Transdreamer Records artists: Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs - New Release Review

I have just received a recording by Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs called Sunday Run Me Over which is set to be released on October 9, 2012. To say that this recording is unusual may be a bit of an understatement but I really like it. The recording, a collaboration between London born Holly Golightly and Texas bred multi-instrumentalist Lawyer Dave, is made up of 9 original tracks and 3 classic tracks which have been arranged by Golightly. The recording opens with Goddamn Holy Roll a blues like track which is quite enjoyable and also the source of the recording title. They Say is a much more traditional haunting country blues type track that has a very authentic sound and feel. Dave and Holly's voices are well matched and slide work dresses the otherwise single note droning rhythm.Tank has the basic feel of Rollin' and Tumblin' without any of the polish. This entire cd is very raw (in a great way). I Forgot More, a 60's spiritual track is given the straight country waltz treatment and the vocals, arrangement and instrumentals are superb. One For The Road is so waltzy that it could be from a Merry Go Round. It's really nice to see people who aren't afraid to do something totally different. Instruments sound improvised and primitive creating an experience. Turn Around is just a little pop country ditty and features Holly on vocals. The Davis Sisters 1953 hit I Forgot More became A Whole Lot More... and an interesting theory set to music. Hand In Hand finds Dave on lead vocals alternating with Golightly and there is no attempt to make it sound Hollywood. The music is pristine and clear and real. On The Future's Here I hear echo's of Dan Hicks and Jim Kweskin. This music is fun and simple. The instrumentation isn't ostentatious but solid and interesting with particularly cool distorted slide work on this track. Hard To Be Humble, a Mac Davis track, is given the "Speck Rose" treatment and is some icing on an already rich cake. Goodnight is a rich rural track featuring Golightly on vocals ... just good solid music. The recording is completed by This Shit Is Gold. This track has the sound of country street punks. It's hard to describe it in another way. It's raw, it's real and it's fun.

I really like this recording. I hope to hear more from this band soon! (Watch for it on the best of list!)
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”

For some reason I'm not able to deliver a video directly to you but here's a link: video

Rainman Records artist: Alvin Lee - Still On The Road To Freedom - New Recording Review

Alvin Lee... yes the real Alvin Lee, has just come out of the studio and is ready to release a new cd, Still On The Road To Freedom, on August 27, 2012. To say that I am a long time Alvin Lee fan is a tremendous understatement. I was a young kid when I heard Alvin Lee for the first time and it was an eye opening experience. I had never heard such music. The song was I Woke Up This Morning from the SSSH album and it was on an obscure radio station that my older teenaged sister had on in the family car. My musical interests are forever changed. This new recording with 12 new tracks and one remake that is totally unrecognizable from it's original form shows that lee is still exploring uncharted territory. The first track, the title track, Still On The Road To Freedom, follows a lot of previous jazz/blues influenced rock tunes by Lee and there is absolutely no question that Lee can still sing, write and play with the effort of a feather. Great song. He has undeniable form and tone. By the way, I have been asked before what classic guitar amp tone is.. I mean...identify it I point to SSSH. Some things never change. Listen To Your Radio Station is up next with Lee experimenting with beat and soloing, not at all unlike Jeff Beck. I would never compare the two superstars because they are so different, but I am only stating that Lee on this particular song too to a Beck formula and played great guitar riffs over a solid drum riff.... very cool. (Now don't buy this and complain it doesn't sound like Jeff beck...it doesn't...it sounds like Alvin lee!) Midnight Creeper gets a smooth bass/drum rhythm going and Lee plays guitar and sings over this basic drive pattern. This cd has quite a bit less structure than many of his compositions of the past.It gives Lee a much less structured framework in which to work and is quite tasty if you can set aside your TYA expectations. Save My Stuff catches Lee on harp and doing a polished little blues track but maintaining his basic rock structure as in more recent solo efforts. I'm A Lucky Man explores Lees early country (rockabilly if your prefer) roots ... if you really listen you can hear Porter Wagoner as much as Chuck Berry.... that's what is great about real music... it defines definition and blurs lines. Sound Of The Red Rock captures a unique side of Lee which I have seen. It has a bit of a Spanish flare to my ear and a melody that is very strong. Nice and Easy really captures the style of JJ Cale with the laid back voices and biting guitar work. Back In 69 takes a clue from Bo Diddley but anyone hearing it would definitely peg it for Alvin Lee not only because of his recognizable hooks and distinctive voice but his unmistakable guitar playing. This song features riffs that I have never heard from Lee and is the most experimental track on the cd. I really like it. Rock You see's Lee tromping around in funky territory. Lee's voice still sounds as fresh as it did the day that I first heard it. Remarkable. Lee wraps the recording with, as I alluded to before, a remake of one of my favorites, Love Like A Man, but it is really pretty unrecognizable as the same track unless you are really listening. It takes the stance of a heavy bottomed Texas blues with a touch of swing and a rock twist. It's really quite interesting and then to top it off with Lee using not only signature riffs but multiple pinched harmonics like I never heard from Lee. Alvin Lee's creative juices are still flowing strong. This recording is not only going to delight the thousands of fans that I encounter each day but will certainly capture many many more. Oh Yeah...and don't take the cd off too fast...there's a nice acoustic track at the end of the cd.

Alvin...great to have you back!


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Couldn't find the new arrangement on this track...but I can listen to it anyway!

Sage Arts artist: Marley's Ghost - Jubilee - New Release Review

I just received a new release, Jubilee, by Marley's Ghost. This release has very little "blues" content but I gotta tell you...it's really great! This recording has a veritable who's who of music stars including Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart, Larry Campbell, Byron House and Don Heffington. Now I gotta admit, I'm a blues guy who listens to other stuff that's good. This is great!

