DALE WATSON premieres fan-inspired track "David Buxkemper"

DALE WATSON Dale pens a song for Texas truckin' farmer "David Buxkemper"  CALL ME LUCKY out February 15, 2019 on Red House Records  January 30, 2019: Memphis, TN: Over his lengthy career, honky-tonk artist Dale Watson has found songwriting inspiration in real-life situations and his interractions with fans. A chance email Watson received from Texas fan David Buxkemper led to the aforementioned "truckin' farmer" being immortalized in his namesake song, which appears on CALL ME LUCKY, Watson's February 15 release on Red House Records.  "Him and his granddad would watch Hee Haw, and loved listening to truckin' songs as they were doing their farming," Watson tells The Boot. "So I wrote back and asked him to expound a little bit, because he had inspired me to write a song. He ended up telling me that he was an illegal truck driver two days out of the year. He kinda has to sneak his crop out twice a year, because he doesn't have the license for it," Watson added. "So I thought it was a great story, and with a name like that -- David Buxkemper?! You can't make that up." LISTEN TO "DAVID BUXKEMPER" HERE Over the last three decades, Dale Watson has been labeled as everything from alt-country to Ameripolitan. But the most humble description may come from the title of his newest album, CALL ME LUCKY. A fixture of the Austin, Texas, music scene for years, Watson recorded all but one song on the album at historic Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, TN. The album features some of Memphis’ finest as well as Dale’s longtime band, His Lone Stars, and includes a horn section on some of the tracks. In early 2018, he bought a house there and now divides his downtime equally between Texas and Tennessee. He also sold the bars he owned in Texas and purchased the fabled Memphis nightclub Hernando’s Hideaway in an effort to provide a hospitable place for touring musicians to perform. Throughout CALL ME LUCKY, Watson’s songwriting is so descriptive that you can almost see him cruising into Memphis as he sings “Tupelo Mississippi and a ‘57 Fairlane,” a throwback tune backed by a Memphis-style horn section. Meanwhile, a Hank Williams influence seeps into “Haul Off and Do It,” which is already a favorite in Watson’s live shows. And like the music from his musical heroes, many of the new songs clock in at roughly three minutes long – sometimes less. “I’ve always been a fan of keeping songs short,” Watson confirms. “Long ago, I went to a library and checked out Tom T. Hall’s How I Write Songs. And in there, he said it’s not about keeping the songs short, it’s keeping the point. Make your point and get out. That’s always been my way of writing. There are some songs I’ve written that go on a bit more like a story, but I guess it’s probably my ADD that I don’t drag it out too much.” Watson featured artist on the sold-out Outlaw Country Cruise joining Margo Price, Lucinda Williams and others. He’ll then gear up for the Sixth Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards in Memphis in February. Founded and operated by Watson, the ambitious event celebrates touring roots artists who write their own music – a winning formula that Watson has embodied for more than 30 years. “I write a lot. It doesn’t mean I write good songs, but I do write a lot of songs. So I think as with anything, you keep at it and you get better at it. But as for writing just a simple country song, I can accept that I’m good at that,” Watson says. “I’m just really, really grateful to be able to do what I do for a living, for as long as I’ve been doing it.” For Dale’s full tour schedule, please visit www.dalewatson.com. Track Listing: 1. Call Me Lucky 2. The Dumb Song 3. Johnny And June 4. Tupelo Mississippi And A '57 Fairline 5. Haul Off And Do It 6. Restless 7. David Buckskimper 8. Inside View 9. You Weren't Supposed To Feel This Good 10. Mama's Smile 11. Who Needs This Man KIND WORDS “Honky tonk hero recalls a celebratory Johnny Cash … very enjoyable”– MOJO “…this album is a toe tapping treat for anyone who likes a large helping of down home honesty in their country music….get yourself a copy of this album, it’s one of Dale’s best and a great addition to any collection of good country listening”  – Country Music People “Watson mixes a devilish charm with a touch of smarm” – Rolling Stone “Watson infuses every track with unashamedly blue-collar, grass roots honesty.”  – American Songwriter "He’s spent the past two decades proving there are still powerful tales to be told from the honky-tonk pulpit, and he's brought that message to the faithful.”  – The Nashville Scene   “I’m one of Dale’s biggest fans.” –  Willie Nelson “His objective importance lies in his priceless role as devoted counter to insipid pop-country.”  – No Depression TOUR DATES 2/1/2019 Continental Club-  Austin, TX 2/2/2019 The 4 Star Concert Hall - Brenham, TX 2/2/2019 Confederate Square - Gonzales, TX 2/14/2019 Gruene Hall - New Braunfels, TX 2/15/2019 Luckenbach Dance Hall - Fredericksburg, TX 2/16/2019 Broken Spoke - Austin, TX 2/23/2019 Blues City Cafe - Memphis, TX 3/1/2019 Longhorn Saloon - Fort Worth, TX 3/2/2019 The Broken Spoke - Austin, TX 3/6/2019 Rollins Studio Theatre -  Austin, TX 3/8/2019 Continental Club - Houston, TX 3/9/2019 Honky Tonk Texas - Silsbee, TX 3/12/2019 Gsdm-  Austin, TX 3/13/2019 Daryl's House - Pawling, NY 3/14/2019 The Birchmere -  Alexandria, VA 3/15/2019 Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse - Dunellen, NJ 3/16/2019 Murmrr Ballroom - Brooklyn, NY 3/17/2019 My Father's Place - Roslyn, NY 3/18/2019 The Locks at Sona - Philadelphia, PA 3/19/2019 Cafe Nine - New Haven, CT 3/20/2019 Godfrey Daniels - Bethlehem, PA 3/21/2019 Creative Alliance - Baltimore, MD 3/22/2019 Hard Rock Cafe - Pittsburgh, PA 3/23/2019 Circuit of the Americas - Del Valle, TX 4/5/2019 Continental Club - Austin, TX

