Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Windows Through Time , by Mariah Parker and it's a refreshing breeze. Opening with The Very Wings , Mariah Parker on piano sets a percussive, irregular yet solid theme for the blossoming of this track. Joined by Gary Brown on bass and Mark Walker on drums the track continues to grow through the addition of melodic soloing by Matthew Montfort on guitar and Paul McCandless on sax. Very nice opener. With a Latin flavor, Sol de Barcelona has a really nice melody framed by Parker and McCandless. Montfort's guitar soloing is clean and concise, further elaborated by McCandless and augmented nicely by Sascha Jacobsen on bass, Mark Walker on on drums and Michaelle Goerlitz on percussion, developing into an elegant presentation by Parker on piano. Another Latin flavored track, Duende , features McCandless on melody over the solid piano work of Parker. Montfort's hand at Spanish style guitar is lush and Parker's solo...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unfoldings , by Ian Wardenski , and it's thought provoking yet familiar, it's abstract but not free form, it's outrageous yet well composed, it's heady yet understandable. This release has 5 "songs" which are really one total composition divided loosely into 5 movements. Movement I opens with Frank Russo on drums laying down a cool rolling rhythm and Amy Shook punching the bass, leading to Savino Palumbo's energetic piano lead. Tamara Tucker adds a vocal lead actually bringing to mind extracts from Zappa compositions. Composer, Ian Wardenski shows his chops on guitar which really are tight and Mercedes Beckman on alto sax is fluid and mindful. Very cool opener. Movement II opens with Shook on bass crafting a riff, then additively altered by Russo who really plays tight, rock formed riffs on drums. Palumbo on piano really stretches and forms the melody on this track handing off to Wardenski w...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, ... O r What? , from Gerald Gradwohl and I really like it! Opening with Paradoxon , an excellent fusion track, the rhythm line is laid down by Kirk Covington on drums and Adam Nitti on bass. Gerald Gradwohl creates a great environment on Line 6 effects and crafts funky, jagged, free flowing guitar lead melody. Very cool! On Cheap Chunk , Covington and Nitti did a deep groove with soulful sax lead by Bill Evans, paired with Gradwohl on guitar. Evans and Gradwohl both take aggressive solos making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. No kidding! What Are We Gonna Do Tomorrow, is another track with a heap of funk. Nitti really knows how to pour on the heat with a bass infused lead line and solid solo and Covington adds some rhythmic vocal backed by Saskia Helige. Gradwohl lays in some really tasty guitar riffs for another solid addition to the set. The Course has an aggressive, rock fusion bottom with Gergo Bor...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live And Havin' Fun , from Deb Ryder and it's a boat load of high steppin fun. Opening with Fun Never Hurt No One , with it's pumping rhythm, Deb Ryder is upfront leading the way on gritty vocals and Lon Price and Joe Sublett on sax. Tony Braunagel lays down a steady drum rhythm with Ric Ryder on bass and Johnny Lee Schell on guitar. Paul Litteral on trumpet and Jim Pugh on trombone really open the track up with brass. Solid Opener. Temporary Insanity has plenty of sway with Schell leading the way on guitar and Pugh, Price and Litteral on horns. Ric's bass work adds a real nice bottom giving Deb a solid footing for her powerful vocals. Albert Lee lays down some real nice guitar riffs on Ma Misere for a strong addition to the set. Braunagel sets up a hot, New Orleans rhythm and Albert Lee picks some real nice riffs under the soulful vocals on Deb. Funky, I'm Coming Home , leads off with Price wailing o...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cooking With Gas , by Big Harp George and it's a solid set of original blues tracks. Opening with title track, Cooking With Gas , Big Harp George on lead vocal and chromatic harmonica leads the way on this sassy track with D'Mar Martin on drums, Joe Kyle Jr. on bass and featuring Michael Peloquin contributing a hot sax solo. Latin flavored Doom Loop has a tight drum and horn section with Doug Rowan on bari sax, Ed Morrison on trumpet, Peloquin on tenor sax, Mike Rinta on trombone, Kid Andersen on guitars and great guitar flare from George. Soulful blues, Wine Is My Friend has a firm bass line by Kyle Jr. working with George's great vocals, Andersen on guitar and James Dwayne and Walter Morgan on backing vocals. Funky instrumental, Maceosity really moves with Jerry Jemmott on bass and D'Mar on drums. A lively horn section and Burns on keys fuels the flame and Peloquin on diatonic harmonica works in nicely ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Brother No.1 , from The Reverend Shawn Amo s, and it's a strong mix of R&B, rock, soul and blues. Opening with funky rocker, Revelation , driven by Jerry "Wyzard" Seay on bass and Steve Ferrone on drums. With Rev on vocal and wailing harmonica, Dapo Torimiro on keys, and Doctor Roberts soaring on guitar, this is a super opener. I love the Al Green feel on Back To The Beginning and solid backing vocals by the McCrary Sisters and The Crimm Singers. Soulful, Circles , features The Revs vocals, great guitar accents by James Saez and backing vocals by Denise Carite, Torimiro and Seay. Wrapping the release is Things Will Be Fine , a great soul track featuring Amos and Carite on lead vocal, backed by Torimiro, Seay and the McCrary sisters. 