Nola Blue/Vizztone artist: Billy Price - Alive and Strange - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Alive and Strange, from Billy Price and it's quite entertaining. I was first introduced to Price as the lead vocalist in the Roy Buchanan band and it's good to see Price still out there mixing it up. Opening with R&B track, It's Ain't A Juke Joint Without The Blues, Price takes command on lead vocals backed by Steve Delach on guitar, David Ray Dodd on drums Tom Valentine on bass and Jim Britton on keys. Delach lays down some really hot riffs and the horns of Eric DeFade (tenor sax), Joe Herndon (trumpet) and Matt Ferrero (sax) really liven up the party. Steeling down with radio track, Lifestyles of the Poor and Unknown, Price hits a smooth groove with warm backing vocals by David Avery, DeWayne Chandler, Valentine and Britton.  Really nice soul track, This Time I'm Gone For Good really gives Price a chance to show just how much soul he's got and he's got it good. With a super sax solo from De Fede and a solitary bass line by Valentine, this is one of my favorites on the release. Percy Mayfield track, Nothing Stays The Same Forever, has super strong bones and the band really delivers, and a particular pat to DeFede for his hot sax work. James Brown track, Never Get Enough, has a great groove with a funky bass line, cool key work and that ever so funky rhythm guitar. Magic Sam's What Have I Done Wrong is a real high stepper giving Delach plenty of space to stretch on guitar and again Defede on sax. Very nice. With a big swing, Roy Milton's R.M. Blues is next and Dodd and Jason Hollar on bass set the stage. Joe Herndon really wails on trumpet followed by Dee Fede and Britton. Great track. Wrapping the release is Makin Plans with glistening electric piano work by Britton and George Benson like guitar tones from Delach. Herndon and Defede are joined by Bob Matchett on trombone for a strong radio ready close.




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Nola Blue artist: Benny Turner - When She's Gone - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (February 14, 2016), from Benny Turner and it's smooth! Now on his 4th release, Turner, brother to Freddie King (yes, that Freddie King) really has it going. His last release, Trouble

was really nice and this one is even better! Opening with I Can't Love, a cool swinging blues with a nice heavy bottom compliments of Alonzo Johnson, and sparkling keys courtesy of Samuel "The Bishop" Berfect gives the track traction and Turner's solid lead vocals and backing vocals by Diane Lotny and Yvonne Washington give it a James Brown twist. Very nice! On Pity On This Lovesick Fool, The Bishop on piano, Davell Crawford on Rhodes and organ and Marc Adams set an almost Billy Preston presence and Turner, joined by Marva Wright on lead vocals gets in the groove. Smooth ballad, Because Of You, features Turner right up front and with such a soulful melody, should hit the radio hard. Backing vocal by Tanya Jarvis, The Bishop on keys, Dr John on guitar, Alonzo Johnson on bass and Herman Ernest III keep this really tight. Solid! On Bill Withers' super track, Ain't No Sunshine, Turner hits with some of his best vocals ,Bob Margolin adds key ethereal slide work to a really nice arrangement of a really cool track. Complimented by Derwin Perkins on rhythm guitar, Turner on bass, Keiko Komaki on keys and Jeffrey Jellybean Alexander on drums this may be the best redo of this track I've heard. So Deep is a really interesting track with lead bass lines by Turner. A gospel feel with full backing vocal ensemble including Davell Crawford, Craig Adams, Carla Davis, Yvette Whittler and Charles Chucky C Elam, over just Charles Brown on piano, The Bishop on organ and Larry Williams on drums makes this one of my personal favorites on the release. Excellent! If I Can't Have You has a cool bass line by Johnson and a really nice walking groove. Turner's vocals, backed by Lotny and Washington, is point on and keys by the Bishop, harp by Sean Lewis and drums by Alexander a really nice track. Have You Ever Been Lonesome, again finds Turner supplementing his lead vocals with some really tasty bass lead. A slower soul style blues track is really smoking fanned by the Bishop on keys, Johnson on bass and Alexander on drums. Excellent! Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby gets a slight swing and excellent guitar punctuation by Bob Margolin. John Paxton and Keiko Komaki roll the keys and Marglolin lays in some of the tastiest guitar riffs you'd love to hear. Very nice! Jimmy Rogers' That's Alright is laid back with cool harp riffs. Turner takes his place at lead guitar and vocal and his guitar style isn't flashy but soulful and nicely matches his vocals. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Jessie Mae Robinson's Black Night and Turner takes the bull by the horns. With an aggressive vocal style, clever guitar work by Marc Stone and key piano and organ work by Brown and the Bishop, punctuated by Jason Mingledorff on sax and Barney Floyd on trumpet makes this an excellent closer to a super release.

 

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Nola Blue artist: Benny Turner - Journey - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Journey, from Benny Turner and it has a fine groove. Opening with Breakin' News, a shuffle track with a nice Taj Mahal kind of feel and gospel like backing vocals, it's a great track. Marc Stone on steel guitar, Keiko Komaki on piano and horn work by Jason Mingledorff (sax) and Barney Floyd (trumpet) set this track off. Funky blues Don't You Ride My Mule has a really cool feel with not only nice vocals from Turner but a solid key work from Josh Paxton, super horn work from Mingledorff and Mark Leuron on trumpet and Harp work from Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes. Very nice! R&B ballad How I Wish has a soft sway and cool rhythm from Marc Stone on guitar. Deanna Bernard and Ellen Smith add warm backing vocals and Mingledorff and Floyd cool horn backing. Another R&B style blues track, I Wanna Make It Right, has just a super groove. Bernard and Smith again adding just the right vocal backing and Komaki adding some really tight keyboard. My Mother's Blues has a bit more of a picking blues feel with Turner on guitar and kazoo. Tom Worrell ecohes Turners riff on piano for a really clever instrumental. I Wanna Give It to You Baby is a solid 12 bar blues number featuring a harp intro by Patrick Williams and additional harp work from Barnes. Jeffrey "Jellybean" Alexander doesn't do anything flashy but his steady beat adds significantly to the overall track. Worn Out Woman has a real nice R&B bass groove by Turner to carry his super vocals. Derwin Big D Perkins adds a nice guitar riff throughout this track cushioned nicely by Komaki on keys. Possibly my favorite track on the release. My Uncle's Blues (Fannie Mae) has a straight up 12 bar blues rhythm featuring Turner on guitar and lead vocal. Tom Worrell and Komaki share keyboard responsibilities and Williams does a real nice job on harp. A slower blues, Voodoo Lady has a dark bass lead complimented by Marc Stone on guitar. Turner paces himself on vocal cushioned by Komaki on piano and organ. Wrapping the release is What's Wrong with the World Today which has a real taste of New Orleans. I really love the vocal harmonies of Bernard, Smith and Barnes. A high stepping rhythm that develops between Turner, Komaki and Alexander is really cool. Very nice conclusion to 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”