Joe Bonamassa-Guitar Man

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EXPERIENCE THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF TOP-SELLING BLUES GUITARIST

JOE BONAMASSA

GUITAR MAN

ON VIDEO-ON-DEMAND AND DIGITAL DECEMBER 8, 2020

Discover the extraordinary story of legendary bluesman Joe Bonamassa in the inspirational documentary GUITAR MAN, arriving on Video-On-Demand and for Digital purchase December 8, 2020 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Watch the trailer here: https://joeb.me/GuitarManTrailer

On the surface, this may appear the perfect package for the average Joe, who subscribes to being a Bonamassa acolyte, gathering up the numerous albums and DVD’s that flow like the proverbial Amazon, from the Bonamassa machine. Its true that it will serve that purpose admirably, a sort of snapshot of the early years of a child protigy, who exceeds all expectations, and crosses the Rubicon, where so many others have sunk without trace, and slowly burns a path like a rainforest fire.

I reality, this DVD affords a fascinating insight into Joe and his alto ego stage self, a renowned agency who literally gambled everything, a cluster bomb of world leading musicians, and the huge presence of “master alchemist”, Kevin Shirley. Its possible Jo Bo would have still received recognition as the outstanding guitarist of the last decade or so, but if all those elements had not come together, would that fantastic fusion have happened? Watch the video and decide yourself, but I would argue, Blues would not have the standing today, without that fusion. I do not subscribe however to Mr Shirley’s opening comments that this is a genre which Joe created, that seeding proves unquestionably that the music is heavily rooted in the British 60’s scene, with a side crop of more worldly cultivations.

You join Joe, about to don his super hero costume back stage, crisp shirt, dark suit, the sunglasses slip on, Bonamassa steps on stage, completely in ‘the zone’, just as easily as when finished, slips back into his jeans and T, grabs his bag, and slips through the audience unnoticed.

We roll back to his early years, roots from emigrate Italian musicians, blowing their own horn, his father picking a different course, tuning in to Chicago Blues. By the time Joe is 11 he has already met and played with BB King. There are the inevitable cut outs with comments from those Blues giants, little black and white gems, segued into the film.

Ponder on TV exposure of an ordinary school kid by day, and a child star by night, the courting calls of big agencies and record labels;

Uncover the all important efforts and guidance of Bonamassa’s life long Agent Roy Weisman, who’s faith in Bonamassa, all but broke the agency, before they found that ‘sweet spot’.

The planets aligning, as Joe and Shirley’s paths converge, truly a ‘world changing’ event, as you will uncover.

Add the out takes from some of Joe’s fellow musicians, their comments on working within in this great confluence, and don’t overlook the fascinating insights into world music, where the only common language is that music.

All this is unveiled across the backdrop of footage from concerts across the continents, jamming and working in studios, whether in Vegas, London or on an idyllic Santorini, Greece, along with Bonamassa realising his lifelong ambition, playing The Royal Albert Hall.

Look out for the string shredding cellist Tina Guo, on stage with Joe at New York’s Carnegie Hall, absolutely electrifying, leaving you wanting more.

One thing I would not dream of disputing, is Kevin Shirley’s view, that Joe Bonamassa is the No1 billboard topping blues artist of all time. Personally I’ve enjoyed much of his prolific catalogue on offer today, whether in Blues, rock, acoustic or world mode, as well as projects like Black Country Communion, and his work with Beth hart. Is this a DVD for the Bonamassa nerd? undoubtedly yes, but it goes further, you have a revealing insight into his honesty, the emotions that have driven him, and the whole damn machine that is Joe Bonamassa live, maybe not fly on the wall, its a slick well produced package, don’t let that deter you. Take a look at the Jo Bo phenomenon, whilst he’s chilling out in his LA home, ‘Nerdsville’!

