HipsterDumpster Records artist: Matty T Wall - Live Down Underground - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live Down Underground, by Matty T Wall and it's a hot new blues rocker...live! Opening with Broken Heart Tattoo, Australian blues guitar player Matty T Wall hits the road running with his aggressive guitar attack and solid vocals. Joined by Ric Whittle on drums and Leigh Miller on bass this is a romping boogie. Solid opener.  Slideride is a hot rocker with Wall letting his slide do the talking. With a driving beat, Wall shows a relentless approach on guitar with the rawness of Hound Dog Taylor. Excellent track. Another driving track, Scorcher, shows Wall's excellent picking style mixed with dark overtones. Miller sets a great pace and Whittle adds fuel to the flame. This track is a scorcher. This Is Real slows things down quite a bit with Wall strumming a chord and then singing melodic phrases. With only the simplicity of Miller's bass and Whittle's drum strokes, this track really sits nicely. As the track matures, Wall steps forward and solos with excellent blues rock guitar phrasing. Very nice. Hendrix's Voodoo Chile is the basis for a strong, live jam that clocks in at nearly 15 minutes. Wrapping the release is Smile, a meandering guitar blues with solid footing and excellent phrasing. With active bass lines by Miller and a solid tom tom beat by Whittle, Wall closes this show down nicely. If you're looking for a great blues rocker this may be one of the best of the year.

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Hipsterdumpster Records artist: Matty T Wall - Transpacific Blues Vol. 1 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Transpacific Blues Vol. 1, from Matty T Wall and it's quite entertaining. Opening with John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom, Matty T Wall picks up Hookers classic and moves it forward. With toasty guitar riffs, solid vocals, the firm brush work of Ric Whittle on drums and Stephen Walker on bass, and the addition of great slide work of Dave Hole, this is a real cool opener. Hi Heel Sneakers gets a cool, funky treatment, with terrific lead by Wall and Eric Gales. Very nice. On Albert Collins' Quicksand, Kid Ramos steps up with Walls on lead guitar and with a rolling pace, quick shuffle keeps you bopping in your seat. Excellent! T Bone Walker's Stormy Monday take a different turn altogether with a great slow pace but with a different (than the original) melody. This adds tension and with hard grabbed, stinging, guitar riffs Wall keeps you plastered to your seat and listening close. Very cool. Kirk Fletcher sits in on Albert King's Born Under A Bad Sign and again, Wall uses the melody loosely with cues to the original track, especially Walkers spot on bass lines. This freedom to let it all hang out gives the track a definite freshness. Wrapping the release is Robert Johnson's Crossroads, turned rock classic by The Cream and now reworked with a military like drum beat and a Hill Country feel. I like this release. Not only does it have a all-star cast of guitar slingers, it's got a different story to tell. Very cool. 

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Bahool Records artist: The McMaMarr Project - Holla & Moan - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Holla & Moan, from The McMaMarr Project and it's dripping in soul. Opening with title track, Holla and Moan, a romping R&B track John McNamara and Andrea Marr team up vocally making a really cool team. McNamara handles lead guitar backed by Bobby Manuel on guitar, Ray Griffin on bass, Willie Hall on drums, Lester Snell on keys, Scott Thompson on trumpet, Lannie McMillan on tenor sax, and Jim Spake on bari sax. With a solid bass line by Griffin, Throwing Down a Little Love has a real firm beat and great vocal blending highlighted by great blues guitar riffs by McNamara. Soul ballad, History has a taste of country and a nice dash of blues with warm vocals and melody. Definitely the top radio track on the release. Another easy floating vocal track, Something That's Real, blends the honesty of early country music with R&B for a unique soulful blend. Wrapping the release is Blues Brought Me Here, a cool mix of country blues and gospel. McNamara and Marr's vocals are perfect together and this track is a solid representation of the facts. Very cool release. 

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Leny's Girl - Walk Outside Again - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Walk Outside Again, from Leny's Girl and it's a cool rocker with blues and country roots. Opening with Pretend, a wide open country rocker with plenty of twists and turns. Featuring Kasey McKenzie on vocal, Beggsy on guitar, Brownie on drums, Cookie on harp and Tom Raw on bass, it's a solid start.  Devil With A Gun is a real cool rock track with suspense and tension via a simple bass line, tight drum riffs, a vicious harp riff and great vocals by McKenzie. Title track, Walk Outside Again has haunting slide work by Beggsy, nicely isolating the vocals on McKenzie on the softer part of this track and giving the track real dynamics when they open up and pour on the heat. Very nice. Miss Robin Hood is a wide open rocker with a driving beat, fat slide work and McKenzie's most powerful vocals on the release. Wrapping the release is Table with a strong dose of the San Francisco psychedelic blues sound. This is a cool wrapper for a solid release.  

