Windchill Records artist: Breezy Rodio - Underground Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Underground Blues, from Breezy Rodio and like every previous release, the music sails. Opening with Half Way in the Devil's Gate, Rodio lays down some real tension on lead vocal and sharing the guitar work with ace, Anson Funderburgh. Backed by Johnny Bradley on bass, Daniel C. Tabion on piano and organ, and Lorenzo Francocci on drums, I immediately know this release is going to be hot. Texas style blues, Playing My Game Too, has a really nice drum lead by Francocci and Funderburgh's guitar riffs against Rodio's vocals really set the trigger. Funderburgh always shows impeccable phrasing and Rodio's soulful vocals are spot on. Blues shuffle, The Murder is a real nice showcase for Josh Fulero on harmonica and Tabion's piano work balanced with Rodio on vocal and guitar gives the track real grip. Very nice. Slower blues, Lightning Strikes, is a nice stage for Rodio, on vocal and clean guitar lead. Strong. Another cool showcase for Fulero is Latin flavored, Hello Friendo, with super harmonica lead melody. Rodio lays in a real nice guitar solo of his own over the excellent drum rhythm of Francocci and Tabion's piano. Sugar Daddy is Tabion's showcase with Otis Spann like piano work and warm organ, surrounding Rodio's vocal and lead guitar work. Really nice track. Wrapping the release is Bluesoned, the real showcase for Rodio on guitar. His style is richly toned and stylized with emotional phrasing, contrasted  with Tabion's piano work. Strong closer. 

Very nice. 

  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

Delmark Records artist: Breezy Rodio - If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It, by Breezy Rodio and it's solid fun. Opening with title track, If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It, Breezy Rodio on lead vocal and guitar first shows a Latin rhythm which moves to a cool shuffle. Backed by Ariyo Ariyoshi on piano, Dan tabion on organ, Light Palone on bass and Lorenzo Francocci on drums and nicely complimented by Constantine Alexander on trumpet, Ian Letts on tenor sax, Ian "The Chief" McGarrie on bari sax and Simone Nobile on harmonica. On A Woman Don't Care, Rodio digs in nicely with excellent blues vocals, punctuated by McGarrie and Alexander. His guitar phrasing, supported nicely by the piano of Ariyo gives the track a real cool feel. A real nice slower blues, Los Christianos, showcases Rodio's soulful vocal styling and solid blues guitar chops. Very nice. With it's 60's rock feel, instrumental, The Breeze has Rodio on solo guitar with Watusi like rhythm and a dash of Freddie King. Very cool. The rolling bass line on Pick Up Blues has great tempo and Gomez's harmonica lead behind Rodio is really nice. Clean guitar soloing and strong vocals are the secret on this one. Returning to the slow blues on Dear Blues, Rodio shows a real appreciation for many of the blues guitar greatsBB King with smart phrasing with excellent feel. Albert Collins like, stinging riffs, T Bone Walkers beautiful runs and Earl Hooker/Albert King are also nicely executed. Excellent! Wrapping the release is soulful shuffle, Another Day, with Marvin Little on bass. With it's R&B roots, this is a strong closer with Rodio's vocals up front and a real nice opportunity to show his chops one more time.

This is a real nice release with plenty of guitar to satisfy your appetite. 

  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

Delmark Records artist: Breezy Rodio - Sometimes The Blues Got Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sometimes The Blues Got Me, from Breezy Rodio and it's quite good. Opening with Lee Hazelwood's, Don't Look Now, But I've Got the Blues, Breezy Rodio on lead vocal and guitar sets off on the right foot, with a power play, backed by Ariyo Ariyoshi on piano, Ian Letts on sax, Chief McGarrie on sax, Constantine Alexander and Art Davis on trumpet, Chris Foreman on organ, Greg Essig  on drums,  and John Lauler on bass. Shuffle track, Change Your Ways exhibits a particularly nice blend of Rodio's vocals and Ariyo's piano work, complimented by Simon Noble on harp. With Rodio's stinging guitar styling in the style of the great Albert King and even a bit of funk, Albert King's Wrapped Up In Love Again has a great feel with tight trumpet punctuation by Davis and Alexander. Jump track, I Walked Away has a great T-Bone Walker feel with over a smooth horn saturated bottom and featuring a super solo from The Chief. another cool shuffle, BB King's Make Me Blue, gives Rodio a nice chance to show his feel and along with his solid vocals and Ariyo's piano work, another super track. One of my favorite tracks on the release, The Power Of The Blues has a really cool OV Right soul sound coupled with the guitar fluidity of BB and Wolfman mixed together. Very cool. Soulful shuffle, Blues Stay Away From Me, lays nicely in the groove with the tight piano work of Ariyo and excellent guitar riffs of Rodio. Very nice!  One Of A Kind has a tight bottom led by the power bass lines of Light Palone and leads to some of the snappiest guitar lead on the release. Chris Foreman's organ work punches just in the right spot giving the track a nice reinforcement of the groove. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Chicago Is Loaded With The Blues with it's traditional Chicago sound, highlighted by Billy Branch on harp. Joining on this track are Brian Burke on bass, Luca Chiellini on piano and Rick King. A cool closer for a 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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

Windchill Records artist: Breezy Rodio - So Close To It - New Release review

I just received the newest release, So Close To It, from Breezy Rodio and it's terrific! Opening with a track made popular by BB King, When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer, Rodio leaves no question if he can sing emulating one of the greatest in BB King. The totally surprising thing to me is his Mike Bloomfield like guitar phrasing. Wonderful! Backed by Ariyo Sumito on piano, Light Palone on bass and Lorenzo Francocci on drums, this first track is a knockout! Quique Gomez opens title track, So Close To It, on harp and Jen Williams with rich, gospel like backing vocals makes this track really special. Rodio's crisp vocals and tight gripped guitar solos make this another must hear. Latin rhythm and a Ray Charles feel fuses Just About To Lose Your Clown, and Rodio throws down some really sweet Spanish jazz guitar riffs. Backed by Chris Foreman on organ and Art Davis on trumpet this track is hot! 12 bar Chicago style Walking With My Baby (She's So Fine) features master harpster Billy Branch Ariyo really gets the piano rolling. Sneakin' Around has a solid R&B feel with Rodio taking a vocal spotlight. Doug Scharf on trumpet adds nice punctuation and Rodio takes the opportunity to play super bluesy guitar riffs off of the melody. Very nice! Snappy paced On Time To Come Back Home, again with the feel of Ray Charles, gives Ariyo some space to lead the way and Bill Overton adding warmth on sax. Kicking it into high gear the track takes on full revival lead by Chris Foreman on organ. Too Lazy has a kicked back jazz feel with Overton and Davis on horns and Ariyo on piano nicely complimenting Rodio on vocal. Supple jazz lines by Rodio on this track enter into Ronnie Earl land nicely demonstrating his broad range of technique. Very nice! On uptempo jazz felt blues, Mary, Rodio bends into A King land and the band swings. Super nice groove! Rodio is joined on lead vocal by Joe Barr and Carl Weathersby on The Day I Met You. This not only gives the track more texture but gritty soul. Nice and easy guitar riffs are smoothly integrated into the track making it one of the best tracks on the release. Blues swinger I Can't Get Enough Of You features really nice piano work by Ariyo and smooth guitar swing from Rodio. Eight bar vocal blues ballad, Please Accept My Love has a solid feel of the 50's and is it well anchored by Foreman, Ariyo and Davis. On T-Bone Walker styled I Win Some More, Rodio really nails the guitar to the wall with his guitar intro. Lurrie Bell has the lead vocal on this track and really takes it home. He shares guitar solo's with Rodio thru out the track making it the overall best track on the release. Excellent! Otis Blackwell's One Broken Heart For Sale has the early rock/R&B feel with Foreman taking a nice ride on the organ. How Much Can A Poor Man Take digs deep into the rural blues. This is the closest thing to early John Lee Hooker I have heard done on a modern record (Sounds more like Hooker than Hooker on his last albums). This raw blues with Hooker riffs and feeling. Love it! Closing the release is Bernice Carter's Evil Hearted Woman. This is another spectacular track delivered T-Bone Walker style. Ariyo dances the keys over the melody like Otis Spann and Rodio does likewise with his guitar. When he does break for a solo, the track blossoms. This is an absolutely excellent old style blues release and one that demands immediate attention!

  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”