Austin-Based Johnny Nicholas 2019 Grammy Nominee for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

2019 Grammy Nominee for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

1976 Reissue Album, Too Many Bad Habits, by Acclaimed Singer/Guitarist

Johnny Nicholas and Friends – the Box Set, the Lost Tapes and Much More, with Bonus Album of Previously Unreleased Songs  Featuring Big Walter Horton, Johnny Shines, Boogie Woogie Red, Ray Benson and More

Deluxe Double Vinyl Collectible Box Set Includes 68-Page Historical Book with Posters,

Photos & Memorabilia

The lost recordings of heralded Austin-based blues/roots musician and songwriter Johnny Nicholas, with blues legends Big Walter Horton, Johnny Shines, Boogie Woogie Red, Ray Benson and others, are on this 18 gram double vinyl LP reissue including a special bonus album of previously unreleased performances.

Designed by Grammy-award winning Backstage Design Studio and nominated for a 2019 Grammy – “Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package,” and also nominated for the Alex Steinweiss "Best In Show" at the 2018 Making Vinyl Packaging Awards, and Blues Blast Magazine Award for “Historical and Vintage Recording.”

The two-album set is a window into an important era in American music history in the late 1960s, when Ann Arbor, Michigan, was one of the hottest and most influential music scenes in the country. At the heart of the Ann Arbor blues revival was guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Johnny Nicholas. Arriving from the East coast for the 1970 Ann Arbor Blues Festival, he brought some of the best blues players out of retirement to play together and create these historic recordings.

This project is of great significance to blues fans everywhere for a number of reasons, not the least of which are the newly-discovered and never-before-released tracks featuring Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton and Boogie Woogie Red.

Johnny Nicholas is an under-recognized master of traditional blues, songwriting and other blues- inspired Americana genres.

He was highly regarded and considered a peer and a member of the blues family by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Lockwood Jr, BB King, Roosevelt Sykes, Jimmy Rogers, Otis Spann, James Cotton, Eddie Taylor, Houston Stackhouse and many more legends of the blues.

Deluxe Collectible Box Set Includes:

·         Two 180-gram vinyl records                                 

·         Custom intricate 68-page book

·         Digital download card

·         Extensive 1969-2018 11x40 timeline

·         Three vintage souvenir posters

·         Assorted photos and memorabilia of the era

Distributed in record stores worldwide by Monostereo and available online at www.Johnnynicholasblues.com, CD Baby and Amazon.

Disc 1 (Remastered Album “Too Many Bad Habits”)

1.        MANDOLIN BOOGIE* - Johnny Nicholas, Ray Benson, Tony Garnier, Lucky Oceans, Link Davis Jr., Bill Mabry

2.       LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVIN’ – Johnny Nicholas, Tino Gross, E.P. Jones

3.       TOO MANY BAD HABITS – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross, E.P. Jones

4.       SITTIN’ ON TOP OF THE WORLD – Johnny Nicholas, Ray Benson, Tony Garnier, Link Davis Jr., Bill Mabry

5.       “GOT THE TRAIN?” – Johnny Nicholas, Ray Benson, Tony Garnier, Link Davis Jr., Bill Mabry, Lucky Oceans

6.       ROCK MY BLUES AWAY – Johnny Nicholas, Tino Gross, E.P. Jones

7.       BLUES WALK – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross, E.P. Jones

8.       GRINNIN’ IN YOUR FACE – Johnny Nicholas

9.       THE NEW CANNED HEAT BLUES – Johnny Nicholas, Big Water Horton

10.   WEST WIND – Big Walter Horton, Johnny Nicholas

11.   BLUES CAME FALLIN’ DOWN – Johnny Shines, Johnny Nicholas, Tino Gross

12.   CARELESS LOVE – Johnny Nicholas, Big Walter Horton

13.   GETTIN’ OUTTA TOWN – Johnny Nicholas, Big Walter Horton

14.   HELLHOUND ON MY TRAIL – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gros

Disc 2 (Previously unreleased / alternate takes)

1.       MOVE ON DOWN THE LINE – Johnny Nicholas, Big Walter Horton, Johnny Shines, Tino gross

2.       PUMP JOCKEY BLUES – Johnny Nicholas, Boogie Woogie Red, Big Walter Horton

3.       BELIEVE I’LL MAKE A CHANGE – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross

4.       PRISONER BLUES – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross

5.       APPLE GROVE RHUMBA – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross

6.       LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING (Alternate Take) Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross

7.       THAT’S ALRIGHT MAMMA – Johnny Nicholas, Tino Gross

8.       HOOTIE BLUES – Boogie Woogie Red, Johnny Shines, Johnny Nicholas, Big Walter Horton

9.       MONEY MARBLES AND CHALK – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross

10.   LONESOME TRAVELER – Johnny Nicholas, Big Walter Horton

11.   FROGGY BOTTOM – Johnny Nicholas, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Tino Gross

12.   SOON FORGOTTEN – Johnny Nicholas, Boogie Woogie Red, Big Walter Horton

The BB King's Blues Band Releases New Single From Forthcoming April 12th Release

THE BB KING's BLUES BAND LIVES ON! "THE THRILL IS GONE" FEATURING MICHAEL LEE, IS THE FIRST DIGITAL SINGLE OFF OF THE NEW CD  A TRIBUTE TO THE KING OUT APRIL 12TH From L-R - Darrell LaVigne, Walter King, Herman Jackson, Lamar Boulet, Michael Lee, James " Boogaloo " Bolden, Eric Demmer, Russell Jackson & Wilbert Crosby  Photo by: Ron Fontenot

The BB King's Blues Band is back. The legendary maestro can never be replaced but his spirit lives on in song and with the marvelous musicians who were his backbone.  The band’s new album A Tribute to The King streets April 12th. The first single, "The Thrill is Gone" out now, will features Fort Worth newcomer, Michael Lee. Lee was discovered by band management upon seeing his performance of  “The Thrill Is Gone” on The Voice. To date, Lee's performance has amassed over 4.3 million views. The members of BB’s band are all lifers, some of the members clocking in at 35 years. Not only did they support King, but they would start each show by performing onstage before BB came out. After King passed, the band was naturally at a loss until they started playing some festivals and eventually got their footing back. The current lineup includes: Michael Lee (Lead Vocals. Lead Guitar,) James “Boogaloo” Bolden (Trumpet,) Russell Jackson (Bass and Vocals), Herman Jackson (Drums,) Eric Demmer (Saxophone,) Wilbert Crosby (Guitar and Vocals,) Lamar Boulet (Trumpet,) Darrell Lavigne (Keyboards,) and Walter King (Saxophone.)     Other featured artists on the April 12th album are Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Taj Mahal, Kenny Neal, Tito Jackson, Michael Lee and Joe Louis Walker. Track Listing Irene  Pay The Cost  There Must Be a Better World Somewhere  Sweet Little Angel  Low Down She’s the One Taking Care of Business Becoming the Blues Hey There Pretty Woman Here Today Gone Tomorrow Regal Blues (A Tribute To The King)  Pocket Full of Money No News Just The Blues The Thrill is Gone Pay The Cost to be the Boss  Watch Michael Lee perform “The Thrill Is Gone” on The Voice Listen to "The Thrill is Gone" on Spotify Watch the album trailer www.thebbkingsbluesband.com

