Bman's Blues Report

Friday, August 16, 2024

Chicken Coup Records artist: Tony Monaco Trio - Over and Over - New Release Reivew

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Over and Over, by Tony Monaco Trio and it's a super groove. Opening with Da Daddy a high energy bop with Tony Monaco on B3 playing the melody, anchored by Zakk Jones on guitar and Reggie Jackson on drums. Monaco takes a real nice B3 solo and leads to a strong melodic guitar solo b Jones. Excellent opener. Boogie track, One For Pat (Martino) has great bones. Monaco provides a firm bass line on B3 and Jones really stretches nicely. Monaco returns on B3 reinforcing yet expanding the melody never giving you a chance to catch your breath. Very nice. Another hard driver is Ready Set Go with Monaco on B3 bass and Jackson set a remarkable pace. Monaco takes the first turn at the wheel steering with wild abandon up the keyboard working it to a frenzy. Jones doesn't relent with an excellent guitar solo of his own. Really strong. Wrapping the release is funky, Uprooted with a tight snappy drum rhythm by Jackson and by the book guitar funk rhythm by Jones. Monaco wails out the melody on B3 really getting this thing moving. Jones digs in on guitar with a blend of funky chicken pickin and straight up fluid runs. Solid closer for a strong release.

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Thursday, August 15, 2024

Gulf Coast Records artist: Lara Price - Half & Half - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Half & Half, from Lara Price and it's got the spunk of a "real" classic blues rocker from the early 70's. Opening with We're Still Friends, a bluesy rocker, Lara Price, leads with her gutsy vocal style with Randy Hayes and Kid Andersen on drums, Endre Tarczy on bass, Baxter Robertson on keys, Sue McCracklin, Maureen Smith, and Lisa Leuschner on backing vocals and Mike Zito and Might Mike Schermer whipping out some sweet guitar interplay. Solid opener. Funky, Things Ain't Everything, has a terrific bottom, courtesy of Clint Simmons on drums and Nick Jay on bass. Price slips into a great vocal slot on this one and David Jimenez and Chris Tondre add tight guitar riffs, with Trevor Nealon on keys and McCracklin, Smith and Leuschner on backing vocals. This will get you moving. Solitude is a vocal showcase for Price singing an Ellington song, paired with Matt Burger on guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is spunky rocker, Heart On A String, with Randy Hayes driving the beat on drums. Price really has that Memphis sound on vocal, Tarczy reinforces the bottom on bass and Robertson adds great key rhythm. Schermer on guitar lays nicely in the groove and McCracklin, Smith and Leuschner blend nicely with Price adding a solid richness. Airplay choice and smooth closer for this release.

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Stony Plain Records artist: Colin James - Chasing The Sun - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Chasing The Sun, by Colin James and it's chocked full of great tracks and guest talent. Opening with Protection, Lucinda Williams is up front on vocal with Colin James on vocal and lead guitar. Colin Linden on guitar adds rea nice riffs joined by Darryl Jones on bass, Charley Drayton on drums and Ann & Regina McCrary on backing vocals. This track has a strong melody with a Keith Richards feel. Excellent opener. Devilment has a really cool, New Orleans style drum rhythm by Drayton and with the addition of Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica crafting some sweet lead work, this is a strong track. Soulful radio track, How It Feels To Be Loved, really has that warm universal radio play feel featuring James on guitar and vocal, a paced, walking bass line by Jones and warm B3 contributions by Michael Hicks and Jim Hoke on sax. Very nice. Another track that has a great rock feel is This Song Kills Hate with it's guitar swagger and distinctive Darryl Jones/Charley Drayton bottom. James and Linden grind on the guitar and James' vocals are nicely matched with Ruby Amanfu. More traditional blues, John Hammond's Come To Find Out, is nicely assembled acoustic number with James on vocal and acoustic guitar and Musselwhite on harmonica, with rhythm by Linden. Solid track. Wrapping the release is Open Your Mind, a bluesy track with a dark overtone and excellent backing vocals by the McCrary Sisters. I really like this closing track... a solid closer for a real nice release.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Nola Blues Records artist: Matt Guitar Murphy - True Blues Brother - The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Blues Brother- The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" by Matt Guitar Murphy and it's a great assemblage of music that Matt was working on at the time of his death in 2018 featuring music by artists he either played with or influenced along with some special guests. Opening with Matt's Boogie, Murphy leads the way on this instrumental with a super guitar rhythm /solo lead and joined by Bruce Bears on organ, Ricky "King" Russell on guitar, Bob Worthington on bass and Fran Christina on drums. Solid opener. Deadric Malone's I Feel Alright Again is a super shuffle featuring Brian Templeton on vocal, Nick Adams on guitar, Collin Tilton on tenor sax, Johnny Juxo on keys, Dean Cassell on bass and Christina on drums. Christine Ohlman really belts out the lead on Something's Got a Hold On Me, and Etta James favorite, with Cliff Goodwin and Russell on guitar, Worthington on bass and Christina on drums. Phil Diiorio is upfront on vocal on Willie Dixon's I Can't Quit You Baby and James Montgomery on harmonica adds really nice balance. Troy Mercy takes a different approach on his bluesy guitar solo that adds nicely to the track. Disc 2 opens with Matt's Shuffle and Murphy strolling on guitar. A cool organ solo by Bruce Bears leads to a real nice laid back solo by Murphy. Willie Dixon's, Evil, is a real nice contribution with Craig Rawding on lead vocal and some stellar guitar work by Bob Margolin, Jerry Portnoy on harmonica, Chuck Leavell on piano and Christina on drums. Memphis Slim's Lonesome, has a great feel with Christina on vocal and drums, Duke Robillard laying down some hot riffs, Greg Piccolo on sax, Al Copley on piano and Marty Ballou on bass. Joe Beard is upfront on vocal and guitar on Muddy's Let Me Hang Around with Chris Beard on guitar, Billy Boy Arnold on harmonica, bass and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Beard on guitar and vocal and Arnold on harmonica on You Wasn't Doin' Too Bad, a really stripped down, delta style blues. This is an excellent closer for a solid release.

Monday, August 12, 2024

Ndidi O - Simple Songs For Complicated Times - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Simple Songs For Complicated Times, by Ndidi O and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Get Gone, with it's strong melody, Ndidi O shows how clear and strong her voice is, backed by Dawn Pemberton, Khari McClelland, and Keri Latimer on backing vocals. I really like Gary Craig's drum flair and with Sam Howard on bass, rhythmic key work by Chris Gestrin and dynamic slide work by Steve Dawson, this is a potent opener. Dawson plays acoustic guitar as well as pedal steel adding quite a bit of texture to Light On with it's poppy feel and vocal styling. Stripping it back to pure folk vocal on In May, Ndidi blends vocals nicely over the wailing pedal steel of Dawson. With just light touches of percussion and bass and finger picked National steel body. This is a strong entry to the release. Entering into Al Green territory, R&B infused, Too Late, is one of my favorites on the release with a moving rhythm and terrific vocal work by Nididi, Pemberton, McClelland and Latimer and a slick guitar solo by Dawson. Wrapping the release is Worth with it's rock overtone yet slightly funky. Dawson strums full chords and tight snare work lies tight under the active vocal work of Ndidi. This is a cool release leaning heavily to pop style vocals but with plenty of grit for your tastebuds.

Friday, August 9, 2024

Gulf Coast Records artist: The Wicked Lo-Down - Out of Line - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Out Of Line, by the Wicked Lo-Down and it's really strong. Opening with romping shuffle, Kill Me Or Keep Me, Nick David on lead vocal, has a great voice and Paul Size and Jeffrey Berg on guitars really add a lot of swagger. Brad Hallen on bass and Nick Toscano on drums round out the band making this a power to reckon with. Excellent opener. Chuck Berry flavored, Marchin' On, really has great form and Size adds really nice riffs. If you don't know Size, we called attention to his broad notoriety in a post ( Paul Size, Johnny Moeller, Anson Funderburgh) back in 2011. Super musician and in great company with Judge, Funderburgh and Moeller. On The Wildest One (Lester's Boogie), Hallen on bass sets a great boogie line and Size and Berg really get the boogie feel going and David works his own vocal against harmonica that really wails. This is a terrific boogie that will leave you wanting more. Excellent track. Not to spoil some of the surprises in this release but if you like ZZ Top and Bill Gibbons, there are plenty of Texas style riffs that will have you rocking in your seat. Slow blues, If I, is a soulful track giving David center stage to showcase his voice and Size on guitar plays excellent response on guitar to his call. Size rolls out a super solo taking the track ever deeper to close the number. Very nice. Another Texas shuffle, You Don't Know Me, has just the right feel with Berg driving the rhythm and Size trading with David, guitar and vocal. David pulls out his harmonica again with some fleshy riffs and Size takes the track to the end. Very nice. Guitar rocker, Vanna Be, is all Size with an excellent driving guitar runner. Hallen and Toscano keep up the bottom for a classic rocker. Wrapping the release is hard driving, I Just Can't Make It and really an excellent closer for this super fun release. Size pops on the slide and rides it hard. If you don't check out this release, it isn't because I didn't tell you...CHECK THIS ONE OUT!!!

