OUT FRIDAY 7/17: Blinddog Smokin' (Grammy Nominees--Best Blues) readies 'High Steppin''

GRAMMY-NOMINATED FUNK COLLECTIVE BLINDDOG SMOKIN’
MAKES HIGH-ENERGY ROOTS MUSIC
WITH HUMOR, DEPTH AND SOUL

High Steppin’ features wild-man raconteur Carl Gustafson’s epic tales plus eclectic sounds; reunites band with producer Donny Markowitz;
set for July 17 release date on Silver Talon Records exclusively
distributed by City Hall Records in tandem with The Orchard

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Blinddog Smokin’s larger-than-life new album High Steppin’ is a kaleidoscopic romp through the wild side of roots music. The disc’s nine songs ricochet from rock ’n’ roll to juke joint blues to New Orleans jazz to raw Americana, all supported by the band’s twin pillars: hot ’n’ greasy funk and frontman Carl Gustafson’s epic storytelling. High Steppin’ follows 2014’s Decisions, a collaboration with soul-blues legend Bobby Rush that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album. Decisions includes the song “Another Murder in New Orleans,” which enlisted another legend, Dr. John, to tell its tale of street violence. The tune was widely played on Americana and blues radio, and was used by the New Orleans Crimestoppers organization to raise awareness. Blinddog Smokin’s imaginative video for “Another Murder in New Orleans” mixes performance footage, cartoons and live action actors, and has received more than 110,000 views on YouTube. Blinddog Smokin’s 11th release, High Steppin’ kicks off with “Pimp Shoes,” an ebullient, percolating funk gem that displays the group’s spectacular ensemble.  “’Pimp Shoes’ is not about pimps or shoes,” says Gustafson. “It’s about attitude. When a man becomes the captain of his soul, and he’s mastered who he is, it comes out in his posture, in his pose, in his walk. That’s what that song’s about.” On a more literal note, there’s “Big Behind,” an ode to a lady’s posterior largess that straddles funky soul-blues, rock and — with its sweeping pedal steel guitar — honky-tonk country. High Steppin’ is set for a July 17th release date on Silver Talon Records exclusively distributed by City Hall Records in tandem with The Orchard.  “I Caught Her Lyin’” goes deeper into the country tradition to offer Blinddog Smokin’s version of a mountain lament — surrounding Gustafson’s heartbroken yarn with an Americana-perfect framework of crying violin, grinding guitar and his appealing worn-leather voice. “Lady’s Playin’” changes the locale to New Orleans. That song’s a Crescent City funk powerhouse, with bold horns, a scalding six-string solo and chanting group vocals that celebrate la difference. Similarly, “Don’t Put No Money on Me” — a wickedly funny loser’s lament — sounds like a drunken Mardi Gras street parade, while “Tell ’em Shuffle” is a straight-up Chicago blues. Blinddog Smokin’s marvelously eclectic sound and approach is the result of Gustafson’s literal and musical world travels. He and the band have toured the planet numerous times since 1994, putting more than a million road miles on their vehicles — which include Gustafson’s bicycle. “When we get to a new town, I like to take my bike off the bus and ride the backstreets,” he says. “When you travel the alleys, you learn about people. The front yard is for show; the backyard shows the way they live. And when I run into old-timers, I stop and listen to their stories.” Gustafson, who describes himself as an adventurer and philosopher, has plenty of tales of his own. And his book It Ain’t Just the Blues, It’s Showtime: Hard Times, Heartache and Glory Along the Blue Highway chronicles Blinddog Smokin’s experiences on the road.  “I come from a time before television, when telling stories was part of the fabric of life,” he offers. “So I’m a songwriting machine. I’m constantly coming up with new lyrics and our producer and friend, Donny Markowitz, has provided much of the music based on his skills and his knowledge of how we think and play as a band.” That knowledge is deep. Markowitz is the Oscar-, Grammy- and Golden Globe-winning writer of the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and the composer of soundtracks for the hit Steve Carell film Crazy, Stupid, Love and many others. And High Steppin’ is the third album in a row he’s produced for Blinddog Smokin’. “We didn’t hit our stride in the studio until we started working with Donny,” Gustafson says. The other essential ingredient to Blinddog Smokin’s broad stylistic mastery is the ability of its players. The