Omnivore Recordings artist: Arthur Alexander - Arthur Alexander- New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release (July 28, 2017) by Arthur Alexander and it's chocked full of country, pop and soul. Opening with I'm Comin' Home, Arthur Anderson shows the style he's know for with a bright beat and smooth vocals. One of the standout tracks on the release, Go On Home Girl, has all of the attributes of a Jimmy Buffet track with the catchy melody and an easy going rhythm. Another track that of course grabs a lot of attention is Burning Love which was covered by Elvis only months after this recordings original release. My favorite track on the release is Rainbow Road, a solid ballad with a lot of soul. Steve Cropper's Down The Back Roads is another strong track with warm melody, cool piano and the soulful vocals of Alexander. Original track, Thank God He Came, is a really nice track with a spiritual theme. Alexander's vocals coast nicely on a wave or organ and rich backing vocals. Another original, They'll Do It Every Time has classic "hit" trademarks with a catchy melody, super vocals and nicely stylized guitar work. Wrapping the release is pop track, Simple Song Of Love, with Alexander just doing his thing. Minimal instrumentation is all he needs to convey his message.

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Blind Chihuahua Records - The Mark Robinson Band - Live at The 5 Spot - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at the 5 Spot, from the Mark Robinson Band and it shares a healthy dose of blues rock. Opening with Baby's Gone To Memphis, Robinson on lead guitar and vocal sets up a real nice boogie rocker with a cool walking bass line from Daniel Seymour and Rick Schell on drums. Being a live release, Robinson takes a nice long guitar solo on this almost 7 minute track. On The Temptations' I Can't Get Next To You, Robinson sets in a terrific groove reminiscent of Al Green or Savoy Brown. Great track and cool performance with backing vocals by Seymour and Schell. One Way Ticket is a cool blues rocker with some of Robinson's best vocals. The band is tight and Robinson's guitar work is progressive and interesting. With it's Latin flavor, Under Her Spell has a Fleetwood Mac feel ... kind of like Black Magic Woman and even some of the glistening tones with Chip Clarke on drums. This is a cool track with slick guitar work. Another boogie track, Drive Real Fast, has a nice groove with the addition of Ben Graves on harp and Mark T. Jordan on keys. Another extended track shows how this tight knit group of guys jams. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Eddie Clearwater's I Wouldn't Lay My Guitar Down with a pure Chuck Berry roll. Keeping it compact, this is an excellent closer for a solid release. 

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Greg Sover - Songs Of A Renegade - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Songs of a Renegade from Greg Sover and it's classic arena rock. Opening with Moment, a bluesy ballad, Greg Sover on lead vocals shows real polish, backed by Garry Lee on vocal and bass, Allen James on guitar, Tom Walling on drums and Wally Smith on keys. His guitar solo phrasing is solid and dynamic. With a edgier sound on Heroes, Lee drives the bass and Sover's lead vocal and guitar work is spot on. On Quicksand Sover's Philadelphia roots show blending his rock nature with Philly soul. With blues bones, After Me explores a more pure form of the blues with basic blues riffs and a modified walking bass line. Cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine performed with a slight reggae twist, driving rock drums and flaming guitars. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Cherie, a cool track with Caribbean rhythms. With it's catchy melody and contagious rhythm, this is a super closer for a solid release.

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Check Out Benny Turner's Book & Enter To Win Autographed Copy

