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March 25, 2010 

© 2010 Blues Blast Magazine

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Hey Blues Fans,

Big news this week as the worlds premier Blues event, The Chicago Blues Festival, announced their 2010 lineup. The Chicago Blues Festival runs June 11-13, 2010 in Grant Park in Downtown Chicago. Admission is FREE!

Headliners on the main stage include Howlin’ Wolf alumni Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang with Jody Williams, Sam Lay, Henry Gray, Abb Locke, Corky Siegel and special guest Hubert SumlinOtis Taylor BandJames Cotton with special guest Matt “Guitar” Murphy and  Zora Young on Friday, Nellie “Tiger” TravisBobby Parker and the Blues Night Band and Chicago Blues A Living History featuring Billy Boy Arnold, Billy Branch, John Primer, Lurrie Bell and special guest Carlos Johnson on Saturday night and Erwin Helfer’s Chicago Boogie Woogie Ensemble Vivian and Vance “Guitar” Kelly and the Backstreet Blues Band, The Chicago Blues Reunion featuring Barry Goldberg, Corky Siegel, Nick Gravenites, Harvey Mandel and special guests Charlie Musselwhite, and Sam Lay and  T.K Soul on Sunday.

The Festival has 5 stages running all day long with a total of more than 70 great Blues performers. Like past years we have created a festival schedule page on our website with the complete schedule along with links to most of the artists websites for more information. CLICK HERE to view it or to visit the festival website CLICK HERE


Last Chance for Low Cost Advertising
This is the last week for our Recession Blues Advertising Special. If you want to really get the Blues word out for a bargain price be sure to get your space reserved before March 31st. For complete details CLICK HERE or see the ad below in this issue.

Blues Blast Music Award Nominations
This is also the last week for record labels and artists to send in copies of their releases for the 2010 Blues Blast Music nominators to consider. For more info see the ad in this issue or CLICK HERE


Blues Wanderings!

We made it to the Third Friday Blues show sponsored by the Blues Blowtorch Society last week to hear Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials.

It was a Free show! This was amazing and the place was packed!  Lil Ed put on his usual great show and the crowd loved it

We also made it to Midlothian, IL for the Electro Glide Records Showcase. The showcase included the Catch Blues Band, Danny & the Devils, David Gerald, AL Stone and The Jimmy Warren Band. See our review of the showcase and all the photos of the fun below in this issue. SCROLL DOWN!

David Gerald Jimmy Warren Al Stone

In this issue - Blues Reviews and MORE!

James "Skyy Dobro" Walker reviews a new CD from The Jason King Band.  George "Blues Fin Tuna" Fish reviews a new CD by Paul Karapiperis. Ian McKenzie reviews a new CD from Coco Montoya. John Mitchell reviews a new CD by Johnny Charles. Jon Norton reviews a new CD by The Back Alley Players. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!!



 Featured Blues Review 1 of 5

Jason King Band - Blue Skies & Black Shoes

Hip-Rox Music

http://jasonkingband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jasonkingroxas

11 songs; 45:40 minutes; Splendid

Styles: Contemporary Blues

Similar to the NCAA Basketball Tournaments, imagine a Big Blues Playoff. With 65 bands vying for the championship, all the brackets will be seeded from four number one rankings on down to number sixteens. Bands, like the basketball teams, are seeded based on insider politics, hype and publicity, and playing schedules.

The referees (er, judges) will be blindfolded with no knowledge of to whom they are listening. Winners will be selected based strictly on the music the judges hear – nothing else.

Now, beyond all the polls from media and coaches, when it comes time for the game/ performance, what is the real difference between a number nine seed and a number one seed, for example? The answer is often, “not much.” In the men’s tournament, we yearly see “upsets” of the “majors.” This year, number nine Northern Iowa University upset number one Kansas. At any given game, any team can dribble, guard, and shoot better and beat another team.

