Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts

Saturday, March 2, 2024

#664 : Brothers Brown - Nowhere Left to Go (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2024 – Woodward Avenue Records

Release Date Jan 12, 2024

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 2, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

It’s been eight years since Brothers Brown released their debut album Dusty Road. Their follow-up record Nowhere Left to Go recently landed and is very much worth the wait. Founded by Grammy-nominated keyboardist/synth-master Brother Paul Brown of the Waterboys, and two-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter/guitarist Paul Brown (George Benson, Al Jarreau, Norman Brown) the band also includes bassist/rhythm guitarist/vocalist David Santos (Billy Joel, John Fogerty, Elton John) and drummer/percussionist/guitarist Peter Young (Loretta Lynn, The Burrito Brothers). Together, they approach music much like Grateful Dead and Little Feat pushing genre-specific boundaries of rock, blues funk, and country.

I’m captivated from the beginning as the record rolls in on a super-melancholy wave of regret and loneliness with “Wrong Side of Town”. The way the guitar notes seem to float in mid-air with a Mark Knopfler-ish way sounds amazing as they naturally join forces with the keys. “Junior’s Back” puts me in a happy space with every listen. Once the bridge hits, I am thrown into the Phish-zone, and relish every bit of its expansive and wonderful jam. The Brothers Brown zero in on the Sixties Chicago blues sound with “My Baby”. It hits the bullseye dead center. “Chitlin’ Pickin’” is a grateful instrumental which fills the sky with sunshine and smiles. A driving rhythm slathered with grease and a cookin’ pulse pulls me into the delectable blues-rock anthem “Black and Blue”.      

The great Bobby Rush joins the Brothers Brown on title-track “Nowhere Left to Go” making for a soulful, funky treat.  Rush’s history of working with Brother Paul Brown stretches back for over twenty years, culminating in four albums, three Blues Music Awards, a Grammy nomination, and multiple concert tours.

Nowhere Left to Go receives a high recommendation from me. It’s a terrific album that just gets better with every listen.                                     

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://wbaentertainment.com/brothers-brown/

 

Read the PhillyCheeze review for Brothers Brown’s Dusty Road album 

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/03/brothers-brown-dusty-road.html



Saturday, January 27, 2024

#657 : Danielle Nicole - The Love You Bleed (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2024 – Forty Below Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 27, 2024

Release Date : Jan. 26, 2024


Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Nearly six years have passed since Danielle Nicole released her Grammy Nominated Cry No More album.  Produced by Tony Braunagel, The Love You Bleed is Danielle’s third studio album as a solo artist.  It most certainly makes for a brilliant return and is an absolutely amazing listen from start to finish.  The songs she writes are heart-felt and filled with true grit.  They are then sung with a fearless grace.  With Danielle on vocals and bass guitar, she is joined by her husband Brandon Miller on guitars and mandolin, and Go-Go Ray on drums.  Braunagel appears on percussion, with Stevie Blacke on strings.

My heart melts from the opening words sung on “Right By Your Side”.  Danielle’s angelic vocals take top billing on this dreamy Sixties Soul-inspired song.  Arriving on an ominous hill-country blues riff, “Head Down Low” begins as a slow-cooker which Miller and Go-Go bring to a rapid, intense boil.  Danielle generously pours an added fierceness on top vocally.  Her performance of Trisha Yearwood’s “A Lover is Forever” is so stunning and her voice is so beautiful, I cannot help but think of Amy Winehouse.  “Say You’ll Stay” intrigues me as it navigates from a retro Fifties pocket of soul into an ethereal Beatles-esque realm.  It’s a very emotional song sung with a gorgeous delivery.  “Fools Gold” sinks its claws in deep with an infectious rhythm, and beat-poet lyrics.  Damon Parker adds a grand touch on synth, as Miller shines on slide guitar.  There is no escape from the soul-wrenching “Who He Thinks You Are”.  This tsunami of melancholia is a flawless gem on track for song of the year.  The record ends with a breath of hope on “Young Love on the Hill”.  Played on mandolin, the song is a sweet splash of Americana.                       

The Love You Bleed is Danielle Nicole’s best album to date and receives my highest of recommendations.  It only gets better with each listen. 

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

 

Follow the link below for other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Danielle Nicole 

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Danielle+Nicole



Saturday, January 20, 2024

#656 : GeminiiDragon - 3 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)



2024 – Lighting in a Bottle Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 20, 2024

Release Date : Feb 1, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Louisiana-based GeminiiDragon has been on a roll for the past couple of years.  She released her first two albums in 2022, both of which grabbed my attention in a most positive way.  Her third and latest album, appropriately titled 3, continues to keep me tuned-in and turned-on with eleven all-original power-blues-rock tracks.  Jessica Harper aka GeminiiDragon and guitarist Christian Simeon share writing credits on every song.  The rhythm section behind GeminiiDragon and Simeon is comprised of bassist Douglas Varnado Jr., drummer Eric Sasser and Malaysia Lewis on vibraphone.  The record also features special appearances by Chad Rupp on harmonica and TJ Wong on guitar.

An infectious opening riff on “I Wanna Know” effortlessly pulls me right in to a powerful guitar-laced anthem where the chords seem to hang in mid-air.  In an amazing way, it creates a magical wave of sound for GeminiiDragon’s vocals to surf atop.  I love how Simeon turns the energy up to eleven on the front-end of “Clowns” as he delivers a Collective Soul-friendly axe-groove.  GeminiiDragon dives into Tina Turner mode with her voice as it melds with the Simeon’s sonic tones on “Wasted Time”.  “Cherokee” draws me in with its pop-punk center and southern-rock- flavored musical snippets.  The Seventies rock foundation Simeon pours for “A Fool For You” makes for a solid as hell track.  The song momentarily takes a dip into a pocket of psychedelia and fills me with delight.  “Last Train to Thibodaux” is a track I listen to repeatedly.  Its ethereal melody brings the blues into the world of emo.  It sounds new and sounds great.

GeminiiDragon’s 3 is an album that has tremendous appeal and hits all the right notes.  I like this one a lot. 

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For more information about this artist, visit https://geminiidragon.bandcamp.com/music


This album available to purchase on Bandcamp.



Check out other PhillyCheeze review for GeminiiDragon : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Geminiidragon


Saturday, January 6, 2024

#654 : Patti Parks - Come Sing With Me (featuring Johnny Rawls) (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2024 – Vizztone Label Group

By Phillip Smith; Jan 6., 2024

Release Date : Jan. 5, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

When Patti Parks sings, her voice pulls me right in to the song.  I love to hear her sing.  Her latest album Come Sing With Me is a wonderful album of soul blues.  Muti-Blues Music Award recipient Johnny Rawls produces, arranges horns, and appears on several songs contributing his smooth vocal and guitar stylings.   With Rawls at the helm, the album surely has a vintage southern charm.  The recording also features guests Anthony Geraci on piano, and Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica.

Drummer Hugh Arther and bassist Tony Cammilleri lay down a buttery groove for Parks and Rawls’ duet “I’m in Love With You Baby”.  Topped off with a nice blast of horns, and a Steve Cropper-ish guitar performance from Aaron Flynt, the song shines bright and is perfectly fitted for an opening track.  From the opening sounds of the swirling organ played by Aaron Blackmon, I’m grooving to “Sing Around the World”.  It is a feel-good anthem I can’t help but smile to.  Flynt, along with Guy Nirelli on organ, create a sort of Stevie Ray Vaughan meets Ray Manzarek vibe for “I’m Sorry”.  Parks sings this Texas blues masterpiece with an unbridled fearlessness and she sounds terrific.  The sultry double-entendres Parks unleashes on “Hamburger Man” add spice to an already hot bowl of slow simmering blues.  I love the way the heavy bassline and Rosenblatt’s harp accompaniment fit tightly in with Flynt’s smokin’ guitar.  Parks’ voice sounds amazing on “Why”.  Her classic soul-singer approach injects a sense of timelessness into the song.  When Parks and Rawls join forces as a duet on Rawls’ “How Much Longer”, the stars are perfectly aligned.  I love the bursts of sax that pepper their smooth-as-silk performance.

Patti Parks’ Come Sing With Me featuring Johnny Rawls is a terrific album to break the new year in with.  I highly recommend giving it a listen.                  

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

 

 


Friday, December 22, 2023

#651 : Cedar County Cobras - Homesick Blues (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2023 – Cedar County Cobras

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 22, 2023

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Cedar County Cobras, a blues and roots duo from Iowa has grabbed my full attention with their new album Homesick Blues.  Comprised by Tom Spielbauer and April Dirks, the Cedar County Cobras were formed in 2014 and have logged hundreds of shows across the state and Midwest.  In 2022, Spielbauer won the Iowa Blues Challenge for solo artists, securing a spot at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee where he placed as a semi-finalist.  The duo’s songs are soaked with a pre-war blues essence and are wonderfully performed with Spielbauer on guitar and foot-drum and Dirks on mandolin and upright bass.

