Vizz Tone Label Group artist: Amanda Fish - Free - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Free, from Amanda Fish and it's cool. Fish takes a raw pop edge with soul to create her own voice. Opening with 2020, a funky blues track Fish kicks off her shoes and captures that southern rock Muscle Shoals" feel with Dave Hays on guitar. Cool opener. Boogie track, Not Anymore has a great driving bass line and with Richard Rosenblatt spicing up the track on harp. Boogie! One of my favorite tracks on the release is Anymore with really nice soulful vocals and Chris Hazelton joining on organ. Blessed is full blown gospel style soul with Sarah Morgan on backing vocals and Ken Valdez on guitar. Alastair Greene kicks it into high gear on rocker, Going Down with super slide guitar. Very cool. Powerful soul ballad, You Could Be shows just how gripping Fish's vocals can be when she digs down and she does dig. Coyote Bill adds some hot flashes on guitar joined by Hazelton on organ. Hot and heavy. Another boogie track with hot slide is Here We Are and plenty of soul country sweat. Best blues vocals on the release show on Don't Mean A Thing with a lot of the emotion of Janis on Ball and Chain featuring very nicely articulated guitar soloing by Hays. With a change up, Fish switches to a raw, Courtney Love style for another super track. Wrapping the release is title track, Free, a solemn soul track with Fish accompanying herself on piano, joined by Hazelton on organ, and then springing into a full blown spiritual track with Hays and Carl Butler on guitar, Morgan on vocals, Glen James on tambourine and drums, and Fish of course on bass. This is a sneakily super release. Give it a couple of listens and see for yourself. 

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Mike Zito's 'Blue Room' - 20th Anniversary Edition to be Re Released on 11/16/18

Mike Zito Debut 'Blue Room' Celebrates Two Decades

20th Anniversary Edition Re Released Nov 16^th on Ruf Records

It’s back. The debut album that blew up the ’90s blues scene. The songs that announced the touchdown of a major new talent. In modern times, as an established solo star and former member of the globally acclaimed Royal Southern Brotherhood, Mike Zito’s reputation precedes him. But turn back the clocks. Rewind the film reels. Slip through the wormhole to 1998, when a 27-year-old punk kid took his first shot in the studio. “Blue Room,” he reflects, “is the beginning of me becoming an artist.”

By 1998, Zito had been around the block. Raised at the sharp end in St. Louis, Missouri, he’d witnessed the lean years of the ’70s, as his father – a union employee at the local Anheuser-Busch brewery – grafted to support five kids in a cramped apartment. Music was a way out, with Zito learning his craft at a downtown guitar store, then seizing any live work that fell his way. As he told the Blues Mag: “I’ve played with country bands, dance bands, rock bands, alternative bands…”

Blue Room was the moment of clarity, when Zito realised he was burning to be more than a roadhouse-filling covers band. In 1997, he assembled a dedicated lineup and announced his new mission statement: original songs written from the heart. But artistic integrity didn’t come cheap. With just $1000 for studio bills, the entire Blue Room tracklisting was captured in a single day, and you can still feel the urgency flood through the speakers. “We’d played the night before until 6am at an all-night club in St. Louis,” recalls Zito, “and went to the studio at 9am. We brought beer with us and basically did not sleep. The vibe is total bravado, full of honesty.”

Blue Room changed everything. As the album sold, the songs began to be requested live – displacing the Cream and Hendrix covers – and Zito was heralded as an artist of rare potential. Back then, he didn’t anticipate the bitter-sweet future about to unfold – the lost years of alcoholism in the post-millennium, the salvation offered by his wife, Laura, the plaudits of Royal Southern Brotherhood in 2012 and the rising trajectory of his solo career since he picked it back up with 2015’s Keep Coming Back. But when Zito looks back now at Blue Room, he wouldn’t change a thing: “I find such joy in listening to the young man on this recording. I’m so proud that it’s finally being released by Ruf Records after twenty years…”