Blue Lotus Recordings artist: Ms Zeno the Mojo Queen - Back In Love - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back In Love, by Ms Zeno the Mojo Queen and it's powerful! Opening with a super, romping, R&B track, Back In Love, Zeno not only shows her powerful voice but her excellent sense of rhythm and phrasing. Backed by Roland Johnson on vocal, Mark Hochberg on viola, Abbie Steiling on violin, Andy Hainz on cello, Dustin Shrum on trumpet, Kevin O'Conner on drums and guitar and Paul Neihaus on bass, keys and horns, this is a super opener. In My Shoes is a terrific soul track which draws comparison to Gladys Knight and Aretha. That is serious treading territory and I think that Zeno deserves the comparison. Excellent! Slowing things down on Willie Brown, with more of a soulful blues feel, Zeno has an earthy delta feel, with harp work by Brandon Santini and guitar by Little G Weevil. Very nice. Mojo Queen has a cool new Orleans funky feel and Zeno really gets in the slot, pumped up by Tom Martin on accordion and super backing vocals. On high stepper, Call My Name, Zeno trades vocals with Gene Jackson, with high energy drum line and Santini on harp. Another feature soul track with strong feel is Mistress, with a solid bass line and rich lead vocal lines by Zeno. Wrapping the release is gospel flavored Father Time with just a light touch of twangy guitar giving it a slight country feel. This is a really cool track to close a 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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Robert Davis - Yuca con Mojo - Cuban Blues - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Yuca con Mojo - Cuban Blues from Robert Davis and it's quite soulful. Opening with Muddy Waters' I've Got My Mojo Working, Robert Davis on lead vocal and harp takes a traditional Chicago style blues and with island rhythm and bongo gives it a much more tropical feel. Supported by Fraser Melvin on guitars, Yasel Giralt on bass, and Pedro Perez Quintero on percussion this is a cool opener. On Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon's, Sitting On Top Of The World, lush acoustic picking gives the track a real iridescence under Davis' solid vocals. Real traditional Cuban flavor soaks in on traditional folk blues, House of the Rising Sun. This is a really nice arrangement and with beautiful finger picked accompaniment and simple percussion rhythm, this is very nice. Ernie K. Doe's R&B classic, Mother In Law gets a reggae rhythm and a breakout rockin turnaround. Davis' vocal and harp work on the track is very solid and the rhythm seems so natural that it's as strong as the original. My favorite track on the release is Davis' harmonica mastery of Gershwin's Summertime with classic cuban backing piano by Rosario Escobar and guitar by Melvin. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a terrific take on Robert Johnson's Me And The Devil in traditional delta fashion. The recording is clear and the the guitar seems to jump from the track. Very nice closer.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Regina Bonelli - Love Letter - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love Letter, from Regina Bonelli and it's a cool mix of pop, blues, R&B and blues. Opening with blues rocker Don't Put Your Hands On Me, Bonelli shows pure attitude and backed by Nick Rolfe on keys, Mike Griot on bass and some hot guitar riffs by Tomas Doncker. R&B track, Nothing I Can't Handle has a strong melody and a good beat, with strong vocals by Bonelli, solid sax work by Mark Henry and cool guitar work by Hill. My favorite track on the release is bluesy ballad and title track, Love Letter with musical tension and really strong guitar phrasing by Hill to support Bonelli's soulful lead. Very nice. The Stones' Paint It Black gets a pop rockier feel but with a more contemporary edge and eerie guitar work by Artur Uronen. Very cool. Wrapping the release is The Ladder, a strong, pure pop rocker. With it's straight ahead beat, wailing guitar and firm tom tom work, this is a solid closer for a solid effort. 

  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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JP Cadillac Records artist: The Knickerbocker All-Stars - Love Makes A Woman - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love Makes A Woman, from the Knickerbocker All-Stars and it's rich. Opening with R&B track, So Soon, Darcel Wilson is upfront with powerful vocals, backed by the power horn section of Rich Lataille and Doug James on sax, Carl Querfurth on trombone, Doc Chanonhouse and Carl Gerhard on trumpet and the tight rhythm section of Mark Teixeira on drums, Brad Hallen on bass, Kevin Barry on guitar and David Limina on keys. Excellent opener. Thornetta Davis really swings boogie track, Good Rockin' Daddy with excellent backing vocals and stellar piano work by Limina a sweet sax solo and tight guitar lead by Barry. Definitely one of my favorites on the release. Wilson takes Joe Seneca's Talk To Me, Talk To Me by the short hairs and really spins it. With a perfect touch of trumpet by Chanonhouse, the warm sax work of James and Lataille and fluid jazzy guitar work of Barry, this is a definite star. Go Girl! is an excellent instrumental jam with hot solos throughout by James and Lataille...wow! james Brown's Don't Cry Baby has a great groove with a nice walking bass line by Hallen, laid back guitar lead by Barry, rich sax heat and lead vocals by Davis. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a strong cover of Aretha's Since You've Been Gone by Wilson. This is a solid release with super tunes and a powerful lot of talent .. and did I mention that all proceeds go to United Theater/Knickerbocker Music Center and their joint educational program with the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Very nice!



