Blue Heart Records release: Blind Raccoon and NOLA BLUE Collection Vol. 4 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blind Raccoon and NOLA Blue Collection Vol. 4, and it's a solid mix of blues and rock tracks. Opening with blues rocker, Sorry, Mark Cameron shows solid vocals, slide guitar and harmonica carrying a radio worthy melody. Funky blues rocker, Devil in the Dark is a cool entry by Michele D' Amour & The Love Dealers. With strong organ support and cool guitar and sax solos,  this track has a laid back feel. Trudy Lynn covers a Bluesbusters' track, If Your Phone Don't Ring and with just the right strut, and blues attitude, this is one of my favorites on the release. Wily Bo Walker's I Want To Know has a real nice R&B feel with interwoven bass, guitar and keyboard backing under Walker's infectious lead and backing vocals. Very nice. Super shuffle, Back Door Woman Blues by the Waydown Wailers sets a nice pace with strong vocals and a cool piano/guitar exchange. David Gogo sets up a simple guitar shuffle on Never Gonna Change. His vocals are clean and his slide playing clean and tight. Slow blues vocals on Firebreather by Skylar Rogers stand tall on side one backed by crisp guitar soloing over a potent bottom. Straight up blues track, Hard Times Coming by David Rotundo Band features really nice vocal, slide and harmonica delivered straight. Very nice. Throwing a curveball is Dick Van Dyke, yes, 95 year old Dick Van Dyke singing Is You Or Is You Ain't My Baby. He really does a nice job, backed by a fully big band and a tight rhythm section. Very cool. Piano boogie, Party In The Room Next Door - Live In Calgary is a strong entry by David Vest with potent piano and guitar solos over a beefy walking bass line. Johnny Tucker shows his guitar sting on Do The Rufus, a funky blues with attitude. Backed by punchy horns, Tucker's vocals are great. Idaho Bound is a strong, Southern Rock style jam with all of the characteristics of the Allmans. Driving rhythm and bass, dual lead guitars, and tight drums make this entry by The Mary Jo Curry Band another standout. Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps perform Takes On To Know One with great vocals, punchy horns, heavy bass and Anson Funderburgh on guitar. Wrapping the release is  acoustic guitar driven, This Old Road, a nice ballad by Trevor B. Power. With nicely blended vocal mix and acoustic guitars, a solid closer for this 4th Collection Volume. 

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Myles Goodwyn - Friends of the Blues 2- New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Friends of the Blues 2, by Myles Goodwyn and it's easy going. Opening with shuffle track, Hip Hip a shuffle track with Kenny Blues Boss Wayne on piano and Blair Mackay on drums, Goodwyn on lead vocal and ripping some tight guitar riffs. Bobby Womack's, All Over Now, gets an interesting rework with John Main on piano, Shrimp Daddy on harmonica and John Canpbelljohn on slide. Very cool. More traditional blues track, Fish Tank Blues, has cool guitar pick and slide technique over a slightly funky rhythm under Goodwyn's vocals. Campbelljohn is back on slide on Daddy Needs New Shoes, a quick paced shuffle with a snappy beat and backing vocals by Reeny Smith and Lisa Macdougall. Up next is I Saw Someone That Wasn't There (And It Was You), a blues rocker with some of the best vocals on the release and likely the best radio track on the release. With it's solid melody, call and response guitar riffs by David Gogo and nice piano lead. Wrapping the release is cowboy style track, Even Singing Cowboys get The Blues with a two step rhythm and yodeling. Jack De Keyzer on guitar and slide by Campbelljohn add a little spice to this closer.

