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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!
THE YARDBIRDS, MITCH RYDER,
ROBBY KREIGER, JO-EL SONNIER, BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY, LAZY LESTER, DWAYNE DOPSIE,
BIG CHIEF MONK BOUDREAUX & THE GOLDEN EAGLES DOUG KERSHAW AND MICHAEL DOUCET, HEADLINE 28th ANNUAL SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL, SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 27-28
Los Angeles area’s largest
Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Roots music festival, featuring two stages, a
Mardi Gras parade, crafts and dozens of food booths, takes place Memorial Day weekend.
The Yardbirds
Lazy Lester
Miitch
Ryder
Dwayne Dopsie
Jo-El Sonnier
Doug Kershaw
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The 28th annual Simi Valley
Cajun & Blues Music Festival will once again enliven Memorial Day
weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28,
at Rancho
Santa Susanna Community Park, 5005 Los
Angeles Ave., in Simi Valley. The event features a full stage for each of
its musical genres. The spirited music will go non-stop each day from 12
noon until 7:30 p.m. (or 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.).
Single Day tickets are $25 for adults (13
and over); $45 for a 2-day pass; children 12 and younger are free. New this
year will be a limited number of SuperTicket passes. For $124 for a single
day or $199 for both days, SuperTickets holders get a reserved seat, in the
shade, directly in the front of the blues stage as well as private bar
access (and two complimentary drinks) and other exclusive “backstage
experiences.” Tickets are available on the festival’s website: http://www.simicajun.org/. (Note: the only tickets available at the gate are
single-day, $30)
Headlining the blues stage this year will
be the pioneering blues-rock band the Yardbirds, the Robby
Krieger Band (celebrating 50 years of the Doors' music), Mitch
Ryder, Lazy Lester and the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; as well as
L.A.-based roots-rockers the 44’s, soulful SoCal songstress Alex
Nester and festival returnees Kelly’s Lot. Another festival
favorite, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, returns for
the fourth straight year and will be performing at both stages.
On the Cajun and Zydeco stage will be the
“original ragin’ Cajun” fiddler Doug Kershaw; Grammy-winning accordionist
Jo-El Sonnier and the Cajun Trio featuring Michael Doucet,
David Doucet and Mitch Reed. Performing on this stage too are
Crawdaddio and the Bayou Brothers, who also will back Lazy
Lester on the blues stage, while Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the
Golden Eagles will play on both the Cajun/Zydeco and Blues stages.
The annual Mardi Gras Parade will take
place both days, and everyone is invited to join in with the marching
bands, stilt walkers and other costumed characters. Also, during the breaks
at the Cajun/Zydeco stage, dance instructor AJ Gibbs will lead the crowd in
free dance lessons.
About
the headliners:
The
Yardbirds: In
the mid-’60s, the Yardbirds revolutionized music as they pushed British
blues rock into psychedelia and heavy metal. Godhead guitarists Eric
Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page all spent time in the band, playing
alongside core members Jim McCarty (drums), Chris Dreja (rhythm
guitar/bass) and the late Keith Relf (vocals/harmonica). McCarty recently
assembled a new touring line-up that includes guitarist Johnny A (Peter
Wolf), bassist Kenny Aaronson (Joan Jett, Hall & Oates), veteran
harpist Myke Scavone and vocalist/guitarist John Idan, who has been a
Yardbird since the Nineties. The group performs at the festival on Saturday,
May 27.
The
Robby Krieger Band: Regularly cited as one of rock’s all-time top
guitarists, Krieger shot to fame in the Doors. The Los Angeles native wrote
or co-wrote some of the band’s signature tunes, like “Light My Fire,” “Love
Me Two Times,” “Touch Me” and “Love Her Madly.” The Robby Krieger Band will
celebrate 50 years of the Doors’ music when then make their Simi Valley
Cajun & Blues Music Festival debut on May 27.
Mitch
Ryder: If
you have ever heard Bruce Springsteen perform his “Detroit Medley,” you
know Mitch Ryder’s impact on rock history. The medley’s main songs — “Devil
With a Blue Dress,” “Jenny Take a Ride,” “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “C.C.
Rider” — are all tunes Ryder popularized while fronting the Detroit Wheels
in the mid-’60s. The powerhouse vocalist has remained a popular performer,
especially in Europe. This year finds Ryder readying a new album and
working on a stage musical based on his novel Hide Your Love Away.
Experience Ryder’s dynamic rock & soul sound on the blues stage Sunday.
Big
Bad Voodoo Daddy: For nearly a quarter century, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
has been combining the old with the new. Folks can’t help but to dance to
the band’s exhilarating blend of jazz, swing and Dixieland with rock ’n’
roll energy. Formed in Ventura, California, the band has recorded 10 albums
and played over 2700 live shows, including playing for three U.S.
presidents. Rather remarkably, the group remains composed of its core
members: Scotty Morris (lead vocals and guitar), Kurt Sodergren (drums),
Dirk Shumaker (bass), Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone), Glen "The
Kid" Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (saxophones and clarinet) and
Joshua Levy (piano). They’ll make their second Cajun & Blues Festival
appearance when they hit the blues stage on Sunday.
Doug
Kershaw: Known
as the “original ragin’ Cajun,” Kershaw found crossover success during the
late ’60s when his fierce fiddle playing and hippie-style appearance won
favor with young rock audiences. His career started in the mid-’50s when he
teamed with his brother Rusty to become a popular country duo, scoring hits
with “Diggy Diggy Lo” and the autobiographical “Louisiana Man.” Kershaw,
who was inducted in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009, will perform
on the Cajun/Zydeco stage on May 27.
Lazy
Lester:
The story goes that, in the mid-’50s, Lazy Lester met Lightin’ Slim by
chance on a bus. Slim needed a harmonica player for a recording and Lester
could play the harp. He wound up playing on many of Slim’s Excello albums
before making his own Excello debut in 1957. The Blues Hall of Famer’s best
known tunes include “I’m a Lover Not a Fighter,” “I Hear You Knockin’,” and
“I’m Gonna Leave You Baby.” After taking a hiatus, Lester returned to music
in the late ’80s and he has made several albums since. Now in his 80s,
Lester still blows a mean, swamp-bluesy harp. He’ll take the blues stage on
May 27, backed by the Bayou Brothers.
Jo-El
Sonnier:
Hailed as the “King of Cajun Music” for the past 25 years, Sonnier is a
wizard of the accordion. The much-in-demand musician has recorded with such
stars as Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Robert Cray, Neil Diamond, Mark
Knopfler, Elvis Costello, Merle Haggard and Dolly Parton. A multi-Grammy
nominee himself, Sonnier won a Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album
in 2015. He returns to Simi Valley for the second time, performing on the
Cajun stage Saturday and Sunday.
The
Cajun Trio: Michael Doucet, David Doucet & Mitch Reed: These three
musicians were all founding members of BeauSoliel, the internationally
renowned, multi-Grammy winning group that Garrison Keillor hailed as the
"best Cajun band in the world." This trio, with Michael
Doucet on fiddle, his brother David on guitar and Mitch Reed on various
string instruments, showcases its virtuosity by slipping effortlessly among
musical genres. They will play, along with a special surprise guest, both
days of the festival.
Big
Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles: A true ambassador
of New Orleans, Joseph Pierre “Big Chief Monk” Boudreaux is the leader of
the Golden Eagles, a New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian tribe. They are known
for their elaborate attire, which includes handmade suits adorned with
brightly colored feathers, intricate beadwork, rhinestones and ruffles, as
well as their music, which combines folk traditions with funk and R&B.
Boudreaux, a 2016 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Award,
brings his Golden Eagles to the Cajun/Zydeco stage on Saturday and the
blues stage on Sunday.
Dwayne
Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers: A Cajun & Blues Festival favorite,
Dwayne “Dopsie” Rubin returns to Simi Valley for the fourth straight year.
