PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Andrè Bisson - Left With the Blues

2015 –Andre’ Bisson

By Phillip Smith; Sep 26, 2015

There’s something magical about the multi-talented Andrè Bisson and his latest release, Left With the Blues. The band, made up of vocalist/guitarist/pianist Bisson, saxophonist Bill Holinaty, trumpeter Loretta Hale, bassist Kevin Beeby, and drummer Glenn Paul, is one extremely tight group of musicians with a keen flair for blending blues with soul, funk, and gospel. Bisson’s songwriting talent shines on this magnificent album.

Bisson’s vocals drip with emotion as he sings the title track, “Left with the Blues”. He reminds me so much of Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) on this one. This slow heartfelt song sounds spectacular accented with the horns. Bisson gives a flawless performance on his cover of Tommy McClennan’s beloved blues standard “Crosscut Saw”. It’s a treat to hear the very talented blues harp player Jerome Godboo sit in on “Deepest Kind of Mean”. When I hear him play, it leaves no doubt why he won Best Harmonica Player at the International Blues Challenge in 2014. This bluesy melodious treat is indeed a favorite.

Left With the Blues closes with “Brand New Day”, a joyous and spirited song fit for a revival. This one has such a big and full sound, it brings a smile to my face. The entire album is an outstanding listen.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Black Oak Arkansas Live at Eronel : Sep. 12, 2015

Dubuque, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Sep 13, 2015

Electricity came to Dubuque, Iowa last night in the semblance of Black Oak Arkansas. Founding members, front man Jim “Dandy” Mangrum and guitarist Rickie Lee Reynolds joined by fellow band mates, drummer Johnnie Bolin, guitarist Arthur Pearson, bassist George Hughen, and backing vocalist Samantha Barnes, played their asses off in harum-scarum fashion to a crowd of dedicated fans who continue to keep the faith. The venue, Eronel, is located in the basement of the historic Cooper Wagon Works Building. Originally constructed in 1895, its stone walls and arched passage ways reminded me a little bit of images I’ve seen of the Cavern Club in Liverpool. This made for a very cool intimate setting for the show.

When Jim Dandy took the stage, donning his signature black leather, patch-adorned vest atop a cool as hell black tank with a silver skull emblazed on the front, there was no doubt this was going to be a fantastic show. I could feel the energy heighten as BOA broke into “Plugged in and Wired” off their newer album, Back Thar N’ Over Yonder. This one really got the adrenalin flowing. It was so good to hear “Hot Rod”, a favorite filled with double entendres and peppered with Jim’s maniacal laughter. I also grinned from ear to ear as they played old favorites, “Uncle Elijah”, “High ‘n’ Dry”, “Happy Hooker” and “Hot and Nasty”. The later in which Jim Dandy pulled out the washboard. But when they played “Lord Have Mercy on My Soul (Halls of Karma)”, chills shot down my spine. It is a phenomenal song and was a definite crowd pleaser.

Prior to performing “Heartbreaker”, Jim spoke a few touching words about a certain ‘spitfire redhead’ who died 20 years ago and sang this one in honor of Miss Ruby Starr. The band also paid tribute to Johnnie Bolin’s brother Tommy Bolin with a beautifully played “Post Toastee”.

Saving “Jim Dandy” for last was pretty much a given. Most everyone was singing along as the show sadly came to a close. Every time I see this band, I feel lifted and energized. They surely are a band I will try to catch live every time I get a chance.

* All Photos by Phillip Smith

Jim "Dandy" Mangrum

Rickie Lee Reynolds

Rickie Lee Reynolds, Jim "Dandy" Mangrum

Samantha Barnes

George Hughen, Jim "Dandy" Mangrum, Arthur Pearson

Rickie Lee Reynolds

Johnnie Bolin

Black Oak Arkansas

Jim "Dandy" Mangrum

Samantha Barnes, Jim "Dandy" Mangrum

George Hughen

Johnnie Bolin

Johnnie Bolin, Samantha Barnes

George Hughen

Jim "Dandy" Mangrum

George Hughen, Arthur Pearson

Rickie Lee Reynolds

Jim "Dandy" Mangrum

John Ginty- No Filter

2015 –American Showplace Music

By Phillip Smith; Sep 19, 2015

Not only is John Ginty an amazing keyboardist, he surrounds himself with amazing talent and continues to release the most outstanding music I’ve heard. Ginty returns to Showplace Studios in Dover, NJ with guitarist Mike Buckman, bass player Paul Kuzik, and drummers, Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics to record his latest masterpiece of all original songs, No Filter.

The album begins and ends with the funky and very soulful “Fredo”, taking its name from the character Frederico "Fredo" Corleone from Mario Puzo’s Godfather. The first time we hear the song, it is an instrumental, but when we hear the remix at the end, it takes on a whole new personality. The one and only Redman throws down rhymes of his own mastery infusing a hip-hop vibe into this wonderful track about backstabbers and losers.

“Old Shoes”, featuring the magnificent contralto voice of Alexis P. Suter and swampy guitar from Jimmy Bennett, is wonderfully bluesy. Suter belts this song out with attitude and conviction. Cara Kelly takes the mic on the colossal R&B track “Battlegrounds”. Ginty tosses everything he’s got into his performance, bombarding the soul on every level. While on the topic of ‘soul’, Ginty commandeers the bus and drives us to his chapel for a “Rock ‘n Roll Sunday”. I love the sound of the B3 on this poppy and spirited track sung by Paul Gerdts. Now this is my kind of church music. Amen!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

The Ravines - Everything’s Fine

2015 –The Ravines

By Phillip Smith; Sep 12, 2015

Everything’s Fine, the second album from UK Power pop band The Ravines, is a cool refreshing musical treat. Lead vocalist/guitarist Chris Corney and drummer James Crossley are the brains behind the band, which also features bassist Andy Hawkins, and backing vocalist Susanna Benn.

The first of the ten songs to greet the listener is title track “Everything’s Fine”, and what a great way to be greeted. Corney dishes out no-nonsense rock with a catchy melody in this love song for slackers in a fashion reminiscent of Nick Lowe or The Bodeans. “Daydream” rolls out like a new-wave pop song from the Eighties. Complete with the obligatory hand claps that made its way onto many a record of the day; this would have been a perfect addition to the soundtrack for John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club.

“Indigo” takes a direction of its own, to a slightly darker place. So very much reminiscent of the music of REM before they broke, this song is so rich and full of texture. It’s certainly a favorite. The Ravines save the lovely “Queen Bee” to bid farewell to the listener. This one is beautifully written and celestially performed.

Everything’s Fine has unique sense of unexpected familiarity that presents itself upon the first listen. Although the music is fresh and new, when I hear this album, I feel like I am listening to an old favorite.

for more info on the Ravines, visit their website : http://www.theravines.co.uk/

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Bryce Janey - Delta Road

2015 –Grooveyard Records

By Phillip Smith; Sep 5, 2015

I’m engrossed with the latest album from Bryce Janey, Delta Road. This outstanding collection of bodacious guitar blues is jam-packed with exceptional songs and great musicianship. Bassist Dan Johnson and drummer Eric Douglas both return to back Janey once again in the studio, keeping that signature sound intact.

Right from the beginning, Janey delivers the goods. “Keep Marchin’ On” takes the listener on a musical journey. A funky rhythm and a dab of psychedelic undertones enhance the phenomenal guitar jams he lays down. This track is surely at the top of my list of favorites. While singing about the strong kinship between himself and his instrument, Janey lays down a catchy smooth bluesy groove in “This Old Guitar”. This is a great platform to launch some really nice, attention-grabbing guitar licks.

Don’t let the song title “Same Old Thing” fool you. The song is anything but that. Once the ignition key is turned, the funk is released and Janey steers the song skyward. The sound he conjures out of his guitar is simply amazing. Janey digs in deep with lots of tasty slide on title track, “Delta Road”, a rich and swampy homage to The King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson. I love the harmonica bursts provided by Peter Welsh. While on the subject of Robert Johnson, I have to mention the stripped-down rendition of Johnson’s classic tune, “Hellhound on My Trail” which Janey closes the album with. This one is clearly remarkable.

Delta Road keeps the groove moving from beginning to end, and in my humble opinion is Bryce Janey’s best work yet.

Friday, August 28, 2015

Craig Erickson - Sky Train Galaxy

2015 –Grooveyard Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 28, 2015

Sky Train Galaxy, the latest offering from the intergalactic guitar virtuoso Craig Erickson, is a tasty psychedelic brew of rock and blues.

Erickson hits the ground running with “The Comeback”, a driving blues-infused southern-style rocker about pushing setbacks aside and moving forward in life. With John Hall’s monstrous bassline and Tim King’s thunderous drumming holding down the fort, Erickson breaks out a full-on assault on guitar, laying down exquisite riffs and killer licks. This is how you open an album.

I like the vocal harmony between Erickson and Alicia Strong on “Mercy”, a funky rocking track with a big sound and a catchy melody. This is one I often want to turn the volume up on, because it’s so full of energy. Then there is “Morning Glory”, a wonderfully beautiful instrumental. I can’t help but think of the ascended blues guitar master Stevie Ray Vaughan when this one plays.

There’s only one cover song on the album, and it’s Deep Purple’s “Getting’ Tighter/Ode to T”. Erickson does not disappoint at all. This one is fantastic and brings me pure joy to hear. I could listen to this track all day. Troy Harper does a phenomenal job handling the drums on this one.

A catchy hook and southern-style slide set the mood for standout track, “Mojo in Memphis”. Erickson sings about one of my favorite places on the planet, and makes me homesick in the process. The dual guitar sounds so good and draws my full attention. For the last track, Erickson throws in an acoustic version of this song. Swampy and soulfully gooey as molasses, this makes me think immediately of the late, great bluesman R.L. Burnside. It’s quite wonderful.

What I like about Erickson, is how he constantly seems to stretch the boundaries of where his music goes. I like the unpredictability in his songs. Sky Train Galaxy is yet another testament to that fascinating quality. This album comes highly recommended.

For more info on Craig Erickson, visit his website :

http://craig-erickson.com/