14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival: Trampled Under Foot Reunion, Much More!

14TH ANNUAL BLUES FROM THE TOP FESTIVAL FEATURES SPECIAL  TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT REUNION, AND FINEST MUSIC LINEUP YET! Two Big Days - Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 At Winter Park, CO PRESENTED BY THE GRAND COUNTY BLUES SOCIETY; PORTION OF PROCEEDS BENEFIT BLUE STAR CONNECTION     (WINTER PARK, CO) - This year's 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival features its finest music lineup yet, with a reunion by renowned Blues-Americana group, Trampled Under Foot! The festival - presentede by the Grand County Blues Society- takes place Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, at Hideaway Park, 78820 US Highway 40, in Winter Park. A portion of the festival's proceeds benefit Blue Star Connection, now in it's tenth year of providing access and ownership of musical instruments for children and young adults with cancer and other serious challenges, as well as providing music therapy departments with instruments. Tickets (now through Sunday, May 15): $20. (1-day Pass) or $35. (2-day Pass), available at the bluesfromthetop.org website, Radio Shack in Fraser; and the Winter Park Visitor's Center. Ticket prices after May 15: General Admission 1-Day Pass (Saturday or Sunday), $28., General Admission 2-Day Pass $49. Kids 13 and under, free. Buy tickets/additional info: http://ezregister.com/events/16739/.            All other Festival information: www.bluesfromthetop.org     Grand County Blues Society Mission Statement is "To support the Blues by bringing National and International Blues Artists to Grand County on a regular basis, and to bring Blues Education into the schools of Grand County."  Trampled Under Foot reunites for the 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival.  They perform on Saturday, June 25 in the headlining slot.    Each day of Blues From The Top features a star-studded lineup. Saturday it's a Trampled Under Foot Reunion Show, the Albert Castiglia Band (with Josh Smith and Kate Moss), Monkey Junk, Kara Grainger, Josh Hoyer & Soul Collective, and the Austin Young Blues all-Stars featuring Michaela Rae, Michael Hornbuckle and others. Sunday's lineup is headlined by guitarist Eric Gales, Samantha Fish Band, Jimmy Hall with My Blue Sky, Willie K and the Warehouse Blues Band, John Nemeth with Deana Bogart and Jimmy Carpenter, and the High Mountain Gospel Choir with Renee Austin, Tempa Singer, Southern Review, Bart Szop, and more. Both days also feature a "Keeping The Blues Alive" stage with many of today's best young national and regional blues talent.           Colorful blues guitarist Eric Gales (pictured) headlines the Sunday, June 26  star-studded 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival lineup. About The 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival Headliners    Trampled Under Foot: The soul blues trio Trampled Under Foot consists of siblings Danielle Schnebelen (lead vocals and bass), Nick Schnebelen (guitars and vocals) and Kris Schnebelen, (drums). They grew up with the blues in Kansas City. Their father, Bill, was a blues guitarist in the band Little Eva and would regularly take his three children to jam sessions. Growing up, the siblings played separately in numerous bands over the years. Danielle was in Fresh Brew (1999-2004), Kris was a staple at blues clubs, and Nick was in Killing Floor (or K-Floor), and briefly, Buddahead. Missing the family camaraderie, the siblings formed Trampled Under Foot in 2000. The band released four studio sessions: Trampled Under Foot (2006), May I Be Excused in (2008), and Wrong Side of the Blues in (2011). They also issued Live at the Notodden Blues Festival in 2010. The combination of those releases and non-stop touring caught the attention of the jazz and blues label Telarc, who signed the band in 2013. They issued their fifth studio album, Badlands, that same year. In 2016 the famed trip reunites to perform at the 14th Blues From The Top Festival.         Eric Gales: Blues guitar phenom Eric Gales was born and raised in Memphis, learning to play at age four from older brothers Eugene and Manuel in imitation of their upside-down, left-handed style (a tradition actually passed down from their grandfather, Dempsey Garrett Sr., who was known to jam with the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf). Winning his first blues contest at 11, four years later Eric signed to Elektra to issue his 1991 debut LP, recorded with Eugene on bass; Picture of a Thousand Faces followed in 1993. Manuel (who previously performed under the alias Little Jimmy King) reunited with his siblings for 1995's Left Hand Band, credited to the Gales Brothers. A newly matured Gales returned in spring 2001 to release his debut for MCA, That's What I Am. Often billed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix, Gales, an adequate singer at best but a dynamite guitarist, suffered for the comparison. With Gales always influenced by Hendrix and the power trio format, his next albums, 2006's Crystal Vision and 2007's Psychedelic Underground, both released by Blues Bureau Records, seemed like facsimile Hendrix albums, right down to the album art. His next two releases from Blues Bureau, 2008's The Story of My Life and 2009's Layin' Down the Blues, found the Hendrix influence muted somewhat, but Gales, a breathtaking guitarist at times, still seemed to be looking for a way out of the Hendrix shadow and into his own voice. Gales returned in 2010 with Relentless, a collection of 13 originals, and followed it with the passionate Transformation a year later in 2011. The all-instrumental Ghost Notes arrived in the fall of 2013.   bluesfromthetop.org/ facebook.com/bluesfromthetop/

