Johnny Nicholas - Livin' With The Blues

Size: 128,4 MB
Time: 55:29
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

1. Froggy Bottom (4:22)
2. Hill Top (2:55)
3. You Can't Be Lucky All The Time (5:10)
4. I'll Be Around (4:19)
5. Dirty People (5:31)
6. Teardrops On My Windowpane (4:59)
7. Livin' With The Blues (4:00)
8. Need Your Love So Bad (5:01)
9. Honeydrippin' Baby (3:49)
10. Texas Drifter (4:32)
11. I'm From Texas (5:27)
12. Down In The Alley (5:19)

Livin' With The Blues showcases Johnny Nicholas' instrumental virtuosity, songwriting acumen (featuring 7 original tunes) and his heartfelt love of the musical and cultural diverstiy of Texas. This outstanding CD pays loving, deeply respectful homage to those seminal blues masters and friends who were his greatest influences and is a testament to the fact that Johnny is back in force. His 3rd CD release on TopCat Records (his first two widely acclaimed releases - Rockin' My Blues To Sleep and Thrill On The Hill) features a who's who of top Texas music stars - Marcia Ball, Greg Piccolo, Ray Benson, Cindy Cashdollar, Stephen Bruton, Mark "Kaz" Kazinof, Red Young, Joel Guzman, Barry "Frosty" Smith, Ernie Durawa, Riley Osbourne, Terry Hale, Al Gomez, John Mills, Jack Barber and special guest Kinky Friedman.

In 1980, after twenty years of the blues scenes of Providence, Detroit-Ann Arbor, Chicago, the Bay Area, the Cajun country of Louisiana and Texas, performing with Duke Robillard, Steve Nordella, Big Walter Horton, Asleep At The Wheel and Johnny Shine (Nicholas played on and produced the late Johnny Shine's last album with Snooky Pryor). Johnny Nicholas is without a doubt "The Real Deal" and every fan of Johnny will be thrilled to add this exceptional CD to their collection. Livin' With The Blues is sure to receive stellar reviews and will certainly be one of the top CD releases of 2005.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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Guitar Johnny & The Rhythm Rockers - Guitar Johnny & The Rhythm Rockers

Size: 77,2 MB
Time: 32:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1992
Styles: Electric Blues, Rockin' Blues
Art: Full

01. Too Many Bad Habits (2:39)
02. Good Rocking Mama (2:19)
03. Nip Sip (3:05)
04. Teardrops On My Window Pane (4:28)
05. As Long As I'm Moving (2:54)
06. Lost Time (3:48)
07. Two Bones & A Pick (2:57)
08. I Wish Your Picture Was You (2:25)
09. Froggy Bottom (4:06)
10. Memory Pain (4:07)

Guitar Johnny & the Rhythm Rockers was a group more famous for who was in their ranks than the scant bit of recorded music they made. Formed in Boston in the late 1970s, they were led by guitarist-singer John Nicholas, who would later spend several years working in Asleep at the Wheel. The bassist was Sarah Brown, now noted as perhaps the most in demand session bass player in the blues and roots music field and a songwriter of considerable note. The drummer was Fran Christina, who would move on to Roomful of Blues and eventually the Fabulous Thunderbirds in their hit making days. Blowing tenor was Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, later going on to making a name for himself on the Austin, Texas music scene. The rhythm guitarist was none other than Ronnie Earl (Horvath), who later went on to a stint with Roomful before forming his own instrumental outfit, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. Strictly a local phenomena in the Boston area, the group only left behind a four song 45 rpm EP on the now defunct Baron label that featured a couple of Nicholas originals and a vocal from Sarah Brown. They would all soon move on to bigger and better things. ~Cub Koda

Guitar Johnny & The Rhythm Rockers MP3
Guitar Johnny & The Rhythm Rockers FLAC

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Johnny Nicholas - Mistaken Identity

Size: 90,8 MB
Time: 38:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. She Stole My Mojo (3:28)
02. Mule And The Devil (4:02)
03. Spark To A Flame (3:07)
04. Mistaken Identity (4:46)
05. Guadalupe's Prayer (5:09)
06. Wanna Be Your Baby (3:25)
07. Tight Pants (2:48)
08. She Didn't Think Of Me That Way (4:29)
09. Highway 190 (2:36)
10. River Runs Deep (4:58)

