Guy Scores The Americana Fest

Guy Davis Scores Americana Fest Showcase The 2018 Grammy Nominated Artist To Make His Debut at the Fest ​

Northport NY - M.C. Records is proud to announce that our artist Guy Davis will be performing at the world famous Americana Fest in Nashville this September. The Fest takes place from September 11-16 at various venues throughout Nashville. Other great artists appearing include John Prime, Candi Staton, Shemeika Copeland, The Milk Carton Kids and so many more. You can view all the confirmed artists by clicking the photo. The invitation to Americana Fest is another milestone for the NYC Bluesman. Earlier this year, his recording with Fabrizio Poggi, "Sonny & Brownie's Last Train" was nominated for Grammy in the Traditional Blues category. It marked Guy's 1st Grammy nomination in his 30+ year career. In May, Guy was also nominated for two Blues Music Awards in Memphis.  Sonny & Brownie's Last Train is a love letter to the iconic blues duo. The deep, acoustic blues sessions took place in Milan Italy and were recorded live in the studio. The result captured the special musical connection that Guy and Fabrizio possess from the years of playing and recording together. You can listen and radio can download the recording via AirPlay Direct. Click the cover to enjoy! We've received many outstanding reviews for Sonny & Brownie's Last Train here's a sampling: This is a fond look back to the music of the Piedmont blues icons, harmonica ace Sonny Terry and acoustic guitarist Brownie McGhee.   Elmore Magazine    You'll be doing yourself a disservice by not immediately purchaing this first-rate record American Blues Scene   This is an excellent and historically significant collection of standard blues and traditional music. Black Grooves                                  The syndicated radio program Music City Roots recently broadcast a performance that Guy & Fabrizio recorded in late March. If you missed it, you can click the photo to check out the duo's version of "Walk On."                                              Guy has upcoming dates in Salt Lake City, a Tour of Italy and the Vancouver Folk Fest.  All of his dates can be found at http://guydavis.com/wp/tour/   ***

M.C. Records artist: Marie Knight - The Gospel Truth Live - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Gospel Truth Live, from Marie Knight and it's rich. This performance was recorded on October 19, 2007 at Margaret A. Hart '35 Gospel fest at the Church Street Center in North Adams Massachusetts. Unfortunately, Knight passed in 2009 after a stroke and a bout with pneumonia. Fortunately, these tracks are now available for the public. Opening with Rev. Gary Davis' I Belong To The Band, Marie Knight is pure gospel with strong piano backing from Dave Keyes. Excellent! On Sister Rosetta Tharpe's Beams Of Heaven, Knight shows just how tightly the blues is bound to gospel music. Keyes piano work is terrific and Knight is off the charts. Davis' 12 Gates To The City has a great swing and Knight and Keyes are really rockin'! Knight's rework of Anna Warner's Jesus Loves Me, shows not only pure talent but pure love for the Lord and her work. Another Davis track, Let Us Get Together, has a super gospel swing and exploits the richness of Knight's vocals. Wrapping the release is a powerful cover of the traditional, For Thine Is the Kingdom, a truly excellent closer. if you are even slightly inclined to hear the complimentary work of Tharpe and Davis as performed by Knight, this is a strong release.

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Marie Knight Live Recording Coming March 23

