B.B. King is universally recognized as the leading exponent of modern blues. A fourteen time Grammy winner, he has received virtually every music award, including the Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 1987. He is one of the greatest, most influential blues guitar stylists, composers and singers of the 20th century and is without a doubt the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century, ranked 3rd in Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

‘B.B. King – Live At The BBC’, is a wonderful collection that compiles the best of B.B. King’s BBC recordings onto one CD for the very first time and includes some of his biggest hits, such as “Paying the Cost to Be the Boss” and “The Thrill Is Gone” as well as “When Love Comes To Town”, the duet with U2 that took him to the top of the UK charts and gave him his first MTV exposure.

Featuring highlights from his 3 finest UK performances alongside a session recording made in the BBC’s studios, this CD offers an incredible snapshot of an artist at the peak of his career performing some of his greatest material.

B.B. King – Live At The BBC track list:

Hammersmith Odeon 14/10/78

1. Caldonia
2. I Love To Live The life
3. Night Life
4. When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around)
5. The Thrill Is Gone

Glasgow Jazzfest 4/7/91

6. I Gotta Move Out Of This Neighbourhood
7. When Love Comes To Town

Andy Kershaw Session 30/3/89

8. Let The Good Times Roll
9. Stormy Monday Blues
10. Ain’t Nobody Home
11. Five Long Years
12. How Blue Can You Get?

Fairfield Hall Croydon 20/6/98

13. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
14. The Thrill Is Gone

Cat number 5306314
UPC 0-06007-5306314-9

B.B. King – Live at the BBC on amazon.co.uk

B.B. King Official Website

The Bobby in question is the enormously influential singer Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, sometimes referred to as the ‘Lion of the Blues’. ‘Tribute to Bobby’ is a twelve track master class in soul, blues and R&B and a tribute to one of Mick Hucknall’s most important inspirations and musical idols.

Along with such artists as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, Bland developed a sound that mixed gospel with blues and R&B. He sang classics such as big-band blues number “Farther Up The Road” (US R&B top 10 hit in 1957) and perfected his craft in the 1960’s with a series of releases including “Cry Cry Cry” and “I Pity The Fool”.

Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland perhaps achieved his greatest recognition much later in his career; in 1992 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 1997 he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

On the album ‘Tribute to Bobby’, Hucknall’s compelling vocals emphasise the sentiment of each of the twelve cover songs, whilst masterfully adopting the songs and making them entirely his own.

Mick Hucknall’s passion and respect for Bobby Bland is unquestioned; “I’d been listening to Bobby’s songs for so long that is was almost second nature to try and do these tunes”, he says.

The 2008 UK tour dates are:

29 June Bristol Colston Hall
30 June Wolverhampton Civic Hall
1 July Summer Pops (Liverpool)
3 July Manchester Apollo
4 July Newcastle City Hall
5 July Oxford New Theatre
7 July Leicester De Montfort Hall
8 July Ipswich Regent
9 July London Indigo 02 Arena

Tickets on sale Friday 29 February, 2008 9am. Ticket prices vary, see individual venues for details. Tickets available from: Tel: 0844 888 9991/ 0871 220 0260 www.ticketline.co.uk , www.seetickets.co.uk, www.gigantic.com

Mick Hucknall on amazon.co.uk

Mick Hucknall on amazon.com

Mick Hucknall/Simply Red on Myspace
Mick Hucknall/Simply Red Official Website

Corey Harris has recently released his latest album, ‘Zion Crossroads’ on Telarc Records. The CD is a “celebration of roots reggae, Ras Tafari, Ethiopia, and the African continent” and has received many accolades for being one of the best reggae albums of the year.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Corey Harris released his debut solo acoustic album, ‘Between Midnight and Day’ in 1995 on Alligator Records. His debut was a delta blues style which was well received and soon after, he had an opening slot on tour with Natalie Merchant.

Since then Corey has continued to explore his musical roots, releasing more albums which included a move to Rounder Records for his 2002 release, ‘Downhome Sophisticate’, an album that “added layers of African and Latin music” – and he’s played genres ranging from funk to R&B, roots, reggae and hip-hop. Harris has toured in Guinea and Mali, West Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

In 2003, Corey Harris appeared in the Martin Scorsese documentary, Feel Like Going Home, an installment in the blues series that aired on PBS. In the film, Harris explores African-American blues on a journey that begins in the Mississippi delta and eventually takes him to Mali, where he discovers still more layers of African music to add to his repertoire.

