ALLIGATOR RECORDS 45TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION Set For June 10 Release

Alligator Records has set a June 10, 2016 release date for the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection. The 2CDs-for-the-price-of-one set -- boasting over 148 minutes of music -- features career-defining performances from blues royalty past, present and future.

The blues and roots music Alligator Records has been releasing since 1971 -- created by iconic giants of the genre like Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop and Mavis Staples, and label-nurtured legends including Son Seals, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women and Michael “Iron Man” Burks -- has more than stood the test of time. With the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection, label founder and president Bruce Iglauer, along with his 15-person staff (many of whom have been on board for well over 20 years) celebrate Alligator’s extraordinary past, history-in-the-making present, and a future filled with more "Genuine Houserockin’ Music."

The Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection clearly lays out Alligator’s wide-ranging, forward-looking vision with tracks from newer voices – Selwyn Birchwood, Toronzo Cannon, Shemekia Copeland, Moreland & Arbuckle and Jarekus Singleton – seamlessly programmed next to legendary artists including Curtis Salgado, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Joe Louis Walker, Delbert McClinton, Anders Osborne, The Holmes Brothers, Guitar Shorty, JJ Grey & Mofro, Ann Rabson and Roomful Of Blues. Together, the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection presents a comprehensive portrait of this singular, rooted, soul-stirring American music.

On June 10, the day of the album's release, the City Of Chicago will celebrate the label's 45th anniversary during the 33rd Annual Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park. Alligator artists scheduled to perform are Shemekia Copeland, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Curtis Salgado, Toronzo Cannon, Moreland & Arbuckle, Corky Siegel and Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater.

The history of Alligator Records, founded by blues-bitten Bruce Iglauer in 1971 for the express purpose of releasing an album by Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, reads like a history of contemporary blues and roots music. Iglauer, a native of Cincinnati, first fell in love with the blues in 1966. A live performance by the great Mississippi Fred McDowell struck him deep inside. "It was as if he reached out and grabbed me by the collar, shook me and spoke directly to me," he recalls. After that show, Iglauer, a student at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, immersed himself in the blues. In 1968, he made his initial pilgrimage to experience Chicago's thriving blues scene. His first stop was the famous Jazz Record Mart, where he met proprietor Bob Koester, also the owner of the prestigious blues and jazz label Delmark Records. With Koester as his de facto guide, Iglauer began making regular visits to Chicago to see Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, J.B. Hutto, Carey Bell and many other stars in the ghetto blues clubs.

Koester was impressed with Iglauer's passion for the music and his promotion of two sold-out Luther Allison performances at Lawrence. When Iglauer moved to Chicago for good at the beginning of 1970, Koester hired him as a $30-per-week shipping clerk. Almost every night, Iglauer hung out in the funky South and West Side bars, spellbound by the blues men and women performing on their home turf. He accompanied Koester to the studio for every Delmark session, where he watched blues greats such as Junior Wells, Roosevelt Sykes and Robert Lockwood, Jr. create classic blues albums. Iglauer wanted Delmark to release an album by his favorite band, Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers. But Koester wasn’t interested, so Iglauer gathered up what little money he had and decided to do it himself, soaking up everything he could learn about record production before heading into the studio with Hound Dog in 1971.

Iglauer became producer, booking agent, business manager, roadie, promotion man and publicist for Hound Dog. He ran Alligator out of his tiny apartment, filled with stacks of record cartons and a shipping table next to the bed. For years, each record had to finance the next one, which meant Alligator released about one record a year. Luckily, those records continued to impress fans and critics and sell enough to keep the label going. Albums by Big Walter Horton, Son Seals and Fenton Robinson all contributed to getting the fledgling company off the ground. When Koko Taylor came aboard in 1975, the label was taking larger steps, soon attracting giants like Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan and Johnny Winter.

Now, Alligator Records is the largest independent blues label in the world, and has been repeatedly honored for its achievements. Three Alligator recordings have won Grammy Awards, and 41 titles have been nominated. The label and its artists have received well over 100 Blues Music Awards and more than 70 Living Blues Awards. But even with all of the accolades, Alligator Records never rests on its laurels. According to Iglauer, "Alligator should be the label that's exposing the next generation of blues artists and bringing their music to the next generation of blues fans. I want the future of the blues and the future of Alligator Records to be one and the same. I want to keep bringing blues and roots music to new fans and getting them as excited about the music as I am." With those goals, Alligator Records is still fueled by the same principles that it first established in 1971. The staff continues to push forward, still bucking the odds, with everybody working long hours on a shoestring budget.

