13th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, SoCal's Longest-Running Yearly Big Blues Event, Dedicated to the Late Mickey Jones

13TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL, SOCAL'S LONGEST-RUNNING YEARLY BIG BLUES EVENT RETURNS TO LOVELY CAMARILLO; EARL THOMAS, JOHN NEMETH HEADLINE THIS YEAR'S STRONG LINEUP  **Festival Also Dedicated to the Late Actor/Musician, Mickey Jones**                                  Saturday, April 28, 2018 - Gates Open 10am, Music Starts 11:00 am     (CAMARILLO, CA)  - The 13th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, Southern California's Longest-Running Yearly Big Blues Event, returns on Saturday, April 28, to Studio Channel Islands, 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo. Gates open 10:00 am, music begins at 11:00 am. Tickets $30. (Pre-Sale), $40. (Day of Show). Kids 12 and under, free with paid Adult General Admission. V.I.P. Tickets $125. (online only). Festival proceeds benefits Food Share, Safety Harbor Kids and other local charities (please bring a nonperishable food item to donate to Food Share). Info: (805) 501-7122 or visit venturacountyblues.com/. Benefiting Safety Harbor Kids and other local charities. Donations welcome.   "We look forward to carrying on this tradition for many years to come," says Michael John, Ventura County Blues Society President. "Because of the support of sponsors and the generosity of all the volunteers donating their time, we anticipate the Ventura County Blues Festival will continue to grow as it has each year."    The Festival is dedicated to the late musician and actor, Mickey Jones.  Statement About Mickey Jones's Passing From VCBS President, Michael John                "The Passing of our dear brother and friend Mickey Jones will leave an empty place in our hearts. Anyone who ever had the honor to meet Mickey knows what a very special human being he was. Not just because of the incredible life he lived, but the person he was. He was always there for anyone that needed a helping hand, all you had to do is just ask. He worked as hard on charity events as he did on his long successful career as a professional musician and actor. I met Mickey several years ago at a charity event which we were both involved in, we talked for a while and realized we both lived in the same town, Simi Valley. We became very close friends as we had a lot of common interests, the love of family, friends, music and a bond that lasted for many years working to support our community. There will never be another person like Mickey, he has touch the hearts of so many people.       "I believe things happen for a reason and our paths crossing was meant to be, to call him a brother and friend to me and my family was a blessing.  I think it is only fitting that The 13th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival is dedicated to the man who truly made a difference in the lives of so many. We will have an all-star jam to close the festival this year which will have many very special guests. In addition, there will be an silent auction which will help the Jones family through these hard times. I ask all music fans to come out and join us in the celebration of Mickey’s life for the whole day of great music and some great surprises.  This will be an amazing day, come out and celebrate this day with us while doing something positive for our community. Thank you Mickey for all you have done, your love, your friendship, your humor and your wisdom. We will always love you and keep you in our hearts forever." -----------------------------------------------------------   This year's lineup features multiple former Grammy nominee, vocalist Earl Thomas; harpist-vocalist extraordinaire, John Nemeth; SoCal native daughter and longtime festival favorite, Deb Ryder; past International Blues Challenge semi finalists, Alan Wright Band; Sandy Scott & Blues to The Bone, featuring powerhouse vocalist, Sandy Scott. As per yearly tradition, the Ventura County Blues Society All-Star Jam closes out the festival, with special, unannounced guest performers.      Former Grammy nominee/four-time San Diego Music Award winner Earl Thomas is  one of the 13th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival headliners.   HEADLINERS AT THE 13TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL    Earl Thomas: is an American blues singer/songwriter, with songs covered by artists including Tom Jones, Etta James, Solomon Burke and Screamin' Jay Hawkins among many others. He has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won the San Diego Music Award four times. He started out playing the Arcata (Ca) clubs in the early 1980s while attending Humboldt State University.  He was at an Open Mike Night at and sang a Jackson Browne number, "Something Fine" which was the start of his performing career. In the early 1990s, he moved to San Diego, California.His Blue...Not Blues album was released in 1991 and received favorable reviews, and he was referred to by one reviewer as "a pleasant surprise". His self-penned song, "I Sing the Blues", was a hit for Etta James. in 2016 he released Crow (Earl Thomas Music).     John Nemeth: Don’t try to snatch him back and hold him, he’s a man on the move. John Németh had already established himself among the very top ranks of blues musicians and modern soul singers when he decided to break the mold with his new record, FEELIN’ FREAKY. Németh fearlessly crushes all barriers of style and genre with an album of original songs that defies all the usual pigeonholes. Drawing from his strong influences in blues and R&B, as well as contemporary sounds in hip hop and rock & roll, John creates music that is personal as well as universal, and owes its origin to no one but John Németh. John’s songs are groove and melody-driven, laced with thoughtful lyrics and nuanced humor, and cover themes from social issues of gun violence and class values to the pure hedonistic joy of dancing, sexuality and marijuana. He creates his songs from melodies and phrases he draws from the sounds of life, from early-morning Memphis songbirds to the din of the city. For this album John brought his new songs to his great touring band, the Blue Dreamers – Danny Banks on drums, Matthew Wilson on bass and guitar, and Johnny Rhodes on guitar – so they could hone the groove and finish building the album as a group. Under the simpatico guidance of Grammy-nominated producer Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi AllStars), FEELIN’ FREAKY emerges as a modern personal masterpiece.       Deb  Ryder: Born outside Chicago, Deb began appearing on stage as a young teen at her step father’s famous nightclub The Topanga Corral, where she opened for such blues legends as Etta James, Big Joe Turner and Taj Mahal to name a few. Deb’s vocals have been described as big, devastatingly powerful, whiskey-soaked, a force of nature, reminiscent of her major influences Etta James and Koko Taylor. Ryder's stage presence is captivating, while her amazing vocals take the audience to new levels of enjoyment. Her standout performances have garnered awards and critical acclaim at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada and Europe. She writes all her own material and the lyrics paint a gritty, personal picture of life, love and trouble with just a well crafted touch of whimsy. Deb has her eyes and her talents fixed firmly on the future. “I am excited about my career and the successes I have had, and it just keeps getting better”! Don't miss Deb Ryder live, it's well worth the effort! "Glorious vocals by Deb Ryder - Let It Rain is a treat from start to finish, and well worthy of your attention!" GRAHAME RHODES - BLUES IN THE NORTHWEST.      Alan Wright Band: Alan Wright is a humble man with deeply passionate  music style that's reminiscent of the blues-based rock styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, as well as traditional electric blues styles of the many great legends, yet a style all his own. Wright began playing guitar at the age of nine and has never stopped. The Alan Wright band performs at clubs and major music venues throughout the U.S. A local jem with major talent, you don't want to miss this act!     Sandy Scott & Blues To The Bone: This rising Southern California ensemble consists of Sandy Scott (lead vocals/songwriter), Pat McClure (guitar/vocals), Pete Gallagher (drums/backing vocals), and Teddy Andreadis (keyboards/harp/arranger/backing vocals. The band performs original music influenced by modern and traditional blues. In the past Scott has toured as an opening act for Joe Walsh, The Beach Boys and Sammy Hagar, among others.                                                     venturacountyblues.com facebook.com/VenturaCountyBluesFestival Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email

