Bman's Blues Report

ACCLAIMED GUITAR PRODIGY RAY GOREN PERFORMS AT ROOTS & BLUES SHOWCASE IN MEMPHIS DURING IBC WEEK Thurs, Feb. 2 - PURPLE HAZE NIGHT CLUB  - Set Time Approx. 4:00 PM   "Teen Phenom"    -   Pasadena Weekly " Ray Goren is fast becoming the young hot guitar picker to watch in the blues world and beyond " -   San Francisco Chronicle   (Memphis, TN) - Acclaimed SoCal-based guitar prodigy   Ray Goren performs at the Roots & Blues Showcase taking  place at   Purple Haze Night Club   during   2017 International Blues Challenge Week , on Thursday, February 2. Set time: Approximately 4:00 pm. 140 Lt George W. Lee Ave. Info:   (901) 577-1139   or   http://www. purplehazenightclub.com /.    "No one rattles the place like Ray Goren, from the Los Angeles area. He plays electric guitar — and sings — with a fluency, ease and dept...

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Why I Choose To Sing The Blues , from Derrick Procell and it's interesting. Opening with The Wolf Will Howl Again , Derrick Procell has the lead on vocal with Eddie Shaw and also plays keys and harp. Joining on this track are Woody Johnson on guitar, Jack Skalon on drums, and Bobby Levine on guitar. Trouble Me No More has a high energy R&B feel with Bob Baglione laying down some real nice guitar riffs. Bob Margolin sits in on The Eyes Of Mississippi with some slick slide work and some of Procell's best vocals on the release backed by his own fine harp work and keys. Cool. On title track, Why I Choose To Sing The Blues , Procell has a nice soul feel in his vocals and a little funk in the groove handling bass, drums and keys. Very nice. With a cool swing feel, They All Find Out features Zoey Witz with guitar "witzardry" and Procell adds bass and key with horn work over a solid bottom. David Steffen han...

"A gifted native son, Josh Hyde is one of my favorite artists from Louisiana. Funky, atmospheric and soulful, his new album, "The Call of the Night", was a pleasure to work on."  (Sonny Landreth) https://soundcloud.com/user-45065947/sets/josh-hyde-the-call-of-the/s-CTNFD Recorded at the iconic Dockside Studio in Maurice, LA, on the banks of the Vermillion Bayou in the heart of Cajun Country, "The Call of the Night" was produced by Joe V. McMahan (who has helmed projects by Webb Wilder, Mike Farris, Kevin Gordon and Sarah Potenza, among many others). Hyde (guitars & vocals) was joined in the studio by Joe V. McMahan (guitar), Ron Eoff (bass), Jamey Bell (drums), Bryan Owings (percussion) and John Gros (keyboards). Special guests on "The Call of the Night" include Sonny Landreth, Buddy Flett, Tony Daigle, James Westfall and Laura Mayo. From the slippery title track with its indelible image of "a slow heart attack, your smile...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Make Blues Not Wa r, from Mike Zito and it's crazy good! Opening with blues rocker, Highway Mama , this track gives you that take no prisoners attitude with a driving beat courtesy of Tom Hambridge who absolutely blows it up on drums and Tommy MacDonald on bass, Mike Zito on lead vocal and guitar, Rob McNelley on guitar and Water Trout on guitar. Trout plays some really hot riffs and Zito absolutely scorches the strings. Excellent opener. Wasted Time is up next with a great lumbering Texas lope, Zito lays down stuff that would make SRV proud, with intensity and feel. Very nice! Redbird is a heavy footed, rocker with strong vocals. Solid bass lines from MacDonald positively drive this bus and it's rolling hard. Talk about intensity, Crazy Legs has it x 10. This track is on fire and running hard with excellent drum work by Hambridge and super guitar tone. Zito really turns on the heat on this one literally setti...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fistful of Gumption , from Randy McAllister and the Scrappiest Band in the Motherland and it's flavorful. Opening with C'Mon Brothers and Sisters , a southern flavored soul track with a cool rock edge, features McAllister on vocal and drums backed by Rob Dewan on guitar, Maya Van Nuys on fiddle, Matt Higgins on bass and Andrea Wallace on backing vocals. Cool opener. On Time For The Sun To Rise , McAllister's vocals are warm and Dewan's guitar riffs have a magical Mali like sound. A nice violin solo by Van Nuys is really nice and Dewan's guitar soloing is fluid and inviting. Ride To Get Right has a real Cajun flavor with Van Nuys and McAllister (on drums) really putting on the steam. Roll With The Flow has a real nice revival like sound with warm backing vocals by Benita Arterberry-Burns and nice piano work by Carson Wagner. Aggressive rocker, My Stride showcases some real nice Rory Gallagher like s...

