CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO GO TO PURCHASE!!!! CD submissions accepted! Guest writers always welcome!!

I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Wide Mouth Mason - I Wanna Go With You - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Wanna Go With You, from Wide Mouth Mason and it's got a cool, stripped down, earthy sound. Opening with Bodies In Motion, Saskatoon born Shaun Verreault on vocal and guitars and Safwan Javed on percussion and vocals establish a high bar with a fat guitar toned, blues rhythmed, track with a solid melody and super vocals. With phrasing that puts me in mind of prime Leon Russell, this is a super track. Quick paced, Some Kind of Requiem, is a snappy, contemporary blues number with fluid slide runs and strong vocals. Very nice. I really love the overdriven electric guitar sound that Verreault gets on Erase Any Trace. These guys have focused in on a really cool blend of blues, rock and gospel styling that really hits square. Very nice. On Only Child, Mason stretches further into the driving rock styling but preserving the raw blues edge grinds out s pure rocker. Excellent! Another style covered is southern blues style of Shorty Medlock on High Road. Guitar picking, over laid on slide work and a driving bass line gives this track particular traction. Listen closely on Modern Love, yes, the Daviid Bowie hit track gets a total rework and if you don't catch the words will likely slip right past you. It retains the original energy but totally reworking the track format, and with the addition of Shawn "The Harpoonist" Hall makes this redo is very successful.  Rag style track, Outsourced gives Verreault a great opportunity to show off his guitar work and the addition of Kelly "Mr Chill" Hoppe on harmonica and nicely blended vocals, a cool track. Wrapping the release is a really solid radio track, You Get Used To It with great vocal blending between Verreault and Javed. With it's contemporary rock styling and sound, this is the definite radio track on the release and a super closer. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Moosicus Records artist: Bai Kamara Jr & The Voodoo Sniffers - Salone - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Salone, from Bai Kamara Jr & The Voodoo Sniffers and it's a cool, mix of blues, folk and African sounds. Kamara, from Brussels originally came from Sierra Leone. Opening with Can't Wait Here Too Long, a cool folk oriented track, showcases Bai Kamara Jr on lead vocal and guitar with a distinct Mali influence and solid blues style vocal. Can't say I've heard anything quite like this before but it is cool. Black Widow Spider is another cool track with only a sketch of guitar and percussion behind ultra cool blues phrased vocals. With a bit of a more mellow blues format but still with what sounds to me like  Mali influence makes Cold Cold Love one of my favorite tracks on the release. Cry Baby has more of a pure "American" blues feel with bluesy vocal styling but again without abandoning that African purity. Very nice. Don't Worry About Me is another strong track with blending between western and African rhythms. Very nice. Time Has Come is a great song with a great Northern African beat. Highest energy track on the release and solid roots. Very nice change up. Boogie track, Fortune, has a distinct John Lee Hooker feel with percussion and a driving guitar beat. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Some Kind Of Loving Tonight which is heavily rooted in American blues with standard 12 bar formatting and even the traditional foot tap. This is a very interesting release and one that I am looking forward to listening to more.

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Friday, April 24, 2020

Gulf Coast Records artist: Albert Castiglia - Wild and Free (Live) - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild and Free (Live), from Albert Castiglia and it's a powerful blues rocker. Opening with Big Dog, Castiglia opens the doors and lets the dog off the leash right from the start. This is one guy that I haven't seen in concert that I'd really like to see and he is smoking! Castiglia on lead vocal and lead guitar, is backed by Justine Tompkins on bass, Ephrain Lowell on drums, Lewis Stephens on B3 and piano. One thing that I was really conscious about on Hoodoo on Me is the terrific guitar tome that Castiglia is getting on his rhythm part. Powered by his guitar and Stephens on B3, this track keeps the heavy drive going. With a firm bass line by Tompkins and fluid guitar lead, this track is another killer. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Get Your Ass In the Van and features some terrific slide work from Castiglia. Cool piano work by Stephens and solid vocals make this a hard track not to love. Searching The Desert For The Blues has a thunderous opening with bass, B3, drums and rhythm guitar. Castiglia really has a take no prisoners approach to his show which pins you back in your seat. His lead guitar work is imposing and inspired. Very nice. Mike Zito and John Ginty join Castiglia on Johnny Winter's Too Much Seconal. Adopting a bit of Winters swagger vocally and stinging guitar riffs, and with the addition of Ginty on keys this is pure 70's style blues rock at it's best. Wrapping the release is hard paced Boogie Funk with it's driving bass line and thrashing guitar lead. This is a great release, head to toe. You want to rock (blues style)? Get this cd! Excellent!!!

