Eric Bibb Is "The Happiest Man in the World" on New Stony Plain Records CD, Coming May 6

Tasty Country Blues Musical Gumbo Teams Award-Winning Roots Musician and North Country Far with Legendary Bassist Danny Thompson

EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records has set a May 6 release date for The Happiest Man in the World, the latest album from award-winning roots musician Eric Bibb, which teams him up with the group North Country Far and legendary bassist Danny Thompson.

The Happiest Man in the World is a 14-track tasty gumbo of country blues songs recorded in the English countryside with an exuberant, soulful spirit that feels like the perfect soundtrack for relaxing on the back porch or the front parlor. Led by multiple Blues Music Award-winner Eric Bibb, this stellar acoustic band is made up of musicians who have known each other for years. It features famed upright bassist Danny Thompson, whose resume includes work with such acclaimed artists as Alexis Korner, Donovan, Richard Thompson (no relation), Pentangle and John Martyn.  The album also includes a bonus instrumental track, “King Size Bed,” which is available only in the Deluxe digital edition.

To celebrate the release of the new CD, Eric Bibb and the band created a special video EPK about its making that can be viewed bekow:

In the liner notes for The Happiest Man in the World, Eric Bibb talks about how the album came together. “Some years ago, when I was living in Helsinki, I had the good fortune of meeting the Haavisto brothers – Janne, a very groovy drummer, and Olli, a wonderful dobro and pedal steel player. In addition to being fine musicians, both of them are experienced recording engineers. We became friends and began working together on various recording projects. Olli introduced me to Petri Hakala. He not only plays great mandolin & mandola, he also makes his own instruments! We started playing gigs advertised as Eric Bibb and North Country Far. Like most musicians, we began sharing road stories, telling tall tales and name-dropping. At some point I mentioned that a few years back I’d had a chance to tour with Danny Thompson, the legendary bassist. Fast-forward. One day, during a recording session, Olli said, ‘It would be great to make a record with Danny – he’s one of my heroes. Any chance?’

“And it happened - because it was meant to be! We met at The Grange (a residential studio where I’d recorded an album years before) near Norfolk, England. Together, for a few days in the month of July, with veteran sound engineer Dave Williams at the console, we experienced something beautifully friendly and elevating. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

The Happiest Man in the World continues Eric Bibb’s tradition of versatility in expressing his musical craft. His last album, the universally-acclaimed Lead Belly’s Gold, was a tribute to the iconic bluesman that saw Bibb join forces with French harmonica master JJ Milteau for an album of songs recorded at famed Paris jazz club, The Sunset, as well as five new studio recordings.

Eric Bibb’s career spans over five decades, 36 albums, countless radio and TV shows and non-stop tours, making him one of the leading bluesmen of his generation. Bibb tours regularly throughout the world and already has dates booked at both showcase venues and festivals throughout the spring and summer in the USA and Canada.

The Happiest Man in the World – Track Listing

1.      The Happiest Man In The World / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

2.      Toolin’ Down The Road / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

3.      I’ll Farm For You / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

4.      Tossin’ An’ Turnin’ / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

5.      Creole Café / Words & Music by Eric Bibb & Ulrika Pontén Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

6.      Born To Be Your Man / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

7.      Prison Of Time / Words by Eric Bibb & Wendell Berry, Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

8.      King Size Bed / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

9.      On The Porch / Words by Wendell Berry (from The Sabbath Poems 1979-1997 “They Sit Together On The Porch”, 1994), Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

10.  1912 Skiing Disaster (instrumental) / Music by Olli Haavisto & Petri Hakala

11.  Tell Ol’ Bill / Traditional/Arr. by E. Bibb

12.  Wish I Could Hold You Now / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

13.  Blueberry Boy (instrumental) / Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

14.  You Really Got Me / Words & Music by Ray Davies, Sony/ATV Songs LLC

15.  (Bonus track: King Size Bed - Instrumental bonus track)