The release is made up of 13 tracks, six which are originals. The band is Dan Wheetman, Jon Wilcox, Mike Phelan, Ed Littlefield Jr. and Jerry Fletcher. I guess that my job is to tell you what I like about this release... almost everything! The release opens with Rollin' which I would describe as a straight forward country song but I also got to tell you I hate country (by today's standards). I really like this track. It's clean, pure and interesting. The vocals, instrumentation and arrangement is superb. Second up is an uptempo "country" song called Wake Up Mama. This song is a real stomper again with a lot of fine playing and great vocals. The third original on the release is The Blues Are Calling, another traditional country style song. Now I get a little confused with labels because what I call country may be called Americana and what others call country I likely call pop but this is really strong. It's the kind of country music that should be called country music. It's got heart and soul... and no booty dancers. The first of the cover tacks is Kris Kristofferson's This Old Road with John Prine. A very traditional ballad. The band then covers Bobby Womack's It's All Over Now with Old Crow Medicine Show. Think soul music done by Jerry Garcia (Old And In The Way)... really nice. South For A Change gets into Bob Wills territory (Lets say Asleep At The Wheel) and it's a great country swing track. The vocals on this track are beautiful as are the instrumentation. Levon Helm's Growin' Trade is done very respectfully and retains the purity that it was conceived with. Tom Russell's Hank and Audrey is a track that I would expect to come out of a juke box in a funky little bar that I would like to frequent... pure, clean... cool! Butch Hancock's If You Were A Bluebird is a great little song especially featuring pure solid vocals and smooth musical base. Lonely Night has that pure 50-60's country sound that rarely sees the airwaves now. It is a great contribution to the release overall. Diamond Joe has the very traditional country sound that you might expect from even earlier cowboys. You should check this recording out. I like almost every track on the release (which is unusual for music of any type) and not only is the writing, instrumentation, vocals and music selection terrific, it appears that the the construction of the songs have been well thought through with no gratuitous riffs just to add riffs but beautiful short bursts of instrumental excellence like a painter adds just the right amount of color or texture to make the whole work beautifully.

Highly recommended.

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Real Gone Music: Little Willie John - Complete Hit Singles A's & B's - new release review

Real Gone Music will soon issue Little Willie John's Complete Hit Singles A's and B's from the King label. If you don't know Little Willie John he was one of the absolute leaders of the R&B movement when he died at age 30. The release has 32 cuts , all gems illustrating just how talented Little Willie John was. This release includes such tracks as All Around The World (Grits Ain't Grocery); the blues crossover Need Your Love So Bad; Fever; Talk To Me, Talk To Me; Tell It Like It Is; Leave My Kitten Alone; a track that everyone knows, I'm Shakin'; the bluesy You Hurt Me and concluding with Take My Love. This is a great release for fans of the R&B movement and one of the greatest R&B singers to be recorded.
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Landfall Records:Elemental Journey - Sonny Landreth - New Release Review

I have been listening to the newest recording by Sonny Landreth, Elemental Journey to be released on May 22. This is a really different recording for Sonny Landreth in that not only is the music somewhat unstructured (more orchestrated) or hyper structured dependent upon your perception and also that it has no vocals. What I mean regarding the structure is that most of the music that I review has a very basic structure and much of it a formula. A very simple formula. Any experienced listener can listen to the average song, say here's the singing, this is where the guitar solo will be...there will be singing after that and this is the end. This recording is much more complex than that and really quite heady. Landreth has enlisted guitar wiz Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson to assist in the implementation as well as members of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra to pull off this masterpiece of fluid music. The recording, made up of 11 tracks is really put together as a sonic story pulling components of many types of music into the fabric with different instruments leading you in every path and weaving a auditory picture of the journey that you're taking, creating space and sonic dynamics to accentuate the milestones. I find it really interesting to see musicians experiment outside of the box that they are typically confined to and applaud Landreth on this very successful project.
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”

Telarc release: Legacy; The Best of Tab Benoit

Telarc has assembled 14 of Tab Benoit's best tracks on one disk called Legacy: The Best of Tab Benoit. This will be released on April 3, 2012. Buddy Miller's Shelter Me from Power of the Ponchatrain opens the recording with a song bred in the streets of Louisiana. Night Train, a hard driving blues rock track is a great addition and a straight forward blues rocker with some great guitar riffs and a cool overdriven grinding amp tone. A little Screamin' Jay Hawkins (I Put A Spell On You) from Homesick for the Road, is a great soulful blues interlude. Benoit's tasteful double stops and fretting hand tremolo adds effect to the recording. I've always been particularly partial to this song and I think that Benoit does a great interpretation. Still's For What It's Worth from Power of the Ponchatrain provides a great platform for Benoit to show his guitar chops. Nice and Warm from Whiskey Store, a hot slow Texas style blues, features guitar ace Jimmy Thackery as well as Benoit on guitars. This is a great track for those of use who enjoy a little uninhibited guitar playing. Muddy Bottom Blues from Wetlands, a Benoit original, is a high steppin' blues track with calls back to the players mirroring their vocals on guitar which I always like as well as some great guitar riffs blended in. Darkness, another Benoit original from The Sea Saint Sessions retreats back to the soulful blues. Benoit has a great voice to deliver a track like this and he takes out the time to play quite a deep feeling guitar solo. Comin' On Strong, a Billy Joe Shavers song from the Brother to the Blues recording features Shavers on vocals and Waylon Thibodeaux on fiddle. The Blues Is Here To Stay from the Fever From The Bayou recording and penned by Neville, Norman Caesar and Taj Mahal features Cyril Neville on drums and vocals. With that lineup you know to expect a deep heaping of New Orleans soul. Some of the most lively guitar riffs appear on this track. Medicine, the title track of the Medicine release and co written by Benoit has a lot of the grit of an older blues tune. It's a great blues driven song and a great addition to the recording with strong vocals, rhythm and some screaming guitar riffs. These Arms of Mine, of course by Otis Redding and from the Wetlands recording allows Benoit to demonstrate his soulful singing style and also gives him the opportunity to demonstrate once again his adaptive nature with his original guitar playing. Whiskey Store, title track from the Whiskey Store release and again featuring Jimmy Thackery on guitar is an opportunity for two guitar aces to push each other and they do. With Benoit playing in tandem with his singing and Thackery laying down over the top solo tracks they never step on each other and the result is terrific. New Orleans Lady from the Night Train To Nashville features Jimmy Hall on harp and vocals is a cool airplay style ballad giving the two the opportunity to harmonize on vocals and each to have his time in the sun. Bayou Boogie from Whiskey Store Live again featuring Jimmy Thackery is really a rockin boogie and just a great excuse to kick out the stops, get you movin' and play some over the top guitar riffs.

Job well done! Whether you just need a quick dose of benoit or are not familiar with his work, this is a great cd to fill your need.
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Paul Thorn's 'What The Hell Is Going On' CD due out May 8

PAUL THORN’S WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN’ ON? DUE MAY 8

On new album, Thorn tries something fun and different —

covering songs he loves by other songwriters

TUPELO, Miss. — Paul Thorn took an unexpected detour on the road to recording a follow-up to his most successful release, 2010’s Pimps and Preachers. After writing many discs of semi-autobiographical tunes that have drawn comparisons to John Hiatt and John Prine, the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter — hailed as the “Mark Twain of Americana” — decided to do an album of covers. “I wanted to take a break from myself,” he reveals, “do something different, and just have fun.”

