Ken Whiteley - One World Dance

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:25
Size: 106.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[3:12] 1. Everybody Has The Blues
[3:41] 2. Get At
[4:26] 3. Going To Be
[3:47] 4. Lunch Counter Encounter
[3:31] 5. Death Letter Blues
[3:46] 6. Still Can't Believe You're Gone
[3:00] 7. Two Wings
[5:47] 8. One World Dance
[3:13] 9. November
[4:32] 10. That's When I Need A Song
[3:47] 11. Trying To Find My Way
[3:37] 12. That's Alright

The American South has given birth to some great literature, wonderful food and world-shaking music, including the blues. All parents are happy when they see their offspring out on their own, independently conquering the world and sending home messages of their well-being. Ken Whiteley's One World Dance is one of those messages sent by the blues and it says, "I'm alive and well and living in Canada!" For those unfamiliar with Whiteley (folks like me) you can tell he's got it right from the first bar of the first track, Everybody Has The Blues. Actually, I could tell from the opening chord. The music is sultry and the temperature is just where steam first begins to appear. Then he comes in with the vocals. The phrasing and attitude are reminiscent of BB King. Whiteley understands the importance of feel so well that he holds the reins through the entire piece, never letting it get out of hand, setting the mood and building the tension for more to come. It starts coming with the second track, Get At. This is one of those boogies that will make a lame man walk! The dual guitar work between Whiteley and Amos Garrett is masterful.

Masterful is a perfect word to describe this collection of mostly original tunes. Masterful and amazing. It is amazing how masterfully Whiteley covers a wide range of the blues palate. He is able to be faithful to his own sensibilities while working in each of the sub-genres. Not only is the instrumentation masterful but the song writing is as well. Whiteley's weakest work still sets goals so high that most song writers can only hope to occasionally reach them. The title track is definitely not your father's blues. And, to be honest, I did not care much for it on first hearing. But I have decided that I needed to open my ears and allow Whiteley to broaden my tastes a little. The music of this blues/world-beat fusion song is infectious and I have found myself listening to it repeatedly. There are a couple of treatments of "traditional" tunes. This version of the Son House song, Death Letter Blues is right on the mark. I don't think that even Son himself could find any fault here. And the blues spiritual, Two Wings, is so powerful, so beautifully done that it will move the heart of the most hardened sinner!

So, the blues another of its children. Ken Whiteley's One World Dance can sit at the table with all the other far-flung offspring of the South. Nice to meet you! ~Tampa Blue

One World Dance

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Ken Whiteley - Freedom Blues

Size: 127,5 MB
Time: 54:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Blues Folk, Gospel
Art: Front

01. Bring It All Right Down (4:20)
02. Freedom Blues (4:57)
03. Freedom Is A Constant Struggle (6:25)
04. Throw Me Anywhere (2:47)
05. Omar Khadr's Blues (5:20)
06. Give Your Hands To Struggle (4:57)
07. Sewing Machines (3:53)
08. Right Here In My Town (5:09)
09. Halls Of Folsom (3:38)
10. The Other Shore (4:14)
11. Midnight Special (3:16)
12. I Shall Be Released (5:39)

Grammy Award winning music professor, Rob Bowman, describes the new recording this way:

“In Freedom Blues Canadian roots music icon Ken Whiteley has crafted a timely set of songs that address both contemporary and historical struggles for the freedom endemic to a healthy, progressive society. Deftly drawing on a wide range of musical sources including blues, gospel and, for lack of a better word, folk, Freedom Blues is a landmark album in Whiteley’s career and Canadian roots music in general.”

Ken Whiteley is one of Canada’s most respected “roots” musicians. Drawing on his incredibly rich background in blues, gospel and folk styles, this 7 time Juno award nominee is always a wonderful addition to any festival or concert series. He has played at virtually every major folk festival in Canada and performed and recorded with such legends as Pete Seeger, John Hammond Jr., Tom Paxton, Blind John Davis, Stan Rogers, The Campbell Brothers, Guy Davis, Raffi, Linda Tillerey & the Cultural Heritage Choir and countless others. A prolific songwriter, a gifted and versatile instrumentalist and a powerful singer, Whiteley’s music communicates themes of freedom, love, spiritual aspiration and social comment. His performances are presented with particapatory humor, grace and energy.

His performing career began as a teenager in the 1960’s with brother Chris and friend Tom Evans as The Original Sloth Band. With the Sloths, Ken performed all over North America and appeared on Saturday Night Live with Leon Redbone. His collaborations with brother Chris (The Whiteley Brothers) and old friends Mose Scarlett and Jackie Washington (Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley) resulted in a wonderful collection of recordings, garnering high praise, successful tours and several awards. Ken’s most recent collaboration is Ken Whiteley and the Beulah Band. Whether performing solo or playing with any of his large circle of musical friends, as one critic has said, “with Ken Whiteley our enjoyment is virtually assured.”

Ken Whiteley is a busy musician who is always involved in a number of projects. He is an active record producer, having worked on more than 135 albums. His productions have resulted in 11 Gold or Platinum albums, 22 Juno nominations, 2 Juno winners and 2 Grammy nominations, with total sales in excess of 8 million copies. He has written the music for a number of films and television programs. Whatever he does, it reflects his “briliant musicianship and high test passion”. In the words of Sing Out! magazine, “Ken Whiteley is one of the best.”

Freedom Blues

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