Endless Blues Records artist: Mick Kolassa - Wooden Music - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wooden Music, from Mick Kolassa and it's chocked full of of blues talent. Opening with shuffle, Educated By The Blues, Mick Kolassa on vocal and guitar lays down a cool melody, with Doug MacLeod and Jeff Jensen on guitar, Carl Casperson on bass, Tom Lonardo on drums, Rick Steff on piano and featuring Eric Hughes on harmonica. Up-tempo, If I Told You, has a swampy rhythm with Jensen on guitar, Casperson on bass, Lonardo on drums and Vince Johnson on harmonica. Very nice. Over My Shoulder is a cool little tune with a saunter. With solid vocals by Kolassa and tight guitar melody by Jensen, this track has a great feel. Wrapping the release is country flavored, Gas Station Sushi, with Kolassa on vocal, kazoo and guitar, with straight up slide from Jensen and Lonardo on drums. This is a cool closer for a characteristic Kolassa release.

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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. 

  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 - 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. 

  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: 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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Swing Suit Records artist: Mick Kolassa - Double Standards - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Double Standards, from Mick Kolassa and it's packed full of stars and blues standards. Opening with Willie Dixon's 600 Pounds of Heavenly Joy, Kolassa is joined by Sugaray Rayford on vocal with solid Latin rhythm by James Cunningham on drums. With Kolassa on guitar and vocal, Bill Ruffino on bass, Chis Stephenson on organ, and Colin John on guitar, very solid opener. Heather Crosse joins on lead vocal for another Dixon hit, I Just Want To Make Love To You. With her sultry vocals and Eric Hughes on harp, this is a real cool track. With it's jazzy club feel, Annika Chambers really shows on Fever. Her vocals are rich and deep caressed in a warm bed of Jensen's guitar tone. Alice Hasan's violin contributions to Tas Cru and Kolassa's rework of Jimmie Cox's Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out is really nice. Another particularly warm spot is Erica Brown's vocal lead on Dixon's Spoonful. Jensen lays down a real nice guitar section on this track as well. Another Latin influenced track, Early In The Morning, features David Dunavent on guitar. Stylistic and cool. The most guitar intensive track, Outside Woman Blues really gives Jeff Jensen the opportunity to show off on guitar and he does a real nice job. Wrapping the release is Ain't Nobody's Business featuring excellent vocals by Chambers, Gracie Curran, Erica Brown and Jeff Jensen. This is a super closer for a real solid release benefitting the Blues Foundation's HART Fund and Generation Blues programs.

  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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VizzTone Label Group artist: Tas Cru - Simmered & Stewed - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Simmered & Stewed by Tas Cru and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with snappy revival rocker, Dat Maybe, Tas Cru is grooving his own tune on vocal and guitar with Ron Keck on percussion, Mike Lawrence on bass, Chip Lamson on piano and Guy Nirelli on organ. Boogie track, Grizzle N' Bone is up next with cool backing vocals by Mary Ann Casale and Andy Hearn on drums, Bob Purdy on bass, Jeremy Walz on guitar, and Nirelli on organ. Somber ballad, Time and Time is a real nice track with super bluesy guitar work from Cru and warm backing vocals by Casale and Alice "Honeybea" Ericksen. Excellent! R&B track, Road To My Obsession has a really cool rhythm along the lines of Tony Joe White. With harp work by Dick Earl Ericksen and stylistic guitar work by Cru, this may be my favorite track on the release. Cover My Love is a cool ramblin song with cool resonator work by Cru, nice harp work by Ericksen and tight piano work by David Liddy. I really like the feel of Woman Won't You Love Me, with cool slide by Cru and Ericksen's harp work, dressed nicely by Chip Lamson on piano and Cru's own melodic vocals. Blues rocker, Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin" has a great groove with Joe Goehle on piano, Andy Hearn on drums, Lamson on piano and Cru's own vocal and resonator work which may be his best on the release. Wrapping the release is Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher, which grows in tempo with slide guitar, keys, driving drums and warm backing vocals as Cru drives it on. This is a great closer for a solid release.



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Tas Cru - You Keep The Money - New release Review

