Lauren Mitchell - Desire - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Desire, from Lauren Mitchell and it's a fine blend of rock, blues and soul. Opening with I Don't Need Nobody, a light R&B number, Lauren Mitchell is backed by Jim Pugh on keys, Reggie mcBride on bass, Tony braunagel on drums with Darrell Leonard on trumpet, Joe Sublett on sax and Johnny Lee Schell, Josh Sklair and Jose Ramirez on guitar. Pop track with a jazz edge, Soul Music allows Mitchell to show off her vocal skills with Maxanne Lewis, Kudisan Kai, Leslie Smith and Mellodye Perry on smooth backing vocals. Title track, Desire, has a warm country soul feel with deep rich vocals. Steve Fister is featured on slide guitar giving the track a crisp edge. McBride lays down a real nice bass line on Jump Into My Fire with a cool R&B style. Bluesy guitar riffs and sassy vocals give this track real traction. With a basic gospel structure, Good To Me As I Am To You, is an excellent track. Pugh's piano work and super horn work on top of soulful vocals by Mitchell make this the absolute best track on the release. Another track with strong R&B appeal is Feels So Good. Mitchell shows strong vocal richness and with a snappy drum riff and super backing vocals, this track floats. Hi stepper, I Ain't Been (Licked Yet) has real spunk with a tight bottom and punchy horns. Mitchell does a great call and answer with Lewis, Kai, Smith and Perry and a clean guitar solo makes this another tight track. Anti-Love Song is another stand out with a great bass riffs and great vocal style. Nicely woven instrumentals by Braunagel, Pugh and McBride make this another of my favorites on the release. Shuffle track, Bridge Of My Dreams, has a great swing. With tight backing vocals and super bluesy guitar riffs, and a slick piano solo by Pugh, Mitchell really hits the mark on this one. Wrapping the release is a plucky, R&B track, Brown Liquor with it's driving secondary rhythm. Mitchell sings this track like she knows a little about the stuff and uses it as a great closer for a real solid release.

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Johnny Mastro & Mama's Boys - Never Trust The Living - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Never Trust The Living, from Johnny Mastro & Mama's Boys and it's really good! Opening with early blues style rocker, Snake Doctor, Johnny Mastro is really digging in the wood pile and coming up with a great sound. On vocal and harp, Mastro sounds like the early British bands with hooded vocals and pace and Smoke isn't called Smoke for nothing. His guitar is on fire with an extremely fat slide guitar sound. Excellent! Whiskey has a super Texas style lope and Mastro's vocals and harp are spot on. With a driving guitar rhythm backed by Dean Zucchero on bass and Rob Lee on drums, this is a great sound. Smoke really has his sound dialed in on the intro on Judgement Day, a lumbering blues rocker. On the clean channel he again breaks loos with a frenzy giving this track even more kick and Mastro's harp work adds a strong blues flavor. Monkey Man has strong Chicago roots but again with incredibly fat guitar tones giving the track a great dirty feel. Mastro's vocals are tight and his harp work soulful and cool. Slow and clean is how they deal on Don't Believe with just the right sensitivity by Mastro on vocal and his harp really sings. Smoke plays ultra clean jazz like guitar chords showing a totally different side of the band. On House Of The Rising Sun, Mastro takes the melody on harp and after a somber intro, the band is in blues jam mode with Lee and Zucchero kicking it bringing out the heads up rockin feel of the band. Very nice! On Walking, another Chicago style number, Mastro still has a lot of the characteristics of the early British blues bands and I got to tell you...I love it! Smoke hits the slide hard and Mastro sails on harp. Very cool. On title track, Never Trust The Living, Smoke lays down a gritty boogie riff and Mastro rides high on the wave on vocal and blues harp. Great sound. Driving blues, Bucksnort Annie is a kick ass track with an early rock n roll feel. Smoke sets a super rhythm and Mastro delivers on lead vocal but it's Smoke that "smokes" this track with a hot hot solo and mastro wraps it with a solo of his own. This release is relentless! Slowing down the pace on Freddie King's The Sad Night Owl, Mastro plays an extremely soulful melody on harp. Really nice. Wrapping the release is Indrid Cold, another driving blues rocker with heavy dirt. mastro plays a low fret solo on guitar and then the band breaks into a frenzy with Mastro playing a wild harp solo before returning to driving blues rock to conclusion. This is an album with vitality that I haven't heard in a long time. These guys have a sound of their own and I hope they keep doing it!