Honestly, isn’t the music scene similar? At the performance level, all bands, pick guitar stings, beat drums, sing lyrics, and put their pants on one-leg-at-a-time. On any given night, one band might better impress listeners regardless of their ranking. Beyond all the “seeding” of Blues bands by agencies based on longevity, insider politics, hype and publicity, and playing schedules, when the music is played, the differences may be miniscule.

Given their newer status, Reno, Nevada’s Jason King Band might enter the playoffs with a number twelve seed. Born in 1973, Jason King Roxas (full name) is still under 40, and the earliest version of the Jason King Band was formed in the late 1990s. Backed by the core talents of Tommy Stiles (guitar, lap steel, pedal steel), Wilbert Banks (Bass), Michael Moore (drums), and studio guests, King has issued a solid debut release with eleven original songs.

At the “tip-off,” King reveals two added guest members to his studio team, crack drummer Pat Dotson, locking with Banks’ bass, and harmonicist Freddie Mills. King’s band scores first when Mills on harp excites listeners with the beginning sharp notes of this mid tempo swinging shuffle, “Steppin’ Out.” King and Mills trade some nice mid song solos, and King displays competent vocals that prevail through the entire set.

Another guest off-the-bench, Rick Metz, provides valuable assistance on rough-cast saxophone on “I’m Your Man” a stop-time, upbeat number. In the macho dripping lyrics, King brags to be the best lover - that’ll have’em crying, “More, more, more!” His impressive, rapid guitar picking punctuates the message.

All the songs run around four minutes or less except “Cryin’ Shame,” a slow minor Blues running just over seven. Here King lulls opponents to sleep by allowing keyboardist Jason Stanton to work piano magic just under his fluid, crying lead guitar lines mixed with wearied vocals.

To start the second half, on song six, “Broken,” King switches gears by going acoustic on a Folk and Country rooted ballad. With Stiles adding deft slide work, King sings the most moving vocals on the CD, “... she might be bruised, but she ain’t broken.”

The title track affords King the opportunity to clearly reveal early influences of the Allman Brothers (“Ramblin’ Man”) with some Hendrix thrown into the mix.

Demonstrating exuberant fun in performing, King and band pump up a Blues shuffle in “My Little Baby.” You can practically “hear” King smile as he trades licks with Mills on harp.

Having clinched the victory in the opening round against the number five seeded, nonchalant and overconfident Bigg Name Dude Band, King takes a slow acoustic turn on “6 Years Gone” to close the net-cutting set.

The Jason King Band has a winning eclectic mix of sounds that showcase the band’s talent and musical range. Who knows, with all they’ve got, they just might win the Blues championship!

Reviewer James "Skyy Dobro" Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ, Master of Ceremonies, and longtime Blues Blast Magazine contributor. His weekly radio show "Friends of the Blues" can be heard Saturdays 8 pm - Midnight on WKCC 91.1 FM and at www.wkccradio.org in Kankakee, IL

To See James “Skyy Dobro” Walker's CD rating system, CLICK HERE 

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



 Featured Blues Review 2 of 5

Paul Karapiperis - Fifteen Raindrops in an Ocean of Blues Tales

Shelter Home Studio (Greece)

15 tracks Total time: 46:34
www.smallbluestrap.gr

www.myspace.com/smallbluestrap

www.livebluesworld.com/profiles/smallbluestrap

Blues is truly an international art form now, so when I received Fifteen Raindrops in an Ocean of Blues Tales in its original mail wrapping from Greece, I was intrigued over how the blues would be interpreted by a leading Greek musician. Paul Karapiperis, founding member of the Greek blues band Small Blues Trap, is lead singer and harmonica player with the group; this CD with the awkward and overlong title, Fifteen Raindrops in an Ocean of Blues Tales, is his first recording without Small Blues Trap. However, it is not really a solo album, because Karapiperis is accompanied by three other Greek blues musicians, Panagiotis Daras, Lefteris Besios, and Sotris Kouroutis. Although the accompanying musicianship is unattributed, heard on the CD are drums and percussion, upright bass, acoustic and electric guitars, vibes, piano and organ, with Karapiperis featured on vocals and Sonny Boy Williamson II-style acoustic harp. Fifteen Raindrops is all original music, with melodies and lyrics composed by Karapiperis.

