Brett Spaulding & The Psychic Spies - Livin' To Play - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Livin' To Play, by Brett Spaulding & The Psychic Spies and it solid. Opening with blues based rocker and title track, Livin' To Play, Brett Spaulding on lead vocal and guitar sets a lumbering pace with solid footing. Backed by Chad Holtzman on guitar and organ, Emmet VanEtten on drums, Brent Wright on guitars and backing vocals, and Stephen Fletcher on keys, this is a solid opener. Can't Stop is sure fire radio track with a clean melody and Glenn Frey like bones. The Lucky Ones is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a solid rhythm and cool bass line. Spaulding's lead vocal, paired with backing vocals by Holtzman and Wright give it the perfect balance. Another of my favorite tracks is Everyday with it's chugging, driving, rock feel and obtuse guitar riff. Wrapping the release is Little Differences with it's garage undertone and poppy melody. This is a cool release with a lot of great tunes. 

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Planned Obsolescencee Recording & Novelty artist: Rich Hope - I'm All Yours - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm All Yours, from Rich Hope and it's quite interesting. Opening with It Comes Alive which reminds me of the Chambers Brothers, Rich Hope on vocal and guitar shows real rock drive backed by Adrian Mack on drums and vocals, Erik PH Nielsen on bass and vocals and Matt Kelly on keys. This track is a real throw back and a good one. Creepstone is a cool driving rocker with snappy drum work and a solid bass line. Hope has a cool guitar hand which lays down glistening riffs without the pyrotechnics. Very refreshing. La Iguana is a slower darker track with a wailing vocal, great bass line, rumbling organ and grinding guitar. This is really cool. 5 Cents A Dance is a solid rocker with an English feel from say the 60's (Manfred Mann/Kinks/ with a edgy punky feel). Excellent! Juke Boy Bonner's Runnin Shoes is up next with a definite edgy, rocky feel. I really like Hope's approach on this traditional blues number. Excellent rework with riding keys and driving rhythm. Wrapping the release is Heartbreaker, a laid back blues rocker with some stylized guitar riffs and Hope's loose, effective vocal style. I wasn't familiar with Hope prior to this review, but I really like his approach.

  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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Stony Plain Records artist: Duke Robillard Band - Calling All Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (September 23, 2014), Calling All Blues, from the Duke Robillard Band and it has a fresh feel. Opening with Down In Mexico, Robillard takes the lead on vocal on this track with a dose of Memphis rhythm. Bruce Bears has the keys covered and Rich Lataille, Mark Earley and Doug Woolverton add some nice horn work. On boogie track I'm Gonna Quit My Baby, Bears leads the way on piano and the track which actually reminds me of a Neil Young song. Svengali is a very rudimentary track with very cool stumble drums by Mark Teixeira and and slide work by Robillard. With a lot of the traits of early blues this is one of my favorites on the release. Blues Beyond The Call Of Duty features Sunny Crownover on lead vocals and has that polished blues/jazz feel that Robillard has really made as his trademark. Well conceived and executed guitar work by Robillard as well as cool bass riffs by Brad Hallen. Very nice! Emphasis On Memphis has a definite R&B feel with solid horn work and vocal harmonies. Confusion Blues finds Bruce Bears at the mic accompanying himself on piano for a cool jazz feel. I always love Bears' piano styling and this track does a nice job showing it off. Robillard lays down one of the nicest guitar solos on the release creating a very nice groove. Motor Trouble has a Willie Dixon feel and with paired vocals from Robillard this track has a real honest feel. Robillard keeps the riffs less polished and Bears simple giving the track a real gutsy feel. Very cool! Nasty Guitar features Robillard and Crownover sharing the lead vocal duet. With a slow cocky strut the track is highlighted by a cool bass riff by Hallen and a primarily an overdriven guitar sound. Robillard does clean the sound up to clear for his solo but returns to a grinding sound overall. On Temptation, the band has a swampy feel with swirling trumpet, electric piano, and guitar riffs creating a kind of dark ambiance over the funky drumming of Teixeira. Robillard lays down a really nice guitar solo on this track as well as Dr John like vocals making it another of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Carter Brothers tune, She's So Fine. With 60's style guitar riffs and horn backing this track almost transports you back into the 60's. Cool finish to a cool release.

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 Here's a recent performance by Robillard:

Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - Avalon - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (June 4, 2013), Avalon, from Rory Block and it's quite different! This is the 4th CD in Blocks noted "Mentor" series of releases in tribute to blues masters. (Earlier releases included Gary Davis tribute I Belong To The Band, Fred McDowell tribute Shake'em on Down and Son House tribute Blues Walkin' Like A Man). Opening with Everybody Loves John, Block shows her solid finger work and slide playing. This  track works particularly well as arranged by Block capturing Hurts unique style. Next up is Avalon, a cool track which has a smooth silky sound. One of the all time favorites, Candy Man, is next and with it's quick pace. Block nicely articulates the finger work and curious talk during the guitar work. Nice touch. Frankie & Albert has an even more intricate pattern and slide work. Really nice! Got the Blues Can't Be Satisfied has a lazy pace and allows space for very clean picking and guitar ring. It's nice that a selection of styles of Hurt's playing has been featured. It really gives the listener an opportunity to study not only Hurt but Block's unique style. Louis Collins features fat, freight train like sliding and bouncing finger picking. Very nice! Richland Woman Blues is the best use of Block's voice on any of the tracks with a light touch and style. Guitar work is very clean and precise. Spike Driver Blues again has strong thumb work and sparing use of Block's voice more as an instrument. Very nice. Stagolee has a super intro really highlighting Blocks mastery of the instrument. Everyone knows that she's an exceptional player and this track is a good feature of that talent in picking and sliding. Rag track Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor is another of my favorites on the release. Block sings in an understated fashion and her playing is clean and precise. Pay Day is a particularly unique track with blended harmonic voices. This is my favorite of the 4 releases and I'm sure that Block will be rewarded for her faithful efforts.

 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 favorite band!

Although not in the style of John Hurt, Block in a recent performance.

Baby Please Don't Go - Andrew White and the Vindicators with Gerry Pearson

My name is Gerry Pearson I'm 60 years young I have been playing harmonica for over 40 years. My greatest influence in music is from my Dad who was very talented and could play anything without even having any previous experience with the instrument. When he first heard me play he said" You'll Never be able to play that thing even the neighbours dog is whinning when you do" Boy reverse Psychology sure worked with me! I finally figured out that to play the harmonica you had to think of it as whistling a tune and from that point on it was Easy. Just before my father passed away he told me "remember when I told you that you would never be able to play? Well son you have come a long way and I have to tell you that I love the way you can play." At my Dad's funeral I played a song in his memory "smile with two harmonicas one in crossharp and the other in straight I only wish he could have heard it. Paul Butterfield, James Cotton, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter Horton, Muddy Waters, George Harmonica Smith, Taj Mahal, Junior Wells, Howling Wolf have all influenced my playing especially Paul Butterfield. In the late 70's I learned to play guitar and had my own band along with my Bro John that played strictly original tunes. We used to rent halls and fill them playing just our original tunes. In 97 I moved from Montreal to St Albert where I stagnated for a few years not knowing anyone and finally heard of an open Stage @ Bud's ran by Carmen Cook. This is where I was revitalized and continue to play as often as I Can. Thanks to my Daughter Jen who gave me this website for Christmas www.open-jam.com/. With this site I can post Jams for anyone who wants or needs the opportunity to play and share their Talent with the community. This website dedicated to " A Place where Musicians meet" I'm in two bands one called Blues Emporium and the other Big Daddy and the Blues Hounds.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Harpdog Brown Update

Harpdog Brown was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. The Dog started playing Blues in 1981 and never looked back. Some influences include Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson, James Cotton, and Tom Waits.

Having been in the business as a touring recording artist for close to thirty years, he has shared the stage with such greats as Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Pinetop Perkins, Tim Williams, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, The Powder Blues Band, Willie MacCalder, Jack de Keyzer, Fathead, Donald Ray Johnson, Morgan Davis and the late Dutch Mason .

In 1994, Harpdog won the prestigious Muddy Award – the only Canadian to receive this honor - and in 1995 was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Blues Album, “Home Is Where the Harp Is”.

Harpdog Brown is one of Canada’s truly gifted blues artists. He’s a lifer in the world of musical gypsies, travelling near and far to share his substantial talents in story and song.

A gifted singer and an imaginative harp player, he brings traditional blues into the 21st century. With five CDs under his belt, working with two different duos as well as with his band The Bloodhounds, the Dog puts his individual stamp on everything he does.

He is pure blues at its best; absolutely the genuine item. He is the real deal.

Fri, Mar
23

Courtenay, BC
Joe's Garage
8:00pm
Harpdog Brown & Graham Guest do a cd release party

Sat, Mar

24

White Rock, BC

The Rumba Room

8:00pm

Triple cd release party with Kenny Blues Boss Wayne, Harpdog Brown & Graham Guest and Brandon Isaak will be celebrating three of Vancouver's best blues artists all on one stage. This will be a concert/dance not to be missed!

Fri, Mar
30

Vancouver, BC
Pat's Pub & BrewHouse
9:00pm
Harpdog Brown & The Bloodhounds start the Vancouver's Best of Blues Series at The Pat Pub on Hastings Street.

Fri, Apr
06

Calgary, AB
The Blues Can
9:00pm
Harpdog Brown & The Bloodhounds play for the 1st time at The Blues Can.... one night only!

Sun, Apr
08

Banff, AB
Wild Bills
9:00pm
Harpdog Brown & The Bloodhounds featuring Graham Guest on piano play Wild Bills for the 1st time. One night only!

Sun, Apr
15

Burnaby, BC
The Fireman's Hall
6:00pm
This is a double your fun duo with The Blue Voodoo Duo and Harpdog Brown and Michael Van Eyes

Fri, Apr
27

Barrhead, AB
Barrhead Arts Council
8:00pm
Harpdog Brown & Graham Guest concert

Sat, Apr
28

Peace River, AB
Peace River Underground Music Society
8:00pm

Sat, May
26

Nanaimo, BC
Rendezvous Diner
8:00pm
Harpdog Brown & Michael Van Eyes

Fri, Jun
01

Orangeville, Ont
Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival
9:00pm

Sat, Jun
02

Orangeville, Ont
Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival
7:00pm

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