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Provogue Records artist: Ronnie Baker Brooks - Times Have Changed - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Times Have Changed, by Ronnie Baker Brooks and it's terrific! Opening with Joe Tex number, Show Me, Ronnie Baker Brooks (on vocal and guitar) is kicking ass and taking names right out of the chute featuring Steve Cropper on guitar, Steve Jordan on drums, Willie Weeks on bass, Felix Cavaliere on Hammond, Ben Cauley on trumpet, Lonniie McMillan on tenor sax and Jack Hale Sr on trombone. Big Head Todd sits in on Doing Too Much, a cool blue rocker with Leroy Hodges on bass, Charles Hodges on Hammond and Turner on piano. Recently passed and sorely missed, Lonine Brooks, sits in on Twine Time, a cool, sixties style surf rocker. Rapper, Al Kapone  sits in on traditional blues style track, Times Have Changed, with Weeks setting a great bass line and Brooks' solid vocals and guitar riffs. The addition of Jessie Munson and Wen-Yih Yu on violin, Beth Luscome and Jennifer Puckett on viola, and Mark Wallace and Jonathan Kirkscey on cello add a refined note to the short Kapone rap. Curtis Mayfield's Give me Your Love, a cool jazz infused soul track featuring Angie Stone on vocal has a true Mayfield smoothness. Robert Cray track, Old Love has great style and featuring Bobby Blue Bland on vocal and his own stylistic guitar work makes this a true favorite. On high stepper, Wham Bam Thank You Sam, Brooks really struts with cool vocals, great guitar accents, a solid bass line from Hodges and super R&B style horns. Very cool. Closing the release is When I Was We, featuring Hubby Turner on piano supporting Brooks' warm vocals.

Very nice conclusion to an exceptional release.

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Provogue Records artist:Eric Gales - Middle Of The Road - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Middle of the Road from Eric Gales and it may be my favorite yet! Opening with revival style track, Good Time, Eric Gales is really upbeat with Aaron Haggerty on drums, Dylon Wiggins on B3 and LoDonna Gales on backing vocals. Bringing down the heat with reggae rhythmed blues number, Change In Me with a super bass line under fiery lead guitar riffs. Very cool. Carry Yourself is a nicely stylized radio blues track with a solid melody, cool vocals and crisp lead guitar. With it's jazzy bottom, Boogie Man bops along with soulful blues guitar riffs giving the track an almost Johnny Guitar feel. Very cool! Been So Long again has a bit of a reggae beat but with scorching guitar riffs and super bass lines under Gales always solid vocals. Very nice. Help Yourself follows a cool acoustic blues format but building into electric guitar riffs. Gales' tone both on rhythm and lead are super and his riffs are hot but not overplayed. On I Can't be Deceived lets the dog off the leash a bit more with scorching lead soloing and cool backing vocals. On funky, Repetition, Gales creates a dark sound with a nice bass line and Maxwell Drummey adds mellotron to backing vocals assembling the perfect bottom for his lead vocal and electrified guitar lead. Super! Another track with a super groove is I Don't Know with another rumbling bass line, super rhythm guitar, tight drums, nicely blended backing vocals and really cool lead work. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Swamp!, with more of a upbeat, almost jazz influenced, southern rock feel. I really like this release and think it is among his best works to date.




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Guy on the Rise!

Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi's Sonny & Brownie's Last Train No. 1 On Roots Music Report! ​ Right On Reviews Coming In

