'BLUES BY THE BAY FESTIVAL 2006'
EURIKA CA.
"Ayanna Hobson's Performance Was The Best Of The Festival...It Was Amazing."
Cliff Berkowitz - VP Operations KHUM 104.7 - 104.3 FM
'AYANNA HOBSON'
&
The Soulmates
@
'Riverbend Festival 2005'
Chattanooga TN.
"BESSIE SMITH STRUT"
"Ayanna Hobson is pure dynamism in motion. She delivers her vocals with the confidence and pleasure that are the foundation of all strong performances. Ayanna’s stage presence exudes affection for not her musical gift, but true affection for the members of her audience.
The Soulmates are the tightest band I’ve heard, but trust me that’s an advantage in the straight up blues they deliver while backing up Ayanna Hobson. I would describe the band’s sound as unaffected, no frills electric blues. They have mastered that controlled looseness The ROLLING STONES perfected and rode all the way to the top of the Music World".
Jay Mouton
'THE CHATTANOOGAN'
June 14, 2005
'AYANNA HOBSON'
"AYANNA & THE SOULMATES CD 'Looking For A Home Too', Is The Most Soulful Music Ever To Come Out Of Phoenix".
'Bob Corritore KJZZ 91.5 FM Mesa, AZ.'
"AYANNA Is One Of The Best Singers I`ve Heard In Some Years", 'Kjell Andreassen, Radio Holstebro 97.4, Denmark.'
"The Great Success Of An Afternoon Of Fine Music, Is Due To The Caliber Of Performance Provided By AYANNA & THE SOULMATES". 'Wydale Holmes FINE ARTS COORDINATOR CITY OF TEMPE AZ.'
"The Songs, Music and Lyrics of AYANNA & THE SOULMATES CD 'LOOKING FOR A HOME TOO' all tell a story, and AYANNA'S Vocals Are Just As Dynamic As One Of My Favorite Entertainers KOKO TAYLOR".
'Bill Wagner KZUM 89.3 FM LINCOLN NE.'
"AYANNA Is Amazing! Not Since I First Saw JAMES BROWN, B.B. KING And LITTLE BUSTER In The 1970's Have I Been So Taken By An Artist. Her Talent, Delivery And Charisma Is Second To None, Making Her A Force To Be Reckoned With, It's Time For ARETHA To Pass The Crown!!".
'TRS MUSIC PROMOTION, PHOENIX AZ.'
"AYANNA & THE SOULMATES Perform incredible Old-School Rhythm & Blues Music, About Love And Heartbreak",
'Dianna Bagby, DAILY POST ATLANTA GA.'
"AYANNA & THE SOULMATES, Great American Music, Performed by Artists Who Have Found Their Groove".
'GAMBIT WEEKLY, NEW ORLEANS LA.'
"AYANNA & THE SOULMATES Created An Evening Of Spectacular Blues, Soul, R&B, and Jazz".
'DENVER POST, DENVER CO.'
"The Music And Performance Of AYANNA & THE SOULMATES Is A Celebration For Your Soul, Ayanna's 4.5 Octave Vocals Are Outstanding",
'KANSAS CITY STAR, KANSAS CITY MO.'
On AYANNA & THE SOULMATES CD "LOOKING FOR A HOME TOO", all of the songs' music and lyrics are written by BUSTER "LITTLE BUSTER" FOREHAND, and the title of the CD is directly taken from a previously released CD by LITTLE BUSTER called 'LOOKING FOR A HOME" - but the similarities stop there.
Everything about this band, which consists of AYANNA HOBSON on vocals; CHRIS HIATT on guitar; RICH ALFANO on bass; JOHNNY FLORES on drums; special guests JOHN CAZAN on organ and guitar; KATHERINE QUINIF on background vocals; and DEAN MURPHY on guitar, is original Throughout the CD, AYANNA'S vocals are one of it's highlights. Her voice is so strong, commanding and articulate that you can't help but think she could carry the song without a microphone. It didn't surprise me one bit when I read in her bio that she has an operatic 4.5 Octave vocal range and that she performed in many musical theater productions.
"MY DARLING", is one of the CD's bluesier tracks. CHRIS HIATT gets in his share of blues licks on this one. His playing throughout the CD impressed me enough to wish I could here him flat out play nothing but the blues. This track also features JOHNNY FLORES on a very nice drum solo. "TOUGHER THAN TOUGH" may be the best track on the CD. The whole band is peaking and the vocals and background vocal are superb. The song has a bit of a gospel sound to it as it progressively gets faster and faster after each verse. This was a hot one. The whole CD is hot.
