Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, WE3 Live from the Dennis Jones Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with funky blues track, Blue Over You , Dennis Jones on lead vocal and guitar is backed by Sam Correa on bass and Raymond Johnson on drums. Tight and funky with some really tasty bass work and Jones' slashing guitar style, this is a solid opener. Hot stepper, Hot Sauce , has a really snappy drum line with a driving bass line giving Jones the opportunity to play some country styled blues riffs. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Don't Worry About Me with an aggressive bass line and flowing blues guitar soloing by Jones giving the track real bite. Boogie track, Super Deluxe has a real nice flow with components of Texas blues and jazz mixed equally giving it a foot stomping, guitar gripping edge. Very nice. Funky blues rocker, Enjoy The Ride , has a great bottom giving Jones a great platform for his assertive rhythm playing an...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lucky Star , from Brooks Williams and it's got a bright, bluesy folk feel. Opening with Bright Side of the Blues, a poppy track with Williams on vocal and acoustic guitar, backed by Phil Richardson on piano, Kevin McGuire on bass, Stuart Brown on drums and Rab Noakes on smooth backing vocals, Williams shows his strong capabilities as a singer songwriter. Something You Got is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's easy feel and melodic guitar soloing by Williams. With it's Caribbean styling, Mama's Song has a great rhythm. With it's country blues form, Gambling Man has nicely blended vocals and cool finger picking. Ballad, Whatever It Takes has a strong melody with only the necessary backing from McGuire on bass, Brown on drums, and Rachael Lightbody on backing vocals. Very nice. A second inclusion of Rock Me , this time with only Williams on guitar and vocal and Hans Theessink on mandol...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Mudstomp Tapes , by Stone Stanley and it's quite good. Opening with Bitter End , th is setup, Jason Trombley on vocal, drums and guitar, Scott Longnecker on bass, Dan Stevens on percussion, Jim McComas and Ralph Gilbert on guitar has a raw, rugged and soulful sound that just grabs you. Trombley's vocals are gripping and Gilbert's guitar is in your face like a stiff slap. Very cool. Another rocky raw blues number, So Glad uses the same formula but it just doesn't get tired. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Beast Inside , has a country ballad format, soulful slide soloing and solid country licks. Cobble Hill is stepped up in tempo but the fat slide work is ever present and vocals are crisp. Another standout track is Unfaithful Woman with a really nice melody and clean electric guitar soloing along the lines of Peter Green, Mark Knopler or David Gilmore. Very nice. Warren Haynes...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Honey Up , by Vanessa Collier and I really like it. Opening with funky, New Orleans soaked, Sweating Like A Pig is a great track with  sassy vocal lines and great sax swing. Collier is really getting it going now. With Nick Stevens  on drums, Nick Trautmann on bass, William Gorman on keys, Laura Chavez on guitars, Quinn Carson on trombone and Doug Woolverton on trumpet, this track is a opener that's hard to beat! Title track Honey Up has a deep funky groove and Trautmann really sets the pace. Collier is booked as a sax player but her vocal style and efforts are top notch giving this track a certain spank. This track has an incredible groove led by Trautmann and Stevens and with this horn section you better step back... it's about to blow. Hot! Percolatin' has an infectious feel and Collier really sails on it showing her excellent feel for the music, shored up by Gorman on organ. Super. The Fault Line giv...

Every Soul’s a Star on New Dave Keller CD, Due from Catfood Records on October 19 Label Debut CD Produced by Grammy-Winner Jim Gaines EL PASO, TX – Catfood Records announces the October 19 release of Every Soul’s a Star, the label debut from acclaimed soul/blues singer and guitarist Dave Keller. Produced by Grammy-winner Jim Gaines (Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Luther Allison) and recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, Every Soul’s a Star showcases 10 original songs, plus a scintillating cover of the Aretha Franklin classic, “Baby, I Love You.” Keller’s soulful vocals are beautifully supported by The Rays, which includes not only legendary Motown guitarist Johnny McGee, but also Bob Trenchard – bass; Dan Ferguson - Hammond B3, Wurlitzer, keyboards; Richy Puga – drums; Mike Middleton – trumpet; Nick Flood - tenor and baritone sax, plus the heavenly voices of Janelle Thompson and Shakara Weston - background vocals; and Christopher Serrano – percussion....

