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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!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Struck Down, by The Fabulous Thunderbirds and it's one of their best. Opening with Struck Down By The Blues, Kim Wilson has the mic singing lead vocals on this BB King style track. Johnny Moeller and Steve Strongman handle the gripping guitar lead with Bob Welsh on piano, Rudy Albin Petschauer on drums and Steven Kirsty on drums. Excellent opener. Classic ZZ Top style, one line bass, drives Payback Time features Wilson and Billy Gibbons on lead vocals with great harmonica overtones by Wilson and featuring Gibbons on guitar. Very cool. Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo and Taj Mahal share the mic on Nothing But Rambling, an easy shuffle with strong harmonica work by Wilson and Keb Mo on slide. Wilson back up front on romping shuffle, Whatcha Do To Me. Elvin Bishop lends his guitar work on his track giving it a nice kick and Wilson's harmonica work turns up the heat with his own spice. I really like Moeller's guitar work on stomping, I've Got Eyes with Wilson's harmonica creating great tension. Wrapping the release is soulful ballad, Sideline, with warm backing vocals by Chris Ayries, a clean sax solo by Kirsty and a strong piano bottom by Welsh. Strong closer for a real nice 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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For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues For Breakfast, by The Phantom Blues Band and it's a solid party. Originally formed as Taj Mahal's backing band, PBB began performing on their own and released their first release back in 2006. With a few changes in the lineup most significantly Les Lovitt replacing Darrell Leonard on trumpet and Jim Pugh replacing the nearly irreplaceable Mike Finnigan after his fight with cancer ending in 2021. This newest rendition of the band opens with a roaring cover of I Take What I Want with Larry Fulcher on bass and lead vocals paired with Johnny Lee Schell on lead vocal and guitar. Backed by Tony Braunagel on drums, Joe Sublett on sax, Les Lovitt on trumpet and Jim Pugh on piano and organ this track has real juice. New Orleans flavored, She's Into Something has strong percussion by Braunagel and the horn work of Joe Sublett and Les Lovitt really spices things up. Schell drops into a nice Texas style guitar solo really setting hit one off. Very nice. A reggae style rework of Curtis Mayfield's, Move On Up, is really cool with vocal by Ruthie Foster and tight rhythm guitar by Tony Chin and the horn work of Subett and Lovett add nice authenticity. Very cool. Mike Finnigan leads the way on organ and vocal on OK, I Admit It with real swing. Punchy horns by Sublett and Lovitt and Finnigan's own organ work make this one of my favorites. Bonnie Raitt joins on laid back shuffle, Country Boy with her distinct vocal work. Very nice. Curtis Salgado adds lead vocal and distinctive solo harmonica on Laughin' and Clowin', a slow blues and one of my favorites on the release. On up tempo, I Know You Don't Love Me, Salgado has the lead vocal again and does a great job. Sublett, on sax lays in a solid solo making it hard to stop your foot stomping. Wrapping the release is boogie track, Stuff You Gotta Watch with a great driving bass line by Fulcher and stellar work by Pugh on piano. Power horn work by Sublett and Lovitt work great with Schell's lead vocal and Sublett finishes the release with a hot sax solo. Very nice.
This recording is dedicated to the memory of Mike Finnigan. All proceeds from sales are being donated to the scholarship program at The Mike Finnigan School of Music in Salina, Kansas.
