Nola Blue Records artist: Larry Taylor and the Taylor Family - Generations of Blues: West Side Legacy - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Generations of Blues: West Side Legacy, from Larry Taylor and the Taylor Family and it's strong. Opening with She Treat Me Just The Same, Larry Taylor on lead vocal and drums leads the way. With a bluesy R&B feel, he sets a solid drum line, joined by Joe B. Brinson on guitar, Abraham Avery on bass, Barrelhouse Bonni on keys and hot sax work by Ronnie G. Solid opener. Demetria Taylor steps up to the mic on Bad Girl, a nice shuffle and she's the perfect leader for this track. Her vocals are sassy and tight, backed by Eddie Taylor Jr on guitar and Ronnie G. on sax and Duke Harris on keys.  Brenda Taylor is featured on lead vocal on I Found Out with Jerry-O Mansfield on guitar and Ronnie G on sax. This is a strong track with a great balance between Brenda and Ronnie. Demetria is back up front on funky, You Belong To Me. This is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a hot sax solo by Ronnie G. I Paid My Dues is another track featuring Larry upfront on vocal and his style and presence carries this track nicely with an almost Albert King like feel. With wailing sax work by Ronnie, solid piano by Bonni and Brinson on guitar, this track is another showpiece. Wrapping the release is slower blues, Larry and Eddie Jr. Groove (Blues In The Rain), Eddie Jr. has the guitar lead with Matthew Skoller on harmonica. Larry keeps the bottom tight on drums with Michael Sleepy Riley on bass. This is a solid release packed with talent. 

  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”

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NOLA Blue Records artist Lil' Jimmy Reed with Ben Levin - Back To Baton Rouge - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back To Baton Rouge, from Lil' Jimmy Reed with Ben Levin and it's terrific. Opening with Jimmy Reed shuffle, Down In Virginia, Lil' Jimmy Reed is up front on guitar, harmonica and lead vocal and showing excellent aptitude at both gets this release going. Backed by super piano guy, Ben Levin on piano, Aron Levin on second guitar, Walter Cash Jr on bass and Ricky Nye on drums. On slow blues, They Call Me Lil' Jimmy, Reed gets the chance to show some really tasty guitar riffs, complimenting his strong blues vocals. This track may be my favorite on the release. Fats Domino style blues, Back To Baton Rouge has a war swagger and Reed's trademark guitar sound elevates the track. Another Jimmy Reed track, I'm The Man Down There, has that Jimmy Reed Strut. Lil' Jimmy really does it nice with satiny vocals and broad sound harmonica over a solid bottom. Wrapping the release is Mailbox Blues with it's Latin rhythm and cool guitar lead. Reed's vocal phrasing and excellent call and response on guitar makes this a perfect closer. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: Trudy Lynn - Golden Girl - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Golden Girl, from Trudy Lynn and I really like it. Opening with Tell Me and it's cool rhythm, Trudy Lynn really hits the road running lending no clues that she's reached that golden 75 mile marker. With the tasty guitar soloing of Yates McKendree, backing vocals of Teresa James, Brannen Temple on drums, Kevin McKendree on drums and Terry Wilson on bass this is a solid opener. Heavy footed If Your Phone Don't Ring, will have you slinking around in your seat and Lynn's vocals are really strong. Adding to the mix is Steve Krase on harmonica and real nice slide work by Yates. Boogie track, Trouble With Love is a grate addition featuring Anson Funderburgh on guitar, Krase on harmonica and strong low vocal backing by Wilson. Super. Funky, R&B style blues, Live With Yourself plays really well in Lynn's vocal wheelhouse and she drains every drop of soul out of this track. With horn backing by Darrell Leonard and some really nice guitar work by Yates, this may be my favorite track on the release. Low slung, I Just Can't Say Goodbye is another terrific track with not only strong vocals by Lynn but great solo style by Funderburgh. Very nice. Wrapping the release is straight up blues ballad, Life Goes On with excellent guitar work by Funderburgh and particularly warm organ work by Kevin. This is a strong closer and my favorite Lynn release in years. A must check out! 

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NOLA Blues Records artists: The Love Light Orchestra - Leave The Light On - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Leave The light On, from The Love Light Orchestra and it's quite good. Opening with soul track, Time Is fading Fast, front man, John Nemeth on lead vocal sounds great. With it's Memphis sound, dominated by horns by Marc Franklin and Scott Thompson on trumpet, Jason Yasinsky on trombone, Art Edmaiston on tenor sax and with some outrageous alto sax by Kirk Smothers and including Joe Restivo on guitar, Gerald Stephens on piano, Tim Goodwin on bass, and Earl Lowe on drums, this is a great opener. Blues shuffle, Come On Moon has a really great feel with excellent guitar work by Restivo and warm horn backing by Franklin, Yasinsky, Edmaiston, Smothers and Paul McKinney on trumpet. On Lowell Fulson's 3 O'Clock Blues, Restivo really steps out on one of my favorite tracks on the release. His paced guitar soloing, and of course the excellent vocals of Nemeth accented by Thompson and Franklin really push this track over the edge. Excellent! Nemeth's vocals on Tricklin' Down are really super with strong horn backing and really nice guitar again by Restivo making this another of my personal favorites. Wrapping the release is swing track, Follow The Queen with power brass and shining vocals by Nemeth. Edmaiston really wails on sax and the band pulls together for a power punch... big band style. This is a real nice release with a lot of horsepower. Excellent closer for a really strong release. 

