Saturday, August 27, 2022

#572 > GA-20 - Crackdown (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

GA-20

Crackdown

2022 – Karma Chief Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 27, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Last year, I heard GA-20’s attention-snatching tribute to the legendary bluesman Hound Dog Taylor, and I’ve been a fan of theirs ever since. Consisting of guitarist Matt Stubbs, a fourteen-year veteran of Charlie Musselwhite’s touring band, guitarist/vocalist Pat Faherty, and drummer Tim Carman, GA-20 has been a force in the blues arena since 2018. The trio’s latest record, Crackdown consists of ten all-original tracks seared to perfection with their raw, unbridled approach to the blues, and I absolutely love it.

From the beginning, I’m captivated by the blanket of fuzz and heavy bass forming the ominous landscape of “Fairweather Friend”. Fueled by a driving rhythm and cast with a vintage sound, the song grabs ahold of me with a tight grip. GA-20 calls back to the days of Howlin’ Wolf with “Easy on the Eyes”. Steeped in swampy juke-joint blues and loaded with feral howls, the song is definitely one of my favorites. The spirit of James Brown is summoned and cast into the funky title-track “Crackdown”. If one can’t get down to this one, they’ve surely passed on to another plane of existence. Short, sweet, and clocking in at just a bit over two minutes, “Double Getting”, is another cool-as-hell tune. With a lively beat, it dances its way through rockabilly, surf-rock, and blues, culminating in retro-rock experience.

GA-20 continues to push the envelope with blues, all-while maintaining a high level of authenticity. This is a band I really want to catch live. I know it would be a great experience.

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For more information about GA-20, visit this website : https://ga20band.com

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

#571 > Bourbon and Blues Festival - 2022 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

McGrath Amphitheater

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 23, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Battling a forecast filled with rain and a last-minute lineup change, the first annual Bourbon & Blues Festival co-presented by Linn County Blues Society and Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery hit the ground running. The temperamental weather fizzled out early and blues fans were rewarded with a whopping dose of outstanding music. Molly Nova and the Hawk featuring Bryce Janey took the stage first and gave a riveting performance. Next up was bluesman Davy Knowles, a musician who Peter Frampton declared “gunslinger/guitarist of the 21^st Century”. He was an awe-inspiring treat to say the least. Danielle Nicole Band followed and pretty much set the stage on fire with a searing performance highlighted with a guest appearance from Kevin Burt who accompanied on vocals. Headliner Carolyn Wonderland with Shelly King closed the show in a high-energy fashion with blazing guitars and a slathering of lap steel. It really was a great festival, and I’m already looking forward to next year.

* All Photos by Phillip Smith

Kevin Burt

Molly Nova and the Hawk

featuring Bryce Janey

Davy Knowles

Danielle Nicole Band

Carolyn Wonderland

* All photos by Phillip Smith

Saturday, August 20, 2022

#570 > Skye Pollard - Masquerade (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2022 – Skye Pollard

Release Date : 9/10/22

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 20, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Hailing from the Ozark mountains in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is Skye Pollard, an artist who I just recently became aware of. His latest release, Masquerade is such a fine-crafted work, I took to it immediately. With song-writing chops that equally match his musicianship, his masterful lyrics beautifully flow along a country-roots-rock stream. With Pollard on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, his band consists of bassist David Gesualdo, drummer Derek Russell,and Dylan Hawf on fiddle and acoustic lead.

In “Life’s Highway”, Pollard reflects on the ups and downs of living as he sings “Wouldn’t have rainbows if ya didn’t have the rain.”. This first song from the four-track EP captivates me with Pollard’s unique voice and his band’s tight-knit mountain-folk performance. “Barely Getting’ By” is my absolute favorite track from this release. Though not a blues song, this song is pure blues at its soul. When I hear lyrics that say “Don’t ask me how I’m feelin, cause I don’t wanna have to lie.”, I hear words from someone who wears their heart on their sleeve. Pollard keeps the music robust and the words insightful as he wraps up this EP with title-track “Masquerade”, an anthem for the freak nation. It’s a brilliant song, both instrumentally and lyrically.

Skye Pollard delivers a bright and unique blend of folk, country, and rock with Masquerade. I’m absolutely looking forward to his next release.

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For more information about Skye Pollard, visit this website : https://www.skyepollard.com/

Monday, August 15, 2022

#569 > Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival - 2022 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival - 2022

Clarksdale, Mississippi

August 11-14, 2022

By Phillip Smith; August 15, 2022

Original Source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I had a terrific time on my third trip down to Clarksdale, Mississippi for the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. The festivities began Thursday evening at the Grits, Greens & BBQ VIP party where we were treated to a delicious meal. Live entertainment was provided by Stan Street and Jaxx Nassar, Sean “Bad” Apple, and Terry “Big T” Williams. It was an absolutely fabulous time.

After catching a few live acts (Steve Kolbus, Jaxx Nassar, Lala Craig, and Lucious Spiller) at the Ground Zero Blues Club on Friday afternoon, court was held at the main stage next to the Delta Blues Museum. The artist lineup was outstanding. It featured The Delta Blues Museum Band, Heavy Suga & the SweetTones, Lucious Spiller, Anthony “Big A” Sherrod, and James “Super Chikan” Johnson.

Saturday, I started off at Ground Zero for more blues from Steve Kolbus, Mark Miller, Walter Busby, and Lee Williams. Afterwards, I headed off to Cat Head to catch their 20^th year festivities with a lovely live front-porch performance from Australia “Honeybee” Jones and 19^th Street Red. Knowing Jaxx Nassar was playing again at Ground Zero, we headed back to catch one more set from her, and staying for Big Train and the Loco Motives from Norman Oklahoma was a must. Immediately following their captivating performance, it was time to settle back down again at the main stage for Brad Money Maker, Mark “Mule Man” Massey, and riveting set from Jimbo Mathus.