Pepe Ahlqvist w. Tomi Leino Trio - Backstreets Of Blue

Album: Backstreets Of Blue
Size: 110,1 MB
Time: 47:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Blues/Soul/Americana mix
Art: Front

1. Love O.D. (4:59)
2. This Lonesome City (4:45)
3. Time Will Heal Your Broken Heart (4:55)
4. What A Real Fine Day (3:46)
5. Can't Get Better (5:32)
6. Polarized (5:14)
7. Look At The Stars With Me (3:52)
8. I Don't Wanna Lose You (4:06)
9. Oh Darling (4:18)
10. Just Be Just (6:00)

Finnish blues pioneer Pepe Ahlqvist and Tomi Leino Trio - one of Finland's most internationally successful roots-genre bands - released their joint album "Backstreets Of Blue" on August 7, 2021. The songs on the album consist of Leino and Ahlqvist's original compositions.

Moving on the boundaries of soul, blues and even rock, the album highlights Ahlqvist's personal and strong vocals, style-conscious harmonica playing and strong guitar playing. Tomi Leino Trio's uncompromising, hypnotic backbeat together with Hammond organ and piano virtuoso Harri Taittonen and singer Lena Lindroos - who are guests on the album - create the album's big, plush sound.

Pepe Ahlqvist is an internationally known and respected blues musician whose career has lasted half a century. Pepe Ahlqvist's wonderful and successful recordings and over 6,000 gigs over the years have guaranteed stable popularity throughout the years. Pepe Ahlqvist is considered a talented and personable singer-songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player.

Tomi Leino Trio is one of Finland's hardest-working roots bands. The music of the band, led by singer/guitarist/harpist Tomi Leino, is a versatile concoction with influences from blues, soul and rock 'n' roll. The Tomi Leino Trio members - Tomi Leino, Jaska Prepula and Mikko Peltola - are experienced blues professionals who have also worked in the backing bands of numerous American and European blues stars. For years, the group has performed extensively abroad, especially in the Nordic countries and Central Europe.

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Backstreets Of Blue gofile

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Tomi Leino Trio - Play That Thing!

Album: Play That Thing!
Size: 72,2 MB
Time: 31:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Blues
Art: Front, back

1. I'm A Love You (3:22)
2. Doreen (3:00)
3. Leave My Money Alone (3:18)
4. That's What They Want (2:54)
5. Knucklehead (2:26)
6. You Broke My Heart (3:17)
7. What's The Matter With You (2:56)
8. I Gotta Move On (3:57)
9. Sticky Finger (2:55)
10. Pouring Rain (2:52)

The Tomi Leino Trio is one of the most booked blues and roots bands in Scandinavia, reports the release sheet of Play That Thing!, the third release of the Finnish formation that has bombarded many clubs and festivals in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Spain with their heartfelt music since their existence in 2011. In 2013 they released the album Get On Down, which was just reissued, and in 2016 Hip Shootin'. Not much has changed since then, at most that Tomi Leino, in addition to his guitar and harmonica playing, shows that he has now mastered piano playing, making the band's sound even more varied.

Again, ten compact songs with a playing time of about three minutes each were recorded in Tomi Leino's Suprovox studio. Bassist Jaska Prepula and drummer Mikko Peltola provide an extremely solid base, which is entirely in the service of the songs. Four covers were chosen for the album, the mellow Jimmy Reed shuffle "I'm A Love You", where harmonica plays a prominent role, the rocking shuffle "Leave My Money Alone" by Cornelius Lonesome Sundown Green and Jerry West, complemented by great keyboard work by Tomi, and then Jerry McCain's "Thats What They Want", reminiscent of "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters. The fourth cover is the instrumental "Knucklehead" by Steve Cropper and Booker T. Jones, with Tomi alternating between a solo on guitar and harmonica.

The six self-penned tunes blend seamlessly with the selected covers. Like the three different shuffles in a row "What's The Matter With You", "I Gotta Move On" with fine guitar work by Leino and the slide-infused instrumental "Sticky Finger". The album ends with "Pouring Rain", which evokes a beautiful Louisiana swamp blues atmosphere through Tomi Leino's harmonica playing and is reminiscent of the Excello Records label where so many artists from this region released their recordings. The requisite Louisiana swamp blues influences are also evident on "Doreen" with its wonderful reverb effects on the guitar and the two-four time "You Broke My Heart".

