Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Big World of Trouble , by Walk That Walk , and it's a cool, modern mix of delta, boogie, and funky blues. Opening with Roof Got A Hole In It, Popa C. De Snyder on slide guitar and vocal harmonizes with Tim Gartland on harmonica and vocal. Backing vocal by Maria Tollefson and Jonathan Rossoff add richness to the mix.  A cool contemporary acoustic blues, a solid opener. On John Lee Hooker's classic, Boogie Chillen , Stickman Waldron on harmonica, Randi Laak on drums and Mike Barrows on bass really do a nice job with DeSnyder on lead vocal. His riffs on guitar have a modern sound but deeply rooted in Hooker's own riffs. Very cool. Poppa C has a deep vamp supported by Dirk van Gulden on bass and Laak on drums. Gartland on harmonica and DeSnyder on vocal and guitar really dig in on this one and Ted Hastings Armstrong adds keys that flesh the track out nicely. Muddy Waters' Still A Fool maintains all of the ener...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Sky , Randy Lee Riviere , and it's got a cool stripped down blues rock feel but more like pre classic (rock) than newer Stripes or Keys efforts. Opening with American Redoubt , Riviere on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace with a James Gang kind of vamp and monotone singing. I actually think this is quite interesting with Kevin McKendree on guitar and keys, Kenneth Blevins on drums, and David Santos on bass. Needles has a slinky southern rock structure, blues rock guitar lead, but blended with Lou Reed vocal aesthetics. Very interesting. What You Know About Pain? is a funky blues rocker with a strong underlying guitar lead. I haven't really heard anything like this since early Savoy Brown. This is definitely my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the set is ballad, Cold Cold River with a simple melody and rich backing vocals by Ann, Regina and Freda McCrary. This is an interesting release and certainl...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Connections , from Bruce Katz Band and it's a cool rock blues release. The title hints at the connection that Katz has with the Allman Brothers Band through his long term membership of Gregg Allman's Band, and bass player Shaun Oakley who is grandson of Berry Oakley, founding ABB member Berry Oakley. Opening with Right Here Right Now , a bluesy rocker, Bruce Katz on electric piano lays down a strong groove, backed by Aaron Lieberman on guitar, Liviu Pop on drums and Shaun Oakley on bass. Where's My Wallet? is a cool, funky rocker featuring Katz on B3 with a strong drum rhythm by Pop and fluid guitar soloing by Lieberman. Heavy footed, Down Below , features Lieberman on vocal and guitar with Katz holding down organ bass and Hammond and a funky drums line by Pop. Lieberman gets real tight on guitar with some stinging riffs, making this one of my favorite tracks on the release.  With a jazzy approach, All About Th...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lions Roaring in Quicksand , by Paul Reed Smith - Eightlock , and it's rich in funk, rock, and soul. Opening with Sarah , PRS with Bill Nelson and Mike Ault set a rocking progressive pace, fronted by Mia Samone on lead vocal and backed by Gregory Grainger on bass, and Dennis Chambers on drums. Al Green's Love and Happiness really gets in the groove giving Samone a real nice opportunity to lead one of the best R&B tracks of all time. Punched up Benji Perecki on keys and great backing vocals by Grainger and Nelson make this one of my favorites on the release. Bluesy, Drivin' At Night , has a real nice bass line by Grainger and Samone really works the lead vocal. A tasty guitar break doubles the pace on the track giving it a Steely Dan feel, then back to solid soul. Very nice. Echoes has a solid melody giving it a strong radio appeal. Samone's vocals float on a deep bottom and complimentary guitar riffs g...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From My Soul , by Marcel Smith and it's sopping with soul. Opening with I'm Coming Home to You , a cool, traditional soul tune that could literally come from the 60's with it's excellent lead vocal by Marcel Smith, background vocals by The Sons of the Soul Revivers and featuring Kid Andersen on guitar, Mike Rinta on trombone, D'Mar Martin on drums, Endre Tarczy on bass, Jim Pugh on keys, Aaron Lington on sax, and John Worley on trumpet. Very cool. Wake Me When It's Over is one of my favorites on the release with it's perfect melody, lightly applies backing of Tarczy on bass, D'Mar on drums and a vibraphone solo by Andersen supporting the lush vocals of Smith. Drunk is a tight R&B track with hot percussion by Jon Otis, a brassy trombone solo by Rinta, and sassy horn work by Worley all tied together by Smith's magnetic vocals. Nothing Left To Burn really moves with terrific vocals by...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Backbone , by Deb Callahan and it's solid with lots of sting. Opening with high steppin', What I'm Workin For , singer songwriter, Deb Callahan hits hard with plenty of attitude. With Allen James on guitar, Tom Walling on drums, Danny Schogger on keys, Jay Davidson on sax, Steve Jankowski on horns and Charlene Holloway on backing vocals, a lively opener. With a punchy bass line by Garry Lee and strong guitar lead by James on Big Girl Pants , Callahan really carves a moving funky rock track. Very cool. Slinky, A Few New Tricks , really showcases Callahan's vocals nicely. With Walling and Lee holding down the bottom, James adds in just the right amount of lead guitar to make this track my favorite on the release. James also shines with a melodic guitar solo on Danger Zone , a definite radio choice for the release and one that should gather solid attention. Callahan really gets in the slot on Don't Tread O...