  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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Dale Bandy - Blue. - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue., from Dave Bandy and it's solid. Opening with super nasty, My Bad Reputation, Dale Bandy creates a great feel (think Cocker's Black Eyed Blues)  on drums, guitar, keys and lead vocal, and Gary Thompson on bass. Excellent opener. R&B soaked, If I Could Only Take It Back, is solid with soulful vocals and guitar by Bandy. Updated and funky, Big Legged Woman is a great hi stepper with a poppy bass line and hot sax work by Joe Bolero. Bandy's guitar lyric and bass lines on The Thrill Is Gone work nicely together accentuating the soulful vocals lines. Jazzy Comin' Down is heavy bass driven with slick guitar riffs giving it a nice kick. Bandy wraps the release with traditional blues, Trouble In Mind, showing his fluid blues riffs as accompaniment to his vocals. Solid closer to this interesting 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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Conner Ray Music - Dry Johnson - Long Live Them Blues Vol. 1 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Long Live Them Blues Vol. 1, from Houston based duo, Dry Johnson and I really like it. Opening with lumbering blues rumbler, Daddy's Got A Cadillac, features favorites Annika Chambers and Mike Zito on vocals with Zito and Terry Dry on guitars and Matthew Robert Johnson on drums. Cool opener. On title track, Long Live Them Blues, Trudy Lynn's distinct lead vocals are coupled with Steve Krase on harp and Mighty Orq on guitar for a grinding groove. John Del Toro Richardson has the lead on guitar and vocal on Hit That Highway, a real nice blues shuffle. Two stepper, Drunk Girl With A Tambourine has kevin Snit Fitzpatrick on lead vocal and the Mighty Orq on guitar. This is really a strong track with kick. Juke Joint is a slick shuffle with a Bob Wills feel. Featuring Dry on lead vocal and Mighty Orq and James Wilhite on guitar this track is a great swinger. A track with a lot of texture is I Walk Alone featuring the gritty vocals of Wilhite and opposing shimmering guitar vibrato. Very cool. With a bluesy funk, Trashy Women & Cheap Guitars is another great track with Dry on lead vocal and drums and sweet guitar riffs by Zito. Definitely one of my release favorites. Fried Chicken is a super cool instrumental featuring Zito on lead guitar. Get funky my brother. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Little Bird featuring Terry Dry on vocal and acoustic guitar  with a strong folk track. I got to say, this release has a lot of sounds but it's all super. This is a great Christmas idea, and get one for yourself.

  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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Mensch House Records artist: John Akapo - Paradise Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Paradise Blues, from John Akapo and it has a strong blues underpinning and excellent vocals. Opening with Robert Johnson's Ramblin' On My Mind, Taumei "Big John" Akapo shows why he has made a big name in his home of Hawaii with solid guitar playing and some of the smoothest vocals since Richie Havens. On original blues shuffle, Little Lani, Akapo uses traditional blues bones but crafts a more contemporary feel with vocal styling, super blues riffs and harp backing. Muddy Waters' I Can't Be Satisfied is one of three covers on the release with Waters like slide riffs and a simple gait. laying back in the slot a bit more, Caramac Blues shows a different blues guitar style, fluid soloing and smooth natural vocals. Akapo's voice is so smooth that it adapts itself nicely to anything he sings. Hindsight (Missionary Blues) is played on a high strung, light soundboard instrument, likely a ukulele or mandolin adding even more contrast to an already large rich vocal juxtaposed to a high pitched instrument. Very nice.  Another strong blues original, Don't Believe Her, relies on firm 12 bar structure and excellent fingerpicking style. Wrapping the release is Tommy Johnson's Big Road Blues with a firm bass strum in the 6 string mix in an almost Taj Mahal. This is an impressive release for Akapo and his guitar.

  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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Bryan Lee - Sanctuary - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sanctuary, from Bryan Lee and it's smokin' good. Opening with New Orleans funky, Fight For The Light, with a super strutting rhythm. Lee on guitar and vocal sets the pace backed by Deirdre Fellner on backing vocal, Marc Spagone on guitar, Jack Berry with particularly hot bass, Matt Liban on drums, lush keystrokes by Jimmy Voegeli, and Greg Koch on dobro. Very nice. Rolling shuffle, The Gift has great stride and a warm BB King kind of feel. Voegeli sets a great path on electric piano and Lee's guitar soloing is tops. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Mr Big, has a perfect blend of soulful vocals and guitar floating in a blues cloud. Very cool. another outstanding track is Don't Take My Blindness for a Weakness with extended melodic guitar soloing and soulful vocals. Excellent! Wrapping the release is swinging shuffle, Lord And Savior with direct, committed vocals and concise guitar riffs. Lee is one of those guys that has been around for a while and every time you hear him you say, man this guy is great!