www.ericbibb.net / www.stonyplainrecords.com

Steve Hill - Solo Recordings Volume 3 - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Solo Recordings Volume 3, by Steve Hill and it's quite good! Opening with a Damned, modern take on a JL Hooker style boogie, Steve Hill, a soloist (plays everything), really gets things cranking. With basic drums and bass rhythm, Hill is a super singer and knows how to squeeze the juice out of his guitar on this driving blues rocker. Dangerous leans a little more toward the rock arena but with solid blues roots. This is a track with a catchy melody and powerful guitar riffs making it a natural for the radio. Muddy Waters tracks, Still A Fool and A Rolling Stone are paired together into one stellar blues track. Hill uses this track in a somewhat original form with his own powerful voice and original riffs as a base and then grinds out terrific blues sounds on his electric guitar. Excellent! Quieting things down a bit, Hill delivers Slowly Slipping Away, an acoustic ballad with cleanly picked guitar patterns, harp solo and a nice melody. A strong kick in the pants is Rhythm All Over, a great track with traits of Robert Johnson and Paul Rogers with hot flashy slide guitar work. Great blues rocker! Smoking Hot Machine is a slinky R&B number with great harp tones and a driving drum beat. Hill's natural delivery on this track make it one of the releases super tracks! Troubled Times is an acoustic "folk" track with finely picked acoustic guitar and strong deliberate vocals. Very nice! Emily is a short pop rocker with bright vocals and tight acoustic guitar work. Can't Take It With You is a super track with hard driving bottom and cutting electric guitar riffs. With it's relentless snare attack and short bursts of electric solo, this is a cool track! Back to the hard core blues basis, Rollin' and Tumblin' joined with Stop Breaking Down is a terrific duo. With a drive that is hard to ignore, Hills vocals are compelling and his slide guitar work over rhythm extremely strong. Excellent! On traditional track, Going Down That Road Feeling Bad, Hill takes an acoustic solo as a part of the intro and it is really quite nice. Containing the track in more of a Leo Kottke style and not adding in slide it retains a bit more freshness due to the work of Delaney & Bonnie with Eric Clapton and Duane Allman. Wrapping the release is Walking Grave, a heavy bottomed blues based rocker. This track shows Hill at his most relentless with "wild" freely expressed guitar solos giving the track a real rawness contained withing a nicely polished shell. Excellent closer for an excellent 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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LowdenProud Records Ltd. artist: Tim Williams - So Low - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, So Low, from Tim Williams and it's a fine acoustic performance. Starting with the intro on Mose Allison's, If You Live, Tim Williams shows an excellent mastery and clarity in his acoustic playing style. With only shoe tapping as percussion, Williams delivers on vocals and runs the fretboard ragged. Very nice. On More Peppers In Your Chili, a rag style blues, Williams immediately has you tapping your own toes to his captivating style. His vocals are concise and bright. Big Bill Broonzy's My Big Money is one of my favorites on the release with a terrific mandolin articulation. Excellent! Anywhere C/O The Blues has a cool acoustic boogie drive with nicely presented slide icing. William's vocals are really solid and spot on. Blind Boy Fuller's Pistol Snapper has a rich, bluesy signature and clean acoustic runs over a rich thumb struck bass. The Witching Hour is a really cool track which nicely displays Williams' clean slide technique. With suspended Robert Johnson like drone notes, this is a really cool track. Traditional track, The Grizzly Bear, has a quick pace and a nice acoustic guitar jangle. Williams carries the track nicely on his own vocals, and his clean acoustic articulation makes the track a pure delight. Johnny Cash's Big River has a really rural country feel with only trace hints to Cash's origins. Excellent slide work on this track really sets it high on the release and the solid writing of Cash and delivery by Williams is a solid score. Midnight After Midnight, a contemporary written but old style blues track shows a pure understanding of authenticity. Williams' guitar work is clean and precise and his vocals real. Wrapping the release is Lightnin', a driving acoustic boogie with a little Hank Jr. twist. This is a really enjoyable release showing smart writing and track selection, solid vocals and clever but authentic guitar styling and performance. Very enjoyable!



