Goldenlane Records artist: Sammy Kershaw - Cross Road Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cross Road Blues, by Sammy Kershaw and it's strong. Opening with Albert King's (Booker T) Born Under A Bad Sign, and it's screaming. Kershaw on vocal has a rich voice and with excellent guitar backing by Danny Harvey really hits on all cylinders. Pierre Peligrin holds the bottom tight on bass and Adam Hamilton on drums rounds out the band. I Can't Quit You is a favorite by Willie Dixon and made massively popular Led Zeppelin via Otis Rush. Kershaw's vocal styling has it's own twist and Harvey doesn't follow Rush's lead with his own feel for the blues. Alexia Nikitakis on piano adds great body on piano and Pelegrin and Hamilton add solid bottom. BB King's Be Careful With A Fool is a real nice addition and Kershaw's vocal interpretation being quite similar to King's. Harvey keeps it clean on guitar with solid blues riffs, unlike another famous blues cover by Johnny Winter. Very nice.  Don Nix's Going Down is a rock tower having ben covered by the late Jeff Beck. With the same driving bass line as Clive Chaman by Pelegrin and drums as Cozy Powell  by Pelegrin and piano reinforcement as Max Middleton by Nikitakis, Kershaw adds his own vocal signature and Harvey his own guitar phrasing. Robert Johnson's Crossroads is up next with a rendering of Cream's massive hit with this track. Pelegrin's bass line gives the track a different flavor and Kershaw's vocals again add a new spin. Wrapping the release is Hank Williams Jr.'s, Blues Man. A solid ballad, Kershaw switches gears on this track but chooses a smooth closer. 

  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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Goldenlane Records artist: Ben E. King - Supernatural Soul - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Supernatural Soul, by Ben E. King and it's solid. Opening with classic, Stand By Me, King on lead vocal is joined by Bette Smith on vocal and Ronnie Earl adding his clean virtuosity on guitar. Bassmaster, Bootsy Collins fires up a strong riff on Supernatural Thing, Part I under soulful vocals by King. Spanish guitar master, Rafael Riqueni joins King adding an authentic flavor to another classic hit. I really like King's cover of Ashford and Simpson's, I Had A Love. Kings vocals are full and soulful, floating on a bed of guitar, synthesizer and warm backing vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Drifters Medley featuring This Magic Moment/Dance With Me//There Goes My Baby/Save The Last Dance For Me. Kings vocals are smooth and fresh with tight instrumental backing. 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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Goldenlane Records artists: Ike & Tina Turner - The Complete Pompeii Recordings 1968-1969 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review Ike & Tina Turner, The Complete Pompeii Recordings 1968-1968 3 CD Set on Cleopatra Records and it's a wealth of 60's soul and R&B music. This is a boxed set with three original LP covers and 10 pages of cool liner notes. Disc 1, So Fine includes It Sho Ain't Me, a slow R&B number with terrific vocals and back up vocals by the Ikettes. Another favorite is I Better Get Ta Steppin', a funky James Brown style track. Other highlights are Shake Your Tail Feather with it's fast paced rhythm, R&B hit, So Fine, with rich backing vocals and a solid bass line by Ike and You're So Fine. On Disc 2, Title track Cussin' Cryin' & Carryin' On they wastes no time getting in the groove. With sounds of early James Brown, Tina really has started to mature a little starting to stretch a bit and showing traces of contemporary Tina Turner. Black Beauty is an interesting Jazz funk fusion. It's instrumental composition is characteristic of an emerging sound that has weathered well. Wrapping this disc is a new, funkier version of Better Get Ta Steppin' showing some of Tina's best vocals to date. Disc 3, A Black Man's Soul, open is with Thinking Black, a horn driven instrumental with solid bass work by Ike. With it's light pop sound, Black's Alley, resembles Friends of Distinction. With it's driving drums and blazing horns, Funky Mule, has a lot of kick. On Philly Dog, there is an interesting play between Bari sax and trumpets. Wailing sax work takes the lead for a hip shaker. Wrapping the release of this fine set is spiritual based, Freedom Sound, with a balance of keys and horns. With it's cool bvalance of organ and piano, it's a fine closer for a cool vintage 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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