Little Village artist: Jubu Smith - Jubu - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jubu, by Jubu Smith and it's a super blend of soul, funk, jazz and blues. Opening with super funky, Hamster Wheel, Jubu Smith on lead guitar pairs with guitar master Charlie Hunter on his hybrid guitar and tight drum work by Calvin Napper on drums. Spinning the top on guitar and with Hunter really working a hot bass line, this is an energetic opener. Kwik-Way Nostalgia is a cool, laid back track with Hunter working the rhythm from the bottom and Smith and Napper playing it straight with it's easy melody and clean, bluesy, articulation. Organizations Sake has a great funky bottom with Napper and Hunter really spanking it along. Smith takes a WW Washington blues (or JG Watson if you prefer) approach with poised phrasing giving the track real spark. EG Is Here is a really cool merger between funk and soul giving it a funky turn on BB King. Hunter and Smith, joined by Eric Gales, really craft a great track here with Napper anchoring the beat. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is At Long Last is a real piece of art featuring nicely presented melody on electric guitar, clearly articulated and blended with volume swells. Really nice. Wrapping the release is Totally Convicted, a straight up slow blues with Hunter and Napper holding the bottom as Smith lays it all out there. Mixing slide techniques, synthesized guitar, straight up picking and jazz and blues phrasing this is a super closer for a strong 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“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 artist: Curtis Salgado - Fine By Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fine By Me, from Curtis Salgado and it's a great mix or rock, pop R&B and blues. Opening with country rocker, My Girl Is A Nut, with Salgado on vocal and harmonica, Alan Hager on guitar, Keith Brush on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. Chugging rhythm on Better Things To Lie About has a great feel, reinforced by Joe McCarthy on trumpet, Lars Campbell on trombone, and Tim Bryson on sax and features super vocal and harmonica by Salgado. One of my favorite tracks on the release is I'm Gonna Forget About You featuring vocal duet with Salgado and Robert Cray. Jim Pugh on piano and B3 gives the track depth and Jerry Jemmott on bass and Kid Andersen joining Cray on guitar really adds the spice. Hear The Lonely Hearts is a terrific soul track featuring Salgado on lead vocal backed by The Sons of Soul Revivers (James Morgan, Walter Morgan and Dwayne Morgan) on harmonizing vocals. With Rome Yamilov on guitar and Kid Andersen on bass, this is a standout track. Safe At Home is a solid pop rocker with Salgado on vocal backed by Lisa Leuschner, Kid Andersen on guitar and keys, Hershel Yatovitz on slide and bass and Paul Ravelli on drums. Slow blues, You Give The Blues A Bad Name features Anson Funderburgh on guitar and he really digs in. I think that Salgado's best vocals are on this track, with Billy Watts on guitar, Terry Wilson on bass, Loren Gold on piano, Tony Braunagel on drums and the illustrial horn backing of Joe McCarthy on trumpet, Lars Campbell on trombone and Tim Bryson on sax. Excellent track. Wrapping the release is shuffle,  Under New Management with nicely styled guitar lead by Funderburgh. Salgado really gets the groove moving on vocal  with Wilson on bass, Loren Gold on piano, Bruanagel on drums and McCarthy, Campbell and Bryson on horns. Salgado lays in some real tasty harmonica making this 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  “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 artist: Billy Price - Person of Interest - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Person of Interest, by Billy Price and it's got style. Opening with funky, Inside The Box, Billy Price is back with his next chapter. Notable for a leading vocal style for more than 25 years, Price is joined by Larry Fulfher on bass, Josh Sklair on guitar, Jim Pugh on keys, Tony Braunagel on drums and backing vocals by Masayn Lewis, Fred White and Will Wheaton. Of course there's a great horn section behind him including Ron Dziubla on sax, Eric Spaulding, and Mark Pender on trumpet. Great opener.  Bluesy ballad, Mercy, gives Price a chance to belt one out and warm keys by Pugh under the solid lead guitar work of Fulcher, and a sultry sax solo by Spaulding make this a solid radio contender. Title track, Person Of Interest, really has a funky pop sound in the vein of Steely Dan. Reggie McBride on bass lays in a great vibe and Pugh is killer on keys. Price's vocals are loose and free and Dziubla and Pender do a great job on horns. Having spent 3 years with Roy Buchanan, Price dedicates a track, Change My Mind, to Roy. A serious soul track and featuring Joe Bonamassa on guitar who gives Roy a few nods this is a very cool track.  Latin rhythms on A Certain Something has radio warmth and a strong melody. Pugh leads the track nicely on keys and Lenny Castro on percussion and Braunagel really spice up the bottom with Fulcher on bass and lead vocal by Price, backed by Lewis, White and Wheaton really shines. Wrapping the release is high stepping, Damage Control, with Price playing call and response with Dziubla and Pender on horns. McBride on bass holds the line with Braunagel on drums and Pugh of course on keys is stellar. Spaulding shines on tenor sax whipping out a real nice solo and Lewis, White and Wheaton blend nicely. This is a consistently cool release ... think a bluesy Steely Dan. 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “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 artists: Kid Andersen - Spirits / Lisa "Little Baby" Leuschner - Soul - New Double Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent releases, Spirits, by Kid Andersen and Soul, by Lisa "Little Baby" Leuschner released together as a single release (2 discs) and it's great! Opening with slow blues, The Civilized Life, Kid Andersen opens with some of the most powerful music to come out of Greaseland Studio. Andersen is a talented musician across the board and his guitar playing and lead vocals here are really strong. Endre Tarczy on bass, Chris Burns on keys and Mike Rinta on trombone, Dr Aaron Lington  and Stevie Gurr on harmonica add great texture to this excellent opener. Blind Willie Johnson's Nobody's Fault But Mine gets a really nice rework with a slinky feel courtesy Dave LeMieux on drums and Kid on guitar, bass and lead vocal shared with Lisa Leuschner. Check out the outrageous slide guitar work by Kid on Hey, Little Reaper, a Chicago style blues romp with solid harmonica work by Nic Clark and Charlie Musselwhite, coupled with Burns on keys. Very nice. I really love the feel on I Ain't Right with Kid on lead vocal and slide guitar. This track is a loose shuffle and reminiscent of the work that Skydog did with Arthur Conley at Muscle Shoals back in the early 70's. The groove is excellent and horn work by Eric Spaulding, Jack Sanford,  along with Lorenzo Farrell on keys, June Core on drums and Jerry Jemmott really sends this one over the edge. Wrapping Spirits is Ship of Fools, a sauntering soul/jazz track in the vein of early War. The vocal blending by a host of characters is incredible and Jemmott really anchors this track. Excellent closer for disc one. 

Leuschner opens her disc with Mike Schermer's In My Mind's Eye with a warm R&B influenced feel. Smooth, soulful vocals, backed by Kenny Ken Franklin on bass, D'Mar on drums, and clean guitar work by Kid make this a solid opener.  Another R&B track, Donnie Woodruff's I Won't Let That Happen To Me, really has a great feel showcasing Leuschner's voice nicely. With Jemmott setting a deep groove on bass, D'Mar on drums, Jim Pugh on keys, Vicki Randle on percussion and cllean, understated guitar work by Kid, this is a really nice entry. Digging back into Bishops great days with Jo Baker, Rock Bottom is resurrected and is punchy as it was when I first heard it in college. Lisa is backed by James, Dwayne and Walter Morgan on vocals, Rinta, Lington, Scott Jensen on trumpet add in authentic horns and Kid rips a guitar solo that would make Crabshaw proud. Kickass! Infectious, Slipped Through My Fingers, has a strong deep groove courtesy Kid on bass, Latimore on keys and D'Mar on drums. Latimore trades vocals with Lisa on this serious radio track. Wrapping the release is smart little ballad, Family, written and performed by Lisa with the last verse sung by Kid. With only acoustic guitar, keys and bass backing, this is a really nice track with Lisa's voice as pure as it gets, unadorned and straight up. Very nice closer for a tremendous double set. One of the most enjoyable reviews of the year! 

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “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 artist: JP Soars - Brick By Brick - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (June 30, 2024), Brick By Brick by JP Soars and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with title track, Brick By Brick, JP Soars on vocal and guitar, hits the road running with a potent melody and a great hook. Chris Peet on drums hits it hard and heavy under signature guitar riffs by Soars, joined by Raul Hernandez on percussion. Solid opener. Keep Good Company is a cool rocker with a a somewhat funky rhythm and radio feel, with Peet on drums and bass, Jeremy Staska on percussion, Bob Taylor on Hammond and Annika Chambers on backing vocals. Little Milton's, That's What Love Will Make You Do, has a cool back beat and Soars double on bass with a hot bass line under his excellent lead guitar work. Terry Hanck really adds some great sax work doubling down on this track. Wrapping the release is Baton Rouge meets Tex Mex on Down by The Water. Soars knows how to articulate it both on vocal and guitar and with the precise drumming of Peet, 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “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

