Greg Izor - Sustained Winds

Size: 81.8 MB
Time: 34:39
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Styles: Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Go Ahead On (Feat. The Royal We) (2:37)
02. Untrue (Feat. The Royal We) (2:41)
03. Here On Ice (Feat. The Royal We) (5:48)
04. Lies Of Omission (Feat. The Royal We) (2:25)
05. Ines (Feat. The Royal We) (3:36)
06. All The Same (Feat. The Royal We) (5:02)
07. I Never Gamble (Feat. The Royal We) (1:51)
08. Please Understand (Feat. The Royal We) (2:28)
09. Once Was Enough (Feat. The Royal We) (3:54)
10. Up To The Top (Feat. The Royal We) (4:14)

Greg currently lives in Spain and ‘Sustained Winds’ (released on the Dutch label For The Road Records) was cut with the help of his Spanish friends (Cesar Crespo, Javi Suarez, Luis Maldonado, Christian Morana, Pascu Monje and Paul San Martin).

What stands out immediately is the clarity of the sounds on this record. “I want it to sound like you are in the room with us“, he explains. The song Here on ice made me think of the famous ‘Folk Singer’ album by Muddy Waters. “Actually, for the stuff that I did solo, we use the same microphones that they used for the Muddy ‘Folk Singer’ record.“

Being a modest man, he did not intend to live up to that standard, but I love that Muddy record and if you do as well, you will notice the similarity. What also stands out is the fact that on several songs, there are no drums, and the record is quite varied overall “The songs are quite different from other blues records, there’s a lot of country and New Orleans R&B influence there along with the traditional stuff.”

I noticed that I kept playing this record due to its variation, the sound and Greg’s excellent and relaxed delivery.

Greg is world champion singing behind the beat. When he sings, he forces the band to adapt. How natural all parts of the songs fit together is in stark contrast with his perfectionism (“Between the recording and the mixing and mastering, I think I’ve heard it 1 million times!”).

‘Sustained Winds’ may come across like a traditional blues album, but in his approach to composing and arranging, he does some quirky things; listen to the drum part in All The Same, the use of that bass harmonica in Please Understand and what about that electric sitar!

Take notice of ‘Sustained Winds,’ people. But don’t expect a typical singer-and-harpplayer-record. In his own words: “It seems to be like a lot of harmonica players make records where each song is a display of what the player can do in a certain style or position or something. I like those kinds of records, but it’s not what I do. I do some unusual things, but I prefer that it’s not noticeable, that whatever it is just fits the song and sounds.” ~Pascal Wilhelm

Sustained Winds MP3
Sustained Winds FLAC

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Greg Izor - The Ground

Size: 84.9 MB
Time: 36:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Styles: Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Bugs Got My Rice (3:20)
02. Cool Breeze (2:27)
03. Heart Turns To Crystal (2:45)
04. Ink Around My Heart (3:20)
05. Maureen (2:41)
06. New Sadie Blues (2:18)
07. Old Stone Walls (4:14)
08. Ruby's White Light (2:19)
09. Shoot The Moon (3:16)
10. Swiss Krissly #2 (Leave It All Behind Ya) (1:51)
11. The Ground (4:21)
12. Torras, La 1933 (3:46)

A mash-up of Louisiana grit, Austin soul, and low-down Chicago heat, blues harmonica powerhouse Greg Izor is on a roll.

Izor’s music is grounded in a deeply rooted traditional sound and shaped by the influence of the harmonica masters, as well as Louisiana blues, southern soul, swamp pop, early jazz, and R&B. His playing is evidence of the records he’s gotten his hands on and the greats he has played with over the years. Izor’s songwriting and playing are not to be missed, and his newest record, “I Was Wrong” is described as “filled with swinging, deep-fried fat back licks.”