  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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Woodstock Records artists: Waydown Wailers - Empty Promises - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Empty Promises, from Waydown Wailers and it has a swampy, rocky, pop sound. Opening with Don't Let Life Pass You By, lead vocalist and guitar player, Dave Parker leads and easy paced country rock track with a bit of cowboy and a bit of the New Riders influence and some nice steel guitar work from Christian "Moe" Parker, backed by Michael Scruffy Scriminger on drums and Connor Pelkey on bass and vocals. With a modified funky rock beat, Jealousy has a melodic, Tom Petty feel with a bit of hip hop delivery. Interesting. Title track, Empty Promises, is the "hit" track for the release with solid vocal hooks, and an arena rock feel. Waydown Blue has a light, breezy rock feel with a jazzy rhythm. Melodic vocals and balanced instrumental backing is the key here. No Time To Waste is a strait forward rocker with an almost Eric Clapton feel complimented by Moe's clean playing. St. Vraine is a cool ballad reminding me quite a bit of Gregg Allman as a solo artist. Nicely written and delivered, this may be my favorite track on the release. Funky guitar riffs set the pace for, She's Gonna Run, with Booker T style organ work by Professor Louie. An extended guitar solo on this track by Moe is actually quite cool. Hawkins' written Susie Q is always a cool track a much more direct guitar attack than on previously issued covers of this track but cool none the less. Still Water has a strong waltz tempo and with appropriate instrumental backing has a real authentic early American feel. I like this track for it's purity. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Whiskey & Cornbread, a real nice rocker to take this release home. With a Canned Heat feel and slide guitar, this track is a super track to wrap the 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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Texas Blues Rock Guitarist Lance Lopez To Release Electrifying Live Performance From New York City On CD!

Texas Blues Rock Guitarist Lance Lopez To Release Electrifying Live Performance From New York City On CD!

Los Angeles - Texas blues rock king Lance Lopez takes his electrifying guitar virtuoso performance to the Big Apple on this extraordinary live album! This incredible concert album features highlights from Lopez’s most recent album, the critically acclaimed Handmade Music!

“ 'Live In NYC' was recorded on such a powerful night! It was Johnny Winter's 70th Birthday Party at a sold out B.B. King's Blues Club in Times Square...and was filled with a who's who of the blues! I played my heart out for Johnny that night, and was so happy that they were able to capture it on a recording...it's absolutely one of my finest performances I ever did in New York City.” - Lance Lopez

A music professional from the tender age of 14, Lopez cut his teeth with legendary drummer Buddy Miles, who would go on to co-produce Lopez’s debut album in 1999, and has played with virtually every notable blues musician of the 20th century! Lopez's newest project, the blues rock supergroup Supersonic Blues Machine, will release a new album in February with guest appearances by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Eric Gales, Walter Trout, Robben Ford and others!

Track list:

1. Come Back Home

2. Hard Time

3. Get Out And Walk

4. Traveling Riverside Blues

5. Lowdown Ways

6. Tell The Truth

7. El Paso Sugar

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/LanceLopezCD

Download on iTunes: http://flyt.it/LanceLopezDig

Lance Lopez official website: http://www.lancelopeztx.com/

Durstwerks Recordings artist: Bill Durst - Good Good Lovin - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Good Good Lovin, from Bill Durst and it's a great rocker! Opening with title track, Good Good Lovin, Durst plies great Muddy Waters blues riffs with the rockin' sounds of Grand Funk Railroad for a super blues rocker. Stinging rock guitar riffs from Durst punctuate the great opener joined by Joe De Angelis on bass and Corey Thompson on drums. Got Love has an 80's rock sound with heavy kick drum and a solid melody. Durst shows worthy guitar chops with southern guitar influences. 21st Century Blues has a British metal sound reminiscent of Judas Priest but with Wishbone Ash overtones. A solid rocker, the bass is tight, the drums are on and the guitar soars. I'm Alright shows Texas blues rock styling and a super driving riff. If you like the Rev Billy G, you should dig this! Heaven Heaven opens with a cool slide guitar riff and led by a relentless kick drum, setting up a great rocker with a rolling bass line and hot guitar riffs. Very cool! Shuffle track, King Snake Prowl, has a great bass bottom and some of Durst's best vocals. With a lot of swagger and hi gain on the guitar amp, Durst lays down some really nicely stlyed riffs making this my favorite track on the release. What Could Have Been Love is a real sweet slow blues number with nice chord emphasis. A heavy drum / bass turnaround gives this track real oomph and Durst soulful vocals and tasty riffs make this another track with heavy traction! Northern Electric is a great blues rocker with a cool extended bass driven turnaround. Durst sets out a RBG styled guitar and vocal pairing that makes this another favorite for me (Check out sleeper ... XXX if you don't know it). I Regret To Say has a soulful ballad with just the right amount of reverb and 50's styling. Excellent 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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New Blues Revolution - Hellendale and Back - New release review

