MAVIS STAPLES: SINGER

MAVIS STAPLES: R/B Gospel Singer
Mavis Staples member of the infamous Staple Singers Family and solo artist since the mid-sixties won her first solo Grammy this year February 2011 for her album YOU ARE NEVER ALONE, at the age of 71, she said "This has been a long time coming." and “The world has not heard the last of me yet”. Amen!

Her family began their musical career in the 1950’s singing in church, and a local radio station and eventfully took their show on the road, lead by patriarch Roebuck “Pops” Staples on the guitar, with the voices of Mavis and her siblings Cleo, Yvonne & Pervis. They scored a hit in 1956 “Uncloudy Day” and they were dubbed "God's Greatest Hitmakers.” They had become America’s pop gospel singers, and their spiritual music was the inspiration and musical voice of the civil rights movement at the time. In the 1970’s they hit the top 40 charts eight times and had two number ones; “I’ll Take you There” and “Let’s Do It Again”.

Prince's, Paisley Park produced 2 of her albums in 1989 & 1991 resulting in 6 single released; TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE, followed by 1993's THE VOICE, which People magazine named one of the Top Ten Albums of 1993. She later released a soundtrack album, A PIECE OF THE ACTION, on Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label, and still records at major studios

In December of 2008 while appearing on National Public Radio, Mavis was asked about her past personal relationship with Bob Dylan, she admitted "we were good friends, yes indeed" and that he had asked her father for her hand in marriage. We all know that didn’t happen, but they have remained close friends. In fact Mavis & Bob were nominated in 2003 for a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for their duet of “Gotta Change My Way of Thinking” from the album GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY: THE GOSPEL SONGS OF BOB DYLAN.

Mavis Staples has recorded with a wide variety of musicians, from her friend Bob Dylan to Ray Charles, George Jones, Natalie Merchant, Ann Peebles, and Delbert McClinton. She also has provided vocals on current albums by Los Lobos and Dr. John, and she still holds a heavy touring schedule.

This Album includes Randy Newman’s’ “Losing You”, Allen Toussaint’s’, “Last Train”, and “Wrote A Song For Everyone” by John Fogerty, plus songs written by her Dad “Pops” Staples and her current producer Jeff Tweedy, and others. She has inspired us for many decades sharing her rich gritty vocals while keeping “Eyes on The Prize” (WE’LL NEVER TURN BACK) bringing us contemporary pop hits with positive messages. She is a living legend of our time.
http://www.mavisstaples.com/

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DAMON FOWLER: SINGER/SONGWRITER

Damon Fowler: Singer/Songwriter/Guitar Man
Damon Fowler is a bluesman out of Florida, and a young man to keep on your radar as he moves up the ladder with his singer/songwriting success. He is more of a regional talent from Florida to Texas, but he has been getting more notoriety with his music, as singer/songwriter and particularly his guitar excellence. He was voted by Creative Loafing Magazine in 2008 as Best Guitar, Best Lap-Steel Player, Best DoBro Player and Best Slide Guitar.

He is not new on the music scene, but recently has taken big strides in popularity. He is a talented musician with an easy going pleasant voice that should be appealing to most people as a singer/songwriter. The 3 man band, includes Chuck Riley on bass and Scott Key on drums, and they have been described as having a 'take-no-prisoners' attitude when they are performing on stage. The trio produces powerful energy and presents a vibrant and vivid delivery to their audiences.

Fowler is identified more with the roots movement and that may have been a factor in his recent popularity, because he has been in the business for more than 20 years. Well that may be more like 12-15 yrs. He did start out at the age of 12, but various articles state he was playing local clubs when he was 15. He is now 32, and does have significant recordable experience under his belt. He also signed with Blind Pig, and has since released his 2nd album with them January 2011 DEVIL GOT HIS WAY, and this has helped his career to move forward.
He has opened for many well known acts because of his versatility, and has worked with such acts as Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Robin Trower, Gregg Allman, Jimmy Vaughn, Junior Brown, Rick Derringer, Little Feat, The Radiators, Chris Duarte, Delbert McClinton, and numerous others.