Now with his 2007 release, ‘Zion Crossroads’, Corey has found his niche once again with an outstanding reggae release and is currently on tour in the US including upcoming shows in France and Australia. With his busy schedule, he’s taken the time out to answer some questions for Band Weblogs.

Corey Harris interview with BandWeblogs.com
Compiled by: Dave Tommo

Dave Tommo: Hi Corey. I’m listening to your ‘Zion Crossroads’ album and I love it. It’s my favourite type of reggae music. I read that you started out playing the blues. What made you cross over to reggae?

Corey Harris: Thank you. I don’t think of crossing over…Reggae and Blues are the same root, different branches. What made me cross over to Reggae? Living and travelling in Africa, knowing Selassie, Garvey, The Writings of Walter Rodney.

You play brilliant old school reggae, who are your biggest reggae influences?

Joseph Hill, Burning Spear, Sylford Walker, Augustus Pablo, The Gladiators.

I love your song, “Sweatshop”. What advice would you give to people who are shopping for clothes?

Try and be conscious in your purchases.

Who are your biggest blues influences?

Son House, Charley Patton.

What is your favourite type of relaxation?

Meditation, Bible Verses.

Do you cook? If so, can you tell us a meal that you like to cook up when at home?

–Raw papaya smoothie with ice, peanut butter, soy milk, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg
–Rice with yellow lentils and thyme
–Lightly steamed pumpkin, bok choy, carrot, onion, garlic with bragg liquid aminos and Mrs. Dash to taste
–Salad with walnuts, Blood Oranges, sprouts, avocado, Olive Oil, balsamic vinegar

Do you always gig with the same musicians?

Yes, same crew.

What other reggae bands have you played with or supported?

None. Have opened up for Burning Spear and Wailers.

How do you like playing in the UK and do you have plans to tour here in the future?

I would very much like to play the UK, but have not had any invitations yet to play there. I am ready to go.

What album are you listening to at present?

Utterance by Tuff Lion.

What album would you suggest for a first time reggae fan to listen to?

Any Trojan Reggae Compilation is a good start.

If aliens landed and said “take me to your leader”, who would you introduce them to?

I-Self!

What is the best thing about being alive?

Love and creation.

Where was your best gig and why?

The best gig is the next one…

For more information about Corey Harris, tour dates and to purchase his CDs, go to:

Corey Harris on Myspace

Additionally, the contemporary jazz super group Fourplay (Bob James, Nathan East, Larry Carlton and Harvey Mason) and Patti Austin, a vocalist who crosses all music genres has joined the remarkable entertainment lineup.

Previously announced artists include:

Norman Brown – Grammy award winning guitarist and host for the 2008 All Star Smooth Cruise.

Nick Colionne – Red hot guitarist and vocalist Nick Colionne will be leading the infamous jam sessions that fans crave.

Boney James – Special Guest – This legendary R&B saxophonist will be heating up the stage in the ship’s main showroom.

Warren Hill – Special Guest and music cruise pioneer, saxophonist Warren Hill will be bringing his off the hook style along for the party.

Kool and the Gang – What better way to launch the cruise than a concert by the ultimate party band?!

Four Tops – Old-school grooves will heat up the night in the backdrop of beautiful San Deigo.

The Spinners – Did someone say there was a pre-cruise party? Get your dancing shoes on.

Acoustic Alchemy – It will be smooth sailing with the highly acclaimed sounds of Acoustic Alchemy on board.

Marion Meadows – The sexy, saxy sounds of Marion Meadows will romance the night away during our sailing.

Larry Carlton – From jazz to rock, Grammy winning guitarist Larry Carlton (Crusaders & Fourplay) will be sizzling the stage at sea.

Shilts from Down the Bone – Urban grooves with a whole lot of saxy attitude will kick up your cruise experience.

Paul Taylor – Bringing his sounds that have kept the smooth and urban airwave buzzing, saxophonist Paul Taylor will be grooving the night away at sea.

Steve Oliver – Experience the sounds of guitarist/vocalist Steve Oliver that have set the pace for a whole new smooth jazz sound.

Chieli Minucci – Surrender to the sweet music of guitarist Chieli Minucci as you cruise along the California and Mexican coast.

Alan Hewitt – Multi-platinum pianist/vibist Alan Hewitt will be performing and keeping fans up-to-date on the backstage experience with fun interviews.

