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четверг, 29 апреля 2021 г.

Mike Quick & The Soul Power Band - Time Change

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2012
Time: 34:50 
Size: 80,1 MB 
Label: Lakehouse Records
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues/Funky Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Power of the Universe - 5:04
 2. Time Change - 4:14
 3. Helpless - 7:30
 4. Better and Better - 3:42
 5. All Me, All You - 6:21
 6. Different World - 3:47
 7. Time with My Friends - 4:09

Musicians:
Mike Quick - vocal,guitar;
Jimmy Seay - bass;
"Natural" Phil Johnson - drums;
Chris Baptiste - Hammond b3 & other keys;
Brian Scanlon - trumpet;
Doug Spoonamore - tenor sax;
Shaun Rounds - guitar, vocal.

"The record is finally done!  The music industry has changed a lot, making it tougher to sell CDs or even recoup the expense of making an Album.  These tracks are me having fun, recording at home either by myself or live with the band setup in my living room.  I love making music that can put a smile on a face or plant an idea that grows in your mind.  The band right now is doing great, playing every week in the clubs kickin' ass".  
Mike Quick is a Singer/Songwriter based in Central Florida.  When he is not raising chickens, making custom pickguards or hanging with the family he's playing music venues, festivals, writing songs or jammin' with friends.  His music is Roots Blues & Soul with a whole lot of FUNK.  Shuffle...Ballad...its gonna be funky.
The Mike Quick Soul Power Band is a Classic Rock & Funky Blues Band, with an emphasis on creating a party atmosphere with music from the 60's, 70's and 80's.  Mike's music gets people on their feet, dancing and drinking and having a good time.  If this sounds like a good fit for your venue on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon, then please consider engaging the Mike Quick Soul Power Band in the very near future.


Bonepickers - Strollin'

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2014
Time: 36:06 
Size: 83,6 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Tell Me The Reason - 2:41
 2. Blue Mood - 3:01
 3. Party Girl - 3:31
 4. Evening - 4:15
 5. Strollin' - 2:41
 6. I Get So Weary - 3:15
 7. inspiration Blues - 3:00
 8. Life Is Too Short - 3:57
 9. Alimony Blues - 2:42
10. Get These Blues Off Me - 3:26
11. 2 Bones - 3:32

Musicians:
Franck Goldwasser "Paris Slim" -  guitar, vocals;
Chris Carison - guitar, vocals;
Vyasa Dodson - guitar, vocals;
Jim Wallace - guitar, vocals;
John Mazzocco - bass;
Reinchardt Melz - drums;
Steve Kerin - piano;
Joe McCarthy - trumpet;
Chris Mercer - sax;
Bradley Ulrich - sax.

Having begun as a "T-Bone Walker Tribute Band" for a show at Duff's Garage in Portland, Oregon, the reception was so enthusiastic that the players decided to keep the lineup as an act and to book it at other venues. The Bonepickers sold out shows at Jimmy Macs and headlined the Waterfront Blues Festival the following year. The album retained all of the original members of the band with the exception of the beloved Rick Welter who died on March 12th 2012.
The album was produced by bassist John "Mazoc" Mazzocco with music enthusiast Christian Selleron as executive producer with the utmost care and attention do details. The cream of the crop of Portland's session players were used and the result is just a gem of an album consisting of some of Walker's most beloved signature compositions. The Bonepickers started out because we love this music. T-boen really changed things for popular music and guitar in particular. Stellar performances here. Great guitar work and a slamming rhythm section makes this music come alive. Participants include former members of John Lee Hooker, Joe Cocker, Curtis Salgado Band, Santana, and Paris Slim! guitar god in the Mannish boys. Pick it up you won't be disappointed

The Hound Kings - Unleashed

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2013
Time: 38:45 
Size: 89,2 MB 
Label: Nine Below Prod
Styles: Blues/Acoustic Blues
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. SSI Blues - 4:15
 2. Drunk Honey Bee - 4:05
 3. Come Go Home With Me - 4:58
 4. The Real McCoy - 3:41
 5. Don't Drag My Love Down - 3:14
 6. Recession Blues - 3:16
 7. The Thang - 4:21
 8. You Got Issues - 4:29
 9. You Gotta Move - 3:08
10. Red Light - 3:14

A New Release From 9 Below Productions With their debut release UNLEASHED, the Hound Kings are positioned to become a favorite among enthusiasts of acoustic blues music. Although reminiscent of classic country blues, this CD displays something new and fresh on the acoustic blues scene. Of the 10 tracks, 8 are original compositions penned by the Hound Kings. Alabama Mike has a knack for writing lyrics in a classic blues style with subject matter pertinent to today's world. The talents of guitarist Anthony Paule, and Scot Brenton on the harmonica, bring these lyrics to life. The results are the original tunes you hear on UNLEASHED. About the 2 cover tunes on this CD...Red Light is an obscure tune written by California blues man, Mercy Dee Walton. The humorous, suggestive lyrics are reminiscent of tunes like Chick Willis' Stoop Down Mama. The Hound Kings take this piano boogie and turn it into a rompin' stompin' guitar and harmonica driven groove. You Gotta Move is the Fred McDowell and Reverend Gary Davis classic. In this recording, the Hound Kings give the gospel tinged tune a new acoustic arrangement with an infectious shuffle groove. If the names Alabama Mike, Scot Brenton, and Anthony Paule sound familiar to you, perhaps it's because they worked together on previous releases Day To Day and Tailor Made. Both releases were favorites among fans and critics alike. UNLEASHED is receiving a major press, radio, and online publicity campaign, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Andrew 'Jr. Boy' Jones - Watch What You Say

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1998
Time: 57:15 
Size: 131,1 MB 
Label: Bullseye Blues
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Watch What You Say - 4:27
 2. Party Man - 3:25
 3. Fast Woman - 4:57
 4. The Memory's Fading - 7:18
 5. Shuffle On - 2:33
 6. Make Some Changes - 3:48
 7. Little By Little - 6:13
 8. Time to Move On - 3:08
 9. Blues Queen - 4:30
10. Stinky Dink - 3:44
11. Lost Love Blues - 4:04
12. Soul Serenade - 5:26
13. Got to Win the Lottery - 3:36

On his second full album (he shows up on some JSP multi-artists blues compilations), Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones brings his brand of Texas blues to 13 tunes firmly in a contemporary mode. Jones' guitar is highly influenced by Freddie King, but every once in a while you'll catch a strain of Albert Collins or Johnny Copeland popping in as well. Nine of the 13 tunes aboard come from Jones' pen, while bandmembers Tommy Hill and Ronnie Bramhall contribute one tune apiece. Nice covers of King Curtis' "Soul Serenade" and Junior Wells' "Little by Little" complete the package. Jones' vocals are less than thrilling, but a load of solid playing and well-thought-out arrangements wedded to well-above-average material makes this album worth a listen for fans of modern blues.


среда, 28 апреля 2021 г.

Dirty Trainload - Revolution and Crime

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 48:28 
Size: 111,2 MB 
Label: Ciqala
Styles: Garage Blues Rock/Dirty Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Torture Dogs - 3:39
 2. Wanted Man - 3:52
 3. Too Far Gone - 3:33
 4. Revolution and Crime - 2:46
 5. Another Man Done Gone - 4:18
 6. End Of The Welfare State - 3:24
 7. Cod'ine - 5:40
 8. Slanted Houses - 5:06
 9. Parchman Farm - 3:23
10. Dry Throat - 3:27
11. Improvised Robbery - 4:56
12. Samir's Letter - 3:21
13. Fire Is Gonna Burn You - 0:59

The Dirty Trainload are currently performing in a one, two or three piece version. In every case the man behind it is Bob Cillo from Bari, in the south of Italy. He basically manage his guitar, a bottleneck and some old analog drum machines loops while singing. Bob plays the blues the way he wants and feels to. Specifically, the highly personal sound of the Dirty Trainload is marked by a lo-fi inclination to sounds borrowed from alternative and garage-punk environments.
As for the other band members, Bob is usually performing with the drummer Go Balzano and occasionally with the Italian-American vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Livia "Noisance" Monteleone from California. In Fall 2007 the Dirty Trainload released their debut album "Rising Rust" as a duo; the reviewers spent plenty of kind words on it. Back then Bob was sided by Marco del Noce from Rome on vocals and harp. The second album "Trashtown" has been released in 2011. It features Bob's former band mate Noisance aka Livia Monteleone from Santa Cruz, California who sings and plays Banjo, Baritone Guitar and Percussions. In September 2014 came out the third album "A Place for Loitering" released in 12" vinyl format. All works were produced by Fabio Magistrali and were recorded in his home. No editing work and no personal computer has been involved in writing, arranging, performing, recording and mixing. From 2008 to the present the band has always devoted itself to an intense performance schedule, setting out for some cross-country Italian tours and performing in many European cities including Zurich, Berlin, London, Brighton, Copenhagen, Budapest and Paris. In England the duo recorded two sessions for the American radio show-podcast Breakthru Radio. They also performed in California, in Chicago, at the “Deep Blues Festival” in Minneapolis and in Mississippi. The Dirty Trainload is not an "emerging band" but rather is and will always be a "definitely submerged band", the underground music scene being its natural habitat. They are in it only to deliver an unsolicited trainload of dissident blues!

Otis Grand - In Grand Style: Otis Grand Collection

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2003
Time: 78:47 + 77:10
Size: 181,8 MB + 177,7 MB
Label: Sanctuary 
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full 

Tracks Listing:
CD1
 1. Love at First Sight - 2:57
 2. Woke Up This Morning - 4:20
 3. Fix Our Love - 4:43
 4. Always Hot - 3:13
 5. Whole Lotta Lovin' - 4:13
 6. Don't Know Why - 5:42
 7. No Alibi - 3:45
 8. Things Are Getting Harder To Do - 4:12
 9. Grand Style - 3:34
10. Real Gone Lover - 3:34
11. SRV (My Mood Too) - 5:53
12. Leave That Girl - 4:19
13. Your Love Pulls no Punches - 5:19
14. Teach Me How To Love You - 2:15
15. He Knows the Blues - 0:55
16. Finish Line - 4:37
17. Careless Living - 4:53
18. No Reasons - 4:07
19. 5 to 99 Blues - 3:27
20. Looking Good - 2:39

CD2
 1. Things I forgot to do - 5:01
 2. All Night Long - 4:22
 3. Waiting for the hard times to go - 7:45
 4. Six Way's (Pam's Tune) - 4:24
 5. How Come - 5:44
 6. Between Heaven & Hell - 5:25
 7. Perfume and Grime - 8:03
 8. 100 Years - 5:36
 9. When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer - 5:58
10. Grime Time - 5:01
11. Westside Bossman - 4:41
12. There was a Time - 3:52
13. Don't Talk About Me - 5:29
14. It's a Little Too Late - 5:43

Double CD compilation featuring Joe Louis Walker, The BB King Horns, Jimmy "T-99" Nelson, Kim Wilson, Sugar Ray Norcia, Curtis Salgado, Luther Allison, Anson Funderburgh and Debbie Davies.
Otis Grand: the name defines the man and his music. This compilation brings together thirty four examples of the dynamic soul-searching Blues that has made Otis Grand Britain's premier Blues musician, a regular recipitent of Best Blues Guitarist awards and proof that The Blues is a universal language of which he is an acknowledged expert.

Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones - I Need Time

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1997
Time: 48:48 
Size: 112,1 MB 
Label: JSP Records
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Need Time - 6:46
 2. I Got a Stick - 3:04
 3. Hoochie Mama - 4:02
 4. These Bills - 4:12
 5. Big Leg, Heavy Bottom - 3:15
 6. Blues Joint - 5:35
 7. I'm With You - 5:32
 8. Jr. Boy's Jam - 2:52
 9. You're a Dog - 3:21
10. Gotta Be Foolin' You - 5:20
11. Tribute to Freddie - 4:44

Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones is an American Texas blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, whose recorded work has been released on five albums. Jones' 1997 album, I Need Time, "showcases his crafty songwriting, great guitar playing, and powerful singing." The son of a big band singer, Jones acquired his moniker from his grandmother. Jones learned to play the guitar at a young age, and he joined Freddie King's backing band, the Thunderbirds, at the age of 17 and toured with them for a couple of years. In 1967, Jones became part of Bobby Patterson's backing band, the Mustangs, playing on a number of Patterson's single releases. By the early 70s, Jones worked in Dallas backing many musicians, plus was tutored further by Cornell Dupree. In 1973, Jones re-joined King's backing ensemble, and played with him until King died in 1976. The latter part of the decade saw Jones create a soul group known as the Creators, who signed a recording contract with RCA. Penned by Jones, their 1979 single, "Blame It on Me", was more successful on the Northern soul circuit in the UK than in his home country. He worked locally in the early 80s, primarily backing R.L. Griffin and Hal Harris, before finding regular work with Johnnie Taylor until 1985. In late 1987, he went to California joining Silent Partners, who backed Katie Webster in concert and on her Swamp Boogie Queen album. The group became session musicians working with Charlie Musselwhite, with whom Jones remained until 1996. Jones played on three Musselwhite albums; Ace of Harps, Signature, and In My Time. In 1997, Jones issued his debut solo album, I Need Time, via JSP Records. This was followed by Watch What You Say (Rounder Records). However, following Watch What You Say's release, Jones was nominated for a Blues Music Award for 'Best New Blues Artist'. A live album, Jr. Boy Live was released in 2006 and Gettin' Real, his most recent release appeared on the independent record label, Electro-Fi Records in 2009.

My Own Holiday - Reason to Bleed

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2015
Time: 39:49 
Size: 91,7 MB 
Label: Eclecto Groove Records
Styles: Blues/Electric Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Hold on Me - 3:15
 2. Razorblades - 2:14
 3. Two Coins - 3:29
 4. Memphis - 3:45
 5. Devil In Me - 4:01
 6. Reason to Bleed - 0:12
 7. Whiskey in the Well - 3:05
 8. On the Floor Blues - 4:44
 9. Smile - 2:44
10. Stone Free - 2:14
11. Stranded - 3:24
12. Don't Shine on Me - 3:25
13. Right Back Where I Started - 3:11

It might be easy to lump My Own Holiday in with other Guitar and Drum ensembles, like The Black Keys or The White Stripes but on their latest album, Reason to Bleed, My Own Holiday carve out a niche all their own. Their traditional meets modern approach is blues for the next generation.
Joey Chrisman’s post Nirvana voice could very well redefine what the traditional blues singer sounds like. He’s vulnerable in all the right places and just when you think he’s about to falter he flexes his muscles like Popeye after downing a can of spinach and puts a whooping on your ass that you’ll feel for days. Nick Bartolo’s drumming is solid and holds the low end together so well that you don’t really miss the bass guitar.  The stripped down sound serves the material very well. There is no overplaying or long jams. My Own Holiday seems to have adopted the Tom Petty philosophy of “don’t bore us; take us to the chorus.” The album opens with a groovy little rocker, “Hold On Me” and progresses from there. “Whiskey in the Well” is a David Rawlings-esque acoustic ballad, and “On the Floor Blues” is an example of how these guys can play down and dirty blues with the best of the them.  They reinvent boogie rock with the track “Smile” and create one of the most interesting moments on the record.
While there is definitely a lot of rock and roll on Reason to Bleed, don’t be fooled. Chrisman and Bartolo are blues men at heart. Reason to Bleed is spattered with all the blood and guts that made Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Water’s such powerful artists in their day.With Reason to Bleed,  My Own Holiday joins the  fraternity of blues based acts like Gary Clark Jr. and others who are redefining the genre.

Cooper Terry & The Nite Life - Take a Ride with Cooper T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2007
Time: 72:14 
Size: 166,0 MB 
Label: Blue Flame Records 
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Is L.A. Burnin'? - 2:50
 2. Stormy Desert - 5:35
 3. 32 - 20 - 2:35
 4. And I Cry - 7:25
 5. Tribute To Willie Dixon - 5:01
 6. California Shuffle - 3:39
 7. Raggety And Dirty - 4:25
 8. Kinda Like Wolf - 5:59
 9. My Daddy - 2:54
10. Nite Life - 4:36
11. Down Home Country Girl - 6:53
12. Ain't No Justice - 3:01
13. Take A Ride With Me - 3:04
14. I'm Evil - 3:04
15. African Soup Bone - 2:57
16. Crossroads - 6:32
17. Me And The Devil - 1:39

Musicians:
Cooper Terry - vocals, harmonica, dobro, 12-string guitar;
Marco Limido - electric guitar;
Lillo Rogati - acoustic & electric bass;
Stefano Re, Davide Ravioli - drums.

