Ken Valdez - Soul Renegade - New Release review

I just received the newest release (April 5, 2016), Soul Renegade, from Ken Valdez and it's adventurous. Opening with title track, Soul Renegade, Ken Valdez quickly establishes his notoriety as a singer songwriter and guitar player with a nicely crafted and executed blues rock ballad. Paul Peterson on bass, Mario Dawson on drums, Ricky Peterson on B3 and Jason Petersen Delaine on backing vocals round out the force giving Valdez a solid platform for a brief but tense guitar solo. Rio Grande Blues has a strong blues rock posture along the lines of Mountain or Mahogany Rush. With a solid bass line and cocky vocals, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Sugar Shakin' Boogaloo has strong Jimmy Reed lines and with super player Chris Duarte adding his fluid riffs, this track rocks! Make It has a super underlying bottom riff that gives the track real traction. Kevin B.F. Burt adds tasty harp riffs but the super balance between Valdez and Hazel Miller's vocals and the heavy bottom makes for a great track with some hot guitar flash. Sometimes has an almost Alan Parson's poppy funk feel but the raw edge of Valdez's vocals and stinging guitar riffs from guitar monster Eric Gales take it light years away. Far From Gone has a hi stepping R&B style and nicely the blended vocals featuring Valdez and Miller. Detroit Iron is an uptempo rocker featuring Tucker Sterling Jensen on bass and Joe Diaz on drums. Valdez takes his most aggressive solo on the release on this track, really letting it loose. With R Peterson on B3 this track cooks. Funky, Final Season, is a tight rocker featuring Adam Daniel on keys and B3. This track has a great groove giving Valdez some nice space to lay out some really nice guitar riffs. Hot! Whiskey and Water is a quiet country style ballad with Valdez singing some of his most serious vocals. Backed by Shalo Lee on vocals and with Greg Jennings on slide, this track has solid radio potential. Angels retains a bit of that country feel with a strong swatch of gospel. With Miller, Valdez, Jensen and Mary Cutrufello on backing vocals and a real nice piano solo from Brian Leeper this track is another of my favorites. Pulling from Willie Dixon's library, Wang Dang Doodle gets a heavy rock twist on an already solid blues base. This is a nicely stylized redo of a classic track and a great closer.



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JP Cadillac Records artists: The Knickerbocker All-Stars - Open Mic At The Knick - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Open Mic At The Knick, by the Knickerbocker All-Stars and it's excellent! Opening with the swinging You Upset Me Baby, Ricky King Russell lays down some really hot guitar riffs and Sugar Ray Norcia leads the way on vocals. Al Copley smokes the keys backed strongly by horn section, Doc Chanonhouse (trumpet), Bobby "Breeze" Holfelden (trombone), Rich Lataille (sax) and Dennis Cook (bari sax). Smokin! Up next is Turn On Your Love Light and Malford Milligan commands the stage on vocal. Vocalist Willy Laws has you in the palm of his hands from the first note of Mother-In Law Blues. Russell steps up with some really tasty guitar riffs on this track and the horn section keeps a real traditional early modern blues feel. Very nice. Milligan is back on the mic for Love Disease and an excellent sax solo from Lataille and Muscle Shoals like guitar work from Nick Adams make this song a standout. Johnny Nicholas takes the lead on the classic Jelly Jelly. Al Copley lays down classic blues riffs on this track and it's slow, easy pace makes for a cool opportunity for Russell to really step out with some nicely articulated guitar riffs. Very nice! On Reconsider Baby the band gives the track a real warm feel with a smooth horn backing and super guitar highlights. Again I find myself really groovin to Russells tasty guitar riffs. On jump track, It's Later Than You Think, Copley really has the keys rolling and the horn section is really pushing as Norcia does a great job on lead vocal. Ain't That Lovin' You features Curtis Salgado on lead vocal and his vocals are top notch. Channonhouse , Holfelden, Lataille and Cook really blow the doors on this one. Willy Laws takes the lead on Five Long Years really gripping the feel of the track. Copley  inserts some solid piano riffs but it's Russell who takes center stage instrumentally with a blistering guitar solo on this one. Excellent! J.P. Sheerar with a much heavier voice, takes the mic on Somebody's Got To Go and again Russell shows what a perfect choice he was as the guitarist for this set. The man just sits in the pocket and cherry picks his solos. Lataille plays a really rich sax solo on the track as well over the masterful key work of Copley. Brilliant. Brian Templeton is on lead vocal for Tore Down. It's nice that the vocalist from track to track are different giving a cool blend of textures with the same band. Templeton has a great voice for the swing and Russell again is right there adding just the right touch of hot guitar over the horn section. Along About Midnight features Nicholas on vocal and has a cool laid back pace. The band wraps itself around the core feel and Russell steps up with just the right amount of throttle. Very nice. Rocker, Going Down really kicks it up a notch with Russell and the horn section at full throttle. Bob Worthington on bass drives it along and featuring Dave Maxwell on keys and tight drumming from Bobby and Fran Christina on drums, is a super conclusion to a 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”

