Charlie Barath - Issaquena Getaway - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Issaquena Getaway, from Charlie Barath and it's a lot of fun. Opening with cool strut,  I Gets Around, Charlie Barath on vocal and harmonica leads the way with the confident riffs of Andrew Sherer on guitar and Johnny Burgin on with solid lead guitar, Mark Yacovine on piano, Mike Law on bass and Danny Banks on drums. Cool opener. Slinky, Waitin' For The Queen, featuring a cool story by Barath a signature guitar solo by Burgin and soulful harmonica solo by Barath. Cool interlude. Shuffle, I Might Fall In Love, has a real nice lazy lope with an harmonica and guitar trades. A cool radio track with an easy melody, just perfect for kicking back. I really like Brass Monkey with Banks riding the up beat on drums, Yacavone on organ, and a jangly loose guitar solo by Burgin. On low slung, That Wasn't Me, Barath digs in on vocals and Burgin's guitar work is understated but it scratches the itch and a soulful duet between Barath and Burgin works really nicely. Latin flavored, Can I Have This Dance really has a great rhythm by Law and Banks and Barath really works the vocals on this one. Yacovone's piano work dances and Barath's harmonica is peerfect. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky, I'm Gonna Let You with perfect interweaving of Burgin, Sherer, Yacovone on organ, Law and Banks and the soulful vocals on Barath. Strong. Sugar is a real nice shuffle featuring Barath on chromatic harmonica. With a great melody, Yacavone on electric piano,  jazzy guitar work by Sherer, this is a super change of pace. Wrapping the release is Honey I Got No Money featuring Shari Richards on lead vocal. Burgin torches up some real nice phrasing on guitar, followed by Barath on harmonica. A cool, updated rag style, This is a tight closer. 

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James JB Barnes - My Mississippi Roots - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Mississippi Roots, by James "JB" Barnes and it's a solid set of blues, rock and soul. Opening with blues rocker, Get Up & Go Blues, Steven Braxton on lead vocals sets the pace with thumping bass by JB Barnes, Anthony Krizan on screaming guitar and drums, Jarred Barnes on keys. A driving ricker this is a solid opener.  Brown Eyed Blues Man features Krizan on lead vocal and Steely Dan like guitars. A shuffle style laid back track has strong radio appeal with Barnes on bass and backing vocals, Carmine Diorio on drums, Will Wilde on harp, and Chip Degaard on on keys. Hot footed blues number, The JB Shuffle features Wilde, leading the way on harp and Krizan on guitars. With JB winding in out on bass with Barnes on keys, a smoking solo by Krizan and Dave Moore on drums, this is a ripping track. A bluesy take on Hall and Oates', Sara Smile, featuring excellent vocals by Braxton and excellent vocal backing by Krizan, and JB. Add in Joey Stan on horns, JB on bass and Diorio on drums and soulful, overdriven guitar work by Krizan and this is a real showpiece. Another solid cover is the Stones', Wild Horses also featuring Braxton's silky vocals and lush backing vocals by Oria Aspen, Krizan and JB. Very nice. A super add is Jeff Beck's, Brush With The Blues featuring Krizan on guitar, JB on bass and Diorio on drums. Wrapping the release is R&B track, Stand Up, featuring Kevin Goings and Karen Braxton on lead vocals, Krizan on guitars, Barnes on keys, Stan on horns, Diorio on drums and JB on lead and backing vocals. 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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“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