Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Robert Top Thomas - One Morning Soon - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Morning Soon, by Robert Top Thomas and it's the real deal. Opening with Hey Mattie, with it's rockin' blues styling. Robert Top Thomas on lead vocal and guitar is supported by Dan Walters on piano and bass, Stephen Kampa on harmonica, Billy Dean and on percussion. Cool opener. Gator Jig is a cool rag track with strong finger picking by Thomas and Dean on percussion. Traditional Sugarbabe is super with Thomas accompanying his honest vocals with swift guitar finger picking. One of my favorites. Blind Willie McTell's Georgia Rag is another favorite with nicely executed finger picking and vibrant vocals by Thomas. Rev Gary Davis is always a favorite and Thomas' cover of his I Heard The Angels Singing is no exception. With some classic Davis riffs and soulful vocals, I really love this track. Katie McMahon's Take Me Back gets a bluesy cover and with deft finger work and solid vocals a cool addition. Wrapping the release is Mance Lipscomb's Texas Blues with super bass/drum reinforcement under Thomas' clean finger work and authentic singing style. This is a cool, contemporary blues release using original techniques sounding fresh and invigorating.

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”

For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"

qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Little Village artist: Sean McDonald - Have Mercy! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Have Mercy!, from Sean "Mack" McDonald and it's terrific! Opening with Rudy Moore's, My Soul, Sean McDonald really turns out. With smooth vocal lead backed by The Morgan Brothers and Marcel Smith on backing vocals you immediately feel like you're in a club in the 50's. With D'Quantae Johnson on bass, Jim Pugh on piano, June Core on drums and featuring T-Bone Walker like lead guitar by McDonald, this track is rocking. Original McDonald track, Killing Me, is a terrific slow blues with excellent Ronnie Earl/Walker style blues runs that will curl your hair. His vocals are amazing and with Pugh on organ, Eric Spaulding on tenor and Jack Sanford on bari. Wow!! Shuffleboard Swing is another hair raiser bringing to mind the great Clarence Gatemouth Brown. Hot jump track with excellent guitar lead and hot hot sax by Spaulding and sailing organ by Pugh. This guy is amazing! Rev Oris Mays spiritual, Don't Let The Devil Ride, is rich with excellent vocals by McDonald, The Morgan Brothers and Marcel Smith really showing a dimensionality that is rarely seen in blues artists with tasty guitar work that plays under the music. Excellent. Wrapping the release is Henry Glover's Let's Call It A Day, with it's deep R&B feel. McDonald belts out the lead vocal with deep soulful backing vocals by The Morgan Brothers and Lisa Leuschner Andersen and Pugh on piano. Soulful guitar lead by McDonald really digs in giving the track really strong traction. Strong closer for possibly the best thing I've heard this year.

Monday, January 19, 2026

Lucky 13 Records artist: Duwayne Burnside - Red Rooster - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Red Rooster, by Duwayne Burnside and it's terrific! Opening with RL Burnside's, Nightmare, Duwayne Burnside combines his strong vocal power with raw, Buddy Guy like guitar attack over a tight drum rhythm. With North Mississippi styling, this track is off the hook. Somebody Done Stole My Girl is another strong track with a dirty groove and excellent timing. Burnside's vocals are perfect for this and the loose guitar riffs and tight drum rhythm drive it home. I love this shit! Jimbo Mathus' Talk Sweet To Me, gives Burnside and Luther Dickenson a soulful approach with understated guitar riffs and and overdriven guitar wailing amidst rugged vocal harmonies and clean piano backing. I mean, what's not to like. Wrapping the release is laid back, Mississippi Here I Come featuring Dickinson and Burnside in a super cool acoustic guitar jam. Strong closer for a really strong release.

