Bman's Blues Report

HipSync Records artist: Rik Wright's Fundamental Forces - Fool's Fate - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:38:19 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fool's Fate, from Rik Wright's Fundamental Forces and it's really cool. Opening with Fool's Fate, Rik Wright on guitar sets a rhythm, joined by Greg Campbell on drums and Geoff Harper on bass carving out a funky fusion feel. James DeJoie on alto sax plays aggressive shredding riffs surrounded by lush chords by Wright. This is a spacy, creative track with plenty of expansive space. Very cool opener. Freezer Jam pairs Wright and DeJoie on melody over a creative, jagged rhythm by Harper and Campbell. DeJoie breaks free forming a more cohesive melody on sax and Wright plays a particularly melodic rhythm as DeJoie breaks free, leading to his own guitar romp supported by Harper and Campbell. Staggering. Luminescence has a haunting, particularly beautiful melody, structured by Wright on electric guitar chords, and easy paced melodic lines by DeJoie. Wright takes a calming, well articulated guitar solo of his own with only bass and drum support, really digging out an emotional solo to conclude the track. Super. Wrapping the release is Something Sad and Sweet where Wright plays lush chords with echo and volume swells to create a beautiful, airy, melody that literally floats. Sophisticated closer for a very nice release.

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Mighty Ernie Records artist: Pete Mills - This Is Now - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:03:26 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Is Now, by Pete Mills and it's hot! Opening with title track, This Is Now, tenor sax player, Pete Mills lays out the melody, punctuated by Kenny Banks jr. on piano and Matt Wilson on drums. Wilson digs in with his first solo and he is really cooking with Martin Wind on bass driving hard and active drum action by Wilson. Banks Jr. lays down a solid groove of his own and Pete McCann on guitar really sails, making this a dynamite opener. Laying back a bit, Daddies has a real nice, soulful melody with Mills leading the way on sax. Really settling into the groove Mills double times his phrasing before handing off to Banks Jr. who floats on the groove. A meaty solo by Wind on bass is punctuated by Wilson on tom tom. Very nice. Exit Strategy is a contemporary jazz track with a more eccentric rhythm. Mills and Wilson really set it up and Banks Jr. takes one of his most exciting piano rides on the release. McCann takes a hard right with overdriven guitar tones giving the track a real fusion sound. Very cool. Window Shopping is a real slinky track featuring first Mills on sax, crafting the melody with a minimal of bass and drums in support. So nice and soulful, it almost seems effortless, with broken rhythm accents by Wilson adding real texture. Wind takes the second leg on solo with excellent hands and Wilson's percussion taken town to cymbal only. Joining back with Mills the melody is restated. Very nice. Latin flavored, Sliver of Silver showcases Mills and Banks Jr., really cruising and fluid soloing by McCann on electric guitar with excellent rhythmic anchor by Wind and Wilson. Funky, Boubar, really moves with Mills kicking it hard over Wind and Wilson's bottom and McCann adds fanning guitar riffs adding to the percussive nature of the track. Nice. Wrapping the release is U.M.M.G., a short duet with Wilson and Mills in tribute to Mills' father. With easy brush strokes by Wilson, Mills crafts a rich, soulful melody that seems to float on the air. Solid closer.

Ruf Records artist: Dana Fuchs - Live In Denmark - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:36:35 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Denmark, from Dana Fuchs and she kicking it in high gear. Opening with blues rocker, Double Down On Wrong, Piero Perelli on drums and Kevin Mackall on bass really have the place rocking. Fuchs has a strong voice and Jon Diamond is relentless on guitar blending blues with contemporary rock riffs. Blue Mist Road opens with light backing and strong vocals by Fuchs. Breaking it wide open, Diamond winds it out on guitar with overdriven guitar tones, backed by solid drum work by Perelli and great lead bass riffs by Mackall. Very nice track. One of my favorite tracks on the release is ballad, Nothing You Own with a great melody, subdued guitar lead and excellent vocal by Fuchs. Diamond takes a melodic guitar solo with plenty of oomph giving the concert a super change of pace. Borrowed Time is a country rock styled track with a a stiff kick by Perelli. A strong radio track, this is a great concert track and has terrific radio potential. Another firm rocker is Curtain Close with a great melody and rhythm. Fuchs paces the track nicely and Diamond's overdriven guitar tones are critical as it fades into Bland's Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City). Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mick and Keith's Sympathy For The Devil. Maintaining the original Stones rhythm and basic arrangement, Mackall lays down a great bass line and Perelli's drum work drives it solid. Diamond does a real nice job grinding out classic rock lead and Fuchs pipes are great. This is a solid release with a continuous groove.

