Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists

Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists Blind Raccoon is delighted to announce the line-up for its showcases happening during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. On January 21, 22 and 23, from 11:30am to 5pm, artists from Norway, Canada, California, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, and New York, a smorgasbord of roots and blues talent, will grace the stage. We have two 2015 Blues Music Award nominees - Vaneese Thomas & Missy Andersen, one 2015 IBC participant – Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band, as well as several former IBC contestants performing over the three days. Net proceeds from the showcases will benefit The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund, which provides assistance to blues musicians and their families in times of great financial need due to medical emergencies. Emcees are Peter "Blewzzman” Lauro of Mary4Music.com on Wednesday, Brett Fleming, host of Soul Stew, WEVL/Memphis, on Thursday, and Richard L’Hommedieu, producer of Live At The Midnight Circus and publisher of Making A Scene, on Friday. Blind Raccoon is a music marketing firm out of Memphis dedicated to spreading their artists’ music around the globe.

PERFORMERS Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band 2015 IBC participant Based in OH www.underworldblues.com Vaneese Thomas 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” (Blues For My Father) & “Soul Blues Female Artist” Based in NY, from Memphis www.vaneesethomas.com Magnus Berg Based in Norway www.magnusbergmusic.com The Reverend Shawn Amos Based in CA www.shawnamos.com Hurricane Ruth Former IBC participant Based in IL www.hurricaneruth.com Missy Andersen 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Female Artist” Missy Andersen was due to participate in this year’s IBC, but as she was nominated for a BMA, was eliminated from the competition. Based in CA www.missyandersen.com Suit Ty Thurrsty Based in CT www.suittythurrsty.com Anthony Gomes From Canada www.anthonygomes.com Early 2015 will see the release of Electric Field Holler, a guitar driven blues infused rock ‘n’ roll album that showcases Gomes‘ blistering six string work and whiskey soaked voice.    SCHEDULE Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:30am - Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band – I hour set 12:45pm - Vaneese Thomas – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Magnus Berg - 45 minute set 2:45pm – The Reverend Shawn Amos - 45 minute set 3:45pm - Hurricane Ruth – I hour set Thursday, January 22, 2015 11:30am - Missy Andersen – I hour set 12:45pm - Suit Ty Thurrsty – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Vaneese Thomas - 45 minute set 2:45pm - Anthony Gomes – I hour set 4pm The Reverend Shawn Amos – 45 minute set Friday, January 23, 2015 11:30am - Suit Ty Thurrsty – I hour set 12:45pm - Hurricane Ruth – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band - 45 minute set 2:45pm - Missy Andersen - 45 minute set 3:45pm - Magnus Berg – I hour set

~ REPRESENTING ~ Charlie Musselwhite ~ Juke Joint Chapel 57th Annual Grammy Award Nominee “Best Blues Album” 2015 Blues Music Award (BMA) Nominee “Harmonica” June Core ~ 2015 BMA Nominee “Drums” Gary Clark Jr. ~ Live 2015 BMA Nominee “Contemporary Blues Male Artist” Missy Andersen ~ In The Moment 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Female Artist” Otis Clay & Johnny Rawls ~ Soul Brothers 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” & “Soul Blues Male Artist” (Otis & Johnny) Vaneese Thomas ~ Blues For My Father 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” & “Soul Blues Female Artist” Altered Five Blues Band • Bobby Hurricane Spencer Chris Daniels & The Kings featuring Freddi Gowdy •D.A. Foster Grady Champion •Hurricane Ruth • Magnus Berg • Ray Goren The Reverend Shawn Amos

