#713 > Ben Levin Presents A Holiday Blues Revue (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Vizztone Label Group
 
By Phillip Smith; Nov. 2, 2024
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
 

Christmastime is coming up soon, and for those in search for new holiday music, I’m going to have to recommend “Ben Levin Presents a Holiday Blues Revue”. This album plays like a timeless classic. Levin, a Blues Music Award nominee for Best Piano Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and nominated for Best Emerging Artist Album in 2020, brings in big-name guests Lil’ Jimmy Reed, Candice Ivory, Lil’ Ed, and Sonny Hill for this record. Also appearing on the album is his father Aron Levin on guitar, Takuto Asano on guitar, Joe Polen on saxophone, Eli Gonzales on saxophone, Walter Cash Jr. on bass, Jim Anderson on bass Chris Douglas on bass, Cole Baker on drums, Art Gore on drums, Ricky Nye on drums, and Oscar Bernal on drums. This Revue consists of a marvelous mix of ten seasonal tracks, eight of which are original songs.

“Candy Cane”, featuring Lil’ Ed on guitar and vocals, leads the record off with deluxe serving of Chicago blues. Listening to Ed and Levin join forces is indeed a riveting treat. I adore how Levin suavely delivers the 1961 Charles Brown song “It’s Christmas Time”. There’s a certain retro-feel to this memorable song which taps into my soul. Candice Ivory appears with Levin for the duet “Christmas Mood”. With the addition of Asano on guitar, they walk the line between blues and jazz. The jump blues of “Forgot Mrs. Claus” pulls me in tight for another wonderful track featuring Asano on guitar. I love Levin’s cover of Vince Guaraldi’s instrumental “Skating”. This one sure takes me back to the care-free days of my youth. Animated images of the Peanuts gang skating on a pond gush from my memories with every listen. It’s so very fitting to represent the Blues on Christmas with a “Lump of Coal” from Santa. Soaked in a barrel of deep blues, this song features Lil’ Jimmy Reed on guitar and vocals for an outstanding performance.

Ben Levin Presents A Holiday Blues Revue is a beautifully-crafted seasonal album which I could listen to anytime of the year.

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#475 : Hamilton Loomis - This Season

 

2020 – Ham-Bone Records

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 5, 2020

Hamilton Loomis’ 2012 DVD Live at the Hub was the first and one of the few DVDs I have ever reviewed.  This was for Blues Revue Magazine’s online zine called Blues Wax. I remember being so impressed with his music.  Then in 2018, I reviewed his Basics album.  Again, his music made a big impression.  With This Season, his ninth release, Loomis fulfills his dream of doing a Christmas album, and I’m enjoying it tremendously.  Joining Loomis in the studio for the making of this ten-track holiday album is bassist Mike Meade and drummer Brannon McLeod.

Loomis brings five original songs to the table on this album, each with a fresh bluesy imprint.  Loomis sings of faith, hope, and healing as he opens with the title track “This Season”.  As a native of Galveston, Texas, Loomis certainly has a different perspective when it comes to Christmas time.  “Another South TX Christmas” is a boat-load of fun served in a Texas blues fashion.  There’s a cool and hip vibe to Loomis and the music he creates.  Capturing that character of him so brilliantly is the song “Underneath the Tree” with its swinging rhythm.

I love the mellow, relaxed funk he splashes on the blues-soaked “Lay Around and Love”.  With piano and harmonica accompaniment, this cover of Lari White’s 1993 single is one of my favorites.  He poignantly ends the record with an absolutely beautiful performance of “Oh Holy Night”. 

Hamilton Loomis brings contemporary Christmas albums to a new level.  It’s a record I can listen to anytime.   

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

 

 

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