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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

Friday, March 9, 2018

Nevermore Records artist: Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys - My Life - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Life, from Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys and I really like it. Opening with Handyman, an easy boogie, Rev Raven takes the wheel leading on vocal and guitar, backed by Cadillac Pete Rahn on harp, Brad Bill on bass, Vic Spann on drums and Ron Kovach on organ. With a zippy pace, Creature of Habit, has a real nice bass line by Bill and smooth vocals by Raven. Rahn gives the harp a nice run and the Rev follows up with a rip roaring guitar solo of his own. Very nice. Shuffle track, Bad Little Girls has a real nice feel with lead guitar swing and harp by Madison Slim. Raven really gets it going on guitar and with solid vocals, one of my favorites on the release. With a Latin rhythm, Once The Women Start Talking features Benny Rickin on harp and he does a real nice job and the Rev really shines on higher octave guitar riffs of his own giving this track a nice spin. Title track, My Life has the rich feel of Chicago blues with Rickin on harp, Bobby Lee Sellers Jr on drums and Danny Moore on piano. Another of my favorites on the release is driving boogie, Praying for a Princess featuring a great walking bass line by PT Pedersen and super nice rolling piano riffs by Moore. With a funky Freddie King style, Looking For Love has a cool swing, highlighted by excellent sax work by Big Al Groth and flashy guitar riffs by the Rev. I Can Do You Right has a great guitar feel with both trademark riffs and fluid runs. Excellent! Another track with a cool Freddie King vibe is She's Moving On. Pedersen's bass line lays the ground work on this one and Westside Andy Linderman lays down soulful harp lines in compliment to Raven's ultra bluesy guitar riffs giving this track a nice sting. Wrapping the release is jump track, I'm Your Honeyboy featuring Moore, Pedersen and Craig Panosh on drums. Moore takes a great piano lead followed by Linderman who spreads the heat on harp. The Rev takes the reins for the last run and he hits the road running with solid guitar runs making this an excellent closer for a real nice release.



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Thursday, March 8, 2018

Silvertone/Sony artist: Joanne Shaw Taylor - Wild - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild, from Joanne Shaw Taylor and it's a cool guitar fused blues release. Opening with Dyin' To Know, Taylor leads with a driving rhythm and crisp but understated lead guitar behind her solid vocals and backed by Greg Morrow on drums, Rob McNelly on guitar, Michael Rhodes on bass and Steve Nathan on keys. Ready To Roll has real swagger and Taylor's voice really shines. Backing vocals by Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins and Jade MacRae give the track fullness leading up to so real nice guitar slashes by Taylor. Very cool. Get You Back is a solid country rocker in the style of the Outlaws with nicely blended backing vocals and tight guitar riffs. I really like the bent guitar chords on the opening of ballad, Wild Is The Wind. Rhodes' bass line gives the track a richer contrast to Taylor's already enticing chords and strong vocals. Very nice. Rocker, Wanna Be My Lover has the drive of the Allman's, One Way Out and the energy of the Pointer Sisters, Neutron Dance. With it's quiet nature but strong emotion, I Wish I Could Wish You Back is one of the best tracks on the release with a really warm melody, light guitar acoustic work and soft slide guitar behind the song. Excellent! With an easy swing, My Heart's Got A Mind Of It's Own, slides back and forth off the funk. Horn work by Paulie Cerra on sax and Lee Thomburg on trumpet and Barnes, Tippins and MacRae on backing vocal and Taylor's own soulful guitar make this another top track. Wrapping the release is a real nice cover of Big Brother's arrangement of classic, Summertime. I really need to give Taylor a nice bump for this track because she has a super fat lower region and she uses it nicely rather than just over singing Joplin's own vocal emotion as I have heard in other covers of this track. She does cling relatively closely to Big Brother guitarists Andrew and Gurley's melodic take but this is where the comparison begins and ends. Her vocal interpretation is unique and inspired and her guitar soloing nicely phrased. Excellent closer. 

