Cash McCall (January 28, 1941 - April 20, 2019)

Cash McCall (January 28, 1941 - April 20, 2019)

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Cash McCall passed away on April 20, 2019 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. His gentle spirit, humble nature and genuine kindness were a joy to behold, and he will be deeply missed. Funeral details for Cash Saturday, May 4, 2019 Wake: 10:30 am Funeral: 12:00 pm The Healing Center Full Gospel Baptist Church, 3885 Tchulahoma Rd, Memphis, TN 38118

Cash McCall July 1978 Montreux Jazz festival, Switzerland Photo By Lionel Decoster Cash McCall July 2018 Ecko Studio, Memphis Photo by Nola Blue Records

Born Morris Dollison, Jr. in New Madrid, Missouri on January 28, 1941, Cash McCall spent his early years on Chicago’s North Side.  From there, the family moved to Mississippi, where Cash first learned to play guitar—on a piece of baling wire nailed to the side of their home.  As a young man, he served his country in the US Army, where he was seriously injured while training to be a paratrooper. After completing his military service, Dollison returned to Chicago where he began his gospel career, singing and playing guitar or electric bass with well-regarded quartets including the Jubilee Hummingbirds, the Pilgrim Jubilees, the Gospel Songbirds, and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi.  By 1964, he’d appeared on singles by the Jubilee Hummingbirds and the Gospel Songbirds.  After dabbling in the secular world as a sideman, Dollison recorded his single, “The Earth Worm,” for One-derful’s M-Pac! imprint.  He continued working for One-derful! as a songwriter & session guitarist, writing several songs for Otis Clay including his hit “That’s How It Is (When You’re In Love)”.  By 1966, Dollison had written a new single, "When You Wake Up," and took it to Thomas Records where he cut it with the house rhythm section.  Later, Monk Higgins added horns and background vocals and Thomas Records issued the single under the fictitious name of Cash McCall. Unbeknownst to Dollison, he learned of his new alias when first hearing his song on WVON radio.  “When You Wake Up” became a national R&B hit.  When Thomas folded in 1967, Higgins convinced McCall to join him at Chess Records. In addition to writing two singles of his own—“S.O.S.” and “It’s Not How Good You Make It”— Cash wrote for many of the label’s major names, including Little Milton (his hits “More And More” and “Let Me Down Easy”), Etta James (“I Prefer You”), and Rotary Connection, as well as Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor and many gospel stars. McCall was also a session guitarist on countless Chess/Checker records. It wasn't until 1974 that McCall released his first full-length album, "Omega Man," on Paula Records (where he also did some producing). When Minnie Riperton offered him a gig as guitarist with Los Angeles-based Rotary Connection, McCall and his wife relocated to L.A.  Cash later released albums "No More Doggin’" for L+R in 1983, "Cash Up Front" on Stone in 1988 and "The Vintage Room" in 2007 on Dixon Landing. His strong connection with Willie Dixon brought McCall one of his proudest moments when he played on Dixon’s Grammy-winning 1988 album "Hidden Charms." He also played on Dixon’s Grammy-nominated soundtrack album "Ginger Ale Afternoon" the next year. In the early 90’s, McCall and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee.  In 2018, upon reuniting with longtime friend Benny Turner, the two returned to the studio to pay homage to their Windy City Roots on the acclaimed album, "Going Back Home," released on Nola Blue Records in 2019.  (excerpts from bio by Bill Dahl, Music Journalist, on www.cashmccallmusic.com)