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NOLA Blue Records artist: Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band - Live On Beale Street: A Tribute To Bobby "Blue" Bland - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live On Beale Street: A Tribute To Bobby "Blue" Bland. from Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band and it's terrific! Opening with R&B track, Up And Down World, Chris Stephenson has the lead on vocal and keys, with Rodd Bland on drums, Jackie Clark on bass, Harold Smith on guitar, Marc Franklin and Scott Thompson on trumpet and Kirk Smothers on sax. Great opener. Ashton Riker is on lead vocal on St. James Infirmary and really works it. I've always like this track and this remake works really nicely. Jerome Chism has the mic on R&B track, I Wouldn't Treat a Dog (The Way You Treated Me) with a particularly strong drum rhythm and tight horn backing. Chism's vocals work perfectly on this track and I really like the activity of Bland on drums who really pushes the beat. Excellent! Slower blues, Soon As The Weather Breaks, is one of my favorites on the release with punched horns and suspenseful organ work by Stephenson and really tasty guitar soloing by Smith. Blands' drum work is really tight and strong without being overly showy. Very nice. Wrapping the release is funky blues, Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time, with Chism on lead vocal. Clark and Bland really have a fun time with this one creating an amazing bottom and the interplay between Stephenson on keys and Thompson, Franklin and Smothers is magic with a particularly nice sax solo by Smothers and a hot bass workout by Clark to close the set. This is a really exciting release with only one flaw...it ends to fast. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: Tiffany Pollack & Co. - Bayou Liberty - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 16, 2021), Bayou Liberty, from Tiffany Pollack & Co. and it's a cool blend of New Orleans blues and country. Opening with Spit on Your Grave, a solid shuffle, Tiffany Pollack on lead vocal shows her power, backed by John Nemeth on harmonica, Brandon Brinious on guitar, Stoo Odom on bass, Christopher on sax and Ian Petillo on drums. The track has just the right amout of grit to make it different. Very cool. Colors has a real nice sway to it with Pollack riding the wave and nicely stylized guitar lead by Brunious. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Sassy Bitch, a funky blues rocker with it's obvious hook and some real lnice sax work by Johnson. With a light country flavor, Baby Boys is a cool ballad with strong lead vocals and with nice steel guitar highlights by Eric Lewis. With a bit of R&B worked into it's country roots, Livin' For Me has a funky bottom and Johnson shines on sax. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Do It Yourself, a cool blues with a latin beat. Pollack really seems to be enjoying herself on this one with plenty of enthusiasm and Brunious' guitar soloing really works nicely with this track. Solid closer. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: John Nemeth - Stronger Than Strong - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stronger Than Strong, from John Nemeth and it's tasty. Opening with Chicago bluesy, Come On And Take It, with Nemeth on vocal and harmonica, Danny Banks on drums, Matthew Wilson on bass and Jon Hay on guitar. With it's tight rhythm and classic styling, it's a solid opener.  With darker overtones and Nemeth's soulful vocals, Sometimes is a strong player that is a great showcase for Nemeth's vocal strength and harmonica reinforcement. Throw Me In The Water is a great rocker with a rockin beat and a moving bass line by Wilson, potent vocals by Nemeth and some flashy guitar work by Hay on guitar. Very nice. I really like Chain Breaker with it's blues vamp driven by Wilson and plenty of room for Nemeth and Hay to cruise. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Work For Love with it's infectious bass line and Nemeth's soulful vocals. Adding a little bounce to a classic blues pattern, Nemeth crafts a real nice track here with extended harmonica soloing and a bit of hot guitar work by Hay. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Sweep The Shack, a hot paced R&B track with nicely harmonized vocals and bluesy, Texas style guitar riffs. This is a solid closer for another super release from Nemeth. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: Eric Johanson - Below Sea Level - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (9/18/20), Below Sea Level, from Eric Johanson and I really like it! Johanson, who grew in Louisiana has blues rock in his blood. Opening with Buried Above Ground you hear distinct influences of Free/Humble Pie and the best of the blues rock generation mixed with Luther Dickinson and the best of the southern blues rockers in this totally fresh sound. This may be the best blues rock release of it's kind since Humble Pie's Smokin'! Cody Dickinson on drums lays down a great tom tom beat and with Johanson on gritty guitar and excellent lead vocal and Terrence Grayson on bass, this release is off to a great start. On Down To The Bottom, Johanson slips on his slide and cranks up the heat. This is a modern boogie in the vein of Hooker but with fat fat slide tones and strong vocals. Really excellent! Blues ballad, Changes The Universe, has the potential to rival Gary Moore with better vocals, a sweet melody line and nicely phrased guitar lead and great guitar tone making this a perfect radio track. Hammer On The Stone is a well constructed blues rocker with strong vocal/lead guitar pairing and a with a quick turnaround riff, an excellent track. This is great music! Lumbering, Have Mercy, has the solid bottom driven by Grayson and Dickinson and always strong vocal and well poised guitar lead. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Open Hearted Woman with it's lead footed bottom and take no prisoner attack. Johanson really hits a grand slam on this one with soulful vocals, an infectious beat and smoking guitar lead. Wrapping the release is stripped down, Riverbend Blues, with Johanson on acoustic guitar and vocal, this is modern delta blues, Johanson has really put together a great release here. This is one you must hear! 

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Nola Blue Records artist: Gregg Martinez - MacDaddy Mojeaux - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, MacDaddy Mojeaux, from Gregg Martinez (pronounced Mart nez with a silent i) and it's a cool soul and R&B set. Opening with Ray Charles' I Believe to My Soul, vocalist Gregg Martinez puts his own  R&B spin on  this classic track with a voice that shows loud and clear why he has lead such bands as King Fish, The Heat and The Boogie Kings. Backed by Tim Courville on drums, Charles Ventre on Hammond, Tony Daigle on percussion, Claude Salles on trombone, Allan Linker on trumpet and Ronnie Eades on sax, this is a great opener. Followed by Don Nix's Same Old Blues, Martinez digs deep down for a great soulful blues ballad, accented nicely by stinging guitar work. Very nice. Skylark's Wildflower is up next with a traditional soul mix but there's no taking from Martinez's pure vocals and style. Very nice with solid background vocals by Carla Benson and Evette Benton. One of my favorites on the release is original shuffle, Eva Delle strong vocals by Martinez with his swampy rhythm, Sonny Landreth on slide guitar, Anthony Dopsie on accordion and punchy horns. Tyrone Davis', Can I Change My Mind, is a perfect fit for Martinez and his vocal style. Plenty of people have covered this track but this and Billy Price/Roy Buchanan's cover stand out in my mind. Very nice with strong sax by Eades. Wrapping the release is a change up ballad, Randy Newman's, Marie. Every bit a soulful as any other track on the release but with a straight ballad delivery over piano. This is a 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”

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NOLA Blue records artist: Frank Bey - All My Dues Are Paid - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All My Dues Are Paid, by Frank Bey and it's a solid mix of R&B, soul, funk and blues. Opening with Eddie Palmieri's Idle Hands with it's excellent NO funk. Bey really works this one Jim Pugh on organ, Eric Spaulding on sax solo, Jack Sanford on bari sax, Nancy Wright on tenor sax, John Helbleib on trumpet, Alex Petersen on drums, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Martin Winstad on percussion, Kid Andersen on guitar and Lisa Leuschner Andersen on backing vocals. Excellent opener! Rick Estrin's, Calling All Fools is a great shuffle with some really cool work by Nancy Wright and showcasing Bey's silky smooth vocals. Very nice. One of my favorites on the release is another Rick Estrin track, I Bet I Never Cross Your Mind, with it's slow, bluesy approach, and terrific guitar work by Kid Andersen. Nancy Wright's sax is thick and juicy and Pugh's organ solo is prime. Percy Mayfield's Ha Ha in the Daytime has a solid bounce. Bey's deep vocals are rich and with Jemmott's firm bass work and Spaulding's sax work, this is another really cool track. Up tempo pop track, One Thing Every Day is an ideal radio song with a great melody, solid lead vocals and full backing vocals by Loralee Cristensen, Lisa Leuschner Andersen and Vicki Randle. Wrapping the release is John Lennon's Imagine with a gospel like remix. Bey knows how to bring it and Lorenzo Farrell's organ work, along with Pugh on piano and organ, a soulful sax solo by Wright, soulful guitar work by Andersen and with Jemmott on bass, D'Mar Martin on drums, Jack Sanford on sax, Halbleib on trumpet, Ric Feliciano on trombone, a well chosen closer. 

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NOLA Blue Records artist: Meg Williams - Take Me As I Am: The Muscle Shoals Sessions - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Take Me As I Am, by Meg Williams and it's a solid R&B/rock entry. Opening with radio track, Come On Over To Me, a slide guitar infused (Dan Wecht) R&B track, Williams leads the way on vocal and guitar, backed by Clayton Ivey on organ, Bob Wray on bass, Justin Holder on drums and Sara Rogers on backing vocals. Solid opener. Funky, Shame, is a bit sassy with Will McFarlane joining Wecht on guitar. With a snappy rhythm this track us upbeat and catchy. Little Bit Of The Devil is another radio strong track with a solid beat, and flashy slide work giving Williams a solid base to show her vocals over. Title track, Take Me As I Am, paired with What About Me are a great pop duo with super melody and nice vocal delivery by Williams. I like the additional complexity of Make A Move with it's vocal duet with Rogers and rock style guitar soloing giving it just a bit more textural bite. Wrapping the release is country flavored ballad, Take A Chance On My Love with it's smooth, easy tempo and warm vocal melody. A real nice melodic guitar solo by McFarlane gives this final track just that little kick making it a super closer for a real nice release.

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NOLA Blue Records artists: Tiffany Pollack & Eric Johanson - Blues In My Blood - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues In  My Blood, from Tiffany Pollack & Eric Johanson and I really like it. Opening with title track, Blues In My Blood with it's fat acoustic slide work, courtesy of Eric Johanson, this track sets a smoky stage for the powerful vocal lead of Tiffany Pollack. With Jack Miele on bass and percussion, Brentt Arcement on drums, organ and piano this is a super opener. Memories To Forget has a chilling guitar solo laid over a warm melody, lead vocal primarily by Johanson, haunting harmonica by Johnny Sansone and excellent drum accent by Acrement. Pollack demonstrated over and again the richness of her voice and her excellent blues phrasing. On ballad, Michael, she is rock solid and Johanson's amplified resonator body guitar work is really nice. A cover of Keith and Mick's No Expectations really flows nicely with Johanson back at the helm with ample harmony by Pollack. Very nice.  Shuffle track, Do I Move You is another really nice showcase for Pollack's vocals with poise and style. Johanson shows a really nice feel for straight blues guitar lead and with Phil Wang on bass and strong organ and piano work by John Gros this track sails. Pollack and Johanson venture deeper into blues rock on Slave Of Tomorrow with a super groove laid down by Miele and Arcement. Johanson's vocals are excellent and I love the lumbering pace. Excellent! Get Lost With Me is the absolute radio track on the release (except it's almost 5 minutes long) with a great Ray Charles feel and solid lead vocal and aggressive blues guitar riffs by Johanson. Super nice. Wrapping the release is an absolutely wonderful cover of Peter Seeger's If I Had A Hammer. Totally destructuring the original, putting it back together with a strong bottom line, organ excellent vocals and soulful guitar, this track is such an excellent closer. If you wonder if I liked this release...read the review again! 

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NOLA Blue Records artist: Benny Turner & Cash McCall - Going Back Home - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Going Back Home, from Benny Turner & Cash McCall and it's quite fun. Opening with rumbling R&B track, Got To Find A Way, Turner is upfront on lead vocal and bass joined by Carla Davis. This track has solid horn punch with Jason Mingledorff on sax, Barney Floyd on trumpet and includes Cash McCall and Butch Mudbone on guitars, Raishene Webb on keys and Terry Saffold on drums. McCall steps front and center on Willie Dixon's Spoonful sharing the guitar work with Turner, Joe Krown on keys, Webb on organ, and Johnny Sansone on harmonica. McCall original, Money is a really cool track with spoken dialogue by McCall and only base piano, drums and walking guitar rhythm. Very nice. Elmore James' Shake Your Money Maker has great pace with Turner on lead vocal, Mudbone on slide and a nice sax solo by Mingledorff. Another EJ track, It Hurts Me Too features Billy Branch on harmonica as well as Turner and McCall on vocal and some nice slide by Mudbone. Very cool. On The Dirty Dozen the band really gets into a groove with McCall on lead vocal, Krown on keys, Turner on bass and guitar and Rod Bland on drums. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Willie Dixon's Bring It On Home with Branch on lead vocal and harp, Turner on bass, Cash and Mudbone on guitars, Krown on keys, Webb on organ and Saffold on drums. Solid closer for a solid release.



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Nola Blue Records artist: Frank Bey - Back In Business - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back In Business, from Frank Bey and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Back In Business, Bey establishes firm footing with a confident shuffle. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelly on guitars, Marty Sammon on piano and Tommy MacDonald on bass this is a strong opener. Moving to a funky James brown feel, Gun Toting Preacher has a great bottom with Adam Nitti on bass and features great trumpet punctuation by Julio and sax by Max Abrams. Nitti's bass lines on Cookie Jar really sets the mood and Bey knows how to work it. The horns really kick it into high gear on this one and McNelly's guitar solo is tops. R&B track, Where You Been So Long has a real nice strut and Bey's vocals shine like on no other track on the release. With solid piano and super horns, this may be my favorite. Another track that had super radio appeal is Give It To Get It with it's high strut. Wendy Molten's vocals coupled with Bey are really nice and McNelly's guitar soloing is strong and throaty. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Yesterday's Dream, an obvious pick for best track on the release. With a hot opening guitar solo by McNelly and soulful vocals, surrounded by warm keys by Marty Sammon and a solid bottom this track is smoking. bey turns up the heat and McNelly responds with more heat. Excellent closer. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: Kathy & The Kilowatts - Premonition of Love - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Premonition of Love, from Kathy & The Kilowatts and it's solid. Opening with surf flavored, First Do No Harm featuring Kathy on lead vocal, with Bill Jones on guitar, Nina Singh giving it just the right snap on drums, Jeff Botta on bass, Dan Torosian on sax and Eric Johnson on trumpet. One of my favorites on the release is Beggars Can't Be Choosers with it's sultry blues feel and nice lead with pinched harmonics by Jones. Lightly seasoned with funk, Always Fooling Me has a bluesy Albert King kind of feel without the characteristic King riffs. Very nice. Shuffle track, Black Nights, shows a nice blend of lead vocals, horns and well phrased guitar lead. Deeper into the blues with Final Verdict and JL Hooker guitar riffs, Kathy drills down the lead vocals, Benny Turner lays down a heavy bass line, Jones steps on it with some really nice trem bends and hammer ons and Kim Field adds in just the right harp work. Very cool. Floyd Domino leads the way on rocker, All These Questions, with rock n' roll style piano and Jones answers with excellent rock n' roll riffs of his own. Very cool. Wrapping the release is The Bigger Picture with casual, almost Crisie Hynde, aloof style. A taste of Latin rhythm and electric keyboards give this track just the right boost to close a solid release.

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Nola Blue Records artist: Benny Turner - My Brother's Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Brother's Blues, from Benny Turner and it's great! Benny pay homage to his big brother and best friend, Freddie King and does it with style. Opening with Big Legged Woman, Benny is on lead vocal and bass, showing excellent vocal style and tone. A punchy horn section featuring Barney Floyd on trumpet and Jason Mingledorff on sax really sets the track off and the solid foot pedal of Jeffrey "Jellybean" Alexander and the riding organ work of Keiko Komaki plays nicely with rhythm guitar fills by Derwin "Big D" Perkins and lead guitar runs by June Yamagagishi. Excellent! Have You Ever Loved A Woman is a definite highlight on this release with soulful vocals by Turner, backed by Earl Smith and suppressed but critical horn work and organ by Davell Crawford, and Jack Miele plays some real tasty guitar lead to ice the cake.  Swinging I'm Tore Down features Otis Clay, Turner and Marva Wright on lead vocals and it's a powerful threesome. June Yamagishi has lead guitar on this one and with Freddie King like flavor, the track rocks. Another of my favorites on the release is You've Got To Love Her With A Feeling when Turner's vocals are particularly strong and Floyd and Mingledorff are so tight it hurts. Joe Krown's piano and organ work is super and Yamagishi is pure in the slot. Mingledorff really shines on sax on See See Baby, a cool laid back boogie. Carolyn Wonderland sits in on Mojo Boogie with some great slide guitar and Krown's piano work is stellar. On Wee Baby Blues, a low slung blues Wonderland and Kathy Murray join Turner for the richest vocals on the release. Turner has lead guitar on this one and solo lap steel is handled by Roosevelt Collier. Very nice! BB King's Ghetto Woman is another super track with super bluesy guitar lead by Yamagishi and super horn reinforcement by Floyd and Mingledorff. Again, Turner's lead vocals are strong and undeniable. Wrapping the release is a powerful rendition of Don Nix's Same Old Blues. Turner is at his most soulful backed by the gospel like piano styling of Chizuko Yoshihiro. Tracy Griffin on trumpet and Greg Dawson on sax add real fullness and Yamagishi's lead guitar work is inspired on this super closer for a strong release. Very cool!

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