Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits” Capone and The Chan Clan

Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits” Capone and The Chan Clan
Live at Chan’s
Review by Georgetown Fats


Live disks from a mostly cover band can be a very dicey proposition.  Usually the cover material chosen has been so overdone that the covers never stand up to the originals, which probably also have live renditions by either the songwriter or the artist that made the songs famous.  Very few live cover recordings and cover acts can challenge the originals.  Thankfully Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits" Capone and The Chan Clan happen to have the chops which help make their “Live at Chan’s” recording such a welcome aural relief.


“Live at Chan’s” is not entirely a cover CD.  Ms. Blue and company do provide some stirring renditions of four of Ms. Blue’s original works. They are all good, solid offerings.  It is when the recording heads deep into ‘pop blues/wedding band act’ that “Live at Chan’s” shines.


“At Last”, the track made famous my Etta James, has taken on a “Stormy Monday” for female vocalists.  Having even witnessed Etta James extoll venom on the commercialization of the tune and how the majority of listeners miss the point of the track, I was extremely skeptical Ms. Blue could pull off a rendition anywhere as close to the original. For the second track on the disk, it was a very bold choice.  Luckily Diane has the power and chops to stand up to the challenge.  Bolstered by the work of the Chan Clan Horns, Jimmy “Two Suits” Capone, Bruce “The Goose” McGrath and Johnny “Blue Horn” Moriconi sticks close to the original arrangement which allow Diane to give a maximum effort performance.


On the Bill Withers classic “Use Me”, guitarist Timo Arthur locks in with bassist Lenny Bradford and Hammond B3 player Cliff Spencer on that signature hook.  Ms. Blue shows plenty of finesse by singing just a hair behind the beat, creating an irresistibly carnal dance groove.  When Timo Arthur takes the requisite guitar solo he does nothing to distract from the groove, there is just enough wah-wah to keep that that lustful groove but not enough to completely muddy up his tone.


Probably my personal favorite track on “Live at Chan’s” is Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits" Capone and The Chan Clan is the rendition of “Fever”.  Sticking close to the Peggy Lee arrangement embrace the pop standard. Jeff “Jungle Boy” Thompson’s drum work keep the sparse instrumentation moving forward and locked in on this slow burner.  “Jungle Boy” proves to have the finesse to keep this jazzy rendition going while giving just enough power in the drum fills as to offer a spike in the dynamics without getting in the way of the tune.


“I’ll Take You There” also sticks close to the Staples Sisters recording, highlighted by Johnny “Blue Horn’s” stirring trumpet solo.  In addition to the trumpet work, Diane Blue proves to not just be a vocalist with a rocking yet understated harp solo.  Not content to just shred notes at a dizzying speed, Blue’s harmonica work offer justification to the adage of “it’s not just about the notes you play, but it’s about the spaces between the notes"...


Diane Blue w/ Jimmy "Two Suits” Capone and The Chan Clan “Live at Chan’s” is available through Ms. Blue’s web site http://www.dianebluemusic.com/ or available at any of her live gigs such as their CD release party at Ryles on August 28th, 2010.

WACHTELIGENCE - Johnny A. A is for Awesome!

WACHTELIGENCE

                                         By A.J.Wachtel

Johnny A.


A is for Awesome






Walls shake when Johnny A plays. For years in bands like The Streets, Hidden Secret, and Hearts On Fire, his extraordinary guitar playing set standards that left audiences shaking their heads in disbelief and nightclubs demolished by his performances. He also was chosen to put a band together for Derek and the Dominoes keyboardist Bob Whitlock, the man who co-wrote, with Eric Clapton, all the songs on Layla Read on and listen to Johnny look back and also hear what he is doing currently.


AJ: In the mid 80's, you played in a band fronted by the keyboardist for Derek And The Dominos, Bob Whitlock , and you played some gigs in a few states. How did that happen and who else was in the band?


