FORMER SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS LEADER TOM MAXWELL DEBUTS "BLOW WOLF" FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM

FORMER SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS LEADER TOM MAXWELL

DEBUTS "BLOW WOLF" FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM

“Tom Maxwell & The Minor Drag” Album Out On August 26, 2014

“Hell: My Life In The Squirrel Nut Zippers” Out August 26, 2014 On Oyster Print Press

Listen To "Blow Wolf" via The AV Club:

http://www.avclub.com/article/hear-jumping-new-song-tom-maxwell-squirrel-nut-zip-207009?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=Default:1:Default

July 18, 2014 - After an almost ten year hiatus from recording, the former lead singer of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Tom Maxwell returns with a new album, a new band Tom Maxwell & The Minor Drag and a new book.

As a member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers between 1994 and 1999, Maxwell became a critic’s darling and his song “Hell” became a smash hit at radio.  Tom’s songs propelled the Squirrel Nut Zippers to multi-platinum status, selling over 3 million albums.

His new self-titled album, Tom Maxwell & The Minor Drag, was recorded with long-time Zippers producer Mike Napolitano and features guest vocals by Ani DiFranco.  The Minor Drag is an extraordinary collection of musicians, featuring members of Lost In The Trees and The Old Ceremony. They display remarkable flexibility and nuance, and boast instrumentation not often found: drums, tuba, vibraphone, piano and guitar. 

Along with the new album, a memoir written by Maxwell about the Squirrel Nut Zippers’ strange rise, Hell, will be published by Oyster Point Press (formerly Pressque Publishing) on August 26^th, simultaneous with the release of this album. 

You can read more about the album and book via USA Today here:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/07/07/tom-maxwell-ani-difranco-roll-with-it-premiere/12284783/

Both are available for pre-sale now on Tom Maxwell’s website at: www.tommaxwell.com  

Tom Maxwell & The Minor Drag have just announced an album release show at the Mercury Lounge in New York City on August 25th.  Tickets go on sale today at Noon EST : http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com/event/633211-tom-maxwell-minor-drag-new-york

The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer - A Real Fine Mess - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Real Fine Mess, from The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer and it's clever and entertaining. Opening with Black and Blue, a poppy track with roots in the blues but with modern feel and almost a Sting like quality. Do Whatcha has a cool stripped down Willie Dixon kind of sound with a cool blues guitar riff by Matthew Rogers (who also plays drums) and crying harp by Shawn Hall (who also sings and plays bass). Tea For Two almost has a calliope feel but with a light funky rhythm. Nice! Mama's In The Backseat has a country rock feel driven mostly but a thumping rhythm guitar. Hall goes apes**t on the harp making it quite a cool track. Closer To Death has a strong funky beat and a super blues harp sound. Feel Me Now has a lot of strong airplay characteristics with a bit of Journey mixed with R&B and a rock twist. Interesting. Don't Make'em Like They Used To has a feel of the Black keys if they were British. A bit of grind and a bit of pop. Very cool with nice backing vocals. My Paradise has a R&B feel with a bluesy kick. Again on this track backing vocals by Andrina Tuenne, Alexa Dirks and Dawn Pemberton add nice warmth. In And Out Of Love has a Bo Diddley beat and strong harp work over the lead work and direct drumming giving it a distinct NO feel. Sweat This Pain almost gets into a James Brown groove with funky guitar riffs and a groovy rhythm. Cry A Little returns to a more pure blues feel but still with a contemporary feel. Again backing vocals give it a R&B edge. This track has a different kind of vibe with a guitar/harp exchange, making it one of the coolest tracks on the release. With it's light guitar lead and harp overtones, In The End has an almost Neil Young feel but with a softer edge. This could easily be the best radio track on the release. Act Your Age is a bright, happy kind of track with a plucky rhythm guitar/bass feel. Again warm backing vocals give the track a special smoothness. Wrapping the track is A Real Fine Noise, the most eccentric track on the release and likely my favorite. With it's unusual rhythm pattern and underlying funk rhythm, this is a real nice finish for a solid consistent release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

This Stone Has "Gotta Keep Rollin'" - Chicago Blues Singer/Harmonica Master Rob Stone Delivers High-Energy Mojo on His New CD for VizzTone Label Group, Due September 9