VizzTone Label Group artist: Tyler Morris Band - Next In Line - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Next In Line, from the Tyler Morris Band, and it's solid. Opening with arena rocker, Ready To Shove, Morris shows his strong technical guitar skills, with Morten Fredheim on lead vocal, joined by Scott Spray on bass, Tyger Macneal on drums and Mike Dimeo on keys. On blues rock classic, Willie the Wimp, Joe Louis Walker has the lead on vocals, nicely complimenting some real tasty blues riffs by Morris. Very cool. Down On My Luck is a heavy footed blues rocker with a good swagger. I like Morris' lead guitar approach on this one giving the track real traction. Changing gears, Choppin' is a cool shuffle instrumental with guitar melody and punched up by the Uptown Horns. Very cool. Thunder has a more Hendrix edge with isolated vocals and wah wah. Without doing a straight Jimi thing, Morris captures his feel in his own sound. This Ain't No Fun has the staggered rhythm of Whippin' Post combined with vocal harmonies and a different approach to the melody. Developing into a super boogie with nice grinding guitar soloing, this track gives Morris a chance to really stretch. Another track with great swagger is Truth Is The Question with it's straight ahead rock approach and firm guitar trigger. Wrapping the release is Keep On Driving with it's light jazz feel. Latin rhythm, bright piano work by Dimeo and warm jazz guitar chords set the pace and Morris' tight guitar soloing blends nicely, rounding the set for a solid 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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VizzTone Label Group: Billy Walton Band - Soul Of A Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul of a Man, by the Billy Walton Band and it's polished. Opening with radio track, Save The Last Dance, Billy Walton on lead vocal and guitar puts this new release into motion. Backed by William Paris on bass and vocal and Johnny D'Angelo on drums. On high energy, I Don't Know, D'Angelo really snaps the drums and horn backing by Matt Fischer, Ian Gray and Frank Rein on trombone; Jon Shaw, Sean Marks, Tom Petraccaro and Joey Stann on sax and Rick Rein on trumpet really punch the track up. It's Paris' bass line that stands out on Hell n Highwater giving Walton a solid floor to lead the way. It Ain't True is a throw back rocker combining classic early 60's rock with the Ramones' simplicity. Possibly my favorite track on the release with pop lyrics and easy guitar lead. Walton steps up with flashy lead guitar on Poison Pill, a ballad based blues number. keyboard work by Eric Safka and Sam Sherman sets a super backing and trombone fill sets the guitar solo off nicely. Minglewood has a real nice "Neil Young" feel to it and the addition of slashing guitar riffs by Walton makes it another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Days Like These in a quiet blues like setting featuring Jack Gist on harmonica, balanced with Walton's acoustic guitar and vocals. 

