Bman's Blues Report: Blues review

Showing posts with label Blues review. Show all posts

Monday, January 20, 2025

Misty Blues: I'm Too Old For Games - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm Too Old For Games, by Misty Blues and it's rich. Opening with Led Belly's Jim Crow Blues, a slower shuffle, Gina Coleman of lead vocals really digs deep with her earthy vocals. Eileen Markland on violin plays soulful lead , followed by Seth Fleischmann on guitar and Aaron Dean on sax, backed by Diego Mongue on bass, Rob Tatten on drums and Joel Nicholas on piano. Strong opener. With gospel revival feel, Alabama Bound is lively with crisp guitar riffs by Fleischmann and soulful sax work by Dean. Jack O' Diamonds is give a slinky/funky feel with Nicholas playing cool piano riffs off of Coleman's deep, bluesy vocals. Fleischmann lays in a real nice acoustic blues guitar solo and Dean blows soulful sax right out of the Stax songbook. Very cool. Wrapping the release is a trio of traditional Freedom songs beginning with Coleman singing acapella only with Nicholas on piano. Progressing to a gospel fueled shuffle with Coleman in vocal harmony with Nicholas on piano and Mongue and Tatten on drums overlaid with sax by Dean closing full revival style. Solid closer.

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Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Moon Voyage Records artist: Chris Daniels and the Kings With Freddi Gowdy - 40: Blues With Horns Volume II - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 40: Blues With Horns Volume II, by Chris Daniels and the Kings with Freddi Gowdy and it's pure party. Opening with Jump (When My Baby Says), Freddi Gowdy gets things going on vocal, leading a hot group featuring Steve Ivey on drums, John Thornburg on bass, Colin Jones on guitars, Chris Daniels on guitar, Bob Rebholz on sax solo, Darryl Abrahamson on trumpet solo, Darren Kramer on trombone solo and featuring a really cool fiddle solo by Sam Bush. Excellent opener. Funky, Everybody's A Millionaire, really moves with a radio feel, vocals by Gowdy and Hazel Miller punched up with tight horns and Tom Capek on B3. Congo Square has a hot Latin feel with Ivey on drums and Christian Teele on percussion. Sonny Landreth plays some trademark slide work adding real tension and Gowdy's vocals blended with Miller and the punchy horn section really gives Landreth's slide work a ripping grit. Wrapping the release is When You're Cool (The Sun Shines All The Time), a slinky, boogie feel. Gowdy and Miller harmonize nicely, Thornburg, Ivey and Teele really work the bottom and Kramer's solo on trombone, leading to some real nice riffs by Daniels gives the track real pop. Solid closer for a cool release.

Monday, January 13, 2025

Catfood Records artist: Zac Harmon - Floreada's Boy - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Floreada's Boy, from Zac Harmon and it's a solid blues release. Opening with Babe & Ricky's Inn, Zac Harmon on lead vocal and guitar created a cool, R&B blues sound with terrific blues phrasing, joined by Corey Lacy on keys, Nate Robinson on bass, Gino Iglehart on drums and Kingston Livingston on guitars. Strong opener. Funky blues rocker, Glass Ceiling, has a hot rhythm guitar riff by Livingston and Harmon's lead work is augmented by Lacy's keyboards and snappy drum work by Iglehart. Soulful, That's The Way I Feel About Cha, is a nice showcase for Harmon's rich vocal styling and nice backing vocals by SueAnn Carwell, Carly Thomas Smith and Derrick Procell. Very nice. Big Dog Blues is one of my favorites on the release with strong vocal lead and some of the best guitar work on the release. Christopher Troy's organ work adds a nice weight to the track and the LA Horns (Les Kepics, Jason Peteresen DeLair, and Chuck Phillips) add a lot of punch. Soulful, Never Forget, is the standout radio track with it's memorable melody and solid vocals by Harmon. Troy's organ work add nice breath and stinging riffs by Harmon adds focus. Wrapping the release is Stop The Killing with a pop jazzy piano riff by Lacy and Troy on organ, anchored by Iglehart on drums. Caleb Quaye is featured on guitar adding yet another dimension to this release, with Carwell's vocals blending nicely with Harmon. Solid closer for a cool release.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Whiskey Bayou Records artist: Tab Benoit - I Hear Thunder - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Hear Thunder, from Tab Benoit and it's super fused swampy funky blues. Opening with title track, I Hear Thunder, Tab Benoit opens it with a bottom heavy feel, strong vocals and fiery guitar work, anchored by Terence Higgins on drums, Corey Duplechin on bass, and Anders Osborne on guitar. Heavy opener. Soulful, Still Gray has a sad, country feel that showcases Benoit's vocals nicely. Jangly guitar work by Benoit and cool lead guitar riffs by Osborne, held tight by Higgins and Duplechin make this a primary radio candidate. Swamp rocker, Watching The Gators Roll In, is aa super, Tony Joe White like track that just has that groove. Track has great electricity and fun. Bluesy, Overdue, has great soulful vocals by Benoit, caressed by warm guitar riffs. Benoit's guitar lead on this track has real nice focus making it one of my favorites on the release. Little Queenie has a strong back beat worked by Benoit and George Porter Jr on bass and Higgins on drums. Super. Wrapping the release is Bayou Man, a easy driving rocker with crisp guitar accents by Benoit. His overdriven guitar tome and the stiff in your ear, kick drum by Higgins make for an excellent closer.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Stony Plain Records artist: Duke Robillard - Roll With Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Roll With Me, from Duke Robillard and it's particularly hot! Opening with Eddie Boyd's Bluecoat Man, Robillard is on vocal and these guys are really rocking. With Doug James really humming on sax and Mark Teixeira on drums and Marty Ballou on bass giving Robillard a great platform to blow the doors off on guitar. Excellent opener. Gatemouth Brown's Boogie Uproar is hot and heavy with Robillard having a excellent solo exchange with James and Rich Lataille punched up by the likes of Pam Murray and Carl Querfurth on trombone, Al Basile on cornet, Matt McCabe on piano, Ballou on bass, and Teixeira on drums. Powerful. Willie Dixon's, Built For Comfort has a real cool feel with Robillard playing the easy shuffle under his vocals and nicely interwoven horn work by James and Murray and the tight drumming of Teixeira and groove bass by Ballou gives this track an electrifying feel. Hot, slow, blues, Give Me Back My Money is really an excellent showcase for Robillard when he lays back and stretches. With solid vocals and hot horns by Murray and James, Robillard lays down some stellar phrasing giving this track real legs and Ballou and Teixeira holding down the bottom allow it to fly. Wrapping the release is cool shuffle, Don't You Want To Roll With Me with smooth vocals by Robillard and excellent guitar phrasing held tight with Teixeira. James gets on more chance to play it hot and he optimizes every note. Excellent closer.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Southland Records artist: Pontchartrain Shakers - New Self titled release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release by Pontchartrain Shakers and it's a cool R&B/blues release. Opening with Time To Make A Change, this group is born in the groove. A5 Frederick on lead vocal and guitar and Jojjo Wright on vocal and guitar, joined by Luciano Leaes on piano, Red DeVecca and Earl Smith Jr really hit the spot. Excellent opener. Slow blues, I Need A Creole Woman, again features A5 on lead vocal and guitar with soulful piano work by Leaes. The guitar interplay between Wright and A5 really works nicely with snappy drum work by Smith. She Don't Know, is driven by a strong bass/guitar vamp and Leaes on organ. Again, powerful vocal by A5 and snappy drum work by Smith make this a strong contribution. Wrapping the release is We Need Love, a soulful track with rea radio potential with warm organ, a great back beat, compact guitar solo and strong melody. Solid closer.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Swampside Records - Sauce Boss - The Sauce - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Sauce, by Sauce Boss and it's lively with plenty of slide guitar. Opening with Little Rhythm And Blues, Sauce Boss sings lead and lets his slide run wild with drum work by Brett Crook. Solid Opener. Delta 9 Blues is a sorrowful track with lush slide work and soulful vocals by Boss. Very nice. Robert Johnson's Stop Breaking Down has a rockin pace and features Neal Goree on guitar and Crook on drums. Solid contribution. Van Morrison's Gloria has a cool, back beat ad features Damon Fowler on lap steel supporting Boss on vocals. Wrapping the release is Left Handed Smile, a bluesy ballad with Boss on vocals and Fowler laying down some tasty riffs on guitar. This is a solid release with plenty of steel.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Gulf Coast Records artist: Jimmy Carpenter - Just Got Started - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Got Started, from Jimmy Carpenter and it's a cool mix of blues, R&B and rock. Opening with title track, (Feels Like) I Just Got Started, Jimmy Carpenter sings soulful vocals and plays warm sax, joined by Dwayne, Walter and James Morgan on vocals, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Kid Andersen on guitar, Jim Pugh on keys and D'mar Martin on drums. Solid radio style opener. On Willie Dixon's My Babe, Carpenter plays a dynamic sax opener, backed by Mike Galisatus on trumpet, Jack Sanford on bari sax, and Endre Tarczy on piano and a flashy guitar solo by Kid. Hot sax work and a swinging drum/bass line is the trick on this one. Nice! Hot, honking sax track, Jimmy Shimmy is boosted by wild organ work by Pugh and flashy guitar styling by Bobby Vega. Smokin! Allen Toussaint's funky, Night People, has a great groove, anchored by Vega on bass and D'Mar on drums. Carpenter really gets it working with sassy sax lead, Sanford on bari and Galisatus on trumpet and Kid on organ. Excellent! Andersen takes the lead on guitar on King Curtis' Soul Theme and Carpenter follows up with notorious sax work of his own making this a must hear. Wrapping the release is another King Curtis track, soulful, Midnight Blue with smooth, sailing sax work by Carpenter and lush guitar lead by Kid. Pugh adds depth on piano and with Jemmott on bass, and D'Mar on drums, this is an excellent closer for a totally enjoyable release.

