http://thebluesblogger.com Reflective Blues & Jazz Revue ... Mon, 14 May 2012 19:32:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 2006-2007 info@thebluesblogger.com (The Blues Blogger) info@thebluesblogger.com (The Blues Blogger) http://thebluesblogger.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://thebluesblogger.com 144 144 Reflective Blues & Jazz Revue ... The Blues Blogger The Blues Blogger info@thebluesblogger.com no no TheBluesBloggerhttp://feedburner.google.com http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~3/YVRr8omha4A/shakura-saida-time-cd-review http://thebluesblogger.com/1302/shakura-saida-time-cd-review#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 19:32:44 +0000 The Blues Blogger http://thebluesblogger.com/?p=1302 <p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J_SYI239b0E?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="420" height="315"></iframe></p> <blockquote><p><em>&#8230;..This album is my way of marking all of my TIMEs with music; accepting and celebrating all of the TIMEs and ways that the BLUES ROCK&#8217;ed my SOUL&#8230;. ~Shakura S&#8217;Aida</em></p></blockquote> <p>A little over two years ago when I first heard the powerful and spirited voice &#8230; <a href="http://thebluesblogger.com/1302/shakura-saida-time-cd-review" class="read_more">Read the rest</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~4/YVRr8omha4A" height="1" width="1"/> http://thebluesblogger.com/1302/shakura-saida-time-cd-review/feed 6 http://thebluesblogger.com/1302/shakura-saida-time-cd-review http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~3/60-ANxnBwUI/fender-fsr-american-standard-hand-stained-ash-stratocaster-review http://thebluesblogger.com/1424/fender-fsr-american-standard-hand-stained-ash-stratocaster-review#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 11:33:45 +0000 The Blues Blogger http://thebluesblogger.com/?p=1424 <h3><span style="color: #669ecc;"><br /> </span></h3> <p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C5G5vfFjOGI?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="640" height="360"></iframe></p> <p><em>As many of you are aware, <a href="http://thebluesblogger.com" target="_blank">The Blues Blogger</a> site draws a lot of interest from guitar players and six string enthusiasts worldwide. So today I&#8217;m featuring a guest post from <a href="mailto:williams.steven2722@gmail.com">Steve Williams </a> and his review of </em><em>The Fender FSR American Standard Hand Stained Ash </em>&#8230; <a href="http://thebluesblogger.com/1424/fender-fsr-american-standard-hand-stained-ash-stratocaster-review" class="read_more">Read the rest</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~4/60-ANxnBwUI" height="1" width="1"/> http://thebluesblogger.com/1424/fender-fsr-american-standard-hand-stained-ash-stratocaster-review/feed 1 http://thebluesblogger.com/1424/fender-fsr-american-standard-hand-stained-ash-stratocaster-review http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~3/9DNEy8qUVGE/bring-on-the-blues-documentary-by-elvis-dsilva http://thebluesblogger.com/1262/bring-on-the-blues-documentary-by-elvis-dsilva#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:43:18 +0000 The Blues Blogger http://thebluesblogger.com/?p=1262 <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NILb6RJvdvA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <blockquote><p> It was a fascinating experience meeting all these people most of whom work other jobs and learning that for a lot of them blues music is a burning passion. They make time to hone their craft and keep alive their love for the blues by </p>&#8230; <a href="http://thebluesblogger.com/1262/bring-on-the-blues-documentary-by-elvis-dsilva" class="read_more">Read the rest</a></blockquote><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~4/9DNEy8qUVGE" height="1" width="1"/> http://thebluesblogger.com/1262/bring-on-the-blues-documentary-by-elvis-dsilva/feed 6 http://thebluesblogger.com/1262/bring-on-the-blues-documentary-by-elvis-dsilva http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~3/wdYKrblBswQ/janiva-magness-stronger-for-it-new-alligator-release http://thebluesblogger.com/1254/janiva-magness-stronger-for-it-new-alligator-release#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:26:29 +0000 The Blues Blogger http://thebluesblogger.com/?p=1254 <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L7m1n5IFmyA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <blockquote><p>&#8220;Hopefully, this recording will bring the rest of the world to Janiva, and then they&#8217;ll know, like I know, that she&#8217;s one of the &#8220;real deals&#8221; out there.&#8221; ~Bettye LaVette</p></blockquote> <p>After a few minutes of anxiously strumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I put &#8230; <a href="http://thebluesblogger.com/1254/janiva-magness-stronger-for-it-new-alligator-release" class="read_more">Read the rest</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~4/wdYKrblBswQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://thebluesblogger.com/1254/janiva-magness-stronger-for-it-new-alligator-release/feed 6 0:03:06 “Hopefully, this recording will bring the rest of the world to Janiva, and then they’ll know, like I know, that she’s one of the “real deals” out there.” ~Bettye LaVette After a few minutes of anxiously strumming[...] “Hopefully, this recording will bring the rest of the world to Janiva, and then they’ll know, like I know, that she’s one of the “real deals” out there.” ~Bettye LaVette After a few minutes of anxiously strumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I put the key in the ignition and started the engine. Saying her goodbyes, TBBW got into the car and we made our getaway. Both of us wanted one weekend to forget all the pressure and challenges of everyday life. And just do the simple things we love but never have enough time for. Stuff like, reading, hiking, having a glass of wine by the fire, and eating all types of food we know we shouldn’t indulge in. And of course my all time favorite; listening to tunes… So I cued up an album on my radar of recordings to explore. As we merged onto the highway with nothing but clear blue skies, I pressed play and briskly made our way up the bright country road to our log cabin hideaway. (Click on album cover for a preview) STRONGER FOR IT From the moment I heard the energetic opener “There It Is,” on the new album Stronger For It by Janiva Magness, I was immediately hooked. As you continue to listen, it doesn’t take long to realize something magnificent is happening. Janiva’s voice resonates with a raw down-to-earth honesty; telling stories about the twists and turns down the unpredictable road through life. Instead of relying on covers, Magness co-writes three enticing tunes for the album with producer/guitarist Dave Darling. These include “Whistling In The Dark,” “I Won’t Cry” and of course the upbeat opener “There It Is.” In addition to these wonderful compositions, Magness compliments her most recent gem with some dazzling covers by Tom Waits, Matthew Sweet, Ike Turner, Shelby Lynne Moorer and Ray Wylie Hubbard among others. Elwood’s Blues Breaker – Janiva Magness “There It Is” by TheBluesMobile.com (I was familiar with Janiva’s work having written an article called Blues With a Soulful Expression back in 2008. This article may be of interest to readers who’d like more biographical information on Janiva Magness that this current post doesn’t provide. Coincidentally, I wrote this when my family went away for the weekend and I stayed at home with our dog Lucille.) Born in Detroit, Magness was influenced by blues and country music she heard while listening to her father’s record collection. She was also inspired by the city’s rich soulful Motown sound. No stranger to the music industry, she’s received several Blues Music Award nominations, and taken home the “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year” award three times. She was also named The Blues Foundation’s “B.B. King Entertainer of the Year” in 2009. And is only the second woman to receive the prestigious honor since the late, great Koko Taylor. With her latest Alligator Records release, there’s a strong liberating vibe that drew me even deeper this time around. I was very impressed by the power and emotion that unfolds on this album. Magness has been quoted as saying that 2011 was one of the most difficult years in her life. But through it all, she manages to rise above all the loss & hurt; providing us with her most inspiring release to date. As the day progressed and the sun slowly faded on our countryside setting, TBBW and I were able to successfully accomplish our mission of relaxation. And the music from Stronger For It played as part of the soundtrack to the rest of our