Lazyeye - Pocket The Black - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pocket the Black, by Lazyeye and it's cool. Opening with Keepin' From Lovin', a Latin influenced blues rocker, Evan Whetter on vocal and organ lead the way with smart guitar riffs by Erica Graf and snappy drumming by Mario Marino. Title track, Pocket The Black, has a smooth shuffle pace with a cool blues riffs by Graf. It's cool to hear beefy organ work by Whetter which gives the band it's own signature. On Texas style shuffle, Back The Way They Came, Graf really digs in on the strings blowing your hair back and Whetter's vocals are smooth and well balanced with his organ work. Sassy, Mucho Jalaoeno, has a cool 60's retro Latina beat. With Whetter and Graf playing together on the melody,and Marino creating the back beat this track is hot. Whetter takes the first run with a flowing derivative of the melody on keys. Graf gets the second shot and parlays it into a really nice showcase for her style. Shack O' Mine has a distinctive rhythm pattern, say Bo Diddley beat with each player getting their shot at fronting the band. Very cool piece to get the crowd revved up.  Winding out a smooth slow blues, Graf and Whetter grind out the blues in technicolor. With rich guitar riffs and warm organ soloing, this track really hits the spot. One clean blues rocker, Treat Your Lover Right is straight up with a simple basic blues vamp on guitar, brushes on drum and Whetter blowing a nice harp. Wrapping the release is Swing For Marz, a cool, jazz based boogie. With Whetter leading the way with adventurous organ work and tight bottom by Marino this track sings. Graf gets her shot to plug in her own jazzy riffs and does so like a pro, stamped nicely by strong drum work by Marino. Strong closer to a cool 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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Gospel Blues Phenom LEO BUD WELCH Leads An Old Fashioned Blues Revival On His New Concert CD/DVD LIVE AT THE IRIDIUM!

Gospel Blues Phenom LEO BUD WELCH Leads An Old Fashioned Blues Revival 

On His New Concert CD/DVD LIVE AT THE IRIDIUM!

Los Angeles, CA - He’s 85 years young and just getting started! Mississippi bluesman Leo Bud Welch has been playing and preaching real deal gospel blues music since he first picked up a guitar in 1945, but he remained on the outskirts of the profession music industry known only to friends, family, and a handful of elder blues statesmen. That is, until Welch signed his very first recording contract at the ripe old age of 81! It’s a remarkable story that is now the subject of a full-length documentary film called Late Blossom Blues currently screening at film festivals around the world.

Since the release of his debut album Saboulga Voices in 2014 and the follow-up I Don’t Prefer No Blues in 2015, Welch has completely taken the blues world by storm, and now he offers his very first live concert album recorded at NY’s prestigious club The Iridium! Live At The Iridium takes audiences on a journey through 6+ decades of blues music as Welch performs a mix of traditional songs, standards, and Welch’s own compositions highlighted by “Praise His Name,” “Got My Mojo Working,” “Don’t Let The Devil Ride,” “Good Morning, Little School Girl” and more! The DVD portion was directed by veteran documentary filmmaker Wes Orshoski, creator of feature length films on UK punk legends The Damned and the late great Lemmy of Motörhead, and includes bonus interviews and a video biography of Welch.

Look for Live At The Iridium in a special CD/DVD jewel case package starting March 31!

Track List:

CD/DVD

1. Praise His Name

2. Still A Fool

3. Got My Mojo Working

4. Five Long Years

5. No More Doggin’

6. Woke Up This Morning

7. My Babe

8. Sweet Little Angel

9. Cadillac Baby

10. Po’ Boy

11. You Don’t Have To Go

12. Pepticon

13. Don’t Let The Devil Ride

14. Rollin’ & Tumblin’

15. Good Morning, Little School Girl

16. Walkin’ The Floor Over You

17. Me And My Lord

Buy the CD/DVD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/leo-bud-welch-live-at-the-iridium-cd-dvd/

Buy the digital version: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/live-at-the-iridium/id1211024992?app=itunes&at=1000lt9k

Blues Harmonica Ace Steve Krase Sets April 21 Release Date for New CD, "Should've Seen It Coming," on Connor Ray Music

Blues Harmonica Ace Steve Krase Sets April 21 Release Date for New CD, Should’ve Seen It Coming, on Connor Ray Music

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Blues harmonica ace Steve Krase announces an April 21 release date for his latest album on Connor Ray Music, Should’ve Seen It Coming, which includes special guest appearances from label mates Trudy Lynn, Mark May and Bob Lanza. Krase will celebrate with several Houston CD release shows, including Friday, March 24 at The Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club (www.thebigeasyblues.com) and Saturday, March 25 at Martini’s Blu Café (www.martiniblu1.com). Steve will also perform at the “Houston Has Hart” show on Sunday, March 26 (4-8 PM), at Rockefeller’s, a benefit for the Blues Foundation’s Hart Fund that provides health services and more for blues musicians nationwide. Several other Houston area blues artists will perform as well, along with special guests and a silent auction.