Jay Kipps Band - How To Polish Your Longhorns - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, How To Polish Your Longhorns, from Jay Kipps Band and it's a cool blend of different style of music with a mutual theme of good stuff. Opening with Colt 45, a great western style instrumental track in the vein of Rawhide with a bit of Dick Dale mixed in. Chard Burford leads the charge with solid finger work and backing by Jay Kipps, Chris Lubker on bass and Cory Bruyea on drums. Low slung, funky blues, Rotten Apple Blues has deep rooted guitar riffs by Burford and Kipps, and Kipps own harp and vocals give it real texture. Big Old Engine is a cool, country style blues (think upbeat Grateful Dead) with slick guitar riffs, an aggressive bass line and smoking harp supporting Kipps masterful vocals. Very nice. Another twist is Sinister with it's tight pop rock style. If you know The Eagles of Death Metal, that's the format and Kipps really executes well. Gonzo (Live) is one of my favorite tracks on the release with adventurous abstract delivery. This track has spoken vocal lead and a great bass/guitar/drum unified dialog like a sort of Gunn/Crimson/Belew assembly. Excellent! Another live track, JJ Cales' Call Me The Breeze uses the pace of Skynyrd but with a more easy handed delivery like Cale's original.  Kipps vocal and harp attack over Burford's guitar riffs  is authoritative and confident.  Wrapping the release is surf (Dale) style track, Surffarie with bass and guitar lead and Dalesque runs. This is a cool closer to a totally enjoyable release. 

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Taylor Scott Band - All We Have - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review All We Have, the most recent release by Taylor Scott Band who mixes smooth ballads with clean rockers. Opening with funky rocker, Somebody Told Me, lead vocalist and guitarist, Taylor Scott shows powerful pipes, backed by Jon Wirtz on piano, Chris Harris on bass, Lem Williams on drums. His slick guitar styling and the and tight drumming by Williams make this a great opener. Salted Watermelon has all of the qualities of a great radio track with it's strong melody, solid vocal lead, well blended backing vocals by Steve Watkins and nicely blended instrumentation. One of my favorites on the release is Carry Me Away with it's jazzy overtones, dual guitar lead and springy rhythm. Another well crafted ballad, The Walk, shows real radio potential with a super melody, glistening keyboard work and some of Scott's best vocals on the release. With horn backing by Mark Gonzalez (trombone), Josh levy (bari sax), Gilbert Elorreaga (trumpet), and Wirtz on organ, very nice track. Wrapping the release is Good Things, an easy paced contemporary pop track with acoustic guitar, moog and keys giving the release a modern and moody closer. 

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Big Eye Records artist: Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith & The House Bumpers - Drop The Hammer - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Drop The Hammer, from Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith & The House Bumpers and it's a cool fusion of a number of sounds rooted in the blues. Opening with Head Pounder, a loose jam, Smith, who plays drums and leads on vocal blends African rhythms with delta styling and contemporary fluidity with the help of Billy Flynn on guitar and Omar Coleman on harp for an interesting perspective on the blues. Sliding into a more traditional shuffle, Hey Daddy, lead by Smith, backed by Mae, Clara and Theodore Smith on vocal and Flynn, Ari Seder on guitar, Felton Crews on bass Luca Chellini on piano, and Coleman on harp. R&B track, Scratchin' Your Head features Flynn and Seder on guitars over and cool bass line by Crews and laid back funky vocal by Smith. Chellini's organ work really fits in nicely and solos by Flynn and Coleman make this a really cool groove. Funky, What In The World, rides heavy on the bass lines of Crews and the funky rhythm guitar of Greg Guy. No Need Brotha is as straight up a blues track as is on the release with solid vocals, and nicely articulated guitar soloing by Guy over the organ lines of Chellini. Soul fused track, Living Fast, has a really nice bass line by crews and the soulful backing vocals by Dana Gordon really add a smoky touch. Piano boogie, Second Hand Woman leads off with a cool intro by Chellini on piano and Coleman riding on harp. Wrapping the release is Moment of Silence, a slow blues track with nice soloing by Coleman, and Chellini (piano) and and King over the rock solid rhythm of Crews and Smith on drums. Very cool 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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Nurs'n Blues Music Fest Benefits Music Therapy Program

NURS'N BLUES MUSIC FEST BENEFITS MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM; PRESENTED BY BUFFALO MUSICIAN AND NURSE, PATTI PARKS; GRAMMY-NOMINATED KENNY NEAL HEADLINES STRONG LINEUP   Saturday, May 25 - THE COVE  - 3PM to 10PM

