CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO GO TO PURCHASE!!!! CD submissions accepted! Guest writers always welcome!!

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

Friday, August 14, 2015

The Fab Faux celebrate JOHN ONO LENNON 75TH - 10/24 at The Beacon -






  • NYC, THE BEACON THEATRE
JOHN ONO LENNON 75TH - 10/24

"This show will feature music from John Lennon's entire career - both Beatles and Solo - including his best known greatest hits, as well as a couple of eclectic "deep cuts."   The Fab Faux will be augmented by the 4-piece Hogshead Horns, the Creme Tangerine Strings, guest musicians Jim Boggia and Erin Hill, and the 6-member Nutopia choir - allowing them to perform every facet of Lennon - from the most intimate numbers to full-out 19 piece Wall of Sound."


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015 - 8 p.m.
MANHATTAN, NY
THE BEACON THEATRE - 2124 BROADWAY
Fab Faux Celebrate A Life In Songs:
John Ono Lennon 75th
featuring The Hogshead Horns, The Crème Tangerine Strings,
Erin Hill, Jim Boggia and The Nutopia Choir
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004EA6A6FA236A



The Wall Street Journal articulated what sets The Fab Faux apart: “The Fab Faux…are not interested in nostalgia – they are a musical ensemble, and, unlike any other Beatles recreation that I have seen, they play the Beatles canon like it was, well, music.  They don’t dress up in Beatles outfits or don fake mustaches and Sgt. Pepper suits – no more than Leonard Bernstein felt compelled to wear a powdered wig when he conducted Mozart.” Read the full story, here: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/10/26/the-fab-faux-go-beyond-beatlemania/ <http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/10/26/the-fab-faux-go-beyond-beatlemania/>


For those of us who never got to see The Beatles in concert, we're fortunate to have The Fab Faux dedicate themselves to faithfully recreating some of the most extraordinary music ever written. The band commemorated the 43rd Anniversary of The Beatles' performance on The Ed Sullivan Show with an appearance Late Show with David Letterman. Check out their fantastic recreation of ‘I Am The Walrus’ here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lknCpGbsJc <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lknCpGbsJc>





The Fab Faux brings together the talents of five of New York's most respected musicians: Will Lee of Late Show with David Letterman, who released a solo album last year which Rolling Stone Magazine praised as “hitting an intersection of the Average White Band and solo Paul McCartney,” Jimmy Vivino, band leader of the ‘Conan’ Show, Rich Pagano, who has performed with Rosanne Cash, Ray Davies and released a solo effort Blurt Magazine described as “one of the best albums of 2009,” Jack Petruzzelli, who has toured and recorded with Joan Osborne, Patti Smith and Rufus Wainwright (and co-wrote and co-produced Osborne's latest album, "Love and Hate," which came out in April,) and Frank Agnello, whose musical credits include Phoebe Snow, Marshall Crenshaw and Joey Molland of Badfinger.

Watch this live, in-studio performance of The Fab Faux recreating ‘Abbey Road’, side two: http://www.vimeo.com/11237479
<http://www.vimeo.com/11237479>

Watch The Fab Faux 60 Second Teaser (OFFICIAL VIDEO):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZoxzNkdhVY
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZoxzNkdhVY>

ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE named the band as #18 on a list of the “40 reasons to get excited about music.” Rolling Stone also praised: “sometimes a tribute band sounds better than the original.” In a live concert review, THE WASHINGTON POST’s John Kelly blogged that the band had tackled “the task of reverse engineering the Beatles' late catalogue, obsessively learning every guitar figure, every drum fill, every lush harmony, every tap of the cowbell and shake of the tambourine, until the songs could be played in concert.” THE HUFFINGTON POST raved: They do the one thing, no amount of officially sanctioned Beatles merchandise can do... bring The Beatles music back to life.”

Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, New Yorker ‘On the Horizon’, WFUV, The NY POST Fall Arts Preview, Time Out NY, RELIX Magazine, USA TODAY, Metro NY and other key outlets weighed in on The Fab Faux, as Radio City Music Hall became the setting for an epic three-hour concert --‘A Night In The Life - A John Lennon 70th Birthday Celebration.’ The 2010 event featured two sets of John Lennon’s greatest music from The Beatles and his solo career. A portion of the evening's proceeds benefited 'Spirit Foundation' - a charitable foundation set up by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Prior to the show, the band was honored to receive a personal note and bouquet of flowers from Yoko Ono.


