Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Overton Music artist: Tomislav Goluban with Crooked Eye Tommy - Nashville Road - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nashville Road, from Tomislav Goluban with Crooked Eye Tommy and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Hard Run, Tomislav Goluban on harmonica leads the way with an aggressive rock rhythm by Tommy Marsh on guitar, Eric Robert on keys, Jasco Duende on guitar, Doug Seibert on bass, and Alphonso Wesby on drums. Super opener. Boogie rocker, Bad Choices Make Good Stories is a deep track with a thumping rhythm by Seibert and Wesby, super lead vocals and guitar by Marsh and signature harmonica lead by Goluban. Hip Hop Shake is another driving boogie with critical bass line by Seibert, dueling lead between Goluban, Robert and Marsh. Super track. I really like the rhythm on Keep On Movin On with its lightly funky beat. Wrapping the release is laid back, There Is A Train featuring Marsh on vocal and guitars, and Goluban wailing train on harmonica and Marsh on steel. This is a real nice release from two talented guys.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2025

3Below - Live In Merida - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Merida, from 3Below and it's stimulating. Opening with Relamparia, Trey Gunn on Warr guitar, Alonso Arreola on electric bass and Michael Manring on fretless bass start the journey. Joined by Emmanuel Pina on oud, this track has a really cool flow of progressive, eastern and fusion themes. Excellent opener. Versos has a distinctly eastern flavor led by Pina on oud and seated nicely by Gunn and Manring and held tight by Arreola. Gunn on Warr guitar creates an unworldly wail on Forest Floor. Leading into bass heavy Big Fungus, a melodic track with dynamic interweaving between Arreola, Gunn, Manring and Pina. One of my favorites on the release. Mournful, The World Is Everything That Is The Case is a terrific blend of Gunn and Manring harmonizing creating a mind bending sonic tapestry. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Area opening with a riff by Pina on oud and joined by Arreola on bass. With a lively pace and eastern flavor, this track dances. Calming into a quieting scene, Gunn creates a soundscape overlayed by Pina on oud and then all rejoined for a fleet finish.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The Dennis Spencer Group - Bluesman From Jupiter - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bluesman From Jupiter, from The Dennis Spencer Group, and it's a solid set of rocking blues. Opening with title track, Bluesman From Jupiter, Dennis Spencer on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace with Tracy Hart on backing vocals, Mikal Majeed on keys, and Terence Johnson on drums. This driving rocker uses a rock and roll rhythm and a bluesy style. Cool opener. Soulful, Cold Corner, features Tracy Hart on lead vocal, with Bobby Warren and Tony Hithe on backing vocals and featuring real nice guitar phrasing by Spencer. Ballad, Why Can't We features Spencer and Hart sharing the mic and smooth guitar lead by Spencer. This is a tight track and a likely radio player. Texas style blues rocker, Tall Guy Boogie, really has legs with a grinding guitar vamp and giving Majeed the lead on melody. A real nice guitar solo by Spencer and Faith Jobe on drums, this is one of my favorites in the set. Wrapping the release is You Been Blackenized, a cool, laid back track with a mix of R&B and Hill Country styling. Featuring Bobby Warren on lead vocal and some swinging blues guitar work by Spencer, this is a strong closer.

Monday, March 17, 2025

Nerus Records artist: The Hitman Blues Band - Calling Long Distance - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Calling Long Distance, from The Hitman Blues Band, and it's a good mix of contemporary blues. Opening with title track, Calling Long Distance, "Hitman" Alexander on lead guitar and vocal sets the pace with solid slide, driven by Bob Stander on bass and backing vocal and Guy LaFountaine on drums. With Mike Katzman on keys and a full compliment of horns like John Kelly on alto sax, Tom Mineo on tenor sax, Eric Altarac on trumpet and Al Alpert on trombone and Joanna Alexander and Nancy Hampton on backing vocals, this is a cool opener. Blood Alley is a cool driver with a taste of 60's surf music featuring keys by Katzman, and Tom Mineo wailing on sax while swimming in the sea of reverb soaked guitar by Hitman. Very cool. Low slung shuffle, Side Pocket For A Toad, has a great feel with sweet blues riffs by Hitman and punchy horn work by Kelly, Mineo, Altarac and Alpert. Foolish Pride is one of my favorites on the release with strong guitar phrasing by Hitman, reminiscent of BB King on Thrill Is Gone. His vocals are soulful and work really well with his fluid playing style. Bluesy ballad, Back To The Blues, puts me in mind of Gary Moore but more from a feel and phrasing styling than anything else. A real nice sax solo by Kelly balances nicely with Hitman's vocal/guitar work making this the most likely radio track on the release. Another favorite track on the release is jump track, Watch That Thing with a great off lead drum accent, lively vocals and a slick guitar riff by Hitman and excellent trombone solo by Alpert. Wrapping the release is Wide Old River with heavy tom tom work by LaFountaine setting the pace. With deep vocals by Hitman and Porter and nicely stylized key work by Katzman, rich horns and slide by Hitman, this is a strong closer.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Blue Canoe Records artist: Neff Irizarry - Cambio (Change) - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cambio, from Neff Irizarry, and it's vibrant guitar with hot Latin rhythms. Opening with Adelante, composer and guitar lead, Neff Irizarry leads the way with excellent fluid melody paired with Martin Fabricius on vibraphone, with the rhythmic support of Jimmy Haslip on bass and Picardo Padilla on percussion. Strong opener. Cabo Rojo in 6/8 gives Irizarry plenty of room to breathe with both extended phrases and shorter punctuation, over Fabricius' well placed accents. A steady rhythm by Padilla anchors the piece giving it a nice flow. Led Zep's, The Rain Song is a nice diversion handled by lush melodic phrasing by Irizarry over the simple Latin rhythm of Padilla. El Swing De La Finca really does move with the melody laid down by Fabricius and Irizarry in tandem. Irizarry takes the first line solo and Irizarry the second over the punchy bottom by Haslip and Padilla. My favorite track on the release. Another nicely flowing track is San Miguel De Los Acordes. With Fabricius and Irizarry blending nicely on the initial melody line and then each taking turns at the interpretation with bright strikes and lush chords, this is another really nice track. Wrapping the release is Todo Lo que Fuiste. In full samba style Padilla owns this track, providing a rich foundation for Irizarry and Fabricius to build on. This is a really cool release and enjoyable start to finish.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

JC Gardner Music artist: Gardyn Jazz Orchestra - Vinyl Brews - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Vinyl Brews, from Gardyn Jazz Orchestra and it's a full bodied beer inspired release. Opening with up tempo, Dinero de Sange', inspired by an IPA with Latin overtones respective of too much blood orange. Featuring a strong guitar solo by Don Hanrahan, and a solid alto solo by Jud Aaron, Jon Gardner and Jacob Kaplan on alto sax, Jordan Graef on tenor and Louis Kugelman, Daniel Wright, Derek Dilman, Andrew Esch, and Michael Cruse on trumpet, Travis Hill, Seth Dowdell, and Rachel Slifer on trombone, Brett Slifer on bass trombone, Jack Ozment on piano, Isaac Strader on bass and Brett Kennedy on drums, they are bringing it. Shuffle, The Golden OG remembers 2023's Gold Cup winner OG Pils Lager with solos by Aaron on tenor, Dowdell on trombone and Ozment on piano. Bluesy, By The Stoney Creek features solos by Marcell Belinger on trumpet, Kaplan on alto, Hanrahan on guitar and Kennedy on drums. Wrapping the release is Walking On Clouds with a cool, funky rhythm. Graef on tenor really lights it up and Esch on trumpet and Hanrahan on guitar really work the close.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Root Grooves Records artist: Dan Moretti & Brazilia - Live At The Pump House Music Works - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Pump House Music Works, by Dan Moretti & Brazilia, and it's hot. Opening with mambo, Black Nile, this release is hitting on all cylinders right off the bat. With Dan Moretti leading the way on tenor sax, you'll be dancing in your chair. Maxim Lubarsky on piano lays down a stellar solo, reinforced by Oscar Stagnaro on bass, Ernesto Diaz on percussion and Steve Langone on drums. Excellent opener. Night Dreamer is a cool blend of reggae and Latin jazz with straight up sax melody by Moretti and a bountiful piano solo by Lubarsky with tight rhythms by Stagnaro, Diaz and Langone, and a powerful tenor solo by Moretti. Very cool. Wayne Shorter's Witch Hunt is given a Latin flavor and features a strong bass solo by Stagnaro and relentless tenor work by Moretti, making this one of my favorites on the release. Yes or No is sensational in 7 with Moretti on soprano sax, strong bass lead by Stagnaro and excellent drum work by Langone. Wrapping the release is Footprints with it's driving Latin rhythm reinforced by Diaz and fluid lead work by Moretti on tenor. The band takes the volume down but Lubarsky keeps the heat on with energetic piano phrasing over double time snare/cymbal work by Langone. Strong closer.