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Eller Soul Records artist: Andrew Alli - Hard Workin' Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hard Workin' Man, from Andrew Alli and it's a solid slice of blues. Opening with title track, Hard Workin' Man, a great blues number sounds like it's right out of the Elmore James songbook. Andrew Alli, who covers vocals and harmonica shows all of the raw edge of old school blues. Backed by Jon Atkinson on guitar, Carl Sonny Leyland on piano, Danny Michael on guitar and Devin Neal on drums, this is a super opener. AA Boogie is a real foot stomper and gives Alli a great platform to blow his harp. Excellent! With a Latin rhythm, Going Down South is a cool blues number with what sounds like Alli singing through his harp mic, answered with his harp. Cool slide work by Atkinson gives the track a warmup and Alli joins back with raw harp tones. Very nice. Walter Horton's, Walter's Sun is a great instrumental with fleet fingered guitar work and particularly nice harp riffs. 30 Long Years is a really nice, slower blues with great depth. This is authentic stuff here and between the strong guitar riffs, and the rich harp and vocal work by Alli, how could you want more! Chron-A-Thick is another instrumental blast with really strong harp playing. Alli is really cooking on this one...sit back and enjoy! Up tempo, Easy Going Man, has a great groove with strong guitar accents. Alli's vocals are clean and clear on this one and Atkinson's guitar literally sings. Alli has a choke hold on his harp and he isn't letting go. Michael's guitar work is tight and straight adding nicely to the track. Very very nice! Wrapping the release is So Long, a cool Chicago style shuffle. Leyland steps up on piano with a nice rhythm and again really nicely phrased guitar soloing. Alli carries the track on his solid vocals and strong harp playing. This is a really cool release. If you love pure electric blues, this is your ticket.  

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Green Bullet Records artists: Liam Ward and Malcolm Thorne - You Are My Medicine - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Are MY Medicine, by Liam Ward and Malcolm Thorne and it's light, bright and bluesy. Opening with title track, You Are My Medicine, Liam Ward sings lead vocal and plays harmonica with Malcolm Thorne accompanying on guitar and backing vocals. A nice melody and solid vocals make this a solid radio style opener. On Down Home Blues the emphasis goes more toward the acoustic slide work of Thorne and Ward's bluesy harmonica styling. Vocals are strong on this earthy track. Bulldoze Blues is a cool boogie with a driving rhythm line by Thorne and tight vocals by Ward. This is my favorite track on the release with it's simple, straight up approach. Wrapping the release is Song For Dennie is a nicely crafted acoustic instrumental track with simple yet cleanly executed guitar rhythms and harmonica melody. Solid closer for a cool release.

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Avey Grouws Band - The Devil May Care - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Devil May Care, from Avey Grouws Band and it's a swinging blues release. Opening with shuffle, Come And Get This Love, Jeni Grouws has the leash with lead vocals backed by Chris Avey on guitars, Bryan West on drums, Randy Lesman on bass and Nick Vasquez on keys. A radio flavored track, this one is smooth.  With a driving Latin influenced beat and a western structure, Rise Up is a cool track. Not only does it give the band room to stretch, and Avey a crisp opportunity to lay down some solid riffs, it is also some of my favorite vocals by Grouws on the release. Weary is one of the coolest tracks on the release with a low key background and total vocal melody, over the glistening guitar trim of Avey and Vasquez key work. With a real Latin sway, Dirty Little Secrets has a definite groove. West sets a strong path on drums and Avey channels his inner Peter Green (Santana). Very Nice. Dig What You Do is a real rock and roller with Avey and Grouws singing a duet. This is definitely my favorite track on the release with it's grinding guitar run, rock (abilly) guitar solo and tight vocal pairing. Very cool. Wrapping the release is dusty shuffle, Two Days Off (And A Little Bit Of Liquor) and it's laid back vocal lead. With the addition of Nolan Schroeder on sax and Dan Meier on trumpet this track has a definite jazzy taste and finds Avey rolling into a great swing blues solo. Excellent closer for a solid release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Monday, April 20, 2020

