The Last Music Company: Dr. John - Ske-Dat-De-Dat, The Spirit Of Satch - New on vinyl

The Last Music Company has released Dr. John's tribute to Louis Armstrong, Ske-Dat-De-Dat, on vinyl on June 5, 2020. I had the opportunity to review this newest release and it's a lot of fun. Opening with What A Wonderful World, Dr John joins up with Nicholas Payton on trumpet and the Blind Boys of Alabama for a Mac stylized version of this Armstrong classic. Payton floats on the melodic rhythm and Mac's vocals are tops. Bonnie Raitt joins on I've Got The World On A String and an easy swing. Both Mac and Raitt seem very comfortable with excellent lead vocals, bluesy guitar riffs, clarinet and full horn backing. Very nice. In traditional Mac/New Orleans Jazz style, Gut Bucket Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release, again featuring Payton on trumpet and with strong horn backing and some really tasty drumming. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child features Anthony Hamilton on lead vocal with smooth soulful backing and solid horn work. The McCrary Sisters and Ledisi do a totally spiritual version of Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen with powerful rich vocals, organ and strong piano work from Dr. John. Excellent! Mac is back up front on piano and vocal on Wrap Your Trouble in Dreams, joined by The Blind Boys of Alabama and Terrance Blanchard. This is a particularly cool track with Mac's classic New Orleans blues styling, blended with the warm gospel backing of BBA and the cool jazz styling of Blanchard on trumpet. Very cool. More traditional New Orleans style blues on Dippermouth Blues is a great track with Mac on lead vocal and piano and a super new Orleans beat. James 12 Andrews (Trombone Shorty) hits the trumpet on this one and it's another of my favorites. Shemekia Copeland contributes her own lush vocals to Sweet Hunk of Trash, a funky New Orleans number. With cool trombone work and tight drumming, another strong track. Easy jazz ballad, Memories of You features mac on lead vocal and piano but it's the terrific trumpet soloing of Arturo Sandoval that really sails this one. Sandoval plants himself and just wails. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a totally Dirty Dozen-ized When You're Smiling with a great tuba bottom and with excellent, trumpet led, march style jazz. Snappy percussion and mac on piano works really nicely with Mac's lead vocals. It's nice that Last Music has captured this on vinyl. Very cool. 

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Shemekia Copeland To Sing National Anthem at Giants Vs. Saints NFL Game On Sept. 30

SHEMEKIA COPELAND TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT NEW YORK GIANTS VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS NFL GAME ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Grammy-nominated singer Shemekia Copeland will perform the national anthem on Sunday, September 30 at the NFL game between the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints. The game, broadcast live on CBS Television, begins at 4:25pm Eastern time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Copeland is currently on tour, bringing music from her critically acclaimed, powerful new album, America’s Child (released August 3), to fans all across the country. NPR Music says Copeland is "head-turning and outspoken. America’s Child is a true hybrid of simmering, real-talking spirit and emphatic, folkie-and soul-style statement-making. Copeland sings slow-burning soul and rollicking country-blues with growling vigor and potent conviction."

Produced by Americana Instrumentalist Of The Year winner Will Kimbrough (who also plays guitar on the album) and recorded in Nashville, America's Child is a courageous and fiery statement of purpose, a major step forward for the singer whose musical consciousness continues to expand as her star continues to rise. With guests including John Prine, Rhiannon Giddens, Mary Gauthier, Emmylou Harris, Steve Cropper, J.D. Wilkes, Al Perkins and members of the Time Jumpers, America’s Child bursts with Copeland’s bravado and embraces with her tenderness.

The Philadelphia Inquirer declares, "Shemekia Copeland is an antidote to artifice. She is a commanding presence, a powerhouse vocalist delivering the truth."

The Bender is Sept 7.8.9.10, 2017

Big Blues Bender Announces Fabulous Lineup for Sept! LAS VEGAS, NV. – The Big Blues Bender, one of the most talked about Blues events in the country, has announced an impressive 2017 lineup. The Big Blues Bender offers what could be their best artist lineup to date, offering a wide variety of first-class music and entertainment including, Mavis Staples, Dr. John, Tab Benoit, Walter Trout, and many more. This four-night all-inclusive music experience delivers eighteen hours of live music, daily, on three indoor stages and a fabulous pool stage all under one roof, featuring the most talented and sought after Blues artists touring today.

