BEM Records artist: Eamonn McCormack - Storyteller - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Storyteller, from Irish blues-rock sensation, Eamonn McCormack and it touches on many faces of european rock. Opening with The Great Famine, a folky rock tune with atmospheric backing and tight rock guitar riffs, Eamonn (pronounced A-min) McCormack  leads on vocal and guitar, backed by Edgar Karg on bass, Max Jung-Poppe on drumsand Arne Weigand on keys. Sounding a bit like David Bowie with the Beatles, Help Me To Understand is a sool, low key rocker with a solid bass line by Karg and powerful vocals by Eamonn. Jacking up the rock side of the business, Tie One On sounds like it's heavily influenced by Thin Lizzy with it's snappy drum rhythm and super Rory Gallagher like slide work. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is hard driving, Cowboy Blues, with it's tight bottom and slashing slide work. Very cool. On blues ballad, In A Dream, McCormack is up front on vocal with solid support from Weigand on organ and long, melodic guitar lead giving the track broad crowd appeal. Another of my favorites on the release s straight up rocker, With No Way Out. Tight drumming and a driving bass line is the secret here with simple straight ahead rhythm. Cold Cold Heart has a lot of swagger with a solid walking bass line, creative vocal presentation and rowdy guitar work. Very cool. Wrapping the release is tight rocker, Make My Move, with high energy drums, a thumping bass and soaring roffs complimenting McCormack's vocal work. This is a diverse release with some real cool rock onboard. 

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Proper Records artist: Bap Kennedy - Let's Start Again - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (February 3, 2014), Let's Start Again, from Bap Kennedy and it's quite entertaining. Opening with the title track, Let's Start Again, Kennedy creates the feel of real wholesome American country (rock) music. Very clean and straightforward with Richard Nelson on pedal steel, the band sounding quite like Gram Parsons. Excellent! Revelation Blues is a bit more fast paced with John Fitzpatrick behind the melody on fiddle and Rabb Bennett on train like drums. Another strong track. If Things Don't Change is a boogie track with slide giving it a bit more of a relaxed feel. Kennedy is an excellent song writer and backing vocals by Maura Donaghy, Mudd Wallace and Tony Hughes add substantially to the feel of the track. King of Mexico has a simple pop sound with a south of the border/Caribbean feel. Song Of Her Desire is a zippy little ballad. Again, well constructed this is a track that could easily reach strong airplay. Radio Waves is another strong candidate for airplay with nice vocal harmonies with Brenda Kennedy and simple country styling. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Heart Trouble, a "Texas" swing track with nice touches by fiddler Fitzpatrick and steel melody by Nelson. A cool instrumental interlude on steel and fiddle, complimented by John McCullough on keys highlights this track in my mind. Under My Wing has a light Caribbean rhythm and Kennedy's vocals shine along with clean acoustic guitar riffs. Strange Kid is a clever little track with an almost Harry Nilsson like flare. Highlights on mandolin by Noel Lenaghan, as well as Nelson on steel, and Gordy McAllister on electric guitar add to this bright playful track. Fool's Paradise has a definitive sound of "the islands" with a catchy melody and simple adornment. Let It Go, the final track on the release, takes a more serious country waltz approach with traditional vocal duet by the Kennedys. "By the book" steel guitar and fiddle with bottom on organ by McCullough makes this another of the strongest tracks on the release. Although not much here for traditional "blues only" listeners, this is a strong release and one that should find broad appeal. Very nice!

