blues news – blues reviews – blues gig guide
Some more from the Black and Tan catalogue.
Black Night – Roscoe Chenier
http://www.soundcream.com/soundcream/download?song_id=828
My Heart Took A Beating – Teresa James
http://www.soundcream.com/soundcream/download?song_id=1009
Revolution Bluez – Billy Jones
http://www.soundcream.com/soundcream/download?song_id=1049
Iain McIntosh has booked Anson and the Rockets for a date in the UK in Winchester. He tells me that they also have a date in Brighton at the Komedia although the Komedia site does not list this yet. Anson’s site is also a bit behind the times.
Anson has John Nemeth guesting on vocals as Sam Myers is still recovering from his illness. I have had recommendations on Nemeth before and listening to his Website he sounds great. I think that Anson is one of the unsung heroes of modern guitar so, for me, these ar gigs not to miss. Wish they were closer as Hampshire is too far.
Anson and the Rockets – Black Cat Blues Club in Winchester’s Tower Arts Centre – Tuesday 14th March
Grahame’s post reminded me that there’s a Rod Piazza DVD available at the moment; a live show from 2005 (I think).
It’s available from Amazon at this link. A bargain at less that a tenner while the US Dollar is 1.77 against Sterling.
Grahame sends these recommendations.
A few DVDs which may be of interest to blues fans out there:
Just released is The Fabulous Thunderbirds “Live in London” which is from around 1986/87 – not the vintage stuff, but available cheap at www.play.com – in two different versions – prefer the one with Jimmie Vaughan on the cover, just for the picture!
The Martin Scorsese series are also being re-released – if you have not seen them check out the excellent “The Road to Memphis” – in my opinion the best by far!
Also released is a 3-DVD set of Chicago Blues – I think the stuff recorded at Buddy Guy’s club for American TV, and including Rod Piazza, James Harman, Mike Morgan. It claims to originate from 1977 but that seems a little early to me! Anyhow for over five hours at a tenner with www.play.com it seems worth a chance!
Thanks very much to Lionel for sending me the review below.
Simon Honeyboy Hickling and the DTs at the Harbourside Club, Liverpool, Tuesday 24th January 2006
This was the second event arranged by John Welsh at the Harbourside Club at Liverpool Marina, following the great success of the Ben Andrews gig in November last year. The measure of the popularity of Simon Hickling and his band was eloquently demonstrated by the full house that had the venue bursting at the seams. Needless to say, the enthusiastic anticipation of the audience was more than met by another vibrant performance by this superb quartet from the Midlands.
Two brilliant sets combined original masterpieces with a range of covers, including a sprinkling of instrumental numbers, notably Little Walter’s “Juke†and Freddy King’s “The Stumble†– the latter affording guitarist Bob Wilson the opportunity to demonstrate his tremendous technique. Other favourites, delivered with customary panache, were the slow blues, “One Room Country Shackâ€, Canned Heat’s “Goin’ Up The Country†and “Never Rains, It Poursâ€.
Three numbers into the second set, local singer/guitarist/actor Ozzy Yue entered the fray to add his considerable guitarmanship to the mix and took the vocals on “Help Meâ€, which emerged surreptitiously and unannounced from a fine rendition of “Green Onionsâ€. However, the highlights of the show were still to come. First, there were stunning versions of “That’s Alright†and “Mystery Trainâ€, with the peerless rhythm section of Tony Baylis (drums) and Tony Stuart (bass guitar) and guitarist Bob Wilson providing a tremendous foundation for Simon Hickling’s outstanding virtuosity. Finally, the performance of “Big Trainâ€, complete with a mind-blowing solo harp introduction, brought the house down.
Had time permitted, the two-number encore could have gone on forever as far as the audience was concerned. The consolation for the non-fulfilment of that vain but understandable wish was that they could now eagerly look forward to the appearance at the Harbourside of the brilliant Little Toby Walker on 8th March.
Lionel Ross
WREG-TV Memphis – Blues Legend B.B. King Announces His Retirement: “Blues Legend B.B. King Announces His Retirement”
Actually, if you read the text then he’s not returing fully.
Cheap ass soul. Very good. Will check Amazon for the CDs.
M O F R O
Fantastic clip! Killer guitar tone. Anyone know the year?
Enjoy!
YouTube – Hound Dog Taylor, live recording
Fine acoustic blues. Some good samples on his website. The reviews are true – an impressive mix of acoustic blues styles, Delta, Piedmont and more urban material. I’ll post contact details and prices when I know them.
Tell you what, having been reading the reports from the Blues Cruise that has just finished on the East coast, I think that there is something in it. Having visited San Diego last year, I can’t think of anything better than a few days in sunny SoCal then four days of top quality blues at sea. Bloody expensive but looks like an absolute blast. Would cost a few hundred just to get to the US. If anyone fancies it drop me a line.
I have already posted a note about this but as Lionel was good enought to send me the press release I thought that I would post it here. So here you go then…….
Simon Honeyboy Hickling
at the Harbourside Club, Liverpool Marina
Tuesday 24th January 2006 (doors open at 8pm)
Following the great success of the Ben Andrews concert in November last year, the Harbourside Club is now set to welcome Simon Honeyboy Hickling and the DTs to its splendid surroundings. Simon is widely acclaimed as the finest harmonica player on the current British blues scene. As well as being a superb musician and a fine blues singer, he is a highly charismatic performer, who never fails to entertain. He is backed by a terrific band that features the excellent Bob Wilson on guitar.
Three decades of touring and recording have honed Simon’s individual, blistering harp technique to earn him an international reputation as a virtuoso player. In addition to his front-line performances, he has recorded with Bo Diddley and played alongside the legendary Steve Marriott. In 2001, he appeared on the Steve Marriott memorial concert with Paul Weller, Midge Ure and many others, where he stole the show with his customary, brilliant version of Marriott’s Big Train. This is guaranteed to be another fabulous show that is not to be missed.
Liverpool Marina is situated at Coburg Wharf, Sefton Street, Liverpool L3 4BP.
Tickets for the concert (£10 each) are obtainable from John Welsh on 0151 428 2855.
On BBC1 TV, Tuesday 17th January at 10.35pm: “Sweet Home New Orleans” features Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas and Clarence Frogman Henry with contributions from Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Dr John.
Also with a New Orleans theme is BBC Radio 2 program “Without Frontiers”on Wednesday 18th January at 10pm. The subject of Charlie Gillett’sprogram is Allan Toussaint.
For all fans of the great Paul Byrd, find some new tunes on the MySpace section of his website. A bit more polished and not so out-and-out bluesy as his live shows. Quite a soulful change of direction.
Anyone want to hear Preston Hubbard’s joke? OK here goes……
A kid says to his father, “Dad, I want to be a musician when I grow up”!
His dad replies, “Son, you can’t have it both ways”!
If you have not read Preston Hubbard’s story then you should; he has written a few paragraphs about his life, his music and his problems with the occupational hazard. Follow this link and follow the links to My Story. If that does not work then try this link. It’s also very much worth taking a look at his photo galleries.
There is also a lightweight interview on this site.
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