I just received the newest release (October 28, 2014) Legacy, from Dave Ray and I have to say the intensity of these recordings is staggering. I've been listening to the raw blues since I was a kid and am really only familiar with Ray's work in passing. This is a 3 disc collection of blues tunes with roots in the 20's, 30's and 40's which for the most part has never been widely available.
Disc one is primarily solo work, recorded between 1962 and 1987. 16 tracks beginning with Leroy Carr's Alabama Women and you would swear that this is a clean recording of an original artist from the time. Excellent! Included on this disc are a number of tracks written by Ledbelly, Brownie McGhee, Skip James, Sleepy John, Muddy, Blind Blake, originals by Ray and concluding with an incredible version of Fenton Robinson's Loan Me A Dime. Outstanding!
The second disc covers 1988 to 1994 and the Ray and Tony Glover Years. 21 tracks on this disc are a little more polished but retain that raw energy. Covering Jimmy Rogers, Muddy, Memphis Minnie, Robert Petway, Tommy Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, Memphis Slim and Mississippi Fred these tracks are real and raw. Excellent! Just listen to the second track on this disc, Muddy Water's Long Distance Call and you hear a pure artist, doing another artist's track and making it sound original and vibrant! Blind Willie McTell's Statesboro Blues has a life of it's own with real blues syncopation... not modern timing. Very very nice!
Disc 3 has a cleaner more modern recording sound but the blues is still raw and real. These 18 tracks were recorded between 1995 and Rays death in 2002. Opening with Tommy McClennan's Shake 'em On Down , Ray has you in the palm of his hand. Beautiful harp trimming on top of a rhythmic guitar with true blues vocals. Super! The countryified Coal Man, written by Peg Leg Howell has real life. Percy Mayfield's My Mind Is Trying To Leave Me is excellent! Further tracks by Big Joe Williams, Bill Monroe, Percy Sledge, Joe Callicott, Blind Blake, Bobby Womack, Big Bill Broonzy, and the great Arthur Crudup make this one of the absolute best "modern roots of blues" releases that I may have ever heard. Ray on 6 and 12 string acoustic and electric guitars and vocals accompanied by really hot harp work by Tony Glover.
There is a terrific 32 page booklet with insight into the Ray's life and recordings, photos, track listing and commentary.
This is one of the true raw early style blue gems that I have had the privilege to review since starting my report a number of years back. This is an excellent collection and I highly recommend it.
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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Blue Kitty Music artist: Liz Mandeville - Heart 'O' Chicago - New Release Review
I just received the newest release. Heart 'O' Chicago from Liz Mandeville and it's quite cool! Opening with Cloud Of Love, a blend of soul, R&B, funk and gospel; I really like the feel! Featuring sax solo's from Oz Landessberg and Eddie Campbell as well as a cool trombone work from Eric Campbell and hot bass from Darryl Wright, this smokes. On These Blues, the band falls back into a calm swing and Mandeville goes from a hot spiritual vocal style to more of a club jazz style. Minoru Wright on guitar and Joan Gand share the instrumental spotlight backed by Wade baker on trumpet, Eric campbell on trombone and Oz Landessberg on sax and the slick stick work of Jeremiah Thomas on drums. Don't Doubt My Love finds Charlie Love in a vocal duet with Mandeville on an easy R&B track. Maruyama lays down a nicely stylized guitar solo on this track which nicely dresses it. So Called Best Friend has a cool groove set by Wright and Thomas and featuring Mandeville on vocal. Billy Branch lays down some real nice harp on this one as does Maruyama with his stinging guitar riffs. Quit Me On Voice Mail has a real nice slow sensibility. Eddie Shaw digs in on this track showing some of his best chops on anything I've heard in a while. Mandeville shows real comfort moving from the slow ballad to the moving R&B and high energy spiritual. Maruyama again steps up with sweet sweet blues riffs. Very nice! Shuffle track, Party At The End Of Time, lead by a rolling bass line from Wright, features Branch back on harp and a cool solo line from Maruyama. Silver Lining (Shirley's Blues) is a cool R&B track again with gospel energy. I have always liked this style of track and mandeville's voice is nicely suited for this. I really dig Wright's bass work on this track and well articulated guitar work from Maruyama is tops. Baker, Campbell, Landessberg and Gand really get this track swinging! Tic Tok has more of a Rock/R&B feel with strong horn backing and nice B3 work from Gand. Why Would A Woman Sing The Blues is a high stepping track with a super nice groove. Mandeville takes one of the most aggressive, raw guitar solos on the release immediately elevating it to one of my favorites. Smart Women Foolish Choices again features a vocal duet with Charlie Love and Mandeville. A slick modern shuffle, features really nice bass work again from Wright and a cool trumpet solo from Wade Baker. (Life Is Like A) Wave takes standard 12 bar format and features Dizzy Bolinski on harp. Mandeville steps up with a little blues swagger of her own on guitar in tandem with Bolinski for a simple conclusion to a very cool release.
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
Sunday, September 28, 2014
The Chris Duarte Group to release the new album "Lucky 13" on Blues Bureau International October 14. 2014
Chris Duarte Group Lucky 13 Blues Bureau International 14 October 2014 |
|
Chris Duarte Group emerged on the scene out of Austin, Texas, in
the early 90s and gained notoriety after wowing a packed room of
industry insiders at the South X Southwest convention. In the wake of
Stevie Ray Vaughans passing, Duarte quickly gained a national
reputation as a young man imbued with a playing style comparable at
times to the late guitarist.
