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

American Showcase Music artist: The Alexis P Suter Band - Love The Way You Roll - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (August 12, 2014), Love The Way You Roll, from The Alexis P Suter Band and it's literally off the hook! I have to admit I have not had the pleasure earlier but my pal Stilladog had recommended I check this band out and he sure was right! Opening with Nuthin' In The World, a cocky blues rocker with a lot of strut, Suter introduces you to her unique vocal style and it's terrific. Backed by Vicki Bell on vocal, Ray Grappone on drums and Peter Bennett on bass this is a cool rocker with stinging guitar work from Jimmy Bennett. 25 Years has a real swagger and Suter again just blows you back in your chair with her voice. Bennett rips it up pretty good on guitar and Grappone holds tight on drums. Anything is a beautiful soul track and a brilliant showcase for Suter's vocal style. Excellent key man John Ginty adds rich B3 overtones to this track and Bennett's guitar tones are rich and "Super" like. Excellent! Big Mama is a strong Texas style boogie with driving guitar rhythms and lead. Bennett whips out the slide on this one and smoke flies! Slide fans...here it is! Cool track. Title track, Love The Way You Roll, has a swampy Bo Diddley feel with lead NO drum march feel. Again Bennett steps up with his slide and grinds it out, even blending in a little Morganfield tribute. Raw and Bluesy! Gonna' Love You has a real somber, slinky feel with the Bennetts on bass and guitar setting the pace. Suter has a rich, relentless voice and this track is really hot! A great groove with contemporary styling and hot guitar riffs... how can you miss? Excellent... possibly my favorite track on the release. Waiting takes a step back with an easy approach and a rhythm that is reminiscent of Bill Withers' Use Me. This track has great style and a embracing feel. Ginty on electric piano and B3 adds a nice middle adding to the spotlight on Suters' exceptional voice. On Big Mama's You Don't Move Me No More, a Latin percussion keeps the track on the low down but Jimmy Bennett lays down a really slick jazz guitar solo for a cool bridge. This track is really nicely done and a light feel breaking up the intensity of most of the release. It Ain't Over has a R&B feel and with vocal duet with Vicki Bell this is a hot radio track. Hang On opens with a cool bass riff from Peter Bennett. Falling into the background, the track builds on the cool funk and again Suter and Bell pair up on vocals with a real bouncer. This is one of those tracks that is bound to move you round in your seat. A loose guitar solo from Jimmy Bennett on the track and strong bass riffs from Peter Bennett stand out on this track. Another solid ballad, Them Days, finds Suter holding back on the amplitude of her vocals allowing a different texture emerge. Accompanied mostly by Ginty and complimented by a clean solo from Jimmy Bennett, this is another track that could find universal airplay. The release concludes with a really hot cover of Slim Harpo's Shake Your Hips. Suter was born to sing this track and Bennett is pushing her all the way with cool grinding guitar riffs. Vocal compliments by Bell and minimal bass and drums make this track a particularly effective boogie. Excellent!

If you haven't concluded from the review, I really like this release and recommended it for anyone who this even sounds remotely interesting to! All I want to know is "When is she coming to town!" 

  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”

 

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”

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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”