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Marshall & The Fro Take ‘Live at The Backroom’ On Tour

Marshall & The Fro Take ‘Live at The Backroom’ on the Road Whether with his classic outfit ‘The Fro’, or in various other guises, Byron Shire local Marshall Okell has become one of the most enduring faces of the blues and roots festival scene in Australia, and for good reason. With an incredible work ethic and commitment to live performance, and with four excellent studio albums in his wake, Marshall has been called upon to get the party started at most bluesy festival for the past 10 or so years. For someone so rooted in the live touring circuit it may come as a surprise that Marshall has waited for album number five to release a live recording. Recorded in iconic Byron Bay venue The Great Northern Hotel to a frothing crowd of devotees, new album ‘Live at The Backroom’ traces Okell’s story from the opening track of his 2007 debut album ‘Marshall & The Fro’, through to brand spanker ‘Taxi’. The ‘Marshall and The Fro name has been relaunched for this release with Luke ‘Fergo’ Fergusson, Nick Lemmits, and Ben Cox supplying world class vibes on this collection of crowd favourites. ‘Live at The Backroom’ is available where all good music is sold, their launch tour takes in hot spots on the east coast this autumn. www.marshallokell.com JB HiFi | iTunes |YouTube TOUR DATES: Thurs 14 FEB Pistol Pete’s, Geelong, VIC 8:00pm Free Entry Fri 15 FEB The Catfish, Fitzroy, VIC With special guests White Lightning 8:00pm $15 – tickets at door Sat 23 FEB The Royal Mail, Goodna, QLD 4:00pm Free entry Fri 29 MAR The Hawkesbury Hotel, Windsor, NSW 8:00pm Fri 12 APR The Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga, NSW 8:00pm Free entry Sun 14 APR The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour, NSW 4:00pm Free entry Sat 20 & Sun 21 APR The Harrington Hotel, Harrington, NSW Free entry Sat 27 APR The Railway Friendly Bar, Byron Bay, NSW 7:00pm Free entry Thurs 2 May Frankie’s Pizza by The Slice, Sydney, NSW 9:00pm Free entry Sun 5 May Tattersalls Hotel, Goulburn, NSW 3:00pm Free entry

Landslide Records artist: Geoff Achison - Sovereign Town - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sovereign Town, from Geoff Achison and it's quite good. Opening with folk rocker, Skeleton Kiss, Achison, on guitar and vocal crafts a definitely radio worthy track with solid backing by Andrew Fry on bass, Dave Clark on drums, Liam Kealy on Hammond and John McNamara on backing vocals. Title track, Sovereign Town has a real nice feel with rich warm backing vocals and a blend of finger picked and slide guitar by Achison supporting his distinctive vocals. Very nice. With a light jazzy touch, Misha Bella has a cool George Benson touch but maintaining Achison style country runs. Kealy's Hammond solo balances the track nicely making it one of my favorites on the release. Another particularly interesting track is World of Blue with fluid delivery, a strong melody, warm backing vocals, nice slide and just the right amount of Hammond. Excellent! Instrumental track, Hand of Faith, has a very soothing melody and with firm yet delicate articulate, Achison delivers this exceptional track. Wrapping the release is instrumental, Coolbardie Sunrise with tight fingerpicking in a traditional country blues style. Excellent closer for a cool release. 

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Hipsterdumpster Records artist: Matty T Wall - Sidewinder - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sidewinder, from Matty T Wall and is features some hot guitar playing. Opening with Slideride, an electric slide guitar instrumental, Wall wastes no time in kicking the release into high gear backed by Ric Whittle on drums and Stephen Walker on bass. Great start. On Sam Cooke's classic, Change Is Gonna Come, Wall takes the lead on vocal and does quite a nice job. Complimented by Jonas Petersen on strings, Gordon Cant on organ, Walker on bass and Whittle on drums, the setup is perfect for a sensuous guitar solo by Wall making this a choice track. Rocker, Shake It is another stand out track with a driving beat, cool vocals and ravenous guitar lead. Hot! Don Nix's Going Down gets a remake with a bit of a juke on Beck's earlier "rockification" on this classic. Wall pushes it more with a newer blues rock approach and with tight drumming from Whittle and backing vocals by Deli Rowe feels fresh.  My choice of the more pop/vocal tracks is Ain't That The Truth with a great melody and a nice R&B feel. Sophia's Strut is one of my favorite tracks with a true Jeff Beck like approach... no intention to make a radio track but just a cool guitar showcase. Very cool! Shuffle track, Walk Out the Door has a cool groove with Steve Searle on horns giving it real swing. Wrapping the release is Mississippi Kkkrossroades, a rap track which is somewhat disjointed from the rest of the release but with it's tight beat and driven guitar lines is a cool closer for what is a cool release.