Azuretone Records artist: Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers - Live At Buddy Guy's Legends Chicago - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (April 15, 2014) Live At Buddy Guy's Legends Chicago , from Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers and it rips! Opening with a hot cover of Elmore James' Wild About You Baby, Fuller wastes no time in whipping hot the hot slide action. Excellent! Next up is Rock N Roll Cowboy, a blues/boogie with a western twang. This track moves along really well and Fuller really knows how to deliver on guitar and vocals. Next up is John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom. Glen "Manny" Manuel on bass and Mark Ward on drums carry the bottom and Keith Blair rides the organ on this primarily vocal boogie. Richard Doc Malone fills in with some choice harp riffs and Fuller continues JLH's intention with guitar in pure boogie style. Love and Alcohol is a cool original slow blues track with great old style blues riffs throughout. JL Hooker and Johnny Winter are definitely present in spirit. This is a very expressive track with a lot of the feel of delta blues but electrified. Very cool. Bayou Blue has a Tony Joe White feel Blair taking the first spot with a cool piano solo. Fuller steps up with a real swagger on guitar with CCR like feel. Nice track. Walkin' Shoes is a fast paced boogies track with what you say Jon Lord like organ soloing and fire spitting guitar work. Rock on! Otis Rush killer, So Many Roads is up next and Fuller brings up some of his best vocals. Maintaining a very similar pace to the original, Blair rolls out some really super key strokes grabbing the essence of the real blues. Flipping over to organ as punctuation, Doc Malone rolls in on harp. Fuller does make it up to the front and center squeezing out some nasty guitar riffs. This is tasty stuff man! On classic R&B/rocker, Take Out Some Insurance Baby, Blair and Fuller have the lead rhythm and Manuel and Ward do the heavy lifting. Malone steps up with a nice harp solo on this track. Fuller isn't shy to show his chops on guitar and that's a good thing because he does have some good ones. Nice job. Ronnie Dawson track, Rockinitus, has that Ray Charles/Billy Boy Arnold feel and Ward really shines on this track. It's cool that this is a live release as it captures a lot of the instrumental spontaneity of this band in action... something that I believe would be lost on a studio recording. Feelin' Evil has a slow blues lope giving Fuller a super opportunity to slip back on with the slide and he has a cool feel. Malone is again the first to step up with a harp solo but Fuller isn't far behind with great slide tone. Blair again delivers on the 88's and shares riffs with Fuller. The band takes it way down and Fuller quietly but feverishly lays out the sliders plan. It's really hard not to enjoy his playing with his technical mastery and tactile exploration of the fretboard as he builds the pressure. Sallie Mae has a strong Bo Diddley beat and Fullers vocals are again at their best. Ward hammers out the beat like a marching machine and Manny is solid in the slot. Blair, Fuler and Malone share the spotlight equally on this track making it well balanced and a good winder for the grand finale. Eddie Clearwater penned this last track, I Wouldn't Lay My Guitar Down, and Blair plays it in Jerry Lee Lewis style. With a real driving guitar riff, Fuller enters Chuck Berry/Keith Richards territory showing some pretty flashy rock riffs. Malone steps in again with solid harp work and the crew wraps up a pretty hot set!]

 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 Buddy Guy, Kirsten Thien, Marshall Lawrence, The CD Woodbury Band and mor