JA: Our association started in 1978. I went down to stay at The Record Plant in Los Angeles to do some work and I met Whitlock and also Doug Clifford the drummer for Creedence Clearwater and we jammed and traded phone numbers and then I got a call that they wanted me to start a band with them. We started to do rehearsals and then I opted out because the band didn’t seem to have a direction. I was still in The Streets so I came back to Boston. And Bobby and I kept in touch. Then my friend Peter Lembo started handling him and I was called to be the music director and get a band together for him for a string of New England and east coast dates. Stu Kimball (now playing with Bob Dylan) was on guitar, Dave Amaral on bass, and Steve Barrett on drums along with Bobby on keyboards.


AJ: Looking back 25 years after your band Hearts On Fire lost the 1986 WBCN RUMBLE to punk pioneers Gang Green what's your take on your loss in the finals? Did you get robbed?


JA: I wouldn't exactly call them "pioneers" of punk. The punk movement was pretty well in full swing by the time they got there. Having said that, I thought they probably did a better job of what they did then we did. No, I didn’t think the talent was better. I’ve heard recordings of that night and I didn’t think it was my most stellar moment either. Carter Alan called me before the Rumble and asked me to put the "Hearts on Fire" band back together for the contest, and for a band put together for the rumble-in terms of substance of material, songwriting and melodies- I think we were the better band. I think they had a better delivery that night. On a personal note, they were totally unprofessional backstage.


AJ: Your guitar blues phrasing is legendary. Who were your idols growing up?


JA: I listened to James Burton, Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino.


AJ: What's the greatest Blues show you've ever seen in Boston?


JA: Probably 1969 The Caldwell-Winfield band with Billy Caldwell at The Psychedelic Supermarket. It was one of those nights. It reminded me of The Butterfield Blues Band and the like. A great night.


AJ: What famous artists have you opened for or shared the stage with over the years?


JA: Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Robert Cray, Jimmy Vaughn, Buddy Guy, I played the Eric Clapton Crossroads Festival, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson. George Thorogood.


AJ: What are you doing now?


JA: For the past 11 years I've had guitar instrumental project. I have three albums out and an instructional CD/DVD out. Currently, I have a 2 disc set-CD/DVD out called "One November Night" which was recorded live at Scullers.


AJ: You and Stu Kimball had all the Duane and Eric licks down pat when you played the Layla songs. What were practices like?


JA: We didn’t have a lot of rehearsals, maybe a week or so. Everyone did their homework and came to the gig prepared. Me and Stu were friends and we talked on the phone: "you take that part" or "I'll do that solo". It was pretty well divided up what our roles were before we got to the first rehearsal too.


AJ: What was your favorite Layla song to play and why?


JA: The "(Layla) Assorted Love Songs" album was important to me growing up and we played all of it." Tell The Truth"," Anyday" "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad"........Playing the slide solo at the end of "Layla", a pretty epic song.


AJ: Whitlock seemed like a hard drinking Mississippian with a young blonde permanently attached to his arm. What was he really like and do you still keep in touch with him?


JA: He was like what he appeared to be. Yeah, we communicate a couple of times a year. Last time I saw him he came to a show of mine in Austin, Texas where he is living now. That was last year.


AJ: Will you ever play together again?


JA: You never know.


AJ: Any advice to young musicians trying to get their music heard?


JA: Go to school and become a lawyer. (laughs)


AJ: What did it feel like being onstage playing classic tunes with the co-author of them?


JA: It was a thrill. One thing about Bobby-he's an absolute raw talent. When he plays his B-3 or when he's singing he never mailed it in. It’s the real deal. Anytime you play with an artist who leaves blood on the stage it’s ALWAYS a special experience.


