Lightning In A Bottle Records artist: Johnny Wheels & The Swamp Donkeys - Keep On Pushin' - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep On Pushin', from Johnny Wheels & The Swamp Donkeys and it's a cool rocker with solid R&B and blues overtones. Opening with On The Run, a poppy R&B track features John "Wheels" Kennicott on lead vocal and harmonica, Brandon Logan on guitar and vocals and Taylor Frazier on bass along with full backing by LaRhonda Steele on vocal, Steve Kerin on keys, Jimi Bott on drums. With it's great melody and overall sound, this could easily pull good radio play. This Time is a cool, bluesy rocker with vocal blending by Kennicott and Kern and horn punctuation. Kennicott's vocals are gritty and Frazier's bass line anchor's the track. Logan lays down some real nice guitar riffs here but Kennicott's harmonica work is notable as well. My favorite track on the release is As Long As You're There with it's memorable melody, solid vocals and balanced guitar work, complimented nicely with horn and keyboard backing. If you like slide guitar (and I do) Logan gets some real nice tone on The Fall, a bluesy ballad with plenty of musical tension and when he opens it up, his chops are fine. Very cool. .Wrapping the release is title track, Time To Bail (Keep On Pushin') is a contemporary blues rocker with just the right soul and guitar riff. Kennicott's vocals carry the track nicely with a solid keyboard bass and with selective guitar accents. Solid closer. 

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Cleopatra Blues artist: Arthur Adams - Kick Up Some Dust - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kick Up Some Dust, from Arthur Adams and it's super. Opening with It Makes Me Mad, a strong R&B style blues, Arthur Adams has a silky smooth voice and great blues hands. Backed by Hense Powell on keys, Lou Castro on bass, David Leach on percussion and James Gadson on drums, this is a terrific opener. Soulful, Hold On To Me is another showcase for Adam's voice with super phrasing and perfect guitar accents. With Freddie Washington on bass, Powell on keys and Greg Brown on drums, this is another strong track. Title track, Kick Up Some Dust, is a slick, instrumental with Adams leading the way on solo guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Thieves Of Love with deep soulful groove and warm guitar articulation by Adams. Powell on keys, Washington on bass and James Gadson on drums really make it happen on this one. Wrapping the release is funky,  A Bag Of Soul with it's JG Watson or WW Washington kind of feel. Adams take his guitar for a nice instrumental stroll, backed by Powell, Brown and Washington. This really is a strong album with plenty of soulful funky blues. Eat up!

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Swordfish Records artist: Scott Ellison - Zero-2-Sixty - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Zero-2-Sixty from Scott Ellison and it's a cool mix or rock, R&B and blues. Opening with shuffle, She Needs A Whole Lotta Lovin', Scott Ellison on lead vocal and guitar gets this thing going. Backed by Jon Parris on bass, Robbie Armstrong and David Bernston on harmonica, this is a solid opener. On slow blues, That's How I Love My Woman, Ellison digs deep both vocally and on guitar making this a terrific track. With Parris on bass, Armstrong on drums and Danny Timms on B3 and piano, this is one of my favorites on the release. Another cool shuffle is You Can't Blame A Guy For Tryin' with a cool bass line by Matt Kohl, Matt Teegarden on drums, Hank Charles on piano and organ and great syncopation by Ellison on vocal and lead guitar. Soulful blues, Before The Teardrops Fell is a nice showcase for Ellison on vocals and his lead guitar chops are very nice. Piano soloing by Timms adds another dimension and Ron Morgan on bass and Armstrong on drums keep it tight. On loping swing track, Jenni Kat, Ellison takes his guitar chops for a walk and a real nice show he puts on. With a walking bass line by Kohl and Teegarden on drums, this is a super track. With a bit of funk, Soul Harbor has a definite strut. Parris and Armstrong set up a massive bottom and Ellison just rides the groove. Very cool. Wrapping the release is shuffle, You Can't Hurt Me No Mo' with tight guitar riffs against the back beat. Again the bass lines of Parris lay the groundwork and Ellison's guitar riffs really cook. This is a solid closer for a cool blues album. 

