Tracy Nelson - Life Don't Miss Nobody - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Life Don't Miss Nobody, by Tracy Nelson and it's really good. Opening with Strange Things Happening Every Day, Tracy Nelson on vocal really gets things moving. Kevin McKendree on piano knows how to play a boogie and backed by John Gardner on drums, Byron House on bass, Mike Henderson on electric guitar, this is a great opener. With a Spanish taste, title track, Life Don't Miss Nobody features Nelson on lead vocal and Wurlitzer, with Mike Dysinger on congas and Guiro, House on bass, Larry Chaney on 12 string guitar and Cuatro and Steve Conn on piano and with the tight horn work of Jack Warner on sax, Dominique Caster on trumpet, and Chase Carpenter on trombone. Very nice. Willie Nelson steps up on Honky Tonkin' sharing the lead vocals with Nelson. Mickey Raphael adds some tasty harmonica lead melody and I particularly like Mike Johnson's contribution on steel guitar. One of my favorites on the release. Terry Hanck joins on Gene McDaniels' Compared To What. With Tracy on lead vocal and Hanck on vocal and sax, this track is great. Gardner and House set the rhythm and Steve Conn on piano seeds a great solo by Hanck. Excellent track. Chuck Berry's Brown Eyed Handsome Man gets a cool, New Orleans twist with Nelson surrounded by Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, Dianne Davidson, Vickie Carrico, Larry Chaney and Reba Russell on complimentary vocals really giving the track a solid richness. Wrapping the release is Hard Times featuring Nelson alone on vocal and 12 string acoustic guitar. A pure traditional track, this is an excellent closer. 

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Blue House Records artist: Danny Liston - Everybody - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everybody, by Danny Liston and it's a solid rocker.  Opening with title track, Everybody, Danny Liston on acoustic guitar and lead vocal is paired with Bekka Bramlett, and supported by Steve Potts on drums, Davy Smith on bass, Will McFarlane on guitar, Mark Narmore on piano, and Rick Steff on organ. With it's strong melody and tight craftsmanship, this is a strong radio candidate. Soulful, Real Man, is one of my favorites on the release, with excellent vocals by Liston and warm horn backing by Alan Branstetter on trumpet, and Brad Guin on sax. Very nice. Rocker, Goodbye Jack Daniels has a good hook that will have the crowd singing along. With it's Seeger like swagger and McFarlane's guitar riffs, this track hits the mark. Wrapping the release is A Change Has Come, a clever, 80's style pop track with lush backing vocals and a solid melody. A fitting close for this rocker.

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Joanna Connor - Best of Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Best of Me, by Joanna Connor and it's wild. Opening with funky blues number, House Rules, Connor dons her notorious slide guitar, accompanying herself on lead vocal, also featuring Josh Smith on guitar, and backed by a serious horn section of Fernando Castillo on trumpet and flugelhorn, Carlos Sosa on sax and flute, Raul Vallejo on trombone, together the Grooveline horns, Shaun Gotti Calloway on bass, Jason Edwards on drums, and Curtis Moore Jr on organ. Super opener. Title track, Best of Me, is a smooth, soulful, ballad featuring really nice vocal by Conner and nicely articulated lead work making hits an ideal radio track. I Lost You is another slow blues with excellent vocal and guitar lead by Conner, complimented by Dan Souvigny on rhythm and keys. Blues driver, Mercury Blues, really gets rolling with Conner pushing on vocal and letting the slide fly, joined by David Abbruzzese on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Shine On with Gary Hoey joining on guitar and Jason Ricci joining on harmonica. With a really great beat, heavy riffs by Hoey, a driving bass line by Calloway and a tight drum bottom by Edwards, this is a solid closer to a real solid release. 

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Yellow Dog Records artist: William Lee Ellis - Ghost Hymns - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Ghost Hymns, by William Lee Ellis and it's an interesting exploration of blues, gospel and bluegrass. Opening with Cony Catch The Sun, Ellis on fretless banjo and vocal play a very cool, primitive, Hill Country like track. Very cool. On Pearl River Blues, Ellis and Mikahely on guitar work nicely over a piedmont styling and solid vocal work by Ellis. One of my favorite tracks on the release is instrumental, Lost Heaven featuring  Ellis on acoustic guitar and a Chinese folk string instrument called a yueqin with it's quiet melody and clean articulation. With honor to father Tony Ellis and godfather Bill Monroe, Mumblin' Word is a great bluegrass tune with Ellis on vocal and 12 string, Neil Rossi on fiddle, Rik and Julie Coffey on vocal. Very cool.  Tony Ellis penned track, Belarus, has a beautiful melody, with Ellis on guitar and Tom Cleary on piano. Very nice. Closing the release is Bury Me In The Sky, with Ellis on vocal and guitar, KeruBo on vocal, Hannah Assefa on fiddle and Larry Nager on bass. This is another strong melody and a solid closer for a real cool release. 

