Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts

Friday, March 8, 2013

Danny Bryant to release "Hurricane" the blues rock album of 2013

Released in the UK on Monday 6th May 2013
Download the free track "Greenwood 31"
www.dannybryant.com/free-download
click for hi res
Previously hailed as a young guitar virtuoso, and a protégé of Walter Trout, Danny Bryant is building a formidable reputation as a leading British blues rock guitar heavyweight in his own right. On Monday 6th May, Jazzhaus Records will release his new studio album "Hurricane" in the UK.



Danny Bryant "Hurricane" Album Preview
Recorded as a power trio, the new album was produced by Richard Hammerton (Manic Street Preachers). The nine songs showcase the evolution of Bryant as both guitarist and songwriter. The album bursts with power-fueled originals, groove-driven up-tempo songs, and soulful blues ballads.
Danny retreated to the rural solitude of the county of Cornwall in the southwest of the UK to record the new album. "It was just like time travel," says Danny. "Since there was almost no phone reception or internet connection, I spent between 15-18 hours a day concentrating on nothing but  the music."
Photo Credit: © 2013 Kevin Nixon
The difference to the previous studio album "Just As I Am" (2010) is based mainly in the production. Says Danny - "The songs are the result of hard work and have gained considerable complexity." This is evident not only in the melodic title track, but also with the ballad "Can't Hold On" not to mention the funky-bluesy "Greenwood 31" – a song that harks back to a similar urgency in the style of Jimi Hendrix mixed with the attitude of Lenny Kravitz.
Inspired by American rockers including John Hiatt and Bruce Springsteen, Bryant looks back on some of his career highlights. Reflects Danny - "Recording the live album "Nightlife"(2012) was a milestone. Over the past few years we’ve constantly toured Europe, and in doing so, we have broken new ground both musically and geographically." 
The results are evident from the reaction from the audiences. "In the beginning, people were primarily coming to the concerts to see a young guitar player," says Danny, "but these days I think they’re coming because of songs, voice and overall performance."
Photo Credit: © 2013 Kevin Nixon

Friday 22nd March
Rubigen – Switzerland, Muhle Huzniken

Box Office: +41 (0)31 721 0 721
Mühle Hunziken, CH-3113 Rubigen
www.muehlehunziken.ch
Saturday 23rd March
Scherzingen – Switzerland, Backerstubli

Box Office:+41 (0)71 688 59 37
Dorfstrasse 2, Scherzingen
www.baeckerstuebli.ch  
Friday 29th March
Blakeney – UK, The Harbour Rooms

Box Office: 01263 741666 / 01263 740783
139-141 High Street, Blakeney, Holt, NR25 7NU
www.blakeneyharbourroom.co.uk
Thursday 4th April
Billericay – UK, New Crawdaddy

Box Office: (01702) 347007
Harding Elms Road, Crays Hill, Essex
www.newcrawdaddyclub.co.uk
Friday 5th April
Derby – UK, The Flowerpot

Box Office: 01332 834438
25 King Street, Derby, DE1 3DZ
www.rawpromo.co.uk
Saturday 6th April
Hartlepool – UK, Camerons Club

Box Office: O1429 233234
81 Waldon Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7QR
www.thecameronsclub.com
Sunday 7th April
Glasgow – UK, The Ferry

Box Office: 01698 360085
25 Anderson Quay, Glasgow, G3 8BX
www.the-ferry.co.uk
Friday 12th April
Apeldoorn – Netherlands, Blues Café

Box Office: +31 (0)55-578 50 14
Nieuwstraat 74a, Apeldoorn, Holland

www.bluescafe.nl
Saturday 13th April
Weert – Netherlands, De Bosuil

Box Office: +31 (0)495-524269
Vrakkerveld 2c, Weert

www.debosuil.nl
Thursday 18th April
Unna – Germany, Lindenbrauerei

Box Office: + 49 (0)23 03 25 11 20
Rio-Reiser-Weg 1 59423 Unna
www.lindenbrauerei.de
Friday 19th April
Cologne – Germany, Yard Club

Box Office: + 49 (0)221 – 167 916 16
Neusser Landstr. 2 50735 Köln, Cologne
www.kantine.com
Saturday 20th April
Rutesheim – Germany, Uhlenspiegel

Box Office: + 49 (0)7152 44640
Im Bonholz 3 71277 Rutesheim

www.uhlenspiegel.de
Sunday 21st April
Freiburg – Germany, The Jazzhaus

Box Office: + 49 (0)761 – 79 19 78 0
Schnewlinstr. 1, 79098 Freiburg
www.jazzhaus.de
Monday 22nd April
Salzburg – Austria, Rockhouse

Box Office: +43 - 662 - 88 49 14 – 0
Schallmooser Hauptstr.46 A-5020, Salzburg
www.rockhouse.at
Wednesday 24th April
Munich – Germany, Garage Deluxe

Box Office: +49 (0)89 / 54 81 81 81
Friedenstr. 10 81671 München
www.garagedeluxe.de
Thursday 25th April
Erfurt – Germany, Museumskeller

Box Office: +49 (0)361 562 4994
Juri Gagarin Ring 140a, 99084 Erfurt
www.museumskeller.de
Friday 26th April
Torgau – Germany, Kulturbastion

Box Office: +49 (0)3421 737610
Straße der Jugend 14B 04860 Torgau
www.kap-torgau.de
Saturday 27th April
Berlin – Germany, Quasimodo

Box Office: +49 (0)30 318 045 60
Kanstr 12A, Berlin
www.quasimodo.de
Sunday 28th April
Groesbeek – Netherlands, Blues Moose Festival

Hotel de Wolfsberg, Mooksebaan 12 te Groesbeek
www.bluesmoosefest.com
Thursday 2nd May
Farnham – UK, The Maltings

Box Office: 01252 745444
Bridge Square Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR, Farnham
https://farnhammaltings.com
Friday 10th May
Kendal – UK, Bootleggers

Box Office: 01539 723824
24 Finkle Street, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4AB
www.bootleggersbar.com
Saturday 11th May
Mainsforth – UK, Blues/Rock Festival

Box Office: 07814 965724
Ferryhill Station. Co. Durham, DL17 OAG
Saturday 18th May
Newmarket – UK, Memorial Hall

Box Office: 01353 749749
HIgh Street, Newmarket CB8 8JP, Newmarket
http://cambridgerockfestival.co.uk
Thursday 6th June
Chislehurst – UK, Beaverwood Club

Box Office: 07850 867955
Beaverwood Rd BR7 6HF, Chislehurst
www.thebeaverwoodclub.co.uk
Wednesday 12th June
Kings Heath Birmingham – UK, Hare and Hounds

Box Office: 0121 444 2081
High St, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ
www.hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/the-venue/
Sunday 14th July
Crewe – UK, The Box

Box Office: 08444 77 1000
Pedley Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 6AG
http://www.theboxcrewe.co.uk/
Photo Credit: © 2013 Kevin Nixon
Danny Bryant Essential Web Links
Danny Bryant - Official Facebook
www.facebook.com/dannybryantband
Danny Bryant - Official Website
www.dannybryant.com
Jazzhaus Records - Official Website
www.jazzhausrecords.com
Download the free track "Greenwood 31"
www.dannybryant.com/free-download
    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Alvin Lee has passed

I got this off of the Alvin Lee website. This is an incredible loss! My thoughts are with his family and friends. WITH GREAT SADNESS WE HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THAT ALVIN UNEXPECTEDLY PASSED AWAY EARLY THIS MORNING AFTER UNFORSEEN COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING A ROUTINE SURGICAL PROCEDURE. WE HAVE LOST A WONDERFUL MUCH LOVED FATHER AND COMPANION, THE WORLD HAS LOST A TRULY GREAT AND GIFTED MUSICIAN. JASMIN, EVI AND SUZANNE   If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Outlaw Blues - Larry Miller

After picking up his brother's guitar and writing his first song, he felt his future lay in Rock music, being influenced by some of the guitar greats - Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gary Moore. "For me, my moment of inspiration was seeing Rory Gallagher live, I had never experienced anything like it. So loud, so gloriously on the edge of total mayhem, yet Rory was still totally in control. How could I not do this too! Like Rory I'd work under my own name, with a band. I'd do all the writing, singing, producing, playing and leading." Very quickly, Larry found his own Blues/Rock style, and has been constantly refining it. He is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, with a love for his music which is simply infectious. After many years in the music business and touring constantly, Larry has built up a large following across the UK and building an ever increasing army of fans in Europe. His status as guitar slinger, is becoming legendary with his exciting, mesmerising guitar playing and rip roaring live shows. His engaging personality brings a dimension of showmanship to his performances like no other. In 2009, Larry played an amazing seven encores at the Cambridge Rock Festival and a declaration was made of a "National Larry Miller day". This is embedded in the festival's history and he returned in 2010 to a standing ovation and the biggest crowd of the festival. He is unique, there is only one Larry Miller. Larry Miller has released 6 albums, all of which have had critical acclaim. The latest being 'Unfinished Business' which has had rave reviews. One journalist in his review stated " Unfinished Business is the business" and Classic Rock magazine wrote a glowing review of the album, giving it a top five star rating asking "Why isn't he a superstar"?
  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Dr Truth

formed by Chris Roach and Mike Bowden, Dr Truth have fast becoming one of the most respected original bands on the blues circuit...Following successful gigs at Beauvais, Maryport and Colne Festivals, and a headlining slot at the Blueswater festival in Morecambe, Dr Truth are now booking for 2013 Festivals .  







If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Monday, February 18, 2013

STEVE PHILLIPS

Steve Phillips (born 18 February 1948) is an English blues and country musician. He is mainly renowned for being part of the supergroup Notting Hillbillies along with the Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler and Brendan Croker Phillips was born in London, England, but when still a child his family moved to Leeds; he has lived in Yorkshire for most of his life. His father, Harry Phillips, was a sculptor (Harry Phillips inspired Mark Knopfler to write the song "In the Gallery," from the debut Dire Straits album), and his mother was a painter. At the age of 13, Phillips began learning to play guitar and started playing in different pubs in Leeds. In 1965, at the age of 17, he formed a band called Easy Mr. Steve's Bootleggers in which he mainly played piano. The group eventually recorded some demos but these were not released until 1996. They split up in 1967, although the various musicians continued to work together in different combinations from time to time. In 1968, after buying his first steel resonator guitar, a vintage National, he played many solo gigs in Leeds pubs. Then, a journalist working for The Yorkshire Evening Post, called Mark Knopfler, met him in order to get an interview. They soon become friends and started playing together. Their stage name was The Duolian String Pickers. They went on playing in different pubs. Finally, in 1973, Knopfler left Leeds and moved to London to become part of Brewer's Droop and, afterwards, founded Dire Straits, with whom he finally reached mainstream recognition. By the mid-1970s, Phillips had met the Bradford-born songwriter, singer and guitarist Brendan Croker. They opened a club in a Leeds pub called The Packhorse, where they also played guitar. As a side project, Phillips spent his spare time painting. Finally, in the 1980s, Phillips was persuaded to release his first album, titled ironically The Best Of Steve Phillips. Recorded between 1977 and 1986, the album contained fourteen tracks, only one of which was self-composed: the rest were classic country blues and ragtime instrumentals by such artists as Blind Willie McTell, Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Blake. In 1989, he released a second album, Steel-Rail Blues, which contained more of his own compositions as well as arrangements of others' songs. Knopfler, already famous as the leader of Dire Straits, offered to produce Phillips's next album for him. However, following an impromptu (and still well-remembered) gig in May 1986 at the famous Grove Inn in Leeds (one of the city's most celebrated musical venues) in which Knopfler joined Phillips and Croker, Phillips suggested the they form a band along with Croker (who had also released a couple of albums with his band The 5 O'Clock Shadows). This idea became The Notting Hillbillies. Through this group, Phillips achieved a wider recognition that allowed him to go on releasing his full solo albums and to enhance his career. Phillips went on releasing albums throughout the 1990s. He has worked with a wide group of musicians whom he calls on for band gigs; they were at one time called The Famous Five but are now known as The Rough Diamonds. Most of these musicians (and other guests) have appeared on his albums, except for his most recent, Solo (2005) which is Phillips on his own. (These recordings are difficult to find outside the UK, despite the fact that Phillips is internationally known as an excellent blues singer and guitarist and has undertaken several overseas tours, notably in Italy, Spain and Scandinavia). In 1996, Just Pickin' was released; an album that gathered previously unreleased demos with Easy Mr Steve’s Bootleggers, Mark Knopfler, Brendan Croker and other musicians. These recordings spanned nearly thirty years, from 1965 to 1981. Phillips usually tours solo, with occasional gigs with The Rough Diamonds. He has also played with other solo blues artists such as Ray Stubbs, Doug McLeod and Hans Theessink. He still plays regularly with Croker and appears occasionally with Knopfler and his band, especially for charity fund-raising gigs. When not touring, Steve and The Rough Diamonds play most Tuesday nights at the Grosvenor Hotel in Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire. These informal evenings usually gather a good audience and often feature friends of Phillips and the band 'sitting in' for all or part of the gig. The music ranges from early blues to rock'n'roll, country to Chicago R&B. A live album of material recorded at the Grosvenor will be issued in 2008.[dated info] In addition to his skills as a musician, Phillips is a noted landscape painter, specialising in scenes around his North Yorkshire home area. These paintings are notable for their treatment of North Yorkshire's distinctive but elusive light, and have a luminous quality which renders them instantly recognisable as his work. His album, Been A Long Time Gone, has a detail from one of his paintings on the sleeve. As if musical and artistic gifts were not enough, Phillips has an enviable reputation as a builder and restorer of guitars. Though guitars made by N.S. Phillips are few in number, they are greatly sought after and are owned by musicians such as Knopfler, Croker, Dave Peabody and Dave Speight. The 6-string he made for Knopfler featured heavily on the Notting Hillbillies' album and has been described by Knopfler as one of his favourites.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Wicked Blues - Steve Hooker

Steve has the scars to remember The Heat (punk rock 'n' roll 1977), The Shakers (rhythm 'n' blues from hell 1982 - 1987), Boz and The Bozmen (glam rockabilly 1988) and Rumble (raw rockabilly 1994 - 1997 by. He also played and recorded with Wilko Johnson (Dr Feelgood and Blockheads), Boz Boorer (Polecats and Morrissey), Captain Drugbuster (Demented Are Go), Levi Dexter (Rockats and Ripchords) and SHiNE EYE (Mocking Bird Gal). Ram Jam Geno Washington, Mr Maybellene, Chuck Berry, Small Faces Steve Marriott, New York Dolls Johnny Thunders and Red Hot Robert Gordon were happy to share stages with the rockabillyblues and soulman too. Since 2004, this stripped down stompin' band has blazed a trail across France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Finland, Spain and the UK. (Steve also headlined Rough House (Japan) with Boz Boorer in 2003 and toured the East Coast (USA) with an American line up in 2005). They have made their mark at significant venues and festivals including Tattooed Lady (Spain), the London 100 Club with Robert Gordon, Rock 'n' Soul (UK),Walldorf Rock 'n' Roll Weekender (Germany), Beach Rock (Holland), Festival De la Jeunesse (France), Kustom Kulture Blast Off (UK) and headlined Paulettes (France). "Boptown" CD (2004), Stagger Lee Is Back" CD (2006), Sugar Devil" Vinyl EP (2009), "Before The Rooster Crows" CD (2010) and "Rockabilly Dolls" CD with Levi Dexter all gained airplay and good press. The Promo clip for "Stagger Lee Is back" with Pin Up Bernie Dexter has notched up almost 45,000 hits on YouTube! In 2012 with the new line up, they played at Gaz' Rockin' Blues London, Rockabilly Street (Holland) and Southend Pier Festival (UK), then booked into a favorite Essex studio to work on new material. Now 2013 "The Year Of The Snake" is lookin' good with tour dates booked into 2014, the new album "Smokin' Guitar" on CD and Download, a cameo appearance by Steve in the film "Looking For Johnny" and interest from Sweden, Japan, Canada and the USA too.  

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Blues For The Blues - The Hamsters

Our guitarist/singer Slim is featured in a new bookazine from Guitarist magazine which was released on 3rd December 2010, called 'Guitarist's Blues Guitar Heroes'. Slim's been asked to contribute a monthly column in 2011 to Guitar Buyer magazine (available in WHS) on all aspects of forming, rehearsing, performing, marketing and running a band - in order to pass on our 24 years of experience to a new generation of musicians. He also participated in an event at London Olympia in November 2010 called 'Guitar Nation', with Steve Vai (Zappa, Whitesnake, David Lee Roth), Steve Lukather (Toto) and more. Rather than just being a live music event, it gave aspiring musicians the opportunity to attend seminars and discussion panels, in order to give an insight into the performer's professional life. Our guitarist Slim was interviewed again in the 'Seasick Steve' edition of Guitarist magazine. He's also contributing a lesson to Guitar Techniques magazine later in the year. We released a new three-hour live double DVD set in September, titled 'Curse Of the Killer Hamsters!' The title track to our Album 'Route 666' is to be used in a forthcoming comedy-horror movie. titled 'Stag Night Of The Dead'... The band are appearing in a new three-hour DVD documentary about the Fender Stratocaster titled 'Strat Masters'. Some players featured in the film are Ry Cooder, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, Chris Rea, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Robert Cray, Rory Gallagher and others. The makers have also filmed the USA and Japanese Fender factories. The track 'Taxi Driver' from our latest album 'Open All Hours' has been included in Classic Rock magazine's '100 Blues Anthems'. We were recently mentioned on BBC1's 'Bargain Hunt' programme... we thought it was weird too.... From the hinterlands of the Thames River Delta come THE HAMSTERS: Now in their twenty-fourth year together, having performed over 4,000 concerts and with a national mailing list exceeding 20,000, the Hamsters are established as one of the UK’s premier blues-rock attractions. This has been achieved purely by hard work with the band handling all of their own affairs. The Hamsters have been voted one of the UK‘s best unsigned bands by Kerrang magazine. (We already have a record deal, but it’s a nice compliment). Even BBC’s Top Gear magazine recognises the band as the UK’s hardest working, and featured them in an article on in-car entertainment, the Hamsters being the ideal people to ask as they’re always travelling somewhere. Although primarily performing their own brand of material, they are also widely regarded as our leading interpreters of the music of Jimi Hendrix and more recently ZZ Top. Originally forming for their own amusement (and taking their name from the Sex Pistols, who once used it as a pseudonym to outwit hostile councils), the Hamsters enjoy the irony of being an aggressive band with a cuddly name. Although serious about what they do, they don’t take themselves too seriously. Members have performed with artists such as Eric Clapton, Alison Moyet, Doctor Feelgood, Walter Trout and the late, great gentleman of British Blues, Alexis Korner. World Champion Formula 1 driver Damon Hill is a fan, and was spotted wearing a Hamsters tee shirt at the Hungarian Grand Prix! Slim has been voted one of the top 100 guitarists of all time in a radio poll on LBC . Our version of Hendrix’s "Voodoo Chile" has been used in an edition of BBC TV’s Top Gear. We performed a series of open-air shows Summer 2004 as special guests to Status Quo. We’ve been voted the UK’s best blues-rock band by the readers of Blueprint magazine. Our second session for Paul Jones' Radio 2 Blues show was broadcast September 2004. We contributed a track for inclusion in the BBC Radio 2 series "Bright Lights, Big City". It documents the story of British Rhythm and Blues from the fifties to the modern day. It’s presented by former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, and was broadcast in the Autumn of 2001. We recently conducted an interview for the Sunday Express, and were also the week’s featured concert in The Times ‘Play’ section, December 2002. A member of Natalie Imbruglia's band was spotted wearing one of our t-shirts on an appearance on Graham Norton's show on Channel 4. We performed at 2003,4,5,6 & 7's London Guitar Show at the Wembley entertainment complex, attended by over 15,000 guitar players - aspiring and professional alike. Slim is featured in a book called "17 Watts? The First 20 Years Of British Rock Guitar", talking about his early musical experiences alongside Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, George Harrison and David Gilmour. The band’s album "The Jimi Hendrix Memorial Concerts" was rated Album Of The Month in Germany’s leading musicians’ magazine, "Guitar and Bass". Their version of Bob Dylan’s "All Along The Watchtower" is included on an album of Dylan cover versions, featuring artists such as Bryan Ferry, Joe Cocker, The Byrds and many others, released throughout Europe by Polygram in ‘93. Slim was interviewed for the Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison editions of "Mojo Working", a Channel 4 TV series broadcast through Summer ‘92 documenting the most influential figures in popular music. Slim also writes for Guitarist magazine when he has time, and was featured talking about his equipment(!) in the September ‘94 edition of Guitar Techniques magazine. He has also been included in the "Guitarist Magazine Book of Guitar Players", published in ‘94. In addition, Guitar Techniques has asked Slim to contribute a recorded lesson on how to play the Blues each month, for inclusion on the CD which accompanies every issue. The band have been interviewed and filmed live by MTV Europe and German national TV, as well as being featured in session and interview on Radio One for Bob Harris and Johnny Walker, Radio Two for Paul Jones, for GLR in London, B.F.B.S in mainland Europe and Dutch national radio. Early in ‘95, the band released ROUTE 666 which entered the New Musical Express chart at number 7. The Observer newspaper even pinched the idea from the CD booklet, for the cover of a colour supplement! Photographs for the album were taken by the celebrated snapper, Gered Mankowitz, who is especially known for his seminal photographs of Hendrix and the Stones, among many other Rock icons. The Hamsters are: Slim — Guitar, Singer / Rev. Otis — Drums, Sings a bit / Zsa Zsa — Bass, Sings a bit If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

David Migden and The Dirty Words

I started playing the French Horn (the one with the hand up its flu) and played in a lot of youth orchestras and bands in Kent and ended up playing at the Royal Albert Hall (I’ll have you know). I then started singing and met Joe Gibson and from then on it all went down hill! I gigged and still gig as Migden & Gibson professionally as an acoustic duo. We supported some big blues artists and were played and talked about Bob Harris and Paul Jones. I then did a blues album with Lee Sankey (an amazing harmonica player) and Matt Schofield (who is now an internationally renowned blues guitarist). The album was engineered by Phil Brown who worked with Bob Marley, Robert Palmer and many more which was a great experience. We toured around Europe with the album ‘My Day Is Just Beginning’, this was an enjoyable learning curve for me. At this point I started to write my own material and went on to record an album called ‘Little Stranger’ with an amazing Bass player called Don Richardson. This album was well received and reviewed by the Guardian, the Times, Timeout and was played on Radio 2. I also played with Jamie Cullum during this time who supported me and the album. I then started to write with a more bluesy and anarchic style of composition and from that was born THE DIRTY WORDS. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Hanging - Little Brother Eli

Little Brother Eli is the musical lovechild of Alex Grew and Joshua Rigal . Over the last 6 months we’ve been writing and recording music which has culminated in this exciting project. . We take a lot of influence from blues artists as well as old skool hip hop, but the main focus of the band is just writing great songs. . We have assembled a talented band allowing us to get these songs ready for fans at our live shows. The band consists of Benji Page, Adam Stowe and Linus Taylor. Rehearsing the band has been a really exciting experience watching the songs take on a totally new light as different musicians interpret the music. . We’re going to bring our music to fans through the imminent release of an E.P accompanied by official music videos. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

New album and UK tour from Tommy Emmanuel & Martin Taylor


On Monday 4th March, world-renowned Australian “fingerstyle” acoustic guitarists Tommy Emmanuel, CGP, and Britain’s Martin Taylor, MBE, will release their highly anticipated collaboration album - “The Colonel & The Governor” on Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings.
The new album coincides with the UK tour of the same name; “The Colonel & The Governor,” which starts Wednesday 6th March at The Anvil, Basingtoke. (See full Irish and UK tour dates HERE).

                                                                                                                                                             Photo Credit: © Allen Clarke
The concept behind the acoustic duet album originated from a simple idea: find songs that Tommy and Martin love and come up with arrangements that could allow both of them to, as Tommy Emmanuel says, “fly their own our kites,” and have some fun playing together in the process.
Says Tommy, “During periods of heavy touring, we would send each other emails with song suggestions and mp3s of some of Martin's rare recordings of some of the older guys like Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Carl Kress and Charlie Christian. We also wanted to have some original songs on the album and Martin's songs suited so well.”
Tommy’s relationship with Martin goes back to the early 90s when Tommy first discovered him on Australian television. “I was so amazed by his playing,” recalls Tommy. “I rang the TV station and they gave me his hotel details. I immediately rang him and invited him to play with me at a beautiful theatre in Sydney. We hit it off like brothers and musically had a wonderful chemistry.”
“Martin likes to have as much fun as I do on stage - that's important to me. I have learned so much from Martin, as he comes from a jazz background and I come from a country and rock background. I think we both have a strong love of melody and arrangement that allows our playing to interweave effortlessly and sometimes it feels like time stands still when we are playing together. Martin once introduced me on stage as "the abominable showman" - I have always called him "The Governor".
On the new album Martin played his signature Maestro jazz guitar, while Tommy played his 1930 Martin 017 Mahogany guitar for some of the tracks and a Godin 5th Avenue guitar for the rest. On Tommy’s solo track, “Secret Love”, he used a Maton custom EGB808. Both guitarists were miked and plugged in as well.
“It was fun and challenging to record to make,” says Tommy. “It's honest and in your face playing. Martin swings like a member of the Basie Big Band and phrases like a pioneer of jazz. The album was skillfully and sensitively recorded and produced by Kim Person.”
click for hi res
The 17-date UK tour will see both guitarists playing together and separately, starting on Thursday 6th March at the The Anvil, Basingstoke. Tickets are on sale from the 24 hour box office 0844 478 0898 and www.thegigcartel.com.
“Tommy Emmanuel is unquestionably one of
the most gifted artists of our time
”

- Acoustic Guitar Magazine
“Martin Taylor out-shred's all of us put together ...
I've never seen anything like it
”

- Jeff Beck

                                                                                                                                                             Photo Credit: © Allen Clarke
While they are both serious "men of letters" with Tommy Emmanuel being an honorary Kentucky Colonel, a CGP (Certified Guitar Player), an Order of Australia Medalist (AM) and the holder of an honorary masters (MA) and Martin Taylor being an M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) and holder of two Honourary Doctorates, they honour each other affectionately with these titles. Both acoustic guitarists are leaders of music in their respective countries - Australia and the UK. Call it a British Commonwealth thing!
Known for his complex finger-picking style, Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist who performs energetic concerts, and is highly regarded for the use of percussive effects on the guitar.  In 2008 and 2010, Guitar Player Magazine’s Readers Poll voted him Best Acoustic Guitarist.
Martin Taylor is a multi-award winning guitarist and Acoustic Guitar magazine calls him, “the acoustic guitarist of his generation.”  He dazzles audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, and a strong stage presence while his inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world’s foremost exponent of solo finger style guitar playing. Taylor has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world.
Collaborations with artists including Jeff Beck, Bill Wyman, Jamie Cullum, David Grisman and Bryn Terfel have seen him garner two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and Europe, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE ‘For Services to Jazz Music’ by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.
As one of the world’s most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school with its headquarters in Napa, CA has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and the LA Times and is subscribed to by guitarists in over 58 countries.
2012 saw the London premiere of Martin Taylor’s ‘Spirit of Django’ orchestral Suite at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms.
“Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument. He's unbelievable.”
- Pat Metheny
“No matter how complex or daring, Taylor's interpretations never short change the melodies; indeed his remarkable fluid touch embues a seamless beauty. Martin Taylor is something to behold.”
- The Washington Post
Throughout his career, Tommy Emmanuel has played with many notable artists including Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin, Air Supply, John Denver, Les Paul and Doc Watson.
Tommy and his brother Phil performed at Sydney’s closing ceremony at the Summer Olympics in 2000. The event was televised worldwide to an estimated 2.85 billion viewers.
Tommy has said that even at a young age he was fascinated by Atkins’ musical style of playing bass with the thumb and melody parts with the first two or three fingers at the same time. This technique became the basis of Tommy's guitar style.
While Tommy has never had formal music training, his playing ability has won him fans from all over the world. He is known to play percussion parts on the body of his guitar. As a solo performer he never plays to a set list and uses a minimum of effects. He usually completes recordings in one take.

“Tommy Emmanuel's steel-string fretwork
is technically dazzling and atmospheric.
”

- Chicago Tribune
Emmanuel frequently uses his left thumb to fret bass notes on the 5th and 6th strings as well as playing chords such as Am and E with just two fingers. He uses a thumb pick mostly, a flat pick or just fingers.
His main guitar is a small-bodied custom Maton EBG808 that is fitted with a pickup and an internal condenser microphone, to which he has given the nickname "Mouse" due to its quieter volume unplugged but massive sound when plugged into an amp. Two of his three main stage guitars, notably his signature TE1 Maton dreadnought, are battered and worn from his excessive playing and percussive techniques on them. He once stated that all three of his stage guitars have been broken and repaired numerous times over the years.
As a young man in Australia, Tommy wrote to his hero Chet Atkins in Nashville. Eventually Atkins replied with words of encouragement and a longstanding invitation to drop by to visit.
In 1997, Emmanuel and Atkins recorded as a duo and released the album The Day Finger Pickers Took over the World, which was also to be Atkins' last recorded album before he died in 2001.  In 1998, a year after the album was released it won Best Country Instrumental Album at the Nashville Music Awards.
“Blessed with impeccable taste and exceptional technique,
he’s able to perform folk, rock, jazz, country and blues
with fluid ease and impressive authority.
”

- San Diego Union Tribune
In July 1999, at the 15th Annual Chet Atkins Appreciate Society Convention, Chet presented Tommy with a Certified Guitar Player award, an honor Atkins has bestowed on other guitarists. This award gains its fame from being bestowed by Atkins himself, a widely recognized leader in guitar music. The award states: "In Recognition of his Contributions to the Art of Fingerpicking." Tommy performs at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in July each year in Nashville.
“Tommy is about the only guitarist I’ve heard,” said Chet Atkins, “who can come close to what Lenny Breau did with harmonics, and he’s got a style all his own. I think he’s probably the greatest finger-picker in the world today. He’s inventive, fearless and has a flawless sense of rhythm. He’s a great showman, too.”
Emmanuel’s duet with Chet Atkins, Smokey Mountain Lullaby, was nominated for the 1998 Grammy award for Country Instrumental Performance. In 2006, Emmanuel received his second Grammy award nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance for Gameshow Rag.
Tommy Emmanuel’s last album Little By Little was released in 2010. The deluxe 2xCD set features special guests Pam Rose, John Knowles cgp, Victor Wooten, Doyle Dykes and many more. The album is available to purchase from www.tommyemmanuel.com.

                                                                                                                                                             Photo Credit: © Allen Clarke


24 Hour Box Office: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com

Saturday 2nd March
Belfast, Ulster Hall

Tickets: £20 / Box Office 028 9033 4455
Stage Time: 7:30pm
Bedord Street, Belfast BT2 7FF
www.ulsterhall.co.uk


Sunday 3rd March
Limerick, University Concert Hall

Tickets: €25 / Box Office +353 (0) 61 331549
Stage Time: 7:30pm
University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
www.uch.ie
Monday 4th March
Cork, Opera House

Tickets: €25 /Box Office +353 (0) 21 427 0022
Ammett Place, Cork, Ireland
www.corkoperahouse.ie
Tuesday 5th March
Dublin, Helix Theatre

Tickets: €25 /Box Office +353 (0) 1 700 7000
Collins Avenue, Dublin, Ireland
www.thehelix.ie
Wednesday 6th March
Basingstoke, The Anvil

Tickets: £20 / Box Office 01256 844 244
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.anvilarts.org.uk
Churchill Way, Basingstoke,
Hampshire, RG21 7QR
Thursday 7th March
Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre

Tickets: £22 / Box Office 0844 871 7607
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.atgtickets.com
Exchange Street, Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG


Friday 8th March
Gateshead, The Sage

Tickets: £20 / Box Office 0191 443 4661
www.thesagegateshead.org
St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays,
Gateshead, NE8 2JR


Saturday 9th March
Manchester, Bridgewater Hall

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk
Lower Mosley Street,
Manchester, M2 3WS
Sunday 10th March
Wolverhampton, Robin 2

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0190 240 1211
www.therobin.co.uk
26-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston,
Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ


Tuesday 12th March
Barnstaple, Queen’s Theatre

Tickets: £21 / Box Office: 0127 132 4242
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
Boutport Street, Barnstaple,
North Devon, EX31 1SY
Wednesday 13th March
Exeter, Corn Exchange

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0139 266 5938
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange
Market Street, Exeter, EX1 1BW


Thursday 14th March
Bristol, Colston Hall

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0117 922 3686
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.colstonhall.org
Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR

Saturday 16th March
London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 0844 477 2000
Stage Time: 7pm
www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk
Shepherd’s Bush Green,
London, W12 8TT


Sunday 17th March
Folkestone, Leas Cliffe Hall

Tickets: £21 / Box Office: 0844 847 1776
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.atgtickets.com
The Leas, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2DZ
Monday 18th March
Crawley, Hawth Theatre

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0129 355 3636
Stage Time: 7:30pm
https://tickets.hawth.co.uk
Hawth Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ


Wednesday 20th March
Ipswich, Corn Exchange

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 01473 433 100
Stage: 7:30pm
https://apps.ipswich.gov.uk/PEO
King Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DH
Thursday 21st March
Chesterfield, Winding Wheel

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0124 634 5334
Stage Time: 7:30pm
Email: box.office@chesterfield.gov.uk
www.windingwheel.co.uk
13 Holywell Street, Chesterfield,
Derbyshire, S41 7SA


Friday 22nd March
Halifax, Victoria Theatre

Tickets: £21 / Box Office: 0142 235 1158
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.calderdale.gov.uk/victoria
2 Fountain Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1BP
Sunday 24th March
Ulverston, Coronation Hall

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0122 958 7140
Email: ulverstontic@southlakeland.gov.uk
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.corohall.co.uk
Coronation Hall, County Square, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7LZ 
Tuesday 26th March
Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 01224 641 122
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.boxofficeaberdeen.com
5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT


Thursday 28th March
Edinburgh, Queen’s Hall

Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0131 668 2019
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.thequeenshall.net
85-89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG
TOMMY EMMANUEL - OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia's most respected musicians. The legendary guitarist has a professional career that spans almost five decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians throughout the world. A household name in his native Australia, Tommy has garnered hundreds of thousands of loyal fans worldwide.
Tommy's unique “finger style" is akin to playing guitar the way a pianist plays piano, using all ten fingers.   Rather than using a whole band for melody, rhythm, bass, and drum parts, Tommy plays all that - and more - on one guitar.  Guitar legend Chet Atkins was one of the first to inspire Emmanuel to try this "fingerpicker" style as a child.  Decades later, Atkins himself became one of Emmanuel's biggest fans.
Emmanuel's unusual talent and life are common lore in Australia. Born into a musical family, Tommy and his older brother Phil were considered child prodigies. Tommy got his first guitar at age 4 and was taught by his mother.  He learned by ear, with no formal instruction, and has never read music. 
By the age of 6, he was already working as a professional musician in the family band, variously named The Emmanuel Quartet, The Midget Surfaries and The Trailblazers. Tommy played rhythm guitar and his older brother Phil played lead, along with their brother Chris on drums, and their sister Virginia on slide guitar. The Emmanuel siblings earned the family's sole income for several years. Tommy doesn't remember such responsibility as a hardship. "I've spent all my life from the age of four playing music and entertaining people.  I never wanted to do anything else." By age 10, Emmanuel had played his way across Australia.
click for hi res
                                                                                                                                                   Photo Credit: © Allen Clarke
In 1962, Tommy heard Nashville guitarist Chet Atkins' music for the first time and was riveted by the complexity of Atkins' solo sound.  He spent hours trying to figure out the "fingerpicking" style and gobbled up each of the American star's albums as they came out. Shortly after his father's death in 1966, Tommy even wrote Chet a letter and, to his surprise, the famous artist and producer wrote him back.  Chet would grow to become Tommy's mentor and primary influence, but it would be another 15 years before the two would finally meet in person. 
After his father died, the Emmanuel family was approached by Australian country music star Buddy Williams, who took them on the road until they were forced by the Australian child welfare department to stop travelling. The children were then sent to a regular school. Tommy played in The Trailblazers on weekends. He also taught guitar and made several TV appearances in musical competitions. Emmanuel's first brush with fame came when The Trailblazers won two TV talent contests and produced an album. 
Leaving school and home in his early teens, Tommy embraced big city life in Sydney in order to pursue his career as a professional guitarist.  By the 70's, he was playing in clubs all over the city and soon found himself in high demand as a session player and sideman. During the mid 70s through the early 80s, Emmanuel played on recordings for Air Supply, Men at Work and dozens of other popular bands and artists, as well as thousands of commercial jingles.  He soon became known as one of the best modern guitarists in Australia. Some of his most notable appearances were on the Air Supply hit singles Lost in Love, All Out of Love, Every Woman in the World, and Now and Forever.
In 1985 Emmanuel joined one of the decade's biggest Australian rock bands, Dragon, and recorded the platinum-selling album Dreams of Ordinary Men. In 1987, Dragon toured with Tina Turner on her 'Break Every Rule' tour.  As a songwriter (co-writing with 1960s Australian star Steve Kipner), his compositions have been recorded by Olivia Newton-John, Al Jarreau, and Sheena Easton.  It is for his successful solo career, however, that Emmanuel is best known.
In 1980 Emmanuel made a trip to America and finally met and got to play with his hero, Chet Atkins, in Nashville.  From that moment forward, the Tennessee master guitarist and producer took the twenty-something Australian ace under his wing and began introducing him to other guitar legends. Tommy speaks of his mentor with the love and gratitude of a son and Atkins' influences are evident throughout his music and personal philosophy. Emmanuel's technical precision, his virtuosic improvisations and his unusually broad repertoire - which encompasses not only country and bluegrass, but pop, jazz, blues, gospel, even classical, flamenco, and aboriginal styles - bespeak Chet Atkins' legacy. 
Emmanuel got his solo instrumental career off the ground with the release of the gentle and textural Up from Down Under album (1988). In the 90's his efforts blossomed and became recognized and rewarded by the Australian music industry and media.  Sales of his albums set records that have yet to be broken.
His versatility has taken Emmanuel from international Jazz Festivals to shows with the Sydney Philharmonic, The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and performances for the Masai people in remote areas of Kenya. Tommy's dream of recording with Chet Atkins came true in 1996 when the pair made an album titled The Day the Finger Pickers Took Over the World, for which Emmanuel received his first Grammy award nomination.
Tommy was well-known in Australia, Asia, and Europe long before his presence was felt in America. By 1997 his album Midnight Drive was in the top five for 16 weeks, which made him the “most added artist” on the NAC radio charts that year. In Nashville in 1999, Tommy was honoured by his mentor, Chet Atkins with the title of “Certified Guitar Player” for his contribution to fingerstyle guitar, a rare distinction shared by only three other people in the world (Jerry Reed, Steve Wariner and John Knowles).
After Tommy's appearance with his brother Phil in the Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games and his debut at the famous Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, in late 2000, Americans wanted to know who this mysterious Australian guitar virtuoso was.  In 2001, Emmanuel released his first solo-acoustic album, ONLY, and in 2002 it debuted in America.

Emmanuel's popularity in the US has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, aided by a non-stop touring schedule and increasing exposure in the media.  2005 kicked off a stream of US honours and awards. Tommy was inducted into the National Thumbpickers' Hall of Fame in Muhlenberg, KY (the only non-American ever to be selected) and awarded with Thumbpicker of the Year and Album of the Year by the group, as well. 
He played Carnegie Hall for Les Paul's 90th birthday Tribute Concert. His The Mystery album earned a Grammy nomination in 2006 for Best Country Instrumental for 'Gameshow Rag/Cannonball Rag'. In 2008, Guitar Player Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine named him Best Acoustic Guitarist and Gold Medalist - Fingerstyle category in the Readers' Choice and Players' Choice Awards, respectively.
His last solo album and DVD Center Stage (2008) is based on the popularity of Emmanuel's episode of a PBS series called Sierra Center Stage filmed live at the famous Sierra Nevada Brewery venue in Sierra Nevada, CA.  Tommy's Center Stage video has been featured on PBS stations around the country during 2009, drawing ever-larger sell-out crowds at his concerts. Tommy was also honoured with Guitar Player Magazine's most prestigious annual Guitar Legend award in 2009, as well as being named Thumbpicker of the Year for the second time. Most recently, Guitar Player's 2010 Readers Choice awards named him Best Acoustic Guitarist for the second time.
Emmanuel's catalogue includes 20 musical recordings that include solos, duets, ensembles, cover tunes, originals, both electric and acoustic guitar.  He has made three live performance DVDs, three additional instructional DVDs, and regularly teaches master classes on the road.
At 57, performing live is more important to him than ever and he tours constantly, playing over 300 concerts a year for the last five years. Guitar players of all levels come to his shows to watch the magic hands of the 'guitar Wizard of Oz,' but his appeal goes far beyond musicians. His live shows are known for their humour, passion, and infectious joy. The power of his charismatic showmanship will be an enduring part of Emmanuel's legacy. Tommy Emmanuel's message is pure love for the music and his delight in sharing it with the world, one audience at a time.

