Omnivore reissue of Ru-Jac catalog continues: 'Gene & Eddie with Sir Joe at Ru-Jac'

OMNIVORE’S REISSUE OF RU-JAC RECORDS CATALOG  CONTINUES WITH TRUE ENOUGH: GENE & EDDIE WITH SIR JOE AT RU-JAC  Gene & Eddie and Sir Joe were stars of Baltimore soul and R&B label. Compilation, out September 2, available on CD, digital and blue vinyl. BALTIMORE, Md. — Omnivore Recordings continues its restoration and reissue of the mid-’60s Baltimore-based R&B/soul label Ru-Jac Records with True Enough: Gene & Eddie With Sir Joe at Ru-Jac, the first-ever compilation of single sides by Washington D.C.’s sensational soul duo Gene & Eddie. Also included are the rare sides by Sir Joe, otherwise known as Joe Quarterman, producer/songwriter/artist, who produced and wrote many of the Gene & Eddie sides for Ru-Jac. The compilation is scheduled for September 2, 2016 release on CD, blue vinyl LP (with download card) and digital. Emerging from the very active East Coast ’60s soul scene, Gene, Eddie and Joe had been in bands and recording from the early part of the decade. They formed, or joined, regional acts with names like The Nightcaps, The Knights, Don Downing, The El Corols and The Maidens, sharing stages with bigger, national artists such as Major Lance, Garnet Mimms, Joe Simon, The Soul Children, and The Emotions. For all their ambitions, wider, national success never found them, and with only one local chart hit to their name, “It’s So Hard,” they eventually all called it quits to pursue other endeavors. However, these restored tracks give us a window onto a time when East Coast doo-wop met the soul explosion and got a little funky as it headed into the early ’70s.  Featuring rare photos and extensive liner notes, this is the definitive musical history of Gene & Eddie and Sir Joe Quarterman — True Enough! Omnivore’s Ru-Jac reissue initiative launched with the March 25 release of Mr. Clean: Winfield Parker at Ru-Jac. Track listing: 1. I Would Cry 2. I Tell You 3. Nobody Beats My Love (Sir Joe) 4. If You Give Up Your Love (Sir Joe) 5. You Don’t Fool Me 6. Let Me Go Easy 7. It’s So Hard 8. Sweet Little Girl 9. Let Me Go Easy (Alternate Version) 10. She’s True Enough 11. Baby, I’d Drop Every Thing (Sir Joe) 12. Every Day (I’ll Be Needing You) (Sir Joe) 13. It’s No Sin 14. You’ve Got To Love Me Sometimes 15. Darling I Love You 16. Why Do You Hurt Me Bonus Tracks: 17. It’s So Hard  (Eddie & Gene and the Nightcaps) 18. Check You Later (Eddie & Gene and the Nightcaps) 19. A Guy For You* (Sir Joe) 20. You Don’t Fool Me (Stereo Mix)* 21. Let Me Go Easy (Stereo Mix)* *Previously unissued LP consists of tracks 1-16 with download card of entire CD program

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: DYLAN WICKENS & THE GRAND NATURALS

