Proper Records artist: Dr. John - Ske-Dat - De-Dat ... Spirit Of Satch - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Ske-Dat-De-Dat ... Spirit of Satch from Dr John and I quite like it. Oh yeah. With a tribute to an older statesman, there are some old time ballads but with a fresh look which is overall very interesting. On opener, What A Wonderful World, The Blind Boys Of Alabama add a different dimension to what is done sixties pop style with a twist of New Orleans. Terrence Blanchard a really nice melodic trumpet solo over what is otherwise a funky orchestral arrangement. Mack The Knife gets a total revamp with a solid New Orleans strut. With very little except lyrics to the original track, this is an ingenious mix with brilliant work from Blanchard. There is a rap break which I don't care for but overall the track is excellent. Tight Like That has a real Latin feel with vocals by Telmary and sweet Spanish guitar and really smart trumpet work by Arturo Sandoval. I've Got The World On A String stays with very traditional arrangement say, Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra but with a Dr John twist. The good Dr and Bonnie Raitt handle the vocal duet which is very solid. Stylized swing blues guitar work on the bridge is really nice. Gut Bucket Blues has a really cool bari sax bottom and full horn tribute. Dr Johns vocals are as good as any on the release with a gritty feel. Nicholas Payton takes the floor with trumpet on this track blowin some serious brass. On Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Anthony Hamilton takes the mic singing a counter melody to the all to familiar track adding mystery and interest. With a neo soul feel to the track, warm backing vocals and horns this track is as fresh as the first time I heard it. On That's My Home, Dr John takes a straight ahead swat and with his relaxed interpretive way weaves a smooth and comforting track with beautiful trumpet highlights from Wendell Brunious. On classic gospel track Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, lead vocals are handled by Ledisi backed by the McCrary Sisters. It still maintains a a spiritual feel but with more of a modern take and less of a "pure spiritual" track as most of us (at least me) have heard. Nice job! Wrap Your Troubles In Your Dreams finds the good Dr back at the mic and also predominantly out front with the piano. The Blind Boys of Alabama are back with both solo and backing vocals and less tight but soulful trumpet work from Terence Blanchard adds a nice touch. Dippermouth Blues comes out with horns blaring and a cool New Orleans march rhythm. The Dr has the keys rolling and the saxs are honking. James Andrews steps up with some authentic feeling NO trumpet styling. This is a great party track and with warm organ work may be one of my favorite tracks on the release. Blues giant Shemekia Copeland joins the Dr on Sweet Hunk O'Trash and with a funky bottom gets you groovin fast. Hot funky instrumentals throughout this track make it another nice add. Memories Of You has Dr John in the lounge mode laid back with his piano with brilliant punctuation by Arturo Sandoval on trumpet. Hot sax work opens the last track on the release, When You're Smiling. With a definite Latin/Mardi Gras feel and the great Dirty Dozen Brass band, the party is leaving town. This is a fun release with some hot trumpet work.

  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”

 

Carolyn Fe Blues Collective - Bad taboo - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Bad Taboo, from Carolyn Fe Blues Collective and it's got a little something for everyone. Opening with All About Them, a contemporary jazzy shuffle, Rami Cassab (Guitar) and Tim Alleyne (Keyboard)lay out some Steely Dan like memorable riffs. Kitty Cat has a light feel driven by tight percussion from Dan Legault (Drums). Fe uses her voice effectively on this track opening the door for again nice guitar riffs from Cassab. Title track Bad Taboo has a soul feel and Oisin Little (Bass)steps up with key bass lines. A serious ballad with war backing vocals, this is a clear contender for the airplay track from this release. Shun Kikuta plays a Moon Guitar on this track blending nicely with the mix. Life's Just That Good has a romping blues format with stripped down guitar and vocal and Guy Belanger on harp. Love Galore has a nice strut. Fe uses the track to showcase her versatility and Cassab lays down a nice guitar solo as well. Goodbye is a very serious minded ballad with a really strong arrangement. Basically just Fe on vocal and Alleyne on keys, this track has a haunting feel. Very Nice. Bad Thing has a vampy feel with a a cool bass line and nice key work from Alleyne. A particularly nice sax track by Jason Luc Murphy adds color to this track as well. Redemption, a disjointed but precise arrangement of instrumentation is actually one of my favorites on the release. Cool non linear guitar work from Cassab adds real nice tension to an otherwise casual track. Not Anymore is a basic blues track with interesting male backing giving it a certain texture. Again Cassab steps up with a clean articulate guitar solo for some added spice. Promised is another of the more airwaves directed tracks on the release. Fe's vocals are nicely highlighted over sweet piano, organ, drums and bass making fro a tight little package. Alleyne steps up the organ taking the track to a higher elevation and Cassab ties a bow on the end with a tight solo. Watching You, an R&B style track is carried by a cloud of organ and solid rhythm guitar. One of the best opportunities for Cassab and Alleyne to showcase their instrumental works, this track the line and run. On Whole Lotsa Trouble, Fe steps up and with the assist of Cassab on slide and Guy Belanger on harp laying down a simple acoustic gospel/blues track. Wrapping the release is Not Worth The Show, my absolute favorite track on the release. A real rocker with edge, that band really cranks it.

