#423 : PhillyCheeze's 20 Favorites of 2019

 (in alphabetical order)

Vince Agwada - Light of Day

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/06/396-vince-agwada-light-of-day.html

BB King Blues Band - The Soul of the King

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/03/384-bb-king-blues-band-soul-of-king.html

Anthony Gomes - Peace, Love & Loud Guitars

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/01/371-anthony-gomes-peace-love-loud.html

Willie Farmer - The Man From the Hill

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/02/376-willie-farmer-man-from-hill.html

Robert Connely Farr - Dirty South Blues

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/05/391-robert-connely-farr-rebeltone-boys.html

Ghost Town Blues Band - Shine

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/09/410-ghost-town-blues-band-shine.html

Christone Kingfish Ingram - Kingfish

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/05/393-christone-kingfish-ingram-kingfish.html

BillyLee Janey - Blues Power

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/10/411-billylee-janey-blues-power.html

John Mayall - Nobody Told Me

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/02/373-john-mayall-nobody-told-me.html

Biscuit Miller - Chicken Grease

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/10/413-biscuit-miller-and-mix-chicken.html

Eliza Neals - Sweet or Mean

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/07/401-eliza-neals-sweet-or-mean.html

Sean Pinchin - Bad Things

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/05/390-sean-pinchin-bad-things.html

Johnny Rawls - I Miss Otis Clay

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/11/416-johnny-rawls-i-miss-otis-clay.html

Southbound Snake Charmers - To the Bone

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/10/414-southbound-snake-charmers-to-bone.html

Sugaray Rayford - Somebody Save Me

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/12/367-sugaray-rayford-somebody-save-me.html

J.P. Soars - Let Go of the Reins

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/09/408-jp-soars-let-go-of-reins.html

Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith and the House Bumpers - Drop the Hammer

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/04/385-kenny-beedy-eyes-smith-house.html

Alexis P. Suter Band - Be Love 

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/04/387-alexis-p-suter-band-be-love.html

Sean Taylor - The Path Into the Blue

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/06/394-sean-taylor-path-into-blue.html

Matty T Wall - Transpacific Blues Vol 1

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/12/422-matty-t-wall-transpacific-blues-vol.html

#396 : Vince Agwada - Light of Day

2019 – Rocketnoodle Music

Release date : July 15, 2019

By Phillip Smith; June 15, 2019

It has been eight long years since the release of Vince Agwada’s last album, Basic Blue.  Fans of his should know it’s been very much worth the wait.  His latest record, Light of Day, is self-produced and loaded with sixteen astonishing original songs rooted in the Blues, but spanning genres from Jazz, Rock, Funk, and World Music. 

Slathered from end to end in delicious slide, “Two Tons of Fun” showcases Agwada’s guitar mastery with a big bowlful of searing blues.  A fearless bassline and a mind-boggling guitar shredding session takes “Blues 99” to the king-of-the-hill position.  Agwada’s performance is exquisite.  I love the transformation “I Wanna Fly” goes through as it transcends from its front-porch blues beginnings to a funky, soulful song with keys from Tim Gant, and amazing percussion from Kwame Steve Cobb.  The slide-heavy, Allman-esque “Mustafa’s Lament” is great too.  With backing from the Game Changer Horns, complete with a sax solo from Edwin Daugherty, this instrumental is a funky treat.  “Southbound 69” keeps me tuned in with a stellar groove and more amazing guitar-play.  Capturing my full attention, the multi-textured “Spirit” leads off with a Scottish bagpipe.  With a strong steady beat, hot guitar licks, buttery smooth vocals, and jazz-laden piano accompaniment, this beautifully written and executed dirge winds down its glorious path.

Vince Agwada has certainly created a masterpiece.  Light of Day is a must for blues and guitar aficionados.                        

---

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