Letizia Records artist: Gaetano Letizia & The Underworld Blues Band - Beatles Blues Blast - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beatles Blues Blast, from Gaetano Letizia & The Underworld Blues Band and it's a different look at the Beatles. This release covers 17 of the Fab Four's top hits with lots of twists and turns. Opening with Come Together, Gaetano Letizia on guitar and vocal, Mike D'Elia on drums and vocals and Lenny Gray on vocal and bass give the Beatles active guitar and a funky edge they never had. Beatles classic rocker Money gets a good workout with bluesy guitar riffs and even a visit to Surfaris land. Tax Man gets a shuffle beat, extended guitar lines and a fresh sound. While My Guitar Gently Weeps has a stately sound with solid guitar work, a snappier drum beat and "Vanilla Fudge" like vocal harmonies. One of my favorite remakes on the release is Latin flavored instrumental cover of And I Love Her. The band is well balanced with just the right amount of bass and drum under an expressive lead guitar melody. Very nice. Always a favorite, Blackbird as an instrumental maintains the beautiful melodic guitar work with more lively drum brushes and articulate guitar lead. Wrapping the release is A Day In The Life with a fairly straight forward cover of the original.

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Tom Letizia Records artist: Gaetano Letizia & The Underworld Blues Band - Ressurection - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Resurrection, from Gaetano Letizia & The Underworld Blues Band and it's quite interesting. Opening with title track, Resurrection, Gaetano Letizia shows you right up front that you are in for something special. Gaetano, who plays guitar and sings, is joined by Larry Keller on bass, Steve Renko on drums, Bill Ransom on percussion, Bob Esterle on sax, Mike Fisher on trumpet, Tim Keehn on trombone and Robin Stratton on vocal. A dynamic guitar intro unfolds into a jazzy, laid back shuffle with Letizia twisting the blues on his guitar as only he can do. Very nice. Old Guitar Player has a really nice drum line compliments Renko and Keller's bass work sets the tempo. Letizia's vocals are straightforward and his guitar playing fleet and stylistic. Very nice! Latin infused, Hot and Cold Woman, really moves and with Mike Fisher popping up the top on trumpet. Letizia's vocals are crisp and his rhythm guitar tight. His soloing on this track is slick and meaty. Keller and Renko set a solid bottom on Standing By The Door and Letizia injects a jazzy funk. Sit back and watch the sparks fly as this guy runs his solo lines and breathe easy listening to how nicely paired Keller and Renko are as they get wound up. On Nothin To Me, has a smoky feel with a heavy bottom and cool riffs. Mr. Bad Luck is a hot slow blues number with really nice guitar runs and blues phrasing, backed by Esterle, Keehn and Fisher. Very nice! Another track with a dash of Latin, Sylvester Loved The Ladies, features Ransom and Keller under Letizia's vocals. Esterle and Fisher cruise along nicely adding nice warmth and Letizia's Spanish style guitar riffs are well articulated. Heaven Or Hell had a funky feel with nice lines from Keller and Letizia's lead vocals nicely backed by Stratton. His guitar work is quick and interesting. Wrapping the release is Ascension, a rockin shuffle with ripping guitar lead, broken by nice jazz chords. This release shows several diverse influences fused into one power packed release. Check it out. It's way 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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Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists

Blind Raccoon Showcases Roots & Blues Artists Blind Raccoon is delighted to announce the line-up for its showcases happening during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. On January 21, 22 and 23, from 11:30am to 5pm, artists from Norway, Canada, California, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, and New York, a smorgasbord of roots and blues talent, will grace the stage. We have two 2015 Blues Music Award nominees - Vaneese Thomas & Missy Andersen, one 2015 IBC participant – Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band, as well as several former IBC contestants performing over the three days. Net proceeds from the showcases will benefit The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund, which provides assistance to blues musicians and their families in times of great financial need due to medical emergencies. Emcees are Peter "Blewzzman” Lauro of Mary4Music.com on Wednesday, Brett Fleming, host of Soul Stew, WEVL/Memphis, on Thursday, and Richard L’Hommedieu, producer of Live At The Midnight Circus and publisher of Making A Scene, on Friday. Blind Raccoon is a music marketing firm out of Memphis dedicated to spreading their artists’ music around the globe.

