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

Monday, January 24, 2022

GoldenVOice Audio Recordings artist: BIGLLOU Johnson - Bigman - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bigman, from BIGLLOU Johnson and it a solid R&B / blues set. Opening with Lightnin' Strike, an up tempo blues strut, BIGLLOU stylistically speaks the story, backed by Mark Early on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, Bill Overton on clarinet and Dwight Dukes, Terrence Grayson, Ellison Hall, Amanda Joyce, keith Sweat Monique Whittington and Monico Whittington on backing vocals. With a rumbling bass and crisp harmonica wailing by Russ Green, Chill On Cold has a great bluesy feel. Shucky Ducky (Quack Quack) has a tight Latin rhythm courtesy Ricky Nelson on drums and Kalyan Pathak on percussion and the addition of Anthony Dopsie on accordion adds a special texture. BIGLLOU had a terrific, deep voice and that timbre really comes through on this track. I Got The Fever is my favorite track on the release with it's slow, thick oozing blues. BIGLLOU really grinds out the deep vocal like nobody can and with nice piano and solid backing vocals. Wrapping the release is funky, Beezthatwaysometimes, with it's understated bass line and a tight exchange between the horn section, the backing vocals and a smoking drum rhythm, and just the right amount of organ. This is a terrific closer for a real nice 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, January 21, 2022

Brandon Tesky - Screaming Into the Void - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Screaming Into The Void, by Brandon Tesky and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with title track, Screaming Into The Void, band leader and guitarist lays down a cool rock blues rock riff backed by Chris Tex on drums and Jon Nadel on bass. Establishing this solid instrumental, Tesky opens up with a cool onslaught of blues lead making this a solid opening jam. Blues progression, Vertigo on the heights of Desire is a cool, blues ballad with Tesky again at the lead on melodic guitar lead, backed by Will Kyriazis on keys and Tex on drums. With it's beautiful melody, this is a very cool track. King shuffle, Side Tracked, has a distinctive Freddie King vibe showing Tesky's blues knowledge and solid dexterity. Dance of the Fiddler's Bitch is a cool blues rocker blending SRV style swagger with more contemporary guitar riffs, Changing keys as Tesky rolls from phrase to phrase, I can definitely see Frank Marino influences. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Latin influenced, Equinox featuring Danny Markovitch on sax. The walking bass line by Nadel provides a real nice contrast with jazz runs by Tesky making this one on my favorites on the release and a 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

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Floating Records artist: The Country Well - Drink More - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Drink More, from The Country Well and it's an interesting change of pace.    Opening with light country influenced, Gifted Spirit, featuring Graham Guest on vocal and guitar, and Bob Hemenger on sax. Cool opener. Another country pop track (think JJ Cale) with an interesting weave is Wigwam. Guest again leads the way on guitar and lead vocal, backed by Lyle Evans on bass, and Josh Kelly on drums. With a Bootsy Collins like bass bottom by Evans, and a firm cowbell by Kelly, Big Country Love is a cool groove. Michael Batdorf has the lead on vocal and Adam Rossi on keyboards really dig in. one of my favorite tracks on the release is ballad, Drinkin' and Smokin' featuring michela French on lead vocal and a nice sax solo by Hemenger. Wrapping the release is title track, Drink More, a cool, bluegrass track featuring Michela French on lead vocal. With Guest on guitar, Mark Karan on guitar, Don Zimmer on guitar, and Bill Panks on violin, a strong 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

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Mukthiland Records artist: Fred Hostetler - Fortuna Redux - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fortuna Redux, from Fred Hostetler and it's a cool slide of the blues. Fortuna Redux was a form of the goddess Fortuna in the Roman Empire who oversaw a return, as from a long or perilous journey. Opening with Taming The Wolf 2, Hostetler uses a modified Hill Country construction style with a droning guitar/bass tone driving the track with overlayed electric guitar riffs and a tight drum beat, and Howling Wolf like howls. Actually very cool. Solid melodic construction on Rain On My Window Pane 2 anchors an acoustic blues and vocals with electric slide guitar wailing in overlays and fine vocals by Hostetler. Very nice. Haunting ballad, Lady Luck Fortuna Redux is another solid composition with a strong melody. This track is distressed yet very likable with a nice mix of slide guitar and organ. Wrapping the release is driving blues rocker, I'm A New Man, which is so lively that it sounds celebratory. Good 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, January 18, 2022