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The Weezil Malone Band - Desert Drive-In - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Desert Drive-In, from the Weezil Malone Band and it's a funky blues rockin' band. Opening with All Over Again, Larry Fitzgerald (Weezil Malone) on lead vocal and guitar lays down a rocking boogie with Dave Alves on bass and Karl Schantz on drums. These guys have a take no prisoners sound with plenty of grit. Children of the Night has a terrific rhythm set by Schantz and Alves and Fitzgerald on guitar and vocal leads the show. This really has the feel of early ZZ Top. If you haven't had the pleasure...this is where it's at... funky rockin' blues. Niiice! Whiskey has plenty of swagger with rowdy vocals and a solid blues rock guitar riff over the pounding bottom by Alves and Schantz. It's obvious that these guys mean business and just for reference, they make the stripped down blues rockers of today sound polished. That's the ticket. Rocking boogie, Take It Away, really will have you stomping your foot and Fitzgerald's is spot on with his vocals. Stretching just a bit on guitar gives the track a great punch making this my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Enough Is Enough featuring Fitzgerald on slide guitar, backed by a Bo Diddley beat. This is a cool closer for a release that really deserves a listen.

 

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Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion - Living A Daydream - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Living A Daydream, by Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion, and it's really enjoyable. Opening with Nagi Yate', Miguel Espinoza on guitar, opens with a beautiful intro, joined by Dianne Betkowski on cello and Andy Skellenger on tabla and Nabin Shrestha on tabla. Howard Levy on harmonica and piano really adds an additional dimension, joined by Randy Hoepker on bass, Mario Moreno on timbales, and Linda Richardson on castanets. Excellent opener. Zelda The Caterpillar Goes To Spain is another strong track featuring Espinoza on guitar really creating nice sonic depth. This track really is interesting. Levy on harmonica, Espinoza on guitar, Hoepker on bass and Skellenger really set a solid floor and Betkowski's solo cello work is rich, complimented nicely by the percussion of Mario Moreno. Wrapping the release is The Storm with has traditional Spanish rhythms. Espinoza's guitar work really is nice and I particularly love the cello work of Betkowski. Levy's piano is excellent and Moreno and Hoepker create a lively bottom complimented nicely by Skellenger on tabla. Excellent closer. 

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Slammin Media artist: David Deacon - Four - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Four, from David Deacon and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with No Never Mind, David Deacon with his Leonard Cohen like vocals paces over a classic romping blues bass line with guitar, keys and drums. Cool opener. Rising Up Again has a smooth undertow with raspy vocals and jangly guitar work and solid vocal harmonies. Simplify has a simple ballad format but puts me in mind of a more melodic Roger Waters. With it's loose guitar work and floating guitar riffs, this track coasts along nicely. Wrapping the release is Waving Free with it's romping bass line. Deacon's vocals bounce along nicely, chased by playful guitar riffs giving the track an Dire Straits feel but a cooler presentation. This is a strong closer for an interesting release. 

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Outrageous 8 Records artist: Hollywood Paul Litteral - Legacy - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Legacy, by Hollywood Paul Litteral and it's light and has a great groove. Opening with Fathead Newman's, Hard Times, Paul Litteral on trumpet is surround by talent including Bill Bodine on bass, Michael Rosen on drums, Rocky Davis on keys, Sam Morgan on bari sax, and Colin Kupka on alto sax. Strong opener. On Harry Warren's There Will Never Be Another You, Litteral sets the lead on trumpet joined by Davis on keys. Angela Mae O'Neill is featured on lead vocal and does a great job. I particularly like Davis' piano improve on this track, backed by Bodine and Tony Pia on drums. The Eagles, Desparado, gets a real nice rework with Litteral on trumpet melody. With Marcy Vaj on violin and viola, Kevan Torfeh on cello, Bodine on bass, and Davis on keys, this is a new track rather than a stale remake. Wrapping the release is Billy Cobham's The Moon Ain't Made of Cheese which really has a nice feel. With Litteral on trumpet lead, Davis on keys, bass and drums, and Greg Kupka, a beautiful track and arrangement to close a solid set. 

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Solid Blues Records artist: JW-Jones - Everything Now - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everything Now, by JW-Jones and it's a solid mix of blues, R&B, rock, and pop. Opening with title track, Everything Now, JW-Jones on lead vocal and guitar has penned a cool, pop rocker with a strong melody, featuring Stanton Moore on drums, Gordie Johnson on harmony, rhythm, bass and keys making this a super opener. Blues rocker, Papa's In The Pen has a cool rhythm and Jones' vocals are strong with a tight guitar solo pushing the track nicely. With Eric Eggleston on harmony vocal, rhythm guitar and percussion, Aaron Sterling on drums and Jeff Rogers on keys another solid entry. Shuffle track, Take Your Time features Jimmie Vaughan on guitar with his signature style, and includes Jason Corbiere on drums. My favorite track on the release is To Tell You The Truth (I Lied) with Jones' best vocal on the release and it's supple bluesy feel. Cutting loose on guitar Jones really gives this track an extra boost, joined by Jacob Clarke on bass, Eggleston on rhythm guitar and percussion, and Jesse O'Brien on keys. Very nice. Another favorite is R&B influenced, When You Left, with a real nice melody and with Kaz Kazanoff, John Mills and Al Gomez on horns working in support of Jones on vocal and guitar. Wrapping the release is rocker, Good To Be True, with a contagious melody and driving beat. JW has a solid rocker here with plenty of diversity and soul. 

