Mid-Winter Musical Fun: Michael Hornbuckle at Oriental Theater

MID-WINTER MUSICAL FUN: MICHAEL HORNBUCKLE, AUSTIN YOUNG BAND PERFORM ALL-AGES CONCERT AT THE ORIENTAL THEATRE   (Denver, CO) - What better way to shed those mid-winter blahs than with some funky, blue-eyed soul, blues, and rock from two of the brightest names on the Denver indie scene - Michael Hornbuckle, and Austin Young - who bring their respective bands for a double-billed show at the venerable Oriental Theatre, 4335 W. 44th St., Friday, January 27. Showtime: 8:00 pm. All ages. $14. Info: (720) 420-0030 or log onto http://www.theorientaltheater.com/. The Michael Hornbuckle Band is fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist, Michael Hornbuckle, who were recently voted "Best Blues Band of 2016" by the Colorado Blues Society. Hornbuckle has just released a critically-lauded new album, Soul Repo. WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING ABOUT MICHAEL HORNBUCKLE'S SOUL REPO "From the first notes of “Candle for Mary,” Hornbuckle redefines the blues with this amazing collection of songs. Of all the artists we have recently reviewed, this is the one we would love to see perform live. If you only get one new album this holiday season, then this is the one you want. Get out and Get It now!"                                              LA MUSIC CRITIC "Michael Hornbuckle's new album Soul Repo is continuation of his great contributions to the blues rock world. Good musicians know they have to dive into their shadows knowing the only way to get past the hard times is to go through them. Michael has done, and continues to do the work needed. and the album is a reflection of that dedication."                                     PRESERVING THE BLUES "A masterful series of audio images into the life of a man that walks the walk and sings the talk of the road, one that is dusty and dangerous, but holds the love and compassion to warm the coldest of hearts...the songs are wonderfully mixed into the life story, singing the moments that matter with a guitar that weaves itself into your very soul."                                       INDIE PULSE MUSIC "Singer and guitarist Hornbuckle's music is exceptionally soulful. With a voice that reminds of superstar John Mayer, Hornbuckle demonstrates a mastery of lights-down-low slow dance R&B, pouring on the seduction hot and heavy with cuts like "Risin' Sun" and the harmonica-embellished, go-ahead-and-give-me-a-booty-call "Hit Me Up. Soul Repo is no doubt going to make Hornbuckle the latest blue-eyed soul darling, but he proves here that he's got what it takes for the long run."                                             ANTI-MUSIC  "Me & Melody adds a bit of pop to the mix with a snappy drum riff and a certain melodic hook, reinforced by Alexander "Ace" Baker. With a bit of lead in his boots and some funk in his foot, Hornbuckle lays out one of the coolest tracks on the release with a great beat. Sarah Snead on backing vocals adds nice texture and Hornbuckle's own guitar and vocals really hit the spot. Bluesy ballad, Risin' Sun is really nicely written with soulful vocals over arpeggiated guitar chords. One of the most soulful guitar solos on the release also makes this one of my absolute favorites on the release."                                    BMANS BLUES REPORT                                                       Michael Hornbuckle - "Baby Rock" (from Soul Repo)                                                            www.hornbucklemusic.com                           facebook.com/pages/Hornbuckle

Mississippi Delta Records artist: Stevie J. Blues - Back 2 Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Back 2 Blues, from Stevie J. Blues and it's a cool mix of funk, blues, soul and R&B. Opening with high stepper, Lil' Mo' Love, Stevie J leads the way on vocal backed by Todd Vaughn on keys, The Jackson Horns, and Kendrick Hart on bass. With a taste of electronica I Ain't Gettin' That has the feel of Junior Wells but modern. Stevie rips loose with some high distortion guitar riffs giving the track just a little more spice. Swinger, Cradle Robber, has a real nice pace and clean tasty guitar riffs under the melody, punched up by the Horns. A nice sax solo by Jessie Primer stands out nicely. Funky soul track, That Party Song, nicely showcases Stevie's vocals with sax work by Micha Brown and backing vocals by Angela Walls. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Lights Out has strong soul and blues roots with strong vocal lead and soulful blues guitar riffs. Good Good has a super nice bass line by Hart and slick guitar riffs by Stevie giving it nice sting. Another of my favorite tracks, Another Jody Song, has solid soul lines, particularly sweet guitar soloing and nice backing vocal by Omar Cunningham. Boogie track, Son of a Sanctified Preacher, builds it nice, John Lee style finally breaking into a full tilt with hot guitar riffs. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Blues By The Bay, a cruising instrumental shuffle track in the style of BB King. Stevie shows that he's learned his chops with original riffs and solid backing by Hall and Taye Vargas.



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RIP - Jim Mouradian of Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters - My Thoughts are with his family and friends

Mouradian, of Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters, Passes Away

Jim Mouradian, bassist for Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters since 2000, suffered a massive heart attack and passed away following the band’s show on Saturday night, January 14, at The KATE in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

In addition to being a fantastic bassist who toured an recorded with Ronnie Earl for all those years, Jim Mouradian was an internationally known luthier, who crafted basses for a number of legendary bassist, including Chris Squire of Yes.

Ronnie Earl’s management posted the following statement yesterday on Facebook:

“ We are devastated to share the passing of our dear brother Jimmy Jim Mouradian of a massive heart attack last night following our show at The KATE. Jim was a man we all loved who exuded compassion, joy, faith, and gratitude for every person he met and every note he played. Please keep his wife Michele and his entire family in your prayers. We will update you when we hear of plans to celebrate his life - Debbie on behalf of all of us in the band.”

Montrose Records artist: Richard Cagle & The Voodoo Choir - Dos - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dos, from Richard Cagle & the Voodoo Choir and it's a cool rocker with bite! Opening with driving rocker, Treat Your Daddy Right, Richard Cagle on lead vocal is front and center with Dusty Hill like bass lines from Calvin Hall, stinging guitar riffs from Lee Martin, Randy Walls on keys and Kelley Wright on drums. Love Ya Need Ya has a soothing pace with super bass on bottom and guitar lead is subtle at time and rabid at time. Very cool. With a heavy John Lennon meets Billy Gibbons, meets Robin Trower, Slow Blues oozes out a heavy blues rock feel. Cagle's vocals approach those of Axl on this one but the overall feel of this track is very solid and given the super bottom and nicely appointed guitar work by Martin, this track is one of my favorites. Breaking down Humble Pie style, Messing With the Blues is a basic rocker with guts. Martin definitely shows that he can surf the fretboard and with anchoring by Hall and Wright, this track is solid. Blues ballad, Crying the Blues, is another of my favorites on the release with cool vocals by Cagle, a particularly nice solo line by Martin and warm keys by Walls. Kicking it back up, Thunder Lightning is a cool rocker with definite attitude. A great foot stomper with a cool rhythm, solid guitar riffs, again I like Cagle's vocals and particularly the harmonics by Martin. Rock and Roll Stew has great swagger with a touch of early Black Sabbath and a bit of Free. A super all around blues rocker it nicely integrates a number of rock styles. All Night Long With You is a radio style track with blues rhythms and a Brownsville Station feel. Bring Me Some Water has the feel of a high energy Johnny Winter blues rocker with contemporary guitar pyrotechnics from Martin and driving drums pushing all the way. Wrapping the release is Singing The Blues, an easy shuffle track and a cool walking bass line from Hall and tight, melodic guitar lead by Martin. A cool closer for an interesting release.



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Misty Blues - Dark & Saucy - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dark & Saucy by Misty Blues and is quite cool. Opening with bright shuffle, Next Time Is The Last Time, Gina Coleman is front and center on lead vocal and featuring Matt Berger on guitar and backed by Jason Webster on guitar, Bill Patriquin on bass, Ben Kohn on keys, Jeff Dudziak on guitar, Rob Tatten on drums and Aaron Dean on sax. With solid vocals, grinding guitar work and saucy sax, this is a cool opener. On slow ballad, Will My Blues, Coleman really shines on vocal and Dean hit's square on. With a Latin beat, Kohn To The Bone is a really nice jazzy instrumental featuring nicely paired sax, keys and guitars over a very tight drum bass bottom. Excellent! Island sounds permeate Dirty Laundry Blues featuring gritty vocals by Coleman and David Vittone on Musette Accordion giving the track a New Orleans feel. Yard Work Blooz features Ed Moran upfront and with a firm shuffle rhythm, gets the whole band backing on vocals. A supple sax solo by Dean and Kohn's key work round the track. Adding in a little funk on If I Didn't Have You, the band gets in the groove and Coleman's vocals are tops. Swinging sax and guitar solos add icing to the cake. Wrapping the release is Doom Dom Doom which describes the bass line in this dark and smoky track. Loosely tight improvisational guitar and keyboard work with deep vocals, snappy drums, sexy sax and rock solid bass takes this one home.



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Brown Cow Productions artist: The Jimmys - Live From Transylvania - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live from Transylvania, from The Jimmys and I really like it. Opening with Jacqui Juice, the Jimmys are smoking from the start. With this hot shuffle instrumental, the band members get a chance to blow out the pipes right up front starting with Perry Weber on guitar, followed by Charley Wagner on trumpet, Pete Ross on sax and Jimmy Voegeli on Hammond riding high on the backs of Mauro Magellan on drums and John Wartenweiler on bass. Excellent! Boogie track, I Wonder features Voegeli on lead vocal and the excellent work of Darren Sterud on trombone over an ultra tight band who play together like an oiled machine. Nice! Rocker, You Can't Hurt Me Anymore, has more of a driving beat with strong vocals and solid solos by Weber on guitar and Voegeli on piano. Hell Or Heaven has a much easier sound with stronger radio appeal like a Chicago balance and nicely blended vocals. Another shuffle track with a pop twist, Love Will Find A Way, has a cool piano boogie vein with super work from Wagner's trumpet and hot riffs from Weber on guitar. Cold Women has a real nice swing and Wagner, Ross and Sterud roll together nicely. Ross steps up with a really warm sax solo on this one nicely showcasing his talents and Weber's guitar lines are fluid and stinging. Very nice! Slowing way down, Lonesome Whistle Blues is a really inviting track along the lines of T-Bone Walker or Ronnie Earl. Weber plays a really sweet intro blending nicely into the mix with BB King like accents and a great throaty performance by Sterud on trombone followed by Wagner on trumpet and again Weber. Excellent! With a lot of swing the gang is back on You Say You Will. Breaking into full shuffle Weber takes a nice long stroll followed by Streud. Very nice! With a hot Latin rhythm, Lose That Woman really rides on the super drumming by Magellen. Great vocal blends, super piano work and hot sax and guitar solos give this track plenty of traction. Wrapping the release is "The Band's" Ophelia which is an absolutely terrific track. Using the Band's basic timing with moderate instrumental improvisation, this track really hums with a snappy solo by Magellen. A great New Orleans style closer for a fun release.

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New Guy Coming March 24!

On March 24, M.C. Records To Release Sonny & Brownie's Last Train By Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi

Northport NY – On March 24, M.C. Records will proudly release Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train by the Ambassador of the Blues, Guy Davis and international harmonica sensation Fabrizio Poggi. The deep, acoustic blues sessions took place in Milan Italy and were recorded live in the studio. The result captured the special musical connection that Guy and Fabrizio possess from the years of playing and recording together. The release will be available digitally, on CD and vinyl! The first time Guy has a released a recording on vinyl! Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train marks the 14th recording by Guy Davis in his storied career and his third with M.C. Records. His first “Juba Dance” was produced by Fabrizio Poggi and also recorded in Italy. Guy Davis explains the concept of the recording, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry were two musicians whose work will not be surpassed, let alone improved on. This musical opus, was produced by Fabrizio Poggi. It features our combined musical talents, and is not meant to compete with the originals. It’s meant to be a love letter to Brownie and Sonny signed by the both of us. They were two of my favorites.                                               1. SONNY AND BROWNIE'S LAST TRAIN                                               6. TAKE THIS HAMMER (4.08) 2. LOUISE, LOUISE (4.50)                                                                            7. GOIN' DOWN SLOW (5.24) 3. HOORAY, HOORAY THESE WOMEN IS KILLING ME (2.56)             8. FREIGHT TRAIN (3.00) 4. SHORTNIN' BREAD (3.35)                                                                        9. EVIL HEARTED ME (4.13) 5. BABY PLEASE DON'T GO BACK TO NEW ORLEANS (4.52)             10. STEP IT UP AND GO (2.28)                                               Guy Davis On Tour For all of Guy's dates go to http://guydavis.com/wp/tour/ 01/13/17 - Sahuarita, AZ - Border Issues Fair 01/14/17 - Sahuarita, AZ - Common Ground on the Border 01/22/17 - 01/29/17  - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Legendary Blues Cruise - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica 02/03/17 - 02/04/17  - Queens, NY - Flushing Arts Council 02/08/17 - 02/12/17  - Boquete - Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival - Panama 03/18/17 - Windsor, CT - Northwest Park Nature Center - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica. 03/23/17  - Glen Cove - Page One - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica 03/24/17  - Saratoga Springs, NY - Caffe Lena - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica. 03/25/17  - Bethlehem, PA - Blast Furnace Blues Festival - with Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica. 03/30/17  - New London, NH - Flying Goose Brew Pub - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica.                                                        ***

Acclaimed Houston Blues Singer Trudy Lynn Signs with Piedmont Talent for Booking Representation; Nominated for Blues Music Award

Acclaimed Houston Blues Singer Trudy Lynn Signs with Piedmont Talent for Booking Representation

Trudy Lynn Just Nominated for a Blues Music Award in Traditional Blues Female Category

HOUSTON, TX – Connor Ray Music artist Trudy Lynn, whose latest CD is drawing rave reviews and substantial radio airplay for I’ll Sing the Blues for You, has been signed by Piedmont Talent for booking representation. Trudy was also just announced as a nominee for the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) by the Blues Foundation in Memphis for the upcoming Blues Music Awards in May.

“Piedmont Talent is honored to add Blues/Soul legend Trudy Lynn to our roster,” said Piedmont Talent CEO Jay Stollman in making the announcement. “Trudy’s profound talent and acclaimed musical history clearly define her as the ‘real deal’....a standout among the field of Blues vocalists, past and present. Simply put, Trudy Lynn sings the Blues as the Blues deserves to be sung....with heart, soul, passion and authenticity!”

The new CD from the acclaimed Houston-based blues singer features 10 tracks dripping with blues, soul and R&B, and includes her unique takes on songs from Big Mama Thornton, Lowell Fulsom, Memphis Minnie and Johnny Copeland, among others, as well as the funky original, “Thru Chasin’ You,” destined to be a fan favorite. Backing Trudy on the new album are Steve Krase on harmonica, David Carter on guitar, Terry Dry on bass, Randy Wall on keyboards and Matt Johnson on drums.  

“Choosing material for this album was quite an adventure,” Trudy said about I’ll Sing the Blues for You. “In my musical career, there are so many blues artists that I have been inspired by.”

In the new album’s liner notes, Trudy explained how its title came about. “As I’ve said in a previous recording of mine, ‘Everybody’s Got a Blues Song to Sing.’ One day my daughter gave me a gift of business cards, and on the top of each card was, Trudy Lynn: I’ll Sing the Blues for You! As I was looking at the cards, she said, ‘Mama, that’s what you do. You sing the blues for everybody.’ During so many of my performances, a fan will come up to me to say, ‘You were singing that song for me. That’s why I came!’ I take these compliments as stars in my crown, like flowers in my garden.”

I’ll Sing the Blues for You is Trudy Lynn’s 12^th solo album and her third release on the Connor Ray Music label, following up on 2014’s Royal Oaks Blues Café, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart; and 2015’s Everything Comes with A Price, which spent four months on the Living Blues Radio Chart. Trudy is also a five-time Blues Music Award nominee and was inducted into the Houston Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Trudy Lynn was born Lee Audrey Nelms in Houston’s Fifth Ward, where she began singing as a teenager. After high school, Lynn went to visit her aunt in Lufkin, where a club called the Cinderella needed a singer. She decided Lee Audrey Nelms wasn't going to cut it as a stage name. The club had a bunch of cartoon character names painted on the wall and she noticed “Trudy,” which she quickly paired with Lynn. “Lynn was something in those days,” she recalled. “Gloria Lynne, Barbara Lynn. I thought, ‘I’m going to be one of those Lynns, too, baby.’”

Prior to striking out on her own, Trudy was the vocalist for such Texas greats as I.J. Gosey and Clarence Green, where Trudy spent five years as the vocalist for his band. Green was a stern mentor, but Lynn credits him with helping her become a professional. “He molded me well,” she says. “He's still in me because of what he taught me. It takes that.” After leaving Green’s band, Lynn began performing on her own. For years she struggled to get recorded in a manner deserving of her talent, until 1989 when Trudy signed with John Abbey’s famed Ichiban label and provided the opportunity for her to tour the world and perform at the most prestigious festivals, including Lucerne and the Chicago Blues Festival. While at Ichiban, producers had a strong hand in directing her recordings. Since joining forces with harmonica wizard Steve Krase and the Connor Ray Music label in 2014, Lynn has played curator for herself. She has been writing original songs that blend nicely with the vintage material. The songs are mostly about good times and bad men. “Each one of these songs means something to me,” she states. “I truly understand something about each one of them.”

Danish/American Singer Nina Massara Clicks Her Heels, Winks And Says WATCH ME - Out 3/3

Danish/American Singer Nina Massara

Clicks Her Heels, Winks And Says WATCH ME

With Her US Debut Out On March 3^rd

Nina Massara is putting everything she has into a sound she hopes will bring the music she loves to every generation, young and old.

Nina has the looks of a retro black and white movie star with a sassy voice that will remind you of modern day belters like Rhiannon Giddens, Victoria Williams, and Valerie June. With a tinge of “I told you so” in her voice, Nina takes on critics and fans with her U.S. debut, Watch Me. This album is set to release on March 3, 2017, on CSP Records, an independent label out of Texas. Label President Jimmy Rogers, who has spearheaded many a blues artist over the past 40 years, was so knocked out by her that he signed her on the spot.

“Look out world; Nina Massara is a fantastic new artist!” Jimmy Rogers, CSP Records.

Recorded and produced by Morten Wittrock both in Denmark and at Austin’s famous 5th Street Studios, Nina brings her distinctive vocal and personal style to a fabulous collection of original Americana songs written by producer Wittrock and Ray Weaver. These two music veterans were able to wrap the melodies and words to fit this young budding talent. Ray Weaver is an American songwriter living in Denmark whose work has been compared to Kevin Welch and Steve Earle. Combine that with Morten’s rocking blues the two succeed with songs like, “Impossible To Resist” a duet with Colin Brooks, who is a former member of Band Of Heathens now an Austin session player. The two bring a playful and flirty flavor to the tune with a funky back beat. A Bourbon Street drenched “Big Easy” recalls her American father’s Louisiana roots complete with a slide guitar that echoes a slow gait down the sidewalk. 

Raised in Denmark by her American father and Danish mother, Nina grew up listening to legends like Delbert McClinton, Keb’ Mo, Taj Mahal and Bob Dylan while working beside her father in his local Mexican restaurant. That myriad of influences continues as Nina accompanied her parents when they did the backstage catering for artists like B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Feat, John Hiatt and more. The music of legends flowed deeply into Nina’s heart, and she couldn’t wait to make her own music.

