Subcat Records artist: Tas Cru - Riffin' The Blue - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Riffin' The Blue, by Tas Cru and it's got a little bit of everything. Opening with title track, Riffin' The Blue, an easy shuffle with Cru on vocal and featuring Mike Zito on lead guitar, backed by Bill Barry on organ, Ron Keck on percussion, Lenny Milano on drums. With a rich piano intro by Katz on One More Time, Cru on guitar sets the stage with lush phrasing and his own soulful singing, cradled by Katz on organ. Backed by Andy Hearn on drums and Bob Purdy, this is a cool track. My favorite track on the release is House of the Blues, with it's slow, deep bluesy feel and Katz's fat organ bottom. Mary Ann Casale adds some really nice backing vocals and this may be Cru's best vocal effort on the release. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Memphis Gone with Cru on vocal, paired with Zito on slide guitar and only the minimal piano by Katz. With the addition of Casale, Keck, Hearn and Purdy, this is a solid closer for an enjoyable release. 

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SubCat Records artist: Nancy Kelly - Jazz Woman, The Reel To Real Sessions - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jazz Woman, The Reel To Real Sessions, from Nancy Kelly and it's one of a series of singles (two tracks) release from earlier in her career. Opening with Jazz Woman, an original composition with a cool, club feel. Backed by John Di Martino on piano, Ed Howard on bass, Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Harry Allen on tenor, Carmen Intorre Jr, on drums, Wesley Amorim on guitar and Jimmy Johns on vibes, this track has a cool feel with super, muted trumpet lines by Hendrix. Latin rhythms permeate Move Over featuring Kelly's warm vocals and with light keyboard work by DiMartino and smooth sax lines by Allen. This is a short release but very nice and certainly radio ready. 

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Subcat Records artist: Tas Cru - Broke Down Busted Up - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Broke Down Busted Up, from Tas Cru and it blends blues, rock and rural styling for a unique sound. Opening with Where Do We Go, Cru, on vocal and acoustic guitar is joined by Anne Harris on fiddle, Mike Lawrence on bass and Andy Hearn on drums for a solid rocker. Title track, Broke Down Busted Up blends a bluesy theme, and a funky beat with a jazz approach for a pretty cool track. With a fiddle solo by Harris, solid piano work by Dave Liddy and a funky bass line by Bob Purdy this track would work nicely on the radio rotation. Cru tips his hand with some clean acoustic guitar work on River of Insanity a jazz influenced rocker. Working in response with Harris on fiddle, this track has a real nice balance. Mary Ann Casale is the featured vocalist on All Stays The Same, a ballad with piano, guitar and club like backing. Latin rhythm permeates Stay Home Blues with strong percussion by Ron Keck, a nice New Orleans style piano solo and some of Cru's best guitar work on the release. So Damn Hard To Like is a cool blues rag with a nice piano line and my favorite vocals by Cru on the release. Wrapping the release is Write Me My Own a solid ballad with Cru on vocal paired with Harris on fiddle. A solid melody with a light acoustic guitar accompaniment, a solid closer. 

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Subcat Records artist: Drive On - Tas Cru - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Drive On, from Tas Cru and he just keeps getting better. Opening with cool boogie, That Lovin' Feeling, with a real nice bass line form Colin Beatty, a stiff drum beat by Andy Hearn, power B3 work from Anthony Geraci, solid sax work from Anthony Terry and of course Cru on vocal and lead guitar. On rocker, Money Talks, Youngblood Gabe Stillman throws fuel on the fire with his fat slide work and Cru's own driving guitar rhythms and vocals give this track real zip. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Save Me, has a real nice driving bass rhythm by Beatty and features a real nice guitar interlude by Cru that has a certain clarity and with ringing harmonics gives the track a great feel. Very nice. Another relentless boogie, Kinda Mess, again features the hot slide work of Stillman, along with a driving bottom courtesy of Sonny Rock on drums, punctual sax work by Terry and Cru's vocals makes for a strong entry for best track on the release. Laid back, Memphis Blue has that radio styling with Stillman on slide, Cru on harp and joining Mary Ann Casale lead vocal, the track has a solid melody and beat. Wrapping the release is Devil In Your Heart, a subdued acoustic blues number featuring Cru on resonator guitar accompanying himself and Casale on lead vocal.  

  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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Subcat Records artist: Tas Cru - Memphis Song - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Memphis Song, by Tas Cru and it's quite good. Opening with blues rocker, Heal My Soul, Cru on vocal and guitar sets the pace with solid vocals and a driving beat, joined by Victor Wainright on piano, Pat Harrington on slide, Mary Ann Casale on backing vocal Bob Purdy on bass, Dick Earl Ericksen on harp, Guy Nirelli on organ and Andy Hearn on drums. Title track, Memphis Song has strong commercial potential with a David Essex feel, easy backing under firm vocals. Swampy funk rocker, Give A Little Up has a cool, laid back feel with Cru bouncing his vocals off Purdy's bass riffs, Ericksen's harp and the backing vocals of Casale, Floyd-Tritico and Parks. I really like the percussion on Daddy Didn't Give You Much, a jazzy ballad with a smooth feel and Cru's vocals and guitar leading the show.  My favorite track on the release is funky country stomper, One Eyed Jack with a plucky bass line, funky vocals, Nirelli's perfect organ riffs and an understated but tight guitar solo. Wrapping the release is Can't Get Over the Blues, a guitar fed shuffle. With smooth vocal blending with Casale, Floyd-Tritico and Parks this is a solid 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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