Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sundancer , from Will James and it's a lively mix of contemporary blues, R&B and soul. Opening with Shadowman , with it's second line rhythm by Sergio Gonzalez, and Nathan Brown on bass, Will James has a silky smooth vocal style working his guitar with Jon Gilutin on keys. Solid opener. Soulful, Still Blue , has a really nice approach with smooth vocal over a pure melody, backed by Gilutin on keys and rhythm guitar by Randy Jacobs. Very nice. 6 Up is one of my favorites on the release with it's funky rhythm and guitar edge leading to a full out revival romp. Another funky blues track, Q Blues , really sets a nice groove and James on guitar plays nicely against Gonzalez, Brown and Gilutin. Wrapping the release is a dynamic rocker, Sundance with a touch of psychedelics, a driving beat and solid Hendrix like vocal and guitar expression. I think this release has a cool approach and definitely worth a listen (...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sunday Morning Sessions , by Jimmy Bennett and it's a solid set of acoustic country style blues. Opening with Easter Morning Melody, Jimmy Bennett, shows solid command of the Piedmont picking style and delivers this jaunty tune. Nice opener. Getting out the slide on his dobro, Bennett shows fluid technique and feel on Snow Sliding . Delbert McClinton's casual blues rocker, New York City features Bennett on vocal and guitar and John Ginty on keys. With a good melody, fluid guitar runs and some of Bennett's best vocals on the track this is a strong radio track. Playing Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire in up tempo fashion, Bennet gives it a different feel and is certain to draw crowd attention at shows. Wrapping the release is Serenade For New Orleans with a somber melody and Bennett accompanying himself on dobro. This is a solid release and one that his that right spot.    If you support live Blues acts,...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everybody's Buddy , by Nic Clark and it's strong. Opening with lazy shuffle, Laughing At The Rain , Nic Clark shows a warm voice, backing himself on dobro and accompanying himself on harmonica. Joined by Charlie Hunter on guitar and bass and George Sluppick on drums, this track has definite air potential. With an R&B feel, It'll Be Alright sounds like it's out of Sam Cooke's songbook. Harmonica, nicely phrased, warm vocal lead, Hunter's bass line and Sluppick with rimshots makes this a really nice track. Showing Jimmy Reed style on Don't Count Yourself Out , Clark's vocal and harmonica really solidify as the most focused up tempo blues track on the release with Hunter and Sluppick just adding the bottom for Clark's work. Very nice. My favorite track on the release, How I Met The Blues really is a showcase for Clark's vocal and harmonica work with some beautiful guitar chords by ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Satisfied- An Anthology , by Gaye Adegbalola and it's packed full of tracks from 9 of her solo projects. The Dirty Dozens is a strong piano boogie with great vocals by Gaye and excellent piano by Jeff Covert. One of my favorites on the release is Tippin' On The Down Low with plenty of swing. Rodney Barnes adds great personality on piano giving it a terrific vintage feel. I really like Gaye's vocal work on Prove It On Me Blues . Her ability to dig in and deliver is well demonstrated, backed by Barnes on piano. Simple acoustic blues, Blues For The Greens starts off with Gaye alone with guitar but explodes with full support of Covert on keys, bass, drums and slide guitar. Sensitive, Winona , is a quiet blues featuring Gaye on vocal and guitar and Phil Wiggins on harmonica.  Wrapping the release is Lift Every Voice and Sing , in duet with Resa Gibbs. A solid closer for a lifetime of music.    If ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, At Christmas , from Lisa Biales , and it's a solid mix of blues, pop and holiday sounds. Opening with title track, At Christmas , Lisa Biales leads the way on vocal with Tony Braunagel on drums, Jeff Paris on keys, Johnny Lee Schell on guitar, David J. Carpenter on bass, Jerry Vivino on sax, Maxayn Lewis on backing vocal, Mark Pender on trumpet and hot trombone work by Garrett Smith creating a cool second line feel. Shuffle, That's What I Like About Christmas , opens with a slick guitar intro by Schell. A snappy bottom by Braunagel, great vocals by Biales, swinging keys by Paris and a solid sax solo by Joe Sublett makes this a likely radio track. Mary's Little Baby Boy is my favorite track on the release with a distinct rock feel. Biales holds the reins tight and Braunagel's drum snap paired with Carpenter's bass line gives the track a Stones sound with high tension Hammond work by Paris and really cool...