   

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Gulf Coast Records artists: Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia - Blood Brothers - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blood Brothers, from Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia and it's pure blues music. Opening with Hey Sweet Mama, a romping blues rocker, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia share the mike for nicely blended lead vocals and Chuck Berry influenced guitar work makes this an excellent opener. With Zito and Castiglia on guitars, Douglas Byrkit on bass, Matthew Johnson on drums, Ephraim Lowell on drums and Lewis Stephens on keys this is a tight band. Over a classic blues vamp, Fool Never Learns is a driving rocker. Castiglia on lead vocal and Zito and Castiglia trading hot riffs, makes this a strong contender for radio airplay. My favorite track on the release is You're Gonna Burn with really strong, soulful lead vocal and excellent lead guitar work. Thumping tom tom work by Johnson compliments the track nicely and Stephens' keyboard work gives hit just the right edge. Jazzy, Hill Country Jam has a slinky rhythm and twin guitar lead which carry the melody in southern style. Stephens' organ work leads the segue into solo guitar leads by Castiglia and Zito. Very nice. Wrapping the release is One Step Ahead Of The Blues with it's laid back feel and handclap rhythm. This is a very cool release with plenty of guitar. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Monster Mike Welch - Nothing But Time - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nothing But Time, from Monster Mike Welch and it's flat out scorching! Opening with Walking To You Baby, Mike wastes absolutely no time kicking this release into overdrive. With solid vocals and high strung, blues guitar phrasing, Mike sails. Backed by Jerry Jemmott on bass, Bob Welch on piano, Kid Andersen on keys, Fabrice Bessouat on drums, Eric Spaulding on tenor sax, Jack Sanford on bari sax, and John Halblieb on trumpet, this track will part your hair. George Harrison's terrific track, I Me Mine gets a real nice cover by Mike and though he doesn't vary far from the original theme, it's a real nice track and Mike's interpretation, adding horns and blues guitar riffs takes it to the next level. Excellent shuffle, I Ain't Saying shows Mike's strong vocals and Texas style blues riffs setting up a great groove. With Andersen on bass, Spaulding on sax Bob on piano and Bessouat on drums, Mike kills it on guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, In Case You Care, with Jemmott back on bass, Mike Peloquin on sax, Dr Aaron Lington on bari, Halblieb on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, and Vicki Randle on percussion, this track is hot! Jump For Joy is really packed with energy and Mike is again swinging for the wall. Gotta say if he comes to Phoenix, I'm seeing the concert. Slow blues, Ten Years Ago is that one track when you just sit back in your chair nodding. Mike grabs this track by the scruff and shakes the stuffing out of it. His vocals are gripping and his guitar attack is relentless. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a modern take on Robert Johnson's Kind Hearted Woman Blues with Mike on electric guitar and vocal. His poise and prowess are obvious and his vocals are actually in line with Johnson's own falsetto. This is an excellent track to close a spectacular release. Out of the park

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Blue Palace Records artist: Jan James - Time Bomb - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Bomb, from Jan James and it's a healthy dose of soulful R&B. Opening with Swingin' In The Sweet Sunshine, Jan James on lead vocal has a great start for her 12th album. With Craig Calvert on guitar and bass, Bob Long on keys, and Jake Loomis on drums, warm backing vocals by Cheryl Wilson, and Joyce Faison, and with strong sax work by Brian Gephart on sax this is a super opener. Cool, R&B number, Sometimes Love's Like That, has a real nice melody and Calvert's guitar work, balanced with Gephart's sax work makes this a strong radio contender. My favorite track on the release is Love Is The Answer with strong vocals by James and caressing guitar lead by Calvert creating just the right pocket for James, Wilson and Faison. Wrapping the release is Always The Blues, with it's blues rock feel. Calvert kicks in the wah wah pedal on his lead work and James' bluesy lead work really works nicely over the firm bass work of Calvert. Nice closer for a solid release.  