Available to watch now on; https://paramnt.us/GuitarManSite

Also other available on most platforms including, to rent on Prime, or buy, on Amazon

https://jbonamassa.com/


Words Graham Munn

Ghalia Volt-One Woman Band

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Ghalia Volt, One Woman Band available Jan 29th on Ruf label

Mention Belgium, and what comes to mind is the European Parliament, Beer and Chocolate, not necessarily in that order, depending on your preferences. Well now I will prick your memory along with that balloon, back in 2019, Mississippi Blend, floated our way, launched by Ghalia Volt from said Belgium, on the Ruf label. Ghalia is back, having lost extensive touring to Covid closures. She has now released One Woman Band, again on Ruf. An 11 track album, performed acoustically by Ghalia, on guitar, slide, cigar box, and percussion, having perfected her one woman show touring the Southern States last summer.

Dirty guitar, and rattling drum rhythm unwraps, ‘Last Minute Packer’, and life in the fast lane, dipping in and out of Motel rooms, just a bag in hand, every day an adventure.  ‘Espiritu Papago’, is a slide drenched ride across the Arizona dessert, Chevy broken, no water, Ghalia calls on the Indian spirits and conjures up a far away train in the parched land.

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(photo Kaelen Barowsky)

Electric guitar, brings a deep and delicious groove, with shades of Peyroux in Volt’s delivery, revealing, ‘Evil Thoughts’, going around her head. Another dirty, but tasty blues vibe carries a lovely, ‘Reap What You Sow’, spiced with cracked pepper lyrics and savage slide cutting in. ‘Loving Me Baby Is A Full Time Job’, breaks out from its stark opening, to a galloping ragas romp, driven by Volt’s fast pedalling feet.

A wonderful, Elmore James, ‘It Hurts Me Too’, slowly throbs under Ghalia’s emotional fractured vocals, bringing stark reality into this well worn classic.

“it ain’t good, it ain’t bad, if it ain’t bad, that’s pretty good, a simple little message draped across a pulsating guitar framework, with the odd cymbal crash, ‘It Ain’t Bad’, is pretty good! Those cymbal strikes punctuate the cutting ragged edged slide, as, ‘Bad Apple’ gets down and dirty, nobody wants to know a bad apple, but we all know one. The Volt’age gets wicked up for a foot stomping, hip swaying, groove of, ‘Just One More Time’.

Recorded in Memphis in November, this album is raw edged, and stark, with fractured vocals, and imperfections, its also lovely stripped down Delta Blues, and very, very real. Recording is in real time, no multi-tracking, and is an absolute delight to listen to in these endlessly testing times. An unhesitating recommendation for an electrifying Volt, to Blues lovers everywhere.

OK, Ghalia was drawn to the bedrock of blues in the Southern States, and is now based in New Orleans, but she is still from Belgium! If/when we see Live music again, Ghalia Volt is lined up for the Ruf’s Blues Caravan tour, fingers crossed.

Available on Ruf Records, from January29thhttp://wordpress.rufrecords.de/en/ghalia-e/

https://www.ghaliavolt.com/


Words Graham Munn

Fried Okra-Doing It Right

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Fried Okra, ‘Doing It Right’

Think Of Denmark, and what comes to mind is Carlesberg, Bacon, Ryebread, Pastries, and a few episodes of Borgen on TV, so here is a little something to spice things up, and yes you can eat it, but not in this form.

The accolade of Danish Blues Challenge winners, and Runners Up in the European awards, is a clear indication of the quality of this Scandinavian band, Fried Okra, and this album Doing it Right, is demonstrable proof of that standing. Fronted by guitarist and singer Morten Lunn, he is also instrumental in writing the Hooker, Burnside and Kimbrough inspired songs. Drummer Thomas Crawfurd is credited with 2 songs and one is a conspiracy of Lunn and Laust Nielson. Anders Wallin adds bass and backing vocals, in all this is one very tasty concoction.

https://www.facebook.com/friedokraband/videos/667048047236519/

The 10 track album opens with retrospective insight in, ‘Your Doing It Right’, a sort of I Did It My Way for the modern world. A song that grabs attention, and proves a portent to the whole damn recording, with Crawfurd setting it up with a foot tapping drum intro, before Lunn relates his tale of growing up, over some delicious licks.