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Paul Winn Band - Live At Lazybones - New Release Review - CD/DVD

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At Lazybones, from Paul Winn Band and it shows his diversity in music. Opening with blues rocker, Down So Long, Winn on guitar and vocal winds the place up nicely with Rick Wilson on harp, backed by Emile Nelson on bass and Dom Robinson on drums. Cool opener. Adding a little rhythm to the blues, Take The Long Way Home has a pop like feel with a definite funky bottom. Look Around moves into a more jazz arena with smooth vocals and tight harp riffs. A hot sax solo by Gary Honor really punches this track up giving it a edgy character. Very cool. Shuffle track, I Like A Drink, is another super showcase for Wilson's harp work and the overall tight feel of the band. Wrapping the release is Taylor, a solid ballad showing strong songwriting and Winn's strong vocals and fluid, articulate guitar lead, backed by Johann Willenberg on keys. This is a cool release with a little adventure.

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Andrea Marr - Natural - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Natural, from Andrea Marr and it conjures up images of old time soul and R&B. Opening with driving number, Force Of Nature one can't help thinking of Otis Redding and his aggressive vocal styling. backed by Dave Reynolds on guitar, Rob Little on bass, Roby Corelli on drums, Cameron Fallaw on keys, and with powerful horn work of Sean Rankin on trumpet, Jeff Mead and Stuart Byrne on tenor sax, and Byrne on bari sax, this track is moving. Aretha Franklin's Rock Steady has great movement with a heavy bass line by Little and punchy horn lines. Blues ballad, That's Where Love Ends, is a super showcase for Marr's vocal lead as well as a nice sax solo by Andy O'Connell. Let's Take It To The Bedroom is a rumbling blues number and features a nice guitar solo by Reynolds. What Do I Have To Do had a super James Brown strut with cool bass work by Little and tight drums work by Corelli and trumpet by Rankin. Closing the release is Sticks and Stones, a dark jazzy ballad with a deep bass line by Steve Temple and a slick guitar solo by Reynolds. 

