New Blues & Soul News 2/1/2021
New Blues & Soul News – 2/1/2021
New Blues Adds:
Selwyn Birchwood – Living In A Burning House (Alligator): “The rising guitar and lap steel player calls his original music “electric swamp funkin’ blues,” defined by raw and soulful musicianship played with fire-and-brimstone fervor. His gritty, unvarnished vocals draw his audience deep inside his unforgettable tales of love, passion, pain and pleasure. No other band on the current blues scene is built quite like Birchwood’s. In addition to Selwyn’s electrifying guitar and lap steel playing, the other featured instrument is Regi Oliver’s driving baritone sax. The group is rounded out by bass, drums and, for the first time, keyboards…. “I write and sing what I know,” says Birchwood, whose musical innovations are as expansive as his influences are deep.” (https://www.selwynbirchwood.com/bio) This is solid electric guitar and straight-forward lyrics that provide a wide set of themes. Click here to listen to “Living In A Burning House” from this release.
Ray Bonneville – At King Electric (Stonefly): “Born in Quebec, Bonneville learned English when his family moved to Boston when he was twelve. Though his family returned to Canada, Bonneville served as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam. After returning home, he worked odd jobs as he perfected his musical skills, including practicing harmonica on his breaks as a taxicab driver. Over the years he worked as an itinerant musician and, among other things, a bush pilot in Canada and Alaska. Bonneville has been recording albums since 1992 and won a Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) in 2000 for his third album, Gust of Wind…. At King Electric, his ninth studio album, is a collection of bluesy folk songs whose sparing, haunting lyrics might draw comparisons to Guy Clark, at times Tom Waits and at others Johnny Cash.” (https://twangville.com/29421/ray-bonneville-at-king-electric/) Click here to listen to a song from this release.
Veronica Lewis – You Ain’t Unlucky (Blue Heart): “Veronica Lewis is an exciting, emerging talent in the Blues & Roots world. A mesmerizing live performer with serious piano chops, soaring vocals, and songs that boogie away your blues. She’s a seasoned pro at 17, rocking the piano and electrifying audiences with music that’s exciting and energetic, yet rhythmically complex and challenging. A tight, straight-ahead trio of piano, drums, and sax delivers a stunningly “full-on” sound, as Veronica belts out a message made to heal the soul. Her strong, expressive voice is punctuated with a light and delicate vibrato, belying her age…. Born in New Hampshire and emerging from a world steeped in Blues and Boogie Woogie, Veronica is a musical force beyond her years. Her piano playing is described as “having the power of a summer thunderstorm in the Delta”.” (https://www.veronicalewis.com/copy-of-bio) She sounds like a direct descendant of Jerry Lee’s. Best pay attention: she’s only 17 and there’s a serious fire in in her hands! Look Out! Click here to listen to the opening song from this release.
Skylar Rogers – Firebreather (Self-produced): “Skylar Rogers was born and raised in some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. She learned at an early age that music brought people together and grew up listening to music her mother (a singer herself) was listening or singing to. This upbringing laid the groundwork, giving Skylar the drive and passion to explore a career in music. Skylar’s “Soul Rockin’ Blues” sound has been influenced by Tina Turner, Etta James, Billy Joel, and Koko Taylor. Throw in a bit of AC/DC and multiple Motown artists and you have the unique, strong, passionate and energetic Skylar Rogers. Skylar successfully launched her debut EP, “Insecurities” and began touring nationally in 2019…” (https://skylarrogers.com/bio) This is her first full length release and offers ten original songs by Rogers with musical backing by Steven J. Hill and Marty Gibson (guitars), Jerry Ewing (bass), Pete Zimmer (keys) and “Disco Fuzz” Bradley Arl (drums). Intense! In fact, this is a certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here to check out the title song.
New Soul Add:
Jaye Hammer – It’s Jaye Hammer Time (Ecko): Jaye Hammer returns with eleven smooth, sweet sounding up town soul dance songs. Basically, mid tempo and mello-roonie. Hammer is the leader and the house band supplies the music and vocal backing. Click here to listen to the songs on this release.
Kopasstically,
Professor Bebop