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Tracy Nelson - Life Don't Miss Nobody - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Life Don't Miss Nobody, by Tracy Nelson and it's really good. Opening with Strange Things Happening Every Day, Tracy Nelson on vocal really gets things moving. Kevin McKendree on piano knows how to play a boogie and backed by John Gardner on drums, Byron House on bass, Mike Henderson on electric guitar, this is a great opener. With a Spanish taste, title track, Life Don't Miss Nobody features Nelson on lead vocal and Wurlitzer, with Mike Dysinger on congas and Guiro, House on bass, Larry Chaney on 12 string guitar and Cuatro and Steve Conn on piano and with the tight horn work of Jack Warner on sax, Dominique Caster on trumpet, and Chase Carpenter on trombone. Very nice. Willie Nelson steps up on Honky Tonkin' sharing the lead vocals with Nelson. Mickey Raphael adds some tasty harmonica lead melody and I particularly like Mike Johnson's contribution on steel guitar. One of my favorites on the release. Terry Hanck joins on Gene McDaniels' Compared To What. With Tracy on lead vocal and Hanck on vocal and sax, this track is great. Gardner and House set the rhythm and Steve Conn on piano seeds a great solo by Hanck. Excellent track. Chuck Berry's Brown Eyed Handsome Man gets a cool, New Orleans twist with Nelson surrounded by Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, Dianne Davidson, Vickie Carrico, Larry Chaney and Reba Russell on complimentary vocals really giving the track a solid richness. Wrapping the release is Hard Times featuring Nelson alone on vocal and 12 string acoustic guitar. A pure traditional track, this is an excellent closer. 

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Blue House Records artist: Danny Liston - Everybody - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everybody, by Danny Liston and it's a solid rocker.  Opening with title track, Everybody, Danny Liston on acoustic guitar and lead vocal is paired with Bekka Bramlett, and supported by Steve Potts on drums, Davy Smith on bass, Will McFarlane on guitar, Mark Narmore on piano, and Rick Steff on organ. With it's strong melody and tight craftsmanship, this is a strong radio candidate. Soulful, Real Man, is one of my favorites on the release, with excellent vocals by Liston and warm horn backing by Alan Branstetter on trumpet, and Brad Guin on sax. Very nice. Rocker, Goodbye Jack Daniels has a good hook that will have the crowd singing along. With it's Seeger like swagger and McFarlane's guitar riffs, this track hits the mark. Wrapping the release is A Change Has Come, a clever, 80's style pop track with lush backing vocals and a solid melody. A fitting close for this rocker.

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Joanna Connor - Best of Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Best of Me, by Joanna Connor and it's wild. Opening with funky blues number, House Rules, Connor dons her notorious slide guitar, accompanying herself on lead vocal, also featuring Josh Smith on guitar, and backed by a serious horn section of Fernando Castillo on trumpet and flugelhorn, Carlos Sosa on sax and flute, Raul Vallejo on trombone, together the Grooveline horns, Shaun Gotti Calloway on bass, Jason Edwards on drums, and Curtis Moore Jr on organ. Super opener. Title track, Best of Me, is a smooth, soulful, ballad featuring really nice vocal by Conner and nicely articulated lead work making hits an ideal radio track. I Lost You is another slow blues with excellent vocal and guitar lead by Conner, complimented by Dan Souvigny on rhythm and keys. Blues driver, Mercury Blues, really gets rolling with Conner pushing on vocal and letting the slide fly, joined by David Abbruzzese on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Shine On with Gary Hoey joining on guitar and Jason Ricci joining on harmonica. With a really great beat, heavy riffs by Hoey, a driving bass line by Calloway and a tight drum bottom by Edwards, this is a solid closer to a real solid release. 

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Yellow Dog Records artist: William Lee Ellis - Ghost Hymns - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Ghost Hymns, by William Lee Ellis and it's an interesting exploration of blues, gospel and bluegrass. Opening with Cony Catch The Sun, Ellis on fretless banjo and vocal play a very cool, primitive, Hill Country like track. Very cool. On Pearl River Blues, Ellis and Mikahely on guitar work nicely over a piedmont styling and solid vocal work by Ellis. One of my favorite tracks on the release is instrumental, Lost Heaven featuring  Ellis on acoustic guitar and a Chinese folk string instrument called a yueqin with it's quiet melody and clean articulation. With honor to father Tony Ellis and godfather Bill Monroe, Mumblin' Word is a great bluegrass tune with Ellis on vocal and 12 string, Neil Rossi on fiddle, Rik and Julie Coffey on vocal. Very cool.  Tony Ellis penned track, Belarus, has a beautiful melody, with Ellis on guitar and Tom Cleary on piano. Very nice. Closing the release is Bury Me In The Sky, with Ellis on vocal and guitar, KeruBo on vocal, Hannah Assefa on fiddle and Larry Nager on bass. This is another strong melody and a solid closer for a real cool release. 

   

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Gulf Coast Records artists: Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia - Blood Brothers - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blood Brothers, from Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia and it's pure blues music. Opening with Hey Sweet Mama, a romping blues rocker, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia share the mike for nicely blended lead vocals and Chuck Berry influenced guitar work makes this an excellent opener. With Zito and Castiglia on guitars, Douglas Byrkit on bass, Matthew Johnson on drums, Ephraim Lowell on drums and Lewis Stephens on keys this is a tight band. Over a classic blues vamp, Fool Never Learns is a driving rocker. Castiglia on lead vocal and Zito and Castiglia trading hot riffs, makes this a strong contender for radio airplay. My favorite track on the release is You're Gonna Burn with really strong, soulful lead vocal and excellent lead guitar work. Thumping tom tom work by Johnson compliments the track nicely and Stephens' keyboard work gives hit just the right edge. Jazzy, Hill Country Jam has a slinky rhythm and twin guitar lead which carry the melody in southern style. Stephens' organ work leads the segue into solo guitar leads by Castiglia and Zito. Very nice. Wrapping the release is One Step Ahead Of The Blues with it's laid back feel and handclap rhythm. This is a very cool release with plenty of guitar. 

  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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Gulf Coast Records artist: Monster Mike Welch - Nothing But Time - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nothing But Time, from Monster Mike Welch and it's flat out scorching! Opening with Walking To You Baby, Mike wastes absolutely no time kicking this release into overdrive. With solid vocals and high strung, blues guitar phrasing, Mike sails. Backed by Jerry Jemmott on bass, Bob Welch on piano, Kid Andersen on keys, Fabrice Bessouat on drums, Eric Spaulding on tenor sax, Jack Sanford on bari sax, and John Halblieb on trumpet, this track will part your hair. George Harrison's terrific track, I Me Mine gets a real nice cover by Mike and though he doesn't vary far from the original theme, it's a real nice track and Mike's interpretation, adding horns and blues guitar riffs takes it to the next level. Excellent shuffle, I Ain't Saying shows Mike's strong vocals and Texas style blues riffs setting up a great groove. With Andersen on bass, Spaulding on sax Bob on piano and Bessouat on drums, Mike kills it on guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, In Case You Care, with Jemmott back on bass, Mike Peloquin on sax, Dr Aaron Lington on bari, Halblieb on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, and Vicki Randle on percussion, this track is hot! Jump For Joy is really packed with energy and Mike is again swinging for the wall. Gotta say if he comes to Phoenix, I'm seeing the concert. Slow blues, Ten Years Ago is that one track when you just sit back in your chair nodding. Mike grabs this track by the scruff and shakes the stuffing out of it. His vocals are gripping and his guitar attack is relentless. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a modern take on Robert Johnson's Kind Hearted Woman Blues with Mike on electric guitar and vocal. His poise and prowess are obvious and his vocals are actually in line with Johnson's own falsetto. This is an excellent track to close a spectacular release. Out of the park

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Blue Palace Records artist: Jan James - Time Bomb - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Bomb, from Jan James and it's a healthy dose of soulful R&B. Opening with Swingin' In The Sweet Sunshine, Jan James on lead vocal has a great start for her 12th album. With Craig Calvert on guitar and bass, Bob Long on keys, and Jake Loomis on drums, warm backing vocals by Cheryl Wilson, and Joyce Faison, and with strong sax work by Brian Gephart on sax this is a super opener. Cool, R&B number, Sometimes Love's Like That, has a real nice melody and Calvert's guitar work, balanced with Gephart's sax work makes this a strong radio contender. My favorite track on the release is Love Is The Answer with strong vocals by James and caressing guitar lead by Calvert creating just the right pocket for James, Wilson and Faison. Wrapping the release is Always The Blues, with it's blues rock feel. Calvert kicks in the wah wah pedal on his lead work and James' bluesy lead work really works nicely over the firm bass work of Calvert. Nice closer for a solid release.  