I just received the newest release, Hellendale and Back from New Blues Revolution and it's diverse and interesting. Opening with Souls On Fire, lead by Bill Grisolia on lead vocal, joined by Chap Cooper on guitars, Roger Beall on drums and Bob Burns on bass, creates a solitude but heavy track with traces of Jim Morrison, Zack Wilde and Alice Cooper. With the paired drone bass notes, Burns holds the bottom tight and Cooper creates a swirling guitar aura. Whiskey Town retains much of the easy attack darkness of BLS with cleverly woven guitar riffs and subdued rhythms. Black Widow opens up with a cool walking bass line and slick guitar riff. With a lighter attack and a more deliberate rock approach, this track has great dynamics and cool radio appeal. Surf slanted Baby Blue doesn't use any of the classic surf guitar riffs but the feel is there and cleanly stroked bass and guitar lines along with the simple drum lines and brighter vocals give this track more of a poppy feel. Wrapping the release and my favorite track on the release is Sunset Psycho Twang clocking in at over 5 minutes. This track has an airy Jeff Beck (or Pink Floyd if you prefer) feel that builds tension throughout with dynamic, well placed guitar lead over a very staid rhythm. This is a really cool track and a solid finisher for New Blues Revolutions newest effort.



  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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Jimmy Byron - Transition - New release review

