Bman's Blues Report

  NEW DAMON FOWLER VIDEO - "TROUBLE" Stripped-down Performance At Relix's NYC Office Last winter when Damon Fowler and his band stopped by the New York City office of roots music magazine Relix for an interview, they also regaled the publication's staff with an acoustic performance of "Trouble," a track from their lastest Blind Pig release entitled Sounds of Home .  Damon co-wrote the original composition with album producer Tab Benoit and Ed Wright.   Relix just released the video, posting in on their website and featuring it in their weekly newsletter.  Accompanied by Chuck Riley on bass and James "Country" McKnight on percussion, Damon movingly demonstrates the musical qualities the magazine praised in its album review: " On Sounds of Home , he showcases his tasty lead work and subtle, soulful singing."  To watch the video, please click HERE . For more info on the CD, please click HERE .

        FOLKISH FESTIVAL PRESENTS...A SPECIAL ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE BY JEFFREY HALFORD & THE HEALERS At The Marin Country Mart - Sunday, June 8, 12:30-2:30 p.m.         (LARKSPUR, CA) - Acclaimed roots-rock/Americana artist Jeffrey Halford & The Healers perform a special acoustic show (with special guests) at the Folkish Festival Kickoff, taking place at the Marin County Mart , Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, Sunday, June 8 . 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Free. Info: www.marincountrymart.com/ . The Folkish Festival in the past has included such notable musicians as Ramblin' Jack Elliot (who performed there last year).    Jeffrey Halford and the Healers have just released their long-awaited new album Rainmaker (Shoeless Records). "This album is greasy organic with tube amplifier screaming under a low hum shag carpet, with the walls shakin' behind the words ...

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), Livin' It Up , from Andy T - Nick Nixon Band and it really hits the spot. Opening with Baby Right Now , a cool 12 bar number highlights Nick Nixon on vocals and Andy T with some sweet guitar riffs. On Best In Town , a Jimmy Reed like tune, Christian Dozzler steps in with a cool harp solo and Larry Van Loon provides solid piano work in support of Nick and Andy. Delbert McClinton's Livin' It Down , a light Latin twist give this track just the right amount of spice. Bassist Sam Persons adds rhythm guitar on this track and Ron Jones beefs things up a bit on sax. Jim Klinger keep a tight rhythm on drums and Nixon really does a nice job on the vocals on this track. T - Bone Walker's, My Baby Is Now On My Mind , gives Andy a really nice format to play some tasty T-Bone inspired riffs. Dossler takes the piano role on this track pushing Andy just enough to get him swinging. Very nice! Good Man is a deep Texas blues and Andy...

MASCOT LABEL GROUP AND IRIDIUM ANNOUNCE EVENING IN CELEBRATION OF WALTER TROUT ON JUNE 10TH Documentary The Blues Came Callin' - The Walter Trout Story Will Be Premiered Followed by Performances from Special Guests Joe Louis Walker, Jon Paris and Jim Weider Joining House Band Assembled By Elmore's Arnie Goodman Featuring Rocky Athas, Scott Holt, and Jeff Simon TROUT UNDERGOES SURGERY FOR LIVER TRANSPLANT MAY 26 New York --- Legendary New York venue Iridium in association with Mascot Label Group have announced a special evening planned to celebrate Walter Trout on June 10.  Trout's THE BLUES CAME CALLIN ' will be released that morning by Provogue / Mascot Label Group.  The accompanying documentary The Blues Came Callin' - THE WALTER TROUT STORY will be premiered at the venue, followed by performances of Trout repertoire by esteemed, special guests Joe Louis Walker, Jon Paris and Jim Weider joining a house band assembled by ...

LIVE AT EXIT/IN - OUT NOW Today is the day. Live at Exit/In , our new album recorded over two sold-out nights at Nashville's historic Exit/In is now available! Buy it on iTunes , stream it on Spotify , or grab a physical CD at a show or on the online store . Enjoy it and spread the good word! Much love - The Delta Saints

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), See The Sky About To Rain , from Colleen Rennison . Opening with Robbie Robertson's All La Glory , Rennison comes straight at you with a crystal clear voice backed by a great horn section, Jim Hoke (sax), Steve Herrman (trumpet) and Bill Huber trombone). Super guitar man Steve Dawson rips a cool guitar solo on this track adding a pinch of hot sauce. Townes Van Zandt's White Freightliner is up next with a real bluegrass feel. Rennison's voice is perfect for this type of travel and Dawson on resonator is joined by Tim O'Brien who really knows how to punch it up with fiddle and banjo. Whiskey, Whiskey has a classic 50's country ballad style and shows a richness in Dennison's vocal styling and execution. Daswon lays down some clean slide work and Darryl Havers adds some key organ work. Geoff Hicks (drums) and Jeremy Holmes (bass) play it straight and Sarah Dugas does a nice job on backing vocals. Oleander has ...

