Richie Onori's Blues Messenger at Arcadia Blues Club

Richie Onori's Blues Messenger                                                   (Photo by Deja Cross)             RICHIE ONORI'S BLUES MESSENGER TO ROCK             ARCADIA BLUES CLUB - FRIDAY, JULY 25   (Arcadia, Calif.) - Acclaimed veteran rock musician Richie Onori unleashes his new band, Richie Onori's Blues Messenger, in a headlining show at the Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, Friday, July 25. 9 p.m. Tickets $6.25 (advance), $11.50 (at the door). Info: (626) 447-9349 or visit http://www.arcadiabluesclub.com/.          Onori, who also drums for legacy muti-platinum act, Sweet, steps out from behind his drum kit and takes front-and-center on guitar and lead vocals for Richie Onori's Blues Messenger, a band ten years in the making. The group includes guitarist Phil Woodard (Sahara); bassist Marvin Sperling (who previously played with Onori and famed keyboardist Keith Emerson in the group Aliens); keyboardist Stevie Stewart (who also plays in Sweet); drummer Paul Maselli (Dread Zeppelin); and backing vocalist, Aina O'Kane. The live show includes a preview of Richies' Rock-Theater project In The Name Of Freedom, also the title of his recently-released album.  Critics Praise In The Name Of Freedom/Richie Onori's Blues Messenger                 "Revolutionary...An exceptionally powerful collection”                                             VINTAGE ROCK “…the rawness of Jimi Hendrix mixed with some modern-day blues of Joe Bonamassa.”             NATIONAL ROCK REVIEW                                             "...modern, rich and vibrant. The Great American Anthem Album of 2014!"                          XOMBIEWOOF MAGAZINE                                                                                               www.richieonori.com            https://www.facebook.com/richieonoribluesmessenger     Huffington Post (Feature) Vintaqe Rock - In The Name Of Freedom (CD Review) American Live Wire (3 Quick Questions)

In The Name Of Freedom - Richie Onori's Blues Messenger - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, In The Name Of Freedom, from Richie Onori's Blues Messenger. Opening with Power To The People Onori lives what he sings with a power rock track featuring solid drumming and hot guitar riffs from Phil Woodward. Hey You, a blues rock track along the lines of Mahogany Rush or Eric Gales, again pulls no punches with flaming guitar riffs, straight up vocals and complimentary backing vocals by Franchesca Capasso, Dave Jenkins and Alicia Morgan. Long Live Rock brings Paul Kassoff to mind with rock track which could easily find it's way onto the airwaves. American Fighters is a simple rock ballad, again with a message and solid hook making it a strong candidate for airplay. A cool synth intro by Dave Jenkins opens Buffalo Nation, a nie rock ballad with some melodic nods to the Native American. I particularly like the bass work by David Chamberlain and backing vocals on this track. Title track, In The Name Of Freedom, has a reggae flavor and a memorable melody. Crisp drumming by Onori complimented by Sal Rodriguez on percussion and key work from JT Thomas accentuate the stylistic guitar work by Onori. Come Together In The USA is a blues rock/pop track featuring nice sax work by Chris Mostert and cool synth work by Jon Greathouse. Featured violin work from Mark Josephson and warm harmonic vocals from Capasso, Jenkins and Aina Skinner O'Kane add greatly to the song. Ben Schultz plays some nice guitar riffs on this track as well. Wrapping the release is The Answer, a blues rock track along the lines of Don Nix, Going Down but with a bit more of an Arena twist to it. Will McGregor on bass, Dickei Sims on B3, and Capasso compliment Onori on drums, guitars and vocals.

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

New release has a lot more edge but this is all I could find:

 

Richie Onori's Blues Messenger Set To Release "In The Name Of Freedom"

Richie Onori's Blues Messenger, fronted by rocker Richie Onori, champion human rights and individual freedoms on their new album,  "In The Name Of Freedom."

RICHIE ONORI'S BLUES MESSENGER CHAMPION HUMAN RIGHTS INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS ON  NEW "IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM"     

"The system is rigged in such a way that "We The People" are pitted against each other to create controversy, chaos, and fear. Their intent is to distract the attention away from them. We can't, as citizens, come together to defeat this attack if we don't know who the real targets are. There are very few that know who the targets are - do you?"  Richie Onori

                                   

  (HOLLYWOOD, Calif.) - Richie Onori's Blues Messenger, fronted by rock musician Richie Onori, champion human rights and individual freedoms with the release of "In The Name Of Freedom," scheduled to drop early July. The album was produced by Dan Jenkins, known for his work with, among others, Tori Amos, Dionne Warwick, and Tower of Power.
  The band (Phil Woodard, guitar; Marvin Sperling, bass; Richie Onori, guitars/vocals) is fronted by Onori, renowned for his high-energy drumming in both multi-platinum bands The Sweet ("Ballroom Blitz," "Fox On The Run") as well as Heaven And Earth, both of whom he continues to be active in.
   "Power To The People" is a call-to-action anthem:
                          
                           United we stand, divided we fall.
                           Together we win, you will answer the call,
                           Here is the simple truth, I dare you to see,
                           We better come together, if you want to stay free.
                           
   Other tracks on In The Name Of Freedom:  "American Fighters," "Hey You  (Better Think Again)," "Buffalo Nations," "Blues Messenger," "Long Live Rock," "The Answer," "Come Together We're The U.S.A.," and the title track.
  

   "We the people do have the power right now," continues Onori, whose previous album, The Days Of Innocence, was selected 2012's "Rock Album of the Year" by Rock Over America magazine. "The time is now to organize and unify before it's too late. As citizens let's focus on what is ethically right instead of being separated and distracted by this petty political circus in front of us and which is being purported by the bought-and-sold corporate interests."
 

                            www.richieonori.com      
 https://www.facebook.com/richieonorimusic?ref=ts&fref=ts

Bman's Exclusive Interview with Albion Amps - Richie Onori

I was able to catch up with Richie Onori, musician and associate with Albion Amps. I wanted to get a few words on these new amps which have been making their own mark on the music scene:

 Bman: Hi Richie. How did you get involved with Albion Amplification?

 Richie: Actually quite simply I was at the Hilton bar after one night at the 2012 Anaheim NAMM show and I bumped into one the bass player from the group “ASIA” and he introduced me to a chap that had ties to the company. The next day I had a visit at my booth from Steve Grindrod. I quickly learned that Steve was the chief engineer and head of R&D for Marshall from 1973 to 2000 and then he told me he designed the Vox reissues amp from 2000 to 2008. I realized rather quickly that he one of a very few designers that have earned the title “Legendary AMP Guru” He was the man behind the curtain who is responsible for the guitar tone for thousands of ground breaking albums over the decades. Albion is his swan song and I am proud to be part of his incredible line.

 Bman: We all know that there are only a few basic circuits that are the basis for all of the amplifiers on the market. What are your amps designed around.

 Richie: Each model have different components depending on the wattage however for instance the ever popular TCT35-Combo has two 6L6 power tubes that run at high voltages, resulting in deep tones even at extremely low volumes. If 35 watts is too much power, a front-panel switch drops the output to 33 percent. There's also a switch that alters the negative feedback loop from open to closed: open provides a looser feel and raw tonality, while the closed loop is tighter and more narrowly focused. Highs from the power amp are controlled with the edge knob, and a master volume sets the amp's overall level have preferred separate reverb controls for each channel, the global control's keen circuit integration does an excellent job of expanding the amp's acoustic bounce without affecting attack and projection. Both preamp sections have identical controls for gain, drive, bass, middle, treble and volume. The gain knob dictates the first gain-stage's level of aggression, while the adjacent drive control adjusts the second and third gain-stage levels, providing the user with absolute control over how the amp creates preamp gain and making it possible to achieve endless textures of overdrive and distortion.

 Bman: It appears that you have three basic series of amplifiers in your product lines. How are they different?

 Richie: The TCT series are all tube when the lower end AG series are solid state amps which is designed with tube module that makes this economical a hybrid. The third is the new GulfStream series has just been unveiled which are the lower wattage 15W and 30W with tone varibles that mimic and create whole new horizons for the Guitarist - Amazing! Richie Sambora just made a guest appearance and used the Albion Gulfstream 15W on my groups “ Heaven & Earth” new album and soon to be released record “Dig” He loved it!

Bman: What makes Albion amps different than the other similar product on the market?

 Richie: It has a tone all to itself however it has that familiar British sound with new innovation that is incomparable.

 Bman: Are you working with any specific supplier for speakers and transformers?

 Richie: No- All the components are manufactured at the factory where Steve Grindrod resides. Yes it a compound that enables Steve to oversee everything. Bman: How about capacitors? I know a lot of builders are really particular about the type of caps they use.

 Richie: Like everything about Albion- Top Shelf-

 Bman: What is new for Albion this year?

 Richie: The Gulfstream series, new Bass amp and there is talk that we will be unveiling a 200W metal amp at NAMM 2013 the January.

 Bman: Is there anything else that you'd like to tell me about Albion?

 Richie:Coming out with a new line of AMP’s in the middle of a recession has been a challenge but one thing for sure as many agree – Albion has everything you could possibly want for the casual gigger to the seasoned pro- Check out the site to learn more- www.albionamps.com

  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!

Rave Reviews for Rocker Richie Onori's New Album "The Days Of Innocence"

                                        

Rave Reviews For Rocker Richie Onori's New Album, The Days Of Innocence

"Onori's 'Days Of Innocence' is intelligent and well-produced, allowing you to appreciate the obvious talent throughout. A verifiable knockout home run."
                                                       ROCK OVER AMERICA

"The quintessential DIYer making a living making music."
                                                       HUFFINGTON POST

"The Days Of Innocence' lives up to its name with catchy blues/rock and poppy tunes, several ballads,and poignant touches of nostalgia for simpler bygone days..."
                                                       SCREAMER MAGAZINE 

"Richie Onori still rocks! Much like Genesis drummer Phil Collins, Onori steps out of his comfort zone to produce music that is both expressive and sincere. An emotional audio adventure."                                    LOS ANGELES EXAMINER  

"Insightful, introspective, and adventurous...title cut 'Days Of Innocence' has a great Van Morrison-meets-Don McLean sound. Fun with hooks that won't leave your cranium." 

                                                      BOOMEROCITY

"Opening track 'Days of Innocence' has a definite warmth and familiarity like a pop tune that you have known all your life...I hear definite touches of Van Morrison, Elvis Costello and David Bowie with a California twist. Not bad company!"                                             
                                                     BMANS BLUES REPORT

"Was totally captivated by the song 'Days Of Innocence' the first time I heard it...the variety of music on the album provided one surprise after another. Well-written and produced with something to say...an awesome CD from beginning to end."
                                                     ROCKTHIZ MAGAZINE     
                                                      

                              
                                           Richie Onori  - Biography

     Many people would consider drumming for one of the most iconic bands of the 70s the pinnacle of a music career. But for Richie Onori, drummer for The Sweet ("Ballroom Blitz", "Fox On The Run") and the band Heaven and Earth, it is only the beginning.

    Richie Onori got his first break when he was 16 playing with the group ? and the Mysterians (who had the hit song "96 Tears"). He then joined the group Satyr. With a cast of amazing musicians this band opened shows in Canada for Alice Cooper as well as Aerosmith.

     Richie made his mark on the music scene as a world-class drummer, having played and recorded with a diverse cross-section of artists such as Keith Emerson, Richie Sambora, Louis Johnson, Ronnie James Dio, Paul Rodgers, Slash, and Steve Lukather before joining The Sweet.

     Now, Richie has released his own CD, entitled "Days Of Innocence", a collection of songs imbued with influences of the classic California blues/rock scene that he grew up with in LA's San Fernando Valley in the 60s and 70s. A prolific songwriter, Richie speaks from his heart and says what's on his mind. As usual with Richie, it was soon evident that he would need more than one album to say what he wanted to say and he decided to release two CDs, giving himself room to explore both his emotional journeys ("Days of Innocence") and his spirituality and social commentary (the upcoming "American Fighters") within the frame of an infectiously grooving blues/rock sound, ably assisted by the talents of a roster of heavy hitters with whom he has played over the years.

     Like drummers Dave Grohl and Phil Collins, Richie brings his impeccable groove and rock-solid pocket to the table as a component of his larger concept. In addition to drumming, Richie is also an accomplished guitarist, singer, songwriter - and business entrepreneur. He has a very successful line of guitar straps, Onori Guitar Straps, and is the US distributor for Albion Amplifiers.

     Keeping up with even one of those careers would be enough for most people, but for Richie it's all in a day's work. As successful as these endeavors have been, his first priority is making music that speaks about what's important to him as a person, and in a larger sense as a citizen of America and of the world, and the common thread is connection and communication. Richie Onori is driven by a creative spark that enables him to thrive in a variety of endeavors, and redefine the word 'artist'.

    When it came to his own musical vision, his interests and accomplishments in so many different spheres led to the development of Richie Onori not simply as a musician or an artist, but as a brand. The Onori brand represents creativity, positive energy, communication and integrity, and these values are expressed in everything he undertakes. He succeeds in the business world by bringing an artist's perspective to his companies, with an innate understanding of what other artists need and want (his strap line's motto is "For musicians, by musicians"), and his music reflects his personal and social outlook and experiences. Richie says, "As we sink deeper into our mechanized and corporate worlds, all we can hope for is that the artist can rise to the occasion and help shape our world and realities with real vision, truth and leadership".

    'Rise to the occasion' he does. Richie walks the talk, and believes music is a vehicle that can be used to communicate truth and awareness, as well as to promote change. With this in mind, Richie Onori has put together a body of work that reflects his multifaceted life - and speaks directly to his audience as well, with a multi-layered approach all his own. Richie is on a journey of the heart, of the mind, and of the spirit, and he invites you to come along for the ride - but, be warned - if you're with Richie, you had better fasten your seat belt! Exhilarating, inspiring, and energizing - so hang on tight!

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 Days Of Innocence - Richie Onori - New Release Review

I have been listening to a new recording, Days Of Innocence, by Richie Onori. Richie initially hit the music scene as drummer for Sweet but has also worked with Keith Emerson, Richie Sambora, Louis Johnson, Ronnie James Dio, Paul Rogers, Slash and Steve Lukather. Onori handles guitar, drums, vocals and harmonica on this recording. The opening track, Days of Innocence has a definite warmth and familiarity like a pop tune that you have known all of your life. Goodbye Cruel World has a bluesy rockabilly flavor and has a cool pop hook with some interesting guitar riffs. Running Down The Devils Road is an interesting track with a 60's vibe with reverb and a western theme. Party Queen gets a bit of the British rock vibe like Mott or Bowie. Candle In My Heart is an interesting ballad with the opportunity for Onori to play cool guitar and harp solos along with his solid vocals. In listening to the recording I hear definite touches of Van Morrison, Elvis Costello David Bowie with a definite California twist. Not bad company!

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”