Ruf Records artist: Albert Castiglia - Big Dog - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Big Dog, from Albert Castiglia and it's voracious. Opening with Let The Big Dog Eat, Castiglia bursts into flames right out of the chute. With aggressive vocals and powerful guitar work, Castiglia picks up where he left off on his last release, Solid Ground .

Backed by Mike Zito on guitars, Scot Sutherland on bass, Rob Lee on drums and Lewis Stephens on keys, this is a terrific opener. Rolling blues, Don't Let Them Fool Ya has a real solid bass line and stinging guitar answer. This track has a bit of a loose vocal delivery and the guitar exchange between Zito and Castiglia puts me in mind a lot of Elvin Bishop attitude. Excellent! Shuffle track, Get Your Ass In The Van has the Elmore James/Hound Dog Taylor slide feel and Castiglia really rocks it. One of my favorite tracks on the release this track is smokin'! Slow and deliberate, Drowning At The Bottom, is a terrific blues track with excellent trem bends and soulful vocals. Castigli lays down some really expressive guitar lead here so heads up! Easing up on the pace, Let's Make Love In The Morning, would be an easy radio sell with simple, fluid, guitar lead and a cool melodic hook. Two stepper, What I Like About Miami, has cool vocal harmonies with alt country rock style guitar riffs. Easy Distance has a light funk bottom and Sutherland's bass work is hot! Castiglia is really comfortable at vocal on this type of track and with Stephens pushing a nice organ line. Castiglia's guitar work is crisp and nasty. Chicago style blues number, Where Did I Go Wrong, is another of my favorite tracks on the release with loose, gritty vocals and hot harp work from Johnny Sansone. Foot stomper, Where The Devil Makes His Deals, is really driven by Lee's kick drum and iced by Sansone on harp. Castiglia and Zito drive to a fever pitch on guitar but keep it contained under 4 minutes. Boogie woogie track, What The Hell Was I Thinking has a bit of rock n roll with Stephens on piano and a taste of country for a good mover. Really cool double stopped guitar lines and a solid bottom give this track just the right zip. Wrapping the release is R&B ballad, Somehow and Castiglia shows a more serious side of his vocal vocabulary. A hopeful track and a solid closer for a real strong 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

American Showplace Music artist: John Ginty - Bad News Travels Live - New Release Review

I just received a cool new 2 CD release, Bad News Travels from John Ginty and it's quite live, tight and entertaining. Opening with Switch, a walking bass line driven B3 extravaganza. Paul Kuzik sets the tempo and Ginty takes over where Booker T left off. With a double drums setup featuring Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics this is a tight track. Very nice! Arrivals is a funky jam with cool guitar lines by Mike Buckman and Ginty playing against his retort. Next up is Black Cat featuring Albert Castiglia. A slow blues groove, Ginty sets a really nice stage for Castiglia to take the lead on vocal and guitar. I've only ever seen Castiglia on Youtube (never live) and he is an exceptional player. I am looking forward to seeing him if he ever makes it to Phoenix. He doesn't over sing, his phrasing is inviting and his vocals are really nice. Ginty plays both piano and B3 solos taunting Castiglia into a really sweet and extremely fiery guitar solo. Excellent! On funk infused Elvis Presley, again Castiglia takes the lead on vocals with the feel of Boz Scaggs. I've reviewed a few of his releases and all favorable but watching him in person quickly elevates him to the list of people who I want to see in person soon! Castiglia's smokin' soloing played against Ginty's strong improvisational skills on keys makes this one terrific track. Up next is Peanut Butter, an easy shuffle featuring Todd Wolfe. Ginty's B3 work is exemplary and Wolfe grabs his tele just choking the life out of it. I've seen Wolfe in concert a few times and have always walked away smiling but Ginty coaxes a flame thrower out of Wolfe's bag of tricks. Excellent! I think that I mentioned that it was hard for me to fathom a blues band that was primarily built around a B3 player but Ginty is one guy who can really carry it off. He is no wallflower and really cooks the keys. On Rock Ridge, there is a cool phase shift during the B3 intro that messes with your head a little bit. Wolfe uses a coricidin bottle to get his slide tone before breaking into a cool jazz style jam with Kuzin walking the bass lead and Ginty and Wolfe stretching it out. Very nice! Next up is Seven and the Spirit, a bluesy rocker featuring Alexis P. Suter. Last year I reviewed Suter's terrific new release and it's a pleasure to see her join Ginty on stage with her guitar player, Jimmy Bennett. This is one of today's elite female blues singers with Jackie Scott and Karen Carroll in my opinion. Bennett lays into his Les Paul and Ginty adds substantially to the track with his well heeled organ work, along with the drumming of Fadel and Koribanics elevating the track to a full revival feel (Can't Turn You Loose).