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I'd Rather Go Blind - Grainne Duffy Band

Gráinne Duffy is an Irish singer-songwriter from Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. All Access Magazine described her music as a "powerhouse of soul and inspiration mixed with desire and passion". Her Success has led her to play 3 days on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2008, UK. and Blues On The Bay Festival 2008 in Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland, which has been twice headlined by Van Morrison. Grainne Duffy has opened for many major acts including Robben Ford, Dino Baptiste, Shawn Jones and The Yardbirds. Her tracks have also made it on many BBC Radio Ulster playlists including Alan Simpson's Playlist, Late Show with Cherrie as well as the blog of BBC Presenter Stuart Bailie Grainne Duffy has also been asked to record Oleta Adams' Get Here if you Can for the BBC in George Martin's renowned Air Studios in London  

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Last Night - Parchman Farm Blues Band

Five piece classic Chicago / Texas style blues band , with a large helping of original material. Tommy Grime's ... Vocals Pete Mc Gowan ... Guitar Tony Poland ... Harp Ciaron Brougham ... Bass Fran Dowling ... Drums  






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Hoochie Coochie Man - Don Baker

Don Baker (born 26 August 1950) is an Irish blues musician and actor. Baker was born in Whitehall, Dublin. He is a singer-songwriter who plays the harmonica and the guitar. He appeared in several films, his most notable appearance being in In the Name of the Father. He also published harmonica instruction books and videos. In August 2008, he appeared in RTÉ's reality show Fáilte Towers,[1] finishing in third place, earning money for his charity "Health Action Overseas". He also plays gangster Thomas Flynn in Irish soap opera Fair City  





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Eamonn McCormack

Eamonn was born in the center of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland and was raised on a North side Suburb. He started out on the acoustic guitar at nine years of age. Earliest influences included Slade, Cat Stevens, Neil Young and Rory Gallagher. By twelve he was singing along with his guitar and performing at church folk masses. Soon, finding the church music somewhat restricting the young teenager acquired his first electric guitar (a Guild Starfire) progressed to lead guitar and joined a local garage cover band prior to playing his first paid gig. By now influences extending to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Thin Lizzy and Dutch group Focus. At sixteen Eamonn performed live on a national Irish radio show. Around this time he also won a major high school competition performing his own material. After a short stint playing in various bands throughout Ireland, Eamonn headed off to the U.S.A. where he performed extensively. There he broadened his musical horizons, gained vital stage experience and absorbed fresh American music and cultural influences. This blended together nicely with his earlier influences. Returning to Ireland after four years traveling and performing in the States Eamonn was by now developing a very unique sound and style all of his own. This style was solidified whilst Eamonn performed extensively under the stage name “Samuel Eddy” establishing himself across Europe, the hard way, through a grueling tour schedule. Samuel Eddy and his band were rewarded for their efforts as they garnered the reputation of Major European Music Festival Favorites. Eamonn as Samuel Eddy signed with Universe Productions/Virgin Records and SPV records worldwide. Recorded three critically acclaimed studio albums that sold very well confirming that an exciting young up and coming World Class Guitarist was emerging out of Ireland. Throughout the Nineties also saw a young Eamonn play, tour and record with many of his earliest guitar influences such as Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Jan Akkerman (ex. Focus ) and Nils Lofgren. Another highlight of this period was Eamonn and his Bands unforgettable performance at the Parkpop festival in Holland to an audience of around a half a million people, sharing the bill with Robert Plant and more. Eamonn also got to play the prestige Rockpalast in Germany, which was televised and broadcast right across Europe. Eamonn and his band have been described by the press as “A Modern Day Power Trio” and that is something that has not changed to this day. His performances both live and in the studio are a force to be reckoned with. Early 2002 Eamonn toured in Europe with Californian Blues-rock guitar ace Walter Trout and New York guitar slinger Popa Chubby as well as recording 8 new tracks engineered by Paul Thomas ( U2, Phil Lynott ) in Dublin before finishing the year successfully with a blinding show opening for the legendary ZZ Top in Amsterdam. After the Amsterdam concert Eamonn decided to take a break from the road, travel the world, write some new material, jammed with various artistes in the USA and back home set up the successful Indie record label True Talent Records developing young Irish Rock talent such as Leanne Harte and Glyder. On True Talent Records Eamonn decided to release a best of album; mainly of Samuel Eddy tracks featuring previously released re-mastered and some newer un-released songs. He also decided to drop his old stage name and revert to his real name Eamonn McCormack. Enter the surprise worldwide success of “Kindred Spirits” featuring tracks with special guests Rory Gallagher, Jan Akkerman, Herman Brood and Keith Donald. Following the success of “Kindred Spirits” (which by 2009 had put an end to his almost eight year hiatus from the road) returned to the road full time and is fast establishing his profile as one of the finest Bluesrock performers on the Worlld bluesrock circuit. 2011 saw Eamonn, now one of Ireland’s finest guitarists sign a worldwide 4 album, 2 DVD record deal with In Akustik Records and a new album recorded live in Tool House Studios, Germany titled: “Heal My Faith” released on Feb. 17th 2012 in Europe & Japan. USA release 8th May. Yet again using the tried and tested power trio format Eamonn is backed by the top rhythm section consisting of Marc – Inti on bass and Josef Kirschgen on the drums. Some summer festivals this year will see Eamonn joined on stage by the legendary guitarist Brian “Robbo” Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motorhead, Wild Horses). Eamonn is a true artiste, a master of his craft who always performs with that heart-felt passion synonymous with true Irish music legends in the making…