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“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 artist: Candice Ivory - When The Levee Breaks - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, When The Levee Breaks, from Candice Ivory, and it's a updated rework of the music of Memphis Minnie. Opening with Me And My Chauffeur, Candice Ivory has a different kind of voice that I typically hear in contemporary blues singers but with plenty of sass. Joined by guitar/bass wizard, Charlie Hunter, Da Shawn Hickman on pedal steel and George Sluppick on drums this is a cool opener. I really like the application of African style percussion by Brevan Hampden and Atibe Rorie on You Can't Rule Me continuing throughout the track with Kickman on steel and Sluppick, all supporting to focused vocal of Ivory. When You Love Me has a more traditional feel with Hunter on finger picked guitar and Ivory just singing from the heart. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funk soaked World Of Trouble. Not only does Hunter and Hickman really get this thing going and potent percussion backing but Ivory digs deep really punching it out. Excellent! Wrapping the release is New Bumble Bee with a super staggering drum rhythm and rich vocal work by Ivory with just the right guitar underpinnings by Hunter. I think this release is well done and enticing. 

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“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 artist: D.K. Harrell - The Right Man - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Right Man, by D.K. Harrell and if you're looking for a new favorite blues singer who knows how to play a great blues phrase, look no further. Opening with title track, The Right Man, D.K. Harrell on lead guitar and vocal is smooth. He knows how to swing and his riffs are clean. Joined by Kid Andersen on rhythm guitar, Jim Pugh on keys, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Tony Coleman on drums and Jon Otis on congas this is a great opener. With a lot of soul and a funky overtone, Harrell lays down Get These Blues Out Of Me. I really can't think of a more BB King like performer who sounds genuinely original. His delivery is sincere and his counterpoint guitar is effortless and rich. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Hello Trouble with a slower pace and perfect vocal/guitar call and response. Backed by Neil Levonius and John Halbleib on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, Mike Peloquin on tenor and Doc Kupka on bari sax, Harrell really works this track with stinging guitar lead and rich vocal lead. Funky blues, Honey Ain't So Sweet really has a JG Watson or WW Washington feel with punchy horns, firm bass lines by Jemmott and tight drumming by Coleman. Wrapping the release is One For The Road, a real swinger with Harrell playing against Pugh on organ pushing the track ever higher. A real nice blues jam with Harrell setting up the melody with a fiery guitar intro. Pugh takes the first proper solo on organ with Jemmott really pounding the bass and Coleman rips up the skins. Harrell steps back up front closing with a real nice guitar outro. Check this release out for sure. 

