Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Hi-Fi Drive By - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hi-Fi Drive By, by Jeremiah Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with rocking boogie, '68 Coupe Deville, with Johnson on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Allie Vogler, Emily Wallas and Mattie Schell on backing vocal and excellent piano by Victor Wainwright. Rounding out the mix is Joe Meyer on drums, Tom Maloney on guitar and piano, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and super sax by Frank Bauer. Excellent opener. With a super lope, Skippin' School, uses a solid mix of Meyer on drums and Niehaus IV on bass to set the pace. Strong vocal and lead guitars by Johnson makes this one of my favorite tracks which also features Kasimi Taylor on trumpet, Bauer on sax, Kevin O'Connor on bari sax and John Covelli and Dave Dickey on trombone. Very cool. Slinky blues, The Squeeze has a super bottom line by Niehaus IV giving Johnson a super bed to rip on guitar and he takes it. With full backing by Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, this is a hot track. With some Latin spice and the addition of Tony Antonelli on percussion, Hot Blooded Love adds a really nice additional dimension to the release with Johnson getting into a Spanish flavored guitar theme. With Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey at the rear and Niehaus IV on the bottom, this is another terrific track. Funky swamper, Quicksand is another of my favorite tracks on the release with an excellent percussion/drum/bass line and power horns courtesy of Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, setting up Johnson for the grand slam on slide. This track just gets in the groove and rides. Excellent! Easy closer, The Band, has a cool melody and a lightly funky rhythm lending itself nicely for radio play. With strings by Kevin Buckley and Johnson joined by Schell, Wallas and Vogler, and rolling into a super, Spanish flavored jam, this is a solid closer. 

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Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Unemployed Highly Annoyed - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unemployed Highly Annoyed from Jeremiah Johnson and it presents a fresh take on southern rock. Opening with Burn Down the Garden, Johnson on lead vocal and guitar leads the way with his tight knit crew, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and keys and Tony Antonelli on drums. Nicely crafted melody and some heavy tom tom work makes this track a solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is bluesy, Cherry Red Wine with it low slung feel and call and response interaction between Johnson's guitar soloing and the the key organ work by Niehaus on a strong bass line. Very nice. Title track, Unemployed Highly Annoyed has a funky rock beat and a thumping bass line. A strong rocker with plenty of space gives Johnson room to lay out some nice guitar solos. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is Different Plan For Me, with it's soulful lead guitar work and warm backing. Johnson sings sparingly but his jazzy approach on delivery and bluesy riffs makes this track a stand out. Wrapping the release is rocker, Rock N Roll For the Soul with flashy Chuck Berry flavored guitar riffs and boogie bass lines. Niehaus drives the bottom home and Johnson rocks it on. Strong 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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Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Heavens To Betsy - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Heavens To Betsy, from Jeremiah Johnson, and it's a full mix of rock, country, pop, and blues with plenty of guitar. Opening with southern rock flavored, White Lightning, Jeremiah Johnson explores a firm American tradition but, bypassing the dual guitar lead and inserting tight, expressive riffs with plenty of sting. Backed by Tony Anthonis on bass, and Benet Schaeffer on drums, a solid opener. Power blues rocker, Soul Crush has definite Led Zep swagger with guitar, bass and Frank Bauer on sax all reinforcing the lead. Johnson steps up with his pinched harmonic lead and hits it square on the nuts. His vocals are right on and this track rocks. Another solid rocker is American Steel with a driving beat and just a little back beat. Always with that country vein and stinging guitar riffs, this is another strong entry. Albert King's Born Under A Bad Sign has the tempo kicked up a little and with the addition of Bauer on sax it is a little mellowed out. Johnson's vocal treatment has a rock feel and his riffs have a definite contemporary feel with plenty of sting. Wrapping the release is high energy country rocker, Preacher's Daughter, with it's walking bass line and full vocal compliment from Bauer, Tony Antonelli and Pete Matthews. Cool 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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Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Straitjacket - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Straitjacket, from Jeremiah Johnson and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Straitjacket, Jeremiah Johnson has a hot one on his hands. With a driving beat, a rolling bass line by Tom Maloney, Benet Schaeffer on drums Frank Bauer on sax and Mike Zito on rhythm guitar, Johnson on guitar and lead vocal this is a solid opener. Blues fused but with a great R&B style back beat, Getting Tired is one of my favorites on the release with a hot sax/bass lead and strong guitar fronting. another really cool track is Blues In Her Eyes with a great melody, solid vocals and crisp guitar lead. Rock and roller, Keep on Sailing has a strong boogie underpinning and slick slide work by Zito. Slow blues number, King & Queen, has some of the best vocals by Johnson on the release and an extended guitar solo on this 6 plus minute track is gold. Excellent! Zito move upfront on 9th and Russell, a slower country rocker with powerful guitar riffs and vocal duet. Sax dominant instrumental, Bonneville has a definite 60's soundtrack feel and with bent guitar soloing, a real cool flair! Wrapping the release is Rock N Roll Music To The World written buy one of my all time favorite players, Alvin Lee and a great rocker it is. With Johnson and Bauer on lead vocal and solid rock n roll style guitar work by Johnson and Zito, this is an excellent closer for the 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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