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Dave McHugh & Lee Hedley

Dave McHugh has been playing the blues for 21 years or so now. In 1996, he was voted Blues Newcomer of the Year at the Temple Bar Blues Festival, Dublin. Now aged 39, and based in and from Dublin, Ireland, he has played with many great Irish musicians over the years including Brian Downey, Shane MacGowan, John Earle, Jerome Rimson, Gerry MacAvoy, Mark Feltham, Robbie Brennan, Brush Shiels, Noel Bridgeman, Leo Barnes, Samuel Eddy, The Walls, Jape, Mary Stokes, Peter Moore, Eamonn McCormack and many others. With his beloved Fender Strat and Marshall amp, Dave and his band are a mainstay on the Irish and European blues scene. Whether it's opening the Alkmaar Blues Festival in The Netherlands on a barge (yes, it's true! see here - YouTube Page) or playing on the Danube, The Dave McHugh Band are up for any challenge! Specialising in raw Rory Gallagher type blues, Dave has also been compared to Gary Moore and Freddie King. Despite the heavy influence of all the great blues masters, Dave has his own unique style, soon to be realised with the forthcoming release of a new album of original material.


 Lee Hedley Band is one of Ireland's premier rock blues acts. A 4 piece band consisting of the basic guitar/ bass /drums scenario, fronted by Lee Hedley, on vox, harmonica, and occasionally, slide guitar. The Lee Hedley band is a rare commodity these days. They are TRUE to their musical roots, with a sound that blends a lot of classic rock and blues legends including Free, The Who, J Geils Band, Creedence Clearwater, The Band, Led Zepplin, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Eric Clapton, BB King, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Ike Turner, Dr Feelgood, Nine Below Zero, Rory Gallagher plus many many more...... The band has Lee and guitarist Lou doing an acoustic set at 6 every Friday and the full band from 9.45-12 residency in Belfast's Kitchen Bar. Hope to see you all there!!!!!!!! US Agent Greg Jordan has just signed Lee Hedley and the band for 3 years to bring them to the USA!!!!!!!!! Original material is being written at the moment for a new album solely to launch whilst touring the states. Newtownards born Lee Hedley also joined forces with Irelands fastest growing label Urban Angel Music (www.urbanangelmusic.com). Lee signed with the label in October 2007 and has released his first major single Everywhere I Go onto i-tunes and over 50 on-line stores worldwide. Lee who has shared the stage with such artists as The Corrs and Westlife; Irish Soul Band The Commitments and Dublin's very own Blues Harmonica maestro Don Baker, whom Bono from U2 has been quoted as being "...the best blues harmonica player in the world". Lee has enjoyed numerous TV appearances and has been one of the elite few of Irish rock blues artists to record a live session on the Paul Jones Blues Show for BBC Radio 2. Lee's 'Blues for Concern' album in 2000 caught the attention of Old Grey Whistle Test presenter "Whispering" Bob Harris, who immediately handed it to Ex- Mannfred Man frontman Paul Jones, who in turn set up the session with Lee's band (formerly called Beale Street Boogie Band). But even with all of the above, the highlight for the Lee Hedley Band was most definitely the 3 successful Irish Tours with Ex-Muddy Waters Chicago Blues guitarist, John Primer and the Chicago blues supreme Phil Guy, who sadly passed away in August 2008.


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Henry McCullough Rock guitarist seriously ill in hospital ! - John Francis Kavanagh - Dublin Blues Club

Henry McCullough is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band.
Henry McCullough is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a heart attack.
The 69-year-old from Portstewart, Northern Ireland, was taken ill on Monday night.
McCullough, who played with Joe Cocker at the famous Woodstock festival in 1969, is being treated at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
A spokeswoman for the hospital said he was in a "critical condition".
The rock guitarist embarked on a successful solo career after his time playing with Paul McCartney in Wings.
He is perhaps best known for his playing on Wings' number one hit My Love.
His sister Rae Morrison said the family were very distressed.
"He is very special person," she said. "It really is a very worrying time for us."
Henry McCullough is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band.

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”

THE MARY STOKES BAND Play The Cork Jazz Festival 2 shows 4pm & 10pm 26th-27th-28th Oct.

The Mary Stokes Band are returning the world famous Cork Jazz Festival for another weekend run at the legendary Counihan’s Pub, Pembroke St. Joining Mary on stage in Cork will be Andrea Rodo on guitar, Brian Palm, harmonica, Steve Tierney, bass and Lee Boylan on drums. You can catch Mary and the band on Friday 26th, Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th. Two shows each day at 4pm and 10pm. New album "Avenue "Breakdown" available at all shows.

Visit Dublin Blues Club at: http://bluesclub.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
 

Down to the Wire - Simon McBride

Simon McBride started playing the guitar when he was ten. By age 15 and entirely self-taught, he was good enough to enter Guitarist Magazine’s Young Guitarist of The Year, a performance competition staged at Wembley Conference Centre, which he won against strong competition. Even before that achievement, Simon was endorsed by the notable American guitar builder Paul Reed Smith, a relationship that continues to this day. Other PRS artists include Al Di Meola, Santana and Buddy Guy. Observers of the blues-rock scene are calling Simon McBride the natural heir to Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore. Like these icons he hails from Ireland and from Moore’s hometown, Belfast. He is an astoundingly good guitarist, a fine singer and a prolific songwriter. His first professional job – at age 16 – took him into heavy metal territory with the Belfast-based pioneering metal band Sweet Savage, who reformed in 1994 without their founding guitarist, Vivian Campbell (Dio, Def Leppard), who Simon replaced. Simon toured with the band and recorded two albums, Killing Time 1996 and Rune 1998. After leaving Sweet Savage in 1998, He joined fellow Irishman Andrew Strong, who had made his name in the 1991 cult film The Commitments and went on to a successful singing career. Playing with Strong was in stark contrast to Sweet Savage. As Simon says, the change of musical style was a useful and enjoyable learning experience. He spent six years touring with Strong before leaving to pursue the idea of a solo career. Simon then spent several years playing with bands local to Belfast while writing songs and honing his production skills. His strongest influences have been players from a Blues and R&B background, guitarists such as Hendrix and Jeff Beck, so not surprisingly that is where his solo career became focused. In 2008 Simon approached Nugene – notable for handling guitarists and blues artists – with a collection of songs that became his debut album, Rich Man Falling (“Hugely accomplished” MOJO. “Blues Rock Par Excellence” CLASSIC ROCK). The band was targeted initially at continental Europe and with representation by Live Nation in the Netherlands Simon played major festivals. In the UK he has supported Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Satriani and Derek Trucks. Then followed a second album Since Then (“there is a new star on the horizon” Guitar Techniques. “Ireland has a knack of throwing up diamondS” HIFI+). In support of the album Simon toured the UK opening for guitar legend Joe Satriani and earned rave reviews for his performances. In 2012 he released Nine Lives, an album of mostly live recordings proving that on stage he can make a sound every bit as good as his studio albums. He delivers powerful renditions of songs from his two studio albums together with a previously unreleased song (Fire Me Up). The album also carries four bonus tracks in which he reprises songs in a stripped down acoustic format, demonstrating just how natural a guitarist and singer he is. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Nugene Records artist: Simon McBride - Crossing The Line - New Release Review

