Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Run It Back Records artist: Andrew Duncanson - California Trap - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, California Trap, from Andrew Duncanson, and it's a busting with soul. Opening with Relearning To Climb, a cool soul tune with a great melody, featuring Andrew Duncanson on lead vocal, backed by Tia Carroll, Lara Price and Lisa Leuschner-Andersen on backing vocals and a full compliment of Memphis instrumentation. Kid Andersen on guitar, Michael Peloquin on tenor sax, Ed Morrison on trumpet, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Dmar Martin on drums, Jim Pugh on B3, and Mike Rinta on trombone really give this track a breath of reality. Solid opener. Chugging, Hold Me Back, really gets moving with Duncanson on vocal and guitar and featuring Peloquin on harmonica as well as guitar. Title track, California Trap is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a BB King/Mike Bloomfield feel. Kid Andersen is stellar on guitar backed by Baxter Robinson on piano and excellent vocals by Duncanson. Dripping in soul, What Kind Of Man, is a nice showcase for Duncanson on vocal with rich horn backing by Peloquin, Rinta, Mike Rose on trumpet and Doug Rowan on bari sax and warmed by the backing vocals of Tia, Lara and Lisa. Very nice. Loping blues, Feelin' Better Now features real nice harmonica by Peloquin nicely complimenting Duncanson on vocal. Strong. Another terrific track, Next Life, features Duncanson's best vocals on the track, with Andersen really laying in some excellent blues phrases on guitar and solid horn backing by Rinta, Rose, and Rowan. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Better Off Now, with nicely stylized vocals by Duncanson and punchy trumpet work paired with bari sax by Morrison and Rowan. Strong closer.