Althea Rene – Flutist Althea Rene will be making waves with her ultra-cool vibes.

Your Cruise Host – Norman Brown

Guests will have the opportunity as part of the cruise package to immerse themselves in a music festival for TWO days in beautiful San Diego prior to setting sail.

For more information, please visit:
All Star Smooth Cruise Official Website
or call: 1-877-529-9729

Their new release Independent Variable is loaded with emotionally drenched bluesy rock and folk tracks. The lead singer, Teri Hitt, has a voice that dares you to listen and then listen again. She beckons you with her smooth vibrato and you begin to fall into the words. Once you are in the middle of it all there is no turning back. It’s the kind of album I would want to make.

The music presented here is a combination of rock, blues and folk. It all leans more towards an earthy blues rock feel, but the folk element remains a constant thread running through each track and it serves as a jumping off point into the different styles. In addition to singing, Hitt plays the acoustic guitar while Christopher Mark (piano, vocals), Aaron Stephen Chu (electric guitars), Dave Walker (bass), and Andrew Shreve (drums) fill out group. Chu plays some smokin’ licks while the keyboards of Mark complement his stinging leads. And what would all of this great music be without a solid rhythm section to move it all along? The rhythm is spot-on courtesy of Walker and Shreve (spelling is similar to the early Santana drummer).

It is important to lead off with an energetic track, and that is the case here as “Free Yourself” churns out and gets your heart pumping with a driving organ, guitars, and rhythm section. This, however, does not set the precedence for the pace of the album. At times stepping back and mellowing out to sound more Folk-Americana and then reverting to a more upbeat and heavier blues-rock tone is the way this band goes about their work, with moods shifting as each track progresses. The steaming track “Silence” starts with more of a downbeat feel, and then has a crankin’ break at about 2:50 when Chu gets the opportunity to strut his stuff. This becomes common ground throughout this release.

It’s all good from beginning to end, and for this listener Independent Variable rates as a satisfying album that is worth many listens.

Artist: Pet Buffalo
Title: Independent Variable
Genre: Rock-Blues-Folk
Label: Independent
Pet Buffalo Website
Pet Buffalo on CD Baby Link

© MuzikReviews.com

By: Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Thelma Houston, the dynamic voice behind the disco anthem “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” is back with her first album in over 17 years. In a clever twist, Houston uses A Woman’s Touch (in stores August 14th 2007 via Shout! Factory) to transform songs made famous by some of the biggest singers – male singers – in R&B and pop.

The new Cd was entirely conceived by Thelma Houston, as well as executive produced by Thelma in association with Stephen Ford of Diva Central, Inc. A Woman’s Touch is filled with songs she has long been a fan of. “They are songs I always wished I had recorded,” she explains, “and I loved doing them from a woman’s standpoint.” But Houston doesn’t just put a female spin on the lyrics, she takes over and completely reworks the songs through soul, R&B, blues and dance floor filters. “Ain’t That Peculiar,” and Sting’s “Brand New Day,” get bluesy, sassy make overs, while “Disco Heat/Mighty Real” (a nod to Houston’s disco past and tribute to her old friend Sylvester) starts out a poignant gospel song and closes with Studio 54-era exuberance.

Thelma Houston revisits another friend from her early career, covering Jimmy Webb’s “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” (Webb wrote and produced Houston’s 1969 debut album), rebuilding it with incredible old school R&B flair. And then there’s Thelma’s triumphant return to her dance floor roots with a fierce version of Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much.”

A Grammy Award winning artist who has released more than 21 albums, “I feel blessed because I’ve never stopped working and I love what I do. I can truly say that I appreciate my career and sometimes it really feels like I’m just getting started,” says Houston.

In the years since “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” topped the pop and dance charts, Houston has toured incessantly, performing over 200 shows each year, including an opening slot on Cher’s Farewell tour. She was recently inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame and honored on the television show Showtime at the Apollo as an Apollo Legend.

Most recently she was cast in the role of Madam Zin Zanni in the highly popular play, Teatro Zin Zanni, performed internationally in the touring cast of Fame, starred in the musical Big Otis’ Jump Up Blues Revue (by Tony Award winning director Otis Sallid) and appeared in Oprah Winfrey’s Beloved. A tireless supporter of AIDS related charities, Houston was honored by the City of West Hollywood (CA) in 2003, when it declared January 29th “Thelma Houston Day.”