weekend. If you’ve never heard of Janiva Magness you’re really missing out on something very special. She is somebody that has earned the right to be singing the blues as she certainly has lived them. Spread the news, because she IS the “real deal.” How familiar are you with Janiva’s soulful journey? Did you get the opportunity to listen to some of the songs in this post? Has anybody seen her perform? Please leave your comments in the section below[...] blues, Reviews, TBBW info@thebluesblogger.com no no http://thebluesblogger.com/1254/janiva-magness-stronger-for-it-new-alligator-release http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~3/l0c3OIrP9PQ/joe-louis-walker-appears-on-conan-march-5th http://thebluesblogger.com/1178/joe-louis-walker-appears-on-conan-march-5th#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:59:44 +0000 The Blues Blogger http://thebluesblogger.com/?p=1178 <p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5o1n4we4Jr4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><strong>One Of My Favorite Performers </strong></p> <p><a href="http://joelouiswalker.com" target="_blank">Joe Louis Walker</a> will be appearing on <a href="http://teamcoco.com/" target="_blank">TBS’s Conan</a> on Monday March 5th, 2012. JLW and his band will perform the song <em>&#8220;Ride All Night&#8221;</em> from his new <a href="http://www.alligator.com/" target="_blank">Alligator Records</a> debut CD <em>Hellfire</em>.</p> <p>Walker is no stranger to the &#8230; <a href="http://thebluesblogger.com/1178/joe-louis-walker-appears-on-conan-march-5th" class="read_more">Read the rest</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheBluesBlogger/~4/l0c3OIrP9PQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://thebluesblogger.com/1178/joe-louis-walker-appears-on-conan-march-5th/feed 2 0:04:24 One Of My Favorite Performers Joe Louis Walker will be appearing on TBS’s Conan on Monday March 5th, 2012. JLW and his band will perform the song “Ride All Night” from his new Alligator Records debut CD Hellfire. Walker is no stranger [...] One Of My Favorite Performers Joe Louis Walker will be appearing on TBS’s Conan on Monday March 5th, 2012. JLW and his band will perform the song “Ride All Night” from his new Alligator Records debut CD Hellfire. Walker is no stranger to the music business. His discography includes 23 albums and 2 DVDs. And throughout his illustrious career has gathered four Blues Music Awards, including the 2010 Album of the Year Award for Between A Rock And The Blues. Walker has recorded as a guest with some of blues most distinguished artists; including appearances on Grammy-winning records by B.B. King and James Cotton. JOE LOUIS WALKER At 16 years old Walker held the position of house guitarist at The Matrix in San Francisco. The Matrix was a significant place in the influential years of the San Francisco music scene. It featured not only rock bands, but many blues and jazz artists. It was a favorite spot of journalist Hunter S. Thompson in the late 1960s. The club was briefly mentioned in his book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. It was The Matrix where Walker opened for a diverse assortment of artists like Jimi Hendrix, Thelonius Monk and Lightnin Hopkins, just to name a few. Walker met guitarist Michael Bloomfield in 1968 and they became good friends. The two shared an apartment for years; remaining friends until Bloomfield’s death in 1981. Bloomfield would be an early influence in Walker’s rock oriented style. Since then, Joe Louis Walker has played in numerous groups and genres, including gospel, R&B and some good old rock n roll. On Hellfire, Walker’s latest Alligator Records release, he scorches with rocket fueled passion; possessed with an energetic rock blues feel. Walker describes Hellfire as the most deeply soulful album of his career. You can go to one of my previous articles I wrote on JLW a few years back. There you will find further bio information and video performances of Joe and his band. How familiar are you with Joe Louis Walker’s career? Will you (or did you) watch Joe on Conan? What are your thoughts? Please leave any comments in the area below. You’re input is encouraged and helps enhance the posts you read here. The Blues Blogger JLW on Conan For Viewers in The U.S. Only blues, Rock info@thebluesblogger.com no no http://thebluesblogger.com/1178/joe-louis-walker-appears-on-conan-march-5th