Blue Heart Records artist: Dave Keyes - Rhythm Blues & Boogie - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rhythm Blues & Boogie by Dave Keyes and it's name says it all. Opening with Memphis flavored R&B on Shake Shake Shake on piano and lead vocal backed by Bernard Purdie on drums, Jeff Anderson on bass, and the power of Chris Eminizer on sax and Tim Quimette on trumpet. Solid opener. Another big swinger, Blues and Boogie has a little New Orleans spice and Keyes piano work shines again with power horns by Eminizer and Quimette and a real nice guitar solo by Early Times. Takin it to the street New Orleans style, Ain't Doing That No More has a great drum beat by Purdie and Eminizer and Quimette punch up the back. John Putnam on slide guitar really nails it and of course Keyes vocal and piano lead is terrific. Not Fighting Anymore is spiced up even more with a Latin beat by Pagano on drums and percussion adds backing vocals, with firm horn backing by Quimette and Eminizer and strong lead vocal by Keyes. David J Keyes has bass on this number and Popa Chubby guests on guitar. Doug MacLeod adds spoken word and lays in a cool acoustic guitar solo on Invisible Man and Keyes on vocal and straight up boogie piano sets the tempo for this one. Wrapping the release is 7 O'clock Somewhere, a rockin boogie with a cool piano lead and Wurlitzer by Keyes, Putnam ripping on guitar and Pagano on drums. This is a strong closer for a very enjoyable release. 

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Blue Heart Records artist: Lil' Red & The Rooster - Keep On! - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep On!, from Lil' Red & The Rooster and it's a lot of fun. Opening with Cool Trap Boogie, the tempo is set by Felton Crews on bass and Kenny "Beedyeyes" Smith on drums and Jean-Marc Labbe' on bari sax really runs the groove. Jen "Lil Red" Milligan on lead vocals on vocal leads the way and Pascal "Rooster" Fouquet adds really nice guitar riffs. Solid opener. Billy Branch joins on Keep On Lovin You adding really nice harmonica lead and in duet with Jen on lead vocals. A laid back blues, gives Fouquet a real nice avenue to solo on guitar and his fluid lead runs really shine on this track. I love the tone that Fouquet gets on guitar on instrumental, Shakin' Em Up, with a strong bari sax support and great flair on solo by Labbe' over a cool rhythm by Crews and Smith, this is my favorite track on the release. Another favorite is Little Girl with Jen on lead vocal, it's snappy back beat and backing vocals by Labbe', Morrow and Caroline Carson Rau. Fouquet lays down some stinging riffs on lead guitar and the bottom is always solid with Smith and Crews. Wrapping the release is Step It Up with it's classic bass lead and Fouquet/Labbe' melody. Fouquet really gets this track working with strong lead guitar phrasing that really makes this track sing. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Boptism Music artist: Rich Willey - Puttin' On The Ritz - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Puttin' On The Ritz, by Rich Willey. Opening with Poor Butterfly, a Latin fused track, Rich Willey on bass trumpet really leads the way, backed by Paul Mutzabaugh on piano, Larry Kohut on bass, and George Fludas on drums. Excellent opener. Frank Zappa's, Uncle Remus is a cool addition to this set, featuring Willey on trumpet. With clean articulation, he sails, backed by Mike Pinto on guitar, Larry Kohut on bass, Neal Wehman on drums and Paul Mutzabaugh on piano and B3. Really cool interpretation. Wrapping the release is Holy Trinity, is a lush instrumental with David Mann on soprano sax, Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Willey on bass trumpet, John Swana on EVI, and with Carey Dredman adding trumpet on the top. Solid closer for a different kind of release. 

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Blue Heart Records artist: Malaya Blue - Blue Credentials - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Credentials, from Malaya Blue and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Your Act Has Worn Thin, Malaya up front on vocals leads this heavy bottomed hi stepper joined by Brett Lucas on lead guitar, Richard Cousins on bass, John McCullough on Hammond and Sam Kelly on drums. R&B flavored, I Can't Find No Love, has a real nice feel. Malaya hits a really nice slot and Lucas' lead guitar response is spot on. Soulful ballad, I'm Having Dreams Again, is my favorite track on the release and also the radio selection from my perspective. With it's solid melody and some of Malaya's best vocals on the release, coupled with some nice slide work by Lucas hits the spot. Funky Good Intentions, Bad Results is another strong entry with a great bass line by Cousins and some strong blues riffs by Lucas backing up Malaya. Blues rocker, Bring Me Your Sin has a terrific beat and Lucas really unloads both with some nice Dobro work and some flashy electric guitar work. Very nice. Howlin' Mercy has real grit with Malaya digging deep vocally over the Dobro work of Lucas. Real stuff! Wrapping the release is Messin' Around, with a laid back strut rhythm. Another track with a pop edge is another radio candidate and a solid closer.

