Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Stony Plain Records artist: Sue Foley - One Guitar Woman - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Guitar Woman, from Sue Foley and it's an acoustic solo release in tribute to female pioneers of guitar. Opening with Elizabeth Cotten's Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie, Foley on vocal and guitar delivers this classic blues track with clarity and nicely articulating Cotten's classic guitar styling. Mother Maybelle Carter's, Lonesome Homesick Blues is a nice showcase for Foley vocally and her Davis like turnarounds work really nicely on this track. Spanish styling on Foley and Lydia Mendoza composed, Mal Hombre, is really tasty and Foley singing in both Spanish and English really suits this track. One of my favorites on the release. Classical composition, Romance In A Minor is a beautiful addition to this set. Composed by Niccolo Paganini, this track is all feel. Very nice. Sister Rosetta Thorpe song, My Journey To The Sky is a really soulful composition and Foley does it justice with clean vocals and a minimum of guitar accompaniment. Elizabeth Cotten's most popular track, Freight Train is up next with Foley nicely demonstrating Cotten's widely recognizable guitar technique. Wrapping the release is possibly one of the most recognizable Spanish guitar compositions, La Malaguena, composed by Ernesto Lecuona. Foley does a really nice job with feel and articulation on this classic closer. It's notable to say all tracks on the release were performed on a nylon string flamenco Negra made by master luthier Salvadore Castillo. Really interesting release and a bit off the standard path for Foley but an enjoyable journey.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2024

You & Me Music artist: Hyeonseon Baek - Longing - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Longing, from Hyeonseon Baek and it's very cool. Opening with Ellington's Caravan, Hyeonseon Baek really emerges smoothly from the darkness with his smooth tenor vocals. Kevin Hays really working the melody on piano,, and Lucas Pino on tenor sax plays beautiful, lyrical phrases over the tight bottom of Linda May Han Oh on double bass and Jochen Rueckert on drums. Exciting opener. Original composition, West 4th St. is a solid shuffle with Baek scatting over a terrific rhythm. Hays plays masterful piano improv with a great bass line by Oh. Jimmy Rowles' laid back, A Timeless Place showcases Baek's voice nicely with a solid interlude balanced between Hays on piano and Oh on bass. Wrapping the release is a second take on West 4th St with Pino letting it all hang out on tenor sax. With a super bass line by Oh, tight drums by Rueckert, Hays on piano and of course the solid vocal styling by Baek, this is a super closer.

Monday, September 9, 2024

Ez It Iz Music artist: Andy Ezrin - I Was Here - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Was Here, from Andy Ezrin and it's a solid mix of jazz and fusion styling. Opening with Grapes, Randy Brecker on trumpet and Donny McCaslin on tenor sax blend nicely creating an inviting intro. Andy Ezrin on piano sets up the melody on piano and improvises a broader theme, with strong solo lines by McCaslin, joined by John Patitucci on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums. A vibrant solo by Brecker really stands out nicely before the 5 circle back for a cohesive opener. Easy shuffle, Greenwoman, finds McCaslin leading the melody on sax. Patitucci on bass sets up a complex bass line reinforced by Gilmore's riveting snare work on drums and an aggressive solo by McCaslin contrasts nicely with Ezrin's solo work on piano. Pop funky, Ain't That Some Shit, is a definite radio track with McCaslin wailing on tenor sax, floating on a bed of piano and B3 by Ezrin. A snappy bottom by Patitucci and Ari Hoenig on drums. Wiggle Room is my favorite track on the release with a lot of freedom around a central melody, anchored by Patitucci and Gilmore but stimulating soloing by Ezrin and McCaslin and Patitucci. Brecker had the lead on Never Enough, with it's memorable melody and pace. Ezrin walks the melody along on piano, joined by Patitucci making for another of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Cascades, a clean piano elaboration by Ezrin. With a nice phrasing and execution, a great closer for a cool release.

Friday, September 6, 2024

PK Entertainment artist: Kelly's Lot - The Blues Remind Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Remind Me, from Kelly's Lot and it's a solid blend of soul, blues, boogie and rock. Opening with I Gotta Sing The Blues, an easy paced soul track featuring Kelly Zirbes on lead vocal shared with Mo Beeks, backed by Perry Robertson on guitars, Matt McFadden on bass, Beeks on keys, and Art Mendoza on drums. With a memorable melody and well balanced vocals, this is a strong opener and a likely airplay track. Kelly takes the mic on Mama's Blues, with it's slow dance feel and warm horn work by Bill Johnson (Bari), Aviva Maloney (alto), Paulie Cerra (tenor and alto), Didier Reyes on trumpet, and Chip Tingle on trombone and a solid sax solo. Swampy, Without You, is a firm ricker led by Kelly and Robertson on guitar and has a rocky bottom provided by Mike Sauer on drums and McFadden on bass. Rocker, Aces features Tomislav Goluban on harmonica trading lead with Kelly on vocal. Steady drum rhythm by Sauer, bass line by McFadden and Robertson on guitar makes this a lively entry to the set. Wrapping the release is shuffle, Love And Understanding, the best showcase for Kelly on the release. With it's easy pace and acoustic guitar work by Robertson a smooth closer for the release.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Ancient-Future.com Records artist: Mariah Parker - Windows Through Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Windows Through Time, by Mariah Parker and it's a refreshing breeze. Opening with The Very Wings, Mariah Parker on piano sets a percussive, irregular yet solid theme for the blossoming of this track. Joined by Gary Brown on bass and Mark Walker on drums the track continues to grow through the addition of melodic soloing by Matthew Montfort on guitar and Paul McCandless on sax. Very nice opener. With a Latin flavor, Sol de Barcelona has a really nice melody framed by Parker and McCandless. Montfort's guitar soloing is clean and concise, further elaborated by McCandless and augmented nicely by Sascha Jacobsen on bass, Mark Walker on on drums and Michaelle Goerlitz on percussion, developing into an elegant presentation by Parker on piano. Another Latin flavored track, Duende, features McCandless on melody over the solid piano work of Parker. Montfort's hand at Spanish style guitar is lush and Parker's solo on piano is bright and refreshing. McCandless' solo sways in the breeze with a reedy tone over the support of Kash Killion on bass, Walker on drums and Ian Dogole on cajon. Wrapping the release is Rendezvous with it's soft, inviting melody. Sketched out by Parker with Walker on drums and Killion on bass and Dogole on cymbals and then overlayed one by one by McCandless and Montfort, this track is a calming closer. Very nice.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Ian Wardenski - Unfoldings - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unfoldings, by Ian Wardenski, and it's thought provoking yet familiar, it's abstract but not free form, it's outrageous yet well composed, it's heady yet understandable. This release has 5 "songs" which are really one total composition divided loosely into 5 movements. Movement I opens with Frank Russo on drums laying down a cool rolling rhythm and Amy Shook punching the bass, leading to Savino Palumbo's energetic piano lead. Tamara Tucker adds a vocal lead actually bringing to mind extracts from Zappa compositions. Composer, Ian Wardenski shows his chops on guitar which really are tight and Mercedes Beckman on alto sax is fluid and mindful. Very cool opener. Movement II opens with Shook on bass crafting a riff, then additively altered by Russo who really plays tight, rock formed riffs on drums. Palumbo on piano really stretches and forms the melody on this track handing off to Wardenski who bends and shapes the form beyond comprehension yet never losing concept. Joined by Beckman on sax and cranking up the bottom. Another solid entry. The composition is summarized in Movement V with the tension brought out by Palumbo is intensified by Tucker on vocal. With a strong bass/drum rhythm creating a driving path, Tucker and Beckman lead the way toward the climax. Russo on rimshots alters the trajectory and Shook on bass sets up the new direction. Wardenski takes the lead and with inciteful guitar phrasing starts the theme. Beckman on alto sax continues the theme driven by Russo and then paring down to just rimshots and Shook on bass, Palumbo plays a brilliant refrain ending in a powerful return of Beckman, Tucker et al. Very interesting.

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Gerald Gradwohl - ...Or What? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, ...Or What?, from Gerald Gradwohl and I really like it! Opening with Paradoxon, an excellent fusion track, the rhythm line is laid down by Kirk Covington on drums and Adam Nitti on bass. Gerald Gradwohl creates a great environment on Line 6 effects and crafts funky, jagged, free flowing guitar lead melody. Very cool! On Cheap Chunk, Covington and Nitti did a deep groove with soulful sax lead by Bill Evans, paired with Gradwohl on guitar. Evans and Gradwohl both take aggressive solos making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. No kidding! What Are We Gonna Do Tomorrow, is another track with a heap of funk. Nitti really knows how to pour on the heat with a bass infused lead line and solid solo and Covington adds some rhythmic vocal backed by Saskia Helige. Gradwohl lays in some really tasty guitar riffs for another solid addition to the set. The Course has an aggressive, rock fusion bottom with Gergo Borlai on drums and there's no holding back by Gradwohl who pours on the heat. Wrapping the release is Gereghitti, a guitar rocker with Nitti on bass and Stephan Maass on percussion. This is a really strong release with a lot of great music.

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.

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.