After fielding interest from a number of labels, Duarte signed to Silvertone Records and his debut album Texas Sugar/ Strat Magik reportedly sold in excess of 100,000 units in the United States, no small feet for a blues/rock guitarist. This coupled with Duartes strong commitment to touring, was the impetus for Chris winning the Best New Talent in Guitar Players 1995 Readers Poll. He also finished fourth in the magazines Best Blues Guitarist category that year behind legends Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King. Throughout the last decade, Duarte honed his chops as a guitarist, songwriter, and singer as he recorded three more critically acclaimed records, Tailspin Headwhack in 1997, Love Is Greater Than Me in 2000 and Romp 2003, the latter two of which were on the Zoe/Rounder label. Not one to rest on his laurels, Duarte has constantly worked on his growth as a musician and the years of recording culminated purposefully in this past decades Blue Velocity, Vantage Point, 396 with Bluestone Company, Blues In The Afterburner, Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, All Things Blue, Infinite Energy, My Soul Alone, and 2013s Chris Duarte Group Live. All records aptly showcase many sides of this brilliant artist in the context of high energy blues rock with moments that bring to mind legendary artists as diverse as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Johnson. Chris recordings have always been rooted firmly in the blues with a rock and roll edge which further established Duarte as one of the rare musical talents of his generation. Lucky 13 continues in the tradition of contemporary blues rock with bursts of fusion, pop, and heavy psychedelia throughout. This CD contains a heavy dose of Duartes legendary blues guitar chops over a diverse set of grooves and lyrical themes. TRACK LISTING
1. You Know Youre Wrong
2. Angry man 3. Crazy For Your Love 4. Who Loves You 5. Here I Come 6. Let It Go 7. Man up 8. No Chasing It 9. Weak Wheels 10. Aint Gonna Hurt No More 11. Meus Via Vita Suite: a. Lets Go For A Ride b. Minefield Of My Mind c. Setting Sun 12. Jump The Trane Points of Interest
The Blues Bureau label has developed a strong following for its
superior blues rock recordings. Chris Duarte takes his place among
artists in the labels legacy that includes such blues rock legends as
Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Eric Gales, and Leslie West.
Chris masterful guitar and vocal performances on Lucky 13
portend a great response from these loyal blues fans, as guitarists of
this quality and intensity are few and far between.
The Chris Duarte Group is a perennial touring act, and have
played as many as 300 dates in a single year, and has developed a legion
of loyal fans spanning across the United States.
Guitar Player Magazine has revered Duarte, and its readers have
named him one of the greatest guitarists in the industry in a readers
poll.
Fans of guitar-oriented music have followed Chris Duarte for
nearly two decades and his fans are waiting in anticipation of this
phenomenal record.
As a guitarist, Duarte has been compared to some of the
greatest players of all time. This record, while featuring some of his
most impressive and extended guitar work to date, also reveals him to be
a strong singer/ songwriter in the blues rock genre.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisDuarteGroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/IamChrisDuarte Official Website: http://www.chrisduartegroupfans.org/ TOUR DATES: 2014 10/9 - THE GREY EAGLE - Asheville, North Carolina 10/10 - THE RUSTY NAIL - Wilmington, North Carolina 10/11 - ANDREWS BREWING CO. - Andrews, North Carolina 10/12 - THE POUR HOUSE MUSIC HALL - Raleigh, North Carolina 10/24 - BRADFORDVILLE BLUES CLUB - Tallahassee, Florida 10/25 - SKIPPER'S SMOKEHOUSE - Tampa, Florida 10/26 - EARL'S HIDEAWAY LOUNGE - Sebastian, Florida 10/28 - OLDE FISH HOUSE - Matlacha, Florida 10/30 - "Bike Night" at TWO BROTHERS BAR & GRILL - Punta Gorda, Florida 10/31 - THE ALLEY - Sanford, Florida 11/1 - THE FUNKY BISCUIT - Boca Raton, Florida 11/11 - THE IRIDIUM - New York City, New York 11/13 - COURT STREET GRILL - Pomeroy, Ohio 11/14 - THE BEACHLAND BALLROOM - Cleveland, Ohio 11/15 - MOONDOG'S - Blawnox, Pennsylvania 11/16 - SPORTSMEN'S TAVERN - Buffalo, New York 11/18 - VIOLET'S VENUE - Barrie, Ontario, Canada 11/19 - CHAN'S - Woonsocket, Rhode Island 11/20 - THE HUNGRY TIGER - Manchester, Connecticut 11/21 - THE ELKS LODGE - Franklin, New Hampshire 11/22 - THE STONE CHURCH MUSIC CLUB - Newmarket, New Hampshire 11/23 - ABILENE BAR & LOUNGE - Rochester, New York 11/25 - HILL COUNTRY LIVE - Washington, D.C. 11/29 - SMITH'S OLDE BAR - Atlanta, Georgia 12/3 - GEORGE'S MAJESTIC LOUNGE - Fayetteville, Arkansas 12/4 - THE VANGUARD - Tulsa, Oklahoma 12/5 - THE BUFFALO ROSE - Golden, Colorado 12/6 - CRYSTOLA ROADHOUSE - Woodland Park, Colorado 12/8 - TAOS MESA BREWING - Taos, New Mexico 12/9 - THE RHYTHM ROOM - Phoenix, Arizona 12/10 - THE SKYLIGHT - Santa Fe, New Mexico 12/12 - KEYS LOUNGE - Fort Worth, Texas 12/13 - DAN'S ELECTRO BAR - Houston, Texas 12/14 - THE ROOST - Austin, Texas 12/15 - EXECUTIVE SURF CLUB - Corpus Christi, Texas 12/16 - SAM'S BURGER JOINT - San Antonio, Texas 12/17 - The Guitar Sanctuary - McKinney TX |
Friday, September 26, 2014
Delmark Records artist: Mississippi Heat - Warning Shot - New Release Review
I just received the newest release, Warning Shot, from Mississippi Heat and it's real nice! Opening with Sweet Poison, an Elmore James like track, featuring Inetta Visor on vocal and Giles Corey on super slide. Pierre Lacocque lays in some smoking harp work backed by Neal O'Hara on piano, Brian Quinn on bass and Kenny Smith on drums. Alley Cat Boogie is a fast paced boogie with a driving piano line from O'Hara and Andrew Thomas on drums. Visor really rolls with the vocals on this track backed by Mae Koen, Diane Madison and Nanette Frank on backing vocals. Lacocque rips a super harp solo on this track and Sax Gordon blows a fine solo of his own! Come To Mama has a definite New Orleans flavor with added percussion from Ruben Alvarez. O'Hara puts a real authentic spin on the piano work and Gordon adds some really cool sax work to compliment Lacocque's excellent harp phrasing. I Don't Know is a club style ballad and Visor really digs into her vocal style. Lacocque shows his impeccable harp style on his solo work on this track and Corey also lays out some really nice guitar soloing on this track. Yeah Now Baby really gets into gear with an uptempo blues track. Michael Dotson takes the lead on vocal and Lacocque really shines on this track. Andrew Thomas sets the pace on drums with a tight snare ride throughout. Funky track Birthday Song gets back to that New Orleans sound with a good amount of bounce. Visor, Koen, Madison and Frank played against the horns and keys make for a nice contrast and Carl Weathersby rips it loose on guitar as well. Alvarez, Gordon and Quinn each take nice solos as well for a really cool jam. Nowhere