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LEGENDARY BLUESMAN BUDDY GUY TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM "RHYTHM & BLUES" ON JULY 30  PRE-ORDER AT ONLINE RETAILERS JUNE 25 DOUBLE-DISC FEATURES KID ROCK, KEITH URBAN, GARY CLARK, JR., BETH HART AND AEROSMITH MEMBERS STEVEN TYLER, JOE PERRY AND BRAD WHITFORD   Buddy's Website Buddy's Facebook Six-time Grammy Award winner and 2012 Kennedy Center Honoree Buddy Guy will release his new studio album "Rhythm & Blues" on July 30 on RCA Records. The follow-up to his 2010 Grammy Award winning album Living Proof, this double-disc masterpiece features first time studio collaborations with A-list artists Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Gary Clark, Jr., Beth Hart and Aerosmith members Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. Rhythm & Blues will be available for pre-order at all online retailers on June 25. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer/songwriter and longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge (Skin Deep, Living Proof), "Rhythm & Blues" captures the 76 year-young Guy at the peak of his creativity. Replete with heartfelt vocals, straightforward lyrics and mesmerizing guitar licks, "Rhythm & Blues" not only exemplifies how blues continues to be the foundation of all genres of today’s music, but it also illustrates why Guy has been influential in the careers of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many more. The Rhythm disc includes rhythm and blues-style blues with deep grooves, such as the Junior Wells’ 1960 hit “Messin With The Kid” featuring Kid Rock, the touching “One Day Away” with Keith Urban, and “What You’re Gonna Do About Me,” a rousing duet with Beth Hart. Guy rounds out the disc with “Best In Town,” “Whiskey Ghost,” Guitar Slim’s “Well I Done Got Over It” and more. The Blues disc taps into the genre’s rich history with “Meet Me In Chicago,” “I Could Die Happy,” “Never Gonna Change” and “All That Makes Me Happy Is The Blues.” Aerosmith’s Tyler, Perry and Whitford contribute to the musical lesson with “Evil Twin” while Gary Clark, Jr. joins Guy on “Blues Don’t Care.” In a career that spans nearly 50 years with over 50 albums released, the incomparable Buddy Guy recently added the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors and NARM Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement to his long list of achievements. Guy is the recipient of 30 awards and accolades, including 6 Grammy Awards, 28 Blues Music Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, the first annual Great Performer of Illinois Award, a Billboard Music Awards’ Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, the Presidential National Medal of Arts, in addition to being listed as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling Stone.   “KIRSTEN THIEN SOLO LIVE!” TOUR HITS VENERABLE BLUES VENUES ACROSS USA Website Facebook In support of her new release "Solo Live from the Meisenfrei Blues Club," Kirsten Thien will undertake a “Solo Live!” tour this July, stopping at venerable blues venues across the Midwest, Texas, and Southeast. From local honky tonks to the festival stage, Thien will hit the road as a contemporary “Wild Woman” of the blues, her Taylor acoustic guitar in hand, bringing the magic and intimacy captured in front of a German audience on "Solo Live" back to the heartland of the USA. As with new album, Thien’s sets will go deep into her own blues, soul and rock 'n' roll catalog (drawing from the best of"Delicious"and "You've Got Me"), and will also branch out into engaging covers of songs originally done by Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Sippie Wallace, Elvin Bishop, Bill Withers, B.B. King and Freddie King.   DATES Tue, July 16 Indianapolis, IN The Slippery Noodle Wed, July 17 Springfield, MO Nathan P. Murphy’s Thurs, July 18 Kansas City, MO Knucklehead’s Saloon Sat, July 20 Tulsa, OK Charity Event Tue, July 23 San Angelo, TX Sealy Flats (Eddie Turner headlines) Wed, July 24 San Angelo, TX Sealy Flats (Eddie Turner headlines) Sat, July 27 Midland Texas Tall City Blues Fest (KT Trio feat. Eddie Turner) Thurs, Aug 1 Montgomery, AL Capitol Oyster Bar Sat, Aug 3 Kitty Hawk, NC Outerbanks Brewing Station Sun, Aug 4 Manteo, NC Poor Richard’s on the Dock Thien’s unlikely path from a Georgetown University Business School graduate to a Blues and Roots Rock singer/songwriter began when just weeks before graduation when she decided to forgo a life on Wall Street for a career in music. Since then she has released four full-length albums, toured the East Coast extensively, opened for (among others) Dickey Betts, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Guy, and made two headline tours of Europe/UK. Her album "Delicious" received much acclaim and worldwide radio airplay, debuting at #11 on the USA Blues Radio Charts and climbing to #2 on B.B. King’s Bluesville’s new music charts. The record also includes two tracks featuring Blues guitar legend Hubert Sumlin. Thien’s studio albums and the new "Solo Live" highlight Thien’s award-winning songwriting talent, impressive voice, and abilty to command a room or a stage with a unique and honest presence. “If you think she is impressive on her full band recordings, this solo set will blow you away as she’s unafraid to expose raw nerves to deliver the goods.” Chris Spector, Midwest Record   “Every track becomes a mini book and a look into her soul exposing every emotion possible. Put it this way, l just love this album.” Peter Merrett, PBS, Melbourne, Australia    “This fire-haired songwriter’s voice strikes a perfect balance between the precise but homey crooning of Bonnie Raitt and the sheer incendiary power of Janis Joplin.... "Delicious" will have you asking for seconds.” Stephen Fortner, Keyboard While comparisons abound, from Keb 'Mo' to Sheryl Crow, Thien has carved out her own unique contemporary blues/pop sound that travels the highway between 1955 Chicago, 1969 Memphis, and present-day New York City (Thien's current home in the space-time continuum).    