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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!
DEEP BLUES FESTIVAL 2015 KICKS OFF ITS SECOND YEAR IN
CLARKSDALE, MS THIS OCTOBER!
FOUR-DAY FEST TO FEATURE GREAT DEEP BLUES ACTS INCLUDING
LEFT LANE CRUISER, SCOTT H. BIRAM, DALE BEAVERS, HENRY'S FUNERAL SHOE,
ELEGANZA! AND MANY OTHERS!
MonkeyJunk Shines on New
Stony Plain Records CD, Moon Turn Red, Set for Release on September 25
Album Features a Guest
Appearance from Legendary Canadian Guitarist David Wilcox
EDMONTON,
AB – Stony Plain Records announces a September 25 release date for Moon
Turn Red, the new CD from multi-award winning Ottawa-based trio,
MonkeyJunk. Comprised of Steve Marriner (vocals, harmonica, keyboards,
baritone guitar), Tony D (lead guitar, background vocals) and Matt Sobb (drums,
percussion, background vocals), MonkeyJunk plays an energized mix of swamp
blues and funky roots rock ‘n’ roll. Moon Turn Red was produced by
the band and Ken Friesen, with additional
production on one track by Colin Cripps of Blue Rodeo.
To watch
a special EPK about the making of Moon Turn Red:
On their
fourth CD for Stony Plain, MonkeyJunk displays their passionate and edgy
roots-based music with an unfettered delivery, and Moon Turn Redis
certain to further cement the band’s popularity around the globe. “With each
record we make, we feel like we’re pushing more boundaries,” says the group’s
Steve Marriner. “Moon Turn Red is no different in that regard. I
really think some of the songs on this album are some of the best we’ve
written. We explored grooves we’ve never hit on before and experimented with
some new sounds, while paying particular attention to the melodic passages of
the songs,” he adds.
MonkeyJunk
truly shines on the new album, with ten scorching tracks varying from
straight-up rockers like “Light it Up,” “You,” “Hot Hot Papa,” “Live Another
Day,” “Lucky One” and “Travelin’ Light;” the reggae-tinged “Love Attack;” the
funky “Show Me Yours;” and soulful, goose bump-inducing love songs, “Learn How
to Love” and “Meet Me at Midnight.”
Moon
Turn Red
also features a guest appearance from legendary Canadian guitarist David
Wilcox, who plays guitar and sings on MonkeyJunk’s cover of his classic “Hot
Hot Papa.” “It was a real thrill for all of us to work with David Wilcox as he
is someone we have been a fan of for many years - one of our musical heroes,”
says Matt Sobb. “We listened to his music growing up, have covered his songs in
previous bands and still listen to his albums in our van while on tour. He was
very generous with his time and talents and it was truly an honor that he was
so gracious and genuinely invested in making the track sound great with
us. And it was great to have Colin Cripps onboard to produce that song
too - his musical sensibility and keen ears really harnessed the best out of
all of us!”
Another
coup for the band was having Gordie Johnson (of Big Sugar and Grady fame) lend
his talents to the recording. As Marriner states, “He possesses an acute
sensibility for melody and groove, a champion of ‘riff-rock’, while his role on
our album is more supportive than feature, he brought all sorts of vibe to the
session that I believe we effectively captured on tape that day.” Tony D adds,
“Gordie and I both come out of the blues. We’ve known each other for over 25
years. It was serendipitous that he happened to be touring in the vicinity of
the studio in Almonte, Ontario, and after all these years we finally got a
chance to work together!”
Moon
Turn Red is
not only an outstanding addition to an already impressive body of work and a
turning point for MonkeyJunk, it is an example of musical camaraderie and
brotherhood; the trio of long-time friends and colleagues just seem to click in
a way that is at once natural and otherworldly. Their passion, conviction
and dedication to their music are evident with every lick, every beat and every
lyric. MonkeyJunk is a reminder to listeners that musicianship, ability and
strong song writing will always triumph.
About
MonkeyJunk
The 2008
birth of the Ottawa-based band MonkeyJunk came along just when music fans
needed them the most. They brought an accessible and refreshing blend of
swamp-rock roots and blues to the table and haven’t looked back. In the
relatively short time they’ve been performing and recording together, the
members of MonkeyJunk have won a collective 20 Maple Blues Awards, two Canadian
Independent Music Awards, a Blues Music Award (USA), and have been nominated
twice for a JUNO Award (The Canadian Grammy), taking home the coveted hardware
in 2012.
Straight
out of the gate, MonkeyJunk quickly became one of the most popular new bands on
the scene, performing at festivals and packed venues across the country,
amassing a large audience of devoted fans, affectionately called
“MonkeyJunkies.” In fact, they hit the road for a tour before their debut
album, Tiger in Your Tank, was even released. They are not a
fluke, one-off collective or “ordinary Joes” who decided to start a band. These
are three musicians who individually had established careers prior to forming
MonkeyJunk. Steve Marriner, the trio’s vocalist, baritone guitarist,
harmonica and organ player, was well known as the ‘go-to’ guy as a producer,
sideman and session player. He’s also toured the world performing alongside
Harry Manx. Steve is also the consummate musical networker and stage
guest, having been invited to join many artists in concert such as Randy
Bachman, Colin James and Big Sugar. At the age of 19, lead guitarist Tony D
performed for three nights in Buddy Guy’s band. In 1982, he opened for Stevie
Ray Vaughan. These events helped propel him into a long-standing career
with his own popular project, The Tony D Band. He has also toured with some of
this country’s greatest musicians, including the late Dutch Mason. Before
MonkeyJunk, drummer and percussionist Matt Sobb was a very busy session
drummer around Ottawa and has backed up several regional, national and
international artists live on stage, touring and in studio over the last 24
years such as Kim Wilson, Jeff Healey, Tom Wilson (Blackie & The Rodeo
Kings), The Tony D Band and his brother's band, Marty Sobb and The Mobb, among
many others.
Webb Wilder IS Mississippi
Moderne on New CD Coming September 25 from Landslide Records
NASHVILLE,
TN - Landslide Records is proud to announce a September 25th release date for Mississippi
Moderne, the all new album from veteran roots rocker, Webb Wilder. A
2011 inductee into the Mississippi Musicians Hall Of Fame, Wilder has crafted a
lively recording that pays homage to his home state through a striking set of
originals, coupled with distinctive cover renditions that stretch from tunes by
the Kinks to Charlie Rich and Jimmy Reed. Given superb backing from his highly
accomplished and longtime bandmates, the Beatnecks (Tom Comet, bass, Bob
Williams, guitar, and Jimmy Lester, drums), Mississippi Moderne
captures the full flavor of Wilder’s raucous style, based on his singular
baritone vocal delivery, solid guitar, a tight, punchy rhythmic foundation and
some surprising touches of the heart added in as well.
Tracked
at Studio 19 (originally Scotty Moore’s Music City Recorders) in Nashville and
produced by Wilder, Tom Comet, Bob Williams and Joe McMahan, Mississippi
Moderne represents the first new Webb Wilder album since 2009, and it
shows that the man has, without question, furthered his charismatic singing
style while maintaining a strong group of musicians who are well-schooled in
cranking out Wilder’s unique brand of energized rock and roll music. The
package also showcases Wilder’s compelling ability to write catchy melodies and
lyrics, either on his own or with notable co-writers Dan Penn, John Hadley and
Patrick Sweany.
The
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, native first hit nationally in 1986 with the now
iconic classic, It Came from Nashville, and ever since he has
confounded a slew of fans and critics attempting to define and categorize his
style. As 20th Century Guitar Magazine noted, Wilder is “a master
at scrambling the sounds, songs and threads of country, blues, British rock,
rockabilly, and the freedom and emotion of soul music.” Wilder has always
described his sound as simply “a roots band for rock fans and a rock band for
roots fans. On Mississippi Moderne, we’ve kept some of our
trademark craziness, but there’s also a lot of roots solidity and some balladry
to boot.”
