Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The Dig 3 - Damn The Rent - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Damn The Rent, from The Dig 3 and it's a cool, rural bules rocker. Opening with Take A Ride, with it's Bo Diddley rhythm, Andrew Duncanson on vocal and guitar sets the pace and drives the train with super harmonica accompaniment by Ronnie Shellist on harmonica and Gerry Hundt on drums, percussion, bass. Big Water is an up step boogie with it's relentless guitar riff and potent vocal call by Duncanson, a firm kick drum and response from Shellist on harmonica. This is a great groove. Chuck & Willie is a great shuffle giving Duncanson plenty of room to stretch on guitar and Shellist to match his groove with a romping harmonica solo of his own. Very nice. Red-Tailed Hawk is another tasty boogie that's just waiting to break loose. With a rumbling bass bottom and snare, Duncanson works his vocals and guitar coaxing the harmonica work of Shellist and he takes the gauntlet and runs. Solid blues. Wrapping the release is R&B flavored, All The Love I Got. Adding Aaron Whittier on bass, Rick King on drums and Lauren Dukes on backing vocal and well as Hundt on organ, this is a solid old school closer.

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Tuesday, February 13, 2024

EG Kight - Sticks & Strings - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sticks & Strings, from EG Kight and it's solid release. Opening with Talk With Me, EG Kight sets up a real nice shuffle leading the way with fine vocals and guitar, backed by Ken Wynn on lead guitar and dobro, Gary Porter on drums, Sean Williams on bass and Porter and Wynn on backing vocals. Wynn steps up with a real nice guitar solo on slow blues, If You Have No Reservations, nicely supporting the front work of Kight. One of Kight's best vocal showcases on the release is ballad, All Things Considered with a strong melody, and a super guitar hook. This track should stand tall for radio airplay. Wrapping the release is another radio track, I Won't Ever Give Up, with an easy, pop melody and laid back accompaniment.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Extra Sensory Productions artist: Nick Wade - Feeling Good Is Good Enough - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feeling Good Is Good Enough, from Nick Wade and it's really strong! Opening with Sky Line Drive, Nick Wade on acoustic guitar and vocal nails it. Wade has excellent picking style and his vocals don't come from this century. Excellent start. Listen to Ease On Down The Road with it's authentic blues guitar riffs and vocal wailing. One of the best contemporary delta style artist I've heard. Ragamuffin, a full out rag is really great with precision picking and timing. Really nice! One of my favorite tracks on the release is When You Bury My Body with it's deliberate, percussive guitar rhythm and excellent phrasing. Another favorite is Down The Way with its ragged Son House approach. With a thumping down beat and strong vocal melody, this track just pulls you in. Check the wailing vocals on Crucifixion. This guy is off the hook. Wrapping the release is up tempo, Raggin' My Blues Away, with all of the bounce and precision of Fuller. If you love the blues, and you love the old school blues... you'll love this release.