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, His-Story , from Greg Sover and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Dark House , Greg Sover on lead vocal, bass, harmonica and guitar is joined by Jim Salamone on drums and guitar, Kyle Perrelli and Brad Hinton on understated wailing lap steel guitar. Cool opener. Slow blues, Temptation , has a real nice feel with some of Sover's best vocals on the release. Backed up by David Uosikkinen on drums and Kenny Aaronson on bass this track sets a nice bluesy pace for the release. Jimi's Manic Depression retains it's original driving rock feel. Sover does a real nice job on lead guitar holding down Jimi's riffs with Billy Cox cooking the bass and Tom Walling pounding the drums. Strong. Song 28 has a clear root in Hendrix and it's overdriven rock feel. Sover's guitar riffs are screaming and Najashi Rasheed on on drums really tows the line backed by Aaronson on bass. Wrapping the release is Remember ...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Subsequent Ruins , from Jason Blake and it's aggressive, stimulating and inventive. Opening with Obsolete Perception , a blend of prog, metal and fusion, it features Jason Blake on Warr guitar and Marco Minnemann on drums. With it's Fripp like lead guitar and over guitar with heavy distortion, driven by Minnemann with excellent drumming this track is electrifying. Follow (Emanated Hook) , is another track with changing complex time signatures, Blake on guitar creates a cool, ambient background slowly morphing into a crisp guitar track. Very cool. False Streets of Entanglement follows in the KC prog footprints with excellent inciteful precision. I really like Minnemann's drum approach adding infinite depth to this work. Wrapping the release is A Bleak Outcome with it's more flowing feel and more commercial/rock sound. Blake and Minnemann maintain a slow burn on this one with a bit of synth in the mix. I r...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dockside , from Jonah Tolchin and it's bluesy, gritty and steamy. Opening with swamp funky, Blues With A Feeling , Jonah Tolchin has a great vocal for this stripped down blues style. His guitar riffs are electric and with Nic Coolidge on bass, and Terence Higgins on drums, this is a terrific opener. Save Me (From Myself) has a cool rhythm and excellent vocal interplay between Tolchin and Marley Munroe with guitar accents by Tolchin. Very nice. Chavonne Stewart is featured on lead vocals on soulful, Too Far Down with a laid back instrumental backing including Chris Joyner on keys. Tolchin's guitar lead really sets the track off nicely with critical guitar accents. Ragged blues track, Suffering Well features a really nice guitar solo by Luther Dickinson and strong vocals by Tolchin. Excellent. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Lucille giving Tolchin a real nice opportunity to stretch out a little on guitar. Thi...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Swinging Sunset, by Anthony E. Nelson Jr. and I really like it. Opening with Eddie Haywood's, Canadian Sunset, tenor sax player Anthony E. Nelson, Jr. is bopping. With Kyle Koehler on B3 and Cecil Brooks III on drums, this track is humming. Nelson has a rich tone and fluid, soulful lines and the full B3 backing lets his horn sail. Excellent opener. Latin rhythm sets the stage for Uno Mas Por Roberto, written for Nelson's uncle Bob who is fluent in Spanish. On Stanley Turrentine's, Minor Chant, Nelson sets the melody before breaking into a lively exploration of on sax and Koehler follows Jimmy Smith's lead with a great solo of his own. Very cool. On Johnny Griffin's, Mildew, Nelson really get things going with rapid fire riffs. Jamming. Spinning up one of Sonny Rollin's favorites, Three Little Words, Nelson is really driving, showing a real feel for the style. This is great! Wrapping the release is or...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Savoy , from Taj Mahal and it is a radical departure from his earlier releases with blues related jazz tracks from the earlier part of the past century. Opening with Ellingston's, Stompin' At The Savoy, Taj Mahal lays back and swings on vocals surrounded by period correct vocal backing by Carla Holbrook, Leesa Humphrey and Charlotte McKinnon. The band is tight with Erik Jekabson on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, Sheldon Brown on clarinet and sax and a strong sax solo by Charles McNeal. Danny Caron on guitar, Ruth Davies on bass, John Simon on piano and Leon Joyce Jr. on drums. On Gershwin's Summertime, Mahal pushes the pace up and with a simple rimshot by Joyce and swinging vocal by Mahal, this track is cool. Lincoln Adler really lays out a strong sax solo and Caron on guitar hits the guitar just right backed by Jekabson on trumpet and Brown on sax. Possibly my favorite tack on the release. Maria Muldaur jo...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ridin' , from Eric Bibb and it's a good one. Opening with Family , Bibb really has it going here. With a cool bass line creating an apprehensive sense and his rich vocals and great backing vocals, this is an excellent opener.  