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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!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Showing posts with label American Showplace Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Showplace Music. Show all posts
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Chicken Grease, from Biscuit Miller and the Mix and it's a cool mix of blues, funk and soul. Opening with Here Kitty Kitty, a cool R&B track with a potent bass line by Miller who also has the lead on vocal, backed by Doctor Love on drums, Bobby B Wilson on guitar and Alex "Southside" Smith on guitar and John Ginty riding high on B3 and electric piano. Super opener. Lap steel master, Marcus Randolph sits in on 609, adding his special sauce. A driving rocker with an firm bass line, this track keeps the heat on with great vocals, and tight work from Ginty, Wilson and Smith. Title track, Chicken Grease, is so funky you can smell it. Miller really works the bass and his vocal phrasing is perfect. With a cool interplay between Wilson, Smith and Randolph, this track is hot! R&B track, Watching You is smooth as silk with warm vocals by Miller and just the right bottom and nice backing vocals by Love, Wilson and Smith. Dripping blues number, Creeping, nicely features Miller's lead vocal skills and with clear, round guitar tones, and clever phrasing, this track sets a very nice blues frame. Wrapping the release is Get Ready with a fluid funk feel. Ginty and Miller set up an excellent bottom and with cool vocal teaming, this is a funky cool 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, Don't Give Up On The Blues, from Giles Robson and I really like it. Opening with Land To Land Giles Robson on lead vocal and harmonica is a strong force to be reckoned with. His vocals are real and his harp playing solid. Backed by Bruce Katz on piano and Hammond, Aaron Lieberman on guitar, Antar Goodwin on bass and Ray Hangen on drums, this band is tight. Title track, Don't Give Up On the Blues is a cool shuffle track in pure Chicago style. Robson ramps up his harmonica showing his classic styling and key whiz Bruck Katz digs on piano for some terrific riffs as well. With it's Bo Diddley beat, Hangen really hammers it out on Damn Fool Way and Robson's tone is pure gold. Slow blues number, Your Dirty Look & Your Sneaky Grin is a terrific track with solid vocals, rich harmonica work by Robson and a real nice piano solo by Katz. Very nice. Harmonica/piano boogie track, Boogie at the Showplace is a terrific track and my choice for favorite track on the release. It has great tempo and style and gives both Robson and Katz a great opportunity to give it up. Giles' Theme is a great jam with a cool beat. Robson leads the way with slick harp riffs and Katz adds in trademark B3 overtones making this another top track. Really kicking it is That Ol' Heartbreak Sound and it's fast paced rhythm Goodwin and Hangen really drive it hard and Robson alternates vocal and harp, Mayall style giving this track real juice. Both Katz and Lieberman throw down real nice solos on this track making it another personal favorite on the release. Wrapping the release is Way Past Midnight, an excellent slower blues with tension so thick you could smell it. Robson slowly builds the tension on harmonica with nice chord work by Lieberman. Katz rolls in over eased up chords with his B3 and winds it up further before turning it back to Robson who carries it to the peak. This is a terrific track and 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, Solo Ride, from Bruce Katz and it's a cool blues piano extravaganza. Opening with piano boogie, Down At The Barrelhouse, Katz is really rolling with a great boogie line on the bottom and solid great lead on top. Excellent opener. Tampa Red's It Hurts Me Too on piano has a totally different dynamic and Katz works it hard. Maintaining it's shuffle structure, Katz's hands are gold. With poise and elegance, Katz plays ballad, Dreams of Yesterday, with it's serene melody with a touch of gospel balance. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Easy Livng with it's early jazz/blues roots. Katz sets it up nicely and then hits the solo opening trill. Maintaining a slow but sure pace, his phrasing is strong. Very nice. Another piano boogie, Watermelon Thump really grinds out the blues in barrelhouse style. Very nice. Closing the release is Redemption with the structure of a movie soundtrack. Katz playing throughout the release is flawless and inspired.
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 to most recent release, The Longshot, from Brandon Santini and it's a stripped down blues rocker. Opening with Don't Come Around Here No More, Brandon Santini is upfront on lead vocal and his vocals are particularly strong. Backed by Timo Arthur on guitar, Chuck Combs on bass, Reed Muchow on drums, John Ginty on keys and Moe Watson on backing vocal this is a super opener with hot harp riffs by Santini. With a country two step feel, Drive You Off My Mind has a cool open road feel with snappy drums and added percussion by Michael Bram. Greg Gumpel really adds nice slide guitar riffs under the lead vocal, paired with Santini's own harp work and saturated in Ginty's organ flow making this one of the best tracks on the release. I really like Arthur's guitar tone on Back To You pushing into a foot stomping, lumbering drive. Santini works back and forth between lead vocal and crisp harp riffs giving the track a fine flow and Arthur's guitar soloing is pressing. Very cool. Another straight up rocker, My Worried Mind and cool jangly guitar riffs and a solid bass line with emphasis on the harp and modern blues guitar riffs. Willie Dixon's Evil (Is Going On) has a really nice funky bass line and glistening key work by Ginty under raspy distorted vocals by Santini. I really like this take on Dixon's classic and Santini seals the deal with his fluid harp soloing. Very nice. Wrapping the release is rocker, Somebody's Gotta Go in contemporary blues rock style. Laid back vocal delivery and a driving rock rhythm are the key here providing an open lane for Santini to close the show. This is a real solid release and one that should continue Santini's foothold as one of todays blues rock innovators.
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, 7 Minutes Late, from Chris O'Leary and I really like it. Opening with R&B track, What The Devil Made Me Do, O'Leary on lead vocal creates a lot of steam backed by Andrei Koribanics on drums, Matt Raymond on bass, Jeremy Baum on organ Chris Difrancesco on sax and some cool guitar soloing by Chris Vitarello with Peter Hopkinson and Greg Gumpel on guitars. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky, One More Chance At Love, with a great bass, drum and rhythm guitar bottom giving O'Leary an excellent stage to show his excellent vocal and harmonica styling as well as slick guitar soloing by Hopkinson and Gumpel. Another favorite, Second Time Around is a straight, solid boogie. Grinding guitar soloing highlights the track over rimshots, harp boogie and super vocals. Excellent! Basin Street style blues on She Ain't Coming Back not only explores cool vocals but mandolin work by Gumpel and really nice horn work by Stahl and Difrancesco. Title track, 7 Minutes Late is an extended jam track with swampy vocals, slide guitar and thumping drums and featuring bluesy harp work by O'Leary. Very nice. Bones is another track with swampy roots and a tom tom laden bottom. Slide rich guitar work and excellent vocals and harp continues the overall richness of the release. Wrapping the release is soul track, Daddy's Here, with excellent vocals and melody making it a very nice closer for a strong 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, Welcome To My Blues, from Sean Chambers and it's meaty. Opening with flamboyant blues rocker, and title track, Welcome To My Blues, guitar player/songwriter/guitarist, Chambers lets it fly with solid vocals and ripping blues rock riffs, joined by John Ginty on keys, Moe Watson on drums and Todd Cook on bass. Great opener. My absolute favorite track on the release, Black Eyed Susie, has a super swagger thanks to Chambers' strong vocals and Watson's heavy drum work. Jimmy Bennett's slide guitar work on this track is super, the track actually reminding me a lot of a terrific track written by Jackie Lynton for Savoy Brown in the early 70's. Luther Allison's Cherry Red Wine is an absolute screamer with some of Chambers' most fiery riffs on the release. If you don't like this, you probably don't like contemporary blues...at all! Excellent! Backbeat shuffle, Cry On Me, has a great feel with Freddie King like poise. Very cool. On One More Night To Ride, Chambers' emphasis is on funky wah wah driven rhythm and free wheeling soloing. Very nice. Again on Red Hot Mama the slide is hot and slashing. With a straight up rock beat, this track has a great feel and never sounds like a Duane Allman clone. Very nice. Another great blues track, All Night Long, has just the perfect level of suspense, enhanced by the organ work of Ginty. Chambers' vocals are great and his guitar phrasing is particularly excellent. Wrapping the release is guitar ballad, Riviera Blue, with a really nicely poised guitar melody. Wel managed piano work by Ginty supports Chambers, intricate guitar soloing but never gets in the way. Masterful.
