Tommy Malone On Mtn. Stage!

Tommy Malone Rocks Mountain Stage This Week! Moving Up On AMA & Roots Music Report Texas Tour Starts Later This Month Northport N.Y. - Tommy Malone will make his Mountain Stage debut later this week starting June 7. The program also features Keb Mo, Joan Osborne and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Mountain Stage is heard on over 130 NPR stations nationwide and overseas on the Voice of America Satellite Service. Click to get more details. Poor Boy moves up 6 notches to No. 23 this week on The Americana Music Charts.  You can view the entire chart right here: http://www.americanaradio.org/ama/displaychart_beforetracks.asp?mode=lw&dtkey= Tommy Malone's Poor Boy also lands at No. 5 on this week on the Roots Music Reports Top 10 Roots Rock Albums.  Click the logo for more! Tommy will be touring all Summer, solo, with his trio and with the Subdudes! Tommy starts his Texas Tour on June 19.  Scroll down to find out more On April 29, M.C. Records released Tommy Malone's second solo effort for the label, Poor Boy.  Tommy co-produced the recording with his longtime musical friend Ray Ganucheau in New Orleans. Ray was the engineer for the Subdudes' "Primitive Streak" and Tommy's first solo recording, "Soul Heavy." Poor Boy features Tommy's unique songwriting that bleeds true Americana. The one amazing exception is Tommy covering Stevie Wonder's "Big Brother." You can listen the new release via Airplay Direct. The first 11 songs are from Poor Boy , the next 12 are from his 2013 release, "Natural Born Days." Click the cover for more. In April, Tommy visited the studios of WYEP in Pittsburgh for a Live and Direct Session. Click the photo to check out the performance/interview. Let us know if you would like Tommy to pay a visit! Poor Boy is getting serious reviews! This third solo release and second on M.C. Records by Tommy Malone, front-man for the popular New Orleans bluesy-rock band, The Subdudes, offers a soothing, laid-back feel and a dash of Southern charm. The Toledo Blade "Poor Boy" mines the Americana vein with sophistication and grit. Its songs run the gamut from layered, Beatleish psych-pop to rock-infused soul, with a consistent thread of eloquent, gut-level storytelling skill.   The Times Picayune What raises his personal bar on Poor Boy is the confident comfort that is a part of each track, and the album as a whole. The Alternate Root Tommy Malone makes music that alternately soothes and fires up the soul. He’s always been able to do that, and it’s clear on Poor Boy that it’s become second nature for him. Something Else With Poor Boy, Tommy Malone has released another album full of great songs complete with excellent guitar work and singing that should extend his stellar musical reputation beyond the cognoscenti and to the general public, where it deserves to be. OffBeat You'll learn a lot about Tommy Malone s world after hearing his third, and arguably finest solo album, Poor Boy. Americana Boogie Tommy Malone is not only one of the greatest songwriters of his generation, he’s a superb guitarist and a magnificent vocalist who animates every corner of his compositions. Over the past 40 years Malone has been at the center of some of the most storied and often star-crossed bands in Louisiana history, beginning with the family band formed with two of his brothers, Dustwoofie. Malone went on to help develop the eccentric songwriters’ collective the Continental Drifters before becoming a charter member of the still-beloved subdudes. Along the way he played in the well regarded one-off groups Tiny Town and Monkey Ranch as well as in a duo with his older brother Dave from the Radiators, the Malone Brothers. Poor Boy marks the third solo recording in his storied career. Tommy Malone has a bunch of dates solo and with the Subdudes. Tommy Malone & The Subdudes on Tour! For Bookings contact - Kyle Day - kyle@sweetwinegroup.com June Jun. 19 - Sams Burger Joint - San Antonio TX (Trio) Jun. 20 - Continental Club -  Houston TX (Trio) Jun. 21 - Threadgill's - Austin TX (Trio) Jun. 25 - An Evening With Subdudes-Birchmere- Alexandria VA Jun. 26 - An Evening With Subdudes- - Rams Head - Annapolis MD Jun. 27 - An Evening With Subdudes - Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA Jun. 28 - An Evening With Subdudes - World Cafe Live, Wilmington DE July July 12 - Public House - New Orleans LA (Band) July 17 - Vermilionville Performance Center - Lafayette LA (Solo) July 18 - Red Dragon Listening Room - Baton Rouge LA (Solo) Jul. 22 - An Evening With Subdudes Fairfield, CT -  Fairfield Theatre StageOne Jul. 23 - An Evening With Subdudes Fairfield, CT -  Fairfield Theatre StageOne Jul. 24 - An Evening With Subdudes- B.B. Kings, NYC Jul. 25  - An Evening With Subdudes - The Boulton Center - Bayshore NY Jul. 26  - An Evening With Subdudes - The Egg - Albany NY September Sept.10 - Yoshi's - Oakland - CA - (Band) Sept.11 - Moe's Alley - Santa Cruz CA - (Band) Sept. 13 - American River Music Festival - Lotus CA - (Band) Sept.  26 - An Evening With Subdudes - Tipitina's - New Orleans, LA

