Qualified Records artist: Yates McKendee - Buchanan Lane - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Buchanan Lane, from Yates McKendree on the indie Qualified Records label, and it moves. Opening with jazzy Out Crowd, Yates on piano sets a great stage, backed by his father Kevin McKendree and Big Joe Maher on drums and percussion. Excellent opener. On BB King's Ruby Lee, Yates moves over to guitar and lead vocal showing excellent versatility. With classic rhumba/blues styling, this track really swings. Backed by Kevin on piano, Steve Mackey on bass, Jim Hoke on sax, Andrew Carney on trumpet and Roland Barber on trombone, this track is tight. Original track, No Justice really digs in with Yates playing lead guitar, bass, drums and organ (and singing) joined by Kevin on piano. If you wonder if this kid has chops... listen to this track. Excellent! Earl King's funky R&B blues number, Always A Good Time gives Yates a chance to show even more style on vocal and guitar, with Kevin on Hammond B3, Greg Garner on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Jim Hoke on sax, Andrew Carney on trumpet and Roland Barber on trombone. Funky New Orleans track, Qualified surely tastes like Dr. John gumbo with Yates on vocal and guitar and Kevin on signature piano, Garner on bass, Blevins on drums, Hoke on sax, Carney on trumpet, Barber on trombone. With the the McCrary Sisters backing it all up, this track hums. Guitar Slim's It Hurt's To Love Someone, is explosive with Yates again showing another root in his playing skill. His vocals are pure and his riffs vibrant. Another excellent slower blues track is Tampa Red's Please Mr. Doctor. Yates not only sings soulfully but hammers the blues out of his guitar in grand fashion. Excellent! Wrapping the release is original composition, Voodoo, with a funky back beat. Featuring Kevin on Hammond and real nice guitar riffs by Yates, this is an excellent closer for a really excellent release.

 

 

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Qualified Records artist: The Rock House All Stars - Let It Bleed Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let It Be Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville, by The Rock House All Stars and it's a cool cover of the Stones tenth US album. Opening with Gimme Shelter, Jimmy Hall (Ex Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, etc) is upfront on vocal joined by Bekka Bramlett and they do a terrific job. Kevin McKendree on guitar really does a nice job covering the guitar lead and Yates McKendree is tight on drums with John Heithaus on bass with added harmonica by Hall. Lee Roy Parnell adds some real country to Honky Tonk Women called Country Honk here. Not at all trying to replicate Jagger and with Rob McNelley on guitar and Luke Bulla on harmonica, this is a great track. Rick Huckaby is up front on Midnight Rambler joined by Stephen Hanner on harmonica and solid guitar work by Kevin and McNelley. Nalani Rothrock on lead vocal and James Pennebaker on steel adds a real nice contrast to the release on You Got The Silver and it's authentic R&B country feel. Wrapping the release is Wild Horses with Lilly Hiatt and Luke Bulla (also fiddle) up front in vocal duet. A track with real country roots and a great melody, Kevin and  McNelley on guitars and Pennebaker on steel reall make this 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”

 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