Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - Hard Luck Child - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (October 21, 2014), Hard Luck Child, from Rory Block and I think that it's the best yet of her "Mentor Series" releases. This album, a tribute to the incredible Skip James, opens with the only original Block track, Nehemiah James, which is a interpretive story of James life with slick slide work. Special Rider Blues is up next and Block not only shows her mastery of side, but also hits the vocals quite nicely. Cypress Grove Blues is so much James at his best, Block translates it nicely and her finger picking and slide work is fine. If You Haven't Had Any Hay, Get On Down The Road is a country blues style track with Block giving it a bit of a contemporary feel vocally over traditional picking styling. Little Cow and Calf Is Gonna Die Blues is another song in a somewhat Piedmont style but with a more contemporary feel. Block overdubbing herself with picking and slide in quite nice. My absolute favorite track on the release, and also one of my favorite all time blues tracks by anyone, Devil Got My Woman, is up next and Block really captures the heart of James on this track with tight guitar and vocal work. Excellent! Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader is of course done in spiritual style with Block singing chorus behind her own lead vocals. Not only is this very effective but the slide work on this track is particularly cool. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues is a solemn track done in all seriousness. Block does a nice job of delivering the pain in the original track and as always is spot on with her guitar work. On the track, I'm So Glad, as made popular by Cream in the 60's, Block backs her vocals again keeps the guitar light and fluid with rich gospel like backing vocals. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Hard Time Child, another track that exemplifies James at his best. Block adorns this track with guitar very sparingly keeping in the spirit of James. Job well done.

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Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce Release 'Live'

Available October 14th, 2014 on iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon

The third release from Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce, aptly titled Live, was recorded at a sold out performance at The Blackwell Hall in Kamloops, B.C. on October 11th, 2013. The recording highlights the powerful dynamics between bandleader Sabrina Weeks and her partner in life and music, guitarist Mike Hilliard. The core band consists of Bill White on rhythm guitar, Terry Strudwick on bass and Ed Hilliard on drums. The result is an astonishing capture of a memorable evening of music. Singing with enormous passion and expression, Weeks is sultry, smart and her humour is perfectly timed with the double-entendre one would expect in this set list of seven obscure and classic blues songs and five modern originals. “We decided to record a live album because we wanted to capture both the vitality and excitement of the band performing at the top of it’s game and also to encapsulate the loving, supporting energy of our fans”, says Weeks.  Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce’s first two recordings garnered plenty of attention for the band of seasoned performers. 2010’s Tales From Lenny’s Diner debuted at #1 in Canada, #12 globally on the Roots Music Report Blues charts, was featured on SiriusXM B.B. King’s Bluesville and earned the band the Maple Blues Award for New Artist of the Year. As with Tales From Lenny’s Diner, their sophomore recording, 2012’s Got My Eye On You was released to critical acclaim and extensive airplay throughout North America and was named one of the top ten best blues albums released in 2012 by the Blues Underground Network and was named runner up for a Blewzy Award. Opening with a previously recorded original, the infectious “Bad Boys” (from Tales from Lenny's Diner) and moving right in to gritty swamp-blues of “Jimmy Dee”, “Slide Over Here” a ZZ Top style blues-rocker, “Roll It” another funky blues number, “Happy Home” is a straight ahead blues shuffle. The haunting first single from Live is “Tarantino” - quite possibly the only blues-based song written as a tribute to the influential producer and director Quentin Tarantino. The five cover tracks on Live are eclectic and done in the way that only Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce can, including Randy Newman’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On” which  is a cross between the Joe Cocker and the Etta James versions. “Can’t Hear a Word You Say” a Leiber & Stoller song made popular by blues-belter Ruth Brown, the rarely heard “Strange” by Ike & Tina Turner, “Hound Dog”, a fitting tribute to Big Mama Thornton, and “Big Boss Man” which is a powerful funky version of the classic, but when Weeks sings “You ain’t so big, you just tall... that’s all”, it takes on a whole new meaning. Rooted in authenticity and conviction Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce have taken an approach to the blues with modern originals and delivery, while still paying homage to classic blues artists from the past. RIYL: Etta James, Koko Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald, Powder Blues, Big Maybelle, Bonnie Raitt, Ruth Brown   Track List:   1.     Bad Boys (4:46) 2.     Jimmy Dee  (3:38) 3.     Slide Over Here (4:47) 4.     Roll It (5:02) 5.     Happy Home (4:50) 6.     You Can Leave Your Hat On (5:11) 7.     Strange (5:07) 8.     Tarantino  (4:07) 9.     I Can’t Hear A Word You Say (3:54) 10.  Hound Dog (3:30) 11.  Big Boss Man (4:43) 12.  Got My Eye On You (5:58)   “Sabrina's everywhere vocally...soft, sexy, sultry, powerful and commanding. This gal can sing!” - Peter “Blewzman” Lauro, Mary 4 Music  “Sabrina Weeks and Mike Hilliard deliver the blues goods…” Robert Bartosh, Roots Music Report “Vocalist/front person, Weeks is a formidable vocal presence whose style is rooted in a past era that was dominated by jazzy big band sounds. She brings a certain verve associated with the days of ballrooms and sequins...” - Dean Gorden-Smith, Vernon Morning Star  www.sabrinaweeks.com