Chin Music Records artist: Shaw Davis & the Black Ties - Tales From The West - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tales From The West, from Shaw Davis & The Black Ties, and I really like it. Opening with power blues rocker, Take My Hand, guitarist and lead vocalist, Shaw Davis  sets a signature sound with his Marino / Hendrix / Trower like blues rock style. With a tight rhythm section of Patrick Stevenson on bass and Bobby Van Stone on drums, these guys are hot. On Zappa's classic blues rocker, Willie The Pimp, Stevenson and Van Stone really turn up the heat with heavy, precise bottom and in addition to Davis' great vocals exceptional guitar soloing. Excellent! With a funk rock beat, Mama Told Me gets this train grooving. Excellent drum work by Van Stone set this track off nicely and with a rumbling bass line Shaw just rips the guitar lead.... oh yeah...you know what I mean... step back. Ok... you really got me with Junior Kimbrough's I Gotta Try You Girl and it's hill country style. Taking it's simplistic droning style and pairing it with power blues rock rhythm and lead is ingenious with excellent results. Stevenson and Van Stone are unbending and relentless and Davis slashes with his guitar lead making this and excellent showpiece for the band. Wrapping the release is My Friend, a more subtle starter with relentless guitar lead, a strong bottom and ethereal flow. If you've been wanting to know who is doing that hard edged blues rock today... look no further. Very nice job!

