4142 Music artist: HeavyDrunk - Holywater - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Holywater, from HeavyDrunk and it's tasty. Opening with blues rocker, If I Loved You Hard Enough with it's firm drone bass line by Bill Ferri this band is hitting the road hard. Lead singer Rob Robinson has great pipes for this style and with backing vocals by Renee Armand, Gina Pittman, Maureen Murphy and Nicki Connely, heavy horns by Tyler Summers (sax) and Roy Agee (trombone), and strong guitar lines by Will Beeman, Kurt Stone and Robinson, this is a great opener. HeavyDrunk Holywater is a somber, gospel tinted ballad with traces of Tom Waits with lead vocal by Robinson and crisp piano work by James Hooker. Will Beeman is upfront on Keeping Up With the Kid, a swinging shuffle with an interesting story line, sassy guitar work, a strong blend of keys by Eric Bikales and James Hooker, tight horns and cool bari highlights by Summers. Clever R&B track, Somebody's Got To Take Them Panties Off, not only has the classic R&B groove with a great melody and vocals, but a more than suggestive chorus line for what has to be a big time crowd favorite. With extended time, a cool wah wah saturated guitar solo and a nicely soulful sax solo by Summers really ice this track. The Rolling Stones funky pop track, Slave, gets even more sass with the backing vocal efforts of Armond, Pittman, Murphy and Connely. Very nice. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Midnight In Harlem is up next with a lot of feeling. With calm vocals and an easy flowing rhythm, this track floats. lead guitar soloing even carries some of Derek Trucks signature riffs. Wrapping the release is Shine On, a strong ballad with a strong blues edge. Lush vocal blending and nicely placed guitar lead really floats this track, 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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Smoke Ring Records artist: Paul Gabriel - Man of Many Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Man of Many Blues, from Paul Gabriel and it's got style. Opening with Latin flavored, I Feel Good, Paul Gabriel is front and center on lead guitar and vocal with Frank Davis on bass, Lonnie Gasperini on Hammond, Mark Earley on tenor and bari sax, Doug James on bari sax and Mark Teixeira on drums. On shuffle, Maybe We Can Talk A While, Duke Robillard lays in some real nice guitar lead giving the track just a little more smooth polish. Blues For Georgia is a real cool track with a jazzy edge. Gabriel's guitar lead is really nice, paired with Gasperini's Hammond organ work and the mighty Bruce Bears on piano. Very nice. My favorite track on the release is Just A Bitterness with it's soulful structure and slow bluesy pace. Gabriel's vocal strengths and really showcased on this one and addition of Robillard on guitar gives stinging guitar results. With rich sax work by Earley, this track just hits the nail on the head. Very nice.  Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Dear John Letter. With it's blended lead vocal chorus and Christine Ohlman and it's overall radio styling, it makes for a solid closer and the most likely radio track. Cool 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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VizzTone Label Group artist: Paul DesLauriers Band - Bounce - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bounce, from the Paul DesLauiers Band and it's a cool rock release with deep roots in the blues. Opening with It's All on You, a swaggering track featuring DesLauiers on lead guitar and vocal with Alec McElcheran on bass and Sam Harrisson on drums. This is a really nice opener with DesLauriers' slide playing having the fat resonance of Jimmy Page. Very nice. On Take Me To The Brink, DesLauriers revs it up with a "Train Train" like rhythm and hot hot chicken pickin style. Excellent! With a rocking funky beat, Driving Me Insane has a great back beat and strong melody. I think that anyone who likes the basic sound of Led Zep would really like this. With a bit more Hendrix like bite but remaining blues based, Picked a Bad Day is a strong rocker featuring the guitar work of DesLauriers and JP Soars. Hi intensity shuffle, Feeling All Kinds of Good, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with strong rhythm drive from Harrisson and quick fingered rock riffs by DesLauriers. Very cool. Wrapping the release is slow blues ballad, Waiting on You with it's strong melody and clocking in over 10 and a half minutes gives DesLauriers a great opportunity to push the band  to flaming hot with excellent contemporary blues riffs, snappy drumming from Harrisson and McElcheran's firm hand