For blues served sizzling hot, check out the latest
release from the Ross Osteen Band called Williwaw.This album packs
quite a wallop.Osteen not only deliver
the goods on guitar and slide, but his vocals has that Robert Plant range
and sounds magnificent.The band also
consists of drummer Patrick Gaynor, and bassist Jim Vint.Together, this trio is an absolute force to
be reckoned with.
Their cover of Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy” delightfully
kicks off the album.From this point on,
I knew I was in for some serious blues.“Little
Rooster”, performed with the fearless attitude of George Thorogood, is
another song that cooks. It’s the real deal indeed.“Broom” is spectacular too.If I didn’t know better, I would think I was
listening to Led Zeppelin.Osteen’s
rock-star vocals take charge as he pours out some of the best slide guitar you’ll
hear. The Phish fan in me loves
the closing instrumental, “Jellyfish Jam”.Its hypnotic rhythm and playful attitude draw me right in.It is definitely one for the jam band enthusiasts
to explore.
Williwaw certainly
makes my list of favorites for the year so far.
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For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. www.rossosteen.com
Take a listen to the
album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special
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Be Love, the latest album from Alexis P. Suter Band
is one hot record.Suter, who
carved out her career in New York, opening for The Levon Helm Band and B.B.
King, knocks another recording out of the park with her powerful and
soulful voice. Her band consists of Michael Louis (guitar,vocals,bass), Vicki
Bell (vocals), and Ray Grappone (drums).
Suter pines for her loved one as she pours a smooth
layer of deep Sixties soul on ballad “Lips Hips and Fingertips”. The song has a warm nostalgic essence about it.
A revving rhythm topped with some
bodacious slide guitar brings some fast-paced blues to ”Little Back Rider”. It really hits the spot.I love the hip-swinging blues of “Sway”.This funk-filled line dance number is an
absolute favorite. I love the slow groove
and cosmic atmosphere of “Dog Eat Dog”.There’s
a definite George Clinton/Eddie Hazel influence on the front end. When it come to the title track, “Be Love”, there’s
a lot of energy flowing through. This is
a sure-fire blues-rocker that begs to be heard loud. Filled with horns, keys, and searing guitar, the
song jams indeed.
Be
Love, from the Alexis P Suter Band is a hit in my
book.
For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. www.
Take a listen to the
album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special
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This week, I had the honor of getting a sneak
preview of the new and upcoming Ghost Town Blues Band
album, tentatively titled Shine. After hearing just a few of the songs, I am very eager
to hear the album in its entirety once it is released.“Shine”, which appeared on their live album Backstage Pass last year, now has a
studio version.I’m delighted the way
this song embraces the Memphis sound as it does. GTBB injects the spirit of the Allman
Brothers into new tracks “Lying To Yourself Gypsy Queen”, and “Running Out
of Time”. They wonderfully sit in that Muscle
Shoals pocket. There’s an inescapable
groove on “High Again” that takes a hold of me. This one will definitely be a
fan-favorite.“Dirty”, a very cool track,
filled with psychedelic Clapton-esque guitar licks, and funky fueled rap
from Suavo, is another treat indeed. I'm liking what I 've heard and have a feeling this album is going
to be spectacular.
For more information about the artist, visit this
website: www.ghosttownbluesband.com
It’s been a couple of years since Sam Price, bass
player for Honey Island Swamp Band, has released an album with the True
Believers.So, the time has come for
a new one.His latest album, Dragonfly, is a superb follow-up to its predecessor.It’s a delicious blend of blues, jazz and
funk simmered in kettle of soul.Produced by Papa Mali and written by Price, it’s such a
laid-back listen, I just love it. TheTrue Believers is comprised of drummer Ethan Shorter, vocalist Whitney
Alouisious, guitarist Alex Mallet, keyboardist Phil Breen,
and percussionist Conga Mike, as Price drives the bus on bass and
vocals.
