Nola Blues Records artist: Matt Guitar Murphy - True Blues Brother - The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Blues Brother- The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" by Matt Guitar Murphy and it's a great assemblage of music that Matt was working on at the time of his death in 2018 featuring music by artists he either played with or influenced along with some special guests. Opening with Matt's Boogie, Murphy leads the way on this instrumental with  a super guitar rhythm /solo lead and joined by Bruce Bears on organ, Ricky "King" Russell on guitar, Bob Worthington on bass and Fran Christina on drums. Solid opener. Deadric Malone's I Feel Alright Again is a super shuffle featuring Brian Templeton on vocal, Nick Adams on guitar, Collin Tilton on tenor sax, Johnny Juxo on keys, Dean Cassell on bass and Christina on drums. Christine Ohlman really belts out the lead on Something's Got a Hold On Me, and Etta James favorite, with Cliff Goodwin and Russell on guitar, Worthington on bass and Christina on drums. Phil Diiorio is upfront on vocal on Willie Dixon's I Can't Quit You Baby and James Montgomery on harmonica adds really nice balance. Troy Mercy takes a different approach on his bluesy guitar solo that adds nicely to the track. Disc 2 opens with Matt's Shuffle and Murphy strolling on guitar. A cool organ solo by Bruce Bears leads to a real nice laid back solo by Murphy. Willie Dixon's, Evil, is a real nice contribution with Craig Rawding on lead vocal and some stellar guitar work by Bob Margolin, Jerry Portnoy on harmonica, Chuck Leavell on piano and Christina on drums. Memphis Slim's Lonesome, has a great feel with Christina on vocal and drums, Duke Robillard laying down some hot riffs, Greg Piccolo on sax, Al Copley on piano and Marty Ballou on bass. Joe Beard is upfront on vocal and guitar on Muddy's Let Me Hang Around with Chris Beard on guitar, Billy Boy Arnold on harmonica,  bass and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Beard on guitar and vocal and Arnold on harmonica on You Wasn't Doin' Too Bad, a really stripped down, delta style blues. This is an excellent closer for a solid release. 

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The Bender is Sept 7.8.9.10, 2017

Big Blues Bender Announces Fabulous Lineup for Sept! LAS VEGAS, NV. – The Big Blues Bender, one of the most talked about Blues events in the country, has announced an impressive 2017 lineup. The Big Blues Bender offers what could be their best artist lineup to date, offering a wide variety of first-class music and entertainment including, Mavis Staples, Dr. John, Tab Benoit, Walter Trout, and many more. This four-night all-inclusive music experience delivers eighteen hours of live music, daily, on three indoor stages and a fabulous pool stage all under one roof, featuring the most talented and sought after Blues artists touring today.

The 4th annual Big Blues Bender will take place Sept. 7.8.9.10, 2017 at the legendary Plaza Hotel & Casino at the top of the world famous “Fremont Street Experience” in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas. The Big Blues Bender has quickly become a festival favorite among Blues fans and artists alike – a bucket-list event for all, selling out far in advance last year. “The Big Blues Bender is more than just a Blues festival, it’s an experience,” said AJ Gross, the event’s founder, and President. “Four days and nights of music and accommodations, with Everything, An Elevator Ride Away!” Wanna see the full lineup? Here ya go –> Bender Lineup Ready to Attend? Big Blues Bender is sold as "Packages" that include your accommodations as well as your event pass or as a four-day event pass that's good for all events and activities but does not include your hotel accommodations. Pick the option that's best for you! Have you booked yet? ☆ Book  Now: BigBluesBender.com September 7.8.9.10, check out is Monday, Sept 11th at 11 am. The 2017 Big Blues Bender Lineup! It's all about the music... It's ALWAYS about the music! We're proud to have this fine roster of amazing artists joining us for the 4th Big Blues Bender! Click on their names below for more details.   Dr. John Mavis Staples Tab Benoit Walter Trout Anders Osborne Shemekia Copeland David Bromberg Doyle Bramhall II Curtis Salgado Eric Gales Southern Hospitality w/ Victor Wainwright, Damon Fowler & JP Soars Jimmy Hall w/Bender Brass Danielle Nicole Band Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials Mike Zito Toronzo Cannon Carolyn Wonderland The Paladins Albert Castiglia Davy Knowles Laith Al-Saadi Matt Schofield Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Paul DesLauriers Band Too Slim and The Taildraggers Teresa James MonkeyJunk Jack Broadbent Jesse Roper Southern Avenue Kirby Sewell Band Casey Hensley Band w Spec Guest Debbie Davies Katy Guillen and The Girls Dawn Tyler Watson & Ben Racine “Grateful Blues” Feat. Catfish John & Mark Karan Hamish Anderson Milligan Vaughan Project Rae Gordon Ty Curtis The Strip Kings Moanin’ Blacksnakes The Chris Tofield Band Howl at the Moon Jam Hosted by Russell Jackson Bender Brass Artist at Large Johnny Sansone Artist at Large Jason Ricci Artist at Large Sari Schorr Artist at Large Billy Price Artist at Large Nick Schnebelen Artist at Large Michael Ledbetter Artist at Large Monster Mike Welch Artist at Large Anne Harris Artist at Large Kris Schnebelen Artist at Large Big Chief Monk Boudreaux Artist at Large Eric Johanson 2017 Bender Packages Look over your options and find the best place to lay your head at the Bender! Four Day Music Only Wristband Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable $499 per person BOOK NOW Rollin’ Stone Run of House Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Single Occupancy $1049 per person SOLD OUT  Boogie Chillen Run of House Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Double Occupancy $674 per person BOOK NOW Boom Boom Room North Tower Choose King or 2 Queens Non-smoking ONLY Double Occupancy $724 per person SOLD OUT Hoochie Coochie South Tower Choose King or 2 Queens Choose smoking or non Double Occupancy $774 per person BOOK NOW Baller On A Budget Junior Suite North Tower 1 King Bed Non-smoking ONLY Double Occupancy $1599 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller 5th Floor Pool Level South Tower Choose King or 2 Queens Non-smoking ONLY Double Occupancy $1649 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Mini Suite South Tower 1 King Bed Choose smoking or non Double Occupancy $1699 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller 1 Bedroom Suite South Tower 1 King Bed Choose smoking or non Double Occupancy $1899 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Pool Patio Room South Tower 2 Queens ONLY Non-smoking only Double Occupancy $2099 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Penthouse Suite South Tower 1 King Bed Smoking allowed Double Occupancy $2099 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller 2 Bedroom Suite (4 people) South Tower 1 King & 2 Queens Smoking allowed Quad Occupancy $1749 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Derby Suite (4 people) South Tower 1 King & 2 Kings Smoking allowed Quad Occupancy $1999 per person SOLD OUT