at bass. Excellent 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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Azuretone Records artist: Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers - Pay The Price - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pay The Price, from Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers and it's a lot of fun. Opening with blues rocker, Hoodoo Train, bandleader, lead vocalist and lead guitar player sets the pace with solid vocals and a steady pace. backed by Jumper Tutu on drums, Doc Malone on harmonica and Manny Manuel on bass, this is a real nice opener. Stepping up to Chuck Berry like pace on Pearlene, Fuller gets the house rocking and with clean double stops this track is rolling. Very cool. On Mojo Hand, John Lee Hooker creeps into the mix with an endless boogie. This band does know how to boogie with rhythmic guitar work, excellent vocal phrasing and overlying harmonica by Malone. Rollin' and Tumblin' is a great track with a constant drum attack by Tutu and some mighty greasy slide by Fuller. Back to the driving rock n roll feel with I Will Not Let You Go with a solid bass line by Manuel and wailing harmonica by Malone. Fuller lays it out there with his own version of Berry styling and hits the groove hard. Very nice. Another great boogie track, Hooker's My Father Is A Jockey, has great form with modified Hooker riffs. Fuller's voice is a bit more polished than hooker's but he knows how to drive a boogie and his guitar does his talking. With strong harmonica lines from Malone and a stiff beat by Manuel and Tutu this is a great track. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Tore Up, a fast paced rock and roller with quick guitar riffs and solid rhythm. Fuller's vocals are strong and his guitar work spot on. Real 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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Stony Plain Records artist: Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters - Beyond The Blue Door - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beyond The Blue Door, from Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, and it's really strong. Opening with Brand New Me, a Jerry Butler track, the bands starts off in a solid slot with vocal dynamo, Diane Blue up front backed by Dave Limina on piano and B3, Ronnie Earl on guitar, Forrest Padgett on drums and Paul Kochanski on bass with Mario Perrett on tenor sax, and Scott Shetler on bari sax . Slipping into a cool shuffle, Baby How Long,  Kim Wilson is up front on lead vocal and harmonica. A real Chicago style blues gives Wilson and Earl a nice opportunity to exchange solos with Anthony Geraci on piano and Peter Ward on guitar. Very nice. Henry Glover's tune made popular by Ray Charles, Drown In My Own Tears gives Earl the stage to do exactly what everyone expects of Earl, to play those long soulful runs that have been such a trademark of his sound. Exchanging phrasing with Greg Piccolo on sax, this track is really hot. An interesting twist on a Ronnie Earl album is an acoustic take on Bob Dylan's, It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry . This is a great track that I have a special fondness for and it's earlier remake by Leon Russell, featuring Dave Bromberg on acoustic guitar and lead vocal balanced with Earl on electric guitar. Two great masters playing separate interpretations together making one very nice interpretation. Another favorite and certainly one of the best showcases for Blue is A Soul That's Been Abused with it's somber feel and that of course brings out the best in Earl. If you've followed his work, you know when a track goes in excess of 9 minutes, you're in for some rich guitar soloing and it's right here. Perrett, Shetler and Piccolo add sax work making this a terrific track. The TBone Stomp is another trademark style track for Earl with his articulate and sometimes lagging off beat playing and a rock solid bottom by Michael Rush on bass. Want another slow, blues ballad. When Blue and Earl are in... I'm in. Peace of Mind is a real nice track with Blue's rich vocal playing off of Earl's response. This is a terrific track. With a serious lope, Bringing Light (To A Dark Time) has such a great feel. Blue's vocals are spot on and Earl sounds like he's a tiger waiting to pounce during his lead filler. With warm sax backing by Perrett and Shetler and Limina pushing, this is another excellent track. Wrapping the release is slow blues number, Blues for Charlottesville. With a firm bass line by Kochanski and Limina on Hammond, Earl is free to just play and he does play. This is an excellent closer for a really excellent release. 

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Woodstock Records artist: Professor Louie & The Crowmatix - Miles of Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Miles Of Blues from Professor Louie & The Crowmatix and it's a mix of stripped down rural blues. Opening with L-50 Blues, featuring Professor Louie and Miss Marie on lead vocal with Louie on keys, Gary Burke on drums, Frank Campbell on bass and John Platania on slide guitar. Passion In My Life is a cool shuffle track with Louie up front on vocal and hot piano and tasty guitar work by Platania with solid vocal backing by Marie. With  cool, New Orleans style drumming by Burke on Rain 40 Days, Marie has the lead vocals on this one and organ accent by Louie and funky bass by Campbell, this is one of my favorites on the release. Stinging guitar riffs by Plantania and warm organ work by Louie on Exit Zero gets just the right amount of punch by Nick Driscoll on sax, Jim Buckley on bari sax, Danny Coyle on trumpet and Chuck Smith on trombone. Marie's vocal highlight is on Please Send Me Somebody To Love. Louie and Plantania each take supple solos complimenting the track nicely. Oh My Lady is a smooth soulful track featuring Louie on lead vocal and fat fat bari sax by Buckley. With it's solid melody, I like it as the radio track on the release. Bull Frog Jam Blues (Live) is a cool up tempo shuffle with super slide work by Plantania, cool vocal blending and solid horn work by the Woodstock Horns making this a 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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Segue Records artist: Vaneese Thomas - Down Yonder - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down Yonder, from Vaneese Thomas and it's swampy, funky, soulful blues. Opening with Ebony Man, with it's thick funky blues sound, Thomas on lead vocal is backed by Shawn Pelton on drums, Conrad Korsh on bass Al Orlo on guitar and Tash Neal on dobro. Soul track, I Tried is one of my favorites with it's rich melody, powerful vocals and the addition of keys by Robbie Kondor, horn work by Lannie McMillam on tenor sax, Kirk Smothers on bari sax, Mark Franklin on trumpet and nicely articulated guitar lead by Orlo. Very nice. R&B track, Second Chance has a great radio vibe with nicely blended vocals and full horn backing. Another soulful blues track is Mama He Loves Me with a great melody and clean, tight guitar soloing and rich vocals. Funky, R&B number, Lies, has a great feel and a real strut punctuated by Will Lee on bass, Rick Kriska on bari sax Tim Ouimette on trumpet and Orlo's funky blues guitar lead. Southern gospel flavored, Gone, with it's hand claps and powerful vocals is a strong buildup for closing R&B ballad and title track, Down Yonder. Thomas' careful crafting of the melodic rhythm with Neal's Muscle Shoals like guitar solo and lush vocal backing by Carla Thomas, Bernetta Miles and Vaneese. 

  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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Music Maker Relief Foundation artist: John Dee Holeman - Last Pair Of Shoes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Last Pair of Shoes, from John Dee Holeman and it's super. Opening with Chapel Hill Boogie, Holeman shows you that age is no obstacle at 90 years. This is a pure boogie with a great attitude. Accompanied by Tad Walters on harmonica this track is gold. Digging in on Muddy Water's She Moves Me, Holeman hunkers down and grinds it out with terrific highlights by Walters on harp. Excellent! On Lightnin' Hopkins' classic, Shotgun Blues, Holeman really has it stripped down to a basic electric guitar, kick drum and harmonica and it's as real as it gets. Holeman's expressive vocals feel like real pain … real blues. Hound Dog Taylor's masterpiece, (Give Me Back My) Wig gets my vote for favorite track with a relaxed (rather than HDT's high energy) attack. This is a great track and with Holeman's vocals and Walter's harp work, with solid supporting electric guitar and light cymbals. Wrapping the release is Muddy Waters' Two Trains Runnin' (Still A Fool). This is a gritty take on the track with cool Hammond work and scattered electric guitar soloing over Holeman's vocals. Solid finish 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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VizzTone Label Group artist: Annika Chambers - Kiss My Sass - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kiss My Sass, from Annika Chambers, and it's a great mix of blues, soul and R&B tracks. Opening with rolling shuffle, Let The Sass Out, Chambers leads a powerful force with Corey Stoot and The Mighty Org on guitars, Greg Brown Jr. on drums, Larry Fulcher on bass and Anthony Terry on sax with Nicola Polar on backing vocals. Great opener. That's What You Made Me is a real nice R&B track with a heavy kick drum by Brannon McLeod and a great bass line by Fulcher. Chambers really gets in the groove on this one and glistening key work by Randy Wall and Polar's backing vocals ice the cake. Very nice. What's Your Thing is a really nice soulful track featuring Chambers with Ruthie Foster. With just the right amount of soul and steel guitar by the Mighty Org this is a really nice song.  Brand New Day is one of my favorites on the release with wailing slide in the background and a solid droning bass line really highlighting Chambers' vocal work. Blues rocker, World of Hurt is a real high stepper with hard reinforcement by Fulcher's bass and Anthony Terry on sax and featuring nice guitar work by Paul Ramirez. Another of my favorites is soul track, Stay with Stephanie York Blue on Hammond and Randy Wall on piano really giving the track a powerful dose of gospel. Very nice. Wrapping the release is I Feel The Same,  acoustic duet with Paul DesLauriers on vocal and slide guitar with Sam Harrisson on percussion.

