Blue Heart Records artist: Tomislav Goluban - 20 Years On The Road - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 20 Years On The Road, from Tomislav Goluban and it's chocked full of great blues harp. Opening with blues rocker, Express Ride, blues harp wiz Tomislav Goluban really has it cranking, backed by the Tobacco Road Blues Band (Peter Prammerdorfer on guitar, Mike Diwald on guitar, Christian Egger on bass and Klaus Sauli on drums. On shuffle, Searchin' For My Baby features Skylar Rogers on lead vocal and she does a real nice job. With Goluban on harmonica, Hrvoje Funda on guitar, Vid Kotarski on guitar, Jurica Leikauff on keys, Tomislav Kusar on bass and Dragutin Hojsak on drums, a real nice jam. With a twist of country, Ryan Donohue leads the way on No Means No. Mike Sponza and Funda on guitars, Vid Bajevic on trumpet, Mario Sincek on trombone, Damjan Grbac on bass, and Igor Vugrek compliment Goluban on harmonica. Another track with a taste of country is Speedin' Train featuring the super vocals of Teresa James. Goluban really wails the whistle and with a solid bottom compliments of Funda, Kitarski, Leikauff, Kusar and Hojsak, this may be my favorite track on the release. Shuffle, I Can't Take It Anymore has a great feel and saturated with harmonica. Crooked Eye Tommy is upfront on vocal anchoring this bluesy track. Boggie, Everyday's Fear, has a great drive and Goluban sails, courtesy Funda, Kotarski, Jurica Leikauff, Damjan Grbac and Vugrek and featuring Kelly Zirbes on lead vocal. Wrapping the release is rock and roller,  I Love You Baby with Goluban on lead vocal. This is a solid closer for a cool 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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  “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 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

Blue Heart Records artist: Crooked Eye Tommy - Hot Coffee and Pain - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hot Coffee and Pain, from Crooked Eye Tommy and I think it's a kicker. Opening with Son House's Death Letter Blues Crooked Eye Tommy opens this release with all of the attitude of Ronnie Van Zant in 1973 (think... I Ain't The One). With Tommy Marsh on lead vocal and guitar and paired with Paddy Marsh on guitar, Samuel Corea on bass, Charlie McClure on drums and Jimmy Calire on keys, this track has real swagger! Paddy takes the mic on Sittin in a Driveway, and it's a scorcher. Nicely paced with a great blues feel, one of my favorites on the release. Another standout track is Baby Where You Been pairing Tommy with Teresa James on lead vocal. This is a great R&B flavored track with strong sax work by Craig Williams. Contemporary blues rocker, Time It Takes To Live has a real strong melody and pairs Tommy and Paddy on guitar and vocal for an appealing radio track. Moving even further into the southern blues rock vein but with a hard pinch of jazz, The Big House seems a tribute to the Allmans. An instrumental track with strong lead guitar work and warm, rich organ by Calire, this is sure to be a crowd favorite. Wrapping the release is another of my favorites, horn flavored Congo Square with it's heavy rhythms and to my ear, African horn lines. This track really moves and with excellent sax work by Williams, hot drum work by McClure and hot guitar riffs, an excellent 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

12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, A Spring SoCal Tradition, Keeping the Blues Alive

ANNOUNCING THE 12TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL, A SPRING SOCAL TRADITION, KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE SINCE 2005; YEAR #2 AT BEAUTIFUL STUDIO CHANNEL ISLANDS IN CAMARILLO, CA                                  Saturday, April 29, 2017 - Gates Open 10am, Music Starts 11:00 am

(Camarillo, CA)  - Announcing the 12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, a Spring SoCal Tradition, Keeping the Blues Alive for a dozen consecutive years, taking place Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Studio Channel Islands, 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo. Gates open 10:00 am, music begins at 11:00 am. Tickets $30. (Pre-Sale), $40. (Day of Show). Kids 12 and under, free with paid Adult General Admission. V.I.P. Tickets $125. (online only). Festival proceeds benefits Food Share and other Ventura County area charities (please bring a food item to donate). Info: (805) 501-7122 or visit venturacountyblues.com/.   "We look forward to carrying on this tradition for many years to come," says Michael John, Ventura County Blues Society President. "Because of the support of sponsors and the generosity of all the volunteers donating their time, we anticipate the Ventura County Blues Festival will continue to grow as it has each year."  Two-Time Grammy Award winners, Phantom Blues Band, are    one of the 12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival headliners.   HEADLINERS AT THE 12TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL      Phantom Blues Band: The Phantom Blues Band was formed as a studio band to back up Taj Mahal on his CD, Dancing The Blues. Their association with Taj led to headlining clubs, theaters, and festivals throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan, as well as being honored with two Grammys and a W.C. Handy Award. At heart, the Phantom Blues Band's sound is a cross-breeding of numerous musical styles which includes blues, jazz, r&b, gospel, rock 'n' roll, and reggae. Inside Out, the band's thirds album, features band members Tony Braunagel, Larry Fulcher, Mike Finnigan, Darrel Leonard, Joe Sublett, and Johnny Lee Schell, with help from renowned session players Lenny Castro (percussion) and The Crusaders' founding member and keyboardist, Joe Sample. www.phantombluesband.com/.    Debbie Davies: "She wields an electric guitar as if it were a wand." — LOS ANGELES TIMES   Debbie Davies is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and guitar player.  A professional musician since the early 1980s, Davies has received ten nominations for Blues Music Awards, and in 1997 and 2010 won the award for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist. Davies cut her teeth playing in blues and rock ‘n roll bands in the San Francisco Bay area before returning to her hometown Los Angeles in 1984, where she landed the lead guitar spot in Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs, an all-female band led by wife of British blues pioneer, John Mayall. Davies 2015 release, Love Spin, is at once funky, rocking’, and bluesy. It’s  collection of all original tunes showcases an artist at her peak, and will no doubt put smiles on the faces of long time fans and bring many new ones into the fold. www.debbiedavies.com/.   Chris Cain: Chris Cain's jazz-tinged, blues-soaked guitar and deep, warm vocals have the maturity and authenticity of bluesmen many years his senior. His expressive style is the result of a lifetime of study and the relentless pursuit of music mastery. His passion and intensity for music was ignited early in life by his mom and dad's deep love for blues and soul. Cain's debut recording, Late Night City Blues (Blue Rock'it Records-1987) garnered four W.C. Handy Blues Award nominations, including Guitarist of the Year. Dan Forte of Guitar Player wrote, "An impressive debut album by a top notch guitarist." The combination of his blues upbringing and his jazz studies melded to form the searing guitar style that sets Chris Cain apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene. www.chriscainmusic.com/.     R.J. Mischo: RJ Mischo is considered by critics and fans worldwide to be in the upper echelon of today’s great Harp players and singers. RJ’s vast discography features twelve of his own releases on several record labels. He also appears on at least twenty-five CDs as a guest or on compilations with Jimmie Vaughan, James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Candye Kane, G.Love, and John Mayall, to name a few. Mischo's original songs “King of a Mighty  Good Time” and “Two Hours From Tulsa” previously topped the playlist at No. 1 on SiriusXM Radio BB Kings’ Bluesville. RJ Mischo’s CDs, Knowledge You Can’t Get in College and Make It Good, have made the top 50 list of Living Blues Magazine’s Albums of the Year. He has contributed to two Mel Bay harmonica instruction books, and is acknowledged in The Encyclopedia of Harmonica. www.rjblues.com/.   Michael John & the Bottom Line Featuring Mikey Mo: Michael John, Founder and President of the Ventura County Blues Society (and) Founder of the Ventura County Blues Festival, leads his band The Bottom Line. Since the Festival’s inception, Michael John & The Bottom Line have performed and donated their music. When you combine family and lifelong friends, you get a special musical bond that touches the hearts and souls of all music lovers. The band consists of Michael John (lead singer, guitar, harmonica), Michael John’s son Mikey Mo (lead guitar), Steve Nelson (electric, stand-up Bass), Eddie Z (tenor, alto sax), Jeff Dellisanti (tenor, baritone sax), and Tom “T-Bone” Broderick (drums, backup vocals). The group attracts people of all ages with their blend of Swing/contemporary rocking blues. They've received national airplay and have won multiple awards including placing in the Top Ten bands in the Finals for the International Blues Challenge. www.venturacountyblues.com/info/michael-john/.   Crooked Eye Tommy: Purveyors of deep-seeded Blues and smoky Southern rock, “Brothers Marsh” Tommy and Paddy feature big guitars and even bigger vocals. Behind the strength of the group's CD Butterflies & Snakes, Crooked Eye Tommy has won “Best Blues Band” three consecutive years at the Ventura County Music Awards. www.crookedeyetommy.com/.    Jim Gustin & Truth Jones: Jim Gustin is a blues singer and guitarist from Santa Clarita, California. He has a distinctive, powerful voice; soulful and deep with a smoky rasp, he is a passionate and energetic performer. He has well-written catchy songs that reveal his many varied influences to his groove-oriented blues. Gustin is also a solid guitarist with great tone and a funky feel. Jeri Goldenhar, a/k/a Truth Jones, has been singing since she was a little girl, although at over six feet tall, it’s hard to imagine her as a knee-high, little red-headed child. She has a big voice to match her impressive stature. She can belt out gospel and soul rarely heard from suburban white girls. www.facebook.com/jimgustinandtruthjones.

12TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL SHOW PASSES AVAILABLE.                                                     venturacountyblues.com facebook.com/VenturaCountyBluesFestival

Crooked Eye Tommy's 'Butterflies & Snakes': Radio Heat, IBC Nomination, Scintillating Reviews

 

                                      

                           

 

"Butterflies & Snakes" By Crooked Eye Tommy Climbing National Radio Charts, Receiving Great Reviews From California To Croatia!

 

 

Ventura County Blues Society Nominates "Butterflies & Snakes" In

'Best Self-Produced CD' Category, 2016 International Blues Challenge

 

 

 

 

"The World's Gonna See...What A Crooked Eye Can Do"

 

- from "Crooked Eye Tommy" on Butterflies & Snakes

 

 

  When Tommy Marsh and Crooked Eye Tommy released Butterflies & Snakes in August of 2015, little did the Ventura County-based blues musician realize how well the band's debut album would be received. An indication of what lie ahead: Winning "Best Blues Band" at the 2015 Ventura County Music Awards this past Summer. Tommy's third consecutive VCMA is quite the accomplishment, considering the number of talented blues artists who call Ventura County their home! 

 

                          

 

  In less than five months, Butterflies & Snakes has ascended as high as #30 on the National Roots Music Report Blues Chart, a strong barometer for radio airplay where hundreds of on-air deejays submit their weekly playlists to. For the week beginning December 6, B&S was a very respectable #21 on the RMR Top 50 California Album Chart. Two singles off the record - "Crooked Eye Tommy" and "I Stole The Blues" - were at #14 and #38 respectively on the California RMR Blues Singles Chart (Week of November 29). Butterflies & Snakes is making waves Down Under, too, moving up to #5 on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts International Blues Chart for the month of November, 2015  up from #8 in October.

 

 

 

  In September, Butterflies & Snakes was featured on back-to-back weeks by nationally-syndicated radio show, Blues Deluxe, heard on over one-hundred terrestrial stations with a 1.5 million listenership. "Depend on Crooked-Eye Tommy to set you straight about great blues and good music!", said Blues Deluxe Host, David Johnson.

 

  Most Recently, Influential taste-maker Blues 411 bestowed Butterflies & Snakes with a "Best Debut Release" nomination, while also making their "Baker's Dozen" for the week of December 7, 2015. "Crooked Eye Tommy and his release ‘Butterflies & Snakes’ will please ya in a rockin’ soulful way", asserts Blues411 head honcho, Chefjimi Patricola.

 

  Butterflies & Snakes made waves in the UK this year, as well:  the eleven-song disc is nominated for a 2016 Doc's Blues Award in the "Best Band" category.

 

 

  In January, Butterflies & Snakes proudly represents the Ventura County Blues Society in the "Best Self-Produced CD" category at the 2016 International Blues Challenge (IBC), the famed yearly competition in Memphis bringing the world's best blues artists from sixteen countries across the globe together where they compete for "best of" honors.

 

 

    

   Butterflies & Snakes has been universally praised:

 

 

"Stories told only the way bluesmen do, with reverence and soul"

 

Blues-E-News

 

 

"Packed full of authentic blues, sensual and raw"

 

National Blues Revue

 

 

"Sticks to the Blues while stretching what the genre can hold"

 

The Alternate Root 

 

 

"Impressive specimen of dynamic guitar playing and lively rhythm...this band means business right from the start"

 

Tahoe Onstage

 

 

"Slinky slide guitars, arpeggio riffs, spot-on vocal harmonies...terrific introduction to a band ready to break out of Southern California and bring their brand of Blues and Roots music to the masses"

 

 

Blues Biscuits 

 

 

"Brings a comfortable approach to their art with vocals and guitars that tell the story convincingly"

 

Southland Blues 

 

"Marsh brothers are both fine guitar players, as heard when Tommy plays the slide on the opening number 'Crooked Eye Tommy', while brother Paddy shows good range and a touch of soulfulness on the snaky blues 'Come On In'"

 

 Blues Bytes  

 

 

 

 

                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlU0r-f_No4

                        

crookedeyetommy.com/

facebook.com/CrookedEyeTommy

 

Crooked Eye Tommy Performs at California Avocado Festival

CROOKED EYE TOMMY PERFORMS@CALIFORNIA AVOCADO FESTIVAL Saturday, October 3 - 1 P.M./Main Stage/Downtown Carpinteria   (Carpinteria, CA) - Crooked Eye Tommy is lighting up the Blues scene and quickly raising their profile in the international music community with their critically-lauded new album, Butterflies & Snakes. The Ventura County, California quartet fronted by brothers Tommy and Paddy Marsh have also become a favorite on the Festival circuit, with performances this year at the Ojai Blues Festival, Ventura County Blues festival, New Blues Festival, and now - an appearance at the 29th Annual California Avocado Festival, in downtown Carpinteria, on Saturday, October 3. Main Stage, 1 p.m. Info: (805) 684-0038 or http://avofest.com/.      The eleven originals on Butterflies & Snakes run a rich gamut of sound,  with no two songs sounding the same. From the deep-fried Southern blues of autobiographical title track "Crooked Eye Tommy" and down-home traditional-sounding "I Stole The Blues" (written and sung by Paddy Marsh) to the sexy blues shuffle "Somebody's Got To Pay" and album-ending, country-tinged "Southern Heart", there truly is something for virtually every music aficionado to like on the record. Butterflies & Snakes has received worldwide airplay and has been featured twice on the nationally-syndicated Blues Deluxe radio show, in addition to cracking the Roots Music Report's Top 50 California Album Chart. Crooked Eye Tommy recently took home "Best Blues Act" at the 2015 Ventura County (Calif.) Music Awards. CROOKED EYE TOMMY  - "BUTTERFLIES & SNAKES" - MEDIA QUOTES "The title track kicks off with a swampy slide, crawling king snake Mississippi Delta groove. You settle right in ready for some stories told only the way bluesmen do. I'd like to say Tommy (Marsh) reminds me of Robert Cray meets Molly Hatchet. Tommy's brother, Paddy Marsh, wrote three songs on the album including "I Stole The Blues", a good traditional-sounding song that treats the sometimes campy subject of musical thievery very matter-of-factly, with reverence and with soul".                                               BLUES-E-NEWS "Recorded live in Ojai's Brotheryn Studios, Crooked Eye Tommy's first full-length offers an unsweetened, 100-proof taste of its Southern-soaked blues-rock and a reintroduction to some of the area's finest musicians. CET's range is evident all over this record as it goes from the bedroom to to the dance floor with "Mad and Disgusted", a full-tilt boogie-woogie number from the gut".                                               VC REPORTER "Depend on Crooked-Eye Tommy to SET YOU STRAIGHT about great blues and good music!"                                           BLUES DELUXE                            (Nationally-Syndicated Radio Show) "Eleven excellent songs, ranging from down-home blues, to rockers and ballads..favorite songs are blues shuffles, "I Stole The Blues" and "Somebody's Got To Pay", and the dance-able "Love Divine", with the beautiful twin guitar work of the Marsh Brothers, (Tommy and Paddy). Who dares to bring them to The Netherlands?"                                              BLUESZINE "Crooked Eye Tommy does a great job of explaing the blues the way its supposed to sound. Brothers Tommy and Paddy Marsh tell their stories clearly and back them up with plenty of sizzle. Rhythmically, the band keeps everything moving at a steady pace that's as comfortable as hearbeats in bed".                                       SOUTHLAND BLUES "A rocking blues powerhouse...Southern-style blues with chops and taste... I like a blues band that wants to sound like a blues band, not a group of guys just waiting to get the next screamin' solo. These guys get it done--it sounds like they all turned down the volume just a little and they all play together beautifully."                               SUNDAY NIGHT BLUES PROJECT "Opening with a cool blend of John Bonham- style rhythm and early Lynyrd Skynyrd swagger, the title track tells a crazy myth of Crooked Eye Tommy. Jimmy Reed-style track, I Stole The Blues, stays tight in the groove with rich vocals from Paddy Marsh (who wrote the track) and hot sax work from Jimmy Calire. The release is wrapped up with a pop country track, Southern Heart, which could easily make a run on the country radio market."                                      BMANS BLUES REPORT Crooked Eye Tommy performing "Love Divine" at the Plaza Playhouse Theater in Carpinteria during their CD Release Party this past August.                          http://crookedeyetommy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CrookedEyeTommy Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email