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Monday, March 10, 2025

Walk That Walk - Red Devil Lye - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Red Devil Lye, from Walk That Walk and it's a country blues rocker. Opening with The Daydream, Poppa C DeSnyder on dobro and lead vocal in a Waylon kind of style, joined by Jon Reese on bass, Stickman Waldron on harmonica, Pappy Biondo on banjo and AlanWaters on drums. Driving rocker, Heavy Music, has a solid melody with DeSnyder on guitar and lead with Jimmy James Love on backing vocal and guitar, Ray Paczkowski on keys and Richard Cheese Welch on drums. You Don't Love Me has deep blues roots in Morganfield territory, with DeSnyder on vocal and dobro, Biondo on banjo, Waldron on harmonica and Waters on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Jimmy Oden's On The Road Again made popular in the 70's by boogie band, Canned Heat. Love takes the lead on vocal joined by Waldron on harmonica, Reese on bass, DeSnyder on guitar and Waters on drums. This is a cool release with a nice slice of blues.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Gilded Tooth Records artist: Alfie Smith - Every Rome Needs A Nero - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Every Rome Needs A Nero, and it's rich in folk blues artistry. Opening with title track, Every Rome Needs A Nero, a cool folk blues track with a Latin rhythm, Alfie Smith on lead vocal and guitar captures center stage, with only the minimum of percussion by Dave Gould and bass by Justine Fischer. Troy Dowding on trumpet really adds great highlights with super trumpet phrases. Excellent opener. A fluid rag, All The Blues I Need, features Smith on vocal and excellent trumpet lead by Dowding over solid piano structure by Jesse O'Brian. Very nice. Elizabeth Cotten's classic, Shake Sugaree, is really nicely redone with Smith's deep warm vocals and understated guitar accompaniment. A nice acoustic guitar/trumpet duet really is a nice compliment on this track. Wrapping the release is Leonard Cohen's Bird On A Wire, featuring Smith singing this notable ballad accompanied by guitar, and O'Brien on piano and punctuation by Dowding on trumpet.