I just received the newest release, Poisons Sipped , from David Michael Miller and it's terrific! Opening with Hand Me Downs , a slide guitar boogie with great vocals, Miller cuts a swath that will be hard to follow. With a romping pace and a gritty feel, this track has screaming lap steel slide work by Darick Campbell and backing vocals by Serena Young and Jasmine Neeley as well as driving bass by Daric Bennett and drums by Carlton Campbell. Great start. Edge Of The End Of The World is a pop track with a real nice feel. Miller really does have a cool voice and backing by Young and Neeley add substantially. Jim Ehinger lays out some nice key strokes on this track and Barry Arbogast contributes a cool sax attack. Memphis Belle is a deep track with a real grip. Miller has a great feel for blues vocals and phrasing like you rarely hear in contemporary blues bands. Chuck Campbell really adds nicely with crying pedal steel riffs and Young, Neeley and Ashley Brown are perfectly pla...

RAFFLE ENDS SATURDAY MAY 24, 2014   Our raffle for an Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass ends this weekend.  Get your tickets now . . . tickets will be available online until 5PM Saturday May 24, 2014.  The drawing will be held on the Fur Peace Station stage before David Lindley begins his second set. Epiphone Guitars , the Athens Area Citizens for the Arts and Fur Peace Ranch are teaming up to raffle off one of the finest instruments to ever feature a "superb balanced electric tone and the response of an acoustic bass" - Epiphone's Jack Casady Signature Bass Guitar , signed by Jack .   Jack with bass at signing event in Psylodelic Gallery The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee worked closely with Epiphone's luthiers, designing an instrument that could fulfill his dream. The hollow, maple body fea...

HORNBUCKLE, "DENVER'S FIRST FAMILY OF THE BLUES" RETURNS HOME FOR 2-MONTH 'VIRTUE & VICE' TOUR    (DENVER, CO) - Hornbuckle , "Denver's First Family of the Blues" recently celebrating 20 years together as a band, have come home. The brothers - guitarist/vocalist Michael Hornbuckle and brother, bassist/vocalist Brian Hornbuckle - kick off a two-month 'Virtue & Vice' tour of their home state with a show on Friday, May 23 at Dickens Opera House in Longmont (complete itinerary below). Virtue & Vice is the title of their recently-released album to critic's acclaim. "Hornbuckle's sound is fresh and interesting...on Virtue & Vice these guys have managed to find a way to give the blues a mainstream, pop-driven sound, while at the same time staying true to their bluesy roots. The songs themselves are nothing short of excellent."                 ...

NEWS FROM THE VIZZTONE LABEL GROUP   Final Days of the Catalog-Wide Sale in the VizzTone Room on iTunes!   Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the fabulous VizzTone Room on iTunes! ®   It's the easiest way ever to hear and purchase ALL our releases, now more than 50 titles – Through the end of May , we are having a catalog-wide sale , with every VizzTone album available as a digital download for only $7.99   Click here to enter the VizzTone Room!   TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT • DEBBIE DAVIES • CANDYE KANE FEAT. LAURA CHAVEZ • MIKEY JUNIOR • CATHY LEMONS • LITTLE G WEEVIL • GINA SICILIA • PHANTOM BLUES BAND • RUFF KUTT BLUES BAND • DAVE GROSS • AUSTIN YOUNG • SUPER CHIKAN • ANN RABSON • BOB MARGOLIN • JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND • DAVE RILEY & BOB CORRITORE • LONG TALL DEB • MITCH WOODS • PINETOP PERKINS • CHRIS O'LEARY BAND • MATT HILL • EG KIGHT • FIONA BOYES • BOYES, BRILL & DEL GROSSO • B...

I just received the newest release, Under The Big Black Sun from X . Of course if you're a fan of punk or alt. rock music you know that this excellent release came out originally in 1982. Bassist and vocalist John Doe and co conspirator Exene Cervenka led the way in the LA punk scene with guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer DJ Bonebreak. Opening with the Hungry Wolf , X establishes it trademark sound. Duet vocals, grinding rhythm guitar and firm drums. Motel Room In My Bed follows with Exene taking the lions share of the vocals and you can really see where even bands such as The Donna's got their influence. Riding With Mary is a solid rock track with confident drumming and solid guitar riffs. Come Back To Me is a mellow bluesy ballad with smooth vocals from Exene and sax work by Zoom. Title track, Under The Big Black Sun , is a really top notch pop rocker with edge. Because I Do cuts loose at warp speed, but keeping it simple is where it's at. Doe and Exene trade off on...

I just received the newest release, The Beautiful Bones , from Kelley Hunt and it's surprisingly good! Opening with a high stepping This Time , singer / song writer Hunt shows a little Billy Preston flair on piano under her solid vocals. Backed by Brian Owings (drums), Tim Marks (bass), John Jackson (guitar), Mark Jordan (B3), Mitch Kelley (sax) and Jon-Paul Frappier (trumpet) this band gets it moving. Golden Hour has a strong gospel feel with cool backing vocals by Regina McCrary, Alfreda McCrary, and Ann McCrary. Kelly is really a super vocalist and supports herself well with percussive piano work. Jackson lays down some cool guitar riffs on this track as well. Let It Rain is a solid R&B style ballad without a lot of star search pyrotechnics. Actually quite nice. Release And Be Free is soul personified with a hot taste of gospel. This is someone who has tasted the waters of Aretha Franklin. Now that is a strong statement but first I'll clarify that I did not say t...