  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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Johnny Fink and the Intrusion - JFI - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, JFI, from Johnny Fink and the Intrusion and I really enjoyed it. Opening with boogie track, Oh No, Johnny Fink on lead guitar and vocal is rocking out of the gates backed by Matt Newman on bass, Doug Moore on drums and Jimmy Rogers on keys. Maintaining the simmer like a master Fink slowly adds fuel to the fire and then explodes with fiery guitar riffs and pointed vocals. Very cool. On shuffle track, Hey Hey Hey, Fink has a smoother vocal sound in the Robben Ford range and the band rocks on with a driving bass line, simple, effective guitar riffs and super drums. On slow blues number, The Fall, Fink is front and center vocally, displaced only by tight, expressive guitar runs that will have you sitting back and listening ... contently. Very nice.  Another real nice slow blues is Damn Broke. I have to admit, I am a sucker for slower expressive blues with cool guitar parts. I am less excited by blues ballads and Fink knows the difference building tension on his vocals with the addition of Rogers on organ and smartly phrased blues lead. Very nice. Whipping out the old slide on Knew She Was Looking, Fink opens a track that would be comfortable on a 70's Savoy Brown with it's boogie rock guitar rhythm and solid vocals. Rogers plays a strong piano and Fink rips on slide over a great bottom by Newman and Moore. With a staggered bass line and super round guitar lead, Go Away is a real nice track with some of the hottest riffs on the release. Another slow, expressive, blues track, Pain, really plays the dynamic card with quiet, soulful vocals over softly expressed chords and rim shots, parlayed into full throated blues guitar phrased melody. Really nice. Wrapping the release is It's Alright, a cool, Willie Dixon like track. A great bass line by Newman, tight drums by Moore and stark vocals by Fink, backed up by intuitive lead guitar makes for a super closer for this release. I think this release scratches an itch that you forgot you had. Excellent!

