Stony Plain Records artists: New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers - Volume 2 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 26, 2021 ... today), Volume 2 from New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers and it's really strong. Opening with Blues For Yesterday, Charlie Musselwhite on lead vocal and harmonica sets a Chicago feel with Alvin Youngblood Hart on guitar, Jimbo Mathus on guitar, Jim Dickenson on piano, Luther Dickinson on guitar, Cody Dickinson on drums and Chris Chew on bass. On Doug Sham's She's About A Mover, Alvin Youngblood Hart has the lead vocal spot and Musselwhite lays in some really nice harmonica. Jimbo Mathus has lead vocal on Searchlight, probably the most Chicago I've heard form Mathus since his work with Buddy Guy. A solid bass line from Chew and well placed guitar and harmonica work makes this track fly. Charles Mingus' Oh Lord, Don't let Them Drop That Atom Bomb is a really nice showcase for Jim Dickinson on piano and vocal. This is a truly soulful track and one of the highlights of the release with gritty vocal blending. Greens and Ham is a great entry by Mathus in his primitive Mississippi blues styling. I've always liked Jimbo's country styling and this track is all Jimbo. Real nice. Musselwhite's Black Water is a strong track and a perfect name for this track with it's dark tones and overall heavy feel. This is my favorite track on the release with Musselwhite on vocal and harmonica but a a great track for the band as a whole. With some dark slide work and warm harmonica, it's all gravy. Hart delivers the most pure blues track on the release with If Blues Was Money with authentic delta style acoustic guitar work, complimented by Luther D on mandolin and Musselwhite on harmonica. Excellent! Luther takes the lead on Blue Guitar, a slide guitar lead instrumental. This is another terrific track with great feel and pace. Wrapping the release is Blues Is A Mighty Bad Feeling, a Mississippi Sheiks track with Jim Dickinson on lead vocal and piano. This is a strong slower blues with nicely articulated guitar by Luther and Charlie adding just the right amount of Harmonica. Strong closer for a really 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”

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Stony Plain Records artists: New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers - Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Volume 1, from New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers and it's great stuff. Opening with Blues, Why You Worry Me features Charlie Musselwhite on lead vocal  and harmonica. A strong Chicago style shuffle, also includes Alvin Youngblood Hart and Jimbo Mathus on guitars, Jim Dickinson on piano, Luther Dickinson on guitars, mandolin, Cody Dickinson on drums, Chris Chew on bass and Paul Taylor on tub bass. Super opener. Charlie Patton's Pony Blues is a super follow up with it's Hill Country styling and Hart on lead vocal. It's no secret that Mathus is one of my favorite contemporary musicians with his quirky style and super grooves (not to mention his solid country sound). Night Time features Mathus on lead vocal and one of his infectious, funky grooves, driven by Chews' bass line and strong harmonica work from Musselwhite. Very cool. One of those cool party rags, Come On Down To My House, features the late Jim Dickinson on piano and lead vocal, joined by a really comfortable weaving of the entire group on vocal and acoustic instruments. Super country blues stew. Mathus is back at the mic on Shake It and Break It, a cool rag with the classic rag styling of random instrumental blending, stagger drumming and high riding harmonica by Musselwhite. Wrapping the release is the Mississippi Sheiks' Stop and Listen Blues featuring Dickinson on mandolin, Mathus on guitar and Hart on guitar and lead vocal. This is a strong closer for a really 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”

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Fat Possom Records - VERY Extremely Dangerous - New Release Review - CD/DVD

I just received a cool new DVD/CD which featured a documentary about a real music outlaw. This documentary by Robert Gordon and Paule Duane feature real live footage of a wild man with a wild past. Jerry McGill had recorded with Sam Phillips Sun Records in 1959 and been the road manager for Waylon Jennings under the name of Curtis Black. This is the story who lived the life of a real outlaw, serving prison time, swinging a gun around, robbing and thieving. I knew a man like this once in my life (but without the gun) and as stated by Robert Gordon, historian and film maker, someone who I may not have wanted in my house, but someone I was glad was in my life. This is not a dry, dusty, fluffy documentary with a lot of pretty scenery but the real time documentation of a 70 year old man who has not at all mellowed, full of most everything and ready to spring at the whisk of a mouse whisker. This is a documentary about music but this is really a healthy slice of life and one that will likely stick with you for a while. Ride along and feel your hair raise. Listen to yourself say...are you kidding me. Yes, this is the real deal. The video does have some brief musical performances and there is a cd included documenting about 11 songs but this is all about life. Real life. Pick this up and enjoy!

(winner of the Special Jury Prize at IndieMemphis 2012)