  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”

 

Alligator Records artist: Elvin Bishop - Can't Even Do Wrong Right - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Can't Even Do Wrong Right, from Elvin Bishop and it's the best of Bishop in possibly 15 years. I have been a huge Elvin Bishop fan since his first note on the first Butterfield Blues band stuff and my admiration grew as he became more loose. He is an excellent guitar player, raucous story teller and an all around amazing performer. This release takes me back to his more primitive style days of Juke Joint Jump and Let It Flow and that is excellent! Opening with the title track, Can't Even Do Wrong Right, Bishop fronts as a vocalist and is right up to one of his curious stories. Bishop has such a great time with his stories you can't help but not only get sucked in but want to sit down and party with him! He has his 345 cranked up to fat and you sit thinking, this guy invented the real country blues... this is absolutely excellent! Blues With A Feeling has a real strong Bishop country funk with cool vocal harmonies. Bishop plays both slide and his signature straight blues riffs. This is another terrific track and one that strikes you right between your Bishop loving crossed eyes. On Old School, Bishop is joined by Charlie Musselwhite and with only light percussion, rhythmic bass, Bishop and and Charlie trade riffs. Very cool. On R&B style ballad Let Your Woman Have Her Way, old band mate Mickey Thomas (Fooled Around And Fell In Love), takes the lead vocal lead joined by gospel like backing vocals and organ. Regretfully, the literature supplied to me doesn't allocate credit to these talented participants but I will say that this is a really nice track showcasing Thomas, and Bishop plays a really tasty and classically memorable slide solo. Super! No More Doggin' has Bishop back in the easy two steppin blues and playing slide melody. Oh Yeah! This is what you real Bishop guitar fans come for... to hear the dog bark. Bishop has not lost a quarter of a step playing with the wisdom of a 90 year old and the fire of a 20 year old... with a lot of time on his hands to have some real fun. Musselwhite does really fine harp solos complimenting Bishop making, this instrumental track a tight highlight for both artists on this release. Everybody's In The Same Boat is a cool down and dirty blues track. Bishop takes the opportunity to tell one of his thought provoking but light hearted stories with a twist of humor but also with that great guitar work that we all want to hear. Very solid track. Dancin' has a definite taste of gumbo with the addition of accordion stylistic percussion. There is even some steel guitar thrown in to the mix but this track is all Bishop... loaded with fun! Honest I Do is a brilliant instrumental with lush guitar work both fat and lightly articulate reminiscent of dual guitar leads featuring Johnny V and Bishop in earlier years. Addition of accordion gives it a Louisiana spice. Excellent! Bo Weevil is all fun with the pure Zydeco sound and Elvin's vocal style fitting the bill perfectly. With both accordion and guitar taking the instrumental this is a well balanced track and a lot of fun. Wrapping the release is classic Hey-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop, a hard stompin rockabilly blues track. With a cool coronet solo on this track as well as guitar, this is an excellent track leaving you wanting more. Bishop pulls out the stops on guitar on this track with his carefree, freewheeling guitar style guaranteed to put a smile on your Elvin lovin face! This is an excellent release and one that I will be playing for a long time!  

