VizzTone Label group artists: Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine - Coulda Woulda Shoulda - New release review

I just received the newest release, Coulda Woulda Shouda from Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine and it' clever and mature. Opening with Walkin' Home To You a 40's style country influenced blues track, Andra Faye, a multi instrumentalist leads on vocal, and fiddle backed by Ballantine who is actually quite fluid on guitar. Crackheaded Man has traditional blues styling and Faye finds the perfect venue for her vocals. Faye pairs up on mandolin with Ballantine on guitar for a very nice instrumental duet. Boogie track, It's A New Day has a more modern feel, Faye joined on vocal by Ballantine. Her mando work on this track is quite clean and Ballantine lays down dome fine guitar work. Liz Pennock penned, Take It Slow, sets up nicely for a bluesy ballad featuring Faye on vocal. Ballantine has a really nice opportunity to show his acoustic blues chops and he does a really fine job. Blues For A Crappy Day is a bit more uptempo with vocal duets and and a driving guitar rhythm. Faye's fiddle work coupled with Ballantine on guitar makes for a real nice toe tapper. Jazz influenced, Too Much Butt (For One Pair Of Jeans), has a sassy style reminiscent of early Maria Muldaur. Ballantine shows his acoustic chops again, taking a nice stylized guitar solo on this one. Piedmont style, One Dream At A Time, is driven by the tight guitar work of Ballantine. Faye adds a nice mandolin solo but it's the guitar rhythm that makes this track tick. Title track, Coulda Woulda Shoulda, is a quick little boogie with a swing flare. A woven play of mandolin and guitar and call and answer by Ballantine and Faye vocally sum up this track. Ballantine takes the vocal lead on traditional, Standing In The Need Of Prayer. Nice blending by Faye and expressive guitar work by Ballantine makes this one of the nicest tracks on the release. Working Mama Is Gone has a deliberate feel and bluesy tensions. Faye does some of her best vocal work on this track, complimented by mandolin and again Ballantine takes a real nice solo on guitar. John Hyatt's Feels Like Rain gets a really tender interpretation and Ballantine plays particularly expressive guitar riffs. Very nice! Mike Dowling's When You Gonna Stop Your Drinkin'? has a lot of spank making it one of the best tracks on the release. Faye really sells it vocally and Ballantine drives the train on guitar. A clever mandolin solo from Faye adds some additional spark getting ready for the conclusion. Bluesy, Clyde, is my favorite original track on the release with just the right tempo and style. Faye's vocals are solid and clear and Ballantine provides a tight bottom for another mandolin solo. Nice wrapper for a solid release.

   

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Big Song Music House, May Music

Tonight, April 30th at 7pm, I will be playing music with  Doug Hamilton at the Oxford Community Arts Center.  A memorial concert for Doug's 15 year old daughter Kathryn who passed away on March 11, this year. We are raising funds to help purchase a Grand Piano for Talawanda High School in memory of Kathryn.  Kathryn Anne Hamilton was a talented athlete, musician, and creative artist, she had a big heart and a compassion for people.  Kathryn excelled in school and loved math and technology, and dreamed of becoming a race car engineer. She was the daughter of Barbara Smyth Hamilton, a big sister to Ethan Hamilton, a friend to her peers, and a bright spirit to everyone she met.      Healing the Heart; Soothing the Soul A concert in memory of Kathryn Hamilton    Hear Doug and Lisa play: BUZZIE   The Big Song Music House Presents!  Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine Multi-instrumentalist Andra Faye is keeping the Blues alive!  She has received critical acclaim for her blues mandolin playing. Andra was a long time member of the acoustic blues trio Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, who were nominated for several Blues Music Awards. Scott Ballantine is a jazz guitar virtuoso who has "wonderfully wicked guitar chops."  Don't miss this one! Saturday, May 24 at 8pm Doors open at 7 for potluck and mingling. A $20 donation will get you in the door. Please reply to this email to reserve yourself a seat.  Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine   Check our their new CD "Laying Down Our Blues" at CD BABY    Check Andra Faye and Scott on YOUTUBE: Feels Like Rain, and  In My Girlish Days     Music In May   THURSDAY, MAY 1ST, 2014   O'Pub, 10 W. Park Place, Oxford, Ohio Lisa Biales with Jay Jesse Johnson - 8-11pm 10 W. Park Place Oxford Ohio 45056 MAY 6-9 - Blues Music Awards, Memphis, TN. Looking forward to catching up with my musician friends, DJ & Radio friends, singing with EG Kight, and hearing some great music at the awards show. THURSDAY, MAY 29TH, 2014  7-10pm O'Pub, 10 W. Park Place, Oxford, Ohio 10 W. Park Place Oxford Ohio 45056 (513) 523-6782 Lisa Biales with the Belle of the Blues Band . . .heat up the cozy O'Pub. FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, 2014  Oxford Community Arts Center CD Release Concert for Belle of the Blues 8pm - Doors open at 7:30 10 S. College Avenue Oxford Ohio 45056 $10 admission - 513-524-8506 Lisa Biales and the Belle of the Blues Band with Bill Littleford on guitar, Dave Mackey on Drums, Noah Cope on Bass, Chuck Wiggins on Keys. SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 2014 6:30-8pm  Oxford Wine and Art Festival Corner of High and Main in the Uptown Park Oxford Ohio 45056   513-523-5200 Lisa Biales and The Belle of the Blues Band with Noah Cope on Bass, Bill Littleford on Guitar, Dave Mackey on Drums, Chuck Wiggins on Keys and Accordion. Lisa's new CD "Belle of the Blues" makes the Living Blues charts at #11, the Blues charts at #17, and the  Acoustic Blues charts at #1. If  you would like to hear a preview of Belle of the Blues CLICK HERE    "BY FAR, ONE OF THE BEST FEMALE FRONTED BLUES RECORDINGS YOU ARE LIKELY TO HEAR IN 2014."    - John Vermelyia, Blues Underground   " Lisa Biales astonished us again with this new album. With her crystal clear vocals and an excellent backing band, this album is a flawlessly produced jewel." Philip Verhaege - Keys and Chords

BLUES LOVERS   Mark your calendars for the Cincy Blues Challenge    June 1  Cincy Blues Solo/Duo  Challenge   Arnold's Bar and Grill    1:00 - 4:30 (11 solo/duo acts) June 8 Cincy Blues Band Challenge    Germania Park   1:00 - 9:00 (22 bands)       For More Information: Cincy Blues Challenge     GET ACTIVE   Marc and I donated to the Blues Foundation's Raise the Roof! for  the Blues Hall of Fame. The donation includes our names to be added to a brick in the wall. I'd love to see your name there too!      THE BLUES FOUNDATION    Schedule now for your concert series, festival, club, or private event Lisa Biales  (Solo, Duo, Band) Peach Pickin' Mamas  (Lisa Biales and EG Kight)  EG Kight (Solo, Band)