Monday, December 30, 2024

Wildcat O'Halloran Band - Lead Me Not Into Temptation - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lead Me Not Into Temptation (I Can Find It Myself). by Wildcat O'Halloran Band and it's a strong blues party. Opening with Temptation, a solid, bass driven blues rocker, has a great beat and features Wildcat on lead guitar and vocal, Ottomatic Slim on harmonica, Jerry Jeff Siiru on bass, and Joe Fitzpatrick on drums. On Bo Diddley flavored, Good Thing I Never Got Famous has a strong drum rhythm by Fitzpartick and Wildcat on guitar and Slim both get loose with excellent solos. JL Hooker's My Own Fault gives Wildcat and Slim a real nice opportunity to lay down traditional blues. Wildcat wails the blues and his guitar riffs are raw and stinging and Slim's harmonica work is super. My favorite track on the release. Otis Rush's Homework has a bit of J Geils' spank with Slim ripping the lead vocal and Wildcat's real nice lead guitar and Slim working the Magic Dick lines. I always loved this track. Nice job. Wrapping the release is Deaf, a Latin rhythm rocker. Wildcat works his own vocal against his lead guitar in response and a smart solo by Slim on harmonica. Solid closer.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

VizzTone artist: Amanda Fish - Kingdom - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kingdom, from Amanda Fish and I really like it! Opening with Mockingbird, a cool blues rocker, Amanda Fish on vocal and guitar gets this thing moving with solid vocals and a hot rhythm by Terry Midkiff on guitar and slide and Paul Niehaus IV on bass and guitar lays in a real nice guitar solo of his own joined by Billie Baumann on percussion, Glen James on drums and Mama Moo on backing vocals. Excellent opener. With a twist of R&B, The Hard Way is a cool radio track with a great melody and tight vocal harmonies between Fish and MM. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Country flavored, Broke Ass Blues with Dylan Farrell on guitar and Niehaus on bass. Really potent slide work by Midkiff and soulful vocals by Fish give this track just the right edge. Another favorite track is Work, featuring Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica. His riffs and tone play perfectly on this track really complimenting Fish's powerful vocals and electrifying guitar riffs by Midkiff give this track a high octane punch. Excellent! Wrapping the release is R&B infused blues title track, Kingdom, with Dylan Farrell laying out some terrific lead guitar, Neihaus on bass, Dom Knott on sax, and James on drums make this a killer closer.

