Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall - The Sun Is Shining Down - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Sun Is Shining Down, from one of the fathers of modern blues, John Mayall and it's quite good. Opening with Hungry and Ready, Mayall on harmonica and lead vocals, Melvin Taylor on lead guitar, Greg Rzab on bass, Jay Davenport on drums and Carolyn Wonderland on rhythm and with Ron Dziubla on sax, Mark Pender on trumpet, Richard Rosenberg on trombone providing a power horn sound. Dynamic opener. Markus King really hits hard on Can't Take No More with slashing guitar riffs over the tight rhythm by Davenport. With it's driving bass line by Rzab, Chills and Thrills, Mayall plays a nicely phrase piano solo and adds B3 warmth and Mike Campbell lays down a strong guitar lead. Very nice. Slower blues, A Quitter Never Wins showcases Mayall on lead vocal nicely, floating on his own key backing and intuitive harmonica punctuation. One of my favorites on the release is Driving Wheel again featuring Melvin Taylor on lead guitar. With a full horn backing and Mayall's solid vocals, this is another strong contender for top track on the release. Wrapping the release is title track, The Sun Is Shining Down with it's swampy rhythm and featuring Wonderland on lead guitar. This is a cool track that really simmers. Excellent closer. 

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Delta Roots Records artist: Gerald McClendon - Let's Have A Party - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let's Have A Party, from Gerald McClendon, and it's a cool R&B/Blues release. Opening with Keep On Keepin' On, Gerald McClendon sets the bar high with a strong soul track, backed by Joe Burba on guitar, Tony Llorens on Fender Rhodes,  Jim Pugh on B3, Skinny Williams on sax, Johnny B. Grayden on bass,  and Twist Turner on drums. Very nice. On blues track, If That Ain't The Blues, McClendon's lead vocal balances perfectly with Rico McFarland's response on guitar. Harlan Terson's bass line sets a perfect bottom for the fluid soloing of McFarland. Pack Your Bags and Go has classic soul styling with real nice sax work by Williams. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Throw This Dog A Bone with its bluesy vocals and gripping, "BB King" like guitar phrasing by Joe Burba and McFarland. Another of my favorites on the release is I Just Can't Take Anymore, with McClendon in the spotlight vocally and it's classic vocal phrasing. Burba lays in a real nice guitar solo punctuating this one and Ariyo Ariyoshi's Fender Rhosed work glistens but this track is all about McClendon and his soulful delivery.  Very nice.  Wrapping the release is Funky Stuff with it's solid bass line by Art love and tight guitar soloing by Melvin Taylor. This release has just the right amount of R&B, soul and blues to give everybody what they want. Very nice. 

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Matchbox Blues - Melvin Taylor

Melvin Taylor (born March 13, 1959 in Jackson, Mississippi, United States) is an American electric blues guitarist, based in Chicago, Illinois. Born in Mississippi, Taylor relocated to Chicago in 1962. In his adolescence, Taylor joined The Transistors, a band managed by his future father-in-law, playing popular music of the 1970s at talent shows and nightclubs. After the Transistors broke up in the early 1980s, Taylor devoted his attention to playing blues in the Chicago's West Side clubs. During the 1980s he joined Pinetop Perkins and The Legendary Blues Band in a year long European tour, and since the late 1980s he has been making regular tours of Europe with his own group, where they have opened for B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Santana. Taylor's recordings include two songs he first recorded for a French record label: Blues on the Run, originally recorded in 1982, and 1984's Plays the Blues for You. Back in the US, Taylor signed to Evidence Music and entered the studio with John Snyder to record Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band, which showcased his original songwriting. He returned in late 1996 to record his second US album, Dirty Pool. Taylor's debut remains the Evidence label's best-selling release. Though his singing is relaxed, even sometimes conversational, his guitar improvisations have much of Jimi Hendrix's tightly curled strength. He used to play regularly at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago. Taylor's most recent album, Beyond the Burning Guitar, was recorded in Misty Creek Studios in Fairfax, Virginia. He also recorded a cover of the Eminem song, "Love The Way You Lie" with the rapper, Matt Christian, at Misty Creek Studios.

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Depression Blues - Melvin Taylor and The Slack Band

Melvin Taylor was born in 1959 in Jackson, Mississippi. His musical roots however have always been in Chicago, where he moved with his music-loving, guitar playing family when he was just three years old. Melvin started playing guitar himself at a very young age and was inspired and influenced by some of the world's greatest blues players - many of whom lived in or near his Chicago neighborhood. By the time he was a teenager, Melvin's incredible ability and unique style was already grabbing attention on Maxwell Street. And indeed when Joe Willie Pinetop' Perkins needed a great guitarist to play his European tour, he invited Melvin to join the Legendary Blues Band. Melvin made an immediate impact on the European circuit, and while he was in France, he cut two albums - Blues on the Run in 1982, and Plays the Blues for You in 1984. Following his return to the United States, Melvin recorded four additional CDs through Evidence Music - Bang That Bell in 1999, Dirty Pool in 2002, Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band in 2003, and Rendezvous With the Blues in 2004. Melvin's recent burst of creativity has resulted in two new CD's, Beyond the Burning Guitar 2010 and Sweet Taste of Guitar 2012. Beyond the Burning Guitar contains 23 original, instrumental guitar songs plus Melvin's arrangement and adaptation of Beethoven's Fifth. Melvin's 2012 release, Sweet Taste of Guitar is a splendid accomplishment for this virtuoso - he composed, arranged, produced and recorded 10 songs. What really makes this project unique is that Melvin plays all of the instrument on the CD. Both of these are available on iTunes and other digital sites. With new management now in place, Melvin Taylor continues his musical journey into the 21st century. His unique sound and outstanding performance skills continue to thrill and entertain audiences around the globe. 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 favorite band!

RedHouse - Melvin Taylor

Melvin Taylor was born in 1959 in Jackson, Mississippi. His musical roots however have always been in Chicago, where he moved with his music-loving, guitar playing family when he was just three years old. Melvin started playing guitar himself at a very young age and was inspired and influenced by some of the world's greatest blues players - many of whom lived in or near his Chicago neighborhood. By the time he was a teenager, Melvin's incredible ability and unique style was already grabbing attention on Maxwell Street. And indeed when Joe Willie Pinetop' Perkins needed a great guitarist to play his European tour, he invited Melvin to join the Legendary Blues Band. Melvin made an immediate impact on the European circuit, and while he was in France, he cut two albums - Blues on the Run in 1982, and Plays the Blues for You in 1984. Following his return to the United States, Melvin recorded four additional CDs through Evidence Music - Bang That Bell in 1999, Dirty Pool in 2002, Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band in 2003, and Rendezvous With the Blues in 2004. Melvin's recent burst of creativity has resulted in two new CD's, Beyond the Burning Guitar 2010 and Sweet Taste of Guitar 2012. Beyond the Burning Guitar contains 23 original, instrumental guitar songs plus Melvin's arrangement and adaptation of Beethoven's Fifth. Melvin's 2012 release, Sweet Taste of Guitar is a splendid accomplishment for this virtuoso - he composed, arranged, produced and recorded 10 songs. What really makes this project unique is that Melvin plays all of the instrument on the CD. Both of these are available on iTunes and other digital sites. With new management now in place, Melvin Taylor continues his musical journey into the 21st century. His unique sound and outstanding performance skills continue to thrill and entertain audiences around the globe. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Blues Comin' Home Baby - Melvin Taylor

Melvin Taylor is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock, blues and jazz. This self taught master was influenced by many of histories true guitar pioneers including - Albert King, Wes Montgomery, and Jimi Hendrix. So it won't surprise you to know that Melvin's ability has been recognized by many of his fellow guitar and rock greats. In fact, he has opened for BB King, Buddy Guy, George Benson and Carlos Santana. And he can count among his fans the likes of Mick Jagger and Patty LaBelle.

Melvin has performed in front of thousands of fans all around the world. Indeed, music fans in Argentina, Canada, China, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Turkey, the Ukraine, and of course the United States of America have all enjoyed his virtuoso guitar style, and breathtaking solos.

Needless to say Melvin is an amazing recording artist and an absolutely stunning live performer. So whether you want to listen to great rock, jazz and blues classics, or you want to hear Melvin's new, original material, this is the place to be. Read on, rock on and welcome to the mesmerizing world of Melvin Taylor.
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Don't Answer The Door - Melvin Taylor

Melvin Taylor (born March 13, 1959, Jackson, Mississippi, United States) is an American electric blues guitarist, based in Chicago, Illinois.
Born in Mississippi, Taylor relocated to Chicago in 1962.

In his adolescence, Taylor joined The Transistors, a band managed by his future father-in-law, playing popular music of the 1970s at talent shows and nightclubs. After the Transistors broke up in the early 1980s, Taylor devoted his attention to playing blues in the Chicago's West Side clubs.

During the 1980s he joined Pinetop Perkins and The Legendary Blues Band in a year long European tour, and since the late 1980s he has been making regular tours of Europe with his own group, where they have opened for B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Santana.

Taylor's recordings include two he first recorded for a French record label: Blues on the Run, originally recorded in 1982, and 1984's Plays the Blues for You. Back in the US, Taylor signed to Evidence Music and entered the studio with John Snyder to record Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band, which showcased his original songwriting. He returned in late 1996 to record his second US album, Dirty Pool. Taylor's debut remains the Evidence label's best-selling release.

Though his singing is relaxed, even sometimes conversational, his guitar improvisations have much of Jimi Hendrix's tightly curled strength.

Please note that this is not Taylor singing on this track...just for clarification.

He use to play regularly at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago. Taylor's most recent album, Beyond the Burning Guitar, was recorded in Misty Creek Studios in Fairfax, Virginia. He also recorded a cover of the Eminem song, "Love The Way You Lie" with the rapper, Matt Christian, at Misty Creek Studios.
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