The musical career of former Asleep At The Wheel frontman Johnny Nicholas is well documented, but his connection with South Louisiana music and culture and the influence it had on his storied musical career is not as well known. As a young man, Johnny hit the road hitchhiking and hopping freight trains in search of the artists and music he loved. His pilgrimages led him to experiences and relationships with many American music roots legends of the blues, western swing, honky tonk music and the melting pot for it all: South Louisiana and Southeast Texas. This album is a homecoming, bringing him back to the place where he cut his teeth and grew up musically on the prairies and bayou country of Southwest Louisiana in the 70 s. All but one of the songs on this album are originals that draw upon his many influences and experiences that have molded and defined him as a true Americana and Roots music artist.

Mistaken Identity MP3
Mistaken Identity FLAC

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Peter Ward - Train To Key Biscayne

Source: Lossless Digital Copy
Size: 101,8 MB
Time: 43:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. The Luther Johnson Thing (Feat. Luther Johnson, Sugar Ray Norcia & Anthony Geraci) (4:18)
02. A Westerly Sunday Night (Feat. Sugar Ray Norcia) (3:44)
03. When You Are Mine (Feat. Sugar Ray Norcia) (4:53)
04. Train To Key Biscayne (Feat. Johnny Nicholas) (2:41)
05. I Saw Your Home (Feat. Michelle Willson) (4:55)
06. Blues Elixir (Ronnie's Here) (Feat. Ronnie Earl & Sugar Ray Norcia) (4:06)
07. Supposedly (2:58)
08. Change (Ain't Never For The Good) (Feat. Johnny Nicholas, Sugar Ray Norcia & Anthony Geraci) (3:28)
09. As Long As I Have A Chance (Feat. Sugar Ray Norcia & Anthony Geraci) (2:59)
10. Coffee Song (Feat. Michelle Willson) (3:29)
11. Something Always Slows Me Down (Feat. Sugar Ray Norcia & Anthony Geraci) (4:29)
12. Anthony's Son (1:07)

TRAIN TO KEY BISCAYNE is an exciting followup to Peter Ward's debut release, BLUES ON MY SHOULDERS which garnered rave reviews upon its release in 2017.
Ward, former guitarist for the Legendary Blues Band (Pinetop Perkins, Willie Big Eyes Smith, Calvin Jones and Jerry Portnoy) wrote 12 new blues, ballads and retro-style rock n roll — all with a fresh sound and '50s flavor.
Before they brought Peter into the band, the Legendary Blues Band were the guys who backed the great Muddy Waters. Hitting the road with those cats was like Blues 101 as the band crisscrossed the country in a van, traveling hundreds of miles each day to perform to delighted audiences at night. Peter learned then how to play a brand of unhurried unadulterated blues. Prior to that, Peter backed Jimmy Rogers, Junior Wells, Joe Beard, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Lowell Fulson, Louisiana Red and Sunnyland Slim. His blues philosophy is in finding an original way to play blues within a traditional framework.
TRAIN TO KEY BISCAYNE opens with a tribute Peter wrote to his hero, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, the former Muddy Waters guitarist. It's a song about Luther's own life. The album features Peter's friends, the renowned Ronnie Earl on guitar, Michelle "Evil Gal" Willson, Johnny Nicholas and Sugar Ray Norcia, all on vocals, and Peter's brother Mudcat on bass. Also appearing are Neil Gouvin on drums, Anthony Geraci on piano and the aforementioned Norcia on harp — all of the legendary Sugar Ray & the Bluetones — former John Copnlee keyboardist Hank Walther on piano, George Dellomo on drums, Bob Berry on bass, Aaron Gratzmiller on saxophone, Jiri Nedoma on piano and Keith Asack on bass and guitar.
The songs reflect joy, sadness, humor and everything in-between.
"Coffee Song," sung by Willson, is about serving piping hot coffee and pancakes in bed to the person you care about without worrying who does how much for whom. There's a story about road rage "Something Always Slows Me Down," persistence and love "When You Are Mine" and the journey we dare take to revive a friendship "Train to Key Biscayne."
Ronnie Earl called the record inspiring and Peter thinks his fans will like this album! He hopes to reach a wider audience with this new release.