>
NY POST: http://nypost.com/2013/12/29/the-fab-faux-is-the-ultimate-beatles-cover-band/ <http://nypost.com/2013/12/29/the-fab-faux-is-the-ultimate-beatles-cover-band/>
HUFFINGTON POST - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holly-cara-price/george-harrisons-musical_b_4142867.html <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holly-cara-price/george-harrisons-musical_b_4142867.html>
ELMORE PART 1 - http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2013/10/news/the-fab-faux-roll-out-george-harrison-tribute <http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2013/10/news/the-fab-faux-roll-out-george-harrison-tribute>
ELMORE PART 2 : http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2013/10/news/the-fab-faux-roll-out-george-harrison-tribute-part-2 <http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2013/10/news/the-fab-faux-roll-out-george-harrison-tribute-part-2>
SOMETHINGELSEREVIEWS: http://somethingelsereviews.com/2013/10/16/a-mark-that-no-one-will-ever-make-again-the-fab-faux-return-with-tributes-to-the-beatles-george-harrison/ <http://somethingelsereviews.com/2013/10/16/a-mark-that-no-one-will-ever-make-again-the-fab-faux-return-with-tributes-to-the-beatles-george-harrison/>
ROLLING STONE  - Concert Review
Alternate Take Blog
, by David Fricke, 9/27/10
Every Twist of Lennon: The Fab Faux Meet the Quarrymen at New York Tribute Show

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/david-fricke/blogs/DavidFricke_May2010/210806/38726 <http://www.rollingstone.com/music/david-fricke/blogs/DavidFricke_May2010/210806/38726>


THE HUFFINGTON POSTinterview feature   By Holly Cara Price, 9/16/10
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holly-cara-price/the-fab-faux-celebrate-jo_b_719296.html <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holly-cara-price/the-fab-faux-celebrate-jo_b_719296.html>

THE WASHINGTON POST – ‘CLICK TRACK’ POP MUSIC BLOG – LIVE CONCERT REVIEW
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/05/in_concert_the_fab_faux_at_lis.html#more <http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/05/in_concert_the_fab_faux_at_lis.html#more>

Recent interviews: The Fab Faux keeps Beatlemania alive and prospering:
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/movies/the-fab-faux-keeps-beatlemania-alive-and-prospering <http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/movies/the-fab-faux-keeps-beatlemania-alive-and-prospering>

Fab Faux bring Beatles tunes to New Brunswick
East Brunswick native Jack Petruzzelli plays keyboards & guitar
http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0930/front_page/011.html <http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0930/front_page/011.html>
The Fab Faux’s Jack Petruzzelli appeared live on FOX-TV in Washington, D.C. to discuss the band’s approach to recreating the albums of The Beatles, note-for-note.

The John Lennon 70th Birthday concert, mentioned above, marked The Fab Faux’s return to Radio City Music Hall, following their sold-out 10th Anniversary event, during which they delivered a 36-song marathon performance that began with 'Magical Mystery Tour' and ended three hours later with 'Hey Jude' -- with the audience of more than 6,000 people on its feet. Their 10th Anniversary 'Psychedelia!' concert was The Fab Faux's largest headlining concert ever, their largest-ever sold out concert, and their largest NY concert-to-date as well.

The Fab Faux are now in a league of their own, consistently performing music that The Beatles themselves never played live. Beginning with a pair of concerts at Webster Hall in late ‘07, the band has reached a new level of fan support as well as media awareness, with growing coverage including ABC-TV World News Tonight with Charles Gibson, NPR, Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Reuters Newswire, NY-1 News, The New York Times, NY Post, New Yorker, NY Sun, Hollywood Reporter, Time Out NY, The Nation and much more. An NPR Morning Edition segment
(http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18342562
<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18342562> ) praised the group as a "Collective that's about attention to detail." A Front Page feature in The Hollywood Reporter noted: “After nearly 10 years together, (they) find themselves in the midst of a surprising leap from club fringe to center stage...” Critics have weighed in, and have described the band as nothing less than "Brilliant" (AP).  A live concert review in THE NATION.com described their show as “Almost magical.” Read Will Lee’s interview with GLIDE MAGAZINE here:
http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/interview-will-lee-of-the-fab-faux/
<http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/interview-will-lee-of-the-fab-faux/>


ABOUT THE FAB FAUX:
With a commitment to the accurate reproduction of The Beatles' repertoire, The Fab Faux treat the seminal music with unwavering respect, and are known for their painstaking recreations of the songs (with emphasis on the later works never performed live by the Beatles).  Far beyond a cover band, they play the music of The Beatles so impeccably that one must experience it to believe it. Imagine hearing complex material like "Strawberry Fields Forever" or "I Am the Walrus" performed in complete part-perfect renditions; or such harmony-driven songs as "Because", "Nowhere Man", and "Paperback Writer", reproduced not only note-for-note, but with extra vocalists to achieve a double-tracked effect.

