Mitch Kashmar "West Coast Toast" Featuring: Junior Watson, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, and Marty Dodson West Coast Toast heralds the arrival of Mitch Kashmar's long-awaited third studio album from Delta Groove. Although fans had the live recording Live at Labatt (2008) and a CD reissue of his early '80s era LP 100 Miles to Go (2010) to tide them over, it's been ten years since his last full studio effort, Wake Up & Worry (2006). This time out, Mitch pays tribute to his legacy, tipping his musical hat to the unique sounds of West Coast blues with a program of well-chosen covers mixed in with his own original compositions, all filtered through his own individualistic approach to the blues, and distilled down into the essence of what the blues is today. Together with the stellar backing musicianship of Junior Watson (guitar), Fred Kaplan (piano), Bill Stuve (bass) and Marty Dodson (drums), Mitch Kashmar ably proves that the golden era of West Coast blues harmonica isn’t behind us – it’s still happening right now! "Few blues singers, songwriters, & harmonica blowers performing today can top Mitch Kashmar." - Living Blues Magazine "Kashmar has harmonica chops to spare and possesses an unsurpassed vocal prowess." - BLUES JUNCTION Productions “Mitch Kashmar is my absolute favorite blues harp player of his generation, and one of my favorites period! He's also a first-class vocalist - his singing really knocks me out.” - William Clarke "You're playing and singing are superb!" - Charlie Musselwhite LEARN MORE MITCH KASHMAR - FALL 2016 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES: 10/18/16: München, Germany - Alfonso's Live-Music Club 10/19/16: Chur, Switzerland - Calanda Restaurant 10/20/16: Rimsting, Germany - Blues Club Chiemgau 10/21/16: Sargans, Switzerland - Jazzclub 10/22/16: Luzern, Switzerland - Tschuppi's Wonderbar 10/24/16: Müllheim, Germany - Pur Pur "Blues Monday" 10/25/16: Emmendingen, Germany - Culture Mill Mehlsack 10/26/16: Kandern, Germany - ChaBah 10/27/16: Fürth, Germany - Kofferfabrik 10/30/16: Berlin, Germany - Hans Rosenthal House 10/30/16: Potsdam, Germany - Schiffsrestaurant John Barnett 11/01/16: Bremen, Germany - Meisenfrei Blues Club 11/02/16: Hannover, Germany - Marlene Bar & Bühne 11/04/16: København, Denmark - Mojo Blues Bar 11/05/16: Frederikshavn, Denmark - Frederikshavn Bluesfestival-Blues.dk RECENT RELEASES FROM DELTA GROOVE JOHN LONG "STAND YOUR GROUND" Featuring: Fred Kaplan, Bill Stuve and Washington Rucker "Long doesn't sample the old country blues; he inhabits it." - All Music Guide "John Long is a NATIONAL TREASURE."  - Al Blake / Hollywood Blue Flames “If you wanted to make an argument for reincarnation, John is it.” – Zach Zunis LEARN MORE BIG JON ATKINSON & BOB CORRITORE “House Party at Big Jon's” Featuring: Willie Buck, Alabama Mike,Dave Riley, Tomcat Courtney & more! “Nobody gets it done better than Bob Corritore.” – No Depression "Nobody gets it done better than Bob Corritore.” – No Depression LEARN MORE

Malaco Records artist: Grady Champion - One Of A Kind - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Of A Kind, from Grady Champion, and it has variety. Opening with Bump and Grind, Grady Champion on lead vocal and harp along with Ken Smith on bass, Eddie Cotton on guitar and Carroll McLaughlin on keys set an early groove, not unlike a more polished Jesus Just Left Chicago. Nice opener. With a R&B feel, Heels and Hips floats along with a really cool bass line by Smith and nice backing vocals by Champion, Jewell Bass, Eddie Cotton and Lisa Palmer. Shuffle track, House Party, gets deeper in the groove with the addition of Kimble Funchess on trumpet, Jessie PrimerIII on sax, Sydney Ford II on bari, Robert Lamkin on trombone and champion's harp backed by nice vocals by Bass and Palmer. On Life Support, Champion really gets the band swinging on harp and some of his best vocals on the release. Myron Bennett's bass work is tight and vital giving this track just the right weight. Classic, Chicago style blues track, Leave Here Running, features Theodis Ealey on guitar and Champion really opens up his harp for a super run. Ealey throws down a cool solo of his own giving this track even more spirit. Another R&B track, Move Something, has a real nice feel, pumped by the bass work of Smith and the Jackson Horns. Soul tune, One Of A Kind, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with just the right amount of warmth, a nice sax solo by Primer, guitar solo by Ealey and most soulful vocals by Champion backed by super horns and backing vocalists. Stone In My Path has an Albert King kind of feel with Champion's gravely vocals balanced against his harp punctuation over nicely executed piano work by McLaughlin. Thin Line has a rolling bass line edged along by cool backing vocals. Champion's lead vocals and harp capper gives the track a real nice feel. What A Woman has a bit of a Willie Dixon lumber with vocals along the lines of the Wolf. Mr. Elvin Bishop adds slide guitar to the track giving it that extra bit of texture. More contemporary track, When I'm Gone has a cool funky edge, with nice backing vocals from Bass and Palmer. Clean piano work by McLaughlin stands out on this track bumped along by Scott's drum work. Wrapping the release is GC Boogie, a slick instrumental featuring Champion playing harp riffs and Cotton playing guitar riffs over a plucky bass line by Bennett and McLaughlin riding on organ. Cool closer.



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Connor Ray Music Set to Release New CD from Acclaimed Houston Blues Singer Trudy Lynn, "I'll Sing the Blues for You," on October 21

Connor Ray Music Set to Release New CD from Acclaimed Houston Blues Singer Trudy Lynn, I’ll Sing the Blues for You, on October 21

Trudy Lynn Will Celebrate New Album’s Release with a Special Show at Houston’s Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club on Saturday, October 22

HOUSTON, TX – Connor Ray Music announces an October 21 release date for I’ll Sing the Blues for You, the new CD from acclaimed Houston-based blues singer Trudy Lynn. I’ll Sing the Blues for You features 10 tracks dripping with blues, soul and R&B, and includes her unique takes on songs from Big Mama Thornton, Lowell Fulsom, Memphis Minnie and Johnny Copeland, among others, as well as the funky original, “Thru Chasin’ You,” destined to be a fan favorite. Backing Trudy on the new album are label president Steve Krase on harmonica, David Carter on guitar, Terry Dry on bass, Randy Wall on keyboards and Matt Johnson on drums.  

Trudy Lynn will celebrate the new album with a special CD release party show at Houston’s famed Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club on Saturday, October 22.

“Choosing material for this album was quite an adventure,” says Trudy about I’ll Sing the Blues for You. “In my musical career, there are so many blues artists that I have been inspired by.”

In the new album’s liner notes, Trudy explains how its title came about. “As I’ve said in a previous recording of mine, ‘Everybody’s Got a Blues Song to Sing.’ One day my daughter gave me a gift of business cards, and on the top of each card was, Trudy Lynn: I’ll Sing the Blues for You! As I was looking at the cards, she said, ‘Mama, that’s what you do. You sing the blues for everybody.’ During so many of my performances, a fan will come up to me to say, ‘You were singing that song for me. That’s why I came!’ I take these compliments as stars in my crown, like flowers in my garden.”