Born in Leland, MS, Houston moved to Long Beach, CA as a child and continues to reside in Los Angeles today. She signed with Motown Records in 1971 and in 1977, won the Grammy Award for “Best R&B Female Vocal Performance” for “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” Her other hits include “If It’s the Last Thing I Do,” “Lean On Me,” “I’m Here Again,” “Saturday Night, Sunday Morning,” “If You Feel It,” and a Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced Top 20 R&B dance track “You Used to Hold Me So Tight.”

Contact: Chip Schutzman
Company: Miles High Productions
Address: 6622 Delongpre Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tel: 323-806-0400
Fax: 323-462-0829
Email
Thelma Houston Website
Thelma Houston MySpace Link
Thelma Houston Amazon Link

PR Distributed By MuzikReviews.com for Miles High Productions

Fans will be treated to a sizzling musical lineup onboard and in port that ranges from R&B to blues to smooth jazz. The cruise will be hosted by Grammy award winner Norman Brown. Highly acclaimed saxophonist Boney James will be tearing up the stage during this week-long extravagana as well.

The excitement will build with guitarist Nick Colionne serving up hot and unpredictable jam sessions with a cast of your favorite artists every night. Very special invited guest Warren Hill brings his talent and cruise experience to this year’s sailing. As well as performing, multi-platinum pianist/vibist Alan Hewitt will be giving guests an insider’s sneak peek into the backstage life of the artists with informal and fun interviews.

Appearing as part of the entertainment packaage will be Kool and the Gang, Four Tops, The Spinners, Acoustic Alchemy, Marion Meadows, Larry Carlton, Shilts from Down to the Bone, Paul Taylor, Steve Oliver, Cheili Minucci, Althea Rene and several more major artists still to be announced!

With packages starting out for as little as $999 per person, cruisers will experience the hottest musical ship on the ocean. Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas (where you can experience golf, deep sea fishing, diving or relax on the beaches amongst the hidden coves) and Ensenada (with activities on land). Additionally, guests will have the opportunity as part of the cruise package to immerse themselves in a music festival for TWO days in beautiful San Diego prior to setting sail.

Headed by Bob Jamieson (former RCA CEO) and Eddie Wenrick (formerly with Epic, Sony Columbia and bands like the Beach Boys, Kiss and Moody Blues), the cruise is designed to be the ultimate party by land and at sea. Haven Entertainment will be producing not only the cruise shows, but the pre-cruise concerts and festival.

All Star Smooth Cruise Official Website

Douglas James Hall is a new up and coming artist currently breaking on the London acoustic scene.

Originally from the West Country and Brighton, Douglas has been making waves on the London open mic circuit playing various gigs across London – headlining at both the Viva Viva acoustic night and Priory Park Festival.

Playing a blend of acoustic based raw & aggressive pop, soul and blues, his songs are funky and fresh, often with a humorous or darker undertone.

With building media and label interest Douglas James Hall is definitely one to watch!

Listen to Waste Of Time – MP3

For more free downloads go to Doug Hall’s Myspace page.

“Retro yet fresh oozing with soul, funk and passion. Doug’s talents extend far beyond the recording studio. Got to be heard live! … Never have my ears bled so much…” – Rik Dobson, Sony BMG

“A perfect compliment for the fast approaching summer! On second listen…it’s very Bradley Nowell…and ain’t no bad thing” – Chuck Clark, Sony BMG

Douglas James Hall’s Upcoming Gigs:

15 August 2007, 21:00 – LEONARDS BAR Northampton Rd EC1
Cost: 5 pound with flyer
Description: Excellent venue and cheap as chips!!!

16th September 2007 Goodship, Kilburn

Douglas James Hall on Myspace

Formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001, The Black Keys are a two-piece rock and blues band. The band consists of childhood friends singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. As noted on their website, the band was “named in honor of a schizophrenic Akron artist, who called the boys “black keys”, his phrase for people who weren’t quite right”.

The Black Keys will also be re-releasing their album ‘Magic Potion’ (originally released September, 2006 on Nonesuch Records) on August 20, 2007. The new version will include a live DVD and videos for “Your Touch” and the brand new single “Just Got To Be”.

Watch The Black Keys – “Just Got To Be” video:

Buy The Black Keys – Magic Potion re-release on amazon.com.

