Review Centre: Blues Bands

"XCITEMENT 7/29/2023 at BMC XCITEMENT WAS ON 🔥🔥🔥. It was a vibe! One of the best nights I’ve had in a while!Definitely a supporter and they are the finest! Can’t wait to jam with them again and again and again! Y’all need to check them out and their music covers many genres! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️"

Reply by XCITEMENT
Thank you so much Nikki. Much love!..-XCITEMENT

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Soul75 for our wedding last week and from start to finish it has been amazing. Firstly once we booked them we didn’t really have to do anything! We spoke with Richard a few months beforehand about what we would like and went through the plans for the day and it was as easy as that! Richard and the band organised every last detail and even visited our venue to ensure that everything would run smoothly. The communication was excellent and we did not have to worry about anything. On the day the band arrived on time they we all so friendly, professional and they sounded fabulous. The song choice was great, vocals and acoustics were outstanding. All of our guests were all up dancing and they chatted to our guests in the break which was lovely. Following the wedding we have had so many comments from our guests saying how great the band were and have been asking where else they play! I am so glad that we decided to choose Soul75 for our wedding reception, all very talented musicians and it genuinely wouldn’t have been the same without them. Thank you"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Simon & Susannah, You were excellent and we all enjoyed your music - so thank you for supporting our festival. Keep it going, I will be calling you again in 2 years time..!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Check out the good Reverend on the internet and you’ll see this outfit described as “somewhere between Johnny Cash and Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds” with “similar artists” given as Seasick Steve and Eddie Martin – to which I might add, on the evidence of this lowdown and dirty blues CD, The Rolling Stones (60s version) and maybe vintage Canned Heat. Reverend plays guitar and drums, and he is aided and abetted by Owen Bray on guitar and blues harp, with Neil Sadler also providing bass and drum support. Ferriday started out playing indie-rock in the 80s and was working in National Debt with Michael Messer (and Bray) around the start of the millennium. This is his second album under his own name and the leader’s vocals are thick and mean, the songs direct and energetic, the sound gritty, raw, and real, with elements of the hard-driving North Mississippi hill country approach in places, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf and more than a tinge of alt-blues. A thoroughly modern blues album in other words, whilst drawing from the deep well of blues tradition, check it out. Norman Darwen "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Top Notch Entertainment. Thanks so much for your willingness to acommodate our last minute schedule adjustment. Carrie and I couldn't have been happier with the selection and quality of music your trio delivered. Thanks again for your help in making our night very special."

Reply by Beacon Street Jazz - Jeff Moyer
Thanks so much for the kind words Blake. Beacon Street Jazz was glad to be a part of your special day and we all wish you and Carrie the very best that life has to offer. Jeff Moyer (BJS)

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired The Crotchet Club for an outside Diamond Wedding celebration. They were everything we had hoped for: communication beforehand, exactly the style of music we wanted, willingness to play specific pieces chosen by us and throughout a cheerful, helpful and pleasing demeanour. We are very happy to recommend them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Here's more clear evidence courtesy of Italian-born saxophonist Mirko Fait's quintet that tasteful jazz doesn't run its course at America's borders. These are accomplished musicians who know how to swing and can hold their heads high in any company, foreign or domestic. On the other hand, there is nothing here that sets Fait's group apart from many others of its size and makeup; it is simply a well-schooled working ensemble doing its thing, no more and no less. Fait, who plays soprano and tenor sax, is joined on the front line by flugel Roberto Piermartire, who, like Fait, is an accomplished musician whose solos are invariably polished if not otherwise exceptional. Pianist Antonio Zambrini is another strong soloist, while bassist Rodrigo Amaral amplifies the group's persona by adding his husky baritone on four selections. The quintet's other member, drummer Roby Giannella, is a solid timekeeper who tends to his duties without stepping on anyone's toes. Guitarist Giampiero Spina adds a pastel solo voice on "Sad Eyes Child," "B Mine" and "Funny Day." The program is composed primarily (eight of ten tracks) of compositions by Fait, and they are melodic and charming if less than memorable. Several are in a Latin mode including Amaral's vocals on "Quanno Chiove," "Rebecca Smile," "Nada Mais" and "Aquarela." While the quintet is pictured on the inside jacket performing at the Sant' Elpidio Jazz Festival, Confidences was recorded in a studio, most likely at Fait's home base, Milan. Other particulars are elusive, as the liner notes are in Italian. What is most germane, of course, is whether Fait's quintet is proficient and worth hearing, and the answer to that is yes. The songs, all originals, are for the most part bright and charming, and the quintet plays them well. Although there is nothing here that blazons superiority, neither is there anything that is less than well-managed. Track Listing: Lastlove; Sad Eyes’ Child; Quanno Chiove; Never Alone Melita; Rebecca Smile; All I Missed; B Mine; Nada Mais; Funny Day; Aquarela. Personnel: Mirko Fait: soprano, tenor saxophone; Roberto Piermartire: flugelhorn; Antonio Zambrini: piano; Giampiero Spina: guitar (2, 7, 9); Rodrigo Amaral: electric bass, voice; Roby Giannella: drums. Title: Confidences | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Jazz Di Marca"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everything Can Change, from Adam Karch and it's an interesting mix of acoustic and electric fused folk/blues music with solid vocals. Opening with It's Your Song, a contemporary, radio style track with a solid melody and clean acoustic guitar work, Adam Karch shows his stuff on vocal and guitar, backed by Richard Deschenes on bass and Marc-Andre Drouin on drums. JJ Cale's classic, After Midnight gets a substantial rework and I like it. Starting with acoustic slide and fine finger picking, Karch's stylistic vocal phrasing really changes the track and it's as cool as the original. Very nice. Porch Groove (Sunday Morning) is a real relaxing meandering melody on acoustic guitar. Very nice. Another nice cover is Bob Dylan's Don't Think Twice, It's Alright. Karch has one of those voices that is warm and refreshing and his picking style is clean and concise. Very nice. Wrapping the release is another Porch Groove (Saturday Evening) with a more contemporary finger picked melody. Karch is a talented musician and vocalist who has put together a real nice release. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"These guys play it all with authenticity and the spontaneous feel of real Texas rock & blues. If you like rock and blues and want to party, here is the real deal."

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"Greg Ballad's tribute was an absolute delight! His smooth vocals and charismatic stage presence made the audience groove to the soulful tunes of Luther Vandross, Barry White, and Teddy Pendergrass. It was a night filled with nostalgia and incredible talent. Bravo, Greg!"

Reply by Greg Ballad
Thank you sir..

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The three-piece jazz band that graced our Holiday Soiree on Friday night delivered a truly memorable performance. Their skillful interplay and smooth transitions between classic jazz standards and festive favorites set the perfect tone for the evening. A true highlight of the evening, the jazz trio added a sophisticated yet joyful touch, making the holiday soiree a resounding success. We would highly recommend them for any event seeking a blend of elegance and entertainment."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Steve Clark Band tore the roof off my venue. They did a very good job with promoting and sold out. They also delivered a great show that kept my patrons moving. Great band!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just AMAZING !!!! I saw this band in Lefkas island few years ago for the first time in a bar and became a big fan, trying to see them every time they play in the area ! Every single time, I see people having the best time of their lives ! A friend of mine chose them for his wedding and was very satisfied. These guys are professionnels, they have such a great repertory of songs (from rock, folk, rhythm'n blues to funk, disco etc.) that they can easily adjust to any circomstances or expectations ! I strongly recommand this band !"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Words can't describe it. Just Wow! Long live Rock'n'Roll!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Quite frankly, the best "lounge act" I've even seen on a cruise ship. Enthralling, virtuoso playing and a wide repertoire. It was always hard to leave. I'd about book a cruise just to see them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: