Val Starr & The Blues Rocket :  COOL RIDE

Cool Ride represents the best in contemporary California blues. The debut CD from Sacramento based blues band, Val Starr & The Blues Rocket, displays the diverse blues styles of singer, songwriter Val Starr showcasing her smooth vocal range on songs like “Better Take It Back” and her high energy level on songs like “Jump Through Hoops” and “I’m Having Fun With The Blues.” Clever lyrics tell the story of everyday blues and Val Starr’s contemporary vocal style makes the album easy on the ears. Outstanding harmonies are showcased on the jump style, “Loving You Ain’t Even.”

In addition to vocals, Val lays down a strong rhythm guitar; JohnE Sandwich is on bass and engineered the CD at the band’s Sandwich Factory Studios; Jimmy Collazo laid down the beat on drums and percussion; and David “Holokai” Tan tears up the lead guitar, shredding on blues/rock songs like “All The Time Blues,”  and then ripping out tears on the ballad, “Whatcha Tryin.” Russ Skarsten (keyboardist for Mick Martin), added keys on six songs. There is Memphis Blues, Chicago Blues, Delta Blues, and now there is California Blues delivering a breath of fresh air with Cool Ride.  

Downloads are available from Amazon, ITunes, and most download portals. The CD can be purchased from the band website while a distribution deal is developed. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy our brand of California Blues! 

Listen to "Better Take It Back"

Click for more

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The Capone Mob : DEVIL HAVE THE BLUES

Big News! Devil Have The Blues, the anticipated debut pre-release from The Capone Mob, is touted as one of the most important debut albums of this decade. Downloads are available here.

The Capone Mob, the vision of blues-rock guitar ace Mikey Capone, worked on the music for five years and recording began in August 2011. A result from those first sessions is "White Lightnin" which was named "Best Blues Song" by Backroads Blues and Mikey earning the title of Backroads Blues' "Best Blues Rock Guitarist" and "Best New Blues Artist." 

"If I could use only one word to describe Mikey Capone as a guitar player it would be WOW! That guy plays the F%$^ out of that guitar. Like a lightning bolt struck him. Not only was his guitar plugged in but he was plugged in. My jaw dropped watching Mikey play and he is about as tasty as you can get." - Steve Rosenberg

Devil Have The Blues includes “Iron Man,” a powerful, personal tribute to the late Michael Burks featuring deft slide work; “Mountain Man,” a cross between Hendrix and Allman Brothers with a sensational slide guitar solo; “Upon The Crossroads,” a masterful piece about the legendary bluesman who sold his soul to the devil, features a riveting slide intro and memorable guitar work; “Deal With The Devil,” a haunting, unique “call and response” chain-gang-style song reminiscent of the 1920’s, “Me And My Cigar,” a catchy, shuffle blues with flirtatious lyrics; “Good Time Blues,” a fun Rockabilly song; and “Garden of Love,” a melodic instrumental with a Hendrix vibe.

“The Capone Mob’s Devil Have The Blues really delivers. Without question, one of the most important debut blues releases of this decade”.

- Clayton Hamel, Backroads Blues

Devil Have The Blues is scheduled for release November 2, 2012 and a tour is being planned for 2013.

Listen to "Iron Man"

Click for more

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MATT "GUITAR" MURPHY IS TURNING 83

AND READY FOR NEW YEAR'S GIG OFFERS!

 Photo credit Sandee Lewin-Nye

Matt "Guitar" Murphy will turn 83 on December 29th, 2012. He's celebrating his birthday with a show at the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth, Florida on Dec 28th backed by The Nouveaux Honkies.

Murphy played with Howlin' Wolf in 1948 and by 1952 he was in Chicago, where he began his long association with Memphis Slim. The list of major blues-soul artists he's played with is impressive... some he spent long stints with while others as a session artist. He had a band of his own by 1982 but it was his appearance in The Blues Brothers film and subsequent performances with the Blues Brothers that helped him become one of the best-known blues guitarists around.

A stroke in 2003 slowed him down but he has continued to play and heal. In 2009 he enjoyed a reunion performance with James Cotton at the 2010 Chicago Blues Festival. Matt was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame in May.

We hear that he is feeling really good and that's great news. We also heard that he has not done a New Years show in over ten years! Man, I'd say someone needs to jump on that opportunity to hire the great Matt "Guitar" Murphy and ring in 2013 with this legendary artist!

More info...

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Offbeat ~  It’s that time of year again – time to swing those hips and stuff those faces at the seventh annual Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival. At 5:30 p.m. Friday, October 12, Luther Kent and Trick Bag will hit the stage as the first artists for the three-day festival. Set in Lafayette Square at St. Charles Avenue and Camp Street, the event is free and open to the public thanks to the generous work done by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Bluesman Ironing Board Sam (Photo by Elliot Deluca)

With two different stages in the Square, a selection of some of the best southern cooking you’ll find outside of your grandma’s kitchen, and a lineup of some of the most legendary, Grammy-winning, and soulful artists to date, this year’s festival promises a good time. On Saturday, New Orleans’ own Johnny Sansone, Little Freddie King, and J.Monque’D will tear up the Camp Street Stage. Across the park, Ernie Vincent, Keb Mo, and Otis Clay will keep things soulful.

On Sunday, October 14, industry vets Ironing Board Sam, Latimore, and headliner Clarence “Mr. Strokin’” Carter will keep the crowd dancing all day at the St. Charles Avenue Stage — as will OffBeat‘s October cover subject, Spencer Bohren (Camp Street Stage, 1:15 pm).

