Tom Principato - Twangin'!

Album: Twangin'!
Size: 81,5 MB
Time: 35:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2026
Styles: Instrumental blues, roots
Art: Front

1. Night Walk (2:51)
2. Kentucky (3:21)
3. Drop D Boogie (2:52)
4. Smoky Blue (3:23)
5. The Bone Head Shuffle (2:48)
6. All Night, All Day (3:32)
7. Champagne (2:30)
8. Beyond The Stars (3:03)
9. Head First (4:17)
10. Love Letters (3:06)
11. Blue Star (3:14)

After a 13-year gap, American blues guitarist Tom Principato returns with Twangin!, a fully instrumental album blending blues, boogie and country. Featuring both originals and carefully chosen covers, the record highlights Principato’s expressive guitar phrasing and unmistakable tone. While the album works perfectly as atmospheric background listening, it also delivers several standout moments that remind listeners why Principato remains a respected name in modern blues guitar.

With a career in blues spanning more than four decades, Tom Principato has built a reputation as a versatile and expressive player. Having worked with numerous bands and collaborators over the years, his solo work has remained the constant thread throughout that long journey. Twangin! is the title of this entirely instrumental record, a project that allows Principato to fully embrace his love for a range of styles. Blues, boogie and country all flow naturally through the album. With his distinctive phrasing and tone, he demonstrates that a guitar can easily carry the emotional weight of a song without the need for vocals. /Jan Wolf, The Blues Magazine

Twangin'! mc
Twangin'! gofile

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Jimmy Thackery, Tom Principato & The Assassins - Partners In Crime

Album: Partners In Crime
Size: 113,7 MB
Time: 49:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1996
Styles: Blues, rocking blues
Art: Full

1. Partners In Crime (2:55)
2. Love To Ride (5:28)
3. Hopes Up High (3:43)
4. You Can Leave Your Hat On (3:39)
5. Today I Started Lovin' You Again (5:32)
6. Dear Dad (2:15)
7. Lonesome Train (3:44)
8. Everybody Needs Love (4:05)
9. Boogie Woogie Man From Tennessee (3:48)
10. Remington Ride (Live) (6:04)
11. Honey Hush (Live) (7:55)

Singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso Jimmy Thackery carved an enviable niche for himself in the world of electric blues. Known for his gritty, blue-collar approach and marathon live shows, Thackery was for many years part of the Nighthawks, one of the hardest-working blues bar bands in North America. By the late '80s, he was touring and recording under his own name, and finding widespread acceptance on the festival circuit. His hard-edged, tough-as-nails approach to guitar playing and his trio's driving rhythm section holds appeal for fans of both the straight-ahead blues of Muddy Waters and the roots rock of Bruce Springsteen and Joe Grushecky. Like the Nighthawks and Grushecky's Houserockers, much of the material Thackery performs can safely be called blues or blues-rock. Hardcore blues like "It's My Own Fault" and popular blues-rock chestnuts like "Red House" from Jimi Hendrix are fair game for Thackery & His Drivers, which included Michael Patrick on bass and Mark Stutso on drums and vocals.

Born in Pittsburgh, Thackery was raised in Washington, D.C. In high school, he played in a band with Bonnie Raitt's brother, David, who exposed him to the music of Buddy Guy; Thackery saw both Guy and Jimi Hendrix perform in Washington, D.C. Thackery joined the Nighthawks in 1974, after being introduced to harmonica man Mark Wenner by fellow guitarist Bobby Radcliff, who was then based in D.C. Thackery recorded more than 20 albums with the Nighthawks and toured the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan. He left the band in 1987 and struck out on his own, needing a break from the Nighthawks' 300-nights-a-year tour schedule. He formed a new band, Jimmy Thackery & the Assassins, and toured the East Coast heavily with that band until they split up in 1991. Thackery then formed a trio, Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers, quickly forging a name for himself on the blues festival and club circuit through a prolific recording pace and a lot of roadwork.

His albums for the San Francisco-based Blind Pig label included Empty Arms Motel (1992), Sideways in Paradise (Jimmy Thackery and John Mooney, 1993), Trouble Man (1994), Wild Night Out! (1995), Drive to Survive (1996), Switching Gears (1998), and Sinner Street (2000). The latter added saxophone player Jimmy Carpenter. In 2002, Thackery signed on with the blues division of Telarc Records, releasing We Got It in 2002 followed by True Stories in 2003, Live in 2004, and Healin' Ground in 2005. Switching to Rykodisc, he released In the Natural State in 2006, followed by Solid Ice on Telarc Records in 2007. Inside Tracks appeared a year later in 2008, also from Telarc Records.

