THE BLUES FOUNDATION 2016 BLUES HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AND 37TH BLUES MUSIC AWARDS SET FOR MAY 4 AND 5

THE BLUES FOUNDATION 2016 BLUES HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AND 37TH BLUES MUSIC AWARDS SET FOR MAY 4 AND 5  Best in blues recording, songwriting, and performance to be celebrated at the Memphis' Cook Convention Center.  All six living Hall of Fame inductees will be in attendance MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Thursday, May 5, 2016, the Blues Foundation will present its annual Blues Music Awards at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The Awards are universally regarded as the highest accolade afforded to blues performers, and the awards ceremony is widely recognized as the premier event for professionals, musicians and fans from around the world. The mission of the celebration is to honor the rich cultural tradition of the blues by recognizing the past year’s outstanding achievements in performance, songwriting and recording.  On May 4, at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts, the Blues Foundation will induct five legendary artists into the Blues Hall of Fame: Elvin Bishop, Eddy Clearwater, Jimmy Johnson, John Mayall, Memphis Jug Band, and Malaco Records' Tommy Couch Sr. and Wolf Stephenson. Elected by a select group of respected blues scholars and industry veterans, Hall of Fame inductees are recognized for their musical achievements and their contributions to blues history.  Leading this year’s award nomination count are James Harman with five, and Anthony Geraci and Sugaray Rayford, who each have four. Harman and Geraci will go head to head in three categories: Best Song, Best Album, and Best Traditional Blues Album. Harman’s gift for musical storytelling, combined with the soulful sound of his newest release, Bonetime, propelled him to a nomination as Best Traditional Male Blues Artist, and his strong musicianship set the stage for his nomination as Best Instrumentalist — Harmonica. Geraci's piano finesse led to a nomination for the prestigious Pinetop Perkins Piano Player award. Vocalist-songwriter Rayford is nominated for Contemporary Blues Album and Contemporary Blues Male Artist, as well as Best Song and the B.B. King Entertainer Award.  Cedric Burnside and Shemekia Copeland, 2016 Grammy nominees, each have three nominations here, as do Doug MacLeod, the Cash Box Kings, Victor Wainwright and Wee Willie Walker (see below for a complete list of nominees).  The five new Blues Hall of Fame inductees have all had long and influential careers that have elevated each to seminal status in the blues world. Elvin Bishop was honored with the 2015 Blues Music Awards for Song of the Year. Bishop and his fellow 2016 inductees Clearwater, Johnson and Mayall all have bodies of work spanning more than half a century, and each continues to create new music and perform for new audiences. The legendary Memphis Jug Band’s music crossed racial divides during the first half of the 20th century, and inspired countless musicians to follow in their footsteps.  For their behind-the-scenes contributions, Malaco Records partners Tommy Couch Sr. and Wolf Stephenson, who founded a Southern R&B empire that continues to be an influential force, are also Blues Foundation honorees this year.  This year’s literature entry into the Blues Hall of Fame is Jeff Todd Titon’s book Early Downhome Blues: A Musical and Cultural Analysis, which has been widely recognized as one of the most important analytical studies of the blues ever written.  The Blues Hall of Fame is also honoring several historic blues recordings: The classic Big Bill Broonzy/Memphis Slim/Sonny Boy Williamson album Blues in the Mississippi Night (Nixa, 1957: United Artists, 1959), and the vintage singles “Crazy Blues” by Mamie Smith (OKeh, 1920), “That’s All Right” by Jimmy Rogers (Chess, 1950), Billy Boy Arnold's “I Wish You Would” (Vee-Jay, 1955), “Blues Before Sunrise” by Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell (Vocalion, 1934) and “Merry Christmas Baby” by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers (Exclusive, 1947). The last disc, with Charles Brown on vocal and piano, is the first Yuletide song inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.  The Memphis-based Blues Foundation is internationally renowned for its tireless efforts in preserving blues heritage, celebrating blues recording and performance, expanding worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form. Founded in 1980, the Blues Foundation has approximately 4,000 individual members and 200 affiliated local blues societies, representing another 50,000 fans and professionals around the world.    The Blues Foundation’s signature honors and events — the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards — make it the international capital of blues music. The recent opening of the Blues Hall of Fame Museum in Memphis, Tenn., now adds the opportunity for music lovers of all ages to interact with the music and its history.   Major funding is provided by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The 37th Blues Music Awards is also sponsored by AutoZone, BMI, First Tennessee Foundation, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Sony Legacy Recordings.  HOF tickets are $100 each, reception at 5:30pm with ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. BMA tickets are $150 each, tables of 10 for $1500; a special pre-party will begin at 5:30 p.m.; the BMA begin at 6:30 p.m.. For more information, log onto http://www.blues.org; tickets and membership details are available at http://blues.org/blues-music-awards/2016-blues-music-awards/ # # # 37th Blues Music Award Nominees  Acoustic Album  Doug MacLeod - Exactly Like This Duke Robillard - The Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard Eric Bibb - Blues People Guy Davis - Kokomo Kidd The Ragpicker String Band - The Ragpicker String Band  Acoustic Artist  Doug MacLeod Eric Bibb Gaye Adegbalola  Guy Davis  Ian Siegal  Album  Anthony Geraci & the Boston Blues All-Stars - Fifty Shades of Blue Buddy Guy - Born to Play Guitar James Harman - Bonetime The Cash Box Kings - Holding Court Wee Willie Walker - If Nothing Ever Changes  Band  Andy T - Nick Nixon Band  Rick Estrin & the Nightcats  Sugar Ray & the Bluetones  The Cash Box Kings  Victor Wainwright & the Wild Roots  B.B. King Entertainer  John Németh Rick Estrin  Shemekia Copeland  Sugaray Rayford  Victor Wainwright  Best New Artist Album  Eddie Cotton - One at a Time Igor Prado Band - Way Down South Mighty Mike Schermer – Blues in Good Hands Mr. Sipp - The Blues Child Slam Allen - Feel These Blues Contemporary Blues Album  Buddy Guy - Born to Play Guitar Eugene Hideaway Bridges - Hold on a Little Bit Longer Shemekia Copeland - Outskirts of Love Sonny Landreth - Bound by the Blues Sugaray Rayford – Southside  Contemporary Blues Female Artist  Beth Hart Karen Lovely Nikki Hill  Samantha Fish  Shemekia Copeland  Contemporary Blues Male Artist  Brandon Santini Eugene Hideaway Bridges  Jarekus Singleton Joe Louis Walker Sugaray Rayford  Historical Album  The Henry Gray/Bob Corritore Sessions, Vol. 1, Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest on Delta Groove Records  Hawk Squat by J. B. Hutto & His Hawks on Delmark Records  Southside Blues Jam by Junior Wells on Delmark Records  Buzzin' the Blues by Slim Harpo on Bear Family Records Dynamite! The Unsung King of the Blues by Tampa Red on Ace Records  Instrumentalist-Bass  Charlie Wooten Lisa Mann Michael “Mudcat”  Ward Patrick Rynn  Willie J. Campbell  Instrumentalist-Drums  Cedric Burnside  Jimi Bott June Core Tom Hambridge  Tony Braunagel  Instrumentalist-Guitar  Anson Funderburgh  Kid Andersen  Monster Mike Welch  Ronnie Earl  Sonny Landreth  Instrumentalist-Harmonica  Billy Branch  Brandon Santini  James Harman  Jason Ricci  Kim Wilson  Instrumentalist-Horn  Al Basile  Doug James Kaz Kazanoff  Sax Gordon  Terry Hanck Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)  Diunna Greenleaf  Fiona Boyes  Ruthie Foster  Trudy Lynn  Zora Young  Pinetop Perkins Piano Player  Allen Toussaint  Anthony Geraci  Barrelhouse Chuck  John Ginty  Victor Wainwright  Rock Blues Album of the Year  Joe Bonamassa - Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks Joe Louis Walker - Everybody Wants a Piece Royal Southern Brotherhood - Don't Look Back  Tinsley Ellis - Tough Love Walter Trout - Battle Scars Song  “Bad Feet/Bad Hair” written and performed by James Harman  “Fifty Shades of Blue” written by Anthony Geraci and performed by Anthony Geraci & the Boston Blues All-Stars  “Gonna Live Again” written and performed by Walter Trout  “Southside of Town” written by Sugaray Rayford and & Ralph Carter and performed by Sugaray Rayford  “You Got It Good (and That Ain’t Bad)” written and performed by Doug MacLeod  Soul Blues Album  Bey Paule Band - Not Goin' Away Billy Price & Otis Clay - This Time for Real  Jackie Payne - I Saw the Blues Tad Robinson - Day into Night Wee Willie Walker - If Nothing Ever Changes  Soul Blues Female Artist  Bettye LaVette  Dorothy Moore Missy Anderson Toni Lynn Washington  Vaneese Thomas  Soul Blues Male Artist  Frank Bey Jackie Payne  Johnny Rawls Otis Clay Wee Willie Walker  Traditional Blues Album  Andy T - Nick Nixon Band - Numbers Man Anthony Geraci & the Boston Blues All-Stars - Fifty Shades of Blue Cedric Burnside Project - Descendants of Hill Country James Harman - Bonetime The Cash Box Kings - Holding Court Traditional Blues Male Artist  Cedric Burnside Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin  James Harman Jimmy Burns John Prime

Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Live In 1967 - Volume Two - New Release Review

I just received the second installment from Forty Below of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Live in 1967 in it is spectacular! Like the earlier Volume 1 , this release (May 6, 2016) is the band made up of Mayall along with Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, the core of the later, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac.

Opening with Mayall composition, Tears In My Eyes, these guys waste no time showing you why this release is important. It is hot, explosive and vital! Mayall's vocals are at his best and Green was disputably the best white blues player in the world. McVie laying down a solid bottom and Fleetwood handling the drums, Green literally scorches the stage with incredible riff and incredible riff. If there is anything wrong with this track, it's too short at over 7 and a half minutes. Excellent!! Sonny Boy Williamson track, Your Funeral and My Trial really hits the groove and Mayall is on it on vocal and harp. This is a great track with that Mayall magic! Classic, So Many Roads, fits so perfectly into this band's style that it's unbelievable. Clocking in at over 8 minutes, Green literally tears it up. Mayall leads the way on vocal and McVie and Fleetwood support strongly but Green is just unbelievable. Excellent! On Dixon/Williamson composition, Bye Bye Bird, Mayall is back up front on harp and shows why he is considered the father of modern blues. His harp playing is inspired and tight. Another original track, Please Don't Tell sets the early British rock sound made popular by the Yardbirds and Foghat. Super rocker. Sure, Green comes in a rips it up but it's the rocking groove that makes this track what it is. Next up is a super BB King track, Sweet Little Angel, and Mayall slides into a real nice vocal groove cushioned by his own keyboard work. Easy paced guitar work by Green is respectful of King's own style, thoughtful and expressive yet compelling. JB Lenoir's Talk To Your Daughter has a rockin' shuffle and balanced instrumentals throughout. Featuring the lead vocal of Mayall and fleet guitar work of Green, a cool track. Eddie Taylor's Bad Boy has a cool Chicago shuffle feel with highlights on harp responding to Mayall's vocals. Green bursts loose with a nice solo as does Mayall on electric keys. T-Bone Walkers well known classic, before it was broadly known, Stormy Monday, is an ideal track to feature Ronnie Jones on vocal as well as Green cutting in. Greeny is a Freddy King style shuffle instrumental with Green just laying it out there.... a 6 plus minute guitar jam with Mayall on keys. Very cool! Riding on the L&N is a great rocker a la Chuck Berry. Without getting too flashy, this track is a rocker! Mayall original, Chicago Line is up next and has classic Mayall sound. McVie takes a great bass solo on this track, an unusual feature and well done. Wrapping the release is Otis Rush's Double Trouble. Mayall is made to sing and play these slow blues tracks and there's no secret that Green knows how to blow them up. His phrasing and emotional output on guitar is spectacular, leading to his ultimate formation of his own band. Excellent show and one that you should definitely hear.



