Chris Duarte starts 2017 in Florida!

The Chris Duarte Group, Austin, Texas

The Chris Duarte Group heads to South Central Florida to kick off 2017 with a five-show run including the opening night headliner for the Suncoast Blues Festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds!  Other shows will be hosted by Ray Lewis at the Mudville Music Room in Jacksonville, a return to The Alley in Sanford, a stop at Boston’s on the Beach in Delray Beach, and finishing at The Barrel Room in Fort Myers. The Chris Duarte Group had a banner year in 2016, highlighted by Chris Duarte being inducted into the Canadian Blues Hall of Fame while touring in Windsor, spending two weeks in the Sturgis, South Dakota area up to and during Bike Week and introducing his power-trio style of Blues to new fans at several new stops across our great Nation. Another highlight was a three-show sell-out in Joplin, Missouri – such a success that the Coda Concert House moved to a larger venue to accommodate guests who traveled from all across the country to witness the inaugural Jimi Hendrix Birthday tribute concert and two additional concerts – the final night was a very rare Jazz-Blues Improv show with special guests Jesse Aycock & Paul Benjaman. Red House video courtesy of Brian Douglas Media, Ashland, MA. Chris Duarte finished 2016 in his hometown of Austin, Texas playing at his standing Monday night gigs at The One2One, and a dual headline concert with Beth Lee and the Breakups at The Townsend. Follow along for more tour dates at Chris Duarte’s website, https://duarte.rocks

