Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild Heart , from Holly Hyatt and it's a solid R&B release. Opening with Wild Heart , a smooth hi stepper with a great melody and inviting lead vocal by Hyatt. Backed by Brandon Smith on keys, Clinton Swanson on horns, Jon Burden on guitars, Billy Mendoza on backing vocals and Steve Wilson on drums, this is a super opener. Laying down a funky groove on bass, Hyatt not only writes all of her own material but sings lead (and backing vocals) on most of her tracks. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soul track, Gravity with it's excellent bass line and lush vocals by Hyatt. This track stands head and shoulders above the balance of the release for me but it just hits a sweet spot. Excellent. Rainbows has a more contemporary pop feel with a strong melody and acoustic guitar and key backing over a less prominent bass line. Wrapping the release is With You Now , another more straight forward ra...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Northern Bayou , from Al Lerman and it has a great feel. Opening with Down To The River , a cool swampy track with solid vocals, harmonica and guitar work by Lerman, backed by Alec Fraser on bass, Chuck Keeping on drums and real nice piano by Lance Anderson. My favorite track on the release is country flavored, Dirty Little Secret , with just the right pace. Lerman's vocals are perfect, his harp work inspired, and another great display on piano by Anderson gives it a great boost as well. Shuffle track, Delta Stomp is another great toe tapper with Lerman on lead harmonica, tight rhythm by Fraser, Keeping and Anderson as well as real nice guitar work by Morgan Davis. Very cool. Classic traditional folk/blues track, Deep Ellum Blues is a great choice for this band with it's tight instrumental mix. Wrapping the release is cool Latin flavored pop tune, Hand-Me-Down Hate . This is the definite radio track for the re...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, History Rhymes , from Steve Howell & Jason Weinheimer and it a cool acoustic blues feast. Opening with There'll Be Some Changes Made . an early jazz (blues) style with excellent finger picking by Howell who also sings, with Wenheimer on bass. Very cool. On Blind Lemon Jefferson's Shuckin' Sugar , Howell lays down a basic boogie guitar line with Weinheimer and sets it afloat. Jack Of Diamonds , a traditional folk tune has a really great feel and with the addition of David Dodson on mandolin is a terrific song a features some of Howell's best vocals on the release.  Another terrific track and a known fiddle tune, Frosty Morn , has terrific instrumental traction with Howell, Weinheimenr, and Dodson. Excellent. The richness of Don Sumner's archtop shines through on I Got A Right To Sing The Blues , as he plays a nice guitar duet with Howell, backed by  Weinheimer on bass. Howell's vocals are sol...

NEW ALBUM ‘CITY NIGHT’ RELEASED ON JUNE 7th New US Tour Dates Announced Over 50 years of rocking the blues – Savoy Brown , with leader Kim Simmonds at the helm, return with 'City Night' – their 40 th album – released on June 7 th vi a Quarto Valley Records . After a recent European tour, Savoy Brown will hit the road in the US for a number of shows in August. On the back of a number one Billboard blues hit in 2017, expectations are high for this new band offering. The album features Kim Simmonds on vocals and searing lead guitar, and he is complemented with the most consistent line-up in the band’s history, going strong for more than 10 years now with Pat DeSalvo on Bass and Garnet Grimm on Drums. 'City Night' is comprised of 12 high energy blues rock songs to surely please the worldwide fan base. "Walking on Hot Stones," “Payback Time," and "Don't Hang Me Out to Dry" will catch the att...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ear Worms , from Duke Robillard Band it's quite good. Opening with rock n' roller, Don't Bother Trying To Steal Her Love , Dave Howard is up front on vocal with Bruce Bears on piano, Mark Teuxeira on drums and Marty Ballou on bass. Robillard shows his stuff with do real nice low octave tones and country twanging riffs. Chris Cote has lead vocal on Living With The Animals , a smooth bluesy ballad with stinging guitar riffs by Robillard. Beautiful phrasing and tone give this track an extra boost. Traditional pop tune, Careless Love gets some spice with an up bound swing beat and done totally instrumental with solid lead by Robillard and cool Hammond work by Bears. Very nice. Klem Kilmen is on lead vocal on Chuck Berry's Dear Dad , a fiery rocker with slick bluesy bends and tight riffs by Robillard and a cool piano solo by Bears. Allen Toussaint's funky, Yes We Can has some real nice edgy telecaster rif...