Crooked Eye Tommy Performs at California Avocado Festival

CROOKED EYE TOMMY PERFORMS@CALIFORNIA AVOCADO FESTIVAL Saturday, October 3 - 1 P.M./Main Stage/Downtown Carpinteria   (Carpinteria, CA) - Crooked Eye Tommy is lighting up the Blues scene and quickly raising their profile in the international music community with their critically-lauded new album, Butterflies & Snakes. The Ventura County, California quartet fronted by brothers Tommy and Paddy Marsh have also become a favorite on the Festival circuit, with performances this year at the Ojai Blues Festival, Ventura County Blues festival, New Blues Festival, and now - an appearance at the 29th Annual California Avocado Festival, in downtown Carpinteria, on Saturday, October 3. Main Stage, 1 p.m. Info: (805) 684-0038 or http://avofest.com/.      The eleven originals on Butterflies & Snakes run a rich gamut of sound,  with no two songs sounding the same. From the deep-fried Southern blues of autobiographical title track "Crooked Eye Tommy" and down-home traditional-sounding "I Stole The Blues" (written and sung by Paddy Marsh) to the sexy blues shuffle "Somebody's Got To Pay" and album-ending, country-tinged "Southern Heart", there truly is something for virtually every music aficionado to like on the record. Butterflies & Snakes has received worldwide airplay and has been featured twice on the nationally-syndicated Blues Deluxe radio show, in addition to cracking the Roots Music Report's Top 50 California Album Chart. Crooked Eye Tommy recently took home "Best Blues Act" at the 2015 Ventura County (Calif.) Music Awards. CROOKED EYE TOMMY  - "BUTTERFLIES & SNAKES" - MEDIA QUOTES "The title track kicks off with a swampy slide, crawling king snake Mississippi Delta groove. You settle right in ready for some stories told only the way bluesmen do. I'd like to say Tommy (Marsh) reminds me of Robert Cray meets Molly Hatchet. Tommy's brother, Paddy Marsh, wrote three songs on the album including "I Stole The Blues", a good traditional-sounding song that treats the sometimes campy subject of musical thievery very matter-of-factly, with reverence and with soul".                                               BLUES-E-NEWS "Recorded live in Ojai's Brotheryn Studios, Crooked Eye Tommy's first full-length offers an unsweetened, 100-proof taste of its Southern-soaked blues-rock and a reintroduction to some of the area's finest musicians. CET's range is evident all over this record as it goes from the bedroom to to the dance floor with "Mad and Disgusted", a full-tilt boogie-woogie number from the gut".                                               VC REPORTER "Depend on Crooked-Eye Tommy to SET YOU STRAIGHT about great blues and good music!"                                           BLUES DELUXE                            (Nationally-Syndicated Radio Show) "Eleven excellent songs, ranging from down-home blues, to rockers and ballads..favorite songs are blues shuffles, "I Stole The Blues" and "Somebody's Got To Pay", and the dance-able "Love Divine", with the beautiful twin guitar work of the Marsh Brothers, (Tommy and Paddy). Who dares to bring them to The Netherlands?"                                              BLUESZINE "Crooked Eye Tommy does a great job of explaing the blues the way its supposed to sound. Brothers Tommy and Paddy Marsh tell their stories clearly and back them up with plenty of sizzle. Rhythmically, the band keeps everything moving at a steady pace that's as comfortable as hearbeats in bed".                                       SOUTHLAND BLUES "A rocking blues powerhouse...Southern-style blues with chops and taste... I like a blues band that wants to sound like a blues band, not a group of guys just waiting to get the next screamin' solo. These guys get it done--it sounds like they all turned down the volume just a little and they all play together beautifully."                               SUNDAY NIGHT BLUES PROJECT "Opening with a cool blend of John Bonham- style rhythm and early Lynyrd Skynyrd swagger, the title track tells a crazy myth of Crooked Eye Tommy. Jimmy Reed-style track, I Stole The Blues, stays tight in the groove with rich vocals from Paddy Marsh (who wrote the track) and hot sax work from Jimmy Calire. The release is wrapped up with a pop country track, Southern Heart, which could easily make a run on the country radio market."                                      BMANS BLUES REPORT Crooked Eye Tommy performing "Love Divine" at the Plaza Playhouse Theater in Carpinteria during their CD Release Party this past August.                          http://crookedeyetommy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CrookedEyeTommy Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email

The Pines join Israel Nash for October US dates

THE PINES October North American tour dates with Israel Nash announced New studio album out early 2016 on Red House - details to be announced soon September 24, 2015: With a new studio album set for release in early 2016 on Red House, THE PINES will be giving fans a preview of their new songs on their fall North American tour. They'll be joining Israel Nash for shows on the East Coast and Canada, including Nashville (10/15), DC (10/20), NYC (10/22) and Toronto (10/25). Based in Minneapolis, The Pines' haunting, cinematic folk rock conjures the beauty and desolation of the stark rural landscapes of their native Iowa and the Great Plains. Frontmen/songwriters Benson Ramsey and David Huckfelt share a common musical language rooted in the songs and songwriters of their native Midwest, while each bringing a distinct voice and sensibility to a sound that Rolling Stone’s David Fricke dubbed “quietly gripping.”  This tour will feature the core group of brothers Benson (guitar, vocals) and Alex Ramsey (keyboard, vocals) and Huckfelt (guitar vocals). The band's dark, somberly beautiful songs and poetic lyrics feature Benson and David's intricate guitar interplay layered over Alex's atmospheric keyboard work. The son of Greg Brown’s producer and sideman Bo Ramsey, Benson was reared on folk and blues music and found a kindred spirit in David; they trade off songwriting and lead vocal duties. Their most recent release, 2012’s Dark So Gold, came in at #3 in the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s list of the decade’s best albums. The band played a historic show in 2014 which featured the first Minnesota performance of Native American activist, actor and poet John Trudell in over a decade. Also in 2014, Faribault Woolen Mills, 150-year-old Minnesota company, contacted the Pines to make a special Pines-designed, limited-edition camp blanket available now at the Pines' live shows. Their devoted cult following has led them to share the stage with such diverse acts as S. Carey, Jolie Holland, The Arcade Fire, Iris DeMent, Mason Jennings, Mavis Staples, Bon Iver and The Holmes Brothers.  The Pines "Cry Cry Crow" official video "All the Way" MP3  The Pines website The Pines on Facebook and Twitter Previous press: “A state of emergency runs through these songs, but there is a safe haven too, even if it’s just a dream, and the Pines get there with a warm, drawling poise in their voices and sparse resonant picking.” - Rolling Stone “spooky, country-noir...conjuring a grizzled sky, parched fields and cold wind” - PopMatters “The sparse and haunting mood of the album washes over you like an early morning fog....the poetic lyrics also gently insinuate themselves with every spin.” - Exclaim! "They can go from funny to spooky in a Blonde on Blonde minute." - Dave Marsh PINES 2015 TOUR DATES: # dates with Israel Nash WE 10/14    Little Rock, AR - Stickyz Rock’n’Roll Chicken Shack # TH 10/15     Nashville, TN - The Basement # FR 10/16     Atlanta, GA - The Earl # SA 10/17     Charlotte, NC - The Evening Muse # SU 10/18     Durham, NC - The Pinhook # TU 10/20     Washington, DC - DC9 # WE 10/21    Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts # TH 10/22     New York, NY - The Mercury Lounge # FR 10/23     Boston, MA - Great Scott # SA 10/24     Montreal, QC - Quai Des Brumes # SU 10/25    Toronto, ON - The Garrison # SA 11/07     Ely, MN - Amici's Event Center TH 11/12     Winnipeg, MB - The Good Will  FR 11/13     Grand Forks, ND - Empire Arts Center  SA 11/14     Duluth, MN - Sacred Heart Music Center SA 11/21     Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon SU 11/22     Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern SA 11/28      Cedar Rapids, IA - CSPS FR 12/4       Burlington, IA - The Washington SA 12/5       Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s Get Social!

Cordova Bay Records artist: David Gogo - Vicksburg Call - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Vicksburg Call, by David Gogo and he's blending more rock into his strong blues feel. Opening with Cuts Me to The Bone, Gogo is hammering right out of the gate. With Jay Stevens on bass and Bill Hicks on drums this track does rock. Gogo isn't fooling around with his slashing slide guitar soloing and grinding rhythm. Boogie guitar master, Kim Simmonds joins Gogo on Fooling Myself with his unmistakable guitar soloing style. This is a really cool track with some remarkable riffs. Another Canadian, Neil Young's The Loner has always been a favorite and Gogo does a really nice cover. This track has a moderately different arrangement from the original and a definitely non Young style guitar solo. Harmony vocals with Stevens add warmth and with the track slightly uptempo sounds quite fresh. There's A Hole is a quiet, bluesy ballad with Gogo on resonator and guitar and Shawn Hall on harp. Stephen Stills' Jet Set (Sigh) has a deeper groove that earlier set by Stills and I like the change. Bassist Stevens sets a great heavy line and Gogo literally rips the fretboard to pieces with expressive riffs. Excellent! What's Not To Like? has a pop edge with a steady rock beat and Rick Hopkins adding full Hammond backing. Gogo again gets out the slide and plays as smooth as silk accompanying his radio styled vocals. Our Last Goodbye is a nicely crafted ballad starting off very quietly but building slowly adding drums and guitar lead. This track is very anthem like and with solid backing vocals by Shelley Beeston and Jona Kristinsson and fluid guitar runs, could easily be found as the closing song for a movie. Very nice! Title track, Vicksburg Call, is a simple blues rocker that breaks loose with some very tasty grinding guitar riffs. Rock and roller, Coulda Shoulda Woulda has a taste of Chuck Berry with almost John Lennon like vocals. Nice bass riffs by Stevens really drive this track and Gogo reminds us once again that he's not just a blues player with flashy rockin' riffs. Wrapping the release is a solemn ballad, Why, along the lines of White Shades of Pale. Really nice Hammond work by Hopkins sets the basic tone and Marisha Devoin adds subtle bass defined by a steady drum slap by Hicks. Isolated guitar lead by Gogo at the end of the track caps the soulful conclusion.

   

  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”

 

American Blues Artist Group artist: Dudley Taft - Skin and Bones - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (October 16, 2015), Skin and Bones, from Dudley Taft and it's a hot fusion of blues, country, rock, hip hop, metal, grunge and Dudley Taft! Opening with title track, Skin and Bones, Taft delivers vocals in almost a hip hop style but the guitars say country rock. Taft knows how to get his listeners attention when he grabs the strings and he does it. Lonesome Memphis Blues has a strut pushed along nicely by John Kessler on bass and Jason Patterson on drums. Warming organ work from Reese Wynans and soothing backing vocals from Rachael Williams gives this track balance and an slightly jazz feel but Taft's guitar tone says rock baby! Ain't Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now is a driving rocker with laser like focus. A simple pleasing melody and swift fingered blues guitar riffs make this an ideal radio track with a bleeped "F***off". Johnny Winter's Leland Mississippi Blues, keeps it's straight, Willie Dixon like blues romp. This is every man's blues rocker and Taft firrs it up. Very nice! Easy flowing, One Of These Days, is a total change up gone mellow ballad style. With it's memorizing melody and melodic guitar work, it's certain to cross pollinate the airwaves. Fuzzy Dice has great swagger with a rumbling bass by Kessler. With a clever guitar repetitive guitar riff the track has a contemporary northwest feel with a Frank Marino edge. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Taft lays out some really tight guitar lines to compliment his super vocals. This track breaks into a metal (say Deep Purple) driving rhythm setting a rock solid platform for Taft to really take it home. Very cool! Without You has a square kick in the pants feel with a nice back beat thanks to Patterson. Kessler is no wall flower driving a great bass line on this track and Taft's vocals are really ideal for this kind of blues rock music with hot flashes of guitar. Space Cake has a solid rock bottom and Taft takes command on vocal and guitar. I really like Patterson's work on this track and Taft's slide work adds texture to the track. Metal solidity sets the path for Ain't About The Money, a track that has a heavy overtone with drum, guitar and bass emphasis on the key notes in unity. A well crafted track with an interesting melody line, it should fare well in the rock market. Coming Home is an interesting composition with a a rocking rhythm. Just enough edge to make it sharp but not enough to fall, this track has surprises and a cool hook. Wrapping the release is Mojo Woman with it's southern country rock feel. Williams' vocals are almost Dark Side of the Moon in quality with smooth organ backing and plenty of room for Taft to hits some really slick guitar riffs. This is a nice track to sum up the 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”

 

Andre Bisson digs deep on his 6th album 'Left With The Blues"

Andre Bisson digs deep on his 6th album "Left With The Blues"

With the influence of Motown, big band, and gospel music, Hamilton Ontario based artist Andre Bisson has composed a repertoire of blues songs that reach orchestrations of 20 pieces.  Using a combination of detailed arrangements and top notch musicians, André has created a truly unique blues album, Left With The Blues. In just a few short weeks since its release, Left With The Blues has received significant airplay in Canada and the USA as well as positive reviews from critics. Left With The Blues was featured as Album of the Week on Blues and Roots Radio and has garnered charting positions on the !earshot Campus and Community Radio Charts. "Left With The Blues veers from soulful ballads to jumpy blues numbers that ignite sparks like metal on flint. This is a robust blues album that leaves an impression.”  (Invisible Ink) Since 2005, André Bisson has been performing his unique blend of R&B and Soul throughout the US, Canada, England, Wales & Ireland. After graduating from the Applied Music Program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Bisson went on to record, compose, and arrange five studio albums.  The success of these award winning albums has led to four international tours, radio airplay, and the chance to open for artists such as Colin James, Jimmie Vaughan, Robben Ford and Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies).  Recently, Bisson was honored as Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2015 Hamilton Blues Awards as well as a nomination for Overseas Artist of the Year from the British Blues Awards. www.andrebisson.ca Track List 1.            Left With The Blues (3:06) 2.            Borrowed Time (3:43) 3.            Play Me a Fool (4:17) 4.            All I Need (5:09) 5.            Deepest Kind of Mean (4:05) 6.            There For You (3:49) 7.            Daybreak (4:08) 8.            Ordinary Day (3:31) 9.            Crosscut Saw (2:55) 10.          Brand New Day (5:01) All songs written & arranged by Andre Bisson (except #9) Left With The Blues is available on CD Baby   Andre Bisson is available for media appearances and station IDs. To request a copy of Left With The Blues, please contact Sarah French. Sarah French Publicity Sarah French 416-566-4188 sarah@sarahfrenchpublicity.com