Billy TK Jnr plays Biddy Mulligans

Was great seeing, hearing and finally meeting Billy TK Jnr. He played a three set gig which included many originals and covers of his heroes. It was loud and rocking for the most part. He's a really swell guy with time for anyone. Go see him when the chance arises. It doesn't come much better than Billy TK Jnr in New Zealand for Rock / Blues.

Ska Rhythm and Blues

I would love to play more of this Jamaican Ska blues on my show. Anyone with leads of where I can find this music buzz me ok.

Billy TK Jnr Will Play Biddy Mulligans on 31st July

Check out this video: Billy Tk Jr. Album Promo and Tour Ad

Murphy's Saloon Blues Podcast

A few years ago I stumbled across Murphy's Saloon Blues Podcast, you know, as you do while surfing the internet. I got busy and didn't go back to it for some time. Well, this has all changed of late. I have rediscovered this fantabulous podcast and have returned often for my fill of blues / blues-rock from this excellent podcast.

The host Murhpy, is a swell guy and very talented at what he does.

I totally recommend that you go now and check out 'the BEST Blues Podcast' on the internet!! Give him a thumbs up or even send him your music so he can play it.

Murphy's Saloon Blues Podcast.

Satan and Adam to release first CD in 12 years

Press Release from Adam Gussow released on-line album
Satan and Adam to release first CD in 12 years
I'm happy to announce the release the first new album in 12 years from the blues duo Sterling Magee and Adam Gussow, aka Satan and Adam. It's called Word on the Street, and it consists of 14 tracks--more than 2 hours total--that I recorded on the streets of Harlem in 1989 when we were a neighbourhood act up there. I'm really proud of this stuff. Although I love our three "legit" albums on Flying Fish and Rounder, particularly the raw stuff on Harlem Blues (1991) that first got us some attention, this album is much more representative of what we were actually doing in those days. Six of the tracks are more than 10 minutes long; we were a jam-band duo, really.

In the All-Music Guide to the Blues, DJ Rich Skelley wrote: "Satan and Adam have redefined and shaped the sound of modern blues so much that 'I Want You' from their Harlem Blues début was included on a Rhino Records release, Modern Blues of the 1990s." Word on the Street shows you how that sound was forged.

Tracks on the album include covers of "What'd I Say," "Every Day I Have the Blues," and "Big Boss Man," plus a whole mess of jazzy, funky, bluesy, soulful originals.

The album is available for immediate download at a price of $12. There's a nice preview track available so people can check it out.

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/satanandadam_wordonthestreet.html

We're doing some touring this summer, mostly in July.
We've got two record release parties planned at which I'll have actual double CDs for sale: May 20 at the Peninsula Inn in Gulfport, Florida, where Sterling lives. And Saturday, July 5 at Red's Lounge in Clarksdale, Mississippi, about 60 miles from where I live.

This is not the same old retro blues. This is risk-taking, inventive, fierce, new down-home-up-North blues.

--Adam

Adam Gussow

Related link:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

And the Winner is .....

THE BLUES ROOM ... not, ha ha. OK, so I didn't come away from the 2008 NZ Radio Awards with a certificate but I did come away with a full puku, photos and many fond memories of having a blimmin' good party with friends and strangers.

Here's the winner, Leopold Bloom (centre) and the other finalist Terry (left), who by the way won the award for BEST access music show last year.

The awards ceremony took the first part of the evening and then the band played right thru till midnight, they really worked hard for their money.

Here's a few pics from the evening.















More photos of the NZ Radio Awards can be found at
http://www.footprintsphotography.co.nz

Radio Awards, LIVE vs. Pre-Recorded Shows, and BluesFest on my mind

For the last four weeks or so I've pre-recorded my shows and had the luxury of not having to drive up to the studio to do a LIVE show. Tell you what though, I have missed not being on air with my listeners. Theres something about going LIVE to air thats both terrifying and satisfying for me.

This has all been mainly because I was over in Byron Bay for a week and at the same time my work schedule changed from day to night shift. In a few weeks I change back to days so will have five weeks where I'll be able to do LIVE shows. I was with Darcy Perry last Saturday at the Community Radio Hamilton open day, which by the way was very very well done and supported. Darcy was telling me he'll be able to join me in the Blues Room on air in a couple of weeks. This is great because I'm wanting to get more LIVE performances happening on my show.

As you'll see by looking at my play lists over the last few weeks, I've featured many artists from Blues Fest Byron Bay and BluesFest NZ. It was both a time of discovery and amazement for me. firstly I was able to discover many artists that I've not listened to before. One new discovery for me was Junior Brown. He played BluesFest Byron Bay in past years and has caught my attention. He's like a country soul singer. don't get me wrong, he sound is country but he voice is country with soul.



And from the New Zealand line up of BluesFest in Whitianga, there was the likes of Little Bushman. Their song Mary has been the most played on my ipod over the last four weeks. I love it, my number one song at the moment.



But hey, thats not the only new discovery i've made lately. Heres the best new discovery that I've made ... THE BLUES ROOM IS A FINALIST FOR A NEW ZEALAND RADIO AWARD!!!!! Woohoo!! The Blues Room is a finalist for the best Access Music Programme. And I'm buzzin about that. The awards night is May 3rd 2008 and so I'll keep you in the loop. Should I win I'll grin and should I not so what. I'm just buzzin' at the fact that my show is UP THERE! Woohoo.

Things get better each day

Well I'm totally in Blues Radio DJ heaven. I got to sit and interview John Hammond, would you believe. I told John that his album, "Fattening Frogs for Snakes was one of the first blues albums I bought. I love his high end harmonica playing and his vocals. Hes a very gentle and warm man who had a feeling of respect about him. His wife was nearby so I got a pic of them both. I'll post the interview as a podcast soon at http://huffa_puffa.podomatic.com/


Then I got to sit with Charlie Musselwhite, his wife was nearby too. They both remembered me from their last visit to New Zealand, cool! Charlie says he's coming back to NZ with the Roger Fox Big Band in October, keep an eye out.

I caught Charlie's first performance at BF on the Friday night. He seemed to be getting feedback from his mic which seemed to bug him but he carried on and as usual brought the whole house, or should I say tent, down. John Hammond joined him on stage for a few numbers too.


Earlier in the day I was blown away by Jake Shimabukuro, the worlds best Uekele player.

Below are the master (and mistress) minds of BluesFest! With me first is the wonderful Michael Chugg and beautiful Gaynor Crawford ...



... and again with the great Peter noble. All are wonderful people who are down to earth and who know exactly how to have a hell of a good time. Thanks guys, from your number one NZ fan!

Made it to BluesFest Byron Bay 2008

Well I finally made it to BluesFest 2008 at fantabulous Byron Bay. Its busy with busy people wanting to get as much sightseeing and fun times crammed into their holiday. Thats cool though.

I got to the BF venue at about 8.30pm last night and was in awe at the size of it. Five stages, bigger than ever, and many stalls and eaterys. Its been sunny and hot although last night while in watching Buddy Guy it poured down. What the heck!


They have a shuttle bus that runs to and from the venue for $3, its cool because it drops me off right outside my accommodation.

The Countdown begins for BluesFest Byron Bay and BluesFest NZ

Wow, so much has happened since I was last blogging here. BluesFest Australia is finally coming to New Zealand after nineteen years of exclusively being an Australian festival.

This is great news and its been warmly welcomed by many music fans across the nation.