Connor Ray Music Set to Release New CD from Houston-Based Duo, Dry Johnson, Long Live Them Blues Vol. 1 , On October 5 HOUSTON, TX – Connor Ray Music announces an October 5 release date for the debut CD from Houston-based duo, Dry Johnson, Long Live Them Blues, Vol. 1 .    Dry Johnson is comprised of bassist Terry Dry and drummer Matthew Robert Johnson, who collectively have formed the powerhouse rhythm section backing award-winning Texas guitarslinger Mike Zito for almost two years. Zito returns the favor on Long Live Them Blues, Vol. 1 by playing guitar and singing on several tracks of the new disc. Zito also joins another Houston favorite, Annika Chambers, for a soul-searing vocal duet on the lead-off song, “Daddy’s Got a Cadillac.” Other special guests on the Dry Johnson debut include legendary singer (and Connor Ray labelmate) Trudy Lynn, guitarists John Del Toro Richardson, Mighty Orq and James Wilhite, harmonica ace Steve Krase...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pacing the Floor by Blue & Lonesome duo (Li'l Ronnie & Gordon Harrower) and it's solid. Opening with Honeyboy Edwards' Drop Down Mama , Ronnie Owens on vocal, foot drum and harp and Gordon Harrower on vocal and guitar digging deep in fertile delta roots. Wine Headed Woman is a rumbling boogie with a driving guitar rhythm and strong harp chants. Very nice. On Muddy Waters' Mean Red Spider , Harrower's vocals are inspired and his guitar work spot on providing perfect balance for Owen's harp riffs. Original track, Too Fast For Conditions is a cool blues rocker with rich slide work by Harrower on resonator guitar and featuring Owens on harp. Super nice. Another original and title track, Pacing the Floor is a traditional boogie, stripped down with a solid guitar line and vocal by Harrower and harp soloing by Owens. This band really does create the magic of  Sonny and Brownie, Cephas and Wi...

Blues Legend Junior Wells “Box of Blues” 6CD Set To Be Released By Cleopatra Blues Includes vintage studio recordings from 1953 to 1979 of Wells' best loved tracks PLUS never before released live material from 1983 to 1997! Los Angeles -  Cleopatra Blues is releasing a gorgeous 6CD box set celebrating a true blues legend, the “Sexy Bitch” himself, Junior Wells! The release includes vintage studio recordings from 1953 to 1979 of Wells' best loved tracks such as “Messin' With The Kid,” “She's A Sweet One,” “Little By Little” and more PLUS never before released live material from 1983 to 1997! Packaged in a custom made, genuine wood cigar box with 48-page booklet of extensive liner notes by music journalist Dave Thompson and rare photos plus a mini harmonica that really works! Track List: DISC 1: Stylin' & Profilin' 1. Lovey Dovey Lovey One 2. Little By Little 3. Come On In This House 4. Messin’ With The ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Get Your Groove! , from Bruce Katz Band and it's strong. Opening with the traditional Hesitation Blues , Katz attacks it in anything but a traditional way. With a heavy swing, Chris Vitarello leads the way on lead vocal and guitar, with the powerful strokes of Bruce Katz on B3 and bass and the tight rhythm of Ray Hangen on drums. Vitarello lays out some real clean blues fused guitar lines that really give this track some spank and Katz's own B3 soloing is impeccable. Freight Train is a cool Allman influenced, nearly 10 minute jam track with plenty of stretch time for Vitarello and Katz with an interlude from Elizabeth Reed and the power drumming of Jaimoe.  Funky, Shine Together (Tribe of Lights) , has great feel and features really nice drum soloing by Jaimoe and a cohesive, combined solo effort by Katz and Vitarello. Very nice. Somber blues ballad, River Blues is one of my personal favorites on the release w...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Not Made For Hire , by The Bennett Brothers and I really like it. Opening with driving rocker, Junkyard Dog , with it's stone free rhythm, Jimmy and Peter Bennett storm in on guitar and bass respectively and lead vocals, backed by Lee Falco on drums and John Ginty on B3 and piano. Jimmy's guitar work is fluid and wailing and the bottom is tight and strong. Hold On Tight has more of a country two step feel with real nice slide work, and a perfect off beat cymbal stroke. Very nice. Bluesy, I Just Don't Want The Blues Today has a 60's San Francisco feel with rich tension and Linda Pino on backing vocal. Instrumental shuffle, Blues #9 has a nice swagger as Jimmy stretches out on guitar and Ginty lays down trademark riffs of his own. Very cool. Boogie track, Rocking Chair has a great walking bass line setting up a clear lane for Jimmy to open it up wide on slide. On How Long , the band does a pretty sweet...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (September 28, 2018), Bad Mouthin' , from legendary songwriter and performer, Tony Joe White and its very cool. Opening with title track, Bad Mouthin' , with it's Jimmy Reed feel, White has his classic vocal style on a stripped down format of guitar, drums and harp. Joe William's Baby Please Don't Go is up next and White shows how natural a fit he is for raw blues with his basic guitar, harp and foot pat behind his able vocals. Very nice. John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom has a bit more depth with electric bass and guitar. White does a real nice cover of this track with raw energy and gritty harp and grinding electric guitar gives it a nice edge. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Rich Woman's Blues with it's down low pace, execution and vocals. Super. Awful Dreams has a strong Hooker feel as well not in structure but in execution with tight little guitar runs and firm vocals. Very...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Run To Me, by Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar and it's got a cool R&B vibe. Opening with You're The Love , an edgy R&B ballad with a solid radio hook, strong vocals by Martin, Sherie Marshall and Mwansa Mwansa and really cool guitar work by Curtis Chaffey and Michael McCallum and tight backing by Steve Marriner on keys, Darcy Yates on bass and Dani Nash on drums. Cool opener. Another track with solid vocal and a strong hook is Will We Ever Learn with glass clean guitar rhythm and cool organ by Marriner. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Wanna Be Your Lover with just the right amount of lag in Martin's vocal delivery. Melodies are all strong on this release and this track is no exception, cushioned by guitar reverb and smooth vocal backing. Horn soaked, Over You , has really nice construction with soul and gospel feel with rich backing vocals and Shamus Currie on Trombone, Andrew Moljgun...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 25, 2018), Someday Baby , by Billy Hector and it's really good. Opening with funky blues fused Wizard of Babylon , Billy Hector on vocal and guitar really has it going. With van Romaine on drums, Wilbo Wright on bass, David Nunez on keys and Steve Jankowski on horns this is a great spunk funky opener. Title track, Someday Baby continues the funky blues groove and Hector's grinding guitar riffs give his music it's unique personality. Wondering already if you'll like this... you like Albert King...you like Johnny Guitar... you like Frank Marino.... you'll love this. OK, now we're kicking out all the stops with a new Orleans style over the top funky blues, Butt Naked and Funk . If there was ever a party track that gets you up off your old ass...this is it! Using a talk box, and terrific horn punctuation by Jankowski, Tom LaBella on sax and John Martin on bari, and backed by Rich Monica on dr...

Award-Winning Keyboardist Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Is Inspired by the Blues on New CD Coming September 28 from Stony Plain Records Special Guests Include Harp Master Billy Branch, Guitar Legend Duke Robillard and Long-Time B.B. King Bass Player Russell Jackson EDMONTON, AB – Acclaimed award-winning keyboardist Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne will release his new CD, Inspired by the Blues , September 28 on Stony Plain Records. The new disc was recorded at Dan/Lyn Studio in Edmonton, Alberta, and produced by the “Blues Boss,” himself. Inspired by the Blues features 11 original songs, plus a live bonus track of Kenny performing “Georgia on My Mind” that was recorded in Mexico. Watch an exciting behind-the-scenes video about the making of Inspired by the Blues here: https://youtu.be/IV4flyr-99E Stream the first single, “Start Rockin,’” off the new album here: https://soundcloud.com/stony-plain-records/kenny-blues-boss-wayne-start-rockin/s-3yRrT ...

Ottawa’s JW-Jones Releases First Live Album on September 28, 2018 Canadian and USA tour dates announced New Video:  JW-Jones - LIVE (Official Promo Video) here The improv magic you hear on JW-Jones’ 10th album, Live, is the spark that has awakened new sonic frontiers for the veteran Maple Blues Award-winning Ottawa bluesman.  “I cranked up my overdrive in concert one night for fun, and it opened up this new world of ideas for me,” admits the JUNO-nominated Jones, whose searing axemanship has been praised by Blues Revue Magazine as “a fluid amalgam of T-Bone Walker’s big, bright chords; Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s slashing leads and Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown’s jazzy sting.”  “I felt a new sense of freedom.” That sense of freedom resonates through Live, an exciting collection of 11 previously-unreleased songs lovingly recorded over two nights at a sold-out Gatine...