Beth Hart Announces First Live Release In 13 Years, 'Live From New York - Front and Center' CD/DVD set will be released on April 13th, 2018 via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group  Watch Hart Perform "Tell Her You Belong To Me":

On March 7th, 2017, the GRAMMY nominated "powerhouse vocalist" (Rolling Stone) Beth Hart performed a very special, intimate concert at NYC's Iridium Jazz Club, which featured songs from her latest album 'Fire on the Floor' and from throughout her career. Now, 13 years after the release of her incredibly successful live release, 'Live at Paradiso,' Hart is treating fans to a DVD/CD release of this standout performance with 'Live From New York - Front & Center', out April 13th via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group. The performance is also featured on the Season 8 premiere episode of Public Television's critically acclaimed concert series, Front and Center (airing now, check local listings).

Known for her visceral, soul-baring vocals and dynamic range, Hart is riding a creative tidal wave following the release of her critically acclaimed 2016 studio album, 'Fire On The Floor', as well as her just-released studio collaboration with guitarist Joe Bonamassa, 'Black Coffee.' Leveling audiences with her incredible power and celebrated burnt-honey vocals for 20 years, Hart has just launched a 16-date coast-to-coast US tour, which will be followed by a European tour in April-May 2018. 

Hart has had an incredible career, beginning with the release of a fistful of hit albums through the '90s, then reigniting in the post-millennium as both a solo artist and the head-turning vocalist for guitar heroes like Joe Bonamassa, Slash and long-time collaborator Jeff Beck. But it's in recent times that Beth has truly blossomed, selling out ever-larger venues in cities around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. She is recognized as one of the great live vocalists of our time, with a voice "reminiscent of Etta James and Janis Joplin" (Music Connection), topping Billboard's Blues Album Chart and receiving numerous GRAMMY and Blues Music Awards nominations. Dubbed "the ultimate female rock star" by The Blues Magazine, the Guardian has praised her "daring, brooding performances" and The Times has called her "Extraordinary."

'Live From New York - Front And Center' will be released as a 2-disc DVD/CD set, mixed in 5.1 stereo, featuring never before seen bonus material, including an exclusive interview with Hart. The audio from the performance will also be sold separately as a digital release.

Track Listing

CD
01 - Let's Get Together
02 - Baddest Blues
03 - Jazz Man
04 - Delicious Surprise
05 - Broken And Ugly
06 - St. Teresa
07 - Isolation
08 - Tell Her You Belong To Me
09 - Fat Man
10 - Love Gangster
11 - Leave The Light On
12 - As Long As I Have A Song

DVD
01 - Let's Get Together
02 - Baddest Blues
03 - Jazz Man
04 - Delicious Surprise
05 - St. Teresa
06 - Tell Her You Belong To Me
07 - Fat Man
08 - Leave The Light On
09 - Can't Let Go
10 - As Long As I Have A Song

Bonus DVD features: 
* Full Band Bonus Content (Love Gangster - Broken And Ugly - For My Friends)
* Acoustic Bonus Content (Isolation - My California - No Place Like Home)
* Beth Hart Interview

Tour dates - www.bethhart.com/tour/

Beth Hart Online:
www.facebook.com/officialbethhart
www.twitter.com/BethHart
www.instagram.com/officialbethhart
www.bethhart.com

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Down In The Alley Records artists: Laurie Jane and The 45's - Midnight Jubilee - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Midnight Jubilee, from Laurie Jane and The 45's and it's a lot of fun. Opening with springy, country blues flavored, Wait So Long, featuring Laurie Jane Duggins on lead vocal and a greasy loose slide guitar work by Cort Duggins, solid bass by Jason Embry and rockabilly style drums by Scott Dugdale. Cool opener. Title track, Midnight Jubilee is a smooth, radio style ballad with sinewy lap steel work by Cort under some of Laurie Jane's best vocals on the release.  Howlin' Wolf's Howlin' For My Darlin' gets a rockabilly makeover and it has a great feel with swinging guitar riffs and a solid bass line. Down This Road has a cool, early 60's rock feel and Laurie Jane's lead work is tight, reinforced by snappy drum work by Dugdale. One of my favorites on the release, Couldn't Cry Alone, has a distinct old country ballad style and again gives Laurie Jane a real chance to shine. Very nice. Wrapping the release is rockabilly styled, Not With You. I really like the mix of Cort's loose guitar lead, Embry's right on bass and the New Orleans "falling down the stairs" drums styling of Dugdale.

Super closer.



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Forty Below Records artist: Eric Corne - Happy Songs for the Apocalypse - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (4/20/18), Happy Songs for the Apocalypse, by Eric Corne and I really like it. Opening with Mad World, a British feeling folk tune with contemporary sensibility, it is acoustic and ethereal featuring Corne on vocal, acoustic and electric guitar, Eamon Ryland  on pedal steel and Sasha Smith onWurlizter, Ian Walker on bass, David Ralicke on horns and Andrew Crosby on drums. Ridin' With Lady Luck is a simple Neil Young like rocker featuring Walter Trout on lead guitar, Corne on lead vocal and harp. One of the strongest radio tracks on the release is Locomotion with it's seductive rhythm, full horn work of Ralicke, tight drums by Blair Sinta and cool slide work by Eamon Ryland . Solid ballad, History Repeats, has a real nice symmetry. It puts me in mind of some of the strong tracks written by the band in the 70's with Skip Edwards on particularly nice pedal steel and keys, Ted Russell Kamp on bass and Matt Tecu on drums. Ashen Heart is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a strong melody some of my favorite vocals on the release. Corne, who sings, whistles and plays acoustic guitar on the track shows influence of Harry Nilsson...a strong compliment. Wrapping the release is Sing, Little Darlin' Sing, a solid track featuring Corne accompanying himself on Ukelele. This is a really understated release but one that has a memorable feel. Check it out!

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Alligator Records artist: Curtis Salgado & Alan Hager – Rough Cut - New release review - Stilladog - Guest Writer

Driving home from work the other day I heard a song called “I Want My Dog To Live Longer” on the Bluesville channel on Sirius XM. It was done by Curtis Salgado & Alan Hager. I know Curtis and have seen him play a number of times but I did not know Alan who is a guitarist from Portland, OR where Curtis lives also. These two have played together off and on for quite a number of years. So now that Alan is the guitarist for Curtis’ road band I guess they figured the time was right. So it’s here and it’s called Rough Cut. Based on that one track I had to check it out. Once I heard it I had to tell Bman how much I liked it and he asked me to review it.

The album starts off with a very John Lee Hooker sounding track entitled “I Will Not Surrender.” This is a very personal blues written by Salgado. You can almost feel him fighting death as he sings. He’s survived liver cancer, lung cancer (twice), addiction, and quadruple bypass surgery. So he knows about not surrendering. A great opener for the album which turns out to be far from the blue-eyed soul Cutis is known for. This is definitely traditional blues, originals and covers both.

On the second track, “So Near To Nowhere,” Salgado breaks out his harp for the first time and the best lyrics on the album. “I’m asking God why I ain’t dead yet. He said, I warned ya boy but you never listen. The devil don’t want the competition.”

It’s mostly just a duo with Hager on guitar, Salgado on harp and vocals, although Curtis plays piano on one track. A few others have minimal accompaniment but otherwise it’s just two friends playing blues.

The duo cover a number of Blues classics such as Muddy Water’s I Can’t Be Satisfied which gets the country blues slide treatment from Hager which is strong in its own right and complements Salgado’s vocals perfectly. This theme repeats itself with many of the other covers such as Depot Blues by Son House and Long Train Blues by Robert Wilkins which is strong on harp as well.

The cover songs are absolutely great and also include Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Too Young To Die,” Big Bill Broonzy’s “I Want You By My Side,” and Elmore James’ version (not the Mississippi Fred McDowell one) of “You Got To Move” which contains some awesome Elmo slide by Hager. The tune entitled “Morning Train” is also commonly known as “Get Right Church,” and may be the strongest cover on the album.

Which brings us back around to “I Want My Dog To Live Longer.” This song touches the heart of anybody who ever had, or has, a faithful canine companion. I can’t say it’s my favorite song on the record but it is obvious that Curtis Salgado and I see eye to eye on what enrichment dogs bring into our lives.

That all said, I really think this is going to be one of the overall strongest blues albums of 2018. The blend of originals and covers is a perfect balance. No flash guitar, no hot horns, just solid blues music which is not so easy to come by these days. It may be a Rough Cut but it is smoothly done.

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BMG/Bethlehem Records: Nina Simone - Mood Indigo: The Complete Bethlehem Singles - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mood Indigo: The Complete Bethlehem Singles, by Nina Simone and it's terrific. Opening with Porgy (I Loves You, Porgy), Simone on lead vocal and piano sets a standard that to today is still regarded as gold for jazz style. Backed by Jimmy Bond on bass and Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums, this is an excellent opener. Love Me Or Leave Me leaves no question of where contemporary vocalists such as Diana Krall's inspiration originates. This is the blueprint for bop jazz vocals. Very nice. Somber ballad, He Needs Me, not only shows the purity of Simone's vocals but the crystal clear classical style piano work that is her trademark. Showing her classical piano chops on the intro to Latin based instrumental, African Mailman, Simone really gets the rhythm moving on this one. Letting out the lead on title track, Mood Indigo, Simone really swings. Her vocal phrasing, over Bond's bass line is so excellent it gives you goose bumps... and dig her piano riffs! Good Bait is a great track with a solid walking bass line, steady drums and nicely executed piano melody. Strong. Wrapping this release is Simone's interpretation of My Baby Just Cares For Me with solid bass, brushes and piano on the up beat as rhythm. Her playful piano lead and stylized vocals on this track make for a great closer for a pretty incredible set.

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Screaming Lizard Records artist: Laurie Morvan - Gravity - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gravity, from Laurie Morvan and she's got flair. Opening blues rocker, My Moderation is built around a classic blues rhythm set up by Bob Glaub on bass and Tony Braunagel on drums. Morvan has a really nice hand at the strat managing riffs solid riffs like child's play. Mike Finnigan is hot on the trail with his signature organ riffs and backing vocals are provided by Lisa Morvan, Maxayan Lewis and Kudisan Kai. Nice opener. Stay With Me features Morvan's stinging guitar riffs over a heavy lumbering bass line and thick B3 by Finnigan. With a dash of funk into a rockin mix, The Extra Mile, is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Blended vocal lead and really hot lead guitar is the ticket on this one with an obviously heavy bottom. Very nice. With a smooth melody, title track, Gravity,carried by Morvan on lead vocal and Jim Pugh on B3 is the definite radio on the release. Another track that shine brightly with fluid guitar lead is Dance In The Rain, Morvan not only handling lead vocals handily but also showing strong runs and nice guitar tone. Gotta Dig Deep has a really base blues root with a super foot drums accent and some constant double stop playing giving the track a particularly cool bluesy feel. Another stand out track, The Man Who Left Me, has a dark feel, super backing vocals by Lisa Morvan, Kai, Leslie Smith and Ricky Nelson. Morvan's slide guitar work on this track works nicely to reinforce the bluesy darkness. Very nice.  On boogie track, I Want Answers, Morvan pairs her own lead vocal with guitar as Finnigan, Pugh and Braunagel dig in. Wrapping the release is another track with a bit of funk. Too Dumb To Quit works Morvan's straight vocal delivery against her slide guitar response over that funky bottom, giving it just the right chemistry. Excellent closer. 

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Nevermore Records artist: Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys - My Life - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Life, from Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys and I really like it. Opening with Handyman, an easy boogie, Rev Raven takes the wheel leading on vocal and guitar, backed by Cadillac Pete Rahn on harp, Brad Bill on bass, Vic Spann on drums and Ron Kovach on organ. With a zippy pace, Creature of Habit, has a real nice bass line by Bill and smooth vocals by Raven. Rahn gives the harp a nice run and the Rev follows up with a rip roaring guitar solo of his own. Very nice. Shuffle track, Bad Little Girls has a real nice feel with lead guitar swing and harp by Madison Slim. Raven really gets it going on guitar and with solid vocals, one of my favorites on the release. With a Latin rhythm, Once The Women Start Talking features Benny Rickin on harp and he does a real nice job and the Rev really shines on higher octave guitar riffs of his own giving this track a nice spin. Title track, My Life has the rich feel of Chicago blues with Rickin on harp, Bobby Lee Sellers Jr on drums and Danny Moore on piano. Another of my favorites on the release is driving boogie, Praying for a Princess featuring a great walking bass line by PT Pedersen and super nice rolling piano riffs by Moore. With a funky Freddie King style, Looking For Love has a cool swing, highlighted by excellent sax work by Big Al Groth and flashy guitar riffs by the Rev. I Can Do You Right has a great guitar feel with both trademark riffs and fluid runs. Excellent! Another track with a cool Freddie King vibe is She's Moving On. Pedersen's bass line lays the ground work on this one and Westside Andy Linderman lays down soulful harp lines in compliment to Raven's ultra bluesy guitar riffs giving this track a nice sting. Wrapping the release is jump track, I'm Your Honeyboy featuring Moore, Pedersen and Craig Panosh on drums. Moore takes a great piano lead followed by Linderman who spreads the heat on harp. The Rev takes the reins for the last run and he hits the road running with solid guitar runs making this an excellent closer for a real nice release.

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Silvertone/Sony artist: Joanne Shaw Taylor - Wild - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild, from Joanne Shaw Taylor and it's a cool guitar fused blues release. Opening with Dyin' To Know, Taylor leads with a driving rhythm and crisp but understated lead guitar behind her solid vocals and backed by Greg Morrow on drums, Rob McNelly on guitar, Michael Rhodes on bass and Steve Nathan on keys. Ready To Roll has real swagger and Taylor's voice really shines. Backing vocals by Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins and Jade MacRae give the track fullness leading up to so real nice guitar slashes by Taylor. Very cool. Get You Back is a solid country rocker in the style of the Outlaws with nicely blended backing vocals and tight guitar riffs. I really like the bent guitar chords on the opening of ballad, Wild Is The Wind. Rhodes' bass line gives the track a richer contrast to Taylor's already enticing chords and strong vocals. Very nice. Rocker, Wanna Be My Lover has the drive of the Allman's, One Way Out and the energy of the Pointer Sisters, Neutron Dance. With it's quiet nature but strong emotion, I Wish I Could Wish You Back is one of the best tracks on the release with a really warm melody, light guitar acoustic work and soft slide guitar behind the song. Excellent! With an easy swing, My Heart's Got A Mind Of It's Own, slides back and forth off the funk. Horn work by Paulie Cerra on sax and Lee Thomburg on trumpet and Barnes, Tippins and MacRae on backing vocal and Taylor's own soulful guitar make this another top track. Wrapping the release is a real nice cover of Big Brother's arrangement of classic, Summertime. I really need to give Taylor a nice bump for this track because she has a super fat lower region and she uses it nicely rather than just over singing Joplin's own vocal emotion as I have heard in other covers of this track. She does cling relatively closely to Big Brother guitarists Andrew and Gurley's melodic take but this is where the comparison begins and ends. Her vocal interpretation is unique and inspired and her guitar soloing nicely phrased. Excellent closer. 

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NEWS: North Mississippi Allstars ready 'new EP, 'Blues Dance Music,' and plan Southern U.S. tour

THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS DISCOVER A NEW WAY  TO BOOGIE ON THEIR BLUES DANCE MUSIC EP  Luther and Cody Dickinson will be romping and stomping  with some new beats when they tour the South this spring.

HERNANDO, Miss. — For more than 20 years, Luther and Cody Dickinson have made it their mission to keep alive the sound of the Mississippi hill country blues; however, they have never been strict traditionalists. As the North Mississippi Allstars, they’ve soaked their songs in raw, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll while stirring in fatback funk, slippery soul and righteous gospel to reshape and push the blues into contemporary relevance. Their red-hot stew of roots music — and ferocious live shows — have attracted ardent fans around the globe. Critics have been generous with their praise too. Rolling Stone’s David Fricke proclaimed that “deep roots, improvising valor and live-Cream brawn come easily” to the band, while the Oxford American credits them as having “saved and revitalized southern rock.” The North Mississippi Allstars’ latest effort, Blue Dances Music (due out on March 9, 2018), might be their boldest effort to date. The sonically experimental EP introduces loops and programming to live recordings of tracks from their most recent album, Prayer for Peace, creating, in Cody Dickinson’s words, “an opportunity to explore this musical landscape with full realization.”   This project, which Cody describes as something that was just meant to be, began when their song “Prayer for Peace” was recorded by the Blind Boys of Alabama. A copy of it got to the Dickinsons, who happened to be writing beats fused with gospel chord changes and blues rhythms. When they matched this music with the Blind Boys’ a cappella singing, it all clicked and BDM was born. This melding of rural blues and dance rhythms actually isn’t the big sonic leap you might think because Hill Country Blues has always been one-chord, hypnotic dance music. Besides “Prayer For Peace,” the EP holds reimagined versions of “Miss Maybelle,” “Run Red Rooster,” and the Royal Remix of “Need To Be Free,” featuring Sharde Thomas, Rev Sekou, Al Kapone, Frayser Boy and DJ Spanish Fly. Blues Dance Music takes listeners on a journey through gospel, blues and rock music that has been fused with dance hall beats.   The size and scope of Blues Dance Music is something Luther and Cody are extremely proud of. The album, confides Cody, “took on a life of its own — I think you can hear the excitement of discovery in the music.”   The Dickinsons also are excited because this spring they will get to do one of the things that they love the best: play live. Starting in early April, North Mississippi Allstars will embark on a six-week tour. On April 5, they will kick things off in St. Louis, followed by shows in Kansas City and Bloomington, IL; however, most of their time will be spent traipsing around their old stomping grounds in southeastern America. Stops will include appearances at the Savannah Music Festival and Merlefest, as well as a trip north for a show in Asbury Park, N.J. You can find the complete tour itinerary below. Given the Dickinsons’ affection for live performances, you can bet these won’t be the only stages that they’ll be playing on this year.     North Mississippi Allstars tour dates: Thurs., April 5 ST. LOUIS, MO Delmar Hall Fri., April 6 KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads Sun., April 8 BLOOMINGTON, IL Castle Theatre Thurs., April 12 SAVANNAH, GA Savannah Music Festival Fri., April 13 BIRMINGHAM, AL Avondale Brewing Company Thurs., April 19 MACON, GA Hargray Capitol Theatre  Fri., April 20 LIVE OAK, FL Wanee Festival Sat., April 21 CHARLESTON, SC Music Farm Fri., April 27 ASBURY PARK, NJ House of Independents Sat., April 28 WILKESBORO, NC Merlefest  Fri., May 4  MEMPHIS, TN  Beale Street Music Festival Sat., May 5 NEW ORLEANS, LA Tipitina’s  Sun., May 6  DALLAS, TX  Dallas International Guitar Festical Fri., May 11 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA Jefferson Theatre Sat., May 12 CARRBORO, NC Cat’s Cradle http://www.nmallstars.com

Multiple-Award Winning Canadian Blues Vocalist Angel Forrest Releases Ambitious Double Live CD

Multiple-Award Winning Canadian Blues Vocalist Angel Forrest Releases Ambitious Double Live CD

With a career spanning 30 years and 10 albums, the recipient of the Maple Blues Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year for the past five years, Angel Forrest released her ambitious double live album Electric Love on February 2, 2018.  Recorded live on October 26, 2017 at Centre des Arts Juliette-Lassonde in Quebec, this limited edition, numbered and signed Electric Love features various sounds ranging from blues to rock through, with original compositions and covers of great classics that you will certainly recognize.  Well known in the Canadian blues scene, Angel Forrest has been performed at major festivals in Canada and Europe (International Jazz Festival of Montreal, Tremblant Blues Festival, Blues sur Seine, Blues Festival of Edmunston, Victoriaville, of Trois-Rivières and Kuujjuaq). She also had the chance to share the stage with many artists including Jarvis Church Burton Cummings, Shawn Phillips, Thornetta Davis, Larry McCray, Eric Burdon and more. In addition, Forrest was a finalist in the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.    angelforrest.ca

Pedal Steel Guitar Ace Joe Goldmark Shines Like "Blue Steel" on New CD Coming April 20 from Lo-Ball Records

Joe Goldmark Shines Like Blue Steel on New CD Coming April 20 from Lo-Ball Records

S.F. Bay Area Favorite Creates Exciting Mix of Americana and Blues/Roots Music with Special Guests Glenn Walters, Dallis Craft & Jim Campilongo

San Francisco, CA – Pedal steel guitar ace Joe Goldmark announces an April 20 release date for, Blue Steel, his most exciting album to date, with a mix of Americana, blues and roots music worthy of the album’s title. Joining Goldmark and a cadre of Bay Area musical notables for the recording sessions at Red Rooster Studio in Berkeley were ex-Hoodoo Rhythm Devils lead singer Glenn Walters, plus chanteuse Dallis Craft, who share the album’s seven vocal performances, plus long-time Goldmark compadre, Jim Campilongo, who guests on electric guitar.

“Hot Instrumentals, Cool Guest Vocals” - Stream “The Wobble” here:  http://joegoldmark.com/

Blue Steel showcases a number of original songs, plus a diverse mix of cover tunes ranging from Jimmy McCracklin, Graham Parker, B.B. King and Jeff Lynne, to Lefty Frizzell, Rufus Thomas and Dallas Frazier. Best known for his honky-tonk country and Americana sounds, Goldmark has combined an extra component this go-round with the addition of blues/roots songs like “All Night Worker,” “The Wobble” and “Beautician Blues,” that are destined for strong play on blues radio stations.

“My album cover is loosely based on an old Starday Records album by Arthur ‘Guitar Boogie’ Smith, called Blue Guitar,” Goldmark says. “The artwork is blue, but the title Blue Steel actually reflects the R&B feel of the music on the album. Although the pedal steel guitar is considered a ‘country’ instrument by many, I’ve always placed it in other musical genres with excellent results. Blue Steel is colored by a soulful approach to all the tunes, especially on the handful of blues numbers.”

Goldmark was very deliberate in both his choice of musicians and songs he picked to record on the new disc. “I was fortunate to convince local hero Glenn Walters, formerly of the Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, to sing some R&B tunes that I thought would work well with steel. I then recruited Dallis Craft to provide a female balance with her soulful singing. Finally, I mixed in some of my instrumentals, plus one that my good friend and former bandmate, guitarist Jim Campilongo, wrote for this album and played on in his own inimitable way.

“I’m very pleased with how ‘Howlin’ Wind’ turned out.  It was the title tune from Graham Parker’s debut album, and Dallis really nailed it. Her other tunes were originally performed by Roy Orbison, Lefty Frizzell and Percy Sledge, and she interprets them beautifully. 

“It was hard to figure out in which order to put Glenn’s songs, because they’re all so cool. I decided to start with ‘All Night Worker, written by Rufus Thomas, which I first heard in a Tex-Mex version by the Stardusters. His other two songs are by Jimmy McCracklin and B.B. King, so we are covering some classic R&B.”

Joe Goldmark has seven pedal steel guitar CDs under his belt, including the popular Seducing the 60s and critically-acclaimed Steelin’ the Beatles, which demonstrate his unique vision for the steel guitar. He’s recorded three seminal albums as a member of the storied “Jim Campilongo and the 10 Gallon Cats.” He toured and recorded with “The Twangbangers,” and all-star band that featured Redd Volkaert, Bill Kirchen and Dallas Wayne. He has also toured with Jim Lauderdale and Peter Rowan, and played in the legendary “Texas Chainsaw Band.”

Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, he played cello from the age of nine, but also took up guitar and played in garage bands. He moved to San Francisco in high school and started playing bass in soul bands during the late ‘60s. Joe became enamored with the San Francisco Sound and saw many of the greats, including Hendrix, Cream, Doors, Big Brother, etc. It was while watching Jerry Garcia play with the New Riders of the Purple Sage, who were opening for The Grateful Dead, that Joe got bitten by the pedal steel bug. He soon dropped out of college to play the steel guitar full time, which he pretty much did for the next fifteen years. After getting married and having a son in the mid-1980s, Joe was fortunate to get a day job, going into the pizza business. Ten years later, he came full circle by becoming a partner at Amoeba Music, and getting totally immersed in the music business; however, he never stopped performing on the pedal steel. 

Joe brings the pedal steel guitar into new musical territory playing high-energy reinterpretations of rock and soul music, as well as writing and performing his own instrumentals. He also has recorded with other artists, including the True Stories album with David Byrne, Restless Rambling Heart with Laurie Lewis, Amazing California Health & Happiness Road Show with the Mermen, and nine albums with “The Usual Suspects,” a project that included legends Mike Bloomfield, Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan, Norton Buffalo and Maria Muldaur.

Joe Goldmark also has an amazing vinyl website called VinylBeat.com which is literally “Record Collecting 101.”