A very strong sequel to Hip Shootin', proving once again that we are dealing with seasoned musicians. So it's not surprising that musicians like James Harman, R.J. Mischo, Steve Guyger, Barrelhouse Chuck, Steve West Weston and Terry Hanck have asked the Tomi Leino Trio to accompany them on their European tours in the past.

Play That Thing! mc
Play That Thing! gofile

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R.J. Mischo - In Finland

Album: In Finland
Size: 106,6 MB
Time: 46:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front, back

1. Everybody (4:25)
2. She Got Next To Me (3:11)
3. Two Ears And One Mouth (3:10)
4. Good Intentions (3:33)
5. Second Wind Two (4:52)
6. Avanto Shuffle (2:29)
7. Spread Your Hustle (4:19)
8. She's Good to Me (4:07)
9. Tried To Kill Me #2 (4:15)
10. Don't Look Down (3:34)
11. Dark Road City Light (4:20)
12. Going Out To California (3:41)

RJ Mischo has been dropping blues records and discs since the 90s and his latest is out right now. The new release was captured ‘live’ in Studio late, last year at Suprovox Analog Recording in Karkkila, Finland. That certainly comes as no surprise when you consider RJ’s popularity and fan base in Scandinavia and throughout Europe is just as wide-ranging as it is across the U.S.

Mischo’s style of play has that rich, Chicago blues tone with an uptempo West Coast swing. It’s the type of music that forces you to get up and get on your feet. And what’s really interesting, you can almost hear his influences in his playing. From ‘Mojo’ Buford and Lynwood Slim to Rod Piazza and Kim Wilson; Mischo’s sound has that feel of the familiar but with added bends and phrasing that create the unexpected. How does that even happen? “I’m a very spontaneous musician,” RJ says. “And I work with so many pick up bands, that all shows are one of a kind, I can’t repeat myself even if I try.”

The new CD has 12 tracks, eleven of which are Mischo originals and one track ‘She Got Next to Me’ in homage to the late Sonny Boy Williamson II. “The one Sonny Boy cover has no real significance.” RJ shares. “Other than Sonny Boy is one of my major influences and I usually cut at least one of his tunes on every CD project.” That tradition continues even if you are recording in Finland. “What happened here is after we cut all my originals, then we just jammed out for some tunes off the cuff and that one made it, but actually I had no plan in advance to do that tune.”

The Blues are truly a universal language and RJ reinforces this by putting together a very tight and extremely talented rhythm section. “The Finnish band on this CD is the Tomi Leino Trio, I’ve known and have toured in Europe many times so we have great chemistry, we have never rehearsed… and those guys can play! I love ’em!” The band includes Tomi Leino and Jonne Kulluvaara on guitars, Jaska Prepula on bass and Mikko Peltola on drums.

Whether you like shuffles, slow blues or uptempo boogies; ‘In Finland’ offers up a little taste for everyone. RJ Mischo is without a doubt a performance artist and that is the best way to experience his blues. ‘In Finland’ captured ‘live’ as it happened, is a strong second. Enjoy. /T.E. Mattox, Traveling Boy

In Finland mc
In Finland gofile

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Tomi Leino Trio - Hip Shootin'

Size: 166 MB
Time: 33:02
File: FLAC
Released: 2016
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. Up The Line (3:30)
02. Elaine (3:28)
03. I've Got To Be With You Tonight (4:07)
04. Rough Ride Woman (3:13)
05. Hip Shooter (4:06)
06. No More (2:43)
07. Can't Stop Loving You (3:16)
08. (I Wanna) Play A Little While (2:42)
09. Can't Stand To See You Go (3:02)
10. Jelly Roll King (2:51)

One of Finland's most successful blues/roots bands, Tomi Leino Trio, now release their new album "Hip Shootin". The band serves up a varied package of good old authentic party music, but with a fresh twist. This CD was recorded (at the studio) directly to a Ampex 2 track (completely live) which makes the disc a spontaneous pleasure, revealing many hard years of touring, producing a perfected, seamless ensemble. The sound is wonderfully raw and true to the early years of the genre. Tomi Leino Trio is composed of three "special blues man". Together, the trio is more powerful than the parts, building a hypnotic and dramatic sum to create this absolutely engaging CD.

