Bman's Blues Report

Monday, February 10, 2025

Amaury Faivre - My Americana - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Americana, by Amaury Faivre and it's cool and flavorful. Opening with Tumbleweed, a solid pop track with a folksy feel, Amaury Faivre handles vocals, harmonica, guitars and bass, joined by Julien Compagne on drums. Nice opener. Another track with a memorable melody is Doggone Soul with warm vocals, harmonica, mandolin and slide acoustic guitar by Faivre and drums and percussion by Compagne giving the track a dark reggae sound. Bluesy, It's Time For Me, is my favorite track on the release with soulful vocals by Faivre who compliments himself masterfully on harmonica, bass and guitar. Great track. Wrapping the release is bluesy folk track, Goodbye Joe featuring Faivre on acoustic guitar and harmonica. This is a really clean track and a solid closer for an interesting release.

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Friday, February 7, 2025

Wilderness Records artist: Randy Lee Riviere - Concrete Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Concrete Blues, from Randy Lee Riviere, and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Mania, with a pop style theme, Randy Lee Riviere on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace. Joined by Kenny Greenberg and Bob Britt on guitars they create an interwoven melody, anchored by Stephen Mackey on bass and Tom Hambridge on drums. On Just Trying To Get Back Home, Hambridge used heavy tom tom to set the pace and Riviere's monochromatic vocals give the track a cool feel. His guitar styling on this track makes it my favorite with it's low slung bluesy feel. Stranger In My Head had an interesting British rock feel with jangly country style guitar riffs. Very cool. Dark tempered, Moccasin Lake is another cool track with a drum heavy bottom and crisp guitar riffs. Title track, Concrete Blues has a rocky rhythm with bluesy slide soloing and Mike Rojas adding some real nice piano work. Wrapping the release is rocker, Drive with Rojas on organ working nicely with Riviere on rhythm guitar. With a folky construction and country flavoring, this is a cool closer for a solid release.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Subcat Records artist: Tas Cru Band - All Natural Cage-Free and Fan-Fed - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All Natural Cage-Free and Fan-Fed, by Tas Cru Band and it's laid back bluesy fun. Opening with Dat Maybe, Cru on vocal and guitar leads the way on a straight up rocker, with Mia Casale on backing vocals, Tom Terry on bass, Scott Ebner on keys and Phil Diiorio on drums. On up tempo blues rocker, Brown Liquor Woman, Cru on vocal and guitar really gets that Clapton/Cale sound. A cool piano solo by Ebner and solid backing vocals by Casale give the track a solid radio feel. Shuffle, Grizzle n' Bone, is a fun track with a a tight bottom. Cru leads on vocals echoed by Casale and trades guitar riffs with Ebner on keys. One Eyed Jack is my favorite track on the release with a Hill Country undertone and a Tulsa overtone. Cru on vocal plays a rhythmic guitar riff and Ebner on organ warms the bottom. Wrapping the release is Heal My Soul, a country rocker with a strong bottom courtesy of Diiorio and Terry. With cool piano work by Ebner and solid vocals by Cru and Casale, this is a strong closer.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Jim Witzel Quartet - Breaking Through Gently - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breaking Through Gently, from Jim Witzel Quartet and it's light and springy. Opening with My Compass, Phil Aaron on piano lays a solid bed giving Jim Witzel a broad road to create the melody on guitar, backed by Dan Feiszli on bass and Jason Lewis on drums. Aaron's The Celebration has a joyous, almost spiritual, sound with lead shared between himself and Witzel. Fluid, lightly funky, lead on guitar and dazzling drum work by Lewis gives this track real spark. The Little Dragon is my favorite track on the release, with aggressive, driving lead by Witzel, punctuated by Aaron, a really strong piano interlude by Aaron and supported by perfect rhythm by Feiszli and Lewis. Excellent! Wrapping the release is title track, Breaking Through Gently, a sprite, guitar led fusion track with a solid melody, balanced by Aaron on piano. Very nice composition and solid closer.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Joe Flip - Old Soul Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Old Soul Live, rom Joe Flip and it cranks. Opening with Steve Ray Vaughan's Pride and Joy, Joe Flip shows he's got the chops to make Vaughan proud. Not sliding far from SRV's original arrangement this is a solid opener. On original track, Just Friends, Flip really gets things rocking, Chuck Berry style with driving guitar lead and vocal, Trent Boldt on bass, Mike DuBois on drums and Adam Daniel on keys. Freddie King's I'm Tore Down is up next with a solid shuffle rhythm. Daniel lays down a cool electric piano solo and Flip rips a cool guitar solo of his own. On Elmore James' The Sky Is Crying, Flip leans toward the Albert King/ SRV arrangement with a warm organ solo by Daniel and a ripping solo by Flip. Just Got Paid is the best of four ZZ Top covers with plenty of grind by Flip on guitar and tight drums work by DuBois. Wrapping the release is Hendrix's Voodoo Chile giving Flip plenty of space to jam. Trading guitar riffs with DuBois on drums this is a strong closer with plenty of oomph.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Origin Records artist: Michael Dease - Found In Space: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Found In Space: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Michael Dease and it's an interesting exploration of the music of composer, Gregg Hill. Opening with The Last Pop Tune, Bill Cunliffe plays the intro on piano quickly joined by Virginia Macdonald on clarinet, Matt White on trumpet, Katie Thiroux on bass and Colleen Clark on drums. Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto and Jason Hainsworth on tenor saxs up the ante and Cunliffe develops the melody nicely on piano. Sharel Cassity really flies on flute and Nanami Haruta and Michael Dease on trombone really add strength. One For Rodney shows off the powerful horn section but it's Thiroux's bass solo that really shines. Hainsworth on tenor sax pared with Sharel Cassity on alto really rips and Clark's drum work is stellar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is The Stray Moonduck with a great intro by Dease on trombone and strong flute work by Cassity. A meaty solo by Dease, really gives this track the flavor seasoned by Cunliffe on piano and Hainsworth's tenor work really adds the juice. Bluesy, Anthem, is my favorite track on the release sets up with Cassity on flute and tight rhythm by Thiroux, Clark and Gwendolyn Dease on percussion, The horn section is always tight with excellent tenor work by Hainsworth, and aggressive alto work by Mahanthappa. Wrapping the release is New Orleans funky A Wrinkle In Time with Cunliffe mixing it up with Michael Dease. Macdonald on clarinet steps forward joined by Cassity on flute , then Mahanthappa, White, Harunta, Thiroux and Clark. Dease wails on trombone over strong rhythm by Thiroux and Clark. Solid closer.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Rupe Media artist: Jeff Rupert - It Gets Better - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It Gets Better, by Jeff Rupert, and it's quite good. Opening with Petrichor (in the Cote D'a zur) Rupert on tenor sax, really gets the track swinging with Kenny Barron on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Barron really gets the ivories rocking with an excellent solo of his own and Washington strolls on the bass adding even more texture. Excellent opener. Title track, It Gets Better features a nicely phrases melody by Rupert, nicely punctuated by the strokes of Barron, leading to a nice solo of his own. Very cool. Jimmy Van Heusen's Like Someone In Love makes for an excellent tune to work on and Rupert really takes it on with tasty sax phrasing on a light bed of cymbals and snare by Farnsworth and a great bass line by Washington. Washington gets a really nice stretch on bass on this one making it one of my favorites on the release. Not My Blues is a strong, original track with hard lines by Rupert and Barron. A solid bass/drum anchor really keeps this track pure another excellent addition to the set list. Wrapping the release is Promenade In Blue, a terrific original ballad with a beautiful melody. Rupert's tone is sultry and warm and Barron's piano accompaniment caresses the melody. Washington's solo on this one is condensed yet powerful adding real teeth. This is a strong closer for a truly fine release.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Phenix Fire Records artist: Vanessa Collier - Do It My Own Way - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Do It My Own Way, by Vanessa Collier and it's full of funk, soul and Latin sounds. Opening with Elbow Grease, Collier leads on vocal with a hot, funky, Latin rhythm, fueled by Laura Chavez on guitar, Scot Sutherland on bass, Byron Cage on drums, a hot solo by Doug Woolverton on trumpet and Collier on sax and Maureen Murphy on backing vocals. Powerful opener. Blues rocker, Take Me Back has a strong, memorable melody making it a likely radio track with a warm sax solo by Collier and real nice drum and percussion work by Trey Macias and Cage. Funky, boogaloo rhythm laid down by Chavez and Cage gives Shoulda Known Better a real hot sound. With Collier letting the sax fly on this one and punchy trumpet work by Woolverton, followed by a tight solo by Chavez, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Latin flavored balled, Just One More, highlights Collier on lead vocal with shimmery guitar work by Chavez. Sultry sax work by Collier and lush phrasing by Chavez over the tight rim shots by Cage and Macias on percussion really nails this track. Wrapping the release is Warrior, featuring Collier on vocal and resonator/slide guitar. Heavy drum work by Cage really loads the track making it a dynamic closer.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Dharma Down - Owl Dreams - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Owl Dreams, from Dharma Down, presenting an exciting blend of European, Middle Eastern and other global styles for a fresh result. Opening with Jalla Man, keyboardist Mike Effenberger anchors the piece with rich sub melodies, lead by Duncan Hardy on Qanun (a stringed instrument with an eastern sound), and footed by Scott Kiefner on acoustic bass and John Mettam on drums. Baghdad has a more traditional feel with a sultry melody line by Hardy on sax, working in unison with Kiefner on bass and Mettam on drums and counter to Effenberger on piano. Very nice. A Murder of Cheerleaders is really quite an interesting composition by Effenberger with shrill, intense lead sax by Hardy and vibrant, percussive, piano work by Effenberger held tightly together by Kiefner on bass and Mettam on drums. Quite an adventurous and stimulating piece. East 73rd Street is a straight up jazz exploration with Hardy leading the way on sax. His placement of the melody, secured by Effenberger on piano gives the track substantial zing and active bass and drum work by Kiefner and Mettam add real texture. With it's Latin undertones, reinforced by Kiefner and Mettam, Jurjina has real spunk. Hardy leads the way on sax, playing effortlessly through both European and eastern styles, punctuated by Effenberger on piano on both supportive and lead roles. My favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Thoughts And Prayers, a really nice composition by Kiefner giving Effenberger the lead on piano, paired with Hardy on sax with rich colors and underpinned by Kiefner who takes a really nice solo on bass and Mettam on drums, making this a solid closer.

Monday, January 27, 2025

Marc Ciprut - Moonshine - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Moonshine, from Marc Ciprut and it's a cool, jazz rocker. Opening with title track, Moonshine, guitar wiz, Marc Ciprut lays out the melody over a funky, James Brown like rhythm with Ettienne Lytle on organ, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Tobias Ralph on drums and Daniel Sadownick on percussion. Super opener. Cutie has a easy Latin feel and Ciprut lead is very stylistically clean. Lytle on Wurlitzer really adds nice thickness and James Genus on bass holds down the bottom with Tommi Rautiainen on drums. Ciprut's approach is a bit more aggressive on No More Room with an almost Beck like attack and Jon Cowherd rocks a real nice solo on Wurlitzer, Genus on bass and Tobias Ralph on drums make this my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Funk You with it's super rhythm. Ciprut lays down a funky rhythm line and overlays the melody. Lytle on organ and clavinet adds significant depth and Genus on bass and Ralph on drums joined by Sadownick on percussion make this an excellent closer for a very enjoyable release.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Neil Adler - Emi's Song - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Emi's Song, by Neil Adler and it's an interesting mix or Latin, jazz, blues and rock. Opening with Latin flavored title track, Emi's Song, Neil Adler on piano and chromatic harmonica leads the way on this beautiful composition. With Jeff Buenz soloing with powerful phrasing on 6 string bass, Akira Tana on drums and Carlitos Medrano on congas, this is a solid opener. Oliver Nelson's swinging shuffle, Yearnin', really sounds great with Adler paired on piano and harmonica and Buenz stepping up big time with a tight bass solo giving the release real depth. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Jimmy Rowles' The Peacocks, featuring really beautiful melodic phrasing by Adler on harmonica over piano, bass and drums. Walter Gross' Tenderly, with it's lush melody is nicely articulated by Adler on harmonica over piano. The tune will likely be recognizable by everyone and Adler's feel is perfect. Wrapping the release is Charlie Parker's Donna Lee with it's bop feel. Adler goes it alone on chromatic harmonica only and the track is stark and playful. Strong closer for a real nice release.

