Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Peter Veteska & Blues Train - Full Tilt - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Full Tilt, by Peter Veteska & Blues Train and the name fits perfectly. Opening with, blues rocker, Go Find Another Man, Peter Veteska gets this band cranking. With strong vocals and firm guitar lead, Mikey Jr. on harmonica, Alex D'Agnese on drums, Coo Moe Jhee on bass, and Jeff Levine on B3 these guy have a solid groove. On slow blues, Sad And Blue Jeff Levine creates a warm, B3 environment for Veteska's lead vocal and nicely phrased guitar lead. With only rim shots by D'Agnese and Rick Prince on bass, this is a great radio track. Hard driving, 2:00 in the Morning, has a terrific thumping bass line by Chuck Hearne working with Levine's B3 and Veteska shares the mic with Jen Barnes. A ripping guitar solo by Veteska sets this track off nicely. Take Back What You Own is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's R&B, "Mustang Sally" vibe. With Ghee and D'Agnese setting the rhythm and Levine warming it up, Veteska and Barnes do a real nice job on vocal. Veteska unleashes the guitar on Slow Down You Crazy Fool, setting up his best vocals on the release. With it's solid blues formatting, and a real nice B3 solo by Levine, another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Moore's Merry Christmas Baby, probably seasonal when the release hit the market. Veteska does a real nice job on bluesy lead vocal and real nice piano work by Levine makes this a solid closer.

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Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Juan Carlos Quintero - Desserts... - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Desserts... from Juan Carlos Quintero and it's in excellent example of light, airy, Latin infused jazz. Opening with Johnny, Mercer's Tangerine, Juan Carlos Quintero puts a cool Latin spin on the track with melodic lead on electric guitar, with strong support by Eddie Resto on bass, Joe Rotondi on piano, Joey DeLeon on percussion, and Aaron Serfaty on drums. Quintero shows good creativity with fluid guitar soloing and Rotondi.s piano soloing adds nicely. Estampa Cubana really moves with excellent bass/rhythm combo by Resto, DeLeon and Serfaty. Quintero rides the rhythm adding real spark to the track. Very nice. Also included is a broad improvisation on Van Morrison's Moondance. This is a pretty adventuresome pursuit with only a few clear references to the original tune yet, it holds itself together really well and stands alone with nice arrangement and soloing by all. Wrapping the release is John Gillespie's A Night In Tunisia with a strong Latin rhythm and rapid fire, guitar riffs by Quintero. Rotondi lays out a really nice piano solo on this one and in my opinion this is an excellent closer showing the best the band has to offer. Very nice.

Monday, June 24, 2024

Pure Panhandle Music artist: D. Scott Riggs - These Hard Times Will Come To Pass - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, These Hard Times Will Come To Pass, from D. Scott Riggs, and it's a strong release of traditional style blues. Opening with title track, These Hard Times Will Come To Pass, D. Scott Riggs accompanies himself on an acoustic resonator guitar. Keeping it simple yet effective this is a solid opener. Riggs' fleet fingered rhythmic playing on There Will Come A Time, transforms a simple ballad into a cool blues anthem under his gravelly vocals. Or The Devil Will Get You is formed along the lines of Big Joe Williams' Baby Please Don't Go. Wrapping the release is Hard Times No More, an easy flowing slide piece performed on the resonator. Clean and melodic, a solid closer for a cool traditional blues release.

Friday, June 21, 2024

Roots RX Records artist: Jack's Waterfall - Call Dr. John American Roots Project II - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Call Dr. John American Roots Project II, by Jack's Waterfall, and it's an interesting mix of pop, blues, jazz, folk and pure New Orleans. Opening with strutting, Call Dr. John, with Jack Licitra on piano and lead vocal, joined by Amy Correia, Mark Carpentieri on drums, Michael Blake on sax, and Al Levy on bass. Solid opener. Maria Muldaur leads the way on lead vocal on New Orleans juiced, Piano Player's Heaven with Licitra on accordion and piano, Jules Radino on drums, and a solid bass line by Al Levy. Contemporary pop oriented track, Bella, should garner strong radio play with cool vocals by Licitra and a tight rhythm by Carpentieri. On Dr. John's How Come My Dog Don't Bark, Licitra does a total rearrangement which is interesting, featuring cool, story telling style vocal pattern, rolling piano and some really sassy sax from Michael Blake. Wrapping the release is simple pop track, I Got You, featuring Licitra on piano and vocal. This track has a solid melody and a cool closer for an interesting release.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Rene' Huard Project - Blues Calling - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Calling, from Rene' Huard and it's a contemporary blues rocker. Opening with Hard Times, an up tempo rocker, Rene' Huard on lead vocal and harmonica sets a strong pace. HIs vocals are clear and his harmonica rich and melodic. Joined by Jack de Keyzer on guitars, Alec Frazer Jr. on bass, Al Cross on drums, Eric Lambier on keys and Richard Thornton on percussion, this is a cool opener. Blues based rocker, Demolition Man, has a real nice feel with a great rhythm. Huard's vocals are really strong and his harmonica work pure. With a fluid yet understated guitar solo by de Keyzer, a perfect radio track. With it's traditional blues groove, I really like I Do, featuring Huard's vocal and super harp work over a grinding rhythm and flaming lead guitar by de Keyzer. With it's seductive guitar intro by de Keyzer and smooth melody, Sharp Curves is another track with strong radio appeal. Wrapping the release is Ten Pound Stone, a stripped down blues stomper with Huard on vocal and harmonica working against de Keyzer on slide. A powerful track with a gritty feel.

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Benjamin Croft - We Are Here To Help - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, We Are Here To Help, from Benjamin Croft and it's a cool progressive rocker. Opening with The Age of Magrathea, a driving track with Benjamin Croft on keys, Greg Howe on lead guitar, Carter Arrington on guitars, Stuart Hamm on bass and Marco Minnemann on drums, this is a powerful opener. You Made Me Miss has a great drum line by Simon Phillips that really makes it move. Hamm on bass is solid as a rock and Mike Stern contributes excellent lead guitar work. Adventurous, Lower Moat Manor, has an odd time signature before breaking into 4/4 for the chorus. Croft leads the way on melody with a prime guitar solo by Frank Gamble on guitar and excellent support from Phillips on drums and Flo Moore on bass. Wrapping the release is dramatic, She Flies Softly On featuring Jeff Scott Soto on lead vocal. With Croft on really creating on keys, Per Nilsson laying in a strong solo on guitar, Dave Marks on bass and guitars, and Phillips on drums, this is a strong closer.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Woodward Avenue Records artist: Brothers Brown - Nowhere Left To Go - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nowhere To Go, from Brothers Brown and it's a cool mix of rock, country and blues. Opening with Junior's Back, a country rocker features LA Paul Brown on lead guitar and vocal with Brother Paul Brown (Nashville) on B3 and piano, David Santos on bass and vocal, Peter Young on drums and vocals. With a Marshall Tucker kind of feel, with nicely blended vocals and complimentary guitar lead, this is a solid opener. On title track, Nowhere Left To Go, Santos lays down a real nice droning bass line and with Bobby Rush on lead vocal paired with Santos on vocal, LA trading guitar riffs with Nashville Paul, this is a strong radio track. LA Brown, Santos and Young really do I nice job harmonizing on High Up On The Mountain with warm keyboard work by Nashville Brown carrying the weight. A melodic guitar solo by LA Brown creates a creamy feel. Very nice. Lightly funky, Whatcha Gonna Do, has a cool, bouncy rhythm and pop melody and vocals. Swampy, Snakehole Road, really has a nice bottom, compliments Santos and Young and the Browns really work it on vocal, organ and real nice lead guitar by LA Brown. Wrapping the release is Fifteen Minutes, is an extended slow jam built over a basic bass and drum setup by Santos and Young. Starting slowly and quietly with Nashville Brown on B3 and then adding melodic lead guitar by LA Brown. This track builds slowly adding more intensity and volume by each player until the big sendoff . Solid closer.

Monday, June 17, 2024

Lone Star Mojo - A Shot Of The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Shot Of The Blues, from Lone Star Mojo and it's tight. Opening with super shuffle, Good Blues Travels Fast, Joe Splawn on lead vocal and B3 takes center stage with Mark Snyder on lead guitar and harmony, Tim Maloney on bass and Barry Sloan on drums. Splawn's rugged vocal style gives this track plenty of grit and his keys style really reinforces Snyder's guitar riffs. Solid opener. Slow, bluesy ballad, Thoughts Of You, has a very cool melody and with full keyboard tension, gives Snyder plenty of space to grind out a tasty, melodic solo. R&B chugging title track, A Shot Of The Blues is definitely one that will fill the dance floor. With it's boogaloo rhythm and rolling B3, it's a crowd pleaser. Another favorite is Corner Boogie with it's driving rhythm and heavy organ work. Splawn really gets this one going and with Maloney and Sloan really holding down the bottom, Snyder rips it loose and Splawn really rides the B3. Funky, Your Blues Give My Blues The Blues, really really is a great track featuring Maloney and Sloan. Sit still while you're listening to this one ...you can't. Wrapping the release is radio format, America's Got The Blues with it's solid melody and with Vanity Washington on backing vocals. A soulful solo by Snyder tops of this tidy closer.

Friday, June 14, 2024

Gulf Coast Records artist: Mike Zito - Life Is Hard - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Life Is Hard, from Mike Zito and it's a solid release. Opening with driving blues rocker, Little Milton's, Lonely Man, Mike Zito on excellent lead vocal and guitar sets a great groove. With Reese Wynans setting a solid keyboard, Calvin Turner on bass, Lemar Carter on drums, and Paulie Cerra on sax, this is a strong opener. Fred James' Life Is Hard is a terrific blues track and Zito knows how to milk every drop of blues out of it. Soulful vocals and stinging guitar riffs really makes this track soar. Excellent! Zito original, Forever My Love, is a bluesy ballad with a great melody, setting up for Zito to take that standout guitar solo and his nails it. Tab Benoit's Darkness, is a good selection for this set working nicely with heave drum accents by Carter, and super guitar work by Zito and guest Joe Bonamassa. Walter Trout's, Nobody Moves Me Like You Do, enhances the set really well with it's firm bass work by Turner and tight drum work by Carter. Rich guitar work by Zito and Bonamassa over Wynans organ really anchors this track. Wrapping the release is Rev Gary Davis' Death Don't Have No Mercy, with Zito singin acapella and with rich backing vocals by Steve Ray Ladson, Dannielle Deandrea and Jade Macrae. The track is dark and I like it. With a haunting guitar and keyboard sound over firm drums, this is an excellent closer.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Straight Shooter Records artist: Johnny Burgin - Ramblin' From Coast To Coast - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ramblin' From Coast To Coast, from Johnny Burgin and it's an excellent new addition to his already great output. There's a reason that Johnny is one of my favorite players out there...and this is it! Opening with title track, rocker, Ramblin' From Coast To Coast, Johnny Burgin, who's a good enough a singer to front about any band in the country, on lead vocal and guitar getting things rolling, backed by Danny Banks on drums, Christian Dozzler on piano, Jon Hay on bass and with Jad Tariq on guitar. Solid opener. Up next is Gettin' My Blues On, with heavy a Curtis Mayfield vibe. This song is so good it's downright spooky. Johnny's vocals are soulful and his guitar work strong. Banks on drums, Hay with a great bass line, Barry Seelen on organ and Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Marina Crouse, Jill Dineen on backing vocals, I can't wait to hear this one live. There's a lot of Chicago in Silently Suffering, an easy shuffle with Reo Casey on drums, Mike Morgan on bass, and really nice piano work by Dozzler leading a great pathway for Johnny's fluid and gripping guitar lead. Very nice. Johnny rips a great track, Cincinatti Boogie with a great guitar rhythm under his vocal and Ben Levin really rolling on piano. Burgin cuts loose with a rockabilly style guitar solo that just flies from his fingers. Very cool. Burgin pulls a slide for Fresno Woman showing another side I've rarely seen. His style is pure Chicago and with Hanna PK on piano, another great track. Rae Gordon has the mic on Older and Wiser, a super up tempo blue track with Dozzler on piano, Banks on drums, Jon Hay on bass, Tariq on guitar and with some wicked good guitar riffs by Burgin. Wrapping the release is a real solid blues track, Never Tried To Get Ahead. Burgin belts out the lyrics and answers his call with sympathetic guitar response. His vocals keep getting better and his guitar phrasing more coherent. Joined by Hanna on piano, Chris Matheos on bass, David Plouffe on drums this is an excellent closer for possibly Burgin's most complete effort. Very strong release!

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Foghat Records presents: Foghat - Sonic Mojo - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sonic Mojo, from Foghat and it's a super classic blues based rocker. Opening with She's A Little Bit of Everything, Foghat shows that they still know how to rock. Teaming up with Savoy Brown's Kim Simmonds on writing, this track has that swagger. Foghat originated from Savoy Brown when Lonesome Dave Peverett and Roger Earl left Savoy Brown to pursue a more rocking sound and Simmonds kept his band which was really the king of boogie bands. This track is anchored by Earl on drums and fronted by Scott Holt and Bryan Bassett on vocals and guitars, with Rodney O'Quinn on bass and vocal and Eddie Lefebvre on percussion. With it's driving rhythm, catchy melody and stinging guitar, it's a solid opener. Simmonds' pen is definitely on Drivin' On with it's boogie feel and featuring Bassett on slide. Earl and O'Quinn really push the bottom making this one of my favorites tracks on the release. Howlin' Wolf's, How Many More Years, has a solid bass line by O'Quinn setting a solid bass for Holt and Bassett creating guitar riffs. Straight up rocker, Black Days and Blue Nights has solid ratio potential with a great rock rhythm, a cool guitar vamp and solid lead vocals. Bassett's slide work really adds some nice sting to the mix making this a strong rocker. Wrapping the release is a cool take on Chuck Berry's Promised Land giving it just a slight country feel. Real nice picking by Holt, slick slide work by Bassett solid lead vocals make this a strong closer for an enjoyable release.

Monday, June 10, 2024

Big Ear Audio artist: Cassius King and the Downtown Rulers - Last Call For The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Last Call For The Blues, from Cassius King and the Downtown Rulers, and it's solid contemporary blues. Opening with Do It All Again, Cassius King is strutting with solid vocals and keys, and complimented by Chalo Ortiz, Chris White on bass and J.R. Lozano on drums. With just the right amount of backbeat and vocal blend and tasty riffs by Ortiz, this is a strong opener. If You Love Me Like You Say is a really cool track with a good hook and real radio potential. Ortiz knows how to ride the groove and can really put the sting in the right place. Very nice. Lozano drives the train on Feel Good Music with his funky drum rhythm and Ortiz plays stinging accents under really potent vocals by King. Another winner. Wrapping the release is title track, Last Call For The Blues with it's ballad format. Excellent vocals by King and rick guitar lead by Ortiz make this and excellent closer.

Friday, June 7, 2024

Until The Sun - Enchantment - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Enchantment, from Until The Sun and it's a serious rocker with a blues gut. Opening with Enchantment Pt. 1, Brandon Teskey on guitar and bass creates and solid rock tone, underscored by Chris Tex on drums. All Over Again, features Alyssa Swartz on lead vocals showing her dynamic range from quiet to shouting and very effectively, over the arpeggiation of the melody by Teskey on guitar. With layered bass and powerful, articulate guitar soloing, all held tight by Tex, a very cool track. High energy rocker, Dragon Below, is really pushed by Tex and Swartz paired with Lon Cooper and karee Kudebeh on backing vocals. Teskey again gets a real nice opportunity to take his axe for a ride and does a very nice job. Lieber and Stoller's Hound Dog gets a total rework a potent bottom by Teskey, with substantial guitar interpretation and a punchy beat, all pulled together by soulful vocals by Swartz. Cool. Bluesy, Seek The Sunshine, opens Teskey on slide setting the pace and Swartz sails full blues. With solid blues chords and bass on the bottom, Teskey flips out some real tasty blues riffs giving this track broad appeal. Wrapping the release is straight up rocker, Ghost In The Prayer giving both Swartz and Yeskey to showcase. With a poweerful bottom courtesy Tex, melodic vocals by Swartz and adventurous guitar work by Teskey, this is a solid closer.