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Wednesday, March 7, 2018

NEWS: North Mississippi Allstars ready 'new EP, 'Blues Dance Music,' and plan Southern U.S. tour





THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS DISCOVER A NEW WAY
 TO BOOGIE ON THEIR BLUES DANCE MUSIC EP 
Luther and Cody Dickinson will be romping and stomping
 with some new beats when they tour the South this spring.



HERNANDO, Miss. — For more than 20 years, Luther and Cody Dickinson have made it their mission to keep alive the sound of the Mississippi hill country blues; however, they have never been strict traditionalists. As the North Mississippi Allstars, they’ve soaked their songs in raw, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll while stirring in fatback funk, slippery soul and righteous gospel to reshape and push the blues into contemporary relevance. Their red-hot stew of roots music — and ferocious live shows — have attracted ardent fans around the globe. Critics have been generous with their praise too. Rolling Stone’s David Fricke proclaimed that “deep roots, improvising valor and live-Cream brawn come easily” to the band, while the Oxford American credits them as having “saved and revitalized southern rock.”
The North Mississippi Allstars’ latest effort, Blue Dances Music (due out on March 9, 2018), might be their boldest effort to date. The sonically experimental EP introduces loops and programming to live recordings of tracks from their most recent album, Prayer for Peace, creating, in Cody Dickinson’s words, “an opportunity to explore this musical landscape with full realization.”  
This project, which Cody describes as something that was just meant to be, began when their song “Prayer for Peace” was recorded by the Blind Boys of Alabama. A copy of it got to the Dickinsons, who happened to be writing beats fused with gospel chord changes and blues rhythms. When they matched this music with the Blind Boys’ a cappella singing, it all clicked and BDM was born. This melding of rural blues and dance rhythms actually isn’t the big sonic leap you might think because Hill Country Blues has always been one-chord, hypnotic dance music.
Besides “Prayer For Peace,” the EP holds reimagined versions of “Miss Maybelle,” “Run Red Rooster,” and the Royal Remix of “Need To Be Free,” featuring Sharde Thomas, Rev Sekou, Al Kapone, Frayser Boy and DJ Spanish Fly. Blues Dance Music takes listeners on a journey through gospel, blues and rock music that has been fused with dance hall beats.  
The size and scope of Blues Dance Music is something Luther and Cody are extremely proud of. The album, confides Cody, “took on a life of its own — I think you can hear the excitement of discovery in the music.”  
The Dickinsons also are excited because this spring they will get to do one of the things that they love the best: play live. Starting in early April, North Mississippi Allstars will embark on a six-week tour. On April 5, they will kick things off in St. Louis, followed by shows in Kansas City and Bloomington, IL; however, most of their time will be spent traipsing around their old stomping grounds in southeastern America. Stops will include appearances at the Savannah Music Festival and Merlefest, as well as a trip north for a show in Asbury Park, N.J. You can find the complete tour itinerary below. Given the Dickinsons’ affection for live performances, you can bet these won’t be the only stages that they’ll be playing on this year.    
North Mississippi Allstars tour dates:
Thurs., April 5 ST. LOUIS, MO Delmar Hall
Fri., April 6 KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads
Sun., April 8 BLOOMINGTON, IL Castle Theatre
Thurs., April 12 SAVANNAH, GA Savannah Music Festival
Fri., April 13 BIRMINGHAM, AL Avondale Brewing Company
Thurs., April 19 MACON, GA Hargray Capitol Theatre 
Fri., April 20 LIVE OAK, FL Wanee Festival
Sat., April 21 CHARLESTON, SC Music Farm
Fri., April 27 ASBURY PARK, NJ House of Independents
Sat., April 28 WILKESBORO, NC Merlefest 
Fri., May 4  MEMPHIS, TN  Beale Street Music Festival
Sat., May 5 NEW ORLEANS, LA Tipitina’s 
Sun., May 6  DALLAS, TX  Dallas International Guitar Festical
Fri., May 11 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA Jefferson Theatre
Sat., May 12 CARRBORO, NC Cat’s Cradle

