up tempo blues strut, BIGLLOU stylistically speaks the story, backed by Mark Early on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, Bill Overton on clarinet and Dwight Dukes, Terrence Grayson, Ellison Hall, Amanda Joyce, keith Sweat Monique Whittington and Monico Whittington on backing vocals. With a rumbling bass and crisp harmonica wailing by Russ Green, Chill On Cold has a great bluesy feel. Shucky Ducky (Quack Quack) has a tight Latin rhythm courtesy Ricky Nelson on drums and Kalyan Pathak on percussion and the addition of Anthony Dopsie on accordion adds a special texture. BIGLLOU had a terrific, deep voice and that timbre really comes through on this track. I Got The Fever is my favorite track on the release with it's slow, thick oozing blues. BIGLLOU really grinds out the deep vocal like nobody can and with nice piano and solid backing vocals. Wrapping the release is funky, Beezthatwaysometimes, with it's understated bass line and a tight exchange between the horn section, the backing vocals and a smoking drum rhythm, and just the right amount of organ. This is a terrific closer for a real nice release. 

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Endless Blues Records artist: Mick Kolassa - Wasted Youth - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wasted Youth, from Mick Kolassa, and it's chocked full of hot contemporary blues players doing what they do best. Opening with blues rocker, Throwing Away These Blues, Kolassa on vocal and guitar leads the way with James Cunningham on drums, Tullie Brae on backing vocal, Rick Steff on piano, Jeff Jensen on guitar, Bill Ruffino on bass and Marc Franklin on trumpet. Solid opener. Title track, Wasted Youth, has a thunder bass line by Ruffino and with Doug McMinn on drums, Brad Webb lays in some real nice slide work and Eric Hughes adds some real nice harmonica. Funky rocker, I Can't Get Enough gives Anthony Paule a nice chance to show his stuff and Kirk Smothers blows a real nice sax solo topping the track off. Victor Wainwright plays a real clean piano on Feeling Sorry For Myself, a cool blues track with just the right amount of sway. Brandon Santini adds his superlative harmonica tone to My Mind Doesn't Wander, an easy blues rocker. Slow blues, Pieces of my Past has a real nice pace and Jensen plays a soulful lead solo on guitar over his rich chords. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Edge of a Razor, an acoustic blues featuring  Albert Castiglia on slide guitar. Very nice closer. 

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WildRoots Records artists: The WildRoots - WildRoots Sessions Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, WildRoots Sessions Volume 1, from The WildRoots and it really cool. Opening with Eddie Floyd's classic, 634-5789, Stephen Dees on bass, Victor Wainwright on piano and lead vocal and Patricia Ann Dees on lead vocal and sax, joined by John Oates on rhythm guitar, Eddie Zyne on drums, Todd Sharp on lead guitar, David Kent on piano, and Beth McKee on backing vocal this is a soulful opener. Move Along Part 1 is a super jam with tight percussion and horns. With Patricia on lead vocal, Greg Gumpel on guitar, Gerard Guida on Hammond Robert Caban on percussion, and Billy Dean on drums this is a hot track. Charlie DeChant lays in a really nice tenor sax solo soulful ballad, Our Last Goodbye featuring John Oates on lead vocal. Very nice. Venturing into spiritual music, Cradled In The Bosom of Jerusalem, has deep gospel styling with rich vocal work by Wainwright, Particia, Beth McKee, drums by Alberto Cruz and acoustic slide by Pat Harrington. Robert "Top" Thomas has the mic on King Snake Crawl Revisited adding guitar and backed by Stephen Kampa on harmonica.  Funky, Move Along Part 2, features DeChant on lead sax, with Guida on organ, Gumpel on guitar and Dean on drums. In A Sad Room is my choice for top radio track with a catchy melody and smooth vocal lead by Chris Merrell. Bryan Bassett on lead guitar, Scott Corwin on drums, Top Thomas on guitar and Lucky Peterson on Hammond round out the mix. Wrapping the release is another soulful ballad, I'm Yours, featuring Wainwright on lead vocal and piano. Charlie DeChant shines balances nicely on sax making this a solid track to close. 

