Mannish Boys - Wrapped Up & Ready

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The Mannish Boys - Wrapped Up & Ready From the beginnings of the band six CDs ago, Randy Chortkoff has worked like the ringmaster of a three-ring circus, keeping one of the tighest all-around blues bands in the world today busy in the center ring, while performing amazing feats of coordination around them by spotlighting countless guest stars on each and every release. As a result the Mannish Boys have featured some of the best and brightest names in blues today, from the most seasoned veterans to the most exciting young talent, all carefully mixed and matched to field teams of artists perfectly in synch with one another on each song they take on. It wasn't at all unusual for past releases to feature three or four different guitarists, and a full cast of all-star guest soloists. But this time out, the plan was different: scale things down, simplify, strip everything down to just the fundamentals. However... as you now know, they've never been known to do anything halfway, so that plan went out the window on day one. The result is the latest Mannish Boys extravaganza, complete with an all-star guest lineup worthy of most full-blown blues festivals. And much like a perfect wedding, there's something old, something new, something borrowed, and plenty of blues(s). The core band is led by a powerhouse vocalist and front man Sugaray Rayford, and features the double-barreled guitar firepower of Kirk "Eli" Fletcher and Franck Goldwasser, anchored by the skin-tight rhythm section of bassist Willie J. Campbell and drummer Jimi Bott. Chortkoff himself contributes harp and vocals as needed, and right there you've already got one of the best lineups in the business. But of course, that's only half the story. Among those making guest appearances are the sultry singer Candye Kane (helped out by her amazing guitarist Laura Chavez), Bay Area great - by way of New York and Chicago - Steve Freund, blazing young guitarist Monster Mike Welch, and piano master Fred Kaplan. Blues harmonica fans will also find plenty to enjoy as three guests are also on hand to help hold down harp duties: Delta Groove recording artist Bob Corritore, teenage phenomenon Jacob "Walters" Huffman, and the great Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Also notable on this release is the return of guitarist Kid Ramos, one of the leading blues guitarists of his generation, who has been off the scene for the last couple of years dealing with serious health issues. And that's not all, folks... also on hand are bass player Bill Stuve and drummer Dave Kida, both veterans of Rod Piazza's Mighty Flyers, French import Nico Duportal on guitar, a full array of background singers including promising newcomer Trenda Fox, and much more. So - no halfway measures here. But just what you'd expect from the Mannish Boys: an exciting tour through the very best that blues has to offer in the 21st century. The Mannish Boys - Wrapped Up & Ready Click Here Pre-Order From The Delta Groove Store Click Here Pre-Order From Amazon Available On Itunes - June 17th 2014 Delta Groove Music, all rights reserved 2014 ©

Howard & The White Boys Performing at Jackson Blues Festival

Chicago's Hardest-Working Blues Band " for over two decades is Howard and the White Boys. They perform at the Jackson Blues Festival in Jackson, MI on Saturday, June 7.

JACKSON BLUES FESTIVAL PRESENTS "CHICAGO'S HARDEST-WORKING BLUES BAND," HOWARD AND THE WHITE BOYS - SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH     (JACKSON, MI) - Howard and the White Boys, known near and far for over two decades as "Chicago's Hardest-Working Blues Band," will rock the blues at the Jackson Blues Festival, Reynolds Field (at Jackson County Airport), 3606 Wildwood Ave., Saturday, June 7. 9 p.m. show. $5. admission. Info: (517) 962-5939 or log onto http://jacksonbluesfest.com/.   The longtime blues/rock ensemble recently recorded their long-awaited new album (and follow-up to the critically-acclaimed "Made In Chicago") at Rosas' Lounge in  Chicago, scheduled for a Summer 2014 release. Read more about it in this Examiner.com article: http://exm.nr/1nLgftH.      Howard and the White Boys continue to perform through out the U.S., bringing audiences to their feet and out onto the dance floor - much as they have done for over twenty years. Longtime band member Rocco Calipari has also branched out with his successful side project Head Honchos' who have released a well-received debut CD and play regularly throughout the Midwest as well as the rest of the U.S. and Canada.   The members of Howard And the White Boys first met at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb in 1988 and began jamming together just for fun, but their fast-growing popularity soon convinced them they could make a career of it. After only a few months, they got their first big break by opening for Blues legend, B.B. King. The band soon made the move to Chicago and began performing with the biggest names in Blues: Koko Taylor, Albert King, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Luther Allison, Bo Diddley, and Chuck Berry (the latter whom they were the backing band for in a headlining capacity at the 2002 Long Beach Blues Festival in Long Beach, Calif.).     Here's Howard and the White Boys killing it live on their song "Black Cat Bone," recorded at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago.                                       www.howardandthewhiteboys.net https://www.facebook.com/pages/Howard-And-The-White-Boys/ Kane County Chronicle - Interview Chicago Examiner - Feature The Alternate Root - Artist of the Week

Tree Leaf Music artist: Lefty Williams Band - All In - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (August 21, 2014), All In, from Lefty Williams and it's quite good. Lefty, who gets his nickname from the amount of work he can get done on the guitar using primarily his left hand, has put together a short list of slick tracks which blend, pop, jazz, blues and R&B. Opening with Crescent, a funky jazzy track with a flavor of New Orleans, Williams shows he has a great sense of style and a strong voice. He is joined by Richie Mays (slide guitar), Steve Mays (bass), Kofi Burbridge (keys), Yonrico Scott (drums), Ethan Levitt (sax), Hardian Mendoza (trumpet) and Joseph Jenkins (bari sax). This is a tight unit with a great sound. Let It Roll On has a bit more of a laid back style with more of a southern rock flair and slide guitar/piano riffs bridging the vocal lead. You Know I Love You is a really special track. A blend between John Fogerty and Steve Winwood, this track has a beautiful and memorable melody and warm guitar work, backed by nice horn work. Definitely the best track with absolute universal airplay appeal. Coming Apart is a simple ballad, again well constructed, showing Williams' fine vocals and guitar work. Wrapping the release is You Don't Tell Me, is a rocker with a definite southern flavor but sounding fresh and not stereotypical. This is a fine outing by a strong musician and singer.

  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”

 

Cordova Bay records artist: David Vest - Roadhouse Revelation - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Roadhouse Revelation, from David Vest and his Willing Victims, Gary Kendall (bass), Teddy Leonard (guitar) and Mike Fitzpatrick (drums). Opening with Freight Train Rolling Fitzpatrick starts the train a rolling and southern-bred boogie woogie piano player Vest brings it on. Teddy Leonard plays a sweet country infused guitar solo firing Vest up for a really nice romp on the keys. Stand Your Ground has a more straight forward pop format with a few slick guitar interludes and a cool piano solo. Hank Williams' Ramblin' Man is kept simple with only light instrumental adornment, but with a few Williams like yodel/vocal inflections. You Came Through is a solid ballad with a nice melody. Aside from a simple guitar solo, this track keeps it straight and serious. Streetcar is a cool vintage piece reminding me a lot of Buddy Bolden Blues with cool guitar work and classic piano riffs. This is possibly my favorite track on the release. Gone Too Far has a real 50's Memphis sound with that underlying boogie piano sound. Crooked Politician is a weave of spirituals music and New Orleans gumbo. Interesting vocal delivery and perfectly directed drums by Fitzpatrick iced by Vest's piano make this track roll. Santa Fe Steamer is a full out piano boogie and expertly executed. That Happened To Me is an easy paced blues track delivered a lot like Dylan would do it. Leonard steps up and really lays down some tasty blues guitar riffs on this track and Vest isn't far behind. Nice job! Heart Full Of Rock And Roll has rocky boogie feel. Both Leonard and Vest give up solos and Kendall and Fitzpatrick rock. Wrapping the release is Pretty Things For Anne, a cool jazz piano composition. This is a fine song which would make a super backdrop for a Miles Davis solo.

  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”

 

Black Keys SALE ending, Fat White Family join FP, tour dates, videos, more

BLACK KEYS SALE ENDING 6/1 RUBBER FACTORY, THICKFREAKNESS, CHULAHOMA CDs AND LPs for only $10      grab 'em on FATPOSSUM.COM    Click the pic to see them on Colbert: FAT WHITE FAMILY SIGN TO FAT POSSUM Sharp as knives, thick as thieves, completely moral when it counts, completely immoral when it doesn’t. They’re the best young rock band in the world. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

THE DISTRICTS // S/T NEW VIDEO FOR "ROCKING CHAIR," CLICK PIC: ON TOUR: May 31 - Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY Jun 5 - Cain’s Ballroom - Tulsa, OK Jun 7 - The Blue Note - Columbia, MO w/ Dr. Dog Jun 8 - Vogue Theatre - Indianapolis, IN w/ Dr. Dog Jun 10 - Stage AE - Pittsburgh, PA w/ Dr. Dog Jun 11 - Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro, NC w/ Dr. Dog Jun 21 - Make Music Philly Jul 8 - Ottawa Bluesfest - Ottawa Jul 18 - Forecastle Fest - Louisville, KY Jul 25 - Camden Waterfront - Camden, NJ Jul 27 - Susquehanna Bank Center XPN Fest - Camden, NJ Aug 2 - Lollapalooza - Chicago, IL Aug 6 - OYA Fest - Norway Aug 7 - Haldern Pop Festival - Haldern, Germany Aug 8-10 - Outside Lands Festival - San Francisco, CA Aug 15-17 - MusicFest NW - Portland, OR Aug 22 - Reading Festival - Reading Aug 23 - Leeds Festival - Leeds Aug 29 - End of The Road Festival - Dorset Aug 31 - Electric Picnic Festival - Stradbally Sep 6-7 - Loufest - St. Louis, MO Oct 3 - Austin City Limits - Austin, TX   BUY THE CD/LP/MP3s FROM FATPOSSUM.COM BUY THE EP FROM iTUNES BUY THE EP FROM AMAZON BUY THE EP FROM INSOUND   FRENCH FOR RABBITS  DEBUT NORTH AMERICAN RELEASE 7” OUT TODAY ON LEFSE. “GOAT” / “THE OTHER SIDE” TOUR DATES: May 28 – Voliere - Lucerne, Switzerland  May 29 – Badeschiff - Vienna, Austria  May 30 – Klub Mocvara - Zagreb, Croatia  June 5 – De Peissnitzhaus - Halle, Germany  June 7 – Habrovka - Prague, Czech Republic    Pick up the limited release at lefserecords.com.