I just received the soon to be released recording, Crossing The Line, by Simon McBride. This new recording bridges a number of rock/blues genres but one thing that is consistent are the solid vocals and the strong guitar work of McBride. Lead Us Away is a strong composition bringing to mind Black Label Society of Mahogany Rush. No Room To Breathe has the structure of a blues ballad. The vocals and guitar work are powerful and the hook is solid. This guy really rips actually! Strong airplay possibility here. Starve This Fever is a real arena blues track with the potential to blow your hair back. McBride is highly accomplished and has the recorded presence of Gary Moore or Joe Bonamassa. Alcatraz takes on a bit of the Latin rhythm but the addition of horns pumps the track out of the standard blues rock idiom. Again McBride's finger work shows that he is an absolute guitar master. One More Try is another ballad set up to feature McBrides vocals and hard hitting soloing. If you like blues/rock ballads it's hard to refute this guy's talent. Heartbreaker is a strong rocker with strong roots in the blues. The rhythm guitar on this track has great tone and the guitar lead is light and fast. This is the track for the rockers! Home To Me gets a bit of the southern US into it's sound. It is different than the balance of the record but it blends quite nicely with the southern guitar rhythms and riffs. Down To The Wire (Revisited) closes the recording with a strong slow blues rock anthem. McBride lays down additional fireworks which are sure to gather fans. Contrasting backing vocals add a nice touch to this cool track.
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Mean Disposition - Dave McHugh Band

Blues Guitarist Dave McHugh has spent the past 15 years keeping the music of the great Rory Gallagher alive and well. This year alone Dave headlined the 6th annual Rory Gallagher review in Wiesbaden, Germany; the Wijk aan Zee festival in The Netherlands, and the 'Rock on the Ferry' festival in Glasgow. As well as tours on the continent, Dave and his band (Alan Devitt on Drums and Peter Butler on Bass) have toured throughout Ireland extensively, playing in bars and clubs. The band have also headlined the International Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon, the Cork Rocks for Rory Festival in Cork City, and the Cashelised Festival in Cashel, Co. Tipperary. The band is tight and fluid, and play a full 3 hour set of blues driven Rory Gallagher music; from early Taste classics such as 'Sugar Mama' and 'What's goin' on' to tunes like 'Tatoo'd Lady' and 'Walk on Hot Coals' and onto such acoustic numbers as 'Walkin Blues' and 'Out on the Western Plain'. And there is a good chance that 'Bullfrog Blues' will finish off a rockin' night!....
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Rory Gallagher re-mastered albums (1975-1982) released 1st October

RORY GALLAGHER
THE NEXT SERIES OF CLASSIC ALBUMS
RE-MASTERED AND REISSUED
Includes Original Artwork, Bonus Tracks, Exclusive Booklet
CD (Digipack), Download & Vinyl
Released Monday 1st October 2012

Sony Legacy Recordings in association with Capo Records, is proud to announce the next series of Rory Gallagher’s classic albums re-mastered. The reissued series of classic albums continues with the following Rory Gallagher albums released in chronological order from 1975 – 1982. Albums include ‘Against The Grain’ (1975), ‘Calling Card’ (1976), ‘Photo-Finish’ (1978), ‘Top Priority’ (1979), and ‘Jinx’ (1982).

Picking up where Rory left off with the phenomenal ‘Irish Tour ‘74’ live album, the release of 1975’s ‘Against The Grain’, found Rory at the top of his game and in sparkling form both in the studio and on stage. The next seven years saw the release of these five outstanding records.

Each reissue has been digitally re-mastered to stunning effect from the original ¼ inch tapes and features digitally restored original vinyl release album artwork, new booklet content and bonus tracks. All five albums will be released in the UK on October 1st for a limited period in deluxe digi-packaging.