A Vermont native and an old soul, Izor moved south to New Orleans to get his hands dirty. He fell in with one of today’s harmonica greats, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, who mentored young Izor and helped him develop his style. Izor became a Bourbon Street regular, earning a nightly residency at the Funky Pirate Club and playing around town in New Orleans’ clubs, from the well known Maple Leaf Bar and Tipitina’s to the funky neighborhood bars, and the clubs on the now legendary Frenchmen Street. His weekends were spent venturing to swampland juke joints, playing steamy gigs that lasted well into Sunday morning. During his Louisiana years, Izor played with Eddie Bo, Jerry “Boogie” McCain, Henry Gray, Wolfman Washington, Oliver “La La” Morgan, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown – even earning a spot in the all-star house band at Gate’s barbecue joint in New Orleans.

After a successful run in Louisiana and appearances at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival and Jazz Fest harmonica shows, Izor packed up his harps and set his sights on Austin. In Austin, Izor connected with the blues icons that have called Austin home– Pinetop Perkins, Gary Primich, Derek O’Brien, Denny Freeman, and Marcia Ball- and newer players like the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ Mike Keller, Johnny Moeller, and Nick Curran. Izor was a welcome addition to the musical scene and established his reputation for intense, high energy performances, stunning technique and musical ear, playing regularly at The Continental Club and Antone’s. His band, the Box Kickers, has turned heads in a town saturated with great players. He has been described by Living Blues Magazine as “That all-too-rare total package- a creative vocalist, harp player, songwriter, and showman.”

Izor also landed the gig fronting the legendary Texas band Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets. Blowing heavy riffs and singing the band’s hits, Greg has upheld the tradition set forth by one of his heroes, Sam Myers. Most days, Greg Izor can be found playing for the crowds at Evangeline Cafe or leading bands in legendary juke joints on the east side of town. Stick around and you just might get lucky enough to sample his homemade barbecue or gumbo at a late-night jam at the Izor house – his meticulous precision on harmonica is reflected in his efforts in the kitchen, as his fortunate friends will attest. After successful tours of the US and Europe, he is looking forward to continuing to bring his fresh riff on a classic American sound to audiences everywhere and introducing newcomers to The Blues. ~Ashley Moore

The Ground

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Greg Izor, Marco Pandolfi - Homemade Wine

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:16
Size: 71.6 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[3:52] 1. Alabama
[3:07] 2. Don't Get Me Wrong
[2:16] 3. Come On Mary
[3:46] 4. Nothing Can Go Wrong
[3:15] 5. Sarah Jane
[2:44] 6. Morning Train
[2:11] 7. Your Goose Is Cooked
[2:36] 8. Keep It All
[3:50] 9. Scarred And Torn
[3:34] 10. Blue Dawn

Greg Izor: Harmonica, Guitar, Vocals; Marco Pandolfi: Harmonica, Guitar, Vocals. Recorded live at Homefront Studios, Austin, TX February 18 & 19, 2017.

A treat for harp players this set of original tunes features both Izor & Pandolfi playing in support of one another on guitar & harp. Greg Izor has really come a long way with recent releases under his own name and with the PEACEMAKERS. An inventive harp player and good songwriter, he never wastes your time.

Homemade Wine

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Little Elmore Reed Blues Band - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:14
Size: 101.3 MB
Styles: Texas blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:35] 1. The G.P. Blues
[3:33] 2. My Love Is Here To Stay
[4:33] 3. I Can Tell
[1:52] 4. Young Girl
[3:32] 5. It's Wrong
[4:03] 6. Schoolgirl
[5:12] 7. Country Boy
[4:16] 8. Tick Tock
[5:06] 9. You're The One
[3:19] 10. Hey Little Girl
[4:09] 11. Kissing At Midnight

Mark Hays, J.P. Whitefield, Willie Pipkin, Mike Keller, Mighty Mike Schermer, Greg Izor and Emily Gimble.

The LITTLE ELMORE REED BLUES BAND is a group of some of the best, most dedicated and experienced blues musicians in Austin. We played every Monday for 7+ years at the wonderfully funky east Austin juke joint TC's Lounge. Since the sale of TCs we've moved to The Legendary White Swan club, still in east Austin at 1906 E. 12th Street at Chicon.

Far from being another run-of-the-mill blooze jam band, LITTLE ELMORE REED has a unique sound all it's own. It's based on and deeply rooted in classic Chicago blues while embracing west coast swing and the early rock and blues of New Orleans, all played the way only Texas guys can. The musicians have other gigs that pay the bills and they gather every Monday to play purely for the love of the music and the interaction with a crowd that loves the blues in a funky, sweaty, powerfully soulful environment.

Little Elmore Reed Blues Band mc
Little Elmore Reed Blues Band zippy

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Greg Izor & The Box Kickers - 2 albums: Close To Home / I Was Wrong

A mash-up of Louisiana grit, Austin soul, and low-down Chicago heat, blues harmonica powerhouse Greg Izor is on a roll. Izor’s music is grounded in a deeply rooted traditional sound and shaped by the influence of the harmonica masters, as well as Louisiana blues, southern soul, swamp pop, early jazz, and R&B. His playing is evidence of the records he’s gotten his hands on and the greats he has played with over the years. Izor’s songwriting and playing are not to be missed, and his newest record, “I Was Wrong” is described as “filled with swinging, deep-fried fat back licks.”

A Vermont native and an old soul, Izor moved south to New Orleans to get his hands dirty. He fell in with one of today’s harmonica greats, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, who mentored young Izor and helped him develop his style. Izor became a Bourbon Street regular, earning a nightly residency at the Funky Pirate Club and playing around town in New Orleans’ clubs, from the well known Maple Leaf Bar and Tipitina’s to the funky neighborhood bars, and the clubs on the now legendary Frenchmen Street. His weekends were spent venturing to swampland juke joints, playing steamy gigs that lasted well into Sunday morning. During his Louisiana years, Izor played with Eddie Bo, Jerry “Boogie” McCain, Henry Gray, Wolfman Washington, Oliver “La La” Morgan, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown – even earning a spot in the all-star house band at Gate’s barbecue joint in New Orleans.

After a successful run in Louisiana and appearances at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival and Jazz Fest harmonica shows, Izor packed up his harps and set his sights on Austin. In Austin, Izor connected with the blues icons that have called Austin home– Pinetop Perkins, Gary Primich, Derek O’Brien, Denny Freeman, and Marcia Ball- and newer players like the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ Mike Keller, Johnny Moeller, and Nick Curran. Izor was a welcome addition to the musical scene and established his reputation for intense, high energy performances, stunning technique and musical ear, playing regularly at The Continental Club and Antone’s. His band, the Box Kickers, has turned heads in a town saturated with great players. He has been described by Living Blues Magazine as “That all-too-rare total package- a creative vocalist, harp player, songwriter, and showman.”

Izor also landed the gig fronting the legendary Texas band Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets. Blowing heavy riffs and singing the band’s hits, Greg has upheld the tradition set forth by one of his heroes, Sam Myers. Most days, Greg Izor can be found playing for the crowds at Evangeline Cafe or leading bands in legendary juke joints on the east side of town. Stick around and you just might get lucky enough to sample his homemade barbecue or gumbo at a late-night jam at the Izor house – his meticulous precision on harmonica is reflected in his efforts in the kitchen, as his fortunate friends will attest. After successful tours of the US and Europe, he is looking forward to continuing to bring his fresh riff on a classic American sound to audiences everywhere and introducing newcomers to The Blues. ~Ashley Moore

Album: Close To Home
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:12
Size: 98.9 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:40] 1. Get My Money
[3:25] 2. Can't Get Right
[3:19] 3. Straight Time
[2:12] 4. Three Eyed Tiger
[2:47] 5. What's It Gonna Take
[3:51] 6. The Rub
[4:18] 7. Call Me Lonesome
[6:49] 8. Broadway Joe
[2:19] 9. Hooper Street
[3:30] 10. From Hello
[3:23] 11. G.I. Blues
[4:36] 12. Close To Home