Blue Room out on Ruf Records Nov 16, 2018

Vizz Tone Label Group artist: Josh Smith - Burn To Grow - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Burn To Grow, from Josh Smith and it's really cool. Opening with soul flavored track, Half Blues, the title hits it. This track has strong soulful vocals and a solid blues bottom with stinging guitar work by Smith. Backed by Travis Carlton on bass, Lemar Carter on drums Jamelle Adisa on trumpet, Chris Johnson on trombone, J.P. Floyd on trombone, Matthew DeMerritt on tenor sax, and Dan Boisey of tenor and bari sax, this is a terrific start. A bit smoother, a bit like Al Green, Through the Night shows real attention to conventional soul music but still with the guitar accents of a blues master. A strong radio contender with a great melody and warm melodic backing vocals by Monet Owens, Watching You Go has powerful guitar riffs that would make SRV's neck hair stand on end. With it's heavy bass line lead by Carlton and the raw guitar edge by Smith, balanced by confident vocals, a tight rhythm section and cool horn topping Let Me Take Care of You has a real nice groove. Another of my favorite tracks on the release, What We Need is a loose, slow blues with cocky blues guitar riffs. Smiths vocals are really soulful as throughout but this track just hits the spot. Very nice. A little more funk and horn input on You Never Know yields a jazzier side of Smith and his guitar melds to yet another bluesy style. Wrapping the release is title track, Burn to Grow, a blues fused rocker. With a heavy, lumbering bottom and fat, overdriven guitar this is a solid contemporary closer.

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Eller Soul Records artist: Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones - Complicated Mess - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Complicated Mess, from Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones and it's really strong. Opening with title track, Complicated Mess, guitar man and vocalist, Doug Deming sets the table for a blues feast. His vocals are solid as always and using machine gun and trem bend, his riffs are hot! Joining are Andrew Gohman on bass and Marty Dodson on drums. Super opener. Kim Wilson's harp work adds great depth and Demings riffs are rich and jazzy on Sweet Poison, a cool bluesy ballad. Sam Theard's classic, You Rascal You, has great wings with Little Charlie Baty on guitar, joining Deming with clever lyrics and an extremely active rhythm section. Excellent! Shuffle, Need My Baby has a great lope and Madison Slim's harp work is strong giving the track a nice edge. My favorite track on the release is slow blues, Deep Blue Sea, with soulful vocal by Deming and smoldering guitar riffs, playing against Bon Welsh's piano workout. Excellent! Bright jazzy instrumental, Captain's Quarters is bass driven by Gohman and Little Charlie and Deming really give it a strong workout. Very nice! Shuffle track, Cookin' At The Kitchen has a great feel with Welsh on piano, Slim on Harp, and tight trums work by Dodson. Wrapping the release is horn soaked instrumental Rat Killin', with Tino Barker on lush bari sax, Sax Gordon on tenor sax, Gohman getting loose on bass and some terrific flight finger work by Deming. Excellent closer for a really strong release. 

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Endless Blues Records artist: Mick Kolassa and the Taylor Made Blues Band - 149 Delta Ave. - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 149 Delta Ave, from Mick Kolassa and the Taylor Made Blues Band and the talent is thick. Opening with I Can't Slow Down, a 2 steppin rocker, Mick Kolassa on lead vocal is backed by David Dunavent on guitars, Leo Goff on bass, Lee Andrew Williams on drums, Chris Stephenson on keys and Susan Marshall and Daunielle Hill on backing vocal this is a cool opener. Eric Hughes joins on US 12 to Highway 49, a smart shuffle with solid harp work. Cotton Road is one of my favorites on the release with roots in chain gang work songs. Toronzo Cannon adds some really smart guitar lead and wailing backing vocals make this track rich with feel. Pullin Me Down has a creeping R&B blues style with solid bass work from Goff, crisp guitar soloing by Jeff Jensen and includes tight trumpet and sax work by  Marc Franklin and Kirk Smothers. Very nice. A funky version of Ashford and Simpson's I Don't Need No Doctor has a real nice groove and the trumpet work of Franklin is bright. Alternating solos by Franklin, Smothers, Jensen and Stephensen really fill out the track. Wrapping the release is an interesting remake of classic Stuff Smith track, the Viper. Kolassa's vocals work well and with Suavo Jones on trombone, Alice Hansen on Stuff Smith's part (violin), Mike Wilson on Puccalo, and Marc Franklin on trumpet, this is a terrific closer.

