Straight Shooter Records artist: Johnny Burgin - Ramblin' From Coast To Coast - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ramblin' From Coast To Coast, from Johnny Burgin and it's an excellent new addition to his already great output. There's a reason that Johnny is one of my favorite players out there...and this is it! Opening with title track, rocker, Ramblin' From Coast To Coast, Johnny Burgin, who's a good enough a singer to front about any band in the country, on lead vocal and guitar getting things rolling, backed by Danny Banks on drums, Christian Dozzler on piano, Jon Hay on bass and with Jad Tariq on guitar. Solid opener. Up next is Gettin' My Blues On, with heavy a Curtis Mayfield vibe. This song is so good it's downright spooky. Johnny's vocals are soulful and his guitar work strong. Banks on drums, Hay with a great bass line, Barry Seelen on organ and Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Marina Crouse, Jill Dineen on backing vocals, I can't wait to hear this one live. There's a lot of Chicago in Silently Suffering, an easy shuffle with Reo Casey on drums, Mike Morgan on bass, and really nice piano work by Dozzler leading a great pathway for Johnny's fluid and gripping guitar lead. Very nice. Johnny rips a great track, Cincinatti Boogie with a great guitar rhythm under his vocal and Ben Levin really rolling on piano. Burgin cuts loose with a rockabilly style guitar solo that just flies from his fingers. Very cool. Burgin pulls a slide for Fresno Woman showing another side I've rarely seen. His style is pure Chicago and with Hanna PK on piano, another great track. Rae Gordon has the mic on Older and Wiser, a super up tempo blue track with Dozzler on piano, Banks on drums, Jon Hay on bass, Tariq on guitar and with some wicked good guitar riffs by Burgin. Wrapping the release is a real solid blues track, Never Tried To Get Ahead. Burgin belts out the lyrics and answers his call with sympathetic guitar response. His vocals keep getting better and his guitar phrasing more coherent. Joined by Hanna on piano, Chris Matheos on bass, David Plouffe on drums this is an excellent closer for possibly Burgin's most complete effort. Very 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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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's another super release from Corritore. Opening with This Little Voice, Corritore, conjures so great harp tone on the intro with Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar and John Primer on vocal and guitar, backed by Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums. Solid opener. Bobby Rush has the mic on I'm Good As Gone, a slinky R&B style blues with Smith and Dexter Allen on guitar, Chester Thompson on organ, and Steve Ferrone on drums. Very nice. Thornetta Davis is in charge on Remember Me and I gotta say, she's exceptional. I caught Davis when I went to see guitar master, Johnny Burgin and she really did a great job. Davis is joined here by Smith, Burgin, Keyes, Corritore, Stroger and Wes Starr. Very nice. Lurrie Bell leads off, Act Like You Love Me on vocal and guitar. A slow Chicago style blues with solid harp work by Corritore, is joined by Brian Fahey on drums, Troy Sandow on bass, and Bob Margolin on slide. Very nice. Francine Reed's unmistakable voice leads Draw Me Closer with it's gospel like feel. Her influence is strong, backed by Smith and Kid Ramos on guitar, Shea Marshall on organ, Bill Stuve on on bass, and Stephen Hodges on drums. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Let Me Find Out Your Name with Willie Buck on lead vocal, Billy Flynn on guitar, and some deep harmonica tones by Corritore, joined by Starr on drums, Stroger on bass, and Ben Levin on piano. This is a strong release chocked full of talent and soulful blues. 