I’ll Sing the Blues for You is Trudy Lynn’s 12^th solo album and her third release on the Connor Ray Music label, following up on 2014’s Royal Oaks Blues Café, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart; and 2015’s Everything Comes with A Price, which spent four months on the Living Blues Radio Chart. Trudy is also a five-time Blues Music Award nominee and was inducted into the Houston Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Trudy Lynn was born Lee Audrey Nelms in Houston’s Fifth Ward, where she began singing as a teenager. After high school, Lynn went to visit her aunt in Lufkin, where a club called the Cinderella needed a singer. She decided Lee Audrey Nelms wasn't going to cut it as a stage name. The club had a bunch of cartoon character names painted on the wall and she noticed “Trudy,” which she quickly paired with Lynn. “Lynn was something in those days,” she recalls. “Gloria Lynne, Barbara Lynn. I thought, ‘I’m going to be one of those Lynns, too, baby.’”

Prior to striking out on her own, Trudy was the vocalist for such Texas greats as I.J. Gosey and Clarence Green, where Trudy spent five years as the vocalist for his band. Green was a stern mentor, but Lynn credits him with helping her become a professional. “He molded me well,” she says. “He's still in me because of what he taught me. It takes that.” After leaving Green’s band, Lynn began performing on her own. For years she struggled to get recorded in a manner deserving of her talent, until 1989 when Trudy signed with John Abbey’s famed Ichiban label and provided the opportunity for her to tour the world and perform at the most prestigious festivals, including Lucerne and the Chicago Blues Festival. While at Ichiban, producers had a strong hand in directing her recordings. Since joining forces with harmonica wizard Steve Krase and the Connor Ray Music label in 2014, Lynn has played curator for herself. She has been writing original songs that blend nicely with the vintage material. The songs are mostly about good times and bad men. “Each one of these songs means something to me,” she states. “I truly understand something about each one of them.”

White River Records artist: Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers - Spare Keys - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spare Keys, from Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers and it's quite good. Opening with instrumental, Candy Apple Red, this release is on the road with a surf driven track. Thackery's clean mastery of his trade is evident and pure with lower octave riffs setting the track off nicely. Backed by Rick Knapp on bass and Chris Reddan on drums. On Blues All Night, Thackery switches to a straight up 12 bar giving his a super opportunity to play call and response with his vocal and guitar. Jimmy is a certain master of the 6 string and this track is cool and clean. On slow bluesy ballad, No More Than Me, Thackery belts out the blues and plays beautifully melodic guitar lines. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release, I Even Lost The Blues, follows a cool jazzy line...kind of a modified T-Bone Walker track. With nice round guitar tones, Thackery really works up a lather on this one digging deep for soulful lead runs. Excellent! Another blues rocker with a surf twits, Five Inch Knife, has a cool recurring riff and reverb laden chords. If you don't like this, check your pulse. Same Page On Demand is another of my favorites on the release with with a thematic guitar line and solid bottom. Thackery just sits back and fans the flames on this red hot smoker. Excellent! An R&B frame work on Puttin' The Word Out kind of puts me in mind of a rock version of the Temptations. With focused but scorching guitar riffs, Thackery wields his axe like a flame thrower. Very nice. Bella Noche has the melodic hook of an Eagles track but with a taste of Tex Mex and Thackery's clever guitar work. Very nice. Wrapping the release is The Barber's Guitar, with a reggae and the openness of Mark Knopfler. Thackery has boundless chops and flows from the innovative feel of Jeff Beck to the tele swells of Roy Buchanan but never losing his own signature. This is a really nicely composed release. Check it out.


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Clyde Is Thinking artist: Eric Sommer - Brooklyn Bolero - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Brooklyn Bolero from Eric Sommer. Opening with knee slapper, Red Dress, Eric Sommer (guitar, vocal and harmonica), Jim Oakley (percussion, vocal and stomp box) and Zach Smith (bass, vocals and groove accelerator) set a hefty pace for the release. On Cereal Song, Sommer creates something of a country rudimentary rap. With harmonica and rim shots, it's more of a chant. Warm ballad, Best Foot Forward, is nicely constructed with Elvis Costello style. Soothing vocals and clean electric soloing makes for a real nice track. Chord driven, Doin' Wrong, has a country punk style that I could most easily associate with Frank Black / Pixies. Short and sweet, possibly my favorite track on the release. Cover My Soul is an easy going rural style showing solid vocal blending, nice song writing, a cool bass line and interesting finger picking. Rural sounds, blended with contemporary presentation yields What A Day I Had, a cool pop track with a solid drum beat. Death Ray Cataclysm is straight ahead but reminds me of David Lindley just the same. A good melody and simple acoustic guitar work, another favorite on the set. Wrapping the release is rocker, Hold Your Hand. With a relentless swing, this track gives Sommer a chance to stretch a bit on electric guitar and Oakley's driving drum lines paired with Smith on bass makes this the perfect closer.