According to the reminiscence of Lillo Rogati, the late Cooper Terry "used to say that Blues was not Pain and Suffering only but also Joy and Love." In "taking a ride" with him for the duration of this album, it is clear from his style that he believed in expressing this belief.Cooper Terry died in 1993, having moved from America to Milan in the '70s, and is credited as being a unique interpreter of modern and traditional blues, with a hypnotic effect on his audiences and a great love of life and laughter. His rich voice, accompanied by his smooth skills on 12-string guitar, dubro and harmonica, makes this CD undoubtedly his own. His fellow musicians, while competent and complementary to his style, are also fulsome in their praise of his talents and much-missed personality. From electric guitarist Marco Limido comes the following tribute: Cooper "never sold his soul to the devil, he'd always given it to the ones who listened to his Blues." Apt sentiments, written on the cover of an album redolent with quality blues, full of soul and full of life, easy on the ears and easy just to ride along with, until suddenly the journey ends and you realise that time has passed and the songs have finished. The ensuing silence seems very heavy.  Cooper co-wrote all but three of the 17 tracks with Lillo Rogati (acoustic and electric bass), varying between slow, slightly mournful or smooth sliding ("And I Cry" is wonderful), or fast-stepping, rattling along with an infectious rhythm, shuffling swift and sure-footed ("California Shuffle," for example). Each track has its own charm and personality contributing to the overall enjoyment. Guest pianist Valentina Comi, joining him on "Raggedy and Dirty," sounds the changes with the keys, and Nicola Calgari guests elsewhere on saxaphone. Drum honours are shared between Stefano Re and Davide Ravioli. The title track's lyrics are featured on the cover booklet, which has some atmospheric photos of the man himself and various written tributes. The final track, "Me And The Devil," is a previously unreleased Cooper Terry solo, surely a strong temptation for those acquainted with his work to purchase the CD -- though if truth be told, little in the way of perks is required. The quality and variety here is justification enough. It is sad to think he will not make more music like this; blues was dealt a blow by his passing, but is permanently enriched by evidence of his journey.

Jeff Anderson - Jefe at Sessions West

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1996
Time: 32:54 
Size: 75,5 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Mexican Love Connection - 5:04
 2. Chain Lightning - 4:37
 3. Ten Minutes - 4:57
 4. Hot Blue and Righteous - 4:13
 5. Tessa - 2:22
 6. Bright Eyes - 3:14
 7. Little Martha - 2:12
 8. Rich Boy - 6:11

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1957, Jeff was raised by Ted and Peggy Anderson, older brother Mark, and sisters Christine and Gail.Jeff saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, asked for a guitar for his 6th birthday, and got a ¾ size acoustic. He picked out of couple of licks left-handed, but his first guitar teacher (Ed Bennett) suggested he go right-handed. After a couple of years he worked up to an Alamo-Fiesta and a Kalamazoo amp, and did his first gig in the 4th grade talent show in elementary school. After that, jamming with friends started. By 6th grade, he gigged at parties, and by middle school continued with garage bands and playing a lot of acoustic with brother Mark, and at his summer camp (Echo Valley) in Leakey, Texas. In high school Jeff joined a blues-rock band (Rio Grande), covering Muddy Waters to ZZ Top, playing school dances and beach parties. A very fun band! Back in those days Jeff would be packin’ a ‘63 Stratocaster, a Gibson SG or Les Paul through an acoustic 150-B, Sun Septure, or Fender Dual Showmann. Jeff graduated King High School in Corpus Christi a half year early because of after-school work credits. He moved to Nashville when he was 16 with only his ‘63 Strat, an acoustic Epiphone, and a skate board. He joined a really cool Christian Church (Maranatha), then joined the church band which was full of Nashville’s top session players. He even did a couple of small tours in Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. Jeff lived in Nashville for two years, then moved to Denver, Colorado, for one year where he joined the musicians’ union and played some pretty unusual little gigs. Jeff then moved back to Texas. After enrolling in Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Jeff studied two years of music theory and played in a lab band with Corpus Christi’s finest. Next was Cactus Creek, a surfing-country-rock band that did not play anywhere that wasn’t on or by a beach. It was with this band that Jeff started singing. By this time Jeff had switched to a 60’s Gold Top Les Paul. Cactus Creek was a regular attraction at Inza’s, a honky tonk in Corpus, and played from South Padre Island to Galveston. Jeff got an invitation to move to Del Mar, California, and bought a plane ticket. The day before his flight was to leave, he was asked to audition for Sam Neely, a fine Texas songwriter. Jeff got the gig and played six nights a week for the next three years. At this time Jeff was ripping his ‘63 Strat, Tobasco Burst Les Paul, and Lab Series amp. After the Neely band (In It For The Money Band), Sam took a break and the fellows stayed together. By now, the early ‘80s were upon us. All of the band’s equipment was stolen one night from Jeff’s farmhouse garage. A painting truck was spotted outside the farmhouse that same night by the band’s soundman. It was the same company that was painting the farmhouse (humm). With the help of some friends, the Corpus Christi Police Department, and a bunch of pissed off band members, the equipment was recovered. It had been spread all over West Corpus. Then was the birth of The Detectives. The Detectives was a rock cover band covering The Police, AC-DC, Tom Petty, etc. One year later there was a change of members and a sax was added. The new Detectives (The Dicks) were funkier and jassier, playing complicated songs of Steely Dan, Al Demiola and Fussion, to the big dance numbers of Sly and the Family Stone and Rick James. The Dicks rocked Cooper’s Alley in Corpus every Monday night for two years, and gigged all over town and in San Antonio. The Dicks, with some member changes, became Ray Band – a great band, but a terrible name. Ray Band had the same format as the Dicks, except for a psychedelic ‘60s set, but did not have the spark of The Dicks. Ray Band lasted one year. Jeff had started writing songs, but had not been playing them live. There was another long line of bands in the early ‘80s. Soire, a three-piece power trio; Suckers on Parade, another Steely Dan rock band; and Hot Pursuit, the Del Mar jazz band. Jeff played a little guitar in that band, and played a Ricky Ricardo bongo drum and sang songs in different languages. But he still got to blow four or five Larry Carlton solos nightly. Hot Pursuit played from Corpus to South Padre Island, and lasted about one year. The next band was another power trio, The Scare. Spooky! The Scare played Peter Gabriel to Los Lobos. They went into a small studio and demoed four songs – Jeff Beck, etc. It turned out very well. He was ready to record some of his own songs. The Scare lasted about one year. Jeff then got together with the Sanchez Brothers of the Rockville Blues Band. They did an off-shoot named Rockville Rythym. Jeff and the Sanchez Brothers would later record in Austin at Lone Star Studios. Three of those songs would end up on Jeff’s first CD, El Jefe’. Before Jeff would move to Austin, he played in one more band, The Technobrats, as a sideman. A B-52 new wave scene. Jeff did not last long with a waffle haircut and a guitar with no head stock. Change was in the air. With a very exciting invitation from Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Double Trouble, Jeff was to move to Austin and start work on his new CD. Stevie was in his prime, and Double Trouble was on fire. This was very cool and was great for Jefe’s career and the CD. They would track four songs at the fire station in San Marcos, and finish the songs at Arlyn in Austin, combined with the Rockville sessions and other Lone Star sessions. In 1988 Jeff released El Jefe’. Now it was time to put a band together and perform the new CD live. They were playing it on the radio, and it was time to move. Jeff would stick to his Corpus players, and also use many of Austin’s A list. They would play in the next 10 years, every top club in Austin and other Texas venues. Also, Blues on the Green eight times, Austin Aqua Fests and Antone’s. Jeff also would play sideman for Toby Anderson. In 1991 he would record his follow-up to El Jefe’. A very tight performance recorded, but not mixed right. A falling-out with the producer would be a long road for that recording. Jeff bought the master tapes in 1998, then remixed and released it in December 2004, 13 years later. At the same time, Jeff and long-time pal and Cactus Creek band member, Jay Hudson, would build their first studio, Studio 1621, which would soon become The Hit Shack. Jeff recorded many songs in 1621, but none of them are on CD. One interesting project out of 1621 was Twang Dynasty, instrumental surf music. Jeff would would gracefully leave 1621 to add a band partner. Meeting Jon Smith (Boogie Kings, Toto, etc.) at Antone’s one night, Jeff and Jon joined forces. A great band only to be killed by bad management. Jeff and Jon played many gigs in the next year before disarming. Becoming a father in 1992, Conner (named after Eric Clapton’s son) would change El Jefe’s live performance calendar. He became involved in another studio, Lizard Tracks, but not for long. Then becoming a single parent, Jeff built a home and studio outside of Austin in Cedar Valley. The studio was named Sessions West. This was his first time to build from the ground up. From 1996 to 2002, 50 to 60 CDs came out of Sessions, and at least ten on JAE Records (Jeff Anderson Enterprises). Jeff and Conner needed a change. Jeff’s father, Ted, offered his home in Boerne, Texas. Jeff sold his home and studio, and moved to Boerne. Jeff’s sister, Gail, and all his neices and his nephew, Austin, were in Boerne. In 2002 Jeff and Conner moved to Tapatio Springs. Jeff then built Sessions West II in an office-type building outside of town. Many great sounds are currently coming out of Sessions West II Recording, Inc. Soon there after, he released his two CDs – The Fever Sessions, from 1991, and Shine, from 2004.