Marshall Lawrence ~ House Call Website Facebook On The Music Couch Tonight with Vinny Marini @ 9 p.m. CST Marshall Lawrence has been very busy performing and promoting his new CD “House Call” since releasing it in May.  It sure has been a whirlwind of activity for this Neo-Delta Blues & Roots musician.  Marshall’s Blues Army continues to grow with every performance as audiences experience his conviction and respect for the past, present and future of acoustic blues and roots music.    Marshall has also begun writing tunes for a new project that is sure to please. He continues to explore and push the boundaries of acoustic blues and roots music.  Although “House Call” has only been released a short time ago it has steadily been garnering wide critical acclaim from reviewers, DJs and fans.  Here are some highlights: "5***** for "House Call"... I highly doubt there will be a better Acoustic Blues Album released in Canada for 2013."  John Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network “…One of the best acoustic blues-albums of 2013 (House Call)." Nathan Norgell, Wasser-Prawda Magazine “…As good as his previous release was, Marshall Lawrence surpasses it with House Call, giving the Delta Blues a fresh original spin.” Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes “…Mixing smart chops with found music edginess .... Lawrence knows how to reach those who like their music coloring outside the lines." Chris Spector, Midwest Record “Marshall Lawrence is the real deal and House Call is one fine piece of work.”  Bill Wilson, Billtown Blues Association “…Lawrence gets it.  He knows how to play the blues…. His voice is pleasant, his guitar work grooves, and his stories communicate the blues.  This is a nice acoustic set that deserves to be enjoyed.” Nik Rodewald, BluesRockReview.com Review   Lawrence's kinetic fretwork, his highly original songwriting, and his fresh interpretations of classic blues tunes really stand out… Lawrence's original tunes are uniformly excellent and his delivery, both on guitar and singing is very entertaining…If you're a fan of acoustic blues, you'll like this one. If you're not a fan, you will be after you listen…” Graham Clarke, Friday Blues Fix The CD Woodbury Band ~ Monday Night! Website Facebook #1 Roots Music Report Washington State Chart June 14 Debuted at #27 On RMR's Blues Chart June 14 The guys would like to thank everyone for their support of  the band and the new release. In the past couple of weeks Amazon MP3 download tracking has verified your support - Top ten in overall Electric Blues Guitar, Top 20 in Modern Blues, Top 100 in Blues, Top 25 in Hot New Releases: Blues, Top 10 Hot New Releases: Modern Blues, and #1 Hot New Releases: Electric Blues Guitar.   Here are a couple of reviews to whet your appetite:   "CD Woodbury genre-surfed before committing to the roots blues style that is a really good way for his voice to play nice with backing instrumentation. The CD Woodbury Band plug blues into caffeine-stoked chord changes and make a great appearance with the results on Monday Night. Though independent musicians continue the bloodlines of music as the Pop machine declares what is, their road is not always smooth. Those fine looking musicians you see on stage, the ones that put your life into a forty-minute set and story lines that make you feel good about your decisions, well, they are people too. “Pawn Shop” slows it blues to an appropriate level for the subject matter, but amps up the riffs to make sure it has your attention. Mr. Woodbury is making a trip to hock his Gibson, pennies on the dollar. Real life is a non-sing-a-long bitch. Can I get a hallelujah that we can hear about it in song?" The Alternate Root   "A rocking album, full of burning guitar, tasteful keyboards, soulful sax, and great tunes, Monday Night! is a solid debut for the CD Woodbury Band.  Full of rocking swing-revival, classic Texas shuffles, seasoned with hints of R&B and jazz, the album features a band that can downright play. The album kicks off with “These Blues Keep Me Right Here,” a classic shuffle.  “Pawn Shop” is a slow blues featuring screaming guitar and tasteful piano.  “Burn the Bridge” is a funk-inspired tune with a tasty guitar ostinato and soulful B3.  “SauBall Blues” features some nice brush work from drummer Don Montana and an outstanding sax solo by Mike Marinig.  It is the best tune on the album. While Woodbury’s guitar is impressive, Chris Kliemann’s tickling of the ivories warrants special attention.  His solos are tasteful, his comping excellent.  The band has yet another outstanding soloist in Mike Marinig, whose saxophone technique and vocabulary is impressive, and his musicianship excellent.  Marinig also doubles on lead vocals.  Marinig is a strong lead singer, with a gutsy voice and just the right amount of grime for a band paying homage to the roots of the blues. The album is well worth a listen.  Not only is the playing and production quite good, but the style is unique.  Of course, the band draws heavily on more traditional blues influences, but their sound is not old-fashioned.  Quite the contrary, they are a new and unique addition to the blues tradition." BluesRockReview.com Review North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic June 28 - 29, 2013 Hwy 7, Betty Davis BBQ, Waterford, MS Website Friend & Client, Ian Siegal, On The Bill 2012 & 2013 Blues Music Award Contemporary Blues Album Nominee Ian's Website Tommy Z Joins The Blind Raccoon Family Grand Marquis Are Back In The Fold! Tommy Z ~ Sometimes Website Facebook Video Grand Marquis ~ Blues And Trouble Website Facebook

New Releases From David Egan, Kirsten Thien, Too Slim and the Taildraggers, and RB Stone

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DAVID EGAN ~ DAVID EGAN Website Facebook Purchase & Listen "This cat looks like a cross between Dave Van Ronk and R. Crumb. He sings, plays and writes like Mose Allison in his prime and it feels unintentional, like it was something in the water as opposed to a mannered copy. He’s got loads of high tone songwriting credits but has chosen to pound the ivories in Shreveport roadhouses, not even bothering to kick it out in Nawlins. One of those heaviest-cats-you-never-heard-of kind of cats, this disc is a non-stop, no fat, great time. Easily as Americana as The Band, this set might color outside the lines but it isn’t outsider music. Killer stuff from start to finish, it’s time for this legend to take root." Midwest Record KIRSTEN THIEN ~ SOLO LIVE FROM THE MEISENFREI BLUES CLUB Website Facebook Purchase & Listen Video From The Show "A snapshot. A moment in time. A work in progress. Alchemy. Intended, not planned. Imperfections I can live with and learn from. Circumstances that brought me here. Love that carried me through. Friendship fostered by music. Music fostered by friendship. A room full of willing souls. These are the elements that make up this record. A snapshot." Kirsten Thien TOO SLIM AND THE TAILDRAGGERS ~ BLUE HEART Website Facebook Purchase Listen to "Wash My Hands" "If it is possible to be a natural- born guitarist, Langford fits the description." Vintage Guitar RB STONE ~ LOOSEN UP! Website Facebook Purchase & Listen "RB Stone lives in his own kick-ass roadhouse, where the songs rock you from side to side and the words bite back at you. This is the true originality of a renegade spirit." Michael Kinsman

P.O. Box 40045, Memphis, TN 38174 | 901.278.6850 www.blindraccoon.com | betsie@blindraccoon.com

Blind Raccoon & Earwig Music Showcase & A Bunch Of Other Happenings In Memphis This Week!

Blind Raccoon & Earwig Music Showcase Friday, May 10, 2 - 8:15 p.m. Purple Haze Night Club, Downtown Memphis, One Block South of B.B. King's on Second Featuring Andy Cohen, Leo Hull, Tommy McCoy, Guitar Mikey RB Stone, Johnny Drummer & Chris James and Patrick Rynn Blues Hall of Fame Tribute Jam Wednesday, May 8, 10 p.m. onwards B.B. King's on Beale, Memphis Yellow Dog Records All Star Showcase Thursday, May 9, 12:45 - 3:45 p.m. B.B. King's on Beale, Memphis VizzTone Label Group's Blues Party On Beale Friday, May 10, 10 p.m. onwards Rum Boogie on Beale, Memphis

Gator Groove Records artist: Chris Watson Band - Pleasure and Pain - New Release Review

Gator Groove Records artist Chris Watson has just released a new recording called Pleasure and Pain. This is definitely one to check out! Chris released his first recording in 2010 at 18 and this followup recording is killer. This recording features 9 original tracks of the 12 on the release. It opens with Heart On My Sleeve, a funky blues with very tight drums by Jason Thomas and bass by Chris Gipson under the smooth flare of Watson's guitar and vocals. Untrue, a Texas style blues gets the shuffle going and all though the rhythm sounds familiar, the riffs are fresh and clean. The title track, Pleasure and Pain, is a modern sounding track more along the lines of Robert Cray but finding Watson playing heavy rhythm along with his singing. His fat guitar tone on the solo of this track is particularly cool. Heartache is a really nice soul style blues. Watson highlights his vocals with horns and provides a great hole to smoke the guitar strings. Mama Told Me has a more modern style uptempo rhythm to it and again Watson gets great tone as he demonstrates his guitar prowess. Traditional song Going Home is given a funky treatment and Watson takes the opportunity to show again that he really is a great singer and on this track backed with some solid background singers giving the track a lot of authenticity. Although the track would have been fine without a single note of soloing (it's that good), Watson takes the opportunity to lay down some really tasty riffs. Happiest Day Of My Life takes a country style boot stomper approach. There is a particularly cool piano interlude by Eric Scortia on this track. On Sean Costello's Hard Luck Woman Watson lays some more funk on the blues and it's really great. Jason Thomas lays some particularly strong drumming on this track. She's Wild is another soulful blues track and I keep thinking that this band is tight. This track has a laid back, almost Al Green nature to it. Watson does a nice cover of Bobby Womack's Check It Out. If this cd doesn't get you up moving around then there's a good likelihood you're losing your hearing. if you're thinking, I just want the guitar solo... it's here too. Wanted Man has a smooth groove to it. Watson lays it out there on guitar again and really shows it with taste. Don't Turn Around completes the recording with an uptempo rocker. This track gives Watson the chance to explore some different riffs and to wind the cd down properly. Overall I'd say this is one of the better cd's I've had the opportunity to review recently. The kid has a lot of talent including guitar playing, vocals, writing and knowing how to put it together. If you get the chance...this is one you should hear!
 If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”
 This is not the best track on the cd but the only live cut from the cd I could find for promo.

Blind Raccoon artist: Levee Town - Pages of Paperwork - new recording review

I just received the new recording "Pages of Paperwork" by Levee Town. An assembly of 14 original tunes, Levee Town explores a lot of territory with a solid rhythm section of Jacque Garoutte on bass and vocals and Jan Faircloth on drums. This release is just spiked with terrific harp tone produced by Jimmie Meade and complimented by strong guitar leads by Brandon Hudspeth. Although rooted in the tradition of Chicago blues this recording has a lot of newer ideas happening and I actually keep thinking I'm listening to the original Yardbirds sometimes. The basic sound just keeps you moving through the entire set but there are some knock back solos on guitar and I especially love some of the harp tones that make me stop what I'm doing to admire what I'm hearing. All in all a very good recording.

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Blind Raccoon presents: Walkin' Through the Fire ; a new release by Scott Ellison - Release review

I just received the new release by ex Gatemouth Brown Sideman Scott Ellison. This is a real strong effort written entirely by Ellison and Charles Tuberville or Walt Richmond (Eric claptons keyboard player)with definite clues to Motown and Memphis. Gravelly vocals are dominant throughout and Ellison is a good guitar player although this release is primarily vocal driven with stinging guitar for icing. Shakin' With the Blues definitely shows the strong guitar feel and there is a pretty tasty slide guitar solo on "Trouble Times".

As a change up, The Name of Your Game comes straight from Jamaica. There is a nice guitar solo there to give the song just the right balance. All Things, starts off with a nice guitar intro and has the rhythm style that I would typically associate with Johnny Winter although the guitar styling is a lot more "Albert King". There is also a real nice piano interlude in the middle of the song which again provides for a nice balance.

The last song on the release "The Man Who Shot Mustang Sally" is a take off on Wilson Pickett's Mustang Sally. It definitely has the Muscle Shoals feel but with Ellison's own signature.There is some pretty tasty guitar groovin here wrapping up a pretty cool offering by a talented writer.

Enjoy!!

The video is not of a song on the release...nothing yet available.

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Lonesome Traveller's Blues - RB Stone - New release review / video

I just received a copy of the new release, Lonesome Traveller's Blues by RB Stone. The recording is made up of ten original tracks featuring Glen Kuykendall on guitar, Billy Crain on guitar, Jay Palmer on bass Ed Atkins on upright bass and both Spencer Strand and David Sappington on drums. Stone leads the charge with his vocal, acoustic guitar and harp attack. The recording is nicely done with strong guitar and harp parts featured throughout. There are both rural and city flavors and changes in moods taking the listener on a refreshing journey through the blues.

Enjoy!
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Rlind Racoon Artist Update

Jim Allchin ~ Overclocked Website The Making of Overclocked Video Since its release, Jim's album, Overclocked, has been bouncing around on the iTunes blues chart and is presently at #13. We're also delighted to announce the album has been selected by Pandora. As a thank you to music lovers, we're presenting a signed album to the first ten that respond to this email. Please ensure you include your name and mailing address to be eligible. Blues Revue Band Contest Vote Four Blind Raccoon clients are in the running for the Blues Revue Band Contest - Chris Bergson, Too Slim and the Taildraggers, Joe Pitts and Davis Coen. Visit Blues Revue to see the full line-up and vote. British Blues Awards 2011 Winners Paul Jones (center) Receives Lifetime Achievement Award Selected by Fran Leslie, Blues In Britain (on right) In addition to receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, our friend, Paul Jones, accepted the British Blues Awards for Harmonica Player and Blues Broadcaster earlier this month. Nugene Records artists received recognition: Ian Siegal ~ Male Vocalist, Matt Schofield ~ Blues Guitarist, Andy Graham (Ian Siegal) ~ Bass Player, Jonny Henderson (Matt Schofield) ~ Keyboard Player. D'Mar & Gill ~ Real Good Friend Facebook Video from Chicago Blues Fest Here's what Rick J. Bowen at No Depression had to say about the duo's new album, Real Good Friend: "Joining forces as the dynamic duo D’Mar & Gill, master Mississippi bluesmen Chris Gill and Derrick Martin deliver a sound like a joyous house party with their first release Real Good Friend. The ten song set of sing along blues is tailor made for good times. Gill delivers fine finger picking guitar and inviting vocals while D’Mar throws down funky fresh grooves on a hybrid kit of congas and kick drum. Cut live in the studio, the album has an intimate clarity that feels as if you’re sitting right in the room. Standout tunes “Maybe Baby,” Harmony Street and “Tore Down,” written by Gill sound like long lost classics, while “Crawfish Boogie,” will no doubt be a new addition to party time playlists everywhere. Real Good Friend is a real good time CD; let’s hope there is more to come." Chris Bergson Website The Chris Bergson Band will be opening for the Levon Helm Band at Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble in Woodstock, NY on Saturday, October 29. Tickets are available exclusively through www.levonhelm.com. Dicky James and the Blue Flames' Hard Rain reached #1 on the Roots Music Report Blues Internet Chart for the week ending September 9, 2011. RB Stone has posted a new video on YouTube. Check out the compilation at Live and Loose at the Shed. The following artists have joined the Blind Raccoon family: Bert Deivert, blues mandolin player, from Sweden, Debbie Bond from Alabama, widely recognized for her work with the Alabama Blues Project, and Guitarist and vocalist Scott Ellison out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bert Deivert "Kid Man Blues" Website Debbie Bond "Hearts Are Wild" Website Scott Ellison "Walkin' Through The Fire" Website