quarta-feira, 20 de fevereiro de 2008

Clas Yngstrom & Sky High - Sky Highlights (1998)

Clas Yngström

Praticamente desconhecido no Brasil, o guitarrista sueco Clas Yngström é uma verdadeira lenda na Europa (principalmente na Escandinávia), na ativa há mais de três décadas, e considerado um dos mais dedicados discípulos de Jimi Hendrix - um episódio ocorrido lá nos anos oitenta demonstra bem seu poder de fogo, pois na ocasião ninguém menos que Billy Gibbons, do ZZ Top, havia convidado-o pessoalmente para abrir os shows da parte européia da turnê do "Eliminator", mas os empresários locais vetaram horrorizados a idéia, alegando que parte do público vaiaria o ZZ Top após assistir à performance de Clas & banda...
O guitarrista é um daqueles músicos que participa de inúmeros projetos totalmente diferentes entre si, já tendo excursionado por diversos países tais como Índia, Japão, União Soviética, etc, mas boa parte de seu tempo é dedicado ao SKY HIGH, banda formada em 1978 e que já passou por inúmeros formatos e formações, todas calcadas em menor ou maior grau no Blues, tendo lançado mais de dez discos, alguns disponíveis somente em seu país natal.

Sky High - Still Rockin' (1982)

Sky High (1980)

domingo, 17 de fevereiro de 2008

Anthony Gomes - Live (2008)

REVIEW
Anthony Gomes "Live"
For some musicians, it all comes down to what happens on stage. Anthony Gomes burns with blazing vocals and incendiary guitar work throughout his new CD, 'Live' to be released February 19th, the first full-length concert release from a man who plays as many as 250 dates annually in North America and Europe.

Mining blues-rock, soul and gritty R&B styling for the past decade, Live is a summation of where Anthony’s been and also offers a glimpse of where he might be heading, too. The album finds him immersed in his element – performing for an audience and making a connection. Certainly, Anthony enjoys the craft of the studio, but that passion and power truly rises to its greatest heights during his live performances.

“Some of my favorite artists and bands would release live albums to bookend a period and then move on to a new sound, a new journey,” Anthony says. “I feel like this is a booking-ending of this sound and style for me as I look forward.”

Nominated Artist of the Year by Blueswax magazine 4 years in a row, winning one of those years, Gomes acclaim continues to grow as a songwriter and especially as a performer. While the original plan for a live album was to record a series of dates in Nashville, fate overtook the project when Anthony and his band lined up a test recording during a show at the Triple Door in Seattle, Washington on February 27, 2007. Listening back to the 90-minute performance, Anthony and his team realized they already had the live album they wanted. “We just played, not thinking about the red light being on,” he says. “There’s no studio trickery, this is it. We started to pass it on to some fans before releasing it an they all said it’s their favorite CD, ‘this is the Anthony Gomes that we know, the person we see in a live show.’”

“The album captures the essence about what happens between and artist and the audience, that energy you can’t capture in a studio,” he says. “The show is a journey and within, there are great individual performances. It’s an organic, living, breathing document of that one night."

The set list includes a churning “Music Is the Medicine” as Anthony works the crowd into a frenzy, while the funky and soulful “Bluebird,” a highlight of the last studio release, soars even higher here, the interplay between guitar and keyboards capped by group vocals on the refrain. The explosive “Testify” is so powerful, Anthony thinks it shreds his original studio track.

The album also features a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker,” both a challenge and a thrill for Anthony. “It was intimidating, but also very natural, part of who I am,” he says. “I played it in my first band in high school and grew up on that music, so it’s an extension of myself and it’s nice to pay respects to an act that influenced me as a musician and a songwriter.

On the new “I Won’t Let You Down” Anthony thanks his greatest supporters throughout his career – his parents. “You want to make them proud of the man or woman you’ve become,” he says. “They’ve given so much to raise you and you want to make sure you’re doing a good job in their eyes and live up to the legacy of your family.” Equally compelling is “Wings of a Song,” which harkens back to Anthony’s lifelong mission statement that music can indeed change the world.