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’...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Play Loud & Smoke Often , from Cryin' Out Loud , and it's a good set of rocking blues. Opening with I Smoke Cigars and I Play The Blues , a jazzy blues rocker, Brandon Stallard on lead vocal and guitar gets things rocking joined by Ben Chute on guitar and slide, Jim Fratini on bass,  Erik Lawrence on sax, Mark "Bluesboy" Kanter on harmonica and Jeff Glidden drums. On boogie track, You Can Dance to the Blues , Fratini on bass sets the pace with Brooks Milgate on keys and piano and Stallard on vocal. Stallard lays in a hot guitar solo and Lawrence blows a cool sax solo of his own. My favorite track on the release is bass driven, Instead , with it's drum/bass echo rhythm and fiery guitar lead and full organ solo by Milgate and Lincoln Blake. Moonshine Lover has a light feel and memorable radio melody. With it's bouncy rhythm and vocal harmonies it plays well for airplay. Up tempo rocker, Time Awa...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Scala Theatre Stockholm , by Eric Bibb and it's my favorite in a long time. Opening with traditional track, Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad , Eric Bibb on guitar and vocal creates a warm bluesy feel, with excellent slide guitar backing by Christer Lyssarides, Johan Lindstrom on pedal steel, Glenn Scott on bass, Olle Linder on drums, Greger Andersson on harmonica and Esbjorn Hazelius on fiddle. I love the depth and fluidity. Great opener. Led Belly's Bring Me Little Water , Sylvie benefits nicely from the warm, silky vocal of Bibb and Lindstrom on pedal steel, punctuated by Glen Scott on bass makes this track an excellent addition. Walter Vinson's, Things Is 'Bout Comin' My Way has always been one of my favorite blues tracks. I just love the melody. Wrapping the release is Mole In The Ground , another traditional track with very light accompaniment. Bibb always handles this classic t...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beautiful Sin , by Paul Black , and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Howl & Moan, a driving rocker, Paul Black on lead vocal, guitar, bass and harp is joined by Curtis Lieppi on drums, Wynn Cogol on Hammond, and Sarah Smith on back vocal for a strong opener. Swampy rocker, Better Man has a great bass line that carry Blacks lead vocals nicely. With a nice weave of organ by Cogol and Blacks own guitar riffs this track has that CCR feel. Very nice. The Way is a real nice rocker with real swagger. Black on vocal and slide give the track a tough bite and bass and organ reinforcement give it solid traction. It's the snappy rhythm by Malcolm Cooley that really sets up the track  on Losin Your Love . With just the right amount of funk, well placed organ work by Cogol and a bass/guitar combo by Black sets this thing on fire. Wrapping the release is Go On Home ,  a cool rocker with a punchy backbeat. Black...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Side Hustle , from One Dime Band , and it's a cool R&B/blues release. Opening with title track, Side Hustle , Paul Gallucci on lead vocal and John Brauchler on guitars lead the way with Romen Dubois on drums laying down a tight rhythm and a poppy bass line by Paul Kochananski driving the beat. Cool opener. With a mix of blues and folk on What You Done? , Gallucci on vocal and slide guitar has the floor. A cool ballad, with Tim Curry backing on vocal, a cool bass line by Kochanski and accordion by Alizon Lissance, a cool track. Dr. Shine is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a solid melody, strong vocals and harmonica by Gallucci. Driving rocker, Backbell has a terrific beat and with Lissance on piano and a cool sax solo by Mario Perrett, a top radio contender giving Brauchier a little stretching room on guitar. Another solid track is blues rocker, Babylon Clouds , with it's bluesy bass line, and ex...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Over and Over , by Tony Monaco Trio and it's a super groove. Opening with Da Daddy a high energy bop with Tony Monaco on B3 playing the melody, anchored by Zakk Jones on guitar and Reggie Jackson on drums. Monaco takes a real nice B3 solo and leads to a strong melodic guitar solo b Jones. Excellent opener. Boogie track, One For Pat (Martino) has great bones. Monaco provides a firm bass line on B3 and Jones really stretches nicely. Monaco returns on B3 reinforcing yet expanding the melody never giving you a chance to catch your breath. Very nice. Another hard driver is Ready Set Go with Monaco on B3 bass and Jackson set a remarkable pace. Monaco takes the first turn at the wheel steering with wild abandon up the keyboard working it to a frenzy. Jones doesn't relent with an excellent guitar solo of his own. Really strong. Wrapping the release is funky, Uprooted with a tight snappy drum rhythm by Jackson and by th...