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”

 

Gary Clarke Jr. and Trombone Shorty to headline Russian River Jazz & Blues

Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival

Get ready for the 2 Great Festivals over 1 Great Weekend, voted Best Music Festival in Sonoma County by the readers of the North Bay Bohemian!   The 38th annual RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL will take place on Sept 20 & 21 at Johnson's Beach in Guerneville, CA. Music fans can purchase Single Day & Weekend Passes to the festival and enjoy 2 stages of jazz, blues and roots music over 2 days at Johnson’s Beach - a beautiful venue surrounded by California Redwoods.   For the last 38 years, music festivals have been a vital part of the Russian River community. Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville offers a picturesque venue that rests along the beach of the Russian River, only a few miles from over 100 wineries.   Headlining the festival this year will be performers Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Boney James & Larry Graham & Graham Central Station along with Goapele, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Ana Popovic, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, Beso Negro, Davina & The Vagabonds, Mitch Woods and Nicolas Bearde.  Click here for more info and to purchase tickets!

New Sena Ehrhardt CD and video!

NEW SENA EHRHARDT RELEASE COMING SEPTEMBER 2nd! Watch Video Sneak Preview of "Live My Life" The latest CD from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt, entitled Live My Life, will be released by Blind Pig Records on September 2, 2014.  Produced by Grammy-winner David Z. (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov't Mule), it features Sena's all-new band lineup of energetic, hard-driving top-flight musicians. To watch a video sneak preview of the album, please click HERE. Sena Ehrhardt has emerged as one of the freshest and most dynamic emerging young voices on the blues scene today.  As the buzz about her incendiary performances at clubs and festivals has spread, heavyweight acts have begun to take notice. She’s been invited to open concerts for B.B. King, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Dickey Betts, Johnny Winter and Gregg Allman.  Her new album, Live My Life, further confirms Sena’s ascendance to blues elite status. With her commanding stage presence, and gritty, soulfully emotional vocal prowess, Sena ranks among the very best and most versatile of current blues vocalists.  With the release of Live My Life, her expressive songwriting, and outstanding performances, the recognition and accolades for this rising star will continue to amass.   For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

HAMILTON LOOMIS -- August 2014 Schedule

More great shows this month...Want to be on the radio? Join Hamilton & Band for a special LIVE radio recording for "Real Life Real Music" Radio on Tue Aug 19 at Dosey Doe Big Barn in Houston TX! Details and tickets available in listings below... Be sure to check the full performance schedule at http://www.hamiltonloomis.com/schedule.html to see when Hamilton & Band are in your town! 8/7/14 Casper, WY Conwell Park 6pm - 9pm 8/8/14 Littleton, CO Toad Tavern with guests JJ Sugar! 8:30pm TICKETS 8/9/14 Beausejour, MB CANADA Great Woods Music Festival 12mid - 1:30am 8/12/14 Olympic Valley, CA Village At Squaw Valley - Tuesday Bluesday 6pm 8/14/14 Fruita, CO Concert Series @ Fruita Civic Center Pavilion 7:30pm - 9:30pm 8/15/14 Dillon, CO Dillon Amphitheatre 7pm - 9pm 8/16/14 Longmont, CO Dickens Opera House 8pm TICKETS 8/19/14 Spring, TX Dosey Doe (south) Big Barn - Real Life Real Music Radio Show 8pm - 9:30pm TICKETS 8/28/14 Kemah, TX Jackie's Brickhouse 8pm 8/29/14 Corpus Christi, TX Executive Surf Club 9pm 8/30/14 Tomball, TX Main Street Crossing 8pm TICKETS Please forward this email to any of your friends/family in these cities!!

