Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Blues From Chicago to Paris - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the release, Blues From Chicago to Paris, and it's a strong traditional blues release from Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne. Opening with piano boogie, Rock This House, Wayne really has the keys rolling with his terrific vocals and solid backing by Russell Jackson on second vocal and bass and Joey DiMarco on drums. Great opener. Slowing things down a bit, Willie Dixon's A New Way To Love is a scorcher with soulful vocals and really strong piano work by Wayne. Clocking in at over 7 minutes, this is a showcase tune. Memphis Slim's Messin' With the Blues is a real cool addition to the set with it's jazzy approach but solid blues core. Wayne, again is showcased on vocal but his piano work is really tops, both under the melody and in soloing conditions. Excellent! Up tempo, After While has a revival feel with Wayne and Jackson on vocal and Wayne's piano rolling. Another fun piano boogie, I Ain't Gonna Be No Monkey Man, really rolls along with great piano riffs and solid vocals by Wayne and Jackson. Wrapping the release is Slim's, Wish Me Well, another tight piano boogie. I like how Wayne has really tapped into the flow of these classics and blended them together on a contemporary recording. Very nice.  

  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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Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Go, Just Do It! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Go, Just Do It!, from Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, and he covers the gamut from R&B to Rap. Opening with title track, Just Do It, a funky, R&B blues number with Dawn "Tyler" Watson singing along with Wayne on lead vocal, and with Russell Jackson on super bass, pumped by Jerry Cook on sax, Vince Mai on trumpet, Yuji Ihara on guitar, Joey DiMarco on drums and of course Wayne on keys. Solid Opener. Percy Mayfield's, You're In For A Big Surprise features Diane Schuur on lead vocal with Wayne and is my favorite track on the release with it's smooth, bluesy feel and strong vocals and super sax work by Cook. Very nice. Shuffle, Motor Mouth Woman is another favorite on the release with a moving beat, swinging vocals, nice piano work from Wayne and solid horns. JJ Cale's, Call Me The Breeze, maintains a bit of Cale's original rural feel but with just the right dose of soul, cool piano work by Wayne and a nice dash of blues courtesy Tank Doucette on harp. With it's "band" feel, Bumpin' Down The Highway is a great instrumental with strong lead sax work by Cook, soulful trumpet work by Mai and swinging piano work by Wayne. Excellent! Wrapping the release is another solid driver, Let The Rock Roll with Wayne right up front on piano. This is an excellent showcase of his piano styling and a solid closer. 

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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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Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Inspired By The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Inspired By The Blues, by Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and it swings. Opening with solid blues opener, I Know I'd Be Playing The Blues, Wayne on piano, organ and lead vocal leads the way backed by Russell Jackson on bass, Joey DiMarco on drums, and Yuji Ihara on guitars. Billy Branch adds some real nice licks on harmonica to spice up this fine opener. Opening it up on Start Rockin' Dave Babcock on sax and Bob Tildesley on trumpet pump up the action and Wayne's piano playing really rolls, balanced nicely against Yuji's guitar. Laying way back on I Like That Woman, Wayne sets a great pace on piano and his vocals are excellent. Jump track, Jimmy and Johnny has great feel with a trumpet solo by Tildesley and really nice piano work by Wayne. Very cool. Lake Country Boogie, led by the warm sax work of Babcock gives Wayne a wide open road to ply his trade. Wayne isn't shy and shows he really is the blues boss and Babcock stays toe to toe with him making this a terrific instrumental. an Old Brick Wall is another great boogie but with rich warm guitar chords and super soloing by Duke Robillard, great organ work by Wayne and power sax by Babcock. One of my favorite tracks, That Raggedy Shack, on the release features a nice paired lead vocal over a solid boogie beat. Babcock hits the sax solo square and the band is tight. Wrapping the release is a traditional take on Georgia On My Mind with solid vocals over electric piano by Wayne, Mati Vaarmann on Hammond, Mait Paldra on bass, Raul Ukareda on guitar, Jevgeni Lamba on guitar and Jaak Ahelik on drums. Veery solid closer for a solid release. 

  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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Award-Winning Keyboardist Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne Is "Inspired by the Blues" on New CD Coming September 28 from Stony Plain Records

Award-Winning Keyboardist Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Is Inspired by the Blues on New CD Coming September 28 from Stony Plain Records

Special Guests Include Harp Master Billy Branch, Guitar Legend Duke Robillard and Long-Time B.B. King Bass Player Russell Jackson

EDMONTON, AB – Acclaimed award-winning keyboardist Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne will release his new CD, Inspired by the Blues, September 28 on Stony Plain Records. The new disc was recorded at Dan/Lyn Studio in Edmonton, Alberta, and produced by the “Blues Boss,” himself. Inspired by the Blues features 11 original songs, plus a live bonus track of Kenny performing “Georgia on My Mind” that was recorded in Mexico.

Watch an exciting behind-the-scenes video about the making of Inspired by the Blues here:

https://youtu.be/IV4flyr-99E

Stream the first single, “Start Rockin,’” off the new album here:

https://soundcloud.com/stony-plain-records/kenny-blues-boss-wayne-start-rockin/s-3yRrT

The Boogie Woogie Hall of Famer’s new release includes special guests Billy Branch on harmonica, guitarist Duke Robillard and B.B. King's long-time bass player, Russell Jackson, who’s also a member of the new B.B. King Blues Band. The zoot-suited “Blues Boss” tours Russia (where he just finished an extensive tour), South America, and Europe, in addition to playing various North American clubs and festivals. Living Blues magazine named him the “Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)” for 2015. “There's no boogie-woogie-blues piano man out there today who pounds the 88s with his conviction,” wrote the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I have always said that each time I record a new album this one is my best, and each time I’ve been right; however, I should’ve said that each time it gets better,” Wayne says. “This recording is truly better and with the help of my ace band members and guest artists, it surpasses my previous recordings. I wanted to pay tribute to two of my favorite musical legends that have both passed on: Ray Charles and Fats Domino. I also wanted to bring back that classic style of blues that has been missed for years. I’d like to especially thank Chicago legend Billy Branch and the East Coast legend Duke Robillard for their contributions to this recording. A big thanks to B.B. King’s bass alumni Russell Jackson and to the rest of my well-respected musicians on board: Joey DiMarco, Yuji Ihara, Dave Babcock, Bob Tildesley and Lynne Chwyl.”

Inspired by the Blues is Kenny’s fourth album for Stony Plain Records. His 2011 first album for the label, An Old Rock On a Roll, garnered him a nomination for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Award from the Blues Foundation, as well as being awarded two 2012 Living Blues magazine awards, one for “Best New Contemporary Blues Recording of 2011” and one for Wayne as “Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard).”

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne is a veteran blues and boogie piano player and also a three-time Juno Award nominee (Canada’s Grammy), including a win for his Let It Loose CD. His main influences are Fats Domino, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry’s long-time piano player Johnnie Johnson, as well as Amos Milburn, Bill Doggett and Johnny Otis, king of the West Coast blues sound of the ‘50s.

He was raised in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans, but has been a long-time resident of British Columbia. A touring musician from his teens onward, Wayne settled in Vancouver some 30 years ago, and is now based in Kelowna, BC, but is rarely home — thanks to extended tours in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. His bass-heavy boogie piano work, as well as his original songs, makes for powerful live performances, enhanced by the flashy splendor of his boldly colored, French custom-tailored stage suits.

Myles Goodwyn And Friends of the Blues - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Myles Goodwyn and Friends of the Blues, from Myles Goodwyn and it's a lot of fun. Opening with I Hate To See You Go ( But I Love To Watch You Walk Away) Goodwyn shows super feel on lead vocal and keys with Shaun Verreault on slide guitar, Eric Khayt on sax. Blues ballad, It'll Take Time To Get Used To, has a super melody and Amos Garret's lush guitar work really hits the nail on the head, backed by Emily Lamarche on vocal. Very nice. Western styling on Tell Me Where I've Been (So I Don't Go There Anymore) is really nice with excellent piano work by Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and twangy blues guitar riffs from Steve Segal. I'll Hate You (Till Death Do Us Part) shows continued story telling and tongue in cheek soulful tracks. Wayne really works the keys on this one as well (I mean he really works them) and Frank Marino cooks the strings on guitar with precise blues riffs giving the track added sting. very nice! Shuffle track, Good Man In A Bad Place, has a real nice feel and Garret lays in some really tasty guitar riffs under Goodwyn's always tight vocals. Rick Derringer adds real heat on Last Time I'll Ever Sing The Blues, an easy loaded shuffle with some warm returns and articulate lead guitar work. Jack De Keyser has the lead on guitar on Nobody Lies (About Having The Blues), another track with particularly smooth vocals and cool electric piano work by Goodwyn. Wrapping the release is You Never Got The Best Of Me featuring Steve Segal and Amos Garret on guitar and Dewey Reeds on harmonica. This is a cool package with good tunes, solid guitar and real nice vocals. 

