Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Parts You Keep , from Mike Pope , and I really enjoy it. Opening with Misgivings , a lively track with a driving piano melody featuring Geoffrey Keezer , building with an aggressive snare rap by Nate Smith and breaking into a sensual bass solo by Mike Pope who builds the track with the hands of a sculptor. Very nice. I love the cover of Charlie Parker's Steeplechase featuring Roxy Cross on sax. Pope laying down a funky bass line and breaking into a wicked electric piano solo by Keezer, this track is hot. Dashan's Flying Ubercar really moves with terrific underpinnings by Smith and Pope. Keezer rides high on this groove before a total break and accelerated bass solo by Pope. Really nice. Barolo Blue was my favorite track on the release with an infectious angular bass groove, nicely playing against Smith on drums and with free wheeling piano by Keezer and jagged guitar soloing by Amaury Cabral . Excellent! ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Spoonful of Willie Dixon , by Emma Wilson and it drips with blues. Opening with Spoonful , Emma Wilson on vocal belts out the lead with solid accompaniment by Ian Leese on bass and Mark Barrett on drums. Bennett Holland plays vital piano lead and organ and Nik Svarc plays hot lead guitar making this a strong opener. Dixon's dynamic track, I Can't Quit You Baby made popular by Otis Rush and Led Zeppelin gets a total rework with more of a shuffle feel. Wilson really grinds out the lyrics and Svarc creates some real nice guitar phrasing over the warm organ work of Holland. With a bit of a kick in tempo, Wang Dang Doodle rolls off Svarc's guitar, anchored by Barrett and Leese. Holland on piano sets the accents and Wilson rolls out the vocals in power fashion. Wrapping the release is a solid take on It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace) . Wilson digs in making this ballad her own with only light bac...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Que Paso , from Victoria Cardona , and it's fully bodied Latin music. Opening with Que Paso En La Habana , Victoria Cardona on vocal and guitar, fully backed vocally by Marilyn Scott , Jimmy Branly and Tim Goodman really get a warm Latin feel. With Kevin Richard on percussion, Rene Camacho on bass, Goodman on organ, San Miguel Perez on Cuban Tres Guitar , Francisco Torres on trombone, and some real nice flute work by Justo Almario . Solid opener. Another original track, Ghost has a strong radio appeal with Cardona playing some really tasty guitar lead, joined by Jimmy Branly on drums, Kevin Ricard on percussion, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Bill Payne on piano, Goodman on guitar, organ mandolin and backing vocals. Very nice. Rhodes Royale really gets in the slot with Cardona on vocal, guitar, percussion and steel drums, joined by Rene Camacho on bass. It's up tempo rhythm really gives the track a lively feel. One...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Californian , by Brad "Guitar" Wilson and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Elmore James ' classic, It Hurts Me Too , Brad Wilson is back with his guitar blazing. Given a more rock approach Wilson on lead vocal and guitar plays ripping lead to accompany his nicely delivered vocal lead, accompanied by Chris Rhyne on keys, Toto Poznantek on drums, and Hal Cragin on bass, this is a solid opener. Driving rocker, Say You Wanna Dance is my selection for radio track for this release with a super melody and even guitar lead and solid drumming by Tony Braunagel . Heartbreaker is a strong rocker with a solid guitar vamp. I really like his overdriven tone on rhythm and the cleaner lead tone in contrast stands out nicely. Wilson's remake of Eddie Cochran 's Summertime Blues is cool with a lot of the spunk of the original. Adding in a bit of modern flare without going full " Blue Che...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Power , from Grupo Pagan and it's a solid Latin flavored rocker. Opening with title track, Power , Edgar Pagan sets the lead with an excellent Latin bass line complimented with a full compliments of percussion by Emedin Rivera on drums, Joshua Dekaney on percussion, Jimmy Branley on percussion, Bill DiCostimo on keys and featuring Edgar on vocal, Este on hand drum and chants, Aam Fisher on nicely stylized guitar and backing vocals by Rhonda Paduano and Jose Varona . Energetic opener. Another track with strong Latin rhythms is Tito with clean guitar lead by Jeff Richman and Bill DeCosimo on keys, with solid bass work by Pagan, Luis Conte and Rivera on percussion and Joe Driscoll on beatbox . Sol has a cool Brazilian feel led by Daniel Pardo on flute with Pagan on bass and vocal, excellent work by Jimmy Haslip on synth, JoseVarona on drums, and Dave Donley on percussion. Very nice. Wrapping the release i...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Redemption , from Brody Buster and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Can You Hear Me , Brody Buster leads the way on vocal and lead guitar with plenty of swagger. Jackie Myers on organ and Terry Dry on bass work with powerhouse Ian Pond on drums and Buster on Harmonica adds real punch. Deadwood Shuffle adds real spunk to the set with a lively rhythm, Myers on organ, Danielle Nicole on backing vocals and Buster on harmonica really lays it out there. A Latin rhythm on Wish These Blues Would Stop , driven by Pond on drums, features Buster on lead vocal and playing some great swinging guitar/harmonica lead work. Very nice. The Color Blue is a solid ballad featuring the pure vocals of Buster, Jacque Garqutte on vocal, bass and rhythm guitar and Myers on piano. I particularly like This Time I Got The Blues with some of the best vocals on the release, carried by Myers on piano and organ and nicely complimented b...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wes 101, from Kristen R. Bromley Quartet and it's groovin'. Opening with cool shuffle, Bring It On , Kristen Bromley lays down the melody on guitar with fluid phrasing, accompanied by Melanie Shore on organ, David Ian Baker on bass and Matt Coleman. Shore breaks loose with a swinging solo and brings it back to the melody. Solid opener. Title track, Wes 101 really has a Montgomery flavor with familiar riffs and styling. Bromley captures both the spirit and the tone nicely. Warm lead lines by Shore add nice depth. A surprise drum splash by Coleman is a hot treat. With it 3/4 timing, House Of Fire is my favorite track on the release with super work by Shore and Bromley, a tight solo by Baker and snappy drum edge by Coleman. Wrapping the release is low slung shuffle, Indy Blues with Bromley and Shore really catching a groove. Bromley really gets loose on this track with swinging guitar work and a super bass solo by...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Countryside Motorways , by ZurHub and it's flavorful, Latin infused music. Opening with Social Trust , Mattan Klein on flute trades a melodic exchange with Ezequiel Hezi Jait on guitar, promoted and anchored by Itay Simhovich on piano, Assaf Hakimi on bass and Dani Benedikt on drums. Crisp, well articulated flute soloing by Klein opens the dialog and Jait on guitar follows through with nicely phrased lead of his own. Solid opener. Forget About It really has terrific flow with a super bass line by Hakimi and giving Simhovich a clear runway to nicely elaborate on the theme. Klein's flute lead is really well presented with excellent poise and precision. Very nice. Feliz is a really strong track giving Jait an opportunity to really show his stuff followed by Klein on flute and a lush bass solo by Hakimi. Title track, Countryside Motorway , has a very flowing feel seasoned with Brazilian rhythm . Led off by Klei...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavy On The Blues , from Rory Block and it's a hip, blues rocker. Opening with Tommy Tucker 's High Heel Sneakers , Rory Block sets a great pace on acoustic guitar and excellent slide supporting her own vocals on this rocking track. Buddy Guy 's funky, What Kind Of Woman Is This is very soulful with Block squeezing the vocals and sharing guitar lead/slide with Jimmy Vivino . Right in the slot. Spiritual, Hold To His Hand is one of the strongest tracks on the release with Block overlaying her own voice over her own voice choir style for a very nice outcome. Charley Patton 's Down The Dirt Road Blues has a real earthy feel with Block grinding out the blues vocally and deft finger style accompaniment on acoustic guitar. Memphis Minnie 's Me And My Chauffeur is a great track with Block's notable acoustic guitar accompaniment and warm slide styling. Her vocals on this track are particularly effecti...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Diamonds at the Rainbow's End (Live in Norway) , by V&BT (Vigdis & Bla Trad) and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Stormy Weather , V&BT hit square on with a straight forward rocker, featuring Vigdis Haugen on lead vocal, Tom Pettersen on guitar and backing vocal, Bjorn Lokling on bass and Christer Persson on drums and backing vocals. Confession is another straight forward rocker with a strong melody and with solid harmonies and clean lead guitar soloing by Pettersen a prime radio track. Break That Chain is another track with a radio melody. Pettersen plays some grinding guitar work and Persson's drumming is tight. Title track, Diamonds at the Rainbow's End has a reggae undertone rhythm giving it real alternate flavor with some of the best guitar riffs on the release and Haugen's vocals really shine. Wrapping the release is a rework of House of the Rising Sun showcasing Haugen's...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at Space , by Dave Specter and it's terrific! Opening with Rumba & Tonic , a hot, Latin flavored guitar lead instrumental with sassy drumming by Marty Binder , warm bass work by Rodrigo Mantovani and Brother John Kattke on keys. I love it when Dave does this. Very nice. Otis Rush's Homework is up next and Specter vocals are in the slot. With smokey organ work by Kattke, a great bass line by Mantovani and tight snare snaps by Binder as a foundation, Specter uses his natural flair on guitar to play this classic like a real boss. A slow blues take on   Blues From The Inside is really tasty with vocal harmonies by Specter and Kattke. Specter uses nice pinch harmonics and slide phrasing to spell out a memorable guitar solo. Chicago style boogie , Chicago Style features Kattke on vocal and guitar grinding out the blues. With a walking bass line by Mantovani, piano punctuation and a stiff snare slap by Bind...