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Rise Blues from Bob Corritore & Friends and I really like it. Opening with Last Time featuring Jimmy Rogers on vocal and guitar, this band is in the groove. With Chico Chism on drums, SE Willis on piano, Johnny Rapp on guitar, Bruce Lopez on bass and Bob Corritore on harmonica, this is a solid opener. Title track, High Rise Blues , features Chism on vocal and he does a great job.  Rapp is joined by Luther Tucker who rips some great guitar riffs backed by Gordo Moraga on bass and Chism on drums. Chicago blues, Honey Where You Going has a great feel with Corritore upfront on harmonica joined by Sam Lay on vocal and drums. Rapp and Chris James on guitar Patrick Rynn on bass round on this great track. Pinetop Perkins is featured on vocal and piano leading Grinder Man . His quiet yet firm vocal style provides great balance for his deliberate piano style and Corritore gets the harmonica humming on this one. W...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gettin' Together , by Michael Jerome Browne and it's a full plate of authentic blues, performed as written. Opening with Mississippi John Hurt's, Monday Morning Blues , Michael Jerome Browne on vocal and 12 string shows a true understanding of the original music with his articulate picking pattern and vocals, joined by Harrison Kennedy on vocal and harmonica. Excellent opener. Delmore Brothers' I've Got The Big River Blues is a terrific track with MJB on guitar and Mary Flower on lap slide guitar. Really nice. Mississippi born Rube Lacy penned Ham Hound Crave and MJB and guitar wiz Colin Linden really bring this track to life. On Bukka White's (BB King's cousin, Booker T. Washington) Fixin' To Die Blues was reimagined as a mountain duet featuring MJB on vocal and gourd banjo and Teilhard Frost on fiddle. This is a great track and it's hard to imagine it any other way. Slow blues, Blac...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Rock House Sessions (extended cut) , from Nalani Rothrock and it's a blend of pop, rock and blues with a definite radio target. Opening with bluesy, Every Time I Close My Eyes , Nalani Rothrock shows her excellent vocal skills and smooth delivery. With Joshua Lamkin on guitar, Kevin McKendree on keys, Steve Mackey on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, and backing vocals by Nicole Boggs and Jonell Mosser. Excellent radio track. R&B flavored, Hold On , has a cool vamp and smooth backing behind Rothrock's vivid vocal delivery. Jackie Wilson adds warm backing vocals and McKendree and Lynn Williams firm up the track. Very nice.  Latin rhythm permeates Midnight , a real nice track with a sweet melody and a great showcase for Rothrock's vocal work. A cool stylistic Tex Mex guitar solo by Lamkin and percussion by Bryan Brock elevates this track and makes it another of my  favorites on the release. Lamkin pulls o...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tribute , from Joe Krown , and it's a New Orleans soaked release. Opening with Allen Toussaint's, All Of It , renown piano and B3 player player really gets things going, backed by  Mark Brooks on bass, Doug Belote on drums and with some searing guitar riffs by Leo Nocentelli. Powerful opener. Dr. John's Such A Night maintains all of the spirit of the Daytripper's original with Ivan Neville on lead vocal and Kassie Netherland backing, Jack Miele and John Fohl on guitar and of course Krown really  working the piano. On Ode to Mr. Davis , Krown lays back in the slot with cool piano and B3, joined by excellent sax work by Joe Sublett, Belote and Brooks. Very nice. Lightning Hopkins' Feel So Bad , features Wolfman Washington on vocal and guitar. I have always loved his style and his vocal, paired with his own funky guitar riffs makes this my favorite track on the release. wrapping the release is a stirring ...

 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...