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QUEBEC BLUES ARTISTS SWEEP MAPLE BLUES AWARDS

QUEBEC BLUES ARTISTS SWEEP MAPLE BLUES AWARDS The Paul DesLauriers Band and Angel Forrest win multiple awards The fast-paced performance rich gala featured a moving memorial tribute to the late John Mays (Fathead), Brian Cober and past Blues With A Feeling Award Winner Bob Walsh (January 23, 2017) Toronto, ON – Canadian blues artists from coast-to-coast were honoured by their peers at the 20th Annual Maple Blues Awards gala in Toronto last night as a crowd of blues lovers gathered to celebrate Canadian blues at Koerner Hall.   Quebec blues artists swept the awards with honours going to trio The Paul DesLauriers Band who won Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Drummer of the Year for Sam Harrisson, and Bassist of the Year for Greg Morency. Blues belter Angel Forrest took home three awards including Female Vocalist of the Year, Recording/Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. The Blues With A Feeling Award for lifetime achievement was awarded to Stephen Barry, who has been a fixture on the Quebec blues scene for over 40 years. Montreal-based Frankie Thiffault of Ben Racine Band took home the hardware for Horn Player of the Year.   British Columbia blues artists were well recognized with awards going to David Gogo for Guitarist of the Year, Harpdog Brown for Harmonica Player of the Year and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne for Piano or Keyboard Player of the Year. Other winners at the sold-out gala event were Manitoba’s Big Dave McLean for Acoustic Act of the Year, Ontario’s 17-year old newcomer Spencer MacKenzie for New Artist or Group of the Year, New Brunswick’s Matt Andersen for Male Vocalist of the Year, and Joe Bonamassa for International Artist of the Year. Edmonton’s Cam Hayden, a long-time broadcaster on CKUA and co-founder of the Edmonton Blues Festival was presented with the Blues Booster of the Year award, a very special Maple Blues Award honouring outstanding contribution to the Canadian blues music industry.   In addition to the Maple Blues Awards, the third annual Cobalt Prize Contemporary Blues Composition Award was handed out last night to Ann Vriend for her song “All That I Can”, with runners up Michael Kaeshammer for his song “Sweet Grace" and The Harpoonist And The Axe Murderer for their song "Father's Son”. A cash prize of $1000 was presented to Vriend with second and third place winners each receiving $250, courtesy of the benefactor The Unicorn Project.   Hosted by Steve Marriner of MonkeyJunk, the 20th annual Maple Blues Awards included outstanding performances from nominees past and present, including Calgary’s Tim Williams, Toronto’s Sugar Brown and Shakura S’Aida, British Columbia’s Michael Kaeshammer and the evening’s big winners, The Paul DesLauriers Band along with the awards gala house band, The Maple Blues Band.   Winners of the 20th Annual Maple Blues Awards     ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR The Paul DesLauriers Band   ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR The Paul DesLauriers Band   ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR Big Dave McLean   MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Matt Andersen FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Angel Forrest   NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR Spencer MacKenzie RECORDING/PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Angel's 11 (Morningstar) Artist: Angel Forrest. Producers: Angel Forrest and Denis Coulombe BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement) Stephen Barry   B.B. KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR Joe Bonamassa   GUITARIST OF THE YEAR   David Gogo   HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR Harpdog Brown   PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne   HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR Frankie Thiffault   DRUMMER OF THE YEAR Sam Harrisson    BASSIST OF THE YEARGreg Morency   SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR Angel Forrest & Denis Coulombe   BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR Cam Hayden

Cordova Bay Records artist: David Gogo - Vicksburg Call - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Vicksburg Call, by David Gogo and he's blending more rock into his strong blues feel. Opening with Cuts Me to The Bone, Gogo is hammering right out of the gate. With Jay Stevens on bass and Bill Hicks on drums this track does rock. Gogo isn't fooling around with his slashing slide guitar soloing and grinding rhythm. Boogie guitar master, Kim Simmonds joins Gogo on Fooling Myself with his unmistakable guitar soloing style. This is a really cool track with some remarkable riffs. Another Canadian, Neil Young's The Loner has always been a favorite and Gogo does a really nice cover. This track has a moderately different arrangement from the original and a definitely non Young style guitar solo. Harmony vocals with Stevens add warmth and with the track slightly uptempo sounds quite fresh. There's A Hole is a quiet, bluesy ballad with Gogo on resonator and guitar and Shawn Hall on harp. Stephen Stills' Jet Set (Sigh) has a deeper groove that earlier set by Stills and I like the change. Bassist Stevens sets a great heavy line and Gogo literally rips the fretboard to pieces with expressive riffs. Excellent! What's Not To Like? has a pop edge with a steady rock beat and Rick Hopkins adding full Hammond backing. Gogo again gets out the slide and plays as smooth as silk accompanying his radio styled vocals. Our Last Goodbye is a nicely crafted ballad starting off very quietly but building slowly adding drums and guitar lead. This track is very anthem like and with solid backing vocals by Shelley Beeston and Jona Kristinsson and fluid guitar runs, could easily be found as the closing song for a movie. Very nice! Title track, Vicksburg Call, is a simple blues rocker that breaks loose with some very tasty grinding guitar riffs. Rock and roller, Coulda Shoulda Woulda has a taste of Chuck Berry with almost John Lennon like vocals. Nice bass riffs by Stevens really drive this track and Gogo reminds us once again that he's not just a blues player with flashy rockin' riffs. Wrapping the release is a solemn ballad, Why, along the lines of White Shades of Pale. Really nice Hammond work by Hopkins sets the basic tone and Marisha Devoin adds subtle bass defined by a steady drum slap by Hicks. Isolated guitar lead by Gogo at the end of the track caps the soulful conclusion.

