Jeff Berlin - Jacksongs - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jacksongs, by Jeff Berlin and it's a really nice tribute to Jack Bruce's music. Opening with Creamed, Berlin on bass and keys is joined by Ron Hembly on lead vocal, John Cowan on vocal, Gabriela Sinagra on backing vocals, Bruce Guttridge on drums and John McCracken on guitars with Alex Lifeson on solo guitar. The track begins with Politician and flows through White Room and Tales of Brave Ulysses  among others with strong guitar work and of course prominent bass work. Very nice opener. One of my favorite Mountain tracks, and another Bruce penned track, Theme From and Imaginary Western is up next and features Hemby on lead vocal who really does a strong job of covering Bruce's beautiful vocal melody with Pat Coil on Hammond and Berlin on keys and bass (including a real nice solo) with guest Eric Johnson on guitar solo and Gregg Bissonette on drums. Excellent. Another of Bruce's beautiful melodies, One Without a Word, again showcases Hemby on lead vocal and with the illustrious Bill Frisell on guitar and with super finesse by Mariano Agustoni on piano and Coil again on Hammond with firm drum work by Bruce Guttridge. Smiles Story and Morning Grins is a cool, rhythmic track and provides a vehicle for a string of bass solos by a who's who of today's music scene including Berlin, Tony Levin (stick), Billy Sheehan, Michael League, Mark King, Ron Carter, Marcus Miller, Nathan East, and Geddy Lee. Traintime Train was written by Berlin and is a really nice addition with a great bass lines, outstanding guitar soloing by Johnny Hiland, strong harmonica by Pat Bergeson and with Gumbi Ortiz on lead vocal and percussion. This is a really nice release with a lot of heavy bass work as well as great featured artists. 

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Provogue artist: Eric Bibb: Dear America - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dear America, from Eric Bibb and it may be his best in years. Opening with Whole Lotta Lovin' with it's rolling acoustic guitar riff and backing instrumentation by Ron Carter on bass and Glen Scott on keys this track had a very friendly warmness. Shaneeka Simon joins Bibb and Tommy Sims on lead vocal, and teamed with Steffan Astner on slide guitar gives this track strong appeal. Slower, lumbering Whole World's Got The Blues features a nice appearance by Eric Gales who lights up his electric guitar and Sims on bass, and Glen Scott on drums fill out the bottom. A modern take on the delta style blues, title track, Dear America pairs Bibbs acoustic guitar and vocal over Chuck Anthony on electric guitar, Scott on drums and percussion, Christer Lyssarides on mandola and Simon and Big Daddy Wilson on backing vocals. Strong ballad, Emmett's Ghost plays to Bibb's strength in songwriting, vocal and acoustic guitar. With a super melody, and message, Bibb delivers one of the best tracks on the release. Another upmix blues track, Talkin' 'Bout A Train fuses traditional blues with just a light tough of modern neo soul. Harmonica wiz Billy Branch steps up and delivers over hot drum beat and some great backing vocals by Scott. Funky! Wrapping the release is One-Ness of Love with the silky vocals of Lisa Mills paired with Bibb's own warm lead vocals. Violin work by David Davidson and David Angell, Scott on piano and Sims on guitar, make this a strong closer. 

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Real Gone Music artist: Larry Coryell - Coryell - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Coryell, from Larry Coryell. This of course is a new release of a 1969 Vanguard release of the same name. The name Larry Coryell has always been synonymous with jazz rock and this release shows exactly why. Being released just before Coryell's unexpected and untimely passing in late February while on tour, this release shows just how long Coryell has been making crate sized impacts on the music scene. With Coryell, an absolute maestro on guitar and with first class associates Bernard Purdie on drums, Albert Stinson, Chuck Rainey and Ron Carter on bass, Mike Mandel on keys and Jim Pepper on flute, this release is heavily weighted by heavy weights!  Opening with Sex, Coryell shows raw adventurous fusion rock and takes the lead on vocal as well as guitar. With his phaser flaring, Coryell blasts off. Sensitive vocals and a quite melody on Beautiful Woman opens wide for Ron carter to lay out some really nice bass lead and Coryell's own raw guitar work, framed by Purdie on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release, The Jam With Albert, is a very cool and structured guitar melody over Stinson's solid bass riff and Purdie's incredible drum line. Elementary Guitar Solo #5 is a particularly interesting track with Coryell starting the track with highly sensitive chord playing and them progressively adding instrumentation and grit. Bouncing off of Chuck Rainey's bass lines, Coryell continues to dig deeper with some of the rockiest jazz rock fusion riffs to hit the stratosphere. I never picked up on this before but there is a musical theme in this track that follows or crosses a Steve Marriott melody that really adds a certain additional interest. On No One Really Knows, Purdie really kicks up the beat and Stinson's thumping bass line gives Coryell the freedom to fly on guitar. Very nice. On funky, Morning Sickness, Rainey digs in, fattening up the bottom and Coryell shows his wild fusion side almost broaching John McLaughlin territory. Wrapping the release is Ah Wuv Ooh, a fluid, euro style jazz rock track with lead guitar melody. Purdie's strong command of the skins and Coryell are in perfect balance and Jim Jim Pepper's flute work adds just the right melodic touch. Very nice conclusion to an important 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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