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Maggie Fraser - The Way That I Wish It Was - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Way That I Wish It Was, by Maggie Fraser and it's classic roots music at it's best. Opening with Your Ghost, Maggie Fraser on vocal and acoustic creates a special environment, joined by Rich Roxborough on keys and Alec Fraser on backing vocals, Guitars and Circus bass. Pure country, The Cornfield is a real nice track with Maggie paired with Colleen Hodgson on vocal, and authentic fiddle and pedal steel by Chris Bartos and Alec Fraser on bass, drums and acoustic guitar. Very cool. Our Little Canoe is a really nice track with European influenced Mandolin and bodhran by James McKie and Fraser on Bass and keys. Excellent! Title track, The Way That I Wish It Was, has classic country  bones, a solid melody and with Denis Keldie on organ and accordion, and Fraser on bass and guitar, another solid contribution. Wrapping the release is Song For Susan, a sold ballad featuring Maggie on vocal, Bartos on violin and moog bass and Alec on acoustic guitar. This is not your regular album and I think it stands tall in feel and realism. 

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Quarto Valley Records artist: Savoy Brown - Blues All Around - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues All Around, from Savoy Brown and I think it's their best in years. Opening with Falling Through, Kim Simmonds sets the pace of the set with some authentic delta style riffs on electric guitar breaking into a classic boogie style rocker. With Simmonds on vocal and lead guitar, this band has more miles than most anyone short of the Stones. Simmonds, who passed away in December has held the blues rock boogie torch for 57 years and has released 42 albums...yes...42. Having personally seen at least 4 or 5 different lineups of Savor Brown (all with Simmonds), I have been a long time fan. On Going Down South, Simmonds pulls out the slide and this is a guy who really knew how to play it. From some of the best days of the band in the 70's and Tell Mama to now, Simmonds shows a super command and feel for slide guitar. Due to Peripheral Neuropathy as a side effect of chemotherapy Kim plays quite a bit more slide on this release and I'm glad he did. His approach to the instrument is strong and certainly influenced splinter group, and slide driven, Foghat who leaned more into rock. Gypsy Healer glows with Simmonds' notable Marshall tone and his harmonica and of course the always solid bottom provided by Garnet Grimm on drums and Pat DeSalvo on bass. Texas Love has great swagger with Simmonds really sitting in the groove on rhythm guitar and his lead work is well phrased. Just listen to that guitar tone on Hurting Spell and you know why people love Simmonds. One of my criticisms on modern Savoy Brown has been Kim's vocals but with each release he seemed to get more comfortable as he molded his vocals to work well with the band. His slide work on this track is fat and classic. Can't Go Back To My Hometown has a great Latin feel, not unlike fellow UK contemporary Peter Green on his composition, Black Magic Woman. I think that Simmond's lead phrasing is every bit as juicy as Green's on the original BMW and it's great to hear Kim soloing with reckless abandon once again.  Wrapping the release is acoustic blues, Falling Through The Cracks, with Simmonds accompanying himself with that classic delta styling and a fitting way for such a great guy to close his life long love of the blues. 

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VizzTone Label Group artists: Jimi "Primetime" Smith and Bob Corritore - The World In A Jug - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The World In A Jug, from Jimi "Primetime" Smith and Bob Corritore and it's a healthy dose of pure Chicago blues. Opening with title track, I Got The World In A Jug, Jimi "Primetime" Smith on lead vocal and guitar really gets this set rolling in Morganfield style. Bob Corritore shares the spotlight and shows the great tone and phrasing that he's know for. With Fred Kaplan on piano, Johnny Rappy on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass and Brian Fahey on drums, this is an excellent opener. Corritore really ramps it up on You For Me with classic high octave octane and with Henry Gray on piano, Rapp on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Marty Dodson on drums, this is a definite favorite. Shuffle, Blinded, is one of my favorites on the release really showcasing Primetime's excellent guitar phrasing and vocals and a strong solo by Corritore on harmonica, backed by Shea Marshall on organ, Tony Tomlinson on bass and Allen West on drums. Primetime slips on his slide for an Elmore James flavored Walkin'. His vocals are very soulful and Corritore really uses his amp to his advantage getting just that right tone. With Yahni Riley on bass and Fahey on drums, this is a real nice track. Wrapping the release is another great Chicago style slow blues, Fire and Ice. Primetime on vocal shows gripping emotion and Corritore milks the juice out of his harmonica. With Rap on guitar, Riley on bass and Fahey on drums, this is an excellent closer.