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“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 artist: Nic Clark - Everybody's Buddy - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everybody's Buddy, by Nic Clark and it's strong. Opening with lazy shuffle, Laughing At The Rain, Nic Clark shows a warm voice, backing himself on dobro and accompanying himself on harmonica. Joined by Charlie Hunter on guitar and bass and George Sluppick on drums, this track has definite air potential. With an R&B feel, It'll Be Alright sounds like it's out of Sam Cooke's songbook. Harmonica, nicely phrased, warm vocal lead, Hunter's bass line and Sluppick with rimshots makes this a really nice track. Showing Jimmy Reed style on Don't Count Yourself Out, Clark's vocal and harmonica really solidify as the most focused up tempo blues track on the release with Hunter and Sluppick just adding the bottom for Clark's work. Very nice. My favorite track on the release, How I Met The Blues really is a showcase for Clark's vocal and harmonica work with some beautiful guitar chords by Hunter over his own bass line and the simple percussion of Sluppick. Strong. Title track, Everybody's Buddy, has an acoustic "country blues" feel with Clark on vocal and harmonica and nicely overlaid pedal steel work by DaShawn Hickman. Wrapping the release is folky, Breathe Slow with Clark on vocal and dobro and backing vocal by Wendy Hickman. Solid closer for a cool change of pace 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“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 artist: Marcel Smith - From My Soul - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From My Soul, by Marcel Smith and it's sopping with soul. Opening with I'm Coming Home to You, a cool, traditional soul tune that could literally come from the 60's with it's excellent lead vocal by Marcel Smith, background vocals by The Sons of the Soul Revivers and featuring Kid Andersen on guitar, Mike Rinta on trombone, D'Mar Martin on drums, Endre Tarczy on bass, Jim Pugh on keys, Aaron Lington on sax, and John Worley on trumpet. Very cool. Wake Me When It's Over is one of my favorites on the release with it's perfect melody, lightly applies backing of Tarczy on bass, D'Mar on drums and a vibraphone solo by Andersen supporting the lush vocals of Smith. Drunk is a tight R&B track with hot percussion by Jon Otis, a brassy trombone solo by Rinta, and sassy horn work by Worley all tied together by Smith's magnetic vocals. Nothing Left To Burn really moves with terrific vocals by Smith and excellent guitar work by Andersen, all over the solid bottom of D'Mar and Tarczy and Rinta, Lington and Worley. Very nice. Smith does a real nice duet with Lisa Leuschner Andersen on My Heart Told A Lie, a soulful track with plenty of radio appeal. Wrapping the release is Barry Gibbs' classic track, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart performed live. Smith's vocals are rich and soulful, backed by Andersen and Pugh applies the heat on organ really making this a powerful, gospel like closer. Really nice 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“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 artist: Alabama Mike - Stuff I've Been Through - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stuff I've Been Through, by Alabama Mike and I really like it's funky blues sound. Opening with title track, Stuff I've Been Through, Alabama Mike's lush vocals lead the way, joined by Kid Andersen and Rusty Zinn on guitars, Jim Pugh on keys, Jerry Jemmott on bass, D'Mar on drums and with great horn work by Bernard Anderson on sax, Mike Rinta on trombone, Doug Rowan on sax and Jeff Lewis on trumpet. Great opener. Another track with a great groove is King Cock, with a great back beat by D'Mar, and Jemmott on bass and featuring Anson Funderburgh on guitar with some real tasty riffs. Mike not only has lead vocals but adds harmonica and the horn section is back with a lot of heat. Excellent. A cool, R&B style track, Damage Control, features a different rhythm section of Bobby Young on guitar, Lorenzo Hawkins on Keys, AJ Joyce on bass and Ronnie Smith on drums. This is a cool track and it really does showcase Mike's vocals nicely. Shuffle track, Mississippi (Live) really gets a fine groove featuring Rick Estrin on hot harmonica and Mike on vocal. Pugh on keys sets a real nice pace, with the Kid on guitar, backed by Endre Tarczy on bass, D'Mar on drums and super backing vocals by Vicki Randle and Lisa Leuschner Andersen. My favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is a warm, gospel infused, God Is With You (Live), with super organ work by Pugh and Mike really digging in on vocal. With Jemmott on bass, D'Mar on drums, Andersen on guitars and Randle and Andersen on backing vocals, this is an excellent closer for a very enjoyable 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “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 artist: Silent Partners - Changing Times - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Changing Times, from Silent Partners, and it's a huge heaping of soul and blues. Opening with Ain't No Right Way To Do Wrong, a deep soulful blues track, Silent Partners get straight to the groove. With a rich bass line by Russell Jackson, tight drums by Tony Coleman and strong supportive guitar lead by Jonathan Ellison, this is a powerful opener. Backed by Don Daily on violin, this track has great radio appeal.  Another strong radio track is, Road To Love with excellent lead vocals and backing vocals by Lisa Lueschner Andersen and featuring cool solo guitar work by Kid Andersen. Very nice. Funky, Never Make Your Move Too Soon, has a real nice feel that will get your butt right out your chair. With BB King style "talking" guitar riffs, by Ellison, and well placed organ placement by Jim Pugh over a romping bass line by Jackson, this track is moving. I love the sweet, soulful vocal lead on Teasing Woman,  backed by the plucky bass/guitar rhythm. Ellison's guitar lead really hits the spot making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Beale Street Shuffle with a laid back, shuffle feel on an old Robert Johnson concept. This band knows how to make a groove and sit in it and most anything Kid Andersen touches sounds like gold so we have a winner here. 

