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”

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Delmark Records artist: Mud Morganfield - Portrait - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Portrait, by Mud Morganfield and it's a super mix of blues, soul and R&B. Opening with Praise Him, Morganfield on bass and vocal leads the way with really rich vocals, backed by  Felicia Collins, Shantina Lowe and Demetrius Hall on backing vocals, Rick Kreher on guitar, Mike Wheeler on guitar,  Cameron Lewis on drums, Luca Chiellini on keys, and Bob Corritore on harmonica. Solid opener. Upbeat Chicago blues cruiser, Short Dressed Woman, really sounds like his pap with Corritore on excellent harmonica, Kreher on guitar, E.G. McDaniel on bass, Billy Flynn on guitar, Barrelhouse Chuck really hammering the piano, And Beedy Eyes Smith setting an excellent beat on drums. Terrific loping Chicago blues, Love To Flirt is an excellent track with Muddy Like vocals and strong harmonica by Harmonica Hinds. Chuck again on piano and organ, McDaniel on bass, Flynn on guitar, and Smith on drums. Chuck leads off Loco Motor with a great piano boogie rhythm with McDaniel pushing on bass and a real nice stretch by Corritore and solos by Flynn and Chuck. Excellent! Slow blues, Midnight Lover has terrific presence really showcasing Morganfield's vocals with excellent solos by Chuck, Flynn and Corritore. Possibly my favorite track on the release.  Wrapping the release is Sonny Boy Williamson's classic, Good Morning Little School Girl featuring solid vocals by Morganfield, Corritore on harmonica, Chuck on piano, Smith on drums, McDaniels on bass, and Flynn and Kreher on guitars. A track often played by his dad, this is a solid closer for one of Mud's best releases to date.

  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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Delmark artist: Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames - Nightwalk - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nightwalk, from Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames and the man knows how to boogie. Opening with Mary Who, Weld on lead vocal and guitar gets into a cool JL Hooker groove, backed by Harry Yaseen on piano, Kenny Pickens on bass, and Jeff Taylor on drums. One of favorite tracks on the release is slide guitar loaded, Red Hot Tabasco featuring Weld on lead vocal and slide over a Latin beat. With Tom Hambridge on drums and Tony Carpenter on percussion this track is caliente. I really like Now She's Gone with Graham Guest on B3, and featuring Bill Branch on harp and Weld with some of the wildest slide work on the release. Very cool! Donde Vas is another Latin flavored track featuring Monica Myhre on lead vocal and with Weld adding some key lead guitar work and a fat sax solo by Rogers Randle, Jr. backed by spicy brass work by Kenny Anderson on trumpet and Bill McFarland on trombone. Uptempo, Loving You is another solid boogie with plenty of Weld's notorious slide work, fueled by Pickens, Taylor and Yaseen. Wrapping the release is an extended mix of Mary Who, a solid groove with Weld fueling the band as they jam on for over 7 and a half meeting. Solid closer for an 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”

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Delmark Records artist: Bob Stroger & the Headcutters - That's My Name - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, That's My Name, by Bob Stroger & The Headcutters and it's a full house of Chicago blues. Opening with What Goes On In The Dark, Bob Stroger on lead vocal and bass shows no wear for his 90 year tenure. With Ricardo Maca on lead guitar, Joe Marhofer lays in some real  nice harmonica riffs over the support of Arturo Garcia on bass, Leandro Barbeta on drums, Luciano Leaes on Hammond and Braion Johnny on sax. Solid opener. On slow blues, I'm A Busy Man, Stroger's composition is strong and his vocals firm. I really like Marhofer's approach on harmonica, Maca lays in some soulful soloing of his own on guitar and Leaes' piano riffs are essential. Boogie track, Something Strange has a cool walking bass line and melody by Marhofer. Stroger's vocals are light and nimble. My favorite track on the release is Jr Parker's Stranded In St. Louis with quite a bit of solid slide work by Maca and some of Stroger's best vocals on the release, complimented nicely by Leaes on Hammond and Marhofer's solid harmonica work. Very nice. Uptempo blues, Talk To Me Mama could be right out of Morganfield's songbook with strong vocals, tight drums and dominant harmonica by Marhofer. Wrapping the release is title track, That's My Name with it's buoyant rhythm, Stroger's vocal strength and solid jams from Leaes, Harhofer and Maca. Solid closer for a another solid release from Stroger. 

