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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!


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Friday, December 9, 2022

Second Half Records artist: Chris Antonik - Morningstar - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Morningstar, from Chris Antonik, and it's a blend of pop, rock and blues. Opening with heavy footed, Waves of Stone, with Derek Downham on drums, comes lumbering out of the blocks with Antonik on lead vocal and guitar, joined by Jerekus Singleton on lead guitar, Guenther Kapelle on bass, Jesse O'Brian on keys, Alison Young on sax, Richard Underhill on bari sax and backing vocals by Marlene O'Neill and Ciceal Levy on harmony vocals. Funky bottomed, Back To The Good, has a radio feel with cool backing vocals by Levy and adds William Carn on trombone and Tom Moffett on trumpet and features some scorching riffs by Antonik. The Greatest Americans (Part I and II) explore more artful music with Alison Young on synthesizer and sax, and featuring Antonik on open guitar melody and vocal leading into a funky rocker adding Derek Downham on drum programming and organ, and Lee Rogers on bass. Wrapping the release is ballad, Grace, with Antonik on vocal with Alan Zemantis on piano, slowly building with rich harmony vocals by Marlene O'Neill and Ciceal Levy, and slowly building with lead guitar by Antonik, Kapelle on bass, Riley O'Connor on drums and Derek Downham on organ, synthesizer and percussion. This is a cool release with a little something for everyone. 


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Thursday, December 8, 2022

Provogue Records artist: Walter Trout - Ride - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ride, from Walter Trout, and it's a solid rocker with solid blues roots. Opening with Ghosts, a solid blues rocker, Trout on harmonica, guitar and vocal sets a heavy tempo, beefed up by Teddy Andreadis on Hammond organ, Michael Leasure on drums and Jamie Hunting on bass. This is a heavy footed, lumbering track and Trout lays out a searing guitar solo giving the release a great start. So Many Sad Goodbyes is another solid rocker with nicely overdriven guitar tone and Trout's featured vocals with Eric Corne singing in tandum. Reinforcement by Andreadis on Hammond gives the track a rich sound and the strong snare work of Leasure paves the way for another of Trout's slicing guitar solos. The strongest blues number on the release is Waiting For The Dawn with Trout leading the way, playing melodic lead on guitar. Folding his vocals nicely into the mix, warmed by the undertone of Andreadis' Hammond, this track is all about Trout's ability to squeeze his unique blues out of his strat and he certainly can do that. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Better Days Ahead with Trout really laying his guitar open and letting the blues fly. With Andreadis on organ, the thump of Hunting on bass and powerful drumming by Leasure, Trout wailing the lyrics and his guitar showing full emotion. Excellent! Another cool track is snappy rocker, Leave It All Behind, with Trout feeding rockabilly style riffs, Anthony Grisham on rhythm guitar, rolling Wurlitzer work by Andreadis, and strong horn support by Aaron Liddard on sax. Wrapping the release is radio style track, Destiny, with Trout showing his softest vocals, backed by Corne, and warm guitar riffs, blended with Andreadis on Fender Rhodes and Hammond, Leasure on drums and Hunting on bass. Solid closer for another solid release by Trout. 


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Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Provogue Records artist: Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Trouble Is ... 25 - New Release Review (CD/DVD)

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Trouble Is...25, from Kenny Wayne Shepherd and it's great to hear. A release and reinterpretation of his second release, Trouble Is, Trouble Is ...25 sounds pretty fresh. Opening with Slow Ride, KWS really gets the program started with great vocals,  high energy blues riffs, and excellent sustain. With Chris Layton on drums, Kevin McCormick on bass and Reese Wynans on keys, this is a strong opener. Laid back, Everything Is Broken, anchored by Layton, has great drive and KWS shows all of the southern guitar spunk he has accumulated during his career. (Long) Gone has terrific Texas style swagger with hot guitar riffs and the addition of harmonica on this track really pumps it up. Classic, Somehow, Somewhere, Someday is just slow (fast) enough to really hit the groove. Wynans keyboard adds real tension and KWS's guitar work is stinging. Wrapping the release is Bob Dylan's fabulous Ballad of a Thin Man and KWS really knows how to work it. His vocals are soulful and believable and his responding guitar riffs scream. Wynans' organ and piano add another dimension. This is an excellent closer for a really strong redo by Shepherd. I'm checking out the concert DVD later tonight.


