Jeremy Green - Standing Eight - New Release Reviewx

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standing Eight, by Jeremy Green and it's a cool jazz rock instrumental release with plenty of juice. Opening with No Jacket Required, Jeremy Green and Mike Stern on guitars lay in some great dialog over excellent drum work of Keith Carlock and featuring the excellent bass lines of Jimmy Haslip. Very cool. Will Lee lays down a funky bass line and fine soloing on Ain't No Chevy and Carlock is incredibly tight with Green and Robben Ford really working it on guitar and including the fine trumpet work of Mark Levron. Green and Michel Cusson really put on a great show on Close with a Jab and the solid bass work of Moto Fukushima sets a super framework for the highly articulate drumming of Carlock. Excellent. Wrapping the release is Car Rock with Oz Noy paired with Green on guitar and an aggressive bass line by Ian Da Souza. With bluesy yet adventurously jazzy guitar riffs, and the phenomonal drum work of Carlock, this is a solid closer for a solid release.  

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Qualified Records artist: The Rock House All Stars - Let It Bleed Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let It Be Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville, by The Rock House All Stars and it's a cool cover of the Stones tenth US album. Opening with Gimme Shelter, Jimmy Hall (Ex Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, etc) is upfront on vocal joined by Bekka Bramlett and they do a terrific job. Kevin McKendree on guitar really does a nice job covering the guitar lead and Yates McKendree is tight on drums with John Heithaus on bass with added harmonica by Hall. Lee Roy Parnell adds some real country to Honky Tonk Women called Country Honk here. Not at all trying to replicate Jagger and with Rob McNelley on guitar and Luke Bulla on harmonica, this is a great track. Rick Huckaby is up front on Midnight Rambler joined by Stephen Hanner on harmonica and solid guitar work by Kevin and McNelley. Nalani Rothrock on lead vocal and James Pennebaker on steel adds a real nice contrast to the release on You Got The Silver and it's authentic R&B country feel. Wrapping the release is Wild Horses with Lilly Hiatt and Luke Bulla (also fiddle) up front in vocal duet. A track with real country roots and a great melody, Kevin and  McNelley on guitars and Pennebaker on steel reall make this a solid closer. 

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Delmark artist: Demetria Taylor - Doin' What I'm Supposed To Do - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Doin' What I'm Supposed To Do by Demetria Taylor and it's a rowdy, R&B infused, blues release. Opening with Eddie Taylor's, Chicago style blues, 83 Highway, Demetria picks up where she left off with fiery vocals, joined by Billy Flynn on lead guitar, Mike Wheeler on guitar, Larry Williams on bass, Brian James on keys and Melvin Carlisle on drums. Excellent opener. Williams isn't messin' around with his funky bass line on Bad Girl Day. This aggressive bass line really sets the pace for this track adorned with cooll guitar work by Wheeler and Carlos Showers and full organ by James and tight to the bottom drumming by Carlisle. Another Eddie Taylor track, funky high stepper, Welfare Blues, really gets moving with a lot of push by Williams, saturated organ by James and strong vocals by Demetria. With it's Al Green styling, Wheeler penned, I'm Gonna Tell It lays nicely in the groove. With a firm bass line by Williams, and cool guitar riffs by Wheeler, this is a strong radio contender. Another strong R&B track, Stay Gone, has good radio potential with a great melody and a perfect timing. A tight solo by Wheeler really hits the spot and punchy bass work by Williams gives it the bottom it needs. Wrapping the release is easy shuffle, Young Gun Taylor, featuring Demetria in call and response with Wheeler on guitar and rolling piano work by James. This is a solid closer for a totally enjoyable release. 

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Electro-Fi Records artist: Harrison Kennedy - Thanks For Tomorrow - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Thanks For Tomorrow, by Harrison Kennedy, and it's refreshing. Opening with All I Need Is You, Kennedy shares the mic with Ruthie Foster, backed by Colin Linden on acoustic guitar, John Dymond on bass, Jesse O'Brien on organ and Gary Craig on drums.. With a strong melody and blues overtones, it's a solid opener. With a casual, Taj Mahal feel, Easiest Thing really is nice with Chris Caddell on guitar and slide. Warm organ backing by O'Brien adds depth on this, one of my favorite tracks on the release. Women is my radio selection on the release with a strong melody, excellent vocals by Kennedy and again cool slide work by Caddell. With a remake of Van Morrison's Crazy Love, Harrison's soulful vocals, coupled with Caddell's "Lindley Like" slide work really does the trick. Wrapping the release is Just Wanna Play with a light, springy feel and featuring Kennedy adding harmonica to his lead vocals. This is a real toe tapper and a solid closer for a fun release. 