  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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Endless Blues Records artist: Tennessee Redemption - self titled - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release Tennessee Redemption and its strongly written and performed. Opening with Glad To Be, a solid radio track, Brandon Santini is up front on  harmonica, backed by Jeff Jensen on lead vocal and guitar, Timo Arthur on guitar, Bill Ruffino on bass and David Green on drums. With it's rumbling bass line and funky wah wah guitar rhythm, We Got A Thing Going On has a real cool sound. A swampy overall sound and nicely woven instruments, under Santini's super lead vocals makes this one of my favorites on the release. A dark underpinning on Leave My Body and Jensen's nice lead vocals create a lot of tension with an active bass line, particularly nice drum work by Green and nicely crafted guitar lead. This isn't your basic blues track and really has a lot going no. Definite cool track. Gospel flavored Come On Up To The House has a real nice laid back country feel with soothing lead vocal by Jensen and warm vocal backing by Santini, Arthur Ruffino and Green. Very nice. Jensen takes control on You Don't Love Me giving it a strong guitar entry. His vocals are always warm and Santini's harp tones solid. With just a light funk underneath, this track is sneaky good. Blues stomper, Watch Yourself, features Jensen driving on guitar and Santini on vocal and harp. Keeping you focused with it's driving beat, this is one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is I'm Going To Mexico with a light acoustic feel. Pairing Jensen and Santini on lead vocal with acoustic guitar and harmonica backing, this is a solid 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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Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Bob Seger Highlight Ghost Hounds' Breakout Year

Ghost Hounds Announces ‘Roses Are Black’ New Album Features Slash, Kenny Aronoff, Reese Wynans, and Michael Rhodes, Out Nov 5th   The band is on tour with ZZ Top this month and will play Bob Seger’s final-ever performance on November 1st   WATCH/SHARE the band’s live performance video for “Fire Under Water” – https://youtu.be/hE0rgl1jA28

On the heels of an opening performance with the Rolling Stones this summer, and the announcement of upcoming performances with ZZ Top and Bob Seger, Pittsburgh rock band GHOST HOUNDS has announced details of ‘Roses Are Black,’ their new album out November 5th, 2019.  Featuring guest appearances by Slash, Kenny Aronoff, Reese Wynans, and Michael Rhodes, ‘Roses Are Black’ was crafted by founder and guitarist Thomas Tull, alongside producing and songwriting partners David Grissom and Kevin Bowe. The album was mixed by six-time Grammy Award-winning producer Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, The White Stripes, Danger Mouse, Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon) and engineered by Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin). Ghost Hounds is a rock ‘n’ roll band at a time when the world needs more of them. The band’s new album recalls the universal appeal of rock’s ‘70s heyday, but with a fresh, crackling energy crafted by Tull, and voiced with fluid power by vocalist Tre’ Nation. The band’s gritty sound reflects the blue-collar heritage of its hometown of Pittsburgh; a versatile outfit whose music fits in an Iron City barroom or a stadium — such as the one in Maryland where Ghost Hounds opened for the Rolling Stones in July. There’s plenty of energy and rock ‘n’ roll abandon, along with tight playing and intricate songcraft. “I think it’s a direct reflection of my own eclectic music tastes,” Tull says. “The Rolling Stones are my favorite band of all time, so a lot of this is inspired by the Stones. They fell in love with American blues. They have great country songs. Those things all appealed to me. Having all those different voices is important, and that’s what I want our band to have too.” ‘Roses Are Black’ certainly celebrates that diversity across its 12 tracks. “Bad News” spreads the good word of Ghost Hounds’ return by throttling up into some 12-bar fury, echoed