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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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (June 25, 2021), A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato, NRBQ founding member and writer of all of the tracks on thie release. Opening with blues rocker,You Can't Hide, by Al Anderson on lead vocal and guitar, with Carl Minor on acoustic guitar, David Dorn on keys, Steve Mackey on bass, and Evan Hutchings on drums. Energetic opener. Los Lobos contributes Every Boy and Girl, with David Hildago on guitar, accordion and vocal, Steve Berlin on sax, Vince Hidalgo on bass and David Hildago Jr on drums. Pop tune, How Can I Make You Love Me, is performed by She and Him with Zooey Deschanel on vocal and M. Ward on guitar and keys. The Minus 5 brings us Don't She Look Good in a slightly punky rockabilly style. Scott McCaughey on guitar, piano, organ, percussion and vocal with Mike Mills on bass, Peter Buck on guitar, and Joe Adragna on drums and with a really cool guitar solo by Dave Depper. I really like Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale's work on How Will I Know. Simple guitar and drum accompaniment under nicely blended the vocal duet is the ticket. Bonnie Raitt's take on Green Lights is electrifying with Scott Ligon on guitar, Terry Adams on clavinet, Casey McMcDonough on bass, John Perrin on drums and wild slide work and lead vocal by Raitt. Excellent! Robbie Fulks does a stright up country work on Chores keeping it fun with Val McCallum on guitar and backing vocal, Davey Faragher on bass and backing vocal and Pete Thomas on drums in support of Fulks on guitar and lead vocal. Very cool. The Nils set out a real straight rocker with edge in That's Alright with Carlos Soria on bass and vocal, Mark Donato on guitar and vocal, Phil Psarakos on guitar, Emilien Catalano on drums, Peter Work on harmonica and featuring Chris Spedding on lead guitar a cool ass kicker. Wrapping the release is Kami Lyle with Joey Spampinato on First Crush. This track is quite cool with a simple Brazilian feel. Kami's vocals backed by her own piano and trumpet, and Joey Spampinato on guitar, bass and vocal is an excellent closer for this ecclectic 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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The Last Music Company has released Dr.John's tribute to Louis Armstrong, Ske-Dat-De-Dat, on vinyl on June 5, 2020. I had the opportunity to review this newest release and it's a lot of fun. Opening with What A Wonderful World, Dr John joins up with Nicholas Payton on trumpet and the Blind Boys of Alabama for a Mac stylized version of this Armstrong classic. Payton floats on the melodic rhythm and Mac's vocals are tops. Bonnie Raitt joins on I've Got The World On A String and an easy swing. Both Mac and Raitt seem very comfortable with excellent lead vocals, bluesy guitar riffs, clarinet and full horn backing. Very nice. In traditional Mac/New Orleans Jazz style, Gut Bucket Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release, again featuring Payton on trumpet and with strong horn backing and some really tasty drumming. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child features Anthony Hamilton on lead vocal with smooth soulful backing and solid horn work. The McCrary Sisters and Ledisi do a totally spiritual version of Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen with powerful rich vocals, organ and strong piano work from Dr. John. Excellent! Mac is back up front on piano and vocal on Wrap Your Trouble in Dreams, joined by The Blind Boys of Alabama and Terrance Blanchard. This is a particularly cool track with Mac's classic New Orleans blues styling, blended with the warm gospel backing of BBA and the cool jazz styling of Blanchard on trumpet. Very cool. More traditional New Orleans style blues on Dippermouth Blues is a great track with Mac on lead vocal and piano and a super new Orleans beat. James 12 Andrews (Trombone Shorty) hits the trumpet on this one and it's another of my favorites. Shemekia Copeland contributes her own lush vocals to Sweet Hunk of Trash, a funky New Orleans number. With cool trombone work and tight drumming, another strong track. Easy jazz ballad, Memories of You features mac on lead vocal and piano but it's the terrific trumpet soloing of Arturo Sandoval that really sails this one. Sandoval plants himself and just wails. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a totally Dirty Dozen-ized When You're Smiling with a great tuba bottom and with excellent, trumpet led, march style jazz. Snappy percussion and mac on piano works really nicely with Mac's lead vocals. It's nice that Last Music has captured this on vinyl. Very cool.
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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DVD and Blu-ray Accompanying 2-CD Set Features 90
Minutes Of Live Concert Footage
Alongside An In-Depth Interview With Cray And His
Band, and Testimonials From Legends
Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Jimmie
Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt
New York, NY --- Open ears and an open mind are the essence
of singer, guitarist and songwriter Robert Cray, whose career spans from the
roots of the blues to the pinnacles of rock, from the 80s to this moment. He
grew up listening to the gospel of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, Bobby
Bland's soul, Jimi Hendrix's rock guitar and the Beatles pop sounds. Those
influences and the signature sound Cray has imprinted on modern popular music
are brought together in the Robert Cray Band's double CD and video package 4
Nights of 40 Years Live.
