$10 Summer Sale
CDs and LPs are $10.
Double LPs and Picture Discs are $15.
Visit the Fat Possum Store to begin shopping.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
$10 CD/LP Sale - Fat Possum
CDs and LPs are $10.
Double LPs and Picture Discs are $15.
Visit the Fat Possum Store to begin shopping.
Blues Lee
Blues Lee started out in 1995 and in just two years they worked their way up to the first division of the Belgian bluesscene. In 1997 they played at the Belgian Rhythm and Blues Festival in Peer. Seemingly effertless they managed to convince the crowd at Europe's most famous bluesfestival. From that moment on they have been playing numerous clubs, pubs and festivals throughout the Benelux , Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Curaçao ...
Blues Lee is a LIVE BAND in every sense of the word. They put on a show rather than just play a bunch of 12 bar songs. In the tradition of the great T-Bone Walker, Blues Lee performs an act with own material : naughty lyrics, entertainment, the right looks, storytelling, harmony vocals, dancable grooves: Genuine Feel Good Music. They started out as a bunch of friends and you can hear that on stage : a tight and nasty groupsound and lots of positive vibes ! Swing, Jump, R&B, Soul, Boogie ... with the right attitude and their tongues in your cheek.
Blues Lee was described in the press as "a band with style", "Classy band", "Blues Lee are Killers with a capital K", "a BIG bluesband", "They make you feel good", "One of the best bluesbands in Belgium" .. They jammed with Guy Davis, Billy Branch, Kay Foster Jackson, Dallas Hodge to name but a few ...
Their latest album "Home" (2006) got rave reviews, containing Blues Lee originals with a vaste choice of exisite flavours: 60's soul, roots grooves, country, doowap acoustic soul and rock and roll.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Delta Groove signs Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
 |  |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |  |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Too Tight Blues No 2 - Blind Blake
"Blind" Blake (born Arthur Blake; 1896, Newport News, Virginia – December 1, 1934, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was an American blues and ragtime singer and guitarist.
Blind Blake recorded about 80 tracks for Paramount Records from 1926 to 1932. He was one of the most accomplished guitarists of his genre with a surprisingly diverse range of material. He is best known for his distinct guitar sound that was comparable in sound and style to a ragtime piano.
Little is known about his life. His birthplace was listed as Jacksonville, Florida by Paramount Records in The Paramount Book of the Blues, a publicity publication, but a recently acquired 1934 death certificate from the Milwaukee, WI area lists Newport News as his 1896 birthplace. On one recording he slipped into a Geechee or Gullah dialect, prompting speculation that he was from the Georgia Sea Island region. According to one source, his real name was Arthur Phelps, although concrete evidence for this claim is lacking. The "Phelps" name theory was entirely based on a response given by Blind Willie McTell in an interview conducted in 1955 in Atlanta, who likely met Blake when he passed through McTell's hometown of Statesboro, GA. Recent research has discovered that many of Blind Blake's recordings were copyrighted under the name 'Arthur Blake', and in his two-part recording with Papa Charlie Jackson, "Papa Charlie and Blind Blake Talk About It", the following dialogue is heard:
Jackson: What is your right name?
Blake: My right name is Arthur Blake!
There is only one surviving photograph of him in existence.
His first recordings were made in 1926 and his records sold very well. His first solo record was "Early Morning Blues" with "West Coast Blues" on the B-side. Both are considered excellent examples of his ragtime-based guitar style and are prototypes for the burgeoning Piedmont blues. Blake made his last recordings in 1932, the end of his career aided by Paramount's bankruptcy. Stefan Grossman and Gayle Dean Wardlow think its possible that only one side of Blake's last record is actually by him. "Champagne Charlie Is My Name" does not actually sound like Blake's playing or singing. Allegedly, Blind Blake was drinking heavily in his final years. It is likely that this led to his early death at only 38 years old. The exact circumstances of his death are not known; Reverend Gary Davis said in an interview that he had heard Blake was killed by a streetcar.
A death certificate for "Arthur Blake" is listed by the Milwaukee County Courthouse (John La Fave, Register of Deeds, 901 N. 9th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). It indicated the cause of death as pulmonary tuberculosis. Arthur Blake's grave is in Glendale, Wisconsin, listed as Evergreen Cemetery (now Glen Oaks Cemetery) in a single grave #72, Range #115. It is unmarked as yet (no headstone).
His complex and intricate finger picking has inspired Reverend Gary Davis, Jorma Kaukonen, Ry Cooder, Ralph McTell, Leon Redbone and many others. French singer-songwriter Francis Cabrel refers to Blind Blake in the song "Cent Ans de Plus" on the 1999 album Hors-Saison.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
INTRODUCING: JOHN THE CONQUEROR - S/T DEBUT LP OUT OCT. 16TH / BAND OFFERS FREE MP3!
JOHN THE CONQUEROR TO RELEASE THEIR SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM ON OCT. 16TH THROUGH ALIVE NATURALSOUND RECORDS
John The Conqueror's self-titled debut album is an amalgamation of the many sounds and styles (old and new) mined from both the North and South. Cousins Pierre Moore (vocals & guitar) and Michael Gardner (drums) are natives of Jackson, MS, while bassist Ryan Lynn hails from Philly - where the trio now call home. Together they mix a bedrock of raw deep blues with funk, soul, punk and scuzzed-up rock-n-roll into one helluva potent musical Molotov cocktail.
Perhaps what makes John The Conqueror so refreshing, however, is their honest, simple, yet extremely passionate approach to their music. Moore and Gardner have been playing together in bands since their college days in Oxford, MS, although the latter recently switched from bass to drums to make room for Lynn in the line-up in early 2011. Not only is this the first band Lynn has ever officially been in, but frontman Moore (who learned to play guitar in his early teens from a homeless man who slept in the back room of an auto repair shop) had never sang a note in public prior to March of 2011.
Yet listening to this threesome exuberantly tear through these ten expressive, unrestrained tracks proves that, while they may not have a time-tested pedigree together, they perform with a youthful, reckless abandon as channeled through some truly old souls. And, not unlike the mythological African-American folk hero they're named after, that should be enough to resonate with just about any generation.
Perhaps what makes John The Conqueror so refreshing, however, is their honest, simple, yet extremely passionate approach to their music. Moore and Gardner have been playing together in bands since their college days in Oxford, MS, although the latter recently switched from bass to drums to make room for Lynn in the line-up in early 2011. Not only is this the first band Lynn has ever officially been in, but frontman Moore (who learned to play guitar in his early teens from a homeless man who slept in the back room of an auto repair shop) had never sang a note in public prior to March of 2011.
Yet listening to this threesome exuberantly tear through these ten expressive, unrestrained tracks proves that, while they may not have a time-tested pedigree together, they perform with a youthful, reckless abandon as channeled through some truly old souls. And, not unlike the mythological African-American folk hero they're named after, that should be enough to resonate with just about any generation.
John The Conqueror was produced by Pierre Moore and recorded in Philadelphia at Retrocity Studios & Jesse Gimbel's Basement. The trio will be touring in support of their new LP. Dates to be announced soon.
John The Conqueror will be released October 16th through Alive Naturalsound Records in the following formats: CD, Digital and Black Vinyl, as well as Limited Edition Colored Vinyl exclusive to mailorders.
JOHN THE CONQUEROR TRACK LIST:
1. I Just Wanna
2. Southern Boy
3. Lucille
4. All Alone
5. Time To Go
6. Say What You Want
7. Come Home With Me
8. Letter Of Intervention
9. Passing Time
10. Three More
FOR MORE INFO ON JOHN THE CONQUEROR:
John Lee Hooker, Jr. Is "All Hooked Up" on New CD Coming September 18 from Steppin' Stone Records
John Lee Hooker, Jr. Is All Hooked Up on New CD Coming September 18 from Steppin’ Stone Records, with Special Guests Lucky Peterson and Betty Wright; CD Produced by Renowned
Writer/Producer Larry Batiste
Package Includes Bonus DVD with Animated Video for His Song, “Dear John”
ROSEVILLE, CA – Multiple Grammy and Blues Music Award nominee John Lee Hooker, Jr. announces a September 18 release date for his exciting new CD, All Hooked Up, on his own Steppin’ Stone Records, with national distribution by INgrooves Fontana. The new CD was produced by renowned writer/producer Larry Batiste, recorded at Pajama Recording Studios in Oakland, California, and features special guests Lucky Peterson on guitar and “The Cleanup Woman” herself, Betty Wright, who duets with John Lee on the sizzling and soulful track, “I Surrender.”
The All Hooked Up album package also features a special bonus DVD, rated PG, of an animated film noir video for John Lee’s song, “Dear John.” The video was created by French production studio Callicore, under the dynamic creative team of Laurent Mercier and Xavier Semen.
All Hooked Up is John Lee’s fifth album and showcases the amazing versatility of the singer on an even-dozen original songs that demonstrate his roots in the blues, as well as soul, gospel, funk, rock and even a touch of jazz. On the new CD, he’s backed by a tight, in-the-pocket band that kicks with a solid groove and includes a host of Bay Area all-star musicians who totally bring the funk to all the proceedings. And while he is his father’s son, John Lee Hooker, Jr. is definitely his own man with his own sound.
Highlights on the new CD are many, starting with the lead-off track, “Tired of Being a Housewife,” a gritty, urban blues about a neglected wife breaking the bonds of her not-so-holy-matrimony and sowing some wild oats of her own; “You Be My Hero, “ John Lee’s salute to all the men and women in the U.S. military featuring some electrifying guitar by the great Lucky Peterson; the funky “Listen to the Music,” complete with a New Orleans second-line beat; the duet with Betty Wright on “I Surrender,” which sounds like something from a Curtis Mayfield session during the classic days of soul; and the title track, an autobiographical song of Hooker’s trials and tribulations growing up the son of an iconic bluesman, presented with an uplifting spirit and based in a solid funky dance groove that goes through the ceiling. On “Hard Times” and “Let Me Be,” he’s in classic blues form, accented by some blistering guitar and harmonica on the former, and shouting horns on the latter; and on “Pay the Rent,” Hooker shows his versatility with a jazzy vocal that recalls Lou Rawls in style and timbre.
Born in Detroit, John Lee Hooker, Jr. was weaned on the blues at an early age by his illustrious father: by the time he was eight years old, the youngster was already performing on local radio station WJBK and when in his teens, he was already touring with the boogie master. Exposed to blues great such as Jimmy Reed, and local heroes Washboard Willie, and Boogie Woogie Red, the young Hooker became a regular at such prestigious venues as Detroit’s Fox Theatre and other upscale Motown clubs. At 18, he was recording with his father, most notably on senior’s landmark Live at Soledad Prison album for ABC Records.
The young John Lee eventually fell victim to the temptations that his father’s celebrity and financial status afforded him, and what followed were several years of dark and desperate times mired in the street culture which brought with it the drugs and alcohol that soon became his crutch. Following the life-altering event of his father’s death, and with his strong religious beliefs and the help of family and friends, John Lee Hooker, Jr. emerged out of the shadows triumphantly with the release of his debut CD, Blues with a Vengeance, released in 2004 on Kent Records.
The newly-awakened artist received the 2004 “Comeback Artist of the Year Award” from the San Francisco Bay Area Blues Society, “Outstanding Blues Album of the Year” from The California Music Awards, a “Best New Artist Debut” nomination from the Blues Foundation and topped it off with a “Best Traditional Blues” Grammy nomination.
Cold as Ice came next on Telarc Records in 2006 and in 2007 the first CD on his own label, All Odds Against Me, which garnered another Grammy nomination. In 2010 came the release of his Live in Istanbul, Turkey CD. During that time, he toured all over the world with artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Taj Mahal and ZZ Top and also became the musical “face” of America’s prestigious U.S. Open in CBS-TV. His personal story of physical rejuvenation and spiritual rebirth even landed him an interview on the “700 Club” TV show and on the cover of Healthy Living magazine.
John Lee Hooker, Jr. is currently touring extensively in the U.S., Europe and other parts of the world, performing and promoting his music.
Cold Wind Blowin' - Rhett Tyler
Rhett Tyler, guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and producer, is best known for his explosive style of scorching modern blues guitar and high-octane, house-rocking live performances.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, and raised in Mississippi, Ohio, and St. Louis, Rhett grew up listening and learning about music and the blues from his father, an Air Force officer and talented classical, boogie, and blues pianist, and about writing from his mother, a published poet. He discovered his own God-given musical talent at the age of 15 when his parents gave him his first electric guitar.
Rhett attended both Mannes College of Music (he had been accepted by Juilliard, but there was no guitar program) and the Berkley School of Music in the early 70s, where he feverishly worked at honing his skills as a player, performer, and writer. He soon found himself on tour as bandleader for R&B recording artist Ruth Copeland that climaxed at the Baltimore Civic Center, where Rhett received a standing ovation for his electrifying featured guitar solo. During the latter part of the 70s and early 80s, Rhett had the pleasure of working with a range of notable artists on numerous projects both live and in the studio.
In the mid-80s Rhett formed the band, Early Warning. After undergoing a period of stylistic exploration and soul-searching, he brought the band's focus back to his first true musical love, the blues. His music is certainly rooted in the tradition of blues, but Rhett also incorporates his jazz, rock, and gospel influences to create an innovative modern musical bland with his signature guitar style.
Rhett Tyler has independently recorded and released three CDs with Early Warning, "Total Package" in 1992, "My Passion" in 1997, and most recently, "Live at Manny's Car Wash" in 1999. Two of these recordings have been licensed to the German-based Herman's label for European distribution. "Total Package" was released in Europe as "Get Tough" in 1996 and "My Passion" was released under the same title in 1998.
Rhett is presently writing songs for his next studio CD and preparing for a future European tour. He performs both with his band, Early Warning, as a power trio (guitar, bass, and drums) and as a solo artist on the acoustic 12-string (along with his harmonica).
Rhett has performed at many prominent festivals and venues, including the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Davenport, IA, Fleet Blues Fest, Albany, NY, Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival, Redbank, NJ, and Treasure Coast Food Bank Blues Festival, Ft. Pierce, FL. He has also shared billing with many distinguished blues artists, including Johnny Winter, Lonnie Brooks, Elvin Bishop, Delbert McClinton, and John Hammond, to name a few.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Kimberly Allison Band, CIRCA (Ex-Yes Members) To Rock The Joint In West L.A. This Saturday
Ok... start the video, close your eyes and tell me what you hear... Steve Hunter... Ronnie Montrose ... Gary... no ... it's Kimberly Allison and she's about to collect!
*****MEDIA ALERT*****
WHO: Kimberly Allison Band in concert with CIRCA (featuring ex-Yes members Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood)
WHERE: The Joint - 8771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles - (310) 275-2619
WHEN: Saturday, August 11 - 8 p.m. Tickets $20.
WHEN: Saturday, August 11 - 8 p.m. Tickets $20.
WHAT ELSE: Highly-regarded Kimberly Allison is one of the most in-demand guitarists in the Los Angeles blues/rock/fusion music scene today. Allison - who is also a member of popular L.A. blues group, the Scorch Sisters - "wowed the Real Blues Festival 2 audience with her playing on opening uptempo shuffle "Blues For Barnaby" and a 'scorching' (excuse the pun) guitar solo on ballad "Still Remember," writes Casey Reagan from American Blues News. Allison has worked with saxophonist Joe Houston, singer Zola Moon, The Shirelles, and JJ "Bad Boy" Jones. Kimberly has toured the U.S. and Canada playing such venues such as the Portland Rose Festival, The Playboy Jazz Festival (Pasadena) and the Santa Monica Twilight Concert Series (sharing the stage with Roomful of Blues). In 1998, she was nominated in the "Outstanding Guitarist" category by the L.A. Music Awards. Kimberly's first solo CD, Old, New, Borrowed And Blues, received rave national revues and airplay as well as being picked up by national distributor, BDC. Kimberly is also an active educator with fifty-plus students a week.
Performing with Allison on Saturday night are Scorch Sisters keyboardist-vocalist, Alicia McCracken Morgan; Michael B. Holden on bass; and Art Mendoza on drums, with a very special appearance by Scorch Sisters dynamo lead vocalist, Francesca Capasso. Add rock royalty Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood to the equation, and this promises to be a night of unforgettably great music!
Watch a stirring live performance of "Still Remember" by Kimberly Allison at the 2009 Long Beach Blues Festival here:
www.kimberlyallison.com www.thescorchsisters.com www.thejointlive.com
Performing with Allison on Saturday night are Scorch Sisters keyboardist-vocalist, Alicia McCracken Morgan; Michael B. Holden on bass; and Art Mendoza on drums, with a very special appearance by Scorch Sisters dynamo lead vocalist, Francesca Capasso. Add rock royalty Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood to the equation, and this promises to be a night of unforgettably great music!
Watch a stirring live performance of "Still Remember" by Kimberly Allison at the 2009 Long Beach Blues Festival here:
www.kimberlyallison.com www.thescorchsisters.com www.thejointlive.com
Transdreamer Records artists: Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs - New Release Review
I have just received a recording by Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs called Sunday Run Me Over which is set to be released on October 9, 2012. To say that this recording is unusual may be a bit of an understatement but I really like it. The recording, a collaboration between London born Holly Golightly and Texas bred multi-instrumentalist Lawyer Dave, is made up of 9 original tracks and 3 classic tracks which have been arranged by Golightly. The recording opens with Goddamn Holy Roll a blues like track which is quite enjoyable and also the source of the recording title. They Say is a much more traditional haunting country blues type track that has a very authentic sound and feel. Dave and Holly's voices are well matched and slide work dresses the otherwise single note droning rhythm.Tank has the basic feel of Rollin' and Tumblin' without any of the polish. This entire cd is very raw (in a great way). I Forgot More, a 60's spiritual track is given the straight country waltz treatment and the vocals, arrangement and instrumentals are superb. One For The Road is so waltzy that it could be from a Merry Go Round. It's really nice to see people who aren't afraid to do something totally different. Instruments sound improvised and primitive creating an experience. Turn Around is just a little pop country ditty and features Holly on vocals. The Davis Sisters 1953 hit I Forgot More became A Whole Lot More... and an interesting theory set to music. Hand In Hand finds Dave on lead vocals alternating with Golightly and there is no attempt to make it sound Hollywood. The music is pristine and clear and real. On The Future's Here I hear echo's of Dan Hicks and Jim Kweskin. This music is fun and simple. The instrumentation isn't ostentatious but solid and interesting with particularly cool distorted slide work on this track. Hard To Be Humble, a Mac Davis track, is given the "Speck Rose" treatment and is some icing on an already rich cake. Goodnight is a rich rural track featuring Golightly on vocals ... just good solid music. The recording is completed by This Shit Is Gold. This track has the sound of country street punks. It's hard to describe it in another way. It's raw, it's real and it's fun.
I really like this recording. I hope to hear more from this band soon! (Watch for it on the best of list!)
If you like what I’m doing, 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 some reason I'm not able to deliver a video directly to you but here's a link: video
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)