Multiple-Award Winning Canadian Blues Vocalist Angel Forrest Releases Ambitious Double Live CD


Multiple-Award Winning Canadian Blues Vocalist Angel Forrest Releases Ambitious Double Live CD









With a career spanning 30 years and 10 albums, the recipient of the Maple Blues Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year for the past five years, Angel Forrest released her ambitious double live album Electric Love on February 2, 2018.  Recorded live on October 26, 2017 at Centre des Arts Juliette-Lassonde in Quebec, this limited edition, numbered and signed Electric Love features various sounds ranging from blues to rock through, with original compositions and covers of great classics that you will certainly recognize. 

Well known in the Canadian blues scene, Angel Forrest has been performed at major festivals in Canada and Europe (International Jazz Festival of Montreal, Tremblant Blues Festival, Blues sur Seine, Blues Festival of Edmunston, Victoriaville, of Trois-Rivières and Kuujjuaq). She also had the chance to share the stage with many artists including Jarvis Church Burton Cummings, Shawn Phillips, Thornetta Davis, Larry McCray, Eric Burdon and more. In addition,
Forrest was a finalist in the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.
  







Pedal Steel Guitar Ace Joe Goldmark Shines Like "Blue Steel" on New CD Coming April 20 from Lo-Ball Records




Joe Goldmark Shines Like Blue Steel on New CD Coming April 20 from Lo-Ball Records



S.F. Bay Area Favorite Creates Exciting Mix of Americana and Blues/Roots Music with Special Guests Glenn Walters, Dallis Craft & Jim Campilongo



San Francisco, CA – Pedal steel guitar ace Joe Goldmark announces an April 20 release date for, Blue Steel, his most exciting album to date, with a mix of Americana, blues and roots music worthy of the album’s title. Joining Goldmark and a cadre of Bay Area musical notables for the recording sessions at Red Rooster Studio in Berkeley were ex-Hoodoo Rhythm Devils lead singer Glenn Walters, plus chanteuse Dallis Craft, who share the album’s seven vocal performances, plus long-time Goldmark compadre, Jim Campilongo, who guests on electric guitar.



“Hot Instrumentals, Cool Guest Vocals” - Stream “The Wobble” here:  http://joegoldmark.com/



Blue Steel showcases a number of original songs, plus a diverse mix of cover tunes ranging from Jimmy McCracklin, Graham Parker, B.B. King and Jeff Lynne, to Lefty Frizzell, Rufus Thomas and Dallas Frazier. Best known for his honky-tonk country and Americana sounds, Goldmark has combined an extra component this go-round with the addition of blues/roots songs like “All Night Worker,” “The Wobble” and “Beautician Blues,” that are destined for strong play on blues radio stations.

“My album cover is loosely based on an old Starday Records album by Arthur ‘Guitar Boogie’ Smith, called Blue Guitar,” Goldmark says. “The artwork is blue, but the title Blue Steel actually reflects the R&B feel of the music on the album. Although the pedal steel guitar is considered a ‘country’ instrument by many, I’ve always placed it in other musical genres with excellent results. Blue Steel is colored by a soulful approach to all the tunes, especially on the handful of blues numbers.”



Goldmark was very deliberate in both his choice of musicians and songs he picked to record on the new disc. “I was fortunate to convince local hero Glenn Walters, formerly of the Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, to sing some R&B tunes that I thought would work well with steel. I then recruited Dallis Craft to provide a female balance with her soulful singing. Finally, I mixed in some of my instrumentals, plus one that my good friend and former bandmate, guitarist Jim Campilongo, wrote for this album and played on in his own inimitable way.

“I’m very pleased with how ‘Howlin’ Wind’ turned out.  It was the title tune from Graham Parker’s debut album, and Dallis really nailed it. Her other tunes were originally performed by Roy Orbison, Lefty Frizzell and Percy Sledge, and she interprets them beautifully. 

