Saturday, April 27, 2019

#389 : Ross Osteen Band - Williwaw




2019 – Ross Osteen Band

By Phillip Smith; April 27, 2019

For blues served sizzling hot, check out the latest release from the Ross Osteen Band called Williwaw.  This album packs quite a wallop.  Osteen not only deliver the goods on guitar and slide, but his vocals has that Robert Plant range and sounds magnificent.  The band also consists of drummer Patrick Gaynor, and bassist Jim Vint.  Together, this trio is an absolute force to be reckoned with.

Their cover of Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy” delightfully kicks off the album.  From this point on, I knew I was in for some serious blues.  “Little Rooster”, performed with the fearless attitude of George Thorogood, is another song that cooks. It’s the real deal indeed.  “Broom” is spectacular too.  If I didn’t know better, I would think I was listening to Led Zeppelin.  Osteen’s rock-star vocals take charge as he pours out some of the best slide guitar you’ll hear.  The Phish fan in me loves the closing instrumental, “Jellyfish Jam”.  Its hypnotic rhythm and playful attitude draw me right in.  It is definitely one for the jam band enthusiasts to explore.  

Williwaw certainly makes my list of favorites for the year so far.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website.. www.rossosteen.com  

Friday, April 19, 2019

#387 : Alexis P. Suter Band - Be Love




2019 – Hipbone Records

By Phillip Smith; April 19, 2019

Be Love, the latest album from Alexis P. Suter Band is one hot record.  Suter, who carved out her career in New York, opening for The Levon Helm Band and B.B. King, knocks another recording out of the park with her powerful and soulful voice. Her band consists of Michael Louis (guitar,vocals,bass), Vicki Bell (vocals), and Ray Grappone (drums).

Suter pines for her loved one as she pours a smooth layer of deep Sixties soul on ballad “Lips Hips and Fingertips”.  The song has a warm nostalgic essence about it.  A revving rhythm topped with some bodacious slide guitar brings some fast-paced blues to ”Little Back Rider”.  It really hits the spot.  I love the hip-swinging blues of “Sway”.  This funk-filled line dance number is an absolute favorite.  I love the slow groove and cosmic atmosphere of “Dog Eat Dog”.  There’s a definite George Clinton/Eddie Hazel influence on the front end.  When it come to the title track, “Be Love”, there’s a lot of energy flowing through.  This is a sure-fire blues-rocker that begs to be heard loud.  Filled with horns, keys, and searing guitar, the song jams indeed.

Be Love, from the Alexis P Suter Band is a hit in my book.        



#388 : Ghost Town Blues Band Shine – (sneak preview review)








By Phillip Smith; April 14, 2019



This week, I had the honor of getting a sneak preview of the new and upcoming Ghost Town Blues Band album, tentatively titled Shine.  After hearing just a few of the songs, I am very eager to hear the album in its entirety once it is released.  “Shine”, which appeared on their live album Backstage Pass last year, now has a studio version.  I’m delighted the way this song embraces the Memphis sound as it does.  GTBB injects the spirit of the Allman Brothers into new tracks “Lying To Yourself Gypsy Queen”, and “Running Out of Time”.  They wonderfully sit in that Muscle Shoals pocket.  There’s an inescapable groove on “High Again” that takes a hold of me.  This one will definitely be a fan-favorite.  “Dirty”, a very cool track, filled with psychedelic Clapton-esque guitar licks, and funky fueled rap from Suavo, is another treat indeed.  I'm liking what I 've heard and have a feeling this album is going to be spectacular. 


For more information about the artist, visit this website: www.ghosttownbluesband.com

Saturday, April 13, 2019

#386 : Sam Price & The True Believers - DragonFly




2019 – Sam Price Music

By Phillip Smith; April 13, 2019

It’s been a couple of years since Sam Price, bass player for Honey Island Swamp Band, has released an album with the True Believers.  So, the time has come for a new one.    His latest album, Dragonfly, is a superb follow-up to its predecessor.  It’s a delicious blend of blues, jazz and funk simmered in kettle of soul.  Produced by Papa Mali and written by Price, it’s such a laid-back listen, I just love it.  The True Believers is comprised of drummer Ethan Shorter, vocalist Whitney Alouisious, guitarist Alex Mallet, keyboardist Phil Breen, and percussionist Conga Mike, as Price drives the bus on bass and vocals.       

“I’ll Meet You There”, with its charming southern soul, delightfully kicks off the album.  I dig the short instrumental “Stand Up”.  With Breen behind the keys, and Conga Mike’s groovy beats keeping everything aligned, Price fills out the funk-filled rhythm with his buttery bass.  The title-track, “Dragonfly”, is a soothing, rich and amazing listen.  The accompanying percussion from Michael Skinkus is remarkable.  Guitarist Todd Duke, trumpeter Gregory Davis, and Andriu Vanovski on electric piano, join the band for “Old Jim Crow” a socially-conscious New Orleans-style blues track which is plumb great.

From dreamy to funkified, the songs of Sam Price and the True Believers run the gambit of southern Americana, and makes a striking impression.  Dragonfly is indeed a superb listen. 

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Saturday, April 6, 2019

#385 : Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith & The House Bumpers - Drop the Hammer




2019 – Big Eye Records

By Phillip Smith; April, 6, 2019

The new disc, Drop the Hammer from Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith & the House Bumpers has really caught my attention.  The son of the late great Grammy Award-winning bluesman Willie “Big Eyes” Smith , Kenny grew up in the same Chicago house Muddy Waters once lived. With this new album Smith reserves a few songs to pay homage to traditional blues.  Then he steps out of the box and creates his own universe of sound as he explores the boundaries of contemporary blues.  Smith steers this ship from in-front of the mic and behind the drums.  The rest of his cutting-edge ensemble, The House Bumpers consists of Billy Flynn and Ari Seder on guitar, Omar Coleman on harmonica, Felton Crews on bass, and Luca Chiellini on piano.  Smith also enlists heavy-hitters Greg Guy (son of Buddy Guy), Sugar Blue, Greg Guy, and Nelson Strange, along with vocalists Kimberly Johnson, Dana Gordon, and Andrea Miologos.

“Head Pounder” kicks the album off with a slow-burning, multi-layered North Mississippi-esque rhythm.  It’s laced with blasts of harp, slide guitar, and the unique sound of sitar courtesy of Flynn.  Smith’s children, Mae, Clara, and Teddy contribute accompanying vocals to “Hey Daddy”, a happy and heartwarming original about parenthood.  Kenny drops a payload of deliciously-deep psychedelic funk on title-track “Drop the Hammer”.  The groove is so powerful, its hard to escape its gravitational force.  I also get immersed in the funky trance blues Smith and Guy create in “What in the World” with Seder, Crews and Chellini.  I love the way “Puppet on a String” opens from the kit.  This is another one that absolutely cooks, in a vintage Elvis “A Little Less Conversation” kind of way.  The enticing groove on “One Big Frown” sizzles with Strange on guitar.  Johnson’s powerful and soulful vocals take command. 

Kenny Smith has certainly created a noteworthy album with Drop the Hammer.  It is one hundred percent fresh and baptized in the blues.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website: https://beedyeyes.com