  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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VizzTone Label Group artist:Muddy Gurdy - Self titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Muddy Gurdy, by a French trio of musicians, Tia Gouttebel (guitar and vocal), Gilles Chabenat (Hurdy Gurdy) and Marc Glomeau (percussion). Joining up with Cedric Burnside (acoustic guitar and vocal), Sharde Thomas (fife and vocal), Cameron Kimbrough (guitar and vocal) and Pat Thomas (guitar and vocal), they made terrific North Mississippi Hill Country Blues. Opening with RL Burnside's, Goin' Down South the group conjurs the feeling of Mali and Ali Farke Tour. Very nice. Another Burnside track, See My Jumper Hanging On The Line maintains a really rural feel with gritty guitar work and earthy vocals. Muddy Water's Rollin' and Tumblin' is tom tom heavy with acoustic slide and authentic vocals. Otha Turner's Station Blues really keeps in line with Turner's roots with ancient slide sounds and snare drum accompaniment behind Tia's vocals and Sharde's fife. Very nice. With a more modern hip hop/jazz feel, Tia shows excellent vocal phrasing over a much more contemporary light sound. Cameron Kimbrough's Gonna Love You has that classic North Mississippi sound with it's loose guitar soloing and Hooker like vocals. Excellent! Mississippi Fred McDowell's Shake 'Em On Down has a great rudimentary feel with rhythm guitar drive and slide guitar flash. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Highway 61, played in the most raw form imaginable and with falsetto vocals over the sounds of cars and trucks on the road in backing. This is really a terrific release and one to catch!

  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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Black Iris Records Set to Release New Album from Singer/Songwriter Dulcie Taylor, "Better Part of Me," on March 9

Black Iris Records Set to Release New Album from Singer/Songwriter Dulcie Taylor, Better Part of Me,

On March 9

First Single, “Halfway to Jesus,” Coming March 2

ARROYO GRANDE, CA – Black Iris Records, a joint venture with MesaBluemoon Recordings, announces a March 9 release date for Better Part of Me, the new album of songs from acclaimed singer/songwriter Dulcie Taylor. The label will release “Halfway to Jesus,” the first single off the new album, to all platforms on March 2. 

The title of the first single has special meaning to Dulcie Taylor, as she reflected on it recently.

“Our planet is suffering through ravaging climate change that has brought on catastrophic storms, commonly called ‘1,000 year storms,’ indicating how rare they should be. We must take action to save our planet.”

Better Part of Me was recorded at Laurel Lane Studio and produced by Dulcie Taylor (lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar, dulcimer and tambourine); George Nauful (acoustic and electric guitars, acoustic piano, bass, background vocals, lead vocal and percussion); and Damon Castillo (electric guitar, bass, background vocals, and drum programming). Joining for the recording sessions were Abraham Robles (drums, Cajon, percussion); Kristian Ducharme (B3 organ, Wurlitzer piano and acoustic piano); Dillon Johnson (upright bass); Tracy Morgan (drums, Cajon); Cameron West (bass and drums); Joey Landreth (acoustic and electric slide guitar); Dominic Castillo (electric slide guitar); Erin Snedecor and Bob Liepman (cello); Pete Whitfield (string orchestration); Valerie Johnson (background vocals); and Tyson Leonard (drum program and mandolin).

“I am so thankful to have such incredibly talented people to work with,” Dulcie says about the sessions. “I trust them, I thoroughly enjoy their company, I share their aesthetic values and we have a lot of fun together (always an important part of creation). Each morning when I came into the studio, I felt like a little kid on the way to a much-anticipated birthday party.”

Dulcie Taylor’s songs give insight into not only her feelings about the world we live in, but about relationships past and present. She has an uncanny ability to distill complicated situations into easily identifiable and understood realities. 

“George Nauful and I have several songs on the new CD we've written together, such as ‘Hearts Have to Break,’ she states. “We sing it almost all the way through as a duet. The lyrics to this song sum up how I feel about love and its importance in the human heart. I especially love George's guitar solos on this recording. He always takes the melody somewhere that surprises me but also delights me.”

Another standout track on Better Part of Me is “Moon Is Cold,” which Dulcie describes as being about “When a deceiving nature is coupled with a smart mind, look out. Somebody's going to get hurt. I love the slide guitar part, played by Dominic Castillo. He plays what I would play if I could.”

Taylor describes the album’s title track, written by George Nauful, as “a dreamy, ‘noir-ish’ song about trying to reach that place where the love you share with your lover is all you want it to be.” And simply describes the aptly titled song, “God Did Me a Favor,” thusly: “When you find the right person to share your life with, it truly feels like God did you a favor.”

