Bman’s Blues Report 2019

Bman’s Blues Report
MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2019
VizzTone Label Group Artist: Nancy Wright – Alive & Blue – New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Alive & Blue from Nancy Wright and it’s electrifying. Opening with Bugalu, a honky sax instrumental number with a James Brown kind of rhythm, Nancy Wright shows she really knows how to fill the pipes with air. With distinguishable fat sax tone and phrasing, Wright is backed by Paul Revelli on drums, Tony Lufrano on keys, Jeff Tamelier on guitar and Karl Sevareid on bass. Super jam opening. Jo-Jo has a cool walking bass line and a cool 50’s jazz feel. Wright really takes flight on this track with excellent lower register work, slick trills and octave jumps. Lufrano grinds in solid on the organ followed by a sick guitar solo by Tamelier as well. Great track. Funky pop number Warranty has a really nice bass line by Sevareid accentuated by Tamelier with his wah wah fused guitar work. Wright’s lead vocals on this track are her best on the release and her sax work really wailing.  Bernie’s Blues is a really nice track but it’s Tamelier that has his day on this track with some excellent guitar lines before Wright comes back and lays it out! On King Curtis’ Soul Serenade, Wright really shines on my favorite track on the release. Owsley was quite a soulful player and Wright squeezes every bit of soul out of this track. Excellent! Wrapping the release is instrumental shuffle, Rutabagas, and Wright blows down the doors to give you something to chew on. Tamelier’s guitar soloing is aggressive and lyrical, and Lufrano’s organ work fat and chewy making this an excellent closer for a strong release.

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