 

Underworld Records artist: Too Slim and the Taildraggers - Anthology - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Anthology, from Too Slim and the Taildraggers and it's really a great selection of tracks including 3 new songs. Opening with Wishing Well, a pure contemporary blues rocker, Langford not only shows his capability as a songwriter but also as a really tasty guitar player. Last Train has a twinge of country and cool feel with nice splashes of guitar... a feel of Dire Straits. Tim Langford handles vocals and guitar; Tom Hambridge, drums and backing vocal; Bob Britt, guitar; Tommy MacDonald, bass and Jon Coleman, keys. Stoned Again, a cool rocker along the lines of "Are You Ready For The Country" is awash with fat slide work. Cool track. Wash My Hands, a fast boogie rocker, has really cool double plucked guitar lead. Possibly my favorite track on the release. All out piano boogie driven by Langford on rippin guitar is a solid rocker and tough to beat. Excellent! Walk On Water is a country funk track with some cool changes and again tasty guitar riffs. When You Love Somebody is probably the most radio ready track from this band with almost an AC/DC feel but a cooler country rock edge. Very nice! Wish I Was Fishin is a low slung blues number with a twist. I really appreciate the subtle guitar work by Langford on this track as well as most of the rest of the release. It's something that I hadn't caught in the past. Wrapping the first CD is She See's Ghosts, a blues rocker with a some cool sidetracks. The lyrics are playful and the guitar work stinging. Very nice! Curtis Salgado adds supple lead vocals on Everybody's Got Something, a simple ballad with a cool rhythm and backing vocals. Blue Heart has a "Help Me" style with a definite updated feel. I really like it. Un noted harp work on this track is not unnoticed. The artistically rendered LaLlorona is an excellent acoustic resonator track with a Spanish flair. Likely my favorite track on this CD. Excellent! Good To See You Smile Again features Jimmy Hall, one of my contemporary male vocalists. Langford cuts loose with full out electric blues guitar riffs on this track making it easily a favorite among blues lovers. Peace With The Maker has a country swagger but retains a blues rock feel. A mix of Tom Petty and the Outlaws eaten by an alligator. I really like Throw Me A Rope which has a contemporary country rock favor (alt country). Not pop country but serious country/rock. It's a ballad through and through with twin guitar leads but a lot of flavor. Slow blues The Light features Lauren Evans on vocals. The female vocals against Billy Gibbons like guitar riffs makes this another serious contender for top track on the release. Excellent! Sliding into a smooth jazz beat, Too Cool finds Langford and the boys playing chords and brushes. A very Ronnie Earl flavored track and a very "cool" track. Bucerius is a slick guitar instrumental ballad with lead guitar melody. The release is wrapped by Princeville Serenade, another instrumental track contrasting rhythm mandolin against acoustic slide lead. An excellent completion of an exceptional anthology.  

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Raoul and The Big Time - Hollywood Blvd. - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Hollywood Blvd, from Raoul and The Big Time and it's quite good. Opening with Nothin' Gonna Take Me Down, Raoul has enlisted some of the top blues talent on the continent including Rick Holmstrom on guitar, Jeff Turmes on bass, Stephen Hodges on drums and of course Raoul on harp and vocals. A loose blues infused stumble, this track is laced with hot guitar and harp riffs. Title track Hollywood Blvd, has a Latin R&B feel featuring Fred Kaplan on piano. Larry Taylor on bass and Richard Innes on drums give Raoul and Junior Watson a nice rhythm to lay out some great Chicago style solos. Bobby Blue Bland's Someday it given a really nice traditional feel and Raoul does a nice job on lead vocal. Frank Goldwasser really hits the target with hot guitar work on this track, backed by Darren Gallen on guitar, Terry Wilkins on bass, Tom Bona on drums, Pat Caret and Alison Young on sax and Jake Wilkinson on trumpet. Excellent! Shuffle track High Roller, strokes a nice chord with Kaplan on piano and Watson on drums. Raoul steps up on the track and a simple harp solo keeping this a cool compact blues track. Amphetamine is a high strung instrumental blues romp featuring great work from both Raoul on harp and Holmstrom on guitar. Another excellent track! Allan Toussaint track Get Out Of My Life Woman maintains that New Orleans lumber and features Rusty Zinn on guitar. It's always a treat to hear Zinn lay it down and Tyler Yarema adds some nice piano riffs on this track. Of special note on this track is the nice horn work of Carey, Young and Wilkinson. Left Coast Fred is a really cool boogie featuring really tasty guitar work from Watson and harp work by Raoul. Fred Kaplan taked a particularly cool piano solo on this track and Larry Taylor steps up with a nice upright bass solo as well. Staples Singers track Why Am I Treated So Bad is an easy soul track with a simple pop rhythm. Tired is a down and dirty blues track again with hot guitar work from Watson and crisp piano work from Kaplan. Raoul really lays out some nice harp work on this track making this one of the best tracks on the release. Jump track Spoken For again gives a clean dance floor for Watson to torch the fretboard. I mean he's not out there alone, but he really does a nice job. Strong bass work from Taylor and of course vocal and harp work from Raoul are icing on this smoker. Curtis Salgado steps up to the mike on harp on Curtis Charm with great backing from Raoul, Darren Gallen on guitar, Wilkins on bass, Bona on drums and Yarema on piano. A really nice laid back blues track with two fine harp players laying it all out there. Traditional track, In The Shadow Of The Pine brings to mind some of the depression era tracks cut by Ry Cooder. Surprisingly enough, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release featuring Johnny Sansone on accordian, Raoul on acoustic guitar and vocal, Wilkins on bass and John Showman on violin. This is a really quiet conclusion to a pretty hot 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”

 

Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #22 - Stilladog Rides Again

This was my fifth Blues Cruise and this marks the third review of the LRBC I’ve done for Bman’s Blues Report.  I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve become a well-seasoned cruiser by now, or if it’s because I had some close friends join me on this cruise, or if the music was any better, or if the islands were more friendly, but this was the best Blues Cruise yet for me!

If you haven’t heard me say it before, I’ll start off with these words of wisdom.  A Blues Cruise vacation is exactly what you make it. You don’t even have to be a fan of blues music to have the time of your life, but it helps!  You can listen to as much music as you want starting as early as 10:30AM and going non-stop somewhere on the ship until 6:00AM.  One night I wandered into the Crows Nest at 5:00AM and listened to JP Soars jam until 5:30AM when they finally called it a night… except for one thing, it was already 6:30AM because we had crossed from the Eastern time zone to the Atlantic time zone at 2 o’clock.

So what I’m saying is you can’t possibly see it all. I know I missed some epic jams but I also saw some great stuff and came away with a new appreciation for several artists (as I always do).  

As all cruises do, it started out with a Sail Away Party on the pool deck. This one was hosted by Curtis Salgado.  Curtis has fought off some very serious health problems including cancer over the past 7 or 8 years yet his voice never sounded better.   I think through the course of the week he brought out his harp and jammed with just about everyone too.

Super Chikan

Next up was one of my –any many other’s–  favorites, Super Chikan.  My friends who were virgin cruisers enjoyed Super Chikan immensely.  From his custom “chiktar” made from a ceiling fan motor to his famous rooster crow, to ending every song with his catch phrase “Somebody shoot that thing!”  He put smiles on all the faces. I knew what to expect and I must say Super Chikan was in excellent form.  His sets are always great fun.  

The first morning, I attended the Returnee Party.  I walked to the venue with Scrap Iron, former manager for Little Milton and co-MC of the Returnee Party (along with Big Llou from BB King’s Bluesville on Sirius Radio).  I asked Scrap who we were going to see figuring if he’s introducing the act he knows who it is. All Scrap said was “They told me it was going to be something special. But they wouldn’t say who it is.”