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Dewayne Pate - On The Up Side - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, On The Up Side, from Dewayne Pate, and it really is a strong release with a jazz spine and blues, funk and rock undertones. Opening with a tight fusion drum rhythm by Dennis Chambers on 4 the 5 of It and featuring Norbert Stachel on soprano sax, this track is moving. With Dwayne Pate punctual bass riffs and well adorned by Ray Obiedo on guitar, Peter Horvath on piano, David Kirk Mathews on synths and Frank Martin on synths. Excellent opener.  Funky blues, Iceman, showcases Tony Lindsay on lead vocal and the excellent guitar work of Chris Cain. Satchel again shines , this time on tenor sax with the power section of Johnnie Bamont on tenor and bari saxes, and Joel Behrman and with Brian Collier on drums, Obiedo on rhythm guitar, Matthews on B3 and of course the romping bass line of Pate. This track will have you moving. Another cool funky track, Imperial Strut, this time with an obtuse bass line and time signature by Pate  really scratches that itch. With Satchel on flute, lush piano by Matthews, Michael Spiro on percussion, and featuring Juan Luis Perez on vocal, Robben Ford showing adventurous guitar lead, and David Garibaldi on drums this track really shines. Cool shuffle, Blues Ala Monmouth features slick guitar lead by Ford and Marc Russo on alto sax. This track will have you tapping your foot with a romp of a bass line from Pate, Kevin Hayes on drums, Mathews on organ, Bamont on tenor and bari sax, and Behrman on trumpet. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Curtis Mayfield's, People Get Ready, with a soft approach. With Amikaeyla Gaston on vocal, Pate with complex counterpoint on bass and Karl Perazzo on percussion. This is a quiet yet solid closer for a strong release. 

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Spencer Mackenzie - Preach To My Soul - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Preach To My Soul, by Spencer Mackenzie, and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Baptized By Cold Water, Spencer Mackenzie on guitar and lead vocal hits the road running with a solid composition, strong vocals and cool riffs. Backed by Miles Evans on keys, Steve Pelletier on bass, Adam Cannon on drums, this is a real nice opener. Title track, Preach To My Soul, is a soulful radio oriented track with warm Hammond backing and a catchy melody by Mackenzie. Up tempo driving rocker, Test Drive, definitely has a lot of radio flash with cool vocals, prominent rhythm guitar and Evans contributing heavily on Hammond. R&B drenched, Your Turn To Cry, is one of my favorites on the release with a great melody and perfect horn support by Julian Nalli on sax and Stephan Dyte on trumpet. Ballad, Two Doves is a definite radio track showcasing Mackenzie's vocal skills and featuring Ross Hayes Citrullo on guitar. Wrapping the release is Battle from Within, another track with definite radio appeal with a great melody, harmonies and nice guitar phrasing on the closing guitar solo. This is a strong release with a lot of commercial potential. 

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NOLA Blues Records artist: John Nemeth - May Be The Last Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, May Be The Last Time, from John Nemeth and it's really cool. Opening with traditional The Last Time and John Nemeth putting a strong gospel/R&B spin on it. With excellent lead vocal by Nemeth, Elvin Bishop on guitar, Kid Andersen on bass, Bob Welsh on guitar, Willy Jordan on drums and excellent vocal backing by Alabama Mike, Jordan, Andersen and Welsh, this is a terrific opener. With Elvin Bishop on this release it's great to see a resurrection of one of his great tracks, Rockbottom, from the Jo Baker era and featuring Nemeth on harmonica and lead vocal. Bishop steps up with his signature playing style and this release is two and 0. Very nice. Bishop gets the mic on his classic, Stealing Watermelons and with his fat guitar sound coupled with Andersen on guitar and Welsh on baritone guitar, this track is FUNKY. Wilson Pickett's, I Found A Love, works so nicely in this set with both Nemeth and Bishop favoring old soul music. Nemeth's vocals and Bishop's classic slide work really gives this track rocket fuel. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Bishop's I'll Be Glad with his clamped down squawking guitar over a solid bass line by Andersen, soulful vocals by Nemeth and excellent backing vocals by Mike, Jordan, Andersen and Welsh. This release has 11 great tracks (all eleven are great) and leaves you wanting more. This is one of those easy recommendation releases. Just buy it!

