Catfood Records artist: Zac Harmon - Floreada's Boy - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Floreada's Boy, from Zac Harmon and it's a solid blues release. Opening with Babe & Ricky's Inn, Zac Harmon on lead vocal and guitar created a cool, R&B blues sound with terrific blues phrasing, joined by Corey Lacy on keys, Nate Robinson on bass, Gino Iglehart on drums and Kingston Livingston on guitars. Strong opener. Funky blues rocker, Glass Ceiling, has a hot rhythm guitar riff by Livingston and Harmon's lead work is augmented by Lacy's keyboards and snappy drum work by Iglehart. Soulful, That's The Way I Feel About Cha, is a nice showcase for Harmon's rich vocal styling and nice backing vocals by SueAnn Carwell, Carly Thomas Smith and Derrick Procell. Very nice. Big Dog Blues is one of my favorites on the release with strong vocal lead and some of the best guitar work on the release. Christopher Troy's organ work adds a nice weight to the track and the LA Horns (Les Kepics, Jason Peteresen DeLair, and Chuck Phillips) add a lot of punch. Soulful, Never Forget, is the standout radio track with it's memorable melody and solid vocals by Harmon. Troy's organ work add nice breath and stinging riffs by Harmon adds focus. Wrapping the release is Stop The Killing with a pop jazzy piano riff by Lacy and Troy on organ, anchored by Iglehart on drums. Caleb Quaye is featured on guitar adding yet another dimension to this release, with Carwell's vocals blending nicely with Harmon. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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Chicken Coup Records artist: Music Soup - Upbeat Mood - New release review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Upbeat Mood, from Music Soup and it's cool, uptempo and spontaneous. Opening with Korean Apartment, guitarist, Nestor Dimopoulos plays long flowing guitar lead, joined by Eviginia Karlafti on organ and Vagelis Kotzabasis on drums. Driving yet understated, this is a solid opener. Bacharach's, My Little Red Book is pushed by Karlafti on keys and organ before Dimopoulos breaks into a bright guitar melody. Snappy rhythm by Kotzabasis on drums. Rocker, Fun Island, is led by Kotzabasis with a tight drum rhythm and Dimopoulos on guitar plucks the melody on guitar. Karlafti takes the lead on organ and Kym Purling on piano trading with Dimopoulos making for a bright melodic tune. Wrapping the release is snappy, Appointment In Athens pairing Dimopoulos on guitar with Henry Gergen on trumpet. Hot riffs by Karlifti and Gergen make this one of my favorite tracks on the release

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Whiskey Bayou Records artist: Tab Benoit - I Hear Thunder - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Hear Thunder, from Tab Benoit and it's super fused swampy funky blues. Opening with title track, I Hear Thunder, Tab Benoit opens it with a bottom heavy feel, strong vocals and fiery guitar work, anchored by Terence Higgins on drums, Corey Duplechin on bass, and Anders Osborne on guitar. Heavy opener. Soulful, Still Gray has a sad, country feel that showcases Benoit's vocals nicely. Jangly guitar work by Benoit and cool lead guitar riffs by Osborne, held tight by Higgins and Duplechin make this a primary radio candidate. Swamp rocker, Watching The Gators Roll In, is aa super, Tony Joe White like track that just has that groove. Track has great electricity and fun. Bluesy, Overdue, has great soulful vocals by Benoit, caressed by warm guitar riffs. Benoit's guitar lead on this track has real nice focus making it one of my favorites on the release. Little Queenie has a strong back beat worked by Benoit and George Porter Jr on bass and Higgins on drums. Super. Wrapping the release is Bayou Man, a easy driving rocker with crisp guitar accents by Benoit. His overdriven guitar tome and the stiff in your ear, kick drum by Higgins make for an excellent closer. 

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Stony Plain Records artist: Duke Robillard - Roll With Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Roll With Me, from Duke Robillard and it's particularly hot! Opening with Eddie Boyd's Bluecoat Man, Robillard is on vocal and these guys are really rocking. With Doug James really humming on sax and Mark Teixeira on drums and Marty Ballou on bass giving Robillard a great platform to blow the doors off on guitar. Excellent opener. Gatemouth Brown's Boogie Uproar is hot and heavy with Robillard having a excellent solo exchange with James and Rich Lataille punched up by the likes of Pam Murray and Carl Querfurth on trombone, Al Basile on cornet, Matt McCabe on piano, Ballou on bass, and Teixeira on drums. Powerful. Willie Dixon's, Built For Comfort has a real cool feel with Robillard playing the easy shuffle under his vocals and nicely interwoven horn work by James and Murray and the tight drumming of Teixeira and groove bass by Ballou gives this track an electrifying feel. Hot, slow, blues, Give Me Back My Money is really an excellent showcase for Robillard when he lays back and stretches. With solid vocals and hot horns by Murray and James, Robillard lays down some stellar phrasing giving this track real legs and Ballou and Teixeira holding down the bottom allow it to fly. Wrapping the release is cool shuffle, Don't You Want To Roll With Me with smooth vocals by Robillard and excellent guitar phrasing held tight with Teixeira. James gets on more chance to play it hot and he optimizes every note. Excellent 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”

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Southland Records artist: Pontchartrain Shakers - New Self titled release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release by Pontchartrain Shakers and it's a cool R&B/blues release. Opening with Time To Make A Change, this group is born in the groove. A5 Frederick on lead vocal and guitar and Jojjo Wright on vocal and guitar, joined by Luciano Leaes on piano, Red DeVecca and Earl Smith Jr really hit the spot. Excellent opener. Slow blues, I Need A Creole Woman, again features A5 on lead vocal and guitar with soulful piano work by Leaes. The guitar interplay between Wright and A5 really works nicely with snappy drum work by Smith. She Don't Know, is driven by a strong bass/guitar vamp and Leaes on organ. Again, powerful vocal by A5 and snappy drum work by Smith make this a strong contribution. Wrapping the release is We Need Love, a soulful track with rea radio potential with warm organ, a great back beat, compact guitar solo and strong melody. Solid 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”

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Swampside Records - Sauce Boss - The Sauce - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Sauce, by Sauce Boss and it's lively with plenty of slide guitar. Opening with Little Rhythm And Blues, Sauce Boss sings lead and lets his slide run wild with drum work by Brett Crook. Solid Opener. Delta 9 Blues is a sorrowful track with lush slide work and soulful vocals by Boss. Very nice. Robert Johnson's Stop Breaking Down has a rockin pace and features Neal Goree on guitar and Crook on drums. Solid contribution. Van Morrison's Gloria has a cool, back beat ad features Damon Fowler on lap steel supporting Boss on vocals. Wrapping the release is Left Handed Smile, a bluesy ballad with Boss on vocals and Fowler laying down some tasty riffs on guitar. This is a solid release with plenty of steel. 

  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”

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Jimmy Carpenter - Just Got Started - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Got Started, from Jimmy Carpenter and it's a cool mix of blues, R&B and rock. Opening with title track, (Feels Like) I Just Got Started, Jimmy Carpenter sings soulful vocals and plays warm sax, joined by Dwayne, Walter and James Morgan on vocals, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Kid Andersen on guitar, Jim Pugh on keys and D'mar Martin on drums. Solid radio style opener. On Willie Dixon's My Babe, Carpenter plays a dynamic sax opener, backed by Mike Galisatus on trumpet, Jack Sanford on bari sax, and Endre Tarczy on piano and a flashy guitar solo by Kid. Hot sax work and a swinging drum/bass line is the trick on this one. Nice! Hot, honking sax track, Jimmy Shimmy is boosted by wild organ work by Pugh and flashy guitar styling by Bobby Vega. Smokin! Allen Toussaint's funky, Night People, has a great groove, anchored by Vega on bass and D'Mar on drums. Carpenter really gets it working with sassy sax lead, Sanford on bari and Galisatus on trumpet and Kid on organ. Excellent! Andersen takes the lead on guitar on King Curtis' Soul Theme and Carpenter follows up with notorious sax work of his own making this a must hear. Wrapping the release is another King Curtis track, soulful, Midnight Blue with smooth, sailing sax work by Carpenter and lush guitar lead by Kid. Pugh adds depth on piano and with Jemmott on bass, and D'Mar on drums, this is an excellent closer for a totally enjoyable release. 

