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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From Steve's Shed, by Gravely James and it's an upbeat folk blues release. Opening with 103, James shows a lot of energy on vocal and acoustic guitar with foot stomps and spoon like percussion featuring Gravely James (Chris Madronich) on vocal and guitar. Well structured ballad, Atlantis on My Lips has a radio friendly melody and a quiet approach making it my selection for radio play. With it's driving guitar rhythm and excited vocals, Farewell Anita is likely to be a strong crowd favorite in live performances with a memorable melody, hootin' and hollerin'. Shoot 'em Down has the classic lines of a traditional folk song with a super melody and straight forward accompaniment. With it's winsome whistling, Cold Stone Heart is a peppy little track with snappy guitar riffs and some of James' best vocals on the release. Wrapping the release is Beers with Joe Lapinski, a vibrant and energetic track with a cool contrast between the vocal and guitar. Cool 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tired of Talkin', from Steve Strongman and it's his best release yet! Opening with title track, Tired of Talkin' with a wicked blues fused, southern rocker feel Strongman up front on lead vocal and guitar shows swagger. Backed by Dave King on drums, James Haggerty on bass, Jesse O'Brian on piano, Pat Sansone on on keys, and with Audrey Freed on guitars, excellent opener. Laid back, Still Crazy 'Bout You, is really cool with it's JJ Cale or Levon Helm texture. Strongman's dobro work complimenting his vocal work is the key. Funky, Just Ain't Right, is really fun with some strong slide work by Strongman, and tight bass/drum work by Haggerty and King and heavy organ by Sansone. Excellent! Hi octane blues rocker, Can't Have It All with Strongman on harmonica and guitar and snappy drumming by King really moves. Highway Man falls back into a more pure delta sound with dobro and vocal. This is stripped down and fluid. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Al Green's Let's Stay Together in it's original R&B format. Strongman does a real nice job on this track vocally and his added fusion style guitar soloing is tight. 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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Ballad of Albert Johnson, from The Smoke Wagon Blues Band and we got some tasty stuff here. Opening with title track, Ballad of Albert Johnson, a romping boogie with a great bass line courtesy Jason Colavecchia on bass and strong lead vocals and harmonica by Corey Lueck. With Mike Stubbs on guitar, Brandon Bruce on keys, Gordon Aeichele on sax, Steve Sherman on guitar, and Tibor Lukacs on drums, this is a strong opener. Bluesy ballad, Ain't Gonna Be Your Fool is a great showcase for Lueck's vocals and a super radio track. New Orleans flavored, Lay Say Lay has a great beat with great piano work by Bruce and snappy drum work by Lukacs and percussion by Sherman, topped off with really nice sax work by Aeichele and backing vocals by Stubbs, Bruce, Sherman, Colavecchia and Lukacs. Poor Man Blues has a great shuffle feel and gives Lueck a wide open stage to play his harmonica and he does a terrific job, followed by a soulful sax solo by Aeichele. Very cool. Another cool boogie track, Can't Take The Blues has an infectious groove with a strong bass line, super vocals, a solid sax solo by Aeichele and a tight mix. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Steaming Comrades Harp Boogie, a live track with a rhythmic Bo Diddley beat. Lueck leads the way on vocal and harp kind of reminding me of an old John Mayall performance and the band pumps it up all the way. Cool 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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Prove It On Me, by Rory Block and it's pretty tasty. Opening with Helen Humes' He May Be Your Man, Rory Block uses her laid back bluesy style with some of her best vocals in years, matched by her always concise guitar riffs. Excellent opener. Stuff Smith's If You're a Viper is a great tune, paying tribute to Rosetta Howard. Block's vocals are altered into a cool, more vintage feel and with light percussion and great slide, all played by Block. Very nice. Ma Rainey's Prove It On Me is the title track and shines brightly with full, thick vocals and sweet slide work. Blocks really hits her stride on this release, with a clean contemporary recording of excellent old classics. Memphis Minnie's In My Girlish Days is among my favorites on the release with rich vocal styling and Block's well known slide techniques, backed by her own angelic harmonies. Merline Johnson's Milk Man Blues (Yas Yas Girl) is my favorite track on the release with it's perfect poised pace, Block's extra work on vocal delivery which is extremely convincing for the time period and always excellent slide work. Wrapping the release is Elvie Thomas' Motherless Child, a strong closer with deep vocal character and clean slide soloing. This is a strong acoustic release. Check it out!
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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I just had the opportunity to review the debut self titled release from Northern Social and I really like it. Like earlier work by Wickens and the Grand Nationals this new release has a lot of edge and genuine blues feel. Opening with Waiting, a strong rugged blues rocker, Dylan Wickens, who handles lead vocal, guitar and bass, paired with Mike Rajna on drums and percussion created a sound that is much bigger than two guys. Solid rhythms, vocals and power guitar makes this a great opener. Am I Wrong has a straightforward rock beat with vibrant rhythm guitar with Wicken's vocals carrying the melody. King Of Hearts has a lumbering blues feel with a heavy accent on the 2 and 4 and a fat fat guitar rhythm. Wicken's lead guitar work is tasty and raw where Rajna's drum work is tight and focused. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Dead Neighbor Blues with an easy acoustic country blues feel. Particularly effective is the simplicity of foot drum and tambourine by Rajna under Wicken's traditional acoustic slide work and solid blues vocals. Strong 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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release from Sunday Wilde & the 1 Eyed Jacks and she hasn't missed a beat. Opening with Willie Dixon's Evil, a slinky, bluesy number with glistening guitar riffs by Ari, and Wilde's trademark vocals, the band is rolling with Wilde on piano, Arek Chamski on bass and Collin Craig on drums. Dead Man's Clothes is an interesting number with a predominant modified walking base line, percussive rim shot rhythm and cool soaring guitar riffs. Sure to be a crowd favorite, Dead Presidents is a quirky boogie and the inference that everybody loves money... yes they do. Slow blues take on London's It Hurt's Me Too, is a dynamic vocal showcase for Wilde who accompanies herself on piano with only a basic bottom and a really nice guitar solo by Ari. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Spirits up My Friend with it's somber melody and Wilde's vocals paired nicely with her stark piano accompaniment over the solitary bass line of Arek. Wrapping the release is I Guess I Didn't Hear You Right, a simple bluesy ballad with the simplest of backing and iridescent guitar work and blues riffs by Ari.
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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Gail Gunnis & The Dirty Roosters and it is a mix of classic blues artists with the bands cool personal arrangements. Opening with Freddie King's I Love You More Everyday, Gail Gunnis leads the way on vocal, backed by Fabio Parovel on guitar, Paul Kidd on sax, Chris Rooney on bass and Duncan McBain on drums. Solomon Burke's Cry To Me is up next with a great R&B feel. Pat Carey steps up with a rich sax solo and McBain's tight drums give the track just the right snap. Ann Peebles' I Can't Stand The Rain is one of my favorite tracks on the release with some of Gunnis' best vocals and a thumping bass line by Rooney. Another cool sax solo by Carey sets the track off nicely. Hot R&B track, I Know, is a great track to pull out of the hopper with a super beat. again Carey is featured on sax and again, nice job. Since I Fell For You, another classic soul track written by Buddy Johnson, is one of the nicest showcases for Gunnis with smooth vocal lines and rich sax echo by Kidd and clean guitar soloing by Parovel. Wrapping the release is Jimmy Reed's My Bitter Seed with light electric rhythm and Robert Davis on harmonica. Real nice closer for a solid 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Long Live The King, from Elliott And The Audio Kings and it's terrific. Lead singer and guitarist, Mike Elliott, joined by Jonny Sauder on drums and Scott Fitzpatrick on bass for an old school raw blues rocker with a lot of guts. Opening with jump rocker Zim Zam Zoom, the guys start on full throttle and never let up. Elliott lay down the hot riffs and Sauder and Fitzpatrick keep it pumping. Super. Rolling in to All Revved Up, a low slung shuffle, these guys are really in the groove. With it's stripped down sound (raw guitar, vocal and rim shots) Shoulder The Weight is a cool Latin fused rocker with grip. Very nice. Pringles and Perrier is a real nasty instrumental with excellent lead guitar melody and just the basics for backing with an infectious Texas style lope. Excellent! With a real Chicago style, Day Drinking has just the right drag with a great guitar vamp and harp by Elliott, solid vocals and tight bass and drums making this another top choice on the release. Rock n' roller, Rich Girl has real drive bringing to mind the likes of Little Richard and Alvin Lee. Elliott has his own guitar style and it suits this music to a t. Very cool. Heart Attack is another track with real fire. Sauder and Fitzpatrick sit nicely in the slot as Elliott rifles away with his rowdy riffs. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Tin Sandwich, a hot jump track featuring Elliott on harp, chased by Sauder and Fitzpatrick. Excellent 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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everything Intertwined, from Tom Savage and it's a solid rock release. Opening with Forever, a rocking ballad, Savage on vocal and guitar, shows influences of Bruce Springsteen and Neil Diamond, joined by Tony Silvestri on keys, Seamus Cowan on bass and backing vocals and Bonz Bowering on drums. Title track, Everything Intertwined, is a quiet ballad with a solid melody and acoustic backing. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Sad When You're Not With Me with a catchy melody and warm keys and strong but understated guitar. With more of a humble country rock feel, like the Band, another strong entry is Come Home with Savage's best vocals on the release. Pushing further into the rock arena, 17 Years has a rock solid bottom, twangy guitar riffs and a rocking beat. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Cold But Free, a strong ballad with a good melody and simple but effective instrumentation. This is a real nice 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No Time Like Now, by Steve Strongman and he shows a lot of contemporary approaches. Opening with title track, No Time Like Now, Strongman, joined by Rob Szabo on bass and Adam Warner on drums presents a happy, dance style track with heavy tom tom work and a bubbly vocal line. Bring The Hammer Down has a solid lumbering feel with a solid blues format and traces of Billy Gibbons. I particularly like Strongman's guitar work on this track accented by Szabo on keys. Very cool. Another high energy, Money In The Bank, features Dave King on drums with a snappy feel and full vocal backing leading to a tight guitar solo. On BTO's You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, Strongman changes things up a bit with a less driven cover and featuring Randy Bachman on guitar. Gospel inspired, Love, Love, Love has a great guitar riff, solid lead vocals and nice backing vocals with Alec Fraser on bass, Jesse O'Brien on keys and a cool harp feature (think refined Leon). Funky, I'm A Man has a lot of the audible signals of a Prince track with loose jangly guitar riffs, falsetto vocals, and a slick guitar solo. Good Times is a modern blues with long suspended guitar tone, simple guitar rhythms and stripped vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is The Day They Carry Me Away, a simple but strong, ballad. This is the definite radio track from the release and well written. With it's somber mood, clean vocals and bluesy, gripping guitar solo this is my favorite on the release and a great closer for a solid 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release from Elliott and the Audio Kings and its a smoker! Opening with What they say about you..., Mike Elliott leads the way on guitar, vocal and harp. Backed by Jonny Sauder on drums and Scott Fitzpatrick on bass and these guy have the place really hopping. Elliott has terrific boogie woogie rock guitar styling and is not bashful to throw down some riffs. Excellent! On One Of A Kind I really groove on Elliott's guitar tone with is warm and fat. With double stop rhythm/lead, this track is super. The recording quality of the track is really clean, allowing the tone of Fitzpatrick's stand up bass to come through. With a rockabilly strut, What Tomorrow Brings, slinks along like an alley cat. Come On Home has a really cool drum beat with a central American rhythm. With creamy guitar rhythm tone and backing vocals by Sauder and Fitzpatrick and fanned guitar riffs, this track gets down. Easier Said Than Done is low slung and the saturation on the guitar amp is great. With a cool boogie rocking feel, this cut cruises. Elliott's harp opens No Need To be Alone and the band is tight. Snappy drums, thumping bass, fat guitar and bluesy harp... oh yeah. Toe tapper, Another Day, Another Dollar has a great feel. With an extended guitar solo and that thumping bass, this track rules. Jealous