Train To Key Biscayne

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Johnny Nicholas - Too Many Bad Habits (2-Disc Set)

Heralded Austin-based blues/roots musician and songwriter Johnny Nicholas has reissued his long out-of-print 1977 album, Too Many Bad Habits, along with a special bonus disc of previously unreleased performances. The two-disc set has been completely remastered. Featured artists on the original sessions included blues legends Big Walter Horton on harmonica and vocals, Johnny Shines on guitar and vocals and Boogie Woogie Red on piano and vocals, as well as Ray Benson and other luminaries of the original Asleep at the Wheel lineup.

“This album was initially released on the fledgling Blind Pig label in 1977 and was cut from their catalogue in 1978 shortly after I joined Asleep at the Wheel and stopped touring under my own name,” remembers Johnny Nicholas. “I requested the original masters back from the label numerous times over the years and finally got possession of all multi track tapes, masters, art work and photos in January of 2016. After we successfully transferred all of the old tapes, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a bunch of stellar performances which had never been released—Walter and Johnny and Red were my friends and mentors and hearing this stuff was such a thrill. I hope people enjoy listening to these historical slices of the real blues, played by the masters, as much as we have enjoyed re-discovering, listening to and remastering them.”

The 14 songs on the original album release, plus the 12 performances on the bonus disc, were recorded in Austin, Texas, as well as two other studios in Michigan. “There were three recording sessions that I recall, although so much of that period of my life was a blur,” says Nicholas. “I was constantly ramblin’ between Chicago, Ann Arbor, Texas and Louisiana during those days, with several stints hitch hiking and hopping freight trains back and forth to the west coast to gig with Commander Cody and Asleep at the Wheel before they moved to Austin. One session took place in Texas after their move to the Lone Star State and the other two were recorded in the Detroit area.

“The Austin sessions were recorded in 1975 by Austin radio and music legend Joe Gracey and included Asleep at the Wheel members Ray Benson, Lucky Oceans, Bill Mabry, Link Davis Jr and Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan’s bass player and bandleader for the last twenty five years). All of these cats, like their idol Bob Wills, dug the blues.

“The Ann Arbor sessions were mostly recorded on four track tapes (small and large reel) as I recall, at Blind Pig co-founder Jerry Delguidice’s house outside Ann Arbor. Most of the unreleased performances were recorded there. The eight track tapes were recorded in Farmington Michigan. We would line up gigs at the Blind Pig club in Ann Arbor, record during the day and perform at night.”

Album: Too Many Bad Habits (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:03
Size: 98.6 MB
Styles: Texas blues
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[3:01] 1. Mandolin Boogie
[3:28] 2. Looks Can Be Deceivin'
[3:05] 3. Too Many Bad Habits
[3:43] 4. Sittin' On Top Of The World
[0:24] 5. Got The Train
[2:49] 6. Rock My Blues Away
[2:25] 7. Blues Walk
[2:14] 8. Grinnin' In Your Face
[3:35] 9. The New Canned Heat Blues
[3:00] 10. West Wind
[3:04] 11. Blues Came Fallin' Down
[4:34] 12. Careless Love
[2:50] 13. Gettin' Outta Town
[4:43] 14. Hellhound On My Trail

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Album: Too Many Bad Habits (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:49
Size: 102.6 MB
Styles: Texas blues
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[4:37] 1. Move On Down The Line
[3:44] 2. Pump Jockey Blues
[2:39] 3. Believe I'll Make A Change
[4:56] 4. Prisoner Blues
[2:04] 5. Apple Grove Rhumba
[3:17] 6. Looks Can Be Deceiving
[1:45] 7. That's Alright Mamma
[3:55] 8. Hootie Blues
[4:09] 9. Money Marbles And Chalk
[4:24] 10. Lonesome Traveler
[4:32] 11. Froggy Bottom
[4:43] 12. Soon Forgotten

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VA - Topcat Records: 20th Anniversary Blues Extravaganza!