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Connor Ray Music artist: The Bob Lanza Blues Band - Kids, Dogs & Krazy Women - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kids, Dogs & Krazy Women from The Bob Lanza Blues Band and it's a super dose of old style blues with a fresh feel. Opening with title track, Kids, Dogs and Krazy Women, Bob Lanza (vocal and guitar), Anthony Krizan (guitar, vocal, drums and percussion), John Ginty (keys), Dave Lockhart (bass) and Vin Mott (drums, harmonica) are a force to be reckoned with. With a slinky rhythm, solid vocals, slide guitar and harp, this track is a cool opener. Texas boogie Not The Man I Use To Be is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's droning bass line, B3 soloing by Ginty and gripping blues solo by Lanza. very nice. Another of my favorites is Full Time Lover with it's slow, blues guitar riffs and soulful vocals. Excellent! Hey Cotton is a strong track with a driving blues pace and rock n roll guitar riffs and hot harp work by Mott in tribute to James Cotton. Shuffle track, Every Side of Lonesome has a familiar Chicago feel with great harp tone from Mott. Another excellent track is Let Me In showcasing Ginty's notable piano work. Wrapping the release is instrumental, Raritan River Stomp with an easy pace and acoustic slide. Super closer for a really nice release. 

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Big Blue Records artist: Barbara Blue - Fish in dirty H2O - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fish in dirty H2O, from Barbara Blue and it's solid. Opening with My Heart Belongs To The Blues, Barbara Blue is joined by Will McFarlane on guitar, Dave Smith on bass, Lester Snell on keys and Bernard Purdie on drums. With it's smooth smoky feel, Blue displays the richness of her deep voice. Boogie blues, Accidental Theft features some really nice slide work compliments of Scott Sharrard giving the track a thick gutsy texture to compliment Blues own gutsy vocals. Dr Jesus has a gospel style with warm backing vocals by Maureen Smith, Candace Mache, Lorina McMinn and Lynette "Sue" McCracklin and some spicy guitar accents by Michael Tols.  Shuffle,  Gravy Train has a sparky pace with plenty of horn by Lonnie McMillan on tenor sax, Marc Franklin on trumpet, Jim Spake on bari sax, and Steve Graham on trombone. Another bluesy shuffle, That's Working On Me works really nicely with Blues vocals and tenor sax work by McMillan gives it a jazzy polish. Wrapping the release Blue pulls out Robert Johnson's Come On In My Kitchen and with a slow, spiritual like twist and the warm backing vocals of Mache, McMinn and McCracklin and the B3 of Rick Steff give it a fresh appeal making it an excellent closer.

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Shining Stone Records artist: Anthony Geraci - Why Did You Have To Go - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Why Did You Have To Go, from Anthony Geraci, and it's rich. Opening with R&B title track, Why Did You Have To Go, Sugar Ray Norcia is upfront on lead vocal backed by Michael Mudcat Ward on bass, Marty Richards on drums, Sax Gordon on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet and with stellar guitar styling by Monster Mike Welch and piano wizardry by Anthony Geraci. Excellent opener. Bluesy ballad, Angelina, Angelina is really strong with really nice piano work by Geraci and lead vocals by Sugaray Rayford. Welch is back again with signature tone, backed by Willie J Campbell on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. Very nice. Soul track, Two Steps Away From The Blues, features Michelle "Evil Gal" Willson on lead vocal with warm piano and B3 work by Geraci. Norcia is back on vocal and harp on Time's Running Out, an easy shuffle, joined by nice pace piano work by Geraci and the strong guitar accents by Ronnie Earl. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Baptized In The River Yazoo with Willie J Laws on piano duet with Geraci. The piano work here is terrific. Another track with dazzling piano is Too Many Bad Decisions with Dennis Brennan on lead vocal and Welch on guitar. Slow blues, My Last Good-Bye digs in deep with Norcia on vocal and harp. Piano tension and guitar excellence (by Earl) really gives this track edge, making it another of my choices for the release. Wrapping the release is jazzy A Minor, Affair with Troy Gonyea and Geraci leading the foundation of the track which features nice trumpet and sax solos by Wooverton and Beadle and a flight fingered guitar solo by Kid Ramos. Excellent closer for a strong release. 

