Bman's Exclusive Interview with Albion Amps - Richie Onori

I was able to catch up with Richie Onori, musician and associate with Albion Amps. I wanted to get a few words on these new amps which have been making their own mark on the music scene:

 Bman: Hi Richie. How did you get involved with Albion Amplification?

 Richie: Actually quite simply I was at the Hilton bar after one night at the 2012 Anaheim NAMM show and I bumped into one the bass player from the group “ASIA” and he introduced me to a chap that had ties to the company. The next day I had a visit at my booth from Steve Grindrod. I quickly learned that Steve was the chief engineer and head of R&D for Marshall from 1973 to 2000 and then he told me he designed the Vox reissues amp from 2000 to 2008. I realized rather quickly that he one of a very few designers that have earned the title “Legendary AMP Guru” He was the man behind the curtain who is responsible for the guitar tone for thousands of ground breaking albums over the decades. Albion is his swan song and I am proud to be part of his incredible line.

 Bman: We all know that there are only a few basic circuits that are the basis for all of the amplifiers on the market. What are your amps designed around.

 Richie: Each model have different components depending on the wattage however for instance the ever popular TCT35-Combo has two 6L6 power tubes that run at high voltages, resulting in deep tones even at extremely low volumes. If 35 watts is too much power, a front-panel switch drops the output to 33 percent. There's also a switch that alters the negative feedback loop from open to closed: open provides a looser feel and raw tonality, while the closed loop is tighter and more narrowly focused. Highs from the power amp are controlled with the edge knob, and a master volume sets the amp's overall level have preferred separate reverb controls for each channel, the global control's keen circuit integration does an excellent job of expanding the amp's acoustic bounce without affecting attack and projection. Both preamp sections have identical controls for gain, drive, bass, middle, treble and volume. The gain knob dictates the first gain-stage's level of aggression, while the adjacent drive control adjusts the second and third gain-stage levels, providing the user with absolute control over how the amp creates preamp gain and making it possible to achieve endless textures of overdrive and distortion.

 Bman: It appears that you have three basic series of amplifiers in your product lines. How are they different?

 Richie: The TCT series are all tube when the lower end AG series are solid state amps which is designed with tube module that makes this economical a hybrid. The third is the new GulfStream series has just been unveiled which are the lower wattage 15W and 30W with tone varibles that mimic and create whole new horizons for the Guitarist - Amazing! Richie Sambora just made a guest appearance and used the Albion Gulfstream 15W on my groups “ Heaven & Earth” new album and soon to be released record “Dig” He loved it!

Bman: What makes Albion amps different than the other similar product on the market?

 Richie: It has a tone all to itself however it has that familiar British sound with new innovation that is incomparable.

 Bman: Are you working with any specific supplier for speakers and transformers?

 Richie: No- All the components are manufactured at the factory where Steve Grindrod resides. Yes it a compound that enables Steve to oversee everything. Bman: How about capacitors? I know a lot of builders are really particular about the type of caps they use.

 Richie: Like everything about Albion- Top Shelf-

 Bman: What is new for Albion this year?

 Richie: The Gulfstream series, new Bass amp and there is talk that we will be unveiling a 200W metal amp at NAMM 2013 the January.

 Bman: Is there anything else that you'd like to tell me about Albion?

 Richie:Coming out with a new line of AMP’s in the middle of a recession has been a challenge but one thing for sure as many agree – Albion has everything you could possibly want for the casual gigger to the seasoned pro- Check out the site to learn more- www.albionamps.com

  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!

Rave Reviews for Rocker Richie Onori's New Album "The Days Of Innocence"

                                        

Rave Reviews For Rocker Richie Onori's New Album, The Days Of Innocence

"Onori's 'Days Of Innocence' is intelligent and well-produced, allowing you to appreciate the obvious talent throughout. A verifiable knockout home run."
                                                       ROCK OVER AMERICA

"The quintessential DIYer making a living making music."
                                                       HUFFINGTON POST

"The Days Of Innocence' lives up to its name with catchy blues/rock and poppy tunes, several ballads,and poignant touches of nostalgia for simpler bygone days..."
                                                       SCREAMER MAGAZINE 

"Richie Onori still rocks! Much like Genesis drummer Phil Collins, Onori steps out of his comfort zone to produce music that is both expressive and sincere. An emotional audio adventure."                                    LOS ANGELES EXAMINER  

"Insightful, introspective, and adventurous...title cut 'Days Of Innocence' has a great Van Morrison-meets-Don McLean sound. Fun with hooks that won't leave your cranium." 