Steve Krase is well-known as the harmonica player behind Trudy Lynn’s three incredible blues albums on Connor Ray Music. To those in the know, Krase is a powerhouse in his own right as a performer, whose high energy shows are legendary around the Houston scene. Krase has been recognized in multiple categories over the years by the esteemed Houston Press Music Awards in several categories, and most recently -and perhaps most suitably - in 2016 as “Best Player.” Steve was also a semi-finalist at the recent 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Should’ve Seen It Coming is Krase’s 4^th for Connor Ray Music and follows his acclaimed 2014 release, Buckle Up. It includes five original tunes by Steve and his cohorts, including his brother David, bassist and co-producer Rock Romano and the late Jerry Lightfoot, who was an early mentor to Steve. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Krase spent 10 years with Lightfoot’s “Essential Band” providing harmonica on three of Lightfoot’s releases.

“As always I try to make a fun record that people want to turn up loud at a party or crank it on the car radio on a long road trip,” Krase says. “I was honored to be able to include great Connor Ray Music artists Trudy Lynn, Mark May and Bob Lanza on this CD.”

Among the unique covers on Should’ve Seen It Coming are Steve’s takes on music from Willie Dixon “(Crazy for My Baby”), Fats Domino (“Let the Four Winds Blow”), and Clarence “Frogman” Henry (“Troubles, Troubles”).

“The majority of this CD was recorded live over two nights at the Red Shack in Houston,” states Krase. “I was lucky enough to be able to include a couple of my Connor Ray Music label mates on this release, Trudy Lynn, Mark May and Bob Lanza.” \

Steve Krase expands on the song list for Should’ve Seen It Coming: “ ‘Brand New Thang’ is a groovy song written by ‘Dr. Rockit’ Rock Romano that Mark May just owns on guitar! On ‘Crazy for my Baby,’ we loved Charlie Musselwhite’s interpretation and decided to add elements of the Little Walter and Willie Dixon versions to it. For ‘Let the Four Winds Blow’ - I’ve always loved Fats Domino, it was a just matter of deciding which song. ‘The World’s Still in a Tangle’ is a takeoff of the Jimmie Rogers original – the message being turn off the news!!  ‘Shot of Rhythm and Blues’ is a Rock Romano favorite that I was lucky enough to catch Bob Lanza while he was in town to add the killer guitar leads. Wee Willie Waynes’ ‘Travelin’ Mood’ is an oldie but goodie. ‘Troubles Troubles’ is a great tune by Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry that Randy and I just rock out on. ‘Make You Love Me Baby’ was a staple of Jerry Lightfoot’s live performances, ‘Foots’ taught me everything I know about this music and I try to pay tribute when I can, including here, which is also a nod to another inspiration, the late James Cotton.  The Junior Parker version of ‘Way Back Home’ was introduced to me by my dear fiend Trudy Lynn, who sings background vocals on three of the album’s tracks. She wanted me to play something mellow... sorry, Trudy! ’Should’ve Seen It Coming’ and ‘Repo Man’ are another couple of songs from my brother David representing fictional crazy characters. I like to think of ‘Repo Man’ as a blues song for 2017, as ‘Back Door Man’ is no longer the biggest badass on the block! The two bonus tracks included on the disc are explicit versions of the title track and ‘Repo Man’.”

“Steve Krase’s music is no holds barred and his songs are meant to be listened to loud.” – Blues Blast Magazine

“Turn it Up!” – Steve Krase

James Cotton has passed - My thoughts are with his family

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — James Cotton, a Grammy Award-winning blues harmonica master whose full-throated sound backed such blues legends as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Howlin' Wolf, has died at age 81.

A statement from Alligator Records, Cotton's label, says he died Thursday of pneumonia at St. David's Medical Center in Austin.

The Mississippi Delta native performed professionally since age 9. Cotton backed Muddy Waters in his landmark album "At Newport" on Chess Records.

After going solo in the 1960s, Cotton released almost 30 albums, including his 1996 Grammy Award-winning Verve album, "Deep In The Blues." His most recent album, "Cotton Mouth Man" for Alligator Records in 2013, was nominated for a Grammy.