This Stone Has Gotta Keep Rollin’ – Chicago Blues Singer/Harmonica Master Rob Stone Delivers High-Energy Mojo on His New CD for VizzTone Label Group, Due September 9

Special Guests on Stone’s First Album for VizzTone Include Blues Hall of Famer Eddie Shaw, John Primer, David Maxwell and Henry Gray

NEWTON, MA – The VizzTone Label Group announces a September 9 release date for Gotta Keep Rollin’, the new CD from Chicago blues singer/harmonica master Rob Stone, distributed nationally by Redeye Distribution. Joining Rob Stone and his battle-hardened group of band mates Chris James (guitar), Patrick Rynn (bass) and Willie “The Touch” Hayes (drums), are several special guests, including newly-inducted Blues Hall of Famer Eddie Shaw (sax), guitarist John Primer, Blues Music Award-winning piano player David Maxwell and Henry Gray, former piano man for the legendary Howlin’ Wolf.

From the first notes of the lead-off track, a rousing take on Johnny Jones’ “Wait Baby,” through the album’s closer, “Not No Mo,” (a swingin’ entreaty to a lady friend), it’s obvious that Rob Stone’s music, while steeped in the finest traditions of Chicago blues, is not here gathering dust. It’s exciting, vibrant music for the 21^st century with more grooves and high-energy than the law should allow.

Over the course of an dozen high-energy tracks that feature six originals, plus blistering covers of the aforementioned Johnny Jones, John Lee Williamson, (“Wonderful Time”), Jazz Gillum (“She Belongs to Me”), Billy “The Kid” Emerson (“Move Baby Move”), Willie McTell (“Cold Winter Day”) and Cornelius Green (“It’s Easy When You Know How”), Rob Stone and Co. take the listener on a tour of the sounds heard in Chicago-land’s finest blues clubs.  

Gotta Keep Rollin’ is Stone’s fourth album as bandleader and first for VizzTone. His previous CD, Back Around Here (Earwig – 2010) scored big on the blues radio charts and was also named by Living Blues magazine as one of that year’s top release. Prior releases also include No Worries (1998) and Just My Luck (2003), which was nominated for a Chicago Music Award in the “Best Blues Album” category. Rob was also prominently featured in the Martin Scorsese-produced “Godfathers and Sons” episode of the critically-acclaimed blues series that aired on PBS stations nationally in 2003.

Now based in Los Angeles, Rob Stone cut his musical teeth in the gritty clubs of Chicago’s north, south and west sides, learning from the masters. He got his start at age 18, when he slipped into a blues joint in his native Boston to check out harp great Charlie Musselwhite and was instantly transfixed. He bought his first harp the next day and began listening to recordings of Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, Junior Wells, James Cotton and the two Sonny Boys.  Before long, Rob was learning the finer points of the instrument from ex-Muddy Waters mouth organ maestro Jerry Portnoy and playing regularly with Rockabilly legend Sleepy LaBeef. Relocating to Colorado in 1990, he got his feet wet playing with biker bands on the smoky bandstands around Colorado Springs. Then in ‘93, legendary drummer Sam Lay invited the young harpist to sit in with his combo, leading to a job offer and a move to Chicago the next year. Touring internationally with Sam Lay for four years introduced Stone to blues fans worldwide. Despite leaving Sam’s band in 1998 to form the first incarnation of his current band, the C-Notes (with Chris James and Patrick Rynn), Rob and Sam continued to perform together over the years, and Sam has appeared on several of Rob’s albums. “I have worked with many harmonica players, and he turned out to be the best,” says Sam (quite an endorsement, considering Lay was a member of Paul Butterfield’s vaunted mid-‘60s band and also kept impeccable time for Howlin’ Wolf and Little Walter). “That cat is a monster harmonica player and musician!”

Besides headlining his own club tours, Stone has opened major shows for a wide-range of stars, including B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, Robert Cray, Los Lobos, James Cotton and Etta James. He’s also gaining a wide reputation as an emerging talent throughout Europe with consistent overseas touring, as well as in Japan, where he’s built an impressive following of fans.