Marie Knight Live Recording Coming March 23

Gospel Legend Marie Knight's The Gospel Truth Live The Posthumous Release Streets March 23 Northport N.Y. - M.C. Records is proud to be releasing a live record by Marie Knight on March 23. The posthumous  The Gospel Truth Live (MC-0084) was recorded October 19, 2007 at Margaret A. Hart '35 Gospel Fest at the Church Street Center in North Adams MA. Now, over a decade later, that revelatory performance finally sees the light of day on this brilliant compilation to be released on March 23. Next month, Sister Rosetta Tharpe will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Marie was Sister's musical partner for over a decade during the hight of Sister's fame. A full bio of Marie Knight can be found on her website, www.marieknight.com. Scroll down to listen to the recording via Airplay Direct.  “This is one the world must hear. It is so needed in times like these.” Mavis Staples Click the Cover to Listen & Download "Here is 'Madame' Marie Knight, a star of Golden Age gospel, in all the fierceness and fragility of her late-career voice, singing old and new material. With The Gospel Truth Live, M.C.  Records has given us another treasure. Gayle Wald "The timing for the release of The Gospel Truth Live couldn’t be more perfect as the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced in December 2017 that it would be posthumously inducting Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the hallowed hall in April 2018 as an early influence on artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Bob Dylan. In a way, it’s also an acknowledgement for Knight’s musical contributions since she collaborated professionally and served as a confidante with Tharpe at the height of her popularity in the early 1950s. In addition two plays are currently in production about the music and relationship of Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. "Marie and Rosetta" is a musical that was produced by The Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. "Shout Sister Shout The Musical" debut at The Pasadena Playhouse in January of 2017. On October 19, 2007, they all braved the rainy weather to witness one of the last living artists from the Golden Age of Gospel (1940 – 1960).  In this rootsy, organic concert, she breezed through the songbooks of Tharpe – arguably, the most influential female gospel act of the 1940s - and also the Rev. Gary Davis – who made a huge impact on the 1960s folk movement - and along the way, Knight shared brief anecdotes on the highs and lows of her earthly walk, including the fire that killed her two children and her mother. Within the span of 60 minutes, she showcased not only her thunderous contralto but also her commanding personality, sardonic humor and her unabashed evangelism. Singer/pianist Dave Keys, who has played with artists as varied as Chuck Berry and Tanya Tucker, was Knight’s sole musician for the get-together. His skillful, buoyant playing kept the spirit high even on ballads.                       Marie Knight with Humphrey Lyttleton's Band, 1958, London U.K. Terry Cryer Archive UK Madame Marie Knight was born Marie Roach on June 1, 1920 in Sanford, FL but she was raised in Newark, NJ. She first recorded with The Sunset Four (Sunset Jubilee Singers). In 1946 Tharpe saw Marie Knight perform at a Mahalia Jackson concert in New York. Tharpe recognized a special talent in Knight. They toured the gospel circuit for a number of years, during which they recorded hits such as "Up Above My Head" and “Precious Memories.”  In January 2002, on a cold, bright Saturday morning, Marie entered a recording studio to pay tribute to her old singing partner, Rosetta Tharpe, doing a solo version of their old hit “Didn’t It Rain.” [Listen the fruits of that session on Shout, Sister, Shout! (MC-0050).] That session—and Marie’s continuing vitality as a singer and performer—led to her present collaboration with producer Mark Carpentieri. Marie’s last studio recording was the Gospel songs of Rev. Gary Davis titled “Let Us Get Together” (MC-0058). Larry Campbell (Dixie Hummingbirds, Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Elvis Costello) is playing all the stringed instruments. That release came out on  June 26, 2007. It marked Marie’s first full-length recording in over 20 years. The recording was named a top 10 blues release by NPR and Marie was featured in "Living Blues," "No- Depression," & "Dirty Linen."  Finally, Knight died on a bright, warm Sunday, August 30, 2009. Her rainy days were finally done. However, her music continues to shower us with her faith and talent.  The Gospel Truth Live is in a style and manner that would make both Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe very proud. “One of the reasons I wanted to release the album is because you really get to see who Marie is, all sides of her,” says Mark Carpentieri. “The funny side, the very serious side, the very spiritual side. It’s like in her own words in a way.”   ***

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA