Quest Records artist: Dalannah Gail Bowen - Them Menz - New Release review

I just received a copy of the newest release, Them Menz, by Dalannah Gail Bowen. The release opens with a swinging blues track, the title track, Them Menz. A force in the Canadian Canadian music scene this track moves and hot guitar riffs by Harris Van Berkel are hot. Loved By That Woman has a bit of a Latin rhythm fed by Chris Nordquist on drums and Jim Salmon on percussion.Vocal harmonies on this track are particularly interesting. Timin' comes off with a light funk and Bowen uses a natural sense of syncopation to add that special something. Michael Creber plays tight piano lead on this track and Steve Dawson lays down some cool guitar riffs. You're Not There brings it down and smokey with (listen hard) Pink Floyd/Hiwatt like guitar intro. Bowen belts out a ballad and ethereal guitar riffs by Dawson swirl around cool drum rhythms and the best track on the release. Who's Foolin' Who is an uptempo track and a lot more of an airplay hoo. Backing vocals are prominent and Nordquist and Creber trade off the spot light with Dawson who plays some smooth slide riffs. Just For Today, has a early R&B sound which is really quite effective. This driving transitional track has a nice swing to it and David Say adds his sax mastery to the mix. Just Don't Like The Deal is a cool neo soul track. Van Berkel rips off a pretty cool guitar solo on this track and Creber adds some Hammond work that makes the mix all that more tasty. This is an interesting recording for someone looking for a little funk, a little blues, a little R&B and a little soul. It's very enjoyable to listen to and guitar guys like be have a few cool riffs to latch on to.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Could not find a video from the new CD but this is recent work.

The SOME X 6 Band - The Hoodoo Shake - New Release Review

I've had the opportunity to listen to the newest effort, The Hoodoo Shake by The SOME X 6 Band. This Vancouver based band is made up of Brad Curtis on vocal and bass, Bart Dwyer on guitar and Gordon Cole on guitar. The 14 track release opens with the title track, The Hoodoo Shake, which has a straight up blues rock feel and ethereal slide work behind the vocals. Hey Stranger, another blues rock track has a pretty good hook for potential airplay and some tasty guitar riffing for the guitar guys. Forty Years gets a bit more grimy with some heavy drums and chorded sliding under lead guitar work. Jazzy Hippie takes a little bit of a different turn. It has organ under the band and an unusual melody which is attractive. It reminds me of something that I've heard but I can't put my finger on it exactly. In any case, this is a cool track. Breathless takes the next step away from the blues and into a modern era music with heavier overtones. Heavy bass lines and and monotone vocals with a driving beat and swirling lead guitars would certainly appeal to the garage crowd. Number is another track that is in this same vein. It doesn't sound the same as Breathless but is definitely from the same train of thought. It is a stretch from blues but well done none the less. This is an interesting recording, difficult to classify as blues but that may well interest a number of my readers wanting something with a bit more bite to their music.

  “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”
 

My Guitar's My Only Friend - James "Buddy" Rogers

I just received a copy of the new release, My Guitar's My Only Friend, by James "Buddy" Rogers and it's really good. Rogers, who formed a band at 11 and having formal bookings by 15 has been at this game for a while and his chops show it. The release opens with the title track, My Guitar's My Only Friend, which could be right out of Albert King's Stax catalog. Vocals are cool and riffs are hot! Let's Get Loose has a smooth jazz style but staying in the blues zone along the lines of Robben Ford if anyone. This track definitely swings and the blues riffs played with heave Texas influence just roll off of the strings. I'm On The Road Again has a bit more of a rock feel with a dash of ZZ Top and a dot of Robert Palmer and a little SRV mixed in to the mix. Rogers really takes the opportunity to lay down some nice riffs creating a track which could see a bit of air play. Disappearing Baby Blues traces back to earlier blues roots with a lot of swing. Another track that has the hook which could catch the airplay ear. Sweet Little Girl, a blues track along the lines of Robert Cray or a R&B track but actually having the familiarity of a Steve Miller track and even some more Texas style guitar riffs feeding the ear a lot of candy. Blame It On The Blues, another swing style blues has a real nice groove and Rogers demonstrates his abilities as a singer and player to be reckoned with. Very smooth and appealing. Guitar Sue takes the rhythm of Mr. Chuck Berry but stays out of the classic groove and finds his own way. The guitar riffs have tips of the hat to Berry but the sound is fresh and clean. Nicely done. Lovin, Kissin, Huggin is a real uptempo blues brushing rockabilly without actually getting into it. Rogers keeps the pace up on the track and plays some flaming riffs making you think of Gatemouth Brown. DAWG is a real funky blues track and describing the relationship between man and his dog how could he lose. Definitely my favorite track on the release. Rogers plays some really hot riffs on this track and the funky rhythm keeps your head bopping as he does his thing. Buddy's Walk has a Freddie King like style and and a solid swing rhythm. The only instrumental on the release, Rogers gets a a good long run on guitar and leaves you wanting more. Very nice job!
 If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

My Babe - Cousin Harley

Cousin Harley is the rocking hillbilly persona of Paul Pigat, an accomplished guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Cousin Harley has a hard-earned reputation for delivering everything from hot rod rockabilly to foot stomping vintage country and western swing. ....

From classic honky tonk and cow punk tinged rippers, to a helping of western swing and classic jump blues, Cousin Harley plays in the old tradition—slugging it out hot and heavy in the trenches of the live music
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Groove - Steve Kozak

Steve Kozak was born in Vancouver BC Canada in 1956 and since the mid eighties has been a mainstay on the Vancouver scene as a guitarist, band leader, singer, songwriter, and tireless cheerleader and promoter of Blues and Roots music. Backed by some of Vancouver’s top musicians, Steve has built a reputation as one of the premier Blues acts in western Canada.

Steve began playing guitar and singing at age sixteen and took to the Blues like a duck to water. His passion for the Blues flourished after meeting and hanging out for a few memorable nights with the legendary Muddy Waters in May of 1977. Muddy encouraged Steve and set him straight on a few things. After that Steve was ‘on a mission’-- his musical future as a Bluesman was sealed.

Throughout his career Steve has shared the stage, and played with many Blues greats including; Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Duskin, Sonny Rhodes, Eddie ‘The Chief’ Clearwater, ‘Ice Pick’ James Harman, Duke Robillard, Rod Piazza, Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel, Lee Oskar, Nick Curran, Big Joe Louis, ‘The Shuffle King’ Tom Holland, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne, The Twisters, and Rockabilly guitar legend Evan Johns.
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The Good Ol' Days - Brandon Isaak

This young red haired guitar player has monster tone and technique. He moved from his home town of Whitehorse, Yukon to Vancouver, BC in 1999, where he joined the Twisters. He has shared the stage with many great blues artists, including Taj Mahal, Lil' Ed and the blues imperials, Robin Ford, Jeff Healy, Canned Heat, Zora Young, Big Dave Mclean, Rusty Zinn just to name a few. Most recently, Brandon returned from a 2 month European tour, where he played along side Joe Louis Walker, Willie Hayes and Ken Faltonson, on numerous festivals and TV shows. Brandon Played guitar on the 2006 Juno award winning album "let it loose" with Kenny "Blues Boss"Wayne, and appears on 11 albums with many different artists. When he plays, he travels to a different time and space and you can hear it as well as see it.
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