www.hamiltonloomis.com

Ruf Records artist: Coco Montoya - Songs From The Road - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Songs From The Road, a double live summary of Coco Montoya's work recorded at Seattle's Triple Door venue on August 17 and 19 00f 2013. Opening with I blues rocker, I Got A Mind To Travel, Montoya shows a strong trace of his time spent with Albert "Iceman" Collins. Joined by Brant Leeper on keys, Rena Beavers on drums and Nathan Brown on bass this is a terrific opener. Montoya plays stinging solos and Leeper rides the organ for a nice solo. On Latin influenced blues track, Hey Senorita, Leeper again plays a strong organ solo and Montoya lays down some realy tasty guitar riffs complimenting his strong vocals. Too Much Water has a R&B style and Montoya lays out some of his more stylistic riffs on the release so far. His vocals lend themselves nicely to this Robert Cray style and showing Montoya's versatility. Smokey Robinson's, The One Who Really Loves You, made popular by Mary Wells, is a really nice soul track and Montoya does a really nice job of covering this true soul classic. Stretched into an 8+ minute track, this is one of my favorites of the first set. Love Jail is a real Texas blues with a heavy lope. If you wanna get that strong blues swing, this is it. Open strat, guitar ripping, blues beating track.... Excellent! Don't Go Makin' Plans sets down in a solid funky groove provided by Brown and Beavers. You wanna feel the grip, here it is! Leepers and Montoya both play cool solos on this 11 minute plus extended jam. If you like to hear what they got...this is it! Very nice! Wrapping CD one is I Wish I Could Be That Strong, is a solid R&B track that should definitely garner a lot of blues airwaves. Opening side two is Buster Brown's Fannie Mae, with a serious Texas blues lope. This is likely my favorite track on the release with some of the hottest guitar riffs and strong key work on a very beefy bottom. Excellent! The classic soul track, Good Days' Bad Days is a super ballad and with it's nearly 16 minutes of girth, with a lot of Philly sound. This is my overall favorite song with solid vocals and Buchanan like guitar riffs. Backing vocals by Beavers, Brown and Leeper make you think that you are listening to Darryl Hall or Todd Rundgren but the soulful guitar work of Montoya and nicely articulated piano work of Leeper are distinct and beautiful. A very warm and provoking bass solo from Brown is an extremely nice addition. When you are going to take a soul track and play it out for 15 minutes, you had better have a plan and I can tell you the concert goers were glued to their seats during this super track. Excellent! I Need Your Love In My Life has a Keith Richards like riff as a starter but moving into a R&B style track with strong snare work and sweet vocal harmonies. Again, Montoya takes the strat for a nice ride with rock style riffs. I Want It All Back also has a Richards like feel (which is good cause I like Richards)but Montoya and crew do a strong R&B vocal track again with articulate guitar work making this another track that should get a good amount of airplay. I Won't Beg has a high stepping R&B styling and sets up nicely for a tight guitar solo from Montoya. Hard driving You'd think I'd Know Better By Now has a lot of the northeast swing. A different kind of guitar soloing and tonality on this track sets it aside from the rest of the release. With it's walking bass line and cool vocals, Montoya drives this track, then steps on the throttle and unleashes his guitar fury. Very nice. Wrapping the release is My Side Of The Fence, a 50's style blues ballad. A nice key solo on this track is very cool but when Montoya whips out the slide, his fat tone takes over. A very nice conclusion to a super set of live music.  

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”

MAGGIE BJORKLUND TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM SHAKEN; ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN TOUR DATES WITH NEKO CASE

(credit: Jan Stuhr; download for public use)

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*Album comes out September 29 in Europe and October 14 in the United States

*Announcement of tour dates with Neko Case in Europe

*Plus, the exclusive track and video launch of “Missing At Sea” with SPIN

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Maggie Bjorklund (https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/maggie-bjorklund) is releasing a new album Shaken on September 29 in Europe and on October 14 in the United States via Bloodshot Records. The pre-order sale link is available here (https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/shaken).

The lead single “Missing At Sea” is available for sharing here: https://soundcloud.com/bshq/missing-at-sea-by-maggie-bjorklund/s-PSQhE

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Bjorklund is a pedal steel guitarist/singer/composer from Copenhagen, Denmark. She has made a name for herself as an exceptional and stylistically unique musician, combining the tastes and techniques a wide variety of music - country, indie rock, film scores, psychedelia, pop - into a seamless blend of roots music. Over the years she has landed coveted touring gigs with Jack White (and performed on his latest Lazaretto), X’s John Doe and Exene Cervenka, and Howe Gelb and recruited big names for her debut release Coming Home in 2011: Mark Lanegan, Calexico’s Joey Burns and John Convertino, John Auer (the Posies), to name a few.

