Roots Arts Records artist: Andres Roots - Winter - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Winter, from Andres Roots, and it's deep. Opening with Karlova Blues a hill country style blues with snappy drum work and nice slide, Richard Townend has lead vocal and electric guitar with Andres Mikk on drums and Andres Roots on dobro. Winter Blues has a uptempo feel featuring Bert Deivert on vocal and mandolin, Raul Terep on drums and Roots on guitar. Shuffle track, Thanks For Bringing Me Down, features Howard Fishman on vocal and electric guitar, Terep on drums and Roots on guitar. Very cool. Tea For Alex is a really stripped down blues rocker with Terep on drums jamming with Roots on guitar. This is a great jam with some great effects. Tight. Mike Tammepold has the lead on vocal on All In The Cards with Terep on drums, Roots on guitar and Asko-Rome' Altsoo on additional instrumentation. Right out of the Muddy Waters song book, Morganfield Blues, has solid blues roots with Waters guitar riffs by Roots, vocals by Ismo Haavisto on vocal and harp and Peeter Plik on upright bass. Very nice. Get Me Back features James Dalton on vocal, Terep on drums and Roots on slide guitar. Another classic blues form track. Steve Lury has lead vocal and a nice extended harp solo on Spider In My Bed. With solid Chicago roots, Plik on bass, Terep on drums and Roots on guitar this is one of my favorites on the release. With it's Latin influence, Spanish Run, is another instrumental with a cool feel. Featuring Terep on drums and Roots on guitars, this is another of my favorites on the release. With Lorete Medne on lead vocal Solitaire stands out with her interesting voice. Backed by Edgars Galzons on helicon, Terep on drums and percussion and Roots on guitars, this track is soothing. Alligator Blues is a cool blues rocker with fleet slide work by Roots on dobro, Louie Digman on vocal and Mikk on drums. Wrapping the release is Silver Lining, a cool slow blues with Roots laying out some really nice slide work backed by Digman on piano and Terep on drums. This is a terrific track to close a pretty interesting release.



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Busted Flat Records artist: Elliott and the Audio Kings - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release from Elliott and the Audio Kings and its a smoker! Opening with What they say about you..., Mike Elliott leads the way on guitar, vocal and harp. Backed by Jonny Sauder on drums and Scott Fitzpatrick on bass and these guy have the place really hopping. Elliott has terrific boogie woogie rock guitar styling and is not bashful to throw down some riffs. Excellent! On One Of A Kind I really groove on Elliott's guitar tone with is warm and fat. With double stop rhythm/lead, this track is super. The recording quality of the track is really clean, allowing the tone of Fitzpatrick's stand up bass to come through. With a rockabilly strut, What Tomorrow Brings, slinks along like an alley cat. Come On Home has a really cool drum beat with a central American rhythm. With creamy guitar rhythm tone and backing vocals by Sauder and Fitzpatrick and fanned guitar riffs, this track gets down. Easier Said Than Done is low slung and the saturation on the guitar amp is great. With a cool boogie rocking feel, this cut cruises. Elliott's harp opens No Need To be Alone and the band is tight. Snappy drums, thumping bass, fat guitar and bluesy harp... oh yeah. Toe tapper, Another Day, Another Dollar has a great feel. With an extended guitar solo and that thumping bass, this track rules. Jealous Kind has a really cool lope, Texas style. The closest thing to SRV that you would find on this release has it's own style but in Stevie's neighborhood. Excellent! Down and dirty, Friday Night, plays it low and slow but digs in for some electrifying guitar riffs. Very nice! With a New Orleans stumble, I Don't Want To Work has a snappy military style drum beat and Bo Diddley guitar. Elliott winds the guitar out on this one and these guys are really rockin! Wrapping the release is I Know with a cool Latin beat. With it's rock edge, this is a terrific track to wrap a really super 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”

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Interview with the dynamic Rockin’ Johnny Burgin

Bman: Hi Johnny, Haven’t seen you in a while. I'm really sorry that I missed your show in Phoenix. I was in Europe and just got back. One show I really wanted to see. How did it go?

RJB: I had a great show in Phoenix. "Bob Corritore and " Dave Riley sat in.  I had a great bassist from Alburquerque, J.D. Sipe, and Brian Fahey from The Paladains on drums.  I hadn't played with him since a tour in Europe three or so years ago with Mud Morganfield and Taildragger.