Patti Parks, creator of the Music Therapy program, is also a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.    (Depew, NY) - The Nurs'n Blues Music Fest takes place at The Cove, 4701 Transit Rd., Saturday, May 25. Showtime: 3pm to 10pm. Tickets: $20. Donation in advance, $25. at the Door. Info: (716) 870-3600 or visit https://www.musicisart.org. Proceeds benefit Nurs'n Blues Therapy Program, that uses Blues Music Therapy for those struggling with chemical dependency. Presented as a non-profit collaborative by the Blues Society of Western New York and Music Is Art.    Nurs'n Blues Music Fest features two stages with continuous music all day long, headlined by Grammy nominee, blues guitar great, Kenny Neal. Also performing: Robert "Freightrain" Parker; Jeremy Keyes Band; Grace Stumberg and Grace Lougen; Hanna PK; 12 Pack Jack McArdle; Sheila Connors; and the Patti Parks Band (Parks, from Buffalo and a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, is the creator of the Nurs'n Blues Music Fest).    Now in its fourth year, the program has served over one-thousand clients and families. Each week, a Board-Certified Music Therapist creates a plan of care that includes music interventions. During these sessions the therapist makes a correlation examining influences of Blues American History, lyrics or particular music format or rhythm which help insight feelings or touch upon thoughts opening critical pathways to the brain. This past March, the Music Therapy Program visited Kids Escaping Drugs and Horizon Village, both located in the Buffalo area, where they've been providing sessions every week for the last three years. At a 2018 press conference, Music Is Art founder, Goo Goo Dolls' bassist Robby Takac, formally endorsed the Music Therapy program.      "The Blues was chosen as a beautiful art form and positive affect on improving communication," explains Parks, who felt helpless as her own son was affected by struggles with chemical dependency. "The Blues genre was a perfect means of communicating deep-rooted feelings and mirrored Blues American history, while serving as a positive influence on those struggling with chemical dependency and their families," Parks adds.  "Over one-thousand people within three years from ages thirteen to adult have been helped. We currently provide services at Kids Escaping Drugs and Horizon Village in Sanborn, (New York). We have also expanded services to colleges, and see a need in other community settings."    In 2016, Parks was invited by the Blues Foundation to speak at their "Blues As Healer" symposium in Memphis about her Music Therapy program along with famed guitarist Walter Trout, Dr. Marie Trout, blues journalist Don Wilcock and the aforementioned Neal, whose performance this year was donated by a family whose child was affected in a positive way from the program. At the symposium, Parks shared dramatic stories illustrating how the Blues has helped young people, veterans, and performers in their road to recovery.          Patti Parks Interviews/Music Therapy Promotional Materials Available.                                              www.musicisart.org                                 www.facebook.com/MusicIsArtOrg

PETER FRAMPTON BAND’S ALL BLUES JUNE 7 VIA UMe, Farewell tour this summer!

PETER FRAMPTON BAND’S ALL BLUES

DUE FOR RELEASE JUNE 7 VIA UMe

“I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU”

(FEATURING KIM WILSON) PREMIERES TODAY

SIRIUSXM SIX-WEEK SERIES

“THE PETER FRAMPTON SHOW” DEBUTS MAY 10

ON DEEP TRACKS CHANNEL

PETER FRAMPTON FINALE—
THE FAREWELL TOUR KICKS OFF THIS SUMMER

photo credit: Austin Lord

  “One of rock ‘n’ roll’s
lifelong major players”

All Blues, the forthcoming covers album from the Peter Frampton Band, is set for release on June 7 via UMe. The album is a collection of Frampton’s favorite blues classics and was recorded with his longtime touring band, made up of Adam Lester (guitar/vocals), Rob Arthur (keyboards/guitar/vocals) and Dan Wojciechowski (drums).

“I Just Want To Make Love To You” (featuring Kim Wilson) is the first song to be released from the new album, and is available now with digital album pre-order. Listen/share the track HERE.