Reply to this email to enter drawing for an autographed copy of Benny's book!   After more than 60 years performing gospel, R&B, soul and blues everywhere from the Chitlin Circuit to the Apollo Theatre to the far reaches of the globe, Benny Turner shares his captivating life story in his new biography, Survivor: The Benny Turner Story. Available in hardcover and eBook versions beginning July 8, 2017. An oral history as told to Bill Dahl, Benny talks about his early years in Gilmer, TX, the family’s move to Chicago in 1950 and the ultimate birth of his career in the gospel, R&B and blues genres. Surviving extreme poverty in rural East Texas followed by the shocking transition to urban life in Chicago and the untimely death of his big brother, bandmate and best friend Freddie King, are only a portion of the obstacles Benny has survived. Early acclaim for the book has been high, both from within the music industry and beyond, earning multiple 5-star reviews from Readers Favorite book reviews. "Freddie King fans will definitely want to check this book out, but Turner's story stands on its own as a testament to resilience and survival." Tom Cullen, Blues Music Magazine "...it feels like Benny Turner is sitting with you as a friend at the kitchen table, sharing his history."  Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite

Survivor - The Benny Turner Story Book Signing Dates Available In Hard Copy & Ebook Amazon Barnes & Noble Benny's Website Benny's Interview On RMU Radio

Little Dog Records artist: Lightnin' Willie - No Black No White Just Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No Black No White Just Blues, from Lightnin' Willie and it all fun. Opening with Can't Get That Stuff No More, Lightnin' Willie rips a good one sounding like a contemporary track by Iron Head or Lead Belly. A cool boogie, lead by Willie on guitar and vocal really nicely showcases the hot piano work of Dona Oxford and a fat guitar solo by Willie.  On Chicago flavored Eye's In The Back Of My Head, Willie continue his clever wordsmithing and Pete Anderson on harp and thumping bass gives the track even more personality. Willie's guitar tone is way cool. One of my favorites is Locked In A Prison, a slower, T-Bone Walker style composition. Ron Dzubla really heats the track up with his sax work and Willie's guitar work is mighty tasty.  Michael Murphy on piano, Jerry Olson on drums and Skip Edwards' Hammond work is spot on. On Latin flavored, Heartache, Willie really takes a cool departure and laying out a cool strumming pattern giving the track even more texture. His solo riffs are precise and spontaneous with great feel.  Another of my favorite tracks is Phone Stopped Ringing with that Otis Rush/Peter Green feel. Alternating between the glistening guitar tone and the fat lower fret throaty tone, Willie uses his guitar to it's best. Very nice. Wrapping the release is rip roaring, Shake My Snake. (Stilladog...this one's for you!) With rimshots reminiscent to ZZ Top on LaGrange Willie cranks the listener and then squeezes his slide ...great boogie...great closer!

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Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "Diamonds & Gold" premieres at Guitar Player; new album "Lay It On Down" out Aug 4 on Concord

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND’S
“DIAMONDS & GOLD” PREMIERES VIA
GUITAR PLAYER

NEW ALBUM LAY IT ON DOWN OUT AUGUST 4 ON
CONCORD RECORDS

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES THIS SUMMER

   

“[Shepherd] is a guitarist who can easily mesmerize an audience with his playing ability and through his passionate and energetic solos.”—The Huffington Post

“Diamonds & Gold,” the new single from Lay It On Down, five-time Grammy nominee and critically acclaimed guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s forthcoming ninth album, is now premiering via Guitar Player; listen/share the track at http://bit.ly/2tKyzwY. Guitar Player notes, “Lay It On Down showcases a more roots-based, Americana sound from Shepherd, and the guitarist was inspired by several genres and musical eras during its inception. The album was recorded super-old-school—live in the studio to analog tape.”

Lay It On Down is due August 4 on Concord Records. Recorded at Echophone Studios in Shepherd’s hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana and produced by Shepherd with Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Voegele), the album was largely recorded live in the studio to analog tape.

Billboard recently premiered the album’s title track, noting, “The gentle ‘Lay It On Down’—which Shepherd co-wrote with ‘Blue On Black’ collaborators Mark Selby and Tia Sillers—certainly represents something different for Shepherd and company.” Shepherd went on to explain, “It’s, like, a midtempo ballad, which surprises some people, but I love ballads. I grew up in the era of the power ballad. That was the biggest thing on the radio when I was a teenager, those rock ‘n’ roll ballads. So I’m a sucker for a good ballad and wanted to have one on this record.” Additionally, CMT Music premiered the video for the album’s first single, “Baby Got Gone,” calling it “the most rollicking country-infused rock track you’ve heard in a long time.”