James Henry Cotton (July 1, 1935 – March 16, 2017) was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time and with his own band. He played drums early in his career but is famous for his harmonica playing.
Cotton began his professional career playing the blues harp in Howlin' Wolf's band in the early 1950s. He made his first recordings in Memphis for Sun Records, under the direction of Sam Phillips. In 1955, he was recruited by Muddy Waters to come to Chicago and join his band. Cotton became Waters's bandleader and stayed with the group until 1965. In 1965 he formed the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet, with Otis Spann on piano, to record between gigs with Waters's band. He eventually left Waters to form his own full-time touring group. His first full album, on Verve Records, was produced by guitarist Mike Bloomfield and vocalist and songwriter Nick Gravenites, who later were members of the band Electric Flag.
In the 1970s, Cotton played harmonica on Waters's Grammy Award–winning 1977 album Hard Again, produced by Johnny Winter.

Real Gone Music artist: Larry Coryell - Coryell - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Coryell, from Larry Coryell. This of course is a new release of a 1969 Vanguard release of the same name. The name Larry Coryell has always been synonymous with jazz rock and this release shows exactly why. Being released just before Coryell's unexpected and untimely passing in late February while on tour, this release shows just how long Coryell has been making crate sized impacts on the music scene. With Coryell, an absolute maestro on guitar and with first class associates Bernard Purdie on drums, Albert Stinson, Chuck Rainey and Ron Carter on bass, Mike Mandel on keys and Jim Pepper on flute, this release is heavily weighted by heavy weights!  Opening with Sex, Coryell shows raw adventurous fusion rock and takes the lead on vocal as well as guitar. With his phaser flaring, Coryell blasts off. Sensitive vocals and a quite melody on Beautiful Woman opens wide for Ron carter to lay out some really nice bass lead and Coryell's own raw guitar work, framed by Purdie on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release, The Jam With Albert, is a very cool and structured guitar melody over Stinson's solid bass riff and Purdie's incredible drum line. Elementary Guitar Solo #5 is a particularly interesting track with Coryell starting the track with highly sensitive chord playing and them progressively adding instrumentation and grit. Bouncing off of Chuck Rainey's bass lines, Coryell continues to dig deeper with some of the rockiest jazz rock fusion riffs to hit the stratosphere. I never picked up on this before but there is a musical theme in this track that follows or crosses a Steve Marriott melody that really adds a certain additional interest. On No One Really Knows, Purdie really kicks up the beat and Stinson's thumping bass line gives Coryell the freedom to fly on guitar. Very nice. On funky, Morning Sickness, Rainey digs in, fattening up the bottom and Coryell shows his wild fusion side almost broaching John McLaughlin territory. Wrapping the release is Ah Wuv Ooh, a fluid, euro style jazz rock track with lead guitar melody. Purdie's strong command of the skins and Coryell are in perfect balance and Jim Jim Pepper's flute work adds just the right melodic touch. Very nice conclusion to an important 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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Neoprene Fedora New CD release and tour!