“It was hard to figure out in which order to put Glenn’s songs, because they’re all so cool. I decided to start with ‘All Night Worker, written by Rufus Thomas, which I first heard in a Tex-Mex version by the Stardusters. His other two songs are by Jimmy McCracklin and B.B. King, so we are covering some classic R&B.”

Joe Goldmark has seven pedal steel guitar CDs under his belt, including the popular Seducing the 60s and critically-acclaimed Steelin’ the Beatles, which demonstrate his unique vision for the steel guitar. He’s recorded three seminal albums as a member of the storied “Jim Campilongo and the 10 Gallon Cats.” He toured and recorded with “The Twangbangers,” and all-star band that featured Redd Volkaert, Bill Kirchen and Dallas Wayne. He has also toured with Jim Lauderdale and Peter Rowan, and played in the legendary “Texas Chainsaw Band.”

Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, he played cello from the age of nine, but also took up guitar and played in garage bands. He moved to San Francisco in high school and started playing bass in soul bands during the late ‘60s. Joe became enamored with the San Francisco Sound and saw many of the greats, including Hendrix, Cream, Doors, Big Brother, etc. It was while watching Jerry Garcia play with the New Riders of the Purple Sage, who were opening for The Grateful Dead, that Joe got bitten by the pedal steel bug. He soon dropped out of college to play the steel guitar full time, which he pretty much did for the next fifteen years. After getting married and having a son in the mid-1980s, Joe was fortunate to get a day job, going into the pizza business. Ten years later, he came full circle by becoming a partner at Amoeba Music, and getting totally immersed in the music business; however, he never stopped performing on the pedal steel. 

Joe brings the pedal steel guitar into new musical territory playing high-energy reinterpretations of rock and soul music, as well as writing and performing his own instrumentals. He also has recorded with other artists, including the True Stories album with David Byrne, Restless Rambling Heart with Laurie Lewis, Amazing California Health & Happiness Road Show with the Mermen, and nine albums with “The Usual Suspects,” a project that included legends Mike Bloomfield, Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan, Norton Buffalo and Maria Muldaur.



Joe Goldmark also has an amazing vinyl website called VinylBeat.com which is literally “Record Collecting 101.”


Marie Knight Live Recording Coming March 23






 Gospel Legend Marie Knight's The Gospel Truth Live
The Posthumous Release Streets March 23
Northport N.Y. - M.C. Records is proud to be releasing a live record by Marie Knight on March 23. The posthumous 
The Gospel Truth Live
(MC-0084) was recorded October 19,
2007 at Margaret A. Hart '35 Gospel Fest at the Church Street Center in North Adams MA. Now, over a decade later, that revelatory performance finally sees the light of day on this brilliant compilation to be released on March 23. Next month, Sister Rosetta Tharpe will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Marie was Sister's musical partner for over a decade during the hight of Sister's fame. A full bio of Marie Knight can be found on her website, www.marieknight.com. Scroll down to listen to the recording via Airplay Direct. 

Click the Cover to Listen & Download

"The timing for the release of The Gospel Truth Live couldn’t be more perfect as the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame announced in December 2017 that it would be posthumously inducting Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the hallowed hall in April 2018 as an early influence on artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Bob Dylan. In a way, it’s also an acknowledgement for Knight’s musical contributions since she collaborated professionally and served as a confidante with Tharpe at the height of her popularity in the early 1950s. In addition two plays are currently in production about the music and relationship of Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. "Marie and Rosetta" is a musical that was produced by The Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. "Shout Sister Shout The Musical" debut at The Pasadena Playhouse in January of 2017.

On October 19, 2007, they all braved the rainy weather to witness one of the last living artists from the Golden Age of Gospel (1940 – 1960).  In this rootsy, organic concert, she breezed through the songbooks of Tharpe – arguably, the most influential female gospel act of the 1940s - and also the Rev. Gary Davis – who made a huge impact on the 1960s folk movement - and along the way, Knight shared brief anecdotes on the highs and lows of her earthly walk, including the fire that killed her two children and her mother. Within the span of 60 minutes, she showcased not only her thunderous contralto but also her commanding personality, sardonic humor and her unabashed evangelism. Singer/pianist Dave Keys, who has played with artists as varied as Chuck Berry and Tanya Tucker, was Knight’s sole musician for the get-together. His skillful, buoyant playing kept the spirit high even on ballads.
                     