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Game of Faith , from Auburn and it's quite interesting. Opening with Game of Faith , a cool jazzy pop track with really strong vocals by Liz Lenten and clean, stylized guitar work by Thomm Jutz really make this one of my favorites on the release. Backed by Mark Fain on bass, Lynn Williams on drums and Britt Savage on backing vocals, a real nice opener. Lightly salted funky track, I Don't Love Him has a great feel and just the right amount of lead guitar. A purposeful melody and lush chords make this track an outstanding radio prospect. I really like the delicate balance between Lenten's almost fragile vocal  and the saturated tone of the electric guitar on It's Not Love . Very interesting contrast. Another track that keeps me listening is Spoke In The Wheel and Lenten's almost Toya Wilson like vocal delivery, against the glistening chords of Jutz. Wrapping the release is sensitive ballad, His Arms ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Death of Stone Stanley , from Jason Robert and it's strong and upbeat but also deep and brooding. Opening with Someday , a southern style blues track with solid vocals by Robert who also plays steel resonator and drums, and includes bass work by Scott Longnecker. Mr. Bell is an interesting track constructed like a round and having not only strong emotion and to me a sound of the sea plus the inclusion of some pretty cool electric guitar work. One of my favorite tracks on the release is traditional Irish folk tune, Moonshiner, with a great melody, and featuring Jim McComas on guitar and harmonica. Traditional blues track, You Gotta Move features cool dual lead vocals and warm slide work giving it a fresh feel. Another of my favorites is Sat Around featuring Robert accompanying his own vocals on acoustic guitar only. Very nice. With a bit of raw contemporary feel, Never Gonna Die has a solid, stripped down bl...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Can't Take My Soul , from Kelly's Lot , and it's a cool mix of blues, rock, country and folk. Opening with Boogie rocker, All I Ever Want Is the Blues , Kelly, backed by Perry Robertson on guitar, Matt McFadden on bass, and Mike Sauer on drums set a rocking example. Funky, All Hope Ain't Lost , is a cool track with essential vocals and a great bass line by McFadden and the addition of Bobby Orgel on keys. Primarily acoustic sounding, Safe and Warm has a county/folk feel with a terrific melody and ambiance really showcasing Kelly's voice. Very nice. On Rise Up , Kelly duets with Jean-Francois Thomas with Rob Zucca on lead guitar. A real nice track with a bluesy feel and some clean, articulate guitar soloing. Another bluesy track, Broke Myself , has a shuffle approach with dominant bass bottom, more driven vocals by Kelly and features Frank Hinojosa on harmonica. Kelly steps up with a simple pop tune o...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Catch The Westbound , by Lucas Haneman Express and it has strong commercial potential. Opening with Lay It To The Line , Lucas Haneman Express shows a country rock opener with solid vocals and guitar lead by Haneman, drums by Jeff Asselin, backing vocals by Megan Laurence and Martin Newman on bass. Megan has the lead on soulful ballad, Wicked Ride , with a great melody, solid guitar work by Haneman and overall strong radio appeal. Blues rocker, Devil's In My Grave, has a great rock beat and well blended vocals. Again, solid radio appeal a well written music. My favorite track on the release is blues rocker, Night Takes The Chances (For GD) . It's slighty funky bottom and, tight guitar work and particularly cool lead vocals push this one to the top. Wrapping the release is cool, Piedmont style blues track, To Be Brave , with nicely articulated acoustic guitar picking and some of Haneman's best vocals on the ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bring It On Home , by Head Honchos and it's electrified. Opening with Not For Me , Head Honchos with it's dual lead guitar combo of Rocco Calipari Sr. (also on lead vocal) and Rocco Calipari Jr., Roberto Agusto on bass and Scott Schultz on drums hits like a cannonball. Featuring Steve Ball on organ, this opening track is rockin. Work is another high energy track with really crisp drumming by Schultz and hot slide work by Calipari and a hot bass solo by Agusto. Very cool. Funky, Next To You, has a really nice bass line and hot slide tones. Vocal harmonies and overall music composition makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Swampy, Fire On The Bayou has a great southern funky party feel. CC Copeland really funks up the bass line and snappy percussion gives it a cool feel under smoking hot guitar riffs. That Driving Beat has more of a contemporary feel with a wall of horns featuring Joe Brown on s...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Williwaw , by Ross Osteen Band , and it's quite good. Opening with Muddy Waters' Mannish Boy , Osteen who handles guitar and lead vocal doesn't hold back. He howls out the lyrics like they had never been sung and his slide guitar riffs are fat. Backing Osteen id Patrick Gaynor on crisp drums and the thumping thunder of Jim Vint on bass. very cool. Show Her is a lumbering blues number with solid vocals and dynamic spacing to allow planet of room for Osteen's guitar work. Very nice. In John Lee Hooker style, Little Rooster is a great boogie with a stripped down feel. Vint's bass drives the train, Gaynor's snare work accents the rhythm and Osteen taunts himself vocal and guitar response. Very cool. Nighttime is a great jam over a Bo Diddley beat spurred on by Gaynor. Osteen's slide work is relentless. Wrapping the release is an interesting composition called Jellyfish Jam . It has a solid bott...