“I’ll Meet You There”, with its charming southern
soul, delightfully kicks off the album.I
dig the short instrumental “Stand Up”.With
Breen behind the keys, and Conga Mike’s groovy beats keeping everything
aligned, Price fills out the funk-filled rhythm with his buttery bass.The title-track, “Dragonfly”, is a soothing, rich
and amazing listen. The accompanying
percussion from Michael Skinkus is remarkable. Guitarist Todd Duke, trumpeter Gregory
Davis, and Andriu Vanovski on electric piano, join the band for “Old
Jim Crow” a socially-conscious New Orleans-style blues track which is plumb great.
From dreamy to funkified, the songs of Sam Price
and the True Believers run the gambit of southern Americana, and makes a striking
impression.Dragonfly is indeed a superb listen.
---
Take a listen to the
album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special
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The new disc, Drop
the Hammer from Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith & the House Bumpers has
really caught my attention.The son of
the late great Grammy Award-winning bluesman Willie “Big Eyes” Smith,
Kenny grew up in the same Chicago house Muddy Waters once lived. With
this new album Smith reserves a few songs to pay homage to traditional
blues.Then he steps out of the box and
creates his own universe of sound as he explores the boundaries of contemporary
blues.Smith steers this ship
from in-front of the mic and behind the drums.The rest of his cutting-edge ensemble, The House Bumpers consists
of Billy Flynn and Ari Seder on guitar, Omar Coleman on
harmonica, Felton Crews on bass, and Luca Chiellini on piano. Smith also enlists heavy-hitters Greg
Guy (son of Buddy Guy), Sugar Blue, Greg Guy, and Nelson
Strange, along with vocalists Kimberly Johnson,Dana Gordon, and
Andrea Miologos.
“Head Pounder” kicks the album off with a slow-burning,
multi-layered North Mississippi-esque rhythm.It’s laced with blasts of harp, slide guitar, and the unique sound of sitar
courtesy of Flynn. Smith’s
children, Mae, Clara, and Teddy contribute accompanying
vocals to “Hey Daddy”, a happy and heartwarming original about parenthood.Kenny drops a payload of deliciously-deep
psychedelic funk on title-track “Drop the Hammer”.The groove is so powerful, its hard to escape
its gravitational force.I also get immersed
in the funky trance blues Smith and Guy create in “What in the
World” with Seder, Crews and Chellini.I love the way “Puppet on a String” opens from
the kit. This is another one that absolutely
cooks, in a vintage Elvis “A Little Less Conversation” kind of way.The enticing groove on “One Big Frown” sizzles
with Strange on guitar. Johnson’s
powerful and soulfulvocals take command.
Kenny Smith has certainly created a noteworthy album
with Drop the Hammer.It is one hundred percent fresh and baptized in
the blues.
Even though B.B. King has been gone for four
years now, his spirit and legacy lives on.His band of over 35 years The BB King Blues Band, with the
support of several guest artists have created a wonderful blues album The Soul of the King.The band is comprised of lead vocalist/bassist
Russell Jackson, guitarist Wilbert Crosby, drummers Brandon Jackson
and Herman Jackson, trumpeters James Boogaloo Bolden and Lamar
Boulet, lead saxophonist Eric Demmer, saxophonist Walter King,
keyboardist Darrell Lavigne, and trombonist Raymond Harris.
The energy of the big band is exquisitely captured on
“Irene Irene”, an original tune featuring the great Kenny Wayne Shepherd on
guitar. This smoking blues track is
heavily steeped in the B.B. King sound. Hearing Mary Griffin and Taj Mahal
pair up for a duet on “Paying the Cost to be the Boss” is indeed a special treat.
Joe Louis Walker makes an
appearance to perform his song “Regal Blues (A Tribute to the King)”, making
sure to throw in a sweet guitar solo. For
the grand finale, the band delivers B.B.’s signature song “The Thrill is Gone”
with Michael Lee on lead vocals. Lee,
from Season 15 of The Voice, absolutely does this one right.Other special guests on the album include, Kenny
Neal, Diunna Greenleaf, and John Del Toro Richardson.