STILL more media praise for bluesman Mike Zito's new album

Released on Ruf Records distributed by the In Tune Music Group this passed November, Make Blues Not War, is currently #1 on the Roots Music Report's Blues chart, #7 on XM Sirius' Rack of Blues 5 weeks in. The album's nabbed a nomination for "Best Blues Album" by New Orleans' Offbeat Magazine. This is blues guitar gunslinger Mike Zito's second release since leaving the mighty Royal Southern Brotherhood (Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Yonrico Scott, Charlie Wooton). It has been getting great press coverage and I'm including a small sampling below. It's his 13th album overall and perhaps the most energetic of the bunch.  ------------------- Guitarist, singer and songwriter Mike Zito is one of the big names of the blues, a former member of The Royal Southern Brotherhood, and this is his own 13th album overall. It's not quite a back-to-basics set, but not far off - he has the support of a trio including producer Tom Hambridge on drums; Mike himself says that the intention was to make "a kick ass blues-rock album", and he's succeeded. Mind you, he does play mostly 12 bar numbers here, and although some are loud (try the opener, 'Highway Mama'), overall this reminded me of Alligator's "high-energy" sound of the 80s - particularly Johnny Winter - brought up to date. Mike really does rock the blues here - lend an ear to 'Chip off The Block, with his son Zach on guitar, and that's not nepotism, he can play. Then again, other guests include Walter Trout and harmonica ace Jason Ricci, and the two borrowed tunes are instructive - a full-on six and a half minutes long impassioned version of the great Luther Allison's slow West side Chicago blues 'Bad News Is Coming' and the closing track, Clarence Garlow's 'Route 90', a rocking zydeco influenced blues taken straight (and wild!), with Kevin McKendree supplying some fantastic boogying piano work. You might guess I enjoyed this set - a lot!  Norman Darwen/Blues In The South January Mike Zito has been on our radar for several years now, with his own solo career as well as a productive stint with the Royal Southern Brotherhood.  He'd always wanted to make a fun, guitar-centric blues-rock album, and what better place to do it than right here in Nashville with drummer, composer, and producer extraordinaire Tom Hambridge at the helm.  The result is the blistering twelve cuts that remind us to "Make Blues Not War," on the Ruf label. Let's get right to the music.  Leading off is the tale of that "Highway Mama" who'll  "make your motor run wild!" Zito's all over the guitar here, as is special guest Walter Trout on additional guitar.  The biographical story of Mike's son, Zach, is the theme of "Chip Off The Old Block," who was "bangin' on my guitar before he could walk!"  Zach's come full-circle, too, as he's the featured guitarist on this one. "Road Dog" is perhaps the set's most poignant cut.  It details the loneliness of life on the road thru Mike's eyes, where "all I ever do is leave."  "Redbird" is full of Hendrixian psychedelia (and is perhaps Mike's answer to "Little Wing"), and "Crazy Legs" choogles along at a breakneck pace and deals with those "tight red skirts" and other things you"ll see at your neighborhood bar! We had two favorites, too.  The title cit is a good ole slide-guitar fest with down-home harp from guest Jason Ricci as Mike prefers to "pass around the peace pipe"  instead of fighting!  And, the set closes with an absolute rockin' road trip along "Route 0," name-checking everywhere from San Antone to Katy to Beaumont on the way down to the Land Of Dreams!  Kevin McKendree's piano wraps a big ole bow on the whole thing! With "Make Blues Not War" Mike Zito has hit on an album that is pure fun, and serves as his reminder to himself and us fans why he enjoys playing guitar!  Peace out, Mike!  Sheryl and Don Crow, the Nashville Blues Society. Sheryl and Don Crow/donandsherylsbluesblog.wordpress.com/ 12/30 Mike Zito - Make Blues Not War (Ruf Records). The co-founder of the excellent Royal Southern Brotherhood is now firmly established as a top notch solo performer, and Zito's new Ruf CD soared into the higher reaches of the Billboard Blues Chart on the day of its release. The Missouri-born singer and guitarist's sterling efforts are aided and abetted here by fellow bluesmen Walter Trout and Jason Ricci as he unveils what is arguably his finest offering to date, blessed with muscular gems such as Highway Mama and the harmonica-led Chicago blues of the robust title track.  Kevin Bryan/worksopguardian.co.uk 1/2 Zito proves that the blues are still a vibrant and exciting musical genre. There is a tendency for blues music to sound very similar and hard to distinguish individual songs. Zito completely tears that myth down on Make Blues Not War by showing his versatility. Not only is Zito a world class guitar player, he is a great singer. This album mixes blues with rock and roll, southern rock and swamp rock to create an album that is infectious and each song is distinct. Zito can sing his tail off, but every song comes back to the guitar and his playing is smokin'. Mike Zito is no stranger to the music business. This is the Saint Louis native's ninth solo album. Not only has Zito had a very prolific and successful solo career, he was a founding member of the Royal Southern Brotherhood (2010-2014) which included the likes of Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Charlie Wooton, and Yonrico Scott. When he is not playing, he is also a sought after producer. The title track, Make Blues Not War (Track5), is a traditional blues number that Zito takes to the third power with blazing guitar solos and harmonica that raises the roof on this number. He pays homage to blues legends on this song, including Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and BB King. The song is about peace through music. Being able to tear down barriers with the power of song. It is a good sentiment and should be employed more often, for sure. Bad News Is Coming (Track 7) is a slower tempo blues number that clocks in at six and a half minutes. It is a relatively long song but plays like a three minute song because of Zito's outstanding guitar playing. This song is exciting and the solos contain a lot of twists and turns to make this song extremely interesting and one that you will want to hear over and over.  Wasted Time (Track 3) is great number similar in style to the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan. Zito's guitar is pretty darn good on this tune. Although this song and the others may be about topics that are normally sad or "blue", Zito has the ability to make these numbers uplifting and not feel depressing or blue at all. That is a rare talent, indeed, and you should give Make Blues Not War a serious listen. Harry Kaplan/Twangrila.com 1/1 Singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mike Zito sure ain't kidding when it comes to making the blues. Zito's impassioned vocals and blistering guitar playing are red hot scorching to the point were your stereo speakers might just be reduced to smoking embers. The stomping beats and steady tempos slither along with breathtaking forward-ho precision. The protracted jams not only draw out every last ounce of pure angst, but also tear into the tasty fat pulsating grooves in an admirably savage and relentless manner. A fantastic album.  Joe Wawrzyniak, JerseyBeat.com An old pal of Elmore, Mike Zito, chats with senior writer, Jim Hynes, about his new album, Make Blues Not War, and provides a bit of career perspective as well, reflecting on his time with Royal Southern Brotherhood, his choice to leave behind the Wheel, the vibrant Houston music scene and, most important of all, recruiting a key new member for his touring act. Elmore Magazine: How does it feel to have the album out that you've long wanted to make and see it rise immediately to #1 on the blues Billboard chart? Mike Zito:  You know, in the roots and blues world, this is as good as it gets. I try to put more stock into going out to play, but in order to do it; you need to keep making records. It feels especially good for this record, because we are not breaking any new ground. We're just cutting loose and having fun. So, to see it be successful is like a bonus. EM: I really liked what you were doing with the Wheel, and the band seemed especially tight live. Why go in a different direction? MZ: The Wheel is a great band. I'd been doing it a while, from 2012 through 2015. I enjoy being in a band, I love writing songs, playing blues, blues-rock and playing guitar and jamming. The jamming part is not easy to do in a band, and the Wheel didn't really like it. It got to a point where I felt like I was fighting for space in my own project. When you've been doing the same thing, things start to get stale at a certain level. I could sense that, and it just seemed like it was time to take a break. Going out and just playing guitar like I'm doing now... heck, I haven't done something like this since the '90s. EM: I'm curious, because your former bandmate in RSB, Devon Allman, (and we grieve with him in the loss of his mom) also sought out Tom Hambridge for his Ragged and Dirty album, with some inspiration from Luther Allison. You took a similar path. Is it coincidental, or did you and Devon talk about it? MZ:  I introduced Devon to Tom Hambridge. Tom and I have been talking about doing this record of mine for eight years. Devon wanted to go more in the direction of blues, but really didn't have a lot of background and needed someone to help him. Luther Allison is my favorite artist. I was a big fan of Ruf Records and Luther in the '90s. I have all of his records. In fact, I always wanted to be on Ruf Records, and when I got the chance, I encouraged my manager, Reuben Williams, to get on the label. Cyrille recorded Luther's "You Can Run But You Can't Hide," Devon did "Ragged and Dirty" and I just produced Big Dog for Albert Castiglia, and he did "Drowning at the Bottom." I learned that Ruf had two of Luther's guitars in storage in New York and one of them was a Flying V Gibson that had been in storage for fifteen years that still had Luther's original strings on there. That's the guitar I played on "Bad News Coming," and also the guitar Albert used on his Luther song. Wow!  What a feeling to be playing his guitar while honoring his song. [read the rest of the interview here:  http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2016/12/music-news/mike-zito-makes-blues]  Jim Hynes/ElmoreMagazine.com 12/15 It's not limited to drinking and losing and living life the wrong way. Blues music can encompass any number of themes, and Mike Zito has found an audience for his songs about sobriety and recovery. The Texas-based blues guitarist makes a living on the road playing blues clubs and blues festivals. But those aren't Zito's only gigs. Because of the lack of an established blues club in several cities, today's blues circuit might include a show at a nontraditional venue like a VFW Hall, a golf course or a motorcycle club - anywhere a promoter can find a room. His local show falls into the latter scenario, and it's a good match for artist and audience.  Cincinnati.com 12/14  ----------------------------- That atmosphere of positivity began at the album sessions, as Mike tracked alongside Grammy Award-winning producer (and co-writer) Tom Hambridge at the Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. "It was so much fun," Zito remembers. "It's a completely live album, where the musicians all set up and we just hit record and went for it. The energy was awesome and sometimes we'd just be laughing so hard because it was all so intense and exciting."  As the momentum gathered, the songs coalesced with an awesome flow, Mike painting in every shade of blue, from the frantic six-string showboating of "Crazy Legs" to the growling slow-burn of "Red Bird" and the smoky slide work on "Girl Back Home." "It was time," he says, "to get back to the blues and playing my guitar. Tom and I had spoken about making a kick ass blues-rock album for years. I like having fun and cutting loose - that's what this album is all about. "Chip Off The Block" was written for my oldest son, Zach Zito, who is the featured guitarist on this track. It's his first introduction into the music world and he did a great job. I couldn't be more proud of him. He graduates college next spring and joins me on tour in summer - I can't wait." Meanwhile in his lyrics Mike searches for the silver linings in a troubled world. "I love writing songs and sharing deep feelings," he says. Zito describes "Road Dog," the album's wistful slow-blues travelogue as, "the most serious tune on the album. It's about the drama of life on the road. I know it can seem clichéd sometimes, but it's the life I lead. I miss my family, miss my wife, but this is what I do. I always leave." Mike has spent over two decades on the run. He grew up in a hard-scrabble, blue-collar home in St. Louis, but after an early job at a downtown guitar shop exposed him to heavyweights like B.B. King, the Allmans and Eric Clapton (then the music of Joe Pass, Robert Johnson and Blind Willie Johnson), he set out to establish himself as a working musician. By 1997, Mike had released debut album Blue Room, and seemed to be going places. "The first time you hear yourself," he recalls, "you think, 'Wow, that almost sounds like music!'" Then came the bumps in the road. By the early 2000's, alcoholism and drug abuse were threatening to rob Zito of his livelihood and talent, a period starkly addressed on the title track from 2011's acclaimed Greyhound album. "I just couldn't stop," he admits. "And a lot of the opportunities that I had back then - they kinda went away." Thankfully, the epiphany of meeting the woman who would become his beloved wife put Mike back on the right path. In 2012, he found fresh inspiration as a member of  the A-list lineup of Royal Southern Brotherhood, then struck out with acclaimed solo albums Gone To Texas (2013) and Keep Coming Back (2015). "I have many more hurdles to jump and more goals to strive for," he says, "but I'm very pleased and thankful with how I'm developing as an artist." This is powerfully demonstrated on Make Blues Not War, another step forward for this long-suffering disciple of the Blues. "I'm so proud of this new album," says Mike. "It's about the enjoyment I get when I listen to Johnny Winter and Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Luther Allison. Their music makes me happy and reminds why I wanted to play guitar and play the blues. To be free and honest, loud and proud. I hope everyone enjoys listening to this album as much as I enjoyed making it..."  Modern life moves fast. Rolling news. Rapid-fire tweets. A relentless barrage of (mis)information. Make Blues Not War is an album that demands you sign out, log off and turn yourself over instead to the old-fashioned pleasures of great music. "We hear about everything 24/7 now," says Mike Zito. "The news never stops and it's all become propaganda. But when you turn off the news and turn on some blues, the world is a beautiful place. I think music is the cure for all ailments. Always has been. Always will be." www.mikezito.com

