Blue Heart Records artist: Willie J. Campbell - Be Cool - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Be Cool, from Willie J. Campbell and it's really strong. Opening with You Better Let Go, Sugar Ray Rayford is upfront on lead vocal, with Willie J. Campbell on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Kid Ramos on guitar and Jimi Bott on drums. Ramos lays out a really nice guitar solo on this somewhat funky track, nicely complimented by Condron Hampton on congas. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Stay Away, featuring Janiva Magness on lead vocal and Brian Templeton on backing vocal, as well as Anson Funderburgh showing exceptional finesse on guitar. Also appearing on this track are Mike Morgan and Shawn Pittman on guitars.  Excellent! Templeton has the mic on Drone with it's droning bass line and features the harmonica wizardry of Jason Ricci. There's hardly a track that Ricci contributes to that I don't think that he improves substantially so this is another of my favorites. another Texas style shuffle, Docksidin', lets Funderburgh stretch a bit on guitar and the guy can really play. Milgate on keys as well as Pittman and Morgan on guitars really add as well. Very cool. Shawn Pittman has the spotlight on Devil On My Shoulder with super lead vocals and acoustic guitar and excellent slide work by Morgan. Milgate's piano work on She's a Twister is a standout with Templeton on lead vocals and a flurry of guitar by Ramos. Very nice. The release concludes with two equally iridescent tracks. First up, Use As Needed featuring Templeton on lead vocal and Peter Green's instrumental, Albatross, both which showcase the beautiful guitar work of Ramos and include the piano of Pat McDougall. This really is a terrific release, top to bottom and I highly recommend this release of Willie J. Campbell's work (on bass on each track). Campbell died of ALS on December 19, 2022.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore - Women In Blues Showcase - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Women In Blues Showcase by Bob Corritore and there are some real gems here. Opening with You're Gonna Be Sorry, Barbara Lynn on vocal and guitar is joined by Corritore on harmonica, Maxine Johnson and Laydee Jai on backing vocal, and Bill Tarsha on drums. A cool, early blues rock sound makes this an excellent opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulful, I Just Need A Friend, by Carol Fran. Johnny Rapp on guitar, Paul Thomas on bass, and Chico Chism on drums really support this excellent vocal track perfectly. Koko Taylor is front and center on What Kind of Man Is This with great Chicago swagger. Joined by Bob Margolin on guitar, Frank Krakowski on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass, Adriana Marie on bass and Willie Big Eyes Smith on drums, a real cool track. Shy Perry does a great job  belting out Dixon's Wang Dang Doodle with Corritore on harmonica and Brian Fahey on drums. Diunna Greenleaf 's rocker, Don't Mess With The Messer really is a mover and Greenleaf's vocals are gritty and powerful, backed by Fred Kaplan on piano, Troy Sandow on bass, Andrew Guterman on drums and a terrific bari solo by Doug James. Wrapping the release is Francine Reed on Why Am I Treated So Bad. I gotta say I really love Reed's voice and the choice to place her last on this release is a great one. With  Kid Ramos on guitar, Johnny Main on guitar, Mike Hightower on bass, Michael Reed on backing vocal and Brian Fahey on drums, this is an excellent closer for a really strong release.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - You Shocked Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Shocked Me, from Bob Corritore and Friends and it's chocked full of great Chicago based blues. Opening with Hiding Place, John Primer has the lead on vocal and guitar backed by Anthony Geraci on piano, Wes Starr on drums, Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar and Bob Stroger on bass. This is a terrific opener with high energy. Diunna Greenleaf is up front on vocal on title track, You Shocked Me with Bob Margolin on guitar, LA Jones on guitar, Ben Levin on piano, Starr on drums, Adrianna Marie on  bass and Corritore on harmonica. Super track. Alabama Mike has the mic on slow blues, Somebody Stole My Love From Me, a soul jammed track. With excellent harmonica lead by Corritore, Stroger on bass, Margolin on guitar, Fred Kaplan on piano, and Starr on drums, this is one of my favorites on the release. Love Francine Reed's vocals on Don't Need Your Permission, a swinging shuffle with Corritore really humming on harmonica. With Johnny Main on guitar, Bill Fahey on drums and Mike Hightower on bass, this is another great track. Diunna Greenleaf and Jimi Primetime Smith have the mic on Sunny Day Friends, a real nice shuffle with Johnny Rapp on steel, Kaplan on piano, Corritore on harmonica, Troy Sandow on bass and Andrew Gutterman on drums. Very nice.  Wrapping the release is Blues For Hippies featuring Alabama Mike on lead vocal, Stroger on bass, smith on guitar, Kaplan on piano and Fahey on drums. Corritore really winds the harmonica out on this track. This is a great closer for a really nice release. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Johnny Tucker featuring Kid Ramos and the Allstars - 75 and Alive - New Release Review

