Bman's Blues Report

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Virginia and The Slims - Busman's Holiday - New Release Review

By Bman - January 03, 2022

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Busman's Holiday , from Virginia and The Slims and it's a collection of contemporary blues and jazz pop tracks. Opening with easy shuffle, Let It Go , Joanna Best leads the way on lead vocals with James Kamp on sax, John Davis on bass, John Barrett on drums and with some slick guitar riffs from Howie Neal. Traditional blues shuffle, Sugar Baby , again lead by Best, has a really really cool lead guitar / rim shot exchange between Neal and Barrett giving this track a solid excursion. My favorite track on the release is Latin flavored, The Way I Walk with a terrific rhythm by Barrett and shimmery guitar chords and clean lead by Neal and some of Best's showcased vocals on the release and a solid sax solo by Kamp. Wrapping the release is Shine , another Latin flavored tracks with Hank Bones joining Best on vocal. This is a full release of pop intense tunes with a commercial flavor. If you support live ...

Jon Spear Band - B-Side Of My Life - New Release Review

By Bman - December 30, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, B-Side Of My Life , by Jon Spear Band and it's a solid rocker with pop tunes and Blues roots. Opening with funky, Big Talk with it's juicy bass line by Andy Burdetsky, the opener features Jon Spear on guitar, Dara James with beefy lead vocal and rhythm guitar and John Stubblefield on drums. Excellent! Title track, B-Side Of My Life is a cool rock n roller with Spear on lead vocal and guitar, James on harmonica and some really flashy piano work by Skip Haga. Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon is framed by a strong bass line by Burdetsky and tom toms by Stubblefield with really nice vocal and guitar lead by James. Very nice. Blues ballad, Darker Side features soulful vocal lead and guitar soloing by James, with a firm bass foundation making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is swing track, Time For The Blues , with shared lead vocal by Spear and James and a cool walking bass line by Burdet...

Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns - Self Titled - New Release Review

By Bman - December 29, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release by Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns and I really like it! Opening with Temperanceville with it's cool New Orleans march rhythm anchored by N. Jay Burr on tuba and Jim Casson on drums, Mike Branton on slide guitar and Wayne Deadder on guitars exchange leads on this making this a terrific opener. Funky, Marshville Station , again has an incredible groove set by Casson and Russ Boswell on bass and with the addition of Brent Barkman on organ and Bernie LeBarge adding solid lead guitar lines over the top, this is a great track. Deadder Branton and Burr are back on The Right Road to Boyle has terrific, easy flowing slide over a solid New Orleans beat. White Pigeon gives Deadder a solid opening to lay down some real nice jazz style riffs and Branton's slide work, doubled with Burrs tuba sets a funk rocky Southern feel. Wrapping the release is The Dream of Chantler with eerie slide work by Branton balanced...

Pro Sho Bidness artist: Lowell Fulson Live! with Jeff Dale & The Blue Wave Band - New Release Review

By Bman - December 28, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lowell Fulson Live!, from Jeff Dale & The Blue Wave Band and it's really strong. This release comes about for Fulson's 100th birthday and is well worth waiting for. Opening with instrumental, Do You Feel It, the band is really kicking up the funk with Fulson, Lightnin' Dan Sonenfeld and Jeff Dale on guitars, Phil Munsey on drums, Pete Zilchak on alto sax, Steve Primo on tenor sax, Marshall Crayton on tenor sax and Ron Maldonado on bass. On Shuffle, You're Gonna Miss Me , Fulson is upfront on lead vocal and guitar. The recording quality really isn't bad for a live recording from 1983. On, Too Many Drivers , Fulson again has the lead vocal and guitar and Marshall Crayton, PeeWee Crayton's grandson lays in some vicious sax work. Slow blues, Blue Shadows has a really nice feel with solid vocals by Fulson. Funky, Stoop Down Baby has a great sound with solid bass work by Maldonado and sax soloing by...

Sunny Bleau - Breakfast Served Cold - New Release Review

By Bman - December 27, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breakfast Served Cold , by Sunny Bleau, and it's a solid set of pop and bluesy tracks. Opening with Let It Slide , deep voice singer, Sunny Bleau creates her own niche with a bright rhythm and a loose, 60's San Francisco kind of sound. Backed by Nicholas A Cocco on guitar and keys, Paul Kastick on drums and Alex Karasinski on bass...cool opener. Johnny Mercer's Autumn Leaves gets a real slinky rework for one of my favorite tracks on the release. Bleau grinds out the melody with a lot of soul and Cocco lays in a nicely phrased guitar solo over the Latin flavored rhythm by Karasinski and Kastick. Another cool rhythm permeates the space on Bedroom Rendezvous with Latin influenced percussion rhythm guitar. A top radio style track with it's hypnotic feel. Wrapping the release is ballad, I Should Be Sleeping , with a straightforward melody and understated sax punctuation. Cool release. If you supp...

Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson - Once In A Blue Moon - New Release Review

By Bman - December 23, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Once In A Blue Moon , by Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson , recorded live in John Kelly's Hideaway Cafe' in St Petersburg, Florida. Opening with C.C. Rider , Johnson is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, joined by Curtis "Kid" Royal, Pat Herlehy on sax, Paul Nadeau on keys, Otis Doncaster on harmonica, Mikey Maguire on bass and Magic Drumski on drums. This is a full intro with a more than 12 minute jam featuring nice solos from Herlehy, Nadeau and Doncaster and of course an excellent solo by Junior. On Muddy Water's Hoochie Coochie Man/I'm A Man, Johnson really works the classics with plenty of vocal soul and emotion. On shuffle, Thank You Sugar, Junior really works the track on vocals with soulful wailing sax by Herlehy, and a cool walking bass line by Maguire. Slow blues, Stealing Chickens , is one of my favorites on the release with plenty of space for soloing by Herlehy, Nadeau and exc...

WAMCO Music artist: Alexander McCabe - Body and Soul - New Release Review

By Bman - December 22, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Body and Soul , from Alexander McCabe and it's lively and spontaneous. Opening with Elena, Alexander McCabe forms the innovative melody on soprano sax in 3/4 time. Backed by the rhythmic piano work of Paul Odeh, a firm yet bouncy bass line by Ugonna Okegwo and snappy, light rhythm work by Craig Wuepper on drums this is a cool opener. Odeh takes the first off melody solo stretch and Okegwo a strong interlude of his own. Very nice. If I See Her is a solid ballad again led by the excellent sax lead of McCabe. His phrasing is creative and with firm piano punctuation by Odeh, this track opens itself nicely. Odeh is up next with nicely crafted lines of his own with light, drum accents by Wuepper, followed by a nicely formed solo by Okegwo on acoustic bass. Very nice. Title track, Johnny Green's Body and Soul really gives McCabe a grand opportunity to rip some really great lines on sax with Odeh, Okegwo and Wuepper ho...

Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall - The Sun Is Shining Down - New Release Review

By Bman - December 21, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Sun Is Shining Down , from one of the fathers of modern blues, John Mayall and it's quite good. Opening with Hungry and Ready , Mayall on harmonica and lead vocals, Melvin Taylor on lead guitar, Greg Rzab on bass, Jay Davenport on drums and Carolyn Wonderland on rhythm and with Ron Dziubla on sax, Mark Pender on trumpet, Richard Rosenberg on trombone providing a power horn sound. Dynamic opener. Markus King really hits hard on Can't Take No More with slashing guitar riffs over the tight rhythm by Davenport. With it's driving bass line by Rzab, Chills and Thrills , Mayall plays a nicely phrase piano solo and adds B3 warmth and Mike Campbell lays down a strong guitar lead. Very nice. Slower blues, A Quitter Never Wins showcases Mayall on lead vocal nicely, floating on his own key backing and intuitive harmonica punctuation. One of my favorites on the release is Driving Wheel again featuring Melvin Taylor o...

SteepleChase Lookout artist: David Janeway - Distant Voices - New Release Review

By Bman - December 20, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Distant Voices , from David Janeway and it's a real nice set of contemporary takes on classic jazz tracks as well as a number of new tunes by Janeway. Opening with Sweet And Lovely , Janeway who leads the way on piano sets Amheim classic tune with a light Latin beat. Cameron Brown on bass runs an interesting counter melody held tight by Billy Hart on drums. Ellington's Blue Serge gets laid back with really nice piano improvisation by Janeway and just the right balance of bass and drum support by Brown and Hart. Brown takes a real nice acoustic bass solo on this track, now punctuated by Janeway. Very nice. Gary Peacock's Gardenia is fertile soil for improvisation by Janeway and Brown with solid phrasing and execution on this classic. One For Cedar is an original by Janeway and has a strong melody, nicely showcased by this trio. I really like Hart's enthusiasm on this track in particular with tight riffs an...

Cleopatra Records: Animals Reimagined: A Tribute To Pink Floyd - New Release Review

By Bman - December 17, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Animals Reimagined: A Tribute To Pink Floyd and it's quite interesting. Opening with Pigs On The Wing, Part 1, Cutting Crew vocalist, Nick Crew is paired with Jethro Tull's Martin Barre for an ethereal acoustic intro that nicely wets the appetite. The first of three major compositions on the release, (17 minute) Dogs, features Rainbow's Graham Bonnet on lead vocal, UFO's Vinnie Moore on guitar, Utopia bassist Kasim Sulton, Dream Theater key player Jordan Rudess and King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto. This is a really cool idea of bringing together contemporary progressive players to reinterpret these masterpieces. We've got a different lineup for the 2nd of the major compositions, (11 and a half minute) Pigs (Three Different Ones) including Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie, Return To Forever and major solo artist Al DiMeola on guitar, Blue Oyster Cult bassist Joe Bouchard, Moody Blues key player Par...

UNHEARD MUSIC BY LEGENDARY “FATHER OF DELTA BLUES” SON HOUSE DISCOVERED, AWAITS MARCH 18, 2022 RELEASE ON EASY EYE SOUND

By Bman - December 16, 2021

UNHEARD MUSIC BY LEGENDARY “FATHER OF DELTA BLUES” SON HOUSE DISCOVERED, AWAITS MARCH 18, 2022 RELEASE ON EASY EYE SOUND Forever on My Mind was recorded in the fall of 1964 (ahead of 1965 “rediscovery” album) and never released. Features first-time-on-record title track “Forever On My Mind,” plus never-heard recordings of “Death Letter” and “Preachin’ Blues” NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On the evening of June 23, 1964, a red Volkswagen Beetle bearing three blues enthusiasts arrived in Rochester, N.Y. The young men were following a trail of clues in their search of a legend, and they found him sitting on the steps of an apartment building at 61 Greig Street. “This is him,” Son House said. Born Eddie James House, Jr. in Lyon, Mississippi in 1902, Son House at that time had not played music for more than two decades. But the re-release of his early work — commercial 78s issued...

Robert Thurman - Red Clay Diaries - New Release Review

By Bman - December 16, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Red Clay Diaries , from Robert Thurman and it's a vital blues rocker as stripped as it gets. Opening with Never Ending Sky , Robert Thurman on vocal accompanies himself on acoustic guitar. His vocal style is basic and his guitar work spartan but the feeling is all there. Cool opener. Thurman's approach on Might As Well Say Alright puts me in mind of Lou Reed's approach on some of his early work. Minimalist but focused. Acoustic guitar and vocal. My favorite track on the release is American Jesus Blues with it's driving acoustic guitar rhythm and Thurman's wry sense of humor. Wrapping the release is Small Town Blues . This is a cool melodic track with a fat slice or reality. Very cool. 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 tryin...

Elena Maque - Feel Again - New Release Review

By Bman - December 15, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feel Again , from St Petersburg's, Elena Maque and it's a solid compilation of smooth jazzy pop tracks. Opening with funky, original composition, Hey Friend , Maque on airy vocal and sax is joined by Scott Kinsey on keys, Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gary Novak on drums, Leonardo Amuedo on guitar, Alexeu Nikolaey on tenor sax, and Brad Dutz on percussion. On jazz classic, Lover Man , Maque leads the way on vocal and adds a solid sax solo, backed by Logan Kane on bass and nice Rhodes piano by Kinsey. Pop jazz track, Girl From Ipanema really works nicely in Maque's vocal range showing richness and nice dexterity in Portuguese as well as English. Weightless is a really nice instrumental with mysterious flavored passages. Maque's soprano sax lead, supported nicely by Darin Clendenin on piano and D'Vonne Lewis on drums is one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is heavily Latin influenced, Lik...

Bible and Tire Recording Company: Sacred Soul of North Carolina - New Release Review

By Bman - December 14, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sacred Soul of North Carolina from the Bible and Tire Recording Company and it's uplifting. Opening with Can't Turn Me Around from the Dedicated Men of Zion this release is on fire. This is a tight group of vocalists and potent singers. With all of the pageantry of gospel music and all the soul of in old school soul music this is a terrific opener. With a cool R&B rhythm, they continue on It's A Shame and they really are electrifying. Johnny Ray Daniels winds out Somewhere In My Head and with a pace that's bound to get your bead bouncing. Big James Barrett & The Golden Jubilees really blend nicely on Tell It . Big James up front leads the chase and with just the right amount of electric guitar and drums. Hi stepping Use Me Lord by The Golden Jubilees really stands out with it's contemporary funky sound. Big Walt and The Faithful Jordanaires have a big sound, Big Walt having some of the riche...

