Blue Heart Records artist: Mike Guldin - The Franklin Sessions - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Franklin Sessions, from Mike Guldin and Rollin' and Tumblin' and it's a solid set of contemporary blues. Opening with The Franklin Shuffle, Mike Guldin leads the way on vocal and guitar, backed by Yates McKendree on drums, James Pennebaker on guitar, and David Santos on bass. With a nice guitar lope and sparkling piano work by Kevin, this track cuts a nice groove. With a nice soulful feel, The Right Thing finds The McCrary Sisters backing Guldin on vocals, Kevin on organ, Yates adding some real nice lap steel, Bill Sharrow on bass, Tim Hooper on piano and Billy Wear on drums. Very cool. Yates really shines on guitar on Blow Wind Blow with a super bass groove by Sharrow, and Wear on drums. Guldin on lead vocal and Kevin really getting the organ going makes this one of my favorites on the release. Smokin' Woman has a deep groove with Sharrow leading the way on bass. Guldin's vocals have just the right feel Tim Hooper really pumps the organ and Guldin's guitar solo adds a real swing. R&B track, Two Hearts, sets up a real nice vocal duet between Guldin and Su Tears and The Philadelphia Funk Authority Horns (Dale Gerheart on trombone, Kyle Hummel on bari sax, Neil Wetzel on tenor and Andrew Kowal on trumpet) really add punch. Wrapping the release is Diving Duck Blues with a romping bass line by Sharrow. I think that Guldin's vocals on this track are my favorites on the release and with Hooper on organ and Kevin on piano there is a great foundation for Mikey Junior to solo on harmonica. Wear on drums keeps a tight ship and Guldin's own gritty guitar work is perfect for this solid 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

Forty Below Records artist: Tony Holiday - Motel Mississippi - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Motel Mississippi, from Tony Holiday and it's quite good. Opening with Rob & Steal, a contemporary take on the sound of thumping drums and floating guitar riffs that I associate with Hill Country music. Tony Holiday on vocal, A J Fullerton on guitar, Dave Gross on guitar, Aubrey McCrady  on guitar, Victor Wainwright on keys, Terrance Grayson on bass, and Lee Williams Jr. on drums, this is an excellent opener. With a classic Willie Dixon bass line by Grayson, and a modern mix, Trouble is really a cool track. Holiday's vocals are strong and harmonica by Jake Friel, wild keyboard soloing by Wainwright and eccentric guitar riffs really add a lot spice to this track. Very nice. Asie Payton's Nobody But You has a great southern R&B feel (think Polk Salad Annie) with smooth vocals and choppy guitar riffs contrasting with windblown slide guitar. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Yazoo River with it's Lousiana rhythm. Holiday and Friel mix it up on harmonica with a solid bass line by Grayson making this a solid 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

Blue Heart Records artist: Mike Guldin - Tumblin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  Tumblin', by Mike Guldin and it's a cool mix of blues boogie and country. Opening with title track, Tumblin', Mike Guldin on lead guitar, backed by Billy Ware on drums, CJ Clark on bass and with some great organ by Tim Hooper these guys are jammin. Taj Mahal's She Caught The Katy really sounds great with Guldin on lead vocal and guitar with Hooper on piano and organ, with a great bass line by Bill Sharrow and featuring some real nice slide by Bill Thatcher. Very nice. Two stepping, Raise a Ruckus is a cool country rocker and features James Pennebaker on slide guitar and Kevin McKendree on B3 and Tim Hooper on piano. Another country flavored rocker, You Just Can't Lose, has solid radio appeal with a stomping rhythm and a strong hook. With Guldin on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Sharrow on bass, Hooper on piano and Wear on drums, this is a strong track. Wrapping the release is Waterfall, a quiet instrumental featuring Guldin on acoustic guitar, Thatcher on acoustic guitar and Sharrow on bass. Solid closer for a cool 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

8th Train Records artist: Tom Craig - Good Man Gone Bad - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Man Gone Bad, by Tom Craig and it's solid blues rock. Opening with I'm Working Too Hard, Tom Craig on lead vocal and guitar sets a firm pace with Dave Gross on bass and Vin Mott on drums. With it's melodic guitar lead and bluesy edge, a solid opener. What's A Man Gotta Do has great drive along the lines of Willie Cobb's dynamic, You Don't Love Me. With tight drum patterns, strong guitar lead and with the addition of Mikey Junior on harmonica, a super track. On Chicago style blues track, Treat Your Daddy Nice, Craig really gets the band revved up. With a great guitar vamp and Big Daddy Lamberson on harmonica, this is a strong track. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Change My Way Of Living with it's easy sway and soulful vocals by Craig. Of particular interest is Craig's smoking guitar blues and addition of Doug James on bari sax, Hailey Brinnel on trombone and Mike Scott on tenor sax. Very cool. Headhunter is another cool track with a real nice twist. With it's funky rhythm, Brinnell, James and Scott on horns and a great bottom, this track really rocks. Wrapping the release is R&B ballad, My Turn To Cry, featuring Craig's smooth vocals, Bill Heid on piano and Doug James on sax. This is a real solid release with plenty of flavorful playing.

  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

Greg Sover - Jubilee - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jubilee, from Greg Sover and it's solid. Opening with driving rocker, Emotional, lead vocalist and guitarist, Sover leads the tour and a heavy bass line by Garry Lee sets the pace. Backed by Allen James on electric guitar, Tom Walling on drums and Wally Smith on keys, this track feels a bit retro. Title track, Jubilee, has a strong blues feel with Mikey Junior on harp. Slide resonator work by Sover gives the track a real cool feel. Hand On My Heart is a soulful yet jazzy track along the lines of Sting. Nicely placed guitar riffs and elegant piano placement makes this one of my favorites on the release. Don Robey's As The Years Go Passing By has a smooth blues feel with solid vocals and stinging guitar riffs. With an aggressive attack, Temptation has classic 12 bar structure but with explosive, overdriven guitar riffs. Sover slices and dices on this track making it the outstanding guitar track on the release. Wrapping the release is Hand On My Heart, a jazzy ballad with soulful vocals and light accompaniment.

  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

Off To Memphis For The BMAs!

 

 

 

New Mikey Junior album on VizzTone

NEWS FROM THE VIZZTONE LABEL GROUP VizzTone is proud to welcome a new artist to the family with this slammin' new album! MIKEY JUNIOR TRAVELING SOUTH What is the future of the blues?  Who will lead the charge? Well, for blues fans in the Northeast United States, that question is routinely answered every night Mikey Junior hits the stage. His infectious personality and absolute command of his medium leave little doubt the blues is in good hands. Self-taught from his impressive collection of blues vinyl, Mikey was a full time musician before he graduated high-school. By the time he was in his early twenties, seasoned players were taking notice and it wasn’t long before one blues society after another scrambled to get him to their stage. Before long, Mikey was a staple of the summer blues circuit on the East Coast. So it came as no surprise that his newest release found its way into the eclectic and youthful roster of the VizzTone Label Group. TRAVELING SOUTH reveals a young blues artist at the top of his game, telling stories we can all relate to, while drawing us deep into the roots of blues music via his utter mastery of the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. Produced by Dave Gross for SwingNation/VizzTone, this album has a level of depth, maturity, restraint and musicality that reaches the soul through his impassioned vocals, bringing a whole new dimension to his already impressive catalog. Well-written originals and choice covers are brought to life with a vision that truly separates Mikey from his contemporaries. "Mikey Junior has a new recording… that displays a maturation in his artistry. A triple threat as a singer, songwriter and harmonica player, “Traveling South” ...is marvelously produced by Dave Gross ...From the opening title track, Mikey Junior’s vocals and harmonica display a presence and authority that Gross’ production enhances...While well-grounded in the blues tradition, Mikey Junior brings his own voice for a terrific Traveling South."     — Ron Weinstock, In a Blue Mood (click HERE to read the entire rave review) "A raw, sinewy set of fresh harmonica blues...his best album to date, highly recommended."      — Thomas J. Cullen III, Bucks County Blues Society FREE TRACK DOWNLOAD! CLICK to download the track "Katie Lynn" from TRAVELING SOUTH TRAVELING SOUTH is AVAILBLE NOW at fine retailers everywhere. Click to preview and/or buy the music at: AMAZON.COM The VIZZTONE online STORE Also available in the label-wide sale in the VIZZTONE ROOM on iTunes! CLICK to see the Traveling South VIDEO: MIKEYJUNIOR.COM

Swingnation Records artist: Mikey Junior - Traveling South - New Release review

I just received the newest release (March 25, 2014), Traveling South, and it's great! Opening with Traveling South, Mikey Junior shows that he's got a great voice for the blues and absolutely great harp chops and tone to match. A stripped down track with emphases on drums by Michael Bram this track has a dark sound and guitarists Dave Gross and Dean Shot and Mikey on harp really make the best of it! Excellent! Nobody Does It Like It Like Me has a nice lumbering pace driven mostly by Matt Raymond on bass. This is old school blues with emphases on vocal and harp... but that is old school...not old! It's really nice! Morning On My Way opens with tom tom beat and guitar riffs. Mikey's vocals are really super and his harp work paired with the sparing use of crisp guitar inserts it mighty fine. Mill Tavern has a great pace with just the right amount of syncopation that gives New Orleans music it's flair but with harp and guitar instead of horns. Jeremy Baum adds really cool piano work on this track and again a laid back guitar solo is nicely executed. This may be the best vocal track on the release. Katie Lynn has just a touch of country rhythm but with a rockin beat. Different rhythm and paces give harp players a different phrasing and this track shows us yet another side of Mikey's diverse palate. Cool track. Bad Time Blues opens with a cool guitar riff with heavy hand vibrato. I like the sound. A more conventional blues track with a cool story line. Mikey again controls the tempo of this track with is vocal phrasing and the band shows just how tight a blues band can be on a low slung track. Mikey shows his chops again on harp and Short rips these great signature guitar riffs placing this bands high on my want to see list. The Cheat opens with squawking harp and rim shots. A blues rock track with a lot of swagger, Mikey again steps up and takes authority with his harp like few players I've seen do today. It isn't flashy, just crisp and direct. Very nice. You opens with an interesting guitar riff and what I'd call a stumbling drum riff. I like it already! I can see Mikey performing this track in my mind. It's a theatrical piece with a lot of sonic animation. Mikey (with Lee Oskar like tone) and Shot trade punches over this stumbling beat...excellent! Possibly my favorite track overall. She's Good At Being Bad, with a vocal melody, tremelo laden guitar chords and percussive drum stiffeners is a cool listener. A different approach to your basic blues number and one that has real merit. Please Come Back is much more down the middle of blues highway with R&B bass line. A definite James Brown return on this track gives it a cool feel and Shot again steps up with a really nice guitar solo followed by Mikey on harp. This track has a really nice riff filled ending with vibrato bends on guitar... excuse my excessive guitar interest but that's who I am! Wrong Number, the first soul ballad on the release is really nicely written and executed with Baum stepping up on B3. Mikey again shows how strong his vocals really are. An easy radio play... really! The last track, Trying To Do the Best I Can, is the surprise of the release with an acoustic country blues feel. With only acoustic guitar, harp, upright bass and what sounds like sand paper (or brushes), the crew does a super job to wind down from an explosive release.

 Love this guys tone! This will definitely be on my yearly review list!

  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”