ACTUAL WOLF signs to Red House -premiere his cover of Haley's "Hometown" today at the Current New album

ACTUAL WOLF JOINS THE RED HOUSE RECORDS ROSTER  Premiere his cover of Haley's "Hometown" today at the Current New album "Faded Days" out 9/15 on vinyl and 6/02 via limited-edition cassette and all digital providers  Pre-order at iTunes and Amazon   "a mix between the spirit of the Rolling Thunder Revue & Thunder Road era Springsteen w/ a little nod to solo Gene Clark & CSNY thrown in, Faded Days encapsulates an echoey brooding open-heartedness over twangy sensibility and 70’s folk purism" - GLIDE MAGAZINE June 1, 2017: Red House Records is happy to welcome ACTUAL WOLF to its roster and announce his new album, Faded Days. Lush and expansive, Faded Days conjures the classic cosmic country albums of the past with its layered vocals and sweeping choruses.  A recording and touring musician for such artists/bands as Nikki Lane, Sun Kil Moon and Retribution Gospel Choir (featuring Alan Sparhawk of Low), ACTUAL WOLF is premiering his cover of fellow Minnesotan Haley's "Hometown" today at tastemaker station The Current; listen to it HERE. Faded Days will be released via limited-edition cassette and through all digital providers on June 2; the LP will be released on September 15.  The album plays out like a vintage record store find, with a care to storytelling and payoff choruses that are in scarce supply these days. Album highlights include the Springsteen-esque "Be My Love," which segues into the hazy vintage Neil Young and Crazy horse vibe of the first single, "Baby Please." "Little Runaway" is a classic rock radio cut (if you grew up in the 70s, that is) and the wistful title track speaks of lost opportunities and old relationships, with the chorus asking "Can you still get high?" As to how he became the "Actual Wolf," he recounts: “My friend, who is a junior high gym/health teacher, came up with the name while we were riding in his truck. He said, “ya know… there are a lot of wolf bands but you, you’re the Actual Wolf.” A native of Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range, Actual Wolf made the move to Oakland, CA following federal charges in Minnesota on a cannabis bust (they were reduced). He's now one of the leading extract/hash makers in the Bay Area, working for a boutique provider for Harbourside Health Center growing rare/hard-to-cultivate strains.  Statement from ACTUAL WOLF: Faded Days has been cultivated, cut and cured with the same patience as that of the grower. The album was written over two years in a spectrum of locations that Actual Wolf has called home at one point or another — Duluth (Minnesota, not Georgia), Brooklyn, Nashville and currently Oakland — the rich oils and aromatics resting in darkness and appropriately aged to bring them to a perfect state in a year-long distillation by engineer Brad Bivens in Minneapolis. The album is subtly informed by that breadth of different atmospheres as much as it is richly colored by the array of collaborators: Jeremy Hanson (Tapes 'n Tapes, Tungsten), Jake Hanson (Gramma's Boyfriend; 12 Rods; Alaska), Steve Garrington (Low, the Erik Berry Duo), Ditch Kurtz (a pedal steel guitarist from Nashville), with additional vocals by Al Church. After all of that time, Faded Days is ready. Its distinctly emotional alkaloids are blissfully intoxicating, palliative and healing. And now that it is finished, a sort of finely crafted goodbye to the Faded Days of all of those other places and those people and events, it will only be a matter of time before ACTUAL WOLF cultivates and distills the more recent days of his current Oakland existence, though who knows how long this will take: you cannot put a timeline on true craft. Check out the single "Baby Please" at Glide Magazine Instagram Twitter Facebook Pre-order FADED DAYS AT Amazon and iTunes Spotify - "Baby Please" single: https://open.spotify.com/album/2TMYFGoQ3Ut4EFsR2XdWvS ACTUAL WOLF dates: TH 6.08   St. Paul, MN - The Turf Club SA 7.22   Shafer, MN - Franconia Sculpture Garden  much more to come!

Boris Garcia Navigates The Twists And Turns With AROUND SOME CORNER CD Out On July 14

Boris Garcia Navigates The Twists And Turns

With Their Musical Steering Wheel:

AROUND SOME CORNER

Out July 14 On Porchwerk Music

“Fusing Americana, Celtic, Bluegrass and Jam with pop sensibilities, Boris Garcia is alone in its self -created class” - Dirty Linen

On July 14, Philadelphia’s own Boris Garcia will release Around Some Corner on Porchwerk Music label for fans everywhere.  The band called on their secret weapon, Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth fame to take the role of producing the album. Carbone moves Boris Garcia’s songs of whimsy and emotion and molds them into complex compositions, making it look effortless. 

Tim Carbone on Boris Garcia’s songwriters Jeff Otto and Bob Stirner – “As Lennon and McCartney did for The Beatles - they add just the right shadings to each other’s compositions to make the picture complete.”

Boris Garcia on Tim Carbone - “He visualized the music we had in our heads and made it appear on the disc. His experience and ridiculous musicality made it seem like we had George Martin in our midst, constantly pushing, screaming, laughing….stoking the embers and fluffing the froth. Boris Garcia’s journey to a great extent is about the relationship that we have maintained with Tim, both musically and in personal bond.”

Boris Garcia is seven very talented musicians: Jeff Otto on vocals and ukulele, Bob Stirner on vocals and guitars, Tim Kelly drums, percussion, Bud Burroughs mandolin, bouzouki, and accordion, Tom Hampton lap steel, Chip Denoyers on pedal steel and  EJ Simpson on bass. The group unknowingly created a new genre, which someone called “Outlaw Mystic – An Intoxicating Blend Of Americana, Bluegrass, and Pop.”

This multi-talented ensemble started out as a recording unit rather than a performing group and was more of a lark than a serious project at its inception. Jeff Otto was creating in the studio when he brought in Bob Stirner for some guitar help that soon expanded into its current line-up. The band then recruited Bud Burroughs on mandolin completing the strength of the lineup and forging the nucleus of the Boris Garcia “sound" with unforgettable melodies and honest storytelling.

As a songwriter, Stirner puts it, "Boris Garcia is a product of its combined influences, from Coltrane and Stockhausen to bluegrass and Celtic music, American roots to Jam. Our songs are rooted in Americana and Pop but with a Boris Garcia instrumental "treatment" that makes them more, well...Boris Garcia!"

“Boris Garcia has perfected the science of playing from the heart” – Relix

Recorded at Carbone’s studio in rural Pennsylvania the group hunkered down to create, Around Some Corner and bond once again. Here are a few highlighted songs:

“Knockin’ On Wood” opens up the album with a waltz as the singer longs for his love as his travels back from his journey. Their poetic lines of “I have left a trail of dust and blood” and “I saw her in my dreams for years - I saw her give me sons” flow over the walking melody bringing the listener in the song effortlessly. “Captain of The Crew” is almost a ship song that could be a storybook - a very detailed tune filled with flutes, recorders, and percussion. This band recalls Gordon Lightfoot and Pure Prairie League with their melodies, rhythms, and harmonies which are refreshing nowadays. “Message At Twilight” is the bluegrass closer, with the focus of the mandolin and ukulele that creates their version of the romantic Celtic sound. With that exclamation point ending, you want to hear more! 

“The purity of the musicianship all-around renders Boris Garcia more than academics...” – All About Jazz

With constant comparisons from The Band to Doc Watson to Grateful Dead, Boris Garcia doesn’t mind the flattery but likes to expand on it with each release.  Starting with their 2005 debut, Boris Garcia’s Family Reunion (Porchwork), the band breaks the mold each time to impress fans and critics. Their second album, Mother's Finest released in 2006 to critical praise that led to appearances and rotation on WXPN and an invitation to play their hometown’s own Philadelphia Folk Festival which was a turning point for them as they branched out into other markets. Two others followed, Once More Into The Bliss and Today We Sail continuing their signature sounds and building a solid fan base. During these years they have enjoyed opening slots with New Riders of the Purple Sage, Little Feat, Railroad Earth, Jackson Browne, Hot Tuna, and David Bromberg.

The band will be performing all summer and into the fall so follow the caravan Around Some Corner and down the street as they lead the way!