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Dennis Herrera - You Stole My Heart - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Stole My Heart, from Dennis Herrera and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with rock n' roller and title track, You Stole My Heart, Dennis Herrera and piano man Sid Morris really get the track hopping. Featuring sax work by Jack Sanford, Frank DeRose on bass and Robi Bean on drums this is a great start. Takes Money is a cool fusion of boogaloo and rocking blues. I love rolling rhythm, and Herrera's rough vocals with Denis Depoitre's harp, and Rich Wenzels B3 over that tight rhythm section of Bill Stuve on bass and Lee Campbell on drums is tops. Boogie woogie is the word on With No Refrain starting with that bass line by Stuve. Herrera has a smoothness inherent in his rugged vocal that works great with the light piano work of Wenzel and his own understated guitar approach. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Look Out with it's R&B groove and laid back vocal lead by Herrera and the sax reinforcement by Sanford. Very cool. Instrumental track, You Can Name It has a super feel and gives Herrera a terrific opportunity to jam...jazz style...with his band. Excellent track. Low slung, My Past Time is smooth with a nice B3 solo from Wenzel and Herrera showing his blues groove on vocal and guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Bittersweet, featuring Herrera on acoustic slide and vocal. Un updated delta sound with less than polished vocals and the rural sound of Herrera's guitar make for a sweet closer. 

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Celso Salim Band - Mama's Hometown - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mama's Hometown, by Celso Salim Band and it's cool, soulful blues. Opening with Mad Dog, a super track with a cool New Orleans style rhythm and nice "Allmanesque" slide work by Salim to support Rafael Cury on lead vocal. Great opener. Chicago styling plays up on Locked Out In Misery featuring Darryl Carriere on harp and backed by Mike Hoghtower on bass and Lynn Coulter on drums has nice articulate guitar riffs throughout by Salim. Up tempo boogie rocker, Let It Burn, has a really nice feel, with Dave Fraiser on keys and solid slide playing by Salim and cool vocals by Salim, Cury, Fraiser, Hightower and Coulter. Blues ballad, No Need To Be Alone has a strong melody and vocal making it a strong radio contender and fine guitar work giving it real strength with the blues crowd. Very nice. Title track, Mama's Hometown, has a slinky feel and nicely blended vocal melodies, floating on an easy bottom with the soft feel of dobro slide. Very nice. Salim closes the release with traditional blues, In My Time of Dying, featuring his dobro and vocal. This is a really nice release with a lot of texture.

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Deb Rhymer - Don't Wait Up - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Don't Wait Up, from Deb Rhymer, and it's quite good. Opening with shuffle track, Heartache and Trouble, Rhymer and her band of power features Kelly Fawcett on guitar, Andy Graffiti on drums, Clayton O' Howe on bass and a supple solo by Gene Hardy on sax. Elmore James' Cry For Me Baby, has great feel and vocal phrasing with Gary Preston on harp and styling guitar work by Fawcett. Very cool. Bluesy original pop track, Don't Wait Up commands the title track position and rightly so with it's catchy melody and radio appeal. Rhymer's vocals are smooth and Fawcett's guitar soloing clean and brilliant. Another cool shuffle track is There's The Door with excellent trombone work by Randy Oxford really shining bright on an already solid entry. Wrapping the release is slow blues ballad, Giving Me the Blues with Wynn Gogol on keys. Rhymer picks the right track for her closer, showcasing her best vocal effort on the release. Fawcett digs in nicely with a tight guitar solo wrapping up the excellent closer. 

