Posted February 26, 2012 at 5:02 am | No comments
The Blues is a vast and rich musical genre that has proved to be one of America’s lasting musical contributions to the global community. After being birthed and raised in the U.S., the blues has since spread out to welcome musicians from all over the world to its flock, producing some of the most memorable and lasting recordings and musical moments of the past century. While the blues has spread out geographically, unfortunately when it comes to the musicians that play this great music, the vast majority are male, with only a small percentage of blues musicians being women.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted February 12, 2012 at 9:10 am | No comments
Listeners are in for a gritty hard rock-funk-rap ride with guitarist Kenny Olson’s new CD, Cartel.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted December 5, 2011 at 10:49 am | 2 comments
John Medeski (keyboards), Chris Wood (bass) and Billy Martin (drums and other percussion) have reunited with guitarist John Scofield on MSMW Live: In Case The World Changes Its Mind. Their first collaboration was on Scofield’s album A Go Go and later on Out Louder, which was released in 2006. This recording is a live collection of twelve tracks featuring songs from those two previous efforts.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Guitar News, Jazz Reviews, Reviews
Posted August 15, 2011 at 3:16 pm | No comments
Rory Gallagher’s second solo release, Deuce, keeps the same blues trio format but brings about a whole new Rory. Recorded at Tangerine Studios in London, this album is distinctly grungier and more soulful. Gallagher’s guitar tone is much richer and layered many times to create different textures and sonorities.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted August 14, 2011 at 2:37 pm | No comments
Rory Gallagher’s third solo recording, Blueprint,, takes us back to a format heard on the famed Irish guitarist’s first release, featuring Lou Martin on keys. The resulting sound is a blend of his previous two albums, combining an experimental attitude and sound with powerful melodies of different styles to achieve a wholly more mature, and refined musicianship.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted July 25, 2011 at 1:27 pm | No comments
After attending the Monterey Blues Festival for several years running, this was the first year the weather threw me a curve. With the festival held a little over a mile from Monterey Bay, it’s typically cool in the morning, heats up during the day, and cools down again at night. With that scenario in mind I showed up at 11 am wearing only shorts and a T-shirt. It didn’t take long before I was chilled and there weren’t any indications that it was ever going to warm up. It looked like a long, uncomfortable day. Back at the car sat my long pants, extra shirt, and a jacket. A lot of good they were going to do me. The festival only allows in and out privileges to a special few, and I wasn’t one of them this year. Luckily I ran into a friend (who shall remain nameless), who was one of those few. He lent me his special wristband that allowed in-and-out access, and I quickly exited. Even though my Miata was parked on a busy public boulevard, I managed to shimmy into warmer clothes within its tight confines. Warmly dressed, I returned to the festival.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Concert Reviews, Reviews
Posted May 15, 2011 at 6:38 pm | No comments
As one of the most prolific Blues-men of the 70’s and 80’s, Rory Gallagher has become a guitar legend and an Irish icon. There is no better evidence of this than filmmaker Tony Palmer’s Irish Tour 74. Originally released in 1974, the work provides a rare look into Gallagher’s music, technique and affable character. Though it was to be aired as a television special, and was created for no other reason than Palmer’s adulation of Rory’s music, fans across the globe are glad that the film has now made it to wide release by the good folks over at Eagle Rock Entertainment.
Posted in: Blues, Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted May 7, 2011 at 1:18 pm | One comment
I wasn’t’ really expecting the first track of Elvin Bishop’s latest CD, Raisin’ Hell Revue to be particularly compelling. But, I’ve been wrong before and I was definitely deep into that well-plowed field on this one. It’s a swampy Cajun romp that shuffles along infectiously with its funky, hand-jive beat that’s more festive than his earlier hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.”
Posted in: Blues, Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted March 22, 2011 at 4:50 am | 7 comments
Joe Bonamassa considers Dust Bowl to be his best CD to date, and although his guitar playing stands out throughout, his intricate storytelling talent and vocal ability reaches heights that parallel the musicianship. Released on his J&R Adventures record label, Dust Bowl is number six in a successful five-year collaboration with producer Kevin Shirley. The album was recorded in separate sessions at Black Rock Studios in Santorini, Greece, Ben’s Studio in Nashville, The Cave in Malibu and The Village in Los Angeles.
Posted in: Blues, Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted January 21, 2011 at 11:00 am | No comments
Evan Goodrow, `Boston’s own blue-eyed soul and R&B groove man, recently released Say It, his tenth overall release. An ever-growing ability to lay down a soulful melody drenched in absolute emotion is in full bloom on this album. He shows more than ever that he’s a complete performer, a guitarist with solid lead and rhythm chops, a fine vocalist, and a creative songwriter.
Posted in: Blues, Blues Reviews, Reviews