Northport NY - Media and radio have taken quite a shine to Sonny & Brownie's Last Train by the Ambassador of the Blues, Guy Davis and international harmonica sensation Fabrizio Poggi. The homage to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, released on March 24, is becoming one of the most celebrated acoustic releases of 2017. Sonny & Brownie's Last Train is currently no. 1 for the second week in a row on The Roots Music Reports Top 50 Acoustic Blues Albums.  Click the logo to see the entire chart. Also, very proud that Sonny & Brownie's Last Train was the no. 23 album for the month of March on the 900 station Folk DJ list, even though most stations had not received it until the second week of March. You can see the entire list here,  http://folkradio.org/ For the past week, stations that broadcast the syndicated radio program Music City Roots have been playing a performance that Guy & Fabrizio recorded in late March. If you missed it, you can click the photo of Guy & show host, Jim Lauderdale and listen to it now.                                             In more good news, last week Geoffrey Himes of Paste reviewed the show that Guy and Fabrizio performed  in Nashville. You can read it here, https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/03/road-music-chapter-twelve-nashville-tennessee.html     We've received many outstanding reviews so far for Sonny & Brownie's Last Train here's a sampling: ​ This is a fond look back to the music of the Piedmont blues icons, harmonica ace Sonny Terry and acoustic guitarist Brownie McGhee.   Elmore Magazine    You'll be doing yourself a disservice by not immediately purchaing this first-rate record American Blues Scene Davis and Poggi’s homage to the acoustic blues greats features some great licks, with a selection of classic blues tunes Twangville Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train is as close as anyone living in the 21st Century will get to enjoying Terry and McGhee in concert. If you love the old masters like I do – or simply are just curious about the way they truly sounded in concert – pick this one up today. It’s Sonny and Brownie live – and taken to another level.   BluesBlast Magazine This set is raw, primitive, and powerful - Don & Sheryl's Blues Blog                      On March 24, M.C. Records released 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. You can also listen and download the new release with lyrics via Airplay Direct by clicking the cover.                                              Guy Davis explains the concept of the recording, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry were two musicians whose work will not be surpassed, let alone improved on. This musical opus, was produced by Fabrizio Poggi. It features our combined musical talents, and is not meant to compete with the originals. It’s meant to be a love letter to Brownie and Sonny signed by the both of us. They were two of my favorites. This is highly recommended! - Making A Scene                                            Selected Guy Tour Dates - All of his dates can be found at http://guydavis.com/wp/tour/ APRIL 04/04/17 - Cambridge, MA - Regatta Bar - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica. 04/04/17 - 04/05/17 - Boston, MA - Berklee College of Music 04/07/17 - Halifax NS - Atlantica Hotel - Canada - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica 04/08/17 - Charlottetown, PEI - Pour House- Canada - With Fabrizio Poggi Harmonica 04/09/17 - 04/10/17 - Fredericton,New Brunswick - Fredericton Playhouse – Canada 04/11/17 Tuckerton, NJ   Lizzie Rose Music Room - With Fabrizio Poggi Harmonica 04/12/17 Newark, NJ Clement’s Place / NJ Institute of Jazz  - With Fabrizio Poggi Harmonica 04/13/17 - Birchmere – Alexandria VA - Co bill w/ Samantha Fish 04/14/17         Philadelphia, PA      Philadelphia Folk Song Society - With Fabrizio Poggi Harmonica 04/15/17 - North County High School -  Glen Burnie, PA 04/28/17 - 04/29/17 - Grooves & Blues Guadalajara -  Mexico MAY 05/20/17         New Holland, PA     Spring Gulch Folk Festival With Mark Murphy, Professor Louie, Gary Burke. JUNE 06/04/17         Orangeville, Ontario            Orangeville Blues & Jazz   Canada 06/08/17 - 06/11/17 Winnipeg, Manitoba            Winnipeg International Children’s Festival        Canada 06/16/17 - 06/18/17 Croton-on-Hudson, NY      Clearwater’s Great Hudson Revival         06/23/17         Bellinzona     Bellinzona Blues     Switzerland                                        ***

Vin Mott - Quit The Women For The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Quit The Women For The Blues, by Vin Mott and I really like it. Opening with the title track, Quit The Women For The Blues, Vin Mott shows his appreciation for the classic blues with strong vocals and crisp harp riffs, with an excellent bass line by Dean Shot, Andrei Koribanics on drums, and electrifying guitar lines by Sean Ronan. On shuffle track,  Make Up Your Mind, the band really hits a groove and Mott shows why he's known as one of the best harp players in the area with additional backing on organ by Phil Silverberg and solid lead lines from Ronan. On rocker, Don't Make Me Laugh, Ronan sets the tone with simple rock n roll guitar rhythm as well an classic lead guitar runs and Mott takes it deep with a glowing harp solo. Very nice. Laying on the slide, Ronan gets the Elmore James riff ringing on I'm A Filthy Man and Mott's vocals are muted and echoed. His harp riffs are clean and clear giving the track that perfect Chicago style. One of my favorite tracks on the release is The Factory with it's Otis Rush format and almost Bluesbreakers or Fleetwood Mac sound. Mott's vocals are pure, his harp playing rich and Ronan's guitar work inspired. Excellent! Freight Train gives any harp player a great opportunity to showcase and this is no exception. With it's Latin beat, I Wanna Get Ruff with You follows the Chicago formula breaking into a straight up instrumental shuffle with Mott and Ronan each taking their turn upfront. Very nice.  With it's Big Bill Broonzy feel Ol' Greasy Blues has a great feel with choice opportunities for Ronan and Mott to solo behind Motts solid vocals. R&B style track, Living The Blues a another winner with Mott taking the lead on vocal and harp over mostly subdued organ and drums. Wrapping the release is Hott Mott's Theme. A classic harp format, Mott really let's it fly with a steamy harp solo end to end (with a strong solo by Ronan in the middle). This is a strong closer for a particularly solid release.

