Acclaimed Guitarist and JUNO Award Nominee KEVIN BREIT to Release New "Stella Bella Strada" Album on May 31 from Stony Plain Records

Acclaimed Guitarist and JUNO Award Nominee KEVIN BREIT to Release New Stella Bella Strada Album on
May 31 from Stony Plain Records

TORONTO, ON -- Stony Plain Records is proud to announce the release of acclaimed guitarist and performer Kevin Breit’s Stella Bella Strada, his second solo album for the label, to be available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and all digital retailers on May 31. Retail CD sales commence June 7.

Produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Kevin, himself, Stella Bella Strada marks his fourth release on Canada’s leading folk/roots label, Stony Plain Records (he also recorded two albums with fellow guitar whiz, Harry Manx). “Kevin Breit is one of the most creative and imaginative musician I've ever worked with,” says Holger Petersen, founder and president of the label. “What he brings is far beyond incredible guitar playing. He is a master arranger, composer and soulful visionary, whose tones and phrasing color his music with sophisticated, timeless concepts and good humor. To my ears, Kevin's music includes blues-based slide guitar playing with a heavy dose of Frank Zappa's compositional influence. But Kevin is his own man - there's no one like him!”

Breit has also worked as a touring guitarist and session musician with many greats, including Cassandra Wilson, Norah Jones, k.d.lang, Michael Kaeshammer, Celine Dion, Marc Jordan, Molly Johnson, Holly Cole, Rosanne Cash, Serena Ryder and the Rankins.

Breit has been honored with several awards, including a Maple Blues Award, Gemini Award, National Jazz Award, Canadian Folk Music Award and two Juno Awards for his own recordings; and he has performed on other recordings that have earned a total of 10 Grammy Awards.

His last solo album, Johnny Goldtooth and The Chevy Casanovas, was nominated for instrumental album of the year at the 2019 Juno Awards.

“Stella Bella Strada loosely translates to ‘beautiful star of the road’ and is aptly named for a new guitar built by master luthier and grand friend, Joseph Yanuziello,” says Kevin on the album title. “Did I want a one-of-a-kind instrument that could offer a fiery tone and is capable of fitting in many genres? Yes. Did I want an instrument that was lightweight and didn’t require a chiropractor after every show? Yes. Did I want Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren peeking out from under the Mojo pickup grills? Yes. Did I want it to light up when it was in high gear? Yes. Did I want my initials on the tone and volume controls? Why not? So, this is where the road trip starts.”

Breit’s riveting album isn’t just a one-person project, even though he’s always at the helm. The release is enhanced by his staple of band members and special guests. “Andy McNeill, a longtime friend, supplied me with some all-time groovy Chamberlin and Optigan drum loops, which, in themselves, ooze so much character and vibe,” he says. “My fellow travelers would include the quartet I have been a member of for the better part of a quarter century, the Sisters Euclid - Ian DeSouza, Mark Lalama and Gary Taylor. Riding shotgun is drummer, Davide DiRenzo, another longtime friend. My brother Gary was also a big part of the ride, sitting behind the Wurlitzer and AceTone organ to provide that Las Vegas strip feel. The horn section consisted of the ever-fantastic, Rebecca Hennessy, Perry White, Tom Richards and Vincent Henry. William Lamoureux, a young Quebec-born violinist, weaves throughout the recording with much taste and musicality. There are two busloads of my musical friends playing and singing on Stella Bella Strada and it brought me great joy to have them all aboard.”

Breit adds, “On this recording, I wore several hats: producer, engineer, mixing and mastering. What I know of these things is somewhat laughable, but I loved every crazy second of it. I hope when you listen to Stella Bella Strada, at the very least, you will hear me smiling.”

Stony Plain Records artist: Colin Linden & Luther Dickinson - Amour - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Amour, from Colin Linden & Luther Dickinson with the Tennessee Valentines and it's not only musically cool but a lot of fun. Opening with traditional instrumental, Careless Love, Linden on electric dobro and Dickinson on electric guitar, and only a minimal amount of percussion, a beautiful sound emerges with the thickness of a Mississippi swamp and the depth of morning fog. Excellent! On Jesse Stone's Don't Let Go, Rachael Davis and Ruby Amanfu join on vocal giving this popular track real spunk. Jimmy Reed's Honest I Do features Davis again on vocals, has a super blues swagger and reverb saturated guitar. Very cool. I really like the Sam Palladio lead/ Rachael Davis harmony on Ralph Mooney's Crazy Arms and Linden and Dickinson' guitar mix over Dominic Davis on bass, Bryan Owings on drums and Kevin McKendree on piano is pure gold. Billy Swan original, Lover Please, features Swan on lead vocal coupled with Davis making for a super country rocker with nice accordion work by Fats Kaplin. Ruby Amanfu takes center stage on Chuck Willis' What Am I Living For giving it a powerful rework. Luther and Colin add authentic country riffs and a tight structure over McKendree's organ work. Wrapping the release is  I Forgot To Remember To Forget featuring Jonathan Jackson on lead vocal and Luther and Colin playing ethereal electric guitar parts floating to the end of the release. Very nice.

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Stony Plain Records Sets May 17 Release Date for "Ear Worms," the New Album from Award-Winning Guitarist Duke Robillard

Stony Plain Records Sets May 17 Release Date for

Ear Worms, the New Album from Award-Winning Guitarist Duke Robillard

WATERDOWN, ON – Stony Plain Records announces a May 17 release date for Ear Worms, the new album from two-time Grammy nominee and multi-Blues Music Award winning guitarist Duke Robillard, which will be available in both CD and vinyl formats.