To
celebrate Mississippi Moderne, Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks will
appear in Nashville on September 25th for a CD release party at the Basement
East. On September 30 in Franklin, Tennessee, Webb will perform as part of a
Music City Roots Benefit Concert for Tommy Womack that also includes Jason
& the Scorchers, Todd Snider and Will Kimbrough & Friends at the
Factory (www.musiccityroots.com). And on
September 28 at 7:00 PM Central Time, Webb will be the featured interview guest
on the Roots Radio Hour, streaming live on the Music City Roots app and WHPY
94.5 Hippie Radio (www.hippieradio945.com).
In
addition, a full slate of bookings in the United States and overseas will
follow that feature Webb Wilder in both a solo setting (including shows as
special guest for Dave & Phil Alvin) as well as full-out band shows with
the dynamic Beatnecks.
Hot on the heels of Soulstacks second release "Five Finger Discount" Canadian band, Soulstack, is back with a hot new self titled release. Opening with the funk rocker, Just Don't Call It The Blues, lead vocalist/guitarist, Jon Knight and key man Mark Wessenger get into slinky world joined by the driving bottom of Darryl "Harpo" Peterson on bass, Tom Bono on drums and Chris Latta on guitar. This is a hot track and is bound to make you groove! Can't Take It With You has a bit of a pop ballad feel with a catchy melody. Knights vocals are smooth and well delivered and Wessenger's piano nicely presented. Little Fire Alive is a real nice R&B style track actually reminding me quite a bit of Ben E King. Warm vocal blending and a hot guitar riff bring this track home over the crisp drum work of Bona. Rocker, Lot Of Good Men, has a driving beat and stinging guitar work over solid organ work and tight drumming making this a prime radio track. Poison Headache has a jazzy Latin beat and a high energy rhythm guitar part. With compounding of keys and drums over the bass line, this track has an infectious groove. Tip Of My Tongue is a soulful track with a nice bounce in the rhythm. Compositionally, I find this to be the most powerful track on the release with a very solid melody, super vocal harmonies and balanced instrumental backing. Melodic guitar soloing near the end of the track help to punctuate it's overall power as a stand alone composition. No Man's Land has an interesting time signature and is a bit more of an open jam. A bit of a departure from most of the rest of the release, I like it! Love Thing is another track with a bit of funk in it's step and it moves along quite well. With a balance between soul, rock and funk this track has a nice mix of guitar, organ and drums under the vocals creating a cool party feel. Real Bad Feeling has a bit of a Jackson Browne feel with an Arena rock style. A solid melody and stinging guitar work carry the weight on this one. Wrapping the release is Time Don't Wait, a soulful ballad with a really nice melodic guitar solo and powerful keys and drums driving the way. An excellent conclusion to a solid 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”
NEW BLUES FESTIVAL II ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN EL DORADO
PARK CONTINUES LONG TRADITION OF THE SOUTHLAND'S FIRST BLUES
FESTIVAL - 2 DAYS, 2 STAGES, WITH OVER 30 BIG BLUES ACTS!
Saturday,
September 5 & Sunday, September 6 /Music Starts 10 a.m.
Visit the Vendor Village - Food Court, Beer Garden, & VIP
Lounge
Award-winning jazz/blues vocalist extraordinaire, Barbara Morrison, showcases her impressive talents on Saturday.
Repping SoCal blues with style since 1995: guitarist Kid Ramos,
who performs with The 44's on Sunday.
(Long Beach, CA) - The place to be for Blues lovers this
Labor Day Weekend is the New Blues FestivalII,
taking place over two big days, Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September
6, in El Dorado Regional Park, 7550 E. Spring St. Gates open at 9 a.m.,
and music starts at 10 a.m. each day. Tickets $25, available now at http://www.newbluesfestival.com/.
Tickets also available at six Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ
locations, including Long Beach, Long Beach Towne Center, and the
Cerritos Mall (Lucille's is the festival's Title Sponsor this year). Also
available at the gate both days. Amenities include a huge Vendor Village;
Food Court; Beer Garden; and all-new VIP Lounge. Bring the family and and
settle in amidst the cooling Long Beach ocean breezes!
The festival has expanded due to the overwhelming
success of last year's inaugural NBF, when over 2,000 music lovers of all
ages filled POA Park in Long Beach. "Los Angeles and Orange Counties
have responded very well to the (New Blues Festival) concept. We
definitely hit on a pent-up demand for a long-running inter-generational
tradition, and we are excited to once again share all this great music
with the public", says William Grisolia, Producer of the New Blues
Festival, whose own band, New Blues Revolution, is one of Sunday's Main
Stage Headliners.
Master harmonicist-vocalist, James Harman, performs Saturday.
Saturday, September 5 - Main Stage
Headliners
Youth is served: Teen guitar prodigy Ray Goren opens NBF II on Saturday.
Saturday's powerful lineup is headlined by harmonica
master James Harman, who has been playing music since the
1960's and whose James Harman Band over the years has included such
musical luminaries as Dave Alvin, Gene Taylor, Kid Ramos and the late
Hollywood Fats, among countless others. Also topping the first day of music:
jazz/blues singing great Barbara Morrison, who continues to maintain a full
touring schedule well into her fourth decade of performing, and whose
sparkling resume' includes a Who's-Who of musicians including Jimmy
Smith, Kenny Burrell, Etta James, Dr. John, and more. Also: Long Beach
legend, acoustic guitarist, Bernie Pearl; Southland staples 2000 Lbs of Blues, fronted by colorful Mike
"Pink" Arguello, blues guitarist (and nephew of legendary John
Lee Hooker), Teddy Lee Hooker; Americana-Roots artist, Sean Lane; blues-rock quarter, Union Hobos; and opening the show, fifteen-year-old
SoCal guitar wunderkind, Ray Goren.
Guitar dynamo Laurie Morvan shows off her considerable chops,
Sunday.
Sunday, September 6 - Main Stage Headliners
Sunday sees
no letup with top headliners, the eleven-piece Caravan of All-Stars, a powerhouse R&B/Soul/Blues
revue assembled to showcase some of the unsung heroes of West Coast
Blues, representing the Bay Area Blues Society. Also: the Laurie Morvan Band, fronted by Red-Hot rockin' blues
guitar ace, Laurie Morvan, who has entertained Southland audiences and
toured nationally for the better part of two decades, and of whom has
been written, "has all the soulfulness of Bonnie Raitt and the
swaggering, muscular guitar tone of Stevie Ray Vaughan"; New Blues Revolution, leading Long Beach-based
innovators of the New Blues movement; The 44's with Kid Ramos, an exciting pairing of the
popular Johnny Main-fronted Roots/Blues ensemble with the legendary SoCal
guitarist; another great pairing of talents, respected Inland
Empire-based Latin blues group The Delgado Brothers with soulful chanteuse, Sherry
Pruitt; San Pedro guitarist-vocalist, Dave Widow, whose "Waiting For The World To
End" was voted a "Top 5 Best CD" in the IBC's; rising L.A.
quartet, the George Foster Band; and opening Sunday's show, the Chase Walker Band, fronted by the prodigious teen
prodigy of the same name.
Eleven-piece R&B/Soul/Blues revue the Caravan of All-Stars from the Bay Area Blues Society,
are Sunday's top Main Stage headliners.
New Blues Revolution, leading Long Beach-based
innovators of the New Blues movement, take center stage at the NBF II
Main stage on Sunday.
More First-Class Blues Each Day On The
Golden Groove Stage!
Saturday: Lil' A & the
Allnighters; Kelly Chappue & The Soul Collectors; The Other Mules;
Shadow Blue featuring Lady Faye; L.A. Parks & Wrecks; Kenny "Big
Daddy" Williams and BLUESPOWER; South River Slim; The Arc Flash
Blues Band.
Sunday: East Falsted Blues Project; Jack Roberts
Harvey Band; Tracy Niles; Crooked Eye Tommy; Frankie and the Crew;
Seatbelt; Matt Picarelli and Raul Watson.
Orange County's blues scene is ably represented by
guitarist-vocalist Kenny "Big Daddy" Williams (center) and BLUESPOWER on the Golden Groove Stage, Sunday at New
Blues Festival II.