  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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Rip Cat Records artists; Johnny & Jaalene - self titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release, Johnny & Jaalene and it's quite good. Opening with Phil Spector's Baby I Love You, Johnny Ramos, son of blues guitar player Kid Ramos and super 16 year old singer, Jaalene DeLeon, breathe fresh air into this 60's classic with solid vocals instrumentation and a great mix. Eddie Cochran's rockabilly tune Teenage Cutie has plenty of spark and tight guitar riffs giving it real oomph. 50's French tune, Let It Be Me, popularized in the US by the Everly Brothers is a real standout here with excellent vocal blending and clear, crisp guitar accompaniment. Lalo Guerrero's Los Chuco Suave is a natural here with excellent Latin styling and accordion by Jesus Cuevas. Excellent! Another huge 60's classic, Rosie (Hamlin) and the Original's Angel Baby is done with little alteration and is a perfect showcase for the purity of DeLeon's voice. featuring a nice sax solo by Ron Dziubla, this is a great retro radio track for the release. Jessie Mae Robinson's rocker, Let's Have A Party features some hot guitar riffs by Kid Ramos led by Deleon on lead vocal. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Danleers', One Summer Night with a twist of doowop (original), zydeco, punk and rock. I actually like this a lot better than the original cut with it's carefree lest. A cool, accordion flavoring by Cuevas and solid vocals by DeLeon make this a perfect closer for a strong new 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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JJ Appleton and Jason Ricci - Beautiful Slop - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent  release, Beautiful Slop, from JJ Appleton and Jason Ricci and it's quite good. Opening with delta style acoustic blues, Don't Take Advantage Of Me, with JJ Appleton on vocal and slide guitar, Jason Ricci on harmonica and vocal and Derek Nievergelt on acoustic bass the band gets the raw efforts of the early blues pioneers down pat. Great opener. With certain tension, Hurt Myself, is a great contemporary blues piece with hoots and hollers by Ricci and tight guitar riffs by Appleton, leading to a real nice harp solo. Certainly my favorite track on the release. Geaux Nuts Kids is a cool, Zydeco style instrumental jam featuring harp and guitar with only vocal punctuation. Very cool. Another of my favorite tracks is Don't Badger The Witness with some of the hottest slide guitar riffs on the release. I like Ricci's rowdy vocal styling and trademark harp work. Wrapping the release is bluesy ballad, Stay, with only the minimal instrumental accompaniment under solid vocals and  melodic harp soloing. I think that this release is really rich with edgy tracks and warm tracks, checking a lot of boxes for blues listeners.