  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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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

Stony Plain artist: Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Jumpin' & Boppin' - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Jumpin' & Boppin' from Kenny 'Blues Boss" Wayne and it's a swinging party. Opening with, Blues Boss Shuffle, and with hot solos from Dave Babcock on sax and duke Robillard on guitar, Boss really has this place hopping on piano. Bankrupted Blues features Boss on lead vocal with a really nice swinging guitar solo from Robillard and backing from Russell Jackson on bass, Charlie Jacobson on guitar, Joey DiMarco on drums and Babcock on sax. Very nice. Jumpin' & Boppin' For Joy is really hot with a boogie bottom. This track smokes with great speed and smoking hot solos from Robillard and Boss. Excellent! Blues Stew is low slung and easy. Sexy sax and nicely stated piano work compliments smooth vocals. Classic, You Don't Know Me, features Wayne on upfront vocals highlighted by his own piano and organ work and lightly peppered with guitar and rhythm. Babcock blows another sweet sax solo to cap off the tune. Blackmail Blues has a bit of Jimmy Reeds style. Jacobson and Wayne both take nice solos keeping to the structured blues style. On big band style rumble, Look Out! There's A Train Coming, Wayne and Babcock really get the place hopping. Robillard takes a nice solo and Babcock really gets deep on bari. Super track. On piano boogie, I Need Your Lovin', Jackson's bass work is particularly strong giving Wayne the freedon to solo boogie on piano. Excellent! Ciao, Ciao Baby has a super swing and Wayne and Babcock lead the way. Robillard dresses the track nicely with clean clear riffs and Wayne lays out some of the best vocals on the release. A cool solo on guitar sits simmers nicely in this clever track. Slow blues style, Back To Square One, has great dynamics with nicely blended piano, vocal and rhythm under smooth vocals and really nicely stylized guitar soloing. Very nice! On I'm Comin' Home, Sherman Doucette adds yet another dimension to this boogie woogie with harp. riffs. With change ups and soulful riffs by Doucette this track is soulful. Rock, Rock Little Girl is a hot "Little Richard" style rockin boogie with solid sax backing and of course rolling piano. A super hot rocker with smoking guitar riffs, this track is killer. Wrapping the release is Boogie To Gloryland. This is an excellent piano boogie instrumental and an nexcellent track to wrap a very nice release. Check it out!



  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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40 Years of Stony Plain - New release review

I just had the chance to review the new 3 CD set, 40 Years of Stony Plain and it's a super bag of super recordings and unreleased music.

CD One called Singers, Songwriters and much more features tracks by Colin Linden; Spirit of the West; Corb Lund; Doug Sham; Harry Manx & Kevin Breit; Emmylou Harris; James Burton, Albert Lee, Amos Garrett, David Wilcox; New Guitar Summit; Rodney Crowell; Valdy & Gary Fjellgaard; Jr. Gone Wild; Tom Hus; Ian Tyson; Jennifer Warnes; Steve Earle; & Eric Bibb featuring Taj Mahal, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Ruthie Foster. This CD has a real rural feel with folk, country and grassy feel. Louis Riel by Doug Sham is a super track with a Tex Mex country sound. Rockabilly, That's Alright by James Burton and crew is another standout. New Guitar Summit's Flying Home throws a bit of swing jazz in with super nice flavor. Tim Hus's Wild Rose Waltz has real traditional country feel and is pure as snow. Eric Bibb and crew deliver a really rural rural Needed Time featuring Taj Mahal on vocals and breaking into a very sophisticated gospel style track . This is an excellent closer for Dics 1.

CD Two called Blues, R&B, Gospel, Swing Jazz and even more is full of huge names. Kenny "Bues Boss" Wayne, Joe Louis Walker, Rosco Gordon, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Mauria Muldair featuring Taj Mahal, Long John Baldry, Paul Reddick, Monkeyjunk, Jay McShann, Jeff Healey, Billy Boy Arnold, Rory Block, Big Dave McLean, Ruthie Foster, Sonny Rhodes, Jim Byrnes, Amos Garrett, Ellen McIlwaine,and king Biscuit Boy. Opening with Blues Boss on Bankrupted Blues and followed by Joe Louis Walker on Eyes Like a Cat this CD is smoking right off the top. Ronnie Earl gets a classic blues going on It Takes Time and a more contemporary blues rocker Monkeyjunk rips on Mother's Crying. Jay McShann has a really nice blues/jazz run on Goin' To Chicago and Big Dave McLean's Atlanta Moan is masterful. Ruthie Foster is one of the new artists that is in a class on her own, delivering on Keep Your Big Mouth Closed and Sonny Rhodes shuffle track, Meet Me At The 10th Street Inn in a slick blues romp. Wrapping disc 2 is King Biscuit Boy's Blue Light Boogie... always a favorite.