I just received the newest release from Tas Cru and it builds nicely on the foundation of his last release. Opening with You Keep The Money, a Latin flavored rocker with a blues twist, Cru on vocal and guitar is accompanied by Dick Earl Ericksen on harp, Ron Keck on percussion, Dave Olson on drums and Bob Purdy on bass. Next up is A Month of Somedays, a nicely executed blues ballad. Cru shows his patience on a nicely executed guitar intro and Guy Nirelli warms the bottom with smooth organ work. A really nicely executed guitar solo caps the track. Very nice! Half The Time is a country rock fused blues track (think Jimmy Rogers). Snappy guitar riffs and cool backing vocals by Mary Ann Casale and Alice "Honeybea" Ericksen give this track that extra kick. La Belle Poutine is a really nicely executed blues ballad a la Gary Moore. Clean and nicely articulated guitar lead by Cru and nice electric piano work from Chip Lamson and again Nirelli on organ makes this my favorite on the release. Excellent! Funky, Heart Trouble had a nice feel and snappy drum work from Olson. Again, clever guitar riffs, piano lines and backing vocals from Casale and Ericksen balance the track. A Little More Time has a pop feel with easy jazz like guitar riffs and backing vocals. Could be a radio wonder. One Bad Habit is a easy stepping shuffle with nice harmonies. A feel good track it is surely a crowd pleaser. Take Me Back To Tulsa is driving track with great bass riffs. Cru leads the way on this one vocally with nice backing and lamson does a really nice job on piano. Ericksen blows a nice harp solo on this track and Cru sticks a country infused guitar solo giving it a real Tulsa flair. Cool track! Count On Me is a real swingin blues shuffle with a solid bass line. Nicely blended vocals and strong construction make this another track that could get good airplay. Holding On To You is a simple ballad with warm backing vocals and nicely blended harp overtones and a warm bed of organ. Bringing Out The Beast has a nice swagger and kind of reminds me of an old Little Feat track. Simple clean guitar riffs and harp work over a gritty vocal track and suspended organ work gives this track it's bite. Wrapping the release is Thinking How To Tell Me Goodbye, a country 2 stepper. With authentic country styling, harp and acoustic riffs, this track gets er done.

  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”

 

Tall City Blues Fest Announces 2014 Line-Up

TAS CRU TO PRESENT BLUES IN SCHOOLS FOR BLUES FOUNDATION

The Blues Foundation, Memphis TN has just announced that TAS CRU will present a Blues in the Schools program as part of its International Blues Challenge (IBC) events in Memphis, TN this coming January/February. I will present to 4th graders at Downtown Elementary School of Memphis City Schools on Friday morning, February 1st. "It is well known that I firmly believe that blues education must be a vital part of the blues performer’s overall efforts and mission. I am honored to be chosen to lead this program as part of the 2013 IBC." 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 favorite band!

Crustee Tees Records artist: Tas Cru - Tired of Bluesmen Cryin' - New Release Review

I just received and have had a chance to listen to Tas Cru's newest release, Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin'. The recording opens with the title track, I'm Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin', which starts as a solo slide guitar and vocal wail. Influenced by an aspiring blues singer/songwriter, Cru wrote this track and determined to make an upbeat blues recording. This track quickly transitions from a swampy wail to a full blown blues rocker with lots of sliding. This track has the hook that could win it national recognition. Cru is an accomplished slide player and that is evident from this track. Changin' My Ways is an uptempo blues rocker with resonator used in a way that you often hear an electric slide played. This is the kind of track track that will have the crowd dancing in the isles. One More Time opens with a very cool piano intro by Chip Lamson and Cru joining on electric guitar. This blues follows that T-Bone Walker/Elmore James pattern for slow blues and is bound to be an immediate draw for traditional slow blues lovers. Cru delivers on vocals and guitar making this a sure fire Bluesville player. Road To My Obsession has a bit of R&B/Stax mixed into the sound that approaches Wilson Pickett. Cru takes the opportunity to lay down some nice guitar riffs on this track especially on the bridge. Nice job! Try, Oh I Try gets the New Orleans funk feel going but keeping the track within his own sound (without the horns)of harmonica, drums, bass and keys. I particularly like the harp solo on this track fairly naked against the bass work of Joe "the Claw" Goehle. On That Lovin' Thang, Cru lays down a solid rocker with clean slide work paired with Tony Perrino on organ. On Every Word I Say, Cru explains every man's plight of only looking like they aren't listening. This swing blues track has warm organ backing and takes cool harp work throughout, taking the volume down creating great dynamics for a hot finish. Sure Do (want to fool around) has the characteristics to make it an adult top forty type track. Lyrics that you could relate to, a great melody and well executed. Storytime has a cool blues groove to it with Cru talking the lyric story over a nice bass line and slide punctuation. Jeremy Walz, Cru's long time sideman is featured on slide this track. This is a track that stands out in that some very hot players have successfully employed this "singing" technique and I really like it. Heal My Misery has the structure of an old western trail giving it special appeal in that "everyone" doesn't do it. I always like to see artists take steps out of the norm and bring different flavors of music to the table. Walz again plays great slide riffs on this track and Larry DiVivo keeps the straight rhythm on drums. Dark Side Of The Mountain is a really deep blues/ballad dedicated to the soldiers and families from the US Army's 10th Mountain Division. This is a serious track with solid vocals, great melody and passionate electric guitar soloing. This is a solid blues recording with a modern approach to playing the blues. Many of the primitive instruments are used, blended with state of the art technology and contemporary instruments giving the recording an authentic texture while broaching contemporary themes. Nice job!  
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson 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”