Rory Gallagher was a musician like no other. He was, and still is, one of the world’s greatest guitarists, singers, song writers and live showmen. His music lives on through generations of guitarists including Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Brian May, Johnny Marr and The Edge; and also through his amazing catalogue including some of his finest works included in this collection of releases.

Each of the five studio albums are now re-released in digipack form, with restored artwork based on the original first release cover art. The audio has been re-mastered from the original ¼” inch tapes. Each album includes exclusive sleeve notes, album reviews and rare photographs.

"Continuing on from last year’s 40th Anniversary of Rory Gallagher's solo career, we’re pleased to present his next five solo albums from 1975-1982," says Daniel Gallagher, Rory’s Nephew and producer of the reissues. "The interest in Rory's music is still so strong that we can continue to celebrate the man's music by re-issuing more of his studio albums. We’re going back to the vinyl artwork and original 1/4" tapes so that they look and sound exactly as Rory intended. It's also great to see in a digital world that the demand for a physical copy of Rory's music means we can release these albums on vinyl for the first time in almost 40 years."

‘Against The Grain’ was originally released in 1975. This deluxe reissue features original release album reviews written by Cameron Crowe of Rolling Stone.

‘Calling Card’ was originally released in 1976. This deluxe reissue features an interview with ‘Calling Card’ producer and Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover, plus the previously unreleased track ‘Where Was I Going To?’

‘Photo-Finish' was originally released in 1978. This deluxe reissue features an album review written by David Fricke in Circus magazine in 1980, plus two bonus tracks.

Top Priority was originally released in 1979. This deluxe reissue features a CREEM magazine album review from 1980, plus two bonus tracks ‘Hell Cat’ and ‘The Watcher’.

‘Jinx’ was originally released in 1982. The reissue boasts a review of the album originally published in Melody Maker, plus two bonus tracks ‘Nothin’ But The Devil’ and ‘Lonely Mile’.

www.rorygallagher.com

Bullfrog Blues - Gerry McAvoy's Band of Friends

GERRY McAVOY’S BAND OF FRIENDS - A CELEBRATION OF RORY GALLAGHER’S MUSIC
There are many tribute bands playing the music of Rory Gallagher; some good some not so good but what they are doing is keeping the music of this great musician alive.
Rory’s music reached a massive audience from Norway to Spain, from Japan to the USA, Covering all parts of the globe and producing some of the greatest rock/blues albums of the 60’s 70,s and the 80, s. Sadly we lost Rory on 14th June 1995, to his devoted fans and followers this was the ultimate tragedy.

The BAND OF FRIENDS is not a tribute to Rory, more a celebration of his life and music.

The band consists of musicians who played with Rory throughout his career.

GERRY McAVOY (Bass Guitar) played with Rory for 20 years; from 1971 to 1991 and because of this has a great insight into the man and his music. Gerry played on every album Rory ever made. He also wrote a book following his career which was published in 2005. “RIDING SHOTGUN”, “ON THE ROAD” its German title. www.ridingshotgun.co.uk. (Deep Joy/Champion Jack Dupree/Rory Gallagher Band/Nine Below Zero).

TED McKENNA (Drums) played with Rory from 1977 to 1981. Ted is a rock drummer’s drummer. He has played with numerous rock legends and has recorded some of the top albums of our time. (Teargas/The Sensational Alex Harvey Band/Rory Gallagher Band Greg Lake/Gary Moore/Michael Schenker Band).

MARCEL SCHERPENZEEL (Guitar) grew up with Rory’s music and Gerry is quoted as saying “This is the closest guitarist to Rory you will ever hear” (Wolfpin)


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The Jack / If You Be My Baby - Lee Hedley Band

Lee "The Fixer" Hedley - Frontman and Harmonica and Slide Guitar - Originally taken under the wing of family friend and Irish Soul / Blues Legend, the late Sam Mahood, Lee has been fronting and blowing blues-harmonica for various Rock and Blues outfits since 1991. Lee has played on the same stage and supported an endless list of stars from various genres on his way up the long and seamingly never ending 'showbiz' ladder. These include some other homegrown, but household pop names such as The Corrs and Westlife; Irish Soul Band The Commitments and Dublin's very own Blues Harmonica maestro Don Baker, whom Bono from U2 has been quoted as being "...the best blues harmonica player in the world". Lee has enjoyed numerous TV appearances and has even recorded a live session on the Paul Jones Blues Show for BBC Radio 2. Lee's 'Blues for Concern' album in 2000 caught the attention of Old Grey Whistle Test presenter "Whispering" Bob Harris, who immediately handed it to Ex- Manfred Man frontman Paul Jones, who in turn set up the session with Lee's band (formerly called Beale Street Boogie Band). But even with all of the above, the highlight for the Lee Hedley Band was most definitely the Irish Tours with Ex-Muddy Waters Chicago Blues guitarist, John Primer & also the late Phil Guy.
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Slow Blues - Eric Bell

Eric Robin Bell (born 3 September 1947 in East Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a Northern Irish rock musician and guitarist, best known as a founder member and the original guitarist of the rock group Thin Lizzy.
Bell began his career with local groups around the Belfast area, including the last incarnation of Them to feature Van Morrison, between September and October 1966. He also played with a number of other bands including Shades of Blue, The Earth Dwellers and The Bluebeats, before joining an Irish showband named The Dreams. He left in 1969 having tired of the showband format, and at the end of that year he formed a band with local musicians Phil Lynott, Eric Wrixon and Brian Downey. Bell named the group Thin Lizzy, after Tin Lizzie, a robot character in The Dandy comic.
In 1974, after a brief period fronting his own Eric Bell Band, Bell was recruited by ex-Jimi Hendrix sideman Noel Redding, along with keyboardist Dave Clarke and drummer Les Sampson, to form The Noel Redding Band. Bell was initially unsure of the musical direction Redding was taking, but went on to record two albums with the group before they split in 1976. A third album of unused tracks was released in 1995. Bell composed the song "Love and War" for the second album, Blowin'.
In 1980, Bell reunited with Thin Lizzy to record a tribute song to Jimi Hendrix, "Song for Jimmy" , which was released as an orange flexi disc and given away with Flexipop Magazine in August 1981. It was later included on the Thin Lizzy Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels box set in 2002. Bell also appeared as a guest on Thin Lizzy's final tour in 1983, and the accompanying live album, Life.

Bell had also reactivated his own band in the late 1970s, and released an E.P. in 1981.

Bell subsequently joined saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith's eight-piece blues rock ensemble Mainsqueeze. They toured Europe, recorded a live album in 1983, and later toured as Bo Diddley's backing group, recording the Hey... Bo Diddley: In Concert album in 1986.
Bell has continued to perform and record with the Eric Bell Band throughout the 1990s and 2000s, releasing several albums. He has also recorded with the Barrelhouse Brothers.

In 2005, he joined Gary Moore onstage to perform "Whiskey in the Jar" at the Phil Lynott tribute concert "The Boy Is Back in Town" in the Point Theatre, Dublin. This was released on a DVD called One Night in Dublin: A Tribute to Phil Lynott. In 2010, Bell moved from London where he had lived for many years to his new home in West Cork, Ireland.
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The Jack / If You Be My Baby - Lee Hedley Band

Lee "The Fixer" Hedley - Frontman and Harmonica and Slide Guitar - Originally taken under the wing of family friend and Irish Soul / Blues Legend, the late Sam Mahood, Lee has been fronting and blowing blues-harmonica for various Rock and Blues outfits since 1991. Lee has played on the same stage and supported an endless list of stars from various genres on his way up the long and seamingly never ending 'showbiz' ladder. These include some other homegrown, but household pop names such as The Corrs and Westlife; Irish Soul Band The Commitments and Dublin's very own Blues Harmonica maestro Don Baker, whom Bono from U2 has been quoted as being "...the best blues harmonica player in the world". Lee has enjoyed numerous TV appearances and has even recorded a live session on the Paul Jones Blues Show for BBC Radio 2. Lee's 'Blues for Concern' album in 2000 caught the attention of Old Grey Whistle Test presenter "Whispering" Bob Harris, who immediately handed it to Ex- Manfred Man frontman Paul Jones, who in turn set up the session with Lee's band (formerly called Beale Street Boogie Band). But even with all of the above, the highlight for the Lee Hedley Band was most definitely the Irish Tours with Ex-Muddy Waters Chicago Blues guitarist, John Primer & also the late Phil Guy.
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Sony Music in association with Capo Records and Legacy re-issue of Rory Gallagher - Live At Montreux - Review

Here is another "must have" release from the Rory Gallagher archives. This set of recordings documents the best of four live performances at Montreux (1975, 1977, 1979 and 1985). This release includes Laundromat, Tore Down, I Take What I Want, Bought And Sold, Do You Read Me, Last Of The Independents, Off The Handle, Mississippi Sheiks, Out On The Western Plain, Too Much Alcohol, Shin Kicker and Philby. There isn't one throw away track on the cd and it is full throttle from the second the first track starts. This great live compilation release clearly demonstrated why Gallagher is a legend and his reputation has remained as a superstar even years after his demise. His guitar tone is terrific throughout and the recording quality is terrific one end to the other. On Too Much Alcohol Gallagher lets up for a few moments on his Strat and plays a great fleeting solo on his dobro. If you want to hear Gallagher torture his guitar relentlessly... look no further! Doesn't he have the best looking strat on the planet!
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Going Down - The Pyro Blues Executive

Michael Tierney (known as Mick Pyro) is an Irish musician. He is best known as the frontman of the Dublin funk rock band Republic of Loose. He has also partaken in other independent work with fellow Irish and international musicians and performed a duet with Sinéad O'Connor at the 2008 Meteor Awards when she revealed her admiration for his vocals. He has also written for the Irish Independent. Pyro is known for his distinctive vocals and his bearded appearance.
Recorded at the Leeson Lounge 13th June 2011. The Pyro Blues Executive are: Mick Pyro Guitar & Vocals, James Delaney Keys, Noel Bridgeman Drums, John Quearney Bass & Pat Farrell Guitar.
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Sony Music in association with Capo Records and Legacy re-issue of Rory Gallagher- Notes From San Francisco - Review

This is one that you don't want to miss! This is a lost Rory Gallagher album from 1978. After some internal distress after the end of his 1977 tour Gallagher shelved this album which he was recording at the time and broke up the band. Disc one is made up of 12 songs kicked off by Rue The Day which shows Gallagher's intensity was still up from the tour. Mississippi Sheiks highlights Gallagher's great guitar tone an presence on his soloing. Wheels Within Wheels is a much calmer Gallagher than I'm used to with a guitar playing in more of an ethereal manner. Overnight Bag is a great blues tune of course with strong guitars. You can actually hear Gallagher's inspiration for Brian May on this tune. Cruise On Out is uptempo and a real ripper! Fuel To The Fire is a modern style blues with a great guitar interlude. Cut A Dash is a great rock tune with great guitar and drums throughout. Out On The Tiles is a hard driven track almost literally paving the way for Stevie Ray Vaughn!

The second disk was recorded live in San Francisco in 1979 with Gerry McAvoy on Bass and Ted McKenna, a band he had after seeing the Sex Pistols. The influence is definitely apparent. Gallagher is always at his best when recorded live and this is no exception. This recording really kicks butt. it starts off with Follow Me and Shinkicker. Both tracks definitely present a more driven raw attach of the great master. He doesn't completely abandon his roots and Off The Handle is a more traditional blues. These tracks show a definite change in deliver from earlier recordings and a must have for Gallagher enthusiasts. Even traditional Gallagher tracks Calling Dard, Tattoo'd Lady have new perspective and Bullfrog Blues is absolutely on fire!! Gallagher concludes the release with Sea Cruise which is a slide guitar enthusiasts dream. If you haven't had the chance...don't wait!
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