Jack White "Lazaretto" Video Premiere + iTunes Album Stream

JACK WHITE'S SECOND SOLO ALBUM LAZARETTO IS IN STORES JUNE 9th/10th.  Watch Jack’s official music video for title track “Lazaretto" directed by Jonas & François:

In celebration of the new music video, the 7” vinyl single of “Lazaretto,” featuring the exclusive non-album b-side cover of Elvis Presley’s “Power of My Love,” is now available for pre-order and will be officially on-sale and shipping on June 9th. This 45 RPM record comes in a gorgeous sleeve which nicely complements and continues the visual artwork theme started with the Blunderbuss series of singles. Additionally, Lazaretto is currently streaming on iTunes in its entirety. Listen to the album and pre-order your copy to receive "High Ball Stepper", "Lazaretto" and "Just One Drink” instantly. Lazaretto is also available for pre-order on ULTRA LP vinyl and CD. Jack is excited to announce that he will be returning to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC after appearing alongside Neil Young a few weeks ago. Jack will take to the couch and stage on Monday, June 9th at 11:35pm ET/PT ahead of Lazaretto’s release the next day. Lastly, Jack’s Governors Ball performance on June 7th in New York City will be broadcast by SiriusXM on ALT NATION and online at siriusxm.com. For more information regarding the broadcast, channels and times, go to www.siriusxm.com/governorsball. PRE-ORDER LAZARETTO: ULTRA LP iTunes Amazon

Bayou Blues Festival - Big Weekend

New Blues Guitar Books from Hal Leonard

Roy Buchanan – Guitar Signature Licks
A Step-by-Step Breakdown of His Guitar Styles and Techniques
Format: Softcover Audio Online - TAB
Author: Dave Rubin
This exclusive book/audio pack features in-depth analysis of the songs and solos that made Roy Buchanan “The Best Unknown Guitarist in the World.” Though he never achieved stardom, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #57 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." With this pack, you'll learn 12 of his best licks, including: After Hours • Chicago Smokeshop • Five String Blues • Hey Joe • High Wire • I Won't Tell You No Lies • The Messiah Will Come Again • Pete's Blues • Peter Gunn • Roy's Bluz • Short Fuse • Sweet Dreams.
$22.99 (US)
Inventory #HL 00696654

Best of Robert Cray

Series: Guitar Recorded Version
Format: Softcover - TAB

Notes and tab for 16 songs from this modern blues master: Baby's Arms · Bad Influence · (Won't Be) Coming Home · Don't Be Afraid of the Dark · The Forecast (Calls for Pain) · Nothing Against You · Phone Booth · Poor Johnny · Right Next Door · She's Into Somethin' · Smoking Gun · and more.     

$19.99 (US)
Inventory #HL 00127184

Robben Ford Guitar Anthology
Series: Guitar Recorded Version
Format: Softcover - TAB
Iconic jazz/blues guitarist Robben Ford has played with a wide range of artists including Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, The Yellowjackets, George Harrison, and many more. This collection features guitar tab for 17 of his best-known songs, including: Busted Up • Chevrolet • Get Away • Homework • I Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues • Mama Talk to Your Daughter • Nothing to Nobody • Revelation • Step on It • Tell Me I'm Your Man • You Cut Me to the Bone • and more.
$24.99 (US)
Inventory #HL 00120220

T-Bone Walker
Guitar Play-Along Volume 160
Format: Softcover with CD - TAB
The Guitar Play-Along Series will help you play your favorite songs quickly and easily! Just follow the tab, listen to the CD to hear how the guitar should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are also included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along. The audio CD is playable on any CD player, and also enhanced so PC & Mac users can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing pitch! This volume includes: Glamour Girl • I Got a Break Baby • Mean Old World • Papa Ain't Salty • (They Call It) Stormy Monday (Stormy Monday Blues) • Strollin' with Bones • T-Bone Jumps Again • You Don't Love Me.
$16.99 (US)
Inventory #HL 00102641

 

Lee Palmer - 60 Clicks - New Release review

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), 60 Clicks, from Lee Palmer and it's quite enjoyable and at times downright great! Opening with Do What I Does, an easy paced pop track featuring Palmer on vocal and acoustic guitar, Roly Platt on harp and Al Cross on percussion. Burke Carroll lays down a lite slide guitar solo staying in play with the feel of the track. Parent's Child takes a few steps in the country direction but still retaining a pop feel with an emphasis on vocal and percussion. Harmonizing by Neil Donnell is a particularly nice touch. Waiting On My Love To Come is a blues flavored pop track with warm vocal harmonizing and harp work. Solo's by Platt and Carroll both add nicely to the track. Sometimes is a nicely constructed ballad that should find an easy route to the airwaves. I particularly like the slide work by Carroll on this track. Things Are Too Good To Be Blue moves toward the country swing feel and Bob Wills arena. This is a cool track highlighting sweet vocal harmonies, nice acoustic guitar work from Palmer and Elmer Ferrer and nice pedal steel from Carroll. Title track, 60 Clicks, has a very simple country ballad structure. Reliant heavily on Palmer's songwriting and singing and he does a nice job. Again, a track that is airplay bound. Changed Man opens with some really sweet Spanish guitar work from Ferrer. Continuing along the Mexican theme with traditional fingering and harmonica this is a really nice ballad. Fighting The Blues, a laid back track with just a light swing, an almost rock rhythm shows yet another flavor of easy. Wendell Ferguson adds some electric guitar riffs on this track and Platt taps in some really appropriate harp riffs but it's the harmonizing of vocals between Donnell and Palmer that makes this track click. My absolute track on the release, bar none, is Wrong Not To Write. Playing straight country western, Palmer hits the nail on the head with this track and sweet steel guitar work by Carroll leads the way along with simple electric picking from Ferguson. This track best highlights the strength of Palmer's vocals. Excellent! Wrapping the track with Together We Roll, Palmer ventures into a little bluegrass feel and again hits it running. Vocal harmonies, precise harp work, and nice bass work from Alec Fraser tie this together in one nice package for a super ending to a cool 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”

 

Planetary Blues Band Performing at 'Jammin' With Save The Dunes'

           

THE PLANETARY BLUES BAND TO PERFORM AT

"JAMMIN' WITH SAVE THE DUNES" BENEFIT

Saturday, June 7, 2014 - 7:30-9:00 P.M.