The musical virtuosity of The Fab Faux – in actuality five of the hardest working musicians in NYC – completely up-ends the concept of a Beatles tribute band. Far beyond being extended sets of cover versions, their astounding shows are an inspired re-discovery of the Beatles’ musical magic, as The Fab Faux tackles the group’s most demanding material live onstage in a way that has to be experienced to be believed.

Calling them, “the greatest Beatles cover band – without the wigs,” Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke wrote, “the Faux invigorate the artistry of even the Beatles’ most intricate studio masterpieces with top chops and Beatlemaniac glee.” Approaching the songs with the intent of playing them live as accurately in musical reading and in spirit as possible, The Faux’s breathtaking performances tend to dispel all concertgoers’ previous notions of a Beatles tribute act.

The Fab Faux are a labor of love that was born in 1998 when neighbors Jimmy Vivino,
bandleader/guitarist for Conan O’Brien's new show, 'Conan,' and Will Lee (who’s played with all 4 Beatles), bassist for Paul Shaffer’s CBS Orchestra on the Late Show With
David Letterman kicked around the idea during an elevator ride in their NYC building. Rounding out the line-up are lead-singing drummer/producer Rich Pagano (Rosanne Cash, Patti Smith, sugarCane cups, etc.), guitarist Frank Agnello (Marshall Crenshaw, Phoebe Snow, etc.) and ace keyboardist/guitarist Jack Petruzzelli (Joan Osborne Band, Rufus Wainwright). All five principals contribute vocals, making the Faux’s soaring harmonies as resonant as their multi-instrumental chops, which are further enhanced by the four-piece Hogshead Horns (with Blues Brothers, Blood, Sweat & Tears and SNL band alums) and Creme Tangerine Strings.

The Faux’s high energy shows have generated serious buzz not only at top NYC venues including The Beacon Theater, Hammerstein Ballroom, and Webster Hall – with Beatles fans, movie stars and world class musicians in attendance – but at major dates in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Park City, Utah (Sundance), Philadelphia and Toronto, among other locales. They’ve headlined 4 of the last 5 years at Liverpool’s annual Beatle Week, playing before 35,000 Beatle fanatics – while in England, they had the rare honor of recording an original song at Abbey Road Studios – and also delighted the masses performing live on the Howard Stern Show. Benefit and corporate dates have included events for JVC, the N.B.A. and the Michael J. Fox Parkinsons Research Foundation.

“It's not just a cover band,” says the Faux’s Pagano. “This is the greatest Pop music ever written, and we're such freaks for it.” Imagine the instrumental complexities of “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “A Day in the Life” performed part-perfect with an orchestra. The lush, multi-layered harmonies of “Because,” and “Eleanor Rigby” sung note-for-note. The adrenaline rush of “Helter Skelter” and “Paperback Writer,” delivered spot on…
 

FBJoy Records artists: Sam Hooper & Mike Null - HooDoo Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, HooDoo Blues from Sam Hooper & Mike Null and I really like it. Hooper and Null take classic blues and contemporary blues tracks and make them fresh. Opening with Jr Wells' HooDoo Man Blues, Hooper takes the vocal lead with confidence and over a renewed rhythm track rips a really nice guitar solo. Hooper is a creative and talented soloist and isn't afraid to let it out! On original track, Itchin' To Be Your Man, Hooper takes the lead on vocal of this low slung jazz number with tight drum work by Reggie Holmes and dazzling key work of Sakait Bakksar. Derrick James lays down a solid bass line and Hooper trades lead guitar riffs with Mike Null molding smooth results. On Albert Collins', If Trouble Was Money, Null does a super job on lead vocal and shares lead guitar responsibility with Hooper. A blistering intro by Null sets up high expectations and the boys don't disappoint. Maintaining the general flavor of Collins' original track but without mimicking any of his distinctive guitar style, Hopper and Null craft their own successful interpretation of this classic. Excellent! Hooper is back out front again on Billy Gibbons' Just Got Back From Baby's opening with a nice keyboard intro by Baksar. With a clever move of pace, this track from the Best Little Ol Band In Texas has a totally different feel and impact. Null and Hooper's innovative guitar soloing goes places that Billy has never gone on any ZZ Top release making this track sound totally fresh and original. Clocking in at almost 8 minutes sit back and enjoy the ride. Wrapping the release is a new look at Messin' With The Hook, John Lee's take on Messing With The Kid. With a plucky jazz infused sound and hot bass riffs from James, a nice extended electric piano solo from Baksar and relaxed guitar soloing by Null, this track sings. This is a solid finish to a solid EP by 4 talented musicians.

  View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn  

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”

 

Thursday, August 13, 2015

VizzTone Label group artists: Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine - Coulda Woulda Shoulda - New release review

I just received the newest release, Coulda Woulda Shouda from Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine and it' clever and mature. Opening with Walkin' Home To You a 40's style country influenced blues track, Andra Faye, a multi instrumentalist leads on vocal, and fiddle backed by Ballantine who is actually quite fluid on guitar. Crackheaded Man has traditional blues styling and Faye finds the perfect venue for her vocals. Faye pairs up on mandolin with Ballantine on guitar for a very nice instrumental duet. Boogie track, It's A New Day has a more modern feel, Faye joined on vocal by Ballantine. Her mando work on this track is quite clean and Ballantine lays down dome fine guitar work. Liz Pennock penned, Take It Slow, sets up nicely for a bluesy ballad featuring Faye on vocal. Ballantine has a really nice opportunity to show his acoustic blues chops and he does a really fine job. Blues For A Crappy Day is a bit more uptempo with vocal duets and and a driving guitar rhythm. Faye's fiddle work coupled with Ballantine on guitar makes for a real nice toe tapper. Jazz influenced, Too Much Butt (For One Pair Of Jeans), has a sassy style reminiscent of early Maria Muldaur. Ballantine shows his acoustic chops again, taking a nice stylized guitar solo on this one. Piedmont style, One Dream At A Time, is driven by the tight guitar work of Ballantine. Faye adds a nice mandolin solo but it's the guitar rhythm that makes this track tick. Title track, Coulda Woulda Shoulda, is a quick little boogie with a swing flare. A woven play of mandolin and guitar and call and answer by Ballantine and Faye vocally sum up this track. Ballantine takes the vocal lead on traditional, Standing In The Need Of Prayer. Nice blending by Faye and expressive guitar work by Ballantine makes this one of the nicest tracks on the release. Working Mama Is Gone has a deliberate feel and bluesy tensions. Faye does some of her best vocal work on this track, complimented by mandolin and again Ballantine takes a real nice solo on guitar. John Hyatt's Feels Like Rain gets a really tender interpretation and Ballantine plays particularly expressive guitar riffs. Very nice! Mike Dowling's When You Gonna Stop Your Drinkin'? has a lot of spank making it one of the best tracks on the release. Faye really sells it vocally and Ballantine drives the train on guitar. A clever mandolin solo from Faye adds some additional spark getting ready for the conclusion. Bluesy, Clyde, is my favorite original track on the release with just the right tempo and style. Faye's vocals are solid and clear and Ballantine provides a tight bottom for another mandolin solo. Nice wrapper for a solid release.

  View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn  

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”

 