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Alex McLaughlin - A Brand New State - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Brand New State, from Alex McLaughlin, and it's rich and full of texture. Opening with Desert Chapel, Alex McLaughlin on upright bass, sets the quiet framework of the track joined by Jeremy Siskind on piano fleshing out the melody. With Tina Raymond adding crisp, articulate snare and cymbal work, Trumpet man Jeremy Pelt creates a sharp contrast with brilliant phrasing and McLaughlin steps back up with a solid bass solo. Siskind adds his own exploration of the melody making for a super opener. Signals is quite melodic with Pelt laying out the format, framed. Siskind and Pelt each create dynamic solos making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Lily has a bluesy feel with the sense of longing in lead lines by Pelt on trumpet and lush reinforcement by Siskind on piano. McLaughlin works hand in hand with Siskind on his bass solo with tight snare/cymbal work by Raymond. Bop track, El Polvo really moves with Siskind, McLaughlin and Raymond expanding it nicely. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Elevation with an avalanche of excellent drumming by Raymond and building tension by Siskind on piano. Pelt breaks the tension with a highly melodic solo, and mixing it up with Siskind rewinds the tension. Breaking into his own solo, Siskind develops a solid groove, anchored by Raymond and McLaughlin, rejoined by Pelt who leads the way to an quiet conclusion. Very nice.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Greg Nagy - The Real You - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Real You, by Greg Nagy, and it's super with healthy doses of soul, R&B, blues, and rock. Opening with title track, The Real You, lead singer, guitarist, song writer, Greg Nagy on lead vocal shows a real feel for R&B. With Josh Ford on guitar, Dale Grisa on organ, John Baron on bass, Todd Glass on drums, Lynne Calloway on backing vocals, Jim Alfredson on organ, Keith Kaminski on sax, this is a solid opener. CeeLo Green's Crazy is a cool addition giving Nagy a open field to show his soulful vocals and bluesy guitar chops, complimented by Dale Grisa on organ and Richard Curran on strings. Very nice. Thornetta Davis steps up in duet with Nagy on George Harrison's remarkable, Something. I have always loved Davis' voice and with Josh Ford laying down some real nice guitar lead, this is an excellent blues rock addition. R&B track, Baby, What Took Your Love Away From Me has a cool, Robery Cray feel with confident vocals by Nagy and potent organ work giving the track real radio appeal. Blues based, Where Do We opens with a crude delta like sound but erupting into a modern blues rocker with hot lead guitar riffs by Bobby Murray and power vocals by Nagy. Wrapping the release is Brandy Carlisle's strong ballad, The Joke, handled by Nagy on lead vocal with potent lead guitar accentuating his Elvis Costello like vocal effort. I like this track and think it's a strong closer for a real nice release.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Carly Harvey - Kamama - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kamama, from Carly Harvey and it's pure blues. Opening with a blues wail, Native Scat, Carly Harvey on vocal really creates an environment, joined by Walking Eagle on guitar, Coleman Williams on drums and Mark Williams on bass. Powerful opener. Soulful, Misery is an excellent track from the old school format. With Harvey on vocal, backed by Dana Nearing and joined by Mike Tony Echols on bass, Deren Blessman on drums, Jonathan Sloane on guitar (with a wicked solo), Wes Lanich on keys, Danny Davis, Mario D' Ambrosio and Kevin Cerovich on horns, this is an excellent track. Rich blues, Take Your Love, really showcases Harvey's vocal style with full horn backing by Davis, D'Ambrosio and Ben Ford on horns and rich keys by Daniel Clarke on keys. Slone shines on guitar again with a deeply soulful solo and with Sean Hurley on bass and Deren Blessman on drum makes this one of my absolute favorites on the release. Harvey shares the mic with Annika Chambers and Dave Keller for dark blues, Human Too, featuring crisp guitar lead by Keller, Patrick Thornton on bass, Leland Nakamura and Mark Williams on drums and Walking Eagle on percussion and backing vocals. Wrapping the release is funky, Worth Waiting For, with it's poppy melody and bass reinforcement (and solid solo) by Mike Tony Echols and drums by Nakamura and Williams. Punchy horn work by Davis and keys by Lanich makes this a solid closer. Very cool release.

Monday, March 3, 2025

Aquinnah Records artist: Arlen Roth - Playing Out The String - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Playing Out The String, from Arlen Roth and it's great display of Arlen's acoustic guitar talents. I've been listening to Roth since early in his career with tele in hand and this is a cool and interesting departure. Opening with Gus Cannon's Walk Right In, Roth on vocal and guitar sets a more pop pace but the album gets pretty deep in acoustic/blues presentation. Norman Blake's Randall Collins is a terrific track with fleet fingered playing accompanying Roth's vocals. Very cool. Brownie McGhee's Gonna Move Across The River gives Roth a great opportunity to play acoustic slide on a terrific country blues track and Townes Van Zandt's classic, Pancho and Lefty is a strong addition with melody handled purely on guitar. Very nice. Louis Jordan's crowd favorite, You Can't Get That Stuff No More, features Roth on slide acoustic and vocal. Blind Blake's rag track, Diddy Wah Diddy is a great track and Roth some of his best vocal and finger styling on this early blues. Wrapping the release is title track, Playing Out The String, a easy going shuffle. Roth, taking this softer, acoustic look at the blues is a nice break and a solid entry to his ever growing discography. Very nice.