Shepherd’s band on Lay It On Down features his long-time lead vocalist Noah Hunt, the rhythm section from Shepherd’s supergroup side project The RIDES, Chris Layton (drums) and Kevin McCormick (bass), and keyboardist Jimmy McGorman. “I’m proud of the album we have delivered to the fans and I think they'll be excited by what they hear,” notes Shepherd. “The band we’ve assembled did a fantastic job bringing these songs to life and conveying the musical message to the listener. Now we are looking forward to bringing this new music to the live show to watch it develop even more.” Shepherd further discusses the writing/recording process in the new album’s video trailer, watch/share it at https://youtu.be/xW6HfiJ-WYQ.

Shepherd will celebrate the album’s release with a U.S. tour that kicks off August 9 in Westbury, NY. See below for a list of dates; additional shows to be announced shortly.

Lay It On Down finds Shepherd two decades into a recording career that began when he was 16. Shepherd has sold millions of albums worldwide and, in addition to his five Grammy nominations, he has won two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had six #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles, and his acclaimed documentary project 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads was the top-selling blues album of 2007. Shepherd’s last release, 2014’s Goin’ Home (Concord Records), debuted at #25 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and spent several weeks at #1 on the Billboard Blues chart.

LAY IT ON DOWN TRACK LIST

1. Baby Got Gone
2. Diamonds & Gold
3. Nothing But The Night
4. Lay It On Down
5. She’s $$$
6. Hard Lesson Learned
7. Down For Love
8. How Low Can You Go
9. Louisiana Rain
10. Ride Of Your Life

THE KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND LIVE
 

August 9	Westbury, NY	The Space at Westbury
August 10	Albany, NY	The Egg
August 11	Northfield, OH	Hard Rock Live
August 12	Peoria, IL	Riverfront Park
August 14	Annapolis, MD	Rams Head on Stage
August 15	Annapolis, MD	Rams Head on Stage
August 16	Morristown, NJ	Mayo Performing Arts Center
August 18	Portland, ME	Aura
August 19	Northampton, MA	Calvin Theatre
August 20	Derry, NH	Tupelo Music Hall
August 22	Bar Harbor, ME	Criterion Theatre
August 23	Ridgefield, CT	Ridgefield Playhouse
August 25	Harrisburg, PA	Whitaker Center
August 26	E. Providence, RI	Bold Point Park
August 27	Beverly, MA	Cabot Theatre
September 1	Milwaukee, WI	Harley Davidson Museum
September 8	Sacramento, CA	Crest Theatre
September 9	Redwood City, CA	Fox Theatre
September 10	Guerneville, CA	Russian River Jazz Festival
September 15	Cottonwood, AZ	Thunder Valley Rally
September 16	Las Vegas, NV	Tropicana Theater
September 18	Kansas City, MO	Uptown Theater
September 19	Des Moines, IA	Hoy Sherman Place
September 21	Wichita, KS	The Cotillion Ballroom
September 22	Springfield, MO	Gillioz Theatre
September 23	Louisville, KY	Bourbon & Beyond Festival
October 14	Merrillville, IN	Star Plaza Theatre

Blue Elan Records artist: Janiva Magness - Blue Again - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Again, from Janiva Magness and she taps a number of blues classics. Opening with I Can Tell, Magness has the place rockin' and Kid Ramos shows some trademark riffs backed by Matt Tecu on drums, Gary "Scruff" Davenport on bass, Zach Zunis and Garrett Deloian on guitar and Arlan Schierbaum om keys. On Al Kooper's, I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know, Magness digs deep for some of her most soulful vocals on record. Kooper being an organ player, this track leaves plenty of space for Schierbaum and he uses it nicely complimented by tasty guitar soloing. Magness teams up with Sugaray Rayford for an vibrant R&B duet on If I Can't Have You. Joe Hinton's I'm Tired Of Walking with crisp, Freddie King/Eric Clapton like guitar work. Very nice. Nina Simone's slinky,   Buck is a cool track with snappy, SRV like guitar riffs and TJ Norton on harp. Wrapping the release is funky blues rocker, Pack It Up. Magness is in the slot with super vocals, really nicely backed by Schierbaum on electric piano and low key guitar soloing by Zunis. Nice closer for 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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Mudslide Records artists: Delta Wires - Born In Oakland - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Born In Oakland, from Delta Wires and they are wielding some mighty horns. Opening with Sunny Day with it's jazzy rock sound, Ernie Pinata is up front on lead vocal. Tom Gerrits funks up the bass against Tony Huszar who really knows how to use the kick pedal. Gerry Jonutz on alto, tenor and bari sax, David Bowman on trombone and John Christensen on trumpet are over the top with Richard Healy with his funky guitar riffs. Driving blues rocker, Vacation, has a super bass line and cool horns but when Pinata breaks loose on the harp, this track flies. My favorite track on the release is instrumental, In The Middle, with a super trombone solo from Bowman followed by hot solos by Christensen, Jonutz and Pinata. Hot! Wrapping the release is All I Have To Give, another jazzy pop rocker with punchy horns, a blistering solo by Pinata and a wicked guitar solo by Healy and a ripping sax solo by Jonutz. This release is a lot of fun if you like the horns... and who doesn't.

  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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Slide Guitar Master Dennis Johnson Set to Release New "Rhythmland" CD September 15 on Root Tone Records

Slide Guitar Master Dennis Johnson Set to Release New Rhythmland CD September 15 on Root Tone Records

SACRAMENTO, CA – San Francisco Bay Area-based slide guitar master Dennis Johnson announces a September 15 release date for Rhythmland, his latest CD on the Root Tone Records label. Johnson plans to release his first single off the new disc, “Timbale” to iTunes on August 1, and will celebrate the new album with a special CD release party show on September 15 at the Guild Theater in Sacramento. Listen to “Timbale”  :Here 

Rhythmland was produced by Dennis Johnson and Craig Long and recorded at Paradise Studios in Sacramento. On the CD, Dennis Johnson (guitar, vocals) is backed by his band, dubbed The Mississippi Ramblers: Tim Metz – drums; Jonathan Stoyanoff – bass; and Craig Long - keyboards, background vocals. Johnson also wrote nine of the album’s ten songs and spins a unique take on the classic, “Walkin’ Blues.”

Rhythmland explores Americana, roots, blues, Latin, rock and folk rhythms with standout improvisational sections. “I wanted to make a diverse album with great rhythms, lyrics and improvisation,” says Dennis. “The rhythms on the record really pull the listener in. That’s one reason we called the record Rhythmland.” 

                                               

Inspiring lyrics and vocals are spotlighted on songs like “Faith” and “That Way No More.” Adds Dennis: “I am really happy with the lyrics on this record. The lyrics are based on life experiences and delve into important guiding principles to help you get through the ups and downs of life. These are lessons I have lived. The songs on the album tell some great stories.” 

Rhythmland also features several innovative slide guitar techniques. “I came up with techniques like halftime rhythmic slides and artificial harmonic slides that you hear on the Latin cascara song, ‘Timbale,’” he explains. “I have learned to think rhythm first, and it takes slide guitar to a whole new level. It’s not about how many notes you play, but what you do with the notes you choose. I want to support the rhythms of the song.” 

In the studio, Johnson worked with co-producer Craig Long to find unique guitar tones that fit with the songs and other instruments. “There are some great guitar tones on the record,” he proclaims. The 12-string dobro just sings on the band's version of “Walkin’ Blues;” Dennis' 1961 Martin New Yorker demonstrates a beautiful acoustic resonance on the jazz-flavored “My Love Is Here for You” and just rips on the barrelhouse “High Heel Shoes.” 

“He well deserves the name of master slide guitarist.” – RootsTime Magazine

              
San Francisco native Dennis Johnson is one of the hardest working musicians with a deep passion for preserving and innovating roots music. He is one of roots music's best kept secrets.

Johnson realized at a young age that music was his calling. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, he heard the music of Chuck Berry and it struck a chord with him. As a teenager, he taught himself the guitar and discovered his passion for slide guitar. He discovered the music of Robert Johnson, (Bay Area favorites) Roy Rogers and Norton Buffalo and was hooked. Dennis recalled “seeing Roy play the first time really blew me away; he’s a huge influence on my music.”

The iconic Robert Johnson's approach to guitar was the blueprint for Dennis’ evolution as a guitarist. “Robert‘s guitar playing sounded like two guitars,” Dennis explains. “It’s a blend of rhythm and slide phrases that sound like two guitarists are playing when it’s really one. I approach guitar in much the same way.”

The road to becoming a professional musician was paved when Dennis met Delta blues legend David “Honeyboy” Edwards. “I was at a personal crossroads in deciding whether to be a musician. Honeyboy told me, ‘If you like to play the blues, play the blues!’ The eloquence of that statement was in its simplicity. When I shook Honeyboy's hand I felt an energy there. This was a profound moment in my life. It was fate.”

Honeyboy's advice turned out to be a risk that paid off. In 2010, Dennis Johnson released his first album, Slide Show, to critical acclaim. Slide Show rose to the Top 50 blues CDs worldwide and No. 21 on the California Roots Radio Charts.

In Slide Avenue, Johnson pushed the boundaries of slide guitar with amazing instrumental conversations between slide guitar and saxophone, fiddle, piano, B3 organ, Wurlitzer and more. The album seamlessly blended swing, blues, New Orleans, rock, roots and folk music. The radio charts, reviews and audience response proved the results were stellar. Slide Avenue rose to the top of the Roots Music Report radio charts.

“Rhythmland happened because I spent a lot of time exploring rhythms. Once the grooves were found, the lyrics came easily. I was fortunate to collaborate with two accomplished musicians, drummer Tim Metz and bassist Jonathan Stoyanoff, on arranging some of the tunes.  The result is an album I feel is our best material to date.”

Lost Bayou Ramblers releasing new album of perversely progressive Cajun traditional music

