Mitch Woods CD/DVD - Blues Beyond Borders / Live in Istanbul!

VIZZTONE NEWS — IMPORTANT STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW!  NEW MITCH WOODS CD/DVD Blues Beyond Borders - Live in Istanbul! click the CD to listen or buy at VizzTone.com   ;-) VizzTone is proud to present Mitch Woods' latest CD/DVD Blues Beyond Borders / Live In Istanbul!     Boogie Woogie piano maestro Mitch Woods brings his all-star Rocket 88s, featuring noted players from his two home bases, New Orleans and San Francisco, on a five week tour of the Republic of Turkey.  Mitch brings the sounds of Boogie Woogie, Jump Blues, Swing and New Orleans Rhythm & Blues to an eager new audience and proves that Blues is truly BEYOND BORDERS.     "In October 2010, I embarked with my band the Rocket 88’s on a tour of Turkey with the Efes Blues Festival, playing 26 shows in 20 cities over 5 weeks.  I was deeply impressed with the warmth and hospitality of the people and their openness and enthusiasm for the American musical form we call “the Blues.” It made me realize that we are musical ambassadors – able to cross cultural, religious, and national borders that most people cannot.     In this CD and DVD I document our tour of the Republic of Turkey, a secular nation with 99% Muslim population that straddles the border of east and west, geographically and culturally. On this journey I realized in my heart and soul that music truly crosses all boundaries and Blues is certainly beyond borders.    I am happy to share it with you.  So let’s hop on the bus, and as they say in Turkey— “Bastan basa Blues” — “the Blues is everywhere!”             — Mitch Woods THE BAND (l to r):  Adam Gabriel - guitar, background vocals / Larry Vann - drums / Mitch Woods - piano, vocals / Amadee Castanell - sax, background vocals / Cornell Williams - bass, vocals DVD EXTRAS:  Live Concert in Istanbul  •  The Journey  •  Exploring  •  The Culture  •  Adventures On the Road and On the Bus / The Band  •   Turkish Independence Day Izmir  •  The Pozitif Crew

Mississippi River Blues - Eddie Walker & Fraser Speirs

Long-time pro-player on the International Folk and Roots Circuit touring Britain, Europe and world-wide... Major festivals include Cambridge Folk Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Glasgow Celtic Connections, Hong Kong, Skagen Denmark, San Daniele del Friuli Italy, Inglemunster Belgium and Auckland New Zealand Folk Festivals... Major folk and blues venues include The Sage Gateshead, Southbank Purcell Room, Wavendon Stables, Treibhaus Innsbruck, Jazzhaus Freiburg, Mahogany Hall Bern... Nine recorded vinyl and video albums..three current CDs available and one DVD... Music influences include Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, Rev Gary Davis, Blind Willie McTell, Woody Guthrie, Tom Rush, John Prine and Steve Goodman... Plays picking-style ragtime and folk blues on a custom-made large-body 'JJ' model acoustic guitar made by Ralph Bown of York (England)...highly recommended....a Johnny Joyce Aria 12 and Martin OM28V.... Currently working solo and with Scottish harmonica legend Fraser Speirs touring regularly throughout all Britain. Includes clubs, concerts, festivals and arts venues and workshops on guitar and performance. 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”

Donnie Gilliland/Sumter Bruton

SUMTER BRUTON is considered by many to be one of the top interpreters of the T-Bone Walker guitar style as well as an authority on blues and rhythm and blues music. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in a musical family. His late father was a jazz drummer and his younger brother, the late Stephen Bruton, was a guitarist, singer, songwriter and record producer. Sumter’s career began when he started playing guitar in 1962. The first bands he played in were college blues and rock & roll combos. In 1968 Sumter joined the Robert Ealey Blues Band. He was the only white musician in the group that became Robert Ealey and the 5 Careless Lovers in 1972. In 1974 Sumter formed his own band called Boogie Uproar, a blues and R&B band that featured a horn section. A year later he formed a similar band called Rhumboogie. In 1977 Sumter, along with singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim Colegrove, started the Juke Jumpers, a legendary Texas R&B, rockabilly, jazz and swing band. The Juke Jumpers recorded five LPs and toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe. The band performed together for 17 years and still get together for annual reunions. Sumter got together with Mike Price, a singer/songwriter/piano player, in 1993 to record Bruton & Price—Swingmasters Revue. He and Mike currently perform together with their group The Swingmasters. 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”

HAMILTON LOOMIS -- November 2012 Schedule

Hamilton and Band are back from Europe and will be recording a new CD this November and December!  We'll keep you all updated...November shows listed below, and all tour dates are at www.hamiltonloomis.com/schedule.htm.