Melody Place Music artist: Lisa Mills - The Triangle - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Triangle, by Lisa Mills and I really like it. I feel immediately that this release will solicit comparisons to some of more known blues singers but I think that Mills has her own voice. This first set was recorded in Muscle Shoals and the opener, Little Richard's Greenwood, Mississippi is a warm R&B style rocker with plenty of spunk. Backed by Clayton Ivey on keys, Bob Wray on bass, John Willis on lead guitar, Fred Mollin on rhythm and acoustic guitars and Justin Holder on drums and with punchy horn work by Jim Hoke on sax and Steve Herman on trumpet, this is a solid opener.  Clarence Carter's, Tell Mama has the spunk you'd expect from James or Joplin but her vocals are in a groove and with the unmistakable horn work of the south, the cool guitar solo by Willis and key solo by Ivey, it's all south! Very nice. Moving on to Memphis for the next set the tracks get a little more funky with That's What Love Will Make You Do. Michael Toles on lead guitar lays down a cool solo line and with Lester Snell on keys, Leroy Hodges on bass, Steve Potts on Drums and Rev Charles Hodges on B3. A new town and a definite different spin puts you right on the middle of that soul sound. Very nice. Another great track from this set is Otis Redding's, sweat soaked, That's How Strong My Love Is. Sounding like it's right off of a 45 in 1968, this one is smooth. On to Jackson, Mississippi, and Denise LaSalle's Someone Else Is Steppin' In. Buddy Guy has almost adopted this as his trademark track and Mills' voice is really made for it. In the audiophile business, they say a speaker loves a voice, her voice loves this track. It really does show off the richness of her voice and a ripped sax solo by Hoke is a perfect topping. This set features Sam Brady on keys, Mike Thorn on bass, Brennan White on lead guitar, Mollin on rhythm guitar, and George Lawrence on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Travel On. There's just something about certain tracks and how they make you feel and this one has it! Excellent! Wrapping the release is Just Walking In The Rain, a simple, soulful ballad.. Mills and Michael Toles on guitar. This is a real nice cool down track for what is an exceptional soul release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Friday, April 17, 2020

Omnivore artist: Dom Flemons - Prospect Hill: The American Songster Omnibus - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Prospect Hill: The American Songster Omnibus, from Dom Flemons and it's a cool retro mix of country, folk, blues and rag  with great vocal and instrumental tracks. This release is a compilation of the original 2014 release, Prospect Hill along with a never before release on cd, What Got Over which had been released on vinyl and an additional 12 never released instrumental tracks. Disc one, Prospect Hill, opens with springy rag Til' the Seas Run Dry, featuring Flemons on acoustic guitar and lead vocal, Ron Brendle on bass, Kobe Watkins on drums, and Brian Horton on clarinet. Excellent opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is But They Got it Fixed Right On, with Pura Fe Cresioni on harmony vocals, Guy Davis on Mike Seeger's six sting band, and Horton again on clarinet. Super track. Harmonica track, Martching Up to Prospect Hill features Flemons on rhythm bones with Davis on harmonica. Excellent! It's A Good Thing is another of my favorites on the release with Flemons on vocal and guitar and a somewhat elongated phrasing on vocal and a nice exchange with Davis on vocal and banjo. Really cool. Wrapping disc one is My Money Never Runs Out, a cool country blues with Flemons on vocal, guitar and banjo. Super closer.

Disc two opens with Big Head Joe's March featuring Flemons on bass drum with Davis on snare with fife. Cool traditional hill country styling. Contemporary styling give Clock On The Wall a broadly recognizable format with Flemons on guitar, harmonica and vocals with Brendle on bass and Watkins on drums. Blind Boy Fuller's Keep On Truckin' gets a mild rework and sung and played as written. Hot Tuna covered this track probably 40 years ago but with more substantial alterations. Cool to hear the vintage styling. Hot Chicken is a great rag with solid vocals and harmonica by Flemons and super guitar work by Davis.  Til The Seas Run Dry has great pace and the violin work by Hunter is terrific with Flemons on banjo and vocals and Davis on harmonica. Tracks 10-21 are a mix of mostly rhythms and fife which is quite interesting. One track that really stands out for me is Georgia Drumbeat with an African flavor featuring rhythmic acoustic guitar, drums and percussion. Wrapping the release is Blue Butterfly, a cleanly picked guitar duet featuring Davis and Flemons. It's a really nice track and an excellent closer. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Thursday, April 16, 2020

The Mary Jo Curry Band - Front Porch - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Front Porch, from The Mary Jo Curry Band, and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Nothin' Is Easy, a romping boogie, Mary Jo Curry is a solid leader and vocalist with Albert Castiglia on guitar, Rick Snow on drums, Chris Rogers on bass Michael Rapier on slide guitar, Brett Donovan on Hammond and Brian Moore on sax. Cool opener. Shuffle track, All Your Lies, really showcases Curry's vocal prowess and with a swell of Hammond by Donovan, riding drums by Snow and a flurry of guitar work by Rapier. Bluesy ballad, Explaining The Blues, shows the silky smoothness of Curry's voice and with warm keys from Ezra Casey creating tension and tight ride cymbal by Snow. I like guitar shuffle, Shake & Bake, featuring the fancy finger work of Tom Holland on guitar, backed by Snow, Rogers (who lays in a cool bass solo), Rapier, Casey and with a heavy sax solo by Moore. Very cool. Edgar Winter's, We All Had A Real Good Time, is a good fit for this band with it's funky, R&B feel and Castiglia lays in a real nice solo over the infectious bass line of Rogers. Wrapping the release is funky, gospel number, Joyful, with it's changeups in timing and rich bass lines. This is a cool closer for a cool release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Down In The Alley Records artist: Cort Duggins - Luke's Juke - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Luke's Juke, by Cort Duggins and it's a cool mix of Chicago style blues. Opening with I Can't get You Off My Mind, Babe, Duggins, is a virtual one man band (one track at a time) with a rolling bass line, rhythm guitar, simple drums line, vocal and harmonica. Cool. My favorite track on the release is slow blues, Blue And Lonesome Ramblin' Man with mandolin like guitar strumming and quick guitar riffs over shimmering reverb laden chords, raw vocals and soulful harmonica. Very nice. Shuffle track, Watch Yourself, Mind Your Own Business has some fun riffs both on harmonica and guitar. Duggins' vocals on this track on my favorites and his slide work is primitive but cool. Honky Tonkin' Down Easy starts off with a simple, tom tom laden, almost Latin beat but mellows into full boogie with a cool walking bass line and wailing harmonica. Wrapping the release is Hey Good Lookin, I'm Ready, the clearest mix of Hank and Willie on the release with raw vocal and drums, supplemented with harmonica.

It's an interesting idea and a cool release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Dixon Landing Music artist: Alex Dixon - The Real McCoy - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Real McCoy, from Alex Dixon, grandson of the great, Willie Dixon and it's pure Chicago style blues. Opening with Nothing New Under The Sun, this track could be straight off of a Muddy Waters release. Featuring  Lewis "Big Lew" Powell on lead vocal and Steve Bell on harmonica, this track is solid with Dixon on bass and piano, Alvino Bennett on drums, Joey Delgado on guitar, and with backing vocals by Leila Dixon, this is a great opener. Willie Dixon's, Spider In My Stew is my favorite track on the release with some stinging guitar work by Rico McFarland and strong harp work by Sugar Blue. Slower blues number, My Greatest Desire has a great bass line and Big Lew's vocals are as crisp as anywhere on the release. Sugar Blue does a real nice job on harmonica, playing strong but not overpowering lew on lead vocal. Very nice. Wolf's, Howlin' For My Darling has great pace, Big Lew's vocals are cool, Steve Bell's harmonica lead is fresh and Melvin Taylor and Gino Matteo share guitar lead with super results. Very cool. Another of my favorite tracks is Chi-Town Boogie with a hot pace, absolutely made for harmonica and Bell does a great job. Dixon gets the chance to solo on this one and does a super job and with additional solos by Dixon on piano, and Bennett on drums, a super track. The release is wrapped by a supercharged instrumental take of Chi-Town Boogie. McFarland takes a nice guitar solo and the band rocks it. Excellent closer. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Monday, April 13, 2020

Access Records artist: Harper and Midwest Kind - Rise Up - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rise Up, from Harper and Midwest Kind and it's a cool rocker. Opening with title track, Rise Up, Peter D. Harper leads the way on vocal, harmonica, didgeridoo, keyboard and guitar, With Geoff Michael on guitar, Dan "Ozzie" Anderson on bass and Jim Pryor on drums. With it's chant like rhythm and primitive sounds, it's quite a cool opener. On Blues I Can't Use, Paul Nelson joins on guitar and hill country styling is accented nicely by hot slide riffs. My favorite track on the release is I Still Got You with it's funky, R&B bass line, great melody and Harper's soulful harmonica and vocals. Another track with a thumping bass line is Welcome Home with cool vocals, a bouncy rhythm making it the most likely radio track and solid harmonica work. Wrapping the release is Peaceful, a cool, jazzy track with a light feel and nice percussion under the stylized acoustic guitar work of Harper and cool backing vocals of Bobbi Llewellyn. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Friday, April 10, 2020

Third Street Cigar Records artist: Chris Shutters with special guest Jimmy Burns - Good Gone Bad - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Gone Bad, by Chris Shutters with special guest Jimmy Burns and it's a fun packed blues rocker. Opening with driving rocker and title track, Good Gone Bad, featuring Chris Shutters and Jimmy Burns on vocal and guitar, joined by Byron Harris Jr. on bass and drums, Rick Warner on piano, and Tony Shutters on harmonica. Super opener. Adding Art Bishop on sax, this band gets funky on Can't Play The Blues Like B.B. Chris takes the lead on vocal and guitar and this track has just that perfect edge with the horn reinforcement sounding quite like Sly or Clinton. On boogie, Unwind, Frank May's bass line defines the rhythm and a more melodic approach makes this a cool radio track with a clean, meaty sax solo by Bishop. Straight up rocker, Living In A Dream, has a super pace and with it's quiet bridge and a hard working bass line by Harris Jr. the track gets a real edgy rock style guitar solo by Shutters and Burns. Shuffle track, Keep You Satisfied is straight up blues but with an accelerated pace. Organ work by Mike Huffman and a bluesy solos by Burns and Shutters give this track real traction. Wrapping the release is springy shuffle, The Book Of Life, with clever rhythm patterns by Harris Jr. on drums and melodic vocals by Shutters. A cool closer for an interesting release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Thursday, April 9, 2020