Close To Home mc
Close To Home zippy

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Album: I Was Wrong
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:47
Size: 93.4 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:07] 1. Who You Lying To
[2:24] 2. I Thought It Would Be Me
[2:54] 3. I'm Yours
[2:58] 4. Broken Heart
[3:47] 5. Turkey Necks
[3:38] 6. I Was Wrong
[3:12] 7. Old Friend
[3:09] 8. Stuck In Texas
[2:34] 9. Swiss Krissly
[2:14] 10. I Don't Want To Be The One
[3:08] 11. Young Girl
[2:22] 12. Voleur
[3:20] 13. Jail
[2:53] 14. Soul Survivor

I Was Wrong mc
I Was Wrong zippy

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Greg Izor & The Box Kickers - The 13 14

Size: 108,5 MB
Time: 46:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Bump Your Head (4:33)
02. Hold On (2:02)
03. Don't Have To Worry (2:19)
04. Sugar Cane (5:10)
05. Country Home (3:18)
06. Lookin' At Them (4:13)
07. Paper In My Hand (2:02)
08. Tuneaux (1:52)
09. Stuck In The Bottle (3:02)
10. Wake Up With The Blues (2:29)
11. The 13 14 (2:21)
12. Jailene (2:18)
13. Coming Down (4:09)
14. What It Is (4:18)
15. Top Shelf (2:39)

A mash-up of Louisiana grit, Austin soul, and low-down Chicago heat, blues harmonica powerhouse Greg Izor is on a roll.

Izor’s music is grounded in a deeply rooted traditional sound and shaped by the influence of the harmonica masters, as well as Louisiana blues, southern soul, swamp pop, early jazz, and R&B. His playing is evidence of the records he’s gotten his hands on and the greats he has played with over the years. Izor’s songwriting and playing are not to be missed, and his newest record, “I Was Wrong” is described as “filled with swinging, deep-fried fat back licks.”

A Vermont native and an old soul, Izor moved south to New Orleans to get his hands dirty. He fell in with one of today’s harmonica greats, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, who mentored young Izor and helped him develop his style. Izor became a Bourbon Street regular, earning a nightly residency at the Funky Pirate Club and playing around town in New Orleans’ clubs, from the well known Maple Leaf Bar and Tipitina’s to the funky neighborhood bars, and the clubs on the now legendary Frenchmen Street. His weekends were spent venturing to swampland juke joints, playing steamy gigs that lasted well into Sunday morning. During his Louisiana years, Izor played with Eddie Bo, Jerry “Boogie” McCain, Henry Gray, Wolfman Washington, Oliver “La La” Morgan, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown – even earning a spot in the all-star house band at Gate’s barbecue joint in New Orleans.

After a successful run in Louisiana and appearances at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival and Jazz Fest harmonica shows, Izor packed up his harps and set his sights on Austin. In Austin, Izor connected with the blues icons that have called Austin home– Pinetop Perkins, Gary Primich, Derek O’Brien, Denny Freeman, and Marcia Ball- and newer players like the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ Mike Keller, Johnny Moeller, and Nick Curran. Izor was a welcome addition to the musical scene and established his reputation for intense, high energy performances, stunning technique and musical ear, playing regularly at The Continental Club and Antone’s. His band, the Box Kickers, has turned heads in a town saturated with great players. He has been described by Living Blues Magazine as “That all-too-rare total package- a creative vocalist, harp player, songwriter, and showman.”

Izor also landed the gig fronting the legendary Texas band Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets. Blowing heavy riffs and singing the band’s hits, Greg has upheld the tradition set forth by one of his heroes, Sam Myers. Most days, Greg Izor can be found playing for the crowds at Evangeline Cafe or leading bands in legendary juke joints on the east side of town. Stick around and you just might get lucky enough to sample his homemade barbecue or gumbo at a late-night jam at the Izor house – his meticulous precision on harmonica is reflected in his efforts in the kitchen, as his fortunate friends will attest. After successful tours of the US and Europe, he is looking forward to continuing to bring his fresh riff on a classic American sound to audiences everywhere and introducing newcomers to The Blues.

The 13 14

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