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Maggie Fraser - The Way That I Wish It Was - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Way That I Wish It Was, by Maggie Fraser and it's classic roots music at it's best. Opening with Your Ghost, Maggie Fraser on vocal and acoustic creates a special environment, joined by Rich Roxborough on keys and Alec Fraser on backing vocals, Guitars and Circus bass. Pure country, The Cornfield is a real nice track with Maggie paired with Colleen Hodgson on vocal, and authentic fiddle and pedal steel by Chris Bartos and Alec Fraser on bass, drums and acoustic guitar. Very cool. Our Little Canoe is a really nice track with European influenced Mandolin and bodhran by James McKie and Fraser on Bass and keys. Excellent! Title track, The Way That I Wish It Was, has classic country  bones, a solid melody and with Denis Keldie on organ and accordion, and Fraser on bass and guitar, another solid contribution. Wrapping the release is Song For Susan, a sold ballad featuring Maggie on vocal, Bartos on violin and moog bass and Alec on acoustic guitar. This is not your regular album and I think it stands tall in feel and realism. 

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Quarto Valley Records artist: Savoy Brown - Blues All Around - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues All Around, from Savoy Brown and I think it's their best in years. Opening with Falling Through, Kim Simmonds sets the pace of the set with some authentic delta style riffs on electric guitar breaking into a classic boogie style rocker. With Simmonds on vocal and lead guitar, this band has more miles than most anyone short of the Stones. Simmonds, who passed away in December has held the blues rock boogie torch for 57 years and has released 42 albums...yes...42. Having personally seen at least 4 or 5 different lineups of Savor Brown (all with Simmonds), I have been a long time fan. On Going Down South, Simmonds pulls out the slide and this is a guy who really knew how to play it. From some of the best days of the band in the 70's and Tell Mama to now, Simmonds shows a super command and feel for slide guitar. Due to Peripheral Neuropathy as a side effect of chemotherapy Kim plays quite a bit more slide on this release and I'm glad he did. His approach to the instrument is strong and certainly influenced splinter group, and slide driven, Foghat who leaned more into rock. Gypsy Healer glows with Simmonds' notable Marshall tone and his harmonica and of course the always solid bottom provided by Garnet Grimm on drums and Pat DeSalvo on bass. Texas Love has great swagger with Simmonds really sitting in the groove on rhythm guitar and his lead work is well phrased. Just listen to that guitar tone on Hurting Spell and you know why people love Simmonds. One of my criticisms on modern Savoy Brown has been Kim's vocals but with each release he seemed to get more comfortable as he molded his vocals to work well with the band. His slide work on this track is fat and classic. Can't Go Back To My Hometown has a great Latin feel, not unlike fellow UK contemporary Peter Green on his composition, Black Magic Woman. I think that Simmond's lead phrasing is every bit as juicy as Green's on the original BMW and it's great to hear Kim soloing with reckless abandon once again.  Wrapping the release is acoustic blues, Falling Through The Cracks, with Simmonds accompanying himself with that classic delta styling and a fitting way for such a great guy to close his life long love of the blues. 

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VizzTone Label Group artists: Jimi "Primetime" Smith and Bob Corritore - The World In A Jug - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The World In A Jug, from Jimi "Primetime" Smith and Bob Corritore and it's a healthy dose of pure Chicago blues. Opening with title track, I Got The World In A Jug, Jimi "Primetime" Smith on lead vocal and guitar really gets this set rolling in Morganfield style. Bob Corritore shares the spotlight and shows the great tone and phrasing that he's know for. With Fred Kaplan on piano, Johnny Rappy on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass and Brian Fahey on drums, this is an excellent opener. Corritore really ramps it up on You For Me with classic high octave octane and with Henry Gray on piano, Rapp on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Marty Dodson on drums, this is a definite favorite. Shuffle, Blinded, is one of my favorites on the release really showcasing Primetime's excellent guitar phrasing and vocals and a strong solo by Corritore on harmonica, backed by Shea Marshall on organ, Tony Tomlinson on bass and Allen West on drums. Primetime slips on his slide for an Elmore James flavored Walkin'. His vocals are very soulful and Corritore really uses his amp to his advantage getting just that right tone. With Yahni Riley on bass and Fahey on drums, this is a real nice track. Wrapping the release is another great Chicago style slow blues, Fire and Ice. Primetime on vocal shows gripping emotion and Corritore milks the juice out of his harmonica. With Rap on guitar, Riley on bass and Fahey on drums, this is an excellent closer. 