                                                      BOOMEROCITY

"Opening track 'Days of Innocence' has a definite warmth and familiarity like a pop tune that you have known all your life...I hear definite touches of Van Morrison, Elvis Costello and David Bowie with a California twist. Not bad company!"                                             
                                                     BMANS BLUES REPORT

"Was totally captivated by the song 'Days Of Innocence' the first time I heard it...the variety of music on the album provided one surprise after another. Well-written and produced with something to say...an awesome CD from beginning to end."
                                                     ROCKTHIZ MAGAZINE     
                                                      

                              
                                           Richie Onori  - Biography

     Many people would consider drumming for one of the most iconic bands of the 70s the pinnacle of a music career. But for Richie Onori, drummer for The Sweet ("Ballroom Blitz", "Fox On The Run") and the band Heaven and Earth, it is only the beginning.

    Richie Onori got his first break when he was 16 playing with the group ? and the Mysterians (who had the hit song "96 Tears"). He then joined the group Satyr. With a cast of amazing musicians this band opened shows in Canada for Alice Cooper as well as Aerosmith.

     Richie made his mark on the music scene as a world-class drummer, having played and recorded with a diverse cross-section of artists such as Keith Emerson, Richie Sambora, Louis Johnson, Ronnie James Dio, Paul Rodgers, Slash, and Steve Lukather before joining The Sweet.

     Now, Richie has released his own CD, entitled "Days Of Innocence", a collection of songs imbued with influences of the classic California blues/rock scene that he grew up with in LA's San Fernando Valley in the 60s and 70s. A prolific songwriter, Richie speaks from his heart and says what's on his mind. As usual with Richie, it was soon evident that he would need more than one album to say what he wanted to say and he decided to release two CDs, giving himself room to explore both his emotional journeys ("Days of Innocence") and his spirituality and social commentary (the upcoming "American Fighters") within the frame of an infectiously grooving blues/rock sound, ably assisted by the talents of a roster of heavy hitters with whom he has played over the years.

     Like drummers Dave Grohl and Phil Collins, Richie brings his impeccable groove and rock-solid pocket to the table as a component of his larger concept. In addition to drumming, Richie is also an accomplished guitarist, singer, songwriter - and business entrepreneur. He has a very successful line of guitar straps, Onori Guitar Straps, and is the US distributor for Albion Amplifiers.

     Keeping up with even one of those careers would be enough for most people, but for Richie it's all in a day's work. As successful as these endeavors have been, his first priority is making music that speaks about what's important to him as a person, and in a larger sense as a citizen of America and of the world, and the common thread is connection and communication. Richie Onori is driven by a creative spark that enables him to thrive in a variety of endeavors, and redefine the word 'artist'.

    When it came to his own musical vision, his interests and accomplishments in so many different spheres led to the development of Richie Onori not simply as a musician or an artist, but as a brand. The Onori brand represents creativity, positive energy, communication and integrity, and these values are expressed in everything he undertakes. He succeeds in the business world by bringing an artist's perspective to his companies, with an innate understanding of what other artists need and want (his strap line's motto is "For musicians, by musicians"), and his music reflects his personal and social outlook and experiences. Richie says, "As we sink deeper into our mechanized and corporate worlds, all we can hope for is that the artist can rise to the occasion and help shape our world and realities with real vision, truth and leadership".

    'Rise to the occasion' he does. Richie walks the talk, and believes music is a vehicle that can be used to communicate truth and awareness, as well as to promote change. With this in mind, Richie Onori has put together a body of work that reflects his multifaceted life - and speaks directly to his audience as well, with a multi-layered approach all his own. Richie is on a journey of the heart, of the mind, and of the spirit, and he invites you to come along for the ride - but, be warned - if you're with Richie, you had better fasten your seat belt! Exhilarating, inspiring, and energizing - so hang on tight!

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”

The Days Of Innocence - Richie Onori - New Release Review

I have been listening to a new recording, Days Of Innocence, by Richie Onori. Richie initially hit the music scene as drummer for Sweet but has also worked with Keith Emerson, Richie Sambora, Louis Johnson, Ronnie James Dio, Paul Rogers, Slash and Steve Lukather. Onori handles guitar, drums, vocals and harmonica on this recording. The opening track, Days of Innocence has a definite warmth and familiarity like a pop tune that you have known all of your life. Goodbye Cruel World has a bluesy rockabilly flavor and has a cool pop hook with some interesting guitar riffs. Running Down The Devils Road is an interesting track with a 60's vibe with reverb and a western theme. Party Queen gets a bit of the British rock vibe like Mott or Bowie. Candle In My Heart is an interesting ballad with the opportunity for Onori to play cool guitar and harp solos along with his solid vocals. In listening to the recording I hear definite touches of Van Morrison, Elvis Costello David Bowie with a definite California twist. Not bad company!

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”