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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!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Reimagining The Court of the CrimsonKing and it's a modern day replication of Fripp's early masterpiece. Opening with 21 Century Schizoid Man, Todd Rundgren and Arthur Brown on vocal is a bit more outrageous than Greg Lake's stellar vocals on the original release. Fripp who masterminded everything that KC did played guitar beautifully on the original yet Chris Poland pushes the envelope yet further. Michael Giles, who plays drums on the original track I always thought did a masterful job yet Ian Paice really does a nice job here as well and the addition of Mel Collins on sax really is a great touch. Excellent! One of my favorites form the original composition is I Talk To The Wind with Jakko M Jakszyk on vocal, guitar and keys and he really does a nice job. Django Jakszyk on flute holds the sub melody. Very nice. Danny Faulkner has the lead on Epitaph and really carries it well. Joe Lynn Turner sings Moonchild adding just a touch of theatrics to the original track and Jah Wobble on bass compliments the track with tight lines, and Marty Friedman on guitar sails. Title track, The Court of The Crimson King features James Labrie on vocal and Steve Hillage on guitar. Hillage creates trademark solos joined by Carmine Appice on drums. The release returns with instrumental takes on Schizoid Man and Brian Auger runs an elaborate keyboard solo certainly justifying the addition.
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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Young Man's Blues, by Frankie Boy & The Blues Express and it's strong. Opening with Guitar Jr, a cool jam with a funky, James Brown "Boogaloo" feel. Frankie Boy Blues takes the lead on guitar and vocal with Mickey Maguire on bass, Mike Morgan on guitar and Harrison Foti on drums. Young Man's Blues is a cool, laid back blues with a low slung guitar vamp. Mike Morgan plays a melodic guitar solo with Frankie on vocal and a stiff drum swat by Foti. Very nice. Luther Johnson's Talkin' About Soul is a energetic hi stepper with JB energy. Funky rhythm guitar, a rumbling bass line and a stiff drum swat gives Frankie plenty of room to groove. Lots of fun. Slow blues, Something About You really showcases Frankie's feel for the blues and excellent guitar phrasing. Cheatham's Chicago classic, Black Drawers On, really rolls. With excellent guitar work by Morgan this is one of my favorites on the release. Buddy Guy's Mary Had A Little Lamb maintains Guys arrangement and fits nicely into this funky set. Wrapping the set is original track, What More Can I Do with it's radio format. A solid melody, vocals and understated guitar work seal the deal for this 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tulsa Custom, from Seth Lee Jones, and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with stylized Texas blues rocker, 110, Seth Lee Jones creates that overdriven romp that a certain band from Texas made famous. Grabbed chords on guitar and gritty vocals by Jones, solid bass by Bo Hallford and a steady drum beat by Matt Teagarden makes this a very memorable opener. Rockin boogie, All That I Ask has a driving rhythm and a cool moving bass line, snapped in place by Teegarden. I like Jones' approach on guitar soloing. Very cool. Another driving boogie, One Chance, has a terrific groove. Jones' vocals are gritty and Hallford and Teegarden really kick up the dirt. Jones on guitar blends traditional blues rock riffs with more contemporary "tricks" but the end results is solid boogie. Wrapping the release is bluesy ballad, Don't Waste A Thing, with Jones singing with a much silkier nature and melodic guitar soloing. This is certainly the radio track for the release but if you want a kick ass boogie rocker in the vein of "That Little Ol Band from Texas", you'll love this 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Three Chord Monte, from Tony Romano and I really like it. Opening with fusion track, Cadillac Green, Tony Romano on percussive guitar, Jennifer Vincent on bass and Rob Garcia set a really super groove. Paul Carlon on sax sets up the melody and continues with an aggressive sax groove. Romano takes the lead on guitar and really digs in with percussive guitar rhythm and jazz chords. This really is a super opener. Lay It Down is a jazz rocker with an African rhythm feel. Romano and Carlon alternate and jointly play the compact melody before Romano takes an adventurous run on guitar. This track really has that Kuti vibe and with excellent work by Vincent and Garcia on the bottom this track is hot. Carlon's sax work is terrific with the life of authentic African jazz. Excellent! Camino has a definite