When It Rains, It Really Pours - PJ Tone

Stripped to the Bone Roots, Blues, Swing, Soul, Swamp, Rockabilly, Rock & Roll Rhythm & Blues!

 Pete Jamestone - Guitar, Bass, Harp & Vocals,
Amanda Louisiana - Vocals, Sax & Bass,
 Dave "Nails" Nelson - Drums












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”

PLAY SONG

Stony Plain artist: Monkey Junk - Tiger In Your Tank - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Tiger In Your Tank, from Monkey Junk and it's terrific! This is a reissue of an earlier issued release with two added tracks, but I missed it first time around and am glad to have the opportunity to review it this time around! Opening with I Wanna Put A Tiger In Your Tank, a Willie Dixon penned track, MJ lays down a rockin' blues track with cool droning guitar riffs. Lead vocalist Steve Marriner has a solid voice for this music and echoes himself on harp. Matt Sobb keeps the bottom tight on drums. Small Time Evil has an easy southern rock feel Marriner trades harp leads with Tony D on slide guitar. Cool. On Magic Sam's Give Me Time, Marriner leads the band on a pure R&B style track with perfectly balanced vocals and organ. On Otis Rush's, If You Were Mine, a retro blues/rock feel permeates the room and Marriner beefs up the track with cool harp riffs. Tony D really kicks up the game with some rolling rock riffs making this a particularly bluesy track. When Push Comes To Shove smells like James Brown is leading the rhythm section and Marriner knows how to work it. Taking a few real nice key solos on this track, Marriner sets the pace for Tony D to come in with a few hot riffs of his own. Beefy is a particularly cool instrumental track with a funky bottom and great slide work from Tony D. Marriner gets on the harp and takes it for a nice ride prior to turning it back over to Tony. Very cool! One of the most conventional blues tracks on the release, Pay The Cost, takes it nice and easy with perfectly structured guitar lead under Marriner's super vocals. This track shows the roots of MJ's music, broken down into it's basic components with super harp work from Marriner and contained work from Tony and Sobb. Classic boogie track, Boogie Man, is one of the coolest tracks on the release with with a stiff strut. With drone guitar work from Marriner and slide work from Tony D, this is my favorite track on the release. Leave The Rest To You gets into a bright, contemporary funk feel with a taste of Little Feat gumbo flavor. Again, it's Tony D's slide work that really hits me on this track. It's clean, concise and interesting. Blues For Anna has a real strong delta blues flavor with a modern twist. I really like this track with it's traditional style blues guitar riffs and unadorned vocals by Tony D. Again, Tony D is out there with his slide stirring things up and it is hard to imagine anyone who likes slide guitar not liking this release. Marriner slams the track with a hot harp riff as well nicely complimenting his authentic vocals. Gutsy has a rolling R&B/jazz feel, not unlike some of James Browns stuff with lead organ. This is really a cool track with nice guitar punctuation just laying back and riding the organ. Tony D breaks clean with a real tasty guitar solo and Marriner takes the backseat on organ as he does. Excellent track! Lucky One is a bit more of a rocker and Tony D really lights up the guitar briefly over what is mostly a vocal radio style track. Wrapping the release is Pueblo with cool drum rhythms but with a feel of traditional spaghetti western blues music. A real opportunity for Marriner to play an extended harp solo, this is a great conclusion to a super 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”

 

Cleopatra Records Inc - A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival - New release Review

I just received the newest release from Cleopatra Records, A Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Opening is a rousing Fortunate Son with Mike Zito and Sonny Landreth on slide guitar. These guys tear it up...nuf said! The Mynabirds are up next with Bad Moon Rising, a female interpretation of the track sounding like a blend of U2 and Crissy Hines with a Bo Diddley rhythm. Proud Mary is covered by Blitzen Trapper. An easy rocker with light drums, vocals, a few tidy guitar riffs and keys. Down On The Corner is covered by Spirit Family Reunion with a solid Cajun flavor. A raspy but solid lead vocalist, nicely blended backing vocals and accordion cover most of the melody with addition of banjo and harmonica as well as assorted percussion instruments. Have You Seen The Rain is covered by Dead Man Winter. This is a simple vocal track with minimal instrumentation (tambourine and acoustic guitar) and I think that it's one of the purest tracks on the release. Looking Out My Back Door is covered by LeRoux and has a solid New Orleans feel with upfront snare drumming. Nicely blended vocals over this funky march is really quite pleasant and key and guitar solos are shot but tight. Duke Robillard covers Who'll Stop The Rain bringing along a troop of heavy hitters like Bruce Bears, Brad Hallen and Mark Teixeira. Duke takes the lead vocal and keeps fretwork to mostly nice atmospheric chords with a short break. Bears plays a real nice solo punching up the track. South Memphis String Band featuring heavy hitters Jimbo Mathus (drums and vocals), Alvin Youngblood Hart (guitar and vocal)and Luther Dickinson on bass takes the hard line rick road and sets a cool stage for slide work over the hot rocker Up Around The Bend. Susie Q gets a bluesy lope by Will Wilde. A nice blues rocker with hot harp work and relentless rhythm guitar and drums makes this another contender for top track. Run Through The Jungle gets a real bluesy rock version that is pure Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King. Another hot track, Kubek lays down some nice riffs here. Kirk Fletcher covers Green River with some of the richest guitar work on the release. Fletcher definitely knows his way around the guitar and spares no mercy here! Wrapping the release is Born On The Bayou covered by Trampled Under Foot. The dimension of a solid female vocalist in Danielle Schnebelen over what is other wise a solid Creedence mix makes for a cool wrap of a cool 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”