New to the festival this year — a limited number (50) of VIP passes available for purchase. For $250, enjoy exclusive access to the backstage hospitality area and open bar all weekend. The package is only available online. Abita Brewing Company is the official beer and major sponsor of the festival and will have the new Abita Sports Bar located inside to keep sports fans up-to-date on all the important games.

(Lt) Otis Clay

More info and full lineup... 

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FRENCH DISCO DUO SAMPLE JUNIOR KIMBROUGH

FOR PARIS FASHION WEEK MIX

"Daft Punk have released a new mix... and it's all blues." says NME (Music News) "The 15-minute mix samples music by American bluesman Junior Kimbrough, including "I Gotta Try You Girl." 

"I Gotta Try You Girl" by Junior Kimbrough and sampled by Daft Punk (pictured at left), was then chosen as one of the Top Ten runway music tracks at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2013.

"As per request of designer Hedi Slimane, French electronic duo, Daft Punk, edited a playlist of songs from the late American rhythm and blues pioneer, Junior Kimbrough, for Saint Laurent’s highly-anticipated womenswear debut. This track in particular was the perfect dose of cool with hypnotic guitar riffs and badass lyrics fit for the collection’s dark rock 'n' roll glamour." says Elle Dispatch

More info...

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2ND ANNUAL DAYTONA BLUES FEST... MAJOR SUCCESS!

(Reported by Clint and KathyJo Meier)

One of our stops on the fall festival circuit, The 2^nd Annual Daytona Blues Festival, was held on October 5-7 in Daytona Beach at the Jackie Robinson Baseball Park. We highly recommend this festival because it's well organized, plus .... 

• The venue features free parking close to the stage, covered, clean comfortable seating and restrooms, and plenty of food and other venders.
• The stage is right in front of home plate with lots of room in front of the stage to dance, you can get really close to the performers.
• Sound and lighting were first class.
• Incredibly quick turn around for the artists. 

This year’s event featured an eclectic mix of well known acts as well as some rising stars. Friday nights line up included Anthony Gomes who has the No. 1 album on the blues/rock charts right now. His version of Vodoo Child flat rocked the house. Incredible guitar work! 

BFG Reporter KathyJo Meier with Anthony Gomes

Fellow Canadian artists Peter Karp & Sue Foley were another standout. Our favorite songs were "Fine Love" and "More than I Bargained For."  

Peter Karp (left) and musical partner Sue Foley

The legendary Blues great Otis Taylor closed the show. 

A “don't miss” part of this event took place at Buffalo Wild Wings every night. The after-hours Jam featured many performers from the festival mixing it up; well worth the trip. To have that much talent in one room is rare and wonderful.

Ana Popovic

Saturday the music started early and ended with the sensational Ana Popovic, (she is taking the Blues World by storm). Honey Island Swamp Band brought a touch of New Orleans. Hard driving Chicago R&B by Harp master Rick Estrin and the Nightcats included standouts "Dump That Chump" and "I Met Her on the Blues Cruise" from his new CD. 

It was a fantastic day of Blues!

Rick Estrin and BFG Reporter Clint Meier

Sunday featured Trampled Under Foot, Gino Matteo, Devon Allman's Honey Tribe with Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots. 

We asked some of the artists what their favorite thing about the festival was:  I think Rick Estrin said it best, “It's the People... they made me feel at home!” 

Canadian's Anthony Gomes and Sue Foley agreed they love the weather! 

For us... we were totally Bluzified! The whole weekend was filled with great blues. See you next year!    ~ Clint and KathyJo Meier

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CALL (816) 753-7979 for more LRBC information

The 19th Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise will set sail along the South  Eastern Caribbean on the Celebrity Summit, Oct 27 from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica and return to San Juan Nov 3. Click to checkout the AMAZING Artist Lineup...

PLUS... The San Juan Pre-Party on Friday, Oct. 26 features Sista Monica All-Star Band w/ special guest Deanna Bogart PLUS Samantha Fish Band. The party goes from 8pm – Midnight. Doors @ 7:30. Purchase Tickets

Plus more Surprise Guests!... SEE YA THERE!

www.bluescruise.com

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RAISE THE ROOF: CAMPAIGN FOR THE BLUES HALL OF FAME

Attention Blues Fans:

The Hall of Fame pays tribute to the greatest of the genre and educates new people about the genre. The Blues Foundation has been inducting into the Blues Hall of Fame for years; it was just a simple evening with web presence. Nothing permanent. But now we need physical presence, and with your help, we are going to get The Blues Hall of Fame building built in Memphis, TN!

Here is a link with more details about the Blues Hall of Fame campaign:

Doesn’t this project sound important and exciting?

If not us, who? If not now, when?

Our goal is to raise awareness and funds to reach the goal of 3.5 million.

How to donate:

1. Make a multi-year pledge online or print out and sign form at: www.blues.org/capitalcampaign/index.php then mail to:

The Blues Foundation, 421 South Main, Memphis, TN 38104-4464;

OR fax to 901.529.4030; OR e-mail it to jay@blues.org.

2. Make a one-time donation by calling with a credit card or mailing a check.

or online at: http://www.blues.org/capitalcampaign/index.php .

3. Text the word " blues " to 80077 to donate $10. When you receive a message to confirm, confirm by answering “YES.”

No effort is too small or unappreciated!

YOU can make the Blues Hall of Fame a reality. Your support matters!

Note: Thanks to Tall City Blues Festival, Music Matters Entertainment, A Music Company Inc., and Garvin Gate Blues Festival for helping to raise awareness about the Blues Hall of Fame. 

You too can get involved. Email us: Info@BluesFestivalGuide.com to get logos and links for your website or Facebook.

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Video of The Week

Hadden Sayers (feat. Ruthie Foster)

BACK TO THE BLUES

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

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