Bible & Tire Recording Company artist: Johnny Ray Daniels - Whatever You Need - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Whatever You Need, from Johnny Ray Daniels, and it's solid blues, R&B, soul and gospel. Opening with title track, Whatever You Need, Johnny Ray Daniels' silky smooth voice leads the way. With potent backing vocals by Anthony "Amp" Daniels and Keamber Daniels, Johnny Ray on guitar, Will Sexton on guitar and piano, Matt Ross-Spang on guitar, Mark Edgar Stuart on bass, Will McCarley on drums and Rick Steff on Hammond, this is a great opener. With a driving strut, God Is Able, is up next and Johnny Ray has just the perfect feel to deliver the song. Often I feel it isn't just melodic strength but timing and feel that makes or breaks a track and Johnny Ray has it. Lord You've Been Good To Me has a grat call and response between Johnny Ray, Amp and Keamber, Their vocal blending is solid and the feel of the track is warm and inviting. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Church Get Ready with it's pure gospel sound. Johnny Ray soulful lead vocal is smooth and Steff's Hammond work saddles the backing vocals nicely. Wrapping the release is Thank You Lord, sung A capella really with a minimal organ backing. Johnny Ray really gets the pipes humming over the solid backing of Amp and Keamber making this a terrific closer. 

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Bible and Tire Recording Company: Sacred Soul of North Carolina - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sacred Soul of North Carolina from the Bible and Tire Recording Company and it's uplifting. Opening with Can't Turn Me Around from the Dedicated Men of Zion this release is on fire. This is a tight group of vocalists and potent singers. With all of the pageantry of gospel music and  all the soul of in old school soul music this is a terrific opener. With a cool R&B rhythm, they continue on It's A Shame and they really are electrifying. Johnny Ray Daniels winds out Somewhere In My Head and with a pace that's bound to get your bead bouncing. Big James Barrett & The Golden Jubilees really blend nicely on Tell It. Big James up front leads the chase and with just the right amount of electric guitar and drums. Hi stepping Use Me Lord by The Golden Jubilees really stands out with it's contemporary funky sound. Big Walt and The Faithful Jordanaires have a big sound, Big Walt having some of the richest pipes on the circuit. Faith and Harmony really have a contemporary style on We Will Work but sticking to gospel roots. With funky drum/organ backing, they are kicking it. The Johnsonaires use traditional revival style with drum reinforcement for handclaps on Shake Me to really get this track moving. With a really prominent bass line and punchy backing vocals, this track is great. Little Willie & The Fantastic Spirituralaires get a great groove going on Have You Tried Jesus. Simple call and response drives this train and with a relentless guitar/drum/keys bottom, this track has full impact. Wrapping the release is Melody Harper on Amazing Grace. Her vocals are sophisticated and incredible smooth. Breaking away from the traditional gospel feel, she embraces contemporary vocal styling with multiple key changes and vocal acrobatics. A solid closer for an impressive group of recordings. 

  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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Music Maker Relief Foundation compilation: Hanging Tree Guitars - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release September 25, 2020, Hanging Tree Guitars, from Music Makers Relief Foundation and it's the real deal, accompanying the release of the book of the same name. Opening with Rufus McKenzie singing Slavery Time Blues, over a wailing harmonica. Very authentic blues. Bishop Dready Manning sings Hard Luck and Troubles with only acoustic guitar and hand claps. His vocals are terrific and the accompaniment solid. Guitar Gabriel is as smooth as they come on Southland Blues, a strong delta style blues. His vocal and guitar work is tight yet not over produced. Excellent. John Lee Zeigler has a really cool voice approaching the falsetto of Skip James. Worked nicely with acoustic slide, John Henry is a really strong track. Spiritual track, Get Ready is potent with The Glory Vine Sisters. Powerful voices and R&B style format makes this one of my favorites on the release. Elder Anderson Johnson does a strong spiritual blues in Glory, Glory. With only the basic of guitar accompaniment and the enthusiasm of his vocals this is a great track. Gospel track, Somewhere To Lay My Head is a real hand slapper featuring Johnny Ray Daniels and rich vocal harmonies. Wrapping the release is Guitar Slim Stephens as pure as it gets on Amazing Grace with only a simple acoustic slide as backing. This is a release that's rich in history and sweat. Excellent!

  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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