Here’s a link to pre-order the album, which also includes a special advance listen to “Don’t Bother to Steal Her Love:” http://smarturl.it/earworms. 

“Ear Worms was conceived as an album of songs that I heard and was attracted to growing up,” says Duke Robillard about the new disc’s genesis. “They are not of one particular genre or style, but rather songs I heard in my pre-teens to my later teens, with the exception of a few songs which I threw into the mix to round out the overall album vibe; sounds that stuck in my head, in many cases before I knew what the blues was. I guess you could call them ‘ear worms.’ It can be a song you can’t get out of your head because you love it so much, or it can also be a mundane piece of drivel that haunts you like a bad dream. Hopefully, if these songs become ear worms for you, they will be good ones!”

Produced by Robillard and recorded at Lakewest Recording and Duke’s Mood Room, Ear Worms features Duke (guitars, vocal) and his long-time band: Bruce Bears (piano, Hammond organ); Brad Hallen (acoustic and electric bass); and Mark Teixeira (drums). Both Bears and Teixeira also sing lead vocal on one track each. Joining them on the sessions, besides some stellar additional musicians are several special guest vocalists: Chris Cote, Sunny Crownover, Mark Cutler, Julie Grant, Dave Howard and Klem Klimek.

The track listing for Ear Worms features a Duke-penned original, the rollicking “Don’t Bother Trying to Steal Her Love,” that kicks off the album in grand style, followed by a dozen songs –  some well-known, others not so much - including “Living with the Animals,” “I Am a Lonesome Hobo,” “Sweet Nothin’s,” “Dear Dad,” “Yellow Moon,” and “Yes We Can.” The repertoire demonstrates the breadth of Robillard’s skill and knowledge of so many styles of music.    

Duke Robillard tells a particularly interesting story about one of the tracks on the new album.    “‘Everyday I Have to Cry Some’ is a song written by Arthur Alexander that was additionally recorded by Steve Alaimo and Dusty Springfield,” he says. “There was another great young pop singer creating hits in England in the ‘60s named Julie Grant who also recorded it. She had many wonderful and successful records at a very young age. It so happens that for quite a few years Julie worked as a booking agent for one of the nearby casinos in Connecticut. One day we were talking, and she revealed that she was a British pop singer, so I googled her and was blown away by what a great singer she was, with a long list of hit records! So, this wonderful British lady that I had known for several years was a star and a fabulous vocalist! ‘Everyday I Have to Cry Some’ was a song I always loved and Julie’s version of it is my favorite. I took a chance and asked her if she would record it for this album. We recorded a few takes and spent the rest of the afternoon sipping wine and listening to stories of her teenage years in London: double dates with Paul McCartney and Jane Asher; stories about the Rolling Stones opening a tour for her; and so many other memories. I had wanted to put Julie and Sunny Crownover together for this and it worked out wonderfully. It was a ball to make the guitar arrangement for this song. We really worked at capturing the ‘60s vibe of Julie’s record while making it ours at the same time. I do hope everyone enjoys the ‘60s ‘wall of sound’ vibe here.”

Robillard cites several reasons for the inclusion of certain songs on the new album. “First of all, a large part of my musical make-up is from the production side,” he volunteers. “Since I was as young as 10 years old, the sounds on recordings always captured my imagination. ‘Why did they fade out at the time they did? How did they get that sound? Why does the reverb come up as the song fades out?’ Production was a mystical thing to me. Even though I had no idea what producers and engineers did, my ear was tuned in to a recording’s sound and the way the music and sound made me feel.

“When I was a young boy at the age of 10 to 12, my brother’s collection of the latest rock and roll singles of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, etc. were my strongest influence, along with Hank Williams. “We are talking about the late ‘50s/early‘60s, and AM radio was still the way you heard music on the airwaves. I find it amazing what was played on the air in those days. I remember hearing Slim Harpo’s ‘Scratch My Back’ on AM radio in Rhode Island. I can still recall where I was, who I was with, and how that sound just went through me like a bolt of lightning! I am a believer that all music that you hear affects you in some way, so by about 1970 I started steering away from pop/rock music for a long period, preferring not to be influenced by anything but the blues and jazz from the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. That part of my life created the purist part of me.”

Peppered in with all the vocal-track songs are several instrumentals, showcasing Duke’s unique takes on “Careless Love,” “Soldier of Love,” “Rawhide” and “You Belong to Me,” with “Rawhide” having a special affection from Robillard. “‘Rawhide’ is my tribute to one of my heroes, Mr. Link Wray! Just pure unadulterated Rock and Roll here friends; nothing more, nothing less. I played this song in many early bands and even in Roomful of Blues on a few occasions. It never fails to rock!”

Since starting his musical career in 1967 by founding and fronting Roomful of Blues, Duke Robillard has been at the forefront of Blues, Swing and classic R&B/Jump blues for over 40 years, earning him his legendary status while influencing and inspiring countless legions of musicians and fans worldwide. Leading his own group, Duke has toured non-stop for the past 30-some years, recording more than 30 critically acclaimed CDs under his own name. He has toured as a guitarist with Tom Waits and the Fabulous Thunderbirds and recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Ruth Brown, Jay McShann, Pinetop Perkins, Kim Wilson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Rosco Gordon, Maria Muldaur and many more.