"Neoprene Fedora" Rockin' Johnny Burgin CD release and tour!    Rockin' Johnny's new CD is OUT and available at all shows and at CD Baby.  "Neoprene Fedora" documents Johnny's move to California after a long and illustrious career in Chicago.  Like his previous effort, "Greetings from Greaseland", this CD shows a true Chi-Cali blues summit going on!  This time around, he's written 11 originals ranging from surf to zydeco to gut-bucket blues.  There's a great mix of talent on this disc: BMA nominees and winners like Kid Andersen on guitar, piano and the recording console, drummers Stephen Dougherty and June Core (Charlie Musselwhite, Little Charley and the Nightcats), guest vocalist Alabama Mike, and saxophonist Nancy Wright, and bassist Vance Ehlers all contribute great performances.  Rising Bay Area harmonica star Aki Kumar contributes two guest vocals and great performances throughout.  Aki and Johnny's remarkable synergy is in great abundance-- you can see why recent tours of their West Coast Meets Chicago package are meeting with rave reviews and capacity crowds.  Steve Willis, long-time accordion player for Elvin Bishop, shines on Johnny's zydeco numbers.  Noted Bay area veteran Bob Welsh, who also plays with Elvin Bishop, plays excellent guitar and piano as well. Rockin Johnny's seventh CD since 1998 shows an artist at the height of his powers as a songwriter, singer and guitarist. Get your copy today. ON TOUR:   It's been a great tour since 1.31-- 28 dates so far swinging through AZ, NM, TX, MS, IL, IN, WI and MN.  Thank you to all the fans who have been coming out! Wed, March 15: The Wheelhouse, Waupaca, WI Thurs, March 16: Lagunitas Tap Room, Chicago, 4.20-7.30   solo show Thurs: March 16: BLUES on Halsted, Chicago, 9.30-1.30  CD Release Party! ft Bennie Rickum, harp Fri, March 17: The Smoke Daddy, Chicago, 9-12  CD Release Party! ft Bennie Rickum, harp Sat, March 18: WLUW 88.7 radio interview w author James Porter, 11 am Chicago Sat, March 18: KJ McKeown's, Morris, IL 7-11 Sun, March 19: The Blue Goose, Toronto, CANADA, w Gary Kendall and Sugar Brown Mon-Wed, March 20-22: Recording session w Sugar Brown Thurs, March 23: Mississippi Queen Foods, Hamilton, ON, CANADA, w Sugar Brown Sat, March 25: Castro's, Toronto, CANADA, w Sugar Brown Mon, March 27: Martyr's, Chicago, solo show.  Triple bill with Hugh Trimble and Justin Howl Thurs, March 30: Sonograph, Le Thor, FRANCE, w Aki Kumar and Demetria Taylor Fri, March 31: Salais Blues Festival, Salaise Sur Sonne, FRANCE w Aki Kumar and Demetria Taylor Sat, April 1: Jazz En Nord Festival, FRANCE, w Aki Kumar and Demetria Taylor Sun, April 2: Pub 23, Kouvola, FINLAND, w Aki Kumar Sun, April 9: Blues Kitchen, Shoreditch, London, UK, w Big Joe Louis and Aki Kumar Mon, Tues, April 10-11: dates with Giles Robson and Aki Kumar, details TBA Thurs, April 13: JAM Club, Moscow. RUSSIA w Aki Kumar  WEST COAST MEETS CHICAGO tour Fri, April 14: Roadhouse Blues Club, Moscow, RUSSIA, w Aki Kumar Sat, April 15: Port Arthur, Saint Petersburg, RUSSIA, w Aki Kumar Wed, April 19: Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago Thurs, April 20: Leadbelly's, Champaign, IL w Joe Asselin Fri, April 21: Joe's Bar, Marysville, KS Sat, April 22: ZOO Bar, Lincoln, NE double bill w the Iguanas Sun, April 23: The Corner Bar, Fremont, NE Mon, April 24: The Garage on Beck, Salt Lake City Utah Thurs, April 27: made it back to CA!  Little Lou's, Campbell, CA w Aki Kumar and Trickbag from Sweden. Fri, April 28: Murphy's Law, Sunnyvale, CA, w Aki Kumar and Trickbag Sat, April 29: The Torch, Sacramento, CA, w Aki Kumar and Trickbag For complete tour dates, check out my NEW site, www.rockinjohnnyburgin.com. See you at the shows and thank you very much!

Trance Blues Festival artist: Otis Taylor - Fantasizing About Being Black - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fantasizing About Being Black, by Otis Taylor and it is his most interesting, innovative and creative release to date. Opening with Twelve String Mile, Taylor is joined by Jerry Douglas on lap guitar, Larry Thompson on drums, Todd Edmunds and Ron Miles on cornet to create a fusion of Mali blues and jazz. This is a really cool woven tapestry of sounds and colors that has a familiarity yet a uniqueness. Another track with free fusion feel, Walk On Water has a driving folk groove but a loose jazziness creating mystery. Very cool. With a mystical overtone, Hands On Your Stomach is a driving rocker with vocal phrasing like John Lee Hooker. Brandon Niederauer creates a terrific electric wall in balance with Taylor's unsettling vocals. With a really cool groove, Jump Jelly Belly tells the tale of General Jack Watson and his cargo load. Just wild. Flat out in your face blues, Tripping On This, features Taylor on electric banjo and shows just how deep today's blues can be and maintain continuity. Excellent! Another super blues track with contemporary form is Jump Out Of Line. Taylor has a cool, natural delivery giving the track freedom. Wrapping the release is Jump To Mexico, a sensitive ballad featuring beautiful lap work by Douglas. A super conclusion to a really special 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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Proper Records artist: Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers - Real Sharp - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Real Sharp - A Thrilling 2 CD Anthology, from Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and it's a cool blend of country, rock, folk and blues. If you haven't heard of Chili Willi, you may be in for a real treat. The band was at the forefront of bridging all of these genres of music with sounds of Eagles, Dead, New Grass Revival, Gram Parsons, Flying Burritos, Asleep At The Wheel, Old And In The Way and many others, this band really has it. This release contains all of the music from King of the Robot Rhythm, Bongos Over Balham, I'll Be Home plus previously unreleased recording of Papa and Mama Had Love. Also included are 24 pages of liner notes, photos and unique artwork. The Ballad Of Chilli Willi is a super bluegrass track showcasing the instrumental talents of Phillip Snake Finger Lithman on guitar, fiddle, mandolin and vocal and Martin Stone on guitar and vocal this track is perfect new bluegrass. Drunken Sunken Redneck Blues is a cool folk blues in the vein of the Dead. With a twist of humor and backed by Nick Lowe on bass and Billy Rankin on drums, this track is pure. On traditional track Get Your Gauge Up Let Your Love Come Down is really solid blues in the style of Memphis Minnie. Happy You has the vocal blending and sorrowful sound of pure country. A Page In History has a more modern approach and could easily have been cut yesterday. It may be one of my favorite tracks on the release with strong vocals and lead bass lines with a melody not unlike the Band.  Truck Drivin' Girl is a cool bluegrass rocker. This track is a lot of fun with Lithman and Stone blending nicely. Choo-Coo Ch' Boogie gets a real nice ride with plenty of swing and lap steel. Very cool! Breathe A Little has a cool jazz component with that 40's flare. Snappy guitar riffs by Lithman really stand out on this one. We Get Along really has that country/rock folk sound that was the trademark of the Dead for so many years.  Traditional track, Just Like The Devil is a great R&B track with smoking vocals. With it's boogie beat and Paul Riley's bass line, this is another of my release favorites. A strong country vein and blended vocals makes for a really memorable track in I'll Be Home with slick lap steep work by Lithman. A straight up cover of Robert Johnson's Walkin' Blues is cool with it's rock edge and powerful harp by Will Stallibrass. A high strung rendition of Six Days On The Road shows the diesel power that was this band. Very cool. Pinball Boogie has great style and with swinging vocals and lap steel, is really cooking. Wrapping the release is Johnny Guitar Watson Posin' Yeah, a real time stamp for R&B. This track is so cool it's frosty. A super way to close a cool 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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Banditos announce new album + premiere new single "Fine Fine Day"

BANDITOS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM VISIONLAND + PREMIERE NEW SONG “FINE FINE DAY” +ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER +PLUS, BAND ANNOUNCES SXSW SHOWS

For much of the last two years, the Banditos have been on the road, relentlessly showcasing their critically acclaimed 2015 self-titled debut album. In late 2016, the six bandmates hunkered down at Plum Creek Sound Studios and democratically poured out sonic influences and emotionally charged personal experiences for their new album Visionland. The pre-order link is here: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/visionland In celebration of the announcement, Banditos have launched the album’s first single “Fine Fine Day”: https://soundcloud.com/bshq/fine-fine-day-by-banditos Produced by Israel Nash and Ted Young, the Birmingham/Nashville-based group’s second full-length - out on June 23 - has one foot firmly planted in reality as the other tip-toes in and out of mental complexities, self-perception and altered-state illusions. The results are revealing, exhilarating and profound. The album-titled track reveals these defining, cohesive thematic intricacies. “Visionland” is named after the defunct $60 million theme park that was built in the late ‘90s near some of the band members’ childhood homes in Bessemer, Alabama. The park was shut down after only five years and the schizophrenic glimmer of hope it offered local residents connects to a greater overlying optimism for life present at the album’s core, an eerily relevant theme in contemporary complex times. Jeff Salter’s sweeping guitar strums swell at the song’s intro, lifting through the murky haze into the warm and sunny clarity of a duet between singer Mary Beth Richardson and singer/guitarist Corey Parsons. Banditos will be performing music from Visionland all over Austin at this week’s SXSW: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/tours-events/8827 The members of Banditos first met playing in various punk and rock ‘n’ roll projects around Birmingham at D.I.Y., all-ages venues. In 2010, Parsons and Stephen Pierce (banjo/vocals) began busking around town and were soon asked to perform at their favorite local bar. Without a full band they invited friends Randy Wade (drums), Salter (guitar), and Richardson to join them. Danny Vines (bass) joined the band later. The group has been praised by NPR (“Three vocalists, a wicked guitarist who also plays pedal steel, a banjo, an upright bass and a hot-footed drummer guarantee that every song they play is stuffed with crazy rhythms and melodic energy.”), Rolling Stone (“Equal parts alt-country twang and garage rock bang...recalling everything from ZZ Top's greasy boogie to the Alabama Shakes' coed soul”), and Garden & Gun (“These six keyed-up twentysomethings mix a hodgepodge of sounds. Sometimes it’s barroom country backed by a rogue kazoo, and other times it’s a chicken-picking version of slow-burning soul behind the Janis Joplin–esque wail of Mary Beth Richardson”). They have performed across the world supporting acts like St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Blackberry Smoke and Old 97’s, and notably at prominent events like Newport Folk Festival, Hangout Fest, and Rachael Ray’s Feedback.