When Scrap Iron finally did the introduction he told the audience just what he had told me privately.  And he brought on the All-Girls  All-Star Blues Band!  They really set the bar high right off the bat!  This band consisted of triple guitars, Debbie Davies, Ana Popovic, and Samantha Fish!  On keys was Eden Brent.  On bass was Danielle Schnebelen from Trampled Under Foot.  And on vocals in addition to the singing talents of those already mentioned there was Sista Monica Parker, Tasha Taylor, and the great Denise LaSalle.  On drums was the consummate professional, Tony Braunagel  (lucky dude!).  The highlights of this set for me were a) anything sung by Denise LaSalle, and b) the cover of ZZ Top’s “Tush” sung by Eden Brent.  Free drinks aside, this was a party you didn’t want to miss!   

All Girls All-Star Blues Band

While the Returnee Party was taking place, the Virgins had a party of their own on the pool deck with the Selwyn Birchwood Band. Normally I don’t mention this party because I haven’t been a virgin cruiser since the inception of Bman’s Blues Report. But my virgin friends who attended were very impressed with IBC Award Winner Selwyn Birchwood, who himself was a virgin cruiser.

Soon after, this whole cruise just melted into one big party for me.  I will only write about the things that really made an impression on me (there are many) and will not attempt to go in chronological order.  Quite frankly, I believe my brain cells that kept track of time were lost somewhere in the Caribbean, most likely during Lil’ Eds set at Margaritaville on Grand Turk.  But some of these sets were so memorable I’ll never forget them.

One of the most impressive performers on this cruise was Ana Popovic and her new big band,  Mo’ Better Love.   After growing up in Serbia, she now calls Memphis home and there is a definite Memphis sound to this band.  I’ve seen Ana probably 4 or 5 times over the years beginning back in 2006.  Back then, she struggled with English, both speaking and singing. In those days I remember saying “this girl can really play but I wish she’d just keep her mouth shut.”  We’ll let me tell you with each passing year and chance to see her she’s gotten better both on guitar and in English.  Honestly, the metamorphosis that has occurred for her has been amazing to watch.  She is now a master on guitar and speaks very clearly and sings beautifully in English.   When I got a chance to talk to her I told her I know how hard she has worked on both and how much it is appreciated by her fans.  I saw her play at least twice on this cruise in addition to the aforementioned Returnee Party and the band was a joy to see each time. 

Ana Popovic

The Zydeco band for this cruise –every cruise has one– was Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band. This band featured Lil Buck Sinegal on guitar although he only got limited chances to solo.  They were very popular with cruisers.  They did zydeco versions of songs by as diverse artists as Bob Marley, Guns & Roses, and Cheap Trick, in addition to some fine material of their own.

Lil Ed  (photo courtesy of Michael Udell)

I wore my fez for the Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials sets of which I saw 3.  Ed was without a doubt one of the most popular artists. The “Ed Heads” were out in full force for all of them, particularly for his land event at Margaritaville on Grand Turk where you could spot a fez here and there on people in the pool while the Blues Imperials jammed on.  <pic of Lil Ed>

In addition to playing numerous sets Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials were the house band for two showings of the Joe Plummer play, “Nothing But The Blues.”  Just WOW!  This play is set at Theresa’s Lounge in Chicago in the early 1980s.  It’s the story of a small blues club in a basement in Chicago that culminates in what we now know as the Theresa Needham Award given annually at the Chicago Blues Festival for outstanding service to the blues community .  To find out more about the history of the real life Theresa’s Lounge, click here:  http://www.chicagobarproject.com/Memoriam/Theresa's/Theresa's.htm

Southern Hospitality (Victor Wainwright, JP Soars, Damon Fowler) were another band who absolutely wowed many cruisers.  I guess many of them were unaware of this band but I not only was familiar with SoHo (as they prefer to be called now to eliminate any confusion between them and Royal Southern Brotherhood) but also each of the guys as solo artists.  In addition to their own smokin’ sets,  Wainwright was hugely popular as Piano Bar host where the jams last until the sun comes up.  He was often accompanied by JP Soars who was also a regular in the Crow’s Nest for late night jams. 