Bman: Wow. That must have been a great show! Damn. I really wanted to see you. Are you coming back again this year?

RJB: I hope to be back in October.

Bman: Great! I should be  good then. I don't think I have anything planned for October. Last I heard you were in Europe with Aki Kumar . I love Europe. How did the tour go? Where were you?

RJB: I left for Europe on Halloween, and got back at Christmas.  The first two weeks of the tour were with Aki Kumar and our West Coast Meets Chicago project.  We hit Sweden (w/ Trickbag ), the Netherlands, and the Bay Car Blues Festival in France and some FR club dates.  Then Aki went home, and I went to Finland, Italy and Spain.   

Bman:  So you’ve been back on US soil for a while. What have you been up to? Still touring or in the studio?

RJB: In January, I was in the Bay area the whole time.  I played New Year's Eve with Nick Gravenites and long time Elvin Bishop drummer Gary Silva on drums. That was fun.  In January, I cut material for a new Rockin Johnny Burgin CD, Neoprene Fedora .
 

It'll be out by March 15.  I had Nancy Wright on it, Vance Ehlers, June Core (the rhythm section on Greaseland), not to mention 3 zydeco songs I wrote with Billy Williams on rub board and Steve Willis (plays w Elvin) on accordion.  Kid Andersen and Bob Welsh played guitars and pianos, and Aki was on it as well.  He did two songs on vocal, and Alabama Mike did two songs I wrote.  Out of 16 tunes, I did three covers, a Johnny Littlejohn song, an LV Banks song, and a Little Joe Blue Song.  And Aki did a song by Willie Williams, which makes 12 originals-- that's a record.

Bman: Outstanding! I love the stuff that comes out of Greaseland and that lineup is top notch. I'm looking forward to see what you came up with. I also heard that you caught up with Quique Gomez in Spain. Outstanding! I'm really looking forward to hearing it.

RJB: Quique is a good friend, I've worked with him in Spain and America many, many times.  When Aki went home I caught up with him. I cut a cd's worth of stuff with Quique  in Toledo.  It'll come out in the summer. I'm glad we finally did a cd together. 

Bman: Weren’t you also in session with Mike Mettalia?

RJB: Yes, I've known Mike since the Smoke Daddy days in the 90s.  He wanted to do some sessions with Little Jerry Jones, Mary Lane, and Milwaukee Slim (and me!) so I acted as a liaison.  We've done some nice shows together over the years.  He's really keeping the blues alive in my book! 

Bman:  I really need to check that out! What else have you got cooking as if that isn’t enough?

RJB: Right now I'm doing a three month tour that started in San Jose, then went to Phoenix, Alburquerque, Dallas, it's going to  Houston, Clarksdale, Springfield, Chicago, Minneapolis, Toronto, France, Russia, then flying back to Chicago and driving back to SF doing gigs in NE and Utah.   Doing a session with Jeremy Johnson in Minneapolis in March, he's a great engineer (he did RJ Mischo's latest cd) drummer and guitarist.  I've always wanted to record with him.
Also doing a session on this trip with Sugar Brown (Ken Kawashima) in Toronto.  We're old college buddies and started out together with Taildragger.  He's a great player and songwriter.  

Bman: Yeah, I like Sugar Brown's work. Lot of talent there.

RJB: I am doing a tour in Sweden in May with Aki and Trickbag.  I'm doing the 10th anniversary Blues Fest after party at Reggie's with special guests TBA in Chicago in June.  Also I'm playing the Bluesfest with Mary Lane.  Playing King Biscuit with Taildragger in October  and I'll be touring a lot to promote Neoprene Fedora , as well and my release wtih Quique when it comes out.

Bman: Man. You are a busy guy. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Now I got to get some CD's and sit back and enjoy!