Boris Garcia is:

Bob Stirner, guitar, vocals

Jeff Otto, Ukelele, Vocals

Bud Burroughs, Mandolin, Keyboards

Tim Kelly, Drums, Percussion

EJ Simpson, Bass

Chip Denoyers, Pedal Steel

Tom Hampton, Lap Steel

Ivor S.K. - Montserrat - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Montserrat, from Ivor S.K. and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with title track, Montserrat, Ivor picks up where he left off on EP Delta Pines. A cool boogie, features Ivor backing his own vocals on guitar, bass and drums. Showing a tight sense of rhythm and stylistic guitar chops this is a very nice opener. Ain't No Cross is a contemporary ballad with a strong root in the blues. Ivor's vocals are solid and his melodic style is super. I Been Had is a cool island rhythm track which a solid guitar refrain. Snappy percussion and haunting guitar soloing makes this a really cool track. It's raining is a super sultry ballad with an intoxicating melody and nicely appointed guitar work. With a funky rhythm contrasted against minimal instrumentation, Take Me Back To New Orleans has a great feel. Indianola is a cool, modern, acoustic instrumental blues showing precision execution on guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, Good Mawnin' Judge. Ivor's voice is different but very likable and his ability to tell a story while dazzling you with his solid guitar work sets a high bar in contemporary blues interpretation.

  

  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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Badass Blues Straight Out Of Houston, Texas: Lovelace Brothers New Single, Tour

'BADASS BLUES' STRAIGHT OUT OF HOUSTON, TEXAS: LOVELACE BROTHERS RELEASE NEW SINGLE, GET READY TO TOUR THE U.S.

(Houston, TX) - Straight out of Southeast Texas, home of ZZ Top, the late, great Johnny Winter, and Janis Joplin, The Lovelace Brothers have released a smokin' new single, "Leaving," (purchase the single at CD Baby, here) and are readying a U.S. tour for the Summer of 2017, Billy Lovelace, the group's guitarist-vocalist and principal songwriter, has announced.   The Lovelace Brothers, who made their mark in Houston's underground blues scene, are truly one of Houston's Best-Kept Secrets. The Lovelace Brothers are fronted by Texas Blues guitarist Billy Lovelace Jr., with other band members being brother (drummer) Paul Lovelace and (bassist) Sean Lewis. They own a heavy Texas Blues sound "Selling Your Soul at the Railroad Tracks...the Dark Blues...Dirty and Heavy," asserts Lovelace. They're once again primed and ready to "electrify you with their talent, music, and live shows and brand of music called "Texas Electric Blues."                                                About...The Lovelace Brothers       In the mid 1970’s, a young 10-year old named Billy Lovelace started his career and love of music with, in his words. “A Beat Up Norman Electric”. Playing the guitar was a natural gift and talent for Billy, one that started him on the path to creating his own sound and gift of performance. Under the training of historically great artists and the direction of Tower of Power’s Saxophonist  Dick Wilkie, and Audio Engineering from Les Williams. He soon moved to Los Angeles, working in the music industry at recording studios while also performing with many popular bands, honing his craft and growing his name.   "We are from a somewhat of a music-involved family," explains Billy Lovelace Jr. "On my father’s side, my grandfather owned in the 1950s – 70s KOGT in Orange, Texas where his father (Bill Lovelace Sr.) was a disc jockey. My uncle owned a blues bar in Austin called Mamma’s Money, which I was told, The Fabulous Thunderbirds played at, among others. I also had a few uncles that were musicians. On mamma’s side there were some gospel & bluegrass groups. If I wasn’t in the music business, I would probably have been a chef or in the fishing and boating business. But that’s another story."   In December of 1996, Billy was shot by an unknown assailant. Upon moving back to Houston in 1987, Billy teamed with brother Paul in Houston-based bands, Symon Bar Sinister and Think Tank, the latter band achieving some big-time prominence in Houston, with Music News writing, "Think Tank is a Texas blues-rock band in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan-meets-Jimi Hendrix. In fact, they played a couple of tunes by both artists that would've made old Jimi and Stevie proud." From there, Think Tank morphed into what is today the Lovelace Brothers with fellow Houstonians, brother Paul Lovelace on drums and Sean Lewis on bass.   Now, it's the start of a whole new beginning for The Lovelace Br others. "We just released “Leaving” an original, and “Come On” by New Orleans blues great Earl King. The next songs to be released will be another original, & “Going Down” by Freddie King. And then, the sky's the limit!"    "Texas is a major influence. We’re from Southeast Texas. I was born in Louisiana but raised as a child in Orange TX. which borders Louisiana, so being raised on the border, Louisiana is a dominate influence as well."                 Billy Lovelace Jr., in an interview with INDIE PULSE MUSIC The Lovelace Brothers are on Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play Music thelovelacebrothers.com facebook.com/TheLovelaceBrothers texaselectricblues.net reverbnation.com/thelovelacebrothers thelovelacebrothers.hearnow.com/ INDIE PULSE MUSIC/Lovelace Brothers interview

The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer - Apocalipstick - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Apocalipstick, from the Harpoonist & The Axe Murder and it's a fine mix of  cool music. Opening with pop rocker, Get Ready, Shawn Hall on vocal and harmonica teams up again with Matthew Rogers on guitar, bass and synth to create their latest endeavor. Fool Forever , has a hook almost sounding like the R&B Stones stuff. This track with it's vocal blending and guitar forward sound has strong commercial potential. I'm Back has a really nice tremolo guitar intro leading into a synthesized zone before breaking into a solid melody. These guys have really matured from their last release with intricately woven instrumentals giving the track significant appeal to a more sophisticated audience. With John Raham on drums and Geoff Hilhorst on organ, this track is hot. Very nice. A country/gospel influenced track, Pretty Please is high energy with traces to early rock n roll and latter influences of Cheap Trick and Meatloaf. Treat Me Kind is a really nice acoustic ballad featuring Hall on vocal and harp, Rogers on guitar and Dawn Pemberton, Andrina Turenne, Alexa Dirks, Ben Rogers, Kari Wendell McClelland, Erik Nielsen and Ricardo Khayatte on backing vocal. Father's Son has a playful, reggae/blues feel with super vocals and cool harp adornment. Fragile is a really nice closer for this adventurous release. With an unusual time signature, cool backing vocals, environmental synth work and intricate drum work, it's almost like listening to a Pink Floyd/Mars Volta offspring. This is a very creative and entertaining wrap up to a very cool release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Arthur Alexander's self-titled album coming from Omnivore Recordings in expanded edition; notes by Barry Hanson

COUNTRY SOUL PIONEER ARTHUR ALEXANDER’S SELF-TITLED ALBUM RETURNS IN EXPANDED EDITION FROM OMNIVORE RECORDINGS 1972 release is reissued with six bonus tracks, plus liner notes  from Barry Hansen (Dr. Demento and former Warner Bros. staff writer) LOS ANGELES, Calif. — When the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Humble Pie, Dusty Springfield, George Jones & Johnny Paycheck, Bob Dylan, the Bee Gees and countless other artists cover your songs, you must be on to something. Arthur Alexander was a songwriter and song stylist whose first records in the early 1960s — such as “Anna (Go to Him)” and “You Better Move On” — were some of the earliest hits recorded at Rick Hall’s Fame Studios and to feature the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. After a short break at the end of the decade, Alexander released the second of only three albums that he made in his lifetime — a self-titled “comeback” album in 1972. On July 28, 2017, Omnivore Recordings will reissue Arthur Alexander, expanded with six bonus tracks — two previously unissued. With new liner notes by Barry Hansen (better known to most as Dr. Demento), the package also features the piece he wrote for the album’s original issue. Arthur Alexander’s 12 tracks were produced by Muscle Shoals bassist Tommy Gogbill, and include a version of “Burning Love” — covered by Elvis Presley shortly after the album’s release. Alexander’s two Warner Bros. follow-up singles are also here, as well as a pair of tracks from the original sessions, unearthed and unheard until now. As Hansen wrote in the original notes, “Arthur is especially proud of the variety and versatility of his work on this album. All of it is strong medicine, and should be a fine antidote for a lot of bad scenes.” He adds in the current notes, “[The Omnivore volume] honors the soulful wonderment that Arthur brought forth from his difficult time on earth.” Arthur Alexander, inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, is a music legend. Arthur Alexander is a legendary recording.   Track Listing: 1. I’m Comin’ Home 2. It Hurts To Want It So Bad 3. Go On Home Girl 4. In The Middle Of It All 5. Burning Love 6. Rainbow Road 7. Love’s Where Life Begins 8. Down The Back Roads 9. Call Me Honey 10. Come Along With Me 11. Call Me In Tahiti 12. Thank God He Came   Bonus Tracks: 13. Mr. John 14. You Got Me Knockin’ 15. Lover Please 16. They’ll Do It Every Time 17. I Don’t Want Nobody 18. Simple Song Of Love Tracks 17 & 18 previously unissued

TG Swampbusters - Swamp Rock Country Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Swamp Rock Country Blues, by TG Swampbusters and it's loose and cool. Opening with Honky Tonk Song, TG Swampbusters sets the pace with an interesting mix of old style country, JJ Cale and RL Burnside. TG on guitar, vocal and harp leads the way with Patch on drums and Swampy Jo Klienfelttr on bass. One Hundred Proof Blues has a great driving rhythm with throaty rhythm guitar and cool Keith like guitar riffs under solid vocals. Another track with a solid JJ Cale feel, Pitching A Tent has a great lower octave rumble, flamboyant but loose rock n roll guitar riffs and radio forward vocals. Very cool. Twist My Rubber Arm has the lofi of modern blues rockers like Black Keys and White Stripes rolled in country grass. Cranberry Corners is a driving 2 stepper with fat, mid range blues tones and sonic harp work making tyhis one of my favorite tracks on the release.  Wrapping the release is She Gave Me The Blues, a very strong acoustic ballad. TG flies solo on this one accompanying his soulful vocals with straightforward acoustic guitar rhythms. This is a nicely written track and a strong closer for a release that is really 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”

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Blind Lemon Pledge and Friends - Backwoods Glance - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Backwoods Glance, by Blind Lemon Pledge and Friends. Pledge is back with an easy folk/country release featuring Tom Cline on dobro, Jimi Edwards on keys, Peter Grenell on bass, Cal Keoola on fiddle, Marisa Malvino on vocal and John Pearson on cajon, djembe and percussion. Opening with easy pop country track, Polly Come Out, Keaoola and Cline add essential components to the vocal blending of Pledge and Malvino. The Hills Of West Virginia is one of my favorite tracks on the release with an 1800's country sound. Very cool! Lynchburg Town is a solid track with a nice melody and super dobro work by Cline. I particularly like Fayetteville with a great melody...reminds me of classic Ray Davies.  Ma Belle Cherie is a coo Cajun track featuring classic fiddle work from Keoola and the best vocal work from Pledge and Malvino. Wrapping the release is Give My Poor Heart Ease, a somber ballad with strong vocals and nicely blended guitar, dobro and fiddle work. Very nice closer for this straight up rural 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”

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Gregg Allman has died - My thoughts are with his family

Gregg Allman, one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, has died. He was 69.

The southern rocker's passing was announced on his official website, adding that Allman "passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia" on Saturday.

Allman's death comes after rumors circulated last month that he had entered hospice care. A rep for the rocker told ABC News that the rumors were not true.

Despite reports, Gregg Allman has not entered hospice

Gregg Allman condemns 'Bathroom Bill,' will still perform in NC

Still, Allman had been suffering from ill health in recent years, dealing with a respiratory infection, a hernia, a liver transplant and an irregular heartbeat.

Back in March, he canceled all his 2017 tour dates to support his upcoming album "Southern Blood" due to his health.

Michael Lehman, a close friend of Allman's, said in a statement posted to his website: "I have lost a dear friend and the world has lost a brilliant pioneer in music. He was a kind and gentle soul with the best laugh I ever heard."

"His love for his family and bandmates was passionate as was the love he had for his extraordinary fans. Gregg was an incredible partner and an even better friend. We will all miss him," the statement concluded.

Allman is survived by his wife Shannon Allman along with their four children and three grandchildren.

According to his website, "The family will release a statement soon, but for now ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release from Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos and it's a hot fusion of rock and biting blues. Opening with 20 Days, a tight rocker featuring Anthony Rosano on lead vocal and stinging fat slide guitar, Jeremy "JB" Bustillos on  vocal and harp, Paul Warren on bass and Scott Smith on drums. Shuffle, Give Me Strength has a cool groove with Warren romping the bass, harp attack by JB and a slick guitar solo from Rosano. You Don't Know Me is a mover and Rosano's guitar tome is warm and meaty. With a great beat and stinging guitar riffs, this track is super. Boogie track, Wicked Grin is hot with unbridled guitar riffs and a cool sax solo from JB. Excellent! Funky, Shakin' In The Veins, features really cool slide work by Anders Osborne  and with a definite southern flair, cool harp work by JB pushing the track even further. Bound To You is a solid ballad with a scorching guitar intro. I particularly like the melody on this track and Rosano's vocals are the best on the release. Veracious guitar work throughout the track make this my definite favorite. Wrapping the release is Proud of My Sins, an acoustic blues with Rosano on lead vocal and mandolin. Vocal harmonies and harp work by JB make this an excellent closer for a cool release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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