“Robillard is a soloist of stunning force and originality” – The New York Times

“Most everything Duke Robillard has done as a guitarist during the past four-plus decades bears witness to his musical intelligence and his dedication to his craft.” - DownBeat

Duke Robillard Tour Dates

3/22                       The Funky Biscuit                                                             Boca Raton, FL
3/23                       Center for the Arts                                                          Bonita Springs, FL
4/4                         Zeiterion Performing Arts Center                             New Bedford, MA
4/11                       The Iridium                                                                         New York, NY
4/12                       Zlock Performing Arts Center                                     Newtown, PA
4/26                       Iron Horse Music Hall                                                     Northampton, MA
4/27                       German American Cultural Society                           Pawtucket, RI

Additional dates forthcoming ….

Stony Plain Records artist: Eric Bibb - Global Griot - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent 2 disc release, Global Griot, from Eric Bibb and it's very warm and rich with heavy cultural influences. Opening with Gathering of the Tribes, Bibb blends the rhythms and instrumentation of Africa with his own warm vocal styling creating a unique sound. Rolling into Wherza Money At Bibb works a Jamaican sound and with key trumpet, organ and string accents weaving a really nice cultural textile. Very nice. Boogie track, Black, Brown and White takes on a traditional American blues form with soulful vocals, great rhythm and style. A Room For You is a light, folk style track with nimble fingerpicking, cool percussion and trademark Bibb vocals. Solo Cissokho is featured on Spirit Day, a cool West African flavored track with Harrison Kennedy on vocals. Very cool. Instrumental, Picture A New World is a nice guitar progression on a basic melodic them creating a peaceful sound with interwoven textures of sound. Wrapping the release is Needed Time with warm vocals, sparkling guitar and kora melodies and simple rhythm. This is a cool release with various nicely blended themes resulting in a very enjoyable package. 

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Guitarists Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson Join Forces on "Amour," a New Roots CD Featuring Songs of Sentimental, Romantic Love, Due February 8 on Stony Plain Records

Guitarists Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson Join Forces on Amour, a New Roots CD Featuring Songs of Sentimental, Romantic Love, Due February 8 on Stony Plain Records

WATERDOWN, ON - Stony Plain Records announces a February 8 release date for Amour, a new CD teaming the roots music guitar talents of Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson. The CD was produced by Colin Linden, recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, and features a backing band dubbed “The Tennessee Valentines:” Dominic Davis – bass; Bryan Owings – drums; Fats Kaplin – violin and accordion; and Kevin McKendree – keyboards.

Linden and Dickinson recruited a host of Nashville talent as guest vocalists on the new disc, including the legendary Billy Swan, who sings lead on “Lover Please” (a song he wrote, which   was recorded and became a classic hit for Clyde McPhatter); as well as songbirds Rachael Davis and Ruby Amanfu; plus two of Linden’s “Nashville” TV series buddies - Sam Palladio (“Crazy Arms”) and Jonathan Jackson (“I Forgot to Remember to Forget”). 

Hear “Don’t Let Go” from the album:  Don’t Let Go Pak Shot Video 

“These are songs of sentimental, romantic love,” says Colin Linden about the music on the new disc. “They come from country (“Crazy Arms”), blues (“Honest I Do”), rock ‘n’ roll (“Lover Please”), rhythm and blues (“What Am I Living For”) and folk music (“Careless Love”). I think that is a pretty good read on what Americana really is. ‘Careless Love’ is the ‘id’ of the record—a traditional song of love, longing and regret. I view the entire album as a soundtrack for romance and romantics everywhere, bound together by melody and atmosphere.”

Amour is the first collaboration between Colin Linden (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, ABC-TV show “Nashville)” and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars, Black Crowes) and consists of classic love songs from the Americana world. Both Linden and Dickinson are true veterans of roots music, having played with and produced some of the biggest names in the business, while displaying the mantle of countless awards and accolades to reflect that.

“Most of these songs I have known my whole life, and they reached me in the same way,” says Colin Linden about the album’s origin. “I mentioned the idea of recording them as a collection to my friend Luther Dickinson, who said it was a good idea—and that it would be cool to work on it together. Luther is not only a master musician, but also an artist with a great vision and a soulful, wonderful human being.”

“Colin and I are fellow guitar-slinging, peace-loving, freedom-fighting romantics who jump at any and every opportunity to play guitars together,” adds Luther Dickinson. “Our only problem is not erupting into joyous laughter as the music unfolds. In the spirit of brotherly love and old-school ancient sonic explorations, Colin and I both plugged into a shared guitar amp that you can hear in the middle. Our individual amps are spread out, and though you can hear the different guitars popping thru here and there, it's hard to tell who is playing what, and that only adds to Colin and my Amour fest.” 

“As time and fate would have it, all of the mighty folks who joined us were also moved by these songs,” explains Linden. Blessed by one of our heroes—and the composer of one of these songs—Billy Swan, we felt like we were on the right road in doing this album. It was a band of angels we were joined by; Luther suggested we call it ‘The Tennessee Valentines,’ based on the beautiful song and these glorious spirits. But the real story is the love story in the songs.” 

Amour is Linden’s second album for the label since Stony Plain re-signed the nine-time Juno Award-winning singer/guitarist in 2015 and released his acclaimed Rich in Love CD that same year. Stony Plain was also the home of Colin’s first studio album, The Immortals, in 1986.

Colin Linden continues to be a very much in-demand musician, having played on Gregg Allman’s 2011 Grammy-nominated Low Country Blues, as well as Grammy-winner Rhiannon Giddens’ album, Tomorrow Is My Turn, and Diana Krall’s Glad Rag Doll. He’s also produced 125 albums, was the musical director on the hit TV show, “Nashville” and toured as guitarist for Bob Dylan, Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant and, among many others.