In an album stuffed full of gorgeous blues songs, ‘Copenhagen Fast Train’, is an unmissable ride, with lyrics that bring Warren Zevon to my mind. An easy rolling lick that tells the story of lost souls, looking to find their way in the city. The momentum picks up as the train hurries on, its going to fast-track straight into your head, simply superb.

https://www.facebook.com/friedokraband/videos/194426598570021/

Coming hard on its heels is another fabulous song in, ‘Tupelo Bound’, pulsating rhythms underpin the lyric rich song, which also manages to squeeze in some excellent guitar leads into the journey.

Sliding nicely into an acoustically triggered, ‘Shove It’, picks up the drum and bass, for this cheeky cluster of stories, mosques, sandwich shops, and young mothers, tell Morten where he should best shove it, before finding his way home to his woman, the rest you can fill in yourself! Time to slip into the comforting dreamscape of Crawfurds, ‘Deep Water’, but his thoughts can only leads to serious trouble.

Dirty slide riffs, insistent rhythm, and the all essential blues lament, of a woman who wants satisfaction from her overworked man, ‘I Been Working’, is thoroughly caked in Mississippi mud.

In truth, I could pull out any song on this album, and find absolute pleasure in it, its a complete package of brilliant blues, but I tried and,‘I Tried In Vain’, not to go a bit further, with this dirty slide driven song, fated to only ever manage to come in second, but I couldn’t resist it. Unhesitatingly recommended to all who like beautifully crafted, lyrically rich, blues songs, slide, rather than rock, heavy, Fried Okra have delivered a delicious spicy offering straight out the pan they’re certainly Doing It Right. I was almost tempted to say these boys are bringing home the bacon, a meal cooked up that none can resist, but being a long haul veggie, I couldn’t possibly concede that!  

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Tracklisting:
1. You’re Doing It Right
2. As Long As I Remember
3. Copenhagen Fast Track
4. Tupelo Bound
5. Shove It
6. Deep Water
7. I Tried In Vain
8. I Don’t Wanna Go
9. I Been Working
10. I Don’t Know

Morten Lunn – Guitars, diddley bow and vocals; Thomas Crawfurd – Drums, percussion and background vocals; Anders Wallin – Bass, fiddle, guitar and background vocals. Rune Højmark – Lap Steel; Emil Balsgaard – Organ; Produced by Fried Okra.  

Available to order direct at http://www.friedokraband.dk/ but also is readily available on all the usual platforms. Distributed By Gateway Records


Words Graham Munn

The Lutras-Give It All Up For Christmas

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This year, more than any other, the good, the bad and the plain ugly of the music world have spent the past couple of months readying an arsenal of festive ‘goodies’, in an attempt to give the world some much needed cheer. As always there’s hordes of covers and uninspired Christmas pop anthems doing the rounds, but do a little digging and there are a few little gems among the clutter.

One such beauty comes courtesy of Scottish rockers, The Lutras, who together with a cast of over forty musicians and artists (including Edinburgh’s Phoenix Choir) have united to record a corker of charity Christmas single in aid of both the Music Venues Trust and Shelter.

Give It All Up For Christmas opens with orchestral horns and the aforementioned choir before shaking sleigh bells and an acoustic strum introduces the Dumfries quartet. Following a lifting first chorus, the band crank things up a little, adding a bit swagger and soaring soul harmonies to an already swollen sound of horns and choral vocals, giving the proceedings an intoxicating community feel. By the time The Lutras throw in a few handclaps, you’ll already be singing and stomping along to this feel good anthem..

Now I’m sure there’s a great many of us out there who aren’t feeling particularly festive right now, with the shadow of Covid lingering overhead and Brexit just around the corner, however The Lutras have provided the perfect antidote to those winter blues (be it for a few minutes), as one spin of Give It All Up For Christmas will have you rocking around the Christmas tree!!

http://lnk.to/lutrasxmas

The Last Morrell releases DIY animation for ‘Picking At Stitches’

New EP ‘Sarcasm’ out now

 “I love it, absolutely love it!” Jessie Ware, Radio 1

Not very often do we see an artist create their own music video in quite the way The Last Morrell has done with his upcoming animated video for Picking at Stitches, the second single from his debut EP, ‘Sarcasm’. During the first period of lockdown this year The Last Morrell turned a lifelong fascination with animated music videos into a pursuit of his own. 6 months later the artist has built a set, a character and created a series of 5,000 individual photographs that when played together, tell a story of coping with depression as beautifully as one could ever imagine seeing.

