Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Scott Weis Band - Raise Your Hands - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Raise Your Hands, by Scott Weis Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Motherless Child, Scott Weis on slide guitar and lead vocal really gets a great groove going. With a heavy kick drum and snare Roger Voss reinforces the beat and Robert Kopec on bass is joined by Cindy Mizelle on vocal creating a really strong opener. Blues rocker, Judgement Day, opens with a cool rimshot riff and Weiss powers a Gibbons style guitar riff giving this track plenty of fuel. Weis lays in a really nice solo over a rowdy bass line by Kopec and Voss powers up the drums. Very cool. A strong cover of Cocker's arrangement of With A Little Help From My Friends really is a nice surprise. Weis' vocals are strong, with backing by Sarah Smith, John Ginty adds real tension on keys and his Weis' guitar solo phrasing works nicely. Funky rocker, Bitch Please, has just a touch of Jagger in styling with it's rumbling bass and steady drum line. Weis gives the track a turn on the refrain and his guitar pushes outside the brackets just a little giving the track a bit more grit. Wrapping the release is Bring Me Home featuring Weis on banjo, Kopec on bass and Voss on kick drum. With an acoustic, country blues feel Weis carries the melody for a very solid closer to a really cool release.

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Tuesday, January 30, 2024

VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's another super release from Corritore. Opening with This Little Voice, Corritore, conjures so great harp tone on the intro with Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar and John Primer on vocal and guitar, backed by Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums. Solid opener. Bobby Rush has the mic on I'm Good As Gone, a slinky R&B style blues with Smith and Dexter Allen on guitar, Chester Thompson on organ, and Steve Ferrone on drums. Very nice. Thornetta Davis is in charge on Remember Me and I gotta say, she's exceptional. I caught Davis when I went to see guitar master, Johnny Burgin and she really did a great job. Davis is joined here by Smith, Burgin, Keyes, Corritore, Stroger and Wes Starr. Very nice. Lurrie Bell leads off, Act Like You Love Me on vocal and guitar. A slow Chicago style blues with solid harp work by Corritore, is joined by Brian Fahey on drums, Troy Sandow on bass, and Bob Margolin on slide. Very nice. Francine Reed's unmistakable voice leads Draw Me Closer with it's gospel like feel. Her influence is strong, backed by Smith and Kid Ramos on guitar, Shea Marshall on organ, Bill Stuve on on bass, and Stephen Hodges on drums. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Let Me Find Out Your Name with Willie Buck on lead vocal, Billy Flynn on guitar, and some deep harmonica tones by Corritore, joined by Starr on drums, Stroger on bass, and Ben Levin on piano. This is a strong release chocked full of talent and soulful blues.

Monday, January 29, 2024

VizzTone Label Group artist: Chickenbone Slim - Damn Good And Ready - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Damn Good And Ready, from Chickenbone Slim and it's a cocky, blues rocker. Opening with High Ballin' Train, a southern style rocker with plenty of swagger, Chickenbone Slim on guitar and vocal leads the way and Laura Chavez really lets it fly on guitar. With Marty Dodson on drums, Justice Guevara on bass and Kid Andersen on everything else, this is a powerful opener. Low slung, Drink Me has a great lope and Slim's vocals are spot on. Stylistic guitar soloing by Chavez gives the track a nice boot and a heavy bottom by Guevara really is solid. Chavez lays down some searing riffs on Damn Good and Ready with just the right amount of funk from Guevara and Dodson. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Ice In My Whiskey, with it's heavy bottom and guitar reinforced melody. Stinging guitar work by Chavez reverberates over a bass and drum vamp as the band collects for it's refrain. Another track that really catches my attention is Ty Cobb's Chiclets with dramatic vocals and nicely phrased and saturated guitar work backed by Lisa Andersen on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is shuffle, I Don't Want To Talk About It with a terrific guitar stroll intro. Guevara's bass line will have you stomping in your seat and Chavez's double stopped laden guitar soloing will have your head bopping. Excellent closer for a strong release.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Willie J. Campbell - Be Cool - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Be Cool, from Willie J. Campbell and it's really strong. Opening with You Better Let Go, Sugar Ray Rayford is upfront on lead vocal, with Willie J. Campbell on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Kid Ramos on guitar and Jimi Bott on drums. Ramos lays out a really nice guitar solo on this somewhat funky track, nicely complimented by Condron Hampton on congas. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Stay Away, featuring Janiva Magness on lead vocal and Brian Templeton on backing vocal, as well as Anson Funderburgh showing exceptional finesse on guitar. Also appearing on this track are Mike Morgan and Shawn Pittman on guitars. Excellent! Templeton has the mic on Drone with it's droning bass line and features the harmonica wizardry of Jason Ricci. There's hardly a track that Ricci contributes to that I don't think that he improves substantially so this is another of my favorites. another Texas style shuffle, Docksidin', lets Funderburgh stretch a bit on guitar and the guy can really play. Milgate on keys as well as Pittman and Morgan on guitars really add as well. Very cool. Shawn Pittman has the spotlight on Devil On My Shoulder with super lead vocals and acoustic guitar and excellent slide work by Morgan. Milgate's piano work on She's a Twister is a standout with Templeton on lead vocals and a flurry of guitar by Ramos. Very nice. The release concludes with two equally iridescent tracks. First up, Use As Needed featuring Templeton on lead vocal and Peter Green's instrumental, Albatross, both which showcase the beautiful guitar work of Ramos and include the piano of Pat McDougall. This really is a terrific release, top to bottom and I highly recommend this release of Willie J. Campbell's work (on bass on each track). Campbell died of ALS on December 19, 2022.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Joel Astley - Seattle To Greaseland - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Seattle To Greaseland, from Joel Astley, and it's smoking! Opening with R&B flavored, Born Cryin' features strong vocals by Joel Astley, over a firm bass line by Randy Bermudes, and June Core. Astley plays a mean harmonica as well, backed by Kid Andersen on keys and outrageous guitar work by Johnny Burgin. Strong opener. Jump track, Candy Shop really is peppy with Astley on lead vocal and hot keys solos by Andersen, guitar by Burgin and harmonica by Astley. Secondhand Kid is another track that allows Burgin to shine with his Texas style blues riffs over a great bass line by Bermudes. Astley really knows how to work the rhythm and his harmonica riffs cross over nicely between rock and blues. Very cool. Swinging, Takin' It With Me, really has a cool feel with a great melody and really nice harmonica work by Astley. Burgin really cuts loose on guitar never disappointing and Core gets the opportunity to rap the skins as well. Very nice. Down To The Rims is a great rocker with a strong melody a moving bass line and well phrased vocals. Kid's keyboard work is tight, Burgin lays in some hot guitar riffs and Andersen, Jill Dineen and Marina Crouse add solid backing vocals. Wrapping the release is No Brighter Gold, a two stepper along the lines of Will The Circle Be Unbroken. With it's simple instrumental backing, backing by Andersen, Crouse and Dineen and a dash of harmonica, this is a sloid closer for a really strong release.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Out Of The Past Music: Steve Howell - Gallery of Echoes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gallery of Echoes, from Steve Howell and it's a traditional look at traditional blues. Opening with Blind Lemon Jefferson's Stocking Feet Blues, with Howell on vocal and guitar. Howell's vocal style is ideal for this music and his picking style, steady and clean. On Blind Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues, only true blues aficionados are likely to have heard this highly popularized track, stripped down to this acoustic version. Very nice. All My Friends Are Gone is a somber track and a strong addition to this release. Howell's vocals are sincere and his playing sensitive. Gary Davis', Sit Down On The Banks Of The River is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a great vocal delivery and fluid guitar work. Wrapping the release is Dallas Rag, a cool little guitar ditty giving Howell a cool closer for a solid acoustic blues release.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Robert "Top" Thomas - A Thin Dime - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Thin Dime, from Robert "Top" Thomas and it's a solid, contemporary "country blues" style release. Opening with BL Jefferson's One Thin Dime, Robert "Top" Thomas accompanies his vocal on guitar. With perfect timing and tight picking pattern, this is a strong opener. On the Ballad of John Henry, Top pulls out his steel body resonator and adds accomplished slide work to his picking style on this lively number. On St Louis Jimmy Oden's Goin' Down Slow, Top captures the earth beneath this track with excellent vocals and a tidy guitar style. Top's take on Baby Please Don't Go is a cool, up tempo rag with a great balance between his vocal and guitar picking. Very nice. Rev. Gary Davis' I Am The True Vine is full of energy with traditional Davis picking style and powerful vocals. Excellent! Wrapping the release is another Gary Davis tune, Oh Glory, How Happy I Am with enthusiastic vocals over a subdued guitar accompaniment. This is a cool contemporary, country blues (traditional) release.

Monday, January 22, 2024

Mario Rossi Band - Smoke Burst - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Smoke Burst, from Mario Rossi Band and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Smoke Burst, Mario Rossi on lead vocal and guitar really gets it going. His fat guitar tone really sets the theme and with Richard Fermino on trumpet, sax and trombone, Ede Boy on keys, Marcelo Rocha on bass and stiff drum work by Rafael Cacavallo, this track is a great opener. Slow blues, It Means Blues, features Lu Vitti on lead vocal giving the track real grit. Rossi's guitar phrasing is strong and Boy's key solo really make this my favorite track on the release. Jammin' For Jimi is a cool rocker with Rossi laying down some real nice blues guitar riffs over a tight bottom by Rocha and Cacavallo. Wrapping the release is another bluesy track, Cold Lonely Nights, with Rossi on lead vocal and showcasing his cutting blues riffs. With a solid solo by Boy on organ and Fermino adding full trumpet, sax and trombone work, this is a strong closer.

Friday, January 19, 2024

Tall and Mean Records artist: The Hurricane Party - Cat 2 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cat 2, from The Hurricane Party and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Hurricane Party, these guys aren't messing around. With Rocky Pleasants on lead vocal, Kelli Strawbridge on drums and keys, and Noah Boyle on bass we got ourselves a terrific funky groove. Backing vocal by Jenny Vazquez, and Matt Walton round out the band for a really memorable opener. Vazquez shares the mic with Pleasants on Hey! That's My Jam with a cool walking bass line by Boyle and plenty of boogie. Traditional styling is the deal on Small Waist with it's shuffle feel. Pleasants on lead vocal and a pumping bass line by Boyle sets up a real nice guitar solo by Walton. Vazquez really amps it up vocally on Truth'll Set You Free, a cool, funky track with a contagious bass line by Boyle and tight drum work by Strawbridge. Walton steps up with a nice gripper of a guitar solo that plays nicely into the track. Bluesy ballad, You Gave Up On Us really is a nice showcase for Vazquez and shows nice vocal blending by Pleasants. Wrapping the release is funky, The Fireplace, featuring Pleasants on lead vocal and a cool keyboard mix creating quite a bit of texture. Cool closer for a solid release.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Guy Belanger - Voyages & Other Stories - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Voyages & Other Stories, by Guy Belanger and it's a solid release with contemporary blues style. Opening with Bayou's Ride, Rob MacDonald on slide, Claude Fradette on guitar, Bruce Cameron on piano, Marc-Andre Drouin on bass and Michael Dufour on drums giving Belanger a solid base for his crafty harmonica adornment. Nice opener. On slow blues, Do I Move You, Sylvie Desgroseillers on lead vocal and perfect guitar response over a great bass drone by Drouin really creating a perfect showcase for Belanger on harmonica. Certainly one of my favorites on the release. Jump track, Duck Soup really has a grate feel with harmonica/guitar duet on the intro and super breakouts by Belanger and MacDonald. Excellent! With a modern shuffle feel, King Bee, features Belanger on vocal and harmonica over some real tasty dobro work by MacDonald and bass by Alec McElcheran. Wrapping the release is Au Bout Du Chemin, a strong ballad with harmonic vocals by Nanette Workman and strong harmonica work over the melody by Fradette, Drouin, Dufour and MacDonald. Solid closer.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Crosscut Records artist: Franck L. Goldwasser - Who Needs This Mess!!?? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Who Needs This Mess!!??, from Franck L. Goldwasser and it's a thick slice of blues. Opening with with a solid blues number, Don't Give Up On Me Baby, Franck Goldwasser on vocal and guitar follows a SBW vamp and with strong vocals and really nice guitar work really gets things going. Backed by Ralph Carter on bass and Johnny Morgan on drums, this is a strong opener. Skwurley is a real cool instrumental with excellent slide work by Goldwasser matched with R.J. Mischo. Excellent! Playing off of a "Green Onions" skeleton, Diskum Baab Uleh Shun is another instrumental with plenty of room for Mischo on harmonica to trade riffs with Goldwasser on guitar over the solid bottom of Carter and Morgan. With a zydeco feel, Sobbby Doggy Boogy is a fun track with a great tempo, driven by Goldwasser on guitar and slide. Pure Chicago on If I Could Holler with Goldwasser on vocal and a constant harmonica vamp throughout. Traditional Waters' style instrumentation fits nicely with this track. Another Morganfield influenced track, Dumb and Dangerous has a vital rhythm with Goldwasser on Waters influenced slide style and foot stomp drum. With it's Atkins style guitar rhythm, Razzmazazz is a real nice track with Goldwasser showcasing his finger picking style. Closing the release is slow blues, Bleedin' Heart with Goldwasser breaking loose on electric blues, floating on the full organ backing of Jim Pugh. This is a real nice blues track with Goldwasser digging deep on vocal and taking no prisoners on guitar. This is a real nice closer for a solid release.

