Blue Heart Records artist: Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions Volume 2 - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Porch Sessions Volume 2, from Tony Holiday and it's a great Chicago style blues party. Opening with She's Tuff, Victor Wainwright and his rhythm section really get things rolling with Wainwright on vocal and piano and Holiday on harmonica. With plenty of attitude in presentation and this dynamic duo, this is a strong opener. Willie Buck has the mic on Honey Bee with Rusty Zinn on slide and Kim Wilson on harmonica. Zinn really conjurs Muddy's tone on guitar and Wilson's sound is fat and rich. Excellent! In more of a Delta styling on Recipe for Love Master, Bobby Rush on vocal and Vasti Jackson on guitar really make a great team serving up a heavy helping of blues. Very nice. Going to Court is a real hot number with James Harman on harmonica and Kid Ramos and Landon Stone laying down pure fire on guitar. Lurrie Bell teams up with harpmaster Mark Hummel on a shortened take on Everyday I Have The Blues but not without playing some blistering riffs. Ace guitar man Johnny Burgin and Holiday play Bad Bad Girl with Kid Andersen on bass. With it's 2 step rhythm, this track is a nice change up. Rae Gordon adds a lot of spice on lead vocals on shuffle,  Find Me When The Sun Goes Down complimented by Holiday on harmonica and backed by her own band. Ben Rice does a real nice job on That's How I Learned with his ultrasoulful vocals and deft acoustic steel resonator accompaniment. Very nice. Mark Hummel & Dennis Gruenling do a great duet on Cake Walk a terrific harmonica shuffle. One of my favorites on the release. JD Taylor on harmonica and vocal and his son Alex do a really nice on Family Tree with harmonica/ guitar backing of a great blues vocal. I particularly like the way Alex plucks his guitar accents. Excellent! Wrapping the release is the lush gospel fused Peace Will Come by Memphis based Southern Avenue. To say that this release is packed with goodies would be an understatement. Very strong release.

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Rae Gordon Band - Wrong Kind of Love - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wrong Kind Of Love, by Rae Gordon Band and it's solid. Opening with hi stepper, Comin' Back For More, Rae Gordon is in high gear immediately with her sassy vocals and high powered horn section of Allen Kalik on trumpet, Scott Franklin on sax and the power rhythm section of Pat McDougall on keys, Kivett Bednar on guitar, Ed Pierce on drums and Joseph Conrad on bass. Bednar peels away with a ripping trill and laid out guitar solo before a funky conclusion. Great opener. Soulful ballad, How You Gonna is a certain radio track and super showcase for Gordon's vocals. Nicely harmonized vocals with Bednar and McDougall, with warm organ work by McDougall and trumpet highlights by Kalik make for a tidy package. My favorite track on the release is Sea Of Blue, a slower blues track with an inviting organ leader. Bednar and McDougall maintaining a calm sea under the tempest of Gordon's vocals creates nice tension for the storm that is to come. Bednar plays a real nice guitar solo on this one that gives the track the perfect amount of stress to be released by the return of Gordon's vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is R&B track, Get Right With The World, and one last chance for Gordon to kick it into high gear. This is a high energy band with Gordon on the throttle nd she uses it liberally. With a thumping bass, stiff snare rhythm and horns blazing, Gordon takes it home. Solid closer. 

  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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Delmark Records artist: Johnny Burgin - Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live from Johnny Burgin and it's really good. Opening with brisk shuffle, You Got to Make A Change, Johnny is upfront on vocal and guitar, backed by Aki Kumar on harp, Kid Andersen on guitar, Chris Matheos on bass and Steve Dougherty on drums. Excellent, slow blues, Can't Make It Blues, Johnny really shines with his soulful vocal and blistering guitar riffs. Most people don't think of Chicago bluesmen as hot, slingers with real pyrotechnics but Burgin is here to show you that Buddy Guy is no longer the only game in town. Excellent! There are only a few contemporary players that can really pull off the funky blues like Albert King could and Burgin is one of them. She Gave Me The Slip is a great example with solid blues riffs over a great funky beat. Time for a great Chicago blues instrumental and Kumar is up and ready on harp. Burgin, Andersen and Kumar really kick it on this one with smoke flying. Rae Gordon has the mic on Late Night Date Night and she grips this track by the scruff and shakes it. Burgin and sax ace Nancy Wright add some real nice lead rhythm and Kid Andersen covers on piano. Wright is featured on You Took The Bait and Gordon is back on vocal. Johnny steps up with lush, T Bone Walker styling and rich tone and Wright's sax work is excellent (you listening Stilladog). Louisiana Walk is an excellent instrumental shuffle showcasing Burgin's chops and it's great to see some of that get out here on disc. Wright's tone is unmistakable in the background as Burgin "Walks" that dog around like a king! Charlie Musselwhite is up next on Blues Falling and Burgin steps back letting him take the lead with one short burst of "fancy picking" behind his own vocals. Musselwhite plays with the enthusiasm of a teenager but has the chops of the seasoned blues player that he is. One of my favorite tracks on the release is When A Bluesman Comes To Town. Johnny's vocal phrasing really nicely with Musselwhite's harp work and Burgin not only gets aggressive with his guitar but seems to be grabbing his riffs with real attack and tension. I love this. It's something that smooth players don't seem to get. Very very cool! Wrapping the release is Latin flavored shuffle, Jody's Jazz, with a great mixture of blues riffs, terrific Burgin classic vibrato, and supple chords. Wright steps in with another few rich sax solos and Burgin closes it down with his own run of jazz and blues riffs. It's great that Delmark has caught one of the most dynamic guitar players on the scene in live action. Highly recommended. 