Listen/Share "Rock Bottom" on Soundcloud

Hi Lo-Fi is available on Radio Submit, iTunes and dylanwickens.ca

True to the spirit of power trios of the sixties, Dylan Wickens & The Grand Naturals immediately grab the listener by the ears with their unapologetic take on the blues, by choosing to colour outside the lines with fuzzed up guitars and bass and melodic, hook-heavy vocal lines.  Raw, real, modern and traditional; it’s that paradox which defines the sound of these three world-class musicians that have come together to record the aptly titled, Hi Lo-Fi. Released on May 6, 2016, Hi Lo-Fi has been getting positive reviews from critics around the world and extensive airplay throughout Canada.  Here's what some of the reviewers are saying about Hi Lo-Fi “Canadian guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Wickens presides over a tough and tasty trio sound, his blues chops melding well with his songwriting smarts.  The overall vibe here smacks strongly of classic British blues and Mr. Wickens’ vocals frequently evoke a Cream-era Jack Bruce.  Axework is varied and solid throughout and the song list sports airplay-worthy tracks including “Rock Bottom”, “Foolish Heart” and “Fall Apart”. - The Roots Music Report    “…a varied collection which demonstrates well the tricky art of blues power trio playing, maintaining energy without relying on out-and-out volume. Wickens’s soulful vocal impresses across all eleven tracks, on occasions its anxious edge reminiscent of Paul Rodgers.” - Blues and More Again   “Hi Lo-Fi, the wonderfully bluesy sophomore release from Dylan Wickens and The Grand Naturals is a delightful listen...This is an album I could listen to all day long.  Hi Lo-Fi is a sure-fire winner.” - Phillycheeze's Rock and Blues Reviews Their debut recording Tattoo Black was released in 2010 to critical acclaim and extensive airplay on commercial and campus radio, CBC, Stingray and blues programs, quickly establishing themselves as one of the most original and exciting bands in the genre. Featuring Dylan Wickens on guitars and vocals, Al Webster (Jeff Healey, Colin James, Long John Baldry) on drums, and Dennis Pinhorn  (Downchild, Danny Brooks, The Last Waltz Tribute) on bass, this trio has created an album that is tremendous in sound and quality. Wickens’ guitar work transitions between visceral, stinging slide and soulful blues/rock with the combination of the two helping to define the band's sound as both raw and real but contemplative, while his vocals are gritty and fervent with a “Clapton like growl and urgency” (Blinded By Sound).  As a songwriter, Wickens composes well crafted and meaningful songs that often have a melodic twist at the end - a nod to the freestyle playing of 60s power trios. In addition to Wickens’ guitar prowess, bassist Dennis Pinhorn locks in the grooves with his thunderous, fuzzed out Fender bass while drummer Al Webster holds it all together with subtle yet powerful drumming, choosing his moments to shine with flurries of brilliance. The 9 tracks on Hi Lo-Fi feature compelling lyrics on topics such as desperation, revenge, love, and lust and each is ripe with substantial hooks and melodies as if there were songs within the songs.  “The making of Hi Lo-Fi came about very slowly until it was time to track it - at that point, I committed completely to a sound that has been rattling about in my head for years - one that is as the name says, both hi and lo-fi all at once”, says Wickens. This long awaited sophomore release from one of Canada's most imaginative trios follows in the tradition of heavy, 1960’s psychedelic blues/rock and influenced by Doyle Bramhall II, Jimi Hendrix, The Black Keys, and Gary Clark Jr. is best dialed up to 11. dylanwickens.ca  RIYL: Big Sugar, Doyle Bramhall II, The Black Keys, Cream Hi Lo-Fi Track List 1. Foolish Heart 3:41       2. Love & Lust 5:03 3. Run Sister 3:51          4. Calamity Jane 4:41 5. Fall Apart 3:43                  6. She’s Back In Town 3:54 7. Your Other Man 3:44 8. Rock Bottom 4:35 9. In My Time Of Dying (Live) 4:13 Upcoming performances July 9 - Lighthouse Blues Festival, Kincardine, ON July 17 - Waterloo Region Museum Concert Series, Kitchener, ON July 29/30 - Lavigne Tavern, Lavigne ON August 5 - Kitchener Blues Festival - The Berlin, Kitchener ON August 7 - Kitchener Blues Festival - MainStage, Kitchener, ON August 27 - Donnelly's Pub, Thorold, ON August 28 - Bay City Music Hall, Hamilton, ON September 17 - The Boathouse Victoria Park, Kitchener, ON Dylan Wickens is available for interviews and station IDs.  For more information, hi-res photos or promo copies of Hi Lo-Fi contact  Sarah French Publicity 416-566-4188 or sarah@sarahfrenchpublicity.com

Underworld Records artist: Sammy Eubanks - Sugar Me - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Sugar Me, from Sammy Eubanks, and it's got a definite southern link. Opening with It's All Blues To Me, Sammy Eubanks, singer/guitarist, leads the charge with a track that is of Charlie Daniels and Tinsley Ellis. Country styling and rock overtones, this is a cool opener. Stop That Grinnin has a super blues drive, Elmore James style, with particularly cool work from Eubanks, Matt Hauer and Bob Britt and strong piano riffs from Reese Wynans. Darren Theriault handles the bass and Chris Kimmerer the drums. Very cool. Blues All Mornin' has a real cool bass line and really sweet lead guitar work by Eubanks. Wynans' organ work is nicely saturated giving the track nice girth. Willie Dixon's I Just Wanna Make Love To You has a great boogie beat, sounding more like contemporary Foghat than original Dixon but I really like it... I mean...who doesn't love a boogie. Eubanks' vocals and slide work both shine on this track, making it one of my favorites on the release. Latin influenced, My Baby's Gone, has just the right mix of blues and rock, giving it a cool beach sound. Scott Saunders contributes keys on this track and Eubanks' guitar work is crisp and cool. Title track, Sugar Me, has a raspy guitar vamp giving the track a great edge. Clean guitar soloing over the top gives the track sting. Cool track! Excellent blues track, No Excuse For The Blues has a cool boogie woogie undertone and a strong strait forward drive by Wynans on piano sets the bar for Eubanks' lead solos. It's My Life Baby has a real nice upbeat stab by Kimmerer played against Theriault's bass line sets a terrific platform for solos by Wynans and Eubanks. Very cool! Opening with a Keith Richards like riff, I'm Gonna Leave You, is a rockin' closer. With strong bass lines from Theriault and a grinding guitar riff, Eubanks' vocals and guitar soloing work nicely to sum up this 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