   

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What's Not To Like? - David Gogo's Vicksburg Call

What's Not To Like? - David Gogo's Vicksburg Call

New promo video, pre-order instant download and tour dates

David Gogo Introduces "What's Not To Like?" - view on YouTube here Cordova Bay Records and David Gogo are set to release Gogo's 14th album, Vicksburg Call, on September 4th, 2015. Early reviews are already calling it "THE album of his career." (John The Rock Doctor, Gonzo Online) and "one of Gogo’s strongest to date." (Victoria Times Colonist) Pre-Order now and instantly get downloads of " What's Not To Like?", “Cuts Me To The Bone” and “Our Last Goodbye".  www.davidgogo.com/shop Gogo is also heading out on the road for several tour dates throughout Western Canada and Europe. Dates detailed below.  About Vicksburg Call For over two decades David Gogo has been recording and performing all over the world, bringing his magnetic and accessible groove-fueled blend of blues and rock to audiences of all ages.  The British Columbia based guitarist and vocalist's name has become synonymous with the Canadian blues scene, and with good reason.  Vicksburg Call (September 4) is Gogo’s 14th release and is poised to add even more acclaim to an already impressive inventory.  He’s earned numerous accolades, including five JUNO nominations and multiple Maple Blues Awards.  He has thousands of tour miles under his belt and has played on stage with B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Bo Diddley and Otis Rush as well as opened for ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Charles Bradley and many others. Undoubtedly a rockin’ blues album, Vicksburg Call was recorded in a studio with a live, intimate atmosphere, which yielded an overall grittier sound with lots of feeling.  "I wanted this album to have more of a “band” feel to it, rather than just going into the studio and basically dictating the parts to the musicians", says Gogo.  "I also wanted as many songs as possible to have a very live feel and be easily transferrable to the stage." With the help of his backing band consisting of Bill Hicks on drums and Jay Stevens on bass, each of the tracks on Vicksburg Call are replete with the grooves, emotion and soulful delivery that David Gogo is known for. From the opening rocker “Cuts Me To The Bone”, the  bluesy “Fooling Myself”, featuring Kim Simmonds and the haunting “There’s A Hole”  with a guest appearance from Shawn Hall of The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer.  Vicksburg Call also highlights Gogo’s aptitude for selecting cover songs that one would not expect to hear on a blues album including Neil Young’s “The Loner”, Stephen Stills’ “Jet Set (Sigh)”, and Annie Lennox’s “Why”. “In the time that has passed since the last album, there has been a lot of loss in my life with the passing of friends and colleagues in the world of music. There were many sad days, but also tears of joy when I think back at fond memories from my time on the road”, Gogo recalls. “Relationships can also have their ups and downs as the years pass by, and many of my new songs deal with this. I tried to write from many viewpoints of love and loss, reconciliation, regret, acceptance and hope for new horizons.” Gogo’s passion for blues and his extraordinary, virtuosic guitar talents are laid bare alongside his emotions on this album - a combination that grabs you from the opening bars and keeps you hooked through all 10 tracks. davidgogo.com  /DavidGogoBlues  @DavidGogoBlues                              Photo by Scott Doubt Track Listing 1. Cuts Me To The Bone (3:19) 2. Fooling Myself (4:12) 3. The Loner (3:55) 4. There’s A Hole (3:26) 5. Jet Set (Sigh) (4:16) 6. What’s Not To Like? (3:01) 7. Our Last Goodbye (6:21) 8. Vicksburg Call (5:06) 9. Coulda Shoulda Woulda (2:37) 10. Why (5:29) Upcoming Tour Dates: August 29 - Woofstock Music Festival, Prince George BC August 30 - PNE Mosaic Concert Series, Vancouver BC September 5 - Fascinating Rhythm, Nanaimo BC *in-store appearance September 11 - Waverly Hotel, Cumberland BC September 19 - The Bassment, Kamloops BC *solo September 25 - Ghost Town Blues - Maple Creek SK *solo October 1 - Ironwood Stage And Grill, Calgary AB October 2 - Vangeli's - Saskatoon, SK  October 3 - B Street Bar, Edmonton AB October 4 - Fratter’s Speakeasy, Red Deer AB October 10 - Tally Ho Sports Bar, Victoria BC October 16 - Canal Bank Shuffle, Thorold ON October 30 - Duncan Showroom, Duncan BC November 28 - De Flint, Amersfoort Netherlands December 4 - Theater De Molenburg, Delfzijl Netherlands December 5 - L’Esprit, Rotterdam Netherlands

West coast blues-rocker David Gogo set to release 'Vicksburg Call'

West coast blues-rocker David Gogo set to release 'Vicksburg Call' September 4th on Cordova Bay Records   Pre-order link: www.davidgogo.com/shop Pre-Order now and instantly get downloads of “Cuts Me To The Bone” and “Our Last Goodbye" View “Cuts Me To The Bone” promo here For immediate release August 14, 2015 (Victoria, BC) - For over two decades David Gogo has been recording and performing all over the world, bringing his magnetic and accessible groove-fueled blend of blues and rock to audiences of all ages.  The British Columbia based guitarist and vocalist's name has become synonymous with the Canadian blues scene, and with good reason.  Vicksburg Call (September 4) is Gogo’s 14th release and is poised to add even more acclaim to an already impressive inventory.  He’s earned numerous accolades, including five JUNO nominations and multiple Maple Blues Awards.  He has thousands of tour miles under his belt and has played on stage with B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Bo Diddley and Otis Rush as well as opened for ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Charles Bradley and many others. Undoubtedly a rockin’ blues album, Vicksburg Call was recorded in a studio with a live, intimate atmosphere, which yielded an overall grittier sound with lots of feeling.  "I wanted this album to have more of a “band” feel to it, rather than just going into the studio and basically dictating the parts to the musicians", says Gogo.  "I also wanted as many songs as possible to have a very live feel and be easily transferrable to the stage." With the help of his backing band consisting of Bill Hicks on drums and Jay Stevens on bass, each of the tracks on Vicksburg Call are replete with the grooves, emotion and soulful delivery that David Gogo is known for. From the opening rocker “Cuts Me To The Bone”, the  bluesy “Fooling Myself”, featuring Kim Simmonds and the haunting “There’s A Hole”  with a guest appearance from Shawn Hall of The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer.  Vicksburg Call also highlights Gogo’s aptitude for selecting cover songs that one would not expect to hear on a blues album including Neil Young’s “The Loner”, Stephen Stills’ “Jet Set (Sigh)”, and Annie Lennox’s “Why”. “In the time that has passed since the last album, there has been a lot of loss in my life with the passing of friends and colleagues in the world of music. There were many sad days, but also tears of joy when I think back at fond memories from my time on the road”, Gogo recalls. “Relationships can also have their ups and downs as the years pass by, and many of my new songs deal with this. I tried to write from many viewpoints of love and loss, reconciliation, regret, acceptance and hope for new horizons.” Gogo’s passion for blues and his extraordinary, virtuosic guitar talents are laid bare alongside his emotions on this album - a combination that grabs you from the opening bars and keeps you hooked through all 10 tracks. davidgogo.com  /DavidGogoBlues  @DavidGogoBlues                              Photo by Scott Doubt Track Listing 1. Cuts Me To The Bone (3:19) 2. Fooling Myself (4:12) 3. The Loner (3:55) 4. There’s A Hole (3:26) 5. Jet Set (Sigh) (4:16) 6. What’s Not To Like? (3:01) 7. Our Last Goodbye (6:21) 8. Vicksburg Call (5:06) 9. Coulda Shoulda Woulda (2:37) 10. Why (5:29) Upcoming Tour Dates: August 14 - Class Axe Calabogie Blues & Ribfest, Calabogie, ON August 21 - Moose Hall, Nanaimo BC August 29 - Woofstock Music Festival, Prince George BC August 30 - PNE Mosaic Concert Series, Vancouver BC September 5 - Fascinating Rhythm, Nanaimo BC *in-store appearance September 11 - Waverly Hotel, Cumberland BC September 19 - The Bassment, Kamloops BC *solo September 25 - Ghost Town Blues - Maple Creek SK *solo October 1 - Ironwood Stage And Grill, Calgary AB October 3 - B Street Bar, Edmonton AB October 4 - Fratter’s Speakeasy, Red Deer AB October 10 - Tally Ho Sports Bar, Victoria BC October 16 - Canal Bank Shuffle, Thorold ON October 30 - Duncan Showroom, Duncan BC November 28 - De Flint, Amersfoort Netherlands December 4 - Theater De Molenburg, Delfzijl Netherlands December 5 - L’Esprit, Rotterdam Netherlands