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New Musical Discoveries #3 – Samanatha Martin & Delta Sugar

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It has taken Samantha Martin a little while to find the right musical vehicle for her astonishingly powerful, force-of-nature voice. She has worked within various roots music styles, taking a roots-rock approach with earlier group Samantha Martin and the Haggard. With current group Delta Sugar she has settled upon a soul meets blues meets gospel hybrid in which that voice is the key instrument.

Review from bluesinthenorthwest.com: Toronto based ensemble Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar have quickly been recognized as rising stars in the Canadian roots and blues music scene since the February 17th release of their exceptional recording Send the Nightingale. With extensive airplay and reviews from around the world, critics are hailing Martin as “a voice that comes along once in a generation” (Bob Mersereau) and “raw, urgent lead vocals that invite favorable comparisons to those of Bonnie Tyler.” (Duane Verh, Roots Music Report) Within a few weeks Send the Nightingale was featured on The Alternate Root Top Ten Tracks of the Week, and has reached #3 on the !earshot National Folk/Roots/Blues charts with several positions on » Continue Reading.

Danny Baker Show – Subjects this week

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1. Work Places With Powerful Smells Attached 2. Being Asked Onstage 3. Hollywood Cast Your Family 4. Squeezing Through Tiny Gaps 5. What’s Hit You On The Head? 6. Don’t Talk To Me About Stairs 7. Things You’ve Done Just Once 8. Going In Completely The Wrong Direction 9. You Have No Proof…But This Did Happen 10. Its Possible To Fall Asleep ANYWHERE.

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New Musical Discoveries #2 – Amy Speace

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Well here is the second entry in my new musical discoveries. I heard this lady first on the radio – not sure which station and noted it down for a Spotify search. Amy has a new album, just released, called That Kind Of Girl.

Info from her website:

“What Amy Speace says – what she sings – she says with a confluence of poetry and honesty, of emotional specificity,” writes The New York Times. Speace is one of the most heralded singers and songwriters of her generation, working for the past 10 years under the radar of the mainstream music industry. She began her creative life in NYC in theater, mostly in Shakespeare, mostly in fringe and experimental companies. A lifelong musician, it was a chance meeting with legend Judy Collins that changed the direction of her life when Collins invited her to join her on tour and subsequently recorded her song “The Weight of the World”, calling it “one of the best political folk songs I’ve ever heard”. That song was named as the #4 Folk Song Of The Decade by DJ John Platt of NYC’s WFUV. In 2006, Speace signed to Collins’ Wildflower Records and released her debut » Continue Reading.

New Musical Discoveries #1 – Rebecca Downes

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I thought I would start posting my new musical discoveries on here and hope to see plenty of yours posted too.

I first heard Rebecca Downes on last night Paul Jones’ Blues Show on Radio 2 and have just listened to her 2014 album Back To The Start.

Below is bio info from her website:

Rebecca Downes is fast establishing herself as one of the star attractions amongst the new vanguard of blues performers in the UK, with her unique and powerful voice, drawing influences ranging from Blues and Soul to Jazz and Rock.

Rebecca’s voice and performances have been, quite rightly, likened to such legendary artists as the full on Tina Turner, the bluesy feel of Etta James, and the raw power of Janis Joplin.

Her passion for music comes from a deep belief in the power and authenticity of live music and a love for what she does.

Quote from Brewery Blues Club show organiser John Drummond; ” 5ft 2 in her high heels, but a pocket powerhouse with a voice which makes Janis Joplin sound like a choir girl”

Now she has taken this one stage further and produced an albums worth of original material, largely with » Continue Reading.

Forty 4 – Chorley, Lancashire

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05/03/2015

On Thursday 5th March 2015 “Keeping Live Music Alive” BJ’s Rock In The Blues Club

The Minstrel, Eaves Green Road, Chorley, PR7 3PQ www.facebook.com/themiinstrel 9.15pm Start Free Entry!

LIVE ON STAGE! FORTY 4

The kings of Rhythm & Groove are back in town with their potent mix of evergreens, covers and quality originals. There’s something for everyone in this band and it seems we all see something different in every performance when the band overlaps into different genres including Americana, Roots & Blues.

These guys are a class act who have already made a name for themselves on the circuit taking their name from the classic blues song of the 1920s they are armed and dangerous with some of the best music your ever likely to hear. To use the bands own strap line it’s just “Scary Good Music!” See you all at The Minstrel….