 

Ulrich Ellison - Synergy - New Release Review

I just received the most recent release, Synergy, from Ulrich Ellison and the band has picked up where they left off. Opening with My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You, a blend of rock, funk and jazz, is a super intro for Ellison to highlight his well crafted vocal, guitar, keyboard blend complimented by Sabine Ellison on bass and backing vocals and Winton Reynolds on keys. My Maryann is a melodic ballad with warm vocals and singing guitar lead over nicely blended vocals. On Morganfield classic Rollin' and Tumblin', Ellison uses a Jeff Beck arrangement with his own twist. A nice arrangement to showcase his guitar skills with strong drum work from Avila. Sleepless has a stronghold on progressive rock and a nice melodic hook. Crisp guitar riffs from Ellison and cool violin work from Michelle Alany carry this track. On Around The Moon, a soft rock ballad, airy guitar effects, nicely blended keys and vocals make this a cross airplay track. Machete has a little taste of the far east blended into a euro rock sound. Lead violin by Alany, behind the vocals of Ellison creates a whole different world on this rocker with strong keys from Reynolds and cool guitar riffs from Ellison. Leaves Keep Falling delves further into the euro rock sound with classical styling and middle eastern rhythms. Never leaving it's classical styling this is cool track harkening back to earlier days of album rock (before they made it pop). Singing guitar riffs are carried on a bed of violin. Very cool. Never Remains The Same is a pop rocker with a nice melody and light guitar lead. Ellison has a nice hand at his guitar, using it as a second voice rather than as a hammer to drive stingers. I'm Falling has a distinct feel of British pop music and in some cases even Peter Townsend. Move On Closer is a light jazzy number with a Latin feel. Instrumental contributions from Ellison, Alany and Davila and vocal lead from Ellison makes this one of the strongest tracks on the release. Don't Be A Fool has a definite Texas blues base with some stinging guitar but still not leaving the rocking feel that Ellison creates throughout this release. Wrapping the release is Driftin Blues, taking an ethereal trip on a classic theme. Opening the guitar up for a romp on a progressive but jazzy ride along with a supportive bass from Sabine Ellison and especially Davila on drums makes this track my favorite of the release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Johnny I. All Star Blues Revival - EP Review

I just received the newest release by Johnny I. All Star Blues Revival. This release is star packed featuring the works of Jaimoe, Billy Cox, Bruce Katz and Reese Wynans. Opening with Life Is Better, a funky groove and Billy Cox on bass, Ingrassia leads the way on vocals. Wynans carries a lot of the load on B3 and Layton cements the bottom on drums. After a nice B3 solo from Wynans, Johnny I. steps up with a fat, high gain guitar solo making for a cool jam. Late Night has more of a jazzy ballad featuring Jaimoe on drums and Katz on B3. Katz steps up on this track and plays a mean solo opening the door for Johnny I. to step up again with a burst of fat guitar riff. An easy going track reminding me quite a bit of an early Isley Brothers track. Interesting listing and a decent start to a concept 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”