   “You put the song in my soul.”

   “You put the beat in my heart.”

  

Dulcie Taylor Tour Itinerary

Feb. 24, 1 - 4 PM - Vina Robles Winery - Paso Robles, CA 
March 2, 7:30-9:30 PM - Cambridge Drive Concerts - Goleta, CA
March 4, 5 - 8 PM, Puffer's of Pismo - Pismo Beach, CA

March 9, 5 - 7 PM, Rideau Vineyard - Solvang, CA (near Santa Barbara)

March 10, 10 - Midnight, Luna Red - San Luis Obispo, CA
March 11, 3 - 6 PM - SeaVenture Resort - Pismo Beach, CA 

March 17, 5 - 8 PM - Asuncion Ridge Vineyard - Paso Robles, CA
March 30, 4 - 6 PM - Presqu'ile Winery - Santa Maria, CA
March 31, 1 – 4 PM - Shale Oak Winery - Paso Robles, CA 

April 4, Doors @ 7 PM - Arroyo Seco Golf Course - The Blue Guitar - South Pasadena, CA 
April 7, 1 - 4 PM - Broken Earth Winery - Paso Robles, CA 

April 13, 5:30 - 8:30 PM - Tooth & Nail Winery - Paso Robles, CA 
April 28, 2 - 5 PM, Soaring Hawk Vineyards - Santa Margarita, CA

Beth Hart Announces First Live Release In 13 Years, 'Live From New York - Front and Center' CD/DVD set will be released on April 13th, 2018 via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group On March 7th, 2017, the GRAMMY nominated "powerhouse vocalist" (Rolling Stone) Beth Hart performed a very special, intimate concert at NYC's Iridium Jazz Club, which featured songs from her latest album 'Fire on the Floor' and from throughout her career. Now, 13 years after the release of her incredibly successful live release, 'Live at Paradiso,' Hart is treating fans to a DVD/CD release of this standout performance with 'Live From New York - Front & Center', out April 13th via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group. The performance is also featured on the Season 8 premiere episode of Public Television's critically acclaimed concert series, Front and Center (airing now, check local listings). Known for her visceral, soul-baring vocals and dynamic range, Hart is riding a creative tidal wave following the release of her critically acclaimed 2016 studio album, 'Fire On The Floor', as well as her just-released studio collaboration with guitarist Joe Bonamassa, 'Black Coffee.' Leveling audiences with her incredible power and celebrated burnt-honey vocals for 20 years, Hart has just launched a 16-date coast-to-coast US tour, which will be followed by a European tour in April-May 2018. Hart has had an incredible career, beginning with the release of a fistful of hit albums through the '90s, then reigniting in the post-millennium as both a solo artist and the head-turning vocalist for guitar heroes like Joe Bonamassa, Slash and long-time collaborator Jeff Beck. But it's in recent times that Beth has truly blossomed, selling out ever-larger venues in cities around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. She is recognized as one of the great live vocalists of our time, with a voice "reminiscent of Etta James and Janis Joplin" (Music Connection), topping Billboard's Blues Album Chart and receiving numerous GRAMMY and Blues Music Awards nominations. Dubbed "the ultimate female rock star" by The Blues Magazine, the Guardian has praised her "daring, brooding performances" and The Times has called her "Extraordinary." 'Live From New York - Front And Center' will be released as a 2-disc DVD/CD set, mixed in 5.1 stereo, featuring never before seen bonus material, including an exclusive interview with Hart. The audio from the performance will also be sold separately as a digital release. Track Listing CD 01 - Let's Get Together 02 - Baddest Blues 03 - Jazz Man 04 - Delicious Surprise 05 - Broken And Ugly 06 - St. Teresa 07 - Isolation 08 - Tell Her You Belong To Me 09 - Fat Man 10 - Love Gangster 11 - Leave The Light On 12 - As Long As I Have A Song DVD 01 - Let's Get Together 02 - Baddest Blues 03 - Jazz Man 04 - Delicious Surprise 05 - St. Teresa 06 - Tell Her You Belong To Me 07 - Fat Man 08 - Leave The Light On 09 - Can't Let Go 10 - As Long As I Have A Song Bonus DVD features: * Full Band Bonus Content (Love Gangster - Broken And Ugly - For My Friends) * Acoustic Bonus Content (Isolation - My California - No Place Like Home) * Beth Hart Interview Tour dates - www.bethhart.com/tour/ Beth Hart Online: www.facebook.com/officialbethhart www.twitter.com/BethHart www.instagram.com/officialbethhart www.bethhart.com