All Blues was recorded at Frampton’s studio in Nashville, Studio Phenix, and was co-produced by Frampton and Chuck Ainlay. The album features additional collaborations with Larry Carlton, Sonny Landreth and Steve Morse.

The vinyl will be available as a double LP and also as a limited edition translucent blue color pressing exclusively at PeterFrampton.com. The double LP will include the bonus track “I Feel So Good,” which was written by Big Bill Broonzy and popularized by Muddy Waters.

Of the album, Frampton explains, “I have always loved to play the blues. When we formed Humble Pie, the first material we played together was just that. For the last two summers I had been playing a handful of blues numbers every night on stage with Steve Miller Band. I enjoyed this immensely and it gave me the idea of doing an ‘All Blues’ album live in the studio with my band. We started the resulting sessions 9 days after coming off the road last year. Over a two-week period, we recorded 23 tracks, all live in the studio. The energy of these tracks is completely different from building a track one instrument at a time. With this recording, we pay tribute to all the original artists who invented this incredible music. I hope you can hear and feel our enjoyment. I’m not sure if you can say we had fun playing the blues. But we definitely did.”

To support All Blues, Frampton will be hosting a new six-week series on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks channel. “The Peter Frampton Show” will premiere on Friday, May 10 at 10:00am ET on SiriusXM radios (channel 27) and on the SiriusXM app. Additionally, Frampton will walk SiriusXM listeners through each song from the new album in an exclusive track-by-track on SiriusXM’s BB King’s Bluesville channel. “Peter Frampton’s All Blues Show” will air on Monday, June 3 at 3:00pm ET on SiriusXM radios (channel 74) and on the SiriusXM app.

In conjunction with the album’s release, Frampton will kick off Peter Frampton Finale—The Farewell Tour presented by SiriusXM—an approximately 50-date run this summer and fall produced by Live Nation. Frampton will retire from regular vigorous touring at the end of this year due to his diagnosis of the autoimmune disease Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM). IBM is a progressive muscle disorder characterized by muscle inflammation, weakness and atrophy. Frampton recently discussed his diagnosis with CBS “This Morning: Saturday,” watch the segment HERE.

The tour will feature special guest Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, as well as Julian Frampton on the west coast stops, with additional surprise guests to appear on select dates. Tickets are on sale now and VIP packages will also be available at www.frampton.com. $1 of every ticket sold, as well as any donations, will benefit The Peter Frampton Myositis Research Fund at Johns Hopkins, a newly established fund by Frampton and Johns Hopkins, where he’s being treated.

Peter Frampton remains one of the most lauded artists in rock history. On May 7, the Music Business Association will present him with the Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement at the Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner that is part of the Association’s annual conference—Music Biz 2019—set to take place May 5-8 in Nashville. Frampton was also recently honored with the Les Paul Innovation Award at the 2019 NAMM Show’s 34th annual TEC Awards, and celebrated the 43^rd anniversary of his fifth solo album, Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the top-selling live records of all time (over 17 million copies sold worldwide). 

ALL BLUES TRACK LISTING

1.  I Just Want To Make Love To You (featuring Kim Wilson)

2.  She Caught The Katy

3.  Georgia On My Mind

4.  Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover

5. Me And My Guitar

6.  All Blues (featuring Larry Carlton)

7.  The Thrill Is Gone (featuring Sonny Landreth)

8.  Going Down Slow (featuring Steve Morse)

9.  I’m A King Bee

10.  Same Old Blues

PETER FRAMPTON LIVE

June 18—Catoosa, OK—Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa+

June 20—Little Rock, AR—Robinson Performance Hall

June 22—Wetumpka, AL—Wind Creek Casino & Hotel+

June 23—Chattanooga, TN—Tivoli Theatre+

June 26—Memphis, TN—Orpheum Theatre+

June 27—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater*

June 29—Salamanca, NY—Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino*

June 30—Bethel, NY—Bethel Woods Center for the Arts*

July 2—Pittsburgh, PA—Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

July 3—Syracuse, NY—St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview*

July 5—Montreal, QC—Montreal Jazz Fest- Place des Arts: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier+