core members of the group comprise one of the finest modern bands in American roots music. Dynamic drummer and vocalist Chuck Gullens started with the Blinddogs in 1994 in Laramie, Wyoming, shortly after Gustafson and the band, then named Bluestone, returned from traveling the Middle East and Mediterranean, playing for troops on a 49 day DOD tour. Versatile bassist Roland Pritzker joined in 2000, followed by keyboardist and exceptional vocalist, Mo Beeks — whose own, earlier band, Lock & Chain, gave R&B singer Chaka Kahn her start back in 1972. In 2009 came back-up singer and bassist Chris White, and virtuoso guitarist Chalo Ortiz also entered the fold, followed quickly by backing vocalist Linda Gustafson, who plays feminine yin to her husband’s hot-dogging, high stepping yang in concert. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of performers to share the stage with,” says Gustafson. “They can go anywhere at any time, and get along, and that’s a rare thing in any style of music.”  Gustafson’s own musical tale begins in Laramie, his hometown. “My first exposure to blues was hearing Willie Dixon,” he recounts. “My parents went to a little club outside Cheyenne, and my brother and I — we were six and eight years old — stayed in the car. When we heard the music, we were absolutely fascinated by it, so we peeked in the windows. Then I started sneaking around listening to blues whenever I could. I had to sneak, because my father was a classical pianist and said the blues was ‘Satan’s music’ and ‘not culturally acceptable.’ He’d only gone to the club to socialize with relatives.   “When I was 16 I ran away from home,” Gustafson continues. “There was a little after-hours café down by the railroad tracks called the Pic-a-Rib. I went down there and lived with a black boy I played football with, whose mother, Miss Peggy, ran the café. I stayed with them, hiding from my mom and dad, and I learned how to appreciate blues. I learned how to dance. I learned how to sing. It was a really cool, isolated pocket, of black culture in a completely white conservative environment.” Gustafson says that High Steppin’ reflects those early life lessons and the myriad others he’s learned along the way. “This album shows me as a philosopher; as somebody who analyzes life and adjusts from honest vulnerability to establish a fun swagger. There’s a journey here that can only happen to an introspective person who loves life, people, stories, and never believes that you have to stay in the station where you are. And until the day I die, I plan to grow as an artist and storyteller.” BLINDDOG SMOKIN’ TOUR DATES Wed., June 24 PHOENIX, AZ The Rhythm Room Thurs., June 25 NEW ORLEANS, LA Old U.S. Mint Mon., June 29 CHICAGO, IL  Martyr’s Fri., July 3 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK  Bourbon Street Sat., July 4 MCPHERSON, KS Fri., July 10 LARAMIE, WY  Jubilee Days Sat., July 11 LARAMEE, WY Jubilee Days Tues., July 14 OVERLAND PARK, KS Kanza Hall Thurs., July 16 JACKSON, MS  Underground 119 Thurs., July 23  TORONTO, ON  Hard Rock Café Thurs., July 30 RAWLINS, WY  Rawlins in the Park Fri., July 31 LARAMIE, WY  Alibi Sat., Aug. 8  ROCK SPRINGS, WY Blues & Brews Festival  Thurs., Aug. 13 THEMOPOLIS, WY  Fri., Aug. 14 CASPER, WY  The Attic Sat., Aug. 15 SINCLAIR, WY  Platte River Festival Sun., Aug. 16  CENTINNIAL, WY  Bear Tree Sun., Sept. 6  LARAMIE, WY  Snowy Range Music Festival Sat., Nov. 15  HIGH POINT, NC High Point Theatre

Robert Cray and Provogue / MLG Announce August 28 Release For 4 Nights Of Forty Years Live

ROBERT CRAY AND PROVOGUE / MASCOT LABEL GROUP

ANNOUNCE AUGUST 28 RELEASE DATE FOR

4 NIGHTS OF FORTY YEARS LIVE

DVD and Blu-ray Accompanying 2-CD Set Features 90 Minutes Of Live Concert Footage Alongside

An In-Depth Interview With Cray And His Band, and Testimonials From Legends

Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Jimmie Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt

New York, NY --- Open ears and an open mind are the essence of singer, guitarist and songwriter Robert Cray, whose career spans from the roots of the blues to the pinnacles of rock, from the 80s to this moment. He grew up listening to the gospel of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, Bobby Bland's soul, Jimi Hendrix's rock guitar and the Beatles pop sounds. Those influences and the signature sound Cray has imprinted on modern popular music are brought together in the Robert Cray Band's double CD and video package 4 Nights of 40 Years Live.

The set will be available in a variety of formats -  2 LPs with digital download card, 2 CDs + DVD, Blu-Ray + 2 CDs and digitally. 4 Nights of 40 Years Live will be released August 28 on the Netherlands-based Mascot Label Group.

The first CD is fresh, live recordings from four nights recently recorded at four venues in the LA area. With his current band --longtime bassist, collaborator and friend Richard Cousins, keyboardist Dover Weinberg (who was in Cray's first band) and drummer Les Falconer (O'Jays, Keb 'Mo) – Cray fronts a group that is solid, seasoned and vital. The playing is in the moment, and the sound is singular.

The thirteen cuts are selected from the Cray Band's recording library of 20 releases.  Among them are rock radio favorites “Bad Influence” and “Right Next Door (Because of Me),” the soul searing “Love Gone to Waste,” and “These Things,” a bluesy ballad that features one of Cray's string-bending and mind-blowing guitar solos.  The live CD is the fourth Cray Band release produced by Steve Jordan, who plays drums on several cuts. Also guesting are vocalist Kim Wilson and harmonica player Lee Oskar, tenor saxophonist Trevor Lawrence, trumpeter Steve Madaio and saxophonist Tom Scott.

The bonus CD is a revealing glimpse of Cray's early career and the promise of a future that would reward fans for decades.  Selected from the band's set at the 1982 San Francisco Blues Festival and a 1987 appearance on the Dutch TV Show “Countdown,” the music captures the band's youthful presence and its ability to revive the blues without abandoning it. Included are favorites from the Cray's Band 80s set lists;  “Smoking Gun” and “Too Many Cooks.”

The 94 minute video in 4 Nights of 40 Years Live is a Cray Band convergence. Coming together are a mesmerizing blend of clips from the San Francisco Blues Festival, the Dutch TV show and the four concerts featured on the first CD. Between clips Cray comments on the band's history and his personal philosophy of music.  There is also behind the scenes footage of the band collaborating with producer Jordan. And putting the Cray Band in perspective are interviews with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmie Vaughan and Buddy Guy each giving their personal response to the music and the man.

It is extraordinary for musicians to thrive over four decades, and the Robert Cray Band is just that, extraordinary. The group has won five Grammy Awards, put 15 studio albums on the Billboard Charts, sold millions of records and toured the globe, playing clubs, concert halls, festivals and large arenas. Whether opening for John Lee Hooker or Eric Clapton, the band has captured audiences with music that is original, a sound that is distinctively rootsy and a performance style that keeps fans flocking back to see the Robert Cray Band headlining. 4 Nights of 40 Years Live is a testament to the band's past success and proof that the Robert Cray Band is as live as ever.

The track listing of 4 NIGHTS OF FORTY YEARS LIVE features on Disc One: "Shiver," "I'll Always Remember You," "Poor Johnny," "Won't Be Coming Home," "On The Road Down," "Sittin' On Top Of The World," "Wrap It Up," "Love Gone To Waste," "Bad Influence," "These Things," "Right Next Door (Because Of Me)," "The Forecast (Calls For Pain)," and "Time Makes Two."  Disc Two presents "I Guess I Showed Her," "Right Next Door (Because Of Me)," "Smoking Gun," "Still Around," "Too Many Cooks," and "T-Bone Shuffle."  For detail on the DVD track listing visit: http://mascotlabelgroup.com/www.robertcray.com/

Robert Cray begins the North American leg of his global tour on July 30 in Paso Robles, CA at the California Mid-State Fair.  Confirmed appearances include:

7/30     Paso Robles, CA                                 California Mid-State Fair

7/31     Agoura Hills, CA                                The Canyon

8/01     Stateline, NV                                      Harrah's Lake Tahoe

8/02     Mammoth Lakes, CA                         Mammoth Lake Festival of Beers

