Swampside Records artist: Sauce Boss - Peanuts - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Peanuts, from Sauce Boss, and I think it's his best yet. Taken from the original score for the Jimmy Carter film, Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President, this release opens with Let the Big Dog Eat, a romping rocker with a heavy bass line by Majic John Jones and rowdy vocals by Boss, backed by Pat Ramsey on harmonica, Lucky Peterson on organ, and Shannon Kori on drums. Zipper Bird is a cool blues rocker with Boss winding it out nicely on slide guitar. Very cool. Slinky, Alligator, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a funky back beat and with Ramsey answering Boss's wailing vocal call on harmonica over a strong bass line. Very cool. Outlaw Blues is a raw, blues specifically working Boss' slide work and holler vocals over a driving drum beat. Gotta love this. Out In The Night is a strong rock jam that I would associate with Joe Walsh's style. It has pure blues rock bones and elevated guitar work, supported by John Hart on guitar, Jassen Wilber on bass and Justin Headley on drums. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, Song of The Irish Band, featuring boss on guitar and vocal. This is really a versatile release with something for everyone.

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Landslide Records artist: Damon Fowler - Alafia Moon - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 26, 2021), Alafia Moon, from Damon Fowler and it is a healthy dose of blues rock with a plenty of slide. Opening with Live It Alone, a cool, swampy, rocker, Fowler on slide and vocal leads the way with Chuck Riley on bass, Justin Headley on drums, T.C. Carr wailing on harmonica, Mike Kach on keys, Betty Fox on backing vocals, this is a great opener. Title track, Alafia Moon is a strong, country blues ballad with a great melody and warm backing vocals. Kach's organ work gives it a rich, almost spiritual feel and backing vocals add almost a contemporary Pink Floyd feel. I really like this track with it's rich core. Light, finger picked, The Guitar, is a really cool track with just a dash of Tex-Mex. Fowler really sounds comfortable in this story telling track and it's unassuming freshness. Hip To Your Trip is a modern funky blues, built around a framework of Broonzy's Key To The Highway. With a great bass line, hot slide and funky drums, the only thing I don't like about it is over to quickly. Nice! Another favorite on the release is Taxman, a slow blues with some of Fowler's best vocals on the release and really sweet slide work to boot! Fowler plays some really tasty lead over slide on this track giving it a deep blues feel. Excellent! Funky rocker, Wanda, is guaranteed to get you dancing in your seat if not on your feet. This is a hot track and could be the radio track for the release. Wrapping the release is hot shuffle < Kicked His Ass Out with hot, Gatemouth Brown like picking, rolling into full slide work under super backing vocals. Excellent closer.  

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Third Man Records artist: Danny Kroha - Detroit Blues - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Detroit Blues, from Danny Kroha and it's pretty exciting. Kroha, who takes a pure, primitive approach to the blues hits it square on the screws. Opening with Poor Howard, Kroha uses his basic tools, voice, guitar and foot stomp to make this early, country natural blues. This is pure music as if it came from the earth. Great opener. Simple rag, Detroit Blues, is simple and strong with Kroha singing and playing with no tricks. On diddley bow, Kroha sings Oh Death with the same conviction seen of Son House. This music is very straight forward and solid. Come out The Wilderness is another cool track with diddley bow slide work and strong blues roots. Kroha really works his craft giving the listener the sense that they are listening to an artist who is making music because he loves it rather than because it's popular. Very nice. Another rag track, Adam And Eve really plays up the period with kazoo and guitar. Working his mouth bow on Run Johnny, Kroha brings you back to recordings by Othar Turner and his flute. It is the primitive yet soulful originality of the music. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Up Above My Head, a Sister Rosetta Tharpe track with her spiritual rock styling. Kroha rocks this track on guitar and vocal making it an ideal closer for a very unique and fun release. 