Look for “After The Rain”, a ballad that Fowler sings beautifully, “28 Degree’s”, an original swampy number infused with cowbells, “Cypress In The Pines” a slinky funk slide guitar tune, to get you in the groove. Also the title song “Devil Got His Way” another swampy blues rock tune, and he includes a revival of Leon Russell’s “Tight Rope” and can’t forget “American Dream” with a little bit of a reggae vibe. An overall good CD worth the price of a download, for rockin’ guitar licks and slide guitar sounds pleasing to the ear, matched with the pleasing vocals of Damon Fowler is sure to be a winner.
http://www.damonfowler.com/

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JJ GREY & MOFRO: SOUL/FUNK/SOUTHERN BLUES ROCK

JJ Grey & MoFro: Soul/Funk/ R&B/Southern Rock Blues Band


JJ Grey the front man for Mofro has been around for a while. They released their 5th studio album back in August 2010 GEORGIA WARHORSE, which follows their album ORANGE BLOSSOM out in August 2008, which had the beautiful song “The Truth”.
 You won’t find a description of this band/group without the mention of “SWAMPY” somewhere in the sentence. The soulful voice of JJ Grey, who hails from the northern Florida swampland region, comes from a long line of storytellers and it is uniquely reflected in his music. He has a story to tell and presents the music with his smokey, gritty vocals that make you sit up and listen.
 JJ Grey is currently on tour as a solo artist. He plays the guitar, piano, and harmonica. The band takes a break so everyone can do their own thing for a while. Anthony Farrell (organ/keyboards) and Andrew Trube (guitar) are long time members of the group Greyhounds out of Austin Tx. Other members include: Todd Smallie (Bass Guitar, previously with the Derek Trucks Band), Art Edmaiston (Tenor sax), Dennis Marian (Trumpet), Anthony (AC) Cole (Drums) and Daryl Hance (Elec Guitar). These guys are the dangerously funk weapon of JJ Grey.



The band has been more or less regional in fan base, but their music is attracting attention with their pure sound, and great song writing coming from JJ Grey. They have been referred to as a crunchy, swamp funk band, but whatever you want to call it, it is refreshing, pure music, no gimmicks or auto-tune here.



One song on the album that is sure to be a favorite of fans is “Sweetest Thing” who Grey shares the spotlight with reggae legend Toots Hibbert. This alone is worth the price of the CD. Maybe you will go for “Gotta Know” a soulful Otis Redding type of sound or the funk of “Hide and Seek”, or the rocking “All”, or the “Hottest Spot In Hell”, a little something for everyone into traditional soul, funk, R&B or the southern rock genre’s.


Other Albums for JJ Grey & MoFro:  Blackwater 2001, Lochloosa 2004, Country Ghetto 2007, Orange Blossom 2008.



Look for them and help bring their sound to the attention of mainstream music land, they are too good to be just regional.



http://www.jjgrey.com/home

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JOE BONAMASSA: SINGER/SONGWRITER/GUITARIST

Joe Bonamassa: Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist
American blues singer/songwriter Joe Bonamassa just released his 9th studio album 3/22/2011 DUST BOWL, which opened 4th on the BBC UK Charts. The guitar wizard with an electrifying stage presence is a huge hit in the European markets. The British Blues awards 9/10/2010 voted Joe “Best Overseas Artist”.


Joe says he was influenced by the British & Irish Blues greats, like Eric Clapton, John Mayhall, Jeff Beck, rather than the American style of blues, which is just plain silly. Not sure if he knows the history of British blues, which comes from American greats like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and the likes of John Lee Hooker, and many more prominent bluesmen from way back when blues was the blues, the Brit’s merely electrified the sound. Maybe he is too young, (early 30’s) but never the less he is a bluesman. While he may feel like he is closer to the British style blues, he is a Rockin’ Blues guy with guitar swagger. His sound is Blues Rock, sometimes Delta/Swamp Blues, and occasionally he mimics the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Texas Bluesman.

In the early to mid 90’s when Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lange emerged from the shadow of the great SRV, Bonamassa was around, but unlike his counter-parts he did not release his first solo album until 2000, five years after Lang, and Shepherd.