Latin feel with a solid bottom by Vincent and Garcia and slick Flamenco style guitar work by Romano. Very nice. Ratatat is a ethereal track with a driven, but understated bottom and Romano presenting a mixture of rhythms, chords and melodic phrasing. Loosely crafted (and tightly maintained) Squirrelly, has a New Orleans style stumble drum rhythm providing the rhythm for a solid bass line by Vincent and a rhythmic chorded guitar solo by Romano. Wrapping the release is Home is a soothing, melodic track featuring Carlon laying out the melody on sax, handing off to Romano who elaborates on guitar. This is a cool closer for a real nice 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, About Time, from Celos Salim and Darryl Carriere and it's packed full of lively rock and blues. Opening with BBQ, a hot R&B style track with a funky backbeat. Celso Salim on guitar leads this rocker with a cocky strut and Darryl Carriere on harmonica and vocal really get this track going, backed by Mike Hightower on bass and vocal and David Kida on drums. Solid opener. Jump track, Sweet Thing really has a great feel with excellent riffs and wicked trem bends by Salim and wailing harmonica by Carrier. Excellent! Slow blues, In Your Arms has it all with a strong melody vocal depth by Salim, sumptuous harmonica solo by Carriere and gripping solo by Salim. Very nice. Lightly funky, Get Along is really a cool track with a potent drums rhythm by Kida. Salim and Carriere play a great call and response vocal jibe and tasty work by both , this is one of my favorites on the release. Shuffle, Love On A Shelf has a rolling bass line by Hightower and Salim and Carriere share the mic with stinging guitar riffs as accents all through the melody. Carriere really shows his blues influences on this track with great tone and phrasing. Wrapping the release is country blues, Make You Mine with Salim on resonator and Carriere on vocal and harmonica. With a foot stomp as percussion, this track has a really soulful authentic old school feel. Solid closer for a really cool 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Silver Lining, from Misty Blues, and it's strong. Opening with Seduction By Blues, Gina Coleman with her deep, thick blues oozing vocals permeate the air. Out of the darkness bursts Seth Fleischmann on guitar backed by Bill Patriquin on bass and Rob Tatten on drums, driven by David Vittone on keys. Powerful opener. The Upper Hand had a cool creep about it with atmospheric guitar work woven with Joel Nicolas on keys, Aaron Dean on sax and Patriquin on trumpet. Bluesy rocker, Enough Lovin' For Two and a great sax/bass riff and Fleischmann rips a real nice guitar solo adding nicely to this already cool track. Funky blues rocker, That's My Cross, finds Coleman on vocal over a funky guitar rhythm. I really like the laid out sax solo by Dean and Fleischmann rips a great solo of his making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Blues Never Ends, with the Diego Mongue Band. With backing vocals by Fleischmann, Patriquin, Tatten and Dean, Diego Mongue on percussion and the solo sax work by Dean, 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Person of Interest, by Billy Price and it's got style. Opening with funky, Inside The Box, Billy Price is back with his next chapter. Notable for a leading vocal style for more than 25 years, Price is joined by Larry Fulfher on bass, Josh Sklair on guitar, Jim Pugh on keys, Tony Braunagel on drums and backing vocals by Masayn Lewis, Fred White and Will Wheaton. Of course there's a great horn section behind him including Ron Dziubla on sax, Eric Spaulding, and Mark Pender on trumpet. Great opener. Bluesy ballad, Mercy, gives Price a chance to belt one out and warm keys by Pugh under the solid lead guitar work of Fulcher, and a sultry sax solo by Spaulding make this a solid radio contender. Title track, Person Of Interest, really has a funky pop sound in the vein of Steely Dan. Reggie McBride on bass lays in a great vibe and Pugh is killer on keys. Price's vocals are loose and free and Dziubla and Pender do a great job on horns. Having spent 3 years with Roy Buchanan, Price dedicates a track, Change My Mind, to Roy. A serious soul track and featuring Joe Bonamassa on guitar who gives Roy a few nods this is a very cool track. Latin rhythms on A Certain Something has radio warmth and a strong melody. Pugh leads the track nicely on keys and Lenny Castro on percussion and Braunagel really spice up the bottom with Fulcher on bass and lead vocal by Price, backed by Lewis, White and Wheaton really shines. Wrapping the release is high stepping, Damage Control, with Price playing call and response with Dziubla and Pender on horns. McBride on bass holds the line with Braunagel on drums and Pugh of course on keys is stellar. Spaulding shines on tenor sax whipping out a real nice solo and Lewis, White and Wheaton blend nicely. This is a consistently cool release ... think a bluesy Steely Dan. 