Downchild - Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Toronto Blues Festival, from Downchild (The Downchild Blues Band) and it's packed full of blues and stars. Opening with piano boogie, Can You Hear The Music, with Mike Fonfara on keys,  Chuck Jackson on lead vocal and Donnie Walsh on harmonica, Chuck Jackson and Pat Carey on sax, Gary Kendall on bass and Mike Fitzpatrick on drums, this is a lively opener. David Wilcox joins on shuffle, It's A Matter Of Time adding slide and vocal. With great feel and energy, this is an all out party. I'm Gonna Tell Your Mama is packed with energy featuring Gene Taylor  piano and giving Walsh a great opportunity to really hang out there on harmonica. Very cool. Finland's favorite slide player, Erja Lyytinen joins on harmony vocal and slide guitar on Mississippi Woman, Mississauga Man, a cool blues rocker with Cajun kind of rhythm. Shotgun Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Kenny Neal on vocal and guitar. The longest track on the release, clocking in at over 9 minutes a solid slow blues number with plenty of  room for solos by Neal, Jackson and Carey. Very nice. Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd and band leader Paul Shaffer join on R&B classic, I Got Everything I Need (Almost) and the band gets into full swing. Walsh winds up his harmonica again and the party continues. Wrapping the release is Elmore James' TV Mama with Walsh on slashing slide and Walsh back upfront on vocal. Solid closer for a solid release. 

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Erja Lyytinen tour news story/ new live video

Erja Lyytinen is to release a new live album Live In London, via Tuohi Records on June 8^th. Dovetailing the release of the new album, Erja will embark on a 12-date UK tour this October along with a string of UK festival appearances.

2015 UK TOUR DATES

LINTON FESTIVAL                                                             FRIDAY JUNE 19

DURHAM BLUES FESTIVAL                                           SATURDAY JUNE 20

CLEETHORPES BLUES FESTIVAL                                  SUNDAY JUNE 21

DARLINGTON, DARLINGTON BLUES CLUB             FRIDAY OCTOBER 2

SHEFFIELD, THE GREYSTONES                                    SATURDAY OCTOBER 3

BARNES, BULL'S HEAD                                                   MONDAY OCTOBER 5

WOLVERHAMPTON, ROBIN 2                                     WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7

EDINBURGH, VOODOO ROOMS                                THURSDAY OCTOBER 8

KEIGHLEY, KEIGHLEY BLUES CLUB                            FRIDAY OCTOBER 9

OXFORD, HAVEN MUSIC CLUB                                   MONDAY OCTOBER 12

EVESHAM, IRON DOOR                                                 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14

CHISLEHURST, BEAVERWOOD CLUB                        THURSDAY OCTOBER 15

SUTTON, BOOM BOOM CLUB                                     FRIDAY OCTOBER 16

CHESTER, CHESTER BLUES FESTIVAL                        SATURDAY OCTOBER 17

FROME, FROME BLUES FESTIVAL                              SUNDAY OCTOBER 18

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Ruf Records artist: Meena - Try Me - New Release Review

I have been listening to the newest release, Try Me, by Meena. The recording contains 9 original tracks as well as a few classics and Meena is backed by Dave Smith on bass, Steve Potts on drums, Rick Steff on keys, and Chris Fillmore on guitar. First up is the title track, James Brown's classic Try Me. Meena is backed on vocals by Vickie Atkins, Sandy Carroll and Amyee Bragg who give it a genuine soul flavor. Guest artist Joanne Shaw Taylor plays a beautiful melodic solo staying in character with the tune. Send Me A Doctor is a rock track with Eric Sardinas contributing some cool slide guitar flare. Put Your Hands Out Of My Pocket is a solid soul fused blues track showing Meena's vocal range and giving Chris Fillmore a chance to play some pretty tasty guitar riffs. This Song Is For You would work nicely on the airwaves with a classic hook and memorable tune. Again Fillmore plays some tasty guitar riffs topping up an already strong entry. Meena belts out an enriched version of I'd Rather Go Blind and Fillmore again plays a tasty guitar solo. On Let Your Sweet Love Shine On Me, Meena picks the tempo with a Zydeco rhythm. I Shoot You Down again features Eric Sardinas on slide guitar and he gives it a pretty good workout. The final track, Just As I Am, is the best track on the recording featuring Shakura S'Aida as a contrast to Meena and Coco Montoya really spices up the track with his red hot guitar soloing.

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It Hurts Me Too - Erja Lyytinen

Erja Lyytinen is part of an exciting young generation of European blues artists who are carrying this traditional form of American music into the future. From her home in Finland, she has ventured out to captivate audiences throughout Europe and recorded albums in places as far flung as her own Seasound Studio in Helsinki and the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Acclaimed for her slide guitar playing abilities, keen songwriting and smooth vocal delivery, Lyytinen is committed to a life of music. And, as her newest release Voracious Love shows, she continues to develop and hone her craft.
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