Rob Stone’s hard-hitting, honest and highly-danceable blues never fails to delight crowds at his shows. Firmly committed to spreading the blues gospel, Stone is nevertheless his own man, carving out a niche for himself with exceptional singing and harp work, plus a knack for writing terrific original blues songs.

Rob Stone and his band will support the release of Gotta Keep Rollin’ with non-stop touring both in the U.S. and abroad.

For more information, visit www.robstone.com and www.vizztone.com.

Richie Onori's Blues Messenger at Arcadia Blues Club

Richie Onori's Blues Messenger                                                   (Photo by Deja Cross)             RICHIE ONORI'S BLUES MESSENGER TO ROCK             ARCADIA BLUES CLUB - FRIDAY, JULY 25   (Arcadia, Calif.) - Acclaimed veteran rock musician Richie Onori unleashes his new band, Richie Onori's Blues Messenger, in a headlining show at the Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, Friday, July 25. 9 p.m. Tickets $6.25 (advance), $11.50 (at the door). Info: (626) 447-9349 or visit http://www.arcadiabluesclub.com/.          Onori, who also drums for legacy muti-platinum act, Sweet, steps out from behind his drum kit and takes front-and-center on guitar and lead vocals for Richie Onori's Blues Messenger, a band ten years in the making. The group includes guitarist Phil Woodard (Sahara); bassist Marvin Sperling (who previously played with Onori and famed keyboardist Keith Emerson in the group Aliens); keyboardist Stevie Stewart (who also plays in Sweet); drummer Paul Maselli (Dread Zeppelin); and backing vocalist, Aina O'Kane. The live show includes a preview of Richies' Rock-Theater project In The Name Of Freedom, also the title of his recently-released album.  Critics Praise In The Name Of Freedom/Richie Onori's Blues Messenger                 "Revolutionary...An exceptionally powerful collection”                                             VINTAGE ROCK “…the rawness of Jimi Hendrix mixed with some modern-day blues of Joe Bonamassa.”             NATIONAL ROCK REVIEW                                             "...modern, rich and vibrant. The Great American Anthem Album of 2014!"                          XOMBIEWOOF MAGAZINE                                                                                               www.richieonori.com            https://www.facebook.com/richieonoribluesmessenger     Huffington Post (Feature) Vintaqe Rock - In The Name Of Freedom (CD Review) American Live Wire (3 Quick Questions)

Blind Pig signs Canadian artist JW-Jones!

JW-JONES SIGNS WITH BLIND PIG! CANADIAN ARTIST SET FOR U.S. BREAKOUT JW-Jones, a red hot young Canadian guitar slinger/singer, is set to break out in the U.S. and worldwide markets with his signing with acclaimed American roots music label Blind Pig Records. His first release for the label, entitled Belmont Boulevard, was produced in Nashville by Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge,  who’s helmed projects for Buddy Guy, George Thorogood, and Susan Tedeschi.   Jones chose Hambridge to produce because “This CD is all about getting out of my comfort zone musically and lyrically, working with a big producer and creating a high-energy experience that matches our live show, and I knew Tom was the man to make that happen.”  For the songs on the album, Jones decided for the first time to delve deep into his personal life and tell some of his stories that had never been told before.   He co-wrote many of the songs with Hambridge, a noted songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rascal Flatts, and Delbert McClinton, among others, and featured in movies, commercials, and television. "Digging deep into some very serious personal stories from my past and turning them into songs has been liberating and part of the healing process.  I hope these songs resonate with listeners that have been through similar experiences," said Jones. Known as a high-energy crowd-pleaser, Jones has played in nineteen countries in his brief career, and recently opened U.S. tours for Johnny Winter and Jimmie Vaughan, one of his strongest influences.   Looking forward to his association with Blind Pig and the release of the album in October, Jones said, "Signing with Blind Pig is truly an honour and major milestone in my career.  I am ecstatic to be on a label that is a fixture in roots music.  I've been listening to their records since I was a kid!"