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, For Love & Money , from Harpdog Brown and it's a 40's & 50's New Orleans flavored trip. Opening with swinging, No Eyes For Me with a hard driving bass line by Jeremy Holmes and stiff drum sticking by Robert Vail  Grant under the rowdy vocals of Brown and a full horn section featuring William Joseph Abbott on alto sax, Skye Lambourne on trombone and Jerry Cook on Bari and tenor sax. The Comeback has a cool, low slung feel with rich Hammond work by Dave Webb and a nice sax solo by Cook. Boogie track, Reefer Lovin' Woman opens with a great muted trombone intro by Lambourne over a boogie piano riff by Webb. Brown really digs in on vocals getting the band ramped up and with a lot of finesse, Abbott hits nice clarinet solo followed by another great trombone solo by Lambourne. Harpdog whips out his harp and lets it wail topping off this great boogie. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulfu...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Here and Now , from Ellis Mano Band and it's got swagger. Opening with blues rocker, Whiskey , Edis Mano on guitar, Severin Graf on bass and Nico Looser set a powerful bottom complimented by Kico Babic on Hammond setting a strong foundation for the strong vocals of Chris Ellis and backing vocals by Samina Afra and Sarah Huber. Very cool. Changing things  up, title track, Here and Now has a distinct R&B feel and Ellis lays it out there. Acoustically based, Goodbye My Love, is really a nice pop track with clean guitar soloing by Mano. My favorite track on the release is A Lifetime , with soulful vocals by Ellis and an explosive bluesy solo by Mano. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Jennine with it's New Orleans feel. With a distinct party feel, Dave Blaser adding slick trumpet and Ellis, Graf Looser, Mano and Weibel on backing vocals, a really nice closer.    If you support live Blues acts, u...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Empty Arms , from Peter Poirier , and it's a solid does of R&B/blues. Opening with BB King's cool shuffle, Bad Luck , vocalist/lead guitar player takes the lead backed by a strong troupe of players including Brad Hallen (bass), Mark Teixeira (drums), Matt McCabe (piano) and Mark Earley (saxes). Sleepy John Estes' Someday Baby maintains much of it's original character  with maybe a little Muddy influence. Playing it fairly straight, Poirier's vocals are clean and his guitar lead tight. BB King's, I Wonder Why , is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a great swing. Earley lays in a real nice sax solo and Poirier's vocals and guitar work are really solid. With a Latin beat, BB Kings' And Like That is compact like BB wrote it with tight, essential guitar soloing and nice sax by Earley. Willie Dixon's I Cry For You has a super Chicago strut and Poirier's vocals are terri...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Train To Key Biscayne , from Peter Ward and it's energetic. Opening with The Luther Johnson Thing , Luther Guitar Junior Johnson is upfront on lead vocal with Peter Ward on guitar, Mudcat Ward on bass, Neil Gouvin on drums and Anthony Geraci on piano. A cool shuffle with slick guitar lead, nice harp and excellent vocal phrasing, a super opener. Laid back, almost country styled, title track, Train To Key Biscayne features Sugar Ray Norcia on lead vocal and Jiri Nedoma on piano. Ward's warm guitar soloing backed by the sax work of Aaron Gratzmiller gives it a cool retro feel. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Blues Elixir (Ronnie's Here) featuring Ward on lead vocal and really nice trademark guitar lead work by Ronnie Earl. Backed by Nedoma on piano and with solid harp work by Norcia, this is a really cool track. Johnny Nicholas is up front on lead vocal on Change (Ain't Never For The Good) a...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at the '62 Center, from Albert Cummings and it's solid blues rocker. Opening with 500 Miles , a vibrant rocker, Cummings, a super guitar player and vocalist leads a great troupe of musicians including Warren Grant on drums, Yanko Valdes on bass, Pete Levin on keys, and Kit Holiday and Lydia Harrell on backing vocals. Driving high stepper, No Doubt shows all of the fire of a SRV track with wailing blues guitar soloing a tight drumming over a beefy bass line. Very cool. Boogie rocker, Sweet Love , has a great groove and taunts you to turn it up. Valdes' bass line and Cummings guitar lead keep the heat on.  My favorite track on the release is Lonely Bed with it's gripping guitar lead and Cummings pleading vocal style. Clocking in at over 8 minutes...wow! I love the saturated guitar tone that Cummings gets on Hurts Me Too . Taking Elmore James classic track, leaving out the slide and giving it a bounc...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Incinerator , from Jimbo Mathus and it's really good. if you've been reading my reviews and commentary for a while, you know that I really like the work of Mathus. His output varies from deep blues (Buddy Guy) and 30's jazz (Squirrel Nut Zippers) to Mississippi hill country music and flat out rock (and many things in between). I wasn't sure what to expect from Mathus on this outing after his multi year hiatus touring with the SNZ but it is seems to be an unsorted mixture of everything he's been working on for the past few years. Opening with You Are Like A Song , a cool natural country song featuring Mathus on piano and lead vocal, backed by Matt Patton on bass and Bronson Tew on guitar this track is an instant radio track. The melody will stick in your head and Patton and Tew's backing vocals are all country. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Really Hurt Someone is a strong so...