Great Blues Guitar Acts Touring – Get Out To See Them

There is nothing like live blues, I try and get out each weekend when I’m home to catch a blues act coming through town and of course, watch dozens when the Ottawa Bluefest runs in July. The Fall is looking like a terrific time to catch some of the best blues guitar greats in or around your town.  Here is just a sampling:

Jimmie Vaughan – Out with a critically acclaimed new CD Jimmie Vaughan-Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites , Jimmie is adding to his Fall tour dates which include medium sized venues in California, Colorado, the North East (Virginia, Pittsburg, Iridium Jazz Club in NY, New Jersey and then back down to his hometown Texas.  Jimmie is one of the few truly original blues guitarists of our generation and if you haven’t yet seen him live, you will be in for a treat.  Check out his snazzy new website – tour dates are here. 

Joe Banomassa is feeling very European – his new album Black Country Communion (CD/DVD) is an eclectic mix of hard rock and driving blues with some interesting collaborations.  For instance, playing Bass Guitar on the CD is Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple and Black Sabbath) and on drums is Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and produced by legendary Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith and Led Zep) this CD will be exciting and should take Bonamassa even further into the masses setting him up to be a major new blues guitar influence in the coming years.  Joe’s CD was recorded in Greece at a new recording studio and his tour dates are in and around Europe for October into November following the release of the CD scheduled for September 21’st

Guitar Shorty – into his 70’s blues guitar and entertainer Guitar Shorty ages like a fine wine, he knows how to play guitar, his singing is heartfelt and soulful and he is a master entertainer, you always get your money’s worth at a Guitar Shorty show.   We’ve had the benefit of seeing him up here in Ottawa at Bluesfest a few times, he always engages the crowd and often wanders through the audience as he plays inspirational guitar.  Guitar Shorty tours relentlessly making stops through Texas, Ohio and Florida in October and November…get out to see him if you can, you’ll have a blast.  Here is his updated tour schedule.

Robert Cray – Touring in support of the recently released Cookin’ in Mobile [CD/DVD] blues master Cray is sharing his tasty chops through sporadic dates in Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada and up here in Western Canada – Regina and Banff Alberta before heading back down into California in mid-November.   If you like your blues with lots of soul – Marvin Gaye meets T-Bone Walker, then Cray is just what you need.  You’ve got to listen to Chicken in the Kitchen – a nifty blues number, and the shuffle “That’s What Keeps Me Rockin'” is a personal favorite, like to hear more upbeat tunes from Robert like that one. 

Lots more to share in upcoming posts – the blues guitar circuit has never been more vibrant, so get out and support live blues, let’s not take it for granted…there’s nothing like them blues!