The collection, entitled What The Hell Is Goin’ On? (due May 8, on Perpetual Obscurity/Thirty Tigers), finds Thorn putting his own gritty rock stamp on some of his favorite songs. There are some names familiar to Americana fans (Buddy Miller, Ray Wylie Hubbard), some lesser-known (Foy Vance, Wild Bill Emerson) and some surprises. The Buckingham and Nicks tune “Don’t Let Me Down Again” originated on that duo’s debut, not during the Fleetwood Mac era, while the Paul Rogers/Free song that Thorn chose to cover is an obscure one, “Walk In My Shadow.”

The idea for a covers album grew as Thorn encountered tunes that meant something important to him. “I would hear them in the tour van or I’d be at a festival and see someone perform them live,” Thorn says, “and I'd say ‘That’s a great song, I wish I had written it!’” One thing all the writers of these songs have in common according to Thorn is that they are true artists. “They don’t just write songs in an effort to become popular or follow trends,” he explains. “At the risk of sounding corny, they write with their hearts. None of these songs are cookie-cutter tunes like you hear on the radio today. They all have real depth, which is very appealing to me.”

The set covers subjects that are familiar territory to Thorn, from the spiritual pull of Miller’s “Shelter Me Lord” to the spirited fun in Big Al Anderson’s “Jukin.’” Thorn, so skilled with his own character studies, plays storyteller with such lurid tales as Hubbard’s “Snake Farm” and Emerson’s “Bull Mountain Bridge.” Emerson (who has written for George Jones and Tammy Wynette) is someone, according to Thorn, who “can tell a story in a song like nobody else.”

What The Hell Is Goin’ On? also delivers songs of love and salvation. Vance’s “Shed A Little Light” and Eli “Paperboy” Reed’s “Take My Love With You” are emotionally powerful tunes. The latter particularly expresses Thorn’s feelings about being on the road and missing his family back home: “Being a touring musician is a blessing and a curse . . . and Eli put into words what I feel like sometimes.”

What The Hell’s centerpiece is the powerful title track, a blistering look at life in modern times that was penned by blues-rock icon Elvin Bishop. “We are living in a new world where people are very connected, but also at the same time are disconnected,” Thorn states. “I believe technology in moderation is good but too many folks are walking around wearing ear phones and some have forgotten the lost art of basic social skills.”

The song also is significant because he has developed a friendship with Bishop over the years. “I sometimes visit him at his house when I’m out in California and he always gives me a jar of his homemade jelly that he makes with fresh kiwis from his garden,” Thorn recalls. “He sang this song for me on his front porch one day and it blew me away.” It was also a treat to have Bishop perform a guitar solo on the tune — which Thorn describes as “wonderfully raw and dirty.” Other special guests on the album are Delbert McClinton (another Thorn idol) and the marvelous singing McCrary Sisters.

The heavy lifting on the album, however, was done by Thorn and, as usual, his touring band (guitarist Bill Hinds, keyboard player Michael Graham, bassist Ralph Friedrichsen and drummer Jeffrey Perkins). “The guys in this outfit are a tight unit and a well-oiled machine,” he proclaims. “I’ve had the same guys in my band for goin’ on 15 years and they are incredible musicians.” Another long-time collaborator is Billy Maddox, who steered the ship and also served as What The Hell’s producer. The sense of camaraderie among Thorn, his band and Maddox contributes to the disc’s loose, live performances. The lived-in quality is undoubted aided by the fact that Thorn and the band had already played these songs live and honed them into what he calls “crowd-pleasers.”

Thorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular brand of roots music — bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern, yet also speaking universal truths. The Tupelo, MS native worked in a furniture factory, jumped out of airplanes, and was a professional boxer before sharing his experiences with the world as a singer-songwriter. Pimps and Preachers, which topped the Americana charts for three weeks and broke into the Billboard Top 100, perfectly exemplified the vivid scope of his songwriting — and illuminated his family background. While his father is a Church of God Pentecostal minster, his uncle (his father’s brother) spent time as a pimp — and Thorn was influenced by both of these men. Mining these “saint and sinner” scenarios, Thorn crafted a disc that All Music Guide lauded as “a great rock & roll album,” while The Nation labeled it “an incredible find.”

When Thorn and his band hit the road, he’ll be performing both his captivating originals and these favored covers, because, as he says, “there are so many great writers out there whose songs need to be heard.” Thorn also might slip in a new song or two as he already has started writing more songs of his own for the next album.

PAUL THORN ON THE ROAD AND

ON SOUL SALVATION TOUR WITH RUTHIE FOSTER

All shows are with Paul Thorn Band unless otherwise noted

Thurs., Feb. 23 SPRINGFIELD, MO, Nathan P. Murphy’s

Fri., Feb. 24 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Oklahoma City Limits

Sat., Feb. 25 DALLAS, TX The Kessler Theater; sold out.