Joe picked up the guitar at the age of 4 and by the age of 12 he was touring with Buddy Guy and Robert Cray, and caught the ear of B.B. King. He is a guitar virtuoso, but he continues to evolve and grow into the musician he has become. By the way, he can actually sing! Nice voice, soft, not gravelly or screaming. His voice is not unique but his guitar playing is.


DUST BOWL has some great tracks, and sure to be a favorite if you like Blues Rock.
Joe features John Hiatt, and Vince Gill on “Tennessee Plates” and Vince Gill on “Sweet Rowena”. Favorites are, “Dust Bowl”, “Slow Train”, “Prisoner” and “The Meaning of The Blues”. Also a good sound is his LIVE FROM ROYAL ALBERT HALL, which came out in 2009. Joe Bonamassa, will be around for years to come, and only time will tell if he developes into one of the greatest bluesmen of our time.

http://jbonamassa.com/

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BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS: ROCK GROUP

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears: Rock Band

Black Joe and the Honeybears are relatively new on the music scene. Joe was a late bloomer musically and didn’t learn the guitar until the age of 20 while working in a pawn shop. The group out of Austin TX is reminiscent of bands gone by, no gimmicks, just good ole rockin’ blues. You can hear influences of James Brown, Howlin' Wolf, Lenny Kravitz, Rolling Stones, Sly & The Family Stone and a touch of Robert Johnson in their music. The funk fueled horns bring the 60’s/70’s/80’s kind of sound to the mix, like that of Chicago, and Blood Sweat & Tears. They blow the lid off what may be mundane music without the talented brass section.

The group just released their second Album SCANDALOUS out March 15, 2011. The eight member band consists of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. They coordinate Detroit, Memphis, Chicago, and Texas blues into their style of blues rock and funkadelic sounds that get you on your feet to move to the music. It is a improvement from their first album TELL’EM WHAT YOUR NAME IS, out in March 2009, but this is only their 2nd Album, and one that is definitely notable.

Joe says “We play the music that we like to listen to, and it is always about the music first”. He writes music that reflects life experiences and not for the easily offended. Some of the stories that go with the tunes are equally as entertaining as the music, like the song “Mustang Ranch” about getting their ham glazed at a brothel they happened upon. The swampy sound of “Black Snake”, is not really about a snake either. “Messin” is a nice old style blues number with acoustic guitars and familiar drumming which Lewis’s vocals mimic that of Robert Johnson. “You Been Lyin” is wild and crazy funkadelic , “Jesus Took My Hand” drums pounding Lewis shouts “I ain’t scared to die”. Those are some of the 15 tunes on the SCANDALOUS album + more that are worth mentioning.

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears are just getting off the ground with their music careers. It is just possible great things will come to them as they refine their art along the way. Hopefully they will stay true to the Rockin’Roll Blues genre as they believe they are right now with a little bit of soul and funk to make them unique, but only time will tell if they have longevity.


http://www.blackjoelewis.com/music.aspx



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SCISSOR SISTERS: POP ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Scissor Sisters: Pop Alternative Rock Group


When I first heard about this group, I thought they were women, sisters, from the UK, but the voices were not soft enough, and that sparked an interest. This group is outrageous! They push all the buttons with their music, it’s almost danceable porn, and you can’t help but love it. It’s refreshing yet familiar, sort of 80’s, but today.

They are an American pop, rock, glam music group who make music you can shake your stuff too, no matter who you are. Lead singer Jake Shear’s falsetto brings in the Bee Gee’s vibe, and with Ana Matronic you get an Abba thing going on, but fun, and all of it is danceable at the same time. Other members: Babydaddy, Del Marquis, and Randy Real, make up the music club dance band sound.

Their 3rd Studio Album NIGHT WORK out in June 2010 is a fun danceable album, featuring songs “Fire With Fire”, see video on their website, and “Any Which Way You Can”, also video on Website, and “Harder You Get”, “Sex and Violence”, and more. Some have described the album as super sexy and sleazy, but I suggest you keep an open mind, and not take it to seriously, just enjoy it for what it is.

They are currently touring with Lady Gaga as the opening act of “The Monster Ball Tour”. The Scissor Sisters are a huge hit in the UK. They have had 6 nominations for The BRIT music awards and 3 wins since they began in 2001, and they have had one Grammy nomination in 2005 for Best Dance Recording. They have had much commercial success with their music used in movies, and TV shows and they definitely are the dance band to keep an eye on.

They have had a bit of run-in with Wal-Mart in the past when they refused to stock one of their albums, because of the song “Tits On The Radio” when the Scissor Sisters refused to produce a clean version for sale. They believe kids are exposed to far worse with Eminem’s negative messages, and don’t see the need to redo the song.

They may be contentious, but they are talented, and it is about the music and not their personal lives, so enjoy the music and dance the night away!

http://www.scissorsisters.com/


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R.E.M: ALTERNATIVE ROCK GROUP

R.E.M: Rock Group R.E.M. recently released their 15th studio album COLLAPSE INTO NOW. It is receiving mixed reviews, like “sounds too much like the 80’s”, and others love the classic R.E.M.

The 2007 Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have brought back the 80’s sound in this album, but have managed to make it seem current. They didn’t try to connect to the dance/electropop crowd or the root music craze; they are doing what they did when they started out in 1980, making music that fans will love. If you were a fan then, you will be again with their music. It is not bad, it’s just ……a bit nostalgic in a good way.

Only time will tell if it is alternative enough to bring them a younger audience, but they have certainly pleased their faithful fans with one of their best efforts to be sure. R.E.M. has been fundamental in the development of the ALTERNATIVE ROCK genre. They lead the way when post-punk transitioned into alternative, and it has continued to evolve ever since.

 Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stripe & Bill Berry the original band stayed together until 1996 when Bill Berry left the group. He had suffered a brain aneurysm in 1995 while on tour with a full recovery, but the “Rock Star” was no longer who he wanted to be, and left the group. The remaining members, Buck, Mills, & Stripe still hold the group together.

In 1996 they re-signed with Warner Brothers the biggest record deal in history at that point. They were to receive $80M plus five albums. COLLAPSE INTO NOW completes the deal and speculation has been bantered about that this will be their last album for the aging alternative rock group. If this is true, they have given their fans, a record they will remember.

For R.E.M. fans this album is a must have, and maybe, just maybe they will pick up a new generation of fans and continue to record and tour into the sunset. http://remhq.com/index.php

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ALLEN TOUSSAINT: SINGER/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER

Allen Toussaint:  Singer/Songwriter/Producer

Allen Toussaint has been nominated as an inductee into the Song Writer Hall of Fame for 2011. He is among a group of esteemed songwriters, to be officially inducted June 16, 2011 in NYC. This is a well deserved reward for a man that may be one of the greatest song writers of the 20^th century. He has 600+ songs cataloged to his credit.

Allen is a composer, producer, arranger and singer, who plays the piano and guitar impeccably. He has written music for Pop, R and B, Jazz  and  Broadway, but is typically classified as R and B Soul. He is most notably recognized as one of the primary creators of the legendary New Orleans R&B sound, the soul of New Orleans music.

The 73 year old New Orleans native still tours and performs for fund raisers to help rebuild his city as well as tour throughout Europe and the U.S. and appears regularly at The Heritage Jazz Festival every year in New Orleans. This year he is scheduled to appear on Saturday May 7^th, 2011. 

His first solo album in the last decade, THE BRIGHT MISSISSIPPI was nominated for the 2010 Grammy’s as the Best Jazz Instrumental Album.  The majority of his recognition has been for his performance in the background as producer, arranger and writer. The nomination for this album was well deserved because it is creative, yet brings the entertaining New Orleans sound to our attention, and still remains funky, and uplifting. An excellent rendition of the sound he helped make famous.

In the 60’s when Allen began publishing his songs he used the pseudonym of Naomi Neville. Neville was his mother’s maiden name, no relation to the Neville brothers. Here are some you may recognize:

Fortune Teller – A Certain Girl – Pain In My Heart – Work Work Work – Ride Your Pony – Lover of Love – It’s Raining – Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) – How Could I Help But Love You – Waiting At The Station.  His songs have been recorded by numerous artists from various genres.

Allen’s songs crossed over before that phrase was coined. Here are few you may know published under his own name:

Working In The Coal Mine, Ruler of My Heart, I Like It Like That, Mother-In-Law, Sneakin’ Sally Thru The Alley, Yes We Can Can( The Pointer Sisters), Southern Nights (Glen Campbell), Java (Al Hirt) Whipped Cream (Herb Alpert, the Dating Game Theme), All These Things, and many more.

Artists that have recorded his songs: The Pointer Sisters, Boz Scaggs, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Manhattan Transfer, Ringo Star, Gladys Knight and The Pips, B.J. Thomas, Little Feat, Three Dog Night, Jose’ Feliciano, Robert Palmer, Johnny Winter, The Judd’s, Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, Nora Jones, Christina Agularia, Elvis Costello, Eric Clapton and a copious array of collaborations with so many recognizable artists of today and yesterday.

He is truly one of the greats and a man to be remembered for his contributions to music, as a composer, a producer, arranger, and particularly the spirit of New Orleans sound which will never die.

http://www.allentoussaint.com/

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ALEXANDER EBERT: SINGER/SONGWRITER

LENNY KRAVITZ: SINGER/SONGWRITER

Lenny Kravitz:  Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Just released February 20, 2011, Lenny Kravitz new single:  “Come On Get It”.  The song was featured at the NBA 2011 All Star Game. It is the first single from his new Album BLACK and WHITE AMERICA due out summer 2011. This will be his 9^th studio album, and rockin’ Lenny is back!  His vocals are strong, it is a catchy number that will have people up on their feet singing and dancing, especially at sporting events. It fits the venue.

Kravitz is a 7 time Grammy nominee, with 4 wins, and has various other notable awards in his career. He started out playing the guitar and drums at a very young age and by the age of 5 he knew he wanted to be a musician. Born in New York City to actress Roxie Roker, and his dad, Sy Kravitz an NBC television producer, his family moved to LA when he was about 7 yrs. old, because his mother accepted a role in the recurring TV series THE JEFFERSON'S. In LA is where Lenny first heard and listened to rock music, and when he was accepted into the Beverly Hills High School well respected music program, that was it.  He knew he was going to be a musician and had his mind set on becoming a session musician. 

When Lenny graduated from High School, he convinced his dad to hand over the money that would go to his college fund, for his first demo and he began his recording career, as Romeo Blue. 

His first album out 1989 LET LOVE RULE was moderately received in the US, but it was a big hit in Europe.  Kravitz essentially played all the instruments on the album, so when the album took off he had to come up with band members in a hurry to go on tour to promote the album. His career has been a long a winding road, and after 20+ years in the industry the list of his accomplishments in music is a mile long, for this hard working musician.

What you may not know about Lenny Kravitz:  He developed his singing voice as a young lad with the California Boys Choir and the Metropolitan Opera. The multi-talented musician plays the guitar, he taught himself to play the piano, the drums, sitar, and synthesizer. Lenny is also an actor, appearing in the movie “Precious”, and various cameo appearances, and has been doing commercials since he was a young man.  He produced the song “Justify My Love”, for Madonna,and wrote “Line Up” for Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler, plus many collaborations and associations with top artist producing and writing music, as well as performing with, and touring with big names in the industry.

Lenny is also known as an interior designer, and a clothing designer. He once said if he was not a musician he would have been a full-time designer. He seems to manage both careers.   http://www.kravitzdesign.com/# .   He designs commercial and residential interiors and his concepts are elegant user friendly gathering places. He has even designed a Swarovski light fixture titled Casino Royale. Google Swarovski, Casino Royale to view the luxury chandelier.

With much anticipation the BLACK & WHITE IN AMERICA album will be out this summer, and if the single is any indication what the vibration will be on this album  we are probably in for a treat from the soulful rockin’roller.  

http://www.lenny-kravitz.com/

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