The song itself is a tip of the hat to The Last Morrell’s younger self as he explains, “I wanted to address some feelings I’d had as a teenager and even as a young man that I’d never quite been able to process and put into words until recently. Growing up is really hard and school can make or break a person. Picking at Stitches is about opening old wounds and forcing yourself to confront how your worst experiences have shaped you as a person, it’s therapy. And the video accompanies it beautifully I think, most of us can relate to those days where you feel unable to even leave the house. I kind of hope this video will make people cry, sort of.”

The song starts with a lonely piano and The Last Morrell’s unmistakable voice, painting a picture of a teenager alone in his room watching the time fly by. We are led to a chorus with soaring falsetto and a deep rumbling bass, synths murmur underneath whilst The Last Morrell confronts an inability to face the outside world. The middle 8 is where this song really takes off, we climb upwards with The Last Morrell, here a hint of the promised sarcasm pokes through though it doesn’t for a second disturb the grandeur and boldness that the music delivers. It’s a brave piece of music, poignant and visually compelling with all of the usual components The Last Morrell is becoming known for; vintage synthesisers, powerful vocals and piano playing with cinematic arrangements.

And with regards to learning to animate The Last Morrell has this to say; “It takes an excruciating amount of patience to do stop motion animation but I learnt so much from Youtube and I was very lucky to have a friend who could lend me a very expensive camera for the whole process. It’s definitely a labour of love to say the least but I have a profound admiration for anyone who can do this professionally”.

https://www.instagram.com/thelastmorrell/

Jessica Wilde celebrates the power of a woman’s body on new single ‘Play God’

Out November 27th

South London’s Jessica Wilde continues to grow into her skin as a beautiful young woman with a gifted voice and impressive songwriting skills. Never more so than here on ‘Play God’, which is Wilde’s next single, produced by and featuring vocals from Charlie J Perry, who has produced for the likes of Jorja Smith, Maverick Sabre and BTS and on ‘Play God’ also brings an electric chemistry and warmth which seems to ignite both vocals.

The track takes a new stylistic direction from Jessica’s last project. ‘Play God’ combines hip-hop and psychedelic soul; atmospheric sounds reminiscent of 90’s artists such as Massive Attack but with a fresh twist. The concept explores sexuality and celebrates the power of a woman’s body. Jessica and Charlie’s sensual, soulful vocals draw you in and take you on a journey which leads to an epic explosion of drum and bass.

Jessica expresses, “Play God came from that deep pulsing feeling of owning my woman power, like thunder”.

Jessica Wilde’s sound is a melting pot of diverse textures from her multicultural upbringing; brought up on her St Helenian mother’s obsession with jazz and soul, Jessica brings the energy of today’s London culture and music scenes while never fearing to inflect with the golden sounds she was raised on. Now firmly established as a singer songwriter, signing her deal with major publisher SONY ATV. Wilde has worked with artists from Ghetts to Tough Love. Her self-penned track ‘Strangers Love’ was released by renowned Korean k-pop label SM Entertainment and her co-write with Rudimental, ‘More Than Anything’ featured vocals from Emeli Sande and featured on their album.

Jessica’s last project saw her wind up in LA writing at Ne-Yo’s Hollywood studio, with producer Kizzo. The project gained her support from BBC Radio1xtra and a ‘Record of the week’. This led to a mini tour, and a massive final show on the main stage of Bospop Festival (Netherlands), opening for Nile Rodgers.

Jessica is truly coming into her own as she declares to us all on ‘Play God’, “I’m a woman”. Be sure to check out the forthcoming video and some great naked forest visuals which she shared on insta, in which she encourages women to love and own their body in its natural beauty.

‘Play God’ is released on November 27th 2020.