  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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Blooming Tunes Music artist: Diane Durrett - Diane Durrett & Soul Suga Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Diane Durrett & Soul Suga Live from Diane Durrett and it's a funky, soul drenched live outing. Opening with Bright Side, Durrett on vocal and guitar with sassy Billy Preston like organ work by Yoel B'nai Yehuda, with solid trombone work from Wes Funderburke, Gregg Shapiro on bass, Markham on guitar and Melissa Junebug on drums as well as rich backing vocals by Adam McKnight and Debra Reese. It Is What It Is is a cool soul track with a nice melody and gritty, Macy Gray like texture. For me Funderburke's trombone really shines on this track. Excellent! Wish It Would Rain is a really nice soulful ballad and the best showcase for Durrett's voice on the release. Backed by McKnight and Reese, this track is very strong. Smooth soul track, Be Somebody's Angel has super radio potential and with it's warm vocals and organ work. Very nice. Super New Orleans dripping, Sassy Larue has a strong drum driven beat and total trombone domination with firm organ bottom and a bounce bass beat. Very cool. Porter's Summertime gives Funderburke another excellent opportunity to shine and he makes this track his own. Killer. Wrapping the release is crowd favorite, Woohoo, a swinging blues shuffle with driving organ and piano, a rowdy trombone solo and the band really rolling. Solid closer for a solid release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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David Lumsden & Friends - Hues of Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hues of Blues, from David Lumsden & Friends and it's got a mix of tracks to show off  Lumsden's guitar chops. On Earl Hooker's, You Got To Lose, Lumsden leads on vocal and guitar, backed by Tim Bahn on organ, Wayne carter on piano, Gary Davis on bass and Arthur Carey Sr. on drums. Cool shuffle, You're Ruining My Bad Reputation, written by Denise La Salle features Wayne Carter on lead vocal, giving Lumsden free rein to play slide. Nice job. Pulling out the eccentric Jeff Beck instrumental, Brush With the Blues, Lumsden not only demonstrates his solid guitar chops but his excellent listening influences. Memphis Minnie's What's The Matter With The Mill features Reggie Britton on lead vocal and drums with a great driving pace and Steve Mehlberg on harp. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Raised Me Right, features super vocals by Mary Jo Curry and fat fat slide work by Lumsden. Very nice. Willie Newbern's Rollin' and Tumblin' has a rocky feel with a blend of Jeff Beck's arrangement and some heavy handed drumming giving the track a strong edge and slicing guitar riffs by Lumsden. very cool. A solid cover of Hoagy Carmichael's Georgia featuring Wayne Carter on vocal and piano adds one more to the list of sloid covers, closing with Led Zeps Rain Song, all instrumental with Lumsden on acoustic guitar,  Andon Davis on slide, Gary davis on keys and Jim Engel on drums. A real nice closer for a solid release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Catfood Records artist: Sandy Carroll - Blues & Angels - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues & Angels, from Sandy Carroll and it's got something special. Opening with Soak Me In The Spirit, a gospel soaked shuffle, Carroll has lead vocal backed by Rick Steff on keys, Steve Potts on drums, David Smith on bass and Will MacFarlane on guitar. Soulful ballad, Wrapped In An Angel, has a really nice melody, with Mark Narmore on keys, Smith on bass, Potts on drums and MacFarlane on guitars. Sassy shuffle, Mama Don't Like It is one of my favorite tracks with a cool shuffle feel clean bluesy riff by MacFarlane and some of Carroll's best vocals on the release. Funky, Headin' Home is another of my favorite tracks with snappy drum work by Mario Dawson, bass by George Moye and featuring Bernard Allison on guitar. Very cool. Wrapping the release is ballad, Mississippi Me featuring only her vocal and Narmore on piano. A fitting closer for a nice 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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Sandy Key Music artist: Jim Allchin - Prime Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Prime Blues, from Jim Allchin and it's quite good. Allchin, who is releasing his 4th studio release is really honing in on the perfect sound for him. Opening with R&B flavored blues number, Give It Up, featuring Allchin on lead vocal and guitar, peppered with punchy horn work by the Memphis Horns (Charles Rose, Jim Hoke, Steve Hermann and Doug Moffet). Allchin has really honed his tone and his chops have always been super. His backing band is tops with Bob Britt, Rob McNelley  and Kenny Greenberg on rhythm guitar, Tom Hambridge on drums, Glenn Worf on bass, Mycle Wastman on backing vocals and Kevin McKendree on keys. Strutting, Devil Don't Sleep really has a great feel with excellent lead work by Allchin and heavy B3 by McKendree. Jimmy's Boogie is a high energy boogie with a solid bass line by Worf and terrific piano work by McKendree over the tight drums of Hambridge giving Allchin free rein to play. Excellent! Mike Zito guests on lead vocal on Enough is Enough and the track has a hard driving country rock feel. Very nice! Solid shuffle, Found The Blues really finds Allchin in the slot with terrific lead lines and sounding really comfortable on lead vocal. B3 soloing by McKendree adds real beef to the track making it one of my favorites. Bobby Rush steps up on harp and vocal on Two Bad Dreams, a slow blues number with rich horn work by the Memphis Horns. Allchin digs deep showing real blues chops giving this track a stiff edge. Wrapping the release is cool, Albert King flavored, Logoff, with a cool Latin rhythm and stinging guitar riffs. Allchin has really learned to temper his vocals with style and warm backing vocals and electric piano by McKendree adds real spice to this solid closer. Very cool. 

  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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Catfood Records artist: Dave Keller - Every Soul's A Star - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Every Soul's A Star, from Dave Keller and it's a solid R&B entry. Opening with Don't Let Them Take Your Joy, a poppy R&B track, Dave Keller leads a super band on vocal and guitar with excellent backing from Bob Trenchard on bass, Johnny McGhee on guitar, Dan Ferguson on keys, Richy Puga on drums, Mike Middleton on trumpet and Nick Flood on sax. Solid opener. On title track, Every Soul's A Star, a warm horn intro leads the way for Keller's soulful vocals and nice backing vocals by Janelle Thompson and Shakara Weston. Digging down into the funk, Ronnie Shannon's Baby, I Love You has a great sound. I really love Aretha's version of this, but I really like this one as well with a slower, more powerful bottom and bluesy guitar riffs. Very cool. Another solid R&B track, Freedom Is Ours is another solid vocal track which benefits nicely from the horn work of Middleton and Flood. Up-tempo, It's All In Your Eyes, has a great melody with just the right organ underpinning supporting super vocals and effortless guitar soloing by Keller. Soul track, When Are You Gonna Cry is one of my release favorites with a particularly memorable melody, strong vocals by Keller and nicely phrased guitar riffs and horn punctuation punching the track up. Wrapping the release is Ain't Giving In with a fusion of funk and R&B with a strong melody and balanced vocals and horns, with snappy percussion. Very nice. 

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