Hurricane Ruth : Live At 3rd and Lindsley - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At 3rd and Lindsley from Hurricane Ruth and it's got real swagger. Opening with Roll Little Sister, Ruth shows "her take no prisoners" attack with her raw, energetic vocals, joined by Scott Holt on slide and Nick Nguyen guitars, Calvin Johnson on bass, Lewis Stephens on keys and drum master Tom Hambridge driving the train. Strong opener. Dirty Blues really has enough grime on it to be a Keith Richards deal. Ruth knows how to work it and Holt's slide work combined with Hambridge's drum work makes this a firm contender. Slow blues, Faith in Me takes Ruth out of her classic blues rocker stance and into a more soulful mode. Holt steps up with a solid guitar solo, with some real nice phrasing, joined by Stephens on piano. Cool track and obviously a crowd pleaser. Fenton Robinson's (Peppermint Harris) As the Years Go Passing By is up next and features Ruth teaming up with ex Wet Willie and Jeff Beck featured vocalist, Jimmy Hall on vocal who also adds harmonica. This track has some great tension with Hall and Ruth on vocal setting up Hall and Holt for soloing. Very cool. Johnson really leads the way with a thumping bass line on I've Got To Use My Imagination. Ruth takes this high stepper by the throat and handles it like a pro. Holt lays in some real nice guitar lead making this another crowd favorite. Wrapping the release is Dance Dance Norma Jean, a romping boogie with plenty of bottom. Holt steps up with a cool solo but this track is really Ruth leading the party making this a great 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

American Showplace Music artist: Hurricane Ruth -Good Life - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Life, from Hurricane Ruth and it's a charging blues rocker. Opening with driving, Like Wildfire, Ruth La Master is upfront and on fire with her dominant vocal style, backed by Scot Holt on guitar, Calvin Johnson on bass, Bruce Katz on B3 and Tony Braunagel on drums. Good Life is a slower ballad with deep soulful roots. Katz's B3 work on this track adds real depth and I love Holt's guitar phrasing punctuating the track nicely. Kicking in the rock bottom, Ruth shows her rocking edge with some of her grittiest vocals on the release. My favorite track on the release, Late Night Red Wine has a super traditional rock beat with a solid melody. Holt steps up with a stinging guitar solo with a blues edge and Katz's organ work pulls it all together. Very cool. Wrapping the release is ballad, I've Got Your Back, with Ruth bringing on her sensitive soul vocals. Nicely balanced with Katz on piano and organ this is a real nice 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Hurricane Ruth Records: Hurricane Ruth - Ain't Ready For The Grave - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't Ready For The Grave, from Hurricane Ruth, and it's powerful. Opening with Barrelhouse Joe's, a solid boogie, Hurricane Ruth on lead vocal is joined by Reese Wynans on piano, Tom Hambridge on drums, Michael Rhodes on bass, Pat Buchanan and Rob Mc Nelley or guitars. Taking it down, Far From The Cradle, has great blues bones with expressive vocals, excellent piano work by Wynans and super guitar work under the lead. Southern style blues rocker, Estilene, has a great beat and smoking guitar riffs.  A really hot drum riff by Hambridge and Rhodes bass lines really set the pace on Beekeeper. It's cool rhythmic flow makes this one of my favorites on the release. A funky bass/drum line set a super beat for Cheating Blues, a cool track with expressive vocal phrasing and a real nice guitar solo. Very cool. Shuffle track, Let Me Be The One has a cool pace, cool vocals and flashy guitar riffs giving it real spunk. Wrapping the release is Yes I Know, with really nice gospel tones. Who better than the mighty McCrary Sisters and Wendy Moten to give this track that gospel vocal anchor. An excellent closer for a real 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Hurricane Ruth Publishing artist: Hurricane Ruth LaMaster - Winds Of Change - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Winds Of Change, from Hurricane Ruth LaMaster and its a powerhouse. Opening with boogie woogie track, I Feel Lucky, Hurricane Ruth takes charge on lead vocals backed by Brian Curtis on keys, Doug Wilcox on trombone, Mike Gilette on tenor sax, Sande Hackel on bari sax, Frank Huston on guitar, Gary Davis on bass and John Sluzalis on drums. Dick Garretson takes a nice trumpet solo and Curtis really hits the keys. Smokin! Willie Dixon's Built For Comfort is low slung and Ruth is laying it on thick. Huston sets down a greasy guitar solo and the horn section really riches up the mix. Ruth sells Percy Sledge's, When A Man Loves A Woman, as a simple soul ballad with plenty of feeling and the horn section adds punch. Wrapping the release is Delbert McClinton's Going Back To Louisiana with Dixie swing. Ruth really lays it out there on this one with nice guitar runs by Huston and splashes of horns throughout. Cool closer for a 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists

Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists Blind Raccoon is delighted to announce the line-up for its showcases happening during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. On January 21, 22 and 23, from 11:30am to 5pm, artists from Norway, Canada, California, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, and New York, a smorgasbord of roots and blues talent, will grace the stage. We have two 2015 Blues Music Award nominees - Vaneese Thomas & Missy Andersen, one 2015 IBC participant – Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band, as well as several former IBC contestants performing over the three days. Net proceeds from the showcases will benefit The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund, which provides assistance to blues musicians and their families in times of great financial need due to medical emergencies. Emcees are Peter "Blewzzman” Lauro of Mary4Music.com on Wednesday, Brett Fleming, host of Soul Stew, WEVL/Memphis, on Thursday, and Richard L’Hommedieu, producer of Live At The Midnight Circus and publisher of Making A Scene, on Friday. Blind Raccoon is a music marketing firm out of Memphis dedicated to spreading their artists’ music around the globe.

PERFORMERS Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band 2015 IBC participant Based in OH www.underworldblues.com Vaneese Thomas 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” (Blues For My Father) & “Soul Blues Female Artist” Based in NY, from Memphis www.vaneesethomas.com Magnus Berg Based in Norway www.magnusbergmusic.com The Reverend Shawn Amos Based in CA www.shawnamos.com Hurricane Ruth Former IBC participant Based in IL www.hurricaneruth.com Missy Andersen 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Female Artist” Missy Andersen was due to participate in this year’s IBC, but as she was nominated for a BMA, was eliminated from the competition. Based in CA www.missyandersen.com Suit Ty Thurrsty Based in CT www.suittythurrsty.com Anthony Gomes From Canada www.anthonygomes.com Early 2015 will see the release of Electric Field Holler, a guitar driven blues infused rock ‘n’ roll album that showcases Gomes‘ blistering six string work and whiskey soaked voice.    SCHEDULE Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:30am - Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band – I hour set 12:45pm - Vaneese Thomas – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Magnus Berg - 45 minute set 2:45pm – The Reverend Shawn Amos - 45 minute set 3:45pm - Hurricane Ruth – I hour set Thursday, January 22, 2015 11:30am - Missy Andersen – I hour set 12:45pm - Suit Ty Thurrsty – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Vaneese Thomas - 45 minute set 2:45pm - Anthony Gomes – I hour set 4pm The Reverend Shawn Amos – 45 minute set Friday, January 23, 2015 11:30am - Suit Ty Thurrsty – I hour set 12:45pm - Hurricane Ruth – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band - 45 minute set 2:45pm - Missy Andersen - 45 minute set 3:45pm - Magnus Berg – I hour set

~ REPRESENTING ~ Charlie Musselwhite ~ Juke Joint Chapel 57th Annual Grammy Award Nominee “Best Blues Album” 2015 Blues Music Award (BMA) Nominee “Harmonica” June Core ~ 2015 BMA Nominee “Drums” Gary Clark Jr. ~ Live 2015 BMA Nominee “Contemporary Blues Male Artist” Missy Andersen ~ In The Moment 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Female Artist” Otis Clay & Johnny Rawls ~ Soul Brothers 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” & “Soul Blues Male Artist” (Otis & Johnny) Vaneese Thomas ~ Blues For My Father 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” & “Soul Blues Female Artist” Altered Five Blues Band • Bobby Hurricane Spencer Chris Daniels & The Kings featuring Freddi Gowdy •D.A. Foster Grady Champion •Hurricane Ruth • Magnus Berg • Ray Goren The Reverend Shawn Amos

Hurricane Ruth - Born On The River - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Born On The River, from Hurricane Ruth. A powerful vocalist, Ruth is backed but David Lumsden on guitar, Gary Davis on bass and Jim Engel on drums. Opening with title track, Born On The River, Lumsden creates a wah wah effect with guitar and Ruth sings with a lot of sting. Make Love To Me opens with a modified Elmore James by Lumsden and with Davis create a heavy bottom for Ruth's vocals. Lumsden throws out some fine guitar riffs and Engel holds tight on the bottom. A simple 12 bar this track hits it hard. Blues Rocker Slow Burn has a trace of Voodoo Chile making it instantly cool with a nice bass riff but with an almost metal grind. Lumsden does take a nice guitar ride on this track bringing it to the blues via rock styling. One of my favorite tracks on the release. Blues ballad The Walls is an interesting track with light traces of Robin Trower with sonic guitar work. Ruth's vocals have a different sensitivity making this the overall best track on the release. Cool guitar soloing by Lumsden is pure icing on this track. Boogie track, Dance, Dance, Norma Jean has so much Rattle and Roll in it you'd swear it was cut in a shack in a small Texas town. Do you know what I'm talkin' bout? Money Train has a stiff strut with stiff reinforcement from Engel. I really like Lumsden's aggressive guitar attack on this track in particular. Slim Harpo influenced track Cold Day In Hell crafts a cool track on a James Brown beat. A smooth laid back guitar solo by Lumsden shows his versatility and Ruth shines as bright on this track as any. Big Helen has a real funky beat but believe it or not it reminds me of a Frank Zappa track. With it's visual imagery it's a pretty cool track. Again Lumsden steps up with a nice guitar solo making for a completely entertaining track. Work It opens with a straight up guitar riff but I really like the tone (just saying). A straight forward rocker, Ruth is riding the wave like Jim Dandy. With a lot of kick this track has a lot of southern spunk. Whiskey Chute, another rocker has a distinctive Boxcar Willie feel with a solid Rock and roll feel. Wrapping the release is Real Good Woman, a solid blues rocker. With swagger and saturated guitar leads, this track sews it all together.

  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”

 

Let Me Change Your Mind - Hurricane Ruth

Hurricane Ruth has created their own brand of blues, they call it power blues. It can be described as raw, emotional, and dynamic. The "power" seeps into everything they do, from their original music to their live shows. The epitome of power blues is Hurricane Ruth herself. Ruth is a captivating performer, who will grab your attention from note one,and never let you go! Willie Dixon once told her "she was the only hurricane he could appreciate". Ruth is joined by David Lumsden (guitar), Gary Davis(bass), and Jim Engel (drums). These excellent musicians are the perfect complement to Ruth's vocals. Hurricane Ruth is a "power"ful blues experience that you won't soon forget!
Like my Facebook Page, Post your video on my Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! Share your favorite posting and get more exposure for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”