Planetary Blues Band Also Interviewed On "America's Blues Radio" Tuesday, June 24

  (MICHIGAN CITY IN) - Rockin' the blues for a great cause are  Planetary Blues Band, who perform at the "Jammin' With Save The Dunes" benefit, Washington Park Amphitheater, Washington Park at the Beach, Saturday, June 7, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. $15. Info: (219) 879-3564 or http://savedunes.org/2014/06/01/jammin-at-the-dunes/.

  This annual fundraiser draws hundreds of dunes lovers to beautiful Washington Park near the Lake Michigan shoreline. In addition to bands there's great local edibles from Rolling Stonebaker Pizza, the Green Machine, and Soda Dog; and local craft beer from Shoreline Brewery, Figure Eight Brewing, Burn ‘Em Brewing, and Hunter’s Brewing, plus wine from Barefoot Winery.  All that and it’s a quick walk to watch the sunset.

          PLANETARY BLUES BAND ON AMERICA'S BLUES RADIO SHOW

  Catch an interview with the Planetary Blues band on one of the hottest new blues shows on the dial, America's Blues Radio, Tuesday, June 24 at 8 p.m. Central time with host, Jimmy Warren. Listen live at www.americasbluesradio.com.

  Other upcoming Planetary shows of note: Big Dawg On My Trail Blues Festival, Saturday, July 12 in Richmond, Indiana; and the Rock 4 Hope Benefit Concert in Merrillville, IN on Sunday, August 10 (complete upcoming itinerary below).

   The Planetary Blues Band's latest album Once Upon A Time In The South Loop  received top 2013 year-end honors including the #7 spot on The Sunday Night Blues Project (“an attractive abundance of energy and talent and plenty of chops. This CD showcases a band on the way up.”); as well as a "Top 10 Regional Albums of 2013” pick by Northwest Indiana Times’ music critic, Tom Lounges (“there have been few, if any, Northwestern Indiana groups who have steadily progressed and impressed as the Schaefer-Murray brothers who, as The Planetary Blues Band, have evolved into a rock solid unit.”). The group were also a ”Future of the Blues – Class of 2013” pick by Blues Underground.  

                                  

   Here's Planetary Blues Band performing "Tell Me Mama" by the great Little Walter at Buddy Guy's Legends.

The Planetary Blues Band - Upcoming Live Shows Itinerary

June 7 (Sat.)      JAMMIN' WITH SAVE THE DUNES              Michigan City, IN

June 24 (Tue.)   AMERICA'S BLUES RADIO                          World Wide Web

July 4 (Fri.)        DUFFY'S PLACE                                        Valparaiso, IN

July 12 (Sat.)     BIG DAWG ON MY TRAIL FESTIVAL            Richmond, IN

Aug. 10 (Sun.)   ROCK 4 HOPE BENEFIT CONCERT             Merrillville, IN

             

Blues Rock Review - CD Review

Indianapolis Star - Show Preview

Blues Underground Network - CD Review

Eclecto Groove Records artist: Alastair Greene Band - Trouble At Your Door - New release Review

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), Trouble At Your Door, from Alastair Greene Band and it ripps! Greene, well know as a session player and with a number of releases under his belt has really hit the screws on this one. Opening with People, a modern track with essential roots in the blues with drone noting sets a high bar for the rest of the release with hot slide work and a solid beat. On the title track, Trouble At Your Door, a Funk 49 like track, Greene gets things moving right. A funky blues rocker, Green had band mates Jim Rankin (bass), Austin Beede (drums) and Erik Norlander (organ) with him all the way as he lays down some really hot blues rock grooves. This is a great track and gives Greene a good basis to demonstrate his hot guitar skills. Boogie track, Back Where I Belong maintains an essential primitive blues root with a modern polish. Greene is vicious with his slide work and literally puts on a clinic on this release with crisp riffs and fresh phrasing. Red Wine Woman finds Greene on a steel bodied resonator playing delta style. His fluid riffs and clear sense of direction makes for a really cool track. First Born Son is back to full bore electric with a heavy bottom a southern kick. Using both slide and straight lead work on this track, Greene shows why he deserves to be mentioned in the list of top blues rock guitarists today. Love You So Bad is a quick paced blues rocker with just a hint of country. With twin guitar/vocal leads, this track is hot and Greene takes a nice opportunity to blow the doors off with every riff in his armament. Last Train Around The Sun has a cool Texas feel (Jesus Just Left Chicago) with a number of different twists and turns. Using full amp distortion guitar tones are creamy and full with lots of grind. Hot blues riffs blended with modern picking techniques really sets this track off. Excellent! Calling For You is a quiet, nicely constructed ballad backed primarily by Norlander on keys. With more of a David Gilmore like attack on guitar this is a really nice contrast to the balance of the release. Make The Devil's Day keeps in the blues vein but has more of the drive or Robin Trower or Chris Duarte. A cool blues rocker, this track should have a lot of commercial appeal. Greene never lets you down, always playing his guitar to the max without overcrowding. Very nice. Strange Feeling is a rocker with an easy attack. Building a lot of sting with guitar, bass and drums; and blending shredding techniques with blues overtones, Greene really controls the sound nicely. Pretty Price To Pay has a funky rock sound and Greene works his vocals nicely into the groove created by his trio of fine musicians. His fingers dancing lightly across the fretboard in a jazz like manner but with stinging results this is a really nice sound. Wrapping the track is The Sweetest Honey, a pure blues rocker with a solid rhythmic hook. Using a Chuck Berry rhythm as the base with Cream like guitar solos this is a hot track and a great way to conclude possibly Greene's effort yet!

  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”

 

Title- Pop Ferguson Blues Heritage Festival in Lenoir, N.C. - Line Up Announced

Blues with No Apologies
Phil Wiggins John Dee Holman  Vonna  Pop Ferguson		If you are a blues lover, then this is the place to be -- June 14, 2014 at the Pop Ferguson Blues Heritage Festival, in historic downtown Lenoir,N.C. USA   Meet blues legends. Hear their stories. Attend a music workshop.   See how other genres came from blues through our theme, “Roots, Branches and Stems” Phil Wiggins, John D. Holman and Pop Ferguson (Roots) Country, Swing, Jazz, R&B, Rock (Branches) Hip-Hop and Funk Fusion (Stems)   Learn how to play the blues harmonica with harmonica great Phil Wiggins. Play along with him on your own instrument, or be one of the first 100 attendees and get your own free Hohner -harmonica!   Learn about the blues violin from world famous violin maker Bob Kogut  by attending his demonstration. Once you hear Bob's violin you will think PaPa John Creech came to play!   www.popfergusonbluesheritagefestival.com Visit us on Facebook     June 13th- SPECIAL VIP Kick Off Party Featuring Phil Wiggins & John Dee Holman TIXS still available call - 828-221-5022        Come Join Us For the Festival on SATURDAY, June 14, 2014, In Historic Downtown Lenoir, NC     9AM to 11PM     popfergusonbluesfestival.blogspot.com crfergjr.wix.com/popfergusonbluesinc www.facebook.com/PopFergusonBluesFestival crfergjr@gmail.com

Joanne Shaw Taylor announces New Album and UK Tour

NOVEMBER 2014 UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
BERNIE MARSDEN

PLANET ROCK 48-HOUR TICKET PRE-SALE
WEDNESDAY 4th JUNE

TICKETS ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
AT 9am ON FRIDAY 6th JUNE

NEW STUDIO ALBUM
"THE DIRTY TRUTH"
RELEASED 22nd SEPTEMBER

British blues rock guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor returns to UK shores with a Nationwide UK Tour in November 2014, which follows hot on the heels of her fourth new studio album, "The Dirty Truth", which is currently being recorded in Memphis.
Tickets for Joanne’s UK tour goes on sale as an exclusive 48-hour ticket pre-sale on Planet Rock radio from Wednesday 4th June.  Fans will be able to pre-order tickets 48 hours before they go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday 6th June. Go to www.planetrock.com for further ticket pre-sale information.

All tickets are priced £17.50, except London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (£20). 
VIP tickets are £50 and will include entry to sound-check, concert ticket, Meet & Greet with signing and photo opportunity, signed A3 tour poster, exclusive VIP lanyard and laminate.
The 14-date UK tour will feature former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden as special guest.
Fans will also be able to order the following versions of the new album from www.joanneshawtaylor.com :

• Signed copy of Limited Edition Digipak CD (£12.99) (including p&p)
• Ticket + signed copy of the Ltd Edition Digipak CD (£28.50), (London: £31) (including postage and packing for CD)
• VIP Ticket + Signed copy of the Limited Edition Digipak CD (£61) (including postage and packing for CD)
• The CD will be dispatched separately and will arrive on release date

Photo Credit: © Stephen Fourie

The tour kicks off at the Norwich Epic on 1st November and other UK including Sheffield, Leeds, Cardiff, Birmingham, London, Cornwall, and many more.
The new album, "The Dirty Truth", is released in the UK on Monday 22nd September on Joanne’s boutique label Axehouse Records. Joanne will be reunited with Jim Gaines who produced her 2008 debut album White Sugar.
 "I wanted to go back into the studio in Memphis with Jim to retain the same vibe that we captured on the first album," says Joanne. "The new album is a combination of rock and blues, and I think it’s going to be an exciting collaboration, and hopefully, my fans will love the rockier edge."

Photo Credit: © Stephen Fourie

The forthcoming album and UK tour follows 2013’s critically acclaimed Songs FromThe Road; a live album energized with soul power, blues savvy and rock roots.
In May 2013, when Joanne originally performed an intimate concert at London’s Borderline, The Blues magazine wrote, "Joanne slips from bursts of muscular rhythm to searing riffs rooted in the blues but not dominated by it… JST bristles with self-confidence, energy and excitement."
In 2013 during an in-depth interview, The Blues magazine asked Joanne if she was having fun playing live. "How can you not enjoy that job?" she responded. "I get on stage, turn my guitar up really loud and I shout in the microphone for two hours. It’s like the best therapy in the world."

Photo Credit: © Al Stuart

In November 2013, TV presenter Malcolm Gerrie said the following about Joanne in the Sunday Times – "Who said white gals can’t play the blues? Killer licks, soaring solos and heart-wrenching vocals."
"A Brummie blues singer? Yes, really," wrote the Sunday Telegraph about Joanne last November. "Joanne Shaw Taylor has enough soul to compete with the best the Mississippi Delta has to offer."

NOVEMBER 2014 UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
BERNIE MARSDEN

BOOK ONLINE: www.thegigcartel.com
24 HR BOX OFFICE: 0844 478 0898

Regional Show Tickets: £17.50
London Tickets: £20.00 / VIP Tickets: £50.00

NORWICH EPIC
Saturday 1st November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01603 727 727
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
112-114 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1JD
www.epicstudiosnorwich.com

SHEFFIELD CITY HALL BALLROOM
Sunday 2nd November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01442 789 789
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Sheffield City Hall, Barkers Pool, Sheffield, S1 2JA
www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

LEEDS WARDROBE
Monday 3rd November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01133 838 800
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Leeds Wardrobe, St Peter's Square, Leeds, LS9 8AH
www.thewardrobe.co.uk

MANCHESTER ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE
OF MUSIC CONCERT HALL
Tuesday 4th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 0161 907 5555
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Manchester RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD
www.rncm.ac.uk

ABERDEEN THE LEMON TREE
Thursday 6th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01224 337 688
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Aberdeen The Lemon Tree, 5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

GLASGOW ARCHES
Friday 7th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01415 651 000
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Glasgow The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
www.thearches.co.uk

STOCKTON ARC
Saturday 8th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01642 525 199
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Stockton Arc, Dovecot Street, Stockton On Tees, TS18 1LL
www.arconline.co.uk

EXETER CORN EXCHANGE
Wednesday 12th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01392 665 938
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter, EX1 1BW
www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

FALMOUTH PRINCESS PAVILION
Thursday 13th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01326 211 222
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Princess Pavilion, 41 Melvill Road, Falmouth, TR11 4AR
www.tempusleisure.org.uk

SALISBURY CITY HALL
Friday 14th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01722 434 434
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Salisbury City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7TU
www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL
Saturday 15th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 0121 345 0600
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Birmingham Town Hall, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ
www.thsh.co.uk

CARDIFF THE GLOBE
Tuesday 18th November
Tickets £17.50 / Box Office: 08444 780 898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Cardiff The Globe, 125 Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3NS
www.globecardiffmusic.com

LONDON 02 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE
Wednesday 19th November
Tickets: £20.00 / Box Office: 0844 477 2000
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
London Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, London, W12 8TT
www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

BURY ST EDMUNDS THE APEX
Thursday 20th November
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 01824 758 000
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Bury St Edmunds The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD
www.theapex.co.uk

Photo Credit: © Joe Armitage c/o BoneShaker Pictures

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Biography

Sold out concerts. Screaming fans. Her name in lights. Joanne Shaw Taylor never anticipated any of that at the start. Back then, she was just an ordinary Black Country schoolgirl, bored with the disposable pop she heard on late 90s radio, rifling her father’s record collection for sunken treasure, and falling for albums by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins and Jimi Hendrix.

At 13 she played her first electric guitar. "Guitars were always lying around the house," says Joanne.  At 14, she defied her teachers to play The Marquee and Ronnie Scott’s, and began to overcome insecurity about her voice.
"I never set out to be a singer," she modestly told Classic Rock. "I’ve always had a deep voice. I think it came from my influences as a kid.
When I was singing to records, I was listening to Albert Collins and Freddie King. When I was a teenager, I became a big rock fan: Glenn Hughes, Skin, Doug Pinnick. I wouldn’t get far on The X Factor."
Joanne left school at 16 and ran straight into her big break, as a twist of fate directed her demo into the hands of Eurythmics icon Dave Stewart after a charity gig.
Reflecting on his first impressions, Stewart recalls that "she made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end." His call the following day proved the start of a lasting friendship, with Joanne seeking his advice on the industry and accompanying his DUP supergroup across Europe in 2002.
Stewart gave Joanne her first deal, but when the label ran into financial trouble, it gave her a chance to regroup and work on her songwriting. Until then, original material had perhaps been a neglected side of her talent.
"I never really wrote songs until I was 21." Suddenly the dam broke. In 2008, Ruf won the rush for Joanne’s signature, and soon she was working with veteran producer Jim Gaines (Carlos Santana, Johnny Lang, Stevie Ray Vaughan), bassist Dave Smith and drummer Steve Potts on the songs that became debut album White Sugar. "We recorded it in this little backwater town in Tennessee," she recalls, "and if we needed a break, we’d walk to the shop and buy root beer."
When White Sugar dropped the following year, taking in gems like Bones and Kiss The Ground Goodbye, it turned out the press had a sweet tooth, with Classic Rock crowning it Blues Album Of The Month and Guitarist noting "she plays with more attitude and flair than most – massive potential here".
Soon enough, the buzz was building, with Joanne both raising her profile supporting Black Country Communion, and honing her craft on 2010’s Diamonds In The Dirt. This second album was another step up, from the explosive lead breaks on Can’t Keep LivingLike This to the heavier influence of her adopted Detroit hometown on the crunching country-blues of Dead And Gone. Not bad, considering she had written the material in just two days and recorded it in less than a fortnight: "It’s the dreaded second album curse. You have ten years to do the first one, and ten days to do the second!"
By then, she was unstoppable, with Diamonds In The Dirt proving not only a classic record, but also a skeleton key to every door in the industry. Having received a nomination for Best New Artist Debut at the auspicious British Blues Awards for White Sugar, Joanne scooped consecutive wins in the Best British Female Vocalist bracket at both the 2010/2011 events: a haul that cements her position, as Blues Matters put it, as "the new face of the blues."
Since then, it’s gone stratospheric, with Joanne breaking into the notoriously hard-to-crack US market, beating the stereotypes of her age and gender, and being watched by 17 million viewers as she played an angel-winged solo during Annie Lennox’s set at the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Concert.
That same summer gave us Almost Always Never; a bar-raising third album that found Joanne dodging expectations, writing the songs her muse dictated, and diving in at the deep end with just her talent to keep her afloat.
Recorded in Austin, Texas, these twelve cuts moved from the savage Les Paul solos of Soul Station and the strutting hooks of Standing To Fall, to the failed relationship achingly depicted on You Should Stay, I Should Go and the title track’s refrain of "You crash, you burn/you live, you learn". She’d never sounded more open and honest. "I’ve loved every album I’ve made for many different reasons," reflects Joanne. "But I’m so proud of these songs. It’s the perfect and truest example of who I am as an artist to date."
Maybe so, but if you only know Joanne Shaw Taylor as the songwriter and studio magician, then it’s time you heard Songs From The Road. Released November 2013 on Ruf Records, it’s a candid snapshot from the road that makes your front room feel like the front row. "That night was just really good fun," she reflects. "And I think that translates on the album."
In May 2014, Joanne reunited with her White Sugar album producer Jim Gaines, and recorded her new studio album in Memphis.  The new studio album entitled The Dirty Truth is a return to Joanne’s original sound that mixes rock riffs with blues influences.  The album will be released in the UK on September 22nd on Joanne’s own independent boutique label Axehouse Records.