  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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Big Jake Records artist: Paul Filipowicz - Rough Neck Blues Live! - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Rough Neck Blues Live!, from Paul Filipowicz and I really like it! A few years back I reviewed another release by Filipowicz, Saints and Sinners and this release, being live, gives Paul an opportunity to take an already great formula and blow it out and that he does. Opening with shuffle track, Gambling Woman, Filipowicz is cranking with his trademark raw vocals and rowdy guitar riffs. Backed by Rick Smith on bass and Brian "Tito" Howard on drums, this is a hot opener! Most Dogs is up next and Filipowicz brings down the tempo but not the heat. His guitar phrasing is masterful and engaging with traces of Magic Sam, Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy. Black Spider is a blues rocker with a solid bottom. Chuck Berry like construction but with less spring and more blues is complimented by Benny Rickun on harp. Slowing things way down, Santa Fe Windows is a hot potato with really hot, Albert King like phrasing but without King trademark riffs. Smokey guitar attack and honest vocals make this a scary cool track. Hi energy, Junk In The Trunk, visits Freddy King territory with a really cool shuffle. With a little Bo Diddley injection, this track rocks out. Excellent! Jackson Transfer has a hard Chicago edge and Muddy Waters feel. Filipowicz's vocals on this track are particularly cool and with a slack sounding guitar rhythm and super cool harp on the top by Rickun, this track has legs. Breaking into a clean, electric solo run, Filipowicz shows patience and taste. Very nice! Midnight At The Nairobi Room has a super bottom with a diminishing bass line by Smith and a seductive drum rhythm by Howard. His own guitar work is excellent with wide vibrato further adding to the tension which is ultimately broken into a cool instrumental shuffle. Excellent! Chickenwire steps up with a cool rockin' boogie featuring a blend of call and response between vocals, guitar and harp. With it's solid drive...Hooker style...it's hard not to love and when Filipowicz opens up the guns, he shows he knows the ropes! Your True Lovin' has the feel of Waters, Winter and Rush. A great Chicago style blues number, Filipowicz shows his positive mastery of this style. His guitar tone is warm and radiant and his phrasing really nice. Excellent! My favorite track on the release, Hootin' and Hollerin' is an excellent loose jam with a blend of everything that I liked about TJ White's Polk Salad Annie and CCR with the raw honesty of Jimbo Mathus. This track is excellent! Wrapping the release is Where The Blues Comes From has a solid R&B bottom reinforced by Rickun on harp. Jamming out for over 8 minutes Filipowicz has an engaging voice and trading riffs with Rickun, makes this a super closer for a really strong release!




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Eric Bibb Is "The Happiest Man in the World" on New Stony Plain Records CD, Coming May 6

Tasty Country Blues Musical Gumbo Teams Award-Winning Roots Musician and North Country Far with Legendary Bassist Danny Thompson

EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records has set a May 6 release date for The Happiest Man in the World, the latest album from award-winning roots musician Eric Bibb, which teams him up with the group North Country Far and legendary bassist Danny Thompson.