July 7—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion*

July 9—Boston, MA—Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion*

July 10—Philadelphia, PA—The Met Philadelphia*

July 12—Cincinnati, OH—Riverbend Music Center*

July 13—Stayner, ON—Roxodus Music Festival+

July 23—Interlochen, MI—Interlochen Center for the Arts-Kresge Auditorium+

July 25—Clarkston, MI—DTE Energy Music Theatre*

July 26—Morgantown, WV—MountainFest Motorcycle Rally*+

July 28—Chicago, IL—Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island*

July 29—Cedar Rapids, IA—McGrath Amphitheatre

July 31—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre

August 2—Hinckley, MN—Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater*+

August 4—Maryland Heights, MO—Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre*

August 5—Kansas City, MO—Starlight Theatre*

August 8—Cuyahoga Falls, OH—Blossom Music Center*

August 11—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre at Encore Park*

August 16-21—Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean+

August 30—Charlotte, NC—PNC Music Pavilion*

September 1—Saratoga Springs, NY—Saratoga Performing Arts Center*

September 2—Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun Arena*

September 4—Jacksonville, FL—Daily’s Place*

September 6—West Palm Beach, FL—Coral Sky Amphitheatre at the S. Florida Fairgrounds*

September 7—Tampa, FL—MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds*

September 10—Simpsonville, SC—CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park*

September 11—Washington, DC—The Anthem*

September 13—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden*

September 14—Raleigh, NC—Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek*

September 20-21—Dallas, TX—Crossroads Festival @ American Airlines Center+

September 21—Irving, TX—Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman*

September 22—The Woodlands, TX—The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*

September 24—Albuquerque, NM—Sandia Resort & Casino*+

September 26—Phoenix, AZ—Comerica Theatre*

September 28—Las Vegas, NV—Red Rock Resort Spa & Casino+

September 29—Temecula, CA—Pechanga Casino-Pechanga Summit*†

October 2—San Diego, CA—Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU*†

October 3—Paso Robles, CA—Vina Robles Amphitheatre*†+

October 5—Inglewood, CA—The Forum*†

October 6—Tuolumne, CA—Black Oak Casino Resort-Westside Pavilion*†+

October 9—Seattle, WA—Paramount Theatre*†

October 10—Ridgefield, OR—Ilani Resort & Casino-Cowlitz Ballroom*†+

October 12—Concord, CA—Concord Pavilion*†

*with Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

†with Julian Frampton
+not a Live Nation date

Ruf Records artist: Ally Venable - Texas Honey - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Texas Honey, from Ally Venable and it's a fine blend of power pop and blues. Opening with rocker, Nowhere To Hide, Venable is on top with super vocals and fresh guitar riffs over a solid bass line by Bobby Wallace and the tight rhythm of Elijah Owings. Great opener. Title track, Texas Honey shows real grit with fat guitar tones and Gibbons like snarl. Excellent track. Blind To Bad Love has dark overtones, deep backing vocals and cool backing guitar work by Mike Zito. Come And Take It is a heavier track with real teeth. Eric Gales adds vocal and real snarling guitar riffs giving the band more intensity and more balance. Very cool. You knew it was going to happen... a young female guitar slinger taking on SRV. Love Struck Baby has lots of snap and Venable's guitar riffs aren't SRV but it's still hot and fun. Another track with vicious guitar riffs is White Flag. Venable turns up the grit up to Z (for ZZ Top) and really gets greasy. This track has a lot of flavor with heavy drums, a lumbering bottom and ripping guitars...very cool! Wrapping the release is another gritty blues rocker, Careless Love, with a thumping bass line and tight drum riffs. Venable's vocals are solid and her country flavored rock riffs are tasty and wet. Nice closer for a really cool 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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Melrose Hill Records artist: Jonas Scott Cowan - Been There - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Been There by Jonas Scott Cowan and it's a rocking pop blues party. Opening Muddy Water's, Catfish Blues, Cowan is hot out of the chute with hot slide work, piano by Carl Rodenberg and a tight rhythm by Danny Erkman on drums and Jon Rochner on bass. With a regimental drum lead Black Boots maintains a rigid, military style drum line with bluesy vocal and warm slide guitar tones. Adding a little Cajun spice and Lacy Jean on fiddle, Another Fiddle is a stylized pop rocker. Rodenberg and Erkman maintain the form and warm backing vocals make this a cool radio track. R&B ballad, I Miss The Girl, is my favorite track on the release with it's direct melody, solid vocals and slick guitar and piano soloing. Very nice. Jacobsville Jail has a really dark and solid early blues feel with warm backing vocals by Stillwell, Rochner and Rodenberg. Another of my favorites is Rollin' On, a solid blues ballad. Cowan's guitar lead sits tall in the saddle along side his strong lead vocal. Testify is a very cool blues rocker with a blend of country and Led Zep. Cowan's vocals are the best on the release and his slide playing, along with Rochner, Erkman and fiddle by Jean make this another top contender. Shuffle track, This Boy Is Free gives Cowan a good stage to show his blues runs and tight styling with Bob Greene on organ. Very nice. Wrapping the release is light shuffle track, Your Baby's Gone, with a tight drum riff, solid guitar lead and some punchy horn by Greene to close it out. 

  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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American Showplace Music artist: Brandon Santini - The Longshot - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review to most recent release, The Longshot, from Brandon Santini and it's a stripped down blues rocker. Opening with Don't Come Around Here No More, Brandon Santini is upfront on lead vocal and his vocals are particularly strong. Backed by Timo Arthur on guitar, Chuck Combs on bass, Reed Muchow on drums, John Ginty on keys and Moe Watson on backing vocal this is a super opener with hot harp riffs by Santini. With a country two step feel, Drive You Off My Mind has a cool open road feel with snappy drums and added percussion by Michael Bram. Greg Gumpel really adds nice slide guitar riffs under the lead vocal, paired with Santini's own harp work and saturated in Ginty's organ flow making this one of the best tracks on the release.  I really like Arthur's guitar tone on Back To You pushing into a foot stomping, lumbering drive. Santini works back and forth between lead vocal and crisp harp riffs giving the track a fine flow and Arthur's guitar soloing is pressing. Very cool. Another straight up rocker, My Worried Mind and cool jangly guitar riffs and a solid bass line with emphasis on the harp and modern blues guitar riffs. Willie Dixon's Evil (Is Going On) has a really nice funky bass line and glistening key work by Ginty under raspy distorted vocals by Santini. I really like this take on Dixon's classic and Santini seals the deal with his fluid harp soloing. Very nice. Wrapping the release is rocker, Somebody's Gotta Go in contemporary blues rock style. Laid back vocal delivery and a driving rock rhythm are the key here providing an open lane for Santini to close the show. This is a real solid release and one that should continue Santini's foothold as one of todays blues rock innovators.