In addition, he was the featured guitar player on the PBS-TV special saluting gospel music, “In Performance at the White House,” backing such stars as Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett and Shirley Caesar. In recent years, he’s also played on the soundtracks for a number of feature films, including Inside Llewyn Davis, The Hunger Games, R.I.P.D. and the acclaimed documentary, A Place at the Table, and in 2015 he was the music director for the special tribute to legendary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

A genuine renaissance man of roots music, Colin is also a member of the highly successful trio, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, who released the highly acclaimed album, Kings & Queens, in 2011, which teamed the band up with such guests as Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Lucinda Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Patti Scialfa and Holly Cole. That disc was followed by the Kings and Kings album in 2016.

Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Inspired By The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Inspired By The Blues, by Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and it swings. Opening with solid blues opener, I Know I'd Be Playing The Blues, Wayne on piano, organ and lead vocal leads the way backed by Russell Jackson on bass, Joey DiMarco on drums, and Yuji Ihara on guitars. Billy Branch adds some real nice licks on harmonica to spice up this fine opener. Opening it up on Start Rockin' Dave Babcock on sax and Bob Tildesley on trumpet pump up the action and Wayne's piano playing really rolls, balanced nicely against Yuji's guitar. Laying way back on I Like That Woman, Wayne sets a great pace on piano and his vocals are excellent. Jump track, Jimmy and Johnny has great feel with a trumpet solo by Tildesley and really nice piano work by Wayne. Very cool. Lake Country Boogie, led by the warm sax work of Babcock gives Wayne a wide open road to ply his trade. Wayne isn't shy and shows he really is the blues boss and Babcock stays toe to toe with him making this a terrific instrumental. an Old Brick Wall is another great boogie but with rich warm guitar chords and super soloing by Duke Robillard, great organ work by Wayne and power sax by Babcock. One of my favorite tracks, That Raggedy Shack, on the release features a nice paired lead vocal over a solid boogie beat. Babcock hits the sax solo square and the band is tight. Wrapping the release is a traditional take on Georgia On My Mind with solid vocals over electric piano by Wayne, Mati Vaarmann on Hammond, Mait Paldra on bass, Raul Ukareda on guitar, Jevgeni Lamba on guitar and Jaak Ahelik on drums. Veery solid closer for a solid 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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Stony Plain Records artist: Colin James - Miles To Go - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Miles To Go, from Colin James and it's really good! Opening with Muddy Water's, One More Mile, Colin James puts a funky spin on it and it is a contemporary as they come. With Geoff Hicks on drums, Steve Pelletier on bass, Simon Kendall on Hammond, Chris Caddell on rhythm guitar and Steve mariner on harp, this track is a super opener. Another Waters track, Still A Fool maintains the basic Waters outline but with a solid bass line and fiery guitar riffs, another super addition. Very nice. Big Boy Crudup's Dig Myself a Hole has a super Little Feat, swampy funky feel with real nice slide by James and perfect backing vocals by The Sojourners. James original. I Will Remain, is really solid with a real nice drum track, glistening rhythm guitar, a soulful melody and excellent blues guitar lines bringing to mind BB King or Robert Cray. Excellent! Jessie Mae Robinson's Black Night is my favorite on the release with James' best vocals on the release. His guitar riffs are inspired and Chris Gestrin's piano work is crisp. Wrapping the release is an acoustic take on One More Mile with James on acoustic guitar and vocal with Coleen Rennison on backing vocal. This is a really nice closer for a very nice 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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Award-Winning Keyboardist Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne Is "Inspired by the Blues" on New CD Coming September 28 from Stony Plain Records

Award-Winning Keyboardist Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Is Inspired by the Blues on New CD Coming September 28 from Stony Plain Records

Special Guests Include Harp Master Billy Branch, Guitar Legend Duke Robillard and Long-Time B.B. King Bass Player Russell Jackson

EDMONTON, AB – Acclaimed award-winning keyboardist Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne will release his new CD, Inspired by the Blues, September 28 on Stony Plain Records. The new disc was recorded at Dan/Lyn Studio in Edmonton, Alberta, and produced by the “Blues Boss,” himself. Inspired by the Blues features 11 original songs, plus a live bonus track of Kenny performing “Georgia on My Mind” that was recorded in Mexico.

Watch an exciting behind-the-scenes video about the making of Inspired by the Blues here:

https://youtu.be/IV4flyr-99E

Stream the first single, “Start Rockin,’” off the new album here:

https://soundcloud.com/stony-plain-records/kenny-blues-boss-wayne-start-rockin/s-3yRrT

The Boogie Woogie Hall of Famer’s new release includes special guests Billy Branch on harmonica, guitarist Duke Robillard and B.B. King's long-time bass player, Russell Jackson, who’s also a member of the new B.B. King Blues Band. The zoot-suited “Blues Boss” tours Russia (where he just finished an extensive tour), South America, and Europe, in addition to playing various North American clubs and festivals. Living Blues magazine named him the “Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)” for 2015. “There's no boogie-woogie-blues piano man out there today who pounds the 88s with his conviction,” wrote the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I have always said that each time I record a new album this one is my best, and each time I’ve been right; however, I should’ve said that each time it gets better,” Wayne says. “This recording is truly better and with the help of my ace band members and guest artists, it surpasses my previous recordings. I wanted to pay tribute to two of my favorite musical legends that have both passed on: Ray Charles and Fats Domino. I also wanted to bring back that classic style of blues that has been missed for years. I’d like to especially thank Chicago legend Billy Branch and the East Coast legend Duke Robillard for their contributions to this recording. A big thanks to B.B. King’s bass alumni Russell Jackson and to the rest of my well-respected musicians on board: Joey DiMarco, Yuji Ihara, Dave Babcock, Bob Tildesley and Lynne Chwyl.”