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

American Showplace Music label artist: John Ginty - No Filter - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, No Filter, from John Ginty and it's super! I had earlier reviewed John's super debut "Bad News Travels" and I like this one even better! Opening Fredo with a very sumptuous guitar organ duo of Ginty and Lou Pallo, this track kicks into a cool strut driven by Ginty on B3, Paul Kuzik on bass and Dan Fadel and Andrei Koribanics on drums and percussion. Very nice! Ball Of Fire features Cris Jacobs warm vocals on a cool bed of keyboards and Latin rhythms and Spanish guitar riffs by Jacobs and Mike Buckman. An easy jazz break takes the track on a cloud like ride and Ginty heats up the keys nicely. This is an excellent radio track with broad appeal. My favorite track on the release, Old Shoes, features none other than the fabulous Alexis P. Suter. Taking a modern blues stance on an old style rhythm, this track really digs in and Suter has the perfect voice for the job. Ginty on piano, Kuzik on bass, Jimmy Bennett on guitar and only enough drums to tie it all together, this track smokes! Instrumental, Elevators, is Ginty's first chance to really let it all hang out on this release and on the driving bass line of Kuzik, that's exactly what he does. Jacobs is featured on guitar on this number and sets out a nice slash of his own. Ripper! Battlegrounds has an easier laid back sound featuring Cara Kelly on lead vocal. A nicely constructed track with a simple rock rhythm and strong vocals from Kelly, and a rich solo from Ginty makes this a solid addition to the release. Rock 'n Roll Sunday has a rock/revival sound featuring Ghost & The Big Sky vocalist, Paul Gerdts and driver with almost Winwood like piano riffs from Ginty. Trading riffs with guitarist Buckman gives the track a lighter feel and Ginty's B3 a more gospel sound against an R&B rhythm...Do You Get The Message (ref Humble Pie)? Annandale has a real somber feel with rich vocals from Cris Jacobs. This is a really nice ballad with a lot of the features of a Gary Moore track. Ginty amps up the B3 and Jacobs lays in a super nice guitar solo. Another of my release favorites. Chugging, No Jelly, starts out on a solid drive from the first note and builds momentum from there. Jimmy Bennett lays on a real nice melodic guitar lead and Ginty takes the first solo on B3. Trading/sharing riffs with Ginty, Bennett keeps up the momentum and backed by Buckman, Kizik, Fadel and Koribanics this track is the most adventurous yet! On Pirates, Cris Jacobs, in harmony with Billy Harvey create a smooth vocal track and Ginty takes the B3 for a solid ride. The rise in dynamics on this track are particularly effective, topped off with an excellent guitar solo by Jacobs. Title track, No Filter, features really clean vocals by Cara Kelly. This track has a particularly theatrical sound and Ginty's piano creates a lot of the emotion needed to balance the creative tension in Kelly's vocals. A switch to B3 and lap steel work by Jimmy Bennett drives the point home. Very nice! Wrapping the release is a totally different take on Fredo featuring a hip hop version of the track by Redman. A funky track to start with, Ginty's B3, and a ton of bottom gives Redman to do his thing. This is a really cool conclusion to a really cool release.

  View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn 

  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, August 11, 2015

Crazy Chester Records artist: Mitch Mann - Blackwater Creek - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Blackwater Creek, from Mitch Mann and it's a cool acoustic ride. Opening with traditional, Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad, Mitch Mann leads the way on acoustic guitar and vocal joined by Donna G and Russell Mefford sounding quite a bit like Delaney and Bonnie. On early century sounding track, Baby Don't Forget Mann, joined by Andreas Werner on Harmonium, gets a nice toe tapper rolling. Jimmy Hall brings his favorite harp on Crows, an acoustic boogie. Very cool! A great slow acoustic style version of WC Handy's St. Louis Blues, features Charles Rose on trombone. There isn't a lot of music that crosses my desk that actually features extended trombone solos so this is a nice treat. Finger picked ballad, Make This Last Minute Last, is a really nice vocal duet with Scott Boyer. More Thank I Could Ever Show is a straight up pop track just waiting for it's audience. Catchy melody and nice harmonies make this the commercial pick of the release. Sometimes A Rock has a bit of an Everlys feel in duet with Werner. Harvey Thompson steps forward with a throaty sax solo capping it off. Title track, Blackwater Creek, is a slick, almost classically styled acoustic instrumental and certainly my favorite on the release. Acoustic rocker, Detour You, is begging for a 4 piece electric make over, even with Mann's nice acoustic guitar solo. It has all of the characteristics of a bar classic. Rural country classic styling on Hold Her While You Got Her, makes it another favorite with it's fresh approach and springy attack. Jake Berry's Tom Clark, an Arlo Guthrie style story telling ballad. Solid. It's Time has an almost spiritual feel with warm backing vocals by Buzz Cason and percussion by Mickey Buckins. Wrapping the release is a nicely written, Good Things. Cleanly articulated acoustic guitar work and blended vocals of Mann and Godchaux make for a nice conclusion to a soothing acoustic set.

  View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn  

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”

 

Monday, August 10, 2015

2015 Sunflower Festival Events & Exhibits at Delta Blues Museum





DBM Logo white



2015 SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL EVENTS & EXHIBITS
AT DELTA BLUES MUSEUM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7               DELTA BLUES MUSEUM BAND PERFORMANCE 
Award-winning student band opens the 2015 Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival. 
On the Delta Blues Museum stage, at 5P.M. 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8         DELTA BLUES MUSEUM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 
From 9A.M. - 5P.M. 
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9             DELTA BLUES MUSEUM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 
Special Festival hours from noon - 5P.M., with an additional "Meet the Artist" Q&A with Scott Cawood at 2P.M. 


Portrait of Furry Lewis by Scott Cawood



About Delta Blues Museum
Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and re-organized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is Mississippi's oldest music museum and the nation's first museum dedicated to the American art form known as the Blues. A 2013 recipient of the IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Services--the nation's highest honor for museum and library service to the community--and a 2014 winner of the National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award, the Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value and perspective by exploring the history and heritage of the unique American musical art form, the Blues. The Museum is honored to be a Great River Road Interpretive Center.

Through its DEEPER ROOTS campaign, the museum seeks $1.2 million for new and enhanced exhibits: Expanded exhibits, including those to be housed in the Muddy Waters Addition, will enable the cultural organization to better preserve and display the history and work of blues artists from the Mississippi Delta, and advance the Museum's ability to "tell" stories that inspire and educate future generations about this important American art form.

For online donations or for more information on events or programs, please call
(662) 627-6820, or visit the Museum web site at www.deltabluesmuseum.org.


 
~ ends ~
  
  awards   

Blind Pig Announces New Releases!




blindpigrecords.com
BLIND PIG ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASES!
Titles from Zac Harmon and the Andy T-Nick Nixon Band Out August 28th
Blind Pig Records has announced an August 28th release date for two CDs from venerable blues acts:
ZAC HARMON  
"RIGHT MAN RIGHT NOW"


Zac Harmon is an award-winning guitarist, organist, singer, and songwriter whose distinctive style combines the best of old-school soul-blues artists with modern lyrics and themes that bring the blues into a new century.
Right Man Right Now is contemporary music that proves just how alive and relevant the blues is today.  Addressing issues straight from today’s headlines, Zac presents them in a  fresh original style built on the best blues tradition.  And he has some incredibly talented musicians helping him - guests include Bobby Rush, Lucky Peterson, Anson Funderburgh and Mike Finnegan.

After a very successful twenty-plus year career as a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles, where he worked with the likes of the O'Jays, the Whispers, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Black Uhuru, and Michael Jackson, Zac moved to Dallas to pursue his dream of becoming a top-flight touring blues artist
The album provides definitive proof that Zac Harmon is indeed the right man to firmly establish all that blues can and should be right now in the second decade of the new millennium.

Zac Harmon Upcoming Tour Dates
Aug. 29
Dallas, TX
Babbs Brothers BBQ
Sept. 10
Omaha, NE
The 21st Saloon
Sept. 11
Chicago, IL
Buddy Guy's Legends
Sept. 12
Grafton, WI
Paramount Blues Festival
Sept. 19
Denton, TX
Denton Blues Festival
Oct. 8
Helena, AR
King Biscuit Blues Festival
Oct. 18
Fredricksburg, TX
Blankets and Blues
Oct. 29
Sioux City, IA
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Oct. 30
Topeka, KS
Uncle Bo's
Oct. 31
Topeka, KS
Uncle Bo's

ANDY T - NICK NIXON BAND  
"NUMBERS MAN"


The Andy T-Nick Nixon Band displays musicianship at its highest. The blues has a history of great partnerships, and Numbers Man offers proof positive that Andy T and Nick Nixon belong in that select group.
 

Andy T’s jazz-tinged guitar style is influenced by T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Magic Sam, and Albert Collins among others, yet it remains his own. The velvet-voiced Nixon, part of Nashville’s thriving blues and R&B scene in the 60’s and 70’s, sings in a style that recalls Jimmy Witherspoon and Billy Eckstine. Even though he’s now in his 70’s, Nixon’s voice still has all the power and energy of a man half his age and it’s crystal clear that this man was born to sing the blues.

Combined with Andy T’s bold, vibrant tones and equally rooted guitar style, it makes for a uniquely satisfying brand of soulful blues. Numbers Man was produced by renowned Texas guitarist Anson Funderburgh, and features the great Kim Wilson’s harmonica on one of the tracks.

