Nerus Records artist: The Hitman Blues Band - Hey, Can You Guys Play... - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hey, Can you Guys Play..., from The Hitman Blues Band and it's a lot of fun. Opening with Muddy Waters' Hoochie Coochie Man, The Hitman Blues Band takes a driving boogie approach. "Hitman" Alexander on lead vocal and guitar leads the way with a droning bass line by Mike Porter, drums by Guy LaFountaine, Mikey Vitale wailing on tenor sax, Kevin Rymer on keys, Nick Clifford on bari sax and Nancy Hampton and Joanne Alexander on backing vocals. Hitman takes his guitar for a ride making this a solid opener. Robert Johnson's Come On In My Kitchen is a real nice cover with Hitman on dobro and vocal. John The Revelator gets a real nice, funky makeover which I think is the best track on the release. The band really meshes and with excellent vocal by Hitman and the addition of electric slide, trumpet by Eric Altarac, Vitale on alto sax, and a key solo by Mike Katzman, very nice. Wrapping the release is JL Hooker's Boom Boom. Hitman takes his vocal town deep and really hits the feel, vamped by his guitar answer and with Porter's romping bass and Jay Sharkey on drums. Rymer on keys adds real nice texture and Hitman rams up his guitar making this a really nice 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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Nerus Records artist: The Hitman Blues Band - Not My Circus, Not My Monkey - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Not My Circus, Not My Monkey, from the Hitman Blues Band and it's definitely got some cool angles. Opening with title track, Not My Circus, Russell "Hitman" Russell is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Kevin Bents on keys, Mike Porter on bass and backing vocals, Guy La Fountaine on drums, Mikey Vitale on alto sax, John Kelly on tenor sax, Eric Altarac on trumpet, Nick Clifford on bari sax, and Joanna Alexander on backing vocals. A clever radio style track with full horn backing, this track shows some real nice slide guitar work by Hitman as well.  Buy That Man A Drink has a great Rhumba rhythm and Altarac's trumpet work stands out nicely. Blind Willie Johnson gets a modern, blues rock rework with cool electric piano and guitar soloing giving it nice punch. A funky rework on John The Revelator works a balance of drums and horns with strong backing vocals making this one of Hitman's best vocal efforts. Hot solos by Mike Katzman on organ and guitar solo by Hitman definitely embellish my favorite track on the release. Up tempo, Walk With You, is another radio track from this release with it's memorable melody and tightly blended instrumentation including a strong bari solo by Clifford. Soulful, Everybody But Me has the bones of a 50's ballad with upfront vocals by Hitman, piano rhythm by Bents, a nicely articulated jazz style guitar solo by Hitman and solid horn backing. Wrapping the release is Go Down Fighting with a serious Texas style guitar lope and heavy handed drum work gives Hitman a grate opportunity to show his contemporary blues chops concluding this 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