Throughout its history, Alligator has operated not only as a business, but also as a tight-knit family. Relationships between the staff and the artists are personal and run deep. It's not at all uncommon for an artist performing a Chicago show to drop by the office for an unannounced visit. Musicians regularly call Iglauer at any hour, looking to have CDs shipped out at the last minute, or to discuss their upcoming recording sessions or sing new tunes over the phone. Iglauer has opened his house to musicians needing a place to live during times of personal trouble.

From the early days of recording only Chicago talent, to attracting national and international musicians, to the label's commitment to nurturing the next generation of blues artists, Alligator continues to break new ground. Now, as clearly proven by the Alligator Records 45^th Anniversary Collection, the label is still dedicated to recording and promoting great talent, confirming that the passion, energy and soul-healing power of Alligator’s music is strong, genuine, and capable of rocking the house with no end in sight.

Ken Valdez - Soul Renegade - New Release review

I just received the newest release (April 5, 2016), Soul Renegade, from Ken Valdez and it's adventurous. Opening with title track, Soul Renegade, Ken Valdez quickly establishes his notoriety as a singer songwriter and guitar player with a nicely crafted and executed blues rock ballad. Paul Peterson on bass, Mario Dawson on drums, Ricky Peterson on B3 and Jason Petersen Delaine on backing vocals round out the force giving Valdez a solid platform for a brief but tense guitar solo. Rio Grande Blues has a strong blues rock posture along the lines of Mountain or Mahogany Rush. With a solid bass line and cocky vocals, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Sugar Shakin' Boogaloo has strong Jimmy Reed lines and with super player Chris Duarte adding his fluid riffs, this track rocks! Make It has a super underlying bottom riff that gives the track real traction. Kevin B.F. Burt adds tasty harp riffs but the super balance between Valdez and Hazel Miller's vocals and the heavy bottom makes for a great track with some hot guitar flash. Sometimes has an almost Alan Parson's poppy funk feel but the raw edge of Valdez's vocals and stinging guitar riffs from guitar monster Eric Gales take it light years away. Far From Gone has a hi stepping R&B style and nicely the blended vocals featuring Valdez and Miller. Detroit Iron is an uptempo rocker featuring Tucker Sterling Jensen on bass and Joe Diaz on drums. Valdez takes his most aggressive solo on the release on this track, really letting it loose. With R Peterson on B3 this track cooks. Funky, Final Season, is a tight rocker featuring Adam Daniel on keys and B3. This track has a great groove giving Valdez some nice space to lay out some really nice guitar riffs. Hot! Whiskey and Water is a quiet country style ballad with Valdez singing some of his most serious vocals. Backed by Shalo Lee on vocals and with Greg Jennings on slide, this track has solid radio potential. Angels retains a bit of that country feel with a strong swatch of gospel. With Miller, Valdez, Jensen and Mary Cutrufello on backing vocals and a real nice piano solo from Brian Leeper this track is another of my favorites. Pulling from Willie Dixon's library, Wang Dang Doodle gets a heavy rock twist on an already solid blues base. This is a nicely stylized redo of a classic track and a great closer.



  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 trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Dixiefrog Records artists: Balkun Brothers - Self Titled - New release review