RJB: Thanks a lot Bman

  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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Eight O'Five Jive - Swing Set - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Swing Set, from Eight O'Five Jive and it's a swinger. Opening with Make Mine A Double, lead vocalist Lee Shropshire has the house rockin with the strong support of Andy Scheinman on guitar, Patrick Mosser on sax, Bill Bois on bass and Duane Spencer on drums. With a more casual style, Lee gets full vocal backing by the band on Ragged and Andy twists in a stylistic solo leading to a rich solo by Patrick. Get Away is a real hot footer with smoking riffs by Andy and Patrick. Very cool. Backing off a bit, Put It Back, has a smooth Louis Jordan kind of feel with warm sax work under Lee's vocals. One More Glass Of Wine has a real nice jazz club pace with smart solo's by Andy and Patrick. Very nice. Another smoker, Ridu Green's My Mumblin' Baby is a great track with hot sax work by Patrick and again hot licks by Andy...possibly my favorite track on the release. Cool swinger, A Little Bit of Bourbon, is a great closer and totally in the spirit of this music. This band really has the feel of the era and creates a sense of being in the time. Very nice set.



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John Richard - Lost In Dublin - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lost In Dublin, from John Richard and it is quite uniquely cool! Opening with country flavored rocker, I Fall Apart, John Richard steps up to the mic and belts out vocals that sound amazingly like Jack Bruce. Backed by Jordan Murphy on drums, Charlie Phillips on bass, and Christien Belliveau on steel and acoustic guitars, this vocalist really hits it square. I also gotta say, Carter Chaplin on lead vocal does a terrific job with stellar lead work with unique phrasing and hints of Jimmy Page. Excellent! On Some Things Never Get Paid, Richard's vocals are somewhat distorted creating a cool aesthetic. A very simple rhythm pattern is laid out by Mike Trask on drums, Mark Doucet on bass and Belliveau on keys and a frantic guitar solo by Trask sets this track apart. Soulful ballad, Volumes of Beautiful Words, has a really nice melody and cool sonic pedal guitar effects by Belliveau. R&B track, Can't Help It is the tallest track for radio play. With it's catchy melody and simple instrumentation, it's sure fire. R&B style track, I Wish You'd Come With Me, is a real nice showcase for Richard's voice. Tight instrumentation and solid melody, this could be a 60's hit. Very nice. Black Church is an interesting track with traces of 60's detective/surf soundtracks with cool tom tom work by Colby Jardine and cool guitar work by Keith Hallett. Wrapping the release is soulful ballad, All The Proof I Need, featuring Richard accompanying himself on highly reverbed guitar with only Belliveau on bass as backup. A nice closer for a strong 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”

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Ayla Rose's cover of Tracy Chapman's hit song "Gimme One Reason".

Check out 16-year old Ayla Rose's cover of Tracy Chapman's hit song "Gimme One Reason". She's joined on the single by a great cast of musicians on the tune; Peter Bell (Bonnie Raitt) produced it while Dave Mattacks (Elton John, Fairport Convention) plays drums, Kevin Barry (Roseanne Cash) plays guitar.

Listen Here

  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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TreatedandReleased Records artist: Reverend Freakchild - Preachin' Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Preachin' Blues, from Reverend Freakchild and he shows his knowledge of country style blues. Opening with Breathing Blues an instrumental track, the Rev accompanies his harp playing with resonator. Cool. Blind Lemon Jefferson's See That My Grave Is Kept Clean has a rowdy, hooping singing style with pure resonator rhythm and harmonica. Nice job. In My Time Of Dyin' gets an upbeat rocking kind of feel with loose harmonica ride over nice acoustic resonator picking. Son House's Preachin' Blues keeps a lot of House's original arrangement with a more modern attack on slide resonator. Son House is one of my favorite players and I think that the Rev has paid a nice tribute here. All I Got Is Now maintains it's clever hook and with a rock rhythm on guitar, the Rev brings his own personal blues styling. I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down maintains original arrangement and is detailed nicely by The Rev. Nice slide and nice vocals. Rev Gary Davis' It's Gonna Be Alright has a softer, more contemporary feel with resonator and harp accompaniment. Wrapping the release is Son House's Grinnin' In Your Face, another of my favorites. The Rev performs this totally acapella to the handclaps of the audience. This is a cool release, low key and natural.

