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This was no ordinary club tour. This was the Blues
Caravan 2018. If you’ve followed Ruf’s rolling revue since it started
life in 2005, you’ll already know that these shows are must-see events,
throwing together three stellar artists on one bill – then letting the
chemistry do the rest.
Traditionally, the Blues Caravan lineup has showcased
the label’s breaking talent – from Aynsley Lister to Samantha Fish – and
given fans a chance to catch the blues titans of tomorrow before they go
‘boom’. But in 2018, it’s time to mix things up. On this year’s Blues
Caravan, you’ll not only find one young gun with a dazzling career ahead
of her, but also two heavyweights with a sky-high reputation. Let’s
welcome them to the stage…
This CD / DVD release revives a unique Blues Caravan! A
unique live piece to experience the Blues Caravan of 2018 again and
again!
The accompanying DVD was recorded on 27.01.2018 at Café
Hahn in Koblenz!
Ruf’s tireless dedication to the blues means it hunts
far beyond the US and UK for its new signings – and the label has struck
gold with Croatian gunslinger Vanja Sky. Channelling the fire and flair
of Rory Gallagher, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, this 23-year-old
hot-tip has already broken out in her home country and bordering Balkan
States. On this CD / DVD she presents songs from her first studio album
"Bad Penny". Vanja says, „I’m very excited to play on the Blues
Caravan 2018,” she says, “and looking forward to meeting a lot of new
people and sharing my music with them. My shows are filled with great
energy and I always give everything when I’m on stage. I’m gonna play
songs from my debut album, and also some cover songs – so people can
definitely expect some great music and fun.”
Some surnames command instant respect on the blues
scene. As the son of the mighty Luther Allison – the late Chicago blues
titan who was Ruf’s first signing back in 1994 – Bernard Allison has
added to the family legend and carved out his own mythology as a
world-class songwriter and performer. For this year’s Blues Caravan,
he’ll be drawing on an acclaimed back catalogue that includes 1997’s US
debut Keepin’ The Blues Alive and 2000’s classic Born With The Blues, and
slipping between genres as only a master can. “My show is all about
sharing my musical talent and presenting different styles like blues,
rock and funk. There’ll be lots of energy, because I feed off of my fans
and love interacting with them on and off stage. You can expect a fun
time – the Allison way!” says Bernard.
If you’re remotely serious about modern blues, you’ll
have followed the twists and turns of Mike Zito’s fascinating career. The
Missouri-born bandleader overcame his crippling early addictions to
become one of modern America’s sharpest songwriters, and few artists have
written with such stark eloquence as he did on 2011’s Greyhound album. In
2012, Mike threw us a curveball, lining up alongside Devon Allman and
Cyril Neville as a key member of Royal Southern Brotherhood – and went on
to stay with the supergroup for two critically feted albums. But the call
of his own muse was too strong, and in 2014, Mike burst straight back
into his solo career with Keep Coming Back and Make Blues Not War. “I
have long wanted to join the Blues Caravan and run away, so I’m excited,”
he says. “My shows are energetic and passionate: I try hard to give
everything I’ve got and make every note count. You can expect rocking
blues guitar, with a dose of soul vocals, and a mix of my best songs.”
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