If you dig blues as I do you will love the Front Street Blues Band. Deep into it, they do not fool around with metal rock. Blues, serious blues, I love what they do.
Wolfgang Spider - Detroit Blues Society Web Manager
These guys are simply one of the very best jump Blues bands in the Midwest. They are tight and energetic with a very cool groove.
Steven J. Allen - Detroit Blues Society President
The Front Street Blues Band were the overall band champions of the Detroit Blues Society and represented Detroit in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis 2007.
Their new CD called 'Blues Promised Land', starts with the title cut 'Blues Promised Land' which is a swinging jump blues with some great piano from guest piano player Tommy Piskor. 'Lose That Woman' is a funky piece with a nice solo from guitarist Cliff McClanahan, who also is the writer of the next song 'Shuffle Off To Buffalo', a really fun song, my favorite and should get plenty of airplay.
They bring it down on the slow blues 'Heartbreaker' featuring some soulful harmonica by Brian Smith. Pianist Tommy Piskor is absolutely brilliant on 'She's Too Much'. I hope they are thinking of adding him to the band. 'Since My Baby Left Me' and 'Hit By The Blues' are standard blues feel. The band is back in the jump groove which I like because they excel in this format with 'Pay Some Attention'. The rest of the album features 1-4-5 blues with 'Hanging Around' being a stand out track. Good lyrics.
The Front Street Blues Band can swing.The musicianship is excellent. The rhythm section of Greg Manning (drums) and Tracy Garneau (bass) are tight and exciting to listen to. The only draw back for me on this CD was the vocals. They kind of talk them not sing them but the funny thing it works on their jump blues selections. I would like to hear a cd of all jump style blues with a horn section. I think it would be great!
All and all this CD is a good listen and I expect we will be hearing more from the champions of Detroit.....And in this corner..... The Front Street Blues Band!
Michael Packer - www.illinoisblues.com
Front Street Blues Band "Blues Promised Land" - BLUE SKUNK MUSIC 2011
An effective exciting road blues band which will delight those who enjoy blues in the path of The Nighthawks, Cash Box Kings and other similar bands. Front Street Blues Band was formed in 2004 by bass player Tracy Garneau and his friend guitar player Cliff McClanahan, which were joined by harmonica player Brian Smith -who became band lead singer- and drummer Greg Manning. Tired of playing always the same rock and blues standards such as "Mustang Sally" or "Old Time Rock And Roll", they decided to start writing their songs and this album is a good example. Original compositions displayed with personality and style combine in the cd with good taste and skill. If you like bands which cleverly mix jumpin’ to Detroit jivin' and rockin'-boogie-blues, I recommend you to get this album. VERY GOOD.
LaHora Del Blues, Barcelona, Spain
FRONT STREET BLUES BAND/Blues Promised Land: A bunch of white Detroit boys got tired of playing "Free Bird" in cover bar bands and dived into the jump blues tradition with wonderful results. Young enough that they can claim Brian Setzer, Chris Thomas and others of that lineage as influences, they still know how to keep it authentic and steam up the windows. A delightfully wild ride that knows how to get the party started and keep it going. Check it out.
CHRIS SPECTOR - MIDWEST RECORD
Strong, hard driving blues from the Motor City. Helps to keep you warm on the inside when it is cold on the outside. Good stuff.