  MID-WINTER MUSICAL FUN: MICHAEL HORNBUCKLE, AUSTIN YOUNG BAND PERFORM ALL-AGES CONCERT AT THE ORIENTAL THEATRE   (Denver, CO) - What better way to shed those mid-winter blahs than with some funky, blue-eyed soul, blues, and rock from two of the brightest names on the Denver indie scene - Michael Hornbuckle , and Austin Young - who bring their respective bands for a double-billed show at the venerable Oriental Theatre , 4335 W. 44th St., Friday, January 27. Showtime: 8:00 pm. All ages. $14. Info: (720) 420-0030 or log onto http://www.theorientaltheater.com/. The Michael Hornbuckle Band is fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist, Michael Hornbuckle, who were recently voted "Best Blues Band of 2016" by the Colorado Blues Society. Hornbuckle has just released a critically-lauded new album, Soul Repo . WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING ABOUT MICHAEL HORNBUCKLE'S SOUL REPO "From the first notes of “...

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Back 2 Blues , from Stevie J. Blues and it's a cool mix of funk, blues, soul and R&B. Opening with high stepper, Lil' Mo' Love , Stevie J leads the way on vocal backed by Todd Vaughn on keys, The Jackson Horns, and Kendrick Hart on bass. With a taste of electronica I Ain't Gettin' That has the feel of Junior Wells but modern. Stevie rips loose with some high distortion guitar riffs giving the track just a little more spice. Swinger, Cradle Robber , has a real nice pace and clean tasty guitar riffs under the melody, punched up by the Horns. A nice sax solo by Jessie Primer stands out nicely. Funky soul track, That Party Song , nicely showcases Stevie's vocals with sax work by Micha Brown and backing vocals by Angela Walls. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Lights Out has strong soul and blues roots with strong vocal lead and soulful blues guitar riffs. Good Good has a super nice bass line...

Mouradian, of Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters, Passes Away Jim Mouradian, bassist for Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters since 2000, suffered a massive heart attack and passed away following the band’s show on Saturday night, January 14, at The KATE in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. In addition to being a fantastic bassist who toured an recorded with Ronnie Earl for all those years, Jim Mouradian was an internationally known luthier, who crafted basses for a number of legendary bassist, including Chris Squire of Yes. Ronnie Earl’s management posted the following statement yesterday on Facebook: “ We are devastated to share the passing of our dear brother Jimmy  Jim Mouradian  of a massive heart attack last night following our show at The KATE. Jim was a man we all loved who exuded compassion, joy, faith, and gratitude for every person he met and every note he played. Please keep his wife Michele and his entire family in your prayers. We will update you...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dos , from Richard Cagle & the Voodoo Choir and it's a cool rocker with bite! Opening with driving rocker, Treat Your Daddy Right , Richard Cagle on lead vocal is front and center with Dusty Hill like bass lines from Calvin Hall, stinging guitar riffs from Lee Martin, Randy Walls on keys and Kelley Wright on drums. Love Ya Need Ya has a soothing pace with super bass on bottom and guitar lead is subtle at time and rabid at time. Very cool. With a heavy John Lennon meets Billy Gibbons, meets Robin Trower, Slow Blues oozes out a heavy blues rock feel. Cagle's vocals approach those of Axl on this one but the overall feel of this track is very solid and given the super bottom and nicely appointed guitar work by Martin, this track is one of my favorites. Breaking down Humble Pie style, Messing With the Blues is a basic rocker with guts. Martin definitely shows that he can surf the fretboard and with anchoring by...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dark & Saucy by Misty Blues and is quite cool. Opening with bright shuffle, Next Time Is The Last Time, Gina Coleman is front and center on lead vocal and featuring Matt Berger on guitar and backed by Jason Webster on guitar, Bill Patriquin on bass, Ben Kohn on keys, Jeff Dudziak on guitar, Rob Tatten on drums and Aaron Dean on sax. With solid vocals, grinding guitar work and saucy sax, this is a cool opener. On slow ballad, Will My Blues , Coleman really shines on vocal and Dean hit's square on. With a Latin beat, Kohn To The Bone is a really nice jazzy instrumental featuring nicely paired sax, keys and guitars over a very tight drum bass bottom. Excellent! Island sounds permeate Dirty Laundry Blues featuring gritty vocals by Coleman and David Vittone on Musette Accordion giving the track a New Orleans feel. Yard Work Blooz features Ed Moran upfront and with a firm shuffle rhythm, gets the whole band back...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live from Transylvania , from T he Jimmys and I really like it. Opening with Jacqui Juice , the Jimmys are smoking from the start. With this hot shuffle instrumental, the band members get a chance to blow out the pipes right up front starting with Perry Weber on guitar, followed by Charley Wagner on trumpet, Pete Ross on sax and Jimmy Voegeli on Hammond riding high on the backs of Mauro Magellan on drums and John Wartenweiler on bass. Excellent! Boogie track, I Wonder features Voegeli on lead vocal and the excellent work of Darren Sterud on trombone over an ultra tight band who play together like an oiled machine. Nice! Rocker, You Can't Hurt Me Anymore , has more of a driving beat with strong vocals and solid solos by Weber on guitar and Voegeli on piano. Hell Or Heaven has a much easier sound with stronger radio appeal like a Chicago balance and nicely blended vocals. Another shuffle track with a pop twist, Love...

On March 24, M.C. Records To Release Sonny & Brownie's Last Train By Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi Northport NY – On March 24, M.C. Records will proudly release Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train by the Ambassador of the Blues, Guy Davis and international harmonica sensation Fabrizio Poggi. The deep, acoustic blues sessions took place in Milan Italy and were recorded live in the studio. The result captured the special musical connection that Guy and Fabrizio possess from the years of playing and recording together. The release will be available digitally, on CD and vinyl! The first time Guy has a released a recording on vinyl! Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train marks the 14 th recording by Guy Davis in his storied career and his third with M.C. Records. His first “Juba Dance” was produced by Fabrizio Poggi and also recorded in Italy. Guy Davis explains the concept of the recording, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry we...

Acclaimed Houston Blues Singer Trudy Lynn Signs with Piedmont Talent for Booking Representation Trudy Lynn Just Nominated for a Blues Music Award in Traditional Blues Female Category HOUSTON, TX – Connor Ray Music artist Trudy Lynn, whose latest CD is drawing rave reviews and substantial radio airplay for I’ll Sing the Blues for You , has been signed by Piedmont Talent for booking representation. Trudy was also just announced as a nominee for the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) by the Blues Foundation in Memphis for the upcoming Blues Music Awards in May. “Piedmont Talent is honored to add Blues/Soul legend Trudy Lynn to our roster,” said Piedmont Talent CEO Jay Stollman in making the announcement. “Trudy’s profound talent and acclaimed musical history clearly define her as the ‘real deal’....a standout among the field of Blues vocalists, past and present. Simply put, Trudy Lynn sings the Blues as the Blues deserves to be sung....with heart, soul, p...

Danish/American Singer Nina Massara Clicks Her Heels, Winks And Says WATCH ME With Her US Debut Out On March 3 rd Nina Massara is putting everything she has into a sound she hopes will bring the music she loves to every generation, young and old. Nina has the looks of a retro black and white movie star with a sassy voice that will remind you of modern day belters like Rhiannon Giddens, Victoria Williams, and Valerie June. With a tinge of “I told you so” in her voice, Nina takes on critics and fans with her U.S. debut, Watch Me . This album is set to release on March 3, 2017, on CSP Records, an independent label out of Texas. Label President Jimmy Rogers, who has spearheaded many a blues artist over the past 40 years, was so knocked out by her that he signed her on the spot. “Look out world; Nina Massara is a fantastic new artist!” Jimmy Rogers, CSP Records. Recorded and produced by Morten Wittrock both in Denmark and at Austin’s famous 5th Street ...