Marie Knight with Humphrey Lyttleton's Band, 1958, London U.K.
Terry Cryer Archive UK
Madame Marie Knight was born Marie Roach on June 1, 1920 in Sanford, FL but she was raised in Newark, NJ. She first recorded with The Sunset Four (Sunset Jubilee Singers). In 1946 Tharpe saw Marie Knight perform at a Mahalia Jackson concert in New York. Tharpe recognized a special talent in Knight. They toured the gospel circuit for a number of years, during which they recorded hits such as "Up Above My Head" and Precious Memories.” 
In January 2002, on a cold, bright Saturday morning, Marie entered a recording studio to pay tribute to her old singing partner, Rosetta Tharpe, doing a solo version of their old hit “Didn’t It Rain.” [Listen the fruits of that session on Shout, Sister, Shout! (MC-0050).] That session—and Marie’s continuing vitality as a singer and performer—led to her present collaboration with producer Mark Carpentieri.

Marie’s last studio recording was the Gospel songs of Rev. Gary Davis titled “Let Us Get Together” (MC-0058). Larry Campbell (Dixie Hummingbirds, Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Elvis Costello) is playing all the stringed instruments. That release came out on  June 26, 2007. It marked Marie’s first full-length recording in over 20 years. The recording was named a top 10 blues release by NPR and Marie was featured in "Living Blues," "No- Depression," & "Dirty Linen." 

Finally, Knight died on a bright, warm Sunday, August 30, 2009. Her rainy days were finally done. However, her music continues to shower us with her faith and talent.  The Gospel Truth Live is in a style and manner that would make both Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe very proud. “One of the reasons I wanted to release the album is because you really get to see who Marie is, all sides of her,” says Mark Carpentieri. “The funny side, the very serious side, the very spiritual side. It’s like in her own words in a way.”

  ***

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA



June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA



June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

Teen Blues-Rock Guitar Sensation Ally Venable Brings Her "Puppet Show" Spectacular on New Connor Ray Music CD Due April 13









Teen Blues-Rock Guitar Sensation Ally Venable Brings Her Puppet Show Spectacular on New Connor Ray Music CD Due April 13



Special Guests on New Ally Venable Band CD Include Gary Hoey, Lance Lopez, Eric Steckel and Steve Krase



Houston, Texas – Award winning blues-rock guitarist Ally Venable will release her new CD, Puppet Show, on April 13 from Connor Ray Music. The Ally Venable Band consists of Ally - guitar and vocals; Elijah Owings – drums; and Bobby Wallace – bass. Special Guests on Puppet Show, which was produced by Rock Romano, Steve Krase (who also plays harmonica on the sessions) and Ally Venable, include guitarists Gary Hoey and Lance Lopez, as well as  keyboardist Eric Steckel.



Puppet Show, Ally’s second album for Connor Ray Music, was recorded at Red Shack Studio in Houston, and features eight original tunes written and composed by Venable, along with two blues classics that compliment her rockin’ blues sound.



“I had an amazing time writing and creating Puppet Show for the people with my closest musician friends,” says Ally Venable. “I look forward to putting this album out for all the blues-rock lovers and I hope they enjoy it as much as I loved making it for them.”



Puppet Show is all about songs that connect. It radiates a sense of soul through the songwriting and guitar playing, as well as the vocals that are laid out throughout the album. The disc opens up with a haunting riff for the song “Devil’s Son,” which features Gary Hoey on lead guitar along with Ally Venable on guitar and vocals. Together, they stir a powerful tune that will stay on repeat. The next track, “Bridges to Burn” strikes an unforgettable melody within the song, with guest artist Lance Lopez and Ally playing in harmony together to resonate a powerful statement with their guitar playing. “Sleeping Through the Storm” is another number that portrays the message of conquering one’s struggles and persevering through the storm that approaches us in our lives. With compelling lyrics and strong blues rock guitar playing, Puppet Show represents the future of the blues.



“I had a blast guesting on the song, ‘Devil’s Son,’” says acclaimed rock guitarist Gary Hoey. “Ally has a maturity as a song writer beyond her years and her guitar playing and singing are the real deal. ‘Devils Son’ is a bad-ass song with a haunting riff; I had a blast playing my Highway 61 Dobro guitar on it. Bravo Ally!”



Adds Lance Lopez, who’s been a mentor to the 19-year-old Venable, “Ally has been working very hard to become the young Guitar Slingin’ Senorita she is. It’s been such a pleasure to share my knowledge with her and watch her grow!”



A powerhouse singer and guitar player, Ally Venable has ignited excitement on the Texas blues scene. She began singing at an early age in church and then in recent years picked up the guitar and found her true passion. A protégé of Lance Lopez, with her songwriting and onstage performances, this teen musician packs a punch. Ally was the 2014 and 2015 East Texas Female Guitarist of the Year. The Ally Venable Band also won 2015, 2016, and 2017 honors as East Texas Blues Band of the year.



Ally Venable Band TOUR Dates



*Pre-Release Shows:

March 9 - poor David’s Pub- Dallas, TX

March 16 - The Oasis – Midlothian, TX

March 17 - The Texas Musician’s Musuem. irving, TX

March 30 - Big beats, Dallas, Tx

March 31 - Green oaks Tavern, humble, TX

April 7 - BackPorch – kilgore, TX



*CD Release Shows:

April 13 - DArwin’s Burgers & Blues- Atlanta, GA

April 14 - thirsty Turtle – Millbrook, AL

April 20 - Keys Lounge – Fort Worth, TX

April 21 - Six springs Tavern – RichardSon, TX

April 27 - Germanfest – Muenster, TX

May 6 - Dallas international Guitar Show- Dallas, TX

May 12 - Porchfest – Kilgore, TX

May 26 - Mudbug madness - Shreveport, la

June 16 - Apline Country blues Festival, Apline, AZ

June 23 - Backporch – Kilgore, TX

July 7 - Tall city blues Fest –Midland, Tx.

JULY 21 – TOP OF THE ROCKIES RALLY – PAONIA, CO







Contact Ally at: www.allyvenableband.com / facebook.com/allyvenableband

Instagram.com/allyvenableband / twitter.com/allyvenableband

Root Nine Records artist: Revelator Hill with Ron Holloway - Live By The Creek - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live By The Creek, by Revelator Hill with Ron Holloway and it's a smoking blues rocker. Revelator Hill is back with another super release and this time with Ron Holloway and live! Opening with Bad Luck Goodbye, front man Bobby Thompson sets the pace with fat guitar tones, rocking rhythm and solid vocals. backed by Seth Morrissey on bass and vocal, Wes Lanich on keys and Gary Crockett on drums these guys rock the joint and guest artist Ron Holloway adds some real hot sax. Great opener. Gets Me Over is certainly a crowd pleaser with it's warm melody, Cream like vocal harmonies, ultra solid drums work reminiscent of Ginger Baker and fat sax work by Holloway. Very cool. With it's driving bass line by Morrissey, excellent slide work by Thompson, articulate drums work, a super understated bass line, Look At You Now is another solid entry which of course also includes rich sax work by Holloway. Lightly funky ballad, Consider Me changes the pace up a bit featuring mostly vocals by Thompson and the cool organ work of Lanich. Holloway, always ready on the trigger of course contributes nicely here as well. A cover of Howlin' Wolf's How Many More Years is one of my favorites on the release. I know I have said this before on an earlier review but Thompson's vocals are very similar to Jack Bruce and that's a heavy endorsement from me. His own excellent guitar riffs, chasing his vocals, boiling in the pot with strong organ work by Lanich make this track stand out large. Until We Shine is a formidable track with a wealth of slide guitar work and a driving rhythm. Lanich takes a nice organ interlude and this band presses right at the edge of being a formal jam band (like Govt Mule). Very nice. Wrapping the release is Eric Clapton's Bottle Of Red Wine using mostly his original arrangement. Thompson and Morrissey blend vocals nicely and Lanich's piano work is tops. Holloway adds really nice sax work to top to close out this really enjoyable release. 