Soul
of the King is an absolute gem and I highly recommend it for all
blues fans.
---
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I was happy as a lark to see Ghost Town Blues
Band return to the region on their latest Canada/Midwest tour.They truly are one of my favorite bands.Presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues
Society, and hosted by the Moline Viking Club, the show featured two
bodacious sets of riveting high-energy blues.Fronted by Matt Isbell on lead vocals and guitars, Ghost Town
Blues band is also comprised of lead guitarist Taylor Orr, bassist Matt
Karner, drummer Andrew McNeil, organist/keyboardist Cedric Taylor,
and trombonist Suavo Jones.
As soon as the band kicked the first set into gear
with “Hate to See Her Go”, and “Memphis Blues”, I knew it was going to be a
sensational show.They broke out “Dust the
Dust” and ”Big Shirley” too, the latter of which sweetly rolled right into Led
Zepplin’s “Rock and Roll”. I loved
the funky two-fer including “Shine” and "Givin’ It All Away” from their latest
album, Backstage Pass.Suavo belted out such a tremendous
solo on trombone.It was absolutely amazing.Isbell pulled out his one-of-a-kind
cigar box guitar he made out of his late grandmother’s silver drawer for an enthralling
performance of “Road Still Drives the Same”.
With a Bourbon Street-style entrance, horns and
drums in hand, the band marched back into the venue for the second set playing “When
the Saints Go Marching In”.That was so
fun to watch.They played “Memphis Train”
and “Tip of My Hat” soon after.When
they broke into the Beatles’ “Come Together” though, it was quite magical. Like sword-wielding knights, Suavo and Isbell
squared off. While Suavo extended
the outer slide tube of his trombone skyward, Isbell held his cigar box
high in the air, nailing every note as the guitar neck maneuvered about the trombone
as a slide.It’s such a unique and
amazing feat to witness. Afterward, Orr
gave a smokin’ guitar solo on “One More Whiskey”, then the band wrapped up with
a spectacular extended jam on “Whipping Post”. It was such a wonderful evening of music, I can’t
wait to see them again.
Coyote
Kings, that fiery blues band from Wala Wala, Washington which
I’ve been reviewing since 2011, is back once again with yet another rockin’
album of blues. The album is called Rocket, and it happens to be the Coyote
Kings first on Tim Langford’s (Too Slim & the Taildraggers)
music label Underword Records. This
is also their first album featuring their new singer, Tiphony Dames whorecorded her debut self-titled album with the band in 2017.Led by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Robin
Barrett, Coyote Kings is also comprised of bassist Kit Kuhlmann
and drummer Gordon Townsend.
“Drive Me”, with its bluesy beatnik vibe scores huge,
blending searing guitar licks from Barrett and Diego Romero with a
fierce accompaniment from Nate Miller on sax.Dame’s vocals are smooth as silk, and
sound great.Things get heavy with “Break
Free” as Barrett throws down a riff that’s infectious and yet psychedelically
ominous. Miller shreds the sax
again, as Barrett unleashes the funk in “All Tangled Up”.The mood softens when Dame sings “Baby’s
Gone”, a heartbreaking lament of lost love.Her vocals really shine here.The
album comes to a close with a beautiful five-minute instrumental called “Song
For Shaman”, featuring guest bassist Kelin Kreider. The track is absolutely
stunning.
Rocket, the sixth album from the Coyote Kings is a positive
step in a new direction for the band, and I look forward to hearing more from
them with Tiphony.
---
For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. coyotekings.com Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.
I’ve been a fan of Nick Schnebelen since
reviewing Trampled Under Foot’s 2011 release Wrong Side of the Blues for Blues Revue Magazine’s online
zine BluesWax.I remember being in such awe of great
talent when I saw the band perform live at Riverside Casino in 2012.Schnebelen’sLive in Kansas City album, released in 2017, was outstanding, and this
brand-new record Crazy All By Myself
is absolutely terrific.Producer/drummer
Tony Braunagel (Taj Mahal, Robert Cray), along with heavy hitters, organist/pianist
Mike Finnigan and bassist Hutch Hutchinson form one hell of a
rhythm section.
I love the groove Braunagel and bassist Reggie
McBride pour over “It Ain’t Me”. Smooth and intoxicating, it washes over me,
like a fine bourbon. Hearing Schnebelen
let loose on guitar is pure joy.Finnigan
absolutely cooks on piano for “Ain’t Got Time For the Blues”.The song is a massive dose of adrenalized blues
with more stellar guitar from Nick. Another song that grabs my full attention is “Alter
of Love” which happens to feature one my favorite harp players, Jason Ricci.This is one positively fabulous.
Schnebelen breaks
out some wonderfully delicious slide guitar as he expresses his fondness for Harley
Davidsons in the double-entendre loaded bike song “I’m a Fat Boy”.With “Soul Magic”, the lovely Heather
Newman appears on backing vocals, as Nick reveals his prowess as an
R&B singer. “Holding On”, beautifully
performed and featuring the great Davy Knowles on guitar, is another
favorite.
Focused and fierce, Schnebelen has taken his
music up another notch. Crazy All By
Myself is definitely a record for blues fans to take notice of.
---
For more information about the artist, visit the website : www.nickschnebelenkc.com .
Take a listen to the album
on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special
link. This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.
Click on the link below to
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There’s a certain essence to the music of Billy
Hector.He writes great songs, his
guitar performances rock the house, and his voice is made for the blues.I love his work.This New Jersey blues artisthas topped
himself once again with his latest album, Some
Day Baby. It’s not just the blues which
Hector is a master of, but the man also knows his way around funk and
soul in a tremendous way as well.
Once I hear the horns regally lead “Wizard of Babylon”
in on the first track, I know I’m in store for a delightful listen. Hector’s guitar sizzles as the groove
kicks in. With Winston Royce on
bass guitar, and Val Romaine on drums, title track “Some Day Baby” is absolutely
fabulous.It’s magnificently punched up
with horn accompaniment from Tom Labella and John Martin, and magically
charged with an energy much akin to that of the Red Hot Chili Peppers taking
on Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”.Another favorite is the George Clinton-esque, funk-infused “Butt
Naked and Funk”.Bassist Erik Boyd
and drummer Rich Monica pair up for the rhythm section on this wonderful
jam. There’s an unavoidable intoxicating
rhythm which draws me into “Creeper”.The deep tones in Hector’s vocals are superb as he sings this
song of infidelity, which by the way is enjoyably topped off with keys from John
Ginty. The way Hector transforms "Moonlight in Her Eyes" from a rolling blues tune to a Beatles-like orchestrated number is pure genius.
Hector
quite nicely takes on a couple of traditional tunes with “On Your Bond”, originally
released by Blind Willie Johnson in 1930 , and “Alabama Bound”.“Whisky”, a dark and brilliant tune dances
atop a menacing atmosphere created by David Nunez on keys and drummer Larry
Crockett. Hector plays this
with an emotional bravado. The album comes to a lively close with “Road to
Happiness”, a soulful duet with his wife and co-producer Suzan Lastovica.
Some
Day Baby, a terrific album from start to finish, is definitely
an addition to my favorites of 2018.
---
For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. www.billyhector.com
Take a listen to the album
on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special
link. This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.
Click on the link below to
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The first time I saw Anthony Gomes, the year
was 2012, and he was opening up for the legendary B.B. King at the
Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids.The
sheer exuberance in his performance and mastery of guitar grabbed my full
attention.Saturday, March 2nd,
he gave a stellar performance at the Redstone Room in Davenport, Iowa. With Gomes on guitar and lead vocals,
he was joined on stage by bassist Sean Holland and drummer Jeremy
Howard.
From
the git-go he rocked out with “Nasty Good”, and “Your Mama Wants to do Me (and
Your Daddy Wants to do Me In)”, from his latest album Peace Love & Loud Guitars, an album which was a PhillyCheezeBlues
blog pick of the week in January. He also
tore it up on his ode to Crown Royal with “Purple Whiskey Sack” from his
2006 album, Long Way Home.
His
cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” was outstanding.Gomes was totally in his element, as he
let loose on this one.I was glad to
hear “White Trash Princess”.It’s one of
my favorites on the new album, as is the title track “Peace, Love, and Loud
Guitars”.“Blues in the First Degree” also made the cut,
and it sounded great.It was such a joy
to hear him play the new material.
For
the encore, Gomes brought the show to close, splendidly ripping it up on
his stately homage to the King of the Blues, with “Come Down”. It was magnificent, as was the show.I can’t wait to see him perform again.
The
Music Maker Relief Foundation, whose mission is “to preserve the musical traditions of the South
by directly supporting the musicians who make it, ensuring their voices will not
be silenced by poverty and time”, is issuing a new book and CD package
called Blue Muse to celebrate their twenty-fifth
year.According to their website,
musicmaker.org, this organization, founded by Timothy and Denise
Duffy, has helped with over 12,000 grants, and has supported 435 artists.Blue
Muse contains twenty-one tracks of southern blues and roots music from various
artists. It features recordings made from
the nineties up to the present day, with tracks contributed by both Taj
Mahal who beautifully performs “Spike Driver Blues” and Eric Clapton
who joins with Timothy Duffy for a sweet instrumental cover of Willie
Brown’s “Mississippi Blues”.
Eddie
Tigner who played many years with the Ink Spots and
was at one time the lead of Elmore James’ house band, tears it up on
piano with his performance of “Route 66”. When Alabama Slim kicks off “I
Got the Blues”, it puts a big smile on my face.His hypnotic guitar stylings pull me deep into the song.The soulful deep-cutting vocals of Robert
Finley marvelously sing out on “Age Don’t Mean a Thing”.With Jimbo Mathus on guitar and Al
Gamble on keys, this is southern soul at its best. Former Carolina Chocolate Drop co-founder
Dom Flemons breaks out his harmonica and sings “Polly Put the Kettle On”.Ben Hunter appears on fiddle and Guy
Davis on guitar, making this traditional song also covered by the blues-great
Sonny Boy Williamson, a delightful listen.
One can feel the blues in the voice of the late great
Piedmont Blues artist Algia Mae Hinton, who passed in February of 2018, as
she delivers “Snap Your Fingers”.Guitar
Gabriel’s “Landlord Blues” oozes with authenticity. ‘The Blues Doctor’ Drink Small from
Columbia, South Carolina wonderfully sings and picks “Widow Woman”, a melancholy
and reflective piece paying homage to those who have lost their husbands.
This collection also contains “I am the Lightning”
from one my recent favorites, Willie Farmer whose latest album, The Man From the Hill was reviewed on my
blog last month. This is such cool song.I was also happy to see Ironing
Board Sam’s “Loose Diamonds” appear on this album too. His CD, Super
Spirit, which this track is from, was one of my memorable finds in 2018
while visiting one of my favorite stores on the planet, Cat Head Delta Blues
& Folk Art in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Available by March 28th, 2019 , Blue Museis also paired with a
powerful 152 page companion book titled Blue
Muse: Timothy Duffy’s Southern Photographs, published in association with
the New Orleans Museum of Art, and loaded with tintype photos taken by Duffy
of musicians representing American roots music.For more information or to purchase this set, visit musicmaker.org .
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Track list:
La Collegiale – The Grotto Sessions (Guitar Gabriel, Ironing Board Sam, Etta Baker, Captain Luke, Alabama Slim, Neal Pattman)