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Diesel Entertainment artist: Jeff Rogers - Dream Job - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dream Job, from Jeff Rogers, and it's a soulful rocker. Opening with Her Kind Of Trouble, a super, R&B track with excellent vocals by Jeff Rogers. Kevin Holly on guitar, Clayton Ivey on keys, Justin Holder on drums and Shonna Tucker on drums are a tight unit and spectacular backing vocals by Sharon Riley, Teena Riley, Jean Lawrence - Scotland, Michelle Francis, Renee Rowe and Patricia Lewis. Soulful. title track, Dream Job, is another prime showcase for Rogers on vocal and Wurlitzer, backed by Holly, Tucker, Holder and Ivey and the excellent choir. Bluesy ballad, Wish You Wouldn't Go features some real nice guitar work by Holly and terrific lead vocal by Rogers with warm backing and horn support by Ed Lister on trumpet, Petr Cancura on tenor sax, and Mark Ferguson on trombone. Very nice. Dead of Night has the signature of a radio hit with a bobbing melody, strong melody, Rogers pure vocals and the strong horn punch of Lister, Cancura and Ferguson. Wrapping the release is Deep Cold Water, another solid ballad featuring Rogers and his Wurlitzer backed by, Tucker, Holder, Ivey and the potent vocals of the choir. This is a strong release and one that you should check out.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

VizzTone /SWMAF Records artist: John Primer and Bob Corritore - Crawlin' Kingsnake - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Crawlin' Kingsnake, from John Primer & Bob Corritore and it's a full house, blues release. Opening with Take A Message, John Primer on lead vocal and guitar starts off this dynamic shuffle. Bob Corritore steps up pretty quickly on harmonica with great Chicago style blues chops that he's well known for, adding a nice solo by Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar, and joined by Bob Stroger on bass, Anthony Geraci on piano and Wes Starr on drums. Super opener. Willie Dixon's Down In The Bottom is up next with a cool bass line by Stroger and potent piano rhythm by Geraci. Primer's vocals are solid and Corritore trades solos with Primer and Smith adding nice balance. John Primer's shuffle, Hiding Place has a really great feel with vocal swagger by Primer and a driving guitar/ piano feel. Corritore lays out a real nice harmonica solo and Primer's solo nods to Elmore James. One of my favorite tracks on the release is BB King's Chains and Things with it's more soulful bluesy approach. Primer's vocals are always terrific and Geraci's piano really adds nicely to the mix. Corritore lays down a soulful harmonica solo and Geraci matches it with a beautiful solo of his own. Primetime and Primer are both solid blues guitar players adding nicely. Jimmie Lane's blues rocker, You're The One has a really nice rhythm pairing Primer on vocal and guitar with Corritore who sails on harmonica. This tracks stands out nicely with an additional guitar solo by Primetime. Magic Slim's Gravel Road has a driving Chicago feel with Primer singing in the slot. Corritore chides Primer on harmonica as he belts out the melody and Smith lays down a real nice rocky blues solo. Wrapping the release is Muddy's, Feel Like Going Home with a solid jam. Primer on lead vocal and slide, trades riffs with Geraci on piano and Corritore again showcasing some of his excellent soulful playing. Geraci rolls in nicely with traditional blues piano improvisation presented nicely and Primer on slide adds a lot of grease. Strong closer.

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Out of the Past Music artist: Steve Howell & The Mighty Men - 99 1/2 Won't Do - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 99 1/2 Won't Do, from Steve Howell & The Mighty Men and it's a cool, stripped down blues rocker. Opening with I'm A Little Mixed Up, Steve Howell keeps the rocking feel of the James/Johnson composition but ads his own flavor. Leading on vocal and guitar and backed by Chris Michaels on guitar, Dave Hoffpauir drums and Jason Weinheimer on bass and keys. Nina Simone's Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood is covered instrumentally, led by Howell on guitar melody. Traditional blues, God's Gonna Cut You Down, is my favorite on the release with a Hot Tuna or Gary Davis feel. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Apache made popular by The Shadows and The Ventures. With it's solitude guitar melody and reverb, it's a cool closer.

Monday, August 5, 2024

Flower Records artist: John Clifton - Too Much To Pay - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Too Much To Pay, from John Clifton, and it's a cool mix of rock and blues. Opening with title track, Too Much To Pay, with a straight up rocking rhythm. John Clifton on lead vocal is joined by Bartek Szopinski on Hammond, Milosz Szulkowski on drums, Janusz Brzezinski on bass and with some rippin guitar lead from Piotr Bienkiewicz (Polish band, The Boogie Boys). Blues rocker, Long Gone Mama has a R&B feel and gives Clifton a wide opening to show his harmonica skills. Nice. Rocker, Broke Down Fool features a pounding rhythm harmonic backing vocals by Keysha Burns, Hallie Williams Craig Daniel, Edwin Stovall and Chopper Wilson. Bienkiewicz rips a rockabilly style guitar solo and Clifton reloads his harmonica for another round of bluesy riffs. Swear To God I Do is my favorite track on the release with it's rock-bluesy feel. Szopinski really lays on the Hammond and Brzezinski slaps out a real nice solo on guitar. Another tasty harmonica solo by Clifton tops this one off. Wrapping the release is Bad Trip, a high energy rocker with a great melody. Clifton belts it out a torches his harmonica and Bienkiewicz rips another flaming solo closing this hot release.

Friday, August 2, 2024

Curtis Taylor Music artist: Curtis Taylor - Taylor Made - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Taylor Made, from Curtis Taylor and I really like it. Opening with Kham's Dilemma, Theron Brown sets the mood with light keys and Curtis Taylor on trumpet lays out the melodic framework. Paired with Marcus Elliot on tenor sax they create a warm framework for this cool improv. Taylor takes the first leg on trumpet with a bright, energetic run, contrasted by Elliot who's tone is warm and his phrasing frenzied. Brown runs on piano keeping a great bop feel leading to a reuniting for this excellent opener. Heightened Awareness really is high tempo with Taylor and Elliot really slugging it out. With driving bass line by Jonathon Muir-Cotton on bass, Alex White on drums and punctuating rhythm by Brown on piano this is my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Journey with an early Hancock feel. Underlying piano rhythm by Brown with rim shots by White, Taylor and Elliot share the melody leading to a real nice solo by Brown. A warm, melodic solo by Elliot really is strong and Taylor crafts dome really nice phrases of his own on trumpet making this an excellent closer.

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Blues People - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release by Blues People and it's smoking. Opening with Amnesia, Kelton Cooper on lead vocal and guitar really makes a lot of smoke. With deep bluesy vocals and sting lead guitar, joined by Gene Lake on drums, Mike Griot on bass and Ron Thompson on organ, this is an excellent opener. Hendrix's Hey Joe gets a rework with solid piano intro by Thompson, joined by Lake and Griot. Cooper's vocals are soulful and his guitar work heavy and forceful. Very cool. Troubled Times is sure to be a crowd and radio favorite with it's bluesy ballad feel. Cooper really gets that soul fell vocally and his melodic guitar phrasing is stellar. Smoke and Mirrors is a definite standout track on the release with it's aggressive guitar intro and rocky pace. Wrapping the release is Knee Off My Neck, a funky track with important social commentary. Strong vocals, warm organ and punctuation by Cooper on guitar make this a tight closer.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Purple Pyramid Records artist: Prog Collective - Dark Encounters - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dark Encounters, from Prog Collective, a project founded and helmed by Billy Sherwood of Yes note. Opening with Darkest Hour, longtime Billy Idol guitarist, Steve Stevens is featured with soaring guitar riffs over Sherwood's bass, keyboard and drum composition. Atmospheric and intense, this is a strong opener. Steve Morse (Dregs/Deep Purple) adds his own virtuosity to Ominous Signs with a more structured composition allowing more freedom for Sherwood's own exploration. Dark Days is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Bumblefoot (GNR) contributing some real nice guitar and vocals, Patrick Moraz (Moody Blues) on keys, Omar Hakim (Weather Report) on drums and Sherwood on bass. Soft Machine's John Etheridge lays down some nicely phrased guitar lead on The Fifth Hour, paired with Sherwood on bass, keys and drums. Very cool. Another of my favorite tracks, Between Two Worlds features Steve Hillage (Gong) on guitars and Gregg Bissonette on drums and Sherwood on vocal, bass and keys. King Crimson's Pat Mastelotto sits in on drums on For All To See with strong guitar lines by Sherwood who also plays keys and bass. Bonus Tracks include Todd Rundgren's top ten hit, I Saw The Light featuring Rundgren on vocal and Rick Wakeman on keys and an up tempo cover of 10CC's I'm Not In Love featuring Wakeman on keys and Nektar.

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Anthony Geraci - Tears In My Eyes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tears In My Eyes, from Anthony Geraci and it's great mix of rhythm and blues. Opening with slow blues, Broken Mirror, Broken Mirror Anthony Geraci is back with his powerful blues piano style, joined by Sugar Ray Norcia on super lead vocal. With Barrett Anderson on Muddy style slide guitar, Paul Loranger on bass and Marty Richards on drums, this is a strong opener. On jump track, Owl's Nest, Geraci pounds out the melody on piano and Drew Davies steps up with some terrific sax work. Excellent track. On Judge Oh Judge, Norcia really sings the blues with warm sax soloing by Mario Perrett nicely complimenting Geraci's piano structure with Loranger on bass and Kurt Kalker on drums. On piano boogie, Ooeee, Geraci really rolls it, accompanying his lead vocal on piano and with Drew Davies on sax wailing away. Very nice. Norcia is back on lead vocal on bluesy ballad, Now What. With a strong melody, excellent piano soloing and rich sax work by Davies, this track could be the radio choice for the release. Wrapping the release is Lonely Country Road Blues with it's memorable melody and Robbin's like piano roll. Joined by Anderson on guitar, Loranger on bass and Kalker on drums, a clear closer.

Monday, July 29, 2024

Ruby Star Records artist: Jacqui Naylor - Treasures of the Heart - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Treasures of the Heart, by Jacqui Naylor, and I really like it. Opening with Rodgers and Hart's I Didn't Know What Time It Was, and it's got a super complex drum rhythm by Ele Howell. Jacqui Naylor on lead vocal has a lush voice and strong presence, complimented by Art Khu on keys and Richie Goods on bass. This is a super track. Original track, Walk Out In The Sun, really showcases Naylor's soulful style and Khu on piano over brushed snare by Howell and lead bass by Goods. Adding some funk to the mix on Love's Around, excellent bass lines by Goods, strong percussion by Howell and excellent piano improvisation by Khu make this a cool addition to the mix. With world rhythms, Picture Book of You has a really nice feel. Howell really created an interesting weave of rhythm working nicely as a background for Naylor and Khu. Wrapping the release is We'll Shine Through with a lot of R&B / funk feel. Goode on bass and Howell on drums create a strong rhythm really spiced by Khu on piano rhythm and a meaty solo as well. Naylor's vocals are sassy and rich making this an excellent closer.

Friday, July 26, 2024

Deacon Records artist: Steve Hunter - The Deacon Speaks - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Deacon Speaks, from Steve Hunter, and it's a cool rocker. Opening with a laid back rework of Willie Dixon's Back Door Man, with all instruments played by Hunter. With a keyboard rhythm, and light drum reinforcement, Hunter uses his gravelly vocals and strong guitar phrasing to craft a totally new approach to this track. Very nice. Independent Soul is very laid back with a jazzy rhythm, cool backing vocals and nice drum sizzle. Hendrix's Up From The Skies has a beatnik club sound with Hunter's vocals over bongos, light keys and bass. Hunter lays down some easy going blues bases phrases giving the track just that light edge. My favorite track on the release is Hunter's take on Bill Withers' Who Is He and What Is He To You. Using keys/synth, guitar, percussion and generated effects, this track has the essence of cool. Hunter's guitar solo on this track has just the right amount of bluesy solitude and ambiance to set the track off nicely. Wrapping the release is instrumental, In A Lonely Place, which really captures the solitude. With only the minimal of backing, Hunter creates a subdued, yet powerful melody on electric guitar. Nicely phrased and never overplayed, an excellent closer to a solid release.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train - Red, Hot and Blue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Red, Hot and Blue, from Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with That's Where My Mojo's At, Glenn Marais on lead vocal and guitar set a great driving pace complimented by Manny DeGrandis on bass and vocal, Jesse Karwat on keys and vocals and Jeff Saulnier on drums and vocal. Solid opener. Love Denied, has really good form with a strolling approach under the intense vocals of Marais. Classic rock refrain by the Mojo Train and well stated guitar riffs by Marais add real dynamics to this radio ready track. Marais slips on his slide on It All Went Down, and with a stiff foot drum by Saulnier and well blended back vocals by MT, this track is sure to be a crowd favorite in concert. Wrapping the release is funk rocker, Professor Day, with an aggressive, bass/drum/guitar rhythm and hot sax work by Nick Begoeff. Marais and Karwat set out some tasty solo lines making this a hot closer.