Kind has a really cool lope, Texas style. The closest thing to SRV that you would find on this release has it's own style but in Stevie's neighborhood. Excellent! Down and dirty, Friday Night, plays it low and slow but digs in for some electrifying guitar riffs. Very nice! With a New Orleans stumble, I Don't Want To Work has a snappy military style drum beat and Bo Diddley guitar. Elliott winds the guitar out on this one and these guys are really rockin! Wrapping the release is I Know with a cool Latin beat. With it's rock edge, this is a terrific track to wrap a really super 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tearing Up The Rails, from The Lucas Haneman Express, and I quite like it. Opening with The Verdict, a poppy track with blues roots, Lucas Haneman fronts the band on lead vocal and guitar. He is firmly supported by Jeff Asselin on drums, Megan Laurence on backing vocal and Martin Newman on bass. Guest artist, Steve Marriner rips loose with a nice harp solo leading into a double time rip by Haneman on guitar and close. Give Me Life is a quick paced radio track with a snappy beat, vocal harmonies and some real nice guitar riffs. Calling the Blame has a real catchy melody and an infectious rhythm. Haneman shows his more jazzy side with some real nice guitar riffs on this track. Marriner is back on Run To You blowing some particularly bluesy harp riffs. With it's Howlin' Wolf basis, stinging guitar riffs and a dramatic delivery, this is one of my favorites on the release. Blind Man's Blues has the structure of a Blind Willie McTell or Elmore James tune but written in modern style. It's interesting to hear a totally modern interpretation of delta blues. Very cool. That's The Truth is a soulful ballad with strong blues overtones. Megan shines on lead vocal on this track and in duet with Lucas who takes a smoking guitar solo on this track punctuating it nicely. An unexpected cover of Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride takes away the 70's edgy back beat and instead replaces it with a power pop rock beat but not without Haneman ripping a real nice guitar solo. Interesting. Wrapping the release is Working Band, a driving rocker with Newman on bass and Haneman on electric guitar trading riffs. Creating quite a bit of steam, Jesse Whiteley steps in on organ fanning the flames for a real nice close of 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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Into The Dark, by Ollie Vee and it's quite outstanding! Opening with To Hell With Your Grey Eyes, lead singer and guitarist, Jesse Adamson leads you on a euphoric journey. Joined by lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Johnny Vassos who's work is impeccable, Howard Linscott on bass and backing vocals and Adam Perzia on drums, these guys really have it going with a retro country western feel. Excellent opener! Feeling Bad continues in the same vein but with a light taste that reminds me of Frank Black and the Catholics. Very nice. The Filthy Streets has a Bo Diddley beat enhanced by strong bass work by Linscott and cool slide work by Vassos. It's Hot is a great title for this track which runs like it's tail is on fire. With a country western flair and a train feel, this track hits it rocking. Stinging guitar riffs by Vassos and stomping drum work by Perzia is tight. Into The Dark is a beautiful track with nicely blended vocals and lush guitar work giving you the sense of a Roy Orbison but with vocals more to my personal taste. Atmospheric guitar work under straight forward and simple lead work sets a really nice pace. Excellent! Isabel (The Mexican) falls back into a more traditional country western format. I love the rugged guitar undertone and the simple lead melody. Very nice! With a conventional country western beat On A Town Called Low, Adamson takes this band to cool retro country western place and I really like it. Solid vocals, a super melody and tight rhythm give this song radio charisma. Double step One Track Mind is a great country rocker with a super bass/drum bottom. Adamson delivers nicely on vocal and backing vocals are clean giving this track just the right touch. Baby Blue is a tight little country rocker with a definite 50's early rockabilly feel. Wrapping the release is a different take on the Talking Heads, Psycho Killer. Keeping the vocal inflections of David Byrne is the most obvious hints to the tracks origins with it's country western handling. This is a really nice set and gets a mighty yahoo! Check it out!
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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cigar Store, by The Smoke Wagon Blues Band and got a bit of everything. Opening with Walking Cane, a funky blues rocker, Corey Lueck has the lead on vocal and Jason Colavecchia on bass and Tibor Lukacs add the hot bottom. Nick Succi brings it on piano and Gordon Aeichele lays down a cool sax solo. Must've Read It Wrong is a driving blues rocker with a solid bass line by Colavecchia. Succi and Aeichele each lay in nice solos and Mike Stubbs' on guitar and Lueck on harp add the dressing. On R&B style track, I Tried, Stubbs lays in a nice intro and Aeichele plays warm sax lines complimenting Lueck's soulful lead vocals. Hoodoo Woman has a real interesting contemporary blues sound, stripped down and basic. With cool raspy vocals and a simple melody line and guitar riff, reinforced by Lueck's harp work. Put The Quilt Out To Dry has a cool percussive feel over a basic, Sonny Boy Williamson feel. With it's dual rhythms, it really digs in, making it one of my favorites on the release. Rock n' roller, Directly Under Her Thumb, has a cool boogie rhythm dressed perfectly by Succi's piano work and the walking bass line of Colavecchia. Stubbs stretches out a little on guitar and Aeichele's sax work is cool. Title track, Cigar Store has a cool walking bass line and with a taste of New Orleans, has a cool horn solo, slide solo and of course boogie piano. Lueck's intro on resonator on White Mule is way cool. The track reminds me quite a bit of Neil Young's Are You Ready For The Country but with an Allman Brother's guitar riff. Interesting. King Biscuit Boy's Mean Old Lady has a cool hi stepping feel with nice slide work by Lueck, a prominent bass line and a real nice piano solo by Succi. Following a smooth R&B hit format, I Can't Change is the most certain radio track on the release with sure footed lead vocals by Lueck and a soulful sax solo by Aeichele. Steve Sherman's organ opener on Quarter Mile really sets the pace for a rolling rocker with a driving drum beat by Lukacs and Stubbs slide work nicely pushing Lueck's lead vocals. Aeichele's aggressive sax solo really gives the track pop and Lueck hit's it hard on harp giving this track real starch. Wrapping the release is a casual, rag style track, You've Been a Good Old Wagon. It has just the right feel with sassy New Orleans style sax work, piano and harp... it's a great closer for a solid release by Smoke Wagon.
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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I just received the newest release, Blueberries and Grits, from Sunday Wilde and it's sassy. Opening with New Orleans flavored, Show Me A Man, Wilde's trademark vocal style and piano finesse blends nicely with the trumpet work of Roger Reupert and backed by Sturgis Nikides on dobro, Reno Jack on bass, Rickey "Quicksand" Martin on drums. Latin spiced, Early In The Morning, a Louis Jordan track, is one of my favorite tracks with April Mae on washboard and Dave Fecca on acoustic guitar. Momma's Drinkin's Done has traditional boogie lines featuring strong vocals blanketed in Reupert's trumpet and Wilde's own piano work. Simple rocker, That Man Drives Me Mad, has primitive roots with Mandy Lemons on backing vocals. Billy Earheart's Cottage Pump Organ teamed with Wilde's piano work gives it an interesting sound blended with pop punk phrasing. Radio style track, Too Many Troubles, has a catchy melody and features some nice acoustic guitar work from Johnny Cass. Willie Dixon's John The Conquer Root, has a swampy feel with really bluesy vocals and piano work by Wilde and again featuring Nikides on dobro and Reupert on trumpet. Another Latin number, Daddy Daddy, keeps the accompaniment light with April Mae on washboard and Gary Vincent and Cass on acoustic guitar. Wilde really squeezes it on this one giving it an extra boost. Bessie Smith's Sorrowful Blues is up next and Wilde's piano work with Nikides' slide work highlights Wilde's vocal work nicely. One Of These Days is a cool duet with Reno Jack. This is a quiet little calliope kind of songs with Nikides on dobro and Earheart on Cottage Pump Organ. This track has a simple beauty setting it apart from the rest. Wrapping the release is Come On In, a spiritual track, done with full vocal backing by Watermelon Slim, Lemons, and Gary Vincent. With Earheart on organ and Robert Hughes on an old Stella, this is a super closer for a unique 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”
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Following in the traditions of rock 'n' roll,
rockabilly, country and rhythm & blues, Toronto's The Kat
Kings deliver their sophomore album on June 10, 2016
"A high octane record that has nothing to offer other
than the message that the party better keep going, this jump blues/rockabilly
roots flavored set was made for good
times." - The Midwest
Record
Led by vocalist and
guitarist Kevin McQuade, The Kat Kings released their debut album The
Winning Hand in 2011 to critical acclaim and quickly became a favourite
among DJs in Canada. A cross-country tour was underway when McQuade was
sidelined with news of his daughter’s near-fatal traffic accident. Plans for
gigs and promo for the album came to a grinding halt and the devoted family
man headed home. "All of a sudden touring to support a new record
didn't seem that important”, McQuade recalls.
In this story of
second chances, McQuade and The Kat Kings have outdone themselves on the 13
original songs that make up Swingin’ In The Swamp. With swing being
the tie that binds jump blues, rock ‘n’ roll, country and
rockabilly music together, The Kat Kings deliver what can be described
as “bluesabilly” on Swingin’ In The Swamp. The album opens with the
danceable numbers “When I Say Jump” and “Poppin’ At Party Time”. “B Flat Kat”
is a rockabilly gem complete with doghouse bass. The love song “I Work For
You” was inspired by Wilson Pickett. “I wrote this song for my wife”,
says McQuade. “You have to work hard to keep the home fires burning!” The
rollicking “Juke Joint Jimmy” is the true story of a sharkskin-suited patron
of the legendary Toronto watering hole Grossman’s Tavern. On the swampy,
gospel-infused “Before I Found Him” McQuade takes a darker turn. “I wrote
this song about a guy on death row. They interviewed him on TV before his
execution and asked him if he had found God. He said he wished God would have
found him before he found God”.
The upbeat “Ridin’ In
Style” follows the familiar theme of hot cars, hot women and a fistful of
money to enjoy it with. “I’m Just A Shadow” is a soulful ballad of love lost.
Gritty and dark, “It Came From The Swamp” was written in about 20 minutes
while McQuade was sitting vigil in the hospital with his daughter. “Til It
Feels Alright” is about the things that folks sometimes do that feel wrong
and yet oh so right at the same time, is followed by the bluesy “I Got The
Fuse”. A straight-ahead New Orleans style rumba, “Late Night Thing” details a
man in love who can't get a handle on the girl he loves until it's late in
the night. The final track is the rockin’ “Baby You Can't Drink”.
In addition to the
exceptional vocals and guitar playing from bandleader Kevin McQuade, The Kat
Kings are comprised of an award-winning cast and “who’s who” on the Canadian
blues and roots scene including the album’s producer Teddy Leonard (Fathead,
The Maple Blues All Stars) on additional guitars, John Dymond (Blackie and
the Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn, k.d lang) on bass, Chuck Keeping (Big Wreck,
Fathead, Suzie McNeil) on drums, and Wayne Dagenais (Joel Johnson) on keys.
The album also features Fathead’s singer John Mays on three tracks.
Swingin’ In The Swamp is an unparalleled album filled with originality,
thought-provoking lyrics and outright good times destined to elevate the band
to wider acclaim and recognition among fans of rockabilly, blues and soul.
I just received the newest release, Hi Lo-Fi from Dylan Wickens & the Grand Naturals and it's gritty, funky, explosive and real. Opening with Foolish Heart, a solid blues rocker, Dylan Wickens leads the way on vocal and slide guitar. With it's gritty sound and driving beat, these guys mean business. Al Webster on drums and Dennis Pinhorn on bass round out this tight threesome. Next up is Love & Lust, a real cool R&B style track, almost a take on Mustang Sally, with an infectious groove. This track is a real mover and bound to get you moving in your seat. I really dig Wickens' loose guitar flow and blues riffs paired against the ultra tight rhythm section. Very cool. Ultra funky blues number, Run Sister really has it going with it's bad ass bottom and featuring Tortoise Blue on harp. I gotta tell you this is one of those releases that keeps you tuned up by having one constant and that's driving rock. There's a new surprise around every corner to keep you looking. Lo slung blues number, Calamity Jane, has nicely stylized vocals paired with some of the best guitar riffs on the release. Tortoise Blue adds cool organ backing adding even more dimension to this understated blues rocker. Another funky blues number, Fall Apart, shows a whole different side of Wickens as a vocalist and his guitar riffs show influences from all corners. Very cool. She's Back In Town has a shimmery iridescence as Wickens delivers his vocal groove over a rock solid beat. This track conjures influences of George Clinton meets Jimi? Yeah...really. This is some cool stuff! Your Other Man has a solid thumping bass line and cool double stop guitar phrasing. I like Wickens' vocal delivery on this track and he seals it every time with clean guitar riffs. Handling the soloing as a part rather than as the feature gives each track firm balance. Opening with a grimy guitar riff, Rock Bottom is a solid rocker with a bluesy anchor. The grittiest guitar riffs on the release appear here and a cool return shows smart writing. Wrapping the release is a live version of In My Time Of Dying with a distinct feel of Cream and Spoonful. Wickens winds out his slide again and shows he's really up to the task of taking on the big boys. Excellent 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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I just received the newest release, Good Good Lovin, from Bill Durst and it's a great rocker! Opening with title track, Good Good Lovin, Durst plies great Muddy Waters blues riffs with the rockin' sounds of Grand Funk Railroad for a super blues rocker. Stinging rock guitar riffs from Durst punctuate the great opener joined by Joe De Angelis on bass and Corey Thompson on drums. Got Love has an 80's rock sound with heavy kick drum and a solid melody. Durst shows worthy guitar chops with southern guitar influences. 21st Century Blues has a British metal sound reminiscent of Judas Priest but with Wishbone Ash overtones. A solid rocker, the bass is tight, the drums are on and the guitar soars. I'm Alright shows Texas blues rock styling and a super driving riff. If you like the Rev Billy G, you should dig this! Heaven Heaven opens with a cool slide guitar riff and led by a relentless kick drum, setting up a great rocker with a rolling bass line and hot guitar riffs. Very cool! Shuffle track, King Snake Prowl, has a great bass bottom and some of Durst's best vocals. With a lot of swagger and hi gain on the guitar amp, Durst lays down some really nicely stlyed riffs making this my favorite track on the release. What Could Have Been Love is a real sweet slow blues number with nice chord emphasis. A heavy drum / bass turnaround gives this track real oomph and Durst soulful vocals and tasty riffs make this another track with heavy traction! Northern Electric is a great blues rocker with a cool extended bass driven turnaround. Durst sets out a RBG styled guitar and vocal pairing that makes this another favorite for me (Check out sleeper ... XXX if you don't know it). I Regret To Say has a soulful ballad with just the right amount of reverb and 50's styling. Excellent 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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I just received the newest release (April 15, 2016), Transition, from Jimmy Byron and it's quite good. Opening with a classic drum riff tied to The Shangri-Las of the early 60's but with takes a hard turn with traces of the Who, Zappa and Lou Reed. Chris Staig on lead guitar lays out some really outrageous riffs joined by Mitchell Thompson on bass and Josh Hicks on drums. Excellent! It's Sad has a very cool early 60's British rock sound with Byron on vocals and with the addition of David Poulin on strings and Staig's guitar riffs in an almost Mick Ronson style sets a nice tone. Can't Get Ahead has a Buddy Holly/Bo Diddley rockin feel and Byron gets things hopping. Jack Breakfast on piano and Byron on lead vocal and harp give this track a real vintage feel. Title track, Transition, is a good urban rocker with a punky, cocky attitude. With a lot of swagger and Reed style vocals, this track kicks! The Job has a folkier sound with an early Bob Dylan delivery and rural fiddle and guitar instrumentation. Very cool! (You Don't Do) What You Used To is a driving rocker with a slightly off beat rhythm. Again Staig sets up the guitar lines, Dennis Mohammed drives the bass, Breakfast on piano and Hicks carries the drums. Very cool. Lucy is a beautiful ballad with simple lines but strongly reminding me of one of today's best songwriters, Frank Black. Definitely one of my favorites on this release with a lot of good tracks to choose from! Don't Reckon has a cool rock blues feel with an early Jorma/Hot Tuna feel. Cool off beat piano lines, sax riffs by Jim Bish and clever guitar riffs gives this track a different kind of heat. Wrapping the release is Big Bad Wolf, a simple country style rocker with solid vocals and really nice slide work from Burke Carroll . Rhythmic acoustic guitar strumming and light honky tonk piano styling carry this track through to the end of a very fine, versatile 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”
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