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Conner Ray Music artist: Ally Venable Band - No Glass Shoes - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, No Glass Shoes, from Ally Venable Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Trainwreck, a cool track with a solid walking bass line by Zach Terry, Ally Venable takes the lead on vocal and guitarist Bobby Wallace simmers nicely. Title track, No Glass Shoes, has a bluesy basis with a strong guitar and bass vamp. Elijah Owings keeps the bottom tight on drums and Venable's vocals are sassy. Boogie track, Woke Up This Mornin', has a great driving bass line with call and response guitar riffs. Wise Man has a cocky, Junior Wells feel and Venable grinds her vocals, displaying her guitar licks backed by Randy Wall on keys. On Junior Wells, Messin With The Kid, her vocals have edge and her guitar playing shows adventure. Too Much Too Soon has a really solid, bass line and features Steve Krase on harp. A super track, may be my favorite on the release. Wrapping the release is the Chris Smither track, Love Me Like A Man. Given much more girth than Bonnie Raitt's hit, Venable belts out the lyrics backed by strong B3 work, clean guitar riffs and Krase's harp work.



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Wendy Rich - It's All Nothing - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, It's All Nothing from Wendy Rich and it's a fine blend of rock, funk and country. Opening with Back To Zero, a cool funky rocker, Wendy Rich sets a strong pace with funky bass lines from Mark Andes, stinging guitar riffs from Kenny Cordray, Tyson Sheth on drums, Paul English on keys and sassy sax work by Eric Demmer. On ballad, Love and Happiness, Rich digs deep in a country/gospel style with warm key work by English. A really tasty guitar solo by Cordray sets the track off nicely. With even more country in the mix, Welcome Home is set for strong radio presence. Nicely mixed vocals really cement the deal on this one. Ballad, Losin' You has a country ballad feel with a bluesy taste. Amping up her vocals with contrasting guitar work by Rob McNelley and Kevin McKendree on organ gives this track nice oomph. Song About Nothing has a real cool swampy feel featuring Cordray on slide and with a cool bass line by Andes and tight drums by Sheth, this is likely my favorite track. Off The Deep End has a Rolling Stones kind of feel with Keith Richards like guitar riffs by McNelley. A clean rocker with a great riff and super piano work by McKendree. Wrapping the release with a Bo Diddley beat, Get It Together is a great closer. With rhythmic guitar work paired with tight drumming, it leaves you slapping your hands.



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Out Today: David Bromberg releases "The Blues, The Whole Blues and Nothing But the Blues"

DAVID BROMBERG BAND "The Blues, The Whole Blues, and Nothing But the Blues" Out Today Stream "Walkin' Blues"