Omnivoire Recordings: Get Right - The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Two: 1964-1966 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Get Right - The Ru_Jac Records Story, Volume Two: 1964-1966 and it's really super. Opening with Brenda Jones on It Must Be Love, we hear classic R&B with solid vocals and tight horn backing. On So Alone, Jones takes strong command of this super melody and orchestration. What More (Can Anyone Want) has a simple 60's Latin influence and strong vocal harmonies from Shirley of the Soul Sisters and Brother. Butch Cornell's Trio stretches out on a jazz fusioned instrumental, Goose Pimples. With super lead organ and tight bass/drum rhythm, this is great. Another more laid back instrumental by Cornell, Here 'Tis Now, has a great groove again allowing Cornell to ride high on organ. Excellent! Arthur Conley shows real authority on the demo for Whole Lotta Woman backed by piano. This is a terrific soul track. Shuffle track, Get Right is a great showcase for Bobby Sax & His House Keepers. With solid sax lead and light fingered electric guitar soloing over a walking bass line, super groove. Super saxy, Soul At Last, also by Bobby Sax is raspy and hot smoking blues. Very nice. Winfield Parker's demo, I Love You Just The Same shows the ultra expressive vocals of Parker, backed only with simple guitar rhythm. Raw and soulful. The Mask Man & The Cap-Tans set up Chicken Wings, a cool dance tune with pumped up sax and cool organ work over a snappy rhythm. Wrapping the release is another demo from Arthur Conley, Hiding Out In Blue Shadows, with only piano accompaniment and backing vocal. This is a strong closer for a really 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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Greg Sover - Jubilee - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jubilee, from Greg Sover and it's solid. Opening with driving rocker, Emotional, lead vocalist and guitarist, Sover leads the tour and a heavy bass line by Garry Lee sets the pace. Backed by Allen James on electric guitar, Tom Walling on drums and Wally Smith on keys, this track feels a bit retro. Title track, Jubilee, has a strong blues feel with Mikey Junior on harp. Slide resonator work by Sover gives the track a real cool feel. Hand On My Heart is a soulful yet jazzy track along the lines of Sting. Nicely placed guitar riffs and elegant piano placement makes this one of my favorites on the release. Don Robey's As The Years Go Passing By has a smooth blues feel with solid vocals and stinging guitar riffs. With an aggressive attack, Temptation has classic 12 bar structure but with explosive, overdriven guitar riffs. Sover slices and dices on this track making it the outstanding guitar track on the release. Wrapping the release is Hand On My Heart, a jazzy ballad with soulful vocals and light accompaniment.

  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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Blue Elan Records artist: Janiva Magness - Love Is An Army - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (February 23, 2018), Love Is An Army, by Janiva Magness and it's earthy. Opening with R&B track, Back To Blue, Janiva Magness shows authority in the shadows of Mayfield and Green with Stephen Hodges on drums, Davey Faragher on bass, Arlan Schierbaum on keys, Doug Livingston on pedal steel, Dave Darling on guitar, Phil Parlapiano on piano and Darrell Leonard, Joe Sublet and Alfredo Ballesteros on horns. Also contributing backing vocals are Kudisan Kai, Sugaray Rayford, Gary Pinto, Natasha Pinto, Thrones, Aurelia, Dave Darling and Brie Darling. Excellent opener. Another nice entry is Tell Me with strong vocals and real nice guitar work by Darling. Ballad and title track, Love Is An Army, has a strong melody with warm pedal work by Livingston and really nice vocal duet between Magness and Bryan Stephens. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Down Below with a really earthy feel and featuring Courtney Hartman on guitar and banjo. Faragher's bass line on What's That Say About You really sets the track apart with super vocal blending by Magness and tight guitar riffs from Darling. Another track with super R&B roots, but with a strong blues root is Home, with Cedric Burnside. This is a strong track and has a really firm grim on early blues. Very nice. Wrapping the release is power ballad, Some Kind Of Love featuring Magness on vocal, only backed by Parlapiano on piano. Powerful closer 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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Unheard music from Rev. Gary Davis 'The Avant Garde Recordings' coming from Omnivore Recordings on March 23rd

