Little Village artists: Kid Andersen - Spirits / Lisa "Little Baby" Leuschner - Soul - New Double Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent releases, Spirits, by Kid Andersen and Soul, by Lisa "Little Baby" Leuschner released together as a single release (2 discs) and it's great! Opening with slow blues, The Civilized Life, Kid Andersen opens with some of the most powerful music to come out of Greaseland Studio. Andersen is a talented musician across the board and his guitar playing and lead vocals here are really strong. Endre Tarczy on bass, Chris Burns on keys and Mike Rinta on trombone, Dr Aaron Lington  and Stevie Gurr on harmonica add great texture to this excellent opener. Blind Willie Johnson's Nobody's Fault But Mine gets a really nice rework with a slinky feel courtesy Dave LeMieux on drums and Kid on guitar, bass and lead vocal shared with Lisa Leuschner. Check out the outrageous slide guitar work by Kid on Hey, Little Reaper, a Chicago style blues romp with solid harmonica work by Nic Clark and Charlie Musselwhite, coupled with Burns on keys. Very nice. I really love the feel on I Ain't Right with Kid on lead vocal and slide guitar. This track is a loose shuffle and reminiscent of the work that Skydog did with Arthur Conley at Muscle Shoals back in the early 70's. The groove is excellent and horn work by Eric Spaulding, Jack Sanford,  along with Lorenzo Farrell on keys, June Core on drums and Jerry Jemmott really sends this one over the edge. Wrapping Spirits is Ship of Fools, a sauntering soul/jazz track in the vein of early War. The vocal blending by a host of characters is incredible and Jemmott really anchors this track. Excellent closer for disc one. 

Leuschner opens her disc with Mike Schermer's In My Mind's Eye with a warm R&B influenced feel. Smooth, soulful vocals, backed by Kenny Ken Franklin on bass, D'Mar on drums, and clean guitar work by Kid make this a solid opener.  Another R&B track, Donnie Woodruff's I Won't Let That Happen To Me, really has a great feel showcasing Leuschner's voice nicely. With Jemmott setting a deep groove on bass, D'Mar on drums, Jim Pugh on keys, Vicki Randle on percussion and cllean, understated guitar work by Kid, this is a really nice entry. Digging back into Bishops great days with Jo Baker, Rock Bottom is resurrected and is punchy as it was when I first heard it in college. Lisa is backed by James, Dwayne and Walter Morgan on vocals, Rinta, Lington, Scott Jensen on trumpet add in authentic horns and Kid rips a guitar solo that would make Crabshaw proud. Kickass! Infectious, Slipped Through My Fingers, has a strong deep groove courtesy Kid on bass, Latimore on keys and D'Mar on drums. Latimore trades vocals with Lisa on this serious radio track. Wrapping the release is smart little ballad, Family, written and performed by Lisa with the last verse sung by Kid. With only acoustic guitar, keys and bass backing, this is a really nice track with Lisa's voice as pure as it gets, unadorned and straight up. Very nice closer for a tremendous double set. One of the most enjoyable reviews of the year! 

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Juan Megna Group - Mariwo^ - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mariwo^, from Juan Megna Group and it moves. Opening with title track, Mariwo^, a fast paced, Latin flavored number, Juan Megna on drums and percussion holds a tight ship. Jose' Luiz Martins on piano sets up the structure with Shawn Purcell on guitar and Leonardo Lucini on bass. Tedd Baker on sax plays a really strong solo, Lucini on bass has a solid solo of his own, David Sacks lays in some great trombone riffs and Megna really takes it home on drums. Powerful opener. F'ara Ogunja' has a driving rhythm and Baker really lays it out there on sax, joined by Sacks on trombone really intensifying the feel. Megna is anything but a quiet drummer with excellent rhythm and driving riffs. Purcell lays out a really nice solo of his own on guitar punctuated by Martins on piano and well placed bass lines by Lucini. Si Estuvieras is a particularly beautiful song composed by Megna and Luis A Perez. With a Lucini on bass, Megna on cymbal and light snare and Martins on piano the groundwork is laid. Martins creates the structure for the track on piano and Emmanuel Trifilio on Bandoneon plays the melody. Really really nice. More radio oriented track, Coisa No2 features Alisson Crockett on vocals and Baker on sax over a lively bass, drum, piano background.  Wrapping the release is The Owl Look, with a pop melody and a Latin flare. Martins and Baker weave their magic over a firm bass line by Lucini and tight rhythms by Megna. Improv starts with a an adventurous sax solo by Baker, who hands off to Purcell on guitar and Martins on bass who propel the track nicely. A deeper dive into the track by Martins and Megna yields tension coming to a resolution with a return to a more melodic conversation with Lucini. Solid closer. 

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Tiger Turn artist: David Bixler - BEATitude - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BEATitude, from David Bixler and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with A Power Deferred, alto sax player/ composer, David Bixler sets up a solid melody, caressed by the excellent accent work of Jon Cowherd on piano and Ike Sturm on bass and Rogerio Boccato on percussion. With a lightly salted Latin rhythm and Bixler trades with Cowherd who's piano lines flow nicely and Sturm's bass solo is firm and inciteful. Strong opener. Hide Seek Find has a bit of Bossa Nova in it's blood with Cowherd and Boccato creating the basis for the rhythm and Sturm really working the bass. Bixler, free to play the melodic solo lead. Again, Sturm gets the floor and his freedom to enhance the track is really meaningful. Cowherd takes a nice stroll on piano before joining back to a uniform front giving the track real texture.  Wrapping the release is Lost Hours? No, with it's solemn, alto sax drifting a hint of melody over the shadow bass lines of Sturm. Cowherd begins an abstracted piano rhythm, joined by Boccato and weaving into one fabric as the composition grows. Cowherd takes the lead on piano crafting a really nice alternate framework, providing space for a new melodic interlude by Bixler with Boccato and Sturm to anchor the piece. Very nice closer. 

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Cleopatra Records artist: Foghat - Slow Ride - Live In Concert - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Slow Ride - Live In Concert, from Foghat and it's an excellent record of the energy produced by one of the best blues rock bands of their time. Spawned from Savoy Brown, Kim Simmonds brain child, Lonesome Dave Peverett (vocal and guitar), Tony Stevens (bass), Roger Earl (drums), joined up with slide master Rod Price and Foghat was an immediate hit. This concert was recorded in 1999 after the departure of Price and joined by Molly Hatchet's Bryan Bassett resulting in this line up. Opening with Drivin' Wheel, Bassett's gain saturated slide work gets things going and Peverett's incredible pipes lead on this terrific opener. Always known as a potent rocker Earl and Stevens provide a serious bottom. Excellent opener. On Elmo James' deep blues, It Hurts Me Too, again Peverett and Bassett have just a magical sound. Soulful vocals and overdriven slide is killer and with Earl and Stevens on the bottom, this sound just can't be beat. Robert Johnson's Sweet Home Chicago is up next with Foghat's trademark sound. Peverett's vocals are every bit a signature as the wide open slide and the driving bottom. These guys run this track just long enough to get it into 6th gear and then let the crowd sing along. Excellent blues rock. The set is wrapped with the big trio, Fool For The City, I Just Want To Make Love To You, and Slow Ride, Two Peverett originals and a Willie Dixon cover, there is hardly a person on the planet that was a rocker at this time who didn't know these 3 tracks. This is a powerful set and one that is sure to get your BP up. Enjoy!

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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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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

 


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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.  

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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.   

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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. 

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“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