The 2015 Cincy Blues Fest, August 7 & 8, Sawyer Point Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

August 7-8, Sawyer Point Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

Buy Tickets here or here TAB BENOIT SHAWN HOLT AND THE TEARDROPS THE 24TH STREET WAILERS TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS Chicago Women in the Blues Revue MARCIA BALL CASH BOX KINGS SAMANTHA FISH KELLY RICHEY BAND

1st Annual Ojai Blues Festival Features Great Music Lineup

GREAT MUSIC LINEUP FOR 1ST ANNUAL OJAI BLUES FESTIVAL Saturday, August 15 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.    (Ojai, CA) - Crooked Eye Tommy joins a great music lineup that includes the Alastair Greene Band, Deb Ryder, and Shawn Jones, all performing at the 1st Annual Ojai Blues Festival at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., on Saturday, August 15. Showtime is 4 p.m. Tickets $25. available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ojai-bluesfest-tickets-17742088063.    The Ojai Blues Festival is a continuation of the long-standing Bowlful of Blues Festival that ran for over two decades and was one of the region's premiere blues events.    ABOUT THE PERFORMERS AT THE 1ST ANNUAL OJAI BLUES FESTIVAL   Crooked Eye Tommy - Have just released their debut effort, Butterflies & Snakes, eleven memorable tunes penned by Crooked Eye Tommy front-person and band namesake Tommy Marsh and Tommy's brother, guitarist-vocalist, Paddy Marsh (who also plays in the band). Other C.E.T. members include Glade Rasmussen, bass; Tony Cicero, drums; and Jimmy Calire, saxophone/piano/Hammond B3.  Featuring scorching performances and original music firmly rooted in traditional blues, which feels familiar but somehow new, Tommy Marsh’s considerable songwriting, vocal and guitar skills have made him a Ventura County favorite. www.crookedeyetommy.com.   Alastair Greene Band - Blues and rock have met at many different crossroads. From Cream and Johnny Winter to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gov’t Mule these blues rock recipes are often boiled down to a simple trio. Such is the melting pot of influences and presentation of the Alastair Greene Band. Greene formed his first blues rock trio with former members of the legendary Southern California band the Pontiax in 1997. The Alastair Greene Band (AGB) has gone through several incarnations and line-ups over the years and has included alumni of the Steve Miller Band, Paul Butterfield Band, and Junior Wells Band. Currently, the line-up has solidified with Alastair Greene on guitar and vocals, Jim Rankin on bass and vocals, and Austin Beede on drums. Greene is also the touring guitarist with Alan Parsons, and has been touring internationally with the English pop/ progressive rock veteran since 2010. www.agsongs.com.   Deb Ryder: Born outside Chicago, Ryder was influenced by the music of the city, and by her father, a Chicago club sensation. Deb began appearing on stage as a young teen at her stepfather’s famous nightclub The Topanga Corral, where she opened for such blues legends as Etta James, Big Joe Turner and Taj Mahal. It was there that she honed her style as a blues performer. Her much-anticipated debut album “Might Just Get Lucky” was a hit, garnering rave reviews and acclaim. Ryder's latest release "Let It Rain" was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Tony Braunagel; all eleven Ryder originals are a celebration of the blues from classic to modern, Chicago to New Orleans. http://epresskitz.com/website_ryder.php?u=35263917.   Shawn Jones: Shawn Jones is the epitome of American Roots/Rock music. He has proven over time that he has an international appeal. Shawn is true to form of his influences, spanning from all the greats in Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Country. He has toured in  excess of 200 dates a year, creating new fans and followers everywhere he performs. Shawn's 2013 album, "Struggle Makes you Stronger", was picked up by Right Track Distribution, and licensed through the Universal music Group in the UK. With four studio albums and one live album under his belt, Shawn's skills as a seasoned songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist have put him on the same bill with the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, and many others. http://shawnjonesmusic.com/.   Shawn Jones is the epitome of American Roots/Rock music. He has proven over time that he has an international appeal. Shawn is true to form of his influences, spanning from all the greats in Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz & Country. His father raised him on Hank Williams, and he grew up in the heartland of Southern California, where he learned from experience how to play and sing the blues.  Shawn has been touring in excess of 200 dates a year, creating new fans and followers literally everywhere he performs. - See more at: http://shawnjonesmusic.com/bio/#sthash.9VQkrtZx.dpuf  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ojai-bluesfest-tickets-17742088063