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Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Outside In Music artists: Barry Coates, Jimmy Haslip, Jerry Kalaf - New Dreams - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, New Dreams, from Barry Coates, Jimmy Haslip, Jerry Kalaf and the title seems quite appropriate. Opening with Towner, Kalaf on drums, forms a tight, stabling, drum reference as Haslip creates a chord like structure over which Coates plays soaring solo lines. Very nice. On Faith, Kalaf uses brushes on the snare head and cymbal to give structure, firmed by Haslip's bass lead and adorned by the articulated melody by Coates. Before is a playful track with Coates on synth, super improvisational bass lead by Haslip and a direct snappy drum line by Kalaf. My favorite track on the release is Sacred with a percussive rhythm by Coates freeing Haslip to play lead on bass and giving the space to Kalal to improvise on drums. Wrapping the release is Retrograde giving Kalaf the lead with explosive percussion over the synth guitar work of Coates. With atmospheric work by Coates, Kalaf really works the heads, leading to rudimental bass lines and painterly solo work by Haslip on bass. This is a really interesting set of music but not one that you're likely to dance to. Enjoy. 


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Monday, December 5, 2022

Ian Danter - The Rule of Three - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rule of Three, from Ian Danter, and it's a solid rocker. Opening with One Over the Eight, a driving rocker features Danter on vocal, drums, bass and rhythm guitars, joined by Mark Thompson-Smith on backing vocals and Tim Raybould on lead guitar. Massive Passive Aggressive is a real hot track with the two piece, high energy feel that I love about the Eagles of Death Metal. With it's pop melody and grinding guitar work working strong with Danter's vocal/drum work, this track is smokin'. With classic rock swagger, Route Of All Evil has a real stiff bottom and Raybould's guitar work is spot on. Thunderous drums are the keystone of I Was There and winding the track Raybould kicks the track into overdrive with stinging guitar riffs. Blending in the mellow backing vocals, this track has real radio potential. Wrapping the release is Last Chance Wagon, another high energy track with a radio melody and tight rhythm. Danter knows what it takes to make this thing fly and he's got his foot on it all the way. Excellent closer. 


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Friday, December 2, 2022

Blue Bamboo Music artist: Chris Cortez - Live at Blue Bamboo - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at Blue Bamboo from Chris Cortez and it's quite good. Opening with The Visit, Chris Cortez leads the way with his cool, fluid lead work on guitar. Bob Thornton on piano takes the second lead with vibrant phrasing over the tight bass lines of Doug Mathews and Jeff Sipe on drums. This is a strong  opener with a potent upbeat melody. Arlington Park has a cool Latin feel with the addition of Joel Rosenblatt on drums, Ron Jenkins on bass, Jeff Rupert on sax and John DePaola on trumpet. Both Rupert and DePaola add really solid lead work making this a standout track. Very nice. Different Strokes is a cool bop tune with really nice muted trumpet work by DePaola, accented by Thornton. Both Thornton and Cortez stretch on melodic solos and Rosenblatt shows his stuff as well, making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Funky, Aarrgh, really hits a nice groove with Cortez grinding in with some more aggressive over driven guitar lead. Rupert really sails on sax lines and super sub melody by DePaola. Excellent! Wrapping the release is the subtle, A Remark You Made, with it's quiet melody, and Cortez alone on guitar, showing all of the tones of his jazz electric guitar, played with a mix of finger articulation and lush chords. Very nice closer for a strong release. 


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Thursday, December 1, 2022

Madfish Music artist: Jeff Cotton - The Fantasy of Reality - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Fantasy of Reality, by Jeff Cotton and it's curiously cool. Opening with Does It Work For You, an abstract progressive rocker, this track has the feel of a Fripp/ Belew composition. With spoken lyrics on echo, a straightforward drum rhythm and assorted overlaid guitar riffs and themes, this track is really interesting. A more classically oriented, Ivy, shows Cotton's depth as a composer and acoustic guitar artist. With a solid central melody, I really like this track. Quirky, Elvirus, is really a modern take on traditional blues, with a contemporary theme... vocal backed by acoustic slide. On The Thread is an eccentric take on an instrumental surf theme. I like quirky but not kitschy and this track slides in nicely. With a driving drum line, interwoven electric guitar riffs, Indian influences and slide guitar, this track really is cool. Heavy, is another delta style blues instrumental, even mimicking the surface noise found on old 78rpm records. Although much of the vocal delivery is tongue in cheek, the slide work is right on. Hear The Word is a thematic blues/ rock track with a jazz overtone, changing themes and "Jack Bruce" like vocals.  Wrapping the release is Clean In Nature's Stream with it's folk like rhythm guitar and vocals. The surprise is Cotton's relentless electric attack which permeates the theme making for a rich completion. 