ZYX Music artist: Raphael Wressnig & Igor Prado - The Soul Connection - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Soul Connection, from Raphael Wressnig & Igor Prado and it blows me away. Opening with Otis Clay's hit, Trying To Live My Life Without You, features Willie Walker on lead vocal surrounded by lush organ work of Wressnig and stinging guitar work of Igor Prado and backed by Rodrigo Mantovani on bass, Yuri Prado on drums, Sax Gordon Beadle on sax, Sidmar Vieira on trumpet and Lisa Andersen on backing vocals. Super soulful opener. Jazzy instrumental Young Girl has a great groove giving Prado and Wressnig wide open space to dig into solid solos. This is a super track that will get into your seat. Willie Walker is back on Little Willie John's soulful, Suffering With The Blues. With easy club styling, Prado really sit's down on his solo, squeezing out each drop of blues. Mantovani's bass work is spot on and Wressnig's organ work carrying the weight under beautifully crushing vocals by Walker. Tyrone Davis' R&B track, Turning Point, has a great feel featuring David Hudson on lead vocal. Mantovani's bass line really accentuates the track nicely with punchy key work from Wressnig and snappy drum work from Yuri. With cool lead organ work on original track, No-La-Fun-Ky, Mantovani and Yuri really hit the groove. This is a hot track and Igor's guitar work is smokin! Little Willie John's Home At Last has just the right feel featuring Willie Walker on some of the best lead vocals on the release, really nice key work by Wressnig, and excellent guitar phrasing and I do mean excellent phrasing from Prado. R&B instrumental, Turnip Greens has just the right bass lines to make this a super track with warm organ lead and Albert King like blues guitar riffs. Very cool. Willie Walker has the lead on Billy Myles' My Love Is, with a cool airy backing featuring mostly hand claps, finger snaps, a super cool bass line and keys. Very cool. Igor Prado's excellent jump track, The Face Slap Swing No 5, is absolutely off the hook with outrageous soloing from both Wressnig and Prado. My favorite track on the release...excellent! Instrumental, Grazing In The Grass, made popular by Hugh Masekela has solid orchestration and clean solos on an "easy" arrangement. Leon Beale takes the lead vocal role on Don Robey's Don't Cry No More, made popular by Wilson Pickett. With it's high energy spilling over and pushed to the sky by Wressnig and Igor, this track almost hits gospel heights. Willie Walker really raises the bar on Jon Thomas' Heartbreak and the driving bass line of Mantovani really gets this track stomping. Igor and Wressnig slip in really tasty riffs on this super stepping track. Wow! Wrapping the release is Wayne Rainey's country western hit, Why Don't You Haul Off And Love Me. Wressnig takes the lead and with a blend of country and gospel styling, wraps up one of the best releases that I've heard in a long time.




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Eric Gales To Release "Middle Of The Road" On February 24th

ERIC GALES TO RELEASE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD GLOBALLY

VIA PROVOGUE / MASCOT LABEL GROUP ON FEBRUARY 24

“How Eric Gales isn’t the hugest name in rock guitar is a total mystery” Dave Navarro

“One of the best, if not the best guitar player in the world” Joe Bonamassa

“This guy could be the best player on Earth” Mark Tremonti

“He is absolutely incredible” Carlos Santana

“I feel the most free I’ve ever been in life, even more so than when I was a kid…you gotta help

yourself man, once you can help yourself you can genuinely help someone else.”

“When I say the world will hear about it, you’ll see what I mean when you hear the record.  This

record is going to take me everywhere that I’ve never been, and everywhere I’ve ever wanted to go.”

New York, NY --- Provogue / Mascot Label Group will release Eric Gales new studio album Middle Of The Road on February 24.  Memphis-born Gales shares, “Unfortunately you have to go through some things to be free.  Now, I feel the most free I’ve ever been in life, even more so than when I was a kid.  You gotta help yourself man, once you can help yourself you can genuinely help someone else.” The title, “Middle of the Road,” is the running theme throughout the record. He offers, “It’s about being fully focussed and centred in the middle of the road. If you’re on the wrong side and in the gravel you’re not too good and if you’re on the median strip that’s not too good either, so being in the middle of the road is the best place to be.”

The release is Eric Gales fourth album on Provogue/Mascot label Group (Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Black Stone Cherry, Warren Haynes, The Robert Cray Band, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band) after Transformation (2011), Relentless (2010) and The Psychedelic Underground (2007) and it sees him at his most expressive yet; it is a deeply personal and reflective record that echoes where he is in his life right now and he opens himself up and allows himself the chance to really flourish.

It’s well documented that Gales was a child prodigy and heralded as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix when he released his debut album The Eric Gales Band in 1991 as a 16 year-old on Elektra Records. It was the first of 10 albums on a major label through a blistering career. He has released 14 studio albums in total ahead of Middle of the Road and a host of other collaborations, one of which led him to work with producer Fabrizio Grossi (Alice Cooper, Joe Bonamassa, Billy F. Gibbons, Ice T, Leslie West, Slash, Walter Trout, Steve Lukather, Steve Vai, Paul Stanley, Supersonic Blues Machine).

Talking about working with Eric, Grossi offers; “I’ve been a fan of Eric since i first worked with him 15 years ago on a project with George Clinton & the P.Funk. His tone and his playing was wicked. Personally and musically Eric grew into a ‘monster’ , a really good one and he’s set on a path of huge success with a ‘taking no prisoners’ type of attitude! I know a very few musicians with such a musicality and Eric is right there a head of the bunch. I hope fans will dig. There’s lots of love, tears, sweat and “truth” in this record, which is what classics are made of. As far what I think about him: Eric is simply Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix’ love child, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” 

Recorded in several locations; Room A Studio and Fab’s Lab in North Hollywood as well as Cuz Studio and Sound in Cleveland, MS and ‘Cotton Row Studios in Memphis, TN. With Aaron Haggerty (drums), Dylan Wiggins (B3 Organ), LaDonna Gales (All backing vocals), Maxwell ‘Wizard’ Drummey (Mellotron on Repetition) and Eric Gales providing all lead vocals, guitar and bass. It’s a beautiful snapshot of life right here, right now. “I played bass on the entire record, it was beautiful” he beams. “I’m a bass player at heart so Fabrizio was like ‘bro you need to be playing the bass’. It was something that was very natural for me to too, I loved it.”

Recent years have seen an array of musicians singing the praises of Eric Gales. Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction – Red Hot Chili Peppers) exclaimed that “How Eric Gales isn’t the hugest name in rock guitar is a total mystery”, modern blues icon Joe Bonamassa said he is “One of the best, if not the best guitar player in the world”, whilst Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge) said in a Classic Rock Magazine interview (Oct 2016) that “me and Myles [Kennedy] were on the bus looking up clips and we ran into some Eric Gales clips and we were just like ‘this guy could be the best player on Earth.’”

Talking about the accolades he is starting to receive he humbly adds;” It’s absolutely great, I’m grateful to see the recognition for the work that God has allowed me to continue to progress with. It’s beautiful to see the recognition to be finally coming and in the proper way, unlike times where I was engaged into heavy addiction, where it wasn’t such good publicity, but to see it be changed around, it’s a great turn of events.”

This refers to the time he spent in jail serving at the Shelby County Correction Center in 2009 for possession of drugs and a weapon. Elaborating he adds; “While I was in there all the officers and guards were like, ‘bro you know this isn’t where you’re supposed to be. When you get out of here, go take the world by the horns and ride it all the way out.’ It took a couple of years after but, I’m here.” Whilst he was incarcerated he was able to play shows, for the Mayor, the city and festivals, his own versio of Johnny Cash Walk the Line.

This is where Middle of the Road finds the rebirth of Eric Gales.  A new album that has seen him more free than he’s ever been and on the biographic songs you take this journey with him. Along the way he brings in not only a host of guest and collaborators, but also those closest to him: Lauryn Hill, Gary Clark Jr, Eugene Gales, LaDonna Gales, Lance Lopez, Raphael Saadiq and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram.

Much of the album is achingly heart on its sleeve and “Change in Me [The Rebirth]”is one of those moments, it’s about a new change in life. “I changed up some things in life and decided to go a new route”. “I wrote Carry Yourself with Raphael Saadiq and strangely enough, as I sit here looking at her that song is about LaDonna actually. It’s about how we met and how we grew to get to know each other through life and how she’s always carried herself. It has always been something I’m fascinated with. The only cover is the mesmerising interpretation of “Boogie Man” featuring Gary Clark Jr is something to behold.  “I’m a fan of Freddie King anyway and I like that song. I just enjoyed the original version and I just put a little twist on it and music wise.” “Basically”, Gales adds, “The Boogie Man is about, so watch out cos there’s a bad guy on the way and you know, I’m coming!  I think me and Gary did a really good job on that song.” “I shot the rhythm of “Been So Long” over to Lauryn Hill and she was like ‘that’s hot’”. And now begins the start of another beautiful collaboration. “I said I had an idea of what I wanted the song to be about, like it’s been so long since I’ve given myself a proper chance which goes back to “Middle of the Road” which is the reoccurring theme.”  Continuing the rebirth is “Help Yourself,”  features 16 year-old guitar sensation Christone ‘Kingsfish’ Ingram.   “I’ve Been Deceived” has a multi-layered meaning to it. “Personally,  I was talking about how I was deceived by addiction” he confesses and on “Repetition,” he goes back to the very beginning and where it started by collaborating with his ‘mentor’ and older brother Eugene Gales.