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Electro-Fi Records artist: Mark Hummel - Harpbreaker - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Harpbreaker, from Mark Hummel and it's one of the best Chicago style blues records that I've heard in a long time. Opening with terrific harp boogie, Harpoventilatin', Mark Hummel wastse not a second showing why he's one of the top blues harp players in the world today. With strong pace, and great phrasing, Mark Hummel leads the way joined by Charles Wheal on guitar, Steve Wolf on bass, Marty Dodson on drums and Bob Welsh on keys. Jump track, Rotten Kid really is hot with Wheal laying out some terrific guitar riffs working nicely with Hummel's own featured playing. Excellent. With a super strut, Walkin' With Mr. Lee has just the right snap. Featuring Wes Starr on drums, RW Grigsby on bass, Charlie Baty and Anson Funderburgh on guitars, this track is terrific. Slow blues, Cristo Redentor has such a presence with it's soulful melody and smooth guitar phrasing by Kid Anderson. Excellent! Senor Blues has a beautiful Latin feel with a floating melody and features confident solos by Hummel, Chris Burns (keys) and Johnny bones (sax) backed by Rusty Zinn on guitar, Lech Wierzynski on trumpet, and Willie Panker on drums. Smooth shuffle, Glide On, features nice solos from Zinn, Burns and Hummel. Very nice. Harp boogie, Chuckaluck, is a great showcase for Hummel with Dave Eagle on washboard, Aaron Hammerman on piano and Billy Flynn on guitar. Sweet. Wrapping the release is classic blues number, See See Rider with Zinn on guitar and Hummel on harp, about as stripped down as a modern blues gets. Super closer for an excellent release.

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Canadian Blues Giant Harpdog Brown Shares Video for "Reefer Lovin' Woman"to Celebrate Legal Pot in Canada

Canadian Blues Giant Harpdog Brown Shares Video for “Reefer Lovin’ Woman” Released on October 17, the day pot was legalized in Canada View/Share video for "Reefer Lovin' Woman" here tinyurl.com/y985qk3k On October 17, Canadian blues singer/harmonica master Harpdog Brown celebrated the landmark occasion of Canada legalizing marijuana with the release of a new video for the track, “Reefer Lovin’ Woman”, from his forthcoming album (Spring 2019). The song is not an invitation or advocating that people ingest pot – it is simply a song about a guy who falls in love with a woman who partakes. It can be considered a social commentary as well, with the final line “that's all right with me.” For many, cannabis offers similar relief beyond the health benefits claimed by advocates of cannabis culture. “I wanted to write a fun song about one man’s acceptance of the fact that the one he fell in love with is an advocate of cannabis culture,” says Brown. When asked about his thoughts on legalization, he compared it to the prohibition of alcohol back in the day. “I believe it's long overdue. Deeming marijuana usage a criminal activity is insane in my opinion. I believe the information that supports the health benefits of cannabis over pharmaceuticals. I also believe that creating legal distribution channels would benefit Canada and communities through the taxes gained.  Eliminating the need of a black market is I think a good thing. Much like alcohol in the prohibition days, the people have spoken. Marijuana is already accepted in our culture. It’s time to take it out of the dark.” Vancouver-based Harpdog Brown has long been called a Blues Evangelist, and that’s a very fitting moniker. "I speak the blues like it's the truth, and it is,” he says. "I do feel like I'm a servant of the people. A missionary if you will. Music can heal people if they pay attention to the messages in these songs.”  Brown delivers those messages using the vintage sound whether it is with his lowdown classic blues band the Travelin’ Blues Show or with his new Uptown Blues Band.  Harpdog Brown is a gifted vocalist and an imaginative harmonica player who has earned a solid reputation as a real-deal purveyor of classic electric blues reminiscent of the old Chess Records and Sun Records of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s.  He has won three consecutive Maple Blues Awards for Harmonica Player of the Year (2014/2015/2016), the Fraser Valley Music Award, has three consecutive Western Canadian Music Awards Nominations, a Juno Nomination (Canada’s Grammy) and is the only Canadian to win the coveted Muddy Award. In 2016, he was nominated for 3 Maple Blues Awards (Harmonica Player, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year) for his latest release, Travelin’ With The Blues.  These days he’s been touring more and more as Harpdog Brown & the Uptown Blues Band - a vintage New Orleans Blues sound featuring slide trombone, keyboards, bass and drums and often a sax and clarinet. Still a vintage vibe, just a different vintage. Harpdog Brown Online www.HarpdogBrown.com Facebook https://facebook.com/HarpdogBrownLIVE