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Monday, May 12, 2025

VizzTone label group artist: Will Wilde - Blues Is Still Alive - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Is Still Alive, by Will Wilde, and it's a strong new blues entry. Opening with title track, Blues Is Still Alive, Will Wilde on vocal and harmonica is coming on strong. With solid vocals and scorching harp lines, paired with Walter Trout on lead guitar, Blues Is Still Alive a ear catcher. Backed by Bobby Harrison on rhythm guitar, Greg Coulson on keys, Steve Rushton on drums, Russell Carr on bass, and backing vocals by Dani Wilde, Lindsey Bonnick and Chloe Josephine on backing vocals, this is an excellent opener. Wilde really opens the door on blues rocker, Don't Play With Fire with some of the most intense harmonica work that I've heard in a while. Driving blues rocker, Trouble Of That Girl has a great driving bottom thanks to Rushton and Carr. Wilde really adds a hot lead harmonica making this one of the hot radio likely tracks on the release. On Slow blues, Stole My Love, the band lays back and gives the floor to Wilde on vocal and harmonica and he knows how to work it. High impact harmonica soloing, accented by Rushton on drums makes this my favorite track on the release. Another solid blues rocker, Learn How To Love, has a solid shuffle beat and with potent lead harmonica work and vocals by Wilde and nice backing vocals by Wilde, Bonnic and Josephine, this is another solid radio candidate. Another slow blues, Broken Dreams Blues gives Wilde a great opening to dig down deep on harmonica. Chided along by Rushton, it's really cool to hear harmonica play guitar like phrasing. Excellent! Wrapping the release is shuffle, Don't Trust Me, with it's rocking bottom and power organ by Coulson and a slick guitar lead by Harrison. Solid closer for a super release.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Ian Siegal Meets Johnny Mastro - Easy Tiger - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Easy Tiger, from Ian Seigal and Johnny Mastro and I really like it. Anyone who's been reading my notes for a few years, knows that I really like my blues with a raw edge and this release has that covered in spaces. Opening with blues rocker, Four On The Floor, I hear traces of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and Oh Well. This is a great rocker with Ian Siegal on vocal and guitar, and Johnny Mastro on harp and vocal, backed by Josh Kerin on bass, Smoke on guitar and Chris Davis on drums. Explosive. Rock and Roller, Baby You Can Get Your Gun has a great rhythm with Mastro really blowing the harp and a driving bottom. Dog Won't Hunt has a real Hill Country feel with a monstrous bellow of vocal over a great super rhythm guitar, followed by Mastro's harp work. Excellent! I really like the hooded and echoed vocals on Miss Your Cadillac over the conventional rock rhythm and solid guitar lead by Siegal. Another of my favorites on the release is Quick To The Gun which really digs deep. I love the hooded vocal and clear vocal in parallel along with frenzied guitar work over an Otis Rush like attack. Really strong. Wrapping the release is Oedipuss, a cool rocker with a blues edge. Paired vocals and paired lead (guitar and harp), gives this track a real different feel. I gotta say I really enjoyed this release and will be listening a bit more at home.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Nola Blue Records artist: Frank Bey - Peace - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pease, from Frank Bey and it's a solid compilation of Bey's music. Opening with That's What Love Will Make You Do, Little Milton's funky blues, Bey on lead vocal is joined by Anthony Paule who really lays out some real nice riffs on guitar, Loralee Christensen on backing vocals, Tony Lufrano on keys, Nancy Wright on sax, Tom Poole on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, Endre Tarczy on bass and Paul Revelli on drums, this is a great opener. R&B track, Midnight and Day has a really nice feel with Doug Travis on keys and Kevin Frieson on bass and Thomas Jefferson on drums creating a great bottom and Bey's rich vocals sharing the spotlight with Jeff Monjack on guitar. Rolling blues, Blues Comes Knockin' is bound to get you moving, with a great bottom by Jefferson and Frieson and with with Beys dynamic vocals, hot harmonica work by Sark Damirjian and smoking guitar lead by Monjack, this is my favorite track on the release. If You Want Me is a really nice track featuring real nice sax work by Bob Maxon and deep organ work by Andrew Samuels. Bey really digs in vocally and Monjack rips on lead guitar making this another stand out track on the release. Hi stepper, Blues In The Pocket has a terrific groove with essential woodblock (muted cowbell) by Omar Hill and a sassy sax solo by Allen Weber. Wrapping the release is a soulful take on John Lennon's, Imagine, with Beys soulful vocal set off nicely by Jim Pugh on organ and piano. Kid Andersen on guitar, John Halbleib on trumpet, Ric Feliciano on trombone, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Dmar Martin on drums fill out a the excellent backing group and Nancy Wright adds a stellar sax solo.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

MoMojo Records Records artist: Max Hightower - Nothin' But The TRUTH - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nothin' But The TRUTH, from Max Hightower and it's a romper. Opening with funky blues rocker, Double Bubble, Max Hightower blows the intro announcing that something big is about to happen and he doesn't disappoint. Leading on vocal and funky rhythm guitar, Hightower gets things moving and kicks up on harmonica some fat fat tone. Joined by Brandon Phelps on drums, Steadman Williams Sr. on bass, James Beaumont on sax and Rob Davis on keys, this is a great opener. Twitchy Witcha keeps that funky groove going with Davis on piano and Beaumont on sax rolling over Phelps on rimshot and funky funky vocals. Adam Lessneu joins on trombone and sousaphone and Hightower breaks loose on harmonica and it's not subtle. Great tone. Sweet Gum Tree has a strong New Orleans jam flavor with active Drum/bass/guitar work and Beaumont on sax and Adam Lessneu on trombone working with Hightower on vocal and harmonica in lead. Thick Jello is a great name for a funky rocker with great rhythm and Hightower working the vocals over a tight bass/drum rhythm and lively trombone work by Adam Lessneu. Shuffle, I Ain't Lyin' really is smooth with a strong melody and vocals by Hightower, mellow sax soloing by Beaumont and solid piano support by Davis. Wrapping the release is Assmograph with it's super funky beat. Williams lays down a funky line reinforced by Phelps and Hightower blows the melody on harmonica. Beaumont on sax takes a nice run of his own balanced by Atkinson on guitar. Cool closer.

