Page 40 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2022

John Spear Band—B-Side of My Life—Independent Release
The central Virginia based band JSB have been together for ten

years and would normally put all their efforts into live
performances but, the pandemic has forced them to reconsider
their position and place all their focus and energies into recording
this, their fourth album release. JSB are Jon Spear; guitars and
vocals, Dara James; lead vocals, guitar and harmonica, Andy

Burdetsky; bass and John Stubblefield; drums. Behind all the
desks for the 13 numbers (two of which are covers) here is
Andrew Fitz Waldeck, the album was recorded at White Star
Sound, Charlottesville and VA and Tye River Recording Arrington,
VA.

The opening number, ‘Big Talk’ is a very engaging heavy, bass blues laden funker that seems to be

gone almost as soon as it has started. ‘Heartbeat Like A Samba’, is a splendid toe-tapping fusion of
The Eagles and Santana. The title number ‘B-Side of My Life’, features a fiery harmonica from Dara
James and a rolling piano from guest keyboard player Skip Haga, it is a fifties, rocking lesson in B-
Sides becoming music classics, a nod, to the taste of the music loving public through the years. The
Neville Brothers’ ‘Yellow Moon’, is a splendid hauntingly mellow piece that spreads inside your
head like a sweet dream. Jonny Lang’s soulful ballad ‘Darker Side’ possesses a muted, haunting

vocal underpinned by a restrained but, nonetheless emotion filled guitar. Whereas ‘Time For The
Blues’, is quite simply a jaunty, jumpin’ blues that names as many blues artists that you can
remember.

Splendidly entertaining!

Brian Harman.

Peter Veteska & Blues Train—So Far So Good—Blue Heart Records
BHR-021

This is the 6th album under the leadership of Manhattan born
singer and guitarist Peter Veteska. He is joined by Alex D’Agnese
on drums and Coo Moe Jhee on bass with guest artist Jeff Levine
providing Hammond B3, piano and Fender Rhodes. The album
was recorded at Shorefire Recording Studios Long Branch NJ,

production duties are shared by Peter Veteska, Joseph DeMaio
and Jeff Levine. The 12 numbers here are a collection of originals
and covers.

The album opens with ‘Done With Bad Luck’, the snapping
percussion and solid pounding bass together with an urging B3 introduces Peters’ raw and
commanding vocals and his equally rivetingly raw guitar, together they power-up and play away.

Next, Peter has a splendid duelling duet with Jenny Barnes on the engaging toe-tapping Chicago
shuffle ‘I Miss You So’. James Cotton’s ‘Young Bold Woman’, is delivered as a wonderfully slow
Rumba that sees keyboards and drums laying down a solid line while Mikey Junior provides a
warmly enticing wailing harmonica.