The Happiest Man in the World is a 14-track tasty gumbo of country blues songs recorded in the English countryside with an exuberant, soulful spirit that feels like the perfect soundtrack for relaxing on the back porch or the front parlor. Led by multiple Blues Music Award-winner Eric Bibb, this stellar acoustic band is made up of musicians who have known each other for years. It features famed upright bassist Danny Thompson, whose resume includes work with such acclaimed artists as Alexis Korner, Donovan, Richard Thompson (no relation), Pentangle and John Martyn.  The album also includes a bonus instrumental track, “King Size Bed,” which is available only in the Deluxe digital edition.

To celebrate the release of the new CD, Eric Bibb and the band created a special video EPK about its making that can be viewed bekow:

In the liner notes for The Happiest Man in the World, Eric Bibb talks about how the album came together. “Some years ago, when I was living in Helsinki, I had the good fortune of meeting the Haavisto brothers – Janne, a very groovy drummer, and Olli, a wonderful dobro and pedal steel player. In addition to being fine musicians, both of them are experienced recording engineers. We became friends and began working together on various recording projects. Olli introduced me to Petri Hakala. He not only plays great mandolin & mandola, he also makes his own instruments! We started playing gigs advertised as Eric Bibb and North Country Far. Like most musicians, we began sharing road stories, telling tall tales and name-dropping. At some point I mentioned that a few years back I’d had a chance to tour with Danny Thompson, the legendary bassist. Fast-forward. One day, during a recording session, Olli said, ‘It would be great to make a record with Danny – he’s one of my heroes. Any chance?’

“And it happened - because it was meant to be! We met at The Grange (a residential studio where I’d recorded an album years before) near Norfolk, England. Together, for a few days in the month of July, with veteran sound engineer Dave Williams at the console, we experienced something beautifully friendly and elevating. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

The Happiest Man in the World continues Eric Bibb’s tradition of versatility in expressing his musical craft. His last album, the universally-acclaimed Lead Belly’s Gold, was a tribute to the iconic bluesman that saw Bibb join forces with French harmonica master JJ Milteau for an album of songs recorded at famed Paris jazz club, The Sunset, as well as five new studio recordings.

Eric Bibb’s career spans over five decades, 36 albums, countless radio and TV shows and non-stop tours, making him one of the leading bluesmen of his generation. Bibb tours regularly throughout the world and already has dates booked at both showcase venues and festivals throughout the spring and summer in the USA and Canada.

The Happiest Man in the World – Track Listing

1.      The Happiest Man In The World / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

2.      Toolin’ Down The Road / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

3.      I’ll Farm For You / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

4.      Tossin’ An’ Turnin’ / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

5.      Creole Café / Words & Music by Eric Bibb & Ulrika Pontén Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

6.      Born To Be Your Man / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

7.      Prison Of Time / Words by Eric Bibb & Wendell Berry, Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

8.      King Size Bed / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

9.      On The Porch / Words by Wendell Berry (from The Sabbath Poems 1979-1997 “They Sit Together On The Porch”, 1994), Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

10.  1912 Skiing Disaster (instrumental) / Music by Olli Haavisto & Petri Hakala

11.  Tell Ol’ Bill / Traditional/Arr. by E. Bibb

12.  Wish I Could Hold You Now / Words & Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

13.  Blueberry Boy (instrumental) / Music by Eric Bibb, BMG/Chrysalis

14.  You Really Got Me / Words & Music by Ray Davies, Sony/ATV Songs LLC

15.  (Bonus track: King Size Bed - Instrumental bonus track)

