CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO GO TO PURCHASE!!!! CD submissions accepted! Guest writers always welcome!!

I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com

Thursday, February 15, 2018

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'




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

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

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. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

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.


View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

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.



View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Monday, February 12, 2018

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  
# # #  





The Rex Granite Band featuring Sarah Benck - Spirit/Matter/Truth/Lies - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spirit/Matter/Truth/Lies from The Rex Granite Band featuring Sarah Benck and it's a soulful rocker. Opening with shuffle, Stop Doing What You Want, features Sarah Benck on loead vocals and Rex Granite on slide, backed by James Carrig  on bass and Anton Divis on drums. With it's driving beat, a hot opener. What You're Missing has great attitude with a solid rock rhythm and sassy Bonnie Raitt like vocals. Very cool. Percy Mayfield's Please Send Me Someone To Love has a deep soulful feel, showcasing some of Benck's best vocals on the release. Granite really digs in on slide with super fat tone and grease. Very nice. With a easy, island feel, Sail Away (Pt.1) has some of the tastiest slide playing this side of Ry Cooder. With lush vocals from Benck, a sure radio track. Boogie track, Steam Roller incorporates a hot horn section courtesy of Bucky McCann on sax, Michael Gurciullo on trumpet, Lou DeLuca on harmonica and Doug Montera on drums. I like the grinding guitar sound by Granite on title track, Spirit/Matter/Truth/Lies and the heavy bass line of Carrig making Led Zep like track the best rocker on the release. Wrapping the release is Sail Away (Pt 2) with a heavy bass line, eerie slide work and Grace Slick like vocals giving the track a San Francisco sound. This is a cool closer for an interesting release.


View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Friday, February 9, 2018

Jay Katana - ... Brighter Than Your Future - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, ...Brighter Than Your Future, from Jay Katana and it's classically electric. Opening with Bomfunk MC's, FreeStyler has a synthesizer platform and a eurometal guitar edge. Nice opener. No Time 2b Sorry is an interesting mix of beat, metal and funk with tasty guitar riffs planted over an interesting drum riff. I Need You Now is a guitar ballad with an interesting melody and Steve Vai like spikes. Possibly the best track on the release. With a softer approach, When She Dies is mostly undistorted guitar riffing which is actually quite nice. Wrapping the release is K-Koda which has a full throttle metal bottom but with an irregular drum beat. Katana has an interesting concept. Let's see what develops.



View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Biglittle Records artist: Big Shoes - Step On It - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (February 23, 2018), Step On It, from Big Shoes, and it's slick. Opening with Duplex Blues, lead vocalist and guitarist, Rick Huckaby leads this easy shuffle blending vocals with Will McFarlane on guitars, Tom Szell on bass, Mark T Jordan on keys and Kenne Cramer on guitar. Andy Peake adds drums and is joined on percussion by Bryan Brock. Light, funky, jazz rocker, There You Go, has a real nice rhythm and interwoven soloing by Huckaby, Cramer, McFarlane and Jordan. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Latin flavored, Don't You Do Me That Way with nicely stylized guitar lead, a solid piano solo from Jordan and snappy percussion rhythms. Excellent! A solid radio candidate is Ain't Nobody Loves You Like Me, with nicely blended vocals, punchy horn work and a smooth slide guitar solo by McFarlane. Pop rocker, Give It To Me Now is another strong radio track with a super melody and catchy rhythm. Wrapping the release is Honey Pie with it's slinky rhythm, country blues styling and clever vocal interweaving. The vocals are the hit on this track but super piano riffs by Jordan and cool slide by McFarlane give it that extra dose of gas. Nice closer for a solid release.



View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Mark Daniel - New Truth - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent New Truth release from Mark Daniel and it's a solid rocker. Opening with Slow Setting Sun, Daniel who handles lead vocal and guitar is joined by Mickey Curry on drums and Marc Hickox on bass. Heart Stops Beating is a heavy footed rocker with a tight bottom. Daniel's vocals are crisp and his guitar playing loose and colorful with blues and metal influences. Very cool. Walk Through Fire is a definite radio track with a solid melody and a great bass line. Coming Down is an interesting rocker sounding a bit like The Police but with a more forward drive. Wrapping the release is Got It Bad with a solid melody and tight rhythm. This is a cool first release (February 23, 2018) for Daniel.