He also will be hard to miss since he will be performing on both the blues
and Cajun/Zydeco stages on Saturday and back on the Cajun/Zydeco stage on
Sunday. The son of Zydeco legend Rockin’ Dopsie Sr., Dwayne has carved out
his own successful career. His highly energetic Zydeco style has earned him
a Grammy nomination and the title of “America’s Hottest Accordion” player.
The
blues stage once again was booked by Martin Fleischmann and his
company, Rum & Humble. For more than 20 years Rum & Humble
has played a key role in presenting some of the world’s great musical
talent (Radiohead, King Sunny Ade, and the Rolling Stones, to name a few)
to Los Angeles audiences, in venues like the Hollywood Bowl, the Orpheum
Theatre and the Santa Monica Pier. They also have been a pioneer
promoters in the field of Latin alternative music; Fleischmann is one
of the co-founders of L.A.’s Congo Room. Additionally, Rum & Humble has
collaborated closely with artists such as Jackson Browne and Paul Oakenfold
as well as with a varied roster of corporate and non-profit clients, such
as KJAZZ Radio and the National Geographic Society.
The
Cajun & Blues Festival has received national press accolades:
“Everywhere you turned, there was something exciting happening,” wrote Blue
Revue editor Art Tipaldi, who travelled to L.A. from New England. After
attending last year’s concert, Jazz Weekly’s George W. Harris
proclaimed: “Forget the Playboy Jazz Festival, the Simi Valley Cajun &
Blues fest beats the older and richer sister. This is coming from a jazzer,
yet still, pound for pound and dollar for dollar, I have more fun here than
in Hollywood … it “delivered music made to last … can’t wait until next
year.”
Besides
the great music, festival-goers can enjoy great food too. Southern BBQ and
authentic Cajun-Creole cuisine, such as jambalaya and crawfish, are
available at dozens of food booths, which will also feature a variety of
other dining options. There will be rows of craft booths and retailers to
check out as well.
To
get to the Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park, take California Hwy. 118
(Ronald Reagan Freeway) north from L.A. Exit at Stearns Street and go a
couple blocks south. Ample free parking is available, with the main lot at
the Simi Valley High School; a free shuttle takes to you to the park. This
year, the festival has added thousands of square feet of additional tenting
for shade at no additional charge. Low back chairs are recommended;
however, pop-ups will no longer be allowed in the festival grounds.
100%
of the festival’s profits are donated to charitable, educational and
humanitarian causes on a local, national and international level. A list of
these organizations may be found at < http://www.simicajun.org/who-benefits/>.
The
Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival is a presentation of the
Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise.
Schedule
— subject to change:
SATURDAY MAY 27th
BLUES STAGE
Kelly’s Lot
Lazy Lester
The Yardbirds
The Robby Krieger Band
Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
CAJUN/ZYDECO STAGE
Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
Cajun Trio featuring Michael Doucet, David Doucet and Mitch
Reed
Mardi Gras Parade
Jo-El Sonnier
Doug Kershaw
SUNDAY MAY 28th
BLUES STAGE
Alex Nester
The 44’s
Mitch Ryder
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles
CAUN/ZYDECO STAGE
Bayou Brothers
Crawdaddio
Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
Mardi Gras Parade
Cajun Trio featuring Michael Doucet, David Doucet and Mitch
Reed
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rockers, by John Ginty featuring vocalist Aster Pheonyx and it has a whole different dimension. Opening with powerhouse, The Shark, Ginty melds his notorious Hammond sound with Justine Gardner on outrageous funky bass and Maurice "mOe" Watson on drums for my favorite track on the release right out of the chute. Excellent! Rocker, Lucky 13 is up next and with Paul Kuzik's driving bass and Watson's drum work, lead vocalist, Aster Pheonyx takes command with Grace Slick like style. Ginty's key work, is aggressively complimented by the guitar work of Mike Buckman and Jimmy Bennett. With an easy pace and solid melody, Target On The Ground, is a tidy radio track with bluesy vocals and a light funk in the bottom. Ginty cranks up the heat on Hammond giving the track a bit more heft. Mr. Blues is a lumbering blues rocker with a cool lead riff by Ginty that drives the track, reinforced by Gardner's bass work. A well balanced track with a bit of wailing guitar ... slick. Electric has a real nice back beat and features big drum work as well as cool slide work. With Jagger like prowess on vocal, Phoenyx's vocals on this track are my favorite. Wrapping the release is title track, Rockers. a solid driver with Ginty, Gardner and Watson laying down a road of rhythm before Ginty takes flight on keys. This is a solid rocker and a solid closer for a new direction for Ginty.
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"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Talk About That, from John Mayall and it's diverse with a wealth of blues. Opening with title track, Talk About That, John Mayall steps up with a funky blues track, bucked by Rocky Athas on guitar, Greg Rzab on bass and Jay Davenport on drums. Mayall's vocals are solid with super funky organ and cool bass riffs. Blues rocker, It's Hard Going Up has a nice guitar vamp and cool horn work from Ron Dziubla on sax, Mark Pender on trumpet and Nick Lane on trombone. Funky blues number, The Devil Must Be Laughing has a sweet guitar intro and soloing by Joe Walsh and with it's dark overtones, is one of my favorite tracks on the release. New Orleans flavored, Gimme Some Of That Gumbo, highlights the drum work of Davenport and Mayall's piano playing is super of course with terrific horn work. Athas breaks loose with hot riffs of his own on this one adding flame to an already smoking track. Chicago style blues track, Goin' Away Baby, features light drum work and Mayall on harp and vocal. Very cool! Cards On The Table features Joe Walsh again on slide this time with a cool rolling rhythm. Walsh has a really distinctive style and he lays it out here nicely. Shuffle track, Don't Deny Me has a great swing with crisp riffs from Athas and super rolling piano by Mayall, backed nicely by Pender on trumpet and over a super walking bass line by Rzab. another track with a cool rocking beat is Across The County Line. With Rzab and Davenport setting the stage Mayall really delivers on vocals and piano and Athas nails the guitar lead with super horn punctuation. Very nice. Wrapping the release is You Never Know, an easy piano shuffle with only the basics of bass and drums supporting Mayalls vocals.This is different from the most recent two Mayall releases that I have reviewed but very enjoyable.
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"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND RELEASES NEW VIDEO FOR “WE DESERVE A HAPPY ENDING”
Fresh off of viral shotgun guitar video that reached 20
million plus, Rev. Peyton literally sets his best friend on
fire in new music video.
BROWN COUNTY, Ind. — Rev. Peyton,
known for his viral shotgun guitar video and virtuosic slide guitar, is
back! This time Rev literally sets his best friend on fire, and all hell
breaks loose behind Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Bandas they perform “We Deserve a Happy
Ending” on their own front porch in the new video from the upcoming March 10, 2017 albumrelease
Front
Porch Sessions.
"We researched these dangerous
Hollywood-style stunts and my best friend, Jim Connor,
volunteered to let me set him on fire inside my house,” says Rev. Peyton.
All of these people, animals, and machinery were all packed inside of Rev.
and Breezy’s tiny cabin in the Brown County Hills. “These folks are just
our friends and family,” Rev. Peyton says. “We are lucky to be surrounded
by hillbillies, performers, artists, daredevils, and adventurers.” With
almost no budget, this video is one continuous camera shot and was
captured by Rev’s good pal and photographer Tyler Zoller in one
take. It’s all DIY, but all the proper precautions were taken. Rev. urges
people not to try this at home, especially if you live in a wood
house.
Washboard
Breezy, Rev. Peyton’s wife and band member,
says, “The song is stripped down, Maxwell Senteney
plays a suitcase just like on the record, but it sounds huge.” “It’s all
about the vocals,” Rev. Peyton adds. “Max and Breezy make the song for me.”
From livestock to Harley motorcycles,
from live shootouts to a man fully engulfed in flames, this video has it
all!
Rev.
Peyton’s Big Damn Band is: Rev.