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Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall - Three For The Road - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Three For The Road, a new live album from John Mayall and it's quite cool. Opening with shuffle track, Big Town Playboy, Mayall is back full and strong on vocal, keys and harmonica with Greg Rzab on bass and Jay Davenport on drums. Classic, I Feel So Bad, is up-tempo and Mayall's piano playing gives it a jazzy feel. On piano boogie, The Sum Of Something, Rzab really nails the bass line and Mayall's piano rolls are super. A terrific display of what Mayall is all about. On Latin flavored, Streamline, Davenpot sets the stage on drums, accented by Rzab and Mayall's organ work balances nicely with his vocals. Extended organ soloing by Mayall really makes this track shine. Very nice. Bringing the tempo way down, Tears Came Rolling Down, on a great Sonny Boy Williamson bar is my favorite track on the release. Mayall's definitive vocals and poised piano phrasing coupled with Rzab and Davenport give this 9+ minute track solid traction. With a broad swing, Don't Deny Me has a great groove. Mayall rides high on organ and Rzab's bass work drives the snap on Davenport's snare. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Congo Square, with Mayall's classic harp riffs and snappy New Orleans like snare drumming. Mayall has been out there playing as long as I can remember and his sound is every bit as strong now, possibly stronger than much of his past 25 years. Keep going John.



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Monday, March 5, 2018

Finally Together - The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Three 1966-1967 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the third in a series, The RU-JAC Records Story, Volume Three  1966-1967, and it's deep soul. Opening with five tracks by Rita Doryse, a super vocalist, I am particularly attracted by When I'm Alone, a soulful blues number with horns and arpegiated guitr chords. Another of these tracks, Born To Be Loved is all R&B with a snappy rhythm and period backing vocals. Nice set. Kitty Lane sets up with a funky, It's Love I Need, her voice thick and rich with tight horn punctuation and solid bottom. Soulful, Sweetheart, is one of my favorites on the release with Lane reapply pouring on the soul. Excellent! The Feeling Is Gone is a real nice blues number with excellent vocals and really nice guitar work. This track is worth the price of admission alone! High energy, Searching is a hot potato with a driving bass line, solid vocals and punctuating horns. Sad that the artist is unknown. Gene & Eddie contribute 2 tracks and my favorite is I Would Cry with an excellent soul feel. Vocals are tops and guitar accents set the track off against the heavy horns. Very nice. There is another dose of Winfield Parker on this release and his vocals are sweet as ever including a demo. The Shyndells' Lightning (Part 1), one of two instrumental contributions to the release is a powerful 60's instrumental rocker with flamboyant sax and drums. Very cool! Another uncredited track, Never Never Leave Me is a real cool track that stands solidly on it's own with smooth soulful vocals backed by easy guitar and organ. Two dance tracks by Leon Gibson  have great rhythm and dance stimulating vocals.  Wrapping the release are two tracks by The Caressors, with full blended vocals horns and compact rhythms. This is another great release from Omnivore presenting some solid gems back to light. 

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Friday, March 2, 2018

Put Together artist: The Reverend Shawn Amos - The Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks It Down - New Releawse Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most release, The Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks It Down, by The Reverend Shawn Amos and it's cool. Opening with Moved, an ethereal blues track, Amos on vocal and harp, accompanied by Chris "Doctor" Roberts on guitar, and Sharlotte Gibson and Kenya Hathaway on vocal makes for an interesting opener. R&B track, Hold Hands, had a solid melody and a good beat with Hannah Dexter on bass, Peter Adams on keys, Mike Smirnoff on drums, James Saez and Doctor Roberts on guitars. David Bowie's The Jean Genie is much bluesier with harp and horns and vocals through the mic amp. Very cool. Freedom Suite is made up of three distinct sections, Uncle Tom's Prayer, Does My Life Matter and (We've Got To) Come Together; a group of short concepts based on civil rights issues with notes from Dr Martin Luther King and Bukka White. Wrapping the release is Elvis Costello's (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding. Handled with spiritual vocals by Amos, Gibson, Hathaway, Harold Thomas and Tex Wrightsil, and Hodges and Adams on keys, this is a rich vocal closer.