EllerSoul Records artist: Rev. Billy C. Wirtz - Full Circle - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Full Circle, from Rev. Billy C. Wirtz and it's a blast. Opening with a Rock n Roller, Too Old, Wirtz takes the lead on piano and vocal with great flair. Joined by Mark Wenner on smoking harp, Mark Stutso on drums, Johnny Castle on bass, and with Paul Bell ripping some hot riffs, this is a great opener. On Smokie, Part 2, a swinging boogie, Wirtz and Bob Driver on guitar lays down some really nice instrumental lines. One Point Five is a clever track about not being number one in someone's life but the alternatives that aren't all bad. With it's country flavor and some cool country riffs, this is funny. With it's stripped down piano accompaniment, Mama Was A Deadhead, Wirtz tells a clever story of the live of Dead fan's children. Another rock n roller, Rockin' Up To Gloryland has a great feel with a tight bottom and cool lead soloing by Bell and Wenner. With it's somber, ballad pace, Floyd Cramer's Your Last Goodbye is a real nice instrumental track featuring clean piano melody by Wirtz. Charlie Rich's Breakup is a real kicker with super pace and a driving rhythm. Rewritten lyrics to the Chi-Lites, Have You Seen Her, I'm A Senior makes light of the growing old and pulling no punches in a light hearted way. Another piano boogie, Wine Spo-Dee-o-Dee, written by Stick McGhee is a natural for Wirtz with his piano style featuring Bob Driver on guitar, Steve Riggs on bass, a cool guitar solo by Paul Bell and super harp by Li'l Ronnie Owens. Another sacrilegious track, Mennonite Surf Party is a cool piano boogie with stinging guitar riffs and piano to compliment it's vocal attack. Excellent! John Butler's The Hand Of The Almighty pulls no punches at all and tells it straight. (Stilladog, this is for you). This is a really strong release front to back. If a little crudity offends you, better shy away but if you like it in the spirit that it was delivered, this is a super release.



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Mitch Hayes - Heroes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Heroes, from Mitch Hayes and it is a country ballad flavored release with smooth melodies and solid vocals. Hand of The Devil breaks into a western/bluegrass feel with Hayes on banjo, Eric Lovell on mandolin, John Spurrier on drums and John Culbreath on fiddle giving it a particularly cool rural feel. One of my favorites on the release is Ashes and Dust, a quiet ballad with acoustic guitar, mandolin, dobro and fiddle. Hayes' vocals are solid and the melody is particularly interesting. Life Goes On is another smooth ballad nicely blended vocals and tight acoustic guitar riffs. Another track lead by banjo riffs, Something Deep Within, is a favorite on the release with just basic percussive banjo and Hayes vocals but it's simplicity is particularly cool. This release is different and uniquely different.




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Conner Ray Music artist: Trudy Lynn - I'll Sing The Blues For You - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'll Sing The Blues For You, from Trudy Lynn and she doesn't miss a beat. Opening with rockin' blues shuffle, Alright Baby, Lynn is joined by Steve Krase on harp, David Carter on guitar, Terry Dry on bass, Randy Wall on keys, and Matt Johnson on drums. A cool jam, Lynn leads the way and Krase is really jammin'. On Lowell Fulsom's Black Night, Carter steps up with a cool guitar solo, nicely framing Lynn's featured vocals. With a cool bass line by Dry, Thru Chasin' You, has a funky bottom and cool instrumentation. Shuffle, Honky Tonk Song, has a real nice groove with lead harp work by Krase and tight key work by Wall. Memphis Minnie's World Of Trouble is up next and the definite standout track on the release. Lynn's vocals are deep and sultry bathed in blues. Ramblin' Blues is a easy driving blues along the lines of Key to The Highway. Lynn lays it out there capped nicely by Krase's harp work. On Latin flavored, Still My Angel Child, Johnson and Wall really make it happen with excellent percussive work. Wall's featured work and crisp guitar riffs by Carter are definite standouts. Blues rocker, If It's News To You, has a great feel and Lynn and Carter deliver. Wrapping the release is Johnny Copeland's Down On Bended Knee. With a deep sense of feeling, Lynn and Carter lay it out for a super closer to a solid release.



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VizzTone Label Group artist: Tas Cru - Simmered & Stewed - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Simmered & Stewed by Tas Cru and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with snappy revival rocker, Dat Maybe, Tas Cru is grooving his own tune on vocal and guitar with Ron Keck on percussion, Mike Lawrence on bass, Chip Lamson on piano and Guy Nirelli on organ. Boogie track, Grizzle N' Bone is up next with cool backing vocals by Mary Ann Casale and Andy Hearn on drums, Bob Purdy on bass, Jeremy Walz on guitar, and Nirelli on organ. Somber ballad, Time and Time is a real nice track with super bluesy guitar work from Cru and warm backing vocals by Casale and Alice "Honeybea" Ericksen. Excellent! R&B track, Road To My Obsession has a really cool rhythm along the lines of Tony Joe White. With harp work by Dick Earl Ericksen and stylistic guitar work by Cru, this may be my favorite track on the release. Cover My Love is a cool ramblin song with cool resonator work by Cru, nice harp work by Ericksen and tight piano work by David Liddy. I really like the feel of Woman Won't You Love Me, with cool slide by Cru and Ericksen's harp work, dressed nicely by Chip Lamson on piano and Cru's own melodic vocals. Blues rocker, Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin" has a great groove with Joe Goehle on piano, Andy Hearn on drums, Lamson on piano and Cru's own vocal and resonator work which may be his best on the release. Wrapping the release is Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher, which grows in tempo with slide guitar, keys, driving drums and warm backing vocals as Cru drives it on. This is a great closer for a solid release.



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Lucky Street Music artist: Marty Manous - Know My Name - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Know My Name, by Marty Manous and it's a solid rocker. Opening with title track, Know My Name, Marty Manous is back this opener is a good view of things to come. With Manous on guitar and lead vocal, Mark Wilson on bass, Sean O'Rourke on drums, Joe Morgan on keys and Sketch Ellis on percussion, this track has drive and stinging guitar riffs. Bitches saunters across the floor blues roots and metal sting. Manous' vocals are well suited for this styling and his guitar riffs are relentless. This guy can really rip when he wants to and his keeping the wolf at bey until just the right moment is really cool. Really bad attitude and warm tones. Excellent! My Girl is a solid rocker with tight drum work and a cool hook. James Clark's Look Over Yonder Wall feels a little bit like a Dickey Betts arrangement with country rockin' guitar rhythm and a taste of SRV or Chris Duarte attitude. Manous has his own guitar style though kicking his own riffs and letting it fly. One of my favorite tracks on the release is the heavy bottomed, Love In Vain. With a super solid drum hit and guitar runs, this track gets you moving. Make sure you catch Manous' soloing on this track with his round tones and jazz twists. Cool. Duh-Bro features Manous on metal bodied resonator just laying down some bluesy riffs leading nicely into a heavy power rocker, Drown My Tears. With real nice slide guitar work and fast runs over a "Levee Breaks" kind of bottom, this is a real nice track. Wrapping the release is The Night Is Calling. With an alternating, flowing blues rocker and grinding metal rocker, this track really has a nice blend of styles making it a fitting closer for a cool rocking release.




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Michael Hornbuckle - SoulRepo - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, SoulRepo from Michael Hornbuckle and it's cool. Opening with Sweat, a bluesy rocker, Michael Hornbuckle on guitar and lead vocals is joined by Andras Csapo on harp, Jeff Andrews on bass and Desmond Washington on drums paving a nice groove. Me & Melody adds a bit of pop to the mix with a snappy drum riff and a certain melodic hook, reinforced by Alexander "Ace" Baker. With a bit of led in his boots and some funk in his foot, Hornbuckle lays out one of the coolest tracks on the release with a great beat. Sarah Snead on backing vocals adds nice texture and Hornbuckle's own guitar and vocals really hit the spot. Very nice! Bluesy ballad, Risin' Sun is really nicely written with soulful vocals over arpeggiated guitar chords. One of the most soulful guitar solos on the release also makes this one of my absolute favorites on the release. Candle For Mary is another soulful rocker with not only supple vocals but tasty guitar riffs. My absolute favorite track on the release, Angel, is a super soul track with a beautiful melody and smooth smooth feel. Hornbuckle shows his vocal range and also nice dynamics on the guitar. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Backseat, an easy blues shuffle. With Jeff Andrews on bass and Dave Fox on drums this track has a nice pace like Watching the River Flow or Key To The Highway. Csapo sets out a nice piano/organ solo and Hornbuckle sends it home. Nice conclusion to a solid release.



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Delmark Records artist: Mississippi Heat - Cab Driving Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Cab Driving Man, from Mississippi Heat and it's a cornucopia of blues. Opening with R&B track, Cupid Bound, Pierre Lacocque is on the harp with sweet tone. Inetta Visor has the lead vocals. Chris "Hambone" Cameron sets up the keys backed by Brian Quinn on bass, Kenny Smith on drums with excellent guitar riffs by Michael Dotson and Sax Gordon on sax. Nice opener. Title track, Cab Driving Man, has great pace with Terrence Williams on drums and sweltering bari sax by Gordon. Visor's vocals are solid and Ruben Alvarez's percussion is tight. Boogie track, That Late Night Stuff features Dotson on lead vocal and his lead guitar work really hits the spot. On delta style blues, Flowers On My Tombstone, Visor lays in some of the best vocals on the release, backed by Sumito Aruyo on piano, Lacocque on harp and Dotson on guitar. Very nice. Icy Blue has a real nice funky bottom to it thanks to Quinn and Williams. Giles Corey lays down some real nice slide work on this track and Lacocque ices the track with always cool harp riffs. Cool boogie guitar riffs by Dotson open The Last Go Round and he stays at the mic on lead vocal. Punched along by Lacocque, this track has a Chicago twist. Bass driven, Rosalie, has a Latin flavor with Visor back on the mic and excellent percussion work by Alvarez. With slick guitar soloing by Corey, nice electric keys by Cameron, a hot bass solo by Quinn and an extended harp solo by Lacocque, this is a stand out track. Slinky, blues rocker, Luck Of The Draw is one of my favorites on the release with a great complex bass line and flaming guitar riffs by Dave Specter. Lacocque sits down nicely on the track delivering really smooth phrasing. Mama Kalia is a real nice blues ballad featuring Visor's vocals and really sweet guitar lead soloing by Dotson. With a light jazz edge, this track is smooth as silk. Smooth Operator has R&B roots but a New Orleans flavor with Gordon anchoring on bari, Alvarez adding vital percussion and Vison's vocals leading the way. Lacocque's harp solo is melodic and Gordon rips a real nice sax solo. Excellent! With a Morganfield feel, Can't Get Me No Traction, Dotson takes the lead on vocal and guitar. Lacocque rides the top on harp and Williams' drumming is tight. With the bluesiest instrumental work on the release, Lacocque sets up his harp for the run and Dotson cleans the plate. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Hey Pipo!, a real cool boogie track. Featuring nice lead lines by Lacocque and Cameron this is a real nice closer for a real cool release.



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Solid Blues Records artist: JW - Jones - High Temperature - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Temperature, from JW - Jones and it may be his best yet. Opening with rocker, Price You Pay, JW-Jones seems to have taken a new direction with tighter riffs and more relaxed vocals. Joined by Colin Linden on guitar, Kevin McKendree on keys, Dominic John Davis on bass and Bryan Owings on drums this is a solid opener. On How Many Hearts, Jones is joined by Jaida Dreyer on second lead guitar and in addition to slick lead guitar riffs and a nice groove, I really like the over saturated tones on the rhythm guitar. Title track, High Temperature is a great blues shuffle and that over driven guitar tone is through the roof. Along with McKendree's key work, Jones lets the guitar off the leash with some real string lashing making this one of the best tracks on the release. Excellent! Who I Am is a really cool track with an almost Robert Cray feel. With it's heavy bass and tight drums, Jones is way out front on vocal and his guitar seems to be a mad dog held back by a string. Very nice. Loping, Away Too Long has a bit of that familiar country blues rumble and McKendree's organ work is real nice. Harmony vocals by Liam Russell give this track yet another dimension and pure radio appeal. Midnight Blues is a swinging rocker with a snappy rhythm. Jones does some of his best vocal work on this track with Russell and McKendree's keys are sweet. He steps up with really a nice guitar solo making this one of my favorites on the release. Leon Russell's Out In The Woods, is up next and with some of the coolest drum work you're likely to hear. Keeping that swampy feel that Leon conjured and with bluesy riffs, this track floats. The releases closes with Lonnie Mack's Wham. A terrific guitar twister, this track gives Jones the opportunity to really turn it loose and away he goes. This is an excellent closer for a really strong release.



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Shake-It-Sugar Records artist: Murali Coryell - Mr. Senator - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mr. Senator, by Murali Coryell and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Mr. Senator, Murali Coryell, son of guitar legend Larry Coryell, leads on vocals and guitar, with Ernie Durawa on drums and Chris Alcaraz on bass. A light radio style track, it has a memorable melody and clean articulate lead guitar riffs and nicely blended guitar additions by Louie Ortega. Dysfunctional Child is an autobiographical modern blues track with a R&B sound. An almost Dickey Betts influence shows through on the guitar riffs, with cool vocal blending and a solid bottom. Tuff Love, has rock feel and strong radio potential. Bill Evans contributes a real healthy sax solo giving the track more bite. One of genius, Leon Russell's best known tracks, also covered very successfully by George Benson, This Masquerade, is covered here nicely by Coryell with his best vocal effort on the release. I really like Levin's bass work on this track and Durawa's Latin percussion provides a really nice platform for Coryell's soloing. Very nice. Solid soul track, You Blew My Mind, shows complex vocal harmonies and soulful guitar lead. Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground, stays the course with somewhat original arrangement but Coryell's guitar work is anything but course with Stevie Ray like fire. Very cool. Latimore's Lets Straighten It Out has the most intoxicating guitar work on the release with lush tones and rich riffs. Coryell's vocals are spot on making this my favorite on the release. A real rocker with complex guitar tones, My Pedal Board, is tight with gospel roots. Wrapping the release is Latin influenced, Tejanos, a really nice track. Sung in Spanish and with blended vocals and guitars over strong percussion, this track is an excellent closer.



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The Smoke Wagon Blues Band - Cigar Store - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cigar Store, by The Smoke Wagon Blues Band and got a bit of everything. Opening with Walking Cane, a funky blues rocker, Corey Lueck has the lead on vocal and Jason Colavecchia on bass and Tibor Lukacs add the hot bottom. Nick Succi brings it on piano and Gordon Aeichele lays down a cool sax solo. Must've Read It Wrong is a driving blues rocker with a solid bass line by Colavecchia. Succi and Aeichele each lay in nice solos and Mike Stubbs' on guitar and Lueck on harp add the dressing. On R&B style track, I Tried, Stubbs lays in a nice intro and Aeichele plays warm sax lines complimenting Lueck's soulful lead vocals. Hoodoo Woman has a real interesting contemporary blues sound, stripped down and basic. With cool raspy vocals and a simple melody line and guitar riff, reinforced by Lueck's harp work. Put The Quilt Out To Dry has a cool percussive feel over a basic, Sonny Boy Williamson feel. With it's dual rhythms, it really digs in, making it one of my favorites on the release. Rock n' roller, Directly Under Her Thumb, has a cool boogie rhythm dressed perfectly by Succi's piano work and the walking bass line of Colavecchia. Stubbs stretches out a little on guitar and Aeichele's sax work is cool. Title track, Cigar Store has a cool walking bass line and with a taste of New Orleans, has a cool horn solo, slide solo and of course boogie piano. Lueck's intro on resonator on White Mule is way cool. The track reminds me quite a bit of Neil Young's Are You Ready For The Country but with an Allman Brother's guitar riff. Interesting. King Biscuit Boy's Mean Old Lady has a cool hi stepping feel with nice slide work by Lueck, a prominent bass line and a real nice piano solo by Succi. Following a smooth R&B hit format, I Can't Change is the most certain radio track on the release with sure footed lead vocals by Lueck and a soulful sax solo by Aeichele. Steve Sherman's organ opener on Quarter Mile really sets the pace for a rolling rocker with a driving drum beat by Lukacs and Stubbs slide work nicely pushing Lueck's lead vocals. Aeichele's aggressive sax solo really gives the track pop and Lueck hit's it hard on harp giving this track real starch. Wrapping the release is a casual, rag style track, You've Been a Good Old Wagon. It has just the right feel with sassy New Orleans style sax work, piano and harp... it's a great closer for a solid release by Smoke Wagon.


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SSR Freeroll Records artist: Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns - Back To The Shack - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back To The Shack, from Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns and it's solid fun! Opening with Standin' Before The King, Mark Campbell on lead vocal and Melanie Taylor harmonizing lay out a solid rocker with nice piano work by Mike Finnigan, hot bluesy guitar riffs by Andrew Kastner and solid horn work by Les Lovitt on trumpet, Bill Bergman on sax and Lee Thornburg on trumpet and trombone. Cocky, Somethin' In The Water has strong bottom with Tony Braunagel on drums and Bruce Atkinson on bass. Vocal lead by Campbell with backing by Niki J. Crawford, Kathy Merrick and Melanie Taylor works really nicely with Kastner's guitar riffs and the solid backing of the HA Horns. A brassy intro on Don't Let Her Go leads to a smooth radio track. Never Too Late is a nice bluesy shuffle with a balance of guitar riffs and horn punch. It takes a powerful singer to lead this group of guys with intense guitar riffs and powerful horn riffs and Campbell is a great man for the job. With spiritual intensity Campbell's soulful vocal lead with backing vocals from Les Falconer, Atkinson and Finnigan give this track real guts. Serves Me Right is a cool hi steppin' R&B track with a solid hook and a great highlight for Campbell's vocals. Bad Habit is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a smoking James Brown drum riff by Braunagel. Thornburg and Lovitt punch the top hard and Atkinson's bass work really moves under super soulful vocals by Campbell and Bergman's bari sax work. Excellent! Soul track, Change My Ways, is really nice and plays nicely into Campbell's vocal pocket. With a smart brass fanfare and warm backing vocals, puts you in mind of Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers. With a soulful sax solo by Bergman, this track soars. Very nice! Bergman smokes a real nice sax intro on ballad, Ain't No Way. With orchestral balance on the horns and choral backing by the backing vocalists, Campbell, again shows just what a powerful singer. Very nice. Wrapping the release is the rock spiritual fused, Let Me In. With a chugging rhythm and spotless piano work by Finnigan, this track is a mover with brassy horns and gospel like backing vocals. This is an excellent closer for a really cool release.



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Cleopatra Records artist: Big Jay McNeely - Blowin' Down The House - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blowin' Down The House, from Big Jay McNeeley and it'S quite cool. Opening with club style funky track, Love Will Never Fail, McNeely shows his trademark squeal and rich horn work that has made him stand out among horn players. On soul track, My Love Never Ended, McNeely hits a solid groove with one of the best tracks on the release and soulful sax honking. Very cool. I've Been Mistreated has a real aggressive sound like early James Brown, Ike Turner or Hendrix. With rockin' guitar work and fat sax work, this track is way cool. Hard driving, Party, really jams with fluid guitar riffs over a rumbling bass lines, Mcneely really gets the place screaming for an exceptional jammer. Swing track, Big Jay's Hop, is a bit more contained but no less rockin'. McNeely's trademark lead sax work is unmistakable and fat fat fat. Blow, Blow, Blow is really hopping with sax sax sax. Excellent! Willie The Cool Cat is a great swinger with super guitar and sax lead. Step back and let it fly! Nervous, Man, Nervous has a great swing as is chocked full of super lead sax as well as fat, fat bari sax. With multiple male voices "shouting" out the lyrics, this track really gets rocking. Wrapping the release is Get On Up & Let's Boogie, a fast paced rocker with super piano getting it rolling. Trumpet punctuation behind the lead vocals brings you up to the hot guitar soloing and then ultimately McNeely taking a hot flying solo carrying the release to the end. Excellent closer to a sweet taste of Big Jay McNeely.



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Red House Records artist: David Bromberg Band - The Blues, The Whole Blues and Nothing But the Blues - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, The Blues, The Whole Blues and Nothing But the Blues by David Bromberg Band and it's terrific! I've been listening to David Bromberg most of my adult life and he just keeps finding new angles to make it happen. Opening with Robert Johnson's Walking Blues, Bromberg has the lead on vocal and electric guitar, joined by Mark Cosgrove on guitar, Butch Amiot on bass, Josh Kanusky on drums and Bill Payne on piano. Maintaining a traditional but more modern raw feeling, this is a super opener with cool slide work. The clever, How Come My Dog Don't Bark When You Come 'Round?, is really right up Bromberg's alley. A solid portion of his song base is done me wrong, satyric and story telling tracks and he does a real nice job on this one. Adding Nate Grower on fiddle, Steve Bernstein on trumpet, Lou Marini on sax and Birch Johnson on trombone. Little Hat Jones' Kentucky Blues is up next and played straight. Growler contributes nicely on fiddle and Cosgrove on mandolin. Bobby Charles' Why Are People Like That shows strong New Orleans feel with cool piano work by Payne, key trumpet accents and nicely stylized guitar work. Ray Charles' A Fool For You features Bromberg only, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. A master guitar player and a heartfelt singer, a gem. Sonny Boy Williamson's Eyesight To The Blind, has a really nice groove and Bromberg's guitar work is nicely balanced by his own vocals and Grower's fiddle. Excellent! John Willie Henry's You've Been A Good Ole Wagon, is another track with that New Orleans sound and Bernstein on trumpet, Marini on clarinet and Johnson on trombone really give this track that "right" feel. Cosgrove pulls out the mandolin again with a nice solo and Marini's clarinet sings. Very cool. Billy Payne's piano work adds great texture and Bromberg's own acoustic guitar work brightness and punch. Title track, The Blues, The Whole Blues and Nothing But The Blues has a cool swing with mostly horn backing. Stinging guitar solo's by booth Bromberg and Cosgrove give the track even more bite. If you really don't know David's work well, this is a guy who really can lay down the dirty blues and here it is. This Month is one of his own tracks with his biting wit and his guitar work is definitely up to the task. Payne sets up some real nice organ work and then Bromberg steps up with his nicely phrased guitar solo. Always a favorite. Wrapping the release is You Don't Have to Go with Bromberg flashing his slide and pairing his solo's with Grower on fiddle. A real solid wrapper for a super release.



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