His 1998 album includes guest performances by Joe Louis Walker, Lonnie Brooks, Chubby Carrier, and Francine Reed, but any of Thackery's albums will delight fans of tough, heavy, driving guitar playing. For a taste of his thorough mastery of several styles, Drive to Survive touches on rockabilly, jazz, bebop, and surf music. Most of Thackery's albums include at least a few covers mixed in with his batch of self-penned songs. /Biography by Richard Skelly, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Partners In Crime mc
Partners In Crime zippy

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Tom Principato - It's Tele Time: A Tribute To Roy Buchanan & Danny Gatton

Size: 117.9 MB
Time: 50:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Apricot Brandy (4:53)
02. 8 Counts For Rita (5:05)
03. One For Danny (3:15)
04. See See Rider (6:07)
05. Don't Think Twice (It's Alright) (4:30)
06. Saturday Night Fish Fry (5:07)
07. Done Daddy Dirty (7:19)
08. Slow Down (5:31)
09. The Messiah Will Come Again (9:07)

I have never thought of myself in the same category as Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton--these guys were my heroes, and through them I heard the playing of my other heroes like Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Roy Nichols, Charlie Christian and James Burton. And although I have played different models of Fender and Gibson guitars over the years, (Roy and Danny didn't always play a Telecaster either), I have always thought of myself in my own way, as being part of the ""Washington D.C. Telecaster tradition"". I always brought more than one guitar on a tour or to a concert, and one of them was usually a Telecaster. There would be a part of the show where I would strap on a Telecaster, joke about ""it's Tele time!"" and ""unleashing the chickens"", and for a part of the night everything that I learned or absorbed from Roy and Danny would come pouring out. This is a collection of live recordings showing those influences and my tribute to 2 of the greatest Fender Telecaster guitar players ever. Tom Principato"

It's Tele Time: A Tribute To Roy Buchanan & Danny Gatton MP3
It's Tele Time: A Tribute To Roy Buchanan & Danny Gatton FLAC

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Tom Principato - House On Fire: Live In Europe

Size: 101.2 MB
Time: 43:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front & Back

01. Til I Get What I Came Here For (Live) (6:44)
02. They Took My Money (Live) (5:31)
03. Voodoo Thing (Live) (3:38)
04. Never Make Your Move Too Soon (Live) (6:50)
05. Fish Fry (Live) (5:05)
06. House On Fire (Live) (5:05)
07. Hey Now Baby (Live) (5:45)
08. Call The Law (Live) (4:51)

In 2003 to promote the latest release of the day for Tom Principato, The Tom Principato band with special guest keyboardist Tommy Lepson headed out for a European tour to promote that CD in Europe. What resulted was a great concert captured from Trosj Sessions radio in Hilversum, Netherlands.

Included in the set are songs from the "House On Fire" CD as well as songs from the "Guitar Gumbo" CD, and Principato live repetoire standbys such as "Fish Fry"; a Smokin' re-working of Louis Jordan's Sat. Night Fish Fry" done at a blazing tempo, and classics like Principato's own rocking "Call The Law" and a great cover of B.B. King 's "Never Make Your Move Too Soon".

House On Fire: Live In Europe MP3
House On Fire: Live In Europe FLAC

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Tom Principato - Live And Kickin'

Album: Live And Kickin'
Size: 121,6 MB
Time: 52:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1999
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Full

1. Today I Started Loving You Again (5:46)
2. Never Make Your Move Too Soon (5:31)
3. Knockin' On The Door (3:52)
4. In Orbit (4:18)
5. Kansas City Blues (5:55)
6. Strangers Eyes (8:04)
7. One For Danny (3:10)
8. Try To Reach You (2:57)
9. In The Clouds (7:55)
10. Call The Law (5:08)

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Tom Principato has long been a regional star in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He has toured nationally around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, but often the venues are clubs. His particular blend of blues-rock is highly specific; jazz guitar master Pat Metheny said of Principato, "He has an enormous talent at telling stories in his solos; he doesn't play 'standard' licks." Raised in suburban Washington, D.C., his early guitar-playing heroes included Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. He listened to his parents' recordings by the likes of Chet Atkins and the Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian, and like a lot of kids, discovered the power of Chicago blues in his high-school years.

Early in his professional career, Principato divided his time between two great cities for blues, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Principato was the leader of a band, Powerhouse, whose only album but lively shows made them a major club attraction in the late '70s. In 1980, Principato also joined guitarist Geoff Muldaur on the road and recorded an album with him as a member of his band. Back home in D.C. in 1981, he sought out and hooked up with a number of musicians, including Big Mama Thornton, Billy Price, and Sunnyland Slim & the Assassins, a band that included Nighthawks guitarist Jimmy Thackery. Principato recorded two albums with the Assassins, No Previous Record (1986) and Partners in Crime (1987). By 1987, Principato had launched his own solo career, playing at various nightclubs in and around D.C. and Northern Virginia with varying trios.

Since 1984, Principato has recorded many solo albums featuring his own varying groups. They include Smokin! (1985), I Know What You're Thinkin (1988), the live Blazing Telecasters with his early mentor Danny Gatton (1990), In Orbit (also 1990), Tip of the Iceberg (1992), In the Clouds (1995), and Really Blue (1998). He released Blues Over the Years in 1999, Not One Word in 2000, Live in Europe in 2001, Fingers on Fire with Pete Kennedy (of the folk-rock duo the Kennedys) in 2002, House on Fire in 2003, Oh No! More Blazing Telecasters - another duet record with Danny Gatton - in 2005, and Guitar Gumbo, released that same year.

The 2008 album Raising the Roof was credited to the Tom Principato Band - and he reverted to a solo billing for 2010's A Part of Me. In 2012, he released a collaborative album titled Guitars on Fire: Live at Chez Paulette with Fred Chapellier. The tribute album Robert Johnson Told Me So arrived in 2013, while 2015 brought Live and Still Kickin'! A duet album with Steve Wolf, The Long Way Home, appeared in 2017. Through the years, Principato has released records on his own Powerhouse Records label, as well as with the now defunct Atlanta-based Ichiban label. His live shows, often accompanied by just a bassist and drummer, are exciting, with lots of guitar pyrotechnics and great playing from the other members of his ensemble. Since the 1990s, Principato has enjoyed ongoing endorsement deals with the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, DR Handmade Strings, Seymour Duncan (pickups), and Roger Mayer (whose namesake founder made a variety of effects pedals and electronic gadgets for Jimi Hendrix).

Based in Falls Church, Virginia when he's not delivering his powerful live shows to crowds in clubs and theaters, Principato is like a lot of unheralded blues and roots rock performers; he spends considerable time in Europe, where the crowds in general seem to be much more appreciative of indigenous American styles. Other than a brief flirtation with Island Records, he has never been signed to a major label. /Biography by Richard Skelly, AllMusic

Live And Kickin' mc
Live And Kickin' zippy

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Tom Principato - House On Fire

Album: House On Fire
Size: 122,3 MB
Time: 52:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2003
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Full

1. 'Till I Get What I Came Here For (5:21)
2. Apricot Brandy (2:59)
3. Voodoo Thing (3:26)
4. Crazy Mixed Up World (4:06)
5. Very Blue (8:59)
6. House On Fire (4:34)
7. Shuffle 50 (5:44)
8. I Hear You Knockin' (5:42)
9. Break Out! (4:14)
10. Baptised In Muddy Water (2:23)
11. Done Your Daddy Dirty (5:22)

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Tom Principato has long been a regional star in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He has toured nationally around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, but often the venues are clubs. His particular blend of blues-rock is highly specific; jazz guitar master Pat Metheny said of Principato, "He has an enormous talent at telling stories in his solos; he doesn't play 'standard' licks." Raised in suburban Washington, D.C., his early guitar-playing heroes included Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. He listened to his parents' recordings by the likes of Chet Atkins and the Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian, and like a lot of kids, discovered the power of Chicago blues in his high-school years.

Early in his professional career, Principato divided his time between two great cities for blues, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Principato was the leader of a band, Powerhouse, whose only album but lively shows made them a major club attraction in the late '70s. In 1980, Principato also joined guitarist Geoff Muldaur on the road and recorded an album with him as a member of his band. Back home in D.C. in 1981, he sought out and hooked up with a number of musicians, including Big Mama Thornton, Billy Price, and Sunnyland Slim & the Assassins, a band that included Nighthawks guitarist Jimmy Thackery. Principato recorded two albums with the Assassins, No Previous Record (1986) and Partners in Crime (1987). By 1987, Principato had launched his own solo career, playing at various nightclubs in and around D.C. and Northern Virginia with varying trios.

Since 1984, Principato has recorded many solo albums featuring his own varying groups. They include Smokin! (1985), I Know What You're Thinkin (1988), the live Blazing Telecasters with his early mentor Danny Gatton (1990), In Orbit (also 1990), Tip of the Iceberg (1992), In the Clouds (1995), and Really Blue (1998). He released Blues Over the Years in 1999, Not One Word in 2000, Live in Europe in 2001, Fingers on Fire with Pete Kennedy (of the folk-rock duo the Kennedys) in 2002, House on Fire in 2003, Oh No! More Blazing Telecasters - another duet record with Danny Gatton - in 2005, and Guitar Gumbo, released that same year.

The 2008 album Raising the Roof was credited to the Tom Principato Band - and he reverted to a solo billing for 2010's A Part of Me. In 2012, he released a collaborative album titled Guitars on Fire: Live at Chez Paulette with Fred Chapellier. The tribute album Robert Johnson Told Me So arrived in 2013, while 2015 brought Live and Still Kickin'! A duet album with Steve Wolf, The Long Way Home, appeared in 2017. Through the years, Principato has released records on his own Powerhouse Records label, as well as with the now defunct Atlanta-based Ichiban label. His live shows, often accompanied by just a bassist and drummer, are exciting, with lots of guitar pyrotechnics and great playing from the other members of his ensemble. Since the 1990s, Principato has enjoyed ongoing endorsement deals with the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, DR Handmade Strings, Seymour Duncan (pickups), and Roger Mayer (whose namesake founder made a variety of effects pedals and electronic gadgets for Jimi Hendrix).

Based in Falls Church, Virginia when he's not delivering his powerful live shows to crowds in clubs and theaters, Principato is like a lot of unheralded blues and roots rock performers; he spends considerable time in Europe, where the crowds in general seem to be much more appreciative of indigenous American styles. Other than a brief flirtation with Island Records, he has never been signed to a major label. /Biography by Richard Skelly, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

House On Fire mc
House On Fire zippy

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Tom Pricipato & Powerhouse - In Orbit

Size: 97,1 MB
Time: 41:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1990
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Full

1. Nobody (3:00)
2. In Orbit (4:18)
3. Arms Around My Honey (2:38)
4. Deep In The Heart Of Texas (4:13)
5. Same Old Blues (4:30)
6. My Baby Don't Love No One But Me (3:35)
7. You Slipped Up (4:18)
8. In A Dream (4:25)
9. You're Not Alone (4:16)
10. All She Wants To Do Is Rock (3:25)
11. Mama, Your Daughter Lied (3:09)

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Tom Principato has long been a regional star in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He has toured nationally around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, but often the venues are clubs. His particular blend of blues-rock is highly specific; jazz guitar master Pat Metheny said of Principato, "He has an enormous talent at telling stories in his solos; he doesn't play 'standard' licks." Raised in suburban Washington, D.C., his early guitar-playing heroes included Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. He listened to his parents' recordings by the likes of Chet Atkins and the Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian, and like a lot of kids, discovered the power of Chicago blues in his high-school years.

Early in his professional career, Principato divided his time between two great cities for blues, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Principato was the leader of a band, Powerhouse, whose only album but lively shows made them a major club attraction in the late '70s. In 1980, Principato also joined guitarist Geoff Muldaur on the road and recorded an album with him as a member of his band. Back home in D.C. in 1981, he sought out and hooked up with a number of musicians, including Big Mama Thornton, Billy Price, and Sunnyland Slim & the Assassins, a band that included Nighthawks guitarist Jimmy Thackery. Principato recorded two albums with the Assassins, No Previous Record (1986) and Partners in Crime (1987). By 1987, Principato had launched his own solo career, playing at various nightclubs in and around D.C. and Northern Virginia with varying trios.

Since 1984, Principato has recorded many solo albums featuring his own varying groups. They include Smokin! (1985), I Know What You're Thinkin (1988), the live Blazing Telecasters with his early mentor Danny Gatton (1990), In Orbit (also 1990), Tip of the Iceberg (1992), In the Clouds (1995), and Really Blue (1998). He released Blues Over the Years in 1999, Not One Word in 2000, Live in Europe in 2001, Fingers on Fire with Pete Kennedy (of the folk-rock duo the Kennedys) in 2002, House on Fire in 2003, Oh No! More Blazing Telecasters - another duet record with Danny Gatton - in 2005, and Guitar Gumbo, released that same year.

The 2008 album Raising the Roof was credited to the Tom Principato Band - and he reverted to a solo billing for 2010's A Part of Me. In 2012, he released a collaborative album titled Guitars on Fire: Live at Chez Paulette with Fred Chapellier. The tribute album Robert Johnson Told Me So arrived in 2013, while 2015 brought Live and Still Kickin'! A duet album with Steve Wolf, The Long Way Home, appeared in 2017. Through the years, Principato has released records on his own Powerhouse Records label, as well as with the now defunct Atlanta-based Ichiban label. His live shows, often accompanied by just a bassist and drummer, are exciting, with lots of guitar pyrotechnics and great playing from the other members of his ensemble. Since the 1990s, Principato has enjoyed ongoing endorsement deals with the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, DR Handmade Strings, Seymour Duncan (pickups), and Roger Mayer (whose namesake founder made a variety of effects pedals and electronic gadgets for Jimi Hendrix).

Based in Falls Church, Virginia when he's not delivering his powerful live shows to crowds in clubs and theaters, Principato is like a lot of unheralded blues and roots rock performers; he spends considerable time in Europe, where the crowds in general seem to be much more appreciative of indigenous American styles. Other than a brief flirtation with Island Records, he has never been signed to a major label. /Biography by Richard Skelly, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

In Orbit mc
In Orbit zippy

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Tom Principato - Smokin'!

Size: 85,4 MB
Time: 36:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1985
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Full

1. Slipped, Tripped, Fell In Love (4:07)
2. My Baby Worships Me (2:46)
3. Blue Mood (4:01)
4. Lipstick, Powder & Paint (3:43)
5. Fish Fry (3:35)
6. Here I Come (Back For A Taste Of Your Love) (4:25)
7. Talkin' Trash (3:49)
8. I'm On Fire (3:24)
9. Well Oh Well (2:59)
10. Hard Livin' (4:04)

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Tom Principato has long been a regional star in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He has toured nationally around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, but often the venues are clubs. His particular blend of blues-rock is highly specific; jazz guitar master Pat Metheny said of Principato, "He has an enormous talent at telling stories in his solos; he doesn't play 'standard' licks." Raised in suburban Washington, D.C., his early guitar-playing heroes included Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. He listened to his parents' recordings by the likes of Chet Atkins and the Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian, and like a lot of kids, discovered the power of Chicago blues in his high-school years.

Early in his professional career, Principato divided his time between two great cities for blues, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Principato was the leader of a band, Powerhouse, whose only album but lively shows made them a major club attraction in the late '70s. In 1980, Principato also joined guitarist Geoff Muldaur on the road and recorded an album with him as a member of his band. Back home in D.C. in 1981, he sought out and hooked up with a number of musicians, including Big Mama Thornton, Billy Price, and Sunnyland Slim & the Assassins, a band that included Nighthawks guitarist Jimmy Thackery. Principato recorded two albums with the Assassins, No Previous Record (1986) and Partners in Crime (1987). By 1987, Principato had launched his own solo career, playing at various nightclubs in and around D.C. and Northern Virginia with varying trios.

Since 1984, Principato has recorded many solo albums featuring his own varying groups. They include Smokin! (1985), I Know What You're Thinkin (1988), the live Blazing Telecasters with his early mentor Danny Gatton (1990), In Orbit (also 1990), Tip of the Iceberg (1992), In the Clouds (1995), and Really Blue (1998). He released Blues Over the Years in 1999, Not One Word in 2000, Live in Europe in 2001, Fingers on Fire with Pete Kennedy (of the folk-rock duo the Kennedys) in 2002, House on Fire in 2003, Oh No! More Blazing Telecasters - another duet record with Danny Gatton - in 2005, and Guitar Gumbo, released that same year.

