BLUES JUNCTION Productions
7343 El Camino Real
Suite 327
Atascadero, CA 93422-4697
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Once again Slim explores the flip side of the American dream. He does so in ways that are often full of poignant, biting humor and honesty, which is what makes these songs work in a big way. Part of Slim’s greatest gift is he also channels an artistic vision around themes that are universal, but reflect his own Southern California sensibility. He puts his own spin on the fun in the sun image that the Golden State carries across the globe. The album is the second release on the Mojo King Records label and was produced by bassist Kenny Huff. The underappreciated guitarist, Joe Conde, also makes marvelous contributions here as well. This album is a real winner.
After twenty years on the road Greasy Gravy, a Norwegian blues band, finally released their first album and it isn’t even a blues record. That’s OK with me as they pay a respectful homage to 60s era southern soul music and there is nothing not to like about that. Beyond that they do this while performing mostly original, exciting tunes. Only the Lieber and Stoller penned Love Potion Number 9 and a Rufus Thomas tune which appears as a ‘bonus track’, Memphis Train are the lone exceptions. By my way of thinking, well crafted tunes and well executed performances of this original music are the height of creativity. Oh, and for the record, the other hindrance that would keep a band like Greasy Gravy from getting this type of material over with audiences would be the lack of vocal prowess. That isn’t a problem here as singer Tom Erik Holmlund has the chops to pull this high wire act off gracefully.
This band, who hails from Santiago, Chile, just keeps after it and they just keep getting better and better with each release. As the name implies, this four piece band understands that elusive concept of swing. The Blues Swingers are led by guitarist and vocalist Nicholas Wernakinck, who wrote ten of the twelve numbers on Politically Incorrecto. The other two songs are also originals written by the band’s harp player, Irwin lost. Check out the Blues Swingers’ Politiclly Incorrecto...you’ll be glad you did.
This album features two of the brightest talents toiling in the blues field today. Both Mikes are accomplished musicians and have been performing for many years even thought they are both relatively young. Here they mine the fertile ground of the Chicago West Side’s soulful blues scene of the 1960’s, but do so with original ideas and songs. Think Ronnie Earl meets Magic Sam. The album’s title is an homage to the famous Otis Rush album Right Place, Wrong Time. However, the two Mikes are definitely in the right place at the right time. The two Mikes will be playing at the upcoming Doheny Blues Festival.
Bob Corritore returns to his familiar musical stomping grounds of Chicago’s south side. He again picks up John Primer and takes him for a ride on some well traveled pavement. Primer’s long association with Magic Slim is very apparent. It seems the spirit of Morris Holt aka Magic Slim is oozing out all over this album. Backed by the late Barrelhouse Chuck, Henry Gray, Big Jon Atkinson, Troy Sandow, Patrick Rynn, Chris James and Brian Fahey, they play what Charlie Lange calls, “stompin’ shuffles, dance floor packers and treacherous slow blues.” Bob and John, along with Henry Gray and Big Jon Atkinson, will also be performing at the upcoming Doheny Blues Festival.
It has been twenty years since the neo-swing movement came and went. Now, after all this time, singer Adrianna Marie comes blasting out of the gate with a full throttle swing album sans the “neo.” Produced by Duke Robillard, this isn’t a bunch of punk or rockabilly musicians trying to latch onto the flavor of the month, but serious players who have virtually lived in the genre for their entire careers. One of the distinguishing characteristics of this album is the use of original material to go along with some creative interpretations of Johnny Otis, Duke Ellington, T-Bone Walker and others. Congratulations to Adrianna Marie for this well conceived and executed foray into this sub-genre of American music. Adrianna and her fine band will also be performing this year at the Doheny Blues Festival.
If you like Sasquatch you just might like the latest offering from the San Diego based outfit known as The Holla Point. The album art work is an homage to the mythical creature noted for his large feet and distinctive stride. While the album has hints of blues-rock at times, there are also moments of reflective, heart wrenching blues like the song Black Moon which deals with clinical depression. This band led by vocalist and harmonica man Karl Cabbage and guitarist Jimmy Zollo are true talents and they will travel wherever their muse takes them.
This is the fourth album from this talented band that hails from Oslo, Norway. The band has been sporting the same line-up since 2003 and had been the house band at the legendary Muddy Waters blues club in Oslo before that joint finally closed its doors. Their cohesiveness is on full display here as they drive down a soul drenched path of contempory soul infused blues. The band leader, and New York native, William R. Troiani is the bass player and vocalist. He co-wrote most of the material on Reckoning. His most frequent collaborator is one of the band’s two guitarists, and occasional organist, Hakon Hoye.
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BLUES JUNCTION Productions
7343 El Camino Real
Suite 327
Atascadero, CA 93422-4697
info