CD Review: Cleopatra Records Brings Back The Blues With New Releases From Big Jay McNeely, Reverend KM Williams & The James Montgomery Blues Band

Since the 1950's saxophonist Big Jay McNeely has been shocking audience with his brand of stage antics and expressive style of performing known as "honking." He was credited as one of the most flamboyant performers, but it never took away from the blues sound he portrayed on stage. Cleopatra Records is reminding fans of the blues with new music from Big Jay McNeely. A new compilation titled "Blowin' Down The House - Big Jay's Latest & Greatest" features some of his all-time best songs, along with five new compositions.

 The new twelve-song release begins with the first of his five new songs. At 89 years old, Big Jay delivers a classic seventies-style, R&B dance-floor vibe with "Love Will Never Fail," which still carries his signature sax sound. He continues with the blues of "My Love Never Ended" and the classic swing of "I've Been Mistreated," which Big Jay has been perfecting for over 50 years. A live version of "Party" gets the swinging tempo going as it showcases Big Jay as the leader of this dynamite tune. He goes full-on "honking" for the jazziness of "Blow Blow Blow" and "Willie The Cool Cat," before wrapping up the new album with the nearly seven-minute live version of "Get On Up & Let's Boogie," which is sure to "blow down the house." To find out more about Big Jay McNeely and his new release "Blowin' Down The House - Big Jay's Latest & Greatest," please visit cleorecs.com.

Texas bluesman Reverend KM Williams recently released a new album titled "The Real Deal Blues" along with a 14-minute documentary of the same name. Both items were released through Cleopatra Records back in October and showcases the Reverend's love for the blues. His new fifteen song album gives fans of the blues insight into his classic portrayal of the genre using his unique, fretless one-string guitar on the opener "Baby, Please Come Home." He brings a Jimmy Page guitar-style to "The Runaway Blues" and then electrifies the blues with his guitar during the boogie shuffle of "You Got Me Shakin'." He creates a new Halloween favorite with the guitar strumming of "Haunted House," before returning to the slow blues of "That's Why My Baby's Feelin' Blue." The album finishes with the thunderous romp of "Working Man Blues" and the stark, acoustic rendition of "Bad Boy Blues." To find out more about Reverend KM Williams and his latest release "The Real Deal Blues," please visit cleorecs.com.

Blues harmonica player James Montgomery is one of the most sought after performers in the blues genre. He performed alongside such greats as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bruce Springsteen and Gregg Allman and his idol is the late-great blues harmonica player Paul Butterfield. On October 7th, the James Montgomery Blues Band released their new, self-titled album through Cleopatra Records. The album was inspired by the works of Butterfield and features guests from the bands of Johnny Winter, J.Geils and Paul Butterfield. The new ten-song release begins the horn infused blues romp of "One More Heartache" and the classic blues groove of "Born In Chicago." Montgomery showcases his skills on the harmonica during the steady pace of "Young Woman's Love" and the up-tempo rocker "Mary, Mary." The band excels during the slow blues of "I Got A Mind To Give Up Living" as you feel the passion in their performance. The album closes with the pulsating rhythm of the instrumental "Good Question," led by Montgomery's harmonica solo, and the classic sounds of "Mystery Train." To find out more about this new release from the James Montgomery Blues Band, please visit cleorecs.com.