Fifteen Raindrops opens with a rousing Sonny Boy Williamson II-like harp solo accented with percussion, “Welcome Onboard! Clap Your Hands!” a chugging train song built around a gospel melody. It is one of three instrumentals on the CD, all extending this train-journey motif. The ending track is an expectant, moody jazz instrumental with blues inlay, “The End—or The Start—Of the Journey,” while in the middle, on track 7, is another jazz-blues instrumental on the same theme, “Midnight Ride.” Jazz-blues intersperses on the CD with traditional blues styling drawn from Delta blues, with seven tracks blues and eight tracks jazz-blues. Yet, genre lines are by no means demarcated, as within individual songs there is frequently an effortless glide from one blues approach to another, or from blues to jazz. While four of the ensemble numbers here, which are all guitar-based in accompaniment, are built around Delta blues styling, track 9, “There Is No Place For You,” has a Piedmont blues feel, while track 11, “A Dance With Shadows,” is a guitar-with-piano-emphasis torch song. The four Delta numbers—track 3, “A Voodoo Woman Can…,” track 4, “In Wood Alcohol Line,” track 12, “”Up In Heaven & Down In Hell,” and track 14, “My Lonesome Song”—feature churning guitar riffs that are reminiscent of a simplified John Lee Hooker, and acoustic slide playing that will remind one of the early Muddy Waters.

The jazz-blues numbers—which aside from those already mentioned, are comprised of track 2, “let’s Do The Boogie All Night,” track 5, “Dr. Lonely,” track 6, “Crazy Tones,” track 8, “Goodbye My Good Luck,” track 10, “S.B.T.,” and track 13, “Mr. Rob”—are all much indebted to modern guitar jazz, but have an inlay of blues as well. Their blues is jazzy, and their jazz is bluesy

Fifteen Raindrops is essentially an acoustic CD, although electric guitar is used for emphasis in solos, and acoustic guitar carries most of the instrumental burden aside from Karapiperis’s harp solos and accompaniment. The playing is first-rate, soulful as well as technically well done, and Karapiperis’s harp solos are creative extensions of the basic Sonny Boy Williamson II approach, with strong showing by Karaperis as well on vocals. His gruff bass-baritone is evocative and emotionally resonant, as he shifts from indignant despair on track 8, “Goodbye My Good Luck,” and track 9, “Up In Heaven & Down In Hell,” to a Mephistophelean seductiveness on track 2, “Let’s Do The Boogie All Night,” and track 5, “Dr. Lonely.” The volume of Karapiperis’s vocals range from conversational to a half-whisper—he is not a shouter—and fully expressive over a range of themes. His original lyrics, while partaking of some classic blues imagery and themes, are not copycat, but unique, poetic and evocative, with a true literary quality. His truly original lyrics motivate songs of strikingly different themes and modes of expressing traditional themes that, while they originate in traditional blues and jazz, re-state them with maverick artistry.

Fifteen Raindrops in an Ocean of Blues Tales is an adventurous album by American blues standards: Not only does it blur style lines within blues and blur genre lines between blues and jazz, it does so with aplomb and effortless ease; it also punctuates the music with lyrics that are surrealistic, brittle and essentially poetic and literary—and does this with aplomb and effortless ease as well. An unusual musical journey indeed—and well worth the ticket price.

Paul Karapiperis’s Fifteen Raindrops in an Ocean of Blues Tales is available from CD Baby.

