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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
8 Ball Aitken Bound For Texas & Australia
Labels:
8 Ball Aitken,
Australia,
International
Rob Stone - Gotta Keep Rollin' - available now
NEW FROM THE VIZZTONE LABEL
GROUP
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ROB STONE
gotta keep rollin'
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Deeply Rooted Original Chicago Blues -
Today
with
EDDIE SHAW, JOHN PRIMER, HENRY GRAY, CHRIS JAMES, PARTICK RYNN, DAVID
MAXWELL
|
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"Few harmonica players and singers uphold
Chigago's blues ensemble
tradition as irresistibly and innovatively
as Rob Stone"
—
Chicago Tribune
"Rob Stone respects vintage Chicago Blues
deeply enough
to blow the dust right off
it."
—
Bill Dahl, Chicago Reader
"Rob Stone brings a hard-hitting fresh
energy to the Chicago Blues sound."
—
House of Blues
"Rob Stone hits the deep in-the-pocket
groove... he's got swing, he's got the
de rigueur smoky voice, he's got a playful,
good-time touch and
a fine feel for what moves his
audience."
—
Chicago Sun Times
"Stone and pals tear the roof off the sucker taking to
the bandstand
with just the right amount of off kilter that comes from
the right
amount of giggle juice. Blues with a feeling geared to
the energy
of the party at hand... wonderfully killer stuff that
has all the heart
and soul real, mainstream electric blues
requires. Well
done."
— Chris Spector, Midwest Record
"Yep, those blues “Gotta Keep Rollin,” and we’ve gotta
have guys
such as Rob Stone to keep bringing ‘em to us. He’s got
the
whole package–a tremendous vocalist and harp man,
with a
keen ear for
insightful,
clever lyrics.…
— Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues
Society
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World's Best Blues & Beer Meet in Ventura: Two-Day California Beer Festival is Back
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Blue South Records artist: EG Kight - a new day - New Release review
I just received the newest release (September 16, 2014), a new day, from EG Kight and she displays a full deck of down home sounds. Opening with soulful ballad Holdin' On, Kight, backed by drummer Gary Porter, bassist Johnny Fountain, guitarist Ken Wynn and keysmith Mike Harrell, sets a wholesome tempo for this new endeavor. Shuffle track, Graveyard Dead Blues, opens with Harrell on electric piano and Kight on solid vocals. Wynn whips out the slide for some hot, freewheeling guitar work and Harrell takes a nice piano solo as well. On blues ballad, Comin' Down With The Blues, Wynn plays a bluesy melodic guitar intro as well as a tasty solo and Kight holds the audience in the palm of her hand as she sings from her heart. Ex Cowboy Tommy Talton opens with a reverb saturated guitar riff, leading Kight into a full tent revival track backed really nicely by Willie Morris. Randall Bramblett adds his signature on B3 and Paul Hornsby contributes cool piano work. Very nice! On Catch The Wind Kight sings both lead and back vocal for an extremely pleasant blend. One of my favorite tracks on the release, this track is a solid soul ballad with Hornsby on B3 and Harrell on piano. Guitarist, Wynn takes another well articulated guitar solo icing this beautiful vocal duet. Bad Times is another exceptional soul track on the release featuring Greg Nagy sharing the lead vocal spot with Kight. Instrumentally, Cliff Meyers (tenor sax)really lays it out there with Bill Stewart (drums), Marshall Coats (bass), Tommy Talton (guitar), Paul Hornsby (piano and B3), Marcus Henderson (alto sax), Earl Ford (trombone) and Jerry Mullins (trumpet)really tow the load. Misunderstood is a clear radio track with a hi stepping beat, Kight again singing duet with herself and sweet guitar solo from Talton. Low Mileage Woman has a Latin beat reinforced by Johnny Fountain building a cool bass line and solidified by Gary Porter on drums. Harrell takes a nice ride on the piano as does Wynn on guitar. Another clever track that could easily see cross interest on the airwaves. Time To Move On is the bluesiest track on the release, stripped down and featuring Talton on acoustic guitar and slide. Paul Hornsby plays some particularly nice piano riffs supporting Kights superb efforts on this release closer.