The 2008 album Raising the Roof was credited to the Tom Principato Band - and he reverted to a solo billing for 2010's A Part of Me. In 2012, he released a collaborative album titled Guitars on Fire: Live at Chez Paulette with Fred Chapellier. The tribute album Robert Johnson Told Me So arrived in 2013, while 2015 brought Live and Still Kickin'! A duet album with Steve Wolf, The Long Way Home, appeared in 2017. Through the years, Principato has released records on his own Powerhouse Records label, as well as with the now defunct Atlanta-based Ichiban label. His live shows, often accompanied by just a bassist and drummer, are exciting, with lots of guitar pyrotechnics and great playing from the other members of his ensemble. Since the 1990s, Principato has enjoyed ongoing endorsement deals with the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, DR Handmade Strings, Seymour Duncan (pickups), and Roger Mayer (whose namesake founder made a variety of effects pedals and electronic gadgets for Jimi Hendrix).

Based in Falls Church, Virginia when he's not delivering his powerful live shows to crowds in clubs and theaters, Principato is like a lot of unheralded blues and roots rock performers; he spends considerable time in Europe, where the crowds in general seem to be much more appreciative of indigenous American styles. Other than a brief flirtation with Island Records, he has never been signed to a major label. /Biography by Richard Skelly, AllMusic

Smokin'! mc
Smokin'! zippy

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Tom Principato - Really Blue

Size: 128,1 MB
Time: 55:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Full

1. Every Minute, Every Hour (4:24)
2. Sweet Little Woman (5:09)
3. One For Danny (Dedicated To Danny Gatton) (3:13)
4. Stranger's Eyes (7:16)
5. Walkin' Blues (5:44)
6. Really Blue (5:34)
7. Standing At The Cross Roads Again (4:43)
8. In Orbit (4:17)
9. Kansas City Blues (Joe Turner Medley) (5:05)
10. Baby, Please (3:06)
11. In Another Dream (4:23)
12. Here, In My Heart... (2:23)

Principato's seventh album continues the tradition of strong guitar work coupled with vocals that are less than scintillating but never offensive, wedded to material that's more of a showcase for his playing than it is actual songs. He gives his blues-shuffle-in-E chops a workout on Johnny Jones' "Sweet Little Woman" (a cleaned-up version of the "dozens"), and his blues-rock licks get trotted out on a stiff version of Robert Johnson's "Walkin' Blues" and the T-Birds-like "Standing at the Crossroads Again."

On the plus side, the minor-key slow blues workout "Really Blue," the jazzy "In Orbit" and his tribute to Danny Gatton ("One For Danny") all have their moments, and "In Another Dream" shows real originality. While Principato's penchant for ending a phrase with a trademarked triplet can get annoying in a hurry, fans of hot, well-executed guitar who aren't fussy about familiar contexts will enjoy this album. /Cub Koda, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Really Blue mc
Really Blue zippy

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Tom Principato - Tip Of The Iceberg

Size: 118.0 MB
Time: 50:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1992
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Call The Law (3:42)
02. Twister (5:46)
03. It All Went Down The Drain (5:38)
04. All My Tears (6:05)
05. Can't You See What You're Doin' To Me? (5:14)
06. Drivin' South (5:50)
07. I Only Have Love (5:20)
08. Goodbye For Now (3:57)
09. I'd Rather Be Blind (3:43)
10. Sweet Little Thing (5:25)

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Tom Principato has long been a regional star in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He has toured nationally around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, but often the venues are clubs. His particular blend of blues-rock is highly specific; jazz guitar master Pat Metheny said of Principato, "He has an enormous talent at telling stories in his solos; he doesn't play 'standard' licks." Raised in suburban Washington, D.C., his early guitar-playing heroes included Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. He listened to his parents' recordings by the likes of Chet Atkins and the Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian, and like a lot of kids, discovered the power of Chicago blues in his high-school years.

Early in his professional career, Principato divided his time between two great cities for blues, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Principato was the leader of a band, Powerhouse, whose only album but lively shows made them a major club attraction in the late '70s. In 1980, Principato also joined guitarist Geoff Muldaur on the road and recorded an album with him as a member of his band. Back home in D.C. in 1981, he sought out and hooked up with a number of musicians, including Big Mama Thornton, Billy Price, and Sunnyland Slim & the Assassins, a band that included Nighthawks guitarist Jimmy Thackery. Principato recorded two albums with the Assassins, No Previous Record (1986) and Partners in Crime (1987). By 1987, Principato had launched his own solo career, playing at various nightclubs in and around D.C. and Northern Virginia with varying trios.

Since 1984, Principato has recorded many solo albums featuring his own varying groups. They include Smokin! (1986), I Know What You're Thinkin (1988), the live Blazing Telecasters with his early mentor Danny Gatton (1990), In Orbit (also 1990), Tip of the Iceberg (1992), In the Clouds (1995), and Really Blue (1998). He released Blues Over the Years in 1999, Not One Word in 2000, Live in Europe in 2001, Fingers on Fire with Pete Kennedy (of the folk-rock duo the Kennedys) in 2002, House on Fire in 2003, Oh No! More Blazing Telecasters -- another duet record with Danny Gatton -- in 2005, and Guitar Gumbo, released that same year. The 2008 album Raising the Roof was credited to the Tom Principato Band -- and he reverted to a solo billing for 2010's A Part of Me. In 2012, he released a collaborative album titled Guitars on Fire: Live at Chez Paulette with Fred Chapellier. The tribute album Robert Johnson Told Me So arrived in 2013, while 2015 brought Live and Still Kickin'! A duet album with Steve Wolf, The Long Way Home, appeared in 2017.