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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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Landslide Records A Tribute to Sean Costello - Various Artists - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent Landslide Records Tribute to Sean Costello and it's really cool. Opening with Same Old Game, Albert Castiglia puts up a rumbling 2 step and lays down some real nice guitar work for an excellent opener. Steve Marriner brings How In The Devil with it's perfect shuffle beat great vocals and harp work. Title track, Don't Pass Me By has an almost spiritual feel with Victor Wainwright leading the way. This is an excellent blues ballad with great tension and stinging guitar work. Bob Margolin's guitar work on Low Life Blues is really outstanding with super Muddy Waters like slide and riffs. I always love the Mississippi All Stars and their rural approach and their treatment of Father is no different. With fat slide work and excellent vocals over a basic essential drum beat and keys make the track my favorite on the release. Debbie Davies brings shuffle track, Don't Be Reckless With My Heart and does a great job with strong vocals and slick Davies riffs. Wrapping the release is Oliver Wood and Amy Helm on Feel Like I Ain't Got A Home, a great soulful number with raw, freewheeling guitar work. This is a solid tribute release and great music. 

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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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Ruf Records artist: Victor Wainwright and The Train - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release, Victor Wainwright and The Train and it's rockin. Wainwright on lead vocal and keys pushes a nice duel with guitarist Pat Harrington, on Healing, backed by Billy Dean on drums and Terrance Grayson on bass. Also adding a nice bit of oomph are Mark Earley on sax and Doug Woolverton on trumpet. Nice opener. Train is a hot boogie woogie track with Wainwright really driving hard on vocal and piano. Woolverton and Earley fill nicely and Reba Russell's vocals are super.  Excellent track. Soulful, Dull Your Shine is a really nice track that puts me in mind of D'Angelo with a suspenseful approach to the song and super vocals. Also of particular note on this track is a sweet guitar solo by Greg Gumpel. Blues with a distinct R&B feel, Thank You Lucille, is possibly my favorite track on release featuring some of Wainwright's best vocals on the release and Monster Mike Welch handling the lead guitar spot, backed by Reba Russell, Nick Black and Patricia Ann Dees on vocal. Boogie Depression is another driving boogie with super piano and excellent slide work by Harrington. Nice! Foot stompin rocker, Righteous really gets that tent revival feeling going with a solid bottom, powerful vocal by Wainwright, super slide work by Harrington, and vocal backing by Russell. Very cool. Rocking boogie, I'll Start Tomorrow is a real mover with cooking piano and organ, tight drums, a great sax solo by Earley and punchy trumpet work by Woolverton. Another track with strong slide lead by Harrington is Sunshine. His slide work is inspired and fat, soaring into the music nicely. A track, seemingly built around his excellent slide lead, a real keeper. Wrapping the release is gospel styled, That's Love To Me, with it's rich melody, organ and soulful vocals by Wainwright. Subtle but nice acoustic guitar by Jeff Jensen adds nicely and solid lead guitar by Harrington adds depth for an excellent closer to a really strong release.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Nancy Wright - Playdate! - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Playdate!, from Nancy Wright and it's smokin! Opening with funky, Why You Wanna Do It, Wee Willie Walker takes the lead on vocal and Nancy Wright really sails on sax. Joe Kyle Jr. sets the pace on bass with some heavy lines and J. Hansen's drum work is tight. Excellent opener! On Willie Dixon's I Got What It Takes, Kyle again sets a strong bass line and Tommy Castro brings a real nice guitar solo. This track is in the groove and Wright delivers a great sound on sax backed by Tom Poole on trumpet and Faris Jarrah on trombone.Yes He Do is a great swinger with Victor Wainwright really taking control on piano. Wright takes it higher and the two hit it out of the park. Super. Eddie Shaw's Blues For The Westside is an absolute screamer with Wright really digging in. Chris Burns' piano work on this track really stands out and Joe Louis Walker stands tall with soulful guitar riffs fluidly added throughout as well as featured in solo form. Really tasty! R&B track, Been Waiting That Long features Frank Bey on lead vocals and with it's swampy beat martin Winstad adds cool percussion to an already gritty track. Wright really squeezes the horn on this one getting it to squeal. The thoughts of Jr Walker come around as Trampled blows from Wright's horn with Kid Andersen echoing the guitar retort and Jim Pugh showing his stuff on organ. Very cool. Satisfied has a distinct revival/gospel sound with the Plymouth Church of Jazz and Justice Choir bringing up the chorus. Wright sails on sax backed by Chauncey Roberts on tambourine and handclaps. Another track with deep funk, Warranty, features Terrie Odabi on lead vocals. This track is so well crafted it is likely to get strong airplay across a number of stations. Andersen sets in some real nice guitar riffs and Wright crafts a hot sax solo giving the track real heat. New Orleans flavored, Cherry Wine, has super cool drum work and Lisa Leuschner-Andersen brings cool backing vocals. Wright down right swings it when she comes in for her solo taking it to the house. Instrumental, There Is Something On Your Mind, is a great blues track with Wright really winding up her sax and Mr Elvin Bishop answering with Red Dog on slide. This track has Bishops name written all over it and Wright really knows how to stack these cards. Excellent! Mike Schermer takes the lead on guitar on the swinging, Back Room Rock. Burns and Kyle really get the track cranking and Wright seals the deal with fat sax work on this one. Wrapping the release is laid back, Soul Blue, with Wright and Chris Cain setting the stage. Cain's guitar work cuts like a hot knife, searing through the horns and keyboard work giving the track a relaxed but crisp sound. Burns takes a real nice piano solo leading up to Wright tying everything up tight with her final chorus. This is an excellent release with plenty of blues for everyone. Check it out!