*******Check out www.johnnya.com for more information about Johnny A.

Pipin Hot and Ready to Serve!!! Biscuit Miller and the MIX from Chicago at Smoken Joe's in Brighton, August 19 at 8:30pm

Pipin Hot and Ready to Serve!!! Biscuit Miller and the MIX from Chicago at Smoken Joe's in Brighton, August 19 at 8:30pm

Biscuit Miller, one of the funkiest bass players around, is on the loose again and fronting his own band “Biscuit Miller and The Mix.” Joined by Jordan Lunardini, Paxton Norris and Myron “Mad Hatter” Robinson, these guys really know how to “get down!” Biscuit is well known for playing behind Chicago’s legendary Lonnie Brooks and most recently with The Anthony Gomes Band. High energy, charismatic band with lots of show. What’s better than a bowlful of soulful, funky Blues stew? A pipin’ hot Biscuit, of course! In honor of the occasion, Smoken Joe’s will be servin’up homemade biscuit and gravy!!! Get’ m while they are HOT.

Dave “BISCUIT” Miller plays an amazing bass guitar filled with “Classic Blues andFunk”. Not only is he a great bassist but he’s also an “extremely soulful vocalist!” Early in his career, Biscuit was introduced to SONNY ROGERS who taught him a lot about playing the blues. Together, they recorded “THEY CALL ME THE CAT DADDY”,which won a HANDY AWARD FOR BEST NEW ARTIST for Rogers. After the passing of Rogers Biscuit went on to play with other respected artists such as, MOJO BUFORD (formerly with Muddy Waters) and LADY BLUE (backup vocalist for Ike and Tina Turner). Biscuit was the permanent bass player for LONNIE BAKER BROOKS for ten years during which time they played at the inauguration for PRESIDENT CLINTON. He also spent nearly five years with the ANTHONY GOMES BAND during which time they released five CD”S, Unity, Sweet String and Soul, Long Way Home, Music in the Medicine and Live at the Triple Door. Biscuit co-wrote “TESTIFY” from the album “LIVE” which reached Billboard’s number one album on the Blues Charts. Biscuit has since made they decision to revisit an “old recipe from the past to stir up a brand new flavorful mix of funk, blues and old style rock-n-roll soul”, BISCUIT MILLER AND THE MIX! 

Bringing life to “The Mix” with his “charasmatic charm and style” is MYRON “DOCTOR LOVE” ROBINSON. Myron played with MAGNUM FORCE and signed with CHII-TOWN RECORDS, at which time they recorded the soul hits “Share My Love”, “Cool Out”, and “Touch of Funk”. He later joined STAN SKIBBY and played several years with STAN SKIBBY AND THE LOVE SOLDIERS. Myron has toured with JAMES ARMSTRONG and played with KOKO TAYLOR, PHIL GUY, ATLANTIC STARR and THE CHILITES.

Reservations Recommended

LOCATION: 

Smoken’ Joe’s Barbeque

351 Washington Street

Brighton, MA 02135

PHONE: 617-254-5227

Visa, MC, Amex accepted

Handicap accessible, Parking free after 6pm

WEBSITE:www.smokenjoesbbq.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTJzSTx1Gs0 
-North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland Maine. July 2010 Sending a shout out to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZZpH34R-yY -
North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland Maine July 2010 Stay In The House Blues

El Vato - Loaded Dice - CD Review by A.J. Wachtel

CD REVIEW

El Vato

Loaded Dice

12 Song CD

By A.J.Wachtel

Veteran thunder rocker Arlo West has long impressed me with his loud, aggressive, take no prisoners guitar playing and Loaded Dice with its blistering leads reinforces his powerful and 100% Testosterone style: sorta like if Billy Gibbons or Stevie Ray fronted Moving Targets but with more of a Tex-Mex feel and a bit of Southern Rock thrown in. And always that punk attitude; in the songs' lyrics and occasionally in their arrangements. And every song this 3 piece plays is cut from the same cloth: bragging and boastful lyrics with some of the melodies REALLY good; "Big Bad Wolf", "Twisted", "Gritty Mountain" and "American Dream" tell good stories punctuated by great guitar work and the vocals are also all believable and easily communicated to the listener. The only thing better than listening loudly to this CD, I would imagine, would be to catch these renegades live and onstage deep in rural Maine where they are now based. Each performance, I am sure, is elevated into an EVENT- but Maine may not be big enough to capture the energy of this band. Play this CD loud.

Alan Arena Band - Live at Smoken’ Joe’s

After Fifteen Years Of Leading The Watch City Band Ladies And Gentlemen

Introducing For the Very First Time

Alan Arena Band

Alan Arena Vocal and Guitar     Mike Barrows Electric Bass

Heeby Westwood Drums      Jumpin’ George Gordon Guitar

Wednesday August 18th

7:30PM @

Smoken’ Joe’s

Authentic Southern Barbeque & Blues

351 Washington st. Brighton 617-254-5227

Please Come By Early That Night And Get A Good Seat.

Blues Festivals the weekend of August 21st

It will be tough to choose which direction to head the weekend of Aug. 21, with three big festivals on tap. 

One, the popular Blues N Brews Festival in Westford literally is “on tap,” with an army of microbrewers on hand ******Mr. Managing Editor’s note....MMMMMMMM...BEER!!!!****, along with a line-up featuring the great Sugar Blue, an exciting harp master, Bellevue Cadillac, and Monster Mike Welch.  The show takes place Saturday, Aug. 21 the Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford.

To the south, the North River Blues Festival in Marshfield, at the Marshfield Fair, will be ongoing Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21 and 22, with an outstanding lineup of Tommy Castro, Guitar Shorty, Mississippi Heat, the Mannish Boys, and several terrific local bands.

And up north, White Mountain Boogie n' Blues, in North Thornton, N.H., will host Ruthie Foster, Mike Zito, Joe Louis Walker, Eden Brent, and more.

There are some tough choices to make, blues fans!

So move your ass to go sit on some grass and enjoy great live music.  Show your support for live music, and remember our summer days are fleeting.

Boogie N' Blues 2010 - It's Almost Time! August 20-22nd, 2010

Well it's ALMOST TIME!
Well Well Well...
here we are just days till the boogie.
Can you believe it! We have a real special weekend of blues planned. I can't believe we have 4 of this years blues award winners appearing including piano player of the year and contemporary female artist of the year.

This years line up is one I know I wont forget .
John Nemeth who will be appearing Sunday was a nominee for contemporary male artist of the year.
He just won most outstanding blues singer!

Lots of you are thinking about what to pack and others are thinking should we go?
Oh ya, you should!

You should bring friends lots of them! If you are a music lover, if you love great fireworks, if you just love hanging outdoors with friends, trying lots of great food and just relaxing you should be here. We offer lots of things for family's including face painting, climbing wall, even a bouncy house. We have a balloon artist who will make balloons for the young and young at heart and don't forget Saturday Night Firework's we are sure you wont they are unbelievable.

So call in sick, take a vacation or personal day or two and
head to the boogie for a great time.

Oh ya, did I mention the legendary Elvin Bishop was headlining Saturday night!

So give us a call at (603) 726 3867 or go on line at www.nhblues.com and order your advance tickets while you still can and save a few bucks. Buy one for a buddy or some one who says" I don't like the blues" bring them to the boogie and watch the big smile.

Alright start packing!
The boogie is just days away
August 20th-22nd.
What to pack?
Here are a few hints;

A Great attitude for fun
Sunscreen/ Rain poncho
A Great attitude for fun
Sweatshirt/jacket
A friend or two
Small coolers are allowed/no glass
Oh ya a tent
A lawn chair or blanket
Oh ya did i mention a great attitude!
Any way we look forward to seeing a lot of old friends and making lots of new ones. SO buy your tickets tell your friends and come on LETS BOOGIE!

Advance tickets on sale till Thursday August 19th at midnight call (603) 726 3867 or online at www.nhblues.com .

Day tickets will be available at the ticket tent weekend of show.

Thank you see ya at the boogie
Brad and Mike Benton