Hypnotation Records artist: Michael Falzarano - I Got Blues For Ya - New release review

I just received a copy of the newest release, I Got Blues For Ya, from Michael Falzarano and it's a riot. Opening with The Night King Curtis Died, a lumbering 12 bar number, features strong vocals, lead and rhythm guitar from Falzarano, bass by Chris Matheos on bass, Ray Grappone on drums and excellent slide work from Kane Daily who has a lot of the feel of slide master Rod Price. Title track, I Got Blues For Ya, is structured along the Bo Diddley beat with a swampy feel and guitar not unlike Peter Green. Klyph Black joins on bass and Christian Cassan joins on drums. Josh Colow takes the lead guitar on I Never Think About You, a bluesy ballad. Professor Louie adds a cool piano runs and Miss Marie gives the track a warm texture on backing vocals. Colow lays out a few really nice compact solos on this track and the Professor rides the B3 high. A hot riding boogie, Snake Box Boogie, has a super beat and Falzarano really grinds this one out with the Professor and Colow for one of my favorite tracks on the release. Big Fish is one of those great laid back tracks with the Elvin Bishop saunter. Vasser Clements' unmistakable sound on fiddle joined by Kerry Kearney on slide and super chops gives this track a real authentic country blues rock feel. Very cool. Shuffle track, We Got A Party Going On, has really hot rolling piano work by the Professor and cheering backing vocals. Colow lays in a pinched guitar solo backed nicely by Frank Campbell on bass and Gary Burke on drums. Good Good Lovin has a cocky beer chugging Lynyrd Skynyrd feel. Daily lays on a slick melodic "Lindley" style slide solo with Jon Marshall Smith on organ and Lisa Bouchelle on backing vocals. Very nice! One of my favorite blues vocalists, Alexis P. Suter joins Falzarano on vocals for a darker, Hooker style boogie, Crossroads Avenue. Jimmie Fleming on mandolin, Pete Sears on piano, Charlie Wolfe on harp, Frank Celenza on bass and Eileen Murphy provide instrumental texture behind this boogie jam track. Slick blues strut, The Devil's Gone Fishin', featuring Kerry Kearney on lead guitar and the Professor on Hammond and piano has a really nice groove. Kearney smokes the strings up pretty good on this one... enjoy! One of my favorite Rev. Gary tracks caught live, Death Don't Have No Mercy, has a life of it's own here with Falzarano on vocal and acoustic guitar, Mike Miz and Tom Circista on acoustic guitar, Freeman White on keys, Klyph Black on bass, Dave Diamond on drums and featuring Barry Mitterhoff and Jason Crosby with excellent mandolin and fiddle work, respectively. Upbeat shuffle, Trouble, is a cool blues number with rolling piano by the Professor, Farfisa organ by Harley Fine, and fine guitar and slide solos by Falzarano, Daily and Kearney. Wrapping the release is a rocking cover of Wilbert Harrison's Let's Work Together. A nicely blended cover featuring concluding solos by Daily and Falzarano and vocals by Falzarano and Miss Marie make this a super 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”

 

Dateline: 7/12/2014 Westminster, MD- Common Ground Music Festival. - Stilladog - Special guest reporter

Yesterday the Common Ground On The Hill Music Festival began wrapping up two weeks of workshops, lessons, and jams. The prime purposes of Common Ground are cultural diversity, musical education, and promotion of the American roots art forms, particularly music and dance. Of course, at the heart of all this is blues music. Whether sawing out a hoedown on a fiddle, a zydeco two-step on accordion or ripping up a mean blues break solo on a National Steel guitar, the blues is always present while not always front and center. My day started out with a set by Scott Ainslie. He played a National Steel throughout his whole set, once using a paper napkin to use as a damper to get the sound he wanted when blending sad blues lyrics with an upbeat guitar line straight out of Nigerian Juju music! In addition to some original tunes his set was accented by Robert Johnson tunes and stories. He did Come On In My Kitchen in the David Bromberg style. And after telling the story of the "Sundown" laws that did not allow blacks out after dark -which got Robert Johnson's head busted open more than once- he finished the set with Crossroads Blues.

After cooling off with a craft beer at Der Bier Garten which was really served in a garden, we took in Guy Davis set complete with some Appalachian clog-style dancing to a blues number. Guy Davis is probably one of the most popular and well recognized artists at the festival and has been playing there for many years. He did several classic blues tunes in addition to a few covers. He was accompanied by Professor Louie on accordion and Christopher James on mandolin. The knockout punch by Guy Davis was a rendition of Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay in which Professor Louie's haunting accordion part set the base for Davis impassioned vocals. In my mind Lay Lady Lay by Guy Davis was the runner-up for best single song of the day!

Mary Flower followed Davis on the "Blues Stage." She played a number of original tunes. If you are unfamiliar with Mary Flower music, she is at times heavy on the slide guitar played lap style on Dobro and a custom made box guitar. The highlight of her set was I'm Dreaming of Your Demise from her Misery Love Company album. Despite the fact that she was smack in the middle of Carroll County Maryland, she did not play the Carroll County Shuffle. Instead she offered up loads of other top notch acoustic blues and was a most gracious performer.

After a pulled pork sandwich and some jalapeno & sriracha coleslaw we settled in for the most entertaining set of the day, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix. This set was billed as "Professor Louie & The Crowmatix with the Rock of Ages horns. Except the Rock of Ages horns apparently missed the tour bus. But in their place was a trombone, trumpet, tenor and baritone sax horn section made up of local guys which Professor Louie introduced as "The Westminster Horns."

Thanks to Coffey Music of Westminster, Bob Coffey and his merry band (including my old tennis partner Dave Motter on trombone) the Rock of Ages horns were barely missed! The band did have to stay pretty close to the charts with a bunch of new guys playing, so only organized solos were rendered. But it was a great set highlighted by three outstanding Band covers, Ophelia, Don't Do It, and The Weight. Professor Louie is another artist who has been very active in Common Ground. I know he's played every year that I've been there, and many more.

The grand finale was Hot Tuna. Jorma Kaukonen was extremely sharp for a 70 year old picker. And the tone resonating from his acoustic guitar was about as pure a tone as the instrument can render! Along with long time partner Jack Cassady on bass and Barry Mitterhoff on Mandolin, they picked their way through the American Folk and Blues catalog and their own songs. Hesitation Blues, Prohabition Blues, and Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out were all very strong numbers. But the single best song of the day was Barbeque King Blues! Just fantastic. Sooo much better than ANY rendering of this song than anything I've heard since the time I picked up Jorma's Barbeque King album on vinyl from the cut-out bin at my local record store in 1984. I hope it was recorded to be released on a future album because they really nailed it and looked like they were having fun doing it!

Bottom line: It was a beautiful day to do many of the things I enjoy most, drinking beer, eating barbeque, and listening to the very best blues music. This festival is truly a hidden gem and has been for years. In years past I've seen Buckwheat Zydeco, Arlo Guthrie, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and CJ Chenier at this festival. And the best thing is, it's only two miles from my house! It's a shame more people don't come to it, but on the other hand the crowd was just right for maximum enjoyment. The Festival continues today with Professor Louie playing again and tonight's headliners, New Riders of the Purple Sage.


 Stilladog Rides Again!  

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”

 

Electric Hot Tuna - Jorma's 70th Birthday Celebration - New DVD Release Review

The hot band on tour right now is Hot Tuna! Yep, Jorma and Jack are back on the road and to kick off their road trip Fur Peace Ranch has release live footage extracted from 2 nights of concerts at the Beacon Theater in NYC on December 3&4, 2010. I don't know how many of you have seen Jorma and Hot Tuna live but I have had the pleasure many times over a number of years. The recording begins with I See The Light featuring Jorma on his J190 and Jack joined by Barry Mitterhoff on an 8 string Danelectro guitar with lipstick pickups and Skoota Warner on drums. The band is joined on stage by John Hammond for a cool version of I Can Tell with Hammond on 335 and Jorma pushing his trademark solos through a goldtop. Then the tension starts to build with Warren Haynes on 335, Bill Kirchen on Tele, Larry Campbell on fiddle and Mitterhoff changes over to an electric mandolin. Kirchen has been separated from his old tele (probably retired) but the new one can talk just fine. If you've never seen Tuna with Mitterhoff, man can play the mandolin and doesn't restrict his playing to traditional mandolin formatting but uses it often as a mini guitar creating an interesting sound. In this case he's playing a 4 string which could be a tenor electric guitar. Very cool. Haynes rips off a pretty nice solo on the 335 and these guys seem to have been playing together forever. Jorma steps in with the Goldtop and his distinctive sound and with Campbell playing great violin riffs you could close your eyes and swear you were hearing Tuna in the 70's.
For Water Song the crew is joined by Byron House on upright electric bass played both plucked and bowed. Mitterhoff switched over to an acoustic f -style and Jorma pulls out a beautiful maple capped hollow body electric with a particularly light acoustical sound. On Bowlegged Woman/Knock Kneed Man Casady opens the song with a a nice solid bass riff. This track has a particularly nice funky swamp funk enforced by Oteil Burbridge on Fodera 6 string bass. Mittenhoff again playing an unconventional electro mando like instrument with 5 strings rippin some pretty cool solos. Burbridge gets the spotlight playing some interesting jazz chord and lead jazz bass lines. You can see Jorma just groovin to what's being layed down. Bob Wier joins mid song and dons a 335. The band continues the groove for quite some time building the tension but without anyone stepping on top of anyone else. Jorma pulls the reins back in with a crisp solo and a refrain of the chorus. Wier takes lead vocals on a cool version of Walking Blues. Both Wier and Jorma take turns on lead guitar and Mittenhoff as well on the 4 stringer. Steve Earle joins the band for Hometown Blues which the band plays in a rag style. Earle plays a black electrified acoustic Martin. Jorma keeps the band in the rag style groove with 99 Year Blues. I particularly like Jorma's vocals on this track. He's always strong but this track is right on. Mittenhoff is back on the F style and rips a few solos. Casady gets a chance to step up for some melodic bass lines which is always a pleasure. The band takes it to the funk a little and Burbridge and Casady trade lead lines. The show is concluded with Jimmy Reed's Baby What You Want Me To Do. The entire force is onstage for a giant jam. This is a great conclusion for a great bunch of musicians. The attendee's certainly got their money's worth over this two night concert.





Again Hot Tuna is on the road. Check the concert schedule below to see if they are coming to your town:

06/21/12	State Theatre Ithaca, NY	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/22/12	Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/23/12	The Wellmont Theatre Montclair, NJ	Electric Hot Tuna	With a brief appearance by Bob Steeler. Also Steve Kimock Tickets
	06/25/12	The National Richmond, VA	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/26/12	Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE	Electric Hot Tuna	With Bob Steeler on drums. Also Steve Kimock
	06/28/12	Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock Tickets
	06/29/12	Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/30/12	Venetian Theater, Caramoor Festival Katonah, NY	Acoustic Hot Tuna	also David Bromberg
	07/01/12	The Bull Run Concert Series Shirley, MA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	two shows: 3pm & 7pm
	07/05/12	Westbrook Performing Arts Center Westbrook, ME	Acoustic Hot Tuna	also Darol Anger Tickets
	07/06/12	The Flying Monkey Plymouth, NH	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/07/12	The Theater at Newburyport High School Newburyport, MA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/09/12	The Arts Center Carrboro, NC	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/10/12	Bijou Theatre Knoxville, TN	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/11/12	Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place Asheville, NC	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/13/12	Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/14/12	Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Tampa, FL	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/17/12	One World Theatre Austin, TX	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/18/12	Kessler Theater Dallas, TX	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/20/12	Oriental Theatre Denver, CO	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/21/12	Third Street Performing Arts Center Carbondale, CO	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/22/12	Sheridan Opera House Telluride, CO	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/25/12	Mesa Arts Center Mesa, AZ	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/26/12	Orpheum Theatre Flagstaff, AZ	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/27/12	Anthology San Diego, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/28/12	Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/30/12	Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	SOLD OUT
	07/31/12	Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	SOLD OUT
	08/02/12	Tower Theatre Bend, OR	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	08/03/12	Aladdin Theater Portland, OR	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	08/04/12	Mount Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival Deming Log Show Fairgrounds, Bellingham, WA	Electric Hot Tuna
	08/11/12	Fur Peace Station Pomeroy, OH	Acoustic Hot Tuna	SOLD OUT. Jack & Jorma. Also The Persuasions.
	09/01/12	Dark Star Jubilee Legend Valley, Thornville, OH	Jorma Kaukonen	3pm
	09/13/12	Stage One Fairfield, CT	Jorma Kaukonen
	09/14/12	The Colonial Theatre Phoenixville, PA	Jorma Kaukonen	also Loudon Wainwright III
	09/15/12	The Stephen Talkhouse Amagansett, NY	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/04/12	The Birchmere Alexandria, VA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/05/12	Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD	Jorma Kaukonen	also Peter Mulvey
	10/06/12	Kirk Avenue Music Hall Roanoke, VA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/07/12	Natasha's Bistro & Bar Lexington, KY	Jorma Kaukonen	CORRECT DATE
	10/11/12	Infinity Hall Norfolk, CT	Jorma Kaukonen	CORRECT DATE
	10/12/12	Earlville Opera House Earlville, NY	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/13/12	Narrows Center for the Arts Fall River, MA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/14/12	YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts Bay Shore, NY	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/18/12	Brewery Arts Center Carson City, NV	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/19/12	Napa Valley Opera House Napa, CA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/20/12	Swedish American Hall at Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA	Jorma Kaukonen	Two shows: 7pm & 10pm
	10/21/12	The Big Room at The Sierra Nevada Chico, CA	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/01/12*	Dakota Jazz Club Restaurant Minneapolis, MN	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/02/12*	The Redstone Room Davenport, IA	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/03/12	Stoughton Opera House Stoughton, WI	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/10/12	Fur Peace Station Pomeroy, OH	Electric Hot Tuna	with Bill Kirchen. SOLD OUT!
	11/15/12*	Bell's Eccentric Cafe Back Room Kalamazoo, MI	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	11/16/12*	City Winery Chicago, IL	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	11/17/12*	City Winery Chicago, IL	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	11/18/12*	20th Century Theatre Cincinnati, OH	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	12/13/12	Zappa Jerusalem, Israel	Jorma Kaukonen
	12/15/12	Zappa Tel Aviv, Israel	Jorma Kaukonen

The special features on the DVD include a photo gallery, the presentation of a Les Paul shaped birthday cake to Jorma and a brief discussion with Jorma and jack about Tuna's most recent release.

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”



This appears to be a bootlegged video of the concert...not actual footage from the DVD but of the actual performance:

Please check the link to get a licensed copy of this concert with much better video and audio quality.