вторник, 27 апреля 2021 г.

Kirk Smithhart Band - So Long

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1999
Time: 39:10 
Size: 89,7 MB 
Label: Self REleased
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. 10 Miles To Clarksdale - 2:47
 2. Cold To The Bone - 3:31
 3. Home - 3:45
 4. I Feel Alright Now - 4:10
 5. Midnight - 4:33
 6. Second Chance - 3:45
 7. Slide Baby - 3:11
 8. So Long - 3:38
 9. Someday - 4:27
10. These Blues Won't Leave Me Alone - 5:20

The most important thing to know about Kirk Smithhart is that he is a phenomenal talent. A guitarist whose signature style combines the best aspects of lead and rhythm simultaneously with mood altering techniques that make something truly special of every song he performs, he plays with an ease and elegance that makes poetry of every note. In a rock arena so often driven by gimmickry to attract an audience, it is Smithhart’s simplicity, even on lightning fast solo runs, that amazes audiences. Secondly, Smithhart is a singer whose rich vocal textures connect to the musical message in a rich, meaningful manner. At times romantic, at times playful, at times dejected or wounded, Smithhart focuses on the feeling that transcends words. You can feel the intense emotion in each note he sings. Last, but not least, Smithhart is a songwriter who penned his first tune at nine years of age. When Smithhart performs his original material, it competes on an equal basis with the popular covers he plays. Arguments have been waged over exactly what genre Kirk belongs in. While he still loves the blues that brought him attention initially, he is a rocker at heart; however, he has been known to bring out his “redneck side” just as comfortably. But as Kirk says “I am simply writing what comes out of my heart, soul, and fingers. Don’t label music… listen to music…and listen hard! “. Kirk’s talent comes naturally. He grew up in a musical family, who gigged six nights a week in Jackson, Mississippi, where they moved when he was only three months old. His father, Kirk Sr., played organ and harmonica, his mother, Paula, played piano. Both were phenomenal singers, keenly tuned into funky blues and soulful rhythm and blues music aptly suited to their Delta country life. Although Smithhart picked up the guitar when he was only eight, it was not until knee injuries plagued the high school football and baseball star that he began to hone his technique and develop his personable style. When Smithhart was 17, his father came out of retirement to join his son in forming a blues band. Three years later, the aspiring guitarist packed his bags and headed back to his birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee. A week after debuting at the Stage Stop, Smithhart’s new band entered the Beale Street Blues Society’s talent contest winning the right to represent that organization in the city’s International Blues Talent Competition. His three-piece band finished third among the 37 blues bands competing from around the world, but Smithhart, at the tender age of 20, walked away with the judges’ prestigious “Albert King Award” for best guitarist. As a result of that victory, Smithhart recorded a CD of original tunes that has sold several thousand copies on Beale Street alone. In 2001, Kirk was nominated for the “Sam Phillips Newcomer Award” at the 16th Annual Premiere Players Awards presented by the Memphis Chapter of NARAS. After releasing his second CD in the spring of 2002, Kirk is now hard at work writing yet more material for his third self release album. Having won critical approval and nationwide support from savvy music professionals, hometown fans and tourists throughout the world, Smithhart IS ready. Making a name for themselves on the Beale Street club circuit is the Kirk Smithhart Band. Countless gigging has built up to give Kirk confidence in releasing independent CDs in the hopes of being recognized by major labels. Whether this pans out for this hard working young musician remains to be seen. If commercial or overall success eludes him, there will always remain that strong cult grassroots following. Those who make a pilgrimage to Memphis and catch Kirk on Beale Street, will most likely buy from him his CD "So Long." What people will get are 10 original cuts showcasing a young talent too good to be put on the back shelves of the blues industry in general. "10 Miles To Clarksdale" with its long acoustic intro jams into a real juke joint shuffle you can only get from the edge of the Dockery Plantation. "Home" synthesizes the playing of Stevie Ray, Tab Benoit and Alvin Lee into a Beale Street dance fest. Small wonder that the Kirk Smithhart band were the winners of the 1998 International Blues Talent Competition. And an Albert King Award is another feather in the hat. Particularly when Kirk acknowledges King in the slow sermon of "These Blues Won't Leave Me Alone." The kid can also play a pretty mean slide as he trys to compete with maybe George Thorogood in "Slide Baby." Smithhart does conscientiously avoid becoming another Stevie Ray wannabe. Even "Cold To The Bone" that waves the Vaughn flag still bears Kirk's imprint of Memphis rock and blues. Kirk knows of those lovers who want to hold each other close on the dance floor as he slows the pace down with "Someday." Drummer Leroy Clay and bassist Tom Louis are the perfect fuses for the Smithhart cannon. Guest musicians Freddie Kirksey, Scott Thompson, and Art Edmaiston spike up the playing even more with B3 Organ, trumpet and sax fills that dot additional I' and cross more t.'
If I ever get to Memphis again, I will be sure to check out the Kirk Smithhart Band on Beale Street. Studio efforts are always one dimensional compared to a live performance showing where the real deals are always that. 

Phil Butta - Little Bee

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 46:43 
Size: 107,2 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Rock/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Knock Knock - 4:19
 2. No Matter What - 4:42
 3. Coffee Beans - 2:57
 4. True to You - 5:20
 5. Angels - 3:40
 6. How Can I Keep from Singing? - 4:51
 7. I Like to Dance - 4:04
 8. Do I Still Belong to You? - 4:26
 9. Little Bee - 4:10
10. No More Sunshine - 4:28
11. The Quarantine Song - 3:41

His most heroic album to date. With the help of several friends, all recording remotely during the first year of pandemic lock down ... 11 songs.So much power on this album. Such great songs. The best to date.

Willie Foster - My Inspiration

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2001
Time: 55:25 
Size: 127,7 MB 
Label: Boogie Barbeque
Styles: Blues
Art: Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Let 'em Talk - 3:59
 2. Why Babe - 5:41
 3. Found Me a Lover - 2:58
 4. Born in the Delta - 7:27
 5. Cut You Loose - 3:15
 6. Leland Shuffle - 5:18
 7. Lonely Man - 4:37
 8. Wonder Why - 3:57
 9. Thought You Was My Gal - 3:54
10. My Inspiration - 9:50
11. Sho Look Good to Me - 4:24

He was a real deal on harmonica! Living hard, losing both legs but still "kicking hard" to play this wonderful Blues. People will discover Willie Foster some day when they will get fed up with commercial crap they see on TV or hear it on radio...
This CD is about legendary bluesman Willie James Foster and his music. From the handwritten name on the door of his old van to being physically confined to a wheelchair due to the loss of his legs, he continued to play his beloved Blues, even on the very night he died.
He never made much money nor did the killer big money gigs. 