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Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Sweet Undertow - Skeletone Machine - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Skeletone Machine, from Sweet Undertow and it's a bluesy rocker. Opening with Kingdom Come , a cool rocker led by Eddy Undertow on lead vocal and guitar, Jim Semitekol on slide guitar, Dave Tavel on drums, and John Eckstrom on bass. High energy rocker Rain Catch Flame, is a great track with some tight picking, wild slide and a firm rocker drum beat by Tavel. Excellent! Title track, Skeletone Machine, starts with acoustic guitar under a rocker just bursting at the seams but after a short simmer, Semitekol cranks up the electric guitar and Max Cowan on piano really gets this track rocking. I really like Soft Soft Sea with it's country rocker styling. Undertow's vocals are perfect and the addition of Steve Benzian really adds texture with Annie and Joshua Cook on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is Still Looking For You, a country flavored folk tune with solid vocals and acoustic guitar by Undertow. This is a really cool release with a number of different sounds but with a strong central thread that I like. 


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Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Windchill Records artist: Breezy Rodio - Underground Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Underground Blues, from Breezy Rodio and like every previous release, the music sails. Opening with Half Way in the Devil's Gate, Rodio lays down some real tension on lead vocal and sharing the guitar work with ace, Anson Funderburgh. Backed by Johnny Bradley on bass, Daniel C. Tabion on piano and organ, and Lorenzo Francocci on drums, I immediately know this release is going to be hot. Texas style blues, Playing My Game Too, has a really nice drum lead by Francocci and Funderburgh's guitar riffs against Rodio's vocals really set the trigger. Funderburgh always shows impeccable phrasing and Rodio's soulful vocals are spot on. Blues shuffle, The Murder is a real nice showcase for Josh Fulero on harmonica and Tabion's piano work balanced with Rodio on vocal and guitar gives the track real grip. Very nice. Slower blues, Lightning Strikes, is a nice stage for Rodio, on vocal and clean guitar lead. Strong. Another cool showcase for Fulero is Latin flavored, Hello Friendo, with super harmonica lead melody. Rodio lays in a real nice guitar solo of his own over the excellent drum rhythm of Francocci and Tabion's piano. Sugar Daddy is Tabion's showcase with Otis Spann like piano work and warm organ, surrounding Rodio's vocal and lead guitar work. Really nice track. Wrapping the release is Bluesoned, the real showcase for Rodio on guitar. His style is richly toned and stylized with emotional phrasing, contrasted  with Tabion's piano work. Strong closer. 



Very nice. 


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Monday, November 28, 2022

Matt Lomeo - When You Call - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, When You Call, from Matt Lomeo, and it's a lot of fun. Opening with One More 1&1, a soulful track with definite Al Green feel. Matt's vocals are excellent and his harmonica playing strong, backed by Billy Watts on guitar, Terry Wilson on bass, James Cruce on drums, Kevin McKendree on organ, Darrell Leonard on horns, and Teresa James on backing vocals. Great opener. Another great R&B high stepper, When You Call, has great presence with Terry Wilson adding a nice slide part as well as vocals, and organ accents by McKendree. Take The Boulevard has a real nice feel nicely displaying the versatility of Lomeo's vocals. His phrasing is first rate creating a juicy texture. Very nice. Took My Bar And Left Me has a cool walking bass line by Wilson and well blended vocals by James and Lomeo. With solid keyboard work by McKendree and horn work by Leonard, this track has solid radio potential. Wrapping the release is a second cut of When You Call with a great funky bass line by Wilson and guitar line by Watts. This is a cool release with a lot of soul. 


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Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Joe Bonamassa in Concert - Arizona Fiinancial Theatre - Phoenix, Arizona



 I had the pleasure to attend the Joe Bonamassa concert at the Arizona Financial Theatre (Previously Dodge Theater) in Phoenix Arizona on November 18, 2022, in support of his most recent release, Time Clocks,  and the house was packed. I was fortunate enough to have brilliant seats not far from the stage and very near the middle of the floor. I started listening to Joe Bonamassa around 2000 when I caught an earful of his music on Pandora. Wasn't long before I had his new release, A New Day Yesterday, and Bonamassa had a new fan. I saw him shortly thereafter in a small club in Scottsdale and then at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix. He didn't have the repertoire of songs that he has now but it was amazing to see this unassuming kid with his long hair and his jeans dragging on the ground, step up on the stage and blow through his own book and quickly show how easily he could cruise from one guitar icon phrasing to another, playing their riffs and blowing back the crowd. His own big track at the time, A New Day Yesterday, coupled by his really nicely covered If Heartaches Were Nickels, in a two hour or so set of maybe 15 tracks always left the crowd wanting more. 

