VizzTone Label Group artist Bob Corritore & Friends - Down Home Blues Review - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down Home Blues Review, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's a heaping load of Chicago blues. Opening with Rooster Blues, Robert "Bilbo" Walker is upfront on lead vocal and guitar with Bob Corritore on harmonica and really has the place jumping. Joined by Johnny Rapp on guitar, Paul Thomas on bass Chico Chism on drums this is an excellent opener. Tomcat Courtney has center stage to himself on Clara Mae. With an electrifying voice and great guitar backing and solid backing by Corritore and Chris James, this is another favorite. Henry Townsend has the spotlight on piano and lead vocal on Nothing But Blues, backed by Rapp and Corritore. Nicely balanced, this is a great piano track showcasing Townsend. One of my favorite old school blues men is Dave Honeyboy Edwards and it's a pleasure to hear Take A Little Walk With Me featuring Honeyboy on vocal and guitar, backed by Corritore and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Strong. Slower blues, My Money Run Out, is super with great vocals by Al Garrett who also plays guitar, backed by Rapp, Thomas, Chism and of course nice harmonica by Corritore. Dave Riley has the mic on Home In Chicago with strong vocal lead and fluid runs, complimented nicely by Corritore on harmonica, backed by Yahni Riley on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Wrapping the release is  J.L. Williamson track, Bluebird Blues featuring Big Jack Johnson on lead vocal and guitar. This track is really a great closer with Johnson showing his guitar chops, Corritore getting a nice chance to stretch and with Rapp, Thomas and Chism rounding out the band. This most recent release from Corritore's archives may be my favorite with some really electrifying jams. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Big Al and the Heavyweights - Love One Another - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love One Another, from Big Al and the Heavyweights and it's a energetic blues rocker. Opening with title track, Love One Another, is a cool track with roots in canned heat and the Allman Brothers band. With  Wayne Lohr on vocal and keys, Marcel Anton on guitar and vocal, Mark Parsons on bass, Big Al Lauro on drums and featuring Luther Dickinson on guitar and Jason Ricci on harmonica, this is super opener. Wild Tchoupitoulas has a cool bass line and the vocal lead and backing is strong. Lohr's piano solo adds a nice a strong Louisiana spice. Soulful ballad, Guardian Angel has a solid melody and with Anton on lead vocal and lead guitar, really showing how much soul this band can conjure. Very nice. Cool blues rocker, What Can I Say has a real nice feel with a heavy bottom thanks to Big Al and Pasons and with cool harmonica work by Jason Ricci and low fret guitar soloing by Anton, this is one of my favorites on the release. Another strong track on the release is deep blues rocker, Underground with gangly slide work, mic distorted vocals and as simple yet effective bottom as I could imagine. This track could be right out of a juke joint on the Hill Country so it automatically gets my attention. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Zydeco flavored Zydeco Love. With a firm bass line and active percussion by Tom Larson, Anton leads the way on vocals and with the addition of Gina Forsyth on fiddle, this is a fun closer. 

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True Groove Records artist: Regina Bonelli - Truth Hurts - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Truth Hurts, from Regina Bonelli and it's a funky blues rocker. Opening with title track, Truth Hurts, Bonelli on lead vocal and keyboards really has the band humping with Tomas Doncker on guitars, Mark Henry on sax, Kevin Jenkins on bass, James Dellatacoma on guitars, Nick Rolfe on organ and piano and Leroy Thompson on drums. Bonelli resurrects a great Gregg Allman track, Cross To Bear, that was a real workhorse for the original ABB with Duane Allman. Her vocals are heartfelt and Michael 'Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton's blues guitar riffs are smoking. Very nice. Ballad, Baby Don't Hurt Me is a strong original really showcasing Bonelli's soulful delivery, caressed in warm organ backing. Darondo's R&B favorite, Didn't I really works well with this set with it's funky underpinnings, groovy bass line by Jenkins and creamy vocals by Bonelli. Willie Dixon's Killing Floor got a great R&B redo with powerful horns supporting Bonelli letting it all hang out on vocal over a great bass line by Jenkins and a slick guitar solo by Doncker. Really cool. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, I Got To Go with it's high stepping feel. Tight drum work by Thompson and solid accent guitar work by Dellatacoma and Doncker gives the track just the right grit for this power closer.