8/04     Roseburg, OR                                     Music on the Half Shell

8/08     Lebanon, OR                                      Guitar Under The Stars (Cheadle Lake Park)

8/09     Snoqualmie, WA                                 Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom

8/11     Boise, ID                                             Egyptian Theatre

8/13     Breckenridge, CO                               Riverwalk Center

8/15     Boulder, CO                                       Chautauqua Auditorium

8/16     Deadwood, SD                                   Deadwood Mountain Hotel & Casino

8/18     Apple Valley, MN                              Weesner Family Amphitheater @ MN Zoo

9/18     Flint, MI                                              The Whiting

9/19     Glenellyn, IL                                       McAninch Arts Center

9/22     Manhattan, KS                                    McCain Auditorium

9/24     Wichita, KS                                        Orpheum Theater

9/26     Columbia, MO                                    Roots n Blues n BBQ Festival

www.robertcray.com

http://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/

Art: www.mascot-provogue.com/download

Joey Flip and Aurora - Release - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Release, from Joey Flip and Aurora and it's different. Opening with Not For Me, an easy jazz track, Aurora sings lively over Flip's guitar with bass, drum and piano accompaniment. Switching to a more blues rock tempo, on I Can Tell, Flip takes the lead on vocal and also brings his guitar to the forefront. Aurora joins on vocal, deep into the track and Flip throws down some more aggressive riffs. On Latin infused, Esta Noche, Aurora and Flip really seem to hit on all cylinders with some of the best vocals on the track as well as some cool Spanish guitar work. Slow blues track, Mess Around, is up next and Flip gives his fretboard a hard workout complimented by Aurora on vocals and keys. Quiet ballad, This Little Thing, has a nice melody and a radio format making it the most practical radio play track for the release. Rain, an experimental instrumental track with a bluesy base is my favorite on the release with a solid foundation of bass and drums and Flip creating a bit of a soundscape with his guitar. Very interesting. Blues track, 6 Feet Underground, feels a lot like an early Dylan track with basic drum and key backing Flip on guitar and vocal. Don't Come Around has a really stripped city feel but with an almost spiritual vocal backing. Flip pushes the envelope for me and that's good. Haunting. Whipping Post really captures the feel of some early blues men with ragged vocals, resonator slide guitar and rudimentary percussion. 4th Street Alley has conventional blues/rock construction and Flip sings, plays acoustic rhythm and solos on electric. Basic drum rhythm and bass work give the track more texture leading up to some synthesized vocals and a wide open James Gurley like solo for a hot conclusion.

  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”

 

Stony Plain Records artist: Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - Father's Day - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (July 17, 2015), Father's Day, from Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters and it's terrific! I have to admit that I've always had a soft spot for Earl but these last two releases have been over the top. Opening with Otis Rush's It Takes Time with Michael Ledbetter on lead vocals, Earl lays down a super guitar shuffle supported strongly by Lorne Entress on drums, Jim Mouradian on bass and Dave Limina on B3. Excellent! Higher Love, another shuffle track has a deep almost drag which gives it a cool gait. Ledbetter shares vocals with Diane Blue and Earl plays classic guitar riffs over the sax work of Mario Perrett and Scott Shetler. Very nice! Another Rush tune, Right Place Wrong Time has excellent pace and Earl is squeezing out ever drop of blues from his strat from the opening intro. You may as well drop what you're doing right now... cause when you hear it... it will stop you in your tracks! Ledbetter is such a great choice of vocalists for this track and he really hits it! Excellent! Magic Sam's, What Have I Done Wrong,features Diane Blue on lead vocal and she has a super voice. This track struts and Earl is just as fresh as the first time I heard him with stinging, dripping riffs. Shetler really holds the bottom down on this track and Limina makes it glide on B3. Van McCoy's Giving Up is a huge soul tune with amazing dynamics compliments of Ledbetter on vocal. Earl coaxes the blues out of the track in the nicest possible way and Perrett blows a great sax solo. Absolutely brilliant! Fats Domino's Every Night About This Time is a super New Orleans style blues with a heavy kick. Ledbetter again carries the weight on vocals and Earl is absolutely on fire just kicking ass on guitar. Title track, Father's Day, has a slower pace with nice piano work from Limina. Clocking in at over 8 minutes, Ledbetter, Earl and Limina each take nice opportunities to enrich this track. Very nicely done! BB King's shuffle, I Need You So Bad, is up next and Ledbetter really hands tight on the King's thing. A cool B3 solo from Limina opens the soloing and Earl rides the groove nicely. Brook Benton's I'll Take Care Of You is up next and Diane Blue is excellent! Limina sets up a warm cushion of B3 for her to belt out the blues and she takes full advantage of it. Nicholas Tabarias put up a real nice guitar solo in the first of a series of solos on this 9 minute bluestravaganza. Limia is second on B3 doing an exceptional job as well leading up to Earl. Nicely phrased and quietly timed, this track cooks! Blue is back, sharing with Ledbetter lead vocals on funky, Follow Your Heart. Earl hits the strings with a plucky guitar solo leading back to the vocal duo and ultimately Tabarias again for a tight conclusion. Bobby Timmons jazz track, Moanin', is a fine swing style instrumental with classic Earl chording and really hot sax solos from Perrett and Shetler. Limina really gets the chance to break loose on this one laying out some really nice B3 work before turning over the floor to Earl. Earl really works it over needless to say, this being the only track of it's kind on the release and throws everything but the kitchen sink at it. Very cool! Another Magic Sam track, All Your Love, takes an absolute great road with Ledbetter on vocal and Earl playing crisp riffs in response to his vocal call. Limina takes a really sweet piano break on this one but as you might imagine, it's Earl that milks this one for all it's worth. Ledbetter's vocals just work so nicely with Earl's guitar work that they seem to feed each other. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Rev. Thomas Dorsey's Precious Lord. Diane Blue really shows the richness of her vocals supported by nicely stylized key work from Limina. Earl plays beautiful guitar work under the vocal work, ultimately coming to the top but still holding in quiet and respectful volume. This track is powerful and beautiful. This is an excellent release and one that I feel belongs in every modern blues lovers collection!

  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”

 

Review of Walter Trout's Performance at the Maui Sugar Mill in Tarzana, CA - the bluezy redhead - Guest Writer

The Southern California heat wave started last Monday night when the Sugaray Rayford Band took center stage (and left, right and rear). This past Monday night at the Maui Sugar Mill, for Cadillac Zack's Monday Night Blues Party, it was exceedingly hot outside - 100 degrees - with a 100% chance the inside of the venue would reach 120!! Reach it did... into every nook and cranny of the small dive bar. The A/C was flowing through the vents. The fans were moving in a circular motion. Both operational. When the headliner and his band hit the stage, the temps began to rise... and rise... and rise... to a sweltering surreal meltdown of blues/rock! Two words: Walter Trout. Two more words: Unofficial comeback. An abundance of more words: Walter was on death's bed waiting for a liver transplant not too long ago. He had lost 140 pounds, could barely speak and thought he was at the end of his life. His wife, Marie, constantly told him it was not his time to leave, so he held on to her words. The good news came that they found a liver for him. He had the surgery and recovered and now he is back to carry on his legacy as one of THE best blues/rock guitar slingers and vocalists; without a doubt... not even a shadow of one! This writer had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Trout once before in 2004ish at Humphrey's by the Bay in San Diego. Never having heard of him before, I was in utter disbelief by the talent that he exuded. I mean, come on, he is only one human being and since he doesn't wear a superhero costume or even a cape... how could he be who he was? He was born to play the blues and he will leave this earth playing the blues, as did BB King. With his new zest for living a brand new life, he has an even more impeccable and renewed sense of who he is and exudes it with a heightened stage persona. Dressed in a purple shirt (purple for empowerment) I knew the packed-to-capacity audience was in for a heavy-hitting set! Rounding out the band: Sammy on keys, Michael Leasure on drums, John on bass. First song in the set was "Can't do it by Myself" and what a great message that is... he couldn't have survived without the donor, his wife, the rest of his family, his friends and his fans. When he started performing "I'm Back" I got teary-eyed. He picked these songs to play for obvious reasons and it touched me deeply... the message and his performance. He plays the hell out of his guitar and sings as if it were his last song. He welcomed another legendary blues man, John Mayall, up to the stage; playing keys for several songs. They dedicated a song to BB King "Say Goodbye to the Blues", which was so poignant in its lyrics, yet sensually alive; a contradiction in a beautiful way! Other guests he called up to the stage were Bob Langreth on harp, his son John Trout on guitar and Jimmy Vivino of the Conan O'Brien show. The last song was a tribute that Walter wrote for his wife Marie. It was an instrumental that relayed, even without words, the beauty that he sees in her, the love that he has for her, and the gratitude he will hold in his heart forever. Beautiful. Haunting. This set could not have been more powerful in its delivery, its lyrical meaning, its sound, its visual. It was hot as hell; sexy as sin and as sensual as the purest sensuality. Thank you once again to my friend Cadillac Zack for bringing THE best blues to Southern California! Pasadena on Saturday. Long Beach on Sunday. Tarzana on Monday.

