Swordfish Records artist: Scott Ellison - Zero-2-Sixty - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Zero-2-Sixty from Scott Ellison and it's a cool mix or rock, R&B and blues. Opening with shuffle, She Needs A Whole Lotta Lovin', Scott Ellison on lead vocal and guitar gets this thing going. Backed by Jon Parris on bass, Robbie Armstrong and David Bernston on harmonica, this is a solid opener. On slow blues, That's How I Love My Woman, Ellison digs deep both vocally and on guitar making this a terrific track. With Parris on bass, Armstrong on drums and Danny Timms on B3 and piano, this is one of my favorites on the release. Another cool shuffle is You Can't Blame A Guy For Tryin' with a cool bass line by Matt Kohl, Matt Teegarden on drums, Hank Charles on piano and organ and great syncopation by Ellison on vocal and lead guitar. Soulful blues, Before The Teardrops Fell is a nice showcase for Ellison on vocals and his lead guitar chops are very nice. Piano soloing by Timms adds another dimension and Ron Morgan on bass and Armstrong on drums keep it tight. On loping swing track, Jenni Kat, Ellison takes his guitar chops for a walk and a real nice show he puts on. With a walking bass line by Kohl and Teegarden on drums, this is a super track. With a bit of funk, Soul Harbor has a definite strut. Parris and Armstrong set up a massive bottom and Ellison just rides the groove. Very cool. Wrapping the release is shuffle, You Can't Hurt Me No Mo' with tight guitar riffs against the back beat. Again the bass lines of Parris lay the groundwork and Ellison's guitar riffs really cook. This is a solid closer for a cool blues album. 

  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

Liberation Hall artist: Scott Ellison - There's Something About the Night - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, There's Something About the Night, by Scott Ellison and it's packed full of blues and a lot of fun. Opening with loping boogie, Half A Bottle Down, Ellison shows great guitar swagger and solid vocals. Backed by Rick Robbins on rhythm guitar, Lou Castro on bass, Robbie Armstrong on drums and Jon Greathouse on keys, this is a solid opener. On Bobby Blue Bland's Ain't No Love, Ellison shows great soul on vocal and lays down some stinging guitar riffs, backed by Ginger Blake, Maxine Waters, Julia Waters and Oren Waters on vocals. Very cool. Swinging shuffle, Bury Your Bone At Home is a strong front runner for popular track with it's clever lyrics and excellent overall feel. Another loping Texas style boogie, Meat and Potatoes gives Ellison a nice opportunity to lay down some cool slide work, joined by David Bernston on harmonica. Slow, TBW style, Good Year For the Blues, is my favorite on the release with it's strong vocals and some of Ellison's hottest, ripping guitar work on the release. With tight R&B rhythm, Chains of Love is another standout track with just that right groove, smoky guitar accents and terrific backing vocals by Ginger, Maxine, Julia and Oren. Shuffle, Revolutionary Man, is another track with some solid slide work by Ellison and vocal work by Chris Campbell along with Ellison. Wrapping the release is funky, Where Do You Go When You Leave with it's James Brown, Boogaloo beat by Ron McRorey, piano by Walt Richman and sweet backing vocals by Ginger, Maxine, Julia and Oren. Solid closer for a real 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

Red Parlor Records artist: Scott Ellison - Skyline Drive - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Skyline Drive, by Scott Ellison and I like it. Opening with Latin seasoned, blues rocker, I'm Missing You, Ellison on lead vocal and lead guitar is joined by Chris Campbell on backing vocals, Ron Getman on guitar, Jon Parris on bass, Robbie Armstrong on drums. With a solid melody, tight vocals and cool guitar lead, this is a strong opener. Title track, Skyline Drive is a cool shuffle with warm B3 under the cool vocal melody and with jazz influenced blues guitar. Very nice. Driving blues rocker, I'm All Wound Up is fueled by hot lead slide by Getman, the tight drumming of Chuck Reavis and Hank Charles on piano. It has great swagger making it one of my favorites on the release. These Blues Got A Hold On Me, has a slower more deliberate tempo with understated organ underpinnings and a real nice solo and Ellison takes time for a real nice guitar solo of his own. Very nice. Overwhelmed is a super blues rocker with real nice slide work by Getman and "Thorogood like" vocals by Ellison...  definitely another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Lonely In Love, an easy rocker with strong radio appeal. Ellison's vocals are solid with nice harmony by Campbell and focused guitar soloing over firm B3 backing. 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

Red Parlor Records artist: Scott Ellison - Good Morning Midnight - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Morning Midnight, from Scott Ellison and it's tasty! Opening with New Orleans flavored, Sanctified, Ellison is really hitting the road running. With Chris Campbell on lead vocal and Marcy Levy on backing vocal this band featuring Chuck Blackwell ripping up the drums, Gary Gilmore's funky bass line and hot guitar work by Ellison is smokin'. Soulful number, Gone For Good showcases Ellison on lead vocal and guitar with a strong radio presentation. Very nice. Reggae styling on Hope & Faith really sits down hard on Bob Marley's style. A really nice track with just the right groove features Jon Parris on bass, Danny Timms on B3 and terrific drum work by David Teegarden. One of my favorite tracks on the release is You Made A Mess (Outta Me) along the lines of Nickel and a Nail or Thrill Is Gone. With Jon Glazer on keys, Robbie Armstrong on drums, Jon Parris on bass and real nice lead vocal and guitar by Ellison, this track is super. On Wheelhouse with Mike Bennett on trumpet, Steve Ham on trombone, Robbie Armstrong on drums, Timms on piano and Parris on bass and Ellison on guitar, this is a really hot swinging jazz instrumental. Excellent! Lumbering rocker, Big City really kicks with heavy boots and Ellison's got attitude on vocal and guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, When You Love Me Like This, with solid vocals, cool harp by Jimmy Junior Markham, a great beat (Ron Martin - bass and Tim Smith - drums) spurred on by scorching guitar riffs by Ellison giving this just the right pressure to close a super entry by Ellison. 

  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

Blues Kitty Music artist: Liz Mandeville - The Stars Motel - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, The Stars Motel, from Liz Mandeville and it has a real nice flow. Opening with Too Hot For Love, Liz Mandeville is up front on lead vocals with Scott Ellison on lead guitar, Matt Kohl on bass, Robbie Armstrong on drums and Joan Gand on B3. With a more relaxed BB King kind of feel, Blues Is My Boss features Dario Lombardo on lead guitar with Mandeville handling lead guitar and lead vocal. Matt Cartwright sets a deliberate bass line and Andy Sutton is tight on drums. With a New Orleans feel, Everybody Knew But Me, has a great rhythm with Heather Tackett Faludo on bass, Steve Hart on tuba n Alex Leong on trombone and Jim Godsey on percussion. Very cool! Quiet ballad, One Dance, is soulful and has great horn bass featuring Jeannie Tannec on trumpet, Johnny Cotton on sax Charlie Kimble on sax. Gand's B3 work really beefs up the middle and Minoru Maruyama, guitar work gives the track sting almost sounding like a Muscle Shoals track. On Try Me Mandeville gets a great soul feel going backed by Rachelle Coba and Andy Sutton. Gand's Piano work is spot on developing a great swing with Faludo and Sutton's lines. Mandeville lays out some real nice lower octave guitar riffs that set the track apart. Truth has a great chugging rhythm not unlike a cool Al Green track. Darryl Wright's bass line really sets this and Mandeville's vocals ride it. Harp work by Dizzy Bolinsky adds really nice texture and guitar work by Maruyama and Mandeville ices it. Dario Lombardo's Reefer and a Glass of Wine is a super swing track featuring Doug Deming on lead guitar. A really swinging sax solo by Charlie Kimble seems to fuel Deming's guitar work and sassy trombone work by Cotton makes this one of my favorites on the release. Slower blues ballad, What Could Have been is the best showcase for Mandeville's voice. Matt Kohl sets a solid bass bottom and Gand's B3 work caress the soulful guitar lead by Mandeville. River Of Blood has a swampy sound with heavier vocal lines by Mandeville and fluid guitar lines by Coba. Wrapping the release is swing track, What Do Blues Men Like? with really slick guitar lines by Ellison and really rich vocals by Mandeville. Jon Parris on bass and Sutton on drums tops 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Red Parlor Records artist: Scott Ellison - Elevator Man - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Elevator Man, from Scott Ellison and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Holler For Help, an upbeat British invasion style track, Ellison leads on vocal and slide guitar joined by Charles Tuberville on bass. Arlene has that great SB Williamson drive reinforced by a solid bass line. Jimmy Markham lays down a real nice harp line followed by Ellison on guitar. Very nice! Slow and gritty, Behind That Smile, features nicely phrased guitar lines and warm backing vocals by Charles Tuberville and Marcy Levy making it one of the sweetest tracks on the release. Fishsticks and Jelly has a cool pace with foot stomp rhythm and real nice acoustic slide work. Title track, Elevator Man, has a bit of contemporary funk with a super slinky guitar solo. This track really moves and I really like Ellison's lead vocals as well as Levy's backing vocals on this track. Shuffle track, Jesus Loves Me (Baby Why Don't You), shows Ellison's stinging guitar riffs and a solid driving beat with Gary Gilmore on bass and Jamie Oldaker on drums. School Girl has a light Latin flavor and almost Billy Gibbons like vocals. Crisp, guitar riffs and cool beat drive this train. Put You Down has a cool guitar/vocal melody match and a Chicago feel. Hit It, Get It and Go is a real nice boogie track with Ellison staying right up front on vocal with emphasis on lyrics. Cool! Another slow paced blues track, Wear Out Your Welcome gives Ellison the opportunity to dig down and grab the guitar by the neck, pulling rich soulful lead lines at will. Very nice! I Thought I'd Be Gone has a two step rhythm with slide guitar smoothing it out to a blues rocking tempo. My Little Sheba is a hot little number with unusual vocals and paired guitar and vocal lead. With a bit of a raw feel, this track stands apart in a cool way. Wrapping the release is She's On My Trail, a standard 12 bar number with vocal/guitar call and response. Snarling guitar riffs and a driving rhythm make this a nice selection to complete the 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”

 

JSE Records artist: Scott Ellison - Hit It, Get It and Go - New Release taster review

I just received tracks from the new recording (February 2014); Hit It, Get It and Go; from Scott Ellison. Ellison, former sideman to Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and recent inductee to the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame, released the first cut from this recording set on Thanksgiving. Jesus Loves Me (Baby Why Don't You), a smooth, guitar rich, shuffle track is featured in Homefront, a new movie starring Jason Statham, James Franco, Wynona Ryder and Kate Bosworth. Backing Ellison are Charles Tuberville (rhythm guitar), Walt Richmond (B3), Gary Gilmore (Bass) and Jamie Oldaker (drums). The second track, Elevator Man has a strong back beat featuring Matt Kohls (bass) and Robbie Armstrong (drums). These are both strong tracks featuring Ellison on vocal and guitar, promising to be a CD to watch for.

  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”
 This is not one of the featured tracks but does represent Ellison's work:

Blind Raccoon presents: Walkin' Through the Fire ; a new release by Scott Ellison - Release review

I just received the new release by ex Gatemouth Brown Sideman Scott Ellison. This is a real strong effort written entirely by Ellison and Charles Tuberville or Walt Richmond (Eric claptons keyboard player)with definite clues to Motown and Memphis. Gravelly vocals are dominant throughout and Ellison is a good guitar player although this release is primarily vocal driven with stinging guitar for icing. Shakin' With the Blues definitely shows the strong guitar feel and there is a pretty tasty slide guitar solo on "Trouble Times".

As a change up, The Name of Your Game comes straight from Jamaica. There is a nice guitar solo there to give the song just the right balance. All Things, starts off with a nice guitar intro and has the rhythm style that I would typically associate with Johnny Winter although the guitar styling is a lot more "Albert King". There is also a real nice piano interlude in the middle of the song which again provides for a nice balance.

The last song on the release "The Man Who Shot Mustang Sally" is a take off on Wilson Pickett's Mustang Sally. It definitely has the Muscle Shoals feel but with Ellison's own signature.There is some pretty tasty guitar groovin here wrapping up a pretty cool offering by a talented writer.

Enjoy!!

The video is not of a song on the release...nothing yet available.

Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE