Award winning Ukranian pianist and instructor Viktoriya Yermolyeva, aka Vkgoeswild covers The Ramones’ classic. She’s written piano arrangements for many other rock/metal hits that she performs in live concerts and on her Youtube channel.
Japanese psychobilly trio The Radios has been playing rock and roll for three decades, and no, I can’t explain the hunchback zombie monkey bass slapper.
The Mississippi Blues Band formed in Buenos Aires in 1989. Renamed La Mississippi, they released their debut recording, Mbugi in 1993.
Sam Redbreast Wilson (with the Mad Dog Margaritas) rolls a nice 2-way highway roadtrip vibe.
Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph did an amazing interpretation of Blind Lemon Jefferson‘s That Black Snake Moan (1927). In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Randolph at 97 in their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Unfortunately the videos from this session don’t give credit to his partner (I’m guessing that’s his brother).
What if SRV had a younger step brother in the UK? The Zac Schulze Gang cranks out some serious speed blues/rock.
Bad news: I didn’t trap the skunk that’s been roaming the back yard. Good news: Haven’t seen or heard the skunk in two weeks. Better news: porch time happens tomorrow. See you then.
Lionel Richie once described his voice as “the sound of barbecue sauce.” Luke Bryan remarked, “I could sit and drink a lot of bourbon listening to that voice.” Louisiana blues and soul singer Jovin Webb made it to the final ten performers on the 2020 season of American Idol and moved on from there.
Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Kevin ‘Sonny’ Gullage has earned much acclaim despite his young age (26 years old this year), and combines the sounds of New Orleans roots blues, boogiewoogie and gospel with modern styles.
Been pretty busy this week. A lot of time and effort goes into pretending to be busy, and I’m definitely getting better at it. Free lessons tomorrow on the porch. See you there.
The Lowdown Saints, formed in 2020 in the Old Town of Stsh(?), Sweden, and consists of Tommy Moberg / drummer & vocals, Hannes Mellberg / lead guitar, Félix Matthiessen / 2nd guitar, Karl Ivert / upright bass, and Torbjörn Eliasson / piano & scissors.
Brazilian guitarist Artur Menezes discovered the blues as a teenager, headed off to Chicago and jammed with the bar bands. He’s now an international performer, touring South America, the UK and the US. Unfortunately his website (www.arturmenezes.com) triggers a not secure warning.
The Pat McManus Band are Celtic rockers from Northern Ireland, described as an “Irish Power Trio led by former Mama’s Boys and Celtus guitarist/violinist, singer and songwriter Pat McManus.”
Anything burn down this week that I missed? Stop by tomorrow and we’ll talk about skunk bait options. Meet you on the porch at half past whenever.
Born in 1952 on Craig Air Force Base near Selma, Alabama, slide guitarist, singer and songwriter Kenny Brown plays in the North Mississippi Hill Country blues style. He was taught by some of the best, including R.L. Burnside, who claimed him as his adopted son.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, James Thomas Uvalle (1980 – 2015) taught himself to play guitar at the age of 11. At 16 he adopted the moniker JT Coldfire and began his songwriting and performing career. He passed away suddenly at 35 years.
“The Killborn Alley Blues Band kills. Picture a deep-dish Chicago version of the Fabulous Thunderbirds back 30 years ago.” Tom Clark, review of Tear Chicago Down, Hittin’ the Note • Issue 55, 2007.
Stock market up, stock market down, stock market up, and shake it all around. Been happening forever, seems a lot of people with TDS just began to notice. Meanwhile, the porch will open tomorrow promptly at whenever and we’ll discuss the best methods of trapping a skunk. See you then.
Ginger St. James began her career singing in small town Ontario bars and now headlines shows as one of Canada’s top roots rock / rockabilly / country artists. Good stuff.
16 Horsepower was a Denver-based group that mixed rock, bluegrass and Appalachian gospel. They released four studio albums before egos got in the way: they disbanded in 2005, citing “mostly political and spiritual” differences.
“David is a great blues player. I like his style!” – Johnny Winter Canadian singer, songwriter and bluesman David Gogo began playing guitar at the age of five; at 15 he met and was encouraged by Stevie Ray Vaughan; a year later he formed his first band. He’s won numerous awards, including three JUNOs (despite EMI spiking his solo album in the US).
Been watching a lot of police body cam videos lately, and after a while I began noticing behavioral patterns of those who eventually get hauled off to the hoosegow. The ones who squeal the loudest are usually guilty of more egregious crimes than just expired license plate tags.
I also notice that the same applies to politicians when they’re exposed as unethical grifting frauds. Keep that in mind as you watch current events unfold.
Gospel, soul, blues and jazz singer Ruthie Foster began her career singing at churches in rural Texas, described herself as a “little Black girl with a guitar.” After college, she joined the US Navy where she began singing in the naval band Pride, playing pop and funk hits at recruitment drives. Since then, she’s won numerous Blues Music Awards and earned three Grammy nominations.
“Austin, Texas, doesn’t have a Trombone Shorty, the Subdudes or Dirty Dozen Brass Band like New Orleans does but they do have Mingo Fishtrap, and they’re just as funky and soulful as those bands with a healthy dash of Motown tossed into their pot.” –Something Else Reviews
From Oakland, The California Honeydrops cover Wilson Pickett. “The California Honeydrops…evoke the greasy rumble of Booker T. and channel the spiritual ecstasy of Sly and the Family Stone.” -Rolling Stone
It seems the news machine has skipped the soak, wash and rinse cycles and is stuck on spin with a noisy unbalanced load. It’s just about time to fire up the porch and take it for a sit. See you there.
Jackie Venson: “Singer-songwriter Jackie Venson’s version of the blues – with its R&B, psychedelic rock – has invigorated Austin’s music scene with its refreshingly electric sound.” — Rolling Stone
From the mud n’ spud fields of Idaho to the California Bay Area, then on to Memphis, Tennessee, John Németh and The Blue Dreamers play a good mix of retro and modern blues and soul.
3-string electric cigar box slide gitfiddle (and cowbell boot) from Christopher Ameruoso.
Been getting pretty good at sleeping in, especially with the winds and rains. I like weather when it matches my attitude, and watching it from the porch tomorrow sounds like a good plan. See you there and then.
Tacky Raccoons 