Kenny Wayne Shepherd was a “headliner” of sorts mainly due to his popularity.  His sets continue to be professionally done but with little but manufactured passion for what he’s doing.  However, in a pool deck jam hosted by Trampled Under Foot,  Kenny and TUF guitarist, Nick Schnebelen  engaged in a legendary  jam.  It was the first time I saw Kenny Wayne really seem to have fun playing guitar since I first saw him in 2002 at the Chesapeake Blues Fest.  This jam was the talk of the cruise.

Marquise Knox and Selwyn Birchwood each played a land gig on the island of Anguilla.  They sounded good.  But I cannot really say how good because the venue was totally inadequate for viewing beyond a few dozen people and the sound system was not the greatest either.  This trip billed as The Ultimate Beach Party and sometimes known as The Chilla in Anguilla came up far short of expectations although a day on the beach drinking beer and listening to blues is always fun.

Tab Benoit was great.  His sets were wonderful. And he practically commandeered the Crows Nest jams to the point that we started calling it Tab’s Nest!  He could be found up there jamming almost every night and was frequently spotted playing drums while other people –often JP Soars or Selwyn Birchwood – took over guitar duty.   He also hosted a Bingo game to raise money for the Voice of the Wetlands which was hilarious.  I particularly liked his story of playing golf with Willie Nelson!

I did not get to see but a tiny bit of Sugar Ray & The Bluetones but I did hear their guitarist Monster Mike Welch a few times and he is another artist who has matured into a really top notch musician.

Tommy Castro, who is on every cruise, had a CD release party for his new album The Devil You Know which was very entertaining and his jams with Debbie Davies and Chris Cain were the highlights.

Chris Cain was again the supreme guitarist on the ship.  He was often seen playing with Debbie Davies. And they were part of the Legendary R&B Revue along with The Painkillers.  I guess those West Coast blues folks stick together.  His set in the Queens Lounge (called Theresa’s Lounge for this cruise) was great. 

  And few besides Theodis Ealey were willing to cut heads with him when it was his turn to host the jam.  

One of the most entertaining sets I’ve ever seen anywhere was turned in by what was billed as the Down Home Blues Extravaganza.  It featured the Mel Waiters band with Theodis Ealey on guitar, Latimore on keys, and blues hall of famer, Denise LaSalle.  The highlight of this set was the 15 minute version of Snap, Crackle, and Pop by Denise.  She had me practically rolling on the deck laughing as she described how to “make that coochie snap, crackle and pop” in song while poking fun at Theodis, Bobby Rush, and Clarence Carter.   Theodis Ealey was a guitarist I gained much new respect for on this cruise.  It was almost like I discovered him for the first time.

Finally, I went to a guitar summit of sorts hosted by Debbie Davies where Ana Popovic, Marquise Knox, Monster Mike Welch, Chris Cain, John Hammond, and Nick Schnebelen all talked about how they got started and how their styles developed.  It was very telling to hear how many of them started listening to their parents records at a young age. John Hammond whose father’s work in recording was legendary was to be expected.  But Ana Popovic said that all her father had in the house in the former  Yugoslavia was blues, soul and r&b records from America.  And Chris Cain saying his dad drove a truck yet they had the best stereo system around and how all his dad’s blues and soul records ended up in his room.  Or how Cain’s dad took him to see Ray Charles, Charles Brown, and BB King concerts as a youngster.   Very enlightening. 

Guitar Summit

As usual, I’ve left some people out.  Never got to see Otis Clay although I did get to speak briefly with him.  Same for Sista Monica who remembered a set she did with Elvin Bishop which I attended back in 2003. Or the Neal Brothers (Frederick & Darnell) who I found in the Piano Bar late one night/early one morning.   Or Eric Bibb who I saw do 2 songs on the way to someplace else.  Or The James Hunter Six who my friend who goes by the name Texasbluzer said was phenomenal.  As I said, you just can’t see it all.

Bottom line here folks is that if you are a blues fan and can afford to get away for a week in the Caribbean sun, the Legendary Blues Cruise is definitely the way to go.  And if you’re not a blues fan, one week on this ship and you will be!  



Thanks Dog!!  Bman
 

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Alligator Records News Briefs Nov 4, 2013

HARMONICA GIANT JAMES COTTON RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Conjure up a list of all-time great blues harmonica players, and high up on it you'll see the name James Cotton. --NPR The Mississippi Arts Commission will present blues music icon (and Tunica, Mississippi native) James Cotton with the coveted Governor's Award For Excellence In The Arts in a ceremony set for February 20, 2014 at Belhaven University in Clarion, Mississippi. The Governor's Arts Awards are presented annually to outstanding writers, artists, performers, craftsmen and educators who have made significant and lasting contributions through their work as well as to corporations or organizations on the basis of their dedication to arts advancement. Previous winners include B.B. King, Little Milton Campbell, and Bo Diddley. Cotton is currently celebrating his 69th year as a professional entertainer. His 2013 CD, Cotton Mouth Man, is an upbeat, warm blues album boasting fine musicianship and Cotton's undeniable spirit. Living Blues says, "James Cotton is one of the great harmonica innovators of his generation. Cotton Mouth Man is a star-studded affair that makes James Cotton's best recording for Alligator. It is an autobiographical narrative of Cotton's eventful life and soul-deep relationship with the blues. He plays with an authority and energy that belies his age." Cotton Mouth Man was recorded in Nashville and produced by Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/ drummer Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Joe Louis Walker, Susan Tedeschi). The album is a trip through sounds and scenes from Cotton's long and storied career. Helping Cotton tell his stories and showcase his music are guests Gregg Allman, Joe Bonamassa, Ruthie Foster, Warren Haynes, Delbert McClinton and Keb Mo. Other vocals are handled by Darrell Nulisch, who has been singing in Cotton's road band for many years. CURTIS SALGADO WINS BLUES BLAST AWARD FOR SOUL BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOR SOUL SHOT "Curtis Salgado's range and power as a vocalist are a tour-de-force...hard-nosed blues, beautifully nuanced R&B, phat and funky." --Billboard Soul singer Curtis Salgado received the 2013 Blues Blast Award for Soul Blues Album Of The Year for his 2012 Alligator Records debut CD, Soul Shot. The awards ceremony, presented by Blues Blast Magazine, was held in Chicago at Buddy Guy's Legends on Thursday, October 31. Salgado recently won The Blues Foundation's Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year, Soul Blues Male Artist Of The Year, and Soul Blues Album Of The Year for Soul Shot. He also won a Muddy Award for Best National Blues Album from Oregon's Cascade Blues Association. Soul Shot speaks loud and clear to contemporary audiences, carrying on the timeless spirit of 1960s and ‘70s R&B. The album features four Salgado originals and seven carefully chosen covers. Songs by Johnny "Guitar" Watson, George Clinton, Otis Redding and Bobby Womack flow into and out of Salgado's own compositions. Each track -- the slow-burning ballads and the driving rockers -- is delivered with the vocal power and passion of a musical master. According to Salgado, "Soul Shot is the solid best thing I've ever done. That's a fact." Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer accepted the honor in Curtis' behalf. Iglauer also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Delmark Records founder and president (and Iglauer's former boss and mentor), Bob Koester. MARCIA BALL TO APPEAR IN ANGELS SING, IN THEATRES AND ON DEMAND NOVEMBER 1, 2013 "More fun than a barrel of funky monkeys. Ball's awesome mélange of keyboard styles sets the tone: call it the Zydeco boogie-woogie blues. Horns chug faster and faster, guitars drop by for a rock ‘n' roll interlude." --NPR Singer, pianist, songwriter Marcia Ball makes her major motion picture debut in the film Angels Sing, premiering in theatres and On Demand on Friday, November 1. The film stars Henry Connick, Jr. and features Grammy-winning musicians including Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and Kris Kristofferson. In the film, Marcia plays Great Aunt Jocelyn. Ball's latest release is the Grammy-nominated Roadside Attractions.   ANDERS OSBORNE AND JESSE DEE SONGS APPEAR IN NETWORK TELEVISION PROGRAMS "Anders Osborne plays fiery anthems and tumultuous, confessional songs punctuated with glorious, raw guitar." --USA Today "Jesse Dee delivers authenticity with every note. The young neo-soul and R&B singer from Boston has put out an album of self-penned songs that are so well-written, so amazingly arranged and performed, you'll wonder why this guy doesn't just own the music business." --San Francisco Chronicle CBS-TV's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation featured Anders Osborne's Black Tar in an episode which aired on October 30. The song originally appeared on Osborne's 2011 Black Eye Galaxy CD. Osborne's new album, Peace, was released last month. ABC-TV's Criminal Minds will feature Jesse Dee's original song Fussin' And Fightin' in an episode set to air on November 13. The song originally appeared on Dee's 2013 Alligator Records debut CD, On My Mind / In My Heart.

Curtis Salgado To Receive Oregon Music Hall Of Fame's 2012 Album Of The Year Award

SOUL VOCALIST CURTIS SALGADO TO RECEIVE OREGON MUSIC HALL OF FAME'S 2012 ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD Alligator Records recording artist Curtis Salgado will receive the 2012 Oregon Music Hall Of Fame's Album Of The Year Award for his groundbreaking release, Soul Shot. The 7th Annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert will take place at Portland's Aladdin Theater on Saturday, October 5. The award-winning album was released on April 10, 2012. The Los Angeles Times says Salgado plays "soul-infused blues, funk and R&B with muscular, funky grooves" and sings with "husky, ebullient vocals. Salgado is keeping the flame of soul music alive." According to The Oregon Music Hall Of Fame, "There were many incredible albums by Oregon artists in 2012, but the honors go to longtime Oregon artist Curtis Salgado. Soul Shot was his first solo album to come out on Alligator Records. It also proved to be the best album of his career." Salgado recently won The Blues Foundation's Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year, and Soul Blues Album of the Year Award for Soul Shot. He also won a Muddy Award for Best National Blues Album from Oregon's Cascade Blues Association. For additional details, a list of all the award winners and inductees or to purchase tickets to the event, go to http://www.omhof.org/7th-annual-oregon-music-hall-of-fame-induction/ . Soul Shot, Saldago's eighth solo release, was produced by funk and R&B guitarist Marlon McClain, drummer Tony Braunagel and co-produced by Salgado. Soul Shot speaks loud and clear to contemporary audiences, carrying on the timeless spirit of 1960s and ‘70s R&B. The album features four Salgado originals and seven carefully chosen covers. Songs by Johnny "Guitar" Watson, George Clinton, Otis Redding and Bobby Womack flow into and out of Salgado's own compositions. Each track -- the slow-burning ballads and the driving rockers -- is delivered with the vocal power and passion of a musical master. "Soul Shot was the most challenging recording of my career," he says, "and it's the solid best thing I've ever done. That's a fact."

Five Alligator Artists Receive Nine 2013 Blues Blast Award Nominations

FIVE ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE NINE 2013 BLUES BLAST AWARD NOMINATIONS Alligator Records artists Curtis Salgado, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Janiva Magness and the late Michael "Iron Man" Burks received a total of nine 2013 Blues Blast Award nominations. Salgado and Estrin each received three, while Burks, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials and Magness each received one. The Blues Blast Awards are presented by Blues Blast magazine, a free weekly internet blues magazine. Winners are chosen by fan voting, which will begin at the Blues Blast website starting July 15. All Blues Blast subscribers are eligible to vote. Winners will be announced at the Blues Blast Awards ceremony at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago on Thursday, October 31. Artists and nominations are below: Curtis Salgado: Male Blues Artist Of The Year Soul Blues Album Of The Year - Soul Shot Song Of The Year - A Woman Or The Blues (by Curtis Salgado and Dave Duncan) Rick Estrin & The Nightcats: Band Of The Year Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year - One Wrong Turn Rick Estrin: Male Blues Artist Of The Year Michael "Iron Man" Burks: Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year - Show Of Strength Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials: Band Of The Year Janiva Magness: Female Blues Artist Of The Year www.ALLIGATOR.com

Seven Alligator Artists Receive 11 Living Blues Award Nominations

SEVEN ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE 11 LIVING BLUES AWARD NOMINATIONS Living Blues magazine announced the nominees for the 2013 Living Blues Awards in their June 2013 issue. Seven Alligator Records artists received a total of 11 nominations. Joe Louis Walker, Curtis Salgado, Marcia Ball and Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials each received two nods. James Cotton, Janiva Magness and the late Michael "Iron Man" Burks each received one nomination. People may vote online at www.livingblues.com until July 15, 2013. Alligator artists and nominations are as follows: JOE LOUIS WALKER: Blues Artist Of The Year - Male Best Blues Album Of 2012 (New Recordings): Hellfire LIL' ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS: Best Live Performer Best Blues Album Of 2012 (New Recordings): Jump Start CURTIS SALGADO:     Blues Artist Of The Year - Male Most Outstanding Blues Singer JANIVA MAGNESS: Blues Artist Of The Year - Female MICHAEL "IRON MAN" BURKS: Best Blues Album Of 2012 (New Recordings): Show Of Strength MARCIA BALL: Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) ### www.ALLIGATOR.com

Castro, Salgado, Trout: Heavy Hitters Headline Simi Valley Blues Festival 4/28

Tommy Castro, Curtis Salgado, Walter Trout: Heavy Hitters Headline 7th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival A Full Day Of Blues Music And Family Enjoyment At The Scenic Hummingbird Nest Ranch In Simi Valley; Benefits American Diabetes Association & Local Charities

(SIMI VALLEY, CALIF) - Michael John's 7th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival, one of the most anticipated Blues festivals of the year in Southern California, takes place at beautiful Hummingbird Nest Ranch, 2940 Kuehner Drive, Simi Valley, Saturday, April 28, 2012. Tickets $25. in advance, $30. at the gate; available now at www.simiblues.org. Portion of proceeds from the festival benefit the American Diabetes Association along with other local charities. Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley. Heavy hitters headlining this year's Simi Valley Blues Festival include renowned guitar aces Tommy Castro and Walter Trout, along with harp virtuoso/vocalist, Curtis Salgado. Also on the bill: popular longtime SoCal act The Delgado Brothers (with dynamic guest vocalist Sherry Pruitt); and former IBC Finalist (as well as festival founder), Michael John And the Bottom Line. Special Guest Emcee: Mickey Jones. Also Food & Craft Vendors, Guitar Giveaway, Kids Areas and more. The Headliners.... Tommy Castro has received multiple awards throughout his career and was nominated in four Blues Music Awards categories this year: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year; Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year; Band of the Year; and Contemporary Album of the Year (for Tommy Castro Presents The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue - Live!!). www.tommycastro.com. Curtis Salgado is widely regarded as one of the most soulful singers around who also plays an amazing harmonica. Salgado - a cancer survivor and one of the most well-liked musicians on the Blues circuit - has been nominated for the 2012 BMA Soul and Blues Album of the Year. www.curtissalgado.com. Walter Trout may very well be the most popular U.S.-born guitarist in all of Europe, once placing #6 in a BBC poll voting on the best guitarists in the world. Trout's guitar playing is high energy, soulful, and always entertaining. His new CD is Blues For The Modern Daze. www.waltertrout.com. Watch a scintillating live performance by Walter Trout performing his song "Reason I'm Gone" A History.... Michael John's Simi Valley Blues Festival, formerly the Write4hope Blues Festival, was the vision of Simi Valley resident Michael John Basowski. John (who also recently founded the Ventura County Blues Society) has been a musician all his life and had always dreamed that someday he could do something which would make an impact on his community. Being a blues musician, the idea of a blues festival was the ideal way to turn his dream into reality. At the first festival - held in 2006 - Michael John teamed up with the local non-profit organization Write4Hope, who was instrumental in helping with the logistics for the event and made it possible to hold the first three blues festivals in Oak County Park in Simi Valley. Simi Valley resident musician/actor and celebrity figure Mickey Jones has emceed the Simi Valley Blues Festival every year since its beginning. In addition, Michael John's family and friends have donated their time and talent to help make this event a yearly success, with over three thousand attendees at the 2011 Simi Valley Blues Festival. The 2012 presenters are the Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley. With the support of our Sponsors and the generosity of Hummingbird Nest Ranch (our Title Sponsor), the 7th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival will be the biggest and best one yet!

Casey Reagan of American Blues News: between LA and Santa Barbara, you'll find the upstart Venture Blues Society where my friend Michael John is making huge efforts to get the blues recognized and properly represented in his region and Ameriblues wish him nothing but success and prosperity in the coming years. Michael sponsors the annual Simi Valley Blues Festival every year at the plush Hummingbird Ranch and he can count me in as a regular attendee as well as counting on my support any way he needs it.
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