Dirks’ mandolin beautifully pairs with the Nashville-twang of Spielbauer’s guitar on the infectious “Country Records”.  I love the slide guitar on the rambling drinking song “Gimmie Lightnin’”.   There is a line in the song about seeing Cedell Davis at Gabe’s Oasis in Iowa City, and it hits me with a wave of jealousy with every listen.  I would have loved to be there.  When they take on Muddy Waters’ “Trouble No More”, they positively make it their own.  It is a wonderful re-engineering of the song and has a strong Delta Blues presence.  They also put a lot of love and attention into their cover of Son House’s “Walkin Blues”.  Spielbauer sets a quite ominous mood on his original “Voodoo Doll”.  This song about a witchy retribution is a magically unsettling and I love it.  My favorite track is their cover of Jessie Mae Hemphill’s “Shake it Right”.  This is North Mississippi Hill-Country Blues at its best.  Dirks on stand-up bass gives the song an extra punch to its hypnotic rhythm behind Spielbauer’s resonator guitar.

Cedar County Cobras’ Homesick Blues is a tasty dose of real-deal blues.  It is a fantastic recording through and through.                                   

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For more information about the artist, or to purchase their music, visit their website : https://cedarcountycobras.com/

 



Sunday, December 3, 2023

#648 : Sue Foley - Live in Austin Vol. 1 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2023 – Guitar Woman Records

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 3, 2023

Release Date : Oct.27, 2023

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Sue Foley’s latest release Live in Austin Vol. 1 sunk its teeth into my heart quite quickly.  The 2020 Blues Music Award recipient of the Koko Taylor Award category plays through a mix of originals and covers on her new album, produced by Mike Flanigin.  The record nicely captures the artist her home-turf with a sold-out show at Austin, Texas’ Continental Club.  With Foley on guitar and vocals, her band consists of bassist Jon Penner, drummer Corey Keller, guitarist Derek O’Brian, Angela Miller on background vocals and tambourine, and Lauren Cervantes on background vocals.

The hounds are released as Foley tears through the title track of her 2006 album “New Used Car”.  She absolutely cooks, and her performance puts me right in the zone.  The opening licks of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Howling For My Darlin’” make my ears perk up even more.  Foley’s dreamy vocals add a whole new dimension to this song as she serves up a searing-hot platter of blues guitar.  The instrumental “Hooked on Love (AKA Lucky Lou)” from her 1992 Young Girl Blues album is exquisitely performed and played with finesse.  I dig Keller’s rumba beat and how it compliments Foleys guitar mastery.  I love her stunning cover of Bob Dylan’s “Positively 4th Street”.  She keeps it fresh and does not stray far from Dylan’s vocal cadence.  Foley blows the dust off of Memphis Minnie’s 1941 classic “Me and my Chauffeur Blues” for a shindig of a blues jamboree.  For the closer, it was an unexpected treat to hear her break out a very deep cut from Cheap Trick “High Roller”.  Foley truly rocked the house on this one.

Sue Foley’s Live in Austin – Vol 1 gets a high recommendation from me.  The album kept me glued to her music from start to finish.  I just hope there is not much of a wait-time for Vol. 2 to be released.  

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Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Sue Foley -  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=sue+foley

 

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

 


Saturday, November 25, 2023

#647 : 11 Guys Quartet - 11 x 11 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


11 Guys Quartet

11 x 11

2023 – Vizztone Label Group

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 25, 2023

 

Release Date : Nov. 17, 2023

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Forming in Boston around forty years ago as 11th Hour Blues Band, guitarist Paul Lenart, bassist Bill “Coach” Mather, drummer Chuck Purro, and harmonicist Richard “Rosy” Rosenblatt played the local club and bar scene there before cutting their first album Hot Time in the City in 1985.  Now known as 11 Guys Quartet, their latest album 11 x 11 has grabbed my attention in a huge way.  This follow-up album to their critically acclaimed 2020 release Small Blues and Grooves, packs eleven original tracks into one disc for a fantastic blues listening experience. 

The record kicks in with a truck load of Lenart’s swampified guitar topped with an explosion of Rosenblatt’s blues-soaked harmonica, making “Lightning Road” a riveting instrumental opener.  The powerful juju of “Black Cat Bone” is generously received as it follows up next.  This bodacious track is indeed a favorite.  In a sort of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ fashion, 11 Guys Quartet masterfully construct an amazing anthem called “Blues Beyond Midnight”.  Lenart and Rosy dig deep as their licks are wonderfully traded back and forth.  Slathered with slide, “Possum Blues” steals my heart with its carefree and country-fried sound.

Each track on this album is an instrumental except for two songs: “Drivin’ a Fast Car” featuring Purro on vocals and “He Ain’t Got You” featuring Lenart on vocals.  “Drivin’ a Fast Car” hits the scene with the velocity of a moonshine runner barreling down the road at breakneck speed.  The band plays this tight and with an amazing finesse.  “He Ain’t Got You” is a searing new twist on the classic Jimmy Reed song "I Ain't Got You".  The intoxicating groove pulls me right in.

I enjoy every note played as 11 Guys Quartet showcase their abundant talent and collective experience.  11 x 11 surely sits among my favorite albums of the year.           

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.11guysquartet.com/


Saturday, October 14, 2023

#639: Dave Keller - It's Time to Shine (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)



2023 – Tastee Tone Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 14, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

With nearly twenty-five years of recording music under his belt, Dave Keller returned to the studios again last fall.  The studio, however, happened to be a friend’s cabin ten miles south of the US/Canadian border nestled in the Adirondacks.  It was there, Keller and his band recorded his tenth album It’s Time to Shine.  This record of all original songs brings joy to me with every listen.  His sophisticated vocals lend an extra layer of finesse to the sleek brand of feel-good soul-blues he masterminds.  With Keller up front on vocals and guitar, he is joined by Ira Friedman on keys, Jay Gleason on drums/percussion, Alex Budney on bass, Mark Earley on sax, Tom Palance on trumpet, and Annika Chambers-DesLauriers on backing vocals.

It’s Time to Shine breaks open with the infectious bassline of “Waiting for the Sunrise”.  A slight Beatles “Come Together” vibe hangs around just out of sight, as cosmic guitar sounds accent Friedman’s steady-rolling keys on this cool-as-hell song.  Keller and company deliver a tight and riveting performance on “The Truth of the Blues”.  The driving rhythm tightly pulls me right in to this wonderful track.  With a suave approach, Keller delivers a soulful, happy love song with “I Wanna Go Back to Memphis”.   Hearing him sing about walking by the river and Beale Street, makes me a little homesick since I grew up about sixty miles from the Bluff City.  Keller digs deep and conjures up his inner-Eric Clapton for “Full Measure of Pleasure”.  Vocally and sonically this song is an absolute gem. 

Keller has a sure-fire hit with It’s Time to Shine. It is a splendid listen from beginning to end with a dozen terrific songs which flow effortlessly from one to the next.                           

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

 

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Dave Keller at :  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Dave+Keller


Available from Bandcamp


Saturday, September 16, 2023

#635: EG Kight - Sticks & Strings (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


EG Kight

Sticks & Strings

2023 – Blue South

By Phillip Smith; Sep. 16, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Sticks & Strings, the latest release from EG Kight captivated me upon the first listen.  Kight’s beautifully-crafted songs are decorated with southern charm and immerse me with in wave of mesmerizing grace.  Backed with her “boys” lead guitarist Ken Wynn and drummer/percussionist Gary Porter, the ensemble also features guest bassist Sean Williams on five tracks.

For starters, Kight introduces a melodic bowlful of slow-simmered blues on “Talk to Me”.  Her vocals are lovely as ever as Porter pulls double-duty on drums and harp.  I absolutely adore her beautifully-performed cover of Gregg Allman’s “Come and Go Blues”.  With each listen of “God, Goats and Guitars”, I want to return for second helpings.  “Changes Coming Down” is a solid favorite as Kight chronicles the human condition in the ways of Earth’s seasonal cycles.  With dobro in hand, Porter plays this with a subtle finesse on slide.  The song is downright amazing.

Sticks & Stones is a breathtaking listen which one will want to revisit over and over.

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

 

 

Available on Bandcamp

 

Saturday, August 19, 2023

#629: Mario Rossi Band - Smoke Burst (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


Mario Rossi Band

Smoke Burst

2023 – Mario Rossi Band

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 19, 2023

Release Date : July 16, 2023

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Brazilian singer/songwriter/guitarist Mario Rossi discovered his deep passion for blues in 2013 while joining John Primer’s touring band across Brazil.  Since then, he has blazed a trail that has caught the eyes and ears of many fans.  Smoke Burst, his fourth and most recent album is a fantastic recording of all original tunes loaded with hot guitar licks and infectious riffs.  With Rossi on guitar and vocals, his band is comprised of Edê Boy on keyboards, Marcelo Rocha on bass, and Rafael Cacavallo on drums.

Kicking open the gates with his title-track instrumental “Smoke/Burst”, Rossi’s impressive guitar performance is a smoldering wonderment.  I love the slow goodness of “It Means Blues”.  Every note is delivered with feeling as guest Lu Vitti lends her voice to give the song an extraordinary soulful touch.  Harmonica in hand, Steve Bell (son of Carey Bell) joins the Mario Rossi Band along with a gospel choir comprised of Magally Farias, Je Farias, Lu Vitti, and Edê Boy for “There’s No Hope For Willie Brown”.  Guided with a driving second-line cadence, this spirited homage to the legendary blues pioneer embraces the music of the Mississippi Delta, down to the Big Easy.  The psychedelic blues-rock vibe is strong with “Don’t Tell Me What To Do”.  Rossi draws deeply from his Hendrix influence for a delectable cut.  This is positively lightning-in-a-bottle.  He then continues to channel that Hendrix energy for a cosmic instrumental “Jammin’ for Jimi”.  I am filled with awe with every listen.

I can’t get enough of this new album from Mario Rossi Band.  Smoke Burst is a recording I am going to highly recommend for blues fans and guitar aficionados.  It’s spectacular.    

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For more information about Mario Rossi Band visit the website at :  https://www.mariorossiband.com

Saturday, August 12, 2023

#628: Chickenbone Slim - Damn Good and Ready (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2023 – Vizztone Label Group

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 12, 2023

 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

San Diego-based musician Larry Teves aka Chickenbone Slim has returned to Greaseland Studios to record his fifth release Damn Good and Ready.  The album is a cocktail of all-original blues and rockabilly with a cool-as-hell vintage sound.   It is quite obvious why he was awarded the 2022 San Diego Music Award for “Best Jazz/Blues Recording”.  With Christoffer Kid” Anderson engineering, mixing, and mastering this twelve-track recording, Chickenbone Slim is joined by Laura Chavez (2023 Blues Music Award winner for Best Blues Guitarist) on guitar, Marty Dodson on drums/percussion, Justice Guevara on electric and stand-up bass, and Kid Anderson on everything else.

Loaded with a fistful of musical badassery and a searing blues riff, Teves’ homage to the wonderous lifeforce H2O has me hooked with “Drink Me”.  “Rather Be Up” follows up with sweet twangy tones and a western delivery.  It’s a beautiful song, and draws me in tight.  From the first smokin’ guitar lick Chavez drops, title-track “Damn Good and Ready” is pure unadulterated blues, and sounds absolutely wonderful.  With a fearless vocal delivery, Slim belts out “Ice in My Whiskey”.  Chavez truly shines on this favorite track.  It is songs like “Ty Cobb’s Chiclets” which put a spotlight on Teves’ songwriting mastery.  This suspenseful tale of a baseball legend and his false teeth unfolds with a splash of surf guitar, and I dig it immensely.

Chickenbone Slim’s Damn Good and Ready is a one-of-a-kind album and I highly recommend it. 

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Note: 

I caught Chickenbone Slim live in Memphis this past May performing at Rum Boogie Café on Beale Street for the Vizztone Blues Music Award Showcase, and had the opportunity to speak with him a bit while we were waiting for Uber rides at the end of the evening.  That was very cool.  The next evening, I attended the Blues Music Awards where Laura Chavez was awarded Guitarist of the Year.  Being the first female to be honored with that prestigious award in the forty-four years they have been held, will hopefully begin a new trend.  It was a special moment, and I am very happy she won.   

         


Visit Chickenbone Slim’s webpage at https//chickenboneslim.com to purchase Damn Good and Ready.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

#619 : Johnny Wheels and The Swamp Donkeys - Keep on Pushin' (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2022 – Lightning in a Bottle Records

By Phillip Smith; June 17, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

A magical energy abundantly flows from the latest album Keep on Pushin’ by Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys a Finalist Band in the 2020 International Blues Challenge.   The music this tight-knit ensemble cooks up is a special blend of Blues, R & B, Rock, Soul, and Funk.  With Johnny “Wheels” Kennicott taking on the frontman position on vocals and harmonica, the rest of this extraordinary band is comprised of guitarist Brandon Logan, drummer Doug Knoyle, guitarist Michael Rabe, bassist Taylor Frazier..  

I love the opening track “On the Run” with its funky little rhythm and punchy horns.  Wheels sings it smooth but keeps a slight rasp in his back pocket for when it’s needed on this briefcase full of Memphis-stye soul.  Logan adds heat to the song on guitar.  This track certainly sets the free-flowing vibe for the rest of the album.  “George Fisk” keeps the flow open wide, with a big jam-friendly convergence of dance-inducing sound.  It is wonderful.  I dig the Funkadelic “Maggot Brain”-influenced intro on “This Time”.  This blues-soaked rocker about starting over slowly turns the heat up until you can feel the sweat.  Wheels conjures up a stellar performance on a wave of sixties-style funk on “Light Me Up (Hold Me In)”.  Topped with a swinging organ and horn accompaniment, this feel-good track brings joy to me.  Lucious blasts of brass, smoldering harp, a riveting beat, and a searing guitar performance come together for the brilliant execution of “Finding your Way Back Home”.  It’s an amazing listen.  The First Lady of Portland Blues LaRhonda Steele joins the band on vocals for a soulful, blues-soaked closer “Time to Bail (Keep on Pushin’).  This heart-felt tune about moving forward is an open letter of encouragement.    

Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys land in the same category as two of my favorite artists, Ghost Town Blues Band, and John Nemeth.  Currently in heavy-rotation for my listening pleasure, Keep on Pushin’ is a splendid record from beginning to end.                     

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TRACK LISTINGS

 

1. On the Run

2. George Fisk

3. This Time

4. As Long as You’re Here

5. Light Me Up (Hold Me In)

6.The Fall

7. Finding Your Way Back Home

8. Mizz Karman

9. Time to Bail (Keep on Pushin’)

 

For more information about Johnny Wheels and The Swamp Donkeys visit their website at :  https://johnnywheelsband.com/

 

Saturday, June 10, 2023

#618 : Leonard "Lowdown" Brown - Blues is Calling Me (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 


2023 – Music Maker Foundation

By Phillip Smith; June 10, 2023

Release Date : June 23, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Born in Arkansas and raised in Indiana, Leonard “Lowdown” Brown has been surrounded by music most of his life.  In 1980 he moved to Houston, Texas for his work with General Electric and became in involved in the local music scene.  In 1988, he acquired his moniker “Lowdown” from the organizers of the Benson and Hedges Blues Festival, and the name has stuck with him since.  He has opened for music-greats Sister Sledge, ZZ Hill, Johnny Taylor and Bobby Bland.  At seventy years old, Brown is just now releasing his debut album Blues is Calling Me.  It is a soulful ten-track serving of original blues.  With Brown on vocals and Fender Jazzmaster guitar, his backing band is comprised of producer/drummer Ardie Dean, guitarist Microwave Dave Galaher, bassist Tony Grady and Dan Hochter on keys and bass.

With a hint of rasp in his voice, Brown gets the record started with a sweet and tangy platter of real-deal blues in “Juke Joint”.  I love the tone he coaxes out of his guitar as he sings about good times, dancing, and eating barbeque.  Baptized in Memphis soul, “Find a Bridge” follows next.  I find this response to Hurricane Katrina very relatable and inspiring.  Brown takes me to church with “Blues Makes Me Feel Good”.  This instant classic features warm soulful vocals, lush organ sounds, and a guitar performance played with finesse.  Delivered atop a tasty funky rhythm alongside a cool horn accompaniment, title-track “Blues is Calling Me” bears a thick Stax influence.  It is undoubtedly a splendid number.

Blues is Calling Me has a classic sound akin to the music released during the blues revival of the Sixties, and I absolutely dig it.  It is artists like Leonard “Lowdown” Brown that are keeping this music alive. 

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For more information about Leonard “Lowdown” Brown visit :  https://musicmaker.org/artist/leonard-lowdown-brown

 

 

*          Special thanks go out to Music Maker Foundation for their work in helping blues musicians who otherwise may not have an opportunity to get their music heard.