Liberation Hall artist: Scott Ellison - There's Something About the Night - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, There's Something About the Night, by Scott Ellison and it's packed full of blues and a lot of fun. Opening with loping boogie, Half A Bottle Down, Ellison shows great guitar swagger and solid vocals. Backed by Rick Robbins on rhythm guitar, Lou Castro on bass, Robbie Armstrong on drums and Jon Greathouse on keys, this is a solid opener. On Bobby Blue Bland's Ain't No Love, Ellison shows great soul on vocal and lays down some stinging guitar riffs, backed by Ginger Blake, Maxine Waters, Julia Waters and Oren Waters on vocals. Very cool. Swinging shuffle, Bury Your Bone At Home is a strong front runner for popular track with it's clever lyrics and excellent overall feel. Another loping Texas style boogie, Meat and Potatoes gives Ellison a nice opportunity to lay down some cool slide work, joined by David Bernston on harmonica. Slow, TBW style, Good Year For the Blues, is my favorite on the release with it's strong vocals and some of Ellison's hottest, ripping guitar work on the release. With tight R&B rhythm, Chains of Love is another standout track with just that right groove, smoky guitar accents and terrific backing vocals by Ginger, Maxine, Julia and Oren. Shuffle, Revolutionary Man, is another track with some solid slide work by Ellison and vocal work by Chris Campbell along with Ellison. Wrapping the release is funky, Where Do You Go When You Leave with it's James Brown, Boogaloo beat by Ron McRorey, piano by Walt Richman and sweet backing vocals by Ginger, Maxine, Julia and Oren. Solid closer for a real 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 


Thursday, January 13, 2022

Music Maker Foundation: Listener's Circle Volume 50 - Waiting For A Train - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Listener's Circle Vol. 50 Waiting For A Train, from Music Maker Foundation and it's very cool. Opening with Railroad Blues, J.W. Warren accompanies his own vocal on acoustic guitar. This is a very classic style blues performance and great opener. Another terrific performance from Carl Rutherford playing guitar and vocal on Shasta Daylight with it's Bluegrass styling gives the release another dimension. Very nice. Two Trains Runnin' is done to perfection by John Dee Holeman with his soulful vocals and just the right amount of echo on his electric guitar. Taj Mahal performs Spike Driver Blues in classic Mahal style with piedmont finger picking and story telling pace. Very nice. George Higgs on harmonica and vocal performs Ruby, totally unaccompanied. Excellent! Playing banjo along with his vocals, Samuel Turner Stevens lays down Railroading and Gambling. With it's jangle and symmetry, it adds real texture to this set. My favorite track on the release is surprise addition, Night Train To Glory by Pat Wilder with it's Steve Marriott / Humble Pie approach. Very cool. Contemporary blues track, Riding The Blues Train, features Delta Blues Hog on guitar and vocal. A really solid track with organ, bass and drums, the most orchestrated track on the release and another of my favorites. Wrapping the release is Captain Luke on Freight Train Boogie with his mouth harp. Cool closer for a real 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

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Ruf Records artist: Katie Henry - On My Way - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (January 28, 2022), One My Way, by Katie Henry and it's a cool helping of pop, rock and blues. Opening with title track, On My Way, Katie Henry on lead vocal, guitar and piano shows why her first release, High Road was nominated by Blues Blast and IBMA  and ended up on the 2021 Blues Caravan. With it's contemporary take on a delta riff, blended with a rock beat, this is a solid opener. Another track with a delta style riff, woven into a contemporary blues rocker is Bury You with Antar Goodwin on bass, Ben Rice on guitar, Kurt Thum on piano and organ, and Greg Wieczorek on drums. Rocker, Got Me Good has a driving beat and radio styling with vocals along the lines of Stevie Nicks without Nicks' signature warble. With warm organ backing by Thum, the definite pick for top pop track. Harmonica ace, Giles Robson sits in on Too Long, a bottom heavy blues rocker. His melodic lead along with Henry's vocal lead, woven with Thum's organ and Henry and Rice on guitar gives the track a balanced feel. Wrapping the release is western flavored, Catch Me If You Can with a great melody and nice slide work by Goodwin, over a piano and organ base and tight drumming by Wieczorek. Solid closer for Henry's second entry. 


