The following are excerpts from reviews of Barry's work. Click on the link to see entire review.
“The Late Show plays just as its title suggests it might, exhibiting a lengthy gush of talent and artistic vision. Fans of classy, multi-faceted blues guitar will be staying up all hours of the night with The Late Show.” Blues Revue
“Pick of the week... It captured the heat of a summer day, gave tribute to a blues great, and leads us out of a late night and into the early morning darkness and all the possibility of what the night still holds, among other blues adventures for your listening pleasure. This album is electric fire and worth a listen. It will be smoking in my playlist for a long time to come.” Muzikreviews.com
"A magnificent album...essential listening." Blues Revue
"This...effort from vocalist/bassist Jake Sampson and guitarist Barry Levenson is made of the right stuff - solid tone and worthy compositions. When these guys attack the hardcore, down-and-dirty blues substance, inspired musical mayhem ensues." Blues Revue
"This is a great CD. This album challenges other players who want to work in the blues idiom. Levenson’s playing has a foot firmly in the past but the material is fresh and new." Vintage Guitar
"This is a fine album of rare, heartfelt blues, no frills, no rock excesses, sheer class and quality." Blues Matters
"Levenson is a stunning guitarist with an uncanny sense of taste and amazing tone who never overplays. Levenson has learned his lessons well displaying the intensity of a young Buddy Guy while other times drawing from B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and even jazz guitarists Grant Green and Charlie Christian. By contrast Dyer's big, raw tone and hard blowing summon up the ghosts of Walter Horton and Little Walter with a touch of laid-back West Coast coolness. The contrast between the two works remarkably well backed by a tight band that produces some great ensemble playing." Bad Dog Blues
"A monster blues talent! All killer no filler... Even guitar-tired listeners will be astounded by his palette of tone and technique . . . an important debut full of emotional intensity." Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue
“The liner notes tell it straight when they describe Barry Levenson’s excellent guitar playing as part traditional blues and part ‘bop, jazz and beyond.’ Having learned his chops at the sides of such West Coast greats such as Pee Wee Crayton and Percy Mayfield, Levenson brings a full, jazzy feel to his playing and arrangements. Heart to Hand also includes a couple of hard blues numbers, Wrong Side of the Blues and Steel Life. Fans of modern blues and jazz guitar will find much here to like.” Living Blues Magazine
"The absolute best "independent" release I've come across to date...For lovers of jazz and blues, this disc is a definite must hear." Jon Duttweiler, NY CD Blues
“With this debut CD it seems he wants to pay tribute to the guitarists who influenced him the most, and he succeeds in an outstanding way! It's hard to avoid the comparison with Ronnie Earl, who's also making instrumental music these days, but Barry has a lot more fire in him. The best of this fine album are 'Crawford's Grill', an ode to Grant Green that would make him happy if he could hear it, and certainly 'Earl's Ride', an enormously swinging big band sound with the fat and greasy horns behind Barry's wild guitar. This is a highly enjoyable acquaintance with a guitarist likely to be very much appreciated by lovers of the style. Barry should try to find a full-time singer, just like Funderburgh with Myers and Holmstrom with Dyer, that would make things even better.” Marc Nolis, Rootstown Music Magazine
"Barry Levenson's debut CD, Heart to Hand, is one of the year’s best blues releases. This is one fine CD! Run to CDNOW and order this one! NOW!" Christopher Francis, Blue Monday
"A former producer for Kent Records, Barry Levenson launches Danish label Storyville's foray into the US market, and this could well be a winner. Levenson is a guitar stylist who has mixed in both jazz and blues circles, producing myriad tones from his '61 Strat. The accent is on blues, with nods to his heroes - Otis Rush and Buddy Guy on 'Cobra Days/Blue Tears', Albert Collins on 'Royal Albert' - but there are jazz runs aplenty too. Eight of the 11 tracks are instrumental, while three notable vocalists cover the others: Mary Williams (of gospel group the Williams Sisters), Finis Tasby, and Johnny Dyer, who contributes some rich harp to 'Wrong Side Of The Blues'. The album is brimming over with quality playing, and while the high proportion of instrumentals may not appeal to non-partisans, guitar fanatics will be poring over every bent note." ALAN EMPSON, Juke Blues
"Levenson, backed by his longtime rhythm section, keeps you interested and dazzled on every tune and the vocal cuts are perfectly placed. This is a brilliant CD and a true labor of love that must not be missed." Jack Clifford, Bluespeak
"A very, very special blues CD from a very special artist. Remarkable music from an equally remarkable musician. If stardom was to be awarded solely on the merits of talent and dues-paying, Barry Levenson would be as well-known as Buddy Guy. The sound is excellent, production and arrangements (by Levenson) flawless, and the performances inspired and imaginative." Andy Grigg, Real Blues
"American guitarist’s self-produced disc has found a home on the Danish Storyville label. Levenson’s playing shows a great deal of stylistic range and sensitivity. Finis Tasby, Mary Williams and Johnny Dyer provide the occasional vocal counterpoints to what is at heart a guitar player’s album." Blues Access Magazine
