The Blues Room # 349 Interview With Paul Gurney of The DeSotos

 

Episode 349, 26 September 2012

I interview Paul Gurney (guitar, lead vocals) of The DeSotos band, they are coming to play Biddy Mulligan's in Hamilton on Sunday 30th September. Enjoy!

1. Bob Dylan - Early Roman Kings
 2. The DeSotos - Sat On A Mountain [NZ]
 3. Paul Gurney Talks About The DeSotos [NZ]
 4. Joe Louis Walker and Bonnie Raitt - Low Down Dirty Blues
 5. Koko Taylor - Don't Let Me Catch You With Your Drawers Down
 6. Tab Benoit, Debbie Davies, and Kenny Neal - Down In The Swamp
 7. Earl Hooker - Blues In D Minor

8. Otis Rush - All Your Love (I Miss Lovin')9

9. Muddy Waters with the Rolling Stones - You Don't Have To Go

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The Blues Room # 348

 

"Tin-eared critics have frequently damned him as a yuppie blues wannabe whose slickly soulful offerings bear scant resemblance to the real down-home item. In reality, Robert Cray is one of a precious few young blues-based artists with the talent and vision to successfully usher the idiom into the 21st century without resorting either to slavish imitation or simply playing rock while passing it off as blues. Just as importantly, his immensely popular records helped immeasurably to jump-start the contemporary blues boom that still holds sway to this day. Blessed with a soulful voice that sometimes recalls '60s-great O.V. Wright and a concise lead guitar approach that never wastes notes, Cray's rise to international fame was indeed a heartwarming one. For a guy whose 1980 debut album for Tomato, Who's Been Talkin', proved an instantaneous cutout, his ascendancy was amazingly swift -- in 1986 his breakthrough Strong Persuader album for Mercury (containing "Smoking Gun") won him a Grammy and shot his asking price for a night's work skyward.

 

"Robert Cray was born on August 1, 1953 in Columbus, Georgia. An Army brat who grew up all over the country before his folks settled in Tacoma, Washington, in 1968, Cray listened intently to soul and rock before becoming immersed in the blues (in particular, the icy Telecaster of Albert Collins, who played at Cray's high-school graduation). Cray formed his first band with longtime bassist Richard Cousins in 1974. They soon hooked up with Collins as his backup unit before breaking out on their own. The cinematic set caught a brief glimpse of Cray (even if they weren't aware of it) when he anonymously played the bassist of the frat party band Otis Day & the Knights in National Lampoon's Animal House. Cray's Tomato set, also featuring the harp of Curtis Salgado, was an excellent beginning, but it was the guitarist's 1983 set for HighTone, Bad Influence, that really showed just how full of talent Cray was. Another HighTone set, False Accusations, preceded the emergence of the Grammy-winning 1985 guitar summit meeting album Showdown! for Alligator, which found the relative newcomer more than holding his own alongside Collins and Texan Johnny Copeland. Strong Persuader made it two Grammys in two years and made Cray a familiar face even on video-driven MTV.

 

"Unlike too many of his peers, Cray continued to experiment within his two presiding genres, blues and soul, on sets for Mercury such as Midnight Stroll in 1990, I Was Warned in 1992, and Shame + A Sin in 1993. After switching to Rykodisc in the late '90s, Cray released Take Your Shoes Off in 1999 and Shoulda Been Home in 2001, proving that the "bluenatics" (as he amusedly labels his purist detractors) have nothing to fear and plenty to anticipate from this innovative, laudably accessible guitarist. Touring regularly with the likes of Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan, Cray stayed active in the studio as well, signing with Sanctuary Records and releasing Time Will Tell in 2003, Twenty in 2005, a pair of live albums, Live from Across the Pond in 2006 and Live at the BBC in 2008, and This Time, which was issued by Vanguard Records a year later. Cray released his third live album in four years, Cookin' in Mobile, in 2010. The material that comprised the album was taken from a single performance at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Alabama in February of that year. The Kevin Shirley-produced Nothin But Love, a solid outing featuring narrative songs that circle around the trials and tribulations of love, appeared in 2012. (taken from http://www.allmusic.com/artist/robert-cray-mn0000830425)

 

Episode 348, 19 September 2012

 

1. BB King with Robert Cray - Playing With My Friends
2. BB King with Eric Clapton - The Thrill Is Gone
3. Jimmy Vaughan, Robert Cray, BB King, Buddy Guy, Dr. John - Tick Tock
4. Robert Cray Band - Too Many Cooks
5. Robert Cray Band - Right Next Door (Because Of Me)
6. Robert Cray Band - When The Welfare Turns Its Back On You
7. Robert Cray Band - Won't Be Coming Home
8. Robert Cray Band - You Belong To Me
9. Robert Cray Band - Blues Get Off My Shoulder
10. Otis Rush - Its My Own Fault Baby

 

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The Blues Room # 347

 

Clayton Doley is Australia's finest Hammond organist and is quickly gaining international recognition as one of the top new players on the world stage. His fierily bluesy virtuosity has earned him spots on on some of the worlds biggest festivals including Montreal International Jazz Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival and Tremblant International Blues Festival to name a few. I give you a taste of what you can expect on Clayton's new album, 'Desparate Times,' on this episode. Enjoy!

