Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Goldenlane Records artist: Sammy Kershaw - Cross Road Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cross Road Blues, by Sammy Kershaw and it's strong. Opening with Albert King's (Booker T) Born Under A Bad Sign, and it's screaming. Kershaw on vocal has a rich voice and with excellent guitar backing by Danny Harvey really hits on all cylinders. Pierre Peligrin holds the bottom tight on bass and Adam Hamilton on drums rounds out the band. I Can't Quit You is a favorite by Willie Dixon and made massively popular Led Zeppelin via Otis Rush. Kershaw's vocal styling has it's own twist and Harvey doesn't follow Rush's lead with his own feel for the blues. Alexia Nikitakis on piano adds great body on piano and Pelegrin and Hamilton add solid bottom. BB King's Be Careful With A Fool is a real nice addition and Kershaw's vocal interpretation being quite similar to King's. Harvey keeps it clean on guitar with solid blues riffs, unlike another famous blues cover by Johnny Winter. Very nice. Don Nix's Going Down is a rock tower having ben covered by the late Jeff Beck. With the same driving bass line as Clive Chaman by Pelegrin and drums as Cozy Powell by Pelegrin and piano reinforcement as Max Middleton by Nikitakis, Kershaw adds his own vocal signature and Harvey his own guitar phrasing. Robert Johnson's Crossroads is up next with a rendering of Cream's massive hit with this track. Pelegrin's bass line gives the track a different flavor and Kershaw's vocals again add a new spin. Wrapping the release is Hank Williams Jr.'s, Blues Man. A solid ballad, Kershaw switches gears on this track but chooses a smooth 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

Monday, November 4, 2024

Treated and Released Records artist: Reverend Freakchild - Bare Bones - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bare Bones, by Reverend Freakchild, and it's a cool acoustic, blues rocker. Opening with All I Got Is Now, Reverend Freakchild is live with no edits or overdubs, playing his acoustic steel bodied guitar and singing the blues. Solid opener. All Across America, really kicks up it's heels with RF rocking out on his steel body and solid rocking vocals. My favorite track on the release is Amsterdam Blues with RF on rhythmic slide and some of his best vocals on the release. Skyflower is an interesting rocker with a tastes of Lou Reed mixed with The Stones, and articulated nicely on guitar with ringing harmonics. Wrapping the release is Keep On Truckin', RF's inspired mantra on Blind Boy Fuller's / Robert Hunters compositions. This set also includes an extra disc, Odds, Ends and Interviews. This is a cool, raw slice of Freakchild's performance and very enjoyable.

Friday, November 1, 2024

Sam Joyner - Come What May - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Come What May, from Sam Joyner, and it's a cool mixture of blues, soul, and R&B music. Opening with It's That Mojo That Makes Me Stay, Sam Joyner on lead vocal and keys sets a funky rhythm. With cool slide guitar by Marc Stone, and a great bass line, this is a cool opener. Title track, Come What May (I'll Always Love You), is a solid soul track with great blues guitar riffs and super vocals by Joyner and a healthy sax solo by Brian Wingard. As Long As You Are Here has a strong funky groove featuring Joyner with the Saint Anthony Singers, keys by Kevin Hayes and deep funky bass and super rhythm guitar by Lil Ray Neal. My favorite track on the release. New Orleans flavored, Too Many Cooks has a super swampy funk with a strong bass line and slap drums. Joyner on keys and vocal give this track real juice. A strong guitar solo by Lil Ray Neal adds just the right amount of spice. Wrapping the release is Holmez Boogie, with a top notch piano boogie. Featuring Joyner on keys and BB King like guitar phrasing, this is a strong closer.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