 


  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Hog Heaven Records artist: The Mighty Soul Drivers - I'll Carry You Home - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'll Carry You Home, by the Mighty Soul Drivers, and its a cool blend of soul and blues. Opening with the Temptations', I Can't Get Next To You, The Mighty Soul Drivers use a strong arrangement crafted by Al Green and Savory Brown to give the track a rockier feel. With Bob Orsi on lead vocal and rhythm guitar, and cool backing vocals by Tanairy Barton, solid lead guitar work by Larry Willey, Tony Delisio on bass, River City Slim on drums, Steve Donovan, John Smayda on sax and Neil Tint on horns, this is a cool opener. On hi stepper, A Little Bit of That, Willey, Smayda and Tint set the ground work, over a great bass line by Delisio and organ by Donovan. Orsi's lead vocal and supple solos by Smayda, Tint and Donovan give this track the octane to be the top radio track on the release. Very nice. Solomon Burke's deep soul track, Cry To Me, really works nicely with Orsi's lead vocal surrounded by Donovan on keys and leaves a nice opening for Smayda on sax. Very cool. Larry Willey gets his chance up front with a cool lead guitar solo on Cold Cold Night. With it's funky rhythm and horn punctuation by Smayda and Tint, another great addition. Wrapping the release is Dressed To Kill,  a strut with great paced vocals and a tight drum rhythm.  Smayda sets up a cool sax solo backed by Delisio on bass and the horns sway. This is an excellent closer for a solid release. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

 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

Griffin Woodard Group - Completion - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Completion, from Griffin Woodard Group who blends solid jazz and pop vocals for a real nice release. Opening with Little Angel, Georgia Heers is featured on vocal, with a really nice bed of piano by Abe Gold, Miles Gilbert on bass, Hugh Kline on drums and of course the deep sound of Griffin Woodard on bass clarinet. With really nice piano phrasing by Gold and a strong solo by Woodard, this is a strong opener. Miles Gilbert is front and center on Bass Interlude featuring his playing alone and I personally find it terrific. Alchemy is a really cool improvisation by Woodard on bass clarinet, backed only by Kline on drums... quite provocative. With an aggressive tempo, Route 1 features Coleman Rose on tenor sax in tandem with Woodard on bass clarinet creating a great mix. With an aggressive bass line by Gilbert and solid phrasing by Gold on piano this track rips. Deneen Jones has the mic on Kyrie, an uplifting ballad featuring a really nice blend of vocals with Heers, over a nice field of piano and featuring soprano sax lead by Rose. With captivating drum work by Kline, this is another hot track. Wrapping the release is title track, Completion, it's captivating melody being articulated by Woodard on bass clarinet, joined in relay by Rose on soprano sax and with only the framework of bottom by Gold on piano and drum adornment, this track slowly builds. Gilbert gets another turn up front on bass creating a real nice tension and the track continues to build on the reentry by Woodard and Rose. The track grows in intensity and dynamics as it nears it's completion. Very nice close. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