Soul Salvation Tour featuring Paul Thorn and Ruthie Foster

Tues., March 6 ANNAPOLIS, MD Rams Head

Wed., March 7 ALEXANDRIA, VA The Birchmere

Thurs., March 8 PHILADELPHIA, PA World Cafe Live

Fri., March 9 NEW YORK, NY City Winery

Sat., March 10 CHATHAM, NJ The Sanctuary Concerts

Wed., March 28 KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads

Thurs., March 29 ST. LOUIS, MO Old Rock House

Fri., March 30 BLOOMINGTON, IL The Castle Theatre

Sat., March 31 SCHAUMBURG, IL Prairie Center for the Arts

Mon.-Tues., April 2-3 MINNEAPOLIS, MN Dakota

Paul Thorn tour

Thurs., April 12 GREEN BAY, WI Riverside Ballroom

Fri, April 13 IOWA, IA The Mill

Sat., April 14 GALESBURG, IL Fat Fish

Tues., April 17 THE WOODLANDS, TX Paul Thorn solo radio show taping, Dosey Doe

April 21 CLARKSDALE, MI Ground Zero Blues Club

April 29 CHARLESTON, WV Paul Thorn solo radio show taping, Mountain Stage

Soul Salvation Tour featuring Paul Thorn and Ruthie Foster

Wed., May 2 LAFAYETTE, LA Acadiana Center for the Arts

Thurs., May 3 NEW ORLEANS, LA House of Blues

Fri., May 4 BATON ROUGE, LA Manship Theatre

Sat., May 5 MERIDIAN, MS MSU Riley Center for the Performing Arts

Paul Thorn tour

Fri., May 11 BIRMINGHAM, AL WorkPlay Theatre

Sat., May 12 ATLANTA, GA Variety Playhouse

Sun., May 13 NASHVILLE, TN 3rd and Lindsley

Wed., May 16 AUSTIN, TX One World theatre

Thurs., May 17 CHEROKEE, TX Cherokee Creek Music Festival

Fri., May 18 DALLAS, TX Kessler Theater

Sat., May 19 SAN ANTONIO, TX Sam’s Burger Joint

May 20 THE WOODLANDS, TX Dosey Doe

Fri., May 25 TAMPA, FL Paul solo acoustic at Skipper’s Smokehouse

Sat., May 26 TAMPA, FL Skipper’s Smokehouse

Fri., June 1 TUPELO, MS Tupelo Elvis Festival

Sat., June 2 MEMPHIS, TN New Daisy Theatre

Fri., June 29 LOUISVILLE, KY Jim Porter's Good Time Emporium

June 30 MINFORD, OH Private Show

July 13 8 p.m. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO Strings Music Festival

July 15 ALTA, WY Targhee Festival

July 21, MOSCOW, ID Rendezvous in the Park

August 3 SANTA CRUZ, CA Rio Theatre

Sat.-Sun., Aug. 4-5 NICASIO, CA Rancho Nicasio

BRITISH BANDLEADER CHRIS BARBER RECEIVES OVERDUE U.S. RECOGNITION WITH TWO-CD ANTHOLOGY ON PROPER RECORDS ON MAY 8

BRITISH BANDLEADER CHRIS BARBER

RECEIVES OVERDUE U.S. RECOGNITION

WITH TWO-CD ANTHOLOGY

ON PROPER RECORDS ON MAY 8

Features music from Barber’s incredible 60-year career including previously unreleased collaborations with Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Jools Holland, Dr. John and Rory Gallagher

LONDON, U.K. — To followers of 20th century British music, Chris Barber needs no introduction: The trombonist and bass player is the pre-eminent name in British trad jazz. A fixture on the British music scene since the early 1950s, he has led a number of excellent bands and can be heard alongside countless world-class players, a title he can surely also claim for himself. The octogenarian, who in 2012 approaches the 60-year mark as a pro bandleader, contributed greatly to the evolution of the British blues and rock scene as a founding director of the legendary Marquee club, linked to the rise of bands such as the Who, Rolling Stones and Sex Pistols.

To celebrate Barber’s 80th birthday and lifetime of achievements in the business, Proper Records U.K. last year released Memories of My Trip, a two-disc anthology of selected recordings spanning the bandleader’s career, giving a comprehensive insight into his life and work and showcasing the music that made him one of the most influential figures in British jazz. The set, due out in the U.S. on May 8, 2012 via Proper American, should give U.S. listeners a taste of what they may have missed. The U.K.’s MOJO magazine gave the compilation four stars.

Barber was not only a hugely successful artist himself, he was also responsible for helping launch the careers of many other musicians, notably singer and banjo player Lonnie Donegan, blues singer Ottilie Patterson, and clarinetist Monty Sunshine, with whom Barber recorded a version of the great Sidney Bechet’s “Petit Fleurs,” which stormed the U.K. singles charts to reach #3 and sold over a million copies. Aside from trad jazz, Barber is well known for involvement with the blues, as well as R&B, gospel, skiffle and more.

Barber (second from right) with Muddy Waters

From his early days with trumpeter Ken Colyer right through to more recent performances where he is still playing at the top of his game, Barber has always displayed an open-minded approach. As well as including several superb recordings of Barber’s own work with his first-rate jazz band, this collection features a number of selected cuts with great players from outside the usual jazz circles, all of whom hold him in deservedly high esteem, among them Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Mark Knopfler, Keith Emerson, Van Morrison and Andy Fairweather Low.

The company he keeps is impressive enough, but it is undoubtedly Barber who shines on this double album, his talents matched easily by the obvious enthusiasm and joy apparent in his playing. With an introduction by the Times of London jazz critic and BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Alyn Shipton and personal liner notes complied by Shipton in conversation with Chris himself,Memories of My Trip is perfect for those discovering this music for the first time, or for old friends for whom Barber needs no introduction.

# # #

For more information on Proper American Recordings, please contact Conqueroo:

Cary Baker • (323) 656-1600 • cary@conqueroo.com

with Eric Clapton

with Van Morrison

with Andy Fairweather Low

New Release: Mitch Ryder - The Promise - Review

Yes. Mitch Ryder of the Detroit Wheels Mitch Ryder has a new release... his first in the US in nearly 30 years!! The recordings are all original tracks but one, a great remake of Motown hit What Becomes of The Broken Hearted ... 12 tracks in all.

The recording starts off with Thank You Mama, a straight forward Detroit style rocker. You can hear the Motown influence but it is a rocker. Track 2,the title track (The Promise) has a bit of that nawlans voodooo sound but again a strong soul background. Track 3, One Hair breaks out a little with the movement of the Tempt's or the Tops. This thing is groovin'! Track 4, Everybody Loses, has a real latin jazz flair that almost sounds like early Steely Dan. Track 5, My Heart Belongs To Me, has the soul rock fusion sound that had been so popular in the late 60's. Track 6, Crazy Beautiful is a real haunting ballad ... possibly my favorite (almost reminiscent of a Paul McCartney style). Track 7, Let's Keep Dancing another latin influenced number is certain to get you dancing around and has a very nice Latin guitar solo waiting. Track 8, If My Baby Don't Stop Dancin' returns to the traditional sound and I'm sure it will be the crowd favorite on the cd. Cool rock song! Track 9, Get Real is a driving rock song with Ryder leading the way with strong vocals and great guitar work to flavor the cd for us gear nuts. Track 10, recorded in front of a live audience, is the classic What Becomes of a Broken Hearted. Mitch does a great job on this song with the female background vocalists giving is it just the right amount of reality. Track 11, Junkie Love, is just a funky pack of fun. The recording wraps up with The Way We Were, a slower but dark funk that ties the entire ball of soul and blues together.

Mitch has been quiet for a while but I think a lot of people will be happy to hear that HE'S BACK!!

Though not a real bluesy recording...it's really enjoyable!