7D Media Artist: Michael Shrieve - Drums of Compassion - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Drums of Compassion, from Michael Shrieve and it's an exceptional exposition of world rhythms. Opening with The Call Of Michael Olatunji, Shrieve begins this journey with Babatunde Olatunji speaking vocal incantations, surrounded with a sea of synthesized sound designs by Jeff Greinke, Joe Doria on Rhodes providing a basic melody line and excellent drum and percussion work by Shrieve. Developing into a very melodic, eastern influenced travel, this is a strong opener. Synthesizers by Grienke over a Afro/Latin rhythm by Karl Perazzo and Raul Rekow on percussion and C Smith on keys, this is a mover. I really like The Euphoric Pandiero Of Airto Moreira featuring Airto on voice and percussion leading directly into The Fierce Energy of Love with Dave Hill Jr on drums, Shrieve on brushes and Stephan Maas on drums. Wrapping the release is Hejira with Greinke on synth on Shrieve on drums and featuring Jack Dejonette on drum set, Airto on percussion and voice, Maas on percussion, James Whiton on bass and Micheal Stefner on Rhodes. This is a well composed, well performed percussion oriented release with many of the best drummers of today.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

7D Media artist: Tu-Ner - Tu-Ner For Lovers - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity top review the most recent release, Tu-Ner For Lovers (Live) by Tu-Ner and it's a very cool sonic exploration. Opening with The Last Barbie Tango, Markus Reuter on touch guitar and soundscapes works with Trey Gunn on Warr Guitar to create a very interesting shape, over Pat Mastelotto's masterful drum and electronics bottom. This track is tensely stretched and highly creative. Super opener. The White Thing has a cool, ethereal, electronic intro developing with deep guitar lead and soaring guitar contrast supported by stylized percussion. Triangle Of Love has a middle eastern rhythm with finely articulated guitar phrasing floating through the mist and fat Warr guitar lead thickening the stew. One of my favorite tracks on the release is The Call Him Threnody with heavy, drum laden rhythm, fat bottom and soaring guitar. Wrapping the release is Combat And Courtship with rapid percussion, a brilliant interplay between the bass and drum and guitar. With light rhythm work on cymbals, a rumbling deep bass line and swirling guitar lead, this is a solid, explorative finisher.

Monday, October 28, 2024

Katie Knipp - Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Me, by Katie Knipp, and it's quite entertaining. Opening with slinky, Mud, Katie Knipp is showcased with her intoxicating yet unusual vocal style. She also accompanies herself on piano, joined by Steve Ulstein on guitar and Neil Campisano on drums. Excellent opener. Funky, Vampire has a firm bass line by Ulstein and Knipp leads again on vocal and piano. This track has a number of turns and changes with a strong familiarity and again strong vocals. Time and Space is a really nice ballad with a great melody and showing a different side of Knipp on vocal and joining Ulstein on keys. Very nice. The Devils Armchair is a real cool track with a Spanish flair. I really like Knipp's vocal work and Mick Martin's lead guitar work. Wrapping the release is somber ballad, Lava Pot featuring Knipp on vocal and piano. This is a solid piece of work featuring both strong tunes and serious interpretation.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Codacopina Music artist: Black Cat Bones - Troublemaker - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Troublemaker, by Black Cat Bones, and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Bad Enough, Black Cat Bones hit the road running with a thumping bass line by Jeff Daniels, Bill Greenberg on drums and Charles Pitts on vocals. With Richard Rivera and Kid Dynamite on guitars these guy have plenty of horsepower and aren't shy to unleash it. I really like the paired guitar work ...power vs lead which gives the track a real afterburn. Strong opener. Title track, Troublemaker, is a strong mix of Robert Johnson and southern rock. Pitts vocals have plenty of swagger and Dynamite and Rivera play off of each other with Greenberg and Daniels anchoring. Excellent stones like rocker, Act Like You Don't Care, has a great bottom courtesy of Daniels and Greenberg and lead work by Dynamite and Rivera add just the right grit under the confident vocals of Pitts. Very cool. Blues rocker, Yesterday's Gone really is in the slot giving Dynamite an open lane to play lead and Pitts vocals are strong and gripping. Wrapping the release is Anything Can Happen with it's droning bass line directing the course of the track. Pitts on vocal controls the pace and Dynamite lays in some bluesy rock riffs making this a strong closer.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Jay Gordon and Blues Venom - Live at Woodystock Blues Festival - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at Woodystock Blues Festival by Jay Gordon and Blues Venom and it's great heavy rock blues...just the way you like it. Opening with Morganfield's classic, Hoochie Coochie Man and it's breathing fire. I really like Gordon's approach to the blues with a hold nothing back vocal and guitar assault, Sharon Butcher's driving bass lines and Tom Parham keeping it tight on the drums. Powerful opener. George Thorogood's I Drink Alone is a great fit for Gordon with his scorching slide and hot, overdriven guitar attack. Thumping bass by Butcher really powers the track giving Gordon a great platform to stand on. Really nice. Sonny Boy Williamson's Good Morning Little School Girl gets an excellent cover based on one of my favorite blues rock bands, Ten Years After's arrangement with an excellent driving bottom and Gordon just letting it fly. If you like blues rock...you'll love this. Wrapping the release is Elmore James' Strange Blues with a really heavy bass line/ drum work giving Gordon plenty of space to let the dog off the hook. His guitar style is heavy and overdriven and just perfect for this music. Love this stuff.

