Blind Pig Records artist: Altered Five Blues Band - Charmed & Dangerous - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Charmed & Dangerous, from Altered Five Blues Band and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Charmed & Dangerous, a funky blues track, powerhouse lead singer, Jeff Taylor is off to  great start. Lead guitarist, Jeff Schroedl is on top with a modern day Albert King style flair joined by Mark Solveson on bass, Tom Hambridge on drums and Raymond Tevich on keys these guys pack a powerful punch.   and Hambridge as always sets great pace. An excellent opener. On shuffle track, Mint Condition, Trevich sets a great sound on organ and Schroedl's Texas style blues riffs are spot on. With a nod from Howlin' Wolf, On My List To Quit absolutely struts. Taylor is on top of his game with solid vocals and Schroedl's riffs are crisp. Out of the gate like "Mad Dogs", Gonna Lose My Lady is a strong blues rocker. One of my favorite tracks on the release Cookin' In Your Kitchen, gives Schroedl a super opportunity to show his chops and he does a nice job. Taylor's vocals are strong and soulful with a super bass line from Solveson. Another of my favorites, is bluesy ballad Eighth Wonder, with it's warm melody, super lead vocals and balance. This track is my absolute choice for radio airplay. Three Alarm Desire has a great boogie beat powered by bass player Solveson. and Hambridge on drums. Scorching double stops by Schroedl gives the track real heat. Wrapping the release is low slung shuffle track, Look What You Made Me Do, with great balance by Tevich on keys and slick jazzy guitar work by Schroedl. Showing the best vocals on the release Taylor makes this a fine closer for a super release.

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Barnes & Cabasso Music artist: Cheryl Barnes - Listen To This - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Listen To This, from Cheryl Barnes and although not my primary fare, a well done jazz/blues release none the less. Opening with a jazz swinger, Like Jazz Barnes shows that she has the voice to carry off classic jazz singing. Joined by John Hammond on piano, Phillip Cabasso on bass, and James Hughart on drums this track sets the pace for this release. That Afternoon In Harlem has a cool syncopation and breezy piano work by Joel Scott complimented by Wali Ali on guitar and Carl Saunders on trumpet this track is strong. On classic ballad, Why Did I Choose You?, Barnes shows her more expressive side in the delicate execution of this well done track. Hammond is back on piano with Rahn Coleman. Title track, Listen To This is a full blown swinger with full orchestration. Cabasso on piano and Hughart on on drums are joined by a full house of horns like Nolan Shaheed on trumpet solo, Rickey Woodard on sax solo, Jamie Horvorka, James Ford and Brian Swartz on trumpet, Francisco Torres, Wendell Kelly, Ryan Dragon and Steve Hughes on trombone and Katisse Buckingham, Justo Almario, Kirsten Edkins and Brandon Fields on sax. On I Wish You Love, Fred Jackson lays down a really nice sax solo supplementing Barnes well phrased vocals. Joni Mitchell's Come In From The Cold, has a nice rearrangement and with a different style of vocal altogether, Barnes with Cabasso on piano and Woodard on sax makes for a new experience. What's On Your Mind has a light funky under beat compliments of Coleman on drums and Rickey Minor on bass. A looser singing style nicely compliments this track and keyboard punctuation by Cabasso adds a nice punch. What's Fair In Love is a somber ballad with a haunting melody. Muted trumpet work by Shaheed adds a nice jewel in a very relaxing track. Wrapping the track is a jazzy upbeat Merry, Merry Christmas To You; perfect for the season. A light poppy track with piano and orchestration and featuring the child voices of Emilana Robinson, Dewain Robinson and Dominic Robinson.

  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”