  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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"Johnny Burgin Live" Street Date 8.16, Single Available Now!

Johnny Burgin Live" on Delmark Records, CD/LP Street Date 8.16!   This live CD/LP offers twelve brand-new originals and two covers, performed in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Sonoma County, CA on Jan 5 of this year.  The band consisted of my road-tested rhythm section of Steve Dougherty and Chris Matheos in addition to some special guests and friends that I don't get to work together regularly, namely Kid Andersen, Rae Gordon, Aki Kumar, Charlie Musselwhite and Nancy Wright.  We had just one night to nail it, which made this recording a crazy, but thrilling, high wire act!  Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite's driving boogie-woogie harp on L"California Blues" is an absolute highlight.  You could feel a jolt of electricity run through the crowd when Portland, Oregon-based Rae Gordon took the stage.  The end result is a raw, fresh, and original all-star set of blues, shot through with live energy.   PLEASE NOTE: While the CD street date is 8.16, the LPs won't be available for purchase until January.  I'll keep you posted. CHICAGO CD RELEASE PARTY: Sept 19, Martyr's. 8-11, 3855 N Lincoln Ave, featuring the Chicago debut of Portland OR's award winning singer Rae Gordon and a rare appearance by Bollywood Blues star Aki Kumar.  Buy advance tickets here. EXCLUSIVE SWAG BAGS: Twenty 50$ bonus Swag Bags are available.  These will include a Delmark t-shirt, a bit of vintage memorabilia, a gift certificate for the autographed LP, free entry, and a band meet and greet from 7-7.30.  Reserve yours now via Paypal, click here or send payment to rjohnnyband@gmail.com.     THE TOUR CONTINUES...   It's been a great summer-- I had a great time in at one of the world's best blues festivals in Cazorla, Spain with Tail Dragger and Quique Gomez performing in a centuries-old bullring.  We also had a fun swing through the UK and the privilege of appearing with Billy Boy Arnold and Charlie Musselwhite at The Chicago Blues Festival.  For a youtube clip of Billy Boy Arnold with me in Madrid. click here.  Upcoming dates:  Fri-Sat:  July 19-20: Bejar Blues Festival, SPAIN, with Tail Dragger.  Wed July 24: Ina Mae's, duo show w Chris Matheos, Chicago Fri, July 26: The Washington, Burlington, IA Sat, July 27: Merchant St Festival, Kankakee, IL Sun, July 28: The Iron Post, Urbana IL 3-6 Thurs, Aug 1: The Smoke Daddy, duo show, Chicago  Fri, Aug 2: Third Base, Springfield, IL Sat, Aug 3: Elements Wine Bar, Valparaiso, IN Sun, Aug 4: private party, Greencastle, IN Wed, Aug 7: Ina Mae's, duo show, Chicago Thurs, Aug 8: The Smoke Daddy Wrigley, Chicago Fri, Aug 9: Acorn Coffeehouse, Wheaton IL   Sat, Aug 10: Flatted Fifth Blues and BBQ, Bellevue, IA  Sun, Aug 11: Bobber's, Winslow, IL 2-5 I'll have some new shirts and stickers as well on this trip-- here's the style: Aug 12-Sept 17: EU TOUR: Stockholm, Malmo Sweden, Swing Blues Festival Wespelaar Belgium, shows in Kouvola and Lahti in Finland, a house party and MOJO in Copenhagen, a house party in Lucern Switzerland, club dates and The Vinovo Blues Festival with Fast Frank near Turin, Italy, and a string of dates in Rome with Marco di Folco.  FALL TRAVELS: Watch for dates in Chicago, Michigan, Indiana, The Carolina Downhome Blues Festival, Pensacola FL, and then working my way back to Portland, OR by November 1.

