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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label World Talent Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Talent Records. Show all posts

Monday, December 9, 2019

Acclaimed Guitarist/Songwriter Forrest McDonald Unleashes 11 Original Tracks on His 15th CD, "Blues in a Bucket," Due February 7 from World Talent Records






Acclaimed Guitarist/Songwriter Forrest McDonald Unleashes 11 Original Tracks on his 15th CD, Blues in a Bucket, Due February 7 from

World Talent Records



Acclaimed guitarist/songwriter Forrest McDonald announces a February 7, 2020, release date for his new CD, Blues in a Bucket, on World Talent Records. Recorded mixed and mastered at Dogwood Recording & Mastering in Oxford, Georgia, with Ron Benner engineering, Blues in a Bucket showcases Forrest McDonald’s guitar mastery in full bloom, aided and abetted by a stellar cast of backing musicians, featuring the dynamic lead vocals of Andrew Black and special guest vocalist Becky Wright.



Award-winning guitarist Forrest McDonald has been performing and recording earth-shaking, soul-stirring music distilled in the blues for nearly six decades. His insightful song writing skills embrace the journey of an adventurous explorer who plunges head first into every twist of fate life throws his way.



The addition of a full horn section and background vocalists to many of these musical tapestries adds remarkable texture as each song unfurls. The result is an array of finely polished, deeply faceted musical gems contained in Blues in a Bucket – reflecting those personal stories that evolve into universal experiences and outcomes.



“This is actually my 15th release,” says McDonald about the new disc.  “I will turn 70 this year and feel 2020 is going to be a big year for me and this recording. I have dedicated the CD to my brother, Steve, who I lost in January, 2019, to cancer and to anyone who has lost a loved one to this terrible disease. The song, ‘Blue Morning Sun,’ tells that story. A related song, ‘Go to the Light,” was written with positive and spiritual energy for those that have crossed over after passing.



“’Boogie Me Till I Drop’ has a great New Orleans party feel, so I started the CD with it to get everyone in good spirits. I was in China a few years ago and feeling lonely for the USA. I thought about two great blues towns—Memphis and Chicago and that led me to write ‘Windy City Blues.’ It grounded me. I had some low points like we all do and I wrote ‘Misery and Blues’ to relieve some of that anxiety. I was watching a lot of the series Supernatural at this time and ‘Powerhouse’ just jumped out of me. The title track, ‘Blues in a Bucket,’ is a positive classic. I was full of the blues one afternoon, pondering my problems, when I thought of how fantastic it would be to just put them into a bucket and then toss them away. The closing song ‘Let the Love in Your Heart,’ is what we need a lot more of. It’s an optimistic vision inspired by love.”   



During his extensive career as a musician, Forrest McDonald has recorded with the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. His playing on Bob Seger’s Stranger in Town, Greatest Hits and Ultimate Hits garnered him three RIAA-certified platinum albums, which combined have sold over 15 million copies. That’s Forrest guitar solo heard on Seger’s classic, “Old Time Rock and Roll.”



McDonald’s other accolades include his induction in the Boston Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, being awarded “Best Modern Southern Guitarist” by Real Blues Magazine (2002), which also voted his band as “Best Southern Blues Band” for three years-in-a-row (1999-2001).



Forrest McDonald has performed with Debbie Davies, Bonnie Bramlett, and Kathi McDonald. He’s recorded with such legends as Bobby Womack, Steve Perry and Doris Troy, and over the years has swapped licks with such guitar greats as Duane Allman, Johnny Winter, Jeff Beck, Bob Margolin, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page and Roy Gaines.



His albums Just Plain Folks, Spirit of the Blues, What’s It Gonna’ Take? and Colorblind all won various awards.    



Forrest’s last CD, Stand My Ground, garnered rave reviews and was described by one reviewer as “a rocking, riveting, soulful new blues release, the latest offering from singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist Forrest McDonald and his award-winning band. Whether you’ve been following McDonald’s career over the last 53 years like I have, or are a new listener, run don’t walk to your computer to download these tunes or order a CD, or both. Your heart and your ears will thank you—it’s outstanding!”



Forrest McDonald has appeared or headlined many popular outdoor festivals such as The Atlanta Blues Festival, The Gasparilla Festival, Spring Fest,  The River Place Arts Festival, Bay Fest, The Vallejo Jazz & Blues Fest, Sun Fest, The Carolina Blues & Seafood Festival, Bluesapalooza, The Montreux Atlanta Festival, The Jacksonville Beach Annual Festival, The Melbourne Art Festival, King Biscuit Blues Festival and many others. 



“McDonald’s fiery guitar licks showcase his vast experience in blues-based rock ‘n’ roll and R&B…the vocals soar above,  around,  and through each tune building to a choke-hold that won’t loosen its grip until you jump up and boogie!” ~ Black Jack, Atlanta Blues Society

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

World Talent Records artist: Forrest McDonald Band - Turnaround Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Turnaround Blues, from Forrest McDonald Band. Opening with title track, Turnaround Blues, McDonald on guitar, joined by Andrew Black on vocal, John McKnight on drums, Jon Liebman on harp and vocal and Tony Carey on keys lays down a solid 12 bar track. Checking On My Baby has a R&B feel with cool blues overtones. Black's vocals are prime on this track and Liebman does some real nice harp work on this track backed by Cary on keys. River Of Tears, has a real Bessie Smith "Nobody Knows You" feel and Carey does a premier job on keys on this track. Black's vocals on this track are particularly clear and warm. Really nice. Cross My Heart has a real nice feel with Lee Gammon driving it home on bass. McDonald steps up with some pretty nice guitar riffs joined by Liebman on harp and Carey on keys. I'm A Fool has a strong R&B feel and the groove is just right. Black's vocals are really nice and Carey knows how to add just the right amount of keys to cary the track. McDonald, a seasoned Muscle Shoal player, shows a strong sense of playing in that signature. I can hear a lot of the feel of Muscle Shoals recordings on this track. On V8 Ford, the band digs in deep for a nice slow 12 bar number. Vocally, I believe that this is Black's strongest outing, really hitting the mark. Liebman whips out his harp for some serious blowing on this track and McDonald follows suit with some really tasty guitar riffs. Very nice. Carey is an anchor on this release bringing the key work down when necessary and filling the volume nicely when called upon. R&R By Bye Bye is a a cool shuffle track with snappy guitar retort. Yes, Carey is full on but McDonald and Liebman trade off in the spotlight, both playing nice solos. McKnight and Gammon are extremely tight on this number making it one of the better tracks on the release. Only Love is a slower shuffle track with an almost jazz quality. Black has a relaxed vocal style and each lead player inserts their contributions softly subtly making it a particularly effective piece. Woman Across the Ocean comes out swinging like Freddie King. A strong BB King like delivery on vocal by Black and aggressive attack by McDonald gives this track a nice punch for one of the coolest guitar tracks on the release. Funny Thing Baby has a bright jump feel with Gammon and McKnight pushing McDonald's lead guitar work out front with Black's vocals. Now I Know is a really cool track with a T-Bone Walker feel. A slow steady blues number featuring hot guitar lead and solid vocals makes this another of the best tracks on the release. Clocking in at over 5 minutes, McDonald stretches the solo out pretty good on this number, supported nicely by Carey. Stay or Walk Away is an easy floating ballad with a country folk feel. Wrapping the release is Two For The Money 1&2. A Latin rock "Blues For Salvatore" like track with underlying keys and relentless guitar soloing by McDonald makes this instrumental the hands down favorite instrumental free form track that I have heard in a while. McDonald shows his sense for dynamics as well as guitar articulation. Very nice!  

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