The set will be available in a variety of formats - 2
LPs with digital download card, 2 CDs + DVD, Blu-Ray + 2 CDs and digitally. 4
Nights of 40 Years Live will be released August 28 on the Netherlands-based
Mascot Label Group.
The first CD is fresh, live recordings from four nights
recently recorded at four venues in the LA area. With his current band
--longtime bassist, collaborator and friend Richard Cousins, keyboardist Dover
Weinberg (who was in Cray's first band) and drummer Les Falconer (O'Jays, Keb
'Mo) – Cray fronts a group that is solid, seasoned and vital. The playing is in
the moment, and the sound is singular.
The thirteen cuts are selected from the Cray Band's
recording library of 20 releases. Among them are rock radio favorites
“Bad Influence” and “Right Next Door (Because of Me),” the soul searing “Love
Gone to Waste,” and “These Things,” a bluesy ballad that features one of Cray's
string-bending and mind-blowing guitar solos. The live CD is the fourth
Cray Band release produced by Steve Jordan, who plays drums on several cuts.
Also guesting are vocalist Kim Wilson and harmonica player Lee Oskar, tenor
saxophonist Trevor Lawrence, trumpeter Steve Madaio and saxophonist Tom Scott.
The bonus CD is a revealing glimpse of Cray's early career
and the promise of a future that would reward fans for decades. Selected
from the band's set at the 1982 San Francisco Blues Festival and a 1987
appearance on the Dutch TV Show “Countdown,” the music captures the band's
youthful presence and its ability to revive the blues without abandoning it.
Included are favorites from the Cray's Band 80s set lists; “Smoking Gun”
and “Too Many Cooks.”
The 94 minute video in 4 Nights of 40 Years Live is a Cray
Band convergence. Coming together are a mesmerizing blend of clips from the San
Francisco Blues Festival, the Dutch TV show and the four concerts featured on
the first CD. Between clips Cray comments on the band's history and his
personal philosophy of music. There is also behind the scenes footage of
the band collaborating with producer Jordan. And putting the Cray Band in
perspective are interviews with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt,
Jimmie Vaughan and Buddy Guy each giving their personal response to the music
and the man.
It is extraordinary for musicians to thrive over four
decades, and the Robert Cray Band is just that, extraordinary. The group has
won five Grammy Awards, put 15 studio albums on the Billboard Charts, sold
millions of records and toured the globe, playing clubs, concert halls,
festivals and large arenas. Whether opening for John Lee Hooker or Eric
Clapton, the band has captured audiences with music that is original, a sound
that is distinctively rootsy and a performance style that keeps fans flocking
back to see the Robert Cray Band headlining. 4 Nights of 40 Years Live is a
testament to the band's past success and proof that the Robert Cray Band is as
live as ever.
The track listing of 4 NIGHTS OF FORTY YEARS LIVE
features on Disc One: "Shiver," "I'll Always Remember You,"
"Poor Johnny," "Won't Be Coming Home," "On The Road
Down," "Sittin' On Top Of The World," "Wrap It Up,"
"Love Gone To Waste," "Bad Influence," "These
Things," "Right Next Door (Because Of Me)," "The Forecast
(Calls For Pain)," and "Time Makes Two." Disc Two presents
"I Guess I Showed Her," "Right Next Door (Because Of Me),"
"Smoking Gun," "Still Around," "Too Many Cooks,"
and "T-Bone Shuffle." For detail on the DVD track listing
visit: http://mascotlabelgroup.com/www.robertcray.com/
Robert Cray begins the North American leg of his global
tour on July 30 in Paso Robles, CA at the California Mid-State Fair.
Confirmed appearances include:
7/30 Paso Robles,
CA
California Mid-State Fair
7/31 Agoura Hills,
CA
The Canyon
8/01 Stateline,
NV
Harrah's Lake Tahoe
8/02 Mammoth Lakes,
CA
Mammoth Lake Festival of Beers
8/04 Roseburg,
OR
Music on the Half Shell
8/08 Lebanon, OR
Guitar Under The Stars (Cheadle Lake Park)
8/09 Snoqualmie,
WA
Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom
8/11 Boise,
ID
Egyptian Theatre
8/13 Breckenridge,
CO
Riverwalk Center
8/15 Boulder,
CO
Chautauqua Auditorium
8/16 Deadwood,
SD
Deadwood Mountain Hotel & Casino
8/18 Apple Valley, MN
Weesner Family Amphitheater @ MN Zoo
I just received the newest release, Ske-Dat-De-Dat ... Spirit of Satch from Dr John and I quite like it. Oh yeah. With a tribute to an older statesman, there are some old time ballads but with a fresh look which is overall very interesting. On opener, What A Wonderful World, The Blind Boys Of Alabama add a different dimension to what is done sixties pop style with a twist of New Orleans. Terrence Blanchard a really nice melodic trumpet solo over what is otherwise a funky orchestral arrangement. Mack The Knife gets a total revamp with a solid New Orleans strut. With very little except lyrics to the original track, this is an ingenious mix with brilliant work from Blanchard. There is a rap break which I don't care for but overall the track is excellent. Tight Like That has a real Latin feel with vocals by Telmary and sweet Spanish guitar and really smart trumpet work by Arturo Sandoval. I've Got The World On A String stays with very traditional arrangement say, Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra but with a Dr John twist. The good Dr and Bonnie Raitt handle the vocal duet which is very solid. Stylized swing blues guitar work on the bridge is really nice. Gut Bucket Blues has a really cool bari sax bottom and full horn tribute. Dr Johns vocals are as good as any on the release with a gritty feel. Nicholas Payton takes the floor with trumpet on this track blowin some serious brass. On Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Anthony Hamilton takes the mic singing a counter melody to the all to familiar track adding mystery and interest. With a neo soul feel to the track, warm backing vocals and horns this track is as fresh as the first time I heard it. On That's My Home, Dr John takes a straight ahead swat and with his relaxed interpretive way weaves a smooth and comforting track with beautiful trumpet highlights from Wendell Brunious. On classic gospel track Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, lead vocals are handled by Ledisi backed by the McCrary Sisters. It still maintains a a spiritual feel but with more of a modern take and less of a "pure spiritual" track as most of us (at least me) have heard. Nice job! Wrap Your Troubles In Your Dreams finds the good Dr back at the mic and also predominantly out front with the piano. The Blind Boys of Alabama are back with both solo and backing vocals and less tight but soulful trumpet work from Terence Blanchard adds a nice touch. Dippermouth Blues comes out with horns blaring and a cool New Orleans march rhythm. The Dr has the keys rolling and the saxs are honking. James Andrews steps up with some authentic feeling NO trumpet styling. This is a great party track and with warm organ work may be one of my favorite tracks on the release. Blues giant Shemekia Copeland joins the Dr on Sweet Hunk O'Trash and with a funky bottom gets you groovin fast. Hot funky instrumentals throughout this track make it another nice add. Memories Of You has Dr John in the lounge mode laid back with his piano with brilliant punctuation by Arturo Sandoval on trumpet. Hot sax work opens the last track on the release, When You're Smiling. With a definite Latin/Mardi Gras feel and the great Dirty Dozen Brass band, the party is leaving town. This is a fun release with some hot trumpet work.
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”
ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAMER, AND SIX-TIME GRAMMY WINNER, DR JOHN GOES BACK TO THE
SOURCE WITH SKE-DAT-DE-DAT...SPIRIT OF
SATCH
New Orleans musical giant pays tribute to
fellow Crescent City legend Louis Armstrong with star-studded, divinely-inspired
new tribute disc
Proper Records / September
1st
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and
six-time GRAMMY®-winner Dr. John is New Orleans' most prominent living musical
icon. The embodiment of his hometown's freewheeling creative spirit and multiple
musical traditions, he's built a visionary, idiosyncratic body of work that's
deeply rooted in the Crescent City's myriad blues, R&B, jazz and rock 'n'
roll traditions.
So it's fitting that Dr. John's new album on Proper
Records, Ske-Dat-De-Dat...Spirit of Satch, pays heartfelt tribute to another
larger-than-life New Orleans legend: the seminal trumpeter and vocalist Louis
"Satchmo" Armstrong, whose musical innovations created the template for
20th-century jazz, and whose playful attitude and life-embracing spirit made him
a beloved figure whose worldwide appeal transcended music.
"He's the most
famous guy that ever came out of my neighborhood," notes Dr. John. "He became a
legend all over, for his trumpet playin' and everything else, and he was the
United States' ambassador to the world."
Ske-Dat-De-Dat...Spirit of Satch
honors Armstrong's musical genius as well as his effervescent personality with
13 classic numbers drawn from various phases of Armstrong's five-decade career,
with Dr. John joined by a stellar supporting cast that manages to update the
material while maintaining the music's timeless emotional appeal.
The
subtitle Spirit of Satch is particularly appropriate given the album's birth
cycle, which Dr. John says was set into motion when the late Armstrong—whom he'd
only met once during his lifetime, in the office of their mutual manager Joe
Glaser—came to him in a dream.
"Louis's spirit came to me and told me to
do something, that's how this whole thing started," says Dr. John, who's
previously released tribute albums to musical giants Duke Ellington and Johnny
Mercer. "Louis told me, 'Take my music and do it your way.' It was the most
unexpected thing in the world to me, to have Louis' spirit show up like that,
but he gave me a concept of where to roll with it that was spiritually correct.
That made me feel very open to try some different things, because I felt that
his spirit had ok'ed this record."
Prior to making the album, Dr. John
honored Satchmo on stage, presenting rapturously received tribute concerts,
dubbed "Props to Pops," at New York's Brooklyn Academy of Music in March 2012
and at the Hollywood Bowl in July 2013.
In addition to Dr. John's
trademark vocals and piano, and backup from some of New Orleans' finest
musicians, Ske-Dat-De-Dat...Spirit of Satch features a stellar assortment of
guest singers and players. Bonnie Raitt shares the spotlight on a swinging
reading of "I've Got the World On A String," Ledisi and the McCrary Sisters lend
gospel authority to "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen," Anthony Hamilton is
featured on a mournful "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child," Shemekia
Copeland trades verses with Dr. John on a playful reworking on "Sweet Hunk O'
Trash," and the Blind Boys of Alabama lend their powerful voices to "What A
Wonderful World" and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams."
Since
Ske-Dat-De-Dat...Spirit of Satch is a tribute to the man who popularized the
trumpet for a worldwide audience, it's fitting that the project should feature
some of today's greatest trumpeters, namely Nicholas Payton (on "What A
Wonderful World" and "Gut Bucket Blues"), Terence Blanchard ("Mack the Knife,"
"Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"), Arturo Sandoval ("Tight Like This," "Memories
of You"), Wendell Brunious ("Thats My Home") and James Andrews ("Dippermouth
Blues"), along with New Orleans' legendary horn ensemble the Dirty Dozen Brass
Band ("When You're Smiling").
"The whole thing felt pretty special, and I
definitely was in a different zone for this record," says Dr. John, who
co-produced the album with his longtime trombonist Sarah Morrow, who also
arranged ten of the album's 13 tracks. "I wanted to pull together some of his
hits and some of songs he wasn't as well known for, and make them feel fresh and
different. Sarah wrote some slammin' charts that kept everything spacious and
hip. And everybody played and sang great, and gave it their own
spirit."
Ske-Dat-De-Dat...Spirit of Satch is the latest achievement in a
singular musical history that stretches back to the 1950s, when Dr. John—then
still known by his given name, Mac Rebennack—emerged as an in-demand producer,
guitarist, pianist and songwriter on New Orleans' studio scene, working for such
local labels as Ace, Ron and Ric, collaborating with the likes of James Booker,
Earl King, Professor Longhair, Art Neville and Frankie Ford, and scoring the
regional solo hit "Storm Warning."
In the early '60s, he relocated to Los
Angeles, where he played on countless sessions before debuting his flamboyant
new musical persona, "Dr. John, The Night Tripper," with his first solo album,
1968's Gris-Gris, which introduced the world to his uniquely eclectic
voodoo-funk. In the years since, he has remained a distinctly prolific and
powerful force, releasing more than 30 albums of his own while collaborating
with a broad array of acts including the Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher, Van
Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Gregg Allman, Mike Bloomfield, Levon Helm, Ringo
Starr, Rickie Lee Jones, B.B. King and Christina Aguilera. He also performed in
such films as The Last Waltz and Blues Brothers 2000, and pursued a successful
two-decade songwriting partnership with legendary tunesmith Doc
Pomus.
Dr. John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011,
and won the most recent of his six GRAMMY® Awards when 2012's Locked Down was
voted that year's Best Blues Album.
Bonnie Raitt, (born November 8, 1949) is an American blues and R&B singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt.
Raitt began playing guitar at an early age, something not a lot of her high school girlfriends did. “I had played a little at school and at camp,” she later recalled in a July 2002 interview. “My parents would drag me out to perform for my family, like all parents do, but it was a hobby—nothing more…I think people must wonder how a white girl like me became a blues guitarist. The truth is, I never intended to do this for a living. I grew up…in a Quaker family, and for me being Quaker was a political calling rather than a religious one.”
In 1967 Raitt continued her pursuit in that path when she entered Harvard’s Radcliffe College as a freshman, majoring in African Studies. “My plan was to travel to Tanzania, where President Julius Nyerere was creating a government based on democracy and socialism,” Raitt recalled. “I wanted to help undo the damage that Western colonialism had done to native cultures around the world. Cambridge was a hotbed of this kind of thinking, and I was thrilled.”
One day, Raitt was notified by a friend that blues promoter Dick Waterman was giving an interview at WHRB, Harvard’s college radio station. An important figure in the blues revival of the 1960s, Waterman was also a resident of Cambridge.
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”
Northport NY - M.C. Records is excited to announce that
guitarist Rick Holmstrom and his band will be playing with Mavis Staples on PBS'
Austin City Limits this weekend. Rick and his band-mates have been backing Mavis
on the road and in the studio for over five years. You can sneak a peak of this
weekends show right here.
Rick Holmstrom's first CD in five years,
Cruel Sunrise
was
released on August 28 and you can listen to and download all 24
tracks (including two with Mavis
Stapleson
tracks 3 & 8) and
read his new bio right here:
Rick Holmstrom is just too talented and restrained to
release anything less than professionally crafted. All Music Guide
I'm so inspired by the
sounds, the vibe, Rick's edgy guitar playing, and the honest and revealing
songwriting.Andy Ellis, Senior
Editor, Premier Guitar
Each track is blissfully
inventive. Holmstrom creates a blues that is effortless to vibe to.
Where Y'At
Cruel Sunrise will leave a lasting impression
in the ear, the heart and the mind, to be returned to over and over
again.
David Rubin, KBA Winner in
Journalism
All
12 songs on Cruel Sunrise were written or
co-written by Rick Holmstrom. The
recording are also available as a limited "Deluxe Edition" which features a
second disc of all
instrumentals. They are Rick's unique take
on classic songs including "You Send Me," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "I'll Take
You There." Both the single CD and Deluxe Edition were released on August
28.
I was around songwriters like
Jeff Tweedy, Ron Sexsmith, and Neko Case while recording and touring with Mavis
Staples,” says Holmstrom “I thought there must be a way to write songs like
theirs, but with a blues feeling—songs that regular music fans might like, in
addition to blues aficionados. - Rick
Holmstrom
No
doubt both blues aficionados and rock music fans will enjoy Cruel
Sunrise, a record that honors Rick Holmstrom’s ongoing reign as a
statesman of the blues while pointing to his future as a songwriter to be
reckoned with.
10/19/2012 Norwalk, CT Norwalk
Concert Hall (Mavis) 10/27/2012 Linköping, SWEDEN Linköping Jazz & Blues
Festival (Mavis) 10/30/2012 Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS MC Theatre
(Mavis) 10/31/2012 Uppsala, SWEDEN Sacred Music Festival (Mavis) 11/3/2012
Dublin, IRELAND National Concert Hall (Mavis)
11/17/12 -
Elgin, IL Elgin Community College
(Mavis)
11/23/12 to
11/24/12 - Chicago, IL City Winery
(Mavis)
11/29/12 -
Kahului, HI Maui Arts & Cultural Center
(Mavis)
I have just received a copy of Maria Muldaur's newest release, ... First Came Memphis Minnie (available October 9, 2012). Muldaur has elnisted a virtual who's who of blues royalty including Rory Blck, Ruthie Foster, Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow, Koko Taylor, Del Rey, David Bromberg, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Roy Rogers, Steve James and Steve Freund. First up is Me And My Chauffeur Blues with Muldaur on vocals and Roy Rogers on guitar. This is a really nice cover and one of Minnie's gems. Bonnie Raitt and Freund do a great version of Ain't Nothin' In Ramblin'. On I'm Goin' Back Home, Muldair teams up with Alvin Youngblood Hart for a very classic sounding duet. (Certainly one of my favorites tracks on the release). I'm Sailin' featuring Muldaur on vocals with Del Rey and Steve James on guitars shows Muladur's voice at it's best. Rory Block takes the lead on When You Love Me both on vocals and guitars. Long As I Can See You Smile, again with Muldaur, Del Rey and James is a bit more uptempo and very solid. The deliberate guitar of Del Rey on work on Lookin' The World Over is a very cool accent to Muldaur who really gets Minnie's style. Another of my favorites on the recording is In My Girlish Days performed by Phoebe Snow and David Bromberg. This track is exceptional. Muldaur and AYH are back together again on She Put Me Outdoors. Though not as effective as their earlier track together, it is still quite a nice track with addition of mandolin by Dave Earl. One of my personal favorite tracks by Minnie, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut, is performed here by one of my favorite contemporary female vocalists, Ruthie Foster, accompanied here by Steve Freund. Beautiful. The intro on Tricks Ain't Walkin' has some really nice resonator work as well as mandolin by Earl. Muldaur puts here heart into the track and it really makes the track come to life. Again a sweet guitar intro by James and Del Ray on Crazy Cryin' Blues leads to some moaning by Muldaur on one of Minnie's more soulful tracks.Koko Taylor takes it home with Black Rat Swing. This of course is a great track and features Bob Margolin on slide. Taylor lets it all hang out hear for a great conclusion toa very cohesive tribute recording.
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BONNIE RAITT AND JACKSON BROWNE WANT YOU TO SHOW SOME LOVE FOR THE BLUES!
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. - How would you like Bonnie Raitt to send you a personal Valentine? Would you prefer it inscribed on a Fender Strat? Guitar legend Bonnie Raitt will sign and dedicate to you, if you are the winning bidder, the Fender Stratocastor guitar to be auctioned on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, January 22-29, 2012 to benefit to North Carolina nonprofit Music Maker Relief Foundation. This American Deluxe Stratocastor was donated by Fender Musical Instrument Corp., and has an MSRP of $2000.
You do not have to be on the cruise to bid on Bonnie's signed guitar. To submit a bid, please contact Denise Duffy, MMRF Managing Director, at denise@musicmaker.org or at 919-643-2456. Bidding on the guitar starts at $2500. All proceeds from the guitar will benefit Music Maker's programs that support senior blues musicians living in poverty.
In addition to Bonnie's guitar donation to the auction, her good friend and old touring buddy Jackson Browne made a charitable gift to challenge blues lovers to support MMRF and the Foundation's efforts to keep the blues alive. For information on how you can support the bluest of the blues, visit www.musicmaker.org.
The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise offers two fully-chartered cruises each year, cruising the Caribbean each January, and the Pacific each October. In addition to raising funds for MMRF, the Silent Auction on the January 2012 Caribbean Cruise will also raise funds for The Blues Foundation and Gimme5. For more information visit www.bluescruise.com.
Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. We present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations. For more information visit www.musicmaker.org.