Reviewer George "Blues Fin Tuna" Fish hails from Indianapolis, Indiana, home of blues legends Yank Rachell and Leroy Carr. He has written a regular music column for several years. He wrote the liner notes for Yank Rachell’s Delmark album, Chicago Style. He has been a blues and pop music contributor for the left-wing press as well, and has appeared in Against the Current and Socialism and Democracy.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



 Featured Blues Review 3 of 5

Coco Montoya - I Want It All Back

Ruf Records

www.cocomontoya.com

Coco Montoya is probably best known as the principle axeman with John Mayall for the 10 years ending in 1993, when he went solo. During that time Montoya worked closely with Walter Trout, and the duels between the two ace guitar men provoked considerable excitement. Montoya went out on his own and in intervening years has made half a dozen excellent records, each of which has been enthusiastically received.

Montoya started his musical career as a drummer but one night after a famous encounter with Albert Collins when, with permission, Montoya’s drum kit was used by Collins’ drummer. Albert and Coco got talking, and the latter was invited to join Collins’ band as a drummer. During rehearsals and off times, Albert showed him a few licks and Montoya fell under the thrall of the Master Of The Telecaster. From there on he concentrated on his guitar work.

Montoya is an upside down, left handed guitar player in the same way as the other Albert, Albert King. He picked up from Collins the fiery style (sometimes called ‘hot ice’) which, when listened to, leaves one in no doubt what the expression ‘attack’ means when describing the playing of an instrument. Despite the fact that Montoya is renowned as being a master of the Strat, this album is a departure from his previous work, for instead of concentrating on his guitar chops, Montoya has spent much time honing and refining his vocals.

The album is produced by Keb Mo, assisted by Jeff Paris (both of whom are take back up musician roles), but you should not expect too much in the line of raw blues. Only one track, ‘Fannie Mae’, falls into that category, and that one features Rod Piazza and his wife, Honey Alexander in what in my humble opinion is the best track on the record. But don’t be misled by that statement. In his efforts to improve his vocals, Montoya, advised by his producers, goes for soul, Motown, and occasionally, what seems to me to be contemporary country music. Tracks include, 'Forever' (originally done by the Marvelettes) and The One Who Really Loves You' (a Mary Wells' hit). Two outstanding songs, which are certainly on the edge of contemporary country music, are 'Cry Lonely,' and 'As Close As I Have Come.' Both of those songs were co-written by award-winning songwriter Gary Nicholson, who knows a good deal about blues and country music, the former in his guise as Whitey Johnson (check that out on Google you won’t regret it).

By and large, this album is a success if only because the production, musicianship and, yes, the vocal skills are exemplary. For those reasons alone, Montoya should achieve his desire and get what reviews he wants back – back. The CD sounds a bit samey, but perhaps I’m just being an old stick in that mud! I can’t help but notice too that sometimes Montoya’s vocal lines (phrasing) does sound just a tad too much like Mr. Moore. ‘Ho hum’, as someone famous once said!

Reviewer Ian McKenzie lives in England. He is the editor of Blues In The South (www.bluesinthesouth.com) a monthly flier providing news, reviews, a gig guide and all kinds of other good stuff, for people living and going to gigs along the south coast of England. Ian is also a blues performer (see www.myspace.com/ianmckenzieuk ) and has a web cast regular blues radio show on www.phonic.FM  in Exeter (Wednesdays: 1pm Eastern/ 12 noon Central).

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


Have YOUR Music Considered For Nomination

Last year we had quite a few inquiries from Blues artists around the globe wondering how to get their recordings considered for nomination in the annual Blues Blast Music Awards.  This year we are including a process for those interested to send in their recordings for consideration by our nominators. We have 30 nominators and you can send in copies of your CD to be considered. Eligibility for specific recording releases is from May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. For complete details about the awards and the new process CLICK HERE

The 2010 nomination process starts March 1st when we begin accepting submissions from labels and artists. Artist do not necessarily have to submit their releases to be considered but any that do will have their recordings screened by the nominators.  Read all the details at the link above for a complete list of options to have your CD release considered now.