Band Web Site www.forty4music.com

Band line up… Neil Partington – lead vocals/guitar Paul Starkey – lead guitar Glen Lewis – keyboards Bill Price – bass Nicky Lauro – drums

Big Star – The Band That Were So Big But Never Made It

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Just received an e-mail from Universal Music about Big Star – has anyone seen the film?

Contents of e-mail posted below:

Big Star, founded in Memphis by Chris Bell and fronted by rock legend Alex Chilton, was together less than four years and flirted with mainstream success but never quite made it. Nonetheless, they produced a body of work of seminal importance to pop and alternative music, influencing major artists like REM, The Replacements, Elliot Smith, The Flaming Lips and countless others.

The award winning film on Big Star, ‘Nothing Can Hurt Me’, initially shown in UK cinemas in the summer of 2014 is now available on DVD, Blu-Ray and as a deluxe package featuring the band’s first two albums, ‘No.1 Record’ & ‘Radio City’.

“A fine documentary on the classic-rock era’s greatest cult band” – Will Hermes, Rolling Stone

Jazzed Up! – The Vocal Jazz thread

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We have had a couple of super threads going about the men and ladies of soul which got me thinking about other things we could look at. I like some bits of jazz but never find the right stuff to listen too so lets have your choice of vocal jazz with youtube links.

I will try to make a Spotify list out of the selections posted here but may not be able to find all the tracks.

Cheers – Joe

Danny Baker Show – Subjects this week

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1. What You Have Run Away From 2. Peculiar Drs & Dentists Of The World 3. Don’t Talk To Me About Fountains 4. Not The Best Time To Have No Make Up On 5. Unique Modes Of Transport 6. Vending Machine Trouble 7. Caught Not Attending School (or Work) 8. Old Houses That Had A Secret/Rooms With An Atmosphere 9. Things Used To Make A Decision 10. You Were Only Going To Be 5 Minutes

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Grateful Fred’s Newsletter

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The latest news from Grateful Fred…

Hi Fredheads,

March is almost upon us and we’ve got two great concerts coming up.

On Wednesday 4th March at “Grateful Fred’s at The Atkinson” we headline the superb “Woody Pines” from North Carolina, USA.

“They’re the best damn band I’ve ever heard!”

North Carolina hotshots Woody Pines have wowed the crowds on both sides of the Atlantic and after many successful UK and Ireland tours are widely regarded as one of the most entertaining acts on the Americana circuit.

Whenever the next visit is announced, dates are always filled in record time.

Playing with a tight and joyous togetherness that comes from long stints on the road, these three compadres promise once more to deliver what The Scotsman described as “a rollicking and engagingly idiosyncratic” show.

Recently signed by Nashville’s Muddy Roots Records, they will have a brand new album to promote in 2015, produced by Grammy-winner Vance Powell, renowned as one of the best from studio work with the likes of Jack White, » Continue Reading.

Reginald D Hunter’s Songs of the South

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This looks like being a great documentary to watch

In 1997 Reginald D Hunter swapped Georgia for London, in this three-part music documentary series Reg returns to his homeland to explore its rich musical heritage and sample the new South, a world he left behind with mixed feelings. Reg’s adventure is tempered by original and thought-provoking ruminations on the southern issues of race, pride and identity. A beautiful, original and hot evocation of the cradle of American music.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02j93lq

The Boozie Woozie Band – Chorley, Lancashire

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26/02/2015

On Thursday 26th February 2015 “Keeping Live Music Alive” BJ’s Rock In The Blues Club

The Minstrel, Eaves Green Road, Chorley, PR7 3PQ www.facebook.com/themiinstrel

9.15pm Start Free Entry!

LIVE ON STAGE! The Boozie Woozie Band

These guys are simply great entertainment, it’s going to be fun and frolics all the way with head funster and mirth monger Andy Stones leading his merry men into yet another rollicking good time performance at BJ’s with a heady mix of rock & roll standards and just a dash of the blues. Set your controls for the heart of the fun with this outstanding combo and head off down to The Minstrel on Thursday with your best dancing shoes for another night of music & hilarity with The Boozie Woozies!

Band Web Site www.facebook.com/BoozieWoozieBAnd

Band line up… Andy Stones – lead vocals/keyboards Paul Kistner – guitar/backing vocals Horace Dogson – double bass Alan Taylor – drums

ATM Recommendations for a car speaker for Kindle and Iphone

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Hello all,

My car stereo has broke and can’t really afford to get a new one that does what I want right now. I have used my Kindle on the dashboard today and it is fine for driving around town but when on the motorway its just not loud enough to get over the road noise. Can anyone recommend a portable speaker that could be good to use in the car for my Kindle and I-phone.

Cheers – Joe

Danny Baker Show – Discussions for the day

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This is something I started posting over on the Facebook page and received some good comments so thought I would try it hear.

Every Saturday morning Danny Baker gives some ideas for discussion. Today’s are:

1. Stuff That Went Out Of High Windows. 2. Affecting Pop History In A Very Small Way 3. Just As You Said Something – It Happened! 4. Saying The Wrong Name 5. Drawing Attention To Yourself In Quiet Places 6. Pretending Not To Be In 7. Giving Words To Instrumental Songs 8. Really Noisy Animals 9. But You MUSt Remember Me? 10. Pros & Cons Of Your Parents Owning A Shop.

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Shout Sister Shout – The Sister Rosetta Tharpe Story

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BBC 6 Music have repeated this documentary over the last couple of days. Just 2 episodes at 30 minutes each but well worth a listen if you like your blues and gospel. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b038bt1s

One of my favourite Youtube videos is of her performing on Chorlton railway station in Manchester back in 1964 – must have been a great gig to have attended

http://youtu.be/SR2gR6SZC2M

Floored on stage!

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From http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/video-shows-us-rapper-afroman-punching-woman-on-stage-10056787.html

The US rapper and musician Afroman has issued an apology and said he will be checking himself into a clinic for treatment after punching a woman who climbed onto stage during a performance.

Video footage from a performance on Tuesday night at the Kress Live venue in Biloxi, Mississippi, shows the musician on stage, playing his guitar, while a woman – presumably a member of the audience – dances next to him.

The musician then swings at the woman’s head, causing her to fall to the ground, before he continues with his guitar solo.

Reports say that that the Grammy Award-winning musician, whose real name Joseph Foreman, was charged with assault by police. He was then released on a bond of $330.

In the aftermath of the incident, Afroman, 40, best known for a 2001 song I Got High, appeared to respond somewhat casually to the incident. “It is what it is,” he said on social media.

Later, however, the musician appeared to have had more time to reflect. In an interview with the TMZ website, he claimed that he had been heckled by the crowd and was not aware the woman was behind him. He said he » Continue Reading.

Top Albums of 2014 list

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Hello all, I have been asked to post the results of the Afterword Top Album of 2014 list on here. As the site was down at the time we had to do this on Facebook so the number of entries was drastically down on last year but here are the highest entries:

Lost In The Dream War On Drugs 14 Down Where the Spirit Meets The Bone Lucinda Williams 7 Hendra Ben Watt 5 Morning Phase Beck 5 Everyday Robots Damon Albarn 5 Going Back Home Wilko Johnson / Roger Daltrey 4 Atlas Real Estate 4 The Silver Globe Jane Weaver 4 Rave Tapes Mogwai 4 Benji Sun Kill Moon 4 The River And The Thread Rosanne Cash 4 Ryan Adams Ryan Adams 3 Indian Ocean Frazey Ford 3 Endless River Pink Floyd 3 Colfax The Delines 3 Hypnotic Eye Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 3 Sukirae Tweedy 3 Basement Tapes Bob Dylan 3 Singles Future Islands 3 Manipulator Ty Segall 3 It’s Album Time Todd Terje 3 LP1 FKA Twigs 3

http://youtu.be/dQFQfNzxo_Y

The After Hours Blues Band – Chorley, Lancashire

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19/02/2015

“Keeping Live Music Alive” BJ’s Rock In The Blues Club

The Minstrel, Eaves Green Road, Chorley, PR7 3PQ www.facebook.com/themiinstrel

9.15pm Start Free Entry!

LIVE ON STAGE! The After Hours Blues Band

This super blues/rock trio return to BJ’s once again featuring the inspired guitar skills of Lee Wharton who opens a portal into the past with the bands classic Hendrix trilogy of “Voodoo Chile”, “Machine Gun” & “Red Patrol”. It will also be an auspicious evening as it will be the last appearance at BJ’s for bassist Doug Long who is leaving the band after eight years. Looking forward to giving Doug a great send off and another great night at The Minstrel. Can’t wait for this one!…see you all there!

Band Web Site www.afterhoursbluesband.co.uk

Band line up… Lee Wharton – lead vocals/lead guitar Doug Long – bass/backing vocals Ann Batty – drums