Legendary Roots Singer Maria Muldaur on the Road with her New "Way Past Midnight" National Tour

Legendary Roots Singer Maria Muldaur on the Road with her New “Way Past Midnight” National Tour

Multi-Grammy nominee and Stony Plain Records artist Maria Muldaur is touring North America with her “Bluesiana Band,” performing a very special tribute to her 50-year career as a recording artist, dubbed the “Way Past Midnight Tour.” And Maria, herself, is bringing a special message to her fans.

“Greetings from the road!,” says Maria. “We've just finished the second week of our Way Past Midnight Tour. We're happy to report that every single gig has been sold out, and we've received a very positive response to this new show that way exceeded our expectations. People are just loving it, and telling us how special they think it is. We're really enjoying revisiting these old song gems; folks are telling us that hearing their old favorites brings back many happy memories and that they are really enjoying the multimedia aspect of the show as well! We want to be sure you know about these tour updates, and we're very excited to announce that we'll be ending the tour with a show in our beloved New Orleans. Hope to see you at one of our shows soon!

“2014 marks 40 years since my big hit, “Midnight at the Oasis,” was riding at the top of the charts and I’ve released 40 albums in that time!!! To celebrate this milestone, I've created a multi-media retrospective - WAY PAST MIDNIGHT - chronicling my 50 year journey “to the Oasis and Beyond.” This special presentation features all my hits, many of your most-requested-over-the-years fan favorites, as well as the best of my most recent work. I will share stories of my personal encounters, friendships, and collaborations with many of the greatest names in music, along with photos and videos from my early days in the ‘60s folk revival with The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, through my years of ‘pop stardom’ and on to my continuing exploration of American Roots Music, Blues, Bluesiana, Jazz & Gospel. This is a chance for you to hear all of your old, rarely performed favorites, so I do hope you'll come out for this special show!”

Maria Muldaur Way Past Midnight U.S. Tour Dates

10/14                     SPACE                                                                                  Evanston, IL

10/15                     Music Box Supper Club                                                 Cleveland, OH

10/18                     Moondog’s                                                                         Pittsburgh, PA

10/19                     The Sportsmen Tavern                                                  Buffalo, NY

10/21                     The Iridium                                                                        New York, NY

10/22                     The Stanhope House                                                     Stanhope, NJ

10/23                     Building 24                                                                         Wyomissing, PA

10/24                     Boulton Center for the Performing Arts                Bay Shore, NY

10/25                     Tupelo Music Hall                                                           Londonderry, NH

10/26                     Iron Horse Music Hall                                                    Northampton, MA

10/28                     Sellersville Theater 1894                                              Sellersville, PA

10/29                     Blues Alley Jazz                                                                Washington, DC

10/30                     Bridge Street Live                                                            Collinsville, CT

10/31                     Chan’s                                                                                  Woonsocket, RI

