It’s been a good start to the Fall so far with some legendary veteran blues giants releasing new and exciting material.
First, the Texas band lead by Kim Wilson, “The Fabulous Thunderbirds” have come out with the critically acclaimed “Strong Like That” which is made up of 10 original tunes from this veteran blues band.
Here’s a taste of the opening track “I know I’m losing you” which includes a funky beat with tasty slide guitar – you’ll get wrapped up in this one and smell the BBQ and feel the vibe…
Second, the ageless Eric Clapton bestows an incredible collection of work on us with the just released “I Still Do” with my favorite number being “Somebody Knockin” showing Clapton still leads us down the blues music journey.
With especially big shoes to fill now that many of the blues guitar legends are gone, Eric Clapton has stepped up his game and taken that responsibility firmly in hand.
His second work due out in mere weeks (you can pre-order as I have done) is what appears to be a magical night with his former band mates (Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II) with Live In San Diego
What makes this one particularly special is that JJ Cale also appears, a massive influence and talent in his own right, Cale keeps music as real as it gets! They sound incredible on “Any Way The Wind Blows” – you can sample it here
For all of you Eric Clapton fans out there, this will need to be part of your collection.
Finally, have to give a shout OUT to my Canadian buddy and reigning blues master up here in Canada – Colin James who is about to release a re-visitation of the blues aptly titled “Blue Highway”. Colin has always focused on being a diverse artist spanning big band, country to straight ahead rock but his roots are firmly in the blues and it’s great to see him back in the genre I always felt brought out the best in him.
For any of you who have not yet heard of or tasted Colin’s blues, this is the time to jump in – I guarantee you will not be disappointed. He’s our secret up here in Canada – but we willingly share him with the world!
You guys have another new blues release you are excited about? Leave a comment and let other readers know about it.
Filed under blues guitar, blues releases by on Sep 15th, 2016. Comment. 
More than ever we need to be reminded what BLUES is really like.
As we continue to lose the legends, Albert King, BB King, Stevie Ray, Albert Collins…it seems more amazing than ever when you go back and discover the true great blues guitar legends and how in-tune they were to the feeling in a song.
Today’s generation of lip-synch, electronically created music, at its best, takes creativity – we have to give kudos for that…but not for a minute does anyone believe there is the degree of feeling, emotion and GUTS in just 60-seconds of a song like this one from Albert King.
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Sep 11th, 2016. Comment.
Lonnie Mack never seemed to really get his due overshadowed by more mainstream blues guitar legends (the King’s, Eric Clapton) and later people like Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan in the great blues rebound of the 1980’s and 90’s…Stevie Ray Vaughan indeed brought attention back to Mack citing the influence of Wham! on Stevie’s own playing.
We lost Mack earlier this year in April, he had stoppped playing in the early 2000’s – but as with all great music legends, his influence remains.
Equally as influential was Mack on the Southern Rock of bands like Lynrd Skynrd and the Allman’s in the 70’s and 80’s – in his playing you can hear a passionate mix of major penatonic as well as straight ahead blues scales so it is no wonder that Mack influenced the likes of Dicky Betts and Gary Rossington
Take a look at one of the finder performances Lonnie has of Stop…notice how he ramps up the energy in this song through both his playing and under-appreciated singing
Indeed Stevie Ray Vuaghan and Lonnie had a special relationship as Stevie idolized Lonnie as he did so many other great blues legends that came before him…here is Stevie Ray and Lonnie performing WHAM – great stuff!!
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Aug 3rd, 2016. Comment.
Just back from a trip to Texas, can’t be in that state without thinking of ZZTop – been to many of their concerts and have even dabbled a time or two with some of their songs and guitar licks…great music.
Take a look at this early picture they posted on their Instagram account…he Billy, where’s the BIG beard dude?
Filed under blues guitar, texas blues by on May 13th, 2016. Comment.
Happened to be down in the music Capital of The World…Austin TX last week and was happy to catch Tommy Shannon (Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Arc Angels, and the list goes on), David Holt (long time axe man including Storyville with Double Trouble) and Tommy Taylor (drummer Christopher Cross, Eric Johnson) at Anotone’s
They played the early show and the crowd was thin (Wed night at 6:30 is not exactly prime blues concert time), but the music was SWEET!