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
Labels:
A New Day,
Blue South Records,
EG Kight,
Review
Monday, September 8, 2014
Vizztone Label Group artist: Rob Stone - gotta keep rollin' - New release review
I just received the newest release (September 9, 2014), gotta keep rollin', from Rob Stone and it smells of sweet Chicago. Opening with a strong Chicago style blues, Wait Baby, Stone is out front singing and blowing his harp backed by Chris James on guitar. Cool harp work and solid guitar riffs over a solid beat provided by Patrick Rynn (bass) and and Willie Hayes (drums)provides for a great opener. John Lee Willamson's easy stepping Wonderful Time features nice piano work from David Maxwell and a different slice of Stones super vocal work. His harp work complimented by James on guitar makes for an happy go lucky track. Another Chicago style shuffle track, Lucky 13 gives Stone a wide road to play his harp and he takes every inch of it. Cool vocal phrasing, a tight guitar solo from John Primer and a cool melody makes for one of the most memorable tracks on the release. Anything Can Happen features Eddie Shaw on sax and he tears up the solo opportunity as you would absolutely expect. Very cool! Jazz Gillum's, She Belongs To Me, has a subtle easy pace lead by Frank Rossi on brushes giving Stone an easy cloud to sing and especially harp over. Billy Emerson's Move Baby Move, has a great swing and a ringing guitar solo rhythm throughout. James steps out nicely on guitar on this track but leaves room for the super Eddie Shaw to wind it up and blow it out. Very nice! Strollin' With Sasquatch is a very cool instrumental featuring Stone on harp, Ariyo on piano, Maxwell on piano, James on guitar, Rynn on bass and Hayes on drums. Smooth! Wired and Tired has that Muddy Waters jump feel. Featuring Henry Gray on a signature piano solo and Eddie Kobek on drums this track moves. Stone lays out some great harp riffs and James is ever ready on guitar. Super! Willie McTell's Cold Winter Day is a real down and dirty blues track featuring some of my favorite harp work on the release. Maxwell rolling in some really nice piano work and with hot guitar riffs from Primer not only in solo form but also under the melody this is another of my favorites on the release. Excellent! Cornelius Green's It's Easy When You Know How has a certain R&B feel featuring Maxwell on piano under the vocal and harp work of Stone. Having more of a pop feel, this track should have broad appeal. Blues Keep Rollin' On features cool vocal harmonies with Clarke Rigsby and a really infectious melody/rhythm. Not No More' is a great final track for this release with a driving drum rhythm from Hayes, tidy guitar riffs and solo work from James, super piano work from Maxwell, clever lead vocals from Stone, accentuating backing vocals by Mike Mahany and an overall good feeling. Very cool!
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
This track not on this release but a good example of Stone's work:
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
This track not on this release but a good example of Stone's work:
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Ben Poole - Hey Joe
After playing over 40 shows across 7 countries through the past couple
of months, Ben and the band now have a few weeks off. Next show is with
the full 6 piece line-up playing at the prestigious ‘Suwalki Festival’
in Poland on Friday 11th July. Gig dates throughout the UK are now
confirmed in October, and Ben Poole will also be “Special Guest” of Matt
Schofield on his November UK Tour. European tour being planned for
February/March 2015,
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”
Labels:
Ben Poole,
England,
International
Friday, September 5, 2014
Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls Team Up as "Soul Brothers" for New CD Coming from Catfood Records On October 21
Otis Clay and
Johnny Rawls Team Up as Soul Brothers for New CD Coming from Catfood
Records On October 21
EL PASO, TX – Catfood Records announces an October 21 release
date for Soul Brothers, the new album featuring Blues Hall of Fame
singer Otis Clay and Blues Music Award winning vocalist Johnny Rawls for what
promises to be one of the musical highlights of the year.
