Sweetspot Records artist: Al Basile - B's Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, B's Time, by Al Basile and it's a cool retrospective of Basile's 25 years with Sweetspot Records using up to date technology on the remastering. Opening with You Showed Me Something, from 2009 release, Soul Blue, Basile on cornet and lead vocals is joined by  Mark Teixeira on drums, Bruce Katz on keys, Marty Ballou on bass, Doug James on sax, and Carl Querfurth on trombone, that walking bass line really sets up for great solos by Basile, Katz and James. Great opener. Two stepper, Drive Me Darling from the 2001 release Shaking The Soul Tree had a cool psychedelic rock vibe with solid vocals by Basile. Jeff McAllister on drums, Tom West on keys, John Packer on bass and some wild guitar work By Duke Robillard really makes this track a standout. Light jazz track, B.D. from the 2003 release Red Breath is chilled and relaxed giving Basille a lot of room to breathe on cornet and sets up with real nice lead work by Paul Odeh on keys, backed by Marty Richards on drums, and Marty Ballou on on bass. Very nice. A splash of reggae on Causing Joy from the 2009's Soul Blue features Basile on some real nice vocal, Doug James on sax, Ballou on bass, Katz on Katz on keys, Teixeira on drums really lays in the slot. Wrapping the release is driving rocker, 1.843 Million from 2010 release The Goods, with a tight drum set from Teixeira, and really heavy bass work by Brad Hallen. Basile's cornet sings and Robillard laying in some vital riffs makes this track an excellent closer. 

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Subcat Records artist: Tas Cru - Riffin' The Blue - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Riffin' The Blue, by Tas Cru and it's got a little bit of everything. Opening with title track, Riffin' The Blue, an easy shuffle with Cru on vocal and featuring Mike Zito on lead guitar, backed by Bill Barry on organ, Ron Keck on percussion, Lenny Milano on drums. With a rich piano intro by Katz on One More Time, Cru on guitar sets the stage with lush phrasing and his own soulful singing, cradled by Katz on organ. Backed by Andy Hearn on drums and Bob Purdy, this is a cool track. My favorite track on the release is House of the Blues, with it's slow, deep bluesy feel and Katz's fat organ bottom. Mary Ann Casale adds some really nice backing vocals and this may be Cru's best vocal effort on the release. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Memphis Gone with Cru on vocal, paired with Zito on slide guitar and only the minimal piano by Katz. With the addition of Casale, Keck, Hearn and Purdy, this is a solid closer for an enjoyable release. 

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Quarto Valley Records artist: Sean Chambers - That's What I'm Talkin About - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 9, 2021), That's What I'm Talkin About, from Sean Chambers and I really like it. Chambers put together this release as a tribute to Hubert Sumlin who he played with  for over 4 years, in fact the title of the release is due to it being a phrase that Hubert used frequently. Opening with blues rocker, Hubert Sumlin's Chunky, a funky instrumental, features Chambers on lead guitr, Bruce Katz on B3, Andrei Koribanics on drums and Antar Goodwin on bass.  With strong blues rock guitar lead and solid phrasing, this is a super instrumental opener. Howling Wolf's Rockin' Daddy gets a really hnice Wolf like vocal lead and Chambers' guitar lead is nothing short of electrifying. On St' Loius Jimmy Oden's Goin' Down Slow, Chambers works the space with excellent phrasing and his attack has fire that I've rarely heard from contemporary blues players except SRV. Excellent! On Willie Dixon's, Taildragger, Chambers digs deep on lead vocal with gritty vocals and really potent lead guitar that just oozes blues. Katz's contribution on B3 is particularly full on tis track giving Chambers a good paring to extend his soloing. Really nice. Mississippi Sheiks composition, Sittin On Top Of The World, made highly popular by the Cream, gets a healthy rework here with a less jazzy... more bluesy approach. Chambers, whos vocal has similar characteristics to Howlin Wolf defaults to another Wolf / Dixon composition in Howlin' For My Darling with the addition of John Ginty on B3 and wth a more rocking guitar attack. Very effective. Wrapping the release is Wolf's, Louise, with super pace. Chambers digs in on his vocal attack, playing his lead guitar response with excellent efficiency and sting. With cool piano work by John Ginty and emotional guitar lead, this is an excellent closer for a really strong release. 

