Bman's Blues Report

Monday, September 2, 2024

VizzTone label group artist: Deb Ryder - Live And Havin' Fun - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live And Havin' Fun, from Deb Ryder and it's a boat load of high steppin fun. Opening with Fun Never Hurt No One, with it's pumping rhythm, Deb Ryder is upfront leading the way on gritty vocals and Lon Price and Joe Sublett on sax. Tony Braunagel lays down a steady drum rhythm with Ric Ryder on bass and Johnny Lee Schell on guitar. Paul Litteral on trumpet and Jim Pugh on trombone really open the track up with brass. Solid Opener. Temporary Insanity has plenty of sway with Schell leading the way on guitar and Pugh, Price and Litteral on horns. Ric's bass work adds a real nice bottom giving Deb a solid footing for her powerful vocals. Albert Lee lays down some real nice guitar riffs on Ma Misere for a strong addition to the set. Braunagel sets up a hot, New Orleans rhythm and Albert Lee picks some real nice riffs under the soulful vocals on Deb. Funky, I'm Coming Home, leads off with Price wailing on sax and the thumping bass work of Ric. Deb gets in the groove with great response by Price and funky guitar rhythm by Schell and snappy drum work by Braunagel. Hold On has a driving blues rock feel with Deb leading the way and Tex Nakamura on harmonica adding just the right amount of spice. Wrapping the release is country blues rocker, Blues Is All I Got, with it's strong rhythm, Ric on bass and Deb trading lead with Nakamura. Schell lays down a real nice guitar solo on this one further electrifying this live closer.

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"

qrcode

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Friday, August 30, 2024

Blues Mountain Records artist: Big Harp George - Cooking With Gas - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cooking With Gas, by Big Harp George and it's a solid set of original blues tracks. Opening with title track, Cooking With Gas, Big Harp George on lead vocal and chromatic harmonica leads the way on this sassy track with D'Mar Martin on drums, Joe Kyle Jr. on bass and featuring Michael Peloquin contributing a hot sax solo. Latin flavored Doom Loop has a tight drum and horn section with Doug Rowan on bari sax, Ed Morrison on trumpet, Peloquin on tenor sax, Mike Rinta on trombone, Kid Andersen on guitars and great guitar flare from George. Soulful blues, Wine Is My Friend has a firm bass line by Kyle Jr. working with George's great vocals, Andersen on guitar and James Dwayne and Walter Morgan on backing vocals. Funky instrumental, Maceosity really moves with Jerry Jemmott on bass and D'Mar on drums. A lively horn section and Burns on keys fuels the flame and Peloquin on diatonic harmonica works in nicely with excellent bari work by Rowan and great trombone contribution by Rinta. Excellent! Paradise Is Burning has a great bluesy feel and George really works the track on vocal and harmonica. Backing vocals by Swayne and Morgan add substantial warmth and Andersen's contributions on guitar really stand out. Wrapping the release is instrumental, When I First Held Valerie, featuring George on the melody on harmonica and a crisp piano solo by Burns. This is a solid closer for a very enjoyable release.

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Immediate Family Records artist: The Reverend Shawn Amos - Soul Brother No. 1 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Brother No.1, from The Reverend Shawn Amos, and it's a strong mix of R&B, rock, soul and blues. Opening with funky rocker, Revelation, driven by Jerry "Wyzard" Seay on bass and Steve Ferrone on drums. With Rev on vocal and wailing harmonica, Dapo Torimiro on keys, and Doctor Roberts soaring on guitar, this is a super opener. I love the Al Green feel on Back To The Beginning and solid backing vocals by the McCrary Sisters and The Crimm Singers. Soulful, Circles, features The Revs vocals, great guitar accents by James Saez and backing vocals by Denise Carite, Torimiro and Seay. Wrapping the release is Things Will Be Fine, a great soul track featuring Amos and Carite on lead vocal, backed by Torimiro, Seay and the McCrary sisters. Excellent closer.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Pilot Light Records artist: Cryin' Out Loud - Play Loud & Smoke Often - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Play Loud & Smoke Often, from Cryin' Out Loud, and it's a good set of rocking blues. Opening with I Smoke Cigars and I Play The Blues, a jazzy blues rocker, Brandon Stallard on lead vocal and guitar gets things rocking joined by Ben Chute on guitar and slide, Jim Fratini on bass, Erik Lawrence on sax, Mark "Bluesboy" Kanter on harmonica and Jeff Glidden drums. On boogie track, You Can Dance to the Blues, Fratini on bass sets the pace with Brooks Milgate on keys and piano and Stallard on vocal. Stallard lays in a hot guitar solo and Lawrence blows a cool sax solo of his own. My favorite track on the release is bass driven, Instead, with it's drum/bass echo rhythm and fiery guitar lead and full organ solo by Milgate and Lincoln Blake. Moonshine Lover has a light feel and memorable radio melody. With it's bouncy rhythm and vocal harmonies it plays well for airplay. Up tempo rocker, Time Away From You, is another track with strong radio appeal. With a solid melody, warm organ backing under Stallard's vocals, cool rhythm guitar by Chute and melodic guitar lead by Stallard, this is a solid closer.

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Stony Plain Records artist: Eric Bibb - Live At The Scala Theatre Stockholm - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Scala Theatre Stockholm, by Eric Bibb and it's my favorite in a long time. Opening with traditional track, Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad, Eric Bibb on guitar and vocal creates a warm bluesy feel, with excellent slide guitar backing by Christer Lyssarides, Johan Lindstrom on pedal steel, Glenn Scott on bass, Olle Linder on drums, Greger Andersson on harmonica and Esbjorn Hazelius on fiddle. I love the depth and fluidity. Great opener. Led Belly's Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie benefits nicely from the warm, silky vocal of Bibb and Lindstrom on pedal steel, punctuated by Glen Scott on bass makes this track an excellent addition. Walter Vinson's, Things Is 'Bout Comin' My Way has always been one of my favorite blues tracks. I just love the melody. Wrapping the release is Mole In The Ground, another traditional track with very light accompaniment. Bibb always handles this classic tunes with great respect , adding just the right amount of guitar, a nicely melodic fiddle solo by Hazelius, Scott on piano, Andersson on harmonica and warm vocals from the audience brings the track to a close.

Monday, August 26, 2024

Paul Black - Beautiful Sin - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beautiful Sin, by Paul Black, and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Howl & Moan, a driving rocker, Paul Black on lead vocal, guitar, bass and harp is joined by Curtis Lieppi on drums, Wynn Cogol on Hammond, and Sarah Smith on back vocal for a strong opener. Swampy rocker, Better Man has a great bass line that carry Blacks lead vocals nicely. With a nice weave of organ by Cogol and Blacks own guitar riffs this track has that CCR feel. Very nice. The Way is a real nice rocker with real swagger. Black on vocal and slide give the track a tough bite and bass and organ reinforcement give it solid traction. It's the snappy rhythm by Malcolm Cooley that really sets up the track on Losin Your Love. With just the right amount of funk, well placed organ work by Cogol and a bass/guitar combo by Black sets this thing on fire. Wrapping the release is Go On Home, a cool rocker with a punchy backbeat. Black's vocals are just right and his guitar/bass lead and tight drum work by Cooley make this a solid closer.

Friday, August 23, 2024

One Dime Band - Side Hustle - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Side Hustle, from One Dime Band, and it's a cool R&B/blues release. Opening with title track, Side Hustle, Paul Gallucci on lead vocal and John Brauchler on guitars lead the way with Romen Dubois on drums laying down a tight rhythm and a poppy bass line by Paul Kochananski driving the beat. Cool opener. With a mix of blues and folk on What You Done?, Gallucci on vocal and slide guitar has the floor. A cool ballad, with Tim Curry backing on vocal, a cool bass line by Kochanski and accordion by Alizon Lissance, a cool track. Dr. Shine is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a solid melody, strong vocals and harmonica by Gallucci. Driving rocker, Backbell has a terrific beat and with Lissance on piano and a cool sax solo by Mario Perrett, a top radio contender giving Brauchier a little stretching room on guitar. Another solid track is blues rocker, Babylon Clouds, with it's bluesy bass line, and excellent harp work by Gallucci. Soul jam, Rib Grease, has a strong groove with Dubois and Kochanski laying down the bottom and cool soloing by Brauchier, Johnny Blue Horn on trumpet, Perrett on sax and Lissance on piano. Wrapping the release is a solid shuffle, Gator In My Pond, built on the solid bass line by Kochanski, Dubios on drums, and Lissance on piano. Gallucci on vocal and harmonica really shine on this track with some really nice guitar riffs by Brauchler to close the set.

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.

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.