Monday, January 15, 2024

Tim Woods - For You - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, For You, by Tim Woods and its an earthy contemporary blues release. Opening with Can't Stop Rockin' with it's blend of the Doors and Ten Years After blues rock feel. Woods definitely has a Morrison vocal styling and Bobby Lee Rogers bass lines are driving. Cool opener. Another cool blues rocker, Are You Kind? has just a taste of metal but with Rogers on keys this track almost takes on a Deep Purple flavor. Mimic has a really cool, bounce to it with just the right amount of funk. Rogers' drum anchor gives Woods freedom to jam out on guitar and it's just the perfect combination of groove and lead guitar (think old Savoy Brown meets old ZZ Top). Very nice. Wrapping the release is ballad, Within, with Rogers highlighted on vocal with only the minimal keyboard and brushed drums over his own guitar. With a solid melody and and flowing guitar lead, this is a cool closer.

Friday, January 12, 2024

'59 Records artist: Peter Poirier - Hit The Number - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hit The Number, by Peter Poirier and it's really good. Opening with jump track, Jukebox, Peter Poirier is kicking it on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Brad Hallen on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums, Brooks Milgate on keys and with Sax Gordon Beadle really blowing strong on tenor sax. On Hit The Numbers, Poirier hits the ground running with strong, fluid guitar intro, with Mark Earley on sax, wailing away. Another cool track is Moanin' and Groanin' with Poirier really walking his guitar down the way. With excellent horn backing by Beadle, Earley and Tom Palance on trumpet, and meaty Hammond work by Brooks Milgate, this track has a great strut. With a Latin rhythm, You Done Lied On Me really gives Poirier a chance to step out a bit on guitar. Tight rhythm by Teixeira, warm Hammond by Milgate and strong horn support by Beadle, Palance and Earley makes this another go to track. Wrapping the release is low slung, Jacks and Tens, a pure blues instrumental with Poirier out for a cool stroll. Earley on bari sax is fatter than hell, contrasting nicely with Milgate on piano. This is a solid closer for a really nice release.

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Menges Music artist: Jon Menges - Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4, by Jon Menges and it's a set of solid straight up jazz. The title refers to the make up of musicians on the 2 different sets presented on the release. Opening with Anchor In The Path, Jon Menges plays a muted trumpet intro setting the theme. Pete McCann on guitar takes the melody expanding it with great finesse, supported by Evan Gregor on bass. Menges circles back on trumpet with a firm solo of his own, and Gregor on bass delivers a really nice bass solo giving the track a full plate. Very nice. Sweet swing in 3/4, Tree of Hope is smooth with a super bass line by Gregor and fluid trumpet lead by Menges and active rhythm guitar work by McCann. McCann takes the lead with warm chords and full bass lines by Gregor. On Coqui, Menges doubles up with Nathan Childers on tenor sax who plays a really nice improvised melody. Taking the lead back, Menges on trumpet gets a real nice bop going, backed by Joe Fitzgerald on bass (who also steps up for a nice solo) and Robert Weiss on drums. Fitzgerald on bass and Weiss on drums set a real nice groove and Menges slides right in with one of the best, melodic solos on the release. Childers follows with a strong tenor solo of his own really adding to the track and a hot bass lead by Fitzgerald brings the track up to the close. Wrapping the release is driving, Somethin' with Menges setting the pace. Childers on tenor hits it hard with a chunky solo of his own and Fitzgerald and Weiss each lay in just the right amount of spice to make this a tight closer.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Denin Slage-Koch - It Comes In Waves - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It Comes In Waves, from Denin Slage-Koch and its a nice blend of instrumental interpretations. Opening with title track, It Comes In Waves, Ryan Keberke on trombone, and Shane Endsley on trumped create a ccol blended intro. With Seth Lewis on bass and Bobby Wiens on drums, Denin Slage-Koch lays down a sumptuous melody on guitar followed by a knockout trombone solo by Keberle, floating on a bed of keys by Gavin Allen-Dunn. Very cool. On One For Honey, Slage-Koch kicks up the tempo with fluid finger work over Lewis and Wiens keeping a tight bottom and a fluid piano jaunt by Allen-Dunn really hits the spot. Continue really gets going with a driving rhythm by Lewis and Wiens. Endsley on trumpet and flugelhorn and Keberle on trombone set the stage and Slage-Kock solos aggressively over the rabid bass line of Lewis and Keberle adds some really nice trombone lines and Allen-Dunn's keyboard work is well formed and fluid making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. With a bluesy rock feel, Slage-Koch shows a totally different side on Signal Fires with a long, Gilmore inspired solo, pushed ever higher by Allen-Dunn's full load organ work and the bottom by Lewis and Wiens. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Quiet Year, an interesting track with Slage-Koch and Lewis each taking beautiful solos over a subtle background. This is a solid closer for an enjoyable release.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Treated and Released Records artist: Reverend Freakchild - Songs of Beauty for Ashes of Realization - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Songs of Beauty for Ashes of Realization and it's another solid set from Reverend Freakchild. Opening with swamp funky, All I Got Is Now, the Rev on lead vocal and National Resolectric guitar, sets a terrific feel. Joined by Hugh Pool on lap steel and backing vocals, Brennen Schedler on drums, Steve Sirockin on organ and Chris Parker on drums, this is a great opener. High energy rocker, All Across America, has a driving bottom courtesy Jon Robinson on bass and Patrick Carmichael on drums, with Sirockin riding high on organ. Rev drives the track with potent vocals and harmonica, complimented by Drew Glackin on lap steel. The Rev takes to an acoustic track on Amsterdam Blues which finds him showcasing his acoustic slide prowess in compliment to his vocals. Wrapping the release is laid back blues rocker, Keep On Truckin' with it's distinctive, Grateful Dead rhythm but original sound. With the Rev on lead vocal, guitar and uke, Hugh pool on harmonica, vocals and bass, John Ragusa on backing vocals, Sirockin on organ and Chris Parker, this is a cool contemporary closer.

Monday, January 8, 2024

The Bluesland Horn Band - Six - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Six, from The Bluesland Horn and it's a cool, funky blues jam. Opening with lazy shuffle, My Old Truck, Marty Cochrane leads on vocal, backed with a full horn compliment including Miguelito Valdez and Doug Zacharias on trumpet, Barrie Sorenson on tenor sax, Armando Alvarez on bari sax, Tim Keels on tuba and with Casey Ryder on bass, Jan Randle on piano, Ross Hall on drums and Terry Medd on acoustic guitar and dobro. Cool opener. Shuffle In The Attic has a Freddy King feel with Medd laying in some real nice guitar riffs and Alvarez on bari holds the bottom tight. I really like rocker, Rock My Roll with it's swagger. Featuring some real nice guitar work by Medd and a strong sax solo by Jerry Cook, this track has attitude. Alley Shuffle again finds Medd up front with a taste of T Bone Walker but with the punchy horn section of Doug Zacharias, John Reid and Paul Evans and with Guy Plecash on piano and Gavin Sorochan on drums. Wrapping the release is So Long, Goodbye with Jack Lavin on vocal, harp and bass. I really like Lavin's harp tone which adds great texture to the track. A solid shuffle featuring Medd on slide, Miles Jackson on organ and Ross Hall on drums, this is a solid closer.