Peyton - guitar, vocals
Washboard Breezy Peyton - washboard, tambourine, snaps, claps and vocals
Maxwell Senteney - percussion, suitcases, buckets and vocals
Produced
and directed by Rev. Peyton Videography and
editing: Tyler Zoller Production Manager:
Jayme Hood
On Crowin' The Blues,
The Crowmatix
dig down into the origin of many great Blues songs from the Texas Rhythm
& Blues style of "I'm Gonna Play The Honky Tonks" by Marie
Adams (Peacock) to "High Heel Sneakers" that is a Rock 'n' Roll
standard. The
Crowmatix combined the Soul tune, "On Broadway"
with a blues by Jimmy Reed for our arrangement of "Bright Lights, Big
City." They also remember Big Bill Broonzy recording his hit "Why
Did You Do That To Me" and the shuffle blues by Elmore James,
"Fine Little Mama."
Levon
Helm taught us Jimmy McCracklin's hit "I Finally Got You" and a
gut wrenching blues by Jimmy Rogers "That's Alright." The Crowmatix
originals "Love Is Killing Me," "Blues & Good
News," "Prisoner Of Your Sound" are featured, and the band
gives a nod to Buckwheat Zydeco with "Blues For Buckwheat." Many
performers walked the fence between the straight path and the Honky Tonk
Chitlin' circuit lifestyle and recorded Gospel songs, here The Crowmatix chose
"I'm On My Way."
Crowin'
The Blues, their thirteenth studio CD, was
recorded in three days live in the studio . Grammy nominated PL&C from
Woodstock. The band was inducted into Blues Hall Of Fame, New York Chapter
and hold a permanent place in the Canada South Blues Museum.
The
Crowmatix are... Professor
Louie (vocals, accordion, piano, Hammond organ, keyboards);
Miss Marie
(vocals, percussion, piano); Gary
Burke (drums, percussion); Frank Campbell (bass, vocals); John Platania
(electric /acoustic guitars); Josh
Colow (lead guitar) special guest Michael Falzarano
(guitar).
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Beat of My Heart, from Lisa Biales and it's rich. Opening with Mabel Scott track, Disgusted, Biales is swinging right from the start backed by Jim Pugh on piano, Larry Taylor on bass and Tony Braunagel on drums. Darrell Leonard adds solid trumpet work and Joe Subjett really gets the sax working with some hot solo lines. Volt (Stax) record, What A Man, a hot R&B track by Linda Lyndell is up next with just a bit of polish a little more funk in the bottom, cool lead guitar work by Johnny lee Schell and cool backing vocals by Maxayn Lewis and Kudisan Kai. Allen Toussaint's I Don't Wanna Hear It has that primal R&B spirit with Tom Peterson on bari sax lead, Joe Sublett on sax and Darrell Leonard on trumpet. Nina Simone's Be My Husband has a swampy feel boosted by Pugh's Hammond work, cool Kay guitar riffs by Schell and top reinforcements by Braunagel. Meemphis Slim's Messin' Around With the Blues falls square into Biales' pure vocal style and she milks it for each note. Leonard's trumpet highlights and a slick guitar solo by Schell add icing to an already rich cake. Gospel track, Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody, really swings with excellent backing vocals by Lewis, Kai, Leslie Smith and Will Wheaton and of course vital Hammond work by Pugh. Written by her mother, Alberta Roberts, Crying Over You has a firm, 40's sound and character. The purity of Biales' vocals backed by the warm sax work of Sublett, smoky piano work by Pugh and a cool trumpet solo by Lee Thornberg gives this track honest authenticity. Henry Glover's, Wild Stage of Life continues in this vein but with a pinch of a New Orleans blues, nicely complimented by Pugh's keyboard work and a really tasty guitar solo by Paul Brown. Carrie Newcomber's I Should Have Known Better is a really cool track with a funky back beat and just a touch of jazz. Nicely blended vocals between Biales and Schell as well as a crisp piano solo by Pugh make this track one of my release favorites. Wrapping the release is Brenda Burn's smooth R&B track, Brotherly Love. This track showcases a totally different quality of Biales' voice, nicely surrounded by Pugh's keyboard work as well as a really tasty guitar solo by Schell and caressingly warm backing vocals by Lewis, Kai,and Smith. This is an excellent closer for a brilliant vocal album.
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"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
NEW YORK – Legendary guitarist Larry Coryell died on Sunday, February 19 in New York City. Coryell, 73, passed away in his sleep at his hotel from natural causes. He’d performed his last two shows on Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, at the Iridium in New York City.
As one of the pioneers of jazz-rock -- perhaps the pioneer in the ears of some (he’s known to many as the Godfather of Fusion) -- Larry Coryell deserves a special place in the history books. He brought what amounted to a nearly alien sensibility to jazz electric guitar playing in the 1960s, a hard-edged, cutting tone, phrasing and note-bending that owed as much to blues, rock and even country as it did to earlier, smoother bop influences.
Yet as a true eclectic, armed with a brilliant technique, he was comfortable in almost every style, covering almost every base from the most decibel-heavy, distortion-laden electric work to the most delicate, soothing, intricate lines on acoustic guitar.
Born in Galveston, Texas on April 2, 1943 Coryell grew up in the Seattle, Washington area where his mother introduced him to the piano at the age of 4. He switched to guitar and played rock music while in his teens. He didn't consider himself good enough to pursue a music career and studied journalism at The University of Washington while simultaneously taking private guitar lessons.
By 1965 he had relocated to New York City and began taking classical guitar lessons which would figure prominently in the later stages of his career. Although citing Chet Atkins and Chuck Berry as early influences he also took cues from jazzmen such as John Coltrane and Wes Montgomery. He was also inspired by the popular music of the day by The Beatles, The Byrds and Bob Dylan and worked diligently to meld both rock and jazz stylings into his technique. This was reflected on his debut recording performance on drummer Chico Hamilton's album The Dealer where he sounded like Chuck Berry at times with his almost distorted "fat" tone.
In 1966 he formed a psychedelic band called The Free Spirits on which he also sang vocals, played the sitar and did most of the composing. Although conceptually the band's music conformed to the psychedelic formula with titles like "Bad News Cat" and" I'm Gonna Be Free" it foreshadowed jazz-rock fusion with more complex soloing by Coryell and sax/flute player Jim Pepper.
However, it wasn't until three years later after apprenticing on albums by vibraphonist Gary Burton and flutist Herbie Mann and gigging with the likes of Jack Bruce and others that Coryell established his multifarious musical voice, releasing two solo albums (Lady Coryell and Coryell) which mixed jazz, classical and rock ingredients.
In late 1969 he recorded Spaces, the album for which he is most noted. It was a guitar blow-out which also included John McLaughlin who was also sitting on the fence between rock and jazz at the time and the cogitative result formed what many aficionados consider to be the embryo from which the fusion jazz movement of the 1970s emerged. It contained insane tempos and fiery guitar exchanges which were often beyond category not to mention some innovating acoustic bass work by Miroslav Vitous and power drumming by Billy Cobham, both of whom were to make contributions to jazz-rock throughout the 70s.
His career as a significant guitar force in the era of late 60s and early 70s music continued to take flight in a time when guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and many other iconic names also blossomed. His varied musical expression took him on a diverse journey, and though he did not receive the level of commercial fame some of his guitarist contemporaries enjoyed, he was still able to make his timeless mark in music through his highly acclaimed solo work (he released well over 60 solo albums), his performances with powerhouse fusion band The Eleventh House and numerous collaborations with a host of jazz greats including of Miles Davis, Gary Burton, Alphonse Mouzon, Ron Carter, Chet Baker and many other noteworthy artists of all styles.
Larry still toured the world right up until his passing and had planned an extensive 2017 summer tour with a reformed The Eleventh House.
His most recent releases are Barefoot Man: Sanpaku, released on October 14, 2016 on Cleopatra Records and an upcoming Eleventh House release, entitled Seven Secrets, which will be released on the Savoy Jazz label on June 2.
His final original works included operas based on Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, Anna Karenina and James Joyce's Ulysses.
He is survived by his wife, Tracey, his daughter Annie, his sons Murali and Julian, and his daughter Allegra, as well as six grandchildren.
A memorial service is being planned Friday February 24th at the S.G.I-USA Buddhist center at 7 east 15th St. at 7 p.m.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Ghent, from Manitoba Hal, and it's quite entertaining. This is a blues packed double CD featuring classic blues tracks presented primarily as Uke and vocal. Opening with Come On In My Kitchen, Hal uses a fairly traditional arrangement and his vocal styling is real cool. Add in Hal's acoustic accompaniment and you have a real cool track. The Ukulele work on Atlanta Moan is clean and cool. It has not been used much to my knowledge on recent releases but Ry Cooder's use of Uke on Goin' To Brownsville has always stuck with me and this track brings it to memory. Very nice. On Baby Please Don't Go, Hal uses some type of pairing device to duplicate and mimic the sound he plays on Uke and it's really works well. His playing style is a bit more aggressive and with smooth vocals is very cool. Evangeline brings about some slide work and the sound is very interesting. Tight playing style and precision followed by a classic ballad melody makes this one of my favorites on the release. Sweet Home Chicago is accelerated to double time and finger picked. A real barn burner and a release favorite. On St. James Infirmary, Hal is plugged and playing some really treacherous blues riffs. With classic vocal styling... a definite release favorite. Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women is a really cool track with wild lyrics and intricate instrumental backing. Excellent closer for disc one.
Opening disc two is Ain't No Grave with a very somber approach. This is possibly one of the nicest vocal tracks on the release and the acoustic accompaniment is very nicely done as well. They're Red Hot has a really nice chorded intro which shows nice dimensionality. Breaking into rag style about half way through adds cool contrast to another of my release favorites. Key To The Highway really works well with Uke and Hal really works the vocals. A track that I have heard redone many times but this one still sounds fresh. With a bit of Elizabeth Cotton style, My Creole Belle, Hal blends New Orleans with country blues. This is a really interesting track and a cool addition. Wrapping the release is The Thrill Is Gone utilizing a slightly more laid back acoustic version on BB King's classic. Hal puts on a super show with his own approach to the blues. Very cool.
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”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Call Of The Night, from Josh Hyde and it's super. Opening with title track, The Call of The Night, Josh White lays out a bluesy track that is ready for the radio with a great melody, nice vocal harmonies, nice organ support by John Gros, smooth vocals by Hyde paired with a stylized guitar solo that maintains compactness while expressive feeling, Jamey Bell on drums and Joe V. McMahan on guitar. The Truth is a really hot swampy funk rocker in the style of Little Feat with great pace and beautifully woven instrumentation. This really is an excellent track with nicely crafted guitar work, a moving bass line and tight organ work giving it a lot of spunk. Close is a quiet ballad with a sweet melody and expressive slide guitar work by Buddy Flett. Sonny Landreth joins the mix on Offshore adding his distinctive slide styling to this bluesy funk rocker. On acoustic, It's Not Too Late, Hyde shows some of his best vocal work. A folk ballad, it is a really cool track, accented again by the slide work of Landreth and complimented by the acoustic guitar work of Tony Daigle. Need A Lil More has a contemporary sound but definite roots in the blues. Gros' keyboard work really carries the track with cool vocals by Hyde and nicely executed guitar riffs by Hyde. Guitar In Hand is a cool Jackson Browne/Neil Young like track with burning guitar soloing by Hyde which nicely accents his own solid vocals. Mississippi Bridge is a terrific new country style track along the lines of Frank Black. With a great melody and a compact form, Buddy Flett on guitar and Laura Mayo nicely work with Hyde's certain vocal strength. Wrapping the release is I've Got This Song, a smooth radio track with a cool melody and featuring James Westfall on keys. With jazz and country characteristics this track is a solid closer for a very enjoyable release.
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