Hostel Records artist: Karen Lawrence and Blue By Nature - Best of Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Best of Live, by Karen Lawrence and Blue By Nature and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with shuffle track, It's All About You, lead vocalist Karen Lawrence shows raw power with strong support by Dan Potruch on drums, Charlie Diaz on bass, Rick Dufay on lead guitar and Fred Hostetler on second guitar. On soul track, Fun and Games, Lawrence really digs in with some of my favorite vocals on the release...oozing blues. With determined drumming and understated guitar work, Lawrence really has the floor to drive it home. Very nice. R&B track, I Had It All Wrong, has a super rhythm guitar roll which works nicely with Lawrence's vocal phrasing and Dufay's guitar solo is a great fit making this another top contender. Funky rocker, You Got Me Workin' has a strong pace and Dufay's slide work gives the track a Mick Taylor feel. Nice. Wrapping the release is shuffle blues rocker, I'll Get Along Alright with Lawrence showing total control and a tight cohesive band just laying in the pocket with positive accents from Potruch and Dufay. Solid closer.

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Wild Heart Records artist: Jonathon Long - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Jonathon Long and it's an fun rocky ride. Opening with Bury Me, with definite rock and country roots, Long leads the way with cocky vocals and solid guitar, joined by Julian Civello on drums, Chris Roberts on bass, Phil Breen on keys and additional guitar work by Samantha Fish. Soul track, That's When I Knew, has a super melody and pairs Long with Fish on vocals for a real nice blend and Fish's sting guitar riffs really punctuate the track nicely.  The addition of Michael Harvey on fiddle on  Americana style track, The Light works really nicely. Very clean and fresh. Shit kicker, Natural Girl has plenty of swagger and a solid hook. With solid vocals, top loaded piano, a ripping guitar solo and tight drums, this is a cool track. With a definite twist, Pour Another Drink is a great track. Smokey lines, sassy vocals, great piano texture and a solid bottom makes this my favorite on the release. R&B track, Where Love Went Wrong is a light poppy sound, a nice melody and warm jazzy guitar work by Long. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Pray For Me with a powerful lumbering sound and Long's best vocals on the release. An aggressive guitar attack, paced by Roberts and Civello give this southern style track just the right kick to cement the closer.

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Kerry Kearney - Black Tea - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Tea, from Kerry Kearney and it's solid. Opening with blues rocker, Shakin' Like Jelly, Kerry Kearney on vocal and guitar leads this tight group with Mario Staiano on drums, Gerry Sorrentino on bass, David Bennett Cohen on keys, and Charlie Wolfe on harmonica. A driving blues vamp, nice guitar soloing and Chicago style blues harping tell the tell here. Cool opener. Light shuffle track, Long Tall Mama has a kind of JJ Cale feel with light, train like drums, easy vocals and super acoustic slide. Goin' To The Mardi Gras is again in the Cale vein with running snare lines and great slide work by Kearney. A particularly cool trombone solo by Victor Poretz gives this track a nice kick making it one of my favorites on the release. Creole Woman is a blues shuffle with guts. Kearney sets his stance and riffs freely, Clapton style. making this another real standout on the release. Wake Me, Shake Me, Bake Me has a cool southern funk and great piano work by Bennett driving Kearney into some of the most inspired guitar playing on the release. Girl From Memphis wraps the release in pure acoustic blues style. Kearney accompanies himself on acoustic guitar in the manner of Blind Boy Fuller. Tight and responsive  drums by Staiano, bass by Sorrentino and harmonica by Wolfe help take it home. Nice closer.