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Karney - Gonna Be Beautiful - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gonna Be Beautiful, from Bay Area songwriter Anna Karney and it's interesting. Blending folk, rock and pop, Karney opens with title track, Gonna Be Beautiful, with it's indie guitar rhythm and solid vocal lead. Backed by Kevin White on bass, Jim Bogios on drums,and James DePrato on some pretty tasty slide guitar, this is the best track on the release.  Breaking back to full acoustic, Trust is Anna Karney and her acoustic guitar. A solid melody and voice, Karney is showing her wares nicely. Wrapping the release is Neil Young's Heart of Gold. With fuller instrumental backing including slide guitar, bass, drums and her own keyboard work, and with a slight adjustment to Young's original arrangement, Karney closes her latest endeavor. 

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Belly Up Records artist: The Sully Band - Let's Straighten It Out! - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let's Straighten It Out!, from The Sully Band, and it's solid R&B/soul. Opening with Dr John's When The Battle Is Over, this band is firing on all cylinders with Robert "Sully" Sullivan and Rebecca Jade on lead vocals. With an aggressive chugging rhythm and soulful vocals, backed by Jon Harford on guitar, James East on bass and backing vocal, Mark charles Hattersley on keys, Tres Hodgens on drums and backing vocals,  and Nacho Sobers on percussion, this is a great opener. I really like the band's take on Shuggie Otis' funky Ice Cold Daydream with some screaming guitar work by Harford and great horns by Tripp Sprague on sax, April Leslie on Bari sax, Tomoka Nomura on alto sax and Steve Dillard on trumpet. Excellent! Billy Preston's smash hit, Nothing From Nothing, maintains it's original arrangement but with the addition of some screaming guitar by Harford, Grant Benginger on banjo and some real nice sax work by Sprague, punched up by Leslie, Nomura and Dillard. Little Johnny Taylor's If You Love Me Like You Say, is really drum fueled thanks to Hodgens and with it's ultra funky beat, Anthony Cullins on guitar and tight horn work, this is another top track. Wrapping the release is Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher highlighting Sully's vocals and the warm backing vocals of East, Hodgens and Jade. This is a really enjoyable release with a lot of solid soul.

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NOLA Blues Records artists: The Love Light Orchestra - Leave The Light On - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Leave The light On, from The Love Light Orchestra and it's quite good. Opening with soul track, Time Is fading Fast, front man, John Nemeth on lead vocal sounds great. With it's Memphis sound, dominated by horns by Marc Franklin and Scott Thompson on trumpet, Jason Yasinsky on trombone, Art Edmaiston on tenor sax and with some outrageous alto sax by Kirk Smothers and including Joe Restivo on guitar, Gerald Stephens on piano, Tim Goodwin on bass, and Earl Lowe on drums, this is a great opener. Blues shuffle, Come On Moon has a really great feel with excellent guitar work by Restivo and warm horn backing by Franklin, Yasinsky, Edmaiston, Smothers and Paul McKinney on trumpet. On Lowell Fulson's 3 O'Clock Blues, Restivo really steps out on one of my favorite tracks on the release. His paced guitar soloing, and of course the excellent vocals of Nemeth accented by Thompson and Franklin really push this track over the edge. Excellent! Nemeth's vocals on Tricklin' Down are really super with strong horn backing and really nice guitar again by Restivo making this another of my personal favorites. Wrapping the release is swing track, Follow The Queen with power brass and shining vocals by Nemeth. Edmaiston really wails on sax and the band pulls together for a power punch... big band style. This is a real nice release with a lot of horsepower. Excellent closer for a really strong release. 

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the Waterstreet Blues Band - Talkin About - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Talkin About, from the Waterstreet Blues Band, and it's a cool mix of blues, rock and rockabilly tracks. Opening with title track, Talkin About, Paul Sapounzi is up front on lead vocal and bass, joined by Rob Deyman on guitar, Silvia Dee on keys, Jonny Sauder on drums and Chris "Junior" Malleck on harp. A high energy rocker with a lot of radio appeal, this is a solid opener. Blues rocker, Miles Too Go features Dee on lead vocal and some real nice slide guitar by Deyman making this one of my favorites on the release. With a cool Latin/rock beat, Walked Away is a really cool track. Led by Dee on vocal and with some real nice guitar work by Deyman, cool harp work by Junior and snappy drum work by Sauder, this track rocks. Driving blues rocker, Don't Stop has a great beat and is a showcase for Dee on vocal with C Hynde attitude. Deyman cuts loos with some real nice guitar riffs but never breaks stride keeping the 60's beach like feel and Junior's harp work is a cool kick in the pants. Another cool track is Temptation with it's slower latin flair and the addition of Dee on accordion. Her vocals are really appealing and Deyman's guitar stylistically perfect. Breaking into a Klezmer like romp before returning to the smoky basis, this is a real nice track. Closing the release is Baby Be Strong, possibly the most radio oriented track on the release with a sweet melody and tight, familiar feel. This is a tight release with a lot of general appeal. 

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  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Cool Green Recordings artist: Hollis Brown - in the aftermath - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, in the aftermath, from Hollis Brown and I certainly can't argue with the strength of the release. Based directly on one of the Rolling Stones best releases with an exact title lineup and even a similar cover, this is a cool release. Opening with one of the best tracks of all time (and my personal ringtone) Paint it Black, Mike Montali on lead vocal and guitar starts the magic, joined by Jonathan Bonilla on lead guitar and vocals, Andrew Zehnal on drums, Chris Urriola on bass and backing vocals and this release is humping right out of the box. Sensitive ballad, Lady Jane is as beautiful as ever with jangly guitar work over the melody and cool keyboard work by Michael Hesslein. Flight 505 is a great rocker with just the right hook and with a stiff drum riff and driving lead guitar over piano, one of the best executions on the release. High and Dry is one of those tracks that moves between rock, blues and country, accelerated by Daddy Long Legs on blues harp and foot drum. This track is basic, but I really like the presentation. Excellent! Wrapping the release is another bluesy country soaked track, Goin' Home, with it's easy shuffle feel and solid vocals. The slap snare, percussion, and harp support Montali's vocals nicely for a solid conclusion to a strong rocker. 

 


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Class A Records artist: Angela Easley - Rise - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rise, from Angela Easley, and it's a bluesy radio oriented release. Opening with I Can Let Go, a strong ballad, Angela Easley on lead vocal and piano shows real vocal purity. Backed by the McCrary Sisters, this track is rich and warm with Randy Peterson on guitar, Calvin Johnson on bass, Brian Czach on drums, Matthew Gros on sax, Garen Webb on trombone, and Kiran Gupta on trumpet. Very nice. Title track, Rise, is another solid radio track with a firm bass line by Johnson warm backing vocals and electrifying guitar riffs by Peterson. Slow ballad, One More Last Time has a strong, sax (Gros) guitar (Peterson) melody, addition of violin by Billy Contreras  and nice vocal doubling giving it strong radio potential. Wrapping the release is another slow ballad with just a light country flavor. Accented by slide guitar and tom tom, Crazy Rain follows in the radio format with it's memorable melody and solid approach.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Sandwich Factory Records artist: Val Starr & the Blues Rocket - Healing Kind of Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Healing Kind of Blues, from Val Starr & the Blues Rocket and it's a poppy mix of blues/rock tracks. Opening with Ridin' That Memphis High, Val Starr on vocal and rhythm guitar teams with Frankie Munz on harmonica up front, backed by John Ellis on bass, Paul Farman on drums and Tim Brisson on lead guitar. Mid paced ballad, Slow Blues Grinder gives Starr a nice chance to shine on vocal with the addition of Todd Morgan on organ and a solid lead guitar solo by Brisson. Shuffle track, Pretty Girl Blues, focuses on the dilemma faced by people as they age and the privilege's granted some based upon popularity. With a nice harmonica line by Munz and Debra Power on piano, a solid radio track. Wrapping the release is classic rock track, Get Over It with Starr on lead vocal and bold chords by Brisson and solid piano work by Power.