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, January 11, 2022

The Old No. 5's: Moment To Lose - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Moment To Lose, by The Old No.5's and it's a contemporary rocker. Opening with We're Here, a smooth instrumental with a slide guitar melody by Brock Alexander with minimal support by Adam Walker, this release is off to a cool start that serves as an intro to explosive, Same Old You. Continuing with slide, rhythm and vocal by Brock , Olie Bowden on bass and vocal, Adam Watson on percussion and vocal, Taylor Smith on guitar, Howard Mahan on guitars and TJ Erhardt, cool pair. Driving rocker, Rock and Roll has terrific energy and a cool guitar riff under solid vocals. This track has a lot of guitar bot upfront and understated. Nice job. Shuffle track, Purdy, has the attributes of a radio track, paired with dual lead guitars ringing back to southern rock roots. Easy, melodic lead guitar work by Alexander, Smith and Mahan gives the track a nice contrast between the smoothness of the melody and interwoven guitar soloing. Wrapping the release is acoustic ballad, What Does That Prove, with Alexander on lead vocal and guitar with Erhardt on keys. A solid closer for a contemporary rock 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, January 10, 2022

Outside The Box - Mike Nagoda - New Release - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (January 14, 2022) Outside the Box, from Mike Nagoda and it's an interesting blues rocker. Toronto based, Nagoda, was born with Cerebal Palsy and identifies as a queer, disabled blues and roots musician. Having a difficult time mastering guitar in a conventional fasion, Nagoda approached Toronto bluesman Brian Cober who developed the art of double slide where a slide is worn on two separate fingers creating an unusual effect. Opening with shuffle track, He's My Man, Nagoda wastes no time in displaying his sexuality, which was quite common with early blues although primarily heterosexual in nature. Joined by Liam Ward on harmonica, Nagoda showcases his double slide techniques. Pretty cool. With a slinky, kinda funky bottom, courtesy of D'Arcy Cain on bass, Jeremy Ronson on drums, Here To Stay has a rocky feel with Nagoda on guitar, vocal and Hammond. Slow, 8 bar track, Busker's Blues, features a nice guitar solo by Michael Keith, a solid piano solo by Anthony D'Allessandro, and some real nice harmonica by Liam Ward. O, Maximus is an interesting blues rocker with an adventurous instrumental extension featuring nice solos by Nagoda and Ward. Very nice. I think my favorite track on the release is "Pixies like" title track, Outside the Box, with it's alternating time signatures, vocal attack and rowdy guitar work by Frank Cosentino, Nelson Sobrel and Nagoda. Latin influenced, Conquistador, features cool percussion work by Chris Birkett with Ronson, Rex Ruber on alto sax, D'Allessandro on piano and a hot guitar solos by Robb Cappelletto and Nagoda. Wrapping the release is We Got A Party (Further On Up The Road), a loose blues rocking jam. D'Allesandro lays in another nice piano solo and Nagoda rips another solo of his own making this a solid closer for the 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, January 7, 2022

Grant Dermody & Frank Fotusky - Digging in John's Backyard - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (January 14, 2022), Digging In John's Backyard, by Grant Dermody & Frank Fotusky and it's a solid acoustic blues release focused around the work of mutual friend, John Jackson. Opening with Blind Blake's Hey Hey Daddy Blues, Fotusky takes the lead on guitar and vocal. This is a springy, Piedmont style track with a solid harmonica solo by Dermody and continued super picking by Fotusky. Another Blind Blake track, Police Dog Blues has Dermody on lead vocal and guitar with some really nice stylistic harmonica riffs. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slower paced, You Better Lie Down with focused vocals and wailing harmonica by Dermody and tasty blues riffs by Fotusky. Rev Gary Davis' classic, Death Don't Have No Mercy is another of my favorites on the release featuring Fotusky on lead vocal and guitar. I've always loved this track and with understated harmonica  throughout and a rich solo by Dermody as well as some nicely picked lead harmony by Fotusky, this track hits it square. Wrapping the release is Alberta with some of Dermody's best vocals on the release and sweet harmonica lead to boot. 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

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Another Planet Music LTD. artist: Mississippi MacDonald - Do Right, Say Right - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Do Right, Say Right, from Mississippi MacDonald and  I really like it. Opening with easy shuffle, I Was Wrong, Mississippi MacDonald is firing on all cylinders with a great soulful voice and fat, BB King like guitar phrasing, joined by Phil Dearing on keys, Elliot Boughen on bass and Mark Johnson-Brown on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, It Can't Hurt Me with it's Albert King influenced guitar riffs and MacDonalds solid vocals. Organ and horn accents throughout buy Dearing really punch up the track and aggressive bass lead by Boughen adds real bottom. Check out the tasty guitar lead on Drinker's Blues. MacDonals's fat bends and double stop accents really sets this track with strong backing vocals by Lucy Dearing. Slow Blues, If You Want A Good Cup Of Coffee is another of my favorite tracks on the release. MacDonald has a really solid voice, no taking away from that but when he knuckles down on guitar, he can really play. His trem bends and phrasing are really juicy and pinched harmonics accent nicely over the keyboard bed set by Dearing. Excellent! Keep Your Hands Out Of My Pocket is a particularly hot track with MacDonald showing that his influences are broad. With hints of T-Bone Walker, BB King, Albert King, and SRV to name only a few, MacDonald has you sitting back just riding the wave. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Your Wife Is Cheating On Us, a clever shuffle with traditional BB King formatting. With "horn" punch and keyboard backing, MacDonald uses this track as his vocal showcase and it's bound to be a crowd pleaser. His guitar riffs are stinging and his sensitivity it spot on. This is a really strong track to close a really 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