 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

BluesKitty Records artist: Michele D'Amour & the Love Dealers - Hot Mess - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hot Mess, from Michele D'Amour & The Love Dealers and it's a rocking blues release. Opening with title track, Hot Mess, D'Amour sets the theme on lead vocal, with Richard Newman on lead guitar throwing down a great riff based around one of my favorite Stones tracks. With Patrick McDanel on bass, Carl Martin on drums and strong sax work by Noel Barnes, this is a strong opener. Funky, Devil In The Dark, has a cool, light attack with Newman laying down a funky rhythm line and adding plenty of wah wah juicing up the feel. A nice break out sax solo by Barnes really adds nicely to the mix. Bluesy ballad, Helping Hand is the obvious radio track with it's lush melody, solid sax solo and warm organ work by Philip Woo. With just a touch of surf, Cold Red Sun has cool vocals but it's Newman's guiar work that makes it for me. With cool articulation and solid phrasing, this is a nice track. Wrapping the release is Your Dachshund Won't Leave Me Alone with it's New Orleans style rhythm with Tom Worrell on piano, Newman on slide and sexy sax work by Barnes. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Grant Dermody - Behind The Sun - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Behind The Sun, from Grant Dermody and it's a solid dose of pure Chicago Blues with a Louisiana flavor. Opening with Muddy Waters' Trouble No More, Grant Dermody on lead vocal and harmonica shows real feel, backed by Dirk Powell on drums, and Lee Allen Zeno on bass. Rick Estrin penned, Don't Boss Me, really gives Dermody a great space to jam trading lead on harmonica and vocal with Powell on guitar. Excellent track. Lost John is a cool old track giving Dermody a chance to just blow out his harmonica. Very cool. Tell Me is a strong Chicago blues with Corey Ledet on accordion adding to the atmosphere. Dermody takes a great romp on this one making this one of my favorites on the release. Kim Wilson's Learn To Treat Me Right, has a springy, up tempo feel with Dermody leading the way on vocal and harmonica. Powell takes a real nice piano stretch on this track back to back with a guitar solo and Dermody closes out the track with a red hot harmonica solo. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Otis Rush's So Many Roads, with Dermody showing his most soulful vocals and some terrific blues harmonica. Powell steps up on guitar to seal the deal on guitar and a solid closer for a real solid release. 

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Hi-Fi Drive By - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hi-Fi Drive By, by Jeremiah Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with rocking boogie, '68 Coupe Deville, with Johnson on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Allie Vogler, Emily Wallas and Mattie Schell on backing vocal and excellent piano by Victor Wainwright. Rounding out the mix is Joe Meyer on drums, Tom Maloney on guitar and piano, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and super sax by Frank Bauer. Excellent opener. With a super lope, Skippin' School, uses a solid mix of Meyer on drums and Niehaus IV on bass to set the pace. Strong vocal and lead guitars by Johnson makes this one of my favorite tracks which also features Kasimi Taylor on trumpet, Bauer on sax, Kevin O'Connor on bari sax and John Covelli and Dave Dickey on trombone. Very cool. Slinky blues, The Squeeze has a super bottom line by Niehaus IV giving Johnson a super bed to rip on guitar and he takes it. With full backing by Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, this is a hot track. With some Latin spice and the addition of Tony Antonelli on percussion, Hot Blooded Love adds a really nice additional dimension to the release with Johnson getting into a Spanish flavored guitar theme. With Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey at the rear and Niehaus IV on the bottom, this is another terrific track. Funky swamper, Quicksand is another of my favorite tracks on the release with an excellent percussion/drum/bass line and power horns courtesy of Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, setting up Johnson for the grand slam on slide. This track just gets in the groove and rides. Excellent! Easy closer, The Band, has a cool melody and a lightly funky rhythm lending itself nicely for radio play. With strings by Kevin Buckley and Johnson joined by Schell, Wallas and Vogler, and rolling into a super, Spanish flavored jam, this is a solid closer. 

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Cleopatra Records artist: Humble Pie - I Need A Star In My Life - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Need A Star In My Life, from Humble Pie and it's good to hear Mr. Marriott on some new tracks. Opening with Sam Cooke's Shake, Marriott and Clem Clempson lay down a solid rock and roll riff and Marriott has at it vocally with Greg Ridley on bass and Ian Wallace on drums. Lloyd Price's Send Me Some Lovin' features Tim Hinkley on lead vocal who does a really nice job, also contributing piano and organ which really sets it off nicely. Marriott's Street Rat has a real Humble Pie feel with trademark vocals and a driving beat. High and Happy is reminiscent of Hot n Nasty with just a little more R&B groove. Marriott truely has one of the best rock soul vocals of all time. Marriott's Louisiana Blues is really sweet with wild vocals and a potent bottom. Clempson and Marriott get a chance to rip a bit on guitar, complimented by Wallace on drums. Cocaine, a Pie composition, gets that funky, Pie, groove and with Hinkley on organ, and Marriott on lead vocal, this track cooks. Wrapping the release is Signed Sealed, an R&B creeper with Marriott  with his trademark vocal style over the organ work of Hinkley. Clempson gets a real nice chance to show his guitar style closing out the track.

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

 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

Robert Hill & Joanne Lediger - Revelation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation, from Robert Hill & Joanne Lediger and it's a high energy take original blues. Opening with  Willie Johnson's, John The Revelator, Joanne Lediger on lead vocal paired with her partner, Robert Hill make a great team. With his knowledge of blues forms on guitar and harmonica and her soulful vocal style, this track is a solid opener, backed by Paulina Hill on vocal, Frank Pagano on drums and Steve Gelfand on bass. "The Wire's" sultry theme song, Way Down In The Hole, penned by Tom Waits had a number of covers during it's 5 seasons, but this is another great cover and certainly not less than capable of one of the best I've heard. With it's Rhumba rhythm and great guitar work by Hill, a prominent bass line by Gelfand and Lediger joined on vocal by Hill's daughter, Paulina, this track is super. Another Blind Willie track, Nobody's Fault But Mine gets a gospel/soul rework and Lediger's vocal really shines over handclaps and perfect slide by Hill. Very cool. Closing the release is Fred McDowell's, Jesus Is On The Mainline, featuring Robert Hill on lead vocal with Paulina and Lediger. This is a really cool track certainly influenced by Ry Cooder with terrific finger work and slide making it my favorite as well as an excellent closer. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

 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

Rick and Friends - self titled - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release, Rick and Friends and it's chocked full of melodic, rock and blues rock flavored tracks. Opening with Forever Home, Rusty Wright is featured on lead vocal, with Rick Drevet on guitar, Mark Pappalardo on thumping drums and Bill Adams on bass. Showing a Hatchett meets Boston attack, this track is radio ready and polished. Drevet creates a Tucker kind of guitar richness on the intro that flows throughout the track with nice interwoven lead work and Pappalardo's drum thunder really adds a lot under the finesse of Wright on lead vocal. With an attack reminiscent of Trower in Procol Harem, Book of Wreckage brings that sound to the current day with super vocal blending by Wright and contemporary guitar and drum riffs. I funky rock sound on Smokey Whiskey with slide and dobro by Drevet and booming drum work by Pappalardo. Bluesy Cold Steel Blues has a great bass line by Drevet and fully blended vocals, and of course heavy drums, leading to some nice blues lead work by Drevet. Wrapping the release is Shakin Sally with it's straight forward sound over the distinctive motorcycle rumble. Rick Melick adds in some powerful B3 taking Wright's lead vocal to an even higher level. Solid closer for a solid rocker. 

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Blue Heart Records artist: Laura Tate - Smokey Tango - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Smokey Tango, by Laura Tate and it's a bluesy pop oriented release with a lot of style. Opening with Aaron and Joel Neville's, Yellow Moon, and she slides right into the groove with her refined vocals, backed by Terry Wilson on bass and rhythm guitar, Richard Milsap on drums, Jeff Paris on piano and Billy Watts on lead guitar. Complimented nicely by Darrell Leonard on trumpet and Paulie Cerra on sax and perfect backing vocals by Teresa James, this is a strong opener. On Danny Everitt's I Heard A Rumor, Tate spins a love song into a Latin fused track with plenty of spice. With Wilson on Wurlitzer, Paris on piano and Watts on slide, this is another cool track. With sassy, blues infused vocals by Tate and New Orleans styling reinforced by Leonard on trumpet and cool piano by Watts, this track shows real versatility. Ernie K-Doe's A Certain Guy adds a great pop flavor ala R&B with piano lead by Paris and fun vocals by Tate. Wrapping the release is funky, Lover's Game led by Paris on B3, Wilson on Wurlitzer and really nice slide by Watts. Tate not only shows versatility but a sure footing on bluesy, funky vocals. Very nice. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - Ain't Nobody Worried - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't Nobody Worried, by Rory Block and it's a solid entry into her Power Women of the Blues series (Volume 3). Opening with Mavis Staples' I'll Take You There, Block accompanies herself with her resilient acoustic guitar as well as slide and percussion with soulful lead vocal and great backing vocals. Strong opener. On Mary Wells' classic R&B track, My Guy (My Girl), Block does a really nice job to retain the pop orientation of the original again, only with the backing of her guitar and percussion. Very nice. On Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind, Block digs deep to that extra feeling and produces solid vocal results. With only the minimal of guitar and warm backing vocals, this track really works nicely. Carole King's stellar, You've Got A Friend works well for Block, overdubbing her own vocal backing with her own lead on one of the late 20th century's best tracks. Wrapping the release is Elizabeth Cotton''s trademark, Freight Train, with Block shining playing Cotton's best know song in her own style and completed with Block's own vocal style and slide work. This is a super release dedicated to the great women of song. 