Brody Buster Wins 2017 IBC "Best Harmonica Player"

BRODY BUSTER WINS "BEST HARMONICA PLAYER" AT 2017 IBC, FINISHES SECOND IN "BEST SOLO/DUO" CATEGORY

(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - Brody Buster took home "Best Harmonica Player" at the 2017 IBC (International Blues Challenge) on February 4 at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN, beating out a very competitive field of talented music acts. The Lawrence, KS resident, who fronts Brody Buster's One Man Band as well as the Brody Buster Trio, also won second place in the "Best Solo/Duo" category at the IBC, where he was representing the Kansas City Blues Society.     "Winning best harmonica player is great, but winning second place in the solo/duo category is also important to me," states Buster. "I have been playing harmonica my whole life but for to place second in solo act category is huge for me because I have only been doing this One Man Band thing for about three years. My guitar playing and my drumming have come along way in three years. I think winning these awards will help my career, but more than anything I think winning these awards validated all the hype from when I was a kid, 'I am no longer a novelty sideshow oh wow look at this kid' act. Now I am appreciated among real musicians, and after doing this for twenty-five years it feels good!". Brody Buster - Some Background   Brody Buster's unique and extensive experiences in the music industry have been a bit of awhirlwind, to say the least. As a tow-headed 9 year old, Buster was heralded by Blues legend BB King – who made the pronouncement after pulling Buster onstage during the midst of a full house at a sold out concert- as “one of the greatest harmonica players of our time, despite his age, believe it or not.”  ​   Since those days of sitting in with BB King and appearing on Entertainment Tonight and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as a young phenomenon, Brody has grown into a formidable front man, band leader and songwriter in his own right. Over the past few years, since forming The Brody Buster Band, his continued development as a vocalist, guitarist and writer have earned him his deserved, and still growing reputation as one of Kansas City's “Can’t Miss” live acts.   Brody traveled to the International Blues Competition in Memphis this February 2017, as Brody Buster's One-Man Band, representing the Kansas City Blues Society after sweeping through the local blues qualifying competitions to earn the crown of Kansas City’s representative in the solo/duo category. He went on to capture first place in the "Best Harmonica Player" competition while finishing as the runner-up in the "Best Solo/Duo" category, resulting in recent multiple offers to perform at Blues festivals throughout the U.S.     Brody Buster’s One Man Band performs regularly around the Kansas City Metro vicinity, with weekly residences at The Westport Saloon, The Inter Continental Hotel, and The Brick- in addition to a monthly show at The Jazz. The Brody Buster Band also continues to play shows both locally and regionally. ​   The Brody Buster Band are a hard-charging blues rock trio consisting of Jimmy Lacy on bass, Colby Earleywine on drums, and Brody Buster on guitar, harmonica and vocals. They burst onto the Kansas City blues and rock scene in 2011 with their full band release of originals on Will Die Young, (October 2011). Together with last year’s release of his Brody Buster’s One Man Band, (March 2016), Buster has evolved as much as his music, growing into a cutting-edge, relevant and ascendant solo and ensemble act, with an unlimited future ahead.              Brody Buster's One Man Band Wins "Best Harmonica Player" at 2017 IBC Finals