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Thursday, March 1, 2018

Polka Dot Records artist: Carolyn Gaines - Beware Of My Dog - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beware Of My Dog, by Carolyn Gaines with it's contemporary blues roots. Opening with title track, Beware of My Dog, vocalist Gaines works Big Mama's Hound Dog rhythm and theme to craft her own effort and featuring a cool sax solo by he cousin, Big Jay McNeely. I got to say, sometimes it's an album cover and sometimes it's the name of a song that gets me. Stone Out Your Raggly Mind is about as cool a track title I've heard. A simple shuffle, carried by Gaines on melody, backed by guitarist Fred Clark, Glen Doll on harp, Rudy Copeland on organ, Del Atkins on bass and Chad Wright on drums, and of course McNelly on sax. Very cool. Adapted from Muddy Waters' Hoochie Coochie Man, Hoochie Coochie Woman and Gaines really digs in. Along with her vibrant vocals, a smart guitar solo by Clark and reinforcement by Doll bakes this track. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Junior Kimbrough's Done Got Old, is earthy and tight. Super blues number, Jerry Rice "Busy Man" , shows the primitive styling of early blues masters with only guitar and harp accompaniment. Wrapping the release is Big Jay's Something On Your Mind, stripped down with organ accompaniment and little more. McNeely takes a real nice solo balanced by Copeland's organ making this a particularly effective and a super wrapper for this release. 

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Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Highjohn Records artist: Johnny Tucker - Seven Day Blues - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Seven Day Blues, from Johnny Tucker and I really like it. Opening with Talkin' About You Baby, Johnny Tucker has the rugged voice of a pure blues man. Backed by Big Jon Atkinson on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass, Scott Smart on guitar, and Malachi Johnson on drums, this is a solid opener. With the addition of Sandow on harp, Tired of Doing Nothing has super presence, really, imaging that I haven't experienced in my office location on many occasions thanks I believe to the expert engineering of Atkinson (in Mono). If you listen to this, you won't need to have someone tell you it's special. It's way apparent! On Why Do You Let Me Down So Hard, Tucker's vocals are super and Atkin's guitar work is downright outstanding. Excellent! Title track, Seven Day Blues, is funnkkyy! Again, Sandow's harp work over Atkinson's bass, working in concert with Tuckers vocals really make the groove. With a super strong feel, Come On Home With Me just struts. Hard picked guitar riffs by Atkinson and understated harp work by Bob Corritore highlight Tucker's vocals nicely. Kid Ramos adds a new guitar texture on Tell You All with Bob Welch on organ. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Gonna Give You One More Chance, has a great slower blues feel with grand vocals from Tucker. I continuously keep thinking to myself during this recording how perfectly centered Tucker's vocals are on my cheesy desktop player in the office. The imaging really is strong. Beautiful guitar phrasing by Atkinson and soulful yelps cheering him on by Tucker really sets this track apart. Cool shuffle, Do-Right Man features real nice slide work by Atkinson and harp backing by Sandow giving Tucker strong instrumental support for his rugged vocals. Another slower blues number, One Of These Days, shows incredibly expressive vocals by Tucker and Atkinson really knows how to milk his guitar to get the best from this track. This is really a super track and Atkinson's feel makes it so. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a gripping, You Can Leave My House, with incredible feel by Sandow on harp and Atkinson on guitar. Kick back and enjoy!  I see a number of old school blues records on my desk quarterly, but this is one that really stands out. Excellent job! ...watch the video...feel the heat!

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