To Go has a cool lope for a more traditional Chicago sound. Lacocque takes advantage of the pace and lays down another super harp solo. Title track Warning Shot has a cool swing and O'Hara takes a nice organ solo followed by Corey and Gordon who both lay it out! Swingy Dingy Baby is a super shuffle featuring Dotson on vocal. A slick guitar solo heats up this track and Lacocque and O'Hara squeeze it for what it's worth. Too Sad To Wipe My Tears has a early delta feel with simple guitar riffs and expressive harp soloing. Visor's rich vocals are well suited to this style as well. Recession Blues returns to the Latin flavor with distinctive percussion from Alvarez. An easy blues rock overtone gives Corey a opening to play some really stylized guitar riffs followed by Lacocque. Excellent! Evaporated Blues has an unusual approach to the blues with a staggered military kind of drum work and a swampy feel. This is a cool track featuring Dotson on lead vocal and cool key work from O'Hara throughout. Hank Williams classic, Your Cheating Heart, gets a swing makeover with Lacocque taking the melody on harp. Gordon takes a really throaty sax solo on this track as well giving it extra body. A Part Of Something Special has a really funky groove and Visor puts forward my favorite vocals on the release. Gordon gets into a really grinding groove followed by a crisp solo by Lacocque making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. What Cha Say? is a really nice slow blues instrumental lead by Lacocque over a strong bass line from Quinn. Kenny Smith takes the lead on vocal on this track and Corey adds some nice slide guitar work as well. Wrapping the release is Working Man, a quick paced Chicago style blues with Visor back on lead vocal. With O'Hara setting the pace and Lacocque playing to the lead, Corey and Lacocque each take turns with cool solos. O'Hara and Smith warm the track making this is a nice conclusion to a really 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”
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”
Labels:
Delmark,
Mississippi Heat,
Review,
Warning Shot
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Yonder Mountain String Band Announces 4-Night NYE Run @ Boulder Theater!
Yonder Mountain String Band
Announces 4-Day NYE Run @ Boulder Theater
December 31, 2014 - January 3, 2015
Boulder, CO
Announces 4-Day NYE Run @ Boulder Theater
December 31, 2014 - January 3, 2015
Boulder, CO
Boulder, CO -- Thursday, September 25, 2014 -- New Year's Eve in Boulder, CO has become a tradition for Yonder Mountain String Band. Come ring in the New Year at the Boulder Theater for a 4-night run with plenty of foot stompin' and hand clappin' as Yonder burns it down with special guest violinist Allie Kral and mandolin player Jake Jolliff; additional special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. This year, YMSB kicks off the run on Wednesday, December 31, 2014. On New Year's Day, the venue will roll out some mighty fine Bloody Marys and other libations to help fans start the year off right as YMSB keeps the party going through Saturday, January 3, 2015. Pre-sale tickets are now available via YMSB's Tour Page with the general on-sale starting this Friday, September 26, 2014 via the Boulder Theater box office and online. Leading up to the NYE run, YMSB will be on the road for their Fall Tour 2014 with headlining stops at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival (Oct. 4: Raleigh, NC), Mulberry Mt. Harvest Festival (Oct. 16 - 18: Ozark, AR), and select venues in the South, East Coast, and Midwest. For some fun in the sun this December 11 - 15, don't miss YMSB's Strings & Sol happening in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. YMSB interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.
Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half -- much of it spent on the road -- Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin' McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB "liberates bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism," while Paste Magazine wrote, "The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock 'n' roll, and seek out an adventurous audience."
Yonder Mountain String Band is comprised of Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), and select special guest artists who will appear with the band throughout 2014. Two standout musicians regularly performing live with YMSB are Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) and Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals). Jolliff is an award-winning mandolin player (First Place, National Mandolin Championship 2012, Walnut Valley Festival), and was a founding member of the disbanded Americana outfit, Joy Kills Sorrow. Kral is well-known as the former fiddle player for Cornmeal (2003 - 2013), and she's worked alongside various notable artists including moe., Railroad Earth, Warren Haynes, and others. For confirmed line-up information, please see the tour dates listed below.
With the band having one of the strongest touring bases in the industry, fans and critics alike have been drawn to both their live shows and singular studio albums. Reporting from the All Good Music Festival (2009), journalist Jarrett Bellini from CNN Showbiz Tonight notes, "The trophy for best musical set goes to Yonder Mountain String Band who, as the sun began to set, left it all on the stage for an hour and a half. The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky."
YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit. The band has sold out Colorado's famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with Grateful Dead and Furthur bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads venue in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year -- Northwest String Summit (now in its 14th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the fifth time in October 2014), and Strings & Sol (Yonder hosts for the third year-in-a-row in Mexico in December 2014) -- and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. Every other year, YMSB also hosts Kinfolk Festival @ Planet Bluegrass. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year.
Yonder has always played music by its own design. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, they've come to pioneer a sound that they alone could only champion. With a traditional lineup of instruments, they may appear to be a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they've taken the customary old-timey instrumentation to new heights, transcending any single genre. Yonder has become a regular performer at major music festivals like the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Summer Camp, and DelFest as well as massive multi-stage events like Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits Festival.
YMSB is currently working on a new full-length studio recording; fans can expect a new album to be released in early 2015.
For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.
YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND FALL & WINTER 2014 TOUR DATES
10/4 - Raleigh, NC - Wide Open Bluegrass*^
10/16 - 10/18 - Ozark, AR - Mulberry Mt. Harvest Festival*^#
10/23 - Augusta, GA - Riverwalk Revival*^
10/24 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City Music Hall*
10/25 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theater*
10/26 - Savannah, GA - Trustee Garden*
10/29 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom*^
10/30 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29*^
10/31 - Roanoke, VA - Shaftman Performance Hall @ Jefferson Center*^
11/1 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy’s*^
11/5 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom*^
11/6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue*^
11/7 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues*^
11/8 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues*^
11/12 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Ballroom*^
11/13 - Boston, MA - House of Blues*^
11/14 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts*^
11/15 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl*^
12/11 - 12/15 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings & Sol*^
12/31 - 1/3 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater*^
Special Guest Performers:*Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals)
^Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals)
#Jerry Douglas (dobro)
Too Bad Jim Exclusively Reissued for Vinyl Me, Please
Too Bad Jim Exclusively Reissued for Vinyl Me, Please
Record of the month club, Vinyl Me, Please, announces the upcoming exclusive pressing of R.L. Burnside’s Too Bad Jim in the year that marks the 20th anniversary of its release. Available only to Vinyl Me, Please members, the 180-gram vinyl reissue includes a custom poster insert (24” x 24”) and is limited to 4,500 hand-numbered copies.
Accompanying the album is a bespoke piece of commissioned artwork by Andrew Gunthardt and a cocktail recipe to complete the listening experience.
“Fat Possum Records is proud to share this special edition of R.L. Burnside’s Too Bad Jim with the members of Vinyl Me, Please. Produced by New York Times music critic Robert Palmer and recorded in 1993 at Junior Kimbrough’s juke joint near Chulahoma Mississippi Too Bad Jim is Burnside at his best, with a family band and “adopted son” Kenny Brown on second guitar. This record and Junior Kimbrough’s All Night Long are the records that started it all for us. So sit back and fix yourself a Bloody Motha (featured cocktail pairing & favorite of R.L.) and enjoy this record.”
“Our main promise to our members is that each month we’ll send them an album that’s essential to any vinyl collection and Too Bad Jim was an easy choice given that criteria.” - Tyler Barstow, Vinyl Me, Please co-founder.
The album described by Robert Palmer, who produced the album, as below…
“Chaos, chance, charm and luck are a primary blues paradigm, of course, and a late twentieth-century scientific paradigm as well. The Chaos Theory of post-relativity physics tell us of Strange Attractors – inexplicable higher-order functions that provide a kind of boundary or shape or structural dynamic for chaos systems – and this model fits R.L’s music as well. The essential character of R.L,’s blues is chaos-on-wheels; it rocks as hard as any music on the planet while spreading sonic waves of sex and mayhem far and wide. But it is grounded in an implicit order: the rhythmic and melodic deep structures of North Mississippi blues.” - Robert Palmer
A limited number of membership slots are currently available by requesting an invite here: http://vinylmeplease.com/request-an-invite/.
Labels:
R.L. Burnside,
Too Bad jim,
Vinyl Me Please
Cash Box Kings coming to Phoenix, AZ!
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Labels:
Arizona,
Cash Box Kings,
Phoenix,
Rhythm Room
Ruf Records artist: Devon Allman - Ragged & Dirty - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (October 14, 2014), Ragged & Dirty from Devon Allman and it's surprisingly good. Devon's uncle Duane was one of my absolute influences into music listening and everything Allman which was to follow has always been pale by comparison. Devon Allman has finally struck on something really special and I'm happy to be reviewing it. Pairing up with writer,producer Tom Hambridge has been a super decision and this music is a result. Opening with Half The Truth, a blues rocker with a Robert Johnson flavor but a fresh attack is really borrowing from the original Allman Brothers song book. They had a unique ability to take an original blues track and make it sound fresh. Hambridge and Allman have taken a brand new approach with a totally new song based upon a seasoned riff and come out on top. Allman has a really cool voice and a guitar voice all his own. Can't Lose 'em All has a funky rhythm and Allman, joined by Hambridge on drums, Felton Crews on bass, Giles Cory on guitar and Marty Sammon on B3 delivers a cool track. Now I will admit to hearing a taste of Allman Brothers phrasing in this track but it isn't a predominant theme. Leavin' finds Cory on acoustic guitar and Bobby Schneck Jr. on lead guitar. Allman and Hambridge harmonize nicely on vocals and Schneck skillfully slices his lead work throughout the track. I'll Be Around, made popular by the Spinners, keeps much of it's original R&B feel and Allman and backing vocalist Wendy Moten do a real nice job of covering this classic track. Allman takes a really nice clean guitar solo on this track with not even a tip of the hat to anything "Allman". Slick! One of my favorite tracks on the release, Traveling, has a swampy rock feel with Crews on bass and Allmans own guitar riffs nicely punctuating his vocals. Allman takes an extended guitar solo on this track and sounds fresh and expressive. Very nice. Instrumental track, Midnight Lake Michigan, penned by Allman is a bluesy exploration into his own soul via the guitar, joined by Hambridge, Crews and Sammon. Even though this track clocks in at over 9 minutes, it doesn't get tiresome or repetitive. Excellent! Ten Million Slaves has a particularly strong vocal lead with harmony vocals from Schneck. With an almost UK folk sound overlaid by a rock drive, this is an interesting track. Funky Blackjack Heartattack, another Allman composition, has a super rhythm and again Allman's vocal prowess lead the way. The band really shows it's control on this track where it almost seems as if Allman's vocals are solid and compressed and the band literally explodes around him. Really cool! Blues ballad, Back To You is really top notch. With some of the best writing on the release this track has it all. A dynamic guitar solo capping off the R&B sound with backing vocals from Hambridge and Moten, this track is hot! On Times Have Changed , Allman and Cory play twin guitar leads but with more of a Rossington/Collins flare than a Betts/Allman duo. A country rocker, Allman, Hambridge and Schneck blend nicely on vocal. Luther Allison's Ragged & Dirty is killer. Allman really digs in deep with his guitar riffs sounding more like Albert King than Duane Allman. Solid rhythm set up by Hambridge and rowdy singing from Allman makes this a sure choice for the title track. Wrapping the release is quiet folk rocker, Leave The City, with Allman on vocal and resonator and Hambridge on drums and xylophone. With the final track being more of a cool down than a crescendo, this is a really super release which deserves to cast it's own shadow.
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”
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”
Labels:
Devon Allman,
Ragged & Dirty,
Review,
Ruf Records
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Jimmy Carpenter - Walk Away - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (9/23/14), Walk Away, from Jimmy Carpenter and it has style. Opening with Can't Let Go, a strong melodic track featuring Carpenter on vocal and sax, Anson Funderburgh and John Fohl on guitar, John Gros on B3, Casandra Faulconer on bass, and Wayne Maureau on drums. Title track, Walk Away, has clean simple vocal harmonies and a slick funky beat featuring cool sax work from Carpenter. When You're Ready, another catchy tune, shows a stronger hand on guitar with the addition of Mike Zito and a stinging solo results. She's Not You is a slower ballad with a cool sax intro from Carpenter. Reba Russell adds nice backing vocal on this track and Gros warms the bottom with organ melodies allowing plenty of space for Carpenter to solo further on sax. Coming off with a strong strut, 7th Street Shuffle has a real nice swagger led by Carpenter on sax. Fohl has a nice op to lay down a cool guitar solo and Gros is right there with B3 over a solid lead bass line from Faulconer. No One's Ever is a cool R&B with a very strong melody. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Carpenter does a nice job on lead vocal and sax. More Than Meets The Eye is another strong radio track with nice trumpet accents from Antonio Gambrell and warmly blended vocals with Carpenter and Russell. Hard To Be Cool opens with a strong sax trumpet intro and a sultry groove. Carpenter has a solid voice and using a bari sax really pushes the depth on this track. A deep throated sax solo and Electric key work from Gros on this track sets it apart on this release. Crazy 'Bout You' has a bright poppy sound with an accentuation on vocal harmonies. The instrumental, C King Blues really puts me in mind of the great Curtis Ousley so that makes it one of my favorites on the release. With solid sax lead and a memorable melody, this is one of the strongest tracks on the release. Very cool! Favorite Muse has an easy jazz feel over a Latin rhythm. Fohl's clean guitar work, Gros' solid organ styling and Maureau's snappy percussion hold tight on this track rounding out this track, primarily a vocal track. On The Outside is a bright and bouncy rocker with a catchy melody. Wrapping the track is Fellow Traveler, a simple ballad with a country flavor. Carpenter shares lead vocals with Reba Russell and also vocal duet. A clean simple track, this is a nice conclusion to well written release. Oh Yeah...boy can sing!
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”
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”
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Roy Buchanan- Shredding The Blues - Live at My Father's Place 1978 & 1984 - Guest writer Stilladog - New release review
Let me preface this review by stating I am an unabashed fan of Roy Buchanan and have been since I was 18 years old. I have heard a lot of his recorded material both production and bootleg varieties. I've seen him play live numerous times, particularly during the time period of these recordings. So there's a degree of bias here.
The recordings took place for tracks 1 through 7 during a gig at My Father's Place, a famous house of blues on Long Island, NY, back in 1978. The final 3 tracks were recorded in 1984 with a completely new band when Roy returned to that venue. I believe these recordings which come from the sound board were once available as bootlegs. There once was a Yahoo! fan group called Roy's Live Recordings which traded in non-production bootlegs of Roy's concerts. And that's where I think I may have first heard this stuff. But even that's been more than 10 years ago so I cannot be sure. Anyway, this is a production release by Rockbeat Records that you can buy at Amazon or wherever.
The sound quality has been re-engineered well for being from old source (analog) tapes. Albums of this nature inherently suffer from weak source recordings to begin with and Shredding the Blues is no exception. The best part about this release which sets it apart from a truly weak offering marketed under Roy Buchanan's name, Shake, Rattle, and Roy, is that it actually accentuates Roy's guitar. On Shake, Rattle and Roy (which I believe is mostly Danny Denver and His Soundmasters featuring Roy Buchanan) you can barely hear what Roy is playing. Live at My Father's Place is none of that.
The set starts out with a version of the Howlin' Wolf tune, I'm Evil. A few minutes in Roy warms up and unleashes a barrage of his classic licks and runs which sets the audience on edge. On this tune, and actually most tracks that Roy himself sings the vocal track is weak. Now if you've ever seen Roy sing you know it's was not his strong suit and he practically whispers the words anyway. But the guitar is fantastic!
More guitar is featured on the second track, Soul Dressing. However the feature of this tune is a nice extended piano solo, something which is rarely heard on Buchanan's recordings. A very nice keyboard break is in Baby Won't You Tell Me Where You're At also. I'd like to tell who is playing it but personnel was not provided. I'm pretty sure Malcolm Lukens was in the depths of heroin addiction by 1978, or recovering, so it wasn't him.
Most all the numbers feature Roy just lighting it up on the fretboard. He makes the Telecaster scream, he makes it cry, he makes it wah-wah without a pedal. Fast as your ears can follow to slow and easy in a heartbeat. Tone like nothing you will ever hear elsewhere. And of course there's a ton of "pinched harmonics" for which he is famous.
On Hey Joe he thanks Jimi Hendrix, then ends the tune with an extended Foxy Lady riff. And the unparalleled Messiah Will Come Again is in there as well. The final three tracks from 1984 were songs in development for his albums When A Guitar Plays The Blues and Dancing On The Edge, Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn and the title track for When A Guitar Plays The Blues.
This is a fair representation of what Roy sounded like when he played live back in the 70s and early 80s. Vocals are rather weak and crowd noise at times becomes a distraction. But if you want to hear some electrifying guitar work, you should check this one out. If you've never heard Roy play, this probably isn't the place to start (Livestock is a much better live album). But if jaw dropping axe work is your thing you're gonna love Shredding The Blues.
