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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Greenville, MS … What about you?, from Kern Pratt and it's a straight up blues rocker. Opening with Loving That Feeling, Kern Pratt is digging into that southern funky blues pot with a great New Orleans rhythm. leading the way on vocal and guitar, this track is moving with Chris Gill on slide, Bobby Walker on rhythm guitar and drums and Bob Dowell on bass and keys. Cool opener. Slow blues track, Baby's Got Another Lover is a real nice track with Pratt singing lead and responding with smart guitar riffs of his own. With the addition of Shannon Goree on drums, this is one of my favorites on the release. In the vain of Jimmie Oden, Something's Gone Wrong has a really nice bottom courtesy of Dowdell and Pratt again gets a nice chance to stretch on guitar and Kris Jenson lays out a real nice sax solo. Bluesy ballad, Rita not only has nice instrumentation but a perfect radio melody. Sharing lead vocal spot with Denice Owen and backed by Marc Franklin on trumpet and James Evans on sax, this is a smooth track. Wrapping the release is funky, Chicken Heads, with Jeff Jensen on guitar, Bill Ruffino on bass and David Green on drums. This track has just the right raggedy edge funk and cool guitar interface between Pratt and Jenson that makes it one of my release favorites.
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I just received the newest release, Broken Chains, from Kern Pratt and the boy can play. Opening with Greenville Mississippi Blues, an Elmore James like track with nice slide riffs and Eden Brent on piano. Lights Are On But Nobody's Home is up next with a compliment of horns including Lacy Blackledge on trumpet, Bob Henderson on sax, Pete Verbois on bari and Chris Belleau on trombone. There is some exceptionally warm sax work here that you should check out and Kern absolutely smokes the guitar on this slow blues number. Excellent! Somewhere South Of Mississippi has a radio style format but nice and clean... well written. David Hyde runs a nice bass line on this track and Denise Owens on backing vocals adds a bit of warmth. Black Hannah is a high stepper with tight drums by Nelson Blanchard, nice vocals with Kern and Owens and tight horn work from Blackledge, Henderson, Verbois and Belleau. Nice blues rock guitar riffs lay out nicely on this track making it a sure radio crossover track. Cotton Pickin' is a cool upbeat blues track a great lead guitar line and sax melodic response. One that I will point out that my old pal Stilladog will likely really dig. I do! Don't Leave Me Baby has a Rhumba beat with Blanchard really digging in. Kern shares the guitar stage with Kenny Neal and along with Henderson and Verbois really crank this track up. It Hurts Me Too takes a more traditional feel with Luc Borms on harp and Pratt on acoustic guitar. Very nice! Handcuffed To The Blues gets more into a funky rock feel with an Albert King style guitar attack. Pratt, Owen, Elaine Foster and Blanchard get an almost gospel blend on vocal on this track. Very cool! Smokin' Gun features Denise Owen on lead vocal backed by Pratt for another radio track. There are some nice vocal harmonies on this track and Kern does some some hot riffs off as well. Soulshake, a classic revival style track from the 70's is up next and the vocals are blended nicely, the horns are hot and the drums are tight. Sit back and wait for the hot sax solo! Excellent! Closing the release is Broken Chains, an Eerie resonator guitar solo by Wes Lee. Almost ends too quickly. 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”