I just received the newest release, Balkun Brothers by the Balkun Brothers and it is raw, bluesy and rowdy. Opening with Been Drivin', the Balkun Brothers do have a driving beat and with over the top drumming by Rick Balkun, a solid guitar base and single lead lines by Steve Balkun, these guys set high expectations (think stripped down blues version of Golden Earring). I Know What Ya' Did has a boogie bottom and heavy feet along with nicely blended vocals and tidy slide playing. These guys have something here that you gotta hear! She Got It All has a real strong guitar riff that sets the stage and solid vocals with a sound like Steppenwolf had a baby with the Stripes or the Keys. Steve's guitar work is flamboyant but contained in context maintaining a hard blues line with great vocals. Control Yourself leans strongly toward contemporary 2 piece blues rock bands and has a great sound with tight vocals and essential drum and guitar riffs. Excellent! Cold Heart is a solid rocker with roots deep in the blues. With trace guitar riffs like an early Tony Iommi this track has a heaviness to it that hits home. Rick's drumming gets splashy and brings up the tension. Very nice! Pawn Shop is a serious rocker along the lines of a Don Nix track with a infectious groove. Steve hits the slide and Rick's drumming is super. Very cool! Johnny Winter's Mean Town Blues maintains much of the feel and spontaneity of Johnny's original cut. A serious blues rocker handled respectfully and with passion! The brothers grind it out making it a highly enjoyable jam. The Painkillers has a solid blues rock bottom with the drive of an early 70's band but with a much more raw and modern approach. With drum rhythms not unlike John Bonham and the unstructured guitar soloing, this band is breathing new life into the genre. Bapadubap is a cool, jazzy, funky track with it's title describing it's rhythm. With a soulful vocal lead and a rich drum pattern, this track is hard not to love. A funky, heavy lumbering track with fever laden guitar and hard hitting drums and super vocals. Basic blues track, Jail Bird, has raspy vocals and prime Muddy Waters style guitar riffs. Addition of piano by Dave Keys adds a Paul Raymond flavor and Steve really hits the slide on the money. One of my release favorites! Storm For The Devil is a blues based rocker with fullness unexpected of a two piecer. Steve's slide style is unique and fat and Rick's drumming is concise and heavy. Great combination. Wrapping the release is Rainy Day Front Porch Blues a primitive blues with foot stomp and resonator. This is a deep blues track and perfect to close a strong contender in today's modern blues resurrection.



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Big Legal Mess artist: Jimbo Mathus - Band Of Storms - New release review

I just received the newest release, Band of Storms (May 6, 2016), from Jimbo Mathus and it's off the hook. If you read my site regularly you know that Mathus is one of my favorite writers/performers but that doesn't mean that he gets a pass. He has big boots to fill after turning out Jimmy The Kid a few years back. JTK is a release that all Mathus releases will be unfairly judged by, unfairly in that it is one of my favorite all time recordings. Mathus never fails to please and this release is no exception. If you ever put one of Jimbo's releases and you don't like it, and you like "real" music, not just canned music, set it aside and listen to it again in a few weeks. This stuff is the real deal and I can't say enough how good this stuff is! Opening with Gringo Man, Mathus cranks up a rockin country blues with a fat horn section filling in the back. Jimbo has such a casual delivery that literally sucks you right into the music. His vocals are fun and friendly and his guitar riffs are free wheelin and wild. Excellent! Can't Get Much Higher has a New Orleans feel with rolling piano and sweet, sassy sax work. Jimbo knows how to milk the juice out of a track in a way that to me was previously exclusive to Elvin Bishop. Excellent! On a Johnny Cash bent original, Let's Play With Fire, Mathus plays up that early country rock fusion that made Cash successful and does it well. This track is all Mathus in heart, co written with Robert Earl Reed but with a Cash style. Dramatic ballad, Stop Your Crying, has a really cool melody and Mathus' trademark western sound. This is one of my favorite tracks on the release with searing steel guitar over the backing. Very cool! Massive Confusion has that great Ramones, garage styling and we all know Mathus knows how to play that punky garage raw rock. Lofi guitar work and solid drumming give Jimbo the floor for his vocal serenade. Excellent! Wayward Wind has the simplicity of an old country folk tune. A sweet steel guitar solo and Jimbo perfectly clocked "Looka Here" gives this track just the right feel. Yes it can all be excellent! Opening with a dobro slide, Slow Down Sun, keeps it simple and pure. This is one of those tracks that bridges folk and blues with a really nice melody. It's trademark Jimbo and has a quiet elegance. I had an advance copy of this release a few weeks ago and had listened to it a few times while i worked. Last weekend a tune popped in my ear and I kept hearing it over and over. I could not for the life of me nail what it was. Then it popped. It's off of Jimbo's new release. Keep It Together is a very simple little track with simple accompaniment but a beautiful melody. With rudimentary drums, acoustic guitar and eloquent electric overlays, this track will be your earworm.. just listen! Wrapping the release is Catahoula, a great country reel with light mandolin and Jimbo hootin and hollerin. This is a great track and really caps a terrific release. I love every track on this release after only a few listens and I rarely ever say that about anything. Absolutely terrific!