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Azuline Music artist: Aimee Allen - Love and the Catalyst - New Release Review

 I just hads the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love and the Catalyst, from Aimee Allen and it's a cool breath of fresh air. Opening with Freddie Hubbard's  Little Sunflower, Aimee Allen shows cool, expressive vocal skills backed by Toru Dodo on piano, nice bass soloing by Francois Moulin on bass and Kush Abadey on drums. Very nice opener. Allen's composition, Quantum Entanglements is a terrific foil for her vocal acuity. With really nice piano  work by Dodo and excellent bass lines by Moulin and always interesting drums intensity by Abadey, this music floats. On Chick Corea's Crystal Silence, Noah Allen adds ethereal trumpet lines that propel this classic composition to the next level with Allen and Dodo working together nicely.  Mortally Immortal (Requiem) is a  masterfully simple composition with a purity and brilliance that shines beyond the release (that means I really like it). Another of my favorites on the release is Hidden Place which is a solid blend of melody and neo soul styling, set to a cool jazz saunter. Wrapping the release is bluesy ballad, Worlds Collide,  with Allen really front and center, with plenty of space, and beautiful piano work by Dodo, bridging the melody with a really nice interlude, and Moutin' s bass lines creating a a strong statement in punctuation, all tied together by the tight articulate brushwork of Abadey. Very nice. 

  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" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Sadson Music artist: Rusty Wright Band - Hangin' at the DeVille Lounge - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hangin' at the DeVille Lounge, from Rusty Wright Band, and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with House of Spirits, Rusty Wright is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Laurie LaCrosse-Wright on guitar, Billy Agner on bass and Vail Hayes on drums. This slow, bluesy ballad with it's dark overtones is a solid opener for what's to come. Wright lays don't soulful lead under his vocal work with Agner. Blending a traditional blues form with a heavier rock style, Devil Man Blues has a heavy bottom and distorted vocals. I really like this approach and Wright shows cool chops blending the two forms together nicely. No Man Is An Island is a pure blues ballad with strong vocals by Wright and rich vocal blending with Laurie and Billy. Melodic lead by Wright is bound to make this a solid radio player. Very nice. Another solid blues track, Trouble's Always Knockin' with excellent lead vocal and guitar by Wright and conventional blues formatting is really a nice showcase for Wrights  fluid lead work and composition. Wrapping the release is Devil Music with it's Hendrix style attack. Wright, with super vocals and aggressive guitar lead, reinforced by Agner and Hayes really hammers this release closed. Very cool. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

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

Futurism Records artist: Grant Geissman - Blooz - New Release Review

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blooz, from Grant Geissman and it a solid fusion of blues and jazz. Opening with Preach, with it's Latin spun gospel approach, Geissman on guitar plays fluid lead lines punctuated by Randy Brecker on trumpet and backed by Jim Cox on B3, Trey Henry on bass and Ray Brinker on drums. Brecker takes a nice long interlude, followed by Cox for a really nice opener. Santana influenced, Carlos En Siete has a great Latin beat and ceratinly has Santana's Mesa Boogie tone. With a lot more intricate percussive rhythm pattern and excellent phrasing, Geissman sets a high bar for this release. Strong piano work by David Garfield, complimented by Russell Ferrante on Rhodes, Trey Henry on bass, Tiki Pasillas on percussion and Ray Brinker on drums, this is a great number. Sax master Tom Scott is featured on Fat Back with Cox on Wurlitzer, Henry on bass and Brinker on drums. Rage Cage is a really nice uptempo romp with Geissman leading the way with excellent articulation. If you like that "Gatemouth" sound, you'll love this. Pairing Robben Ford with Geissman on Robben's Hood is a stroke of genius with trading guitar solos over a snappy funky beat by Brinker and Henry. One G and Two J's has a funky New Orleans sound with Bernie Dresel laying the groundwork on drums and Kevin Axt on bass. Geissman invites Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa to jam with him over this hypnotic rhythm with their own unique styles resulting in a really cool take. Russell Ferrante shows excellent poise and chops on piano on Stranger Danger. This track is subtle and laid back but really nicely done. Wrapping the release is Sorry Not Sorry with Geissman opening with warm chords, with Henry adding a warm bottom, Brinker light on the drums and with nicely crafted Rhodes piano woven in. Very nice closer for an excellent release. 

  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" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

 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