Stony Plain Records artists: New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers - Volume 2 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 26, 2021 ... today), Volume 2 from New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers and it's really strong. Opening with Blues For Yesterday, Charlie Musselwhite on lead vocal and harmonica sets a Chicago feel with Alvin Youngblood Hart on guitar, Jimbo Mathus on guitar, Jim Dickenson on piano, Luther Dickinson on guitar, Cody Dickinson on drums and Chris Chew on bass. On Doug Sham's She's About A Mover, Alvin Youngblood Hart has the lead vocal spot and Musselwhite lays in some really nice harmonica. Jimbo Mathus has lead vocal on Searchlight, probably the most Chicago I've heard form Mathus since his work with Buddy Guy. A solid bass line from Chew and well placed guitar and harmonica work makes this track fly. Charles Mingus' Oh Lord, Don't let Them Drop That Atom Bomb is a really nice showcase for Jim Dickinson on piano and vocal. This is a truly soulful track and one of the highlights of the release with gritty vocal blending. Greens and Ham is a great entry by Mathus in his primitive Mississippi blues styling. I've always liked Jimbo's country styling and this track is all Jimbo. Real nice. Musselwhite's Black Water is a strong track and a perfect name for this track with it's dark tones and overall heavy feel. This is my favorite track on the release with Musselwhite on vocal and harmonica but a a great track for the band as a whole. With some dark slide work and warm harmonica, it's all gravy. Hart delivers the most pure blues track on the release with If Blues Was Money with authentic delta style acoustic guitar work, complimented by Luther D on mandolin and Musselwhite on harmonica. Excellent! Luther takes the lead on Blue Guitar, a slide guitar lead instrumental. This is another terrific track with great feel and pace. Wrapping the release is Blues Is A Mighty Bad Feeling, a Mississippi Sheiks track with Jim Dickinson on lead vocal and piano. This is a strong slower blues with nicely articulated guitar by Luther and Charlie adding just the right amount of Harmonica. Strong closer for a really cool release. 

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Ruf Records artist: Ally Venable - Heart Of Fire - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heart of Fire, from Ally Venable and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Heart of Fire, Venable is upfront with this Hendrix/Trower flavored radio track. Backed by Elijah Owings on drums, Bobby Wallace on bass and Pat Fusco on keys, Venable's vocals are solid and her riffs undeniable. With a bit of finger picking and acoustic slide, Played the Game still has a pop feel but with a bit more bluesy edge. Bobby Wallace adds keys and Venable's own acoustic slide work gives it a nice feel. Heavy blues rocker, Bring On The Pain, features Kenny Wayne Shepherd and he plays stinging riffs that propel this track under the vocal harmony of Venable. This track has a real nice edge and with the heavier rhythm work, one of the best on the release. Bill Withers' ultra funky track, Use Me, is up next with Owlings, Wallace and Venable creating a great rhythm under Venable's vocals. Very nice. A play on Stevie Ray Vaughan's Rivera Paradise, Tribute to SRV, is really nice and a strong exhibit of Venable's solid chops and fine hand at guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is rocker, What Do You Want From Me, with it's Jimi influenced guitar riffs and Sleater Kinney like harmony vocals. Solid rocker ending for a solid blues rockin 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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Stony Plain Records artists: New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers - Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Volume 1, from New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers and it's great stuff. Opening with Blues, Why You Worry Me features Charlie Musselwhite on lead vocal  and harmonica. A strong Chicago style shuffle, also includes Alvin Youngblood Hart and Jimbo Mathus on guitars, Jim Dickinson on piano, Luther Dickinson on guitars, mandolin, Cody Dickinson on drums, Chris Chew on bass and Paul Taylor on tub bass. Super opener. Charlie Patton's Pony Blues is a super follow up with it's Hill Country styling and Hart on lead vocal. It's no secret that Mathus is one of my favorite contemporary musicians with his quirky style and super grooves (not to mention his solid country sound). Night Time features Mathus on lead vocal and one of his infectious, funky grooves, driven by Chews' bass line and strong harmonica work from Musselwhite. Very cool. One of those cool party rags, Come On Down To My House, features the late Jim Dickinson on piano and lead vocal, joined by a really comfortable weaving of the entire group on vocal and acoustic instruments. Super country blues stew. Mathus is back at the mic on Shake It and Break It, a cool rag with the classic rag styling of random instrumental blending, stagger drumming and high riding harmonica by Musselwhite. Wrapping the release is the Mississippi Sheiks' Stop and Listen Blues featuring Dickinson on mandolin, Mathus on guitar and Hart on guitar and lead vocal. This is a strong closer for a really 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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Nola Blue Records artist: Eric Johanson - Below Sea Level - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (9/18/20), Below Sea Level, from Eric Johanson and I really like it! Johanson, who grew in Louisiana has blues rock in his blood. Opening with Buried Above Ground you hear distinct influences of Free/Humble Pie and the best of the blues rock generation mixed with Luther Dickinson and the best of the southern blues rockers in this totally fresh sound. This may be the best blues rock release of it's kind since Humble Pie's Smokin'! Cody Dickinson on drums lays down a great tom tom beat and with Johanson on gritty guitar and excellent lead vocal and Terrence Grayson on bass, this release is off to a great start. On Down To The Bottom, Johanson slips on his slide and cranks up the heat. This is a modern boogie in the vein of Hooker but with fat fat slide tones and strong vocals. Really excellent! Blues ballad, Changes The Universe, has the potential to rival Gary Moore with better vocals, a sweet melody line and nicely phrased guitar lead and great guitar tone making this a perfect radio track. Hammer On The Stone is a well constructed blues rocker with strong vocal/lead guitar pairing and a with a quick turnaround riff, an excellent track. This is great music! Lumbering, Have Mercy, has the solid bottom driven by Grayson and Dickinson and always strong vocal and well poised guitar lead. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Open Hearted Woman with it's lead footed bottom and take no prisoner attack. Johanson really hits a grand slam on this one with soulful vocals, an infectious beat and smoking guitar lead. Wrapping the release is stripped down, Riverbend Blues, with Johanson on acoustic guitar and vocal, this is modern delta blues, Johanson has really put together a great release here. This is one you must hear! 