Gospel Legend Marie Knight's The Gospel Truth Live The Posthumous Release Streets March 23 Northport N.Y. - M.C. Records is proud to be releasing a live record by Marie Knight on March 23. The posthumous  The Gospel Truth Live (MC-0084) was recorded October 19, 2007 at Margaret A. Hart '35 Gospel Fest at the Church Street Center in North Adams MA. Now, over a decade later, that revelatory performance finally sees the light of day on this brilliant compilation to be released on March 23. Next month, Sister Rosetta Tharpe will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Marie was Sister's musical partner for over a decade during the hight of Sister's fame. A full bio of Marie Knight can be found on her website, www.marieknight.com. Scroll down to listen to the recording via Airplay Direct.  “This is one the world must hear. It is so needed in times like these.” Mavis Staples Click the Cover to Listen & Download "Here is 'Madame' Marie Knight, a star of Golden Age gospel, in all the fierceness and fragility of her late-career voice, singing old and new material. With The Gospel Truth Live, M.C.  Records has given us another treasure. Gayle Wald "The timing for the release of The Gospel Truth Live couldn’t be more perfect as the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced in December 2017 that it would be posthumously inducting Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the hallowed hall in April 2018 as an early influence on artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Bob Dylan. In a way, it’s also an acknowledgement for Knight’s musical contributions since she collaborated professionally and served as a confidante with Tharpe at the height of her popularity in the early 1950s. In addition two plays are currently in production about the music and relationship of Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. "Marie and Rosetta" is a musical that was produced by The Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. "Shout Sister Shout The Musical" debut at The Pasadena Playhouse in January of 2017. On October 19, 2007, they all braved the rainy weather to witness one of the last living artists from the Golden Age of Gospel (1940 – 1960).  In this rootsy, organic concert, she breezed through the songbooks of Tharpe – arguably, the most influential female gospel act of the 1940s - and also the Rev. Gary Davis – who made a huge impact on the 1960s folk movement - and along the way, Knight shared brief anecdotes on the highs and lows of her earthly walk, including the fire that killed her two children and her mother. Within the span of 60 minutes, she showcased not only her thunderous contralto but also her commanding personality, sardonic humor and her unabashed evangelism. Singer/pianist Dave Keys, who has played with artists as varied as Chuck Berry and Tanya Tucker, was Knight’s sole musician for the get-together. His skillful, buoyant playing kept the spirit high even on ballads.                       Marie Knight with Humphrey Lyttleton's Band, 1958, London U.K. Terry Cryer Archive UK Madame Marie Knight was born Marie Roach on June 1, 1920 in Sanford, FL but she was raised in Newark, NJ. She first recorded with The Sunset Four (Sunset Jubilee Singers). In 1946 Tharpe saw Marie Knight perform at a Mahalia Jackson concert in New York. Tharpe recognized a special talent in Knight. They toured the gospel circuit for a number of years, during which they recorded hits such as "Up Above My Head" and “Precious Memories.”  In January 2002, on a cold, bright Saturday morning, Marie entered a recording studio to pay tribute to her old singing partner, Rosetta Tharpe, doing a solo version of their old hit “Didn’t It Rain.” [Listen the fruits of that session on Shout, Sister, Shout! (MC-0050).] That session—and Marie’s continuing vitality as a singer and performer—led to her present collaboration with producer Mark Carpentieri. Marie’s last studio recording was the Gospel songs of Rev. Gary Davis titled “Let Us Get Together” (MC-0058). Larry Campbell (Dixie Hummingbirds, Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Elvis Costello) is playing all the stringed instruments. That release came out on  June 26, 2007. It marked Marie’s first full-length recording in over 20 years. The recording was named a top 10 blues release by NPR and Marie was featured in "Living Blues," "No- Depression," & "Dirty Linen."  Finally, Knight died on a bright, warm Sunday, August 30, 2009. Her rainy days were finally done. However, her music continues to shower us with her faith and talent.  The Gospel Truth Live is in a style and manner that would make both Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe very proud. “One of the reasons I wanted to release the album is because you really get to see who Marie is, all sides of her,” says Mark Carpentieri. “The funny side, the very serious side, the very spiritual side. It’s like in her own words in a way.”   ***

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

M.C. Records artist: The Sherman Holmes Project - The Richmond Sessions - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 21, 2017), The Richmond Sessions, by The Sherman Holmes Project and it's quite good. This is Sherman's first recordings since the death of his partners in music, Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon in 2015 and it has new breath. Opening with the traditional, Rock Of Ages, Holmes is joined by Rob Ickes on dobro, Jared Pool on mandolin, Sammy Shelor on banjo Jacob Eller on bass, and David Van Deventer on fiddle for a cool bluegrass track. Continuing in the rural vein, Vince Gill's Lisa Jane is up next showing a blend of soul and country. Balancing his own vocals with a jazzy electric guitar riff, dobro riffs and fiddle riffs this track keeps it cool. On Holland/ Dozier team's Don't Do It, Holmes uses somewhat of The Band's arrangement with it's cool rural funk. Stuart Hamlin's addition on piano on this track is super and the Snappy drumming of Clarence Walters really highlights the super backing vocals by Almeta Ingram-Miller, Cheryl Maroney and Ann Cunningham. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release, I Want Jesus, really embraces the vitality of Holmes vocals with super backing vocals by Ingram-Miller, Maroney and Cunningham and the smooth dobro work of Ickes. Never thought of the blend of bluegrass and blues on Breaking Up Somebody's Home but here it is and it works. With mandolin, banjo and fiddle solos, there's no denying it's rural heritage. In a duet with Joan Osborne, Holmes lays out the classic Dark End Of The Street and a cool guitar solo by Pool is carried by DJ Harrison on B3. Traditional track, Wide River is another of my favorites with the strong lead by Holmes and beautiful backing by Ingram-Miller, Maroney and Cunningham with Hamlin on piano. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Ben Harper's Homeless Child. Holmes, Cunningham and Maroney really blend nicely with Jon Lohman on harp, Walters on drums, Shelor on banjo, Pool on Mandolin Van Deventer on fiddle and Ickes on dobro. Solid closer for a real cool 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”

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New Guy Coming March 24!

On March 24, M.C. Records To Release Sonny & Brownie's Last Train By Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi

Northport NY – On March 24, M.C. Records will proudly release Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train by the Ambassador of the Blues, Guy Davis and international harmonica sensation Fabrizio Poggi. The deep, acoustic blues sessions took place in Milan Italy and were recorded live in the studio. The result captured the special musical connection that Guy and Fabrizio possess from the years of playing and recording together. The release will be available digitally, on CD and vinyl! The first time Guy has a released a recording on vinyl! Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train marks the 14th recording by Guy Davis in his storied career and his third with M.C. Records. His first “Juba Dance” was produced by Fabrizio Poggi and also recorded in Italy. Guy Davis explains the concept of the recording, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry were two musicians whose work will not be surpassed, let alone improved on. This musical opus, was produced by Fabrizio Poggi. It features our combined musical talents, and is not meant to compete with the originals. It’s meant to be a love letter to Brownie and Sonny signed by the both of us. They were two of my favorites.                                               1. SONNY AND BROWNIE'S LAST TRAIN                                               6. TAKE THIS HAMMER (4.08) 2. LOUISE, LOUISE (4.50)                                                                            7. GOIN' DOWN SLOW (5.24) 3. HOORAY, HOORAY THESE WOMEN IS KILLING ME (2.56)             8. FREIGHT TRAIN (3.00) 4. SHORTNIN' BREAD (3.35)                                                                        9. EVIL HEARTED ME (4.13) 5. BABY PLEASE DON'T GO BACK TO NEW ORLEANS (4.52)             10. STEP IT UP AND GO (2.28)                                               Guy Davis On Tour For all of Guy's dates go to http://guydavis.com/wp/tour/ 01/13/17 - Sahuarita, AZ - Border Issues Fair 01/14/17 - Sahuarita, AZ - Common Ground on the Border 01/22/17 - 01/29/17  - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Legendary Blues Cruise - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica 02/03/17 - 02/04/17  - Queens, NY - Flushing Arts Council 02/08/17 - 02/12/17  - Boquete - Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival - Panama 03/18/17 - Windsor, CT - Northwest Park Nature Center - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica. 03/23/17  - Glen Cove - Page One - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica 03/24/17  - Saratoga Springs, NY - Caffe Lena - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica. 03/25/17  - Bethlehem, PA - Blast Furnace Blues Festival - with Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica. 03/30/17  - New London, NH - Flying Goose Brew Pub - With Fabrizio Poggi, harmonica.                                                        ***