Lexie Blue - Too Glam To Give A Damn - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:57:26 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Too Glam To Give A Damn, from Lexie Blue and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Too Glam To Give A Damn, Blue with her trademark voice leads the way with Pete Bullard on guitar, Kevin Schoepke on bass, Gary Martin on drums, and Jack Rivers on keys. Driving opener. R&B flavored, Sit Down & Hush, really has a strong bottom courtesy of Schoepke and Martin. With Blue, grinding out the blues and Bullard on guitar, this is a nice groove. Bluesy, Sneaking Out, gives Blue a real nice chance to dig down and Bullard grinds out a strong guitar solo as well. Wrapping the release is Chin Wagging with a powerful tom tom rhythm by Martin and guitar by Bullard. Double timing the rhythm, Blue's vocals are raw and energetic, with chicken pickin' by Bullard and Martins drums add just a dash of New Orleans. Solid closer.

Rainstorm Records artist: Leeann Atherton - Good God - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:44:56 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good God, from Leeann Atherton and it's gospel/revival soaked music. Opening with Lieber and Stoller's Saved, Leeann Atherton really belts it out on this opener. With Johnny "V" Vernazza (Elvin Bishop Band) winding it up on slide guitar, Edward "Hott" Cleveland, Rob Lamonica and Bob Berman on keys, and Mike Bernhan on bass. Atherton original track, Joy, has a real bopping feel with Rob Lamonica on piano and solid backing vocals by Austin Atherton, Johnny V, Laura Jane Wilcox and HeartBeat Pro. Joe South's classic, Games People Play, really plays to the richness of Atherton with nice guitar work by Mac McNabb and warm organ work by Berman. Harry Dixon Loes' This Little Light Of Mine has new spunk with Atherton really swinging it. Solid rhythm guitar by McNabb, and warm organ and hot guitar riffs by Johnny V make this a real nice cover. Another Atherton original, Smack Dab In A Miracle, has a solid melody and clean airplay potential. With it's R&B feel and sassy vocals, Atherton does a real nice job on this track with a minimal of keys, bass and drum backing. Wrapping the release is Angel Band, a rich duet featuring Leeann and Austin Atherton. A classic gospel song previously covered by The Stanley Brothers and Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill this is a soothing closer.

Beyond 1969 - Back To The Blues - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:29:42 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back To The Blues, by Beyond 1969 and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with I'm Never Gonna Leave You, a cool rocker with a funky backbeat, Tom Forst on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace with active bass work by Tony Delisio, Jeff Bousfield on keys and Bryan Caudle on drums. Bluesy ballad, Consolation Man is a real cool track in the vein of the Thrill Is Gone with soulful vocals and tasty, overdriven guitar lead by Forst, backing vocals and bass by Delisio, saturated organ work by Bousfield and a tight rhythm by Caudle. Very nice. Caudle opens Darkest Before The Dawn with a funky drum rhythm, supported by a complimentary bass line by Delisio. This may be my favorite track on the release when Forst gets into the groove with his vocal and melodic guitar soloing, surrounded by Bousfield's saturated organ and keyboard soloing. Very cool. Blues soaked, It's My Own Damn Fault, really gives Forst a chance to grind it out on guitar and his vocals are just right. With warm organ work by Bousfield, leading bass work by Delisio and tight percussion by Caudle, this track is a sure winner. Wrapping the release is When It All Falls Down is a driving rocker with prominent bass work by Delisio with full organ and drums under solid vocals by Forst. Forst layers guitar lead with Bousfield for an epic duel closing out the release.