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Qualified Records artist: Gary Nicholson - Common Sense - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Common Sense, by Gary Nicholson and it's a mix of pop, rock, country and blues. Opening with What A Little Love Will Do, a country rock flavored pop track, Gary Nicholson on vocal and guitars leads the way with vocal backing by Harry Stinson, joined by Kevin McKendree on guitar, Jim Hoke on guitar, Lynn Williams on drums and Mike Joyce on bass. Laid back country shuffle, Make Good Trouble featured some of Nicholson's best vocals on the release and The McCrary Sisters on backing vocals Mike Finnegan on organ and piano, Hutch Hutchison on bass, Tony Braunegal on drums and John Jorgensen on guitar. We Don't Talk About It is a cool track with Nicholson and The McCrary Sisters ramping the vocals up. McKendree on piano really kicks up the juice and Jim Hoke on harmonica gives the track a real zing. Another favorite is Follow The Money with a funky blues feel. Jim Hoke on steel guitar and sax gives this track some real nice punch and Yates McKendree slips in a solid guitar solo. All That Makes Me Happy Is The Blues has a real nice movement with Latin rhythm by Williams and McKendree and outstanding guitar work by Anson Funderburgh. Rural blues and title track, Common Sense, has a real earthy feel with Luke Bulla on fiddle and mandolin, Richard Bailey on banjo, Colin Linden on guitar and Hoke on harmonica and dobro, backing Nicholson on vocal. Wrapping the release is simple ballad, There's No Them, with Nicholson featured on vocal, backed by David Santos on bass, Rick Vito on guitar, Chris Carmichael on strings and McKendree on piano.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

M.C. Records artist: Guy Davis - The Legend of Sugarbelly - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Legend of Sugarbelly, by Guy Davis and I think it's his best. Opening with Sugarbelly, a solid country blues Guy Davis rolls his trademark fingerpicking, with Mark Murphy on bass, and Christopher James on mandolin and spins his tale. Very nice. Sam Chatmon's Who's Gonna Love You Tonight (That's Alright) in traditional blues style and adding harmonica accompaniment as well as guitar. Little David Play On Your Harp is a cool, Gary Davis style track with simplified guitar rhythm and single line melody. Blind Lemon Jefferson's Black Snake Moan is up next with Lead Belly's arrangement. A great traditional style blues track featuring Davis on vocal and guitar, this is my favorite on the release. Another traditional blues track, 12 Gates To The City features Davis on rhythm guitar, solid harmonica soloing and super gritty vocal. This guy can really represent when he digs in. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Don't Know Where I'm Bound with Davis on guitar and vocal, Murphy on bass and Christopher James on banjo. This is a solid closer for a strong release.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Overton Music artist: Vaneese Thomas - Stories In Blue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stories In Blue, from Vaneese Thomas, and it's an interesting blend of blues. R&B and country. Opening with Do Y'all a R&B track with a solid vocal melody by Thomas, Ross Pederson on drums, Paul Adamy on bass, and with potent key work by Dave Keyes and solid lead guitar work by Al Orlo. Wandering is a warm ballad with some of Thomas' best vocal work on the release. Andy Drelles on sax plays a really nice solo and Tim Quimette on trumpet and Walter Barrett on trombone add the brass. Bluesy, The Last Thing On My Mind, has a cool, shuffle feel with easy slide work by Orlo and a steady drum rhythm by Pederson. Very nice. Wrapping the release is End of The Road with gospel styling. This is an excellent closer with Thomas joined by Emily Bendiger, Berneta Miles, Jason L. Terry and Darryl Tookes on lush interweaving vocals.