Booga Music artist: Hanna Pk - Blues All Over My Shoes - New Release Review

By Bman - December 13, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues All Over My Shoes , by Hanna Pk and it's solid. Opening with New Orleans flavored, Mirror Mirror , Pk who was born and raised in South Korea and now lives in Rochester NYsets a nice groove on piano and backed by Kenny Neal on bass, guitar and harmonica. On Bad Woman , she lays down a cool piano boogie and sings like she was born in the heart of the delta. Very nice. Slipping into a cool NO rhythm on I'm Losing You, Pk shows real versatility both on piano and vocally. Backed by Lil Mike Harris on drums this track is pure groove. Brandon Adams adds some real nice organ under Pk's super vocals and piano work and with it's solid melody making this a solid radio contender. One of my favorites on the release is slower blues, It's Been Raining In My Heart with plenty of soul, organ and excellent vocal work again by Pk. Not at all shy at the keyboard, her fingers know the blues like a second language. Ex...

VizzTone Label Group artist: Chickenbone Slim - Serve It To Me Hot - New Release review

By Bman - December 10, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Serve It to Me Hot, from Chickenbone Slim and I really like it. Opening with title track, Serve It to Me Hot , Slim and the crew are hitting it hard. This band sound like they're ready for a rumble with the low slung power attack of slinger Laura Chavez on lead guitar and Slim on guitar and lead vocal. Marty Dodson on drums and Andrew Crane round out the band making this crew ready for just about anything. Great opener. On up tempo boogie, Wild Eyed Woman , the band cranks like they're backing HD Taylor or Slim Harpo. This may be my favorite track on the release with a great driving beat and Chavez's relentless guitar attack. Excellent! Harp wizard, Aki Kumar joins the crew on Top of the Clouds , with a solid Texas style. Chavez steps out nicely on guitar and Slim's vocals are nicely complimented by Kid Andersen and Lisa Andersen. Funky, Laying In The Weeds , is a real cool track with a solid exchange betw...

Hunnia Records artist: Little G Weevil - Live Acoustic Session - New Release Review

By Bman - December 09, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live Acoustic Set , from Little G Weevil , and I really like it. From the intro on original track, Keep Going , you can tell that Little G Weevil's newest release is going to be good. Totally acoustic and alone, Weevil shows a respect and love for the original delta style blues. Another Weevil composition, Real Men Don't Dance , shows a lot of similarities to Hill Country blues style with very simple guitar riffs and call and response between his acoustic guitar and his own lead vocal. Very nice. On R L Burnside's Early In The Morning , Weevil rides tight on a traditional blues riff and wails the blues from his gut. With thumped strings and percussive raps on the guitar body, Weevil shows all the prowess of a delta blues man. Fluid lead runs and a great story line characterize Sasha Said , a straight up Chicago style blues track. Morganfield flavored, Apple Picker , is deep. Weevil really drills down on the gui...

Hunnia Records artist: Dionne Bennett - Sugar Hip Ya Ya - New Release Review

By Bman - December 08, 2021

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sugar Hip Ya Ya , from Dionne Bennett and it's an energetic performance of Rhythm and Blues. Opening with Clarence Carter's Tell Mama , often associated with Etta James or Janis Joplin. With Bennett's powerful vocals and Tamas Sovsri on trumpet, Zoltan Albert on sax, Laszlo Borsodi on guitar, Matysas Premrcz on B3, Attila Herr on bass and Lajos Gyenge on drums this is a solid opener. On title track, Sugar Hip Ya Ya , the horn section is really pumping out a dark vibe and Little G Weevil lays down some really tactile guitar solo lines. Bennett really strokes this track giving it a great feel. Funky, Yes We Can Can has a terrific drum/bass/ horn fabric that gives Bennett a great stage for her vocal delivery. Backed by Jonathan Andelic and Rita Foris on vocals, and a short but crisp guitar solo by Borsodi, this track is smoking. Soul track, Don't Fall For Love , showcases Bennett's vocals in a different ...

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