Inspired by the Blues is Kenny’s fourth album for Stony Plain Records. His 2011 first album for the label, An Old Rock On a Roll, garnered him a nomination for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Award from the Blues Foundation, as well as being awarded two 2012 Living Blues magazine awards, one for “Best New Contemporary Blues Recording of 2011” and one for Wayne as “Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard).”

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne is a veteran blues and boogie piano player and also a three-time Juno Award nominee (Canada’s Grammy), including a win for his Let It Loose CD. His main influences are Fats Domino, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry’s long-time piano player Johnnie Johnson, as well as Amos Milburn, Bill Doggett and Johnny Otis, king of the West Coast blues sound of the ‘50s.

He was raised in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans, but has been a long-time resident of British Columbia. A touring musician from his teens onward, Wayne settled in Vancouver some 30 years ago, and is now based in Kelowna, BC, but is rarely home — thanks to extended tours in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. His bass-heavy boogie piano work, as well as his original songs, makes for powerful live performances, enhanced by the flashy splendor of his boldly colored, French custom-tailored stage suits.

Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - A Woman's Soul - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Woman's Soul, A tribute to Bessie Smith, from Rory Block and it's solid. Opening with sassy, Do Your Duty, Rory Block shows she's up to the challenge with strong vocals, percussion and cool slide work. Cool opener. Kitchen Man has stylistic vocals and sparse but tight guitar riffs keeping the track sounding authentic. Give Me A Pigfoot and A Bottle Of Beer is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Block really digging in vocally and fuller slide work giving the track a more complex sound overall. I'm Down In The Dumps has a great story telling quality with a moderate guitar accompaniment and nicely articulated slide work. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Empty Bed Blues, a typically suggestive song with steady pace and dynamics. Block really enjoys this performance and it shows as it fades off. Nicely done.

  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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Stony Plain artist: Sue Foley - The Ice Queen - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Ice Queen, from Sue Foley and I think it may be her best yet. Opening with Come To Me with Charlie Sexton joining on vocal and slide guitar, Foley adds a little funk to her already bluesy deal with Chris Maresh on bass, Chris Layton on drums and Kyle Thompson on maracas. Run has a country 2 step feel and Foley really drives this one with her ambitious guitar rhythm. Slow blues and title track, The Ice Queen, shows Foley at her purest with George rains on drums and Billy Horton on bass. Her riffs are right off a Hooker release and her vocals are simple and direct. Very nice. Shuffle track, The Lucky Ones features Jimmie Vaughan trading lead vocal and guitar riffs. With the addition of Mike Flanigin or organ, the track has an additional dimension and Foley's guitar riffs play nicely against Vaughan's. Billy Gibbons joins on Fool's Golds and his vocals really work great with Foley's. his solo work is always distinctive and effortless giving this track a nice sparkle. Blues ballad, If I Have Forsaken You is the strongest melodic track on the release giving it solid radio potential and Vaughan's distinctive playing style and tone shine. An updated cover of Bessie Smith's Send Me To the 'Lectric Chair is cool and fun. With Spanish and classical influences, The Dance highlight's Foley's acoustic guitar proficiency and also adds nicely to the overall texture of the release. Wrapping the release is Carter family's Cannonball Blues, again only Foley on acoustic guitar and vocal. This is a real nice closer for a totally enjoyable 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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Stony Plain Records Signs Acclaimed Canadian Roots Guitarist/Singer Sue Foley and Will Release Her Label Debut CD, "The Ice Queen," March 2, 2018

Stony Plain Records Signs Acclaimed Canadian Roots Guitarist/Singer Sue Foley and Will Release Her Label Debut CD, The Ice Queen, March 2, 2018

Special Guests on New Disc Include Jimmie Vaughan, Z.Z. Top’s Billy F Gibbons and

Charlie Sexton

EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records announces the signing of acclaimed Canadian roots guitarist/singer Sue Foley, and will release her label debut CD, The Ice Queen, on March 2, 2018.

Produced by Mike Flanigin, who also plays organ on the new disc, The Ice Queen was recorded at Firestation Studios in San Marcos, Texas. Joining Sue Foley as special guests is a trio of legendary Texas guitarslingers – Jimmie Vaughan, Z.Z.Top’s Billy F Gibbons and Charlie Sexton - as well as a host of other Lone Star State all-stars, including Chris “Whipper” Layton (formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) and George Rains (drums), Derek O’Brien (guitar), Chris Maresh and Billy Horton (bass) and The Texas Horns: John Mills, Al Gomez, Jimmy Shortell, Randy Zimmerman and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff.

“I’m extremely excited to be working with Holger Petersen and Stony Plain Records,” Sue Foley says about the new CD. “Holger is one of the most knowledgeable ‘real music’ people in the business. Stony Plain is known to put out great music and I know The Ice Queen has found her home.”

Sue Foley is the only female member of the famed “Jungle Show,” featuring Billy Gibbons, Jimmie Vaughan, Mike Flanigin and Chris Layton, which became one of the hottest tickets in Austin in 2016. Soon after playing two sold out shows at Austin City Limits Live 3TEN Club in December, Foley entered the studio with her Texan pals and began laying down tracks for the new album. She will return to Austin for more of “The Jungle Shows” on December 26 and 27 at Antone's.