  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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Rose Cottage Records artist: Peter Karp - Alabama Town - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Alabama Town, from Peter Karp and it's rich with texture. Opening with title track, Alabama Town, Peter Karp takes the lead on vocal and guitar, joined by Daniel Pagdon on bass, Mike Catapano on drums, and John Zarra on mandolin. A solid rocker and opener. With a driving swing, Till You Get Home, has great feel. Karp's vocals are crisp and Mike Latrell's piano work is smart. On That's How I Like It, a modern blueser the guitar tones are fat and rich joined by Dennis Gruenling on harp. Very cool. Shuffle track, Blues In Mind features real cool piano work and key backing vocals by Dae Bennett, Joanie Coleman, Kesha Love, Toni Summler and Elliot. On bluesy ballad, I'm Not Giving Up, Karp sings soulfully over arpeggiated guitar chords. Warm gospel like choral backing and stinging guitar soloing by Mick Taylor makes this one of my favorites on the release. The Prophet has a stripped down blues form featuring Karp on resonator, James Karp on guitar, Gruenling on harp and cool stagger drumming making this another of the standout tracks on the release. Leanne Westover sits in on Kiss The Bride performing a duet with Karp for a track with real country flavor, highlighted by Zarra's mandolin work. Very nice. Lost Highway has a real nice New Orleans rhythm with smooth vocal blending. Y'All Be Lookin' has a cool boogie beat and karp's vocal phrasing is spot on. Aggressive guitar tone on this track and a cool walking bass line makes this another of my favorites. Garth Hudson adds his distinctive accordion styling to cool, acoustic ballad, I Walk Alone. Wrapping the release is Beautiful Girl, an easy going acoustic blues featuring sweet harp lines by Gruenling and Karp accompanying himself on guitar. Very nice closer for a solid new 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”

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Smokin' Sleddog Records artist: John Latini - The Blues Just Makes me Feel Good - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Just Makes Me Feel Good, by John Latini and he gives his music his own flavor. Opening with Black-Eyed Blues, Latini, who sings and plays guitar is joined by Nolan Mendenhall on bass, Brian Roscoe White on guitars and Todd Glass on drums as well as Jamie-Sue Seal and Greg C Brown on backing vocal, Ross Huff on trumpet, Tim Haldeman on sax and Bethanni Grecynski on trombone. Lord Made Me A Weak Man has just a touch of R&B with a nice organ solo by Neil Donato and a laid back solo by Latini. Blues shuffle, Three AM, has a real nice feel with rugged vocals and cool slide soloing. Woodchuck Blues has a taste of country with a bit of a CCR sound. Very cool. Funky, Pull Me Up has a really nice groove. Hot country blues flavored guitar soloing and the horn section, coupled with the vocal blends make this one of my release favorites. Title track, The Blues Just Makes Me Feel Good is another of my favorites on the release with a New Orleans style and jazzy flavored guitar work over horn backing. Very nice! Hot stepping, Gotta Have My Babies is deliberate with nice horn punctuation and lower fret soloing. Hard Walkin' Woman has a distinct Jimmy Reed sound with a solid bottom and nice vocals. Low slung guitar soloing and warm horn work fits this track to a tee. Easy paced, country blues track, I Will be Haunting You, has great presence and solid guitar accompaniment. This is a really nice conclusion to a solid 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”

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The Lucas Haneman Express - Tearing Up The Rails - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tearing Up The Rails, from The Lucas Haneman Express, and I quite like it. Opening with The Verdict, a poppy track with blues roots, Lucas Haneman fronts the band on lead vocal and guitar. He is firmly supported by Jeff Asselin on drums, Megan Laurence on backing vocal and Martin Newman on bass. Guest artist, Steve Marriner rips loose with a nice harp solo leading into a double time rip by Haneman on guitar and close. Give Me Life is a quick paced radio track with a snappy beat, vocal harmonies and some real nice guitar riffs. Calling the Blame has a real catchy melody and an infectious rhythm. Haneman shows his more jazzy side with some real nice guitar riffs on this track. Marriner is back on Run To You blowing some particularly bluesy harp riffs. With it's Howlin' Wolf basis, stinging guitar riffs and a dramatic delivery, this is one of my favorites on the release. Blind Man's Blues has the structure of a Blind Willie McTell or Elmore James tune but written in modern style. It's interesting to hear a totally modern interpretation of delta blues. Very cool. That's The Truth is a soulful ballad with strong blues overtones. Megan shines on lead vocal on this track and in duet with Lucas who takes a smoking guitar solo on this track punctuating it nicely. An unexpected cover of Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride takes away the 70's edgy back beat and instead replaces it with a power pop rock beat but not without Haneman ripping a real nice guitar solo. Interesting. Wrapping the release is Working Band, a driving rocker with Newman on bass and Haneman on electric guitar trading riffs. Creating quite a bit of steam, Jesse Whiteley steps in on organ fanning the flames for a real nice close of a strong 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”