Ruf Records artist: Royal Southern Brotherhood - HeartSoulBlood

I just received the newest release, HeartSoulBlood from Royal Southern Brotherhood and it's smooth! Opening with World Blues, a swampy, funky rocker with underlying hot slide and guitar work from Mike Zito and Devon Allman. Cyril Neville adds a super percussion track giving the track tht extra spark. Rock And Roll is a classic rocker with driving guitar riffs and drum work by Yonrico Scott. Groove On has a jazzy feel and hints of Steely Dan. Warm vocal harmonies and a distinctive rhythm are the keys to this track. Nice twin guitar leads to cap the track add a bit of bite. Here It Is is built over a cool funky bass riff from Charlie Wooton. A very funky jam track to get you moving. Callous has a slow slinky bluesy feel and is likely my favorite track on the release. A romping bass line and raw guitar soloing really make this a standout track. Lead vocals on this track are also particularly effective. Ritual had a grinding rhythm guitar part and actually reminds me a bit of Joe Walsh with a metallic edge. A cool track for radio play with a good melody and just enough edge. Shoulda Known is a very well composed R&B style track. I particularly like the vocals on this track and think that it could be the gem of the release. Let's Ride has components of soul and metal but an overriding feel of southern funky rock... funky Lynyrd Skynyrd with vocal harmonies. Cool! Trapped takes a more laid back shot at rock with sonic guitar riffs added over a easy funk rhythm. She's My Lady oozes soul. Keeping the instrumental backing light the vocals are king on this track and nicely executed. Takes A Village features supple vocal lead over light percussion and vocal like slide work. Very nice! Wrapping the release is a jagged tempo intro leading into anthem like, Love And Peace. Cool stagger step rhythms breaking the uniformity of the chant like melody creates a nice duality to the track and dualing guitar leads with Zito and Allman make this another release favorite. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Johnny Winter's passing has been confirmed - Our prayers are with his friends and family

GENEVA (AP) — Texas blues icon Johnny Winter, who rose to fame in the late 1960s and '70s for his energetic performances and musical collaborations including with childhood hero Muddy Waters, has died. He was 70.
His representative, Carla Parisi, confirmed Thursday that Winter died in a hotel room in Zurich a day earlier. The statement said his wife, family and bandmates were all saddened by the loss of one of the world's finest guitarists.
He had been on an extensive tour this year that brought him to Europe. His last performance came Saturday at the Lovely Days Festival in Wiesen, Austria.


 Winter, along with his younger brother Edgar, rose to prominence in their early 20s and turned heads both for their musicianship and stark-white hair, a result of the musicians' albinism.


 The guitarist was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1944 and rose to prominence in his early 20s after a Rolling Stone cover story on Texas music in December 1968. "If you can imagine a 130-pound, cross-eyed albino with long fleecy hair playing some of the gutsiest, fluid blues guitar you ever heard, then enter Johnny Winter," wrote Larry Sepulvado and John Burks in the issue. "At 16, [Mike] Bloomfield called him the best white blues guitarist he ever heard.... No doubt about it, the first name that comes to mind when you ask emigrant Texans about the good musicians that stayed back home is Winter's." The guitarist, who had previously played in a band with his younger brother Edgar (who scored a Seventies hit with "Frankenstein"), was playing in a trio at the time. After the article came out, Winter was offered several deals and eventually signed a reported $600,000 contract with Columbia.

Winter was found dead overnight in a hotel room outside Zurich, according to a police spokeswoman. A prosecutor has ordered an autopsy because the cause of death is unclear.

There was no indication of third-party involvement, and early indications pointed to a medically related incident.

   

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Johnny Winter Dead?

It has been reported that Johnny Winter, a young man of 70 and currently on tour has passed.

This was announced by Sugar Blue, a super harp player during his show at Rosa's Lounge this evening.  I have not found any other specific references to this information or been able to substantiate this claim and at this point believe that it is not true. I will report back as soon as I have determined the facts but at this point I am with his fans around the world praying that he is "Still Alive and Well"! Rock on Johnny!!  

New Johnny Winter Studio Release “Step Back” out Sept. 2nd

July 4th, 2014

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Johnny Winter releases perhaps his greatest album on September 2, 2014! Step Back features an amazing list of musical guests and takes Johnny back to a more aggressive style of blues… one that helped shape the musical icon. Produced by Paul Nelson.
Buy it at Amazon.
Step Back Track Listing
1. Unchain My Heart – Johnny Winter
2. Can’t Hold Out (Talk To Me Baby) – Johnny Winter with Ben Harper
3. Don’t Want No Woman – Johnny Winter with Eric Clapton
4. Killing Floor – Johnny Winter with Paul Nelson
5. Who Do You Love – Johnny Winter
6. Okie Dokie Stomp – Johnny Winter with Brian Setzer
7. Where Can You Be – Johnny Winter with Billy Gibbons
8. Sweet Sixteen – Johnny Winter with Joe Bonamassa
9. Death Letter -Johnny Winter
10. My Babe – Johnny Winter with Jason Ricci
11. Long Tall Sally – Johnny Winter with Leslie West
12. Mojo Hand – Johnny Winter with Joe Perry
13. Blue Monday – Johnny Winter with Dr. John

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Pork Chop Willie Back in the Studio for New Album

Pork Chop Willie heads back to the studio to record follow-up to their breakout debut album Success of 'Love is the Devil' inspires NYC hill country blues group to get an early start on the next album—and expand their touring schedule

(NEW YORK, NY, July 15, 2014)  Just six weeks after their national debut CD 'Love is the Devil' released—to critical acclaim and the embrace of radio around the world—New York's blues-roots band Pork Chop Willie, featuring Bill Hammer on guitar and vocals and Melissa Tong on violin, has started recording their follow-up album (title tba). As they did for 'Love is the Devil', the band will be recording in studios in Manhattan and back in North Mississippi, where the Hill Country sound that inspired Pork Chop Willie began. According to Hammer (who has already written most of the songs for the new album), these new numbers will still be as emotionally honest as those on 'Love is the Devil', but will also explore some new musical ground. And while some are more topical, all will remain firmly in the blues / roots / Americana universe which is home to Pork Chop Willie's musical soul. In addition to beginning work on the new album, the band is adding tour dates this fall, possibly including the King Biscuit Festival and the new Junior Kimbrough Cotton Patch Festival in October. And because of the outstanding response overseas to 'Love is the Devil', Pork Chop Willie is planning on traveling to Europe and the UK in 2015. (To keep up with the band's schedule, please visit here.) Not only were the reviews impressive (see below), but 'Love is the Devil' shot to #1 on AirPlay Direct's Blues chart and stayed there for virtually the entire month of June. "We felt we had made a solid album," said Hammer, "but instantly going to #1 on the APD chart, getting radio play around the world—well, it's been amazing." The reception to their debut album by critics, radio, and fans has been gratifying and inspiring for the band, which has dedicated the proceeds from the album's sale to help sponsor studio recordings and appearances by Hill Country blues musicians at their New York shows. "The honesty of the sound will keep it alive and vibrant," said Hammer about the importance of Hill Country blues to the musical landscape—and to Pork Chop Willie. "We are honored to be able to help spread the word, because this music permeates so much of what we all listen to, no matter the genre. Blues is all about expressing emotions. It isn't limited to twelve bars and a shuffle rhythm. Say what you feel, and it will be blues—whether someone else calls it blues, roots, or alt-country." The new album is scheduled for release in 2015. # # #

ABOUT PORK CHOP WILLIE: Bill Hammer (the original Pork Chop Willie) became an ardent fan of hill country blues after catching a Jimbo Mathus show in New York—a life-changing event for him. Hammer made his first pilgrimage to Mississippi, played with some of the legends of the genre, then reconstituted his own band back in New York to focus in on the music of the hills of North Mississippi, even hosting a regular Hill Country Music Nights series at Harlem's Shrine World Music Venue. And in a stroke of genius, Hammer brought in the classically trained, musically adventurous, Melissa Tong on violin, adding a whole new dimension to the traditional blues genre.  That inspired sound has given rise to a brand of music that brings fresh heat to the Mississippi hill country blues, blending in elements of Americana, rock, alt-country and even classical. Pork Chop Willie's goal is to spread the deep-soul joy of the blues of the North Mississippi hills to the world.