I just had the oppoortunity to review the most recent release, 75 and Alive, from Johnny Tucker featuring Kid Ramos and the Allstars and it's really good. Opening with All Night Long, All Night Wrong, a hot swinging shuffle, Kid Ramos on guitar shows why he is one of the top slingers in the business. Teaming up with Johnny Tucker on vocal, these guys are really humming with Carl Sonny Leyland on piano, John Bazz on bass, Jason Lozano on drums, Bob Corritore on harmonica, and with exceptional backing from Ron Dziubla on sax. Wow! Slow blues, There's A Time for Love, is a terrific track, really showcasing Tuckers soulful feel and giving Ramos a wide open road to show just how good he really is. Been listening to Ramos for years and on the rare chance that you don't know him from his solo work, this is an excellent sampling of his crisp, fluid style and bluesful phrases. Excellent! Chicago style shuffle, Can't You See is another solid vocal blues number with strong piano work by Leyland. Latin fused, What's the Matter gets a real going wit some great bends by Ramos adding great guitar tension a la Albert King. Dziubla's sax really punches up the bottom and Lozano's drum work is snappy. Hot! Snowplow is a strong instrumental with solo breaks for Ramos, Leyland, and Diubla. Strong loping shuffle with toneful jams. High energy, piano boogie, What's On My Mind is a driving from start to finish. Leyland drives the boat with a great bass line from Bazz and Corritore's harmonica work sweet. The band really gets humming on this one and Tucker gets so geared up that he's hooting. Excellent! Ramos breaks out his slide on Dance Like I Should giving it a real Chicago feel and between Tuckers hooting, Corritore's harmonica, and Leyland's piano work, this is another great addition. Wrapping the release is funky blues, Gotta Do It One Time, with a great presence. Bazz's bass is very active and Leyland really stirs the pot on piano. Ramos plays hot riffs under the lead and Tucker's natural excitement gives this final track a great kick. Never like to say this is the best or anything, but this is one of the best blues releases I've heard this year. Congratulations!

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Spider In My Stew - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spider In My Stew, from Bob Corritore and Friends and it's terrific. Opening with Tennessee Woman, Corritore on harmonica is joined by Oscar Wilson on vocal, Tony Tomlinson on guitar, Shea Marshall on piano and sax, Patrick Skog on bass and Alan West of drums and percussion. A solid Chicago style track with a Latin beat, this is a solid opener. Moving into a full on romp, Sugaray Rayfield has the lead on vocal on Big Mama's Soul Food, backed by Kid Ramos on guitar, Blake Watson on bass and Marty Dodson on drums. Great vocals by Rayford, Corritore's always always fine harmonica work and saucy guitar work by Ramos give this track real zing. Diunna Greenleaf is upfront on Don't Mess With the Messer and with a snappy drum beat by Andrew Guterman and hot sax work by Doug James, this track is strong. Lurrie Bell delivers really inspired lead vocal and guitar on title track Spider In My Stew with Bob Margolin and Corritore's lower octave harmonica work is terrific. Excellent! Johnny Rawls leads with vocal and guitar on Sleeping With The Blues and it's sensitive BB King approach is rich. Why Am I Treated So Bad is one of my favorites on the release featuring Francine Reed on lead vocal. Her voice is unmistakable and with brother Michael on backing vocals, Corritore soloing on harmonica, Ramos and Johnny Main on guitar, Mike Hightower on bass and Brian Fahey on drums, the deck is stacked for best track on the release. R&B track, Look Out features Alabama Mike on lead vocal with Junior Watson on guitar, Fred Kaplan on piano, Corritore on harmonica, Kedar Roy on bass and Andrew Guterman on drums ramping up the release for the big closer. Wrapping the release is a great rendition of Bob Dylan's I Shall Be Released again featuring Francine Reed. Joined by brother Michael, Ramos and Main on guitars, Hightower on bass and Fahey on drums, this is a strong closer for a really strong release. 

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VizzTone Label Group SWMAF Records artists: The Kid Ramos / Bob Corritore - Phoenix Blues Sessions - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Phoenix Blues Sessions, from Kid Ramos and Bob Corritore and I really like it. Opening with Aw Shucks Baby, Kid Ramos and Bob Corritore really have a jam packed release here. With Nappy Brown on lead vocal, Henry Gray on piano, Mario Moreno on bass, Chico Chish on drums, Johnny Rapp on guitar and of course Corritore on harmonica and Ramos on lead guitar this is a solid opener. Super shuffle, Come On In is a perfect style for Ramos' guitar slinging style with it's swagger and features Gray on lead vocal and piano. Ramos walks it out nicely making this one of my release favorites. Slow blues, 24 Hours features Dr. Fish on lead vocal and he really digs in nicely working in really nicely with the soulful guitar lead of Ramos. Another slow blues, Mother In Law Blues, features Chism on lead vocal, Paul Thomas on bass and Tom Mahon on piano. I really like the piano guitar interplay between Mahon and Ramos on this one. Possum In My Tree is another real nice track, this time featuring Big Pete Pearson on vocal. Ramos pulls out the side on this one and with a Muddy Water kind of styling and with Mahon on piano. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Snakes Crawls At Night with Chief Schabuttie Gilliame on lead vocal with strong guitar lead, piano by Mahon on piano and Corritore on harmonica making for a super closer. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: The Proven Ones - You Ain't Done - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Ain't Done, from The Proven Ones, and it's a solid blues flavored rocker. Opening with Get Love, a contemporary blues rocker with hints of Jim Dewer, The Fab Thunderbirds and SRV, lead vocalist Brian Templeton has a powerful voice, and with the stinging guitar riffs of Kid Ramos and Mack McCarthy on trumpet, and with Jimi Bott on drums, Willie J Campbell on bass, and Anthony Geraci on keys, a super opener. Gone To Stay pushes further into the grunginess of rock and with a Nirvana like attack, ventures further into the rock arena. Bott's driving drum work really give this track a firm footing. With a firm backbeat, title track, You Ain't Done is one of my favorites on the release with solid vocal blending from Mike Zito and LaRhonda Steele, a great trumpet compliment from Mack, cool slide work from Ramos and a rich organ solo from Geraci. Ruthie Foster lends her fabulous lead vocal to Whom My Soul Loves, a strong ballad with nice piano work from Geraci. Mack steps up with a real nice sax solo on this one too giving it that extra punch. Excellent! Latin flavored, Nothing Left to Give, has great movement in percussion by Bott and with strong vocal lead and full horn compliment gives it even more spice. Fallen has great swagger with the vocal attitude of Templeton, the ace drumming of Bott and perfectly crafted guitar riffs of Ramos. Mack's horn playing is anything but window dressing with this track being really punchy. Wrapping the release is Favorite Dress with all of the rock and roll feel of a prime time Stones track. This is an excellent closer for a really solid release. 

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Hipsterdumpster Records artist: Matty T Wall - Transpacific Blues Vol. 1 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Transpacific Blues Vol. 1, from Matty T Wall and it's quite entertaining. Opening with John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom, Matty T Wall picks up Hookers classic and moves it forward. With toasty guitar riffs, solid vocals, the firm brush work of Ric Whittle on drums and Stephen Walker on bass, and the addition of great slide work of Dave Hole, this is a real cool opener. Hi Heel Sneakers gets a cool, funky treatment, with terrific lead by Wall and Eric Gales. Very nice. On Albert Collins' Quicksand, Kid Ramos steps up with Walls on lead guitar and with a rolling pace, quick shuffle keeps you bopping in your seat. Excellent! T Bone Walker's Stormy Monday take a different turn altogether with a great slow pace but with a different (than the original) melody. This adds tension and with hard grabbed, stinging, guitar riffs Wall keeps you plastered to your seat and listening close. Very cool. Kirk Fletcher sits in on Albert King's Born Under A Bad Sign and again, Wall uses the melody loosely with cues to the original track, especially Walkers spot on bass lines. This freedom to let it all hang out gives the track a definite freshness. Wrapping the release is Robert Johnson's Crossroads, turned rock classic by The Cream and now reworked with a military like drum beat and a Hill Country feel. I like this release. Not only does it have a all-star cast of guitar slingers, it's got a different story to tell. Very cool. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Do The Hip-Shake Baby! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Do The Hip-Shake Baby!, from Bob Corritore & Friends and I really like it. Corritore usually sticks pretty close to traditional Chicago style blues but not on this one. He's mixing it up but the mix is great. Opening with Shake Your Hips, Mighty Joe Milsap is upfront on vocals and they are rich and powerful. With Alan West on drums and percussion this track has a swampy rhythmic feel and Corritore's harp work is used like a sharp knife carving in essential riffs. Very nice. Alabama Mike leads on Gonna Tell Your Mother, a classic R&B track with Johnny Rapp and LA Jones on guitar, Adrianna Marie on bass, Fred Kaplan on keys and Brian Fahey on drums. With sassy backing vocals and a slick guitar solo, this track is swinging. Bill "Howl-N-Madd" Perry gets down, slow and gritty on You Better Slow Down. Corritore has his harp singing on this one over the classic guitar riffs of Perry and Rapp. Very nice. Up tempo shuffle, Trying To Make A Living features Sugaray Rayford upfront with Junior Watson on flat laid out guitar and Kedar Roy on bass. Corritore tees up another super solo giving this track that extra spark. Jimi "Primetime" Smith  sings I Got The World In A Jug in simple Chicago styling. Corritore stretches a bit on this one but as always, contains not dominating the show. Wrapping the release is Rayford again upfront on Keep The Lord On With You! This song is rich in vocal and meaning with excellent vocal, harp and with the excellent addition of Kid Ramos on guitar joined by Marty Dodson on drums and Blake Watson on bass. This is an excellent closer for a very strong release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tony Holiday's Porch Sessions and I really like it. Vocalist and harmonica player, Tony Holiday has put together a great release here with a who's who of the blues business. Opening with Pick-Pocket Fingers a cool shuffle track Holiday on lead vocal is joined by James Harman on harmonica, Kid Ramos on guitar, Landon Stone on guitar and Kid Andersen on bass, this is a cool opener. John Primer steps in on lead vocal and guitar on They Call Me John Primer with featured harp work by Bob Corritore and Holiday and Joel Meza Jr. on drums. I always love Primer's slide style and Corritore has beautiful tone. Very nice. An easy, funky track, A Woman Named Trouble, showcases John Nemeth and Jake Friel with Holiday on vocal and harmonica. This is a funky funky track with a great bass line by Anderson. Excellent! Mitch Kashmar and Ronnie Shellist join Holiday for Three Way Party and slower but soulful guitar and harmonica soloing gives this track a rich feel.  Guitar boogie, Goin' To Court features Harman and Ramos and it's hot. With a great rhythm guitar line by Stone, Harmon plays for style and Ramos smokes the frets. Very nice. On Coin Operated Woman, Holiday has the mic again and Chicago guitar man, Rockin' Johnny Burgin fans the frets. Holiday is front and center on harp and does a really nice job balancing his smooth vocals and lead harp and Burgin is restrained but his riffs are tight and aggressive. Wrapping the release is This Time I'm Gone For Good featuring the excellent vocals of William Kidd. Holiday's harmonica nicely surrounds the deep richness of Kidd with only a touch of Stone's precision guitar punctuation. Very nice closer for a strong release. 