  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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Back Bay Bill Records artist: Ruth Wyand - The Tribe of One - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tribe Of One, by Ruth Wyand and it's the first "One Woman band" I recall reviewing. Opening with acoustic blues rocker, Bad Mojo, Ruth Wyand shows her solid finger picking riffs and vocals to get things moving. On Break The Curse, a blues boogie, she adds snare and foot drum to electric guitar riffs and her vocal to your foot tapping. Very cool. Whipping out the slide on her resonator on Better Off Alone, Wyand sets a solid blues riff and lays down some of my favorite lines on the release. Her vocals and smooth and slide playing spot on. Blind Willie McTell is a really cool track with strong Piedmont style finger picking straight down blues alley. I really found Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing enchanting with lush finger work totally differently worked from anything I have heard previously. A beautiful song remade in a different way with a more abstract beauty. Very cool. Another Piedmont style track, Mint Julep really flows nicely, this time purely instrumental with only acoustic guitar and foot percussion. Wyand has a real nice hand for acoustic blues and it continues with On The Porch With Etta, with it's solid picking and smooth slide transitions. An excellent closer for a really nice 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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Neal & The Vipers - One Drunken Kiss - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Drunken Kiss, from Neal & The Vipers and it's really strong. Opening with Jack Earles' Slow Down, Neal Vitullo on rip roaring rockabilly style guitar and David Howard on lead vocal lead the way backed by Steven Bigelow on bass and Michael LaBelle on drums. Great opener! Cool blues ballad, More Than Ever, has solid vocals, a super melody and a soulful guitar solo making it one of my favorites on the release. One Drunken Kiss has just a touch of country flavor...real country like Hank Thompson with stylized guitar riffs. Very nice. Another really cool track, There's A Ghost In My Room shows Vitullo's grip on the blues with excellent guitar riffs clocking in at over 8 minutes. Howard's vocals are spot on and the bottom is solid as a rock. Excellent! Instrumental, The Hump, is always a great break in a set with a perfect sense of feel and style. Charles Underwood's Ubangi Stomp is up and not only a lot of fun but wide open rockabilly band just playing out. Great track. Vitullo original, Those Eyes is a beautiful instrumental composition that rivals the best on the release. With guitar melody reminiscent of Roy Buchanan and Jeff Beck, this track alone may get you recommending this release to all of your friends. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Sugar Coated Love dripping in loping Chicago blues style. Howard shows his harp prowess on this track with Vitullo holding his guitar work to a moderate road. Very nice 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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Blues Fidelity Recordings artist: Paul Oscher - Cool Cat - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cool Cat, from Paul Oscher and it's tasty. Opening with New Orleans flavored Money Makin Woman, Paul Oscher on lead vocal and piano really sets the pace with Russell Lee on drums, Mick Shermer on guitar, Eric Burnhardt on bari sax, and Tom Robinson on tenor sax. Nice opener. Excellent blues track, Blues and Trouble is one of my favorites on the release with solid vocals, rolling piano and ripping guitar soloing by Schermer.  Muddy Waters' Rollin' and Tumblin' maintains Waters' original tempo and spirit with Oscher on slide and lead vocal backed by Sarah Brown on bass, Mike Keller on guitar, Russell Lee on drums and Sunny Lowdown and Jeremy Dowden on backing vocal. Down and dirty delta style blues, Ain't That A Man, dedicated to James Cotton has great presence. Featuring Russell Lee on vocal, Oscher on guitar, and Mike Keller on bass this is another of my favorites on the release. Cool instrumental Bebop track, On The Edge, has great spirit with Oscher on piano, Ernie Durawa on drums, Tomas Ramirez on tenor sax and Chris Alcaraz on bass. Very nice. Closing with another New Orleans flavored jazz track, Cool Cat, has a full lineup of Oscher on piano, Brown on bass, Kid Andersen on bass, Mike Keller on guitar, June Core on drums, Russell Lee on drums solo, Tom Robinson on Tenor sax and Lisa Leuschner on vocal. This is an easy flowing jazz track with cool soloing making it a solid 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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Ruf Records artist: Mike Zito - Blue Room - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Room, from Mike Zito and it's terrific! Blue Room was Zito's debut release back in 1998 and it's great that Ruf Records is re releasing and remastering it for the fans. Opening with Hollywood, a funky blues rocker, Zito really has edge on vocal and is guitar work is wild and unbridled with solid bass work by Doug Byrkit and tight rhythms by Brian Zielie. Excellent opener. Another funky rocker is Pull The Trigger again with excellent raw energy on vocal and fluid guitar work by Zito. Very cool. Instrumental, Gravy Jam is a solid instrumental with super funky bass work from Byrkit and snappy beat from Zielie giving Zito a wide open floor to rip ion guitar and he takes full advantage. Excellent! Slow blues, Lovering, takes the uncontained playing feel of Steve Vai, Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy or Jimi Hendrix and plows it into raw blues energy in his own way creating wild free flowing soloing. Excellent! Ways About You has a warm chord backing over a reggae beat giving Zito yet another avenue to explore his guitar flow. Very nice. Soundcheck is another unbridled blues guitar exploration with an excellent bass and drum backing. Smoking. Wrapping the release is Zito's take on Elton John's mega hit, Rocket Man with a bit more edge and a lot more guitar. Zito really put together a strong package here. You need to 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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Pretty Good For A Girl Records artist: Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers - All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues, from Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers and it's the "rockingest" Christmas album I've ever heard. Opening with title track, All I Got For Christmas Is the Blues with Ben White's super bass line and Abair's solid vocals. Randy Jacobs of course has his guitar talking, Rodney Lee rides the keys and Third Anderson on drums finishes out the group. On I Can't Wait For Christmas, Abair whips out the sax and blows full tones on sax, over this pop style rock track. Jacobs' fat cigar box slide tones give Merry Christmas Baby a real sting over excellent percussion work by Richardson under the power vocals of Abair. Very nice. Abair gives Mel Tormes' The Christmas Song a bluesy swagger with excellent sax tone melody sans vocals. Excellent! Run Run Rudolph gets a funky, hip hop kind of styling with exceptional guitar punctuation by Jacobs and Abair's own sax work is tops. Wrapping the release is bluegrass flavored Christmas Fool with Jacobs on lead vocal and banjo, backed by Adair on sax, band backing vocals and handclaps by Blanca Garza. Cool bluesy closer for a cool seasonal 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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Brandon Isaak - Rise 'N' Shine - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rise 'N' Shine, from Brandon Isaak and it's simply cool. Opening with shuffle track, Right Around The Corner, Brandon Isaak blends his catchy melody with his strong vocal styling, guitar work and Willie MacCalder's piano work for a super solid opener. Another real cool track, Can't Do No Wrong, has that hot jazz swing with excellent finger work, punctual harp, and seductive lyrics by Isaak. Excellent! One of my own personal favorites on the release is PhD in The Blues with a bopping bass line, a slight, funky, Albert King style and hot, smoking guitar. Country style blues, Me And The Blues is a real nice showcase for Isaak's voice and his slide dobro, followed only lightly by Chip Hart on drums is just perfect. Another particularly soulful track, Blame It On The Girl is my personal choice for radio track with an excellent melody and really inviting vocal work by Isaak, with primarily key backing by Aidan Miller and his own sparkling guitar riffs. Excellent! Another really nice country blues number is Perfectly Happy With The Blues showing a pretty happy sounding melody while singing the blues over solid finger picking and slide.  Wrapping the release is Sweet Dana Lee with it's rag styling, featuring Jerry Cook on sax and strong rhythm guitar work by Isaak. His Satchmo vocal styling and fleet fingered guitar soloing makes this a super closer for a really strong 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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Phoenix Records artist: Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin - Murder Creek - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Murder Creek, from Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin (cool name by the way) and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with 70's Brit style blues style rocker, This Old Dawg, featuring Murray Kinsley on lead guitar and vocal, Rod Williams on harp, Leigh-Anne Stanton on bass, Tom Bona on drums, Sonny Del Rio on horns & Jesse O'Brien on keys this band is standing on solid footing. Latin rhythms permeate Dance The Blues with cool, floating harp work by Williams working nicely with flowing guitar lead by Kinsley. Very nice. Electrifying slide work opens heavy bottomed, Trouble Coming, a cool, deep rocker with solid vocals and loose guitar and harp work. Interesting. Traditional blues styling on So Long, Too Soon, makes it the likely candidate for top track with soulful vocals and Kinsley's bluesiest guitar soloing on the release. Very nice. Bass driving rocker and title track, Murder Creek has a great bottom just begging for guitar and harp soloing. Wrapping the release is Freedom, a solid rocker with vocal work with Kinsley and Mary Jane Russell. Stanton really works the bass line and Williams' harp work adds to the tension as it builds to Kinsley's guitar soloing, taking the track home. Nice 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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Stony Plain Records artist: Eric Bibb - Global Griot - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent 2 disc release, Global Griot, from Eric Bibb and it's very warm and rich with heavy cultural influences. Opening with Gathering of the Tribes, Bibb blends the rhythms and instrumentation of Africa with his own warm vocal styling creating a unique sound. Rolling into Wherza Money At Bibb works a Jamaican sound and with key trumpet, organ and string accents weaving a really nice cultural textile. Very nice. Boogie track, Black, Brown and White takes on a traditional American blues form with soulful vocals, great rhythm and style. A Room For You is a light, folk style track with nimble fingerpicking, cool percussion and trademark Bibb vocals. Solo Cissokho is featured on Spirit Day, a cool West African flavored track with Harrison Kennedy on vocals. Very cool. Instrumental, Picture A New World is a nice guitar progression on a basic melodic them creating a peaceful sound with interwoven textures of sound. Wrapping the release is Needed Time with warm vocals, sparkling guitar and kora melodies and simple rhythm. This is a cool release with various nicely blended themes resulting in a very enjoyable package. 