"The album solidifies Bromberg's legacy as an American music icon in his own right." - Music Aficianado "Bromberg has never sung better.. his guitar still gets its licks in, too, whether it’s an electric slide on the Chicago-style original “You Don’t Have to Go," or an acoustic on Ray Charles' "A Fool for You." -  Associated Press Dubbed “an American music icon” (Dr. John), David Bromberg, whose incredible career includes collaborations with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Garcia, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, The Eagles, and so many more, will release The Blues, The Whole Blues and Nothing But The Blues on October 14, his first release with Red House Records (available on CD, LP and through all major digital providers). A master interpreter and multi-instrumentalist, Bromberg’s first album since 2013 is a wonderfully curated selection of deep cuts from the blues genre, in addition to original compositions.  This is the Godfather of Americana’s 18th album, the latest in a solo career that began in 1971 on his self-titled debut.  Bromberg found the inspiration for the album when he heard Willie Nelson repeat a quote from Texas fiddler Johnny Gimble: "There's only two kinds of music––the Star-Spangled Banner and the Blues." Through Bromberg's unparalleled playing and gift for interpretation and Campbell's tasteful horn arrangements, the record reaches electrifying heights as well as intimate acoustic moments, breathing fresh life into the songs of Robert Johnson, Bobby Charles, George "Little Hat" Jones, and Sonny Boy Williamson, among others. Ray Charles’ “A Fool For You” is one of many album stand-outs, featuring just David on a spellbinding solo acoustic guitar performance and vocals. For more on Bromberg go to http://www.davidbromberg.net

Robert Mugge film - Last of the Mississippi Juke Joints - DVD review

I just had the opportunity to review the new release, Last of the Mississippi Juke Joints, a film by Robert Mugge and it's really interesting. This film chronicled the days of Jimmy King's legendary Subway Lounge in Jackson Mississippi and the early days of Morgan Freeman's and Bill Luckett's Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale Mississippi, a heartfelt attempt at recapturing the spirit of fading juke joint traditions. This film documents interviews with Morgan Freeman and Bill Luckett and Dick Waterman, famed music photographer. The first live set is with Alvin Youngblood Hart with Sam Carr and Anthony Sherrod. Hart's performance is super as always with a great voice and pure slide techniques. Showing the real flavor of a juke joint, Luckett and Freeman point out beer signs, pool tables, antiques signs, flea market tables, mis matched table cloths and catfish sandwiches, all the things that make a juke joint feel authentic. This is no city blues club. This is the real deal. Next up interview with Steve Cheseborough and Jimmy King at Subway and featuring a set by Greg "Fingers" Taylor. Ongoing commentary by Vasti Jackson adds color and texture to the film. A short clip of Dennis Fountain & Pat Brown is inserted before more discussions with blues players like House Cat Hendrix. The dynamic Patrice Moncell takes on the stage with a hot band featuring James Levinthal on alto sax and a hot guitar player, Mark Whittaker. Eddie Cotton plays his telecaster and sings by himself sitting at a table as a part of his interview. One of my favorite antidotes from the film is when Jimmy King tells about his beer buckets. They serve beer cans by the bucket over ice. At the end of the night often the beer is left unopened and the bar takes it back (to sell again). Once beer sales are stopped for the night, patrons are free to bring in their own beer. King happens to sell beer next door in his store after hours and with a receipt from next door his bar gives them a bucket of ice to continue to drink in his establishment until daylight. Vasti Jackson plays his set with local scenery showing in the background as well as clips of earlier days in black and white. JT Watkins and Levon Lindsey have a powerful gospel blues style. Bobby Rush does a real nice track just singing alone with harp as a part of the interview. A profile of the Summers Hotel, the first black owned hotel in the area is quite interesting. The Subway lounge is located in the basement of this older structure which was the home of blues and R&B musicians touring in the 50's. King Edwards Blues Band shows it's own style of R&B. Chris Thomas King is next up in the interview chair describing plans for new club and showing the sad state of repairs on the hotel. David Hughes is next on the stage with his shuffle style. Further community interviews with shows of support for the conservation of the Summers Hotel and cards from some of the more notable visitors including Hank Ballard, Mrs James Brown and the Freedom Riders. Devastating films and imagery of racial tension, segregation and cruelty are also shown further documenting the importance of the hotel in history. Chris Thomas King does a real nice delta style blues alone accompanying himself on a National steel bodied guitar. Further plans to remove substantial portions of the hotel due to collapse and the renovation of historic structures on the Civil Rights Tour are shown before the ultimate destruction of the hotel to the sounds of Lucille with Greg "Fingers" Taylor. Cheseborough does his own rendition of a delta blues song with his own steel bodied guitar as Jimmy and Chris discuss how the new clubs just won't be the same. An interesting juxtaposition. Abdul Rasheed, a solid soul singer is up next with his set. Closing the film is Fingers Taylor and the Subway Shuffle. This is a meaningful film documenting not only the music of the area but also the texture of the music scene and remnants of the roots of the blues.