Recorded throughout 2017, The Ice Queen represents Foley’s full circle journey – her return to the roots of her career in Austin with producer Mike Flanigin. The album was recorded with her long-time friends and collaborators Vaughan, Gibbons, Layton, Sexton and others, as well as members of the Tedeschi Trucks and Gary Clark Jr. bands.

“When I was a teenager I idolized Jimmie Vaughan and Billy F Gibbons,” Foley says. “They're both legends now so this feels like an historical event (at least it does for me). And I grew up sitting at the feet of players like George ‘Big Beat’ Rains, Derek O'Brien and The Texas Horns. I spent many nights watching Charlie Sexton and the Arc Angels with Chris Layton. I learned and grew more musically in my years in Austin than at any point in my life. The fact that all these mega talented musicians have graced my album is beyond anything I hoped for. I am still pinching myself.”

                                                                                                                                    

A flood of inspiration and themes can be found on each of the tracks – ranging from lost love, anguish, and struggle to release, forgiveness and rebirth.  Mostly recorded live in the studio, Foley’s emotional vocal delivery, conviction, accessible yet inspired lyrics and intrepid guitar playing are all laid out, bare and raw for the songs to reveal.

Opening with the radio friendly, funky, swamp-meets Bo Diddley beat of “Come to Me,” The Ice Queen also features the upbeat and rollicking tracks “Run,” “The Lucky Ones” (a duet with Jimmie Vaughan) and “Gaslight.” There are several bluesy and soulful tracks, including “81,” “The Ice Queen,” (with its menacing John Lee Hooker vibe in tone and substance), “Fool's Gold” (featuring Billy F Gibbons on vocals and harmonica), “If I Have Forsaken You” (with the horns sounding echoes of the great Bobby “Blue” Bland), and a cheeky, guitar-heavy cover of Bessie Smith’s “Send Me To The ‘Lectric Chair.” Foley also provides some more mellow and unexpected songs on The Ice Queen with the jazzy “Death of a Dream,” the flamenco-blues hybrid “The Dance” (which showcases her acoustic guitar work) and a beautiful cover of the Carter Family’s “Cannonball Blues.”

Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning musician and one of the finest blues and roots artists working today. She is a veritable triple-threat of musical talent as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. As with many blues women of the past, Foley has a long history of defying convention, and being a positive role model for aspiring, young female musicians.

She has been working professionally since the age of 16, and by the age of 21, Foley had relocated to Austin, Texas, and began recording for Antone’s, the esteemed blues label and historic nightclub that helped launch the career of Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others. In the two decades that have followed, Sue Foley has been busy touring and recording steadily, all while toting her signature pink paisley Fender Telecaster. In 2001, she won the prestigious Juno Award (Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) and also holds the record for the most Maple Blues Awards in Canada and has earned three Trophees de Blues de France. She has also garnered several nominations at the Blues Music Awards from The Blues Foundation.

The Ice Queen represents Sue Foley’s indefatigable commitment to her craft, and her transparency with the journey that birthed her, further proving that you can’t keep a good blueswoman down, particularly when she is The Ice Queen.

Stony Plain Records artist: Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters - The Luckiest Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (November 17, 2017), The Luckiest Man, from Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters and it's really strong. Opening with Don Robey's Ain't That Loving You, and a great groove featuring Diane Blue on vocals, the band is smoking. Earl's perfect syncopation on his solos backed by Dave Limina on keys, Forrest Padgett on drums and Paul Kochanski on bass...excellent opener. Jim's Song is a quiet, introspective track using primarily guitar chords as the skeleton and guitar lead soloing as a lush environmental flesh. Very nice. With a cool swing, Blue is back up front on Heartbreak (It's Hurtin' Me). Limina really takes the floor with his B3 solo and Earl tears it up nicely with great balance and style. Soul track, Never Gonna Break My Faith really shows off Blue's vocal style at it's best. Earl and Limina carry the weight, but this track is all about Blue and she kills it. Sugar Ray Norcia's slow blues, Long Lost Conversation features Sugar Ray on lead vocal and harp, backed by Anthony Geraci on piano, Mike Welsh on guitar, Neil Gouvin on drums, Mudcat Ward on bass and of course Earl on lead guitar. This track is extended (over 10 minutes) and excellent! Blues For Magic Sam is another excellent track. Purely instrumental, Earl plays the melody of this excellent track with expressive confidence, technique and style. Really nice!  Wrapping the release is Fenton Robinson's You Don't Know What Love Is with it's funky beat. Blue is back up front on lead vocal works really nicely with Earl adding as much strength vocally as Earl does on guitar. This is a really strong closer for a really solid 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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Guitar Master Ronnie Earl Set to Release New CD, "The Luckiest Man", on November 17 from Stony Plain Records

Guitar Master Ronnie Earl Set to Release New CD, The Luckiest Man, on November 17 from

Stony Plain Records

 Stony Plain Records proudly announces the November 17 release of the latest CD from multi Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Ronnie Earl and his band, the Broadcasters, The Luckiest Man. Ronnie Earl calls the album, “A traditional blues album of remembrance, love, and unwavering resolve to live with faith and gratitude.” The new disc was recorded at Woolly Mammoth Studios, Waltham, Mass.; Keep the Edge Studio, Quincy, Mass.; and in Groton, Mass.