Now Joe Bonamassa is a house hold name. Bonamassa has released more than 30 solo albums, and worked on at least 14 other featured projects with Black Country Communion, Rock Candy Funk Party, Beth Hart and Sleep Eazy's and been nominated for Grammys at least 3 times. He has a massive guitar collection and amps to go with them. This guy isn't a collector... He is a PLAYER. There's no question that this guy can physically step on the gas and like a supercar go zero to 100 in sub 3 seconds. 


In Phoenix 2022, Joe brought at least 6 guitars on stage, changing every 3 or 4 songs, availing himself to different tones and as a guitar player, each guitar talks to you differently. He opened with a contemporary blues set and on a gold top Les Paul. If you haven't seen Joe in years, he is now highly polished with his hair trimmed professionally but not square. He has a custom made blue suit with sequin trim, not unlike a tamed down Manuel or Nudie suite with notes for theme, and of course there's the glasses. He doesn't play to all of the theatrics of a guitar icon and sticks to his craft, and that's something that I appreciate about a mature performer. His second set (of tunes) was played on a tobacco burst strat and a bit more gritty, and the third set was played on a red es 335. This was my favorite grouping of tracks, more deeply blues with a funky take on I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home. Bonamassa took time to introduce/credit each band member numerous times throughout the concert with Josh Smith on guitar (this guy screams, primarily on Ibanez tele if I recall correctly), Steve Mackey on Jazz bass who did a knockout performance including a real nice solo, Reese Wynans who also really added a lot of excellent key work on piano and B3 and Lemar Carter on drums who kept everything tight. His backing singers were Jade MacRae and Juanita Tippens, taking the lead from time to time, and who really play a prime part in balancing Bonamassa on vocal (who really does a nice job as a vocalist by the way). 


Thruout the night he pulled in a red strat,  a blonde Les Paul and then natural custom tele with a forward humbucker and more rock oriented, followed by his last set on a cherry burst Les Paul. Bonamassa paused a few times to talk with the audience and just to friendly it up and I'm sure the crowd was receptive. Bonamassa played for 2 hours and it was pure Joe. Sure... he took a little turn on one track and played a few note tribute to Jeff Beck and ZZ Top's Just Got Paid has become a "Bonamassa track" and he really played it hard with Led Zep and Govt Mule interludes and even threw a little Theremin out. A definite crowd favorite. The show was powerful and exciting and the crowd loved it. This was a strong concert by a gracious performer ... pure Joe giving it what he's got. He's a world class guitar player, and a great performer.



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Monday, November 21, 2022

Steve Knight - Persistence - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Persistence, from Steve Knight and it's a strong, guitar led instrumental release. Opening with Suspects,  inventive, Steve Knight on guitar sets the framework for a solid melody, backed by Justin Peterson on bass and Jeff Stitley on drums. With solid phrasing, unobtrusive bass and considerable high work by Stitley, this is a nice opener. Funky, Real Type Thing had a real nice bass line by Peterson and a tight rhythm by Stitley giving Knight a wide open roadway to jam. With some aggressive lead by Peterson and Knight, this is one of my favorites on the release. A cover of Tom Petty's Mary Jane's Last Dance, gets reworked pretty hard. With it's bopping rock rhythm and with a loose outline of the melody by Knight, Peterson take a cool bass solo. The melody having been stated and with Peterson and Stitley to hold the pace, Knight breaks loos with some improve of his own. Interesting workout.  In steady bop fashion, Workshop opens with a melodic framework and again opening a gateway for Peterson to lay out the first solo interlude, followed by Knight with a real nice stream of his own. This is a cool jam with plenty of flow. Wrapping the release is Sharps Disposal (Alternate Take) with a light jazz/rock feel. Knight really works it on this one with plenty of exchange with Stitley. Solid closer. 


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Friday, November 18, 2022

Little Village artist: Silent Partners - Changing Times - New Release Review



 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Changing Times, from Silent Partners, and it's a huge heaping of soul and blues. Opening with Ain't No Right Way To Do Wrong, a deep soulful blues track, Silent Partners get straight to the groove. With a rich bass line by Russell Jackson, tight drums by Tony Coleman and strong supportive guitar lead by Jonathan Ellison, this is a powerful opener. Backed by Don Daily on violin, this track has great radio appeal.  Another strong radio track is, Road To Love with excellent lead vocals and backing vocals by Lisa Lueschner Andersen and featuring cool solo guitar work by Kid Andersen. Very nice. Funky, Never Make Your Move Too Soon, has a real nice feel that will get your butt right out your chair. With BB King style "talking" guitar riffs, by Ellison, and well placed organ placement by Jim Pugh over a romping bass line by Jackson, this track is moving. I love the sweet, soulful vocal lead on Teasing Woman,  backed by the plucky bass/guitar rhythm. Ellison's guitar lead really hits the spot making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Beale Street Shuffle with a laid back, shuffle feel on an old Robert Johnson concept. This band knows how to make a groove and sit in it and most anything Kid Andersen touches sounds like gold so we have a winner here. 


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Thursday, November 17, 2022

Kings County Blues artist: Emanual Casablanca - Blood On My Hands - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blood On My Hands, by Emanual Casablanca and it's solid rocker with a blues base. Opening with Afraid of Blood, a dark rocker with heavy overtones, Emanual Casablanca on vocal and guitar sets the tone joined by Paul Howells on guitar, Julian Chobot on bass, Teddy Sideropolous on drums and Paul Gilbert on guitar. Title track, Blood On My Hands is really a cool track with a strong, lumbering blues bottom, emphasized by Maximillian Sebastian on bass, Theodore Augustine on drums, Brother Dave on guitar and some of Casablanca's best vocals on the release. I really like blues based, Bloodshot Eyes with it's relentless thumping bass line by Chobot and solid guitar riffs by Albert Castiglia. Driving boogie, Testify is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a grinding guitar riff by Howells and it's simple blues feel. Wrapping the release is Rottenpockets with a heavily distorted guitar vamp by Sebastian and tight drum pulse by Poyraz Aldemir. This is a metal flavored track with melodic vocals by Casablanca. 


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Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Cleopatra Records artist: Junior Wells - Blues Legend - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Legend, by Junior Wells, and it's terrific. This is a compilation of vintage singles from the 50's and 60's and includes the entire gamut. Opening with Cut That Out, Junior Wells trademark harp sound is front and center with his vocal, joined by Johnny Jones on piano, Louis Myers on guitar, Dave Myers on bass and Odie Payne on drums. Excellent! Well's most notable track, Hodo Man (HooDoo Man) is on deck with Wells paired with Elmore James on his infamous slide guitar. Early In the Morning features the great Otis Spann on piano pushing Wells to the limit with Muddy Waters on guitar, Willie Dixon on bass  and Odie Payne on drums... What a lineup! On Lawdy! Lawdy! Wells harp seems to float on air, Spann on piano is excellent and of course the entire band really rocks. Syl Johnson adds guitar flair to Two Headed Woman over an active bass line by Dave Myers.  Slow blues, I Could Cry is a really great single with strong vocals by Wells and excellent guitar lead by Johnson. Lafayette Leake on piano really adds nicely to this classic with the mighty Earl Hooker on guitar. Another great Wells track pairs him with Earl Hooker and Leake on piano. This is a classic jam and one not to miss. Another of Wells' most loved tracks, Messin With The Kid features Hooker and Leroy Gibson on guitar, Jarrett Gibson and Donald Hankins on sax, Fred Bellow on drums. Classic! Hooker pulls out the slide on I'm A Stranger, adding a real nice tension against Leake on piano and Johnny Walker on organ, Bobby Little on drums and Earnest Johnson on bass. Boogie track I Need Me A Car, features Hooker on guitar, Johnny Walker on organ and cool vocals by Wells. The rest of the players are unknown. Wrapping the release is a swinging cover of What's I Say with Wells on vocal, Little Brother Montgomery on piano, Otis Rush on guitar, Jack Myers on bass, and Fred Below on drums. This really is an excellent set and if you don't have the full Wells catalog you need this one! 


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Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Forty Below Records artist: Freedy Johnston - Back On The Road To You - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back On The Road To You, from Freedy Johnston and it's a well written and performed set of great tunes. Opening with Back On The Road To You, Freedy Johnston quickly demonstrates why he gets such critical praise. With strong vocal harmonies and a super melody, Johnston is joined by Dusty Wakeman on bass, Doug Pettibone with really nice lead and steel guitar riffs, and Sasha Smith on keys. Aimee Mann joins Johnston on Darlin', one of my favorites on the release with it's lush melody and lightly played steel guitar by Pettibone. Shimmering keys by Smith create an iridescence on the track. Susan Cowsill joins Johnston on pop rocker, The Power of Love with a total radio melody and concise attack. Pettibone adds in some real nice guitar flavor giving it just the right blend. Wrapping the release is The Really Miss Ya Blues with it's definite radio friendly melody. Perfect vocal harmony puts you in mind of the Everlys and with it's simple backing and rhythm, this is a solid closer.


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For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening