Reviews- Bobby Harden solo & guest recordings

———————————————————————————————————-Douglas Newsom-DJ-BBS Radio Network, Paradise Ca.

Nov 11, 2017

“I will be adding the following tracks into rotation: Not Ready, Try
Again, Where Is The Love, You Make My Heart Sing and You’ll Never Walk
Alone

“Not often do we select more than one track from a CD for airplay on
BBS Radio, but River of Soul by Bobby Harden is an exceptional Album.
The brilliant, soulful, heartfelt compositions are masterfully crafted
and Bobby’s deeply moving and profoundly beautiful voice touches the
human core. The music will leave you feeling warmly embraced and
linger in your mind long after. Bravo!”

by Douglas Newsom, Cofounder of BBS Network, Inc (BBS Radio)

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Reviews- Bobby Harden solo, Original Blues Bro.Band & Stew Cutler’s CD

NO DEPRESSION MAGAZINE
The Blues Brothers Return
Blues Brothers – The Last Shade of Blue Before Black

BY GRANT BRITT , STAFF REVIEWER
OCTOBER 17, 2017

“This latest go round, The Last Shade of Blue Before Black, is the best yet, with Floyd back as guest vocalist and Cropper, Shaeffer, Tom “Bones” Malone, and Blue Lou Marini from the core cast, and Dr. John and Joe Louis Walker guest starring as well.

There are no actors playing the role of singers here; this stuff is handled by the pros. Bobby “Sweet Soul” Harden comes from the Uptown Horns, but sings like a downhome soul man who just ran out of the church doors to play the devil’s music. “You Left the Water Running” has been covered by Redding, Pickett, and Sam & Dave, but Harden’s version hangs right up there with the big boys, Marini ripping out a King Curtis-worthy sax solo”.

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Album Review of

The Last Shade of Blue Before Black

Label: Severn
Genres: BluesStyles: Contemporary Blues
Visit Artist/Band Website

Written by Duane Verh
October 8, 2017 – 12:00am EDT

   

Maybe it’s the energy and atmosphere of their nearly overdub-free, “live”-in-the-studio approach that makes for the consistent good-vibes character of this set. Original Blues Brothers guitarist Steve Cropper and saxman Lou Marini host a slew of soulful guests on a mix of originals and tasty covers.  Horn charts courtesy of Marini and others freshen classics such as Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What You Want Me To Do” and Willie Dixon’s “Don’t Go No Further”.  That latter tune also sports a hefty vocal from guest Joe Louis Walker and guitar from BBB alum Matt “Guitar” Murphy.  Dr. John contributes a welcome cameo with his own “Qualified”, offering up his own “Qualified” and Paul Shaffer generates some keyboard heat covering the James Brown classic “Sex Machine”.

Stealing the show, vocal-wise, is NYC soulster Bobby Harden, tearing up the Dan Penn-penned gem “You Left The Water Running”.

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The Last Shade of Blue Before Black- THE ORIGINAL BLUES BRO.BAND

-Severn Records-cd 0071

“…some of the most outstanding tracks hark back to his {Steve Cropper’s} work at STAX , including original Stax stare Eddie Floyd’s remake of his 1967 hit ON A SATURDAY NIGHT and Bobby Harden’s take on the Rufus Thomas unrelenting Funk hit ITCH AND SCRATCH. Harden shifts things from Memphis to Muscle Shoals and delivers the COLLECTION”S HIGHLIGHT with a version of Dan Penn’s YOU LEFT THE WATER RUNNING, which is saying a lot given that the song’s pedigree includes versions by Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding {the original demo} and Sam & Dave -ABSOLUTELY INFECTOUS!

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THE HOUR OF THE BLUES-http://www.lahoradelblues.com

THE LEGENDARY BLUES RADIO SHOW IN BARCELONA (SPAIN).

Vicente Zúmel International Recipient 2013 KBA

CRITICS CD’s QUARTERLY / QUARTERLY CD REVIEWS –

Bobby Harden “River Of Soul”. Nyota / 2017 .

Bobby Harden defines himself as a fervent soul man. That’s why his first album was titled “Soul Purpose”. Bobby has had to wait sixteen years to be able to publish his second full-length album. For those who do not know this artist too much, he has traveled around the world as one of the most charismatic leaders of the original Blues Brothers Band, as well as working on other side projects with Steve Cropper. Steve provided many of his knowledge of Stax sound and soul music in general, which served Bobby to become a true expert. Further, The keyboardist of the band Blues Brothers Leon Pendarvis became a crucial and irreplaceable aid in the creative process of this album. The result is a magnificent exhibition of the most classic soul with very current arrangements, full of life and various and colorful effervescent. In the nine songs that make up the album you can see the influences that have been forming the style and voice of this complete singer and ranging from gospel artists like James Cleveland or Andre Crouch to soul singers like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett and Bluesmen Like Johnny Adams or BB King, although Bobby Harden always says that his greatest influence has been James Brown. Great album that has no waste and should be featured in any collection of soul music. VERY GOOD.

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KURTIS POWERS-THE FACE RADIO – DJ at Mod Radio UK, DJ at Back2Back FM and DJ at BBOX Radio – on air comments

“I want to introduce you to an artist…..Bobby Harden…right here from NY….This track is from his CD, RIVER OF SOUL. The song is called LETS GET REAL….This is a BANGER ! When I say banger, I mean its got a banging groove. It’s a cross-over…it’s a little soul…a little funk, r&b.”

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 BC* Blog Critcs -Music Review: Stew Cutler & Friends – ‘Every Sunday Night’ Posted by: Jon Sobel –

“New York City guitarist Stew Cutler‘s sixth album Every Sunday Night is a long-steeped brew of soul, jazz, and blues-rock including several tracks with vocals by local soul man Bobby Harden. Harden’s presence is likely to make any recording worth a listen (or any gig worth the cover charge).”

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KAMASAMI KONG – www.japantoday.com  producer & radio personality

“When Bobby sings you’ll feel his soul purpose is to delivers pure, old- school, heartfelt soul that’s perfectly in-tune with today and guaranteed to make you want more.  “We liked track 2 “Try Again” and “Where Is The Love” (you can see from our music list that we played it today}

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Allan Shellard – Broadcasting as Alan Dee on Fantasy Radio Devizes on 97FM and online at www.fantasyradio.co.uk

 “I love the sound of Where is The Love.  It has a feeling reminiscent of 70s Soul but coupled with a style that is very much of today. Bobby voice and phrasing is excellent, a sound and style that is the preferred soul sound of the 21st century. A worthy start to the album.”

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STEVE CROPPER –Stax / Soul music icon
“No need to listen too deep, Bobby Harden is plenty out front ….. fun to imerse
and float down his “River Of Soul” – Steve Cropper –Stax / Soul music icon 

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JOHN TROPEA- Deodato/jazz/funk recording artist/legend

“My fellow Blues Brother Mr Bobby Harden and his recent release “River of Soul” exemplifies R&B at its best.  The songs are well written, The band and arrangements are right on the money and Bobby’s vocals are as always warm and loving.  In addition, his collaboration with the multitalented Leon Pendarvis is an asset anyone would be thrilled to have.  Myself included! “
John Tropea – Jazz/Funk guitar legend
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CHRISTINE OHLMAN – Beehive Queen  / Sat.Night Live vocalist

“Bobby Harden connects with the true soul of American music…and this connection is straight from his heart, directly to the listener’s.  I love every track on ‘River of Soul’…..and so will you.”

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LIVING BLUES_NY
“A high , intense delivery that recalls Little Johnny Taylor and Otis Rush .”-

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SOUL BAG magazine -France
“This NY’er offers a soul that could come from a Southern studio 20 years ago. Absolutely not that it’s out of date –on the contrary, there is a freshness and a punch that immediately grabs the listener.”

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TZ Newspaper -Munich

“Bobby Harden’s voice has brought him his nickname,”The Soul Man from NY.”

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CURATEDUSA.COM
“With his soulful vocals, charisma and natural stage presence, you’d imagine Bobby Harden had been performing on stage since day one. “

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HOSH GURELI- Sr. Dir.-A&R , ARISTA records
“A voice that conveys the lyrics he sings beautifully. He must get mad props from his peers . ”

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donandsherylsbluesblog JUST ANOTHER WORDPRESS.COM SITE

Stew Cutler And Friends review…July 1, 2017….

Posted July 1, 2017 by dvcrow56 i 

STEW CUTLER AND FRIENDS (incl.BOBBY HARDEN) EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT

COGNA 70070-28026-2

“Three of the vocals stood out for us.  Bobby Harden brings the soul while Stew’s guitar does its share of testifyin’ on a great read of Gregg Allman’s “Not My Cross To Bear.”  A bit later, Bobby plays the part of the perfect con man, asking for “an hour on Channel 35” to be a “TV Preacher,” so that he can get away from “nothin’ in my pockets but poor.”  Perhaps the album’s highlight, tho, is a blistering, soul-satisfying vocal duet between Bobby and JT Bowen, as they take us all down to East McLemore to the Church Of Stax with a sanctified throwdown of “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby.”

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Stew Cutler Shines On ‘Every Sunday Night’ (with guest Bobby Harden)

‘Every Sunday Night’ is a great addition to any informed listener’s collection.

By  Barry Kerzner   September 20, 2017

“Without question, the standout performance here is the Gregg Allman classic “Not My Cross To Bare.” Cutler’s guitar lines are stunning, and the band rallies around him with rich sonic goodness. Bobby Harden’s vocal here is mesmerizing.”

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Penny Pepperstein http://www.pennyreviewsrock.media

“As always, I will start off with my favorite song on the album, “Where Is the Love.” A cry of apology to his scorned lover, who left him, after he stepped out on her. This song has the attraction of the late 70s, with the horns, piano and backup singers providing harmony with emphasis on the chorus. Marvin Gaye was once quoted as the “panty dropper” of sexual soul music, but Marvin may have a run for his money with Bobby Harden. “

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Album Review of

The Last Shade of Blue Before Black

Label: Severn
Genres: BluesStyles: Contemporary Blues
Visit Artist/Band Website

Written by Duane Verh
October 8, 2017 – 12:00am EDT

Maybe it’s the energy and atmosphere of their nearly overdub-free, “live”-in-the-studio approach that makes for the consistent good-vibes character of this set. Original Blues Brothers guitarist Steve Cropper and saxman Lou Marini host a slew of soulful guests on a mix of originals and tasty covers.  Horn charts courtesy of Marini and others freshen classics such as Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What You Want Me To Do” and Willie Dixon’s “Don’t Go No Further”.  That latter tune also sports a hefty vocal from guest Joe Louis Walker and guitar from BBB alum Matt “Guitar” Murphy.  Dr. John contributes a welcome cameo with his own “Qualified”, offering up his own “Qualified” and Paul Shaffer generates some keyboard heat covering the James Brown classic “Sex Machine”.

Stealing the show, vocal-wise, is NYC soulster Bobby Harden, tearing up the Dan Penn-penned gem “You Left The Water Running”.