The resemblances are absolutely uncanny. Although there would be a small degree of uncertainty involved, looking at JACK LEAR'S picture - while listening to his music, would surely have me thinking that I might be listening to BOB DYLAN.....on steroids! It's kinda like BOB DYLAN singing the blues while playing like CHUCK BERRY. In spite of never having been a really big fan of BOB'S folksy style, I always did appreciate his musicianship and songwriting. JACK LEAR possesses all those talents with an abundant supply of exuberance.

On his debut CD - "LOVE AND CHARM" - JAKE LEAR, on vocals and guitar, is joined by CARLOS ARIAS on bass, BRAD GORDON on drums, and PETE RUDDLE on harmonica. The disc contains thirteen tracks, of which nine are originals, with a cover of ROBERT JOHNSON, ELMORE JAMES, RICHARD RABBIT BROWN and, of course, BOB DYLAN.

The opening track, an original called "KISS ME", already has me thinking I may be listening to the discs best track. It's a smoker that could even get Beethoven to roll over. With the rhythm section absolutely wild behind him, JAKE is even wilder on lead guitar. It doesn't get any hotter than this one.

"CRY, CRY, CRY" is just what PETE'S making the harmonica do on this one. I guess he wanted to get in the licks he missed on the opening burner. His doing so, along with more great rhythm, highlight this one.

"DUST MY BROOM" is a classy rendition of a classic song. CARLOS and BRAD, on bass and drums, are on top of their game here, and some of JAKE'S best guitar work is heard on this one as well.

"SURE ENOUGH I DO" mean it when I say this less than three minute track is way too short. I could have taken a few more minutes of JAKE'S soulful vocals and the hot guitar licks he put out on this ELMORE JAMES cover.

"LEAVE THIS TOWN" is another smoker. JAKE, CARLOS and BRAD are unbelievably tight together. This is one rhythm section that JAKE needs to keep together. This listener would hate to hear that these guys would ever want to 'leave this town'.

Other great tunes on "LOVE AND CHARM" include: "LOVE AND CHARM", "TROUBLE IN MY MIND, TROUBLE IN MY SOUL", "EARLY IN THE MORNING", "NORTH MISSISSIPPI BOUND", "LORD PROTECT MY CHILD", "RUTH'S BOOGIE" and "JAMES ALLEY BLUES".

Now that you're done reading this, take yourself over to www.jakelear.com and grab a copy of "LOVE AND CHARM". Jake's got a heck of an offer going on that includes shipping. I'm sure you'll tell him the Blewzzman sent ya.

I've always been a big fan of high energy blues bands featuring a powerful female lead singer. And now that I've heard "BIG CITY BLUES", by BECKI SUE & HER BIG ROCKIN' DADDIES, I've just become one of their newest fans.

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, THE BIG ROCKIN' DADDIES consist of: BECKI SUE on vocals; "T-BOY" TOM BOYLE on guitar; JIM KING on harp, sax and vocals; JEFF HAYES on drums; and "WILDCHILD" LES WHITE on upright bass. Special guests on "BIG CITY BLUES" include: CANDYE KANE, MITCH WOODS, ERIC "TWO SCOOPS" MOORE", PETER DAMMANN, and "THE DEACON" RON WEINSTEIN.

The disc opens with "YOU'RE KILLIN' ME". It's one of several band originals and one that will clearly validate the band having the word "ROCKIN" in their name. This one quickly starts off with flames coming out of JIM'S sax and progressively heats up from there. BECKI'S steaming vocals, TOM'S smoking guitar, LES and JEFF igniting the rhythm and RON fanning the flames on the B3 make this furious jam a six alarmer.

"THE SUN IS SHINING" is nearly seven minutes of slow, scorching blues - just the way I like it. BECKI, singing her heart out, and JIM, blowing out his, make this one of the discs best.

On "I GET EVIL", THE DADDIES spice things up a bit with some Cajun Funk. MITCH WOODS, one of the best there is when it comes to boogie woogie, Nawlin's style of piano, is mostly responsible for that. Hot rhythm and tenor sax add this being another of the discs best.

One of the discs instrumentals is an absolutely splendid track titled "SOUL SERENADE". With the rhythm section in a soft and soothing groove, this one is all about JIM and ERIC. Their command of the tenor sax and B3 organ are truly flawless.

"MAYBE" being old enough to remember the original version of this song had something to do with the effect it had on me. Listening to BECKI SUE and CANDYE KANE sing the song that rocketed THE CHANTELS to fame back in 1957 sent chills through this baby boomers body. I'm one of those people who often use the cliche "They just don't make songs like this anymore" - and they don't. However, it was sure nice hearing these ladies do a job that I'm sure even Arlene Smith, Lois Harris, Sonia Goring, Jackie Landry, and Rene Minus would enjoy hearing. Replaying this track probably resulted in this paragraph taking an hour to write.....and I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather been doing.

Other tracks on "BIG CITY BLUES" are: "FARMER JOHN", "PARDON ME", "TELL ME WHY", "BIG CITY BLUES", "IF YOU LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART", "CUT YOU LOOSE" and "BACKSTROKE".

Check out BECKI and the guys at www.bigrockindaddies.com. After you buy the disc, tell them Blewzzman said hello and thanks for the goose bumps.

Since leaving the inner city streets of Brooklyn, NY - at the age of fourteen, rarely have I ever yearned to leave the suburban lifestyle I've come to love over these past 45 years. However, every time I hear another great CD, from another great blues band from Chicago, I can't help but to ponder how cool it would be to live in that city. The latest band to arouse that fantasy is MORRY SOCHAT & THE SPECIAL 20'S, and their new disc, which swings, shuffles and smokes, just so happens to be called "SWINGIN', SHUFFLIN', SMOKIN".

The SPECIAL 20'S consist of: MORRY SOCHAT on vocals and harmonica; JIM ST. MARIE and SHOJI NAITO on guitar; TED BERANIS on electric and upright bass; DAVE ROSS on piano and organ; NICK KREBS on harmonica; KENNY SMITH on drums. The recording was produced by a person who has, on several occasions himself, had me wishing I lived in Chicago - NICK MOSS.

It didn't take long for this disc to start impressing me. The opening track, an original titled "1955", instantly had me shaking in my seat. This shuffle reminisces about the 1955 blues scene in Chicago. Man what an era that must have been.....Muddy, Buddy, Junior, Willie, Wolf and so many more. MORRY, NICK and DAVE heat this one up on vocals, harp and piano.

One of the several reasons this track is "ROCKING" is because of the outstanding rhythm. TED and KENNY, on the stand up bass and drums, are absolutely phenomenal. Your feet and fingers will get a workout on this one.

His baby's "MEAN AND EVIL WAYS" seem to be causing MORRY quite a bit pain. His scorching and emotional vocals will attest to that. This blues burner features some seriously slow and low down harp and blues guitar. Being the kind of stuff that floats my blues boat, this is certainly one of the discs best.

Getcha dancin' shoes on for this next one, 'cause "DANCE LITTLE MAMA" is gonna fill the floor. This one had my fingers doing aerobics on the keypad, yet there was no way I was keeping up. This swinger features a furious rhythm, hot guitar licks and wild piano playing from DAVE.

On another outstanding original, "I'M IN LOVE", MORRY'S cool style is very reminiscent of DUKE ROBILLARD. His suave and assured vocals, along with TED, KENNY and DAVE heating things up on bass, drums and organ, all highlight this one.

On "THE TRAIN KEPT A ROLLIN", the guys make it sound more like the trains running at full throttle. This all out smokin' jam's going so fast I think it finished the three minutes and forty-two seconds it was supposed to be in two minutes and thirty seconds. This is some hot stuff right here. Tell me you sat still through this one and I'll tell you you're a liar.

Other swingers, shufflers and smokers on "SWINGIN', SHUFFLIN', SMOKIN" are: "HUMBOLDT SLIDE", "STANDING AROUND", "SIGNIFYING" (I'M A MAN), "YOUNG FASHIONED WAYS", "CAN'T HOLD ON MUCH LONGER" and "STRAIGHTEN UP BABY".

Swing on over to www.special20s.com and pick yourself up a copy of "SWINGIN', SHUFFLIN', SMOKIN". While your there, after you tell MORRY that the Blewzzman sent ya, ask him to please send me the real estate section of the Chicago Tribune.

By now, I don't think it's a secret to many that my favorite type of blues is good old straight up Chicago Blues. There's no discussing it - there's nothing better. Which is exactly why I fell in love with "BARSTOOL BLUES" by BOB LEVIS. Being a member of the OTIS RUSH and LONNIE BROOKS bands and having over 30 years of experience in the genre, makes it very unnecessary for any reinventing. Just assemble a killer band and play some kick ass Chicago Blues.....and that's just what BOB did on his first solo release.

The BAR STOOL BAND, if you will, consists of: BOB LEVIS on lead and rhythm guitar; BROTHER DAVE KAYE on bass; MARTY BINDER on drums; DENNIS "LINK" LEARY on drums; DAVE WOOD on lead guitar; TED LAWRENCE and WESTSIDE ANDY LINDERMAN on harmonica; JIMMY VOEGELI on vocals, piano and organ; STEVE DITZELL on vocals and lead guitar; BIG JIM JOHNSON on vocals and lead guitar; LARRY PENDLETON on vocals and lead guitar; and special guest LONNIE BROOKS on vocals and lead guitar.

"IT TAKES TIME" takes absolutely no time at all to slip into a real nice groove. From the opening notes, on this opening track, there's no question as to what you're in for from here on out. The rhythm's tight as hell and BOB, STEVE and JIMMY are all gettin' down on guitar and organ.

"CANT HOLD OUT MUCH LONGER" has more highlights than ESPN after a full day of football. This one's got LONNIE singing his heart out and joining BOB on some scorching guitar licks, great harp work from WESTSIDE ANDY and JIMMY putting out what just might be the best piano work on the disc. Good stuff right here.

Have you ever heard a blues song about a train that didn't have a harmonica on it? Of course not. And on "MYSTERY TRAIN", the harmonicas of BIG JIM and TED and the guitars of BOB and DAVE have this train smokin' along at a real nice speed.

In spite of some hot rhythm behind them, BOB, JIMMY and ANDY all shine on "BARSTOOL BREAKDOWN". When featured, they tear it up on guitar, organ and harp on this all out furious instrumental.

There's no questioning LARRY when he says "I'M COMING DOWN WITH THE BLUES". His gritty vocals and scorching lead guitar will have you coming down with the blues as well. This one may very well be the best track on the disc. As a matter of fact, according to liner notes, after LONNIE BROOKS heard the playback of the track he asked LARRY if he wrote it. Responding "no" and asking why he asked, LONNIE then told LARRY that he sang it like he wrote it......need I say more?

Harp heads will be in their glory listening to "SHUFFLE-ISKO". This one is all about TED and his instrument. It's a tribute to JOE FILISKO, the harmonica maestro, instructor, historian and technician and it's written by quite a harp player himself - DENNIS GRUENLING.

JIMMY tells us something we already know on "NOW I'M GOOD". On this smoker, he isn't just good, he's phenomenal. While tearing it up on piano, he seems to be enjoying himself on his only vocal duty on the disc. This one's also one of the few tracks that has BOB doing all the guitar work and it gives you a chance to appreciate his ability.

At the bottom of the disc is the track with all the bottom. "GETTING OUT OF TOWN" is the last of thirteen outstanding tracks and highlight is the rhythm. BROTHER DAVE and DENNIS are right in the zone on bass and drums on this one. BIG JIM'S vocals and DAVE'S guitar are two more reasons this is one of the discs best.

Other tracks on "BARSTOOL BLUES" include: "WHY ARE PEOPLE LIKE THAT?", "DOUBLE TROUBLE", "THREE TIMES A FOOL", "JUST TO BE WITH YOU", and "BLUES BEFORE SUNRISE". If you want to check out BOB - and you really ought to, ya gotta look for him on My Space. When you find him, send him two things - the best from the Blewzzman and a check for a copy of "BARSTOOL BLUES".

Using several harmonica maestros on a disc dedicated to one of the all time harmonica giants - LITTLE WALTER - seems like a fitting thing to do and that's exactly what DENNIS GRUENLING did. Being a formidable player himself, on "I JUST KEEP LOVIN' HIM", DENNIS GRUENLING is joined by: KIM WILSON, RICK ESTRIN and STEVE GUYGER - all LITTLE WALTER enthusiasts - on harmonica and vocals; DAVE GROSS, BILL HUNT, RUSTY ZINN and BOB WELSH on guitar; SCOT HORNICK, STEVE WOLF and KEDAR ROY on bass; MIKE BRAM and MARTY DODSON on drums; DOUG "BIG DADDY" SASFAI on sax; "Choice" and - last but certainly not least - MRS GRUENLING - GINA FOX on vocals.

Attempting to avoid this tribute from being a compilation of overdone covers of LITTLE WALTERS' greatest hits, DENNIS chose some of the legends more obscure works. The list includes "UP THE LINE", "LOVIN' MAN", "I GOT TO GO", "HOT SHOT", "TOO YOUNG TO KNOW", "CORBELLA", "IF YOU WERE MINE", "MY LITTLE MACHINE", "TEENAGE BEAT", "AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU", "TEMPERATURE", "ONE OF THESE MORNINGS", "THAT'S IT" and "YOU'RE SWEET".

Not being a vocalist himself, DENNIS distributed that duty equally amongst the four band mates that are. "LOVIN' MAN" is one that features STEVE GUYGER singing like one of the many great Chicago bluesmen he's backed up over the years, with him and DENNIS both getting in their share of hot licks on the harp.

"HOT SHOT" is a hot instrumental. This one features DENINIS solely, and quite aptly, handling the harp work, great rhythm from MIKE and SCOT on the drums and standup bass, and sharp, steady guitar from DAVE.

RICK ESTRIN, with clearly one of the most distinguishable voices, takes over the microphone on "TOO YOUNG TO KNOW". On this track, the man, who's magnetism is surpassed by none, also provides some of the best harp work heard on the disc.

Doing what seems to come naturally to her, GINA heats it up a bit on "IF YOU WERE MINE". Sultry is a word that - if not careful - can easily become redundant when GINA'S the topic. This one also features tremendous sax work from BIG DADDY, DAVE GROSS at discs best on guitar and DENNIS showing why he is quickly earning himself a spot on many peoples "favorite harp players" short list.

Oddly enough, "TEENAGE BEAT" - an instrumental track - which features DENNIS, RICK and KIM all kickin' it on harp, is highlighted by the rhythm section. STEVE and MARTY are absolutely on fire on this one.

It's KIM's turn to lead on "AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU", and when he's leading you can never go wrong. Being one of the most soulful white singers these ears have ever heard and certainly one of the best at blowin' a harp, automatically make this another of the discs best.

The two of you reading this that aren't harp fans need not pay further attention. However, the rest of you need to head on over to www.dennisgruenling.com and grab yourself a copy of "I JUST KEEP LOVIN' HIM". While you're there you just might look into taking some harp lessons. Who knows, maybe in 20 - 30 years I'll be saying all this good stuff about you.

By the way, with the conclusion of this review, I have just - for the first time ever, reviewed back to back discs by husband and wife. Having said that, I'd like to add that it has been a pleasure working with MR. and MRS. GRUENLING.

Over the past several years, the State of New Jersey has had quite it's share of publicity - thanks to HBO and "THE SOPRANOS". Although Tony, Silvio and Paulie certainly gave a lot of people the blues, a different kind of blues is being dished out by some very talented musicians from the Garden State. As a matter of fact, for two years running, the Blues Music Awards category for "Best New Artist Debut" has included a native of New Jersey - and from what this writer is hearing, GINA FOX may just keep that streak in tact.

On her debut CD, "HER NAME IS GINA", GINA FOX, on vocals and piano, is joined by: BEN MARKLEY and MICHAEL TROTTA, also on piano; CHRIS VITARELLO, BILL HUNT and PAUL KARWIN on guitar; SCOTT HORNICK on bass; TOM CUTTONE on drums; DOUG SASFAI on saxophone; VINNIE BORSELLI on trumpet; JEFF LEVINE on the B3 organ; PAUL RISHELL on a vocal duet; and last but surely not least - especially in GINA'S eyes, her husband DENNIS GRUENLING on harmonica.

On "NIGHT TIME", the opening track and one of six originals, GINA immediately whisked me away to a crowded dance floor in a small, dimly lit, smoke filled jazz lounge. You know the kind of place I'm talking about.....a small club with a tight combo cooly playing a nicely mixed blend of jazz and blues while a sultry vocalist seductively belts out the best of the standards. Oh man, can't you just feel it? Aside from the steamy vocals, what usually makes songs like this what they are, is great instrumental solos and the ones by DOUG, DENNIS and BEN on the sax, harp and piano are just that.

As I researched the following song I was utterly amazed by the number of duets that have performed it. Then as I listened to it, I was equally amazed that this version of "YOU DON'T KNOW ME" - a duet on which GINA is joined by PAUL RISHELL - was as good as, if not better than, any of the others. Together, they nailed this one. The soothing groove that the band is in on this one is highlighted by the subdued guitar and relaxed harp work of PAT and DENNIS.

You can tell she's feelin' it on "FEELIN' ME". Showing some versatility, GINA temporarily abandons the slow, sultry stuff and gets right down to some seriously spirited blues. This smoker features CHRIS dosing out the blues with some hot slide work on guitar.

In spite of her vocals pretty much highlighting most of the tracks, I think some of GINA'S best singing is heard right here on "NOW THAT I BELONG TO YOU". With the band in a tight and mellow groove, stellar backup from JEFF and DOUG on the B3 organ and saxophone, and GINA leading the way with her powerful and impressive vocal range, this is by far one of the discs best.

With SCOTT and TOM laying down some ever so soft rhythm behind them, "ONE MORE TIME" is pretty much all about the spouses. As her main support, DENNIS provides a steady stream of delicate harp work for GINA'S velvety vocals.

Other absorbing tracks on "HER NAME IS GINA" include: "LOVERMAN", "NO BIG DEAL", "I WASN'T READY", "HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?" and "ON THE WILLOWS".

If you know who I'm talking about by just using these ladies first names - ELLA, SARAH, NANCY, NINA, LENA and DIANE - then you'll obviously love this disc. Check out GINA at www.ginafox.com and pick up a copy of "HER NAME IS GINA". While you're there, tell her that the Blewzzman has a suggestion for her. Staying with the format of using her name in the title of the disc, I'm thinking her follow up should be called "SHE'S A FOX".

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