later on in “Push That Rock Up the Hill” and “We Roll Hard.” “Skin in the Game” reflects that Stones love Tull speaks of, while “Black Rose” and “Fire Under Water” are classic rock tunes and “Almost Loved You” would sound at home in Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe. The group’s softer and soulful side is just as potent on tracks such as “When Your Shadow Touches Mine,” “Til It’s Gone” and “Second Time Around,” and Ghost Hounds’ treatment of “Devil Woman” shoots the Cliff Richards’ original through with high-test adrenaline, including biting guitar solos. Watch Ghost Hounds' live performance video for "Fire Under Water" Listen to Ghost Hounds' recent single "Bad News" ‘Roses Are Black’ represents an exciting new chapter in Ghost Hounds’ nearly 15-year story. Tull initially formed the band during the mid-2000s in Los Angeles, releasing a self-titled, Nile Rodgers-produced album in 2009. The group disbanded as Tull’s focus shifted elsewhere — starting a family and guiding his Legendary Entertainment to success with films such as the Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale Batman trilogy, the “Jurassic World” series, “Straight Outta Compton,” “The Hangover” and many more, along with comics, digital media and other ventures. But after selling Legendary in 2016, Tull still had the desire to, in the words of one of his songs, “push that old rock (and roll) back up the hill.” “I missed music,” Tull explains. “I missed writing. I missed performing. I missed the camaraderie of a band. I decided this was something I really wanted to do.” As the release of ‘Roses Are Black’ approaches, Ghost Hounds’ new lineup – Tull, guitarist Johnny Baab, bassist Bennett Miller, drummer Blaise Lanzetta and powerhouse vocalist Tre Nation – are looking forward to making their case back on the road. “All of these songs to me just come alive in the band’s performance,” Tull says. “We tracked every song live, and we wanted this to be, in some ways, an old-fashioned record, where you can listen to the record and then go hear the band and say, ‘Yeah, that’s the song I heard.’ There’s nothing we can’t pull off live.” ‘ROSES ARE BLACK’ TRACKLIST 1. Bad News 2. Black Rose 3. When Your Shadow Touches Mine 4. Devil Woman 5. Til It’s Gone 6. We Roll Hard 7. Push That Rock Up The Hill 8. Skin In The Game 9. Fire Under Water 10. Second Time Around 11. Almost Loved You 12. Second Time Around (Acoustic) GHOST HOUNDS TOUR DATES Thursday, October 17th – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA^ Tuesday, October 22nd – King Center for the Performing Arts – Melbourne, FL* Wednesday, October 23rd – Donald L. Tucker Civic Center – Tallahassee, FL* Friday, October 25th – MGM National Harbor – Oxon Hill, MD* Saturday, October 26th – The Wind Creek Event Center – Bethlehem, PA* Sunday, October 27th – Foxwoods Resort Casino – Mashantucket, CT* Tuesday, October 29th – Warner Theatre – Erie, PA* Wednesday, October 30th – Wings Event Center – Kalamazoo, MI* Friday, November 1st – the Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA^ ^ opening for Bob Seger * opening for ZZ Top GHOST HOUNDS IS: Vocals – TRE NATION Guitar – JOHNNY BAAB Guitar – THOMAS TULL Bass – BENNETT MILLER Drums – BLAISE LANZETTA Keyboard – JOE MUNROE

Quebec's Masterful Harmonicist Guy Bélanger Set To Release Eldorado October 25

Quebec's Masterful Harmonicist   Guy Bélanger Set To Release Eldorado October 25

Bélanger's sixth solo album coming out via Bros Records

Quebec’s most sought-after harmonica player, Guy Bélanger is set to release his 6th solo album, Eldorado on October 25th on Bros Records. This long-awaited new release features a mix of original blues songs and instrumental gems that highlight his remarkable melodic touch. Eldorado is another demonstration of the top-notch chemistry Bélanger and his band can attain in studio. This brilliant assemblage of original songs also contains a few surprising covers, of note a delta blues version of Prince's “Sign 'O The Times” and a joyous rendition of Van Morrison’s “Bright Side of the Road”.  