Friday, December 20, 2024

E-H Records artist: Eliza Neals - Colorcrimes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Colorcrimes, by Eliza Neals, and it's high energy blues. Opening with Heal This Land, featuring Neals on vocal and Michael Puwal on guitar really generate a lot of energy based on original blues. Solid opener. Title track, Colorcrimes, is a strong, soulful track with nicely blended vocals by Neals and featuring Puwal on guitar, Doug Woern on bass, Mark Leach on B3, and Justin Headley on drums. Very nice. Shuffle, Candy Store, has a super feel and nicely showcases Neals vocals. With Puwal on guitar, Skeeto Valdez on drums, Paul Randolph on bass, John Galvin on B3, and Kymberli Wright on backing vocal, this track really hits the groove. Wrapping the release is Friday Night (All Day Long), a blues rocker with a funky backbeat. With it's memorable melody and solid harmonies, this is the radio track for the release and a solid closer.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Judy Sings The Blues - Backstage Pass Live!!! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Backstage Pass Live!!!, from Judy Sings The Blues and it's has great kick. Opening with Help Me, a blues rocker with plenty of swagger, Judy Mangini on lead vocal and percussion really takes control. Joined by Jan Zukowski on bass, Ray Lombardo on drums and featuring some potent guitar work by Lin Doughten and Brian Cunningham on sax, this is a tight opener. Rocking boogie, Guess I Was Wrong, has a firm droning bass line by Zukowski and a tight drum beat by Lombardo leaving a great platform for Mangini's vocals, and sweaty guitar soloing by Doughten and a soulful sax solo by Cunningham. Very nice. Soul track, Come Over Here really showcases Mangini's vocal style and the band with it's moving rhythm sets a terrific feel. Cunningham on sax sets the bluesy moody and Doughten rips a real nice guitar solo giving the track real teeth making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, 52 Years with a driving drum rhythm and rock guitar riffs. Cunningham breaks loose a saucy sax solo with Mangini closing the set.

Monday, December 16, 2024

Mike Goudreau Band - Just Wanna Have Fun - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Wanna Have Fun, from Mike Goudreau Band and it's a swinging blues release. Opening with Don't Wanna Go To Work, Mike Gougreau on lead vocal and guitar leads the way with Dany Roy on trumpet responding to his call, backed by Norman Lachapelle on bass, Richard Irwin on drums and Paul Shrofel on keys. A cool shuffle, this track gives Goudreau plenty of space to run the frets. Solid opener. With a nice lope, How Can I Change Your Mind, really hits the slot. Singing just behind the beat, Goudreau gives the track a real laid back feel and Shrofel on keys lay out a sweet solo of his own. Rockin blues, Big Black Dog, plays nicely with Goudreau putting out some of his best vocals and crisp guitar riffs over the funky rhythm of Shrofel on keys and Irwin on drums. With a light, easy pace, Happy Since You're Gone, is a jazzier piece with Goudreau crooning and nice muted trumpet and flute by Roy. Next up is Come Home Baby with a great swing, featuring some of Goudreau's best guitar riffs and Guy Belanger on harmonica. My favorite track on the release is Au Revoir Not Goodbye with a slow bluesy pace. With stinging guitar riffs and smooth vocals by Goudreau and warm keys by Shrofel this track is a real standout. Wrapping the release is trumpet led, Hoppin The Blues, with jazzy guitar riffs by Goudreau and organ riffs by Shrofel. Roy stands tall with a great blues laden sax solo for a solid instrumental closer.

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Scott Weis Band - Live In Europe - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Europe, from the Scott Weis Band and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Raise Your Hands, a solid rocker, Scott Weis on lead vocal and guitar really gets the show going. With Robert Kopec on bass and vocal and Roger Voss on drums, this is a great sound. On ZZ Top's Just Got Paid/Jesus Just Left Chicago, Weis on vocal and lead guitar gets that Gibbons grit and cruises into his well known shuffle. This is a great concert track and nicely developed. Pride and Soul is a strong track opening with stripped down guitar, vocal and tambourine. Growing as it develops, this track is a potent blues rocker. With a driving bass line by Kopec and tight drums by Voss, this is one of my favorites on the release. Sam and Dave's deep soul track, Something is Wrong With My Baby, is really developed nicely here with well blended vocal harmonies and an extended guitar solo by Weis. Funky, Bitch Please, breaks a nice groove and with a rolling bottom and relentless guitar riffs, this track really moves. Wrapping the release is Freddie King's Have You Ever Loved A Woman, with Weiss hitting stiff and hard on guitar. Spanning over 10 minutes, this is a great jam and a strong closer for this solid concert release.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Denise La Grassa - Sundown Rising - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sundown Rising, from Denise La Grassa and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Sundown Rising, Denise La Grassa onlead vocal and organ leads the way with a tight rhythm by Mike Gee on drums, and Steven C. Manns on bass and John Kregor on guitars and featuring Pierre Lacocque on harmonica. Solid opener. On Big Bill Broonzy's Key To The Highway, La Grassa gives the track a twist with a funky bottom, adding Stephen Ryan on guitar some real nice harmonica work by Lacocque. Charging rocker, Vision Of Good Rule Makers features some real nice guitar work by Ryan and La Grassa on vocal and organ and backing by the Nunn Sisters. My favorite track on the release is funky, Sweet Talk, with bluesy vocals by La Grassa, flashy guitar riffs by Ryan and strong bottom by Gee and Manns. Wrapping the release is easy shuffle, Loving For Love's Sake anchored by by Gee's tight drum work.

Monday, December 9, 2024

Richard Wilkins - Empty Seats - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Empty Seats, from Richard Wilkins and it's a cool fusion of blues, rock and country. Opening with Duncan McGillvray, a traditional Scottish tune and leading directly into Coming In For A Landing, a country two stepper with a rock edge. Richard Wilkins on vocal, sax, bass and guitar is joined by Paul Brainard on guitar and lap steel, Brian Harris on piano, and Jimi Bott on drums. Rocking opener. I particularly like Rainy Sunday Morning with Wilkins and Rhonda Steele on vocals and cool, slide guitar by Wilkins and Ed Neuman on organ. Shuffle, Daylight Train, has a great feel, with Wilkins on vocal and Brainard on lap steel, and Joe McCarthy on brass. Crossroads Of Love is a cool rocker with edge. Wilkins keeps it raw with edgy vocals and stripped down guitar riffs and Bott keeps it tight. Jump track, Rock This House really moves with excellent guitar lead by Brainard and Wilkins and Neuman on piano. Wrapping the release is traditional track, Will Ye No Come Back Again with it's traditional boned but rocky sound. Featuring Wilkins on sax, and Bott on drums this is a solid closer.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Reali Records artist: J.P. Reali - Blues Since Birth - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Since Birth, by J.P. Reali and it's a stripped down blues rocker. Opening with The Devil's Take, J.P. Reali digs in with a grinding boogie. His own vocal and dirty guitar riffs and slide guitar, Chris reali on bass, Josh Borden on keys and Jim Larson on drums make for a cool opener. A bluesy take on Bob Dylan's It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry, is one of my favorites on the release with some of the best vocals by Reali, hot slide styling and keyboard soloing by Borden. Contemporary blues track, Blues In A Minefield, is soothing and would work nicely into a radio playlist. Santana like phrasing on guitar and low key backing by Borden on keys, Gill Glass on bass and Larson on drums. Another favorite is Eileen Left with it's country rock flavor. Wrapping the release is title track, Blues Since Birth, featuring Reali on vocal and steel hollow body guitar and slide and simple kickdrum by Glass. This is a cool closer for an enjoyable release.

Bman's Blues Report

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