Hello esteemed fans of "Those Monday Blues" !
Alligator's first new releases for 2007 are in with two releases from old Alligator favorites, Coco Montoya and The Holmes Brothers.
Coco Montoya's "Dirty Deal" is the latest contribution of stirring vocals and superlative guitar work as only a former member of John Mayall 's Bluesbreakers and Albert Collin's band can bring to the fore.
The Holmes Brothers' "State of Grace" is but their latest addition of noveau Americana-Roots music which they are known for far and wide. It is not a classically "Blues" C, less urban and more firmly on the Americana-Roots side but the variety and authencity of their unique sound makes for enjoyable listening. Interestingly, while I and two of my children lean more towards Coco's CD, my wife and the other two children preferred the Holmes Brothers.
Two different but excellent CDs for the WWPV studio collection of New Blues for Youse. As per TMB tradition, any request for a track from a CD in the fabled "Black Box of Blues" gets immediate and special treatment. Both of this CDs are definitely in the "Triple-B"
Very Best Regards,
John "OneChord" Connors
Monday, January 22, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
New Music : Sean Carney
I know...I am *way* behind on my reviews. It can be so hard to write reviews especially when you unexpectedly come across great new music. Thanks to the Internet, the chances of learning about great new music has improved greatly. Via BoogieKingSteve's recommendation, I was able to listen to a few tracks from The Sean Carney Band's latest CD, "Life of Ease" and was hooked from the first play.
Based out of Columbus Ohio, Sean Carney plays and sings his original tunes and covers with soul and a feel that would not be out of place in Chicago, San Franciso , New York or any urban city claiming to be the latest bastion of "Real Blues". Sean is the real deal with the real feel on how to play those solid, swanky, deep Blues tunes. The type of Blues played a small mature club that when Sean starts playing, you sink a little deeper into your favorite booth, motion the waitress over for another adult beverage, and hope that your credit card company claims of no pre-set spending limits were true because you know are staying until last call and hopefully the after-hours party as well.
I could go into one of those formal reviews discussing his influences, his style, and great guest musicians but I will not this evening. I will say that when I want to listen to some Blues and still not sure what I am in the mood for. "Life of Ease" seems to find the CD player and I have yet to be disappointed. If was in the Columbus, Ohio area, I would be posting his show calendar on my fridge. The next best thing, I can listen to "Life of Ease" yet again with a smile as big and broad as the first time I listened to it.
In summary : It's a Keeper.
Based out of Columbus Ohio, Sean Carney plays and sings his original tunes and covers with soul and a feel that would not be out of place in Chicago, San Franciso , New York or any urban city claiming to be the latest bastion of "Real Blues". Sean is the real deal with the real feel on how to play those solid, swanky, deep Blues tunes. The type of Blues played a small mature club that when Sean starts playing, you sink a little deeper into your favorite booth, motion the waitress over for another adult beverage, and hope that your credit card company claims of no pre-set spending limits were true because you know are staying until last call and hopefully the after-hours party as well.
I could go into one of those formal reviews discussing his influences, his style, and great guest musicians but I will not this evening. I will say that when I want to listen to some Blues and still not sure what I am in the mood for. "Life of Ease" seems to find the CD player and I have yet to be disappointed. If was in the Columbus, Ohio area, I would be posting his show calendar on my fridge. The next best thing, I can listen to "Life of Ease" yet again with a smile as big and broad as the first time I listened to it.
In summary : It's a Keeper.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Another great venue for Live Music : Blue Star Cafe!
Happy New Year Fans of "Those Monday Blues" -
If you have listened to my show even once, you know that I am a huge fan of the local music scene especially live music by our very own local Blues artists. I am a little behind in my reviews but better late than never. In my previous review, I mentioned seeing The Greg Izor Band at the Lincoln Inn during their weekly Blues Night. Greg indicated that the band would be playing at the Blue Star Cafe in Winooski, Saturday, Dec. 27th. This was a new place for me and a new place for live music. A new place to hear a great Blues band, what could be better?
