John The Revelator - I Ain't Superstitious

Back in 1966 when Eric Clapton delivered his heavily overdriven wailing blues licks on the “Beano” album with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, the guitar world was completely shaken up. Legend has it that Eric put his hand flat on the controls of his Marshall combo, moved his hand to the right, setting all controls full power in the process. Future Revelator singer and bassman Tom Huissen lived in London at the time that the blues scene triggered by Clapton’s trademark guitar work exploded.He became pals with Peter Green, Eric’s successor in the Bluesbreakers, and witnessed the first rehearsals of Pete’s then new band Fleetwood Mac. Immediately after returning in Holland Tom started to form a blues band modeled after Fleetwood Mac.Finding the right guys for the job was not too hard and the band started to rehearse with cheap guitars, old tube driven radios for amplifiers and a tyre lever for playing bottleneck guitar. Early in 1969 the band adopted the name “John the Revelator” after the A Capella blues traditional by the great Son House.John the Revelator took off immediately and extensively started gigging the Dutch and European blues circuits that were thriving at the time. After winning the prestigious Loosdrecht Jazz contest in 1970 record label Decca offered the band a recording contract resulting in the first album Wild Blues.This highly collectable record was re-released on CD in 2003. In 1973 the popularity of the blues was decreasing and John the Revelator called it a day very appropriately at a local festival organised by the Dutch Red Cross. Tom Huissen en lead guitarist Frans ten Kleij started a new band called Hellhound.Contrary to what the name suggest Hellhound was not a band of heavily tattooed leather clad boys playing funny guitars at ear splitting levels.The name was simply derived from the great Robert Johnson song “Hellhound on my trail”.The music of Hellhound still held a strong blues element and can best be described as symphonic blues. In 1977 after continuous touring Hellhound packed it in. Both Tom and Frans had a flirtation with other musicians and musical styles but as blood is thicker than water a new line up of John the Revelator was ready to hit the road again after five or six months.This line up recorded the indie album Empty Road back in 1981.Empty Road never got released on CD and nowadays is as much a collector’s item as its predecessor Wild Blues. In 1983 Cor Dijkhuizen, drummer to the present day joined the band.Again there was much touring and the occasional reshuffle of personnel.The whole musical history of the band is reflected on the 1989 CD ‘Bluesproof’, compiled because of the 20th anniversary of the band.All John the Revelator members past and present do their bit at the 20th anniversary concert where “Bluesproof” is presented to the public.It was during this gig that slide guitarist Paul Dammers decided to rejoin the band after an absence of almost 17 years. Five years later in 1994 the album “Cahow” saw the light of day. Cahow is a collection of straight blues songs and named after a petrel from Bermuda thought to be extinct. In 1997 a long overdue live album named “The Tamalone Bluestapes” was released.This album without any overdubs whatsoever contained most of the songs that proved to be live favourites over the years and perfectly reproduces the sweaty stompin’ blues drive typical for a Revelator gig. In recent years John the Revelator has jammed with Peter Green, Snowy White,Chris Farlowe and a bunch of legendary Dutch blues guys some of which are featured on the album “Down in the Mud”. They also joined in at the 35th anniversary of the band in 2004 which was recorded on DVD for release in 2007. This gig again saw the return of present day keyboard wizard Erwin Aubroeck who played earlier with the band in the late eighties. Now that the 40th anniversary is coming near, a new album is being recorded. It will be called “Underway” after an instrumental by Peter Green which is included on the album.For those who wanna hear some bits and pieces of the new album:click on the banner Underway. Release of the new album is planned for September 2009. After playing all over Europe the band now for the first time will be touring Western Australia in November 2009 and play at the prestigious Bridgetown Blues Festival. John the Revelator: Tom Huissen: vocals and bass Frans ten Kleij: electric lead guitars and blues harp Cor Dijkhuizen: drums and percussion Paul Dammers: slide guitar, electric and acoustic guitars Erwin Aubroeck: Hammond organ, piano, synthesizer and vocals If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Shuffle - Ruben Hoeke Band

At only 35 years young Ruben Hoeke is clearly a veteran guitarist with a well established name in the Dutch blues / pop / rock scene. He has shared the stage with many national and international top musicians and acts since starting out in 1992.

Since 2004 he has been carving his name into the Dutch music scene. He’s definitely among the guitarists that have taken the blues and rock to a higher level.

In 2006 his band’s debut album SUGAR is released (“Tour de France”-record / Best-selling R&B CD 2006), followed by the award-winning album COEXIST in 2010. Both albums feature special guest appearances by some of Hollands finest musicians. With the two great albums aside, the band is well renowned for their fantastic energetic live performances. One reviewer described the band as “an excellent band with a unique sound” and that they “blazed like hell like an F-16 with afterburners on full”. In 2008 Ruben was elected as Best Dutch guitar player by his fellow musicians. In 2011, the band is at it again!
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Mean Old World - Michael De Jong

Born to a Dutch father, who fled to France during World War II, and a French mother, de Jong spent much of his early youth living in Holland. He emigrated with his family to the United States in 1949 where he lived for the next 35 years, moving back to Europe in 1984 before settling in Holland in 1988.
With his dark, somber lyrics set to Americana-meets-the-blues arrangements, Michael de Jong has brought a new edge to the rock of the Netherlands, where he enjoys his largest fan base.
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Johnny & the Devil - Hans Theessink

We've already had an American in Paris, but a Dutchman in Vienna? And one who has dedicated himself, body and soul, to American blues and roots music? Okay, Hans Theessink (pronounced Tay-sink) did not pick the easiest way to do this, but he has done so with a certain degree of single-mindedness.

Like others of his generation, in the early 1960‘s a love of the Blues took hold of the man whom Bo Diddley described as "one helluva guitar player", and it has not let go since. Above all, the country blues with its earthy and heartfelt sound impressed Hans Theessink and played a major role in his development as a musician. His roots are unmistakeably in the blues, but has also been influenced by countless other aspects of roots music. This musical variety has become a trademark of Hans Theessink, who as a songwriter has succeeded in building bridges to the present in addressing issues which reflect the reality of the here and now.
Hans is probably Europe's blues export Nr.1 - one of the top blues and roots musicians worldwide who has entertained audiences around the globe during a musical career that spans over more than 35 years. The world's leading blues paper - US magazine Blues Revue wrote: "Hans Theessink is an international blues treasure. He is one of the world's pre-eminent country pickers and his warm baritone expresses blues".

Theessink's first recording was an EP in 1970. Since then his music has continually developed and so far Hans has released 20 albums, a songbook, a blues-guitar instruction video and a DVD. His CDs are guaranteed award winners. "Banjoman", the tribute project to Derroll Adams, that Hans produced with Arlo Guthrie, was recently nominated for a Grammy.
In 2004 Hans got the Austrian Amadeus award for "Songs from the Southland", a tribute to the music of the American South - a constant source of inspiration and companion on his musical journey. A Danish Music Award for best blues album followed in 2005. His most recent CD "Bridges" - a recording with the new Hans Theessink Band, is again nominated for the Amadeus in the category best Blues-, Jazz-, Roots-, Folk-album. Hans' latest work is a DVD "Live in Concert" - "A Blues & Roots Revue" - it shows the Hans Theessink Band in action + lots of other special features. Hans' productions are known for their excellent sound quality and are also in big demand in HiFi circles.
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