The 4th annual Big Blues Bender will take place Sept. 7.8.9.10, 2017 at the legendary Plaza Hotel & Casino at the top of the world famous “Fremont Street Experience” in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas. The Big Blues Bender has quickly become a festival favorite among Blues fans and artists alike – a bucket-list event for all, selling out far in advance last year. “The Big Blues Bender is more than just a Blues festival, it’s an experience,” said AJ Gross, the event’s founder, and President. “Four days and nights of music and accommodations, with Everything, An Elevator Ride Away!” Wanna see the full lineup? Here ya go –> Bender Lineup Ready to Attend? Big Blues Bender is sold as "Packages" that include your accommodations as well as your event pass or as a four-day event pass that's good for all events and activities but does not include your hotel accommodations. Pick the option that's best for you! Have you booked yet? ☆ Book  Now: BigBluesBender.com September 7.8.9.10, check out is Monday, Sept 11th at 11 am. The 2017 Big Blues Bender Lineup! It's all about the music... It's ALWAYS about the music! We're proud to have this fine roster of amazing artists joining us for the 4th Big Blues Bender! Click on their names below for more details.   Dr. John Mavis Staples Tab Benoit Walter Trout Anders Osborne Shemekia Copeland David Bromberg Doyle Bramhall II Curtis Salgado Eric Gales Southern Hospitality w/ Victor Wainwright, Damon Fowler & JP Soars Jimmy Hall w/Bender Brass Danielle Nicole Band Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials Mike Zito Toronzo Cannon Carolyn Wonderland The Paladins Albert Castiglia Davy Knowles Laith Al-Saadi Matt Schofield Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Paul DesLauriers Band Too Slim and The Taildraggers Teresa James MonkeyJunk Jack Broadbent Jesse Roper Southern Avenue Kirby Sewell Band Casey Hensley Band w Spec Guest Debbie Davies Katy Guillen and The Girls Dawn Tyler Watson & Ben Racine “Grateful Blues” Feat. Catfish John & Mark Karan Hamish Anderson Milligan Vaughan Project Rae Gordon Ty Curtis The Strip Kings Moanin’ Blacksnakes The Chris Tofield Band Howl at the Moon Jam Hosted by Russell Jackson Bender Brass Artist at Large Johnny Sansone Artist at Large Jason Ricci Artist at Large Sari Schorr Artist at Large Billy Price Artist at Large Nick Schnebelen Artist at Large Michael Ledbetter Artist at Large Monster Mike Welch Artist at Large Anne Harris Artist at Large Kris Schnebelen Artist at Large Big Chief Monk Boudreaux Artist at Large Eric Johanson 2017 Bender Packages Look over your options and find the best place to lay your head at the Bender! Four Day Music Only Wristband Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable $499 per person BOOK NOW Rollin’ Stone Run of House Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Single Occupancy $1049 per person SOLD OUT  Boogie Chillen Run of House Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Randomly Assigned Double Occupancy $674 per person BOOK NOW Boom Boom Room North Tower Choose King or 2 Queens Non-smoking ONLY Double Occupancy $724 per person SOLD OUT Hoochie Coochie South Tower Choose King or 2 Queens Choose smoking or non Double Occupancy $774 per person BOOK NOW Baller On A Budget Junior Suite North Tower 1 King Bed Non-smoking ONLY Double Occupancy $1599 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller 5th Floor Pool Level South Tower Choose King or 2 Queens Non-smoking ONLY Double Occupancy $1649 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Mini Suite South Tower 1 King Bed Choose smoking or non Double Occupancy $1699 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller 1 Bedroom Suite South Tower 1 King Bed Choose smoking or non Double Occupancy $1899 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Pool Patio Room South Tower 2 Queens ONLY Non-smoking only Double Occupancy $2099 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Penthouse Suite South Tower 1 King Bed Smoking allowed Double Occupancy $2099 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller 2 Bedroom Suite (4 people) South Tower 1 King & 2 Queens Smoking allowed Quad Occupancy $1749 per person SOLD OUT Big Daddy Baller Derby Suite (4 people) South Tower 1 King & 2 Kings Smoking allowed Quad Occupancy $1999 per person SOLD OUT