Alpha Sun Records artist: Bridget Kelly Band - Outta The Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Outta The Blues, from the Bridget Kelly Band and it's a cool rocking blues party. Opening with Gonna Stay Here, a blues rock shuffle based loosely on Statesboro Blues. Featuring Bridget Kelly on lead vocal, Alex Klausner on drums, Mark Armbrecht on bass and Tim Fik on guitar, this is a solid opener. Digging into deeper blues, Spellbound, features Fik showing some of his prize riffs, making you sweat and with Kelly's warm vocals this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. With nice rhythm guitar work under a clean guitar opener, If You See My Baby, has a Doobies feel making is quite a danceable rocker. Fik shows his SRV side with some hot fanning guitar riffs. Shuffle track, Sweet River Blues, may be one of Kelly's best vocal outings on the release with pure blues feel. Very nice! Baltimore Woes has a more contemporary rock feel with Stevie Nicks like phrasing. Fik's stylistic soloing on this track is very nice as is the bass runs by Armbrecht. Dancin' With The Blues is a straight up blues rocker with solid vocals and guitar refrain. Dangerous Man has an easy driving beat with a cool guitar line augmented by tight drumming by Klausner. Willie Dixon style, Up and Gone/Smokestack Lightning is a real nice rumble with Kelly leading the charge with aggressive vocals. The band is tight and Fik's slide work slick. Very nice! Lonely Night In June is a cool R&B style track with feelings of Christine McVie and Etta James. Fik's sensitive guitar melodies are nicely crafted. A cool bluesy track, this one should see strong airplay. When The Nighttime Comes has a cool BB King meets SRV feel with Fik on lead vocals. This track has a gritty sound that stands it apart in a good way. Driving ricker, Hard Times In The City, has a very memorable melody and strong guitar undertones. Blues shuffle, Double Crossed, is a free wheeling take on a traditional blues standard. Fik's guitar riffs are loose and energetic and Kelly's vocals are solids. Wrapping the release is Rocket to the Moon with a funky edge. Nice bluesy vocals, a strong bass line, solid guitar riffs and tight drumming sum it up.



  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

Allen Toussaint – American Tunes - New Release Review - Stilladog - Guest Writer

On 4^th of July, America’s birthday, we review American Tunes...  the last, and posthumously released, album by one of the USA’s most influential, diverse, and loved musicians, composers, and musical luminaries, the late.

This album finds Toussaint many times alone at his piano. When he is accompanied it is often sparse but with impeccable precision.   As his persona requires, all the accompanists are top notch musicians in their own right.

A man well known for his own compositions, American Tunes instead features Toussaint’s unique interpretations of other people’s American music.  Many are well known classics from his hometown, New Orleans.  

The album starts off with Delores’ Boyfriend with Toussaint alone at the piano doing what I call a “sportin’ parlor ragtime blues.”  It sounds and smells like pure New Orleans, and is the first of only 2 cuts on the album written by Toussaint himself.

The second track, Viper’s Drag,  is an old Fats Waller tune also in the ragtime vein.  Accompanied only by drummer Jay Bellerose and upright bassist David Piltch, Allen seems to just be having fun with this one.

Confessin’ (That I Love You), a jazz standard from the 1930s comes next.  This tune was popularized by Louis Armstrong.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone so comfortable in front of a keyboard as Allen is on this number.  There’s a mighty tasty little bass solo by David Piltch in this one too!

Next is a familiar song by another New Orleans legend, Professor Longhair’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans.Showcasing Toussaint again alone at the piano this tune is done at a much slower tempo than usual. As such, it yields an elegant version of this party tune.

This is followed by Lotus Blossom, a song written by Duke Ellington’s keyboardist, Billy Strayhan.  Naturally it was popularized by the Ellington Orchestra back in the 1950s.  Again at ease with an old jazz standard, the notes just flow like water down a lazy stream.