NOVEMBER 2012

FRI 2nd Houston TX MONNALISA ROOM @ HOTEL SORELLA 10pm 713-973-1600

SAT 3rd Houston TX PRIVATE PARTY 8:30pm

THU 8th Kemah TX JACKIE'S BRICKHOUSE 8pm 832-864-2459

FRI 9th Port Arthur TX DYLAN'S 9pm 409-722-1600

SAT 10th Lafayette LA  BLUE MOON SALOON 9pm 337-234-2422

FRI 16th Houston TX LAST CONCERT CAFE (all ages) 713-226-8563 CLAY MELTON opens @ 8pm, HAMILTON @ 9:30pm CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

SAT 17th Conroe TX QUALITY SLEEP SHOPS CUSTOMER APPRECIATION PARTY (open to public, all ages, BYOB) 7:30pm 936-447-5337

Stony Lonesome Graveyard - Leroy's Buddy (Bill Gaither)

Bill Gaither (April 21, 1910 or 1905 or 1908, Belmont, Kentucky — 1956 or more likely 1970) sometimes known as "Little Bill" Gaither or Leroy's Buddy, was an American blues guitarist and singer. Gaither recorded hundred of songs for labels such as Decca, Arhoolie and Okeh. He was often partnered with the pianist George "Honey" Hill, and the duo patterned themselves after Leroy Carr and his guitarist, Scrapper Blackwell. One of Gaither's most famous blues songs was "Champ Joe Louis", recorded on June 23, 1938, the day after Louis won his rematch against Max Schmeling. Ethnomusicologists have cited Gaither among a group of important but understudied 20th century musicians. His blues lyrics have been appreciated as poetry. Gaither is buried in New Crown Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, where jazz musician Wes Montgomery is also interred. 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!

Louisiana Lament - Herbie Hall, Sammy Price, Pops Foster

George Murphy "Pops" Foster (May 19, 1892 – October 29, 1969) was a jazz musician best known for his vigorous playing of the string bass. He also played the tuba and trumpet professionally. Foster was born to Charley and Annie Foster on a plantation near McCall in Ascension Parish near Baton Rouge in south Louisiana. His family moved to New Orleans when he was about ten years of age. His older brother, Willard Foster, began playing banjo and guitar; George started out on a cello then switched to string bass. Foster married twice: to Bertha Foster in 1912 and Alma Foster in 1936. Pops Foster was playing professionally by 1907 and worked with Jack Carey, Kid Ory, Armand Piron, King Oliver and other prominent hot bands of the era. In 1921 he moved to St. Louis to play with the Charlie Creath and Dewey Jackson bands, in which he would be active for much of the decade. He also joined Ory in Los Angeles. He acquired the nickname "Pops" because he was far older than any of the other players in the band. In 1929 Foster moved to New York City, where he played with the bands of Luis Russell and Louis Armstrong through 1940. He giged with various New York-based bands through the 1940s, including those of Sidney Bechet, Art Hodes, and regular broadcasts on the national This Is Jazz radio program. In the late 1940s he began touring more widely and played in many countries in Europe, especially in France, and throughout the United States including returns to New Orleans and California. In 1952, Foster toured Europe with Jimmy Archey's Band. He played regularly at Central Plaza in New York and briefly in New Orleans with Papa Celestin in 1954. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he played with Earl Hines' Small Band. In 1966, he toured Europe with the New Orleans All-Stars but remained based in San Francisco, where he died. The Autobiography of Pops Foster was published in 1971, with a new edition in 2005 ISBN 0-87930-831-1 (alk. paper). The book is not known for great accuracy when some anecdotes are compared to other sources. 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!