www.ericbibb.net / www.stonyplainrecords.com

Steve Hill - Solo Recordings Volume 3 - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Solo Recordings Volume 3, by Steve Hill and it's quite good! Opening with a Damned, modern take on a JL Hooker style boogie, Steve Hill, a soloist (plays everything), really gets things cranking. With basic drums and bass rhythm, Hill is a super singer and knows how to squeeze the juice out of his guitar on this driving blues rocker. Dangerous leans a little more toward the rock arena but with solid blues roots. This is a track with a catchy melody and powerful guitar riffs making it a natural for the radio. Muddy Waters tracks, Still A Fool and A Rolling Stone are paired together into one stellar blues track. Hill uses this track in a somewhat original form with his own powerful voice and original riffs as a base and then grinds out terrific blues sounds on his electric guitar. Excellent! Quieting things down a bit, Hill delivers Slowly Slipping Away, an acoustic ballad with cleanly picked guitar patterns, harp solo and a nice melody. A strong kick in the pants is Rhythm All Over, a great track with traits of Robert Johnson and Paul Rogers with hot flashy slide guitar work. Great blues rocker! Smoking Hot Machine is a slinky R&B number with great harp tones and a driving drum beat. Hill's natural delivery on this track make it one of the releases super tracks! Troubled Times is an acoustic "folk" track with finely picked acoustic guitar and strong deliberate vocals. Very nice! Emily is a short pop rocker with bright vocals and tight acoustic guitar work. Can't Take It With You is a super track with hard driving bottom and cutting electric guitar riffs. With it's relentless snare attack and short bursts of electric solo, this is a cool track! Back to the hard core blues basis, Rollin' and Tumblin' joined with Stop Breaking Down is a terrific duo. With a drive that is hard to ignore, Hills vocals are compelling and his slide guitar work over rhythm extremely strong. Excellent! On traditional track, Going Down That Road Feeling Bad, Hill takes an acoustic solo as a part of the intro and it is really quite nice. Containing the track in more of a Leo Kottke style and not adding in slide it retains a bit more freshness due to the work of Delaney & Bonnie with Eric Clapton and Duane Allman. Wrapping the release is Walking Grave, a heavy bottomed blues based rocker. This track shows Hill at his most relentless with "wild" freely expressed guitar solos giving the track a real rawness contained withing a nicely polished shell. Excellent closer for an excellent release!



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LowdenProud Records Ltd. artist: Tim Williams - So Low - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, So Low, from Tim Williams and it's a fine acoustic performance. Starting with the intro on Mose Allison's, If You Live, Tim Williams shows an excellent mastery and clarity in his acoustic playing style. With only shoe tapping as percussion, Williams delivers on vocals and runs the fretboard ragged. Very nice. On More Peppers In Your Chili, a rag style blues, Williams immediately has you tapping your own toes to his captivating style. His vocals are concise and bright. Big Bill Broonzy's My Big Money is one of my favorites on the release with a terrific mandolin articulation. Excellent! Anywhere C/O The Blues has a cool acoustic boogie drive with nicely presented slide icing. William's vocals are really solid and spot on. Blind Boy Fuller's Pistol Snapper has a rich, bluesy signature and clean acoustic runs over a rich thumb struck bass. The Witching Hour is a really cool track which nicely displays Williams' clean slide technique. With suspended Robert Johnson like drone notes, this is a really cool track. Traditional track, The Grizzly Bear, has a quick pace and a nice acoustic guitar jangle. Williams carries the track nicely on his own vocals, and his clean acoustic articulation makes the track a pure delight. Johnny Cash's Big River has a really rural country feel with only trace hints to Cash's origins. Excellent slide work on this track really sets it high on the release and the solid writing of Cash and delivery by Williams is a solid score. Midnight After Midnight, a contemporary written but old style blues track shows a pure understanding of authenticity. Williams' guitar work is clean and precise and his vocals real. Wrapping the release is Lightnin', a driving acoustic boogie with a little Hank Jr. twist. This is a really enjoyable release showing smart writing and track selection, solid vocals and clever but authentic guitar styling and performance. Very enjoyable!



