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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!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
The Bottle Rockets: new album, song, tour!
Aiken & Friends Music Fest Brings Three Days of Music & Workshops to Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, on September 20-22
Aiken &
Friends Music Fest Brings Three Days of Music & Workshops to Raritan Valley
Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, on September 20-22
Proceeds Go to
Scholarships for Students and
Music Education
BRANCHBURG, NJ – Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mike
Aiken, whose new CD, Wayward Troubadour, is generating rave
reviews and solid radio airplay, will once again present his “Aiken &
Friends Music Fest – North Branch,” a three-day program of music and workshops,
at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg on September 20-22. Proceeds go toward scholarships and
programs for the students, in keeping with Aiken’s mission to support music
education.
“It started with my desire to start an
original music festival that would feature mostly Americana and acoustic music
… from bluegrass, blues to singer/songwriter,” Mike Aiken says about the
festival’s origin. “Geographically, the location needed to have a good vibe of
its own. As I’ve traveled and toured, I’ve kept my eyes and ears open for the right
locale.
“The first
twelve years, the Fest had a home in Smithfield, Virginia. In 2017, we added a
new Fest location in Branchburg, New Jersey. Aiken & Friends Music
Fest – North Branch is rooted on the Community College campus of RVCC –
Branchburg, New Jersey. Under the guidance of Arts Director, Alan Liddell, we
look forward to many years continuing to support and promote original music.”
The three-day event will feature a number of different musical shows by
Mike Aiken, as well as other solo artists and groups, starting with a residency
at 1:00pm on Thursday, September 20, with the M.S.G.
Acoustic Blues Trio, discussing the evolution of the Piedmont Blues
style, how it reflected life at that time and how it has influenced music
styles since. MSG will perform a few songs along with a Q&A session.
Workshops on Friday, September 21, include
techniques of guitar, songwriting and indie music promotion, followed by a
Songwriter In-the-Round concert at the RVCC Arts Nash Theatre at
7:30pm.
On Saturday, September 22,
Raritan Valley Community College will celebrate its 50th anniversary
with a day-long schedule of events. Several college departments will showcase
their programs around campus with the music festival continuing on the quad
during the afternoon, and in the Nash Theatre that evening. In addition
to the music and special events, there will be local artisans, food, and new
this year, a children’s area.
Events Schedule:
Thursday, Sept.20
Residency at 1 pm with M.S.G.
Acoustic Blues Trio: Evolution of Piedmont Blues, Q&A and music.
Friday, Sept. 21
Workshops
12 pm – 1pm - Open to the public, students from RVCC, as well as local high
schools. Pre-registration required.
Songwriting Workshop - Mike Aiken www.mikeaikenmusic.com
Indie Music Promotion Workshop -
Amy Aiken, President, Northwind Records
7:30 pm Songwriter In-The-Round
Concert in the RVCC Nash Theatre
Mike Aiken, Brian Ashley Jones,
Sally Jaye (http://www.sallyjaye.com)
Saturday, Sept. 22
RVCC is celebrating their 50th
anniversary and the day will be built around the festival.
Outdoor Stage - art vendors, food,
kids area
2:00 pm Last year’s open mic
winner, local artist Phil Swanson (https://www.philswanson.com)
2:30 pm Last year’s open mic
winner, local artist Jo Stones (https://jostonesmusic.bandcamp.com)
3:00 pm MSG Acoustic Blues
Trio (from Hampton, VA http://www.acousticbluesmsg.com )
4:00 pm Banjo Nickaru and
Western Scooches (from NYC http://banjonickaru.com)
5:00 pm Session Americana (from
Boston http://www.sessionamericana.com)
7:30 pm Mike Aiken Band - Tall Tales & Troubadours Show closes the festival
in the Nash Theater
Tickets:
Tickets are available for each
individual day or as a Weekend Pass. To purchase tickets, go to
http://www.aikenandfriendsfest.com/tickets/. Or call the box office
Monday-Friday, 11am-4 pm at 908-725-3420.
Website: www.AikenAndFriendsFest.com;
email: info@AikenAndFriendsFest.com
About Mike Aiken
If anybody has earned the title of “Wayward Troubadour,”
Mike Aiken has. He ran away as a kid to play music. He became a licensed USCG
Captain, has sailed over 30,000 Bluewater miles on his own sailboat and logged
countless miles on the road performing in North America and Europe.
“Mike
Aiken’s new release, Wayward
Troubadour (Northwind Records), is one of those summertime
Americana ‘kick back and hang out’ collections perfect to pop in the stereo and
launch into the season.” – Americana Highways
“With so much fake country
music hogging the airwaves, it’s downright refreshing -- like a cool mountain
breeze -- to hear such a Wayward Troubadour as Mike Aiken.” – Aquarian
Weekly
“Mike Aiken delivers an album rooted in traditional country,
with moments of Western Swing that will fit very nicely in your summer
playlist… These are songs that will have you smiling and head-bobbing and
generally feeling carefree. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Just wait until you hear
this album.”
- Parcbench.Live – New York City
- Parcbench.Live – New York City
“Mike is
something of a John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder.” - Sail Magazine
Roseleaf Records artist: The Proven Ones - Wild Again - New Release Review
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild Again, from The Proven Ones and it's quite good. Opening with Jimi Bott penned, Cheap Thrills, The Proven Ones hit the high stepping with a driving bass line by Willie J Campbell, Bott on drums, Anthony Geraci on Hammond and piano, Kid Ramos on guitars and Brian Templeton on lead vocal, this is a veritable who's who band. Up next is City Dump, a rolling boogie not unlike James Brown might use with nice solos by Ramos and Renato Coranto on sax, joined by Joe McCarthy on trumpet and Robert Crowell on bari sax. Fats Domino's Don't Leave Me This Way has great dynamics with excellent vocals by Templeton and ripping guitar work by Ramos. Excellent! Peter Green's slow shuffle, If You Be My Baby, has perfect pace and with the jangle of Geraci's piano, Templeton's vocals and the stylistic playing of Ramos, this track really hits! Clarence Carter's Road Of Love had the fortune of having had Duane Allman on the original release giving it broad exposure. This remake is excellent with Templeton doing a great job on vocal and Ramos taking a new route but with definite nod to Allman with a fiery solo of his own. Probably my favorite track on the release. A Fenton Robinson track (and another Duane Allman influenced track from an early Boz Scaggs release) Loan Me A Dime, gets an 11:30min plus dedication. Ramos really digs in on this one ripping some extremely memorable guitar riffs of his own, soaked in the Hammond work of Geraci and of course with the solid lead vocals of Templeton. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Lennon/McCartney's Don't Let Me Down, a solid contribution with balanced instrumentation and nicely interwoven leads throughout. A very nice closer for a really strong 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"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Out Of The Past Music artist: Steve Howell & The Mighty Men - Good As I Been To You - New release Review
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good As I Been To You, from Steve Howell & The Mighty Men featuring Katy Hobgood Ray and it's freshly familiar. Opening with 50's blues rocker, Bacon Fat, Howell leads on vocal and guitar with Chris Michaels on guitar, Dave Hoffpauir on drums, and Jason Weinheimer on bass and setting a strong groove. On Memphis Minnie's New Dirty Dozen, Katy Hobgood Ray takes the mic and her vocals blend nicely with the throaty guitar work of Howell. Walter Davis' Come Back Baby has a smooth approach, along the lines of Eric Clapton and Howell's vocals are perfect with just the touch of guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Blues In The Bottle with it's ideal symmetry. Howell's vocals are smooth and the backing guitar, bass and drums are spot on. A lightly salted guitar solo by Howell tops off the track nicely. Wrapping the release is Blind Blakes You Gonna Quit Me played in easy shuffle style. Howell sounds as relaxed as a bluesman gets and his guitar work, paired with Michaels' really matches the pace nicely. A cool contemporary blues 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"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
Monday, August 13, 2018
Acclaimed Saxophonist Steve Wilson Confirms Concerts in DC and NYC, Collaborations with Billy Childs and Chick Corea, and expansion of educational efforts
Acclaimed
Saxophonist Steve
Wilson Confirms Active Fall/Winter, with Concerts in D.C. and NYC,
Collaborations with Billy Childs and Chick Corea, and More
International Educational Efforts Continue
First Tour of China as Bandleader is a Huge Success
Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson
looks forward to an active Fall/Winter, as he confirms headlining concerts at
Blues Alley in Washington D.C. and at Jazz Standard in New York City, as well
as collaborations with Billy Childs and Chick Corea, and an
expansion of his ongoing educational efforts. International Educational Efforts Continue
First Tour of China as Bandleader is a Huge Success
The D.C. and NY concerts will feature Wilson’s Analog Band, comprised of Ray Angry on piano/keys, Ben Williams on bass and Willie Jones III on drums. Confirmed shows are as follows:
September 5th Blues Alley Washington, D.C.
September 6-9th Jazz Standard New York City
These dates are Wilson’s first concerts since the recording of ‘Sit Back, Relax & Unwind’ (J.M.I. Records,) an analog recording, released only on vinyl. The album was produced by Wilson and Steven Mandel, Music Producer for The Tonight Show. RoughTrade called the release “Mr. Wilson’s definitive artistic statement…” and DustyGroove described it as “one of the most beautiful records we’ve heard from Steve Wilson…”
Prior to the September headlining shows, Wilson will perform with Chick Corea at the Detroit Jazz Festival. Then, in October/early November, he will tour Europe with Billy Childs. Following the Childs tour, Wilson will perform a series of headlining European dates from November 6-19, with his acclaimed Wilsonian’s Grain Band, featuring Uri Caine on piano, Ugonna Okegwo on bass and Ulysses Owens, Jr on drums. More tour details here: http://www.stevewilsonmusic.com/itinerary.php <http://www.stevewilsonmusic.com/itinerary.php>
In other news, Wilson recently completed his first tour of China as a bandleader, and the limited run was a huge success. On the Education front, Wilson’s efforts continue to expand: He was just an Artist in Residence at the Funote Summer Jazz Camp run by faculty members from Shangahi Conservatory. He was also Artist in Residence at Michigan State in East Lansing, MI, and the visit went so well they asked him back for their Summer Band Festival, which he then attended in June. Wilson continues to serve as the Chair of Jazz Studies at CCNY, and has also just joined the 2019 faculty of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute in Chicago. He recently recorded an educational video for Open Studio, with release date tba. Other artists who have done these online courses include Dianne Reeves, Peter Martin, Geoffrey Keezer, Christian McBride, and more.
Steve Wilson was cited DownBeat Magazine’s annual Critics’ Poll, in the categories of alto, soprano, and flute.
At http://www.stevewilsonmusic.com/, visitors can get updates, sample new tunes and see performance footage. The site, part of the Jazz Corner family, also includes a streaming audio player, details of Wilson's numerous band configurations, and more.
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/stevewilsonmusic/ <https://www.facebook.com/stevewilsonmusic/>
Visit: https://www.instagram.com/stevewilsonsax/ <https://www.instagram.com/stevewilsonsax/>
Labels:
Billy Childs,
Chick Corea,
Steve Wilson
Modern Blues Harmonica label artists: The Blues Doctors - Same Old Blues Again - New Release Review
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Same Old Blues Again, from The Blues Doctors and it's cool. Opening with The Champs' track, Tequila, a Latin flavored R&B number ever popular since it's inception in the late 50's. Handled here with melody on harp and rhythm just claps and guitar. This is a lively song and a super opener. Mud's Rollin' & Tumblin' is up next with Adam Gussow on harp and Alan Gross on lead vocal and cigar box guitar. Very nice. Another Chicago style blues track, Cry For Me Baby features Gussow on lead vocal and harp and Gross laying down some nice electric guitar riffs. Bog Boy Crudup's That's Alright gets a great workout with lead vocal and harp solo by Gussow and snappy picking by Gross. Very cool. Original instrumental track, Blues For Hank is one of my favorites on the release with a nice walking bass line by Bill Harrison and each Gussow and Gross taking nice solos. Kicking it into high gear with Jimmy Reed's You Don't Have To Go, Gussow alternates harp and lead vocal and Gross's electric rhythm guitar tone is great. Another of my favorites on the track is Take You Downtown with warm chord work and bright solo exchange by Gross and lead vocal and harp by Gussow. Wrapping the release is Robert Johnson's Crossroads Blues with an emphasis on harp rather than guitar... a different take for this popular blues track made popular by the Cream. This is not to say that Gross doesn't get his turn and he does a real nice job but Gussow does come back and close with some tight harp riffs. Nice closer.
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
Friday, August 10, 2018
Vanessa Peters (indie-folk, singer-songwriter, Americana) releasing new album in October
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Labels:
Foxhole Prayers,
Idol Records,
Vanessa Peters
AMY RAY premiers a song from "Holler" - out Sept. 28 via Daemon/Compass
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Labels:
Amy Ray,
Compass Records,
Daemon Records,
Derek Trucks,
Holler
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