TOUR DATES TEMPLES // Sun Structures BUY THE ALBUM FROM FATPOSSUM.COM TOUR: August 1 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza August 2 – Toronto, Canada - Lee’s Place August 3 - Montreal, Canada - Osheaga August 6 - Philadelphia, PA - Morgan’s Pier August 7 - New York, NY - Pier 84 August 8 - Ashbury Park - Ashbury Lanes   MUTUAL BENEFIT // Love's Crushing Diamond BUY THE ALBUM FROM FATPOSSUM.COM TOUR DATES: June 14 - Dogfish Head Brewery - Rehoboth Beach, DE June 16 - Waterstreet Music Hall  - Rochester, NY June 17 - Casbah  - Hamilton, ON June 19 - Iron Works - Buffalo, NY June 21 - Iron Music Hall (Late Show)  - Northhampton, MA June 22 - Columbus Theatre  - Providence, RI July 10 - Pier 84 (w/ Wild Beasts) - New York, NY July 11 - Union Transfer (w/ Wild Beasts) - Philadelphia, PA July 12 - 9:30 Club (w/ Wild Beasts) - Washington, DC July 14 - The Sinclair (w/ Wild Beasts) - Cambridge, MA July 15 - Corona Theatre (w/ Wild Beasts) - Montreal, QU July 20 - Pitchfork Music Festival  - Chicago, IL August 7 - Oya Nights - Cafe Mono - Oslo, Norway August 8 - Way Out West - Stay Out West - Gothenburg, Sweden August 10 - Wilderness Festival - Main Stage     - Charlbury, UK August 15 - Jabberwocky Festival - London, UK August 16 - Greenman Festival - Walled Garden Stage - Brecon Beacons, UK August 17 - Proud Cabaret - Brighton, UK September 4 - Hopscotch Festival - Raleigh, NC September 28 - Pygmalion Music Festival - Champaign-Urbana, IL NEW VIDEO FOR "LET'S PLAY" / STATUE OF A MAN: PURE X // Angel BUY THE ALBUM FROM FATPOSSUM.COM TOUR DATES: June 24- Last Exit Live - Phoenix, AZ June 25 - The Hideout - San Diego, CA June 26 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA June 28 - Brick & Mortar Music Hall - San Francisco, CA July 1 - Bunk Bar - Portland, OR July 2 - The Media Club - Vancouver, BC July 3 - Barboza - Seattle, WA JIMBO MATHUS // Dark Night of the Soul BUY THE ALBUM FROM FATPOSSUM.COM NEW TOUR DATES: June 18 - Rhythm Room - Phoenix, AZ June 19 - The Raven - Prescott, AZ June 20 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA June 21 - AMSDconcerts - San Diego, CA June 22 - SLO Brew - San Luis Obispo, CA June 23 - Fulton 55 - Fresno, CA June 25 - Hotel Utah Saloon - San Francisco, CA June 26 - The Crepe Place - Santa Cruz, CA June 27 - Peppermill Resort Spa Casino - Reno, NV June 28 - Peppermill Resort Spa Casino - Reno, NV July 10 - The Hopkins Center - Hanover, NH w/ Andrew Bird July 11 - The Klein - Bridgeport, CT w/ Andrew Bird July 12 - Lowell Summer Music Series - Lowell, MA w/ Andrew Bird August 30 - High Country Beer Fest - Boone, NC

Roots guitar guru performs at Relix office in NYC!

NEW DAMON FOWLER VIDEO - "TROUBLE" Stripped-down Performance At Relix's NYC Office Last winter when Damon Fowler and his band stopped by the New York City office of roots music magazine Relix for an interview, they also regaled the publication's staff with an acoustic performance of "Trouble," a track from their lastest Blind Pig release entitled Sounds of Home.  Damon co-wrote the original composition with album producer Tab Benoit and Ed Wright.   Relix just released the video, posting in on their website and featuring it in their weekly newsletter.  Accompanied by Chuck Riley on bass and James "Country" McKnight on percussion, Damon movingly demonstrates the musical qualities the magazine praised in its album review: "On Sounds of Home, he showcases his tasty lead work and subtle, soulful singing."  To watch the video, please click HERE. For more info on the CD, please click HERE.