11th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival: New Location, All-Day Headlining Acts, All-Star BB Chung King Tribute Jam

11TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL FEATURES NEW LOCATION; ALL-DAY HEADLINING ACTS; FESTIVAL-ENDING ALL-STAR "JAM SESSION" DEDICATED TO MEMORY OF THE LATE BB CHUNG KING                                Saturday, April 30, 2016     (Camarillo, CA)  - An exciting, new location; all-day headlining acts; festival-closing All-Star Jam dedicated to the late BB Chung King; enlarged Food and Craft Vendor area; a powerful, diverse lineup - all these factors promise to make the 11th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival the best festival ever produced by its presenters, the Ventura County Blues Society. Save the date: Saturday, April 30, at Studio Channel Islands, 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo. Gates open 10:00 am, music begins at 11:00 am. Tickets $30. (Pre-Sale), $40. (Day of Show). Kids 12 and under, free with paid Adult General Admission. V.I.P. Tickets $125. (online only). Festival proceeds benefits Food Share and other Ventura County area charities (please bring a food item to donate). Info: (805) 501-7122.   "We're really excited about the Festival's new location this year, and being able to have The Delgado Brothers perform, fresh from their recent IBC victory", says Michael John, Ventura County Blues Society President. "The jam (for the late) BB Chung King at the end of the Festival will also be amazing. Looks like all of BB's former band-mates and some very special guests will be there to honor BB's memory". The Delgado Brothers (pictured recently in Memphis, TN after winning the 2016 IBC award for "Best Band"), perform as part of the 11th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival on Saturday, April 30 in Camarillo.     HEADLINERS AT 11TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL     All-Star Jam Session: A star-studded lineup of musicians will take the stage to close out this year's Festival, all to honor the memory of the late guitarist, BB Chung King. This is sure to bring down the house!        Delgado Brothers: No longer just "L.A.'s Best-Kept Secret" after winning the coveted 2016 IBC "Best Band" award, The Delgado Brothers are driven by fierce independence, unified by family, and fortified by the brotherhood of music. Their topical anthem-worthy songs are  complemented by call-to-action lyrics, and East L.A. Soul. For over thirty years the Delgado Brothers have been music makers, collaborators and ordinary citizens; raising children, grieving the loss of parents, marrying & divorcing.  All of this life experience may explain their flare for illuminating every-man's joys, sorrows, triumphs and losses. The Brothers' music has long been embraced both locally and globally by a wide spectrum of people undivided by culture, age or socio/economic status. delgadobrothers.com/.    Karen Lovely: Powerhouse vocalist and 2016 BMA (Blues Music Awards) "Best Blues Female Artist" nominee makes her Ventura County Blues Festival debut. Known for her passionate, driven performances, Karen delivers a blistering mix of contemporary & old school blues. Lovely's standout performances have garnered awards and critical acclaim at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada and Europe. With the release of her latest album TEN MILES OF BAD ROAD,  Karen Lovely has established herself as a singer/songwriter with a style uniquely her own. karenlovely.com/.   Dallas Hodge Band: This Veteran Detroit, MI musician is perhaps best known for fronting the legendary band, Canned Heat, Hodge first rose to fame in the mid-70's when teaming with guitarist Steve Marriott of Humble Pie renown. In 2009 Hodge began a working affiliation with Bob Seger's sax-man, Alto Reed, and Reed's West Coast Blues Entourage. Hodge's sound is best described as "Motor City-style rockin' rhythm & blues", and never fails to fire up a crowd! dallashodge.com/.    Pete Anderson: Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning producer and ground-breaking guitarist who melds blues and country to forge a style all his own. Long considered one of the world’s best-of-the-best Tele-twangers, Anderson has never been satisfied with maintaining the status quo. The last ten years have found Anderson focusing on his solo career – perfecting his craft and honing his musical vision. On BIRDS ABOVE GUITARLAND the Detroit native delivers a set of rich roots music gumbo, blues/funk/swing/country twang with a splash of surf music and a dash of jazz. While Anderson’s work as a producer/arranger/guitarist has resulted in acclaimed records in the Country, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Rock, Pop, R&B, and Red Dirt genres of music, his focus as a solo artist has always been his first musical love – The Blues. peteanderson.com/.   Deb Ryder: Widely regarded as one of the best up-and-coming singer/songwriters in the blues world today. Born outside Chicago, Ryder was influenced at an early age by the music of the city, and by her father, a Chicago club sensation. She began appearing onstage as a young teen at her stepfather's famous Southern California-based nightclub The Topanga Corral, where she opened for blues legends like Etta James, Big Joe Turner and Taj Mahal, to name a few. Ryder's latest album Let It Rain, produced by Grammy award-winning producer Tony Braunagel, features eleven Ryder originals and an A-List of renowned players in the genre who bring a fresh energy and a powerful sound. debryder.com/.    Rae Gordon: The Rae Gordon Band brings together award-winning and nominated musicians and is fronted by Rae Gordon, the 2014 Muddy Award Winner for Best Female Vocalist (Cascade Blues Association). Gordon and company have played the big and little stages of the Northwest’s favorite clubs, dance floors and festivals, helping to mold their signature sound that spans from a danceable get-up-and-groove to a haunting slide tone - the latter a sound that will make you want to find a back porch and sit a spell. Rae Gordon Band performances are not only a show, but a celebration, as Gordon follows the policy that a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met…yet. “Add equal parts of Janis Joplin’s pain, Aretha Franklin’s soul and Grace Slick’s power; mix them thoroughly, and add a big gob of gooey molasses and you have Rae Gordon’s voice”– Positively Entertainment and Dining. raegordon.com/.