  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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Blue Heart Records artist: Joel Astley - Seattle To Greaseland - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Seattle To Greaseland, from Joel Astley, and it's smoking! Opening with R&B flavored, Born Cryin' features strong vocals by Joel Astley, over a firm bass line by Randy Bermudes, and June Core. Astley plays a mean harmonica as well, backed by Kid Andersen on keys and outrageous guitar work by Johnny Burgin. Strong opener. Jump track, Candy Shop really is peppy with Astley on lead vocal and hot keys solos by Andersen, guitar by Burgin and harmonica by Astley. Secondhand Kid is another track that allows Burgin to shine with his Texas style blues riffs over a great bass line by Bermudes. Astley really knows how to work the rhythm and his harmonica riffs cross over nicely between rock and blues. Very cool. Swinging, Takin' It With Me, really has a cool feel with a great melody and really nice harmonica work by Astley. Burgin really cuts loose on guitar never disappointing and Core gets the opportunity to rap the skins as well. Very nice. Down To The Rims is a great rocker with a strong melody a moving bass line and well phrased vocals. Kid's keyboard work is tight, Burgin lays in some hot guitar riffs and Andersen, Jill Dineen and Marina Crouse add solid backing vocals. Wrapping the release is No Brighter Gold, a two stepper along the lines of Will The Circle Be Unbroken. With it's simple instrumental backing, backing by Andersen, Crouse and Dineen and a dash of harmonica, this is a sloid 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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Blue Heart Records artist: Mike Bourne Band featuring Johnny Burgin - Crusin' Kansas City - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Crusin' Kansas City, from Mike Bourne Band and it's straight up rockin' blues. Opening with laid back title track, Crusin' Kansas City with my man Johnny Burgin on guitar with Mike Bourne, Patrick Recob on bass, and Dave Creighton on organ. Cool opener. Swing track, Lose Your Rings, Keep Your Fingers features Bourne on lead vocal and beefy organ work by Creighton. Burgin steps up with his hot, stylistic guitar soloing giving the track real sting. Morganfield sound permeates, Hollow Man with John Paul Drum on harmonica and Bourne on vocal. Adam Hagerman on on drums and Recob on bass keep the bottom tight and understated slide work adds nicely to the set. Loose With The Truth is absolutely my favorite track on the release with real nice vocal work by Bourne, a featured trumpet solo by Greg Hopkins a cool sax solo and Johnny Burgin loose with some of the signature, blistering guitar work that makes him one of my contemporary favorites. Sam Treinen blows some righteous R&B style sax on The One and Burgin really digs in deep with a rich solo of his own giving Bourne a strong platform for his soulful vocals. Dangerous Game is another of my favorites with it's swampy indie rocker feel. I really like how the track just lays in it's discolored groove and Bourne rides high on his vocal style. Burgin again steps in with reckless abandon on guitar and this is really something that he shines at. Great contrast for the release. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Kansas City Grease, featuring Johnny Iguana on delicious piano, Big D Ericson on lush harmonica, solid guitar work from Bourne, Rob Lorenz on drums and Mike Grinns on bass. This is a strong closer for a real entertaining 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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Blues Review at the Rhythm Room featuring Thornetta Davis and Johnny Burgin

 

We went to an exceptional show on Friday night and if you get the opportunity to see this on tour somewhere, take the time. The show at Phoenix's famous Rhythm Room was booked as Thornetta Davis, Detroit's Queen of the Blues with an allstar blues review but it was so much more. I see and hear a lot of music but this was a lot of talent on one stage. I wasn't familiar with Thornetta's work but I always like to see Johnny Burgin when he's in town so we made the trek. The band was Bob Corritore (harmonica master and club owner), Jimi Primetime Smith, solid guitar player and a great voice, 91 year old Bob Stroger on bass who has a number of releases on his own (Eddie King, Otis Rush Sunnyland Slim, Big Eyes Smith, Carey Bell, Pinetop Perkins) and Dave Keyes on keys who has just released another new album (Popa Chubby, Odettta, David Johansen, Bo Diddley, Ronnie Specter, Eddie Clearwater, Ruth Brown, Levon Helm).

Each prime member of the band got at lease two tracks of his own music and featuring his own lead work. Thronetta, a real powerful performer, took the stage once during each of the two sets for 5-7 songs each set. This was a great night of blues with some of the best blues performers in the blues business (bar none) and Thornetta blew the roof off of the house. They stuck primarily to a Chicago style format with the exception to Keys who do a cool piano boogie. This is not your weekend something to do show. This is a real feature concert. Check it out!