I just received the newest release (April 15, 2016), Transition, from Jimmy Byron and it's quite good. Opening with a classic drum riff tied to The Shangri-Las of the early 60's but with takes a hard turn with traces of the Who, Zappa and Lou Reed. Chris Staig on lead guitar lays out some really outrageous riffs joined by Mitchell Thompson on bass and Josh Hicks on drums. Excellent! It's Sad has a very cool early 60's British rock sound with Byron on vocals and with the addition of David Poulin on strings and Staig's guitar riffs in an almost Mick Ronson style sets a nice tone. Can't Get Ahead has a Buddy Holly/Bo Diddley rockin feel and Byron gets things hopping. Jack Breakfast on piano and Byron on lead vocal and harp give this track a real vintage feel. Title track, Transition, is a good urban rocker with a punky, cocky attitude. With a lot of swagger and Reed style vocals, this track kicks! The Job has a folkier sound with an early Bob Dylan delivery and rural fiddle and guitar instrumentation. Very cool! (You Don't Do) What You Used To is a driving rocker with a slightly off beat rhythm. Again Staig sets up the guitar lines, Dennis Mohammed drives the bass, Breakfast on piano and Hicks carries the drums. Very cool. Lucy is a beautiful ballad with simple lines but strongly reminding me of one of today's best songwriters, Frank Black. Definitely one of my favorites on this release with a lot of good tracks to choose from! Don't Reckon has a cool rock blues feel with an early Jorma/Hot Tuna feel. Cool off beat piano lines, sax riffs by Jim Bish and clever guitar riffs gives this track a different kind of heat. Wrapping the release is Big Bad Wolf, a simple country style rocker with solid vocals and really nice slide work from Burke Carroll . Rhythmic acoustic guitar strumming and light honky tonk piano styling carry this track through to the end of a very fine, versatile 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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Black Hen Music artist: Steve Dawson - Solid States and Loose Ends - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Solid States and Loose Ends, from Steve Dawson and it's a smooth integration of blues, country and bluegrass... in other words... very cool! Opening with Loose Ends, a cool, swampy blues funk, Dawson on guitar and vocal is joined by Gary Craig on drums, John Dymond on bass, Kevin McKendree on organ, Jim Hoke on sax, Steve Herrman on trumpet and Regina and Ann McCrary on backing vocal. With solid vocals, really tasty slide, warm horns and cool lower register guitar work, with the hot backing vocals, this track is an excellent opener! Broken Furniture Blues has an upbeat rural rock feel with acoustic guitar picking driving the train. Again Dawson slips in some excellent slide riffs backed by Craig and Dymond. Leave My Name Behind has a really nice Rev Gary Davis feel reinforced by Mike Bub on bass. The choice of resonator on this track with some choice electric guitar riffs, backed by Fats Kaplin on viola, really cool sax work by Jim Hoke and the McCrary sisters vocals makes this one of my favorites on the release. California Saviour is a more laid back pop track with Keri Latimer joining on harmony vocal. Again Dawson's guitar work is really nice with resonator, pedal steel and electric making for a gourmet meal of flavor. On Top Of The World has a real nice Gypsy feel with a European beat, Kaplin on fiddle and Dawson's pedal work. Very nice! Little Silver has a catchy melody but with a country acoustic picked guitar rhythm and Bub and Craig reinforcing the feel. Again Dawson steps up the pedal steel work giving the track a nice kick. Riley's Henhouse Door is a really cool track featuring only Dawson on vocal and acoustic accompaniment. With it's roots in country blues along the lines of Led Belly, this is a super track! Final Words slips back to ward the main stream with a solid rock entry. Dawson is very capable as lead vocalist and with sophisticated bass work and warm organ, Final Words is a strong radio track with crisp slide ornamentation. Very nice! Can't Put That Monkey On My Back is a traditional track with a distinct Ry Cooder feel. Dawson has his own fingerprint and with more of a modern, rock feel, this is a really nice track. McKendree's piano work on the track nicely highlights Dawson's excellent slide work. Another favorite! Early Warning is a spiritually structured track with a light back beat. With the McCrary sisters on backing vocals and McKendree on organ this track is smooth. Dawson's slide technique is really super giving the track great contrast. You Got What It Takes is a hot, lumbering blues track with a simple melody. With throaty electric slide guitar work and a fat compliment of Bari sax from Hoke, this is a really hot track! Driver's Wheel has a rolling country blues feel with Craig providing a light train rhythm and Kaplin's fiddle work laid nicely on Dawson's acoustic picking. Delia, another traditional number, has a distinct country blues feel with light fiddle and acoustic backing. Joined by Keri Latimer on vocals, this track has a simple purity. Wrapping the release is Rose's Blues, an easy paced ballad with an almost Grateful Dead feel. Kaplin on mandolin and organ adds nice texture and Dawson's slide work is always perfect. Nicely blended vocals by Dawson and Latimer makes this a very nice conclusion to a very special 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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New West Records artist: Luther Dickinson - Blues & Ballads - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Blues & Ballads (A Folksinger's Songbook: Volume I & II) by Luther Dickinson and it is a pure delight! Opening with Othar Turner's Hurry Up Sunrise, Dickinson teams up with Turner's granddaughter, Sharde' Thomas for a country blues pop track with really nice slide and a tight rhythm. Excellent opener! Up Over Yonder features JJ Grey on vocal and greasy slide work from Jason Isbell which adds real grit. Dickinson's own guitar work, bass by Amy LaVere and Thomas on drums round out this super track. Bang Bang Lulu is a really cool track with a New Orleans feel. Dickinson's own piano and slide work, along with fiddle by Lillie Mae Rische, and Paul Taylor on tub bass gives this track an excellent vibe. Super! Moonshine is an easy paced folk ballad with light, straight up acoustic picking and Dickinson on lead vocal. His slide work on this track again slides giving it a warm homey feel. Jackson is a well constructed folk ballad with simple acoustic accompaniment. This is just pure music. Mean Ol' Wind Died Down is a track that I would say sounds quite a bit like Othar with it's structure, snare drum, duet vocal and fife by Thomas and Dickinson on guitar. Very nice! How I Wish My Train Would Come has a strong melody and with secondary vocals by Thomas, B3 by Charles Hodges and Dickinson on guitar and mandolin, a very nice track. Ain't No Grave was written by Dickinson after the passing of his father. Mavis Staples joins on vocals on this eerie track and Will Sexton on acoustic guitar with Luther taking the prime vocal position and adding beautiful slide work. Excellent! Let It Roll is a very cool jam in spiritual form with a blend of B3, piano and slide guitar, breaking into very bluesy/gospel style melody featuring Thomas and Dickinson. One of my absolute favorites on the release! My Leavin' features Jimbo Mathus on banjo under Dickinson on lead vocal with Thomas on second vocal and fife. Very cool! Horseshoe (Reprise) is an excellent jam with Dickinson on coffe can diddley bo, Jimmy Crosthwait on washboard, Paul Taylor on tub bass and Thomas on fife. Excellent! Blues track, Highwater (Soldier) has a heavy kick drum bottom and lead diddley bo slide work balancing nicely with Dickinson's vocals. And It Hurts is a quiet ballad with acoustic guitar accompaniment, fiddle by Rische and some of the softest vocals on the release. Very nice! Storm, another ballad, has an unsettling melody reinforced by Dickinson's slide work. Dickinson is a master of tension and blending which is well exhibited here. Mojo, Mojo has a solid hill country sound with a raw unpolished feel. Dickinson's vocals, complimented by Thomas, his own guitar and the fiddle work of Rische make for a solid folk track. Very nice! Ol' Cannonball has a pure country blues feel with shuffle brushes by Thomas. This track just flows like water from a stream, natural and pure. A gritty blues number, Devilment, has a great primitive feel with unpolished vocals, raw slide and rudimentary drums. Excellent! Blow Out sounds like an early rocker with simple percussion and Dickinson's driving vocal and guitar work. Very cool! Mayor Langford Birmingham Blues is a really country blues track and another of my favorites on the release. Dickinson's vocals and guitar pickin is well complimented by Rische on fiddle and Dominic Davis on bass. Excellent! Shake (Yo Mama) has a real mountain country feel mixed with a city rock blues. The raw blending of vocals and mandolin, Jimbo Mathus on banjo and Alvin Youngblood on guitar is seriously cool! Wrapping the release is Horseshoe, with Dickinson on acoustic guitar and vocal. His playing technique is nicely showcased on this track making it a perfect conclusion to an excellent 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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Joyann Parker & Sweet Tea - On The Rocks - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, On The Rocks, from Joyann Parker & Sweet Tea and it's a strong airplay set. Opening with You, Joyann Parker shows a particularly soulful voice. Backed by Mark Lamoine on guitar, Mick Zampogna on keys, Michael Cavale on bass and Nick Zwack on drums, this is a tight unit. What's Good For You has a firm anthem feel with Zampogna and Lamoine creating a nice blend of instrumentation. Ain't Got Time To Cry is a cool rhythmic track with surprisingly cool accordion work by Zampogna creating an almost cafe atmosphere. What Happened To Me is a straight rocker with a super bass line from Carvale and tight rock n roll guitar riffs from Lamoine. An extended piano solo from Zampogna and a bit more rockin guitar from Lamoine gives this track a good swing. Serious ballad, Jigsaw Heart, is the strongest radio track on the release with a sweet melody and subtle guitar lines under the track. Very nice! Hit Me Like A Train has a R&B feel and you almost expect Tina to burst onto the stage and kick up her legs. Slide work from Lamione and snare work from Zwack gives the track a distinct country twist. Fool For You is a slinky boogie track with a sassy style. Carvale and Zwack set a meaty rhythm and Lamoine takes a slick guitar ride nicely complimenting Parker's strong vocals. Evil Hearted is a cool bluesy track with a cool bass riff and spirited guitar solo, surrounding warm lead vocals by Parker. Another of my favorites on the release. Bringing on the funk, Closing Someone Else's Blinds has a real nice bass line and a cool compliment on keys (think Breaking Up Somebody's Home). Parker's vocals on this track are particularly clear and the track really hits a nice groove! Lamoine brings the pot to a boil with a hot guitar riff just before the conclusion. Go For The Money is a rocker with scorching guitar riffs and a driving beat. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, Either Way. This is a very simple and nicely written track showing the absolute clarity of Parker's voice and a a cool final track.