 

 

Episode 347, 12 September 2012

 

1. Mud Morganfield - Loco Motor

2. Memphis Slim - Gotta Find My Baby

3. Booker T. Jones - Rent Party

4. Big Pete Pearson - Natural Ball

5. Champion Jack Dupree - Skit Skat

6. BB King and Bonnie Raitt - Baby I Love You

7. Lucinda Williams - Get Right With God

8. BB King with David Gilmore & Paul Carrack - Cryin' Won't Help You Babe

9. Clayton Doley - Crooked Crawl

10. Clayton Doley - Chicken Shack / How Blues Can You Get

11. Clayton Doley - Seveth Son

 

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Upcoming Auckland Events

 

Upcoming Auckland Events

 

Here are some dates for your diary...

Friday 7th September - Darren Watson; TheFlaming Mudcats - Village Music
Friday 7th September - Los Diablos -Dairy Flat Blues Club
Sunday 9th September - Blues in the Boat House -The Riverhead
Sunday 9th September - Tabasco Tom, Doc White andBroderick Smith - Dairy Flat Blues Club
Wednesday 12 September - Cluband Jam Night - The Winchester
Friday 14th September - The Gunsmiths -New Brew
Saturday 15th - Blue September Blues Show !!FREE!!
Sunday 16thSeptember - Blues Showcase - The Riverhead

 

To view the AucklandBlues Club Gig Guide, please click here:

http://www.aucklandbluesclub.co.nz/club-events.html

The Blues Room # 346 Heritage Blues Orchestra

 

The Blues Room 346, 5 Sept 2012

I can't remember how I discovered the heritage Blues orchestra but I'm so glad I did. This band is authentic sounding and has so many accomplished musicians in it that its well worth your interest. I start this episode with a new track sent to me featuring the late Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith (an ex-Muddy Waters Band drummer) with Roger 'Hurricane' Wilson. As it turns out, Willie's son, Kenny 'Beedy Eyes' smith is the drummer for Heritage Blues Orchestra!

Download this episode: 346

 

Click here for more info about Heritage Blues Orchestra and to get free download: http://www.heritagebluesorchestra.com/home.cfm

 

1. Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith - and Roger 'Hurricane' Wilson - Born In Arkansas
2. Paul Rishell - Big Road Blues

3. Robert Lockwood Jr and Carey Bell - I'm A Steady Rollin' Man

4. Heritage Blues Orchestra (HBO) - Clarkesdale Moan

5. HBO - C-Line Woman

6. HBO - Big Legged Woman

7. HBO - Catfish Blues

8. HBO - Go Down Hannah

9. HBO - Get Right Church

10. HBO - Hard Times

 

 

The Blues Room # 345 Mitch Kashmar LIVE AT LABATT

 

The Blues Room 345, 29 Aug 2012

I put together tracks from Mitch Kashmar's live performance at Labatt for this episode. Mitch is one of my favorite harmonica players. Mitch and Kim Wilson along with Rick Estrin are in my opinion the best at top end playing. Enjoy!

 

Download this episode: 345

 

MITCH KASHMAR "LIVE AT LABATT"

http://deltagrooveproductions.com/music/artists/mitch_kashmar/main.html

MUSICIANS
Mitch Kashmar: vocals & harmonica
John Marx: guitar
Jimmy Calire: piano
Steve Nelson: bass
Tom Lackner: drums

DESCRIPTION
“…Californian Kashmar bursts out…drawing intensity out of original material about women and drink as skillfully as anyone emoting through Marine Bands today.” – Downbeat

“Kashmar is a mighty, tuneful vocalist who also plays trainloads of wicked harp.”– Hittin’ The Note

“Few blues singers, songwriters, & harmonica blowers performing today can top Mitch Kashmar.” – Living Blues

On Friday, August 24, 2007, Mitch Kashmar was invited to perform at the 9th Annual Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival in Western Canada, and fortunately for blues fans everywhere, the event was captured for posterity in front of an enthusiastic crowd by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Joining Kashmar on his performances for this release are Pontiax drummer Tom Lackner, bassist Steve Nelson, pianist Jimmy Calire, and former William Clarke guitarist John Marx providing the perfect foil to Kashmar’s dynamic harp playing and emotive vocals. The live concert format allows Kashmar to really stretch out instrumentally and strut his stuff as he runs down a program featuring fan favorites off his two critically acclaimed Delta Groove releases and additional material including “Lollipop Mama,” a tribute to his old friend the late great William Clarke. “It’s the best stuff I’ve ever done!” says Kashmar, and we think you’ll whole-heartedly agree!

CREDITS
Executive Producer: Randy Chortkoff • Recorded live Friday, August 24, 2007 at the 9th Annual Edmonton's Labatt Blues Festival in Edmonton, Canada. Recording courtesy of the Canadian Broadcasting Company• Mastered by Robert Hadley • Mixed by Mitch Kashmar & glen nishida at Pacifica Studios - Los Angeles, CA • Creative Fulfillment President of Delta Groove Music: Robert Fitzpatrick • Artwork, Design & Photography by Joshua Temkin • Liner notes by Jeff Fleenor • Radio & Promotion by Kristal “Blue” McManigal • Retail by Jeff Fleenor • Delta Groove Business Affairs by Malcom Wiseman

 

The Blues Room # 344 New Blues Arrivals

New to The Blues Room and hot off the press. Enjoy!

Download this episode: 344

Episode 344, 22 August 2012

1. Mark Cook - Sweet Sound Of Memphis

2. Mark Cook - Blues Shack

3. Mark Cook - Take It Or Leave It

4. Dave Fields - Addicted To your Love

5. Dave Fields - In The Night

6. Dave Fields with Joe Louis Walker - Doin' Hard Time

7. The Chris O'Leary Band - Give It

8. The Chris O'Leary Band - 377-9189

9. The Chris O'Leary Band - Pictures Of You

The Blues Room # 343 Free Download: Blues Revue Sampler July 2012

I am subscribed to the Blues Revue email list and received a link to download their first free digital blues sampler for July 2012. I suggest you subscribe to them, go to their website for all the details and to download the whole sampler. In this episode you'll hear a sampling of the sampler. Enjoy.

Click to download

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Episode # 343, 15 August 2012

1. Phantom Blues Band - Boogah Man

2. Dennis Gruenling feat. Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones - Rockin' All Day

3. Jake Eckert - Come Down To the Blues

4. Oli Brown - I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know

5. Anthony Gomes - One Last Time

6. Royal Southern Botherhood - New Horizons

7. JW Jones - Heartbreaker

8. Selwyn Birchwood - The Way You Wiggle

9. Lloyd Jones - Bend In The River

10. Lil' Ronnie And The Grand Dukes - Can't Buy Me Love

11. Lisa Mann - Kings Of Black Gold

The Blues Room # 342 Ronnie Shellist Interview

“Ronnie is a mighty fine player and I ain’t lyin!”

– Charlie Musselwhite

“ Ronnie has a style on the harmonica all his own. This is his debut CD

that many people have been waiting for…you’re going to like it!“

– Kim Wilson

If you dig blues harmonica, great solid tunes, and something a little different to all the 'same old same old' stuff thats out there please check out what Ronnie Shellist is doing over at http://www.harmonica123.com/, http://www.ronnieshellist.com/, and at http://www.youtube.com/RonnieShellist. Ronnie has a new album out called 'til Then and I recommend you get yourself a copy. (Read this review)

I caught up with Ronnie to talk all about what hes done, what hes currently doing, and what hes about to do - subscribe to his newsletter via his website to stay informed!

Enjoy the interview and the music. This is Blues Harmonica!!

Download episode 342 by right clicking and saving this link: 342

Episode 342, 8 August 2012

1. Gary Primich - Satelite Rock

2. Ronnie Shellist - Knockin'

3. Gary Primich - School Of Hard Knocks

4. Kim Wilson - Smokin' Joint 96

5. William Clarke - Blowin' Like Hell

6. Soul 7 feat. Kim Wilson - Juke

7. BB King - Why I Sing The Blues

8. Jeremy Vasquez and Ronnie Shellist: The Shuffletones - Married To The Blues

9. Otis Span - It Must Have Been The Devil

10. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee - Harmonica Hop

11. Norton Buffalo - Harmonica Mambo

12. Bacon Fat - Juicy Harmonica

13. Jeremy Vasquez and Ronnie Shellist: The Shuffletones - Walk Around The Block

14. Ronnie Shellist - 'til Then

15. Ronnie Shellist - One Day

16. Ronnie Shellist - Mook

17. Ronnie Shellist - Shoes

18. Ronnie Shellist - Found You

19. Ronnie Shellist - Eyesight To The Blind

The Blues Room # 341 WE ARE NOW FREE!

This is The Blues Room's first episode on the new frequency, 89.0 (89 point Zero).
Our station has also changed its name to Free FM (it was Community Radio Hamilton).
Check out their new website: http://www.freefm.org.nz/

On this episode we have Tony Kaye of HBS in the studio with us again and we feature music from Juke Joint Jonny (a Blues Leaf recording artist), and Ash Grunwald who is touring NZ at present.

Episode 341, 1 August 2012

1. Tab Benoit - Fast and Free

2. Fried Bourbon - Nine Below Zero

3. Little Freddie King - Got Tha Blues On My Back

4. Juke Joint Jonny - Come On Up

5. Juke Joint Jonny - Going To Mississippi

6. Juke Joint Jonny - Juke Joint Boogie

7. Ash Grunwald - Nervous

8. Ash Grunwald - Ramblin' Man

9. Ash Grunwald - When You Need 'Em

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