  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 trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Danny Marks Releases 'Cities In Blue'

Danny Marks Releases 'Cities In Blue'

Available at dannym.com Cities in Blue is the soundtrack recording to Danny Marks’ popular television series on HIFI TV. The musician / broadcaster will take you to the land where blues began and beyond. Travel up and down the blues highway on a road-trip over one hundred years in the making, from New Orleans, Mississippi, Memphis and Houston, to Piedmont, Kansas, Chicago, and New York. Cities In Blue explores the evolution of one of America’s most iconic music styles: The Blues. Original songs and soundscapes by Danny Marks. In addition to Marks on vocals and guitar, Cities In Blue features appearances from Canadian blues musicians Julian Fauth, David Rotundo, The Whiteley Brothers: Chris & Ken, Delta Sugar's Sherie Marshall, Fathead's Bucky Berger, film composer Jonathan Goldsmith, jazz guitar great Rob Piltch, session ace Al Cross and bassist Alec Fraser in the co-producer's chair. Early Reviews of Cities In Blue "The kind of album that I would make if I could sing and play.  It's all blues and no bull! - Dave “Daddy Cool” Booth, Whistle Radio “A lovingly delivered, delicately-nuanced travelogue of blues, city-by-city, as he moves across the major blues centres, stylistically and otherwise.” - Eric Thom  “…an education for blues fans and provides insight into the evolution of the music. Although the songs are new and written by Danny Marks, they lovingly capture the feel of each region.” - Holger Petersen, Stony Plain Records “Here's the collection blues fans who watched the Marks-hosted HIFI TV series Cities In Blue have been calling for since it started airing in 2014.” - Bob Mersereau, Top 100 Canadian Singles “In many cases, you'd swear Marks and company were reviving some great old blues tunes that had undeservedly fallen into obscurity.” - Mark Rheaume, CBC Radio “Played 3 songs from the new Cities in Blue album by Danny Marks. Great reaction from the audience. The album is different and fresh. Love it.” - Dave Marsden, Curator NYthespirit.com Cities In Blue Track List Houston To L.A. (2:11) Belt Line Blues (2:50) Once I Was Crazy (5:29) Kansas City Shout (2:23) Memphis Got Soul (2:37) Heading Down To New Orleans (2:09) Blues Came To Chicago (2:50) Going Down The Road (4:04) Hey, New York Town! (5:15) Land Where Blues Began (5:07) Lights Out (3:00) *bonus track

Black Hen Records Artist Steve Dawson Debuts "Music Makers & Soul Shakers" Podcast

Black Hen Records Artist Steve Dawson Debuts “Music Makers & Soul Shakers” Podcast

NASHVILLE, TN - Black Hen Records artist Steve Dawson’s new podcast, "Music Makers and Soul Shakers," is now up on iTunes, and is also available on his website (link below).

Episode 1 features an interview with guitarist and composer, Bill Frisell. Episode 2 is with acoustic musician and songwriter, Tim O'Brien. 

The next two episodes to be released will feature Oliver Wood from the Woods Brothers and bluesman John Hammond. 

Steve describes the show’s format as “long-form interviews with interesting musicians and producers. Additional interviews in the can include Gurf Morlix, David Hood, Stephen Hodges, Fats Kaplin, Mary Gauthier and Steve Cropper.”

Steve Dawson’s new CD, Solid States & Loose Ends, releases on Friday, April 1.