It’s interesting to learn that Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney still live in Akron. Most likely, family and friends can celebrate the success of The Black Keys’ music with the guys rather than from afar – when they’re not on tour, that is, and is a great way for them to stay grounded. The band just finished playing the main stage at Lollapalooza last Friday August 3rd in Chicago – which according to some Lollapalooza blog reviews, (Lollapalooza – The Black Keys review) I’m sure would have been one to watch.

The Black Keys “Just Got To Be” – YouTube link
The Black Keys Official Website
The Black Keys on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Tinariwen has been a band that I’ve had my eye on since I saw them on the cover of a magazine a couple months ago. Their look alone intrigued me enough to look forward to finding them on the internet as soon as I got home.

Listening to their music for the first time, I remember thinking that this is a band that is perfect for outdoor music festivals. After reading about them, I learned that they were in fact “noticed by the western world” because of their performance at a music festival. The festival was the Festival in the Desert (Festival au Desert) held in Tin-Essako, Mali, a remote region of the Sahara Desert in 2001.

Since then they’ve continued to play festivals around the world with many more scheduled for 2007, including their recent appearance at the Glastonbury Music Festival which I was fortunate to have watched. I also caught their performance last month on Later with Jools Holland, as I pointed at the TV yelling to Dave, “There’s that band I was talking about!” Santana has played with them and they’ll be supporting the Rolling Stones on August 18th 2007 at Slane Castle in Dublin, Ireland.

As I naively romanticize of the Sahara, camels and Tinariwen, the actual reality is that before their music was introduced to the west, members of Tinariwen were soldier-musicians in Libya, living a difficult life, dreaming of the modern world and the freedom that comes along with it. They come from the Sahara desert and although they struggled, they are proud of their identity. Their ancient and contemporary cultures of the nomad and Touareg people are very important to them.

The lyrics in Tinariwen’s songs are French and Tamashek and their sound is guitar based with elements of rock, American blues and the traditional African sounds of the Niger bend.

There is a lot to learn about this band and their music.

Watch Tinariwen Aman Iman: Water is Life documentary video:

Tinariwen 2007 music festivals and tour dates:

*Dates could be added or changed! Go to Tinariwen’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June 25 2007 Exeter Festival Exeter
June 29 2007 Festival Mediterraneo Loule
June 30 2007 Open Air Festival St. Gallen
July 1 2007 Furia Festival Cergy Pontoise
July 2 2007 Festival Les Nuits de Gignac Gignac
July 4 2007 Festival Les Hauts de Garonne Bassens
July 5 2007 Africa Festival Lisbon
July 6 2007 Evora Festival Evora
July 7 2007 Festival Mar de Musica Cartagena
July 9 2007 Piazza Della Republica Monfalcone
July 10 2007 Villa Arconati Milan
July 11 2007 Fiera Cagliari
July 13 2007 Latitude Festival Southwold
July 14 2007 Nuke Festival St Polten
July 15 2007 Teatro Greco (w/ Robert Plant) Taormina, Sicily
July 16 2007 Festival Sotto Le Stelle Ferrara
July 17 2007 Villa Ada Rome
July 19 2007 Italia Wave Festival Firenze
July 22 2007 Lovebox Festival London
July 23 2007 Festival de Radio France Montpellier
July 24 2007 Festival de Radio France Montpellier
July 25 2007 Festival de Radio France Montpellier
July 26 2007 Festival de Neoule Neoule
July 28 2007 Paleo Festival Nyon
July 29 2007 WOMAD Festival Charlton Park
August 1 2007 Pilldamms Park Malmo
August 2 2007 Savoy Theatre Helsinki
August 3 2007 Berns Stockholm
August 4 2007 Urkult Festival Urkult
August 5 2007 Tragarn Gothenburg
August 7 2007 Voxhall Arhus
August 8 2007 Oya Festival Oslo
August 9 2007 Sziget Festival Budapest
August 10 2007 Festival Les Nuits Secretes Aulnoyes-Aymeries
August 11 2007 Le Festival Du Bout Du Monde Crozon
August 14 2007 Festival Musique De La Rue Luxey
August 18 2007 Slane Castle (supporting Rolling Stones) Dublin
October 12 2007 Shibuya AX Tokyo
December 7 2007 L’Olympia Paris
December 9 2007 The Olympia Dublin
December 12 2007 Shepherd’s Bush Empire London
December 13 2007 Rohstofflager Zurich
December 14 2007 Kesselhaus Berlin
December 15 2007 Gloria Cologne
December 16 2007 WUK Vienna

More information: Official Tinariwen Website
Tinariwen on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Patrick Yandall has performed live or in the studio with such artists as Randy Brecker, Carl Evans Jr. (Fattburger), Tommy Emmanuel, Ready Freddie Washington, and was offered the guitar seat for Kieko Matsui. He has been acknowledged several times during his career with Jazz Times, JAZZIZ Magazine, Smooth & Soul, Smooth Jazz News, City Beat, San Diego Reader, and many smooth jazz internet publications.