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Harpo Records artist: Backtrack Blues Band - Way Back Home - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Way Back Home, from the Backtrack Blues Band and it's solid. Opening with Going to Eleuthera, a snappy shuffle, Sonny Charles leads the way on lead vocals and Kid Royal is hot on his heels on lead guitar. Rounding out the troupe is Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums and Stick Davis on bass. Victor Wainwright is featured on piano and does a real nice job and Charles really makes his harp sing. Nice opener. On Tell Your Daddy, the band sets a funky dance groove with a boogaloo bass line. Breaking into a smooth shuffle Royal plays it like a stud and the deal is on. Breaking back, Charles brings his harp to the forefront with great tone. Shoot My Rooster has a real nice blues lope with Charles' harp on call and Royal's guitar on response. One of my favorite tracks on the release, this track features super piano work by Wainwright in the mix with Royal and Charles. Excellent. Sonny Boy Williamson's Your Funeral, My Trial really gets the feel of old Chicago blues with Charles working his harp. Royal's Texas blues guitar styling is tight and forceful giving the track great balance. Nobody But You has a bit of 50's R&B blues styling and Royal's guitar work is clean and distinctive. Charles' harp work is fat and rich with tight underpinnings by Wainwright, Davis and Bencomo. On Heavy Built Woman Royal takes a real nice walk on his six string with Funderburgh like runs and Charles' vocals and super harp are nicely backed by Latonya Oliver and Dana Merriwether. Blues classic, Baby Please Don't Go is up next and with great enthusiasm Charles shouts out the lyrics. This track has great instrumental qualities with solid entries by Charles and Royal. Check it out! Rich Man Blues has a real deep lope and strong Chicago blues styling. Royal and Charles take nice solo passes and Wainwright's contributions are essential. Wrapping the release is Help Me Just This Time, a modified boogie. With it's driving bass riff, Wainwright's extensive piano work and Royal and Charles trading riffs, this is a great track to wrap a fun release.



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Backtrack Blues Band Brings It "Way Back Home" on New Harpo Records CD Coming on September 2

Backtrack Blues Band Brings It Way Back Home on New Harpo Records CD Coming on September 2

Special Guests Include 2016 BMA Winner Victor Wainwright

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Tampa Bay-based group Backtrack Blues Band announces a September 2 release date for Way Back Home, on Harpo Records, distributed in the USA by Select-O-Hits and in Canada on Flaming Cheese Records. This is the fifth CD from Backtrack Blues Band, which has won three consecutive Tampa Bay Music Awards for “Best Blues Band.” 2016 Blues Music Award-winner Victor Wainwright adds his major chops on piano throughout the album’s 10 tracks, a perfect blend of Chicago blues (a la Paul Butterfield Blues Band) and the rompin’, stompin’ Texas style of the early Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Members of Backtrack Blues Band are Sonny Charles – lead vocals, harmonica; Kid Royal – lead guitar; Little Johnny Walter – rhythm guitar; Joe Bencomo – drums; and Jeff “Stick” Davis – bass.  Founded in 1980, this talented blues quintet has been one of Florida’s longest-running original blues bands and takes its name from legendary harmonica player Little Walter’s instrumental, “Backtrack.” Since its inception, Backtrack has been tearing up stages all over the globe, including a recent sojourn north of the border to the Tremblant International Blues Festival in Montreal. Over its history, the band has performed with many of its musical mentors, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Gregg Allman, John Lee Hooker and Johnny Winter.

“This first class band has recorded one of the strongest traditional blues records to date,” writes Blues Music Magazine editor Art Tipaldi in the liner notes for Way Back Home. “Led by the double barrel attack of harmonica ace and lead vocalist Sonny Charles, and the biting Texas blues guitar of Kid Royal, the Backtrack Blues Band is now poised to carry its musical message to a larger audience.”

From the jumping opening track of “Goin’ to Eleuthera” (a song about a beautiful island paradise in the Bahamas), through the original songs and such covers as Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Your Funeral, My Trial” and “Checkin’ on My Baby,” to the driving closer, “Help Me Just This Time,” Way Back Home delivers a constant barrage of great blues riffs and flavors that create a powerful impression. At the core of the band’s sound are the stellar harmonica work and vocals of Sonny Charles and the stinging Texas blues guitar work of Kid Royal. With Little Johnny Walter laying down solid rhythm guitar parts and an in-the-pocket rhythm section of Jeff “Stick” Davis on bass and Joe Bencomo on drums, the Backtrack Blues Band sound is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

“On this studio record, we tried to capture more of a live analog sound,” says Sonny Charles about the recording sessions. “We think the CD has a warm and authentic feel that avoids the sterility that comes with many modern digital recordings.

“We had lots of fun making this album; it was a relaxed journey for the band.  Everyone had a great time playing the tunes, and we hope the joy of performing real blues shines through on this record.

“Way Back Home is our fifth album, and I guess we learned from our past projects. This CD really captures the tones and energy we were looking for when we planned the sessions. We think it’s, by far, our best recording effort and truly reflects the ‘Backtrack’ sound.”

Sonny Charles and Little Johnny Walter formed Backtrack in 1980, and have played together for over 35 years. Sonny is an accomplished blues harmonica player, whose tone and style are reminiscent of Little Walter and Paul Butterfield. His devotion to blues music runs deep, as he founded the Tampa Bay Blues Festival in 1995 in St Petersburg, Florida. The festival has since grown into one of America's largest and most-respected blues gatherings, winning a prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive Award (2011) from the Blues Foundation for Best U.S. Blues Festival.

Kid Royal, originally from London, Ontario, has appeared at many major blues festivals throughout Canada and America, and his style is influenced by the great Texas guitar players. He is widely respected as one of the very top guitarists in Florida.  

Joe Bencomo is an exceptional drummer, who has played in the best blues and jazz bands in Tampa Bay for over 40 years. Little Johnny Walter adds solid rhythm guitar and backup vocals to the band. He met Sonny at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where they first formed a band while attending college at UNC; and they've remained great friends and musical collaborators ever since those early days. Jeff “Stick” Davis is a gifted bass player, won a Grammy as a founding member of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, and has traveled the world, touring with BB King, John Mayall, Al Green, Jesse Winchester, Pure Prairie League, and others. He was also an in-demand bassist for many years at Memphis and Nashville recording sessions.