View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE



Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Emily Burgess - Are We In Love? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Are We In Love?, from Emily Burgess and it's fun. Burgess, who has played with a number of top guitarists as well as tours as a part of The Weber Brothers has stepped out on her own. Opening with Til I Get To Call You My Own, a Jimmy Reed style blues number, Emily Burgess has the mic and lead guitar role, backed by Sam Weber on guitar, Ryan Weber on bass, Ryan Brown on keys and Marcus Browne on drums. One of my favorites on the release is pop rocker, All I Wanna Do Is Love You with it's driving beat, sweet vocals and stinging guitar soloing. Blues ballad, Ain't That A Woman, has a great melody and with clean vocals and a nice melodic guitar solo, should easily garner radio play. Rocker, Only One In Your Dreams has a strong power pop sound with overdriven guitars, blended female vocals and Browne on harp. Another of my favorites is Arrested with loose, naïve style vocals, a bouncy rhythm and clever guitar riffs. Wrapping the release is acoustic vocal duet, What Has Been Is All Within, with Hillary Dumoulin. This is a cool release. It isn't straight down blues alley but it has all of the right stuff.



View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Monday, February 5, 2018

Omnivore Recordings: Something Got A Hold On Me - The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume One 1963-1964 - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Something Got A Hold On Me - The Au-Jac Records Story, Volume One: 1963-1964 and it's quite cool. Opening with previously unreleased, Fatback by Lamont Esquires, this release is off to a great start. This instrumental features low key but tasty guitar lead with hot sax work, all over a tight rockin' R&B track. Jessie Crawford with Kay Keys Band is up next, first with a smart Latin influenced rocker, Please Don't Go, followed by solid soul track Because I Love You So. Little Sunny Daye with the Shydells Band gives us blues ballad, A Woman Like You with super vocals and cool lead guitar work under the lead. Very nice. Celestine does a great job on You Won with it's cool rhythm. Honkin' sax work sets this track apart giving it a distinctive early 60's feel. great track. Winfield Parker really delivers on blues ballad, When I'm Alone. With only the basics of backing, Parker shows real poise. Winfield Parker set out a real nice R&B track on One Of These Mornings with snappy drums, and soulful sax soloing. Spiritual, Take Care Of Me, is a powerful track by the Fruitland Harmonizers. Really cool! The Teardrops Band featuring Marie Allen perform Cryin Won't Help You, a really hot R&B track with a great beat and cool sax solo behind a raucous voice. Trash Can is performed by an unknown artist, with solid sax solo lead. The Monkey Cha Cha is another really nice instrumental with of course a Latin rhythm and guitar and keyboard lead by The Jolly Jax. Wrapping the release is Joe (Take 5) which was previously unreleased by The Jolly Jax. Stilladog...this one's for you. Excellent closer.



View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Friday, February 2, 2018

Rose Cottage Records artist: Peter Karp - Blue Flame - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Flame, from Peter Karp and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Rolling On A Log, Karp on lead vocal and guitar is joined by Kim Wilson on harp, Daniel Pagdon on bass and Paul Unsworth on drums. Kicking it up a gear, Train O' Mine is a hard driving blues rocker with Dave Keyes on piano and Dennis Gruenling sailing on harp. Warming things up a bit with slide resonator Karp gets a little greasy on Valentine's Day. Very nice. Quiet ballad, The Turning Point develops nicely into a radio style track with an interesting melody and featuring a nice guitar solo by Mick Taylor. My favorite track on the release is The Arson's Match with a distinct Elmore James feel. Featuring Karp's best vocals on the release, hot harp from Wilson and Karp and fat fat slide, nice track. A laid back, rural feel is the ticket on From Where I Stand and another of my favorites on the release. A bright melody, clean vocals and mandolin by John Zarra make this another top radio track.  Boogie, The Nietzsche Lounge has a great groove and gets your foot stomping. Karp handling vocal and piano with a great guitar boogie line supporting it makes this another outstanding track. Wrapping the release is Young Girl, a stripped down blues track with raw energy and Karp's overblown vocals with resonator accompaniment. I like this sound. Cool closer. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Harpo Records artist: Backtrack Blues Band - Make My Home In Florida - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Make My Home In Florida, from the Backtrack Blues Band and it's quite good. Opening with Checkin' On My Baby, BBB, lead by Sonny Charles on lead vocal and harp gets the show started with a nice easy shuffle, with Kid Royal on lead guitar, Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Stick Davis on bass and Joe Bencomo on drums. On Woke Up This Morning, Royal steps up on lead vocals and the band is swinging. Royal plays a stinging lower octave solo which has a great feel and the band is tight. Slow blues and title track, Make My Home In Florida, gives the band a nice opportunity to stretch with solid solos from Charles and Royal. Very nice. T-Bone Shuffle has a great feel, crusing along with extended solos from Charles and Royal showing some real nice trem bends. Excellent! Your Funeral and My Trial is a solid showcase for Charles on harp who has real nice tone and phrasing. Winding the band up for the close is Heavy Built Woman, a quick paced shuffle. Royal steps up with super phrasing and some keys accents giving the track a nice kick and Charles' harp hit the spot. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Tell Your Daddy with a cool drum turnaround. Albert King style riffs pour from Royal's strings and the band is swinging. Charles takes the band to a steady simmer and cooks on high to close the show. Very nice closer.



View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE