Big Bear Records artist: Chick Willis - Things I Used To Do - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Things I Used To Do, from Chick Willis and it's solid gold blues. Recorded in August of 1997, this release is a long time coming. Opening with shuffle, Lou's Place, Chick Willis is upfront standing tall on lead vocal and guitar. This is super blues from some of the best days with Tony Ashton on piano, Roger Innis on bass and Sticky Wicket on drums. Excellent opener. Slow blues, Come Back Home, is a strong entry for top track on the release with some of Willis' best vocals and a cool guitar exchange with Ashton's Hammond. Very nice. Remake of Guitar Slims' The Things I Used To Do has a real nice feel with stinging riffs and soulful vocals. R&B track, What You Got On Me, has great rhythmic feel and tight guitar riffs supporting the solid vocals of Willis. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is One Eyed Woman. Tension between Willis' vocals and Ashton's organ are great and Willis' guitar articulation is spot on. Excellent! Willis' Tin Pan Alley has excellent guitar flair and Willis' vocal performance is great! Lavelle White's up tempo, Voodoo Woman, has a great rhythm and Willis really plays his guitar hand nicely. He really gets it moving on this one with solid bass lines by Innis and his own slashing guitar soloing. Wrapping the release is a relaxed, Doin' The Yang thing featuring Ashton taking the lead with a full boat piano melody over a basic rhythm by Innis and Wicket. Solid closer for a fun release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Andy Watts - Supergroove - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Supergroove, from guitarist Andy Watts, Israel's Ambassador of the Blues and it's solid and features appearances by Joe Louis Walker and Eliza Neals. Opening with title track, Supergroove, Watts leads the instrumental on guitar, backed by Eyal Klein on keys, Ioram Linker on sax, Gregory Rivkin on trumpet, Llan Hillel on bass and Top Bollig on drums. Linker's solo on bari really sets the track apart, moving real air. Roy Young has the mic on Rick Estrin's shuffle, Living Hand To Mouth featuring Coastin Hank on harmonica and crisp guitar soloing by Watts. My favorite track on the release is slow burner, Burning Deep, featuring Joe Louis Walker on lead vocal and some real nice guitar work by Watts. Walker really digs in and Watts matches him step for step. Very nice. Young is back up front on funky, Pack It Up with it's contagious groove. Watts hangs nicely in the pocket accenting the track with punctual riffs. Very nice.  Eliza Neals is featured on lead vocals on Blues Of The Month Club and takes the wheel, pairing nicely with Watts' firey guitar soloing and snappy drum riffs of Bollig. Wrapping the release is Peter Green's Super Natural (The Supernatural), a cool laid back, Latin fused instrumental with lush guitar work and nice trumpet work by Rivkin and a wark key solo by Klein. Nice closer for a solid release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Lloyd Jones - Tennessee Run - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tennessee Run, from Lloyd Jones and its a cool blend of blues, R&B, funk and pop giving it a bright, energetic feel. Opening with hard driving R&B track, You Got Me Good, Jones on lead vocal and guitar really has the place hopping. Backed by Kevin McKendree on keys, Steve Mackey on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Jim Hoke on sax, Quentin Ware on trumpet and Roy Agee on trombone this is a strong opener. Rock n roller, I Wish I Could Remember Loving You, has a great rhythm guitar pace with Jones paired with Teresa James on lead vocal and McKendree's piano work is outstanding. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky swamp track, Bayou Boys with McKendree on organ and cool horn interplay by Hoke, Ware, Agee and with Richard Metz on percussion. Very cool. Hoke lays in a really nice bari solo on another funky swamp track, That's All I Want which also features LaRhonda Steele on vocal. Dilly Dally has a Taj Mahal like, laid back bluesy island feel. With wah wah guitar and funky organ, it just makes you feel good. Wrapping the release is Chevrolet Angel, a funky, bluesy strut. I  like Jones' cocky vocal styling on this one with nice backing vocal by Etta Britt and Jackie Wilson and funky lead guitar by Jones, chased by the horn work of Hoke, Ware, and Agee. A fine closer for a fun release. 