Friday, February 28, 2025

Happy Growl Records artist: Jim Eannelli - Just Deserts - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Deserts, from Jim Eannelli, and it's a real nice helping of rockabilly, rock, folk and blues. Opening with 29 Women, a strong rocker with a definite defiant swagger, leading the way on guitar and vocal, backed by Rob A Bell on bass, and Bill Siebert on drums. A potent track and brilliant opener. On Train From Chicago, Eannelli melds folk and blues for a really nice sound. His vocals are soulful and and guitar work selective but pointed. With
Peggy James backing vocals and Tanin on keys, this is another strong track. With a western spin, I Want To Be Your Man is another stand out track with a two step rhythm adding harmonica by Lil' Rev and melodic guitar lead held tight by a simple drum rhythm. Another track with a country influence is Old 97 with it's chord driven melody. This is as radio driven as you'll hear on this release but it is well written and performed with nice over laid guitar lead and vocal harmony with James. Very nice. Wrapping the release is driving rocker, Should I Try with a memorable guitar vamp and solid vocals. This is another track with strong commercial potential and a solid closer for an enjoyable release.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Deep Groove Records artist: Dennis Herrera - Four - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Four, by Dennis Herrera, and I really like it. Opening with shuffle, Can You Feel It, Dennis Herrera on guitar gets things rolling with Lee campbell on drums, Rich Wenzel on B3, Sid Morris on piano, Frank DeRose on bass and Jack Sanford on sax. Strong opener. Up tempo boogie track, Blues and Roll is strong with raggedy vocal by Herrera who leads on guitar, and Bill Bates. Campbell holds the bottom tight on drums and cool piano by Wenzel adds texture. Great driver. One of my favorites on the release is rag tag, Tenderness I See with it's dark, Hill Country sound. Herrera's vocals are perfect for this kind of track, with added percussion by Gordon Peeke, and with super backing vocals by Tony Jones and Nina Mac and Sanford on sax, this track is off the hook. Preskitt is a super shuffle with excellent bass lines by Bill Stuve and nice sax work by Jorgenson. Fluid guitar lines really lay in the groove, accenting Herrera's laid back vocal work and Wenzel on B3 rides the tide for a well rounded groove. Texas guitar king, Anson Funderburgh brings his excellent blues phrasing to Mean Ole Texas Shuffle. Interwoven with Jack Sanford on sax, Wenzel on B3 and Herrera's own vocals, this is an excellent closer.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Blue Moon Marquee - New Orleans Sessions - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, New Orleans Sessions, by Blue Moon Marquee and it's New Orleans blues, simplistic and raw. Opening with Memphis Minnie's Black Cat Swing, BMM hits the ground running with Danny Abrams on bari sax and BC Coogan setting the tempo for lead vocal work by Jasmine Colette who also plays bass. AW Cardinal on rhythm guitar and Nicholas Solnick on drums rounds out the troop for this enjoyable track. Charlie Patton's lively Shake It and Break It features Cardinal on lead vocal and guitar. A true party rocker with honking sax work by Abrams and a cool upright solo by Colette, this track jams. Slow blues, What I Wouldn't Do, features Cardinal on electric guitar and belting out the blues. With rolling piano work by Coogan and meaty sax work by Abrams, this track wails. A rowdy take on St James Infirmary hosts Cardinal on lead vocal and guitar and highlights the firm piano work of Coogan and Abrams deep sax work making it one of the most memorable tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Lonnie Johnson's Got The Blues So Bad, with Cardinal on lead vocal and featuring Jon Atkinson. With strong traditional styling, this is a great closer for a solid release.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Ooh Yeah! - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ooh Yeah!, by Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, and it's a full plate of Boogie Woogie. Opening with title track, Ooh Yeah!, a cool piano boogie, Wayne really rattling the piano and lead vocal joined by Joey DiMarco on drums, Nick Succi on bass, and Jimmy Bowskill on guitars. Solid opener. With a New Orleans flavor, Baby, I'm Your Man has a shuffle rhythm by DiMarco Succi, and full horn support of Kaven Jalbert on tenor sax, Remi Cormier on trumpet, Mathieu Mousseau on bar sax and of course strong vocal and piano by Wayne. With a potent strut, Wishing Well is a soulful track really showcasing Wayne's vocals as well as some real nice guitar riffs by Bowskill, backed by Ian McKeown on drums. I really like Honey, Honey, Honey with it's rolling feel, piano/vocal lead by Wayne and and potent horn backing by Jalbert, Cormier and Mousseau. Wrapping the release is That Crazy Monkey, a cool blues rocker with Leon Russell like potent piano and bouncy vocals, punctuated by Jalbert, Cormier and Mousseau making for a solid closer.