Listen to a sample of The Luckiest Man here: http://bit.ly/WatchLuckiestMan

On The Luckiest Man, Ronnie and the Broadcasters, both current as well as some of the earliest members, contribute to the new album, which follows the sudden loss of Jim Mouradian, the band’s beloved bass player following a show in January. Mouradian was also a respected guitar luthier, family man and a gentleman. This musical journey through loss and healing can be felt in the hauntingly beautiful “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” and in Ronnie’s tender tribute to his brother on “Jim’s Song.” Life moves ever onward in the pulse and beat of “Heartbreak,” and faith takes hold in “Never Gonna Break My Faith.” For the song, “Long Lost Conversation,” Ronnie is reunited with some of the earliest Broadcasters and current members of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, who were on his first albums in 1983, all of whom contributed to this truly being a family band project: Sugar Ray Norcia – vocals, harp; Anthony Geraci – piano; Mike Welch – guitar; Neil Gouvin – drums; Michael "Mudcat" Ward – double bass & Fender bass.

The title of the album, The Luckiest Man, is a phrase and response spoken by Jim Mouradian who always lived with gratitude in his heart and who never wasted a moment of his life: “I’m the luckiest man you know — and I don’t even know who you know.” 

Besides the original songs on The Luckiest Man, Ronnie Earl puts his own, indelible stamp on interpretations of “Ain’t That Loving You,” “So Many Roads” and “You Don’t Know What Love Is.”

In addition to Ronnie Earl on guitar, the Broadcasters include Dave Limina – piano and Hammond B3; Diane Blue – vocals; Forrest Padgett – drums; and Paul Kochanski – bass. Guest musicians on the new disc also include Nicholas Tabarias – guitar; Mark Earley – baritone sax;

Mario Perrett – tenor sax; and Peter Ward – guitar.

They say that you can’t keep a good man down and that inner resolve is both heard and felt within each song on The Luckiest Man, Ronnie Earl’s twenty-fifth album and his eleventh on Stony Plain Records. Since 1983, Ronnie Earl has released a series of traditional blues albums, often interlaced with jazz, gospel and soul offerings; however he has always returned home to his “mother music” which is traditional blues. Ronnie Earl continues to be one of the most emotive blues guitarists today, whose musical voicings deal with loss and healing, gratitude and love, compassion and passion. Indeed, it is those emotional touchstones within his music, which is so beautifully reflected in the swirl of colors expressed in artist Tom Noll’s painting of Ronnie on the cover.

The Luckiest Man confirms Ronnie Earl's status as one of the most soulful blues/soul/jazz guitarists working today. He is a three-time Blues Music Award winner as “Guitar Player of the Year,” a DownBeat magazine winner for “Blues Album of the Year,” an Associate Professor of Guitar at Berklee College of Music and has taught at the National Guitar summer workshop in Connecticut. 

The Luckiest Man Track Listing

1.      Ain’t That Loving You           5:38
Don D. Robey, Manitou Music (Canada)

2.      Southside Stomp         4:13
Ronnie Earl, Mr. Earl Publishing, BMI

3.      Death Don’t Have No Mercy 6:00
Gary Davis, Chandos Music Company

4.      Jim’s Song       3:00
Ronnie Earl, Mr. Earl Publishing, BMI

5.      Heartbreak (It’s Hurtin’ Me)  6:43
Jon Thomas & Carlee Hoyless, Songs of Universal Inc.

6.      Howlin’ Blues 4:11
Traditional arranged and adapted by Ronnie Earl, Mr. Earl Publishing, BMI          

7.      Never Gonna Break My Faith            5:25
Andrea Remanda, Eliot John Kennedy & Bryan Adams, Remandamusic & Badams Music Limited

8.      Long Lost Conversation         10:15
R. Norcia, Norcia Publishing, BMI

9.      Sweet Miss Vee          4:16
Ronnie Earl, Mr. Earl Publishing, BMI

10.  Blues for Magic Sam  5:24
Ronnie Earl, Mr. Earl Publishing, BMI

11.  So Many Roads          10:52
Paul Marshall, Arc Music Corporation

12.  You Don’t Know What Love Is                     4:04
Fenton Robinson, Eyeball Music

Stony Plain Records artist: Eric Bibb - Migration Blues - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Migration Blues, from Eric Bibb and it's a nice package. Opening with Refugee Moan, a modern acoustic blues, Bibb on vocal and guitar is joined by Michael Jerome Browne on guitar and violin, JJ Milteau on harp. With a really solid delta blues framework, Bibb masterfully crafts a beautiful recreation of original delta style blues with vocals smooth as silk. Prayin' For Shore is a really supple ballad with nicely appointed guitar accompaniment to Bibbs vocals and Milteau's harp work. Very nice. Title track, Migration Blues, is a articulate blues instrumental with nice finger and slide guitar work, complimented nicely by Milteau's harp. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Brotherly Love, has really strong soul lines. Bibb's vocals really lends itself to this style and his guitar work blended with that of Browne's is terrific. Nothing could be more appropriate to today's climate than Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land. Without changing the general arrangement much but spiced up quite a bit with guitar and mandolin, this track is really nice. Blacktop is another super delta style blues track with Browne on vocal and resonator. Wrapping the release is springy, Mornin' Train, with a clean Piedmont Style.

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

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Stony Plain Records and Duke Robillard Remember Jay Geils

Stony Plain Records and Duke Robillard Remember Jay Geils

Late Guitarist Recorded Several Albums of Jazz and Swing Music

EDMONTON, AB – When guitarist Jay Geils passed away last week at age 71, he left behind a legacy of wonderful music, not only for the blues-rock sounds he created within his namesake

J. Geils Band, but also on several albums he recorded for Stony Plain Records that explored the music of his formative years – jazz and swing – instilled in him by his father. 

“Stony Plain was honored to release several swing jazz recordings by Jay Geils including two projects by New Guitar Summit (Jay Geils, Duke Robillard and Gerry Beaudoin),” said Stony Plain Records founder Holger Petersen. “It was a joy to be in the studio with them and to witness Jay's ability to arrange big band songs for three great swing guitar players. Jazz and blues were his first love and he had a deep understanding of their roots. I admired him for turning his back on rock stardom to play the music he loved.”

“I am truly saddened by the loss of Jay Geils,” said Duke Robillard. “He was a wonderful human being; intelligent, talented, charming and a good friend. His in-depth knowledge of blues, jazz, guitars and Italian cars was remarkable and he was always enthusiastic and fun to be around. Jay was a down to earth guy in spite of his rock legend status. He will be missed by his legions of friends and fans.”

The New Guitar Summit albums included the trio’s self-titled first CD, as well as a DVD video release, Live from Stoneham Theatre, both out on the Stony Plain label in 2004. In the New Guitar Summit CD liner notes, writer Ted Drozdowski called it “A swinging hybrid of jazz and blues music using delightful three-part harmony playing that's the signature of this epic guitar trio.”

The three New England-based guitarists first began performing together in 1997, with one of their highlights coming that year when they joined the Woody Herman Orchestra as special guests in front of 5,000 fans at City Hall Plaza in Boston.

In 2008, New Guitar Summit       released Shivers, a studio album which was produced by Jay Geils. Joining  as special guest on Shivers was legendary Canadian rocker Randy Bachman (Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive), who added his sparkling guitar work and laid-back vocals on two Mose Allison classic songs, “Your Mind Is On Vacation” and “Everybody’s Crying Mercy.” In addition to the Mose Allison tunes, the band covered such classics as “Flying Home,” “Honey Suckle Rose,” “Broadway” and the title track, written by Charlie Christian and Lionel Hampton. The band also added a jumping arrangement on the early rock ‘n’ roll/R&B chestnut, “Little Bitty Pretty One,” plus four original songs.

In addition to the New Guitar Summit recordings, Geils also released the solo album, Jay Geils Plays Jazz, in 2005 for Stony Plain.

www.stonyplainrecords.com

It's "Time to Roll" on New MonkeyJunk Vinyl LP Version of Band's Latest Album, as Stony Plain Records Sets May 5 U.S. Release Date

It’s Time to Roll on New MonkeyJunk Vinyl LP Version of Band’s Latest Album, as Stony Plain Records Sets May 5 Release Date

Edmonton, AB - Stony Plain Records announces a May 5 U.S. release date for the vinyl LP edition of Time to Roll, the fifth album by award-winning Canadian blues/rock trio, MonkeyJunk.

Time to Roll is unique in that it incorporates elements of all four of their previous recordings with added maturity in songwriting and instrumentation, cementing MonkeyJunk’s originality and sound as its own. It is also progressive for the band, as they’ve added electric bass on most of the songs. No MonkeyJunk recording to date has included bass, but they felt that it would be a welcome addition to MonkeyJunk’s sound. In another precedent, the band also recorded one acoustic track for the first time on the new album.

Comprised of Steve Marriner on vocals, baritone guitar, bass, harmonica and organ; Tony D on lead guitar; and Matt Sobb on drums, MonkeyJunk is one of the hardest working bands on the scene today, performing at venues and festivals around the world for over eight years. Continually pushing boundaries and blurring genre lines, the Ottawa, Ontario-based trio has added an edge to their music by incorporating swampy blues and rock with thoughtful and intelligent lyrics.

Time to Roll was recorded at Signal Path Studios in Almonte, Ontario, and mixed and mastered in just over two weeks spanning across two months. “The writing and recording process was different on Time to Roll in many aspects,” says Matt Sobb. “All of the past records have been made over periods of six months to a year - starting and stopping many times over those longer time frames. This time, we were only in the studio for about three weeks all-together and that is BY FAR the fastest and shortest time we’ve ever made a record…but it was intentional to do it that way. We wanted to push ourselves to work hard and to work efficiently and focused - to see what we could come up with in a shorter period of time.” 

MonkeyJunk has delivered 10 top-notch tracks that are consistent with the quality and passionate delivery they are known for.  Heading back to their blues roots and drawing on inspiration that runs from John Lee Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins to J.J. Grey & Mofo and The Meters, Time to Roll showcases deep grooves, fervent vocals and soulful, original material, plus a cover of Albert King’s classic, “The Hunter.” Time to Roll was co-produced by Ken Friesen, who also doubles as a co-songwriter. Kelly Prescott, Tom Wilson and Stony Plain label-mate Paul Reddick also lent their songwriting talents to the recording.

No strangers to awards ceremonies, MonkeyJunk has won a collective 20 Maple Blues Awards, two Canadian Independent Music Awards, a Blues Music Award (USA), and have been nominated twice for a JUNO Award, winning the award for Blues Album of the Year in 2012. Favorites of Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd), MonkeyJunk has received great support from the syndicated radio program, The BluesMobile.

Time to Roll Track List

Side A

1.    Best Kept Secret  

2.    Time To Roll    

3.    See The Sign    

4.    Blue Lights Go Down    

5.    Pray For Rain

Side B    

6.    The Hunter    

7.    Can't Call You Baby    

8.    Undertaker Blues    

9.    Gone    

1. Fuzzy Poodle