Lost Bayou Ramblers' evolution as a perversely progressive band rooted in Cajun traditions continues to excite, challenge, and redefine both genre expectations as well as cultural preconceptions. Produced by Korey Richey (LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire) their latest studio album, Kalenda, is set for release on September 26 on Rice Pump Records. Their Jack White-produced performance in the 2017 documentary series and record release American Epic helped solidify Lost Bayou Ramblers' reputation as one of the world's finest traditional Cajun outfits, if one of the least orthodox. With eight albums, a Grammy nomination, contributions to the score of the Oscar-nominated Beasts Of The Southern Wild, and touring with both Arcade Fire and the Violent Femmes, Lost Bayou continues to swing wide from their Louisiana home base. Lost Bayou Ramblers' new album celebrates the complex history and cultural diversity of "Kalenda" - a Caribbean dance, a Louisiana rhythm, a Cajun rock'n'roll song, and eventually a woman's name - that crossed both the black-white and Creole-Cajun divides in so many forms. The Ramblers channel those suggestive rhythms associated with the dance as producer Korey Richey masterfully incorporates new hues from his sonic palate into their arrangements. Once again, the band stands at the crosscurrents of Louisiana culture by inhabiting the gray area between Cajun and Creole, convention and innovation. Their Kalenda is at once a mystery and a revelation. This amazing line-up of musicians led by brothers Louis Michot (fiddle and lead vocals) and Andre Michot (accordion and lapsteel), include Bryan Webre (electric bass), Johnny Campos (electric guitar), Eric Heigle (electronics and acoustic guitar), and Kirkland Middleton (drums). The ensemble brings the cumulative experience of 17 years of touring, recording, and collaborating to bear on Kalenda's creation with intoxicating results. Lost Bayou Ramblers was formed in 1999 by brothers Andre and Louis Michot, performing the roots Cajun music they learned as members of Les Frères Michot, the family band their father and uncles formed in the 80's. The brothers quickly began playing clubs and festivals around Louisiana, and taking the traditional music they were raised with to new levels of rhythmic energy and spontaneity, producing the punk and psychedelic labels given to the band by reviews over the years. In 2012, with five albums under their belt, including a Grammy nomination for their 2007 release Live a la Blue Moon, the band released its most progressive and sonically experimental record to date, Mammoth Waltz. With the stylings of producer Korey Richey and the help of guest artists Gordon Gano, Scarlett Johansson, and Dr. John, Mammoth Waltz was named #2 in the "Top 21 Louisiana albums of the 21st Century" by the  Times Picayune, and acted as an invitation for all music lovers to tune in to the hypnotic Cajun rhythms Lost Bayou Ramblers have been known for since their inception in 1999. Lost Bayou Ramblers' contribution to the score of Beasts of the Southern Wild in 2012 brought them further renown worldwide, and continuing performances with Wordless Music Orchestra and score composers Benh Zeiltin and Dan Romer. 2014 brought LBR the support slot on Arcade Fire's REFLEKTOR tour. In addition, they made a live appearance on NPR's World Café. The program rated LBR's performance #1 on "David Dye's five favorite live music moments in and out of the World Café studio."  They also released Gasa Gasa Live, recorded at New Orleans' Uptown experimental music venue, one of four shows they played that day in the Crescent City. Lost Bayou Ramblers have continually integrated new sonic elements to their live performances, always experimenting and growing the show to what it's become today, an eclectic mix of modern sounds and rhythms with ancient Cajun melodies and lyrics and that's reflected in the ambitious aesthetic reach of Kalenda. They will be premiering the repertoire from Kalenda live at a string of concert dates around the country, ranging from Seattle to Brooklyn to New Orleans, and all points in between. www.lostbayouramblers.com

Reuben Records artist: Amy Black - Memphis - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Memphis, from Amy Black and it's old school. Opening with It's Hard To Love An Angry Man, Black shows her serious nature backed by Al Gamble on Hammond, Leroy Flick Hodges on bass, George Sluppick on drums, and really nice guitar work by Joe Restivo. Mark Franklin on trumpet, Kirk Smothers on tenor sax, Art Edmaiston on bari sax really adds to the warmth and Reba Russell, Daunielle Hill and Black contribute super backing vocals. Out for a rumble on The Blackest Cloud Edmaiston's sax work really sets the track off and the horn section really adds punch. Ballad, Without You is a full taste of the reason this release is called Memphis (from my perspective) with upfront female vocals and solid horns. One of top radio tracks on the release, If I Could Reach Out (and Help Somebody) is a super smooth with R&B bones and strings (Jessie Munson on violin, Yennifer Correia on violin, Jennifer Puckett on viola and Jonathan Kirkscey on cello. I particularly like Black's lead vocals on Let The Light with a airy darkness and rich backing vocals, Rev Charles Hodges on Hammond and a bluesy guitar solo by Restivo. High steppin' What Makes A Man has that cool Al Green strut. Franklin's trumpet highlights and that super bari sax by Edmaiston really sets the track off. Sassy, Further On Up The Road, with terrific vocals by Black, top notch key work from Hodges, really punchy horn work and excellent guitar work from Restivo. Wrapping the release is classic blues track, I Need Your Love So Bad. Excellent lead vocals are the key with super Hammond work from Hodges and hot bluesy chops from Bobby Manuel on guitar making this a strong closer for 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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