  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”

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Wildcat O'Halloran Band - Lead Me Not Into Temptation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Lead Me Not Into Temptation (I Can Find It Myself). by Wildcat O'Halloran Band and it's a strong blues party. Opening with Temptation, a solid, bass driven blues rocker, has a great beat and features Wildcat on lead guitar and vocal, Ottomatic Slim on harmonica, Jerry Jeff Siiru on bass, and Joe Fitzpatrick on drums. On Bo Diddley flavored, Good Thing I Never Got Famous has a strong drum rhythm by Fitzpartick and Wildcat on guitar and Slim both get loose with excellent solos. JL Hooker's My Own Fault gives Wildcat and Slim a real nice opportunity to lay down traditional blues. Wildcat wails the blues and his guitar riffs are raw and stinging and Slim's harmonica work is super. My favorite track on the release. Otis Rush's Homework has a bit of J Geils' spank with Slim ripping the lead vocal and Wildcat's real nice lead guitar and Slim working the Magic Dick lines. I always loved this track. Nice job. Wrapping the release is Deaf, a Latin rhythm rocker. Wildcat works his own vocal against his lead guitar in response and a smart solo by Slim on harmonica. Solid closer. 

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BeMuse Records artist: Zachary Bartholomew - Balancing Act - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Balancing Act, from Zachary Bartholomew, and it's adventurous and soothing. Opening with Crazy Socks, a cool bop track featuring Benny Benack III on trumpet and Zachary Bartholomew, this track really rolls with Marty Quinn on bass, and Rudolfo Zuniga  on drums. Crisp opener. David Fernandez on sax joins Bartholomew on Bring The Noise, with an aggressive piano lead and tight rhythm section by Quinn and Zuniga. Jagged time signatures add really nice texture to the track and a well composed solo by Benack on trumpet over a Latin concept really works nicely. The Long and Winding Road has a complex rhythm pairing Bartholomew with Fernandez on soprano sax. A strong sense of space and time and a nicely executed piano lead by Bartholomew make this a top track on the release. Wrapping the release is Midnight Nefarity with Fernandez on sax paired with Bartholomew on piano. Bartholomew's melodic piano improv is quieting over a stimulating bass/drum rhythm by Quinn and Zuniga. Very nice 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”

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VizzTone artist: Amanda Fish - Kingdom - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kingdom, from Amanda Fish and I really like it! Opening with Mockingbird, a cool blues rocker, Amanda Fish on vocal and guitar gets this thing moving with solid vocals and a hot rhythm by Terry Midkiff on guitar and slide and Paul Niehaus IV on bass and guitar lays in a real nice guitar solo of his own joined by Billie Baumann on percussion, Glen James on drums and Mama Moo on backing vocals. Excellent opener. With a twist of R&B, The Hard Way is a cool radio track with a great melody and tight vocal harmonies between Fish and MM. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Country flavored, Broke Ass Blues with Dylan Farrell on guitar and Niehaus on bass. Really potent slide work by Midkiff and soulful vocals by Fish give this track just the right edge. Another favorite track is Work, featuring Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica. His riffs and tone play perfectly on this track really complimenting Fish's powerful vocals and electrifying guitar riffs by Midkiff  give this track a high octane punch. Excellent! Wrapping the release is R&B infused blues title track, Kingdom, with Dylan Farrell laying out some terrific lead guitar, Neihaus on bass, Dom Knott on sax, and James on drums make this a killer 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”

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Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra - Time Takes Odd Turns - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Takes Odd Turns, by Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra, and it's energetic and fully equipped. Opening with Naught Won, with it's light Latin rhythm, the deck is fully loaded with Brianna Martinez on flute, Noam Niv on flute, Ana Nelson on clarinet, Garrett Fasig on sax, Kyle Brooks on sax, Chance Davis on tenor, Andrew Keitner on tenor, Joseph Trahan on bari, Clark Hunter on lead trumpet, Jack Kurtz on trumpet, Nick Recktenwald on trumpet, Sam Butler on trumpet, Andrew Danforth on lead trombone, Marcel Penzes on trombone, Leah Warman on trombone, Matt Acosta on bass trombone, Joel Tucker on guitars, Alex Wignall on piano, Brendan Keller-Tuberg on bass and Francis Bassett-Dilley on drums. Recktenwald lays out a really nice trumpet solo, followed by Davis on tenor sax, and great work bay Danforth wailing on trombone. Hot opener. Lucky 13 is a cool song with a dark melodic approach. With rich sax tones and tight trumpet rhythms, Tucker solos on guitar and Butler creates a really nice space on trumpet. Fasig and Trahan trade riffs on sax with really is a strong interlude and Wignall on piano adds an interesting piano solo creating a well rounded track. Wrapping the release is Simply Stuff and Nonsense with it's rockish beat and crowning trumpets. Bassett-Dilley plays some really tight riffs and Fasig and Davis duel on saxes followed by a similar duel with Warman and Penzes on trombone and Michael Johnson on Yamaha S-80. Excellent 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”

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E-H Records artist: Eliza Neals - Colorcrimes - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Colorcrimes, by Eliza Neals, and it's high energy blues. Opening with Heal This Land, featuring Neals on vocal and Michael Puwal on guitar really generate a lot of energy based on original blues. Solid opener. Title track, Colorcrimes, is a strong, soulful track with nicely blended vocals by Neals and featuring Puwal on guitar, Doug Woern on bass, Mark Leach on B3, and Justin Headley on drums. Very nice. Shuffle, Candy Store, has a super feel and nicely showcases Neals vocals. With Puwal on guitar, Skeeto Valdez on drums, Paul Randolph on bass, John Galvin on B3, and Kymberli Wright on backing vocal, this track really hits the groove. Wrapping the release is Friday Night (All Day Long), a blues rocker with a funky backbeat. With it's memorable melody and solid harmonies, this is the radio track for the release and a solid 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”

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Curley Mays has passed - My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends

 

I was informed this morning by Curley's son that Curley has passed. I am very sorry to hear this. Here is another notice of Curley's passing from Patrice Villastrigo:

Patrice Villastrigo

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Sadness ensues at the passing of dear friend, Curley Mays

A kind and integrous man, he always had a smile on his face

I've known Curley over 30 years. Often, he'd join us, me, Spot Barnett and Tony Lara, as we performed around San Antonio. One never forgets a Curley Mays performance! What he could do with a guitar, simply amazing

Curley made the world a better place When asked, he regaled us with stories of his fascinating musical history. A sense of pride shone on his face as he did so. An icon, he will be very much missed, by so many

Many blessings and much love to Curley 's family

Visitation:

December 28

10 - 11 am

Calgary Baptist Church

Funeral Service:

Calgary Baptist Church

11 am

Curley's Obituary

Ears & Eyes Records artist: Matt Booth - Sun Prints - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sun Prints, from Matt Booth and it's a stimulating sonic adventure. Opening with In Tongues, Peter Varnado on drums and Matt Booth on bass lay down a strong rhythmic theme, joined by Steve Lands on trumpet and Sam Taylor on tenor sax creating an ever building intensity, anchored by Oscar Rossignoli on piano. Strong opener. Ice Bear has a crisp, glistening feel with tight drum work by Varnado and a great bass line by Booth. Lands creates a really nice melodic theme on trumpet and Taylor sails on tenor sax. Very nice. You Came Along has a progressive drum, bass, piano anchor with a stimulating feel and Lands and Taylor exchange soloing on trumpet and sax making for on of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Happenstance, an intricate track with whirling piano, sax and trumpet and articulate drums and guitar. A fruitful 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”

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Gritbiscuit Records artist: Christopher Lockett - A Town We Painted Blue - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Town We Painted Blue, by Christopher Lockett and it's a solid gumbo of folk, blues country and Americana. Opening with title track, A Town We Painted Blue, Christopher Lockett on vocal and rhythm guitar sings a folk tune with strong violin work by Scarlet Rivera and Kitten Kuroi on backing vocal. I really like the pedal steel work on Bob "Boo" Bernstein on Santa Ana Winds Are Good For Cryin', a cool folk rocker with Fernando Persomo on drums behind Lockett and Kuroi on vocal. Death Ain't Nothin'/No Mercy is a cool blues structured track with a powerful guitar riff by Perdomo and terrific vocals by Lockett and Kuroi. I like Lamp Posts with it's Americana structure, spartan rhythm, pure vocals by Lockett and Kuroi and sweet violin work by Rivera. Lockett pulls out his blues harmonica on Down By The Riverslide, a cool harmonica jam backed by Perdomo on drums. Wrapping the release is another American style rocker, Long and Troubled Road, with a solid melody and vocals by Lockett and Kuroi. I think that this release is quite interesting and has it's own flavor.  

  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”

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