Shaken puts Bjorklund together with another A-plus band, consisting of drummer Convertino, Barb Hunter on cello, Jim Barr (Portishead) on upright bass, John Parish (noted for his work as a singer/songwriter/producer with PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse) on guitars/electric bass and production, and a featured guest vocal appearance by Kurt Wagner (Lambchop).

The album was written while Bjorklund was recently tending to her mother in the hospital, just before she passed away. Shaken is full of potent memories and emotional outpouring, as translated into the warm but dark sonic textures. Much of the music here - whether instrumental or with vocals - flows like lucid dreams, with the listener visualizing the scenery via detailed aural talisman (e.g. the surreal warped music box feel in “The Road To Samarkand”) and sepia-tinged picturesque tchotchkes (in “Walking” Maggie delicately sings, “ice in a glass/ and I held it to cool the palm of my hand” or “stones in the road/ worn-out boots and street signs for shows”). At the sound’s core are the subtly dominant and defining touches of Bjorklund’s pedal steel melody lines, best heard in the distorted ghostly swells of “Bottom of the Well” and the breathy waves of “The Unlucky.”

SPIN Magazine announced the album release and launched the video and track for “Missing At Sea”: http://www.spin.com/articles/maggie-bjorklund-shaken-missing-at-sea-stream-jack-white/

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/shaken

In addition to the new release, Maggie will be playing some shows in August and October, supporting Neko Case and Jolie Holland. Details and dates are all listed below, with more dates to be added soon.

Aug 12  Voxhall  Aahus, DK – supporting Neko Case

Aug 13  Kampnagel Summer in Hamburg DE – supporting Neko Case

Aug 14  Tolhuis in Amsterdam NL – supporting Neko Case

Oct 7   De Centrale in Gent BE – co-headline with Jolie Holland

Oct 8  Ideal Bar (Vega) in Copenhagen DK

FOR ADDITIONAL TOUR DATES, CHECK BACK: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/tours-events/185

Australia's First Lady of Blues, Anni Piper, Performs at A Case Of The Blues & All That Jazz Festival

Award-winning, Australian-based, blues bassist-vocalist, Anni Piper, makes her triumphant return with a two-month Canadian/U.S. Summer Tour  Piper performs at A Case Of The Blues Festival in Yakima, WA on Saturday, August 16 More info at  www.annipiper.com.