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent releases, Spirits, by Kid Andersen and Soul, by Lisa "Little Baby" Leuschner released together as a single release (2 discs) and it's great! Opening with slow blues, The Civilized Life, Kid Andersen opens with some of the most powerful music to come out of Greaseland Studio. Andersen is a talented musician across the board and his guitar playing and lead vocals here are really strong. Endre Tarczy on bass, Chris Burns on keys and Mike Rinta on trombone, Dr Aaron Lington and Stevie Gurr on harmonica add great texture to this excellent opener. Blind Willie Johnson's Nobody's Fault But Mine gets a really nice rework with a slinky feel courtesy Dave LeMieux on drums and Kid on guitar, bass and lead vocal shared with Lisa Leuschner. Check out the outrageous slide guitar work by Kid on Hey, Little Reaper, a Chicago style blues romp with solid harmonica work by Nic Clark and Charlie Musselwhite, coupled with Burns on keys. Very nice. I really love the feel on I Ain't Right with Kid on lead vocal and slide guitar. This track is a loose shuffle and reminiscent of the work that Skydog did with Arthur Conley at Muscle Shoals back in the early 70's. The groove is excellent and horn work by Eric Spaulding, Jack Sanford, along with Lorenzo Farrell on keys, June Core on drums and Jerry Jemmott really sends this one over the edge. Wrapping Spirits is Ship of Fools, a sauntering soul/jazz track in the vein of early War. The vocal blending by a host of characters is incredible and Jemmott really anchors this track. Excellent closer for disc one.
Leuschner opens her disc with Mike Schermer's In My Mind's Eye with a warm R&B influenced feel. Smooth, soulful vocals, backed by Kenny Ken Franklin on bass, D'Mar on drums, and clean guitar work by Kid make this a solid opener. Another R&B track, Donnie Woodruff's I Won't Let That Happen To Me, really has a great feel showcasing Leuschner's voice nicely. With Jemmott setting a deep groove on bass, D'Mar on drums, Jim Pugh on keys, Vicki Randle on percussion and cllean, understated guitar work by Kid, this is a really nice entry. Digging back into Bishops great days with Jo Baker, Rock Bottom is resurrected and is punchy as it was when I first heard it in college. Lisa is backed by James, Dwayne and Walter Morgan on vocals, Rinta, Lington, Scott Jensen on trumpet add in authentic horns and Kid rips a guitar solo that would make Crabshaw proud. Kickass! Infectious, Slipped Through My Fingers, has a strong deep groove courtesy Kid on bass, Latimore on keys and D'Mar on drums. Latimore trades vocals with Lisa on this serious radio track. Wrapping the release is smart little ballad, Family, written and performed by Lisa with the last verse sung by Kid. With only acoustic guitar, keys and bass backing, this is a really nice track with Lisa's voice as pure as it gets, unadorned and straight up. Very nice closer for a tremendous double set. One of the most enjoyable reviews of the year!
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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mariwo^, from Juan Megna Group and it moves. Opening with title track, Mariwo^, a fast paced, Latin flavored number, Juan Megna on drums and percussion holds a tight ship. Jose' Luiz Martins on piano sets up the structure with Shawn Purcell on guitar and Leonardo Lucini on bass. Tedd Baker on sax plays a really strong solo, Lucini on bass has a solid solo of his own, David Sacks lays in some great trombone riffs and Megna really takes it home on drums. Powerful opener. F'ara Ogunja' has a driving rhythm and Baker really lays it out there on sax, joined by Sacks on trombone really intensifying the feel. Megna is anything but a quiet drummer with excellent rhythm and driving riffs. Purcell lays out a really nice solo of his own on guitar punctuated by Martins on piano and well placed bass lines by Lucini. Si Estuvieras is a particularly beautiful song composed by Megna and Luis A Perez. With a Lucini on bass, Megna on cymbal and light snare and Martins on piano the groundwork is laid. Martins creates the structure for the track on piano and Emmanuel Trifilio on Bandoneon plays the melody. Really really nice. More radio oriented track, Coisa No2 features Alisson Crockett on vocals and Baker on sax over a lively bass, drum, piano background. Wrapping the release is The Owl Look, with a pop melody and a Latin flare. Martins and Baker weave their magic over a firm bass line by Lucini and tight rhythms by Megna. Improv starts with a an adventurous sax solo by Baker, who hands off to Purcell on guitar and Martins on bass who propel the track nicely. A deeper dive into the track by Martins and Megna yields tension coming to a resolution with a return to a more melodic conversation with Lucini. 