Friday, January 16, 2026

Ross Neilsen - Within Tension - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Within Tension, by Ross Neilson, and it's a blend of contemporary pop, rock and blues. Opening with Rock Ranger, with it's overdriven guitar tones and vocals somewhat formatted like Peter Green's Oh Well. With John C. Stubblefield on bass, Rick Steff on keys and Jay Sheffield II on drums its a powerful opener. Easy shuffle, Road To Memphis, has a poppy radio feel with jangly, guitar work and snappy drums. Pop ballad, Come To Be showcases Neilsen's vocals with light acoustic guitar and keys by Steff. With a blend of country rhythm by Sheffield and Neilsen frame the track and Neilsen's vocals bridge with pop, joined by Steff on keys. Soul track, Good Enough features some of Neilsen's best vocals on the release and a solid sax solo by Art Edmaiston make this my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is solid ballad, Bold & Beaten with Neilsen on guitar and Steff on keys making for a warm closer.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

VizzTone artist: Erin Harpe - Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me - A Tribute To Mississippi John Hurt, by Erin Harpe and it's a super tribute to Mississippi John Hurt featuring Jim Countryman. Opening with Candy Man, a classic John Hurt track, and Erin Harpe is enthusiastic about Hurt's music and guitar styling. A modified Piedmont styling requiring a great thumb, she asked Jim Countryman to join on acoustic bass to assist with the sound. With precise finger picking and unique vocal quality, this is solid blues. On title track, Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me, the track has a definite Jimmie Rogers feel and cool guitar vocal exchange. Richland Woman has a cool, laid back feel with understated guitar accompaniment and easy lead vocals. My favorite track on the release is Hurt's classic, Stagolee and Harpe hits the perfect stride with just the right blend of vocal and guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Jimmie Davis' track, You Are My Sunshine. Played with similar Hurt style picking style Harpe

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

OA2 Records artist: Kate Olson - So It Goes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, So It Goes, by Kate Olson and it's full of life. Opening with energetic, bebop track, Bumbling Thumbs Blues, Kate Olson on soprano sax and Conner Eisenmenger on trombone lay the framework for this ultra cool track with it's eccentric melody. Eisenmenger stretches the melody in a great way, chased by Evan Woodle on drums and Olson follows with concentrated melodic extensions of her own. Tim Carey on bass shows his nimble chops and the 4 some sounds like a morphing big band/ Dixieland quartet wrapping it back down tight. Solid opener. All Pear-Shaped has a searing bottom line and a jagged but coherent melody feeding into Eisenmenger's inciteful trombone solo. Olson on sax lays back in the groove feeding the flames with a solid bottom by Carey and Woodle. Another extended bass solo by Carey and rotating lines by Eisenmenger, Olson and Woodle make for fun work. Soulful ballad, So It Goes, really fills the air with hand in hand dual lead by Olson and Eisenmenger, trading lead lines and followed by bell like piano soloing by Wayne Horvitz. Very sweet track. Another track with a soulful melody is Afterthoughts led off with a beautiful melody forged by Olson on sax and footed by Horvitz on piano. Eisenmenger joins with harmony on trombone elaborating the melody as Olson fades back. This track has a lush exchange between the parties making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Weigh Out, a super track with muscular efforts by Olson and Eisenmenger. With it's driving bop rhythm and athletic melodic contributions, this is an excellent closer.

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Overton Music artist: Mike Bourne Band - Kansas City O'clock - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kansas City O'clock, by Mike Bourne Band, and it's a swift kick in the pants. Opening with Can't Be Anybody But Myself, Mike Bourne is and original on vocal accompanying himself on guitar and backed by Bryan Herrman on drums, Jim Beisman on the hot piano, Patrick Recob on bass and featuring sweet sax work by Dougan Smith on tenor. Excellent opener. Loping boogie, Too Old To Be Young, has a great feel, with Bourne on vocal and tight off beat drumming by Kerry Denton. Mister B.T. adds in the top trumpet and Dan Star on sax is on spot. Bourne's guitar soloing is original and cool and Bob Paige on piano holds tight. Title track, Kansas City O'clock is a cool rock and roller featuring Smith on sax, Beisman on piano, Nick Hmeljak on trumpet, Greg Clinkingbeard on bass and Bourne doing what he does on lead vocal and guitar. Absolutely cool. Three Blind Mice is a wicked little blues with a cool rocking beat. Bourne is having a blast, backed by Herrman on drums, Beisman on piano Recob on bass, and honking sax by Smith. Dive Bar Romance has a 30's blues overtone with Bourne setting the pace with cool guitar under his lead vocal carried by Recon on bass and Herrman on drums. Beisman lays out a real nice piano solo and Hmeljak on trumpet adds super brass complimented by Bourne's jagged guitar styling. Swampy, Truth Dressed Up Like A Lie, had a great groove, with Beisman on piano, Smith adding warm sax soloing, Recob on bass, and Herrman on drums. Wrapping the release is People Not Politics, an easy shuffle with a message. Stephen Dougherty on drums hods down the bottom and my man Johnny Burgin adds some real guitar style to the track with Bourne's vocals and Beisman's bluesy piano work, all backed by Maria Bounds, Stephanie Howle, Stephanie Robertson and Hayley Raxafsky on backing vocals. This is a really cool release and one that's certainly like anything else you've heard this week.

Monday, January 12, 2026

Overton Music artist: Mark Cameron - Blues Factory - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Factory, from Mark Cameron, and it's got a great feel. Opening with shuffle, The Wrong Thing, Mark Cameron leads the way with fat fat slide guitar and solid vocals. Bill Keyes adds super backing vocals and harmonica, with Sheri Cameron on percussion, Nick Salisbury on bass and Dan Schroeder on drums. Solid opener. Title track, Blues Factory, has a firm bottom courtesy Schroeder and solitary slide work underlining Cameron's vocals with Steve Hansen on bass and Keyes on harmonica. With a Memphis feel, Sugar really features Cameron's vocals backed by Sara Renner and Ionya Hughes and full horns by Shane Cox on trumpet and trombone, Zach Miller on tenor sax, Tommy Barbaretta on keys and Schroeder on drums. Definite radio track. Bluesy ballad, Change Your Ways is sure to be the crowd favorite on the release with soulful guitar lead and solid vocals by Cameron. Very nice. Closing the release is rockin' blues, Below The Bottom with Cameron and Keyes trading riffs and tight drum riffs by Schroeder. Cool closer for a cool release.

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Heather McKay - Life Got In The Way - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Life Got In The Way, by Heather McKay and it's great. Opening with You Make Me Smile, Leonardo Lucini and Leland Nakamura on bass and drums respectively lay down a firm Latin rhythm reinforced by Campbell Charshee on keys, Peter Fraize on sax and Bruno Lucini on percussion. Heather McKay breaks away with a really tasty guitar solo with crisp riffs and plenty of flair. Fraizee really takes advantage of the Latin rhythm with an energetic solo of his own making for a super opener. Narraguagus Bay is an easy, relaxing track with a killer bass solo by Lucini and a wailing guitar solo by McKay. Strong tonal harmonies really blend nicely. Excellent! Run is a cool Latin fusion track with a strong bass line and super keys punctuation. With a ripping guitar lead by McKay and smoking drumming by Nakamura joined by Fraize this track is hot. Wrapping the release is heavy salsa influenced, Lucini in The Park. McKay really mixes it up on this one with jazz and Spanish guitar styling. Bruno on percussion adds super spice and Fraize creates super counter melody. Solid contributions by Fraize, Charshee, Nakamura and Lucini make this a spectacular closer.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Jacktown USA - Various artists - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review Jacktown USA, a companion cd that is released along with a new book by the same title, looking at the Mississippi blues and southern soul artists and the state's prolific history of Grammy awards and nominations as released by Republic Books. Opening with Hold Up by Jacktown Sons the cd is off to a soulful pop start. With it's radio styling, upbeat rhythm and nicely blended vocals, a solid hit. Eddie Cotton is up next on Delivered By The Blues, a solid blend of blues, soul and funk. Cotton's vocals are really great and with rich organ backing over a thick bass and drum line and funky harmonica. Very cool. Easy shuffle, Juke Joint Love by Stevie J Blues has great balance with clean lead blues guitar styling, hot piano riffs and great vocals by Steve. Zac Harmon puts up my favorite track on the release, I Still Got The Blues. A super slinky blues number with strong guitar riffs, a funky bass line and super vocals, this track is really strong. Wrapping the release is another lively shuffle, Girl You Got It Going On, by Rashad the Blues Kid featuring a full vocal line, electric guitar and horn exchange and organ backing under melodic harmonica lead. Solid closer.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Origin Records artist: Eddie Allen's Push - Rhythm People - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rhythm People, by Eddie Allen's Push and it's engaging. Opening with title track, Rhythm People, Eddie Allen on trumpet works with Jonathan Beshay on tenor sax, Misha Tsiganov on keys, Tyler Bullock II on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, EJ Strickland on drums and Steve Turre on trombone to create a driving vamp. With solo's by Allen, Turre, and Bullock on piano and critical rhythm by Strickland, this is a terrific opener. Maurice has big band styling with marimba like keyboards by Tsiganov underwriting the track. A grooving solo by Beshay on tenor really opens up the track and a swinging solo by Turre on trombone really hits followed by Allen on trumpet who's crisp attack really snaps and the lush keywork on Tsiganov brings it all back together . Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Daybreak with a super bop feel. Turre tears it up with a ripping trombone solo and Beshay's sax work is really in the slot. Allen takes it home with a tight solo of his own followed by Davis on bass and Bullock on piano. Super groove. Another favorite, The Journey has a stellar beat and Beshay sets a terrific solo line on tenor. Turre on trombone lays down another super trombone solo followed by Tsiganov on keys. Strong. Wrapping the release is Eve's Deception, a high stepping track with plenty of high sticking by Strickland. With a funky beat and Bullock on piano, holding the bottom, Allen, Turre and Beshay share the lead and then trade center stage for a real horn shoot out. Excellent closer.

Monday, January 5, 2026

APM Records artist: Mississippi MacDonald - Slim Pickin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Slim Pickin', from Mississippi MacDonald and it's strong. Opening with Trouble Doing The Right Thing, Mississippi MacDonald shows his ability to deliver in a big way with just a mic and an acoustic guitar. His soulful voice and R&B guitar styling is backed by Brent Cundall on bass and Phil Dearing on percussion. Super opener. My Bad Attitude, another track with a firm R&B feel, gives Mac a great stage for his gritty yet soulful vocals and acoustic guitar backing and light snare work is just the right touch. An interesting take on Blind Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues is fresh with none of the trademark feeling that Taj Mahal or Duane Allman put on the track, propelling it into rock fame. With a more original Piedmont fingerpicking style, this is a terrific addition. St. Louis Jimmy Oden's Going Down Slow really is cool with a slow, easy roll and acoustic style backing. Dearing contributes a real clean, stylized acoustic guitar solo over only the simplest of drum work reviving yet another classic. Sister Rosetta Tharpe's gospel blues, Strange Things Happening Everyday has a smooth almost rocking feel maintaining the gospel feel but highlighting Mac's essential vocal and featuring a cool guitar acoustic solo by Dearing. Keb Mo's You Can Love Yourself is a super closer with Mac's vocals riding on his tight Piedmont style guitar picking. This is a very entertaining release and one that goes way beyond acoustic blues.

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Guitar One Records artist: Babaux and the Peacemakers - Keep Both Hands On The Wheel - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep Both Hands On The Wheel, by Babaux and the Peacemakers, and it's a solid mix of rural rock and blues. Opening with Steal Your Love, Babaux (Christian Basso) leads the way on vocals, joined by Eric Martinez on lead guitar, Mike Davidov on bass Ben Waligoske wailing on steel guitar and Jake Herman on drums. With a strong bottom and aggressive lead guitar work, this is a solid opener. Wildflower dials it back a few notches but with particularly cool vocals and resonator by Babaux and CR Gruver on B3, this track is a swampy rocker. Walk The Mile is another track that has just that right taste of Van Zant with plenty of southern swagger, gritty vocals and Martinez playing lead guitar over a warm bed of B3 and a meaty bottom. Title track, Keep Both Hands On The Wheel is a loose rocker with an effectively ragged vocal melody and B3/guitar carrying the load. Martinez plays a bluesy lead solo making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Something More To Give which would be my selection for top radio track. With a strong melody, nicely blended harmonies and just the right amount of tension. A strong closer.

Monday, December 29, 2025

VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Early Blues Sessions - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Early Blues Sessions by Bob Corritore & Friends and it's solid Chicago style blues. Opening with I Want To Be The One features Little Milton on vocal and guitar, Chico Chism on drums, Bob Corritore on harmonica, Henry Gray on piano, and Johnny Rapp on guitar. A solid shuffle, shows Corritore, Rapp and Gray with some real nice riffs for a strong opener. Jimmy Rogers has the mic and some swinging riffs on She Loves Another Man with S.E. Willis on piano, Chism on drums, Bruce Lopez on bass. Chism has the mic on Five Long Years joined by Pinetop Perkins on piano and shows Rapp throwing down some excellent guitar lead. Lil Ed cranks up the slide on Hip Shakin' and his vocals really rock. Backed by Chism, Rapp, and Corritore, I really like this track. Tomcat Courtney has the mic on I Wonder really getting in the Chicago groove. Corritore's harp work is particularly cool on this track backed by Brian Fahey on drums, Patrick Rynn on bass, and Chris James on guitar. King Karl on vocal rams things up on Hear That Rumblin' with melodic harmonica work from Corritore and Rusty Zinn on guitar. Robert Lockwood Jr shines on Ramblin On My Mind with Henry Gray on piano, Mario Moreno on bass and Chism on drums. Wrapping the release is Lowell Fulson on West Texas Blues... a strong nearly a cappella blues, accompaning himself on guitar, with Corritore in tandem on harmonica. Excellent closer.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Wilderness Records artist: Randy Lee Riviere - Farmhand Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Farmhouse Blues, by Randy Lee Riviere and it's packed with rowdy, growlin, blues rock. Opening with Downtown, Randy Lee Riviere on lead vocal and guitar creates plenty of swagger with Doug Lancio on guitar, Michael Saint Leon on guitar, Mike Rojas on keys, Robert Kearns on bass and Tom Hambridge on drums. Super opener. Title track, Farmhand Blues has just a touch of country mixed in to this strong blues rocker. Riviere does great with the Lou Reed delivery and I really like the simplistic yet stinging guitar attack. Moonlight is another power rocker with a thumping drum anchor, cool slide work and overdriven guitar lead. It may not be ground breaking, but it's great solid music. Another cool track is December 1980 with it's droning bass line by Kearns and slap snare by Hambridge. With it's base blues structure and tight slide work, another notable track. On My Way Down is gritty and grimy with a crusty guitar vamp and clean guitar riffs under Riviere's roadworthy vocals. I mean...why not! Wrapping the release is Dovetail Joints with it's much mellower approach. Riviere's vocals and crafted and melodic vocals floating on a finely crafted bottom makes for a solid closer.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Gel Production artist: Manu Lanvin - Man On A Mission - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Man On A Mission, by Manu Lanvin and it's cool and gritty. Opening with blues rocker, Just Need Me, Manu Lanvin on vocal and guitar belts out a loosely assembled blues with real grit. With a modified Latin beat, complimented by Raphael Chassin on drums and percussion, Nicolas Bonniere on Moog bass, and Axel Bauer on guitar I really like this opener. Change My Ways is a soulful ballad with strong vocals by Lanvin, paced by Bennett Holland, bass by Laurent Vernerey and Karim Bouazza on drums and the warm horn work of Malcom Strachan and Athol Ransome. Very nice. Savigny-Sur-Orge is a solid radio track with a memorable melody, with lead vocal and guitar by Lanvin, with Chassin on drums, Vernerey on bass, Holland on keys, and Bonniere on Melotron. Saving Angel is a tight rocker with a Keith Richards guitar edge. Lanvin on vocal backed by Julie Layse, BJ Scott, Chantel and Steve Kashala one of my favorites on the release. Pop rocker, Make It Right has a snappy beat with Lanvin on vocal and drums and flashing some real cool rocking riffs on guitar. Ahmed Mouici on backing vocals, Holland on piano, Bellanger on bass and Bonniere on drums, and super break in the set. Wrapping the release is Une Nuit sung in French. A smooth ballad, featuring Lanvin on vocal and featuring Bako Mikaelian on harmonica and Holland on piano is a solid closer.