Disc two opens with guitarist/vocalist Cris Jacobs and Castiglia, Suter and Ginty on stage for Damage Control, a funky rocker with more than a little taste of country. Jacobs knows his way around the telecaster and plays some blistering solos but also venturing into Jerry Garcia territory in style. Castiglia, playing his custom strat style guitar with rosewood fretboard and what look like some pretty expensive humbuckers. Sharing vocals on this track each player gets a chance to take his day in the spotlight making for a pretty cool jam. The Quirk opens with a cool B3 riff from Ginty, joined by Castiglia and Jacobs. Kuzik is solid on bass and Ginty gets a chance to stretch a bit. Jacobs takes the first guitar solo with a very round sound for a tele. Castiglia is up next mowing the fretboard's upper register. Ginty brings the tension back down with his laid back melody before driving off on his own solo. Off the Cuff is a keyboard feature track for Ginty with primarily drum and bass backing. The duo drumming actually brings me in mind of early Allmans with Trucks and Jainoe. Listening to it multiple times I actually think I hear a trace of Trouble No More hiding in there somewhere. Fadel and Koribanics take a pretty nice drum break showing the cleanliness and coordination of two guys who play a lot together. Ginty takes a free form solo without any backing. Creating a musical impressionistic painting as an abstracted graphic forms on the screen is a definite change. Sliding right in to the beautiful intro of Mirrors, Ginty and Jacobs trade riffs before opening into a funky rock track. Jacobs gets a Santana like tone out of his tele and plays sparingly as Ginty crafts the body of the track, taking extended times breathing very soulful solos from his tele. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Trinity featuring all of the guest artists along with Ginty and band. Again, a tent raising revival style track finds Ginty leading the way. Breaking into a smooth sway Castiglia is fist to take the floor followed closely by Jacobs. Shifting gears again to a bit of a pop feel, Ginty creates a theme line and Buckman gives his first solo. Jacobs isn't far behind with a hot blistering riff followed by Bennett on slide. Castiglia paces himself taking the longer of the solos with plenty of spark. Wolfe is also more patient but lays out a crisp solo as well. Cool conclusion to a really nice show.

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”

 

Little Silver Records artist: Iko-Iko - Bullets In The Bonfire Vol.1 - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Bullets In The Bonfire Vol. 1 from Iko - Iko and its flavorful! A fifteen track retrospective of the band it has a lot of variety. Opening with Party Car, a New Orleans flavored track, the band is really hopping featuring strong vocals from Graham Wood Drout, super sax from Ron Dziubla and traditional drumming from Stewart Jean. Cajun tasting (I Never Had An) American Dream is a party track deluxe with cool lyrics. Celebration rolls more into the R&B styling and it's pop nature. A definite hook and familiar melody makes this a radio stopper. Dziubla really blows the walls out on this one giving it just the right spice. Live track Don't Mess With The Voodoo is a swampy rocker. Mike Bauer and Larry Williams lay out some smokin guitar riffs on this track and I particularly like the drum work of Jean. Miller's Woods has a solid pop rock style and some cool guitar slide riffs by Williams. Mike Mennel adds a cool under line on the bass throughout this track. Late Hours is a slow blues track featuring Bob Hemphill on harp. Drout sets a nice bass line on this track joined by Joseph Anthony Smith on drums and understated guitar soloing by Nick Kane. Returning to a New Orleans flavor and the rich sax and organ work of Dziubla, Pet De Kat is a cool track with a playful nature. Funky track, Snowstorm In The Jungle, gets a bit more rowdy with Drout's aggressive vocals, nice harp work from Hemphill and guitar riffs from Kane. Too High To Drive, is a simple rock n roll track based on a common theme... too much! Doug Leibinger adds a lot of depth on keys and Williams shows his rock riffs. Jalapeno Be Thy Name has a definite Latin/New Orleans. Solid bottom provided by Dziubla and Mennel along with some tasty guitar riffs from Williams makes this one of the more memorable tracks on the release. Walk With The Zombie is a bluesy rock ballad. Williams and Dziubla create a really nice feel on this atmospheric story adding musicality to it's clever lyrics. Riding On The Rims stretches more toward a country folk rocker with Leibinger, Mennel and Jean providing mostly a light backing for Drout's vocals. Another live track, the classic Motherless Children, get a totally rework fitting og a festival jam say at the Fillmore with the Allmans or the Dead. Quite different with a particularly cool bass solo from Mark Harris. Ghosts Of Mississippi has a light country rock flavor with Drout and Albert Castiglia sharing acoustic and slide guitar roles. Wrapping the release is The Day The Old Man Died, a bluesy rocker with swagger. Castiglia is back on slide Cam Robb on drums. Drout paints a good story and this track is a solid choice for it's completion.