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

AC Myles - Transitory - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Transitory, from AC Myles and it's a steady set of rock tracks. Opening with Upstairs, That Was Her, AC Myles on lead vocal and guitar leads the way on what could easily be a television shown theme song with rock guitar riffs and joined by Phil Santellan on bass and Brian Bischel on drums. With a funky beat, Other Side is a cool rocker with solid vocals and some of my favorite guitar work on the release. 3 Ways is a straight up rocker with a solid beat and well blended vocals. Country flavored, Sonder City is a flavorful instrumental with clean drum work and dual guitar pairing for call and response. Wrapping the release is trance rocker, Dirty Dark, with a an electronic like bottom and subtle guitar work as melody and embellishments. This release is a mixed bag of music with a little of something for everyone.  


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, January 4, 2022

Forty Below Records artist: Sugaray Rayford - In Too Deep - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In Too Deep, from Sugaray Rayford and it's chocked full of R&B style blues. Opening with funky, Invisible Soldier, Sugaray Rayford is upfront with his powerful voice, backed by Rick Holmstrom on guitar, Drake Hunkikaid Shining on keys, Taras Prodaniuk on bass, Matt Tecu on drums and a powerful horn section consisting of Aaron Liddard on trumpet and Tom White on trombone. I really like the slinky bass line on No Limit To My Love  blended with the subtle guitar lead of Eamon Ryland and vocal backing by Gia Ciambotti and Eric Corne. Very nice. Please Take My Hand is a really warm vocal track with sonic roots in field hollers or work songs. Nicely paired vocal backing by Rayford and Corne sets the lead vocal off nicely. My favorite track for radio play is One with it's smooth bottom and rich vocal. I like Prodaniuk's bass line on this one and the violin and cello work of Eric Gorfain and Richard Dodd. Wrapping the release is Booker T style United We Stand, with it's funky bottom and high stepping beat. Steve Cropper like guitar riffs from Holmstrom and punchy horns from Finch and White make this a 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

Monday, January 3, 2022

Virginia and The Slims - Busman's Holiday - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Busman's Holiday, from Virginia and The Slims and it's a collection of contemporary blues and jazz pop tracks. Opening with easy shuffle, Let It Go, Joanna Best leads the way on lead vocals with James Kamp on sax, John Davis on bass, John Barrett on drums and with some slick guitar riffs from Howie Neal. Traditional blues shuffle, Sugar Baby, again lead by Best, has a really really cool lead guitar / rim shot exchange between Neal and Barrett giving this track a solid excursion. My favorite track on the release is Latin flavored, The Way I Walk with a terrific rhythm by Barrett and shimmery guitar chords and clean lead by Neal and some of Best's showcased vocals on the release and a solid sax solo by Kamp. Wrapping the release is Shine, another Latin flavored tracks with Hank Bones joining Best on vocal. This is a full release of pop intense tunes with a commercial flavor. 


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, December 30, 2021

Jon Spear Band - B-Side Of My Life - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, B-Side Of My Life, by Jon Spear Band and it's a solid rocker with pop tunes and Blues roots. Opening with funky, Big Talk with it's juicy bass line by Andy Burdetsky, the opener features Jon Spear on guitar, Dara James with beefy lead vocal and rhythm guitar and John Stubblefield on drums. Excellent! Title track, B-Side Of My Life is a cool rock n roller with Spear on lead vocal and guitar, James on harmonica and some really flashy piano work by Skip Haga. Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon is framed by a strong bass line by Burdetsky and tom toms by Stubblefield with really nice vocal and guitar lead by James. Very nice. Blues ballad, Darker Side features soulful vocal lead and guitar soloing by James, with a firm bass foundation making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is swing track, Time For The Blues, with shared lead vocal by Spear and James and a cool walking bass line by Burdetsky. This is a cool release with a lot of flavor. 


