Delmark artist: Demetria Taylor - Doin' What I'm Supposed To Do - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Doin' What I'm Supposed To Do by Demetria Taylor and it's a rowdy, R&B infused, blues release. Opening with Eddie Taylor's, Chicago style blues, 83 Highway, Demetria picks up where she left off with fiery vocals, joined by Billy Flynn on lead guitar, Mike Wheeler on guitar, Larry Williams on bass, Brian James on keys and Melvin Carlisle on drums. Excellent opener. Williams isn't messin' around with his funky bass line on Bad Girl Day. This aggressive bass line really sets the pace for this track adorned with cooll guitar work by Wheeler and Carlos Showers and full organ by James and tight to the bottom drumming by Carlisle. Another Eddie Taylor track, funky high stepper, Welfare Blues, really gets moving with a lot of push by Williams, saturated organ by James and strong vocals by Demetria. With it's Al Green styling, Wheeler penned, I'm Gonna Tell It lays nicely in the groove. With a firm bass line by Williams, and cool guitar riffs by Wheeler, this is a strong radio contender. Another strong R&B track, Stay Gone, has good radio potential with a great melody and a perfect timing. A tight solo by Wheeler really hits the spot and punchy bass work by Williams gives it the bottom it needs. Wrapping the release is easy shuffle, Young Gun Taylor, featuring Demetria in call and response with Wheeler on guitar and rolling piano work by James. This is a solid closer for a totally enjoyable 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

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: Billy Flynn - Lonesome Highway - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lonesome Highway, from Billy Flynn and it's quite good. Opening with rock n roller, Good Navigator, Flynn hits the road running on lead vocal and guitar with Deitra Farr on second vocal. Roosevelt Purifoy on piano rolls 'em tight with EG McDaniel on bass, Andrew "Blaze" Thomas on drums and horn support from Doug Corcoran on trumpet and Christopher Neal on sax. On Small Town, you can't help drawing comparisons to BB and Albert but Flynn has his own style and his guitar is always hot. Title track, Lonesome Highway is one of my favorite tracks on the release with beautiful guitar phrasing, warm sax and great feel. Excellent! On a cover of Billy Page's, The "In" Crowd, McDaniel sets a solid bass line and Flynnreally sets a juicy groove. Hot! With a firm strut, Never Had A Chance, is a great 70's style blues track with great call and response. Boogie track, Waiting Game is a strong driver with Flynn laying out some Hooker like riffs and harp. Very cool. On Jimmy Reed style track, Hold On, Deitra Farr joins Flynn on lead vocal and Flynn shows his expressive harp style along with some real nice guitar riffs. In the general style of Otis Rush, The Lucky Kind is a real nice modern blues track with warm organ bottom and clean, lush guitar work by Flynn and a cool trumpet solo by Corcoran. Jackson Street has a distinct Muddy Waters feel with some really nice slide work by Flynn. Funky track, I Feel "Um" has really nice jazz/rock feel with cool vocals by Flynn who shows his nicely phrased Mayfield chops, topped off by a super warm sax solo by Neal.  With a stinging Albert King feel, Sufferin' With The Blues is a great track. Flynn's vocals are solid and his solos super. Wrapping the release is Christmas Blues with a BB King like feel. Neal plays a soulful sax solo and Flynn closes it out with a super swinging solo of his own. Super closer for a super 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

I'm Feeling Good - Deitra Farr

Deitra Farr is considered one of Chicago ’s top vocalists, according to Living Blues Magazine (May 1997). Fiery, energetic, and soul-stirring describes this woman, who has over the years been nominated for Traditional Female Blues artist of the year by the W.C. Handy Awards, Female Blues Artist of the year by the Living Blues Critics Awards, the British Blues Connection Awards, and the Les Trophees France Blues awards.

This Chicago native began her career in 1975, singing with local soul bands, before starting her blues career in the early 1980’s. When Deitra was 18 years old, she recorded the lead vocals on Mill Street Depo’s record ” You Won’t Support Me “. That record was a Cashbox Top 100 R&B hit in 1976. Over thirty years later, that recording has been rereleased and is popular again worldwide.

In 1983, Deitra began her blues career working at the major Chicago blues clubs, such as The Kingston Mines, The Wise Fool’s Pub and Blue Chicago. She also toured the US and Canada with the Sam Lay Blues Band.

From 1993 to 1996, Deitra was the lead singer with Mississippi Heat, recording two CD’s with this all-star group.

In 1997, Deitra resumed her own solo career, continuing to sing blues, while reaching back to her soul music roots. After recording on eight previous CD projects with others, she recorded her first solo CD, “The Search is Over”, for the London-based JSP records. In 2005, Deitra released her second JSP CD “Let it Go!”

The multi-talented Deitra Farr is also a published writer, poet, songwriter, and painter. A graduate of Columbia College (Bachelor of Arts in Journalism), Deitra has recorded many of her own compositions and has written articles for the Chicago Daily Defender, The Chicago Blues Annual, and the Italian blues magazine il Blues. Currently she has a column “Artist to Artist” in Living Blues Magazine.

In 1990, Deitra represented the Chicago Tourism Bureau in Düsseldorf, Germany and has toured England, Wales, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Canada, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece, Israel, Austria, Latvia, Portugal, Sweden, Mexico, Guadeloupe, Lebanon ,Spain, Denmark, United Arab Emirates ( Abu Dhabi and Dubai ), Qatar, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and Scotland.

Deitra toured Europe with the 2000 Chicago Blues Festival with Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials. In 2003, Deitra completed a six week British tour with Otis Grand and Bobby Parker, as the American Festival of the Blues II. She did the 2004 Chicago Blues Festival European tour with Jody Williams and Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones. From 2006-2010 Deitra has toured with The Women of Chicago Blues project with Zora Young and Grana Louise.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”