After playing a nominal cover charge, I entered a small tasteful jazzy environment with exposed brick, interesting photos on the walls, booths, couches, and a short bar. A perfect atomsphere for a intimate upclose performance with a tight quartet, The Greg Izor Band, consisting of Greg Izor (vocals/harmonica), Bill Darrow (guitar), Tom Buckley (Bass), and Jason Corbriere (drums). These four know how to fill a big room with a great Blues sound but it is even better in a smaller space where everyone feels like they are "sitting in". Greg, Jason, Tom, and Bill really connected with the audience in a way that is only possible in place like the Blue Star Cafe. With an well appointed bar stock, I sipped a 12 year old Tullamore Dew and listening to a great Blues riffs from only a few feet away. If you have never experienced this type of musical venue, you should make the effort. Not only do you really get to see the band play, you can really see how they play. They see the faces in the audience and the band members see ours. In Blues, this can really amp up the performance and make it even more personable. Where the members are trading jibes and jokes with the audience, even while they are playing, makes for a personal musical experience that will never be replicated with an iPod or in a larger room with hundreds of people. Another great aspect of the evening was the number of other musicians in the audience who were asked by Greg to "sit in" and play. Not only all fun and energetic players, but brought a sense of community and muscianship that was shared by all in the room. Needless to say, I had a great time. The Blue Star's staff, Ben & Sarah, were there to take care of the various requests for libsations for the band and guests.
It was a great evening. I hope the Blue Star continues to offer live music in the future. They have a great space for small groups who love to interacts with their audience. Sadly, the music was great. My 12-year old irish whiskey was great but I didn't have time to sample the interesting menu or coffee. Apparently, judging from the menu and later on-line materials, the Blue Star Cafe is associated with a coffee roasting company. I was interest was peaked. You all know how I crave an excellent dark roast. I hope to return to the Blue Star and let you all know the coffee and the food is, you already know I approve of their musical taste.
Best Wishes & Happy New Year,
OneChord
If you have listened to my show even once, you know that I am a huge fan of the local music scene especially live music by our very own local Blues artists. I am a little behind in my reviews but better late than never. In my previous review, I mentioned seeing The Greg Izor Band at the Lincoln Inn during their weekly Blues Night. Greg indicated that the band would be playing at the Blue Star Cafe in Winooski, Saturday, Dec. 27th. This was a new place for me and a new place for live music. A new place to hear a great Blues band, what could be better?
After playing a nominal cover charge, I entered a small tasteful jazzy environment with exposed brick, interesting photos on the walls, booths, couches, and a short bar. A perfect atomsphere for a intimate upclose performance with a tight quartet, The Greg Izor Band, consisting of Greg Izor (vocals/harmonica), Bill Darrow (guitar), Tom Buckley (Bass), and Jason Corbriere (drums). These four know how to fill a big room with a great Blues sound but it is even better in a smaller space where everyone feels like they are "sitting in". Greg, Jason, Tom, and Bill really connected with the audience in a way that is only possible in place like the Blue Star Cafe. With an well appointed bar stock, I sipped a 12 year old Tullamore Dew and listening to a great Blues riffs from only a few feet away. If you have never experienced this type of musical venue, you should make the effort. Not only do you really get to see the band play, you can really see how they play. They see the faces in the audience and the band members see ours. In Blues, this can really amp up the performance and make it even more personable. Where the members are trading jibes and jokes with the audience, even while they are playing, makes for a personal musical experience that will never be replicated with an iPod or in a larger room with hundreds of people. Another great aspect of the evening was the number of other musicians in the audience who were asked by Greg to "sit in" and play. Not only all fun and energetic players, but brought a sense of community and muscianship that was shared by all in the room. Needless to say, I had a great time. The Blue Star's staff, Ben & Sarah, were there to take care of the various requests for libsations for the band and guests.
It was a great evening. I hope the Blue Star continues to offer live music in the future. They have a great space for small groups who love to interacts with their audience. Sadly, the music was great. My 12-year old irish whiskey was great but I didn't have time to sample the interesting menu or coffee. Apparently, judging from the menu and later on-line materials, the Blue Star Cafe is associated with a coffee roasting company. I was interest was peaked. You all know how I crave an excellent dark roast. I hope to return to the Blue Star and let you all know the coffee and the food is, you already know I approve of their musical taste.
Best Wishes & Happy New Year,
OneChord
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