Charlie's Boogie - Nico Brina

Born: 29 September 1969 / Biel-Bienne (CH) First performance: 1984 The media call him: King of Boogie It all started in 1977, when Nico Brina, then aged eight, discovered a piano at his neighbour’s house. It was love at first sight, and it was also a love which remains unbroken to this day. With total devotion and limitless passion, Nico has developed a unique talent over the years which is characterised by incredibly fast boogie-woogie rhythms, dizzying bass lines, artistically sparkling melody lines and spectacular chords and audio avalanches that he plays with both his hands and his feet. At the beginning, he drew his inspiration from Elvis Presley and the classics of the big American boogie-woogie stars. Yet Nico Brina rapidly developed his own unmistakable style which has made him well known far beyond his homeland. Whether it’s in a small club, a big concert hall, on a cruise ship, in the Caribbean, in Dubai or in Kazakhstan: Nico Brina’s music is listened to with enthusiasm all over the world. B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Oscar Peterson, Louis Jordan: Nico Brina has been inspired and characterized by the big names of rock ‘n’ roll-, blues- and jazz history. At the same time though, he has never tried to imitate or copy anyone else. His own style and the development of his own techniques have always been his top priority. This also includes an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, when Brina set a new record with the world’s fastest boogie-woogie at 608 strokes per minute with his left hand, as well as his own combination of crazy boogie-woogie rhythms and popular Swiss folk songs, or performances and tours with the famous tap-dancer and juggler Lukas Weiss. Nico Brina grew up with Rock ’n’ Roll. He discovered blues a little later. It is the fusion of these two musical styles that represents his chosen musical direction. “No boogie without blues” is the pianist’s motto. “Sometimes I go more in one direction, sometimes more in the other. Yet my strength, my dynamism and my enjoyment of playing are all based on the combination of the two.” Almost nobody is able to elude the charm of the virtuoso rhythm and sound avalanches played by Nico Brina. It’s almost as if the rules of physical gravity and technical playability have been suspended. And yet the music only starts to live properly through the soul. Nico Brina’s love of playing, his unlimited passion for becoming a part of and being one with his music, and of enthusing his audience remains unbroken after over twenty years as a professional on the stage. 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!

When It's Old - Missing Cat

Well, it all started back in year zero with a band called Delta and a lot of smoke, later there was talk of world domination and of course enlightenment. We decided that if it was in fact noise and playing with other people's heads in smoky rooms that was to be the way... then that's just the way it had to be...The only reason we do it is because it gets us high playing all this Frock, Flazz & Blues music. Then the smoke filled rooms became fewer and other people's heads became screwier, so we decided that smearing love across the masses was now to be the way... Fuelled by the psychedelic, enslaved by our imaginations we set out on a voyage of discovery, pitted against the apathy of our lovely hometown we ventured forth to show them all that getting high is just a state of mind, and feeling down is just another... So we exalted in the spirit and made music to help realise the way, we danced cavorted and otherwise comingled to call upon the spirits of our ancestors to help us through these dark times... Life really is for loving... 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!

News from Stephanie Trick

October 2012 In this issue Lockerbie Jazz Festival Kobe Jazz Street Festival Upcoming Release of Nouveau Stride Album November West Coast Tour Dear Friends, I hope this message finds you well, and that if you are affected by the big storm on the East Coast of the U.S., you are safe and sound.  Since my last newsletter, I've had some fun experiences playing in Scotland and Japan, and now am looking forward to a new CD release as well as to my annual tour of California. Lockerbie Jazz Festival My overseas trip at the end of September began in the United Kingdom with the Lockerbie Jazz Festival.  It was my first time to play and to be in Scotland.  This festival combines both traditional and modern styles, so I was honored to be one of the musicians representing classic jazz.  I had the chance to see a good part of the countryside -- miles and miles of open pasture dotted with sheep -- because one of the concerts took place three hours north in Arbroath.  I played in a charming jazz club, located in the basement of an old castle, which often presents traditional jazz, and was thrilled at how knowledgeable the audience was. The people I met in Scotland sure made me feel welcome, and of course I enjoyed hearing that terrific Scottish accent (although I did have a "wee" bit of a hard time understanding them as they talk very quickly!).  I hope I can return to their beautiful country and to the U.K. soon. Kobe Jazz Street Festival After Lockerbie, I headed around the world to the Kobe Jazz Street Festival in Japan.  It was founded 31 years ago to celebrate early jazz and has been taking place annually ever since.  Many musician friends that I had met at other jazz festivals were there, and I made some new friends as well.  I hadn't been to Japan before, and was a little concerned that I wouldn't be able to find my way around since none of the signs are in English, but there were no problems.  The Japanese are known for their precision and attention to detail.  Even still, it is no mean feat to get a dozen or so of us non-Japanese-speaking foreigners to the right venues at the right times.  I don't think anyone got lost! In my kimono with the gracious Akiko Suehiro, director of Kobe Jazz Street On the opening night of the festival, the organizer bestowed on me a stunning red silk kimono, complete with a red and black lace sash.  They had me wear it to play, even with the sleeves that went down to my knees.  Quite an experience! After the jam session with all the guest musicians at Kobe Jazz Street (Photo credit: Atsumi Yamamoto) I really enjoyed the weekend because I had the chance to play with other musicians in different ensembles, and the bandstand is the best place to learn!  The jam sessions in the hotel lobby were also a highlight for me -- a chance for the musicians to be more spontaneous in the after hours. This festival is unique because the city of Kobe is filled with jazz clubs -- there seem to be three or four jazz clubs on every street -- and these become the venues for the festival.  One of the things that impressed me about the Japanese is how attentive they are when they listen, and how seriously they take music.  They always listen respectfully, and when they start clapping along to a song, they clap exactly in time and don't stop until the song finishes!  I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to visit Japan and can't wait to go back. Upcoming Release of Nouveau Stride Album I'm very excited to finally announce the release of Fourteen, the album I have been working on for the past two years with lyricist and vocalist Lorraine Feather!  We are really satisfied with how all the music and artwork for the CD turned out.  It will officially be released on Friday, November 23, at the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival, along with the debut that night of the live multimedia companion Nouveau Stride show.  In addition, the physical CD and a digital download will be available on CD Baby by that date.  More information can be found about our duo and the Nouveau Stride program at this website. November West Coast Tour I'm heading out west this Thursday and will be doing concerts throughout California (L.A., San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, and more) and some of them will be four-hands programs with the very talented jazz pianist and my good friend from Italy, Paolo Alderighi.  All the details about this tour can be found on my Schedule page.  Hope to see you out there, or somewhere along the line soon! Thank you so much for all of your support! Best wishes, Stephanie Quick Links... Videos Reviews Biography My Schedule Photo Gallery CD's and DVD My Website Homepage

Who Needs Shelter - Half Deaf Clatch

I just received a copy of Who Needs Shelter, the newest release from Half Deaf Clatch. Clatch has put together 14 tracks of primitive blues music using nothing but a resonator guitar, slide, butcher block stomp board, stompbourine and his own voice. Track 1, Dancing In The Rain, is a mix between delta and Richie Havens. Well Well has some smooth slide resonator work with open tuning and a cool delta flare. Oh My Daze although still primitive in nature has a lot more of a modern sound to it. The influences of more contemporary rock sounds are apparent although they work nicely rather than conflicting with Clatch's theme. Handful o' Trouble is a cool Piedmont style country blues, keeping with the sound of original blues but with a touch of today. Good Deal Blues is a happy go lucky tune with finger picking resonator and Clatch's honest voice. (singing the) Working Blues is done acapella much like that of an old work song. It captures the feel of the original styling and the name only reinforces what you already know. Very effective. Slow Deaf Shuffle hints to a bit farther north and the hills of Appalachia. The resonator almost sounds like a banjo but as used in the early country blues music. Good Old Diablo, is a stompin' delta blues track with a catchy hook on the slide resonator. Clatch's playing style matches well to the use of resonator controlling and magnifying the complexity of the simple sounds available. Never Really Happened has a definite modern construction on a primitive base. The sounds are all crude but the assemblage is well thought through and well executed. Clatch wraps the recording with Working Life Blues, sounding like an interim McKinley Morganfield track, one between his country delta sound and his uptown Chicago sound. Clatch has developed an interesting trilling sound on the guitar and keeping the stomp going makes for a cool ending to an interesting look at modern delta style blues. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Tippy Agogo and Bill Bourne Release Amoeba Collective

Tippy Agogo and Bill Bourne Release Amoeba Collective National release date on November 6 from Busted Flat Records Songwriters Tippy Agogo and Bill Bourne team up with virtuoso guitarist Madagascar Slim and veteran drummer Michelle Josef on a new recording Amoeba Collective. Amoeba Collective is a certified organic project featuring ten original songs that are a brilliant and compelling blend of Blues, Rock, World Beat Hip Hop, Electro-Acoustic with a dash of Country. Sharing the songwriting and lead vocals equally, Tippy and Bill constructed a variety of songs that serve as vehicles for a multi-genre improv romp that exudes a sense of celebration and conveys a global sensibility. Madagascar Slim contributes his inimitable Hendrix/Malagasy guitar to the colourful melee and drummer Michelle Josef ties it all together with rock solid grooves.  Tom Mennier's wonderful piano and Donato Scipioni's fat bass fill out the fusion feast! "Audiences have responded in various ways, some were comatose in their seats... others dancing like banshees." - The Local, Sunshine Coast Jazz & Entertainment Society Tour dates:  November 15 The Vat - Red Deer, AB November 16 The Ironwood - Calgary, AB November 17 Avenue Theatre - Edmonton, AB About Bill Bourne Bill was raised in a musical family in rural Alberta. When he was two years old, he was known to sleep behind the piano at country dances. His parents played dance music in community halls in beautiful farming country. The love of nature and of music and of people gathering for celebration has been with him for his whole life. A multiple Canadian Juno Award winner, Bill has received international acclaim for his recordings and live performances. A mainstay on the international roots scene, life on the road is reflected in Bill's music - powerful rhythms and soulful songs, steeped in World Beat, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Folk, Flamenco, Funk, Poetry and more. Full bio at www.billbourne.com Tippy Agogo Bio As far as is known, Tippy Agogo has made four official albums between 1988 - 2008; ecclectic with global, experimental, folk, rock, dance and pop influences - each album, like the shows, have no two songs the same, resembling the live act. On his website, tippyagogo.com, these albums are listed, plus his work with such diverse artists as: SNFU, Sarah McLachlan, Cassandra Complex, Twilight Circus Dub, Legendary Pink Dots and so forth. He is credited as helping start some careers of famous Canadian artists, such as the Smalls, and based most of his work out of Edmonton, Vancouver and Montreal, plus some notable European cities - Antwerp, Hamburg and Bergen.  Full bio at www.tippyagogo.com Media contact: Sarah French Publicity Sarah French 416-566-4188 www.sarahfrenchpublicity.com Label Contact: Busted Flat Records Mark Logan 519-221-0884 www.bustedflatrecords.com

INTRODUCING: NICK AND THE OVOROLS - DEBUT ALBUM "TELEGRAPH TABOO" OUT JAN. 22ND!

    

NICK AND THE OVOROLS TO RELEASE THEIR DEBUT STUDIO ALBUM "TELEGRAPH TABOO" JAN. 22, 2013!

 

THE CHICAGO BASED BLUES-ROCK FOURSOME OFFERS THEIR NEW SINGLE "HEED THE WORDS I SAY" AS A FREE DOWNLOAD!

 

Nick and the Ovorols (left to right: Carlos Showers (guitar),Vic Jackson (bass), Nick Peraino (vocals, guitar), Lance Lewis (drums)

[photo credit: Chris Monaghan of Mo Pho]

 

Nick and The Ovorols are preparing the release of their debut studio LP Telegraph Taboo early next year - an album that finds the Chicago-based foursome injecting deep soul, spirited guitar-driven rock and even a bit of psychedelia into their heavy bedrock of electrified blues.

The group is lead by vocalist and guitarist Nick Peraino, a native New Englander who moved to Chicago in '98 to pursue studies in jazz guitar at DePaul University. A strong passion for blues music was a deciding factor in choosing to attend college in Chicago. Peraino toured extensively throughout the Midwest in 2003-2004 promoting his post-college roots-rock band Nick Peraino and Blue Moon Risin'. He also wrote and produced their debut album Noisy Picks and Humbars. In 2005 he began playing alongside local Chicago underground blues legend Joanna Connor. He continued to perform locally and tour nationally with The Joanna Connor Band where they played regularly scheduled shows at Chicago’s Buddy Guy's Legends, Kingston Mines and The House of Blues. In 2009 Peraino was personally invited by Grammy Award winning harmonica legend Sugar Blue to join a two week tour of Europe to perform in a number of showcase events.

In 2011 Peraino’s move from sideman to frontman was realized through a shift in consciousness, after a bad turn of events led to a positive outlook on life. An unfortunate visit to the emergency room in February of 2011 led to Peraino’s diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease. He came upon newfound confidence and a burning desire to become a band leader. Shortly after forming Nick and the Ovorols with guitarist Carlos Showers, bassist Vic Jackson and drummer Lance Lewis in the late summer of 2011 they held a five-month residency at Chicago's famed blues venue Kingston Mines. Kingston Mines MC Frank Pellegrino is calling Nick “one of the best young, up and coming talents.” Earlier this year the band decided to record one of their weekly Wednesday night shows and the album Live at Kingston Mines was born.

Nick and The Ovorols have shared the stage with many greats such as Sugar Blue, Buddy Guy, Larry McCray, Taj Mahal, Jimmy Herring (Allman Bros, Widespread Panic), Carl Weathersby, Jim Belushi, Stanton Moore (Galactic) and others.

Nick and The Ovorols' Telegraph Taboo will be available January 22, 2013 in CD and Digital formats.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD & POST NICK AND THE OVOROL'S NEW SONG "HEED THE WORDS I SAY"

 

 

Telegraph Taboo Tracklist
1. Take The V Train
2. Chitown via Greyhound
3. Heeds The Words I Saw
4. Honey Please
5. Mojo A Go-Go
6. Hey, Mr. President
7. Try Me
8. Day To Day
9. Half of Two
10. Soundtrack to Life

NICK AND THE OVOROL'S TOUR DATES
Nov 1 House of Blues Back Porch - Chicago, IL
Nov 2 Buddy Guy's Legends - Chicago, IL
Nov 5 Shaw's Crabhouse - Chicago, IL
Nov 10 Scoreboards Sports Pub - Oswego, IL
Nov 15 Toons Bar and Grill - Chicago, IL
Nov 17 House of Blues Back Porch - Chicago, IL
Nov 18  Smoke Daddy - Chicago, IL
Dec 2  Buddy Guy's Legends - Chicago, IL
Dec 3 Shaw's Crabhouse - Chicago, IL
Dec 12  Smoke Daddy - Chicago, IL
Dec 29 Rocks Lounge @ Blue Chip Casino - Michigan City, IN

[more national dates to be announced soon]

FOR MORE INFO ON NICK AND THE OVOROLS:
http://www.nickandtheovorols.com/

 

Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan with Gus Thornton

Personnel Albert King : Electric Guitar, Vocals Stevie Ray Vaughan : Electric Guitar, Vocals only on Song 3 Tony Llorens : Piano, Organ Gus Thornton : Bass Michael Llorens : Drums Bassist Gus Thornton has lived a blues musician's dream. In the last 40 years he has traveled around the world recording and touring with blues greats such as Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Katie Webster. He has shared the stage with, and earned the respect of, every St. Louis Blues Musician he has played with. Gus Thornton is the epitome of St. Louis Blues. Thornton, like many rhythm musicians, is over looked by listeners who tend to get wrapped up in screaming guitars, monster harps and raspy vocals. Musicians, however, will readily agree that the key to any blues band is the rhythm section. "Every time one of my fingers moves, someone taps their foot or nods their head. Yeah, people pay attention to the guitar players and singers, but I have the audience attached to my fingers," said Derek Morgan, bass player for Mojo Syndrome. Thornton is known for his fingers. His chops are on the cutting edge of music, whether it‚s his recordings with Albert King or one of his new contemporary jazz compositions. Thornton continues to be a beacon of light and breath of fresh air for those who pay attention to his music. "He is prolific in everything," said Sharon Foehner, bass player for Bennie Smith and the Urban Express. "He is not just a bass player, though. He is an arranger and plays the guitar as well as many other instruments. He is a complete and total musician." Thornton is quiet about his success in the business, but very honest and surprised to know people admire him. He is a self-taught musician who originally began playing guitar, but became the bass player by default when his first band already had a guitar player. As a teenager, he played in popular gospel and R & B bands mostly, but quickly got drawn into the blues. Thornton played with local talents like Oliver Sain, Johnnie Johnson, and Shirley Brown before he started touring with Albert King. He traveled with King for several years and recorded albums like San Francisco '83 and the more recent release, In Session, with King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He also toured with Katie Webster and got to help cut the Two Fisted Mama album, which stands as one of his favorite recording experiences. At one time, Thornton was offered the opportunity to be B.B. King's bass player. He passed it up because B.B.‚s tour schedule of 300 nights a year would keep him away from his family for too long. Thornton's dedication to his family of six children and wife, Charlene, has been a blessing for both him and St. Louis. His obvious compassion and selfless dedication to the music has earned him a large group of people who care deeply for him and his well-being. St. Louis has in many ways become his extended family. 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”

Double Eye Whammy - Tommy Ridgley

Now 50 years in the music business, TOMMY RIDGLEY, is considered the Master of Rhythm & Blues. As one of the great and enduring Rhythm & Blues artists in New Orleans, TOMMY RIDGLEY has stood the test of time with more than 70 recordings since 1949. TOMMY RIDGLEY is a very friendly, humble man with a wealth of good stories and very strong opinions. TOMMY RIDGLEY'S roots, like so many other Rhythm & Blues artists, started in the church choir. Also being the offspring of a musicial family, he had the ability to sing. At age 17, he joined the Navy. During this time he developed an interest in learning to play the piano. In 1946, after World War II, he returned to New Orleans and studied music. Influenced by Roy Brown, a New Orleans' resident and one of the biggest Rhythm & Blues artists nationally, Ridgley began developing his own style. Being a much sought after performer, Ridgley began performing at The Dew Drop Inn, a New Orleans' most popular black live music venue. TOMMY RIDGLEY'S recording break came in October 1949 with the release of "Shrewsbury Blues," and "Early Dawn Boogie," on Imperial Records with Dave Bartholomew's band. In 1952, TOMMY RIDGLEY signed with Decca Records which produced "TraLaLa," a Tommy Ridgley song covered by Pat Boone. Soon after, Ridgley signed to Atlantic Records, where he enjoyed a four year association with Jerry Wexler. There were consistent moderate selling recordings, but no national hit. Over the next years, Ridgley recorded for Herald Records, Ric & Ron Records where he was billed as the New Orleans' King of the Stroll. Joe Ruffiino wanted to make a stroll record in reference to a popular dance of that era. (Similar to Chuck Willis.) In 1957, THE UNTOUCHABLES, were formed. TOMMY RIDGLEY and his band, THE UNTOUCHABLES, were much respected and got most of the best gigs in the area. Ridgley was firmly established during the late 1960's at the New Orleans' Municipal Auditorium as a resident bandleader with a hot-cookin' band, backing such greats as Little Richard, Solomon Burke, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Little Willie John, and the opening band for James Brown. The turning point for Ridgley's career came with the Beatles. That was the big change in music. Tommy Ridgley's performances at college campuses and concerts turned to private clubs and older audiences. It wasn't until the 1970's that New Orleans' Rhythm & Blues was revived with interests by the New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival and other local festivals. TOMMY RIDGLEY continued recording, performing festivals, nationally and internationally. There were reissues on Rounder Records, with new singles on local labels such as Sound of New Orleans, TuDor (Ridgley's own label) and DuBat. In 1990, "How Long," appeared on Sound of New Orleans label. In 1992, "She Turns Me On," appeared on Modern Blues label. In 1995, "Since The Blues Began," appeared on BlackTop label. It was after Ridgley's recording in 1995, he developed kidney failure. After a lengthy recovery he began performing again. In May 1998, Ridgley recieved a kidney transplant. Now after a complete recovery, he is working, but taking it a little easier. Ridgley still does the Jazz & Heritage Festival every year since 1972, the French Quarter Festival, The House of Blues where he and his band opened for The Blues Brothers. Ridgley can be found at some of the local clubs and most of the local festivals. 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”

Daydreamer - Eddie Holland

Edward Holland, Jr. (born October 30, 1939, Detroit, Michigan, known during his recording career as Eddie Holland) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Although Holland was an early Motown artist who recorded minor hit singles such as "Jamie", he started working behind the scenes due to stage fright. He was a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the songwriting and production team responsible for much of the Motown Sound and hit records by Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes, the Four Tops, and The Isley Brothers, among others. Holland served as the team's lyricist, and also worked with producer Norman Whitfield on lyrics for the songs he produced for The Marvelettes and The Temptations, like "Too Many Fish in the Sea" and "Beauty's Only Skin Deep". 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”

Some Black Snakes Out There Suckin' On My Rider's Tongue - Brenda Bell

"Some Black Snakes Out There Suckin' On My Rider's Tongue" is a track from the out of print album "It Ain't Nobody's Business What Brenda Bell May Do!" or "The Art of Brenda Bell" released on Spivey Records in 1984. Artist: Brenda Bell Album: It Ain't Nobody's Business What Brenda Bell May Do! Track: A-2 Title: Some Black Snakes Out There Suckin' On My Rider's Tongue Year: 1984 Label: Spivey Records Musicians: Brenda Bell (vocals), Bill Dicey (harmonica), Joe Dicey (guitar), Dominic Vigliotti (bass guitar) & Harold Squires, Jr. (drums) Brenda Louise Sophronia Munn-Bell succumbed to cancer September 17, 1988, just shy about six weeks before her 35th birthday. Like many other Spivey records this LP is also out of print and hard to find. 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”

Washboard Serenaders - Jerome Darr

For a player who rates only three lines of biographical information in one major jazz reference book, Jerome Darr had an incredibly versatile and prolific career, showing up on sessions from blues to bebop and even strumming a few arpeggios behind Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers. He was one of many fine players to hail from Baltimore and his first major professional affiliation was in sort of a jug band, the Washboard Serenaders. The guitarist was a member of this group from 1933 through 1936, a tenure that included a well-received European tour. Jazz researchers find great, glaring holes in Darr's activities from this point, either picking back up on him in the classic jazz context of Buddy Johnson's band in the early '50s, or wondering about his involvement with the much more modernistic Charlie Parker during roughly the same period. The guitarist was not hiding in a closet during the '40s, however: he simply focused on work as a studio musician during an era when the efforts of such players went largely uncredited. Discographer Tom Lord, for example, lists less than 20 recording sessions in total for this artist between 1935 and 1973. Such a thin statistic indicates that the hefty, complete list of recordings Darr appears on include many other styles besides jazz. Simply fitting in may have been the main requirement in these contexts, and it is indeed difficult to pinpoint whether it is Darr or someone else such as Skeeter Best playing on some of the Lymon tracks, as studio bandleader Jimmy Wright made use of several different players. In his final years, Darr was mostly swinging in the busy band of trumpeter Jonah Jones, in a sense coming full circle with the type of playing he had started out with. 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!

Cecile's Song - Funke & The Two Tone Baby

Dan Turnbull - Guitar, Vocals, Keys, Harmonica, Stompbox and Mandolin ''His material was great, quite bluesy and dirty and performed with real gusto, manically stamping on the box to start and stop loops, frantically picking up different microphones and instruments like a magician pulling props out of a trunk to create some amazing sounds.'' - Tasty Sounds 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!

Hoodoo Stew - Selwyn Birchwood

Selwyn Birchwood stumbled upon the Blues at age seventeen while attending a Buddy Guy concert in Orlando. After witnessing the raw energy and power the music created first hand, he decided it was what he wanted to pursue. He has spent the years since then trying to hone his skill to convey the same intensity and feeling of the blues greats. After seeing him perform in a local club, Texas Bluesman Sonny Rhodes offered him the chance to hit the road and tour nationally. Selwyn quickly took advantage of the opportunity and has frequently toured with his blues mentor across the U.S. and Canada at many premiere venues including: “Terra Blues” in New York City, “Big Muddy Blues Festival” in St. Louis, “Beltline Blues Fest” in Calgary, Alberta, and “Buddy Guy’s Legends” in Chicago. Selwyn is backed by a rock-solid rhythm section that is as bluesy as it gets. Auggie Antoine (Bass) was a regular at Kingsnake Records in Sanford, Fl. In its heyday Kingsnake turned out records for many notable artists including Ace Moreland, Rufus Thomas, and Kenny Neal. The band also features Dave Scitney (Drums) who adds his own style keeping the pulse of their unique brand of swampy, Florida BLUES. ****2010 has shaped up to be a great year for Selwyn and the band as they opened for many nationally acclaimed acts including: Robert Cray, John Lee Hooker Jr., Zac Harmon, and Joanna Connor. You can also catch him every Sunday night at B.B. King's Blues Club (Orlando) 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!

Get Those Halloween Boos (Er, Blues!) This Wednesday with Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog at the Tavern

 

Get your Halloween Boos (Er, Blues) on this Wednesday (Halloween Night), October 31 as Tommy Marsh & Bad Dog welcome special guest, guitarist-vocalist Lenny Kerley to their weekly Blues Jam at The Tavern in Ventura. Read a recent interview with Tommy in October's issue of All Access below. 

GET YOUR HALLOWEEN BOOS (ER, BLUES) ON THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT With

Ventura Bluesman/Guitarist-Vocalist 

 Tommy Marsh  & BAD DOG

     And Special Guest Lenny Kerley - At The Weekly Ventura County Blues  

Society-Sponsored Blues Jam At The Tavern - Wed., October 31

 

    

   (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - Get your Halloween Boos (er, Blues) on with Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog's weekly Blues Jam this Wednesday night (Halloween Night), October 31, at The Tavern, 211 Santa Clara, Ventura. 8-11 p.m., and no cover. Info: (805) 643-3246. This week's special guest is guitarist-vocalist, Lenny Kerley.   

   Tommy Marsh In the News: Check out a cool in-depth interview with Tommy in the new issue of All Access Magazine: http://allaccessmagazine.com/2012/10/25/tommy-marsh-and-bad-dogs-jam-band-blues-making-their-mark-on-socal-blues-scene/  

   A Close Second: Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog recently took second place at the Ventura County Blues Society IBC Band Challenge in an extremely close, hard-fought competition.  The band continues to expand its growing fan base in the Ventura area and beyond, playing lots of shows (three in the past week alone) and making new friends and fans everywhere they go.  

 

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