Shuffle, The Ballad of John Howard Griffin , featuring Russell Malone, has a cool slickness with jazzy guitar chords and lead. With a tall tale, this track is introspective and positive. Country style blues, Call Me By My Name features Harrison Kennedy, on vocal and guitar trading with Bibb. This is a strong track reviewing the slave plight of human recognition. Wrapping the release is Church Bells , a cool acoustic guitar outro backed by fiddle and bass. Bibb has his own style and his own theme and that's what makes him Bibb. 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 --...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Motel Mississippi , from Tony Holiday and it's quite good. Opening with Rob & Steal , a contemporary take on the sound of thumping drums and floating guitar riffs that I associate with Hill Country music. Tony Holiday on vocal, A J Fullerton on guitar, Dave Gross on guitar, Aubrey McCrady  on guitar, Victor Wainwright on keys, Terrance Grayson on bass, and Lee Williams Jr. on drums, this is an excellent opener. With a classic Willie Dixon bass line by Grayson, and a modern mix, Trouble is really a cool track. Holiday's vocals are strong and harmonica by Jake Friel, wild keyboard soloing by Wainwright and eccentric guitar riffs really add a lot spice to this track. Very nice. Asie Payton's Nobody But You has a great southern R&B feel (think Polk Salad Annie) with smooth vocals and choppy guitar riffs contrasting with windblown slide guitar. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Yazoo River with it's ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Third Degree Gravity , by Eric Heideman and it shows strong songwriting and execution. Opening with I Didn't Do It , a rocking boogie, Eric Heideman on lead vocal and guitar gets the track moving with Victor Wainwright on vocal and and keys, Michael Bram on drums and Matt Raymond on bass. Solid rocking opener. With Latin beat, You're Pushing Me , is snare heavy with Bram setting the pace and excellent vocal by Heideman and cool guitar riffs by JW - Jones. Howlin' Wind has a real nice melody and solid acoustic slide work by Heideman giving the track an eerie bluesy feel. My favorite track on the release is Say You Mean It Baby with a bluesy framework and strong vocals by Heideman, over the powerful piano work of Wainwright and articulate guitar phrasing by Heideman. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Turn Out Fine , a radio oriented ballad with a sweet melody. Accompanied by slide resonator and Dave Gross on o...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from the Pacific Jazz Group and it's a cool new set of west coast style jazz tracks. Opening with Bernie Miller's, Bernie's Tune , Dred Scott on piano sets the pace with quickly formed solo lines with strong reinforcement by John Wiitala on bass. Eric Crystal steps up on tenor sax with an aggressive solo of his own making this a strong opener. On Gerry Mulligan's Line for Lyons , Crystal lays out the groundwork on sax and Scott taking the first solo on piano. Sharing the center stage, they create a uniform feel with great musical balance. Another Mulligan track, Nights At The Turntable , gives Crystal the opportunity to really stretch. He has real full tone and his phrasing really works with the band. Scott on piano takes a cool stroll giving the track a lighter feel but maintaining that Mulligan swing. Wrapping the release is Utter Chaos and Crystal gives it the full treatment with deep raspy t...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Recipe For The Blues , by Lady Adrena and it's a solid blend of soul, rock, blues and R&B. Opening with Blues Chose Me , Lady Adrena on vocal and guitar gets things going with a strutting track featuring power vocals and tight guitar riffs over keys and thumping drums. Stinging guitar riffs lead the way on Traveling Woman with great vocals by Adrena and drums and bass highlighting the strutting nature of the track. Very cool. Shuffle track, No Ring No Thang really has a moving bass line and Adrena with solid key work behind the vocal harmony. A cool guitar solo punches up the track and a nice piano solo adds nicely as well. Wrapping the release is slow, blues ballad, Recipe For The Blues , and Adrena digs deep for the grittiest of her vocals on the release. With understated guitar work, warm organ and nicely stated piano, this is a cool closer for the release.      If you support live Blues acts...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Key Is Trouble In? , from Nick Schnebelen and he on top of his game. Opening with blues rocker, Ten Years After, Fifty Years Later , my man Alvin Lee is called to mind with it's driving power and effortless rocking. Nick Schnebelen on lead vocal and guitar really understands this style and doesn't copy Lee but has his energy with his own riffs and melodies. A great rocking blues. On title track, What Key Is Trouble In? , Nick really hits the R&B groove along the lines of Wilson Pickett, with excellent Albert King like guitar riffs. This is an excellent track with plenty of room to move. Backed by Cliff Moore on bass, Adam Hagerman on drums, Red Young on keys and Aaron Mayfield on organ, this is a tight band. Shuffle track, Pain Aside , has a real nice feel and showcases Nicks vocals nicely. With Moore's tight bass line and inventive blues attacks from Nick, this is a really cool track. Driving boogie, ...