Conner Ray Music artist: The Jeremiah Johnson Band - Blues Heart Attack - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Heart Attack,  from The Jeremiah Johnson Band and it has swagger! Opening with Mind Reader, a blues rocker with great guitar tone and great vocal harmonies, this track is a great opener. With it's country flare Johnson leads on vocal and guitar with Jeff Girardier on bass and backing vocal, Benet Schaeffer on drums and Nathen Hershey on keys. Super opener. Lumbering along, Room Of Fools brings to mind the best of Humble Pie with it's super rocking blues feel and a solid underlying guitar riff. I really like this track with it's ringing chords and Johnson's almost pleading vocals. Very cool. Flat Line has a jazzy edge with a cool walking bass line by Girardier, piano by Hershey and sax by Frank Bauer. Even Johnson's country rock guitar style feels light and airy. Very nice. With more of a country twist, Get It In The Middle is a great boogie with a solid bottom and Johnson's fingers dancing riffs on the guitar (think Steve Gaines on LS) and bright piano work from Hershey. Blues ballad, Summertime, has the warmth of Bauer on sax and bass lines from Girardier supporting his most up front vocal work. His guitar work is very nice showing that he has the riffs and the soul to pull it all together. Nice job. Country rocker, Skip That Stone, sounds like it could easily have been written by Dickey Betts for the ABB. A southern rocker, this track of course has plenty of guitar riffs and nicely blended in harp work from Tom Papa Ray. R&B track, Sun Shine Through, has a heavy organ backing by Hershey and behind Johnson's super lead vocals come his aggressive guitar soloing. Nice groove. With a bit of New Orleans, Everybody Party, makes use of vocal harmonies and the soulful sax work of Bauer to set this track up for hot guitar riffs. Hershey and Bauer each take nice solo stints giving this track an extra boost before Johnson's entry bringing the band together revival style. Ballad Here We Go Again is a solid radio track with soulful vocals and melodic guitar lead over a cushion of B3 and sax. Very well done. Wrapping the release is It's Been Hard, a rowdy blues rocker with a saturated guitar riffs and clear vocals. With guitar and sax ripping, Hershey sets in with strong organ lines giving this release a solid closer.



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Provogue Records artist: No Sinner - Old Habits Die Hard - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Old Habits Die Hard, from No Sinner and it's a solid rocker. Opening with All Woman, Colleen Rennison, lead vocalist takes the reins and never looks back. With a lot of attitude, modern day female Jim Morrison, Rennison, backed by guitarists, Eric Campbell, Adam Sabla and Scott Smith, Matt Camirand on bass and exceptional drumming by Ian Browne sets the pace. On Leadfoot, a driving track with roots in English metal and blues, this track is heavy footed with Browne stomping it and interesting guitar riffs floating. Very cool. Tryin' has a lighter, more pop kind of feel. Rennison's vocals are clear and this track has all of the characteristics of a radio hit. Saturday Night is a hard rocker with plenty of kick drum and rock and roll guitar riffs. Shifting gears a few times, this track melds the Ramones with Joan Jett. Bluesy ballad, Hollow, really gives Rennison a wide open road to show off her vocal strength. Rich tones and a solid melody enriched by Campbell on guitar and piano shows that this lady can do whatever she wants at a drop of a hat. Very nice. Get It Up is another track that should have solid radio appeal with nicely blended vocal harmonies, a strong melody and a kicking kick drum. There is an enchanting richness to Rennison's vocals on Friend Of Mine, and Campbell.s guitar riffs add just the right texture to the track making it one of my favorites. Unusual track, Fading Away, has a real interesting blend of sounds and concepts with driving drum work and jittery guitar riffs. Blending this with more pop style vocal lines gives this track a pop edge and a rock undertone. Very nice. quiet and light, Lines On The Highway, sits alone among the rest of the tracks as a direct pop track with a simple melody and unadorned vocals. One More Time kicks in the door with it's direct frontal attack by Campbell and Browne. Backing off to a more experimental segue, there is echo and environmental sounds concluding in a strong bolero rock. Interesting. Wrapping the release is Mandy Lyn with slide guitar, kick drum and a more southern rock approach. This track is packed with attitude and with it's rugged vocals and instrumentation, a super closer for a solid rockin release.



