Brian Templeton - Bloozin'

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 52:45
Size: 120.8 MB
Styles: Modern electric blues
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:31] 1. Bloozin'
[4:08] 2. Stay Gone
[4:57] 3. The Reign
[4:02] 4. She's A Pleaser
[7:03] 5. Let Me Down Easy
[3:04] 6. Jean Nine Lives
[4:02] 7. Evil Love
[3:52] 8. Sugar Girl
[3:58] 9. Singin' In My Soul
[5:11] 10. You Aint Coming Home
[5:39] 11. He's A Mighty Good Leader
[4:13] 12. An Answer For Isaac

Well, after six years Brian Templeton has finally released his second CD. On this self-produced, self-released record entitled “Bloozin”, Templeton wanted to do a more solidly Blues based recording and put together what he called the “Dream Team” for the band on this powerhouse recording. The CD features Michael “Mudcat” Ward on Bass and Per Hanson on Drums. Collectively these two musicians have played on hundreds of Blues recordings, backing such legendary artists as James Cotton, Ronnie Earl and Hubert Sumlin, to name a few. On guitars, Templeton once again called on “Monster” Mike Welch and also recruited the great Kid Bangham (Fabulous Thunderbirds) for two guitar attack that really delivers the old school blues sound. Making special appearances are David Maxwell on Piano and Greg Piccolo, founding member and former front-man of the legendary Roomful of Blues on Tenor Sax. Scott Aruda on Trumpet and Travis Colby (of Roomful) on the Hammond B3 round out this killer ensemble.

The disc features 7 songs penned by Templeton and some interesting covers. These include a full out Gospel version of Skip James’ “He’s A Mighty Good Leader” and a take on “Singin In My Soul” made popular by Sister Rosetta Tharpe both of which feature the great backing vocals of Boston favorites “The Family Jewels”. Bloozin’ runs the gamut of a many Blues styles. From Rockin’ Blues to Jump and everything in between, Templeton’s new CD is sure to be a “must have” for Blues fans all over the world.

Bloozin'

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Johnny Nicholas - 2 albums: Broke Again / Big Band Bash

Album: Broke Again
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 36:52
Size: 84.4 MB
Styles: Texas blues, Country blues
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[2:40] 1. Broke Again
[2:51] 2. Curb Your Dog
[5:44] 3. Visitor In My Dreams
[2:59] 4. Too Many Bad Habits
[2:58] 5. Terminal Love
[2:01] 6. Ride Your Train
[2:22] 7. My Rice Ain't Got No Gravy
[3:22] 8. Prodigal Son's Waltz
[2:37] 9. Glad To Get To Hell
[5:44] 10. Thick And Thin
[3:28] 11. Lonesome Traveler

The long awaited CD release of the legendary album, "Broke Again"... previously only available on LP and cassette with all orginial tunes by John "Johnny" Nicholas.

Since the mid-Sixties, Johnny Nicholas has been playing the blues from both coasts, as well as points in between. During that time he has enjoyed apprenticeships with some of the music’s most revered names, and he has taken a decade-long hiatus to raise a family and build up its Hill Top Café in the Central Texas Hill Country. With the Summer 2000 release of Rockin’ My Blues to Sleep: Texas/Louisiana Blues and Dance Hall Favorites, he and his band the Texas All-Stars staked their claim to the music of the region he has called home for more than two decades. From legendary tenor saxman Rocky Morales to the rock-solid rhythm section of bassist Jack Barber and drummer Ernie Durawa, the album features some of the finest musicians in the Austin-San Antonio area backing Nicholas on vocals and lead guitar. Its sensuous grooves, sympatico ensemble playing and crackerjack solos leave no doubt that Nicholas is back to stay.

Broke Again

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Album: Johnny Nicholas & The Texas All-Stars - Big Band Bash
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 72:33
Size: 166.1 MB
Styles: Country blues, Texas blues
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:48] 1. Broke Again
[3:38] 2. Baby I'm Gone (feat. Greg Piccolo)
[6:11] 3. The Ironic Twist (feat Jimmie Vaughan)
[6:01] 4. Down In The Alley
[3:56] 5. It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing (feat John Mills)
[4:14] 6. Mescal Mood (feat Joe King Carrasco)
[3:17] 7. This Old World Needs Love (feat Stephen Bruton)
[4:43] 8. All Blues (feat Floyd Domino)
[4:05] 9. Good Morning Judge
[5:41] 10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (feat Greg Piccolo)
[5:25] 11. Maybe, Maybe (feat Joel Guzman, Sarah Fox)
[2:44] 12. I'm In Love Again (feat Augie Meyers)
[5:29] 13. Can't Stop The Crying (feat Al Gomez)
[5:00] 14. Before I Grow Too Old To Dream
[2:49] 15. The Hammer (feat Greg Piccolo)
[5:24] 16. Texas Flood (feat Jimmie Vaughan)

The Texas All Star Big Band Bash is somewhat of a misnomer. It is not about Big Band music, but more of the large band species ala Lyle Lovett. And a large band of musical brothers (and sisters) it is, who all live within a 90 mile radius of (take your pick) Austin or San Antonio. Now I don't claim to be the greatest or smartest or anythingest guy on the block, but it just occurred to me (about 9 or 10 years ago) that with all these great musicians in one area, we ought to get together once a year and throw down some tunes. And with the spread of the MTV disease and its horrible effect on live music and traditional genres, it seemed to make sense to use this gathering to try to pass on to young people a love and appreciation and (hopefully) inspiration for what is truly special about great music: the intangibles of soulfullness, passion and "joi de vivre" which great music always instills in those who experience it. The ranges of emotion of the Blues, the infectious "Let's Dance" grooves of swing and Tex-Mex R&B; the stories told that we all can connect with.Well all of this has become a reality in Fredericksburg, TX, where on the 2nd Saturday of November every year, there is a gathering of musicians and music lovers, where, when it is over, everyone leaves smiling, toes tapping and rejuvenated! But it doesn't end until next year's show. In between, the money raised is' (and has been) used to fund various music and theatre workshops and camps for kids; scholarships for youth interested in careers in the arts; tutoring sessions for budding musicians. However gratifying this aspect of the show is (and it is extremely gratifying and rewarding) it is the love of music that brings these artists together. We hope you enjoy what we be puttin' down on this album because we sure enjoyed makin' it!

Johnny Nicholas - Guitar, Vocals; Jimmie Vaughan - Guitar; Greg Piccolo - Tenor Sax, Vocals; Stephen Bruton - Guitar, Vocals; Joe “King” Carrasco - Guitar, Vocals; Augie Meyers - Vocals, Vox Organ on “Mescal Rose”; Joel Guzman - Accordion, Hammond B-3 Organ; Floyd Domino - Piano; Danny Levin - Fiddle; Tarry Hale - Upright Bass; Barry “Frosty” Smith - Drums; Ernie Durawa - Drums on “I’m In Love Again” and “Before I Grow Too Old”; Cecil “Chico” Orapeza - Drums on “Mescal Rose”; Joe Guzman - Drums and Percussion on “Maybe, Maybe”; Max Baca - Bajo Sexto; Speedy Sparks - Bass on “Mescal Rose”; Sarah Fox - Vocal on “Maybe, Maybe”; The Texas Horns: Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff - Alto & Tenor Sax; John Mills - Tenor Sax; Dan Torosian - Baritone Sax; Randy Zimmerman - Trombone; Al Gomez - Trumpet & Fluglehorn; Keith Winking - Trumpet.

Big Band Bash

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ROOMFUL OF BLUES - With Joe Turner / With Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson

Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Jump Blues
Recorded: 1982/1983
Released: 1997
File: mp3 @ 320 k/s
Size: 179.84 MB
Time: 38:18/38:43
Art: Full

ROB With Big Joe Turner - Blues Train

1. Crawdad Hole (3:26)
2. Red Sails In The Sunset (3:05)
3. Cocka-Doodle-Doo (2:54)
4. Jumpin' For Joe (4:00)
5. I Want A Little Girl (4:14)
6. Blues Train (3:50)
7. I Know You Love Me (7:01)
8. Last Night (4:45)
9. I Love The Way (My Baby Sings The Blues) (5:03)

ROB with Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson

1. House Of Joy (3:19)
2. He Was A Friend Of Mine (3:22)
3. Movin' With Lester (7:00)
4. No Bones (5:55)
5. That's The Groovy Thing (4:27)
6. Past Sixty Blues (4:25)
7. Street Lights (6:28)
8. Farmer's Daughter Blues (3:47)

Personnel: Big Joe TURNER - Vocals
Eddie 'Cleanhead' VINSON - Alto Saxophone, Vocals tr.2,6,8
Greg Piccolo - Tenor Saxophone
Rich Lataille - Alto Saxophone
Doug James - Baritone Saxophone
Bob Enos - Trumpet
Porky Cohen - Trombone
Al Copley - Piano
Ronnie Earl - Guitar
Preston Hubbard - Bass (on Turner)
Jimmy Wimfheimer - Bass (on Vinson)
John Rossi - Drums
with guest: Dr. John - Piano (tr.5 on Turner)

Notes: In their early days, Roomful of Blues recorded some seminal LPs for the Muse label, which were bought by 32 Jazz, and two of them are available on this two-disc set. Blues Train with Big Joe Turner and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson & Roomful of Blues are the recordings included, and they offer some of the very best, and certainly seminal, early-period work of the Rhode Island-based horn-fired blues/jazz band. Dr. John also helps out on the first recording, which features Turner's signature takes on "Crawdad Hole" and "I Want a Little Girl," while the sessions with alto saxophonist/vocalist Vinson serve up evergreens "He Was a Friend of Mine" and "Past Sixty Blues," among many others. This one is also out of print, but will surely come back. The music is too keen, vital, and precious to be off the market. Find it as best you can.

                             Roomful Of Blues with Joe Turner/Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson
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Various - Jump And Swing With Black Top

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:22
Size: 85.6 MB
Styles: Jump blues, West Coast blues
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[3:29] 1. Al Copley & Hal Singer - Tater Diggin'
[2:25] 2. Rick Holmstrom - Hit It
[2:41] 3. Big Joe & The Dynaflows - That's It
[4:35] 4. Gary Primich - Ain't You Trouble
[2:39] 5. Earl King - I'll Take You Back Home
[3:00] 6. Greg Piccolo - Mushmouth
[3:35] 7. Rusty Zinn - Stand By Me
[2:33] 8. Guitar Shorty - I Never Thought
[4:01] 9. Grady Gaines - Jumbo
[4:57] 10. Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers - Low Down Dog
[3:22] 11. The Tri-Saxual Soul Champs - Go Girl

A fine midline-priced introduction to the contemporary West Coast blues sound, Jump and Swing With Black Top features artists including Rod Piazza, Guitar Shorty, Greg Piccolo, James Harman playing in the tradition of the music of the 1940s. ~ Jason Ankeny

Jump And Swing With Black Top

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