Robert Jospe' Quartet - The Night Sky - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:33:07 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Night Sky, from Robert Jospe' Quartet and it's quite good. Opening with Latin flavored, Crooked Mile, Daniel Clarke on piano and Robert Jospe' set a terrific, rhythmic tempo and Chris Whiteman on guitar cruises the melody with the smoothness of Benson. With Paul Langosch on bass and extended piano work by Clarke, this is a super opener. Pyramids is another track with a heavily rhythmic feel follows a great melodic phrase set by Clarke on piano and Whiteman's guitar work really is quite nice with excellent percussion by Jospe' holding it all together. Flashback is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a funky keyboard, bass and drum setup. Clarke on piano and Whiteman on guitar solo out with tight phrasing pushed by Langosch on bass and Jospe' o drums. Super. Billy Strahorn's classic, Take The A Train, is reworked with Clarke and Whiteman working the melody. Whitehorn's guitar phrasing is swift and stimulating and Clarke's piano workout challenging and tight. With Driving bass by Langosch and crisp drums by Jospe' this is fresh. Wrapping the release is Silver Lining, performed by Jospe' on hand pan. This rings clear and shown ingenuity and solid composition. Very nice closer.

Outrageous8 Records artist: Cyger & Butterworth - Plaid Pants - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:24:02 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Plaid Pants, by Cyger & Butterworth and it's cool. Opening with Latin soaked, Pequena Diabla, Ron Cyger on sax has the lead with a smooth and moving melody, supported by Brent Butterworth on bass, guitar and ukulele. Solid opener. Clunky has a cool, suspenseful melody with Butterworth creating a framework for melody on guitar, joined by Cyger on flute and Dimitris Terzpiis on drums. Cyger takes the first solo on flute followed by Butterworth on guitar. Returning to sax, Cyger blows a soulful solo and Butterworth a solo on bass. This track is unusual and interesting. Poydras St. has a springy rhythm and Butterworth on guitar and Cyger on sax are tight on a unified melody, chased by Terzpiis on drums with a New Orleans flavor. Cyger takes an extended solo on sax expanding the melody and Butterworth on bass takes it a few steps further before rejoining for a melodic reunion. Bye-Bye Blue Whale opens with Butterworth on bass and rich guitar chords but quickly develops with the most melodic track on the release featuring soulful sax work by Cyger. Warm, double time guitar soloing by Butterfield gives the track a more bop feel. Wrapping the release is light and breezy, LP with Butterfield laying down the melody on guitar joined by Cyger on flute. Breaking on sax, Cyger further develops the track and Cyger rocks in on guitar. A tight drum exhibition by Terzpiis and a melodic refrain closes the release.

Guitar One Records artist: Sandy Atkinson - The Best of Sandy Atkinson - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 May 2026 23:22:37 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Best of Sandy Atkinson, by Sandy Atkinson, and it saturated with soulful vocals and hot guitar blues. Opening with Sweet Little Pieces, Ben Sudano on bass Tom Bell on drums lay down a super SB Williams/Hooker boogie line with Cannon Quinn on guitars and Sandy Atkinson on vocal and guitar. Solid opener. Got The Wrong Number has a western/bluesy feel with Atkinson on acoustic guitar and vocal pairing with Quinn on guitars and nice piano work by Dean Germain. Boogie, Cook In Your Kitchen showcases Tomcat Blake on guitars with Atkinson's vocals, Richard Price on bass, Dan Degregory on drums, Henry Burke on keys and Wayne Beardwoods on sax. I like the slower, acoustic blues of Back To The Livin (live) featuring solid vocal and guitar work of Atkinson and Quinn. Very nice. Talkin To The Animals is a cool blues rocker with a springy rhythm. With saucy vocals by Atkinson, Quinn on guitar, Germain on keys, Sudano on bass and Bell on drums, one of my favorites on the release. With John Lee Hooker styling, 1 Night Stand is a cool little boogie performed live with Quinn on guitar accompanying Atkinson on vocal and guitar. Another cool track. Slow blues, She's Just A Floozy has a rich, old school, "Memphis Minnie" kind of sense. Atkinson on vocal and guitar with Blake on guitar gives this track plenty of sass. Wrapping the release is quiet, acoustic ballad, Out Of The Blue featuring Atkinson on vocal and acoustic guitar. Putting me in mind of an acoustic version of Seattle grunge rock, Super closer.

Lightning In A Bottle Records artist: The CD Woodbury Trio - Bulldog - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 May 2026 22:58:12 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bulldog, from The CD Woodbury Tri, and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Wicked Grin, CD Woodbury sets the pacd with a strong hammer on riff with Robert Baker thumping a single not bass line and Bill Ray on drums. Woodbury tells the story on lead vocals adds in guitar soloing that adds just the right amount of pepper. Solid opener. Doc Pomus' Little Sister stays simple with it's pop roots with Woodbury laying down a guitar riff and including Davis soloing on harmonica. Blues rocker, Gaslight Road, has a deep bass/drums groove and Woodbury, on guitar, creates a Green's Fleetwood Mac feel adding gritty vocals. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks by Jack Bruce, Politician, is up next with Woodbury bringing on the suspenseful melody on guitar. He doesn't have Bruce's voice, but he really does a great job on this track Overdubbing clean chords with eccentric slide riffs and tight picked blues riffs. Super. A laid back cover of Willie Dixon's, Spoonful, works really nicely with Woodbury's voice. His laid back guitar approach, paired with Mike Marinig on flute and his own guitar flair with "Kim Simmonds" like accents really is nice. Wrapping the release is title track (Call Me The) Bulldog with it's funky blues rocking feel. Woodbury cuts loose with a cool, funky guitar riff on this one making it a strong closer.

Big Mama Productions artist: The Alexis P. Suter Band - Just Stay Live Recorded Live At The Falcon - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 May 2026 22:29:29 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Stay Live Recorded Live At The Falcon by The Alexis P Suter Band, and it's terrific! Alexis P. Suter is one of those vocalists that come along once in a lifetime and her take on Blind Willie Johnson's John The Revelator is powerful .With her deep rich vocals backed by Vicki Bell, and pushed by the stirring slide work of Jimmy Bennett, this track is off the hook. Joining Suter on the set is The Band's Garth Hudson who lays out an epic piano improvisation. One of Gregg Allman's best tracks, It's Not My Cross To Bear, really works nicely with this set. Suter's deep, rich voice is perfect for this track with Benny Harrison on organ and Bennett really laying down the blues on guitar and Hudson on piano. A monumental blues by a monumental vocalist. Hole That I'm In has a super Latin rhythm and the band is really moving. Bennett gets a Santana-esque guitar solo going and Harrison's organ pushes up the tension. Very powerful. Only I has a soulful, gospel delivery showcasing Suter vocals with Linda Pino and Vicki Bell on lush backing vocals and Harrison on keys. Super strong. Wrapping the release is George Harrison's Isn't It A Pity. Harrison outdid himself on this track and Suter sings soulfully joined by Bennett on guitar, Hudson on accordion and piano, Bennett on bass, Grappone on drums and Bell on backing vocals. This is an excellent closer for an outstanding release.

Origin Records artist: Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 May 2026 23:51:51 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dear Ms. Dearie, from Dawn Clement, and its really quite good. Opening with The Gentleman Is A Dope, Dawn Clement on piano and vocal leads the way, supported by John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums. Steve Kovalcheck on guitar really gives the track a workout with bright guitar soloing. Super opener. With it's waltz feel, Dance Only With Me is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Clement, first laying down the base melody and clean and articulate soloing by Kovalcheck on guitar. Clement's improvisation on piano is quite nice and her vocals are clean and sweet. Clement's cover of Blossom Dearie's I Like You, You're Nice is quite nice with smooth vocals over piano by Clement. Latin rhythm under Dearie's, I Know The Moon is cool with light, almost breathy vocals and firm, percussive piano over an easy but firm bass and drums bottom. Another favorite on the release, Our Day Will Come, has a real Shirley Horn feel (which I love) and Kovalcheck's guitar solo is brilliant. The Party's Over is another really strong track on the release with Kovalcheck leading the way on guitar. Clement on vocal and piano maintains a real nice bop feel and Clayton closes the track with a cool bass solo. Wrapping the release is Dearie original, Home, which I feel suits Clement's voice as well as any track on the release. With quiet ease she presents the melody, backed by her own piano accompaniment, joined by Kovalcheck on rhythm guitar. Very nice closer.

E-H Records artist: Eliza Neals - Thunder In The House - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 May 2026 23:58:02 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Thunder In The House, by Eliza Neals and I think that it's her best yet. Opening with Speedy Beady, a blues rocker, with a potent bottom, by Steve Lacross on drums and Doug Woem on bass give Eliza Neals a great stage to showcase her stellar vocals. Adding in Micheal Puwal on guitars, this is a potent opener. Lumbering, Blues Bombshell takes the form of a standard 8 bar with Neals wailing and Puwal playing dual slide lead guitars and adding Detroit Mike Hepner on B3 and grand piano and Justin Headley on drums. Unoriginal Bitch is a broke down blues rocker. Keep it simple, and with Neals on vocal and piano, Puwal on guitar, Woem on bass, Mark Leach on B3 and Headley on drums this is right up the middle. Wrapping the release is title track, Thunder In The House, with a dark, swampy feel. Neals both on lead and backing vocals creates a strong vocal platform, added to by Puwal who is really effective on slide and reverb saturated lead, Lacross on heavy toms, and Woem on bass. Strong closer.

Slide Records artist: Paul Boddy - Soul Gone Blu' - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:28:14 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Gone Blu', from Paul Boddy and it's a rocking blues party. Opening with One Hundred Years, Paul Boddy on vocal and guitar sets a cool rhythm with Jack Daley on bass, Aaron Comess on drums, Rob Clores on keys and warm backing vocals by Jessie Wagner and Lynn Lockamy. Chonnie-On-Chon is a great boogie blues with Mikey Jr. wailing on harmonica and slick slide work by Boddy. Funky, Cussin', Cryin' & Carryin' On, is a real cool track featuring Jessie on lead vocal and she really brings it and Boddy's slide work is fat toned and rich giving it a retro Elvin Bishop/Johnny V feel. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Little Willie John's Need Your Love So Bad excellent vocals by Boddy and rich slide work by Sonny Landreth. Warm backing vocals by Wagner and Lockamy adds a great feel to the overall track and Landreth takes it home with extremely nice slide soloing. Excellent closer.

Yellow Dog Records artist: Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Guy Davis - Fight On! True Blues Vol 2 - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:22:29 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fight On! True Blues Vol 2, by Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart, and Guy Davis and it's pure roots blues. Opening with We Are Almost Down To The Shore (Fight On) is written by Jimmy Strother and originally on banjo but adapted by Cory Harris to guitar, presented in a Piedmont finger style accompanying Harris on vocals. Solid opener. See Me When You Can is performed in Delta style by Guy Davis on vocal and acoustic guitar. His finger work is strong and confident and his vocals rich and sincere. Very nice. Harris wrote clever rag, What's That I Smell, with cool, laid back finger work on acoustic guitar and great vocal delivery by Harris. Alvin Youngblood Hart takes over on original composition, If The Blues Was Money. The track has just the right texture with authentic delta style guitar work and Hart's own vocals. Very cool. On Rev Gary Davis', I Belong To The Band, Harris' very strong vocals alone give this a new texture. Gary Davis' lower octave had it's own signature and Harris' higher octave is really quite nice with firm acoustic guitar picking. Guy Davis wraps the release with Elizabeth Cotten's Everything I Got s Done In Pawn. Davis reworked Cotten's Shake Sugaree adding additional verses and imagining himself as Blind Willie McTell on guitar. This is particularly successful with a jangly acoustic guitar. Strong closer. (In case you're wondering, yes, that's the legendary Jack Johnson on the cover).

VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Ernestine Blues - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 May 2026 00:05:19 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ernestine Blues, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's a big solid scoop of pure blues. Opening with Tony Coleman on vocal and guitar on How'd You Learn To Shake It Like That, Coleman has a great feel for Chicago style blues and Corritore is one of the best on harp on old Chicago style. Joined by Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass, and Anthony Geraci on piano, this is a solid opener. Pat Thomas is featured on vocal and guitar on Big Fat Mama with Corritore adding choice harp riffs. This is a particularly strong track with authentic delta styling and Hooker like meter with no exact number of beats in a measure. Pure! Tia Carroll has the mic on Sam Cooke's Ernestine. With solid R&B styling and warm backing vocals by Eboni McDonald, Diamond Porter and Yolanda Tharrington, Doug James on sax, Geraci on piano, Bob Margolin on guitar, Stroger on bass, and Wes Starr on drums, this is a solid soulful addition. Sleepy John Estes' Trouble No More is up next and Willie Buck does a great job on lead vocal abut it really is a nice showcase for Corritore on harmonica. Carla Denise fronts on Troubles On Your Mind with crystal clear vocals and Ben Levin adds super piano work and really soulful harmonica work by Corritore. Just a note, Corritore's harmonica work is forward in the mix throughout this release and it really is a much better balance. Very nice. Charles Wilson leads on Sorry I Had To Leave You Behind, with Kid Ramos and Johnny Main on guitars and Corritore on harmonica. Mike Turturro sits in on bass and Brian Fahey rounds out the band on drums. Oscar Wilson is on vocal on Jimmy Reed's, Down In Mississippi with Corritore on harmonica, Margolin, and Smith on guitars, Geraci on piano, Starr on drums, and Stroger on bass. Wrapping the release is Teeny Tucker on blues rocker, Shoes. With Corritore giving it greater depth on harmonica, and backed by Starr, Geraci, Billy Flynn, Stroger and Margolin, a solid closer.

Ruf Records artist: Laura Chavez - My Voice - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:49:46 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, My Voice, by Laura Chavez, and it's a super blues rocker. Opening with a driving cover of CCR's Born On The Bayou, With Chavez grinding out the melody, Lea Worms playing over the top organ, Tomek Germann on bass and Explosive drumming by Marty Dodson, this is a powerful opener. Shot-Zee is a full on R&B track in the vein of Booker T ... a 70's rocker with heavy drums and bass, saturated organ and fiery guitars. One of my favorite tracks on the release is sensitive blues, Wanderer. With Worms forming the melody on warm organ and Chavez literally screaming out a melodic interpretation on electric guitar with hints of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, this track is explosive. Excellent! Covering El Cascabel is a natural for Chavez who grew up in San Diego just minutes from the Mexican border, her father being a first generation Mexican American. El Cascabel is a Mariachi standard and Chavez picks up a nylon string guitar giving it a pure natural rhythm and surrounded by Works on organ, Antonio Econom on percussion, and solid bass line by Germann and Dodson on drums plays masterful lead on electric guitar. Very nice. Another stand out for me is surf flavored, Mamba Negra, with fat guitar rhythm and scorching, Latin flavored lead. Lush interpretation of the melody, surrounded by Econom on tom tom and organ, this track is terrific. Wrapping the release is La Llorona, a beautiful slow blues developed from a traditional Mexican song of the Weeping Woman. Chavez really knows how to knock a track out of the park and this rolls Peter Green and Roy Buchanan into one ball with quiet reverb saturated lead, volume swells, trem bends, fanning and all of the grace that one can milk from a melody. Beautiful closer. Highly recommended!

OA2 Records artist: George Cotsirilos - In The Wee Hours - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 May 2026 00:01:01 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In The Wee Hours, by George Cotsirilos, and it's refreshingly beautiful. Opening with lush, A Nameless Poet, George Cotsirilos on nylon string, acoustic guitar flawlessly executes a super opener. Richie Beirach's, Gale, is a nice ballad with a smart, call and response between his single lined statements and chorded responses. With rich tones and and quiet background, very nice. Ellington's, Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, has classic framing and a minor swing, giving the track a clean approach. Jimmy Van Heusen's Like Someone In Love has a cool, bop feel, with clean articulation and vibrant chords. The track seems to just hang in the air. Matt Dennis' The Night We Called It A Day really nicely showcases Cotsirilos' ability to present the melody on a platter with creative, harmonica garnish. A genuine pleasure to listen to. Wrapping the release is Gordon Jenkins' classic, This Is All I Ask, so nicely illustrated that it is almost harp like. Cotsirilos makes the track his own and his warmth is transmitting through the playing. A definite must hear.

The Wildcat O'Halloran Band - Welcome To Sunderland - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:25:57 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Welcome To Sunderland, from The Wildcat O'Halloran Band and Wildcat is back rocking and ripping on guitar. Opening with Welcome Wagon, Wildcat on vocal and guitar leads the way with Jopey Fitzpatrick on drums, Angelo Mursey on bass and Paul Provost on keys. Johnny Winter's Check Her Mama has a cool Latin rhythm and Wildcat has those pickups fattened up with rich tone for his blistering riffs joined by Ottomatic Slim on harp. Big Maceo's Worried Life Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a deep blues feel and soulful vocal and guitar work by Wildcat. Provost's electric keys tell the story nicely and Wildcat digs in with some really nice riffs of his own. Dan Penn's blues rocker, Blues Of The Month Club, has a great feel with it's lightly funky rhythm, Provost's piano work and Wildcat's saturated blues riffs. Wilson Pickett's, Don't Knock My Love, keeps it's R&B feel Wildcat reinforcing the rhythm with his stylized guitar work and backing vocals by Wildcat's daughter, Sarah O'Halloran. St. Louis Jimmy Oden's Goin' Down Slow is an absolute blues classic and Wildcat takes it for a fine walk. Telling the story and singing the blues, Wildcat really works his fretboard over on this 10+ minute romp. Wrapping the release is Albert King's (Booker T Jones penned), Born Under A Bad Sign, wrangled by Wildcat, fusing that driving R&B undertone with a rock rhythm. Solid closer for a solid release.

Erica von Kleist - Picc Pocket - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 May 2026 23:29:48 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Picc Pocket, rom Erica von Kleist, and it's super. Opening with We Know how To Picc 'Em, a bright poppy number with a Latin beat, Eric von Kleist lays out the melody on piccolo with precision and soul. Backed by Yago Vazquez on piano, Noriko Ueda on bass and Anton Kot on drums, this is a strong track. Vazquez maintains the rhythm as Ueda solos on bass creating a strong opener. On Bone 2 Picc, von Kleist teams up with Jennifer Krupa on trombone for a perfect melody. Krupa really handles the trombone with a terrific, muted horn solo, backed by Kot, Ueda and Vazquez for one of my favorites on the release. Picc & Choose is another strong composition, with von Kleist presenting the melody over a very light backing. Slowly building with Vazquez on piano, and Ueda on bass quietly building with more cymbal and snare by Kot as Vazquez solos. Lively movement and a bright melody really carries this track nicely. Wrapping the release is Picc a Peck with a slower melodic duet from von Kleist and Vazquez. This really works nicely with improvisational work from von Kleist that varies far from my expectations. With a deep groove developing, anchored by Kot, Ueda and Vazquez, von Kleist really grinds it out. Vazquez holds the bottom as Ueda solos, creating a stellar dynamic. Exceptional closer for a really strong release.

Cleopatra Records artist: Cactus - Temple of Blues II - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 May 2026 23:35:32 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Temple of Blues II, from Cactus and it's strong blues rock...old school! Opening with Back Door Man Pt 1&2, Eric Gales leads the way on vocal and guitr with Artie Dillon on rhythm guitar, Billy Sheehan on bass and featuring the driving drum work of Carmine Appice. Super. Pat Travers is featured on lead and slide guitar on Moanin' At Midnight with Ed Terry on vocal, Dillon on rhythm guitar, Jim Caputo on bass and Appice on organ and drums. Travers style really give the track a great bluesy feel, really grinding in. Very cool. Ron Bumblefoot Thal on guitar leads the way on Tokin Chokin', a fun, country pop rocker with edge. Terry handles vocals and with plenty of splash cymbals by Appice, and Johnny Rod on bass, Bumblefoot really sails on slide. Tail Dragger has a Brit blues rock feel with Terry on vocal and Rockin Jake on harp. Appice's driving drum line with Rudy Sarzo on bass, gives guitarist Alex Skolnick a cool rocking rhythm to jam on. Willie Dixon's Spoonful features Ted Nugent on guitars with Terry on vocal. Bob Daisley on bass and Appice on drums really give the track an assault feel and I really like it. Wrapping the release is Feel So Good with a heavier rock feel. It features Rob Caudill on vocals, Tommy Thayer, Artie Dillon and Britt Lightning on guitars, Sheehan on bass, Marty Paoletta on keys and of course Appice on drums. A solid closer for a cool blues rocking release.

Timezone Records artist: Jeff Aug - Interim - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:01:44 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Interim, from Jeff Aug, and it's an extraordinary exploration in fingerstyle playing. Opening with New Day's Dawn, Jeff Aug and his son, Oskar Tauber, sketches out a solid acoustic rocker with traces of Jimmy Page and Patrick Simmons creating a quiet melody under the percussion of the strings. Interesting opener. Katzenjammer has a playful acoustic melody created in memory of the family cat who was lost during the pandemic. Title track, Interim is one of my favorites on the release with a repetitive acoustic guitar riff played together with some environmental electronic guitar sound. Puts me in mind of a Fripp composition. Very cool. Another track with the family pet in mind is Ernesto with a rich melody and Kottke like structure. This is a cool track with supple guitar phrasing. Open Fields has a strong melody, the essence somewhat putting me in mind of David Crosby, not so much in execution but melodically. Aaron's Song is another warm acoustic composition with the brilliance of Page's own chord phrasing making for a real nice closer.

Tom Lippincott - Ode To The Possible - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:30:01 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ode To The Possible, by Tom Lippincott, and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with Preface/Overture, David Fernandez on tenor sax brings a flowing yet jagged melody to life, caressed in the lush guitar work of Tom Lippencott, Marty Quinn on bass and Lucas Apostoleris on drums. Very cool. On An Inhabitant of Carcosa, a complex rhythm spurred by Apostoleris, and a driving bass line and soaring guitar and electronics by Lippincott on his fanned fret 8 string guitar, this track really gets moving. A super bass line by Quinn and melodic soloing by Fernandez, this track is complex without being tedious. Very nice. Stella By Searchlight is an interesting track with a cool interplay between Fernandez and Lippincott, anchored by Quinn, and Apostoleris. Lippincott lays out a flowing yet obtuse melody on sailing guitar with a counter solo by Fernandez and snappy drumming by Apostoleris before coasting into a peaceful tempo, making this one of the most aggressive tracks on the release. Zakir is a spacy, yet melodic track featuring sultry vocals by Camila Meza, floating on the melodic structure of Lippincott on guitar and complimented by Fernandez on soprano sax. A particularly strong melody on Trail of Tears, illustrated by Lippincott and Fernandez, is then expanded by each player. Very nice. Rational Peace is a quiet, Classical/Spanish guitar inspired piece with plenty of ambient space and minor percussion by Apostoleris. Wrapping the release is funky/abstract, Lynchian, with a really great groove by Apostoleris and Quinn. With a solid yet abstracted melody, this is a great climax for the release before flowing into the Epilogue, a composition of electronics and guitar by Lippincott. Very cool.

Get Hip Recordings artist: Billy Price - Random Madness - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 May 2026 23:50:00 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Random Madness, from Billy Price and it's a solid blues /R&B release. Opening with up tempo, I Was A Fool, Billy Price leads the way on vocals, backed by Tom Valentine on bass, Steve Delach on guitar, Jim Britton on keys, Dave Dodd on drums, Delana Flowers, Willa Katy Cotten, and Carmen Miller on backing vocals and with some super sax work by Eric Spaulding. Hungry Ghost has a Donald Fagen feel with nice trumpet by Joe Herndon, and a cool Latin based beat by Dodd. A clean guitar solo by Delach adds a a really nice touch to a cool radio ready track. Bluesy, Rent Free, has a great feel, with subtle keys by Britton, Tony Braunagel on drums, showcasing Price's strong vocals, and a a really nice trumpet and trombone solos by Herndon and Reggie Watkins on trombone. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Dirty Knee Revelation, with warm sax backing by Spaulding. Price really digs deep on vocals and with glistening keys by Britton and soulful guitar soloing by Ian Arthurs. Wrapping the release is title track, Random Madness with soulful vocals by Price and warm horn backing by Spaulding, Sean Jones on trumpet (who also blows a real nice solo), Watkins on trombone, solid guitar work by Delach and warm backing vocals. This is a very pleasurable release with plenty of soul.

Southland Records artist: Pontchartrain Shakers - Love, Peace & Chicken Grease - New Release Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 May 2026 22:40:52 +0000

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love, Peace & Chicken Grease, from Pontchartrain Shakers and it's refreshing. Opening with blues rocker, Sunshine, Amedee A5 Frederick sets the pace on guitar and lead vocal, and Earl Smith Jr. holds it tight with a tidy drum rhythm. Jojjo Wight on guitar and Red DeVecca on bass make this a compact yet effective opener. A strong cover of St. James Infirmary features A5 on lead guitar and some really tasty riffs. Michael Loupe on sax, wails soulfully over the patient bass and drum bottom of DeVecca and Smith Jr. Very nice. Ammdee Frederick IV is featured on guitar and vocal on acoustic, Lucy Mae, backed by DeVessa and Smith Jr. A cool understated boogie, this track rocks. You Amaze Me is one of my favorites on the release with excellent, soulful vocals by A5 and melodic guitar soloing giving the track just a hint of fullness. Strong. Elizabeth Cotten's, Freight Train features Wight on vocal and guitar with simple rimshots for a stripped down blues rag. Wrapping the release is RL Burnside's Jumper with strong vocals by A5 with a driving guitar lead clean lead phrasing over a stiff snare rhythm and driving guitar rhythm. Powerful closer.