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Forty Below Records Set to Release John Mayall's "Talk About That Album" on Vinyl February 17

Forty Below Records Set to Release John Mayall’s Talk About That Album on Vinyl February 17

Vinyl Package to Include Free Download Card

LOS ANGELES, CA – Forty Below Records announces a February 17 release date for the vinyl edition of iconic musician and Blues Hall of Fame member John Mayall’s latest album, Talk About That. Originally released on CD January 27, the vinyl version will also include a free download card.

Joining Mayall (vocals, keyboards, harmonica and guitar) and Greg Rzab (bass), Jay Davenport (drums) and Rocky Athas (guitar) as special guest is legendary guitarist Joe Walsh, who plays on two tracks, “The Devil Must Be Laughing” and “Cards on the Table,” both John Mayall compositions.

John Mayall will begin a lengthy European tour in early February. His most-recent American dates included several days onboard the “Legends Cruise,” and featured an exciting special guest appearance from another legend – Todd Rundgren – who jammed on guitar with John and the band on the Otis Rush classic, “All Your Love.”

Talk About That is drawing rave reviews from the press and extensive radio airplay. “…Mayall continues to work tirelessly to spread the blues gospel…the 11 tracks offer a master class in contemporary blues, topped off with a helping of Mayall’s trademark lyrical wit and even a guest appearance by Joe Walsh” -  People.com.

“Talk About That ranks with the best. Some may talk about that statement all day, but in the end, it’s true. Everything that defines a great album is here. Mayall wrote some songs that matter, and interspersed three smart covers. His quartet, aided by a trio of brass as needed, smokes every one with remarkable potency.” – Elmore Magazine

Watch a special musicUcansee.com video of the making of Talk about That

Produced by John Mayall (who also designed the album package) and Forty Below Records president Eric Corne (who also engineered and mixed), Talk about That was recorded at House of Blues Studio in Encino, California, and contains 11 tracks: eight originals, plus covers from Memphis soul music songwriter Bettye Crutcher (“It’s Hard Going Up”), blues great Jimmy Rogers (“Goin’ Away Baby”) and rock singer/songwriter Jerry Lynn Williams (“Don’t Deny Me”). The album also showcases a three-piece horn section that adds extra punch on several tracks, including the infectious New Orleans-flavored “Gimme Some of that Gumbo.”

“When I first had the idea for the title track, ‘Talk about That,’ I wanted to write lyrics that were about aspects of life that were running through my head,” John Mayall recalled. “I also wanted to give the song a modern groove that would convey the fun mood driving the piece.  Greg and Jay laid down a really infectious rhythm for me to feature my keyboard chops and bring the song to life with a really funky feel driving it.”

Throughout his career, John Mayall has always written timely songs that reflect what he sees going on in the world around him, whether it’s war, poverty, social injustice or personal introspection. Such is the case with “The Devil Must Be Laughing,” which deals with the current political and world climate. And that incentive also brought him in touch with Joe Walsh, who contributes some percolating guitar work that melds perfectly with the song’s theme.

“A day before we recorded ‘The Devil Must Be Laughing,’ we got a message through the studio owner that Joe Walsh wanted to come by and possibly play on a track or two as a guest,” Mayall said. “Who was I to say no to that idea!  So, Joe turned up at noon on the appointed day and with only a quick listen, plugged in and we did the song in one take.  The second song closely followed, and with a smile and a quick photo, Joe was done and on his way.  What a kick for all of us that day!”

For Joe Walsh, playing on a session with one of his musical heroes held a special place. “It has been a bucket-list item since 1970 to play with John Mayall,” Walsh said. “John had a run of GREAT British guitarists (one after another) with his ‘Bluesbreakers’ albums, and that’s how many of us in the States became aware of them.  Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor - I studied them all for hours and became a much better guitarist as a result. The albums were legendary stuff and I have wanted to work with John for years and years, wondering what it would be like.

“Finally got the chance - and he was the complete gentleman and fine, fine musician I had always hoped he would be. When you meet a hero who helped shape your career – it’s a wonderful feeling to find they’re even cooler than you always thought they were.”

 

For more information, visit www.johnmayall.com and www.fortybelowrecords.com

Rising Blues Rock Artist Advanced Way Beyond Her Years on the Connor Ray Music Label, recorded at Red Shack Recording Studio Houston

The Real Deal at Seventeen The level of feeling that a seventeen year old artist can bring to the stage can be simply amazing. As their performance begins your mind isn't fully grasping what you are seeing and hearing on stage. You notice a level of established comfort that radiates from the young performer.  The mind can easily form an early opinion that it’s just another novelty act because it rationalizes the question, "How could anyone be deeply in tune with the blues at just seventeen?"  Then as the show progresses it happens, the age factor simply erodes, it goes completely away.  Obviously, it would be one thing for the  young performer to bust an axe with perfection at seventeen but it's quite another when they already possess the stage presence of the relaxed, older blues artist.  It’s a very cool experience to witness as it backs up the age old adage that the blues is a feeling and of course that feeling can reside in anyone, at any age. Overall, it is this set of combined abilities which are possessed by both young and older artists alike that allows them to present the blues in a mind blowing, magnificent way.  Ally Venable is a seventeen year old female blues rock artist who possesses these abilities.  She immediately transforms her audiences from being in that initial curiosity phase into the "this is way cool" phase.  Festival talent buyers are noticing Ally and she continues to perform at such notable events as The T Bone Walker Blues Festival in Longview, Texas and the Mud Bug Festival in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Ally Venable is a young blues rocker that is following the original footsteps of her female contemporaries and may well be the rising star on the horizon.  Ally Venable, simply amazing! The inspired, natural on stage presence of the Ally Venable experience Watch Ally include a very young fan from the audience at this performance Check it out - just click on the arrow below Click to Follow The Ally Venable Band on Facebook Learn More at The Ally Venable Band Official Website Quick Click to Listen to Ally perform "Too Much Too Soon" Talent Buyers Please Dial (832) 916-7716 Currently Booking 2017 Steve Krase, President, Connor Ray Music, "From the moment I saw Ally perform I knew I wanted to sign her.  This is an amazing talent that will indeed reach amazing heights as her career continues to unfold."

'Tearing Up The Rails' by Lucas Haneman Express

New release from Ottawa's Lucas Haneman Express available on CD Baby & iTunes

With clever, poignant lyrics, upbeat, modern blues and haunting ballads, Lucas Haneman Express have joined the ranks in a long line of exceptional bands from the Ottawa, Ontario area with their sophomore release Tearing Up The Rails.  This remarkable group is comprised of Lucas Haneman as the primary songwriter, guitarist and vocalist, along with Jeff Asselin on drums, Martin Newman on bass and vocals and Megan Laurence adding her angelic yet powerful vocals to the 14-track recording. Showing a deep and rejuvenating connection to the blues tradition, with gritty, passionate high energy material, Tearing Up The Rails runs from funky and upbeat songs such as The Verdict, Calling The Blame, Take Two, Firestorm, Scrabble, and Working Band to the beautiful, soft and subdued Waiting At Your Door (featuring delicate organ work by guest Jesse Whiteley), Storybook Love, and Love Shine.  Three of the songs on Tearing Up The Rails were recorded at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis including Give Me Life, Blind Man’s Blues - where Haneman muses autobiographically about his life as a visually impaired musician - and the seductive That’s The Truth.  The two cover songs on the album prove The Lucas Haneman Express have mastered creativity and ingenuity with their bluesy interpretations of Bryan Adams’ Run to You (with Steve Marriner of MonkeyJunk on harmonica) and Steppenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride. Lucas Haneman Express is a fresh and funky powerhouse band whose sound is drenched in blistering musical interplay, gripping guitar solos and solid backbeats.  Tearing Up The Rails is sure to become an instant favourite for music fans everywhere.  Tearing Up The Rails Track List 1.The Verdict 4:23 2.Give Me Life 4:32 3.Calling The Blame 4:06 4.Waiting At Your Door 4:58 5.Run To You 5:00 6.Take Two 6:05 7.Blind Man’s Blues 4:28 8.Firestorm 3:49 9.Storybook Love 5:57 10. Love Shine 3:43 11. Scrabble 5:11 12. That’s The Truth 5:17 13. Magic Carpet Ride 4:12 14. Working Band 4:07   www.lhexpress.ca  View the new video for "The Verdict"

Alan Lomax's man-on-the-street interviews the day after Pearl Harbor featured in Smithsonian program

Howlin' Wuelf Media

The Smithsonian Channel announced the debut of "The Lost Tapes: Pearl Harbor," a look at the historic attack on United States military forces that brought the country into World War II. This program uses a wealth of original audio and film sources, much of it never available to the public before including folklorist Alan Lomax's man-on-the-street interviews the day after the attack. These particular interviews have not been featured in any other documentary, although other ones from Lomax are online. The Smithsonian's site says: "President Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, 'a date which will live in infamy,' a quote that would become one of the most famous in American history. In fact, the attack on Pearl Harbor inspired several powerful public statements, but many of them have never been heard before, until now. Take an unprecedented look at this tragic day entirely through news reports, public statements, recently declassified documents, and footage recorded in the days before, during, and after the event that shook the world." http://www.culturalequity.org/ http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/the-lost-tapes/pearl-harbor/1004513/3437438

Luca Burgalassi - Windward - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Windward, from Luca Burgalassi and it's soothing and nicely styled. Opening with title track, Windward, Burgalassi leads the way on vocal and acoustic guitar with a smooth blend of backing vocals and instrumentation sounding a bit like James Taylor or an early Crosby /Nash composition. Nice start. With it's calypso rhythm, The Turn is next with a cool bass rhythm by Giacomo Bertaccini and solid percussion by Gianni Apicella. Next up with a smooth boss nova pace on Fields of Innocence, Matteo Fusaro adds clean piano as the track just glides on a cloud. The Sweetest Blues is one of my favorites with nice melodic turns and slick, blues fused guitar riffs and nicely melded vocal harmonies.  Don't Waste Your Time has the strongest radio style melody, complimented by additional harp work and nicely articulated acoustic guitar riffs by Burgalassi. On Down On Me, the band gets a really nice jazzy feel with a serious bass groove by Daniele Nannini. Solid vocal harmonies and well placed guitar riffs throughout this release really give it a special life. Wrapping the release is Winter Lady, another jazzy track but with the addition of banjo and steel guitar by Burgalassi giving it a euro country feel. This is a very nice closer to a very solid release.

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Ollie Vee - Into The Dark New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Into The Dark, by Ollie Vee and it's quite outstanding! Opening with To Hell With Your Grey Eyes, lead singer and guitarist, Jesse Adamson leads you on a  euphoric journey. Joined by lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Johnny Vassos who's work is impeccable, Howard Linscott on bass and backing vocals and Adam Perzia on drums, these guys really have it going with a retro country western feel. Excellent opener! Feeling Bad continues in the same vein but with a light taste that reminds me of Frank Black and the Catholics. Very nice. The Filthy Streets has a Bo Diddley beat enhanced by strong bass work by Linscott and cool slide work by Vassos. It's Hot is a great title for this track which runs like it's tail is on fire. With a country western flair and a train feel, this track hits it rocking. Stinging guitar riffs by Vassos and stomping drum work by Perzia is tight. Into The Dark is a beautiful track with nicely blended vocals and lush guitar work giving you the sense of a Roy Orbison but with vocals more to my personal taste. Atmospheric guitar work under straight forward and simple lead work sets a really nice pace. Excellent! Isabel (The Mexican) falls back into a more traditional country western format. I love the rugged guitar undertone and the simple lead melody. Very nice! With a conventional country western beat On A Town Called Low, Adamson takes this band to cool retro country western place and I really like it. Solid vocals, a super melody and tight rhythm give this song radio charisma.  Double step One Track Mind is a great country rocker with a super bass/drum bottom. Adamson delivers nicely on vocal and backing vocals are clean giving this track just the right touch. Baby Blue is a tight little country rocker with a definite 50's early rockabilly feel. Wrapping the release is a different take on the Talking Heads, Psycho Killer. Keeping the vocal inflections of David Byrne is the most obvious hints to the tracks origins with it's country western handling. This is a really nice set and gets a mighty yahoo! Check it out!

  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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