For more information visit

https://www.instagram.com/iamjessicawilde/

Healthy Junkies video for release catchy shard of politicized rock ‘Tricky Situation’.

Third single from new album ‘Forever on the Road pt.1’, out now on Banana Castle.

‘Forever on the Road pt.2’ to be released on 11th December.

 

Launch show 22nd Dec at The Amersham Arms, New Cross.

 

Healthy Junkies are everything that epitomizes the indie punk spirit - driven, authentic, and capable of causing a riot at any moment. Following the release of their new album ‘Forever on the Road pt.1’, the band are back with a new single from the record in the form of infectious full on garage rock onslaught ‘Tricky Situation’, as they prepare to release ‘Forever on the Road pt.2 on 11th Dec.

As a band that have toured relentlessly since their formation in 2011, until the global lockdown of 2020, they came into their new music still firmly locked in the groove. On the new single, guitarist Phil Honey Jones explains, “the lyrics take on a variety of tricky situations including ‘getting lost in translation’, ‘a bloody revolution’ and problems with ‘The U.S immigration’. The Brexit fiasco is referenced with ‘No deal, no good’ and ‘Off with her head’ being symbolic of course.”

The new double album was made during the aforementioned period of quarantine and have reflections of recent tours and life beyond the road. It offers a compelling record more akin to chapters of a thrilling novel rather than bubblegum throwaway rock n pop. Lead singer Nina Courson shines throughout with her Parisian drawl inflecting the Junkies’ brand of rock n roll with tones of 60s femme fatales Nico and Brigitte Bardot.

This group of runaways from Paris and Greater London united together to write songs and feed their passion for music as a life-saving exercise after narrowly escaping a youth filled by gangsters, abuse and the like. Phil Honey-Jones is Nina’s writing partner and plays guitars and sings on many tracks too. Their bond was firmly formed almost a decade ago through music as a form of healing self-expression, creating their own world within a world, turning their personal horrors into sonic beauty, and out of the bizarre madness of the global pandemic have conjured a record sure to catapult them to the larger stages of next year’s major festivals. The band also feature bass player Dave Whitmore from Maidenhead, Berks who provides that extra bit of madness and creativity needed to cement their destinies together and jettison them on the journey that brought them to the recording of ‘Forever On The Road’ parts 1 & 2. The drums on the albums were provided by an anonymous American drummer during lockdown and mixed by Phil at home. This was the only way the album could be created during these restricted times.

With the double album they have further pushed the boundaries of genre using hip hop beats, piano and string arrangements, horror film style soundtracks and even reggae alongside goth, punk and grunge. The album is the soundtrack to their USA tour of autumn 2018.

Healthy Junkies also bring similar people together and have been running a monthly London night called Punk & Roll Rendezvous for nine years, which includes an annual free three day festival with 25+ bands. The event has always been held at the Unicorn pub in Camden but due to Covid-19 the band are running the festival online this year. The fanbase for this band as well as their Punk & Roll night keep growing as they continue to popularize a community spirit, the sharing of ideas, giving artists an opportunity to perform and somewhere to hang out. This cast of misfits have built a beautiful tribe of punks and rockers and look set to expand their loyal devotees as they continue to hit their stride.

Healthy Junkies are known to the niche college and punk scenes across UK, Europe and US and have enjoyed coverage and airplay from KEXP to KROQ to BBC London and BBC Jersey, Tom Robinson’s fresh on the net on 3 separate occasions to ARTE TV, BT Sport (for the televised champions league) and magazines like Big Cheese, Vive Le Rock, louder than war and Big Takeover in the USA. 

Find out more at: www.instagram.com/healthy­_junkies/

Bedroom producer KAKY drops pumping new tune ‘Lundi Matin’

Out now on RCA / Sony France

They are many ways for an artist to announce his signing with Sony Music and Kaky has found one of a kind: creating a Sony Music track. For Kaky though, this means paying attention to the sounds of the label’s (obviously inspiring) Parisian office, recording it, and turning it into a pop tune for the latest episode of his Youtube BTS series Kakysound: https://youtu.be/0IWwJGDBZEo

No one usually cares about the creaking of a door, nor the noise of a wheel, however, Kaky does. This bedroom producer extraordinaire is a dreamer who pays close attention to the tiny things in life. A production technic transformed into a content concept with his visual ‘Kakysound’ series.

Following signing with RCA / SONY France, Kaky has now dropped his first single on the label, ‘Lundi Matin’, which is an ultra-exciting pumping electronic track infused with Kaky’s trademark unique samples. The track hits hard with warped Latin flavours and a dance-floor ready beat that returns again again, Kaky’s raps weaving creatively over top. The new track also originated from Kaky’s Kakysound series. See the episode here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwP1_lhIJxg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Nobody likes Monday mornings (“Lundi Matin”). In this new track made out of glass sounds, Kaky depicts his morning routine as an endless journey of painful mornings in the Parisian metro: a child constantly crying, an old women starring at him, a smelly guy… this up-tempo track is released together with a good-vibes music video!

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/b-Rs3uaCubU

Find out more at: https://www.instagram.com/kaky.mp3/             

JSA release new track

‘Orange Juice’

Stream: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

Taken from the new EP 'Fool’s Empire’
Out Now

     
Five-piece alt-indie band from South London, JSA have released a catchy new track from their latest EP 'Fool's Empire’, out now via Undead Collective Records.
     
Vocalist David Marley says of the new track 'Orange Juice’, “I clearly remember stepping out of rehearsal, sitting outside our practice space, and structuring this song with the guys." The track was later recorded in guitarist Alan Smith’s bedroom.  
     
"The lyrics to this song tell a clear story. People come and go in your life that   have different effects on you, and that is the message behind it,” adds David.
     
 'Orange Juice’ is the final track to be released from the band’s new  3-track EP 'Fools Empire’, following the release of 'Down & Out’ and the title-track. Check out the full EP here.
     
     CONNECT WITH JSA:
     Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 
     
     JSA ARE:
     David Marley (Lead vocals)
     Alan Smith (Guitar, vocals)
     Joe Blackford (Guitar, vocals)
     Tom Carnell (Bass)
     Kevin Smith (Drums)

James Burt releases debut indie pop gem ‘Dance In The Rain’

Out December 3rd on Confetti

 

James Burt has been writing songs all his life. This winter marks a steady ascent from passionate fan to musician and songwriter to music college student to reaching the precipice of a huge career in pop.

James was selected from dozens of extremely talented peers to be fully supported by all the means available at Nottingham’s Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, who drafted in producer Al Groves (Bring Me The Horizon, Cast) and an array of other experienced music industry expertise to aid the release of his brilliant debut single ‘Dance In The Rain’.

James explains, “The raw emotion and honesty in ‘Dance In The Rain’ was inspired by ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ by Joy Division. I love how brave and confessional Ian Curtis was as a songwriter. More than ever right now, I think people need to hear music that’s real and speaks to the heart. ‘Dance In The Rain’ speaks about the ability we have to embrace the negativity that rains down in life sometimes and how we can choose to dance through the bad times rather than shelter from them. For me, ‘Dance In The Rain’ is all about that one person who helps you stay positive when times are hard. Everyone has that one person or thing that helps you get through the bad times and this song is a celebration of that person or thing. I really want this song to heal anyone struggling to stay positive during a time like coronavirus.”

‘Dance In The Rain’ is accompanied by the equally stunning B-side ‘Something Inside Me’, James explains, “I think this song is one to watch out for and I really hope it gets just as much attention as the main single. This track is an 80’s influenced, melodic pop song that really hits you in the heart. This song is from the perspective of a person that loves someone who doesn’t love them back. Even though this person isn’t loved anymore, there’s this indescribable feeling inside of them that won’t let them walk away from this person. When recording this track, I put my whole being into the performance. When singing, I tried really hard to capture the emotion of someone who has had their heart broken and I’m confident you can hear that emotion when you listen to this track.”

A side ‘Dance In The Rain’ + B side ‘Something Inside Me’ drops on December 3rd and has great videos too for both tracks.

https://www.instagram.com/jamesburtofficial/