Produced by Johnny Rawls and recorded at Sonic Ranch in
Tornillo, Texas, Soul Brothers showcases the deep soul/blues
veterans at their very best. They’re backed by the solid, in-the-pocket band,
The Rays: Richy Puga (drums), Bob Trenchard (bass), Johnny McGhee (guitar), Dan
Ferguson (keyboards), Andy Roman (sax), Mike Middleton (trumpet) Robert
Claiborne (trombone), Nick Flood (sax) and The Iveys - Arlen, Jessica and
Jillian - (background vocals).
Also joining in the sessions was Southern California
percussionist Jon Olazabal.
Last year saw Otis Clay join Johnny Rawls as a special guest
on three tracks of his multi-Blues-Music-Award-nominated CD, Remembering
O.V., which paid tribute to Rawls’ late friend and mentor, O.V. Wright
and featured nine songs associated with Wright, plus an original cut, “Blaze of
Glory,” that saluted the legendary soul man. Remembering O.V. also
won the latest Living Blues Magazine Critics' Poll for “Southern
Soul Album of the Year.”
The 10 tracks on Soul Brothers showcase
original songs from Rawls, Clay, Trenchard, Al Basile, Darryl Carter and Jose
Hernandez, plus soul-powered takes on a versatile mix of tunes popularized by
Dave Mason (“Only You Know and I Know”), Jimmy Ruffin (“What Becomes of the
Brokenhearted”), Tyrone Davis (“Turn Back the Hands of Time”) and Kay Kay
Greenwade (“Waiting for Dreams”).
Both men are uniquely qualified to sing the gospel of soul
music. Johnny Rawls was O.V. Wright’s music director and guitarist back in the
1970s and after his mentor died in 1980 he played a large role in keeping
Wright’s band going strong into the 1990s. (They backed and opened for R&B
stars like Little Johnny Taylor, Little Milton and Bobby “Blue” Bland). In his
own long-established solo career, Rawls continues to draw inspiration from
Wright’s Southern soul music, as well as the other greats.
Although he had some early success at other labels, Otis Clay
made his bones starting in the early 1970s during his stay at the legendary Hi
Records in Memphis, under the tutelage of the great Willie Mitchell, who
produced a long string of soul music classics for Clay, including “Trying to
Live My Life Without You.” During that time, he also became an international
touring star, drawing huge crowds throughout Europe and in Japan, too. He was
enshrined in the Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013, a testament to his ongoing
success as a recording artists and touring performer.
While both Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls traveled in the same
circles back over 40 years, they never really connected on a personal level for
many years. “We really got to know each other well starting about 10 years ago,”
says Rawls. “I was a big fan of Otis. Working with O.V. was a wonderful
experience, and now getting a chance to work with Otis is even better. We have a
lot in common: both of us come from a gospel background. We had a lot of fun
recording this album.”
Clay’s comments echo Rawls’ feelings. “We knew each other
before we knew each other,” jokes Otis. “O.V. Wright and I go back
to when we were both doing gospel music and our careers were very similar.
Johnny absorbed all that great music from O.V and we had such a good time
recording these songs. For me, it’s a good feeling to talk to someone like
Johnny about names, places and events we’re both familiar with from back in the
day. There’s so much that we have in common. And Bob Trenchard is really tuned
into all this music and just let us go for it.”
Labels:
Catfood Records,
Johnny Rawls,
Otis Clay,
Texas
Smelly Cat Records artist: Kirby Sewell Band - Girl With A New Tattoo - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (September 30, 2014), Girl With A New Tattoo, from the Kirby Sewell Band and is really cool! Opening The Devil's In The Details with tom tom's pounding by Jim Johnson and a funky rhythm from Neil Gunhold and Morgan Turk on guitars pushed by Jae Cho on bass, these guys are rumbling and Sewell adds super vocals. A cool slide solo and nicely flat picked solo on this track really kick it in the butt. Great start! Simply Not Enough is an easy going, well constructed ballad with a solid melody and vocals. Twin guitar leads and warm chords make this a certain radio track. Title track, Girl With A New Tattoo, is a cocky blues track with a Chuck Berry feel. This is a real cool track with tasty guitar riffs and a solid bottom (think Berry's Almost Grown). Very cool! Carry Me Home is a blues rocker with some swagger. A tight back beat mixed with a soft bridge makes it a unique track. Stop and Go opens with a real nice bass line and Sewell is right on it with nicely phrased vocals. A little different kind of funk with a jazzy rock line makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. A "southern style" slide solo gives this track a little extra punch. $1.11 is a fast rocker with a rolling bottom. Cho really has this track moving and Johnson does a really nice job of keeping things rolling. Clever guitar riffs and solid vocals again make this a really strong track. A Better Reason slows down to a soft ballad with steel guitar like riffs. A sweet melody and clever lyrics make this another track that could easily get strong airplay. Kiss You Tonight is a real toe tapper with cool slide work. Sewell demonstrates over and again that he has a super voice for a band like this. Overall this is a really cool track with a hot guitar riffs and a nice hook! Cryin' All The Way has a really nice opening bass line developing into a strong rocker. Having a taste of Joe Jackson's Is She Really Going Out With Him, and a sucker punch at the end of bar, solid vocals and smokin guitar riffs, I really like this track. Great rocker! Wrapping the release is Till The River Starts To Overflow, a light handed but briskly finger picked track. With the hand claps and springy feel, this track is a light weight revival track. A really nice closer for a cool new release.
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Etta Britt - Etta Does Delbert - New Release Review
I just received the newest release, Etta Does Delbert, by Etta Britt and it's quite enjoyable. Britt sings a collection of Delbert McClinton songs adding one original. Opening with Somebody To Love You, Etta Britt shows she has spunk and swagger. With a country feel and a bluesy twist, Britt is backed by Kevin McKendree on keys, Steve Mackey on bass, Lynn Williams on drums and Dana Robbins on sax. Guitarist Bob Britt keeps it low but throws some really nice stingers in there. Old Weakness (Coming On Strong) keeps with a country feel but with a definite Keith Richards guitar feel from Britt. Etta has a real cool feel for the music and McKendree plays a nice piano throughout. On Boy You Better Move On, Britt trades lead vocals and is backed by Scat Springs, Regina McCrary, Ann McCrary George Pendergrass, Bob Britt and Alfreda McCrary. Cool track! Starting A Rumor is a strong ballad with a particular strength actually putting me in mind of "The Weight". A solid B3 solo from McKendree takes the spotlight momentarily but it's the melody and warm harmonies that make this track click. Lie No Better has a funky groove with a plucky rhythm part featuring Bob Britt and Mackey. A definite R&B country fusion is happening here on this, one of the strongest tracks on the release. Every Time I Roll The Dice opens with cool slide work from Bob Britt but it's a solid two stepper like Seeger's Old Time Rock 'n' Roll. Crankin up the voice on this track Britt really takes command, and with cool piano work from McKendree and guitar work from Bob Britt, one of my favorite tracks on the release. You Were Never Mine has a definite soul ballad feel and Britt digs in with strong support from the McCrary sisters. Best Of Me returns to the more country overtoned feel and Bob Britt takes a real nice rife on his fretboard reinforced by the stylized piano work of McKendree. Very nice. I'm With You gets a little country swamp funk going and Britt is on like glue. McKendree both on piano and organ does a really nice job supporting Britt and her sure footed backing vocalists. I'm With You is a strong shuffle track with cool guitar work from Bob Britt and solid bass work from Mackey. This is the best track on the release with a nice blend of vocal, groove and instrumentals featuring Bob Britt and McKendree stepping out. The Jealous Kind is a simple ballad with warm vocal backing. Dana Robbins add a strong soulful sax solo to the mix making this a standout track. Wrapping the release is When I Was With You which has a definite R&B feel along the lines of Knock on Wood. Written by Britt and McKendree, this has a nice feel with a jazzy guitar lead by Bob Britt icing the track.
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
Labels:
Etta Britt,
Etta Does Delbert,
Review
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Alabama Singer Lisa Mills Says "I'm Changing" on New CD Coming Oct. 21 from Her MillsBluz Record Label
Alabama Singer
Lisa Mills Says I’m Changing on New CD Coming Oct. 21 from Her MillsBluz
Record Label
MOBILE, AL – Blues, roots and gospel singer Lisa Mills
announces an October 21 release date for her new CD, I’m Changing,
on her MillsBluz record label, distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution.
I’m Changing was recorded primarily at Back Door studios in Mobile
and was produced by Lisa Mills and Ian Jennings. The album showcases Mills
backed by an impressive cast of musicians including guitarist Rick Hirsch and
drummer T. K. Lively of Wet Willie fame, as well as guitarist Corky Hughes (Bo
Diddley, Black Oak Arkansas). Bassist Ian Jennings has a host of world-class
recording credentials, including work on albums with Jeff Beck (Crazy Legs),
several albums with Van Morrison and Tom Jones, plus appearances with Robert
Plant and Jimmy Page. Ian was also named Britain's best bassist last year by one
of the UK’s top blues magazines.
Lisa Mills is a Mississippi
native who currently lives in Mobile, Alabama. Her last CD, Tempered in
Fire, was released in 2010 and won her universal acclaim for its rootsy
mix of blues, country and gospel sounds powered by her incredibly soulful voice.
UK writer Grahame Rhodes described her as “a
full-throated female Otis Redding, with some Muscle Shoals soul and Nashville
country touches for good measure.” Another reviewer praised her “unique vocal
ability to make one feel the good times and bad times in every song,” comparing
her to Lucinda Williams.
As its
title implies, I’m Changing is actually a re-constructed new
version of tracks Lisa originally recorded and released in 2005, with the added
benefit of the more pure expression of her artistic desires and abilities.
Perhaps most importantly, Lisa was able to put the new project in the hands of
groundbreaking producer Trina Shoemaker, the first woman to win the Grammy Award
for album engineering, having worked her magic on sessions with Sheryl Crow,
Steven Curtis Chapman, the Dixie Chicks and Indigo Girls. Under Shoemaker’s
mixing mojo, I’m Changing became an entirely new animal from its
predecessor, and the results are explosive.
The
even-dozen tracks on the new CD include 10 originals, plus scintillating covers
of the Rev. Robert Wilkins’ “Wish I was in Heaven (Sittin’ Down)” and the Jimi
Hendrix classic, ”Little Wing,” which undergoes an amazing transformation
courtesy of Mills’ soulful vocal attack.
“There are
two fully re-recorded tracks on the album,” says Lisa: ‘Take My Troubles and
Tell Me’ and three new songs: ‘Rain in the Summertime,’ ‘I Don't Want to be
Happy’ and ‘Eyes So Blue.’ All of these tracks are original
songs.”
She also
admits that during the original 2005 sessions of I'm Changing, she
was having a terrible time with her voice and thought she’d have to re-record
just about everything for the new release. “But once Trina got started on the
mixing,” she adds, “it became apparent that the vocals were actually really good
and so the only thing I re-sang was one phrase in ‘Little Wing’ and the two
tracks I had recorded in Los Angeles – ‘Tell Me’ and ‘Take My Troubles.’ These
were recorded entirely in the original Mobile, Alabama studio. Also, I went
back and used an original vocal done in Mobile instead of a take I tracked in
L.A.”
Lisa’s
Gulf Coast background brings a hotbed of Southern musical influences that have
informed her sound from the get-go. She often sings the blues – but to call her
a blues singer would be to limit her potential audience reach. “I tend to think of myself more as a bit of a
blue-eyed-soul singer armed with a guitar,” says Mills. “If anything, I would
refer to what I do as American Southern roots music.” And that includes
straight-up gospel, as she does in daringly a cappella fashion on “Tell
Me.”
Prior
to going her own way, Lisa toured with Big Brother & The Holding Company,
singing the songs of one of rock’s most revered vocalists, and her understanding
of Janis Joplin’s gifts is far more insightful than the superficial norm. One
listen to the fragile balance of vulnerability and indomitability she brings to
“Better Than This” will bear this out.
Lisa
Mills will tour both in the U.S and in Europe to support I’m
Changing.
Labels:
Alabama,
I'm Changing,
Lisa Mills,
MillsBluz Records
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