Mark Hummel - True Believer - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Believer, from Mark Hummel and it's chocked full of smoking blues. Opening with Chicago style blues track, High Time For The Devil, Oscar Wilson on lead vocals leads the way with solid pace and force, and Mark Hummel on harmonica really shines. Bob Welsh on piano adds a perfect glisten to the track, backed by Randy Bermudes on bass, Billy Flynn on guitar, and Wes Starr on drums. Great opener. Otis Rush's slow blues, Double Trouble, is terrific with Junior Watson getting hot and heavy on guitar, and Hummel shining on lead vocal and harmonica. With Kedar Roy on bass, Brett Brandstadt on piano, Jack Sanford on sax, and Starr on drums, this is my favorite track on the release.  Peter Green's Stop Messin' Round is a great shuffle and Hummel really gets in the slot on vocal. Watson has the lead on guitar again and his phrasing is excellent, backed by Roy, Brandstadt, Sanford and Starr. Little Walter's The Toddle, is a great track and features Hummel front and center on harmonica. With Watson on guitar, Roy on bass and Brandstadt on piano, this is a nice changeup in the mix. Wrapping the release is Shufflin' Days featuring Joe Beard on lead vocal and guitar and showcasing Hummel on harmonica.  With Billy Flynn on guitar, Bob Welsh on piano, Randy Bermudes on bass and Starr on drums, 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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 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Little Village Foundation: Junior Watson - Nothin' To It But To Do It - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nothin' To It But To Do It, by Junior Watson and I really like it. It's become a theme, but I like most of what comes out of Greaseland, Kid Andersen's shop. Opening with Up and Out, an up tempo blazer led by Sax Gordon, Junior Watson opens this release like a showman with horns blazing. Gordon really has it humming with great underpinning by Kedar Roy on bass, Andrew Guterman on drums and Jim Pugh on keys, swinging the door open and letting Junior Watson run on guitar. Excellent! On swing boogie, Louella, Watson has lead vocal and guitar with big time sax work by Gordon. This track really has presence and Gordon shares the spotlight with Watson who shows why he's one of the best loved contemporary guitar players on the circuit. A Shot In The Dark is a terrific slower blues with Alabama Mike really working vocals upfront and giving Watson the space to work over his fretboard and he really does give it a great workout. One of my favorites on the release. Excellent Tex Mex track, Summer Love is a really nice showcase for Watson and his versatile guitar style. Moving quickly from Spanish to jazz, this is an excellent instrumental. Boogie track, That's Tough gives Watson, Gordon and Pugh all good shots upfront with Alabama Mike on lead vocal. Very cool. Gary Smith adds some real nice harmonica work on shuffle track, Well, You Know with Watson on lead vocal and some really cool lower octave guitar soloing. Another real cooker is Space Flight with Roy leading the way with his thumping bass line. Pugh, Watson and Gordon each taking monster solos. Excellent! Wrapping the release is You're Gonna Need Me Before I Need You featuring Lisa Anderson on lead vocal. This is the best showcase of her vocals on the release and with solid blues riffs by Watson and a firm bottom by Roy and Guterman, this is a solid 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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Vizztone Label Group artist: Adrianna Marie - Kingdom Of Swing - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kingdom of Swing, by Adrianna Marie and her roomful of all-stars, and it's tasty. Opening with Kingdom of Swing you are transported to the 40's with a great