Big Blue Records artist: Barbara Blue - From The Shoals - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From The Shoals, by Barbara Blue, and it's some funky, R&B blues. Opening with The Shoals, Barbara Blue on lead vocal leads way with a stellar backing band featuring  Bernard Purdie on drums, David Hood on bass, Clayton Ivey on keys and Will McFarlane on guitar. On Clarence Carter's Tell Mama, Blue adds a nice compliment of Marc Franklin on trumpet, and Brad Guin on sax plus Davor Hacic- Hutch on guitar for a solid rendition of the classic track. Shuffle track, Slide Man is a cool track featuring Blue on vocal and McFarlane on slide guitar. With it's catchy melody and smooth guitar work, this is a cool number. Too Far is my favorite track on the release with it's arpeggiated guitar submelody and excellent guitar lead by McFarlane and strong sax work by Guin. Wrapping the release is slow boogie, Trail of Tears with it's drone bass line by Hood and strong vocal lead by Blue, nicely accented by McFarlane and Hacic-Hutch. 

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Big Blue Records artist: Barbara Blue - Fish in dirty H2O - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fish in dirty H2O, from Barbara Blue and it's solid. Opening with My Heart Belongs To The Blues, Barbara Blue is joined by Will McFarlane on guitar, Dave Smith on bass, Lester Snell on keys and Bernard Purdie on drums. With it's smooth smoky feel, Blue displays the richness of her deep voice. Boogie blues, Accidental Theft features some really nice slide work compliments of Scott Sharrard giving the track a thick gutsy texture to compliment Blues own gutsy vocals. Dr Jesus has a gospel style with warm backing vocals by Maureen Smith, Candace Mache, Lorina McMinn and Lynette "Sue" McCracklin and some spicy guitar accents by Michael Tols.  Shuffle,  Gravy Train has a sparky pace with plenty of horn by Lonnie McMillan on tenor sax, Marc Franklin on trumpet, Jim Spake on bari sax, and Steve Graham on trombone. Another bluesy shuffle, That's Working On Me works really nicely with Blues vocals and tenor sax work by McMillan gives it a jazzy polish. Wrapping the release Blue pulls out Robert Johnson's Come On In My Kitchen and with a slow, spiritual like twist and the warm backing vocals of Mache, McMinn and McCracklin and the B3 of Rick Steff give it a fresh appeal making it an 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Big Blue Records artist: Barbara Blue - Memphis Blue - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Memphis Blue: Sweet, Strong, & Tight from Barbara Blue and it's got soul. Opening with J McShann's Hands Off, a rumbling R&B style track Barbara Blue gets it rolling taking the lead on vocal, and backed by Bobby Rush on harp, Jason Yasinsky on trombone, Joe Spake on bari sax, Lannie McMillan on sax, Marc Franklin on trumpet, David Smith on bass, Michael Tols on guitar, Rev Charles Hodges on B3, Lester Snell on whirlitzer and Steve Potts on drums. On No Time To Cry, Barbara gets a nice Kid Wilson swampy feel and with Ronnie Earl on guitar and backed by Shontelle Norman and Sharisse Norman on vocals, it's on of my favorites on the release. Two stepper, Rudy's Blues has real nice trumpet work from Dedrick Davis and a snappy beat, courtesy of Potts. Voodoo Woman has a real nice bass groove set in place by Smith and The Royal Horns punch up the track. Cody Dickinson adds washboard and Sonny Barbato spices it up with accordion. Bluesy Me & Jesus is another of my favorite tracks with a gospel feel. Barbato's piano work on this track and Hodges B3 work really set the stage for Barbara's soulful vocals. Rolling Up On Me has a cool Memphis funk feel, low on horns but high on B3. Nice phrasing by Blue and a tight guitar solo from Earl makes this the radio track to follow. Very nice! R&B track, Love Is After Me, has a real drive and The Royal Horns really punch it nicely. Backing vocals from the Norman's give it super warmth. Coat & Hat has a real Tex Mex feel and a sleeper track on the release featuring solid vocals and cool accordion work from Barbato. Title track, Sweet, Strong, & Tight, has a cool sway and tight horns from Royal horns punching the back. Spake's Bari work, Steve Graham on trombone and Bobby Rush back on harp give this track real texture. Another R&B track, I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, is another solid radio contender. With it's killer melody and smooth horn work, very nice. SuperBlues has a cook funkified rock back beat and a cool harp solo from Rush. Driving bass work from Smith sets the tone. Memphis Stomp has super horn vamp and Barbara kicks the vocals up a notch supported by Hodges on B3. Wrapping the release is 800 Mile Blues, a really stripped down blues number featuring Ronnie Earl on guitar and Blue on vocal. 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"