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CSP Records artist: Nina Massara - Watch Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review Watch Me, the most recent release from Nina Massara and it's strong. Opening with title track, Watch Me, you are instantly drawn in to a New Orleans bounce, compliments Colin Brooks, Jens Runge and Malsgaard on guitar, Chris Moresh on bass, John Chipman on drums, Hans Nybo on sax, Peter Marott on trumpet, Morton Wittrock on keys and the vocal work of Nina Massara, Colin Brooks and Jens Runge. Another solid entry, Big Easy, has a real nice groove and slick, fat slide adding that special spice. With relentless beat, Impossible To Resist, is a guitar tapestry with super groove and fat slide riffs. Massara's sound blends Jack Johnson with Macy Gray. Excellent track! Wrapping the release is the saucy, Full Grown Woman, with cool muted trumpet , snappy New Orleans style drums, focused vocals and clean piano riffs. This is a cool release with a pop edge. Very nice.

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Landslide Records artist: Geoff Achison - Another Mile Another Minute - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release; Another Mile, Another Minute; from Geoff Achison and it's quite good. Opening with High Wire, Achison keeps the beat simple and with Richard Tankard on keys, Gerry Pantazis on drums and Roger McLachian on bass, lays down some real nice riffs on guitar backed by Susie Ahern on vocal. With it's reggae/pop feel, Working My Way Back Home has a real interesting sound, with a solid bass line, cool organ feel and colorful guitar work.  Shuffle track, I'm Gonna Ride features cool harp work by Chris Wilson and pure rock riffs from Achison. An infectious bass line by McLachian on really sets off A New Bad Habit and Sax by Paul Williamson and trumpet by Jack Howard give it a great backdrop for Achison's cool, stylist vocals.  Title track, Another Mile Another Minute has a smooth R&B feel with solid lead vocal by Achison and warm backing by Hannah Harwood, Steve Romig as well as the smooth horns of Williamson and Howard. Soul track, Dreaming I'm Awake is euphoric and has one of the most sensitive guitar solos on the release. Very nice. High stepper, Sum Peeples Got All Da Fonk is a playful track with a solid groove, and all the fixins for some funky music...organ, bass and drums. Very cool.  Make My Stand is another track with a bouncy bottom but with the inclusion of slick slide work... a jazzier approach. Wrapping the release is acoustic number, Front Porch Farewell. With the precision of a surgeon, Achison finger picks his guitar country style by with the touch of a lullaby. A very nice closer for a cool release.

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Lonnie Brooks has passed - My thoughts are with his family

Grammy-nominated Chicago blues icon Lonnie Brooks, whose music Rolling Stone called, "witty, soulful and ferociously energetic...simply astonishing guitar work," died on Saturday, April 1, 2017 in Chicago, according to his son, Ronnie Baker Brooks. He was 83. Guitar Player described him as “...like a fire-and-brimstone preacher, testifying the blues from the bottom of his soul.”

With his "booming, gritty vocals and fierce six-string firepower” (Chicago Tribune), Brooks created an instantly recognizable signature sound. It combined Chicago blues, rock ‘n’ roll, Memphis soul, swampy Louisiana grooves and country twang into a style that his fellow musicians called "voodoo blues." He was inducted into the Port Arthur Historical Society Hall Of Fame in 2001 and the Blues Hall Of Fame in 2010. On June 12, 2012 Mayor Rahm Emanuel declared Lonnie Brooks Day in Chicago.

Lonnie Brooks was born Lee Baker, Jr. on December 18, 1933. Over the course of his 60-year career, he recorded 11 full albums and dozens of 45s for a number of labels. His career began in Port Arthur, Texas in the mid-1950s. Recording under the name Guitar Junior, he scored a string of regional hits, including Family Rules and The Crawl for the Goldband label.

The success of his singles led to numerous southern tours and a busy performance schedule that included dancehalls, juke joints and roadhouses across Texas and Louisiana. In 1959, Lonnie befriended the great Sam Cooke, who suggested his move to Chicago. Once settled, he changed his name to Lonnie Brooks (Chicago already had a Guitar Junior) and became infatuated with the sound of deep Chicago blues. He soon landed a job as a sideman with blues hitmaker Jimmy Reed, with whom he toured and recorded. Brooks cut a handful of singles throughout the 1960s, as well as appearing on a number of Chicago blues and R&B recording sessions. He played nightly in the bars on the South and West sides of Chicago and in Gary and East Chicago, Indiana. In 1969, Capitol Records released Brooks’ first album, Broke an’ Hungry, under his old stage name, Guitar Junior.

In 1978, Brooks recorded four songs for Alligator Records' Grammy-nominated Living Chicago Blues anthology. This led to a full contract with the label. His Alligator debut, Bayou Lightning, was released in 1979. The album, along with Brooks' roof-raising live performances, brought him to the attention of Rolling Stone, which ran a six-page feature on the legendary musician. The album won the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque Award from the 1980 Montreux Jazz Festival. While appearing in Montreux, Lonnie befriended country star Roy Clark. Clark was so impressed with Lonnie that he arranged an appearance for Lonnie on the popular country music television show Hee Haw.

Constant touring in the U.S. and abroad kept Brooks in the public eye. His scorching 1980 live performance of Sweet Home Chicago on the Blues Deluxe album (resulting in Brooks' second Grammy nomination) is now considered the quintessential version of the song. A 1982 trip to Germany resulted in an hour-long Lonnie Brooks special shown on German television. BBC radio broadcast an hour-long live performance across all of Great Britain in 1987. Brooks spent the summer of 1993 on a national concert tour with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells and Eric Johnson. In 1995 Eric Clapton honored Brooks by inviting the bluesman on stage for an unforgettable impromptu jam at Chicago's Buddy Guy’s Legends club. In 1998 alone, he appeared in the film Blues Brothers 2000, performed on The Late Show With David Letterman and co-authored (along with his son Wayne Baker Brooks and music scribe Cub Koda) the book Blues For Dummies.

His final two releases, 1996's Roadhouse Rules and 1999's Lone Star Shootout (recorded with fellow Gulf Coast blues veterans Long John Hunter and Phillip Walker), showed Brooks at his very best -- an electrifying guitarist with full-throated vocals, clever original songs, and a dedication to having fun. His recording of It's Your World from Roadhouse Rules was featured in an episode of HBO's The Sopranos. In 2008, Brooks appeared in the film The Express -- The Ernie Davis Story. Lonnie also appeared in two award-winning Heineken beer commercials.

Among Brooks' proudest accomplishments was the success of his talented guitar-playing sons, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Wayne Baker Brooks. Lonnie always encouraged and mentored the boys as they were growing up. Ronnie even toured with his dad while still a teenager. Both Wayne and Ronnie lead their own bands and have released critically acclaimed recordings. In 2011 and 2012, Lonnie, Ronnie and Wayne toured as The Brooks Family Dynasty, showcasing three world-class blues guitarists -- a father and his sons -- standing shoulder to shoulder, delivering thunderous performances. Lonnie's last recording appearance was as a guest on Ronnie's latest album, Times Have Changed.

Lonnie Brooks' larger-than-life personality and abundance of pure talent made him beloved worldwide, leading The Chicago Tribune to declare his music "a joyful paean to the power of the blues." 

Brooks is survived by sisters Erma, Geraldine, Jerryline, Carol, Patricia (preceded him in death), brothers Herman, Cliff, Joe, MC (all preceded him in death), Ahal and Willie, Shirley, mother of his son Lee Baker III and daughter Linda Baker Williams (preceded him in death), Jeannine, mother of his sons Ronnie Baker Brooks, Wayne Baker Brooks, Russell Baker, Robert Lauderdale and daughters Denise Baker Parker, Jackie Graham and Gina Baker Landers, with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all of his worldwide fans for their love, support and loyalty over his 60 year long career.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