11/1                       Wellfleet Preservation Hall                                       Wellfleet, MA

11/4                       The Grey Eagle Tavern                                                  Asheville, NC

11/5                       Smith’s Olde Bar                                                              Atlanta, GA

11/6                       Bradfordville Blues Club                                              Tallahassee, FL

11/7                       Skipper’s Smokehouse                                                 Tampa, FL

11/8                       Funky Biscuit                                                                     Boca Raton, FL

11/14                     Snug Harbor                                                                       New Orleans, LA

www.stonyplainrecords.com                                                      www.mariamuldaur.com

Jordan Officer - I'm Free - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, I'm Free, from Jordan Officer and it's terrific! Opening with At Least I've Got The Blues, a cool walking, Thrill Is Gone like track, Officer talks his lyrics, not unlike one of my all time favorites, Roy Buchanan, and lets his guitar do the talking. His guitar knows exactly what to do with beautiful tone and unquestionable phrasing. Excellent! A Night Of Fun, is up next with a carnival kind of feel. Tony Mason on drums and Jeff Hill on bass balance out this track. With a cool light jazzy touch this is a bright player. Title track, I'm Free, is a nice slow T-Bone Walker style track with beautifully articulate guitar work. Charley Drayton on drums and Andy Hess just sit tight in the pocket as Officer shows how it is done. Brilliant! When We Were Just Two is a cool retro track with a Bo Diddley beat. Loose guitar work and rhythmic backing make this a cool track. I'm All Alone had a cool Roy Head like vamp with a minimalist backing allowing the guitar riffs to breathe easy. Stylistic rather than pyrotechnics rule this track. Very nice! Jackie's Tune is a slow bluesy instrumental. This track really has feeling with well thought out riffs and runs. Although not the most dynamic track on the release, it may be my favorite just due to it's overall mastery. Excellent! Two Will Do is a bebop track featuring Officer and Mason on a tight jam. Officer does sing a few bars but it's the slick fretboard mastery that really makes this track hum! Life Just Showed Me is exclusively electric guitar and vocal. A simply strong track with solid vocals and rich blues riffs. On classic, Ain't Nobody's Business, Officer slows it down a bit and does some of his best stylized vocals on the release. His masterful guitar accompaniment along with the drumming of Tony Mason show a true appreciation for the original track and also his personal interpretation of a well known classic. Very nice! Wrapping the release is one of those western tracks that I always look for. Hang 'Em High sticks rhythmically to a western line but Officer gives it a real modern bluesy spin. I like his spontaneity and insight. This is a truly unique release and one I feel deserves strong recognition.

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Sacred Cat Recordings artist: Nathan James - Hear Me Calling / Natural Born That Way - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Hear Me Calling (November 28, 2014), from Nathan James and it has a real nice feel. This release is actually two separate releases in one, the first, Hear Me Calling, was inspired by field recordings by Alan Lomax. The second, Natural Born This Way, more New Orleans, Swamp Pop and Down Home blues. Opening disc one is title track, Hear Me Calling, a stripped down blues track with harp and resonator guitar. Look Before I Leap puts me in mind of Brickyard Blues, an old track made popular by James Montgomery. Clean articulate resonator playing brings a nice life to this track. Piedmont style track, Still I Wanna Know, is a bright finger style acoustic guitar track with James on lead vocal. Very nice! A boogie track with a twist, Doing The Same To You, has a Latin flavor and a finger style break. Interesting mix. Baby Where Did You Go has very classic delta blues styling and honesty. Possibly my favorite track on disc one. Curley Weaver's No No Blues is done with a lot of authenticity including falsetto vocals and slippery slide resonator work. Very nice! Lonnie Johnson's She's Making Whoopie in Hell Tonight is a real classic with solid guitar riffs and slide techniques. Look Out Your Window has a much more modern sound but with classic blues riffs. With a boogie rhythm this track rolls along really nicely. Don't Believe What People Say has the solid classic delta styling and simple but clever guitar riffs. Opening with a train like harp solo, She Don't Make A Scene, has a real nice swing to it. It's obviously more modern take on the blues with contemporary vocal styling but incorporating resonator to play the more modern interpretations of the classic riffs is quite cool. Wrapping the first disc is I Know I've Got Religion, a traditional spiritual blues. James keeps solid time on the resonator and demonstrates some of his best vocals on disc one.

 Opening disc two with a classic Freddie Fender track, I'm Gonna Leave, a 50's styled shuffle, James on vocal and guitar make good time with Marty Dodson on drums, Troy Sandow on bass and some particularly cool key work from Carl Sonny Leyland. James throws down some classic trem bends on his stylized guitar solo. Look Out Your Window is a cool bluesy track with drone note guitar rhythm and James establishing firmly his solid vocal skills along with some pretty cool country influenced guitar riffs. Natural Born That Way has a modified Latin rhythm that is really cool. James' guitar attack on this track really sets it off and Dodson's drumming anchors it. Very nice! Look Before I Leap has a twist of New Orleans reinforced by the solid piano work of Leyland. This is a slick track with a catchy rhythm and melody. On Earl King track, Take You Back Home, James sets a strong R&B swing. Big Jon Atkinson sits in on rhythm guitar giving James a chance to really stretch his lead guitar chops on this track. Very cool! Doing The Same To You is another track with a strong New Orleans influence but with classic rag style breaks. Another slick guitar solo and then heavily stylized piano playing from Leyland sets this track apart. Long John Hunter's Ride With Me is a hard driver with Troy Sandow leading the way on bass. Leyland and James trade rhythm leads throughout but James steps on it with a frantic guitar solo and Leyland comes back with almost a Jerry Lee Lewis style on piano. Smokin! Another Earl King track, It Must Have Been Love, sets a strong R&B path with James doing some of his richest vocals on the release. He also steps up with some of the bluesiest guitar riffs on this release as well. On The 5 Royales' I'm Gonna Tell Them, a Bo Diddley rhythm and gospel influenced vocals (with Dodson and Sandow adding vocal harmonythis track rolls along nicely with an overall cool sound and slick stylized guitar work. Cow Pies is a really cool blues shuffle featuring Sandow on harp and James on slide. My favorite track on this side! Closing the release Don't Believe What People Say is a tight blues track along the lines of Rollin' and Tumblin' with a nice easy pace. Leyland on piano sets a nice background for James' vocal melody. This is a cool release with a number of different takes on the basic blues theme.

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The John Weeks Band - John Weeks Band - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, The John Weeks Band, by the John Weeks Band and it has a cool flavor. Opening with All Night, a laid back 12 bar number, Weeks on guitar and vocal, Andras "AC" Csapo on keys, Curtis Hawkins on bass and Tim "Chooch" Molinario on drums set the pace. Devil In My House has a bit more of a easy rock feel with Csapo on harp backing acoustic guitar and vocal by Weeks. Instrumental jump track Why Don't We Sleep On It, really kicks. Led by AC on harp and with a nice walking bass line by Hawkins, this track is built to spill. Weeks shows he knows his way up and down fretboard as he trades riffs with AC on harp. Very nice! How Can You Love Me settles down in a nice slow groove. Featuring cool organ work from AC, Weeks is back on lead vocal and quiet, steady guitar solo. I Want To Get Back Home has a definite rock beat with a taste of funk. AC steps up with fine lead harp work and Weeks plays some of his tastiest guitar riffs on the release. You Never Say What You Mean has a bluesy Latin feel, accented by Chooch's finesse on drums. AC takes a real nice organ ride on this track leading to a nice open solo from Weeks on guitar as well. Very nice! Wrapping the release is the funky Moving On. With Hawkins and Chooch setting the rhythm, Weeks lays down some of his nicest riffs and best tone on the release.

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

 

Stony Plain Records artist: Billy Boy Arnold - The Blues Soul Of Billy Boy Arnold - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (October 21, 2014), The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold, from Billy Boy Arnold and it's solid. Opening with R&B track Coal Man, Arnold leads the way on vocal with heavy support from Rich Lataille on sax, Mark Earley on sax and Doug Woolverton on trumpet. Hopping right on the harp on the intro of the classic I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water, Arnold plays this boogie out with slick guitar work from Duke Robillard and Bruce Bears who always shines on piano. Taking the last solo spot on the track Arnold rips out a nice one chased by Mark Teixeira on drums. You Give Me Nothing To Go On has a solid R&B feel with Robillard stepping up with a nice solo. Arnold hops on a cool solo of his own and Bears rolls high under the melody. 99 lbs., another R&B laden track is straight up rolling straight to the radio with it's hook. Joe Tex's A Mother's Prayer is a high stepper with warm backing vocals from Anita Suhanin and Jack Gauthier. On classic St. James Infirmary Arnold opens with a solitude harp solo, breaking into a smooth swing number. Arnold really has a relaxed vocal style on this track, complimented as Bears plays a really nice piano solo and Robillard some tight guitar riffs. Don't Set Me Free has a Latin rhythm and a tight fast paced night club sound with round backing vocals and full horn backing. Lataille lays down a really nice sax solo and the deep bottom is nicely complimented by Earley as Woolverton wraps the track with a hot trumpet riff. 12 bar blues number, What's On The Menu Mama, has a great blues feel and Arnold gets a nice groove going. Bears adds substantially throughout the track with great piano riffs and Robillard lays in a real nice guitar solo as well. My favorite track on the release, BB King's Worried Dream, is a perfect blend of Arnold on vocal and Robillard's guitar. Brad Hallen lays down just enough bass to cook this track and Robillard really digs deep creating that eye closing moment when you just sit back and groove. Very nice! Next up is Chuck Berry's Nadine. Holding much of Berry's original feel but with just a little bit more boogie, this is a cool track. Robillard also lays in a stylized Berry like riff closing the track. The classic, Work Song, seems a natural for this band with it's lineup. Arnold sings somewhat "naked" for a bit of the track but building backing as the track rolls. Bears takes a really nice jazzy solo first and as always his style is stellar. Robillard is up next and there's no questioning his unmistakable talent and taste. Very nice! Dance For Me has a basic Hooker form at it's core with raw vocals, uneven timing, stripped down harp and guitar. Very nice! Boogie track Ain't That Just Like A Woman really is the best track to feature bears on piano and he doesn't miss a second. Arnold does a real nice job on vocals and plays a loose harp solo on this track. Robillard spins a hot solo of his own bringing Arnold back to wrap it up on harp. Closing the release is well known, Keep On Rubbing, and Arnold delivers his vocals in a sly style with Robillard adding just the perfect riff to polish up the track. “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here

Lazy Brothers Records artist: Howard Glazer - Looking In The Mirror - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (October 21, 2014), Looking In The Mirror, from Howard Glazer. Opening with Midnight Postman, Glazer delivers on a funky R&B style number featuring a nice organ solo from Larry Marek and of course the fiery guitar works of Glazer. Stephanie Johnson and Maggie McCabe back Glazer on vocal joined by Chris Brown on bass and Charles David Stuart on drums. Broken Down Hotel Blues has a stagger step, broken drum riff start which I really like. A clever blues rocker, this track is all about the rhythm. Take Me Baby opens with a nice electric guitar solo with cool saturated amp sound. Marek really rides the keys and under vocals by Glazer and McCabe. All I Ever Wanted is an unusual track with a Frank Zappa like vocal bridge. Nicely phrased guitar riffs highlight this track with a cool drum rhythm under the bottom. Walking In Detroit is a cool 12 bar shuffle with McCabe and Glazer trading lead vocal parts. David Kocbus hits the note on trumpet topping off the track. One of my favorite tracks on the release, 7 plus minute Eviction Blues gets down and dirty with some really gritty guitar riffs. Feeling So Bad is basically a simple blues number with Glazer on vocal and resonator. Everybody loves the sound of a steel body guitar and Glazer knows how to make it sing. Very nice! Title track, Looking In The Mirror, is a bass driven number with a definite early British blues sense. A Rollin' and Tumblin' general feel and cool slide work makes this another of my favorites on the release. Wandering Trails has the sound of an early Leslie West composition (think Silver Papers) but with slide guitar work. Pushing The Limits enters Johnny Winter territory with it's driving beat and flaming slide work over a Chuch Berry like riff. McCabe and Johnson soften the track with backing vocals. Misunderstood The Devil has a definite back hill country swampy blues like feel. One of the most unusual tracks on the release, I like it's effects fueled guitar. Wrapping the track is Emergency, a city, experimental, raw, jazz influenced blues track featuring Glazer on loose guitar riffs and Tom Schmaltz on flute. Brown and Stuart hold the track together with a solid bottom giving Glazer and Schmaltz free reign to play. Interesting conclusion to an interesting release.

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here

 

Bluz Records Label artist: Lisa Mills - I'm Changing - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (October 21, 2014), I'm Changing, from Lisa Mills and it's stunning! Opening with Better Than This/ I Don't Need You Anymore, Mills opens up a quiet bluesy ballad. Her easy pace and confidence is quite becoming. Rick Hirsch lays in a really nice guitar solo joining Ian Jennings on bass and Jimmy Roebuck on drums. I Don't Want To Be Happy is a simple ballad with Mills accompanied by Jennings on bass, John Milham on drums and Corky Hughes on guitar. Mills really has a colorful voice and it is nicely on display here. I Need A Little Sunshine has a nice gospel like feel, with a twist of country and a pinch of island. Britt Meacham adds some nice soft melodic chorded soloing. Nice! Title track, I'm Changing, is a very solid ballad and beautifully written and executed track. Pat Murphy overlays a soft fiddle solo over Mills own accompaniment on acoustic guitar. Very nice! Eyes So Blue has cool island feel and Mills voice melds nicely into the rhythm. This is one of the strongest tracks on the release with definite radio potential. Shake It has a real nice 40's nightclub sound and although Mills holds her basic form her styling on this track is particularly nice. Hughes adds some nice slide work and Hirsch some cool baritone guitar riffs. Tell Me is Mills alone on vocal. This track, more than any other shows the confidence and warmth of Mills voice. A solid gospel like track, my favorite track on the release. Excellent! A classic, I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down features a real nice bluesy take on the traditional track with Hughes on bottleneck slide resonator. Opening with a traditional delta styling and then moving to a more soulful feel. Another excellent track! Rain In The Summertime is a pure ballad which actually reminds me quite a bit of Joni Mitchell. Clean and pure. Take My Troubles has an easy R&B/reggae feel with an easy rhythm pace and clean soloing by Meacham. Another very nice track. The Truth has a bit of a European feel in construction but with almost civil war like drumming by TK Lively, the addition of banjo by Murphy and some obtuse guitar work by Hughes, the most experimental track on the release. Wrapping the release is Jimi Hendrix's classic Little Wing. Hughes plays a haunting slide guitar part below the easy vocal treatment by Mills. One of the coolest tracks to come out of the 60's era, this is a super interpretation of it with clever exchange between acoustic guitar and supersonic slide work as a compliment to Mills vocals. This is a particularly unusual release for my review and one that I quite enjoyed.

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here

 

Forty Below Records Announces October 27 Release Date for Gatefold Two-LP Vinyl Set of John Mayall's Acclaimed Latest Album, "A Special Life"

Forty Below Records Announces October 27 Release Date for Gatefold Two-LP Vinyl Set of John Mayall’s Acclaimed Latest Album, A Special Life

LOS ANGELES, CA – Forty Below Records announces an October 27 release date for the special gatefold two-LP vinyl set from the legendary “Godfather of British Blues,” John Mayall, of his universally-acclaimed album, A Special Life, distributed by Sony/RED. The new album was recorded last November at Entourage Studios in North Hollywood and was produced by Mayall, with co-production, engineering and mixing by Eric Corne. A Special Life also boasts original cover art and design created by John Mayall.

Reviews of A Special Life have been over-the-top and acknowledge Mayall’s lofty place in blues history. “After over a half-century of playing the blues, John Mayall is a genuine master, and he has certainly led A Special Life,” said Living Blues magazine. “I’d easily put this one among Mayall’s best efforts – and that includes Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, A Hard Road, and Blues From Laurel Canyon – so run, don’t walk, to your record store come release day for a copy of A Special Life,!” wrote About.com. And UK magazine, Uncut, summed up its review by stating the obvious: “Mayall delivers everything with utter conviction.”

The aptly-titled A Special Life serves as further testament to John Mayall’s boundless talent, vitality and ever-dynamic personality. Along with his accomplished band, he goes back to his roots on the new album with an eclectic mix of songs centered in the blues, but with diversions into rock and Americana.

John Mayall and his band recently completed an extensive tour of North America and Europe, with more dates to follow throughout the fall and winter. On the tour, as on the new album, he’s joined by Texas guitarist Rocky Athas and a Chicago-based rhythm section of Greg Rzab on bass and Jay Davenport on drums. The current band lineup came together five years ago for his last studio album, Tough, and has developed an amazing chemistry over the years through consistent touring both in the U.S. and around the world. Athas came on the recommendation of Mayall’s former guitarist Buddy Whittington, and quickly asserted himself as a major force in the band. After Rzab came onboard to play bass, he recommended Davenport for the drum spot and the group was complete.

Since 2009, the new, leaner four-piece lineup has given John more room to stretch out as an instrumentalist. After being invited to do a guest spot on Walter Trout’s latest album, John met engineer/producer Eric Corne. John was so impressed that he asked Eric to record his new album. Greg, Jay and Rocky flew in for the sessions which took less than a week to record and the end result is one of John's best albums ever, with its deep devotion to blues and roots music. Accordion legend C.J. Chenier makes a powerhouse guest appearance on a couple of tracks, including the opener, “Why Did You Go Last Night,” written and previously recorded by his father, Zydeco icon Clifton Chenier. A Special Life also includes three new songs penned by John and a reworked Mayall classic to go along with covers of Jimmy Rogers (“That’s All Right”), Albert King (“Floodin’ in California”), Sonny Landreth (“Speak of the Devil”), Jimmy McCracklin (“I Just Got to Know”) and Eddie Taylor (“Big Town Playboy”), plus a new song written by Greg Rzab and Rocky Athas.

For more information, visit www.johnmayall.com and www.fortybelowrecords.com

Todd Wolfe Band Kicks Off "Miles To Go" Midwest/Canadian Tour@HOB/Chicago

            

The Todd Wolfe Band bring their "Miles To Go" Tour to the midwest and Canada, kicking off with a show at the House of Blues Back Porch in Chicago on Monday, October 13. Complete itinerary below. Pictured (from left): Roger Voss, drums; Todd Wolfe, guitars-vocals; Justine Gardner, bass.

TODD WOLFE BAND KICKS OFF "MILES TO GO"  MIDWEST/CANADIAN TOUR W/ A SHOW AT HOUSE OF BLUES/CHICAGO, MONDAY, OCT. 13

   (CHICAGO, IL) - The Todd Wolfe Band, one of the hardest-working blues-rock ensembles in the business, launch their Fall "Miles To Go" U.S. Midwest/Canadian Tour with a show at the Back Porch at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Monday, October 13. 8 p.m. $5.00. Show Info: (312) 923-2000 or http://www.houseofblues.com/chicago. Complete tour itinerary below.

   Longtime guitar ace Todd Wolfe is known for his work with Sheryl Crow (five years as her lead guitarist in the '90's), as well as Carla Olson (The Textones); and Leslie West (Mountain), among others, throughout a stellar career. The Todd Wolfe Band had just returned from yet another road trip - four in 2013 alone, totalling close to 40,000 miles, from the Czech Republic to San Francisco - and received year-end accolodes including a "Best Band" nomination from Rockwired Magazine.  Wolfe has released seven albums since 1999 and has written songs for acts as diverse as country star Faith Hill and renowned jam band, Phish.

   

Todd Wolfe Band performing live in Grand Rapids, MI during April 2014 while in the midst of a tour promoting their "Miles to Go" album.

  Todd Wolfe Band Reviewed Live By National Rock Review (April 2014)

  "The beauty of listening to a Todd Wolfe show is the depth of his musical career; a career spanning thirty-plus years, honing and toning ‘his’ sound," writes National Rock Review in a live review of the band's show in Grand Rapids, MI this past April. "The trio is deep and accomplished. Each member brings a full plate to the table, with instrument and voice, which makes them sound bigger than a three-piece. Choral harmonies are layered in 3rds and 5ths that might evoke a Fleetwood Mac-esque tone yet steeped in southern blues/rock," concludes the review, which can be read in its entirety here.

 "Miles To Go" (American Showplace Music), represents another music milestone in Wolfe's storied career. The record's ten tracks run the gamut from straight blues to post-classic rock, each featuring Wolfe's uniquely rockin' soulful vocals. Guest performers on Miles To Go (Wolfe's fifth studio album, eighth total) include noteworthy blues harpist Steve Guyger and organ ace, John Ginty. Wolfe has truly arrived on his own terms, and as Miles To Go proves, creating quality music for the world to hear.

                            

What the Media is Saying About Miles To Go and the Todd Wolfe Band

 "Miles To Go" follows the same formula for success so clearly visible in his first release: excellent original material punctuated by world class guitar skills, all delivered via above average vocals. Keep up the great work, Mr. Wolfe, I hope to catch you live and on stage some day."                                                                                                            BLUESROCKERS

"Miles To Go has a deep bluesy soul with a tinge of Southern rock and a psychedelic vibe...'Wolfe's current bandmates are both incredibly skilled musicians, each adding a unique element to the band's overall sound."                                                                                                 BLUES ROCK REVIEW

"The Todd Wolfe Band deliver a powerful sonic experience with the release of 'Miles To Go' ...with a mix of blues, Southern rock, and even a little soul, the eighth release by this band has me yearning to hear the earlier releases."                                                                                              ROCK OVER AMERICA

"Imagine some power trio mixed into a Texas blues foundation and overlaid with trippy psychedelia...that's the essence of (Todd) Wolfe's music."               

                                                                                     HITTIN' THE NOTE

FALL 2014 "MILES TO GO" U.S. MIDWEST/CANADIAN TOUR ITINERARY

Oct. 13 (Mon.)    BACK PORCH@HOUSE OF BLUES           Chicago, IL

Oct. 14 (Tues.)  INTERMISSION                                  Wausau, WI

Oct. 17 (Fri.)     ALTONA CURLING RING                    Altona, Canada

Oct. 18 (Sat.)    NEIGHBORS PUB                                Lloydmister, Canada

Oct. 20 (Mon.)  BLUES ON WHYTE                             Edmonton, Canada     Oct. 21 (Tues.) BLUES ON WHYTE                              Edmonton, Canada

Oct. 22 (Wed.)  BLUES ON WHYTE                              Edmonton, Canada

Oct. 23 (Thur.) BLUES ON WHYTE                              Edmonton, Canada

Oct. 24 (Fri.)    BLUES ON WHYTE                              Edmonton, Canada

Oct. 25 (Sat.)    BLUES ON WHYTE                              Edmonton, Canada    Oct. 26 (Sun.)   BLUES ON WHYTE                              Edmonton, Canada

Oct. 28 (Tues.) LANDING BAR & GRILL                      Minot, SD

Oct. 29 (Wed.)  LEGENDS BAR & GRILL                      St. Cloud, MN

Oct. 30 (Thur.)  FORADA LIQUOR BAR & GRILL          Forada, MN

Oct. 31 (Fri.)     SHAW'S BAR & GRILL                        Minneapolis, MN

Nov. 1 (Sat.)      TIP TOP DELUXE BAR & GRILL           Grand Rapids, MI

Nov. 2 (Sun.)     THE CLUB TAVERN                           Quincy, IL

Nov. 3 (Mon.)    THE ALAMO                                     Springfield, IL

Nov. 4 (Tues.)    REX'S RENDEVOUS                           Warsaw, IN

Nov. 5 (Wed.)     MIDWAY TAVERN                            Mishawaka, IN

                        

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