Hip Shootin'

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Tomi Leino Trio - Get On Down

Size: 94,9 MB
Time: 40:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

01. East Street Shuffle (3:41)
02. Take Me For A Ride (3:31)
03. Out Of Town (3:03)
04. Look Whatcha Done (2:41)
05. Red River Mambo (3:18)
06. Crying Won't Help You (4:19)
07. Here I Am (4:12)
08. Life Gave Me A Dirty Deal (5:05)
09. Little Girl (4:17)
10. Sleeping In The Ground (3:49)
11. Lightnin' Boogie (2:24)

EXTREMELY well played and exciting release from the Finnish guitarist and harmonica player....With covers of MAGIC SAM-- ROBERT NIGHTHAWK--SAM MYERS-- LIGHTNIN HOPKINS and a bunch of well crafted originals, this set stands out.....Leino is a accomplished guitarist that weds vibrato & distortion in the right amounts to the right song......He is also a great harmonica player whose tone is strong and tough.....This is a good one!!!!!!

Tomi Leino is a blues singer, harp player and guitarist from Helsinki, Finland. Being a self taught musician he has spent most of his life listening and playing blues and other root music.

Tomi Leino Trio's rhythm section members - Jaska Prepula on bass / guitar, and Mikko Peltola on drums – are experienced blues musicians that have also been touring all around mid-Europe and Scandinavia with artists like Mitch Kashmar, James Harman, R.J. Mischo and many others.

Tomi Leino Trio plays straight forward blues with a great deal of feeling and lays down grooves that rock the house from intimate clubs to festival stages.

Members:
Tomi Leino - vocals, guitar & harmonica
Jaska Prepula - bass & guitar
Mikko Peltola - drums

Get On Down

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Kat Baloun & Tomi Leino Trio - She's Got It

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:58
Size: 98.4 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues, Contemporary blues
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:26] 1. Mean Old Man
[3:46] 2. 5-10-15 Hours
[3:09] 3. Keep It To Myself
[3:57] 4. There Is Something In Your Mind
[3:51] 5. Cry For Me Baby
[3:08] 6. It's So Fine
[3:13] 7. Where Were You
[5:22] 8. Can't Hold Out Much Longer
[2:24] 9. Somewhere Down The Line
[4:01] 10. Ain't No Hurry To Go Home
[2:22] 11. Too Late
[4:12] 12. Take Me Back

Born Katherine Elise Baloun, July 27, 1956 in El Paso, Texas, I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. My mother, Mary Lou (deceased Dec. 06) was a classical pianist & organist, and she directed the church choir in which my father and I sang. My mother got me started on the piano with 5 and at 7 I learned the violin and then at 13 I picked up the harmonica. At this time there was a new genre of blues music coming out, along with the old, that had influenced me. During my teens and twenties I played only occasionaly. 22 years later (1991) I met several musicians as I was living in San Francisco. They encouraged me to start playing the harmonica again. Shortly thereafter (1992), I joined the Elmer Lee Thomas Blues Band as harp player and then was later encouraged to sing. In 1994 I moved to Berlin and put my own band together. Through the years I'd met several accomplished musicians in Berlin and the surrounding areas. In 2002 I formed a band with Nina T. Davis. Together, we assembled the Alleycats (see Alleycats) and have two cd's. In 1998 I met Hattie St. John, who had also moved to Berlin from New Zealand. Together we have our duo, called, Ladies First. We have done two cd's together. Our program consists of an acoustic-folk-blues- jazz formulation. I've also been invited to play with Blues Rudy from Wittenberg, and with the Wild Women. The Wild Women is a band formulated by Micha Maass (on drums) with Nina, on piano, Amy Zapf on bass, Tina Tandler, sax, and Veronica Vogel on the guitar. Together we are one powerful band to be reckoned with. Also, I need to give thanks to my higher power and a big thank you to the help of family, friends and fans. Without them I would not have survived the lean years.Not only do I work with local Berliner musicians, but I am always encouraging my friends from the S.F./ Bay Area to come over and play.

She's Got It

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