CDs for the 2010 nominations are the ones the nominators have heard. We have a diverse group of 30 nominators and they hear many CDs but if an artist or label really wants a CD to be considered by all the nominators they can send in copies of their CDs beginning March 1. CDs received will be sent to the nominators. A minimum of 30 copies are required so that all nominators get to listen to them. There is no charge for this in 2010 but we reserve the right to change this financial policy in future years. Complete information on sending in your CD is HERE

Nominators begin their initial nomination phase on May 1st and final nominations will be announced after May 31st, 2010. Voting Begins in July.  The 2010 Blues Blast Music Awards will be held on Thursday October 28th, 2010 at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, IL.


 Blues Society News


 Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to:  

You can submit a maximum of 175 words or less in a Text or MS Word document format.


Blues Blowtorch Society - Bloomington, IL

BBS Presents 3rd Friday Blues - On April 16, 2010 the Blues Blowtorch Society will host Steve "The Harp" Blues Band with Special Guest from Austin Texas Lightning Red at the Treehouse Lounge 2060 Ireland Grove Road, Bloomington, IL 61704 (309) 662-5231 Show starts at 7 PM till 10 PM For more info: www.bluesblowtorch.org

Great Northern Blues Society  - Wausau. WI

The Great Northern Blues Society is proud to announce the CD release party for Bake Sale Volume Five. This is a compilation of Wisconsin bands that play Blues orientated music. The CD features nineteen bands and twenty songs. The CD release party will be at the Blues Cafe' on March 27th . After that it can be purchased on line at the GNBS Shop. http://www.gnbs.org/gnbs/shop/

Columbia College - Chicago, IL

Free Blues Camp Audition - Thursday, April 8 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Buddy Guy’s Legends, 754 S. Wabash, Chicago. This is an opportunity to audition for this great youth Blues Camp held at Columbia College July 4 – 9, 2010 by Artistic Director, Fernando Jones.

Other audition dates are Saturday, May 22, 10:00 AM - Noon, Columbia College Chicago Music Center, 1014 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago and Thursday, June 3, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at Guitar Center, 4271 West 167th Street, Country Club Hills, IL. Go to www.BluesKids.com for more details. RSVP Online at Bluesnewz@aol.com

The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society - Marietta, Ohio

The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society presents their annual “River City Blues Festival”  Friday, March 19th and Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Lafayette Hotel, on the river in downtown Marietta. On Friday the lineup includes Shaun Booker and The Kinsey Report. On Saturday the show features
the BITS Band/”High Schools That Rock”, the 2010 BJFMS Blues Competition Winners, Tokyo Tramps, Lionel Young, Zac Harmon Band, The Teeny Tucker Band and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne.

For more information visit www.bjfm.org. or  contact Steve Wells at bluesphotog@gmail.com  or (304) 295-4323

The Friends Of The Blues - Watseka, IL

Spring 2010 Friends of the Blues shows- April 13 - Perry Weber & DeVilles, 7 pm , Kankakee Elks Country Club, April 17 - Joel Paterson Trio, Kankakee Valley Boat Club (“Rockin’ the River”), April 20 - Too Slim and the Taildraggers, 7 pm , Bradley Bourbonnais Sportsmen’s Club, June 22 - Al Stone, 7 pm , River Bend Bar & Grill. For more info see: http://www.wazfest.com/JW.html 

Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL

BLUE MONDAY SHOWS - Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $3 cover. March 29 - The Kilborn Alley Blues Band - CD Release Party, April 5 - Motor City Josh, April 12 - Perry Weber and the Devilles,  April 19 - Too Slim & the Taildraggers

River City Blues Society - Peoria, IL

The River City Blues Society has started booking more of their weekly Blues shows. The shows start at 7:00pm at Good Fellas Pizza and Pub, 1414 N 8TH St Pekin, IL. Admission for all shows is $4 or $3 for RCBS members. Shows currently scheduled are:  Thursday April 1st - Motor City Josh.


 

Festival & CD Advertising Special $180

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Ad rate valid until 3/31/2010. Ads reserved can run anytime in 2010.