Here’s a little clip, guys sounded great…couldn’t help think that they were a little miffed at the poor turnout, maybe doing a better job at engaging the people who WERE there would have been a good second option as Antone’s builds it’s clientele once again after moving to a 6th location on East 5’th street across from the tall Hilton Hotel (a little off the East 6th street music row, but easily walkable from most locations downtown)
Get out and support Antone’s, get out to see Tommy and the boys – they really are super talented…lots of fun!
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on May 1st, 2016. Comment.
Absolutely stunning performance by Joe Bonamassa of the Tim Curry (1978) song Sloe Gin (albeit with some cleaned up lyrics).
By the way – how did Bowie miss this one…tell me this wouldn’t have been an awesome David Bowie + Joe Bonamassa collaboration?
Anyway – Joe has shown many times before he can master slow blues…what I really like about this version is that he hangs onto the notes as he sometimes has a tendency to blast his wicked speed running through the scales. He still manages to show his flash, but also holds back and really hangs on to the notes as only true bluesmen will do.
Weird background to this song too…Tim Curry is perhaps better known as an actor, but had this song written and had a version that may surprise you under Joe’s version (for those of you who like to go back into the wayback machine)
By the way – the lineup for Red Rocks was terrific including David Letterman’s House Band drummer Anton Fig and Stevie Ray Vaughan Double Trouble keyboard aficionado Reese Wynans (now a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of Double Trouble)
And Now The Tim Curry version
Filed under blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa by on Feb 4th, 2016. Comment.
If you are like me, I’ve heard Philip Sayce’s name in passing, but for whatever reason I never really paid enough attention to appreciate the amazing talent of this 39-year old Welsh born, Canadian guitar player who is just about to release his first solo album some 24-years after he started his first band at 15.
Not that he hasn’t had peaks in his career – playing in the Jeff Healey Band, playing on tour with Melissa Etheridge and supported Texas Blues Rockers ZZtop as well as Deep Purple on different tours.
From Toronto Canada and frequenting Los Angeles – this blues guitar journeyman has been out paying his dues for more than 20-years, the way true blues guitar men do it.
I have recently caught him on some local TV and radio shows as he ramps up his appearances ahead of his new CD titled “Influence“.  He has just wrapped up several Canadian club dates and heads to California for the Topanga Blues Festival on May 2 of this year.
As you watch Sayce you will no doubt notice his heavy influence from Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Healey and you even hear signs of Lenny Kravitz in there. Â His voice is terrific in the range of a soulful moving to frantic much like Jack White.
My sense is you will be hearing much more about Philip Sayce in 2015 – with some hard work and an online push this could indeed be another breakout year for Sayce, the trick of course is to sustain the frantic pace demanded of today’s musicians – some collaborations could indeed help here allowing him to tap into new audiences and new distribution channels.
We’ll certainly do our part, I’m sure you will agree this guy deserves to be heard!
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Apr 3rd, 2015. Comment.
This one just came to me after turning on the Strat and Fender Deluxe for some ‘alone time’ yesterday afternoon.
Turned out pretty well, seems like that practicing really does pay off in the end 🙂
What do you guys think?
Filed under blues guitar, Jeff Smith by on Jan 23rd, 2015. Comment.
What makes a blues rock performance turn into pure magic? Â Watch this video, and you’ll find out:
This video was taken from the wonderful DVD “Joe Bonamassa Live At Rockplast” – perfect trio where tone, amazing songs and energy come together for one magical show.
If you like Joe at all, this is one of his best concert DVD’s of all time.
Filed under blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa by on Jan 9th, 2015. Comment.
Jimmie Vaughan kicking some ass with DF/W (stands for Dallas Fort-Worth representing an area in Texas) backed by an amazing band really makes for some magic…
Always thought Jimmie’s strengths were:
- Making simple so packed with feeling
- Writing catchy melodies
- Amazing rhythm and back-up man
- Top notch band leader – knows how to put together an arrangement and a show
- Steeped in the history of the blues especially Jimmy Reed, King’s (Albert, Freddie and BB)
What’s your take?
Filed under blues guitar, jimmie vaughan by on Dec 27th, 2014. Comment.