REVEREND GARY DAVIS: THE AVANT GARDE RECORDINGS:  RECORDED LIVE — OCTOBER 1966 FROM OMNIVORE RECORDINGS PORTRAYS BLUES LEGEND CAPTURED LIVE AT THE PEAK OF THE LATE ’60s BLUES REVIVAL  Two-CD and digital set, the first of many Avant Garde Coffeehouse offerings,  features 22 previously unreleased tracks, plus liner notes by Bill Dahl and an unheard interview with Rev. Davis in the digital version. Street date March 23, 2018. MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Rev. Gary Davis, born in 1896 in the Piedmont region of Laurens, S.C., was a blues and gospel singer who played guitar, banjo, and harmonica and influenced a generation of blues revivalists in the ’60s and beyond — ranging from Dave Van Ronk to Keb’ Mo’. Following decades of playing the Carolinas and mentoring fellow musician Blind Boy Fuller, Davis was introduced to the American Recording Company, where he recorded the bulk of his pre-World War II work. In 1937, he became an ordained minister and released mainly gospel music. The late ’60s proved a career renaissance for the Reverend; he played to a new, largely white audience at the Newport Folk Festival. He died in 1972. In late October of 1966, Davis was captured on a single microphone in the small Milwaukee coffeehouse called Avant Garde. Only open from 1962-1968, the Avant Garde featured everything from experimental film and poetry to some of the best blues and folk performers of the era. Rev. Davis rolled out his classics “Samson and Delilah,” “Jesus Met the Woman at the Well,” “You Got To Move,” “Twelve Gates to the City” and others in an intimate setting. Omnivore Recordings will release this previously unavailable material as Reverend Gary Davis: The Avant Garde Recordings: Recorded Live — October 1966, a 2-CD set and Digital, on March 23, 2018. Musicologist Bill Dahl wrote the biographical liner notes along with memories of the venue by John Stropes of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Included as a bonus download is an interview with Rev. Davis after one of the shows. Produced by native Milwaukeean and Grammy Award-winning producer, Cheryl Pawelski with restoration and mastering by Grammy Award-winning engineer, Michael Graves, these spellbinding, never-before-heard recordings are a revealing addition to his recorded legacy.  In his notes, Stropes wrote: “The Avant Garde Coffeehouse, founded by Harold Strohmeier in 1962, was the locus of the folk/blues revival in Wisconsin. There were places like this in other geographic areas, but, in Wisconsin, none as important as the Avant Garde…The proximity to the Chicago electric blues scene provided a distinctive mix of performers. Patrons regarded the music with the same seriousness and respect given to classical music. It was a classroom. You went there to learn. You could actually sit down and have a conversation with these performers. Without the Avant Garde, there would have been no centrality for these older traditions or the recasting of these traditions by revivalists.”       Track listing: DISC ONE: 1. Samson And Delilah 2. Jesus Met The Woman At The Well 3. Twelve Gates To The City 4. Buck Dance 5. The Sun Is Goin’ Down 6. Oh Glory, How Happy I Am 7. You Got To Move 8. One More River To Cross 9. I Feel Like My Time Ain’t Long 10. Might Well Get Ready, You Got To Die 11. Soon My Work Will All Be Done   DISC TWO: 1. Children Of Zion 2. Sally, Where’d You Get Your Liquor From? 3. She’s Funny That Way 4. Maple Leaf Rag 5. You Got To Reap Just What You Sow 6. Lo, I’ll Be With You Always 7. Before This Time Another Year 8. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning 9. Marine Band 10. I Am The Light Of This World 11. A Long Way To Tipperary   # # #