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Under The Radar music group artist: Doug Macleod - Live In Europe - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Europe, from Doug Macleod and it's a quiet, up close and personal concert with a super performer. Opening with acoustic boogie, I Want You, Macleod hammers on his resonator and belts out the blues. If you don't know Macloud, this is it man. On Black Magic, we hear more of a modern delta style with acoustic slide. More dramatic, Ain't The Blues Evil, has a modern feel but dark delta roots. With understated vocals and Muddy Waters like guitar riffs, this is one of my favorites on the release. The New Panama Ltd. is a cool folk blues track with great train guitar action and over 14 minutes of spoken story lines. Very cool. Home Cookin' is a really cool blues rumble along the lines of Sweet Home Chicago. With Macleod's witty delivery and gritty guitar work, this is a crowd favorite. Cold Rain is a real nice blues number with traditional resonator blues riffs. Macleod's slide playing and vocals are true to history and heartfelt. Long Time Road is a strong blues driver with free wheeling guitar and vocals. A prime blues number, it is lively and raw. Turkey Leg Woman has a distinct sound of Mississippi country blues with a lot of rhythm. Energetic finger picking and fan strumming brings this track to life. Wrapping the release is Masters Plan, a simple ballad. Solid vocals and rudimentary rhythm guitar makes this a concrete closer for a solid release.



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YesterYear Records artist - Kurt Crandall - Take It Off - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Take It Off, from Kurt Crandall and it touches a lot of the broad spectrum called blues. Opening with revival like track, 8th Event, vocalist / harpist, Crandall leads the way with a deep silky voice supported by Karl Angerer on guitar, Billy Heid on keys, Aaron Binder on drums and Rusty Farmer. On Take It Off, Crandall shows his sense of humor discussing male pattern baldness with a New Orleans flair. Tight little drum riffs by Binder set the stage and Crandall's vocals and harp work are tight. On jump blues, Can't Dance, the band is really swinging. With cool harp tone and classic vocal style these guys sound like a modern day Louis Jordan. Cool backing vocals by Jaisson Taylor and Lester "Duck" Warner really soup up the track and sweet guitar riffs by Karl Angerer are super. A walking bass line by Binder and tasty organ work by Heid set the mood on Loser, a real nice jazzy blues. Both Heid and Angerer set some really nice solo's making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Latin flavored instrumental, Taquito Under My Seat, blends really tidy percussion work by Binder with Crandall's well executed harp work. A cool and I mean cool piano solo by Heid and another excellent guitar solo gives this track real girth putting it atop the heap as another strong favorite. Walking boogie, Dirty Pete, has a really nice harp solo complimenting Crandall's super vocal leadership. Clever lyrics and well written and played instrumentation saturates this release. Another instrumental, Figgy Bag is a really hot blues number lead by Crandall on harp. This is a track that will likely appeal to all with a great driving bottom and smoldering harp. Wrapping the release is Bolivar Blues, a slick jazz oriented blues number with loose piano soloing and nice bass work by Farmer. Crandall shows his melodic mastery of the harp on a sleek harp solo and even Farmer gets his spot in the sun. Very nice closer.



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