  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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Delmark Records artist: Jose Ramirez - Major League Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Major League Blues, from Jose Ramirez, and it's solid contemporary blues. Opening with title track, Major League Blues is a cool shuffle featuring Jose Ramirez on lead vocal and guitar and with Jimmy Johnson sitting in on guitar as well. Bob Stroger on bass, Willie Hayes on drums, Roosevelt Purifoy on B3 and Billy Flynn round out the band for this solid opener. On soulful ballad, I Saw It Coming , Ramirez is really out front on vocal with Purifoy creating a warm B3 envelope for his vocals. Flynn and Ramirez really do a nice job on lead guitar with solid melodic lead soloing. Here In The Delta is a cool contemporary blend between Hill Country flavored music and solid BB King styling. I really like the heavy tom tom work by Antonio Reyes, working nicely with Purifoy on B3 and the nice guitar work by Flynn and Ramirez, his own solid vocals and cool backing vocals. Kenny Watson Jr on bass adds to the heavy bottom making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Latin fused, Are We Really Different, has really nice percussion work by Evan Hoffman and Reyes who also plays a bit of tasty bass. Ramirez's vocals and fiery guitar work really make this track sail. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, After All This Time, with lush guitar chords and B3 carrying Ramirez's vocals. Shelly Bonet lays in some really nice contrasting vocals, followed buy some really nice blues guitar riffs, closing the set. 

  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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Delmark Records artist: Dave Specter - Six String Soul - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Six String Soul, a double cd release by Dave Specter and it's great. Celebrating 30 years on Delmark, with remastered recordings from throughout his career and celebrating many guests. Opening with Buzz Me Specter on guitar, is joined by Barkin Bill Smith on vocal and Ronnie Earl on guitar as well as Ken Saydak on organ, Dez Desormeaux on sax, Red Groetzinger on sax, Mike McCurdy on bass and John Hiller on drums. Very cool. Specter really stretches out nicely on solo guitar on slow blues, Railroad Station. Smith, on lead vocal does a real nice job and Bob Stroger on bass anchors the track. Saydak's piano is a nice accent and sax soloing by Groetzinger is really nice. I really like instrumental, Specter's Walk, with it's deep jazz groove. Specter cruses on guitar, Desormeaux's sax solo is rich, and Saydak's organ work is strong. Tad Robinson has lead vocal on Sweet Serenity. I've always been a fan of Robsinson's vocals and Specter really gets this track swinging on guitar. Very nice. West Side Stroll is another terrific instrumental, showcasing Specter's dynamic guitar style. Backed by Mike McCurdy on bass and Mark Fornek on drums, another great track. Seventy-Four is a strong slower blues with Willie Kent on lead vocal and bass. This is the style of track that really gets Specter in the slot. His lead soloing is tops and with Fornek on drums, another highlight of the release. Lynwood Slim has the mic on Get Back Home, a strong shuffle. Mike Scharf on bass, Barrelhouse Chuck on piano and Fornek on drums hold a tight bottom and Specter nails it on guitar. Very nice. Kenny Lynn really adds depth to the release with his powerhouse vocals on Blues On My Mind and Rob Waters' organ solo is dynamite. Low slung, In Too Deep, features Sharon Lewis on lead vocal and Specter's guitar doing his talking. With Brother John Kattke on piano, Harlan Terson on Bass and Marty Binder on drums, this is a great shuffle. The Blues Ain't Nothin' features a cool pairing of Specter and Jorma Kaukonen on lead guitars with Harlan Terson on bass, Marty Binder on drums, Kattke on keys and lead vocal, Mars Williams on sax, John Janowiak on trombone and Ron haynes on trumpet. Wrapping the release is Ballad of George Floyd with Specter on guitar and vocal with Billy Branch on vocal and harmonica backed by Danny Shaffer on acoustic guitar and Brother John Kattke on organ. This is a really terrific retrospective and a great addition to your collection. 

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Delmark Records artist: Johnny Iquana's : Chicago Spectacular! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release from Johnny Iguana, Chicago Spectacular! and it's a cool mix of styles and packed with blues notables. Opening with Roosevelt Sykes' 44 Blues, featuring John Primer, Bob Margolin and Michael Caskey, Iguana does a great job on keys and Primer's lead vocals are super. On Willie Dixon's Down In The Bottom ,Primer has the mic again and with cool guitar lead and with Michael Caskey on drums another cool entry. Gil Scott- Heron's Lady Day and John Coltrane has a cool, laid back jazzy feel and features Phillip-Michael Scales on lead vocal and guitar. Iguana really rocks the piano on this one with simple rhythms by Caskey. Lil' Ed guests on Burning Fire with flaming lead guitar and vocal. Rolling piano work by Iguana and solid drum work by Kenny Smith makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Lil' Ed is back on Elmore James' Shake Your Moneymaker and Ed knows how to make that slide talk. Very cool. Sonny Boy Williamson's Stop Breakin' Down slides in nicely with Matthew Skoller on harmonica and lead vocal and Billy Flynn on lead guitar. Closing the release is Big Bill Broonzy's Hot Dog Mama with lead vocals by Billy Boy Arnold and lead guitar by Billy Flynn. Iguana did a really nice job putting htis set together and his piano work throughout is strong. 

  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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Delmark Records artist: Linsey Alexander - Live At Rosa's - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live From Rosa's, from Linsey Alexander, and it really captures Alexander in his element. Opening with cool shuffle track, Please Love Me, Alexander on lead vocal and guitar starts electrifying the audience right from the first note. Joined by Sergei Androshin on guitar, Roosevelt Purifoy on keys, Ron Simmons on bass and "Big" Ray Stewart on drums, they set a tight groove. On blues classic made popular by Freddie King and later Eric Clapton, Have You Ever Loved A Woman, Alexander really digs in on guitar and with essential organ work by Purifoy, lays down my favorite track on the release. Alexander's vocals are real and his soloing inspired. Another cool shuffle is Goin' Out Walkin' and Alexander works his guitar against his vocals nicely. Hi steppin' Snowing In Chicago has a cool driving beat with fluid guitar lines and energized organ soloing by Purifoy. Wrapping the release is funky, Going Back To My Old Time Used To Be, with a cool bass line by Simmons, and with just the right amount of organ and electric piano by Purifoy. Stewart's drumming is tight and Alexander steps up with some real nice soloing of his own to wrap up this solid set. 

  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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Delmark Records artist: Jimmy Johnson - Every Day of Your Life - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Every Day of Your Life, by Jimmy Johnson and it got real feel. Opening with swamp funky, title track, Every Day of Your Life, old school Chicago bluesman, Jimmy Johnson on lead vocal and lead guitar shows his unique style. I high pitched, almost howl is how I'd describe it lending to a real bluesy feel. Joined by Rico McFarland on guitar, Roosevelt Purifoy on piano and B3, JR Fuller on bass, Pooky Stix on drums and Tymphanie Monique on backing vocal, this is a super opener. Rattlesnake is a really nice high stepping blues track with an excellent mix of jazz and blues guitar riffs. With Brother John Rattke on piano, B3 and guitar, Curt Bley on bass, Ernie Adams on drums, and Julia A Miller and Elbio Barilari on backing vocals, this is a real cool track. Fenton Robinson's classic, Somebody Loan Me A Dime is always a great showcase both vocally and on lead guitar and Johnson's particular fluid guitar burst styling is particularly effective on tracks with decent space between the vocal and turnaround of a phrase. Also of note is a beefy piano solo by Rattke giving the track a nice balance. Another favorite track on the release is R&B framed, Strange Things Happening with it's low slung groove. Fuller's bass line sets a perfect pace and Johnson's guitar feel is really strong. Clocking at over 6 minutes, this track has great presence. Wrapping the release is Lead On Me, a pure soul track featuring Johnson singing over his own piano accompaniment. This is a cool track and with true feeling, is a solid closer for a really strong 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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Delmark Records artist: Dave Specter - Blues From The Inside Out - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues From The Inside Out, from Dave Specter, and it's got great style. Opening with title track, Blues From The Inside Out, Dave Spector leads on guitar and vocal with Brother John Kattke on keys, Harlan Lee Terson on bass, and Marty Binder on drums. Adding in the horns on Ponchatoula Way, Specter put up a blues rocker with a splash of New Orleans. Mars Williams on sax, Jon Janowiak on trombone and Ron Haynes on trumpet give the track fullness and Spector's innovative blues riffs and the solid piano work of Kattke are really nice.  Hot Tuna leader, Jorma Kaukonen joins on Sanctifunkious, a real sweaty blues funk right out of the streets of NO. A cool instrumental with essential drums by Binder and percussion by Ruben Alverez, and nice key work by Kattke, a great groove. Latin influenced, Minor Shout has a super beat and with tight percussion, clean lead guitar and fluid organ runs, it could easily be from an early Santana release. Very nice. Boogie track, The Blues Ain't Nothin' has a terrific walking bass line, punched along by Haynes, Williams and Janowiak giving Jorma and Specter a wide open field to jam. Slick. My favorite track on the release, Opposites Attract, has a contagious, swamp rhythm, super piano work by Kattke and some of Specter's best soloing on the release. A little change up and a bit of R&B gives you Soul Drop with a straight snare beat, full organ and rich guitar lead with light chicken on the side. Wrapping the release is String Chillin' a smooth instrumental featuring Specter setting up a basic melody, jazz style but without too much sauce and Kattke on piano. As the track warms in, Specter's guitar ventures into improvisation. Think more Buchanan or Gatton than Wes Montgomery. This is a real nice track and a solid closer for a real nice 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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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”

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Delmark Records artist: Johnny Burgin - Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live from Johnny Burgin and it's really good. Opening with brisk shuffle, You Got to Make A Change, Johnny is upfront on vocal and guitar, backed by Aki Kumar on harp, Kid Andersen on guitar, Chris Matheos on bass and Steve Dougherty on drums. Excellent, slow blues, Can't Make It Blues, Johnny really shines with his soulful vocal and blistering guitar riffs. Most people don't think of Chicago bluesmen as hot, slingers with real pyrotechnics but Burgin is here to show you that Buddy Guy is no longer the only game in town. Excellent! There are only a few contemporary players that can really pull off the funky blues like Albert King could and Burgin is one of them. She Gave Me The Slip is a great example with solid blues riffs over a great funky beat. Time for a great Chicago blues instrumental and Kumar is up and ready on harp. Burgin, Andersen and Kumar really kick it on this one with smoke flying. Rae Gordon has the mic on Late Night Date Night and she grips this track by the scruff and shakes it. Burgin and sax ace Nancy Wright add some real nice lead rhythm and Kid Andersen covers on piano. Wright is featured on You Took The Bait and Gordon is back on vocal. Johnny steps up with lush, T Bone Walker styling and rich tone and Wright's sax work is excellent (you listening Stilladog). Louisiana Walk is an excellent instrumental shuffle showcasing Burgin's chops and it's great to see some of that get out here on disc. Wright's tone is unmistakable in the background as Burgin "Walks" that dog around like a king! Charlie Musselwhite is up next on Blues Falling and Burgin steps back letting him take the lead with one short burst of "fancy picking" behind his own vocals. Musselwhite plays with the enthusiasm of a teenager but has the chops of the seasoned blues player that he is. One of my favorite tracks on the release is When A Bluesman Comes To Town. Johnny's vocal phrasing really nicely with Musselwhite's harp work and Burgin not only gets aggressive with his guitar but seems to be grabbing his riffs with real attack and tension. I love this. It's something that smooth players don't seem to get. Very very cool! Wrapping the release is Latin flavored shuffle, Jody's Jazz, with a great mixture of blues riffs, terrific Burgin classic vibrato, and supple chords. Wright steps in with another few rich sax solos and Burgin closes it down with his own run of jazz and blues riffs. It's great that Delmark has caught one of the most dynamic guitar players on the scene in live action. Highly recommended. 

  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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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”

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Delmark Records artist: Linsey Alexander - Two Cats - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Two Cats, from Linsey Alexander and it's smooth with that sassy R&B overtone. With Alexander's strong vocals and soulful guitar work, strongly supported by Kenny Anderson on trumpet, Hank Ford on sax and Norman Palm on trombone, I'm Not Your Problem is a  nice opener. A blues with saunter, Where Did You Take Your Clothes Off Last Night? has a cool bass line by E.G. McDaniel and stinging guitar work by Alexander with nice harp work by Paul Hanover. Funky, That Ain't Right highlights the horn section and a high stepping rhythm by Bryant Parker is spot on. Ford lays in a real nice sax solo, followed by Anderson on trumpet and Palm on trombone giving the track punch. Another hi stepping blues number, title track, Two Cats, have a real nice balance with horn accent and guitar soloing. Very nice. Gospel flavored blues, Facebook Woman features some of Alexander's finest vocals with Roosevelt Purifoy doing an excellent job on keys coaxing some of my favorite guitar work on the release. Another particularly cool track, How Could You Do Me Like You Done Me, has gripping guitar riffs pushing Alexander's vocal work, topped by the tight harp work of Hanover. Slow burner, Starting Monday shows really nice balance between Alexander's vocal and screaming guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a funky, Kiss Revisited. This song features some base rap vocals by J. Parker and subdued vocals by Alexander. With a cool bopping vibe, the release is gone.

  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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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.

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Delmark Records artist: Mississippi Heat - Cab Driving Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Cab Driving Man, from Mississippi Heat and it's a cornucopia of blues. Opening with R&B track, Cupid Bound, Pierre Lacocque is on the harp with sweet tone. Inetta Visor has the lead vocals. Chris "Hambone" Cameron sets up the keys backed by Brian Quinn on bass, Kenny Smith on drums with excellent guitar riffs by Michael Dotson and Sax Gordon on sax. Nice opener. Title track, Cab Driving Man, has great pace with Terrence Williams on drums and sweltering bari sax by Gordon. Visor's vocals are solid and Ruben Alvarez's percussion is tight. Boogie track, That Late Night Stuff features Dotson on lead vocal and his lead guitar work really hits the spot. On delta style blues, Flowers On My Tombstone, Visor lays in some of the best vocals on the release, backed by Sumito Aruyo on piano, Lacocque on harp and Dotson on guitar. Very nice. Icy Blue has a real nice funky bottom to it thanks to Quinn and Williams. Giles Corey lays down some real nice slide work on this track and Lacocque ices the track with always cool harp riffs. Cool boogie guitar riffs by Dotson open The Last Go Round and he stays at the mic on lead vocal. Punched along by Lacocque, this track has a Chicago twist. Bass driven, Rosalie, has a Latin flavor with Visor back on the mic and excellent percussion work by Alvarez. With slick guitar soloing by Corey, nice electric keys by Cameron, a hot bass solo by Quinn and an extended harp solo by Lacocque, this is a stand out track. Slinky, blues rocker, Luck Of The Draw is one of my favorites on the release with a great complex bass line and flaming guitar riffs by Dave Specter. Lacocque sits down nicely on the track delivering really smooth phrasing. Mama Kalia is a real nice blues ballad featuring Visor's vocals and really sweet guitar lead soloing by Dotson. With a light jazz edge, this track is smooth as silk. Smooth Operator has R&B roots but a New Orleans flavor with Gordon anchoring on bari, Alvarez adding vital percussion and Vison's vocals leading the way. Lacocque's harp solo is melodic and Gordon rips a real nice sax solo. Excellent! With a Morganfield feel, Can't Get Me No Traction, Dotson takes the lead on vocal and guitar. Lacocque rides the top on harp and Williams' drumming is tight. With the bluesiest instrumental work on the release, Lacocque sets up his harp for the run and Dotson cleans the plate. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Hey Pipo!, a real cool boogie track. Featuring nice lead lines by Lacocque and Cameron this is a real nice closer for a real cool release.



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Delmark Records artist: Lurrie Bell - Can't Shake This Feeling - New Release Review

I just received the most recent release, Can't Shake This Feeling, from Lurrie Bell and it's a big helping of Chicago blues. Opening with Blues Is Trying To Keep Up With Me, Lurrie Bell opens with a flash. Handling lead vocal and guitar, he is joined by Roosevelt Purifoy on keys, Matthew Skoller on harp, Melvin Smith on bass and Willie Hayes on drums. A cool shuffle track, Bell airs our his guitar and Purifoy dazzles as well on piano leading up to Skoller who takes it home. On upbeat, Drifting, Bell really gets a great groove going. His vocals are powerful and Purifoy's harp work is tight. Slowing it down a bit, I Get So Weary, shows Bell on some of his most expressive guitar riffs on the release. This track is smoking! On stripped down, One Eyed Woman, Bell and Skoller pretty much handle the instrumentation making it a real simple and effective track. Very nice. Excellent blues track, The Worrisome Feeling In My Heart, is propelled by really soulful vocals by Bell and particularly effective rhythm guitar work by Bell. His lead guitar work is pointed and biting. Very nice! Back up to speed, Sit Down Baby is back on the Chicago groove. A well balanced track with effective vocals and clean harp and piano, this track hits solid. Hold Me Tight has a real bounce with a tight bottom compliments Smith and Hayes. Bell takes a different kind of guitar solo with a T-Bone Walker feel . Very nice! Sinner's Prayer continues along a T-Bone Walker theme sounding quite a bit like Stormy Monday. Providing a super floor for Bell and Purifoy to solo, this track really is tasty. I Can't Shake This Feeling gets back into the Chicago groove and Bell rides it high. Skoller lays out his own solo and then in tandem with Bell. Very nice. Born With The Blues has a bit of a BB King flare with short compact response guitar riffs to his call vocals. Clocking in at over 6 minutes, this track is really packed with blues and heat. On shuffle track, Do You Hear, Purifoy lays a cool piano riff over Smith's bass line and Skoller plays some of his hottest riffs. Wrapping the release is down and dirty, Faith and Music, a really nice piece with Bell accompanying himself electric guitar and vocal. This is a particularly effective track with tasty riffs supporting his vocals. Very nice closer.



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