The Music of Nashville artist: Beth Garner - Snake Farm - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Snake Farm, from Beth Garner and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with cool, funk laden blues track, Alright By Me (Mr. Fisher), Beth Garner shows influences of gospel, rock, funk, blues and soul at least with a terrific track. Playing lush lead and slide as well as lead vocals, Garner is a talented young lady. With Wes Little on snappy drums, Rory Hoffman on bari sax, Steve Forrest on bass and Angela Primm and Gale Mayes on backing vocals, this is a tight unit. Very nice! Backroads Freddie has a gravely throaty ZZ Top like droning guitar rhythm growl. With a lively drum part and solid bass work, Garner riffs away with some nice Texas style guitar blues lead.  Drop Down has deep roots in delta blues with lead vocal/guitar duet and rich backing vocals. Elmore James influenced track, Used To Be is the hot blues rocker on the track with some of Garner's best vocals and hot slide work. With a tight bottom this track sails. Ramblin' Man has an exceptional bass line, a James Brown like drum snap and Dickey Betts like slide riffs. Yeah, this track is a mover. Title track, Snake Farm, was written by Ray Wylie Hubbard and has a swampy feel with nice guitar overtones. I really like Forrest's cool bass work, the over the top drumming of Little and really casual spoken lyric pace or Garner. Very cool actually! Wrapping the release is Wish I Was, a solid blues rocker with a blend of Muddy Waters and Junior Wells rolled into a modern theme. Garner takes this driving rocker right down the middle of blues highway with a fat slide lead and and a Stevie Wonder pace. Nice conclusion to a really nice 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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Big Bill Morganfield - Bloodstains On The Wall - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bloodstains On The Wall from Big Bill Morganfield and it's outstanding! Opening with a solid Muddy like track, Lost Without Love, shows deep soul and excellent vocals with nice guitar riffs by Morganfield, Colin Linden, Chuck Cotton, Eddie Taylor Jr,  bass by Bill "Mookie" Brill, and drums by Grant Clifton. On Willie Dixon track, I Don't Know Why, Steve Guyger adds real nice harp work and Bob Margolin tips in on guitar. Barton Szopinski really dazzles the keyboards on When You Lose Someone You Love, and Big Bill's slide work is raw and rowdy. Excellent! Boogie track, Help Someone really rolls again with the piano strength of Szopinski and the Mofo Party Band on backing especially John Clifton on harp and Grant Clifton on bass. Nice! Another slow and rudimentary blues right out of the Mud catalog is title track, Blood Stains On The Wall. Augie Meyers sits in on piano with Taylor, Linden and Cotton on guitar, Doc Malone on harp and Brill on bass. Willie Dixon's I Am The Blues is another favorite on the release featuring a brilliant guitar solo Bill Clifton and dazzling and super piano work by Szopinski. With a big strut, Jimmy McCracklin's Help The Bear rolls in with Szopinski on piano and John Clifton on harp. Super nice. Wrapping the release is Hold Me Baby, a really eccentric track that is so perfect a conclusion of this release. It not only has all of the components on early blues but has modern sounds that I have a difficult time describing. It is a really cool track and a great 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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Thornetta Davis - Honest Woman - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Honest Woman, from Thornetta Davis, and it is a fine mix of blues, R&B, soul, gospel, country and rock. Opening with I Gotta Sang The Blues, Thornetta Davis shows strong blues influences in this R&B rolling number with Kim Wilson on harp, Brett Lucas on guitar, James Simonson on bass, Phillip J Hale on keys and Todd Glass on drums. With a cool uptown blues feel, That Don't Appease Me has super guitar vamps and backing vocals under Davis' solid lead. With a funky feel, Set Me Free has a super bass line by Kerry Clark and stinging guitar soloing by Larry McCray over drumming by Steve McCray. One of my favorite tracks on the release this track not only features some of my favorite lead vocals but also rich backing vocals by Alvin Waddles, Lori Waddles, Kiara Thomas, Kevin Stewart, Chandra Lewis, Amani Henry and Diana L Davis. With a cool New Orleans swing, I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin To Satisfy Me, has a super feel and Davis' vocals are top notch. Trumpet by James O'Donnell and trombone by John Paxton add flavor and the drum work by Glass, percussion by James Anderson and nice keys by Phillip J Hale add a lot of spice. Soulful, I'd Rather Be Alone draws from Davis' soul and has real gospel feel. Lucas sets off with a crisp guitar solo punctuating a really nice track. On I Believe  (Everything Gonna Be Alright), Davis blends R&B, country and blues for a cool track with backing full vocals by Kennie Byrum, Carl Porter and Rodger Sims and nice slide work by Lucas.  On Sister Friends Indeed, Davis parlays a boogie beat into a delta style blues track fusion. Very cool. With big band like swing and gospel roots, Get Up And Dance Away Your Blues is another of my favorites with big time feel. Paul Carey adds a nice guitar solo and Marcus Belgrave's trumpet work adds a great top to the overall super vocals on this track. Funky Johnny Guitar Watson styling blended with modern neo soul vocals make this one of the best tracks on the release. Horn work including sax work by Dave McMurray and trumpet work by John Douglas really gives the track extra warmth and gives Lucas' guitar work more sting. Very nice. Title track, Honest Woman, has all of the components for a super radio track. With it's solid vocals, warm melody and tight instrumentals it should see cross playing across genres.  Wrapping the release is Feels Like Religion, a driving funky rocker with a plucky bass line by Simonson and with Stevie Wonder like tempo, this track with it's hot guitar solo by Lucas, keys by Haile and gospel like backing vocals by Crystal Matthews, Andre Delano, Diane Marie Mathis, Anna Wilhelm, Lynnette Smith, Juliaette Hamilton and Davis raises the roof!

  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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DEEP-SOUL ACT DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS PERFORM 6 SXSW SHOWS NEXT WEEK!

DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS' MAKE A CHANGE TOUR ARRIVES IN AUSTIN NEXT WEEK FOR 6 SXSW SHOWS AND MAKES AN EARLY APPEARANCE IN TOWN THIS SAT. FOR AN ANTONE'S SHOW WITH ALOE BLACC & WHITNEY!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS' "MAKE A CHANGE" VIDEO

"Back in July when Durand Jones & The Indications debut album was released, we had no idea what the world would think,” explains Terry Cole from Colemine Records. "After all, the record, albeit finely crafted, was conceived in a dingy Indiana basement on a shoestring budget of 452 dollars and 11 cents (we kept receipts). They didn't have ‘buzz.' They didn't have a following. They didn't have the measured flash of more polished operations. But as the final mixes spun off of the master reel, we knew what they did have was one remarkable soul record. To our delight, the record was a smash and their no-frills LP continues to fly off the shelves."

Now, by popular demand, Durand Jones & his mighty Indications are hitting the road on their first U.S. tour. They've already sold out the first two shows of this tour in NYC and Chicago, so don't sleep — go out and catch them in your city.

DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS’ 2017 MAKE A CHANGE TOUR DATES:
3/8 - Nashville, TN - The Basement
3/9 - Dothan, AL - KBC on Foster
3/10 - Birmingham, AL - Seasick Records

3/11 - Austin, TX - Capital One House at Antone’s w/ Aloe Blacc & Whitney - 9:00pm

3/12 - Houston, TX  - Under The Volcano
3/13 - Dallas, TX - The Rustic
3/14  - San Antonio, TX- Limelight

3/15 - SXSW Austin, TX - End of an Ear Records - 2:00pm

3/15 - SXSW Austin, TX - Celebration by Beardbrand at Rattle Inn - 5:00pm

3/16 - SXSW Austin, TX - Southwest Invasion at Whole Foods - 11:00am

3/16 - SXSW Austin, TX - Miles Davis House at Waller Ballroom - 12:45pm

3/16 - SXSW Austin, TX - Waterloo Records - 5:00pm

3/16 - SXSW Austin, TX - Secretly Group Party at Barracuda - 11:00pm

3/17 - Lawrence, KS - The Replay Lounge
3/18 - St. Louis, MO - The Bootleg at Atomic Cowboy

In honor of this tour, Colemine Records has pressed up a new limited 7" vinyl 45 featuring cuts from their debut album. The politically poignant and fiercely funky "Make A Change" is backed with the lowrider anthem "Is It Any Wonder" featuring drummer Aaron Frazer's silvery falsetto. Click here to order. 

Durand Jones & The Indications' debut album is out now on vinyl LP, CD, cassette and digital formats. Click here to order.

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HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT DURAND JONES AND THE INDICATIONS:

“Durand Jones singing is a rare combination of purity and power—unlike his Daptone forefathers, Jones hasn’t endured decades of smoky bars and tough breaks. Though sonic comparisons to Charles Bradley and Lee Fields are unavoidable, Jones’s youth and DIY ambition make him stand out against the overarching narrative of rediscovery that has become all too familiar. These aren’t middle-aged session guys in fedoras propping up an aged belter long since fossilized on a dusty 45. It’s a band that writes compelling original material and turns out ultrafun, dance-filled performances at the club. If, like many folks, you’re missing the panache and energy of the late Sharon Jones, this Jones will definitely fill the void.” - CHICAGO READER

“A young singer with a classic sound, Louisiana native Durand Jones aims to fill the Charles Bradley-shaped hole in your heart.” - AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

“Easily one of the best deep soul albums we've heard in years.” - DUSTY GROOVE

“Album of The Year”  Rock Pop & Soul - SOMETHING ELSE REVIEWS

“Durand Jones has the wail of Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, the nostalgic toe-popping vibes of Leon Bridges and a record to compete with both.” - THE OBSERVER

“Durand Jones and the Indications hearken back to a time when soul was recorded, performed, and (if possible) heard live.”  - POPMATTERS

"The album is beautifully produced... Jones absolutely dominates the songs with his powerful, soulful and ever-evolving voice.” - SPILL MAGAZINE

“…a phenomenal debut and modern soul record.” - EASY STREET RECORDS

“ … a very sharp debut album… a total gem.” - THE VINYL DISTRICT

Geoff Achison new video

A cool first look at Geoff Achison's new video, High Wire.

Enjoy!