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American Showplace Music artist: Giles Robson - Don't Give Up On The Blues - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Don't Give Up On The Blues, from Giles Robson and I really like it. Opening with Land To Land Giles Robson on lead vocal and harmonica is a strong force to be reckoned with. His vocals are real and his harp playing solid. Backed by Bruce Katz on piano and Hammond, Aaron Lieberman on guitar, Antar Goodwin on bass and Ray Hangen on drums, this band is tight. Title track, Don't Give Up On the Blues is a cool shuffle track in pure Chicago style. Robson ramps up his harmonica showing his classic styling and key whiz Bruck Katz digs on piano for some terrific riffs as well. With it's Bo Diddley beat, Hangen really hammers it out on Damn Fool Way and Robson's tone is pure gold. Slow blues number, Your Dirty Look & Your Sneaky Grin is a terrific track with solid vocals, rich harmonica work by Robson and a real nice piano solo by Katz. Very nice. Harmonica/piano boogie track, Boogie at the Showplace is a terrific track and my choice for favorite track on the release. It has great tempo and style and gives both Robson and Katz a great opportunity to give it up. Giles' Theme is a great jam with a cool beat. Robson leads the way with slick harp riffs and Katz adds in trademark B3 overtones making this another top track.  Really kicking it is That Ol' Heartbreak Sound and it's fast paced rhythm Goodwin and Hangen really drive it hard and Robson alternates vocal and harp, Mayall style giving this track real juice. Both Katz and Lieberman throw down real nice solos on this track making it another personal favorite on the release. Wrapping the release is Way Past Midnight, an excellent slower blues with tension so thick you could smell it. Robson slowly builds the tension on harmonica with nice chord work by Lieberman. Katz rolls in over eased up chords with his B3 and winds it up further before turning it back to Robson who carries it to the peak. This is a terrific track and a super closer. 

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American Showplace Music artist: Bruce Katz - Solo Ride - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Solo Ride, from Bruce Katz and it's a cool blues piano extravaganza. Opening with piano boogie, Down At The Barrelhouse, Katz is really rolling with a great boogie line on the bottom and solid great lead on top. Excellent opener. Tampa Red's It Hurts Me Too on piano has a totally different dynamic and Katz works it hard. Maintaining it's shuffle structure, Katz's hands are gold. With poise and elegance, Katz plays ballad, Dreams of Yesterday, with it's serene melody with a touch of gospel balance. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Easy Livng with it's early jazz/blues roots. Katz sets it up nicely and then hits the solo opening trill. Maintaining a slow but sure pace, his phrasing is strong. Very nice. Another piano boogie, Watermelon Thump really grinds out the blues in barrelhouse style. Very nice. Closing the release is Redemption with the structure of a movie soundtrack. Katz playing throughout the release is flawless and inspired.

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RC and the Moonpie Band - All This - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All This, from RC and the Moonpie Band and it's a lot of fun.  Opening with boogie rocker and title track, All This, RC (Robert Christian) has lead vocals backed by Robert Marlowe on funky guitar, T Bone Betourney on drums,  Mike Logiovino on bass and Russell Pleasants on backing vocals. With Latin styling and tongue in cheek lyrics, Cheated on Me is a cool, clever track with interesting guitar work and a tight rhythm. Wild primitive delta styling and acoustic slide guitar make Big Ass Jug  O' Wine a favorite entry on the release. Older Women has a Screamin Jay Hawking kind of feel with dramatic wailing, solid soul vocals and powerful keyboard soloing. With fundamental blues structure, Take Off Your Shoes follows a T Bone Walker lead but with less flamboyant soloing and more curious vocals. The Buddy Guy Up is a super shuffle with a super groove. Potent vocals, dancing piano, hot guitar and a radical attitude makes this the party choice for the release. Wrapping the release is Funky Way with a great bass groove by Logiovino, excellent drum work by Betourney and just a super overall groove. Very nice closer. 

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American Showplace Music artist: Bruce Katz Band - Homecoming - New release review

I just received the newest release, Homecoming, from Bruce Katz Band. Opening with title track instrumental, Homecoming, Katz and band mates Ralph Rosen (drums) and Chris Vitarello (guitar) ride an easy opening jam. Nice lap steel work from Jimmy Bennett mixed with the multiple key textures from Katz make this a great opener. Up next is King of Decatur, a funky New Orleans style track with Randy Ciarlante on drums and lead vocals. Katz shows his mastery of the style on electric keys and Bennett and Vitarello show their swampy chops. Santa Fe Blues features John Hammond on lead vocal and Katz really tickles the keys with a bright approach to a classic style period blues track. On shuffle track, No Brainer, the band really gets into a nice groove. Vitarello lays out some really swinging guitar riffs and Katz handles the B3 like it's a part of him. Excellent! Amelia opens with Katz on electric piano and Peter Bennett on bass and Rosen on drums finding a jazz overlay on a New Orleans sound. Wild About You features Jimmy Bennett on vocal and slide on this Elmore James like track. This is a great blues groove with super piano work from Katz. The Czar has a cool, laid back swing featuring open organ work from Katz, a guitar rumble from Bennett and Randy Ciarlante on drums. Nice! Blues Before Sunrise features John Hammond on vocal and guitar and some of the best piano work on the release by Katz. I really love this piano style with great blues feel. Time Flies and a cool jazz instrumental with excellent exchange between the musicians, Katz, Vitarello and Rosen. Smokin! The Sky's The Limit is a lagging shuffle with a great feel. Vitarello holds down the vocal lead nicely as he and Katz trade swinging riffs. On fusion track, Just An Expression, Katz, Vitarello and Rosen really take you for a ride not only with a great rhythm but excellent musicianship. Very cool! Won't Last Till Tuesday is a slower paced bluesy fusion track with complex rhythms. possibly one of my favorite tracks on the release, Katz takes the first solo leg laying down a leading path. Vitarello picks up the baton and carries it high with well articulated guitar riffs of his own punched by Ciarlante on drums. Wrapping the release is It's A Bad Time, in 3/4 time and featuring Bennett on guitar and lead vocal. Katz on B3 and Rosen on drums round out the track making an interesting com=nclusion to a pretty cool release.

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Johnny I. All Star Blues Revival - EP Review

I just received the newest release by Johnny I. All Star Blues Revival. This release is star packed featuring the works of Jaimoe, Billy Cox, Bruce Katz and Reese Wynans. Opening with Life Is Better, a funky groove and Billy Cox on bass, Ingrassia leads the way on vocals. Wynans carries a lot of the load on B3 and Layton cements the bottom on drums. After a nice B3 solo from Wynans, Johnny I. steps up with a fat, high gain guitar solo making for a cool jam. Late Night has more of a jazzy ballad featuring Jaimoe on drums and Katz on B3. Katz steps up on this track and plays a mean solo opening the door for Johnny I. to step up again with a burst of fat guitar riff. An easy going track reminding me quite a bit of an early Isley Brothers track. Interesting listing and a decent start to a concept 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”

New West Records artists: Delbert & Glen - Blind, Crippled And Crazy - New Release Review

I just received the new release (June 18, 2013); Blind, Crippled And Crazy; From Delbert (McClinton) & Glen (Clark) and it's good rip roaring fun! Opening with the tongue in cheek, Been Around A Long Time, a great lyrical track with a bit of country and a bit of rock, The band is a who's who including Gary Nicholson on guitar, Tom Hambridge on drums, Bob Britt on guitar, Kevin McKendree and Bruce Katz on keys. This track is way sophisticated for "country music" but with a great country swing attitude it really is a fun track! Up tempo 2 stepper, Whoever Said It Was Easy, brings a smile to your face as it is obvious that D&G are having as much fun making this track as I am listening to it. A slick country pickin guitar solo sets off nicely in the middle of the track but this is really all about the singers and this is entertainment. Oughta Know, featuring Anson Funderburgh, has a real Texas lope to it and of course lots of really tasty guitar. This is a great track that happens to feature great guitar licks by the master. World of Hurt has a real solid strut to it and a slick guitar solo accenting a really cool vocal arrangement. Someone To Love You is another great rocker featuring D&G's voices in tandem and hot little guitar riffs sprinkled throughout. Sure Feels Good is a laid back track again showing the magic of D&G's voices together. A nice harp solo by McClinton on this track breaks the duet and leads to individual vocal bridges. Steel guitar work on this track also gives it a bit of a country flair. Peace In The Valley really starts to broach on funk sounding like a Billy Preston track. This is a happy go lucky track with individual lead singing, fat guitar riffs and cool funky piano filler. There is also a short slide solo on this track adding a bit more paint to an already colorful palette. Peace In The Valley is a great country rocker with driving guitar with piano pushing the vocalists to a higher level. I really like this track and rate it among the best on the release. Good As I Feel Today has a distinctive New Orleans sound and the vocal blend is great. I also want to mention that I especially like the piano work on this particular track. The final track on the release, If I Could Be Your Lover, is really different with a Spanish twist. Acoustic guitar backing as well as really nice nylon string guitar soloing played against beautiful violin work makes this a great finish to a really interesting new release.

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I Can't Be Satisfied - Ciarlante/ Katz,/ Sharrard with Gregg Allman

The CKS Band is a powerhouse organ trio and a Blues/Soul & Rock supergroup. The group features Randy Ciarlante (The Levon Helm Band) on Drums & Vocals, Bruce Katz (The Gregg Allman Band, Delbert McClinton) on B-3 Organ and Scott Sharrard (The Gregg Allman Band) on Guitar & Vocals. The band was formed in Sept. of 2011 and has since played the Bearsville Theater, Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble and many other venues to spectacular reviews. An official live album is set for release in the spring of 2012 along with many more shows across the country...
Randy Ciarlante (drums/vocals)

Randy joined The Band in 1990 and is currently a member of The Levon Helm Band, singing harmony vocals and playing drums.He played and sang on The Band's albums from the 1990s, including Jubilation and High on the Hog. After The Band dissolved, he joined the Jim Weider Band from 1998-2006 and continues to play with Jim Weider's Percolator band. Randy Ciarlante has also been a mainstay of the Woodstock NY music scene since 1981 and has played with many of that area's leading musicians over the years.
Bruce Katz (B-3 Organ)

Bruce is currently a member of the Gregg Allman Band, and plays regularly with John Hammond, Delbert McClinton and other artists as well. Bruce was a 2008, 2009 and 2010 Nominee for the Blues Music Award (W.C. Handy Award) for "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year", selected by the Blues Foundation of Memphis, TN. He is a Hammond Artist Endorsee, and has played and recorded with Duke Robillard, Jimmy Witherspoon, John Hammond, Ronnie Earl, Little Milton and many others in his career, appearing on over 70 CDs in addition to 6 CDs as leader of the Bruce Katz Band.

For more on Bruce: Official Website
Scott Sharrard (guitar/vocals)

Scott is currently best known for his work as a member of The Gregg Allman Band. He has also performed with such artists as: The Allman Brothers, Levon Helm, Amy Helm, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, Marshall Crenshaw, Kelley Hunt and Jay Collins & The Kings County Band. He is releasing his newest solo album (and follow up to his 2009 release, "Ante Up") in the Spring of 2012.
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