Micah Graves - Pawns - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pawns, from Micah Graves and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Pawns, Micah Graves leads a group of excellent musicians on a creative path. Based over a central piano/keys vamp by Graves is reinforced by Robby Cruz on trumpet, Dick Oats on alto sax, Yesseh Ali on tenor sax, Zach Guise on bass and Julian Miltenberger on drums. Ali is the first to break loose with a creative solo line with incredibly tight drum rhythms by Miltenberger. Zach Fischer is next in line with warm guitar lead over a subdued, drum/piano rhythm, breaking back to Miltenberger and Graves tight rhythm interaction and horns. Very nice. Adding vocals by Danielle Dougherty and Shafiq Hicks on Lost In Time In Central Square, this track is much more straightforward and radio forward with a carload of instrumental excellence. Ali is first up on solo this time and his tones are fat and rich, followed by a funky keyboard solo by Graves and nicely complimented by Guise and again with over the top tasty percussive work of Miltenberger. Excellent! Dick Oats lays in some really nice alto sax work on this track feeding into Graves with his excellent keyboard lead. Solid head food. Odd Times is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's driving keyboard lead, relentless bass line by Guise and especially the terrific drumming of Miltenberger. Excellent! Wrapping the release is The Hague with it's pop jazzy feel. A warm bass groove gives Graves a broad road to solo over on keys and Miltenberger holds a tight rhythm. Ali lets it all hang out on Tenor for a wild ride of a closer.

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Rose Leaf Recordings artist: Richard Wilkins - Life's For Livin' - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Life's For Livin', by Richard Wilkins and it's a good blend of R&B, rock and blues. Opening with Howling Wolf's Howlin' For My Darling, Richard Wilkins is upfront on lead vocal and bass, with power tom toms by Jimi Bott, Kevin Selfe on lead guitar, Steve Kerin on piano. Solid opener.  Original blues rocker, Here I Come Mama, has a solid bottom and rockin' piano by Kerin with a driving guitar lead by Selfe.  Title track, Life's For Livin' is a solid radio track penned by Wilkins with a "Kinks like" rock feel. Super melody and steady beat, cool track. I really like the driving beat of Night Train with Don Reardon and Selfe on guitar and it's "Social Distortion" kind of feel. Lofi and blues rocky... very cool. Wilkins straps up the sax on Joe Hill Louis'  Hydramatic Woman and it's rockabilly style with lively piano by Kerin. On I Don't Drink No More Selfe is channeling T Bone Walker giving the release a real nice addition in the blues department. Excellent! 

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Provogue Records artist: Beth Hart - A Tribute To Led Zeppelin - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Tribute To Led Zeppelin, by Beth Hart and I really like it. Opening with Whole Lotta Love, Hart shows that Robert Plant has nothing on her belting out the most classic of rock anthems like it's her own. Backed by Dorian Crozier on drums, Chris Chaney on bass, Tim Pierce on guitar, Rob Cavallo on guitar and Jamie Muhoberac on keys, this band is tight. I'm particularly happy with Crozier's handling of Bonham's drum work which is the key to getting this band. Another drum heavy track, "later phase" Led Zep's Kashmir, sounds really strong and Hart fills Plant's shoes better than anyone might expect.  The Crunge, from Houses is a great track with tight little guitar riffs and hot drum rhythms. Anyone passing a shop with this playing would likely do a double take on whether it's Led Zep... the keys are the tale with different intonation but still a really nice job! One of the best rock tracks by anyone is of course Black Dog and Hart and company does a great job. Once again I have to salute Crozier. As a long time Zep fan, it's all about the drums. Covers of Pages guitar solos are really quite accurate and still exciting.  Digging back into early Zep again Good Times Bad Times is still a great rocker. Hart makes a small gender adjustment to the lyrics but her vocals are questionably better than Plants and covers of Pages guitar solos sound great. (Did I mention... great work by Crozier). Wrapping the release is gloomy and moody, The Rain Song with "strings" by Muhobeac and Hart's final chance to showcase her bluesy voice. This really is a strong release of Zep covers and a cool listen.

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Jorge Garcia with Richie Cole - Dedicated To You - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dedicated To You, from Jorge Garcia with Richie Cole and it really interesting. Opening with Minority, a terrific track with Richie Cole leading the way on sax. His articulation and fluid runs are strong, riding high on the glistening guitar chords of Jorge Garcia, backed by Rick Doll on bass, James Cotmon on drums and Paul Banman on piano. Garcia steps up on solo guitar really laying it out there and a nice solo by Doll makes this a great opener. With a very nice Latin rhythm, With You Always has beautiful lines, led by the clean guitar soloing of Garcia and really nice chromatic harmonica soloing by Hendrick Meurkens and backed by Jamie Ousley on bass. Very nice. A really nice double timed take on S'wonderful is a strong showcase for Garcia's inventive guitar runs with an active bass line by Ousley over a tight drum rhythm by Cotman. Wrapping the release is title track, Dedicated To You, a cleanly played guitar ballad surrounded by electric piano and keys by Paul Banman. This is a simple but very enjoyable closer for a rally nice release. 

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Blue Canoe Records artist: Tritone Asylum - The Hideaway Sessions - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Hideaway Sessions from electro- acoustic collective, Tritone Asylum and it's really interesting. Opening with Grasshopper, a Latin influenced track, the band, made up of Philip Topping on electronic Valve Instrument, Ian Vo on sax and flute, Mitch Forman on keys, Peter Sepsis on bass and Dave Johnstone on drums really get moving. I particularly like lively sax solo by Vo which is a screamer. Off centered, The 54 Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with 5/4 time and Topping leading the way on Electronic Valve over a tight drum cadence by Johnstone. Waddell breaks loose with a dynamic guitar solo that speaks nicely and Vo's sax solo is quite soulful. Forman lays in a real nice key solo and precise guitar punctuation really adds a nice touch. Very cool. With a funky bottom thanks to Sepsis and Johnstone Simple is really humming and Topping and Vo carry the melody. I really like Vos' sax work on the solo of this track cutting loos from convention and shining strong. Forman sets up a real nice electric piano phrase and develops it nicely and Waddell steps in with nicely phrased guitar lead of his own giving the track a bit more edge making this another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is light, springy, First Days Of Summer with a radio style melody and interesting yet controlled soloing by the band. 

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Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Blues From Chicago to Paris - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the release, Blues From Chicago to Paris, and it's a strong traditional blues release from Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne. Opening with piano boogie, Rock This House, Wayne really has the keys rolling with his terrific vocals and solid backing by Russell Jackson on second vocal and bass and Joey DiMarco on drums. Great opener. Slowing things down a bit, Willie Dixon's A New Way To Love is a scorcher with soulful vocals and really strong piano work by Wayne. Clocking in at over 7 minutes, this is a showcase tune. Memphis Slim's Messin' With the Blues is a real cool addition to the set with it's jazzy approach but solid blues core. Wayne, again is showcased on vocal but his piano work is really tops, both under the melody and in soloing conditions. Excellent! Up tempo, After While has a revival feel with Wayne and Jackson on vocal and Wayne's piano rolling. Another fun piano boogie, I Ain't Gonna Be No Monkey Man, really rolls along with great piano riffs and solid vocals by Wayne and Jackson. Wrapping the release is Slim's, Wish Me Well, another tight piano boogie. I like how Wayne has really tapped into the flow of these classics and blended them together on a contemporary recording. Very nice.  

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Professor Louie & The Crowmatix - Strike Up The Band - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strike Up The Band, from Professor Louie & The Crowmatix and it swings. Opening with A Thousand Ways to Freedom, an uplifting rocker with power vocals by Professor Louie who also provides keys, backed by Miss Marie on piano, Gary Burke on drums, Frank Campbell on bass and John Plantania on guitars. With a island flavor, Golden Eagle, has terrific percussion and solid lead vocal by Marie. Louie on accordion really adds another dimension and trumpet by Danny Coyle and strong guitar work by Plantania. Tick Tock is set to a cool, 60's style rock beat. Louie on keys and lead vocal really makes this track groove. Plantania lays in a nice little slide solo on guitar for some real spice. Very cool.   Radio oriented, End of the Show is a really nice blend of spiritual and soul. I think that it's my favorite track on the release with a strong melody, super vocals by Louie and solid backing vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Flaming Ray, a calm ballad featuring Louie accompanying himself on keys, blended nicely with acoustic guitar and light snare work. With smooth vocal blending with Marie, and nicely intgrated horn work by Jim Buckley on sax and flute, Coyle on trumpet, Chuck Smith on trombone, and Tony Aiello on sax and flute, a solid closer. 