Through the years, Principato has released records on his own Powerhouse Records label, as well as with the now defunct Atlanta-based Ichiban label. His live shows, often accompanied by just a bassist and drummer, are exciting, with lots of guitar pyrotechnics and great playing from the other members of his ensemble. Since the 1990s, Principato has enjoyed ongoing endorsement deals with the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, DR Handmade Strings, Seymour Duncan (pickups), and Roger Mayer (whose namesake founder made a variety of effects pedals and electronic gadgets for Jimi Hendrix).

Based in Falls Church, Virginia when he's not delivering his powerful live shows to crowds in clubs and theaters, Principato is like a lot of unheralded blues and roots rock performers; he spends considerable time in Europe, where the crowds in general seem to be much more appreciative of indigenous American styles. Other than a brief flirtation with Island Records, he has never been signed to a major label. ~Richard Skelly

Tip Of The Iceberg MP3
Tip Of The Iceberg FLAC

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Fred Chapellier, Tom Principato - Guitars On Fire: Live At Chez Paulette

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:47
Size: 125.4 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:15] 1. If Love Is Blind
[7:12] 2. O.V. Wright
[6:29] 3. Don't Wanna Do It
[5:23] 4. My Love Comes Tumblin' Down
[5:17] 5. Part Of Me
[5:01] 6. Beer Drinking Woman
[4:35] 7. Call The Law
[4:58] 8. Night Work
[6:26] 9. I Hear You Knockin'
[6:06] 10. Done Your Daddy Dirty

Tom Principato - Guitar & Vocals; Fred Chapellier - Guitar; Abder Benachour - Bass; Pat Machenaud - Drums; Rody Lahsinat - Congas & Percussion.

"Guitars on Fire" is an outstanding live recording from Tom Principato and his French cohort Fred Chapellier. Recorded in France during one of Tom Principato's regular visits to Europe, "Guitars on Fire" really lives up to its name. It must be said that both musicians deserve high praise for their talent, skill, and execution. With this live CD release, Tom further reinforces his stellar reputation as both an accomplished guitarist and an expressful singer. Fred Chapellier has some great chords up his sleeve, he's got great passion for what he does, and he really holds his own. The two men are actually very well matched in their guitar stylings and singing voices. Well done!

Guitars On Fire: Live At Chez Paulette mc
Guitars On Fire: Live At Chez Paulette zippy

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Tom Principato - Hot Stuff!

Year: 1991
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:39
Size: 93,3 MB
Styles: Electric blues, rocking blues
Scans: Full

1. Congo Square (Re-mixed version) (6:10)
2. Rolene (Previously Unreleased) (4:05)
3. Here I Come (4:24)
4. Blue Lights (6:13)
5. My Baby Worships Me (Unreleased Version) (2:47)
6. Never Make Your Move Too Soon (5:20)
7. I Know What You're Thinkin' (3:53)
8. Try To Reach You (Unreleased Version) (2:57)
9. Slipped, Tripped, Fell In Love (Unedited Version) (4:46)

Tom Principato, longtime linchpin of East Coast favorites Powerhouse, has slowly but surely acquired a nationwide reputation for his well-ordered, exigent blues guitar playing. This set finds the Falls Church, Virginia, resident following an intelligent commercial course, applying himself to attractive covers (from Mink DeVille, Steve Earle, and more) that usually synthesize blues, rock, and soul. "Blue Lights," an original, packs all the emotional ambiguity of the most stirring guitar blues. And his singing is quite good. /Amazon

Personnel: Tom Principato (vocals, guitar, steel guitar, lap steel guitar, 6-string bass); Kim Wilson (harmonica); Pete Barrenbregge, Scott Young (tenor saxophone); Dave Brink (baritone saxophone); Vaughn Nark, Bruce Gates (trumpet); Rick Lillard (trombone); Kevin McKendree (piano); David Palmer, Clark Matthews, Robbie Magruder (drums).

Hot Stuff! mc
Hot Stuff! zippy

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Tom Principato Band - 2 albums: I Know What You're Thinkin' / Live In Europe 1988

Album: I Know What You're Thinkin'
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:03
Size: 84.8 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[3:54] 1. I Won't Recover
[5:15] 2. Never Make Your Move Too Soon
[3:49] 3. Rose Marie
[6:09] 4. Blue Lights
[5:47] 5. Congo Square
[2:59] 6. Try To Reach You
[3:48] 7. I Know What You're Thinkin'...
[5:18] 8. Honeydripper

Tom Principato has spent the last 40+ years as a guitarist and singer based in his hometown of Washington, D.C. In the 1970's, Tom was leader of the legendary band Powerhouse, an East Coast phenomenem who released an album "Night Life" to critical acclaim. Tom has also done brief stints with various acts including Billy Price And The Keystone Rhythm Band, Big Mama Thornton, Sunnyland Slim, James Montgomery, and a group called The Assassins with Jimmy Thackery, former guiatrist with The Nighthawks.

I Know What You're Thinkin'

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Album: Live In Europe 1988
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:00
Size: 141.9 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[ 3:32] 1. Well Oh Well
[ 4:00] 2. I Won't Recover
[ 8:27] 3. Walkin' With Pato
[ 4:02] 4. Somethin' Goin' On In My Room
[ 4:04] 5. Fish Fry
[ 3:14] 6. Nobody
[10:41] 7. Blue Lights
[ 6:45] 8. Cold Women With Warm Hearts
[ 3:03] 9. Try To Reach You
[ 9:14] 10. Congo Square
[ 4:55] 11. Night Life Man

Tom Principato Band "Live in Europe 1988" captures a particularly inspired night in Germany performed during the years when Tom and his band first became prominent in Europe and the U.S. in the mid-1980's, through the world-wide release of their first two albums "Smokin'!" and "I Know What You're Thinkin'..." Most of the material here is live versions and sometimes extended renditions of material from these two albums such as "Blue Lights", and the Band's enormously popular take on Sonny Landreth's "Congo Square" (recorded years before the Neville Bros. and John Mayall),as well as some vintage blues and R&B chestnuts such as Albert King's "Cold Women With Warm Hearts", a smoking version of Tiny Bradshaw's "Well Oh Well", and a re-working of Louis Jordan's "Saturday Night Fish Fry".

Live In Europe 1988

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Tom Principato - Live And Still Kickin'!

Size: 113,6 MB
Time: 48:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Call The Law (5:05)
02. Bo Bo's Groove (6:07)
03. Hey Now Baby (5:41)
04. Don't Wanna Do It (7:51)
05. Helping Hand (3:48)
06. In The Middle Of The Night (5:51)
07. Cross Cut Saw (4:15)
08. Sweet Angel (4:37)
09. Return Of The Voodoo Thing (5:35)

Tom Principato's 18th album captured live at The Barns Of Wolf Trap with an augmented band with special guest Tommy Lepson keyboards and vocals and a 3 piece horn section led by Chris Watling from Grandsons Of The Pioneers.

Tom Principato has spent the last 40+ years as a guitarist and singer based in his hometown of Washington, D.C. In the 1970's, Tom was leader of the legendary band Powerhouse, an East Coast phenomenem who released an album "Night Life" to critical acclaim. Tom also did a one year stint with Geoff Muldaur and recorded an album "I Ain't Drunk" (Hannibal/Island Records 1980) with the band Geoff Muldaur and His Bad Feet members of which included Andy Stein (Asleep At The Wheel), 'Click here to buy it at ZptdudaMusic.Com.Mark Kazanoff (Earl King) and Sarah Brown (Lou Ann Barton).

Tom has also done brief stints with various acts including Billy Price And The Keystone Rhythm Band, Big Mama Thornton, Sunnyland Slim, James Montgomery, and a group called The Assassins with Jimmy Thackery, former guiatrist with The Nighthawks. Tom appears on two albums with the Assassins, "No Previous Record" (1986) and "Partners In Crime" (1987) which won a "Wammy Award".

In 1984 Tom began a solo career, notably recording a live album with the late Washington guitar legend Danny Gatton titled "Blazing Telecasters". This album was considered by The National Academy Of Recorded Arts And Sciences (NARAS) for a Grammy Nomination.

The band has toured clubs and festivals extensively in the U.S., Canada, and Europe including Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, France, Slovenia, Finland, Italy, Sardegna, Corsica, Spain, Portugal, Majorca, Menorca, St. Croix, and even Greece and Turkey!

In addition to winning first place in the WHFS/Harmony Hut "Guitar Talent Hunt" (1980) Tom has won a total of 22 "WAMMY" Awards from the Washington Area Music Association. In 1986, "Smokin'!" won three Wammy Awards; Best Blues Album, Best Male Vocalist-Blues, and Best Blues Instrumentalist. In 1987 Tom won four Wammy Awards; Best Artist/Group-Blues, Best Male Vocalist-Blues, Best Instrumentalist-Blues, and Best Recording-Blues for The Assassins "Partners In Crime" album. In 1988 Tom won three more Wammies; Best Blues Recording-"I Know What You're Thinkin'...", Best Artist/Group-Blues, and Best Instrumentalist-Blues. Tom also won Best Instrumentalist-Blues in 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, and 2001, plus Best Male Vocalist-Blues in 1997. In 1999 "Live & Kickin'" won Best Blues Recording, and Tom Principato Band won Best Blues Group. In 2003 "House On Fire" won Best Blues Recording. In 2006 "Guitar Gumbo" won best Blues Recording and Tom won Best Blues Vocalist. Tom Principato Band was also voted "Blues Act Of The Year"-1997 and "Blues Act Of The Month" for Oct. 1997 by the listeners of "Talkin' Blues Radio" Koln, Germany and Gitarre & Bass Magazine.

Since the 1990's Tom has signed endorsement agreements with Fender Electric Guitar Co., DR String Co., Seymour Duncan pickups, Roger Mayer effects pedals. (Roger Mayer personally made effects pedals and experimental electronic gadgets for Jimi Hendrix), and Soundseat: "The most comfortable music seat ever built."

Tom's 1992 Recording "Tip Of The Iceberg" was co-produced by Chuck Leavell, a keyboard player who has played with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers Band, and Sea Level. Chuck also appears on Tom's "Really Blue" CD. In 1995 Tom's song "In The Clouds" was considered for another Grammy nomination.

Live And Still Kickin'!