Mark Ortwein - It Was Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It Was Time, from Mark Ortwein and it's a cool, and well executed set. Opening with title track, It Was Time, Mark Ortwein on tenor sax lays out a supple melody over the aiery key work of Frank Glover and with Frances Wyatt on drums and Olas Ortwein on bass. Solid opener. Featuring Josh Kaufman on vocal, I Can't Make You Love Me with it's strong melody and with excellent sax soloing and Paul Langford on piano, Peter Hansen on bass and Craig Hetrick on drums, an ideal radio track. Very nice. No More Butterflies is another really nice track with Ortwein on bari sax and flute really carving out a great melody. Cranking up the track with Olas on bass, Carrington Clinton on drums and John Fell on guitar, this track really moves. Very nice.  I really like the groove set on Lonnie's Lament with a great bass lead by Peter Hansen and a real interesting electrified bassoon solo and great riffs by John Fell on guitar. Wrapping the release is Bigfoot with it's excellent lumbering, heavy bottomed feel. With Mark on electrified bassoon, tenor and bari sax, Kenny Rampton on trumpet, Olas on guitars, bass and keys and Johnny Concannon on drums, this is an excellent closer for a really nice release. 

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John Daversa & Tal Cohen - The Art of Duo Volume One - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Art of Duo Volume One, from John Daversa & Tal Cohen and it's quite interesting. Opening with Artful Sparring, a piece with a strong Latin rhythm, Daversa on piano sets a firm melody with interplay from Cohen on EVI who fleshes out the melody, providing plenty of space for improvisation by each. Very nice. On Art of Sanity, Cohen takes the spotlight on trumpet with foundational piano work by Daversa. Artful and inventive, Cohen's trumpet melody is sparce yet inviting and Daversa's piano work is rich and full. Junk Wagon Cameo is a cool track with Cohen on EVI creating a rhythmic melody, answered by Daversa's clear piano jousting making for a really interesting exploration. Radiant Heart is my favorite track on the release with it's contemplative piano lyric and soft, muted trumpet melody and soft vocals by Cohen. Wrapping the release is Dave Brubeck's In Your Own Sweet Way with strong trumpet interpretation and melodic piano phrasing. This is a cool release but not for someone looking for a toe tapper. 

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The Gayle Harrod Band - Temptation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Temptation, from The Gayle Harrod Band and it's full dose of blues. Opening with hip shakin, Sweet Memphis Man, Gayle Harrod on lead vocal is joined by Brian Simms on piano, Greg Boyer on trombone, Brad Clements on trumpet Brent Birckhead on sax, Stan Turk on guitar, Chuck Ferrell on drums and a great bass rhythm by Christopher Brown. Title track, Temptation, really showcases the richness of Harrod's voice with light backing by Simms on keys, Buddy Speir on slide guitar and Rachelle Danto on harmonica.  Slide saturated Waiting In The Shadows is another strong showcase for Harrod's vocals with harmonica and acoustic guitar giving the traditional blues style track real traction. With a Latin backbeat and horns, God Laughed should be a real crowd pleaser. It's strong melody, cool backing vocals by Mary Ann Redmond, Dusty Rose and the Voices of Faith of the First Baptist Church of Baltimore Choir and swinging sax solo by Birckhead, this is the absolute radio track on the release. Wrapping the release is ballad, Beautiful Friend, with it's radio formatting and solid vocal leadership by Harrod. This is a solid release by GHB.

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Blue Heart Records artist: Teresa James - With A Little Help From Her Friends - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, With A Little Help From Her Friends, from Teresa James and it's quite good. Everybody knows the Beatles songbook and many of their tracks have been covered but James has really done a nice job in reinterpreting this list of top tracks. Opening with Ticket To Ride, Teresa James shows all of the style that she's known for and with a Texas saunter and with a strong bottom by Terry Wilson on bass and Richard Millsap on drums, super keys by Kevin McKendree and excellent guitar riffs by Wilson. Don't Let Me Down was an excellent choice for this set. James' voice is made for it and McKendree on piano and organ really works nicely with Wilson on slide. Excellent. Oh Darlin' sets itself nicely as a blues ballad and pairing James' vocals with Yates McKendree on lead guitar really is stellar. Beautiful, You Won't See Me, is really an excellent choice with soulful vocals by James and just the right blend of keys and guitar, making this another standout track of all the outstanding tracks. McKendree takes a real nice key solo keeping this track mellow. Wrapping the release is Think For Yourself with a swaying bluesy feel. James' vocals are blended into a harmony really is sweet and has just the right feel. This is a strong closer for a thoroughly enjoyable release. 

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Lone Star Mojo - Rough Around The Edges - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rough Around The Edges, from Lone Star Mojo and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with This Time, a romping rocker, Jo Splawn on Hammond on B3 and lead vocals gets things going with an aggressive bass line by Tim Maloney, Scotty Biggs and Mark Snyder on guitar and Barry Sloan on drums. Snyder knows how to coax the blues outta this rocker with a fiery rocker making this a solid opener. With a splash of R&B, Texas Drought is a real nice track with good radio melody. I really like Snyder's guitar approach on this one with plenty of poise and oomph. With a bit of southern swagger, Crazy About The Woman is another cool track with strong lead vocal by Splawn and nicely blended backing vocals. Biggs and Snyder trade guitar riffs adding a bit of bite for a real nice track. Another cool track is rocker, Fine and Nasty with a great interplay between the guitars and drums and a driving bass line. Snyder on slide guitar really adds some spice onto his fine vocals making for another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Toppish Groove with a really great rhythm. With a Dusty Hill feel on bass, and British rock style B3 solo this track is solid and Snyder's guitar solo under his own vocals makes for a strong closer. 

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Another Planet Records artist: Mississippi MacDonald - Heavy State Loving Blues - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavy State Loving Blues, from Mississippi MacDonald and it's a R&B infused blues rocker. Opening with Howlin' Wolf a driving R&B track with Booker T like rhythm and Albert King style overlay on guitar by Mississippi who also leads on vocal this track is humping. Phil Dearing on guitars and keys, Elliot Boughen really romping the bass, and Texas Joe McRoury on drums holds the bottom tight. Another driving R&B flavored track, Blind Leading The Blind really shows just how soulful Mississippi's vocals are. Again Boughen's contribution on bass is vital and Vaneese Thomas on duet vocal is terrific. Mississippi's guitar work is stinging and keyboard horn work by Dearing really balances things out. Really nice. Heading South is dripping with funk with smoking hot guitar riffs by Mississippi and a strong vocal line that pays the bill. With irresistible rhythm, excellent guitar lead and great vocal backing, this is my favorite track on the release.  Trouble Doing The Right Thing is a really cool track that could easily garner radio attention. It has just the right balance of R&B, guitar and melody. Wrapping the release is power slow blues track, Blues For Albert, with Mississippi laying down some really ripping blues phrasing. With only some intermediate vocal, this track is laid out blues suitable for a King. Excellent closer for an excellent release. 

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Kurt Allen - Live From The Red Shed - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live From The Red Shed, by Kurt Allen and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Graveyard Blues, Kurt Allen on lead vocal and guitar, Gregory Schaberg on drums and Bill Morlan on bass have plenty of swagger and sting. Strong opener. Slow blues, How Long, really has the perfect crowd  components with tension, soulful vocals, a solid melody and solo guitar. Shuffle, Watch Yo Step has a real nice feel with a classic blues vamp and British blues feel. Allen rips it loose on slide for a rowdy conclusion. Wrapping the release is Better Think Twice, a cool blues jam with a great bass line giving Allen plenty of space to solo over the melody. This may be my favorite track on the release... a solid closer for a solid release.

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Mud Slide Records artists: Delta Wires - if somebody told me... - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, if somebody told me..., by Delta Wires and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Can't Win For Losin', a Sonny Boy Williams based vamp, cranked up a bit with Ernie Pinata on harmonica and lead vocal, backed by Tom Gerrits on bass, Richard Healy on guitar, Tony Huszar on drums, David Bowman on trombone, John Christensen on trumpet, Caleb Murray on sax and Richard Sylvester on keys, a solid opener. On title track, if somebody told me... Pinata takes the tempo down giving Healy a real nice forum to show his guitar chops. On Lucille Bogan's Sloppy Drunk, Pinata kicks up the tempo and with a strong harmonica lead, and with Murray holding the rear, this track has a great feel. My favorite track on the release is Sonny Boy Williamson's Hand Outta My Pocket with an excellent pace and Pinata shining on harmonica and lead vocal and slick guitar retort by Healey. Wrapping the release is Basie's Blues In Hoss' Flat, a cool shuffle featuring Murray, Christensen and Bowman on full horn intro. Christensen takes the first solo leg on trumpet with a clean attack. Bowman milks out a real cool trombone solo followed by a Muted Christensen and a real swinging Murray on sax and a hot harmonica solo by Pinata. This is a full rich closer for a solid release.

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