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, December 29, 2021

Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns - Self Titled - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release by Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns and I really like it! Opening with Temperanceville with it's cool New Orleans march rhythm anchored by N. Jay Burr on tuba and Jim Casson on drums, Mike Branton on slide guitar and Wayne Deadder on guitars exchange leads on this making this a terrific opener. Funky, Marshville Station, again has an incredible groove set by Casson and Russ Boswell on bass and with the addition of Brent Barkman on organ and Bernie LeBarge adding solid lead guitar lines over the top, this is a great track. Deadder Branton and Burr are back on The Right Road to Boyle has terrific, easy flowing slide over a solid New Orleans beat. White Pigeon gives Deadder a solid opening to lay down some real nice jazz style riffs and Branton's slide work, doubled with Burrs tuba sets a funk rocky Southern feel. Wrapping the release is The Dream of Chantler with eerie slide work by Branton balanced with the harmonica work of Al Lerman over the keys and sampling of Casson. This is an unusual release and one that you should really check out.  


( What if Dark Orchard (Jim Casson’s experimental music project) and “The Blues” got together in New Orleans and watched Twin Peaks with Daniel Lanois? This is the question that inspired “Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns”. The story – During the COVID19 lockdown, musicians were trying to find ways to keep busy. Drummer Jim Casson was asked to record some backing tracks in his home studio "The Cherry Pit" for his friend, guitarist Steve Grisbrook with bassist Russ Boswell. After recording a few cover songs for Steve, Jim approached Russ to see if he wanted to try to write something original. Russ was game so Jim improvised a drum take while thinking with song form in his head, but with no firm idea of a song, just a funky New Orleans vibe. Jim sent this track to Russ who then added a bass line with chord changes to Jim’s track. They decided that the right person to add a guitar part was their old band mate Bernie LaBarge. Brent Barkman was then asked to contribute an organ part and the song “Marshville Station” was born. Excited at the success of this first experiment, Jim decided to try another one, but this time the same magic was not repeated and the project was shelved. Meanwhile, tuba player Jay Burr was working on a singer songwriter album and had asked Jim to contribute drum parts. Jim decided to ask Jay if he would try to add a tuba part to the shelved project. Jay agreed and it was magic again. They continued to collaborate on several more songs using the same formula of improvised drum takes and then adding form with the tuba. Jim decided that the complimentary instrumentation for this project would be guitar (Wayne Deadder) and slide guitar (Mike Branton). With their additions, the project had a solid foundation. Other contributors to become “Green Lanterns” were Steve Marriner (harmonica), Al Lerman (harmonica), and Stephen Miller (dobro). Jim felt that this album should in some way pay tribute to his home, The Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. “Davis Hall” was the name of the community centre in his hometown where he attended nursery school and “The Green Lantern” was the soda shop in town when he was a kid. All of the song titles are names or former names of villages in the Niagara Peninsula. The “Dark Orchard” element is the addition of samples, loops and spoken word elements into the songs. Everything came together when Jim discovered a recording from 1963 of local disc jockey Bob Bowland from CHOW radio in Welland, the station that was most played in his home while growing up).


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, December 28, 2021

Pro Sho Bidness artist: Lowell Fulson Live! with Jeff Dale & The Blue Wave Band - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lowell Fulson Live!, from Jeff Dale & The Blue Wave Band and it's really strong. This release comes about for Fulson's 100th birthday and is well worth waiting for. Opening with instrumental, Do You Feel It, the band is really kicking up the funk with Fulson, Lightnin' Dan Sonenfeld and Jeff Dale on guitars, Phil Munsey on drums, Pete Zilchak on alto sax, Steve Primo on tenor sax, Marshall Crayton on tenor sax and Ron Maldonado on bass. On Shuffle, You're Gonna Miss Me, Fulson is upfront on lead vocal and guitar. The recording quality really isn't bad for a live recording from 1983. On, Too Many Drivers, Fulson again has the lead vocal and guitar and Marshall Crayton, PeeWee Crayton's grandson lays in some vicious sax work. Slow blues, Blue Shadows has a really nice feel with solid vocals by Fulson. Funky, Stoop Down Baby has a great sound with solid bass work by Maldonado and sax soloing by Crayton. My favorite track on the release is Blues Pain, featuring Fulson on lead guitar and vocal. With warm sax backing, Fulson's vocals are perfect and his guitar work expressive. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Going To Chicago Blues, a really solid shuffle with Fulson on lead vocal and guitar. With sax backing and a firm rhythm, Crayton belts out a sax solo closing this cool recordings of Fulson and his legacy. 


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