Photo Credit: © MHP Studios

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Official Website
www.joanneshawtaylor.com

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Official Facebook
www.facebook.com/joanneshawtaylo

No Label Records artist: Steve Hill - Solo Recordings Volume 2 - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Solo Recordings Volume 2, from Steve Hill and it's quite interesting. Opening with Still Got It Bad, Hill established a gritty blues sound that is lacking in most contemporary bands. Accompanying himself on guitar and drums, this raw sound is right on! Slim Chance has a rockier/pop sound and a more clever hook but it's the raw slide sound that does it for me on this track. Tough Luck is an acoustic, finger picked picked, folk style track with smooth vocals and harp. The Collector returns back to blues roots with raw electric slide and a jagged feel that compliments the melody quite well. Never Is Such A Long Time is one of my favorite tracks on the release with R&B kind of style yet maintaining the rawness of this "primitive" overall sound. The melody is really strong and Hill compliments his solid vocals with stinging guitar work on this track. Excellent! Little Walter's Hate To See You Go is really well done with a driving beat and call and response vocal/guitar work. Another really sweet track! Better is a straight up ballad sung over arpegiated chords and 3/4 time. A simple radio style track, maintaining the raw feel, the track has a very memorable melody and a cool slide guitar solo. Simple Things, another quiet ballad with a strong melody shows Hill's talent as a songwriter and the ease at which he blends his own vocals with interesting slide work. On Muddy Water's I Want You To Love Me, Hill cranks up the distortion a little and gets a rolling blues feel going. Keeping the "dirty" overall sound, this is a cool way to showcase a classic Morganfield track without being repetitive. Very nice. Go On is back to the simplest of the stripped down blues rock sounds, one that I find very attractive. With only guitar, drum and vocal this is a cool track that deserves notice. Wrapping the release is Long Road, an easy going acoustic ballad with clean vocals and nicely articulated finger picked guitar and simple rhythm. This release is a mixed bag with a common thread of good music and solid execution. I especially like the raw guitar blues found here... and sound that most closely resembles the original blues.

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