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Rip Cat Records artists; Johnny & Jaalene - self titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release, Johnny & Jaalene and it's quite good. Opening with Phil Spector's Baby I Love You, Johnny Ramos, son of blues guitar player Kid Ramos and super 16 year old singer, Jaalene DeLeon, breathe fresh air into this 60's classic with solid vocals instrumentation and a great mix. Eddie Cochran's rockabilly tune Teenage Cutie has plenty of spark and tight guitar riffs giving it real oomph. 50's French tune, Let It Be Me, popularized in the US by the Everly Brothers is a real standout here with excellent vocal blending and clear, crisp guitar accompaniment. Lalo Guerrero's Los Chuco Suave is a natural here with excellent Latin styling and accordion by Jesus Cuevas. Excellent! Another huge 60's classic, Rosie (Hamlin) and the Original's Angel Baby is done with little alteration and is a perfect showcase for the purity of DeLeon's voice. featuring a nice sax solo by Ron Dziubla, this is a great retro radio track for the release. Jessie Mae Robinson's rocker, Let's Have A Party features some hot guitar riffs by Kid Ramos led by Deleon on lead vocal. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Danleers', One Summer Night with a twist of doowop (original), zydeco, punk and rock. I actually like this a lot better than the original cut with it's carefree lest. A cool, accordion flavoring by Cuevas and solid vocals by DeLeon make this a perfect closer for a strong new release.

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Shining Stone Records artist: Anthony Geraci - Why Did You Have To Go - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Why Did You Have To Go, from Anthony Geraci, and it's rich. Opening with R&B title track, Why Did You Have To Go, Sugar Ray Norcia is upfront on lead vocal backed by Michael Mudcat Ward on bass, Marty Richards on drums, Sax Gordon on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet and with stellar guitar styling by Monster Mike Welch and piano wizardry by Anthony Geraci. Excellent opener. Bluesy ballad, Angelina, Angelina is really strong with really nice piano work by Geraci and lead vocals by Sugaray Rayford. Welch is back again with signature tone, backed by Willie J Campbell on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. Very nice. Soul track, Two Steps Away From The Blues, features Michelle "Evil Gal" Willson on lead vocal with warm piano and B3 work by Geraci. Norcia is back on vocal and harp on Time's Running Out, an easy shuffle, joined by nice pace piano work by Geraci and the strong guitar accents by Ronnie Earl. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Baptized In The River Yazoo with Willie J Laws on piano duet with Geraci. The piano work here is terrific. Another track with dazzling piano is Too Many Bad Decisions with Dennis Brennan on lead vocal and Welch on guitar. Slow blues, My Last Good-Bye digs in deep with Norcia on vocal and harp. Piano tension and guitar excellence (by Earl) really gives this track edge, making it another of my choices for the release. Wrapping the release is jazzy A Minor, Affair with Troy Gonyea and Geraci leading the foundation of the track which features nice trumpet and sax solos by Wooverton and Beadle and a flight fingered guitar solo by Kid Ramos. Excellent closer for a strong release. 

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Roseleaf Records artist: The Proven Ones - Wild Again - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild Again, from The Proven Ones and it's quite good. Opening with Jimi Bott penned, Cheap Thrills, The Proven Ones hit the high stepping with a driving bass line by Willie J Campbell, Bott on drums, Anthony Geraci on Hammond and piano, Kid Ramos on guitars and Brian Templeton on lead vocal, this is a veritable who's who band. Up next is City Dump, a rolling boogie not unlike James Brown might use with nice solos by Ramos and Renato Coranto on sax, joined by Joe McCarthy on trumpet and Robert Crowell on bari sax. Fats Domino's Don't Leave Me This Way has great dynamics with excellent vocals by Templeton and ripping guitar work by Ramos. Excellent! Peter Green's slow shuffle, If You Be My Baby, has perfect pace and with the jangle of Geraci's piano, Templeton's vocals and the stylistic playing of Ramos, this track really hits! Clarence Carter's Road Of Love had the fortune of having had Duane Allman on the original release giving it broad exposure. This remake is excellent with Templeton doing a great job on vocal and Ramos taking a new route but with definite nod to Allman with a fiery solo of his own. Probably my favorite track on the release. A Fenton Robinson track (and another Duane Allman influenced track from an early Boz Scaggs release) Loan Me A Dime, gets an 11:30min plus dedication. Ramos really digs in on this one ripping some extremely memorable guitar riffs of his own, soaked in the Hammond work of Geraci and of course with the solid lead vocals of Templeton. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Lennon/McCartney's Don't Let Me Down, a solid contribution with balanced instrumentation and nicely interwoven leads throughout. A very nice closer for a really strong release. 

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Highjohn Records artist: Johnny Tucker - Seven Day Blues - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Seven Day Blues, from Johnny Tucker and I really like it. Opening with Talkin' About You Baby, Johnny Tucker has the rugged voice of a pure blues man. Backed by Big Jon Atkinson on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass, Scott Smart on guitar, and Malachi Johnson on drums, this is a solid opener. With the addition of Sandow on harp, Tired of Doing Nothing has super presence, really, imaging that I haven't experienced in my office location on many occasions thanks I believe to the expert engineering of Atkinson (in Mono). If you listen to this, you won't need to have someone tell you it's special. It's way apparent! On Why Do You Let Me Down So Hard, Tucker's vocals are super and Atkin's guitar work is downright outstanding. Excellent! Title track, Seven Day Blues, is funnkkyy! Again, Sandow's harp work over Atkinson's bass, working in concert with Tuckers vocals really make the groove. With a super strong feel, Come On Home With Me just struts. Hard picked guitar riffs by Atkinson and understated harp work by Bob Corritore highlight Tucker's vocals nicely. Kid Ramos adds a new guitar texture on Tell You All with Bob Welch on organ. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Gonna Give You One More Chance, has a great slower blues feel with grand vocals from Tucker. I continuously keep thinking to myself during this recording how perfectly centered Tucker's vocals are on my cheesy desktop player in the office. The imaging really is strong. Beautiful guitar phrasing by Atkinson and soulful yelps cheering him on by Tucker really sets this track apart. Cool shuffle, Do-Right Man features real nice slide work by Atkinson and harp backing by Sandow giving Tucker strong instrumental support for his rugged vocals. Another slower blues number, One Of These Days, shows incredibly expressive vocals by Tucker and Atkinson really knows how to milk his guitar to get the best from this track. This is really a super track and Atkinson's feel makes it so. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a gripping, You Can Leave My House, with incredible feel by Sandow on harp and Atkinson on guitar. Kick back and enjoy!  I see a number of old school blues records on my desk quarterly, but this is one that really stands out. Excellent job! ...watch the video...feel the heat!



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Blue Elan Records artist: Janiva Magness - Blue Again - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue Again, from Janiva Magness and she taps a number of blues classics. Opening with I Can Tell, Magness has the place rockin' and Kid Ramos shows some trademark riffs backed by Matt Tecu on drums, Gary "Scruff" Davenport on bass, Zach Zunis and Garrett Deloian on guitar and Arlan Schierbaum om keys. On Al Kooper's, I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know, Magness digs deep for some of her most soulful vocals on record. Kooper being an organ player, this track leaves plenty of space for Schierbaum and he uses it nicely complimented by tasty guitar soloing. Magness teams up with Sugaray Rayford for an vibrant R&B duet on If I Can't Have You. Joe Hinton's I'm Tired Of Walking with crisp, Freddie King/Eric Clapton like guitar work. Very nice. Nina Simone's slinky,   Buck is a cool track with snappy, SRV like guitar riffs and TJ Norton on harp. Wrapping the release is funky blues rocker, Pack It Up. Magness is in the slot with super vocals, really nicely backed by Schierbaum on electric piano and low key guitar soloing by Zunis. Nice closer for a solid release. 

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New Blues Festival II, Labor Day Weekend, Continues Long Tradition

NEW BLUES FESTIVAL II ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN EL DORADO PARK  CONTINUES LONG TRADITION OF THE SOUTHLAND'S FIRST BLUES FESTIVAL - 2 DAYS, 2 STAGES, WITH OVER 30 BIG BLUES ACTS! Saturday, September 5 & Sunday, September 6 /Music Starts 10 a.m.                                     Visit the Vendor Village - Food Court, Beer Garden, & VIP Lounge Award-winning jazz/blues vocalist extraordinaire, Barbara Morrison, showcases her impressive talents on Saturday. Repping SoCal blues with style since 1995: guitarist Kid Ramos, who performs with The 44's on Sunday.