MARTIN TAYLOR - OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Martin Taylor is a multi-award winning guitarist and Acoustic Guitar magazine calls him ‘THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation’. He dazzles audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, and a strong stage presence while his inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world’s foremost exponent of solo fingerstyle guitar playing. Taylor has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world.
Collaborations with artists including Jeff Beck, Tommy Emmanuel, Bill Wyman, Chet Atkins, David Grisman, Dianne Schuur and Gary Burton have seen him garner two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and Europe, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE ‘For Services to Jazz Music’ by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.
His ‘Spirit of Django Orchestral Suite’ recently received its London Premiere at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms. As one of the world’s most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school is subscribed to by guitarists in over 58 countries.
"Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument. He’s unbelievable" – Pat Metheny
‘"He out-shred’s all of us put together. I’ve never seen anything like it" – Jeff Beck
click for hi res
                                                                                                                                                   Photo Credit: © Allen Clarke
Martin Taylor has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing.
Although completely self taught, he has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across five decades, and during that time has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world. As well as being a true guitar innovator, he is also a master concert performer, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, with a strong stage presence.
He spends much of the year travelling the world, playing in concert halls in Europe, North America, Japan, Asia, and Australasia as well as presiding over the uniquely innovative Martin Taylor Guitar Academy Online.
As well as his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genre including, Stephane Grappelli, Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur and Jamie Cullum.
From 1979 to 1990 he toured the world and recorded over 20 albums with the French jazz violin legend STEPHANE GRAPPELLI. Their album with Vassar Clements “Together At Last” won a Grammy Nomination in 1987.
Monsieur Grappelli described him as “A great artist, rich in talent and elegance”
His ground breaking solo album ARTISTRY, produced by Steve Howe, was released in 1992 to much critical acclaim. It was No 1 in the HMV Jazz Charts for a record 12 weeks and launched his career as an international solo artist.
After two very successful albums for Sony/Columbia, KISS AND TELL and NITELIFE, he went on to record several albums for The Guitar Label.
In 1999 he was made an Honorary Doctor of the University of The West of Scotland and in 2002, was appointed MBE “For Services To Jazz Music”, in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List, which he received personally from Her Majesty The Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.
In 2007 he received the prestigious BBC Radio 2 “Heart of Jazz” Award in recognition of his career in music, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Wales Jazz Guitar Festival for his “Contribution to Jazz Guitar Worldwide”
He has also received a record 14 British Jazz Awards as a guitarist, and as a composer he was nominated for “Best Contemporary Song” in the BBC Folk Awards in 2009.
The prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama made him an Honorary Doctor of Music in 2010.
When not touring he divides his time between Scotland and California, where the Martin Taylor Guitar Academy is based.
His film credits include the French comedy “Milou En Mai” directed by Louis Malle, and more recently his composition “Green Lady” is featured in the Andrew Piddington movie “The Killing of John Lennon”
His many TV credits include the theme music for “After You’ve Gone” featuring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Celia Imrie, and the cult “Nicole-Papa” TV commercials for the Renault Clio.
Outside of his work as a musician he is also involved in several charities including the Child Bereavement Charity, is Patron of the My Wish Foundation of Sri Lanka, and is a Trustee and Vice President of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara.
His autobiography “Martin Taylor- Autobiography of a Travelling Musician” and his latest album “Double Standards” is available here.
2010 saw the launch of the uniquely innovative Martin Taylor Guitar Academy online.
As one of the world’s most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school with its headquarters in Napa, CA has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and the LA Times and is subscribed to by guitarists in over 58 countries.
His recent collaboration with Guy Barker saw the debut of their “Spirit of Django Orchestral Suite” which they performed at the 2012 BBC Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
“Europe’s finest guitarist” – JazzTimes
“The man is no less than a guitar genius” – Martin Bashir (MSNBC Anchor)
“There is a touch of genius in his playing” – Classical Guitar Magazine
“Taylor is the finest British guitarist of his generation” – The Times of London
“Martin Taylor is one of the greatest and most impressive guitar players in the world.” – Chet Atkins
Honours & Awards
1985   Music Retailer’s Association Award For Excellence
1987   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1987   Grammy Nomination: Best Country Instrumental, ‘Together At Last’ (Grappelli-Clements)
1988   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1989   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1990   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1991   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1993   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1995   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1997   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1997   British Jazz Awards, Best Small Group: Martin Taylor’s Spirit of Django
1998   Freedom of the City of London
1999   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
1999   British Academy of Composers and Songwriters ‘Gold Badge of Merit’
1999   Honorary Doctorate University of the West of Scotland
2001   British Jazz Awards, Best Guitarist
2002   Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), awarded by HM the Queen for Services to Music
2002   International Guitar Foundation, Best Album: Solo
2003   Pioneer to the Life of the Nation, awarded by HM the Queen
2005   Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, City of London

                                                                                                                                                             Photo Credit: © Allen Clarke
Tommy Emmanuel – Official Website
www.tommyemmanuel.com
Tommy Emmanuel – Official Facebook
www.facebook.com/tommyemmanuel
Martin Taylor - Official Website
www.martintaylor.com
Martin Taylor - Official Facebook
www.facebook.com/martintaylormbe
Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings
www.mesabluemoon.com
 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Glass Castle recording Artist - Hat's Off Gentlemen It's Adequate - Invisible

I just received the debut release, Invisible, from Hat's Off Gentlemen It's Adequate. This is no blues recording but it is adventurous and interesting. The recording opens with While I Still Can, a track that reminds me of early San Francisco rock. This has all of the clues, free flowing jamming, electric guitars and flute. The band is made up of Malcolm Galloway (vocals/guitar/keyboard) Kathryn Thomas (flute) Mark Gatland (bass) Ibon Bilbao (guitar) Rudy Burrell (drums - live). Me Again has a bit of a heavier tone sounding more like what David Gilmore may have sounded like if he had been born in Seattle. Frail Hurricane has a much more of an arena rock sound with a little Billy Idol or David Bowie mixed in and overall is not my favorite, but there is something about this that catches my attention. Forgive me but I find myself singing along... Blow Me... Blow Me... Blow Me Away. By The Water is a solemn track in the vein of the earliest of King Crimson tracks ... yes I hear the clean Hiwatt guitar sound that could easily be compared to David Gilmore. It's a cool track. All This Time takes a pop direction maybe toward Chris Isaak. This could easily be the big seller on the recording with its subtle melody and contained vocals. Wait For The Storm is a quiet folk like track with drums, light guitar and flute, almost reminiscent of early Traffic. Interesting. Invisible takes a definite hint from some of the earlier Pink Floyd stuff with quiet background and prominent guitar work but in this case more prominent vocal track. Hello is a straight up electronica track. If you like electronica for electronica sake... that means, if you're not going to Jeff Beck it... this is what you get. It's enjoyable and a cool groove. Just So Love You completes a quirky but interesting recording. This track opens with a Steely Dan riff but turns into the simplest of soulful pop tracks. Overall this is an interesting recording with a little something for everyone.