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “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 artist: Diunna Greenleaf - I Ain't Playin' New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Ain't Playin' (May 20, 2022), from Diunna Greenleaf and it's chocked full of R&B, blues and soul. Opening with Koko Taylor's Never Trust A Man, Diunna Greenleaf on lead vocal slips into a funky blues, Albert King style, With Jerry Jemmott on bass, Jim Pugh on keys, Kid Andersen on guitar and Dmar Martin on drums with Mike Rinta on trombone, Aaron Lington on sax and Jeff Lewis on trumpet. Power opener. In Big James Montgomery's If It Wasn't For The Blues, Greenleaf really shows powerful phrasing and excellent command for that funky blues that we all love so much. With a great bass line by Andersen, Lington on flute, Rinta on trombone and Lewis on trumpet, and Igor prado on lead guitar, this is a really strong track. Original shuffle, Sunny Day Friends has a loose feel and Greenleaf really slides into the pocket. Jemmott's bass line is terrific, Andersen's guitar lead is strong and  Pugh adds some real nice piano as well. A darker, deeper track, Long John Hunter's I Don't Care is one of my favorite tracks on the release with superb guitar soloing by Andersen and warm sax additions by Eric Spaulding and Sax gordon. Really nice. Joe Medwick's, Damned If I Do, R&B track really gest a blues workout by Greenleaf and her vocal richness and again Andersen just smokes the guitar with strong horn backing by Rinta, Lington and Lewis. Gospel track,  I Know I've Been Changed, is another powerful demo for Greenleaf's voice with Alabama mike on additional lead vocal and Nic Clark on guitar. Very nice. Johnny Copeland's Let Me Cry is another terrific track with stellar guitar intro by Andersen, excellent piano contributions by Pugh and some of Greenleaf's best vocals on the release, wrapped in the horn work of Spaulding. This is excellent! Wrapping the release is upbeat R&B style track, Deitra Farr's My Turn, My Time with a driving funky bottom by Dmar, Jemmott and Vicki Randle (percussion) and and the addition of Lisa Leuschner Andersen on backing vocals. Solid closer for 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Little Village artists: Memphissippi Sounds - Welcome To The Land - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (November 15, 2021), Welcome To The Land, from Memphissippi Sounds and it's quite cool. Opening with Who's Gonna Ride, Damion Pearson on vocal, harmonica and guitar and Cam Kimbrough on vocal, drums and guitar set a solid Mississippi hill Country groove. Not hard to draw a direct line from Cam to his grandfather Junior Kimbrough. The duo's exuberance is exciting and dynamic. Groove With Me really is a potent track with a relentless guitar vamp, drum stomp and wailing vocal. Excellent. Crossroads is a cool blend between Hill Country style and contemporary funk. With a stiff foot drum, snare beat, harmonica, vocals and guitar riffs, this is a loose jam. High & Low is really anchored tightly by the drum beat of Kimbrough. With it's steady guitar lead and complimentary harmonica wail, this track is anchored to the Mississippi soil. Wrapping the release is Look Out For The Wolf, a solid boogie with a stiff foot drum and guitar line, topped off with harmonica and vocal. This is a cool release and if you love the Hill Country sound...you'll love this. 

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

  “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Little Village artist: Tia Carroll - You Gotta Have It - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Gotta Have It, from Tia Carroll, and I really like it. Opening with Neo soul track, Ain't Nobody Worryin' Tia Carroll really has this release humming from the start. With guitar phenom, Charlie Hunter handling bass and guitar (at the same time) D'Mar on drums, Jim Pugh on organ and Carroll on lead vocal with James Walter and Dwayne Morgan on backing vocals, this track is hot. Carroll's vocals are so soulful on Even When I'm Not Alone, it makes you sweat. With Pugh's organ work, Kid Andersen on guitars, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Paul Revelli on drums, a strong track. With real blues swagger, Mama Told Me plays into the power of Carroll's voice with Andersen laying in some stinging guitar riffs over the power horns work of Mike Runta on trombone, Rob Sudduth on tenor sax, and Aaron Lington on bari sax. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Why Am I Treated So Bad with it's dark soulful sound. With a daunting bass line by Ehrmann and the power horns of Rinta, Sudduth, Lington and Lewis, supporting Carroll's strong vocals and a cool key solo by Pugh, this is a terrific closer for 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Lipstick Sunset

John Hyatt has the blues... and Ry Cooder can really play a beautiful slide.

Little Village was an American/British rock band, formed in 1992 by Ry Cooder (guitar, vocal), John Hiatt (guitar, piano, vocal), Nick Lowe (bass, vocal) and Jim Keltner (drums). This group of musicians had previously worked together as a unit - albeit not under the Little Village name - recording the John Hiatt solo album, Bring The Family in 1987.

Upon reconvening in 1992, the group's name was initially (and jokingly) announced as Hiatus. It was soon changed to Little Village, in reference to the foul-mouthed in-studio diatribe by Sonny Boy Williamson II, on a Chess reissue album titled, Bummer Road. Little Village recorded their first and last album in mid 1992. The self-titled record featured a set of songs composed by all four group members. The songs were largely sung by Hiatt, although Lowe took lead on two songs and Cooder one.

Little Village met with lukewarm reviews and general commercial indifference. Nevertheless, the album was nominated in 1993 for a Grammy Award as Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or a Group. The album peaked at #23 in the UK Albums Chart.[2] The release of the album was followed by a number of concerts in the U.S. and Europe. Nevertheless, the group disbanded in late 1992.