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BEATitude, from David Bixler and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with A Power Deferred, alto sax player/ composer, David Bixler sets up a solid melody, caressed by the excellent accent work of Jon Cowherd on piano and Ike Sturm on bass and Rogerio Boccato on percussion. With a lightly salted Latin rhythm and Bixler trades with Cowherd who's piano lines flow nicely and Sturm's bass solo is firm and inciteful. Strong opener. Hide Seek Find has a bit of Bossa Nova in it's blood with Cowherd and Boccato creating the basis for the rhythm and Sturm really working the bass. Bixler, free to play the melodic solo lead. Again, Sturm gets the floor and his freedom to enhance the track is really meaningful. Cowherd takes a nice stroll on piano before joining back to a uniform front giving the track real texture. Wrapping the release is Lost Hours? No, with it's solemn, alto sax drifting a hint of melody over the shadow bass lines of Sturm. Cowherd begins an abstracted piano rhythm, joined by Boccato and weaving into one fabric as the composition grows. Cowherd takes the lead on piano crafting a really nice alternate framework, providing space for a new melodic interlude by Bixler with Boccato and Sturm to anchor the piece. Very nice 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Slow Ride - Live In Concert, from Foghat and it's an excellent record of the energy produced by one of the best blues rock bands of their time. Spawned from Savoy Brown, Kim Simmonds brain child, Lonesome Dave Peverett (vocal and guitar), Tony Stevens (bass), Roger Earl (drums), joined up with slide master Rod Price and Foghat was an immediate hit. This concert was recorded in 1999 after the departure of Price and joined by Molly Hatchet's Bryan Bassett resulting in this line up. Opening with Drivin' Wheel, Bassett's gain saturated slide work gets things going and Peverett's incredible pipes lead on this terrific opener. Always known as a potent rocker Earl and Stevens provide a serious bottom. Excellent opener. On Elmo James' deep blues, It Hurts Me Too, again Peverett and Bassett have just a magical sound. Soulful vocals and overdriven slide is killer and with Earl and Stevens on the bottom, this sound just can't be beat. Robert Johnson's Sweet Home Chicago is up next with Foghat's trademark sound. Peverett's vocals are every bit a signature as the wide open slide and the driving bottom. These guys run this track just long enough to get it into 6th gear and then let the crowd sing along. Excellent blues rock. The set is wrapped with the big trio, Fool For The City, I Just Want To Make Love To You, and Slow Ride, Two Peverett originals and a Willie Dixon cover, there is hardly a person on the planet that was a rocker at this time who didn't know these 3 tracks. This is a powerful set and one that is sure to get your BP up. Enjoy!
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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Guitar Woman, from Sue Foley and it's an acoustic solo release in tribute to female pioneers of guitar. Opening with Elizabeth Cotten's Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie, Foley on vocal and guitar delivers this classic blues track with clarity and nicely articulating Cotten's classic guitar styling. Mother Maybelle Carter's, Lonesome Homesick Blues is a nice showcase for Foley vocally and her Davis like turnarounds work really nicely on this track. Spanish styling on Foley and Lydia Mendoza composed, Mal Hombre, is really tasty and Foley singing in both Spanish and English really suits this track. One of my favorites on the release. Classical composition, Romance In A Minor is a beautiful addition to this set. Composed by Niccolo Paganini, this track is all feel. Very nice. Sister Rosetta Thorpe song, My Journey To The Sky is a really soulful composition and Foley does it justice with clean vocals and a minimum of guitar accompaniment. Elizabeth Cotten's most popular track, Freight Train is up next with Foley nicely demonstrating Cotten's widely recognizable guitar technique. Wrapping the release is possibly one of the most recognizable Spanish guitar compositions, La Malaguena, composed by Ernesto Lecuona. Foley does a really nice job with feel and articulation on this classic closer. It's notable to say all tracks on the release were performed on a nylon string flamenco Negra made by master luthier Salvadore Castillo. Really interesting release and a bit off the standard path for Foley but an enjoyable journey.