  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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Old Riley & the Water - Biting Through - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Biting Through, from Old Riley & the Water and it's a great example of rough and tumble blues rock. Opening with Willie Dixon's Howlin' For My Darlin', Old Riley & The Water establish firm footing with a rudimentary beat and vintage sound. Sean Riley on guitar and vocal, working with Ray Micarelli on drums, Andrew Landry on bass, Joshua Cook on guitar and vocal and Scott Craver on harp runs a pretty tight ship. Blues Walking, opened on resonator guitar and slide has the contemporary blues sound of the early Rolling Stones, Yardbirds or Humble Pie in acoustic mode. Although many bands have gone down this road, few have done it well. Nice job. Title track, Biting Through, is a great rocker with a raw blues edge. The vocal distortion really adds texture and the lower octave guitar work fattens it up nicely with underplayed guitar soloing and harp. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Power To Change, a light 60's style rocker with a rumbling bass line and doubled lead vocal. With the brightness of a pop track and just the right amount of rhythm, this is a solid closer for a really nice 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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Taylor Scott Band Set to Release New CD, "All We Have," Produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, on March 1, with Guest Appearance by Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys

Taylor Scott Band Set to Release New CD, 

All We Have, Produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, on March 1, with Guest Appearance by Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys

DENVER, CO - Taylor Scott Band announces a March 1 release date for their new CD, All We Have. Produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, All We Have showcases the band’s exciting mix of rock, funk, soul and blues music that has made them fan-favorites not only in their Denver, Colorado, home base, but around the world, as well.  The album includes a special guest appearance by guitarist Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys. 

The album’s even-dozen tracks feature 11 originals penned by Taylor Scott, plus a scintillating cover of Sleater-Kinney’s “Good Things.” Besides Taylor Scott on guitar and vocals, the band includes Jon Wirtz (keyboards, harmony vocals); Chris Harris (bass); and Lem Williams (drums); augmented by a horn section percussion, harmonica and backing vocals.

“When (producer) Steve Berlin and I started working on pre-production for this record, our approach was to pick the best songs I had written up to that point and start there,” Taylor Scott recalls about the recording sessions. “Steve didn’t ask me to change much about what I had written.  He did, though, ask me to write a chorus to a song called ‘Clearance Bin,’ which didn’t have a proper one before. Somehow, the first words I thought of ended up being the mantra of the entire album: ‘The day-to-day is all we have, I’ll trade it for a song and laugh, the things I want weren’t meant to last anyway.’ After getting the nod from Steve, I realized that one way or another, every song on the album was about that message in some way. Even songs that I had written years before carried that theme somehow, however subtle or cryptic. That realization alone gave this project a new meaning and helped me to find a voice that had previously proven elusive.”

Besides the sheer exhilaration of recording a new album with his bandmates, Taylor Scott got an extra buzz from working with Steve Berlin and Henry Garza. “Working with Steve for the first time was an honor and a creative thrill,” he declares. “He brought our sound together in a new way and had the wisdom to understand where we were coming from AND where we were heading.