Blue Moon Marquee - Lonesome Ghosts - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Lonesome Ghosts, from Blue Moon Marquee, and it has a certain sense of honesty and sincerity. Opening with What I Wouldn't Do, a simple rag style tune featuring A.W. Cardinal on vocal and guitar, Mal Temple on drums and featuring Jasmine Colette on bass and Simon Kendall on piano. Pipeliner Blues is a cool Hot Club style track featuring Cardinal on lead vocal and guitar and nice fiddle work from Cameron Wilson. On Trouble's Callin', Nathan Shubert on piano and Cardinal on vocal and guitar do a jazzy version of delta blues. Nice touch. Scotch Whiskey is another blues track with a light airy touch. Cardinal leading the way on voice breaks with a nice guitar solo on this track and Temple keeps the drums light with brushes. Kendell adds nice key work behind the track and Colette drives the train on bass. Bishop Street, possibly my favorite track on the release has a real simple ballad style and nice vocal duet between Cardinal and Colette. Gypsy's Life has a New Orleans blues feel but with simple accompaniment of guitar by Cardinal, bass and drums from Colette and Wilson on violin. In The Henhouse has a early city blues feel with rhythm guitar actually driving the track. With "Dylan like" vocals, Cardinal maintains control of this simple tune, joined by Colette on drums and bass and Kendall on keys. On Sugar Dime, Cardinal breaks on with a simple, articulate guitar solo but the track is mostly a simple bar bluesy track not unlike Tom Waits might deliver. Lonesome Ghosts has the finger picking associated with Rev Gardy Davis but blends in chords giving it a more musical feel. Stripped back to just Cardinal and Colette this has real pretty instrumentation accompanying Cardinal on vocal. Interesting take on the blues with a twist.

  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”

 

Dickey Betts - Winterland San Francisco, CA 12/14/1974 - Stilladog - Guest Reviewer

Dickey Betts - guitar, dobro, vocals
Jeff Hanna - guitar
Spooner Oldham - organ
Vassar Clements - violin
John Hughey - pedal steel guitar
Oscar Underwood Adams - mandolin
Stray Straton - bass, vocals
Bonnie Bramlett - vocals, percussion
Jerry Jumonville - alto sax
David Walshaw - drums, percussion
Jerry Thompson - drums
Leon Poindexter - acoustic guitar
Walter Poindexter - banjo
Frank Poindexter - dobro

 By 1974, in large part due to Dickey Betts, Capricorn Records and the Allman Brothers Band were experiencing a success more lucrative than anyone could have dreamed. Betts, as a result, found himself free to pursue almost anything he desired musically, without having to worry about finances in the least. The situation allowed him to record his first solo album, Highway Call, and to perform with countless great musicians for the pure joy of playing, without any expectations of making money in the process. Over the course of the previous year, Betts had found a true, authentic voice, and had begun to distinguish himself within the ABB as a unique stylist, blending his love for country, bluegrass, western swing, jazz and rock into a style utterly his own - and one that would soon prove highly influential on all the Southern Rock bands that followed in the Allman Brothers' wake.

Betts’ Great American Music Show featured many of the players from his solo album, including the greatest fiddle player of his generation, Vassar Clements. Both the Poindexters and the legendary Spooner Oldham were also on board, and all these musicians combined to create a show that authentically traced the history of American music. 

Betts begins this Winterland show by showcasing his more acoustic side, with plenty of tight harmonies, sweet picking and relaxed communication between the musicians. Several of the best new songs from Betts’ solo effort are included, including "Rain," "Long Time Gone" and the superb "Hand Picked." The classic instrumental "Hideaway," as well as Allman Brothers' favorites "Blue Sky" and "Southbound," are given this new treatment with great success. Betts, Clements and the Poindexters then venture into historic American music and straight bluegrass for half a dozen songs, beginning with vintage material like "Old Joe Clark" and "Salty Dog," and closing with Vassar Clements raising the roof on "Orange Blossom Special." 

The set's closer, for which the ensemble goes electric, is perhaps its most interesting and exciting moment. This 40 minute version of "Elizabeth Reed" has to be one of the most expansive versions ever played, and is almost beyond description. Everyone in the ensemble gets several chances to shine on this unbelievable jam. All the elements that influence Betts’ music are represented, from jazz to rock to bluegrass and back. This version literally has it all, and stays amazingly cohesive and inspired throughout. The audience demands more, and the band returns for an encore consisting of the obligatory "Ramblin Man" followed by another of Betts’ most requested numbers, "Jessica." This lovely instrumental showcases the inventive playing of this large ensemble, and ventures into new areas only hinted at in versions with the Allman Brothers.
This is one of the finest examples recorded of musicians playing for the sheer joy of music, with no egos or financial concerns getting in the way. Touring this type of show was destined to be a monstrous undertaking - and ultimately a financial disaster - but thankfully, for a brief time in 1974, none of that seemed to matter.

Introduction / Rain 4:58
Blue Sky 11:05
Hide Away 9:11
Hand Picked 13:54
Long Time Gone 5:32
Southbound 9:06
Old Joe Clark 1:47
Salty Dog Blues 3:13
Carolina 2:24
Rollin' In My Sweet Baby’s Arms 3:29
Hard Time Blues 4:05
Orange Blossom Special 3:08
In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed 41:19
Ramblin' Man 7:59
Jessica 12:16 

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”

 

Shake-It-Sugar Records artist: Murali Corell - Restless Mind - New release review

I just received the newest release, Restless Mind, from Murali Coryell (yes, it's Larry's son)but not at all following in dad's footprints. Opening with country rock styled Waiting and Wasting Away, Coryell is out there on lead vocal and guitar sounding more like Glenn Frey than Larry Coryell. Joined by Ernie Durawa on drums and Chris Alcaraz on bass this group is tight. Kiss Me First has a bit of R&B but with a bit more tasty guitar indulgence. Again, not the chorded jazz infused playing but more wide open SRV style wailing. On title track, Restless Mind, Coryell has more of an introspective take, with a quiet approach to this strong ballad. Cleanly articulated guitar solos over Lating percussion make this track tick. I'm So Happy returns to the country rock style and really reminds me quite a bit of Steve Miller with it's rockin sound and vocal blending. No slouch on guitar Coryell lays out a few nice guitar riffs to spice the track up. Sex Maniac is a straight forward rocker with a lot of cockiness. With a high stepping strut the band band lays it out there and coryell gets some really nice round guitar tones on his soloing. Crime of Opportunity, a R&R style track is one of my absolute tracks on the release. Coryell gets into a super groove vocally and the band sets up nicely right behind him. A well executed guitar solo caps this track making it one of the coolest tracks on the release. I Can't Give You Up has a funky rock feel and the addition of Joe Morales on sax and Jimmy Shortell on trumpet warm this track up nicely. A super radio track. Tag Along is a smooth shuffle track again with nice horn backing. A real nice sax solo from Morales and a hot trumpet solo from Shortell are the topper on this track..... check it out! I need Someone To Love has a real bluesy feel with a shuffle tempo. Coryell uses the blues tempo to his absolute advantage throwing down so hot guitar riffs really popping the track up. Very cool. Latin ballad Lonely Eyes features nice vocal harmonies and it really is a strong radio track contender with it's simplicity and strong hook. Everyday Is A Struggle has a real funky blues lope with SRV/A King flavors. This rhythm has to coax the flaming guitar riffs out of a man and it certainly does. This is the hottest guitar track on the release by far and a smokin' groove. The release is capped by Marvin Gaye's Let's get It On. This is done pretty much right along Gaye's arrangement but with updated instrumentals. Coryell lays down some real nice funky riffs on this track making it not only a great tribute to Gaye but a great track with hot riffs. Very nice!  

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”
 

Deep Rush Records artist: Dexter Allen - Bluez Of My Soul - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Bluez Of My Soul, from Dexter Allen and it's hot! Opening with southern country blues funky track, Coming From Mississippi, Allen has you squirming in your seat leading the way with his own solid vocals and joined by Bobby Rush on harp. Joey Robinson lays down a snappy drum rhythm and Allen compliments himself nicely on lead guitar. Ride This Train, pushed along by Rush on harp, has a spiritual feel... you can almost feel the tent rising with excitement. Allen breaks loose with a few tight guitar riffs but this track is all about lifting the spirit with music. Still Called The Bluez has a real nice slow blues slide to it. A R&B style track with beautiful vocal work and hot guitar chaser makes this definitely one of the best tracks on the release. With the feel of BB King and the funky chop style of WWW this track is way cool. Monk Donky has a fast funk sound not unlike Robert Parker. letting the guitar out for a walk on this track, Allen coaxes himself along like a modern James Brown. Another slow blues track, Come Out And Play, draws Allen's soul out through his fingers. Accompanied by Joey Robinson on keys, Allen squeezes the fretboard for every last drop of soul. Very nice! Have A Party has a lighter, jazzier R&B feel with a balance of guitar, drums, lead and backing vocals. Bluez Party is a cool swing blues track... you can almost see BB King popping his palm with his fist. Allen has a cool voice and knows how to play call and response with his guitar. Robinson takes a nice key solo on this track warming up the bottom and Allen stretches it out a bit with a solo of his own. Nicely written and arranged Allen rocks this one. Deep Inside is a real nice soul rooted blues track with just the perfect balance of soul vocals, horn accompaniment and hot blues guitar riffs. Excellent! Pudding and Rice is a rocky R&B number with a cool hook. I Doubt It is a funky pop track with a cool guitar chaser. This is the track that could most easily cross radio lines for broad audience appeal. Wrapping the release is soul track, That Same Thing. Allen has a warm soulful voice, a cool sense of style and a hot guitar hand. Very nice compliment. 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” 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”