  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”

 

American Showplace Music artist: John Ginty - Bad News Travels DVD - New Release Review

I just received a cool new DVD from John Ginty, The Showplace Sessions Live. This is a live video session of Bad News Travels and it's quite live, tight and entertaining. Opening with Switch, a walking bass line driven B3 extravaganza. Paul Kuzik sets the tempo and Ginty takes over where Booker T left off. With a double drums setup featuring Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics this is a tight track. Very nice! Arrivals is a funky jam with cool guitar lines by Mike Buckman and Ginty playing against his retort. Next up is Black Cat featuring Albert Castiglia. A slow blues groove, Ginty sets a really nice stage for Castiglia to take the lead on vocal and guitar. I've only ever seen Castiglia on Youtube (never live) and he is an exceptional player. I am looking forward to seeing him if he ever makes it to Phoenix. He doesn't over sing, his phrasing is inviting and his vocals are really nice. Ginty plays both piano and B3 solos taunting Castiglia into a really sweet and extremely fiery guitar solo. Excellent! On funk infused Elvis Presley, again Castiglia takes the lead on vocals with the feel of Boz Scaggs. I've reviewed a few of his releases and all favorable but watching him in person quickly elevates him to the list of people who I want to see in person soon! Castiglia's smokin' soloing played against Ginty's strong improvisational skills on keys makes this one terrific track. Up next is Peanut Butter, an easy shuffle featuring Todd Wolfe. Ginty's B3 work is exemplary and Wolfe grabs his tele just choking the life out of it. I've seen Wolfe in concert a few times and have always walked away smiling but Ginty coaxes a flame thrower out of Wolfe's bag of tricks. Excellent! I think that I mentioned that it was hard for me to fathom a blues band that was primarily built around a B3 player but Ginty is one guy who can really carry it off. He is no wallflower and really cooks the keys. On Rock Ridge, there is a cool phase shift during the B3 intro that messes with your head a little bit. Wolfe uses a coricidin bottle to get his slide tone before breaking into a cool jazz style jam with Kuzin walking the bass lead and Ginty and Wolfe stretching it out. Very nice! Next up is Seven and the Spirit, a bluesy rocker featuring Alexis P. Suter. I just reviewed Suter's terrific new release and it's a pleasure to see her join Ginty on stage with her guitar player, Jimmy Bennett. This is one of today's elite female blues singers with Jackie Scott and Karen Carroll in my opinion. Bennett lays into his Les Paul and Ginty adds substantially to the track with his well heeled organ work, along with the drumming of Fadel and Koribanics elevating the track to a full revival feel (Can't Turn You Loose). Guitarist/vocalist Cris Jacobs and Castiglia join Suter and Ginty on stage for Damage Control, a funky rocker with more than a little taste of country. Jacobs knows his way around the telecaster and plays some blistering solos but also venturing into Jerry Garcia territory in style. Castiglia, playing his custom strat style guitar with rosewood fretboard and what look like some pretty expensive humbuckers. Sharing vocals on this track each player gets a chance to take his day in the spotlight making for a pretty cool jam. The Quirk opens with a cool B3 riff from Ginty, joined by Castiglia and Jacobs. Kuzik is solid on bass and Ginty gets a chance to stretch a bit. Jacobs takes the first guitar solo with a very round sound for a tele. Castiglia is up next mowing the fretboard's upper register. Ginty brings the tension back down with his laid back melody before driving off on his own solo. Off the Cuff is a keyboard feature track for Ginty with primarily drum and bass backing. The duo drumming actually brings me in mind of early Allmans with Trucks and Jainoe. Listening to it multiple times I actually think I hear a trace of Trouble No More hiding in there somewhere. Fadel and Koribanics take a pretty nice drum break showing the cleanliness and coordination of two guys who play a lot together. Ginty takes a free form solo without any backing. Creating a musical impressionistic painting as an abstracted graphic forms on the screen is a definite change. Sliding right in to the beautiful intro of Mirrors, Ginty and Jacobs trade riffs before opening into a funky rock track. Jacobs gets a Santana like tone out of his tele and plays sparingly as Ginty crafts the body of the track, taking extended times breathing very soulful solos from his tele. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Trinity featuring all of the guest artists along with Ginty and band. Again, a tent raising revival style track finds Ginty leading the way. Breaking into a smooth sway Castiglia is fist to take the floor followed closely by Jacobs. Shifting gears again to a bit of a pop feel, Ginty creates a theme line and Buckman gives his first solo. Jacobs isn't far behind with a hot blistering riff followed by Bennett on slide. Castiglia paces himself taking the longer of the solos with plenty of spark. Wolfe is also more patient but lays out a crisp solo as well. Cool conclusion to a really nice show.

 The extras include an impromptu interview with Ginty as he sets up his B3 and Leslie. This is primarily an opportunity to meet John the man and his dedication to his own craft. Another feature is an interview with producer/director Ben Elliott. A walk around the control room shows the super analog equipment present in Showplace studio. Some of the history of the studio and equipment and it's significance to the sound is really cool. Additional footage shows the live room where the musicians sit. An explanation of how the acoustics are controlled and different acoustic effects as well as isolation rooms are featured.  

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”

 

Ruf Records artist: Albert Castiglia - Solid Ground - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Solid Ground, from Albert Castiglia and it not only reinforces Castiglia as a premier guitar slinger but shows his continued growth as a singer/songwriter and interpreter. Opening with Triflin', Castiglia lays down rhythm guitar riffs giving his free reign to sing and solo at will. Keep You Around Too Long is a flat out Texas blues romp. Dave Gross also adds guitar on this track but it's the basic feel that makes this track tick. Castiglia lays down some guitar riffs that will make you sweat chased by Jeremy Baum on keys and Bob Amsel on drums. Searching The Desert for The Blues has a straight up blues rock format. Castiglia uses the bottom of the fretboard nicely for some fat beefy tones on this track. Have You No Shame is a soul oriented ballad with a nice melody and a twist of country, with harmony vocal work by Matt Schuler and Lou Bevere. Laying out nicely for bluesy guitar solos, Castiglia takes good advantage and lays it down. Very nice. Put Some Stank On It features guest vocalist and guitar wiz Debbie Davies. A fast shuffle,this is a definite cool track set up perfectly for some nicely articulated guitar exchanges. Love One Another is a pop R&B style track which could easily break onto daily airplay with a smooth melody and catchy hook. Sleepless Nights is a scorcher ... a heavy blues loaded track. This track has some of the most intense guitar work on the release.... sit back and enjoy it! Jimmy Oden's Going Down Slow, a real favorite of Duane Allman fans, with find this track totally reworked with a funky edge. Baum glistens on keys on this track and Castiglia does but loose for a real nice guitar solo as well. Celebration has a sturdy John Melencamp feel and could easily capture widespread airplay and popularity with a strong melody and hook. Hard Time is a very light ballad with acoustic accompaniment. With only acoustic guitar and light percussion, Castigila carries this song on the basis of his vocal and writing skills (Think Gregg Allman). Very nice. Bad Avenue hits the blues straight on the head with a lumbering 12 bar. Castiglia really pulls out the stops on this track with some wicked guitar riffs. Jerremy Baum rides the B3 adding a solid ground anchoring Castiglia as he literally tears a hole in it. Excellent! The Rolling Stones Sway is a great track and Castiglia does a real nice interpretation of it. Bevere adds complimentary vocal work on the track and Amsel's drumming on this track is particularly important anchoring the rhythm. Little Havana Blues has traces of All Your Love melody with a luxurious guitar interlude. This is probably my favorite track on the release, with it's Latin flair and crisp instrumental work. Castiglia stylistically really lays it out here. Think Black Magic Woman... with more richness. Wrapping the release is Just Like Jesus, an acoustic ballad with Dave Gross sharing guitar duties presenting some choice acoustical guitar riffs. This is a diverse release with a little bit of everything. I like this release and am looking forward to it's ride in my car.

  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”

 

News from RUF

“Where Blues Crosses Over”
(Pronounced “Roof”)

RUF RECORDS HITS THE BLUES CHARTS WITH TWO CDs NEXT WEEK
New Records From SAVOY BROWN, ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD
& JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR Out Now
Label’s “Songs From The Road” CD/DVD Sets Chart With Joanne Shaw Taylor at #11
& Royal Southern Brotherhood At 15 

NEW RELEASES:

February 4, 2014  Joanne Shaw Taylor “Songs From The Road”
February 11, 2014  Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown “Goin' To The Delta”
                               Royal Southern Brotherhood “Songs From The Road”

COMING SOON:

April 8, 2014        Albert Castiglia “Solid Ground”
May 13, 2014      Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado “Too Many Roads”

OUT NOW:

Samantha Fish              “Black Wind Howlin’”
Dana Fuchs                  “Bliss Avenue”
Devon Allman                “Turquoise”
Mike Zito & The Wheel  “Gone To Texas”
Cyril Neville                    “Magic Honey”
Joanne Shaw Taylor       “Diamonds In The Dirt”
AND MORE!!
 
http://www.rufrecords.de/
https://www.facebook.com/RufRecords
  
 
RUF RECORDS’ ARTISTS NOMINATED FOR BLUES MUSIC AWARDS 2014
                 
Congratulations to our nominees for the Blues Music Awards 2014!

• Cyril Neville - Magic Honey for 'Contemporary Blues Album'
• Mike Zito & The Wheel - Gone To Texas for 'Rock Blues Album'
• Jimmy Carpenter (The Wheel) for 'Instrumentalist-Horn'
• Royal Southern Brotherhood - Songs From The Road for best 'DVD'

CATCHING UP WITH THE RUF ARTISTS:

KIM SIMMONDS & SAVOY BROWN


 

NEW CD FROM KIM SIMMONDS AND SAVOY BROWN OUT FEBRUARY 11 ON
RUF RECORDS -- GOIN’ TO THE DELTA,
ALREADY RECEIVING OUTSTANDING REVIEWS
New CD is #2 on Amazon in 2 Days
 

The reviews from overseas precede the U.S. release of SAVOY BROWN's GOIN' TO THE DELTA (RUF RECORDS):

BLUESANDMOREAGAIN.com
"Simmonds himself is probably in the form of his life, both vocally and instrumentally.  This is a masterclass in taste, collaboration, arrangement, longevity and respect for electric blues."
GETREADYTOROCK.com
"The album... nails some of his best vocals in recent times.  This album stokes the embers of a ... glowing career."
BLUESMATTERS
"This release shuffles blues and boogie with intense playing and a real sense of joy."
Music News.com (UK)
"Savoy Brown at their best."

On the road:
Date              City                          ST            Venue
2/14              St. Augistine              FL            The Standard                      
2/15              Orlando                     FL             Zaida’s New Room
2/16              Clearwater                 FL             Clearwater Blues Fest
2/18              Indiatlantic                FL             Lou's Blues
2/19              Lake Worth                FL             Bamboo Room
2/21              Atlanta                      GA            Variety Playhouse
2/22              Charlotte                   NC            Handle Bar
3/21              Ft. Wayne                  IN             C2G Music Hall
3/07              Bay Shore                  NY            Boulton Center
3/08              Annapolis                   MD           Ramshead
3/14              Pawling                      NY            Townecrier
3/15              Jim Thorpe                 PA            Chunk Opera House
3/28              Pittsburg                    PA            Moondogs
3/29              Erie                            PA           Perry Highway Hose
4/12              Syracuse                     NY           Palace Theatre
6/05              Davenport                   IA            Redstone Room
6/06              Milwaukee                   WI           Pabst Theater            
6/07              Woodstock                   IL            Woodstock Opera House

www.savoybrown.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Savoy-Brown/282837575081114


 JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
RELEASES “SONGS FROM THE ROAD” on FEBRUARY 4th and immediately charts at #11 on the
Billboard Blues Chart

 
Joanne is the is the British blues guitarist and singer, who was discovered by Dave Stewart
of the Eurythmics at the age of 16 and has gone on to release top 10 Billboard Blues
albums as well as to win both Best Female Vocalist and Songwriter of the Year for her track
"Same As It Never Was" from her album, “Diamonds in the Dirt.”

Joanne also has a recent studio album, “Almost Always Never” and others available from
RUF Records.
             
She’s touring Internationally and can be seen in the US:

Date              City                          ST            Venue
4/04/14         Jacksonville                FL            Springing The Blues
4/20/14         Byron Bay                  AU           Bluesfest w/ KT Tunstall
4/21/14         Byron Bay                  AU           Bluesfest w/Joss Stone
7/11/14         Milton Keynes             UK           The Stables                              

Watch Joanne Shaw Taylor perform "Jealousy" Live at The Borderline London
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0gCKUkAahQ

http://www.joanneshawtaylor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/joanneshawtaylor


ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD
 

RUF RECORDS’ ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD GO BACK TO SCHOOL FOR 

KIDS IN NEED
Their Songs From The Road Double CD/DVD Is Released In The US
On February 11 & Hits Charts At #15

The Royal Southern Brotherhood -- Devon Allman, Cyril Neville, Mike Zito, Charlie Wooton and Yonrico Scott -- went back to school on February 7, 2014 to join kids from the High Plains Elementary School in Engelwood, CO in building cigar box guitars which will be sold at an event to benefit the Blue Star Connection Organization.
BlueStarConnection.org donates instruments to medically fragile kids/teens/young adults and donates musical gear to Children’s Hospital Music Therapy Departments all over the U.S. The Royal Southern Brotherhood was in town to play local Colorado dates as part of their continuing US tour.

The Royal Southern Brotherhood release "Songs From The Road," a double LIVE CD/DVD on RUF Records on February 11th and charted on the Blues chart at #15.  The collection is a perfect set for anyone who has not yet seen the supergroup or who wants to be reminded of the great experience of the live show until the band returns to their town.

Thanks to John Catt and Blue Star Connection for making it possible to hang with the kids at school and to raise money for the kids who need it.

The band members are pictured below building the guitars with the students.

 
On The Road Again…
Date              City                          ST            Venue
2/14/14          Dallas                        TX            The Gas Monkey
2/15/14          New Braunfels            TX            Brauntex Theatre
3/07/14          Millville                      NJ            Levoy Theatre
3/08/14          Ardmore                    PA            Ardmore Music Hall
3/11/14          Annapolis                  MD           Ram’s Head On Stage
3/12/14          Collinsville                 CT           Bridge Street Live
3/13/14          Fall River                   MA          Narrows Center for The Arts
3/14/14          Old Saybrook             CT           The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
3/15/14          Natick                        MA          The Center for Arts in Natick
3/16/14          Londonderry               NH          Tupelo Music Hall
3/19/14          Washington                DC          The Hamilton
3/20/14          Bayshore                    NY          Boulton Center for the Performing Arts
3/21/14          New York                    NY          BB King’s
3/22/14          Hackettstown              NJ          Sitnik Theater Centenary (College) Blues Bash

http://www.royalsouthernbrotherhood.com/ and
https://www.facebook.com/royalsouthernbrotherhood

COMING SOON on RUF Records:

THORBJORN RISAGER


Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado is one of Denmark’s hardest working and most sought
after bands.  It has played as many as a hundred live gigs a year for the past ten years, has
become one of the country’s hottest musical exports, and has released seven albums.  On
May13th,  Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornados release their eighth album, “Too Many Roads”
on RUF Records in the US.
www.risager.info
 
ALBERT CASTIGLIA (pronounced ka-steel-ya)


Albert’s much anticipated “Solid Ground” on RUF Records will be available on April 8th in the US.  He continues to tour actively, sharing the sounds that made his 2012 release “Living The Dream” #12 on the Top Blues Albums Chart of 2012 from Roots Music Report.
See Albert LIVE:
Date           City           ST            Venue

	2/15/14		Ft Lauderdale/		FL		Riverwalk Blues & Music Fest
	2/21/14		Pompano Beach		FL		Rips Sports Bar
	2/22/14		Winter Garden		FL		City of Winter Garden Blues & BBQ Festival
	2/28/14		Ft Lauderdale		FL		Maguires
	4/26/14		Ft Lauderdale		FL		Maxwell Room @ the Downtowner-CD Release Party
	5/2/14		Bradenton		FL		Aces Live
	5/3/14		Goodland		FL		Little Bar
	5/10/14		Lake Worth		FL		Bamboo Room
	5/16/14		St Petersburg		FL		Ale & Witch
	5/17/14		Ft Myers		FL		Buckingham Blues Bar
	5/23/14		White Springs		FL		Florida Folk Festival
	5/24/14		White Springs		FL		Florida Folk Festival
	5/30/14		Key West		FL		Green Parrot
	5/31/14		Key West		FL		Green Parrot
	6/1/14		Key West		FL		Green Parrot
	6/14/14		Saint Georges		DE		Saint Georges Blues Festival
	6/20/14		Colonial Beach		VA		Colonial Beach Blues Festival

 http://albertcastiglia.net/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Albert-Castiglia-Fan-Page/118428141503567?group_id=0

SAMANTHA FISH

SAMANTHA FISH - You've Got To See The Girl Behind That Voice & Guitar!
Voted Best New Artist Debut By Blues Music Awards

The Blues Music Award (BMA) winner for “Best New Artist Debut” in 2012, Samantha is on the road supporting her sophomore release for RUF, “Black Wind Howlin’.”  Her songwriting and performance, both vocally and on guitar and other instruments show her varied influences from her local Kansas City blues club, Knuckleheads Saloon, to the sounds of visiting modern blues guitar masters like Mike Zito and Tab Benoit, going back to ’80s heroes like Stevie Ray Vaughan and following the lineage to the pre-war Delta masters. “I fell in love with it,” she told Premier Guitar of her growing passion for the form, “and started doing my homework by listening to the old guys like Son House and Skip James.”
With those influences as her template, Samantha incorporated the sounds of the classic rock of The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty, alongside contemporary artists like Sheryl Crow and The Black Crowes, in putting together a sound that would become her own.
See Sam play:

www.samanthafish.com
https://www.facebook.com/samanthafishmusic

DANA FUCHS
FROM THE STAGE TO THE SCREEN, DANA FUCHS ALWAYS DELIVERS...
Dana starred in the Sony Pictures hit movie/musical and was a featured recording artist on the platinum selling soundtrack for "Across The Universe"
Dana portrayed Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway smash hit, "Love, Janis."
She wrote and performed music for the soundtrack of the critically acclaimed, Maggie Gyllenhaal movie "Sherrybaby “ and starred in and performed music on the soundtrack for the Method Man movie "The Mortician."
Dana has been successfully touring the world for the past several years in support of her highly acclaimed albums "Love To Beg" and "Bliss Avenue,” available on RUF Records.
See Dana Live:
Date              City                          ST            Venue
3/01/14         Shirley                      MA            The Bull Run Restaurant
3/07/14         Annapolis                  MD            Ram's Head On Stage
3/08/14         Wyomissing              PA             Building 24 Live
3/14/14         New York                  NY             Highline Ballroom
5/13/14         Philadelphia              PA              World Café Live
http://danafuchs.com/
https://www.facebook.com/danafuchsband?fref=ts

DEVON ALLMAN

FAMILIAR NAME, ORIGINAL MUSIC, DEVON ALLMAN

The name may sound familiar but the music is all his own – Devon Allman is a solo artist for RUF
Records with his acclaimed “Turquoise” which he recorded with his band, The Honeytribe in
addition to his work with the lauded Royal Southern Brotherhood which combines the bloodlines of
the Allman Brothers and the Neville Brothers to create a sound all its own.  Follow Devon on social
media where he has become quite a frontman as well.

http://www.devonallmanband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/devonallman
 
MIKE ZITO


SOLO OR WITH THE ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD, MIKE ZITO IS TOPPING THE BLUES CHARTS
Mike Zito, the distinguished guitarist, released the Billboard top 10 Blues album “Gone To Texas”
For RUF Records and tours with his solo band in between gigs with The Royal Southern
Brotherhood in which he plays with Devon Allman, Cyril Neville, Yonrico Scott and Charlie Wooton.

For more information on all of Mike’s projects, visit his website.
http://www.mikezito.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Zito/165447816866183

CYRIL NEVILLE

THE ROYAL NEVILLE BROTHER OFFERS HIS SOLO SOUL & HIS COLLABORATION WITH DEVON ALLMAN
AND THE ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD 

The youngest of the famed Neville Brothers, Cyril records as a soulful solo artist for RUF
Records, offering up the recent “Magic Honey” as well as performs as a key member of the
Supergroup, The Royal Southern Brotherhood.  Cyril was recently honored with a Lifetime
Achievement Award from Offbeat Magazine for his contributions to music and society.

http://www.cyrilneville.net/
https://www.facebook.com/CyrilNeville
 

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