PERFORMERS Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band 2015 IBC participant Based in OH www.underworldblues.com Vaneese Thomas 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” (Blues For My Father) & “Soul Blues Female Artist” Based in NY, from Memphis www.vaneesethomas.com Magnus Berg Based in Norway www.magnusbergmusic.com The Reverend Shawn Amos Based in CA www.shawnamos.com Hurricane Ruth Former IBC participant Based in IL www.hurricaneruth.com Missy Andersen 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Female Artist” Missy Andersen was due to participate in this year’s IBC, but as she was nominated for a BMA, was eliminated from the competition. Based in CA www.missyandersen.com Suit Ty Thurrsty Based in CT www.suittythurrsty.com Anthony Gomes From Canada www.anthonygomes.com Early 2015 will see the release of Electric Field Holler, a guitar driven blues infused rock ‘n’ roll album that showcases Gomes‘ blistering six string work and whiskey soaked voice.    SCHEDULE Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:30am - Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band – I hour set 12:45pm - Vaneese Thomas – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Magnus Berg - 45 minute set 2:45pm – The Reverend Shawn Amos - 45 minute set 3:45pm - Hurricane Ruth – I hour set Thursday, January 22, 2015 11:30am - Missy Andersen – I hour set 12:45pm - Suit Ty Thurrsty – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Vaneese Thomas - 45 minute set 2:45pm - Anthony Gomes – I hour set 4pm The Reverend Shawn Amos – 45 minute set Friday, January 23, 2015 11:30am - Suit Ty Thurrsty – I hour set 12:45pm - Hurricane Ruth – 45 minute set 1:45pm - Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band - 45 minute set 2:45pm - Missy Andersen - 45 minute set 3:45pm - Magnus Berg – I hour set

~ REPRESENTING ~ Charlie Musselwhite ~ Juke Joint Chapel 57th Annual Grammy Award Nominee “Best Blues Album” 2015 Blues Music Award (BMA) Nominee “Harmonica” June Core ~ 2015 BMA Nominee “Drums” Gary Clark Jr. ~ Live 2015 BMA Nominee “Contemporary Blues Male Artist” Missy Andersen ~ In The Moment 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Female Artist” Otis Clay & Johnny Rawls ~ Soul Brothers 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” & “Soul Blues Male Artist” (Otis & Johnny) Vaneese Thomas ~ Blues For My Father 2015 BMA Nominee “Soul Blues Album” & “Soul Blues Female Artist” Altered Five Blues Band • Bobby Hurricane Spencer Chris Daniels & The Kings featuring Freddi Gowdy •D.A. Foster Grady Champion •Hurricane Ruth • Magnus Berg • Ray Goren The Reverend Shawn Amos

Tom Letizia Records artist: Gaetano Letizia and the Underworld Blues Band - Voodoo Doll & Other Blues Sessions - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Voodoo Doll & Other Blues Sessions, from Gaetano Letizia and the Underground Blues Band and it is really quite interesting and different. Opening with Big Foot, a fine jazzy instrumental romp featuring Letizia on guitar, Larry Keller on bass, Jake Tijerina on keys and Steve Renko on drums Letizia establishes a pretty high watermark for the rest of the release. Keller lays down a really nice bass solo on this track and overdriven guitar work from Letizia is way cool.Title track, Voodoo Doll, maintains the funky jazz rhythm with cool slap and pop bass work from Keller. More of a pop (Steely Dan) style track, Letizia adds some warm vocal work but it's his tasty guitar overlays that makes this a super track. Kill My Conscience continues along the pop jazz track with more of a BST kind of attack but without horns. The Devil Is A Nice Guy is funky pop track with a bit of sarcasm. Blending vocals with Ro Brown and popping with his jazzy guitar riffs through a closed wah, this track moves along pretty well. Tijerina lays out a cool organ solo on this track but the bass work of Keller and smokin drumming of Renko are right on. Sold My Soul maintains the jazzy funky beat but with some more adventurous guitar work...a bit looser jam. Hurt Myself is a slick shuffle tune with lead vocals by Bobby Huszar and a nice walking bass line by Keller and a cool hook. Slowing down the track takes on a bluesy turn for a nice conclusion. Bleed is a funky rocker with a strong guitar / drum interaction. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the release just base on it's overall flow. All I Need is an acoustic jazz number with some swift riffs. Blow The Blues Away has a real pop edge but is sharpened by some really slick guitar moves and strong bottom work from Renko and Keller. Torture Me is a bluesy ballad with Letizia doing vocal exchanges between his vocals and guitar. Very nice mix in triplets. Orange Sunglasses opens with a very cool bass riff. Building on this bottom the band creates a cool funky jam. Opening up later in the track as a wide open relentless ride, Tijerina lays down a smooth organ field. Wrapping the release is a quiet blues track called Big Secret. With a jazz edge, Letizia puts up some of the hottest guitar riffs on the release. This track morphs back and forth between a slow club blues and a faster paced shuffle track, but really a nice finish to a different take on the blues.

  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”