Slackjaw - It's Always Something - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, It's Always Something, from Slackjaw and it a cool mix of blues rock styles making up a real nice set. Opening with Carried By Six, a loping, "Texas style", shuffle. John Thompson leads the way on vocal and guitar, slashing his way, backed by Carl Capodice on bass and Randy Marinelli on drums. Commit A Crime is a pop/funk/blues rocker with a cool groove. Capodice walks the bass and Thompson lays out some nice riffs over the top of his solid vocals. Driving blues rocker and title track, It's Always Something, is a cross between Golden Earring and Mahogany Rush resulting in a smokin rocker with hot riffs. Backing down to a more mainstream blues rocker, New Addiction has all of the components of a solid radio player with a catchy melody and a super bass solo from Capodice. The absolute standout track on the release for me is Don't Give Me No Jive, a slow, low down blues grabber. Thompson's vocals work really nicely with the texture of the track and he really puts the heat to the frets grinding out some really smoking riffs. Double stopped bends push the tension and heavy bass lines give nice contrast to Thompson's most subtly articulated lines. Excellent! With the drive of of a heavy rocker but the finesse of a southern rocker, Slackjaw delivers on Whiskey Lane and Thompson lays in just the right amount of overdrive to make it all work. Soul's Up For Sale is another track with quite a bit of commercial appeal. "Outlaws like" guitar riffs from Thompson's guitar, under laid by solid work from Capodice and Marinelli give this track broad appeal. Soul blended in to a rock format on If You Ever Leave gives this track a real nice flow. Sweet melody and pulled back fireworks makes this a crowd favorite. Cold Day In Hell takes on a modern punky funk a la the Chilli Peppers but without losing it's identity. Hot bass lines are up front of the mix and Thompson's are almost Peter Green like (Oh Well). Cool rocker! Bottle Of Whiskey is a light hearted country flavored rocker. With only the smallest amount of percussion, a nice walking bass line and Thompson on guitar and vocal this is a crap kicking conclusion to a smart guitar laden outing.

  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 Betty Fox Band - Slow Burn - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Slow Burn,from The Betty Fox Band and I really like it. Opening with a modified James Brown style R&B chugger, Think About It, Fox comes out kickin ass and takin names. She has a really mature attack and with a little Prince and Ella Fitzgerald this track takes off. Kid Royal sets down a real tight funk riff and also shows some cool riffs. Backed by Barry Williams on bass who runs some nice lines of his own, warm keystrokes by Shawn Brown and a not so quiet drummer in Sam Farmer this track is a great opener. A Curtis Mayfield like feel creeps out in Sweet Memories and the richness in Fox's voice is even more apparent... think tastes of a female Al Green. Royal steps up again squeezing droplets of soul from his guitar like a great session musician on an old Muscle Shoals session. Title track, Slow Burn, is a cool soulful ballad that really gives Royal his nicest showcase and he doesn't waste a note. Excellent! Funky, Solid Ground, shows solid spunk and true gospel enrichment not unlike Bonnie Bramlett. This kid has range and style. Crisp, plucky guitar riffs break the vocal train but not the feel, bringing the track to a smokey level. Light hearted swing track, Please Come Home shows so much versatility and vocal control and Royal is up to the task as well ripping right along as Fox scats. Really really nice! On low slung R&B number, Our Love, Fox sets a really nice groove and Williams has a real nice bass line which really carries the track. Royal steps up big again with really nice guitar riffs. Ok...let's just say this band is really tight! Otis Redding's, Remember Me, is the most challenging track so far, with every other track so far being an original composition. Fox takes the opportunity to take a classic singers track and makes it her own. Unlike some of the other vocalist's that others have drawn comparison to, Fox absolutely has her own voice and she is paving her own way. Royal is of course ready on cue to lay out some nicely executed blues riffs and does it without a hitch. Soulful, expressive lines are his game and he does it so sweetly. This is an excellent performance! Light funk sets into this R&B style track, Take A Walk With Me, and Fox shows that she's been listening. Phrasing is top notch and I really like how she avoids the star search elevation and drives her notes into the ground. A sign of someone with real range.With a light jazzy George Benson like flare, Royal carries his solo before turning it back over to Fox for her summation. Nice! Let The Light Shine has a light rock frame but with roots in R&B. Possibly my least favorite track on the release, it still grooves nicely and Royal still hits it once for good measure. Baby Please is really rich! You want to hear why Fox is compared to Janis...this is it. Does she sound like Janis? Hell no! She sounds like Betty Fox and she should be damn proud of that. This track has the raw energy of Summertime or Ball and Chain and there are a few vocal inflections that Janis did use that show up here but this is no second rate copy. This is the real deal and actually exciting. Fox's voice has a totally different timbre from Janis and her range is quite cool! Royal steps way forward with his solo on this track and really lights it up. Just as a comparison to Janis may be drawn by some of Fox's phrasing on this particular track, so also is the Big Brother Band overall sound. I really like it! Who's Holdin'?, a quick swinger is up next and Royal steps up his game with hot riffs that really smoke. Fox's vocals dance nicely over the tight phrasing of Farmer and walking bass line of Williams. Very nice! Jazz chords flow to open Goodbye, a Latin rhythm R&B track with a tempo change loping blues. Fox sings with all of the confidence of an old pro, as well she should and snappy drum rhythms from Farmer give Royal a solid floor to riff over. Strong! Wrapping the release is Willie Nelson's Angel Flyin' Too Close to the Ground. No Willie has a pleasantly smooth but gravely voice but I can tell you that he never sang this track where he sounded like an angel. Fox, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar closes the set nicely alone. This is really an outstanding release and one that certainly warrants solid listening!

  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”

 

Randy Volin and The Hard Ones - Detroit Thang - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Detroit Thang, from Randy Volin and The Hard Ones and it's a super blues rocker. Opening with When She Says Jump, Volin is out the door with a loping blues number with solid lead vocals and nicely blended harmonies. Volin handles vocals, keys and guitar laying down a nice mix of pop and blues. Come Back Home has a Jimmy Reed feel with nice slide work and, keys and horns. Funky blues, Mr. Johnson, has a real nice driving guitar rhythm and a tight beat. Horns bringing up the back gives it a real funky feel and Volin does a nice job on vocal. It's Gonna Be Alright has a simple raw blues feel but with a rock style beat. Cool drum beat and snappy guitar riffs gives this track a I Want Your Lovin' a Bo Diddley beat. Volin digs in pretty nicely on guitar making this a stand out track. Mofocito has a real 60's kind of sound with possibly a Freddie King feel. This track has a cool twist feel and showcases Volin on guitar. Very nice! Brand New Day is the pop /hit track on the release with a really nice melody and pure execution. Mullholland Drive feels like a surf spin on Curtis Mayfield. Sound cool? It is. Light and airy with tight rhythm, a grinding guitar solo and keen organ work this is another favorite. Two Worlds Collide is kind of like a fusion of Mary Had A Little Lamb and Steely Dan. A hot guitar riff carries the SRV styling (more than Buddy Guy) and polish like SD but without the sparkle of Fagan's piano but including the backing vocals makes this a real hot track. She's Fine has the feel American rock with familiar guitar riffs and anthems throughout. Bound to find it's way to a basketball court during time out's, it's a clever mix. Wrapping the release is classic rocker, Route 66 which a real simple rock feel but with Volin's own twist. Chuck Berry like riffs flow and the drums are chuggin' making this a real cool final track for 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”

 

New Guitar Whiz Album!

NEW ALBERT CUMMINGS ALBUM ! Guitar Wizard Releases "Someone Like You" Albert Cummings, a rare talent renowned for his uniquely muscular yet polished guitar wizardry, has released a new studio CD entitled Someone Like You. The album was produced in Los Angeles by Grammy-winner David Z, and features special guest and labelmate Jimmy Vivino (bandleader on the Conan TV show) on three tracks. Producer Z, who's worked with Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, and Gov’t Mule, said, “Albert Cummings writes, plays and sings the blues like nobody else.  What a blast to watch him jell in the studio with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles.” Master builder turned master guitarist, Albert has become a favorite of fans who love soulful, explosive rocking blues.   Double Trouble, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section, was so impressed with Albert’s talent that they volunteered to play on and produce his debut recording in 2003. Billboard said his “guitar work is sizzling.” Guitar One exclaimed, "He attacks his axe with unbridled ferocity and deep soulfulness.”  And in an audio exclusive, noted publication Guitar Player is premiering one of the new tracks on their website - "Meatlocker" (an instrumental featuring Albert and Jimmy Vivino) HERE. Cummings said, "I'm tremendously excited about this CD and the team of people that will be working this record. It was such a pleasure to also work with David Z and Jimmy Vivino and so exciting to share their excitement about the potential this record has." CDs are available at better record stores. To purchase CDs and downloads from Amazon, please click HERE.  Downloads from this and other fine Blind Pig releases are available from "The Pig Pen" on iTunes HERE.  Upcoming Tour Dates: Aug. 1 Lake George, NY Lake George Blues Festival Aug. 7 Wheeling, WV Heritage Music Blues Festival Aug. 8 Covington, KY Madison Theater Aug. 21 Norwich, NY Chenango Blues Festival Aug. 29 Marshfield, MA North River Blues Festival Sept. 11 White River Junction, VT The Freight House Hall Sept. 12 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Sept. 13 New York, NY B.B. King's Sept. 20 Buffalo, NY Buffalo Iron Works Oct. 2 Verona, NY Turning Stone Casino Oct. 3 Norfolk, CT Infinity Hall Oct. 23 Old Saybrook, CT Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center Nov. 20 Pawling, NY Daryl's House Club Nov. 21 Plymouth, MA The Spire Center For the Performing Arts

Brother Dege - Scorched Earth Policy: Deluxe - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Scorched Earth Policy: Deluxe, from Brother Dege and it's a smart blend of swamp blues, rock, pop and psychedelia. Opening with Set It Off, a marching rocker, Dege's slide work paired with intense drumming and sonic vocals makes this a natural radio track. With a more rural feel, Pay No Mind has the sound of the pure south utilizing slide resonator behind solid vocals and basic rudimentary percussion. Somewhere has a polished feel with a cool bass line from Ian Guidros and supporting drums from Greg Travasos. Dege's vocals and guitar work are almost hypnotic. Day I Was Born has a real somber melody accompanied by resonator slide and including guitar work by Howie Wells and Danny Devillier on drums. This is a cool track with a heavy feel, kind of like a southern Led Zep. Black Sabbath's Supernaut has a lively almost European feel. Lead slide resonator and a solid drum beat moves this track. Yellabone is an interesting composition bouncing Dege's best vocals against backing vocals and a simple acoustic slide guitar. It has an interesting mix of acoustic rural and city rock sounds. Slide guitar anthem, Tower of Babel, has an intriguing melody and rhythm with an almost eastern feel. Rocker, Revolution has an electronica mix. Soundscapes, echo, drums, vocals and guitar weave nicely into a club like mix. Souls Of The Darklands has a warm but rugged sound carried by Devillier on drums and Dege's spot on vocal lead. Slide resonator accompaniment blends nicely with the vocals making this a really nice anthem... a movie closer for the right movie. Devillier really gets the skins in order leading the way on Calabasas with dynamic free form psychedelia guitar work by Dege. Excellent! Jones For War has a fairly mainstream feel with a straight up melody, acoustic guitar and harp. This is a real nice composition that should see cross media exposure. Wrapping the release is Way Of The Lamb a track that has a familiar early american feel and what sounds like a sitar giving it an unsettling feel. This is a cool release of tracks unlike what you'll likely find anywhere else. It's a cool listen and a fun ride... oh and check out the cover...it's a trip!

  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”

 

33 Records artist: Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - I'll Be Yours Tonight LIVE - New Release review

I just received the newest release, I'll Be Yours Tonight LIVE, from Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion and it's quite good! Opening with a rocker, Your Sun Shines Rain, Schwarz reminds me a lot of early Yeah Yeah Yeahs but done in San Francisco in 1968. Interesting. Fine & Mellow is a perfect title for this track. Schwarz really uses nice phrasing vocally and I particularly like the guitar work of Rob Koral. Pete Whittaker on Hammond and Paul Robinson round this band out nicely, Whittaker even taking a really nice expressive solo of his own. Very cool! High energy rocker (think My Generation), Let Me Sing The Blues with a light country twist gets the crowd moving. Si Genaro joins on harp and Andy Urquhart on trumpet adding even more dimensionality. Koral is not afraid to step out at all and his work on this track is cool and blistering. Smile has a really distinctive San Francisco sound. Vocal tension, instrumentation and backing vocals. Angel Of Mercy for some reason puts me in mind of Annie Haslam, lead singer of Renaissance. The song has a cool awkwardness and sophisticated composition, carried mostly on the backs of Whittaker and Schwarz. Liberated Woman is almost straight out rock with a dose of blues. With it's simple rhythm, quick pace and country style riffs it gets the crowd breathing hard. We'll Find A Way is an emotional ballad. Whittaker brings the heat on Hammond to allow Schwarz to deliver the word. Koral steps up with a really nice guitar solo on this one as well showing just how much can be said with only a few notes. R&B kicker, Say It Isn't So, has a bit of that old style Janis feel (Move Over) with it's constant drive. Whittaker gives the Hammond an aggressive ride and Urquhart punctuates the sound. I Believe In You is one of my favorites on the release with a modern blues theme. Koral really rips a nice solo on this track and his tone is spot on for my taste. Very nice! I'll Do Anything is instrumentally so 60's UK it's amazing. The vocals by Schwarz have a Grace Slick freedom that really works with this well. I like the simple complexity of Beatitudes, a slower blues ballad with a jazz dimensionality. Schwarz vocals are strong and Whittaker lays down some really nice keystrokes on this track. I have listened to this release a number of times and I continue to be surprised by the chord changes and I like it better each time. Koral again steps up with clean and interesting guitar riffs making this one of my favorites. Wrapping the release is the freewheeling Take Me Back. With it's simple, driving rhythm (think Radar Love)and eccentric soloing from Koral capped off by funky Hammond work by Whittaker this track is a good closer for this live endeavor.

  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”