Size: 200,2+185,6 MB
Time: 85:03+78:39
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front & Back

CD 1:
01 Jesse Thomas - Blue Goose Blues (6:33)
02 Johnny Nicholas - Kind Hearted Woman (4:19)
03 Edwin Holt - Down To The Bone (4:19)
04 Muddy Waters - Long Distance Call (Feat. Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones & Willie Big Eyes Smith) (6:33)
05 George Harmonica Smith - Mississippi River Blues (3:36)
06 Big Mama Thornton - Hound Dog (3:06)
07 Big Walter Horton - My Babe (Feat. Ronnie Youngblood Earl & Johnny Nicholas) (3:54)
08 Jimmie Vaughan - Texas Flood (5:19)
09 Curly Barefoot Miller - The Curly Stomp (4:36)
10 Bobby Chitwood - C-Jam Blues (3:55)
11 The Texas Topcats - Jump My Baby (2:30)
12 The Tu-Tones - Pawnshop Bound (3:54)
13 Josh Alan - Rollin' And Tumblin' (2:55)
14 Hollywood Fats & The Paladins - Tear It Up (3:55)
15 Cricket Taylor - Guitar Man (6:44)
16 Alex Rossi & Phil Guy - Rock Me (4:40)
17 Robert Ealey - I'm Coming Home (4:14)
18 Curly Barefoot Miller - Butter Beans (3:39)
19 Johnny Nicholas - John The Revelator (3:40)
20 Hash Brown - Boogie (2:33)

CD 2:
01 Calvin Owens - True Blue (Feat. B.B. King) (4:21)
02 Bugs Henderson - She Feels Good (4:45)
03 Solon Fishbone - What's On Your Mind (3:54)
04 Texas Slim - Welcome To The Game (2:55)
05 Holland K. Smith - Walking Heart Attack (4:04)
06 Rocky Athas - Texas Girl (3:32)
07 Fernando Noronha - White Trash (5:29)
08 T. Buck Burns & Slip Clay - Saint Peter Have Mercy (3:51)
09 Keller Thomas - Leopard Skin Mini Skirt (3:04)
10 Bob Kirkpatrick - Remember (5:27)
11 Cold Blue Steel - The Girl That Radiates (2:47)
12 Kenny Traylor - Sneakin’ Around (3:53)
13 Jim Suhler & Alan Haynes - Oh My Baby’s Gone (3:43)
14 Big Gilson - Tribute To Roy Buchanan (3:27)
15 Robin Sylar - Heart Of Stone (3:38)
16 Mike Morgan - Well All Right Then (3:36)
17 Pat Mason - Queen Of The Boucherie (4:39)
18 Johnny Mack - Sugar Bee (3:15)
19 U.P. Wilson - Cross Road (3:38)
20 Tutu Jones - The Thrill Is Gone (4:32)

A double-disc set celebrating the two-decade anniversary of Topcat Records, this 40-track compilation shines a spotlight on the various releases the Texas-based blues label have released over the years. This set mixes up old, archival tracks reissued by the label along with newly commissioned recordings, some of the cuts sounding compressed and trashy, others big and bold. This discrepancy in audio quality can create some whiplash, but it does fit the slapdash nature of the whole project; it's hard to tell why each cut was chosen for inclusion as there are no real liner notes to speak of: the booklet does take note of the players on each track, which is nice, but it'd be even nicer to have some sort of context for each of the cuts here. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable enough sampler of modern Texas blues in its many permutations, from simple guitar and voice to full-bodied blues shuffles. ~by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Topcat Records

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Louisiana Red - Working Mule

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:44
Size: 171.1 MB
Styles: Acoustic/Electric blues
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[ 2:46] 1. Working Mule
[ 6:22] 2. The Sky Is Crying
[ 4:24] 3. Champagne And Reefer
[ 7:00] 4. What Is That She Got
[ 1:27] 5. Do You Got Balls
[ 6:04] 6. Keep On Playin' The Blues (Feat. Bob Brozman)
[ 3:33] 7. Locked Up So Long (Feat. Bob Brozman)
[ 4:02] 8. Good Bye Jack Dupree (Feat. Bob Brozman)
[ 5:06] 9. Early In The Morning (Feat. Bob Brozman)
[ 5:09] 10. You Done Quit Me
[ 4:32] 11. I Wonder Who
[10:08] 12. I Done Woke Up (Feat. Johnny Nicholas)
[ 8:59] 13. Same Thing (Feat. Johnny Nicholas)
[ 5:06] 14. Too Poor To Die