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Dom Martin - Buried In The Hail - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Buried In The Hail, and it's a pretty interesting mix of contemporary rock and blues. Opening with Hello In There, an instrumental featuring Belfast born, Dom Martin on acoustic guitar, this really creates a cool setting for what's to come. Martin kicks things up a notch with Daylight I Will Find, a cool rocker with blues overtones. Martin has a strong voice and his acoustic guitar work, along with pounding percussion and a strong melody make this a favorite on the release. Ramping it up a to driving drums and electric slide, Martin shows great finesse on Belfast Blues. His stirring slide work and emotion filled vocals give this track a lot of positive tension. With it's loose, funky rhythm, ragged guitar riffs, concise soloing and tight bottom, Unhinged is the most creative track on the release and certainly is my top pick on the release. Howlin' is a contemporary rag tune with nimble fingered Martin dancing across the fretboard with snare accompaniment and vocal. Very cool. I thank that Lefty 2 Guns is a particularly cool track bringing the style of early Robin Trower or maybe David Gilmore to mind. It isn't Trower's trademark riff or Gilmore's phrasing, not even close. It's the poise and finesse. Very nice. Wrapping the release is another solid acoustic instrumental, Laid To Rest with an imaginative guitar strumming and raking pattern creating a quiet close. Very nice.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Mizz Lowe Records artist: Mizz Lowe - Classy Woman - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Classy Woman, from Mizz Lowe and it's a funky, R&B blue party. Opening with Honey Tree, Mizz Lowe on lead vocal is joined by Bobby Rush on vocal, guitar and harmonica, Brother Paul Brown on Hammond, bass and drums and Paul Black on slide. Slinky, Easy Baby, has a soft approach with Lowe on vocal, Brown on bass, guitar and drums and Black wailing on slide. Very cool. Drink Drink is a cool shuffle with Lowe on vocal and Dexter Allen on guitar and bass. 4 Leaf Clover is the radio ballad for the track showcasing Lowe's vocals backed by Rush on harmonica and Brown on bass, drums and Fender Rhodes. This is a cool track with a solid melody. Wrapping the release is Christmas Tears, a nice seasonal track with warm vocals, bass, drums, Rhodes and percussion by Brown and Rush on harp. A solid closer.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Tommy Lee Cook - Tommy Lee's Jonesin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tommy Lee's Jonesin', by Tommy Lee Cook and it's a solid contemporary blues rocker. Opening with Birds and Bees, Tommy Lee Cook is up front on vocal and guitar. With Danny Shepherd, Rex Bongo and Scott Kamener on guitar, Harry Cassano on keys, Tbone Fonk and Andrei Koribanics on drums this track has plenty of attitude. Bluesy, Let It Rain is the most commercial track on the release with gritty vocals by Cook and nicely crafted guitar lead and including a strong piano rhythm by Bobby Capps and a nice sax solo by Rick Rourke. Swampy, Souleater is my favorite track on the release with a lumbering rhythm and just the right feel. I like the guitar soloing on this track with it's story telling sound and cool backing vocals. Another slower ballad, Satisfied, has a real nice melody and glistening slide guitar work by Justin Richey and Arne England. Another favorite is Working Musician with it's cool strut. Cook's vocals are solid and with England on slide, Capps on piano solid drumming by Fonk, this track just hits the spot. Wrapping the release is The Boys From Buckingham with Cook telling the story. With Capps on piano this is just good fun. Sure to be a crowd favorite and a solid closer.