  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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Woodstock Records artists: Waydown Wailers - Empty Promises - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Empty Promises, from Waydown Wailers and it has a swampy, rocky, pop sound. Opening with Don't Let Life Pass You By, lead vocalist and guitar player, Dave Parker leads and easy paced country rock track with a bit of cowboy and a bit of the New Riders influence and some nice steel guitar work from Christian "Moe" Parker, backed by Michael Scruffy Scriminger on drums and Connor Pelkey on bass and vocals. With a modified funky rock beat, Jealousy has a melodic, Tom Petty feel with a bit of hip hop delivery. Interesting. Title track, Empty Promises, is the "hit" track for the release with solid vocal hooks, and an arena rock feel. Waydown Blue has a light, breezy rock feel with a jazzy rhythm. Melodic vocals and balanced instrumental backing is the key here. No Time To Waste is a strait forward rocker with an almost Eric Clapton feel complimented by Moe's clean playing. St. Vraine is a cool ballad reminding me quite a bit of Gregg Allman as a solo artist. Nicely written and delivered, this may be my favorite track on the release. Funky guitar riffs set the pace for, She's Gonna Run, with Booker T style organ work by Professor Louie. An extended guitar solo on this track by Moe is actually quite cool. Hawkins' written Susie Q is always a cool track a much more direct guitar attack than on previously issued covers of this track but cool none the less. Still Water has a strong waltz tempo and with appropriate instrumental backing has a real authentic early American feel. I like this track for it's purity. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Whiskey & Cornbread, a real nice rocker to take this release home. With a Canned Heat feel and slide guitar, this track is a super track to wrap the release.



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Texas Blues Rock Guitarist Lance Lopez To Release Electrifying Live Performance From New York City On CD!

Texas Blues Rock Guitarist Lance Lopez To Release Electrifying Live Performance From New York City On CD!

Los Angeles - Texas blues rock king Lance Lopez takes his electrifying guitar virtuoso performance to the Big Apple on this extraordinary live album! This incredible concert album features highlights from Lopez’s most recent album, the critically acclaimed Handmade Music!

“ 'Live In NYC' was recorded on such a powerful night! It was Johnny Winter's 70th Birthday Party at a sold out B.B. King's Blues Club in Times Square...and was filled with a who's who of the blues! I played my heart out for Johnny that night, and was so happy that they were able to capture it on a recording...it's absolutely one of my finest performances I ever did in New York City.” - Lance Lopez

A music professional from the tender age of 14, Lopez cut his teeth with legendary drummer Buddy Miles, who would go on to co-produce Lopez’s debut album in 1999, and has played with virtually every notable blues musician of the 20th century! Lopez's newest project, the blues rock supergroup Supersonic Blues Machine, will release a new album in February with guest appearances by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Eric Gales, Walter Trout, Robben Ford and others!

Track list:

1. Come Back Home

2. Hard Time

3. Get Out And Walk

4. Traveling Riverside Blues

5. Lowdown Ways

6. Tell The Truth

7. El Paso Sugar

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/LanceLopezCD

Download on iTunes: http://flyt.it/LanceLopezDig

Lance Lopez official website: http://www.lancelopeztx.com/

Durstwerks Recordings artist: Bill Durst - Good Good Lovin - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Good Good Lovin, from Bill Durst and it's a great rocker! Opening with title track, Good Good Lovin, Durst plies great Muddy Waters blues riffs with the rockin' sounds of Grand Funk Railroad for a super blues rocker. Stinging rock guitar riffs from Durst punctuate the great opener joined by Joe De Angelis on bass and Corey Thompson on drums. Got Love has an 80's rock sound with heavy kick drum and a solid melody. Durst shows worthy guitar chops with southern guitar influences. 21st Century Blues has a British metal sound reminiscent of Judas Priest but with Wishbone Ash overtones. A solid rocker, the bass is tight, the drums are on and the guitar soars. I'm Alright shows Texas blues rock styling and a super driving riff. If you like the Rev Billy G, you should dig this! Heaven Heaven opens with a cool slide guitar riff and led by a relentless kick drum, setting up a great rocker with a rolling bass line and hot guitar riffs. Very cool! Shuffle track, King Snake Prowl, has a great bass bottom and some of Durst's best vocals. With a lot of swagger and hi gain on the guitar amp, Durst lays down some really nicely stlyed riffs making this my favorite track on the release. What Could Have Been Love is a real sweet slow blues number with nice chord emphasis. A heavy drum / bass turnaround gives this track real oomph and Durst soulful vocals and tasty riffs make this another track with heavy traction! Northern Electric is a great blues rocker with a cool extended bass driven turnaround. Durst sets out a RBG styled guitar and vocal pairing that makes this another favorite for me (Check out sleeper ... XXX if you don't know it). I Regret To Say has a soulful ballad with just the right amount of reverb and 50's styling. Excellent closer!



  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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New Blues Revolution - Hellendale and Back - New release review

I just received the newest release, Hellendale and Back from New Blues Revolution and it's diverse and interesting. Opening with Souls On Fire, lead by Bill Grisolia on lead vocal, joined by Chap Cooper on guitars, Roger Beall on drums and Bob Burns on bass, creates a solitude but heavy track with traces of Jim Morrison, Zack Wilde and Alice Cooper. With the paired drone bass notes, Burns holds the bottom tight and Cooper creates a swirling guitar aura. Whiskey Town retains much of the easy attack darkness of BLS with cleverly woven guitar riffs and subdued rhythms. Black Widow opens up with a cool walking bass line and slick guitar riff. With a lighter attack and a more deliberate rock approach, this track has great dynamics and cool radio appeal. Surf slanted Baby Blue doesn't use any of the classic surf guitar riffs but the feel is there and cleanly stroked bass and guitar lines along with the simple drum lines and brighter vocals give this track more of a poppy feel. Wrapping the release and my favorite track on the release is Sunset Psycho Twang clocking in at over 5 minutes. This track has an airy Jeff Beck (or Pink Floyd if you prefer) feel that builds tension throughout with dynamic, well placed guitar lead over a very staid rhythm. This is a really cool track and a solid finisher for New Blues Revolutions newest effort.



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Jimmy Byron - Transition - New release review

I just received the newest release (April 15, 2016), Transition, from Jimmy Byron and it's quite good. Opening with a classic drum riff tied to The Shangri-Las of the early 60's but with takes a hard turn with traces of the Who, Zappa and Lou Reed. Chris Staig on lead guitar lays out some really outrageous riffs joined by Mitchell Thompson on bass and Josh Hicks on drums. Excellent! It's Sad has a very cool early 60's British rock sound with Byron on vocals and with the addition of David Poulin on strings and Staig's guitar riffs in an almost Mick Ronson style sets a nice tone. Can't Get Ahead has a Buddy Holly/Bo Diddley rockin feel and Byron gets things hopping. Jack Breakfast on piano and Byron on lead vocal and harp give this track a real vintage feel. Title track, Transition, is a good urban rocker with a punky, cocky attitude. With a lot of swagger and Reed style vocals, this track kicks! The Job has a folkier sound with an early Bob Dylan delivery and rural fiddle and guitar instrumentation. Very cool! (You Don't Do) What You Used To is a driving rocker with a slightly off beat rhythm. Again Staig sets up the guitar lines, Dennis Mohammed drives the bass, Breakfast on piano and Hicks carries the drums. Very cool. Lucy is a beautiful ballad with simple lines but strongly reminding me of one of today's best songwriters, Frank Black. Definitely one of my favorites on this release with a lot of good tracks to choose from! Don't Reckon has a cool rock blues feel with an early Jorma/Hot Tuna feel. Cool off beat piano lines, sax riffs by Jim Bish and clever guitar riffs gives this track a different kind of heat. Wrapping the release is Big Bad Wolf, a simple country style rocker with solid vocals and really nice slide work from Burke Carroll . Rhythmic acoustic guitar strumming and light honky tonk piano styling carry this track through to the end of a very fine, versatile release.



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