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Tom Principato - Blue Licks & Voodoo Things

Released: 1995
Size: 125.6 MB
Time: 54:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles:Modern Electric / Blues Rock
Art: Full

1. Knockin' On The Door [ 3:43]
2. (It Musta Been Some Kinda) Voodoo Thing [ 4:53]
3. The Hunter [ 4:13]
4. Livin' Here Too [ 4:29]
5. In The Clouds [ 6:13]
6. I'm Gone [ 3:54]
7. In A Dream [ 6:13]
8. Come On Home [ 3:09]
9. Return Of The Voodoo Child (Live) [ 7:54]
10. Drivin' South (Live) [10:07]

Longtime Washington DC-area bluesman has become a regional favorite and over the past 40 years of offering his own style of roots guitar heroics has performed with fellow musicians and compatriots like Albert Lee, Danny Gatton, Bullmoose Jackson,Duke Robillard, Tommy Lepson and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos.

Personnel:
Tom Principato (Guitar, Vocals)
Steve Wolf (Bass)
Big Daddy Yard Dog (Bass)
Steve Riggs (Bass)
Conrad Drennon (Drums)
Kevin McKendree (Keyboards, hammond Organ)

Blue Licks & Voodoo Things

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Tom Principato - Raising The Roof! (Remastered)

Size: 122,6 MB
Time: 53:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008/2013
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. Lock & Key (4:40)
02. Too Damn Funky (4:38)
03. In The Middle Of The Night (5:24)
04. Lies (4:25)
05. Bo Bo's Groove (5:46)
06. Fish Fry (7:19)
07. Mi Solea (4:32)
08. 8 Counts For Rita (6:09)
09. They Called For Stormy Monday(But Mustang Sally Is Just As Bad!) (3:04)
10. Don't Wanna Do It (Live At Montreaux Jazz Festival) (7:30)

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Tom Principato has long been a regional star in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He has toured nationally around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, but often the venues are clubs. His particular blend of blues-rock is highly specific; jazz guitar master Pat Metheny said of Principato, "he has an enormous talent at telling stories in his solos; he doesn't play 'standard' licks." Raised in suburban Washington, D.C. his early guitar playing heroes included Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. He listened to his parents' recordings by the likes of Chet Atkins and the Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian, and like a lot of kids, discovered the power of Chicago blues in his high school years.

Earlier in his professional career, Principato divided his time between two still-great cities for blues, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Principato was the leader of a band, Powerhouse, whose only album but lively shows made them a major club attraction in the late '70s. In 1980, Principato also joined guitarist Geoff Muldaur on the road and recorded an album with him as a member of his band. Back home in D.C. in 1981, he sought out and hooked up with a number of musicians, including Big Mama Thornton, Billy Price, and Sunnyland Slim and the Assassins, a band that included Nighthawks guitarist Jimmy Thackery. Principato recorded two albums with the Assassins, No Previous Record (1986) and Partners in Crime (1987). By 1987, Principato had launched his own solo career, playing at various nightclubs in and around D.C. and northern Virginia with varying trios. He made a live recording with his early mentor, Danny Gatton, Blazing Telecasters, which was later released in 1990.

Since 1984, Principato has recorded many solo albums featuring his own varying groups. They include Smokin! (1986) I Know What You're Thinkin (1988) Blazing Telecasters with Danny Gatton, In Orbit (1990) Tip of the Iceberg (1992), In the Clouds (1995), and Really Blue (1998). He released Blues Over the Years in 1999, Not One Word in 2000, Live in Europe in 2001, Fingers on Fire with Pete Kennedy (now of the folk-rock duo the Kennedys) in 2002, House on Fire in 2003, Oh No! More Blazing Telecasters in 2005, and Guitar Gumbo, released that same year. His most recent recording, Raising the Roof, was released in 2008.

Through the years, Principato has released records on his own Powerhouse Records label, as well as with the now-defunct, Atlanta-based Ichiban label. His live shows, often accompanied by just a bassist and drummer, are exciting, with lots of guitar pyrotechnics and great playing from the other members of his ensemble. Since the 1990s, Principato has enjoyed ongoing endorsement deals with Fender guitars, DR String Co., Seymour Duncan pickups, and Roger Mayer effects pedals. (The London-based Mayer made a variety of effects pedals and electronic gadgets for Jimi Hendrix.)

Based in Falls Church, VA., when he's not out delivering his powerful live shows to crowds in clubs and theaters, Principato is like lot of unheralded blues and roots rock performers; he spends a lot of time in Europe, where the crowds in general seem to be much more appreciative of indigenous American styles. Other than a brief flirtation with Island Records, he has never been signed to a major label. ~Bio by Richard Skelly.

Raising The Roof!

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Tom Principato - Robert Johnson Told Me So

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:23
Size: 85.6 MB
Styles: Modern electric blues
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:18] 1. Robert Johnson Told Me So
[3:42] 2. Knockin' On The Door
[4:16] 3. It Ain't Over (Til It's Over)
[4:36] 4. What Goes Around (Comes Back Around)
[7:42] 5. The Rain Came Pourin' Down
[4:20] 6. 22042 Falls Church, Virginia
[4:31] 7. Run Out Of Time
[3:54] 8. It Ain't Over (Til It's Over) [reprise]

The new CD features return guest appearances by Chuck Leavell, (Stones, Allman Bros., Sea Level, John Mayer) Willie Weeks (bass, Eric Clapton) and Jim Brock (drums Kathy Mattea) as well as some of the best musicians from the Washington, D.C. area including members of Tom's current performing and road band: Tommy Lepson- keyboard & vocals, Joe Wells-drums, Josh Howel -vocals & percussion, Steve Wolf bass, and two different horn sections led by arranger/baritone saxophonist Christ Watling. This CD is comprised entirely of original compositions.

Robert Johnson Told Me So

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