Monday, February 5, 2024

MVDaudio artist: Bob Holz - Holz-Stathis: Collaborative - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Holz-Stathis: Collaborative from Bob Holz and it's packed with power. Opening with The Tunnel, drummer Bob Holz sets a tight riff joined by Ric Fierabracci with a funky bass line. Randy Brecker is full out on the refrain but when his gets his slot really lays in some nice chops. Dean Brown rips it up on guitar and Billy Steinway on keys give the track it's own glow. World Turned Upside Down has a cool wandering melody featuring John MacLaughlin on guitar, Jean Luc Ponty on violin, Ralphe Armstrong on bass, and James Moody on acoustic guitar. With it's jagged rhythm, Holz really holds it tight and McLaughlin's soloing is excellent and Ponty is always magical when with McLaughlin so this is a treat. Latin flavored, Palo Viejo, features some real nice flute lead and solid sax work from Brandon Fields. With Fierabracci on bass, Alex Acuna on percussion, and Holz really kicking it on drums, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Holz and Darryl Jones create a bottom that really kicks on You Can Get It and Brecker's sensitivity on trumpet really shines. David Goldberg and Ada Rovatti on sax are flat out. Hot track for sure. The angular attack of Jamie Glaser on guitar complimented by Holz tight work on drums gives Flight of Fancy real fuel. Armstrong on bass really forms up a strong bass solo and the addition of Karen Briggs on violin works perfectly. Very cool track. Wrapping the release is Lookin' Back over some deep funk by Benjamin Shepherd on bass and Steinway on keys. Brecker, Rovatti and Goldberg pair up nicely on melody and Holz really holds on tight for some rich sax and trumpet soloing and support guitar soloing by Brown. Excellent closer.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Scott Weis Band - Raise Your Hands - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Raise Your Hands, by Scott Weis Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Motherless Child, Scott Weis on slide guitar and lead vocal really gets a great groove going. With a heavy kick drum and snare Roger Voss reinforces the beat and Robert Kopec on bass is joined by Cindy Mizelle on vocal creating a really strong opener. Blues rocker, Judgement Day, opens with a cool rimshot riff and Weiss powers a Gibbons style guitar riff giving this track plenty of fuel. Weis lays in a really nice solo over a rowdy bass line by Kopec and Voss powers up the drums. Very cool. A strong cover of Cocker's arrangement of With A Little Help From My Friends really is a nice surprise. Weis' vocals are strong, with backing by Sarah Smith, John Ginty adds real tension on keys and his Weis' guitar solo phrasing works nicely. Funky rocker, Bitch Please, has just a touch of Jagger in styling with it's rumbling bass and steady drum line. Weis gives the track a turn on the refrain and his guitar pushes outside the brackets just a little giving the track a bit more grit. Wrapping the release is Bring Me Home featuring Weis on banjo, Kopec on bass and Voss on kick drum. With an acoustic, country blues feel Weis carries the melody for a very solid closer to a really cool release.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's another super release from Corritore. Opening with This Little Voice, Corritore, conjures so great harp tone on the intro with Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar and John Primer on vocal and guitar, backed by Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums. Solid opener. Bobby Rush has the mic on I'm Good As Gone, a slinky R&B style blues with Smith and Dexter Allen on guitar, Chester Thompson on organ, and Steve Ferrone on drums. Very nice. Thornetta Davis is in charge on Remember Me and I gotta say, she's exceptional. I caught Davis when I went to see guitar master, Johnny Burgin and she really did a great job. Davis is joined here by Smith, Burgin, Keyes, Corritore, Stroger and Wes Starr. Very nice. Lurrie Bell leads off, Act Like You Love Me on vocal and guitar. A slow Chicago style blues with solid harp work by Corritore, is joined by Brian Fahey on drums, Troy Sandow on bass, and Bob Margolin on slide. Very nice. Francine Reed's unmistakable voice leads Draw Me Closer with it's gospel like feel. Her influence is strong, backed by Smith and Kid Ramos on guitar, Shea Marshall on organ, Bill Stuve on on bass, and Stephen Hodges on drums. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Let Me Find Out Your Name with Willie Buck on lead vocal, Billy Flynn on guitar, and some deep harmonica tones by Corritore, joined by Starr on drums, Stroger on bass, and Ben Levin on piano. This is a strong release chocked full of talent and soulful blues.

Monday, January 29, 2024

VizzTone Label Group artist: Chickenbone Slim - Damn Good And Ready - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Damn Good And Ready, from Chickenbone Slim and it's a cocky, blues rocker. Opening with High Ballin' Train, a southern style rocker with plenty of swagger, Chickenbone Slim on guitar and vocal leads the way and Laura Chavez really lets it fly on guitar. With Marty Dodson on drums, Justice Guevara on bass and Kid Andersen on everything else, this is a powerful opener. Low slung, Drink Me has a great lope and Slim's vocals are spot on. Stylistic guitar soloing by Chavez gives the track a nice boot and a heavy bottom by Guevara really is solid. Chavez lays down some searing riffs on Damn Good and Ready with just the right amount of funk from Guevara and Dodson. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Ice In My Whiskey, with it's heavy bottom and guitar reinforced melody. Stinging guitar work by Chavez reverberates over a bass and drum vamp as the band collects for it's refrain. Another track that really catches my attention is Ty Cobb's Chiclets with dramatic vocals and nicely phrased and saturated guitar work backed by Lisa Andersen on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is shuffle, I Don't Want To Talk About It with a terrific guitar stroll intro. Guevara's bass line will have you stomping in your seat and Chavez's double stopped laden guitar soloing will have your head bopping. Excellent closer for a strong release.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Willie J. Campbell - Be Cool - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Be Cool, from Willie J. Campbell and it's really strong. Opening with You Better Let Go, Sugar Ray Rayford is upfront on lead vocal, with Willie J. Campbell on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Kid Ramos on guitar and Jimi Bott on drums. Ramos lays out a really nice guitar solo on this somewhat funky track, nicely complimented by Condron Hampton on congas. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Stay Away, featuring Janiva Magness on lead vocal and Brian Templeton on backing vocal, as well as Anson Funderburgh showing exceptional finesse on guitar. Also appearing on this track are Mike Morgan and Shawn Pittman on guitars. Excellent! Templeton has the mic on Drone with it's droning bass line and features the harmonica wizardry of Jason Ricci. There's hardly a track that Ricci contributes to that I don't think that he improves substantially so this is another of my favorites. another Texas style shuffle, Docksidin', lets Funderburgh stretch a bit on guitar and the guy can really play. Milgate on keys as well as Pittman and Morgan on guitars really add as well. Very cool. Shawn Pittman has the spotlight on Devil On My Shoulder with super lead vocals and acoustic guitar and excellent slide work by Morgan. Milgate's piano work on She's a Twister is a standout with Templeton on lead vocals and a flurry of guitar by Ramos. Very nice. The release concludes with two equally iridescent tracks. First up, Use As Needed featuring Templeton on lead vocal and Peter Green's instrumental, Albatross, both which showcase the beautiful guitar work of Ramos and include the piano of Pat McDougall. This really is a terrific release, top to bottom and I highly recommend this release of Willie J. Campbell's work (on bass on each track). Campbell died of ALS on December 19, 2022.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Joel Astley - Seattle To Greaseland - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Seattle To Greaseland, from Joel Astley, and it's smoking! Opening with R&B flavored, Born Cryin' features strong vocals by Joel Astley, over a firm bass line by Randy Bermudes, and June Core. Astley plays a mean harmonica as well, backed by Kid Andersen on keys and outrageous guitar work by Johnny Burgin. Strong opener. Jump track, Candy Shop really is peppy with Astley on lead vocal and hot keys solos by Andersen, guitar by Burgin and harmonica by Astley. Secondhand Kid is another track that allows Burgin to shine with his Texas style blues riffs over a great bass line by Bermudes. Astley really knows how to work the rhythm and his harmonica riffs cross over nicely between rock and blues. Very cool. Swinging, Takin' It With Me, really has a cool feel with a great melody and really nice harmonica work by Astley. Burgin really cuts loose on guitar never disappointing and Core gets the opportunity to rap the skins as well. Very nice. Down To The Rims is a great rocker with a strong melody a moving bass line and well phrased vocals. Kid's keyboard work is tight, Burgin lays in some hot guitar riffs and Andersen, Jill Dineen and Marina Crouse add solid backing vocals. Wrapping the release is No Brighter Gold, a two stepper along the lines of Will The Circle Be Unbroken. With it's simple instrumental backing, backing by Andersen, Crouse and Dineen and a dash of harmonica, this is a sloid closer for a really strong release.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Out Of The Past Music: Steve Howell - Gallery of Echoes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gallery of Echoes, from Steve Howell and it's a traditional look at traditional blues. Opening with Blind Lemon Jefferson's Stocking Feet Blues, with Howell on vocal and guitar. Howell's vocal style is ideal for this music and his picking style, steady and clean. On Blind Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues, only true blues aficionados are likely to have heard this highly popularized track, stripped down to this acoustic version. Very nice. All My Friends Are Gone is a somber track and a strong addition to this release. Howell's vocals are sincere and his playing sensitive. Gary Davis', Sit Down On The Banks Of The River is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a great vocal delivery and fluid guitar work. Wrapping the release is Dallas Rag, a cool little guitar ditty giving Howell a cool closer for a solid acoustic blues release.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Robert "Top" Thomas - A Thin Dime - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Thin Dime, from Robert "Top" Thomas and it's a solid, contemporary "country blues" style release. Opening with BL Jefferson's One Thin Dime, Robert "Top" Thomas accompanies his vocal on guitar. With perfect timing and tight picking pattern, this is a strong opener. On the Ballad of John Henry, Top pulls out his steel body resonator and adds accomplished slide work to his picking style on this lively number. On St Louis Jimmy Oden's Goin' Down Slow, Top captures the earth beneath this track with excellent vocals and a tidy guitar style. Top's take on Baby Please Don't Go is a cool, up tempo rag with a great balance between his vocal and guitar picking. Very nice. Rev. Gary Davis' I Am The True Vine is full of energy with traditional Davis picking style and powerful vocals. Excellent! Wrapping the release is another Gary Davis tune, Oh Glory, How Happy I Am with enthusiastic vocals over a subdued guitar accompaniment. This is a cool contemporary, country blues (traditional) release.