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”
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”
Clarksdale, Mississippi's DELTA BUSKING FESTIVAL returns with 2 stages over 3 days!
|
Labels:
Clarksdale,
Delta Busking Festival,
Mississippi
OFEH Records artist: Blind Lemon Pledge - Evangeline - New release Review
I just received the newest release, Evangeline, from Blind Lemon Pledge and it is cool and quirky. First I've got to say, I really dig his name and sense of humor. Opening with work farm track Buley's Farm, I really think this track is cool and like nothing I have heard recently (except of a Taj Mahal release, Mulebone I think). Featuring solo vocal lead by BLP and backed by the Mississippi State Prison Farm Jubilee Singers and just a stripped down acoustic slide part, this track is about as spartan as they get. Very cool! Next up is Jennie Bell, an acoustic ballad in the flavor of early Bob Dylan. Brimstone Joe is a cleverly constructed ballad with a really nice melody. Breaking the basis of the track and expanding into a ragtime track with Hugh Jorgan on keys and Isaac Izzy Cumming on drums. Midnight Assignation is really a stripped down rocker like a New York poet. With some simple but fluid slide riffs this track is a nice contrast to the balance of the release. Go Jump The Willie is a cool rockabilly track with light jazzy guitar lead behind the vocal harmonies. On The Language Of Love, BLP takes a Latin turn Alvin "Albee" Bakatcha rides tight on percussion. Alex Blaine-Laydor, Lauralyn Hardy, Willie B Hardigan, Don Menchinet, Anita Moorehead and Bess T Wishes add harmony vocals (yeah, look at the names a couple of times...you'll get it!). Ham and Eggs is an easy going pop track that could have been constructed in the early part of the 20th century. Blind Lemon is having fun and if you let yourself go, you will too. How Can I Still Love You has an easy jazzy blues feel with Gene Poole on bass and Cummings on drums. A second simple pop track, You Had Me At Goodbye, has a nice melody and a solid hook. Title track, Evangeline, is a simple blues with sliding cigar box accompaniment. One of the most pleasing tracks on the release and a nice closer.
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”
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”
Labels:
Blind Lemon Pledge,
Evangeline,
Review
Monday, September 22, 2014
Acclaimed Blues Artist Rory Block Salutes Skip James on Her New CD, "Hard Luck Child," Coming October 21 on Stony Plain Records
Acclaimed Blues Artist Rory Block Salutes Skip James on
Her New CD, Hard Luck Child, Coming October 21 on Stony Plain
Records
Latest Album Is the Fifth in Her “Mentor Series” Paying
Tribute to Those Blues Masters Who’ve Influenced Her
Music
EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records announces an October 21
release date for Hard Luck Child: a Tribute to Skip James, the
fifth in acclaimed acoustic blues artist Rory Block’s “Mentor Series” of
recordings saluting those blues masters who’ve had a profound influence on her
music. On her latest album, the multi-Blues Music Award winner pays tribute to
Skip James, one of the most important country blues artists in history, whose
songs have been recorded by a host of contemporary musicians over the years
including Cream, who covered perhaps his most famous song, “I’m So Glad,” on
their debut album in 1966.
The 10 tracks on Hard Luck Child include nine
original Skip James songs and the Rory Block original composition that opens the
album, “Nehemiah James,” which is her telling of James’ story and his impact on
others. Throughout, the lines between gospel and blues are crossed, blurred and
intertwined, showing the derivation of the original country blues sound of James
and the others Block has previously saluted in her earlier albums: Mississippi
John Hurt (Avalon), Rev. Gary Davis (I Belong to the
Band), Mississippi Fred McDowell (Shake ‘em on Down) and
Son House (Blues Walkin’ Like a Man).
“This is
the fifth recording in my Mentor Series—musical tributes that celebrate the rediscovered blues
masters I met in person as a teenager,” Rory Block writes in the album’s
incisive liner notes. “These five great artists to whom these recordings are
dedicated are the blues masters with whom I spent the most meaningful time, and
they have, as a result, affected me the most deeply. There were others, such as
Bukka White, who I sat next to, but really never interacted with on a personal
level—thus these five are the true core of
this series.”
In Rory
Block’s remarkably talented fingers, she caresses and alternately attacks the
strings in a slide guitar virtuoso performance that brings the soul and meaning
of Skip James’ songs to life, as if heard for the very first time over the many
decades since they were first written and performed by the man,
himself.
“Skip James
is often referred to as a man of mystery,” she writes of her experience meeting
him. “Some people have described him as melancholy, even unfriendly. But in my
15 year-old eyes he was deep, soulful, and beautiful. I did not question his
serious demeanor. After all, I was aware of the history, the horrors and evil
treatment he had endured. I did not expect him or any other rediscovered blues
player to be anything but serious. Skip James also had cancer when I met him,
and very few people are cheerful in a hospital.
“To me, his
music, with its intensity and haunting quality, was central to the incredibly
powerful style we called Country Blues. After all, blues was often about sorrow,
hard times, and heartache. But it was also about joy, survival, and even success
in some cases. Skip James was the quintessential blues player; he had it all: style, power, grace,
depth—the ability to change your life and
your way of experiencing the world with a single song. This was the inspiration
and the example set by the masters—the gauntlet that was thrown down. I had to
follow the sound and the passion. While the rest of the world was busy with
modern things, I wandered down the dusty path towards the past in bare feet. I
didn’t have a choice. This is what called to me.”
The liner
notes for Hard Luck Child also include an excerpt from Rory’s
autobiography, When a Woman Gets the Blues, about her encounter
with James in that hospital room, where she was accompanied by her fellow blues
traveler, noted guitarist Stefan Grossman.
Produced by
Rory Block and Rob Davis, the new album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Rob
Davis in the Aurora Productions mobile studios in Kentucky and Upstate New York.
Throughout, Rory plays her signature model Martin Guitars and a 14 mm deep well
socket for a slide. Well-known for her love of animals, Rory’s critters even
make guest appearances creating background noises on some of the tracks, and a
faint phone rings from time, adding further authenticity to the
proceedings.
Rory Block
will support the release of Hard Luck Child with consistent
touring and is booked by Folklore International Artists (www.fli.com). For more information, visit www.roryblock.com
and www.stonyplainrecords.com.
Hard
Luck Child- A Tribute to Skip James – Track Listing
1. Nehemiah
James
2. Special
Rider Blues
3. Cypress
Grove Blues
4. If You
Haven’t Any Hay, Get On Down the Road
5. Little
Cow and Calf Is Gonna Die Blues
6. Devil
Got My Woman
7. Jesus Is
a Mighty Good Leader
8. Hard
Time Killing Floor Blues
9. I’m So
Glad
10. Hard
Luck Child
Rory Block Tour Itinerary
9/27 Valatie
Theater Valatie,
NY
10/3 Historic Blairstown
Theater Blairstown,
NJ
10/4 Godfrey
Daniels
Bethlehem, PA
10/5 Jammin’
Java
Vienna, VA
Vizztone Label Group artist: Skyla Burrell Band - Blues Scars - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (10/7/14), Blues Scars, from the Skyla Burrell Band and it rocks! Opening with title track, Blues Scars, is a funky rocker with a stinging guitar attack. Burrell handles the lead vocals and shares guitar work with co founding guitarist Mark Tomlinson, and strongly supported by Ezell Jones Jr. on drums and Michelle Lucas on bass. Bluesin' For Your Lovin', a nice Texas style blues rock slams back the door and Burrell's vocals very soulful. Rocker Trouble has a bunch of snap. With it's twisting/surf styling, this is a cool rocker with bright guitar riffs. Stuck In A Struggle is a lighter pop rock track but Burrell's unique vocal style gives it teeth. With it's driving beat, this is a cool radio track. Somber ballad, Love Letters In Blue, has some nicely stylized guitar work and crisp drumming from Jones supporting the vocal work of Burrell. Livin' For The Blues is a modern blues shuffle with a cool bass line from Lucas and nice slide work chasing Burrell's sultry vocals. Shut You Down is strongly rhythmic reinforced by Jones and Burrell steps up first on guitar followed closely by Tomlinson. On Life Storms,a boogie track, Burrell pushes her vocal styling and lays down a few cool guitar riffs. One of my favorite tracks, World Wide Blues has a cool Latin beat and chilly blues chords reminiscent of All Your Love (Otis Rush). Burrell steps up with some of the tastiest guitar riffs on the release nicely complimenting her super vocal delivery. Full Time Gambler is a blend of blues styles from Texas to Britain. With it's easy lope and slippery slide this is a cool track. Jace is another of my favorite tracks with a bit of an R&B feel. Burrell uses a light touch with her vocals and an easy going San Francisco style blues style solo, this track hits the spot. Juke Jointin' Tonight is a hot swinger (think Rocket 88) and a nice highlight for Burrell's vocals. Her guitar style works nicely with this tempo and Jones rides it tight. Tomlinson also steps up with a hot solo of his own pushed by Lucas with her walking bass. Very nice. 6 Mile Century Blues has a strong Big Brother styling which I really like. What I really like about it is that the band sounds like what Big Brother sounds like instrumentally with trem bends and arpegiated chords and driving drums but without a bad imitation of Janis Joplin. Really quite nice! 21st Century Blues is a straight up blues rocker right out of Albert King or Otis Rush's song book. With it's straight forward attack and juicy guitar work this release continues to build steam. Wrapping the release is Bad Business, a hard driving blues rocker pushed along by Lucas and with a cool rock n roll rhythm lead. Burrell and Tomlinson both take hot and nasty solos on the track and Jones is on top of it all keeping it tight.
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”
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”
Friday, September 19, 2014
AC Myles - Reconsider Me - New Release Review
I just received the newest release, Reconsider Me, and I really like it! Opening with Fenton Robinson's You Don't Know What Love Is, Myles shows that he has a terrific voice for soul and guitar riffs to match. Joined by Derrick 'D'Mar Martin on drums, Endre Tarczy on bass and keys, Kid Andersen on rhythm guitar and keys, Nate Ginsberg on piano and keys and Lisa Andersen on backing vocals this track is hot! My definite favorite on the release. Rory Gallagher's Do You Read Me is really hot with a funky flavor and Gallagher's intent blended with SVR's flair. This is a really interesting track an one that will likely appeal to a broad audience. One of my favorite old Elvin Bishop tracks, Rock My Soul, is up next and even though it wasn't a Mickey Thomas era track, Myles vocals have a Thomas timbre. A fun track and a feel good track. Breaking into a full rock track, Myles breaks loose with cool rock riffs and Anderson's backing vocals really add a nice touch. Very nice! Title track, Johnny Adams' Reconsider Me, has a real nice sway and a definite gospel feel reinforced by organ filler and finite piano riffs. Myles further shows his vocal range with near falsetto high notes. His guitar soloing on this track is clean and interesting. Sweet! Roman Carter's Queen Bee has that rolling James Brown R&B feel with Myles taking total command with his strong vocal and nicely appointed guitar details. Myles takes the lead on guitar and shows how nicely a man can lead and follow his own voice. Very nice job! Livin' A Lie shows Myles ability on slide guitar with bad intention. A stylized rock track, this track is really the closest thing to a pop track on the release. With extensive flaming slide work on this track, it's a sure winner. Death Bed Blues is the first down the middle blues track on the release. With a standard 12 bar blues with vocal call and guitar response this track is rock solid. Bart Davenport track, What Is Love, is a simple ballad with a taste of country. Myles uses this simple platform to again show his versatility and nicely executed. Call 'em All Baby comes out of the gate hot with a Lynyrd Skynyrd like swagger. A catchy melody and perfect execution make this the sure fire winner for radio play. Boogie track Three Ways To Fall again finds Myles grabbing the slide and he does a real nice job on this track. His vocal styling and simple sliding technique make for a track that most blues rockers will love. Wrapping the release is Fats Domino's Blue Monday, and man does it get a make over. Myles has done a really sweet job of interpretation and I really like the way his voice sounds on this track. Kind of a mix between Thomas and John Fogherty. This funky rocker is definitely one of the best tracks on the release and a super closer for this very cool release. Looking forward to getting it into my car for further review!
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”
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”
Labels:
AC Myles,
California,
Reconsider Me,
Review
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Annika Chambers up for BMA
Aside from her newest release, Making My Mark, Annika Chambers has been busy! She recently completed her degree at the University of Houston, Downtown in December of 2013 in Corporate Communication. She has also been Nominated for Best Blues In Houston by Free Press Houston. Her musical career has continued to flourish as she opened for Shemekia Copeland, Carolyn Wonderland and performed Mess Around at the blues music awards Memphis in May 2014 with Jeff Jensen and gang, Pearland Crawfish Fest, Springboard South Houston, Big Music Festival, Tall City Blues Fest (midland), Navasota Blues Fest and played with Brandon Santini during the IBCs 2014!
Here my review of Annika's most recent 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”
"review"
Here my review of Annika's most recent 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”
"review"
Labels:
Annika Chambers,
Making My Mark
Little Silver Records artist: Iko-Iko - Bullets In The Bonfire Vol.1 - New release Review
I just received the newest release, Bullets In The Bonfire Vol. 1 from Iko - Iko and its flavorful! A fifteen track retrospective of the band it has a lot of variety. Opening with Party Car, a New Orleans flavored track, the band is really hopping featuring strong vocals from Graham Wood Drout, super sax from Ron Dziubla and traditional drumming from Stewart Jean. Cajun tasting (I Never Had An) American Dream is a party track deluxe with cool lyrics. Celebration rolls more into the R&B styling and it's pop nature. A definite hook and familiar melody makes this a radio stopper. Dziubla really blows the walls out on this one giving it just the right spice. Live track Don't Mess With The Voodoo is a swampy rocker. Mike Bauer and Larry Williams lay out some smokin guitar riffs on this track and I particularly like the drum work of Jean. Miller's Woods has a solid pop rock style and some cool guitar slide riffs by Williams. Mike Mennel adds a cool under line on the bass throughout this track. Late Hours is a slow blues track featuring Bob Hemphill on harp. Drout sets a nice bass line on this track joined by Joseph Anthony Smith on drums and understated guitar soloing by Nick Kane. Returning to a New Orleans flavor and the rich sax and organ work of Dziubla, Pet De Kat is a cool track with a playful nature. Funky track, Snowstorm In The Jungle, gets a bit more rowdy with Drout's aggressive vocals, nice harp work from Hemphill and guitar riffs from Kane. Too High To Drive, is a simple rock n roll track based on a common theme... too much! Doug Leibinger adds a lot of depth on keys and Williams shows his rock riffs. Jalapeno Be Thy Name has a definite Latin/New Orleans. Solid bottom provided by Dziubla and Mennel along with some tasty guitar riffs from Williams makes this one of the more memorable tracks on the release. Walk With The Zombie is a bluesy rock ballad. Williams and Dziubla create a really nice feel on this atmospheric story adding musicality to it's clever lyrics. Riding On The Rims stretches more toward a country folk rocker with Leibinger, Mennel and Jean providing mostly a light backing for Drout's vocals. Another live track, the classic Motherless Children, get a totally rework fitting og a festival jam say at the Fillmore with the Allmans or the Dead. Quite different with a particularly cool bass solo from Mark Harris. Ghosts Of Mississippi has a light country rock flavor with Drout and Albert Castiglia sharing acoustic and slide guitar roles. Wrapping the release is The Day The Old Man Died, a bluesy rocker with swagger. Castiglia is back on slide Cam Robb on drums. Drout paints a good story and this track is a solid choice for it's completion.
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”
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”
High Energy Act coming to Phoenix, AZ!
Labels:
Arizona,
Blind Pig Records,
Canada,
International,
JW-Jones,
Phoenix,
Rhythm Room
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Stony Plain Records Signs Blues Hall of Famer Billy Boy Arnold & Will Release His New CD on October 21; "The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold" Was Produced by Duke Robillard & Features an All-Star Backing Band
Stony Plain
Records Signs Blues Hall of Famer Billy Boy Arnold & Will Release His New CD
on October 21
Legendary
Chicago Blues Harmonica Player’s New Album, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy
Arnold, Was Produced by Duke Robillard & Features an All-Star Backing
Band
EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records announces the signing of
legendary Chicago blues harmonica master Billy Boy Arnold, and will release his
new CD, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold, on October 21.
Produced by Duke Robillard, Arnold’s new CD showcases his talents as a
songwriter, singer and harmonica player, backed by an all-star cast of
musicians, including the Roomful of Blues horns. This is Arnold’s second album
for Stony Plain, joining his highly-acclaimed 2001 release for the label,
Boogie 'n' Shuffle, also produced by Robillard.
Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013, Arnold ably
demonstrates his credentials on this scintillating set that showcases a number
of original songs, as well as compositions from Joe Tex (“A Mother’s Prayer”),
Ted Taylor (“You Give Me Nothing to Go On”), B.B. King (“Worried Dream”), Chuck
Berry (“Nadine”) and Oscar Brown Junior/Nat Adderley (“Work Song”). As its title
indicates, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold emphasizes the
soulful side of the Chicago blues master that’s always been a part of his
repertoire. His own songs have been covered over the years by a diverse group of
artists that includes everyone from Bo Diddley and David Bowie to The Yardbirds
and The Blasters.
“Billy Boy Arnold’s talent as a songwriter, singer, harp
master and blues historian is still in full swing here,” says Duke Robillard.
“On this album, he demonstrates his flair and love for many different facets of
the blues. This recording is surely a remarkable achievement.” About the
recording sessions, Billy Boy Arnold adds, “I would like to thank Duke for his
outstanding guitar performances and all the great musicians that made this
project a success.”
William “Billy Boy” Arnold was born in Chicago in 1935 and
became enamored with the blues he heard on jukeboxes, especially the sound of
blues harmonica players such as John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson. One afternoon
accompanied by his childhood friends, he knocked on Sonny Boy’s door and they
were invited in the house. Williamson played for the boys, and that moment
started a spark in Billy Boy’s heart. Before long, he was playing harp in Bo
Diddley’s band and played on Bo’s “I’m a Man,” one of the classic recordings of
Chicago blues.
During some spare time with Bo in the studio for the “I’m a
Man” sessions, Billy Boy got a chance to record his own song, “You Got to Love
Me,” which kick-started his solo career. A number of his own classic Chicago
blues songs followed, including “I Wish You Would,” which has since been
recorded by a long list of artists such as The Yardbirds, John Hammond and David
Bowie. His singles for Chicago’s Vee Jay label from the 1950s have become
highly-prized collectables.
“The chance to work with Billy Boy on this project was
something I jumped on without a moment’s thought,’ writes Duke Robillard in the
album’s liner notes. “Billy wanted to record an album full of songs that he had
always loved, in a few different genres. These 14 songs include some Billy Boy
originals, early R&B songs, blues/jazz standards and some ‘60s and ‘70s rare
soul gems.”
All bear the unmistakable stamp of The Blues Soul of
Billy Boy Arnold
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