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We Save Music artist: Scott Sharrard - Saving Grace - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, Saving Grace, from Scott Sharrard and I really like it. Opening with High Cost Of Loving You, a swamp funky rocker, Sharrard shows a really soulful voice and strong guitar riffs with tastes of SRV, Clapton and Duane. Howard Grimes on drums, Leroy Hodges on bass, Charles Hodges on B3, Eric Finland on Wurlitzer, Moses Patrou on percussion, Marc Franklin on trumpet, and Excellent sax work from Art Edmaiston on tenor and Kirk Smothers on bari, this track is smoking hot. Faith To Arise is a strong ballad with supple backing vocals by Susan Marshall, with Chad Gamble on drums and David Hood on bass. Very "Allman. Soulful title track, Saving Grace, really shows off Sharrard's vocal power and presents a solid radio track with a stinger of a guitar solo. Gregg Allman's last known original track, Everyting A Good Man Needs features Taj Mahal on lead vocal and solid slide work from Sharrard. Very nice. R&B style track, Angeline has a great swing with straight ahead guitar soloing and again, mighty soulful vocals. Another strong track with a soul style is She Can't Wait and I really like it. With nice trumpet by Franklin and just the right pace this track is nicely accented by clean, bluesy guitar riffs. very nice. Hi strut on Sweet Compromise has a perfect rhythm and the bari accent work of Smothers is excellent. Sharrard steps in again with a clean, swinging guitar solo making this one of the top tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Sentimental Fool, a track which really echoes the sounds of Taj Mahal with solid horn backing, excellent B3 and Wurlitzer work from Gamble and Finland and clean soloing from Sharrard is a solid closer. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: Frank Bey - Back In Business - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back In Business, from Frank Bey and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Back In Business, Bey establishes firm footing with a confident shuffle. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelly on guitars, Marty Sammon on piano and Tommy MacDonald on bass this is a strong opener. Moving to a funky James brown feel, Gun Toting Preacher has a great bottom with Adam Nitti on bass and features great trumpet punctuation by Julio and sax by Max Abrams. Nitti's bass lines on Cookie Jar really sets the mood and Bey knows how to work it. The horns really kick it into high gear on this one and McNelly's guitar solo is tops. R&B track, Where You Been So Long has a real nice strut and Bey's vocals shine like on no other track on the release. With solid piano and super horns, this may be my favorite. Another track that had super radio appeal is Give It To Get It with it's high strut. Wendy Molten's vocals coupled with Bey are really nice and McNelly's guitar soloing is strong and throaty. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Yesterday's Dream, an obvious pick for best track on the release. With a hot opening guitar solo by McNelly and soulful vocals, surrounded by warm keys by Marty Sammon and a solid bottom this track is smoking. bey turns up the heat and McNelly responds with more heat. Excellent closer. 

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Rip Cat Records artist: Alastair Greene - Live from the 805 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live from the 805, from Alastair Greene and it's a real rocker (and a double live rocker to boot)! Opening with blues rocker, The Sweetest Honey, Alastair Greene uses classic rock riffs to propel his band into orbit. Backed by Jim Rankin on bass and Austin Beede on drums, these guys are really rocking with excellent guitar soloing by Greene. On boogie track, Big Bad Wolf, Greene's strat has a classic grind and his vocal paired with Rankin are very cool with a ZZ Top edge.  With plenty of swagger and excellent guitar blues bends, 3 Bullets has a great feel. This track is made for Greene's guitar style, really bringing out his tight yet raw attack. Very cool. With a Bo Diddley riff and super fat slide guitar Greene gets a great groove going on Say What You Want. His slide finesse is nicely coupled with his solid vocals and the bands tight bottom. Another track with a cool feel is Love So Strong. Setting a firm footing for the track the band pulls it way back and Greene solos with very light backing. Fiery slide work is the ticket on blues fused Down To Memphis. With just a touch of country in Greene's vocals and a pounding beat by Rankin and Beede, this is a great track. Wrapping disc 1 is jazzy instrumental, Lucky 13. Greene really sets the torch on this one with hot fluid riffs. Excellent closer for disc one. Shuffle track, Back Where I Belong, has a great feel and again Greene really lights it up. Excellent! With a George Thorogood kind of feel, a lumbering bass line and grinding guitar riffs, Green send off the last Train Around The Sun. Using that droning bass line to full advantage, Greene steps up and hits the grand slam with soaring guitar solos and grinding vamps. Very nice. Another track that I really like is Rain Stomp with it's Led Zep like feel and vicious slide riffs. Big Boss Man gets a more modern bounce rhythm and reverb on the rhythm guitar but with straight ahead guitar ripping on the lead. Very cool. . Wrapping disc 2 and the concert is Walking In Circles with it's driving pace and rock solid bottom. With rabid slide guitar and the cohesive feel of the band, this is a terrific closer for a really strong 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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