ANNI PIPER, AUSTRALIA'S AWARD-WINNING FIRST LADY OF BLUES  MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN WITH 2-MONTH CANADIAN/U.S. TOUR Performs Locally: A CASE OF THE BLUES & ALL THAT JAZZ FESTIVAL   Saturday, August 16   (Yakima, WA) - Anni Piper, Australia's award-winning "First Lady of Blues," makes her triumphant return with a two-month Canadian/U.S. Summer, and a performance locally at A Case Of The Blues & All That Jazz Festival, Sarg Hubbard Park, 111 S. 18th St., Yakima, Saturday, August 16. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $45. Info: http://www.yakimagreenway.org/. Benefits the Yakima Greenway Foundation.   Anni Piper blends deep, sexy vocals with a high-energy bass playing style (often barefoot), making for a thoroughly enjoyable live experience. On the recording end, Piper won "Best Blues Album" at the 2013 Canberra Roots & Blues Awards in Australia for her collaborative effort with Nicole Hart on the critically-lauded Split Second (Blues Leaf Records). Piper was nominated in the "Female Vocalist Of The Year" category for the 2014 Australian Blues Music Awards.                  Anni Piper, Australia's award-winning First Lady of Blues.                                               ANNI PIPER - SOME BACKGROUND      Piper first started playing electric guitar at age twelve, but switched to bass at age fourteen.  In 2004 Anni released an album entitled "Jailbait" in her native Australia, for which she won "Best New Talent" at the 2005 Australian Blues Music Awards. Subsequent album releases include 2007's "Texas Hold 'Em," 2010's "Chasin' Tail" (released by Blues Leaf), and her newest, 2013's "Split Second." Blues Leaf also released "Two's Company,"  a compilation from her two Australian releases.  Throughout her burgeoning career, Piper's charismatic stage presence and sultry vocals have garnered her both great reviews and multiple music industry awards nominations.      Piper is interviewed about her latest tour in the Edmonton Journal.                 WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING...ABOUT ANNI PIPER "If you enjoy award-winning talent with a splash of the wild side, sultry Australian performer Anni Piper won't even come close to disappointing you. And you don't have to travel Down Under!"                     NAPLES DAILY NEWS "Raw and raucous, down and dirty, Down Under blues."   ILLINOIS TIMES                                      "A songwriter of distinction, her songs have a blues sensibility while still addressing the issues of today."                                                                                  EDMONTON JOURNAL "Barefoot in a red cocktail dress and brandishing both an electric bass guitar and a powerful blues vocal tone, this down under diva makes quite the impression."                                                                                                                    VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY The Alternate Root magazine invited Anni Piper to perform on their popular television show "The Extended Play," taped this past Spring in front of a live studio audience in Boston. Watch it here:              Anni Piper Summer 2014 Canadian/U.S. Tour Itinerary July 28 (Mon.) July 29 (Tues.) July 30 (Wed.) July 31 (Thur.) Aug. 1 (Fri.) Aug. 2 (Sat.) Aug. 3 (Sun.) Aug. 14 (Thur.) Aug. 15 (Fri.) Aug. 16 (Sat.) Aug. 20 (Wed.) Aug. 21 (Thur.) Aug. 22 (Fri.) Aug. 29 (Fri.) Aug. 30 (Sat..) BLUES ON WHYTE BLUES ON WHYTE BLUES ON WHYTE BLUES ON WHYTE BLUES ON WHYTE BLUES ON WHYTE BLUES ON WHYTE MARILYN'S ON K RAGING RIVER CAFE & CLUB A CASE OF THE BLUES FESTIVAL EL CORAZON VIE DE BOHEME SAPOLIL CELLARS RAM'S RIPPLE RAM'S RIPPLE   (more dates to be announced)    Edmonton, AB    Edmonton, AB    Edmonton, AB    Edmonton, AB    Edmonton, AB    Edmonton, AB    Edmonton, AB    Sacramento, CA    Fall City, WA    Yakima, WA    Seattle, WA    Portland, OR    Walla Walla, WA    Moses Lake, WA    Moses Lake, WA                                                   www.annipiper.com                       https://www.facebook.com/AnniPiper.music

Severn Records artist: Mud Morganfield & Kim Wilson - For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters) - New Release review

I just received the newest release (August 19, 2014), For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters) by Kim Wilson and Mud Morganfield and it is a super tribute for (Muddy Waters) Morganfield's 100th Birthday. Opening with Gone To Main Street, Mud and Wilson are kicking in right out of the gate. Morganfield, who's vocal style is quite similar to his father's gets things going and Wilson is in top form. Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn are on guitar and there are some nice riffs on this track. Barrelhouse Chuck holds down the piano line and Robb Stupka holds tight on drums. Steve Gomes on bass lays down a solid bottom on Just To Be With You which is richly adorned by Chucks piano work. Kim Wilson is on top of his game throughout this session. Both on tone and phrasing, his touch is just right. Willie Dixon's I Don't Know Why is the exact feel that comes to mind when you mention Muddy Waters and Wilson, Flynn and Zinn roll it tight! I Want You To Love Me captures Mud at his best with super vocal styling. On Still A Fool, one of my personal favorites, Wilson and Morganfield play a nice hand delivering the richness of the original. On My Dog Can't Bark, Wilson opens the door but Flynn and Zinn step in with some loose flaming slide work reminiscent of Muddy's own work. She's Got It is a powerful Morganfield composition and the band sets a hard stage for Mud and Wilson to do their thing. Very nice! On I Love The Life I Live, I Live The Life I Love; the band delivers a solid cover of the original and both Chuck and Wilson step out with nice highlights. On Waters classic, Blow Wind Blow, you become acutely aware of just how long it's been since Muddy has been with us. His son and the Chicago gang assembled here do a great job of capturing the spirit of Mr Waters. Nineteen Years Old ... now you're stepping into sacred territory and Mud really does a nice job of delivering. Excellent backing by Chuck and Wilson and super guitar soloing by Flynn makes this one of my favorites on this release. Another Willie Dixon composition, I Want To Be Loved has a real feel and Wilson's particular harmonic style on this track is specifically effective. Chuck always delivers in great style and the band is super tight. Trouble No More, another of my favorites on the release, really captures the spirit with Wilson really blowing up a storm. I Just Want To Make Love To You doesn't vary far from the original but Chuck and Wilson do really excellent job instrumentally. Wrapping the release is She Moves Me and Flynn is back on slide. This track has all of the feel of the balance of the release wrapped up into one and is a super capper for a very nice tribute to one of the absolute kings of the blues!