Another jazz standard, this one from the 1960s, Waltz For Debby is the next up.   A tune by Bill Evans originally recorded in 1961 is very tastefully done by just the trio.

But we’re back solidly in the Crescent City with a solo rendition of Earl King’s Big Chief which was popularized by Professor Longhair.

Then comes my favorite tune on the album, and they bring out extra instrumentation for this one. Duke Ellington’s Rocks In My Bed!  Guitar part by Bill Frisel lincluding a wonderful slide solo is complemented by absolutely magnificent vocals by Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops).

Danza, Op. 33 (Louis Moreau Gottschalk) showcases the diversity of Toussaint’s virtuosity.  A classical number that combines polka music with Caribbean rhythms it just seems a perfect fit for displaying the broad range of styles that influenced Toussaint’s songwriting.

Another Professor Longhair tune, Hey Little Girl, injects some more fun into the session as only the good Professor could do.  It is followed by the Earl “Fatha” Hines theme song, Rosetta.  Few people have been more integral to the development of jazz music than Earl Hines and this rendition gives him his due.

A second Ellington song, Come Sunday again features Rhiannon Giddens on vocals.  (Before I read the liner notes I thought it was Catherine Russell).

The other Toussaint original included here is an instrumental version of Southern Nights made famous by Glen Campbell. The album concludes aptly with American Tune by Paul Simon with Toussaint on vocals.

They say after Hurricane Katrina that, perhaps out of necessity, Allen Toussaint took to performing live and touring much more.  It is also said that his performances were often totally unscripted.  He would sit down at the piano and play whatever was in his head or his heart that day.  Since he could play damn near anything, these shows were quite a treat! And so it is that this album seems to be a collection of Allen Toussaint’s favorite songs.  American Tunes.

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

Cleopatra Records artist: Eric Gales - A Night On The Sunset Street - New Release Review - CD/DVD

I just received the newest release (July 8, 2016), A Night On The Sunset Strip, from Eric Gales, and it's really strong. Opening with Make It There, Gales and crew are FUNKY! Backed by Cesar Oviedo on bass who's emphasis is additive and percussive and Nicholas Hayes, who's drumming is crisp and direct this band is tight and spontaneous. Gales, of course, has the mic, playing a green/gold metallic Strat and his soloing is absolutely fluid. This man can throw down 50 note runs barely moving is gingers. Great opener. On modified boogie track, The Change In Me, Oviedo sets a solid boogie bass line but this track has some changes in mind. With effective use of rim shots and snappy jazz turns by Hayes and classy chords by Gales, this track is adventurous. Gales slowly builds dynamics using light bursts of fire but ultimately exploding into full out speed riffs, but not without returning to the jazzy chords and light touch to close. An interview with Gales is interjected between tracks and his honest and informative dialogue adds nicely to the film. Gales wife, Ladonna Gales and cousin, Tyrone Thomas Jr. join the band onstage with rich vocal work on jazz influenced rocker, Block The Sun. Gales vocals on this track really take it in an interesting direction with soulful, bluesy phrasing and the blend is really interesting. His guitar playing is inspired, fast and intense. Very nice. Heavily R&B influenced The Open Road, keeps the playing light and free with nicely blended vocals and a stern kick drum. Using synthetic processing at times, Gales shows his precise, expressive guitar riffs in a most understated manner. This man is have fun and not just blasting it in your face. Nicely done. Boogaloo style instrumental, Sea Of Bad Blood, takes some really interesting jazz turns with Gales playing a lot of rhythm guitar and adding lush jazz chords. Gales leaves the stage giving Oviedo and Hayes free rein to play a nicely progressive jam. Gales returns to the stage for a really lush wrap. Very nice. Instrumental, Swamp erupts a as a rockin jam with everybody at full overdrive. Hard driving and aggressive, this track rocks. Rejoining Gales are Ladonna and Tyrone as well as well as Dylan Wiggins on keys for modern neo soul track, 1019. With it's funky bottom and super key work, Gales and troupe really are visiting Johnny Guitar Watson territory. I really like this track with it's funky interplay between the bottom and Gales vocal and his blues rock guitar work. Excellent! Digging up country roots but with heavy blues and rock influence, Good For Sumthin' openings with a very traditional vamp. Developing this track with funky overtones and heavy bottom, this track has a great groove. Wrapping the release is Jagger/Richards track, Miss You. Raphael Saadiq joins on bass for this final number giving it just a bit more soul and jazz than the original. Gales takes pride in showing off some real nice chords abefore breaking into a real expressive speed blues solo. Strong conclusion to a super concert.



  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"