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Endless Blues Records artist: Mick Kolassa - They Call Me Uncle Mick! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, They Call Me Uncle Mick!, from Mick Kolassa and he's assembles a great group of musicians for his most recent set. Opening with Bo Carter's clever, My Pencil Won't Write No More, Kolassa on lead vocal and guitar, is joined by Eric Hughes on harmonica, Jeff Jensen on guitar, Tom Leonard on drums, Carl Caspersen on bass, and Rick Steff on piano for s super rag style opener. Original track, Used To Be, has a real nice bluesy feel with a solid strut. Steff's piano work, and with the addition of Doug McLeod on guitar has a cool acoustic groove. Slow shuffle, Why, another original by Kolassa, has a real nice feel, with some of Kolassa's best vocals and nice guitar work by Jensen and complimentary harmonica work by Hughes. Wrapping the release is country rocker, The Cheese Song, a simple story song nicely adorned by Curtis Gill on slide guitar. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers - Good Trouble - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Trouble, from Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers and I really like it. Opening with New Orleans flavored, You've Got To Believe, and a great bass and drum rhythm by Chris Peet. Annika Chambers on lead vocal really gets this track going. With Paul DesLauriers on mandolin, southern slide guitar styling by JP Soars, and Kim Richardson on backing vocals, this is a strong opener. On one of my favorite George Harrison compositions,  Isn't It A Pity, Chambers and DesLauriers add a cool funky rhythm and style. DesLauriers lays down some fluid guitar lead and with tight drum accents makes this one of my favorites on the release. Joe South's soulful Walk A Mile In My Shoes is transformed by Chambers and DesLauriers to a great R&B/Gospel track with excellent form and execution. Chambers is certainly capable of carrying this vocally, and with Richardson, Soars and Gary Davenport, who also lays down a great bass line providing excellent backing vocals and another strong guitar solo, this track is great! If you're looking for that slow blues with he screaming guitar, Need Your Love So Bad, is it with full vocals by Chambers and DesLauriers. Very nice. Tackling Mountain's, Mississippi Queen is a mountainous task but Chambers does a great job and with a solid bottom and DesLauriers' guitar work, this track works. Wrapping the release is I Need More Power carried vocally by Chambers, and with a thumping bass line by Soars, Peet keeping it simple on drums and tasteful guitar work by DesLauriers this is a powerful 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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VizzTone Label Group artist: The Lucky Losers - Standin' Pat - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standin' Pat, from The Lucky Losers w/ Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz and it's an interesting mix of rock, blues, funk and soul (and more). Opening with Pack Up The Bags, a rag fused pop track with a bluesy edge, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz harmonize on vocals and Berkowitz lays in some nice harmonica, backed by Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and Jon Otis on drums. Also featured are Kid Andersen on lead guitar, Mike Rinta on trombone, Michael Peloquin on tenor sax, and Brian Catania on trumpet. Swamp funky, Somewhere In The Middle has a terrific bottom courtesy of Tarczy and Otis and featuring Berkowitz on vocal and guitar is one of my favorite tracks on the release. A solid R&B track, Down In Memphis Town has the strong bones of a 60's radio hit. Lemons has the lead on another of my favorite tracks on the release with cool slide and organ work by Andersen. Soulful ballad, They Wrecked My Town features Lemons on lead vocal over Burns on piano and a real firm bass line by Tarczy. A melodic harmonica solo by Berkowitz and strong lead guitar by Andersen really adds another dimension making this a solid radio track. Wrapping the release is title track, Standin' Pat, another R&B based track with Berkowitz leading the way on vocal and real nice sax lead by Terry Hanck making it a strong 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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Arthur Brown - Monster's Ball - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Monster's Ball, from Arthur Brown and it's a cool, twisted blues rocker. Opening with Lucifer Sam, a driving rocker, Brown is joined by Ian Paice on drums, Steve Hillage on guitars, Fernando Perdomo on Hammond, Mellotron and bass and James Booth on guitar. On Jack Bruce's I Feel Free, Brown uses his own style on Bruce like vocal and Cream's arrangement. Joining Brown are  James Williamson on guitar, Rat Scabies on drums and Jurgen Engler on bass. Arthur Brown's 60's hit, Fire is up next and with only minimal changes in arrangement, Brown rolls this one out in full power. Backed by James Williamson on guitar, Carmine Appice on drums, Brian Auger on organ and Engler on bass, this track still rocks. Wrapping the release is ELP's Karn Evil #9: 1st Impression, Pt. 2 and with Brown's own twists in the arrangement, it's cool to hear this old track played with enthusiasm from Jordan Rudess on keys and Billy Sherwood on bass.

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Take It To The Bridge Records artists: The Boneshakers - One Foot In The Groove - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Foot In The Groove, by The Boneshakers, and it's a cool blues rocker with a soulful edge. Opening with funky rocker, Mr. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Jenny Langer (of Moonshine Society) has total control with her sassy, funky vocals, joined by band leader Randy Jacobs on guitar, Jon Gilutin on keys, Nathan Brown on bass, Sergio Gonzales on drums, Joe Sublett on sax, and Mark Pender on trumpet. Solid opener. I Am The Blues is a real cool blues rocker with a lumbering feel. Langer's vocals are really strong and I love Jacob's guitar approach with wah wah and excellent blues phrasing throughout. Title track, One Foot In The Groove, has a heavy foot by Gonzales giving the track real authority. I think that this track really hits Langer's sweet spot vocally and a sizzling solo by Jacobs and warm organ by Gilutin really hits the spot. Punchy horns by Sublett and Pender on More, More, More and strong backing vocals by Bernard Folwer and Sir Harry Bowens gives extra juice to this radio ready R&B track. Wrapping the release is Powerful Notions, a funky rocker with a solid melody, juicy guitar work by Jacobs and strong vocals by Langer. Nery cool release. 

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Blues House productions artist: John Primer - Hard Times - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hard Times, from John Primer and it's a fat slice of Chicago blues. Opening with contemporary blues rocker, You Got What I Want, John Primer on lead vocal and guitar  set up another solid blues performance with  the Real Deal Blues Band. Steve Bell on harmonica lays down some real nice harmonica riffs, backed by Lenny Media on drums and David Forte on bass. Title track, Hard Times, has a cool driving blues feel with Primer on slide and vocal and featuring  Johnny Iguana on piano. With an aggressive bass line by Forte on I Won't Sweat It, Primer sings the blues at half tempo over a double time tempo. A cool solo by Bell on harmonica and a nice guitar solo of his own gives this track traction. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulful, Tough Times featuring Primer's daughter on her vocal debut. Primer lays in some real nicely phrased guitar lead on this one diving it another dimension. All Alone is a strong Chicago blues with firm footings and some of Primer's vocals on the release. His Elmo James' influenced slide playing always gets my attention and there's plenty here. Very nice. Another real tasty track is You Mean So Much To Me with it's Chicago lope and featuring Primer upfront on guitar and vocal and with some real tasty piano work by Iguana. Hot Meal is a nice, slow blues with great vocal work by Primer adorned and complimented by Bell's harmonica. This track has just the right pace and Primer's slide work again is featured and cool. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, Whiskey, with it's "party" lyrics. With a great tempo and crowd appeal, this is likely the select track on the release and a great 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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Mind's Eye Music artist: Vinnie Moore - Double Exposure - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Double Exposure, from Vinnie Moore and it's a solid rocker with blues roots. Opening with Vertical Horizon, guitar man, Vinnie Moore wastes no time getting things hopping with a lightly funky rocker and a very aggressive bass line by Pete Griffin. Richie Monica on drums really mixes it up and with lead vocals by Ed Terry, Moore just keeps his foot on the throttle. Super opener. Paid My Dues is another strong track with a heavy bottom by Monica and Griffin and scorching riffs by Moore. Keith Slack on vocal is a great match for this band making this one of my favorites on the release. Instrumental, Astro Man is a power hitter with choice use of wah wah pedal and hot fiery riffs by Moore over the relentless drive of Griffin and Monica. Another pure guitar instrumental, Breaking Through, features Moore on what may be a chorus pedal playing doubled or triples on the melody but breaking free  for strong single line lead work and rapid fire riffs. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Southern Highway with a trademark rhythm but with a definite "southern" style. With John Pessoni on drums, Michael Bean and Moore overdubbing his lead, this is a solid closer for a real enjoyable release. 

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Guitar One Records artist: The B. Christopher Band - Snapshots From The Second Floor - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Snapshots From The Second Floor, by The B. Christopher Band and is a hot one. Opening with jumping blues instrumental, All Twisted Up, B. Christopher and Studebaker John on harmonica really get your heart pumping from the very start. With Anton Fig on drums and Nick Douglas on bass, this track is terrific. The sauntering bass line by Douglas on Sugar Baby sets a terrific path for Christopher's melodic guitar lead. Very nice. take It Home has a driving boogie rhythm courtesy Douglas and Fig giving a clear runway for Studebaker and Christopher to take off. With it's Latin overtone, Who You Gonna Turn To Now really moves. Featuring Ellard James "Moose" Boles on lead vocal and some really nice slide work by Christopher this track is a solid add to the set. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Late Night Crying, has traditional blues roots with a firm bass line by Eric Collier and strong lead vocals by Boles. I really like Studebaker John taking the front on harmonica throughout the track and Christopher's guitar workout solo is scorching. Ain't That Cold is a super blend of boogie and Boles vocals and Christopher's slide work. This track has a firm bottom and screams "Boogie"! Like A Fool has that night drama as if it's under a late night detective movie. With Latin drums by Fig, a cool bass line by Douglas and really nice melodic phrasing by Christopher, punched up by volume swells and strong low fretboard bends, this track is definitely one of my favorites. Wrapping the release is Smoke... essentially Christopher playing a lush slide driven melody over piano chords. This is a really strong track and an especially solid closer for a great release. 

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Hip & Happy Records artist: Janice Harrington - 80 Years of International Friendship - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 80 Years of International Friendship, by Janice Harrington, and it's a strong entry by Janice. Opening with Old Age, an apparent tribute to her 80th birthday and it shows Harrington in fine form vocally with a firm bass line by Tabbel Dierssen, cool guitar soloing by Z.z. von Schnerck and Charles de Beaulieu, Eggo Fuhrmann on piano and Lars Plogschties on drums. On BB King style, Seven Day A Week Man Blues, Harrington exhibits great feel and has Kenn Lending on guitar playing a terrific response to her call, backed by Verner on keyboards, Svenni Savafnisson on bass and Frank Larsen on drums. Telephone Blues has the same lineup and gives Harrington the opportunity to dig in deep, pushed by the solid guitar work of Lending. Very nice. Ray Charles' Hallelujah I Love Her So, gets the full big experience with Harrington swinging. With Robert Miesbauer on alto, Max Lichtenwagner on alto, Theresia Puhringer on alto, Michael Kaltenbrunner on tenor, Gunther Bauer on tenor, Nikolas Hans Wuhrer on bari, Roland Ruhm on trombone, Peter Berghammer on trombone, Gerhard Puhringer on trombone, Gerhard Eiblhuber on trombone, Herbert Mayr on trumpet, Johann Paul on trumpet, Thomas Berghammer on trumpet, Rudolf Zorweg on trumpet, Stefan Kaltenbrunner on trumpet, Frank Folgmann on guitar, Mike Kreuzer on piano, Johann Puhringer on bass, Eduard Moitzi on drums and Michael Kuntner on percussion this track has real horsepower.  Wrapping the release is classic ballad, What a Wonderful World, a perfect track for Harington reflecting back on her life and career. Backed by Fuhrmann on piano, and Gurtler on trombone, a solid closer for an enjoyable release. 

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Ivor S.K. - Mississippi Bound - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mississippi Bound, from Ivor S.K. and it's quite cool. Opening with Ska flavored title track, Mississippi Bound, Ivor on lead vocal and guitar (as well as bass and hand claps), starts the release off with a bang. On I Don't Roll, he brings the pace to a slower acoustic blues feel but with contemporary radio formatting. Talkin' Shit Again is a cool country style blues with excellent mic placement making his acoustic guitar glisten. Very nice. A definite radio shot is Sex Drugs & Cigarettes with it's title, catchy melody and strong presentation. I really like Ivor's addition of electric guitar soloing over the top giving it a definite kick. Instrumental, Down The Road has a real nice country blues gait with acoustic guitar lead and rhythm. Wrapping the release is Dead Pig with a solid blues rock flavor. With a great rhythm, nice acoustic slide, simple percussive beat and strong vocals, this is a perfect closer for a cool release. 

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