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Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone - The Workhouse - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Workhouse, from Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone and it's a cool blues flavored rocker. Opening with Meet Me In New Orleans, a cool,  NO flavored rocker with a snappy drum line by Brian Alpert. Upfront is Karl Stoll on lead vocal and guitar, backed by John Dickson on harmonica, Dean Dalton on bass, with David Torkanowsky on piano, Joe Brotherton on trumpet, Megan Nortrup on sax, David Sager on trombone, and Josh Howell on percussion. Cool party opener. Title track, The Workhouse is a solid contemporary interpretation of delta blues with Stoll on acoustic guitar and vocal paired with Dickson on harmonica with spartan drums and bass backing. Very clean.  He Was My Dad is a strong, driving boogie with a heavy bass line by Dalton and solid slide guitar work by Paul Bell and a hot harmonica solo by Dickson. Real nice. On a cool, T Bone Walker style track, Bad Girl, Stoll drops the band back with predominant lead vocal, shimmery lead guitar, and cool interwoven trumpet (Brotherton) and harmonica (Dickson). The powerhouse rocker on the release is Great Rain with a solid Hendrix riff driving the train. This is the best track to show off Stoll's vocal and guitar prowess, with a heavy drum  and bass bottom and organ work by Lepson. This is a firm rock release with a little for everyone. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Mike Zito - Blues For The Southside - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues for the Southside, from Mike Zito and it's really strong! Recorded live at the Old Rock House in St Louis, MO. this band is cranking. Opening with Mississippi Nights, Mike Zito is up front on lead vocal and guitar. Mike has great a super grinding tone and his slide work is great. Backed by Matthew Johnson on drums, Lewis Stephens on piano, Doug Byrkit on bass, this band is smoking. Larry Davis' Texas Flood really gives Zito a chance to put his foot to the floor and he doesn't hesitate a bit. His vocals are firm and his guitar work inspired and scorching! Hell On Me is a great, rolling blues with a solid walking bass line from Byrkit opening up a super land for Zito to wind it up and he's on it. Building a lot tension with his vocals and nice use of a chorus pedal, Zito sets it up nicely. Stephens' organ work adds a lot of lather setting the lob up for a slam by Zito to close. Very nice. Opening side two of this concert is Highway Mama, and adding Tony Campanella on guitar. I really like this track... a perfect example of blues rock at it's best along the lines of Frank Marino's Mahogany Rush. Excellent! Hendrix's Voodoo Chile finds Eric Gales on stage with Zito and a real shootout. This is a 12 minute duel and lots of smoke. Very nice! On Life Is Hard Zito really take his time and works his solo. His chops are excellent and clocking in at over eight and a half minute, it really makes you sad that you  missed this show in person. Wow! Wrapping the release is Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode. With nothing left on the table, this is an excellent closer keeping the energy up and Zito keeps the riffs flying. This is a really strong closer for a really potent double live concert. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Kathy Murray & The Kilowatts - Fully Charged - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fully Charged, from Kathy Murray & The Kilowatts and  its a cool current day blues rocker. Opening with Expense of Love based around an up tempo Sonny Boy Williamson riff, Kathy Murray leads the release off with supple, lead vocals in front of a band that sounds like it's chomping at the bit to run. With Michael DeSantis on bass, Richard Ross on drums, and Bill "Monster" Jones on guitar, solid opener. Rolling into a great blues track, My Mistake, Jones steps up with some hot riffs over DeSantis' bass line, and with the addition of the Texas Horns (Kaz Kazanoff on tenor sax, John Mills on bari sax, and Al Gomez on trumpet). Very nice! With a modified walking bass line driven by DeSantis, Henny Penny Blues is a cool change up mid disc with a nice exchange between Murray and Jones. With solid riffs and a snappy drum base by Ross, a solid addition. Pulling out Tampa Red's It Hurts Me Too, Jones slips on the slide and with Murry's vocal prowess, really delivers on this classic. Wrapping the release is Extra Nice with Murray sharing the vocal spotlight with Jones (who of course has lead guitar and adds accordion) over a cool bass line by Jeff Botta with Jason Corbiere on drums. Cool closer. 

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Ruf Records artist: Bernard Allison - Highs & Lows - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Highs & Lows from Bernard Allison and I really like it. Opening with So Excited, Bernard Allison is back with heat. This opening track is a potent blues rocker with Allison on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Dylan Saifer on bass, Steve Potts on rhythm guitar and Jose Ned James on drums. A romping rhythm and Allison on slide guitar gives this track real spunk. With a laid back, "Steely Dan" jazzy feel, Allison for sure set Strain on My Heart up as the radio track with it's solid melody, Toby Lee Marshall on B3 and Wurlitzer and a fat sax solo by Toby Lee Marshall. Colin James guests on My Way or the Highway, a cool shuffle, giving James and Allison a nice opportunity to trade riffs including Allison on an organ guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is I Gave It All with a funky bottom and soulful vocals by Allison. With the addition of Marshall on B3 and James on sax, Allison lays down some of his bluesiest riffs on the release. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Last Night with it's sax soaked R&B drive and stinging guitar riffs by Allison. This is a strong closer for a real solid release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Louisiana Red & Bob Corritore - Tell Me 'Bout It - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tell Me 'Bout It, from Louisiana Red & Bob Corritore and it's a really strong helping of Chicago blues. Opening with Dora Minter's Mary Dee Shuffle, Louisiana Red is up front on vocal and guitar trading the center spot with Bob Corritore, backed by Buddy Reed on guitar, Matt Bishop on piano, Mario Moreno on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Corritore plays some real nice riffs on this track making it a strong opener. Louisiana Red original, Alabama Train, has a great rhythm and Red's vocals really carry the track nicely with rich, harmonica soaked backing. Very cool. Another Chicago blues with a slower pace is New Jersey Blues that really nicely showcases Red's vocals. With Paul Thomas on bass, Chico Chism on drums and some excellent soloing by Reed and Red, a strong entry to the set. Red pulls the slide in an Elmore James styled track, Freight Train To Ride. With soulful wailing lyrics, strong slide compliment and Corritore's master harmonica work, this track adds variety and depth to the release. Another of my favorites on the release is Edith Mae with it's Muddy Waters like feel. I particularly like Red's vocal enthusiasm on this track, complimented nicely by Corritore's harmonica and Red's primitive slide sound. Wrapping the release is one final Red original, Bernice Blues, showing strong Morganfield roots. I really like Red's slide playing and Johnny Rapp on guitar throws sown some great riffs as well. Excellent closer for a really solid release. 

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Music Maker Foundation artist: Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - In Paris - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 18, 2022), In Paris, from Beverly "Guitar" Watkins and it's a solid blues and R&B live set from a great entertainer. Opening with Baghdad Blues, a dark, Hill Country style track with plenty of grit. Backed by  rhythm guitarist Albert White, Eddie Tigner on keys, and Lil Joe Burton on trombone. On lead guitar and lead vocal, Watkins shows how it's done. Solid opener. On a rowdy cover of Ray Charles' What'd I Say, Watkins really gets the live audience going with her rockin vocals and flashy yet raw guitar style. Very cool. Lonesome Window Blues is one of my favorites on the release with it's slow pace, T Bone Walker style and featuring Watkins playing harmonica, guitar and sings. Very nice. Sugar Baby Swing is a really nice guitar showcase for Watkins with Chuck Berry style rhythm and quick little guitar riffs. Very cool. A cool cover of Cooke's You Send Me features not onle some real nice vocals but a strong trombone solo by Burton. Wrapping the release is funky, R&B track Get Out On The Floor which is a terrific closer for a live set and giving Watkins one more chance to show her stuff on guitar. Solid closer and a lot of fun. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist Bob Corritore & Friends - Down Home Blues Review - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down Home Blues Review, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's a heaping load of Chicago blues. Opening with Rooster Blues, Robert "Bilbo" Walker is upfront on lead vocal and guitar with Bob Corritore on harmonica and really has the place jumping. Joined by Johnny Rapp on guitar, Paul Thomas on bass Chico Chism on drums this is an excellent opener. Tomcat Courtney has center stage to himself on Clara Mae. With an electrifying voice and great guitar backing and solid backing by Corritore and Chris James, this is another favorite. Henry Townsend has the spotlight on piano and lead vocal on Nothing But Blues, backed by Rapp and Corritore. Nicely balanced, this is a great piano track showcasing Townsend. One of my favorite old school blues men is Dave Honeyboy Edwards and it's a pleasure to hear Take A Little Walk With Me featuring Honeyboy on vocal and guitar, backed by Corritore and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Strong. Slower blues, My Money Run Out, is super with great vocals by Al Garrett who also plays guitar, backed by Rapp, Thomas, Chism and of course nice harmonica by Corritore. Dave Riley has the mic on Home In Chicago with strong vocal lead and fluid runs, complimented nicely by Corritore on harmonica, backed by Yahni Riley on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Wrapping the release is  J.L. Williamson track, Bluebird Blues featuring Big Jack Johnson on lead vocal and guitar. This track is really a great closer with Johnson showing his guitar chops, Corritore getting a nice chance to stretch and with Rapp, Thomas and Chism rounding out the band. This most recent release from Corritore's archives may be my favorite with some really electrifying jams. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Big Al and the Heavyweights - Love One Another - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love One Another, from Big Al and the Heavyweights and it's a energetic blues rocker. Opening with title track, Love One Another, is a cool track with roots in canned heat and the Allman Brothers band. With  Wayne Lohr on vocal and keys, Marcel Anton on guitar and vocal, Mark Parsons on bass, Big Al Lauro on drums and featuring Luther Dickinson on guitar and Jason Ricci on harmonica, this is super opener. Wild Tchoupitoulas has a cool bass line and the vocal lead and backing is strong. Lohr's piano solo adds a nice a strong Louisiana spice. Soulful ballad, Guardian Angel has a solid melody and with Anton on lead vocal and lead guitar, really showing how much soul this band can conjure. Very nice. Cool blues rocker, What Can I Say has a real nice feel with a heavy bottom thanks to Big Al and Pasons and with cool harmonica work by Jason Ricci and low fret guitar soloing by Anton, this is one of my favorites on the release. Another strong track on the release is deep blues rocker, Underground with gangly slide work, mic distorted vocals and as simple yet effective bottom as I could imagine. This track could be right out of a juke joint on the Hill Country so it automatically gets my attention. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Zydeco flavored Zydeco Love. With a firm bass line and active percussion by Tom Larson, Anton leads the way on vocals and with the addition of Gina Forsyth on fiddle, this is a fun closer. 

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True Groove Records artist: Regina Bonelli - Truth Hurts - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Truth Hurts, from Regina Bonelli and it's a funky blues rocker. Opening with title track, Truth Hurts, Bonelli on lead vocal and keyboards really has the band humping with Tomas Doncker on guitars, Mark Henry on sax, Kevin Jenkins on bass, James Dellatacoma on guitars, Nick Rolfe on organ and piano and Leroy Thompson on drums. Bonelli resurrects a great Gregg Allman track, Cross To Bear, that was a real workhorse for the original ABB with Duane Allman. Her vocals are heartfelt and Michael 'Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton's blues guitar riffs are smoking. Very nice. Ballad, Baby Don't Hurt Me is a strong original really showcasing Bonelli's soulful delivery, caressed in warm organ backing. Darondo's R&B favorite, Didn't I really works well with this set with it's funky underpinnings, groovy bass line by Jenkins and creamy vocals by Bonelli. Willie Dixon's Killing Floor got a great R&B redo with powerful horns supporting Bonelli letting it all hang out on vocal over a great bass line by Jenkins and a slick guitar solo by Doncker. Really cool. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, I Got To Go with it's high stepping feel. Tight drum work by Thompson and solid accent guitar work by Dellatacoma and Doncker gives the track just the right grit for this power closer.

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Karney - Gonna Be Beautiful - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gonna Be Beautiful, from Bay Area songwriter Anna Karney and it's interesting. Blending folk, rock and pop, Karney opens with title track, Gonna Be Beautiful, with it's indie guitar rhythm and solid vocal lead. Backed by Kevin White on bass, Jim Bogios on drums,and James DePrato on some pretty tasty slide guitar, this is the best track on the release.  Breaking back to full acoustic, Trust is Anna Karney and her acoustic guitar. A solid melody and voice, Karney is showing her wares nicely. Wrapping the release is Neil Young's Heart of Gold. With fuller instrumental backing including slide guitar, bass, drums and her own keyboard work, and with a slight adjustment to Young's original arrangement, Karney closes her latest endeavor. 

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