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Bible & Tire Recording Co. : The Last Shall Be First: The JCR Record Story, Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Last Shall Be First: The JCR Record Story, Volume 1 and it's powerful. Opening with The Calvary Nightingales performing Keep On Pushing this release is off to a terrific start. Using that basic southern soul platform with a strong front male lead vocalist, solid backing vocals, and rhythm guitar, this track will have you groovin. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Father, Guide Me, by The Pilgrimairs and it's rolling "James Brown" feel. Excellent! The Johnson Sisters has another great contribution in You Can't Hurry God with it's driving beat and thick powerful lead and full backing vocals over organ and drums. Just Over The Hill is another potent soul track from The Spiritual Harmonizers. Opening in 3/4 time the track is squeezed for every drop of soul. Then switching to 4/4, the track is rocking. Very cool. The Seven Souls deliver I Want To Move A Little Higher a great track with firm harmony singing. You just can't beat the combination of soul and gospel. Very nice. Bluesy, What A Meeting by The Vigil Lights of Holly Springs is certainly one of my favorites on the release with super vocal work, a firm bass line and tight drums and piano. Excellent! Another powerful blues influenced track, Sitting Down, by The Stars of Faith will really get you moving with it's rolling rhythm guitar riff and tight drum beat under stirring vocal lead and backing vocals. Wrapping the release is an excellent gospel rocker, Sinner Man (What You Gonna Do) performed by The Bible Tones. The release has 17 tracks and they are all strong. This is the second Bible & Tire Recording Company release that I have had the privilege to review and they are both terrific. (I also love the name of the company by the way). These are recordings from the 70's and it's terrific that they are being brought forward for a new audience. These are must haves!

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ZOHO Music artist: Swingadelic - Bluesville - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bluesville, from Swingadelic, a small big band formed by Dave Post on bass. Opening with The Late Late Show, the horns are blazing with John Bauers on vocal and Bryan Davis on solo trumpet. Swinging. A full 18 piece big band is together for Harlem Nocturne featuring Audrey Welber on alto and Boo Reiners on lap steel. Very nice. With it's Latin beat, Mary Ann really ramps up with Bauers on lead vocal, Alex Jeun really winding out the trombone and Joe Taino on laying in solid guitar riffs. This is a great track with strong soloing. Mitch Woods sits in or Parchment Farm with strong vocals and really potent piano work. Joined by Andy Riedel on guitar and Jimmy Coleman on drums, another top track. Latin jazz track, El Blues Esa Mijer is light and springy with Taino on lead guitar and Jeun, again playing some really meaty trombone. On  Riff'n On McGriff'n Kyle Koehler on B3 sets the stage with healthy sax work and strong lead guitar by Andy Riedel. Ellington's The Mooche features stellar work by Ken Robinson on clarinet, Reiners on guitar and Carlos Francis on trumpet. Wrapping the release is an instrumental version of The Late Late Show. This band knows how to turn on the heat and if you dig that jazzier side of the blues, this is a cool trip. 

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Dancing Bear artist: Sunnysiders - The Bridges - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Bridges, from Sunnysiders and it's a cool blend of 60's rock and blues. Opening with shuffle track, Crossroads of Your Own, Croation  blues duo, Antonija Vrgoc Rola on vocal and tambourine and Boris Hrepic Hrepa on vocal, acoustic guitar and harp set out on their 4th release. With backing by Manu Lanvin on slide guitar and the Norman Beaker Trio featuring Beaker on bass, Steve Gibson on drums, Nick Steed on keys and Kim Kishikawara on sax to is a solid opener. Blues rocker, Tiny Soul has a real interesting melody highlighting Rola on lead vocal and melodic slide guitar adding very nice dynamics. Blockstop is a real rocker with raging drums and solid sax work by Kishikawara. My favorite track on the release is blues ballad, You're Not That Good For Me To Cry with  melodic electric guitar lead throughout and strong vocals by Rola. Not The One of Those is a solid rocker with a strong rock beat and cool harp by Hrepa and strong slide work. Wrapping the release is Heaven Blues Band with a firm melody and nicely blended vocals by Rola and Hrepa. An easy tempo and clean guitar lead gives the track extra traction for a tight close. 

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Highlander Records artist: A Band Called Sam - Legacy - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Legacy, from A Band Called Sam. Built around the vocals of Sandra Taylor, the stylized guitar lead of Gary Sellers and hard working Richie Cannata on sax these guys are really pumping. With Danny Kean on keys, Lawrence Worrell on rhythm guitar, Mario Staiano on drums and Gary Grob on bass, this is a tight unit. On opener, Voice of the Blues, a slick shuffle, with Kean and Cannata working hand in hand with Sellers pushing the energy and Taylor's powerful vocals, a solid opener. On funky R&B number, Good To Ya, Worrell has the mic and really does a nice job. The track really moves and with strong key likes and interesting guitar work, this is one of my favorites on the release. Slow blues track, Papa Blues has a smooth, T Bone Walker kind of feel and really showcases Taylor's vocals. Clocking in at over 7 minutes with excellent keyboard soloing, and a powerful instrumental punch, this is a super track. With a lot of sass Taylor joins with Angela Canini fir a strong vocal duet on, Nothing In The Streets which checks all of the blocks for the ideal radio track with a solid melody, great vocals, and tight instrumentation. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Stinger with a lot of funk. This track, with lead vocals by Worrell shows definite influences of Clinton and Funkadelic. A solid mover and strong closer. 

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Perigon Music artist: Diane Davidson - Perigon: Full Circle - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Perigon: Full Circle, by Dianne Davidson and it's full of rich, soulful ballads. Opening with Just Out Of Reach, Diane Davidson reaches deep with her strong vocal presentation, backed by Larry Cheney on guitar, Leigh Maples on bass, Nancy Gardner on drums, John Salem on keys, Roger Bissel on trombone, Denis Sole on sax and George Tidwell on trumpet. True Believer is an adventurous track with interesting sonic backing. Davidson's vocals are thick and deep and backing by Chaney on guitars, exotic instrument samples and loops, Maples on bass, Gardner on drums Jim Thistle on percussion and Michael Mishaw and Vickie Carrico on backing vocals make this my favorite on the release. Bob Dylan's, To Make You Feel My Love is another standout track on the release with some of Davidson's best vocals on the release. With minimal instrumental backing by Chaney on guitars, Gideon John Klein on cello, Donny Rels on viola, Larry Silver on violin, John Salem on keys, this is tight. Wrapping the release is acoustic ballad, Missing You, with it's strong melody, Davidson on acoustic guitar, Klein on cello, Marianne on English horn and strings arranged by Chaney. Solid closer.

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Severn Records artist: Sugar Ray and the Bluetones featuring Little Charlie - Too Far From The Bar - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Too Far From The Bar, by Sugar Ray and the Bluetones featuring Little Charlie and it's heaping dose of Chicago style blues. Opening with shuffle track, Don't Give No More Than You Can Take, featuring Sugar Ray Norcia on lead vocal and harmonica and the great Little Charlie Baty on lead guitar. This is one of the last recordings of Baty who passed away in March of this year. Norcia's vocals are always great and his harmonica playing is first class, backed by Anthony Geraci on keys, Michael Mudcat Ward on bass and Neil Gouvin on drums. Swinging piano boogie, and title track, Too Far From The Bar really hits the groove with Geraci leading the way and Norcia on piano. Baty takes a great solo run showing just how tight his riffs were. Excellent! Instrumental. Reel Burner is a super harmonica track with Norcia barely taking a breath. Stilladog take notice. This track hums! Rock and Roller, My Next Door Neighbor is a vocal workout for Norcia and Baty spanks the fretboard with 50's style riffs over Geraci's piano wizardry a thumping bass and brushed drums. More smooth and a lot more jazzy, What I Put You Through, is one of my favorites on the release with excellent piano work from Geraci under glistening guitar work by Baty and the excellent vocals of Norica. I have to mention Baty's work on jazz standard, I Gotta Right To Sing the Blues, where the entire band really shines but I gotta say, this track was made for Baty. Excellent! Returning to that classic Chicago styling, Walk Me Home is a cool shuffle with ample jam time for Geraci, Baty and Norcia. Very nice. Wrapping the release is an alternate take on Reel Burner. The is a real burner so it's a great kick in the pants to close the release with hot riffs by Norcia throughout. Very solid release. 

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L&M Star Productions release: Friends & Legends of Louisiana - New release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Friends & Legends of Louisiana, an idea created by Lucas Spinosa and Mike David and it's a broad swatch of blues featuring a who's who of contemporary artists. Opening with shuffle, Beale Street Blues, Jason Parfait is upfront on lead vocal and wailing on sax, backed by Cranston Clements on guitar, Bob Henderson on guitar, David Hyde on bass, Ian Smith on trumpet, Brian Brignac on drums, Lucas Spinosa on keys and Seth Lecoq on guitar fills. Swinging opener. Wayne Toups has the mic on Belly Of The Beast and featuring Sonny Landreth on guitar. Very nice. Don Rich's lead vocals on Want It To Be are soulfully excellent with strong horn emphasis and a strong sax solo by Parfait. Kenny Neal is upfront on vocal and harmonica on Southern Side of Life. Warm backing vocals by Bob Henderson, Elaine Foster and Taylor Lendo really make this track sail. Rocker, Living In A Fantasy features Ryan Foret on lead vocal with real nice piano work by Spinosa and a tight guitar solo by Clements. Wrapping the release is Memories, a soulful ballad featuring Bryan Romano on lead vocal and sweet sax work by Parfait. Solid closer for a solid release. 