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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Longing, from Hyeonseon Baek and it's very cool. Opening with Ellington's Caravan, Hyeonseon Baek really emerges smoothly from the darkness with his smooth tenor vocals. Kevin Hays really working the melody on piano,, and Lucas Pino on tenor sax plays beautiful, lyrical phrases over the tight bottom of Linda May Han Oh on double bass and Jochen Rueckert on drums. Exciting opener. Original composition, West 4th St. is a solid shuffle with Baek scatting over a terrific rhythm. Hays plays masterful piano improv with a great bass line by Oh. Jimmy Rowles' laid back, A Timeless Place showcases Baek's voice nicely with a solid interlude balanced between Hays on piano and Oh on bass. Wrapping the release is a second take on West 4th St with Pino letting it all hang out on tenor sax. With a super bass line by Oh, tight drums by Rueckert, Hays on piano and of course the solid vocal styling by Baek, this is a super 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Was Here, from Andy Ezrin and it's a solid mix of jazz and fusion styling. Opening with Grapes, Randy Brecker on trumpet and Donny McCaslin on tenor sax blend nicely creating an inviting intro. Andy Ezrin on piano sets up the melody on piano and improvises a broader theme, with strong solo lines by McCaslin, joined by John Patitucci on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums. A vibrant solo by Brecker really stands out nicely before the 5 circle back for a cohesive opener. Easy shuffle, Greenwoman, finds McCaslin leading the melody on sax. Patitucci on bass sets up a complex bass line reinforced by Gilmore's riveting snare work on drums and an aggressive solo by McCaslin contrasts nicely with Ezrin's solo work on piano. Pop funky, Ain'tThat Some Shit, is a definite radio track with McCaslin wailing on tenor sax, floating on a bed of piano and B3 by Ezrin. A snappy bottom by Patitucci and Ari Hoenig on drums. Wiggle Room is my favorite track on the release with a lot of freedom around a central melody, anchored by Patitucci and Gilmore but stimulating soloing by Ezrin and McCaslin and Patitucci. Brecker had the lead on Never Enough, with it's memorable melody and pace. Ezrin walks the melody along on piano, joined by Patitucci making for another of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Cascades, a clean piano elaboration by Ezrin. With a nice phrasing and execution, a great closer for a cool 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Remind Me, from Kelly's Lot and it's a solid blend of soul, blues, boogie and rock. Opening with I Gotta Sing The Blues, an easy paced soul track featuring Kelly Zirbes on lead vocal shared with Mo Beeks, backed by Perry Robertson on guitars, Matt McFadden on bass, Beeks on keys, and Art Mendoza on drums. With a memorable melody and well balanced vocals, this is a strong opener and a likely airplay track. Kelly takes the mic on Mama's Blues, with it's slow dance feel and warm horn work by Bill Johnson (Bari), Aviva Maloney (alto), Paulie Cerra (tenor and alto), Didier Reyes on trumpet, and Chip Tingle on trombone and a solid sax solo. Swampy, Without You, is a firm ricker led by Kelly and Robertson on guitar and has a rocky bottom provided by Mike Sauer on drums and McFadden on bass. Rocker, Aces features Tomislav Goluban on harmonica trading lead with Kelly on vocal. Steady drum rhythm by Sauer, bass line by McFadden and Robertson on guitar makes this a lively entry to the set. Wrapping the release is shuffle, Love And Understanding, the best showcase for Kelly on the release. With it's easy pace and acoustic guitar work by Robertson a smooth closer for the 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”
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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 on piano is bright and refreshing. McCandless' solo sways in the breeze with a reedy tone over the support of Kash Killion on bass, Walker on drums and Ian Dogole on cajon. Wrapping the release is Rendezvous with it's soft, inviting melody. Sketched out by Parker with Walker on drums and Killion on bass and Dogole on cymbals and then overlayed one by one by McCandless and Montfort, this track is a calming closer. 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”
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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 who bends and shapes the form beyond comprehension yet never losing concept. Joined by Beckman on sax and cranking up the bottom. Another solid entry. The composition is summarized in Movement V with the tension brought out by Palumbo is intensified by Tucker on vocal. With a strong bass/drum rhythm creating a driving path, Tucker and Beckman lead the way toward the climax. Russo on rimshots alters the trajectory and Shook on bass sets up the new direction. Wardenski takes the lead and with inciteful guitar phrasing starts the theme. Beckman on alto sax continues the theme driven by Russo and then paring down to just rimshots and Shook on bass, Palumbo plays a brilliant refrain ending in a powerful return of Beckman, Tucker et al. Very interesting.
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