Holly Golightly: Walk A Mile In My Shoes

It is becoming very obvious to me as my little video Holly Golightly Blues is approaching 2000 hits, that it is not because of my great song writing, or the outstanding arrangement and vocals, or because the video features a lot of great pictures of Audrey Hepburn, but because a band in England called Holly Golightly, that sort of plays the blues, is very popular, and most of my hits are from people trying to find their videos. Oh-well, hopefully, they will like what they hear:-) Here is Holly Golightly and one of their hip, cool, songs! Enjoy!

Eric Burdan And War April 21st 2008 ONE NIGHT ONLY

Just received this press release about a big reunion show of Eric Burdon and War. They teamed up briefly in the early 70s. I would debate the idea that Burdon was one of the great blues singers, but certainly he is one of the best of the BRITISH blues singer.

For immediate release (London, England) -

Eric Burdon & WAR will reform for the first time in 37 years to play a concert at the London Royal Albert Hall on Monday 21st April 2008. This is
a one-time only reunion concert, and the first time since they originally disbanded in 1971. Tickets for this prestigious event will go on sale on
14th February at 9am GMT. Ticket Hotline: 0844 576 5483, Book Online: www.livenation.co.uk.

Click here for the official online announcement - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/live_nation/war.htm

Originally the front man of the Animals, Eric Burdon is considered to be one of the greatest blues singers in the world. His contribution to music is
immense. By joining forces with WAR; the most popular funk groups of the 70's, this one-time-only concert is one of the hottest tickets of 2008.

With a distinctive sound that captured the heart and soul of 1970's America, Los Angeles based WAR played the music that made people dance and think.
Their 1970 album 'Eric Burdon Declares WAR' included two No. 1 worldwide hits - 'Spill The Wine' and 'Tobacco Road'. The second album, 'The
Black-Man's Burdon' featured the hits 'They Can't Take Away Our Music' and a cover of the Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black'.

The Royal Albert Hall concert coincides with a major reissue campaign that will see Rhino Records release the band's first two 1970 albums - 'Eric
Burdon Declares WAR' and 'The Black-Man's Burdon' on Monday 24th March. The reissue campaign will end on 14th April with the release of 'The Best of
Eric Burdon & WAR' and 'The WAR Anthology'.

Photo Credit for attached photo (c) Tom Hanley / Redferns.com.

UK Press Office / Further Information -

Tracy Gosling and Peter Noble at Peter Noble PR Consultants Ltd: Tel: 0207
272 7772, Email: tracy@noblepr.co.uk, peter@noblepr.co.uk. Noble PR Ltd,
Central Ignition, 1 Mercers Mews, London, England, N219 4PL

Back Door Slam: Aint No City

This kid is the real deal! Nice video of Back Door Slam featuring Davey Knowles on Guitar.

British Blues Trio Back Door Slam

I know better, than to be snarky about young British bands after Blues and Snake! Who would think that they would be so sensitive:-) I found this article in the Boston Herald about Back Door Slam that features a young guitarist named Davey Knowles. I don't know if he is the second coming of Hendrix/Stevie Ray, but he does have some good press. To read about him and his band Click HERE.

Blues At Northampton University England

I found an interesting press release about the University of Northampton's blues week. From August 5th through the 10th. I like the idea of an University having a blues week, or concert series. It is great for the music. For More Information Click HERE. The players who will perform next week from PressZoom.com

• Michael Baytop - 'Bones'

Hailing from Washington DC, Michael plays the 'bones' as a percussion instrument to sound like castanets and tap drums. He will be giving a 'bones' workshop, demonstrating rhythm techniques associated with various blues styles. He learned this instrument from Richard 'Mr Bones' Thomas, a master craftsman and regular fixture on the Washington DC music scene.

• Danny McCormack - Keyboards

Danny will be accompanying vocals classes on keyboards throughout Blues Week 2007. Currently playing with Roy Wood, Danny was born in London and now based in Birmingham. He started playing piano aged 12 and at 17, he joined King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys. He has also played with Van Morrison and Bobby Parker amongst others.

• Stefan Grossman - Guitar

Stefan has recorded over 20 solo albums and started Kicking Mule Records in 1968, a label that showcased blues guitar. A true pioneer, his Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop and Vestapol Videos have set the standard for all of the teaching that takes place in blues workshops throughout the world.

• Ari Eisinger - Guitar

A guitarist and singer who plays blues from the early years of its development. The authenticity with which he recreates some of the best and instrumentally complex guitar music is unprecedented.

• Grant Dermody - Harmonica

A harmonica player known for his rich tone, tasteful solos and solid rhythmic playing, Grant Dermody is making a welcome return to Blues Week 2007 after his successful workshops last year.

• Dennis Gruenling - Harmonica

Dennis has been laying down some of the best blues and roots harmonica in the East Coast of America region for over a dozen years now. Dennis has been pulling in countless fans and numerous accolades from critics and musicians for his swinging, highly original harmonica sound and top-notch band.

• Michael Messer - Bottleneck Slide Guitar

Michael Messer is a slide guitar master. His obsessive appetite for knowledge of the art is virtually unequalled. To further reflect the esteem in which he is held, Newtone Strings in conjunction with National Reso-phonic Guitars have a Michael Messer brand specifically made for National guitars.

• Scott Ainsley - Bottleneck Slide Guitar

Scott has forty years studying and playing traditional music, visiting and documenting senior musicians in America's old-time banjo and fiddle music, blues and gospel traditions. He produced a teaching DVD on the guitar techniques of delta blues legend Robert Johnson, and a book on Johnson's music 'Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads' ( Hal Leonard, 1992 ).

Michael Roach, Founder of the European Blues Association and Director of Blues Week 2007, also hosts his own guitar and vocals masterclasses at the event. Firmly established within blues music circles, he has four solo acoustic CDs under his belt and has just released the highly acclaimed album I betcha!.

He is now known as a vocalist and leader of his own eight piece soul/rhythm and blues band.

Charlie Musselwhite Says Hey, Hey, The Blues Are Alright

Nice article about Charlie Musselwhite and his take on the current blues scene. I really liked what he had to say about Chicago in the early 60s. Charlie was part of a group of young white musicians who would go to the blues clubs on the south side of Chicago. That group would include Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musslwhite, and of course Des Moines own Chicago Rick Lussie. It is true that as the 60s grew on fewer, and fewer, young African Americans listened to the blues. Soul, Motown, and later Funk and Disco, drove many young urban African Americans away from the blues. In many ways Blues was a lot like Country music. Its popularity among younger African Americans was by the 60s and 70s mostly in the rural deep south. Also I think it is important to note that many people assume that the British saved the blues in the 60s. However, if you look at the number of American artists like Bloomfield, Butterfield, Musselwhite, Steve Kats, Al Kooper, and others. Plus, bands that played on the edges of blues, like the Doors, Janis Joplin, Jimmi Hendrix, The Greatful Dead, ETC, then the argument that the British saved the blues makes about as much sense as the argument that the French saved Jazz, and trust me they really think they saved jazz!!!