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Half & Half, from Lara Price and it's got the spunk of a "real" classic blues rocker from the early 70's. Opening with We're Still Friends , a bluesy rocker, Lara Price, leads with her gutsy vocal style with Randy Hayes and Kid Andersen on drums, Endre Tarczy on bass, Baxter Robertson on keys, Sue McCracklin, Maureen Smith, and Lisa Leuschner on backing vocals and Mike Zito and Might Mike Schermer whipping out some sweet guitar interplay. Solid opener. Funky, Things Ain't Everything , has a terrific bottom, courtesy of Clint Simmons on drums and Nick Jay on bass. Price slips into a great vocal slot on this one and David Jimenez and Chris Tondre add tight guitar riffs, with Trevor Nealon on keys and McCracklin, Smith and Leuschner on backing vocals. This will get you moving. Solitude is a vocal showcase for Price singing an Ellington song, paired with Matt Burger on guitar. Very nice. Wrapping...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Chasing The Sun, by Colin James  and it's chocked full of great tracks and guest talent. Opening with Protection , Lucinda Williams is up front on vocal with Colin James on vocal and lead guitar. Colin Linden on guitar adds rea nice riffs joined by Darryl Jones on bass, Charley Drayton on drums and Ann & Regina McCrary on backing vocals. This track has a strong melody with a Keith Richards feel. Excellent opener. Devilment has a really cool, New Orleans style drum rhythm by Drayton and with the addition of Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica crafting some sweet lead work, this is a strong track. Soulful radio track, How It Feels To Be Loved , really has that warm universal radio play feel featuring James on guitar and vocal, a paced, walking bass line by Jones and warm B3 contributions by Michael Hicks and Jim Hoke on sax. Very nice. Another track that has a great rock feel is This Song Kills Hate with it's guit...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Blues Brother- The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" by Matt Guitar Murphy and it's a great assemblage of music that Matt was working on at the time of his death in 2018 featuring music by artists he either played with or influenced along with some special guests. Opening with Matt's Boogie , Murphy leads the way on this instrumental with  a super guitar rhythm /solo lead and joined by Bruce Bears on organ, Ricky "King" Russell on guitar, Bob Worthington on bass and Fran Christina on drums. Solid opener. Deadric Malone's I Feel Alright Again is a super shuffle featuring Brian Templeton on vocal, Nick Adams on guitar, Collin Tilton on tenor sax, Johnny Juxo on keys, Dean Cassell on bass and Christina on drums. Christine Ohlman really belts out the lead on Something's Got a Hold On Me , and Etta James favorite, with Cliff Goodwin and Russell on guitar, Worthington on bass and Christina ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Simple Songs For Complicated Times , by Ndidi O and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Get Gone , with it's strong melody, Ndidi O shows how clear and strong her voice is, backed by Dawn Pemberton, Khari McClelland, and Keri Latimer on backing vocals. I really like Gary Craig's drum flair and with Sam Howard on bass, rhythmic key work by Chris Gestrin and dynamic slide work by Steve Dawson, this is a potent opener. Dawson plays acoustic guitar as well as pedal steel adding quite a bit of texture to Light On with it's poppy feel and vocal styling. Stripping it back to pure folk vocal on In May , Ndidi blends vocals nicely over the wailing pedal steel of Dawson. With just light touches of percussion and bass and finger picked National steel body. This is a strong entry to the release. Entering into Al Green territory, R&B infused, Too Late , is one of my favorites on the release with a moving rhythm a...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Out Of Line , by the Wicked Lo-Down and it's really strong. Opening with romping shuffle, Kill Me Or Keep Me , Nick David on lead vocal, has a great voice and Paul Size and Jeffrey Berg on guitars really add a lot of swagger. Brad Hallen on bass and Nick Toscano on drums round out the band making this a power to reckon with. Excellent opener. Chuck Berry flavored, Marchin' On , really has great form and Size adds really nice riffs. If you don't know Size, we called attention to his broad notoriety in a post ( Paul Size, Johnny Moeller, Anson Funderburgh ) back in 2011. Super musician and in great company with Judge, Funderburgh and Moeller. On The Wildest One (Lester's Boogie) , Hallen on bass sets a great boogie line and Size and Berg really get the boogie feel going and David works his own vocal against harmonica that really wails. This is a terrific boogie that will leave you wanting more. Excellent tr...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dream Job , from Jeff Rogers , and it's a soulful rocker. Opening with Her Kind Of Trouble , a super, R&B track with excellent vocals by Jeff Rogers. Kevin Holly on guitar, Clayton Ivey on keys, Justin Holder on drums and Shonna Tucker on drums are a tight unit and spectacular backing vocals by Sharon Riley, Teena Riley, Jean Lawrence - Scotland, Michelle Francis, Renee Rowe and Patricia Lewis. Soulful. title track, Dream Job , is another prime showcase for Rogers on vocal and Wurlitzer, backed by Holly, Tucker, Holder and Ivey and the excellent choir. Bluesy ballad, Wish You Wouldn't Go features some real nice guitar work by Holly and terrific lead vocal by Rogers with warm backing and horn support by Ed Lister on trumpet, Petr Cancura on tenor sax, and Mark Ferguson on trombone. Very nice. Dead of Night has the signature of a radio hit with a bobbing melody, strong melody, Rogers pure vocals and the strong h...