VizzTone Label Group artist: Phanton Blues Band - Still Cookin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Still Cookin', from Phantom Blues Band, and it's terrific! Opening with a classic R&B track by Wilson Pickett, Don't Fight It (Feel It), this band knows it's strengths and plays into it. With Mike Finnigan (keys), Larry Fulcher (bass) and Johnny Lee Schell (guitars) on lead vocals, this band lays out one of my R&F favorites with strong horn work by Joe Sublett (sax) and Les Lovitt (trumpet) and great rhythm  and Tony Braunagel on drums. What a lineup! Slipping into a New Orleans funk on Wingin' My Way Johnny takes the lead on a strongly Little Feat influenced track (dedicated to Paul Barrere) with solid slide work and a tight horn line. Slow blues, Blues How They Linger, features Finnigan on lead vocal and piano, with light backing. A strong, somber track keeps it low till about half way through when Sublett cuts loose with a real nice sax solo, punctuated by Lovitts trumpet work. Very nice! Reggae track, Shine On, has a great island beat with Lenny Castro joining on percussion and Fulcher and Finnigan on lead vocal. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Latin flavored, Tequila Con Yerba, an excellent, primarily instrumental that makes you squirm in your seat...think Buena Vista. Finnigan, Sublett and Lovitt each get a spot to solo and use them well. Very nice! Shuffle track, I'm Just Your Fool, has a great sway and nicely blended vocals by Johnny with Mike give the track a warm feel. Another strong sax solo by Sublett cements the track and Schell lays in a nice run of his own. Very nice. Wrapping the release is I Was Blind, a quiet ballad featuring Schell on lead vocal, backed by Finnigan. Schell lays in some warm slide work and Finnegan some nice organ work, under the basic melody giving the track a full bottom. This is a solid closer for a really cool release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Retro Records artist: Tom "The Suit" Forst - World of Broken Hearts - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, World of Broken Hearts, from Tom "The Suit" Forst and it's got a warm bluesy feel. Opening with Late Night Train, Tom Forst blends super blues concepts with a Pink Floyd, march like cadence and wailing guitar. Leading the way on vocal, bass  and guitar Tom is joined by Ryan Hommel on guitar, James Montgomery on harp, and Travis McNabb on drums. On ballad and title track, World of Broken Hearts, Tom accompanies himself on banjo. This is a solid track with a strong melody and also featuring Vincent Brike on keys and Cynthia Tolson on violin. Wrapping the release is my favorite track on the release, Willie Dixon's Hoochie Coochie Man with a great funky rock drum beat by McNabb, Forst on keys, bass and guitar behind his best vocals on the release. Hints to Dr. John's, I Walk on Guilded Splinters are really nice.  Also of note is some real nice slide work by Paul Nelson and backing vocals by Christine Ohlman, Suzy Bessett and T'Zell. Solid closer. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Ruf Records artist: Ryan Perry - High Risk, Low Reward - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Risk, Low Reward from Ryan Perry and he has put together a solid blues rock release. Opening with Ain't Afraid to Eat Alone, a straight up rocker with R&B overtones, Perry's strong vocals and fluid guitar lead is perfect for this band. Backed by Roger Inniss on bass, Lucy Piper on drums and Jeffrey Staten & Stephanie Bechtold on backing vocals, this is a super opener. Maintaining the strong melody and rhythm consistent throughout the release, Pride continues to showcase Perry's vocal strength, addition of backing vocals by Staten, this track has strong radio appeal and soulful guitar lead reinforcing the melody. Title track, High Risk, Low Return has a real cool droning guitar sound that I associate with Mississippi blues and with it's simple structure and rich vocals makes this one of my release favorites. Oh No has a slower pondering pace with a suspenseful feel. The surprise track on the release is Willie Dixon's Evil is Going On. A real power rock take on this track has a great groove. With synchronized drums, bass and guitar the house is rocking. Perry unleashes the dog on this one and his playing is wild and distorted in pure blues rock fashion. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Hard Times, another hill country flavored blues number with a droning note guitar style. Really putting it on is layered distorted guitar, heavy tom tom and a solid bass line. This is a really cool closer for a strong release. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Monday, April 6, 2020

Andy Watts - Blues On Fire - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues On Fire, from Andy Watts and it's a cool, contemporary blues rocker. Opening with a blues strut, Full Throttle, Andy Watts on lead guitar is joined by Eyal Klein on keys, Elad Gellart on sax, Gregory Rivkin on trumpet, Tom Mochaich on bass and Avi Barak on drums. With a fat bari solo by Gellart and a stinging guitar solo by Watts, a cool instrumental opener. Joe Louis Walker joins on title track, Blues On Fire providing soulful vocal lead and Watts sails along nicely on guitar with well articulated guitar phrasing. Very nice. A real nice cover/interpretation of Steve Ray Vaughn's Riviera Paradise floats along with great fire and spirit provided by Watts guitar riffs. With the addition of Rivkin on trumpet giving it just a bit of a jazzy feel, and a bright, clear piano interlude, this is a strong track. Roy Young is featured on lead vocal on JJ Cale's I Got The Same Old Blues with a distinct R&B feel and stinging guitar riffs by Watts and the addition of nice guitar work by Ronnie Peterson and great B3 funkiness by Klein. My favorite track on the release is Junkies, Monkeys & Donkeys featuring Danny Shoshan on lead vocal. A funky track with a great bass line by Amos Springer, this track has great presence and with horn backing by Gellert and Klein's key work, Watts walks through with the poise of a superstar playing just the right number of notes to give the track a great punch. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Who Knows, a heavy footed instrumental with Illan Hillel on bass, Moshe Yankovsky on drums, Niv Hovav on keys giving Rivkin and Watts a great platform to jam. Solid closer. 

View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  qrcode

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE