Blue Heart Records artist: Willie J. Campbell - Be Cool - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Be Cool, from Willie J. Campbell and it's really strong. Opening with You Better Let Go, Sugar Ray Rayford is upfront on lead vocal, with Willie J. Campbell on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Kid Ramos on guitar and Jimi Bott on drums. Ramos lays out a really nice guitar solo on this somewhat funky track, nicely complimented by Condron Hampton on congas. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Stay Away, featuring Janiva Magness on lead vocal and Brian Templeton on backing vocal, as well as Anson Funderburgh showing exceptional finesse on guitar. Also appearing on this track are Mike Morgan and Shawn Pittman on guitars.  Excellent! Templeton has the mic on Drone with it's droning bass line and features the harmonica wizardry of Jason Ricci. There's hardly a track that Ricci contributes to that I don't think that he improves substantially so this is another of my favorites. another Texas style shuffle, Docksidin', lets Funderburgh stretch a bit on guitar and the guy can really play. Milgate on keys as well as Pittman and Morgan on guitars really add as well. Very cool. Shawn Pittman has the spotlight on Devil On My Shoulder with super lead vocals and acoustic guitar and excellent slide work by Morgan. Milgate's piano work on She's a Twister is a standout with Templeton on lead vocals and a flurry of guitar by Ramos. Very nice. The release concludes with two equally iridescent tracks. First up, Use As Needed featuring Templeton on lead vocal and Peter Green's instrumental, Albatross, both which showcase the beautiful guitar work of Ramos and include the piano of Pat McDougall. This really is a terrific release, top to bottom and I highly recommend this release of Willie J. Campbell's work (on bass on each track). Campbell died of ALS on December 19, 2022.

  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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M.C. Records artist: Mike Morgan and the Crawl - The Lights Went Out In Dallas - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Lights Went Out In Dallas, by Mike Morgan and the Crawl and it's super. Opening with Ding Dong Daddy, Mike Morgan is up front on lead vocal and guitar dueling with master Anson Funderburgh and it's an excellent opener with Drew Allain on bass, and Danny Cochran on drums. With a name like Funkafaction, you know it's gonna be funky, with Morgan on guitars, Mike Flanigin on B3, Reo Casey on Rhodes piano, Allain on bass and Kevin Schermerhorn on drums. This is a strong track that really moves. Title track, The Lights Went Out In Dallas, has a catchy melody and firm lead vocals by Morgan and backing vocals by Andrea Wallace plus Matt Farrell on B3 making it my choice for radio track for the release. I like the groove of boogie, Out In The Jungle with it's low slung rhythm and guitar pace. Morgan on vocal and guitar, Casey steps up with a cool solo on guitar himself and the slap rhythm of Schermerhorn on drums makes this another favorite. Slower blues, Goin' Down To Eli's is a really nice track, stretched out with plenty of space for Morgan on slide guitar. Very cool. Wrapping the release is another radio track, Our Last Goodbye featuring Morgan on lead vocal and with a compact melodic guitar solo and warm vocal backing by Wallace, a cool 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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Continental Blue Heaven artist: Shawn Pittman - Make It Right! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Make It Right!, from Shawn Pittman and it's terrific! Opening with a great blues track, Done Tole You So! and it's raunchy, grinding guitar tone sets the groundwork for this, one of the best blues cds I've heard this year. A droning, Mississippi Hill country style saturates this track with Pittman on lead guitar and vocal, Erkan Ozdemir on bass and Levent Ozdemir on drums. Really hot! Lumbering, Finger On The Trigger blends Albert King style guitar riffs with a heavy foot and plenty of grit. Super! Slow blues, How Long has great bones with strong vocals, over driven chords and saturated lead guitar showing excellent phrasing and poise. James Brown's Cold Sweat get's an Albert King style rework showing that Pittman isn't all grime and grit but fleet fingered finesse. Excellent instrumental! Settling back into a more traditional Chicago shuffle on Bobby Bland's Woke Up Screaming, Pittman really rolls it. His vocals are strong and his guitar work engaging. Another slower track, Fair Weather Friend, is a perfect balance of vocal and guitar lead by Pittman with a droning guitar style and double stop soloing. Very cool. Wrapping the release is high energy, I'm Done with Hound Dog Taylor like, freewheeling slide guitar and pace.

I gotta say, this is a strong release making a high water mark for anything else I listen to soon! 

  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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REALLY GOOD BLUES NEWS! - THIS MONDAY (MAY 28, 2012) - SHAWN PITTMAN & TONS OF GUESTS - IN TARZANA!

************************

!!! BREAKING BLUES NEWS !!!

THIS MONDAY'S (MAY 28, 2012)

HUGE MEMORIAL DAY BLUES CONCERT & JAM

IN TARZANA

IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ANNUAL SHOWS

AND WE EXPECT SEVERAL FAMOUS

SPECIAL BLUES GUESTS TO DROP IN!

THIS MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012

*** SHAWN PITTMAN ***

PLUS MANY FRIENDS!

ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATEST TEXAS

BLUES GUITARISTS COMES TO TARZANA !!!

$15 or $20 SUGGESTED DONATION

PER PERSON

*****************************

THIS UPCOMING MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012

*** SHAWN PITTMAN ***

PLUS TONS OF INVITED SPECIAL GUESTS

THE MAUI SUGAR MILL SALOON

$15 or $20 SUGGESTED DONATION

PER PERSON

*****

Please join us and 150 other wonderful blues fans for a tremendous evening of blues, featuring SHAWN PITTMAN - one of the world's greatest blues guitarists, comes to Tarzana from Dallas, Texas for a mind-blowing show! We have also taken the liberty to invite several well-known blues giants who are in Southern California performing and/or recording this week, and we hope they will drop by too! THAT'S THIS UPCOMING MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012, from 8 pm til 9:30 pm at the MAUI SUGAR MILL SALOON in Tarzana. Come early for a good seat!

Please note that many of these artists are not confirmed but there is a high likelihood that many will show up.

*****

TEXAS BLUES GUITAR HOT-SHOT COMES TO TOWN !

*** SHAWN PITTMAN ***

ITS SIMPLY DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS FOR HOT, TEXAS BLUES GUITAR!

Hot, blistering, and extremely-tasteful, Texas blues guitar virtuoso, SHAWN PITTMAN, is on a continual breakout path from his position as one of the blues world's best kept secrets. And luckily he'll be joining us for a 90-minute set of searing Lonestar blues stylings this upcoming Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Sugar Mill in Tarzana.

Performing sharply in the Texas gunslinger tradition, Pittman has garnered critical praise from the entire music industry since his first CD on Cannonball Records in 1997, recorded when he was just 22. This guy is a monster player with a touch and tone second to none.

Pittman currently resides in Dallas where he continues to play with a fire akin to a young Jimmie Vaughan in his prime, occasionally accompanied by Stevie Ray Vaughan's old band, DOUBLE TROUBLE.

Also of note is Pittman's prolific 10 CD-output, which showcases his fine songwriting and vocal skills; something that really sets him apart from legions of other upcoming blues guitarists.

Do not miss this rare show, as this will be SHAWN PITTMAN'S only intimate club date in California! We promise you will be stunned by this young gun slinger's brilliance.

Joining in the fun will be a dozen invited blues guests.

*****

CHECK OUT VIDEOS

OF SHAWN PITTMAN

http://youtu.be/j05hCN9MFlE

http://youtu.be/yMr8jqcmgPw

*****

SEATING / DINNER / DRINKS

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Monday blues night at The Maui Sugar Mill we recommend coming early to grab a table and chair - say around 7:00 pm.

Please note there is a 2-drink minimum

at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon

The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon's kitchen is currently undergoing renovation but YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO BRING YOUR OWN FOOD INTO THE CLUB! There are tons of great take-out places in the area.

*****

SHOW DETAILS

*** SHAWN PITTMAN ***

PLUS SEVERAL SPECIAL GUESTS

will perform from 8:00 to 9:30 pm

THIS MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012

There is NO COVER CHARGE

at the door for this show, but a $15 or $20 donation per person is requested for this event, to help with the costs associated with such a special evening.

WHERE:
Maui Sugar Mill Saloon
18389 Ventura Blvd.
(one-block east of Reseda Blvd.)
Tarzana, CA 91356

Your fellow blues fan,

Cadillac Zack

*****

WORLD-CLASS BLUES JAM

BEGINS AFTER THE OPENING SET

This world-famous weekly blues jam has become very popular amongst the top blues musicians. Every Monday a legendary blues artists drops by to play or just hang out, including: John Mayall, Kim Wilson, Coco Montoya, Arthur Adams, Finis Tasby, Robert "Bilbo" Walker, Barbara Morrison, Phil Upchurch, Deacon Jones, James Harman, Larry Taylor, Al Blake & Fred Kaplan, Roy Gaines, Albert Lee and many others! If you are a great blues musician PLEASE come jam with us!

BRING YOUR WHOLE BAND:

If you would like to bring your full band to do a 15-minute showcase we'd love that, but please e-mail us first so that we can schedule you and give you the details. We have a limited amount of these slots.

Sign up begins at 7:00 pm.

The jam typically starts at 9:30 pm and rages until 1:00 am. Please note: Due to the popularity of this weekly event, musicians are only guaranteed to play if they sign up before 9 pm, although, we have never turned anyone away in 4 years. Wait times vary from 1/2 hour up to 3 hours, depending on how early you sign up. This past Monday, for example, we had 40 jammers

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Edge of the World - Shawn Pittman

This thing just smells of small town Texas. I mean this thing oozes the blues. I am listening to Shawn's work for the first time but I really like it. Now when I say it oozes Texas I don't mean it's a SRV copy or Johnny Winter comparison...not even T-Bone Walker. It sounds like itself and that's the best thing I can say about an album. Now there's a riff in there that Elmore James made popular but you know...everyone has played it... it's a part of the blues but this guy just plays the blues like he feels it and he sings it like a road man. This is one you gotta check out! Gimme More!
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