Dr. Izzy Band In "Night of Blues" at Toad Tavern

Denver area-based Dr. Izzy Band perform at a three-group "Night of Blues" at The Toad Tavern in Littleton on Friday, March 6.

DR. IZZY BAND PERFORM AT THREE-GROUP "NIGHT OF BLUES" AT THE TOAD TAVERN IN LITTLETON - FRIDAY, MARCH 6   (LITTLETON, CO) - Denver area-based  Dr. Izzy Band perform at a three-group "Night Of Blues" at The Toad Tavern, 5302 S. Federal Circle, in Littleton, Friday, March 6. Showtime: 8:30 p.m. Tickets $8.00. Info: (303)  795-6877 or http://toadtavern.ticketfly.com/. Also appearing: Eef and the Blues Express and Soulshine.                     THE STORY BEHIND THE ALBUM "BLIND AND BLUES BOUND"    Dr. Izzy Band's 2013 album Blind & Blues Bound is aptly named for their female lead singer/band frontperson Dr. Izzy, who is legally blind. "I always tell people ‘there are so many ways too see’, says Dr. Izzy, who was born with full vision but began to go blind at the age of nine. “You can feel peoples’ energy, discern their mood, through their voices and through the touch of their hand”. Dr. Izzy adds, “I love to go up into the mountains here in Colorado. I can’t see them, but I can smell them! I think I remember what things actually look like, but there’s no way for me to really know at this point. I think I remember what colors look like, but who knows if I’m correct. I know what my minds eye tells me, so that’s what I have to go by”.    Blind and Blues Bound features the vocals of legendary bluesman, James Cotton, on the opening track, "Matches Don't Burn Memories." The well-received disc was produced by noted Colorado Kenny Passarelli, who co-wrote the hit "Rocky Mountain Way" and has played with Joe Walsh, Elton John and Stephen Stills, among others. Passarelli also plays bass, Hammond organ, and piano on the album, which also features band co-leader Robert Morrison (guitar/vocals); Larry Thompson (drums); and guest musician, Otis Taylor, on banjo.    Jon Solomon of Denver's WESTWORD Magazine, in a review of Blind & Blues Bound, writes, "On the fiery opener 'Matches Don't Burn Memories' Dr. Izzy digs in, recalling some of Lucinda Williams' grittier efforts...she's equally compelling on the slower, more soulful cuts, such as 'One Last Walk.' Read the entire review here - http://www.westword.com/music/dr-izzy-band-5122710. "Dr. Izzy and her fellow musician's greatest gift is their lyrical and instrumental talent," writes BLUES BLAST. "One cannot deny the power of either. When you're 'Blind and Blues Bound,' troubles can bring triumph!"              DR. IZZY BAND - UPCOMING SHOWS & SPECIAL EVENTS ITINERARY March 6 (Fri.)                  THE TOAD TAVERN                 Littleton, CO March 26 ((Thur.)            NISSI'S                                    Lafayette, CO                                                                                           http://www.drizzyband.com/                         https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Izzy-Band/

The John Weeks Band - John Weeks Band - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, The John Weeks Band, by the John Weeks Band and it has a cool flavor. Opening with All Night, a laid back 12 bar number, Weeks on guitar and vocal, Andras "AC" Csapo on keys, Curtis Hawkins on bass and Tim "Chooch" Molinario on drums set the pace. Devil In My House has a bit more of a easy rock feel with Csapo on harp backing acoustic guitar and vocal by Weeks. Instrumental jump track Why Don't We Sleep On It, really kicks. Led by AC on harp and with a nice walking bass line by Hawkins, this track is built to spill. Weeks shows he knows his way up and down fretboard as he trades riffs with AC on harp. Very nice! How Can You Love Me settles down in a nice slow groove. Featuring cool organ work from AC, Weeks is back on lead vocal and quiet, steady guitar solo. I Want To Get Back Home has a definite rock beat with a taste of funk. AC steps up with fine lead harp work and Weeks plays some of his tastiest guitar riffs on the release. You Never Say What You Mean has a bluesy Latin feel, accented by Chooch's finesse on drums. AC takes a real nice organ ride on this track leading to a nice open solo from Weeks on guitar as well. Very nice! Wrapping the release is the funky Moving On. With Hawkins and Chooch setting the rhythm, Weeks lays down some of his nicest riffs and best tone on the release.

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"Denver's First Family of the Blues," Hornbuckle, Returns Home For 'Virtue & Vice' Tour

HORNBUCKLE, "DENVER'S FIRST FAMILY OF THE BLUES"

RETURNS HOME FOR 2-MONTH 'VIRTUE & VICE' TOUR

   (DENVER, CO) - Hornbuckle, "Denver's First Family of the Blues" recently celebrating 20 years together as a band, have come home. The brothers - guitarist/vocalist Michael Hornbuckle and brother, bassist/vocalist Brian Hornbuckle - kick off a two-month 'Virtue & Vice' tour of their home state with a show on Friday, May 23 at Dickens Opera House in Longmont (complete itinerary below). Virtue & Vice is the title of their recently-released album to critic's acclaim.

"Hornbuckle's sound is fresh and interesting...on Virtue & Vice these guys have managed to find a way to give the blues a mainstream, pop-driven sound, while at the same time staying true to their bluesy roots. The songs themselves are nothing short of excellent."       

                                     ROCK OVER AMERICA

"Not since ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughn has there been a band that could wind a mean bar room boogie and bring the blues home like the Hornbuckle Brothers. Michael & Brian Hornbuckle take their inherited skill and bring serious fire to the front house in Virtue & Vice, their latest, and what will probably be recognized as one of the best new independently produced albums of the year."

                                                  XOMBIEWOOF MAGAZINE

  In a recent interview Michael Hornbuckle was asked about the difference between the music scenes in Los Angeles (where he has recently settled) and Denver. "The difference is significant. You would think that the huge population and the incredible talent that is in L.A. would equate to packed clubs that pay well, but that is not necessarily the case. There are gems in L.A. where you can see world-class players performing for tips in a small bar.  L.A. is geared for production and that’s what most the serious cats do there. They play live for fun but the paying work is in a studio somewhere. Denver, on the other hand, is geared for live music. If you can play then you can gig.  We have the occasional breakout act, but mostly it’s about building a following and playing the rounds. The Metro Denver area is very spread out, so each city has its own crowd. It’s because of that that there is a circuit a band can do without burning out the area. Denver is not like, say Kansas City, where you are accessible to the whole MidWest to play clubs. Denver is far from any other major market so people here appreciate what they have and support their musicians."

     In discussing their new album, Brian Hornbuckle says, "On “Virtue and Vice” we try and cover a lot of ground; sixteen songs of memories, love, lust, protest and personal discovery. We really tried to infuse as many influences as possible while still keeping continuity from song to song. We did some reggae in “Complicated”, funk in “Slave to the Benjamins,” a Latin feel on “Moment In Time” and a 70’s rock feel in “Ride Away”. All of it injected with the blues since that is still the main language we speak musically."

HORNBUCKLE 'VIRTUE & VICE' TOUR - LIVE SHOWS & SPECIAL EVENTS

May 23 (Fri.)              DICKENS OPERA HOUSE               Longmont, CO

June 1 (Sun.)        ZIGGIES LIVE MUSIC                      Denver, CO

June 7 (Sat.)         ANGELO'S CD (IN-STORE GIG)      Denver, CO

June 14 (Sat.)           ZIGGIES LIVE MUSIC                                Denver, CO

June 27 (Fri.)        STARGAZERS THEATER                 Colorado Springs, CO

July 5 (Sat.)          THE ORIENTAL THEATER               Denver, CO

July 6 (Sun.)         ZIGGIES LIVE MUSIC                      Denver, CO

July 18 (Fri.)             ZOO BAR                                                        Lincoln, NB

July 19 (Sat.)        ZIGGIES LIVE MUSIC                      Denver, CO

July 23 (Wed.)      HERMAN'S HIDEAWAY                   Denver, CO  

July 26 (Sat.)        CONTINENTAL ROOM/LOUNGE     Denver, CO

                                www.hornbucklemusic.com

               https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hornbuckle

Rock Over America - CD Review

All Access Magazine - Interview

Xombiewoof - CD Review

Bald Headed Woman - Cool Papa Sadler

Haskell Robert Sadler, also known as Cool Papa Sadler (April 16, 1935 — May 6, 1994) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born in Denver, Colorado, Sadler played a number of times at the San Francisco Blues Festival. He was one of the members of the San Francisco Bay Area blues scene from the 1960s through to the 1990s. Sadler wrote "747" as recorded by Joe Louis Walker. He died in Berkeley, California in 1994  


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Catfish Blues - Corey Harris

Corey Harris was born in Denver, Colorado to parents from Texas and Kentucky. He is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and band leader who has carved out his own niche in blues. A powerful singer and accomplished guitarist, he has appeared at venues throughout the North America, Europe, Brazil, The Caribbean, West Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He began his career as a New Orleans street singer, travelling throughout the southern U.S. In his early twenties he lived in Cameroon, West Africa for a year, which had a profound effect on his later work. He has recorded many old songs of the blues tradition while also creating an original vision of the blues by adding influences from reggae, soul, rock and West African music. His 1995 recording, Between Midnight and Day, is a tribute to the tradition of acoustic blues. Subsequent recordings, such as Greens From the Garden (1999), Mississippi to Mali (2003), and Daily Bread (2005) show Harris’ maturation from interpreter to songwriter. Some of his imaginative compositions are marked by a deliberate eclecticism; other works stay true to the traditional blues formula of compelling vocals and down-home guitar. With one foot in tradition and the other in contemporary experimentation, Harris is a truly unique voice in contemporary music. He has performed, recorded, and toured with many of the top names in music such as BB King, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Henry Butler, R.L.Burnside, John Jackson, Ali Farka Toure, Dave Mattews Band, Tracy Chapman, Olu Dara, Wilco, Natalie Merchant, and others. His additional recordings include Fish Ain’t Bitin’ (1996), Vu-Du Menz (with Henry Butler, 2000), Downhome Sophisticate (2002), and Zion Crossroads (2007).blu black ( 2010 ). In 2003 Harris was a featured artist and narrator of the Martin Scorcese film, “Feel Like Going Home,” which traced the evolution of blues from West Africa to the southern U.S. In 2007, he was awarded a $500,000 MacArthur Fellowship – commonly referred to as a “genius award” – from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The annual grant, which recognizes individuals from a wide range of disciplines who show creativity, originality and commitment to continued innovative work, described Harris as an artist who “forges an adventurous path marked by deliberate eclecticism.” That same year, he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine.

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SuperCool (This is amazing)

“just put me in a wheel chair and get me to the show” – Jeffrey Marshall SuperCool is a band with an incredible story, and the musical goods to back it up. Jeffrey Marshall (bass and vocals) was born with no arms or hands, and has an amazing self taught bass technique which has to be seen to be believed. Jeffrey jokes about obviously not being enthusiastic about sports as a kid, thus leaving music as his main pursuit. He has had to figure out how to play the bass without any possibility of learning his instrument by seeing how others do it. Not only is he a soulful bass player, delivering dynamic and passionate bass lines, but is able to do this while singing lead and playing harmonica. Daniel Levanti (guitar and vocals) has honed his guitar skills at Berklee College of Music, and through touring during his years in Europe. Daniel’s guitar playing has over the years with Supercool evolved into a style identifiable throughout the textures of diverse sounds and emotions which the band has come to be known for. David Koller (drums and vocals) is an extremely accomplished musician from Prague, and an icon of the Czech music scene. From 1987 to 2005 he was drummer, guitarist, and lead singer for the band, Lucie, which turned out dozens of songs now thoroughly imbedded in the culture of Czech and Slovak rock and pop music. Since then he’s delved into his solo work with a zeal and intention that’s recently earned him comparisons with the likes of Sting and Peter Gabriel. His most recent album, “Ted A Tady” (”Here and Now”), released in late 2010, has already been nominated for best album of the year. Part of their intriguing story is that these musicians all met in Prague, Czech republic. Jeffrey one day pulled out a map at home in Denver Colorado, after friends had encouraged him to travel. He closed his eyes and randomly pointed his toe at it. By chance his toe landed on Prague. Soon after Jeffrey was there, where he was later to meet Daniel, who’s story of how he came to find himself in Prague goes actually along somewhat similar lines. He too was itching for a change after he felt his days in Boston had run their course. Sipping coffee on Newbury St. he overheard someone telling exalted stories about the city he’d just returned from… Prague. He’d heard enough, and resolved to get there somehow. Roughly a year later Daniel and Jeffrey inevitably crossed paths, with the help of some friends, in the Prague music scene. From this moment they’ve been an inspiration to each other as songwriting partners and friends. At first collaboration, they both fell immediately in love with the sound they created together. Despite the apparent randomness of their hooking up, they have found a solid musical partnership. As roommates they were able to share and unite emotions and experiences and turn them into songs. Jeffrey mentions an example: “when you are dealing with Czech women, you never run out of love songs”. Soon after they began creating music together, there was a gap that needed desperately to filled, that of the drummer, of course. Fortunately enough, and this is one in a litany of examples where the legendary “Prague magic” has materialized on the Supercool stage, Daniel’s future wife, Katia, whom he’d just met at their first official concert, was a good friend of David. After an introduction David invited the guys to his studio where they recorded a demo with Pavel Razim on drums. This led to a succession of talented drummers, which included also Vasek Polansky and Barry Becker, who all appeared on the band’s first album, Supercool, Greatest Hits Vol. I, available on Earwave Records. It was only much later, in 2005, that while organizing a benefit concert for the studio full of guitars (one of Daniel’s and seven of Jeffrey’s), that were stolen in Prague while Daniel and Jeffrey were in Nashville checking out the music scene, that Supercool as it exists now, first took the stage. Meant to be a one night line-up, the band clicked so well that the notion was immediately born that this band should play together. So now, five years and a dozen cities later, Supercool has released their second album, Greatest Hits Vol. II. It’s available now from Championship Music (championship.cz). 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 favorite band!