Monday, October 21, 2024

Melodic Revolution Records artist: Leon Alvarado - The Changing Tide - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Changing Tide, from Leon Alvarado and it's obviously influenced by Pink Floyd. Opening with The Equilibrium Of Time, Leon Alvarado on drums and keys/effects creates an alternate world to Dark Side of the Moon with the beat of the heart, chattering train and with soaring guitars by Edoardo Scordo and Damian Darlington, Tony Franklin on bass and Pablo Hopenhayn on violin cello and viola a cool opener. A View From A Different Room welcomes dynamic sax work by John Helliwell and excellent guitar soloing by Scordo over the tight drumming of Alvarado and excellent bass work of Franklin. Very nice. Dance Of The Pink Elephants is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a great drum rhythm by Alvarado, Franklin on fretless bass and excellent melodic soloing by Scordo on guitar and slide. Wrapping the release is a cover of Floyd's Brain Damage with Alvarado on vocal, keys and drums, Gary Gnaedinger on bass, guitar and keys, James Griggers on guitar and slide, and Jeff Swanson on backing vocals with Linda Alvarado and Liz Hall. Cool release encapsulating PF's sound.

Friday, October 18, 2024

Stony Plain Records artist: The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Struck Down - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Struck Down, by The Fabulous Thunderbirds and it's one of their best. Opening with Struck Down By The Blues, Kim Wilson has the mic singing lead vocals on this BB King style track. Johnny Moeller and Steve Strongman handle the gripping guitar lead with Bob Welsh on piano, Rudy Albin Petschauer on drums and Steven Kirsty on drums. Excellent opener. Classic ZZ Top style, one line bass, drives Payback Time features Wilson and Billy Gibbons on lead vocals with great harmonica overtones by Wilson and featuring Gibbons on guitar. Very cool. Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo and Taj Mahal share the mic on Nothing But Rambling, an easy shuffle with strong harmonica work by Wilson and Keb Mo on slide. Wilson back up front on romping shuffle, Whatcha Do To Me. Elvin Bishop lends his guitar work on his track giving it a nice kick and Wilson's harmonica work turns up the heat with his own spice. I really like Moeller's guitar work on stomping, I've Got Eyes with Wilson's harmonica creating great tension. Wrapping the release is soulful ballad, Sideline, with warm backing vocals by Chris Ayries, a clean sax solo by Kirsty and a strong piano bottom by Welsh. Strong closer for a real nice release.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - Positively 4th Street - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Positively 4th Street, by Rory Block and it's a stylized tribute to Bob Dylan. Opening with Everything Is Broken, Block gets it rocking with layered guitars and slide, backed by light snare and bass backing her trademark vocals. Solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Not Dark Yet, a strong blues with Block working guitar magic against her soulful vocals. Smooth slide and concise picking really makes this track stand out. One of my favorite Dylan compositions, Positively 4th Street this is a nice cover with slide accompaniment and drums. Block really captures Dylan's feel on this one. Wrapping the release is Murder Most Foul, a tough track and well dramatized by Block. This is an interesting exploration of one of America's greatest songwriters.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Doone Records artist: IZZ - Collapse The Wave - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity top review the most recent release, Collapse The Wave, by IZZ and it's a straightforward progressive rock release. Opening with We Are The 3rd, Paul Bremner on guitars, Brian Coralian on drums, John Galgano on vocal, bass and guitar, Tom Galgano on keys and vocals and Laura Meade on vocals set the adventure afloat with tight drum rhythms, ripping guitar riffs, swelling keyboard lines and nicely woven vocals. On Brace For Impact, Tom G and Bremmer set the engines and Coralian and John on bass maintain the charge. Title track, Collapse The Wave, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with exciting guitar melody/lead and counter rhythm and nicely crafted keyboard lines and nicely blended vocals over the tight bottom by John G and Coralian. Brethren is another cool track with Coralian getting front and center with some over the top drumming. Wrapping the release is And We Will Go, with it's jagged drum rhythm and guitar riffs. With solid dual vocal lead and cool keyboard lead by Tom, this is an exciting conclusion to a cool release.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Tiger Turn artist: Sergio Pereira - Bossa+ - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bossa+, from Sergio Pereira, and it's warm, clean and inviting. Opening with title track, Bossa, Luis Guerra on keys lays down the melody, complimented by Sergio Pereira on guitar, Ariel Ramirez on bass, Chipi Chacon on trumpet and Mauricio Zottarelli on drums. Chacon, Pereira and Guerra expand on the melody alternatively with lead soloing keeping the track close. Solid opener. Laid back, One For Pat, finds Pereira on lead vocal and excellent Spanish guitar styling, joined by Ivan Melon Lewis on piano, Ivan Ruiz Machado on bass, Jose San Martin on drums and Romero Lubambo on violao. Very nice. Desamor (Verao Boreal) is a very nice track and my recommendation for radio track. With it's great melody, vocal by Pereira, and interwoven Latin rhythms, this track really hits. Chacon on trumpet lays in a real nice solo giving the track just the right amount of special sauce. Wrapping the release is and jazzed up cover of Harry Warren penned, There Will Never Be Another You, with excellent solos by Chacon, Pereira and Guerra and lots of spice by Zottarelli on drums. Excellent closer.

Monday, October 14, 2024

The Steve Luciano Quartet - Under The Covers - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Under The Covers, by The Steve Luciano Quartet and it's really cool. Opening with Duke Pearson's Chant, Steve Luciano shows immediately where he's coming from. With clear, concise, improvisational phrasing he sets the tempo backed by Mike Avila on piano, Charlie Siva on bass, Walt Hubbard on drums and Dan Jordan on sax who also blows the roof off of this track with a terrific solo. Excellent opener. Wayne Shorter's Hammer Head is a great addition to this set with, the melody carried by Jordan and Luciano. I really like Luciano's groove line with excellent fluidity and impeccable style. Siva on bass and Hubbard on drums anchor this track to the floor and Jordan's solo really is tasty. Avila rides the wave with a really nice solo of his own adding to the overall polish of this strong track. Following Tal Farlow's arrangement of Rogers and Hart, Everything I've Got, Luciano really shows his fleet fingered approach to this classic. Siva's driving bass line maintains the continuity as Avila again works the keys into a frenzy. Very nice. One of my favorite modern jazz players, Pat Martino wrote the next track, On The Stairs, and Luciano really gives it a workout. Fluidity, style and phrasing is the name of the game and Luciano has it in spades. Another solid piano entry by Avila and thunderous bass by Siva leads to an adventurous sax solo by Jordan and a snappy drum solo by Hubbard. Excellent! Wrapping the release is David Raksin's The Bad and the Beautiful. This is a really nice opportunity for Luciano to roll out his most lush chords. A beautiful melody, smartly articulated and warmly presented, a warm closer for a terrific release.

Friday, October 11, 2024

Karen Lawrence Hostel Records artist: Karen Lawrence - The Blues Is Back - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, The Blues Is Back, by Karen Lawrence and it has a real cool feel. Opening with shuffle, Made To Move, Karen Lawrence on lead really gets a slinky feel. Tony Saracene on guitar lays in some nice slide, with Bobby Donahoe on bass and Thomas Southworth on drums. Driving shuffle I'm Comin' Home is a really cool track with substantial slide work by Saracene and warm organ by by Max Butler. One of my favorites on the release. Title track, The Blues Is Back, is a nice showcase for Lawrence's vocal style and Saracene works the fretboard nicely against keeping you rocking in your seat. Heaven's Masterpiece is an interesting ballad showcasingnish guitar styling by Saracene and solid vocal work by Lawrence. Wrapping the release is boogie track, Hold Onto Me with it's driving bass line by Ted Chatt and Dan Potruch on drums. Saracene again steps up with some tasty guitar riffs giving the track a stinging edge. Solid closer.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Delta Roots Records artist: Gerald McClendon - Down At The Juke Joint - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down At The Juke Joint from Gerald McClendon and it's a solid soulful R&B release. Opening with soul track, Back Where You Belong, drips with soul with Gerald McClendon on lead vocal joined by Tony Llorens on Fender Rhodes, Joe Burba on guitar, Mike Jackson on sax, David Forte on bass, and Twist Turner on drums and Hammond. Title track, Down At The Juke Joint has a real Sam Cooke feel showing McClendon's voice and backed by Mary Lane. Harlan Terson hods it tight on bass and Turner adds melodic faux harmonica. My favorite track on the release is House Ain't A Home featuring Maurice John Vaughn working guitar solo work with McClendon's lead. Forte lays down a firm bass line and The Delta Roots Horns add nice depth. Very cool. I really like Cryin' Time Again with it's super vocals by McClendon, riding on piano by Llorens, Gurba on guitar, Forte on bass and Turner handling strings and drums. Wrapping the release is top radio track, You're So Fine with is warm melody and backing vocals. Forte's bass line is solid and the Rhodes work by Llorens anchors the track. A nice sax solo by Mike Jackson gives the track a real nice shine.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Little Village artist: Jubu Smith - Jubu - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jubu, by Jubu Smith and it's a super blend of soul, funk, jazz and blues. Opening with super funky, Hamster Wheel, Jubu Smith on lead guitar pairs with guitar master Charlie Hunter on his hybrid guitar and tight drum work by Calvin Napper on drums. Spinning the top on guitar and with Hunter really working a hot bass line, this is an energetic opener. Kwik-Way Nostalgia is a cool, laid back track with Hunter working the rhythm from the bottom and Smith and Napper playing it straight with it's easy melody and clean, bluesy, articulation. Organizations Sake has a great funky bottom with Napper and Hunter really spanking it along. Smith takes a WW Washington blues (or JG Watson if you prefer) approach with poised phrasing giving the track real spark. EG Is Here is a really cool merger between funk and soul giving it a funky turn on BB King. Hunter and Smith, joined by Eric Gales, really craft a great track here with Napper anchoring the beat. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is At Long Last is a real piece of art featuring nicely presented melody on electric guitar, clearly articulated and blended with volume swells. Really nice. Wrapping the release is Totally Convicted, a straight up slow blues with Hunter and Napper holding the bottom as Smith lays it all out there. Mixing slide techniques, synthesized guitar, straight up picking and jazz and blues phrasing this is a super closer for a strong release.