VizzTone label Group artist: Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers - The Christmas Swing - New Release Review

A few weeks late but here is the review of Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers newest release, The Christmas Swing and it's quite good. Opening with Jingle Bell Blues, a really bluesy twist on Jingle Bells allows Harpe great latitude in super slide work and solid vocals. Backed by Jim Countryman on bass, Matt Prozaleck on harp and Chris Arizalone on drums, this really is a super attempt at making non traditional Christmas music listenable (as opposed to the wildly played but horrible Springsteen's Santa Claus is Coming to Town). Country swinger, The Night Before Christmas, has Harpe telling the famous story in synch with country blues picking, light percussion and solid harp. Traditional 30's style, At The Christmas Ball has Harpe belting out the blues accompanied by kazoo and John Juxo on piano. Very cool. Title track, The Christmas Swing has a solid bass groove and nice vocal harmonies with harp work by Richard Rosenblatt. Chuck Berry's sixties rocker, Run Run Rudolph maintains classic style with non Berry but stylized Berry riffs and harp accents. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Auld Lang Syne featuring Harpe acapella in harmony. A really nice release with more than seasonal appeal. 

  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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Man! It's Christmas - The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher - release review

As you might imagine I get quite a pile of music to review and sometimes timeliness isn't on my side but I did receive a CD from Rev. Jimmie Bratcher that not only gives you something more interesting to listen to during the season, but is also a super release, so here's the review. Opening with the title track, Man! It's Christmas, Bratcher drops the bomb and a cool jazzy track. Featuring Bratcher on vocal and hot licks, Paul Draper on B3, Rick Yord on bass, and Brandon Draper on drums, this is a solid opener. traditional Hymn, Go Tell It On The Mountain is now a shuffle with country blues style singing and great acoustic guitar and slide with Tulsa Reed on harp. Very cool. Bell Carol Blue is another tune that will be very recognizable as a Christmas song but with such a tasteful blue jazz arrangement, you'll be grooving with nice flugelhorn and piano soloing by Eric Stark and excellent vocals and guitar work by Bratcher. Instrumental track,  Going To Grammy's House has an acoustic country blues feel with slide and brushes on snare. Silent Night with bent string electric blues riffs? You bet. With a solid shuffle beat and critical B3 tones, this track takes on an almost gospel blues feel with soulful vocal lines. Bratcher isn't bashful about pulling out the (double) stops and pouring on the heat. Very cool. Wrapping the release is instrumental To The 4 For Christmas with a funky jazz bass line and a great drum/percussion bottom. Bratcher rides high on electric guitar forming the melody over a B3 rhythm. Super closer for an exceptional seasonal release. Sorry I'm late. 

  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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Marshall & The Fro Take ‘Live at The Backroom’ On Tour

Marshall & The Fro Take ‘Live at The Backroom’ on the Road Whether with his classic outfit ‘The Fro’, or in various other guises, Byron Shire local Marshall Okell has become one of the most enduring faces of the blues and roots festival scene in Australia, and for good reason. With an incredible work ethic and commitment to live performance, and with four excellent studio albums in his wake, Marshall has been called upon to get the party started at most bluesy festival for the past 10 or so years. For someone so rooted in the live touring circuit it may come as a surprise that Marshall has waited for album number five to release a live recording. Recorded in iconic Byron Bay venue The Great Northern Hotel to a frothing crowd of devotees, new album ‘Live at The Backroom’ traces Okell’s story from the opening track of his 2007 debut album ‘Marshall & The Fro’, through to brand spanker ‘Taxi’. The ‘Marshall and The Fro name has been relaunched for this release with Luke ‘Fergo’ Fergusson, Nick Lemmits, and Ben Cox supplying world class vibes on this collection of crowd favourites. ‘Live at The Backroom’ is available where all good music is sold, their launch tour takes in hot spots on the east coast this autumn. www.marshallokell.com JB HiFi | iTunes |YouTube TOUR DATES: Thurs 14 FEB Pistol Pete’s, Geelong, VIC 8:00pm Free Entry Fri 15 FEB The Catfish, Fitzroy, VIC With special guests White Lightning 8:00pm $15 – tickets at door Sat 23 FEB The Royal Mail, Goodna, QLD 4:00pm Free entry Fri 29 MAR The Hawkesbury Hotel, Windsor, NSW 8:00pm Fri 12 APR The Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga, NSW 8:00pm Free entry Sun 14 APR The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour, NSW 4:00pm Free entry Sat 20 & Sun 21 APR The Harrington Hotel, Harrington, NSW Free entry Sat 27 APR The Railway Friendly Bar, Byron Bay, NSW 7:00pm Free entry Thurs 2 May Frankie’s Pizza by The Slice, Sydney, NSW 9:00pm Free entry Sun 5 May Tattersalls Hotel, Goulburn, NSW 3:00pm Free entry

That's Where It's At! by Canadian Blues & Roots Artist Michael Jerome Browne

Out Now: That's Where It's At! by Canadian Blues & Roots Artist Michael Jerome Browne

That's Where It's At! released on Borealis Records  borealisrecords.com

Get That's Where It's At! on iTunes https://tinyurl.com/y6b85c8f “He is a string wizard, deftly moving between and blurring the edges of his chosen genre with some conventional folk and Americana/singer-songwriter touches. Browne’s bold-sounding guitar playing is what has set him apart from ‘the also rans’ within the crowded Canadian blues scene. He’s an impressive, capable vocalist, and one of my favourites, but his guitar playing—all fingers, no picks—is completely enchanting.” – Fervor Coulee "…Browne strips down soul music from various eras and delivers the roots of it all in a most elegant fashion...he's totally a cat that you can't miss out on if you call yourself a roots fan." – Midwest Record Michael Jerome Browne is a three-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner (Traditional Singer, 2015; Solo Artist, 2012 & 2008), Maple Blues Award winner (with 32 nominations since 1999), Kerrville (Texas) New Folk Finalist, Four-time Juno Award Nominee in both the Roots/Traditional and Blues categories. He is a multi-instrumentalist, a songwriter, and a living encyclopedia of American Roots music. That’s Where It’s At! is Michael Jerome Browne’s latest collection, focusing on soul music through the lens of a traditional blues player. Recorded largely live off the floor in Sherbrooke and Montréal (Québec) and Hamilton (Ontario), Michael’s fingerstyle guitar and warm, unaffected vocals are front and centre, accompanied only by John McColgan’s funky drumming on five songs. That’s Where It’s At! is the new album on Borealis Records, available February 8, 2019. This album focuses on the connection between blues and soul, the stripped-down accompaniment consisting only of Michael’s guitar, with drummer John McColgan on five tracks. Vocal guests include Harrison Kennedy, Roxanne Potvin and Eric Bibb. Five originals are mixed in with songs from Sam Cooke, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder, as well as two spirituals from way back- the roots of gospel and soul. To celebrate and share this outstanding new recording, Michael Jerome Browne will be on tour throughout Canada in the coming months, starting with industry showcases at both Blues Summit Nine in Toronto and Folk Alliance International in Montreal. Upcoming Tour Dates Feb. 21 - Mississippi Queen Foods, Hamilton ON (w/special guest Harrison Kennedy) Feb. 22 - Hugh’s Room Live, Toronto, ON (w/special guest Harrison Kennedy, Michelle Josef on drums) Feb. 23 - Greenbank Folk Society, Greenbank, ON March 9 - La Vitrola, Montréal QC (w/John McColgan, drums) March 13 - Irene’s Pub, Ottawa, ON (w/special guest Harrison Kennedy, John McColgan on drums) May 3 - Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver, BC (w/Tim Williams, Cecile Doo-Kingue, Paul Pigat) May 4 - House Concert, White Rock, BC May 5 - 11- Hornby Island Blues Workshop May 12 - Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan, BC May 13 - Ground Zero Acoustic Lounge, Parksville, BC

New Live Lee Boys Coming April 19!

The Lee Boys Live On The East Coast Coming April 19! One of America's Top Sacred Steel Bands

Northport NY - M.C. Records is proud to announce the signing of Sacred Steel sensation, The Lee Boys. The band's first recording for the label, Live On The East Coast will be released on April 19 worldwide. This marks the bands first release since 2012's Testify. This album presents live performances recorded at three 2018 concerts:  Rives Theater, Martinsville, Virginia, Suwannee Roots Festival in Live Oak Florida and Allan Laws "Thanksgathering" in Winston Salem North Carolina. Throughout Live On The East Coast you'll hear the band's unique gumbo of soul, funk, blues and R&B.  Several songs have never appeared on any previous Lee Boys' release. Click the cover to check out two tracks from the upcoming album via a private Soundcloud link.                                                 The Lee Boys have been bringing their joyful noise around world for over 10 years. The band has performed in Canada, Switzerland, France, and Thailand. In the U.S., The Lee Boys have played some of the most important Festivals in the U.S.  including The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival twice, most recently in 2018. They have also performed at Memphis in May, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Telluride Blues and Brews, The Philadelphia Folk Festival and Merle Fest. The Lee Boys have performed on the syndicated radio programs, E-Town and Mountain Stage and the always fun, Jam in the Van.                                                     The Lee Boys at Suwanne Roots Festival October 2018 - Photos by Stuart K.Cowan "Audience members danced in the aisles, jumped up and down and waved their arms to the mounting melody.”                                  USA-Today review of the band at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival “The band’s dexterity with multiple genres is its strongest point; it combines folk, soul, funk, blues, country and gospel into upbeat, steel guitar-led performances that can’t help but inspire secular and sacred revelry.”  Billboard Today, the Lee Boys band is Alvin Lee; guitar, backup vocal and band leader; Keith Lee, lead vocal; Derrick Lee, lead vocal; their nephew Alvin “Little Al” Cordy, Jr., six-string bass, lead and backup vocal; nephew Earl “Big Easy” Walker, drums; and Chris Johnson, pedal-steel guitar.  Born into a family of Pentecostal church musicians and thoroughly familiar with House of God music, Alvin is dedicated to continuing the Lee Boys reputation of playing eclectic, soulful music that incorporates elements of rock, country, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, funk and more—always with that unmistakable Lee Boys sound. http://www.leeboys.com/biography/ The Lee Boys on Tour  - Contact: Blue Mountain Artists - hugh@bmatours.com , micah@bmatours.com http://www.leeboys.com/tour-dates/ 03/09/19 - Miami, FL - The Wynwood Yard - Address: 56 NW 29th St, Miami, FL 33127. 03/23/19 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - America’s Backyard -  Address: 100 SW 3rd Ave. Venue phone 04/05/19 - Jupiter, FL, FL - PALM BEACH Seafood & Music Festival - 1200 Town Center Dr.  04/06/19 - St. Augustine, FL - Prohibition Kitchen -  Address: 119  St. George St  04/07/19 - Jacksonville Beach, Florida - Springing the Blues - Oceanfront SeaWalk Plaza First St..  05/11/19 - Tallahassee, FL - Bradford Blues Club - Address: 7152 Moses Ln.  05/24/19 - 05/26/19 - White Springs, Florida - Florida Folk Festival - Address: 11016 Lillian Saunders Dr.  08/17/19 - 08/18/19 - Shwenksville, PA - Philadelphia Folk Festival   ***

Blues Guitar Superstar Walter Trout Headlines Blue Star Denver 8 Benefit Concert, Silent Auction, & Gear Drive

BLUES GUITAR SUPERSTAR WALTER TROUT HEADLINES BLUE STAR DENVER 8 BENEFIT CONCERT, SILENT AUCTION AND  GEAR DRIVE  Saturday, March 23 - TURNHALLE BALLROOM AT THE TIVOLI - 6:00PM Hosted By Blue Star Connection in Conjunction w/ Grand County Blues Society

(DENVER, CO) - Blues guitar superstar Walter Trout headlines Blue Star Denver 8, a Benefit Concert, Silent Auction, and Gear Drive, Saturday, March 23, at Turnhalle Ballroom at The Tivoli, located at Metropolitan State University of Denver, 900 Auraria Parkway. Doors open 5:30pm, showtime is 6:00PM. Tickets: $25.00 (General Admission), $35.00 (Reserved), $69. (VIP); $750.00 (VIP Premier Table). Info: (303) 726-6111 or visit www.bluestarconnection.org.  Also performing: Honey Island Swamp Band, B To The Sixth, and Special Guest, Kate Moss.   Net proceeds benefit Blue Star Connection, to help carry out their mission of providing access and ownership of musical instruments for children and young adults with cancer and other serious life challenges. To date, BSC has reached over  eight-hundred kids and has donated musical gear to sixty-five Children's Hospitals and Music Therapy Programs as well as several other community programs. This is the largest yearly Blue Star Connection fundraiser with the largest "music related" Silent Auction in the state of Colorado.                       About The Performers at Blue Star Denver 8   Walter Trout and Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group have just released Trout's newest album, Survivor’s Blues. The track-listing of Survivor Blues is a window into the 67-year-old’s fast-moving back-story, chronicling a five-decade career whose one constant is his deep love of the Blues. Trout is no ordinary artist and this is no ordinary covers album. "I didn’t want to do ‘Stormy Monday’ or ‘Messin’ With The Kid.’ I didn’t want to do the Blues greatest hits. I wanted to do old, obscure songs that have hardly been covered. And that’s how Survivor Blues started,” explains Trout. Over the course of the last several decades, Walter Trout has been a prolific artist.  He’s regularly released offerings from the studio, so this moment of offering a covers album is somewhat of a curve-ball.  Trout was voted #6 in a  memorable BBC Radio Poll of the 20 Best Guitarists Of All Time, alongside such greats as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Gary Moore. His 2017 all-star release, We’re All In This Together, shows no sign of burning out and continues to receive accolades and sales on a global basis, alongside four awards for Blues Rock Album Of The Year.  In 2018, Trout's release "We're All In It Together" won the Blues Foundation's Blues Music Award for Rock Blues Album.    When it comes to Honey Island Swamp Band, think The Band’s Big Pink album and add a splash of hot sauce with Willin’ by Little Feat – this group of New Orleans vagabonds nails it. From the pristine waters of the Honey Island Swamp, to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, to the hazy corner of Haight-Asbury in San Francisco, this band has endured devastation, relocation, and revitalization. “Their all-encompassing sound of blues, roots, country, and soul has been described as “Bayou Americana," writes respected publication, NO DEPRESSION. Ruf Records artist Honey Island Swamp Band takes the hammer to the nail with the help of producer Luther Dickinson on their latest release, Demolition Day. On Demolition Day, the Honey Island Swamp Band breaks these boundaries to deliver a sound so relevant and honest that even in the darkest of days – like the violent storm that brought this group of musicians together – Demolition Day still shines brightly.      Kate Moss has enjoyed playing guitar since her teens, but it wasn’t until she met Buddy Guy at the age of 21 that she realized what genre of music commanded her focus: The Blues. Exploring Buddy's music and that of his contemporaries, she fell in love with the sound and the heartfelt, improvisational nature of the Blues. Over the years, Kate has been honored to share the stage with not only Buddy on several occasions, but other top performers in the biz, like her husband Nick Moss, Jimmy Vivino, Tommy Castro, Jimmy Johnson, Walter Trout, Eddie Shaw, Curtis Salgado, Ana Popovic, Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Lurrie Bell, and Mud Morganfield, among many others.    B to the 6th represented the Grand County Blues Society in the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis, TN this past January. This six-piece band from Colorado Springs is bringing their fun funky blues in their debut with Blue Star Connection!                                About Grand County Blues Society       We have not lost our way but rather tried to lead the way. With innovation, tremendous volunteer effort and creativity, we have managed to stay ambitious and dedicated to the love and excitement of live blues. We have produced fifteen festivals in Grand County and we have presented well over two-hundred shows along the way.   We have taken Blues in the Schools to every school in Grand County and given Blues History to kids that started with us in the first grade to become seniors in college. We have been involved in all our libraries, creating a musical choice, from CD's to DVDs to actual instruments that can be taken home just like a book. We named it “Check out the Music.” We have looked after the kids wherever and whenever we have found them.   We are an all-volunteer board and we have remained strong with the help of our friends and the businesses that continue to support our mission of bringing national touring acts to our valley. We hope you will get to know us and join us as we move forward supporting the Blues.      Blue Star Denver 8 Artist Interview & Media Show Passes Available.                                              grandblues.org/bluestarconnection facebook.com/BlueStarConnection

Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall - Nobody Told Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (February 22, 2019), Nobody Told Me, from John Mayall and it's quite good. Opening with Magic Sam's, What Have I Done Wrong, a solid blues rocker, Mayall on lead vocal, keys and harp is joined by Greg Rzab on bass and Jay Davenport on drums and features Joe Bonamassa on guitars. Great opener. Larry McCray joins on The Moon Is Full with blistering guitar riffs over a really hard driving bass line by Rzab. Excellent! Rush veteran, Alex Lifeson joins on Evil And Here To Stay, a lumbering blues track with a healthy dose of Mayall on vocal, harp and piano. Lifeson shows an excellent adaptability from his hard driving rock sound to soulful blues riffs. Very nice. Little Milton's That's What Love Will Make You Do has a funky bass line by Rzab and tune master Todd Rundgren fires off some blistering blues guitar riffs of his own. Gary Moore's, The Hurt Inside, is one of my favorites on the release again with McCray on lead funky hot guitar and some of Mayall's best vocals on the release. Original Boogie track, Like It Like You Do has super vocals and piano by Mayall, a solid bottom and great boogie riffs by Carolyn Wonderland. Very cool. Wrapping the release is another original and title track, Nobody Told Me, a slow blues featuring Mayall way out front on vocal and piano with only the basic of backing and really soulful guitar soloing by Wonderland. This is a super wrapper for a very strong release by a certain father of the modern American blues revival in the 60's. 

  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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