Thursday, June 6, 2024

VizzTone Label Group artist: Mathias Lattin - Up Next - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Up Next, from Mathias Lattin and it's a solid blues set. Opening with Who's Been Loving On You, 2023 International Blues Challenge winner, Mathias Lattin is front and center on lead vocal and guitar showing his soulful blues style. With a droning bass line this track really finds it's groove and Shawn Allen on keys, and Mark Simmons Jr. on drums keep it tight. Strong opener. Can't Stop Feeling also has a driving bass line, compliments of Jesse Gomez and With Nick Andres on drums and full tilt organ by Andrew Douglas gives Lattin plenty of space to lay down some really nice riffs. Party has a traditional blues vamp led by Lattin and Gomez and Douglas is riding high on organ. 2nd Degree has a rock edge with standout drum work by Nick Andres. With overdriven vocals by Lattin and blues rooted rock lead by Lattin, this is my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is up tempo soul rocker, Lose Some Weight, with smooth vocals by Lattin. Tight guitar riffs, warm organ by Douglas, Gomez on bass and Andres on drums make this a solid closer for a cool release.

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Pugnacious Records artist: Sean Riley & The Water - Stone Cold Hands - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stone Cold Hands, from Sean Riley & The Water and it's an interesting blend of blues, rock, country and folk. Opening with Dance Me One More Time, a track with real New Orleans and Mississippi roots traces Sean Riley on vocal and guitar stirring the gumbo. With Dean Zucchero on bass, Mike Barras on drums, Phil Bream on organ, Sunpie Barnes on accordion, and real nice backing vocals by Tiffany Pollack, Megan Harris Brunious and Whitney Alouiscious Sanders, this is a solid opener. Cool, foot stomper, Truck Route Blues, features some real nice blues harmonica by Barnes, playing company with Riley on lead vocals. With a basic 2 step rhythm, this track is contagious. Jimmy Reeds easy shuffle, High and Lonesome is one of my favorite tracks on the release with solid vocal lead and tight guitar lead by Riley over stripped down Zucchero on bass and Barras on drums. Bluegrass jam, Rosie's Rag, is a really cool track featuring Riley on dobro, Zucchero on bass, Barras on drums, Breen on organ and Waylon Thibodeaux on fiddle. Excellent! Wrapping the release is up beat boogie, Shine A Little Stronger. With Riley upfront on guitar and vocal, backed by Pollack, Brunious, and Sanders, and pumped up organ by Breen the gospel overtones over Riley's slide work give this track the juice. Strong closer.

Monday, June 3, 2024

VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Margolin - Thanks - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Thanks, by Bob Margolin and I think it's his best in years. Opening with shuffle, Going Down To Main Street, Bob Margolin in on lead vocal and slide guitar and he really makes it talk. With a solid bass line and simple stomp rhythm this is a strong opener. In Morganfield style, Mean Old Chicago really digs up the Mud with this track which really has the Waters feel. This release is named in celebration to the 50 years since Margolin joined Waters band. Love the Waters style slide. Another cool track is Baby Can't Be Found with it's rocking blues rhythm. Margolin on lead vocal and strumming jangly strings gives the track an old school feel. Jimmy Rogers' Hard Working Man puts Margolin right in the slot with it's slower pace. Playing picked lead over real nice second line lead, this is the deepest track on the release. Wrapping the release is Just Before Dawn, a solid slower blues with some of Margolin's best vocals on the release and reverb saturated guitar lead, glistening. Nicely placed counter noted and tight, finger sliding gives the track a brilliance of it's own. Very nice closer.

Friday, May 31, 2024

Green Bullet Records artist: The Liam Ward Band - Shine - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Shine, from The Liam Ward Band, and it's a cool, harmonica led blues band. Opening with cool shuffle, I Got Lucky, featuring Liam Ward on lead vocal and harmonica. Zach Bartlett on bass, Malcolm Thorne on guitar and a few cool riffs and with Joe Harris on drums, this is a super opener. On title track, Shine, Ward really digs in on harmonica with rich tone and Bartlett and Harris rip the Bo Diddley beat. Reinforced by Thorne on guitar and slide this is a killer track. Boogie track, Pack Your Sense Of Humor has a great driving feel, courtesy of Thorne, reinforced by Bartlett and Ward rides the wave on vocals. He kicks it in gear on harmonica and then brings it down to a slow boil where Thorne lays in some tasty riffs. On Latin flavored, Do What You Do the groove gets infectious with strong lead by Thorne and Ward teamed with Helen Hart and Bryony-Rose Ward on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is harmonica focused, Give It All Up For You with Ward trading harmonica riffs and vocal. This is a solid closer for a cool release.

All proceeds from sales of this album will go to the Stroke Association, who support stroke survivors and their families across the UK and Beyond.