As Live ends one creative period for Anthony, he’s already looking ahead to the next chapters in his ever-continuing musical story as he prepares to unveil Anthony Gomes and the New Soul Cowboys, a song summit between blues, R&B and country too. Of course, his unofficial membership in the Nashville Muzik Mafia, which includes Big and Rich, Cowboy Troy and Anthony’s one-time backing singer Gretchen Wilson, should make it all the more colorful.

"I'm very well-received in Nashville, being a southern rock/blues musician and I've been laying down the groundwork for this new direction, being a roots player, too," Anthony says. "Yes, I'm a blues guy, but as I said on my first album, my blues is Technicolor." And the sound of Anthony Gomes has never been more widescreen, full of Hi-Def excitement, than on Live.
TRACKS
01 - Countdown
02 - Up 2 Zero (Peterik, Gomes)
03 - Bluebird (Peterik, Gomes)
04 - Heartbreaker (Jones, Page, Plant, Bonham)
05 - Prelude In Blues (Gomes)
06 - When The Right Woman Does You Wrong (Peterik, Gomes)
07 - Falling (Peterik, Gomes)
08 - War On War (Selby, Gomes)
09 - Won't Let You Down (Gomes)
10 - Music Is The Medicine
11 - Wings Of A Song (Peterik, Gomes)
12 - Testify (Peterik, Gomes, Miller)

sexta-feira, 8 de fevereiro de 2008

The Derek Trucks Band - Live At Georgia Theatre (2004)

TRACKS CD 1
1 Kam-Ma-Lay Trucks 8:53
2 Gonna Move Pena 6:29
3 Volunteered Slavery Kirk 4:36
4 Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni Khan 15:03
5 Leaving Trunk Estes 4:58
6 I Wish I Knew Gordon 5:29
7 Angola Shorter 10:12
8 Feel So Bad Hopkins 7:41

TRACKS CD 2
1 For My Brother Trucks 13:28
2 Sonido Alegre Ramirez 15:15
3 Joyful Noise Trucks 11:58
4 So Close, So Far Away Trucks 5:52
5 Freddie's Dead Mayfield 10:20

quinta-feira, 7 de fevereiro de 2008

John Mayall - Live From Austin, TX (1993) (2007)

CREDITS
Rick Cortes: Bass, Vocals
David Grissom: Guitar, Guest Appearance
John Mayall: Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards, Vocals
Coco Montoya: Guitar, Vocals
Joe Yuele: Drums

TRACKS
1 I Want to Go (Lenoir) 3:51
2 Ain't That Lovin' You Baby (Reed) 6:46
3 Maydell (Haynes, Neel) 4:05
4 Wake Up Call (Egan, Lewis) 5:04
5 I'm a Sucker for Love (Mayall) 7:13
6 Nature's Disappearing (Mayall) 5:38
7 I Could Cry (Blakemore) 7:13
8 The Bear (Mayall) 7:39
9 Mail Order Mystics (Smither) 8:25

quarta-feira, 6 de fevereiro de 2008

Joe Pitts - Just a Matter of Time (2007)

BIOGRAPHY
Joe Pitts is a powerful, soulful & multi-talented guitarist pulling influences from yesterday into today. Joe has been compared to guitarists like Warren Haynes, Larry McCray, Walter Trout and Joe Bonamassa. Although his influences range from Duane Allman and Jeff Beck to Roy Buchanan, Joe is becoming known worldwide for his slide guitar work with the band Liquid Groove Mojo. Joe is also heavily inside the groove with really funky rhythmic improvisations.
Studying at Berklee College of Music, set Joe up for the possibilities that are endless on a stringed instrument. Being a faithful follower of Col Bruce Hampton, ARU and the bands of HORDE, Joe's improvisational voice came into his own.
From funk to jazz to blues to rock, and everything inbetween, Joe is a musician's musician. Touted as one of Arkansas' best bands, this international touring artist has played hundreds of shows, touring Europe and the Midwest/Midsouth and Southeastern US constantly. Joe has been nominated for his vocal abilities, being chosen as one of the best vocalist's of the year, 2006 Indie Artist Radio awards. Joe has also appeared at the Crossroads Musical Exhibition, and the International Blues Conference.
The band, features Odessa Texas native and veteran musician Jimmy Lynn on Bass Guitar, and Nashville sessions drummer David Bishop rounds out the touring band power trio. The music is a workout in influences. From Rock, Blues and Jazz roots, the music of the JPB shines through. These guys really stretch out live. It truely is a musical extravaganza nightly, and something you don't want to miss, with every show different.

REVIEW
BellaDonna's Roadhouse: Press
Just a Matter of Time is an electrifying adventure. This CD is a musical voyage; traveling from soulful, sultry blues to powerful funk- rock jams. The songs tell tales of life; inviting listeners to dance, laugh, cry, share love and to be loved while celebrating the multiplicity and complexity of our existence.
Favorites on Just a Matter of Time include the powerful Shoulda Seen It Coming. This compelling, complex musical saga, is about a jilted lover accepting the crystal-clear warning signs, of a relationship about to come to an end. The music tells the heartbreak story beginning with an easy Reggae beat that evolves to a strong driving rock jam-entwined with blues. The smooth delivery of this complex musical arrangement illustrates how relationships begin carefree and effortless; become complicated and exasperating when ending.
Pitts makes Roy Buchanan’s Nickel and a Nail his own. Without a doubt, Joe Pitts is a extraordinary guitarist, however, Nickel and a Nail proves Joe Pitts is a mesmerizing singer.
The unforgettable, hauntingly beautiful song, Lonesome Boy From Yesterday is an undeniable tribute to friendship and loss. Pitts lament is clear in his lyrics, the sorrow in his voice unmistakable; while his guitar cries fervently. It's hard to listen to this song and not relate it to someone in life we pray and weep for.
Masterfully engineered and mixed by Rhonda Pitts and Jeff Brocaw, Just a Matter of Time is a creative and technological victory. Every note, every sound is real, and genuine; free of computers, looping or dubbing. The way every song sounds on the CD is just how they will sound live! The process of recording and mixing a record analog, is a method not frequently used in today's music. The outcome is a CD that sounds authentic, clear-cut and real.
The Joe Pitts album was recorded with the help guest musicians and friends; John Davies on Bass Guitar and Jahleel Eli on drums. Additional guest, and Pitts's good friends include; Michael Burks: Guitar on Rolling with the Blues (Appears courtesy of Alligator Records), Wayne Sharp: Hammond B-3 Organ on Nickel And A Nail and Rolling With The Blues and Stephen Winter- Keys on Ice Cream Cakes.
Destiny brought Joe Pitts, Jimmy Lynn, and David Bishop together for an impromptu jam session at the Parrot Beach Café in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The chemistry was so intense; the trio did not leave the stage until they all agreed to become a band. From that spontaneous jam, The Joe Pitts Band was born. The newly formed power trio enthusiastically embraced the music on Just a Matter of Time, making each song their own. Now, The Joe Pitts Band is currently touring and spreading their joy, enthusiasm and authentic talent to the masses.
Just a Matter of Time is available to order at www.cdbaby.com , or from Joe Pitts MySpace page at www.joepitts.com.
Let the music move you, and enjoy the voyage. You will not be disappointed!
Donna Deady - BellaDonna's Journal
TRACKS
1 Blue Light Rain (Pitts) 6:15
2 Nickle and a Nail (Buchanan) 4:36
3 Lonesome Boy from Yesterday (Pitts) 4:38
4 Just a Matter of Time (Pitts) 4:22
5 Ice Cream Cakes (Beck) 6:34
6 Zambified (Pitts) 4:58
7 Soulda Seen It Coming (Pitts) 6:31
8 Rolling with the Blues (Mayall) 7:42
9 Sealed Inside Good Intentions (Pitts) 4:27
10 Sublime Angel (Pitts) 5:02
11 Funked Up (Pitts) 13:25

domingo, 3 de fevereiro de 2008

Anthony Gomes - Music Is The Medicine (2006)

TRACKS
1 Music Is the Medicine (Gomes) 3:41
2 Bluebird (Gomes) 3:38
3 Now She's Gone (Gomes, Peterik) 3:31
4 Stand Up (Gomes, Keagy) 4:04
5 War on War (Gomes, Selby) 5:11
6 Love Is the Answer (Gomes, Huffman) 4:21
7 Everday Superstar (Gomes, McCabe) 4:03
8 Testify (Gomes, Miller, Selby) 3:26
9 Waiting for a Sign (Gomes, Peterik) 3:58
10 What If? (Gomes, McCave) 3:47
11 Run (Gomes, McCabe) 4:15
12 When the Right Woman Does You Wrong (Gomes, Peterik) 6:10

Craig Erickson - Big Highway (2007)

BIOGRAPHY ALLMUSIC (by John Bush)
Blues/funk guitarist Craig Erickson learned to play while working in his father's record store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He formed his first band at 13, and began playing around the area. Erickson signed a contract with Blues Bureau Intl. in the early '90s, releasing Roadhouse Stomp! in 1992 and Retro Blues Express the following year. Though the albums featured John Onder on bass and Atma Anur on drums, Erickson's regular band — with which he has supported blues legends such as Koko Taylor, Little Ed & the Blues Imperials, Elvin Bishop and Lonnie Brooks — includes bassist Al Robinson and drummer Kerri Collings. Erickson recorded Two Sides of the Blues for a 1995 release, and followed up with Force Majeure one year later. He appeared on tribute albums to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King (Hats Off to Stevie Ray, Fit for a King), and also co-wrote and played on Blues, the solo album by Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze).
Craig Erickson: “Big Highway”, publicado em 22/05/2007
Por Rafael Sartori
Para quem gosta de Blues e Rock n’ Roll simples, direto e ‘old school’, Craig Erickson é o cara. O vocalista e guitarrista norte-americano mantém um estilo de compor e tocar muito próximo ao que se fazia há algumas décadas, o que agrada muito os mais puristas.
Sua música, com jeitão ‘old school’, é contagiante e executada com maestria. Os solos e ‘riffs’ não trazem nada de novo, mas são honestos, além de combinarem com a voz grave, e às vezes agressiva, de Erickson. Acompanhando o músico estão Fred “Fingers” Benson no baixo, Jeremy Ackley na bateria e Jason Leroy, convidado especial que toca guitarra e faz backing vocals em algumas faixas.
“Big Highway” é daquele tipo de disco que parece ter sido lançado na década de 70. O mais incrível é que as composições soam poderosas mesmo tão fora de época. Isso porque todas têm cara de clássicos.
Após a abertura matadora com “River Keeps On Rollin”, “Take Me Home” e a faixa-título, Craig Erickson respira um pouco com a balada “Matter Of Time”, com uma base de violão e linhas de voz caprichadas.
Imperdível para os fãs do gênero, ainda mais por tratar-se de um lançamento. Basta ouvir apenas alguns segundos para sacar a intenção e o estilo de Craig Erickson. E não muito mais que isso para ser conquistado pela sonoridade do artista. Afinal, não é qualquer um que consegue ser comparado pela crítica a nomes como Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter e Stevie Ray Vaughan.
CREDITS
Craig Erickson - guitar & vocals
Fred "Fingers" Benson - bass
Jeremy Ackley - drums
Special Guest: Jason Leroy - second guitar on track 7, background vocals on tracks 4 & 10

TRACKS
01. River Keeps On Rollin’
02. Take Me Home
03. Big Highway
04. Matter Of Time
05. In The Sky
06. Through With You
07. For Your Love
08. Miracle
09. Midnight Light
10. Driverless Train
11. Stratus