                                                                 http://www.stevedawson.ca/makersandshakers

The Alabama Lovesnakes - Everybody's Gotta Go - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Everybody's Gotta Go, from the Alabama Lovesnakes and it's terrific! I had the pleasure of reviewing their last release, Nasty Weather, and this is a more mature and exciting followup! Opening with a smoking boogie, Prisoner Of Love, Crocodile Claes Nilsson takes the lead on guitar and vocal. Heavily driven by Fredrik Nilsson on bass and Henrik Gillgren on drums this is a great opener! Slow blues track, Your Little Key, opens with an excellent guitar intro and Claes has just the right grit on vocals to make this track scream. Jonny Lindstrom & Thomas Thornqvist add super sax and trumpet backing to this track which almost combusts it's so hot! Rock and roller Something You Got has a super rhythm and Nilsson drives the train on guitar and vocal backed by Ida Bang and Lovisa Birgersson. Very cool! Shuffle track, Searching High and Low has a great drive with the Nilssons and Gillgren really hitting the groove. I Need You Tonight to Keep The Devil Away has a cool Bo Diddley feel and the band plays up it's latin root. With a Texas swagger title track, Everybody's Gotta Go ,comes in kicking and biting. Claes plays a spanking solo on guitar and Fredrik is solid over the organ work of Daniel Nolgard. Very nice! The Matters of the Heart is an absolute screamer with Claes at the helm on guitar. Kick back in your chair, shut your eyes and let the man drive! With super dynamics and Claes fanning the flames, this 6 plus minute track is excellent! Opening with heavy tom tom work by Gillgren, Daddy's Beard, holds tight with cool slide work by Claes on a more traditional blues number. Blues rocker, Got to Get Back to New Orleans has a real radio edge with horn backing and a solid hook. Boogie track, Everything's Gonna Be Alright, sounds like it's right out of John Lee Hooker's songbook with a great driving bass line by Fredrik. Claes's vocals are super and his guitar loose. This is a great driving track with snappy drumming from Gillgren. Another track with a bit of New Orleans/Bo Diddley is I Got to Take You Back Home. With horn support and structured guitar backing, this track has great texture supporting the lead drumming by Gillgren and vocals by Claes. Back In Town has a super blues bottom with Fredrik hammering the bass. This is a solid track with a super groove and Claes takes the guitar on a soaring ride giving this track a super stinger. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Kokobello Blues with a cool guitar riff by Claes setting the stage. Cutting the cord and letting it run this track really smokes. Excellent conclusion to a really strong release! Oh...and really cool cover too!



  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 trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Jon Spear Band - Live Music Is Better - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Live Music Is Better from Jon Spear Band and it's a rocker. Opening with Devil's Highway the band shows it's spunk with Dara James on lead guitar and vocals, Jon Spear on rhythm guitar, bass by Andy Burdetsky and drums by John Stubblefield. Michael McDonald and Robben Ford's, Nothing To Nobody has a real nice R&B feel with James' vocals hitting spot on. Special guest Adrian Duke on B3 adds a nice touch and guitar solos by James and Spear are slick. Shake Your Boogie is a great track with a cool walking bass line under the track and harp by James. Spear takes the lead on vocal and guitar and spikes it. Special guest Haywood Giles lays down a hot sax solo and Duke jams the piano. Hot! Before The Bullets Fly has a cool Albert King rhythm and James' vocals are cool. Spears and James share lead guitar duty on this one giving it a cool kick. Classic funk track, Sissy Strut is up next and the guys do get down. James and Spear each take healthy guitar solos, Giles really gets the sax working, Duke works the B3 over and Burdetsky drives the bass hard. Very nice! James opens, Have You Ever Loved A Woman with a sweet guitar intro over lush chords by Spear. His vocals are silky and smooth and Burdetsky's bass is rock solid. Clocking in at over 8 minutes the guys really work this one over. Very nice! Laid back ballad, Old Soul features James' vocals nicely and Giles blows a real nice sax solo over hot rhythm by Stubblefield. An almost Eric Clapton like guitar solo by James takes the track to it's peak and then back for an solid ending. Delbert McClinton's country rocker, Blues About You Baby comes out swinging with Spear on lead vocal and guitar. I like it's raw edge and rough and tumble feel. With Speak pickin and James sliding this track may be my favorite on the release. I Love My Skin has a great New Orleans feel. With real nice sax work by Giles and lead vocals and super piano by Duke, this track is way cool! With a humble country approach, Paid In Full is a cool ballad with solid vocals and melodic guitar soloing. Very nice! With a bit of rock and a bit of R&B, Beginner at the Blues has warm guitar riffs and real nice vocals by James over tight rhythm guitar and solid bass work, all tied together by Stubblefield making for a cool radio track. Wrapping the release is shuffle track Live Music Is Better. A walking bass line by Burdetsky, cool piano by Duke and tight drums by Stubblefield sets a cool stage for James and Spear to sing and jam. A cool conclusion for a solid live release.


  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 trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Provogue artist: Jeff Healey - Heal My Soul - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Heal My Soul, by Jeff Healey and it's pretty cool. These are tracks that were recorded between 1996 and 1998. Opening with Daze Of The Night, Healey takes a solid rock stance with a catchy melody and ripping guitar work. Joe Rockman provides a nice bottom and Dean Glover does an excellent job on drums (love the cow bell). Moodswing continues in the blues rock vein with a heavy feel and slaying guitar riffs. Tom Stephen sits in on drums on this track with a lot of back slap and tension. Healey's guitar phrasing is terrific and his vocals solid as always. Healey shifts gears with pop track, Baby Blue, which has all of the components of an absolute top 40 track. Super melody, vocal blending and easy guitar rhythm with laid back lead work is the ticket here... think Bread or Badfinger. Very nice! I Misunderstood is another track with a nice melody but with tom tom heavy drums by Dean Glover and searing guitar soloing by Healey, this track has some heat in the oven. Please is a stiff rocker with Rockman and Stephen on the bottom and Healey ripping Hendrix like hot distorted riffs over a funky rock beat and a blend of Eddie Money pop. Love In Her Eyes is a safe rocker with nice vocal blending and a hot shot of dueling guitars. Temptation is a real cool track with an almost southern rock swagger and hot guitar riffs. Healey really does rip it on this track with a lot less control than expected. Very nice! Kiss The Ground is a really nice composition and one straight to the radio. Mood changes and excellent blending of vocals and instrumentation make this a top contender for cross radio play. Acoustic track, All The Saints, finds Healey at his vocal best, backed only by electronic keys and acoustic guitar. A simple melody with country and folk influences, this is a strong track. Put The Shoe On The Other Foot kicks out the jam with a bit of funk. Glover and Rockman are joined by Phillip Sayce on rhythm guitar and giving Healey the space to sing and play lead guitar. Nicely strung together guitar solos with a lot of feel by Healey makes this one of the most potent tracks on the release and one that is bound to be a fan favorite. Under A Stone is a straight up rocker with particularly cool drumming by Glover and with Cristie Healey on backing vocals. Healey lets the guitar rip here as well and his riffs are hot. Wrapping the release is It's The Last Time, a solid pop rocker with well fitted guitar riffs and a nice melody. This is a cool release and one that not just die hard Healey fans will enjoy!



  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 trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Blind Lemon Peel All Stars - Don't Tear my Clothes - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Don't Tear My Clothes, from Blind Lemon Peel and it's a good time party. Opening with Wear What I Please, a funky R&B style track, you can tell that this band is high on musicianship and entertainment. With David "Blind Lemon Peel" Hale on lead vocal with the expressiveness of David Bromberg, a nice gliding bass line by Hugh McDonald, cool piano work from Joel Diamond and backing vocals by Randi Dokman, Carol Sylvan, Althea Rogers and Janice Pendarvis this band is real entertaining. Funky New Orleans dripping, My Dog made popular by Mr Elvin Bishop has snappy drumming and crisp guitar riffs from Steve Burgh. This was a hot track by Bishop and it's a hot track by Peel. I like the spirited guitar soloing, vocal mixes and the snare ridden drums. Very nice! No Time Off (For Good Behavior) rides low on a solid bass riff and cool keys. With real nice horn backing and raw vocals this track it has some really nice features including an understated warm, T Bone Walker like guitar solo. Excellent! I'm So Horny (The Crack Of Dawn Ain't Safe) is an obvious crowd pleaser and it's country style 2 step bottom even makes it a demand at the venue for dancers! Clever vocals, raw guitar and round piano tones give it a more serious sound, but it's obvious fun! Title track, Don't Tear My Clothes, has a nice easy pace and Burgh digs in deep for some really soulful guitar lead riffs. The background singers really do a nice job giving this track an early Please Please please kind of feel. Lead singer, Hale, plays up the vocal lead and cool horn work gives it a real nice feel. Burgh takes a hard ride on guitar grinding out some great riffs and Diamond lays down some nice key work as well. Excellent! Shuffle track, Shake Your Love Thang' has a real Bishop feel with a deliberate vocal strut over a cool walking bass line. Burgh and Diamond each take cool solos on the track making it another of my favorites on the release. Can't Get Up (Offa That Much Love) is a real hi stepper with a super backing vocals and light guitar backing rhythm. Diamond lays out some nice funky key work and Burgh paints in some cool guitar riffs of his own. Marry My Money has a swinging style and a great walking bass line. Peel has such a cool vocal style it works well against the tight horn work and warm backing vocals. Keys and sax each get nice solos in with nice punch by the brass. Lots of fun! Fat slide work and harp opens Boogie Man Of Love, with it's drone bass line. Very effective! This track has real hot slide and harp work throughout, with great vocal mixes and the bass and drum rhythm is contagious. This track is great! Wrapping the release is the R&B styled !!!! Everybody. This track would more clearly be titled **** Everybody! With it's playful bass line, soulful sax soloing, power horns and authentic shoop style backing, this track is a super fun closer. This release is really quite solid and should be on your list to checkout.