“Goin’ to Eleuthera” audio link:

http://backtrackbluesband.com/media/audio/samples/goin-to-eleuthera.mp3

VizzTone Label Group artist: Mitch Woods - Jammin' On The High C's - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Jammin' On The High C's from Mitch Woods' Club 88 recorded live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise and the talent was really flowing. Opening with Big Mamou, Woods, along with members of Roomful of Blues lays down a full tilt boogie. An excellent trumpet, sax and piano solos on this track make it an excellent opener. Next up is Tain't Nobody's Bizness with a stripped down swing. Victor Wainwright and Julia Magness join in giving a different feel vocally... and great piano work contribute to an excellent track. Classic rocker, Rip It Up features Tommy Castro and he really adds some great rockin' guitar riffs to Woods' piano and vocal talents. Backed by the Roomful of Blues horns this track rocks. Lucky Peterson is featured on vocals on Bright Lights Big City, maintaining much of Jimmy Reeds original feel. Breakin down with a little Zydeco, Dwayne Dopsie brings Jambalaya on accordion and vocal. Woods tickles the ivories adding a real nice touch. Billy Branch brings it on Eyesight To The Blind. A lot of real Chicago feel and great harp work are the key to this track. Nicely executed guitar additions and Woods on piano add to the overall blue feel. Boogie track, I Want You To Be My Baby features Popa Chubby on vocal. Woods does an excellent job of driving the boogie and soloing. Popa throws down some wicked rockabilly riffs on guitar making this track shine bright. Coco Montoya takes the lead on Rock Me Baby which has a bit more of a rock swing/boogie feel. He soloing is intermixed with Woods piano work and crisp. Victor Wainwright is back for a real doozie of a boogie, Wine Spo Dee O Dee. This is easily the shining piano track on the release. Woods holds tight on Broke as he sings the story and pushes the rhythm on piano. With audience participation, this track is a lot of fun. Branch and Montoya are back on Boom Boom. A more laid back swing than the Hook wrote it, Woods keeps the rhythm as Branch and Montoya solo. Popa Chubby is back on Wee Wee Hours and a nice easy boogie. Woods takes a particularly nice piano solo on this track giving way to Popa for a plucky guitar solo of his own. Wrapping the release is a hot, fast paced boogie, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On featuring Dwayne Dopsie. Cool closer for a fun party 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”

 Not from this release:

Cool new video! "The Devil's Bite"

Cool New Video! - "The Devil's Bite" Blind Pig Records has released a new video from Victor Wainwright entitled "The Devil's Bite."  The song is a "cautionary tale" with macabre and mysterious implications about the dangers that lie in wait for the unwary. "Wainwright relates a frightening warning to beware of forces that can do you harm, utilizing a vocal style straight from the Tom Waits school of singing," said Chicago Blues Guide. Wainwright, two time winner of the prestigious Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year award, says about the video: "Consumed by lust and betrayed by trust, the protagonist soon learns the hard way that he's responsible for his own fate." The song is a track from Boom Town, the latest studio release from Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots.  In the video Victor is accompanied on acoustic guitar by JP Soars, fellow co-founder of the roots music superstar group Southern Hospitality.  To watch this great video, please click HERE. To order from Amazon, please click HERE.  To order downloads of this and other fine Blind Pig recordings, please visit the Pig Pen on iTunes HERE Upcoming dates for Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots: Oct. 11 Daytona Beach, FL Daytona Blues Festival Oct. 22 Tuckerton, NJ Lizzie Rose Music Room Oct. 23 Islip, NY Treme Supper Club Oct. 24 Beverly, MA The Larcom Theatre Oct. 27 Burlington, VT Nectar's Oct. 28 Syracuse, NY Funk and Waffles Oct. 29 Cleveland, OH Music Box Supper Club