Monday, May 5, 2025

Taste Good Music artist: Tim Gartland - Right Amount of Funky - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Right Amount of Funky, from Tim Gartland, and it's a cool blend of blues, rock, soul and funk. Opening with Waste A Worry, Tim Gartland on vocal and harmonica takes the lead with backing vocals by Nalani Rothrock and tasty, SRV like guitar riffs by Robert Frahm. Jody Nardone on keys, Mike Joyce on bass and Jack Bruno on drums round out the band for a cool opener. Dennis Drummond opens A Better Life with a clean acoustic guitar riff transitioned quickly to a Latin flavored rhythm with Andy Peake on percussion and Bruno on electric guitar. Bruno's drums, firm bass backing by Joyce and terrific vocal and harmonica by Gartland make this a standout track. I particularly like Walk Away with it's rural strut. With underlying harmonica work by Gartland and perfect styling on vocal by Gartland and Rothrock, this track has just the right feel. A stiff snare swat by Bruno, warm key accompaniment and a sweet guitar solo by Frahm gives this track great traffic. Led by Joyce on bass and Bruno on drums, reggae rhythm floats Alone Time under Gartland and Rothrock's vocals, and Frahm's guitar soloing in the style of Mark Knopfler balances the track out nicely. Wrapping the release is Stop Working Me with it's Willie Dixon feel. Gartland on vocal and harmonica lead the way and solid slide work by Frahm make this a solid closer.

