Nola Blues Records artist: Matt Guitar Murphy - True Blues Brother - The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Blues Brother- The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" by Matt Guitar Murphy and it's a great assemblage of music that Matt was working on at the time of his death in 2018 featuring music by artists he either played with or influenced along with some special guests. Opening with Matt's Boogie, Murphy leads the way on this instrumental with  a super guitar rhythm /solo lead and joined by Bruce Bears on organ, Ricky "King" Russell on guitar, Bob Worthington on bass and Fran Christina on drums. Solid opener. Deadric Malone's I Feel Alright Again is a super shuffle featuring Brian Templeton on vocal, Nick Adams on guitar, Collin Tilton on tenor sax, Johnny Juxo on keys, Dean Cassell on bass and Christina on drums. Christine Ohlman really belts out the lead on Something's Got a Hold On Me, and Etta James favorite, with Cliff Goodwin and Russell on guitar, Worthington on bass and Christina on drums. Phil Diiorio is upfront on vocal on Willie Dixon's I Can't Quit You Baby and James Montgomery on harmonica adds really nice balance. Troy Mercy takes a different approach on his bluesy guitar solo that adds nicely to the track. Disc 2 opens with Matt's Shuffle and Murphy strolling on guitar. A cool organ solo by Bruce Bears leads to a real nice laid back solo by Murphy. Willie Dixon's, Evil, is a real nice contribution with Craig Rawding on lead vocal and some stellar guitar work by Bob Margolin, Jerry Portnoy on harmonica, Chuck Leavell on piano and Christina on drums. Memphis Slim's Lonesome, has a great feel with Christina on vocal and drums, Duke Robillard laying down some hot riffs, Greg Piccolo on sax, Al Copley on piano and Marty Ballou on bass. Joe Beard is upfront on vocal and guitar on Muddy's Let Me Hang Around with Chris Beard on guitar, Billy Boy Arnold on harmonica,  bass and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Beard on guitar and vocal and Arnold on harmonica on You Wasn't Doin' Too Bad, a really stripped down, delta style blues. This is an excellent closer for a solid release. 

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NOLA Blues Records artist: John Nemeth - May Be The Last Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, May Be The Last Time, from John Nemeth and it's really cool. Opening with traditional The Last Time and John Nemeth putting a strong gospel/R&B spin on it. With excellent lead vocal by Nemeth, Elvin Bishop on guitar, Kid Andersen on bass, Bob Welsh on guitar, Willy Jordan on drums and excellent vocal backing by Alabama Mike, Jordan, Andersen and Welsh, this is a terrific opener. With Elvin Bishop on this release it's great to see a resurrection of one of his great tracks, Rockbottom, from the Jo Baker era and featuring Nemeth on harmonica and lead vocal. Bishop steps up with his signature playing style and this release is two and 0. Very nice. Bishop gets the mic on his classic, Stealing Watermelons and with his fat guitar sound coupled with Andersen on guitar and Welsh on baritone guitar, this track is FUNKY. Wilson Pickett's, I Found A Love, works so nicely in this set with both Nemeth and Bishop favoring old soul music. Nemeth's vocals and Bishop's classic slide work really gives this track rocket fuel. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Bishop's I'll Be Glad with his clamped down squawking guitar over a solid bass line by Andersen, soulful vocals by Nemeth and excellent backing vocals by Mike, Jordan, Andersen and Welsh. This release has 11 great tracks (all eleven are great) and leaves you wanting more. This is one of those easy recommendation releases. Just buy it!

  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