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Big Wing Records artist: Kings & Associates - Tales of a Rich Girl - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tales of a Rich Girl, by Kings & Associates and it's quite good. Opening with slinky blues number, Truth Be Told, Benjamin Cunningham leads the way with slashing lead guitar and lead vocal in duet with Angela Portolesi, backed by Stephen Portolesi on bass, Matt Williams on guitar, Kelvin Sugars on drums and Louie Higuera on Hammond and piano. Very nice. Deadwood is a driving blues rocker with a great bass line and stinging guitar lead. Soul tune, Nitty Gritty, is really well constructed with a great duet with Portolesi and Cunningham and impressive instrumental dynamics. Peace x Peace is a super, gospel based track beautifully featuring Portolesi's vocals. I particularly like the organ and piano work by Higuera adding super tension and the backing vocals on this track are over the top. Excellent! Another real mover is All That's Good has a great bass line and Higuera's Hammond work is tops. Charlie B is a smoking James Brown style R&B track with tight drumming by Sugars. Hot! Live and acoustic, Tales of a Rich Man, features Cunningham on lead vocals along the lines of Delaney and Bonnie. Nicely blended vocals on a laid back blues base. Wrapping the release is 1000 Ways, a strong ballad featuring Portolesia and Cunningham sharing lead. Cunningham's melodic guitar soloing, paired with nice vocal blending and dynamic drumming by Sugars make this an excellent 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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Bahool Records artist: John McNamara - Rollin' With It - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rollin' With It, from John McNamara and it's smooth. Opening with R&B flavored One, Two of a Kind, John McNamara on lead vocal and guitar sets a terrific stage. Backed by Steve Potts on drums, Michael Toles on guitar, James "Jimi" Kinard on bass, Lester Snell on keys, Marc Franklin on trumpet, Lannie McMillan on tenor sax and Jim Spake on bari sax, these guy have a great mix of rock and blues. With a feel of Little Willie John Bad Reputation swings. Franklin really adds a nice punch and McMillan and Spake bottom. Steve Cropper like guitar riffs adds that gritty feel that makes the track great. Soul track, Ask Me Nothing (But about the Blues) really showcases McNamara's voice nicely and the sax work of Spake adds a nice heft. I really like the guitar work of McNamara on this track in particular making it one of my favorites on the release. Slinky, Under The Weight Of The Moon, weaves nicely with rich horn work blending R&B with stinging guitar riffs reminiscent of Texas style blues. Very nice. With horns blazing, Security really takes a turn more in the direction of Wilson Pickett. This release is really hot and McNamara has great feel. With a full horn section call and responding with guitar, this track has it all. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is Blind Man. I really like McNamara's vocals in balance with the horns and the soulful rhythm is spot on, not to mention McNamara's guitar punctuation... think Muscle Shoals sessions. You Wouldn't Wanna Know is a powerful track with a driving beat, bluesy guitar riffs and tight vocals. Wrapping the release is the beautiful, Suffering with the Blues. With rich orchestration and McNamara way out front, this track is an excellent closer for a superior 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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Landslide Records artist: Geoff Achison - Another Mile Another Minute - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release; Another Mile, Another Minute; from Geoff Achison and it's quite good. Opening with High Wire, Achison keeps the beat simple and with Richard Tankard on keys, Gerry Pantazis on drums and Roger McLachian on bass, lays down some real nice riffs on guitar backed by Susie Ahern on vocal. With it's reggae/pop feel, Working My Way Back Home has a real interesting sound, with a solid bass line, cool organ feel and colorful guitar work.  Shuffle track, I'm Gonna Ride features cool harp work by Chris Wilson and pure rock riffs from Achison. An infectious bass line by McLachian on really sets off A New Bad Habit and Sax by Paul Williamson and trumpet by Jack Howard give it a great backdrop for Achison's cool, stylist vocals.  Title track, Another Mile Another Minute has a smooth R&B feel with solid lead vocal by Achison and warm backing by Hannah Harwood, Steve Romig as well as the smooth horns of Williamson and Howard. Soul track, Dreaming I'm Awake is euphoric and has one of the most sensitive guitar solos on the release. Very nice. High stepper, Sum Peeples Got All Da Fonk is a playful track with a solid groove, and all the fixins for some funky music...organ, bass and drums. Very cool.  Make My Stand is another track with a bouncy bottom but with the inclusion of slick slide work... a jazzier approach. Wrapping the release is acoustic number, Front Porch Farewell. With the precision of a surgeon, Achison finger picks his guitar country style by with the touch of a lullaby. A very nice closer for a 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”

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Lazyeye - Pocket The Black - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pocket the Black, by Lazyeye and it's cool. Opening with Keepin' From Lovin', a Latin influenced blues rocker, Evan Whetter on vocal and organ lead the way with smart guitar riffs by Erica Graf and snappy drumming by Mario Marino. Title track, Pocket The Black, has a smooth shuffle pace with a cool blues riffs by Graf. It's cool to hear beefy organ work by Whetter which gives the band it's own signature. On Texas style shuffle, Back The Way They Came, Graf really digs in on the strings blowing your hair back and Whetter's vocals are smooth and well balanced with his organ work. Sassy, Mucho Jalaoeno, has a cool 60's retro Latina beat. With Whetter and Graf playing together on the melody,and Marino creating the back beat this track is hot. Whetter takes the first run with a flowing derivative of the melody on keys. Graf gets the second shot and parlays it into a really nice showcase for her style. Shack O' Mine has a distinctive rhythm pattern, say Bo Diddley beat with each player getting their shot at fronting the band. Very cool piece to get the crowd revved up.  Winding out a smooth slow blues, Graf and Whetter grind out the blues in technicolor. With rich guitar riffs and warm organ soloing, this track really hits the spot. One clean blues rocker, Treat Your Lover Right is straight up with a simple basic blues vamp on guitar, brushes on drum and Whetter blowing a nice harp. Wrapping the release is Swing For Marz, a cool, jazz based boogie. With Whetter leading the way with adventurous organ work and tight bottom by Marino this track sings. Graf gets her shot to plug in her own jazzy riffs and does so like a pro, stamped nicely by strong drum work by Marino. Strong closer to a cool release.

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Reference Recordings artist: Fiona Boyes - Professin' The Blues - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Professin' The Blues, by Fiona Boyes and it's pure. This release is stripped down with only Boyes on vocal and guitar/resonator, joined by Jimi Bott on drums and Denny Croy on bass. hand writing 18 pages of liner notes, Boyes does a real nice job of bringing you into the environment with her. Opening with Can't Stay Here No More, Boyes creates the feeling of years of living on the road and resting on a spot. With only acoustic guitar, tambourine and drum this is primitive. Devil You Know maintains the primitive feel but is stepped up in pace. With cool resonator slide Boyes considers the cons of accepting the status quo. With a jangly, rag time sound, Lay Down With Dogs considers fidelity with a touch of humor. With just a touch of country rock, Card Sharp, has a cool cigar box riff that follows the melody. Sliding into the chorus, a cool track with a cool hook. One of my favorite track on the release, Old and Stiff has a rag feel with rim shots and the sassy attitude of the original blues women with a play on words. A contemporary island sound with simple chords and bongos, this is a really cool little number with a dance beat and nice vocals. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is Stubborn Old Mule. With a quick stepping pace and traces of Taj Mahal reinforced by Croy's bass work, a strong foot stomper. Catfish Fiesta has a taste of New Orleans and features highlighted bass work of Croy and a snappy Latin beat. Very nice. If I Should Die is an eerie sort of track with a melody along the lines of Baby Please Don't Go. Interesting. Kicking to the full blown Chicago version of Baby Please Don't Go, Boyes vocals are strong and gritty accompanied by her cigar box guitar and drums. Wrapping the release is, Face In The Mirror, an easy folk track with a flowing waltz like rhythm. Boyes takes her time singing and with her guitar just takes it easy and sends it home. Nice closer to a cool release.




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Blu Harp Records artist: Harper and Midwest Kind - Show Your Love - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Show Your Love, from Harper and Midwest Kind and it's quite different. Opening with Hell Yeah, a straight up rocker, harmonica, didgeridoo and djembe player and vocalist, Peter Harper is joined by Will Rideoutt on guitar, James Norris on bass and Carl Lewis on drums. A pop style track with indigenous roots, it's a clever opener. Bluesy rocker, What's Goin Down, features trademark harp playing by Harper as well as nice vocal harmonies and cool slide work Rideoutt. Title track, Show Your Love,  opens with a march style drum beat evolving into a funky rocker with tight guitar riffs. Drive Brother Drive is particularly melodic with nice vocal blending, african style percussion and infused harp work. Bluesy, I Can't Stand This, is my choice of tracks on the release with it's "Philly" sound and soulful vocals. Al Hill adds solid electric keys to the track and Paul Randolph holds down the bottom on bass with Dane Clarke on drums. It's All In The Game has a real interesting bottom enhanced by Harper's work on the didgeridoo. Norris' bass work is a workhorse on this track and Lewis' drum work is tight. With a loose airiness to the track, Harper's vocals are solid and his harp lines float. Smooth and melodic, It's Time To Go, has a great formula for plenty of radio play with warm vocal harmonies. We Are In Control has a funky groove and hot drum riffs. Great vocal phrasing and nice harp lines carry this track. Let's Move is a cool motoring track with a dance feel. Short, concise lyric patterns and guitar riffs make this track hit. Hey What You Say has a modern beat under a classic R&B style track. Harper's vocals are pure and his harp playing well placed. Rideoutt's backing vocals are smooth and spot on. Wrapping the release is I Look At Life, an easy paced rock ballad with an almost Joe Walsh style melody. I really like the vocal harmonies on this track and Rideoutt's guitar work balanced with Harper's harp work gives the track just the right touch to make this a choice closer. Very nice.