Louisiana Red has had the Blues from the ground up. His mother died shortly after his birth and his dad was lynched by the KKK when he was still a young lad. Despite his stately birth name of Iverson Minter, Red spent his subsequent early years shuffled between cruel relations and orphanages. Like a true Bluesman, Red lived his art and breathed into it a fire that has been witnessed and celebrated the world over. By this writer’s count, Red played on at least 81 albums. He expatriated to Hanover, Germany in 1983 and lived their until his passing in 2012. Red was mentored by John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and friends with host of others. His was able to cultivate, channel and meld several styles into a sound and delivery wholly his own. His music was never abandoned here in the States, nor fully appreciated, but he was immensely popular in Europe where he toured extensively.

The tracks on Working Mule were actually recorded over a 13 year period, from 1994 through 2007. A featured artist is, ethnomusicologist Bob Brozman, playing national steel guitar on tracks 8 & 9, “Goodbye Jack Dupree,” & “Early In The Morning respectively. “Guitar” Johnny Nicholas is also featured on piano (yeah, Johnny on piano) on a couple of tracks, track 12, “I Done Woke Up,” & 13, “Same Thing.”

Another highlight is Red’s collaboration with the George Pilali Band on track 2, the Elmore James composition, “The Sky Is Crying.” The band is actually from Greece and steeped in traditional Grecian music. In addition to national steel guitar, bass and percussion they also play instruments that are native to Greece; the sazi, tsabouna and yali tanbur. The result is a stringed lament intro that swings right into a funky, down home guitar and national steel slide romp with Red and George Pilali. The album also features another band from Greece, with whom Red toured and played with extensively, Blues Wire. They perform 2 Muddy Waters songs, “Champagne And Reefer,” and “What Is That She Got,” on tracks 3 &4. 9 of the 14 tracks presented here are songs written by Red himself. His commentary, observations and asides, evident throughout, give the listener indications of how strong and larger than life Red’s personality was. ~Tee Watts

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Johnny Nicholas - Fresh Air

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:50
Size: 148.4 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[5:07] 1. Moonlight Train
[5:06] 2. Kid Man Blues
[3:50] 3. Blues Time
[3:06] 4. Red Light
[5:02] 5. Sweet Katrina
[5:45] 6. Broken Heart
[4:31] 7. Bayou Blues
[5:36] 8. Roll On Mississippi
[5:05] 9. Backdoor Man
[4:44] 10. Wake Up Bobby
[5:19] 11. Working In The Garden
[4:52] 12. Fresh Air
[6:40] 13. Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar

“Johnny Nicholas is one of the best bluesmen ever, black or white.” ~ Stephen Bruton

When it comes to Americana Roots Music and especially the Blues, the late great Stephen Bruton knew what he was talking about. Those who knew him knew that he always got to the point. His description of his long time friend and musical comrade in arms is succinct and quite a heady compliment, but then, Johnny Nicholas is an amazing talent. For four decades Johnny’s consummate musicianship and vocal skills have graced live music scenes across the country and abroad. He has toured, performed and recorded with many true blues and Americana Roots Music legends including: Mississippi Fred McDowell, Robert Lockwood Jr., Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Roosevelt Sykes, Nathan Abshire, Robert Pete Williams, Eddie Taylor, Billy Boy Arnold, Hound Dog Taylor, Johnny Young, Houston Stackhouse, and Boogie Woogie Red. He recorded and toured with Johnny Shines and Snooky Pryor, producing and playing guitar on their W.C. Handy Award-winning album Back to the Country. He was a lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with Asleep at the Wheel when they won their first of many Grammy Awards. He gave Blues Guitar Icon Ronnie Earl his first gig in the now legendary band Guitar Johnny and the Rhythm Rockers.

He has also shared the stage and performed with the likes of Howlin Wolf, BB King, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Rait, Eric Clapton, Pops and Mavis Staples, Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard,and Jimmie Vaughan among many others. He can wow a festival crowd of thousands or a small room of devotees. There are mysteries within this history, but remember that true history is written in the uncharted depths of a passionate spirit striving to fathom the mysteries, the pain and the joy of life and love. Here’s what you need to know about Johnny Nicholas—the rest and the best is all in his music.