 the bluezy redhead

Blues Rocker Bobby Messano Release Climbs Charts

Bobby Messano Release Scores Huge on the Charts Love & Money Climbs both Roots Music Report and Billboard Bobby Messano's latest release is getting hotter and hotter as the artist continues his relentless nationwide coast to coast tour.  "Nothing beats the thrill of putting your heart into your music and then performing in front of thousands of blues fans, absolutely nothing", shared the veteran blues rocker. "The live reaction we are feeling to the songs on Love & Money is just incredible. It really is true, if you open up by going deep within people relate.  We're working our way up and down the east coast and then out to the West coast and the crowds have been phenomenal all along the way.  It's their reaction to "Love & Money" that's keeping us excited as we move city by city, state by state. The write ups we're getting in magazines like Blues Blast, Mississippi Blues Club, and Making a Scene Magazine plus the number of radio stations that are cranking out repeat plays is really fanning the flames.  Man, this one great summer!" Breaking News - Bobby Messano's Love & Money just nominated for Blues Blast Magazine's Rock Blues Album of the year....   Quick click path to Love & Money sample tracks (iTunes) Bobby Messano's "Love & Money" enters the Top 50 as reported by Roots Music Report "Love & Money" zooms to #7 on Billboard's Blues Album chart Below: Blues fans take a seat down front to see the legendary blues rocker perform at Wisconsin's Summerfest event

Arthur James - Me, Myself & I - New Release Review

I just received the newest release; Me, Myself & I from Arthur James and it's solid. Opening with 292 Nashua St., an easy flowing country style blues, James shows his command of rural country style blues picking techniques. Very nice. Blues, Blues, Blues digs into a basic 1-4-5 style and accompanies himself on guitar. His voice is well suited for acoustic blues and his technique is fluid. This is a cool track with some slick but traditionally rooted riffs. What You Tryin' To Do has a classic Piedmont styling and James' own vocal flair makes this a very an interesting variation on the common theme. Long Black Road has a real nice guitar vamp and a few JLH style riffs and again James' vocals blend nicely for original blues styling. Ooh Yeah! has a blues rock feel and a bit more modern feel. It still has a older root but with more modern execution techniques. Boogie track Things Ain't No Better has a solid rudimentary styling and James' vocals are as strong as on any track and with it's break out guitar solo, it may be my favorite for the release. Got Me A Woman is a rambling blues track with a fleet 1-4-5 without much adornment. Drownin' On Dry Land has a much more contemporary sound with traces to the root of blues. Forgotten Youth is a very modern take on blues with a strong ballad feel but slide acoustic guitar addition giving a more rural feel. Traditional song, Kumbaya, is almost unrecognizable with it's rework. An interesting guitar twist and a less sing song melody makes for a pleasant break. Waiter There's A Bomb In My Soup has a very contemporary feel. Interesting Richie Havens like composition. Wrapping the release,  Life, has a more esoteric feel with nice soloing techniques as well as harmonics.

  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”

 

Cozmik Records artist: The JC Smith Band - Love Mechanic - New release review

I just received the newest release, Love Mechanic, from The JC Smith Band, and it's a ripper. Opening with jump track, Jump For Joy, Smith is out of the box on lead vocals pushed notably by Donnie Green on drums and Tommy Maitland on trumpet. Abraham Vasquez and David Sandez rips it up with nice sax work and Smith lays down a nice guitar solo as well. A rock version of Mr James Brown's infamous Cold Sweat is up next with an almost JB like roll. It cool hearing someone taking James Browns hottest track and using what is his trademark rhythm solid bass line and turning it back on itself by Robert Green. Very Cool idea. Smith wails again on lead guitar backed by the horn section making for a cool cover. R&B ballad, Come On Home To Me, is up next with a nice piano solo by Richard Palmer. Title track, Love Mechanic, is a blues rocker with a bit of chug a lug compliments of Green and Green. Cool rhythm work with horn backing and JC cuts loose with a real nice guitar solo and Todd Reid is hot on the organ as well. On shuffle track, Ring Around The Tub, Smith lays down a nice guitar solo adding to his clever lyrics. Elmore James' track, Yonder Wall gets a total make over with a heap of funk. I really like Green's drum work on this track and Vasquez and Sandez set down some real nice sax work. Smith lays in a real nice solo of his own but for me on this track it's the Green's that make it happen. Bad, Bad Feeling has a totally different feel with a simple almost train style blues rhythm and what to my ears sounds like banjo solo. Little Walter track, Last Night, takes the slow road and Smith digs in nicely on the guitar intro. Todd Reid really lays it out nicely on organ on this track making it one of my favorites on the release. Super star guitar man, Chris Cain, joins on Elmore James' shuffle track, Talk To Me Baby, and he really rips it. Staying in shuffle mode, Rocket To The Moon, has a real nice feel with a nice muted trumpet solo by Maitland and sax solo by Vasquez and Sandez. Eddie Boyd's, Five Long Years, gives Smith a chance to stretch the strings out a bit again and he does a nice job. Smith's vocals on this track are probably his best and with excellent backing by Reynolds and Maitland, a real fine track. Wrapping the release is Toronzo Cannon's Ain't No Stranger. Smith and Vasquez trade solos and Maitland and Reynolds provide solid horn support over a nice driving bass line by Green.

  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”

 

Kern Pratt - Broken Chains - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Broken Chains, from Kern Pratt and the boy can play. Opening with Greenville Mississippi Blues, an Elmore James like track with nice slide riffs and Eden Brent on piano. Lights Are On But Nobody's Home is up next with a compliment of horns including Lacy Blackledge on trumpet, Bob Henderson on sax, Pete Verbois on bari and Chris Belleau on trombone. There is some exceptionally warm sax work here that you should check out and Kern absolutely smokes the guitar on this slow blues number. Excellent! Somewhere South Of Mississippi has a radio style format but nice and clean... well written. David Hyde runs a nice bass line on this track and Denise Owens on backing vocals adds a bit of warmth. Black Hannah is a high stepper with tight drums by Nelson Blanchard, nice vocals with Kern and Owens and tight horn work from Blackledge, Henderson, Verbois and Belleau. Nice blues rock guitar riffs lay out nicely on this track making it a sure radio crossover track. Cotton Pickin' is a cool upbeat blues track a great lead guitar line and sax melodic response. One that I will point out that my old pal Stilladog will likely really dig. I do! Don't Leave Me Baby has a Rhumba beat with Blanchard really digging in. Kern shares the guitar stage with Kenny Neal and along with Henderson and Verbois really crank this track up. It Hurts Me Too takes a more traditional feel with Luc Borms on harp and Pratt on acoustic guitar. Very nice! Handcuffed To The Blues gets more into a funky rock feel with an Albert King style guitar attack. Pratt, Owen, Elaine Foster and Blanchard get an almost gospel blend on vocal on this track. Very cool! Smokin' Gun features Denise Owen on lead vocal backed by Pratt for another radio track. There are some nice vocal harmonies on this track and Kern does some some hot riffs off as well. Soulshake, a classic revival style track from the 70's is up next and the vocals are blended nicely, the horns are hot and the drums are tight. Sit back and wait for the hot sax solo! Excellent! Closing the release is Broken Chains, an Eerie resonator guitar solo by Wes Lee. Almost ends too quickly. Very nice!

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