She began working in the studio with the award-winning Danish producer Morten Wittrock when she was just 15-years-old, doing everything from making coffee to editing Pro Tools tracks. When she turned 18, she bartended at Copenhagen’s storied Mojo Blues Bar continuing her musical education through experience.

Nina’s unique blend of New Orleans earthiness, a little Etta James vocal styling along with some Scandinavian sweetness this young songbird, brings a magical mojo to every song. Her voice, along with the playing and production creates a listening experience that honors both Nina’s deep commitment to her musical roots and her desire to do something entirely new.

Earlier this year this young woman moved to New Orleans to experience their extraordinary culture first hand and now she is residing in Nashville, TN to embed herself in their music community. She is brave, unafraid and determined. Nina Massara will be bringing her remarkable blend of the best of the past and the future to music lovers for many, many years to come.

Cleopatra Records artist: Reverend KM Williams - The Real Deal Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Real Deal Blues, from Reverend KM Williams and it's raw, enthusiastic and real. Opening with Baby, Please Come Home, Reverend KW Williams accompanies his solid vocals on a cigar box Diddley bow backed by drums. With it's 2 step rhythm, slide work and snappy pace, it's a cool opener. The Runaway Blues leans a little more toward a rock beat but with solid southern blues roots. Another track with clear rock influence is Ring In My Pocket. With just the right blend of rockin' rhythm and slide guitar, this is one of my favorites on the release. With a country western pace, Highway 666 is a cool track with sounds of the old west. Low slung, Shoulda Left This Town Blues, has a great feel with a cool bass line and multiple guitar lines. Very cool. Country rocker, Haunted House is another of my favorites with cool lyrics and tight guitar riffs over a snappy beat. Hi energy track, On My Way To Muskogee, has laser focus and unworldly slide sounds. Solid. Relaxed, country blues number, That's Why My Baby's Feelin' Blue, has a real nice melody as well as the most melodic guitar work on the release. An uptempo country blues, with heavy tom tom work, The Witch Queen Of New Orleans has a rockabilly swing. Working Man's Blues is a cool boogie with relentless slide work under William's solid vocals. The Funeral Blues has a familiar "Stray Cats" blues bar and a glassy guitar riffs. Very nice. Wrapping the release is acoustic track, Bad Boy Blues which is really terrific. With it's classic delta sound, this track could have been cut by Robert Pete Williams or John Lee Hooker. Super closer.



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JCP Records artist: Jeff Chaz - This Silence Is Killing Me - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Silence Is Killing Me, from Jeff Chaz and it's an adventure. Opening with shuffle, Saving Everything For You, Chaz leads the way on lead vocal and guitar. With Tom Worrell on keys, Doug Belote on drums, Doug Therrien on bass and huge horn backing from AJ Pittman (trumpet), Michael Genevay (trumpets), and Ward Smith on sax, this track swings. Chaz brings the fever down for soft ballad and title track, This Silence Is Killing Me, featuring nicely phrased guitar riffs and added violin work by Harry Hardin. R&B track, I Ain't Nothin' Nice, has a really cool bass line by Therrien and tops out with bluesy guitar riffs over a cool horn drive. On Latin flavored, I'm Not All There, Chaz sets up one of my favorite tracks on the release with excellent percussion work by Michael Skinkus. Flaming, The Blues Is My Drug, shows fiery guitar riffs and almost falsetto vocals, over cool piano riffs by Worrell. Funky, Oncoming Train, has clever lyrics and cool guitar riffs over a tight bottom. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Fried Chicken Store, has roots in Texas blues and some of Chaz's best vocals on the release as well as smooth sax, trumpet and freewheelin' guitar soloing. Another funk infused track, Self Inflicted Wound, has a real nice bass line and trumpet top line. The Backwash Blues has roots in Muddy Waters and some slippery slide work by Chaz who is not afraid to let it all hang out. Wrapping the release is instrumental shuffle, Creole Mustard Swing, a stripped down track with loose guitar lead over a tight drum and bass line. This is a real cool track and a super closer.



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Five Alligator Artists Receive 11 Blues Music Award Nominations

FIVE ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE ELEVEN BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS

Toronzo Cannon Leads With Four, Followed By Curtis Salgado With Three

Lil' Ed Williams Receives Two Award Nominations

Shemekia Copeland and Moreland & Arbuckle Receive One Nomination Each

On Monday, January 9, 2017, The Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 38th Annual Blues Music Awards, the blues world's highest honors. Five Alligator recording artists received a total of eleven nominations.

Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon received four nominations, including Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year for his Alligator debut, The Chicago Way. He was also nominated for Song Of The Year (for Walk It Off) and Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year. Cannon has one previous nomination.

Soul and R&B singer Curtis Salgado received three nominations including Soul Blues Album Of The Year (for The Beautiful Lowdown) and Song Of The Year (for Walk A Mile In My Blues). He also received a nod for Soul Blues Male Artist of The Year. Salgado has 13 previous nominations and five wins.

Lil' Ed Williams received two top nominations, one for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year, the other for the coveted Band Of The Year for Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials. Williams has 20 previous nominations and two wins.

Singing sensation Shemekia Copeland received a nomination for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year. Copeland has 34 previous nominations and has won a total of eight awards.

Moreland & Arbuckle received a nomination in the Best Blues Rock Album Of The Year category for their Alligator debut, Promised Land Or Bust. This is the group's first nomination.

The 38th Annual Blues Music Awards will be presented in Memphis on May 11, 2017 at the Cook Convention Center.

Alligator artists and nominations are as follows:

TORONZO CANNON:

Album Of The Year: The Chicago Way

Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year: The Chicago Way

Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year

Song Of The Year: Walk It Off, by Toronzo Cannon
 

CURTIS SALGADO:

Soul Blues Album Of The Year: The Beautiful Lowdown

Soul Blues Male Artist Of The Year

Song Of The Year: Walk A Mile In My Blues, by David Duncan, Curtis Salgado and Mike Finnigan

 

LIL' ED WILLIAMS:

B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year - Lil' Ed Williams

Band Of The Year - Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials

SHEMEKIA COPELAND:

Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year

MORELAND & ARBUCKLE:

Rock Blues Album Of The Year: Promised Land Or Bust

Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Chip Tayler Set to Release New CD, "A Song I Can Live With," February 17 on Train Wreck Records

Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Chip Tayler Set to Release New CD, A Song I Can Live With, February 17 on Train Wreck Records

NEW YORK, NY - Legendary songwriter Chip Taylor, who was inducted into the hallowed Songwriters Hall of Fame (along with Marvin Gaye, Tom Petty, and Elvis Costello) in June of 2016, announces a February 17 release date for his new album, A Song I Can Live With, on his Train Wreck Records imprint. Chip’s latest compilation of songs in his own inimitable style, personal in origin but universal in appeal, follows last year’s release of Little Brothers, which generated universal acclaim and also saw Taylor reuniting with his former duo partner, singer/fiddler Carrie Rodriguez, for a series of shows dubbed “the 10th Anniversary Red Dog Tracks Reunion Tour,” in honor of their album of the same name. Taylor also released a “mini album,” I’ll Carry for You, last year, inspired by Canadian golfing sisters Brooke and Brittany Henderson, who caddy for each other, and whose title track was a song about the power of love. 

Prior to the release of A Song I Can Live With, Chip and his long-time guitar player, John Platania, taped an interview and performance with Chicago’s Dave Hoeskstra for his acclaimed WGN-AM radio show, “Nocturnal Journal,” that will air Saturday, January 14, at 10:00 PM Central Time. Listeners can stream it live by going to http://wgnradio.com/

Produced by Chip Taylor and Goran Grini, the new album sessions were recorded at Train Wreck Studios in Mamaroneck, New York, and Grini Studios in Norway. The even-dozen songs feature Taylor backed by a band that includes Goran Grini on an assortment of instruments, as well as John Platania on guitar and special guest Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar.

“I had just finished recording and mixing the Little Brothers album with my friend and co-producer, the amazingly soulful Goran Grini from Norway,” Taylor recalls. “I was in New York. There were no tours ahead of me. All of a sudden I started writing again. The songs felt inspired. I sent them to Goran and asked his opinion. He said he loved them.

“Goran flew in from Norway a few weeks later. We recorded the new songs in the same manner as the Little Prayers Trilogy - just Goran on keyboards & me (guitar and vocals) with great friend Tony Mercadante at the controls at our little Train Wreck Studios. Goran added bass, pedal steel horns and other keyboards in Norway. Then my great friend John Platania added his guitar magic on several, and here we are with our new album, A Song I Can Live With.”

Taylor talked about his songwriting style by observing, “As are most of my songs, all the songs in this album are stream-of-consciousness-based. In other words, I didn’t plan on writing about anything particular. In each instance, I picked up my guitar and at some point words and music flowed that gave me some sort of a chill that inspired me to continue - mainly to find out, as a listener, what I was talking about. With many of these songs I didn’t grasp a meaning until late in the writing process. With some, their meaning changes for me from day to day. With the exception of a few, these songs were written during an inspired period several months ago. ‘A Song I Can Live With’ and ‘Little Angel Wings’ were written at the last moment.”

About Chip Taylor

Chip Taylor has been writing and performing for nearly 60 years and shows no sign of slowing down. The New York Times says it best, “If you only know him as the as the guy who wrote ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Angel of the Morning’ — you don’t know him! Chip Taylor is making some of the most distinctive acoustic music around today.” With the release of the Little Brothers album, and the EP, I'll Carry for You, he continues to engage and delight music fans everywhere. 
 


Creating distinctive music that is also enduring and influential has been Chip Taylor’s métier over the course of what is closing in on five decades as “one of America’s finest songwriters as well as a masterful singer and performer,” says Rolling Stone. His two best-known songs are only some of the many pop, rock, country and R&B chart hits he wrote in the 1960s (Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, Dusty Springfield and Frank Sinatra all recorded his songs).  Taylor was one of the pioneers of the pivotal country-rock movement as a recording artist in the 1970s.   His 1973 album, Last Chance, remains a beloved cult classic.  But after refusing to play by the Nashville establishment rules, Taylor gave up music for full-time professional gambling in 1980.
 


Since returning to music in 1996, he has enjoyed elder statesman stature within the Americana, contemporary folk and singer-songwriter scenes as an artist in his own right, as well as in collaboration on albums and in performance with Carrie Rodriguez, John Prine, Kendel Carson and John Platania.  In a remarkable and prolific run, Taylor has released nearly an album a year since his return, each rising high on the Americana chart.  As England’s The Guardian notes, “Chip Taylor, like Johnny Cash, is well worth rediscovering by a new generation.”


Taylor has been involved in a series of amazing projects in the last several years. Norway’s premier folk singer, Paal Flaata, recorded a full album of Taylor songs, Wait by the Fire, and rode it to the Top 10 and a Norwegian Grammy nomination.  His duet with John Prine, 16 Angels Dancing 'Cross The Moon, was released on a special 10-inch vinyl for Record Store Day in 2015. The Grammy-nominated Yonkers NY (2009) shows his facility with storytelling within songs.

Mojo magazine included a new and exclusive Chip Taylor version of Dylan’s classic “One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)” on the cover-mount CD of a 2016 issue. Taylor’s version was also on the Mojo limited pressing of 3,500 LPs, titled Blonde on Blonde Revisited, featuring the complete original Dylan album songs covered in full on two blonde-colored vinyl LPs.

As Chip Taylor’s muse continues to fire on all pistons, musical tastemakers agree that fans and listeners should tune their ears into the continuing creativity of a true musical master. “If names like Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson and Townes Van Zandt mean anything to you, you should make a point of discovering Chip Taylor,” urges critic Anthony DeCurtis. “Whether you know it or not, he’s earned his way into that exalted company.”




For more information, visit www.trainwreckrecords.com