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NEWS: Ruthie Foster CD out next week, on the road

RUTHIE FOSTER’S LET IT BURN ALBUM SHIPS NEXT WEEK

2012 U.S. tour under way, with Grammy Museum webcast

on street date and SXSW appearance.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Ruthie Foster celebrates the release of her new album, Let It Burn, on Tuesday, January 31 with an appearance that night at Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum. The performance and interview there will be available to fans throughout the world on a web simulcast < http://www.yowie.com/videochat/5lx-ruthie-foster-live>. The event kicks off a tour that continues into late spring with stops in all major cities including Austin for SXSW (March 14–16). The initial dates are co-bills with acclaimed Mississippi singer-songwriter Paul Thorn.

The Grammy-nominated, Blues Music Award- and Austin Music Award-winning artist, who calls Texas home, recorded the new album at New Orleans’ Piety Street Studios with many of the city’s venerable musicians, resulting in an infusion of fresh spices into her already rich sonic gumbo.

The New Orleans players — the Funky Meters’ rhythm section of bassist George Porter Jr. and drummer Russell Batiste, guitarist Dave Easley, and renowned saxophonist James Rivers — collectively infuse the tracks with a groove-based, in-the-pocket vibe. The addition of Hammond B3 wizard Ike Stubblefield, who has toured and recorded with everyone from Curtis Mayfield to Eric Clapton, gives the album a jazzy organ-combo feel. Finally, legendary gospel singers the Blind Boys of Alabama and soul icon William Bell add extra depth to the project’s surprisingly diverse collection of cover songs and fresh originals.

Highlighting Foster’s strengths as an interpreter, Let It Burn features covers of an eclectic group of songs originally performed by the likes of Adele, The Black Keys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills & Nash, John Martyn, Robbie Robertson. The album also includes several new Ruthie Foster compositions.

Let It Burn smolders, sizzles and ignites with an intensity born from Foster’s vibrant voice and indelible presence. In an early review in the Los Angeles Times, critic Randall Roberts noted, “To call Ruthie Foster a blues singer is to miss a big chunk of her allure as a vocal stylist, one who draws from a range of influences on her deep, soulful Let It Burn.” Texas Music Magazine called the album “not only organic but revelatory,” and Blues Revue’s online BluesWax.com said, “Let It Burn can not be overlooked.”

RUTHIE FOSTER TOUR DATES

Tues., Jan. 31 LOS ANGELES, CA Grammy Museum

Thurs., Feb. 2 PORTLAND, OR Aladdin Theater, with Paul Thorn

Fri., Feb. 3 SPOKANE, WA The Bing Crosby Theater, with Paul Thorn

Sat., Feb. 4 SEATTLE, WA The Triple Door, with Paul Thorn

Mon., Feb. 6 CHICO, CA Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., with Paul Thorn

Tues., Feb. 7 ARCATA, CA Humboldt State University, with Paul Thorn

Wed., Feb. 8 NAPA, CA Napa Valley Opera House, with Paul Thorn

Thurs., Feb. 9 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Great American Music Hall, with Paul Thorn

Fri., Feb. 10 SANTA BARBARA, CA UC Santa Barbara, with Paul Thorn

Sat., Feb. 11 PHOENIX, AZ The Compound Grill, with Paul Thorn

Sun., Feb. 12 TUCSON, AZ Berger Performing Arts Center, with Paul Thorn

Tues., Feb. 14 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO Strings Music Pavilion, with Paul Thorn

Thurs., Feb. 16 DURANGO, CO Fort Lewis College, with Paul Thorn

Fri., Feb. 17 BEAVER CREEK, CO Vilar Center for the Arts, with Paul Thorn

Sat., Feb. 18 DENVER, CO L2 Arts & Culture Center, with Paul Thorn

Thurs., Feb. 23 THE WOODLANDS, TX Dosey Doe Café

Fri., Feb. 24 AUSTIN, TX Antone’s

Sat., Feb. 25 SAN ANTONIO, TX Sam’s Burger Joint

Tues., March 6 ANNAPOLIS, MD Ramshead, with Paul Thorn

Wed., March 7 ALEXANDRIA, VA Birchmere, with Paul Thorn

Thurs., March 8 PHILADELPHIA, PA WCL, with Paul Thorn

Fri., March 9 NEW YORK, NY City Winery, with Paul Thorn

Sat., March 10 CHATHAM, NJ The Sanctuary Concerts, with Paul Thorn

Wed.-Fri., March 14-16 AUSTIN, TX SXSW

Fri., March 17 DALLAS, TX Kessler Theater

Fri., March 23 DECATUR, GA Eddie’s Attic

Sat.-Sun., March 24-25 SAVANNAH, GA Savannah Music Fest, with Campbell Brothers

Tues., March 27 WICHITA, KS Abode Venue, with Paul Thorn

Wed., March 28 KANSAS CITY, MO Knucklehead’s, with Paul Thorn

Thurs., March 29 ST. LOUIS, MO Old Rock House, with Paul Thorn

Fri., March 30 BLOOMINGTON, IL The Castle Theater, with Paul Thorn

Sat., March 31 SCHAUMBURG, IL Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts

Mon.-Tues., April 2-3 MINNEAPOLIS, MN The Dakota, with Paul Thorn

Thurs., April 5 AUSTIN, TX Long Center for the Performing Arts

Sat., April 21 HOUSTON, TX Houston International Festival

Tues., May 2 LAFAYETTE, LA Acadiana Center for the Arts, with Paul Thorn

Fri., May 4 BATON ROUGE, LA Manship Theatre, with Paul Thorn

Sat., May 5 MERIDIAN, MS Mississippi State University, with Paul Thorn

Fri., May 11 SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WI South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center

Sat., May 12 GREEN LAKE, WI Thrasher Opera House

Fri., May 18 CHEROKEE, TX Cherokee Creek Music Festival

Sun., May 20 CHARLESTON, WV Charlie West Blues Fest

Fri., June 1 MEMPHIS, TN Levitt Shell at Overton Park

Sat., June 2 EUREKA SPRINGS, AR Eureka Springs Blues Weekend

Sat., June 16 HENDERSON, KY Handy Blues and Barbeque Festival

Sat., June 30 LAYTONVILLE, CA Kate Wolf Music Festival

# # #

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Bman's Exclusive Interview with Ruthie Foster

Bman: Hi Ruthie. I appreciate you taking the time out from your schedule to talk with me. I'm extremely embarrassed to say that I wasn't aware of your work until I heard this most recent recording, " Let It Burn". This recording is just incredible... possibly the freshest and most enjoyable recording that I've listened to all year. Have you been storing this up or are all of your recordings this great?

Ruthie: Thank you. This particular CD is a combination of songs I've been sitting on waiting for the right opportunity and the right compilation and also songs my producer John Chelew introducing great songs to me.

Bman: Well, you done a fabulous job! I need to get out and get the rest of your recordings because this one is just so soothing and enjoyable to listen to.

Ruthie: Thanks, it's always a joy to hear about what "new" fans have to say about my music, "Let It Burn" is the most mellow of all my recordings. It was enjoyable to be able to get into a soulfully soothing vibe and stay there for a while.

Bman: Here's the funny thing. I really am not that vocally oriented. I mean, I hear the voice as just another instrument and listen to the music as a whole... as a composition. I usually find people's voices a distraction from what I want to hear. There are rare exceptions. People who's voices are just over the top...of course Aretha, James Brown, Al Green, Ella, Son House, Skip James, Muddy, Janis, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Macy Gray, Steve Marriott, Jimmy Hall, Amy Winehouse...not really a lot more .. and some that most wouldn't think... like Courtney Love, Brody Dalle, Fiona Apple and Hope Sandoval. That isn't a lot of vocalists when I think of all of the music that I have listened to. I feel that you are in rare air! No one has likely called my attention to you because those who know me know that they will get put down for recommending a vocalist... because nobody ever measures up.

Ruthie: You mentioned a lot of vocalists here that I also consider phenomenal. I feel that a great vocalist always brings something yummy to the table. Sometimes it's in their phrasing (Ella, of course) or groove and melodic genuis (Jill Scott, Eryka Badu) or the energy and ability to lift a musical piece to another level (Son House, James Brown) or even just the timbre of their overall sound (Aretha, Al, Amy and Macy); it usually comes very naturally for the great singers. A lot of listeners are more drawn to 'over the top' voices, I have to say that there's just as much to be said and perhaps discovered about singers who are amazingly subtle in their delivery but add so much to the plate of music, singers like Shirley Horn to musicians who initially weren't even thought of as singers such as Chet Baker or Eric Clapton.

Bman: Exactly right....well said. Your new recording, "Let It Burn" is so masterfully crafted it sounds like it could have been recorded in Muscle Shoals along side of Clarence Carter , King Curtis , Aretha Franklin , Wilson Pickett , Otis Rush , Percy Sledge , Johnny Jenkins , Boz Scaggs , Delaney & Bonnie with Skyman on slide guitar. The entire piece is just so well put together. Did you check out any of these old recordings? Not trying to get you to divulge any secrets...but I'm serious. The recording is so real!

Ruthie: I have a large palette of musical taste but my early influences were definitely from the Muscle Shoals collections, Texas blues and country music, Memphis soul and a lot of gospel recordings. Though I did do a lot of channeling during this recording of great voices from Mavis Staples to Cassandra Wilson.

Bman: It definitely has "the sound". I know I've looked at the sleeve at least 5 times to see Derek Trucks name on there... is the player really Dave Easley? His playing is masterful! Did you arrange the recordings as well? I mean a good part of the recording is how well it's put together and arranged. Vocals and harmonies and soloing just at the right time!

Ruthie: Dave was a skillful add to this cd. I was also beautifully surprised at how he really nailed the atmosphere of each section of every song (and was very detailed about what he wanted to do with each one, thankfully).

Overall this was John Chelew's love child in every way, he was the director and painted a picture of what he envisioned for each song and when you have masterful musicians such as what was put together for this project then you will get what you want..and then some!

Bman: Well, I hope that you each get the notoriety that you deserve for this project! Your interpretation of Ring of Fire is unbelievable! Who would have thought that? I mean, Savoy Brown doing Al Green doing the Temptations... but you doing Johnny Cash?

Ruthie: I've always thought of "Ring of Fire" as brilliant love song and this arrangement found me late, late one night after being unable to sleep. I was truly exhausted emotionally and physically after coming to an end of a long tour as well as a relationship I was in at the time. So this came from a deep place I will not be able to comprehend or explain even to myself.

Bman: It sounds deeply personal. As I listen over and over to the recordings I hear so much and I keep coming back to that early Muscle Shoals sound... and that is a true heartfelt compliment! The overall musical arrangement and feel is just perfect... like a time capsule... that is never been opened!

Ruthie: That makes me smile. Thank you.

Bman: I doubt that you saw my review of your release because there have likely been 50,000 of them but I think that you can tell that you have a definite new fan! I am just amazed at what you have done with other artists compositions. They are all stellar interpretations of music that I would never have considered in the context that you have presented them.

Ruthie: I do hope that my arrangements open up more fans to these songs.

Bman: Everyone should hear this record. I really think it is that good. Ok. I guess that you know that I really love the recording. What are you working on now. Are you touring to support the release?

Ruthie:Yes, we will be out for the next year or so spreading the news of the new release. A tour with Paul Thorn is coming up in February 2012 along with performances in Europe and Australia. I'm looking forward to getting on the road with new songs.

Bman: I'm hoping that your tour is coming my way! I love the way you open and close the recording with the Blind Boys of Alabama. I know that you have worked with them before. Are you touring with them now or primarily on your own?

Ruthie: I have toured with the Blind Boys and enjoyed every mile and every note of the tour.

But I'll be on the road predominantly with my own band for 2012. With a trio on some shows, quartet to five piece on others. But my core is Samantha Banks on drums and Tanya Richardson (my cousin) on bass. Though I didn't play on this cd I will be covering a lot of the guitar work myself while in the trio format.

Bman: Thanks a lot for your time and good luck. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.. but good that I have 6 previous recordings to check out really soon (your previous recordings)! Do you have anything else that you would like to share with your fans?

Ruthie: Thank you. You will find a big mix of music from my first recording to the present. As any artist hopes, I trust that you'll see thru my archives that have lived, learned and hopefully grown musically.

Message for my fans and future fans, I always come to town ready to have a "halleluia time" so if you need some of that then come join us and let's all feast and get full on the awesome gift of music!
Thank you.
RF


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Blue Corn Music artist Ruthie Foster New Release - Let It Burn - Review

What a breath of fresh air!! First I have to admit that I am not primarily attracted to solo female vocal oriented recordings (with a few exceptions)but this recording is dynamite! I have listened to it about 4 times and I really like it. There are a number of familiar songs on the recording and if I were to see the titles on the cover and try to make an analysis of whether I would like it I would never give it a second look. Ruthie covers traditional spirituals, The Black Keys, Los Lobos, David Crosby, Johnny Cash, John Martyn and Pete Seeger. Well, looks can be deceiving. There is not only very strong vocals but really hot guitar riffs and very soulful grooves. This recording is absolutely terrific from beginning to end and I highly recommended it! Really!!
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RUTHIE FOSTER’S NEW ALBUM, LET IT BURN, RECORDED IN NEW ORLEANS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS, EXPANDS MUSICAL BOUNDARIES

RUTHIE FOSTER’S NEW ALBUM, LET IT BURN,
RECORDED IN NEW ORLEANS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS,
EXPANDS MUSICAL BOUNDARIES

January 31 release on Blue Corn Music features Blind Boys of Alabama, soul legend William Bell, and songs by Adele, Black Keys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills & Nash and more.

AUSTIN, Texas — Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. And when Grammy Award-winning producer John Chelew suggested she record an album in New Orleans — with support handpicked from the Crescent City’s overflowing pool of talent — it was an opportunity for Ruthie to infuse fresh spices into her already rich sonic gumbo. The result is Let It Burn — slated for January 31, 2012 release on Blue Corn Music — a recording that smolders, sizzles and ignites with an intensity born from her vibrant voice and indelible presence.

Ruthie’s astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride. She came from humble church choir beginnings in rural Texas, followed by a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy Band, and ended up in New York City with a major-label development deal that went sour. After she moved back to Texas to care for her ailing mother, Foster took a break from singing professionally for a couple of years. When she resumed her music career in Austin, she became a regular nominee at the Austin Music Awards, winning Best Folk Artist in 2004-05 and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-08. Broadening her sound by blending blues and soul aspects into her folk roots, Ruthie added a Grammy nomination to her list of achievements (Best Contemporary Blues Album for her last studio release, 2009’s The Truth According to Ruthie Foster). And, in a nod to her astounding range, she then won seemingly contradictory Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years.

In addition to leading her own band and touring it around the world, Foster has also collaborated on stage and recordings with a diverse list of artists including Warren Haynes, Big Head Todd, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Bibb and Paul Thorn. She’s a regular favorite at an equally diverse list of festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Monterey Blues Festival, Merlefest and the Kate Wolf Festival.

The ingredients for Let It Burn, recorded at New Orleans’ Piety Street Studios, start with some of that city’s most respected players: The Funky Meters’ rhythm section of bassist George Porter Jr. and drummer Russell Batiste, guitarist Dave Easley, and renowned saxophonist James Rivers collectively infuse the tracks with the groove-based, in-the-pocket vibe that comes naturally to New Orleans-bred musicians. The addition of Hammond B3 wizard Ike Stubblefield, who has toured and recorded with everyone from Curtis Mayfield to Eric Clapton, gives the album a jazzy organ-combo feel. Finally, legendary gospel singers the Blind Boys of Alabama and soul icon William Bell add extra depth to the project’s surprisingly eclectic collection of cover songs and fresh originals.

Besides the New Orleans location, there was another significant “first” associated with these sessions. “This is the only album I’ve done where I don’t play an instrument, which is really different. It gave me a lot more freedom vocally. Without a guitar, all I did was concentrate on singing,” Foster explains. “Sometimes I tried to channel Mavis Staples vocally, but I also wanted to bring a kind of Cassandra Wilson/Sade sultriness to some of the songs.”

The results are powerful, defining performances of Adele’s anthemic “Set Fire to the Rain,” John Martyn’s poignant and sensual “Don’t Want to Know,” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” all of which take on new vibrancy with distinctive musical arrangements and Ruthie’s commanding presence. The achingly beautiful, atmospheric ballad version of “Ring of Fire” is at the heart of this album, and potently showcases Foster as one of the finest interpretive singers of our time. “When it comes to songs, often older ones, I love it when they find me and that’s what happened with ‘Ring of Fire.’ I put myself inside of that song, which speaks to the passion of a new relationship,” she says.

Ruthie mines other tunes from a variety of sources such as the Black Keys (“Everlasting Light,” given a sparkling and righteous treatment), Pete Seeger (a dynamic, ominous swamp/jazz reimagining of “If I Had a Hammer”) and Los Lobos (the rambling, haunting “This Time”).

The church is never far from anything Foster touches as her spiritual original “Lord Remember Me” with the Blind Boys, featuring a sanctified slide solo from guitarist Easley, makes clear. The album’s opening and closing tracks also spotlight the Blind Boys and bookend the project with a devotional approach. “I haven’t lost my gospel in the way I approach a song,” explains Ruthie.

Another new Foster song is “Aim for the Heart” (a co-write with Jon Tiven), which works Porter’s funky bass, Stubblefield’s expressive organ and Easley’s snake-like guitar into a groove which supports the deeply personal motto (“Aim for the heart/And you’ll never go wrong”) that Foster has exhibited in both her life and music.

Rounding out this smoldering collection of tunes are covers of The Band’s melancholic “It Makes No Difference,” David Crosby’s politically charged “Long Time Gone” and William Bell’s classic “You Don’t Miss Your Water” (with Bell dueting on a slow, jazz/blues version of the standard, augmented by a stunning Rivers solo), all of which further display Ruthie’s uncanny knack for finding the simmering essence of any song.

On Let It Burn, Ruthie Foster takes the listener on her most personal journey yet, sounding like she is pouring her heart out late at night, and her deeply soulful vocals create a spiritual soundscape to support her testimony. This is the album her fans have been waiting for — and that the rest of the world will listen to in wonder.

RUTHIE FOSTER TOUR DATES

Sat., Jan. 14 NORFOLK, VA Attucks Theater
Sun., Jan. 15 CHARLESTON, WV Mountain Stage
Sat., Jan. 21 CROCKETT, TX Crockett Civic Theater
Tues., Jan. 31 LOS ANGELES, CA Grammy Museum (The Drop or L.A. media)
Wed., Feb. 1 LOS ANGELES, CA Grammy Museum (The Drop or L.A. media)
Thurs., Feb. 2 PORTLAND, OR Aladdin Theater, with Paul Thorn
Fri., Feb. 3 SPOKANE, WA The Bing Crosby Theater, with Paul Thorn
Sat., Feb. 4 SEATTLE, WA The Triple Door, with Paul Thorn
Mon., Feb. 6 CHICO, CA Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., with Paul Thorn
Tues., Feb. 7 ARCATA, CA Humboldt State University, with Paul Thorn
Wed., Feb. 8 NAPA, CA Napa Valley Opera House, with Paul Thorn
Thurs., Feb. 9 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Great American Music Hall, with Paul Thorn
Fri., Feb. 10 SANTA BARBARA, CA UC Santa Barbara, with Paul Thorn
Sat., Feb. 11 PHOENIX, AZ The Compound Grill, with Paul Thorn
Sun., Feb. 12 TUCSON, AZ Berger Performing Arts Center, with Paul Thorn
Tues., Feb. 14 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO Strings Music Pavilion, with Paul Thorn
Thurs., Feb. 16 DURANGO, CO Fort Lewis College, with Paul Thorn
Fri., Feb. 17 BEAVER CREEK, CO Vilar Center for the Arts with Paul Thorn
Sat., Feb. 18 DENVER, CO Swallow Hill Music Presents @L2 Arts & Culture Center, with Paul Thorn
Thurs., Feb. 23 THE WOODLANDS, TX Dosey Doe Café
Fri., Feb. 24 AUSTIN, TX Antone’s
Fri., March 2 CARRBORO, NC Cat's Cradle, with Paul Thorn (T)
Sat., March 3 WINSTON-SALEM, NC Ziggy's, with Paul Thorn (T)
Sun., March 4 ROANOKE, VA Kirk Ave, with Paul Thorn (T)
Wed., March 7 ALEXANDRIA, VA Birchmere, with Paul Thorn (T)
Thurs., March 8 PHILADELPHIA, PA WCL, with Paul Thorn (T)
Fri., March 9 NEW YORK, NY City Winery, with Paul Thorn (T)
Sat., March 10 CHATHAM, NJ Sanctuary, with Paul Thorn (T)
Wed.-Fri., March 14-16 AUSTIN, TX SXSW
Fri., March 17 DALLAS, TX Kessler Theater
Sat.-Sun., March 24-25 SAVANNAH, GA Savannah Music Festival
Sat., March 31 SCHAUMBURG, IL Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts

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Georgia on my Mind- Ray Charles

Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums. While with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. Frank Sinatra called Charles “the only true genius in show business.”

The influences upon his music were mainly jazz, blues, rhythm and blues and country artists of the day such as Art Tatum, Nat King Cole, Louis Jordan, Charles Brown, Louis Armstrong. His playing reflected influences from country blues and barrelhouse, and stride piano styles.

Rolling Stone ranked Charles number 10 on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004, and number two on their November 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". In honoring Charles, Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?"
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Vagabond - Candye Kane - New recording review

Just got in the new Candye Kane cd and gave it a few turns. Candye belts out her torch songs and is accompanied by some great back up guitar work by Laura Chavez. If you have liked Candye's previous work, you're sure not to be disappointed here.
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Enjoy

Interview with David Bromberg - Drown In My Own Tears

David Bromberg (born September 19, 1945, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. Bromberg has an eclectic style, playing bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, country and western, and rock & roll equally well. He is known for his quirky, humorous lyrics, and the ability to play rhythm and lead guitar at the same time. In 2008, he was nominated for a Grammy Award.
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Raisin' Hell Review - Elvin Bishop

Now here's a cd that I have been waiting for for quite some time. Elvin Bishop has been one of my favorite performers for as long as I can remember. He's a stellar guitar player with huge chops! He's seen it all, He's done it all! This cd is his first live cd in a while and was recorded on last years Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. If you haven't done this, it's a must for blues fans. The party never stops and that's why Elvin "Crabshaw" Bishop is perfect for this type of venue.



When I first heard Elvin he was playing with Paul Butterfield and I was blown away. Skinny tie and Black suit. Some quick research told the story of the white kid genius who left left Oklahoma to study physics at University of Chicago but really went there under the guise of being close to the heart of the blues he was hearing on his radio at home. He met Paul Butterfield and joined forces playing traditional blues music. If you haven't caught my earlier post of Bishop playing at the Fillmore stop now and go find it. He set the place on fire. This clip appears live in the movie 'Fillmore: The Last Days'. Just outrageous!

After his stint with Butterfield, Bishop put out a number of solo albums with a mix of blues, country and Bishop. Wild guitar and clever lyrics.
Oh yeah...you want to know about the new cd!!

13 tracks that include some new and some tried and true.

Opens with Callin' All Cows - Elvin is this song! Check out the slide work!!
Who Lotta Lovin" can't say enough.... great guitars and groove!
Fooled Around...if you from this planet you really know it... great soloing again!
What the Hell is Goin" On - Pure Elvin... how do you write that if Elvin is on it it's great!
Down in Virginia...good harmonica... great guitar work!
Rock My Soul... a little break from traditional sound with a picked up end...nice touch! Everyone gets a time to solo on this one!
Cryin' Fool... I know this is a collaboration but this is a perfect song for Elvin's voice...but he lets Red Dog do his barkin... cool sax work featured on this track.
River Invitation fits nicely into the album but is just a taste of what's to come...
Dyin' Flu Elvin talks the blues to us...and then kicks it into overdrive!!
Tore Up Over You features the band and is a good tune.
It Hurt's Me Too... Elvin plays the serious blues!
Bye Bye Baby ... get that last dose of Elvin...it's over. Time to play it again!

Let me just start off by saying just cause Bishop is telling jokes and making funny limericks, doesn't mean he ain't serious about what he's doing. What he's serious about doing is having a good time and making sure that everyone else does too. He features some great supporting players including John Nemeth on vocals and harmonica, Finis Tasby on vocals, Terry Hanck on sax and vocals, Kid Anderson on guitar, Ed Early on trombone, vocals and percussion, Steve Willis on piano, accordion and vocals, Bob Welsh on guitar, Bobby Cochran on drums and vocals, Ruth Davies on bass and Lisa Leu Andersen on vocals but lets cut the BS. We are listening to this cd to hear Bishop sing and grind away on his 345 and he does both!!

Bishop comes up with the best lyrics, gravel voice and fat woody guitar sounds known to man and this cd is no exception. Now I'm not a big pop music fan so Fooled Around and Fell in Love ain't my favorite... but hey...a man's gotta make a living and if you look at his then followup cd (Small Town Boy Makes Good) even he makes good light of it. (If you haven't caught his cd's with Little Smokey Smothers...gotta do that too!!)

Do you get the feeling yet that I love Elvin Bishop music. There is rarely a musician that I can honestly say is a pure joy to watch and listen to. Elvin Bishop is one in a million and I hope that he keeps crankin' for all of us!