bottom by Kedar Roy on bass and Brian Fahey. The ROOM is FULL with the Roomful Horns and a terrific trumpet solo by Doug Woolverton and excellent solo by Carl Querfurth and of course super sax work by Doug James, Rich Lataille and Mark Earley. Wow! Marie belts away on Better Beware and the warmth of James, Lataille and Earley is super. With super sax solos on this one and the cool piano work of Al Copley and a really nicely styled guitar solo by Jones, this is another winner. Catch the ripping sax solo by James on Sidecar Mama teamed with Earley and Lataille and raw guitar work of Jones for a grand slam. Jones plays some particularly warm solo lead on Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo teamed with some of Marie's best vocals on the release making it a solid classic. Beautifully appointed sax and trumpet solos on this track, backed by the fullness of the Horns is superb.  With a solid bass line and horns blazing, 3 AM Blues struts in taking no prisoners. Another really rich sax solo, followed by nicely articulated guitar lead gives this track real zip. Duke Robillard sits on adding some really nice guitar lead and again, the best sax section on the planet is here with plenty of solo's including a robust solo from James. Memphis Boogie is a real rabid track with super solos from Querfurth, Lataille, Earley and Jones. On Chicago style track, Drive me Daddy, Bob Corritore joins in on harp and Woolverton's muted trumpet as Jones demonstrates some Muddy Water's like slide work. BB King's Jump With You Baby gets a serious guitar job from Junior Watson. With it's serious swing and heavy horn work, it's smoking with woven lines. The Blues are Brewing really gets a big band work over with stretched solos throughout. A particularly jazzy blues track, it stands out nicely. One Sweet Letter has a great strut emphasized by a tight solo by Woolverton. T-Bone Boogie is a wild ride with excellent guitar flash from Jones and great depth from James. Whew! Wrapping the release is Blues After Hours with gripping blues work by Jones. This is an excellent closer to an excellent release. If you love horns, you'll love this 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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Delta Groove Music artist: Mitch Kashmar - West Coast Toast - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, West Coast Toast, by Mitch Kashmar and it swings. Opening with hot shuffle, East of 82nd Street, Mitch Kashmar on harp is joined by Junior Watson on guitar, Fred Kaplan on keys, Bill Stuve on upright bass and Marty Dodson on drums. Mitch really rocks it on this one and Watson is throwing fire from the frets. Super opener. With a Latin flavor,Willie Dixon's Too Many Cooks, has a cool groove featuring Mitch on lead vocal, claves and harp. Dodson's precision playing and glistening chords from Watson set the pace and Kaplan's solo on piano is strong. Henry Glover's Young Girl is up next with Chicago style. With a solid bottom Kashmar vocals are tops and his harp playing is soulful and adventurous. Cool swinger, The Petroleum Blues, has a super 12 bar feel and and Kashmar sits nicely in the groove. Watson nails it on guitar again with a really nicely styled guitar solo. Slowing the pace down a bit, Mood Indica, gives Kashmar the chance to really milk the blues from his harp. Kaplan's piano work is really cool and blended with Watson's guitar work, this is my favorite track on the release. Cool boogie track, Don't Stay Out All Night, rides nicely on Stuve and Dodson's bottom giving Kashmar space to stretch vocally and Watson to trade solo's with Kashmar. Gritty Chicago blues, My Lil' Stumptown Shack, is as pure as it gets. Kashmar's vocals are deep and a super weaving of blues instrumentation by Kashmar, Kaplan and Watson are planted solidly on the work of Stuve and Dodson. One of my favorites on the release is Alcohol Blues with a straight groove and a nice walking bass line by Stuve. Kashmar's vocals are clear and his harp solos sit nicely on Watson and Kaplans work. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Canoodlin', a silky smooth jazz instrumental which at over 7 minutes gives Kasmar, Kaplan and Watson each super opportunities to dish out some solid solos. Excellent closer for a tasty 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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Delta Groove Music artist: Igor Prado Band - Way Down South - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (February 17, 2015), Way Down South, from Igor Prado Band and Delta Groove All Stars and it's smokin! Opening with Ike Turner's, Matchbox, Sugaray Rayford leads the way on vocal and Prado really romps the guitar. A heavy slung blues, Prado throws stiff riffs and wild trem work making this a terrific opener! John Hunter's, Ride With Me Baby has an easy rock beat with deep blues roots. Kim Wilson has the lead on vocal and Prado shows his fleet fingered guitar work. Yuri Prado on drums and Rodrigo Mantovani on bass keep it tight. Muddy Water's She's Got It, featuring Mud Morganfield on lead vocal sounds like it's right out of 60's Chicago with Ivan Marcio on harp and Donny Nichilo doing a great Otis Spann. Morganfield, Marcio, Nichilo and Prado really do capture Muddy's band sound with a lot of authenticity. Very cool! Lowell Fulsom's Baby Won't You Jump With Me features Ari Borger on piano and Lynwood Slim on vocal with cool jazzy guitar work from Prado and Junior Watson and tight sax work from Denilson Martins. James Lane's, What Have I Done, has a smooth groove led by Mitch Kashmar on vocal and harp. Kashmar really takes a nice romp on his solo as does Ari Borger on piano and Prado shows again that he's got great guitar chops. Jr. Walker and the Allstars' Shake & Fingerpop keep all of the R&B groove of the original with super stinging guitar riffs and lead vocals from Prado, a super bass run by Mantovani. Raphael Wressnig does a super job on B3. On Elmore James' Talk To Me Baby, Rod Piazza takes the mic for lead vocal and harp. Honey Piazza joins in on piano with Prado on lead guitar super charging this track. Excellent! Jerry West's If You Ever Need Me, keeps the original feel of the 60's R&B lead by Kim Wilson on vocal and harp. Very Nice! Joe Tex's You Got What It Takes has a nice twist on the original with Prado and JJ Jackson sharing the vocal lead. Keeping the guitar work tame on this number, Prado's finesse on the fretboard isn't hindered with quiet but cool riffs. Sugaray Rayford's Big Mama Blues has the girth of a Muddy Waters track with Prado and Monster Mike Welch doing the guitar Muddy style. Rayford leading the vocal charge and Borger tickling the keys, this track is right off the Chicago stage. Sweet! Paul Gayten's R&B swing tune You Better Believe It, led by Lynwood Slim on vocal and chased by Borger on piano and Martins on sax make this one really hot number. Prado jumps up and stiff arms the crowd with a flaming guitar solo keeping with the pace of the release. On Jerry West's, Rooster Blues, Wallace Coleman takes the vocal and harp lead and gets right into the Chicago groove. Yuri Prado (drums) keeps this track on a tight leash and Borger lays down a great piano solo. Prado really lets it out on this track proving once again that he can hold his own with just about anyone on the blues circuit. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Omar Coleman's Trying To Do Right with Coleman on vocal and harp. Prado takes the acoustic guitar and shows how powerful the simple instrument can be in the right hands. This is a powerful acoustic track and a great conclusion to a terrific 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”

New Release: Igor Prado Band

Igor Prado Band - Way Down South Release Date: February 17, 2015

Delta Groove Music artist: Bob Corritore - Taboo - New release Review

I just received the newest release (April 15, 2014), Taboo, from Bob Corritore and I have to say it's absolutely spectacular! I won't have to review this in my car a month from now to know whether I will like it next time around. It is simply that good! Living in the Phoenix metro area for a long time, I have seen Corritore many times and been to his famous blues club, The Rhythm Room many times as well. I have to say that this is surpasses every live performance that I have ever seen Bob do, and will easily make it into one of the must have releases of the year. This all instrumental, yes, all instrumental release opens with Potato Stomp, a cool Chicago style blues track with Junior Watson on guitar, Doug James on sax, Fred Kaplan on keys, Kedar Roy on bass and Ray Innes on drums. Corritore is forward in the mix and playing strong. A nice sax solo leads to a stutter stepped guitar solo from Watson. Excellent! Many A Devil's Night, one of my favorite tracks on the release has a real bluesy ballad feel to it. Corritore really hits the note on this track and Junior Watson plays some really outstanding riffs on this track. Kaplan lays down some mean keys and it's not just filler. This is the real deal guys. Harmonica Watusi pretty clearly describes what you might expect. Corritore grabs that famous tone and bouncing against Kaplan they get a good groove on. Slamming guitar riffs ... surf style give this track a fun feel and is a cool sorbet cleansing the palate for the next bite of blues. Taboo  is a quiet tune with understated harp and beautiful light guitar chords with tom tom. This song has that 50's soundtrack feel and I really like it. This release really is excellent! Harp Blast is a straight off Chicago boogie. Corritore is leading the way with great harp work and supported by solid work from Kedar Roy. If this doesn't get your foot stompin... get someone to check your pulse. Mr. Tate's Advice is a really nice Chicago style number with Corritore again taking a strong position with some of the clearest harp playing I have heard in a long time. James keeps a strong horn riff going under the melody and also plays a tight solo to be reckoned with. Papa John supports the bottom with organ and Dowell Davis plays clean articulate drums as well. Jimmie Vaughn lays down some really tasty guitar riffs on this track trading off with DeFrancesco on keys leading back to a unified ending. Really nice! 5th Position Plea has a slower blues gate and smooth T Bone Walker like guitar riffs from Watson. Corritore lays down some less conventional harp sounds that give the track a whole different feel and Kaplan really does a nice job on piano. This track is a slow burner.... yeah! Fabuloco has a bit of Latin rhythm mixed into the track giving Corritore a clean slate to solo over. A bright little blues track with spunk. Shuff Stuff is a hot shuffle track with a solid bottom. Corritore blows a mean harp on this track and Doug James is right on his tail. Fluid guitar riffs are the name of the game for Watson on this one and the boys pull it together Chicago style for the big ending. (Looking forward to see what Stilladog thinks of this one.) T-Town Ramble has a strong Morganfield feel a Corritore shows he's definitely one of the big boys. Great tone and muted amplification make for a great sound leading to a nice clean piano solo from Kaplan. Wrapping the release is a down and dirty Bob's Late Hours. Watson lays back on guitar with Kaplan on piano laying a bed of music for Corritore to play the blues. This is really a strong showing for Corritore. I believe that he has never been captured at full potential and that this recording will do a lot to elevate his acknowledgement as one of the best blues band leaders today.

  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”

 

FRIENDLY BLUES REMINDER - TONIGHT (MONDAY) - BLUES HARMONICA HEAVEN - starring LYNWOOD SLIM, JUNIOR WATSON and many more!

COME DOWN TO TONIGHT'S

BIG BLUES HARMONICA SHOW

Friendly blues reminder for blues harmonica lovers!  See you TONIGHT - MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2012 - for the Blues Harmonica Heaven with a cavalcade of top notch blues greats!  

All details below were sent in a previous e-mail.

Your blues pal forever,

Cadillac Zack

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 BLUES HARMONICA HEAVEN!

  ...IS BACK AGAIN!  STARRING...  

 LYNWOOD SLIM 

 BHARATH RAJAKUMAR 

 JUNIOR WATSON 

 FRED KAPLAN 

 RICK REED 

 RENA BEAVERS 

 AND TONS OF SURPRISE GUESTS! 

 (TONIGHT MONDAY, OCT. 29) 

 7:00 pm - Audience Seating Begins 

 8:00 pm until 9:30 pm - Harmonica Heaven Concert

 9:30 pm til 1 am - Open Blues Jam Rages On 

 NO COVER AT THE DOOR!  THERE IS A TWO DRINK MINIMUM AT THE CLUB.  DONATIONS ARE NEEDED TO KEEP THIS GOING.  WE DO VERY KINDLY AND GENTLY SUGGEST A $15 OR $20 DONATION PER PERSON TO HELP US MAINTAIN SUCH HIGH-QUALITY, FESTIVAL-LEVEL BLUES ARTISTS EVERY WEEK - THANKS AGAIN, BLUES FRIENDS !  

*****************************

   * * BLUES HARMONICA HEAVEN * *  

 THIS UPCOMING MON. OCTOBER 29, 2012 ! 