The production department deserves a nod here also. The mixing is perfect. Each instrument can be heard well enough to realize that respective musicians excellent talent, which "LOOKING FOR A HOME TOO" is abundant with. That's it, it took me till the end of the review to realize what the compelling force of the CD was - TALENT!
AYANNA & THE SOULMATES
'Looking For A Home Too'
By: Bigdaddy
'WALLA WALL BLUES SOCIETY', 2004
"If you are looking for some slow sensual Blues for a stay at home and cuddle kind of Night this might be what you are looking for".
AYANNA & THE SOULMATES
'Looking For A Home Too'
By: Mike Ashley
'LIFE & SOUL PROMOTIONS', U.K. 2004
"This is driving forceful old style Soul R’n’B led by the powerful soulful Voice of Ayanna in the tradition of the great Southern Soul Names. Pleading soulfully portrayed stories of Love and desertion.'Thinking About You' is strong whilst retaining a slightly different take, a Reggae Rhythm, yet it is still indisputably American Heritage Music. I know it should be expected of Blues music but I found some of it a bit too Guitar laden for my ears. For example 'What Can I Do' (also done by Little Buster) is almost a classic Northern Soul sound yet it is unlikely to get played for this reason - great track though. The killer cut for me is the deep soul 'That’s What I Want To Do' a 6 minutes plus of controlled strength. Title track 'Looking For A Home' is mellower and also extremely nice. Live feel to the whole thing and I would guess that if you hear this ‘out’ it would sound exactly the same and you would go home satiated with Ayanna’s presence and most of all Voice. Unfortunately you don't hear voices like this too often in todays material but it should be captured and bottled..
AYANNA & THE SOULMATES
'Looking For A Home Too'
By: David Cole
IN THE BASEMENT MAGAZINE, January 2005
This really is something of a tribute to Little Buster (Forehand) as these are Buster-associated songs - and on his own label too. Ayanna Hobson is the Vocalist and her Soulmates are Chris Hiatt on Guitar, Rich Alfano on Bass and Johnny Florez on Drums. They are augmented in places by John Cazan (Organ and Guitar), Dean Murphy (Guitar) and Katherine Quinif (background vocals). For this listener, there is rather too much guitar prominence across the whole cd but there’s no denying Ayanna’s strong vocals, so it’s a shame that sometimes one gets the feeling they have to (metaphorically) struggle against the Guitar work to get the top billing they deserve. 'Looking For A Home', one of Buster’s own best, takes pride of place here but coming in only a hairsbreadth behind are the ballad,' That’s What I Want To Do', the jerky slowie,' Ever Since' and 'Thinking About You', which starts out like it should be a straight ballad number but then gets a Reggae beat in places behind the non-aligned vocals. Elsewhere, more slow stuff comes via the bluesy' I’ve Been Watching You' and 'Broken Hearted Girl' takes on a slight beat. 'What Can I Do' is a pleasing chugger to open the whole kaboodle, 'My Darling' carries a steady, driving rhythm and you get to rock along with 'Tougher Than Tough'. If Guitars are as much your thing as a quality Female Voice, you’ll need to pick this one up.
AYANNA & THE SOULMATES
'Looking For A Home Too'
By: Greg "BluesBubba" Irvin, January 2005
"Blues to the Bone!!, Every track on this disc has it's own personality and feel. No two songs are the same. Whether you like a slow "feel it in your soul" blues song with vocals that leave you begging for more, or an up beat, bass walkin', boogie woogie blues masterpiece ... you'll find it all on this CD. Kudos to Chris Hiatt on guitar for his electrifying licks and of course Ayanna for sharing a piece of herself through her lyrics that makes me feel like I've known her forever. Five stars from the Texas".
"Little Buster Is The Only Musician That Can Fill My Shoes".
B.B. KING
JUKE BLUES MAGAZINE Issue #36
"Little Buster,This Blues Man Is No Small Change".
SUN CHRONICLE
Massachusetts
"Little Buster Is A Great Soul Singer,
Who Style is Between The Classic 60's Stax Sound,
And Contemporary Southern Soul".
BLUE SUEDE NEWS
"Little Buster & The Soulbrothers Have It All".
BACK BEAT
Oklohoma Blues Society
"Little Buster Is Unreservedly Recommended As A Gem"
THE SHADOWS
"Little Buster & The Soulbrothers Are A Straight Soul Blues No Frills, Sweet,Joyous Romp".
NEW MUSIC REPORT
New York
"Buster's Gritty Vocals And Crisp Guitar Work Are Revelatory".
LIVING BLUES
"Little Buster Is In The Forefront Of Composer/Performers That Is Keeping The Deep Soul Genre Vital".
JAZZ & BLUES REPORT
LITTLE BUSTER & THE SOULBROTHERS
“LIVE VOLUME ONE”
"LITTLE BUSTER'S 'Live Volume One' is a compilation of two Japanese Gigs: Osaka June 1993 and Tokyo December 1996. Buster Forehand’s powerful gritty vocals and crisp innovative guitar playing are the highlights on these rhythm and blues recordings. Some of the great tracks are 'I’ve Been Watching You', 'Tougher Than Tough', 'Buster's Swing Blues' and the eleven minute closing tune: the brilliant 'Just Let Me Burn', defiantly worth checking out".
John Bates ( The Catalogue Man)
BIG POND AUSTRALIA
LITTLE BUSTER & THE SOULBROTHERS
“LIVE VOLUME ONE”
"Recorded live in Japan in 1993 and 1996, Buster is as good a Blues Guitarist as you’ll get to hear, and vocally he ain’t bad either! Put it together and you get a storming Show and these must have been a blast to attend. Live Albums you either love them or hate them, and usually I fall in the later bracket but this set is full of exuberance and quality, from the warm Swing Blues through to deep deep soul.
'What Can I Do', as a studio number is tailor made for the Northern Scene. 'That’s What I Want To Do' is mellow yet deep, classic live 60’s Southern Soul with a lazy lilting sax, a controlled building performance that retains your attention through to it’s climax some 9 minutes later. Great stuff. Each track is pretty much a different style showing great versatility to portray all things R’n’B. The straight Blues of 'Just Let Me Burn' is a great showcase of Buster’s guitar playing".
Tracks: 'Buster Swing Blues', 'What Can I Do', 'That’s What I Want To Do', 'I’ve Been Watching You,' All Night Worker Looking For A Home', 'Tougher Than Tough', Just Let Me Burn,
Mike Ashley
LIFE & SOUL PROMOTIONS
UNITED KINGDOM
LITTLE BUSTER & THE SOULBROTHERS
'LIVE VOLUME ONE'
A Blues treasure that has been sadly overlooked for much of his Career, this collection culled from concerts in Japan in the mid 90’s will hopefully wake more of the world up to the talents of Little Buster Forehand. B.B. King once said that "Buster was the only one that could fill his shoes". From the stellar displays of his gruff, soulful Vocals in the peppy shuffle of “What Can I Do” and the sultry “I’ve Been Watching You” to the blistering Guitar antics in “Just Let Me Burn,” the Music here lends serious credibility to B.B.’s statement.
Mark E. Waterbury
MUSIC MORSLES MAGAZINE
LITTLE BUSTER & The Soulbrothers
'LIVE VOLUME ONE'
"Little Buster is a Soulful Singer and Guitar Player and his arrangements are pure laid back cool! he is an excellent Guitar Player. What really stands out the most is his great Vocal delivery. If you love true Guitar Virtuosity and love a Blue edge to your Soul Music then this is a CD you better get".
Biggdaddy
WALLA WALLA BLUES SOCIETY
'LITTLE BUSTER'
The 17th Annual W.C. Handy Awards Ceremony
took place Thursday, May 2,1996, in Memphis
Tennessee. Presented to the World's greatest
Bluesmakers, the W.C. Handy Awards have become
the Industry's equivalent to the Grammy's, with
the Nominees and recipients determined by the
collective membership of The Blues Foundation.
**NOMINATION**
LITTLE BUSTER
&
The Soulbrothers
SOUL / BLUES
Album Of The Year
'RIGHT ON TIME'
Little Buster Is A Sublimely Talented Soul Singer,
A Tough Blues Guitarist And A Sure Handed Songwriter
With A Knack For Making R&B Songs That Evoke The
Classic 1960s Sound. Buster Has Played The Long
Island Club Circuit For More than 4 Decades, Winning
An Insider's Reputation As One Of New York's Great Undiscovered Treasures.
"To All My Fans In The USA, U.K.,
Europe, Japan, And The Rest Of The World.
I Hope That You Enjoy Listening To My Songs,
As Much As I Enjoyed Recording Them".
BUSTER
'LITTLE BUSTER'
FOREHAND
LITTLE BUSTER'S
DISCOGRAPHY:
CD RELEASES.
2004
"Live Volume One",
(Little Buster Records)
2000
Music & Lyrics for Ayanna Hobson
"Looking For A Home Too",
(Little Buster Records)
2000
"Work Your Show",
(Fedora Records)
1997
"Looking For A Home"
(Sequel Records)
1996
"Right On Time"
(Bullseye Records)
LITTLE BUSTER'S
45 RPM RELEASES.
1970
"City Of Blues"
"Cry Me A River"
(Minit Records)
1968
"Young Boy Blues"
"You Were Ment For Me"
(Josie Records)
1967
"But I Do"
"I'm So Lonely"
(Josie Records)
1966
"All Night Worker"
"I Think I'm Falling"
(Jubilee Records)
1966
"I've Got a Good Thing Going"
"It's Loving Time"
(Jubilee Records)
1965
"I Knew It All The Time"
"T.C.B."
(Jubilee Records)
1964
"Looking For A Home"
"River's Invitation"
(Jubilee Records)
'AYANNA HOBSON' & The Soulmates
"LOOKING FOR A HOME TOO"
CD's & SONGS Are Available From The Following National & International Retail and Digital Distribution Companies
CD BABY: (Retail) - WORLDWIDE
BEST BUY: (Retail) - USA
WALMART: (Digital Download) - USA
APPLE-i-TUNES: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
VERIZON WIRELESS: (Digital Download) - USA
AOL MUSICNOW: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
MSN MUSIC: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
SONY CONNECT: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
E-BAY USA: (Retail) - WORLDWIDE
E-BAY CANADA: (Retail) - WORLDWIDE
ITUNES CANADA: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
ITUNES AUSTRAILIA: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
NAPSTER: Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
APPLE JAM RECORDS: (Retail) - JAPAN
DISK-UNION: (Retail) - JAPAN
MARY 4 MUSIC: (Retail) - WORLDWIDE
I-SOUND: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
MP3 TUNES: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
MADDHOUZ RECORDS: (Retail) - WORLDWIDE
TUNESTRACKER: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
LOUDEYE: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
MUSICNET: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
LINDOWS: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
BITMUNK: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
RHAPSODY: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
MUSICISHERE: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
MUSIC4CENTS: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
EMUSIC: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
MUSICMATCH: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
PURETRACKS: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
BUYMUSIC: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
RUCKUS: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
CHONDO: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
PASSALONG: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
DIGITALKIOSK: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
WRAPFACTORY: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
AUDIOLUNCHBOX (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
TREETUNES: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
QTRNOTES: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
WRAPFACTORY: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
NEXT RADIO SOULUTIONS: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
LIQUID DIGITAL MEDIA: (Digital Download) - WORLDWIDE
FROM LEGEND BUSTER RECORDS: or AT ALL LIVE PERFORMANCES:
TO BOOK AYANNA HOBSON
CONTACT:
STEVE KLEINBERG
@
LEGEND BUSTER RECORDS P.O. Box 6464 Scottsdale AZ 85261-6464
E-mail:EMSSON1@aol.com
WE ARE SORRY
TO INFORM YOU
THAT
EDWARD FOREHAND
'LITTLE BUSTER'
PASSED AWAY ONTO HEAVEN
MAY 11, 2006
This has not only been a tremendous set back to his Family, Associates, Friends, and Fans, but also to the World of R&B, Soul, and Blues Music.
The future and direction of Little Buster Records Inc. is dedicated to create and continue a Legacy for EDWARD 'LITTLE BUSTER' FOREHAND.
Ayanna Hobson, myself, and the rest of the Artists and Employees at Little Buster Records will make sure that the World will have an opportunity to hear the brilliant Music of EDWARD 'LITTLE BUSTER' FOREHAND.
" LIFE IS SHORT, TALENT IS IMMORTAL"
Steven Kleinberg
President
LITTLE BUSTER RECORDS Inc.
Ayanna Hobson
Vice-President
LITTLE BUSTER RECORDS Inc.
