#751- > Brandon Santini - Which Way Do We Go? (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – MoMojo Records
Release Date : May 9, 2025
 
By Phillip Smith; June 7, 2025
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
 

I’m absolutely loving this latest album from Brandon Santini. Which Way Do We Go?, He has such a masterful way of fusing Texas blues, Memphis soul, and southern rock for a rippin’-good listen. Recorded in Memphis, this eleven track album features Santini on lead vocals, harmonica and rhythm guitar with guitarists Timo Arthur and Jeff Jensen, bassist Cliff Moore, drummer Ron James, and backing vocalist Jesse James Davis.

Santini’s soulful vocals and warm sounds of harmonica poignantly usher the listener into the record with title-track “Which Way Do We Go?”.  A message of love in these times which humanity itself seems to be sitting at a fork in the road, this song is immediately embraced.  Moore’s fuzz-coated bassline poured over a cooking beat, a catching guitar riff, and Santini’s shredding harp quickly draws my attention to “The War Ain’t Over”. A heavy pulse and unbridled rhythm keep the momentum going on “See That Pony”. The deep tone of Santini’s voice and tight performance of his band make “Blues So Bad” pop with distinction. The album comes to a close in a funky groove of “She Got the Way”.  The infectiousness of this song lightens up my mood immediately and sticks around for a long time.

Which Way Do We Go? snags a high recommendation. This album is definitely a keeper.

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  For more information about Brandon Santini visit https://www.brandonsantini.com/

Photo by Trells Eye Photography

#701 > Bowlful of Blues Festival - 2024 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

Bowlful of Blues Festival – Sep 1, 2024
Fred Maytag Bowl
Newton, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Sep. 2, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Soaking up the blues in Newton, Iowa at the Bowlful of Blues Festival on Labor Day Weekend is one of my favorite things to do. Presented by The South Skunk Blues Society, this event is like a summer family reunion for Iowa blues fans. A crisp blue sky and temperatures hovering in the seventies made for perfect weather at Maytag Park this year.

The music kicked off this year with Newton’s own The Sears Band fronted by Jim Sears on guitar and vocals. Their high-energy set the pace for the rest of the day. Next up was Des Moines-based bluesman and 2005 Iowa Blues Hall of Fame inductee Steve E. George. I don’t know how I’ve missed this entertainer over the years, but I am very happy to have caught him in this stellar performance. Between sets, Clayton Ryan provided a mix of original songs and covers. This balladeer has a hell of a knack for writing songs. Brandon Santini took the stage and delivered a searing ninety-minute set of harmonica-fueled blues. I’ve been wanting to see him play live for a long time. Headlining the fest was Iowa’s Avey Grouws Band. I’m used to seeing the band as a quartet. This show was special in that they added Leo Albertoni on keys, Heath Alan on saxophone, and Jeni Grouws’ daughter Lillian Grouws on backing vocals. They rocked the park for two hours, with their final two songs being joined by Santini. I loved every bit of it.

Special thanks go out to The South Skunk Blues Society and all the volunteers who makes this wonderful event happen every year. 

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·       All Photos by Phillip Smith

The Sears Band

Steve E. George

Clayton Ryan

Brandon Santini

Avey Grouws Band

* All photos by Phillip Smith

  

#361 : Ms Zeno the Mojo Queen - Back in Love

2018 –Blue Lotus Recordings

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 4, 2018

I absolutely love the new release Back in Love, from Verlinda Zeno aka Ms Zeno the Mojo Queen.  I stumbled upon her music several weeks ago through a podcast I frequently listen to called Radio Memphis, hosted by Ric Chetter.  From the moment she started singing, I knew I had to purchase her new disc.  Her voice, soulful and powerful reminds me of a few of personal favorites: Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Sharon Jones.  Backed by co-producers Paul Niehaus IV and Kevin O’Connor on almost every instrument one could think of, and Gene Jackson on vocals, the wonderful Ms Zeno brings her A-game to every track.   

With a big blast of horns and a hint of strings in the back, title track, “Back in Love” initiates this record with that glorious Stax vibe and features guest vocalist Roland Johnson. “That’s How I Know” is electrically charged and dripping with soul.  Ms Zeno sings this with abundantly sweet emotion.  G Weevil makes a guest appearance on guitar for “Willie Brown”.  This is hands-down, one fantastic blues song, and I am totally smitten by her vocal delivery.  The lady can sing the blues, and that is a fact.  Tom Martin ( Zydedo Crawdaddys)  stops by with accordion in hand to lend a bit of Creole seasoning to the wonderfully funky “Mojo Queen”.  Like a heart-wrenching Otis Redding song, “Love is Like a Flower” is an amazing song and brilliantly vocalized.  The masterful harmonica stylings of Brandon Santini sets a roadhouse blues atmosphere to “Call My Name”.  An unescapable rhythm draws me right in, like a mosquito to a porch light.  “Gotta Get Paid”, swimming in hot buttery soul and slathered in high-energy funk, firmly keeps me glued to the speakers. 

One of my favorite albums that I’ve heard this year, Ms Zeno’s Back in Love is my pick for soul album of the year.  It’s absolutely fabulous!

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