  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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A Special Night With Blues Harp Women May 12th in SF

Hike Up Your Skirts and Run To The Freight & Salvage

On May 12^th For An Evening of Blues Harp Women

Join Three Blues Harp Blowing Gals

That Will Expand Your Mind!

Blues Roots DJ/Promoter Norman Davis along with the Freight & Salvage is proud to present a special evening with Blues Harp Women; spotlighting on a diverse group of female harp players. This particular show spurs from the Ruf Records release, a double cd called Blues Harp Women produced by Norman Davis, a DJ out of Idaho.  This will be at the iconic venue in Berkeley, on May 12^th with the following harp blowers: Jenny Kerr, Beth Kohnen and LynnAnn Hyde. Show time is 8 PM with doors opening at 7 PM. Tickets are $22.00, and you can get them at the door or go to the Freight & Salvage site: http://www.freightandsalvage.org

A little background on the accidental discovery of this project: Norman Davis - A DJ with radio station KRBX. Davis spins wax on his Monday night show "The Juke Joint" as well as his long-running show: “Midnight Flyer" that can found via the internet: www.midnightflyerblues.com He is a long-time advocate of preserving the blues music genre and continues his journey through various production projects like this CD.

From the DJ’s microphone or desk:

“Big Mama Thornton is responsible for this album. I played one of her tracks on my radio show, heard a sweet harmonica solo and checked the liner notes to see who it was. It was Big Mama! It was the first time I recall hearing a woman playing blues harp, and it set the wheels turning in my head. I started wondering if other women played the harmonica and why they are virtually unknown. I began searching. Eventually, I found others, then more. I was inspired to create a website. As I was discussing it with a friend, he mispronounced harmonica as “hermonica”. “That’s it!” I shouted. “That’s the name for the website!”

So hermonicas.com was born and became what Adam Gussow called “the definitive site on women harmonica players.” We discovered and contacted almost 200 players around the world. There was some discussion of putting an album together. As far as we know, it had never been done before. A label-owning friend suggested I try Ruf Records and (bless his heart) Tom Ruf agreed to back the project.
It has taken a few years and numerous obstacles to overcome, (working with 30-plus artists can get very complicated), but finally, the album is finished and is about to become a unique part of music history; the very first women’s blues harmonica compilation album ever made!

I hope this album will shed some light on what has been a black hole in the blues universe. It proves that as with other instruments, women are the equal of men on the harmonica. Perhaps this will help them get the attention that has passed them by in the past. I am delighted to have been a part of this project.”

About the three woman harp players:  

Jenny Kerr: San Francisco native and Oxford dropout, multi-instrumentalist (finger-style and slide guitar, claw hammer banjo, harmonica, piano), as well as a poetic and passionate songwriter, Jenny Kerr is known for foot-stomping live shows and powerful, authentic voice, delivering a seasoned yet spirited sound with forays into swamp rock, straight-up soul, backwater honky tonk, and old-time blues and finely-hewn ballads. Jenny has headlined festivals in 12 countries and shared the stage with such luminaries as Guy Clark, Peter Rowan and opened for Dr. John among others.   Her most recent release is "Head of Fire" whose title track was produced and performed on by legendary multi-platinum producer Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Michael Jackson, Tom Petty).  Learn more at www.jennykerr.com 

Beth Kohnen: A former banker, Beth has performed in the SF Bay Area since 1998 sharing the stage with blues legends Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, Willy Jordan, Birdlegg, RJ Mischo, Lara Price, and Bonnie Hayes. She has also toured in New Orleans, Paris, Florence, Venice, Scotland, and Dublin. She has released three albums--the first two with a rocking full band and the latest a mellow duo with renowned blues guitarist Rusty Zinn. Fans of Big Walter Horton have often exclaimed that they can hear echoes of his deep tone and phrasing in Beth's music - not strange since he is her favorite musician and primary influence.

LynnAnn Hyde: LynnAnn is a well-known and nationally endorsed harmonica and button-box player (former Hohner Harmonicas USA Artist Endorser/Lifetime Baldoni Accordions Artist Endorser) and is also a songwriter/arranger of note in the Pacific NW. She is one-half of the duo Kinzel & Hyde that regularly performs all over the West Coast.  http://www.kinzelandhyde.com

So please come out to a wonderful evening of blues, harp and female attitude!