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live Perpetual Change , by Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks and it's a solid replication of the original Yes compositions. Opening with Yours Is No Disgrace , a top track for Yes and it sounds fresh as in 1970's. Jon Anderson on lead vocal and guitar, joined by Andy Graziano and Robert Kipp on guitar and keys. Richie Castellano plays a masterful bass and Andy Ascolese on drums, keys and percussion really holds things tightly. Anderson really rips on Close To The Edge with fleet fingered guitar lead and vocal blening with Castellano, Graziano, Ascolese, Christopher Clark and Kipp is particularly nice. Heart of the Sunrise with it's flowing key structure, and bass soloing by Castellano is particularly cool. Another track with particularly prominent bass work is Starship Trooper of course with a healthy dose of keys and super drumming by Ascolese. And You and I is handled with finesse... flowing acoust...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, self titled Two Wolf and it's a solid, blues based rocker. Opening with Keep On Movin', Two Wolf features four seasoned players with Lance Lopez on lead guitar and vocals with Greg T. Walker ( Blackfoot ) on bass, Kris Bell on guitar and vocals and Rusty Valentine on drums and vocals. Definitely a guitar blazing band with well blended vocals and scorching guitars, this is a hot opener. Will I Believe has an edgier feel, penciled by Bell and wide open guitar with plenty of overdrive and powerful drumming by Valentine. Percussive guitar work permeates The Wrong Road and paired lead vocals give the track a definite radio presence. Searing lead guitar work with the addition of wah and southern influenced lead guitar phrasing and riffs give the track a distinctive feel. Fox Chase really has the Southern rock aggressiveness with dueling guitars (like Blackfoot or Skynyrd ) really giving the listener the adrenalin...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent (August 22, 2025) release, The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle , by Ben Thomas Tango Project and it's adventurous. Opening with The Promise of Morning , Ben Thomas on bandoneon leads the melody, accompanied by Eric Likkel on clarinet, Laura Schermer on bass, Laura Coronel on violin, Elizabeth Phelps on violin and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues on piano. A classically leaning tango in the style of Astor Piazzolla , this is a cool overture. Title track, The Man With The Grin and the Chuckle celebrates the memory of Seattle's French Chef, Thierry Rautureau , who's bistro served as the incubator for much of Thomas' music over several years of performing there. A serious composition featuring a solid interweave between Hall-Rodrigues and Thomas, with over harmony by Likkel. An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective is my favorite track on the release with a more percussive feel and Thomas giving more range to Hall-Rodrigues on...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Crook , from Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals , and it's a raw blues rocker. Opening with title track, Good Crook, Chris Vincent on vocal and guitar links up with Johnny Vidacovich on drums and Dean Zucchero on bass opening a pure, rocking set. With just a rattle of guitar, drubbing bass and snapping snare, this is cool. Come Clean has a sweeter melody with jangly guitar rhythm giving it an almost Keith Richards sound. Overdriven tone and looseness gives the track a real gutsy feel. Nice. High energy, Screwdriver Keys is Vincent driving hard n guitar, with monotone vocals. His guitar soloing is unique and ear catching making this one of my favorites on the release. What Johnny Said is a solitude ballad with some of the most melodic guitar playing on the release. Vincent's vocals and lyrics are particularly effective and his sliding and percussive guitar attack is super. Wrapping the release is Catherine...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Take A Ride , from Larry Kurtz & The Law Breakers and I really like it. Opening with blues rocker, Headwaters Hill Country , Larry Kurtz on lead vocal and harmonica sets a two step feel with Scott Bruyea on drums, Sam Carothers on bass, and James Legere on guitar and backing vocals. One Step on The Devil has a real cool back beat and Kurtz sails in with warm harp tones. With Legere laying down warm tones on guitar, Kurtz brews tasty harmonica riffs. Very nice. Bruyea lays down a real nice tom tom beat basis for Let Me In and Legere fills with overdriven chords making a real nice underblanket for Kurtz on vocal and harmonica. Breaking out with nicely phrased guitar work by Legere, this is my favorite track on the release. Kick ass rocker, God's Gift , has a real feel of Paul Kossof with its signature riff and Bruyea on drums kicks up the dust. Kurtz on vocal and harmonica shows a real strut. Wailing harmonica...