  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 trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Delmark Records artist: Corey Dennison Band - Self Titled release - New Release Review

I just received the self titled release, Corey Dennis Band and it's way cool! Opening with Getcha' Pull!, Dennison, who has an incredible voice and also manages lead guitar is joined by Gerry Hundt on guitar and organ, Nik Skilnik on bass and Joel Baer on drums. This opening track has a little bit of rural country flavor with an easy picking rhythm but his vocals are truly off the hook! On Tugboat Blues the track oozes Chicago with a hint of Mud and a Hint of Elmo. I like Dennison's open guitar styling with a cool understated strut. Excellent! The Deacon is a high stepper with a funky underbelly. Just listen to this guy sing. Firm guitar riffs and a driving bass and drum lines carry Dennison proudly on it's shoulders. Room To Breathe is a laid back R&B style track that is bound to hit the airwaves (and encourage lots of couples to the dance floor). Very cool! City Lights also has a funky R&B carriage and Dennison not only sings the blues, he picks it well. Each track on this release reinforces that this is for real. She's No Good swings back toward the country styling but with roots in Gimme Back My Wig of T for Texas. Country style picking and riding snare/hi hat define the track but the blues prevails. Very nice! Aw, Snap! really digs in with a nice bass groove. It is like James Brown playing with Albert King. I love this track. It's great! Don't Say You're Sorry conjures feelings of the impressions. You can see where this guy lives. Super vocals, blending and feel. Ok. You been waiting for that slow, screamer. Here it is... A Fool's Goodbye. Dennison plays stinging guitar riff after riff behind his lush vocals. Skilnik sets down a really nice bass line giving Dennison the floor to Albert King it up and King it up he does. It doesn't sound like Mr King himself...nor does it sound like SRV doing Mr King, but in the big picture... this is great. Dennison has King's spirit and with real nice rhythm guitar by Hundt, Dennison squeezes the neck till it squeals and his vocals are spot on. Excellent! Jasper's Hop is a cool instrumental with traces of the MG's. Understated guitar riffs with clean articulation makes this track sing. Shame On Me has a really nice groove... a bit of funky under the soulful blues. I can't say enough how much I like this guys voice. His voice has just the right amount of grit but smooth and his phrasing is perfect. With Skilnik riding a nice groove, Dennison lays out really smooth riffs. Excellent! On Strange Things Happenin', a driving James Brown style track, it's Baer's drumming that drives the train with Skilnik riding high but again Dennison shines on vocals and his guitar talks for itself. Chicago style blues number, Good Enuff, wraps the release with a great swagger. Dennison sits on the beat and wails on vocals. His guitar work is tight and precise. This is a very nice closer to an absolutely excellent release!



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Sean Pinchin - Monkey Brain - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Monkey Brain (3/18/2016) from Sean Pinchin and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Monkey Brain, Pinchin wastes no time in establishing a solid rock sound with a terrific drum/rhythm beat with Mark McIntyre (bass) and Adam Warner (drums) a great slide riff (Pinchin) on the top. Excellent! Modern rocker, Can't Stand It is a driving rocker with a solid hook and Adrian Belew like guitar sounds. Very cool! Slowing the pace with Charity Case, Pinchin's vocals are solid and his guitar work is spontaneous and cool! Rocker, Hard Luck, has a definite commercial feel putting Pinchin out front primarily on vocal when he handles nicely. Living In The Past has a catchy melody and driving rhythm but Pinchin's guitar tones are infectious. He has an interesting vocal range which gives the track even more texture. Very nice! Goin' Hobo has an interesting southern gumbo sound that reverts to chicken pickin and a quick pace and back. An original sound and an interesting, cool track. Monsters is a foot stomper with great resonator slide work that is fat as you like. Holding tight to a country blues style, Monsters is a kick! Wrapping the release is Get Burned, a well written modern rocker with a driving rhythm, commercial styling and really nice guitar work. This is a really cool release and one that would sneak up on you if you judged it by it's cover. Check it out!



  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 trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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