Andy T-Nick Nixon Band Upcoming Tour Dates
Aug. 30
Nashville, TN
Hard Rock
Sept. 13
Las Vegas, NV
Big Blues Bender
Sept. 18
Marietta, GA
Darwin's
Sept. 19
Tallahassee, FL
Bradfordville Blues Club
Sept. 22
Nashville, TN
Nashville Music Series
Sept. 25
Champaign, IL
Blues Blast Music Awards
Oct. 10
Helena, AR
King Biscuit Blues Festival


Silvertone/RCA Records artist: Buddy Guy - Born To Play Guitar - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Born To Play The Blues, from Buddy Guy and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Born To Play Guitar, Guy starts at his roots with a primitive blues track with basic blues picking supplemented by Rob McNelley on resonator and Guy on strat and super blues vocals. Terrific start! Wear You Out is a great boogie featuring Billy Gibbons trading vocals and guitar riffs with Guy. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelley on guitar, Kevin McKendree on Clav and Glenn Worf on bass this track rocks! Classic styling on Back Up Mama features McNelley on slide and Guy on strat trading riffs. Buddy is just such an exceptional performer and his vocals are tight. His calling card frenzied guitar riffs kick this track in the back side giving it that extra punch and McKendree's piano is tight. Kim Wilson joins Guy on swing track, Too Late. His harp riffs blend nicely with Guy's vocals. Whiskey, Beer & Wine has a great groove driven by Doyle Bramhall II, McNelley, Hambridge and Michael Rhodes (on bass). Reese Wynans lays in some real nice B3 and Clav and Guy switches off to an uncharacteristic ES335 for a rounder tone blending nicely with his vocals. Shuffle track, Kiss Me Quick, shows some of Guy's best vocals on the release and his guitar tone from the 335 have a real nice roundness. Kim Wilson adds some hot harp riffs and McKendree's piano work is hot! Crying Out Of One Eye is a cool track with a trace riff from Otis Rush. With an overall R&B feel, this track has a clever concept in title. It reminds me of something that I supposedly said to my parents when I was a kid "I'm laughing on the outside but crying on the inside" as I was taking my punishment for a bad deed. Guys uses the one eye crying for the foolishness of someone who really doesn't hurt. I really like it. With it's almost BB King like guitar riffs and backed by the Muscle Shoals Horns this track packs a punch. On classic R&B track, Baby You Got What It Takes, Guy is joined by Joss Stone and her vocals are clear and sweet as honey. I'm not a big "star collaboration" guy, but Stone has joined another of my favorites, Jeff Beck, on his performances and in both cases she has shown not to be just a calling card on a piece of paper but a real cool singer who can hold her own with the real heavyweights. Turn Me Wild has a real nice strut with Guy nicely punctuating his own vocals on guitar and Billy Cox driving the groove on bass. Some of the slickest guitar work on the release is on this track with Guy taking his strat for a nice walk. Crazy World is an easy soulful ballad with Reese Wynans holding the course with B3 and Guy just singing his guts out. Short meaningful guitar work by Guy is smooth and articulate with a lot of grip. Smarter Than I Was has a vibrant rhythm part by Hambridge, and a cool underlying guitar part by Rob McNelley... and crisp guitar bursts from Guy set this track on fire. Excellent! The big R&B hammer is dropped with Thick Like Mississippi Mud. "Good Whiskey and Women"... shoot...you got me already! Guy gets into one of his classic grooves (Think Damn Right I've Got The Blues) and there's no holding him back. Guy works up a real guitar frenzy on this track literally blowing the lid off! McKendree on piano, Worf on bass and the Muscle Shoals Horns prod him along and he responds with flames! Easy going ballad, Flesh & Bone, in concert with Van Morrison is a nice ballad of both men's style. Trading lead vocal spots, this is probably (after Thick) the most radio likely track on the release. Thick because of it's power and F&B because of it's natural tenderness and melodic sensibilities. Wrapping the release is Come Back Muddy, a stripped down blues number featuring Wymans on upright piano, Bramhall II on 12 string, Michael Rhodes on electric bass and Guy on acoustic guitar and vocal. Classic blues chords and lines give it a primitive feel but it's "modern Guy" getting into a real nice acoustic groove with tight guitar solo's. The release is opened in easy style and closed in easy style. This is a really nice release from Guy and one with a lot of heart. Check it out!

  View Bman Blueswriter's profile on LinkedIn  

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”