Dr. Sam Records artist: Stacy Mitchhart - Live My Life - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Live My Life, by Stacy Mitchhart and it's a blues rockin' party. Opening with I Drink Whiskey, the thoughts of George Thorogood come to mind with a driving bass by Michael Dearing, harp from Jacob Titton and guitar and vocals from Mitchhart. Mitchhart whips out his cigar box guitar for this next number, Lennon and McCartney's Come Together. Maintaining the general structure of the original, Mitchhart takes a more extended look at guitar soloing and Darin James is instrumental in keeping the track rock solid. With a bit of a Jimmie Rogers western feel, Tilton lays down the B3 while Mitchhart grinds away at the frets. Nice! R&B track Voodoo Doll rides a nice groove. Tipton on B3 lays the ground work for Mitchhart on vocal and Cory Distefano (trumpet) and Jules Caldarera (sax) top off the punctuation. Instrumental track Soul Stroll finds Mitchhart playing the melody on guitar, shared with Tipton on B3 and again with perfect punctuation by Distefano and Caldarera. Bill Withers' Better Off Dead, has a really swampy groove augmented by Dearing and Tipton. This is my favorite track on the release with nicely placed and cool guitar work. Darin James and Pino Squallace really sauce up the rhythm. Excellent! On title track Live My Life, Mitchhart keeps it simple with only his cigar box guitar and basics. He does rip a healthy 6 string solo on this track as does Tipton on harp. On I'm The Reason (She Walks That Way) has an easy swing and features real nice solos from John Hinchey on trombone, Distefano on trumpet and Caldarera on sax. On Gil Scott Heron's Legend In His Own Mind, Mitchhart really hits the groove. Emanuel Cole lays down some nice bass work and Mason Embry is tight on the keys. A horn prominent track, Distefano and Caldarera add a lot of warmth to a smooth vocal outing. Boogie Bar & BBQ has a country rockin' feel with Mitchhart on slide and lap steel guitars. Darin James really keeps the bottom tucked in for that true "train like" country sound. Slippery! Two steppin' instrumental Cat Bowl Blues is a foot stomper with simple rhythm and wild cigar box slide antics. Fun! Wrapping the track is 12 bar number, Worried Mind Blues. Micthhart not only does a nice job on vocals but also adds ukelele and some slick dobro. Rev. Zack Reynolds slips in a nice harp solo with his percussion duties and Scott McEwen adds a nice line on stand up bass.

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Blind Pig Records artist: Sena Ehrhardt - Live My Life - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (September 2, 2014), Live My Life, from Sena Ehrhardt. Opening with pop country rocker, The Stakes Have Gone Up, Sena, who is a serious vocalist is joined by lead guitarist Cole Allen for what would be an opening radio hit. Things You Shouldn't Need To Know opens with twin guitar lead of Allen and Smokin' Joe Kubek. Rick Roussell lays down a nice bass line and Paul Peterson adds a nice drum rhythm. Kubek steps up on this track with a cool slide solo as well. Classic R&B track, Slow Down, gets a nice rework for one of the most enjoyable tracks on the release. Joined by St. Paul Peterson on bass and Michael Bland on drums this track has spunk. On Leon Russell's Help Me Through The Day, Ehrhardt puts her soul into this solid ballad. Bruce McCabe add some real nice key work on this track and is joined by Jimi "Primetime" Smith on rhythm guitar allowing a nice space for Allen to lay down a smokey guitar solo. Title track, Live My Life, has a funky feel with a definite pop edge. Allen throws down a short but blistering guitar solo to ice this track. Chilled To The Bone is an easy rocker with a catchy melody and smooth rhythms. Allen sits back on the track but does lay in some nice guitar riffs complimenting Ehrhardt's strong vocals. Too Late To Ask has a bluesy feel with Ehrhardt and Allen sharing lead vocals. This is probably the hot track for radio play with all of the right components for broad appeal. Funky rocker, Everybody Is You, has a real nice groove and Ehrhardt gets right into it. I particularly like Allen's attack on guitar on this track. Albert Collin's If Trouble Was Money drags Ehrhardt into the grit and she is right on it. The bluesiest track on the release, Allen takes his guitar for a nice ride... very cool! Did You Ever Love Me At All is another pop rocker with a bit of sting. Allen on second lead vocal is a nice contrast to Ehrhardt and again with rugged guitar work gives the track a bit more edge. Wrapping the release is Come Closer, an easy country ballad. Overall this is a fairly pliable release with a little something for everyone. A number of the tracks should appeal to broad audience and the release is fairly consistent in style.

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New release, video from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt

NEW ALBUM, VIDEO FROM SINGING SENSATION SENA EHRHARDT “Sena Ehrhardt's voice cannot get any more powerful, range-defying, and throwback cool. Truly one of the most dynamic young voices any genre has seen in a long time. "  - Living Blues  Blind Pig Records has released the latest album from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt, entitled Live My Life (streets Sept. 2).  Produced by Grammy-winner David Z. (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov't Mule) it features Sena's all-new band lineup of hard-driving, top-flight musicians. Sena has emerged as one of the freshest and most engaging young voices on the blues scene today, recently opening concerts for the likes of B.B. King, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, and the late Johnny Winter.  Live My Life further confirms Sena’s ascendance to blues elite status. After serving as her band’s lead guitarist and songwriting collaborator through her first two releases, Sena’s father stepped aside earlier this year.  Now, with a new release, and a powerful new band behind her, Sena is looking forward to exciting opportunities on the horizon to wow audiences nationally and internationally as she continues to come into her own as a vocalist, songwriter and entertainer. “Working in the studio with producer David Z. at the helm was a dream come true. His catalog of work has been, in some ways, a soundtrack of my life – ranging from Prince to Jonny Lang. In the studio he brought inspired and emotional performances out of myself, my band and the guest musicians on my album. It was truly an honor to work with a creative and contemporary living legend in music. The carefully selected covers are songs that I have held dear to my heart for years, with my own spin on their classic stories and appeal. The process of writing the original compositions for this album, along with my guitarist, Cole Allen, was incredibly rewarding.” New Video Blind Pig has also released a new Sena Ehrhardt promotional video.  To watch the video of "Things You Shouldn't Need To Know," a track from the new release, please click HERE.

New Sena Ehrhardt CD and video!

NEW SENA EHRHARDT RELEASE COMING SEPTEMBER 2nd! Watch Video Sneak Preview of "Live My Life" The latest CD from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt, entitled Live My Life, will be released by Blind Pig Records on September 2, 2014.  Produced by Grammy-winner David Z. (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov't Mule), it features Sena's all-new band lineup of energetic, hard-driving top-flight musicians. To watch a video sneak preview of the album, please click HERE. Sena Ehrhardt has emerged as one of the freshest and most dynamic emerging young voices on the blues scene today.  As the buzz about her incendiary performances at clubs and festivals has spread, heavyweight acts have begun to take notice. She’s been invited to open concerts for B.B. King, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Dickey Betts, Johnny Winter and Gregg Allman.  Her new album, Live My Life, further confirms Sena’s ascendance to blues elite status. With her commanding stage presence, and gritty, soulfully emotional vocal prowess, Sena ranks among the very best and most versatile of current blues vocalists.  With the release of Live My Life, her expressive songwriting, and outstanding performances, the recognition and accolades for this rising star will continue to amass.   For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.