"In an era where guitarists throw in every lick that has ever crossed their minds, its refreshing to hear an album of over thirty-plus minutes of soloing in which the player is obviously holding back as Levenson offers highly-refined improvisations where all the extraneous notes have been edited out. In an age of postmodern simulations, then, HEART TO HAND, is a high modernist masterpiece and the only question that remains: does blues guitar have anything else to say after this?" Guitar World Magazine
“That CD is really killing me! There is a lot going on and a lot being extremely understated until "just" the right moment! You're on a roll! That whole record has a bunch a grooves that are very infectious… BL really got me on a real natural "brain endorphin RUSH." Barry is indeed a real wizard…I have faith in music once again as for a while back things were looking pretty dismal at best! No more ... thanks to Barry's new endeavors and Storyville label!” Dean Farley, Vintage Guitar
"Heart to Hand will particularly appeal to those who enjoy mature, modern sounding blues that has great production values with real bite. Above all else, it's very listenable and enjoyable music." Al Handa, Delta Snake Blues News
“The Late Show" features an amazing amount of different styles of Blues, which is sure to please a wide variety of Blues fans.” Blues Underground Network
"Sparks fly from the strings of his Stratocaster time and again. With a fine band, Levenson works musical sorcery and comes up a winner on every track. The title Heart to Hand tells it like it is." River Reporter
"My favorite Guitar Slinger CD!" Bluzharp
“Barry Levenson’s HEART TO HAND, with one foot in the future of electric guitar and one foot standing in the rich tradition of six-string blues, rightfully ranks as one of the most fully realized and innovative guitar recordings of the 1990s.” - Frank Joseph, Guitar Player, Guitar World contributing writer
“...Stunningly original soloist with the intensity and emotion of a young, hungry Buddy Guy.” - Denny Bruce, former producer, Fabulous Thunderbirds; former manager, Magic Sam and Earl Hooker
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such authoritative and creative guitar work with such a great bluesy feel!” - Mike Vernon, producer
“The best blues CD I have heard in the past five years!” - Matt Walters, Producer, Smithsonian Folkways
“This extremely talented guitarist/songwriter/producer has created one fine disc.” - Jon Pepper, Southland Blues Magazine
“Just when you thought guitar records were on the way out, here comes HEART TO HAND, a true masterpiece of originality, musicianship and virtuosity.” - Marc Tucker, Camera Obscura
“The Late Show plays just as its title suggests it might, exhibiting a lengthy gush of talent and artistic vision. Fans of classy, multi-faceted blues guitar will be staying up all hours of the night with The Late Show.” Blues Revue
“Pick of the week... It captured the heat of a summer day, gave tribute to a blues great, and leads us out of a late night and into the early morning darkness and all the possibility of what the night still holds, among other blues adventures for your listening pleasure. This album is electric fire and worth a listen. It will be smoking in my playlist for a long time to come.” Muzikreviews.com
"A magnificent album...essential listening." Blues Revue
"This...effort from vocalist/bassist Jake Sampson and guitarist Barry Levenson is made of the right stuff - solid tone and worthy compositions. When these guys attack the hardcore, down-and-dirty blues substance, inspired musical mayhem ensues." Blues Revue
"This is a great CD. This album challenges other players who want to work in the blues idiom. Levenson’s playing has a foot firmly in the past but the material is fresh and new." Vintage Guitar
"This is a fine album of rare, heartfelt blues, no frills, no rock excesses, sheer class and quality." Blues Matters
"Levenson is a stunning guitarist with an uncanny sense of taste and amazing tone who never overplays. Levenson has learned his lessons well displaying the intensity of a young Buddy Guy while other times drawing from B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and even jazz guitarists Grant Green and Charlie Christian. By contrast Dyer's big, raw tone and hard blowing summon up the ghosts of Walter Horton and Little Walter with a touch of laid-back West Coast coolness. The contrast between the two works remarkably well backed by a tight band that produces some great ensemble playing." Bad Dog Blues
"A monster blues talent! All killer no filler... Even guitar-tired listeners will be astounded by his palette of tone and technique . . . an important debut full of emotional intensity." Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue
“The liner notes tell it straight when they describe Barry Levenson’s excellent guitar playing as part traditional blues and part ‘bop, jazz and beyond.’ Having learned his chops at the sides of such West Coast greats such as Pee Wee Crayton and Percy Mayfield, Levenson brings a full, jazzy feel to his playing and arrangements. Heart to Hand also includes a couple of hard blues numbers, Wrong Side of the Blues and Steel Life. Fans of modern blues and jazz guitar will find much here to like.” Living Blues Magazine
"The absolute best "independent" release I've come across to date...For lovers of jazz and blues, this disc is a definite must hear." Jon Duttweiler, NY CD Blues
“With this debut CD it seems he wants to pay tribute to the guitarists who influenced him the most, and he succeeds in an outstanding way! It's hard to avoid the comparison with Ronnie Earl, who's also making instrumental music these days, but Barry has a lot more fire in him. The best of this fine album are 'Crawford's Grill', an ode to Grant Green that would make him happy if he could hear it, and certainly 'Earl's Ride', an enormously swinging big band sound with the fat and greasy horns behind Barry's wild guitar. This is a highly enjoyable acquaintance with a guitarist likely to be very much appreciated by lovers of the style. Barry should try to find a full-time singer, just like Funderburgh with Myers and Holmstrom with Dyer, that would make things even better.” Marc Nolis, Rootstown Music Magazine
"Barry Levenson's debut CD, Heart to Hand, is one of the year’s best blues releases. This is one fine CD! Run to CDNOW and order this one! NOW!" Christopher Francis, Blue Monday
"A former producer for Kent Records, Barry Levenson launches Danish label Storyville's foray into the US market, and this could well be a winner. Levenson is a guitar stylist who has mixed in both jazz and blues circles, producing myriad tones from his '61 Strat. The accent is on blues, with nods to his heroes - Otis Rush and Buddy Guy on 'Cobra Days/Blue Tears', Albert Collins on 'Royal Albert' - but there are jazz runs aplenty too. Eight of the 11 tracks are instrumental, while three notable vocalists cover the others: Mary Williams (of gospel group the Williams Sisters), Finis Tasby, and Johnny Dyer, who contributes some rich harp to 'Wrong Side Of The Blues'. The album is brimming over with quality playing, and while the high proportion of instrumentals may not appeal to non-partisans, guitar fanatics will be poring over every bent note." ALAN EMPSON, Juke Blues
"Levenson, backed by his longtime rhythm section, keeps you interested and dazzled on every tune and the vocal cuts are perfectly placed. This is a brilliant CD and a true labor of love that must not be missed." Jack Clifford, Bluespeak
"A very, very special blues CD from a very special artist. Remarkable music from an equally remarkable musician. If stardom was to be awarded solely on the merits of talent and dues-paying, Barry Levenson would be as well-known as Buddy Guy. The sound is excellent, production and arrangements (by Levenson) flawless, and the performances inspired and imaginative." Andy Grigg, Real Blues
"American guitarist’s self-produced disc has found a home on the Danish Storyville label. Levenson’s playing shows a great deal of stylistic range and sensitivity. Finis Tasby, Mary Williams and Johnny Dyer provide the occasional vocal counterpoints to what is at heart a guitar player’s album." Blues Access Magazine
"In an era where guitarists throw in every lick that has ever crossed their minds, its refreshing to hear an album of over thirty-plus minutes of soloing in which the player is obviously holding back as Levenson offers highly-refined improvisations where all the extraneous notes have been edited out. In an age of postmodern simulations, then, HEART TO HAND, is a high modernist masterpiece and the only question that remains: does blues guitar have anything else to say after this?" Guitar World Magazine
“That CD is really killing me! There is a lot going on and a lot being extremely understated until "just" the right moment! You're on a roll! That whole record has a bunch a grooves that are very infectious… BL really got me on a real natural "brain endorphin RUSH." Barry is indeed a real wizard…I have faith in music once again as for a while back things were looking pretty dismal at best! No more ... thanks to Barry's new endeavors and Storyville label!” Dean Farley, Vintage Guitar
"Heart to Hand will particularly appeal to those who enjoy mature, modern sounding blues that has great production values with real bite. Above all else, it's very listenable and enjoyable music." Al Handa, Delta Snake Blues News
“The Late Show" features an amazing amount of different styles of Blues, which is sure to please a wide variety of Blues fans.” Blues Underground Network
"Sparks fly from the strings of his Stratocaster time and again. With a fine band, Levenson works musical sorcery and comes up a winner on every track. The title Heart to Hand tells it like it is." River Reporter
"My favorite Guitar Slinger CD!" Bluzharp
“Barry Levenson’s HEART TO HAND, with one foot in the future of electric guitar and one foot standing in the rich tradition of six-string blues, rightfully ranks as one of the most fully realized and innovative guitar recordings of the 1990s.” - Frank Joseph, Guitar Player, Guitar World contributing writer
“...Stunningly original soloist with the intensity and emotion of a young, hungry Buddy Guy.” - Denny Bruce, former producer, Fabulous Thunderbirds; former manager, Magic Sam and Earl Hooker
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such authoritative and creative guitar work with such a great bluesy feel!” - Mike Vernon, producer
“The best blues CD I have heard in the past five years!” - Matt Walters, Producer, Smithsonian Folkways
“This extremely talented guitarist/songwriter/producer has created one fine disc.” - Jon Pepper, Southland Blues Magazine
“Just when you thought guitar records were on the way out, here comes HEART TO HAND, a true masterpiece of originality, musicianship and virtuosity.” - Marc Tucker, Camera Obscura
