Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman is a blues-rock guitarist from Chester, Connecticut, who just dropped his debut solo album,
Wrath of Blues, through
Feverbarn Recordings. Hooked on
Jimi Hendrix since he was eight years old, Newman used music to navigate a childhood learning disability, building a loud, fast playing style that eventually got him kicked out of the
Berklee College of Music for excessive volume. That same raw energy drives this new 14-track project, which features his own take on a mix of classic blues, rock, and reggae tracks
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The Deep Dive
The Opening Act (Tracks 1, 3, and 5)
The album starts with
Elmore James'
Dust My Room and quickly showing his adept slide guitar technique. It's personal preference but I love Newman's slide sound but I think that the horns and backing vocals are a bit much. Not to disparage the contributing musicians, John Isley on sax, Charlie Lagond on tenor sax, Artie Bressler on bari sax, Don Harris on trumpet, Dave Cafro on trumpet and the backing vocals of Vic Washington, Arlene Wow and Joan DuQuette I prefer the rawness of the underlying sound. Conversely, on original track, Leaving This World, the backing contributions are well balanced and add nicely to Newman's outrageous guitar riffs. Excellent!
B.B. King's classic
The Thrill Is Gone really captures the spirit of the king and Vic Washington's vocals are lush. Newman's guitar approach on this track is strong maintaining King's feel but embellishing significantly with wah wah and impatient soloing. Really cool.
King's
Be Careful With a Fool definitely has the influence of an all time favorite, Johnny Winter with his monster riff, holding a lumbering King framework and steady pairing of guitar and horns. His vocals are rugged and solid and his elongated body solo is potent and nicely phrased.
Bob Marley and
Peter Toshβs
Get Up Stand Up, is a cool breather and the horn and vocal here is imperative. Anita Antoinette adds interesting, almost Badu ish phrasing vocally and Duane Allmanesque slide work by Newman really winds this track out. Very nice. An unusual selection,
Hoagy Carmichael's 1942 jazz standard,
Baltimore Oriole, is really strong with heavy Hammond work by Washington Mario E Sprouse on keys, Scott Spray on bass and Bobby Torello on drums leading to one of the most free flowing guitar solos on the release.
Bob Dylan's
Highway 61 Revisited, is really cranking with Torello really hammering away. Newman's best vocals on the release coupled with raw, wide open slide work. Excellent! Wrapping the release is
Aretha Franklin's
Good to Me as I Am to You, from her absolute best period of work. Arlene Wow is upfront on lead vocal with full support of the horns and Washington and DuQuette on backing vocals and Newman is sitting back in the pocket playing lead and slide, reminiscent of Duane on the Muscle Shoals sessions. Masterful closer.
π Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand
πΌ Track Listing & Personnel
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Album Personnel: Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman (Lead Guitar / Lead Vocals), Vic Washington (Hammond Organ / Acoustic Piano / Wurlitzer / Backing Vocals), Mario E. Sprouse (Acoustic & Electric Piano / Synthesizer / String Arrangements), Scott Spray (Bass), Russell Landis (Bass), Tim Leffingwell (Bass - 1 track), Bobby Torello (Drums), Tony Lewis (Drums), Mitchell Igueri (Drums - 1 track), Jon Grossbard (Producer / Percussion), Anita Antoinette (Featured Vocals), Arlene Wow (Featured Vocals), Five-Piece Horn Section (including John Isley and Charlie Lagond)
- Dust My Room
- Leaving This World Tonight
- Your Mind Is on Vacation
- Texas Flood
- The Thrill Is Gone
- Oh, Pretty Woman
- Be Careful With a Fool
- Let Me Love You
- Get Up Stand Up
- Miss You
- Baltimore Oriole
- Come On
- Highway 61 Revisited
- Good to Me as I Am to You
π΅ Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand
| Album Title (Click to View Store) |
Record Label |
Accreditation |
Year |
| Wrath of Blues |
Feverbarn Recordings |
Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman |
2026 |
Watch: Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman - "Texas Flood"
This dynamic blues-rock album balances high-energy covers with strong original work, showcasing impressive slide guitar technique and a large, talented ensemble. While some tracks suffer from an overpowering horn section, the record shines through aggressive guitar solos, soulful vocal contributions, and masterful, collaborative instrumentation that honors classic influences.
Bman's Verdict
An exceptionally well-played, dynamic blues-rock album driven by masterful guitar work, soulfully complemented by prominent brass and rich backing arrangements.
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Label: Feverbarn Recordings
Released: July 10, 2026
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