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Pravda Records artists: Vince Salerno and Gerald McClendon - Blues From All Points - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues From All Points, by Vince Salerno and Gerald McClendon and it's a solid R&B/Blues rocker. Opening with funky rocker, Hip City, the band is really rocking, Boogaloo style with Vince Salerno wailing on sax, Thomas Klein on guitar, Thomas Linsk on keys, Michael P. Fiorino on bass, Chuck Schwartz on drums, Ellis Clark on percussion and Ron Haynes on trumpet, all supporting the dynamic vocals of Gerald McClendon on lead vocal. Great opener. Street Walking Woman really has a great Texas style blues lope with heavy bari sax and a hot solo by Salerno and terrific T-Bone Walker style guitar riffs by Klein. Excellent! Big Joe Williams' Highway 49 is next with some real nice harp by Salerno, some of my favorite vocals by McClendon on the release and of course, Elmore James like slide by Klein. Very nice. Bessie's Blues is a hot boogie with a great sax soloing by Salerno,  slick piano work by Linsk and some great blue jazz riffs by Klein leading to an open draft by Fiorino and Schwartz. Excellent! Jr. Walker's Cleo's Mood is up next with a R&B guitar rhythm and of course heavy organ by Linsk. Salerno really lets it loose on this one wailing on. Very nice! Wrapping the release is solid Chicago style blues, Blues and Trouble with terrific lead vocal by McClendon. Salerno's bari sax and Klein's riffs respond to McClendon's vocal call and Linsk's piano riffs are spot on. Salerno trades harmonica riffs with bari sax riffs ...talk about dynamics. This is really a strong blues fused release with a taste of R&B and even some Zydeco to add some spice. I really like it! 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Blue Heart Records release: Blind Raccoon and NOLA BLUE Collection Vol. 4 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blind Raccoon and NOLA Blue Collection Vol. 4, and it's a solid mix of blues and rock tracks. Opening with blues rocker, Sorry, Mark Cameron shows solid vocals, slide guitar and harmonica carrying a radio worthy melody. Funky blues rocker, Devil in the Dark is a cool entry by Michele D' Amour & The Love Dealers. With strong organ support and cool guitar and sax solos,  this track has a laid back feel. Trudy Lynn covers a Bluesbusters' track, If Your Phone Don't Ring and with just the right strut, and blues attitude, this is one of my favorites on the release. Wily Bo Walker's I Want To Know has a real nice R&B feel with interwoven bass, guitar and keyboard backing under Walker's infectious lead and backing vocals. Very nice. Super shuffle, Back Door Woman Blues by the Waydown Wailers sets a nice pace with strong vocals and a cool piano/guitar exchange. David Gogo sets up a simple guitar shuffle on Never Gonna Change. His vocals are clean and his slide playing clean and tight. Slow blues vocals on Firebreather by Skylar Rogers stand tall on side one backed by crisp guitar soloing over a potent bottom. Straight up blues track, Hard Times Coming by David Rotundo Band features really nice vocal, slide and harmonica delivered straight. Very nice. Throwing a curveball is Dick Van Dyke, yes, 95 year old Dick Van Dyke singing Is You Or Is You Ain't My Baby. He really does a nice job, backed by a fully big band and a tight rhythm section. Very cool. Piano boogie, Party In The Room Next Door - Live In Calgary is a strong entry by David Vest with potent piano and guitar solos over a beefy walking bass line. Johnny Tucker shows his guitar sting on Do The Rufus, a funky blues with attitude. Backed by punchy horns, Tucker's vocals are great. Idaho Bound is a strong, Southern Rock style jam with all of the characteristics of the Allmans. Driving rhythm and bass, dual lead guitars, and tight drums make this entry by The Mary Jo Curry Band another standout. Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps perform Takes On To Know One with great vocals, punchy horns, heavy bass and Anson Funderburgh on guitar. Wrapping the release is  acoustic guitar driven, This Old Road, a nice ballad by Trevor B. Power. With nicely blended vocal mix and acoustic guitars, a solid closer for this 4th Collection Volume. 

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Cleopatra Records artist: Neville Staple - From The Specials & Beyond - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From The Specials & Beyond from Neville Staple and it's a straight ska pop release. Opening with Right From Wrong, OK Two-Tone Ska legend Neville Staple and his wife Sugar Staple are upfront, joined by Steve Armstrong on bass, Matty bane on drums, Joe Atkinson on keys, Billy Shinbone on guitar, Drew Stansall on sax, and Peter Johnson on trombone. With the addition of Armstrong on vocal, Don't Let Life Pass You By has just a touch of Northwest indie influence making it one of my favorite tracks on the release. A twist of reggae on a DJ mix of Miss Dis n Dat makes this another stand out track with the addition of Clint Eastwood on vocals. World Turned Upside Down has a more sophisticated arrangement with really nice accents by Shinbone on guitar, Armstrong on bass and trombone by Peter Johnson. Wrapping the release is earlier smash hit, Monkey Man. A straight forward ska track, it's energy is perfect to close this release. 

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Music Maker artist: Albert Smith - Big Belly Mama - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  Big Belly Mama, from Albert Smith and it's a terrific example of stripped down blues. Smith, on broke down piano and vocal knows how to create the mood. Opening with Tell Me Mama, Smith shows a real feel for the roots of rock and barrelhouse piano playing. His vocals are primitive yet pleasing. Piano boogie, Biscuit Roller has a great feel and Smith's vocals are steady and authentic. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Give Me Back My Wig with it's soulful wailing vocal style, cool lyrics and rag tag piano style. This appears to be the same track made popular by Hound Dog Taylor but from a totally different style. Excellent! Moving into a gospel styling with Roll Is Gonna Be Called and continuing into You Are My Sunshine, Smith is just out there rejoicing in his life. Wrapping the release is Albert's Rap'n Boogie with Smith playing piano under a brief discussion with MM's Tim Duffy. This release is volume 51 in the Foundation's Listener's Series which is issued to Listener's Circle Members 6 times annually. This ongoing support brings unheard voices to light. Visit Musicmaker.org for more info.

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Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion - Veneta - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Veneta, from Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion and it's really nice. Opening with multicultural influenced, Gnossienne, Miguel Espinosa lays the foundation theme on classical guitar, joined by Dianne Betkowski on cello. The theme is then further developed by the addition of Lynn Baker on saxophone, Randy Hoepker on bass, Andy Skellenger on tabla and Cajon. Very nice. Although this release is heavily Spanish influenced, it is so colorful and full of international flavor. Very nice. Bulerias Barrocas continues the theme opening with a fluid pace and developing immediately into a cello led force. This track is very rich with deeply woven themes and masterful guitar. Very nice. Another cello led track, Sad is rich in tone and has excellent underlying rhythm provided by Espinoza on guitar, Skellenger on Tabla and Cajon, Mario Moreno on percussion, Hoepker on bass and a very nice lead solo by Lynn Baker on sax. Wrapping the release is Happy, with a more contemporary fusion sound. With a cool blend of sax, guitar and cello over bass and percussion, the theme is developed and solos are developed. This is a solid closer for a very strong release. 

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Survival South Records artist: Reddog and Friends - Booze, Blues and Southern Grooves - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Booze, Blues and Southern Grooves from Reddog and Friends and it's a solid blues and R&B soaked release. Opening with R&B style track, Love, You've Got To Spread The Word, Reddog on lead vocal and guitar is backed by Carla Russell Mary Mason and Angela Hacker on backing vocals. Instrumentally, Clayton Ivey on keys, David Hood on bass and Justin Holder on drums fill out the band. This track could easily be from the Curtis Mayfield songbook with heavy Muscle Shoals influences. Bluesy, Down, Down, Down is one of my favorite tracks on the release with soulful vocals and tasty guitar riffs by Reddog. Still bordering on the soul sound, this is a real nice track. She's A Georgia Peach adds just a little country funk in it (think Elvin Bishop) with a solid lead vocal line and loose instrumental and vocal contributions giving it a real nice party feel. Adding slide guitar under the vocals by Reddog and this track is slick. Why Oh Why Are You Calling Me is a super candidate for the radio with a catchy soulful melody and a theme many people can relate to. The super backing vocals by Russell, Mason and Hacker really enrich the track and  Reddog's feel for just the right riffs really flats this track. Instrumental, Don't Muscle That Shuffle has excellent tempo and gives Reddog a strong opportunity to flex his chops. It's not about pyrotechnics but style...real nice. Club style shuffle, Old School Blues has a great feel and Reddog's vocals and guitar really fly on this track. Wrapping the release is Honest Man, a Gregg Allman like ballad. Bill Stewart joins in on drums and Stevie Hawkins joins on congas. This release really is unusual and refreshing. It has a lot of the southern soulful charm of those old Muscle Shoals sessions with a lot of familiar faces. Nice job. 

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