  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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VizzTone Label Group artist: Ben Levin - Take Your Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Take Your Time, from Ben Levin and it's a super entry to a strong line of super releases by Levin. Opening with title track, Take Your Time, Levin on piano and vocal fronts a band of great players including my man Johnny Burgin on guitar and Shorty Starr on drums. A cool shuffle track this is a strong opener and gives Burgin space to lay down some real nice riffs. Lil Ed Williams joins on Why Do Things Happen To Me with his distinctive guitar feel and vocal work. I really like the work that Levin has been doing and paired with Lil Ed on guitar, Aron Levin on guitar, Walter Cash on bass and Ricky Nye on drums, he's on fire. Burgin is up again as featured lead player on Latin influenced, Out Of Your Own Way. Burgin can really set the fuel and ignite it and I can tell his playing style immediately. I didn't know he was playing on this release on the first pass through and I heard this track and said... wow Johnny...Great! Levin's vocal and piano work, coupled with Burgin makes this my favorite track on the release. New Orleans flavored boogie, You Know You're So Fine features Lil Jimmy Reed on lead vocal and guitar over the excellent piano boogie of Levin. With Aron on guitar, Walter on bass and Ricky on drums, this track has a great groove. Another great piano shuffle is closer, Mr Stroger's Strut featuring Bob Stroger on vocal and bass. With Noah Wotherspoon on guitar, Nye on drums and Levin on keys, this is an excellent 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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Short Stack Records artist: Johnny Sansone - Into Your Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Into Your Blues, from Johnny Sansone and it's got great style. Opening with title track, Into Your Blues, Johnny Sansone on harmonica, resonator guitar and lead vocal sets a cool, slinky pace. With Mike Morgan and Johnny Burgin on electric guitar, Jeffrey Bridges on bass, John Milham on drums, Tom Worrell on piano, Chris Spies on B3, Brad Walker on sax, Steve Lands on trumpet and Michael Sinkus on congos, bongos and tambourine, this is a solid opener. On Chicago style blues, Pay For This Song, Sansone gets in the slot with a super low slung lope and guitar riff by Burgin. Sansone blows some of his classic harmonica riffs giving the track a real Chicago feel. Jason Ricci guests on Blowin' Fire, an up tempo blues rocker. With solid vocals by Ricci and his flaming harmonica style, this is a great addition. Little Freddie King is featured on vocal and guitar on Willie's Juke Joint, a simple John Lee Hooker style, primitive boogie. Driving, The Getaway, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Sansone back on lead vocal and harmonica. With it's stripped down feel and harmonica vamp, this is a cool track. Sansone lays into the slide Resonator on New Crossroads, another boogie track with a simple bottom by Milham and Bridges under Sansone on vocal. Single Room has a cool, swampy feel with Sansone on vocal and shimmery guitar work by Burgin and Morgan and great percussion work by Milham and Sinkus. Wrapping the release Southern Dream, is a solid acoustic instrumental with Sansone layered over himself on Resonator, slide resonator and guitar. This is a 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”

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Regina Royale Records artist: Ilana Katz Katz - In My Mind - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In My Mind, by Ilana Katz Katz and it's an interesting, pop/blues release. Opening with title track, In My Mind, Katz on lead vocal and fiddle sets contemporary pop stage, backed by Johnny Burgin on guitar, Stephen Dougherty on drums and Chris Matheos on bass. Burgin leads off on shuffle, Woman, Play the Blues with traditional delta style riffs. Katz's shows a certain juxtaposition with her contemporary vocal styling and her bluegrass approach on fiddle in this setting. Very interesting. Burgin opens Shuffle/boogie, Won't Pass Me By with a classic Walker style intro, and Katz's simple vocal/fiddle styling. Very cool. On Well, Well Blues Burgin steps up with some of his signature licks. Katz's vocals are some of the best on the release making this my choice for best on the release. Hangman's Reel is another of my favorites with a total venture from the blues to traditional bluegrass. Katz covers the melody on fiddle accompanied only by Porchboard and Matt Isbell on tambourine. Wrapping the release is country soaked ballad, If, with it's solid melody, pure vocal by Katz accompanied by her own fiddle playing and rudimentary percussion. Very nice. 