With a storied career that has spanned more than four decades, Bélanger has worked with some of Quebec’s biggest names in music and entertainment including, among others, Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil, and Bob Walsh. He is a two-time Maple Blues Award winner and since 2003 has won 14 Lys Blues awards. Eldorado is Bélanger’s most ambitious album to date; the songs are powerfully emotive with twists at every turn. Eldorado is an invitation to the listener into Guy Bélanger’s musical universe through his marvellous songwriting and the top-notch harmonica playing.  The album and its themes are summed up concisely by Bélanger.  “Eldorado means (for me) “The Quest”. I love the road I ride, and the pitfalls only give me the courage to move forward…” guybelangermusic.com TRACK LIST 1.         CARVING THE WIND (3:17) 2.         BRIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD (5:22) 3.         ELDORADO (3:42) 4.         WHEN WILL I KNOW (6:14) 5.         WICKED (3:52) 6.         HUMMIN’ (5:09) 7.         GANGA (5:22) 8.         SIGN O’ THE TIMES (4:06) 9.         HOPE & FAITH (4:45) 10.       FOUR LITTLE WORDS 11.       STILLWATER (3:49)

Gulf Coast Records artist: Jimmy Carpenter - Soul Doctor - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Doctor, from Jimmy Carpenter and it's cool mix of blues, rock, soul and R&B. Opening with blues rocker and title track, Soul Rocker, Jimmy Carpenter on lead vocal and sax sets the pace with hot guitar work by Nick Schnebelen, Red Young on keys, Jason Langley on bass and Cameron Tyler on drums. Shuffle, Wild Streak has a cool swing and features a real solid sax solo by Carpenter and so great slide by Trevor Johnson. New Orleans flavored, Love It So Much is one of my favorites on the release with hot drum work by Tyler, a great bass line by Langley, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, Mark Earley on Bari sax and of course strong vocal and sax work by Carpenter. Slower blues track, Need Your Love So Bad really gives Carpenter a chance to shine on vocal and sax and Johnson's lead guitar work is very nice. Funky, Wanna Be Right is a solid radio entry with excellent key work by Young, super vocals by Carpenter, Chris Tofield, Carrie Stowers, Queen Aries and Al Ek. With Carpenter's warm sax soloing and underpinning by Langley, this track is super. Stepping into James Brown / Boogaloo territory, Carpenter rolls a great sax lead on Boots Randolph's One Mint Julip. Wrapping the release is Eddie Hinton's R&B track, Yeah Man and Carpenter's featured lead vocal work. This is a prime entry for radio track with a solid melody, vocals and clean guitar and organ work under the lead and prominent sax soloing, supported by glistening slide work. 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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Kathryn Grimm - Blues Tools - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Tools, from Kathryn Grimm and it is a pop driven blues rocker. Opening with shuffle track, You Make Me So Happy I Can't Sing The Blues, backed by Kelly Swift on bass, Charlie Swift on drums and featuring Fenix Sanders on sax. With a quiet Latin influence, Gone is a cool rocker with nice guitar soloing by Grimm and a hot sax solo by Kelly. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Talking To The Wind with it's mode deliberate Latin rhythms, solid vocal blending and bass work by Michael Sunday and Robin James on drums. Bluesy, Miss Celie's Blues is a solid shuffle featuring Fenix Sanders on sax with a good workout and a more sensual side of Kathryn's vocals. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, Empty Space, featuring Kathryn on lead vocals and Johny Powel on flute over Grimm's own acoustic guitar accompaniment. 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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Moonshine Society - Sweet Thing - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sweet Thing, from Moonshine Society and it's rich in blues. Opening with title track, Sweet Thing, lead singer, Black Betty uses her heavy, Big Mama styling to throw this track around like a rag doll with support from the likes of Jason Ricci with Joe Poppen on guitar, Wes Lanich on keys, Tod Ellsworth on bass and Rodney Dunton on drums. R&B ballad, Come On Home has great depth with the addition of Ron Holloway on tenor sax, Vince McCool on trumpet, Ken Wenzel on Bari sax and Billy Mayfield on backing vocals. Very nice. Funky, Southern Roads is one of my favorites with a super back beat and Ricci back on harp pushing Betty vocally and the excellent drum and guitar combo of Dunton and Poppen. Use Me On Guilded Splinters takes Bill Withers' classic Use Me, reinforces the funky rock bottom and hits it with a really hard dash of guitar, then rolls it all up in gumbo … Dr John style with I Walk On Guilded Splinters. Very cool jam. Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind is a strong showcase for Betty's vocal lead and features a nice solo by Poppen as well. Wrapping the release is sensitive blues ballad, The One Who Got Away, with well crafted vocals by Betty and cleanly woven guitar lead by Buddy Speir, backed by Eric Scott on bass, Will Rast on keys and Andy Hamburger on drums. Very nice closer for a solid release. 

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Polly O'Keary and the Rhythm Method -- As Live As It Gets - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, As Live As It Gets, from Polly O'Keary and the Rhythm Method and it's a solid performance. Opening with high stepper, Red Light with it's romping bass line by O'Keary under her powerful vocal lead, backed by David Miller on guitar and Tommy Cook on drums. Funky blues, In My Father's House has a really great bottom with cool lead guitar by Miller and ever tight drum snap by Cook. O'Keary's bass line is relentless and her vocals full and heavy. Slow blues, Black Crow Callin' is my favorite track on the release with O'keary digging deep on her best vocal effort on the release and Miller really takes it to the next level with excellent lead phrasing volume swells and trem bends. Very nice. Blues rocker, I Don't Understand is another track that will get your heals high and people on the dance floor. O'Keary's vocals are solid and commanding and Cook's use of snare is perfect. Another of my favorites is Old Love with it's laid back, almost effortless feel. Just riding vocally in the sling of the beat suits O'Keary nicely and Miller's guitar approach on this one is really fine. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Who Needs The Blues with a real swagger. O'Keary's thumping rock bass line and gives the track a rolling feel and the stinging soloing of Miller is a super capper to 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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Blind Pig Recoreds artists: Altered Five Blues Band - Ten Thousand Watts - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ten Thousand Watts, from Altered Five Blues Band and it's a scorcher. Opening with hard driving boogie, Right On, Right On, Jeff Taylor's gritty vocals lead the way over the thumping bass line of Mark Solveson and solid drum work of Alan Arber. Steve Cohen screams on harp and Jeff Schroedl on guitar really makes you want to put this on your main system and crank it up...Excellent! With an Albert King like swagger, Schroedl leads off on title track, Ten Thousand Watts and with an already powerful bottom cranks off an a head slapping lead solo keeping Taylor company right up front. Wow! Balance between Raymond Tevich on keys and Schroedl's rhythm guitar give Taylor a strong platform to continue the onslaught on Great Minds Drink Alike... a rowdy shuffle. Keep it coming boys! Dollars & Demons is a super dark blues number with super vocal phrasing and excellent guitar tone. Schroedl really pulls out the stops on this on with nice bends and fanning. Very nice! High stepper, Let Me Do The Wrong Thing has great pace and gripping guitar work over a nicely funked up bottom. I'll blame the Latin rhythm by Solveson and Arber for the non stop bouncing on Half of Nothing but Tevich's keyboards are great and Schroedl's non stop guitar riffs really work great with Taylor's super vocals. Wrapping the release is Let Me Be Gone, a hard driving blues rocker with a take no prisoners approach. Solveson and Arber are full steam ahead and Cohen is over the top on harp. This is a real nice closer for an excellent 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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