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, Blink, from Rachelle Coba and it's an soulful understated rocker. Opening with High and Dry, a rocker with a driving beat, Coba on guitar and vocal is teamed with Paul Kuzik on bass, Andrei Koricanics on drums and featuring John Ginty on piano. Dance These Blues Away has a cool funky back beat that really gives Coba a chance to showcase her bluesy vocals and soulful guitar riffs. Very nice. Good Ole Heartbreak is a soul ballad with a great melody. Another strong track, this could easily be the top radio track on the release. A solid rocker with a light country flavor (think Stones or Mellencamp) title track, Blink, had a strong (rock) dance groove and just the right guitar tone to push it over the edge. Solid! Another track that deserves a particular note is Shuffle Ya with an almost spoken vocal line but with a heavy footed bottom and guitar punctuation over the warm organ ride of Ginty. Very nice. Wrapping the release is another strong blues ballad, Blame It On The Blues giving Coba one last chance to showcase her soulful vocals with rich organ piano work by Ginty. Excellent 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, Get Your Groove!, from Bruce Katz Band and it's strong. Opening with the traditional Hesitation Blues, Katz attacks it in anything but a traditional way. With a heavy swing, Chris Vitarello leads the way on lead vocal and guitar, with the powerful strokes of Bruce Katz on B3 and bass and the tight rhythm of Ray Hangen on drums. Vitarello lays out some real clean blues fused guitar lines that really give this track some spank and Katz's own B3 soloing is impeccable. Freight Train is a cool Allman influenced, nearly 10 minute jam track with plenty of stretch time for Vitarello and Katz with an interlude from Elizabeth Reed and the power drumming of Jaimoe. Funky, Shine Together (Tribe of Lights), has great feel and features really nice drum soloing by Jaimoe and a cohesive, combined solo effort by Katz and Vitarello. Very nice. Somber blues ballad, River Blues is one of my personal favorites on the release with a strong melody, sweet soloing by Vitarello, beautiful piano lines by Katz and featuring Matt Raymond on bass. With nicely styled piano lead from Katz, title track, Get Your Groove has a cool 60's R&B sound with just a touch of Dixie. Very cool. With an easy "Steely Dan" slung groove, Zone 3 is my choice for the top radio track with a strong melody, nicely articulated guitar lead and rich lower octave lead by Katz. Very cool. A funky Meter's based Rush Hour sets a firm groove giving Katz and Vitarello rich soil to mine extended improvisational solos. Nice and easy, Wasn't My Time, showcases Vitarello back up front on lead vocal and showcasing his inventive blues riffs. This track is nicely paced and is definitely one of the highlights of the release with soulful lead by Katz emotional lead by Vitarello. Very cool. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, The Bun with excellent runs by Vitarello and strong footing by Katz making this a super closer for another strong release from BKB.
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, Not Made For Hire, by The Bennett Brothers and I really like it. Opening with driving rocker, Junkyard Dog, with it's stone free rhythm, Jimmy and Peter Bennett storm in on guitar and bass respectively and lead vocals, backed by Lee Falco on drums and John Ginty on B3 and piano. Jimmy's guitar work is fluid and wailing and the bottom is tight and strong. Hold On Tight has more of a country two step feel with real nice slide work, and a perfect off beat cymbal stroke. Very nice. Bluesy, I Just Don't Want The Blues Today has a 60's San Francisco feel with rich tension and Linda Pino on backing vocal. Instrumental shuffle, Blues #9 has a nice swagger as Jimmy stretches out on guitar and Ginty lays down trademark riffs of his own. Very cool. Boogie track, Rocking Chair has a great walking bass line setting up a clear lane for Jimmy to open it up wide on slide. On How Long, the band does a pretty sweet "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac sound" with a Latin beat, glistening guitars and loads of space. Ginty also contributes with an inventive B3 run of his own. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Walk With The Devil with the basic feel of the theme from The Wire (TV Show by Tom Waits).With it's Latin framework and stylistic guitar work, it's really nice. Wrapping the release is I Got A Woman, a straight up blues rocker with strong commercial appeal. Jimmy and John both lay down notable solo's and Peter and Lee hold it together nicely. This is a solid closer for a really solid 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 (June 16, 2017), Double Strike, from Andy T. Band and it has a cool swing. Opening with I Want You Bad, Alabama Mike leads the way on vocal with Andy T on guitar, a featured solo by Anson Funderburgh and rocked nicely by Kaz Kazanov on tenor sax, John Mills on bari sax and Al Gomez on trumpet with Larry van Loon on keys, Johnny Bradley on bass and Jim Klinger on drums. On R&B track, Somebody Like You, Mike really sets down some of his best vocals on the release with cool key work by van Loon. Deep Inside has a real nice blues lope featuring Nick Nixon on lead vocal coaxed along by Greg Izor harp. On Chuck Willis' I Feel So Bad, Nixon and Andy set a cool blues rocker pace. With stinging guitar riffs and a solid bass line, this track has a great feel. Another Chuck Willis track, Juanita, is sopping with classic R&B style making it one of my favorites on the release. Funderburgh's Mudslide is up next with thick lower octave melody and bright lead guitar work by Andy and a super solo by van Loon. Another smoking hot track is Doin' Hard Time with Andy and Funderburgh trading soulful riffs. Very nice! Funderburgh blisters the guitar on his solo on I Was Gonna Leave You, a somewhat funky blues track featuring Nixon on lead vocal. On Latin flavored Drunk Or Sober, Kaz and Andy each lay out noteworthy solos making this another of the best of the release. Wrapping the release is Where Did Out Love Go Wrong, another solid R&B track featuring Mike on lead vocal. Andy kicks it up a few notches with a crisp guitar solo and a smooth sax solo adds a deep earthy balance to this rich 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, Trouble & Whiskey, by Sean Chambers and it's a real rocker. Opening with foot stomper, I Need Your Lovin', blends the drive of Robert Johnson's Crossroads with the swagger of ZZ Top. Joined by Kris Schnebelen on drums, Todd Cook on bass and Michael Hensley on Hammond B3 and piano, this band is tight. On Bottle Keeps Staring at Me, Chambers vocals are bold and his slide guitar work fiery. On title track, Trouble & Whiskey, Chambers slows things down demonstrating just how soulful his playing can be. With excellent phrasing and hot technique, this track is smoking! With a nod to Joe Walsh, Travelin' North has a cool rock flare and contemporary blues guitar riffs. Hensley really lays into the B3 on this one giving the track even more girth and carrying the track forward to Chambers final hot riff. Very nice! Sweeter Than A Honey Bee has a cool country rock 2 step feel. Think Call Me the Breeze or Give Me A T for Texas. Rich guitar tones open Handyman, a hot rocker with sting. On Johnny Winter's, Be Careful With A Fool, Chambers stays away from Winter's extremely explosive riff but throws flames of his own and with some of my favorite vocals on the release, makes this one of my favorites on the release. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Gonna Groove, a funk rocker with slick jazzy guitar riffs and warm slide details. This is a really nice track to close a really good 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, Rockers, by John Ginty featuring vocalist Aster Pheonyx and it has a whole different dimension. Opening with powerhouse, The Shark, Ginty melds his notorious Hammond sound with Justine Gardner on outrageous funky bass and Maurice "mOe" Watson on drums for my favorite track on the release right out of the chute. Excellent! Rocker, Lucky 13 is up next and with Paul Kuzik's driving bass and Watson's drum work, lead vocalist, Aster Pheonyx takes command with Grace Slick like style. Ginty's key work, is aggressively complimented by the guitar work of Mike Buckman and Jimmy Bennett. With an easy pace and solid melody, Target On The Ground, is a tidy radio track with bluesy vocals and a light funk in the bottom. Ginty cranks up the heat on Hammond giving the track a bit more heft. Mr. Blues is a lumbering blues rocker with a cool lead riff by Ginty that drives the track, reinforced by Gardner's bass work. A well balanced track with a bit of wailing guitar ... slick. Electric has a real nice back beat and features big drum work as well as cool slide work. With Jagger like prowess on vocal, Phoenyx's vocals on this track are my favorite. Wrapping the release is title track, Rockers. a solid driver with Ginty, Gardner and Watson laying down a road of rhythm before Ginty takes flight on keys. This is a solid rocker and a solid closer for a new direction for Ginty.
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, Dust To Gold from Cris Jacobs and it's quite good. Opening with The Devil or Jesse James, a rugged radio track, Cris Jacobs on guitar and vocal is joined by Todd Herrington on bass, Dusty Ray Simmons on percussion and John Ginty on keys. With a mellow sway, Kind Woman has a real nice groove. Jacobs vocas are smooth and his dobro playing soft and warm. Halleluja Hustler has a sweet melody and with nicely blended vocals, rolling piano by Ginty and swirling guitars by Jacobs, very nice. Jack The Whistle and The Hammer is a snappy, soft rocker with a touch of Buckingham Nicks. Jacobs springs across the fretboard with a tight little guitar solo giving the track just a bit more dressing, backed by Ginty. Very nice. One of the richest tracks on the release, Cold Carolina, has the warmth of the summer sun and the space of high country with Jonathan Sloane on slide. Bone Digger has a real cool funky groove with Jacobs delivering an almost hiphop lyrical skat with tight drum riffs and and clever guitar soloing. Very nice! With an almost Little feat bounce, Delivery Man is a really nicely crafted track with finely woven vocals and intricate guitar and keyboard instrumentation. Excellent! Break Your Fall is the most likely radio track on the release with the rhythmic solidity of tempted, the vocal strength and blending of Michael McDonald but with much more clarity and Ginty's organ work giving the track a soulful bottom. Very nice. Another cool R&B style track, Shine Your Weary Light, has great spring and soul. Sit still listening to this release...you can't. Simmons and Herrington really anchor the bottom and Jacobs' work on electric guitar and dobro really set this track apart. His vocals are soulful and Ginty's organ work really dresses it perfectly. Wrapping the release is acoustic ballad, Leaving Charm City. Jacobs has clearly shown himself as an accomplished, vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. With only Sloane's slide work in the background, this track is a super closer for a really 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 received the newest release, Out From The Center, from Bruce Katz Band and it's smokin'! Opening with hot piano boogie, Don't Feel So Good Today, Katz leads the way on piano and Chris Vitarello has the lead on vocal and guitar. Peter Bennett plays a driving bass line and Ralph Rosen has drums. Excellent! Schnapps Man is a really cool jazz influenced instrumental with a killer beat. Katz has great chops surrounded by a super weave of guitar, drums and bass. WOW! Slow blues, The Struggle Inside is a really nice showcase for Vitarello on guitar and vocal. This is a beautiful 7 plus minute composition with plenty of room for Katz to solo and Rosen''s work on drums is nothing short of crisp. Very nice! Blues From High Point Mountain is a jazz /blues blend with powerful bones. Katz shows not only his skillful manner on the keys but also his soulful riffs. Vitarello lays the track open with some excellent riffs of his own making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Classic! Instrumental title track, Out From The Center, is a bit more exploratory in nature with a mellow central theme and adventurous improvisation by the band including Jimmy Bennett on lap steel. Very nice! With a super bottom, All Tore Up returns to mainstream with a real nice melody and Vitarello. With a nice lope and odd time change, this track has a great swing. Katz and Vitarello each take extended turns up fron on keys and guitar (respectively) giving this track real traction. (Excellent drum work by the way). Bessie's Bounce has a rag time feel compliments Katz on piano and light brush work by Rosen. Vitarello blends in nicely with his own guitar soloing but it's the piano on this tract. Tasty! Funky track, Dis-Funkshunal has a great groove set by Rosen and Bennett and riden high by Katz and Vitarello. Another excellent instrumental on a release filled with excellent tracks. Following a traditional blues bar, Another Show has a real solid bass line and vocal harmonies by Vitarello and Rosen. Katz shows another hand of hot piano riffs and Vitarello is right behind his own fill. Super. Think Fast hits into Clarence Gatemouth territory with a real hot potato. Vitarello really has it sailing on guitar and with a fst walking bass line, Katz lays into it adding depth. This is a smoking track and I can see my old pal Stilladog romping away on it. Excellent! Wrapping the release is You Got It, a real nice blues swinger with a real deep groove. With Vitarello and Katz playing in tandem this track has it all. Vitarello stretches on guitar showing his pure jazz influence and Katz rides low. Then it's Katz's turn and he's not shy with a solid groove all his own. This is an excellent closer to what may be one of the bst releases I've heard this 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 received the newest release (June 17, 2016), All For Loving You, from Alexis P Suter and it's dynamite! Opening with Talk To Myself, Suter kicks it square in the face with a heavy swagger on lead vocal and Jimmy Bennett on guitar. A strong slide undertone throughout gives the track a cool bluesy feel. R&B track, Can't Find A Reason is a grand showcase for how powerful a singer Suter is and Bennett lays in a simple guitar solo backed by John Ginty on organ, Ray Grappone on drums and Peter Bennett on bass. Excellent! Slow blues number, Another Place and Time, is opened by an inviting guitar intro by Jimmy and Suter really grabs it up tight. Given the space, Jimmy takes his guitar for a soulful walk adding to a very strong track. Very nice. Title track, All For Loving You, is a radio track with a smooth melody. A driving drum line by Grappone, slide work from Jimmy and Ginty's organ work make this a magical formula. Shuffle track, Living In The World, opens with a clean guitar line from Jimmy. Suter has such a strong voice, balanced by Ginty on organ and Grappone on drums, this track rocks it southern style. Soulful ballad, Fool For You, is another pure showcase for Suter's vocal with rich organ work by Ginty and clean guitar riffs by Jimmy. Very nice. Don't Ya' Tell is a rockin' boogie with super blues rock style guitar riffs from Jimmy, hot backing vocal by Vicki Bell and slashing drum work from Grappone. Excellent! So Long has a heavy bottom with some funk, compliments of Peter and Grappone and Jimmy really lets the dog off the leash on this one. Smokin! Every Shut Eye is a hot Latin influenced blues number with a hot beat. Jimmy takes a freewheeling run over Grappone's relentless rhythm and Ginty takes a cool run of his own. Suter's vocals are hot and steamy. Wrapping the release is an inspirational rearrangement of the Beatles classic, Let It Be. Ginty's organ work creates nice tension, Jimmy adding gravelly guitar riffs and Suter taking the track in a track not expected... with an almost gospel feel! This is an excellent closer to a very strong release.
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I just received the newest release, Gonna Die Tryin', from Chris O'Leary and it's in your face super! Folloing up to last year's Live At Blues Now! this release is long awaited. Opening with Can't Help Yourself, a slinky blues track with a gritty guitar vamp by Chris Vitarello and Chris O'Leary on lead vocal and harp this track is a great opener. Backed by Matt Raymond on bass, Bruce Katz on piano and Jay Devlin on drums, O'Leary hits solid on his harp solo making this one of the best opening tracks of the year! 19 Cents A Day has a strong, SB Williamson vamp behind it but with a fast driving pace really kicks it. Katz on organ really lays it out there with a hot solo with Andy Stahl and Chris Difrancesco joining on sax. Hot! Hook, Line and Sinker has a funky R&B feel Willa Panvini and Libby Cabello adding super backing vocals alone with Stahl and Difrancesco on sax. Vitarello adds some really nice guitar lines over Raymond's driving bass line and the sax men blow out some great riffs. Excellent! Title track, Gonna Die Tryin' has a Latin beat and great guitar tone under the lead vocals. Vitarello steps up with a real nice guitar solo on this track sticking with a blues fuesd latin feel. O'Leary breathes great power into his harp on this track giving it just the right spark. Slow blues track, Letters From Home, opens with a really soulful guitar solo from Vitarello riding on the back of of Katz's subtle organ work. O'Leary shows a variety of different vocal styles throughout this release. His powerful vocals earlier in the release are nicely matched here with super soulful phrasing. This is a powerful track that stands tall on this release of excellent tracks. The Devil Drove To Town In A V8 Ford is a rocking, country style track with flames. Vitarello really strings it out on this one with some lower fret work that hits hard. Nice pick up after the grinding blues number. The Machine has a really cool feel with alternating tom tom beat and double stopped guitar rhythm. Vitarello plays some really stinging guitar riffs under O'Leary's solid vocals with harp accents. Excellent! With it's shuffling lope, Walking Contradiction is the one track that just screams Chicago on this track and O'Leary milks it for all it's worth with his smoking harp work. Harvest Time rolls out a New Orleans style beat by Devlin and rolling piano from Katz. Warm backing vocals by Cabello and McCarthy along with slide guitar give the gumbo real spice. One More Saturday Night has a slick swing led by O'Leary on vocal and harp. Rock n roll riffs into the blues give the track great traction and Katz's organ work fills out the bill. Wrapping the release is funky, Tell It To Me Straight with Albert King like delivery. This is another of my favorite tracks with a slice of the best of everything. O'Leary's vocals are perfect, katz delivers a great organ solo, Vitarello plays it funky, backing vocals a strong and the band is in the groove...seriously! This is an excellent 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”
I just received the newest release, Long Road Back, from the Todd Wolfe Band and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with Poison, Wolfe picks up where he left off on his 2013 release, Miles To Go with a solid funky rock track and a cool hook. With his own fever pitched guitar work and backed by Roger Voss on drums, excellent key man, John Ginty on Hammond and Justine Gardner on bass this is a cool opener. On Mercy, Wolfe and Ginty blend instrumentally and backing vocals by Gardner and Voss warm up the mix. Blind Joe Reynolds track, Outside Woman Blues, made popular by the Cream during the British invasion makes an appearance on this track with quite a similar arrangement. I actually love this track so having Wolfe do a cover of it pleases me just fine. His vocals and guitar work are clean and the band is tight. Never Walk Alone has a real nice feel with a primary rhythmic theme under the vocal melody as well as hot guitar riffs and warm Hammond backing. Peace Unto You is an acoustic ballad that could easily make cross genre radio play. With nicely blended vocals, rhythmic acoustic guitar, easy acoustic slide and warm Hammond, this track is nice. Fire Me Up is a nicely written pop rocker with some pretty tasty guitar riffs. Straight forward rocker and title track, Long Road Back has a nice swagger and cool vocal duet on the lead vocal. Call and response guitar and vocal paired with bass and Hammond tied together with drums makes for a southern flavored rocker with a pinch of Mountain. Gone has a super swampy feel with Voss on tom tom leading the way. Ginty steps up leading into a more jazzy feel on Hammond and over aggressive bass work of Gardner, Wolfe lays out some of his hottest riffs on the release. Very cool! Gone is one of my favorites on the release with freewheeling slide work from Wolfe. A solid beat by Voss drives the track and Wolfe's vocals and rhythm guitar over Gardner make a cool delivery. One Shot is a power packed rocker with a lot of Hammond drive behind some of the best vocals on the release. Wolfe doesn't venture too far from TDC on this track but that makes for a rock solid rocker. Stephen Stills' Black Queen is full of fire, with a Leslie West attitude. I really like this track and Wolfe sells the track vocally. An adventurous guitar solo from Wolfe and punctuation by Ginty and Voss with a solid driver by Gardner makes this a choice track. Wrapping the release is an instrumental interlude, Hoodoo River, giving Wolfe a nice chance to jam. Gardner lays down some terrific bass lines driving the jam even higher and Ginty fits in to the mix like a glove. One of the quickest 8 plus minutes on tape this 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”
I just received the newest release, No Filter, from John Ginty and it's super! I had earlier reviewed John's super debut "Bad News Travels" and I like this one even better! Opening Fredo with a very sumptuous guitar organ duo of Ginty and Lou Pallo, this track kicks into a cool strut driven by Ginty on B3, Paul Kuzik on bass and Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics on drums and percussion. Very nice! Ball Of Fire features Cris Jacobs warm vocals on a cool bed of keyboards and Latin rhythms and Spanish guitar riffs by Jacobs and Mike Buckman. An easy jazz break takes the track on a cloud like ride and Ginty heats up the keys nicely. This is an excellent radio track with broad appeal. My favorite track on the release, Old Shoes, features none other than the fabulous Alexis P. Suter. Taking a modern blues stance on an old style rhythm, this track really digs in and Suter has the perfect voice for the job. Ginty on piano, Kuzik on bass, Jimmy Bennett on guitar and only enough drums to tie it all together, this track smokes! Instrumental, Elevators, is Ginty's first chance to really let it all hang out on this release and on the driving bass line of Kuzik, that's exactly what he does. Jacobs is featured on guitar on this number and sets out a nice slash of his own. Ripper! Battlegrounds has an easier laid back sound featuring Cara Kelly on lead vocal. A nicely constructed track with a simple rock rhythm and strong vocals from Kelly, and a rich solo from Ginty makes this a solid addition to the release. Rock 'n Roll Sunday has a rock/revival sound featuring Ghost & The Big Sky vocalist, Paul Gerdts and driver with almost Winwood like piano riffs from Ginty. Trading riffs with guitarist Buckman gives the track a lighter feel and Ginty's B3 a more gospel sound against an R&B rhythm...Do You Get The Message (ref Humble Pie)? Annandale has a real somber feel with rich vocals from Cris Jacobs. This is a really nice ballad with a lot of the features of a Gary Moore track. Ginty amps up the B3 and Jacobs lays in a super nice guitar solo. Another of my release favorites. Chugging, No Jelly, starts out on a solid drive from the first note and builds momentum from there. Jimmy Bennett lays on a real nice melodic guitar lead and Ginty takes the first solo on B3. Trading/sharing riffs with Ginty, Bennett keeps up the momentum and backed by Buckman, Kizik, Fadel and Koribanics this track is the most adventurous yet! On Pirates, Cris Jacobs, in harmony with Billy Harvey create a smooth vocal track and Ginty takes the B3 for a solid ride. The rise in dynamics on this track are particularly effective, topped off with an excellent guitar solo by Jacobs. Title track, No Filter, features really clean vocals by Cara Kelly. This track has a particularly theatrical sound and Ginty's piano creates a lot of the emotion needed to balance the creative tension in Kelly's vocals. A switch to B3 and lap steel work by Jimmy Bennett drives the point home. Very nice! Wrapping the release is a totally different take on Fredo featuring a hip hop version of the track by Redman. A funky track to start with, Ginty's B3, and a ton of bottom gives Redman to do his thing. This is a really cool conclusion to 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”
I just received the newest release, Feel These Blues, from Slam Allen and it's a hard driver. Opening with title track, Feel These Blues, Allen on guitar and lead guitar sets the pace. Joined by keyboard wiz John Ginty, Jeff Anderson on bass and Dan Fadel on drums, these guys show they mean business. Allen slashes with Albert King like bend phrasing and mean intent. Cool! All Because Of You has a really smart bluesy guitar intro sliding into a Otis Rush like tempo with cleverly styled guitar riffs. Ginty and Allen trade alternate drop in riffs as punctuation around Allen's lead vocals. Very nice! R&B styled, In September, lays easy ground work for a radio track with slick guitar work and also showcasing Allen's soulful vocals. The Blues Is Back showing definite influences of Mr BB King. Allen's vocal phrasing is spot on and his Albert King/ SRV guitar phrasing is hot! Baby Please Don't You Go is a boogie rock n roller. Flashing guitar chops over a Chuck Berry rhythm and Ginty's organ dynamics makes this a true rocker on the release. High stepper 35 Miles Outside Of Memphis is a real swamp rocker along the lines of Edwin Starr or CCR's Born On The Bayou. This is a great track with a rolling beat from Fadel, super key support from Ginty, heavy bass from Anderson and searing knife like guitar strikes from Allen. Super! My favorite track on the release, World Don't Stop Turning, has a bit of BB and a bit of SRV (Ain't Gonna Give Up On Love) blended into Allen's own chowder giving Allen a spectacular opportunity to show his stuff and he isn't bashful. Excellent! Another R&B flavored track, Can't Break Away From That Girl has a real nice feel. Allen has a real nice voice for this particular style and his guitar riffs are very complimentary as well. I don't now if you have noticed but sometimes a track just hits me. When it does, gotta say what it makes me think. When The Blues Comes Around is a funky blues track and Ginty on organ with the beat brings me to one of my all time favorite Blues Rock tracks, I'm A Roadrunner, from Humble Pie's Smokin' release. This track has a bit of the feel but instead of Steve Marriot's superb voice, you have Allen who really does have a great feel for this style. I particularly love his guitar work on this track with solid tone and sting. Strong blues track, You're Wrong, has a great vocals and stiff guitar call and response ad mostly demonstrated by BB King. With youthful exuberance, Allen not only pulls at the strings but he runs then raw. This is a really hot track that will stick you...watch out! The release is wrapped by a soulful cover of Prince's Purple Rain. Allen works the vocals over pretty good with a hard soulful eye. Ginty pours on the heat with his B3 and Allen comes back hard with a really cooking blues guitar solo wrapping a really strong 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”