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Hipsterdumpster Records artist: Matty T. Wall - Blue Skies - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Blue Skies, by Matty T. Wall and it takes the best from rock, pop and blues and blends it together for a crisp new sound. Opening with blues rocker, Burnin' Up Burnin' Down, Matty T. Wall grinds out a great rhythm guitar sound with a thick cut of sound. His vocals are solid and with strong support from bassist Stephen Walker, Gordon Cant on organ and Jasper Miller on drums, these guys rock the house. On Keb Mo's, Am I Wrong, Wall puts up a high energy level, rocking with a smoking bottom and rhythmic top. Original blues ballad, Love Gone Away, is a sweet Gary Moore style track with soulful vocals and high reaching ruitar lead. Bound to be a crowd favorite, this track is hot! Scorcher is a runaway train with machine gun picking, super harmonic bends and snappy country style drums work. Excellent! Title track, Blue Skies, has a catchy melody and nice harmonies with Deli Rowe making an ideal radio track. This Is Real is a lightly funk salted track with a jazzy bottom. Another track with strong radio appeal showing the lighter side of Wall. Hendrix's Voodoo Chile gets a total rework with a monotone bass bean and an almost spiritual arrangement on the vocals. Wall takes a new approach on the guitar lead blending Muddy Waters' style in making one of the most unusual and successful covers of this track I have heard in quite some time. Jamming for almost 12 minutes, Wall and crew really work this track out, pushing the envelope without repeating the past. Very nice. On Broken Heart Tattoo, the first thing that hits you is the snarl of Wall's guitar. With Walker on walking bass and light percussion by Miller, Wall casually tells the story as he throws quick blues riffs in a as accents before breaking into his guitar refrain. very interesting. Smile is a very nicely written track, basically acoustic rhythm guitar paired with airy melodic electric guitar lead. This is a very cool track. Wrapping the release is a modern stylized acoustic folk cover of Robert Johnson's Hellhound On My Trail. With a lightly covered Dazed and Confused acoustic undercurrent, tension is add against Walls solo vocals, augmented by percussive guitar and drum rhythms. A very cool closer for a pretty strong release.



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Ivor S.K. - Delta Pines - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Delta Pines, from Ivor S.K. (Ivor Simpson-Kennedy) and its relaxing and quite tasty. Opening with Help Poor Me, Ivor accompanies his own unique with acoustic guitar. A modern, simple blues style track, Ivor has a clean guitar style and a slightly gravelly voice. Cool! Missus Green has a cool country blues style and may be my favorite track on the release. With light foot tap for percussion, this track has it all with a great melody and perfectly complimented guitar soloing. Pelican is a sweet instrumental with a perfect blend of picked and slide guitar melody lines. Very nice! A modern blues, I Like The Way is smooth and clear with Ivor's vocals and guitar blending perfectly. Wrapping the release is title track, Delta Pines, with Ivor's gravelly voice over a tight guitar riff and steady foot tap. Clean and seductive slide work brings an additional dimension and Ivor's acoustic solo is tight and precise. A very nice closer to this first release by Ivor.

  

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Reference Recordings artist: Fiona Boyes - Box & Dice - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Box & Dice, from Fiona Boyes and it's a gritty, bluesy guitar fest. Opening with Juke Joint on Moses Lane, Boyes gets a thick, rudimentary sound from a resonator guitar with superior sliding technique. Her voice is raspy and well suited to this polished form of primitive blues. Backed by Mark Grunden on drums and Dean Addision on bass this is tight. I'm A Stranger Here has a pure delta sound played only on a 6 string cigar box and she handles it with authority. Walking Around Money has a bit more rock blended in with an fast rockin beat on baritone guitar with Grunden and Addision. Boyes does a really nice cover of Howlin Wolf's Smokestack Lightning, with a driving electric guitar vamp, a cool loosely slung solo and some of my favorite vocals on the release. Louisiana is a somber blues ballad gently sung and accompanied on 4 string cigar box guitar, bass and percussion. Very nice! JC Johnson's Black Mountain Blues is delivered Bessie Smith style with Boyes handling the vocals nicely. With it's easy blues swing and Boyes' nicely fingered guitar work, this track sounds old beyond it's years. Another of my favorites is Mama's Sanctified Amp, a blues rocker with solid 6 string cigar box tone and basic rhythm and percussion. Very nice! I Done Quit has a real swagger with it's authoritative box guitar work and vocals. Just a hint of bass and percussion gives it a real stripped down feel but not sounding like a sole performer. Excellent! Walk With Me has a distinctive Blind Willie Johnson seriousness featuring Boyes on vocal and baritone resonator only. Very strong! Berry style rocker, Tiny Pinch of Sin comes the farthest north with an almost full band sound. Still remaining somewhat stripped down this track is quite appealing with a great beat and slippery sliding. Wrapping the release is Magic Sam's Easy Baby. Boyes pulls out the stops bringing a full electric guitar, bass and drums. With double stopped guitar riffs, bends and nicely placed blues riffs, this is a great conclusion to a strong blues release.

   

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