  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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Susan Williams & the Wright Groove - It's About Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It's About Time, from Susan Williams & The Wright Groove and they lay down a blend of ballads, shuffles and R&B tracks. opening with bluesy ballad, Tell Me You Love Me, vocalist Susan Williams leads the way and plays bass. Mike Gallemore fits in some real nice guitar phrases backed by Darryl Wright on bass, Rob Davis on drums and Mike Cruse on keys. On R&B track, Loving You From A Distance, Gallemore plays a nice melodic guitar solo and with a really memorable melody, scores the best radio track for the release. Shuffle track, Shame On You has a cool pace and with nicely blended lead and backing vocals and flowing blues guitar soloing by Gallemore has a kind of BB King feel and features a cool bass solo by Wright. Cool rocker, You've Got Another Thing Coming has a light funky beat with a great bass line a rowdy solo and cool guitar accents.  Please Come Back To Me is my favorite track on the release with strong R&B cues back to Ray Charles and excellent blues phrasing by Gallemore. Wrapping the release is Too Little, Too Late with a light bluesy swing. Williams vocals are solid and Gallemore's guitar lead cool, laid back and interesting. This is a solid closer for a cool 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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Matt Andersen - Halfway Home By Morning - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Halfway Home By Morning by Matt Andersen and it's quite cool. Opening with solid R&B style track, What Would Your Mama Say with a great melody, super rhythm, and featuring Andersen on lead vocal and guitar, Steve Dawson on guitars, Mike Farrington, Chris Gestrin on keys, Jay Bellerose on drums and the fabulous McCrary sisters on backing vocals. Excellent opener. Free Man is even a little swampier with solid sax by Jim Hoke, trombone by Charles Rose and Steve Hermann on trumpet. Give Me Some Light is likely the radio track from the release with excellent lead vocal and John Hiatt like feel. Everything just clicks on this track. A driving beat and a funky rhythm really makes Gasoline stand out as one of my favorites. It's got everything including punchy horns, great drums, hot slide, great lead vocals and super backing vocals. Excellent. Powerful ballad, Been My Last has rich lyrics and a strong melody. Andersen really does a nice job to maintain his vocal strength on a sensitive track and Dawson's pedal steel work gives it a country flavor. Wrapping the release is Quarter On The Ground, a strong acoustic ballad with excellent vocal blending between Andersen and the McCrary sisters. This is a very solid release with a lot of rich music. 

  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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Put Together Music artist: The Reverend Shawn Amos - Kitchen Table Blues Vol. 1 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kitchen Table Blues Vol. 1, from The Reverend Shawn Amos and it's a cool relaxing treat. Opening with the Faces hit,  Ooh La La, Amos shows his genuine enjoyment of this classic 60's track with acoustic guitar, accordion, harmonica and banjo backing. Very nice. Amos gives Devo's, Whip It, a stripped down funky rework making it even cooler than the original. With vocal, harp, light snare drum and a bari sax, this track has texture. On The Sonics, Have Love Will Travel, Amos takes a garage tune and makes it bluesy with his vocal styling, crisp acoustic guitar riffs and soulful harp work. Wrapping the release is Tom Waits' song, Jesus Gonna Be Here, with only terrific vocal, tight snare drum rhythm and acoustic bass leading up to a smooth bluesy electric solo and an adventurous harp solo. Amos really works this track not only making it the best track on the release but also a super 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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Taste Good Music artist: Tim Gartland - Satisfied - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Satisfied, from Tim Gartland, and its well balanced and cool. Opening with blues rocker, Drinking For Two, Tim Gartland's vocals are casual but authentic and the spanking drum work of Jack Bruno really hits the spot. Wendy Moten's backing vocals give the track a nice additional dimension and solid piano work by Kevin Mc Kendree, slide work by Tom Britt, Steve Mackey on bass and Gartland's own harp work make this a real nice opener. There is something about the vocal delivery on Don't Make More Trouble that almost makes you think it's asking for trouble with it's cool arrogance. I mean I really like it and lead guitar soloing by Robert Frahm it strong. One of my favorite tracks on the release is honky tonker, Can't Paint A Prettier Picture, with a great rolling rhythm, firm piano by Tom West. Excellent! The vocal interplay between Gartland and Ray Disilvis, the guitar discord by Frahm, the drum spank by Bruno and Gartland make this another contender for top track. Reggae flavored Why Does The Room Begin to Sway? has great darkness and depth. Gartland's unadorned vocals, surrounded by the lush backing vocals of Moten and Frahm's guitar accents really set this track apart. Wrapping the release is easy swinging shuffle, Don't Judge Me. Gartland is a master of cool with his laid back vocal delivery. McKendree's organ work lathers it up, Gartland's harp work adds the mustard and slick guitar riffs from Frahm knocks it down. This is a cool, unpretentious release with a lot of swagger.

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