Monday, January 20, 2025

Misty Blues: I'm Too Old For Games - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'm Too Old For Games, by Misty Blues and it's rich. Opening with Led Belly's Jim Crow Blues, a slower shuffle, Gina Coleman of lead vocals really digs deep with her earthy vocals. Eileen Markland on violin plays soulful lead , followed by Seth Fleischmann on guitar and Aaron Dean on sax, backed by Diego Mongue on bass, Rob Tatten on drums and Joel Nicholas on piano. Strong opener. With gospel revival feel, Alabama Bound is lively with crisp guitar riffs by Fleischmann and soulful sax work by Dean. Jack O' Diamonds is give a slinky/funky feel with Nicholas playing cool piano riffs off of Coleman's deep, bluesy vocals. Fleischmann lays in a real nice acoustic blues guitar solo and Dean blows soulful sax right out of the Stax songbook. Very cool. Wrapping the release is a trio of traditional Freedom songs beginning with Coleman singing acapella only with Nicholas on piano. Progressing to a gospel fueled shuffle with Coleman in vocal harmony with Nicholas on piano and Mongue and Tatten on drums overlaid with sax by Dean closing full revival style. Solid closer.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Bodacious Records artist: Jimbo Ross - Jazz Passion & Satin Latin - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jazz Passion & Satin Latin, by Jimbo Ross and it's a lively mix of American Standards, jazz classics and original compositions. Opening with Victor Young's Delijah with it's mix of eastern and American rhythms, Jimbo Ross, electric violin virtuoso, really gets things ramped up. Carrying the melody on violin and joined by Joe Gaeta on guitar, Stuart Elster on piano, Peter Marshall on bass, and Ron Wagner on drums, swing and sway. Elster lays in a really nice piano solo giving the track classic sophistication and Gaeta hits a strong groove of his own on guitar working both chords streams and inventive, melodic concepts. Very nice. Wes Montgomery's bop creation, Jingles, holds classic form and structure but giving Ross plenty of room to stretch on violin. Elster on piano creates a strong melodic form of his own and Gaeta really stretches it with unexpected innovation. Johnny Mandel's pop classic, Emily, shapes up nicely for Ross to mold and shape around a powerful melody. I particularly like Elster form and simplicity and touch on this track and Marshall's bass soloing is deep and thoughtful. Gerry Mulligan's East Lag is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's firmly reinforced rhythm and the wide open avenue afforded to Ross and especially Gaeta on guitar. Again, Elster on piano adds a nice touch to his own bright improv. Wrapping the release is Ernesto Lecuon, The Breeze & I with a high tempo pace. Gaeta and Ross both shine on articulate solos complimented by Elster on piano and Marshall's active bass line working with Wagner anchoring the piece. Vibrant closer.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Moon Voyage Records artist: Chris Daniels and the Kings With Freddi Gowdy - 40: Blues With Horns Volume II - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 40: Blues With Horns Volume II, by Chris Daniels and the Kings with Freddi Gowdy and it's pure party. Opening with Jump (When My Baby Says), Freddi Gowdy gets things going on vocal, leading a hot group featuring Steve Ivey on drums, John Thornburg on bass, Colin Jones on guitars, Chris Daniels on guitar, Bob Rebholz on sax solo, Darryl Abrahamson on trumpet solo, Darren Kramer on trombone solo and featuring a really cool fiddle solo by Sam Bush. Excellent opener. Funky, Everybody's A Millionaire, really moves with a radio feel, vocals by Gowdy and Hazel Miller punched up with tight horns and Tom Capek on B3. Congo Square has a hot Latin feel with Ivey on drums and Christian Teele on percussion. Sonny Landreth plays some trademark slide work adding real tension and Gowdy's vocals blended with Miller and the punchy horn section really gives Landreth's slide work a ripping grit. Wrapping the release is When You're Cool (The Sun Shines All The Time), a slinky, boogie feel. Gowdy and Miller harmonize nicely, Thornburg, Ivey and Teele really work the bottom and Kramer's solo on trombone, leading to some real nice riffs by Daniels gives the track real pop. Solid closer for a cool release.