  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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Blue Heart Records artist: Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions Volume 2 - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Porch Sessions Volume 2, from Tony Holiday and it's a great Chicago style blues party. Opening with She's Tuff, Victor Wainwright and his rhythm section really get things rolling with Wainwright on vocal and piano and Holiday on harmonica. With plenty of attitude in presentation and this dynamic duo, this is a strong opener. Willie Buck has the mic on Honey Bee with Rusty Zinn on slide and Kim Wilson on harmonica. Zinn really conjurs Muddy's tone on guitar and Wilson's sound is fat and rich. Excellent! In more of a Delta styling on Recipe for Love Master, Bobby Rush on vocal and Vasti Jackson on guitar really make a great team serving up a heavy helping of blues. Very nice. Going to Court is a real hot number with James Harman on harmonica and Kid Ramos and Landon Stone laying down pure fire on guitar. Lurrie Bell teams up with harpmaster Mark Hummel on a shortened take on Everyday I Have The Blues but not without playing some blistering riffs. Ace guitar man Johnny Burgin and Holiday play Bad Bad Girl with Kid Andersen on bass. With it's 2 step rhythm, this track is a nice change up. Rae Gordon adds a lot of spice on lead vocals on shuffle,  Find Me When The Sun Goes Down complimented by Holiday on harmonica and backed by her own band. Ben Rice does a real nice job on That's How I Learned with his ultrasoulful vocals and deft acoustic steel resonator accompaniment. Very nice. Mark Hummel & Dennis Gruenling do a great duet on Cake Walk a terrific harmonica shuffle. One of my favorites on the release. JD Taylor on harmonica and vocal and his son Alex do a really nice on Family Tree with harmonica/ guitar backing of a great blues vocal. I particularly like the way Alex plucks his guitar accents. Excellent! Wrapping the release is the lush gospel fused Peace Will Come by Memphis based Southern Avenue. To say that this release is packed with goodies would be an understatement. Very 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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Henry Gray & Bob Corritore - Cold Chills - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cold Chills, from Henry Gray and Bob Corritore and it's a heaping serving of Chicago blues. Opening with Cold Chills, Henry gray is upfront on lead vocal and piano and Corritore has great tone and fullness. Backed by Bob Margolin on guitar, Johnny Rapp on guitar, Chico Chism on drums and Pops McFarlane on drums, this unit is tight. Fats Domino's Don't You Lie To Me is a great track for Gray with natural piano spotlight and Corritore is mic'd forward in the mix which I really like. John Brim gats the mic on slow blues, Moonlight Blues, also taking the lead on guitar with Corritore on harmonica, Paul Thomas on bass, and Chism on drums. This track has a great feel and balance. Eddie Taylor Jr leads the way on guitar and vocal on Going Away Baby with Corritore on harmonica, Illinois Slim on on guitar, Brian Fahey on drums, and Bob Stroger on bass. Very nice. Gray is back on piano on Mother - In - Law Blues featuring Robert Jr Lockwood on guitar and Chism on drums, Rapp on guitar and Mario Moreno on bass. In the slot, solid. Tail Dragger is upfront on Hurt Your Feelings and Johnny Burgin adds tasty lead guitar. With Slim on guitar, Fahey on drums and Stroger on bass, deep Chicago blues. Jimi "Primetime" Smith is at the mic on You For Me a cool shuffle track with a nice lope. Gray and Corritore really shine on this track with Troy Sandow on bass and Marty Dodson on drums. Chief Schabuttie Gilliame does an outrageous job on lead vocal on boogie, Javelina Jamboree with Burgin smoking the guitar and great piano riffs by Gray. Backed by Moreno on bass and Chism on drums, this is my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is slower blues, Going Down Slow with Gray back on lead vocal and piano and chilling guitar riffs by Rapp. This is an excellent closer for a really strong traditional Chicago blues 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: Johnny Burgin - No Border Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No Border Blues, from Johnny Burgin and I really like it. Opening with One Day You're Gonna Get Lucky, a straight Chicago blues shuffle featuring Iper Onishi on vocal and harp, Takagiman on drums, Hirinori "Zee" Yanaga on drums Yoshi Mizuno and of course Johnny Burgin on guitar. Excellent opener. Burgin takes the mic on Sunnyland with Yoshimi Hirata on bass, Lee Kanehira  on piano, Kaz Nogio on harp, Mizuno on guitar and Takagiman on drums. This is an excellent track with strong harp work and Burgins always super vocals. Piano Boogie, Pumpkin's Boogie is a great showcase for Lee Kanehira on vocal and piano and Burgin on guitar and with the addition of Ataka Suzuki on drums and Yanaga on bass. Burgin has the mic again on Rattlesnake joined by Mizuno on guitar, Onishi on harmonica, Takagiman on drums and Yanaga on bass. Burgin has the mic again on Old School Player, an easy shuffle with Onishi, Kanehira and Mizuno. Onishi's phrasing works really nicely with Burgin's own giving this track a particular continuity. Very nice. Burgin has such an ease with the way he sings that it's refreshing in blues music. Two Telephones features Minoru Maruyama on guitar with Stephen Daugherty on drums , Chris Matheos on bass and Burgin on lead vocal. A cool slower blues gives Maruyama a nice opportunity to show his stuff. Samurai Harp Attack features Onishi, Nogio and Kotez on a cool harp driven shuffle with Yanaga on bass and Takagiman on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is the Japanese version of Sweet Home Osaka (Chicago) with Burgin, Kanehira and Tanaka on vocal, Nogio and Onishi on harp, Kanehira on piano, Yanaga on bass and Suzuki on drums. It's cool to see a blend of cultures for a singular music. Johnny always puts together a great project and this one is no exception. Super job! 

  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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Blue Kitty Music artist: Liz Mandeville - Playing With Fire - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Playing With Fire, from Liz Mandeville, and it's a solid blues entry. Opening with smooth shuffle, Bailing the Titanic, Mandeville on lead vocal and guitar is backed by Dario Lombardo on lead guitar, Andy Sutton on drums, and Steve Hart. Comfort Food Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's Chatmon like sound and excellent slide work from Minoru Maruyama and Darryl Wright on bass. On Chicago style track, I Just Cry, Philippe Fernandez rips some great guitar riffs pushing Mandeville into a great vocal zone. With Gilles Gabisson on harp,  and Andre Howard on bass this track is smokin.  He Loves My Biscuits is a great swing track with my favorite vocals on the release. A smooth delivery, accented by the vocal and violin contributions of Ilana Katz Katz and additional vocals by Carl Uchiyama and real nice guitar runs by Mandeville, makes this another of the top tracks on the release. Peter Struijk shows great guitar style on  Joliet Town, a strong 8 bar number with Dizzy Bolinski on harp, Bass on drums and  Hart on bass.  Hart leads the way on bass, laying down a driving boogie line on Boss Lady. With Bolinski taking the first solo on harp and Johnny Burgin stepping up with some stinging riffs of his own, this track has a great feel. Wrapping the release is John Hartford's country style blues, (Hey Babe) Ya Wanna Boogie? with Mandeville on vocal and washboard, Struijk on acoustic guitar and a cool tuba solo by Hart. Super 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”

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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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"Johnny Burgin Live" Street Date 8.16, Single Available Now!

Johnny Burgin Live" on Delmark Records, CD/LP Street Date 8.16!   This live CD/LP offers twelve brand-new originals and two covers, performed in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Sonoma County, CA on Jan 5 of this year.  The band consisted of my road-tested rhythm section of Steve Dougherty and Chris Matheos in addition to some special guests and friends that I don't get to work together regularly, namely Kid Andersen, Rae Gordon, Aki Kumar, Charlie Musselwhite and Nancy Wright.  We had just one night to nail it, which made this recording a crazy, but thrilling, high wire act!  Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite's driving boogie-woogie harp on L"California Blues" is an absolute highlight.  You could feel a jolt of electricity run through the crowd when Portland, Oregon-based Rae Gordon took the stage.  The end result is a raw, fresh, and original all-star set of blues, shot through with live energy.   PLEASE NOTE: While the CD street date is 8.16, the LPs won't be available for purchase until January.  I'll keep you posted. CHICAGO CD RELEASE PARTY: Sept 19, Martyr's. 8-11, 3855 N Lincoln Ave, featuring the Chicago debut of Portland OR's award winning singer Rae Gordon and a rare appearance by Bollywood Blues star Aki Kumar.  Buy advance tickets here. EXCLUSIVE SWAG BAGS: Twenty 50$ bonus Swag Bags are available.  These will include a Delmark t-shirt, a bit of vintage memorabilia, a gift certificate for the autographed LP, free entry, and a band meet and greet from 7-7.30.  Reserve yours now via Paypal, click here or send payment to rjohnnyband@gmail.com.     THE TOUR CONTINUES...   It's been a great summer-- I had a great time in at one of the world's best blues festivals in Cazorla, Spain with Tail Dragger and Quique Gomez performing in a centuries-old bullring.  We also had a fun swing through the UK and the privilege of appearing with Billy Boy Arnold and Charlie Musselwhite at The Chicago Blues Festival.  For a youtube clip of Billy Boy Arnold with me in Madrid. click here.  Upcoming dates:  Fri-Sat:  July 19-20: Bejar Blues Festival, SPAIN, with Tail Dragger.  Wed July 24: Ina Mae's, duo show w Chris Matheos, Chicago Fri, July 26: The Washington, Burlington, IA Sat, July 27: Merchant St Festival, Kankakee, IL Sun, July 28: The Iron Post, Urbana IL 3-6 Thurs, Aug 1: The Smoke Daddy, duo show, Chicago  Fri, Aug 2: Third Base, Springfield, IL Sat, Aug 3: Elements Wine Bar, Valparaiso, IN Sun, Aug 4: private party, Greencastle, IN Wed, Aug 7: Ina Mae's, duo show, Chicago Thurs, Aug 8: The Smoke Daddy Wrigley, Chicago Fri, Aug 9: Acorn Coffeehouse, Wheaton IL   Sat, Aug 10: Flatted Fifth Blues and BBQ, Bellevue, IA  Sun, Aug 11: Bobber's, Winslow, IL 2-5 I'll have some new shirts and stickers as well on this trip-- here's the style: Aug 12-Sept 17: EU TOUR: Stockholm, Malmo Sweden, Swing Blues Festival Wespelaar Belgium, shows in Kouvola and Lahti in Finland, a house party and MOJO in Copenhagen, a house party in Lucern Switzerland, club dates and The Vinovo Blues Festival with Fast Frank near Turin, Italy, and a string of dates in Rome with Marco di Folco.  FALL TRAVELS: Watch for dates in Chicago, Michigan, Indiana, The Carolina Downhome Blues Festival, Pensacola FL, and then working my way back to Portland, OR by November 1.