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Kingswood Records artist: The Jim Kweskin Band with Samoa Wilson - I Just Want To Be Horizontal - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Just Want To be Horizontal, from Samoa Wilson with The Jim Kweskin Band and it's really strong contemporary looks at 20's and 30's  music. Opening with After You've Gone, a Turner Layton composition with crystal clear vocals by Samoa Wilson, musicologist, Jim Kweskin on vocal and guitar leads a great gang of players including Mike Davis on trumpet, Paloma Ohm on alto sax, Sonny Barbato on piano, Dennis Lichtman on clarinet, Matthew Berlin on bass and Jeff Brown on drums. Excellent opener. Bluesy title track, (I Just Want to Be) Horizontal, really milks Wilson's vocal style with a lot of richness, with strong guitar work by Kweskin and Titus Vollmer. Very nice. Muted trumpet work by Davis sets the track off nicely Barbato's piano work. With a Dixieland style interwoven instrumentation, I Cried For You, is a great track with really cool trumpet and clarinet interplay. Made popular by Billie Holiday, Until The Real Thing Comes Along brushes into the jazz arena with an excellent sax solo by Ohn, clarinet passage by Lichtman and piano solo by Barbato all supporting the perfect vocals or Wilson. Me, Myself and I is a cool rag with emphasis on finger picking by Kweskin and bright singing by Wilson, and soloing by Davis, Barbato and Ohm. Bessie Smith's Kitchen Man is up next and like Smith, the innuendo is thick. Wilson's delivery is perfect and convincing, reviving this classic for todays market with cool clarinet and trumpet interplay. Bing Crosby's I Wished On the Moon really works well with Wilson's vocal style and may be the coolest track on the release with an excellent sax solo by Ohm and piano solo by Barbato. Wrapping the release is Tony Bennett's Someone Turned The Moon Upside Down. A proper 40's ballad, jazz style sax work by Ohm really gives the track a nice warmth and Barbato's piano solo adds a formal crispness. This is a different release but it's merits are strong.

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JayRay Records artist: Lisa Mann - Old Girl - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Old Girl, from Lisa Mann and it's a solid radio style release with meaty melodies and strong vocals. Opening with title track, Old Girl, a country flavored ballad, Lisa shows real richness backed by Jason Thomas on guitar, Michael Ballash on drums and her own bass work. With an up tempo rockin' beat, It's The Monkey or Me features swinging guitar work by Thomas and really hot drumming by Dave Melyan. Mann's vocals are undeniable with plenty of grit and a lot of polish. With a great blues laden beat and sassy guitar work by Thomas, Mann shows her grit on bluesy, That's All. This is my favorite track on the release with it's extended instrumental work smoky feel. Wrapping the release is Around Here, the definite radio track with a strong melody and well balanced vocals. Super backing vocals by Sonny Hess, Brian Foxworth, Larhonda Steele and Arietta Ward really dress this track in richness. 

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Music Maker Relief Foundation compilation: Hanging Tree Guitars - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release September 25, 2020, Hanging Tree Guitars, from Music Makers Relief Foundation and it's the real deal, accompanying the release of the book of the same name. Opening with Rufus McKenzie singing Slavery Time Blues, over a wailing harmonica. Very authentic blues. Bishop Dready Manning sings Hard Luck and Troubles with only acoustic guitar and hand claps. His vocals are terrific and the accompaniment solid. Guitar Gabriel is as smooth as they come on Southland Blues, a strong delta style blues. His vocal and guitar work is tight yet not over produced. Excellent. John Lee Zeigler has a really cool voice approaching the falsetto of Skip James. Worked nicely with acoustic slide, John Henry is a really strong track. Spiritual track, Get Ready is potent with The Glory Vine Sisters. Powerful voices and R&B style format makes this one of my favorites on the release. Elder Anderson Johnson does a strong spiritual blues in Glory, Glory. With only the basic of guitar accompaniment and the enthusiasm of his vocals this is a great track. Gospel track, Somewhere To Lay My Head is a real hand slapper featuring Johnny Ray Daniels and rich vocal harmonies. Wrapping the release is Guitar Slim Stephens as pure as it gets on Amazing Grace with only a simple acoustic slide as backing. This is a release that's rich in history and sweat. Excellent!

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Peter Roland - I Don't Like What's Going On - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Don't Like What's Going On, from Peter Roland and it's a cool contemporary blue release. Opening with Black Cat Bone, Peter Roland wastes no time showing that he can work the fretboard hard. A smooth, slow blues number with only George Caldwell on bass and Jermane Dukes on drums. Midway, the track doubles pace and with JP Soars really smokes it. Very nice. Evil pairs Roland again with strong vocal with Soars on dobro and a stiff foot drum by Dukes setting up a country flavored blues rocker with the swagger of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Trading lead with soars on electric guitar, Roland keeps it clean and articulate. Really grinding in with SRV like rhythm and tempo on Lonely Tonight, Roland's  lead guitar work is vibrant and tight. This band is a tight unit with Roland's vocal and guitar cementing it all together. Wrapping the release is title track and my personal favorite on the release, I Don't Like What's Going On, a laid back, lightly funky, blues track. Roland sings against the beat and keeps his guitar lead in the pocket. It's cool delivery and fiery guitar soloing works well together, making for a really nice closer. 

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Screen Door Records artist: Kirsten Thien - Two Sides - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Two Sides, from Kirsten Thien, and it's a solid rocker. Opening with heavy footed, Shoulda Been, a blues rocker with Thien on vocal and acoustic guitar, Erik Boyd on cool slide bass and rhythm guitar, Arthur Neilson with a nice slide guitar solo, Steve Holley on drums and Tommy Mandel on clavinet. Solid opener. Contemporary blues shout, After I Left Home (Song For Buddy Guy) Thien shows the power of her voice and Neilson lays down a strong guitar solo. Latin flavored Montanas is my favorite track on the release, featuring Fabian Almazan on piano, John Benthal on cuatro and requinto, Boyd on bass and Alex Alexander on drums and percussion. Excellent! Wrapping the release is an up tempo take on Leon Russell's, I'd Rather Be Blind, with a cool R&B feel. Steve Holley on drums plays it light, Neilson lays in a compact but clean guitar solo and the addition of Tommy Mandel on Wurlitzer and organ makes this a strong closer.

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Little Village Foundation artist: Ron Thompson - From The Patio, Live at Poor House Bistro, Volume 1, New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From The Patio, Live at Poor House Bistro, Volume 1, from Ron Thompson and it's a strong, raw performance. Opening with Willie Dixon's Meet Me In The Bottom, Ron Thompson on vocal and guitar gets a running start with his grinding tempo with Scotty Griffin on drums, Dave Chavez on bass, Sid Morris on piano and Jim Pugh on organ. His solid groove and unpolished but excellent blues vocals are spot on. On Lightning Hopkins' Bring Me My Shotgun, Thompson shows just how close to the "real blues" his work is with excellent vocals, slide work and minimal bass and drums. Excellent! Bob Geddins' Tin Pan Alley, made popular to most by SRV gets a real nice workout by Thompson with not only really soulful vocals and solid piano work by Morris but with some real nice electric guitar work by Thompson. Very nice. Guitar Slim's Done Got Over It is another potent track with Jim Pugh on organ solo and rockabilly style blues guitar riffs by Thompson. On Lowell Fulson's Sinner's Prayer, Thompson runs out a real nice slide solo working very nicely with Pugh's organ work. Very cool. Doctor Brown features Kid Andersen and Thompson on slide and we all know the Kid can play. With Elmore James style riffs under Thompson's vocals, this track is great! Wrapping the release is Thompson original, When You Walk That Walk with strong Hound Dog Taylor influence and Andersen again playing some wicked wicked guitar. This is really a strong release and highly recommended. 

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Ruf Records artist: Bette Smith - The Good The Bad And The Bette - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Good The Bad and The Bette, from Bette Smith and it's a cool rockin' R&B release. Opening with Fistful of Dollars, a funky rocker, Bette Smith really hits a groove, backed by Matt Patton on bass, Bronson Tew on drums, Eric Carlton on piano, Jimbo Mathus on organ and with Henry Westmoreland on horns. Very cool. Possibly my favorite track on the release is bluesy ballad, Whistle Stop, showing excellent vocal by Smith, and with strings by Jamison Hollister. Punchy rocker, I'm A Sinner, has a driving beat and a cool guitar riff underlying with strong but unflashy guitar lead and backing vocal by Hood, Patton, Tew and Schaefer Llana. Nice. With it's straightforward nature and nice melody, Song for a Friend is my choice for radio track. Dominants bass lines by Patton and tight drum work by Tew and solid backing vocals by Hood, Patton, Tew and Schaefer Llana give this track a certain cool feel. Wrapping the release is soulful, Don't Skip Out On Me, another strong ballad with Smith, acoustic guitar accompaniment and super atmospheric guitar work giving the track a strong feel and nice trumpet work by Westmoreland. Super closer. 

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