Johnny discovered the blues at an early age, grooving to the great R&B that was blasting from the airwaves in the late 50’s and early 60’s—Jimmy Reed, Lightnin Slim, Slim Harpo, Lloyd Price, Larry Williams, Little Walter, Ray Charles and The Howling Wolf were all Big Blips on this impressionable young man’s radar screen. Like fellow Greek-American Johnny Otis had a generation earlier, this Johnny easily made the leap into the soulful world of the Blues, a music very similar in feeling and expression to the Rembetika music he heard as a child in the Greek community.

In 1966, he hopped the train to New York City to see his idol the Wolf. He ended up hanging with Wolf’s band at the Albert Hotel by day (where Wolf’s band AND Muddy’s band and Otis Spann were all staying) and at Ungano’s nightclub by night where the Wolf was holding musical court while on a two week prowl of the Big Apple. This experience cemented his love of the blues while providing inspiration and a gateway to friendships and musical adventures that would help mold a successful career and still smolder in this talented and restless soul. The common thread between all these influences is that of a true storyteller and troubadour, a living connection to the roots of American music that started in the Mississippi Delta and continues to flow down the river of traditional and contemporary sounds that emanate from Johnny Nicholas.

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Johnny Nicholas & The Texas All-Stars - Rockin' My Blues To Sleep

Size: 107,5 MB
Time: 45:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Texas Blues
Art: Full

01. Rockin' My Blues To Sleep (3:47)
02. Rain Down Tears (4:19)
03. The Last Meal (3:12)
04. I'm A Fool To Care (2:37)
05. Where You At (2:45)
06. Reap What You Sow (3:08)
07. Woke Up Screamin ' (3:58)
08. Mamma, Talk To Your Daughter (3:56)
09. In The Doorway Cryin' (4:08)
10. The Hustle Is On (2:17)
11. Things I Used To Do (3:57)
12. Before I Grow Too Old (4:07)
13. Boogie Back To Texas (3:07)

In 1991, after twenty years of the blues scenes of Providence, Detroit-Ann Arbor, Chicago, Texas, the Bay Area and the Cajun country of Louisiana, Johnny Nicholas played on and produceed the late Johnny Shines's last album (with Snooky Pryor). Until then, that was the only way you could hear Nicholas on any recording. Then in 1994, Antones released his CD Thrill On The Hill, a live CD which brought him again to the forefront of the world blues scene again. And now he has finished a new CD, Rockin' My Blues To Sleep, for TopCat Records. This CD is a more refined studio recording produced by none other than blues player and producer extraordinaire Stephen Bruton. Subtitled "Texas / Louisiana Blues & Dance Hall Favorites", Nicholas' lastest effort host an internationally famous line up of talent and tunes. Featuring Marcia Ball (piano,vocals and recently appearing with B.B. King), Steve Bruton (guitarist for Emmy Lou Harris) and Doug Sahm's horn section makes this CD cook like a 24hr. New Orleans kitchen. Austin's favorite, veteran blues guitarist Bill Campbell adds the hot sauce to a perfect plate of gulf coast R 'n B. The popular, world touring Nicholas serves up yet another work of great musicians and infectious classic and original tunes. Every fan of Johnny's and the "real stuff" will be thrilled to add this new Topcat release to their collection. This CD is proof of Johnny Nicholas' blues acumen and is a joy to listen to. Without a doubt, this CD is a testament to the fact that Johnny is back in force. Welcome home!

Rockin' My Blues To Sleep

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The Texas Horns - Blues Gotta Holda Me

Size: 119,0 MB
Time: 50:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Texas Blues, Blues Jazz
Art: Front

01. Soul Stroll (4:23)
02. Go On Fool (Feat. Marcia Ball) (2:58)
03. You're Driving Me Crazy (4:12)
04. Kick Me Again (4:02)
05. Cold Blooded Lover (Feat. W.C. Clark) (3:33)
06. Lost Mind (3:54)
07. Sing Sing Sing (Let's Make A Better World) (4:49)
08. Rippin And Trippin (3:18)
09. Blues Gotta Holda Me (2:32)
10. People Get Ready (5:20)
11. Caldonia (3:46)
12. Home Cookin (5:06)
13. Spanky's Twist (2:58)

The Texas Horns have been blowing audiences away on stages and on record since 1999. Now we finally get to hear them celebrate their own sound on CD with some of their closest friends in the music business.