Monday, January 22, 2024

Mario Rossi Band - Smoke Burst - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Smoke Burst, from Mario Rossi Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Smoke Burst, Mario Rossi on lead vocal and guitar really gets it going. His fat guitar tone really sets the theme and with Richard Fermino on trumpet, sax and trombone, Ede Boy on keys, Marcelo Rocha on bass and stiff drum work by Rafael Cacavallo, this track is a great opener. Slow blues, It Means Blues, features Lu Vitti on lead vocal giving the track real grit. Rossi's guitar phrasing is strong and Boy's key solo really make this my favorite track on the release. Jammin' For Jimi is a cool rocker with Rossi laying down some real nice blues guitar riffs over a tight bottom by Rocha and Cacavallo. Wrapping the release is another bluesy track, Cold Lonely Nights, with Rossi on lead vocal and showcasing his cutting blues riffs. With a solid solo by Boy on organ and Fermino adding full trumpet, sax and trombone work, this is a strong closer.

Friday, January 19, 2024

Tall and Mean Records artist: The Hurricane Party - Cat 2 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cat 2, from The Hurricane Party and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Hurricane Party, these guys aren't messing around. With Rocky Pleasants on lead vocal, Kelli Strawbridge on drums and keys, and Noah Boyle on bass we got ourselves a terrific funky groove. Backing vocal by Jenny Vazquez, and Matt Walton round out the band for a really memorable opener. Vazquez shares the mic with Pleasants on Hey! That's My Jam with a cool walking bass line by Boyle and plenty of boogie. Traditional styling is the deal on Small Waist with it's shuffle feel. Pleasants on lead vocal and a pumping bass line by Boyle sets up a real nice guitar solo by Walton. Vazquez really amps it up vocally on Truth'll Set You Free, a cool, funky track with a contagious bass line by Boyle and tight drum work by Strawbridge. Walton steps up with a nice gripper of a guitar solo that plays nicely into the track. Bluesy ballad, You Gave Up On Us really is a nice showcase for Vazquez and shows nice vocal blending by Pleasants. Wrapping the release is funky, The Fireplace, featuring Pleasants on lead vocal and a cool keyboard mix creating quite a bit of texture. Cool closer for a solid release.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Guy Belanger - Voyages & Other Stories - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Voyages & Other Stories, by Guy Belanger and it's a solid release with contemporary blues style. Opening with Bayou's Ride, Rob MacDonald on slide, Claude Fradette on guitar, Bruce Cameron on piano, Marc-Andre Drouin on bass and Michael Dufour on drums giving Belanger a solid base for his crafty harmonica adornment. Nice opener. On slow blues, Do I Move You, Sylvie Desgroseillers on lead vocal and perfect guitar response over a great bass drone by Drouin really creating a perfect showcase for Belanger on harmonica. Certainly one of my favorites on the release. Jump track, Duck Soup really has a grate feel with harmonica/guitar duet on the intro and super breakouts by Belanger and MacDonald. Excellent! With a modern shuffle feel, King Bee, features Belanger on vocal and harmonica over some real tasty dobro work by MacDonald and bass by Alec McElcheran. Wrapping the release is Au Bout Du Chemin, a strong ballad with harmonic vocals by Nanette Workman and strong harmonica work over the melody by Fradette, Drouin, Dufour and MacDonald. Solid closer.