Friday, May 2, 2025

Nola Blue Records artist: Kid Ramos - Strange Things Happening - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strange Things Happening, by Kid Ramos and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Strange Things Happening Everyday, a great track written by Sister Rosetta Thorpe, one of the great unsung stars of the blues. Brian Templeton on vocal leads the way joined by Dave Limina rockin' on organ, Mike Turturro on bass, Stephen Hodges on drums and Kid Ramos playing both tight rhythm and excellent lead guitar. Excellent opener. With definite spiritual roots, I'm Working On A Building, Templeton really pushes the track higher and Kid really has his guitar talking. Very nice! Kid's son Johnny Ramos, really stands out on soulful, Oh What A Meeting. His vocals are outstanding as are the backing vocals and Kid's playing is over the top dripping with feeling. Wow! Driving blues rocker, An Answer for Isaac conjures a Muddy Waters feel with Templeton chanting the lyrics and fiery harmonica and Ramos playing wide open on guitar with plenty of overdrive. An outstanding take on The Louvin Brothers' (Edgar Edens penned) Satan's Jeweled Crown is really terrific with a traditional Spanish Bajo Sexto presented in excellent fashion by Kid and with Johnny and Templeton sharing the lead vocals in traditional Mexican style. I love the trumpet work by Takazo and Kaizo Hall and Jesse Cuevas' contributions on accordion. This track kicks into 4th gear for the finale. Excellent. Wrapping the release is Senior Roy Crain's I'm A Pilgrim in solid revival style. What do you get when you meld revival and Ramos? Pure blues featuring Templeton on lead vocal, and Kid on lead and rhythm with his classic tone. Limina on piano and organ held tight by Turturro and Hodges make this a strong close for one of the best new releases I've heard this year. You owe it to yourself to hear this album.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Pure Panhandle Music artist: D. Scott Riggs - Somewhere Not Here - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Somewhere Not Here, by D. Scott Riggs and it's a super take on traditional acoustic blues. Opening with Hard, So Hard Sometimes, D. Scott Riggs has the perfect combination of gravely vocals and resonator guitar presenting spartan blues. His delivery is unwavering and solemn. Gripping opener. Nicely articulated finger picking carries Riggs gritty vocals on Troubled, So Troubled with his paired vocal and guitar melody and well adorned yet brief, guitar turnarounds between chorus'. Very nice. Riggs presents a more contemporary sound on These Walls Don't Own Me without breaking his traditional blues presentation. I like his almost Farka Toure' guitar styling on this track giving it a brighter, change up. Instrumental, The Breaking of The Day is a really nice track with a great melody and the addition of slide to the turnaround is haunting. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Goodnight My Angel, Goodnight, with a modest waltz feel (think Lead Belly's Goodnight Irene) and Riggs wailing the lyrics accompanied by his resonator. This release results from Riggs sudden loss of his wife and I believe that he has paid a great tribute to her, focusing his inner feelings in this solid release.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Ruf Records artist: Mitch Ryder - With Love - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, With Love, by Mitch Ryder and it's an interesting mix of rock and R&B tracks. Opening with Lilli May, an up tempo rocker featuring Ryder on lead vocal, Dave McMurray on sax, Luis Resto on keys, Roscoe White on guitars, Jeff Canady on drums, Mahindi Masai on percussion and Chuck Bartels on bass. Solid opener. Sanguine is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's lightly salted Latin influence and super guitar soloing by Laura Chavez. Another Latin flavored track, Oh What A Night, really has a great rhythm featuring Masai on percussion and Resto on keys. Ryder's vocals, backed by Hershel Boone and Terena Boone give it just the right flavor and McMurray's sax solo really tops it off. Fly is on of my favorite tracks on the release with it's funky rhythm and solid vocals by Ryder and Boone. McMurray steps up again on sax and Canady's drum work really shines on this track. Wrapping the release is Just The Way It Is with it's traditional R&B feel. Ryder, surrounded by cool backing vocals by Hershel and Terena and Resto on keys make this a solid pop closer with real radio appeal.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Rattlesnake Music Artist: Matt "The Rattlesnake" Lesch - Blues Cut Like Glass - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Cut Like Glass, by Matt "The Rattlesnake" Lesch and it's hot. Opening with Feel So Good, an up tempo shuffle featuring Matt "The Rattlesnake" Lesch on lead vocal and realy laying down some excellent lead guitar work. Backed by Chuck "Popcorn" Louden on drums, and Taylor Streiff on organ, this is an excellent opener. Low slung, Big Legged Woman, opens with a fat sax lead by Ian Buschmann with Ben Schafer on tenor sax, Dan Smith on tenor, Streiff on piano, Gus Thornton on bass and Louden on drums setting a solid platform for more of Lesch's blue guitar riffs. Very cool. Latin flavored blues, Sittin' At The Station has a Peter Green feel with clear single line lead over rich cords and with strong vocals by Lesch and warm organ by Wayne Sharp, John Davies on bass and Louden on drums, this is a real nice track. Title track, Blues Cut Like Glass, has a deep, Gary Moore feel with it's ballad format. With it's radio melody, full horn backing on Lesch's vocals and sometimes poised, sometimes soaring guitar lead, this is the top candidate for radio play. High energy instrumental, Let Me Cook For Ya could be right off of a Gatemouth Brown album with fleet finger work and style. Excellent! Wrapping the release is easy shuffle, Jammin' At Paul's with Lesch trading lead guitar work with Sean "Mack" McDonald (who also contributes organ). This really is a formidable release that warrants some real listening.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin - Eye Of The Storm - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the mot recent release, Eye Of The Storm, from Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin and it's strong. Opening with gritty Ray Wylie Hubbard's blues rocker, Snake Farm, Murray Kinsley on lead vocal and cigar box guitar slides in with thick overdrive and bluesy finesse. Dave Tettmar on drums pairs with Laura Greenberg on bass and backing vocal, setting a rock solid bottom and Steve Marriner adds great harmonica riffs making this a dynamic opener. Driving rocker, Dressed In Black, is led by Jesse O'Brien on organ, Greenberg on bass and Kinsley on vocal and guitar but features hot harmonica riffs by Marriner. With Britsh blues overtones, this track has a great flair. Shuffle, Friday Blues, has a cool, easy pace ana features Marriner on harmonica and Kinsley on vocal upfront. O'Brien on piano lays in a real nice solo followed by Marriner making this track the most logical radio track. Wrapping the release is Blues For Sorrow, a solid, somber track, featuring Kinsley on vocal and slide, joined by Tettmar on keys, drums and Greenberg on bass.

Friday, April 25, 2025

McKenna Moonah Blues Duo - Breaking News - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breaking News, from McKenna Moonah Blues Duo and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Breaking News, Jay Moonah on lead vocal and harmonica and bass/percussion creates the structure of a Texas boogie with Mike McKenna playing lead guitar throughout. Thursday Night Boogie has a great feel with Moonah on vocal and harmonica leading the way and McKenna playing lead and some fine guitar riffs in answer. I really like the feel on Adria for radio track with it's driving bottom and vocals by Moonah and straight forward melody. Wrapping the release is Scarborough Blues with McKenna on acoustic slide and Moonah on vocal and harmonica. Cool, country blues closer.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

MuleTone Records artist: Mark Muleman Massey - Been A Long, Long Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Been A Long, Long Time, by Mark Muleman Massey, and it's a strong mix of blues, soul and R&B. Opening with title track, It's Been A Long, Long Time Clayton Ivey on keys and Robert Fossen on harmonica set the pace for Mark Muleman Massey on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Roger Starr on drums and Bob N. Weaver on bass. On funky blues, Can't Tell Me Nothing About The Blues showcases Massey on lead vocal over Ivey's active keyboard work and features a nice slide solo by Billy Lawson. Give Me Your Love is a terrific soul track featuring Massey really belting the blues over the warm keyboard backing of Ivey. Very nice. Another soulful track, Bobby Womack's I'm Sorry About That, really hits a sweet spot with excellent vocals by Massey and lush horn backing by The Webster Street Horns. Wrapping the release is Your Good Stuff, a funky radio track with Massey on vocal with tight rhythm by Starr and punchy horn work by The Webster Street Horns. Solid closer for a solid release.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Momojo Records artist: The Bob Lanza Blues Band - Breadman's Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breadman's Blues, by The Bob Lanza Blues Band, and I really like it. Opening with Johnny Jihngo, a cool blues rocker, Bob Lanza is upfront on guitar and vocal with healthy sax work by Nick Conte. Eric Heilner on keys, Steve Kirsty on bass and Nick Fishman on drums keep it tight and the slashing guitar lead of Lanza really delivers. Excellent opener. Strutting blues rocker, Cut Off My Right Arm really hits the slot with gripping SRV/Albert King style guitar attack and his vocals are gritty and real. Really nice. Ballad, Same Old Blues, has a strong melody, supported by Heilner on keys and Lanza's guitar chops are A1. Shuffle, A Man Like Me, has traditional form and solid lead lines supporting some of the best vocals on the release. Honey Hush has a great, Latin rock twist giving Lanza, Heilner on piano and Vin Mott on harmonica great room to solo. Very cool. Roller Coaster has that signature Allman Brothers/Dicky Betts country rock feel with plenty of room for Lanza to show his stuff on guitar and with some beefy bass riffs by Kirsty. Solid closer.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Ermelinda Cuellar - Under A Lavender Sky - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Under A Lavender Sky, by Ermelinda Cuellar and it's really smooth. Opening with classic Latin jazz track, Poinciana adapted from a Cuban folk song by Simon and Bernier. Presented with clear vocals by Ermelinda Cuellar on vocal and surrounded by rhythm by Anthony Caceres on bass, and Marlon Simon on percussion and featuring a strong guitar solo by Greg Petito, this is a solid opener. Mucenca Rota is a rich Peruvian ballad written by the Quinteras and Cuellar really digs deep emotive presentation. Featuring Darrell Lavigne on piano, Jerre Jackson on drums and Deborah Ungar on accordion, this is a nice entry to the set. Johnny Mercer's classic, Midnight Sun is another top track with super lead vocal by Cuellar. Lavigne on piano, Jackson n piano, Andre Hayward with a soulful trombone solo, Petito on guitar, and Caceres on bass really give the track nice balance. Horace Silver's classic, Song For My Father really shines with a Latin beat and features an excellent guitar breakout by Petito over Sam Dinkins III and Marlon Simon on percussion and Hayward really rips on trombone. Very nice. Wrapping the release is another Johnny Mercer track, Sol De Medianoche with rich Latin feeling. Cuellar featured on vocal of course, backed by Jackson on trumpet, Jackson on drums, Lavigne on piano, Caceres on bass, Petito on piano, and really nice additions by Hayward on trombone and Horace Alexander Young on sax make this an excellent closer.

Monday, April 21, 2025

Miller Three Publishing artist: Mark Scott III - Soft Light - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soft Light, from Mark Scott III and it's a mix of bop and contemporary jazz. Opening with Carpals, Mark Scott III on guitar leads the way with clean lead and chord emphasis over a tight rhythm by Ben Triesch on bass and Mike Gordon on drums. Triesch gets a nice opportunity to shine on bass as Scott falls away to give him room. This is a strong opener with solid bop roots and concise concepts. Very nice. News Blues sounds like a jazz classic with a straight forward melody on guitar. As the track develops, Scott deconstructs the melody and explores on guitar, giving a bit of space for Gordon to lay in an articulate drum riff before returning to the cohesive melody. Monster Beat has a bit of a modern groove with Gordon holding it tight and Scott running free over nicely placed bass lines by Triesch. Very cool. Smile has a happy go lucky feel with Scott cruising on the melody, supported by loose bass by Triesch and a tight bottom by Gordon. Scott uses a nice synchopation on some of his lead lines and bursts of speed on others, giving the track just a little more oomph. Very nice. Another cool bop is Tomorrow with excellent drive from Gordon and Triesch giving Scott a clear pathway for fluid guitar runs accented by rich chords. Wrapping the release is The Sun Behind A Cloud with a warm, nicely crafted melody on guitar, with rich chords wrapping each phrase, emphasizing the breadth of the track. Nice closer.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band - What Is? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Is? by Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band and it's energetic and fun. Opening with Tower of Power's, What Is Hip? and it really moves. With aggressive drum work from Scott Neumann and Michael Aarons on guitar the onslaught begins. Jopined by Dan Levine on trombone, Jack Schatz on bass trombone, Matt Hong on alto sax (who plays up a storm), Stan Harrison on tenor sax, Frank Vacin on bari sax, Matt Owens on trumpet and Audrey Flores on French horn and punched up by Steve Count on bass and Bill Hayes on vibes and congas, this track really pumps. The Beatles She Said, She Said has an interesting arrangement like orchestrated Beatles on Zappa. Owens' trumpet work is really solid, Levine gets a real nice opportunity to shine on trombone and Harrison rips a great sax solo of his own, but the excellent drum/Xylophone work of Neumann and Hayes really give the track excellent texture. Saint Stephen/Turn On Your Love Light is a blend of Grateful Dead with again a dash of Zappa. Owens on trumpet shines on Stephen and Vacin honks on Love Light in tandem with Levine and guest on Uncle John's Band, Oz Noy on guitar and Harrison on soprano sax spice up the mix. Throw a little blues in with Freddie King's Hideaway giving Aaron's a chance to show his chops and with the deep throated sax work of Vacin and Hayes on vibes adding a bit of swing. Shifting to a meatier mix on Peter Gunn, Harrison really makes his tenor sax sing over the tight drum work of Harrison and Flores plays full on French horn. Wrapping the release is a Latin take on the Green Hornet with Owens really tonguing it out. Precise xylophone work by Hayes and light cymbal work by Neumann with Count on bass hold the bottom and flashy guitar phrasing by Aarons under a clean horn backdrop make this a perfect closer.