Category Archives: Blues
PAUL BRADY-UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Paul Brady-Unfinished Business. Label: Proper Records. When singer-songwriter Paul Brady celebrated his seventieth birthday on the ‘19th’ of May 2017, he was officially one of the elder statesmen of Irish music. He had spent fifty-two years as a professional musician, first with The Kull, then The Johnstons and Planxty. Then in 1976, Paul Brady and …
FREE-VINYL REISSUES 1969-1973.
Free-Vinyl Reissues 1969-1973. Label: UMC. It’s not often that someone get the opportunity to witness history being made. Those that happened to be in the Nag’s Head pub, in Battersea, London on 19 April 1968 saw history being made. They watched as four young men took to the stage for the first time. What some …
SKID ROW-THE CLASSIC YEARS.
Skid Row-The Classic Years. By late 1967, Dublin’s vibrant rock scene was thriving with many newly founded bands playing in universities and clubs around the city. Some were already spreading their wings, and heading further afield taking their music to other parts of the Republic of Ireland. Its music scene had come a long way …
THE LIFE AND TIME OF MICK CLARK, BLUESMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE.
The Life and Time Of Mick Clarke, Bluesman Extraordinaire. Mick Clarke can remember the day that his life was changed was forevermore. He was nine years old, and living in London, England. That was when he heard the blues for the first time. It was a life changing experience for Mick Clarke. Since that day, …
ZEPHYR-ONE OF THE BEST BANDS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD.
Zephyr-One Of The Best Bands You’ve Never Heard. Like many bands who don’t reach the heights that their music deserves, the story of Zephyr is one of what might have been. They released a trio of albums between 1969 and 1972, which nowadays, have a cult following including Zephyr, Back To Colorado and Sunset Ride. These two …
Sam Gleaves and Tyler Hughes-Sam Gleaves and Tyler Hughes.
Sam Gleaves and Tyler Hughes-Sam Gleaves and Tyler Hughes. Label: Community Music Records. When Sam Gleaves and Tyler Hughes first met at a party in West Virginia, it was rather fitting that music filled the room. As they started to talk, the two men realised just how much had in common. They had a similar …
STEVE YOUNG-SEVEN BRIDGES ROAD: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS.
Steve Young-Seven Bridges Road: The Complete Recordings. Ace Records. Over the last fifty years, there have been numerous examples of truly talented and gifted artists music whose music has been overlooked during their lifetime, This ranges from Nick Drake and Gram Parsons and to some extent, Tim Buckley. It’s only in death that their music …
THE YOUNGBLOODS-ROCK FESTIVAL, RIDE THE WIND AND GOOD AND DUSTY.
The Youngbloods-Rock Festival, Ride The Wind and Good and Dusty. BGO Records. As the sixties gave way to the seventies, The Youngbloods had been together since 1965, and had already released three albums since they signed to RCA Victor in 1966. The albums found favour with critics, and were released to widespread critical acclaim. Despite …
THE CLARENCE DANIELS ORCHESTRA FEATURING OBIE JESSIE AND SANDY MILLER-HARD WORKIN’.
The Clarence Daniels Orchestra featuring Obie Jessie and Sandy Miller-Hard Workin’. Ace Records. By the sixties, big bands were no longer as popular as they had once been. That was no surprise as music had changed beyond recognition. Bands like The Beatles, and the British Invasion groups in 1964 were game-changers for the big band leaders. …
ROY BUCHANAN-LOADING ZONE AND YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
Roy Buchanan-Loading Zone and You’re Not Alone. In 1977, Roy Buchanan was thirty-eight, and about to record his second album for Atlantic Records, Loading Zone. Roy Buchanan had been paired with Stanley Clarke, the classically trained pioneer of fusion. Roy Buchanan and Stanley Clarke looked like an unlikely partnership, but one that ultimately got results. Proof of …
THE ANIMALS’ SIXTIES’ HEYDAY.
The Animals’ Sixties’ Heyday. A lot can happen to a band in just five years. The Animals were proof of this. They released their eponymous debut album in September 1964, and over the next few years, became one of the biggest British Invasion bands. However, by 1969, The Animals’ story was over. By then, the seven separate …
JUNIOR PARKER-LIKE IT IS AND HONEY-DRIPPIN’ BLUES.
Junior Parker-Like It Is and Honey-Drippin’ Blues. After spending twelve productive and successful years at Duke Records, thirty-four year old Memphis bluesman Junior Parker parted company with the label in 1966. By then, Junior Parker had released thirty-five singles and one album for Duke Records. While ten of these singles went on to become hits, …
ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC! THE SONGS OF CHUCK BERRY.
Rock and Roll Music! The Songs Of Chuck Berry. For the latest instalment in Ace Records’ long running and successful Songwriter series, the spotlight was shawn on the man regarded by many as the Poet Laureate of Rock n Roll, Chuck Berry. He celebrated his ninetieth birthday on October ‘18th’ 2016. This was a major …
SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS-THE PLANET SESSIONS.
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins-The Planet Sessions. Inimitable and unique describe the late Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. He was one of the great musical showmen, whose performances were designed to leaving a lasting impression. They always succeeded in doing so. As the lights were dimmed,Screamin’ Jay Hawkins would take to the stage wearing flamboyant and sometimes outlandish attire. …
CREAM-BRITAIN’S FIRST SUPERGROUP.
Cream-Britain’s First Supergroup. It was in July 1966, when Britain’s first supergroup, Cream was born. Eric Clapton who was regarded as the greatest British blues guitarist of his generation, was looking beyond life with John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers. That was the group Eric Clapton had joined after his departure from The Yarbirds. By July 1966, Eric …
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