E-H Records artist: Eliza Neals - 10,000 Feet Below - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 10000 Feet Below, by Eliza Neals and it's quite cool. Opening with a pop blues number, Cleotus, featuring Eliza Neals on vocal and Howard Glazer on guitar and slide. A cool opener with solid roots. On Another Lifetime, Glazer lays down a real nice guitar intro for a steamy blues ballad. Neals' vocals are strong and Glazer's guitar work is tight, backed by Skeeto Valdez on drums, Paul Randolph on bass solid keyboard work by Neals. On rocker, Burn The Tent Down, Glazer's guitar work is raspy and overdriven, nicely complimenting Neals vocals. On boogie style track, You Ain't My Dog No More, Brian Clune leads the way on drums with John Abraham on bass and with hot slide riffs by Glazer, delivers a hot number with a Thorogood flavor. Very cool. A solid pop entry, Cold Cold Night features Paul Nelson on guitar and nicely blended vocals not unlike Buckingham Nicks. Unbridled guitar playing is the ticket on Hard Killing Floor, an original Skip James track. With a contemporary blues rock styling and Neals' own organ and vocal treatment, this track stands tall. Downhill On A Rocket has a solid melody, warm vocal backing and slick slide guitar work from Glazer making it easily the radio leader on the release. Stripped down blues track, Merle Dixon, has a overdriven guitar vamp and guitar soloing juxtaposed against Neals' smoothly blended vocals. Very cool. Wrapping the release is At The Crossroads featuring Billy Davis on guitar and some really nice vocals by Neals. 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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Apocalypse Records artist: Derek Davis - Revolutionary Soul - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Revolutionary Soul from Derek Davis. Opening with title track, Revolutionary Soul, Derek Davis drives forward with a dance beat, a rumbling bass line, tight guitar riffs and his own solid vocals. Blending acoustic guitar over a wah wah rhythm, and keys, on Rapture, Davis' vocals are well phrased and spot on. Amy Winehouse's Valerie gets a makeover with a funky bottom. Davis's vocals are cool and ever dance-able. Sticking with the light funky groove, Think About It is a high energy R&B style track with a cool bass line strong vocals. With broad wave slide work on the intro and deep rolling bass, Love And Abuse brings the tempo down a bit and with synth horns and classic guitar riffs, this track has great radio appeal. With a real funk/rock style mix, classic blues number, Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, is nearly unrecognizable but with obvious lyrics. Interesting. Quiet soul ballad, Vicious Heart, has a really catchy melody and could easily have strong airplay. Bobby Womack's Woman Gotta Have It is smooth and cool adding pace to the overall release.  With a pop R&B feel, King of Fools floats on a dance beat with atmospheric keyboard tomes and backing vocals. Pop rocker, Picture of Love follows a radio format with a cool melody and cleverly blended backing. Another quiet ballad, Stop! Wait A Minute, is another classic radio style track with a good melody and solid vocals.  Wrapping the release is funky rocker, All the Roads, like a warm blend of Ted Nugent and R&B. A more adventurous guitar solo caps off this release giving it a tighter edge.

  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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Southern Red Bird artist: 55 Rose Street - Misery - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Misery, from 55 Rose Street. Opening with Black Ice, a cool blues number with a smooth walking bass line by Mick Metz, featuring Sarah Mac on vocal,  Heather Gillis on lead guitar, Chris Balding on harp, Rick Brunetti on drums. On rocker, Ray Of Texas Sunshine, Balding takes the lead on vocal and Gillis lays out some real nice guitar riffs with a jagged rhythm. Cool. The Blues Is What I Live With has a firm 12 bar framework and finds Gillis on lead vocal. Pat Buchanan's guitar attack balanced with Balding's harp work makes for one of the best tracks on the release. Clyde Ramsey has lead vocals on Juke Joint Under The Stars and also adds a nice keyboard line to a tight rock mix. With a nice blues rock form, Empty World is another of my favorite tracks with a cool bass line and Buchanan again stepping up on guitar. On boogie track, Devil Done Put Me Out, Ramsey is back up front on vocal and Balding plays some of the nicest harp licks on the release. Snappy blues rocker, Thunderbolt, features cool guitar and harp solos giving the track some meat on a solid bottom. Wrapping the release is title track, Misery, with a drone style bass line and featuring Gillis back up front on lead vocal and a cool slide guitar solo.

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Dawnserly Records artist: Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues - Different Voices - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (April 7, 2017), Different Voices from Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues and it's quite different. Corky Siegel, once member of the famed Siegel-Schwall Band, is back with an interesting concept. Orchestral blues. Opening with Missing Persons Blues - Op 25 forms around a traditional Chicago blues theme but featuring the strong sax work of Ernie Watts with Siegel on harp, Jamie Gorgojo on violin, Chihsuan Yang on violin, Dave Moss on viola, Jocelyn Butler Shoulders on cello and Frankie Donaldson on tabla.  One features lush harp work by Siegel and crystal clear vocals by Matthew Santos on vocal, this track having more of a euro, show sound. Time Will Tell Overature - Op. 25 features Sandeep Das on tabla balanced with Siegel and enriched by nicely orchestrated violin accompaniment. On pop track, Lay Down Sally, an Eric Clapton and Marcy Levy composition, Marcy levy takes the lead on vocal, maintaining it's pop roots but with a critical orchestral spin. Siegel layers harp soloing over cello and viola giving the track a bluesy feel. Angel Food Cake features Siegel on lead vocal and fuses the styling of the original SSB with orchestral accompaniment. Cool. Shadows In A Shoe Box is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a more classical stance. Santos and Yang share the vocal floor with a light jazzy flavor and Siegel layers in rich harp work. Very nice. Albert Brumley's I'll Fly Away maintains a lot of it's original structure and builds in a gospel manner with Bruce Roper, Deb Lader and Sue Demel on vocal and guitar/Mandolin nicely laid on a string backing. Very nice. Italian Shuffle/Flip Flop & Fly opens with a light, airy orchestral piece over a 12 bar bottom, evolving into a blues standard featuring the great Sam Lay on vocal. A more deliberate classical composition, Galloping Horses, features Chihsuan Yang on erhu and Matthew Santos on beat box. Nicely done.   Another nicely fused classical blues track, Counter Intuitive Op. 24 Part One has a deliberate walking bass line performed on strings and plucked violin strings with Siegel playing classic blues harp riffs but dressed with classical violin dressing. On Part 2 Siegel takes a more adventurous lead harp role and with violin supported melody and classical structure. Wrapping the release is The Sky Will Fall, with a solid Americana feel. Siegel is front and center on lead vocal and harp. Santos adds contrasting vocals over a passionate violin bridge and Siegel is showcased on harp to close out the release. 

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It's "Time to Roll" on New MonkeyJunk Vinyl LP Version of Band's Latest Album, as Stony Plain Records Sets May 5 U.S. Release Date

It’s Time to Roll on New MonkeyJunk Vinyl LP Version of Band’s Latest Album, as Stony Plain Records Sets May 5 Release Date

Edmonton, AB - Stony Plain Records announces a May 5 U.S. release date for the vinyl LP edition of Time to Roll, the fifth album by award-winning Canadian blues/rock trio, MonkeyJunk.

Time to Roll is unique in that it incorporates elements of all four of their previous recordings with added maturity in songwriting and instrumentation, cementing MonkeyJunk’s originality and sound as its own. It is also progressive for the band, as they’ve added electric bass on most of the songs. No MonkeyJunk recording to date has included bass, but they felt that it would be a welcome addition to MonkeyJunk’s sound. In another precedent, the band also recorded one acoustic track for the first time on the new album.

Comprised of Steve Marriner on vocals, baritone guitar, bass, harmonica and organ; Tony D on lead guitar; and Matt Sobb on drums, MonkeyJunk is one of the hardest working bands on the scene today, performing at venues and festivals around the world for over eight years. Continually pushing boundaries and blurring genre lines, the Ottawa, Ontario-based trio has added an edge to their music by incorporating swampy blues and rock with thoughtful and intelligent lyrics.

Time to Roll was recorded at Signal Path Studios in Almonte, Ontario, and mixed and mastered in just over two weeks spanning across two months. “The writing and recording process was different on Time to Roll in many aspects,” says Matt Sobb. “All of the past records have been made over periods of six months to a year - starting and stopping many times over those longer time frames. This time, we were only in the studio for about three weeks all-together and that is BY FAR the fastest and shortest time we’ve ever made a record…but it was intentional to do it that way. We wanted to push ourselves to work hard and to work efficiently and focused - to see what we could come up with in a shorter period of time.” 

MonkeyJunk has delivered 10 top-notch tracks that are consistent with the quality and passionate delivery they are known for.  Heading back to their blues roots and drawing on inspiration that runs from John Lee Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins to J.J. Grey & Mofo and The Meters, Time to Roll showcases deep grooves, fervent vocals and soulful, original material, plus a cover of Albert King’s classic, “The Hunter.” Time to Roll was co-produced by Ken Friesen, who also doubles as a co-songwriter. Kelly Prescott, Tom Wilson and Stony Plain label-mate Paul Reddick also lent their songwriting talents to the recording.

No strangers to awards ceremonies, MonkeyJunk has won a collective 20 Maple Blues Awards, two Canadian Independent Music Awards, a Blues Music Award (USA), and have been nominated twice for a JUNO Award, winning the award for Blues Album of the Year in 2012. Favorites of Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd), MonkeyJunk has received great support from the syndicated radio program, The BluesMobile.

Time to Roll Track List

Side A

1.    Best Kept Secret  

2.    Time To Roll    

3.    See The Sign    

4.    Blue Lights Go Down    

5.    Pray For Rain

Side B    

6.    The Hunter    

7.    Can't Call You Baby    

8.    Undertaker Blues    

9.    Gone    

1. Fuzzy Poodle    

West Tone Records artist: Rockin' Johnny Burgin - Neoprene Fedora - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Neoprene Fedora, from Rockin' Johnny Burgin and it's spectacular! I've had the pleasure to review a few Rockin' Johnny releases and also to see him in person and I gotta say, there aren't too many players out there right now that I'd rather see. (Check here to see my recent interview with RJB). He is inventive, his guitar work is clean and distinctive, his vocals are cool and he's music is a lot of fun.

Opening with the title track, Neoprene Fedora, Burgin hits the strip running with a 50's style blues surfer with great great vibrato, and cool phrasing. The Latin beat and the shimmery guitar soloing is out of sight and Nancy Wright's sax work is hot and heavy. Excellent! Joining Burgin are Kid Andersen on guitar, Bob Welsh on guitar, June Core on drums and Chris Matheos on bass. On Guitar King Burgin swings back into his Chicago roots and I really like his vocals. Aki Kumar is back on harp and we know what he can do. Burgin's guitar soloing sets the groove and together with Kumar on harp and Stephen Dougherty on drums...this track hits hard. On Won't Get Married Again, Burgin blends a Bloomfield like vocal delivery with an off beat gait. Playing harp himself and with an odd scatter guitar style, this is a track to hear. Unusually cool. With a slower lope, Give Me An Hour In Your Garden, Burgin delivers solid, expressive vocals with Albert King like sting on guitar. Vance Ehkers bass work on this track helps to set off Burgin's masterful guitar riffs giving this track a memorable sting. Steve Willis opens Kinda Wild Woman, a R&B track, with accordion flair and Billy Wilson's rubbing board work adds to the natural texture.  On Please Tell Me, Burgin's vocals are solid and his slide playing very slick but catch Wright blowing the roof off on this one (on sax). With real Cajun feel, Burgin and Willis create the environment and Welsh adds a nice piano riff giving the track even more texture. Another cool blues swinger, (Let Me Be) Your Teddy Bear has a cool BB King like feel with Rockin' Johnny at his most relaxed, just letting it flow over Ehler's bass line. Very nice. Ultra funky blues track, Smoke and Mirrors even has wah wah pedal. I mean...it's funky. Get ready to dance. Burgin steps into new territory on this one and he's channeling Buddy Guy. With Alabama Mike on backing vocals and Kumar on harp, this track is FUNKY! Alabama Mike takes the mic on I Did the Best I Could and Burgin digs in on guitar with Albert King like attack. This guy can really do it all and continues to show that with every note... I mean this guy has feel...excellent! Another Chicago style blues, Self Made Man, features Kumar on lead vocal and Burgin sits back and just stings the strings. You don't have to listen hard to hear this guy. He sticks it in your ear for you. Buddy Guy has to smile listening to this guy!  On shuffle track, You Gotta Work Fast, Burgin is back up front on vocal. With a great walking bass line from Ehlers and Kumar on harp, Burgin steps high with powerful, solid riffs, which seems to pull his vocals even more into the groove. I Ain't Gonna Be A Working Man No More has super Morganfield feel and Burgin reinforces this on guitar (think Rollin' and Tumblin') and playing is straight and simple, this track just moves. Another funky track, My Life's Enough For Me, has a great bass line compliments of Ehler's and nasty, nasty guitar lead. Burgin's vocals really emphasize his work and I'm glad he continues to develop his own voice. Check how he absolutely slays the guitar solo on this one. Ouch...man that's great! Wrapping the release is slow, Willie Dixon like track, Goodbye Chicago with excellent John Lee Hooker like vocal phrasing and Howlin' Wolf like aesthetic by Burgin. Nancy Wright is so excellent every time I hear her and her playing on this track is no exception. The choice to feature her on this release was brilliant. Burgin pays tribute to all the blues kings as he loosely riffs on guitar with Kumar on harp.  This is really is the path of the contemporary blues. I hope that the young players are listening. This is it! Truly amazing release!

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Ruf Records artist: Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado - Change My Game - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Change My Game, from Thorbjorn Risager & the Black Tornado and it's very interesting. Opening with I Used To Love You, Risager sets a new stage with a calm, poised melody and rich vocals backed by Peter Skjerning on guitar, Emil Balsgaard on keys, Soren Bojgaard on bass, Martin Seidelin on drums, Hans Nybo on tenor sax, Kasper Wagner on sax and Peter Kehl on trumpet. On Funky rocker, Dreamland, the band really hits the groove and the horn section pumping up the work of Bojgaard, Seidelin and Balsgaard I really like this track. Title track, Change My Game has a solid radio format with a spunky beat, clever guitar riffs, a cool funky rhythm and cool horn punctuation. With a blues vamp platform, Risager rides high in a cool, polished blues hollar. Hold My Lover Tight is a solid rocker with a driving beat, super vocals and punchy horns. Another of my favorites. Maybe It's Alright has a universal appeal with a memorable melody, arena beat, cool guitar tones and always strong vocals. Train is a real nice modern blues rocker. With nicely paced vocals, hand claps, rhythmic guitars, tambourine and cool piano, this track is strong. Another track that I really like is ballad, Lay My Burden Down. Risager's rich vocals are really spot lighted here with this beautiful melody over mostly a orchestral accompaniment. Very nice. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, City of Love with saturated guitar, funky horns and nicely arranged vocals. Stiff footed drum work by Seidelin and grinding organ work by Balsgaard really give this track texture for soaring guitar soloing making this track a super 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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