Blues Blast Magazine is a great way to promote your new Blues music release or an upcoming festival or Blues show. More than 15,000 Blues fans read our magazine each week. They are located in all 50 states and in more than 80 countries. Our website is also a great place to advertise. We get 20,000 visitors and more than 1,000,000 hits a month on our website.

Our cost effective advertising really "Gets The Blues Word Out"! Times are hard and Blues music is the Music for the times! So Blues Blast Magazine is offering  "recession prices" on festival and CD advertising with our $180 Recession Blues combo. (A $375 value)

Our 6 week combo rate allows you to affordably add significant impact to your ad campaign.  Normal 2010 Advertising rates are $45 a week for Blues Blast magazine ads. Website ads are $70 per month.

BUT, for a limited time, you can advertise your Blues event or CD for six weeks in both Blues Blast Magazine and on our website for $180. Your ad can be seen more than 125,000 times by Blues fans who want to know about Blues events and music! Reserve your space today!

To get our special combo rate simply reserve your ad space by March 31st, 2010.

Ads must be reserved before March 31st, 2010 but can be used for any dates in 2010. Space is limited during some summer festival season times and will be sold on a first come first served basis.

For complete details CLICK HERE or email or call 309 267-4425

 


 Featured Blues Review 4 of 5

Johnny Charles - Stratified

Blues Leaf Records

http://www.johnnycharles.com/

10 tracks; 41.12 minutes

Johnny Charles is based in New Jersey and this is his third CD, his second for Blues Leaf Records, also based in NJ but perhaps best known for issuing Janiva Magness’ early and Albert Castiglia’s recent CDs. The band is bass, drums and keys behind Johnny’s guitar and the vocals (on just two tracks) are handled by ‘Nasty Ned’! I was not familiar with any of the names of the supporting players, apart possibly from Rob Kondor who may well be the same guy who played keys on Clapton’s “Journeyman” back in 1991 and features on two tracks here.

The opening tune “Stinger” is very much in SRV territory, with plenty of wild guitar over an uptempo beat. “Step on it” is again Texas influenced, but with more picking and a little country influence on the guitar. The third track “Take it easy baby” is one of the vocal tracks and is a straight 12 bar blues. ‘Nasty Ned’ handles the vocals well and Johnny’s guitar buzzes behind him, supported by good piano. The dynamics of the slow blues come out well and show that this is a well produced album.

“The King Shuffle” lives up to its title with a catchy refrain played in the style of BB leading on to some references to Albert. An attractive piece, if not entirely original. “You move me” is the second vocal feature and is more of a call and response between vocal and guitar. The solo is clear and concise before an uncredited harp solo comes in.

Track 6 is where things start to change. Until this point the playing is pretty straightforward blues, with lots of the usual influences on Johnny’s playing. “The Cat” is entirely different, with an immediately funkier backbeat and a sound more akin to the jazz rock of 70s bands like the Crusaders. In fact the player that this reminds me of the most is Lee Rittenour! Having said that I liked the change of pace and the track is successful in almost conveying the sound of a cat in some of the playing.

Next is “Texas Blues”, a slow blues instrumental, well done but nothing new. “Yardbird Stroll” is another step change, with an almost distorted sound before the guitar comes into play, again in jazz rock mode. The yardbird of the title does not appear to be Charlie Parker, so I assume that this is intended as a tribute to post-Yardbirds Jeff Beck and is well done; it could almost be a lost track from “Blow by Blow”. “Metro City” is a slower paced piece, again jazzy in tone. If it is a portrait of NYC it must be one of the wee small hours when the city is asleep apart from the patrons exiting the jazz clubs!

Closing track “Stratified” is very upbeat and makes a good bookend to the album with “Stinger”. Clearly a Strat man, Johnny demonstrates his mastery of his axe on this closer.

Overall a decent album, well produced and with evidence of a good guitar player here. It is brave to put out a predominantly instrumental album and, for me, it largely works. The three jazzier tracks seem to sit uneasily with the rest of the CD, whilst all being good in themselves. I did wonder whether the answer to that lies in the credit on the sleeve that all selections are copyright 1993 and 2009. Are some of the tracks (perhaps the three jazzrock pieces) from a far earlier session and included for variety?.

Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues enthusiast based in the UK. He also travels to the States most years to see live blues music. He has just returned from his first Legendary Blues Cruise.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



 Featured Blues Review 5 of 5

Back Alley Players  - Beyond The Blues

B.O.N.E. Entertainment

http://www.myspace.com/backalleyplayers

A guitarist who doubles on the mandolin. A drummer who cut his teeth on hip-hop. A vocalist who sounds as if he's the nephew of Barry White.

If you're thinking this could be the recipe for a new blues sound, you're right. Except on Beyond The Blues, The Back Alley Players don't melt those sounds into a new blues brew so much as they deliver one of the tastiest and schizophrenic soul and country blues release since, well, ever. With players born and raised in NYC and steeped in r&b, funk, jazz and hip-hop, the Back Alley Players refreshingly feel little pressure to replicate the Chicago blues sound omnipresent still in 2010.

Beyond The Blues opens with vocalist Umar Conry unleashing his powerful baritone on the horn driven, soulful, funky, yet still bluesy Nothing But The Blues, then evolves into the soul/funk of You Make Me Crazy, the straight up soul/pop of The Jealous Kind and the funk/rock of Can't Get You Out Of My Head. Now if this recording was an LP and you were to flip to side #2, you might not be surprised at what you'd hear next. But Beyond The Blues is one sided, so when percussionist Czar Albion whistles over the light funky percussion laid down by Stix Bones on The Lazy Road Blues, you're likely to double take and wonder if bandleader and guitarist Johnny Turco was watching too many Andy Griffith re-runs before he wrote this funky and catchy head scratcher. From there, the band finishes Beyond The Blues with three acoustic country blues cuts, as Turco unpacks his mandolin on the next two tracks and his Dobro guitar on the final track.

Beyond The Blues is a fantastic and fresh blues debut from a collection of guys who've mostly honed their chops outside the genre. It's obvious from this release that The Back Alley Players enjoy playing with and off one another. One wonders what they have in their bag of tricks for a follow up. I'd love to hear Turco's mandolin backing the horn section, but as creative as this unit is, I'm guessing they'll come up with something even they haven't thought of yet.

Reviewer Jon Norton is Music Director at WGLT Public Radio station in Normal, IL.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


 Featured Review - Electro Glide Records Showcase

Electro Glide Records Showcase - March 20, 2010

Papa T's Night Club

We made it to the first ever Electro Glide Records artists showcase. Electro Glide Records is a new Independent record label started by longtime Chicago area musician Jimmy Warren that is dedicated to releasing the best new emerging artists in the Blues & Rock genre. The showcase featured artists on the label and a couple acts that have songs included in the Electro Glide compilation CD.

Up first was a band called The Catch Blues Band. They played some original tunes that got the evening started off.

Catch Blues Band is from West Virginia and were in town just for this event. CLICK HERE to visit their website to hear some of their tunes.

Next up was a Chicago area band know as Danny & The Devils. Danny and the boys played some good Blues Rock to move the evening along nicely.

Another band that traveled a ways for the showcase was David Gerald. David is from the Detroit, Michigan area and has recently released a new Blues CD called Hell and Back. Gerald kicked up the Blues content of the showcase very nicely as he worked his way through some of the originals and a few cover tunes from the new CD.

The next performer was Al Stone. Al had quite a few of his fans at the show. He rocked his way through a few of the tunes on his new CD, I Want It All to the delight of all his fans.

The final act of the evening was the Jimmy Warren Band. Jimmy has a new CD out called No More Promises and he played some of the tunes for those in attendance.

The event was well attended and judging by this showcase the world will be hearing more from Electro Glide Records. Visit their website to find out more about this new music label.   www.electrogliderecords.com

Review and photos By Bob Kieser.


 Live Blues Calendar


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