“It was also a highlight of my life to work with Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys on the record. His group was my first rock concert as a kid and an enormous influence on me as a developing musician. Playing together in the studio was a dream come true for me. During this project, these new experiences were coupled with what I’ve always held dear and striven for; to tell a story and make honest, meaningful music with my exceptionally talented friends. This time, it all came together. That’s what this album, All We Have, means to me.”

Taylor Scott is an international touring guitarist and singer/songwriter. He has consistently toured all over the US, Canada, and Europe with both the Taylor Scott Band and trance-blues legend Otis Taylor.  In 2015, he played alongside Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule) on Otis' critically acclaimed release, Hey Joe Opus: Red Meat. 

As one critic wrote, “Heavily influenced by soul, funk, blues, and rock & roll, Taylor Scott’s music is gaining a reputation for transcending the limitations of a single genre. His diversely influenced rock & roll group, The Taylor Scott Band, is a high-powered extension of this mélange of sounds.”

www.taylorscottmusic.com
Taylor Scott Band Tour Dates

March

1st- Smoke and Barrel, Fayetteville, AR

2nd- Meteor Guitar Gallery, Bentonville, AR

7th- Iowa City Yacht Club, Iowa City, IA

8th- B-Bar, Omaha, NE

9th- Bodega's, Lincoln, NE

10th- Cornerbar, Fremont, NE

June

8th- Greeley Blues Jam, Greeley, CO

12th-16th- Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB, Canada

18th- Gallery House Concert Series, Calgary, AB, Canada

July

12th- Macugnaga Blues Experience, Macugnaga, Italy

August 

10th- Boys and Girls Club celebration, Dubois, WY

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers Announce KILLIN' IT LIVE Tour

  TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS ANNOUNCE 2019 NORTH AMERICAN

KILLIN' IT LIVE TOUR

New Album Killin' It Live Set For March 1 Release In US And Canada

   

"Castro’s aggressive, inspired attack on vocals and guitar is phenomenal."

–Washington Post

"Tommy Castro & The Painkillers showcase the power of the blues, soul and down-and-dirty rock ‘n’ roll...rousing and infectious. This is energizing, scorching, soul-shaking music….pure pleasure."

–Living Blues

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers have announced plans for their 2019 Killin' It Live North American tour. Killin’ It Live -- the band's new CD set for March 1 release in the US and Canada -- is a nonstop, spirited mix of blues, rock and soul, with rollicking, hypnotic grooves fueled by Castro’s fervent vocals and the band's muscular musicianship. On that same date, the band will begin their tour in Castro's longtime stomping ground of Northern California before making their way to Canada, and then heading to the Midwest and the east coast. Full dates and locations are below and can also be found here.

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Tommy Castro has released 15 albums ranging from horn-fueled soul and R&B to piping hot blues to fiery rock ‘n’ roll. He’s performed all over the world, earning countless fans with his legendary, sweat-drenched, exhilarating live shows. The Painkillers—bassist Randy McDonald, drummer Bowen Brown  and keyboardist Michael Emerson—have now been playing together over four years. After hundreds of live shows, they have coalesced into one of the telepathically tightest units Castro has ever assembled, making them one of the most in-demand live roots music acts performing today. Blues Revue said simply, “Tommy Castro can do no wrong."

With the group firing on all cylinders, Castro knew the time was right to answer his fans’ demands for a live album. Killin’ It Live captures the band at the peak of their creative and improvisational powers, and features one unforgettable, unpredictable performance after another. “This is the best band we’ve ever had,” says Castro. We really got something going on beyond just being good musicians. Every song we play live now has that right feel—all the dynamics. It allows us to jam out more on stage. Killin’ It Live is what you hear when you see us live.” Featuring songs from throughout Castro’s career, Killin’ It Live was produced by Castro and engineer/songwriter Ron Alan Cohen and recorded at venues in Texas, New York, Michigan and California during 2018. The album includes eight Castro originals spanning his entire career and two Castro-ized covers, each showing a slightly different side of his multifaceted musical personality.

KILLIN' IT LIVE 2019 North American Tour:

March 01, 2019   Yoshi's, Oakland, CA    

March 02, 2019   Crest Theatre (co-bill with Elvin Bishop), Sacramento, CA           

March 08, 2019   Jazzbones, Tacoma, WA   

March 09, 2019   Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB, CANADA   

March 10, 2019   Mikey’s on 12th Avenue, Calgary, AB, CANADA         

March 12, 2019   The Triple Door, Seattle, WA     

March 13, 2019   Conway Muse, Conway, WA    

March 14, 2019   Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR    

March 15, 2019   The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, Eugene, OR     

March 22, 2019   Rancho Nicasio, Nicasio, CA     

March 23, 2019   Rancho Nicasio, Nicasio, CA     

March 29, 2019   Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, Fond du Lac, WI           

March 30, 2019   Medina Entertainment Center, Medina, MN   

  

April 02, 2019   Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI 

April 03, 2019   The Castle Theatre, Bloomington, IL

April 04, 2019   City Winery, Chicago, IL

April 05, 2019   Music Box Supper Club (co-bill with Ronnie Baker Brooks), Cleveland, OH 

April 06, 2019   Rhine Haus Bier Hall, Youngstown, OH

April 07, 2019   Moondog’s, Blawnox, PA          

April 09, 2019   The Loft at City Winery, New York, NY  

April 10, 2019   Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck, NJ    

April 11, 2019   Daryl’s House, Pawling, NY     

April 12, 2019   Bridge Street Live, Collinsville, CT

April 13, 2019   Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, MA  

April 14, 2019   City Winery, The Haymarket Lounge, Boston, MA      

April 16, 2019   Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA           

April 18, 2019   Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA

April 19, 2019   Pearl Street Warehouse, Washington, DC           

April 20, 2019   Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD 

April 26, 2019   Callahan’s Music Hall, Auburn Hills, MI           

April 27, 2019   Franke Center for the Arts, Marshall, MI    

April 28, 2019   Natalie's, Worthington OH

April 30, 2019   The Southgate House Revival, Newport, KY    

May 01, 2019   Lincoln Theatre, Belleville, IL     

May 03, 2019   Rose Music Hall, Columbia, MO  

May 04, 2019   Knuckleheads Saloon, Kansas City, MO
May 05, 2019   Zoo Bar, Lincoln NE        

Canadian Blues & Roots Artist Michael Jerome Browne Announces New Album and Tour Dates

Canadian Blues & Roots Artist Michael Jerome Browne Announces New Album and Tour Dates

That's Where It's At! to be released on Borealis Records February 8, 2019

Michael Jerome Browne is a three-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner (Traditional Singer, 2015; Solo Artist, 2012 & 2008), Maple Blues Award winner (with 32 nominations since 1999), Kerrville (Texas) New Folk Finalist, four-time Juno Award Nominee in both the Roots/Traditional and Blues categories. He is a multi-instrumentalist, a songwriter, and a living encyclopedia of American Roots music. That’s Where It’s At! is Michael Jerome Browne’s latest collection, focusing on soul music through the lens of a traditional blues player. Recorded largely live off the floor in Sherbrooke and Montréal (Québec) and Hamilton (Ontario), Michael’s fingerstyle guitar and warm, unaffected vocals are front and centre, accompanied only by John McColgan’s funky drumming on five songs. That’s Where It’s At! is the new album on Borealis Records, available February 8, 2019. This album focuses on the connection between blues and soul, the stripped-down accompaniment consisting only of Michael’s guitar, with drummer John McColgan on five tracks. Vocal guests include Harrison Kennedy, Roxanne Potvin and Eric Bibb. Five originals are mixed in with songs from Sam Cooke, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder, as well as two spirituals from way back- the roots of gospel and soul. To celebrate and share this outstanding new recording, Michael Jerome Browne will be on tour throughout Canada in the coming months, starting with industry showcases at both Blues Summit Nine in Toronto and Folk Alliance International in Montreal. Upcoming Tour Dates Feb. 1 - 4 - Blues Summit Nine, Toronto, ON Feb. 13 - 17 - Folk Alliance International, Montreal, QC Feb. 21 - Mississippi Queen Foods, Hamilton, ON (w/special guest Harrison Kennedy) Feb. 22 - Hugh’s Room Live, Toronto, ON (w/special guest Harrison Kennedy, Michelle Josef on drums) Feb. 23 - Greenbank Folk Society, Greenbank, ON March 9 - La Vitrola, Montréal QC (w/John McColgan, drums) March 13 - Irene’s Pub, Ottawa, ON (w/special guest Harrison Kennedy, John McColgan on drums) May 3 - Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver, BC (w/Tim Williams, Cecile Doo-Kingue, Paul Pigat) May 4 - House Concert, White Rock, BC May 5 - 11- Hornby Island Blues Workshop May 12 - Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan, BC May 13 - Ground Zero Acoustic Lounge, Parksville, BC

Reaction Records artist: Randy McAllister - Triggers Be Trippin - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Triggers Be Trippin, by Randy McAllister and the Scrappiest Band In The Motherland and it's smokin' good blues rockin'! Opening with In A Flick of a Bic, a driving rocker with solid vocals and harp by McAllister, and exceptional slide phrasing by Brandon Hudspeth this track is really cooking. Patrick Smith is tight on bass and Danny Cochran adds excellent bottom on drums. Super opener. Beauty and Ugly Upside Down (Ode to Lizzie Velasquez) is a natural radio rocker with a good melody, backing vocals by Andrea Wallace, cool  lyrics and classic slide work. Very nice. Add in just the right amount of dirty funk and you got Bring It On Backbreaker with gritty harp work, a great bass line by Jacque Garoutte, stinging guitar soloing by Hudspeth, with and drums by Cochran. Wrapping the release is We Can't Be Friends (If You Don't Like Jimmy Reed) with it's R&B feel, hot slide, catchy lyrics and solid vocals by McAllister and Wallace. This is a really solid release with some scorching highlights. 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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Planned Obsolescencee Recording & Novelty artist: Rich Hope - I'm All Yours - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm All Yours, from Rich Hope and it's quite interesting. Opening with It Comes Alive which reminds me of the Chambers Brothers, Rich Hope on vocal and guitar shows real rock drive backed by Adrian Mack on drums and vocals, Erik PH Nielsen on bass and vocals and Matt Kelly on keys. This track is a real throw back and a good one. Creepstone is a cool driving rocker with snappy drum work and a solid bass line. Hope has a cool guitar hand which lays down glistening riffs without the pyrotechnics. Very refreshing. La Iguana is a slower darker track with a wailing vocal, great bass line, rumbling organ and grinding guitar. This is really cool. 5 Cents A Dance is a solid rocker with an English feel from say the 60's (Manfred Mann/Kinks/ with a edgy punky feel). Excellent! Juke Boy Bonner's Runnin Shoes is up next with a definite edgy, rocky feel. I really like Hope's approach on this traditional blues number. Excellent rework with riding keys and driving rhythm. Wrapping the release is Heartbreaker, a laid back blues rocker with some stylized guitar riffs and Hope's loose, effective vocal style. I wasn't familiar with Hope prior to this review, but I really like his approach.

  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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Endless Blues Records artists: In Layman Terms - Strong Roots - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strong Roots, from In Layman Terms, and it's funky, soulful, rocking blues. Opening with title track, Strong Roots, Cole (guitar and vocal) and Logan Layman (bass and vocal) lead this funky track with Hamed Barbarji on trumpet and Nick Davidson on drums. It really has a super feel and show some of Logan's best vocals on the release. I'm Somebody, with a happy go lucky sense and just a twist of country, Cole really lays into his cigar box guitar and Davidson's percussion is zany and tight. One of my favorite tracks on the release is straight up slow blues, Ain't Gonna Fake It No More, with T-Bone Walker like chords, supple vocals by Logan and laid back trumpet work by Barbarji and firm blues guitar riffs by Cole. Very nice. With it's walking bass line, Notice Me, really struts with solid vocals, swinging trumpet solo and crisp guitar work.  Wrapping the release is Way Too Far a rocking blues number with warm guitar rhythm, wah wah and trumpet accents under Logan's cool vocals. 

  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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