 If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Need Your Love So Bad - The TrueTones

Cynthia Gentle (Vocals) Graham Smith (Guitars) Allan Knox (Bass) Pete Rabjohns (Drums) If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll - Long John Baldry

John William "Long John" Baldry (12 January 1941 – 21 July 2005) was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No. 1 in 1967 and in Australia where his duet with Kathi McDonald You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' reached number two in 1980. Baldry lived in Canada from the late 1970s until his death; there he continued to make records and do voiceover work. One of his best known roles in voice acting was as Dr Robotnik in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Baldry's birth was registered in Brixworth Registration District in the first quarter of 1941. This District includes East Haddon so it appears certain that this was his birthplace. His mother's maiden name was Parker. His early life was spent in Edgware, Middlesex where he attended Camrose Primary School until the age of 11, after which he attended Downer Grammar School. Just before his death, he attended the school's 40th anniversary celebrations. Baldry grew to 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), resulting in the nickname "Long John". He was one of the first British vocalists to sing blues in clubs. John appeared quite regularly in the early '60s in the Gyre and Gymble coffee lounge, around the corner from Charing Cross railway station. He sometimes appeared at Eel Pie Island on the Thames at Twickenham and at the Station Hotel in Richmond, one of the Rolling Stones' earliest venues. In the early 1960s, he sang with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, with whom he recorded the first British blues album in 1962, R&B from the Marquee. At stages, Mick Jagger, Jack Bruce and Charlie Watts were members of this band while Keith Richards and Brian Jones played on stage, although none played on the R&B at the Marquee album. When The Rolling Stones made their debut at the Marquee Club in July 1962, Baldry put together a group to support them. Later, Baldry was the announcer introducing the Stones on their US-only live album, Got Live If You Want It!, in 1966. Baldry became friendly with Paul McCartney after a show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in the early 1960s, leading to an invitation to sing on one of The Beatles 1964 TV specials, Around The Beatles. In the special, Baldry performs "Got My Mojo Workin'" and a medley of songs with members of The Vernons Girls trio; in the latter, the Beatles are shown singing along in the audience. In 1963, Baldry joined the Cyril Davies R&B All Stars with Nicky Hopkins playing piano. He took over in 1964 after the death of Cyril Davies, and the group became Long John Baldry and his Hoochie Coochie Men featuring Rod Stewart on vocals and Geoff Bradford on guitar. Stewart was recruited after Baldry heard him busking a Muddy Waters song at Twickenham station after Stewart had been to a Baldry gig at Eel Pie Island. Long John Baldry became a regular fixture on Sunday nights at Eel Pie Island from then onwards, fronting a series of bands. In 1965, the Hoochie Coochie Men became Steampacket with Baldry and Stewart as male vocalists, Julie Driscoll as the female vocalist and Brian Auger on Hammond organ. After Steampacket broke up in 1966, Baldry formed Bluesology featuring Reg Dwight on keyboards and Elton Dean, later of Soft Machine, as well as Caleb Quaye on guitar. Dwight adopted the name Elton John, his first name from Dean and his surname from Baldry. Baldry was openly gay during the early 1960s when homosexuality was still criminalised and medicated. He later had a brief relationship with lead-guitarist of The Kinks, Dave Davies. Baldry supported Elton John in coming to terms with his own sexuality. In 1978 his then-upcoming album Baldry's Out announced his formal coming out, and he addressed sexuality problems with a cover of Canadian songwriter Bill Amesbury's "A Thrill's a Thrill" In 1967, he recorded a pop song "Let the Heartaches Begin" that went to number one in Britain, followed by a 1968 top 20 hit titled "Mexico", which was the theme of the UK Olympic team that year. "Let the Heartaches Begin" made the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Bluesology broke up in 1968, with Baldry continuing his solo career and Elton John forming a songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin. In 1969, Elton John tried to commit suicide after relationship problems with a woman. Taupin and Baldry found him, and Baldry talked him out of marrying the woman, helping make Elton John comfortable with his sexuality. The song "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was about the experience. In 1971, John and Stewart each produced one side of It Ain't Easy which became Baldry's most popular album and made the top 100 of the US album charts. The album featured "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll" which became his most successful song in the US. John's first tour of the US was at this time. The band included, Micky Waller, Ian Armitt, Pete Sears, and Sammy Mitchell. Stewart and John would again co-produce his 1972 album Everything Stops For Tea which made the lower reaches of the US album charts. The same year, Baldry worked with ex-Procol Harum guitarist Dave Ball. Baldry had mental health problems and was institutionalised for a brief time in 1975. The 1979 album Baldry's Out was recorded after his release. In a 1997 interview with a German television program, Baldry claimed to be the last person to see singer Marc Bolan before Bolan's death on 16 September 1977, having conducted an interview with the fellow singer for an American production company, he says, just before Bolan drove away and had his accident. He played his last live show in Columbus, Ohio, on 19 July 2004, at Barristers Hall with guitarist Bobby Cameron. The show was produced by Andrew Myers. They played to a small group, some came from Texas. pg. 223 photo credit to Andrew Myers and show date. Two years previously the two had a 10-venue sell-out tour of Canada. Baldry's final UK Tour as 'The Long John Baldry Trio' concluded with a performance on Saturday 13 November 2004 at The King's Lynn Arts Centre, King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. The trio consisted of LJB, Butch Coulter on harmonica and Dave Kelly on slide guitar After time in New York City and Los Angeles in 1978, Baldry settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he became a Canadian citizen. He toured the west coast, as well as the U.S. Northwest. Baldry also toured the Canadian east, including one 1985 show in Kingston, Ontario, where audience members repeatedly called for the title track from his 1979 album Baldry's Out! – to which he replied, "I'll say he is!" In 1979, he teamed with Seattle singer Kathi McDonald to record a version of The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin", following which McDonald became part of his touring group for two decades. The song made the lower reaches of the US Billboard charts but was a top 5 hit in Australia in 1980. He last recorded with the Stony Plain label. His 1997 album Right To Sing The Blues won a Juno Award in the Blues Album of the Year category in the Juno Awards of 1997. 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