(Long Beach, CA) - The place to be for Blues lovers this Labor Day Weekend is the New Blues Festival II, taking place over two big days, Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, in El Dorado Regional Park, 7550 E. Spring St. Gates open at 9 a.m., and music starts at 10 a.m. each day. Tickets $25, available now at http://www.newbluesfestival.com/. Tickets also available at six Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ locations, including Long Beach, Long Beach Towne Center, and the Cerritos Mall (Lucille's is the festival's Title Sponsor this year). Also available at the gate both days. Amenities include a huge Vendor Village; Food Court; Beer Garden; and all-new VIP Lounge. Bring the family and and settle in amidst the cooling Long Beach ocean breezes!  The festival has expanded due to the overwhelming success of last year's inaugural NBF, when over 2,000 music lovers of all ages filled POA Park in Long Beach. "Los Angeles and Orange Counties have responded very well to the (New Blues Festival) concept. We definitely hit on a pent-up demand for a long-running inter-generational tradition, and we are excited to once again share all this great music with the public", says William Grisolia, Producer of the New Blues Festival, whose own band, New Blues Revolution, is one of Sunday's Main Stage Headliners.        Master harmonicist-vocalist, James Harman, performs Saturday.                   Saturday, September 5 - Main Stage Headliners                        Youth is served: Teen guitar prodigy Ray Goren opens NBF II on Saturday.   Saturday's powerful lineup is headlined by harmonica master James Harman, who has been playing music since the 1960's and whose James Harman Band over the years has included such musical luminaries as Dave Alvin, Gene Taylor, Kid Ramos and the late Hollywood Fats, among countless others. Also topping the first day of music: jazz/blues singing great Barbara Morrison, who continues to maintain a full touring schedule well into her fourth decade of performing, and whose sparkling resume' includes a Who's-Who of musicians including Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, Etta James, Dr. John, and more. Also: Long Beach legend, acoustic guitarist, Bernie Pearl; Southland staples 2000 Lbs of Blues, fronted by colorful Mike "Pink" Arguello, blues guitarist (and nephew of legendary John Lee Hooker), Teddy Lee Hooker; Americana-Roots artist, Sean Lane; blues-rock quarter, Union Hobos; and opening the show, fifteen-year-old SoCal guitar wunderkind, Ray Goren.   Guitar dynamo Laurie Morvan shows off her considerable chops, Sunday.              Sunday, September 6 - Main Stage Headliners    Sunday sees no letup with top headliners, the eleven-piece Caravan of All-Stars, a powerhouse R&B/Soul/Blues revue assembled to showcase some of the unsung heroes of West Coast Blues, representing the Bay Area Blues Society. Also: the Laurie Morvan Band, fronted by Red-Hot rockin' blues guitar ace, Laurie Morvan, who has entertained Southland audiences and toured nationally for the better part of two decades, and of whom has been written, "has all the soulfulness of Bonnie Raitt and the swaggering, muscular guitar tone of Stevie Ray Vaughan"; New Blues Revolution, leading Long Beach-based innovators of the New Blues movement; The 44's with Kid Ramos, an exciting pairing of the popular Johnny Main-fronted Roots/Blues ensemble with the legendary SoCal guitarist; another great pairing of talents, respected Inland Empire-based Latin blues group The Delgado Brothers with soulful chanteuse, Sherry Pruitt; San Pedro guitarist-vocalist, Dave Widow, whose "Waiting For The World To End" was voted a "Top 5 Best CD" in the IBC's; rising L.A. quartet, the George Foster Band; and opening Sunday's show, the Chase Walker Band, fronted by the prodigious teen prodigy of the same name. Eleven-piece R&B/Soul/Blues revue the Caravan of All-Stars from the Bay Area Blues Society, are Sunday's top Main Stage headliners. New Blues Revolution, leading Long Beach-based innovators of the New Blues movement, take center stage at the NBF II Main stage on Sunday.     More First-Class Blues Each Day On The Golden Groove Stage!   Saturday: Lil' A & the Allnighters; Kelly Chappue & The Soul Collectors; The Other Mules; Shadow Blue featuring Lady Faye; L.A. Parks & Wrecks; Kenny "Big Daddy" Williams and BLUESPOWER; South River Slim; The Arc Flash Blues Band.   Sunday: East Falsted Blues Project; Jack Roberts Harvey Band; Tracy Niles; Crooked Eye Tommy; Frankie and the Crew; Seatbelt; Matt Picarelli and Raul Watson.  Orange County's blues scene is ably represented by guitarist-vocalist Kenny "Big Daddy" Williams (center) and BLUESPOWER on the Golden Groove Stage, Sunday at New Blues Festival II.                                                     www.newbluesfestival.com                            https://www.facebook.com/theNewBluesFestival         Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email