Yandall quickly learned to let his music do all the talking while growing up in a military family that was constantly changing. Playing the trumpet provided an outlet for the young musician, and the loneliness associated living with a traveling family subsided. The advent of a football accident would lead Yandall to the guitar. A three-month hospital stay and a sympathetic father, who loved jazz, would encourage Yandall to pick up a guitar book. It did not take long for his life-long obsession with the six-string to develop and as the saying goes-the rest is history.

“Deception Point” showcases the Yandall expertise with the guitar and the classic Curtis Mayfield track “People Get Ready” takes on a new meaning without words. Yandall personifies the magic of instrumental music on every occasion on the recording.

New York Blues has a good mixture of vocal tracks and instrumentals; it is the kind of blues, rock, and jazz that offers everything for the demanding listener. The CD features the essential rudiments of jazz and rock, providing plenty of emotion and motivation for the performer and the listener. Yandall does what he does best, play some amazing guitar licks and produce a fitting tribute to the blues.

Stop by Patrick Yandall’s home on the internet to learn more about other releases, downloads, performance dates and more. New York Blues is available on Patrick’s site and at CD Baby and Amazon.com.

Contact: Patrick Yandall
Company: Zangi Records
Address: 11377 Swan Canyon Rd. San Diego, CA 92131
Tel: 619-507-3753
Email
Website

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

Jazz and blues are kissin’ cousins and nobody knows that better than Yandall, in fact he does a great job of combining both genres at times during the run of this CD.

Although I am not accustomed to hearing any vocals on a Yandall release, I found it to be a refreshing switch of the gears and he did not disappoint, offering a bevy of fine instrumental cuts as usual.

“People Get Ready” the Curtis Mayfield classic, came as a pleasant surprise, probably because I have never heard an entirely instrumental version of it. Yandall plays it beautifully and I found myself singing the words anyway so my hat is off to him for pulling that off in such a convincing fashion. I have noticed over the last several months that guitar virtuosos that lean towards playing all instrumental recordings are playing a lot of Jeff Beck material from the groundbreaking albums Blow By Blow and Wired. Both albums were light-years ahead of their time and proof that what Beck did still leaves people with their jaw dropping to floor, particularly musicians with a penchant for jazz-rock-fusion.

Yandall pulls out all the stops on “Cause We Ended As Lovers,” and strangely enough I find myself listening to the original version as I write this now. Music provides passionate inspiration and a great album like New York Blues had me reaching into my archives for more music of the same, not to mention having the desire to hear this album repeatedly. Another barn burner is an Allman Brothers favorite “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” one of the best sessions Dicky Betts ever produced. Again, Yandall does it justice.

I think the one track that really shows off his chops is “Deception Point.” It runs just shy of five minutes, but every second of it is a crescendo of instruments assaulting your senses, albeit in very pleasing way. Yandall peels of some licks that are amazing on this track; he plays with style and grace and rocks the house all at the same time. Not an easy task for any player worth their salt. My favorite out of the entire lot is the mellow front porch toe tapping acoustic blues of “So Low.” That one really grabbed me because of its clean playing and live feel. You can hear Patrick’s fingers squeaking up and down the fret board.

This recording has a good mixture of vocal tracks and instrumentals; it is the kind of blues, rock, and jazz that offers it all for the listener. This is primarily blues however the rudiments of jazz and rock cannot be understated here, they provide plenty of juice for Mr. Yandall to do his thing, and does he ever do it well.

Artist: Patrick Yandall
Title: New York Blues
Genre: Blues-Rock
Label: Zangi Records
Website
New York Blues

Tracks:
01. Wrap It Up (3:43)
02. New York Blues (4:23)
03. Blues For Buddy (4:36)
04. So Low (3:32)
05. People Get Ready (4:23)
06. Fire In The Hole (3:59)
07. The Blue Room (5:24)
08. There’s Blues In This House (4:05)
09. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (4:41)
10. Shakeys Blues (4:20)
11. Deception Point (4:58)
12. Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers (4:25)

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Combining their impressive rhythm section with perfect falsetto harmonies and guitar solo’s that make audience members spark up their lighters in a “you rock” glee. The Truckee Brothers break the conventional rock mold with their new release drawing on psychedelic, bluesy and soulful back beats.

In a hilarious salute to female wrestling, the band has put together a video for their new single, “Gritty Pretty” – a song birthed out of the 1970’s garage rock / retro vein – featuring vintage footage of women wrestlers. Get a good Truckee chuckle and view the “Gritty Pretty” video on You Tube here

“Peat and Cady Truckee weave their constant harmonies, each testing their…guitars to their rock ‘n’ roll limits, bashing away percussively like the strings were a horrible ex-girlfriend. Their sound is sharp and punchy, their lyrics bubbling with innuendo, and …their songs are explosive.” – Helen Keen – MAVERICK MAGAZINE (UK)

“Hell, I wanna share the stage with them, get on the same bill at a gig in San Diego or wherever.”- Mike Watt (Minutemen/Stooges)

Find more info on the Truckee Brothers at www.Myspace.com/TruckeeBrothers

In Debt We Trust will be screened in:

- Rochester, NY April 2-5 at the Little Theater, 240 East Ave. at 7PM
- Manhattan April 4 & 5 at the QUAD on 34 W.13th St. at 7PM
- Los Angeles April 13 at the Fine Arts Theatre, 8556 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills at 7PM
- Bellingham, WA April 14 & 15 at the Pickford Theatre, 1416 Cornwall Ave.
- Boston April 19 at Northeastern University, Snell Library Rm 217 in the Media Center at noon

In Debt We Trust shows how debt is strangling the lives of tens of millions of Americans, and consolidating power into fewer and fewer hands by a credit and loan complex not unlike the military-industrial complex. This has been called the “financialization” of America – producing a kind of “modern serfdom” and widening the gap between the haves and have-nots. The 88 minute documentary is being distributed to theaters and communities as part of a new national campaign, Americans for Debt Relief Now, that aims to help Americans win freedom from the desperation of this overwhelming debt.

The music of Polarity/1 is exactly what the name suggests: conjoined opposites – a mash-up of new: cutting edge electronica/hip hop/nu-jazz and old: roots music of America (blues, funk, country, early jazz), Brazil (samba, pagode, etc.) and West African groove science. “Polar succeeds in his mission of forcing you to pay attention and not lull into the sounds you ‘expect’ to hear,” noted StarPolish.com

Currently, Polarity/1 is best known for political songs which are a regular feature of Amy Goodman’s globally syndicated Democracy Now, NPR and many other politics-oriented broadcasts, used in college courses on media and licensed for use in documentaries.

Polarity/1 (aka Polar Levine) is a member of the MusicDish Network, a complete artist development program, leveraging brand development, saturated and relationship marketing, digital distribution and industry outreach to support emerging artists’ and bands’ careers.

Polarity/1 can be found online at http://www.polarity1.com and http://www.myspace.com/polarity1music

For more information on ‘In Debt We Trust’, visit

http://www.indebtwetrust.org

The album gets started with “Along the Way”, a pop-tinged blues anthem that quickly sets the stage for Porter’s no-holds-barred vocals and fine piano work.. “Get Out”, a driving ode to a former lover, calls to mind the intensity of Fiona Apple combined with the self-sufficient attitude of Alanis Morisette. Other tracks, such as “Aaron’s Song” and “Brotherly Love” are softer both musically and lyrically, highlighting Porter’s diverse talents as a singer-songwriter. Throughout the album, Porter’s technical skill is apparent.

One of the strongest points of Moving On is its blues rock and country roots that sustain and clearly influence Porter’s music. The song “Gracie” has a great classic-rock feel with piano work reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”. The vocal styling of “Heaven to Me” evokes some of Bonnie Raitt’s best work.

Jen Porter is clearly a seasoned and talented performer; Moving On adds another successful album to her already impressive resume. Judging by the rousing quality of this album, I’m sure Porter’s live performances are soulful and energetic. Those with the opportunity to see her in Chicago should definitely do so; those not lucky enough to live in the windy city will be sure to put this album in regular rotation on their stereos.

Artist: Jen Porter
Title: Moving On
Genre: Blues, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary
Label:JJP Productions
Website
CD Baby Link

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Ryan Quinn