  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”

 

The Mackenzie Blues Band - Slam! Bam! - New Release Review

I just received the most recent release, Slam! Bam! from the Mackenzie Blues Band and it's quite different. Opening with Prelude, an a capella number with warm vocals, it's a sure fire great start. Down With Love is a rocker with blues overtones. Lead singer Tara Mackenzie brings to mind a number of female lead vocalists but likely mostly Grace Slick or Ann Wilson. Lead guitarist Trevor Mackenzie shows a SRV flair. Joined by Mike Weir on drums and Joel Dawson the band is tight. On Sweet Stuff, Trevor is light up the fretboard again joined by Chris Murphy on sax, Rob Mclean on keys and Rod Ramsay on harp. Move On has an odd (for rock) 3/4 time signature and basic a more euro classical vocal track. Bone Cage again returns to a a capella style joined by Drew Mcivor, James Keelaghan, Coco Love Alcorn and Rob Elder on vocals. Primarily vocal and drums (with rhythm along the lines of When the Levee Breaks) the track is tight and definitely highlights Tara's vocal style. Burned When You Play With Fire had a cooler rock beat and along with the supre vocals of Tara, I feel that Weir carries the track with simple straight forward drums. Trevor unleashes a nice shot of guitar flames with the overall timbre of the track being 70's rock. On The Other Side has a slinky, Latin style club feel. Again it's the percussion of Weir and key work that sets the track. A particularly nice guitar solo on this track sets it apart. Ballad, Ain't Tryin To Hide, a really simple bluesy track is one that should go straight to the radio. Tara's vocals are simple and clear. I Feel A Storm Coming steps out from the rest with pseudo psychedelic guitar work of James Gurley. It's slow bluesy nature, Tara's controlled vocals and the loose interpretive guitar work make this a definite best track for me. Weighing in at 8 minutes plus, this track is definitely out of the ordinary...and that's why I like it! Up! Up! Up! has an almost San Francisco sound with it's simple construction and unadulterated vocals backed by simple guitar, drum and tambourine. Higher Road gets a funky groove going between Weir, Dawson and Mcivor. Warm vocals on this track and certain changes give it a little taste of Steeley Dan. Cool track and another that could be a radio darling. Wrapping the release is Spiritual Power, a soul flavored ballad. Tara does a nice job on vocals and Trevor adds some real tasty riffs along the melody making for a nice conclusion to this unique 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”

 

Luke Winslow-King to release new album Everlasting Arms

*Album out on September 30 on Bloodshot Records

*Exclusive launch with Brooklyn Vegan of the new single, “Everlasting Arms”

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Luke Winslow-King (www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/luke-winslow-king) is releasing a new album Everlasting Arms on September 30 via Bloodshot Records. The pre-order sale link is available here (www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/everlasting-arms).

Winslow-King is a guitarist/singer/songwriter from New Orleans, LA by way of Cadillac, MI. Following his critically acclaimed Bloodshot Records debut The Coming Tide in 2013, LWK (for brevity’s sake) has been as hardworking a musician as they come. Subsequent tours in the United States and overseas with his singing partner (and now wife) Esther Rose and a mutating band (including the core of upright bassist Cassidy Holden, drummer Benji Bohannon, and trumpeter/keyboardist Ben Polcer) landed the group in front of larger audiences while sharing the stage with the likes of Jack White, Pokey Lafarge, Taj Mahal, Chris Thile, and Rebirth Brass Band. Winslow-King’s second release for Bloodshot in as many years, Everlasting Arms finds inspiration in the developmental experiences of life and has LWK & Co. building upon previous creative efforts with a wider scope, exploring a sonically and stylistically panoramic songwriting vision, carrying on in balancing tradition with modernity.

Brooklyn Vegan announced the album release and launched the lead single for the album-titled track, “Everlasting Arms.” You can listen to and share the track here: https://soundcloud.com/bshq/01-everlasting-arms-1/s-WIbkL?in=bshq/sets/luke-winslow-king-everlasting-arms-out-930/s-J8j5C

For upcoming tour dates, keep an eye Luke’s tour dates page: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/tours-events/183

Or on his website: http://lukewinslowking.net/

KINKY FRIEDMAN’S VICTORY TOUR

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KINKY FRIEDMAN’S VICTORY TOUR SPREADS THE TEXAS LEGEND’S PRO-MARIJUANA MESSAGE NATIONWIDE   Friedman’s two-week tour will travel through southern and eastern United States and into Canada in early August   Austin, TX – Kinky Friedman proclaims victory! Yes, the legendary Texan lost his recent bid for the state’s agriculture commissioner seat, but he sees the campaign as a success nonetheless. Here’s why: Kinky successfully fueled the debate behind his rally to end the prohibition on hemp and marijuana in Texas. Now, he follows up his campaign with an extensive two-week tour to further spread the word.   The Kinky Friedman Victory Touris underway with stops in Texas, Louisiana, Kansas City, up and down the east coast and into Canada. Kinky will continue to encourage folks to pass the peace pipe wherever he goes.  As tribes everywhere gather, Kinky will regal them with the tunes, the tales and the truths about life as he knows them.  (Remember, this is the guy who introduced the Frisbee to the natives of Borneo while in the peace corps, offended all equally with the Texas Jewboys in the 1970s and counts former President Bill Clinton and the late Nelson Mandela among the millions of fans of his music and books.)   Kinky’s currently working on a new novel featuring the long awaited return of the eponymous detective who has so delighted mystery readers for decades, and an upcoming tour of Europe and Australia will keep Kinky’s shows sharp, focused and energized. There may even be a bit of episodic TV in the near future. Happy to be finished with politics, Kinky will once again concentrate on sharing his happiness with his fellow Americans.   Not content with positively affecting culture for his fellow man, Kinky continues to sponsor and fund the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, which he co-founded to help all his animal buddies. Utopia has rescued and successfully placed thousands of dogs and other animals. It now sits on Kinky’s Echo Hill Ranch property. Check it out at http://utopiarescue.com. Kinky will accept checks on their behalf at any and all stops on the tour.   Opening several of the east coast dates will be the legendary Ty Weatherford , who’s also known as the equally legendary Brian Molnar. He’s recently released CDs under both names. The dates on which Ty/Brian appears are noted below.   Yes, Kinky remains ahead of the curve. Texas may not have been quite ready for his big ideas, but America appears to be more than ready. As Kinky likes to quote Victor Hugo: “No army on earth can defeat an idea whose time has come.”   Come to a Kinky show. Hear the message. Pass it on, or visit the website: www.kinkyfriedman.com. Pass it on anyway. TOUR DATES 8/5  Ashland Coffee And Tea   Ashland, VA 8/6  Avalon Theater   Easton, MD 8/7  Sellersville Theater  Sellersville, PA 8/8  Johnny D’s  Somerville, MA 8/9  Iron Horse  Northampton, MA 8/10  B.B. King’s  New York, NY 8/11  Bridge Street Live Collinsville, CT 8/12  Cafe Nine  New Haven, CT 8/13  Sportsman’s Tavern   Buffalo, NY8/14  Starlight Social Club  Waterloo, Ontario, CA 8/15  Hugh’s Room  Toronto, Canada