Mark ‘Kaz’ Kazanoff, John Mills, and Adalberto ‘Al’ Gomez have truly been there/done that, producing and backing a who’s who of blues, soul, and rock bands – inducing Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, the Allman Brothers Band and more – and creating their spontaneous horn section magic on stages all over North America. These guys have held the spotlight at the big festivals in Ottawa, Chicago, and Portland. Here, Kaz plays his tenor sax and harmonica, and steps up to sing. John blows his swinging bari sax and Al wields his trusty trumpet. Whether it’s bringing new life to gems like “Caldonia” or “People Get Ready”or introducing their own material (listen to “Soul Stroll” or “Kick Me Again” or “Blues Gotta Hold on Me”) these guys know how to play, romping, stomping and updating that great horn sound from the 40s and 50s. The rhythm section boasts Austin blues maestros Barry “Frosty” Smith (drums) and Derek O’Brien (guitar), and the special guest stars include Marcia Ball, W.C. Clark, Nick Conolly, Anson Funderburg, Roscoe Beck and Johnny Nicholas.

Blues Gotta Holda Me

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Johnny Nicholas - 2 albums: Future Blues / Thrill On The Hill

When it comes to Americana Roots Music and especially the Blues, the late great Stephen Bruton knew what he was talking about. Those who knew him knew that he always got to the point. His description of his long time friend and musical comrade in arms is succinct and quite a heady compliment, but then, Johnny Nicholas is an amazing talent.

For four decades Johnny’s consummate musicianship and vocal skills have graced live music scenes across the country and abroad. He has toured, performed and recorded with many true blues and Americana Roots Music legends including: Mississippi Fred McDowell, Robert Lockwood Jr., Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, Roosevelt Sykes, Nathan Abshire, Robert Pete Williams, Eddie Taylor, Billy Boy Arnold, Hound Dog Taylor, Johnny Young, Houston Stackhouse, and Boogie Woogie Red.

He recorded and toured with Johnny Shines and Snooky Pryor, producing and playing guitar on their W.C. Handy Award-winning album Back to the Country. He was a lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with Asleep at the Wheel when they won their first of many Grammy Awards. He gave Blues Guitar Icon Ronnie Earl his first gig in the now legendary band Guitar Johnny and the Rhythm Rockers. He has also shared the stage and performed with the likes of Howlin Wolf, BB King, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Rait, Eric Clapton, Pops and Mavis Staples, Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard,and Jimmie Vaughan among many others.

He can wow a festival crowd of thousands or a small room of devotees. There are mysteries within this history, but remember that true history is written in the uncharted depths of a passionate spirit striving to fathom the mysteries, the pain and the joy of life and love. Here’s what you need to know about Johnny Nicholas—the rest and the best is all in his music. Johnny discovered the blues at an early age, grooving to the great R&B that was blasting from the airwaves in the late 50’s and early 60’s—Jimmy Reed, Lightnin Slim, Slim Harpo, Lloyd Price, Larry Williams, Little Walter, Ray Charles and The Howling Wolf were all Big Blips on this impressionable young man’s radar screen. Like fellow Greek-American Johnny Otis had a generation earlier, this Johnny easily made the leap into the soulful world of the Blues, a music very similar in feeling and expression to the Rembetika music he heard as a child in the Greek community.

Album: Future Blues
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 52:06
Size: 119.3 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:58] 1. Hey Hey
[3:19] 2. Hell Bent
[2:55] 3. Don't Say I Never Told You So
[4:54] 4. Hard Time Livin'
[4:12] 5. Roads On Fire
[4:44] 6. Mister Moon
[5:07] 7. Future Blues
[4:36] 8. Graveyard Blues
[5:20] 9. That's The Price
[5:02] 10. (It's All Over Now) Baby Blue
[3:33] 11. Pass Your Tender Lips
[5:19] 12. Steadfast

Future Blues mc
Future Blues zippy

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Album: Thrill On The Hill
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:52
Size: 95.9 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[4:23] 1. Kind Hearted Woman
[3:36] 2. House Cleaning Blues
[2:53] 3. My Rice Ain't Got No Gravy
[4:05] 4. Prince Charming
[4:16] 5. Blue & Lonesome
[3:36] 6. Mandolin Boogie
[3:44] 7. John The Revelator
[3:30] 8. Sleeping With The Devil
[2:43] 9. Let's Go To Big Houston
[4:35] 10. Tomorrow Night
[4:26] 11. Johnny's Deathray Boogie Thrill On The Hill

Thrill On The Hill mc
Thrill On The Hill zippy

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Louisiana Red - The Sky Is Crying

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 71:41
Size: 164.1 MB
Styles: Country blues
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[ 5:04] 1. Too Poor To Die
[ 2:46] 2. Working Mule
[ 4:20] 3. Champagne And Reefer
[ 1:26] 4. Do You Got Balls
[ 6:19] 5. Same Thing
[ 4:02] 6. Good Bye Jack Dupree
[ 6:45] 7. What Is That She Got
[ 6:03] 8. Keep On Playin' The Blues
[ 6:22] 9. The Sky Is Crying
[ 3:33] 10. Locked Up So Long
[ 4:31] 11. I Wonder Who
[ 5:03] 12. Early In The Morning
[ 5:07] 13. You Done Quit Me
[10:12] 14. I Done Woke Up

A new CD, which will be a great surprise for all country blues fans: Louisiana Red recorded some years before his death a great live CD from different concerts in Greece! Also present at these concerts were: Johnny Nicholas and Bob Brozman.

The Sky Is Crying mc
The Sky Is Crying zippy

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The Knickerbocker All-Stars - Open Mic At The Knick

Size: 106,2 MB
Time: 45:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. You Upset Me Baby (Vocals Sugar Ray Norcia) (3:33)
02. Turn On Your Love Light (Vocals Malford Milligan) (3:54)
03. Mother-In- Law Blues (Vocals Willie J. Laws) (2:44)
04. Love Disease (Vocals Malford Milligan) (3:30)
05. Jelly Jelly (Vocals Johnny Nicholas) (5:11)
06. Reconsider Baby (Vocals Johnny Nicholas) (3:18)
07. It's Later Than You Think (Vocals Sugar Ray Norcia) (2:33)
08. Ain't That Lovin You (Vocals Curtis Salgado) (2:29)
09. Five Long Years (Vocals Willie J. Laws) (3:57)
10. Somebody's Got To Go (Vocals J.P. Sheerar) (4:09)
11. I'm Tore Down (Vocals Brian Templeton) (3:25)
12. Along About Midnight (Vocals Johnny Nicholas) (3:02)
13. Going Down (Vocals Mike O’Connell) (3:28)

The Knickerbocker All Stars are a group of extremely talented blues musicians who have been in the business for decades. Members of the band have played with such notable performers as Freddie King, Robert Cray, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues as well as their own bands.
Sunday night at the Knickerbocker Café in Westerly, RI featured the Roomful of Blues in the 1970’s and early 80’s. It quickly became the hottest social event in the area. Duke Robillard, the legendary blues guitarist and leader of the Roomful, would invite many up and coming musicians on stage to get their licks in as well as featured artists, the list of which is too long to mention.
Every song on the CD was carefully selected to emulate the great blues front-men, backed by a full horn section with bluesy and boogie woogie piano. Bob Christina was working as the drummer in the blues band Ricky King Russell and the Cadillac Horns. With Bob’s efforts we were able to bring together the Knickerbocker All Stars. The band includes blues heroes, Curtis Saglado, John Nicholas, Sugar Ray Norcia, Malford Milligan, Dave Maxwell, Al Copley and, of course, Bob’s brother Fran.
If you play their songs loud enough and close your eyes you can envision the band blasting away while dancers on the floor twist, swing, jitterbug and slow dance real tight. All of this is what was and still is the hallmark of the Knickerbocker Café.

Musicians
Bobby and Fran Christina – drums
Ricky King Russell – guitar
Nick Adams – guitar on “Love Disease”
Bob Worthington – bass electric/stand-up
Doc Chanonhouse - trumpet
Bobby “Breeze” Holfelden – trombone
Rich Lataille – tenor and alto sax
Dennis Cook– baritone sax
Al Copley and Dave Maxwell – piano

Open Mic At The Knick

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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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