ABOUT 'LOVE IS THE DEVIL': Pork Chop Willie's national debut album, 'Love is the Devil' (PCWM 002), released June 3, 2014 (recorded at Black Wings Studio in Water Valley, Mississippi and Dubway Studios in New York City, engineered and mixed by Winn McElroy, Black Wings Studio. For a complete track listing, click here.) Listen to sample tracks here   “A fine debut. Recommended!” —Blues Matters! “Pork Chop Willie invests original stomps and [cover] spellbinders … with fire and conviction.” —DownBeat

Alpha Sun Records artist: Bridget Kelly Band - Forever in Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Forever in Blues, from Bridget Kelly Band. Opening with cool blues number, I'll Be Missin' You, bassist Mike Hamm sets up a cool bass line for Kelly's supple vocals. Tim Fik plays clean and unrelenting guitar riffs throughout. Blues In the Kitchen has a Dire Straits kind of feel with stinging blues guitar riffs. Texas Toast is a perfect set up for guitarist Fik to show his hand displaying Johnny Winter like dexterity at times. A slow loping boogie, this track is one of the cooler tracks on the release. Jazzy feeling I'll Take The Blues lets Kelly sit back in the vocals and sing with ease. Fik throws down some really cool blues riffs keeping it tight with Michael Barady on drums. I Live Alone is a easy paced 12 bar number and Kelly puts out a Bonnie Raitt kind of phrasing. On Take Me Home Blues, written over the basic "Help Me" riff, Kelly and Fik trade the spotlight. Not at all bashful to show his chops, Fik contains his fluid machine gun guitar approach showing a more melodic soloing style. Forever Little Girl is set over a basic blues 12 bar riff and Fik has a cool little riff that he puts in as an accent showing control and taste. Opening the can he lets it all out with some really electric bursts of fire. Title track, Forever in Blues, is a slow ballad along the lines of Gary Moore and working well for a band such as this. Kelly does a nice job of delivering and Fik lays it all out there. Very nice! He Lied To Me is a shuffle track a cool driving bass line. Fleet fingers Fik really tears it up on this one and Kelly rides the wave. Goin' To Memphis has a real nice opening guitar riff with cool double stops and Winter like tones. Another of my favorite tracks on the release, this track swings. Tall Man has a slow, Fool For Your Stockings" approach and Kelly grabs a hold of the track vocally and shakes it. You Left Me Cryin' has a definite R&B feel and a slice of Elvis via Artie Glenn. Nice guitar work by Fik ices a smooth cake. Everyday Without You is a cool slow blues with some time to jam. Rolling in over 7 minutes, gives the band a chance to stretch with a male vocal lead. A really nice bass line from Hamm sets a real nice road for Fik to drive over. His chops are alive and strong. Meaningful blues lines and expressive phrasing is the key to this track. Very nice. Wrapping the release is When The Blues Comes Around,  an uptempo shuffle with crisp guitar work and again male lead vocals. Fik unleashes the dog on this last track and Kelly trades lead vocals as well. This is a cool release without a lot of hot attributes. Check it out if you can.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - Ramblified

Micke Bjorklof: Lead vocals, harmonica, guitar
Lefty Leppänen: Electric- and national steel guitar, vocals
Teemu Vuorela: Drums
Seppo Nuolikoski: Bass, vocals
Timo Roiko-Jokela: Percussion, MalletKAT

Bandleader and singer Micke Bjorklof founded Blue Strip with bass player Seppo Nuolikoski in 1991. After a few changes at the very start the line up has been the same for over fifteen years. They started as an acoustic blues/rock cover band but before long the roots & blues music and producing original material took over. Today the band is one of the most popular live acts in the roots & blues scene in Finland. They have stirred up audiences around Scandinavia and Europe with their energetic live shows wherever they play, from small clubs to big festival arenas. Opening shows for names like B.B King, FabulousThunderbirds, Little Feat, Bill Wyman Rhythm Kings, Solomon Burke, Robert Plant etc.” In 2007 Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip finished up work on their latest release titled “Whole Nutha Thang”. The album was recorded in London, England with producer Neil Brockbank (Nick Lowe, Tanita Tikaram, Bryan Ferry). The album featured guest appearances by horn players Matt Holland and Martin Winning (Van Morrison, Lisa Stansfield) and magnificent keyboard player Geraint Watkins, known for his work with Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman, Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler.  

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Jimmy Thackery - Wide Open - New Release Review - Stilladog (Guest reviewer)

Wide Open. What a perfect name for the newest release by Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers! This album knows no boundaries and is in fact wide open to whatever Thackery was inspired to record. And his inspiration took two years to come to fruition. He began writing for this album back in 2012 with final recording finally wrapping in April of this year. There's something here for many musical tastes, as long as it's not too far from the blues/jazz/rock vein. In fact it is so diverse that listening to the album from start to finish makes it seem disjointed at times. But that does not diminish the quality. For when a song is good, it's very very good. When it's not, it's still very listenable. Two tracks had been previously released for download from iTunes, the blues-rocker Hard Luck Man and the melancholy Someone Who's Crying Tonight. And while I would consider Hard Luck Man very good and one of many highlights on this release, Someone Who's Crying Tonight is just OK. So what's good about it you say? Well if you are a fan of the DC guitar masters Roy Buchanan or Danny Gatton, Thackery delivers Pondok which is an instrumental that has elements of both artist's styles. Thackery, then guitarist for the Nighthawks, emerged as the King of Washington DC guitar after Gatton and Buchanan passed and he obviously learned from both. It is the last track on the release and it's laid back tempo belies some of the guitar artistry Thackery displays. OK so now you know how it ends, lets go back to the beginning. The album starts off with Change Your Tune a jazz infused swing with vocals and is followed by a beautiful jazz influenced instrumental in a minor key called Minor Step. I must confess, Minor Step is one of my favorite tracks on the album. But quickly Jimmy gets the Drivers to switch gears to a real blues called Coffee & Chicken. This tune pays homage to anyone who ever ate a bucket of Kentucky Fried and strong coffee for breakfast. For the humorous minded there's King of Livin' On My Own which could darn near be a country tune. It makes you realize there's a whole lot of truth in humor. If you like a slow gut-wrenching blues, then You Brush Me Off is for you. Thackery gives Ronnie Earl a run for his money in the slow blues instrumental category on this one. I'd say this is by far the favorite cut on the album of my wife, the fabulous Mrs. Dog. It's right up there for me too. Some extremely tasteful guitar on this track, not flashy, but just right. What can I say? You need to hear it. Thackery then returns to blues-rock again with Keepin' My Heart From Breakin'. This is closer to what you may have come to expect from Jimmy's earlier albums with The Drivers. With Swingin' Breeze, Jimmy returns to the jazz style that started the album. It's the kind of song you might expect on a Duke Robillard or Herb Ellis album and it's refreshing to hear Thackery play in this style. Run Like The Wind is done acoustically and is a haunting ballad with blues connotations. These are all original compositions. I believe it's the first Jimmy Thackery album that does not contain a cover tune of any sort. I go way back with Jimmy Thackery. back to the Psyche-Delly (Bethesda, MD), Rewster's Roost (Taylorsville, MD), and 8X10 Club (Baltimore, MD) even Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh, PA) days. And I believe this is an honest and true statement of where Jimmy is in his life right now. Wide Open is not an album made for commercial success (what blues album is these days except Joe Bonamassa releases?) but it's like an abstract piece of art. With that I'd recommend that you take a listen. There's surely something in there that will speak to you.  

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

VOTE for the Blues Blast Awards NOW!

NEWS FROM THE VIZZTONE LABEL GROUP

VOTE NOW for the Blues Blast Music Awards! Blues Blast Magazine is having their annual awards ceremony and celebration in Champaign, Illinois on October 23, 2014.  Voting is from July 15 - Septmeber 15, 2014. Yes, it's starting NOW!!! For more info, click the Blues Blast Music Awards logo, above.  May we humbly suggest that you cast your votes for.... Candye Kane Female Blues Artist Bob Corritore Male Blues Artist Little G Weevil Acoustic Blues Album "Moving" Dave Riley & Bob Corritore Acoustic Blues Album "Hush Your Fuss" Voting for the 2014 BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARDS is FREE and open to the public. For more information on the Awards, click the guitar: To VOTE NOW, click any of the little VOTE buttons! We are very proud of our BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARD nominees, as well as the rest our our great VizzTone family. To preview or buy any of our releases, please visit our website store: or the VizzTone Room on iTunes!