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Joe Lewis Band - Up Next - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Up Next, from the Joe Lewis Band and I really like it. Opening with I Like It, obviously influenced by Hill Country music and with traces of Gary Clark, this track has a great bottom by Tom Cole on bass and Derrick Enyard on drums and strong vocals by Lewis who also plays lead guitar. Up tempo, Can I Get With You and it's walking guitar and bass lead sets a super feel for a mix between blues, rock, gospel and pop. Lewis isn't bashful on guitar really ramping up his short guitar blasts. Soulful, Broken Angel Of The Delta, is the definite radio track on the release with it's lush melody, super vocals and reverb soaked guitar work. Lewis will likely get strong airplay with this mix of vocal and bluesy guitar soloing. Very nice. With a funky soul feel, Do Drop Inn really has a nice groove with just the right rhythm guitar effort and minimal bass and drums to cradle Lewis' vocals and allowing an excellent opening for explosive guitar soloing. Strong. Guitar instrumental, Twang A Doodle Boom Boom has a fast paces boogie beat. Lewis shows he really can do some nice picking as well. Low slung shuffle, Baby Rocks The Boat has a great lope and ventures into Texas and that SRV feel. Lewis again solos on the guitar but baits you more than rips it with great tasteful lines. Wrapping the release is Jesus I Love The Way you Love, a simple, light ballad. With blended vocals by Lewis, Cole and Enyard and a compact radio style guitar solo, a cool closer.

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Misty Blues - None More Blue - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, None More Blue, from Misty Blue and it's a cool, dark blues interpretation. Opening with My One and Only, lead singer, Gina Coleman sets the pace with a tight band. With Seth Fleischmann on guitar, Bill Patriquin on bass, Benny Kohn on keys, Rob Tatten on drums and Aaron Dean on sax, this is a solid opener. With strong lead guitar over a rumbling bass and drum rhythm, and wailing sax by Dean, this track is super. With a funky, jazzy, rhythm, These Two Veils is a mover with a great bass line and trumpet accents by Patriquin and sassy lead guitar by Fleischmann. Dean is always there with soulful sax lines and Kohn's glistening keyboard work adds nicely to Coleman's vocal lead. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Change My Luck, which puts me in mind of Muddy Waters. Gritty vocals by Coleman and nicely executed harmonica riffs by Ed Moran over great tension provided by Kohn's organ gives this track real traction. Blues rocker, Ready To Play, has a firm drum stick by Diego Mongue and again with Moran contributing nicely on harp, sets a solid stage for Coleman's vocal lead. Kohn drives the organ up and Patriquin's trumpet and Dean's sax work nicely ice the track. Step Right Up has a different type of hook that would seem to work well for radio with it's bouncy beat and fluid melody line, cool bass lines by Mongue, and interwoven sax by Dean and guitar soloing by Fleischmann. Down home country blues styling on Days Gone By features Coleman on cigar box guitar and vocal, with only minimal backing on guitar and percussion. Light and fun. Wrapping the release is Nothing to Lose with Dan Eskop on bass, Mongue on drums, Richard Boulger on trumpet Wendy Lipp on vocal, Rob Tatten, Moran, Kohn and Patriquin on backing vocal and  fat horn work by Tatten on trombone, Patriquin on trumpet and Dean on sax. Very cool closer for a solid release. 

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L&R Records artist: Eddie Kold / Band - Chicago Alley Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity top review the most recent release, Chicago Alley Blues, from Eddie Kold / Band featuring Larry Doc Watkins. The release opens with Telephone Man, a driving rocker, with Watkins on lead vocal and Eddie Kold on guitar, backed by  Benjamin Garcia on bass, Christian Wubben on drums, and Lukas Diehl on keys. Blues Man has a cool low slung feel and features Bernard Allison on lead guitar. Shuffle blues, Before You Accuse Me, features Omar Coleman on harmonica and Tom Holland on guitar and a solid rendition of Bo Diddley's classic blues track. Original track, Just A Dream, has a great bluesy feel and excellent vocal/guitar, call and response. Charlie Love guests on Gimme Back My Money, contributing vocal and harmonica. His distinctive vocal style is super and Kold rocks out nicely on guitar with classic blues riffs. Wrapping the release is Suicidal Blues, a slower blues track with soulful vocals by Watkins and cool piano backing by Millie Meckbach and warm organ work by Diehl. Kold does a nice job of working his guitar through strong blues phrasing. Solid closer. 

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Farm 189 Records artist: Trevor B. Power - What Is Real - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Is Real, from Trevor B. Power and it's a cool blend of blues, folk, rock and country. Opening with World Gone Madd, an upbeat blues rocker, Power on guitar vocal and guitar leads the way, backed by Anthony Krizan on drums, bass and guitar, Danielle Illario and Matt Migliorino on background vocal, John Ginty on B3 and Will Wilde on harmonica. Solid ballad, I'm Still In, has a strong melody and lead vocal by Power and with warm organ and tasty guitar accompaniment looking like the best radio track on the release. Easier Way has a conventional blues shuffle framework and cool slide work and harmonica accents by Power. Life Is Good is a straight up rocker with a forward drum beat and Chuck Berry bones. Rob Clores' addition of piano on this track really balances nicely with the lead guitar work by Power. Another ballad, I'm A Fool, has a quiet tempo and the feel of a gritty country western track with added steel guitar by Krizan and smooth backing vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is This Old Road a folky pop track with jangling acoustic guitars and a warm melody. This is a nice track and a solid closer. 

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Amaury Faivre - 2020 - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 2020, from Amaury Faivre and it's a smooth, bluesy release. Opening with Amuse-Bouche, Faivre shows his well honed harmonica prowess on harmonica and a blues style train riff. Solid ballad, Sister, has a nicely composed melody with arpeggiated  acoustic guitar and warm, harmony played on harmonica under the soulful vocals of Faivre. Rag style blues track, Kinda Girl, blends contemporary styling and rag finger picking for a clean little track. Faivre's vocals and harmonica work nicely to hit radio waves. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Even More, with it's dark overtones and isolated lead vocal. Faivre's guitar attack works really nicely with his harmonica wailing creating musical tension. Very nice. Another radio prominent track, Best Thing For You, has a strong melody and straightforward guitar accompaniment with cool slide under Faivre's vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a quiet instrumental track, Watch Her Sleep, with a very nice melody. With only Faivre on harmonica and acoustic guitar, this is a solid closer. 

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Aris Paul Band - Ghosts - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ghosts, from Aris Paul Band and it's a cool country blues rocker. Opening with Astray, a modern, country fuser blues rocker, Aris Paul on vocal and guitar is upfront with Aaron Wagner on drums, Matt Scott on bass and Keith Quinn on organ. With it's driving rock rhythm and slide guitar riffs, this is a solid opener. Title track, Ghosts, has a memorable radio format melody and features The Soulville Horns (Phil Brontz on sax, Steve Graham on trombone and George Arner on trumpet). Paul stretches a bit on guitar giving this track a nice kick but it's really about the melody on this track. Bluesy ballad, All Night Long has a lot of appeal with heavy organ and nicely overdriven guitar solos complimenting soulful vocals by Paul. Little White Screen is my selection for best track with it's high energy pace, gritty guitar lead and solid vocals. Wrapping the release is Rust, is a straight up rocker with cool vocal by paul Wagner, and Quinn and with Paul showing his best rock guitar grit. Scott gets in a nice bass solo and Wagner is strong on drums but it's the whole that makes this band click. Very cool closer. This is a solid band from my original hometown and glad to see the Burg with a cool, contemporary rock band. 

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Roots Arts Records artist: Andres Roots - Tartu Lockdown - The House Arrest EP's - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, Tartu Lockdown - The House Arrest EP's, from Andres Roots and it's a cool batch of instrumental blues tracks. Starting with a session recorded in March of 2020 Roots on 6 string cigar box guitar cranks out Lindberg Boogie, a quick paced slide blues. Roots has a sure hand and using his thumb as the drone note slides frantically end to end on the fretboard. Cool opener. Soup City Blues #3 is a bit more somber eventually picking up a traditional 12 bar feel. The second set on the release was recorded in April of 2020 and opens with Hello Neighbor #1. Bridging multiple strings on his slide and using that drone thumb, this is a really cool track. 

Springtime Blues is a light blues track with a catchy melody. With it's simple phrasing and boogie rhythm, it's one of my release favorites. An interesting mixture of blues and jazz, For Future Reference, shows a different type of phrasing and single note, finger picked melody and with slide as a compliment on what sounds like a standard acoustic guitar. 

The third set, recorded in May of 2020, opens with One String Racket, a curious name for a track which sounds like it's recorded using some type of light weight metal stringed instrument. Very interesting. Lockdown Special has an "Eastern" twist on the slide work with it's wavering tonality and maintains a drone note but is considerably more finger picked than much of the rest of the release. Wrapping the release, is Extra Noodles, a track with a bit more rock influence, reminding me just a bit of early Jeff Beck but still on a non traditional instrument. Conventional blues styling and a solid rhythm make this an ideal closer for a pretty cool instrumental release. 

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Blonde On Blonde Direct artist: Dave Thomas - One More Mile - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One More Mile, by Dave Thomas, and it's a strong mix of R&B, Soul rock and blues. Opening with BB King's It's My Own Fault, Dave Thomas on lead guitar and vocal is on top of his game with really front man vocals that work all day and really soulful lead work that makes you sit back and listen. With Terry Popple on drums, Dylan Aplvor on bass, Tom Arnold on Hammond, Norman Tischler on sax and Jeff Hager on trumpet, this is a terrific opener. Funky high stepper, I Like My Chicken Fried, is soul fused with a lot of horns. Thomas works the groove and with the Hammond work by Arnold and Hager's trumpet accents...cool track. Easy shuffle, I Want The Blues shows another side of Thomas' vocal work, with added harmonica and lighter rural style picking. Kicking into rock mode, Tony McPhee's Eccentric Man has a definite early British blues rock feel with aggressive guitar and drum work. Wrapping the release is another McPhee track, Strange Town, with it's driving vamp and classic turnaround. Thomas is cutting a broad swath and laying it all out. Very cool. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Veronica Lewis - You Ain't Unlucky - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Ain't Unlucky, by Veronica Lewis, and it's a rocking, boogie woogie piano party. Opening with title track, You Ain't Unlucky, Lewis who is a strong vocalist and super piano player starts off the release with  New Orleans flavor. Backed by Mike Walsh on drums and Don Davis on sax, this is a strong opener. Cranking up the pace a few notches, Lewis is rocking the Clarksdale Sun. With the dexterity of a barrelhouse blues player and backed by Walsh and Davis, the house is rocking. Another cool, blueser, Fool Me Twice starts out slow but ramps up for a great piano romp. Shifting time signatures and paces throughout, this is a really cool track. Katie Webster's boogie, Whoo Whee Sweet Daddy is really juiced up and Lewis really drives it with accents by Joel Edinberg on sax. You want to hear rocking piano...this is it! No piano rocker release would be complete without some reference to Jerry Lee and Lewis does a real nice one on Ode to Jerry Lee, a straight up piano rocker. Very nice. Wrapping the release is The Memphis Train a train bottomed piano boogie. With Chris Anzalone on drums and Lewis on piano and vocal, this is a cool closer for a strong release. 

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Ruf Records artist: Ally Venable - Heart Of Fire - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heart of Fire, from Ally Venable and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Heart of Fire, Venable is upfront with this Hendrix/Trower flavored radio track. Backed by Elijah Owings on drums, Bobby Wallace on bass and Pat Fusco on keys, Venable's vocals are solid and her riffs undeniable. With a bit of finger picking and acoustic slide, Played the Game still has a pop feel but with a bit more bluesy edge. Bobby Wallace adds keys and Venable's own acoustic slide work gives it a nice feel. Heavy blues rocker, Bring On The Pain, features Kenny Wayne Shepherd and he plays stinging riffs that propel this track under the vocal harmony of Venable. This track has a real nice edge and with the heavier rhythm work, one of the best on the release. Bill Withers' ultra funky track, Use Me, is up next with Owlings, Wallace and Venable creating a great rhythm under Venable's vocals. Very nice. A play on Stevie Ray Vaughan's Rivera Paradise, Tribute to SRV, is really nice and a strong exhibit of Venable's solid chops and fine hand at guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is rocker, What Do You Want From Me, with it's Jimi influenced guitar riffs and Sleater Kinney like harmony vocals. Solid rocker ending for a solid blues rockin release. 

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Shakin' Woods - The Blues Groove Sessions #1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Groove Sessions #1 from Shakin' Woods and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Like A Superman, singer/guitarist Rich Russman shows the way on this soulful radio rocker. With its strong melody and melodic, Mesa Boogie, guitar work, Latin influenced rhythm by George Belton on bass, Paul Dudley on drums, Austin Day on keys, it's a certain to get some airplay. Bluesy, The Place To Be has a great back beat and sets you deep in one of those grooves. Very nice. Another track with a funky beat is Cayman Review with a fun vocal interplay, funky organ by Day and bongo/tom tom playing by Dudley that really hits the spot. Wrapping the release is Still Alive, a heavy weight blues rocker that really gives Russman the opportunity to show his chops and he's not holding back. The band is hot and heavy on this super closer for a solid release. 

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Steve Hill - Desert Trip - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Desert Trip, from Steve Hill, and it's an interesting blend of folk, rock and blues. Opening with Evening Star, a chant like blues track with a thumping drum beat and fleet fingered acoustic guitar work is a strong opener for one of Canada's most prolific guitar players. Rain is a real cool track with super vocals, a progressive melody and solid guitar accompaniment. Cold Hearts reminds me quite a bit of a Frank Black composition (Pixies) with it's solid melody, strong pace and tight package. Very nice. Another strong composition is I Won't, a simple acoustic and vocal ballad. Hill has a great way of blending a cool tune with interesting rhythm and just the right amount of finger work. Very nice. With it's firm foot stomp driving rhythm and guitar driven melody, Hill does some of his best vocal work on Make Believe. The track shows how simple guitar execution can be so tasty. Judgement Day has a cool blues/western sound with some of the components of an old western theme. I love the lower neck amplified guitar work as well as the built up dynamics under the blues/rock guitar soloing on this track. Excellent. Wrapping the release is super instrumental, Tail Lights, with Hill dancing nicely across the electric strings creating one really nice closer for a solid set of music. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Early Times & the High Rollers - The Corner - New Release Review

 I just has the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Corner, from Early Times & the High Rollers and it's a cool rocker. Opening with easy shuffle, Come On, Let's Ride, Early Times on vocal and guitar is upfront with Joshua Keith on drums, Dan Schnapp on keys and Hardan Long on bass. On The Corner maintains a lighter radio feel but with bluesy guitar riffs by Times and a solid drum bottom by Keith. Sixties style rocker, Do What She Do keeps it simple with a solid melody and simple beat. A strong radio track and a cool track. Bluesy, She's About To Lose Her Mind, grinds into a lumbering groove with nice piano and organ work by Schnapp under some of Times' best vocal work and some real tasty guitar riffs by Popa Chubby making this one of my favorites on the release. Instrumental, Rosie's Herbs 'n Ting is a light, jazzy rocker with a hint of Latin spice giving Times a nice chance to step out on guitar over the tight percussive rhythms of Jay Messina. Very nice. Acoustic ballad, Someone Help Mary is a nicely crafted track with solid vocals and minimal instrumental as needed along the lines of Neil Diamond. Wrapping the release is high energy rocker, Return of the Queen, with driving guitar and relentless drumming. It is actually a real cool track with vocal phrasing like Dylan and a blazing guitar solo by Times. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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WildRoots Records artists: The WildRoots - WildRoots Sessions Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, WildRoots Sessions Volume 1, from The WildRoots and it really cool. Opening with Eddie Floyd's classic, 634-5789, Stephen Dees on bass, Victor Wainwright on piano and lead vocal and Patricia Ann Dees on lead vocal and sax, joined by John Oates on rhythm guitar, Eddie Zyne on drums, Todd Sharp on lead guitar, David Kent on piano, and Beth McKee on backing vocal this is a soulful opener. Move Along Part 1 is a super jam with tight percussion and horns. With Patricia on lead vocal, Greg Gumpel on guitar, Gerard Guida on Hammond Robert Caban on percussion, and Billy Dean on drums this is a hot track. Charlie DeChant lays in a really nice tenor sax solo soulful ballad, Our Last Goodbye featuring John Oates on lead vocal. Very nice. Venturing into spiritual music, Cradled In The Bosom of Jerusalem, has deep gospel styling with rich vocal work by Wainwright, Particia, Beth McKee, drums by Alberto Cruz and acoustic slide by Pat Harrington. Robert "Top" Thomas has the mic on King Snake Crawl Revisited adding guitar and backed by Stephen Kampa on harmonica.  Funky, Move Along Part 2, features DeChant on lead sax, with Guida on organ, Gumpel on guitar and Dean on drums. In A Sad Room is my choice for top radio track with a catchy melody and smooth vocal lead by Chris Merrell. Bryan Bassett on lead guitar, Scott Corwin on drums, Top Thomas on guitar and Lucky Peterson on Hammond round out the mix. Wrapping the release is another soulful ballad, I'm Yours, featuring Wainwright on lead vocal and piano. Charlie DeChant shines balances nicely on sax making this a solid track to close. 

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