The BluesDocter - Fiumana

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2015
Time: 31:01 
Size: 71,7 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Electric Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Railway Blues - 4:17
 2. Red Light Street - 3:31
 3. No Man's Land - 3:49
 4. Prayer of a Drunk Man - 7:34
 5. Can't Be Satisfied - 4:08
 6. BBH - 2:56
 7. Coming Blues - 4:42

Four boys, united by their passion for music, meet one day in a rehearsal room, and begin to improvise classics of the Blues, thus entering the magical world of 12 bars. It was February 2012 and, inspired by the greats of the past, they began to propose songs by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, Robert Jhonson, Eric Clapton, ZzTop ... After only 3 months they made the first concerts and consequently the name was also chosen : "The BluesDocter" (the guys will explain later that this comes from the mispricing of the name of a famous Amsterdam coffee shop: The BushDocter). After about ten concerts in the clubs of Bergamo and Milan, a fifth element joins the Band: Paolo at the keyboards and harmonica. All this enriches their sound, opens up huge spaces in which to indulge their creativity. This is how the first songs of his own creation begin to arrive. In the meantime, the five: Emanuele (Voice), Andrea (guitar), Riki (Bass), Paolo (keyboard & harmonica) and Andrea (Drums), continue to perform concerts and in 2013 bring their music to important stages such as that of the Amigdala Theater. and the Sbirrando Beer fest. In autumn 2013 they have the opportunity to record a piece in the Sae studios in Milan. The band decides to record their song called "Sarah's Gone". In the summer of 2014 they have the honor of treading the stage of the Blues River festival in Trezzo sull'Adda (MI), every year full of great Italian and international names. In March 2015 their first album "Fiumana" was released, seven tracks of pure blues energy, available both on CD and on digital platforms such as Spotify, youtube and soundcloud. Their Blues has the aggressiveness of Rock, the energy of Funky and the rhythm of Country, involving old and new generations. The Bluesdocter offer, at their concerts, a show that, keeping the old traditions of music born along the banks of the Mississippi, will not be able to make you stand still. (https://www.stagend.com/the-bluesdocter)

Rio Grande - Blues Agreement: Tributo a Robert Johnson

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 37:51 
Size: 86,7 MB 
Label: King Of Spades
Styles: Blues/Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Walking Blues - 3:54
 2. Come on in My Kitchen - 3:29
 3. Crossroads - 4:01
 4. Dust My Broom - 3:26
 5. Love in Vain - 4:00
 6. Rambling on My Mind - 4:05
 7. She Is a Little Queen of Spades - 7:21
 8. Stop Breaking Down - 3:56
 9. Me and the Devil - 3:35

The mighty state of Mississipi is the cradle of what is considered to be the most ancient blues style: the Delta, which evolved from the XIX century end work songs. The word Mississipi derives from the expression Misi Ziibi, which means Big River (Portuguese: Rio Grande) in the Ojibwe people language – one of the largest native-american groups. By the 80´s, Texas has contributed to the blues revival, which has long been forgotten by the recording companies, radios and the mainstream. The genre became known as Modern Electric Texas Blues. The most important river that crosses Texas´ dry desert landscape and also serves as a natural frontier reference between the USA and Mexico is also called by the Texans Rio Grande. In this fusion between the traditional and contemporaneous context Rio Grande Band has been created. It´s a project that aims to disseminate the oldest and most diverse musical genre in the north American culture to the southern lands. The band tastefully blends many blues sub-genres, effectively embracing the culture of over a century in musical evolution. Besides the Delta and the Modern Electric Texas, their gigs are filled with Chicago, Slow, Detroit, Urban, East and West Coast, Louisiana, Funk Blues and Blues Rock flavors.


пятница, 23 апреля 2021 г.

The Blue Quarantinos - Phoning It In

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 46:09 
Size: 105,8 MB 
Label: Keeping the Blues Alive Record
Styles: Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Mojo Hand - 4:28
 2. Hoodoo Man Blues - 2:14
 3. I’m Yours And I’m Hers - 3:24
 4. Leaving Trunk - 3:49
 5. What Is That She Got - 3:34
 6. Down On Bended Knees - 4:49
 7. Rockin’ Daddy - 3:01
 8. Skinny Woman - 4:38
 9. Mercy - 2:43
10. Shake ‘Em On Down - 4:57
11. Write Me A Few Lines - 4:47
12. Belly Button Window - 3:39

Keeping the Blues Alive Record Label will be releasing a very special collaboration digital album put together by the legendary Jimmy Vivino to help us raise money for musicians in need. Jimmy calls this band “The Blue Quarantinos” and the name of the album is called “Phoning It In”.  The album has 20 special guests including Dion, Joe Bonamassa, North Mississippi All Stars, Shemekia Copeland and many more showcased over 12 amazing tracks. ALL proceeds will go to our Fueling Musicians Program which helps support touring musicians unable to make a living due to COVID-19.

1. Mojo Hand
Shawn Pelton: Washboard, Suitcase Bass Drum, Various Household Items / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar and Vocals / Jesse Williams: Electric Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp
2. Hoodoo Man Blues
Dion: Guitar and Vocals / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar & Jesse Williams: Upright Bass
3. I’m Yours And I’m Hers
Joe Bonamassa: Guitar / Vince Fossett Jr: Drums / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar and Vocals & Jesse Williams: Electric Bass
4. Leaving Trunk
John Sebastian: Guitar / James Wormworth: Snare Drum / Jimmy Vivino: Veillette Gryphon Mando Guitar and Vocals, Foot / Jesse Williams: Upright Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp
5. What Is That She Got
Joe Louis Walker: Guitar / Lavon Henry Collins: Drums / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar and Vocals / Jesse Williams: Upright Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp 
6. Down On Bended Knees
Shemekia Copeland: Vocal / Wayne Baker Brooks: Guitar  / Frank Pagano: Drums / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar / Jesse Williams: Electric Bass / Rob Paparozzi: Harp / Sam Avery Miller: Acoustic Guitar
7. Rockin’ Daddy
Rich Pagano: Drums / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar and Vocals / Jesse Williams: Upright Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp 
8. Skinny Woman
Luther Dickinson: Guitar / Cody Dickinson: Electric Washboard / Sam Avery Miller: Snare Drum / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar, Vocal, and Foot / Jesse Williams: Electric Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp
9. Mercy
Bob Margolin: Vocal and Guitar / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar/ Jesse Williams: Upright Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp
10. Shake Em on Down
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie: Drums / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar and Vocal / Jesse Williams: Electric Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp 
11. Write Me A Few Lines
Larry Campbell: Mandolin / Jimmy Vivino: Guitar, Vocal, and Foot / Jesse Williams: Upright Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp
12. Belly Button Window
Kat Dyson: Guitar / Wally Ingram: Drums /Jimmy Vivino: Guitar and Vocal / Jesse Williams: Upright Bass & Rob Paparozzi: Harp

Finis Tasby - What My Blues Are All About

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2005
Time: 64:10 
Size: 147,5 MB 
Label: Electro-Fi Records
Styles: Blues
Art: Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Let's Have A Ball -  3:08
 2. Back In Love Again -  4:33
 3. Blues From Down Under -  4:10
 4. It's So Sad -  3:32
 5. Baby Please -  5:24
 6. Mean Old World -  6:53
 7. Sitting In My Window -  5:15
 8. I Don't Want No Woman -  4:33
 9. Save A Place For Me -  4:50
10. Dead End Street -  7:29
11. America -  3:30
12. Ugly Woman Blues - 10:49

Musicians:
Finis Tasby – vocals;
Mel Brown - guitar on 5, 9, 11, organ on 8, 9, 12, piano on 6;
Enrico Crivellaro - guitar;
David Rotundo - harmonica;
Julian Fauth - piano;
Alec Fraser - bass;
Shane Scott - bass on 2,3,5,7,10;
Jim Boudreau - drums.

Legendary Blues singer FINIS TASBY'S has paid his dues many times over and his Electro-Fi debut should garner him the acclaim he so richly deserves. The Texas born, California based Blues master is joined on the CD by guitar greats MEL BROWN and ENRICO CRIVELLARO. Finis who wrote 9 of the twelve tracks on the disc, uses his ultra soulful voice to take the listener on an unforgetable tour of his life and loves. Find out what John Lee Hooker, Lowell Fulson and Freddie King all knew. Finis Tasby is the Blues Singers Blues Singer. Toronto’s Electro-Fi Records has made a commitment to record the best of traditional American blues men and women. Here, the focus is on West Coast singer Finis Tasby.Lately, you can hear Tasby as the vocalist with Delta Groove’s Mannish Boys Revue. For most of the record, Tasby is joined by blues guitar legend Mel Brown, and guitarist Enrico Crivellaro, harmonica player David Rotundo, and pianist Julian Fauth guide Tasby through eight originals and four covers. Tasby is equally adept at singing blues as he is on the soul side of the street. The opening cut, “Let’s Have A Ball,” jumps out in the style of Big Joe Turner. Brown adds a veteran guitar to Percy Mayfield’s “Baby Please,” and Tasby’s politically charged “America.” On the blues side of the street, Little Walter’s classic “Mean Old World” has Brown’s piano weaving with Rotundo’s harp. The multi-instrumental Brown also plays organ on three cuts. The disc closes with a bonus track, “Ugly Woman Blues,” a 10-minute slow guitar-organ blues twister. Tasby sings every song from the position of the truth. His leathery vocals are born from livin’ the blues, so when he sings, you can’t help but listen. Thanks to Delta Groove and Electro-Fi Records for giving Tasby the vehicle to tell his blue stories. 

8 Ball Aitken - Ice Cream Man

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 38:44 
Size: 88,8 MB 
Label: Red Rocker
Styles: Blues/Swamp Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Ice Cream Man - 3:29
 2. What Goes Up - 2:53
 3. Peace, Love And Understanding - 4:14
 4. Boomerang - 3:42
 5. Flames Of Love - 3:24
 6. Love Me Or Leave Me - 3:55
 7. Hard Times And Struggle - 3:58
 8. Mother Nature’s Mad - 3:11
 9. Solitaire - 4:43
10. Weight Of The World - 5:10

Swamp-blues-rocker 8 Ball Aitken has toured the world for more than a decade performing across twenty countries to date. He’s earned a loyal fanbase from his live shows and internet videos, while paying his dues as a singer, songwriter, slide-guitarist and producer.   Since relocating to Music City, USA in 2012 from his native Australia, 8 Ball has worked with many of the best in the blues business today. In 2021 8 Ball won second place in the International New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival hosted by blues woman Samantha Fish.  During COVID lockdown 8 Ball self-produced three new albums from his house in Nashville. The musicians on the recording include Buddy Guy’s Grammy Award winning producer Tom Hambridge on drums, George Thorogood and the Destroyers saxophone player Buddy Leach, Sydney soul singer Taya Chani on backing vocals, and his brother Dillion James Aitken on keys.  8 Ball played all of the guitars, bass and harmonica on all of the albums.  The single ‘Ice Cream Man’ hit #1 on the AMRAP Australian Metro Radio charts and the album hit #1 on the Australian Blues & Roots Charts in April 2021. Home is where the heart is, 8 Ball Aitken has recently returned to Australia and has been performing at many sold out shows and festivals.  


Will Johns - Bluesdaddy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 47:25 
Size: 108,7 MB 
Label: Galetone records
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Every Day I Have The Blues - 4:44
 2. Call Me Willy - 2:58
 3. Don t You Wanna Man Like Me - 3:34
 4. HIgh Heel Sneakers - 3:06
 5. Hoochie Coochie Man - 4:22
 6. Rolling & Tumbling - 3:49
 7. Oh, Well - 4:09
 8. Sweet Little Angel - 5:34
 9. Bluesdaddy - 3:41
10. Walking & Crying - 4:28
11. When You Got a Good Friend - 3:18
12. I Just Wanna Make Love to You - 3:36

Bluesdaddy: The brand new album by Will Johns is out now! Characterised by a no frills approach and an obvious love, respect and understanding of the genre, Bluesdaddy offers a collection of authentic, raw-sounding blues classics and one original – the title track. The new album pays homage to blues greats from BB King and Robert Johnson to Peter Green and Ry Cooder, exemplifying Johns’sound as one that’s both cutting-edge and steeped in blues history. He says: “ln the blues world it is natural for an artist to play the standards. Here, I’ve taken classic songs that everyone knows and loves and put my own stamp on things.” Distinctive and exciting, Will strikes a masterful balance between old soul & modern flair, giving each track a fresh but sensitive update.

Scott McKeon - New Morning

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 53:31 
Size: 122,6 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Guitar Driven Rock/Blues rock/Rock fusion
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Fight No More - 6:39
 2. New Morning - 8:31
 3. Zapruder - 6:46
 4. Fego - 6:59
 5. Angerstein Road - 2:04
 6. Third Eye Witness (Feat. Gavin Conder) - 5:10
 7. Crossfader - 4:52
 8. Everything Is Nothing - 6:50
 9. Take Me Back - 5:36

Scott McKeon has given a lifetime of dedication to his craft as a guitarist and has played with the likes of Sir Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Zigaboo Modeliste, Joe Bonamassa, Pino Palladino, David Ryan Harris, James Arthur, Gary Clark Jr, Emeli Sande, Lana Del Ray, Andreya Triana, North Mississippi Allstars, Ed Sheeran, and many more. ‘New Morning’ is an earthy, raw, guitar-lead record, showcasing Scott’s range and ability as a guitarist. The album was recorded live in the studio at RAK in London, capturing the energy and spontaneity of the sessions. ‘New Morning’ was produced by Paul Stacey (Black Crowes/Oasis), and features Jeremy Stacey (Sheryl Crow/Tal Wilkenfield) on drums, Rocco Palladino (Tom Misch/ D’Angelo) on bass, and Gavin Conder (Rufus Black/The Kondoors) as vocalist on several tracks.

Daniel Castro - Live At The Saloon

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2003
Time: 67:16 + 66:59 
Size: 154,9 MB + 154,1 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues
Art: Full 

Tracks Listing:
CD1
 1. Introduction -  0:47
 2. Intro Song -  4:09
 3. Match Box Blues -  6:42
 4. Let Me Love You Baby - 10:42
 5. Rock Me Baby -  7:57
 6. Blues For Mario - 13:24
 7. All Your Love - 11:28
 8. Sweet Little Angel - 12:03
CD2
 1. Got My Mojo Working - 13:42
 2. Empty Arms -  6:47
 3. Cross Cut Saw - 10:32
 4. Talk About My Baby -  5:47
 5. Intro To... -  9:25
 6. All Along The Watch Tower - 10:14
 7. Turn On Your Love Light - 10:29

This recording preserves on CD what audiences have been thrilling to for years. On a sweltering spring night, in one of the funkiest, least pretentious bars in America, the world famous Saloon in North Beach, San Francisco, Daniel Castro and his band –which consisted of drummer T. Moran, bassist Artis Joyce, and keyboardist Michael Emerson, along with a special guest appearance by Daniel’s sister, Jypsy— came together and delivered an evening of unbelievable, electrifying music recorded in two four hour performances in one day, with no set list. Songs like “Blues For Mario” and the intro to “All Along the Watchtower” were written as they were being recorded.
The day left the band and the audience exhausted and in an ocean of sweat. Produced by Daniel Castro and Lee Parvin, “Live At the Saloon” takes no safe roads, never lets up, and captures all of a brilliant night.

Eric Johanson - Covered Tracks Vol. 1

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 40:38 
Size: 93,1 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. 25 or 6 to 4 - 3:55
 2. Head Like a Hole - 4:36
 3. Oh I Wept - 5:08
 4. My Babe - 2:48
 5. Feathers and Down - 4:26
 6. Midnight Rider - 3:25
 7. Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes - 3:35
 8. Deep Deep Water - 4:11
 9. House of the Rising Sun - 4:55
10. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues - 3:35

New Orleans guitarist/singer/songwriter Eric Johanson absolutely slays his favorite cover tunes on his new record Covered Tracks: Vol. 1. Set to come out April 23rd, 2021, the album features the monstrously-talented Johanson reinventing, reinterpreting, and generally having his acoustic way with a carefully selected batch of songs by a diverse list of artists that includes Nine Inch Nails, Skip James, The Cardigans, Chicago, The Allman Brothers Band, and Taj Mahal. The record was a result of the touring lockdown brought to us all by the Covid-19 pandemic and grew out of a weekly livestream event Johanson started doing last year to remain plugged into his fans. Live-streaming gave him a chance to reconnect with songs from his past as well as requests that were brand-new to him. Johanson recorded his favorites on his own in his home studio and Covered Tracks: Vol. 1 was born. Before being discovered by Louisiana blues/rock star Tab Benoit, Eric Johanson spent much of his life as a touring guitarist for Cyril Neville, and shared stages with Anders Osborne, JJ Grey, Eric Lindell, and The Neville Brothers. Benoit signed Johanson to his Whiskey Bayou Records imprint and released his debut solo effort, Burn It Down, in 2017. After touring as Benoit’s opening act for the next two years, Johanson signed with Nola Blue Records and dropped his second record, Below Sea Level, in September of 2020. 
Roots music legacy/legend Luther Dickinson produced the sessions at his Zebra Ranch Studios facility with typically blazing results. Thanks to the pandemic, Johanson was able to make a quieter, more personal album this time out that gives listeners new and old a fascinating glimpse into his musical makeup and history. 
Cover song choices are wonderful statements of influence and culture for any musician and Johanson doesn’t disappoint in either department here. He opens the new record with a stripped-down, driving take on Chicago’s ageless horn rock anthem “25 or 6 to 4.” Johanson’s minimalist version emphasizes the rock songwriting lurking beneath that big horn arrangement that’s always on the radio somewhere and he gets the song to breathe in a whole new way. His guitar playing is sweet and strong in all the right places and his vocal performance is pure and true. It’s obvious that Johanson respects the classic rock tradition a song like this belongs to but it’s equally obvious that he hears it his own way.
Eric’s complete reimagining of Nine Inch Nails’ cynical rager “Head Like A Hole” is conceptual genius. Johanson turns the greatest industrial rock song ever into a chilling slide guitar swamp music lament and it’s mind-blowing on many levels. Taken at face value, it’s a killer retelling of one of the songs that turned the 80s into the 90s. Even cooler, though, is the culture cross that this track simply being here represents. Rendering Reznor’s formerly all-electronic anger jam as a free form acoustic slide guitar blues shows a vast familiarity and creative vision on Johanson’s part. That it can even be done, though, shows just how deeply blues culture has integrated itself into American music. Nine Inch Nails is no blues band but there’s an influence in this track that can be heard if it’s articulated the right way. Johanson brings it out for us and it’s stellar.
Willie Dixon’s canonical “My Babe” gets a Southern back porch slide workout from Johanson and will rock any house party anywhere. It’s fun to hear it as something besides a harmonica number and Johanson again extracts something new from an often-played song. He keeps the magic going on his soul-shaking acoustic redo of The Allman Brothers all-timer “Midnight Rider.” Eric strips it down to its bones and turns in a stirring guitar-and-vocal experience. Every bit of Covered Tracks: Vol. 1 matters but pay special attention to Johanson’s “House Of The Rising Sun” and “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues.” The record is tons of fun from end to end and belongs in your rotation. Take it for a test drive and it’ll follow you home.

Chris Cobb Band - Other Plans

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2005
Time: 66:26 
Size: 152,3 MB 
Label: Pacifica Records
Styles: Blues/Electric Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Drownin' - 5:31
 2. Hurtin' Again - 6:24
 3. A Ride - 6:59
 4. No Goodbyes - 5:27
 5. I'll Cry Instead - 4:58
 6. Automobile - 7:10
 7. R.F. Blues - 6:07
 8. When I Get Home - 4:35
 9. Bubba and Skippy - 3:57
10. Sleepwalk - 7:26
11. Gorilla - 7:46

Long considered one of the best and most influential electric guitarists in the S.F. Bay Area, Chris Cobb presents his new CD. Chris is mostly known as a blues player, he's toured and recorded with "Sista" Monica Parker, E.C. Scott, Mitch Woods and Mark Ford just to name a few. This CD is steeped in lowdown Blues, but Chris takes us other places too. From the raucous boogie of "4A Ride" to the ripping jazz/blues shuffle of "Bubba & Skippy" to the dreamy but intense cover of Santo and Johnny's "Sleepwalk" Cobb's playing is all heart and fire. Bassist A.J. (Artis Joyce) and drummer Lee Neal provide the groove, power and soul to all of the tracks. Of the 11 songs here, 8 are Cobb originals that display his exciting harmonic, melodic ideas and his soulful vocal style.

Steve Cropper - Fire It Up

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 38:28 
Size: 88,3 MB 
Label: Mascot Label Group/Provogue
Styles: R&B/Soul/Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Bush Hog Part 1 - 1:12
 2. Fire It Up - 3:02
 3. One Good Turn - 3:44
 4. I'm Not Havin' It - 3:13
 5. Out of Love - 3:42
 6. Far Away - 3:26
 7. Say You Don't Know Me - 3:18
 8. She's So Fine - 3:08
 9. Two Wrongs - 3:11
10. Heartbreak Street - 3:30
11. The Go-Getter Is Gone - 3:10
12. Bush Hog Part 2 - 1:18
13. Bush Hog - 2:26

On April 23rd, guitar legend Steve Cropper will release ‘Fire It Up,’ which he’s calling his first proper solo album since 1969, after decades of stardom in soul, blues, and rock and roll. “This album is different from everything out there now,” Cropper says, in reference to two vocals albums he released in the 80s – “I haven’t heard myself this way since the 60s.” Cropper announced the album with the release of “Far Away,” a bouncing soul number that draws heavily from classic R&B, featuring Cropper’s signature guitar that’s always in service to the groove. “I’m a rhythm player,” Cropper explains, “I set the groove. I’m always listening to the singer and the rest of band.” A founding member of the Blues Brothers and one of Stax Records’ main producers, songwriters, and guitarists – as the guitarist in its house band, Booker T. and the M.G.’s –  Cropper reintroduced classic soul to unsuspecting audiences, with Rolling Stone ranking him in the top 40 all-time greatest guitarists. “Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, “Soul Man” and “Hold On I’m Coming” by Sam and Dave — you simply can’t discuss soul music without Steve Cropper. He plays on John Lennon’s Rock N Roll album, Frank Black’s Honeycomb and Fast Man Raider Man albums, and on several albums by Ringo Starr. He’s also produced for John Prine, Jeff Beck, and John Cougar Mellencamp. But seven decades into his legendary career, Steve sees this record as different: “This is the first Steve Cropper album since 1969,” he says. “It’s made from old grooves, because during a lockdown, you work on stuff that’s been in your head for years.” Rooted in sessions with the Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere and produced with long-time collaborator Jon Tiven, Cropper is both guitarist and a producer on the album, a role he is most comfortable in after years on the scene. “To be a good producer, you’ve got to be able to hear a song finished in your head before there’s much of anything done,” he explains. “..a good production is not accidental. I’m really proud of things that I produce.”  Careful and selective about what he’ll put his name on, you won’t be surprised to find that ‘Fire It Up’ is an instant classic. From the classic R&B of the title-track, featuring vocalist Roger C. Reale, to the funk of “Bush Hog” and the quiet restraint of “One Good Turn,” the album may have Cropper’s name on it, but it’s still very much a collaborative effort, where solos and prowess are always in service to the larger rhythm. “This isn’t a battle of the bands,” he adds. “..it’s better to enhance the other guy, make him shine.” In fact, listening to everyone else may be one of the secrets to Cropper’s style. The “Go Getter Is Gone” highlights the album’s collaborative effort. “Roger came up with most of the lyrics here,” he says. “I came up with the rhythms and the grooves and the changes, but I think teamwork is better.” And suddenly a light shines on why Cropper has pursued so few solo records: “When a basketball team wins,” he says, “it’s not the player who made the last three-pointer who wins, it’s the whole team that got him there.”  The term “Guitar Hero” is bandied about loosely these days. Seems like all you have to do is look good holding the thing and you qualify. But if you ask the actual guitar heroes—like Brian May, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton—who THEIR Guitar Heroes are, Steve Cropper is definitely on the shortlist. If all he had done were the records with Otis Redding that would be enough, but shortly thereafter he was leaving his fingerprints on records by Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Johnny Taylor, Albert King, and virtually anybody worthy who came within earshot of Memphis. He was a Guitarist’s Guitarist, and a Songwriter’s Songwriter. Fire It Up is Steve Cropper’s first album of new Soul/R&B material in 10 years. The album was produced by Steve and Jon Tiven, and will be released worldwide on April 23, 2021 via Mascot Label Group/Provogue.

Willie Foster & The Juke Joints - Live !

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1999
Time: 77:42 
Size: 177,9 MB 
Label: Palindrome Records
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Foster Shuffle -  8:22
 2. Love Everybody -  6:01
 3. If You Love Me -  6:37
 4. Honey Sugar Bowl -  8:04
 5. Going To St.Louis -  7:23
 6. Ready For The Blues (arr. W. Foster) -  6:26
 7. Sugar Sweet -  6:46
 8. Janie On My Mind - 11:41
 9. Promised Me Love -  4:48
10. Everyday I Have The Blues - 11:28

Willy Foster was raised in the classic blues tradition, born on a farm just outside Leland, Mississippi, he started picking cotton when just eight years old, and entertained himself blowing harmonica with his childhood friend and neighbour, Jimmy Reed. After serving in Europe during the Second World War, he moved to St. Louis and then Chicago, where he would work Maxwell Street, playing for tips, honing his skills, aided by Walter Horton, eventually graduating to the Chicago club scene where he played regularly with Floyd Jones, his cousin Leroy Foster, Snooky Pryor and Lazy Bill Lucas, before joining and touring with Muddy Waters' band in 1953. He made his recording debut in 1953, releasing the single ”Falling Rain Blues/Four Day Jump” on Parrot to be followed by a session for Cobra in 1957, which prduced ”Crying The Blues/Little Girl”. In 1990 he was asked to go on tour with the New Zealand based Midge Marsden Band. Because of the big succes Willy would make several other tours over there in the next four years. He also did a television commercial for Foster's Beer that was broadcasted in New Zealand and Australia. In 1994 Willy got in touch with guitarslinger Bobby Mack from Austin, Texas, and recorded with him his first CD ”I Found Joy”. Also in 1994 Willy met the Dutch bluesband The Juke Joints when performing at the Delta Blues Festival in Greenville, Mississippi. They did a short tour together and became very good friends. After Willy's second CD ”My Life”, also with Bobby Mack, he played more then ever and was invited at the famous Blues Estafette in Holland. The Juke Joints did a Holland tour in 1999 together with Willy, which was a very big succes. This CD is one of these concerts!

Jimmie Bratcher - I'm Hungry

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 44:15 
Size: 101,5 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Love Her Name - 2:54
 2. Mama Won't Fry No Chicken - 3:49
 3. Bacon Is on My Mind - 4:55
 4. Baby, I Like What Your Cooking - 3:33
 5. Government Cheese - 5:34
 6. Where You Gonna Stop - 2:41
 7. Greasy - 3:57
 8. Chicken Tastes the Same - 2:44
 9. Green Bananas - Remix - 4:22
10. Grits Ain't Groceries - 4:02
11. Bologna Sandwich Man - 2:37
12. Happy - 3:02

Cooking isn’t truly recognized as one of the seven great arts like music is, which isn’t quite fair considering that cooking is something that can hold aroma, beauty, memories, and, mainly, taste. No doubt, it’s an excitement for the senses, as the music also is. So, what do you think of listening to music while cooking? That’s always was an automatic act for me, almost like flossing before tooth brushing or check my pockets when going out from home. It’s that kind of moment when I turn up the volume and dig into the details of a song, paying attention in a back vocal part or just thinking “Man, how can he do this with the guitar!”. Jimmie Bratcher, the “Electric Rev.”, seems to take moments like this much more seriously than me and on a pretty different and tasty level. I’m Hungry is the 11th album from Jimmie Bratcher and will be out on April 23. As its name proposes, the album is a celebration of cooking, or better, home cooking, turning food into the main subject in a blues record. “I Love Her Name” is a blues rock piano boogie that praises food, because “…three times a day she gives all I need…”. Aside from the unusual lyrics, it’s a very nice song, highlighting the piano and guitar solos. In “Mama Won’t Fry No Chicken” the bass notes seem to walk throughout the song. The back vocals and the Hammond give a special “taste” in this song, mixing with the finger-picking guitar lines in the solo. Its lyrics reflect the situation of cutting off fried food following medical orders. “Bacon Is On My Mind” is an electric blues that counts with vivid piano insertions. Not only bearing a lot of meaningful social sense exposed in Covid times but also keeping the subject “in the kitchen”, “Government Cheese” brings a funky groove to the album. Certainly, Bratcher gives a new meaning to this Keb Mo tune. “Where You Gonna Stop” treats the ruthless question of choosing a place to eat when somebody visits barbecue’s capital, Kansas City, Missouri.
“Greasy” is an instrumental tune, with a bluesy guitar melody. The band does an excellent job supporting the guitar, whose tones are perfect. Bratcher also brings some complaints with “Chicken Tastes The Same”. But even so, the banjo slides and horn lines neutralize that, giving a country air to the song. “Green Bananas”, aside from being a nice tune remixed from the album The Electric Rev. (2007), is used by Bratcher to tell an anecdote experienced by his old friend’s dad in a grocery shop in Southern Louisiana. “Grits Ain’t Groceries” and “Bologna Sandwich Man” are different kinds of blues that complete the album’s menu. After all that sort of musical food, it’s not bad digesting with another instrumental tune “Happy”, uh?
The blues genre bears a lot of feelings either on lyrics or interpretation. There’s a lot of history written and unwritten on it, but almost ever associated with suffering or love. But Bratcher decided to explore an unusual side of music… and cooking. Musically, I’m Hungry is a huge recording. Lyrically, it’s fun, but it’s also colloquial and strictly related to home and people issues. Literally, I’m Hungry can also be acquired in a bundle, with a cookbook. For the Rev. Bratcher, just cooking listening to the blues isn’t sufficient. You have to taste it. It’s necessary to sing it, to put the food inside of the blues.

четверг, 22 апреля 2021 г.

Tom Craig - Good Man Gone Bad

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 48:15 
Size: 110,6 MB 
Label: 8th Train Records
Styles: Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Working Too Hard - 2:59
 2. What A Man's Gotta Do - 2:56
 3. You Made A Good Man Go Bad - 2:44
 4. It's All My Fault - 4:59
 5. Sheepdog - 3:20
 6. When You Love A Blues Man - 4:31
 7. Treat Your Daddy Nice - 3:32
 8. One Way Love Affair - 4:31
 9. Change My Way Of Living - 3:54
10. Headhunter - 4:21
11. Long Time Coming - 2:48
12. I Like Soul In My Blues - 3:20
13. My Turn To Cry - 4:14

Tom Craig burst onto the Blues music scene with his inaugural cd of all original blues and roots  material. His critically acclaimed debut received  worldwide airplay and reached #26 on the Roots Music Report Radio Chart.Harmonica ace Mikey Junior produced his  sophomore release Good Man Gone Bad. Grammy nominated Dave Gross mixed and mastered the 13 tunes with Craig superbly accompanied by a veteran band. Tom’s passionate vocals, stinging guitar, and tasteful songwriting evoke an array of emotions. There is no doubt that ‘Good Man Gone Bad’ will be Tom Craig’s breakout album.
Guitarist and vocalist Tom recorded this album with the musicians: DAVE GROSS - BASS, VIN MOTT - DRUMS, ERIC JOHNSON - HAMMOND ORGAN, MIKEY JUNIOR - HARMONICA, MATT DANIELS - GUITAR, GREG GUMPEL - GUITAR, BILL HEID - PIANO, DOUG JAMES - BARITONE SAX - TIKAENI SCOTTTLE - TROMBONE, “BIG DADDY” ALBERT LAMBERSON - HARMONICA.

Daniel Castro - No Surrender

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1999
Time: 54:53 
Size: 127,4 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. On That Telephone - 3:21
 2. Hear That Guitar Ring - 3:32
 3. Talk About My Baby - 3:47
 4. Got My Mojo Working - 6:05
 5. Empty Arms - 5:59
 6. Drivin' Wheel - 4:51
 7. Cold-Hearted Woman - 4:42
 8. I'll Play The Blues For You - 7:40
 9. Tryin To Call My Baby - 3:24
10. Funky For The 'Ice Man' - 6:41
11. Dos Palomas - 4:46

Daniel Castro released his debut CD, No Surrender in late 1999. Produced by Daniel and Lee Parvin at Parvin Studios in Pacifica, California, No Surrender features interpretations of well-known blues standards that Daniel put his own twist on, such as a very funky version of Muddy’s  “Got My Mojo  Working" and a soulful, moving version of Albert Kings “I’ll Play The Blues For You”, in which Daniel plays a mournful, yearning guitar solo, a fitting  tribute to one of his guitar heroes. No Surrender also features six original compositions, highlighting Daniel’s writing talents, including the opening song “On That Telephone” with playful lyrics and a groove you can really sink your teeth into and “Talk about My Baby,” a song that would sound perfect blasting out the radio while speeding across a long hot Texas desert. No Surrender closes with a beautifully haunting acoustic original composition “Dos Palomas,” dedicated to Daniel’s mother. Listen to this song on headphones and at the end of the song, after Daniel hits the last harmonics on his steel resonator, turn up the volume and you can hear a choir of angels singing.