 CD Three is Rarities and Previously Unreleased Material opening with hot potato Ain't Gonna Do It by Duke Robillard. In My Girlish Days shows Maria Muldaur really grinding in her classic seductive style followed by her classic I Belong To The Band. David Wilcox really does a great job on acoustic instrumental, Uptown Bump, followed by 2 super tracks, I Hate That train and All Night Long by the terrific Sam Chatmon and his Barbeque Boys. Wrapping this disc and the entire package is Walter "Shakey" Horton with Hot Cottage playing a deep fried Shakey's Edmonton Blues. This is an excellent closer for a really super set. Congratulations to Stony Plain for assembling a great package.




  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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Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne Is "Jumpin' & Boppin'" on New Stony Plain Records CD Out June 3

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Is Jumpin’ & Boppin’ on New Stony Plain Records CD Out June 3

EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records announces a June 3 release date for Jumpin’ & Boppin’, the new CD from Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, who was named “Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards)” for 2015 by Living Blues magazine.

Produced by the “Blues Boss,” himself, Wayne’s third CD for Stony Plain is firmly rooted in the joyful jump blues style of Louis Jordan and Amos Milburn. Special guests on Jumpin’ & Boppin’ include award-winning guitarist and labelmate Duke Robillard, as well as Russell Jackson, B.B. King’s long-time bassist, who locks-in the rhythm section. The new disc showcases 12 original songs and one cover (“You Don’t Know Me”) that clearly illustrate Wayne’s way with a keyboard, as well as his soulful vocals.  

“I’ve really been looking forward to this record and I’m very excited to share it with you,” exclaims Kenny in the album’s liner notes. “This recording has elements of the great jump blues and boogie-woogie era. You might hear some influences from the era of Louis Jordan, Amos Milburn, Ray Charles, Johnnie Johnson and Fats Domino, just to name a few that are all mixed in like a blues stew.

“This is my second shot at producing my own recording and since then I’ve learned a lot by sitting back, watching and listening to experienced producers on how to produce a record. On this session, I’m glad to have young Charlie Jacobson laying down the basic guitar on the tracks and to have world renowned players like Duke Robillard, Russell Jackson, Joey DiMarco (drums and percussion), Sherman Doucette (harmonica) and Dave Babcock (sax) contributing their talents to this recording as well. This is my tenth blues album and my third recording on Stony Plain Records. I am looking forward to many more recordings on this enduring Canadian label, which celebrates 40 years of music in 2016.”

Noted for his multi-hued collection of zoot suits, the “Blues Boss” will be stylin’ his clothes and bringing his music throughout the summer on extensive tours of Russia, South America and Europe, in addition to playing various North American festivals.

Stony Plain Records artist: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - Rollin' With The Blues Boss - New Release review

I just received the newest release (April 22, 2014), Rollin' With The Blues Boss, from Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and its quite good. Opening with Leavin' In The Morning, opens the release with a R&B infused blues track and a fine guitar intro by Tom Lavin on guitar. Wayne on vocal, organ and piano gets the band hopping and Loren Etkin on drums and Russell Jackson on bass hold down the bottom. You Bring The Jungle Out Of Me has a bit more funk and Jerry Cook (sax) and Vince Mai (trumpet) add nice horn work on the track. Wayne takes a nice organ solo on this track topping it off. Hootenanny Boogie-Woogie has a bit of that New Orleans feel with the piano and funk along the lines of WW Washington with nice backing vocals from Christine Best. Roadrunner has that gospel like key work that has made Leon Russell so popular (with me anyway). A straight beat on drums by Etkin offsets that "Mad Dogs" sound keeping it straight in the R&B style. Baby, It Ain't You is one of my favorite tracks on the release ... right down the soul blues highway, it also features the best vocal work on the release. Sibel Thrasher, Cecile Larochelle and Christine Best add really nice backing vocals on this track. I Can't Believe It is a rumbling R&B style track with polished jazz like phrasing. Two Sides is another super track with with great piano work and a rockin' gospel boogie blues feel. Again harmonizing vocals add a key component to this track. Slow Down has a bit of a country ballad feel... say like Gregg Allman. Sherman Doucette adds some nice harp work to this track. Ogopogo Boogie has a real solid New Orleans piano boogie sound. Wayne and Mai (trumpet) lead the way on this hot instrumental. Excellent! Keep On Rockin' stays in that New Orleans feel and Wayne's hand for the New Orleans sound is super. With a blues/boogie feel, a rock beat and sax contributions from Drew Davies, this track is easily one of the hottest tracks on the release. Out Like A Bullet is a real classic style piano boogie and Wayne really hits a homer here. An excellent track to wrap up a really cool release.  

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”

 This track isn't from the new release but does demonstrate his sound:

It's Time to Get "Rollin' With the Blues Boss" on New CD from Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Coming April 22 on Stony Plain Records with Special Guests Eric Bibb and Diunna Greenleaf

It’s Time to Get Rollin’ With the Blues Boss on New CD from Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Coming April 22 on Stony Plain Records with

Special Guests Eric Bibb and Diunna Greenleaf

EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records, Canada’s premier roots music label, announces an April 22 release date for Rollin’ With the Blues Boss, the new CD from keyboardist/singer extraordinaire Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne. Produced by Tom Lavin, Kenny’s new CD also features special guest appearances on one track each by Eric Bibb (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Diunna Greenleaf (vocals).

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne’s last album for Stony Plain, An Old Rock On a Roll (2011), garnered him a nomination for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Award from the Blues Foundation, as well as being awarded two 2012 Living Blues Awards, one for “Best New Contemporary Blues Recording of 2011” and one for Wayne as “Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard).”

Wayne is a veteran blues and boogie piano player and also a three-time Juno Award nominee (Canada’s Grammy), including a win for his Let It Loose CD. His main influences are Fats Domino and Chuck Berry’s long-time piano player Johnnie Johnson, as well as Amos Milburn, Bill Doggett and Johnny Otis, king of the West Coast blues sound of the ‘50s.

He was raised in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans, but has been a long-time resident of Vancouver, British Columbia, where his new album was recorded. He is now living in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia. A touring musician from his teens onward, Wayne settled in Vancouver some 30 years ago, but is rarely home — thanks to extended tours in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. His bass-heavy boogie piano work, as well as his original songs, makes for powerful live performances, enhanced by the flashy splendor of his boldly colored, French custom-tailored stage suits.

On Rollin’ With the Blues Boss, he flashes all of that and more on the album’s 11 all-original tracks, loaded with excursions into boogie-woogie, New Orleans-fueled R&B, blues, jazz and good-time rock ‘n roll. With Kenny Wayne, it’s all rolled up into one sartorially resplendent gem of-a-complete entertainer.

Of the new album’s many highlights, “Leavin’ In the Morning” kicks things off in fine style with a bouncy, bluesy riff that recalls B. B. King’s “Never Make Your Move Too Soon;” and “You Bring Out the Jungle In Me,” is aided by a punchy horn section that provides the same kick on several other songs. Blues Music Award-winner Diunna Greenleaf trades lead vocals with Wayne on the soul-blues ballad, “Baby, It Ain’t You;” and another BMA winner, Eric Bibb, supplies lead vocals and an acoustic guitar solo on the rollicking “Two Sides.” The jazzy-flavored “I Can’t Believe It” sounds like a song outtake from an old Bill Withers session; and “Ogopogo Boogie” is straight Crescent City N’awlins classic grooves from start to finish. The “Blues Boss” closes out the set in fine style as only he can, accompanied by just a drummer and pounding the 88s into submission on the instrumental, “Out Like a Bullet.”

Mark Pucci Media Artists Nominated for the 2012 Living Blues Awards

Mark Pucci Media

MARK PUCCI MEDIA CONGRATULATES ITS ARTISTS NOMINATED FOR THE 2012 LIVING BLUES AWARDS READER’S POLL

Blues Artist of the Year (Male) – Johnny Rawls

Best Blues Album of 2011 (New Recordings) – Johnny Rawls, Memphis Still Got Soul

Blues Artist of the Year (Female) – Rory Block

Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) – Duke Robillard

Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards) –

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne

Best Blues DVD of 2011 – Guy Davis,

Guitar Artistry of Guy Davis: Teller of Tales

All ballots must be received by July 10, 2012. Vote for one choice only in each category. All ballots must have valid contact details. Only one ballot per person is allowed. To vote, follow this link and click on the VOTE button: http://www.livingblues.com/.

Stony Plain Records celebrates 2012 Blues Music Awards' nominations

Stony Plain Records celebrates 2012 Blues Music Awards' nominations

When The Blues Foundation announced the list of nominees for the 33rd AnnualBlues Music Awards on Tuesday, December 13, Stony Plain Record’s artists were well represented with 7 nominations. The Blues Music Awards are universally acknowledged as the highest honour for musicians and songwriters in Blues music. Winners will be announced on May 10 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. Online voting is now open to Blues Foundation members at www.blues.org. Individual and corporate memberships are available for those who would like to vote.

The nominations continue a year in which Stony Plain Records Records celebrated our 35th year as Canada's roots, rock, country, folk and blues label, with the release of a special 2CD + bonus DVD compilation, 35 Years of Stony Plain. Earlier this fall the label received 14 nominations in Canada's Maple Blues Awards, recognising the talents of MonkeyJunk, Harry Manx & Kevin Breit, Duke Robillard and Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne.

Stony Plain Records nominees for the 2012 Blues Music Awards:

Maria Muldaur

Nominated for:
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)

The Pilot:

"Muldaur has one foot in church and another in a Saturday night juke joint as she belts out hand-clapping church rousers, soul ballads and greasy swamp stompers. Over the years her voice has only gotten better, with her pipes now displaying a lusty, full-bodied resonance."

Blues In Britain Magazine:

""Soul & grit" emanates from Muldaur's voice... Muldaur and the band excel at all levels... A triumph!"

Blinded By Sound:

"There are echoes here of the way Ray Charles turned gospel into secular gold, and Muldaur shows that spirituality can still rock out - the sacred and the profane aren’t all that far apart, and spirituality can still temper earthly desire without corrupting the former or diluting the latter."

Living Blues Radio Chart:

#1 for October, #2 for November

Rory Block

Nominated for:
Acoustic Artist
Acoustic Album (for Shake 'Em On Down: A Tribute To Mississippi Fred McDowell)

Living Blues Magazine:

"There's plenty to admire in her torrid slide work, the passion she infuses into her reedy vocals, and the obvious dedication with which she has undertaken this project."

No Depression Magazine:

"Creating something new and honoring the past at the same time."

Jazz & Blues Report Magazine:

"A superb recording."

Duke Robillard

Nominated for:
Gibson Guitar Award

The Alternate Root:

"One of the pre-eminent guitarists in the world today, bar none."

Billings Gazette:

"The master blues guitarist heads back to the 1940s and '50s for a set of swinging blues covers from the Mt. Rushmore of early electric bluesmen"

Blues Revue (in Blues Wax newsletter):

"Gut Bucket with Caviar!!"

Living Blues Radio Chart:

#3 for October and November

Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

"Simply one of the best guitarists around."

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne

Nominated for:
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player

Vintage Guitar Magazine:

"A red-hot boogie woogie ivory tickler."

Blues Festival E-Guide:

"Hammers out rockin' boogie woogie, deeply felt blues, and puts a fresh coat of paint on ... roots rock and roll."

Living Blues Magazine:

"This release is certain to garner many deserved nominations and awards."

Joe Louis Walker

Nominated for:
Contemporary Blues Male Artist

Chicago Sun-Times:

"Joe Louis Walker has achieved exalted status."

Blues Blast Magazine:

"Energy, undeniable personality, and high caliber talent."

Phoenix Blues Society:

"A fun set that sounds like it was as enjoyable to play as it must have been to watch."

Hampton Roads:

"He's the kind of guitarist... who always brings applause."

Eric Bibb

Nominated for:
Acoustic Artist
Acoustic Album (released by Telarc/Concord Music Group)

Stony Plain Records announces the signing of acclaimed folk blues singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Bibb, and will release his debut CD for the label, Deeper in the Well, in March 2012. Deeper in the Well features Eric Bibb on vocals and guitar backed by multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, guitarist Cedric Watson, drummer Danny Devillier and harmonica player Grant Dermody. Special guests on the CD include Michael Jerome Browne, Jerry Douglas and Christine Balfa.

Eric’s last CD, Troubadour Live, recorded at a 2010 concert in Stockholm, Sweden, was released earlier this year.

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