  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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Ruf Records artist: Ghalia - Mississippi Blend - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mississippi Blend, from Ghalia and it's got great attitude and style. Opening with, Gypsy Lady, a blues based track with a rockin beat, Brussels born Ghalia (Vauthier) Volt shows her understanding of real blues with it's raw feeling and emotion. Leading on vocal and slide guitar Volt has a lot of help from Lightnin' Malcolm on lead guitar, Dean Zucchero on bass and Cedric Burnside on drums. Easing into a swampy blues number, Meet You Down The Road has the kind of rawness you'd expect from the hill country with Watermelon Slim on harp, Smokehouse Brown on lead and slide guitar, Zucchero on bass and Burnside on drums. The dual slide guitar sound is intoxicating under her soulful vocals and the tight rhythms are perfectly punctuated by Burnside. Very cool. I really like heavy footed blues rocker, First Time I Died. It has real kick. Volt focuses on vocals and does a great job with excellent timing by Cody Dickinson on drums and a raw lead guitar by Brown. Excellent! Traditional song, Wade In The Water has a real nice spin with Volt and Watermelon Slim on lead vocal and Lightnin' Malcolm on lead guitar. Another real cool track is Shake & Repeat with a underscored boogie beat and super raw slide work by Volt. Additional lead vocal by Malcolm  and lead guitar by Brown give this track a nice edge. Super boogie, Why Don't You Sell Your Children starts off with a slower JLH style but ramps up to a full rocking boogie with Volt and Brown grinding the guitar and Volts sensuous vocals balancing the track. Very nice. Wrapping the release is I Thought I Told You Not To Tell Them, is a flat out rock 'n' roller with Berry style guitar riffs by Malcolm and Brown and the tight tight bottom by Zucchero and Dickinson. Excellent closer for a really cool release.

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VizzTone Record Label artist: Eric Schenkman- Who Shot John? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Who Shot John? from Eric Schenkman and it's quite different. Opening with shuffle track I'm Alright, Eric Schenkman sets his bar solidly high with solid vocals and cool and loose blues guitar riffs. Backed by Shawn Kellerman on bass, Van Romaline on drums and Cody Dickinson on drums, washboard and piano these guys have an unusually appealing style. Lincolns Feat is a stripped down blues rocker with an almost hill country feel with just the right guitar tone and simple rhythms. Very cool. Title track, Who Shot John? is really quite cool with wild and wreckless guitar lead over a springy, party like beat. Excellent. With a lot of sway, slower blues, Sign of the Times has more traditional guitar lead and Brent Barkman on B3 gives the track depth making it one of the more universally appealing tracks on the release. High energy (think Houndog Taylor) blues rocker, Far Away is just simple cool blues rockin' with a great beat, guitar and vocal. Another slick track is Latin fused,  Fortune Teller with driving guitar and tight drum rhythms. Wrapping the release is Agent Orange Blues which I really like. With it's droning rhythm and driving guitar rattle, under Schenkman's vocals makes for a solid 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”

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Nugene Records artist: Ian Siegal - The Picnic Sessions - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, The Picnic Sessions, from Ian Siegel and it's laid back and loose. What do you get when you bring together 5 of the top folk story, blues, country instrumentalists together in one room? You get the Picnic Sessions! Opening with Stone Cold Soul, a simple country blues track, Ian Siegal, Luther Dickinson, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Jimbo Mathus and Cody Dickinson lay down a really gritty track with guitar, mandolin and vocal harmony. Very cool! How Come You're Still Here? has a folksy, uptempo, Dylanesque feel with guitar and banjo. Townes Van Zandt's Heavenly Houseboat Blues is a really sweet little blues track with authentic country style vocal blending. With guitar, slide and mandolin, this track lays in the pocket. Excellent! Beulah Land has the sound of early American folk music with tight symmetry. Changing tempo mid tune, the track takes on a more western flavor with western steel style riffs and telling a great story. Keen and Peachy, has a definite bop to it with and definitive slide part, cool harp and a steady foot stomp. This is great music for just kicking back and throwing one down. Wasted Freedom is the "classic" track on the release with it's timeless warmth. With it's Kristofferson feel could be redone over and again in years to come. Tom Russell track, Gallo Del Cielo, a Spanish based ballad, is rhythm guitar driven with Spanish guitar flavors and rugged vocals. Very nice! Hard Times (Come Again No More) is a really solid ballad with finger picked resonator and slide work. The earthy vocals both on lead and in harmony give this track a particular richness. Talkin' Overseas Pirate Blues is another really tight folk blues that will definitely put one in mind of Dylan. This track will please your ears and stimulate your minds eye. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Only Tryin' To Survive, a more colorful track with a broader instrumental palate. With blusier vocals and bright mando lead over guitar and blended vocal harmonies, this is a great finisher. This is a cool release with a relaxed country blues feel. Enjoy!

  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”

 

Creative Records artists: The Grahams - Glory Bound/Rattle The Hocks - New release review

I just received the newest release, Glory Bound/Rattle The Hocks from The Grahams and it's lively. Opening the studio recordings with title track, Glory Bound, the Grahams are riding the rail in western style with a driving drum rhythm and flashy country guitar. Gambling Girl is a country style track with Alyssa Graham in the lead with hit radio vocals. Harp work over a punchy piano part makes for a cool track. Western style ballad Blow Wind Blow features a steady rhythm guitar part and nicely blended vocals. Lay Me Down has a spiritual quietness and sweet vocals by Alyssa. Other musicians on this set include Ryan Engleman, Gabe Pearson, John Fullbright, Byron Berline and Dan Walker. High energy bluegrass track Kansas City is spry with jig with fiddle, chicken picken electric guitar, and rail riding steel guitar chased by solid bass and driving snare. Very cool! Ballad, Mama, has a clear rural feel and spiritual overtones. Nicely blended vocals and tight instrumentals are featured. The Wild One is my favorite track on the studio release with a warm friendliness. Alyssa handles vocals nicely and the music craft on this track is particularly nice with a catchy melody. Griggstown is a clean, contemporary western style track. Alyssa' vocals are featured out front with Doug blending nicely. I really like the transparency of the guitar work on this track in particular. Biscuits is an easy paced country blues with light piano and acoustic guitar and featuring some of the nicest vocal on the studio track. Again a trick electric guitar riff with double stops puts a nice curly cue on the track. Borderland adds accordion giving it a more swampy feel. Sticking to a simple 2 step rhythm this track has a radio feel. The Spinner is a simple country style ballad with warm blending vocals and smart steel guitar accents. Wrapping disc one is bluegrass track Promised Land. A pure contemporary country western track with pure sweet vocal harmonies, this is a good conclusion for the first set.

 The live recordings entitled Rattle The Hocks has a different lineup of musicians including Cody Dickinson, Luther Dickinson, Alvin YoungBlood Hart, John C. Stubblefield, Rick Steff, Duwayne Burnside, Sharde Thomas, Lester Snell, Sam Shoup and Stu Cole. With only three track changed, Tender Annabelle, City Of New Orleans with a cool banjo, tuba bass part and an excellent trombone solo and Big John which is performed a capella like blues in a field added, I find the live recordings a bit less controlled and much more enjoyable. With more rawness to the vocals and more grit to the instrumentals overall the live tracks are much more alive. I've always said there is something for everyone and each of these sides has it's own personality. My personality tends more to the freewheeling attack on disc two so make sure you check it out!

  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”