 THE MAUI SUGAR MILL SALOON 

 $15 OR 20 SUGGESTED DONATION 

 PER PERSON 

*****

We expect a tremendous turnout

THIS MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2012

when BLUES HARMONICA HEAVEN hits the stage; featuring a plethora of brilliant and legendary blues artists including Lynwood Slim (west coast harmonica legend), Bharath Rajakumar (brilliant harp master from Canada), Junior Watson (famed blues guitar icon), Fred Kaplan (legendary pianist from The Hollywood Fats Band), Rick Reed (bass player for Paul Butterfield), Rena Beavers (drums from the Little Milton and Coco Montoya Bands) plus many, many more surprises!.  

Check out video from the last Harmonica Heaven concert with Jason Ricci:

Your blues pal,

Cadillac Zack

*****

THIS HARMONICA HEAVEN

CONCERT'S STARS INCLUDE:

  LEGENDARY WEST COAST HARMONICA ACE !

        LYNWOOD SLIM !       

 CANADIAN HARP MASTER FLIES IN JUST FOR THIS! 

 * BHARATH RAJAKUMAR * 

 FAMOUS WEST COAST GUITAR DIETY RETURNS!  

 **JUNIOR WATSON **

 LEGENDARY PIANIST FROM HOLLYWOOD FATS BAND !

 **FRED KAPLAN ** 

 PAUL BUTTERFIELD'S BASS PLAYER ! 

  ** RICK REED **  

 COCO MONTOYA AND LITTLE MILTON'S DRUMMER!

  ** RENA BEAVERS **  

*****

  PLUS  

SPECIAL SURPRISE GUESTS

ALL NIGHT LONG!

*****

HUGE BLUES JAM AFTERWARD 

 BRING YOUR WHOLE BAND! 

From approximately 9:30 pm til 1:30 am, a huge blues jam with So Cal's finest blues musicians will rage on. If you would like to bring your full band to do a 15-minute showcase we'd love that, but please e-mail us first so that we can schedule you and give you the details.  We have a limited amount of these slots.

*****

 SEATING / DINNER / DRINKS 

Due to the overwhelming popularity on Monday night at The Maui Sugar Mill we recommend coming early to grab a table and chair - say around 7:30 pm.  You may also bring your own food to the Sugar Mill.  

There is a two drink minimum per person.

*****

 SHOW DETAILS 

 ** BLUES HARMONICA HEAVEN ** 

  SHOW TIME: 8 pm to 9:30 pm  

   THIS MONDAY OCT. 29, 2012  

THIS IS A FREE SHOW! 

 But a donations are needed and seriously appreciated.  We kindly and gently suggested $15 or $20 donation, if you can, per person for this event, to help with the costs associated with keeping high-quality blues music alive in Southern California. 

WHERE:
Maui Sugar Mill Saloon
18389 Ventura Blvd.
(one-block east of Reseda Blvd.)
Tarzana, CA 91356

*****

WORLD-CLASS BLUES JAM

BEGINS AFTER THE OPENING SET

This incredible weekly blues jam has become very popular amongst blues lovers.  Every Monday a legendary blues artists drops in to play or just hang out, including: John Mayall, Kim Wilson, Coco Montoya, Arthur Adams, Finis Tasby, Robert "Bilbo" Walker, Barbara Morrison, Phil Upchurch, Deacon Jones, James Harman, Larry Taylor, Al Blake & Fred Kaplan, Roy Gaines, Albert Lee and many others!  If you are a great blues musician PLEASE come jam with us!

 Sign up begins at 7:30 pm.

The jam typically starts at 9:30 pm and rages until 1:00 am.   Please note: Due to the popularity of this weekly event, musicians are only guaranteed to play if they sign up before 9 pm, although, we've never turned anyone away in 4 years.  Wait times vary from 1/2 hour up to 3 hours, depending on how early you sign up.  Last week we had 36 jammers.